Search

Abstract: Thanks to its sensitivity and its ease of use in the field, the card agglutination test for trypanosomiasis (CATT) is widely used for serological screening of Trypanosoma brucei gambiense human African trypanosomiasis (HAT). Positive subjects are then examined by microscopy to confirm the disease. However, the CATT exhibits false-positive results raising the question of whether CATT-positive subjects who are not confirmed by microscopic detection of trypanosomes (SERO) are truly exposed to T.b. gambiense infection. For this purpose, we applied microsatellite genotyping on DNA extracted from blood of both HAT confirmed patients and SERO subjects in Guinea and Côte d’Ivoire since microsatellite genotyping has proved useful for the study of T.b. gambiense genetic diversity. Problems of amplification failures raise the question of the sensitivity of microsatellite markers when applied on biological samples especially from SERO subjects for who low blood parasitaemia are suspected. Nevertheless, we have shown that the trypanosomes from SERO individuals that have been genotyped belong to T.b. gambiense group 1 and were identical to those found in HAT patients. These results constitute the first evidences that at least some SERO are indeed infected by T.b. gambiense group 1 and that they may constitute a human reservoir of parasite in HAT foci. Whether these individuals should undergo treatment remains an open question as long as their role in HAT transmission is unknown. Our results strongly recommend the follow-up of such subjects to improve control strategies. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background & objectives: in the Revised National Tuberculosis Control Programme (RNTCP) in India prior to 2005, TB patients were offered standard DOTS regimens without knowledge of HIV status. Consequently such patients did not receive anti-retroviral therapy (ART) and the influence of concomitant HIV infection on the outcome of anti-tuberculosis treatment remained undetermined. This study was conducted to determine the results of treatment of HIV seropositive pulmonary tuberculosis patients with the RNTCP (DOTS) regimens under the programme in comparison with HIV negative patients prior to the availability, of free ART in India. Methods: Between September 2000 and July 2006, 283 newly diagnosed pulmonary TB patients were enrolled in the study at the TB Outpatient Department at the Talera Hospital in the Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation area at Pune (Maharashtra): they included 121 HIV seropositive and 162 HIV seronegative patients. They were treated for tuberculosis as per the RNTCP in India. This study was predominantly conducted in the period before the free ART become available in Pune. Results: At the end of 6 months of anti-TB treatment, 62 per cent of the HIV seropositive and 92 per cent of the HIV negative smear negative patients completed treatment and were asymptomatic; among smear positive patients, 70 per cent of the HIV-seropositive and 81 per cent of HIV seronegative pulmonary TB patients were cured. Considering the results in the smear positive and smear negative cases together, treatment success rates were substantially lower in HIV positive patients than in HIV negative patients, (66% vs 85%). Further, 29 per cent of HIV seropositive and 1 per cent of the HIV seronegative patients expired during treatment. During the entire period of 30 months, including 6 months of treatment and 24 months of follow up, 61 (51%) of 121 HIV positive patients died; correspondingly there were 6 (4%) deaths among HIV negative patients. Interpretation & conclusions: The HIV seropositive TB patients responded poorly to the RNTCP regimens as evidenced by lower success rates with chemotherapy and high mortality rates during treatment and follow up. There is a need to streamline the identification and management of HIV associated TB patients in the programme with provision of ART to achieve high cure rates for TB, reducing mortality rates and ensuring a better quality of life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Epidemiological studies have demonstrated higher frequencies of the O blood group and the nonsecretor phenotype of ABH antigens among patients suffering from peptic ulcers. Since Helicobacter pylori has been established as the main etiological factor in this disease, controversies about the associations of the ABO and Lewis blood group phenotypes and secretor and nonsecretor phenotypes in relation to susceptibility towards infection by this bacillus have been presented. The aim of this study was to verify the frequencies of ABO and Rhesus (Rh) blood groups in H. pylori seropositive symptomatic patients. The study included (n = 1108) patients with dyspepsia symptoms referred from an outpatient clinic in Erbil city for investigation. Age, sex, and residency were recorded as a routine laboratory framework. Patients underwent SD Bioline (Standard Diagnostics Inc, Kyonggi-do, South Korea) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay serologic tests for H. pylori. ABO blood group phenotypes were determined by a standard hemagglutination test. Results showed that 64.8% of patients (n = 718/1108) were seropositive for H. pylori infection, and (35.2%) (n = 390/1108) were seronegative. Of the seropositive patients, 40.8% (n = 293/718) were male and 59.2% (n = 425/718) were female; while of the seronegative patients, 46.7% (n = 182/390) were male and 53.3% (n = 208/390) were female. The mean age for seropositives and seronegatives was (38.0 ± 14.6) years and (37.6 ± 15.7) years respectively. The frequency of the ABO and Rh-positive (Rh+) blood groups among seropositive patients was (A = 32.0%, B = 19.5%, AB = 6.7%, O = 41.8%, and Rh+ = 92.5%) and was (A = 32.3%, B = 28.2%, AB = 8.0%, O = 31.5%, and Rh+ = 92.5%) in seronegatives. The results of this study suggest that ABO blood groups, age, and gender influence seropositivity for H. pylori infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Infection with EBV has previously been implicated in influencing allergic disorders, but its precise role remains contradictory. The timing of primary infection may contribute to the discrepancies. Objective: This study aimed at investigating whether the time-point of primary EBV infection during childhood could be of importance in modulating the risk of developing IgE sensitization. Methods: A total of 219 Swedish infants were followed prospectively to 5 years of age with clinical examinations, skin prick testing, specific IgE analyses, and determination of serostatus against EBV. Results: After analysis of the children''s EBV serostatus, we found that 5-year-olds who were infected with EBV before the age of 2 years were at a significantly lower risk of being persistently IgE-sensitized—that is, sensitized at both 2 and 5 years of age (adjusted odds ratio, 0.34; 95% CI, 0.12-0.94). In contrast, contraction of EBV after 2 years of age was highly associated with late-onset IgE sensitization (adjusted odds ratio, 4.64; 95% CI, 1.57-13.69). Persistently sensitized 5-year-olds had higher specific-IgE levels than children with late-onset IgE sensitization (P < .01). Conclusion: Our data support the value of early-life microbial exposure for protection against the development of IgE sensitization and underscore the proximate postnatal years as an important period during which EBV could contribute to an allergo-protective immune profile. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

