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Monitoring progress towards the elimination of hepatitis C as a public health threat in Norway: a modelling study among people who inject drugs and immigrants J. Infect. Dis. (IF 6.4) Pub Date : 2024-03-27 Robert Whittaker, Jørgen E Midtbø, Hilde Kløvstad
Background The global incidence target for the elimination of hepatitis C among people who inject drugs (PWID) is <2/100. In Norway, the hepatitis C epidemic is concentrated in PWID. Immigrants are the second most important risk group for chronic infection. We modelled the incidence of hepatitis C among active PWID, and the prevalence of chronic infection among active PWID, ex-PWID and immigrants in
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Eradication of Staphylococcus aureus in Implant-Associated Osteomyelitis by an Injectable in situ-Forming Depot Antibiotics Delivery System J. Infect. Dis. (IF 6.4) Pub Date : 2024-03-27 Albert Juan Fuglsang-Madsen, Nicole Lind Henriksen, Elizabeth Serrano Chávez, Lasse Andersson Kvich, Julie Knippel Melsted Birch, Katrine Top Hartmann, Thomas Eriksen, Thomas Bjarnsholt, Hans Gottlieb, Thomas Lars Andresen, Louise Kruse Jensen, Jonas Rosager Henriksen, Anders Elias Hansen
Background Bone infections from Staphylococcus aureus are notoriously difficult to treat and have high recurrence rates. Local antibiotic delivery systems hold the potential to achieve high in situ antibiotic concentrations, which are otherwise challenging to achieve via systemic administration. Existing solutions have been shown to confer suboptimal drug release and distribution. Here we present and
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Predicting Increased Incidence of Common Antibiotic-Resistant and Antibiotic-Associated Pathogens Using Ensemble Species Distribution Modeling J. Infect. Dis. (IF 6.4) Pub Date : 2024-03-27 Siqi C Brough, Luke Caddell, Raymond J Liou, Advait Patil, Giulio De Leo, Joseph D Forrester
The Centers for Disease Control estimates antibiotic-associated pathogens result in 2.8 million infections and 38,000 deaths annually in the United States. This study applies species distribution modeling to elucidate the impact of environmental determinants of human infectious disease in an era of rapid global change. We modeled methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and Clostridioides difficile
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Antileishmanial activity of cathelicidin and its modulation by Leishmania donovani in a CREM-dependent manner for establishing infection J. Infect. Dis. (IF 6.4) Pub Date : 2024-03-27 Shalini Roy, Souravi Roy, Madhurima Banerjee, Pratibha Madbhagat, Ajit Chande, Anindita Ukil
Concerns regarding toxicity and resistance of current drugs have been reported in visceral leishmaniasis. Anti-microbial peptides are considered as new promising candidates and amongst them, human cathelicidin hCAP18/LL-37 showed significant parasite killing on drug-sensitive and resistant Leishmania promastigotes, coupled with its apoptosis-inducing role. Administration of hCAP18/LL-37 in infected
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Clonal Expansion of a Streptococcus pneumoniae Serotype 3 Capsule Variant Sequence Type 700 With Enhanced Vaccine Escape Potential After 13-Valent Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine Introduction J. Infect. Dis. (IF 6.4) Pub Date : 2024-03-26 Akuzike Kalizang'oma, Todd D Swarthout, Thandie S Mwalukomo, Arox Kamng’ona, Comfort Brown, Jacquline Msefula, Hayley Demetriou, Jia Mun Chan, Lucy Roalfe, Uri Obolski, Jose Lourenço, David Goldblatt, Chrispin Chaguza, Neil French, Robert S Heyderman
Background Streptococcus pneumoniae serotype 3 remains a problem globally. Malawi introduced 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13) in 2011, but there has been no direct protection against serotype 3 carriage. We explored whether vaccine escape by serotype 3 is due to clonal expansion of a lineage with a competitive advantage. Methods The distribution of serotype 3 Global Pneumococcal Sequence
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Evaluation of 5 Polymerase Chain Reaction Assays for the Detection of Mpox Virus J. Infect. Dis. (IF 6.4) Pub Date : 2024-03-26 Ramzi Fattouh, Karel Boissinot, Esther Jeong, Andrew B Mendlowitz, Calvin P Sjaarda, Henry Wong, Robert Kozak, Prameet M Sheth, Larissa M Matukas
Background In 2022, the global dissemination of mpox virus (MPXV) outside endemic regions prompted the expansion of diagnostic testing worldwide. This study assesses the performance characteristics of 5 real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays in detecting MPXV during the 2022 outbreak. Methods Clinical specimens collected from patients across Ontario, Canada, were tested on the following assays:
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Tuberculosis disease is associated with elevated plasma ribonuclease activity in antiretroviral treatment-naïve people with HIV J. Infect. Dis. (IF 6.4) Pub Date : 2024-03-25 Oskar Olsson, Rolf Søkilde, Fregenet Tesfaye, Sara Karlson, Sten Skogmar, Marianne Jansson, Per Björkman
Background The role of ribonucleases in tuberculosis (TB) among people with HIV (PWH) is unknown. We explored ribonuclease activity in plasma from PWH with and without TB. Methods Participants were identified from a cohort of treatment-naïve PWH in Ethiopia who had been classified for TB disease (HIV+/TB + or HIV+/TB-). Ribonuclease activity in plasma was investigated by quantification of synthetic
