Vertical Infection Research Articles

Ongoing Maternal-Child Transmission of HIV in an Urban Area, 2003-2012.

Mother-to-child transmission of HIV can be prevented by prenatal and peripartum interventions. We sought to determine the prevalence of vertical HIV transmission in an urban cohort of HIV-exposed infants and describe cases of vertical HIV infection presenting during and after the neonatal period. This retrospective cohort study included HIV-exposed infants born between July 1, 2003, and June 30, 2012, who received care at an urban referral site. There were 516 infants with HIV exposure known by the time of delivery; 9 of these infants (1.7%; 95% confidence interval: 0.8%-3.3%) were HIV infected. The HIV infection rate was 0.7% for those receiving prenatal antiretroviral (ARV) therapy and 9.3% for those receiving only intrapartum and/or postnatal ARV therapy. Among those diagnosed with HIV at delivery, 46% received no prenatal care. Our data suggest that strategies to eliminate infant HIV infections ought to include ensuring better access to prenatal care, HIV testing, and ARV therapy initiation during pregnancy.

Survey on vertical infection of bovine viral diarrhea virus from fetal bovine sera in the field.

Bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) isolation and antibody survey were performed using 2,758 fetal bovine sera (FBS) collected from slaughterhouses in New Zealand, Australia and the Dominican Republic, and then sent to Japan to manufacture commercial serum for cell culture use. FBS in the Dominican Republic were pooled for each several individuals, and those collected in other countries were separated according to each individual and subjected to the tests. BVDV was isolated from 25 (0.91%) FBS, and the BVDV antibody was detected in 44 (1.60%) FBS. The survey on 139 sets of paired sera of a dam and her fetus revealed that neither the BVDV antibody nor BVDV was detected in all FBS from BVDV antibody-positive dams.

Analysis of miRNA–mRNA expression profiles in decidual natural killer cells during early pregnancy

s for the 29th Annual Congress of Japanese Society / Journal of Reproductive Immunology 106 (2014) 1–20 17 LPS stimulation induced a significant increase of transcript levels of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-1, MMP-3, and MMP-9, while P4 treatment significantly attenuated LPSinduced increase of transcript levels of these MMPs. Conclusions: Our preliminary results suggest that P4 might prevent spontaneous preterm labor by inhibiting cervical remodeling, particularly through the attenuation of ECM degradation by inhibiting MMPs production. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jri.2014.09.040 Analysis of miRNA–mRNA expression profiles in decidual natural killer cells during early pregnancy D. Zhao1,∗, B. Than Naing1, K. Inada2, T. Shima2, S. Saito2, T. Takeshita3, T. Takizawa1 1 Department of Molecular Medicine & Anatomy, Nippon Medical School, Tokyo, Japan 2 Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Toyama, Toyama, Japan 3 Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nippon Medical School, Tokyo, Japan Objective: Decidual natural killer (dNK) cells play an important role in the maintenance of early pregnancy. However, the expression profiles and functions of miRNAs within dNK cells remain to be clarified.We investigated the miRNA–mRNAexpressionprofiles in dNK cells during early pregnancy. Methods:Decidual tissue and peripheral blood samples from patients who gave informed consent were aseptically obtained after legal abortions (at 6–7 weeks of gestation, n=3). We compared