The Journal of infectious diseases
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Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical Trial
Dynamics of human papillomavirus infection between biopsy and excision of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia: results from the ZYC101a protocol.
Little is known about the dynamics of human papillomavirus (HPV) during the follow-up of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) 2/3 after biopsy. ⋯ The type and number of HPVs at study entry, detection of additional viral types, and virus load changes during follow-up influence histologic outcome at study exit. An outcome of CIN1 at study exit is most likely due to additional HPV infections, rather than morphologic reversion of CIN2/3 to CIN1. Knowledge of the dynamics of HPV infection during the biopsy-to-excision period is critical to understanding the natural history of HPV infection, its contribution to disease outcome, and interpretations of drug efficacy.
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Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) is a novel infectious disease. No information is currently available on host-specific immunity against the SARS coronavirus (CoV), and detailed characteristics of the epidemiology of SARS CoV infection have not been identified. ⋯ Detection of antibody to SARS CoV is useful in the diagnosis of SARS; however, at the incubation and initial phases of the illness, serological assay is of little value, because of late seroconversion in most patients.
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Platelet-activating factor (PAF) is a phospholipid with proinflammatory properties that binds to a specific receptor (PAF receptor [PAFR]) that is expressed on many different cell types. PAFR is able to bind phosphorylcholine, which is present in both PAF and the pneumococcal cell wall. Activation of respiratory epithelial cells in vitro results in up-regulation of PAFR, which, in turn, facilitates invasion of Streptococcus pneumoniae. ⋯ PAFR(-/-) mice were relatively resistant to pneumococcal pneumonia, as indicated by delayed and reduced mortality, diminished outgrowth of pneumococci in lungs, and reduced dissemination of the infection (all P<.05, vs. wt mice). PAFR(-/-) mice also had less pulmonary inflammation. These data provide evidence that PAFR is used by S. pneumoniae to induce lethal pneumonia.
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Genetic factors may predispose critically ill patients to increased risk of developing sepsis. Mannose-binding lectin (MBL) is an important factor in innate immune defense. We investigated whether MBL gene polymorphisms causing low levels of MBL are associated with the development and progression of sepsis in adult patients in intensive care units. ⋯ The presence of MBL variant alleles was associated with the development of sepsis, severe sepsis, and septic shock. An increased risk of fatal outcome was observed in patients carrying variant alleles. These data show that MBL insufficiency plays an important role in the susceptibility of critically ill patients to the development and progression of sepsis and confers a substantial risk of fatal outcome.