Clinical Science and Epidemiology
Research Article | Clinical Science and EpidemiologyCharacterization of agr Groups of Staphylococcus pseudintermedius Isolates from Dogs in TexasStaphylococcus pseudintermedius is an important disease-causing bacterium in dogs and is recognized as a growing threat to human health. Due to increasing multidrug resistance, discovery of alternative methods for treatment of these infections is vital. Interference with one target for alternative treatment, the quorum sensing system agr, has demonstrated...
Research Article | Clinical Science and EpidemiologyAntibodies to Peptides in Semiconserved Domains of RIFINs and STEVORs Correlate with Malaria ExposureMalaria, an infectious disease caused by the parasite Plasmodium falciparum, causes nearly 435,000 deaths annually worldwide. RIFINs and STEVORs are two variant surface antigen families that are involved in malaria pathogenesis and immune evasion. Recent work has shown that a lack of humoral immunity to these proteins is associated with severe malaria vulnerability in...
Research Article | Clinical Science and EpidemiologyOutbreak of Murine Infection with Clostridium difficile Associated with the Administration of a Pre- and Perinatal Methyl Donor DietClostridium difficile infection (CDI) has become the leading cause of infectious diarrhea in hospitals worldwide, owing its preeminence to the emergence of hyperendemic strains, such as ribotype 027 (RT027). A major CDI risk factor is antibiotic exposure, which alters gut microbiota, resulting in the loss of colonization resistance. Current murine models of CDI also...
Research Article | Clinical Science and EpidemiologyEmergence of New Delhi Metallo-β-Lactamase (NDM-5) in Klebsiella quasipneumoniae from Neonates in a Nigerian HospitalCarbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae is of global health importance, yet there is a paucity of genome-based studies in Africa. Here we report fatal blood-borne NDM-5-producing K. quasipneumoniae subsp. similipneumoniae infections from Nigeria, Africa. New Delhi metallo-β-lactamase (...
Research Article | Clinical Science and EpidemiologyEvaluation of the Serologic Cross-Reactivity between Transmissible Gastroenteritis Coronavirus and Porcine Respiratory Coronavirus Using Commercial Blocking Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay KitsCurrent measures to prevent TGEV from entering a naive herd include quarantine and testing for TGEV-seronegative animals. However, TGEV serology is complicated due to the cross-reactivity with PRCV, which circulates subclinically in most swine herds worldwide. Conventional serological tests cannot distinguish between TGEV and PRCV antibodies; however, blocking ELISAs using antigen containing a large deletion in the amino terminus of the...
Research Article | Clinical Science and EpidemiologySecretory Microneme Proteins Induce T-Cell Recall Responses in Mice Chronically Infected with Toxoplasma gondiiCurrent diagnosis of toxoplasmosis relies almost exclusively on antibody detection, and while detection of IgG provides a useful estimate of prior infection, it does not alone indicate immune status. In contrast, detection of IFN-γ responses to T. gondii antigens has been used to monitor immune responsiveness in HIV-infected patients, thus providing valuable...
Research Article | Clinical Science and EpidemiologyCulture of Clinical Specimens Reveals Extensive Diversity of Legionella pneumophila Strains in ArizonaCulture of clinical specimens from patients with Legionnaires’ disease is rarely performed, restricting our understanding of the diversity and ecology of Legionella. Culture of Legionella from patient specimens in Arizona revealed a greater proportion of non-serogroup 1 Legionella...
Editor's Pick Research Article | Clinical Science and EpidemiologyAntibody Biomarkers Associated with Sterile Protection Induced by Controlled Human Malaria Infection under Chloroquine ProphylaxisInfection by Plasmodium parasites has been a major cause of mortality and morbidity in humans for thousands of years. Despite the considerable reduction of deaths, according to the WHO, over 5 billion people are still at risk, with about 216 million worldwide cases occurring in 2016. More compelling, 15 countries in sub-Saharan Africa bore 80% of the worldwide malaria burden. Complete eradication has been challenging, and the...
Research Article | Clinical Science and EpidemiologyMycobacterium ulcerans Population Genomics To Inform on the Spread of Buruli Ulcer across Central AfricaBuruli ulcer is a destructive skin and soft tissue infection caused by Mycobacterium ulcerans. The disease is characterized by progressive skin ulceration, which can lead to permanent disfigurement and long-term disability. Currently, the major hurdles facing disease control are incomplete understandings of both the mode of transmission and environmental reservoirs of...
Research Article | Clinical Science and EpidemiologyGut Virome Analysis of Cameroonians Reveals High Diversity of Enteric Viruses, Including Potential Interspecies Transmitted VirusesDespite the availability of diagnostic tools for different enteric viral pathogens, a large fraction of human cases of gastroenteritis remains unexplained. This could be due to pathogens not tested for or novel divergent viruses of potential animal origin. Fecal virome analyses of Cameroonians showed a very diverse group of viruses, some of which are genetically related to those identified in animals. This is the first attempt to...