miRNA-mRNA expression patterns between dNK and peripheral NK (pNK) cells. The expression levels of miRNAs were examined by real-time PCR using a TaqMan microRNA Assay, and gene expression profiling was conducted using an Agilent microarray. Networks, functions, and pathways analyses were generated using Ingenuity Pathway Analysis (IPA). Results and conclusions: Among the 750 miRNAs examined, 199 miRNAs were significantly up-regulated in dNK cells compared with pNK cells. We detected some placenta-specific miRNAs derived from the chromosome 19 microRNA cluster in dNK cells. Among the 34,127 transcripts examined, 534 genes were significantly downregulated in dNK cells compared with pNK cells; the down-regulated gene expression profile exhibited low cytotoxicity in dNK cells. Some of the up-regulated miRNAs in dNK cells were the miRNAs potentially targeting the above cytotoxicity-associated genes. These data suggest that dNKcells have auniquemiRNA-mRNA interaction network for the maintenance of early pregnancy. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jri.2014.09.041 Frequent Chlamydophila pneumoniae infection in vertically HIV-infected children in Vietnam Q.D. Trinh ∗, N.T. Pham, N.T. Le Nguyen, B.Q. Lam, K.T. Le Phan, K.H. Truong, T.Q. Le, H.T. Nguyen, T.C. Tang, Y. Izumi, S. Komine-Aizawa, H. Ushijima, S. Hayakawa Division of Microbiology, Department of Pathology and Microbiology, Nihon University School of Medicine, Japan Objective: Chlamydophila pneumoniae (C. pneumoniae) is an intracellular pathogen and often cause fatal respiratory symptoms in HIV/AIDS patients. However, its frequency in children with vertical HIV infection is so far unknown. Methods: A total of 89 blood samples collected from HIV-infected infants and children from provinces of southern Vietnam who were hospitalized at Children’s Hospital 1, Ho Chi Minh City, during the 1-year period fromOctober 2004 to September 2005 were submitted to serological screening for IgG, IgA, and IgM antibodies against C. pneumoniae. The presence of this microorganism was also evaluated by PCR. Age matched control enrolled HIV negative 91 children with other infectious disorders. Results: The results showed that 64% of the samples were positive for anti-C. pneumoniae IgG, 31.5% were positive for IgA, and 3.4% were positive for IgM. The highest prevalences of IgG and IgA positivity, 75% and 66.7%, respectively, were noted in the 1to 2-year-old age group. In control patients, IgG and IgA positivitywere 7.7 and 4.4% respectively. No patients showed positive PCR results. Conclusions: Our study revealed a high seroprevalence of C. pneumoniae in Vietnamese infants and children with HIV/AIDS by vertical transmission. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jri.2014.09.042 Porphyromonas gingivalis inhibits trophoblast invasion N. Hirohata ∗, S. Komine-Aizawa, S. Hayakawa Division of Microbiology, Department of Pathology and Microbiology, Nihon University School of Medicine, Japan Objective: Periodontitis has been regarded as a risk factor of pregnancy complications including preterm birth, intrauterine growth retardation and preeclampsia. However protective roles of dental intervention during pregnancyon fetal/maternal outcomes are controversial. In this study, we investigated in vitro effects of a periodontal bacteria Porphyromonas gingivalis on cultured trophoblasts and mucosal natural killer cells to mimic in vivo phenomena at the feto-maternal interface. Methods: 2×109 of P. gingivalis (ATCC33277)were cultured at 37 ◦C, 10% CO2 in BHIB media supplemented with 0.005mgml−1 hemin and 0.0005mgml−1 menadione for

