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 'Japanese Journal of Infectious Diseases' source. Tue, 02 Mar 2010 14:47:11 +0100 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3202002&cid=s_33089_20_f&fid=33089&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20093754%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Matsuoka M Leprosy is caused by Mycobacterium leprae. Currently, leprosy control is mainly based on WHO-recommended multi-drug treatment; thus, emergence of drug resistance is a major concern. M. leprae isolates resistant to single and multiple drugs have been encountered. In this review, the history of chemotherapy and drug resistance in leprosy and molecular biological insights for drug resistance are described. New methodologies to test susceptibility to anti-leprosy drugs instead of the traditional mouse footpad method are introduced. Awareness of the need to monitor drug resistance to prevent the spread of resistant cases is emphasized. PMID: 20093754 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Japanese Journal of Infectious Diseases) Japanese Journal of Infectious Diseases journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3202002 Fri, 01 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3202002 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3202001&cid=s_33089_20_f&fid=33089&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20093755%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Tamura S, Hasegawa H, Kurata T Mouse models of influenza play an important role in developing effective human influenza vaccines. We have demonstrated that intranasal immunization with inactivated subvirion (SV) vaccines, in conjunction with a cholera toxin B subunit adjuvant (CTB*), provides more effective cross-protection than parenteral immunization in BALB/c mice. In addition, the minimal effective dose of nasal vaccine for providing complete protection against a lethal influenza virus infection is 0.1 microg SV vaccine (containing about 30 ng hemagglutinin [HA]) (with 0.1 microg CTB*) in BALB/c mice (20 g body weight) immunized twice intranasally 4 weeks apart. The effective dose in humans can be estimated to be roughly 100 microg SV vaccine (containing approximately 30 m... Japanese Journal of Infectious Diseases journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3202001 Fri, 01 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3202001 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3202000&cid=s_33089_20_f&fid=33089&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20093756%26dopt%3DAbstract In conclusion, cefazolin in combination with minocycline exhibits in vitro synergistic antibacterial activity against V. vulnificus and provides a therapeutic advantage in neutropenic mice with V. vulnificus infection. PMID: 20093756 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Japanese Journal of Infectious Diseases) Japanese Journal of Infectious Diseases journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3202000 Fri, 01 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3202000 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3201999&cid=s_33089_20_f&fid=33089&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20093757%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Kawada H, Maekawa Y, Abe M, Ohashi K, Ohba S, Takagi M We investigated the spatial distribution and pyrethroid susceptibility of the mosquito larvae belonging to Aedes albopictus and Culex pipiens group in catch basins located in parks in Nagasaki city, Nagasaki, Japan. Among the 308 parks located in the central regions of the city, 194 were investigated. Cx. pipiens group larvae were collected from 31 sites; larvae of Ae. albopictus, from 34 sites. The Cx. pipiens group larvae were identified by PCR: 93.4% were found to belong to Cx. pipiens pallens, and 0.9%, to Cx. pipiens form molestus. A bioassay was performed by observing the knockdown of larvae during 30-min exposures to 0.4- and 0.1-ppm solutions of d-allethrin. High tolerance to d-allethrin (susceptibility index = 36)... Japanese Journal of Infectious Diseases journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3201999 Fri, 01 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3201999 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3201998&cid=s_33089_20_f&fid=33089&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20093758%26dopt%3DAbstract In this study, we applied DNA microarray analysis to evaluate the character of Japanese encephalitis (JE) vaccines. When administered into rat peritoneum, Vero cell-derived and mouse brain-derived JE vaccines induced similar gene expression patterns in liver and brain. Body weights and blood biochemical findings were also similar after administration of the two vaccines. Our results suggest that the two JE vaccines are likely to have equivalent characteristics with regard to reactivity in rats. PMID: 20093758 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Japanese Journal of Infectious Diseases) Japanese Journal of Infectious Diseases journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3201998 Fri, 01 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3201998 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3201997&cid=s_33089_20_f&fid=33089&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20093759%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Fujimoto T, Konagaya M, Enomoto M, Tsuboi K, Hashimoto K, Taniguchi K, Kodama T, Okabe N PCR, including real-time PCR, usually requires at least 1 h to obtain results. To shorten this time, a novel real-time PCR method (Hyper-PCR) was developed. This method utilizes high-speed DNA polymerase and a thin disc-type reaction vessel that can quickly alter the temperature of the reaction mixture in a newly developed PCR machine. Reactions capable of amplifying adenovirus (Ad) DNA can be completed within 11 min (3 temperature steps, 55 cycles). Hyper-PCR can detect 3.1-18.0 DNA copies/reaction of Ad types 1-4, 7, 8, 11, 15, 19, and 37. Hyper-PCR and conventional real-time PCR were applied to diagnose 147 clinical samples, and the results were compared. Hyper-PCR had a sensitivity of ... Japanese Journal of Infectious Diseases journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3201997 Fri, 01 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3201997 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3201996&cid=s_33089_20_f&fid=33089&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20093760%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Hatano B, Maki T, Obara T, Fukumoto H, Hagisawa K, Matsushita Y, Okutani A, Bazartseren B, Inoue S, Sata T, Katano H A quick, reliable detection system is necessary to deal with bioterrorism. Loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) is a DNA amplification method that can amplify specific DNA fragments in isothermal conditions. We developed a new highly mobile and practical LAMP anthrax detection system that uses a disposable pocket warmer without the need for electricity (pocket-warmer LAMP). In our tests, the detection limit of the pocket-warmer LAMP was 1,000 copies of Bacillus anthracis pag and capB gene fragments per tube. The pocket-warmer LAMP also detected B. anthracis genes from DNA extracted from 0.1 volume of a B. anthracis colony. The lower detection limit of t... Japanese Journal of Infectious Diseases journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3201996 Fri, 01 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3201996 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3201995&cid=s_33089_20_f&fid=33089&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20093761%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Kimura R, Yoda A, Hayashizaki Y, Chiba J DNA immunization or vaccination, which refers to the injection of DNA encoding the corresponding antigen proteins, has become an attractive method for inducing the production of antibodies (Abs) in animals, since it does not require proteins as antigens. However, a method for detecting Abs produced in response to antigens is still essential for the quantification of Abs in the sera of immunized animals and for the screening of monoclonal antibody (mAb)-producing hybridomas. Here, we report a new system for the evaluation of Abs against antigens that are difficult to purify, by employing intracellular biotinylation of the antigen protein. The antigen tagged with a peptide to be biotinylated (Bio-tag) and codon-optimized bacterial BirA bi... Japanese Journal of Infectious Diseases journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3201995 Fri, 01 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3201995 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3201994&cid=s_33089_20_f&fid=33089&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20093762%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Cha SB, Rayamajhi N, Kang ML, Lee WJ, Shin MK, Yoo HS Brucella abortus is the intracellular bacterium that causes bovine brucellosis and a chronic human disease known as undulant fever. Interferon (IFN)-gamma plays critical roles in defending against intracellular bacterial infection. In this experiment, we demonstrated the difference in IFN-gamma production between the splenocytes of mice inoculated with outer membrane proteins (OMPs) of B. abortus and whole live bacteria. Our results showed that the OMP-inoculated group showed more IFN-gamma production than did the bacteria-infected group, suggesting that OMPs are candidates for the induction of immune response. PMID: 20093762 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Japanese Journal of Infectious Diseases) Japanese Journal of Infectious Diseases journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3201994 Fri, 01 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3201994 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3201993&cid=s_33089_20_f&fid=33089&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20093763%26dopt%3DAbstract In this study, we demonstrated that Viro-Adembeads, a rapid-capture system for viruses using anionic polymer-coated magnetic beads, collected viruses from beverages contaminated intentionally with vaccinia virus and human herpesvirus 8. Real-time PCR showed that the recovery rates of the contaminated viruses in green tea and orange juice were lower than those in milk and water. Plaque assay showed that green tea and orange juice cut the efficiency of vaccinia virus infection in CV-1 cells. These results suggest that the efficiency of virus detection depends on the kind of beverage being tested. Viro-Adembeads would be a useful tool for detecting viruses rapidly in virus-contaminated beverages used in a bioterrorist attack. PMID: 20093763 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Japanese Journal ... Japanese Journal of Infectious Diseases journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3201993 Fri, 01 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3201993 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3201992&cid=s_33089_20_f&fid=33089&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20093764%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Varma-Basil M, Pathak R, Singh K, Dwivedi SK, Garima K, Kumar S, Sharma D, Dhiman B, Bose M We attempted to apply the PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) technique for the early detection and identification of Mycobacterium tuberculosis directly from clinical samples. PCR-RFLP of hsp65 was applied to the DNA extracted directly from sputum samples (n = 226) collected from 226 patients. We could detect and identify M. tuberculosis in 84.5% of the acid-fast bacillus (AFB) smear-positive samples (n = 149) and 11% of the AFB smear-negative samples (n = 18) obtained from patients with clinical and radiological evidence of tuberculosis. Sputum samples (n = 59) obtained from patients suffering from respiratory diseases other than tuberculosis were included as negat... Japanese Journal of Infectious Diseases journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3201992 Fri, 01 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3201992 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3201991&cid=s_33089_20_f&fid=33089&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20093765%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Yamanaka A, Mulyatno KC, Susilowati H, Hendrianto E, Utsumi T, Amin M, Lusida MI, Soegijanto S, Konishi E Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) is a fatal disease in Asia. Pigs are considered to be the effective amplifying host for JEV in the peridomestic environment. Bali Island and Java Island in Indonesia provide a model to assess the effect of pigs on JEV transmission, since the pig density is nearly 100-fold higher in Bali than Java, while the geographic and climatologic environments are equivalent in these areas. We surveyed antibodies to JEV among 123 pigs in Mengwi (Bali) and 96 pigs in Tulungagung (East Java) in 2008 by the hemagglutination-inhibition (HAI) test. Overall prevalences were 49% in Bali and 6% in Java, with a significant difference between them (P < 0.001)... Japanese Journal of Infectious Diseases journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3201991 Fri, 01 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3201991 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3201990&cid=s_33089_20_f&fid=33089&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20093766%26dopt%3DAbstract In this report we present a case of a young lady with abdominal abscesses and septicemia caused by Mycobacterium chelonae complex. Identification of the organism and initiation of the appropriate antimicrobial therapy was delayed, resulting in significant morbidity and multiple hospital admissions. Gram staining of these organisms from blood culture can be easily overlooked or confused with either debris or diptheroids. We concluded that detection of Gram-positive rod colonies should prompt an acid-fast stain to distinguish diphtheroids from rapidly growing mycobacteria in immunosuppressed patients. PMID: 20093766 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Japanese Journal of Infectious Diseases) Japanese Journal of Infectious Diseases journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3201990 Fri, 01 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3201990 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3201989&cid=s_33089_20_f&fid=33089&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20093767%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Aoyama I, Uno K, Yumisashi T, Takasaki T, Lim CK, Kurane I, Kase T, Takahashi K Chikungunya fever is an arboviral disease caused by chikungunya virus. A 37-year-old Japanese male visited India and developed fever, myalgia, rash, and persisting systemic arthralgia, the latter of which persisted for more than 2 months. The patient was diagnosed with chikungunya fever by virological and serological examinations. In the present study, we followed specific antibody responses over a 6-month period after the onset of the disease. IgM antibody was detected on days 58 and 108, but not on day 137, by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Specific IgG and neutralizing antibodies were detected as late as day 192. The results indicate that specific IgM lasts for 3 to 4 months from the onset o... Japanese Journal of Infectious Diseases journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3201989 Fri, 01 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3201989 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3201988&cid=s_33089_20_f&fid=33089&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20093768%26dopt%3DAbstract We report the pathological and virological findings of the first autopsy case of the 2009 pandemic influenza (A/H1N1pdm) virus infection in Japan. A man aged 33 years with chronic heart failure due to dilated cardiomyopathy, mild diabetes mellitus, atopic dermatitis, bronchial asthma, and obesity died of respiratory failure and multiple organ dysfunction syndrome. Macroscopic examination showed severe pulmonary edema and microscopically the lung sections showed very early exudative-stage diffuse alveolar damage (DAD). Immunohistochemistry revealed proliferation of the influenza (A/H1N1pdm) virus in alveolar epithelial cells, some of which expressed SAalpha2-3Gal on the cell surface. Influenza (A/H1N1pdm) virus genomic RNA and mRNA were also detected in alveolar epithelial cells. Real-time ... Japanese Journal of Infectious Diseases journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3201988 Fri, 01 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3201988 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3201987&cid=s_33089_20_f&fid=33089&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20093769%26dopt%3DAbstract We describe an autopsy case of a patient with pandemic influenza (A/H1N1pdm) virus infection in Japan, who developed rapidly progressive viral pneumonia exhibiting diffuse alveolar damage. A 41-year-old female visited our hospital with a fever of 38.7C. She was a public health nurse with no underlying disease and had had contact with a group of elementary school students who had been infected with the influenza (A/H1N1pdm) virus 1 week earlier. She was prescribed oseltamivir and returned to the hotel where she was staying alone. The next day, she was found dead in her hotel room. At autopsy, both lungs were voluminous and microscopic examination revealed acute-stage, severe diffuse alveolar damage with remarkable mononuclear cell infiltration and hyaline membrane formation in the lungs. CD... Japanese Journal of Infectious Diseases journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3201987 Fri, 01 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3201987 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3201986&cid=s_33089_20_f&fid=33089&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20093770%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Miyoshi M, Yoshizumi S, Kanda N, Karino T, Nagano H, Kudo S, Okano M, Ishida S PMID: 20093770 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Japanese Journal of Infectious Diseases) Japanese Journal of Infectious Diseases journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3201986 Fri, 01 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3201986 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3201985&cid=s_33089_20_f&fid=33089&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20093771%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Kurosawa H, Fujita M, Kobatake S, Kimura H, Ohshima M, Nagai A, Kaneko S, Iwasaki Y, Kozawa K PMID: 20093771 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Japanese Journal of Infectious Diseases) Japanese Journal of Infectious Diseases journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3201985 Fri, 01 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3201985 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3201984&cid=s_33089_20_f&fid=33089&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20093772%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Kimura M, Toukairin A, Tatezaki H, Tanaka S, Harada K, Araiyama J, Yamasaki H, Sugiyama H, Morishima Y, Kawanaka M PMID: 20093772 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Japanese Journal of Infectious Diseases) Japanese Journal of Infectious Diseases journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3201984 Fri, 01 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3201984 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3156888&cid=s_33089_20_f&fid=33089&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20054885%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Ayaslioglu E PMID: 20054885 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Japanese Journal of Infectious Diseases) Japanese Journal of Infectious Diseases journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3156888 Sun, 01 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3156888 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3156887&cid=s_33089_20_f&fid=33089&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20058332%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Leblebicioglu H PMID: 20058332 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Japanese Journal of Infectious Diseases) Japanese Journal of Infectious Diseases journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3156887 Sun, 01 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3156887 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3028420&cid=s_33089_20_f&fid=33089&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19934531%26dopt%3DAbstract This article reviews the present knowledge regarding microsporidian Encephalitozoon cuniculi infections in animals living in the human environment in Japan and discusses the basic measures required for the effective disinfection of Encephalitozoon. The article also discusses seroepidemiologic data from healthy people in order to shed light on the mechanisms of protective immunity and to identify potential strategies for preventive medicine. PMID: 19934531 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Japanese Journal of Infectious Diseases) Japanese Journal of Infectious Diseases journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3028420 Sun, 01 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3028420 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3028419&cid=s_33089_20_f&fid=33089&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19934532%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Tatar D, Senol G, Alptekin S, Karakurum C, Aydin M, Coskunol I Diabetes mellitus (DM) is known as one of the factors that increases the risk of tuberculosis (TB). TB can also show atypical clinical presentation and localization in diabetics. The aim of the study was to evaluate the features of TB in diabetics in our region. Between 1997 and 2003, all cases of diabetic TB patients and an equal number of non-diabetics treated and followed at the Esrefpasa Tuberculosis Dispensary were analyzed retrospectively. A total of 78 (7.3%) TB cases in DM patients was encountered among 1,063 TB cases. Cavity formation and atypical localization were more often found in diabetics (P<0.05). Duration of treatment was longer in diabetics (P<0.05). The rate of drug resistance was higher in... Japanese Journal of Infectious Diseases journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3028419 Sun, 01 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3028419 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3028418&cid=s_33089_20_f&fid=33089&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19934533%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Pol S, Bharadwaj R Leptospirosis is a re-emerging infection, and often occurs in outbreaks. Early diagnosis is important for appropriate control measures and treatment. The sensitivity and specificity of the diagnostic test depends on the antigen, which is used for the detection of antibodies. In the present study, an effort was made to purify and characterize leptospiral antigens, and their performance in the laboratory was assessed. Leptospira biflexa semaranga, Patoc was subjected to processing by the heat extraction method, and the crude antigenic preparation was subjected to high-performance liquid chromatography for purification. The purified antigen fractions were subjected to enzyme-linked immunosorbant assay (ELISA) to determine their reactivity. Only the reactive fra... Japanese Journal of Infectious Diseases journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3028418 Sun, 01 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3028418 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3028417&cid=s_33089_20_f&fid=33089&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19934534%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Jin Y, Ling JM Of the 834 Salmonella spp. isolates collected from 2002 to 2004 in the New Territories East Cluster hospitals in Hong Kong, 21% were resistant to 3-14 antibiotics and 30% were resistant to nalidixic acid with reduced susceptibility to ciprofloxacin. A class 1 integron was present in 105 (13%) isolates, of which more than 50% were Salmonella Typhimurium. Class 2 or 3 integrons were not detected in any of the isolates. DNA sequencing showed that there were 16 different integrons, of which the most common, detected in 40% of isolates, was dfrA12-orfF-aadA2. Almost half of the isolates had lost the qacEdelta1-sulI 3' conserved segment (3'CS). Four isolates had an orf513 gene downstream of the 3'CS. There was probably one predominant clone among each heterogeneous po... Japanese Journal of Infectious Diseases journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3028417 Sun, 01 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3028417 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3028416&cid=s_33089_20_f&fid=33089&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19934535%26dopt%3DAbstract In conclusion, we performed 389 urological surgeries with significantly decreased SSI rates using a shorter duration of prophylactic antibiotic medications than in the control group. The results indicate that this method might reduce the occurrence of SSI in urological surgeries. PMID: 19934535 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Japanese Journal of Infectious Diseases) Japanese Journal of Infectious Diseases journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3028416 Sun, 01 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3028416 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3028415&cid=s_33089_20_f&fid=33089&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19934536%26dopt%3DAbstract In conclusion, health officers should report diseases according to symptoms and analyze data continuously to identify urgent problem and elicit prompt responses. PMID: 19934536 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Japanese Journal of Infectious Diseases) Japanese Journal of Infectious Diseases journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3028415 Sun, 01 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3028415 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3028414&cid=s_33089_20_f&fid=33089&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19934537%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Ohwaki K, Nagashima H, Aoki M, Aoki H, Yano E We investigated a foodborne norovirus outbreak in a hospital and an attached long-term care facility (LTCF). An at-risk group of 698 people was identified, which included staff, hospital patients, LTCF residents, and adult daycare users who shared consumption of food prepared in a central kitchen. Three different diets were prepared in three separate sections: a standard diet, a special diet, and a diet for residents at the LTCF. During the first 3 days of the outbreak, 47 (16%) of 285 staff members and 55 (13%) of 413 patients became symptomatic. Eating the standard diet was significantly associated with a risk of illness for staff members (relative risk [RR], 18.13; 95% confidence interval [CI], 5.76-57.03) and patients (RR, 2.12... Japanese Journal of Infectious Diseases journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3028414 Sun, 01 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3028414 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3028413&cid=s_33089_20_f&fid=33089&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19934538%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Fujimoto T, Izumi H, Okabe N, Enomoto M, Konagaya M, Chikahira M, Munemura T, Taniguchi K Quantitative real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (q-RT-PCR) was used to diagnose echovirus infection and the results were compared to those obtained with the viral culture rate. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from a total of 40 aseptic meningitis patients was used. Positive CSF samples, determined by viral culture (n=29), contained significantly higher echovirus genome copy numbers (mean, 329 copies/microL) than did culture-negative CSF samples (n=11) (mean, 34.2 copies/microL; P<0.05). Echoviruses were identified as echovirus serotype 9 (E-9) (n=21); E-30 (n=16); and E-5, E-7, and E-18 (n=1 each) by neutralization and/or conventional PCR-sequencing techniques. Viral c... Japanese Journal of Infectious Diseases journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3028413 Sun, 01 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3028413 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3028412&cid=s_33089_20_f&fid=33089&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19934539%26dopt%3DAbstract This study investigated the prevalence of respiratory viruses, including respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), influenza virus types A and B (Flu A/B), parainfluenza virus (Para) 1-3, and adenovirus (Ad), in hospitalized children with acute lower respiratory tract infections (ALRIs). Immunofluorescence assays identified viral etiology in 412 patients younger than 16 years old. The overall viral isolation rate was 63.1% (260/412). The RSV was detected in 25.0%, Flu A/B in 19.4%, Para 1-3 in 14.6%, and Ad in 4.1% of the total sample. Multiple viruses were detected in 6.6% of the study population. Most viral infections occurred in the first 5 years of life, and the incidence of viral infection peaked during early spring and winter. Infection with Ad often resulted in the development of severe pn... Japanese Journal of Infectious Diseases journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3028412 Sun, 01 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3028412 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3028411&cid=s_33089_20_f&fid=33089&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19934540%26dopt%3DAbstract We report the case of a 62-year-old woman with Acinetobacter baumannii bacteremia. She was admitted to our hospital with ventricular tachycardia and was subsequently diagnosed with idiopathic ventricular tachycardia, with no structural heart disease. However, 12 days after admission, she suddenly developed a high-grade fever with chills and diarrhea. Her blood cultures revealed A. baumannii, and the patient was treated with meropenem and amikacin sulfate. Yet, the patient's symptoms and clinical signs became worse. We then began to administer a large quantity of intravenous ampicillin-sulbactam, and the patient improved dramatically. Although rare, bloodstream infection caused by A. baumannii tends to be severe. Therefore, when A. baumannii is found in a patient's bloodstream, clinicians s... Japanese Journal of Infectious Diseases journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3028411 Sun, 01 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3028411 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3028410&cid=s_33089_20_f&fid=33089&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19934541%26dopt%3DAbstract This study may support the possibility of influenza vaccination for healthcare workers to prevent the outbreak of influenza in hospitals. PMID: 19934541 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Japanese Journal of Infectious Diseases) Japanese Journal of Infectious Diseases journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3028410 Sun, 01 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3028410 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3028409&cid=s_33089_20_f&fid=33089&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19934542%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Srifeungfung S, Roongpisuthipong A, Asavapiriyanont S, Lolekha R, Tribuddharat C, Lokpichart S, Sungthong P, Tongtep P We surveyed the rate of chlamydial and gonococcal infections among human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-seropositive patients in Thailand as well as the current status of antimicrobial resistance of Neisseria gonorrhoeae and determined the prevalence of penicillinase-producing N. gonorrhoeae (PPNG) in Thailand. A total of 1,158 endocervical swabs from 824 HIV-seropositive patients were collected to detect both organisms by Gen-Probe. The prevalences of chlamydial and gonococcal infection were 9.7 and 1.3%, respectively. Susceptibility of 122 gonococcal isolates to 6 drugs was determined by the disk diffusion method. None of the isolates was susceptible to penici... Japanese Journal of Infectious Diseases journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3028409 Sun, 01 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3028409 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3028408&cid=s_33089_20_f&fid=33089&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19934543%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Momoki ST A survey of human enterovirus (HEV) infections from 2004 to 2008 was conducted in Yokohama City, Japan. A total of 260 clinical samples in 247 patients were shown to be positive for enterovirus. Among them, 25 serotypes were identified, including 3 serotypes of poliovirus (19 samples). The prevalence rates of hand-foot-and-mouth disease (HFMD), herpangina, and respiratory illness associated with nonpolio HEV infections were also analyzed. Seven serotypes were highly associated with HFMD or herpangina. These 7 virus serotypes were prevalent during summer and autumn with a peak in July, and were prevalent in children under 6 years old with a peak from 1 to 2 years old. HEV-related diseases were not limited to HFMD and herpangina but also included respiratory illnesses,... Japanese Journal of Infectious Diseases journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3028408 Sun, 01 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3028408 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3028407&cid=s_33089_20_f&fid=33089&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19934544%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Koizumi N, Gamage CD, Muto M, Kularatne SA, Budagoda BD, Rajapakse RP, Tamashiro H, Watanabe H Leptospirosis has emerged as an important infectious disease in Sri Lanka and little information is available on circulating leptospiral species and serogroups in this country. Therefore, we studied circulating leptospiral species and serogroups in patients with acute febrile illness using polymerase chain reaction and the microscopic agglutination test, respectively. Anti-leptospiral antibodies were detected in 26 of 107 serum samples studied (24.3%). The predominant reacting serogroups were Sejroe (9/26, 34.6%) and Icterohaemorrhagiae (5/26, 19.2%). Leptospiral DNA was detected in 3 of the 107 serum samples. The deduced leptospiral species were Leptospira interrogans and L. kirschn... Japanese Journal of Infectious Diseases journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3028407 Sun, 01 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3028407 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3028406&cid=s_33089_20_f&fid=33089&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19934545%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Fujioka M, Kasai K, Miura T, Sato T, Otomo Y Two novel multiplex polymerase chain reaction (mPCR) assays were originally developed for detecting nine targeted virulence-associated genes of five categorized diarrheagenic Escherichia coli (DEC). The mPCR assay 1 included five primer sets (stx1, eaeA, invE, STp gene, and astA), and assay 2 included four primer sets (stx2, aggR, STh gene, and LT gene). The two mPCRs showed 100% specificity in identifying the reference strains without nonspecific bands, and 51 DEC and 38 astA gene-positive E. coli strains from 683 E. coli-like isolates. Our mPCR methods showed high sensitivity and specificity for detecting nine virulence genes of DEC strains. We proved that these methods will contribute to reducing the cost for the reagents of mPCR... Japanese Journal of Infectious Diseases journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3028406 Sun, 01 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3028406 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3028405&cid=s_33089_20_f&fid=33089&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19934546%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Aoki Y, Mizuta K, Suto A, Ikeda T, Abiko C, Yamaguchi I, Miura K, Ahiko T PMID: 19934546 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Japanese Journal of Infectious Diseases) Japanese Journal of Infectious Diseases journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3028405 Sun, 01 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3028405 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3028404&cid=s_33089_20_f&fid=33089&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19934547%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Yoshikura H PMID: 19934547 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Japanese Journal of Infectious Diseases) Japanese Journal of Infectious Diseases journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3028404 Sun, 01 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3028404 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2812660&cid=s_33089_20_f&fid=33089&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19762980%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Wang H, Li Y, Liang X, Liang G Japanese encephalitis (JE) is a seasonal epidemic disease with a 50-year recorded history in China. Its characteristics can be summarized as follows: (i) it is a seasonal epidemic disease; approximately 90% of cases are recorded in July, August, and September each year. The peak of JE onset is 1 month earlier in South China than in the north of the country; (ii) the disease is highly sporadic. It is rare for more than two cases to appear simultaneously in one family; (iii) most affected children are under 15 years old; (iv) the disease is widely distributed in all areas of the nation except Qinghai Province, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous, and Tibet. Due to widespread application of the JE vaccine, the number of JE cases has decreased significantly na... Japanese Journal of Infectious Diseases journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2812660 Mon, 31 Aug 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2812660 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2812659&cid=s_33089_20_f&fid=33089&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19762981%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Fujibayashi T, Nakamura M, Tominaga A, Satoh N, Kawarai T, Narisawa N, Shinozuka O, Watanabe H, Yamazaki T, Senpuku H The fungal pathogen Candida albicans is an opportunistic fungal pathogen that causes oral and vaginal mucosal infections as well as systemic disease. The ability of C. albicans to adhere to host surfaces is positively correlated with its pathogenicity. We prepared a polyclonal anti-Candida albicans antibody in chicken egg yolk (anti-C. albicans IgY) and investigated its in vitro effectiveness in preventing C. albicans adherence and biofilm formation. Anti-C. albicans IgY significantly reduced the adherence of C. albicans SC5314 to human oral epithelial cells in a dose-dependent manner. The same effect was also observed in other Candida spp. including C. albican... Japanese Journal of Infectious Diseases journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2812659 Mon, 31 Aug 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2812659 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2812658&cid=s_33089_20_f&fid=33089&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19762982%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Kinoshita H, Mathenge EG, Hung NT, Huong VT, Kumatori A, Yu F, Parquet MC, Inoue S, Matias RR, Natividad FF, Morita K, Hasebe F Dengue is the one of the most prevalent arthropod-borne viral diseases. Dengue virus circulates between humans and mosquitoes, and causes a wide range of disease in humans. To elucidate the link between the cell tropism of dengue virus and its pathogenesis, peripheral blood cells of infected patients were analyzed by flow cytometry. The dengue virus antigen was detected in peripheral CD19+ cells (B cells) in one dengue hemorrhagic fever patient. Two dengue type-2 virus isolates were recovered from this patient using mosquito cell line C6/36 and human hematopoietic cell line K562, and designated VNHCM18-C/02 and VNHCM18-K/02, respectively. VNHCM18-K/02... Japanese Journal of Infectious Diseases journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2812658 Mon, 31 Aug 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2812658 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2812657&cid=s_33089_20_f&fid=33089&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19762983%26dopt%3DAbstract In this study, we report that insulin receptor tyrosine kinase substrate p53 (IRSp53) in the host cell acts as a binding partner for EspFu. Co-immunoprecipitation and fluorescence microscopy showed specific interactions between EspFu and IRSp53 as well as their co-localization in epithelial cells. Additionally, we demonstrated that the association between EspFu and IRSp53 induces dynamic membrane remodeling in epithelial cells. PMID: 19762983 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Japanese Journal of Infectious Diseases) Japanese Journal of Infectious Diseases journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2812657 Mon, 31 Aug 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2812657 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2812656&cid=s_33089_20_f&fid=33089&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19762984%26dopt%3DAbstract In conclusion, there are subsets of proteins that are optimally expressed at 37C, which may contribute to the host adaptation and/or the pathogenicity in the human intestinal tract. PMID: 19762984 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Japanese Journal of Infectious Diseases) Japanese Journal of Infectious Diseases journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2812656 Mon, 31 Aug 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2812656 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2812655&cid=s_33089_20_f&fid=33089&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19762985%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Us E, Erdem B, Tekeli A, Dolapci I, Bayramova M, Saran B, Sahin F Eleven Salmonella Choleraesuis and seven Salmonella Hadar strains isolated from various clinical humand samples were investigated by plasmid profile analysis, enterobacterial repetitive intergenic consensus-polymerase chain reaction (ERIC-PCR) and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) in order to obtain information at a molecular level on the epidemiology of S. Choleraesuis and S. Hadar, which are significantly present in Turkey. Plasmid profile analysis showed that 10 (90.9%) of 11 S. Choleraesuis isolates harbored one to two plasmids with sizes of 2.0, 5.0 or 6.5 kb; and 5 (71.4%) of 7 S. Hadar isolates harbored one to three plasmids ranging from 2.5 to 70 kb. ERIC-PCR was performed using ERIC-2 primers; sin... Japanese Journal of Infectious Diseases journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2812655 Mon, 31 Aug 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2812655 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2812654&cid=s_33089_20_f&fid=33089&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19762986%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Hamidian M, Tajbakhsh M, Walther-Rasmussen J, Zali MR The purpose of the current study was to investigate the presence and molecular type(s) of extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBLs) in Salmonella spp. isolates obtained from patients with diarrhea in hospitals of Tehran, Iran. Over a period of 17 months, 129 Salmonella spp. were isolated from fecal samples and tested for susceptibility using the Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method; then, screening for ESBL-producing isolates and determination of their minimum inhibitory concentrations were carried out using the combined disk method and standard agar dilution method, respectively. The presence and type of ESBL-encoding genes were determined by PCR and sequence analysis. The isolates were all identified as Salmonella enterica o... Japanese Journal of Infectious Diseases journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2812654 Mon, 31 Aug 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2812654 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2812653&cid=s_33089_20_f&fid=33089&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19762987%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Durmaz R, Otlu B, Koksal F, Hosoglu S, Ozturk R, Ersoy Y, Aktas E, Gursoy NC, Caliskan A Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) is the most common genotyping method used for the typing of a number of bacterial species. Generally, investigators use their own custom-developed protocol, but a standardized PFGE protocol would allow the comparison of typing results between laboratories and the tracing of strains around the country. In the present study, we optimized a PFGE protocol for subtyping of Acinetobacter baumannii, Escherichia coli and Klebsiella spp., which are commonly isolated from nosocomial infections in many hospitals. Reproducibility of our PFGE procedure was studied three times at 2- to 3-week intervals. Epidemiological concordance of the optimized PFGE procedure w... Japanese Journal of Infectious Diseases journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2812653 Mon, 31 Aug 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2812653 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2812652&cid=s_33089_20_f&fid=33089&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19762988%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Asahara T, Koseki H, Tsurumoto T, Shiraishi K, Shindo H, Baba K, Taoda H, Terasaki N By proving the bactericidal effects of a low-concentration titanium dioxide (TiO(2)) particle mixture against Staphylococcus aureus, we hope to ultimately apply a mixture of this type as part of a clinical treatment regimen. A bacterial suspension of S. aureus 1 x 10(5) CFU/ml was added dropwise to a TiO(2) particle mixture (19 ppm TiO(2)) and irradiated by ultraviolet (UV) light. The colony-forming units were counted and the bacterial survival rate was calculated. In the control sample, the bacterial survival rate was 83.3% even after 120 min. In the TiO(2) mixture + UV sample, the bacteria count dropped sharply, reaching 17.3% of the baseline value at 30 min and 0.4% at 60 min. TiO(2) partic... Japanese Journal of Infectious Diseases journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2812652 Mon, 31 Aug 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2812652 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2812651&cid=s_33089_20_f&fid=33089&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19762989%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Ohyama H, Nakasho K, Yamanegi K, Noiri Y, Kuhara A, Kato-Kogoe N, Yamada N, Hata M, Nishimura F, Ebisu S, Terada N Pyogenic liver abscess (PLA) formation is thought to originate from the transmission of infection via three major routes including the biliary tract, portal vein and hepatic artery. However, about 50% of PLA cases are considered to be cryptogenic. Here we report an unusual autopsy case of PLA associated with periodontopathic bacterial infection. A 59-year-old female suddenly developed cardiopulmonary arrest and died. Despite macroscopic and microscopic examinations, the infectious routes and source of infection were unidentified, and the case appeared to be cryptogenic. Since this patient had suffered severe periodontitis for a long period of time, we investigated... Japanese Journal of Infectious Diseases journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2812651 Mon, 31 Aug 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2812651 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2812650&cid=s_33089_20_f&fid=33089&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19762990%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Ermertcan S, Hosgor-Limoncu M, Erac B, Tasli H, Cavusoglu C, Bozkurt H We investigated the linezolid susceptibility of Mycobacterium tuberculosis strains isolated from a tertiary care hospital in Izmir. A total of 67 M. tuberculosis strains (33 multidrug-resistant [MDR] and 34 non-MDR) were isolated and identified by the Tuberculosis Laboratory, Department of Microbiology and Clinical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Ege University. The activity of linezolid was studied by the standard agar proportion method. For all of the strains, the MIC range was 0.06-1 mg/L, and the MIC(50) and MIC(90) values were 0.5 mg/L. No differences were observed between the MDR and non-MDR isolates. In general, linezolid was found to be effective for both the non-MDR and MDR M. tuberculosis strai... Japanese Journal of Infectious Diseases journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2812650 Mon, 31 Aug 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2812650 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2812649&cid=s_33089_20_f&fid=33089&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19762991%26dopt%3DAbstract In conclusion, in the strain population studied, POT is a more rapid and discriminatory method than PFGE, and is a useful epidemiological tool for evaluating the available clinical information. PMID: 19762991 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Japanese Journal of Infectious Diseases) Japanese Journal of Infectious Diseases journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2812649 Mon, 31 Aug 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2812649 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2812648&cid=s_33089_20_f&fid=33089&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19762992%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Zhang Q, Xiao H, Sugawara I An association between diabetes mellitus (DM) and tuberculosis (TB) has been implied for a long time. We previously reported that KDP type 1 diabetic rats and GK type 2 diabetic rats are highly susceptible to Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection. As a next step, we conducted a retrospective analysis of 2,141 patients with pulmonary TB newly diagnosed during the period from 2008 to 2009 to evaluate the influence of DM on the drug response rate and the long-term relapse rate of TB. There were 203 DM patients with TB (type 1 DM, 7 [3.4%]; type 2 DM, 196 [96.6%]). The TB relapse rate (2 years after discharge) was higher in DM patients than in non-diabetic patients (20% versus 5.3%). The frequency of multidrug-resistant-TB among DM patients with TB was h... Japanese Journal of Infectious Diseases journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2812648 Mon, 31 Aug 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2812648 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2812647&cid=s_33089_20_f&fid=33089&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19762993%26dopt%3DAbstract In this study, we report that radicicol, a heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90) inhibitor, reduces the paradoxical effect of micafungin. We also confirm that radicicol reduces the tolerance to voriconazole, one of the new azoles, which is consistent with a previous report. Our results may therefore imply that common stress responses might exist in the paradoxical resistance to micafungin and also the tolerance to voriconazole, and may suggest that inhibiting Hsp90-related stress responses could help to avoid potential resistances. PMID: 19762993 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Japanese Journal of Infectious Diseases) Japanese Journal of Infectious Diseases journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2812647 Mon, 31 Aug 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2812647 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2812646&cid=s_33089_20_f&fid=33089&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19762994%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Nakamura K, Iwai M, Zhang J, Obara M, Horimoto E, Hasegawa S, Kurata T, Takizawa T Recently, the recombination event of norovirus (NoV) has been reported with high frequency, suggesting that RNA recombination is a major driving force in NoV evolution. To assess the incidence of NoV recombination in a residential area, we conducted a molecular biological survey of NoVs existing in sewage water in Toyama Prefecture, Japan. Although GII/4 was predominantly detected in sewage water that was associated with a high frequency of outbreaks caused by this genotype, other genotypes, including two types of recombinant strain, were identified during the survey period. One of the recombinants is the WUG1 type, which was first detected in Saitama Prefecture in 2000. The other recombinant is... Japanese Journal of Infectious Diseases journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2812646 Mon, 31 Aug 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2812646 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2812645&cid=s_33089_20_f&fid=33089&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19762995%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Higa F, Naka M, Tateyama M, Haranaga S, Yara S, Koide M, Yamane N, Fujita J The incidence of influenza in the Naha city area in the southernmost part of Japan was surveyed in 2007 and 2008. Patients who had influenza-like symptoms and visited one of four general hospitals in Naha City, Okinawa, Japan were included in this study. The nasal or throat swab samples were applied to the rapid test for detecting influenza A and B virus antigens. The positive rate of influenza A and/or B virus antigen was 26.2% (8,480/32,380). Most cases (82.9%) were influenza A. In 2007, influenza A cases were detected during the entire year, and an epidemic peak was also noted in July, while no outbreak occurred in the summer of 2008. The surveillance of the rapid influenza virus antigen test seemed... Japanese Journal of Infectious Diseases journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2812645 Mon, 31 Aug 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2812645 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2812644&cid=s_33089_20_f&fid=33089&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19762996%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Dou J, Daly J, Yuan Z, Jing T, Solomon T Infection with Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV), a mosquito-borne, neurotropic flavivirus, may cause acute encephalitis in humans. Recombinant Salmonella typhimurium BRD509 was constructed to display domain III of the envelope (E) protein of JEV (JEDIII) on its surface with the N-terminal domain of ice nucleation protein (INPN) as the display motif. Bacterial cell surface display was confirmed by Western blot analysis and immunohistochemical staining. Binding of recombinant INPN-JEDIII and JEDIII proteins to three mammalian cell lines was compared using a cell-binding ELISA; the human neuroblastoma cell line SK-N-SH, which had a low level of binding, was selected for further studies. The display of JEDIII on the surface of BRD509 did n... Japanese Journal of Infectious Diseases journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2812644 Mon, 31 Aug 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2812644 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2812643&cid=s_33089_20_f&fid=33089&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19762997%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Tay ST, Lakhbeer Singh HK, Ramasame SD, Vadivelu J PMID: 19762997 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Japanese Journal of Infectious Diseases) Japanese Journal of Infectious Diseases journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2812643 Mon, 31 Aug 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2812643 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2812642&cid=s_33089_20_f&fid=33089&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19762998%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Yoshikura H PMID: 19762998 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Japanese Journal of Infectious Diseases) Japanese Journal of Infectious Diseases journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2812642 Mon, 31 Aug 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2812642 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2638363&cid=s_33089_20_f&fid=33089&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19628899%26dopt%3DAbstract In this study, over a 6-month period, the prevalence of infections and mortality rates among ICU patients, the predominant organisms and their resistance patterns were determined in a cross-sectional study. Samples of all the patients hospitalized longer than 48 h in two Shiraz university teaching hospitals in Shiraz, Iran, were microbiologically cultured, and antimicrobial susceptibility was determined using the disk diffusion method. We studied 123 specimens from 89 patients aged 1 month to 80 years (38.3-/+13.4), and among them 46 patients (51.7%; 95% CI, 41.3-62.1%) showed infection based on culture and clinical findings. Of these, 37 patients (41.6%) had more than one ICU-related nosocomial infection and 9 patients (10.1%) had only one ICU-related nosocomial infection. The overall mor... Japanese Journal of Infectious Diseases journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2638363 Tue, 30 Jun 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2638363 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2638362&cid=s_33089_20_f&fid=33089&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19628900%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Iwai M, Masaki A, Hasegawa S, Obara M, Horimoto E, Nakamura K, Tanaka Y, Endo K, Tanaka K, Ueda J, Shiraki K, Kurata T, Takizawa T We characterized the genetic diversity of the complete VP1 region of coxsackievirus A16 (CA16) and enterovirus 71 (EV71) isolated from patients with hand, foot, and mouth disease in Toyama from 1981 to 2007 to evaluate the relationship between epidemics and genetic changes. The predominant genogroups of CA16 changed from B to C in 1995-1998, and genogroup C further changed from subgenogroup C1 to C2 around 2002, and to C3 in 2005-2007. The subgenogroups of the EV71 isolates were classified into B1, B4, C1, and C3 in 1983-1994, and into C4 in 1997-2006. However, changes of the amino acid sequences of the VP1 regions of CA16 were restored, and those ... Japanese Journal of Infectious Diseases journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2638362 Tue, 30 Jun 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2638362 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2638361&cid=s_33089_20_f&fid=33089&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19628901%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Kishimoto T, Ando S, Numazaki K, Ouchi K, Yamazaki T, Nakahama C In the present study, we tried to reduce the non-specific reactions for measuring anti-Chlamydia pneumoniae IgM antibodies by the ELISA kit of HITAZYME C. pneumoniae Ab-IgM (HITAZYME IgM) by using a new absorbent. We also tried to reset the IgM cut-off index (ID) of HITAZYME IgM by testing serum samples from healthy children and healthy adults with no respiratory symptoms. The results suggest that the use of the new absorbent (anti-human IgG antibodies) may reduce the non-specific reactions by rheumatoid factor and anti-nuclear antibodies, and that the setting of the higher cut-off ID (2.00), calculated as the mean ID+3SD of the serum samples from healthy children and healthy adults, respectively, would improve t... Japanese Journal of Infectious Diseases journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2638361 Tue, 30 Jun 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2638361 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2638360&cid=s_33089_20_f&fid=33089&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19628902%26dopt%3DAbstract This study was conducted to determine the prevalence of bacterial contamination of blood and its products at the three major blood transfusion centers in the Greater Accra Region of Ghana. Stored whole blood and its products were cultured on different media, and isolates were identified using standard biochemical and bacteriological methods. The susceptibility of the isolates to selected antimicrobial agents was also determined by the disc diffusion method. The overall prevalence rate was 9% (28/303; whole blood, 13% [24/192]; plasma, 3% [2/79]; platelet, 9% [2/22]). The Gram-positive bacteria isolated were coagulase-negative Staphylococcus, S. aureus, and Bacillus spp., and the Gram-negative organisms were Yersinia enterocolitica, Citrobacter freundii, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aerugi... Japanese Journal of Infectious Diseases journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2638360 Tue, 30 Jun 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2638360 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2638359&cid=s_33089_20_f&fid=33089&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19628903%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Wang YC, Zhu RY, Xu YY, Zhao MQ, Liu YH, Li B, Chen JD The aim of this study was to characterize 160 clinical Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolates from Guangdong with respect to their drug susceptibility phenotypes to three common anti-tuberculosis drugs, isoniazid (INH), rifampin (RIF) and streptomycin (SM), and with respect to genetic mutations in the most commonly corresponding resistance genes (katG, rpoB and rpsL). The drug susceptibility profiles were evaluated by the absolute concentration method, and genetic mutations in the corresponding resistance genes were identified by DNA sequencing. Among these isolates, 33.1% (53/160) were drug-resistant. The percentages of isolates resistant to INH, RIF and SM were 21.9% (35/160), 16.9% (27/160) and 15.6% (25/160), respectively... Japanese Journal of Infectious Diseases journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2638359 Tue, 30 Jun 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2638359 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2638358&cid=s_33089_20_f&fid=33089&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19628904%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Tansel O, Ekuklu G, Eker A, Kunduracilar H, Yulugkural Z, Yuksel P The aim of this study was to evaluate the seroprevalence and correlates of diphtheria and tetanus in Edirne, Turkey. Tetanus and diphtheria antitoxin levels were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Among 99 participants, a diphtheria antitoxin level of >0.1 IU/mL was found in 97 (98%), while 2 (2%) had antitoxin levels of 0.011-0.099 IU/mL. The geometric mean titres (GMTs) in men were statistically higher. Among 295 participants, a tetanus antitoxin level of >0.1 IU/mL was found in 291 (98.6%), while 4 (1.4%) had antitoxin levels of 0.011-0.099 IU/mL. Participants who had completed secondary school or higher education showed higher GMT values. Additionally, participants vaccinated within the ... Japanese Journal of Infectious Diseases journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2638358 Tue, 30 Jun 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2638358 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2638357&cid=s_33089_20_f&fid=33089&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19628905%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Liu B, Fujita Y, Arakawa C, Kohira R, Fuchigami T, Mugishima H, Kuzuya M Group A rotavirus (GARV) genes (the VP7 and NSP3 genes) in acute-phase cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), sera and stool samples from 6 children with convulsions accompanied by GARV gastroenteritis were investigated by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). When the VP7 gene was amplified from the samples, the G genotype (G type) of GARV was determined by RT-PCR. GARV genes were detected in the CSF samples of all 6 children, in 2 of the 3 blood samples, and in all of 4 stool samples. The G typing of GARV from 12 of a total of 13 samples indicated that G3 was the predominant G type in all samples. GARV antigens were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in all of the 3 tested sera sample... Japanese Journal of Infectious Diseases journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2638357 Tue, 30 Jun 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2638357 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2638356&cid=s_33089_20_f&fid=33089&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19628906%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Shi W, Zhang Z, Zhang M, Liu J, Jiang Y, Wang Y, Jin X, Han X, Shang H The purpose of this study was to characterize the frequency, activation, and coreceptor expression of lymphocytes in Chinese human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/hepatitis C virus (HCV) co-infected patients, and to study the impact of HCV on immune status and disease progression of HIV infection. Flow cytometry was used to analyze the numbers of T cells and NK cells, the level of activation and the coreceptors of T lymphocytes in different disease stages among 110 HIV/HCV co-infected and 101 HIV mono-infected patients. With disease progression, co-infected patients expressed lower numbers of CD4 T-cells and NK cells, and higher activation levels and coreceptor expression of T lymphocytes. Compared to the coun... Japanese Journal of Infectious Diseases journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2638356 Tue, 30 Jun 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2638356 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2638355&cid=s_33089_20_f&fid=33089&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19628907%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Usein CR, Tatu-Chitoiu D, Ciontea S, Condei M, Damian M To document the association of pathogenic Escherichia coli with diarrhea in Romanian children, 250 E. coli fecal isolates from children under 5 years of age were PCR-screened for well-recognized virulence determinants, as well as for their phylogenetic background. The putative diarrheagenic E. coli (DEC) were investigated for susceptibility to various antibiotics. Overall, 61 E. coli isolates were classified as enteroaggregative E. coli (29 isolates), atypical enteropathogenic E. coli (22 isolates), enterotoxigenic E. coli (8 isolates), and verotoxin-producing E. coli (1 isolate), and one isolate was categorized as unconventional DEC. Only 8 of the PCR-positive isolates would have been assumed to be pathogenic based on th... Japanese Journal of Infectious Diseases journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2638355 Tue, 30 Jun 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2638355 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2638354&cid=s_33089_20_f&fid=33089&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19628908%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Tsuda Y, Hayashi T, Higa Y, Hoshino K, Kasai S, Tomita T, Kurahashi H, Kobayashi M A mark-release-recapture study of the dispersal ability of blow flies, Calliphora nigribarbis, was conducted in Ikumo-Naka, Ato Town, Yamaguchi Prefecture, Japan in December 2004. A location where a fatal avian influenza outbreak had occurred 1 year previously was selected for the present study. A total of 3,884 C. nigribarbis were collected, 1,915 of which were marked and released from 4 different collection sites during 2 successive days. The recapture rate of the released C. nigribarbis ranged from 0.014 to 0.029 among the collection sites, and the overall recapture rate was calculated as 0.022. Based on the distance between the released site and the recaptured site, the dispersal rate of C. ... Japanese Journal of Infectious Diseases journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2638354 Tue, 30 Jun 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2638354 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2638353&cid=s_33089_20_f&fid=33089&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19628909%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Behera B, Mathur P The reporting of vancomycin resistance in Staphylococcus spp. has enormous therapeutic and epidemiological consequences. We evaluated Vitek software version 2.01 by the CLSI-recommended broth dilution method as well as the CDC-recommended vancomycin screen agar and Etest for vancomycin susceptibility testing of Staphylococcus spp. Of the 105 isolates of Staphylococci tested by the above methods, Vitek 2.01 gave 16 (15%) a false vancomycin intermediate/resistant phenotype. Laboratories using automated systems for routine microbiological susceptibility testing must confirm such resistance by validated methods. PMID: 19628909 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Japanese Journal of Infectious Diseases) Japanese Journal of Infectious Diseases journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2638353 Tue, 30 Jun 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2638353 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2638352&cid=s_33089_20_f&fid=33089&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19628910%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Kobashi Y, Shimizu H, Ohue Y, Mouri K, Obase Y, Miyashita N, Oka M Ten of 140 patients (7.1%) showed negative results on a QFT-2G test. The 10 patients consisted of seven males and three females (mean age: 66.0 years old). Three of the 10 patients had no clinical symptoms and no underlying diseases. They showed negative results on the QFT-2G test repeatedly within 1 month and a negative response on a tuberculin skin test (TST). Six of the seven remaining patients were of advanced age, and all of them had underlying diseases. Although all seven patients showed negative results on the QFT-2G test repeatedly within 1 month, one of them showed a negative response on TST. The lymphocyte count was within the normal range in three patients with nutritional conditions. Although five o... Japanese Journal of Infectious Diseases journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2638352 Tue, 30 Jun 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2638352 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2638351&cid=s_33089_20_f&fid=33089&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19628911%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Theamboonlers A, Rianthavorn P, Praianantathavorn K, Wuttirattanakowit N, Poovorawan Y In 2008, an outbreak of chikungunya virus (CHIKV) occurred in Narathiwat province, south Thailand. To determine the clinical significance, molecular epidemiology and evolutionary origin of the CHIKV causing this outbreak, 47 patients who had been admitted to Narathiwatratchanakharin provincial hospital due to acute febrile illness were enrolled in this study. Sera were tested for IgM antibodies, and RT-PCR was performed for CHIKV and dengue virus. We diagnosed 10 patients with CHIKV infection and 5 with dengue virus infection. Joint pain is a significant symptom of chikungunya fever. Five strains of CHIKV were isolated. Their genome sequences were different from those isolated from the previ... Japanese Journal of Infectious Diseases journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2638351 Tue, 30 Jun 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2638351 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2638350&cid=s_33089_20_f&fid=33089&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19628912%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Nagi M, Tanabe K, Takano Y, Kikuchi K, Miyazaki Y, Niimi M Drug susceptibility tests were performed with a series of Candida spp. in media supplemented with serum or bile. The azole susceptibilities of several medically important Candida spp., including C. albicans but not C. parapsilosis, were significantly reduced in supplemented media. These findings have important implications for the mechanisms of acquired azole resistance in pathogenic fungi. PMID: 19628912 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Japanese Journal of Infectious Diseases) Japanese Journal of Infectious Diseases journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2638350 Tue, 30 Jun 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2638350 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2638349&cid=s_33089_20_f&fid=33089&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19628913%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Fatholahzadeh B, Emaneini M, Aligholi M, Gilbert G, Taherikalani M, Jonaidi N, Eslampour MA, Feizabadi MM A total of 52 methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) clinical isolates were collected from patients attending the teaching hospital of Tehran University of Medical Sciences. Disks containing antibiotics were used to determine the susceptibility of MRSA isolates. Analysis of SmaI macrorestriction profiles of the 52 MRSA isolates were grouped into three PFGE types. The majority of isolates (n=49) were clustered into only one major PFGE type, designated as pulsotype A; these belonged to SCCmec type III or IIIA and showed resistance to ampicillin, ciprofloxacin, cotrimoxazole, erythromycin, gentamicin, and tetracycline. The remaining isolates fell into pulsotypes B... Japanese Journal of Infectious Diseases journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2638349 Tue, 30 Jun 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2638349 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2638348&cid=s_33089_20_f&fid=33089&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19628914%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Taguchi M, Kawahara R, Seto K, Inoue K, Hayashi A, Yamagata N, Kamakura K, Kashiwagi E Twenty-eight of the 302 Salmonella strains isolated from patients with overseas travelers' diarrhea who were examined at Kansai Airport Department Station during the 6-year period between 2001 and 2007 showed decreased susceptibility to both nalidixic acid (NA) and ciprofloxacin (CPFX) (MIC of NA, 16-64 microg/mL; MIC of CPFX, 0.064-2.0 microg/mL). These 28 strains revealed no variations in the quinolone resistance-determining region; however, 25 of the strains showed retention of the qnr gene. The qnr-retaining Salmonella belonged to 6 serotypes, and 21 and 4 of the 25 strains showed qnrS1 and qnrS2, respectively. The most common serovar was S. Corvallis (17 strains). PMID: 19628914 [Pu... Japanese Journal of Infectious Diseases journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2638348 Tue, 30 Jun 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2638348 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2638347&cid=s_33089_20_f&fid=33089&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19628915%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Etoh Y, Murakami K, Ichihara S, Sera N, Hamasaki M, Takenaka S, Horikawa K, Kawano K, Takeishi T, Kuwana Y, Inoue A, Nagatsu Y, Hira Y, Takahashi M, Ito K Shiga toxin 2f-producing Escherichia coli (O115:HNM) with eae was isolated from a symptomatic patient in Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan. The patient was a 23-year-old male and his symptoms were diarrhea, abdominal pain, headaches and a fever (37.7C). He had eaten raw chicken meat, raw chicken eggs, cooked chicken meat and raw vegetables about 13 h prior to the onset of the symptoms. The patient's specimen was examined, and no diarrheagenic agents were detected except for Shiga toxin 2f-producing E. coli (STEC(2f)) with eae. This is the first report of the serotype O115:HNM possessing stx(2f). We discuss the necessity of routinely... Japanese Journal of Infectious Diseases journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2638347 Tue, 30 Jun 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2638347 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2638346&cid=s_33089_20_f&fid=33089&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19628916%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Fujihara S, Arikawa K, Aota T, Tanaka H, Nakamura H, Wada T, Hase A, Nishikawa Y The etiological roles of diarrheagenic Escherichia coli (DEC), including enteroaggregative E. coli (EAggEC), diffusely adherent E. coli (DAEC) and EAST1EC--a strain of E. coli that possesses no diarrheagenic characteristics other than the EAggEC heat-stable toxin 1 (EAST1) gene--remain controversial. To clarify the prevalence of DEC among healthy individuals in Osaka City, Japan, and to compare the virulence properties of strains previously isolated from diarrheal patients, fecal specimens were examined for DEC. Isolation rates of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli, enterotoxigenic E. coli, and EAggEC were significantly lower among healthy adults than sporadic adult patients. There were no differences ... Japanese Journal of Infectious Diseases journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2638346 Tue, 30 Jun 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2638346 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2638345&cid=s_33089_20_f&fid=33089&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19628917%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Sugiyama H, Umehara A, Morishima Y, Yamasaki H, Kawanaka M PMID: 19628917 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Japanese Journal of Infectious Diseases) Japanese Journal of Infectious Diseases journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2638345 Tue, 30 Jun 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2638345 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2638344&cid=s_33089_20_f&fid=33089&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19628918%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Nakamura M, Itokazu K, Taira K, Kawaki T, Kudaka J, Nidaira M, Okano S, Koja Y, Tamanaha K, Kimura H, Noda M PMID: 19628918 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Japanese Journal of Infectious Diseases) Japanese Journal of Infectious Diseases journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2638344 Tue, 30 Jun 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2638344 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2638343&cid=s_33089_20_f&fid=33089&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19628919%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Honma Y, Yoshii Y, Watanabe Y, Aoki N, Komiya T, Iwaki M, Arai H, Arakawa Y, Takahashi M, Kimura H PMID: 19628919 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Japanese Journal of Infectious Diseases) Japanese Journal of Infectious Diseases journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2638343 Tue, 30 Jun 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2638343 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2533998&cid=s_33089_20_f&fid=33089&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19468174%26dopt%3DAbstract In this study, the efficacy and safety of assisted reproduction techniques with the sperm-washing method and nested PCR assay were evaluated in HIV-1-discordant couples, as many HIV-1-positive people of reproductive age are getting married and wish to have children safely. Twenty-seven HIV-1-discordant couples (husband, positive; wife, negative) were enrolled in this study. The spermatozoa were separated from semen samples by density gradient centrifugation and the swim-up method. HIV-1 RNA and proviral DNA were checked using nested PCR with a detection limit of one copy before fertilization and before embryo transfer. Clinical outcomes were compared with those of matched control couples. Thirty-eight cycles of in vitro fertilization or intracytoplasmic sperm injection were performed in HI... Japanese Journal of Infectious Diseases journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2533998 Thu, 30 Apr 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2533998 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2533997&cid=s_33089_20_f&fid=33089&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19468175%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Yang CM, Lin MF, Lin CH, Huang YT, Hsu CT, Liou ML Two hundred and twenty-five fecal strains of Escherichia coli isolated from 109 non-hospitalized adults in 2006 were investigated for susceptibility to antibiotics and for the presence of integrons. High resistance rates in fecal strains of E. coli were observed for streptomycin (52.0%), ampicillin (50.2%), piperacillin (50.2%), trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (47.6%) and chloramphenicol (33.8%). Integrons were found in 31.5% (71/225) of the strains using an integrase gene PCR assay. Among 71 integrase-positive strains, 65 strains belonged to class 1 integrons, while the remainder belonged to class 2. Gene cassette patterns of class 1 integrons were further characterized by PCR and direct sequencing. Among those class 1 integras... Japanese Journal of Infectious Diseases journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2533997 Thu, 30 Apr 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2533997 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2533996&cid=s_33089_20_f&fid=33089&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19468176%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Nishiuchi Y, Tamura A, Kitada S, Taguri T, Matsumoto S, Tateishi Y, Yoshimura M, Ozeki Y, Matsumura N, Ogura H, Maekura R Medical treatment of pulmonary Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) disease does not always provide curative effects and is frequently hampered by recurrence. This suggests the presence of a reservoir for MAC in the environment surrounding patients. We previously reported the recovery of MAC isolates from the residential bathrooms of outpatients. In the present study, to ascertain the colonizing sites and the possibility of an MAC reservoir in the bathrooms of patients, we tested the recovery and the genetic diversity of MAC isolates from 6 sites of specimens, including 2 additional sampling sites, inside the showerhead and the bathtub inlet, in the residentia... Japanese Journal of Infectious Diseases journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2533996 Thu, 30 Apr 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2533996 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2533995&cid=s_33089_20_f&fid=33089&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19468177%26dopt%3DAbstract In this study, reverse transcription loop-mediated isothermal amplification (RT-LAMP) was established which can detect 10(3) copies of viral RNA corresponding to approximately 5 fg of RNA. RT-LAMP with the Phil primer set designed according to the nucleotide sequences obtained from a Kyoto patient who contracted rabies in the Philippines was able to amplify all 16 street viral sequences derived from the Philippines. The specificity of RT-LAMP products was easily confirmed by digestion with RsaI restriction enzyme. The reaction of RT-LAMP could be completed within 1 h and could be conducted under isothermal conditions using a conventional water bath or heat blocks, indicating that RT-LAMP is ideal for the diagnosis of rabies in developing countries. Although further study is required to est... Japanese Journal of Infectious Diseases journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2533995 Thu, 30 Apr 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2533995 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2533994&cid=s_33089_20_f&fid=33089&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19468178%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Karunakaran R, Raja NS, Hafeez A, Puthucheary SD Group B Streptococcus (GBS) infection was studied in 49 patients collected at convenience (convenience sampling), excluding infants and women with genital tract- and pregnancy-related isolates, according to the availability of stocked isolates and easy accessibility to epidemiological data. The data were examined both prospectively and retrospectively from 2003-2005 at a tertiary-level multidisciplinary hospital in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Skin and soft-tissue infections in 35 patients (71.4%) were the most common clinical presentation, while diabetes mellitus was the most common underlying condition (35 patients, 71.4%). All GBS isolates were sensitive to penicillin, and most isolates tested were sensitive to erythromycin (97.7%... Japanese Journal of Infectious Diseases journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2533994 Thu, 30 Apr 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2533994 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2533993&cid=s_33089_20_f&fid=33089&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19468179%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Dabiri H, Rezadehbashi M, Badami N, Aghanouri R, Ahmadi H, Khoramizadeh MR, Emaneini M, Izadi M, Zali MR Persistent infection of arteries with organisms such as Chlamydia pneumoniae was previously found to contribute to the development of atherosclerosis. We investigate the presence of C. pneumoniae in atherosclerotic plaque by polymerase chain reaction and direct immunofluorescence assay, and we examine the correlation between clinical status and the presence of this bacterium in Iran. The study group consisted of 33 atherosclerotic plaque specimens from the arteries (26 coronary and 7 abdominal aorta) of patients who had undergone coronary artery bypass grafting surgery (CABG). The control group consisted of 31 specimens: 12 from biopsies of macroscopically healthy regions o... Japanese Journal of Infectious Diseases journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2533993 Thu, 30 Apr 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2533993 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2533992&cid=s_33089_20_f&fid=33089&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19468180%26dopt%3DAbstract We examined 29 isolates of Salmonella enterica subspecies enterica serovar Schwarzengrund from broiler chickens (n=19) and retail chicken meats (n=10) in Japan for antimicrobial susceptibility and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) profiling. All isolates exhibited resistance to both bicozamycin and sulfadimethoxine (minimum inhibitory concentration of both antimicrobial agents: >512 microg/ml). Nalidixic acid resistance was found in only one broiler chicken isolate. PFGE analysis showed that there were two genotypes among S. Schwarzengrund isolates. Isolates from 11 of 19 broiler chickens and from 6 of 10 retail chicken meats exhibited resistance to dihydrostreptomycin, kanamycin, oxytetracycline, bicozamycin, trimethoprim, and sulfadimethoxine, and had an identical PFGE pattern c... Japanese Journal of Infectious Diseases journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2533992 Thu, 30 Apr 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2533992 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2533991&cid=s_33089_20_f&fid=33089&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19468181%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Kuroki T, Ishihara T, Ito K, Kura F To evaluate the relationship between the incidence of legionellosis and Legionella concentrations in bathwater, we sent a questionnaire to 76 prefectural and municipal public health laboratories in Japan and found that 35 had encountered cases of legionellosis and had implemented investigations to determine the sources of the infections. Based on the results of the questionnaire, we were able to analyze various characteristics of the patients, of the facilities that were thought to be associated with the cases, and of the species and serogroups of the isolates and concentrations of Legionella. Ninety-six cases were included in this study. The median age was 67 years (range, 13-89 years). The most prevalent underlying medical condition among ... Japanese Journal of Infectious Diseases journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2533991 Thu, 30 Apr 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2533991 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2533990&cid=s_33089_20_f&fid=33089&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19468182%26dopt%3DAbstract We report the case of an 86-year-old woman with bilateral EPN cured by antibiotic therapy alone, thus avoiding surgery or drainage in a frail elderly patient. PMID: 19468182 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Japanese Journal of Infectious Diseases) Japanese Journal of Infectious Diseases journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2533990 Thu, 30 Apr 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2533990 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2533987&cid=s_33089_20_f&fid=33089&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19468183%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Nagano H, Jinushi M, Tanabe H, Yamaguchi R, Okano M In 2007 eight epidemic clusters (more than 15 cases in each) and other sporadic cases of measles occurred in Hokkaido district, Japan. A total of 850 cases were identified. Approximately half of them were > or = 15 years of age, resulting in a huge public health problem in the community associated with school closings, and 31% of the cases reported that they already had a history of vaccination. Of 28 isolates of the measles virus detected, all were identified as genotype D5, identical to the type isolated in other areas of Japan, suggesting that a highly homologous measles virus circulated in Japan. The occurrence pattern of measles patients and molecular epidemiology indicated that the measles virus that spread in Hokkai... Japanese Journal of Infectious Diseases journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2533987 Thu, 30 Apr 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2533987 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2533986&cid=s_33089_20_f&fid=33089&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19468184%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Adhikari BR, Pandey BD, Ghimire P, Shrestha B, Khadka M, Yoda T, Suzuki Y Most first-line anti-tuberculosis drugs have less in vitro activity against atypical mycobacteria. Loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) was used for the rapid diagnosis of mycobacterial species. The sensitivity of LAMP was 96.1% (49/51) in smear-positive and culture-positive sputum samples and 85.0% (17/20) in smear-negative and culture-positive samples. Of the 77 total LAMP-positive samples, 75 (97.4%) were identified as Mycobacterium tuberculosis and 2 (2.6%) as M. intracellulare. One of the M. intracellulare-infected cases was identified in a patient with suspected mycobacteriosis and another was found in a follow-up patient. PMID: 19468184 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Japanese Journal ... Japanese Journal of Infectious Diseases journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2533986 Thu, 30 Apr 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2533986 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2533985&cid=s_33089_20_f&fid=33089&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19468185%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Hattori H, Tanaka R, Chibana H, Kawamoto F, Adachi H, Shimizu K, Kanbe T The nucleotide sequences of the inner repeats of the repetitive sequence (RPS), termed ALTs, of Candida albicans and its related species C. albicans var. stellatoidea and C. dubliniensis, were analyzed. ALT sequences were grouped into 4 types for C. albicans (Aa, Ab, Ac and Ad) and C. albicans var. stellatoidea (Sa1, Sa2, Sb, Sc and Sd), and 3 types for C. dubliniensis (Da, Db and Dc). In addition to the primer set P-II (specific to RPS), 2 primer sets (AS-I and AiR-I) specific to the nucleotide sequences of C. albicans ALT were designed and tested for their potential for RPS-based identification/genotyping of C. albicans. PCRs using AS-I and AiR-I clearly distinguished C. albicans from both C. albicans v... Japanese Journal of Infectious Diseases journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2533985 Thu, 30 Apr 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2533985 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2533984&cid=s_33089_20_f&fid=33089&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19468186%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Nidaira M, Taira K, Okano S, Shinzato T, Morikawa T, Tokumine M, Asato Y, Tada Y, Miyagi K, Matsuda S, Itokazu K, Kudaka J, Nakamura M, Tamanaha K Serum specimens were collected from 125 pigs on Miyako Island, 112 pigs on Ishigaki Island, and 42 pigs on Kume Island from 2005 to 2007, and 54 pigs on Yonaguni Island from 2006 to 2007. Their sera were tested for Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) antibody by hemagglutination inhibition (HI) assay. Five serum samples (4.5%) from Ishigaki Island were positive for HI antibody, and 4 of the 5 samples were positive for 2-mercaptoethanol- sensitive antibody (IgM Ab). All samples from Miyako, Kume, and Yonaguni Islands were negative for HI antibody. Our results indicate that JEV transmission activity was extremely low on Miyako, Ishigaki... Japanese Journal of Infectious Diseases journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2533984 Thu, 30 Apr 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2533984 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2533983&cid=s_33089_20_f&fid=33089&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19468187%26dopt%3DAbstract We examined whether a stool antigen test can be used as efficiently as UBT. (i) Ninety-four patients infected with H. pylori underwent eradication therapy. Six or eight weeks after the completion of treatment, the results were evaluated by UBT and a stool