Amebiasis as a sexually transmitted infection: A re-emerging health problem in developed countries.

Amebiasis, which is caused by Entamoeba histolytica (E. histolytica), is the second leading cause of parasite-related death worldwide. It manifests from asymptomatic carriers to severe clinical conditions, like colitis and liver abscesses. Amebiasis is commonly seen in developing countries, where water and food are easily contaminated by feces because of the poor sanitation. However, a recently challenge in many developed countries is the increase in domestic cases of invasive amebiasis as a sexually transmitted infection (STI amebiasis). In contrast to food-/ waterborne transmission of E. histolytica in developing countries, transmission of STI amebiasis occurs directly through human-to-human sexual contact (e.g., men who have sex with men and people who engage in oral-anal sex); in this setting, asymptomatic infected individuals are the main reservoir of E. histolytica. The Development of screening methods for the early diagnosis of asymptomatic E. histolytica infection is the key to epidemiologic control. Moreover, delay in diagnosis of severe cases (e.g., fulminant amebiasis) leads to death even in developed countries. It is also important to increase clinical awareness of domestically transmitted STI amebiasis in the clinical settings. This review considers the changing epidemiology and clinical manifestations of STI amebiasis, and finally discusses the future strategies for the better practice.

Global expression of noncoding RNome reveals dysregulation of small RNAs in patients with HTLV-1–associated adult T-cell leukemia: a pilot study

Background: Adult T cell lymphoma/leukemia (ATLL) is a peripheral T-cell neoplasm caused by human T-cell lymphotropic virus-1 (HTLV-1). Small RNAs (sRNAs), including microRNAs (miRNAs), play a pivotal role in the initiation and development of hematological malignancies and may represent potential therapeutic target molecules. However, little is known about how these molecules impact the pathogenesis of ATLL. In this study, we aimed to identify sRNA expression signatures associated with ATLL and to investigate their potential implication in the pathophysiology of the disease. Methods: Small-RNAseq analysis was performed in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from HTLV-1- associated ATLL (n = 10) in comparison to asymptomatic carriers (n = 8) and healthy controls (n = 5). Sequencing was carried out using the Illumina MiSeq platform, and the deregulation of selected miRNAs was validated by real-time PCR. Pathway analyses of most deregulated miRNA were performed and their global profiling was combined with transcriptome data in ATLL. Results: The sequencing identified specific sRNAs signatures associated with ATLL patients that target pathways relevant in ATLL, such as the transforming growth factor-(βTGF-β), Wnt, p53, apoptosis, and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling cascades. Network analysis revealed several miRNAs regulating highly connected genes within the ATLL transcriptome. miR-451-3p was the most downregulated miRNA in active patients. Conclusions: Our findings shed light on the expression of specific sRNAs in HTLV-1 associated ATLL, which may represent promising candidates as biomarkers that help monitor the disease activity.

Small RNA profiles of HTLV 1 asymptomatic carriers with monoclonal and polyclonal rearrangement of the T cell antigen receptor γ chain using massively parallel sequencing: A pilot study

In the present pilot study, massively parallel sequencing (MPS) technology was used to investigate cellular small RNA (sRNA) levels in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of human T­lymphotropic virus type I (HTLV­I) infected asymptomatic carriers with monoclonal (ASM) and polyclonal (ASP) T cell receptor (TCR) γ gene. Blood samples from 15 HTLV­I asymptomatic carriers (seven ASM and eight ASP) were tested for the clonal TCR­Î³ gene and submitted for sRNA library construction together with blood samples of five healthy controls (HCs) using Illumina sequencing platform. The sRNA­sequencing reads were aligned, annotated and profiled using various bioinformatics tools. Based on these results, possible markers were validated in the study samples by performing reverse transcription­quantitative (RT­q)PCR analysis. A total of 76 known sRNAs and 52 putative novel sRNAs were identified. Among them, 44 known and 34 potential novel sRNAs were differentially expressed in the ASM and ASP libraries compared with HCs. In addition, 10 known sRNAs were exclusively dysregulated in the ASM group and one (transfer RNA 65) was significantly upregulated in the ASP group. Homo sapiens (hsa) microRNA (miRNA/mir)­23a­3p, ­28­5p, hsa­let­7e­5p and hsa­mir­28­3p and ­361­5p were the most abundantly upregulated mature miRNAs and hsa­mir­363­3p, ­532­5p, ­106a­5p, ­25­3p and ­30e­5p were significantly downregulated miRNAs (P<0.05) with a >2­fold difference between the ASM and ASP groups compared with HCs. Based on these results, hsa­mir­23a­3p and ­363­3p were selected for additional validation. However, the quantification of these two miRNAs using RT­qPCR did not provide any significant differences. While the present study failed to identify predictive sRNA markers to distinguish between ASM and ASP, the MPS results revealed differential sRNA expression profiles in the PBMCs of HTLV­1 asymptomatic carriers (ASM and ASP) compared with HCs