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Development and validation of multiplex assays for mouse and human IgG and IgA to Neisseria gonorrhoeae antigens J. Infect. Dis. (IF 6.4) Pub Date : 2024-03-25 Erica L Stover, Marguerite B Little, Kristie L Connolly, Lixin Li, Robert A Nicholas, Aleksandra E Sikora, Ann E Jerse, Marcia M Hobbs, J Alex Duncan, Andrew N Macintyre
There is an urgent need for vaccines against Neisseria gonorrhoeae (Ng), the causative agent of gonorrhea. Vaccination with an outer-membrane vesicle (OMV)-based Neisseria meningitidis (Nm) vaccine provides some protection from Ng; however, the mechanisms underlying this cross-protection are unknown. To address this need, we developed multiplexed bead-based assays for the relative quantification of
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RpoS acts as a global repressor of virulence gene expression in E. coli O104:H4 and enteroaggregative E. coli J. Infect. Dis. (IF 6.4) Pub Date : 2024-03-25 Petya Berger, Rexford M Dumevi, Michael Berger, Ines Hastor, Janina Treffon, Ian U Kouzel, Alexander Kehl, Natalie Scherff, Ulrich Dobrindt, Alexander Mellmann
In 2011, in Germany, Escherichia coli O104:H4 caused the enterohemorrhagic E. coli (EHEC) outbreak with the highest incidence rate of hemolytic uremic syndrome. This pathogen carries an exceptionally potent combination of EHEC- and enteroaggregative E. coli (EAEC)-specific virulence factors. Here, we identified an E. coli O104:H4 isolate that carried a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in the start
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Safety and Immunogenicity of the mRNA-1273 COVID-19 Vaccine in Solid Organ Transplant Recipients J. Infect. Dis. (IF 6.4) Pub Date : 2024-03-21 Amparo L Figueroa, Jamil R Azzi, Bijan Eghtesad, Frances Priddy, Dina Stolman, Uma Siangphoe, Iliana Leony Lasso, Elizabeth deWindt, Bethany Girard, Honghong Zhou, Jacqueline M Miller, Rituparna Das
Background Immunosuppressed individuals, including solid organ transplant recipients (SOTRs), are at high risk for severe COVID-19. Methods This open-label, phase 3b trial evaluated mRNA-1273 in 137 adult kidney and 77 liver SOTRs and 20 immunocompetent participants. In Part A, SOTRs received three 100-µg doses of mRNA-1273; immunocompetent participants received 2 doses. In Part B, an additional 100-µg
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Genetic diversity from proviral DNA as a proxy for time since HIV-1 infection J. Infect. Dis. (IF 6.4) Pub Date : 2024-03-20 Marius Zeeb, Paul Frischknecht, Michael Huber, Corinne D Schenkel, Kathrin Neumann, Christine Leeman, Julia Notter, Andri Rauch, Marcel Stöckle, Matthias Cavassini, Enos Bernasconi, Dominique L Braun, Huldrych F Günthard, Karin J Metzner, Roger D Kouyos
HIV-1 RNA genetic diversity predicts time since infection which is important for clinical care and research. It's unclear, however, whether proviral DNA genetic diversity sampled under suppressive antiretroviral therapy can be used for this purpose. We tested whether proviral genetic diversity from NGS sequences predicts time since infection and recency in 221 people with HIV-1 with known infection
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Regulatory Considerations in the Approval of Rezafungin (REZZAYO) for the Treatment of Candidemia and Invasive Candidiasis in Adults J. Infect. Dis. (IF 6.4) Pub Date : 2024-03-19 Heidi L Smith, Timothy J Bensman, Shrimant Mishra, Xianbin Li, Cheryl A Dixon, Jalal Sheikh, Owen G McMaster, Abhay Joshi, Daniel B Rubin, Avery Goodwin, Terry J Miller, Zhixia Y Danielsen, Irum Syed, Sunita J Shukla, Dmitri Iarikov, Peter W Kim, John J Farley
On March 22, 2023, the FDA approved rezafungin (REZZAYO) for the treatment of candidemia and invasive candidiasis in adults with limited or no alternative treatment options. Rezafungin is an echinocandin that supports weekly dosing, enabling outpatient parenteral treatment that potentially avoids the need for a central venous catheter. Approval of rezafungin was based on a single adequate and well-controlled
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Estimated population-level impact of pneumococcal conjugate vaccines against all-cause pneumonia mortality among unvaccinated age groups in five Latin American countries J. Infect. Dis. (IF 6.4) Pub Date : 2024-03-19 Ottavia Prunas, Kayoko Shioda, Cristiana M Toscano, Magdalena Bastias, Maria Teresa Valenzuela-Bravo, Janepsy Diaz Tito, Joshua L Warren, Daniel M Weinberger, Lucia H de Oliveira
Background Pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCVs) provide strong direct protection in children, while limited data are available on their indirect effect on mortality among older age groups. This multi-country study aimed to assess the population-level impact of pediatric PCVs on all-cause pneumonia mortality among ≥5 years of age, and invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) cases in Chile. Methods Demographic
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Outpatient visits and antibiotic use due to higher valency pneumococcal vaccine serotypes J. Infect. Dis. (IF 6.4) Pub Date : 2024-03-18 Laura M King, Kristin L Andrejko, Sarah Kabbani, Sara Y Tartof, Lauri A Hicks, Adam L Cohen, Miwako Kobayashi, Joseph A Lewnard
Background In 2022–2023, 15- and 20-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCV15/PCV20) were recommended for infants. We aimed to estimate the incidence of outpatient visits and antibiotic prescriptions in U.S. children (≤17 years) from 2016–2019 for acute otitis media, pneumonia, and sinusitis associated with PCV15- and PCV20-additional (non-PCV13) serotypes to quantify PCV15/20 potential impacts
