Risk Of Seropositivity Research Articles

Cross-sectional study on Echinococcosis in Aragacotn region of Armenia, 2014

Purpose: Cystic echinococcosis (CE) is a worldwide health problem. Humans are infected through ingestion of eggs in contaminated food, water, soil, or direct contact with dogs. Most cases remain asymptomatic. From 1970-1980 serological studies in Armenia showed 4.9% IgG positivity in rural populations and 2.3% in urban populations. The highest rates of surgical remediation for CE were reported in the Aragacotn region, where this study was conducted. Methods & Materials: We conducted a cross-sectional systematic sampling in six villages (n=6000) encompassing 384 households. In each household one adult (> 18 y) was selected. The survey data were analyzed by EpiInfo. Detection was accomplished using the IgG antigen-strip (D-3356). The survey had 384 respondents. Results: While most Yezidis (81%) have dogs (19% domestic/81% guard), only 48% of Armenians keep them (61% domestic/39% guard). Armenians were more educated with 63% having secondary or higher levels of education compared to 15% of Yezidis. They are also more knowledgeable of Echinococcosis (37% vs 6%) (RR 0.16 CI 0.06-0.43). However, 36% of Yezidis regularly deworm their dogs compared with just 16% Armenians (RR 2.27 CI 1.4-3.8). The use of personal protective equipment is more common among Yezidis (50%) than Armenians (44%). Being female is also protective (RR 0.27 CI 0.17-0.42). Using PPE during work: 50% of Yezidis, 44% of Armenians and sex (female) is a protective factor (RR 0.27 CI 0.17-0.42). Laboratory results showed 13 cases with IgG positivity (3.4% CI 1.6-5.2). Dog ownership is associated with an increased risk of being seropositive (RR 10.6 CI 1.4-80.6). Ownership of domestic dogs is associated with a greater risk of seropositivity for CE more than ownership of working dogs (RR 11.1 CI 1.5-84.4). Conclusion: Armenians are more educated and are more aware of the transmission and prevention of Echinococcosis than Yezidis, but Yezidis practice more protective behavior. Owning dogs, especially small domestic dogs, was a risk factor. Awareness of the disease and adequate behavior of people while treating animals can reduce the burden of Echinococcosis.

Associations between excessive adiposity and seroprevalence of herpes simplex virus type 1 and type 2 among US adults: a population-based age–period–cohort analysis

ObjectivesEvidence on the association between herpes simplex virus (HSV) and excessive adiposity, such as obesity (body mass index ≥30 kg/m2) and abdominal obesity (waist circumference (WC) >102 or 88 cm),...

Factors associated with Toxoplasma gondii infection in confined farrow-to-finish pig herds in western France: an exploratory study in 60 herds.

BackgroundInfection by Toxoplasma gondii postnatally can occur after ingestion of contaminated meat or water (tissue cysts/oocysts). In Europe, percentage of meat borne infections is estimated between 30 and 63 %, out of which pork makes the most important source. The aim of this study was to (i) investigate the seroprevalence of T. gondii in intensive pig farms from western France; and (ii) identify the risk factors associated with seropositivity.MethodsData were collected between November 2006 and February 2008 in 60 intensive farrow-to-finish farms, where sera were taken from 3595 fattening pigs, weaned and suckling piglets. Information about three classes of potential seropositivity risk factors were obtained through a questionnaire concerning: (i) breeding characteristics; (ii) farm management; and (iii) husbandry and hygiene. The modified agglutination test (MAT) was used for detection of specific anti T. gondii antibodies in pig sera, starting from 1/6 dilution.ResultsThe overall proportion of seropositive animals was 6.9 %, but the proportion of herds with at least one positive pig was 100 %. Multivariate logistic mixed model showed an increased seropositivity risk in weaned compared to suckling piglets, and a decreasing risk for mid-sized and large farms. The presence of a Danish entry facility, that clearly separates clean and dirty areas, had a protective effect on T. gondii seropositivity as well.ConclusionsThe observed proportion of herds with at least one T. gondii seropositive animal provides further evidence that even in confined conditions of pig breeding, infection occurs, and is common. The highest risk for acquiring T. gondii is at the end of weaning period. Smaller confined pig farms demonstrate higher T. gondii seropositivity levels. This study also showed that Danish entry on farm buildings provides effective protection against T. gondii.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13071-016-1753-5) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Pre-transplant emotional support is associated with longer survival after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

