bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
DETECTION OF TOXOPLASMA GONDII DNA AND SPECIFIC ANTIBODIES IN HIGH-RISK PREGNANT WOMEN
Authors: NIMRI LAILA , PELLOUX HERVÉ , ELKHATIB LAYLA
Published: September 2018

Primary maternal infection with toxoplasmosis during pregnancy is frequently associated with transplacental transmission to the fetus. This study was conducted to test the utility of a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay to detect recent infections with Toxoplasma in pregnant women. One hundred forty-eight women with high-risk pregnancies who had abnormal pregnancy outcomes (cases) and 100 with normal pregnancies (controls) were tested for the presence of Toxoplasma DNA in their blood by a nested PCR and specific antibodies to Toxoplasma by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The IgG results of the cases differed significantly from those of the controls (54% and 12%, respectively; P < 0.02). Four (2.7%) of the cases were IgM positive, but none of the controls were positive. Detection of Toxoplasma DNA in 20 (8.1%) of the IgG-positive cases suggests a recent infection. The risk factors associated with the infection were eating raw meat and contact with soil. The diagnostic serology of recent infection in early pregnancy could be confirmed by a positive Toxoplasma-specific PCR result in blood samples collected in the first half of pregnancy, even in the presence of serologic results difficult to interpret due to the lack of sequential follow-up during pregnancy.
CLONING AND CHARACTERIZATION OF A NEW CYSTEINE PROTEINASE SECRETED BY PARAGONIMUS WESTERMANI ADULT WORMS
Authors: YANG SEE HOON , PARK JUNG-OK , LEE JOHN HWA , JEON BYUNG HUN , KIM WON SIN , KIM SUK-IL , YUN KI-JUNG , JEONG EUN TAIK , LEE KIL-WHOAN , KIM YONG MAN , LEE MI HYANG , PARK HYUN
Published: September 2018

The cysteine proteinases of Paragonimus westermani are known to play important roles in invasion and pathogenesis to hosts and in immune modulation and nutrient uptake. In this study, we have cloned a new cysteine proteinase of P. westermani, PwCP2, from adult worms and tested its diagnostic usefulness. The PwCP2 gene had an open reading frame of 816 base pairs and a conserved catalytic triad of cysteine, histidine, and asparagine residues. The mature form of recombinant PwCP2 (rPwCP2) lacking a proregion was overexpressed in Escherichia coli and used to produce antiserum. Western blot and immunohistochemical analyses using this antiserum showed that PwCP2 was expressed as a mature form, 24-kD product in a crude extract and in the excretory-secretory product of P. westermani, and was localized mainly in the intestinal epithelium of the adult worm. Western blot analysis using the rPwCP2 showed not only high sensitivity (90%) and specificity (100%) to sera from patients with paragonimiasis westermani, but also no cross-reactivity with sera from patients with clonorchiasis, sparganosis, or cysticercosis. Furthermore, an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay using rPwCP2 exhibited a sensitivity of 93% and a specificity of 93% with sera of rats infected with P. westermani metacercariae. These results suggest that the excretory-secretory PwCP2 can be used for the diagnosis of paragonimiasis.
THE ROLE OF MATHEMATICAL MODELING IN EVIDENCE-BASED MALARIA CONTROL
Authors: McKENZIE F. ELLIS , SAMBA EBRAHIM M.
Published: September 2018

Mathematical models have long provided basic insights for malaria control. The recent success of the Onchocerciasis Control Program in west Africa shows that models can make great pragmatic contributions to intervention programs if the modeling is integrated into the overall program, and if the participants are clear about what models can and cannot do. This lesson can be applied to evidence-based malaria control.
DIAGNOSIS OF URINARY SCHISTOSOMIASIS: A NOVEL APPROACH TO COMPARE BLADDER PATHOLOGY MEASURED BY ULTRASOUND AND THREE METHODS FOR HEMATURIA DETECTION
Authors: VAN DER WERF MARIEKE J. , DE VLAS SAKE J.
Published: September 2018

We aggregated published data from field studies documenting prevalence of Schistosoma haematobium infection and bladder pathology determined by ultrasonography or hematuria detected by reagent strip, questionnaire, or visual examination. A mathematical expression was used to describe the associations between prevalence of pathology/morbidity and infection. This allows for indirect comparison of these methods, which are rarely used simultaneously. All four methods showed a similar, marked association with infection. Surprisingly, ultrasound revealed higher prevalences of pathology in schools than in communities with the same prevalence of infection, implying a need for age-related cut-off values. Reagent strip testing yielded a higher prevalence than questionnaire, which in turn was higher than by visual examination. After correction for morbidity due to other causes, a consistent ratio in prevalence of hematuria of 3:2:1 resulted for the three respective methods. The simple questionnaire approach is not markedly inferior to the other techniques, making it the best option for field use.
SCHISTOSOMA JAPONICUM AND OCCULT BLOOD LOSS IN ENDEMIC VILLAGES IN LEYTE, THE PHILIPPINES
Authors: KANZARIA HEMAL K. , ACOSTA LUZ P. , LANGDON GRETCHEN C. , MANALO DARIA L. , OLVEDA REMIGIO M. , McGARVEY STEPHEN T. , KURTIS JONATHAN D. , FRIEDMAN JENNIFER F.
Published: September 2018