HIV/Aids is a disease with physical and psychological consequences that can reach the affective-relationship field. The study aimed to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Central Relationship Questionnaire (CRQ 6.0) in seropositive HIV/Aids patients. The CRQ 6.0 is a self-report instrument, based on the Core Conflictual Relationship Theme (CCRT), and designed to evaluate the central relationship pattern according to three components: wish (W), response of other (RO) and response from self (RS). Samples were integrated by a group of HIV-positive persons (G1, n = 50) and one group of persons who accompanied ambulatory patients in the same hospital (G2, n = 40). The CRQ 6.0 showed good internal consistency (alphas between 0.80 to 0.87), evidence of convergent and discriminant validity, with positive and significant associations between its components and factors of the Scale for Assessment of Symptoms (EAS-40) (from 0.23 to 0.57) and significant difference on scores between G1 and G2 for RS and between sexes for W in the G1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To determine the incidence of HIV infection in people with risk factors, who attended to the Familiar Medical Unit No. 28 "Gabriel Mancera", of the Mexican Social Security Institute, in order to offer control of the infection and opportune medical attention for the maximal improvement for their quality of life. Material and methods: 1,070 patients of both genera between 15 and 70 years of age who were seen a year long at the Familiar Medical Unit No. 28 "Gabriel Mancera", of the Mexican Social Security Institute were included in the study. The reason of consult were: long last fever, important weight loose, frequent respiratory infections with or without cardiovascular compromise, repeated episodes of diarrhea, intravenous drugs users, sexual relationships with suspicious or multiple partners and homosexuality. Those patients because of his occupation were exposed to high risk factors to acquire the HIV infection, were also included. All patients gave their consent to provide a blood sample which was collected in Vacutainer contents without anticoagulant in order to perform an ELISA as screen test and a Western Blot as confirmatory test. Positive cases were included in monitoring programs for the study of their contacts, habits and familiar, social and work relationships. Results: From 1,070 patients, only 200 cases were positive to HIV (18.70%); 152 (76%) were male and 48 (24%) were female in proportion of 3:1. Most affected age groups were those between 16 and 55 years old, with positivity preponderance in male. The higher positivity were found in persons who had not finished high school (37%) and related to occupation, stewardess and people who work in tourism activities showed the major positivity to HIV infection(16.5%). Health workers, only presented a positivity of 5%. Conclusions: The importance of carry out serologic studies to every patient who had high risk factors, since a great number of people have seropositivity to HIV with no knowledge of it, is emphasized. Data obtained allows to take actions designated to prevent and damage control and devastating consequences generated by this virus infection, so the precautions most be universal, which implicates the consideration of that all patient may be HIV carrier and potentially infectious, until the contrary was demonstrated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Objective: To study the immunological profile, disease characteristics and socioeconomic status of a population of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in Sri Lanka. Methods: A case-control study was undertaken to characterize the immunoglobulin profiles of 105 RA and, age and gender matched osteoarthritis (OA) patients (n = 30) from the National Hospital, Sri Lanka. Healthy, non-arthritic individuals (n=30) served as controls. Sera were assayed for immunoglobulins [IgG, IgM, IgE and IgA isotypes] by establishing sandwich type ELISA. IgM, IgG and IgA rheumatoid factors (RFs) of 162RA patients were assayed by indirect ELISA. Disease characteristics and socioeconomic factors were accrued via an interviewer-administered questionnaire. Results: Higher IgG, IgM, IgE, IgA and lower IgG1, IgG2 levels were observed in RA sera compared with controls (P < 0.05). Novel correlations between disease characteristics and immunoglobulins, as well as group-specific correlation matrices of immunoglobulins and RFs (P < 0.05) of seropositive and seronegative patients, were found. Higher IgM-RF and IgA-RF levels in seropositives and IgG-RF in seronegatives were evident compared with controls (P < 0.05). Immunoglobulin and RF profiles did not reflect gender disparity of RA (P > 0.05). Proportions of seropositives with nodules and erosions were significantly higher than seronegatives (P < 0.05). While IgM-RF and erosions positively correlated in the seropositives (P < 0.05), the seronegatives showed an inverse correlation between IgG-RF and erosions (P < 0.01). Familial clustering imposed a relative risk of 4.7 for developing seropositive RA. Conclusions: This model study provides baseline information on pathogenetic aspects of RA in Sri Lanka, which may have implications for further research on management of the disease. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: In this paper we evaluate serology as a tool to monitor Trichinella-free pig herds. Indoor, industrial-raised fattening pigs in the Netherlands are practically Trichinella-free, and were used as a negative reference cohort. A positive cohort was not available but we used sera from an endemic region in Argentina to model a plausible distribution of serological responses (as OD levels) in positive sera, employing the difference between the endemic sera and the negative Dutch sera. We describe a method for correcting for variation among ELISA plates using on-plate reference sera, and demonstrate how to apply these corrections to a collection of test sera from pig farms. The positive and negative reference distributions can be used to estimate fractions true and false positives, necessary for defining appropriate cutoffs to be used for classifying positive and negative animals. Based on this analysis, the serological test was shown to lack the predictive power required for its large scale deployment. The properties of the serological test were also compared to the conventional digestion assay, which is highly specific but considerably less sensitive. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Herpes B virus infection is almost asymptomatic in macaques (Macaca spp.), which are the natural hosts of this pathogen, but is the cause of high mortality in humans. Reactivation of the latent virus in the trigeminal ganglia (TG) results in the shedding of infectious particles into the oral mucosal membrane. Saliva contaminated with the reactivated virus from the ganglia of the natural host is considered to be important for viral transmission to humans and other monkeys. In the present study, we investigated the prevalence of the herpes B virus genome in the left and right TG of seropositive asymptomatic cynomolgus macaques. The latent virus genome was detected using a polymerase chain reaction and microplate hybridization assay. We found that the virus DNA was present in one or both TG of 12 of the 30 macaques (40%) tested, with the virus being detected from both TG in five of the 12 macaques and from a single TG in the remaining seven. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a study among HIV-positive injection drug users (IDUs) to measure self-perceived responsibility to limit HIV transmission during sex. In a multivariate analysis, HIV-positive IDUs who felt responsible were those with greater HIV knowledge, perceived social support, self-efficacy for safely injecting, and self-efficacy using condoms. It concludes that working with HIV-positive IDUs to increase or reinforce feelings of responsibility may reduce the sexual transmission of HIV.