Progesterone transcriptionally inhibits LPS-induced matrix metalloproteinase up-regulation in human cervical fibroblast cells

s for the 29th Annual Congress of Japanese Society / Journal of Reproductive Immunology 106 (2014) 1–20 17 LPS stimulation induced a significant increase of transcript levels of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-1, MMP-3, and MMP-9, while P4 treatment significantly attenuated LPSinduced increase of transcript levels of these MMPs. Conclusions: Our preliminary results suggest that P4 might prevent spontaneous preterm labor by inhibiting cervical remodeling, particularly through the attenuation of ECM degradation by inhibiting MMPs production. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jri.2014.09.040 Analysis of miRNA–mRNA expression profiles in decidual natural killer cells during early pregnancy D. Zhao1,∗, B. Than Naing1, K. Inada2, T. Shima2, S. Saito2, T. Takeshita3, T. Takizawa1 1 Department of Molecular Medicine & Anatomy, Nippon Medical School, Tokyo, Japan 2 Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Toyama, Toyama, Japan 3 Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nippon Medical School, Tokyo, Japan Objective: Decidual natural killer (dNK) cells play an important role in the maintenance of early pregnancy. However, the expression profiles and functions of miRNAs within dNK cells remain to be clarified.We investigated the miRNA–mRNAexpressionprofiles in dNK cells during early pregnancy. Methods:Decidual tissue and peripheral blood samples from patients who gave informed consent were aseptically obtained after legal abortions (at 6–7 weeks of gestation, n=3). We compared miRNA-mRNA expression patterns between dNK and peripheral NK (pNK) cells. The expression levels of miRNAs were examined by real-time PCR using a TaqMan microRNA Assay, and gene expression profiling was conducted using an Agilent microarray. Networks, functions, and pathways analyses were generated using Ingenuity Pathway Analysis (IPA). Results and conclusions: Among the 750 miRNAs examined, 199 miRNAs were significantly up-regulated in dNK cells compared with pNK cells. We detected some placenta-specific miRNAs derived from the chromosome 19 microRNA cluster in dNK cells. Among the 34,127 transcripts examined, 534 genes were significantly downregulated in dNK cells compared with pNK cells; the down-regulated gene expression profile exhibited low cytotoxicity in dNK cells. Some of the up-regulated miRNAs in dNK cells were the miRNAs potentially targeting the above cytotoxicity-associated genes. These data suggest that dNKcells have auniquemiRNA-mRNA interaction network for the maintenance of early pregnancy. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jri.2014.09.041 Frequent Chlamydophila pneumoniae infection in vertically HIV-infected children in Vietnam Q.D. Trinh ∗, N.T. Pham, N.T. Le Nguyen, B.Q. Lam, K.T. Le Phan, K.H. Truong, T.Q. Le, H.T. Nguyen, T.C. Tang, Y. Izumi, S. Komine-Aizawa, H. Ushijima, S. Hayakawa Division of Microbiology, Department of Pathology and Microbiology, Nihon University School of Medicine, Japan Objective: Chlamydophila pneumoniae (C. pneumoniae) is an intracellular pathogen and often cause fatal respiratory symptoms in HIV/AIDS patients. However, its frequency in children with vertical HIV infection is so far unknown. Methods: A total of 89 blood samples collected from HIV-infected infants and children from provinces of southern Vietnam who were hospitalized at Children’s Hospital 1, Ho Chi Minh City, during the 1-year period fromOctober 2004 to September 2005 were submitted to serological screening for IgG, IgA, and IgM antibodies against C. pneumoniae. The presence of this microorganism was also evaluated by PCR. Age matched control enrolled HIV negative 91 children with other infectious disorders. Results: The results showed that 64% of the samples were positive for anti-C. pneumoniae IgG, 31.5% were positive for IgA, and 3.4% were positive for IgM. The highest prevalences of IgG and IgA positivity, 75% and 66.7%, respectively, were noted in the 1to 2-year-old age group. In control patients, IgG and IgA positivitywere 7.7 and 4.4% respectively. No patients showed positive PCR results. Conclusions: Our study revealed a high seroprevalence of C. pneumoniae in Vietnamese infants and children with HIV/AIDS by vertical transmission. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jri.2014.09.042 Porphyromonas gingivalis inhibits trophoblast invasion N. Hirohata ∗, S. Komine-Aizawa, S. Hayakawa Division of Microbiology, Department of Pathology and Microbiology, Nihon University School of Medicine, Japan Objective: Periodontitis has been regarded as a risk factor of pregnancy complications including preterm birth, intrauterine growth retardation and preeclampsia. However protective roles of dental intervention during pregnancyon fetal/maternal outcomes are controversial. In this study, we investigated in vitro effects of a periodontal bacteria Porphyromonas gingivalis on cultured trophoblasts and mucosal natural killer cells to mimic in vivo phenomena at the feto-maternal interface. Methods: 2×109 of P. gingivalis (ATCC33277)were cultured at 37 ◦C, 10% CO2 in BHIB media supplemented with 0.005mgml−1 hemin and 0.0005mgml−1 menadione for

Frequent Chlamydophila pneumoniae infection in vertically HIV-infected children in Vietnam

