Anal infections with concomitant <Emphasis Type="Italic">Chlamydia trachomatis</Emphasis>genotypes among men who have sex with men in Amsterdam,the Netherlands

Background  

Lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV) proctitis is caused by Chlamydia trachomatis (Ct) genotype L and is endemic among men who have sex with men (MSM) in western society. Genotype L infections need to be distinguished from non-LGV (genotypes A-K) Ct infections since they require prolonged antibiotic treatment. For this purpose, an in-house developed pmpH based LGV polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test is used at the Amsterdam STI outpatient clinic. We investigated retrospectively the anal Ct genotype distribution, and the frequency of concomitant genotype infections in MSM infected with LGV and non-LGV Ct infections. To detect concomitant Ct genotype infections, the pmpH LGV PCR and genoTyping Reverse Hybridization Assay (Ct-DT RHA) were used.     

The ability of small interfering RNA oligonucleotides to decrease the infective activity of hepatitis C virus in the cell cultures

The use of the RNA interference technique yielded data on the antiviral activity of small interfering RNA (siRNA) oligonucleotides against hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in the pig embryo kidney (SPEV) cell cultures. The RNA interference technique is based on the specific recognition of the mRNA target by using the specially designed siRNA (19-22 bp) oligonucleotides. In particular, it was shown that siRNA added to the monolayer of HCV-infected SPEV cells resulted in the protection of the infected cells against the cytopathogenic activity of the virus. The results were confirmed in the experiments that demonstrated the ability of RNA oligonucleotides to reduce the production of infectious (cytopathogenic) HCV by infected SPEV cells in early-stage infection.     

Detection of oseltamivir‐resistant zoonotic and animal influenza A viruses using the rapid influenza antiviral resistance test

Mutations in the influenza virus neuraminidase (NA) that cause reduced susceptibility to the NA inhibitor (NAI) oseltamivir may occur naturally or following antiviral treatment. Currently, detection uses either a traditional NA inhibition assay or gene sequencing to identify known markers associated with reduced inhibition by oseltamivir. Both methods are laborious and require trained personnel. The influenza antiviral resistance test (iART), a prototype system developed by Becton, Dickinson and Company for research use only, offers a rapid and simple method to identify such viruses. This study investigated application of iART to influenza A viruses isolated from non‐human hosts with a variety of NA subtypes (N1‐N9).