MedWorm.com provides a medical RSS filtering service. Over 6000 RSS medical sources are combined and output via different filters. This feed contains the latest items from the 'FEMS Immunology and Medical Microbiology' source. Sat, 20 Mar 2010 16:19:36 +0100 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3382392&cid=s_33163_77_f&fid=33163&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1574-695X.2010.00660.x Ag85b and HspX of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) (H37Rv) were expressed and purified in this study. These two proteins were combined with another fusion protein CFP-10:ESAT-6 (C/E) (Ag), then mixed with the adjuvants CpG DNA and aluminum hydroxide and used to vaccinate mice and guinea pigs challenged with Mtb (H37Rv). The number of spleen lymphocytes secreting Ag85b, HspX and C/E-specific interferon-[gamma] were significantly higher in the Ag+Al+CpG group than in the Ag and CpG groups. The combination of Ag, Al and CpG induced the highest concentrations of anti-Ag85b, anti-HspX and anti-C/E immunoglobulin G in mouse serum. Mouse peritoneal macrophages from the Ag+Al+CpG group secreted significantly higher levels of interleukin-12 compared with macrophages from the other groups. The total... FEMS Immunology and Medical Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3382392 Fri, 19 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3382392 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3354000&cid=s_33163_77_f&fid=33163&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1574-695X.2010.00663.x [gamma][delta] T cells are important for the early control of West Nile virus (WNV) dissemination. Here, we investigated the role of [gamma][delta] T cells in the regulation of CD4+ T-cell response following a WNV challenge. Splenic dendritic cells (DCs) of WNV-infected [gamma][delta] T-cell-deficient (TCR[delta][minus]/[minus]) mice displayed lower levels of CD40, CD80, CD86 and major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II expression and interleukin-12 (IL-12) production than those of wild-type mice. Naïve DCs cocultured with WNV-infected [gamma][delta] T cells showed enhanced levels of costimulatory molecules, MHC class II expression and IL-12 production. Further, coculture of CD4+ T cells from OT II transgenic mice with DCs of WNV-infected TCR[delta][minus]/[minus] mice induced less... FEMS Immunology and Medical Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3354000 Thu, 11 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3354000 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3346206&cid=s_33163_77_f&fid=33163&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1574-695X.2010.00658.x Oral intake of specific probiotics has been reported to enhance the immunity of the elderly. Earlier studies have used milk or yoghurt as a probiotic carrier. We chose a commercial probiotic cheese to evaluate its potential as a probiotic food. Thirty-one healthy elderly volunteers (21 female, 10 male) aged from 72 to 103 (median 86) consumed a commercial probiotic cheese containing approximately 109 CFU day[minus]1 of Lactobacillus rhamnosus HN001 and Lactobacillus acidophilus NCFM. The 4-week probiotic intervention was preceded by a 2-week consumption of probiotic-free cheese (run-in) and followed by a 4-week wash-out period with the same control cheese. The cytotoxicity of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), the relative numbers of natural killer (NK) and NKT cells in the total ... FEMS Immunology and Medical Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3346206 Tue, 09 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3346206 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3334873&cid=s_33163_77_f&fid=33163&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1574-695X.2010.00657.x Mycoplasmas, which lack a cell wall and are the smallest self-replicating bacteria, have been linked to some chronic diseases, such as AIDS, rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and oncogenic transformation of cells. Their membrane components (lipoproteins and glycolipids) have been identified as possible causative factors in such diseases. Glycoglycerophospholipid (GGPL)-III, a unique phosphocholine-containing aminoglycoglycerophospholipid, is a major specific antigen of Mycoplasma fermentans, and has been detected in 38% of RA patients. Unlike those of lipoproteins, which induce inflammation via Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2), the pathologic effects of GGPL-III are poorly understood. RA and metal allergies are chronic inflammatory diseases in which autoantigens have been implicated. Here, we examined... FEMS Immunology and Medical Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3334873 Fri, 05 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3334873 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3326584&cid=s_33163_77_f&fid=33163&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1574-695X.2010.00655.x In a previous study, our group verified that mice pretreated with concanavalin-A (Con-A) produced more tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-[alpha] and presented greater Candida clearance from the peritoneal cavity, liver and spleen, which yielded a higher survival rate than control animals. In this work, the hypothesis that macrophages were of crucial importance in overcoming the infection was tested. Thus, peritoneal macrophages from mice pretreated for 3 days with Con-A or phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) were coincubated with CR1, CR15 and 577 isolates of Candida albicans for 0.5, 1 and 2 h. The ability of Con-activated macrophages to produce TNF-[alpha], ingest via mannose receptors and kill all the isolates was significantly greater compared with PBS-treated macrophages, and activated macroph... FEMS Immunology and Medical Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3326584 Wed, 03 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3326584 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3297971&cid=s_33163_77_f&fid=33163&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1574-695X.2010.00654.x Shiga toxins (STx) are secreted extracellularly through the outer membrane vesicles (OMVs) of Escherichia coli O157:H7. In an attempt to produce STxA-deficient OMVs from E. coli O157:H7, site-specific deletions of the stx1A and stx2A subunit genes were carried out. The STxA-deficient phenotype of the stx1A/stx2A mutant was confirmed by Vero cell cytotoxicity and VTEC-RPLA® assay. Western blot analyses showed that the B (STxB) subunits were present without coupling to STxA in the OMVs of the STxA-deficient mutant. Furthermore, STxB was located in its homo-pentameric complexes, as revealed by immunoprecipitation and immunoblotting with anti-STxB antibodies. These results suggest that STxB alone can be oligomerized into the B pentamer in the periplasm, and subsequently entrapped into the OMV... FEMS Immunology and Medical Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3297971 Tue, 23 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3297971 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3287385&cid=s_33163_77_f&fid=33163&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1574-695X.2010.00653.x Given their immune-modulating capacity, regulatory T cells (Treg) cells may be important players in the induction of the protective T-cell response (Th1) to genital chlamydial infection. Recent work has demonstrated that plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDC) respond to genital chlamydial infection, and that pDC may be uniquely positioned for the induction of Treg cells during this infection. Here, we present the first data demonstrating that Treg influx into the draining lymph node and the site of infection during genital chlamydial infection. We found that pDC depletion altered the numbers of Treg and nonprotective inflammatory cells [interferon[gamma]-(IFN[gamma])-producing CD8+ T and IFN[gamma]-producing natural killer T cells] in the spleens of mice genitally infected with Chlamydia murid... FEMS Immunology and Medical Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3287385 Fri, 19 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3287385 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3382393&cid=s_33163_77_f&fid=33163&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1574-695X.2010.00659.x The prevalence of inflammatory conditions of the prostate gland is increasing. In Italy, there is a high incidence of prostatitis (13.3%), also accompanied by prostatic calcifications. Cat NIH-II chronic bacterial prostatitis (CBPs) are the most frequent. Their aetiology theoretically involves the whole range of bacterial species that are able to form biofilms and infect prostate cells. The aim of our study was to isolate potential biofilm-producing bacteria from CBP patients, to evaluate their ability to produce in vitro biofilms, and to characterize intraprostatic bacteria and prostatic calcifications using scanning electron microscopy. The 150 clinical bacterial strains isolated from chronic prostatitis NIH-II patients were: 50 Enterococcus faecalis; 50 Staphylococcus spp.; 30 Escherich... FEMS Immunology and Medical Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3382393 Wed, 17 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3382393 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3354001&cid=s_33163_77_f&fid=33163&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1574-695X.2010.00661.x We demonstrate that live donor Veillonella dispar cells can transfer the conjugative transposon Tn916 to four different Streptococcus spp. recipients in a multispecies oral consortium growing as a biofilm in a constant depth film fermentor. Additionally, we demonstrate that purified V. dispar DNA can transform Streptococcus mitis to tetracycline resistance in this experimental system. These data show that transfer of conjugative transposon-encoded antibiotic resistance can occur by transformation in addition to conjugation in biofilms. (Source: FEMS Immunology and Medical Microbiology) FEMS Immunology and Medical Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3354001 Wed, 17 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3354001 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3269523&cid=s_33163_77_f&fid=33163&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1574-695X.2009.00649.x Investigating circulating methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) strains and identifying their accumulations in society are important in the search for strategies for eradicating the pathogen. The aim of this study was to describe the distribution of MRSA in a low-prevalence area where MRSA could be establishing endemicity. MRSA isolates from 802 patients (803 isolates) were included and placed into a timeline (1991[ndash]2006) under different categories: hospital (n=270), long-term care facility (LTCF) (n=175) and general practitioner (GP) (n=358). MRSA isolates had been characterized using multilocus sequence-typing, staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec-typing and detection of Panton[ndash]Valentine leukocidin-encoding genes (lukS/F-PVL), and were placed in exotoxin-encodin... FEMS Immunology and Medical Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3269523 Sat, 13 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3269523 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3250691&cid=s_33163_77_f&fid=33163&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1574-695X.2010.00652.x A nationwide laboratory-based surveillance study of invasive Streptococcus pyogenes infections was conducted in Germany. Invasive isolates (n=586) were obtained between 2003 and 2007. Most isolates were obtained from blood (53.9%) or skin lesions (17.6%). The most common emm types were emm 1 (30.5%), emm 28 (18.3%) and emm 3 (9.6%). Overall, speA was positive in 45.9%, speC in 44.7% and ssa in 14.8% of isolates. SpeA was common in emm type 1 (100%) and emm type 3 (96.4%), whereas speC was often observed in emm type 28 (93.5%). The most frequent clinical manifestations included sepsis (40.1%), necrotizing fasciitis (20.8%) and streptococcal toxic shock syndrome (16.6%). All isolates were susceptible to penicillin G, cefotaxime and levofloxacin. Tetracycline shows the highest rate of resista... FEMS Immunology and Medical Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3250691 Mon, 08 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3250691 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3346207&cid=s_33163_77_f&fid=33163&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1574-695X.2010.00656.x The aim of this study was to define the immunoregulatory role of prostaglandins in a mouse model of Strongyloides venezuelensis infection. Strongyloides venezuelensis induced an increase of eosinophils and mononuclear cells in the blood, peritoneal cavity fluid, and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. Treatment with the dual cyclooxygenase (COX-1/-2) inhibitors indomethacin and ibuprofen, and the COX-2-selective inhibitor celecoxib partially blocked these cellular responses and was associated with enhanced numbers of infective larvae in the lung and adult worms in the duodenum. However, the drugs did not interfere with worm fertility. Cyclooxygenase inhibitors also inhibited the production of the T-helper type 2 (Th2) mediators IL-5, IgG1, and IgE, while indomethacin alone also inhibited IL-4, I... FEMS Immunology and Medical Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3346207 Wed, 03 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3346207 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3220078&cid=s_33163_77_f&fid=33163&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1574-695X.2010.00648.x The aim of this study was to investigate the molecular characteristics of community-acquired, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA) isolates from Chinese children. Ninety-nine isolates were collected from eight hospitals, and analyzed by multilocus sequence typing, staphylococcal chromosomal cassette mec (SCCmec) type, and spa typing. The Panton[ndash]Valentine leukocidin (PVL) gene was also detected. Overall, 14 sequence types (STs) were obtained, and ST59 (58.6%) was found to be the most prevalent, followed by ST1 (8%) and ST338 (8%). We also first registered the new ST1409. SCCmec type IV was the most predominant type at 67.7%, followed by SCCmec type V at 32.3%. SCCmec subtypes IVa, IVc, and IVg were found among the SCCmec type IV strains. Twenty-one spa types were also... FEMS Immunology and Medical Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3220078 Fri, 29 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3220078 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3269527&cid=s_33163_77_f&fid=33163&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1574-695X.2009.00645.x This study characterizes the regulation of the aggR promoter (PaggR). Using primer extension analysis, the transcriptional start site of the aggR promoter was located 40 nucleotides upstream of the translational start. PaggR was found to be autoregulated and DNA footprinting revealed the presence of two AggR-binding sites: one upstream of the transcriptional start site and one downstream. Additionally, PaggR was found to be positively regulated by the DNA-binding protein FIS and negatively regulated by the global regulator H-NS. To further understand this complex regulation scheme, a bacterial luciferase reporter system was used with a mouse model of EAEC colonization. This allowed for the in vivo measurement of PaggR, Pfis, and Phns activity. EAEC present in the mouse intestine possessed ... FEMS Immunology and Medical Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3269527 Thu, 28 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3269527 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3269524&cid=s_33163_77_f&fid=33163&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1574-695X.2009.00648.x The aim of this study was to investigate the molecular characteristics of community-acquired, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA) isolates from Chinese children. Ninety-nine isolates were collected from eight hospitals, and analyzed by multilocus sequence typing, staphylococcal chromosomal cassette mec (SCCmec) type, and spa typing. The Panton[ndash]Valentine leukocidin (PVL) gene was also detected. Overall, 14 sequence types (STs) were obtained, and ST59 (58.6%) was found to be the most prevalent, followed by ST1 (8%) and ST338 (8%). We also first registered the new ST1409. SCCmec type IV was the most predominant type at 67.7%, followed by SCCmec type V at 32.3%. SCCmec subtypes IVa, IVc, and IVg were found among the SCCmec type IV strains. Twenty-one spa types were also... FEMS Immunology and Medical Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3269524 Thu, 28 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3269524 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3220079&cid=s_33163_77_f&fid=33163&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1574-695X.2010.00645.x This study characterizes the regulation of the aggR promoter (PaggR). Using primer extension analysis, the transcriptional start site of the aggR promoter was located 40 nucleotides upstream of the translational start. PaggR was found to be autoregulated and DNA footprinting revealed the presence of two AggR-binding sites: one upstream of the transcriptional start site and one downstream. Additionally, PaggR was found to be positively regulated by the DNA-binding protein FIS and negatively regulated by the global regulator H-NS. To further understand this complex regulation scheme, a bacterial luciferase reporter system was used with a mouse model of EAEC colonization. This allowed for the in vivo measurement of PaggR, Pfis, and Phns activity. EAEC present in the mouse intestine possessed ... FEMS Immunology and Medical Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3220079 Thu, 28 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3220079 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3211918&cid=s_33163_77_f&fid=33163&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1574-695X.2010.00647.x Penicillium marneffei is the etiologic agent of a severe systemic disease in immunocompromised hosts in Southeast Asia. In the present study, a novel method, known as loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP), is described for the rapid and specific detection of the species, using a primer set derived from the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of the rRNA gene. Amplification products can be detected macroscopically by visual inspection in vials using SYBR Green I as well as by electrophoresis on agarose gel. The LAMP assay resulted in specific amplification of P. marneffei ITS using pure cultures after a 1-h reaction at 65 °C in a water bath; no cross-reactivity with other fungi including other biverticillate penicillia was observed. The detectable DNA limit was two copies. In ... FEMS Immunology and Medical Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3211918 Wed, 27 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3211918 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3269525&cid=s_33163_77_f&fid=33163&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1574-695X.2009.00647.x Penicillium marneffei is the etiologic agent of a severe systemic disease in immunocompromised hosts in Southeast Asia. In the present study, a novel