Emerging evidence suggests that psychosocial factors pre-transplant predict survival in cancer patients undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). These studies, however, typically have small sample sizes, short-term follow ups or a limited panel of medical covariates. We extend this research in a large, well-characterized sample of transplant patients, asking whether patients' perceived emotional support and psychological distress predict mortality over 2 years. Prior to transplant, 400 cancer patients (55.5% males; 82.8% White; Mage=50.0 years; 67.0% leukemia, 20.0% lymphoma) were interviewed by a social caseworker, who documented the patients' perceived emotional support and psychological distress. Subsequently, patients received an allogeneic HSCT (51.0% matched-related donor, 42.0% matched-unrelated donor and 7.0% cord blood). HSCT outcomes were obtained from medical records. Controlling for demographic characteristics (age, sex, race/ethnicity and marital status) and medical confounders (disease type, conditioning regimen, remission status, cell dosage, donor and recipient CMV seropositivity, donor sex, comorbidities and disease risk), ratings of good emotional support pre-transplant predicted longer overall survival (hazard ratio (HR)=0.61, 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.42-0.91; P=0.013). Pre-transplant psychological distress was unrelated to survival, however (Ps>0.58). Emotional support was marginally associated with lower rates of treatment-related mortality (HR=0.58, CI, 0.32-1.05; P=0.073). These findings are consistent with the hypothesis that emotional support contributes to better outcomes following HSCT. Future studies should examine whether intervention efforts to optimize emotional resources can improve survival in cancer patients.

Abstract LB-361: Serology of Streptococcus gallolyticus subsp. gallolyticus and risk of colorectal cancer

Abstract Background: The colonic opportunist Streptococcus gallolyticus subsp. gallolyticus (S. gallolyticus) has been hypothesized to be associated with colorectal cancer (CRC). A recent case-control study (Butt et al., Int J Cancer. 2015 doi: 10.1002/ijc.29914.) showed an association of high antibody levels to S. gallolyticus pilus proteins with prevalent CRC. However, no study has yet explored this association in a prospective study. Objective: To determine whether antibody responses to S. gallolyticus are associated with CRC risk 1 to 8 (median 3) years before diagnosis. Methods: A case-control study was nested within the prospective Southern Community Cohort Study (SCCS) which has enrolled 86,000 men and women between 2002 and 2009 primarily from community health centers (CHC). Participants included here comprised 181 incident CRC cases that were identified until end of 2011 and 348 controls matched by sex, age, race, menopausal status, CHC site and date of blood collection. Antibodies to 11 recombinant affinity-purified S. gallolyticus proteins, including 4 S. gallolyticus pilus proteins, were quantified by multiplex serology. Conditional logistic regression was used to calculate odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals. Results: Overall, there was no significant association of high antibody levels to any S. gallolyticus protein (OR: 1.11, 95% CI: 0.77-1.58) or any pilus protein (OR: 1.34, 95% CI: 0.91-1.96) with CRC. However, when stratifying by stage at diagnosis, the association with high antibody levels to any pilus protein was significant for CRC diagnosed with regional or distant stage (OR: 1.68, 95% CI: 1.01-2.78), whereby no association was found for localized CRC (OR: 0.85, 95% CI: 0.45-1.63). Epplein et al. showed that seropositivity to the gastric cancer virulence factor Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) VacA is significantly associated with CRC (Epplein et al., Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev. 22(11):1964-74. 2013). Under the assumption that different bacteria may be involved in CRC and that they may interact with each other, we performed an analysis stratified by H. pylori VacA serostatus. Here, the association with high antibody levels to any S. gallolyticus protein with CRC was significant among H. pylori VacA negative individuals (OR: 2.40, 95% CI: 1.12-5.15) but absent among H. pylori VacA positives (OR: 0.83, 95% CI: 0.54-1.29; interaction p = 0.019). Conclusion: This prospective study failed to find a significant overall association of antibodies to S. gallolyticus proteins with CRC. However, among individuals (and their matched controls) who would go on to be diagnosed with later stage tumors, seropositivity to S. gallolyticus was associated with a significant 1.7-fold increase in risk for CRC. In addition we found an interaction between seropositivity to H. pylori VacA with S. gallolyticus in the association with CRC, whereby the increase in risk for seropositivity to S. gallolyticus was seen only among individuals not also infected with VacA-positive H. pylori. This finding supports the idea that different bacteria are involved in CRC and that they may influence each other in their association. Further research with larger study sizes is needed to examine the outcome by both time from blood collection to diagnosis and stage to more precisely shed light on the timing of the association, as well as to consider interaction with infection by other bacteria. Citation Format: Julia Butt, Michael Pawlita, Meira Epplein. Serology of Streptococcus gallolyticus subsp. gallolyticus and risk of colorectal cancer. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 107th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2016 Apr 16-20; New Orleans, LA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2016;76(14 Suppl):Abstract nr LB-361.

