Cytokine response in cerebrospinal fluid of meningitis patients and outcome associated with pneumococcal serotype

AbstractStreptococcus pneumoniae causes life-threatening meningitis. Its capsular polysaccharide determines the serotype and influences disease severity but the mechanism is largely unknown. Due to evidence of elevated cytokines levels in the meningeal inflammatory response, we measured 41 cytokines/chemokines and growth factors in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples from 57 South African meningitis patients (collected in the period 2018–2019), with confirmed S. pneumoniae serotypes, using a multiplexed bead-based immunoassay. Based on multivariable Bayesian regression, using serotype 10A as a reference and after adjusting for HIV and age, we found IL-6 concentrations significantly lower in patients infected with serotypes 6D (undetectable) and 23A (1601 pg/ml), IL-8 concentrations significantly higher in those infected with 22A (40,459 pg/ml), 7F (32,400 pg/ml) and 15B/C (6845 pg/ml), and TNFα concentration significantly higher in those infected with serotype 18A (33,097 pg/ml). Although a relatively small number of clinical samples were available for this study and 28% of samples could not be assigned to a definitive serotype, our data suggests 15B/C worthy of monitoring during surveillance as it is associated with in-hospital case fatality and not included in the 13-valent polysaccharide conjugate vaccine, PCV13. Our data provides average CSF concentrations of a range of cytokines and growth factors for 18 different serotypes (14, 19F, 3, 6A, 7F, 19A, 8, 9N, 10A, 12F, 15B/C, 22F, 16F, 23A, 31, 18A, 6D, 22A) to serve as a basis for future studies investigating host–pathogen interaction during pneumococcal meningitis. We note that differences in induction of IL-8 between serotypes may be particularly worthy of future study.

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Isolation of Neurocysticercosis-Related Antigens from a Genomic Phage Display Library of Taenia solium

CrossRef Listing of Deleted DOIs ◽

10.1177/1087057110385229 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 15 (10) ◽

pp. 1268-1273 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Erik González ◽

Yetzi Robles ◽

Tzipe Govezensky ◽

Raul J. Bobes ◽

Goar Gevorkian ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cerebrospinal Fluid ◽

Copy Number ◽

Genomic Dna ◽

Taenia Solium ◽

Phage Display Library ◽

Clinical Samples ◽

Expression Library ◽

Direct Identification ◽

Antigen Discovery ◽

Host Pathogen Interaction

In this study, the authors have generated a tapeworm Taenia solium genomic DNA expression library where foreign peptides/proteins were fused to N-termini of M13 cpVIII and expressed at a high copy number on the phage surface, and they showed that this library may be used in bioselection against antipathogen immune sera, allowing the identification of disease-related antigens recognizing antibodies present in clinical samples. They isolated 2 phage clones expressing T. solium–derived antigens specifically reacting with antibodies present in plasma and cerebrospinal fluid samples of neuroimaging-confirmed neurocysticercosis patients. The described antigen discovery strategy may be used for the direct identification of antigens useful for host-pathogen interaction studies as well as for the development of molecular vaccines and diagnostics.

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Investigate of the Ability of Cronobacter sakazakii Isolated from Clinical Samples of Children Under Two Years to Induce Swimming, Swarming and Biofilm

Ibn AL- Haitham Journal For Pure and Applied Science ◽

10.30526/2017.ihsciconf.1780 ◽

2018 ◽

pp. 123

Author(s):

Luma Abdal Hady Zwein ◽

Tharieyt Abdulrahman Motlag ◽

Mohamed Mousa

Keyword(s):

Cerebrospinal Fluid ◽

Congo Red ◽

Biofilm Formation ◽

Microtiter Plate ◽

Clinical Samples ◽

Cronobacter Sakazakii ◽

Yellow Color ◽

Golden Yellow ◽

Vitek 2 ◽

Biochemical Examination

The study included 200 samples were collected from children under two years included (50 samples from each of Cerebrospinal fluid, Blood, Stool and Urine) from, Central Children Hospital and Children's Protections Educational Hospital. Isolates bacterial were obtained cultural, microscopic and biochemical examination and diagnosed to the species by using vitek2 system. The results showed there were contamination in 6.5% of clinical samples. The diagnosed colonies which gave pink color on the MacConkey agar , golden yellow color on the Trypton Soy agar and green color on the Birillent Enterobacter sakazakii agar and gave a probability of 99% in the vitek 2 and were identified as Cronobacter sakazakii. The identification revealed of thirteen isolates: 6(46.16%) isolated from Cerebrospinal fluid samples, 7(53.84%) isolated from blood samples and not isolated bacteria from stool and urine samples. The results of the investigation of some virulence factors showed that all bacteria isolates were able to swimming with a diameter ranging (1-9 mm) and swarming with a diameter ranging (1-40 mm) and their ability to biofilm formation by using three methods. The results show the ability of isolates to form biofilm by using Congo red media methods where it is 12 (92.30 %) out of 13 isolated bacteria belonging to C. sakazakii able to form biofilm on the Congo red media which is 3 (23.07%) were strong production biofilm , 8 (61.53%) were intermediate production biofilm and 1 (7.69% ) were weak biofilm formation , while the 1 (7.69%) unable to form biofilm. Tubes method were all isolates were able to form biofilm, it were found that 3 (23.07%) isolates strong, and 8 (61.53%) intermediate and 2( 15.38%) weak biofilm formation. Microtiter plate method gave 5 (38.46 %) isolates strong, 6 (46.15%) intermediate and 1 (7.69%) weak biofilm formation.

