infection
Observation | Host-Microbe BiologyThe Proton Pump Inhibitor Omeprazole Does Not Promote Clostridioides difficile Colonization in a Murine ModelAntibiotics are the primary risk factor for Clostridioides difficile infections (CDIs), but other factors may also increase a person’s risk. In epidemiological studies, proton pump inhibitor (PPI) use has been associated with CDI incidence and recurrence. PPIs have also been associated with alterations in the human intestinal microbiota in observational and...
Research Article | Therapeutics and PreventionDesigned Ankyrin Repeat Protein (DARPin) Neutralizers of TcdB from Clostridium difficile Ribotype 027We report the engineering and characterization of designed ankyrin proteins as potent neutralizers of TcdB toxin secreted by a hypervirulent ribotype 027 strain of Clostridium difficile. We further show that although TcdB toxins from both ribotype 027 and VPI 10461 interact efficiently with TcdB receptors CSPG4 and Pvrl3, TcdB027 lacks significant ability...
Editor's Pick Research Article | Host-Microbe BiologyIntranasal Inoculation of Cryptococcus neoformans in Mice Produces Nasal Infection with Rapid Brain DisseminationCryptococcus neoformans causes an estimated 181, 000 deaths each year, mostly associated with untreated HIV/AIDS. C. neoformans has a ubiquitous worldwide distribution. Humans become infected from exposure to environmental sources, after which the fungus lays dormant within the human body. Upon AIDS...
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 | Therapeutics and PreventionDisarming Pore-Forming Toxins with Biomimetic Nanosponges in Intraocular InfectionsEndophthalmitis is a blinding consequence of bacterial invasion of the interior of the eye. Because of increases in the numbers of ocular surgeries and intraocular injections, the incidence of endophthalmitis is steadily increasing. Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecalis,...
Research Article | Clinical Science and EpidemiologyEpidemiological and Serological Investigation into the Role of Gestational Maternal Influenza Virus Infection and Autism Spectrum DisordersThe causes of most cases of autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are unknown. Some epidemiological studies suggest that maternal gestational influenza virus infection may increase the risk of ASD in offspring. Here, we describe an analysis of a large birth cohort with results based on questionnaires that prospectively addressed subjective reports of influenza-like illness and serological assays for objective determination of influenza virus...
Author Reply | Clinical Science and EpidemiologyReply to Magaret and Wald, “Autism Link to Herpes Simplex Virus 2 Antibody in Pregnancy Likely To Be Spurious”
Research Article | Clinical Science and EpidemiologyMaternal Immunoreactivity to Herpes Simplex Virus 2 and Risk of Autism Spectrum Disorder in Male OffspringThe cause (or causes) of most cases of autism spectrum disorder is unknown. Evidence from epidemiological studies and work in animal models of neurodevelopmental disorders suggest that both genetic and environmental factors may be implicated. The latter include gestational infection and immune activation. In our cohort, high levels of antibodies to herpes simplex virus 2 at midpregnancy were associated with an elevated risk of autism...
Research Article | Clinical Science and EpidemiologyMolecular Epidemiology of Colonizing and Infecting Isolates of Klebsiella pneumoniaeK. pneumoniae commonly infects hospitalized patients, and these infections are increasingly resistant to carbapenems, the antibiotics of last resort for life-threatening bacterial infections. To prevent and treat these infections, we must better understand how K. pneumoniae causes disease and...
Research Article | Therapeutics and PreventionEfficacy of T-705 (Favipiravir) in the Treatment of Infections with Lethal Severe Fever with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome VirusSevere fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS), caused by SFTS virus (SFTSV), is a recently identified emerging viral infectious disease. Despite the medical importance of this disease, there are currently neither vaccines nor effective therapeutics for SFTS. T-705, which is a pyrazine derivative, has shown broad antiviral activity against various RNA viruses. The present study demonstrated, for the first time to our knowledge, the...