Schistosoma japonicum has been related to anemia, but the mechanisms mediating this relationship remain unresolved. The primary objective of this study was to assess the role of occult blood loss in mediating S. japonicum-associated anemia after adjusting for age, sex, socioeconomic status (SES), and other helminth infections. The secondary objective was to identify intensity categories of risk for occult blood loss for Trichuris and hookworm after adjustment for the presence of other helminth infections. The role of occult blood loss in mediating S. japonicum-associated anemia was studied cross-sectionally in 729 individuals 8–30 years old in Leyte, The Philippines. Three stool specimens were examined in duplicate for helminth eggs. Hemoglobin, fecal occult blood loss, and anemia were measured and related to the presence and intensity of helminths. Multivariate models were made to adjust for confounding by other helminths and SES. In multivariate models, hemoglobin significantly decreased with increasing infection intensity of S. japonicum, hookworm, and T. trichuria (P < 0.0031, P < 0.0001, and P < 0.0001, respectively). Individuals with higher intensities S. japonicum and T. trichuria were significantly more likely to be fecal occult positive (odds ratio [OR] = 3.54; P = 0.008 and OR = 2.68; P = 0.013, respectively), although this was not true for individuals with hookworm. Additionally, individuals with higher intensities of S. japonicum, hookworm, and T. trichuria were all more likely to be anemic (OR = 3.7, P = 0.0002; OR = 5.3, P = 0.0003; and OR = 1.6, P = 0.021, respectively). It is likely that occult blood loss plays a role only at heavier intensity S. japonicum infections and some other mechanism, such as anemia of inflammation, may be contributing to anemia.
MOLECULAR EPIDEMIOLOGY OF PLASMODIUM FALCIPARUM RESISTANCE TO ANTIMALARIAL DRUGS IN INDONESIA
Authors: SYAFRUDDIN DIN , ASIH PUJI B. S. , CASEY GERARD J. , MAGUIRE JASON , BAIRD J. KEVIN , NAGESHA HADYA S. , COWMAN ALAN F. , REEDER JOHN C.
Published: September 2018

The extent of gene polymorphisms associated with resistance to chloroquine and sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine was examined in field isolates of Plasmodium falciparum from Indonesia. Eight malaria-endemic areas, representing a broad region of the western and eastern Indonesian Archipelago were surveyed. Blood from 20–50 patients was collected at each site, DNA was isolated, and the sequences of four different genes (dihydrofolate reductase [dhfr], dihydropteroate synthase [dhps], P. falciparum multidrug resistance 1 [pfmdr1], and P. falciparum chloroquine resistance transporter [pfcrt]) were analyzed using polymerase chain reaction and restriction fragment length polymorphisms to detect polymorphisms previously shown to be associated with resistance. This analysis identified polymorphisms in dhfr at 108-Asn/Thr, 16-Val, and 59-Arg. Polymorphisms in dhps were found less frequently, either 437-Gly alone or paired with 540-Glu. The pfcrt 76-Thr polymorphism was fixed in all parasite populations and pfmdr1 86-Tyr polymorphisms in all populations except in the most eastern regions. The pfmdr1 1042-Asp polymorphism occurred less frequently. These findings indicate that polymorphisms in genes associated with drug resistance in P. falciparum are found across a broad region of Indonesia.
ANALYSIS OF THE GENETIC DIVERSITY OF THE PLASMODIUM FALCIPARUM MULTIDRUG RESISTANCE GENE 5′ UPSTREAM REGION
Authors: MYRICK ALISSA , SARR OUSMANE , DIENG THERESE , NDIR OMAR , MBOUP SOULEYMANE , WIRTH DYANN F.
Published: September 2018

Recent findings indicating a low level of polymorphism in the Plasmodium falciparum genome have led to the hypothesis that existent polymorphisms are likely to have functional significance. We tested this hypothesis by developing a map of the polymorphism in the P. falciparum multidrug resistance 1 (pfmdr1) gene 5′ upstream region and assaying its correlation with drug resistance in a sample of field isolates from Dakar, Senegal. A comparison of six geographically diverse laboratory strains showed that the 1.94-kb 5′-untranslated region is highly monomorphic, with a total of four unique single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) being identified. All of the mutations were localized to a 462-basepair region proximal to the transcription start point. Analysis of this region in field isolates shows the prevalence of one SNP throughout the entire population of parasites, irrespective of drug resistance status. The SNP frequency of the pfmdr1 upstream region is lower than that found in the noncoding region of other genes.
DISPERSAL OF THE DENGUE VECTOR AEDES AEGYPTI WITHIN AND BETWEEN RURAL COMMUNITIES
Authors: HARRINGTON LAURA C. , SCOTT THOMAS W. , LERDTHUSNEE KRIANGKRAI , COLEMAN RUSSELL C. , COSTERO ADRIANA , CLARK GARY G. , JONES JAMES J. , KITTHAWEE SANGVORN , KITTAYAPONG PATTAMAPORN , SITHIPRASASNA RATANA , EDMAN JOHN D.
Published: September 2018

Knowledge of mosquito dispersal is critical for vector-borne disease control and prevention strategies and for understanding population structure and pathogen dissemination. We determined Aedes aegypti flight range and dispersal patterns from 21 mark-release-recapture experiments conducted over 11 years (1991–2002) in Puerto Rico and Thailand. Dispersal was compared by release location, sex, age, season, and village. For all experiments, the majority of mosquitoes were collected from their release house or adjacent house. Inter-village movement was detected rarely, with a few mosquitoes moving a maximum of 512 meters from one Thai village to the next. Average dispersal distances were similar for males and females and females released indoors versus outdoors. The movement of Ae. aegypti was not influenced by season or age, but differed by village. Results demonstrate that adult Ae. aegypti disperse relatively short distances, suggesting that people rather than mosquitoes are the primary mode of dengue virus dissemination within and among communities.
ASSOCIATION OF PLASMODIUM FALCIPARUM ISOLATES ENCODING THE P. FALCIPARUM CHLOROQUINE RESISTANCE TRANSPORTER GENE K76T POLYMORPHISM WITH ANEMIA AND SPLENOMEGALY, BUT NOT WITH MULTIPLE INFECTIONS
Authors: ABDEL-AZIZ INAS Z. , OSTER NADJA , STICH AUGUST , COULIBALY BOUBACAR , GUIGEMDÉ WENDYAM A. , WICKERT HANNES , ANDREWS KATHY T. , KOUYATÉ BOCAR , LANZER MICHAEL
Published: September 2018

The aim of the study was to assess whether infections with Plasmodium falciparum isolates encoding the P. falciparum chloroquine resistance transporter (pfcrt) gene K76T polymorphism, a molecular marker for chloroquine resistance, are associated with multiple infections, age, or clinical signs of malaria in a semi-immune population in a holoendemic area of Burkina Faso. The parameters of interest were investigated in 210 P. falciparum-positive inhabitants. Logistic regression analysis showed that pfcrt K76T-carrying isolates are significantly more likely to cause anemia and splenomegaly. Furthermore, we found that infections with P. falciparum isolates encoding pfcrt K76T are dependent on age rather than multiple infections. Our findings suggest that pfcrt K76T might serve as a valuable marker for assessing the long-term clinical effect of chronic infections with chloroquine-resistant P. falciparum isolates in populations, without the need of drug efficacy trials.
BLOOD FOLATE CONCENTRATIONS AND IN VIVO SULFADOXINE-PYRIMETHAMINE FAILURE IN MALAWIAN CHILDREN WITH UNCOMPLICATED PLASMODIUM FALCIPARUM MALARIA
Authors: DZINJALAMALA FRACTION K. , MACHESO ALLAN , KUBLIN JAMES G. , TAYLOR TERRIE E. , BARNES KAREN I. , MOLYNEUX MALCOM E. , PLOWE CHRISTOPHER V. , SMITH PETER J.
Published: September 2018