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Mpox-specific immune responses elicited by vaccination or infection in people living with HIV J. Infect. Dis. (IF 6.4) Pub Date : 2024-03-13 Eva Grüner, Marica Grossegesse, Daniel Stern, Veronica Ober, Tabea M Eser, Gabriele Reiling, Renate Stirner, Gerardo Ibarra, Nils Postel, Raffaele Conca, Christopher Dächert, Alba Grifoni, Alessandro Sette, Johannes Bogner, Ulrich Seybold, Julia Roider
In the recent mpox outbreak, people living with HIV (PLWH) were at high risk both for contracting infection and for suffering a more severe disease course. We studied cellular and humoral immune responses elicited by mpox infection (n = 5; n = 3 PLWH) or smallpox vaccination (n = 17; all PLWH) in a cohort of men who have sex with men. All PLWH were successfully treated, with stable CD4 counts and undetectable
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Safety and Immunogenicity of a Messenger RNA-Based Cytomegalovirus Vaccine in Healthy Adults: Results From a Phase 1, Randomized, Clinical Trial J. Infect. Dis. (IF 6.4) Pub Date : 2024-03-13 Carlos Fierro, Daniel Brune, Marian Shaw, Howard Schwartz, Conor Knightly, Jiang Lin, Andrea Carfi, Andrew Natenshon, Shiva Kalidindi, Caroline Reuter, Jacqueline Miller, Lori Panther
Background This phase 1 trial evaluated the safety, reactogenicity, and immunogenicity of mRNA-1647, an mRNA-based cytomegalovirus (CMV) vaccine, in CMV-seronegative and -seropositive adults. Methods Participants were randomly assigned to receive 30, 90, 180, or 300 µg of mRNA-1647 or placebo on a 0-, 2-, and 6-month schedule and followed for 12 months after the last dose. Results A total of 154 (80
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CD40 Expression by B cells is Required for Optimal Immunity to Murine Pneumocystis Infection J. Infect. Dis. (IF 6.4) Pub Date : 2024-03-13 Monica Sassi, Shelly J Curran, Lisa R Bishop, Yueqin Liu, Joseph A Kovacs
CD40-CD40L interactions are critical for controlling Pneumocystis infection. However, which CD40-expressing cell populations are important for this interaction have not been well-defined. We used a cohousing mouse model of Pneumocystis infection, combined with flow cytometry and qPCR, to examine the ability of different populations of cells from C57BL/6 mice to reconstitute immunity in CD40 knockout
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Systematic review of household transmission of Strep A: A potential site for prevention that has eluded attention J. Infect. Dis. (IF 6.4) Pub Date : 2024-03-13 Stephanie L Enkel, Samuel Barnes, Jessica Daw, Emma Pearson, Hannah M M Thomas, Nina Lansbury, Rosemary Wyber, Andrew M Redmond, Anna P Ralph, Jonathan R Carapetis, Asha C Bowen
Background Despite being the sixth most common infectious disease globally, transmission of Streptococcus pyogenes (Strep A) within the household remains an understudied driver of infection. We undertook a systematic review to better understand the transmission of Strep A between people within the home while highlighting opportunities for prevention. Methods A search strategy was applied to five databases
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Patient and immunological factors associated with delayed clearance of mucosal SARS-CoV-2 RNA and symptom persistence J. Infect. Dis. (IF 6.4) Pub Date : 2024-03-12 Mars Stone, Bryan R Spencer, Donald E Warden, Rebecca V Fink, Paula Saa, Jennifer Leddy, Jackie Mulach-Vannoy, Rebecca Townsend, David Krysztof, Alexandria N Hughes, Clara Di Germanio, Debra A Kessler, Steven Kleinman, Michael P Busch, Philip J Norris
Serial blood and mucosal samples were characterized for 102 participants enrolled a median of 7.0 days post-COVID-19 diagnosis. Mucosal RNA was detectable a median 31.5 (95% CI 20.5 - 63.5) days, with persistence ≥1 month associated with obesity (BMI ≥30, OR 3.9, 95% CI 1.2 - 13.8) but not age, sex, or chronic conditions. Fifteen participants had likely reinfection; lower serum anti-S IgG levels were
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Nasal Delivery of Haemophilus haemolyticus Is Safe, Reduces Influenza Severity, and Prevents Development of Otitis Media in Mice J. Infect. Dis. (IF 6.4) Pub Date : 2024-03-12 Naomi Scott, Kelly M Martinovich, Caitlyn M Granland, Elke J Seppanen, M Christian Tjiam, Camilla de Gier, Edison Foo, Kirsty R Short, Keng Yih Chew, Alma Fulurija, Deborah H Strickland, Peter C Richmond, Lea-Ann S Kirkham
Background Despite vaccination, influenza and otitis media (OM) remain leading causes of illness. We previously found that the human respiratory commensal Haemophilus haemolyticus prevents bacterial infection in vitro and that the related murine commensal Muribacter muris delays OM development in mice. The observation that M muris pretreatment reduced lung influenza titer and inflammation suggests
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Prevalence of Human Papillomavirus (HPV) and HPV Type Distribution in Penile Samples in Young Men in Denmark: Results 10 Years After Implementation of a Girls-Only HPV Vaccination Program J. Infect. Dis. (IF 6.4) Pub Date : 2024-03-12 Christian Munk, Kristian Reinholdt, Alexander K Kjaer, Caroline H Hemmingsen, Dorthe Ørnskov, Thomas Iftner, Marianne Waldstrøm, Susanne K Kjaer
Background In Denmark, a girls-only human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination program was initiated in 2008–2009. The study aim was to assess the HPV prevalence and type distribution in younger men prior to HPV vaccination in men. Methods The study population was younger men who attended information days regarding military service. At random days (2019–2020), 280 men were included. We collected questionnaire
