Molecular techniques for pathogen identification and fungus detection in the environment

Many species of fungi can cause disease in plants, animals and humans. Accurate and robust detection and quantification of fungi is essential for diagnosis, modeling and surveillance. Also direct detection of fungi enables a deeper understanding of natural microbial communities, particularly as a great many fungi are difficult or impossible to cultivate. In the last decade, effective amplification platforms, probe development and various quantitative PCR technologies have revolutionized research on fungal detection and identification. Examples of the latest technology in fungal detection and differentiation are discussed here

Subclass IgG to motor gangliosides related to infection and clinical course in Guillain-Barre syndrome

In 176 patients with Guillain-Barre syndrome the subclass and cross-reactivity of serum IgG antibodies to motor gangliosides was related to preceding infections and clinical phenotypes. Two subgroups of patients were identified. Presence of only IgG I antibodies was related to diarrhea, positive Campylobacter serology, cross-reactive antibodies to C jejuni lipo-oligosaccharides and poor outcome. In contrast, having both IgG1 and IgG3 antibodies was related to upper respiratory tract infections, cross-reactive antibodies to Haemophilus influenzae lipo-oligosaccharides and better outcome. These findings support a model in which C. jejuni and H. influenzae infections induce two distinct patterns of cross-reactive antibodies with different clinical outcome. (C) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved

Subclass IgG to motor gangliosides related to infection and clinical course in Guillain-Barre syndrome

In 176 patients with Guillain-Barre syndrome the subclass and cross-reactivity of serum IgG antibodies to motor gangliosides was related to preceding infections and clinical phenotypes. Two subgroups of patients were identified. Presence of only IgG I antibodies was related to diarrhea, positive Campylobacter serology, cross-reactive antibodies to C jejuni lipo-oligosaccharides and poor outcome. In contrast, having both IgG1 and IgG3 antibodies was related to upper respiratory tract infections, cross-reactive antibodies to Haemophilus influenzae lipo-oligosaccharides and better outcome. These findings support a model in which C. jejuni and H. influenzae infections induce two distinct patterns of cross-reactive antibodies with different clinical outcome. (C) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved