Maternal Infections Associated with Bad Obstetric Outcome: Toxoplasmosis and Rubella.

2018 ◽  
Vol 1 (3) ◽  
pp. 5-11
Author(s):  
Abdulghani M. Alsamarai ◽  
Hala M. Hassan
Keyword(s):  
Protozoan Parasite ◽  
Low Grade ◽  
Chronic Infections ◽  
Mild Disease ◽  
Geographical Regions ◽  
The Face ◽  
Droplet Transmission ◽  
Infectious Encephalitis ◽  
Post Infectious ◽  
Intracellular Protozoan Parasite

Toxoplasmosis is caused by infection with the obligated intracellular protozoan parasite Toxoplasma gondii. It is one of the most prevalent chronic infections affecting one third of the world's human population. The prevalence of T. gondii infection varies among different geographical regions. The infection is characterized by non-specific signs with the consequent formation of cysts that may stay in latent form in many organs. Primary infection is usually subclinical but in some patient's cervical lymphoadenopathy or ocular disease can be present. Rubella is a mild disease caused by a togavirus. There may be a mild prodromal illness involving a low-grade fever, malaise, coryza and mild conjunctivitis. Lymphadenopathy involving post-auricular and sub-occipital glands may lead to rash. The rash is usually transitory, erythematous and mostly seen behind the ears and on the face and neck. Clinical diagnosis is unreliable as the rash may be fleeting and is not specific to rubella. Rubella is spread by droplet transmission. The incubation period is 14 to 21 days, with the majority of individuals developing a rash 14 to 17 days after exposure. Individuals with rubella are infectious from one week before symptoms appear to four days after the onset of the rash. Complications include thrombocytopaenia (the rate may be as high as one in 3000 infections) and post-infectious encephalitis (one in 6000 cases).

scholarly journals Epichromatin is conserved in Toxoplasma gondii and labels the exterior parasite chromatin throughout the cell cycle

Parasitology ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 140 (9) ◽  
pp. 1104-1110 ◽  
Author(s):  
LAURA VANAGAS ◽  
MARIA C. DALMASSO ◽  
JEAN F. DUBREMETZ ◽  
ENRIQUE L. PORTIANSKY ◽  
DONALD E. OLINS ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Toxoplasma Gondii ◽  
Human Fibroblasts ◽  
Protozoan Parasite ◽  
Nuclear Fraction ◽  
Mitotic Chromosomes ◽  
Interphase Nuclei ◽  
The Face ◽  
Surface Covering ◽  
Intracellular Protozoan Parasite

SUMMARYToxoplasma gondii is an apicomplexan intracellular protozoan parasite responsible for toxoplasmosis, a disease with considerable medical and economic impact worldwide. Toxoplasma gondii cells never lose the nuclear envelope and their chromosomes do not condense. Here, we tested the murine monoclonal antibody PL2-6, which labels epichromatin (a conformational chromatin epitope based on histones H2A and H2B complexed with DNA), in T. gondii cultured in human fibroblasts. This epitope is present at the exterior chromatin surface of interphase nuclei and on the periphery of mitotic chromosomes in higher eukaryotes. PL2-6 reacted with T. gondii H2A and H2B histones in Western blot (WB) assays. In addition, the antibody reacted with the nuclear fraction of tachyzoites, as a single band coincident with H2B histone. In the T. gondii tachyzoite stage, PL2-6 also had peripheral nuclear localization, as observed by epifluorescence/confocal microscopy and immunoelectron microscopy. Confocal analysis showed that epichromatin is slightly polarized to one face of the parasite exterior chromatin surface. In replicating tachyzoites, PL2-6 also labels the exterior chromatin surface, covering the face of both segregating nuclei, facing the plasma membrane of the mother cell. The possible role of epichromatin in T. gondii is discussed.