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Protective Role of NS1-Specific Antibodies in the Immune Response to Dengue Virus through Antibody-Dependent Cellular Cytotoxicity J. Infect. Dis. (IF 6.4) Pub Date : 2024-03-11 Luis A Sanchez-Vargas, Anuja Mathew, Henrik Salje, David Sousa, Nicole A Casale, Aaron Farmer, Darunee Buddhari, Kathryn Anderson, Sopon Iamsirithaworn, Surachai Kaewhiran, Heather Friberg, Jeffrey R Currier, Alan L Rothman
Background Dengue virus (DENV) non-structural protein 1 (NS1) has multiple functions within infected cells, on the cell surface, and in secreted form, and is highly immunogenic. Immunity from previous DENV infections is known to exert both positive and negative effects on subsequent DENV infections, but the contribution of NS1-specific antibodies to these effects is incompletely understood. Methods
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Impact Of Low-Frequency HIV-1 Drug Resistance Mutations On Antiretroviral Therapy Outcomes J. Infect. Dis. (IF 6.4) Pub Date : 2024-03-11 Rachel Burdorf, Shuntai Zhou, Claire Amon, Nathan Long, Collin S Hill, Lily Adams, Gerald Tegha, Maganizo B Chagomerana, Allan Jumbe, Madalitso Maliwichi, Shaphil Wallie, Yijia Li, Ronald Swanstrom, Mina C Hosseinipour
Background The association between low-frequency HIV-1 drug resistance mutations (DRMs) and treatment failure (TF) is controversial. We explore this association using NGS methods that accurately sample low-frequency DRMs. Methods We enrolled women with HIV-1 in Malawi who were either ART naïve (A), had ART failure (B), or had discontinued ART (C). At entry, A and C began an NNRTI-based regimen and
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Advancing diagnosis of current HCV infection: A key to hepatitis C elimination in the United States J. Infect. Dis. (IF 6.4) Pub Date : 2024-03-11 Saleem Kamili, Carolyn Wester
Over 2 million adults have hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in the United States, and new infections continue to increase. Without treatment, HCV infection can lead to advanced liver disease and death. Treatment is recommended for nearly everyone with hepatitis C, resulting in a cure in >95% of people treated and raising the possibility of hepatitis C elimination. Testing is the first step to accessing
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Effect of pneumococcal conjugate vaccines on viral respiratory infections: a systematic literature review J. Infect. Dis. (IF 6.4) Pub Date : 2024-03-11 Ingrid T Sepúlveda-Pachón, Eileen M Dunne, Germaine Hanquet, Marc Baay, Sonia Menon, Luis Jodar, Bradford D Gessner, Christian Theilacker
Background In addition to preventing pneumococcal disease, emerging evidence indicates that pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCVs) might indirectly reduce viral respiratory tract infections (RTI) by affecting pneumococcal-viral interactions. Methods We performed a systematic review of interventional and observational studies published during 2000-2022 on vaccine efficacy/adjusted effectiveness (VE)
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Characterization of Mycobacterium orygis, Mycobacterium bovis, and Mycobacterium caprae Infections in Humans in Western Canada J. Infect. Dis. (IF 6.4) Pub Date : 2024-03-08 Nicholas D Riopel, Richard Long, Courtney Heffernan, Gregory J Tyrrell, Cary Shandro, Vincent Li, Md Rashedul Islam, Michael Stobart, Meenu K Sharma, Hafid Soualhine, Ryan Cooper
Epidemiologic research on zoonotic tuberculosis historically used Mycobacterium bovis as a surrogate measure, however, increased reports of human tuberculosis caused by other animal-associated Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex members like Mycobacterium orygis necessitates their inclusion. We performed a retrospective cohort study including persons infected with any animal-lineage M. tuberculosis
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HIV Diagnostics and Vaccines: It Takes Two to Tango J. Infect. Dis. (IF 6.4) Pub Date : 2024-03-07 Will Colón, Valérie Oriol Mathieu, John Hural, Lucy Hattingh, Ferdinard Adungo, Ole Lagatie, Ludo Lavreys, Mary Allen, Omu Anzala, Nicole Espy, Katrien Fransen, Patricia J Garcia, Milton Maciel, Maurine Murtagh, Sheila A Peel, Rosanna W Peeling, Litjen (L J) Tan, Mitchell Warren, Maria Grazia Pau, Patricia M D’Souza
Current serological tests for HIV screening and confirmation of infection present challenges to the adoption of HIV vaccines. The detection of vaccine-induced HIV-1 antibodies in the absence of HIV-1 infection, referred to as vaccine-induced seropositivity/seroreactivity, confounds the interpretation of test results, causing misclassification of HIV-1 status with potential affiliated stigmatization
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Hemagglutination inhibition antibody titers mediate influenza vaccine efficacy against symptomatic influenza A(H1N1), A(H3N2), and B/Victoria infections J. Infect. Dis. (IF 6.4) Pub Date : 2024-03-06 Wey Wen Lim, Feng Shuo, Sook-San Wong, Sheena G Sullivan, Benjamin J Cowling
Background The hemagglutination inhibition antibody (HAI) titer mediates only a part of vaccine-induced protection against influenza virus infections. Using causal mediation analysis, we quantified the proportion of vaccine efficacy mediated by post-vaccination HAI titers. Methods Causal mediation analyses were conducted using data collected for a randomized, active-comparator controlled, phase 3 trial
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Escape Velocity – The Launch of Microbiome Therapies J. Infect. Dis. (IF 6.4) Pub Date : 2024-03-06 Brendan J Kelly, Jennie H Kwon, Michael H Woodworth
FDA approval of the first microbiota therapeutics raises new questions about the future role of fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT). The authors explore these questions and suggest that FMT has unique value for research and to support patient access.
