Despite the significant health risks associated with Dermanyssus gallinae infestations in humans, they are often overlooked. This study investigated a household case of D. gallinae infestation and explored the resulting clinical manifestations and risk of infection in family members. Microfluidic PCR was employed for high-throughput screening of pathogens in collected mites and blood samples from both chickens and family members. Morphological and molecular examinations confirmed the identity of the mites as D. gallinae sensu stricto (s.s.), with evidence indicating recent blood feeding. Results indicated that the mites exclusively harbored various pathogens, including Bartonella spp., Ehrlichia spp., Apicomplexa, and Theileria spp. Blood samples from family members and poultry tested negative for these pathogens, suggesting a potential reservoir role for D. gallinae. The study further identified haplotypes of D. gallinae, classifying them into D. gallinae s.s., cosmopolitan haplogroup A. Serological analysis revealed elevated IgE seroreactivity against mite proteins in the family member with bite lesions. Antibodies against Bartonella spp. were detected in this individual, indicating exposure to the pathogen. In summary, this study sheds light on the clinical manifestations, pathogen detection, and genetic characterization of D. gallinae infestations, underscoring the necessity of adopting comprehensive approaches to manage such infestations effectively.
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
BK polyomavirus (BKPyV) often reactivates after kidney transplantation, causing BKPyV-associated nephropathy (BKPyVAN) in 1%-10% of cases with a potential detrimental effect on allograft survival. Kidney transplant recipients are regularly screened for BKPyV DNA in plasma. As this strategy may not always reduce the risk of BKPyVAN, other predictive markers are needed. To evaluate the role of pretransplant BKPyV-specific antibody, 210 kidney transplant recipients and 130 donors were screened for BKPyV DNA and BKPyV-specific antibodies. We found that the donor BKPyV immunoglobulin G (IgG) seroprevalence and antibody level were strongly associated with BKPyV-DNAemia and BKPyVAN, although multivariant analysis found the presence of anti-BKPyV-specific antibodies as a predictive factor only for BKPyV-DNAemia. The pretransplant recipient status had no effect on posttransplant BKPyV-DNAemia and BKVAN. BKPyV IgG levels remained stable in BKPyV-negative recipients during 1-year follow-up, while a considerable increase was observed in BKPyV-positive patients. The presence of anti-BKPyV-specific antibodies in kidney allograft donors is a good and reliable predictive marker for posttransplant BKPyV replication with relevance to risk stratification in transplant recipients.
- MeSH
- Immunoglobulin G MeSH
- Nephritis, Interstitial * complications MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Polyomavirus Infections * MeSH
- Seroepidemiologic Studies MeSH
- Kidney Transplantation * adverse effects MeSH
- BK Virus * MeSH
- Check Tag
- Humans MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
- Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
Active infection with BK polyomavirus (BKPyV) may cause serious complications in transplantation settings. Recently, the level of BKPyV IgG seroreactivity in graft donors has been shown to predict viremia and BKPyV-associated nephropathy in kidney transplant (KTx) recipients. Pretransplantation testing of the donor and recipient BKPyV serostatus could, therefore, identify patients at high risk. For the development of serological immunoassays, antibody response to the predominant BKPyV subtypes (BKPyV-I and BKPyV-IV) was studied using virus-like particle (VLP)-based enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). VLPs made from the capsid protein, VP1, derived from BKPyV-I and BKPyV-IV subtypes were produced using a baculovirus expression system and used as antigens. The tests were used for IgG antibody determination in 50 KTx recipients and 111 healthy blood donors. While 87% of samples reacted with mixed BKPyV-I and BKPyV-IV antigens, only 49% of samples were reactive in both ELISA tests when using BKPyV-I or BKPyV-IV antigens separately. Twenty-seven percent of healthy blood donors and 26% of KTx recipients were reactive only with BKPyV-I, while 9% and 20% were reactive only with BKPyV-IV, respectively. To determine the specificities of the antigens, selected seropositive samples were retested after preadsorption with soluble BKPyV-I, BKPyV-IV, or JC polyomavirus antigens. The experiments confirmed that recombinant VP1 VLP-based ELISAs predominantly detected BKPyV type-specific antibodies. The results imply that anti-BKPyV antibody ELISA tests should contain a mixture of subtype-specific VLP-based antigens instead of antigen derived from the most prevalent BKPyV-I subtype. The tests can be used for serological surveys of BKPyV infection and improved KTx patient management.