s for the 29th Annual Congress of Japanese Society / Journal of Reproductive Immunology 106 (2014) 1–20 17 LPS stimulation induced a significant increase of transcript levels of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-1, MMP-3, and MMP-9, while P4 treatment significantly attenuated LPSinduced increase of transcript levels of these MMPs. Conclusions: Our preliminary results suggest that P4 might prevent spontaneous preterm labor by inhibiting cervical remodeling, particularly through the attenuation of ECM degradation by inhibiting MMPs production. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jri.2014.09.040 Analysis of miRNA–mRNA expression profiles in decidual natural killer cells during early pregnancy D. Zhao1,∗, B. Than Naing1, K. Inada2, T. Shima2, S. Saito2, T. Takeshita3, T. Takizawa1 1 Department of Molecular Medicine & Anatomy, Nippon Medical School, Tokyo, Japan 2 Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Toyama, Toyama, Japan 3 Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nippon Medical School, Tokyo, Japan Objective: Decidual natural killer (dNK) cells play an important role in the maintenance of early pregnancy. However, the expression profiles and functions of miRNAs within dNK cells remain to be clarified.We investigated the miRNA–mRNAexpressionprofiles in dNK cells during early pregnancy. Methods:Decidual tissue and peripheral blood samples from patients who gave informed consent were aseptically obtained after legal abortions (at 6–7 weeks of gestation, n=3). We compared miRNA-mRNA expression patterns between dNK and peripheral NK (pNK) cells. The expression levels of miRNAs were examined by real-time PCR using a TaqMan microRNA Assay, and gene expression profiling was conducted using an Agilent microarray. Networks, functions, and pathways analyses were generated using Ingenuity Pathway Analysis (IPA). Results and conclusions: Among the 750 miRNAs examined, 199 miRNAs were significantly up-regulated in dNK cells compared with pNK cells. We detected some placenta-specific miRNAs derived from the chromosome 19 microRNA cluster in dNK cells. Among the 34,127 transcripts examined, 534 genes were significantly downregulated in dNK cells compared with pNK cells; the down-regulated gene expression profile exhibited low cytotoxicity in dNK cells. Some of the up-regulated miRNAs in dNK cells were the miRNAs potentially targeting the above cytotoxicity-associated genes. These data suggest that dNKcells have auniquemiRNA-mRNA interaction network for the maintenance of early pregnancy. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jri.2014.09.041 Frequent Chlamydophila pneumoniae infection in vertically HIV-infected children in Vietnam Q.D. Trinh ∗, N.T. Pham, N.T. Le Nguyen, B.Q. Lam, K.T. Le Phan, K.H. Truong, T.Q. Le, H.T. Nguyen, T.C. Tang, Y. Izumi, S. Komine-Aizawa, H. Ushijima, S. Hayakawa Division of Microbiology, Department of Pathology and Microbiology, Nihon University School of Medicine, Japan Objective: Chlamydophila pneumoniae (C. pneumoniae) is an intracellular pathogen and often cause fatal respiratory symptoms in HIV/AIDS patients. However, its frequency in children with vertical HIV infection is so far unknown. Methods: A total of 89 blood samples collected from HIV-infected infants and children from provinces of southern Vietnam who were hospitalized at Children’s Hospital 1, Ho Chi Minh City, during the 1-year period fromOctober 2004 to September 2005 were submitted to serological screening for IgG, IgA, and IgM antibodies against C. pneumoniae. The presence of this microorganism was also evaluated by PCR. Age matched control enrolled HIV negative 91 children with other infectious disorders. Results: The results showed that 64% of the samples were positive for anti-C. pneumoniae IgG, 31.5% were positive for IgA, and 3.4% were positive for IgM. The highest prevalences of IgG and IgA positivity, 75% and 66.7%, respectively, were noted in the 1to 2-year-old age group. In control patients, IgG and IgA positivitywere 7.7 and 4.4% respectively. No patients showed positive PCR results. Conclusions: Our study revealed a high seroprevalence of C. pneumoniae in Vietnamese infants and children with HIV/AIDS by vertical transmission. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jri.2014.09.042 Porphyromonas gingivalis inhibits trophoblast invasion N. Hirohata ∗, S. Komine-Aizawa, S. Hayakawa Division of Microbiology, Department of Pathology and Microbiology, Nihon University School of Medicine, Japan Objective: Periodontitis has been regarded as a risk factor of pregnancy complications including preterm birth, intrauterine growth retardation and preeclampsia. However protective roles of dental intervention during pregnancyon fetal/maternal outcomes are controversial. In this study, we investigated in vitro effects of a periodontal bacteria Porphyromonas gingivalis on cultured trophoblasts and mucosal natural killer cells to mimic in vivo phenomena at the feto-maternal interface. Methods: 2×109 of P. gingivalis (ATCC33277)were cultured at 37 ◦C, 10% CO2 in BHIB media supplemented with 0.005mgml−1 hemin and 0.0005mgml−1 menadione for

PO-0537 Is Vertical Enterovirus Infection Transmission Possible By Breast Milk?