Neospora caninum seropositivity and reproductive risk factors in dogs

Despite the importance of Neospora caninum in veterinary medicine, knowledge of distribution of neosporosis in dog populations in some countries is still poor. The aims of the present study were to determine the occurrence of anti-N. caninum antibodies in one-hundred dogs living in cattle farms or dog breedings in central Italy and to evaluate the risk factors associated with seropositivity. The incidence of reproductive system disorders (e.g. infertility after first pregnancy) was also evaluated. Serum from breeding and farm dogs was tested to an indirect immunofluorescent antibody test (IFAT) to assess the occurrence of seropositivity. Management and individual data were collected and analysed both by linear and logistic multiple-regression models to find reliable predictors of seroprevalence and anti-N. caninum antibody level. The seropositivity for N. caninum was 32%. Dogs reared for breeding and presence of cattle on the farm were associated with seropositivity for N. caninum. Dogs living in the cattle farms showed a higher seropositivity for N. caninum (46%) compared with those living in dogs breeding (18%) (P < 0.05). The high presence of seropositive dogs in cattle farms of the study region demonstrates the potential risk of horizontal transmission of N. caninum between dogs and cattle, regardless the occurrence of reproductive system disorders or with infectious bovine tissues contact. Although the Neospora seropositivity in dog breedings may appear relatively low if compared with that found in dogs living with livestock, this infection, apparently underestimated, should be considered as a potential serious problem in canine medicine.

Seroprevalence of West Nile and Usutu viruses in military working horses and dogs, Morocco, 2012: dog as an alternative WNV sentinel species?

A serosurvey of 349 military working horses and 231 military working dogs was conducted in ten sites in Morocco in 2012. This survey revealed a high level of exposure of these animals to flaviviruses: seroprevalence rates of 60% in horses and of 62% in dogs were observed using a competitive West Nile virus (WNV) enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (cELISA). Seroneutralization test results showed that the majority of cELISA-positive results were due to exposure to WNV. Further assays conducted in vaccinated horses with a DIVA (Differentiating Infected from Vaccinated Animals) test indicated that anti-WNV antibodies had been stimulated through WNV natural infection. Moreover, in both species, seroneutralization tests suggested an exposure to Usutu virus (USUV). Data analysis did not show any significant difference of cELISA seropositivity risk between horses and dogs. Dogs may thus represent an interesting alternative to equines for the serological surveillance of WNV or USUV circulation, especially in areas where equine vaccination precludes passive surveillance (based on the detection of West Nile fever cases) in horses.