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Structure, Function, and Regulation of the Essential Virulence Factor Capsular Polysaccharide of Vibrio vulnificus

International Journal of Molecular Sciences ◽

10.3390/ijms21093259 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 21 (9) ◽

pp. 3259 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Gregg S. Pettis ◽

Aheli S. Mukerji

Keyword(s):

Coastal Waters ◽

Capsular Polysaccharide ◽

Vibrio Vulnificus ◽

Critical Role ◽

Phase Variation ◽

Innate Immune ◽

Repeat Sequences ◽

Life Threatening ◽

Inflammatory Cytokine Response ◽

Group 1

Vibrio vulnificus populates coastal waters around the world, where it exists freely or becomes concentrated in filter feeding mollusks. It also causes rapid and life-threatening sepsis and wound infections in humans. Of its many virulence factors, it is the V. vulnificus capsule, composed of capsular polysaccharide (CPS), that plays a critical role in evasion of the host innate immune system by conferring antiphagocytic ability and resistance to complement-mediated killing. CPS may also provoke a portion of the host inflammatory cytokine response to this bacterium. CPS production is biochemically and genetically diverse among strains of V. vulnificus, and the carbohydrate diversity of CPS is likely affected by horizontal gene transfer events that result in new combinations of biosynthetic genes. Phase variation between virulent encapsulated opaque colonial variants and attenuated translucent colonial variants, which have little or no CPS, is a common phenotype among strains of this species. One mechanism for generating acapsular variants likely involves homologous recombination between repeat sequences flanking the wzb phosphatase gene within the Group 1 CPS biosynthetic and transport operon. A considerable number of environmental, genetic, and regulatory factors have now been identified that affect CPS gene expression and CPS production in this pathogen.

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Alterations of mesenchymal stromal cells in cerebrospinal fluid: insights from transcriptomics and an ALS clinical trial

Stem Cell Research & Therapy ◽

10.1186/s13287-021-02241-9 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Ashley A. Krull ◽

Deborah O. Setter ◽

Tania F. Gendron ◽

Sybil C. L. Hrstka ◽

Michael J. Polzin ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Gene Expression ◽

Cerebrospinal Fluid ◽

Growth Factors ◽

Mesenchymal Stromal Cells ◽

Stromal Cells ◽

Large Scale ◽

Therapeutic Benefit ◽

Protein Levels ◽

Genes Encoding ◽

Intrathecal Space

Abstract Background Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) have been studied with increasing intensity as clinicians and researchers strive to understand the ability of MSCs to modulate disease progression and promote tissue regeneration. As MSCs are used for diverse applications, it is important to appreciate how specific physiological environments may stimulate changes that alter the phenotype of the cells. One need for neuroregenerative applications is to characterize the spectrum of MSC responses to the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) environment after their injection into the intrathecal space. Mechanistic understanding of cellular biology in response to the CSF environment may predict the ability of MSCs to promote injury repair or provide neuroprotection in neurodegenerative diseases. Methods In this study, we characterized changes in morphology, metabolism, and gene expression occurring in human adipose-derived MSCs cultured in human (hCSF) or artificial CSF (aCSF) as well as examined relevant protein levels in the CSF of subjects treated with MSCs for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Results Our results demonstrated that, under intrathecal-like conditions, MSCs retained their morphology, though they became quiescent. Large-scale transcriptomic analysis of MSCs revealed a distinct gene expression profile for cells cultured in aCSF. The aCSF culture environment induced expression of genes related to angiogenesis and immunomodulation. In addition, MSCs in aCSF expressed genes encoding nutritional growth factors to expression levels at or above those of control cells. Furthermore, we observed a dose-dependent increase in growth factors and immunomodulatory cytokines in CSF from subjects with ALS treated intrathecally with autologous MSCs. Conclusions Overall, our results suggest that MSCs injected into the intrathecal space in ongoing clinical trials remain viable and may provide a therapeutic benefit to patients.