Introduction Enterovirus infections are frequent in childhood. Especially in the neonatal period these can cause severe neonatal infections. Transmission either occurs vertically or nosocomially. Breast milk as a possible source of vertical infection has only been described in a single case. History We report the case of a preterm infant of 32 weeks of gestation delivered by caesarean section due to severe maternal enterovirus infection. Pregnancy was unremarkable until 31 5/7 weeks of gestation, when the mother suffered from meningitis and was admitted to the prenatal ward. Due to clinical deterioration a caesarean section was performed. Maternal CSF as well as anal swab contained echovirus type 30. Clinical Course Within the first days after birth the neonate developed clinical signs of infection (CRP 1.5 mg/dl, platelets 18.000/µl). Antibiotic therapy was initiated and the patient´s condition slowly improved. Neonatal virus PCR’s from nasopharynx and rectum yielded echovirus type 30. Additionally breast milk was tested and a copy number of more than 8 million copies per ml was quantified. At that stage we detected only a moderate amount of Enterovirus in the maternal anal swab while the maternal oral swab had already turned negative again. Conclusion Enterovirus infections in neonates are more frequent than previously recognised. Transmission by breast feeding according to the viral load in the breast milk is more than likely.

Vertical HIV infection is preventable but remains challenging

The frequency of HIV mother-to-child transmission in Switzerland is nowadays < 1 %, if the pregnant woman receives successful anti-HIV treatment and the newborn apt post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) and is not breast-fed. The interdisciplinary approach in arranging the maternal anti-HIV treatment, birth mode and PEP for the child is essential. Nevertheless, HIV infection in the child needs to be considered when it presents with compatible signs and symptoms, as HIV infection of the mother may escape diagnosis.

Biventricular diastolic function assessed by Doppler echocardiogram in children vertically infected with human immunodeficiency virus

Objectiveto determine, by Doppler‐echocardiography, the frequency of cardiac diastolic dysfunction in asymptomatic and clinically stable pediatric patients with vertical infection by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), from the cardiovascular viewpoint. Methodsthis was an observational, prospective, and cross‐sectional study, performed at a regional referral clinic for patients with HIV, in a convenience sample of 94 individuals, assessing biventricular diastolic function by Doppler‐echocardiography, and weight, blood hemoglobin, and percentage of lymphocytes T‐CD4+. Resultsfifty patients had diastolic dysfunction. Left ventricular dysfunction occurred in 38.7%, and the predominant type of dysfunction was decreased myocardial compliance. Right ventricular dysfunction was observed in 29.4% of the sample, and abnormal relaxation was the most prevalent type. Simultaneous biventricular dysfunction occurred in 14.1% of the individuals. There was no association between dysfunction and the immune status. Conclusionsdiastolic dysfunction occurred, individually or simultaneously, with no association with immune status; decreased myocardial compliance was predominant in the left ventricle, and abnormal relaxation in the right ventricle.

Alternative mechanisms for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection and persistence: could RSV be transmitted through the placenta and persist into developing fetal lungs?

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) represents the most common respiratory pathogen observed worldwide in infants and young children and may play a role in the inception of recurrent wheezing and asthma in childhood. We discuss herein the recent hypothesis that RSV vertically transmitted from the mother to the fetus in utero causes persistent structural and functional changes in the developing lungs of the offspring, thereby predisposing to postnatal airway obstruction. A number of observations in humans support the notion that extrapulmonary tissues may be infected hematogenously by RSV and harbor this virus allowing the persistence of latent infection. More recent data from animal models suggest that RSV can be transmitted across the placenta from the respiratory tract of the mother to that of the fetus, and persist in the lungs both during development, as well as during adulthood. Vertical RSV infection is associated with dysregulation of crucial neurotrophic pathways during ontogenesis, leading to aberrant parasympathetic innervation and airway hyperreactivity after postnatal reinfection. These new data challenge the current paradigm that acquisition of RSV infection occurs only after birth and shift attention to the prenatal effects of the virus, with the potential to result in more severe and lasting consequences by interfering with crucial developmental processes. The most immediate implication is that prophylactic strategies targeted to the mother-fetus dyad may reduce the incidence of postviral sequelae like childhood wheezing and asthma.

Biventricular diastolic function assessed by Doppler echocardiogram in children vertically infected with human immunodeficiency virus

Objectiveto determine, by Doppler-echocardiography, the frequency of cardiac diastolic dysfunction in asymptomatic and clinically stable pediatric patients with vertical infection by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), from the cardiovascular viewpoint. Methodsthis was an observational, prospective, and cross-sectional study, performed at a regional referral clinic for patients with HIV, in a convenience sample of 94 individuals, assessing biventricular diastolic function by Doppler-echocardiography, and weight, blood hemoglobin, and percentage of lymphocytes T-CD4+. Resultsfifty patients had diastolic dysfunction. Left ventricular dysfunction occurred in 38.7%, and the predominant type of dysfunction was decreased myocardial compliance. Right ventricular dysfunction was observed in 29.4% of the sample, and abnormal relaxation was the most prevalent type. Simultaneous biventricular dysfunction occurred in 14.1% of the individuals. There was no association between dysfunction and the immune status. Conclusionsdiastolic dysfunction occurred, individually or simultaneously, with no association with immune status; decreased myocardial compliance was predominant in the left ventricle, and abnormal relaxation in the right ventricle.