The article shows the relationship of lending needles/syringes with HIV-negative and unknown status injector partners among HIV positive injection drug users (IDUs). Results shows that 18% of participants self-reported that they lent their needles to HIV-negative or unknown status injection partners. It mentions that the multivariate analyses shows that six variables are significantly associated with this high-risk injecting practice.

The article presents a study on the acceptability of audio computer-assisted (A-CASI) by HIV-positive injection drug users (IDUs) in a multisite, randomized, controlled trial of behavioral intervention. It suggests that the study aims to describe how HIV-positive IDUs in an intervention trial viewed A-CASI and to identify the characteristics of participants who held unfavorable A-CASI. It concludes that further research on the associations between A-CASI attitudes and characteristics is needed.

The article discusses the results from a randomized controlled trial of a peer-mentoring intervention to reduce HIV transmission and increase access to care and adherence to HIV medications among HIV-Seropositive injection drug users (IDU). Results showed that both interventions led to decreases in risk behaviors but no changes in medical outcomes. It concludes that the characteristics of the trial may have contributed to the results, and directions for future research are identified.

Abstract: Objectives. – Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a common, complex autoimmune disease known to be associated with inheritance of certain human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-DR alleles in different populations. This study investigated the association of DRB1 alleles in Kuwaiti patients with RA. Materials and methods. – DRB1 alleles were analyzed in 47 Kuwaiti patients and 70 ethnically matched controls using a DNA-based sequence specific primer (SSP) method. Results. – The frequency of DRB1*04 allele was higher in patients compared to the controls (P <0.012). The association with of HLA-DRB1*04 allele in our patients with RA was accounted for mainly by the seropositive group of patients (P <0.05). Moreover, five patients were homozygous for DRB1*4 compared to none in the controls. None of the other DRB1 alleles tested was significantly higher in the patients. All patients homozygous for the DRB1*04 allele were females. There was no statistically significant difference in the frequency of DRB1*04 allele in patients classified according to presence of erosive disease or extra-articular manifestations. Conclusion. – Our results indicate that in Kuwaiti patients, RA is associated with the presence of DRB1*04 allele. The lack of association with severity or the phenotype of RA is not surprising since this is a hospital-based study where patients tend to have a more severe disease. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Résumé: Objectifs. – La polyarthrite rhumatoïde (PR) est une maladie auto-immune complexe et fréquente, connue pour être associée avec certains allèles HLA-DR et ce dans différentes populations. Notre étude a eu pour but d''étudier l''association entre les allèles HLA-DRB1 et la PR chez des patients Koweïtiens. Patients et méthodes. – Les allèles HLA-DRB1 ont été déterminés chez 47 patients atteints de PR et chez 70 sujets témoins appariés de même ethnie, à l''aide d''une méthode de biologie moléculaire utilisant des amorces spécifiques d''allèles ou de groupe d''allèles (PCR-SSP). Résultats. – La fréquence de l''allèle DRB1*04 était significativement plus élevée chez nos patients par rapport aux témoins (p <0,012). Chez nos patients, l''association entre DRB1*04 et PR reposait principalement sur le sous-groupe des PR séropositives (p <0,05). De plus, cinq patients atteints de PR, mais aucun des témoins, étaient homozygotes pour HLA-DRB1*04. Nous n''avons pas trouvé d''augmentation de fréquence des autres allèles DRB1 chez les patients. Tous les patients homozygotes pour DRB1*04 étaient de sexe féminin. Il n''a pas été mis en évidence de différence de fréquence de DRB1*04 selon la présence ou non d''une atteinte articulaire érosive ou de manifestations extra-articulaires. Conclusion. – Nos résultats montrent l''existence d''une association entre l''allèle HLA-DRB1*04 et la PR chez les patients Koweïtiens. L''absence d''association entre les allèles HLA-DRB1 et les signes de sévérité de la PR ne nous surprend pas, dans la mesure où notre étude a été effectuée chez des patients suivis à l''hôpital et ayant tendance à avoir une maladie plus sévère. [Copyright 2006 Elsevier]

