The Journal of infectious diseases
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Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) is characterized by a risk of nosocomial transmission; however, the risk of airborne transmission of SARS is unknown. During the Toronto outbreaks of SARS, we investigated environmental contamination in SARS units, by employing novel air sampling and conventional surface swabbing. ⋯ In addition, several PCR-positive swab samples were recovered from frequently touched surfaces in rooms occupied by patients with SARS (a bed table and a television remote control) and in a nurses' station used by staff (a medication refrigerator door). These data provide the first experimental confirmation of viral aerosol generation by a patient with SARS, indicating the possibility of airborne droplet transmission, which emphasizes the need for adequate respiratory protection, as well as for strict surface hygiene practices.
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Blood concentrations of soluble urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor (suPAR) are increased in conditions with immune activation, and high concentrations of suPAR often predict a poor clinical outcome. This study explored the hypothesis that high plasma concentrations of suPAR are associated with disease severity in malaria. ⋯ If the plasma concentration of suPAR reflects the extent of parasite-induced immune activation, this may explain why a high concentration of suPAR is associated with a poor clinical outcome in patients with malaria.
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Sepsis is initiated by interactions between microbial products and host inflammatory cells. Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are central innate immune mediators of sepsis that recognize different components of microorganisms. Peptidoglycan-associated lipoprotein (PAL) is a ubiquitous gram-negative bacterial outer-membrane protein that is shed by bacteria into the circulation of septic animals. ⋯ PAL activates inflammation through TLR2. PAL and LPS synergistically activate macrophages. These data suggest that PAL may play an important role in the pathogenesis of sepsis and imply that physiologically relevant PAL and LPS are shed into serum and act in concert to initiate inflammation in sepsis.