Folate antagonizes the antimalarial action of sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine (SP) in vitro, but its role in vivo is not well understood. We measured blood folate concentrations and SP therapeutic outcomes in Malawian children. Children with late treatment failure and those with adequate clinical and parasitologic responses had similar demographic characteristics, prevalence of parasite mutations conferring resistance to SP, and blood concentrations of anti-malarial drugs following treatment. However, a higher folate concentration was associated with late treatment failure. Patients from a low malaria transmission site had higher blood folate concentrations than those in a higher transmission site (mean ± SEM = 39 ± 9.3 ng/mL versus 29 ± 10 ng/mL; P < 0.0001), and there was a higher rate of late treatment failure in the low transmission area (54.4% versus 40.2%; P = 0.010). This study also provides the first evidence of the independent role of physiologic folate concentrations in in vivo SP therapeutic efficacy, and the critical role of pyrimethamine concentrations in the therapeutic efficacy of SP when one controls physiologic folate levels and the frequency of critical dihydrofolate reductase/dihydropteroate synthase mutations.
SHORT REPORT: ECHINOCOCCUS MULTILOCULARIS CONFIRMED ON KUNASHIRI ISLAND, 15 KILOMETERS FROM THE EASTERN PART OF HOKKAIDO, JAPAN
Authors: SATOH MASAO , NAKAYA KAZUHIRO , NAKAO MINORU , XIAO NING , YAMASAKI HIROSHI , SAKO YASUHITO , NAITOH YUKAKO , KONDO SEIJI , KOBAYASHI MARI , OHTAISHI NORIYUKI , ITO AKIRA
Published: September 2018

There are two foci of alveolar echinococcosis (AE) caused by Echinococcus multilocularis in Japan. The first focus is on Rebun Island where AE patients were found from 1937, and the second is in eastern Hokkaido where patients have been found since the 1960s. The origin of the second focus is unknown. To further investigate AE in eastern Hokkaido, wild rodents (Muridae) were captured and examined for infection on Kunashiri Island, which is located 15 km off the northeastern coast of Hokkaido. Metacestodes of E. multilocularis were isolated from two of 31 voles, all of which were identified to be Clethrionomys rufocanus. Mitochondrial DNA sequencing data of recovered cestodes showed total identity with the cestode reported from Hokkaido. These results suggest that E. multilocularis may have been introduced to Hokkaido from Kunashiri Island during or after 1965.
THE EVOLVING GLOBAL EPIDEMIOLOGY, SYNDROMIC CLASSIFICATION, MANAGEMENT, AND PREVENTION OF CATERPILLAR ENVENOMING
Authors: DIAZ JAMES H.
Published: September 2018

Caterpillars are the wormlike, larval forms of butterflies and moths of the insect order Lepidoptera. Next to flies, lepidopterans are the most abundant arthropods with more than 165,000 species worldwide, and with most species posing no human threats. However, caterpillar species from approximately 12 families of moths or butterflies worldwide can inflict serious human injuries ranging from urticarial dermatitis and atopic asthma to osteochondritis, consumption coagulopathy, renal failure, and intracerebral hemorrhage. Unlike bees and wasps, envenoming or stinging caterpillars do not possess stingers or modified ovipositors attached to venom glands, but instead bear highly specialized external nettling or urticating hairs and breakaway spines or setae to defend against attacks by predators and enemies. Since the 1970s, there have been increasing reports of mass dermatolgic, pulmonary, and systemic reactions following caterpillar encounters throughout the world.
ASSOCIATION BETWEEN SEX, NUTRITIONAL STATUS, SEVERITY OF DENGUE HEMORRHAGIC FEVER, AND IMMUNE STATUS IN INFANTS WITH DENGUE HEMORRHAGIC FEVER
Authors: HUNG NGUYEN THANH , LAN NGUYEN TRONG , LEI HUAN-YAO , LIN YEE-SHIN , LIEN LE BICH , HUANG KAO-JEAN , LIN CHIOU-FENG , HA DO QUANG , HUONG VU THI QUE , MY LAM THI , YEH TRAI-MING , HUANG JYH-HSIUNG , LIU CHING-CHUAN , HALSTEAD SCOTT B.
Published: September 2018

The association between sex, nutritional status, and the severity of dengue hemorrhagic fever/dengue shock syndrome (DHF/DSS), and immune status was investigated in 245 Vietnamese infants with predominantly primary infections with dengue virus. Male and female infants were at equal risk of developing DHF/DSS. However, infants of low height and weight for age were under-represented among DHF/DSS cases compared with 533 healthy baby clinic infant controls. Acute illness phase blood levels of selected cytokines (interferon-γ and tumor necrosis factor-α) and serum levels of antibodies to dengue virus were elevated in the same range in male and female infants with DHF/DSS, as well as in infants with and without malnutrition.
EFFECT OF IRRIGATION AND LARGE DAMS ON THE BURDEN OF MALARIA ON A GLOBAL AND REGIONAL SCALE
Authors: KEISER JENNIFER , DE CASTRO MARCIA CALDAS , MALTESE MICHAEL F. , BOS ROBERT , TANNER MARCEL , SINGER BURTON H. , UTZINGER JÜRG
Published: September 2018

