Expression ofPlasmodium falciparum3D7 STEVOR proteins for evaluation of antibody responses following malaria infections in naïve infants

Parasitology ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 135 (2) ◽  
pp. 155-167 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. SCHREIBER ◽  
A. KHATTAB ◽  
M. PETTER ◽  
F. MARKS ◽  
S. ADJEI ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gene Families ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Antibody Responses ◽  
Cloning And Expression ◽  
Igg Antibody ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Multicopy Gene ◽  
Antibody Titres ◽  
Antibody Levels ◽  
Sectional Analysis

SUMMARYClinical immunity toPlasmodium falciparummalaria develops after repeated exposure to the parasite. At least 2P. falciparumvariant antigens encoded by multicopy gene families (varandrif) are targets of this adaptive antibody-mediated immunity. A third multigene family of variant antigens comprises thestevorgenes. Here, 4 differentstevorsequences were selected for cloning and expression inEscherichia coliand His6–tagged fusion proteins were used for assessing the development of immunity. In a cross-sectional analysis of clinically immune adults living in a malaria endemic area in Ghana, high levels of anti-STEVOR IgG antibody titres were determined in ELISA. A cross-sectional study of 90 nine-month-old Ghanaian infants using 1 recombinant STEVOR showed that the antibody responses correlated positively with the number of parasitaemia episodes. In a longitudinal investigation of 17 immunologically naïve 9-month-old infants, 3 different patterns of anti-STEVOR antibody responses could be distinguished (high, transient and low). Children with high anti-STEVOR-antibody levels exhibited an elevated risk for developing parasitaemia episodes. Overall, a protective effect could not be attributed to antibodies against the STEVOR proteins chosen for the study presented here.

scholarly journals LegionellaAntibodies in a Danish Hospital Staff with Known Occupational Exposure

2009 ◽  
Vol 2009 ◽  
pp. 1-6 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Rudbeck ◽  
S. Viskum ◽  
K. Mølbak ◽  
S. A. Uldum
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Blood Donors ◽  
Reference Group ◽  
Hospital Staff ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Hospital Workers ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Staff Members ◽  
Antibody Titres ◽  
Antibody Levels

Although legionnaires' disease frequently is acquired in health care institutions, little is known about the occupational risk ofLegionellainfection among health care workers. The aim of the present cross-sectional study was to analyse antibody levels among exposed hospital workers and to determine the correlation between antibodies toLegionellaand self-reported symptoms. The study included 258 hospital employees and a reference group of 708 healthy blood donors. Hospital workers had a higher prevalence ofLegionellaantibody titres (1 : 128) than blood donors (odds ratio 3.4; 95% CI 2.4–4.8). Antibody levels were not higher among staff members at risk of frequent aerosol exposure than among less exposed employees. There was no consistent association between a history of influenza-like symptom complex and the presence of antibodies. The results indicate that hospital workers have a higher risk ofLegionellainfections than the general population. However, since no excess morbidity was associated with seropositivity, mostLegionellainfections may be asymptomatic.

Immunoglobulin subtyping and quantification in direct antiglobulin test: positive haemolysis in an HIV-prevalent setting

2020 ◽  
pp. jclinpath-2020-207113
Author(s):  
Thirosha Chetty ◽  
Nikki Bouwer ◽  
Yuen On Wan ◽  
Johnny Mahlangu
Keyword(s):  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Hiv Positive ◽  
Care Hospital ◽  
Igg Antibody ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Antibody Titres ◽  
Diagnostic Usefulness ◽  
Polyclonal Gammopathy ◽  
Diagnostic Work ◽  
Positive Direct

AimsPositive direct antiglobulin tests (DATs) are valuable in identifying the aetiology of autoimmune haemolysis and in guiding therapeutic intervention. However, in HIV-positive individuals with background polyclonal gammopathy, a positive DAT in the absence of haemolysis is common. In this setting, IgG quantification and subtyping may be of value, as this is possible with the recently introduced gel cards. There is paucity of literature evaluating the diagnostic usefulness of IgG subtyping and quantification in HIV-positive individuals who are investigated for autoimmune haemolytic anaemia (AIHA). This study evaluated the usefulness of IgG quantification and subtyping in the diagnostic work-up of AIHA in patients with a positive DAT, with and without HIV infection.MethodsThis retrospective, cross-sectional study included patients investigated for AIHA in a quaternary care hospital. Those with a positive DAT had their IgG subtyped and quantified using the ID-Card DAT IgG1/IgG3 and IgG-dilution cards (Bio-Rad, Cressier, Switzerland).ResultsNinety patients admitted from December 2019 to March 2020 were investigated for AIHA. Forty-four (49%) patients had a positive DAT of whom 26 (59%) had evidence of haemolysis, and 16 (36%) were HIV positive. Concurrent HIV and haemolysis were present in eight patients, two of whom had IgG1 although none had an IgG antibody titre >1:30. None of the HIV-positive patients without features of haemolysis had IgG1/IgG3 or IgG antibody titres >1:30.ConclusionIn our clinical setting, IgG quantification and subtyping were found to be of limited value in the diagnostic characterisation of AIHA in HIV-positive patients with false-positive DAT.

scholarly journals Cross-sectional study of IgG antibody levels to invasive nontyphoidal Salmonella LPS O-antigen with age in Uganda

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 ◽  
pp. 1501
Author(s):  
Lisa Stockdale ◽  
Angela Nalwoga ◽  
Stephen Nash ◽  
Sean Elias ◽  
Gershim Asiki ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Old Age ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Igg Antibody ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
O Antigen ◽  
Cause Of Deaths ◽  
Specific Igg ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
Antibody Levels

Invasive nontyphoidal Salmonella (iNTS) disease is a major cause of deaths among children and HIV-infected individuals in sub-Saharan Africa. Acquisition of IgG to iNTS lipopolysaccharide (LPS) O-antigen in Malawi in early childhood corresponds with a fall in cases of iNTS disease suggesting that vaccines able to induce such antibodies could confer protection. To better understand the acquisition of IgG to iNTS in other African settings, we performed a cross-sectional seroepidemiological study using sera from 1090 Ugandan individuals aged from infancy to old age. Sera were analysed for IgG to LPS O-antigen of S. Typhimurium and S. Enteritidis using an in-house ELISA. Below 18 months of age, most children lacked IgG to both serovars. Thereafter, specific IgG levels increased with age, peaking in adulthood, and did not wane noticeably in old age. There was no clear difference in antibody levels between the sexes and the few HIV-infected individuals in the study did not have obviously different levels from uninfected subjects. While IgG to iNTS is acquired at a younger age in Malawian compared with Ugandan children, it is not clear whether this is due to differences in the populations themselves, their exposure to iNTS, or variations between assays used. In conclusion, there is a need to develop a harmonised method and standards for measuring antibodies to iNTS across studies and to investigate acquisition of such antibodies with age across different sites in sub-Saharan Africa.

scholarly journals Prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 Infection at the University of Barcelona during the Third COVID-19 Pandemic Wave in Spain

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (12) ◽  
pp. 6526
Author(s):  
Sebastián Videla ◽  
Aurema Otero ◽  
Sara Martí ◽  
M. Ángeles Domínguez ◽  
Nuria Fabrellas ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ad Hoc ◽  
Venous Blood ◽  
Herd Immunity ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Rt Pcr ◽  
Igg Antibody ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Total Prevalence ◽  
The University ◽  
The Impact

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic started in December 2019 and still is a major global health challenge. Lockdown measures and social distancing sparked a global shift towards online learning, which deeply impacted universities’ daily life, and the University of Barcelona (UB) was not an exception. Accordingly, we aimed to determine the impact of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic at the UB. To that end, we performed a cross-sectional study on a sample of 2784 UB members (n = 52,529). Participants answered a brief, ad hoc, online epidemiological questionnaire and provided a nasal swab for reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) SARS-CoV-2 analysis and a venous blood sample for SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibody assay. Total prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection (positive RT-PCR or positive IgG) was 14.9% (95%CI 13.3 to 17.0%). Forty-four participants (1.6%, 95%CI: 1.2–2.1%) were positive for SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR. IgG against SARS-CoV-2 was observed in 12.8% (95%CI: 11.6–14.1%) of participants. Overall, while waiting for population vaccination and/or increased herd immunity, we should concentrate on identifying and isolating new cases and their contacts.

Evaluation of a Telephone Version for the Montreal Cognitive Assessment: Establishing a Cutoff for Normative Data From a Cross-Sectional Study

2021 ◽  
pp. 089198872110026
Author(s):  
Sivan Klil-Drori ◽  
Natalie Phillips ◽  
Alita Fernandez ◽  
Shelley Solomon ◽  
Adi J. Klil-Drori ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Assessment ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Montreal Cognitive Assessment ◽  
Cutoff Score ◽  
Cognitive Screening ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
A Prospective Study ◽  
Sectional Analysis ◽  
State Examination ◽  
Normal Cognition

Objective: Compare a telephone version and full version of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA). Methods: Cross-sectional analysis of a prospective study. A 20-point telephone version of MoCA (Tele-MoCA) was compared to the Full-MoCA and Mini Mental State Examination. Results: Total of 140 participants enrolled. Mean scores for language were significantly lower with Tele-MoCA than with Full-MoCA (P = .003). Mean Tele-MoCA scores were significantly higher for participants with over 12 years of education (P < .001). Cutoff score of 17 for the Tele-MoCA yielded good specificity (82.2%) and negative predictive value (84.4%), while sensitivity was low (18.2%). Conclusions: Remote screening of cognition with a 20-point Tele-MoCA is as specific for defining normal cognition as the Full-MoCA. This study shows that telephone evaluation is adequate for virtual cognitive screening. Our sample did not allow accurate assessment of sensitivity for Tele-MoCA in detecting MCI or dementia. Further studies with representative populations are needed to establish sensitivity.

scholarly journals Identification of Ocular and Auditory Manifestations of Congenital Rubella Syndrome in Mbingo

2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-5 ◽  
Author(s):  
Imran Jivraj ◽  
Chris J. Rudnisky ◽  
Emmanuel Tambe ◽  
Graham Tipple ◽  
Matthew T. S. Tennant
Keyword(s):  
Hearing Impairment ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Normal Hearing ◽  
Congenital Rubella Syndrome ◽  
Congenital Glaucoma ◽  
Fundus Photography ◽  
Igg Antibody ◽  
Case Definitions ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Congenital Rubella

Purpose. Congenital rubella syndrome (CRS) is a global cause of preventable hearing impairment, blindness, and intellectual impairment. The present study sought to identify ocular and auditory manifestations of CRS in school-aged children in Mbingo, Cameroon.Design. Cross sectional study.Subjects. Students at two schools, one for children with hearing impairment, were screened for cataract, congenital glaucoma, and pigmentary retinopathy.Methods. Students underwent seven-field digital fundus photography through a dilated pupil using a Topcon NW200 nonmydriatic camera. Images were assessed by retina specialists in Canada via teleophthalmology. Clinical evidence was integrated to form case definitions for CRS based on Center for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines. Serological evidence of rubella infection was obtained using standardized IgG antibody titers.Main Outcome Measure. Number of probable and suspicious cases of CRS.Results. Between September 2009 and May 2010, 320 students participated. There were 28 (10.2%) probable cases, 104 (37.8%) suspects, and 143 (52.0%) unaffected. Rubella IgG serology was positive in 79 (48.7%) of children with hearing impairment and 11 (7.4%) of children with normal hearing.Conclusions. The present study identified 28 probable cases of CRS. Furthermore, 92.6% of students with normal hearing did not possess rubella IgG antibodies making future cases of CRS likely without intervention.

scholarly journals Science, healthcare system, and government effectiveness perception and COVID-19 vaccination acceptance and hesitancy in a global sample: an analytical cross-sectional analysis

BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (11) ◽  
pp. e049716
Author(s):  
Timothy D Dye ◽  
Monica Barbosu ◽  
Shazia Siddiqi ◽  
José G Pérez Ramos ◽  
Hannah Murphy ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Language Processing ◽  
Public Perception ◽  
Strong Predictor ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Amazon Mechanical Turk ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Vaccine Acceptance ◽  
Vaccination Acceptance ◽  
Sectional Analysis

BackgroundDeterminants of COVID-19 vaccine acceptance are complex; how perceptions of the effectiveness of science, healthcare and government impact personal COVID-19 vaccine acceptance is unclear, despite all three domains providing critical roles in development, funding and provision, and distribution of COVID-19 vaccine.ObjectiveTo estimate impact of perception of science, healthcare systems, and government along with sociodemographic, psychosocial, and cultural characteristics on vaccine acceptance.DesignWe conducted a global nested analytical cross-sectional study of how the perceptions of healthcare, government and science systems have impacted COVID-19 on vaccine acceptance.SettingGlobal Facebook, Instagram and Amazon Mechanical Turk (mTurk) users from 173 countries.Participants7411 people aged 18 years or over, and able to read English, Spanish, Italian, or French.MeasurementsWe used Χ2 analysis and logistic regression-derived adjusted Odds Ratios (aORs) and 95% CIs to evaluate the relationship between effectiveness perceptions and vaccine acceptance controlling for other factors. We used natural language processing and thematic analysis to analyse the role of vaccine-related narratives in open-ended explanations of effectiveness.ResultsAfter controlling for confounding, attitude toward science was a strong predictor of vaccine acceptance, more so than other attitudes, demographic, psychosocial or COVID-19-related variables (aOR: 2.1; 95% CI: 1.8 to 2.5). The rationale for science effectiveness was dominated by vaccine narratives, which were uncommon in other domains.LimitationsThis study did not include participants from countries where Facebook and Amazon mTurk are not available, and vaccine acceptance reflected intention rather than actual behaviour.ConclusionsAs our findings show, vaccine-related issues dominate public perception of science’s impact around COVID-19, and this perception of science relates strongly to the decision to obtain vaccination once available.

scholarly journals Production of SARS-CoV-2 Antibodies and Emergence of the Clinical Symptoms of COVID-19