method, known as loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP), is described for the rapid and specific detection of the species, using a primer set derived from the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of the rRNA gene. Amplification products can be detected macroscopically by visual inspection in vials using SYBR Green I as well as by electrophoresis on agarose gel. The LAMP assay resulted in specific amplification of P. marneffei ITS using pure cultures after a 1-h reaction at 65 °C in a water bath; no cross-reactivity with other fungi including other biverticillate penicillia was observed. The detectable DNA limit was two copies. In ... FEMS Immunology and Medical Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3269525 Tue, 26 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3269525 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3197354&cid=s_33163_77_f&fid=33163&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1574-695X.2009.00642.x The effect of Candida cell wall mannan-derived [alpha]-oligomannoside structural components on the modulation of the immune system and their role in protective immunity are studied here. Semi-synthetic [alpha]-mannoside[ndash]bovine serum albumin conjugates were used for immunization of rabbits. Dimeric [alpha]-mannoside, representing Candida antigenic factor 1, was used as a model of linear [alpha]-mannoside, and pentameric [alpha]-mannoside was used as a model of branched oligomannoside side chain structure. The induction of humoral immune response and the functionality of the serum tested by induction of peripheral blood leukocyte (PBL) candidacidal activity are documented. Anti-Candida albicans serotype B immunoglobulins (IgG and IgM) levels were higher than anti-serotype A following i... FEMS Immunology and Medical Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3197354 Fri, 22 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3197354 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3193349&cid=s_33163_77_f&fid=33163&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1574-695X.2010.00649.x Investigating circulating methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) strains and identifying their accumulations in society are important in the search for strategies for eradicating the pathogen. The aim of this study was to describe the distribution of MRSA in a low-prevalence area where MRSA could be establishing endemicity. MRSA isolates from 802 patients (803 isolates) were included and placed into a timeline (1991[ndash]2006) under different categories: hospital (n=270), long-term care facility (LTCF) (n=175) and general practitioner (GP) (n=358). MRSA isolates had been characterized using multilocus sequence-typing, staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec-typing and detection of Panton[ndash]Valentine leukocidin-encoding genes (lukS/F-PVL), and were placed in exotoxin-encodin... FEMS Immunology and Medical Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3193349 Thu, 21 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3193349 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3188816&cid=s_33163_77_f&fid=33163&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1574-695X.2010.00646.x Aeromonas hydrophila is a gram-negative bacterium that can infect a variety of aquatic and terrestrial animals. It is essential to develop a vaccine to reduce the economic losses caused by this bacterium in aquaculture worldwide. Here, an immunoproteomic assay was used to identify the immunogenic extracellular proteins of the Chinese vaccine strain J-1. Ten unique immunogenic proteins were identified from the two-dimensional electrophoresis immunoblot profiles by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS) or MALDI-TOF-TOF-MS. One protein of interest, Omp38, was detected by antisera on two-dimensional immunoblots, suggesting that it might be located both extracellularly and in the membrane. In exploring the potential of Omp38 as a vaccine can... FEMS Immunology and Medical Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3188816 Wed, 20 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3188816 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3269526&cid=s_33163_77_f&fid=33163&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1574-695X.2009.00646.x Aeromonas hydrophila is a gram-negative bacterium that can infect a variety of aquatic and terrestrial animals. It is essential to develop a vaccine to reduce the economic losses caused by this bacterium in aquaculture worldwide. Here, an immunoproteomic assay was used to identify the immunogenic extracellular proteins of the Chinese vaccine strain J-1. Ten unique immunogenic proteins were identified from the two-dimensional electrophoresis immunoblot profiles by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS) or MALDI-TOF-TOF-MS. One protein of interest, Omp38, was detected by antisera on two-dimensional immunoblots, suggesting that it might be located both extracellularly and in the membrane. In exploring the potential of Omp38 as a vaccine can... FEMS Immunology and Medical Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3269526 Tue, 19 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3269526 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3287386&cid=s_33163_77_f&fid=33163&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1574-695X.2010.00651.x The development of T-cell responses in pigs vaccinated against Aujeszky's disease in the presence of maternal-derived antibodies (MDA) was examined. The aim of study was to evaluate the influence of MDA on the postvaccinal T-cell responses and optimization vaccination protocols in MDA-positive pigs. Pigs born to immune sows were vaccinated at different ages against Aujeszky's disease virus (ADV). For estimation of T-cell responses the lymphocyte proliferation and interferon (IFN)-[gamma] and interleukin-4 production were evaluated. High values of stimulation index were noted in groups vaccinated at 8 or 12 weeks of age (in 60% and 100% animals, respectively). In weaners vaccinated at 10 and 14 weeks of age, as well as in those vaccinated at 7 days and revaccinated at 8 or 12 weeks of age, ... FEMS Immunology and Medical Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3287386 Wed, 13 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3287386 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3166752&cid=s_33163_77_f&fid=33163&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1574-695X.2009.00644.x In this report, we demonstrate that induction of a Shiga toxin-converting prophage in its host (E. coli O157:H7) occurs not only in the presence of DNA-interfering antibiotics (mitomycin C and norfloxacin) but also under conditions of oxidative stress [following treatment with hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)]. Under these conditions, we observed not only effective prophage induction but also expression of the reporter gene (replacing the original stx2 gene). In the light of previously published reports, indicating that oxidative stress conditions might occur during colonization of human intestine by enteric bacteria, and that neutrophil-produced H2O2 can increase production of the Shiga toxin in a clinical isolate of STEC, these results suggest that oxidative stress may be one of the agents respo... FEMS Immunology and Medical Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3166752 Wed, 13 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3166752 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3287387&cid=s_33163_77_f&fid=33163&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1574-695X.2010.00650.x In this study, the role of colonic epithelial cell surface sialic acid in the adherence of S. Typhi was defined. Neuraminidase treatment of colonic Caco-2 cells removed 27[ndash]58% of surface sialic acid. Thus desialylation diminished the adherence of S. Typhi by 41%. Sialic acid treatment of S. Typhi had no effect on their adherence to neuraminidase-treated or control cells. These results indicate that sialic acid on the surface of colonic cells enhances S. Typhi adherence. These findings may suggest novel therapeutic strategies for S. Typhi infections. (Source: FEMS Immunology and Medical Microbiology) FEMS Immunology and Medical Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3287387 Mon, 11 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3287387 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3142146&cid=s_33163_77_f&fid=33163&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1574-695X.2009.00643.x The incidence of infection with Vibrio vulnificus is increasing due to changing ecologic and demographic factors. Most fatal cases are caused by septic shock that results from dysregulation of proinflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor-[alpha] (TNF[alpha]), presumably due to interaction of V. vulnificus components with Toll-like receptors (TLRs). The goal of this study was to investigate the role of TLR4 in the host response to V. vulnificus. Results obtained using V. vulnificus type strain ATCC 27562 showed that (1) TLR4 signaling is myeloid differentiation factor 88 dependent and plays a key role in TNF[alpha] production by mouse blood and splenocytes stimulated ex vivo with inactivated V. vulnificus cells, (2) TLR4 signaling is deleterious in a mouse model of V. vulnificus ... FEMS Immunology and Medical Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3142146 Tue, 05 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3142146 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3114736&cid=s_33163_77_f&fid=33163&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1574-695X.2009.00634.x With the introduction of the Haemophilus influenzae serotype b (Hib) vaccine, invasive Hib disease has decreased substantially, but nontypeable H. influenzae (NT Hi) disease appears to be increasing. In order to understand the origin of NT Hi strains and their relationship with serotypeable strains, we analysed 125 NT Hi isolates collected from individual patients with either invasive disease (70 isolates) or respiratory tract infections (55 isolates). Serotype-specific and capsular transport genes were absent by PCR analysis, confirming their nonencapsulated status, which also suggested the NT Hi isolates were not encapsulated strains that shed their capsules. Multilocus sequence typing confirmed the NT Hi isolates did not have the same genetic background as serotypeable strains, includin... FEMS Immunology and Medical Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3114736 Wed, 23 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3114736 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3108204&cid=s_33163_77_f&fid=33163&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1574-695X.2009.00640.x An association study of a cohort of 177 Sudanese patients infected with Schistosoma mansoni [82 (46%) males and 95 (54%) females] was conducted to evaluate the factors controlling the regression of liver fibrosis 39 months after treatment with praziquantel using ultrasound evaluation. Periportal fibrosis (PPF) was regressed in 63 (35.6%) patients, while the disease progressed to higher grades in 24 (13.6%) patients. The grade of PPF did not change in 90 (50.8%) patients. The mean values of portal vein diameter, splenic vein diameter and index liver size in subjects in whom PPF regressed after treatment were significantly lower than in subjects in whom the disease was progressed (P (Source: FEMS Immunology and Medical Microbiology) FEMS Immunology and Medical Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3108204 Mon, 21 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3108204 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3096366&cid=s_33163_77_f&fid=33163&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1574-695X.2009.00635.x In this study, we have assessed the expression and c-di-GMP binding ability of the sole PilZ domain-containing protein of B. burgdorferi B31, PlzA. PlzA was determined to be upregulated by tick feeding and to be expressed during mammalian infection. The gene is highly conserved and present in all Borrelia species. Analyses of recombinant PlzA demonstrated its ability to bind c-di-GMP and site-directed mutagenesis revealed that this interaction is highly specific and dependent on Arg residues contained within the PilZ domain. In summary, this study is the first to identify a c-di-GMP effector molecule in a spirochete and provides additional evidence for the existence of a complete c-di-GMP regulatory network in the Lyme disease spirochete, B. burgdorferi. (Source: FEMS Immunology and Medica... FEMS Immunology and Medical Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3096366 Thu, 17 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3096366 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3088944&cid=s_33163_77_f&fid=33163&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1574-695X.2009.00638.x (Source: FEMS Immunology and Medical Microbiology) FEMS Immunology and Medical Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3088944 Tue, 15 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3088944 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3082197&cid=s_33163_77_f&fid=33163&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1574-695X.2009.00632.x Seven Proteus mirabilis strains from five Polish patients (five isolates from urea and two from feces) appeared to be a bacterial clone widespread in hospitals, most probably due to nosocomial infection and autoinfection. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and Western blot showed that lipopolysaccharides from all strains studied are serologically identical to each other but distinct from Proteus lipopolysaccharides studied earlier and, hence, these strains could not be classified in any of the currently existing 77 Proteus O-serogroups. Accordingly, structural analysis of the O-polysaccharide of a representative strain 1B-m revealed a structure that is typical of Proteus O-antigens but is unique in detail. Based on these data, we propose to classify the strains studied as a new serogroup in... FEMS Immunology and Medical Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3082197 Sat, 12 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3082197 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3070836&cid=s_33163_77_f&fid=33163&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1574-695X.2009.00633.x A PCR-based typing scheme was applied to identify plasmids in an epidemiologically and geographically diverse strain collection of Enterococcus faecium (n=93). Replicon types of pRE25 (n=56), pRUM (n=41), pIP501 (n=17) and pHT[beta] (n=14) were observed in 83% of the strains, while pS86, pCF10, pAM373, pMBB1 or pEF418 were not detected. Furthermore, 61% of the strains contained the axe-txe (n=42) or/and the [omega][ndash]ɛ[ndash][zeta] (n=18) plasmid stabilization loci. Sequence analyses divided the [omega][ndash]ɛ[ndash][zeta] operon into two distinct phylogenetic groups. The present typing scheme accounted for about 60% of the total number of plasmids detected by S1 nuclease analyses, which revealed zero to seven plasmids (10 kb to >200 kb) per isolate. Interestingly, strai... FEMS Immunology and Medical Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3070836 Wed, 09 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3070836 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3114737&cid=s_33163_77_f&fid=33163&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1574-695X.2009.00641.x We present a comprehensive map of CQR in Mali, which strongly supports recent changes in drug policy away from chloroquine. (Source: FEMS Immunology and Medical Microbiology) FEMS Immunology and Medical Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3114737 Wed, 02 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3114737 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3047854&cid=s_33163_77_f&fid=33163&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1574-695X.2009.00629.x Tuberculosis remains a major public health problem around the world. Because the Mycobacterium bovis Bacilli[ndash]Calmette[ndash]Guerin (BCG) vaccine fails to protect adults from pulmonary tuberculosis, there is an urgent need for improved vaccine formulations. Unlike BCG, recombinant vaccines purified from bacterial expression vectors, as well as naked DNA, require an additional adjuvant. Recent improvements in our understanding of disease immunopathology, together with advances in biochemical and molecular techniques, have permitted the successful development of promising tuberculosis vaccine delivery and adjuvant combinations for human use. Here, we summarize the current state of adjuvant development and its impact on tuberculosis vaccine progress. (Source: FEMS Immunology and Medical ... FEMS Immunology and Medical Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3047854 Wed, 02 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3047854 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3114738&cid=s_33163_77_f&fid=33163&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1574-695X.2009.00639.x Heat shock proteins act as molecular chaperones, facilitating protein folding in cells of living organisms. Their role is particularly important in parasites because environmental changes associated with their life cycles place a strain on protein homoeostasis. Not surprisingly, some heat shock proteins are essential for the survival of the most virulent malaria parasite, Plasmodium falciparum. This justifies the need for a greater understanding of the specific roles and regulation of malarial heat shock proteins. Furthermore, heat shock proteins play a major role during invasion of the host by the parasite and mediate in malaria pathogenesis. The identification and development of inhibitor compounds of heat shock proteins has recently attracted attention. This is important, given the fact... FEMS Immunology and Medical Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3114738 Mon, 30 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3114738 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3108205&cid=s_33163_77_f&fid=33163&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1574-695X.2009.00637.x In this study, human monocyte-derived DCs were pulsed with different doses of lipopolysaccharide of P. gingivalis 381 and of Escherichia coli type strain 25922, as well as whole live isogenic fimbriae-deficient mutant strains of P. gingivalis 381. Levels of induction of MMP-9 and TIMP-1, as well as interleukin-10 (IL-10), which reportedly inhibits MMP-9 induction, were measured by several approaches. Our results reveal that lipopolysaccharide of P. gingivalis, compared with lipopolysaccharide from E. coli type strain 25922, is a relatively potent inducer of MMP-9, but a weak inducer of TIMP-1, contributing to a high MMP-9/TIMP-1 ratio. Whole live P. gingivalis strain 381, major fimbriae mutant DPG-3 and double mutant MFB were potent inducers of MMP-9, but minor fimbriae mutant MFI was not.... FEMS Immunology and Medical Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3108205 Thu, 26 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3108205 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3026371&cid=s_33163_77_f&fid=33163&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1574-695X.2009.00628.x Mycobacterium africanum (MAF) is a common cause of human pulmonary tuberculosis in West Africa. We previously described phenotypic differences