Clinical Science and Epidemiology
Research Article | Clinical Science and EpidemiologyField Test and Validation of the Multiplier Measles, Mumps, Rubella, and Varicella-Zoster Multiplexed Assay System in the Democratic Republic of the Congo by Using Dried Blood SpotsThe critical evaluation of immunization programs is key to identifying areas of suboptimal vaccination coverage, monitoring activities, and aiding development of public health policy. For evaluation of vaccine effectiveness, direct antibody binding assay methods, including enzyme immunoassay, enzyme-linked fluorescence assays, and indirect immunofluorescence assay, are most commonly used for detection of IgG antibodies. However, despite...
Research Article | Clinical Science and EpidemiologyNovel Multiplex Immunoassays for Quantification of IgG against Group B Streptococcus Capsular Polysaccharides in Human SeraGroup B streptococcal infections can cause death in neonates up to 3 months of age. Intrapartum antibiotic prophylaxis in GBS-colonized mothers has limited early infections but has no impact after the first week of life. The development of a maternal vaccine to address this unmet medical need has been identified as a priority by the World Health Organization, and the GBS CPSs are considered the best antigen targets. However, to date...
Research Article | Clinical Science and EpidemiologyGenotypic and Phenotypic Characterization of Antimicrobial Resistance in Neisseria gonorrhoeae: a Cross-Sectional Study of Isolates Recovered from Routine Urine Cultures in a High-Incidence SettingNeisseria gonorrhoeae causes the sexually transmitted infection gonorrhea, which is most commonly diagnosed using a DNA-based detection method that does not require growth and isolation of N. gonorrhoeae in the laboratory. This is problematic because the rates of antibiotic resistance in...
Observation | Clinical Science and EpidemiologyRectal Swabs from Critically Ill Patients Provide Discordant Representations of the Gut Microbiome Compared to Stool SamplesRectal swabs have been proposed as potential alternatives to stool samples for gut microbiome profiling in outpatients or healthy adults, but their reliability in assessment of critically ill patients has not been defined. Because stool sampling is not practical and often not feasible in the intensive care unit, we performed a detailed comparison of gut microbial sequencing profiles between rectal swabs and stool samples in a...
Research Article | Clinical Science and EpidemiologyAnti-Factor H Antibody Reactivity in Young Adults Vaccinated with a Meningococcal Serogroup B Vaccine Containing Factor H Binding ProteinMeningococci are bacteria that cause sepsis and meningitis. Meningococcal species are subdivided into serogroups on the basis of different sugar capsules. Vaccines that target serogroup A, C, Y, and W capsules are safe and highly effective. New serogroup B (MenB) vaccines target a bacterial protein that can bind to a blood protein called complement factor H (FH). While serogroup B vaccines appear to be safe and effective, there is a...
Observation | Clinical Science and EpidemiologyEnhanced Molecular Surveillance of Chikungunya VirusThe life cycle of arboviruses relies on efficient infection of and transmission by arthropod vectors. Adaptation to new vectors can thus dramatically increase the geographic range of an arbovirus. Several adaptive mutations enhance chikungunya virus (CHIKV) transmissibility by different mosquito species. The appearance of those adaptive mutations has led to large-scale CHIKV outbreaks in Asia, Africa, and Europe. Molecular surveillance...
Research Article | Clinical Science and EpidemiologyRetrospective Analysis of Nontuberculous Mycobacterial Infection and Monochloramine Disinfection of Municipal Drinking Water in MichiganInfections by nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) result in significant morbidity, mortality, and health care costs. NTM are primarily acquired from environmental sources, including exposure to municipally treated drinking water. Higher levels of NTM have been reported in drinking water disinfected with monochloramine than in drinking water disinfected with chlorine. Our results suggest that municipal drinking water disinfection with...
Research Article | Clinical Science and EpidemiologyAssignment of Serotype-Specific IgG1, IgG2, and IgA Weight-Based Antibody Units to the Human Pneumococcal Standard Reference Serum, 007spA well-characterized antibody standard is an indispensable reagent for use in assays designed to measure antibodies with precision and where assays between laboratories need to be comparable. The human pneumococcal standard reference serum, lot 89SF, greatly facilitated the standardization of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay methodologies during a critical period when the first pneumococcal polysaccharide-conjugate vaccines were being...
Research Article | Clinical Science and EpidemiologyDetection of VIM-1-Producing Enterobacter cloacae and Salmonella enterica Serovars Infantis and Goldcoast at a Breeding Pig Farm in Germany in 2017 and Their Molecular Relationship to Former VIM-1-Producing S. Infantis Isolates in German Livestock ProductionCarbapenems are considered one of few remaining treatment options against multidrug-resistant Gram-negative pathogens in human clinical settings. The occurrence of carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae in livestock and food is a major public health concern. Particularly the occurrence of VIM-1-producing Salmonella Infantis in livestock farms is worrisome...
Research Article | Clinical Science and EpidemiologyEmergence of Azithromycin Resistance Mediated by Phosphotransferase-Encoding mph(A) in Diarrheagenic Vibrio fluvialisThe progressive rise in antibiotic resistance among enteric pathogens in developing countries is becoming a big concern. India is one of the largest consumers of antibiotics, and their use is not well regulated. V. fluvialis is increasingly recognized as an emerging diarrheal pathogen of public health importance. Here we report the emergence of azithromycin resistance...