- MeSH
- Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay methods MeSH
- Immunoglobulin G blood MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Polyomavirus Infections epidemiology MeSH
- Transplant Recipients * MeSH
- Antibodies, Viral blood MeSH
- Seroepidemiologic Studies MeSH
- Kidney Transplantation * MeSH
- BK Virus immunology MeSH
- Check Tag
- Humans MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
- Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
- Geographicals
- Czech Republic MeSH
BACKGROUND & AIMS: Autoimmune polyendocrinopathy candidiasis ectodermal dystrophy (APECED) is an autoimmune disorder characterized by chronic mucocutaneous candidiasis, hypoparathyroidism, and adrenal insufficiency, but patients also develop intestinal disorders. APECED is an autosomal recessive disorder caused by mutations in the autoimmune regulator (AIRE, which regulates immune tolerance) that allow self-reactive T cells to enter the periphery. Enteric α-defensins are antimicrobial peptides secreted by Paneth cells. Patients with APECED frequently have gastrointestinal symptoms and seroreactivity against secretory granules of Paneth cells. We investigated whether enteric α-defensins are autoantigens in humans and mice with AIRE deficiency. METHODS: We analyzed clinical data, along with serum and stool samples and available duodenal biopsies from 50 patients with APECED collected from multiple centers in Europe. Samples were assessed for expression of defensins and other molecules by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and flow cytometry; levels of antibodies and other proteins were measured by immunohistochemical and immunoblot analyses. Histologic analyses were performed on biopsy samples. We used Aire(-/-) mice as a model of APECED, and studied the effects of transferring immune cells from these mice to athymic mice. RESULTS: Enteric defensins were detected in extraintestinal tissues of patients with APECED, especially in medullary thymic epithelial cells. Some patients with APECED lacked Paneth cells and were seropositive for defensin-specific autoantibodies; the presence of autoantibodies correlated with frequent diarrhea. Aire(-/-) mice developed defensin-specific T cells. Adoptive transfer of these T cells to athymic mice resulted in T-cell infiltration of the gut, loss of Paneth cells, microbial dysbiosis, and the induction of T-helper 17 cell-mediated autoimmune responses resembling those observed in patients with APECED. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with APECED, loss of AIRE appears to cause an autoimmune response against enteric defensins and loss of Paneth cells. Aire(-/-) mice developed defensin-specific T cells that cause intestinal defects similar to those observed in patients with APECED. These findings provide a mechanism by which loss of AIRE-mediated immune tolerance leads to intestinal disorders in patients with APECED.
- MeSH
- alpha-Defensins immunology MeSH
- Autoimmunity * MeSH
- Polyendocrinopathies, Autoimmune complications immunology MeSH
- Child MeSH
- Adult MeSH
- Middle Aged MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Adolescent MeSH
- Young Adult MeSH
- Mice, Inbred C57BL MeSH
- Mice, Knockout MeSH
- Mice MeSH
- Child, Preschool MeSH
- Aged MeSH
- Intestines immunology MeSH
- T-Lymphocytes immunology MeSH
- Transcription Factors genetics MeSH
- Animals MeSH
- Check Tag
- Child MeSH
- Adult MeSH
- Middle Aged MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Adolescent MeSH
- Young Adult MeSH
- Male MeSH
- Mice MeSH
- Child, Preschool MeSH
- Aged MeSH
- Female MeSH
- Animals MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
- Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
BACKGROUND: The increasing incidence of oropharyngeal cancer in many developed countries has been attributed to human papillomavirus type 16 (HPV16) infections. Recently, HPV16 E6 serology has been identified as a promising early marker for oropharyngeal cancer. Therefore, characterization of HPV16 E6 seropositivity among individuals without cancer is warranted. METHODS: A total of 4,666 controls were pooled from several studies of cancer and HPV seropositivity, all tested within the same laboratory. HPV16 E6 seropositive controls were classified as having (i) moderate [mean fluorescent intensity (MFI) ≥ 484 and <1,000] or (ii) high seroreactivity (MFI ≥ 1,000). Associations of moderate and high HPV16 E6 seroreactivity with (i) demographic risk factors; and seropositivity for (ii) other HPV16 proteins (E1, E2, E4, E7, and L1), and (iii) E6 proteins from non-HPV16 types (HPV6, 11, 18, 31, 33, 45, and 52) were evaluated. RESULTS: Thirty-two (0.7%) HPV16 E6 seropositive controls were identified; 17 (0.4%) with moderate and 15 (0.3%) with high seroreactivity. High HPV16 E6 seroreactivity was associated with former smoking [odds ratio (OR), 5.5; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.2-51.8], and seropositivity against HPV16 L1 (OR, 4.8; 95% CI, 1.3-15.4); E2 (OR, 7.7; 95% CI, 1.4-29.1); multiple HPV16 proteins (OR, 25.3; 95% CI, 2.6-119.6 for three HPV16 proteins beside E6) and HPV33 E6 (OR, 17.7; 95% CI, 1.9-81.8). No associations were observed with moderate HPV16 E6 seroreactivity. CONCLUSIONS: High HPV16 E6 seroreactivity is rare among individuals without diagnosed cancer and was not explained by demographic factors. IMPACT: Some HPV16 E6 seropositive individuals without diagnosed HPV-driven cancer, especially those with seropositivity against other HPV16 proteins, may harbor a biologically relevant HPV16 infection.
