Human intestinal spirochetosis accompanied by human immunodeficiency virus infection:a case report

We present a middle-aged, heterosexual Japanese man with mixed infections including human intestinal spirochetosis, which led us to the detection of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. The patient had syphilis without related physical or neurological findings. An examination for the serum antibody for HIV performed 9 years previously was negative. In a complete medical checkup at the present time, human intestinal spirochetosis and unspecified entamebic cysts were suggested by histological examination of colonic biopsy material and parasitic examination of the intestinal fluid, respectively. Moreover, a serological test for the antibody for HIV was positive. In specimens obtained by colonoscopy, Brachyspira aalborgi was diagnosed by ultrastructural study and the polymerase chain reaction method for bacterial 16S ribosomal deoxyribonucleic acid. Although HIV infection remains at low prevalence in Japan, we recommend examination for HIV infection in patients with human intestinal spirochetosis, especially when other co-infections are apparent.</p

Proteomic analysis in usual and nonspecific interstitial pneumonia

Differentiating nonspecific interstitial pneumonia (NSIP) from usual interstitial pneumonia (UIP) is important for the determination of both treatment and prognosis. Using two-dimensional fluorescence difference gel electrophoresis (2D-DIGE), we examined 8 UIPs, 8 NSIPs, and 30 normal lung tissues. Comparisons with control in 2D-DIGE showed that (a) in UIP, nine protein spots were significantly upregulated and seven were significantly downregulated, (b) in NSIP, four protein spots were significantly upregulated and nine were significantly downregulated. The detected proteins were analyzed by MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry, allowing qualitative differences in vimentin subtypes to be characterized. One vimentin subtype was upregulated in UIP, while another one was downregulated in NSIP (vs. control). These different characteristics were partially supported by the results of Western blot analysis. Our immunohistochemistry revealed vimentin expression within fibroblasts (a) in fibroblastic foci in UIP and (b) in fibrotic alveolar walls in NSIP. Differences in vimentin subtypes may provide useful biomarkers for separating NSIP from UIP, alongside differences in histological characteristics