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International Journal of Molecular... May 2024Yeast two-hybrid approaches, which are based on fusion proteins that must co-localise to the nucleus to reconstitute the transcriptional activity of GAL4, have greatly...
Yeast two-hybrid approaches, which are based on fusion proteins that must co-localise to the nucleus to reconstitute the transcriptional activity of GAL4, have greatly contributed to our understanding of the nitrogen interaction network of cyanobacteria, the main hubs of which are the trimeric PII and the monomeric PipX regulators. The bacterial two-hybrid system, based on the reconstitution in the cytoplasm of the adenylate cyclase of , should provide a relatively faster and presumably more physiological assay for cyanobacterial proteins than the yeast system. Here, we used the bacterial two-hybrid system to gain additional insights into the cyanobacterial PipX interaction network while simultaneously assessing the advantages and limitations of the two most popular two-hybrid systems. A comprehensive mutational analysis of PipX and bacterial two-hybrid assays were performed to compare the outcomes between yeast and bacterial systems. We detected interactions that were previously recorded in the yeast two-hybrid system as negative, as well as a "false positive", the self-interaction of PipX, which is rather an indirect interaction that is dependent on PII homologues from the host, a result confirmed by Western blot analysis with relevant PipX variants. This is, to our knowledge, the first report of the molecular basis of a false positive in the bacterial two-hybrid system.
Topics: Two-Hybrid System Techniques; Bacterial Proteins; PII Nitrogen Regulatory Proteins; Cyanobacteria; Escherichia coli; Protein Binding
PubMed: 38791467
DOI: 10.3390/ijms25105429 -
Antibiotics (Basel, Switzerland) May 2024Pertussis continues to be a highly contagious respiratory infection, especially in children, with cyclical peaks of disease spread every three to five years. Here, we...
Pertussis continues to be a highly contagious respiratory infection, especially in children, with cyclical peaks of disease spread every three to five years. Here, we report relevant cases of infection between August 2023 and January 2024, and compare them with prevalence in pediatric patients admitted to the Reference Italian Pediatric Hospital, located in Rome, from January 2015 to July 2023. A total of 5464 tests for were performed during the study period, and 6.9% were positive. At the time of the COVID-19 pandemic, there was a sharp decrease in the presence of , which reappeared only in August 2023, recording five new cases. All five children presented with paroxysmal cough 5 to 10 days before admission. Four patients had other mild respiratory symptoms and moderate DNA levels (Ct mean: 26). Only one child, with very high DNA levels (Ct: 9), presented with severe respiratory failure. The patients with mild/moderate infection achieved clinical recovery while the patient with the severe manifestation died of cardiac arrest. These observations highlight the reemergence of pertussis even in vaccinated countries and its association with morbidity and mortality especially in young children. This emphasizes the importance of rapid diagnosis to immediately implement appropriate treatment and monitoring of immune status.
PubMed: 38786192
DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics13050464 -
Journal of Clinical Virology : the... May 2024Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is a major global cause of death and hospitalization. Bacteria or community-acquired viruses (CARVs) cause CAP. COVID-19 associated...
BACKGROUND
Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is a major global cause of death and hospitalization. Bacteria or community-acquired viruses (CARVs) cause CAP. COVID-19 associated restrictions effectively reduced the circulation of CARVs.
OBJECTIVES
The aim of this study was to analyze the proportion of CARVs in adult patients with CAP from mid-2020 to mid-2023. Specifically, we aimed to compare the rate of influenza virus, SARS-CoV-2, and RSV detections in patients aged 18-59 years and ≥60 years.
STUDY DESIGN
We analyze the proportion of 21 community-acquired respiratory viruses (CARVs) and three atypical bacteria (Bordetella pertussis, Legionella pneumophila, and Mycoplasma pneumoniae) in nasopharyngeal swab samples using molecular multiplex methods within the prospective, multicentre, multinational study of the German study Group CAPNETZ. We used stringent inclusion criteria throughout the study.
RESULTS
We identified CARVs in 364/1,388 (26.2 %) patients. In detail, we detected SARS-CoV-2 in 210/1,388 (15.1 %), rhino-/enterovirus in 64/1,388 (4.6 %), influenza virus in 23/1,388 (1.6 %) and RSV in 17/1,388 (1.2 %) of all patients. We detected RSV and influenza more frequently in patients ≥60 years, especially in 22/23 compared to the previous season. None of the atypical bacteria were detected.
CONCLUSIONS
Beginning in 2023, we demonstrate a re-emergence of CARVs in CAP patients. Effective vaccines or specific antiviral therapies for more than two thirds of the detected viral infections are currently available. High detection rates of vaccine-preventable viruses in older age groups support targeted vaccination campaigns.
PubMed: 38781632
DOI: 10.1016/j.jcv.2024.105694 -
PloS One 2024The resurgence of pertussis has occurred around the world. However, the epidemiological profiles of pertussis cannot be well understood by current diseases surveillance....
PURPOSE
The resurgence of pertussis has occurred around the world. However, the epidemiological profiles of pertussis cannot be well understood by current diseases surveillance. This study was designed to understand the seroepidemiological characteristics of pertussis infection in the general population of Huzhou City, evaluate the prevalence infection of pertussis in the population, and offer insights to inform adjustments in pertussis prevention and control strategies.
METHODS
From September to October 2023, a cross-sectional serosurvey was conducted in Huzhou City, involving 1015 permanent residents. Serum samples were collected from the study subjects, and pertussis toxin IgG antibodies (Anti-PT-IgG) were quantitatively measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The analysis included the geometric mean concentration (GMC) of Anti-PT-IgG, rates of GMC≥40IU/mL, ≥100IU/mL, and <5IU/mL. Stratified comparisons were made based on age, vaccination history, and human categories.
RESULTS
Among the 1015 surveyed individuals, the geometric mean concentration (GMC) of Anti-PT-IgG was 10.52 (95% CI: 9.96-11.11) IU/mL, with a recent infection rate of 1.58%, a serum positivity rate of 11.43%, and a proportion with <5IU/mL of 40.49%. Among 357 children with clear vaccination history, susceptibility decreased with an increasing number of vaccine doses (Z = -6.793, P < 0.001). The concentration of Anti-PT-IgG exhibited a significant post-vaccination decline over time (Z = -5.143, P < 0.001). In women of childbearing age, the GMC of Anti-PT-IgG was 7.71 (95% CI: 6.90-8.62) IU/mL, with no significant difference in susceptibility among different age groups (χ2 = 0.545, P = 0.909). The annual pertussis infection rate in individuals aged ≥3 years was 9321 (95%CI: 3336-16039) per 100,000, with peak infection rates in the 20-29, 40-49, and 5-9 age groups at 34363 (95%CI: 6327-66918) per 100,000, 22307.72 (95%CI: 1380-47442) per 100,000, and 18020(95%CI: 1093-37266) per 100,000, respectively.
CONCLUSIONS
In 2023, the actual pertussis infection rate in the population of Huzhou City was relatively high. Vaccine-induced antibodies exhibit a rapid decay, and the estimated serum infection rate increases rapidly from post-school age, peaking in the 20-29 age group. It is recommended to enhance pertussis monitoring in adolescents and adults and refine vaccine immunization strategies.
Topics: Humans; Whooping Cough; Female; Cross-Sectional Studies; Adult; Male; China; Seroepidemiologic Studies; Child; Middle Aged; Adolescent; Child, Preschool; Young Adult; Infant; Immunoglobulin G; Antibodies, Bacterial; Aged; Pertussis Toxin; Prevalence; Pertussis Vaccine; Vaccination; Bordetella pertussis
PubMed: 38768133
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0303508 -
The Journal of Infection May 2024
PubMed: 38763390
DOI: 10.1016/j.jinf.2024.106185 -
Frontiers in Pediatrics 2024Pretransplant vaccination is generally recommended to solid organ transplant recipients. In infants with congenital nephrotic syndrome (CNS), the immune response is...
BACKGROUND
Pretransplant vaccination is generally recommended to solid organ transplant recipients. In infants with congenital nephrotic syndrome (CNS), the immune response is hypothetically inferior to other patients due to young age and urinary loss of immunoglobulins, but data on the immunization response in severely nephrotic children remain scarce. If effective, however, early immunization of infants with CNS would clinically be advantageous.
METHODS
We investigated serological vaccine responses in seven children with CNS who were immunized during nephrosis. Antibody responses to measles-mumps-rubella -vaccine (MMR), a pentavalent DTaP-IPV-Hib -vaccine (diphtheria, tetanus, acellular pertussis, inactivated poliovirus, type b), varicella vaccine, combined hepatitis A and B vaccine, and pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) were measured after nephrectomy either before or after kidney transplantation.
RESULTS
Immunizations were started at a median age of 7 months [interquartile range (IQR) 7-8], with a concurrent median proteinuria of 36,500 mg/L (IQR 30,900-64,250). Bilateral nephrectomy was performed at a median age of 20 months (IQR 14-25), and kidney transplantation 10-88 days after the nephrectomy. Antibody levels were measured at median 18 months (IQR 6-23) after immunization. Protective antibody levels were detected in all examined children for hepatitis B (5/5), (7/7), rubella virus (2/2), and mumps virus (1/1); in 5/6 children for varicella; in 4/6 for poliovirus and vaccine-type pneumococcal serotypes; in 4/7 for type B and ; in 1/2 for measles virus; and in 2/5 for hepatitis A. None of the seven children had protective IgG levels against .
CONCLUSION
Immunization during severe congenital proteinuria resulted in variable serological responses, with both vaccine- and patient-related differences. Nephrosis appears not to be a barrier to successful immunization.
PubMed: 38756974
DOI: 10.3389/fped.2024.1392873 -
Clinical and Experimental Vaccine... Apr 2024Pertussis bacteria have many pathogenic and virulent antigens and severe adverse reactions have occurred when using inactivated whole-cell pertussis vaccines. Therefore,...
PURPOSE
Pertussis bacteria have many pathogenic and virulent antigens and severe adverse reactions have occurred when using inactivated whole-cell pertussis vaccines. Therefore, inactivated acellular pertussis (aP) vaccines and genetically detoxified recombinant pertussis (rP) vaccines are being developed. The aim of this study was to assess the safety profile of a novel rP vaccine under development in comparison to commercial diphtheria-tetanus-acellular pertussis (DTaP) vaccines.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
The two positive control DTaP vaccines (two- and tri-components aP vaccines) and two experimental recombinant DTaP (rDTaP) vaccine (two- and tri-components aP vaccines adsorbed to either aluminum hydroxide or purified oat beta-glucan) were used. Temperature histamine sensitization test (HIST), indirect Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cell cluster assay, mouse-weight-gain (MWG) test, leukocytosis promoting (LP) test, and intramuscular inflammatory cytokine assay of the injection site performed for safety assessments.
RESULTS
HIST results showed absence of residual pertussis toxin (PTx) in both control and experimental DTaP vaccine groups, whereas in groups immunized with tri-components vaccines, the experimental tri-components rDTaP absorbed to alum showed an ultra-small amount of 0.0066 IU/mL. CHO cell clustering was observed from 4 IU/mL in all groups. LP tests showed that neutrophils and lymphocytes were in the normal range in all groups immunized with the two components vaccine. However, in the tri-components control DTaP vaccine group, as well as two- and tri-components rDTaP with beta-glucan group, a higher monocyte count was observed 3 days after vaccination, although less than 2 times the normal range. In the MWG test, both groups showed changes less than 20% in body temperature and body weight before the after the final immunizations. Inflammatory cytokines within the muscle at the injection site on day 3 after intramuscular injection revealed no significant response in all groups.
CONCLUSION
There were no findings associated with residual PTx, and no significant differences in both local and systemic adverse reactions in the novel rDTaP vaccine compared to existing available DTaP vaccines. The results suggest that the novel rDTaP vaccine is safe.