Small RNA profiles of HTLV-1 asymptomatic carriers with monoclonal and polyclonal rearrangement of the t-cell antigen receptor γ-chain using massively parallel sequencing: a pilot study

In the present pilot study, massively parallel sequencing (MPS) technology was used to investigate cellular small RNA (sRNA) levels in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of human T‑lymphotropic virus type I (HTLV‑I) infected asymptomatic carriers with monoclonal (ASM) and polyclonal (ASP) T cell receptor (TCR) γ gene. Blood samples from 15 HTLV‑I asymptomatic carriers (seven ASM and eight ASP) were tested for the clonal TCR‑γ gene and submitted for sRNA library construction together with blood samples of five healthy controls (HCs) using Illumina sequencing platform. The sRNA‑sequencing reads were aligned, annotated and profiled using various bioinformatics tools. Based on these results, possible markers were validated in the study samples by performing reverse transcription‑quantitative (RT‑q)PCR analysis. A total of 76 known sRNAs and 52 putative novel sRNAs were identified. Among them, 44 known and 34 potential novel sRNAs were differentially expressed in the ASM and ASP libraries compared with HCs. In addition, 10 known sRNAs were exclusively dysregulated in the ASM group and one (transfer RNA 65) was significantly upregulated in the ASP group. Homo sapiens (hsa) microRNA (miRNA/mir)‑23a‑3p, ‑28‑5p, hsa‑let‑7e‑5p and hsa‑mir‑28‑3p and ‑361‑5p were the most abundantly upregulated mature miRNAs and hsa‑mir‑363‑3p, ‑532‑5p, ‑106a‑5p, ‑25‑3p and ‑30e‑5p were significantly downregulated miRNAs (P<0.05) with a >2‑fold difference between the ASM and ASP groups compared with HCs. Based on these results, hsa‑mir‑23a‑3p and ‑363‑3p were selected for additional validation. However, the quantification of these two miRNAs using RT‑qPCR did not provide any significant differences. While the present study failed to identify predictive sRNA markers to distinguish between ASM and ASP, the MPS results revealed differential sRNA expression profiles in the PBMCs of HTLV‑1 asymptomatic carriers (ASM and ASP) compared with HCs.

"Cell ELISA" como ferramenta auxiliar no controle da adenite equina / "Cell ELISA" as an auxiliary tool for the control of equine adenitis

Este trabalho relata o desenvolvimento e a avaliação de um ensaio imunoenzimático (ELISA) como ferramenta auxiliar no controle da adenite equina. Foi avaliada a presença de anticorpos anti-Streptococcus equi subsp. equi em equinos com doença clínica de garrotilho, portadores assintomáticos e potros vacinados. Equinos doentes demonstraram absorbâncias médias superiores (P<0,05) às médias observadas nas demais categorias examinadas. Equinos portadores assintomáticos apresentaram valores médios de absorbância superiores (P<0,05) aos animais com cultura negativa. Logo após a vacinação, potros apresentaram elevação nos níveis de anticorpos, seguida de um decréscimo nos níveis 90 dias após a segunda vacinação. O "Cell ELISA" foi eficiente para a detecção de anticorpos em equinos expostos a antígenos de S. equi, diferenciando-se de infecções por S. zooepidemicus. O "Cell ELISA" mostrou-se uma alternativa clínica para o diagnóstico indireto da adenite equina, diferenciando-se, entre equinos assintomáticos, os potenciais portadores da infecção. Os resultados observados em potros vacinados confirmam o potencial de utilização desse teste como ferramenta em programas de vacinação contra garrotilho pelo monitoramento de rebanhos pós-vacinação. Esses resultados sugerem que o "Cell ELISA" é uma promissora ferramenta auxiliar no controle da adenite equina.(AU)