between MAF and Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) among 290 patients. In the present analysis, we compared 692 tuberculosis patients infected with the two most common lineages within the (MTB) complex found in the Gambia, namely MAF West African type 2 (39% prevalence) and Euro-American MTB (55% prevalence). We identified additional phenotypic differences between infections with these two organisms. MAF patients were more likely to be older and HIV infected. In addition, they had worse disease on chest X-ray, despite complaining of cough for an equal duration, and were more likely severely malnourished. In this cohort, the prevalence of MAF did not c... FEMS Immunology and Medical Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3026371 Wed, 25 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3026371 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3108206&cid=s_33163_77_f&fid=33163&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1574-695X.2009.00636.x In conclusion, we confirmed the high prevalence of class 1 integons with limited diversity of gene cassette arrays in MDRPA clinical isolates found from five hospitals. This is the first report showing gene cassette contents of class 1 integrons in P. aeruginosa isolates in Iran. (Source: FEMS Immunology and Medical Microbiology) FEMS Immunology and Medical Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3108206 Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3108206 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3022683&cid=s_33163_77_f&fid=33163&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1574-695X.2009.00627.x In this study, 50 P. aeruginosa isolates from urine of patients with UTIs were serotyped according to the international antigenic typing system. The majority of the isolates (34%) belonged to serogroup O11, whereas 22%, 10%, 8%, 8%, 6%, 6%, 4% and 2% strains belonged to serogroups OII, O6, O1, O8, O7/8, O3, O4 and O15, respectively. Uroisolates belonging to serogroup O11 were strong biofilm producers, whereas serogroup O6 were weak biofilm producers. O11 serogroup uroisolates also showed increased adhesion to uroepithelium and elaborated higher levels of all the virulence factors. A strong correlation between serotype, in vitro biofilm formation and elaboration of virulence factors was observed. The data suggest that differences in virulence potential according to serotype should be taken ... FEMS Immunology and Medical Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3022683 Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3022683 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2988642&cid=s_33163_77_f&fid=33163&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1574-695X.2009.00626.x Staphylococcus lugdunensis are unusually virulent coagulase-negative staphylococci associated with skin infections and endocarditis. We developed an accurate and simple PCR assay to identify S. lugdunensis isolates based on detection of the fbl gene, which encodes a fibrinogen-binding protein involved in pathogen adhesion. The PCR assay was established using 16 reference strains of different Staphylococcus species and further validated with a collection of 63 clinical staphylococcal isolates that were also phenotypically characterized. Reliable results for the detection of S. lugdunensis isolates were obtained for 100% of the strains evaluated, indicating that this PCR assay can be used in the routine of microbiology laboratories as one more tool for correct species differentiation. (Sourc... FEMS Immunology and Medical Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2988642 Fri, 13 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100 2988642 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2984532&cid=s_33163_77_f&fid=33163&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1574-695X.2009.00623.x In this study, we constructed and expressed the two proteins, and investigated their specific mucosal immune responses against GBS induced by intranasal immunization with cholera toxin (CT) and CpG-oligodeoxynucleotides (CpG-ODNs). Intranasal immunization with different doses of recombinant Sip and ScpB all elicited specific antibodies in serum and vagina of mice. A combination of rSip and rScpB with either CT or CpG-ODN elicited specific antibodies in serum and vaginal samples. Th1 responses were enhanced by CpG and CT. Sera from the mice group intranasally immunized with rSip+CT, rScpB+CT, rSip+rScpB+CT, and rSip+rScpB+CpG also showed bactericidal activity compared with the serum of the control group. The current findings suggest that rSip and rScpB would be useful antigens as a vaccine ... FEMS Immunology and Medical Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2984532 Thu, 12 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100 2984532 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2980830&cid=s_33163_77_f&fid=33163&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1574-695X.2009.00625.x In this study, we show that doxycycline, originally developed as a broad-spectrum tetracycline antibiotic (and, more recently, as a nonantimicrobial therapy for chronic inflammatory periodontal and skin diseases), can inhibit extracellular matrix degradation in cell culture mediated by human peripheral blood-derived monocytes/macrophages. The mechanisms include downregulation of cytokines and MMP-9 protein levels and the inhibition of the activities of both collagenase and MMP-9. These pleiotropic, but nonantibiotic, effects of doxycycline explain, at least in part, its therapeutic potential for various chronic inflammatory diseases including periodontitis, and may reduce the risks of systemic diseases (e.g. CVDs, less manageable diabetes) associated with this and other local diseases. (So... FEMS Immunology and Medical Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2980830 Wed, 11 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100 2980830 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2976986&cid=s_33163_77_f&fid=33163&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1574-695X.2009.00624.x In this study, we aimed to identify highly expressed genes in the rough-colony-forming phenotype for isolation of host-induced genes. Using a cDNA-subtractive hybridization technique, three genes, homologous to a macrophage infectivity potentiator gene (mip), peroxiredoxin gene (prx) and outer membrane protein gene (ompA), were identified. The expression levels of these genes in the rough-colony-forming phenotype were 4[ndash]10-fold higher as compared with the smooth-colony-forming phenotype. Attention was focused on the mip-like gene, and a recombinant protein and a deficient mutant were constructed. The recombinant protein reacted with sera from patients with periodontitis, suggesting the production of the Mip-like protein in periodontal lesions. Viable quantitative invasion assay demon... FEMS Immunology and Medical Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2976986 Tue, 10 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100 2976986 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3188817&cid=s_33163_77_f&fid=33163&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1574-695X.2009.00630.x Microorganisms have been used for a long time in food and alcoholic fermentation. In the last few years they have undergone scientific scrutiny of their preventative and therapeutic aspects. This has led to the discovery of a new term, probiotics. Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) are microbial communities normally present in the intestine of most animals. They play an important role in humans and other animals, and act as immunomodulators. They are helpful in the treatment and prevention of disease as well as improving the digestion and absorption of nutrients. Probiotic microorganisms include the LAB Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus bulgaricus, Lactobacillus casei, Lactobacillus plantarum and Lactobacillus rhamnosus. Use of these live bacteria to elicit an immune response or to carry a ... FEMS Immunology and Medical Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3188817 Fri, 06 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3188817 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3082198&cid=s_33163_77_f&fid=33163&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1574-695X.2009.00631.x Many microbial pathogens invade and proliferate within host cells and the molecular mechanism underlying this behavior is currently being revealed for several bacterial species. Testing clinically relevant antibacterial compounds and elucidating their effects on gene expression requires adequate controls, especially when studying genetically intractable organisms such as Chlamydia spp., for which various gene fusions cannot be constructed. Until now, relative mRNA levels in Chlamydia have been measured using different internal gene expression controls, including 16S rRNA, mRNAs, and DNA. Here, we compared the advantages and disadvantages of various internal expression controls during the early phase of Chlamydia pneumoniae development. The relative abundance of target mRNAs varied using th... FEMS Immunology and Medical Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3082198 Fri, 06 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3082198 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2954199&cid=s_33163_77_f&fid=33163&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1574-695X.2009.00611.x RDRio is a novel Mycobacterium tuberculosis lineage of the Latin American[ndash]Mediterranean (LAM) family. LAM has been found worldwide but is more predominant in South America. The aim of this study was to assess the presence of the RDRio lineage and LAM family in the city of Rio Grande, Brazil, and to investigate the fitness of these strains based on determination of their growth rate. Fifty clinical isolates of M. tuberculosis were genotyped and 43 different patterns were found by spoligotyping and mycobacterial interspersed repetitive units[ndash]variable number of tandem repeats. The predominant genotypes belonged to the LAM family (54% of the strains) followed by clade T (22%) and Haarlem (16%). The RDRio lineage represented 38% of the total strains and 70.4% of the LAM strains foun... FEMS Immunology and Medical Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2954199 Tue, 03 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100 2954199 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2943339&cid=s_33163_77_f&fid=33163&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1574-695X.2009.00620.x A checkerboard microdilution method, performed according to the recommendations of the National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards, was used to study the in vitro interaction of fluconazole and allicin in 24 fluconazole-resistant clinical isolates of Candida albicans, one experimentally induced strain S-1, and one ATCC type strain 10231. The interaction intensity was determined by spectrophotometric methods and visual reading of the checkerboard assay, and the nature of the interactions was assessed using two nonparametric approaches [fractional inhibitory concentration index (FICI) and [Delta]E models]. Synergism was observed in 23 strains using FICI, and in 22 strains using [Delta]E. The [Delta]E model gave results consistent with FICI, but no antagonistic action was observed. T... FEMS Immunology and Medical Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2943339 Fri, 30 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0100 2943339 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2934399&cid=s_33163_77_f&fid=33163&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1574-695X.2009.00617.x In this study, culture filtrate (CF) proteins from MAP isolates were tested with sera from CD patients and healthy controls in enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Antibody produced by seven CD patients reacted differently according to the antigen source: strong reactivity was seen to H-MAP CF, but not to B-MAP CF. Six proteins, ModD, PepA, transaldolase, EchA9, MAP2120c, and MAP2950c, in H-MAP CF reacting specifically with CD patient sera were identified by liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-MS. Bioinformatic analysis revealed that ModD and PepA were the same proteins reacting with sera from cattle infected with MAP. The elevated antibody responses of CD patients to rModD and rPepA were confirmed by ELISA (P (Source: FEMS Immunology and Medical Microbiology) FEMS Immunology and Medical Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2934399 Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0100 2934399 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2923122&cid=s_33163_77_f&fid=33163&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1574-695X.2009.00621.x Hungarian children were immunized with monovalent oral poliovaccine (mOPV) delivered at 6-week intervals in the order Sabin 1, Sabin 3, Sabin 2, from 1959 until 1992. During that period, 90 cases of vaccine-associated paralytic poliomyelitis (VAPP) were reported, 52 of which were associated with Sabin 3-related virus (76% of VAPP cases with virologic data). Because of renewed interest in type 3 mOPV (mOPV3), molecular methods were used to reanalyze 18 of the Sabin 3-related isolates from 15 VAPP patients, confirming the original identification. All isolates had the U472C 5'-untranslated region (5'-UTR) substitution associated with reversion to neurovirulence, and from zero to seven nucleotide substitutions in the virus protein 1 (VP1) region. No evidence was found for prolonged mOPV3 repli... FEMS Immunology and Medical Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2923122 Fri, 23 Oct 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2923122 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2911984&cid=s_33163_77_f&fid=33163&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1574-695X.2009.00615.x Trypanosomiases and Leishmaniases are neglected tropical diseases that affect the less developed countries. For this reason, they did not and still do not have high visibility in Western societies. The name neglected diseases also refers to the fact that they often received little interest at the level of public investment, research and development. The drug discovery scenario, however, is changing dramatically. After a period in which different socioeconomic factors have prevented massive research efforts in this field, such efforts have increased considerably in the very recent years, with significant scientific advancements. In this context, we have embarked on a new drug discovery project devoted to identification of new small molecules for the treatment of trypanosomal and leishmanial... FEMS Immunology and Medical Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2911984 Tue, 20 Oct 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2911984 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2901515&cid=s_33163_77_f&fid=33163&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1574-695X.2009.00610.x This study evaluated the use of the QuantiFERON-TB GOLD enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in a high HIV/TB burden setting in an ARV clinic at the Tshwane District Hospital, South Africa. The sensitivity and specificity of the QF assay in the clinic were 30% (9/30) and 63% (19/30), respectively, when compared with the gold standard culture results. Analysis also suggested that the sensitivity of the QuantiFERON assay is determined by a limiting patient CD4 value between 150 and 200. (Source: FEMS Immunology and Medical Microbiology) FEMS Immunology and Medical Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2901515 Fri, 16 Oct 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2901515 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2881115&cid=s_33163_77_f&fid=33163&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1574-695X.2009.00612.x Salmonella enterica serotype Enteritidis infection remains a serious public health threat to humans. Salmonella Enteritidis phage type 4 (PT4) is a clone that has already caused a global pandemic for years. To investigate why PT34 becomes a subdominantly emerging phage type, molecular characterizations, including serotyping, pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE), phage typing, and plasmid profiling, were carried out on PT34. The results indicated that relative to PT4, PT34 contained an additional 32-kb DNA segment in PFGE and a 33-kb plasmid pSE34 in plasmid profiling. Southern blot hybridization showed that the DNA segment was the major part of pSE34. All of the S. Enteritidis PT34 clinical isolates possessed pSE34, while PT4 and PT21 did not. Sequencing analysis revealed that pSE34 is ... FEMS Immunology and Medical Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2881115 Sat, 10 Oct 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2881115 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2934400&cid=s_33163_77_f&fid=33163&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1574-695X.2009.00622.x Siderocalin is a secreted protein that binds to siderophores to prevent bacterial iron acquisition. While it has been shown to inhibit the growth of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M.tb) in extracellular cultures, its effect on this pathogen within macrophages is not clear. Here, we show that siderocalin expression is upregulated following M.tb infection of mouse macrophage cell lines and primary murine alveolar macrophages. Furthermore, siderocalin added exogenously as a recombinant protein or overexpressed in the RAW264.7 macrophage cell line inhibited the intracellular growth of the pathogen. A variant form of siderocalin, which is expressed only in the macrophage cytosol, inhibited intracellular M.tb growth as effectively as the normal, secreted form, an observation that provides mechanist... FEMS Immunology and Medical Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2934400 Wed, 07 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0100 2934400 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2868654&cid=s_33163_77_f&fid=33163&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1574-695X.2009.00608.x Parasitic protozoa of the genus Leishmania are the causative agents of leishmaniasis. Survival and transmission of these parasites in their different hosts require membrane-bound or extracellular factors to interact with and modify their host environments. Over the last decade, several approaches have been applied to study all the extracellular proteins exported by an organism at a particular time or stage in its life cycle and under defined conditions, collectively termed the secretome or the exoproteome. In this review, we focus on emerging data shedding light on the secretion mechanisms involved in the production of the Leishmania exoproteome. We also describe other methodologies currently available that could be used to analyse the Leishmania exoproteome. Understanding the complexity o... FEMS Immunology and Medical Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2868654 Tue, 06 Oct 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2868654 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2934401&cid=s_33163_77_f&fid=33163&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1574-695X.2009.00619.x Japanese encephalitis (JE) is a significant cause of human morbidity and mortality throughout Asia and Africa. Vaccines have reduced the incidence of JE in some countries, but no specific antiviral