Bioecological Drivers of Rabies Virus Circulation in a Neotropical Bat Community.

IntroductionIn addition to the commonly accepted importance of the vampire bat in the maintenance and transmission of the rabies virus (RABV) in South America, RABV infection of other species is widely evidenced, challenging their role in the viral cycle.Methodology / Principles findingsTo identify the bioecological drivers of RABV circulation in neotropical bat communities, we conducted a molecular and serological survey on almost 1,000 bats from 30 species, and a 4-year longitudinal survey in two colonies of vampire bats in French Guiana. RABV was molecularly detected in a common vampire and in a frugivorous bat. The sequences corresponded to haematophagous bat-related strains and were close to viruses circulating in the Brazilian Amazon region. Species’ seroprevalence ranged from 0 to 20%, and the risk of seropositivity was higher in bats with a haematophagous diet, living in monospecific colonies and in dense forests. The longitudinal survey showed substantial temporal fluctuations, with individual waves of seroconversions and waning immunity. The high prevalences observed in bat communities, in most habitats and in species that do not share the same microhabitats and bioecological patterns, the temporal variations, and a rather short period of detectable antibodies as observed in recaptured vampires suggest (i) frequent exposure of animals, (ii) an ability of the infected host to control and eliminate the virus, (iii) more relaxed modes of exposure between bats than the commonly assumed infection via direct contact with saliva of infected animals, all of which should be further investigated.Conclusions / significanceWe hypothesize that RABV circulation in French Guiana is mainly maintained in the pristine forest habitats that may provide sufficient food resources to allow vampire bats, the main prevalent species, to survive and RABV to be propagated. However, on the forest edge and in disturbed areas, human activities may induce more insidious effects such as defaunation. One of the ecological consequences is the disappearance of resources for tertiary or secondary consumers. Populations of vampires may then shift to alternative resources such as cattle, domestic animals and humans. Therefore, a good forest status, allowing both a dilution effect in highly rich bat communities and the maintenance of large populations of medium-sized and large mammals used as prey by vampires, should prevent their migration to anthropized areas.

Chronic spontaneous urticaria and internal parasites--a systematic review.

Chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) is defined as persistent wheals, angioedema, or both lasting for >6 weeks due to known or unknown causes. Some epidemiological studies and case reports suggest that internal parasite infections (PI) can cause CSU. Here, we provide a systematic overview of published findings on the prevalence and relevance of PI in CSU and we discuss possible pathomechanisms. The prevalence of PI in CSU was investigated by 39 independent studies and comorbidity reportedly ranged from 0 to 75.4% (two-thirds of these studies reported infection rates of 10% or less). The prevalence of PI in adult and pediatric CSU patients ranged from 0% to 75.4% and from 0% to 37.8%, respectively. CSU patients were more often diagnosed with protozoa and had a significantly higher risk of toxocariasis seropositivity and Anisakis simplex sensitization when compared to healthy controls. Patients with chronic urticaria more frequently had seropositivity of fasciolosis, Anisakis simplex sensitization, and the presence of Blastocystis hominis allele 34 (ST3) as compared with control subjects. In 21 studies, efficacy of treatment with antiparasitic drugs ranged from 0 to 100% (35.7% of 269 CSU patients benefitted). In 9 (42.8%) of 21 studies, more than 50% of efficacy was observed. The reported rate of urticaria comorbidity in PI patients in 18 independent studies is 1-66.7%. Urticaria including CSU might be a quite common symptom of strongyloidiasis and blastocystosis. Pathogenic mechanisms in CSU due to PI may include specific IgE, Th2 cytokine skewing, eosinophils, activation of the complement, and the coagulation systems.

