Microbes and infection
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Microbes and infection · Jun 2006
ReviewGenes and mutations conferring antimicrobial resistance in Salmonella: an update.
Resistance to various classes of antimicrobial agents has been encountered in many bacteria of medical and veterinary relevance. Particular attention has been paid to zoonotic bacteria such as Salmonella. Over the years, various studies have reported the presence of genes and mutations conferring resistance to antimicrobial agents in Salmonella isolates. This review is intended to provide an update on what is currently known about the genetic basis of antimicrobial resistance in Salmonella.
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Microbes and infection · May 2006
Effect of porcine respiratory coronavirus infection on lipopolysaccharide recognition proteins and haptoglobin levels in the lungs.
Porcine respiratory coronavirus (PRCV) potentiates respiratory disease and proinflammatory cytokine production in the lungs upon intratracheal inoculation with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) at 1 day of infection. This study aimed to quantify LPS-binding protein (LBP), CD14 and haptoglobin in the lungs throughout a PRCV infection. LBP and CD14 recognize LPS and enhance its endotoxic activity, whereas haptoglobin dampens it. ⋯ Haptoglobin levels increased significantly (x4.5) at 7DPI. In addition, we found that PRCV could sensitize the lungs to LPS throughout the infection, but the response to LPS appeared less enhanced at the end of infection (7DPI). The marked increases in LBP, CD14 and haptoglobin were not correlated with the extent of the LPS response.
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The systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) is the body's response to an infectious or noninfectious insult. Although the definition of SIRS refers to it as an "inflammatory" response, it actually has pro- and anti-inflammatory components. This review outlines the pathophysiology of SIRS and highlights potential targets for future therapeutic intervention in patients with this complex entity.
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Microbes and infection · Mar 2006
An evaluation of the actual incidence of tuberculosis in French Guiana using a capture-recapture model.
In order to estimate the level of under-reporting and to improve estimates of the incidence of tuberculosis (TB) in the vicinity of Cayenne, French Guiana, we performed capture-recapture analysis from 1996 through 2003. We cross-linked data from the Institut Pasteur, the Département d'Information Médicale of Cayenne Hospital, and the Service de Lutte Anti-Tuberculeuse. ⋯ The evaluated sensitivity of the compulsory notification system was 35.3%, indicating wide under-notification of TB in the vicinity of Cayenne. The estimated coverage reported by the three sources was fairly accurate (i.e. 85.9%), but not sufficient to evaluate the risk of transmission of TB in the Ile-de-Cayenne (Cayenne and its suburbs).
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Microbes and infection · Jan 2006
Helicobacter pylori and Schistosoma japonicum co-infection in a Chinese population: helminth infection alters humoral responses to H. pylori and serum pepsinogen I/II ratio.
The effects of helminth infection on humoral IgG responses and clinical outcome of gastric Helicobacter pylori infection are unknown. IgG and IgG subclass responses to H. pylori and serum pepsinogen I/II ratio, a marker of gastric atrophy, were investigated in a Schistosoma japonicum prevalent Chinese population. H. pylori, CagA and IgG subclass responses were assayed by ELISA. ⋯ In H. pylori positives, a significantly higher (P<0.05) pepsinogen I/II ratio was observed in co-infected subjects. The difference between S. japonicum positive and negative subjects was only evident in H. pylori CagA seronegative subjects. In conclusion, S. japonicum co-infection with H. pylori is associated with alterations in IgG responses to H. pylori and less gastric atrophy.