therapy is currently available. The NS3 protein of Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) is a multifunctional protein combining protease, helicase and nucleoside 5'-triphosphatase (NTPase) activities. The crystal structure of the catalytic domain of this protein has recently been solved using a roentgenographic method. This enabled structure-based virtual screening for novel inhibitors of JEV NS3 helicase/NTPase. The aim of the present research was to identify novel potent medicinal substances for the treatment of JE. In the first step of studies, the natural ligand ATP and two known JEV NS3 helicas... FEMS Immunology and Medical Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2934401 Mon, 05 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0100 2934401 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2984533&cid=s_33163_77_f&fid=33163&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1574-695X.2009.00618.x To determine whether different racial groups shared common types of vaginal microbiota, we characterized the composition and structure of vaginal bacterial communities in asymptomatic and apparently healthy Japanese women in Tokyo, Japan, and compared them with those of White and Black women from North America. The composition of vaginal communities was compared based on community profiles of terminal restriction fragments of 16S rRNA genes and phylogenetic analysis of cloned 16S rRNA gene sequences of the numerically dominant bacterial populations. The types of vaginal communities found in Japanese women were similar to those of Black and White women. As with White and Black women, most vaginal communities were dominated by lactobacilli, and only four species of Lactobacillus (Lactobacill... FEMS Immunology and Medical Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2984533 Sat, 03 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0100 2984533 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2855179&cid=s_33163_77_f&fid=33163&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1574-695X.2009.00607.x We have established the association between parasite burden and localized immune response in patients with cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) caused by Leishmania tropica. Real-time PCR was used to measure parasitic load in tissue lesions of CL patients at the pretreatment (n=26) and at the post-treatment stage (n=10). Leishmania tropica was detected in all CL lesions with a mean value of 118 357 parasites g[minus]1 of dermal tissue. Following treatment, only one out of 10 patients showed residual parasites (100 parasites g[minus]1 tissue). Parasite load was high (mean, 306 000 parasites g[minus]1 tissue) in acute infections (early lesions) and low (mean, 1081 parasites g[minus]1 tissue) in chronic infections (late lesions). Intralesional transcripts of interferon-[gamma], tumour necrosis factor... FEMS Immunology and Medical Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2855179 Thu, 01 Oct 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2855179 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2980831&cid=s_33163_77_f&fid=33163&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1574-695X.2009.00616.x In this study, we elucidated the role of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-[alpha] in the host defense to pulmonary infection with Streptococcus pneumoniae and defined the cellular source of this cytokine at an early stage of infection. Administration of anti-TNF-[alpha] monoclonal antibody (mAb) resulted in the reduced accumulation of neutrophils in bronchoalveolar lavage fluids (BALFs) and severe exacerbation of this infection. In a flow cytometric analysis, the intracellular expression of TNF-[alpha] was detected in Gr-1bright+ and Gr-1dull+ cells during the time intervals postinfection, and F4/80+ cells expressed intracellular TNF-[alpha] before Gr-1dull+ cells appeared. The Gr-1bright+ and Gr-1dull+ cells sorted from BALF cells at 24 h were identified as neutrophils and macrophage-like cell... FEMS Immunology and Medical Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2980831 Thu, 01 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0100 2980831 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2851190&cid=s_33163_77_f&fid=33163&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1574-695X.2009.00601.x Biofilm is one of the important virulence factors of staphylococci that plays a role in many device-related infections such as native valve endocarditis, otitis media, urinary tract infections, cystic fibrosis, acute septic arthritis, etc. Biofilm is a microbially derived sessile community of microorganisms, developed either from single or multiple microorganisms. Formation of biofilm is a two-step process: adherence of cells to a surface and accumulation of cells to form multilayered cell clusters. A trademark of biofilm formation in staphylococci is the production of polysaccharide intercellular adhesin. In the formation and regulation of biofilm, some biosynthetic genes (icaADBC) and some regulatory genes (icaR, sar, agr, rbf, [sigma]B) are involved. In this article, we reviewed the str... FEMS Immunology and Medical Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2851190 Wed, 30 Sep 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2851190 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2831784&cid=s_33163_77_f&fid=33163&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1574-695X.2009.00600.x The historical impression that tuberculosis was an inherited disorder has come full circle and substantial evidence now exists of the human genetic contribution to susceptibility to tuberculosis. This evidence has come from several whole-genome linkage scans, and numerous case-control association studies where the candidate genes were derived from the genome screens, animal models and hypotheses pertaining to the disease pathways. Although many of the associated genes have not been validated in all studies, the list of those that have been is growing, and includes NRAMP1, IFNG, NOS2A, MBL, VDR and some TLR. Certain of these genes have consistently been associated with tuberculosis in diverse populations. The future investigation of susceptibility to tuberculosis is almost certain to includ... FEMS Immunology and Medical Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2831784 Thu, 24 Sep 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2831784 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2827943&cid=s_33163_77_f&fid=33163&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1574-695X.2009.00599.x The anti-methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (anti-MRSA) activity and the possible mechanism of action of a crude extract from red bulbs of Eleutherine americana Merr. were investigated. The crude ethanolic extract from E. americana produced minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of 62.5[ndash]1000 and 250 [mu]g mL[minus]1 against MRSA isolates and the reference strains, respectively. Treatment of S. aureus ATCC 27664 with a crude extract at 2MIC reduced the inoculum size by 5 log at 24 h compared with the control. The combined effect of the extract and 7.5% NaCl on the enterotoxin-producing ATCC strain resulted in no detection of organisms within 24 h compared with the control. The release of cell materials after extract treatment was determined by measuring OD260 nm, the treatm... FEMS Immunology and Medical Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2827943 Wed, 23 Sep 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2827943 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2823671&cid=s_33163_77_f&fid=33163&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1574-695X.2009.00604.x Phytomonas serpens, a phytoflagellate trypanosomatid, shares common antigens with Trypanosoma cruzi. In the present work, we compared the hydrolytic capability of cysteine peptidases in both trypanosomatids. Trypanosoma cruzi epimastigotes presented a 10-fold higher efficiency in hydrolyzing the cysteine peptidase substrate Z-Phe-Arg-AMC than P. serpens promastigotes. Moreover, two weak cysteine-type gelatinolytic activities were detected in P. serpens, while a strong 50-kDa cysteine peptidase was observed in T. cruzi. Cysteine peptidase activities were detected at twofold higher levels in the cytoplasmic fraction when compared with the membrane-rich or the content released from P. serpens. The cysteine peptidase secreted by P. serpens cleaved several proteinaceous substrates. Corroboratin... FEMS Immunology and Medical Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2823671 Tue, 22 Sep 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2823671 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2943340&cid=s_33163_77_f&fid=33163&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1574-695X.2009.00614.x Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an opportunistic pathogen that colonizes urinary catheters, forms biofilms, and is responsible for causing persistent and recurrent nosocomial catheter-associated urinary tract infections (UTIs). These infections show increased morbidity and mortality in immunocompromised patients. Quorum sensing in P. aeruginosa plays a key role in biofilm formation, virulence factor production and antimicrobial resistance. Because of emerging antimicrobial resistance in P. aeruginosa, there is a need to find an alternate nonantibiotic agent for the control of infections caused by this organism. In the present study, garlic was evaluated as a prophylactic agent in vivo in a mouse UTI model. Oral treatment with garlic significantly lowered renal bacterial counts and protected mous... FEMS Immunology and Medical Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2943340 Fri, 18 Sep 2009 00:00:00 +0100 2943340 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2911985&cid=s_33163_77_f&fid=33163&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1574-695X.2009.00613.x This study reveals the antibiofilm and QS inhibition property of CAB. (Source: FEMS Immunology and Medical Microbiology) FEMS Immunology and Medical Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2911985 Thu, 17 Sep 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2911985 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2796146&cid=s_33163_77_f&fid=33163&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1574-695X.2009.00602.x In conclusion, the [minus]159TT CD14 genotypes were associated with tuberculosis development in Koreans. This association might be a result of the higher promoter activity of the [minus]159T allele, the higher level of sCD14, and the decreased interferon-[gamma] secretion in subjects with [minus]159TT genotypes. (Source: FEMS Immunology and Medical Microbiology) FEMS Immunology and Medical Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2796146 Mon, 14 Sep 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2796146 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2881116&cid=s_33163_77_f&fid=33163&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1574-695X.2009.00609.x This reported MOKV case was in a previously immunized cat. While the continual recovery of MOKV isolates in domestic cats is speculative of the existence of a reservoir host species among bats or rodents, the lack of protection with currently used vaccines is discussed and the need for biologicals with a wider spectrum of protection against this lyssavirus variant is highlighted. (Source: FEMS Immunology and Medical Microbiology) FEMS Immunology and Medical Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2881116 Mon, 07 Sep 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2881116 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2772096&cid=s_33163_77_f&fid=33163&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1574-695X.2009.00597.x This study demonstrated that atypical virulent filaments of Listeria monocytogenes (rough variant type II and designated FR for this study), isolated from clinical specimens or generated during exposure to pulsed-plasma gas discharge in liquids, were shown to be capable of survival when engulfed by human polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNLs). Factors shown to significantly influence the maximal respiratory burst response in PMNLs and survival of different internalized cell or filament forms of L. monocytogenes were bacterial strain, culture form, degree of opsonization (with and without the use of 10% serum) and composition of the bacterial growth media used before uptake by PMNLs. Opsonized regular-sized L. monocytogenes cells grown on blood agar (BA) elicited the greatest respiratory burs... FEMS Immunology and Medical Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2772096 Sun, 06 Sep 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2772096 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2768515&cid=s_33163_77_f&fid=33163&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1574-695X.2009.00591.x Macrophages form one of the first lines of defense on mucosal surfaces like urinary tract, providing protection against pathogens. These cells pour their secretory products, which include a cocktail of biomolecules, at the site of infection. In the present investigation, the effect of macrophage secretory products (MSPs) obtained after interaction of macrophages with Pseudomonas aeruginosa on the virulence of this organism in planktonic and biofilm cell mode was assessed employing a mouse model of ascending pyelonephritis. When urinary tract infection (UTI) was established with P. aeruginosa grown in the presence of 30% MSPs, the extent of pyelonephritis was enhanced. Of the two cell forms, biofilm cells had an edge over the planktonic cells with respect to in vivo virulence. The enhanced ... FEMS Immunology and Medical Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2768515 Fri, 04 Sep 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2768515 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2855180&cid=s_33163_77_f&fid=33163&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1574-695X.2009.00606.x Resuscitation-promoting factor (Rpf) is a muralytic enzyme that increases the culturability of dormant bacteria. Recently, considerable progress has been made in understanding the structure, function and physiological role of Rpfs in different organisms, most notably the major human pathogen, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, which encodes multiple rpf-like genes. A key unresolved question, however, concerns the relationship between the predicted biochemical activity of Rpfs [ndash] cleavage of the [beta]-1,4 glycosidic bond in the glycan backbone of peptidoglycan [ndash] and their effect on culturability. In M. tuberculosis, the interaction between RpfB and the d,l-endopeptidase, Rpf interacting protein A (RipA), enables these proteins to synergistically degrade peptidoglycan to facilitate grow... FEMS Immunology and Medical Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2855180 Thu, 03 Sep 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2855180 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2868655&cid=s_33163_77_f&fid=33163&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1574-695X.2009.00605.x To express the 3'-region (1152 bp) of the cag7 gene of Helicobacter pylori 51 strain, encoding the C-terminal 383 amino acid (ct383 aa) region of Cag7 protein that is known to cover the needle region of T4SS, in a live delivery vehicle Lactococcus lactis, the cag7-ct383 gene was amplified by PCR. DNA sequence analysis revealed that the amino acid sequence of Cag7-ct383 of H. pylori 51 shared 98.4% and 97.4% identity with H. pylori 26695 and J99, respectively. Intramuscular injection of the GST-Cag7-ct383 fusion protein into a rat could raise the anti-Cag7 antibody, indicating the immunogenicity of the Cag7-ct383 protein. When the cag7-ct383 gene was cloned in Escherichia coli[ndash]L. lactis shuttle vector (pMG36e) and transformed into L. lactis, the transformant could produce the Cag7-ct3... FEMS Immunology and Medical Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2868655 Mon, 31 Aug 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2868655 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2751401&cid=s_33163_77_f&fid=33163&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1574-695X.2009.00595.x In this study, we report that PA[ndash]PGA conjugates induce expressions of anti-PA, anti-PGA and toxin-neutralizing antibodies in guinea-pigs and completely protect guinea-pigs against a 50 × LD50 challenge with fully virulent B. anthracis spores. Polyclonal rabbit antisera produced against either PA or ovalbumin conjugated to a PGA-15mer offer a partial passive protection to guinea-pigs against B. anthracis infection, indicating that anti-PGA antibodies play a protective role. Our results demonstrate that PA[ndash]PGA conjugate vaccines are effective in the guinea-pig model, in addition to the previously reported mouse model. (Source: FEMS Immunology and Medical Microbiology) FEMS Immunology and Medical Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2751401 Mon, 31 Aug 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2751401 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2741066&cid=s_33163_77_f&fid=33163&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1574-695X.2009.00585.x This study showed the prevalence of the CA-MRSA strains, PVL genes, the SCCmec types and the clonality of the MRSA strains. The high prevalence of the PVL gene in CA-MRSA isolates already residing in intensive care units was alarming and indicated the emergence of new MRSA lineages with a particular fitness for community and hospital transmission. (Source: FEMS Immunology and Medical Microbiology) FEMS Immunology and Medical Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2741066 Thu, 27 Aug 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2741066 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2726908&cid=s_33163_77_f&fid=33163&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1574-695X.2009.00593.x Antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies directed against bactericidal/permeability-increasing protein (BPI), an inhibitor of a lipopolysaccharide of gram-negative bacteria, are a common feature of chronic neutrophilic inflammatory processes such as cystic fibrosis. We investigated whether serum and salivary anti-BPI autoantibodies also appear in the course of acute pneumonia in 24 otherwise healthy children. Nine (38%) and four (17%) patients had detectable serum anti-BPI immunoglobulin G (IgG) ([ge]4 IU mL[minus]1) and IgA (ratio[ge]1.2), respectively, on the day of hospital admission (day 0). There was no increase in the rate of occurrence or the concentration of these antibodies in the convalescent sera obtained on day 30. The presence of anti-BPI IgG on admission did not correlate with i... FEMS Immunology and Medical Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2726908 Sun, 23 Aug 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2726908 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2823672&cid=s_33163_77_f&fid=33163&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1574-695X.2009.00603.x We present a case of erythema nodosum caused by Ascaris lumbricoides infection as well as by an early Chlamydophila pneumoniae infection, whose etiology has rarely been described in the literature. We were not able to confirm which factor was responsible for the occurrence of the skin changes as treatment of both infections