Antiviral therapy in chronic hepatitis B viral infection during pregnancy: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Perinatal or mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) of hepatitis B virus (HBV) remains the major risk factor for chronic HBV infection worldwide. In addition to hepatitis B immune globulin and vaccination, oral antiviral therapies in highly viremic mothers can further decrease MTCT of HBV. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to synthesize the evidence on the efficacy and maternal and fetal safety of antiviral therapy during pregnancy. A protocol was developed by the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases guideline writing committee. We searched multiple databases for controlled studies that enrolled pregnant women with chronic HBV infection treated with antiviral therapy. Outcomes of interest were reduction of MTCT and adverse outcomes to mothers and newborns. Study selection and data extraction were done by pairs of independent reviewers. We included 26 studies that enrolled 3622 pregnant women. Antiviral therapy reduced MTCT, as defined by infant hepatitis B surface antigen seropositivity (risk ratio = 0.3, 95% confidence interval 0.2-0.4) or infant HBV DNA seropositivity (risk ratio = 0.3, 95% confidence interval 0.2-0.5) at 6-12 months. No significant differences were found in the congenital malformation rate, prematurity rate, and Apgar scores. Compared to control, lamivudine or telbivudine improved maternal HBV DNA suppression at delivery and during 4-8 weeks' postpartum follow-up. Tenofovir showed improvement in HBV DNA suppression at delivery. No significant differences were found in postpartum hemorrhage, cesarean section, and elevated creatinine kinase rates. Antiviral therapy improves HBV suppression and reduces MTCT in women with chronic HBV infection with high viral load compared to the use of hepatitis B immunoglobulin and vaccination alone; the use of telbivudine, lamivudine, and tenofovir appears to be safe in pregnancy with no increased adverse maternal or fetal outcome.

P10.19 Can hsv-2 seropositivity be used as a biological marker of sexual behaviour? findings from a seroprevalence survey in england

Introduction Reliable measures of sexual behaviour aid understanding of differences in sexually transmitted infections between groups or over time, but are often difficult or infeasible to collect. Antibody to herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) has been proposed as a marker of sexual behaviour. We investigated the seroepidemiology of HSV-2 in England to explore the use of HSV-2 as such a marker. Methods Anonymised sera from 16–44 year-old participants in the Health Survey for England (HSE) in 2010 and 2012, a series of nationally-representative household surveys, were tested for anti-HSV-2 antibodies using the HerpeSelect2 IgG ELISA. Factors associated with seropositivity were investigated using logistic regression Results HSV-2 seropositivity increased with age up to 15% (95% CI: 11%–19%) in women and 9% (6%–14%) in men aged 40–44 years. Seropositivity was higher in those with more sexual partners over the lifetime in women (1.4% in those with 0 vs. 14% in those with ≥10 lifetime sexual partners, p = 0.018) but not in men (5% vs. 7%, p = 0.683). There was no difference by number of partners in the last year or by recent condom use. Women of black or black British ethnicity had around 3-times higher odds of being seropositive than those of white ethnicity (24% vs. 10%, odds ratio [OR]:2.96, 95% CI: 1.16–7.54; p = 0.023). No difference by ethnicity was noted among men. Conclusion Our findings suggest antibodies to HSV-2 may be a useful marker for number of lifetime sexual partners in women but not in men. There was less evidence to support the use of HSV-2 as a marker for recent sexual risk behaviour. These data can be used to power future analyses using HSV-2 as a marker of sexual behaviour in women. Although detailed analyses by ethnicity were limited by sample size, the differential risk of seropositivity by ethnicity is of interest and warrants further investigation. Disclosure of interest statement The study was funded by the Health Protection Agency (now part of Public Health England). No pharmaceutical or diagnostic company grants were received in the development of this study.

Association between Helicobacter pylori and pancreatic cancer risk: a meta-analysis.