Human-made ecologic transformations have occurred at an unprecedented rate over the past 50 years. Prominent among them are water resource development projects. An estimated 40,000 large dams and 800,000 small dams have been built, and 272 million hectares of land are currently under irrigation worldwide. The establishment and operation of water projects has had a history of facilitating a change in the frequency and transmission dynamics of malaria, but analyses of these environmental risk factors are sparse. Here, we present a comprehensive review of studies that assessed the impact of irrigation and dam building on malaria prevalence or incidence, stratified by the World Health Organization’s (WHO) sub-regions of the world, and link these studies with the latest statistics on disability adjusted life years, irrigated agriculture, and large dams. We also present estimates of the population at risk due to proximity to irrigation schemes and large dam reservoirs. In WHO sub-regions 1 and 2, which have 87.9% of the current global malaria burden, only 9.4 million people are estimated to live near large dams and irrigation schemes. In contrast, the remaining sub-regions concentrate an estimated 15.3 million people near large dams and up to 845 million near irrigation sites, while here only 12.1% of the global malaria burden is concentrated. Whether an individual water project triggers an increase in malaria transmission depends on the contextual determinants of malaria, including the epidemiologic setting, socioeconomic factors, vector management, and health seeking behavior. We conclude that in unstable malaria endemic areas, integrated malaria control measures, coupled with sound water management, are mandatory to mitigate the current burden of malaria in locations near irrigation or dam sites.
PREVENTION OF LEPROSY USING RIFAMPICIN AS CHEMOPROPHYLAXIS
Authors: BAKKER MIRJAM I. , HATTA MOCHAMMAD , KWENANG AGNES , VAN BENTHEM BIRGIT H. B. , VAN BEERS STELLA M. , KLATSER PAUL R. , OSKAM LINDA
Published: September 2018

An intervention study was implemented on five Indonesian islands highly endemic for leprosy to determine whether rifampicin can be used as chemoprophylaxis to prevent leprosy. The population was actively screened before the intervention and subsequently once a year for three years. In the control group, no chemoprophylaxis was given. In the contact group, chemoprophylaxis was only given to contacts of leprosy patients and in the blanket group to all eligible persons. The cohort consisted of 3,965 persons. The yearly incidence rate in the control group was 39/10,000; the cumulative incidence after three years was significantly lower in the blanket group (P = 0.031). No difference was found between the contact and the control groups (P = 0.93). Whether this apparent reduced leprosy incidence in the first three years in the blanket group is due to a delayed development of leprosy or a complete clearance of infection needs to be determined.
RELIABILITY AND VALIDITY OF THE BURULI ULCER FUNCTIONAL LIMITATION SCORE QUESTIONNAIRE
Authors: STIENSTRA YMKJE , DIJKSTRA PIETER U. , VAN WEZEL MARIEKE J. , VAN ROEST MARGIJSKE H. G. , BEETS MICHIEL , ZIJLSTRA IJSBRAND , JOHNSON R. CHRISTIAN , AMPADU EDWIN O. , GBOVI JULES , ZINSOU CLAUDE , ETUAFUL SAMUEL , KLUTSE ERASMUS Y. , VAN DER GRAAF WINETTE T. A. , VAN DER WERF TJIP S.
Published: September 2018

The reliability and validity of the earlier developed Buruli ulcer functional limitation score (BUFLS) questionnaire was assessed. Of 638 former Buruli ulcer patients (of 678 individuals examined), sufficient items on daily activities (≥ 13 of the 19) were applicable to calculate a score. To determine the validity, the functional limitation scores of the 638 individuals were compared with the global impression of the limitations, range of motion (ROM), and the social impact (change of occupation or education) of Buruli ulcer. To determine inter-observer reliability, the functional limitation score was reassessed in 107 participants within one and three weeks after the first interview by another interviewer and interpreter. Both global impression and ROM correlated well with the functional limitation scores (ρ = 0.66 and ρ = 0.61). The inter-observer reliability of 107 participants as measured by an intra-class correlation coefficient of 0.86 was very good. The functional limitation scores measured in the second assessment were significantly higher than in the first assessment. This should be taken into account when the functional limitation score is used for the individual patient. The BUFLS can be used as for between group comparisons of endpoints in clinical trials and in the planning of resources.
ACTIVATION OF CYTOTOXIC LYMPHOCYTES IN PATIENTS WITH SCRUB TYPHUS
Authors: DE FOST MAAIKE , CHIERAKUL WIRONGRONG , PIMDA KRIANGSAK , DONDORP ARJEN M. , WHITE NICHOLAS J. , VAN DER POLL TOM
Published: September 2018

Thai patients with scrub typhus caused by the intracellular pathogen Orientia tsutsugamushi displayed elevated plasma concentrations of granzymes A and B, interferon-γ (IFN)-γ–inducible protein 10, and monokine induced by IFN-γ. These data suggest that activation of cytotoxic lymphocytes is part of the early host response to scrub typhus.
SEASONAL EFFECTS IN THE ELIMINATION OF TRACHOMA
Authors: LEE DAVID C. , CHIDAMBARAM JAYA D. , PORCO TRAVIS C. , LIETMAN THOMAS M.
Published: September 2018

The World Health Organization currently recommends annual mass antibiotic treatment to eliminate the ocular chlamydia that cause blinding trachoma. Active trachoma is believed to be seasonal in many areas of the world, and the optimal season in which to treat has not as yet been established. Here we use mathematical models of disease transmission to demonstrate that ideally, treatment should be administered before the low season to have the greatest chance of locally eliminating infection.
HIGH PREVALENCE OF BARTONELLA QUINTANA ENDOCARDITIS IN SFAX, TUNISIA
Authors: ZNAZEN ABIR , ROLAIN JEAN-MARC , HAMMAMI NADER , KAMMOUN SAMIR , HAMMAMI ADNANE , RAOULT DIDIER
Published: September 2018

Bartonella quintana is a fastidious microorganism associated with blood culture negative endocarditis. In this study, 40 sera with cross-reactivity between Chlamydia species from patients from Sfax, Tunisia, were serologically tested for Bartonella. Thirteen sera were positive for Bartonella with IgG titers ≥1:800. Western blot and cross-absorption confirmed the diagnosis of Bartonella quintana endocarditis in 12 cases and Bartonella henselae endocarditis in 1 case. These sera were also positive by LightCycler nested PCR amplification for the rnpb (7 of 13) and fur (11of 13) genes. Eleven patients had a definite diagnosis of endocarditis, which represents 9.8% of all endocarditis. Because Bartonella endocarditis seems to be very common in Tunisia, we suggest that its serology be performed systematically whenever endocarditis is suspected.
HUMAN BRAIN ABSCESS DUE TO A TETRA-ACETABULATE PLEROCERCOID METACESTODE (CYCLOPHYLLIDEA)
Authors: GARIN YVES J. F. , GALÁN-PUCHADES MARIA-TERESA , MOULIGNIER ANTOINE , ROBERT GILLES , HÉRAN FRANÇOISE , POLIVKA MARC , OLSON PETE D. , LORENZO FRÉDÉRIC , DEROUIN FRANCIS , CONN DAVID BRUCE
Published: September 2018