was effective and all skin changes later disappeared completely. Particular attention should be paid to the fact that precise diagnosis of a patient and the search for etiologic factors, even rare ones, are crucial to obtain good results with treatment of erythema nodosum. (Source: FEMS Immunology and Medical Microbiology) FEMS Immunology and Medical Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2823672 Thu, 20 Aug 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2823672 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2711817&cid=s_33163_77_f&fid=33163&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1574-695X.2009.00587.x The human pathogen Cryptococcus neoformans causes meningo-encephalitis. The polysaccharide capsule is one of the main virulence factors and consists of two distinct polysaccharides: glucuronoxylomannan and galactoxylomannan. The presence of this polysaccharide capsule was previously shown to interfere with maturation of human dendritic cells (DCs), possibly by shielding cell-wall components from interacting with these host immune cells. Here we show that two mutant strains of C. neoformans, both lacking a visible capsule due to a defect in glucuronoxylomannan synthesis, differentially activate human monocyte-derived DCs. Cells from a cap59 mutant, but not of a cap10 mutant strain, induce maturation of DCs as indicated by an increase in the expression of the costimulatory molecules CD80 and... FEMS Immunology and Medical Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2711817 Tue, 18 Aug 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2711817 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2796147&cid=s_33163_77_f&fid=33163&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1574-695X.2009.00598.x Enteropathogenic E. coli (EPEC) is a common cause of diarrhea in children in developing countries. After adhering to intestinal cells, EPEC secretes effector proteins into host cells, causing cell damage and eventually death. We previously showed that EPEC infection triggers the release of ATP from host cells and that ATP is broken down to ADP, AMP, and adenosine. Adenosine produced from the breakdown of extracellular ATP triggers fluid secretion in intestinal monolayers and may be an important mediator of EPEC-induced diarrhea. Here we examined whether adenosine has any effects on EPEC bacteria. Adenosine stimulated EPEC growth in several types of media in vitro. Adenosine also altered the pattern of EPEC adherence to cultured cells from a localized adherence pattern to a more diffuse pat... FEMS Immunology and Medical Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2796147 Mon, 17 Aug 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2796147 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2702016&cid=s_33163_77_f&fid=33163&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1574-695X.2009.00584.x In this study, we investigated the structural characteristics of the E. coli O99 O-antigen and the organization of the genes involved in its synthesis. On the basis of sugar and methylation analysis and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy data, we established the structure of the branched hexasaccharide repeat unit of the O-polysaccharide. This unit consists of four d-rhamnose (d-Rha) moieties in the backbone and two d-glucose (d-Glc) moieties in the side chain, as shown below: The O-antigen gene cluster of E. coli O99, which was located between galF and gnd, was found to contain putative genes for the synthesis of d-Rha, genes encoding sugar transferases, and ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporter genes (wzm and wzt). Our findings indicate that in E. coli O99, the synthesis and transl... FEMS Immunology and Medical Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2702016 Fri, 14 Aug 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2702016 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2772097&cid=s_33163_77_f&fid=33163&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1574-695X.2009.00596.x This study highlights the importance of early innate immunity in the control of chlamydial infection and the significance of motility-diffusive properties and the adaptive immune response in the magnitude of infection and in its ascension. (Source: FEMS Immunology and Medical Microbiology) FEMS Immunology and Medical Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2772097 Tue, 11 Aug 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2772097 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2691188&cid=s_33163_77_f&fid=33163&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1574-695X.2009.00580.x We report the construction of a series of genetically stabilized plasmids expressing luciferase as a heterologous protein from the following in vivo-induced promoters: V. cholerae PargC, PfhuC and Pvca1008, and Salmonella enterica serovar Typhi PompC. We demonstrate that several of these expression plasmids meet two critical criteria for V. cholerae live vector vaccine studies. First, the plasmids are highly stable in the V. cholerae vaccine strain CVD 103-HgR at low copy number, in the absence of selective pressure. Second, real-time bioluminescent imaging (BLI) demonstrates inducible in vivo expression of the promoters in the suckling mouse model of V. cholerae colonization. Moreover, the use of BLI allows for direct quantitative comparison of in vivo expression from four different promo... FEMS Immunology and Medical Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2691188 Tue, 11 Aug 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2691188 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2751402&cid=s_33163_77_f&fid=33163&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1574-695X.2009.00594.x Neurological manifestations caused by neuroinvading pathogens are typically attributed to penetration of the blood[ndash]brain barrier (BBB) and invasion of the central nervous system. However, the mechanisms used by many pathogens (such as Borrelia) to traverse the BBB are still unclear. Recent studies revealed that microbial translocation across the BBB must involve a repertoire of microbial[ndash]host interactions (receptor[ndash]ligand interactions). However, the array of interacting molecules responsible for the borrelial translocation is not yet clearly known. Pathogens bind several host molecules (plasminogen, glycosaminoglycans, factor H, etc.) that might mediate endothelial interactions in vivo. This review summarizes our current understanding of the pathogenic mechanisms involved... FEMS Immunology and Medical Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2751402 Wed, 05 Aug 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2751402 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2726909&cid=s_33163_77_f&fid=33163&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1574-695X.2009.00592.x Pathological and epidemiological findings in sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) suggest an infectious aetiology with indications of involvement of staphylococcal enterotoxins (SEs). While SEA, SEB and SEC have been found in the sera and tissues of SIDS cases, little is known about the role of intestinal Staphylococcus aureus or the roles of later-described toxins SEE, SEG, SEH, SEI and SEJ in SIDS. We used a molecular-based approach to define whether the intestinal tract could be a source of SEs to support the staphylococcal toxic shock hypothesis for SIDS. Intestinal contents from 57 SIDS infants and faeces from 79 age- and gender-matched live comparison infants were cultured and tested for S. aureus and sea-b-c-e-g-h-j and TSST using PCR. High proportions of infants in both groups carri... FEMS Immunology and Medical Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2726909 Sun, 02 Aug 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2726909 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2751403&cid=s_33163_77_f&fid=33163&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1574-695X.2009.00590.x We determined the genotype of cholera toxin by amplifying and sequencing the B-subunit in a sequential collection of 90 strains of Vibrio cholerae O139 isolated over the past 13 years since its first description in 1992. Representative strains isolated during 1993[ndash]1997 harboured ctxB of El Tor type (genotype 3). Twenty-six strains isolated during 1999, 2001, 2005 and three strains isolated in 1998, 2000 and 2002 were identified to belong to new ctxB genotypes 4 and 5, respectively. Genotype 5 was similar to genotype 1 except at position 28 (D[rarr]A). The genotype 6 was similar to genotype 4 except at position 34 (H[rarr]P). The implication of switch in terms of function of the toxin and its impact on human disease is unclear. How this change has influenced their prevalence relative ... FEMS Immunology and Medical Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2751403 Thu, 30 Jul 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2751403 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2653413&cid=s_33163_77_f&fid=33163&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1574-695X.2009.00582.x The influenza A linear peptide epitopes recognized by murine antibodies, and currently cataloged at http://www.immuneepitope.org, were examined for the identity score to the host mouse proteome. It was found that almost all of the linear viral determinants are (or contain) regions formed by pentapeptide fragments with no or only very low similarity to the murine proteins. The present study adds to previous reports in suggesting a main role of amino acid sequence similarity in the modulation and definition of the B-cell epitope repertoire, inspiring innovative vaccine approaches able to avoid cross-reactive autoimmune collateral phenomena, and addressing future research in the study of immunity against the influenza A virus and infectious diseases in general. (Source: FEMS Immunology and Me... FEMS Immunology and Medical Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2653413 Wed, 29 Jul 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2653413 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2644809&cid=s_33163_77_f&fid=33163&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1574-695X.2009.00579.x Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae is the causative agent of severe necrotizing pneumonia in swine. Previously, we identified the ohr gene encoding organic hydroperoxide reductase as specifically induced during infection of pigs, induced in vitro by organic peroxides but not other oxygen radicals, and present in A. pleuropneumoniae serotypes 1, 9 and 11 but not in other serotypes (Shea & Mulks, 2002). Through analysis of flanking genomic sequence, we identify a homologue of gst, which encodes glutathione-S-transferase, immediately downstream of ohr and demonstrate that ohr-gst confers low but uninducible Ohr activity to serotype 5. We further identify a genomic island of 9.3 kb, flanked by lysR and araC homologues, in serotypes 1, 9 and 11, which contains ohr and gst. In serotypes 2[ndash]8, ... FEMS Immunology and Medical Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2644809 Mon, 27 Jul 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2644809 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2751404&cid=s_33163_77_f&fid=33163&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1574-695X.2009.00589.x To evaluate the effects of recombinant porcine interleukin-18 (rpIL-18) on the replication of viruses in host cells and proliferation of lymphocytes, porcine IL-18 (pIL-18) isolated from a domestic big-white porcine breed found in the Henan province (HN) was cloned using a reverse transcriptase-PCR. The cloned HN pIL-18 contained an ORF of 579 base pairs encoding a 192-amino-acid precursor protein. The amino acid sequence of HN pIL-18 was compared with all the other pIL-18 amino acid sequences and varied by at least one amino acid to the consensus of all the others available. HN pIL-18 mature protein gene was inserted into a prokaryotic vector pGEX-4T-1 and expressed in Escherichia coli BL21. The expression of glutathione-S-transferase[ndash]pIL18 fusion protein was confirmed by sodium dod... FEMS Immunology and Medical Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2751404 Sun, 26 Jul 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2751404 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2772098&cid=s_33163_77_f&fid=33163&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1574-695X.2009.00586.x This study reveals that TLRs not only recognize ligands but also the types of effector molecules induced, namely, antimicrobial peptides. An understanding of the importance of the TLR-mediated antimicrobial mechanisms may provide new avenues for the development of therapeutic regimens aimed at activating the body's own defenses by stimulating TLR-dependent pathways. (Source: FEMS Immunology and Medical Microbiology) FEMS Immunology and Medical Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2772098 Thu, 23 Jul 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2772098 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2726910&cid=s_33163_77_f&fid=33163&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1574-695X.2009.00588.x Opportunistic infections (OIs) are the leading cause of mortality and morbidity among HIV-positive subjects. The breadth of reports of the rare occurrence of OIs in HIV/AIDS has been increasing over the years and more recent studies have outlined the changing trends in the emergence of newer pathogens. Recent reports of the association of certain protozoans that normally do not infect sites other than their normal sites of localization have generated huge interest among scientists. The complete depression of the immune system, followed by the onset of OIs, especially due to protozoans, i.e. toxoplasmosis, isosporiasis, leishmaniasis, cyclosporosis, microsporidiosis and cryptosporidiosis, is not uncommon in AIDS. The immunologic and pathologic basis behind the susceptibility of immunodepres... FEMS Immunology and Medical Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2726910 Thu, 23 Jul 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2726910 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2601509&cid=s_33163_77_f&fid=33163&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1574-695X.2009.00578.x Adherence to the mucosal surface, essential for successful colonization of the gastric mucosa by the human pathogen Helicobacter pylori, is predominantly mediated by lectin-like molecules on the Helicobacter binding carbohydrates expressed by host epithelial cells. While clinical isolates of H. pylori do not normally infect mice, some strains have been adapted to colonize this host. We hypothesized that adaptation of H. pylori for colonization of mice may involve alterations in either bacterial surface glycan expression or their glycan-binding properties. Using a panel of lectins, we compared glycan expression on lipopolysaccharides from five mouse-colonizing strains with that of four fresh clinical isolates, but found no association with their ability to infect mice. To compare their adhe... FEMS Immunology and Medical Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2601509 Tue, 14 Jul 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2601509 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2702017&cid=s_33163_77_f&fid=33163&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1574-695X.2009.00583.x Helicobacter equorum colonizes the caecum, colon and rectum of horses. The agent is highly prevalent in (Source: FEMS Immunology and Medical Microbiology) FEMS Immunology and Medical Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2702017 Mon, 13 Jul 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2702017 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2597900&cid=s_33163_77_f&fid=33163&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1574-695X.2009.00575.x Nocardia brasiliensis is a facultative intracellular microorganism that produces a human chronic infection known as actinomycetoma. Human and mouse anti-N. brasiliensis antibody response identify P24, P26 and P61 immunodominant antigens. In this work, we generated immunoglobulin M (IgM) and IgG monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) specific to immunodominant P61 antigen. The monoclonal IgM (NbM1) and IgG2a (NbG1) antibodies were assessed for their in vitro bactericidal activity, in vivo protective effect and ability to block catalase activity. These mAbs specifically recognized P61, but they did not inhibit its enzyme activity. The in vitro bactericidal effect of NbG1 was higher than the killing ability of the IgM mAb. In vivo experiments with a murine model of experimental infection with N. brasil... FEMS Immunology and Medical Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2597900 Mon, 13 Jul 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2597900 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2583844&cid=s_33163_77_f&fid=33163&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1574-695X.2009.00577.x Galectins, a family of animal lectins, are involved not only in development and differentiation but also in immunoregulation and host[ndash]pathogen interactions. Galectin-3 interacts with lipopolysaccharides in gram-negative bacteria such as Escherichia coli, Salmonella minnesota and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The present study investigated whether galectin-3 inhibited the cytokine-inducing activity of periodontopathic bacterial lipopolysaccharides using splenocytes derived from mice of different ages. Lipopolysaccharides were extracted from Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans Y4 and Porphyromonas gingivalis ATCC 33277, and then purified. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) analysis revealed that galectin-3 adhered to A. actinomycetemcomitans lipopolysaccharides, but not to the lipop... FEMS Immunology and Medical Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2583844 Wed, 08 Jul 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2583844 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2576197&cid=s_33163_77_f&fid=33163&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1574-695X.2009.00576.x Intimin is essential for attaching and effacing lesions by pathogens such as enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC) and enterohemorrhagic E. coli (EHEC), and the antigenic polymorphism of intimin determines distinct subtypes. Our aim was to investigate the presence of immunoglobulin G (IgG) and IgA antibodies reactive to [alpha], [beta] and [gamma] intimins in serum and colostrum from healthy Brazilian adults. We found seric IgG and secretory IgA antibodies reactive to conserved and variable regions of [alpha], [beta] and [gamma] intimins and a positive correlation between the concentrations of these antibodies in both serum and colostrum that suggested cross reactivity among anti-intimin antibodies, as was confirmed by immunoblotting and absorption. The concentrations of anti-conserved ... FEMS Immunology and Medical Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2576197 Mon, 06 Jul 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2576197 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2702018&cid=s_33163_77_f&fid=33163&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1574-695X.2009.00581.x Chlamydiae are obligate intracellular bacteria, developing inside host cells within chlamydial inclusions. From these inclusions, the chlamydiae secrete proteins into the host cell cytoplasm. A pathway through which secreted proteins can be delivered is the type III secretion system (T3SS). The T3SS is common to several gram-negative bacteria and the secreted proteins serve a variety of functions often related to the modulation of host signalling. To identify new potentially secreted proteins, the cytoplasm was extracted from Chlamydia trachomatis L2-infected HeLa cells, and two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis profiles of [35S]-labelled chlamydial proteins from this extract were compared with profiles of chlamydial proteins from the lysate of infected cells. In this way, CT6... FEMS Immunology and Medical Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2702018 Wed, 01 Jul 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2702018 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2505938&cid=s_33163_77_f&fid=33163&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1574-695X.2009.00573.x In this study, we investigated whether gAd is able to modulate the effect of A. actinomycetemcomitans lipopolysaccharide on cytokine induction in a murine macrophage cell line (RAW 264). The phosphorylation of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase, c-Jun N-terminal kinase, extracellular signal-regulated kinase, and I[kappa]B kinase [alpha]/[beta] and the degradation of I[kappa]B, which were induced by A. actinomycetemcomitans lipopolysaccharide intoxication, were clearly reduced in gAd-pretreated RAW 264 cells compared with the untreated cells. Expression levels of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-[alpha] and interleukin-10 (IL-10) mRNA were assessed by real-time PCR. Cell-free supernatants were collected after 12 h of stimulation and analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for TNF-[alpha]... FEMS Immunology and Medical Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2505938 Wed, 24 Jun 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2505938 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2456806&cid=s_33163_77_f&fid=33163&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1574-695X.2009.00562.x The ability to repair DNA damage is likely to play an important role in the survival of facultative intracellular parasites because they are exposed to high levels of reactive oxygen species and nitrogen intermediates inside phagocytes. Correcting oxidative damage in purines and pyrimidines is the primary function of the enzymes formamidopyrimidine (faPy)[ndash]DNA glycosylase (Fpg) and endonuclease VIII (Nei) of the base excision repair pathway, respectively. Four gene homologs, belonging to the fpg/nei family, have been identified in Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv. The recombinant protein encoded by M. tuberculosis Rv2924c, termed Mtb-Fpg1, was overexpressed, purified and biochemically characterized. The enzyme removed faPy and 5-hydroxycytosine lesions, as well as 8-oxo-7,8-dihydrogua... FEMS Immunology and Medical Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2456806 Sat, 06 Jun 2009 01:56:46 +0100 2456806 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2505939&cid=s_33163_77_f&fid=33163&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1574-695X.2009.00574.x Burkholderia pseudomallei is a gram-negative bacillus that is the causative agent of melioidosis. We evaluated host[ndash]pathogen interaction at different levels using three separate B. pseudomallei mutants generated by insertional inactivation. One of these mutants is defective in the production of the polysaccharide side chains associated with lipopolysaccharide; one does not produce the capsular polysaccharide with the structure -3)-2-O-acetyl-6-deoxy-[beta]-d-manno-heptopyranose-(1-; and the third mutant does not produce flagellin. We compared the in vivo virulence in BALB/c mice, the in vitro fate of intracellular survival inside human polymorphonuclear cells (PMNs) and macrophages (M[phi]s) and the susceptibility to killing by 30% normal human serum, reactive nitrogen and oxygen int... FEMS Immunology and Medical Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2505939 Fri, 29 May 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2505939 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2440186&cid=s_33163_77_f&fid=33163&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1574-695X.2009.00565.x Thermal injury destroys the physical skin barrier that normally prevents invasion of microorganisms. This and concomitant depression of local and systemic host cellular and humoral immune responses are important factors that contribute to colonization and infection of the burn wound. One of the most common burn wound pathogens is Staphylococcus aureus. Staphylococcus aureus is both a human commensal and a frequent cause of infections leading to mild to life-threatening diseases. Despite a variety of infection control measures, for example patient cohorting and contact precaution at burn centres, S. aureus is still frequently encountered in burn wounds. Colonization with S. aureus has been associated with delayed wound healing, increased need for surgical interventions, and prolonged length... FEMS Immunology and Medical Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2440186 Fri, 29 May 2009 03:37:47 +0100 2440186 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2505943&cid=s_33163_77_f&fid=33163&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1574-695X.2009.00571.x The immunomodulatory cationic host defence peptide LL-37 plays an important role in epithelial innate immunity; at higher concentrations (20[ndash]50 [mu]g mL[minus]1) associated with inflammation, LL-37 elicits the production of cytokines and chemokines. It was demonstrated here that lower, physiologically relevant LL-37 concentrations (2[ndash]3 [mu]g mL[minus]1) altered epithelial cell responses to proinflammatory stimuli. In combination with interleukin-1[beta] (IL-1[beta]) and the Toll-like receptor-5 (TLR5) agonist flagellin, these low concentrations of LL-37 synergistically increased IL-8 production by both proliferating and differentiated keratinocytes and by bronchial epithelial cells. In combination with the TLR2/1 agonist PAM3CSK4, LL-37 synergistically induced transcription and... FEMS Immunology and Medical Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2505943 Wed, 20 May 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2505943 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2505942&cid=s_33163_77_f&fid=33163&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1574-695X.2009.00572.x We examined 55 Enterobacter cloacae isolates from clinical specimens for the production of cytotonic and cytotoxic toxins and the presence of the type III secretion system (TTSS). Twelve isolates (22%) revealed cytotoxic activity that caused destruction of Vero cells, whereas 28 (51%) strains induced lysis of the murine macrophage J774 cell line. TTSS genes were present in 27% of the isolates. The results indicated that these bacteria may destroy phagocytes and epithelial cells, which may lead to spread within the host. (Source: FEMS Immunology and Medical Microbiology) FEMS Immunology and Medical Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2505942 Wed, 20 May 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2505942 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2414086&cid=s_33163_77_f&fid=33163&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1574-695X.2009.00566.x In conclusion, mucosal vaccination with L. lactis expressing UreB produced serum IgG and UreB-specific fecal IgA, and prevented gastric infection with H. pylori. (Source: FEMS Immunology and Medical Microbiology) FEMS Immunology and Medical Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2414086 Sat, 16 May 2009 04:00:00 +0100 2414086 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2505944&cid=s_33163_77_f&fid=33163&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1574-695X.2009.00569.x Helicobacter pylori is recognized as the main cause of gastritis and is associated with gastric carcinogenesis. Syndecan-4 represents the major source of heparan sulfate (HS) in the gastric cells. HS proteoglycans expressed on the cell surface constitute targets for H. pylori at the early stage of infection. The aim of this study was to determine whether H. pylori induction of syndecan-4 expression is affected by the virulence characteristics of the infecting strain, namely the cytotoxic-associated gene (cag) pathogenicity island (PAI). We observed that individuals infected with highly pathogenic H. pylori strains express syndecan-4 in the foveolar epithelium of the gastric mucosa. The association between the cagPAI status of the infecting strain and syndecan-4 expression was further demon... FEMS Immunology and Medical Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2505944 Fri, 15 May 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2505944 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2505940&cid=s_33163_77_f&fid=33163&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1574-695X.2009.00570.x The in vitro and keratinocyte (HaCAT cells) culture expression of four putative genes coding for secreted aspartyl proteases of Candida dubliniensis[ndash]CdSAP1, CdSAP2, CdSAP3, and CdSAP4 (CdSAP1[ndash]4) [ndash] is reported for the first time. In addition, CdSAP7, 8, 9, and 10, orthologous genes of Candida albicans, were recognized in C. dubliniensis genome. There are no orthologs of C. albicans SAP5 and 6 in C. dubliniensis. The expression of CdSAP1 and 2 was independent of the morphological stage of C. dubliniensis; they are expressed at both pH 4 and pH 7, and were induced with albumin as nitrogen source. CdSAP3 expression was regulated by the pH, and was related to the infection process of keratinocytes. Expression of CdSAP4 predominated during the mycelial phase and the initial sta... FEMS Immunology and Medical Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2505940 Fri, 15 May 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2505940 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2402821&cid=s_33163_77_f&fid=33163&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1574-695X.2009.00564.x This study reported the ESBL-producing genes in 53 randomly selected clinical bacterial isolates from the Steve Biko Academic Hospital. The presence of the blaSHV, blaTEM and blaCTX-M genes was determined, and the overall prevalence of these genes detected in this study was 87% (46/53) in comparison with the literature; these results were higher when compared with 33% for Escherichia coli in Europe and 0.8% in Denmark for similar pathogens. These research findings indicated that it is crucial to routinely monitor the prevalence of these resistance genes. (Source: FEMS Immunology and Medical Microbiology) FEMS Immunology and Medical Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2402821 Sun, 10 May 2009 04:00:00 +0100 2402821 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2397421&cid=s_33163_77_f&fid=33163&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1574-695X.2009.00563.x Intranasal immunization, a noninvasive method of vaccination, has been found to be effective in inducing systemic and mucosal immune responses. The present study was aimed at investigating the efficacy of intranasal immunization in inducing mucosal immunity in experimental cholera by subunit recombinant protein vaccines from Vibrio cholerae O1. The structural genes encoding toxin-coregulated pilus A (TcpA) and B subunit of cholera toxin (CtxB) from V. cholerae O1 were cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli. Rabbits were immunized intranasally with purified TcpA and CtxB alone or a mixture of TcpA and CtxB. Immunization with TcpA and CtxB alone conferred, respectively, 41.1% and 70.5% protection against V. cholerae challenge, whereas immunization with a mixture of both antigens conferred ... FEMS Immunology and Medical Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2397421 Thu, 07 May 2009 04:00:00 +0100 2397421 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2505941&cid=s_33163_77_f&fid=33163&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1574-695X.2009.00567.x The effect of thalidomide on lipopolysaccharide-induced nitric oxide (NO) production was studied using RAW 264.7 macrophage-like cells. Thalidomide significantly inhibited lipopolysaccharide-induced NO production via reduced expression of an inducible NO synthase. Thalidomide reduced the phosphorylation of the p65 nuclear factor-[kappa]B subunit, inhibitory [kappa]B (I[kappa]B) and I[kappa]B kinase in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated cells. However, thalidomide did not affect the expression of interferon-[beta] (IFN-[beta]) and interferon regulatory factor-1 in response to lipopolysaccharide. Further, thalidomide inhibited the MyD88 augmentation in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated cells, whereas it did not alter the expression of TIR domain-containing adaptor-inducing IFN-[beta] in the MyD88-ind... FEMS Immunology and Medical Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2505941 Tue, 05 May 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2505941 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2368532&cid=s_33163_77_f&fid=33163&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1574-695X.2009.00556.x Electron microscopic studies have shown that Helicobacter pylori occurs in three stages: spiral forms, coccoid forms and degenerative forms. The spiral forms are viable, culturable, virulent and can colonize experimental animals and induce inflammation. The coccoid forms may also be viable but are nonculturable, less virulent and are less likely to colonize and induce inflammation in experimental animals than the spiral forms. The degenerative forms are pyknotic, nonculturable, coccoid forms of dead H. pylori. These forms cannot be cultured and the cell membrane has disintegrated but gene material can be detected by PCR in water supplies. There is no substantial evidence for viable H. pylori persisting in water supplies. Epidemiological studies suggest that environmental water is a risk fa... FEMS Immunology and Medical Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2368532 Mon, 27 Apr 2009 04:00:00 +0100 2368532 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2368531&cid=s_33163_77_f&fid=33163&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1574-695X.2009.00559.x During the serial passage of Mycobacterium bovis bacillus Calmette[ndash]Guérin (BCG) in different countries after initial seed distribution from the Pasteur Institute, specific insertions and deletions in the genome among BCG substrains were observed and speculated to result in differences in immunological activities. 'Early-shared strains' of BCG (Russia, Moreau, Japan, Sweden, Birkhaug), distributed by the Pasteur Institute, which conserve three types of mycolate ([alpha], methoxy, keto) in cell wall, exhibited stronger activities of induction of nitric oxide, interleukin-1[beta] (IL-1[beta]), IL-6, IL-8, IL-12 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-[alpha], from human epithelial cell line A549, human myelomonocytic cell line THP-1 and mouse bone marrow cells in the presence of interferon-[ga... FEMS Immunology and Medical Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2368531 Mon, 27 Apr 2009 04:00:00 +0100 2368531 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2368530&cid=s_33163_77_f&fid=33163&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1574-695X.2009.00560.x In conclusion, we propose a novel mechanism by which NO-induced TVE formation enables neutrophils to bind and aggregate bacteria at a distance. (Source: FEMS Immunology and Medical Microbiology) FEMS Immunology and Medical Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2368530 Mon, 27 Apr 2009 04:00:00 +0100 2368530 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2368529&cid=s_33163_77_f&fid=33163&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1574-695X.2009.00561.x Staphylococcal enterotoxins (SEs) are a leading cause of food poisoning and have two separate biological activities; it causes gastroenteritis and functions as a superantigen that activates large numbers of T cells. In vivo monkey or kitten bioassays were developed for analysis of SEs emetic activity. To overcome the inherent limitations of such bioassays, this study describes an in vitro splenocyte proliferation assay based on SEs superantigen activity as an alternative method for measuring the activity of staphylococcal enterotoxin A (SEA). After incubation of splenocytes with SEA, cell proliferation was measured by labeling the proliferating cells' DNA with bromodeoxyuridine (5-bromo-2-deoxyuridine, BrdU) and quantifying the incorporated BrdU by immunohistochemistry. BrdU labeling is sh... FEMS Immunology and Medical Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2368529 Mon, 27 Apr 2009 04:00:00 +0100 2368529 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2341000&cid=s_33163_77_f&fid=33163&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1574-695X.2009.00558.x The effect of anthrax infection on phosphoprotein signaling was studied in human small airway lung epithelial cells exposed to B. anthracis spores of the plasmidless dSterne strain in comparison with the Sterne strain containing the toxigenic plasmid (pXO1). The differential regulation of phosphorylation was found in the mitogen-activated protein kinase cascade (ERK, p38, and P90RSK), the PI3K cascade (AKT, GSK-3[alpha]/[beta]), and downstream in the case of the proapoptotic BAD and the transcription factor STAT3. Both strains stimulate phosphorylation of CREB and inhibit phosphorylation of 4E-BP1 required for activation of cap-dependent translation. Downregulation of the survival AKT phosphorylation by the Sterne strain inhibits the process of Ca2+-dependent homophilic interaction of E-ca... FEMS Immunology and Medical Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2341000 Sat, 18 Apr 2009 04:00:00 +0100 2341000 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2341002&cid=s_33163_77_f&fid=33163&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1574-695X.2009.00553.x The influence of antibiotic exposure in the early postnatal period on the development of intestinal microbiota was monitored in 26 infants including five antibiotic-treated (AT) subjects orally administered a broad-spectrum antibiotic for the first 4 days of life and three caesarean-delivered (CD) subjects whose mothers were intravenously injected by the similar type of antibiotics in the same period. The faecal bacterial composition was analysed daily for the first 5 days and monthly for the first 2 months. Terminal restriction fragment length polymor-phisms in the AT subjects showed less diversity with the attenuation of the colonization of some bacterial groups, especially in Bifidobacterium and unusual colonization of Enterococcus in the first week than the control antibiotic-free infa... FEMS Immunology and Medical Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2341002 Mon, 06 Apr 2009 04:00:00 +0100 2341002 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2341001&cid=s_33163_77_f&fid=33163&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1574-695X.2009.00557.x Bordetella pertussis is a re-emerging human respiratory pathogen whose infectious process is not fully understood, hampering the design of effective vaccines. The nature of bacterial attachment to host cells is a key event in the