COVID-19-associated multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children presenting uniquely with sinus node dysfunction in the setting of shock

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-3
Author(s):  
Lesya G. Tomlinson ◽  
Mitchell I. Cohen ◽  
Rebecca E. Levorson ◽  
Megan B. Tzeng
Keyword(s):  
Inflammatory Process ◽  
Myocardial Dysfunction ◽  
Sinus Node ◽  
Qtc Prolongation ◽  
Mild Disease ◽  
Abnormal Immune Response ◽  
Idioventricular Rhythm ◽  
Inflammatory Syndrome ◽  
Electrocardiographic Abnormalities ◽  
Post Infectious

Abstract SARS-CoV-2, which causes the disease COVID-19, generally has a mild disease course in children. However, a severe post-infectious inflammatory process known as multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children has been observed in association with COVID-19. This inflammatory process is a result of an abnormal immune response with similar clinical features to Kawasaki disease. It is well established that multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children is associated with myocardial dysfunction, coronary artery dilation or aneurysms, and occasionally arrhythmias. The most common electrocardiographic abnormalities seen include premature atrial or ventricular ectopy, variable degrees of atrioventricular block, and QTc prolongation, and rarely, haemodynamically significant arrhythmias necessitating extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support. However, presentation with fever, hypotension, and relative bradycardia with a left axis idioventricular rhythm has not been previously reported. We present a case of a young adolescent with multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children with myocarditis and a profoundly inappropriate sinus node response to shock with complete resolution following intravenous immunoglobulin.

scholarly journals A Case of Atypical Bartonellosis in a 4-Year-Old Immunocompetent Child

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (5) ◽  
pp. 950
Author(s):  
Chiara Sodini ◽  
Elena Mariotti Zani ◽  
Francesco Pecora ◽  
Cristiano Conte ◽  
Viviana Dora Patianna ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Laboratory ◽  
Bartonella Henselae ◽  
Delayed Diagnosis ◽  
Mitral Valve Regurgitation ◽  
Low Grade ◽  
Systemic Involvement ◽  
Mild Disease ◽  
Precise Diagnosis ◽  
Major Illness ◽  
The Right

In most cases, infection due to Bartonella henselae causes a mild disease presenting with a regional lymphadenopathy frequently associated with a low-grade fever, headache, poor appetite and exhaustion that spontaneously resolves itself in a few weeks. As the infection is generally transmitted by cats through scratching or biting, the disease is named cat scratch disease (CSD). However, in 5–20% of cases, mainly in immunocompromised patients, systemic involvement can occur and CSD may result in major illness. This report describes a case of systemic CSD diagnosed in an immunocompetent 4-year-old child that can be used as an example of the problems that pediatricians must solve to reach a diagnosis of atypical CSD. Despite the child’s lack of history suggesting any contact with cats and the absence of regional lymphadenopathy, the presence of a high fever, deterioration of their general condition, increased inflammatory biomarkers, hepatosplenic lesions (i.e., multiple abscesses), pericardial effusion with mild mitral valve regurgitation and a mild dilatation of the proximal and medial portion of the right coronary artery, seroconversion for B. henselae (IgG 1:256) supported the diagnosis of atypical CSD. Administration of oral azithromycin was initiated (10 mg/kg/die for 3 days) with a progressive normalization of clinical, laboratory and US hepatosplenic and cardiac findings. This case shows that the diagnosis of atypical CSD is challenging. The nonspecific, composite and variable clinical features of this disease require a careful evaluation in order to achieve a precise diagnosis and to avoid both a delayed diagnosis and therapy with a risk of negative evolution.

scholarly journals P045 Nothing is too 'cagey' for the rheumatologist

Rheumatology ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 60 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Muhammad F Kazmi
Keyword(s):  
Weight Loss ◽  
Inflammatory Markers ◽  
Low Grade ◽  
Careful Monitoring ◽  
Chronic Infections ◽  
Asian Origin ◽  
Travel History ◽  
Chest Clinic ◽  
History Of ◽  
Inflammatory Changes