This study reports the development and evaluation of the use of "Cell ELISA" as a tool for clinical interpretation for the control of strangles. The presence of anti-S. equi antibodies was evaluated in horses with strangles, in asymptomatic carriers and in vaccinated foals. Equine positive for strangle showed higher average of absorbance (P<0.05) when compared with the average for the other categories of horses studied. Asymptomatic S. equi equine carriers had higher average of absorbance (P<0.05) than equines with negative culture. After vaccination, foals presented an increase in antibody levels, followed by a decrease in antibody levels 90 days post the second vaccination. The "Cell ELISA" was efficient for the detection of antibodies in horses exposed to S. equi antigens, differentiating infections with S. zooepidemicus. Thus, the test might be a clinical tool for indirect diagnosis of the strangles, differentiating, between the asymptomatic horses, the potential carriers of infection. The results observed in vaccinated foals confirm the potential use of this test as an auxiliary instrument for strangles vaccination programs based in the serological monitoring of the herd after immunization. These results suggest that the "Cell ELISA" is a promising auxiliary tool in the control of equine adenitis.(AU)

Detección de Neisseria meningitidis en portadores asintomáticos en un hospital universitario de Brasil / Detectio of Neisseria meningitidis in asymptomatic carriers in a university hospital from Brazil

Los portadores asintomáticos de meningococos en hospitales son un factor de riesgo (FR) para adquirir la enfermedad meningocócica. La frecuencia de portadores de meningococos fue determinada a través de colecta orofaríngea en personal de un hospital de Brasil (n = 200). La prevalencia de portadores fue del 9% (IC del 95%, 5-13%). Los FR asociados al estado de portador fueron los siguientes: edad promedio 26,5 años, sexo masculino, hábito de frecuentar bares y número de personas/casa. Entre las 18 cepas de meningococos aisladas, 14 eran no agrupables (NG), 3 correspondieron al serogrupo B y una al 29E. La frecuencia de los serotipos y serosubtipos fue heterogénea, con un ligero predominio de los serotipos 4 y 7 y de los serosubtipos P1.7 y P1.5. La mayoría de las cepas (n=13) fueron sensibles a los antimicrobianos estudiados. El gen ctrA fue identificado por PCR en 9 (64,3%) de las 14 cepas NG, lo que sugiere virulencia en la mayoría de las cepas NG aisladas. Por lo tanto, se requiere una vigilancia constante de estos portadores asintomáticos

Asymptomatic meningococcus carriers in hospitals is a risk factor for acquiring meningococcal disease. Meningococcal carrier (MC) frequency was investigated in oropharyngeal swab samples collected from 200 staff members at a teaching hospital from Brazil. MC prevalence was 9% (95% CI 5­13%). Risk factors associated with MC were: mean age of 26.5 years, male gender, bar attendance frequency and number of persons/house. Of 18 isolated meningococcal strains, 14 were non-groupable (NG), 3 corrresponded to serogroup B and 1 to serogroup 29E. The frequency of serotypes and serosubtypes was heterogenous, with a slight predominance of serotypes 4 and 7 and serosubtypes P1.7 and P1.5. Most strains (n=13) were susceptible to the antimicrobials tested. The ctrA gene (PCR) was identified in 9 (64.3%) of the 14 NG strains, suggesting virulence in most of the NG isolated strains. Therefore, a constant surveillance of these asymptomatic carriers is required

Valores referenciales de antiestreptolisina O y portadores asintomáticos de estreptococos β-hemolíticos en adolescentes y adultos del Municipio Francisco Linares Alcántara, Venezuela / Reference valúes antistreptolysin O and asymptomatic carriers of β-hemolytic streptococci in adolescents and adults at Municipality Francisco Linares Alcántara, Venezuela

Introduction: β-hemolytic streptococci (Streptococcus pyogenes) groups A, C or G, secretes streptolysin O, toxin which causes in the infected individual an adaptive humoral immune response with production of serum antibodies called anti-streptolysin O (ASO). Objectives: To determine the reference value of ASO in a sample of 159 individuals aged 16-72 years from municipality Francisco Linares Alcántara, Aragua state, applying indirect (passive) agglutination test. By using a throat swab sample which was sown in blood agar 5% the frequency of asymptomatic carriers of β-hemolytic streptococci was also determined. Results and Discussion: As reference value for determining ASO by agglutination method a title of up to 200 IU/mL was obtained, this reference value differs from that recommended by the commercial equipment. Asymptomatic carriers frequency was 21.2% (n = 34). The distribution of β-hemolytic streptococci isolated were: group A (17.6%), group B (32.3%), group C (20.5%), group D (2.9%), group F (8.8%), group G (14.7%) and unclusterable (2.9%). Conclusions: The new ASO reference value for teens and adults of the mentioned municipality is up to 200 IU/mL. β-hemolytic Streptococcus group B was the most frequently isolated.