There are reports of increased sexual risk behavior among people on highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) due to beliefs about risk of HIV transmission when on HAART. In a cross-sectional study (Seropositive Urban Men’s Study), we examined the relationship between risk perception and sexual risk behavior among sexually active, culturally diverse HIV positive men who have sex with men (N= 456). Less than twenty-five percent engaged in unprotected anal sex (either with an HIV negative, or unknown-status partner, or an HIV positive partner) within the past 3 months. Most men believed there was significant health risk (to partner or self) associated with unprotected sex when on HAART. There was no increased risk behavior associated with being on HAART, although the perception of negative health consequences, including HIV transmission, when on HAART was significantly lower for the relatively small subset of men who reported unprotected sex. Prevention strategies need to be tailored to address risk perception associated with HAART. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Prior research has provided conflicting evidence about the association between partner awareness of an HIV-seropositive person’s serostatus and HIV transmission behavior via unprotected intercourse. The current study examined partner awareness of participant HIV-seropositive status and sexual behavior in a multiethnic sample of HIV-seropositive men who have sex with men. Most HIV-seropositive men reported that their primary partners are aware, and most reported that at least some non-primary partners are aware the participant was HIV-seropositive before first having sex. Partner awareness of participant HIV-serostatus was related to unprotected sexual behavior during the past 3 months in a non-linear fashion, as men with partners who were inconsistently aware had higher rates of unprotected receptive anal intercourse than men with partners who were consistently aware or consistently unaware. Men with partners who were inconsistently aware also had higher rates of insertive oral intercourse than men with partners who were consistently aware. However, there were no differences in HIV transmission risk behavior between men with partners who were consistently aware and men with partners who were consistently unaware a participant was HIV-seropositive. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Previous studies have shown that autonomic cardiovascular reflexes (ACRs) are impaired in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and in old age. To investigate the integrity of ACRs in patients with RA, with reference to age, duration of disease and rheumatoid factor (RF) positivity, we conducted a prospective open study of 62 RA outpatients (age 38–84) and 41 healthy controls (age 22–82) using five standard tests of ACR function. Patients of all ages with RA were found to have blunted ACRs when compared with younger controls, though this effect was subclinical. Older RA patients did not have significantly more ACR impairment than older controls. There was a tendency to greater impairment of ACRs in RA patients with a positive RF. The age-associated changes in ACRs in normal subjects are similar to those seen in RA patients of all ages. The effects of RA and age on ACRs do not appear to be additive. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Guillermo GR, Téllez-Zenteno JF, Weder-Cisneros N, Mimenza A, Estañol B, Remes-Troche JM, Cantu-Brito C. Response of thymectomy: clinical and pathological characteristics among seronegative and seropositive myasthenia gravis patients. Acta Neurol Scand 2003 DOI: 10.1046/j.1600-0404.2003.00209.x © Blackwell Munksgaard 2003. To identify the response to thymectomy in patients with seronegative and seropositive myasthenia gravis (SPMG). We analyzed the associated diseases, thymus histology, and the severity of symptoms between the two groups. Descriptive, comparative. Fourteen patients with seronegative myasthenia gravis (SNMG) and 57 patients with SPMG who had a thymectomy between 1987 and 1997, with at least 3 years of follow-up. The patients were divided into four groups; (1) Remission, (2) Improvement, (3) No change and (4) Deterioration. Fourteen patients (20%) were seronegative and 57 were seropositive (80%). In the group of patients with SNMG, three patients were in remission (21%), five with improvement (36%), five with no change (36%) and one with worsening (7%). In the group of patients with SPMG, 12 were in remission (21%), 17 with improvement (30%), 25 with no change (44%) and three (5%) with worsening. The patients with SNMG were older, with less associated diseases and with a lower frequency of thymomas. The response to thymectomy was similar between the two groups. It has been suggested that seronegative patients have a better prognosis, but our results show no differences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

: BackgroundThe aim of this study was to detect DNA of hepatitis B virus (HBV) for reliable diagnosis of HBV infection in sera by means of a validated polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using a 5′ oligonucleotide (primer) previously described and a 3′ primer designed by our investigation group.: MethodsSera samples collected from patients with chronic liver disease (CLD) related to HBV infection and negative to hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection were analyzed. Patients were both positive and negative to HBV by serum markers detected by ELISA immunoassay. A 146-base pair (bp) fragment was amplified from highly conserved precore-core region. This procedure enabled us to search for DNA HBV-positive cases.: ResultsViral replicative state in negative hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) (15.7%) cases was verified by PCR technique. This detected infection by HBV in 100% of immunoassay-positive samples. Additionally, sequences of expected size in patients bearing atypical markers in their sera (7.1%) and those with negative serology (4.8%) for HBV markers were detected.: ConclusionsIn this study we have improved a PCR technique successfully applied in hepatitis B prevalence studies in northeastern Mexico. Prevalence of hepatitis B in this region of Mexico is intermediate compared to countries of the northern hemisphere where prevalence is lower, and to countries of Southeast Asia and the Mediterranean region where it is highly endemic. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background: Increasing travel stresses the requirement for rapid protection against infections such as hepatitis A and B.Methods: This randomised, multicentre study investigated an accelerated vaccination schedule using a combined hepatitis A and B vaccine (Twinrix, Smithkline Beecham Biologicals) compared with simultaneous administration of the two corresponding monovalent vaccines. The combined vaccine was administered on days 0, 7 and 21, whereas the comparison group received hepatitis A vaccine on day 0 and hepatitis B vaccine on days 0, 7 and 21. All subjects received booster vaccination at month 12.Results: At month 1, 100% of subjects in the combined group and 99% of the controls were seropositive for anti-HAV antibodies. The corresponding seroprotection rates for anti-HBs antibodies were 82.0 and 83.9%, respectively. Examination of the 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for the treatment differences showed the two vaccines to be equivalent in terms of immunogenicity 1 week after the initial vaccination course. Just prior to the booster, the seropositivity rate for anti-HAV was 96.2% in the combined group and 95% in the control group. For anti-HBs, this was 94 and 91.6%, respectively. All subjects were seropositive for anti-HAV and seroprotected against hepatitis B at month 13. The anti-HAV GMCs were 9571 mIU/ml with the combined vaccine and 5206 mIU/ml in control subjects. The anti-HBs titre was 26002 and 29,196 mIU/ml, respectively. Both groups had a similar reactogenicity profile.Conclusions: The accelerated schedule of the combined vaccine provides a good immune response against hepatitis A and B antigens and is suitable for last minute immunisation. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

