Infectious Disease Commons^™

Mucosal Vaccination By Adenoviruses Displaying Reovirus Sigma 1, Eric A. Weaver, Zenaido T. Camacho, Matthew L. Hillestad, Catherine M. Crosby, Mallory A. Turner, Adam J. Guenzel, Hind J. Fadel, George T. Mercier, Michael A. Barry

Nebraska Center for Virology: Faculty Publications

We previously developed adenovirus serotype 5 (Ad5) vectors displaying the sigma 1 protein from reovirus as mucosal vaccines. Ad5-sigma retargets to JAM-1 and sialic acid, but had 40-fold reduced gene delivery when compared to Ad5. While weaker at transduction, Ad5-sigma generated stronger T cell responses than Ad5 when used for mucosal immunization. New Ad5-fiber-sigma vectors were generated here by varying the number of fiber β-spiral shaft repeats (R) fused between fiber tail and the sigma. Ad5 virions encoding R3, R14, and R20 chimeras were rescued. Increasing chimera length led to their decreasing encapsidation of these proteins in the virions. Ad5-R3 …

Two Cases Of Vibrio Infection And Sepsis In The Delaware Estuary, René Daniel, Md, Joseph Yoo, Md, Roberto Fratamico, Md, Robert Measley, Md

The Medicine Forum

INTRODUCTION

Vibrio is a genus of Gram-negative motile rods. Several species are pathogenic, including Vibrio vulnificus and Vibrio parahaemolyticus. The interest in this genus is due to its extreme virulence and often fatal outcomes. In healthy patients, these infections are typically self-limited; however, in immunocompromised and cirrhotic patients, infections can result in bacteremia, which has a high fatality rate1. Both pathogens may cause acute gastroenteritis, necrotizing wound infections, and if severe, subsequent bacteremia. In this report, we present two cases of Vibrio infections recently identified in the Delaware River Estuary that resulted in severe sepsis and, in one case, death.

Unexplained Recurrent Fevers And The Importance Of Inquiring About Occupation: A Case Report, Zachary Reese, Ms4, Poonam Maru, Do

The Medicine Forum

INTRODUCTION

Many different tick-borne diseases are identified in various geographical areas throughout the United States. Ixodes scapularis tick-borne diseases can present unique diagnostic challenges because of their constellation of vague symptoms. The Ixodes scapularis tick, more commonly known as the blacklegged tick, is responsible for three specific tick-borne infections: Lyme disease (Borellia burgdorferii), Babesiosis (Babesia microti), and Anaplasmosis (Anaplasma phagocytophilum) also known as human granulocytic anaplasmosis. Although these three tick-borne diseases are characteristically found in the New England area, the geographical distribution of the Ixodes tick has expanded to encompass much of the northeastern United States and even states in …

Oral Cryptococcosis In A Patient With Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia, Sachin Patel, Maria Navas, Courtney Batt, Robin L.P. Jump

Faculty Scholarship

No abstract provided.

Cyclic Di-Gmp-Regulated Periplasmic Proteolysis Of A Pseudomonas Aeruginosa Type Vb Secretion System Substrate, Richard B. Cooley, T. Jarrod Smith, Wilfred Leung, Valerie Tierney, Bradley Borlee, George A. O'Toole, Holger Sondermann

Dartmouth Scholarship

We previously identified a second-messenger-regulated signaling system in the environmental bacterium Pseudomonas fluorescens which controls biofilm formation in response to levels of environmental inorganic phosphate. This system contains the transmembrane cyclic di-GMP (c-di-GMP) receptor LapD and the periplasmic protease LapG. LapD regulates LapG and controls the ability of this protease to process a large cell surface adhesin protein, LapA. While LapDG orthologs can be identified in diverse

A Survey Of Tuberculosis Infection Control Practices At The Nih/Niaid/Daids-Supported Clinical Trial Sites In Low And Middle Income Countries., Catherine Godfrey, Gail Tauscher, Sally Hunsberger, Melissa Austin, Lesley Scott, Jeffrey T. Schouten, Anne F. Luetkemeyer, Constance Benson, Robert Coombs, Susan Swindells

Journal Articles: Infectious Diseases

BACKGROUND: Health care associated transmission of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (TB) is well described. A previous survey of infection control (IC) practices at clinical research sites in low and middle income countries (LMIC) funded by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) conducting HIV research identified issues with respiratory IC practices. A guideline for TB IC based on international recommendations was developed and promulgated. This paper reports on adherence to the guideline at sites conducting or planning to conduct TB studies with the intention of supporting improvement.