A 38-year-old man living near Phnom Penh (Cambodia) was admitted to a hospital in Paris in June 2001 for a single episode of a generalized grand mal seizure. This episode was preceded by a 9-month history of headaches. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the head revealed a rounded lesion immediately ahead of the left central sulcus. The resected lesion was about 20 mm in diameter. Histologic examination revealed an elongated but unsegmented metacestode at the center of the lesion. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis was inconclusive due to formalin-based histologic processing of the tissue. Morphologic analysis based on the histologic sections revealed that the metacestode was a tetra-acetabulate plerocercoid of the order Cyclophyllidea, with a distinct rostellum and pseudosegmentation of the dorsoventrally flattened hindbody. This is the first report of a tetra-acetabulate plerocercoid from a human host and the first report of any cyclophyllidean plerocercoid from the human brain. After 6 weeks, the patient was asymptomatic, neurologic examination was normal, and the brain MRI showed only surgical cavitation. The patient returned to Cambodia.
IMPACT OF PARASITIC INFECTIONS AND DIETARY INTAKE ON CHILD GROWTH IN THE SCHISTOSOMIASIS-ENDEMIC DONGTING LAKE REGION, CHINA
Authors: ZHOU HUAN , OHTSUKA RYUTARO , HE YONGKANG , YUAN LIPING , YAMAUCHI TARO , SLEIGH ADRIAN C.
Published: September 2018

The simultaneous impacts of parasitic infections and dietary intake on growth patterns were investigated for 427 children aged 10–13 years in the schistosomiasis-endemic Dongting Lake region of China. Height, weight, mid-upper arm circumference, and skinfold thicknesses (triceps, biceps, and subscapular) were measured, and eggs of Schistosoma japonicum, Ascaris lumbricoides, Trichuris trichiura, and Fasciolopsis buski in the collected stool samples of each subject were detected by Kato-Katz thick smear technique. Long-term dietary intake of each subject was assessed with a semiquantitative food frequency questionnaire. The results demonstrate that the study children were retarded in growth compared with the standards of Chinese rural children; among them, the girls were more frequently infected for S. japonicum and had lower intakes of protein and energy. Reduced height, weight, and mid-upper arm circumference were noted in children infected with S. japonicum, most severely in the girls with the least energy and protein intakes. Multiple stepwise regression analysis indicated that growth retardation was significantly and substantially associated with S. japonicum infection and lack of protein-energy intakes. For child health programs, regular schistosomiasis screening and treatment in schoolchildren needs to be complemented by health and nutrition education for both children and parents. Also, special attention should be paid to educating parents about the needs of girls.
EPIDEMIOLOGY OF DENGUE AND DENGUE HEMORRHAGIC FEVER IN A COHORT OF ADULTS LIVING IN BANDUNG, WEST JAVA, INDONESIA
Authors: PORTER KEVIN R. , BECKETT CHARMAGNE G. , KOSASIH HERMAN , TAN RATNA IRSIANA , ALISJAHBANA BACHTI , RUDIMAN PANDJI IRANI FIANZA , WIDJAJA SUSANA , LISTIYANINGSIH ERLIN , MA’ROEF CHAIRIN NISA , MCARDLE JAMES L. , PARWATI IDA , SUDJANA PRIMAL , JUSUF HADI , YUWONO DJOKO , WURYADI SUHARYONO
Published: September 2018

A prospective study of dengue fever (DF) and dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF) was conducted in a cohort of adult volunteers from two textile factories located in West Java, Indonesia. Volunteers in the cohort were bled every three months and were actively followed for the occurrence of dengue (DEN) disease. The first two years of the study showed an incidence of symptomatic DEN disease of 18 cases per 1,000 person-years and an estimated asymptomatic/ mild infection rate of 56 cases per 1,000 person-years in areas of high disease transmission. In areas where no symptomatic cases were detected, the incidence of asymptomatic or mild infection was 8 cases per 1,000 person-years. Dengue-2 virus was the predominant serotype identified, but all four serotypes were detected among the cohort. Four cases of DHF and one case of dengue shock syndrome (DSS) were identified. Three of the four DHF cases were due to DEN-3 virus. The one DSS case occurred in the setting of a prior DEN-2 virus infection, followed by a secondary infection with DEN-1 virus. To our knowledge, this is the first report of a longitudinal cohort study of naturally acquired DF and DHF in adults.
SEROLOGICAL EVIDENCE OF WEST NILE VIRUS ACTIVITY IN EL SALVADOR
Authors: CRUZ LILIAN , CARDENAS VICTOR M. , ABARCA MAURICIO , RODRIGUEZ TITO , REYNA ROBERTO FLORES , SERPAS MARIO V. , FONTAINE ROBERT E. , BEASLEY DAVID W. C. , DA ROSA AMELIA P. A. TRAVASSOS , WEAVER SCOTT C. , TESH ROBERT B. , POWERS ANN M. , SUAREZ-RANGEL GLORIA
Published: September 2018

Epizootics of encephalitis in El Salvador killed 203 equines between November 2001 and April 2003. During an investigation of the outbreaks, 18 (25%) of 73 serum samples collected from stablemates of deceased animals in 2003 had antibodies to West Nile virus. Ten of these infections were confirmed by plaque reduction neutralization tests, suggesting West Nile virus has extended its range and spread to Central America.
DIFFERENTIAL INFECTIVITIES OF O’NYONG-NYONG AND CHIKUNGUNYA VIRUS ISOLATES IN ANOPHELES GAMBIAE AND AEDES AEGYPTI MOSQUITOES
Authors: VANLANDINGHAM DANA L. , HONG CHAO , KLINGLER KIMBERLY , TSETSARKIN KONSTANTIN , MCELROY KATE L. , POWERS ANN M. , LEHANE MICHAEL J. , HIGGS STEPHEN
Published: September 2018