outcome of the infection. However, host cell receptors involved in B. pertussis colonization of the respiratory tract are still under investigation. Here, we report that cholesterol-rich domains are involved in B. pertussis adhesion to epithelial cells. Treatment of A549 cells with cholesterol-sequestering drugs such as methyl-[beta]-cyclodextrin, nystatin, or filipin resulted in a significant decrease of B. pertussis attachment. Confocal laser microscopy studies showed B. pertussis associated with cholesterol-rich domains. Accordingly, B. pertussis was found in d... FEMS Immunology and Medical Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2341001 Mon, 06 Apr 2009 04:00:00 +0100 2341001 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2341003&cid=s_33163_77_f&fid=33163&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1574-695X.2009.00552.x Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is a well-known cause of sporadic acute hepatitis. The contribution of fecal shedding of the virus to its endemic nature is not frequently studied in underdeveloped countries. The aim of the present study was to detect HEV viremia in serum and stool from patients with acute hepatitis by cell culture and by nested reverse transcriptase (RT)-PCR. A further aim was to evaluate different methods used for HEV detection, including culture by use of HPG11 cell line, PCR, immunoglobulin M (IgM) and IgG responses during the acute stage of infection. The frequency of HEV-positive cases for IgM, stool and serum cultures was 35.3%, 38.2% and 29.4%, respectively. However, only two samples (2.9%) were positive for IgG using enzyme immunoassay. The sensitivity of stool culture was... FEMS Immunology and Medical Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2341003 Fri, 03 Apr 2009 04:00:00 +0100 2341003 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2341004&cid=s_33163_77_f&fid=33163&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1574-695X.2009.00551.x Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are key components of the innate immune system that detects microbial infection and triggers host defensive responses. To determine the roles of TLR2 and TLR4 in corneal epithelial cells in mediating innate responses against Aspergillus fumigatus, telomerase-immortalized human corneal epithelial cells (THCE) were challenged by TLR2 ligand zymosan, TLR4 ligand lipopolysaccharide and A. fumigatus hyphae, respectively. Culture media were collected at different time points and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was performed to detect the levels of inflammatory cytokines interleukin-1[beta] (IL-1[beta]) and IL-6. We found that THCE responded to the challenge of TLR2 or TLR4 ligand by expressing and secreting inflammatory cytokines into the culture media. And exposure ... FEMS Immunology and Medical Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2341004 Wed, 01 Apr 2009 04:00:00 +0100 2341004 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2297709&cid=s_33163_77_f&fid=33163&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1574-695X.2009.00548.x The present study was carried out to evaluate the immunogenicity and protective efficacy of GroEL (hsp60) of Streptococcus pneumoniae, by expressing full length GroEL in heterologous host Escherichia coli BL21(DE3). PCR-amplified groEL was ligated in pQE 30 expression vector and subsequently transformed in E. coli DH5[alpha] strains. Cloning of groEL was confirmed by double digestion, followed by DNA sequencing. The His-tag containing recombinant GroEL was purified by Ni-NTA affinity chromatography. To determine the immunogenicity of GroEL, the mice were immunized by injecting 40 [mu]g GroEL protein per mouse intraperitoneally. The results showed a significant increase in antibody titre and lymphocyte proliferation in animals immunized with GroEL as compared with control. Further, there wa... FEMS Immunology and Medical Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2297709 Sun, 29 Mar 2009 04:00:00 +0100 2297709 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2284220&cid=s_33163_77_f&fid=33163&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1574-695X.2009.00554.x The present study was aimed at modifying the original formulation of Commercial Eugon agar (CEA) to develop a new H. pylori growth medium. Initial studies were carried out to determine the number of H. pylori colonies recovered on in-house H. pylori agar (IHPA), IHPA without l-cysteine and sodium sulfite (IHPA-NC), IHPA without l-cysteine (IHPA-C), IHPA without sodium sulfite (IHPA-N) and CEA as the control. Significant differences (P (Source: FEMS Immunology and Medical Microbiology) FEMS Immunology and Medical Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2284220 Mon, 23 Mar 2009 04:00:00 +0100 2284220 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2284221&cid=s_33163_77_f&fid=33163&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1574-695X.2009.00545.x A total of 1602 stool samples from healthy employees in a slaughter company were screened by PCR for Shiga toxin (Stx)-producing Escherichia coli (STEC). The PCR product of Stx-encoding genes was detected in 90 (5.6%) of 1602 stool samples. Among the 90 stx-positive workers, the Residual Products Handlers and Slaughterers had rates of 8.0% and 6.0%[ndash] higher than Inspectors, Grading Testers and Livestock Hygiene Controllers at 3.3%, 2.0% and 3.5%, respectively. Forty-nine (54.4%) were shown to have stx2; 25 (27.7%) carried stx1 and 16 (17.7%) had both stx1 and 2. Distribution of the stx PCR-positive workers by age revealed an increase in STEC infection with age (P (Source: FEMS Immunology and Medical Microbiology) FEMS Immunology and Medical Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2284221 Fri, 20 Mar 2009 04:00:00 +0100 2284221 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2274518&cid=s_33163_77_f&fid=33163&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1574-695X.2009.00555.x This minireview presents recent developments in molecular methods for the diagnosis of tuberculosis, including detection, identification and determination of drug resistance of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Tuberculosis remains one of the major causes of global death from a single infectious agent. This situation is worsened by the HIV/AIDS pandemic because one-third of HIV/AIDS patients are coinfected with M. tuberculosis. Also of great concern is the emergence of drug-resistant tuberculosis because there are almost no treatment options available for patients affected by highly resistant strains of M. tuberculosis. Advances in molecular biology techniques and a better knowledge of the molecular mechanisms of drug resistance have provided new tools for the rapid diagnosis of tuberculosis. Se... FEMS Immunology and Medical Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2274518 Wed, 18 Mar 2009 04:00:00 +0100 2274518 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2259727&cid=s_33163_77_f&fid=33163&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1574-695X.2009.00550.x The etiology of ulcerative colitis (UC) is unknown, while an exacerbating factor of this disease is associated with infectious agents. Recently, Fusobacterium varium has been found in the mucosa of a significant number of patients with UC. The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of F. varium infection based on serology, evaluate the relationship between F. varium seropositivity and UC, and determine the clinical characteristics of infected UC individuals. Seropositive patients were determined by immunoblotting with F. varium ATCC 8501 antigen. We also identified cross-reactive protein spots by peptide mass mapping analysis. These protein spots showed putative caseinolytic protease protein, putative translation elongation factor G, and putative enolase. Immunoblotting with F. v... FEMS Immunology and Medical Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2259727 Fri, 13 Mar 2009 04:00:00 +0100 2259727 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2259728&cid=s_33163_77_f&fid=33163&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1574-695X.2009.00549.x Helicobacter pylori infection has been regarded as a major factor associated with the development of gastric diseases. The characterization of infected H. pylori in asymptomatic individuals is important for the prediction of the onset of such diseases. However, because of the difficulty in obtaining gastric biopsy samples, H. pylori in healthy subjects have not been studied sufficiently. Therefore, we tested a noninvasive method for the characterization of H. pylori using stool specimens. This method involved H. pylori antigen detection in stool specimens by immunochromatography; confirmation of H. pylori DNA by real-time PCR that involved the detection of its 16S rRNA gene in the DNA extracted from stool specimens; and nested PCR with genotype-specific primer pairs. A total of 80 samples ... FEMS Immunology and Medical Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2259728 Tue, 10 Mar 2009 04:00:00 +0100 2259728 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2230102&cid=s_33163_77_f&fid=33163&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1574-695X.2009.00547.x Campylobacter jejuni is an important enteropathogenic bacterium, causing food-borne gastroenteritis in both industrialized and developing countries. Campylobacter jejuni is a ubiquitous microorganism and, in endemic areas the highest incidence of infections is found in children. This finding suggests that hosts, after a first contact with the pathogen, are able to induce a protective immune response against subsequent exposures. It is crucial to understand the protective mechanisms that influence the interaction of the pathogen with the host, in order to develop new tools for prophylactic vaccination programs and control strategies; thus, in this work, we studied the host response to C. jejuni infection using a murine model. We observed that DBA/2 mice are able to control an intraperitonea... FEMS Immunology and Medical Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2230102 Wed, 04 Mar 2009 05:00:00 +0100 2230102 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2230103&cid=s_33163_77_f&fid=33163&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1574-695X.2009.00546.x We present in vitro evidence for a pathogenic function of the plasminogen receptor in promoting adherence to laminin and also the formation of plasmin by B. fragilis. (Source: FEMS Immunology and Medical Microbiology) FEMS Immunology and Medical Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2230103 Mon, 02 Mar 2009 05:00:00 +0100 2230103 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2208611&cid=s_33163_77_f&fid=33163&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1574-695X.2009.00544.x Advances in free radical research show that reactive oxygen and nitrogen oxide species, for example superoxide, nitric oxide (NO) and peroxynitrite, play an important role in the pathogenesis of different viral infections, including dengue virus. The pathogenic mechanism of dengue haemorrhagic fever (DHF) is complicated and is not clearly understood. The hallmarks of the dengue disease, the antibody-dependent enhancement, the shift from T-helper type 1 (Th1) to Th2 cytokine response and the cytokine tsunami resulting in vascular leakage can now be explained much better with the knowledge gained about NO and peroxynitrite. This paper makes an effort to present a synthesis of the current opinions to explain the pathogenesis of DHF/shock syndrome with NO on centre stage. (Source: FEMS Immunol... FEMS Immunology and Medical Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2208611 Tue, 24 Feb 2009 05:00:00 +0100 2208611 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2208613&cid=s_33163_77_f&fid=33163&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1574-695X.2009.00542.x Exposure to Epicoccum purpurascens is implicated in respiratory allergies and asthma. Several allergens of clinical importance were identified in Epicoccum extract (EE), but only one allergen has been isolated and characterized. In the present study, a 12-kDa allergen was isolated from an Epicoccum spore-mycelial extract by concanavalin-A sepharose, reverse-phase hydrophobic and gel filtration chromatography. The purified protein was recognized as a single 12-kDa allergen on immunoblot with a serum pool of Epicoccum-sensitive patients. Of the 94 respiratory allergy patients tested intradermally, 17 showed marked positive skin reactions to EE and 12 of them reacted with the 12-kDa protein, indicating a diagnostic sensitivity of 70%. More than 80% patients' sera showed immunoglobulin E (IgE)... FEMS Immunology and Medical Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2208613 Mon, 23 Feb 2009 05:00:00 +0100 2208613 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2208612&cid=s_33163_77_f&fid=33163&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1574-695X.2009.00543.x This study was designed to investigate the role of M. pneumoniae infection in acute exacerbation of asthma in children. A total of 150 patients (110 males, 40 females) were studied and immunoglobulin M (IgM) antibodies to M. pneumoniae were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and PCR amplification was performed for the P1 gene to associate M. pneumoniae infection with asthma. As compared with 33 children with asthma, only two of the control subjects had positive IgM titers for M. pneumoniae, which was statistically significant (P=0.002). A total of 15 children with asthma were positive by PCR for the P1 gene while none of the controls had a positive PCR. Of these positive cases, 24 cases were positive only by ELISA, six were positive only by PCR and nine patients were fo... FEMS Immunology and Medical Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2208612 Mon, 23 Feb 2009 05:00:00 +0100 2208612 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2203689&cid=s_33163_77_f&fid=33163&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1574-695X.2009.00540.x Streptococcus pyogenes is a major causative agent of tonsillitis or pharyngitis in children. Streptococcus pyogenes can persist in tonsils, and one-third of children treated with antibiotics continue to shed streptococci and have recurrent infections. Mouse nasal-associated lymphoid tissue (NALT) is functionally analogous to human oropharyngeal lymphoid tissues, and serves as a model for characterization of the mucosal innate immune response to S. pyogenes. Wild-type S. pyogenes induces transcription of both type I and interferon-[gamma] (IFN-[gamma])-responsive genes, proinflammatory genes and acute-phase response proteins 24 h after intranasal infection. Invasion of NALT and the induction of the interferon response were not dependent on expression of antiphagocytic M protein. Intranasal ... FEMS Immunology and Medical Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2203689 Sun, 22 Feb 2009 05:00:00 +0100 2203689 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2203690&cid=s_33163_77_f&fid=33163&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1574-695X.2009.00535.x Besides the well-known gastric pathogen Helicobacter pylori, other Helicobacter species with a spiral morphology have been detected in a minority of human patients who have undergone gastroscopy. The very fastidious nature of these non-Helicobacter pylori helicobacters (NHPH) makes their in vitro isolation difficult. These organisms have been designated 'Helicobacter heilmannii'. However, sequencing of several genes detected in NHPH-infected tissues has shown that the 'H. heilmannii' group comprises at least five different Helicobacter species, all of them known to colonize the stomach of animals. Recent investigations have indicated that Helicobacter suis is the most prevalent NHPH species in human. This species has only recently been isolated in vitro from porcine stomach mucosa. Other N... FEMS Immunology and Medical Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2203690 Fri, 20 Feb 2009 05:00:00 +0100 2203690 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2180476&cid=s_33163_77_f&fid=33163&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1574-695X.2009.00541.x Previous studies have shown that STb causes microscopic histological alterations in animal intestinal models. Disrupted intestinal epithelium at the villous tips could be the result of an altered physiological cell state induced by the toxin. As a cellular model we used NIH-3T3 cells, a mouse fibroblast cell line, previously shown to be capable of internalizing the STb toxin. Using various probes specific for the cellular physiological state or cell organelles, we investigated STb activity using flow cytometry and confocal microscopy. In NIH-3T3 cells, labelled with propidium iodide and carboxyfluorescein diacetate, STb permeabilized the plasma membrane but the cellular esterases remained active. Confocal microscopy showed that fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-labelled STb toxin molecules... FEMS Immunology and Medical Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2180476 Fri, 13 Feb 2009 05:00:00 +0100 2180476 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2180478&cid=s_33163_77_f&fid=33163&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1574-695X.2009.00538.x Acinetobacter baumannii has few known virulence factors and yet causes a variety of opportunistic infections. Many gram-negative bacteria are directly killed by complement, but we hypothesized that A. baumannii would be resistant to serum killing. A serum bactericidal assay assessed the resistance of seven A. baumannii isolates to serum killing, and C2-deficient serum was used to examine its activation of the alternative pathway. Flow cytometry was utilized to determine whether complement regulator factor H (FH) was bound by A. baumannii, and to assay C3 deposition on cells. A microtiter biofilm assay compared biofilm production among isolates. Of seven isolates, four were serum sensitive and three were serum resistant. The C2-deficient serum demonstrated that A. baumannii can activate the... FEMS Immunology and Medical Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2180478 Thu, 12 Feb 2009 05:00:00 +0100 2180478 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2180477&cid=s_33163_77_f&fid=33163&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1574-695X.2009.00539.x In vitro experiments confirmed that a 10-mer peptide derived from human mammary-associated serum amyloid A3 (M-SAA3) protected intestinal epithelial cells from enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC) adherence. The entire 42-mer human M-SAA3 protein was even more effective, reducing EPEC binding by 72% relative to untreated cells (P0.05). Each of the M-SAA3 10-mer peptides and the 42-mer was then administered orally to mice at 500 [mu]g day[minus]1 for 4 days before deliberate infection with either Citrobacter rodentium (mouse model of EPEC) or Salmonella Typhimurium. None of the peptides protected against Salmonella infection and the 42-mer may even increase infection, as there was a trend towards increased Salmonella counts in the liver and small intestine in 42-mer-treated mice compare... FEMS Immunology and Medical Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2180477 Thu, 12 Feb 2009 05:00:00 +0100 2180477 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2176491&cid=s_33163_77_f&fid=33163&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1574-695X.2009.00537.x