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The article offers information on the risks of mother-to-child HIV transmission through breast feeding in the developing countries. Various infant-feeding strategies are discussed including administration of highly active anti-retroviral therapy in case of HIV infected women, both during pregnancy and after childbirth. It is suggested that developing countries should follow health care recommendations of the World Health Organization to reduce the rates of potential mother-to-child transmission.

To obtain information on the prevalence of anovulation and early menopause and on pituitary-gonadal function among human immunodeficiency virus type 1-infected women, a study was undertaken that used stored serum samples from women aged 20–42 years who participated in selected Adult AIDS Clinical Trials Group protocols. Defined progesterone and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) levels were considered presumptive evidence of ovulation and of menopause, respectively. Anovulation occurred in 16 (48%) of 33 women for whom progesterone levels were tested; early menopause occurred in 2 (8%) of 24 women for whom FSH levels were tested. No statistically significant differences were seen in the demographic and clinical characteristics of anovulatory and ovulatory women, although women who ovulated had higher CD4 T cell counts and were less likely to have reported a recent change in menstrual periods. These data support the findings of prior studies of increased frequency of amenorrhea and/or irregular menstrual cycles, particularly among women with lower CD4 T cell counts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coming shortly after outbreaks of dengue and chikungunya virus in related locations, the recent outbreak of Zika virus in the southern part of the western hemisphere is yet another reminder that infectious pathogens continue to emerge rapidly and can adversely affect public health, including the safety of the blood supply. In response to Zika virus, public health measures that rely largely on donor deferral and sourcing of blood from non-outbreak areas until a blood donor screening test becomes available have been implemented to address the safety of the blood supply in the United States. However, a more universal approach to ensuring blood safety in the setting of rapidly emerging infectious diseases is needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae (NTHi) persists in the airways in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). NTHi expresses 4 immunoglobulin (Ig)A protease variants (A1, A2, B1, B2) with distinct cleavage specificities for human IgA1. Little is known about the different roles of IgA protease variants in NTHi infection.Methods: Twenty-six NTHi isolates from a 20-year longitudinal study of COPD were analyzed for IgA protease expression, survival in human respiratory epithelial cells, and cleavage of lysosomal-associated membrane protein 1 (LAMP1).Results: IgA protease B1 and B2-expressing strains showed greater intracellular survival in host epithelial cells than strains expressing no IgA protease (P < .001) or IgA protease A1 or A2 (P < .001). Strains that lost IgA protease expression showed reduced survival in host cells compared with the same strain that expressed IgA protease B1 (P = .006) or B2 (P = .015). IgA proteases B1 and B2 cleave LAMP1. Passage of strains through host cells selected for expression of IgA proteases B1 and B2 but not A1.Conclusions: IgA proteases B1 and B2 cleave LAMP1 and mediate intracellular survival in respiratory epithelial cells. Intracellular persistence of NTHi selects for expression of IgA proteases B1 and B2. The variants of NTHi IgA proteases play distinct roles in pathogenesis of infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An introduction to the journal is presented in which the editor discusses an article on the perspective on HIV-exposed uninfected individuals, the immune activation, and model systems.

Determines the role of cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) in persistence of human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. Detection of CTL responses in women with HPV 16 infections; Role of CTL in clearing HPV 16 infection in women without intraepithelial lesion (SILs); Implications of E6 antigen response.

Examines the genetic variability of the phosphorylation homology domain (PePHD) in patients receiving IFN therapy. Role of hepatitis C virus (HCV) in the inhibition of interferon-induced double stranded RNA-activated protein kinase; Conservation of PePHD in 38 HCV GenBank isolates; Recognition of HCV infection as the major clinical problem in the world.

Focuses on the concurrent administration of albendazole and praziquantel in children with schistosomiasis and geohelminths in the Philippines, China and Kenya. Impact of the medication on the cure rate; Difference in the side effect rate from albendazole; Influence of dying parasites on praziquantel-treated children.