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Cerebrospinal fluid insulin-like growth factors IGF-1 and IGF-2 in infantile autism

Developmental Medicine & Child Neurology ◽

10.1111/j.1469-8749.2006.tb01361.x ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 48 (9) ◽

pp. 751-755 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Raili Riikonen ◽

Ismo Makkonen ◽

Raija Vanhala ◽

Ursula Turpeinen ◽

Jyrki Kuikka ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cerebrospinal Fluid ◽

Growth Factors ◽

Infantile Autism ◽

Insulin Like Growth Factors

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Comparison of diagnostic clinical samples and environmental sampling for enterovirus and parechovirus surveillance in Scotland, 2010 to 2012

Eurosurveillance ◽

10.2807/1560-7917.es2014.19.15.20772 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 19 (15) ◽

Cited By ~ 56

Author(s):

H Harvala ◽

J Calvert ◽

D Van Nguyen ◽

L Clasper ◽

N Gadsby ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Central Nervous System ◽

Cerebrospinal Fluid ◽

Rapid Identification ◽

Clinical Samples ◽

Environmental Sampling ◽

Clinical Specimens ◽

Young Infants ◽

Coxsackievirus A6 ◽

The Family ◽

Common Causes

Human enteroviruses (EV) and parechoviruses (HPeV) within the family Picornaviridae are the most common causes of viral central nervous system (CNS)-associated infections including meningitis and neonatal sepsis-like disease. The frequencies of EV and HPeV types identified in clinical specimens collected in Scotland over an eight-year period were compared to those identified in sewage surveillance established in Edinburgh. Of the 35 different EV types belonging to four EV species (A to D) and the four HPeV types detected in this study, HPeV3 was identified as the most prevalent picornavirus in cerebrospinal fluid samples, followed by species B EV. Interestingly, over half of EV and all HPeV CNS-associated infections were observed in young infants (younger than three months). Detection of species A EV including coxsackievirus A6 and EV71 in clinical samples and sewage indicates that these viruses are already widely circulating in Scotland. Furthermore, species C EV were frequently identified EV in sewage screening but they were not present in any of 606 EV-positive clinical samples studied, indicating their likely lower pathogenicity. Picornavirus surveillance is important not only for monitoring the changing epidemiology of these infections but also for the rapid identification of spread of emerging EV and/or HPeV types.

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Survival from paraquat induced renal impairment in a 17 years old male

International Journal of Advances in Medicine ◽

10.18203/2349-3933.ijam20210282 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 8 (2) ◽

pp. 300

Author(s):

Medo M. Kuotsu ◽

N. Biplab Singh ◽

Nyamnyei Konyak ◽

Vikie-o Khruomo ◽

Senjele Kath ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Acute Kidney Injury ◽

Treatment Options ◽

Fatal Outcome ◽

Radical Scavenging ◽

Case Fatality ◽

Kidney Injury ◽

Organ Damage ◽

Paraquat Poisoning ◽

Adequate Hydration ◽

Life Threatening

N, N’-dimethyl-4, 4’-bipyridinium dichloride (paraquat) is a herbicide commonly used in India that leads to fatal outcome on ingestion. Paraquat interferes in the intracellular electron transfer systems inhibiting the reduction of NADP to NADPH resulting in accumulation of superoxide radical causing lipid cell membranes destruction leading to various organ damage. Life threatening effects such as acute kidney injury as paraquat elimination is mainly by kidney, acute respiratory distress syndrome and multi-organ failure are the causes of mortality in paraquat poisoning. There is no specific antidotes for paraquat poisoning so prevention and aggressive decontamination remains the mainstay of management in case of exposure or ingestion. Paraquat poisoning presentation may vary in cases depending on the amount of paraquat consumed and thus the outcome. Here we report a case of a 17 years old male who presented with acute kidney injury following ingestion of paraquat in a suicidal attempt. In our case, induced vomiting of the stomach content readily after ingestion of the poison, early haemodialysis, use of immunosuppression such as methylprednisolone, cyclophosphamide and antioxidants such as acetylcysteine, Vitamin C and Vitamin E as free radical scavenging agent , supportive measures such as adequate hydration and antibiotics might have helped in the patient’s survival. The case fatality remains very high in paraquat poisoning till date owing to lack of effective treatment options.

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Psychometric properties of the Fear of COVID-19 Scale amongst black South African university students

African Journal of Psychological Assessment ◽

10.4102/ajopa.v3i0.57 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 3 ◽

Author(s):

Malose Makhubela ◽

Solomon Mashegoane

Keyword(s):

University Students ◽

South African ◽

Discriminant Validity ◽

Global Public Health ◽

Infection Rates ◽

Health Crisis ◽

Black South African ◽

Public Health Crisis ◽

Life Threatening ◽

Acceptable Internal Consistency

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has spread widely leading to a global public health crisis of a pandemic proportion. Whilst infection rates tend to fluctuate in South Africa, COVID-19 remains a life-threatening disease with the capacity to wreak fear and concern. The present study evaluated the psychometric qualities of the Fear of COVID-19 Scale (FCV-19S) amongst black South African university students (N = 433; Female: 58%; Mage = 23.51 [SD = 4.18]). The FCV-19S demonstrated a unidimensional factor structure and acceptable internal consistency (α = 0.87), Omega (ω = 0.88) and the greatest lower bound (GLB = 0.90) reliabilities. In addition, discriminant validity was demonstrated when FCV-19S items loaded separately from ordinary fear. The FCV-19S can be used as a measure of COVID-19-related fear amongst black South African university students.

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