Human Monocytic Ehrlichiosis,Mexico City,Mexico

Little information is available about human infections by the members of the genus Ehrlichia in Mexico. Only 2 species, Ehrlichia canis and E. chaffensis, are known to cause disease in this country. We report a fatal case of human monocytic ehrlichiosis in Mexico City in a man who was homeless.     

Characterization of the Luminal and Mucosa-Associated Microbiome along the Gastrointestinal Tract: Results from Surgically Treated Preterm Infants and a Murine Model

Environmental factors, including nutritional habits or birth mode, are known key determinants for intestinal microbial composition. Investigations of the intestinal microbiome in different species in a multiplicity of studies during recent decades have revealed differential microbial patterns and quantities along the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Characterization of the microbial pattern in various aspects is a prerequisite for nutritional interventions. In this 16S rRNA amplicon-based approach, we present a characterization of the mucosa-associated microbiome in comparison with the luminal community of four infants at the time of the closure of ileostomies and perform a systematic characterization of the corresponding luminal and mucosal microbiome from jejunal, ileal and colonic regions, as well as collected feces in mice. The most dominant taxa in infant-derived samples altered due to individual differences, and in the mucosa, Enterococcus, Clostridium sensu stricto 1, Veillonella, Streptococcus and Staphylococcus were the most abundant. Two less abundant taxa differed significantly between the mucosa and lumen. In murine samples, relative abundances differed significantly, mainly between the intestinal regions. Significant differences between mouse mucosa- and lumen-derived samples could be found in the observed species with a trend to lower estimated diversity in mucosa-derived samples, as well as in the relative abundance of individual taxa. In this study, we examined the difference between the mucosal and luminal bacterial colonization of the gastrointestinal tract in a small sample cohort of preterm infants. Individual differences were characterized and statistical significance was reached in two taxa (Cupriavidus, Ralstonia). The corresponding study on the different murine intestinal regions along the GI tract showed differences all over the intestinal region.     

Desinfektionsmittel in der COVID-19-Pandemie: eine Herausforderung

Bundesgesundheitsblatt - Gesundheitsforschung - Gesundheitsschutz - Durch die COVID-19-Pandemie haben Desinfektionsmaßnahmen auch in Deutschland an Bedeutung gewonnen. Der erhöhte Bedarf...     

Balancing on the edge of death: suicide attempts and life-threatening overdoses among drug addicts

Aims. Assessment of prevalence of non-fatal overdoses and suicide attempts and predictors of and co-variation between such behaviours among drug addicts. Design. Cross-sectional survey. Setting. Inpatient and outpatient treatment units in Norway. Participants. National sample of 2051 drug addicts admitted to treatment in Norway in 1992-93. Measurements. Self-reports of suicide attempts and of life-threatening overdoses from structured interviews with therapists. Findings. Almost half (45.5%) the clients reported having experienced one or more life-threatening overdoses. A third (32.7%) reported one or more suicide attempts. Suicide attempts were more often reported among those who had overdosed (odds ratio (OR) = 6.3), and the number of life-threatening overdoses and number of suicide attempts were positively and moderately associated (Pearson's r = 0.39). Drug addicts who had exhibited both life-threatening behaviours were characterized by polydrug use, poor social functioning and HIV risk-taking behaviour. Suicide attempters were also characterized by psychiatric problems. Conclusions. The substantial co-variation between suicide attempts and drug overdose suggests some common underlying causal factors. These seem to be related to heavy drug use and poor social integration.