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C. albicans N-linked mannans potentiate the induction of trained immunity via Dectin-2 J. Infect. Dis. (IF 6.4) Pub Date : 2024-03-06 Diletta Rosati, Arnab Pradhan, Julia I P van Heck, Leonie Helder, Martin Jaeger, Neil A R Gow, Leo A B Joosten, David L Williams, Alistair J P Brown, Mariolina Bruno, Mihai G Netea
The interaction between the Candida albicans cell wall and pattern recognition receptors is crucial for the initiation of host immune responses which, ultimately, contribute to the clearance of this pathogenic fungus. In the present study, we investigate the ability of C. albicans mannans to modulate immune response and induce innate immune memory (also termed trained immunity). Using mutants of C
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Functional and immunological mapping of domains of the reticulocyte binding protein, Plasmodium vivax PvRBP2a J. Infect. Dis. (IF 6.4) Pub Date : 2024-03-05 Matthew Zirui Tay, Weiyi Tang, Wenn-Chyau Lee, Alice Soh Meoy Ong, Wisna Novera, Benoît Malleret, Guillaume Carissimo, Ann-Marie Chacko, Abbas El-Sahili, Julien Lescar, Yiping Fan, Rose M McGready, Cindy S Chu, Jerry Kok Yen Chan, Lisa F P Ng, Bruce Russell, François Nosten, Laurent Rénia
We previously described a novel Plasmodium vivax invasion mechanism into human reticulocytes via the PvRBP2a-CD98 receptor-ligand pair. We assessed the PvRBP2a epitopes involved in CD98 binding and recognised by antibodies from infected patients using linear epitope mapping. We identified two epitope clusters mediating PvRBP2a-CD98 interaction. One cluster named cluster B (PvRBP2a431-448, TAALKEKGKLLANLYNKL)
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Impact of CFTR Modulation on Pseudomonas aeruginosa Infection in People With Cystic Fibrosis J. Infect. Dis. (IF 6.4) Pub Date : 2024-03-05 Emma L Ledger, Daniel J Smith, Jing Jie Teh, Michelle E Wood, Page E Whibley, Mark Morrison, Joanna B Goldberg, David W Reid, Timothy J Wells
Background Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a multidrug-resistant pathogen causing recalcitrant pulmonary infections in people with cystic fibrosis (pwCF). Cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) modulators have been developed that partially correct the defective chloride channel driving disease. Despite the many clinical benefits, studies in adults have demonstrated that while P. aeruginosa
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A Novel Anti-nucleocapsid Antibody Avidity Method for Identifying SARS-CoV-2 Reinfections J. Infect. Dis. (IF 6.4) Pub Date : 2024-03-05 Liam Golding, Allison W Watts, Jacob Shew, Marina Viñeta Paramo, Louise C Mâsse, David M Goldfarb, Bahaa Abu-Raya, Pascal M Lavoie
Detecting severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) reinfections is challenging with current serology assays and is further complicated by the marked decrease in routine viral testing practices as viral transmission increased during Omicron. Here, we provide proof-of-principle that high-avidity anti-nucleocapsid (N) antibodies detects reinfections after a single infection with higher
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Immunologic predictors of vaccine responsiveness in patients with lymphoma and CLL J. Infect. Dis. (IF 6.4) Pub Date : 2024-03-04 Elise A Chong, Kingsley Gideon Kumashie, Emeline R Chong, Joseph Fabrizio, Aditi Gupta, Jakub Svoboda, Stefan K Barta, Kristy M Walsh, Ellen B Napier, Rachel K Lundberg, Sunita D Nasta, James N Gerson, Daniel J Landsburg, Joyce Gonzalez, Andrew Gaano, Madison E Weirick, Christopher M McAllister, Moses Awofolaju, Gavin N John, Shane C Kammerman, Josef Novaceck, Raymone Pajarillo, Kendall A Lundgreen
Patients with B-cell lymphomas have altered cellular components of vaccine responses due to malignancy and therapy, and the optimal timing of vaccination relative to therapy remains unknown. SARS-CoV-2 vaccines created an opportunity for new insights in vaccine timing because patients were challenged with a novel antigen across multiple phases of treatment. We studied serologic mRNA vaccine response
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Neutrophil-associated Proteins as Novel Biomarkers Elevated in Cerebrospinal Fluid of Neurosyphilis Patients J. Infect. Dis. (IF 6.4) Pub Date : 2024-03-01 Cuini Wang, Yan Zhang, Xiang Wang, Jiajun Zhou, Xiaoyan Wang, Gang Song, Yu Sun, Kailong Gu, Aifang Xu, Jian Huang
Background The immunopathological mechanisms underlying neurosyphilis remain incompletely elucidated, and the diagnosis of neurosyphilis presents challenges. Methods We used an antibody microarray to detect 640 proteins in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples collected from 6 non-neurosyphilis and 10 neurosyphilis patients. The levels of CSF CXCL1, CXCL8, G-CSF, LCN2, MMP8, and MMP9 in 46 non-neurosyphilis
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Association of dynamics of anellovirus loads with hospital-acquired pneumonia in brain-injured patients during the intensive care unit stay J. Infect. Dis. (IF 6.4) Pub Date : 2024-03-01 L Castain, M Petrier, S Bulteau, C Peltier, C Poulain, M Bouras, B M Imbert-Marcille, J Poschmann, A Roquilly, C Bressollette-Bodin
Background Critical illness induces immune disorders associated with an increased risk of hospital-acquired pneumonia (HAP) and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Torque Teno Virus (TTV), from the Anelloviridae family, are proposed as a biomarker to measure the level of immunosuppression. Our objective was to describe the kinetics of TTV DNA loads and their association with critical-illness
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A machine learning-based risk score for prediction of infective endocarditis among patients with Staphylococcus aureus bacteraemia – The SABIER score J. Infect. Dis. (IF 6.4) Pub Date : 2024-02-29 Christopher Koon-Chi Lai, Eman Leung, Yinan He, Ching-Chun Cheung, Mui Oi Yat Oliver, Qinze Yu, Timothy Chun-Man Li, Alfred Lok-Hang Lee, Li Yu, Grace Chung-Yan Lui
Background Early risk assessment is needed to stratify Staphylococcus aureus infective endocarditis (SA-IE) risk among Staphylococcus aureus bacteraemia (SAB) patients to guide clinical management. The objective of this study is to develop a novel risk score independent of subjective clinical judgment and can be used early at the time of blood culture positivity. Methods We conducted a retrospective