Natural history of vertically acquired HCV infection and associated autoimmune phenomena

The natural history of vertically acquired HCV infection is ill defined. The aim of this study was to outline the natural course of vertical HCV infection in a cohort of untreated children, including rate of spontaneous viral clearance, frequency and features of HCV-related autoimmune disorders. Children with vertical HCV infection were prospectively followed from the first month of life with regular clinical and laboratory assessments. Statistical analysis was performed using Prism 5.0. Forty-five children (median age 12years, interquartile range 6.9-15.5) were studied. Genotype 1 was predominant (53.3%). Spontaneous viral clearance was achieved by 12 patients (26.7%) and associated with genotype 3. Alanine-amino-transferase levels were increased in most children in the first 2years of life with higher values in those who later cleared the infection. All children were asymptomatic for liver disease. Transient elastography (32 patients) showed mild or moderate fibrosis in nine and two cases, respectively. Non-organ-specific autoantibodies were detected in 24 children (53.3%) independently of viremia; of these, one developed type-1 diabetes. Cryoglobulinemia was associated with genotype 1 infection and found in 15 subjects (33.3%): two had low C4 levels and persistent proteinuria. Vertically acquired HCV infection may result in spontaneous clearance in up to 27% of children. Resolution of infection is higher with genotype 3, usually occurs in preschool age and persists over time. Chronic infection is generally asymptomatic, although hepatomegaly and mild fibrosis may develop. Autoantibodies and cryoglobulins are frequent, whereas the associated clinical manifestations are rare.

Estimating numbers of persons with persistent hepatitis B virus infection transmitted vertically and horizontally in the birth cohort during 1950–1985 in Japan

We estimated numbers of persons, born between 1950 and 1985 in Japan, who were persistently infected with hepatitis B virus (HBV) through vertical and horizontal infections. HBV carrier rates with vertical and horizontal infections were computed using sex- and age-specific prevalence rates of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and hepatitis B e-antigen (HBeAg) by mathematical model. Probabilities of vertical HBV transmission in babies born to carrier mothers with and without HBeAg were presumed to be 90% and 10%, respectively. HBV carrier rates with vertical infection stayed contrast at approximately 0.3% in birth cohorts through 36 years (1950-1985), both in men and women. By a remarkable constant, HBV carrier rates with horizontal infection decreased steadily from 1.43% to 0.10% in men and from 0.95% to 0.03% in women. The estimated total number of HBV carriers born between 1950 and 1985 was 522 500 (355 488-693 606). Of them, the numbers of HBV carriers with vertical and horizontal infections were 197 574 (149 505-288 709) and 324 926 (205 983-404 896); they accounted for 37.81% and 62.19%, respectively, with a ratio of 1:1.64. The ratio between vertical and horizontal infections was 1:2.20 in men and 1:1.06 in women. Vertical HBV infection had stayed constant until immunoprophylaxis of mother-to-baby transmission was implemented in 1986 in Japan. In contrast, horizontal HBV infection decreased over years. The decrease would be due to many factors, including improved socioeconomic environments, advanced medical maneuvers and equipment, and careful vaccination procedures.

Survey of perinatal hepatitis B virus transmission after Korean National Prevention Program in a tertiary hospital.

Background/AimsThe Ministry of Health and Welfare and the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in South Korea have been organizing hepatitis B virus (HBV) vertical infection prevention projects since July 2002. In this single-institute study, the results of surveys conducted in target mothers who delivered babies in a tertiary hospital were investigated and analyzed.MethodsOf the 9,281 mothers and their 9,824 neonates born between July 2002 and December 2012, 308 hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg)-positive mothers and their 319 neonates were selected for this study, and their records were analyzed retrospectively.ResultsA total of 308 mothers were HBsAg-positive, with an HBV prevalence of 3.32% (308/9,281). There were 319 neonates born to these HBsAg-positive mothers, and 252 were confirmed to as either HBsAg-positive or -negative. Four were confirmed as HBsAg-positive, with a 1.59% (4/252) HBV vertical infection rate. All the mothers of neonates who had an HBV vertical infection were hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)-positive. Among the HBsAg-positive neonates, three were HBeAg-positive and had an HBV DNA titer of 1.0 × 108 copies/mL.ConclusionsThe HBV prevalence of mothers was 3.32% (308/9,281), and their vertical infection rate was 1.59% (4/252). Thus, the South Korean HBV vertical infection prevention projects are effective, and, accordingly, HBV prevalence in South Korea is expected to decrease continuously.