- MeSH
- Adult MeSH
- Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay MeSH
- Papillomavirus Infections immunology MeSH
- Cohort Studies MeSH
- Middle Aged MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Human papillomavirus 16 immunology MeSH
- Young Adult MeSH
- Oropharyngeal Neoplasms immunology virology MeSH
- Oncogene Proteins, Viral immunology MeSH
- Antibodies, Viral blood MeSH
- Repressor Proteins immunology MeSH
- Risk Factors MeSH
- Aged, 80 and over MeSH
- Aged MeSH
- Carcinoma, Squamous Cell immunology virology MeSH
- Case-Control Studies MeSH
- Check Tag
- Adult MeSH
- Middle Aged MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Young Adult MeSH
- Male MeSH
- Aged, 80 and over MeSH
- Aged MeSH
- Female MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
- Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
- Research Support, N.I.H., Intramural MeSH
In this work, we focused on detection of IgG antibodies in the blood sera from Czech soldiers returning from Afghanistan against selected zoonotic diseases by commercially available ELISA kits. Samples were tested for the presence of antibodies against Brucella abortus, Coxiella burnetii, Leptospira spp., complex of Rickettsia conorii, Leishmania infantum, hantaviruses and hepatitis E virus. Except for L. infantum (all persons were negative), we found following seroreactivity rate: 10 % in B. abortus, 11 % in C. burnetii, 20 % in Leptospira spp., 10 % in R. conorii and 4 % in both hepatitis E virus and hantaviruses.
- MeSH
- Brucella abortus MeSH
- Coxiella burnetii MeSH
- Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay statistics & numerical data MeSH
- Orthohantavirus MeSH
- Hepevirus MeSH
- Immunoglobulin G blood MeSH
- Leishmania infantum MeSH
- Leptospira MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Military Personnel * MeSH
- Antibodies * blood MeSH
- Rickettsia conorii MeSH
- Zoonoses * MeSH
- Check Tag
- Humans MeSH
- Publication type
- Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
- Geographicals
- Afghanistan MeSH
- Czech Republic MeSH
Cíle: 1. vyhodnotit prevalenci protilátek proti Chlamydophilla pneumoniae, Chlamydia trachomatis a proti proteinu tepelného šoku 60 chlamydií v revmatologické populaci. 2. vyhodnotit senzitivitu a specifitu nálezů druhově specifických protilátek proti Chlamydia trachomatis a protilátek proti proteinu tepelného šoku 60 chlamydií u nemocných s uroartritidou z Národního registru revmatických chorob. Metody: První soubor představovala séra nemocných s reaktivní artritidou z Národního registru revmatických chorob. Celkem bylo vyšetřeno 87 sér. 36 sér bylo získáno od nemocných s uroartritidou a 51 od nemocných s enteroartritidou. Druhý soubor představovalo 99 sér pacientů s jinými revmatologickými diagnózami. U všech pacientů byla hodnocena přítomnost protilátek proti druhově specifickým antigenům Chlamydia trachomatis, Chlamydophilla pneumoniae a proti antigenům tepelného šoku 60 chlamydií. Na základě výsledků byla hodnocena prevalence chlamydiových infekcí v revmatologické populaci. Dále byla hodnocena senzitivita nálezů sérologické reaktivity proti Chlamydia trachomatis a proti proteinu tepelného šoku chlamydií u nemocných s uroartritidou. Specifita těchto nálezů pro diagnózu uroartritidy byla hodnocena porovnáním nálezů ve skupině nemocných s uroartritidou a nálezů ve skupině nemocných s enteroartritidou a v souboru nemocných s jinými revmatickými chorobami s použitím statistického zpracování. Výsledky: Výskyt protilátek proti Chlamydophilla pneumoniae se pohyboval v revmatické populaci mezi 25-32,32 %. Výskyt protilátek proti Chlamydia trachomatis se pohyboval v revmatické populaci mezi 13,73-52,78 %. Výskyt protilátek proti proteinu tepelného šoku 60 chlamydií se pohyboval mezi 11,11-44,44 %. Senzitivita nálezu séroreaktivity proti druhově specifickým antigenům Chlamydia trachomatis u nemocných s uroartritidou byla 52,78 %. Senzitivita reaktivity proti proteinu tepelného šoku 60 chlamydií byla 44,44 %. V souboru pacientů s uroartritidou byl výskyt protilátek proti Chlamydia trachomatis a proti proteinu tepelného šoku cca čtyřnásobný než u nemocných s enteroartritidou a u nemocných s jinými revmatickými chorobami. Specifita nálezů pro diagnózu uroartritidy byla u druhově specifických protilátek 73,47 % a u protilátek proti tepelnému šoku 60 chlamydií 74,99 %. Závěr: vyšetření druhově specifických protilátek proti Chlamydia trachomatis a vyšetření protilátek proti tepelnému šoku 60 chlamydií má podpůrný význam pro stanovení diagnózy uroartritidy.
