bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Epidemiology and Clinical Features of Infections Caused by Extended-Spectrum Beta-Lactamase-Producing
Escherichia coli
in Nonhospitalized Patients
Authors: Rodríguez-Baño Jesús , Navarro Maria Dolores , Romero Luisa , Martínez-Martínez Luis , Muniain Miguel A. , Perea Evelio J. , Pérez-Cano Ramón , Pascual Alvaro 
Published: March 2004

ABSTRACT

Infections due to extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producing
Escherichia coli
(ESBLEC) in nonhospitalized patients seem to be emerging in different countries. Their incidence, epidemiology, and clinical impact in the community have not been studied. We describe the epidemiology and clinical features of infections caused by ESBLEC in nonhospitalized patients in Spain and the results of a case-control study performed to investigate the risk factors associated with the acquisition of these organisms. The clonal relatedness of the organisms was assessed by repetitive extragenic palindromic sequence PCR. The ESBLs and the genes encoding the ESBLs were initially characterized by isoelectric focusing and PCR, respectively. Forty-nine patients (76% with urinary tract infections, 22% with asymptomatic bacteriuria, and 2% with acute cholangitis) were included. Six patients were bacteremic. Diabetes mellitus (odds ratio, 5.5; 95% confidence interval, 1.6 to 18.7), previous fluoroquinolone use (odds ratio, 7.6; 95% confidence interval, 1.9 to 30.1), recurrent urinary tract infections (odds ratio, 4.5; 95% confidence interval, 1.3 to 15.1), a previous hospital admission (odds ratio, 18.2; 95% confidence interval, 5.3 to 61.1), and older age in male patients (odds ratio per year, 1.03; 95% confidence interval, 1.03 to 1.05) were identified as risk factors by multivariate analysis. The ESBLEC isolates were not clonally related. The ESBLs were characterized as members of the CTX-M-9 group, the SHV group, and the TEM group in 64, 18, and 18% of the isolates, respectively. ESBLEC is an emergent cause of urinary tract infections in nonhospitalized patients. There was no evidence of horizontal transmission of ESBLEC strains. Avoidance of fluoroquinolone use in high-risk patients should be considered whenever possible in order to avoid the selection of these organisms.
Evaluation of the Fully Automated BACTEC MGIT 960 System for Testing Susceptibility of
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
to Pyrazinamide, Streptomycin, Isoniazid, Rifampin, and Ethambutol and Comparison with the Radiometric BACTEC 460TB Method
Authors: Scarparo Claudio , Ricordi Paolo , Ruggiero Giuliana , Piccoli Paola 
Published: March 2004

ABSTRACT

The performance of the fully automated BACTEC MGIT 960 (M960) system for the testing of
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
susceptibility to streptomycin (SM), isoniazid (INH), rifampin (RMP), ethambutol (EMB), and pyrazinamide (PZA) was evaluated with 100 clinical isolates and compared to that of the radiometric BACTEC 460TB (B460) system. The agar proportion method and the B460 system were used as reference methods to resolve the discordant results for SM, INH, RMP, and EMB (a combination known as SIRE) and PZA, respectively. The overall agreements were 96.3% for SIRE and 92% for PZA. For SIRE, a total of 26 discrepancies were found and were resolved in favor of the M960 system in 8 cases and in favor of the B460 system in 18 cases. The M960 system produced 8 very major errors (VME) and 10 major errors (ME), while the B460 system showed 4 VME and 4 ME. No statistically significant differences were found. Both systems exhibited excellent performance, but a higher number of VME was observed with the M960 system at the critical concentrations of EMB and SM. For PZA, a total of eight discrepancies were observed and were resolved in favor of the M960 system in one case and in favor of the B460 system in seven cases; no statistically significant differences were found. The M960 system showed four VME and three ME. The mean times to report overall PZA results and resistant results were 8.2 and 9.8 days, respectively, for the M960 system and 7.4 and 8.1 days, respectively, for the B460 system. Statistically significant differences were found. The mean times to report SIRE results were 8.3 days for the M960 system and 8.2 days for the B460 system. No statistically significant differences were found. Twelve strains tested for SIRE susceptibility and seven strains tested for PZA susceptibility had been reprocessed because of contamination. In conclusion, the M960 system can represent a valid alternative to the B460 for
M. tuberculosis
susceptibility testing; however, the frequent contamination of the tests needs to be improved.
Population-Based Case Control Study of Seroprevalence ofMycobacterium paratuberculosisin Patients with Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis
Authors: Bernstein Charles N. , Blanchard James F. , Rawsthorne Patricia , Collins Michael T. 
Published: March 2004

