Non-detection of Chlamydia species in carotid atheroma using generic primers by nested PCR in a population with a high prevalence of Chlamydia pneumoniae antibody

Background  

The association of Chlamydia pneumoniae with atherosclerosis is controversial. We investigated the presence of C. pneumoniae and other Chlamydia spp. in atheromatous carotid artery tissue.     

Soluble egg antigen of Schistosoma Haematobium induces HCV replication in PBMC from patients with chronic HCV infection

Background  

This study was conducted to examine, in vitro , the effect of soluble egg antigen (SEA) of S. haematobium on intracellular HCV RNA load in peripheral mononuclear cells (PBMC) as well as on cell proliferation in patients with chronic HCV infection.     

Chlamydiae as etiologic agents in chronic undifferentiated spondylarthritis

Objective

The majority of patients with Chlamydia‐induced reactive arthritis do not present with the classic triad of arthritis, conjunctivitis/iritis, and urethritis. Moreover, acute chlamydial infections are often asymptomatic. The aim of the present study was to assess the prevalence of synovial Chlamydia trachomatis and Chlamydia pneumoniae infections in patients with chronic undifferentiated spondylarthritis (uSpA).

Methods

Study patients met the European Spondylarthropathy Study Group criteria for SpA, without evidence of ankylosing spondylitis, psoriasis, inflammatory bowel disease, or preceding dysentery. Symptoms were present for ≥6 months. Each patient underwent a synovial biopsy; tissue and concomitantly obtained peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were analyzed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for C trachomatis and C pneumoniae DNA. Other data collected on the day of the biopsy included standard demographic information and medical history, including any known history of C trachomatis or C pneumoniae. Physical examination (including joint count, evaluation for dactylitis and/or enthesitis, and skin examination) and HLA–B27 typing were performed. Synovial tissue (ST) samples from 167 patients with osteoarthritis (OA) were used as controls.

Results

Twenty‐six patients met the entry criteria and underwent synovial biopsy (25 knee, 1 wrist). Sixteen of them (62%) were positive for C trachomatis and/or C pneumoniae DNA (10 for C trachomatis, 4 for C pneumoniae, and 2 for both). PCR analysis of ST revealed the presence of Chlamydia significantly more frequently in patients with uSpA than in OA controls (P < 0.0001). No specific clinical characteristics differentiated Chlamydia‐positive from Chlamydia‐negative patients. PBMCs from 4 of the 26 uSpA patients (15%) were positive for Chlamydia, and Chlamydia was found in ST from 2 of these 4 patients. No significant correlation between PCR positivity and HLA–B27 positivity was found.

Conclusion

The frequency of Chlamydia‐positive ST samples, as determined by PCR, was found to be significantly higher in patients with uSpA than in patients with OA. Our results suggest that in many patients with uSpA, chlamydial infection, which is often occult, may be the cause.

     

Associations of a PTPN11 G/A polymorphism at intron 3 with Helicobactor pylori seropositivity, gastric atrophy and gastric cancer in Japanese

Background  

Previous studies have revealed the significance of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection as a risk factor of gastric cancer. Cytotoxin-associated gene A (cagA) positivity has been demonstrated to determine the clinical outcome of H. pylori infection in the presence of SHP-2 (src homology 2 domain-containing protein tyrosine phosphatase-2). This study aimed to examine the formerly reported association of G/A PTPN11 (protein-tyrosine phosphatase, nonreceptor-type 11) polymorphism (rs2301756) with gastric atrophy, as well as the association with gastric cancer in a Japanese population using a large sample size.     

Rationale,design, and results of the first screening round of a comprehensive,register-based, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Chlamydia</Emphasis>screening implementation programme in the Netherlands

Background  

Implementing Chlamydia trachomatis screening in the Netherlands has been a point of debate for several years. The National Health Council advised against implementing nationwide screening until additional data collected from a pilot project in 2003 suggested that screening by risk profiles could be effective. A continuous increase in infections recorded in the national surveillance database affirmed the need for a more active approach. Here, we describe the rationale, design, and implementation of a Chlamydia screening demonstration programme.     

Incidence of pelvic inflammatory disease in a large cohort of women tested for Chlamydia trachomatis: a historical follow-up study

Background  

Chlamydia trachomatis is a highly prevalent sexually transmitted disease. Testing rates among young Norwegian women are high. Young women diagnosed with C. trachomatis are often worried about future complications.     