antigen test (TPAg). In 77 out of 78 patients who had negative UBT results, the TPAg results were also negative. Among the 16 UBT-positive patients, 12 were also positive by TPAg. Agreement of UBT and TPAg was 94.7%. (ii) Twenty-two patients with peptic ulcers in the active stage also received eradication therapy followed by proton pump inhibitor (PPI) administration. TPAg and UBT were performed to examine the results of eradication therapy at the end of PPI administration and at least 7 days after its discontinuation. Of the 22 patients ... Japanese Journal of Infectious Diseases journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2533983 Thu, 30 Apr 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2533983 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2533982&cid=s_33089_20_f&fid=33089&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19468188%26dopt%3DAbstract This study suggests the need for periodic screening of hospital personnel in order to monitor trends and take steps to treat carriers. PMID: 19468188 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Japanese Journal of Infectious Diseases) Japanese Journal of Infectious Diseases journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2533982 Thu, 30 Apr 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2533982 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2533981&cid=s_33089_20_f&fid=33089&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19468189%26dopt%3DAbstract In this study, the patterns of resistance to 10 antibiotics by 730 Vibrio cholerae non-O1 and non-O139 species isolated from both environmental and seafood samples were investigated. Susceptibility to different antimicrobial agents was assessed by the disc diffusion technique. The frequencies of resistance to 10 antimicrobial agents--ampicillin, chloramphenicol, bacitracin, erythromycin, gentamycin, streptomycin, oxytetracycline, vancomycin, penicillin, and neomycin--were 88, 46, 8, 64, 13, 85, 18, 21, 84, and 18%, respectively. About 10-20% of the studied strains showed a 3-5 multiple drug resistance pattern. PMID: 19468189 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Japanese Journal of Infectious Diseases) Japanese Journal of Infectious Diseases journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2533981 Thu, 30 Apr 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2533981 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2533980&cid=s_33089_20_f&fid=33089&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19468190%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Yoshida M, Matsui T, Ohkusa Y, Kobayashi J, Ohyama T, Sugawara T, Yasui Y, Tachibana T, Okabe N Surveillance is critical for both early detection and a timely public health response to infectious diseases. Electronic information systems have been widely adopted by pharmacies in Japan. The aim of this study is to evaluate the feasibility of using prescription data for influenza surveillance in Japan to facilitate the development of a daily reporting system. This is a retrospective study using questionnaires mailed to pharmacies in Sakai City, Osaka, Japan in October 2007. The total number of prescriptions for oseltamivir and zanamivir and the number of influenza cases reported by sentinel surveillance in Sakai during the investigation period showed excellent correlation, with a... Japanese Journal of Infectious Diseases journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2533980 Thu, 30 Apr 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2533980 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2533979&cid=s_33089_20_f&fid=33089&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19468191%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Hoshina T, Kusuhara K, Saito M, Hara T, Mtsuura S, Yano T, Aoki T, Hara T An immunocompetent 8-year-old boy with cytomegalovirus (CMV)-associated transient protein-losing enteropathy (PLE) is described. Colonoscopic examination revealed lymphoid hyperplasia of the terminal ileum. Histological examination of the biopsied specimens showed marked dilation of the lymphatic vessels. Primary CMV infection was demonstrated by serological test and polymerase chain reaction. The child had complete resolution of the disease without antiviral treatment. The present case suggests the etiologic role of CMV infection in PLE resulting from intestinal lymphangiectasia in childhood. PMID: 19468191 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Japanese Journal of Infectious Diseases) Japanese Journal of Infectious Diseases journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2533979 Thu, 30 Apr 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2533979 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2533978&cid=s_33089_20_f&fid=33089&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19468192%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Kobashi Y, Mouri K, Miyashita N, Oka M We encountered five cases of pulmonary Mycobacterium kansasii (MK) disease for which the QuantiFERON-TB Gold (QFT-2G) test was useful as a supportive diagnostic method. Because none of these patients could expectorate sputum, we ultimately confirmed the clinical diagnosis of pulmonary MK disease using 6- to 8-week cultures of bronchoscopic specimens (bronchoalveolar lavage fluid) according to the guidelines for nontuberculous mycobacterial disease due to American Thoracic Society/Infectious Diseases Society of America. The tuberculin skin test showed positive responses in all cases, and the QFT-2G test showed positive response for ESAT-6 only or CFP-10 only antigens. After it was proved that the result of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB)-... Japanese Journal of Infectious Diseases journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2533978 Thu, 30 Apr 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2533978 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2533977&cid=s_33089_20_f&fid=33089&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19468193%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Kitamoto M, Kito K, Niimi Y, Shoda S, Takamura A, Hiramatsu T, Akashi T, Yokoi Y, Hirano H, Hosokawa M, Yamamoto A, Agata N, Hamajima N PMID: 19468193 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Japanese Journal of Infectious Diseases) Japanese Journal of Infectious Diseases journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2533977 Thu, 30 Apr 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2533977 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2533976&cid=s_33089_20_f&fid=33089&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19468194%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Yamamoto M, Abe K, Kuniyori K, Kunii E, Ito F, Kasama Y, Yoshioka Y, Noda M PMID: 19468194 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Japanese Journal of Infectious Diseases) Japanese Journal of Infectious Diseases journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2533976 Thu, 30 Apr 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2533976 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2533975&cid=s_33089_20_f&fid=33089&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19468195%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Ootsuka Y, Yamashita Y, Ichikawa T, Kondo R, Oseto M, Katayama K, Takeda N, Oka T PMID: 19468195 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Japanese Journal of Infectious Diseases) Japanese Journal of Infectious Diseases journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2533975 Thu, 30 Apr 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2533975 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2288777&cid=s_33089_20_f&fid=33089&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19305046%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Broker M Globally, Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) is one of the leading causes of childhood meningitis and pneumonia. Vaccines against Hib have been developed and introduced into routine immunization programs in most industrialized nations, in which the burden of Hib disease has been clearly demonstrated. In Asia, the burden of Hib disease has been perceived as relatively low compared with other parts of the world. However, the results of several recent studies have allowed for a more cautious assessment of the disease burden in different populations and settings throughout Asia. These studies suggest that the true burden of Hib disease may have been underestimated, and point to several key factors that may have contributed to this problem, such as antibiotic use prior to... Japanese Journal of Infectious Diseases journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2288777 Sun, 01 Mar 2009 05:00:00 +0100 2288777 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2288776&cid=s_33089_20_f&fid=33089&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19305047%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Tiruneh M The aims of this study were to determine the distribution of serogroups and serotypes as well as the antimicrobial resistance pattern of Shigella isolates from Gondar patients with acute diarrhea. A cross-sectional study was conducted from August 2006 to February 2008. Stool specimens were received from study subjects and cultured. Isolates were confirmed by biochemical and serological tests. The isolates were tested for antimicrobial susceptibility by the disc diffusion method. Of the 1,200 stool specimens, 90 (7.5%) yielded Shigella isolates with the serogroups of Shigella flexneri (72.2%), S. dysenteriae (10.0%), S. boydii (8.9%), and S. sonnei (8.9%). S. flexneri was the predominant serogroup. S. dysenteriae type 1 was absent, and S. sonnei was present. Eighty-fi... Japanese Journal of Infectious Diseases journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2288776 Sun, 01 Mar 2009 05:00:00 +0100 2288776 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2288775&cid=s_33089_20_f&fid=33089&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19305048%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Ohkusa Y, Sugawara T An influenza pandemic--an outbreak of a novel influenza virus that spreads around the world--is a real threat. To predict the spread of an influenza pandemic across the whole of Japan, this study applies a real individual-based model (ribm) to the whole of Japan and simulates how a single case of influenza could spark pandemic influenza throughout Japan. We used Person-Trip (PT) data for nine regions (the Tokyo metropolitan area, Kansai, Chukyo, Fukuoka, Sendai, Sapporo, Miyazaki, Okinawa, and northern Ibaragi). PT data were collected from randomly chosen persons and contain information on their locations and their uses of all transportation modes including trains, cars, buses, bicycles, and walking. In total, the nine regions have a population of about 72... Japanese Journal of Infectious Diseases journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2288775 Sun, 01 Mar 2009 05:00:00 +0100 2288775 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2288774&cid=s_33089_20_f&fid=33089&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19305049%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Animut A, Mekonnen Y, Shimelis D, Ephraim E Fever of different etiology is common in tropical and subtropical countries of the world. Etiological agents of febrile illnesses were assessed in 653 acute febrile patients aged 3 to 17 years who attended the outpatient departments of Dembecha Health Center, Jiga Health Center, Quarit Health Center, and Finoteselam Hospital in western Gojjam zone, northwestern Ethiopia. Malaria was the most prevalent illness, infecting 62% of all cases. Its prevalence varied significantly from 52% (Dembecha) to 72.7% (Quarit) (chi(2)=15.02, P=0.000). Plasmodium falciparum was the first cause of malaria (47.3%) followed by P. vivax (23%). Mixed infection of both P. falciparum and P. vivax was found in 7.2% of the cases. The other febrile infections w... Japanese Journal of Infectious Diseases journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2288774 Sun, 01 Mar 2009 05:00:00 +0100 2288774 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2288773&cid=s_33089_20_f&fid=33089&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19305050%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Mondal NI, Takaku H, Ohkusa Y, Sugawara T, Okabe N A seventh round behavioral and serological surveillance found that the HIV epidemic had remarkably increased to 7% among intravenous drug users (IDU) in Central Bangladesh, indicating the urgent need to increase prevention. The main purposes of this study were to find out, by collecting data and the necessary information from sero-surveillances, published reports, and articles, what the prevalence of HIV/AIDS is, and what the acquisition and transmission routes are. In addition, trends in HIV-related risk behaviors among recognized high risk groups were observed, and estimations and projections of HIV transmission up to the year 2020 presented. The Estimation and Projection Package was used to estimate and project HIV transmis... Japanese Journal of Infectious Diseases journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2288773 Sun, 01 Mar 2009 05:00:00 +0100 2288773 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2288772&cid=s_33089_20_f&fid=33089&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19305051%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Yucel O, Sayan A, Yildiz M The number of children infected by Helicobacter pylori is increasing worldwide. The aim of this study is to identify demographic and maternal risk factors affecting H. pylori positivity in asymptomatic children. One hundred sixty-five asymptomatic children, 75 (45%) females, and 90 (55%) males, between 2 and 12 years of age (mean 6.8 -/+ 3.0 years) were tested for the presence of H. pylori stool antigen. The ages, genders, weights, heights, and breastfeeding histories of the children were reported. Information concerning the age and education levels of the mothers, number of siblings, and family incomes was also taken. H. pylori stool antigen positivity was 30.9% (n=51) of the children and 30.4% (n=48) of their mothers. H. pylori positivity was detec... Japanese Journal of Infectious Diseases journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2288772 Sun, 01 Mar 2009 05:00:00 +0100 2288772 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2288771&cid=s_33089_20_f&fid=33089&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19305052%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Nihei N, Komagata O, Kobayashi M, Saitoh Y, Mochizuki K, Nakamura S In order to develop an inexpensive, simple, and accurate method of monitoring for the reemergence of schistosomiasis japonica in Yamanashi Prefecture, Japan, the distribution and habitation density of the intermediate host, Oncomelania nosophora, were spatially analyzed using geographic information systems. The 1967-1968 density distribution maps prepared by Yamanashi Prefecture and Nihei were digitized and geocoded. The habitats and population density of O. nosophora were estimated by referring to the data compiled by the Yamanashi Association for Schistosomiasis Control (1977). These earlier findings were compared with average population densities between 1996 and 2000 previously recorded (Nihei, N., Kajihar... Japanese Journal of Infectious Diseases journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2288771 Sun, 01 Mar 2009 05:00:00 +0100 2288771 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2288770&cid=s_33089_20_f&fid=33089&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19305053%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Takazono T, Izumikawa K, Tsurutani J, Tanaka A, Kakugawa T, Fukuda Y, Saito M, Kurihara S, Imamura Y, Seki M, Kakeya H, Yamamoto Y, Yanagihara K, Kohno S Lemierre's syndrome is characterized by a primary oropharyngeal infection in a young healthy person who subsequently develops septic thrombophlebitis of the internal jugular vein and metastatic abscesses. We here report an uncommonly severe case of Lemierre's syndrome with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), in which polymyxin B-immobilized fiber (PMX) was used as supportive therapy. A 30-year-old, previously healthy man presented with sore throat, fever, rigor, and dyspnea. Chest computed tomography scan revealed multiple bilateral peripheral pulmonary nodules with small bilateral pleural effusions. The patient's con... Japanese Journal of Infectious Diseases journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2288770 Sun, 01 Mar 2009 05:00:00 +0100 2288770 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2288769&cid=s_33089_20_f&fid=33089&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19305054%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Zaraket H, Dbaibo G, Salam O, Saito R, Suzuki H We conducted the first epidemiological study of influenza in Lebanon, a temperate country in the Middle East. Between January to May 2008, 39 patients with influenza-like illness were tested. Of these, 51% contracted influenza in January alone, while no influenza cases were detected in May. Among the 39 patients, 11 influenza A and 4 influenza B cases were detected by rapid kit in addition to 10 respiratory syncytial virus cases by real-time PCR. The influenza viruses were genetically divergent from the 2007/2008 season's vaccine strains, but resembled strains circulating in other countries during the same season. PMID: 19305054 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Japanese Journal of Infectious Diseases) Japanese Journal of Infectious Diseases journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2288769 Sun, 01 Mar 2009 05:00:00 +0100 2288769 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2288768&cid=s_33089_20_f&fid=33089&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19305055%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Mizuno Y, Kato Y, Kudo K, Kano S Artemether-lumefantrine, a tablet formulation of these respective antimalarial compounds, has been developed for the treatment of patients with drug-resistant malaria worldwide. Many studies have shown that it is most effective of the antimalarial compounds in shortening the fever and parasite clearance times. However, several treatment failures have been reported. These failures are believed to be a consequence of poor bioavailability of the lumefantrine component when ingested without fatty food. This paper reports the first case of such treatment failure of imported malaria in Japan in a 58-year-old Japanese man who showed recrudescence of Plasmodium falciparum after treatment with artemether-lumefantrine. The drug was administered to the pa... Japanese Journal of Infectious Diseases journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2288768 Sun, 01 Mar 2009 05:00:00 +0100 2288768 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2288767&cid=s_33089_20_f&fid=33089&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19305056%26dopt%3DAbstract In this study, we tried to characterize in detail the p44/msp2 multigene family of A. phagocytophilum from two tick species, Ixodes persulcatus and I. ovatus in Japan. A total of 174 amino acid sequences from the recombinant p44/msp2 clones after TA cloning of the amplicons obtained from the ticks were phylogenetically analyzed. The results showed that most of the clone sequences from I. ovatus were very similar to each other, but the sequences from I. persulcatus were diverse, and the sequences from the ticks were distinct from those from a wild deer that was previously reported. These findings suggest that Ixodes ticks are probably responsible for the transmission of certain genetic variants of A. phagocytophilum and that additional organism selection might occur in I. ovatus. PMID: ... Japanese Journal of Infectious Diseases journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2288767 Sun, 01 Mar 2009 05:00:00 +0100 2288767 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2288766&cid=s_33089_20_f&fid=33089&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19305057%26dopt%3DAbstract We described a fungemia and cutaneous mucormycosis case due to Mucor circinelloides in an 83-year-old woman with diabetes mellitus who developed acute left frontoparietal infarctus while hospitalized in a neurological intensive care unit. The diagnosis was made based on the growth of fungi in the blood, skin biopsy cultures, and a histopathologic examination of the skin biopsy. The isolates were identified as M. circinelloides by molecular methods. This case is important in that it shows a case of cutaneous mucormycosis which developed after fungemia and provides a contribution to the literature regarding Mucor fungemia. PMID: 19305057 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Japanese Journal of Infectious Diseases) Japanese Journal of Infectious Diseases journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2288766 Sun, 01 Mar 2009 05:00:00 +0100 2288766 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2288765&cid=s_33089_20_f&fid=33089&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19305058%26dopt%3DAbstract In conclusion, we think that, as with TST, a positive QFT-G result can be an adjunct to diagnosis in patients having clinical and radiological data compatible with tuberculosis. PMID: 19305058 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Japanese Journal of Infectious Diseases) Japanese Journal of Infectious Diseases journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2288765 Sun, 01 Mar 2009 05:00:00 +0100 2288765 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2288764&cid=s_33089_20_f&fid=33089&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19305059%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Niumsup PR, Boonkerd N, Tansawai U, Tiloklurs M We investigated the resistance determinant of 13 clinical isolates of carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii collected from a regional hospital in the north of Thailand. All isolates were multidrug resistant and produced the OXA-23 carbapenemase. The bla(OXA-23) gene was found adjacent to ISAba1. Furthermore, two isolates carried the metallo beta-lactamase gene, bla(IMP). The bla(OXA-23) and bla(IMP) genes were plasmid-mediated according to the transformation assays. This is the first description of OXA-23-producing A. baumannii from Thailand. PMID: 19305059 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Japanese Journal of Infectious Diseases) Japanese Journal of Infectious Diseases journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2288764 Sun, 01 Mar 2009 05:00:00 +0100 2288764 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2288763&cid=s_33089_20_f&fid=33089&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19305060%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Chen YS, Lin HH, Wu CH, Hsiao YS, Hsu NS, Chen YL A total of 46 carbapenem- and multidrug-resistant (CR- and MDR-)Acinetobacter baumannii bacteremic isolates from a Taiwanese medical center were investigated over the period 2000 to 2006 using randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) profiling and by analysing the genetic organization of their integrons. The results of RAPD patterns revealed that before 2003 each CR- and MDR-A. baumannii bacteremic isolate was independent, but after 2003 the isolates appeared to belong in four epidemic strains and persisted in the hospital. All the CR- and MDR-A. baumannii strains harbored class I integron (intI1) genes. PCR amplification and nucleotide sequencing showed that the cassette genes of intI1 were found to form four different antibi... Japanese Journal of Infectious Diseases journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2288763 Sun, 01 Mar 2009 05:00:00 +0100 2288763 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2288762&cid=s_33089_20_f&fid=33089&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19305061%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Agarwal J, Kalyan R, Singh M Enterococci, a family of important opportunistic pathogens, exhibits intrinsic resistance to a number of antimicrobial agents in addition to acquired multidrug resistance. The present study was conducted to determine whether enterococci at a tertiary care hospital in India exhibit high-level aminoglycoside resistance and beta-lactamase production. Enterococci were isolated from various clinical specimens and identified phenotypically. High-level resistance (HLR) to gentamicin, kanamycin, and streptomycin was determined by disc diffusion tests. Beta-lactamase production was detected using three methods: iodometric, acidometric, and chromogenic beta-lactamase assays. Among the 86 enterococci isolated, 34 were found to have HLR to one or more aminogly... Japanese Journal of Infectious Diseases journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2288762 Sun, 01 Mar 2009 05:00:00 +0100 2288762 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2288761&cid=s_33089_20_f&fid=33089&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19305062%26dopt%3DAbstract In this study, we investigated the efficacy of single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) analysis of rpoB gene in the genotyping of Brucella melitensis strains by sequencing. In light of the molecular genotyping method available now in Turkey, the adequacy of serological typing alone should be re-evaluated as a tool for epidemiologic studies of B. melitensis. PMID: 19305062 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Japanese Journal of Infectious Diseases) Japanese Journal of Infectious Diseases journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2288761 Sun, 01 Mar 2009 05:00:00 +0100 2288761 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2288760&cid=s_33089_20_f&fid=33089&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19305063%26dopt%3DAbstract In this study, all of the 63 fungal strains examined, including those of the genera Candida and Aspergillus, were amenable to DNA amplification using an Ampdirect(R) Plus kit, which allows direct PCR amplification with no requirement for DNA extraction, following 1 h of rapid fungal lysis. Moreover, we compared DCPCR of 35 strains, representing 20 species, using Ampdirect PCR and standard PCR with no lysis buffer. Thirty-four of these strains (97.14%) yielded positive results on Ampdirect PCR, while only 11 (including Aspergillus fumigatus TIMM1776) of the 35 strains (31.43%) showed PCR products when standard PCR reagents were used. Ampdirect DCPCR was also applicable to DNA amplification for spore and hyphal cells. This approach reduces DNA template preparation time before PCR from fungal... Japanese Journal of Infectious Diseases journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2288760 Sun, 01 Mar 2009 05:00:00 +0100 2288760 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2288759&cid=s_33089_20_f&fid=33089&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19305064%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Matsumoto M, Yamaguchi I, Sasano M, Hori M, Ikezaki K, Shimizu S, Nishiyama Y, Sato N, Tsuchiya H, Suzuki M, Minagawa H, PMID: 19305064 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Japanese Journal of Infectious Diseases) Japanese Journal of Infectious Diseases journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2288759 Sun, 01 Mar 2009 05:00:00 +0100 2288759 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2288758&cid=s_33089_20_f&fid=33089&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19305065%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Yoda K, Ito T, Matuda Y, Murotani N PMID: 19305065 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Japanese Journal of Infectious Diseases) Japanese Journal of Infectious Diseases journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2288758 Sun, 01 Mar 2009 05:00:00 +0100 2288758 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2288757&cid=s_33089_20_f&fid=33089&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19305066%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Katsukawa C, Kawahara R, Inoue K, Ishii A, Yamagishi H, Kida K, Nishino S, Nagahama S, Komiya T, Iwaki M, Takahashi M PMID: 19305066 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Japanese Journal of Infectious Diseases) Japanese Journal of Infectious Diseases journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2288757 Sun, 01 Mar 2009 05:00:00 +0100 2288757 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2136954&cid=s_33089_20_f&fid=33089&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19168950%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Badiee P, Kordbacheh P, Alborzi A, Zakernia M, Haddadi P Systemic candidiasis is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with hematologic disorders. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of systemic candidiasis and the efficiency of the polymerase chain reaction-enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (PCR-ELIZA) method for the early detection of Candida spp. in patients with hematologic malignancies. From 2004 to 2006, 194 patients with hematologic malignancies were evaluated for systemic candidiasis. Collected blood samples were assayed using the PCR-ELISA method for the presence of the bands on ethidium bromide stained gel, and for hybridization with Candida spp. as well. The female-to-male ratio was 61:133, the mean age was 33.7 years, and the ... Japanese Journal of Infectious Diseases journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2136954 Thu, 01 Jan 2009 05:00:00 +0100 2136954 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2136953&cid=s_33089_20_f&fid=33089&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19168951%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Seki M, Kosai K, Hara A, Imamura Y, Nakamura S, Kurihara S, Izumikawa K, Kakeya H, Yamamoto Y, Yanagihara K, Miyazaki Y, Mukae H, Tashiro T, Kohno S Platelet-activating factor (PAF) is a critical mediator of severe inflammatory diseases such as pneumonia, and the PAF-receptor (PAFR) is known to be an anchor for Streptococcus pneumoniae attachment to lung epithelial cells. We conducted a DNA microarray analysis to detect critical factors that mediate fulminant pneumonia due to influenza virus and S. pneumoniae co-infection in mice. Among the factors detected, levels of PAF-acetyl hydrolase (PAF-AH), which functions as inactivated PAF, were significantly increased, and PAFR was expressed in co-infected mouse lungs, as compared to the respective levels in mice infected with eithe... Japanese Journal of Infectious Diseases journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2136953 Thu, 01 Jan 2009 05:00:00 +0100 2136953 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2136952&cid=s_33089_20_f&fid=33089&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19168952%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Izadi S, Salehi M The mortality rate resulting from Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) has been reported in different epidemics to range from 5% to more than 70%. While ribavirin has been recommended as the drug of choice in the treatment of CCHF, no consistent study has unequivocally demonstrated its effectiveness. Using the case-control method, we attempted to evaluate the efficacy of ribavirin in reducing mortality among CCHF cases admitted to Boo-Ali Educational Hospital in Zahedan, Iran, during the years 2000 to 2006. Sixteen deaths among CCHF cases were compared with 47 cases of survival. All patients had a definitive diagnosis based on the results of IgG and IgM capture ELISA tests recorded in their files. Ribavirin therapy for patients who survived had begun on ave... Japanese Journal of Infectious Diseases journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2136952 Thu, 01 Jan 2009 05:00:00 +0100 2136952 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2136951&cid=s_33089_20_f&fid=33089&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19168953%26dopt%3DAbstract In this study, three new serotypes of non-O157:H7 (i.e., O25:H3, O85:H32, and O162:H21) were found to be Shiga toxin producers. These findings reconfirm the results of our previously reported studies showing that non-O157:H7 serotypes are more prevalent under the present conditions. More detailed characterization of these isolates will require additional genetic studies. PMID: 19168953 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Japanese Journal of Infectious Diseases) Japanese Journal of Infectious Diseases journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2136951 Thu, 01 Jan 2009 05:00:00 +0100 2136951 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2136950&cid=s_33089_20_f&fid=33089&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19168954%26dopt%3DAbstract This study was performed to evaluate a novel rapid molecular diagnostic system consisting of loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) combined with DNA filter paper (FTA card) and melting curve analysis. Combining LAMP with melting curve analysis enabled diagnosis of Plasmodium falciparum more accurately with relative ease. FTA cards could be used to clarify problems regarding storage, infectivity, and transportation. The LAMP assay was carried out at a constant temperature of 63C for 90 min. The diagnostic system (malaria-LAMP) accurately diagnosed malaria (47 samples from Thailand and 50 from Zimbabwe) with 97.8% sensitivity and 85.7% specificity as compared with microscopic methods, indicating the usefulness of this combined system. PMID: 19168954 [PubMed - in process] (Source:... Japanese Journal of Infectious Diseases journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2136950 Thu, 01 Jan 2009 05:00:00 +0100 2136950 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2136949&cid=s_33089_20_f&fid=33089&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19168955%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Zhang L, Zhong Q, Bao L, Zhang Y, Gao L, Huang B, Zhang HD The function of protein-coding gene Rv0901 of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, which belongs to the cell wall and cell processes category, is not yet clear. To explore its features, we amplified this gene from the H37Rv genome, and His-tagged Rv0901 protein was expressed and purified. Also, a recombinant plasmid bearing Rv0901 was constructed and electroporated into a virulent Mycobacterium smegmatis, using shuttle expression vector pMV261. Transformants were induced to express a predicted protein of Rv0901, identified by SDS-PAGE. Rv0901 protein and recombinant M. smegmatis were used to expose mammalian cells. In addition we studied the effect of protein or recombinant M. smegmatis on cells and in animals with regard to su... Japanese Journal of Infectious Diseases journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2136949 Thu, 01 Jan 2009 05:00:00 +0100 2136949 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2136948&cid=s_33089_20_f&fid=33089&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19168956%26dopt%3DAbstract The objectives of this study is to characterize HIV-serology-discordant couples diagnosed at a referral hospital in Thailand and to identify risk factors for HIV transmission among married couples. Firstly, cross-sectional analysis was conducted from July 2000 to October 2002. Out of 216 HIV-positive married men who knew the HIV status of their wives, the median number of sexual contacts in 63 men with HIV-negative wives was 6 times per month before the disclosure of HIV status, which did not differ from 153 men with HIV-positive wives. The majority of men with HIV-negative wives never used condoms. The median duration of marriage was 7 years for both groups. Unlike in previous reports, men with HIV-negative wives were significantly more symptomatic (P<0.01), and their CD4+ counts and v... Japanese Journal of Infectious Diseases journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2136948 Thu, 01 Jan 2009 05:00:00 +0100 2136948 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2136947&cid=s_33089_20_f&fid=33089&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19168957%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Harakuni T, Kohama H, Tadano M, Uechi G, Tsuji N, Matsumoto Y, Miyata T, Tsuboi T, Oku H, Arakawa T To investigate the potential applicability of mucosal vaccines against mucosa-unrelated pathogens, a non-parenteral vaccination approach was taken as a prophylactic strategy against mosquito-borne Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV). Intranasal (i.n.) immunization with a mouse brain-derived formalin-inactivated JE vaccine induced a robust virus-neutralizing antibody in mice, and this induction was augmented by co-administration with cholera toxin (CT) and pertussis toxin, but not with killed Bordetella pertussis. The antibody response induced by the i.n. administration of the JE vaccine with bacterial toxins was comparable in intensity to that induced by a parenteral immunization ... Japanese Journal of Infectious Diseases journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2136947 Thu, 01 Jan 2009 05:00:00 +0100 2136947 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2136946&cid=s_33089_20_f&fid=33089&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19168958%26dopt%3DAbstract This study was conducted in a tertiary care neonatal unit in Northern India. All inborn babies with blood-culture-positive sepsis from 1995 to 2006 were divided into two epochs, viz. 1995 to 1998 (epoch