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Cytolethal distending toxin modulates cell differentiation and elicits epithelial to mesenchymal transition J. Infect. Dis. (IF 6.4) Pub Date : 2024-02-28 Lamia Azzi-Martin, Valentin Touffait-Calvez, Maude Everaert, Ruxue Jia, Elodie Sifré, Lornella Seeneevassen, Christine Varon, Pierre Dubus, Armelle Ménard
Background The bacterial genotoxin, cytolethal distending toxin (CDT), causes DNA damage in host cells, a risk factor for carcinogenesis. Previous studies have shown that CDT induces phenotypes reminiscent of epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT), a process involved in cancer initiation and progression. Methods We investigated different steps of EMT in response to Helicobacter hepaticus CDT and
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Diagnosing Polyomavirus Nephropathy without a Biopsy: Validation of the Urinary PyV-Haufen-Test in a Proof-of-Concept Study including Uromodulin Knock-out-Mice J. Infect. Dis. (IF 6.4) Pub Date : 2024-02-27 Volker Nickeleit, Dalton Butcher, Bawana D Thompson, Lauraine H Rivier, Harsharan K Singh
Background Polyomavirus nephropathy (PyVN) leads to kidney transplant dysfunction and loss. Since a definitive diagnosis requires an invasive kidney biopsy, a timely diagnosis is often hampered. In this clinical dilemma the PyV-haufen-test, centering around the detection of three-dimensional PyV aggregates in the urine, might provide crucial diagnostic information. Methods A multistep experimental
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Relationship between hepatitis C infection and treatment status and COVID-19-related hospitalizations in Georgia J. Infect. Dis. (IF 6.4) Pub Date : 2024-02-27 Ana Aslanikashvili, Charlotta Rylander, Tinatin Manjavidze, Amiran Gamkrelidze, Davit Baliashvili, Erik Eik Anda
Objective To evaluate the impact of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and treatment status on COVID-19-related hospitalizations in Georgia. Methods We analyzed 2020-2021 Georgian health-registry data for COVID-19-positive individuals and categorized by HCV infection and treatment status. Logistic regression was used to assess the strengths of the associations. Results Treated HCV individuals had lower
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Signals From Inflamed Perivascular Adipose Tissue Contribute to Small Vessel Dysfunction in Women Living With the Human Immunodeficiency Virus J. Infect. Dis. (IF 6.4) Pub Date : 2024-02-27 Christopher S Wilcox, Carly Herbert, Cheng Wang, Yuchi Ma, Philena Sun, Tian Li, Jennifer Verbesey, Princy Kumar, Seble Kassaye, William J Welch, Michael J Choi, Negiin Pourafshar, Dan Wang
Introduction People living with the human immunodeficiency virus (PWH) have microvascular disease. Since perivascular adipose tissue (PVAT) regulates microvascular function and adipose tissue is inflamed in PWH, we tested the hypothesis that PWH have inflamed PVAT that impairs the function of their small vessels. Methods Subcutaneous small arteries were dissected with or without (+ or -) PVAT from
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Epidemiological characteristics and outcome of viral respiratory tract infections in the first year after allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation J. Infect. Dis. (IF 6.4) Pub Date : 2024-02-27 Jens T Van Praet, Andreas Huysman, Eline De Knijf, Stefanie De Buyser, Sylvia Snauwaert, Jan Van Droogenbroeck, Tom Lodewyck, Alexander Schauwvlieghe, Dominik Selleslag, Marijke Reynders
Adverse outcomes of viral respiratory tract infections (RTI) have been reported in recipients of allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation. Using a laboratory-developed multiparameter PCR in a consecutive series of 242 patients, we found the highest incidence of viral RTI in the pre-engraftment phase. The occurrence of multiple episodes of viral RTI or viral pneumonia was significantly associated
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Uncovering the Bronchoalveolar Single-Cell Landscape of Patients With Pulmonary Tuberculosis With Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Coinfection J. Infect. Dis. (IF 6.4) Pub Date : 2024-02-27 Guohui Xiao, Waidong Huang, Yu Zhong, Min Ou, Taosheng Ye, Zhifeng Wang, Xuanxuan Zou, Feng Ding, Yuan Yang, Zhe Zhang, Chuanyu Liu, Aimei Liu, Longqi Liu, Shuihua Lu, Liang Wu, Guoliang Zhang
Background Coinfection of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) is the most significant risk factor for tuberculosis (TB). The immune responses of the lung are essential to restrict the growth of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and avoid the emergence of the disease. Nevertheless, there is still limited knowledge about the local immune response in people with HIV-1–TB coinfection. Methods We employed
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A novel ex vivo assay to evaluate functional effectiveness of Plasmodium vivax transmission blocking vaccine using Pvs25 transgenic P. berghei J. Infect. Dis. (IF 6.4) Pub Date : 2024-02-26 Yi Cao, Clifford T H Hayashi, Nirbhay Kumar
Background Plasmodium falciparum and P. vivax account for >90% global malaria burden. Transmission intervention strategies encompassing transmission-blocking vaccines (TBV) and drugs represent ideal public health tools to eliminate malaria at the population level. The availability of mature P. falciparum gametocytes through in vitro culture has facilitated development of a standard membrane feeding
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Inhibition of cellular factor TM6SF2 suppresses secretion pathways of Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C and Hepatitis D viruses J. Infect. Dis. (IF 6.4) Pub Date : 2024-02-26 Thomas Tu, Harout Ajoyan, Rifqiyah Nur Umami, Vaishnavi Veeraraghavan, Delgerbat Boldbaatar, Mustafa Ahmed M Najim, Anis Khan, Ali Bayoumi, Vikki Ho, Mohammed Eslam, Thomas Berg, Henry L Y Chan, Jacob George, Mark W Douglas