Introducción: Los estreptococos β-hemolíticos del grupo A (Streptococcus pyogenes), C o G, secretan estreptolisina O, toxina que causa en el individuo infectado una respuesta inmune adaptativa humoral con producción de anticuerpos séricos denominados antiestreptolisina O (ASO). Objetivos: Determinar el valor referencial de ASO en una muestra poblacional de 159 individuos con edades comprendidas entre 16 y 72 años del municipio Francisco Linares Alcántara, estado Aragua mediante aglutinación (pasiva) indirecta. También se determinó la frecuencia de portadores asintomáticos de estreptococos β-hemolíticos utilizando una muestra de exudado faríngeo que se sembró en agar sangre de cordero al 5%. Resultados y Discusión: Como valor referencial para la determinación de ASO por el método de aglutinación se obtuvo un título de hasta 200 UI/mL, valor que difiere del recomendado por el kit comercial. La frecuencia de portadores fue 21,2% (n = 34). La distribución de los estreptococos β-hemolíticos aislados fue: grupo A (17,6%), grupo B (32,3%), grupo C (20,5%), grupo D (2,9%), grupo F (8,8%), grupo G (14,7%) y no agrupable (2,9%). Conclusiones: El nuevo valor referencial de ASO para adolescentes y adultos del municipio mencionado es hasta 200 UI/mL. Streptococcus β-hemolítico del grupo B fue el grupo más frecuentemente aislado.

Colonización faríngea por bacterias potencialmente patógenas en niños sanos de una escuela primaria / Nasopharyngeal colonization by potentially pathogenic bacteria found in healthy children from an elementary school

INTRODUCCIÓN: la nasofaringe humana es un reservorio natural de bacterias potencialmente patógenas, agentes etiológicos importantes de infecciones comunes que afectan a todas las edades, en particular a la población infantil. OBJETIVO: conocer la prevalencia de estos patógenos potenciales en niños sanos. MÉTODOS: tomando en cuenta las exigencias bioéticas establecidas para este tipo de estudio, en el año 2002 se realizó un estudio transversal descriptivo de portadores en 318 estudiantes de una escuela primaria de La Habana. A los escolares se les tomó un exudado de la faringe y los padres respondieron un cuestionario donde se indagó sobre factores de riesgo que influyen en el estado del portador (edad, sexo, hacinamiento, condición de fumador pasivo, antecedente de enfermedad respiratoria infecciosa o alérgica). La muestra se tomó en la escuela, se sembró directo en los medios de cultivo y las bacterias aisladas se identificaron por métodos convencionales y el sistema API NH. RESULTADOS: el porcentaje de portadores de bacterias potencialmente patógenas fue elevado (55 por ciento), prevalecieron: Staphylococcus aureus (33,6 por ciento), estreptococos b-hemolíticos (17,3 por ciento) y Streptococcus pneumoniae (11,6 por ciento). Dentro de los estreptococos b-hemolíticos predominó el grupo G (49 por ciento), seguidos del A y C con 18,2 por ciento de portadores en cada grupo. La edad fue un factor de riesgo significativo (p< 0,05), con porcentajes de portadores mßs elevados en los ni±os de 10 (60 por ciento), 11 (75,5 por ciento) y 12 a±os (77,3 por ciento). Existió resultado estadísticamente significativo entre los portadores de meningococo y el hacinamiento (p= 0,043). Predominó la asociación de S. aureus mßs estreptococos b-hemolíticos (27,9 por ciento), sobre todo en los ni±os alérgicos (p< 0,05). Neisseria lactamica se aisló en 29,6 por ciento e impidió la colonización por N. meningitidis (p= 0,0004). CONCLUSIONES: esta investigación...