METHODS: A survey was developed that assessed IC activities in three domains: facility …

The Pseudomonas Aeruginosa Efflux Pump Mexghi-Opmd Transports A Natural Phenazine That Controls Gene Expression And Biofilm Development, Hassan Sakhtah, Leslie Koyama, Yihan Zhang, Diana K. Morales, Blanche Fields, Alexa Price-Whelan, Deborah Hogan

Dartmouth Scholarship

Redox-cycling compounds, including endogenously produced phenazine antibiotics, induce expression of the efflux pump MexGHI-OpmD in the opportunistic pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa Previous studies of P. aeruginosa virulence, physiology, and biofilm development have focused on the blue phenazine pyocyanin and the yellow phenazine-1-carboxylic acid (PCA). In P. aeruginosa phenazine biosynthesis, conversion of PCA to pyocyanin is presumed to proceed through the intermediate 5-methylphenazine-1-carboxylate (5-Me-PCA), a reactive compound that has eluded detection in most laboratory samples. Here, we apply electrochemical methods to directly detect 5-Me-PCA and find that it is transported by MexGHI-OpmD in P. aeruginosa strain PA14 planktonic and biofilm cells. We …

Tobacco Cessation Treatment: Knowledge, Attitude And Practices Of Physician In Karachi, Pakistan: A Cross Sectional Study, Muhammad Naeem, Muhammad Irfan, Minaz Mawani, Zeeshan Waheed, Ahmed Suleman Haque, Ali Bin Sarwar Zubairi, Javaid Khan

Section of Pulmonary & Critical Care

Introduction: Tobacco smoking is a public health problem leading to substantial morbidity and mortality with around 80% of the deaths occurring in developing countries. Physician intervention has been shown to increase cessation rates. The study aims to assess knowledge, attitudes and practices of physicians in tobacco cessation treatment in Karachi Pakistan.

Methods: A descriptive cross sectional study was carried out between June to December 2013. All practicing physicians from Karachi were recruited. Survey questionnaire was distributed among randomly selected physicians after obtaining their consent. The study was approved by ethics review committee of The Aga Khan University Hospital.

Results: A …

A Survey And Analysis Of The American Public's Perceptions And Knowledge About Antibiotic Resistance, Rebecca R. Carter, Jiayang Sun, Robin L.P. Jump

Faculty Scholarship

Background. Little is known about the American public's perceptions or knowledge about antibiotic-resistant bacteria or antibiotic misuse. We hypothesized that although many people recognize antibiotic resistance as a problem, they may not understand the relationship between antibiotic consumption and selection of resistant bacteria. Methods. We developed and tested a survey asking respondents about their perceptions and knowledge regarding appropriate antibiotic use. Respondents were recruited with the Amazon Mechanical Turk crowdsourcing platform. The survey, carefully designed to assess a crowd-sourced population, asked respondents to explain "antibiotic resistance" in their own words. Subsequent questions were multiple choice. Results. Of 215 respondents, the …

Serratia Fonticola, Pathogen Or Bystander? A Case Series And Review Of The Literature, Roberto Viau, Robin L.P. Jump

Faculty Scholarship

Serratia fonticola is an unusual human pathogen, previously described primarily as causing skin and soft tissue infections following trauma. There is little information in the literature about its treatment or susceptibilities. We describe the case of a 67-year-old male with paraplegia who developed urosepsis due to S. fonticola. Blood and urine cultures obtained prior to the initiation of antimicrobials both grew S. fonticola. The patient completed a 15-day course of antimicrobials and had an uneventful recovery.We reviewed 17 other patients with clinical cultures positive for S. fonticola. Of these, 11 isolates were from the genitourinary system, most often as part …

Hiv Vaccines: Progress, Limitations And A Crispr/Cas9 Vaccine, Omar A. Garcia Martinez

Biology: Student Scholarship & Creative Works

ABSTRACT: The HIV-1 pandemic continues to thrive due to ineffective HIV-1 vaccines. Historically, the world’s most infectious diseases, such as polio and smallpox, have been eradicated or have come close to eradication due to the advent of effective vaccines. Highly active antiretroviral therapy is able to delay the onset of AIDS but can neither rid the body of HIV-1 proviral DNA nor prevent further transmission. A prophylactic vaccine that prevents the various mechanisms HIV-1 has to evade and attack our immune system is needed to end the HIV-1 pandemic. Recent advances in engineered nuclease systems, like the CRISPR/Cas9 system, have …

White Blood Cell Count Versus Temperature As Predictors Of Pediatric Bacteremia, Ashley Ashby, Loren Moscinski

Physician Assistant Capstones, 2016 to 2019

Introduction: Although the prevalence of bacteremia has largely declined with the development of the Haemophilus Influenza Type b (Hib) and pneumococcal vaccines, it continues to be a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in children. Thus, it is crucial to differentiate bacteremia from other illnesses via the clinical picture and laboratory test results. Objective: The purpose of this research was to determine whether there is a clinically significant difference between temperature and white blood cell (WBC) count as determinants of bacteremia in the pediatric population. Methods: A PubMed search was conducted utilizing the following terms and filters: temperature, WBC, pediatrics, …

Fecal Transplant Vs Vancomycin For Recurrent Clostridium Diffile, Lauren M. Taylor, Todd E. Edwards

Physician Assistant Capstones, 2016 to 2019

Objective: To compare fecal transplant and vancomycin in the treatment of recurrent clostridium difficile to determine which has the higher cure rate. Design: Systematic literature review. Methods: Pubmed, Google Scholar, and TRIP database using the search terms “recurrent clostridium difficile.” Filters were implemented in the Pubmed database including: randomized control trials, English, and published in the past 5 years. Records were screened for RCT with fecal transplant and full-text. Results: van Nood et al. revealed an initial cure rate of 81% for the infusion group, and a re-treated cure rate of 94%, compared to the vancomycin alone group of 31% …