We studied whether patients with seropositivity in early rheumatoid arthritis (RA) comprise a different clinical group than those with seronegativity. Four hundred seventeen patients with early RA according to the American College of Rheumatology criteria (disease duration less than 1 year) were retrospectively studied by analysis of demographic, clinical, laboratory, radiological, and therapeutic disease characteristics from the time of diagnosis until the end of the study period (1981–1999) using a data base. There were 248 seropositive patients and 169 seronegative patients with RA. No statistically significant differences were seen between the two groups before commencement of the study period in relation to age of disease onset, male:female ratio, and disease duration. However, seropositive patients showed longer medical follow-up. In addition, at disease onset, seropositive RA patients presented more frequently with symmetrical polyarthritis and small joint involvement than seronegative patients. The seropositive group also had more tender and swollen joints, weaker grip strength, and higher erythrocyte sedimentation and C-reactive protein rates during the follow-up period. In contrast, the seronegative group had less severe radiological findings and greater functional ability at the end of the study. In Greek patients with early RA, rheumatoid factor seems to be a predictor of more severe disease activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: There have been occasional reports on varicella infection among healthcare workers (HCWs) despite varicella-zoster virus (VZV) seropositivity. We compared the levels of humoral and cellular immunity to VZV in seropositive HCWs who had acquired immunity by natural infection or vaccination., Methods: Seropositive healthy HCWs with an apparent history of varicella or VZV vaccination once or twice were recruited. Their samples were assessed for anti-VZV IgG levels, the relative avidity index (RAI), and the frequencies of VZV-specific cytokine-producing or polyfunctional CD4 + or CD8 + T cells., Results: A total of 75 seropositive HCWs (29 with a history of varicella, 25 vaccinated once, and 21 vaccinated twice) were assessed for humoral immunity. Cellular responses could be analyzed in 59 (28, 21, and 10 in the respective groups). The anti-VZV IgG level, RAI, and memory CD4 + T cell responses were significantly higher in the past infection group than in the vaccinated once group. The RAI levels were significantly higher in the past infection group than in the vaccinated twice group., Conclusion: Seropositive HCWs without a varicella history, especially those who received the vaccine only once, had significantly lower levels of immune responses to VZV. Such HCWs might need to comply with airborne precautions., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest All authors report no potential conflicts of interest., (Copyright © 2022 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.)

Objectives: To evaluate the serologic response to the BNT162b2 messenger ribonucleic acid vaccine in patients with urothelial carcinoma and renal cell carcinoma., Methods: Between June 2021 and November 2021, we retrospectively evaluated blood samples from 60 healthy controls (control group), 57 patients with urothelial carcinoma, and 28 patients with renal cell carcinoma who had received two doses of the BNT162b2 vaccine at Hirosaki University Hospital. We determined the immunoglobulin G antibody titers against the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 spike receptor-binding domain. Seropositivity was defined as ≥15 U/mL. We investigate factors associated with antibody titers and seropositivity in the patients with urothelial carcinoma and renal cell carcinoma., Results: Antibody titers in the control, urothelial carcinoma, and renal cell carcinoma groups were 813, 431, and 500 U/mL, respectively. Seropositivity was 100%, 90%, and 96% in the control, urothelial carcinoma, and renal cell carcinoma groups, respectively. Of the 85 patients, 37 of 57 (65%) and 21 of 28 (75%) were actively undergoing anticancer treatment for urothelial carcinoma and renal cell carcinoma, respectively. Anti-severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 spike immunoglobulin G antibody titers and seropositivity was not significantly different between the patients with urothelial carcinoma and renal cell carcinoma. Anti-severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 spike immunoglobulin G antibody titers were not significantly associated with active anticancer therapy or steroid treatment for immune-related adverse events. Univariable logistic regression analysis revealed that older age and metastatic disease were significantly and negatively associated with seropositivity., Conclusions: Patients with urothelial carcinoma or renal cell carcinoma exhibited an adequate antibody response to the BNT162b2 vaccine. Active anticancer therapy was not significantly associated with seropositivity following vaccination with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 BNT162b2 in patients with urothelial carcinoma and renal cell carcinoma., (© 2022 The Japanese Urological Association.)