Chronic viral hepatitis is caused by hepatitis B virus, hepatitis C virus or hepatitis D virus (HBV, HCV, and HDV). Despite different replication strategies, all these viruses rely on secretion through the host endoplasmic reticulum-Golgi pathway, providing potential host targets for antiviral therapy. Knockdown of transmembrane 6 superfamily member 2 (TM6SF2) in virus cell culture models reduced secretion
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A comparative phenotypic and genomic analysis of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus ST45 isolates from cellulitis and from osteomyelitis in Taiwan J. Infect. Dis. (IF 6.4) Pub Date : 2024-02-24 Kuo-Ti Peng, Pei-Chun Chen, Jiun-Liang Chen, Tsung-Yu Huang, Yi-Ho Peng, Ju-Fang Liu, Chiang-Wen Lee, Pey-Jium Chang
Background Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) sequence type (ST) 45 is a globally disseminated MRSA lineage. Herein, we investigated whether MRSA ST45 isolates from cellulitis and from osteomyelitis display distinctive phenotypic and genomic characteristics. Methods A total of 15 MRSA ST45 isolates from cellulitis (CL-MRSAs; n = 6) or osteomyelitis (OM-MRSAs; n = 9) were collected in
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Metabolomic Characteristics of Nontuberculous Mycobacterial Pulmonary Disease J. Infect. Dis. (IF 6.4) Pub Date : 2024-02-23 Jungeun Kim, Woori Chae, Joong-Yub Kim, Jae-Joon Yim, Joo-Youn Cho, Nakwon Kwak
Background The therapeutic challenges posed by nontuberculous mycobacterial pulmonary disease (NTM-PD) contribute to an unmet medical need. In this study, we aimed to investigate NTM-PD-specific metabolic pathways using serum metabolomics to understand disease pathogenesis. Methods Mass spectrometry-based untargeted metabolomic profiling of serum from patients with NTM-PD (n = 50), patients with bronchiectasis
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Distinct subsets of Vδ1 effector and Vδ2 γδ T cells shift in frequency and are linked to plasma inflammatory markers during ART-suppressed HIV infection J. Infect. Dis. (IF 6.4) Pub Date : 2024-02-23 Riley M F Pihl, Erika L Smith-Mahoney, Alex Olson, Rachel R Yuen, Archana Asundi, Nina Lin, Anna C Belkina, Jennifer E Snyder-Cappione
Background Chronic inflammation is prevalent with ART-suppressed HIV-infection and one immune cell subset putatively driving this phenomenon is TIGIT + γδ T cells Methods To elucidate γδ T cell phenotypic diversity, spectral flow cytometry was performed on blood lymphocytes from individuals of an HIV and Aging cohort and data were analyzed using bioinformatic platforms. Plasma inflammatory markers
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Anti-SARS-CoV-2 Antibody Levels Associated with COVID-19 Protection in Outpatients Tested for SARS-CoV-2, US Flu VE Network, October 2021–June 2022 J. Infect. Dis. (IF 6.4) Pub Date : 2024-02-23 Kelsey M Sumner, Ruchi Yadav, Emma K Noble, Ryan Sandford, Devyani Joshi, Sara Y Tartof, Karen J Wernli, Emily T Martin, Manjusha Gaglani, Richard K Zimmerman, H Keipp Talbot, Carlos G Grijalva, Edward A Belongia, Jessie R Chung, Eric Rogier, Melissa M Coughlin, Brendan Flannery
Background We assessed associations between binding antibody (bAb) concentration <5 days of symptom onset and testing positive for COVID-19 among patients in a test-negative study. Methods From October 2021─June 2022, study sites in seven states enrolled patients aged ≥6 months presenting with acute respiratory illness. Respiratory specimens were tested for SARS-CoV-2. In blood specimens, we measured
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Interferon-Gamma Responses to Chlamydia trachomatis Vaccine Candidate Proteins in Chlamydia-Infected Women with Different Chlamydia Outcomes J. Infect. Dis. (IF 6.4) Pub Date : 2024-02-23 Jacob Dziadula, Steffanie Sabbaj, Kanupriya Gupta, Gary Cutter, Hong Yu, Robert C Brunham, William M Geisler
Background Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) testing and treatment strategies have not decreased infection rates, justifying need for a CT vaccine. A murine study showed that a vaccine consisting of MOMP and 4 polymorphic membrane proteins (Pmps E, F, G, H) elicited protective immunity; studies on human cellular immune responses to Pmps are sparse. Methods Interferon gamma (IFN-γ) responses to these 5 CT
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Assessment of the zoonotic potential of atypical scrapie prions in humanized mice reveals rare phenotypic convergence but not identity with sporadic CJD prions J. Infect. Dis. (IF 6.4) Pub Date : 2024-02-22 Alba Marín-Moreno, Fabienne Reine, Laetitia Herzog, Naima Aron, Florence Jaffrézic, Jean-Luc Vilotte, Human Rezaei, Olivier Andréoletti, Davy Martin, Vincent Béringue
Background Atypical/Nor98 scrapie (AS) is an idiopathic infectious prion disease affecting sheep and goats. Recent findings suggest that zoonotic prions from bovine spongiform encephalopathy (C-BSE) may co-propagate with atypical/Nor98 prions in AS sheep brains. Investigating the risk AS poses to humans is crucial. Methods To assess the risk of sheep/goat-to-human transmission of AS, we serially inoculated
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A heptavalent O-antigen bioconjugate vaccine exhibits differential functional antibody responses against diverse Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates J. Infect. Dis. (IF 6.4) Pub Date : 2024-02-22 Paeton L Wantuch, Cory J Knoot, Lloyd S Robinson, Evgeny Vinogradov, Nichollas E Scott, Christian M Harding, David A Rosen
Klebsiella pneumoniae is the leading cause of neonatal sepsis and is increasingly difficult to treat due to antibiotic resistance. Vaccination represents a tractable approach to combat this resistant bacterium; however, there is currently not a licensed vaccine. Surface polysaccharides, including O-antigens of lipopolysaccharide, have long been attractive candidates for vaccine inclusion. Herein we
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Magnitude of Type I Interferon Responses by Plasmacytoid Dendritic Cells After TLR7 Stimulation Is Associated With Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 (HIV-1) Reservoir Sizes in Cisgender Women With HIV-1 on Antiretroviral Therapy J. Infect. Dis. (IF 6.4) Pub Date : 2024-02-22 Rebecca-Jo Thiele, Benjamin Grünhagel, Maximilian Muenchhoff, Maria Pujantell-Graell, Linda Jocham, Arne Düsedau, Jana Hennesen, Heike Hildebrandt, Sven Hendrik Hagen, Deborah Sandfort, Madeleine J Bunders, Oliver T Keppler, Christian Hoffmann, Marcus Altfeld
Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) disease manifestations differ between cisgender women and men, including better control of viral replication during primary infection and less frequent residual HIV-1 replication on antiretroviral therapy (ART) in cisgender women with HIV-1 (WWH). Investigating plasmacytoid dendritic cell (pDC) functions and HIV-1 reservoir sizes in 20 WWH on stable ART,
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Safety and Immunogenicity of an mRNA-Based RSV Vaccine Including a 12-Month Booster in a Phase I Clinical Trial in Healthy Older Adults J. Infect. Dis. (IF 6.4) Pub Date : 2024-02-22 Christine A Shaw, Brandon Essink, Charles Harper, Runa Mithani, Archana Kapoor, Rakesh Dhar, Lauren Wilson, Ruiting Guo, Catherine A Panozzo, Eleanor Wilson, Alana K Simorellis, Caroline Reuter, Sonia K Stoszek, Grace L Chen, Rituparna Das, Jaya Goswami
Background An mRNA-based RSV vaccine, mRNA-1345, is under clinical investigation to address RSV disease burden in older adults. Methods This phase 1, randomized, observer-blind, placebo-controlled, dose-ranging study evaluated safety, reactogenicity, and immunogenicity of mRNA-1345 in adults 65-79 years (NCT04528719). Participants were randomized to receive 1-dose of mRNA-1345 (12.5, 25, 50, 100, or
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Analysis of Archival Sera from Norovirus-Infected Individuals Demonstrates that Cross-Blocking of Emerging Viruses is Genotype-Specific J. Infect. Dis. (IF 6.4) Pub Date : 2024-02-21 Kelsey A Pilewski, Lauren A Ford-Siltz, Kentaro Tohma, Joseph A Kendra, Michael Landivar, Gabriel I Parra
Background Rapidly evolving RNA viruses, such as human norovirus, generate extraordinary sequence diversity, posing a significant challenge to vaccine design. This diversity coupled with short-lasting natural immunity leads to re-infection throughout one’s lifetime. How re-exposure shapes humoral immunity to future norovirus strains remains incompletely understood. Methods We profiled the antibody
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Plasma MERTK is a promising biomarker for the diagnosis and prognosis of HBV-related acute-on-chronic liver failure J. Infect. Dis. (IF 6.4) Pub Date : 2024-02-19 Yingyan Lu, Jiaojiao Xin, Xi Liang, Jinjin Luo, Peng Li, Xingping Zhou, Hui Yang, Jun Li, Yifan Wang
Background Hepatitis B-related acute-on-chronic liver failure (HBV-ACLF) has a high short-term mortality. This study aimed to determine the diagnostic and prognostic role of MER tyrosine kinase (MERTK) in HBV-ACLF patients. Methods Transcriptomics analysis evaluated MERTK expression and function during disease progression. The diagnostic and prognostic significance of MERTK for HBV-ACLF patients were
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Large Clusters of Invasive emm49 Group A Streptococcus Identified within and across Arizona Healthcare Facilities through Statewide Genomic Surveillance System, 2019-2021 J. Infect. Dis. (IF 6.4) Pub Date : 2024-02-19 Hayley D Yaglom, Rachana Bhattarai, Darrin Lemmer, Laura Rust, Chase Ridenour, Kaitlyn Chorbi, Elizabeth Kim, Heather Centner, Krystal Sheridan, Daniel Jasso-Selles, Daryn E Erickson, Chris French, Jolene R Bowers, Michael Valentine, Drew Francis, Crystal M Hepp, Shane Brady, Kenneth K Komatsu, David M Engelthaler
A statewide genomic surveillance system for invasive Group A Streptococcus was implemented in Arizona in June 2019, resulting in 1,046 isolates being submitted for genomic analysis to characterize emm-types and identify transmission clusters. Eleven of the 32 identified distinct emm-types comprised >80% of samples, with 29.7% of all isolates being typed as emm49 (and its genetic derivative emm151)
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The Engineered Lysin, CF-370, is Active Against Antibiotic-Resistant Gram-Negative Pathogens In vitro and Synergizes with Meropenem in Experimental Pseudomonas aeruginosa Pneumonia J. Infect. Dis. (IF 6.4) Pub Date : 2024-02-17 Karen Sauve, Aubrey Watson, Jun T Oh, Steven Swift, Xavier Vila-Farres, Wessam Abdelhady, Yan Q Xiong, Dario LeHoux, Gary Woodnutt, Arnold S Bayer, Raymond Schuch
Background Lysins (cell wall hydrolases) targeting Gram-negative organisms require engineering to permeabilize the outer membrane and access subjacent peptidoglycan to facilitate killing. In the current study, the potential clinical utility for engineered lysin, CF-370, was examined in vitro and in vivo against Gram-negative pathogens important in human infections. Methods MICs and bactericidal activity
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DOCK2-deficiency causes defects in anti-viral T cell responses and impaired control of herpes simplex virus infection J. Infect. Dis. (IF 6.4) Pub Date : 2024-02-17 Katrina L Randall, Inge E A Flesch, Yan Mei, Lisa A Miosge, Racheal Aye, Zhijia Yu, Heather Domaschenz, Natasha A Hollett, Tiffany A Russell, Tijana Stefanovic, Yik Chun Wong, Sandali Seneviratne, Fiona Ballard, Raquel Hernandez Gallardo, Sarah N Croft, Christopher C Goodnow, Edward M Bertram, Anselm Enders, David C Tscharke
The expanding number of rare immunodeficiency syndromes offers an opportunity to understand key genes that support immune defence against infectious diseases. However, analysis of these in patients is complicated by their treatments and co-morbid infections requiring the use of mouse models for detailed investigations. Here we develop a mouse model of DOCK2 immunodeficiency and demonstrate that these
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Epigenetic Aging and Musculoskeletal Outcomes in a Cohort of Women Living With HIV J. Infect. Dis. (IF 6.4) Pub Date : 2024-02-17 Stephanie Shiau, Francesca Zumpano, Ziyi Wang, Jayesh Shah, Phyllis C Tien, Ryan D Ross, Anjali Sharma, Michael T Yin
Background The relationship between accelerated epigenetic aging and musculoskeletal outcomes in women with HIV (WWH) has not been studied. Methods We measured DNA methylation age using the Infinium MethylationEPIC BeadChip in a cohort from the Women's Interagency HIV Study (n = 190) with measures of bone mineral density (BMD) and physical function. We estimated 6 biomarkers of epigenetic aging—epigenetic