Research-based assessment of antibiotic resistance of β hemolytic group B streptococci

Since the 1950s, beta hemolytic streptococcus group B have constituted the major etiological factor of perinatal infections. GBS colonization of the genital tract among pregnant women is diagnosed between 35 and 37 weeks of gestation, and is associated with approximately 25% risk of neonatal early-onset infections (EOD). The infection is severe among 1-3% of the newborns, and usually results in sepsis or pneumonia. beta-lactam antibiotics are drugs of choice to prevent vertical infection of group B streptococcus. In case of hypersensitivity to penicillin among pregnant women, second line drugs are macrolides and lincosamides. In light of numerous reports on the decreasing susceptibility of GBS, the aim of this study was to characterize the isolated strains of Streptococcus agalactiae in terms of their resistance to antibiotics. The study included 395 pregnant women in the third trimester of pregnancy hospitalized in the Department of Perinatology and Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Medical University of Lodz, between 02.2010 -02.2012. Vagino-rectal swabs were collected from all pregnant women. We recovered 121 GBS positive isolates. Identification was based on the streptococcal agglutination test. Antimicrobial susceptibility was determined by disk diffusion method. A positive result for GBS colonization was found among 89 patients, representing 22.5% of the studied population. Inducible MLSB resistance to erythromycin and clindamycin was 23.1% and 10.7% of the isolated strains, respectively Constitutive MLSB resistance was detected in 14.9% of the cases. The obtained results confirm that all GBS isolates are sensitive to beta-lactam antibiotics and prove that phenotypes resistant to macrolides and clindamycin are becoming more widespread. This leads to the conclusion that regular supervision of drug sensitivity of Streptococcus agalactiae is necessary

A disappearing vertical infection: will hepatitis B be a forgotten disease in children?

The major transmission route of hepatitisB virus (HBV) is perinatal, especiallyduring delivery in endemic areas. To decrease the prevalence of and complicationsassociated with chronic hepatitisB, universal vaccination and maternalscreening for hepatitis B serumantigen (HBsAg) are essential. Almost5% of newborn infants are inadequatelyprotected by current immunoprophylacticmeasures, and this figure mayrise to 50% if prophylaxis is poor or thematernal HBV DNA load is high (> 107IU/mL) [1].

Premature immune senescence during HIV-1 vertical infection relates with response to influenza vaccination

Premature immune senescence during HIV-1 vertical infection relates with response to influenza vaccination

Antimicrobial resistance: a global view from the 2013 World Healthcare-Associated Infections Forum.

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is now a global threat. Its emergence rests on antimicrobial overuse in humans and food-producing animals; globalization and suboptimal infection control facilitate its spread. While aggressive measures in some countries have led to the containment of some resistant gram-positive organisms, extensively resistant gram-negative organisms such as carbapenem-resistant enterobacteriaceae and pan-resistant Acinetobacter spp. continue their rapid spread. Antimicrobial conservation/stewardship programs have seen some measure of success in reducing antimicrobial overuse in humans, but their reach is limited to acute-care settings in high-income countries. Outside the European Union, there is scant or no oversight of antimicrobial administration to food-producing animals, while evidence mounts that this administration leads directly to resistant human infections. Both horizontal and vertical infection control measures can interrupt transmission among humans, but many of these are costly and essentially limited to high-income countries as well. Novel antimicrobials are urgently needed; in recent decades pharmaceutical companies have largely abandoned antimicrobial discovery and development given their high costs and low yield. Against this backdrop, international and cross-disciplinary collaboration appears to be taking root in earnest, although specific strategies still need defining. Educational programs targeting both antimicrobial prescribers and consumers must be further developed and supported. The general public must continue to be made aware of the current scale of AMR’s threat, and must perceive antimicrobials as they are: a non-renewable and endangered resource.