Gastric colonization with Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) has been implicated in the pathogenesis of pancreatic cancer, but results of epidemiological studies have been inconclusive. We analyzed data from the Queensland Pancreatic Cancer Study, an Australian population-based case-control study, and incorporated our findings into an updated meta-analysis. Blood samples were obtained from 580 patients and 626 controls, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits were used to determine seropositivity to H. pylori and its virulence protein, cytotoxin-associated gene A (CagA). Odds ratios (ORs) and 95 % confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using logistic regression. Results were incorporated into a meta-analysis along with results of studies identified through systematic literature review. Adjusted ORs and 95 % CIs were calculated using the DerSimonian and Laird random-effects model. No overall association was observed between H. pylori seropositivity and risk of pancreatic cancer (OR 1.00; 95 % CI 0.74-1.35). Nonsignificantly decreased pancreatic cancer risk was observed with CagA seropositivity (OR 0.74; 95 % CI 0.48-1.15) and increased risk with CagA-negative H. pylori seropositivity (OR 1.23; 95 % CI 0.83-1.82). Ten studies were included in the meta-analysis. There was no significant overall association between H. pylori seropositivity and pancreatic cancer risk (OR 1.13; 95 % CI 0.86-1.50), but evidence of CagA strain-specific associations (OR 0.78; 95 % CI 0.67-0.91 and OR 1.30; 95 % CI 1.02-1.65 for CagA-positive and CagA-negative strains, respectively). Our results provide further evidence for the existence of strain-specific associations between H. pylori and pancreatic cancer.

Risk factors for multiple sclerosis and associations with anti-EBV antibody titers

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an inflammatory demyelination of the central nervous system. We investigated the prevalence of EBV seropositivity and other known risk factors for MS (age, smoking, low vitamin D) and their effect on anti-EBV antibody titers. We retrospectively studied 249 MS patients receiving care at the American University of Beirut Medical Center and 230 controls, during 2010–2014. EBV seropositivity was higher in MS patients compared to controls for both anti-VCA (99.5%; 97.2%) and anti-EBNA-1 (96.3%; 89.4%), and the titers were significantly higher in MS patients. MS patients had a significantly lower vitamin D level (15.5±8.3ng/ml) compared to controls (20.4±11.3ng/ml). The proportion of heavy smokers and overweight individuals was significantly higher in MS patients. Lebanese MS patients have risk factors similar to those in western countries. Older age and female gender were associated with a higher anti-VCA titer and male gender with a higher anti-EBNA-1.

The prevalence of hepatitis C virus infection and its related risk factors among the rural population of fars province, southern iran.

Background:Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a major blood-borne infection with silent epidemic, major global public health problem and diverse prevalence worldwide.Objectives:This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of HCV infection and related risk factors in the general population of two villages, Farmashkan and Akbarabad, of the Kavar City in Fars Province, Iran.Patients and Methods:A 34-month cross-sectional study was performed on all people of the villages aged ≥ 7 years from July 2007 to April 2010. Demographic information and history of HCV-related risk factors were extracted from their medical records. For each participant, the serum anti-HCV IgG was assessed by the commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits.Results:A total of 6095 participants (36.4% male and 65.6% female) with the mean age of 92 (7-95) and mean ± SD of 34.6 ± 17.3 years were included in this study. Fifteen persons (0.24%) were detected as HCV-positive and the highest prevalence was seen in age ≤ 12 years old (1%). A significant association was only detected between blood transfusion and HCV infection; therefore, those persons with history of blood transfusion had 15-fold higher risk for HCV seropositivity (odds ratio 15.54, 95% CI = 4.89-49.41).Conclusions:Our reported rate of HCV seropositivity is similar to the previous Iranian reports. However, future evaluations should be focused on the Polymerase Chain Reaction method for the detection of HCV and determining and evaluating of other related risk factors. Moreover, more attention should be paid to blood donors as a reservoir population of HCV.