PubMed: 38752005
DOI: 10.7774/cevr.2024.13.2.155 -
Journal of Epidemiology and Global... May 2024Pertussis, a highly contagious, vaccine-preventable respiratory infection caused by Bordetella pertussis, is a leading global public health issue. Ethiopia is currently... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Pertussis, a highly contagious, vaccine-preventable respiratory infection caused by Bordetella pertussis, is a leading global public health issue. Ethiopia is currently conducting multiple pertussis outbreak investigations, but there is a lack of comprehensive information on attack rate, case fatality rate, and infection predictors. This study aimed to measure attack rates, case fatality rates, and factors associated with pertussis outbreak.
METHODS
This study conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of published and unpublished studies on pertussis outbreaks in Ethiopia from 2009 to 2023, using observational study designs, using the guideline Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA). The study utilized databases like Science Direct, MEDLINE/PubMed, African Journals Online, Google Scholar and registers. The data were collected using an Excel Spreadsheet and then exported to STATA version 17 for analysis. Subgroup analysis was conducted to identify potential disparities. A random effects model was used to consider heterogeneity among studies. I-squared test statistics were used to assess heterogeneity. The attack rate, case fatality rate, and odds ratio (OR) were presented using forest plots with a 95% confidence interval. Egger's and Begg's tests were used to evaluate the publication bias.
RESULTS
Seven pertussis outbreak investigations with a total of 2824 cases and 18 deaths were incorporated. The pooled attack and case fatality rates were 10.78 (95% CI: 8.1-13.5) per 1000 population and 0.8% (95% CI: 0.01-1.58%), respectively. The highest and lowest attack rates were in Oromia (5.57 per 1000 population and in the Amhara region (2.61 per 1000 population), respectively. Predictor of pertussis outbreak were being unvaccinated [odds ratio (OR) = 3.05, 95% CI: 1.83-4.27] and contact history [OR = 3.44, 95% CI: 1.69-5.19].
CONCLUSION
Higher and notable variations in attack and case fatality rates were reported. Being unvaccinated and having contact history were the predictors of contracting pertussis disease in Ethiopia. Enhancing routine vaccination and contact tracing efforts should be strengthened.
PubMed: 38748376
DOI: 10.1007/s44197-024-00234-4 -
Annals of Medicine Dec 2024Pertussis (Whooping Cough) is a respiratory infection caused by . Pertussis usually occurs in childhood; severe infections are most common in infants. It can be fatal... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Pertussis (Whooping Cough) is a respiratory infection caused by . Pertussis usually occurs in childhood; severe infections are most common in infants. It can be fatal with severe complications such as pulmonary hypertension, heart failure, and encephalitis.
OBJECTIVES
We sought to synthesize the existing literature on severe pertussis in infants and inform further study.
METHODS
A scoping review was performed based on the methodological framework developed by Arksey & O'Malley. Search in Pubmed and Embase databases, with no restrictions on the language and date of publication.
RESULTS
Of the 1299 articles retrieved, 64 were finally included. The selected articles were published between 1979 and 2022, with 90.6% (58/64) of the studies in the last two decades. The studies covered epidemiology, pathology, clinical characteristics, risk factors, treatments, and burden of disease.
CONCLUSION
The literature reviewed suggests that studies on severe pertussis in infants covered a variety of clinical concerns. However, these studies were observational, and experimental studies are needed to provide high-quality evidence.
Topics: Humans; Whooping Cough; Infant; Bordetella pertussis; Risk Factors; Severity of Illness Index; Pertussis Vaccine
PubMed: 38728617
DOI: 10.1080/07853890.2024.2352606 -
Biomedical and Environmental Sciences :... Apr 2024
Topics: Humans; Bordetella pertussis; Child, Preschool; Coinfection; Whooping Cough; Neisseria meningitidis; Male; Female
PubMed: 38727167
DOI: 10.3967/bes2024.048