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ahmad Hormati ◽  
Hossein Poustchi ◽  
Mohammad Reza Ghadir ◽  
Saeede Jafari ◽  
Narges Jafari ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Symptoms ◽  
Clinical Care ◽  
Public Health Problem ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Clinical Findings ◽  
Time Duration ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Igm Antibodies ◽  
Gi Symptoms ◽  
Antibody Levels

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a worldwide public health problem that has attracted much attention due to its clinical findings. Measurement of IgG and IgM antibodies is of great importance for researchers and it will help to develop a new diagnostic and therapeutic method in clinical care. In this cross-sectional study, we aim to measure the IgG and IgM antibody levels in 401 suspected COVID-19 volunteers. We also measure the time duration for the appearance of IgG and IgM antibodies from the onset of symptoms to sampling time. Of 401 participants enrolled in the study, 255 (63.59%) were healthy, 79 (19.70%) were a carrier, 59 (14.71%) were cured and 8 (1.99%) were borderline. Of 142 subjects diagnosed with COVID-19, 41 (28.87%) presented with gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms, 83 (58.45%) had no GI symptoms, and 18 (12.68%) were asymptomatic. According to our findings, the measurement of IgG and IgM antibodies will provide the tool for the diagnosis of COVID-19 and significantly boost research into novel diagnostic and therapeutic approaches.

scholarly journals Health Canada’s use of expedited review pathways and therapeutic innovation, 1995–2016: cross-sectional analysis

BMJ Open ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (8) ◽  
pp. e023605 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joel Lexchin
Keyword(s):  
Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
New Drugs ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Time Period ◽  
Therapeutic Value ◽  
Kappa Value ◽  
Innovative Drugs ◽  
Sectional Analysis ◽  
Health Canada

ObjectivesThis study examines the use of expedited approval pathways by Health Canada over the period 1995 to 2016 inclusive and the relationship between the use of these pathways and the therapeutic gain offered by new products.DesignCross-sectional study.Data sourcesTherapeutic Products Directorate, Biologics and Genetic Therapies Directorate, Notice of Compliance database, Notice of Compliance with conditions web site, Patented Medicine Prices Review Board, La revue Prescrire, WHO Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical classification system.Primary and secondary outcomesPercent of new drugs evaluated by Health Canada that went through an expedited pathway between 1995 and 2016 inclusive. Kappa values comparing the review status with assessments of therapeutic value for individual drugs.ResultsOf 623 drugs approved by Health Canada between 1995 and 2016, 438 (70.3%) drugs went through the standard pathway and 185 (29.7%) an expedited pathway. Therapeutic evaluations were available for 509 drugs. Health Canada used an expedited approval pathway for 159 of the 509 drugs, whereas only 55 were judged to be therapeutically innovative. Forty-two of the 55 therapeutically innovative drugs received an expedited review and 13 received a standard review. The Kappa value for the entire period for all 509 drugs was 0.276 (95% CI 0.194 to 0.359) indicating ‘fair’ agreement between Health Canada’s use of expedited pathways and independent evaluations of therapeutic innovation.ConclusionHealth Canada’s use of expedited approvals was stable over the entire time period. It was unable to reliably predict which drugs will offer major therapeutic gains. The findings in this study should provoke a discussion about whether Health Canada should continue to use these pathways and if so how their use can be improved.

Physical health status of music students in a post-secondary institution: A cross-sectional study

Work ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
Allen Ying-Lun Chang ◽  
Hannah Boone ◽  
Phil Gold
Keyword(s):  
Physical Health ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Music Students ◽  
Professional Musicians ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Post Secondary ◽  
Physical Injuries ◽  
Post Secondary Institution ◽  
Mcgill University ◽  
Sectional Analysis

BACKGROUND: Musicians’ health is an essential field of healthcare that is specifically tailored to the needs of musicians, which encompasses multiple facets of health. OBJECTIVE: The research seeks to determine the prevalence of physical injuries in music students and musicians, and to identify possible causes. METHODS: A previously unvalidated 42-item survey was distributed to music students, non-music students, and professional musicians. The questions addressed demographics, physical health, mental health, medication use, and interest in musicians’ health. The study was conducted from Fall semester 2017 to Winter semester 2019 at McGill University, with analysis completed in August 2019. RESULTS: A total of 585 complete responses were obtained. Music students (35%) had higher prevalence of physical injuries than non-music students (18%), and professional musicians had the highest prevalence (56%). Multiple factors dictate the prevalence of physical injuries among musicians, including gender, age, program of enrollment, and instrument of choice. Of note, daily duration of practice was not one of these factors. CONCLUSIONS: Several factors were identified through this cross-sectional analysis to be associated with musicians’ physical injuries. These findings can serve as a foundation through which physicians and post-secondary institutions may implement changes to better enhance the physical health of musicians. It also cast doubts on previous assumptions associated with physical injury of musicians.

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