Utility of the detection of Plasmodium parasites for the diagnosis of malaria in endemic areas

Background  

In populations where the prevalence of infection with Plasmodium parasites is high, blood tests that identify Plasmodium parasites in patients with fever may lead to false positive diagnosis of malaria-disease. We characterised the diminishing value of the parasite detection test as a function of the prevalence of infection.     

Distribution of Helicobacter pylori virulence markers in patients with gastroduodenal diseases in Pakistan

Background  

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection is known to be associated with a spectrum of gastroduodenal diseases. We studied the association of H. pylori virulence markers cytotoxin-associated gene (cagA) and vacuolating associated cytotoxin gene (vacA) alleles in patients with non ulcer dyspepsia (NUD), gastric ulcer (GU), gastric carcinoma (GC) and duodenal ulcer (DU).     

Seroepidemiology of Toxoplasma gondii infection in pregnant women in a public hospital in northern Mexico

Background  

Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) infection in pregnant women represents a risk for congenital disease. There is scarce information about the epidemiology of T. gondii infection in pregnant women in Mexico. Therefore, we sought to determine the prevalence of T. gondii infection and associated socio-demographic, clinical and behavioural characteristics in a population of pregnant women of Durango City, Mexico.     

Methylation analysis of SFRP genes family in cervical adenocarcinoma

Objectives  

Aberrant activation of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway is common in human cancers. Recently, we have shown that secreted frizzled-related proteins (SFRPs) are frequently methylated in cervical squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). Furthermore, reexpression of SFRP1 and SFRP2 could suppress tumor cell transformation and invasion. Here, we want to further investigate the methylation status and function of SFRPs in adenocarcinoma of uterine cervix.     

Combination antibiotics as a treatment for chronic Chlamydia‐induced reactive arthritis: A double‐blind,placebo‐controlled,prospective trial

Objective

Chlamydia trachomatis and Chlamydophila (Chlamydia) pneumoniae are known triggers of reactive arthritis (ReA) and exist in a persistent metabolically active infection state in the synovium, suggesting that they may be susceptible to antimicrobial agents. The goal of this study was to investigate whether a 6‐month course of combination antibiotics is an effective treatment for patients with chronic Chlamydia‐induced ReA.

Methods

This study was a 9‐month, prospective, double‐blind, triple‐placebo trial assessing a 6‐month course of combination antibiotics as a treatment for Chlamydia‐induced ReA. Eligible patients had to be positive for C trachomatis or C pneumoniae by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Groups received 1) doxycycline and rifampin plus placebo instead of azithromycin; 2) azithromycin and rifampin plus placebo instead of doxycycline; or 3) placebos instead of azithromycin, doxycycline, and rifampin. The primary end point was the number of patients who improved by 20% or more in at least 4 of 6 variables without worsening in any 1 variable in both combination antibiotic groups combined and in the placebo group at month 6 compared with baseline.

Results

The primary end point was achieved in 17 of 27 patients (63%) receiving combination antibiotics and in 3 of 15 patients (20%) receiving placebo. Secondary efficacy end points showed similar results. Six of 27 patients (22%) randomized to combination antibiotics believed that their disease went into complete remission during the trial, whereas no patient in the placebo arm achieved remission. Significantly more patients in the active treatment group became negative for C trachomatis or C pneumoniae by PCR at month 6. Adverse events were mild, with no significant differences between the groups.

Conclusion

These data suggest that a 6‐month course of combination antibiotics is an effective treatment for chronic Chlamydia‐induced ReA.

     

In vivo activity of terpinen-4-ol, the main bioactive component of Melaleuca alternifolia Cheel (tea tree) oil against azole-susceptible and -resistant human pathogenic Candida species

Background  

Recent investigations on the antifungal properties of essential oil of Melaleuca alternifolia Cheel (Tea Tree Oil, TTO) have been performed with reference to the treatment of vaginal candidiasis. However, there is a lack of in vivo data supporting in vitro results, especially regarding the antifungal properties of TTO constituents. Thus, the aim of our study was to investigate the in vitro and the in vivo anti-Candida activity of two critical bioactive constituents of TTO, terpinen-4-ol and 1,8-cineole.     

