Sexual behavior and HIV infection among pregnant hilltribe women in northern Thailand

A case-control study was carried out to determine factors associated with HIV infection among pregnant hilltribe women who attended the antenatal clinics of six hospitals in northern Thailand (Mae Suai, Wieng Pa Pao, Mae Sai, Mae Chan, Wieng Kaen, Mae Fa Luang, and Chiang Rai hospitals) between 1 January 2005- 31 May 2007. Data were collected using questionnaires and analysis was by univariate (p-value = 0.100) and multivariate analysis (p-value = 0.050) in the model of unconditional multiple logistic regression. The ratio of cases to controls was 1:4. The sample consisted of 255 subjects; 51 cases and 204 controls. The mean age of the women was 26.9 years (min = 15, max = 52, and SD 7.3). The majority of the women were Lahu (49.8%) or Akha (36.9%). Nearly half the women were Christian (48.2%), followed by Buddhist (42.4%). Most of the women were not educated (60.4%). The largest group for family income was 10,000-49,999 baht/year (62.6%). After controlling for family income, family debt, education, occupation and household members, the findings showed that the "not married to debut partner" group were at greater risk than the "married to debut partner" group by 6.6 times (OR(adj) = 6.6, 95% CI = 2.9-14.9). The "use of alcohol" group were at higher risk by 4.5 times (OR(adj) = 4.5, 95% CI = 2.0-10.3) compared to the no alcohol use group, and a history of genital ulcer group had an increased risk of 6.3 times (OR(adj) = 6.3, 95% CI = 1.2-31.1) the chance of having HIV infection compared to no history of genital ulcers in pregnant hilltribe women.     

Avian influenza H5N1 in naturally infected domestic cat

We report H5N1 virus infection in a domestic cat infected by eating a pigeon carcass. The virus isolated from the pigeon and the cat showed the same cluster as the viruses obtained during the outbreak in Thailand. Since cats are common house pets, concern regarding disease transmission to humans exists.     

Detection and differentiation of human herpesviruses 1-5 by consensus primer PCR and RFLP

Eight human viruses of the Herpesviridae family represent a significant public health problem world-wide. Detection and typing of five of the human herpesviruses (HSV-1, HSV-2, VZV, EBV, and CMV) was performed by applying a consensus primer polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The amplified PCR products from the five human herpesviruses were typed based on their restriction enzyme digestion polymorphism with Hinf I and Alu I. Fifteen clinically suspected specimens from herpesvirus-infected patients were also evaluated. A fragment of the DNA polymerase gene from each of the five human herpesviruses was successfully amplified by the set of consensus primers. Their amplicons obtained by PCR from the template DNAs were subjected to restriction endonuclease digestion and human herpesviruses 1-5 could be clearly differentiated and typed. This method can be used to detect and differentiate between the five human herpesviruses in clinical specimens. This study demonstrates the value of testing for five human herpesviruses by consensus PCR and restricted fragment length polymorphism (RFLP). These procedures are simple and straightforward techniques for the investigation of clinical specimens.     

Simultaneous quantitation and genotyping of hepatitis B virus by real-time PCR and melting curve analysis

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) genotype and HBV DNA levels have been implicated in clinical evaluation and prognosis of patients with chronic HBV infection. The aim of the present study was to develop a rapid and sensitive method for simultaneous HBV DNA quantitation and differentiation between HBV genotypes B and C in a single-step reaction by real-time PCR and melting curve analysis using SYBR Green I fluorescent dye. The genotypes obtained by this method were compared with those examined by PCR-RFLP and direct sequencing on 52 serum samples of patients with chronic HBV infection. Using the results obtained by direct sequencing and phylogenetic analysis as the reference, the accuracy of HBV genotyping by PCR-RFLP and melting curve analysis was 90.38 and 92.31%, respectively. The geometric mean of HBV DNA levels was 3.42×10⁶, 2.10×10⁶, 1.19×10⁵ and 3.10×10⁴ copies/μl in asymptomatic carriers, patients with chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma, respectively. It is concluded that this method has the advantages of rapidity, reproducibility and accuracy, which would be feasible and attractive for large-scale analysis, particularly in regions where HBV genotypes B and C are prevalent.     

Probable tiger-to-tiger transmission of avian influenza H5N1

During the second outbreak of avian influenza H5N1 in Thailand, probable horizontal transmission among tigers was demonstrated in the tiger zoo. Sequencing and phylogenetic analysis of those viruses showed no differences from the first isolate obtained in January 2004. This finding has implications for influenza virus epidemiology and pathogenicity in mammals.     

Amelioration of intestinal reperfusion injury by moderate hypothermia is associated with serum sICAM-1 levels

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of moderate hypothermia on various serum markers involving in inflammation after intestinal ischemia-reperfusion (IR). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The model of 30 min intestinal ischemia +90 min reperfusion was used. Three groups of rats were studied, n=7-8 per group: 1) sham at normothermia, 36.5 to 37.5 degrees C; 2) IR at normothermia and; 3) IR at moderate hypothermia, 32 to 33 degrees C. Serum levels of TNF-alpha, lipopolysaccharide-inducible CXC chemokine (LIX), and soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1) were determined using ELISA technique. Histological features of terminal ileum were also graded. RESULTS: Intestinal IR at normothermia caused remarkable tissue injury together with an elevation in serum TNF-alpha, LIX, and sICAM-1 levels. Moderate hypothermia significantly decreased the degree of mucosal damage and attenuated the elevation of serum sICAM-1 levels. However, there were no significant differences in serum TNF-alpha and LIX levels between IR at normothermia and IR at hypothermia. CONCLUSIONS: Intestinal IR at normothermia induces the elevation of serum TNF-alpha, LIX, and sICAM-1 levels. Moderate hypothermia protects the small intestine from reperfusion injury. This beneficial effect is associated with serum sICAM-1 levels but not with serum TNF-alpha and LIX levels. We speculate that one of the mechanisms, by which hypothermia blunts the tissue injury, is at the step of firm adhesion between leukocytes and endothelial cells.     

Prevalence of hepatitis A virus infection in children with biliary atresia

This study aimed at identifying the prevalence of hepatitis A virus (HAV) infection in children with biliary atresia (BA). Blood samples were collected from children with BA whom had undergone portoenterostomy and attended the pediatric liver clinic, King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital between May 2002 and May 2003. Seventy-seven patients, 45 females and 32 males, ages ranging from 0.2-19 years (mean +/- SD = 5.9 +/- 4.6 years) were enrolled in the study. The HAV seropositivity rate of patients aged <10 years and > or =10 years were 13.1% and 25%, respectively. The seropositivity rate of patients with favorable outcomes (total bilirubin level < or =2 mg/dl) and unfavorable outcome (total bilirubin level >2 mg/dl) were 17.5% and 13.5%, respectively, which were not statistically different (p = 0.6). Children suffering from BA with failed portoenterostomy are at risk of developing severe liver damage at an early age. In these patients a superimposed acute liver infection due to a hepatitis virus, including HAV, may affect liver function and lead to particularly severe disease. The effectiveness of HAV immunization in this particular group of children merits further study.