A human infection of the cestode, Diphyllobothrium nihonkaiense Yamane et al., 1986

A mature cestode, obtained from a 49-year-old man in Fukuoka, southern Japan, was examined. The worm was about 70 cm in length without scolex. The largest segment was 1.8 x 0.8 cm. Cirrus sac lay at an obtuse angle (about 150 degrees) to seminal vesicle. The eggs were 62.06 +/- 9.40 x 43.33 +/- 6.43 microns and the shell thickness 1.0-1.5 microns, with round, shallow and sparsely distributed surface pits ranging 0.8-2.0 microns in diameter. The above features suggested that this worm was identified as the cestode, Diphyllobothrium nihonkaiense.     

A 2-year-old girl with Diphyllobothrium nihonkaiense infection treated with oral praziquantel and a laxative

We report a case of Diphyllobothrium nihonkaiense infection in a 2-year-old Japanese girl. When infection occurs in early childhood, it is necessary to offer supportive care in addition to standard treatment with oral praziquantel or with of a duodenal tube using a radiopaque contrast medium. We treated D. nihonkaiense infection in a 2-year-old girl successfully treated with oral praziquantel and a laxative.     

Molecular identification of human Diphyllobothrium nihonkaiense using mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (cox1) gene sequence

Identification of Diphyllobothrium species has been carried out based on their morphology, especially sexual organs. In addition to these criteria, PCR-based identification methods have been developed recently. A 20 year-old Japanese living in Kochi Prefecture passed tapeworm. He was successfully treated with single dose of gastrografin. We examined the morphologic features of the proglottids and eggs using histology and scanning electron microscope. We also analyzed mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (cox1) gene of the proglottids. The causative tapeworm species was identified as D. nihonkaiense based on the results of morphologic features and genetic analysis. We discussed the advantage of PCR-based identification methods of Diphyllobothrium species using cox1 sequence in the clinical laboratory.     

Update on the Human Broad Tapeworm (Genus Diphyllobothrium), Including Clinical Relevance

Summary: Tapeworms (Cestoda) continue to be an important cause of morbidity in humans worldwide. Diphyllobothriosis, a human disease caused by tapeworms of the genus Diphyllobothrium, is the most important fish-borne zoonosis caused by a cestode parasite. Up to 20 million humans are estimated to be infected worldwide. Besides humans, definitive hosts of Diphyllobothrium include piscivorous birds and mammals, which represent a significant zoonotic reservoir. The second intermediate hosts include both freshwater and marine fish, especially anadromous species such as salmonids. The zoonosis occurs most commonly in countries where the consumption of raw or marinated fish is a frequent practice. Due to the increasing popularity of dishes utilizing uncooked fish, numerous cases of human infections have appeared recently, even in the most developed countries. As many as 14 valid species of Diphyllobothrium can cause human diphyllobothriosis, with D. latum and D. nihonkaiense being the most important pathogens. In this paper, all taxa from humans reported are reviewed, with brief information on their life history and their current distribution. Data on diagnostics, epidemiology, clinical relevance, and control of the disease are also summarized. The importance of reliable identification of human-infecting species with molecular tools (sequences of mitochondrial genes) as well as the necessity of epidemiological studies aimed at determining the sources of infections are pointed out.     

Molecular Epidemiology of the Pertussis Epidemic in Washington State in 2012

Although pertussis disease is vaccine preventable, Washington State experienced a substantial rise in pertussis incidence beginning in 2011. By June 2012, the reported cases reached 2,520 (37.5 cases per 100,000 residents), a 1,300% increase compared with the same period in 2011. We assessed the molecular epidemiology of this statewide epidemic using 240 isolates collected from case patients reported from 19 of 39 Washington counties during 2012 to 2013. The typing methods included pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE), multilocus variable number tandem repeat analysis (MLVA), multilocus sequence typing (MLST), and pertactin gene (prn) mutational analysis. Using the scheme PFGE-MLVA-MLST-prn mutations-Prn deficiency, the 240 isolates comprised 65 distinct typing profiles. Thirty-one PFGE types were found, with the most common types, CDC013 (n = 51), CDC237 (n = 44), and CDC002 (n = 42), accounting for 57% of them. Eleven MLVA types were observed, mainly comprising type 27 (n = 183, 76%). Seven MLST types were identified, with the majority of the isolates typing as prn2-ptxP3-ptxA1-fim3-1 (n = 157, 65%). Four different prn mutations accounted for the 76% of isolates exhibiting pertactin deficiency. PFGE provided the highest discriminatory power (D = 0.87) and was found to be a more powerful typing method than MLVA and MLST combined (D = 0.67). This study provides evidence for the continued predominance of MLVA 27 and prn2-ptxP3-ptxA1 alleles, along with the reemergence of the fim3-1 allele. Our results indicate that the Bordetella pertussis population causing this epidemic was diverse, with a few molecular types predominating. The PFGE, MLVA, and MLST profiles were consistent with the predominate types circulating in the United States and other countries. For prn, several mutations were present in multiple molecular types.     

