The Journal of infectious diseases
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Editorial Comment
How does Mycobacterium tuberculosis establish infection?
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Enterovirus 71 (EV71) causes large outbreaks of hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD), with severe neurological complications and cardio-respiratory compromise, but the pathogenesis is poorly understood. ⋯ Given that IL-1β has a negative inotropic action on the heart, and that both its natural antagonist, IL-1Ra, and G-CSF are being assessed as treatments for acute cardiac impairment, the findings suggest we have identified functional markers of EV71-related cardiac dysfunction and potential treatment options.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Immunogenicity and safety of varying dosages of a monovalent 2009 H1N1 influenza vaccine given with and without AS03 adjuvant system in healthy adults and older persons.
Adjuvanted vaccines have the potential to improve influenza pandemic response. AS03 adjuvant has been shown to enhance the immune response to inactivated influenza vaccines. ⋯ AS03 adjuvant system improves the immune response to inactivated 2009 H1N1 influenza vaccine in both younger and older adults and is generally well tolerated. ClinicalTrials.gov NCT00963157.
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Sepsis is characterized by a dysregulated inflammatory response followed by immunosuppression that favors the development of secondary infections. Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are major regulators of the host's response to infections. How variability in TLR signaling may impact the development of sepsis-induced immune dysfunction has not been established. We sought to establish the role of TLR2, TLR4, and TLR5 in postseptic mice with Pseudomonas aeruginosa pneumonia. ⋯ In a model of secondary P. aeruginosa pneumonia in postseptic mice, TLR2 deficiency improves survival by promoting efficient bacterial clearance and restoring a proinflammatory cytokine balance in the lung.
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Staphylococcus aureus has numerous virulence factors, including exotoxins that may increase the severity of infection. This study was aimed at assessing whether preexisting antibodies to S. aureus toxins are associated with a lower risk of sepsis in adults with S. aureus infection complicated by bacteremia. ⋯ Our results suggest that higher antibody levels against Hla, Hld, PVL, SEC-1, and PSM-α3 may protect against sepsis in patients with invasive S. aureus infections.