O’nyong-nyong virus (ONNV) and chikungunya virus (CHIKV) are closely related alphaviruses that cause human disease in Africa and Asia. Like most alphaviruses, CHIKV is vectored by culicine mosquitoes. ONNV is considered unusual as it primarily infects anopheline mosquitoes; however, there are relatively few experimental data to support this. In this study, three strains of ONNV and one strain of CHIKV were evaluated in Anopheles gambiae and Aedes aegypti mosquitoes and in four cell lines. As predicted, CHIKV was not infectious to An. gambiae, and we observed strain-variability for ONNV with respect to the ability of the virus to infect An. gambiae and Ae. aegypti. The species specificity in vivo was reflected by in vitro experiments using culicine and anopheline-derived cell lines.
ANTIBODY REACTIVITY TO LINEAR EPITOPES OF PLASMODIUM FALCIPARUM CYTOADHERENCE-LINKED ASEXUAL GENE 9 IN ASYMPTOMATIC CHILDREN AND ADULTS FROM PAPUA NEW GUINEA
Authors: TRENHOLME KATHARINE R. , BOUTLIS CRAIG S. , KUNS RACHEL , LAGOG MOSES , BOCKARIE MOSES J. , GATTON MICHELLE L. , KEMP DAVID J. , GOOD MICHAEL F. , ANSTEY NICHOLAS M. , GARDINER DONALD L.
Published: September 2018

The cytoadherence-linked asexual gene 9 (clag 9) of Plasmodium falciparum has been implicated in the cytoadherence of infected erythrocytes. To determine the immunogenicity of the clag 9 gene product (CLAG 9 protein) in humans, we measured antibody responses to 11 synthetic CLAG 9 peptides in a group of 177 asymptomatic children and adults subject to intense malaria exposure in Madang, Papua New Guinea. The CLAG 9 peptides were immunogenic in adults and children. Antibody responses to peptides 4 and 10 were high across all age groups and detectable in a majority of children less than five years of age. While CLAG 9 peptides are immunogenic in humans, longitudinal studies will be required to determine the longevity of antibody responses to CLAG 9 and their role in protection from disease.
VECTOR ABUNDANCE AND MALARIA TRANSMISSION IN RICE-GROWING VILLAGES IN MALI
Authors: DIUK-WASSER MARIA A. , TOURE MAHAMOUDOU B. , DOLO GUIMOGO , BAGAYOKO MAGARAN , SOGOBA NAFOMAN , TRAORE SEKOU F. , MANOUKIS NICHOLAS , TAYLOR CHARLES E.
Published: September 2018

Anophelism without malaria has long been recognized. In large irrigation projects, such as that around Niono, Mali, villages in irrigated areas sometimes have more anopheline vectors of malaria than adjacent nonirrigated villages, but overall malaria prevalence is substantially less. One hypothesized explanation for this is high anopheline densities lead to smaller adults, who do not live so long and hence are less efficient at transmitting the disease. We analyzed serial collections from 18 villages in an irrigated area of Mali, measuring correlations between mosquito densities and survival rates, zoophilic rates, and vectorial capacity over the villages and times. Adult density was inversely related to anthropophily and adult survival and its relationship with vectorial capacity was positive at low mosquito densities, flat at intermediate densities, and negative at high densities. This may partly explain why malaria prevalence is low in irrigated villages with high Anopheles density.
REPLICATION OF CHIMERIC YELLOW FEVER VIRUS-DENGUE SEROTYPE 1–4 VIRUS VACCINE STRAINS IN DENDRITIC AND HEPATIC CELLS
Authors: BRANDLER SAMANTHA , BROWN NATHAN , ERMAK THOMAS H. , MITCHELL FRED , PARSONS MEGAN , ZHANG ZHENXI , LANG JEAN , MONATH THOMAS P. , GUIRAKHOO FARSHAD
Published: September 2018

ChimeriVax™-dengue (DEN) viruses are live attenuated vaccine candidates. They are constructed by replacing the premembrane (prM) and envelope (E) genes of the yellow fever (YF) 17D virus vaccine with the corresponding genes from wild-type DEN viruses (serotypes 1–4) isolated from humans. In this study, the growth kinetics of ChimeriVax™-DEN1-4 and parent viruses (wild-type DEN-1-4 and YF 17D) were assessed in human myeloid dendritic cells (DCs) and in three hepatic cell lines (HepG2, Huh7, and THLE-3). In DC, ChimeriVax™-DEN-1-4 showed similar growth kinetics to their parent viruses, wild-type DEN virus (propagated in Vero cells), or YF 17D virus (peak titers ~3–4.5 log10 plaque-forming units (PFU)/mL at 48–72 hours post-infection). Parent wild-type DEN-1-4 viruses derived from C6/36 mosquito cells did not show any growth at a multiplicity of infection of 0.1 in DCs, except for DEN-2 virus, which grew to a modest titer of 2.5 log10 PFU/mL at 48 hours post-infection. ChimeriVax™-DEN1-4 grew to significantly lower titers (2–5 log10 PFU/mL) than YF 17D virus in hepatic cell lines THLE-3 and HepG2, but not in Huh7 cells. These experiments suggest that ChimeriVax™-DEN1-4 viruses replicate similarly to YF-VAX® in DCs, but at a lower level than YF 17D virus in hepatic cell lines. The lack of growth of chimeric viruses in human hepatic cells suggests that these viruses may be less hepatotropic than YF 17D virus vaccine in humans.
ESTIMATING THE INTENSITY OF INFECTION WITH SCHISTOSOMA JAPONICUM IN VILLAGERS OF LEYTE, PHILIPPINES. PART I: A BAYESIAN CUMULATIVE LOGIT MODEL. THE SCHISTOSOMIASIS TRANSMISSION & ECOLOGY PROJECT (STEP)
Authors: CARABIN HÉLÈNE , MARSHALL CLARE M. , JOSEPH LAWRENCE , RILEY STEVEN , OLVEDA REMIGIO , McGARVEY STEPHEN T.
Published: September 2018

