Infectous diseases

Lipophagy, a form of autophagy specific to the degradation of lipid droplets (LDs), plays an important role in the maintenance of cellular homeostasis and metabolic processes. A recent study has identified ATG14 (autophagy related 14) as a molecule that targets LDs and marks them for degradation via lipophagy; a process that is inhibited by the binding of STX18 (syntaxin 18) to ATG14 in mammalian cells. The exact mechanism of regulation of lipophagy, and subsequently of cellular LD levels, is still under investigation; however, dysregulation of this process has been linked to a number of disease phenotypes...

INTRODUCTION: The expansion of transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) to low-risk and younger patients has increased the relevance of the long-term durability of transcatheter heart valves (THV). The present study aims to assess the 10-year durability, hemodynamic performance, and clinical outcomes after TAVI using the CoreValve system. METHODS: An analysis from a prospective registry with predefined clinical and echocardiographic follow-up included 302 patients who underwent TAVI with the CoreValve system between 2007 and 2015...

Tixagevimab and cilgavimab (EVA, Evusheld®), monoclonal antibody combination treatments, consisted of two neutralizing antibodies against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). EVA showed prophylactic and therapeutic effects against coronavirus disease 2019. The Japanese Society of Hematology recommended EVA for such patients with active treatment, but each institution decided on comprehensive administration. We develop a systematic procedure for comprehensive EVA injection prophylactically in patients with hematological malignancies without any over/under-indication...

Sepsis is a severe disease that occurs when the body's immune system reacts excessively to infection. The body's response, which includes an intense anti-bacterial reaction, can damage its tissues and organs. Neutrophils are the major components of white blood cells in circulation and play a vital role in innate immunity while fighting against infections, and are considered a feature determining sepsis classification. There's a plethora of basic research detailing neutrophil functioning, among which, the study of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) is providing novel insights into mechanisms and treatments of sepsis...

OBJECTIVE: to review the literature regarding the relationship between pre- and post-transplant hypo-Albuminemia with various renal transplant-related infections. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In a systematic review, we included the following keyword in the search: (Albumin*) AND (infection*) AND ("renal transplant" OR "renal transplantation" OR "renal transplants") OR ("kidney transplant" OR "kidney transplantation" OR "kidney transplants") OR "kidney grafting") with investigating databases including ProQuest, PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science to May 2023...

INTRODUCTION: Although COVID-19 is mainly a respiratory disease, recent evidence has emerged of vascular and procoagulant pathologies even in young and otherwise healthy individuals. Ophthalmic manifestations include, among others, visual impairment due to arteritic and venous retinal obstructions, which at times precedes other aspects of the disease. We present two atypical cases of internal carotid dissection (ICAD) and review the different ocular symptoms of ICAD and its association with the COVID-19 pandemic...

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence and genotypic characteristics of anal papillomaviruses in HIV-positive men who have sex with men (MSM). MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a prospective cross-sectional observational study of HIV-positive MSM at Almenara General Hospital between September 2017 and December 2018. HPV detection and typing was performed using a polymerase chain reaction technique that evaluated 21 genotypes stratified according to oncogenic risk into six low-risk and fifteen high-risk...

UNLABELLED: Latin America presents a high prevalence of Helicobacter pylori(Hp) infection. Between1996-2003, the prevalence in Santiago, Chile, was 70%; recent studies indicate a decreasein this infection. Updating the frequency of Hp is crucial due to its associated health impact. OBJECTIVE: Our objective was to describe the trend in Hp infection in patients undergoingambulatory esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) in a Chilean population. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective observational study was conducted on patients over 18 years old who attended a first EGD with a rapid urease test between 2010-2020...

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is an inherited disease that results from mutations in the gene responsible for the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR). The airways become clogged with thick, viscous mucus that traps microbes in respiratory tracts, facilitating colonization, inflammation and infection. CF is recognized as a biofilm-associated disease, it is commonly polymicrobial and can develop in biofilms. This review discusses Candida spp. and both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacterial biofilms that affect the airways and cause pulmonary infections in the CF context, with a particular focus on mixed-species biofilms...

There is a growing imperative for research into alternative compounds for the treatment of the fungal infections. Thus, many studies have focused on the analysis of antifungal proteins and peptides from different plant sources. Among these molecules are protease inhibitors (PIs). Previously, PIs present in the peptide-rich fractions called PEF1, PEF2 and PEF3 were identified from Capsicum chinense seeds, which have strong activity against phytopathogenic fungi. The aim of this study was to evaluate the mechanism of action and antimicrobial activity of PIs from PEF2 and PEF3 on the growth of yeasts of the genus Candida...

Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) poses a significant global health threat, re-emerging as a mosquito-transmitted pathogen that caused high fever, rash, and severe arthralgia. In Thailand, a notable CHIKV outbreak in 2019-2020 affected approximately 20,000 cases across 60 provinces, underscoring the need for effective mosquito control protocols. Previous studies have highlighted the role of midgut bacteria in the interaction between mosquito vectors and pathogen infections, demonstrating their ability to protect the insect from invading pathogens...

BACKGROUND: Angiolipomas have been well described in patients with HIV exposed to protease inhibitors with possible resolution after switching to non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor-based regimens. Resolution of symptoms have occurred with switches to non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI)-based regimens; however, little is known regarding the development of angiolipomas when switching from NNRTI- to modern, integrase strand transfer inhibitor-based regimens...

Tick-borne bacteria of the genera Ehrlichia and Anaplasma cause several emerging human infectious diseases worldwide. In this study, we conduct an extensive survey for Ehrlichia and Anaplasma infections in the rainforests of the Amazon biome of French Guiana. Through molecular genetics and metagenomics reconstruction, we observe a high indigenous biodiversity of infections circulating among humans, wildlife, and ticks inhabiting these ecosystems. Molecular typing identifies these infections as highly endemic, with a majority of new strains and putative species specific to French Guiana...

INTRODUCTION: Human T-cell Lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1) belongs to retroviridae which is connected to two major diseases, including HTLV-1-associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis (HAM/TSP) and Adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATLL). This study aims to investigate the mRNA expressions of key proteins correlated to T-cell activation in asymptomatic carriers (ACs) HTLV-1 infected patients, shedding light on early molecular events and T-cell activation following HTLV-1 infection...

BACKGROUND: Bovine mastitis is a widespread disease affecting dairy cattle worldwide and it generates substantial losses for dairy farmers. Mastitis may be caused by bacteria, fungi or algae. The most common species isolated from infected milk are, among others, Streptococcus spp., Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and non-aureus staphylococci and mammaliicocci. The aim of this paper is to determine the frequency of occurrence of bacterial species in milk samples from cows with mastitis from three regions of Poland: the north-east, the south-west and the south...

BACKGROUND: An important component in fostering the responsible use of antibiotics is training of new and future prescribers in this interdisciplinary topic. Because podcasts are playing an increasing role in medical education, we aimed to develop and evaluate a podcast format with practice and guideline-oriented learning content on antibiotic therapy for medical students and young medical professionals. METHODS: We developed the concept for the podcast with the direct involvement of medical students and medical experts with teaching experience...

Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) is a fatal zoonosis caused by ticks in East Asia. As SFTS virus (SFTSV) is maintained between wildlife and ticks, seroepidemiological studies in wildlife are important to understand the behavior of SFTSV in the environment. Miyazaki Prefecture, Japan, is an SFTS-endemic area, and approximately 100 feral horses, called Misaki horses (Equus caballus), inhabit Cape Toi in Miyazaki Prefecture. While these animals are managed in a wild-like manner, their ages are ascertainable due to individual identification...

BACKGROUND: The impact of inadequate empirical antibiotic treatment on patient outcomes and hospitalization duration for non-life-threatening infections in children remains poorly understood. We aimed to assess the effects of inadequate empirical antibiotic treatment on these factors in pediatric patients. METHODS: The medical records of children admitted for infectious diseases with bacteria isolated from sterile sites between 2018 and 2020 were retrospectively reviewed...

BACKGROUND: Animal African trypanosomiasis, which is caused by different species of African trypanosomes, is a deadly disease in livestock. Although African trypanosomes are often described as blood-borne parasites, there have been recent reappraisals of the ability of these parasites to reside in a wide range of tissues. However, the majority of those studies were conducted on non-natural hosts infected with only one species of trypanosome, and it is unclear whether a similar phenomenon occurs during natural animal infections, where multiple species of these parasites may be present...

BACKGROUND: Many proteins of African swine fever virus (ASFV, such as p72, p54, p30, CD2v, K205R) have been successfully expressed and characterized. However, there are few reports on the DP96R protein of ASFV, which is the virulence protein of ASFV and plays an important role in the process of host infection and invasion of ASFV. RESULTS: Firstly, the prokaryotic expression vector of DP96R gene was constructed, the prokaryotic system was used to induce the expression of DP96R protein, and monoclonal antibody was prepared by immunizing mice...