ABSTRACTThere is renewed enthusiasm for exploring the possibility thatMycobacterium paratuberculosismay be causative in Crohn's disease (CD). We aimed to determine whether CD subjects are more likely to beM. paratuberculosisseropositive than controls. Using our population-based University of Manitoba Inflammatory Bowel Disease Research Registry, we recruited CD and ulcerative colitis (UC) subjects between 18 and 50 years of age for a study involving detailed questionnaires and venipuncture. We accessed the population-based databases of Manitoba Health (single provincial health insurer) to get age-, gender-, and geography-matched controls to our inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) population. We asked enrolling IBD subjects for potential nonaffected sibling controls. We used an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for serum antibodies toM. paratuberculosisinitially developed for cattle but adapted for human use. The rate of positive ELISA results, based on previously published interpretation criteria, was significantly higher for all study groups. There was no difference inM. paratuberculosisseropositivity rate among CD patients (37.8%;n= 283), UC patients (34.7%;n= 144), healthy controls (33.6%;n= 402), and nonaffected siblings (34.1%;n= 138). For siblings, there was no correlation betweenM. paratuberculosisserological status and that of the corresponding IBD affected sibling. None of the demographic or questionnaire variables studied were predictive ofM. paratuberculosisstatus. Subjects with CD and UC were less likely to have ingested unpasteurized milk and less likely to have had a non-tap water source as a primary water source. In conclusion, in this population-based case control study, theM. paratuberculosisseropositivity rate was approximately 35% for all groups and there was no difference in rates between CD patients, UC patients, healthy controls, or nonaffected siblings. The much higher rate of seropositivity for subjects from Manitoba, Canada, than for those from Denmark or Wisconsin cannot be obviously explained. While these data seem to refute any association of CD withM. paratuberculosis, the high seroprevalence in Manitobans raises the possibility that the high rates of CD in Manitoba could be related to high exposure rates forM. paratuberculosis. Hence, the possibility of an association betweenM. paratuberculosisand CD remains inconclusive.
Correlates of Quantitative Measurement of BK Polyomavirus (BKV) DNA with Clinical Course of BKV Infection in Renal Transplant Patients
Authors: Randhawa Parmjeet , Ho Andrew , Shapiro Ron , Vats Abhay , Swalsky P. , Finkelstein Sydney , Uhrmacher John , Weck Karen 
Published: March 2004

ABSTRACT
BK virus-allograft nephropathy (BKVAN) is an increasingly recognized complication after kidney transplantation. Quantitative tests have been advocated to monitor patients, but data demonstrating their efficacy are relatively limited. We developed a real-time PCR assay to quantitate BK virus loads in the setting of renal transplantation, and we correlated the BK virus load with clinical course and with the presence of BK virus in renal biopsy specimens. BK virus loads were measured in urine, plasma, and kidney biopsy samples in three clinical settings: (i) patients with asymptomatic BK viruria, (ii) patients with active BKVAN, and (iii) patients with resolved BKVAN. Active BKVAN was associated with BK viremia greater than 5 × 103 copies/ml and with BK viruria greater than 107 copies/ml in all cases. Resolution of nephropathy led to resolution of viremia, decreased viruria levels, and disappearance of viral inclusions, but low-level viral DNA persisted in biopsy specimens even for patients whose viruria was cleared. All but one patient in the resolved BKVAN group carried a urinary viral load below 107 copies/ml. Viral loads in patients with asymptomatic viruria were generally lower but in some cases overlapped with levels more typical of BKVAN. One patient with asymptomatic viruria and with a viral load overlapping values seen in BKVAN had developed nephropathy by the time of follow-up. In conclusion, serial measurement of viral loads by quantitative PCR is a useful tool in monitoring the course of BK virus infection. The results should be interpreted in conjunction with the clinical picture and biopsy findings.
Hepatitis C Virus Infection in Infants and Children from Argentina
Authors: Gismondi María Inés , Turazza Estela Inés , Grinstein Saúl , Galoppo María Cristina , Preciado María Victoria 
Published: March 2004

ABSTRACTHepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is uncommon in children, and its natural history is still unknown. Our aim was to analyze exposure to HCV in 48 infants and children in Argentina and to evaluate consecutive samples in 26 of them to study the outcome of HCV infection in early stages. HCV viremia, as determined by reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR) from the 5′ untranslated region, showed continuously positive, occasionally positive, and negative patterns during follow-up. Restriction fragment length polymorphism was performed on RT-PCR-positive samples to evaluate HCV genotype. Genotype 1 turned out to be predominant, and no patient displayed a genotype shift during the observation period. Perinatal HCV infection was predominantly observed in patients born to mothers coinfected with HCV and human immunodeficiency virus. HCV viral load was detected by means of the AMPLICOR MONITOR, version 2.0, kit. No correlation was observed between HCV viral load and alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase levels, although we detected a trend towards higher levels among patients displaying consecutive positive HCV RT-PCR results. Our results demonstrate that pediatric HCV infection is characterized by high viral loads and diverse HCV viremia patterns, independent of both age and route of transmission in the population under study. Further research is necessary to determine whether the high rate of HCV replication is related to virus variability or to host immune response.
Detection of Orthopoxvirus DNA by Real-Time PCR and Identification of Variola Virus DNA by Melting Analysis
Authors: Nitsche Andreas , Ellerbrok Heinz , Pauli Georg 
Published: March 2004

ABSTRACT
Although variola virus was eradicated by the World Health Organization vaccination program in the 1970s, the diagnosis of smallpox infection has attracted great interest in the context of a possible deliberate release of variola virus in bioterrorist attacks. Obviously, fast and reliable diagnostic tools are required to detect variola virus and to distinguish it from orthopoxviruses that have identical morphological characteristics, including vaccinia virus. The advent of real-time PCR for the clinical diagnosis of viral infections has facilitated the detection of minute amounts of viral nucleic acids in a fast, safe, and precise manner, including the option to quantify and to genotype the target reliably. In this study a complete set of four hybridization probe-based real-time PCR assays for the specific detection of orthopoxvirus DNA is presented. Melting analysis following PCR enables the identification of variola virus by the PCR product's characteristic melting temperature, permitting the discrimination of variola virus from other orthopoxviruses. In addition, an assay for the specific amplification of variola virus DNA is presented. All assays can be performed simultaneously in the same cycler, and results of a PCR run are obtained in less than 1 h. The application of more than one assay for the same organism significantly contributes to the diagnostic reliability, reducing the risk of false-negative results due to unknown sequence variations. In conclusion, the assays presented will improve the speed and reliability of orthopoxvirus diagnostics and variola virus identification.
Development of a Real-Time PCR Assay for Detection of
Plasmodium falciparum
,
Plasmodium vivax
, and
Plasmodium ovale
for Routine Clinical Diagnosis
Authors: Perandin F. , Manca N. , Calderaro A. , Piccolo G. , Galati L. , Ricci L. , Medici M. C. , Arcangeletti M. C. , Snounou G. , Dettori G. , Chezzi C. 
Published: March 2004

ABSTRACT

A TaqMan-based real-time PCR qualitative assay for the detection of three species of malaria parasites—
Plasmodium falciparum
,
P. ovale
, and
P. vivax
—was devised and evaluated using 122 whole-blood samples from patients who had traveled to areas where malaria is endemic and who presented with malaria-like symptoms and fever. The assay was compared to conventional microscopy and to an established nested-PCR assay. The specificity of the new assay was confirmed by sequencing the PCR products from all the positive samples and by the lack of cross-reactivity with
Toxoplasma gondii
and
Leishmania infantum
DNA. Real-time PCR assay showed a detection limit (analytical sensitivity) of 0.7, 4, and 1.5 parasites/μl for
P. falciparum
,
P. vivax
, and
P. ovale
, respectively. Real-time PCR, like nested PCR, brought to light errors in the species identification by microscopic examination and revealed the presence of mixed infections (
P. falciparum
plus
P. ovale
). Real-time PCR can yield results within 2 h, does not require post-PCR processing, reduces sample handling, and minimizes the risks of contamination. The assay can therefore be easily implemented in routine diagnostic malaria tests. Future studies are warranted to investigate the clinical value of this technique.
Performance Assessment of the Fecal Leukocyte Test for Inpatients
Authors: Granville L. A. , Cernoch P. , Land G. A. , Davis J. R. 
Published: March 2004

ABSTRACT
Traditionally, fecal leukocyte testing detects large bowel inflammation or disruption, conditions that allow leukocytes into the stool. However, test usefulness with inpatients is unclear. Two hundred five inpatients who had undergone one to three tests were identified, and their FLT results were compared to their gastrointestinal disease diagnoses at time of discharge. A specificity of 92% for detecting intact colonic mucosae in inpatients was found.
Long-Term Preservation of Fungal Isolates in Commercially Prepared Cryogenic Microbank Vials
Authors: Espinel-Ingroff A. , Montero D. , Martin-Mazuelos E. 
Published: March 2004