Stabilization Of Gp120 Outer Domain For Hiv-1-1 Vaccine Immunogen Design, Duoyi Hu

School of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

The sole envelope glycoprotein spike on the surface of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV-1) is composed of two subunits: gp120 and gp41. The gp120 consists of three domains: the inner domain, outer domain and bridging sheet, to which the viral primary receptor CD4 binds and induces a conformational change in gp120 to expose the co-receptor binding site. Previous studies have found that the outer domain of gp120 is relatively more stable than the inner domain and bridging sheet. When superimposed, the co-crystal structures of CD4-gp120 complex and VRC01-gp120 complex revealed that the CD4-binding site (CD4-BS) antibody VRC01 actually mainly bound to …

Did Garin And Bujadoux Actually Report A Case Of Lyme Radiculoneuritis?, Gary P. Wormser, Vanessa Wormser

NYMC Faculty Publications

A 1922 report by Garin and Bujadoux is widely regarded as describing the first case of neurologic Lyme borreliosis. Although the patient reported had a tick bite followed by the development of a rash and radiculoneuritis, there were a number of highly atypical features, raising the question of whether the patient, in fact, had neurologic Lyme borreliosis. The paper may not deserve the historic recognition that it has received.

Disease-Causing Fungi In Homes And Yards In The Midwestern United States, Dennis J. Baumgardner

Journal of Patient-Centered Research and Reviews

A number of fungal pathogens that may result in a variety of human diseases are found in residential homes and yards. The growth of these microscopic fungi is often favored by particular characteristics of the dwelling and nearby outdoor environment. Evolved virulence factors or increased ability of specific fungi to grow in diverse, and sometimes harsh, microenvironments presented by the domestic environment may promote growth and pathogenesis. Infection may occur by inhalation or direct inoculation and include endemic fungi in addition to opportunistic or emerging species. Systemic or locally aggressive fungal infections are particularly likely and may be life-threatening in …

Geographic Distribution Of Maternal Group B Streptococcus Colonization And Infant Death During Birth Hospitalization: Eastern Wisconsin, Jessica J. F. Kram, Dennis J. Baumgardner, Kiley B. Vander Wyst, Melissa A. Lemke

Journal of Patient-Centered Research and Reviews

Purpose

Maternal group B Streptococcus (GBS) can be transmitted from a colonized mother to newborn during vaginal delivery and may or may not contribute to infant death. This study aimed to explore the geographic distribution and risk factors of maternal GBS colonization and infant death during birth hospitalization.

Methods

We retrospectively studied mothers with live birth(s) in a large eastern Wisconsin hospital system from 2007 through 2013. Associations between maternal and neonatal variables, GBS colonization and infant death were examined using chi-squared, Mann-Whitney U and t-tests. Multivariable logistic regression models also were developed.

Results

Study population (N = 99,305) had …

Geodemographic Features Of Human Blastomycosis In Eastern Wisconsin, Megan E. Huber, Dennis J. Baumgardner, Jessica J. F. Kram, Melissa A. Lemke

Journal of Patient-Centered Research and Reviews

Purpose

Blastomycosis is an endemic fungal infection. In rural northern Wisconsin, blastomycosis cases are associated with certain environmental features including close proximity to waterways. Other studies have associated blastomycosis with particular soil chemicals. However, blastomycosis also occurs in urban and suburban regions. We explored the geodemographic associations of blastomycosis cases in the more urban/suburban landscape of eastern Wisconsin.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective study of 193 laboratory-identified blastomycosis cases in a single eastern Wisconsin health system, 2007–2015. Controls were 250 randomly selected cases of community-diagnosed pneumonia from a similar time period. Geographic features of home addresses were explored using Google …

Is 13-Valent Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine (Pcv13) Combined With 23-Valent Pneumococcal Polysaccharide Vaccine (Ppsv23) Superior To Ppsv23 Alone For Reducing Incidence Or Severity Of Pneumonia In Older Adults? A Clin-Iq, Starla Hayward, Lou Ann Thompson, Andrea Mceachern

Journal of Patient-Centered Research and Reviews

Pneumonia infection is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. In addition to the public health concerns, pneumonia also accounts for a significant cost to the health care system. Currently there are two leading vaccines targeted against Streptococcus pneumoniae: 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPSV23) and 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13). Until recently, the recommendation for adult pneumonia vaccination has been a single dose of PPSV23 for all adults aged 65 years or older. However, concerns were raised regarding the vaccine’s efficacy due to the persistent burden of pneumococcal disease in the elderly population. This paper focuses on two …

Blastomyces: Why Be Dimorphic?, Dennis J. Baumgardner

Journal of Patient-Centered Research and Reviews

In introducing the infectious disease focus for this edition of the Journal of Patient-Centered Research and Reviews, the author describes the unsolved mysteries surrounding the dimorphic fungus Blastomyces and the related pathogenesis of pulmonary blastomycosis.