Helicobacter pylori infection as a protective factor against multiple sclerosis risk in females

BackgroundIn recent years, a relationship between Helicobacter pylori and many disease conditions has been reported, however, studies in its relationship with multiple sclerosis (MS) have had contradictory results.ObjectiveTo determine the...

Erratum to: Coffee or tea consumption and the risk of rheumatoid arthritis: a meta-analysis

We found errors in the statistical analysis of the meta-analysis on combining cohort studies and case-control studies. We corrected an error by placing a 14.2 with a 1.2 in the calculations of relative risk (RR) of Karlson et al. study. Thus, the magnitude of effect for all RAwas 2.426 in the original text, but is 1.217 in the revised text. The magnitude for analysis by study design for the cohort studies was 4.148, and now is 1.309. However, the corrected results did not change the statistical significance of the previous results and conclusion of the meta-analysis. We added a meta-analysis figure for decaffeinated coffee and one for caffeinated coffee to the erratum (Fig. 3). We added a revised summary paragraph for the erratum. A revised summary: Meta-analysis of the cohort studies revealed a trend of an association between total coffee intake and RA incidence (RR of the highest vs. the lowest group = 1.309, 95 % confidence interval [CI] = 0.967– 1.771, p = 0.085). Meta-analysis of case–control studies showed a significant association between total coffee intake and RA incidence (RR = 1.201, 95 % CI = 1.058–1.361, p = 0.005). There were differences in the reference groups (all categories of coffee) between the case-control meta-analysis that showed a significant association and the cohort studies where meta-analysis results were non-significant. In addition, the highest category of coffee intake varied between Heliovaara et al. cohort study from Finland where the highest category included drinking up to 13 cups per day, compared to US studies where it was very unusual to have > 4 cups coffee intake per day. Combining the data of the cohort and case–control studies showed a significant association between total coffee intake and RA incidence (RR = 1.217, 95 % CI = 1.083–1.368, p = 0.001). Meta-analysis stratified by seropositivity indicated a significant association between coffee consumption and seropositive RA risk (RR=1.309, 95 % CI=1.142–1.499, p=1.1×10–5), but not seronegative RA risk (RR=1.097, 95 % CI=0.886–1.357, p=0.396). There was no significant association between decaffeinated coffee consumption and RA incidence (RR=1.709, 95 % CI 0.786-3.715), or between caffeinated coffee consumption and RA incidence (RR=1.055, 95 % CI 0.782-1.421) We apologize for this mistake. The corrected Tables 2 and 3 and Figs. 1, 2 and 3 are presented as follows: The online version of the original article can be found at http://dx.doi.org/ 10.1007/s10067-014-2631 -1.

Increased risk of seropositivity to anticarbamylated proteins in early RA: Analysis of anti citrullinated and carbamylated peptide autoantibodies in rheumatoid arthritis patients and their first degree relatives

Increased risk of seropositivity to anticarbamylated proteins in early RA: Analysis of anti citrullinated and carbamylated peptide autoantibodies in rheumatoid arthritis patients and their first degree relatives

Seroprevalence of Rift Valley fever virus infection in camels (dromedaries) in northern Tanzania.

Rift Valley fever (RVF) is an arthropod-borne viral zoonotic disease that affects a wide range of animals including sheep, goats, cattle, camels and humans. Camels have only recently been introduced into Tanzania and, as a result, there is no credible diseases status information concerning this population, estimated to be in the low hundreds. As part of a broader study on camel diseases in different localities of northern Tanzania, serum samples (n = 109) were collected from apparently healthy, non-vaccinated camels during the period June to August 2010 and tested for antibodies specific to RVF virus (RVFV) using the inhibition enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Overall, herd and individual camel IgG seroprevalence was 78.5% (11/14) and 27.5% (30/109), respectively. IgG was found to be most prevalent in camels from Kilindi and Hai districts (45%, each) and in introduced camels from other areas (37.1%). The relationship between age and seropositivity showed that the seroprevalence was the highest (84.6%) in age group of ≥10years and lowest (11.9%) in age group of ≤5years.The results of this study reveal that evidence of camels being exposed to RVFV and that the risk of seropositivity varied according to district, being higher in Kilindi and Hai compared with other districts sampled. The risk of seropositivity increased with increasing animal age and the introduction of camels into the herd. Based on these study findings, continuous disease surveillance of camels for RVFV is indicated.

