scholarly journals Encephalitozoon hellem in Budgerigars (Melopsittacus undulatus)

1997 ◽  
Vol 34 (3) ◽  
pp. 189-198 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. S. Black ◽  
L. A. Steinohrt ◽  
D. C. Bertucci ◽  
L. B. Rogers ◽  
E. S. Didier
Keyword(s):  
Respiratory Infections ◽  
Critical Evaluation ◽  
Economic Loss ◽  
Hepatic Necrosis ◽  
Melopsittacus Undulatus ◽  
Pet Birds ◽  
Acquired Immunodeficiency ◽  
Polymerase Chain ◽  
Immunodeficiency Syndrome ◽  
Human Infections

Microsporidiosis with concurrent megabacteriosis in budgerigar ( Melopsittacus undulatus) chicks contributed to significant economic loss in a commercial pet bird aviary in Mississippi. Three budgerigar chicks, 1-2 weeks old, from the aviary were necropsied. Microscopic lesions in the chicks consisted of heavy infection of enterocytes with microsporidia (2/3; autolysis precluded critical evaluation of the intestine of chick No. 2), multifocal hepatic necrosis and inflammation with intralesional microsporidia (1/3), spherical clusters of microsporidia in the hepatic sinusoids in the absence of inflammation (1/3), and gastric megabacteriosis (3/3). The ultrastructure of the microsporidian spores was consistent with an Encephalitozoon species. The polymerase chain reaction and Southern blot analysis were used to identify the microsporidian as Encephalitozoon hellem, an organism that has only been identified in humans. Encephalitozoon hellem causes keratoconjunctivitis and respiratory infections in humans with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. This report presents the first confirmed case of microsporidiosis in budgerigars. The finding of E. hellem in pet birds may be important in elucidating the epidemiology of human infections with this organism.

BK Virus Renal Infection in a Patient With the Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome

1999 ◽  
Vol 123 (9) ◽  
pp. 807-811 ◽  
Author(s):  
Manuela Nebuloni ◽  
Antonella Tosoni ◽  
Renzo Boldorini ◽  
Guido Monga ◽  
Luca Carsana ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome ◽  
Renal Damage ◽  
Bk Virus ◽  
Transplant Patients ◽  
Immunosuppressed Patients ◽  
Acquired Immunodeficiency ◽  
Polymerase Chain ◽  
Immunodeficiency Syndrome ◽  
Inflammatory Infiltrates ◽  
Renal Infection

Abstract Background.—We describe herein a patient with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome and renal failure due to biopsy-proven BK virus (BKV) infection. Three months after the diagnosis of the renal viral infection, his condition remained unchanged. Although BKV has previously been shown to be associated with ureteral stenosis and renal damage in renal transplant patients, to our knowledge, the literature contains only 3 cases describing the presence of BKV lesions in the kidneys of immunosuppressed patients who had not undergone transplantation. Methods.—The presence of BKV infection was demonstrated by means of histology, immunohistochemistry with polyclonal anti-SV40 antibody, immunoelectron microscopy, polymerase chain reaction, and enzymatic cleavage with BamHI. Results.—Histologic examination revealed interstitial inflammatory infiltrates and tubules with enlarged and eosinophilic nuclei. Conclusions.—The high frequency of latent BKV infection and its reactivation during immunosuppression suggest that the possibility of its involvement in renal damage should be considered in immunocompromised patients.

scholarly journals An immigrant with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome presenting with a rash: A case report

2019 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
pp. 2050313X1982961
Author(s):  
Connie Zhang ◽  
Megan A Sander
Keyword(s):  
Human Immunodeficiency Virus ◽  
Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome ◽  
Systemic Disease ◽  
Immunodeficiency Virus ◽  
History Of ◽  
Acquired Immunodeficiency ◽  
Laboratory Investigations ◽  
Polymerase Chain ◽  
Immunodeficiency Syndrome ◽  
Work Up

A 58-year-old woman from Zimbabwe, with a history of untreated human immunodeficiency virus, presented with leonine facies and a diffuse rash. The rash occurred in the context of a 1-year history of constitutional symptoms and cognitive decline. Laboratory investigations confirmed that her human immunodeficiency virus had progressed to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. Through imaging, tissue biopsies, and polymerase chain reaction, a diagnosis of disseminated histoplasmosis was made. Since there was no history of travel and histoplasmosis is not locally endemic, the patient likely contracted this fungal infection more than 7 years ago, while living in Africa. We speculate that the histoplasmosis remained latent until her immune system began to decline. The work-up and management of this rare cutaneous presentation of a systemic disease, which should be added to the list of “great mimickers” in dermatology, are discussed.

