International journal of infectious diseases : IJID : official publication of the International Society for Infectious Diseases
-
Enterovirus 71 (EV71), a member of the Enterovirus genus of the Picornaviridae family, is one of the causative pathogens of hand-foot-and-mouth disease (HFMD) and the most common etiological agent isolated from HFMD patients complicated with neurological disorders. EV71 has become an increasingly important neurotropic enterovirus in the post-poliomyelitis eradication era. Effective antiviral agents and vaccines against this virus are currently still under development. We reviewed publications on the development of EV71 vaccines in order to provide an overview of the field. ⋯ The conservation of the three-dimensional structure is important for the EV71 inactivated vaccine and VLP vaccine to induce a strong immune response. To develop EV71 vaccines with a high protection efficacy, strategies such as the use of adjuvant, strong promoters, tissue-specific promoters, and addition of mucosal immune adjuvant should be considered.
-
Int. J. Infect. Dis. · Sep 2010
Circulating concentrations of α- and β-chemokines in neonatal sepsis.
Despite advances in neonatal care, sepsis remains a threat, in particular for premature neonates, due to immature immunologic defense. Deficient chemotaxis, an essential process in the host response to pathogens, may contribute to this vulnerability. In this study we investigated chemokine expression in septic premature and term neonates. ⋯ Our findings suggest up-regulation of GRO-α and down-regulation of RANTES at the onset of a septic episode, similar to the response pattern observed in septic adults. Both term and preterm neonates appear to have the potential to elicit a chemotactic response to infection.
-
Int. J. Infect. Dis. · Sep 2010
Case ReportsA newly identified Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus strain in Turkey.
Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) is a fatal viral disease that occurs in approximately 30 countries. It has the most extensive geographic range among the tick-borne viruses that affect human health. Recently, a 6-year-old boy presented with complaints of fever, fatigue, and loss of appetite. ⋯ Anti-CCHF virus IgM ELISA and a reverse transcriptase-PCR assay for CCHF RNA were both positive. Phylogenetic studies revealed that the virus was a new AP92-like CCHF strain, which was named KMAG-Hu-07-01 (accession number EU057975). This patient could provide important information on the transmission dynamics of CCHF infection.
-
Int. J. Infect. Dis. · Sep 2010
Review Case ReportsAcute acalculous cholecystitis complicating an imported case of mixed malaria caused by Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax.
A 40-year-old man was admitted with a 6-day history of fever and abdominal pain. His right upper quadrant was tender on palpation. ⋯ Abdominal ultrasound findings were consistent with acute acalculous cholecystitis. He was treated successfully with quinine and doxycycline and discharged in good clinical condition.
-
Int. J. Infect. Dis. · Sep 2010
Case ReportsFatal outcome of a disseminated dual infection with drug-resistant Mycoplasma hominis and Ureaplasma parvum originating from a septic arthritis in an immunocompromised patient.
Mycoplasma hominis and Ureaplasma parvum are rare causes of severe and fatal infections. The diagnosis of infection with mycoplasma is dependent on clinical suspicion and microbiological diagnosis, and often relies on molecular methods that do not readily detect antibiotic resistance. This may be of increasing importance as illustrated in the case below.