ABSTRACTSince 1994, 6,198 yeasts and 391 molds belonging to 25 and 37 species, respectively, were stored in Microbank cryogenic vials at ≥−130°C in liquid nitrogen and at −70°C in a freezer. All of the isolates, with the exception of 45 yeasts and 15 dermatophytes, were recovered from both storage temperatures. Good reproducibility was demonstrated for amphotericin B, fluconazole, and voriconazole MICs determined for random isolates.
Resistance of Group B Streptococcus to Selected Antibiotics, Including Erythromycin and Clindamycin
Authors: Heelan Judith S. , Hasenbein Meredith E. , McAdam Alexander J. 
Published: March 2004

ABSTRACT

Resistance of group B streptococcus (GBS) to antibiotics, particularly erythromycin and clindamycin, was studied. Erythromycin resistance was present in 22% of GBS isolates, and these isolates were constitutively resistant, inducibly resistant, or sensitive to clindamycin. Erythromycin and clindamycin MICs were related to the presence of
ermA
,
ermB
, or
mefA
genes.
Comparative Analysis of
agr
Locus Diversification and Overall Genetic Variability among Bovine and Human
Staphylococcus aureus
Isolates
Authors: Gilot Philippe , van Leeuwen Willem 
Published: March 2004

ABSTRACT

The accessory gene regulator (
agr
) is a central system that controls the expression of
Staphylococcus aureus
virulence factors. In this study, the distribution of
agr
alleles, defined by
agr
restriction fragment length polymorphism within
agr
interference groups, among
S. aureus
isolates from bovine and human origin was measured with PCR-based techniques. Statistically highly significant associations of some
agr
alleles with the infection of a specific host were found. The genetic difference between the two
S. aureus
populations was further stressed after analysis of their genetic background by binary typing.
Evaluation of
groEL
Gene Analysis for Identification of
Borrelia burgdorferi
Sensu Lato
Authors: Park Hyo-Soon , Lee Jung-Hee , Jeong Eun-Ju , Koh Seong-Eun , Park Tae-Kyu , Jang Won-Jong , Park Kyung-Hee , Kim Bum-Joon , Kook Yoon-Hoh , Lee Seung-Hyun 
Published: March 2004

ABSTRACT

The nucleotide sequences of the
groEL
genes, the flagellin genes, and the 16S rRNA genes from 22 reference strains of
Borrelia
were compared.
groEL
sequence analysis is useful not only in interspecies differentiation but also in intraspecies differentiation of
Borrelia afzelii
and
Borrelia garinii
isolates.
Comparison of the Denka Seiken Slide Agglutination Method to the Quellung Test for Serogrouping of
Streptococcus pneumoniae
Isolates
Authors: Shutt Cheryl K. , Samore Matthew , Carroll Karen C. 
Published: March 2004

ABSTRACT

This study compared a slide agglutination test (Denka Seiken, Tokyo, Japan) to the “gold standard” quellung reaction (Pneumotest; Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark) for the serogrouping of pneumococci. Two hundred clinical isolates of
Streptococcus pneumoniae
were used for the comparison. Each assay was performed according to the manufacturer's instructions. There was an overall agreement of 95.7% between the two methods. Only 4 of 10 isolates of serogroup 22 were detected with the slide agglutination assay. Two isolates that were untypeable by the Pneumotest method were typed as serogroups 6 and 31 by the slide agglutination method. The Pneumotest method was unable to type 22 isolates, and the slide agglutination method was unable to type 16 isolates. The slide agglutination method compares favorably with the Pneumotest method and is easier to perform and to interpret.
Type III Secretion System Genes in Clinical
Aeromonas
Isolates
Authors: Chacón M. R. , Soler L. , Groisman E. A. , Guarro J. , Figueras M. J. 
Published: March 2004

ABSTRACT

We have identified the genes
ascF
and
ascG
, which encode components of a putative type III secretion system (TTSS) in
Aeromonas
. We investigated the distribution of these and other TTSS genes in 84 clinical isolates and found hybridizing sequences in 50% of the strains, with a higher prevalence in
Aeromonas hydrophila
and
Aeromonas veronii
than in
Aeromonas caviae
.
Real-Time Multiplex PCR Assay for Detection of
Brucella
spp.,
B. abortus
, and
B. melitensis
Authors: Probert William S. , Schrader Kimmi N. , Khuong Nhi Y. , Bystrom Susan L. , Graves Margot H. 
Published: March 2004

ABSTRACT

The identification of
Brucella
can be a time-consuming and labor-intensive process that places personnel at risk for laboratory-acquired infection. Here, we describe a real-time PCR assay for confirmation of presumptive
Brucella
isolates. The assay was designed in a multiplex format that will allow the rapid identification of
Brucella
spp.,
B. abortus
, and
B. melitensis
in a single test.
Stability of Polymorphic GC-Rich Repeat Sequence-Containing Regions of
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
Authors: Richardson Madalene , van der Spuy Gian D. , Sampson Samantha L. , Beyers Nulda , van Helden Paul D. , Warren Robin M. 
Published: March 2004

ABSTRACT

Mycobacterium tuberculosis
cultures were subjected to DNA fingerprinting with IS
6110-
and polymorphic GC-rich sequence (PGRS)-containing probes. The PGRS banding patterns remained highly stable during multiple cultures of specimens from one disease episode (0.5% changed) and during transmission in patients with close contact (1.9% changed). Characteristic PGRS-restriction fragment length polymorphism motifs for different strain groupings may indicate distant evolutionary events leading to the differentiation of
M. tuberculosis
strain lineages.
First Isolation of
Borrelia lusitaniae
from a Human Patient
Authors: Collares-Pereira M. , Couceiro S. , Franca I. , Kurtenbach K. , Schäfer S. M. , Vitorino L. , Gonçalves L. , Baptista S. , Vieira M. L. , Cunha C. 
Published: March 2004

ABSTRACT

The first human isolate of
Borrelia lusitaniae
recovered from a Portuguese patient with suspected Lyme borreliosis is described. This isolate, from a chronic skin lesion, is also the first human isolate of
Borrelia
in Portugal. Different phenotypic and molecular methods are used to characterize it.
Sensitivity of a Novel Stool Antigen Test for Detection of
Helicobacter pylori
in Adult Outpatients before and after Eradication Therapy
Authors: Weingart Vincens , Rüssmann Holger , Koletzko Sibylle , Weingart Josef , Höchter Wilhelm , Sackmann Michael 
Published: March 2004

ABSTRACT

We investigated whether a novel monoclonal stool antigen test for detection of
Helicobacter pylori
performs with the same accuracy as the
13
C-urea breath test (UBT) for adult outpatients in the setting of a private office. The two tests showed identical levels of sensitivity when used to identify
H. pylori
-infected patients before and after eradication therapy.
Concordance of Prevalence of Human Papillomavirus DNA in Anogenital and Oral Infections in a High-Risk Population
Authors: Cañadas M. Paz , Bosch F. Xavier , Junquera M. Luisa , Ejarque Maijo , Font Rebeca , Ordoñez Elena , de Sanjosé Silvia 
Published: March 2004

ABSTRACT
The concordance of the prevalence of human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA in 188 sex workers in five different locations was investigated. HPV was found in 43.6% of the women, and its prevalence at genital sites was similar. Prevalence was highest among women aged 20 years or younger but declined thereafter in specimens from all anogenital sites.
A Canine Parvovirus Mutant Is Spreading in Italy
Authors: Martella Vito , Cavalli Alessandra , Pratelli Annamaria , Bozzo Giancarlo , Camero Michele , Buonavoglia Domenico , Narcisi Donato , Tempesta Maria , Buonavoglia Canio 
Published: March 2004

ABSTRACT
By antigenic and genetic characterization of canine parvovirus type 2 (CPV-2) strains collected in 2001 and 2002 in Italy, it was possible to observe the spread of viruses with an unusual mutation, Glu-426, affecting a major antigenic epitope of CPV-2. Out of 67 strains analyzed, 49 (73.13%) were characterized as CPV-2a, 6 (8.95%) were characterized as CPV-2b, and 12 (17.91%) were characterized as the Glu-426 mutant.
Human Papillomavirus, Cytomegalovirus, and Adeno-Associated Virus Infections in Pregnant and Nonpregnant Women with Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia
Authors: Grce M. , Husnjak K. , Matovina M. , Milutin N. , Magdic L. , Husnjak O. , Pavelic K. 
Published: March 2004

ABSTRACT

Two hundred eight cervical specimens from two groups of subjects, 165 nonpregnant women and 53 pregnant women with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) of grades I to III, were positive by PCR analyses for human papillomaviruses (HPVs), adeno-associated virus type 2 (AAV 2), and human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) in 67, 6, and 4.1% of the cases, respectively. The presence of AAV 2 infection was more frequently associated with pregnancy (17 versus 2.4%) and HPV-positive cervices (odds ratio = 6.358) than HCMV was. Increased HPV infection was strongly associated (
P
< 0.001) with a higher CIN grade, but there is no evidence that AAV 2 and HCMV infections have any impact on CIN development.