Aims: 1. Examination of antibodies against Chlamydophilla pneumonie, Chlamydia trachomatis and chlamydial heat shock protein 60 in a cohort of rheumatic patiens; 2. interpretation of sensitivity and specificity of species specific antibodies against Chlamydia trachomatis and chlamydial heat shock protein 60 in patients with uroarthritis. Methods: The first group was represented by sera from patients with reactive arthritis from national register of patients with rheumatic diseases. A total number of 87 sera was analysed. Thirty-six sera were obtained from patients with uroarthritis and 51 sera from patients with enteroarthritis. The second group was represented by sera from patients with other rheumatic diagnoses. The presence of antibodies against species specific antigens of Chlamydia trachomatis, Chlamydiophilla pneumoniae and chlamydial heat shock protein 60 was examined in all patients. On the basis of the results, prevalence of chlamydia infection was evaluated in the cohort of rheumatic patients. Further, sensitivity of serological reactivity against Chlamydia trachomatis and chlamydial heat shock protein in patients with uroarthritis was evaluated. Specificity of these findings to diagnose uroarthritis was statistically assessed by comparing findings in the group of patients with enteroarthritis and group of patients with other rheumatic diagnosis. Results: Prevalence of antibodies against Chlamydophilla pneumoniae in rheumatic cohort ranged between 25-32.32%. Prevalence of antibodies against Chlamydia trachomatis in rheumatic cohort ranged between 13.73-52.78%. Prevalence of antibodies against chlamydial heat shock protein 60 in rheumatic cohort ranged between 11.11-44.44%. Sensitivity of seroreactivity against species specific antigens of Chlamydia trachomatis in patients with uroarthritis was 52.78%. Sensitivity of reactivity of chlamydial heat shock protein 60 was 44.44%. There were nearly 4-times higher levels of antibodies against Chlamydia trachomatis and chlamydial heat shock protein 60 detected in the group of patients with uroarthritis in contrast to patients with enteroarthritis and other rheumatic diseases. Specificity of species specific antibodies and antibodies against chlamydial heat shock protein 60 to diagnose uroarthritis was 73.47% and 74.99%, respectively. Conclusion: Examination of species specific antibodies against Chlamydia trachomatis and antibodies against chlamydial heat shock protein 60 is of an auxiliary significance to diagnose uroarthritis.
- MeSH
- Chlamydia Infections diagnosis complications MeSH
- Adult MeSH
- Research Support as Topic MeSH
- Chlamydophila Infections diagnosis complications MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Heat-Shock Proteins immunology MeSH
- Antibodies, Bacterial blood MeSH
- Arthritis, Reactive microbiology MeSH
- Sensitivity and Specificity MeSH
- Check Tag
- Adult MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Male MeSH
- Female MeSH
Cielom práce bolo zhodnotit'riziko expozície na zaklade séroreaktivity pacientov a infekcie v legionelami kolonizovanom prostředí dvoch nemocníc. Kultivačně vyšetrenia vzoriek vod odhalilo 30,7 %, resp. 28,3 % osídlenie kvantitativné 104-107 KTJ/1. Najčastejšie boli izolované kmene legionel druhu Legionellapneumophilasp. (L.p.) sérotypov L.p.10 a 5 v nemocnici A, v nemocnici BL.p.l (non Pontiac skupiny) a L.p. 3 (niektoré kmene boli virulentně pre morčatá). Pri sérologickom vyšetření párových sér 64 pacientov z nemocnice A vo veku 56 ± 16,0 rokov 15 pacientov reagovalo váčšinou dvojnásobným vzostupom titra protilétok do hodnoty 1:32 so štandartnými antigénmi a 6 pacientov s endemickými antigénmi, zatiaTčo zo 64 pacientov s malígnym ochorením vo veku 56,2 ± 7,3 rokov z nemocnice B reagovali do titra 1:32 len štyria pacienti iba so štandartnými antigénmi. Napriek nízkej séroreaktivite dlhšie hospitalizovaných pacientov a bez zachytenia nozokomiálnej legionelózy třeba považovat' obe kolonizované nemocnice za rizikové z hfadiska nozokomiálnej nákazy s odporúčaním dochlórovania vody, započatia aktívnej surveillance a zaradenia dókazu legionelového antigénu v moči medzi rutinně vyšetrenia.
