Medical Microbiology & Diagnosis

Acute myocarditis is an inflammatory disease with a quite broad range of consequences caused mostly by viruses. Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) rarely causes acute myocarditis. A 19-year-old healthy man with sudden epigastrial and chest pain was admitted to hospital. Laboratory investigations suspected acute myocardial infarct, but MRI and echocardiography showed myocardial oedema as part of inflammation. In his past medical history, toxic exposition and travelling abroad could not be recorded. PCR investigations of the most common viruses causing acute myocarditis gave negative results, but positive EBV anti-VCA IgM, and later sero conversion could be detected and simultaneously, a typical mononucleosis proved the aetiological role of EBV. After a 3-week-long high dose NSAID therapy on the basis of beta-blocker and ACE-inhibitor therapy, on control MRI oedema disappeared, but electrocardiography was still positive, the patient with satisfying general status was discharged home. On the 6 month control MRI, neither any signs of myocarditis, nor decreased systolic ejection fraction were noted, and also ECG turned negative.

Conventional treatment for chronic HCV infection relies on the combination of peg-interferon and ribavirin therapy. Both interleukin-28B (IL-28B) polymorphisms and HCV genotypes serve as the strongest predictive values for therapeutic prognosis. The treatment regimens for HIV/HCV co-infected patients are more complex and dependent on various host immune and viral factors. A rapid and cost-effective IL-28B genotyping tool is therefore crucial to assist clinicians on better patient management. This study aimed to evaluate the performance of a newly developed HybProbe duplex real-time PCR assay in detecting IL-28B polymorphisms on rs12979860 and rs8099917, and to estimate the prevalence of IL-28B polymorphisms among HIV/HCV co-infected patients in Hong Kong. A total of 88 HIV/HCV co-infected patients were recruited at the Integrated Treatment Centre during 2009 to 2014. IL- 28B polymorphisms on rs12979860 and rs8099917 were determined by an in-house HybProbe assay with melting curve analysis. For assay evaluation, IL-28B polymorphisms of 46 samples with diverse HIV/HCV genotypes were confirmed by Sanger sequencing. Both in-house HybProbe assay and sequencing results for IL28B polymorphisms determination were completely concordant. Among the 88 HIV/HCV co-infected, the frequency of rs12979860 wildtype (C/C) was 88.6%, heterozygous mutant (C/T) was 9.1% and remaining 2.3% homozygous mutant (T/T). The prevalence of IL-28B polymorphisms in rs8099917 was slightly differed, which had 90.9% wild-type (T/T), 6.8% heterozygous mutant (G/T) and 2.3% homozygous mutant (G/G). This novel duplex assay could allow clinicians to make early decision on treatment option for HIV/HCV co-infected patients by detecting rs12979860 and rs8099917 polymorphisms simultaneously.

Purpose: Establishment of a male Balb/c mouse model to study the role of sperm immobilizing E. coli with or without alcohol on mouse reproductive potential.
Materials and Methods: The mice in the experimental groups were intraperitoneally administered with different doses (104, 106 or 108 cfu) of sperm immobilizing E. coli alone or in combination with alcohol and as control group alcohol alone or PBS for 10 consecutive days. The groups were evaluated for change in body weight, seminal parameters, bacterial load and histopathological changes.
Results: Weight gain was observed only in mice receiving PBS, whereas there was decrease in weight in all the groups except the group receiving 104 cfu where weight remained constant. No significant change in tissue somatic index was observed in any group. Reduced motility and viability was noticed in all groups except group receiving PBS. Decapitation was observed in groups instilled with 104 cfu and 104 cfu along with alcohol. Seminal parameters could not be evaluated due to non-specific aggregation of sperms in group administered with 106 and 108 cfu alone as well as with alcohol. Histopathological studies of testes showed very few mature spermatozoa and maturation arrest at later stage in all groups except PBS group.
Conclusion: Intraperitoneal inoculation with sperm immobilizing E. coli with or without alcohol consumption could lead to alteration of semen parameters, induction of decapitation in spermatozoa, thereby decreasing the reproductive potential of male mice.

Quorum sensing (QS) is an important process involved in bacterial survival and infections, recent research has focused on the development of therapeutic agents which prevent or manage bacterial pathogenesis by inhibiting bacterial QS. Inhibition of quorum sensing offers an alternative to antibiotic mediated bactericidal or bacteriostatic approach and reduces the risk for development of resistance. Inhibition of bacterial quorum sensing by attenuating the signals can prevent the development of bacterial and fungal virulence and successful establishment of infections. Understanding the quorum sensing inhibition activity of natural bioactive phytochemicals can lead to the discovery of novel compounds and development of more effective strategies in preventing and managing microbial infections. In this study the effect of Satureja khuzestanica extract, an endemic plant of Iran, on the expression level of QS gene in P. aeruginosa and A. baumanii were investigated.

Background: Anemia is defined as a condition in which there is less than the normal hemoglobin (HB) level in the body, which decreases oxygen-carrying capacity of red blood cells to tissues. Anemia in pregnancy also leads to premature births, low birth weight, fetal impairment and infant deaths. The aim of this study was to determine the magnitude of anemia and associated factors among Pregnant Women Attending Antenatal Care in Nekemte Health Center, Nekemte, Ethiopia.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among Pregnant Women Attending Antenatal Care in Nekemte Health Center (NHC) between May 20, 2011 and June 25, 2011. A total of 150 pregnant women were selected continently. Blood specimen was collected and processed based on standard operating procedures where hemoglobin level was determined by Cell-Dyn1800. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data on Sociodemographic and associated risk factors. Data were entered and analyzed using SPSS version 20 software. Logistic regressions were applied to assess any association between explanatory factors and outcome variables. P values <0.05 were taken as statistically significant.

Results: The total prevalence of anemia was 52%. Mild, moderate and severe anemia account for 50(64%), 17(21.8%) and 11(14.2%), respectively. Fifty three (68%) of the anemic pregnant women had normocytic normochromic RBCs. Anemia was significantly higher in pregnant women with diarrhea [AOR, 95% CI (5.6(1.7, 17.3), P<0.05] and in those with previous history of malaria [AOR, 95% CI (2.7(1.4, 9.33), P<0.05].

Conclusion: The prevalence of anemia in the study area is significantly high. Regular antenatal care follow up, adjustment of dietary and screening of parasitic infections are recommended to prevent impacts of anemia in

Rabies is a fatal disease of mammals, including man, caused by rabies virus. It is usually transmitted via saliva of infected animals, especially dogs. Human exposure to dog rabies occurred on January 1, 2015 involving a 60 year old woman who received first aid treatment and post exposure prophylaxis, but survived exposure to the deadly virus without immunoglobulin.