Microbial communities and symbionts in the hard tick Haemaphysalis longicornis (Acari: Ixodidae) from north China

BackgroundClose relationships between ticks and microbial communities are important for tick fitness and pathogen colonization and transmission. Haemaphysalis longicornis, distributed widely in China, can carry and transmit various pathogens and pose serious damages to public health and economics. However, little is known about the broader array of microbial communities and symbionts in H. longicornis under natural conditions. In the present study, we investigated the composition of bacterial communities associated with H. longicornis and evaluated the putative symbionts.MethodsThe eubacterial 16S rRNA gene clone libraries of H. longicornis were constructed and analyzed by restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) and DNA sequencing. In addition, diagnostic PCR was performed to assess the prevalence, vertical transmission and infection sites of the symbionts in H. longicornis.ResultsVertically-transmitted symbionts, potential pathogens and allochthonous nonpathogenic bacteria were identified from the field-collected H. longicornis. Three types of symbionts (Coxiella-like, Arsenophonus-like and Rickettsia-like symbionts) were identified in a single host simultaneously. A series of analyses revealed the vertical transmission, prevalence, and infection sites of these symbionts. However, only Coxiella-like bacteria were transmitted stably in the laboratory-reared ticks. In addition, we identified a novel Coxiella-like agent with 95.31% sequence similarity to the taxon described previously.ConclusionsThe present study demonstrated that natural H. longicornis harboured a diverse array of microbial communities. Three types of symbionts were identified in a single host simultaneously. Moreover, high prevalence, vertical transmission and the infection sites supported an obligate symbiotic association between Coxiella symbiont and its host. The role of Coxiella symbiont in the host fitness and the interaction among microbial communities remained to be elucidated. Our investigation of microbial communities in the ticks revealed the complexity of ecological interactions between host and microbe and provided insight for the biological control of ticks.

Zucchini yellow mosaic virus (ZYMV, Potyvirus): Vertical transmission, seed infection and cryptic infections

The role played by seed transmission in the evolution and epidemiology of viral crop pathogens remains unclear. We determined the seed infection and vertical transmission rates of zucchini yellow mosaic virus (ZYMV), in addition to undertaking Illumina sequencing of nine vertically transmitted ZYMV populations. We previously determined the seed-to-seedling transmission rate of ZYMV in Cucurbita pepo ssp. texana (a wild gourd) to be 1.6%, and herein observed a similar rate (1.8%) in the subsequent generation. We also observed that the seed infection rate is substantially higher (21.9%) than the seed-to-seedling transmission rate, suggesting that a major population bottleneck occurs during seed germination and seedling growth. In contrast, that two thirds of the variants present in the horizontally transmitted inoculant population were also present in the vertically transmitted populations implies that the bottleneck at vertical transmission may not be particularly severe. Strikingly, all of the vertically infected plants were symptomless in contrast to those infected horizontally, suggesting that vertical infection may be cryptic. Although no known virulence determining mutations were observed in the vertically infected samples, the 5′ untranslated region was highly variable, with at least 26 different major haplotypes in this region compared to the two major haplotypes observed in the horizontally transmitted population. That the regions necessary for vector transmission are retained in the vertically infected populations, combined with the cryptic nature of vertical infection, suggests that seed transmission may be a significant contributor to the spread of ZYMV.

Transmission of porcine circovirus type 2b (PCV2b) in Kunming mice

To investigate porcine circovirus type 2b (PCV2b) transmission by contact and vertical infection in Kunming mice (an outbred mouse stock deriving from Swiss albino mice with a high ratio of gene heterozygosis), four mice in cage 6 were inoculated with PCV2b and 25 mice without any treatment were placed into cages 1 to 5 (five mice in each cage). Seven days after being infected, the PCV2-binoculated mice were co-mingled with non-inoculated mice from cages 1 to 5 successively at 7, 14, 21, 28 and 35 days post infection (dpi), respectively, for 3 days. In addition, eleven pregnant mice were injected with PCV2b. Samples were collected from non-inoculated mice and three newborn mice from each litter for PCV2b detection by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and immunohistochemistry (IHC). The PCR results showed that PCV2b transmission rate among mice in cages 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 was 0/5, 2/5, 5/5, 5/5 and 1/5, respectively. PCV2b antigen signals generally appeared in most organs of the non-inoculated mice in which viruses were detected by PCR. PCV2b DNA was also detected in newborn mice of PCV2b-infected litters, and viral antigen signals were observed in their organs as well. PCV2b was transmitted in Kunming mice by contact, and it also caused vertical infection through the placenta.