Intensity profiles for helminths are used to describe population infection status, monitor effectiveness of control programs, and provide accurate data to validate transmission models. This study aims to accurately predict age/gender specific intensity profiles of endemic schistosomiasis japonica infection in the Philippines. Poor sensitivity of the Kato-Katz test and large heterogeneity in infection levels across villages complicate these predictions. Data from 1,989 individuals living in three endemic villages were analyzed with a Bayesian cumulative-logit model adjusting for nonproportional odds, variation between villages, and measurement error. The posterior uncertainty regarding the proportion of individuals in each egg category was high compared with that estimated using a model ignoring measurement error and villages’ heterogeneity. The intensity profiles were very different in children less than 7 years old compared with older children and adults. This model could easily be adapted to other parasitic infections or outcomes where an analysis by category would be recommended.
INFLAMMATORY CELL INFILTRATION AND HIGH ANTIBODY PRODUCTION IN BALB/c MICE CAUSED BY NATURAL EXPOSURE TO LUTZOMYIA LONGIPALPIS BITES
Authors: SILVA FRANCINALDO , GOMES REGIS , PRATES DEBORACI , MIRANDA JOSÉ C. , ANDRADE BRUNO , BARRAL-NETTO MANOEL , BARRAL ALDINA
Published: September 2018

Sand flies inject saliva into the mammalian host when probing for a blood meal. Understanding the initial vertebrate reactions against sand fly saliva is important for possible interventions because these insects transmit diseases to humans and other animals. Little is known of these reactions to New World sand flies. Repeated exposure of BALB/c mice to Lutzomyia longipalpis bites leads to local inflammatory cell infiltration comprised of neutrophils, macrophages, and eosinophils. Total IgG and IgG1 antibodies react predominantly with three major protein bands (45, 44, and 16 kD) of the insect saliva by Western blot. The injection of immune serum previously incubated with salivary gland homogenate induced an early infiltration with neutrophils and macrophages, suggesting the participation of immune complexes in triggering inflammation.
EXPOSURE TO HEPATITIS C VIRUS INDUCES CELLULAR IMMUNE RESPONSES WITHOUT DETECTABLE VIREMIA OR SEROCONVERSION
Authors: AL-SHERBINY MAGED , OSMAN AHMED , MOHAMED NAHLA , SHATA MOHAMED TAREK , ABDEL-AZIZ FATMA , ABDEL-HAMID MOHAMED , ABDELWAHAB SAYED F. , MIKHAIL NABIEL , STOSZEK SONIA , RUGGERI LIONELLO , FOLGORI ANTONELLA , NICOSIA ALFREDO , PRINCE ALFRED M. , STRICKLAND G. THOMAS
Published: September 2018

Sporadic cases of cell-mediated immunity (CMI) in persons exposed to hepatitis C (HCV) but evidently uninfected have been reported. To further define this, we measured CMI in individuals without evidence of HCV infection, that is, negative for HCV-antibodies (anti-HCV) and RNA, residing in a rural Egyptian community where prevalence of anti-HCV was 24%. Cell-mediated immunity (CMI) measured by interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) enzyme-linked immunospot (ELISPOT) assay, confirmed by intracellular staining using flow cytometry, against HCV peptides was measured in seronegative individuals with high-risk (HR) and low-risk (LR) exposures to HCV. Thirteen of 71 (18.3%) HR subjects but only 1 of 35 (2.9%) LR subjects had detectable CMI (P = 0.032). These data are compatible with the hypothesis that exposures to HCV may lead to development of HCV-specific CMI without anti-HCV and ongoing viral replication. We speculate induced CMI clears HCV sometimes when anti-HCV is not detectable, and HCV-specific CMI is a useful surrogate marker for exposure to HCV.
CHLAMYDIA TRACHOMATIS AND GENITAL HUMAN PAPILLOMAVIRUS INFECTIONS IN FEMALE UNIVERSITY STUDENTS IN HONDURAS
Authors: TÁBORA NELBA , ZELAYA ARNOLDO , BAKKERS JUDITH , MELCHERS WILLEM J. G. , FERRERA ANNABELLE
Published: September 2018

Sexually transmitted infections are a serious health problem in Honduras. Human papillomavirus (HPV) and Chlamydia trachomatis are major causes of sexually transmitted diseases. To determine the prevalence of C. trachomatis and HPV in young women, 100 female university students in Honduras were assayed for the presence of these pathogens. Twenty-eight percent were positive for HPV and 6% were positive for C. trachomatis. These results show that genital HPV and C. trachomatis infections are very common among sexually active young women in Honduras. It is vital to promote extensive public awareness campaigns among sexually active women concerning preventive measures of these diseases.
VALUE OF CULTURE AND NESTED POLYMERASE CHAIN REACTION OF BLOOD IN THE PREDICTION OF RELAPSES IN PATIENTS CO-INFECTED WITH LEISHMANIA AND HUMAN IMMUNODEFICIENCY VIRUS
Authors: RIERA CRISTINA , FISA ROSER , RIBERA ESTEBAN , CARRIÓ JAUME , FALCÓ VICENÇ , GÁLLEGO MONTSERRAT , MONER LLUIS , MOLINA ISRAEL , PORTÚS MONTSERRAT
Published: September 2018

The use of culture and a nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) of blood in predicting the probability of relapse was evaluated in 20 patients co-infected with Leishmania and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Fourteen of 20 patients relapsed, with 24 clinical relapses diagnosed. During clinical relapse, the parasite was detected by culture in 21 of 24 blood samples and by nested PCR in 23 of 24 blood samples. After treatment and during asymptomatic periods, the parasite was detected by culture in 18 (19.1%) of 94 blood samples and by nested PCR in 58 (61.7%) of 94 blood samples. For positive blood cultures, the Kaplan-Meier probability estimates for relapse at 6, 12, 18, and 24 months were 44%, 68%, 76%, and 76%, respectively, while for positive nested PCRs, the estimates were 20%, 33%, 45%, and 50%, respectively. For negative blood cultures, relapse probabilities for the same time points were 7%, 12%, 12%, and 12%, while for negative nested PCRs, these probabilities were 8%, 14%, 21%, and 26%. Nested PCR-positive results in asymptomatic periods indicated presence of the parasite, but not necessarily relapse. However, the presence of viable parasites during post-treatment follow-up increased the probability of relapse and showed that culture positivity could be a good relapse marker.
MOLECULAR DIAGNOSIS AND TYPING OF TRYPANOSOMA CRUZI POPULATIONS AND LINEAGES IN CEREBRAL CHAGAS DISEASE IN A PATIENT WITH AIDS
Authors: BURGOS JUAN M. , BEGHER SANDRA B. , FREITAS JORGE M. , BISIO MARGARITA , DUFFY TOMAS , ALTCHEH JAIME , TEIJEIRO RICARDO , LOPEZ ALCOBA HORACIO , DECCARLINI FLORENCIA , FREILIJ HECTOR , LEVIN MARIANO J. , LEVALLE JORGE , MACEDO ANDREA M. , SCHIJMAN ALEJANDRO G.
Published: September 2018