I) and 2001 to 2006 (epoch II). Organisms were grouped into early (<72 h) and late onset (>/=72 h) sepsis groups. The overall incidence of sepsis, the incidence of sepsis stratified by weight groups, the organism profile on different days of life, sepsis-related mortality and pathogen-specific case fatality rate were calculated and compared between the two epochs. Out of 34,362 live births during the study period, organisms were isolated in 1,491 neonates. Out of these, 89% had bacterial sepsis. The incidence of neonatal bacterial sepsis increased from epoch I to epoch II (35.8/1,000 ... Japanese Journal of Infectious Diseases journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2136946 Thu, 01 Jan 2009 05:00:00 +0100 2136946 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2136945&cid=s_33089_20_f&fid=33089&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19168959%26dopt%3DAbstract This study was conducted to investigate whether diarrhea among children aged 0 to 1 is caused by OPV or by other factors such contact at the doctor's office and/or with others outside the home. We conducted a survey of the health of children after regular health check-ups and after the administration of the OPV. The data from the health check-ups were used as a control for the OPV case group. We compared the first-OPV dose vaccination group as well as the second-OPV dose vaccination group to the health check-up group. For cases of diarrhea, the odds ratio of the OPV group to the health check-up group was 1.776. Our findings strongly suggest that post-OPV cases of mild diarrhea are closely related to the administration of the OPV. PMID: 19168959 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Japanese J... Japanese Journal of Infectious Diseases journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2136945 Thu, 01 Jan 2009 05:00:00 +0100 2136945 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2136944&cid=s_33089_20_f&fid=33089&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19168960%26dopt%3DAbstract In this study, we report an improved protocol that takes only 2 days to complete and that allows clear discrimination of the restriction profile with higher reproducibility than that previously achieved. PMID: 19168960 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Japanese Journal of Infectious Diseases) Japanese Journal of Infectious Diseases journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2136944 Thu, 01 Jan 2009 05:00:00 +0100 2136944 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2136943&cid=s_33089_20_f&fid=33089&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19168961%26dopt%3DAbstract We report the case of a 42-year-old French man who had visited Vietnam and presented with fever and watery diarrhea that had lasted for more than 2 weeks. The patient was diagnosed with C. cayetanensis infection by examination of a stool smear using UV fluorescence microscopy. Based on this rare case, we recommend that Cyclospora infection might be considered in the differential diagnosis of traveler's diarrhea in immunocompetent patients. PMID: 19168961 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Japanese Journal of Infectious Diseases) Japanese Journal of Infectious Diseases journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2136943 Thu, 01 Jan 2009 05:00:00 +0100 2136943 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2136942&cid=s_33089_20_f&fid=33089&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19168962%26dopt%3DAbstract We report a case of disseminated cryptococcosis with a liver abscess and meningoencephalitis in a patient with myelodysplastic syndrome. Computed tomography of the abdomen showed a 3-cm low-attenuated lesion in the left lobe of liver. Cultures from specimens of blood, the liver abscess, and the cerebrospinal fluid all yielded C. neoformans. The cryptococcal antigen titers for the serum and cerebral fluid were both 1:32. The patient was successfully treated with 1,335 mg of amphotericin-B followed by fluconazole. Most cryptococcal liver infections present as hepatitis, cholangitis, or microabscesses. PMID: 19168962 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Japanese Journal of Infectious Diseases) Japanese Journal of Infectious Diseases journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2136942 Thu, 01 Jan 2009 05:00:00 +0100 2136942 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2136941&cid=s_33089_20_f&fid=33089&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19168963%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Huang FL, Chen PY, Shi ZY, Chan CH, Huang SK Herein we report our experience in containing an outbreak of nosocomial respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection in a psychiatric ward in central Taiwan during a non-widespread RSV seasonal occurrence. A total of 8 patients and 4 healthcare workers in the psychiatric ward developed febrile illness or upper respiratory tract infection symptoms between August 23 and 29, 2005. RSV was identified by either viral culture or reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assay. RSV was isolated from a symptomatic staff member (8.3%), and was detected in 5 (42%) by RT-PCR among 12 cases. All 5 of these RSV cases detected belonged to genotype A. In our experience, single cubicle isolation of infectious patients and a cohort of ... Japanese Journal of Infectious Diseases journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2136941 Thu, 01 Jan 2009 05:00:00 +0100 2136941 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2136940&cid=s_33089_20_f&fid=33089&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19168964%26dopt%3DAbstract This report describes multiple viruses in stool specimens from oyster-associated gastroenteritis. Eleven outbreaks of oyster-associated gastroenteritis were examined for enteric viruses between January 2002 and March 2006 in Japan. Multiple norovirus genotypes were detected in all outbreaks; moreover, kobuvirus, sapovirus, and astrovirus were also detected in 6, 3, and 1 of the 11 outbreaks, respectively. Notably, multiple sapovirus genogroups were detected in the stool specimens from subjects in two oyster-associated gastroenteritis outbreaks. PMID: 19168964 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Japanese Journal of Infectious Diseases) Japanese Journal of Infectious Diseases journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2136940 Thu, 01 Jan 2009 05:00:00 +0100 2136940 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2136939&cid=s_33089_20_f&fid=33089&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19168965%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Paramasivan R, Philip Samuel P, Thenmozhi V, Rajendran R, Victor Jerald Leo S, Dhananjeyan KJ, Krishnamoorthi R, Arunachalam N, Tyagi BK Virological investigation was carried out to determine the etiology of suspected Chikungunya fever among humans reported in the Lakshadweep islands in the Indian Ocean. Three out of 23 acute sera samples showed cytopathological changes in Vero cell lines. Further, indirect immunofluorescence antibody test and reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction studies demonstrated the Chikungunya virus etiology during the episode. E1 gene sequence analysis has confirmed the involvement of the Central/East African genotype of the Chikungunya virus. PMID: 19168965 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Japanese Journal of Infectious Diseases) Japanese Journal of Infectious Diseases journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2136939 Thu, 01 Jan 2009 05:00:00 +0100 2136939 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2136938&cid=s_33089_20_f&fid=33089&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19168966%26dopt%3DAbstract We present a case of CCHF complicated by hemorrhagic pleural effusion and resulting in resolution without chest tube drainage in a 9-year-old boy. The diagnosis of CCHF was confirmed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay tests. Both serum and pleural fluid CCHF IgM were positive at titers of 1/1,600 and 1/6,400, respectively. PMID: 19168966 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Japanese Journal of Infectious Diseases) Japanese Journal of Infectious Diseases journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2136938 Thu, 01 Jan 2009 05:00:00 +0100 2136938 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2136937&cid=s_33089_20_f&fid=33089&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19168967%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Jilintai , Seino N, Hayakawa D, Suzuki M, Hata H, Kondo S, Matsumoto K, Yokoyama N, Inokuma H Anaplasma bovis and Anaplasma phagocytophilum infection were examined by species-specific nested polymerase chain reaction in cattle in a pastureland where sika deer appear in Hokkaido, Japan. Of the 78 cattle examined, 12 (15%) and 1 (1%) tested positive for infection by A. bovis and A. phagocytophilum, respectively. One cattle tested positive for both. A. phagocytophilum infection rates were significantly lower in cattle than in sika deer (46%), but the infection rate by A. bovis was not significantly different between cattle (15%) and sika deer (23%). The strain of A. phagocytophilum detected in this study may possess significantly lower virulence or infectivity in cattle hosts. No... Japanese Journal of Infectious Diseases journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2136937 Thu, 01 Jan 2009 05:00:00 +0100 2136937 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2136936&cid=s_33089_20_f&fid=33089&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19168968%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Kurata T, Miyagawa H, Furutani E, Kase T, Takahashi K PMID: 19168968 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Japanese Journal of Infectious Diseases) Japanese Journal of Infectious Diseases journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2136936 Thu, 01 Jan 2009 05:00:00 +0100 2136936 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2136935&cid=s_33089_20_f&fid=33089&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19168969%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Hata M, Tanaka S, Kumagai N, Noma M, Ichinohe K, Hashimoto M, Yamashita T, Minagawa H PMID: 19168969 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Japanese Journal of Infectious Diseases) Japanese Journal of Infectious Diseases journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2136935 Thu, 01 Jan 2009 05:00:00 +0100 2136935 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2136934&cid=s_33089_20_f&fid=33089&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19168970%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Yamazaki K, Sakon N, Nakata K, Kase T PMID: 19168970 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Japanese Journal of Infectious Diseases) Japanese Journal of Infectious Diseases journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2136934 Thu, 01 Jan 2009 05:00:00 +0100 2136934 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2136933&cid=s_33089_20_f&fid=33089&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19168971%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Kitahori Y, Inoue Y, Imanishi Y PMID: 19168971 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Japanese Journal of Infectious Diseases) Japanese Journal of Infectious Diseases journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2136933 Thu, 01 Jan 2009 05:00:00 +0100 2136933 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2136932&cid=s_33089_20_f&fid=33089&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19168972%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Kawakami C, Obuchi M, Saikusa M, Noguchi Y, Ujike M, Odagiri T, Iwata M, Toyozawa T, Tashiro M PMID: 19168972 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Japanese Journal of Infectious Diseases) Japanese Journal of Infectious Diseases journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2136932 Thu, 01 Jan 2009 05:00:00 +0100 2136932 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2010136&cid=s_33089_20_f&fid=33089&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19050347%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Otsubo H, Yamaguchi K Over the past decades, the incidence of transfusion-transmitted diseases has been dramatically reduced. These reductions have been due to a multifocal approach to the collection, processing, and release of blood components. The estimated risks of transfusion-transmitted hepatitis viruses are now extremely small, but the possibility of infections with emerging pathogens always exists because preventive measures may not be available for all cases. Thus, some patients may be harmed before preventive measures are introduced. Beside transfusion-transmitted infections (TTI), unsolved residual risks such as transfusion-related acute lung injury or incompatible blood components transfusion still exist as major concerns. Continuous efforts toward research on and t... Japanese Journal of Infectious Diseases journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2010136 Sat, 01 Nov 2008 04:00:00 +0100 2010136 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2010134&cid=s_33089_20_f&fid=33089&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19050348%26dopt%3DAbstract This study was the first report of the serogroup, PorA VR subtype, pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE), multilocus sequence typing (MLST), and antimicrobial susceptibility of N. meningitidis isolates collected from 2002 to 2003. Of 11 meningococcal isolates, serogroup Y was found to be the most frequent (nine isolates). In addition, one isolate was from serogroup B and one was from serogroup 29E. Four isolates showed a reduced sensitivity to penicillin G. However, all strains tested were susceptible to chloramphenicol, cefotaxime, ciprofloxacin, and rifampin. Among the 11 isolates, seven PorA types were identified. P1.5-1, 2-2 was the most prevalent PorA type, accounting for 55.6% of the serogroup Y isolates. In terms of PFGE patterns, nine isolates of serogroup Y were divided into thr... Japanese Journal of Infectious Diseases journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2010134 Sat, 01 Nov 2008 04:00:00 +0100 2010134 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2010132&cid=s_33089_20_f&fid=33089&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19050349%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Usuku S, Kumazaki M, Kitamura K, Tochikubo O, Noguchi Y The human sapovirus (SaV) causes acute gastroenteritis mainly in infants and young children. A food-borne outbreak of gastroenteritis associated with SaV occurred among junior high school students in Yokohama, Japan, during and after a study trip. The nucleotide sequences of the partial capsid gene derived from the students exhibited 98% homology to a SaV genogroup IV strain, Hu/Angelholm/SW278/2004/SE, which was isolated from an adult with gastroenteritis in Solna, Sweden. An identical nucleotide sequence was detected from a food handler at the hotel restaurant, suggesting that the causative agent of the outbreak was transmitted from the food handler. This is the first description of a food-borne outbreak associated with... Japanese Journal of Infectious Diseases journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2010132 Sat, 01 Nov 2008 04:00:00 +0100 2010132 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2010130&cid=s_33089_20_f&fid=33089&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19050350%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Matsumoto M, Suzuki M, Takahashi M, Hirose K, Minagawa H, Ohta M Out of 68 Escherichia coli O157 field isolates tested in vitro for Shiga toxin (Stx) 2 production, 12 (17.6%) produced no or a limited amount of Stx2 (Stx 2 non- or low-producing strain; TNLP) even though all 68 possessed the stx(2) gene. The remaining 56 were Stx2 high-producing strains. The 12 TNLPs carried the q21 gene allele, which encodes a transcription antiterminator Q protein and is highly homologous to that of phi21 phage. They also carried nucleotide substitutions and insertions in the promoter region of the stx(2) gene compared with that of O157 EDL933, producing a considerable amount of Stx2. In contrast, the Stx2 high-producing strains carried the q933 gene allele, which was first reported on an stx(... Japanese Journal of Infectious Diseases journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2010130 Sat, 01 Nov 2008 04:00:00 +0100 2010130 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2010129&cid=s_33089_20_f&fid=33089&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19050351%26dopt%3DAbstract We report a prospective study of children admitted with a clinical diagnosis of pneumonia. Infants and children (ages 1 month-15 years) who were hospitalized with community-acquired pneumonia were enrolled in the study. Their nasopharyngeal aspirated samples were analyzed for common respiratory viruses, including influenza virus, by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) or PCR. Out of 257 patients, we identified 127 (49.4%) cases with respiratory viruses, and influenza was found in 32 of these cases (12.5%). Other common respiratory viruses included respiratory syncytial virus in 42 (16.3%), human metapneumovirus in 24 (9.3%), adenovirus in 17 (6.6%) and parainfluenza virus in 12 (4.7%). The median age of the influenza group was 2 years and 3 months, and 27 (84%) of chil... Japanese Journal of Infectious Diseases journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2010129 Sat, 01 Nov 2008 04:00:00 +0100 2010129 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2010127&cid=s_33089_20_f&fid=33089&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19050352%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Sugino K, Hasegawa C, Sano G, Shibuya K, Homma S The aim of the present study is to define the characteristics of the clinical and histopathological features of chronic necrotizing pulmonary aspergillosis (CNPA) cases with severe hemoptysis. We conducted a histological study of three patients clinically diagnosed as having CNPA who had hemoptysis for 5 years. A tuberculosis sequelae was found as the underlying disorder in all three cases. All patients had fever, general fatigue, and hemoptysis, and their chest computed tomographic images revealed fungus balls, cavity wall thickening, consolidation surrounding the cavity, and satellite foci. All had been treated with anti-fungal drugs and corticosteroids. However, all patients died from respiratory failure due to massive hemopt... Japanese Journal of Infectious Diseases journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2010127 Sat, 01 Nov 2008 04:00:00 +0100 2010127