Other bacterial diseasesDiseases caused by corynebacteria and related organisms

2011 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aruni De Zoysa
Keyword(s):  
Close Contact ◽  
Human Infection ◽  
Farm Animals ◽  
Corynebacterium Ulcerans ◽  
Raising Awareness ◽  
Acquired Immunodeficiency ◽  
Minor Injuries ◽  
Genus Corynebacterium ◽  
Immunodeficiency Syndrome ◽  
Human Infections

The genus Corynebacterium contains the species Corynebacterium diphtheriae and the non-diphtherial corynebacteria. C. diphtheriae is the major human pathogen in this genus, but several species of nondiphtheria corynebacteria appear to be emerging as important pathogens.Zoonotic corynebacteria rarely cause disease in humans, but recent reports have indicated that the frequency and severity of infection associated with Corynebacterium ulcerans has increased in many countries. In the past most human C.ulcerans infections have occurred through close contact with farm animals or by consumption of unpasteurised dairy products. However, recently, there have been cases of human infection following close contact with household pets. Rhodococcus equi appears to be emerging as an important pathogen in immunocompromised patients, especially those with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Human infections caused by Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis is still a very rare occurrence.Antibiotics in combination with surgery and vaccination are the treatment of choice for human infection. Control of human infection is best achieved by raising awareness in those at risk (e.g. domestic pet owners, sheep shearers, the immunocompromised), clinicians involved in treating these groups and by vaccination. Reducing prevalence in the animal population could be achieved by improving hygiene in farms and husbandry practices, reducing minor injuries (e.g. cuts and abrasions) during routine procedures, and by vaccination.

scholarly journals PrEP: AIDS-Free Hope in Namibia?

2017 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 13
Author(s):  
Eben-Eser Ndaamenwa Namhindo ◽  
Fanghua Mei ◽  
Rui Cao ◽  
Shenghai Lai ◽  
Yufan Dai ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Opportunistic Infections ◽  
Subsequent Development ◽  
Economic Loss ◽  
Immunodeficiency Virus ◽  
Acquired Immunodeficiency ◽  
Immunodeficiency Syndrome ◽  
Exposure Prophylaxis ◽  
Prevention Of Hiv ◽  
Over Time ◽  
Hiv Aids

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a lentivirus that causes infections and over time leads to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). HIV causes a loss of immune function in human and subsequent development of opportunistic infections. Namibia, one important country in West Africa, has been suffering HIV/AIDS incidence over years. Among people between 15 to 49 years old, the national HIV prevalence rate is more than 10%, which causes huge health and economic loss. Recently, Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) has been approved in Namibia for better prevention of HIV/AIDS. In this paper, we will review the current epidemic condition of HIV and the role played by PrEP in Namibia.

scholarly journals Application of DNA amplification to pneumocystosis: presence of serum Pneumocystis carinii DNA during human and experimentally induced Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia.

1992 ◽  
Vol 176 (5) ◽  
pp. 1327-1333 ◽  
Author(s):  
N Schluger ◽  
T Godwin ◽  
K Sepkowitz ◽  
D Armstrong ◽  
E Bernard ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pneumocystis Carinii Pneumonia ◽  
Pneumocystis Carinii ◽  
Dna Amplification ◽  
Corticosteroid Treatment ◽  
History Of ◽  
Acquired Immunodeficiency ◽  
Basic Biology ◽  
Polymerase Chain ◽  
Immunodeficiency Syndrome ◽  
Experimentally Induced

Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Much remains unknown about the basic biology of P. carinii and studies of this infection have been hampered by the lack of cultivation methods. We developed a sensitive and specific assay for P. carinii by utilizing DNA amplification of the P. carinii dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) gene. By this method, P. carinii DNA was detected in the lungs of rats with experimentally induced P. carinii pneumonia 2 wk before the onset of histopathological changes. DNA amplification analysis of serum demonstrated that by 10 wk of corticosteroid treatment, 12 of 12 (100%) infected rats had circulating DHFR DNA. P. carinii DHFR DNA also was detected in the serum of patients with AIDS and active P. carinii pneumonia (12 of 14 sera collected prospectively). Patients with advanced AIDS but without a history of P. carinii pneumonia were negative by this assay (0 of 6 sera examined). Serum polymerase chain reaction may facilitate investigations into the natural history and epidemiology of P. carinii infection, provide insight into the pathogenesis of parasite dissemination, and offer a useful, noninvasive diagnostic test for the detection of human pneumocystosis.

scholarly journals Infection of rabbits with human immunodeficiency virus 1. A small animal model for acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.

1989 ◽  
Vol 169 (1) ◽  
pp. 321-326 ◽  
Author(s):  
H Kulaga ◽  
T Folks ◽  
R Rutledge ◽  
M E Truckenmiller ◽  
E Gugel ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Small Animal ◽  
Mammary Adenocarcinoma ◽  
Human T Cell ◽  
Immunodeficiency Virus ◽  
Liver And Kidney ◽  
Infected Cells ◽  
Acquired Immunodeficiency ◽  
Polymerase Chain ◽  
Immunodeficiency Syndrome ◽  
Hiv 1

Injection of rabbits with a human T cell line infected with HIV-1 caused seroconversion within 6 wk, and HIV-1 could be isolated from PBL cultures of infected rabbits. Identity of the isolated virus with HIV-1 was shown by analysis of products amplified by the polymerase chain reaction. HIV-1 infection was seen in rabbits injected with HIV-1-infected cells alone as well as in those that were first infected with HTLV-1 and subsequently with HIV-1. There were no consistent signs of disease in the rabbits infected with HIV-1 alone but HTLV-1/HIV-1-infected rabbits showed signs of illness including diarrhea and weight loss, transient neurologic impairment and, in one animal, a rapidly progressing mammary adenocarcinoma. Examination of organs taken at necropsy from both HIV-1- and HTLV-1/HIV-1-infected animals showed splenic hyperplasia and lymphocyte infiltration of the lungs, as well as moderate damage to liver and kidney in some cases.

The Use of Monoclonal Antibody R92F6 and Polymerase Chain Reaction to Confirm the Presence of Parvovirus B19 in Bone Marrow Specimens of Patients With Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome

1999 ◽  
Vol 123 (9) ◽  
pp. 768-773 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. Vadlamudi ◽  
W. N. Rezuke ◽  
J. W. Ross ◽  
R. W. Cartun ◽  
R. Ackroyd ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Electron Microscopy ◽  
Bone Marrow ◽  
Parvovirus B19 ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Chain Reaction ◽  
Aids Patients ◽  
Parvovirus B19 Infection ◽  
Acquired Immunodeficiency ◽  
Polymerase Chain ◽  
Immunodeficiency Syndrome

Abstract Background.—Parvovirus B19 infection is a cause of chronic anemia and red cell aplasia in patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) and in other immunocompromised hosts. Anemia in AIDS patients has a multifactorial etiology, with parvovirus B19 infection being an infrequent but nevertheless treatable cause. Therapy with intravenous immune globulin can result in rapid improvement of parvovirus-induced anemia. This treatment is expensive, therefore accurate and rapid confirmation of parvovirus infection is important in providing appropriate and cost-effective therapy. Methods.—Bone marrow samples from 2 AIDS patients with severe anemia and reticulocytopenia were studied. Bone marrow morphology and serologic studies were evaluated for parvovirus B19 infection. An immunohistochemical method using a monoclonal antibody, R92F6, to B19 capsid proteins was utilized on decalcified, B5-fixed, paraffin-embedded bone marrow biopsies. Bone marrow aspirate cells were examined by electron microscopy for evidence of viral particles. In addition, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) studies using a nested PCR assay to the parvovirus B19 viral genome were performed in a case for which fresh cells were available. Results.—Bone marrow findings included marked erythroid hypoplasia with characteristic giant pronormoblasts and intranuclear inclusions. Serologic studies were negative in one case, while the second case showed positive parvovirus B19 immunoglobulin M antibody. Immunohistochemical studies for parvovirus B19 were positive in both cases. The presence of intranuclear virions was demonstrated by electron microscopy and was confirmed by PCR analysis. Both patients were treated with intravenous immune globulin, and subsequent improvement was noted. Conclusions.—Both immunohistochemistry and PCR studies on bone marrow specimens from AIDS patients with anemia are rapid and sensitive methods for the confirmation of parvovirus B19 infection. They are valuable tools, particularly when serologic studies are negative. When PCR is not available, immunohistochemical methods can be useful. The rapid confirmation of parvovirus B19 infection will allow for early and cost-effective therapy.

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