RESUMEN
Noroviruses (NoVs) are important human pathogens associated with acute viral gastroenteritis worldwide, displaying significant genetic heterogeneity. Genotype GII.4 is responsible for the majority of outbreaks reported to date. A total of 460 faecal samples from sporadic gastroenteritis cases were screened for the presence of NoV RNA. Four additional human samples collected during a waterborne NoV gastroenteritis outbreak observed in 2005 in northern Greece, were also included in the study. All PCR-positive samples were tested further using a multiplex RT-PCR, which targets the viral capsid VP1 region D. PCR products from all outbreak samples and from 20 randomly selected samples were sequenced. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that GII.4 genotype predominated (70%), while genotypes GII.2 (10%), GII.7 (15%), and GI.1 (5%) were also detected. All the outbreak NoV strains belonged to the GI.1 genotype. The present study provides a first insight into the epidemiology and genetic diversity of NoVs in Greece and shows that various strains are circulating in the country and cause sporadic cases or outbreaks.
Asunto(s)
Infecciones por Caliciviridae/epidemiología , Infecciones por Caliciviridae/virología , Gastroenteritis/epidemiología , Gastroenteritis/virología , Norovirus/clasificación , Norovirus/genética , Adolescente , Adulto , Anciano , Anciano de 80 o más Años , Niño , Preescolar , Análisis por Conglomerados , Heces/virología , Femenino , Genotipo , Grecia/epidemiología , Humanos , Lactante , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Epidemiología Molecular , Datos de Secuencia Molecular , Reacción en Cadena de la Polimerasa Multiplex , Norovirus/aislamiento & purificación , Filogenia , ARN Viral/genética , Reacción en Cadena de la Polimerasa de Transcriptasa Inversa , Análisis de Secuencia de ADN , Homología de Secuencia , Adulto JovenRESUMEN
Corynebacterium jeikeium, frequently encountered in clinical specimens, is part of the normal skin flora. Nevertheless, a few cases of C. jeikeium bacteremia followed by severe clinical manifestations have been reported. C. jeikeium has been reported to cause endocarditis, septicemia, meningitis, pneumonia and osteomyelitis, along with soft tissue and trauma infections. Herein we describe a case of C. jeikeium bacteremia in Greece. The isolation of a coryneform bacterium from a clinical specimen should not immediately be considered a superinfection by the skin flora. Clinical and laboratory investigations are essential in order to evaluate such cases before applying appropriate treatment. On the other hand, the association of coryneform bacteria and disease should be critically investigated, with a thorough identification of the strain, ideally beyond the classical methods, at a specialized center.