Background and Objectives: The immunogenicity of vaccines is known to be attenuated in patients with end-stage kidney disease due to uremia. Patients on dialysis were excluded from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine trials; thus, the effectiveness of vaccines for this population is unclear. The aim of this study was to explore whether Asian dialysis patients can effectively produce an immune response after being vaccinated with the first dose of the ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 vaccine., Design Setting, Participants, and Measurements: In this prospective cohort study, we included Asian hemodialysis patients who received the ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 vaccine. At 3 weeks after the first dose of vaccination, we assessed the humoral immune response by measuring anti-SARS-CoV-2 S antibody titers. The primary outcome was the seropositive rate following vaccination, defined as an antibody titer greater than or equal to 0.8 U/ml. Factors associated with seropositivity were explored in multivariate logistic regression analyses., Results: In total, 434 participants were included. The mean age was 64 years, the mean dialysis vintage was 6 years, and 61% of the participants were men. At a mean time of 22 days from vaccination, 56% of the participants were seropositive. The vast majority (88%) had low antibody titers (< 15 U/ml). The multivariate logistic regression analyses showed that older age (every increase of 10 years, odds ratio [OR] 0.80, 95% CI 0.65-0.98, p = 0.03) was negatively associated with seropositivity and that higher Kt/V (every increase of 0.1, OR 1.14, 95% CI 1.01-1.28, p = 0.03) and higher serum albumin level (every increase of 0.1 g/dl, OR 1.09, 95% CI 1.02-1.18, p = 0.02) were positively associated with seropositivity., Conclusions: In Asian hemodialysis patients, the seropositive rate was low, and most had low antibody titers after the first dose of the ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 vaccine. Younger age, better dialysis adequacy, and higher albumin levels were associated with seropositivity., (© 2022 International Society for Hemodialysis.)

Objective: To evaluate severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2)-specific antibody responses after Covishield vaccination for 6 months after vaccination., Design: SARS-CoV-2-specific antibody responses were assessed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay of the recombinant receptor-binding domain of SARS-CoV-2 in 381 adults given the Covishield vaccine at baseline ( n =119), 1 month ( n =126) and 2 months ( n =75) after the first dose, 1 month after the second dose ( n =161), and monthly for 3 additional months., Results: Over 51% of participants were seropositive at baseline (before vaccination with Covishield), and almost all participants (159/161) became seropositive 1 month after the second dose. Antibody levels peaked 1 month after receipt of the second dose of vaccine, and decreased by 4 months after the first dose; the lowest responses were found 6 months after the first dose, although antibody responses and responder frequencies remained significantly higher compared with baseline ( P <0.0001). Compared with younger participants, older participants had lower antibody responses 6 months after the first dose of vaccine ( P <0.05). Participants who had previous SARS-CoV-2 infection showed robust higher antibody responses after vaccination., Conclusions: These findings help to elucidate the longevity of vaccine-specific antibody responses following vaccination with Covishield, and provide information relevant to the planning of booster doses after the initial two doses of vaccine., Competing Interests: None declared., (© 2022 The Author(s).)

African swine fever (ASF) is a lethal hemorrhagic disease of Suidae , i.e., domestic pigs and wild boars. The disease was introduced to Poland in 2014 and is now present in the wild boar population. Appropriate ASF prevention requires further research for answers to fundamental questions about the importance of vectors in virus transmission, the impact of environmental factors on the presence of ASFV in wild boar habitats, and the role of survivors as potential virus carriers and their part in the potential endemicity of ASF. In order to analyze the changes in the molecular and serological prevalence of ASFV in wild boar population in Poland, real-time PCR and ELISA/IPT tests were conducted. In the analyzed period (2014-2020), most of the ASF-positive wild boars were molecular/virus-positive, however, over the years the percentage and the number of seropositive animals has increased. At the beginning of the epidemic, the disease was limited to a small area of the country. Since then, it has spread to new provinces of Poland. From the beginning and until today, most notifications of ASF-positive wild boars were for carcasses (passive surveillance), however, the number of serologically positive animals is still increasing. Despite the fact that notifications of ASF outbreaks are still being received near the eastern border of Poland, the old ASF area seems to be limited mainly to ASF serologically positive animals, which may indicate the beginning of ASF endemicity in Poland.

Objectives: To assess the causality of the associations between interleukins (ILs) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) using Mendelian randomization (MR) design., Methods: Genetic instruments and summary-level data for ten ILs were obtained from three genome-wide association meta-analyses. Corresponding data on RA were obtained from a meta-analysis of 22 genome-wide association studies (14,361 cases and 43,923 controls) and the FinnGen consortium (6236 cases, 4596 seropositive cases, 1937 seronegative cases, and 172,834 controls). Forward and reverse MR analyses were performed., Results: The odds ratios (ORs) of RA were 2.08 (95% confidence interval (CI), 1.56-2.77; p<0.001), 2.14 (95% CI, 1.85-2.49; p<0.001), and 0.95 (95% CI, 0.92-0.97; p<0.001) for one standard deviation increase in genetically predicted IL-1β, IL-6 and IL-6 receptor antagonist (IL-6ra) levels, respectively. There were suggestive associations of genetically predicted IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra) (OR, 0.85, 95% CI, 0.76, 0.96; p=0.010) and IL-18 (OR, 1.07, 95% CI, 1.00, 1.15; p=0.043) levels with RA risk. Subtype-specific associations were observed for seropositive RA (IL-1β, IL-1ra, and IL-6) and seronegative RA (IL-2 receptor alpha subunit, IL-8, and IL-18). Reverse MR analysis found a suggestive association between genetic liability to RA and IL-6 receptor antagonist (change 0.015; 95% CI, 0.003-0.028; p=0.015)., Conclusions: This MR study suggests that long-term IL-1 and IL-6 inhibition may reduce the risk of RA, particularly seropositive RA. Upregulations of ILs involved in IL-6 signaling pathways appears to be downstream effects of RA, which supports the blocking IL-6 treatment for RA., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest Authors declare no competing interests., (Copyright © 2022 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Buffalopox (BPX) is a highly contagious disease that causes high morbidity and production losses in buffaloes. During this study, seroprevalence, effect of various associated risk factors, and pathological studies of BPX were recorded in the Punjab province. A total of 97 blood samples and 63 scabs were collected from clinically pox suspected buffaloes. Serum was harvested to perform single radial hemolysis to assess the seroprevalence, and scabs were subjected to PCR for BPX virus confirmation. Results revealed that, animal demographics and environmental associated factors showed significant effect (p⟨0.05,1⟨R2⟩0) on BPX occurrence. The overall BPX seroprevalence was recorded 4.18% in the Punjab province. The BPX was recorded 5.48% in Nili Ravi breed during winter (7.42%), aged 5-7 years (7.46%) under loose housing (5.51%) in the Faisalabad region (8.03%). Further, BPX was 5.37% in pregnant, 6.86% pregnant milking buffaloes during the 3rd lactation period (7.28%) in dairy herds (5.20%). The BPX was 5.22% in non-vaccinated buffaloes where multiple animals were reared together (4.99%) in the herds having 21-30 total number of animals. A total of 49 scab samples were found positive for the BPX virus via PCR with C18L gene amplification. Grossly, inflammatory lesions with pits in the center and wart-like nodules were seen on teats and udder of buffaloes. Increased leukocytes, especially neutrophils and lymphocytes, were seen in the blood of the infected animals. These results provide a broader window to understand the effect of associated risk factors, strengthen the diagnostic aid, and to contain the current spread of BPX in Pakistan to safeguard large ruminant-based livelihood., (Copyright© by the Polish Academy of Sciences.)