Bronchial asthma and allergic diseases are orchestrated by T-cells producing T-helper type 2 (Th2) cytokines, such as interleukin-4 (IL-4) and IL-5, and are inhibited by Th1 responses. Helicobacter pylori has chronically infected the human population for c. 100 000 years and preferentially elicits a Th1 mucosal immune response with the production of interferon-[gamma] and IL-12. Among several bacterial factors, the neutrophil-activating protein of H. pylori (HP-NAP) not only plays a key role in driving Th1 inflammation but it is also able to inhibit Th2 responses in vitro and in vivo in allergic bronchial asthma, in humans and mice. Both systemic and mucosal administrations of HP-NAP are successful in reducing eosinophilia, immunoglobulin E and systemic Th2 cytokines at the bronchial level... FEMS Immunology and Medical Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2176491 Wed, 11 Feb 2009 05:00:00 +0100 2176491 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2146447&cid=s_33163_77_f&fid=33163&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1574-695X.2008.00533.x Pseudomonas aeruginosa releases a wide array of toxins and tissue-degrading enzymes. Production of these malicious virulence factors is controlled by interbacterial communication in a process known as quorum sensing. An increasing body of evidence reveals that the bacterial signal molecule N-(3-oxododecanoyl)-l-homoserine lactone (OdDHL) exhibits both quorum-sensing signalling and immune-modulating properties. Recently, yet another quorum-sensing signal molecule, the Pseudomonas quinolone signal (PQS), has been shown to affect cytokine release by mitogen-stimulated human T cells. In the present article we demonstrate that both OdDHL and PQS decrease the production of interleukin-12 (IL-12) by Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide-stimulated bone marrow-derived dendritic cells (BM-DCs) withou... FEMS Immunology and Medical Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2146447 Sat, 31 Jan 2009 04:14:24 +0100 2146447 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2146450&cid=s_33163_77_f&fid=33163&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1574-695X.2009.00522.x The protein composition and N-terminal sequences of proteins in the outer membrane of Chlamydia trachomatis L2 were analysed following isolation of N-terminal peptides using combined fractional diagonal chromatography and identification by liquid chromatography tandem MS. Acetylation of primary amino groups of in vivo generated proteolytic cleavage sites facilitated identification of such sites in known outer membrane proteins (MOMPs). Our results further support a proposed prediction of the topology of the MOMPs. Furthermore, a previously unknown MOMP, CTL0626 (Ct372), was assigned as an MOMP with a carbohydrate-selective porin (OprB) family motif, and the presence of CTL0626 was confirmed using antibodies raised against the protein. (Source: FEMS Immunology and Medical Microbiology) FEMS Immunology and Medical Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2146450 Thu, 29 Jan 2009 05:00:00 +0100 2146450 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2146449&cid=s_33163_77_f&fid=33163&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1574-695X.2008.00528.x (Source: FEMS Immunology and Medical Microbiology) FEMS Immunology and Medical Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2146449 Thu, 29 Jan 2009 05:00:00 +0100 2146449 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2146448&cid=s_33163_77_f&fid=33163&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1574-695X.2009.00532.x The binding of Bacteroides fragilis to plasmatic fibronectin was investigated using strains isolated from healthy subjects and from patients with bacteremia. They were cultivated in a synthetic media in which variations in cysteine concentrations determined alterations in the oxidation[ndash]reduction potential (Eh). All the strains assayed were capable of adhering to plasmatic fibronectin when cultivated under oxidizing and reducing conditions. Bacteroides fragilis 1405 showed the greatest difference when the results under these conditions were compared and it was selected for further investigations. Chemical treatments suggested the involvement of a protein in the interaction between B. fragilis and plasmatic fibronectin. Sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis analysis... FEMS Immunology and Medical Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2146448 Thu, 29 Jan 2009 05:00:00 +0100 2146448 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2136530&cid=s_33163_77_f&fid=33163&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1574-695X.2009.00534.x Onychomycosis is a dermatological problem of high prevalence that mainly affects the hallux toenail. Onychomycosis caused by the yeast Rhodotorula mucilaginosa was identified using colony morphology, light microscopy, urease and carbohydrate metabolism in a 57-year-old immunocompetent patient from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. High-resolution scanning electron microscopy of nail fragments, processed by a noncoating method, led to the observation with fine detail of the structures of both nail and fungus involved in the infection. Yeasts were mainly found inside grooves in the nail. Budding yeasts presented a spiral pattern of growth and blastoconidia were found in the nail groove region. Keratinase assays and keratin enzymography revealed that this isolate was highly capable of degrading keratin... FEMS Immunology and Medical Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2136530 Tue, 27 Jan 2009 05:00:00 +0100 2136530 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2136531&cid=s_33163_77_f&fid=33163&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1574-695X.2009.00536.x The aim of this review is to present a concise overview of all data available on the immunogenetics of Chlamydia trachomatis infections, both sexually transmitted urogenital and ocular infections. Currently, candidate gene approaches are used to identify genes related to the susceptibility to and severity of C. trachomatis infections. The main focus in the review will be on data obtained by the study of human cohorts. (Source: FEMS Immunology and Medical Microbiology) FEMS Immunology and Medical Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2136531 Mon, 26 Jan 2009 05:00:00 +0100 2136531 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2119174&cid=s_33163_77_f&fid=33163&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1574-695X.2008.00527.x Chlamydia trachomatis infection is the most common sexually transmitted bacterial infection worldwide, with over 91 million cases estimated annually. An effective subunit vaccine against Chlamydia may require a multivalent subunit cocktail of antigens in a single formulation for broad coverage of a heterogeneous major histocompatibility complex population. Herein, we describe the identification of novel C. trachomatis antigens by CD4+ and CD8+ T-cell expression cloning, serological expression cloning, and an in silico analysis of the C. trachomatis genome. These antigens elicited human CD4+ T-cell responses, and a subset proved to be immunogenic and protective when administered as immunoprophylactic vaccines against C. trachomatis challenge. Candidate vaccines consisting of the prioritized... FEMS Immunology and Medical Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2119174 Thu, 22 Jan 2009 04:36:23 +0100 2119174 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2119175&cid=s_33163_77_f&fid=33163&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1574-695X.2008.00526.x A historical review is provided of the various methods used for half a century to differentiate and type Chlamydia trachomatis strains. Typing of C. trachomatis is an important tool for revealing transmission patterns in sexual networks, and enabling association with clinical manifestations and pathogenicity. Serotyping using the major outer membrane protein (MOMP) has been the mainstay of epidemiological work for several decades. However, the development of nucleic acid amplification techniques (NAAT) and easy access to sequencing have shifted the focus from MOMP serotypes to omp1 genotypes. However, insufficient epidemiological resolution is achieved by characterization of both MOMP and omp1. This calls for new high-resolution genotyping methods applying for example a multilocus variable... FEMS Immunology and Medical Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2119175 Wed, 21 Jan 2009 05:00:00 +0100 2119175 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2103486&cid=s_33163_77_f&fid=33163&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1574-695X.2008.00531.x (Source: FEMS Immunology and Medical Microbiology) FEMS Immunology and Medical Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2103486 Thu, 15 Jan 2009 04:10:55 +0100 2103486 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2103495&cid=s_33163_77_f&fid=33163&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1574-695X.2008.00513.x The genus Dietzia has only been established fairly recently. The Gram morphology and colony appearance of the species of this genus is remarkably similar to Rhodococcus equi. In the absence of simple, accurate methods for their identification, Dietzia spp. might have been misidentified as a Rhodococcus spp. and/or considered to be contaminants only. This MiniReview is designed to summarize current evidence on the clinical significance of Dietzia species, to consider their potential role as human pathogens, and to outline approaches that can be used to accurately classify and identify members of the genus, with the overall aim of alerting the medical microbiological community to a little known genus that contains clinically significant organisms. (Source: FEMS Immunology and Medical Microbi... FEMS Immunology and Medical Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2103495 Wed, 14 Jan 2009 05:00:00 +0100 2103495 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2103494&cid=s_33163_77_f&fid=33163&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1574-695X.2008.00519.x Chlamydial infections are prevalent worldwide. Immunological events related to both innate and adaptive immunity during chlamydial infection can aid in recovery from the disease, but they can also cause harmful effects (immunopathology). The host genetic factors (variation in innate immunity and adaptive response-related genes) can predispose individuals to infection and its sequelae as well as determine the effects of intervention. No effective vaccine is available for human use. Modern technologies and data obtained using different 'omics' techniques (genomics, proteomics, transcriptomics and immunomics) might help in designing novel, more efficient vaccines, hopefully also against chlamydial infections. (Source: FEMS Immunology and Medical Microbiology) FEMS Immunology and Medical Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2103494 Wed, 14 Jan 2009 05:00:00 +0100 2103494 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2103493&cid=s_33163_77_f&fid=33163&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1574-695X.2008.00520.x Chemokines and their receptors orchestrate leukocyte recruitment and confer immunity during Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection. The immunoregulatory and cytotoxic activities of natural killer (NK) cells are essential at the site of infection during tuberculous pleurisy. The frequency, subtypes, and expression of phenotype markers and chemokine receptors on NK cells were assessed by flow cytometry in tuberculous (TB) and nontuberculous (NTB) pleural fluid (PF). Chemotaxis was also shown in response to chemokines. A significant decrease in CD56dim with no change in CD56bright NK cells was observed, while a significant increase in activation markers and Toll-like receptors (TLRs) was observed on TB-PF CD56bright NK cells. Significantly increased expression of chemokine receptors CCR1, CCR2 ... FEMS Immunology and Medical Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2103493 Wed, 14 Jan 2009 05:00:00 +0100 2103493 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2103492&cid=s_33163_77_f&fid=33163&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1574-695X.2008.00521.x In this study, we show that the neutral protease B (NprB) secreted by B. cereus 569 is required for extracellular PapR maturation. Purified recombinant NprB processed the synthetic PapR propeptide to produce a set of peptides derived from the C-terminal domain of PapR. Supplementation of growth media with synthetic PapR-derived C-terminal 5-, 7-, 8- and 27-amino acid (aa) peptides caused activation of intracellular PlcR in a PapR-deficient strain of B. cereus 569 while only the 5- and 7-aa peptides activated PlcR in a nprB mutant. The maximum activity was found for the 7-mer peptide. However, even the 7-mer peptide could not activate PlcR with a C-terminal truncation of as few as 6 aa. This indicates that interactions of the C-terminal regions of both PlcR and PapR are important in transcr... FEMS Immunology and Medical Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2103492 Wed, 14 Jan 2009 05:00:00 +0100 2103492 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2103491&cid=s_33163_77_f&fid=33163&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1574-695X.2008.00523.x Dendritic cells (DCs) are central for the induction of T-cell responses needed for chlamydial eradication. Here, we report the activation of two DC subsets: a classical CD11b+ (cDC) and plasmacytoid (pDC) during genital infection with Chlamydia muridarum. Genital infection induced an influx of cDC and pDC into the genital tract and its draining lymph node (iliac lymph nodes, ILN) as well as colocalization with T cells in the ILN. Genital infection with C. muridarum also stimulated high levels of costimulatory molecules on cDC central for the activation of naïve T cells in vivo. In contrast, pDC expressed low levels of most costimulatory molecules in vivo and did not secrete cytokines associated with the production of T helper (Th)1 cells in vitro. However, pDC upregulated inducible costim... FEMS Immunology and Medical Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2103491 Wed, 14 Jan 2009 05:00:00 +0100 2103491 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2103490&cid=s_33163_77_f&fid=33163&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1574-695X.2008.00524.x We aimed to determine the frequency of Chlamydia trachomatis DNA in the synovial compartment of 34 arthritic patients. Chlamydia trachomatis DNA was detected using a nested PCR targeting the cryptic plasmid, the 16S rRNA gene and the outer membrane protein 1 gene. The presence of serum immunoglobulin (Ig)G and IgA antibodies against C. trachomatis was studied by a microimmunofluorescence assay and by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, respectively. Synovial samples from 20 of 34 (59%) patients [nine with reactive arthritis (ReA), seven with undifferentiated oligoarthritis (UOA), two with rheumatoid arthritis and two with osteoarthritis] were positive for at least one C. trachomatis DNA sequence by nested PCR. The high sensitivity results most likely from the combination of a standardize... FEMS Immunology and Medical Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2103490 Wed, 14 Jan 2009 05:00:00 +0100 2103490 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2103489&cid=s_33163_77_f&fid=33163&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1574-695X.2008.00525.x This study tests the prediction that recombinant anti-EMP2 diabody could reduce early chlamydial infection of the genital tract in vivo. In a murine infection model, pretreatment with anti-EMP2 diabody, as compared with control diabody, significantly reduced bacterial load, tissue production of inflammatory cytokines, recruitment of polymorphonuclear leukocytes, and local tissue inflammation. These findings support EMP2 as a potential preventative and therapeutic target for genital chlamydial infection. (Source: FEMS Immunology and Medical Microbiology) FEMS Immunology and Medical Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2103489 Wed, 14 Jan 2009 05:00:00 +0100 2103489 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2103488&cid=s_33163_77_f&fid=33163&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1574-695X.2008.00529.x In the present study, the role of a fimbrial galactose-specific adhesin of the T7 strain of enteroaggregative Escherichia coli (EAEC-T7) in the signal transduction pathways in human small intestinal epithelial cells (INT-407) was explored. The adhesin was purified by anion exchange chromatography using a Mono Q HR5/5 column in the AKTA purifier system. The characteristic stacked brick pattern of aggregative adherence of EAEC-T7 to INT-407 cells was found to be inhibited in the presence of immunoglobulin G against the purified adhesin as well as d-galactose. The adhesin induced a significant increase in the intracellular calcium concentration [Ca2+]i in INT-407 cells, which was reduced in the presence of dantrolene (inhibitor of intracellular calcium stores), verapamil, calciseptin (calcium... FEMS Immunology and Medical Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2103488 Wed, 14 Jan 2009 05:00:00 +0100 2103488 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2103487&cid=s_33163_77_f&fid=33163&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1574-695X.2008.00530.x The regulation of immune response and chlamydial infectious load in the cervix of human females is largely unknown. Infectious load in terms of inclusion-forming units (IFUs) was determined by quantitative cultures in Chlamydia-positive women, in asymptomatic women, women with mucopurulent cervicitis (MPC) and women with fertility disorders (FD). CD4+, CD8+, CD14+ cells, myeloid and plasmacytoid dendritic cells (mDCs and pDCs) in the cervix were quantified by flow cytometry. Cervical cytokines, levels of [beta]-estradiol and C-reactive protein (CRP) in serum and cervical immunoglobulin A antibody to chlamydial major outer membrane protein antigen, chlamydial heat shock protein 60 and 10 antigens were measured by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. In asymptomatic women, chlamydial load s... FEMS Immunology and Medical Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2103487 Wed, 14 Jan 2009 05:00:00 +0100 2103487 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2091652&cid=s_33163_77_f&fid=33163&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1574-695X.2008.00511.x Chlamydia pneumoniae is a community-acquired respiratory pathogen that has been associated with the development of atherosclerosis. Analysis of the C. pneumoniae genome identified a gene (Cpn1046) homologous to eukaryotic aromatic amino acid hydroxylases (AroAA-Hs). AroAA-Hs hydroxylate phenylalanine, tyrosine, and tryptophan into tyrosine, dihydroxyphenylalanine, and 5-hydroxytryptophan, respectively. Sequence analysis of Cpn1046 demonstrated that residues essential for AroAA-H enzymatic function are conserved and that a subset of Chlamydia species contain an AroAA-H homolog. The chlamydial AroAA-Hs are transcriptionally linked to a putative bacterial membrane transport protein. We determined that recombinant Cpn1046 is able to hydroxylate phenylalanine, tyrosine, and tryptophan with roug... FEMS Immunology and Medical Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2091652 Fri, 09 Jan 2009 05:00:00 +0100 2091652