9 research outputs found
Molecular epidemiology and drug resistance prevalence of strains from newly diagnosed HIV-1 patients in Northern Greece during 2009-2010
West Nile Virus Seroprevalence and Behavioral Risks in HIV-1 Infected Individuals, Northern Greece, 2011
Objectives: This study sought to assess the West Nile Virus (WNV) seroprevalence and behavioral risk factors for WNV infection in HIV-1 infected individuals in Northern Greece in 2011.
Methods: We prospectively enrolled 91 HIV-1 consecutive patients followed up in the HIV clinic of the AHEPA University Hospital in the period from November to December 2011. Serum samples were tested for the presence of WNV IgG antibodies. All subjects were administered a standardized questionnaire to evaluate for risk factors for WNV infection.
Results: WNV IgG antibodies were detected in three subjects (3.3%, 95% CI 0.7-9.3%), two of whom were of African origin. The prevalence of WNV antibodies in HIV patients of Greek origin was 1.2% (95% CI: 0.03% - 6.3%). In the sample surveyed, 53.6% (95% CI: 42.4% to 64.5%) were aware of WNV prevention measures; 2.2% reported no implementation of prevention measures, whereas 46.1% implemented at least three measures. Approximately one half of the patients reported outdoor activities for more than two hours from dusk to dawn. None of the IgG-positive patients reported any symptoms compatible with WNV disease during the season at risk.
Conclusions: Among native Greek HIV patients, the WNV seroprevalence is 1.2%. A considerable proportion of patients was aware of WNV prevention measures and implemented some of these. HIV patients and other categories of immunocompromised patients are at increased risk of neuroinvasive disease, and widespread implementation of prevention measures should be strongly encouraged in this patient population
The clinical significance of carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae rectal colonization in critically ill patients: from colonization to bloodstream infection
Purpose. To highlight the clinical significance of carbapenem-resistant
Klebsiella pneumoniae (CRKP) rectal colonization by examining the risk
factors for CRKP rectal colonization and subsequent bloodstream
infection (BSI) in critically ill patients.
Methodology. Prospective study of CRKP rectal colonization in an
intensive care unit (ICU) during a 39-month period. CRKP strains
isolated from both the blood cultures and corresponding rectal specimens
(n=96) of patients were screened by PCR for the presence of antibiotic
resistance-associated genes. Molecular analyses were conducted to
investigate the clonal relatedness of CRKP strains from the rectal and
blood specimens.
Results. Among the 498 patients. 226 were rectally colonized by CRKP, 48
of whom developed a CRKP BSI. The median time from hospital admission to
the detection of CRKP rectal colonization was 8 days, while the median
time from colonization to BSI was 4 days. The duration of ICU stay,
patient/nurse ratio and prior use of antianaerobic antimicrobials were
associated with CRKP rectal colonization. No specific factor was
associated with BSIs in the colonized patients. The bla(KPC-2) gene was
detected in all 96 strains, which were all classified as sequence type
ST-258. Representative pairs (n=48) of CRKP strains colonizing and
infecting the same patient shared the same pulsotype.
Conclusion. Our results indicate that hospitalized patients become
infected with their colonizing strains, supporting the strong
association between colonization and BSI. Limiting antianaerobic
antimicrobial administration, reducing the duration of ICU stay and
maintaining a low patient/nurse ratio are possible strategies to
restrict rectal CRKP colonization in ICUs
Short Communication: Molecular Epidemiology of HIV Type 1 Infection in Northern Greece (2009–2010): Evidence of a Transmission Cluster of HIV Type 1 Subtype A1 Drug-Resistant Strains Among Men Who Have Sex with Men
Time trends and correlates of late presentation for HIV care in Northern Greece during the decade 2000 to 2010
West Nile Virus Seroprevalence and Behavioral Risks in HIV-1 Infected Individuals, Northern Greece, 2011
NK and NKT Cell Depletion Alters the Outcome of Experimental Pneumococcal Pneumonia: Relationship with Regulation of Interferon-gamma Production
Background. Natural killer (NK) and natural killer T (NKT) cells contribute to the innate host defense but their role in bacterial sepsis remains controversial. Methods. C57BL/6 mice were infected intratracheally with 5 x 10(5) cfu of Streptococcus pneumoniae. Animals were divided into sham group (Sham); pretreated with isotype control antibody (CON) group; pretreated with anti-asialo GM1 antibody (NKd) group; and pretreated with anti-CD1d monoclonal antibody (NKTd) group before bacterial challenge. Serum and tissue samples were analyzed for bacterial load, cytokine levels, splenocyte apoptosis rates, and cell characteristics by flow cytometry. Splenocyte miRNA expression was also analyzed and survival was assessed. Results. NK cell depletion prolonged survival. Upon inhibition of NKTcell activation, spleen NK(CD3-/NK1.1+) cells increased compared to all other groups. Inhibition of NKT cell activation led to higher bacterial loads and increased levels of serum and splenocyte IFN-gamma. Splenocyte miRNA analysis showed that miR-200c and miR-29a were downregulated, while miR-125a-5p was upregulated, in anti-CD1d treated animals. These changes were moderate after NK cell depletion. Conclusions. NK cells appear to contribute to mortality in pneumococcal pneumonia. Inhibition of NKT cell activation resulted in an increase in spleen NK (CD3-/NK1.1+) cells and a higher IFN-gamma production, while altering splenocyte miRNA expression
NK and NKT Cell Depletion Alters the Outcome of Experimental Pneumococcal Pneumonia: Relationship with Regulation of Interferon- γ
Background. Natural killer (NK) and natural killer T (NKT) cells contribute to the innate host defense but their role in bacterial sepsis remains controversial. Methods. C57BL/6 mice were infected intratracheally with 5 × 105 cfu of Streptococcus pneumoniae. Animals were divided into sham group (Sham); pretreated with isotype control antibody (CON) group; pretreated with anti-asialo GM1 antibody (NKd) group; and pretreated with anti-CD1d monoclonal antibody (NKTd) group before bacterial challenge. Serum and tissue samples were analyzed for bacterial load, cytokine levels, splenocyte apoptosis rates, and cell characteristics by flow cytometry. Splenocyte miRNA expression was also analyzed and survival was assessed. Results. NK cell depletion prolonged survival. Upon inhibition of NKT cell activation, spleen NK (CD3−/NK1.1+) cells increased compared to all other groups. Inhibition of NKT cell activation led to higher bacterial loads and increased levels of serum and splenocyte IFN-γ. Splenocyte miRNA analysis showed that miR-200c and miR-29a were downregulated, while miR-125a-5p was upregulated, in anti-CD1d treated animals. These changes were moderate after NK cell depletion. Conclusions. NK cells appear to contribute to mortality in pneumococcal pneumonia. Inhibition of NKT cell activation resulted in an increase in spleen NK (CD3−/NK1.1+) cells and a higher IFN-γ production, while altering splenocyte miRNA expression