Purpose: To elucidate the clinico-epidemiologic characteristics of optic neuritis based on the status of serum aquaporin-4 antibody (AQP4-Ab) in patients with optic neuritis (ON)., Methods: Medical records of 106 patients with ON and a follow-up of 3 years were reviewed. For each patient, the following data were extracted: medical history, findings of the ocular examination, brain, orbital or spinal MRI, and serological tests for AQP4. The ON was classified as typical or atypical based on disc examination and improvement in vision after intravenous methylprednisolone (IVMP). The clinical findings (typical or atypical), disease course, and outcomes were analyzed according to the serostatus of the ON., Results: 10 patients ((9.4%) were seropositive for AQP4-Ab; all had atypical ON. 96 patients (91%) were seronegative for AQP4-Ab: 36 atypical ON and 60 typical ON. Profound visual impairment at presentation was seen in all patients. However, at the end of the study period, seropositive and seronegative atypical ON had poor visual outcomes as compared to seronegative typical ON (P = 0.002). Five seropositive and four seronegative patients with atypical ON developed transverse myelitis. Bilateral disease with relapse was more in seropositive patients (80%); however, seronegative with atypical ON also had bilateral presentation and relapse in 42% and 41%, respectively., Conclusion: AQP4-Ab seropositive patients mostly present with atypical features such as bilateral recurrent ON, poor visual outcome, and increased incidence of transverse myelitis. However, atypical clinical features can also be seen in seronegative ON with a poor visual outcome and a recalcitrant course., Competing Interests: None

Efforts to prevent the spread of HIV have, to an overwhelming degree, addressed themselves to the HIV-negative rather than to the positive population. But it makes sense to direct more preventive work towards positive individuals, for 3 reasons. First, because changes in the behaviour of positive people have a disproportionately greater effect on the spread of the epidemic--so positive-targeted interventions are potentially more cost-effective, and in many cases enormously so. Second, positive individuals already show a degree of preventive altruism that generally outweighs the self-protective efforts of those who are negative. And third, there is reason to believe that this preventive altruism can be strengthened by appropriate interventions. Some of the practical implications of a shift to greater positive targeting, involving both novel interventions and modified familiar ones, can be sketched out. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim and Objective: This study was carried out with the primary aim of correlating oral changes and general changes of HIV-infected patients with their CD4 count. Materials and Methods: 124 patients were selected, and after taking their informed consent, they were subjected to detailed history taking and thorough clinical examination. Specific oral lesions and general physical changes were recorded. Every patient was subjected to laboratory investigation for CD4 count. All these findings were tabulated. The clinical observation and laboratory findings were subjected to critical analysis and correlated. Statistical test, i.e. Student′s " t" test, was applied and objective conclusions were drawn. Result: Out of 124 patients, 40 had oral candidiasis, 6 had oral hairy leukoplakia, 12 had periodontal disease, 20 had xerostomia, 30 had melanin pigmentation, while 4 had HSV2, and atypical ulceration. Out of 40 patients with oral candidiasis, 28 patients had CD4 count 500 cell/mm 3 ). Oral hairy leukoplakia occurred in equal proportions in group A and B. These periodontal diseases were more commonly in group B; xerostomia and melanin pigmentation was equally seen in group A and B. Conclusion: Oral candidiasis, oral hairy leukoplakia, linear gingival erythema, necrotizing ulcerative gingivitis, and necrotizing ulcerative periodontitis are specific oral indicators which will definitely suggest to the dental surgeon that the disease is running a rapid downhill course and due to this the oral physician is in a position to raise a suspicion and alert the general physician regarding the declining immune status of patient.