The aim of the study was risk assessment for exposure to legionellae measured by seroreactivity ofin-patients and infection in colonized hospitals.Sampling of water from distribution systems of two hospitals (A, B) revealed legionella contamina-tion in 30.7 % and 28.3 % in the ranges of 104-107 CFU/1. The most common isolates were of Legionellapneumophila sp. (L.p.) serotypes L.p.10 and 5 in hospital A, in hospital B L.p.l (non-Pontiac group)and L.p. 3 (some of tested strains were virulent for guinea pigs).Paired sera of 64 patients from hospital A in the ages of 56 ± 16.0 taken in the range of 18.4 ± 8.6 daysreacted mostly with low titers (up to 1:32) with standard antigens (15 patients) and endemic antigens(6 patients). Sera (time spán 25.0 ± 8.1 days) of 64 patients with oncological diseases (from hospitalB) aged 56.2 * 7.3 years reacted only with standard antigens in lower titres in 4 cases.Despite of low seroreactivity of in-patients and no nosocomial cases in colonized hospitals, bothfacilities (especially hospital B) must be considered as risk sites for susceptible patients, activesurveillance using urinary legionella antigen detection must be introduced.
Po dlouhé řadě let jsme se v České republice opět setkali s případy vrozené syfilidy. Počty nejsouvysoké (v roce 1998 - 18 případů), ale svědčí o určitých nedostatcích. Tím, že znalosti našich lékařůbyly v této oblasti dosud spíše teoretické, v praxi došlo k několika pochybením. Hlavní příčinyvzrůstu spočívají v rozvolnění organizačních opatření, ve větším pohybu osob a v nedodržovánídříve zavedených pravidel. Ty spočívají hlavně v důsledně provedených odběrech pupečníkové krve,vyšetřování séroreakcí během gravidity, v důsledné dispenzarizaci dříve nemocných osob a jejichkontrolách, přeléčení matek majících v anamnéze syfilidu. Důležité je i hlášení syfilitických abortůs následnou depistáží a epidemiologickým šetřením. Hlavní chybou bývají rozpaky v interpretacisérologických nálezů, zda jde o vlastní onemocnění či pasivní přenos protilátek. Účelem článku jepodat současný přehled o problematice vrozené syfilidy, protože se zřejmě s určitým počtem případů, především u sociálně problémových osob, budeme i nadále setkávat.
After many years we encountered again in the Czech Republic cases of congenital syphilis. Thenumbers are not high (in 1998 - 18 cases) but they suggest certain shortcomings. Because theknowledge of our doctors in this sphere was rather theoretical, in practice some shortcomingsoccurred. The main causes of the increase are less stringent organizational provisions, greatermovement of people and lack of adherence to formerly introduced rules. The latter include inparticular systematic sampling of umbilical blood, examination of seroreactions during pregnancy,systematic dispensarization of former patients and their check-ups, treatment of mothers witha case-history of syphilis. It is also important to report syphilitic abortions with subsequent screening and epidemiological follow-up. The main mistake is usually doubtful interpretation of serological findings, whether the disease proper is involved or transmission of antibodies. The objectiveof the article is to present an up-to-date survey of the problem of congenital syphilis as obviouslya certain number of cases will be encountered particularly in socially problematic subjects.
- MeSH
- Algorithms MeSH
- Incidence MeSH
- Serologic Tests MeSH
- Syphilis, Congenital diagnosis genetics therapy MeSH
- Health Education MeSH
- Publication type
- Review MeSH
- Geographicals
- Czech Republic MeSH
