Recurrent bacteremia with Helicobacter cinaedi: case report and review of the literature

Background  

Helicobacter cinaedi is a rare pathogen in humans, occurring mostly in immuno-compromised patients, with a high potential for recurrence. We describe a case of a patient with lymphoma hospitalized for chemotherapy.     

Tissue MicroArray (TMA) analysis of normal and persistent Chlamydophila pneumoniae infection

Background  

Chlamydophila pneumoniae infection has been implicated as a potential risk factor for atherosclerosis, however the mechanism leading to persistent infection and its role in the disease process remains to be elucidated.     

BRCA1 and BRCA2 germline mutations in Korean ovarian cancer patients

Purpose  

To evaluate the proportion of Korean ovarian cancer patients with a strong family history and the genetic status in such patients.     

Molecular epidemiology and evolutionary genetics of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in Taipei

Background  

The control of tuberculosis in densely populated cities is complicated by close human-to-human contacts and potential transmission of pathogens from multiple sources. We conducted a molecular epidemiologic analysis of 356 Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) isolates from patients presenting pulmonary tuberculosis in metropolitan Taipei. Classical antibiogram studies and genetic characterization, using mycobacterial interspersed repetitive-unit-variable-number tandem-repeat (MIRU-VNTR) typing and spoligotyping, were applied after culture.     

Characterization of CTX-M ESBLs in Enterobacter cloacae, Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae clinical isolates from Cairo, Egypt

Background  

A high rate of resistance to 3^rd generation cephalosporins among Enterobacteriaceae isolates from Egypt has been previously reported. This study aims to characterize the resistance mechanism (s) to extended spectrum cephalosporins among resistant clinical isolates at a medical institute in Cairo, Egypt.     

Bloodstream and endovascular infections due to Abiotrophia defectiva and Granulicatella species

Background  

Abiotrophia and Granulicatella species, previously referred to as nutritionally variant streptococci (NVS), are significant causative agents of endocarditis and bacteraemia. In this study, we reviewed the clinical manifestations of infections due to A. defectiva and Granulicatella species that occurred at our institution between 1998 and 2004.     

Bartonella quintana coinfection with Mycobacterium avium complex and CMV in an AIDS patient: case presentation

Background  

As a greater number of HIV-infected patients survive despite profound immunodepression due to medical progress, we face complex infection with multiple agents in AIDS-patients.     

Analysis of mutations in TP53, APC, K-ras, and DCC genes in the non-dysplastic mucosa of patients with inflammatory bowel disease

Background and aims  

Patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease (CD) have a high risk for colorectal cancer (CRC). To understand the molecular basis of colitis-associated CRC, we analyzed alterations in TP53, APC, K-ras, and DCC genes in the non-dysplastic UC and CD colon.     

vacA genotypes in Helicobacter pylori strains isolated from patients with and without duodenal ulcer in Bahrain

Background  

The vacuolating cytotoxin and the cytotoxinassociated protein, encoded by vacA and cagA, respectively, are important virulence determinants of Helicobacter pylori.     

Differential effects of antigens from L. braziliensis isolates from disseminated and cutaneous leishmaniasis on in vitro cytokine production

Background  

Disseminated leishmaniasis is an emerging infectious disease, mostly due to L. braziliensis, which has clinical and histopathological features distinct from cutaneous leishmaniasis.     

Antibiotic susceptibility of Atopobium vaginae

Background  

Previous studies have indicated that a recently described anaerobic bacterium, Atopobium vaginae is associated with bacterial vaginosis (BV). Thus far the four isolates of this fastidious micro-organism were found to be highly resistant to metronidazole and susceptible for clindamycin, two antibiotics preferred for the treatment of BV.     

Gene expressions of HMGI-C and HMGI(Y) are associated with stage and metastasis in colorectal cancer

Purpose  

The high mobility group proteins (HMGs) include the HMGI family members HMGI-C and HMGI(Y), whose expressions in adult tissues generally correlate with malignant tumor phenotypes. The aim of this study was to assess the relationship of HMGI-C or HMGI(Y) gene expression and prognosis in colorectal cancer patients.     

Clinical outcomes of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis due to extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing Escherichia coli and Klebsiella species: A retrospective matched case-control study

Background  

Clinical outcomes of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) due to extended-spectrum β-lactamase-producing Escherichia coli and Klebsiella species (ESBL-EK) have not been adequately investigated.     

DNA methylation regulates constitutive expression of Stat6 regulatory genes SOCS-1 and SHP-1 in colon cancer cells

Purpose  

Stat6 signaling is active in cancer cells and IL-4-induced Stat6 activities or Stat6 activational phenotypes vary among cancer cells. This study aimed at investigating possible mechanism(s) involved in the formation of varying Stat6 activities/phenotypes.     

T-SPOT.TB responses during treatment of pulmonary tuberculosis

Background  

Immune responses to Mycobacterium tuberculosis antigens could serve as surrogate markers of treatment response.     

Disseminated Mycobacterium avium complex infection in an immunocompetent pregnant woman

Background  

Disseminated mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) occurs mainly in immunocompromised hosts, which is associated with abnormal cellular immunity.     

In vitro antimicrobial effects of aztreonam, colistin, and the 3-drug combination of aztreonam, ceftazidime and amikacin on metallo-β-lactamase-producing Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Background  

There are limited choice of antimicrobial agents to treat infection with metallo-β-lactamase-producing Pseudomonas aeruginosa. We evaluate the antimicrobial effects of aztreonam alone, colistin alone and the 3-drug combination of aztreonam, ceftazidime and amikacin on 23 strains of metallo-β-lactamase-producing P. aeruginosa by time-killing tests.     

Case report: Infective endocarditis caused by Brevundimonas vesicularis

Background  

There are few reports in the literature of invasive infection caused by Brevundimonas vesicularis in patients without immunosuppression or other predisposing factors. The choice of antimicrobial therapy for bacteremia caused by the pathogen requires more case experience to be determined.     

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.