Toll-Like Receptors in Human Papillomavirus Infection

Infection with human papillomaviruses (HPVs) often causes cutaneous benign lesions, cervical cancer, and a number of other tumors. The mechanisms of host immune system to prevent and control HPV infection still remain poorly understood. Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are specific pattern recognition molecules that bind to microbial components to trigger innate immunity and direct adaptive immunity in the face of immunological danger. TLRs have been established to play an essential role in sensing and initiating antiviral immune responses. Recent accumulating evidence demonstrated that HPVs modulate TLR expression and interfere with TLR signaling pathways, leading to persistent viral infection and carcinogenesis. This review summarizes current knowledge on the roles of TLR during HPV infection, focusing on TLR recognition, modulation of TLR expression and signaling, regulatory receptors involved in TLR signaling, and cross-talk of TLRs with antimicrobial peptides. Immunotherapeutic strategies based on TLR agonists have emerged to be one of the novel promising avenues in treatment of HPV-associated diseases in the future.     

Genetic variants of Anaplasma phagocytophilum infecting dogs in Western Washington State

Eight dogs from western Washington State suspected of being infected with Anaplasma phagocytophilum because of the finding of morulae in peripheral blood neutrophils were studied for determination of the etiologic agent of disease. All cases were diagnosed between April 2003 and April 2004. Six of the eight dogs had no travel history during the 6 months prior to presentation. Two dogs had traveled within the Northwest United States and Canada. Fever, lethargy, and anorexia were the most common clinical signs in the dogs. Lymphopenia, thrombocytopenia, and an elevated activity of alkaline phosphatase in the serum were the most common laboratory findings. All dogs tested during the acute phase of clinical signs were seropositive for A. phagocytophilum antibodies but negative for Ehrlichia canis antibodies. PCR amplification and direct sequencing of portions of the 16S rRNA gene from the whole blood of all seven dogs that were tested yielded A. phagocytophilum after a comparison to bacterial sequences available in the GenBank database. Five genetic variants were identified based on one or two nucleotide differences in the 16S rRNA gene sequences at nucleotide positions 54, 84, 86, and 120. Individual dogs were infected with more than one variant. Treatment with doxycycline or tetracycline resulted in a rapid resolution of clinical signs. The occurrence of canine granulocytic anaplasmosis in western Washington State suggests that A. phagocytophilum infection should be considered in differential diagnoses of dogs presenting with lethargy, anorexia, fever, and lameness, particularly in the context of lymphopenia, thrombocytopenia, and increased serum alkaline phosphatase. The zoonotic importance of A. phagocytophilum should support an increase in surveillance for horses and people residing in this area.     

系统性红斑狼疮患者巨细胞病毒感染水平和状态的研究

本文运用微量酶联免疫间接法对27例系统性红斑狼疮(SLE)患者的41份血浆标本进行抗巨细胞病毒(HCMV)IgG和IgM的测定。结果表明抗HCMV-IgG的阳性率在SLE组和正常对照组分别为92.7％和89.5％,几乎无差别;活动期SLE组抗HCMV-IgG的几何平均滴度(GMT)明显高于对照组(P<0.01),而非活动期SLE组抗HCMV-IgG水平与对照组差别不显著(P>0.05)。抗HCMV-IgM的阳性率在活动期SLE组为33.3％,非活动期SLE组为40.0％,均显著高于对照组(10.53％);但各组在抗HCMV-IgM的滴度上差异均无显著性。上述结果表明,SLE和HCMV感染有一定程度的相关性,本文从某些方面论述了产生这种相关性的可能原因以及这种相关性对SLE的发生发展可能产生的影响     

宫颈人乳头瘤病毒感染的免疫研究进展

人乳头瘤病毒是一种常见的双链闭环DNA病毒,主要引起皮肤黏膜的良恶性增殖性疾病,高危型HPV的持续感染已被证实是宫颈癌发生的必要因素。病毒进入人体后,机体启动固有免疫、细胞免疫、体液免疫来清除病毒。树突细胞、朗格罕氏细胞、自然杀伤细胞等参与抗病毒免疫反应中的抗原提呈、吞噬。T细胞介导的细胞免疫在清除HPV感染中发挥重要的作用。然而,HPV也可以通过多种逃逸机制逃避机体的免疫清除,使得HPV感染持续存在,从而导致宫颈病变。因此,进一步深入明确机体感染HPV后所诱导的固有免疫、细胞免疫、体液免疫等免疫反应及免疫逃逸机制,对于下一步研发新药物、新治疗方法和新疫苗具有重要作用。本文就HPV感染的机体免疫反应变化进行系统性综述。     

