HIV infection as a risk factor for shigellosis.

We investigated cases of shigellosis in San Francisco and Alameda Counties identified during 1996 by active laboratory surveillance to assess the role of HIV infection as a risk factor for shigellosis. Dramatically elevated rates of shigellosis in HIV-infected persons implicate HIV infection as an important risk factor for shigellosis in San Francisco

Nuclear Factor-κB Activation in Endothelium by Chlamydia pneumoniae without Active Infection

Causative molecular mechanisms accounting for the potential link between Chlamydia pneumoniae and atherosclerosis are unknown. Formalin and heat-inactivated C. pneumoniae activated the transcription factor nuclear factor (NF)-κB in cultured porcine endothelium and up-regulated the expression of E-selectin messenger RNA and protein. This up-regulation was abolished by an IκB super-repressor, an NF-κB-specific inhibitor. Live bacteria are not necessary for the activation of endothelial NF-κB, and C. pneumoniae may contribute to atherogenesis without active infection