The clinical diagnosis of rubella is unreliable as the symptoms are often confused with other viral and non-viral exanthematic illnesses. Acquired forms are self-limiting whereas the congenital type has devastating consequences on the foetus. The aim of this study is to highlight rubella infections in children and to draw to the attention of relevant authorities the need for routine rubella immunization for children and women of childbearing ages. This was a prospective cross-sectional study conducted from February to December 2012. Thirty five children aged 2 to 18 years, were referred to selected health facilities in Calabar following reports of symptoms of fever and skin rash, clinically resembling measles. The demographic data of the children were obtained. Blood was collected from each child and sent for measles and rubella IgM ELISA. Data were analysed using SPSS version 16. Of the 35 children with fever and skin rash, 22 were males while 13 were females (1.7:1). Fourteen (40%) of the children were found to be IgM seropositive for rubella. Five (35.7%) of rubella IgM seropositive children were less than five years of age while 7 (50%) were 5-10 years old. There was no significant difference in the seropositivity for rubella IgM antibody according to age and sex of the patients and (P=12.5). Only one child (2.8%) was positive for measles IgM. Acute rubella infection is clinically indistinguishable from measles and is confirmed to be present in Calabar, Nigeria. We therefore advocate for routine immunisation of children and women of childbearing ages to prevent the damaging effects of rubella to the unborn baby. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disease characterized by inflammation of the synovial membrane. RA is classified as seropositive or seronegative, according to the absence or presence of primarily IgM RF, RF, and/or ACPA. The aim of this study is to identify the relationship between the serotype of rheumatoid arthritis and the level of ESR., Methods and Materials: This is a descriptive, cross-sectional study done in Omdurman military hospital, Khartoum, Sudan. Conducted with 60 patients with RA, data were collected through a designated questionnaire which included demographic, age, gender, duration of the disease, laboratory finding. All the patients in the study were treated with conventional DMARDs and diagnosed according to the 2010 ACR/EULAR criteria; their disease activity status was assessed by DAS28/ESR. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 23., Results: The study found that 91.7% of the patients were females, patients of age group between 36 and 50 years had the highest percentage at 38.3% followed by those between 51 and 70 years and the least age group between 20 and 35 years, 36.7% and 15%, respectively. Of all the patients 61.7% were found to be SPRA, while the remaining 38.3% were seronegative (SNRA). Altogether 55% of the patients had moderate disease activity, followed by 16.7% who had a remission, 15% had high disease activity and the remaining 13.3% had low disease activity. The metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joint was found to be the only joint that was significantly associated with DAS28 and its involvement was greater among seropositive patients. The most affected joints were found to be shoulders, knees, wrist, MCP, PIP and elbow, in that order., Conclusion: Females, middle-age group and shoulder joint were the most affected. Most RA was found to be SPRA, and the seropositive group was found to be more associated with high disease activity, while the seronegative group was associated with remission and low disease activity., Competing Interests: All authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest for this work and that no funding was received., (© 2021 Seri et al.)

Background: There is preliminary evidence that individuals with previous SARS-CoV-2 infections exhibit a more pronounced antibody response. However, these assumptions have not yet been supported by data obtained through various CE-marked tests. This study aimed to close this gap., Methods: Sixty-nine seronegatives and 12 individuals post-SARS-CoV-2 infection (tested by CE-labelled Roche NC immunoassay or PCR-confirmed assay) were included 21 ± 1 days after receiving the first dose of the Pfizer/BioNTech BNT162b2 vaccine. Antibody response to viral spike protein (S) was assessed by CE-labelled Roche S and DiaSorin S1/S2 assays and by a surrogate virus neutralization test (sVNT)., Results: After a single dose of BNT162b2, individuals after natural SARS-CoV-2 infection presented with markedly higher anti-S levels than naïve individuals (Roche S: 9078.5 BAU/mL [5267.0-24 298.5] vs 79.6 [24.7-142.3]; and DiaSorin S1/S2: 1465.0 AU/mL [631.0-5365.0] vs 63.7 [47.8-87.5]) and showed all the maximum observed inhibition activity in the sVNT (98%), without overlaps between groups. There was a trend for higher responses in those with a more distant infection, although not statistically significant. The relative antibody increase after dose 2 was significantly higher among naïve individuals (25-fold), but antibody levels remained below that of seropositives., Conclusions: Compared with naïve individuals, seropositives after natural SARS-CoV-2 infection presented with a substantially higher antibody response already after dose 1 of BNT162b2, as measured by two CE-marked in vitro diagnostic tests and a sVNT. These results should stimulate discussion and research on whether individuals after previous SARS-CoV-2 infection would benefit from a two-part vaccination schedule or whether these currently much-needed second doses could be saved., (© 2021 The Authors. European Journal of Clinical Investigation published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Stichting European Society for Clinical Investigation Journal Foundation.)

West Nile virus (WNV) is a mosquito-borne virus of a re-emergence importance with a wide range of vertebrate hosts. Granted, it causes asymptomatic infection, but fatal cases and neurologic disorders were also recorded, especially in humans, horses and some exposed birds. The virus is globally spread and birds are considered an amplifying and reservoir host of WNV, helping to spread the disease due to their close contact with main hosts. In this study, we aimed to detect the presence of antibodies against WNV in backyard hens that were reared in the western Anatolian part of Turkey. A total of 480 chicken sera were randomly collected from six provinces in the west of Turkey (Mugla, Izmir, Aydin, Afyonkarahisar, Kutahya and Manisa) with 80 samples from each province (40 in spring and 40 in fall seasons). They were tested by using a competitive ELISA method to identify the specific avian antibodies of IgG that produced against the WNV envelope proteins (pr-E). Twelve of 480 (2.5%) sera were found seropositive, three of these positive sera were detected from the Izmir province (3.75%) collected in the spring session and the other nine positive sera were detected from the Mugla province (11.25%) collected in the fall session. Both of these provinces are located seaside and have suitable climate conditions for vectors of infection. The results indicated that WNV infection is in circulation in these provinces, and that may put the other susceptible vertebrates under risk of infection., (© 2021 The Authors. Veterinary Medicine and Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)