巨细胞病毒感染在抽动障碍中的临床意义初探

目的：探讨人巨细胞病毒（human cytomegalovirus,HCMV)感染在抽动障碍中的临床意义。方法：应用PCR基因扩增技术对66例抽动障碍患儿进行血液HCMV检测,并测定74例正常儿童作为对照,结果：抽动障碍患儿HCMV检出阳性率（26％）明显高于对照组（3％）,差异有显著性（P＜0．01）,抽动障碍三种类型间HCMV感染阳性率无显著性差异（P＞0．05）。结论：HCMV感染与抽动障碍发病有关。     

重庆市武隆县人体土源性线虫感染调查结果分析

目的分析武隆县人群土源性线虫感染分布现状,为制定防治对策提供依据。方法采用改良加藤氏法检查肠道蠕虫卵和用肛拭法查12岁以下儿童蛲虫卵,并对检查结果统计分析。结果共调查1487人,查出蛔虫、钩虫2种肠道线虫,感染总人数93人,总感染率为6.25%。其中蛔虫、钩虫感染率分别为4.57%、1.68%。与1990年调查结果相比,总感染率和蛔虫、钩虫感染率分别下降为92.92%、94.08%和95.15%。结论我县土源性线虫感染属国家Ⅱ类流行区,仍需开展重点人群肠道线虫综合防治。     

Seroprevalence of Human Granulocytic Ehrlichiosis Infection in Belgium

In order to determine the prevalence of human granulocytic ehrlichiosis (HGE) in Belgium, the sera of 216 patients previously diagnosed with Borrelia burgdorferi infection were analysed for possible coinfection with the agent of HGE. For this purpose, an indirect immunofluorescence assay was applied, and positive results were confirmed by Western blot using a 44-kilodalton recombinant protein (rP44) specific for the agent of HGE. Sixteen of the 216 (7.4%) sera tested were positive for the HGE agent using indirect immunofluorescence assay, and seven (3%) of them were confirmed positive by Western blot. These data suggest the agent for HGE is present in Belgium and may cause coinfection in patients infected with Borrelia burgdorferi, as has been reported in the USA and elsewhere in Europe. This is the first report documenting the identification of this agent in Belgium. Electronic Publication     

Neuropathology of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection

Neuropathology has defined novel HIV-specific diseases at tissue level: HIV encephalitis and HIV leukoencephalopathy. Both occur usually in the later stages of the AIDS infection and consistently demonstrate large amounts of HIV products. In contrast to this HIV-specific neuropathology, HIV-associated neuropathology features unspecific syndromes with disputed relation to HIV infection: myelin pallor, vacuolar myelopathy, vacuolar leukoencephalopathy, lymphocytic meningitis, and diffuse poliodystrophy. All types of neuropathology may contribute to clinical manifestation according to severity, extent, and distribution of lesions, but clinico-pathologic correlation may be poor in the individual case. Neuropathologic and other data suggest two major pathogenetic pathways of HIV-associated CNS damage: First, systemic and local increase of the virus load leads to HIV encephalitis or HIV leukoencephalopathy; this is corroborated by prominent HIV production within such lesions. Second, neuronotoxicity by HIV proteins or factors secreted from infected cells is supported by histological changes of diffuse poliodystrophy and by morphometric loss of frontocortical neurons.     

Human Herpesvirus 6 Infection and Diagnostics

Human herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6) causes primary infection in early childhood and establishes lifelong latency in its host. Reactivation of HHV-6, especially in immunosuppressed patients, has been associated with a variety of clinical complications. Diagnosis of acute HHV-6 infection has been a major challenge due to high prevalence of the virus and the difficulty in distinguishing latent infections from acute. Chromosomal integration of HHV-6 also occurs further complicating the management and diagnostics of HHV-6 disease. PCR-based methods have become the mainstay of HHV-6 diagnostics, however, interpretation of results in the context of clinical disease is of utmost importance.     

Detection of Human Heart Rate in Exercises State

作者介绍了一种动态心率检测电路，它能准确、可靠地检出在运动状态下的人体心率。电路采用两种检测技术，一种为双时值ＱＲＳ波检测法，另一种为光电脉搏检测法。