HIV epidemic among men who have sex with men in India: national scenario of an unfinished agenda.

BackgroundAlthough India has demonstrated success in the overall reduction of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) incidence by 57% in the past 10 years, its control among men who have sex with men (MSM) remains a critical challenge. This paper describes the current status, geographic variability, and factors associated with HIV among MSM from the national perspective.MethodsData on the levels and trends of HIV seropositivity and associated risk behaviors among MSM were analyzed and presented from the following data sources: 1) annual HIV Sentinel Surveillance (HSS) conducted during 2003–10, 2) two rounds of the high-risk group size estimation conducted in 2005 and 2009, 3) two rounds of the Behavioral Surveillance Survey conducted in 2006 and 2009, and 4) the Integrated Bio-behavioral Assessment Round 2. Data were analyzed according to selected sociodemographic characteristics and sexual identities of MSM to understand the factors associated with high HIV prevalence.ResultsHSS data indicate that at the national level, HIV prevalence among MSM overall is declining (from 12.3% in 2003 to 4.43% in 2010). However, marginal increasing trends were observed in Chandigarh (from 1.4% in 2004 to 2.8% in 2008) and Haryana (from 0% in 2006 to 3.2% in 2008). HSS data indicate high (>5%) levels and increasing trends in HIV prevalence among MSM in eight states of India during 2003–10. Analysis of 2010 HSS data indicates that HIV prevalence was >10% in seven states. The factors associated with high HIV prevalence among MSM were being a kothi (the receptive partner in oral and anal sex, and typically with effeminate mannerisms) or a double-decker (both penetrative and receptive partner) rather than being a panthi (the penetrative partner in oral or anal sex) (8% vs 4.3%; P<0.05), being older than 25 years in age than their younger counterparts (9% vs 4.5%; P<0.05), illiterate rather than literate MSM (9.5% vs 6.9%; P<0.05), and employed versus unemployed MSM (9.1% vs 7.8%; P<0.05).ConclusionWhile HIV prevalence among MSM at the national level is declining, it continues to remain high in some states and cities. Programs need to build on the successes in reducing HIV among female sex workers in order to control the high HIV prevalence among MSM in India.

Prospective study of human herpesvirus type 8 serostatus and prostate cancer risk in the placebo arm of the Prostate Cancer Prevention Trial.

Human herpesvirus type 8 (HHV-8), a gamma herpesvirus associated with Kaposi's sarcoma, has been proposed as a candidate risk factor for prostate cancer (PCa) because of its detection in benign and malignant prostate specimens, and its relation with histologic prostatic inflammation. We investigated the possible relation between pre-diagnostic HHV-8 infection and PCa risk in a case-control study sampled from the placebo arm of the Prostate Cancer Prevention Trial. We defined cases as men with a confirmed diagnosis of PCa after visit 2 (n = 315) and controls as men not diagnosed with PCa during the trial who also had a negative end-of-study prostate biopsy (n = 315). We tested sera from visit 2 for IgG antibodies against HHV-8 using a monoclonal antibody-enhanced immunofluorescence assay against multiple lytic HHV-8 antigens. The adjusted seroprevalence of HHV-8 infection was 11.6 % for cases and 11.0 % for controls (p = 0.81). No association was observed between HHV-8 seropositivity and PCa risk (OR 1.06, 95 % CI 0.65-1.76). Our findings of a null association between HHV-8 seropositivity and PCa risk do not support an association between HHV-8 infection and PCa development, consistent with the general tendency of the epidemiologic literature to date.