Diagnostic relevance of simultaneous testing for <Emphasis Type="Italic">Chlamydia trachomatis</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Neisseria gonorrhoeae</Emphasis>

Background  

The prevalence of Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) and Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG) infection in a Swiss cohort among individuals consulting for screening or symptomatic reasons is not very well known.     

Do host genetic traits in the bacterial sensing system play a role in the development of Chlamydia trachomatis-associated tubal pathology in subfertile women?

Background  

In women, Chlamydia (C.) trachomatis upper genital tract infection can cause distal tubal damage and occlusion, increasing the risk of tubal factor subfertility and ectopic pregnancy. Variations, like single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), in immunologically important host genes are assumed to play a role in the course and outcome of a C. trachomatis infection. We studied whether genetic traits (carrying multiple SNPs in different genes) in the bacterial sensing system are associated with an aberrant immune response and subsequently with tubal pathology following a C. trachomatis infection. The genes studied all encode for pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) involved in sensing bacterial components.     

Rapamycin can Inhibit the Development of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Chlamydia pneumoniae</Emphasis>, which Might Partly Contribute to the Prevention of In-stent Restenosis

Background  

Rapamycin, an immunosuppressive and antiproliferative drug, is used to prevent neointima formation to reduce the risk of in-stent restenosis with rapamycin eluting-stents. Chronic infection of Chlamydia pneumoniae has been associated with cardiovascular diseases, and could play an important role in the mechanism of restenosis. We examined the effect of rapamycin on the growth of C. pneumoniae in cell cultures.     

Influence of chylomicron remnants on human monocyte activation in vitro

Background and aims

Atherosclerosis is known to be an inflammatory disease and there is increasing evidence that chylomicron remnants (CMR), the lipoproteins which carry dietary fats in the blood, cause macrophage foam cell formation and inflammation. In early atherosclerosis the frequency of activated monocytes in the peripheral circulation is increased, and clearance of CMR from blood may be delayed, however, whether CMR contribute directly to monocyte activation and subsequent egress into the arterial wall has not been established. Here, the contribution of CMR to activation of monocyte pro-inflammatory pathways was assessed using an in vitro model.

Methods and results

Primary human monocytes and CMR-like particles (CRLP) were used to measure several endpoints of monocyte activation. Treatment with CRLP caused rapid and prolonged generation of reactive oxygen species by monocytes. The pro-inflammatory chemokines MCP-1 and IL-8 were secreted in nanogram quantities by the cells in the absence of CRLP. IL-8 secretion was transiently increased after CRLP treatment, and CRLP maintained secretion in the presence of pharmacological inhibitors of IL-8 production. In contrast, exposure to CRLP significantly reduced MCP-1 secretion. Chemotaxis towards MCP-1 was increased in monocytes pre-exposed to CRLP and was reversed by addition of exogenous MCP-1.

Conclusion

Our findings indicate that CRLP activate human monocytes and augment their migration in vitro by reducing cellular MCP-1 expression. Our data support the current hypothesis that CMR contribute to the inflammatory milieu of the arterial wall in early atherosclerosis, and suggest that this may reflect direct interaction with circulating blood monocytes.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Chlamydia trachomatis</Emphasis>growth inhibition and restoration of LDL-receptor level in HepG2 cells treated with mevastatin

Background  

Perihepatitis is rare but consistently occurring extragenital manifestation of untreated Chlamydia trachomatis infection. Despite of possible liver involvement in generalized C. trachomatis infection, the ability of the pathogen to propagate in the hepatic cells and its impact on liver functions is not thoroughly investigated. The effect of mevastatin, an inhibitor of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl CoA reductase, on C. trachomatis growth in human hepatoma cell line HepG2 has been studied. Bacterial growth was assessed by immunostaining with FITC-labeled monoclonal antibody against chlamydial lipopolysaccharide and by RT-PCR for two chlamydial genetic markers (16S rRNA and euo).     

Development of functional gastrointestinal disorders after Giardia lamblia infection

Background  

Functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGID) may occur following acute gastroenteritis. This long-term complication has previously not been described after infection with the non-invasive protozoan Giardia lamblia. This study aims to characterize persistent abdominal symptoms elicited by Giardia infection according to Rome II criteria and symptoms scores.