INTRODUCTION: human nasopharynx is a natural reservoir of potentially pathogenic bacteria which are important etiological agents of common infections that affect all age groups, particularly the child population. OBJECTIVE: finding out the prevelance of these potential pathogens in healthy children. METHODS: Taking into account the bioethical requirement set for these kind of study in 2002, a descriptive cross-sectional study of carriers was performed on 318 pupils from an elementary school in Havana. Samples from their pharynx were taken for testing and their parents answered a questionnaire on the risk factors affecting the condition of the carrier (age, sex, crowding, passive smoking, history of infectious or allergic respiratory disease). The sample was taken at the school, then the smear was directly placed in the culture media and the isolated bacteria were identified by conventional methods and by the API NH system. RESULTS: the percentage of potentially pathogenic bacteria carriers was high (55 percent) in which Staphylococcus aureus (33.6 percent), hemolytic streptococci b (17.3 percent) y Streptococcus pneumoniae (11.6 percent). Among the hemolytic streptococci b, the group G (49 percent) predominated, followed by A and C with 18.2 percent of carriers in each group. Age was a significant risk factor (p< 0.05), being the highest percentages of carriers in children aged 10 (60 percent), 11 (75.5 percent) and 12 (77.3 percent) years. There was statistically significant relation between meningococcal carriers and crowding (p= 0.043). The association of S. aureus plus hemolytic streptococci b (27.9 percent) predominated, mainly in allergic children (p< 0.05). Neisseria lactamica was isolated in 29.6 percent and prevented the colonization by N. meningitidis (p= 0.0004). CONCLUSIONS: this research study made it possible to identify the patterns of nasopharyngeal colonization by potentially pathogenic bacteria in healthy...

STUDY ON HBsAg DETECTION IN FEACES OF INFECTED PERSONS WITH HBV INFECTION AND ITS INFECTIVITY / 西安交通大学学报(医学版)

HBV infection markers were oberved in the feaces of 25 newly-infected persons and 11 asymptomatic carriers, In all the 36 subjects, HBsAg was detected, with a detectable rate of 72.2%; according to the number of feaces samples, the positive rate of HBsAg was 35.2%(57/162). Of the samples of those who had HBsAg detected, the positive rate of HBeAg was 24.7%(23/93), and HBV-DNA was positive in 2 of 51 HBsAg positive samples. With immunoelectromicroscope round particles of larger clustering HBsAg were found in most of feaces samples; bacause of the use of ultracentrifugal method and monoclonal anti-HBs, their shape and size were the same as those found in HBsAg positive serum.

Clinical evaluation of lamivudine in treatment of patients with chronic hepatitis B and asymptomatic carriers / 中国临床药理学与治疗学

0.05 ), and the negative transforming rate of HBV DNA in treatment group was much higher than that in control group ( 82.0 % vs 0, P

Pesquisa de Vibrio cholerae O1 em amostras fecais da população urbana de Manacapuru, AM / Vibrio cholerae O1 in fecal samples from the urban population of Manacapuru, AM

O estudo foi realizado com o objetivo de identificar portadores assintomáticos do vibrião colérico em Manacapuru, AM, 1249 amostras fecais foram obtidas por swab retal e submetidas à análise bacteriológica. Vibrio cholerae O1 não foi detectado. Foram isolados e identificados: V. funissii em 12 (0,9%) amostras, V. fluvialis, em 4 (0,3%) e V. hollisae em 1 (0,1%).

The study was carried out to identify asymptomatic carriers of V. cholerae O1 in Manacapuru, AM. 1249 feces samples was obtained by rectal swab and cultivated. Had no growth of V. cholerae. On the other hand were isolated and identified: V. furnissii in 12 (0.9%) samples, V. fluvialis in 4 (0.3%) and V. hollisae in 1 (0.1%).

A Study on the Relationship between HBV Genotype and Outcome of Hepatitis B Virus Infection / 中国医师杂志

Objective To explore the relationship between hepatitis B virus (HBV) genotype and outcome of HBV infection. Methods PCR amplification of HBV small S gene in combination with a restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis was applied to identify HBV genotype in the serum samples of 80 asymptomatic HBV carriers (AsC group) and 120 liver cirrhosis patients with HBV infection (LC group) in Gangdong province of China. Results The frequency of HBV genotypes B, C and D in AsC group was 45% (37/80), 33.75%(26/80) and 21.25%(17/80)respectively, and that of HBV genotypes B, C and D in LC group was 32.5%(39/120), 65.8%(79/120) and 1.6%(2/120) respectively. There is no HBV genotypes A, E and F in this series. The distribution of HBV genotypes in the two groups was not significant correlation with the state of HBeAg. There was a significant difference in the distribution of HBV genotypes between the two groups (P