Trypanosoma cruzi DNA was amplified from an intracranial biopsy and peripheral blood of an HIV patient with encephalitis; this episode was indicative of AIDS and congenital Chagas disease. The analysis of a micro-satellite locus revealed a multiclonal parasite population at the brain lesion with a more complex minicircle signature than that profiled in blood using restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP)-PCR and low stringency single primer (LSSP) PCR. Interestingly, different sublineages of T. cruzi II were detected in blood and brain by means of spliced-leader and 24sα ribosomal-DNA amplifications. Quantitative-competitive PCR monitored the decrease of parasitic load during treatment and secondary prophylaxis with benznidazole. The synergy between parasiticidal plus anti-retroviral treatments probably allowed the patient a longer survival than usually achieved in similar episodes. This is the first case report demonstrating a differential distribution of natural parasite populations and sublineages in Chagas disease reactivation, showing the proliferation of cerebral variants not detectable in peripheral blood.
ANTIBODY RESPONSE PROFILES INDUCED BY PLASMODIUM FALCIPARUM GLUTAMATE-RICH PROTEIN IN NATURALLY EXPOSED INDIVIDUALS FROM A BRAZILIAN AREA ENDEMIC FOR MALARIA
Authors: PRATT-RICCIO LILIAN R. , LIMA-JUNIOR JOSUÉ C. , CARVALHO LEONARDO J. M. , THEISEN MICHAEL , ESPÍNDOLA-MENDES ERIKA C. , SANTOS FÁTIMA , OLIVEIRA-FERREIRA JOSELI , GOLDBERG ANNA C. , DANIEL-RIBEIRO CLÁUDIO T. , BANIC DALMA M.
Published: September 2018

The goal of this study was to evaluate the antibody response induced by Plasmodium falciparum glutamate-rich protein (GLURP) in naturally exposed individuals from the Brazilian Amazon region (Rondonia State). The results showed that most individuals had IgG against two well-defined regions within P. falciparum GLURP, the relatively conserved N-terminal nonrepeat region (R0) and the immunodominant repeat region (R2), 67% and 79%, respectively. The peptides S4 from R2 (53%) and P11 from R0 (49%) were identified as immunodominant B cell epitopes and induced higher levels of antibodies. The number of GLURP peptides recognized and the levels of IgG against S4 and P11 peptides showed a positive correlation with age and time of exposure in the malaria-endemic area studied. The antibody responses against GLURP epitopes appear to be modulated by HLA class II antigens. Interestingly, the GLURP immunodominant B cell epitopes in individuals from a Brazilian malaria-endemic area are distinguishable from those of the African malaria-endemic area. Considering the importance of GLURP as a malaria vaccine candidate and the increasing focus on the use of subunit vaccines in the control of infectious diseases, the concern of the influence of class II allele frequencies in ethnically diverse populations may be important before vaccine trials are conducted among people naturally exposed to malaria parasites.
IS MALARIAL PLACENTAL INFECTION RELATED TO PERIPHERAL INFECTION AT ANY TIME OF PREGNANCY?
Authors: COTTRELL GILLES , MARY JEAN-YVES , BARRO DRISSA , COT MICHEL
Published: September 2018

Placental infection measured by placental smear at delivery is a standard indicator, widely used to characterize malaria infection in pregnant women. However, a single measure can hardly reflect the entire history of infection during pregnancy. To investigate the relation between this indicator and peripheral infection during pregnancy, we used data collected in a randomized trial of malaria prophylaxis in 928 pregnant women in Burkina Faso, 1987–1988, during which repeated measures of peripheral infection were taken. We analyzed placental infection using a logistic model, with two methods for handling missing data. Peripheral infection during two periods of pregnancy was significantly related to placental infection at delivery, before the fifth month: OR = 2.9 [1.3; 6.3]; after 7 months: OR = 4.9 [2.7; 8.8]). Therefore, an early peripheral infection may persist throughout gestation, and placental infection is a good indicator of the women’s parasitological status during pregnancy.
GENETIC AND HOUSEHOLD RISK FACTORS FOR SCHISTOSOMA JAPONICUM INFECTION IN THE PRESENCE OF LARGER SCALE ENVIRONMENTAL DIFFERENCES IN THE MOUNTAINOUS TRANSMISSION AREAS OF CHINA
Authors: SETO EDMUND Y. W. , ZHONG BO , KOUCH JOHN , HUBBARD ALAN , SPEAR ROBERT C.
Published: September 2018

Schistosoma japonicum egg excretion and kinship relationship data from 13 endemic villages in the mountainous transmission area near Xichang, in Sichuan province, China, were analyzed via a variance components methodology to assess the relative contribution of kinship, shared household, and shared village to the risk of infection. Large intervillage differences in egg counts exist in this region due to differences in transmission potential related to environmental differences in snail density and agricultural practices. After accounting for these intervillage differences, there was no kinship or household effect on egg excretion. This reinforces earlier findings that suggest environmental factors dominate risk in this region.
DISEASE SEVERITY AND OUTCOME OF MELIOIDOSIS IN HIV COINFECTED INDIVIDUALS
Authors: CHIERAKUL WIRONGRONG , WUTHIEKANUN VANAPORN , CHAOWAGUL WIPADA , AMORNCHAI PREMJIT , CHENG ALLEN C. , WHITE NICHOLAS J. , DAY NICHOLAS P. J. , PEACOCK SHARON J.
Published: September 2018

This study examined whether coinfection with HIV and Burkholderia pseudomallei leads to altered disease severity or outcome associated with melioidosis. Coinfection was detected in only 8 of 524 (1.5%) adults with melioidosis in northeast Thailand. Clinical presentation and acute outcome were similar in HIV-positive and HIV-negative patients.