Abstract Background/Aims  Rheumatological conditions can present with a number of non-specific features like arthralgia, fever, fatigue, weight loss along with raised inflammatory markers and positive antibodies. Due to this, when similar symptoms are referred for input it is very important to consider other ‘mimics’. We report a case of Pigeon fancier’s lung presenting with these symptoms which was referred as likely connective tissue disease. Methods  A 52-year-old lady of South Asian origin was referred by her GP with six month history of 3kg weight loss, arthralgia, fatigue, low grade fever and persistently raised inflammatory markers (ESR ranging from 50-64 mm/hr, CRP 10-14 mg/L, normal BMI). On further questioning there was history of mouth ulcers, non-specific rash, occasional cough but no Raynaud’s or joint swelling. Blood investigations showed weakly positive ANA and RF but negative ENA, DNA, antiCCP , CK, C3,C4. C-ANCA was positive but PR3 negative. CXR was clear and tests for chronic infections including TB were negative. Due to lack of objective CTD signs, plan was to take a careful monitoring approach to see if clinical features evolved. A month later due to worsening cough, a CT chest/abdomen arranged by GP showed ground-glass changes consistent with pneumonitis and hence her rheumatology appointment was expedited to see if there was an autoimmune unifying diagnosis. She was also referred by her GP to the chest clinic in view of CT report and mild shortness of breath. Results  On further review, again there were no objective CTD signs. On direct questioning there was history of travelling before worsening chest symptoms to South Asia. Also around a year before her symptoms started she was given an African grey parrot. Based on this, serology for Avian precipitin was checked which showed strongly positive IgG antibodies to avian antigens (Budgerigar droppings and feathers, Pigeon feathers IgG Abs) confirming the diagnosis of pigeon fanciers lung. She fulfilled the diagnostic criteria and was asked to avoid the trigger. Urgent respiratory input was arranged where diagnosis was agreed with and disease was deemed sub-acute in presentation. Due to PFTs showing low transfer factor of 38%, Prednisolone was started with significant improvement within few days. Review of CT chest only showed inflammatory changes and no established fibrosis predicting excellent prognosis as delay in treatment can cause irreversible pulmonary fibrosis. Conclusion  A number of conditions can mimic rheumatological conditions which usually turn out to be either infectious or malignant in origin. This case highlights the importance of considering other differentials and along with taking a travel history also asking for other possible triggers like pets. In similar scenarios the diagnosis may be ‘cagey’ but as rheumatologists we are expected to answers questions which others can’t. Disclosure  M.F. Kazmi: None.

Temperature, Mitochondria, and Reye's Syndrome

PEDIATRICS ◽  
1983 ◽  
Vol 71 (6) ◽  
pp. 985-985
Author(s):  
RIF S. EL-MALLAKH
Keyword(s):  
Trypanosoma Cruzi ◽  
Chagas Disease ◽  
Protozoan Parasite ◽  
Mitochondrial Enzyme ◽  
Reye's Syndrome ◽  
Electron Microscopic ◽  
Microscopic Studies ◽  
Mitochondrial Defect ◽  
Intracellular Protozoan Parasite

To the Editor.— Mitochondrial failure, manifest by changes in mitochondrial enzyme activity1-3 and morphology,4-5 is central to Reye's syndrome (RS).6 Although it has been variously hypothesized that the mitochondrial changes are secondary to an exogenous toxin,7-12 or an intrinsic mitochondrial defect,6 the actual cause remains obscure. Electron microscopic studies have shown sweelling and loss of cristate in mitochondria of patients with RS. It is interesting that very similar changes occur in Trypanosoma cruzi.13-16 T cruzi is an extracellular/intracellular protozoan parasite which causes Chagas' disease.17

scholarly journals Analysis of Structures and Epitopes of Surface Antigen Glycoproteins Expressed in Bradyzoites ofToxoplasma gondii

2013 ◽  
Vol 2013 ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hua Cong ◽  
Min Zhang ◽  
Qingli Zhang ◽  
Jing Gong ◽  
Haizi Cong ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Immune Response ◽  
Toxoplasma Gondii ◽  
Immune Responses ◽  
Surface Antigen ◽  
Protein Sequence ◽  
Protozoan Parasite ◽  
3D Models ◽  
Chronic Infections ◽  
Homologous Proteins ◽  
Protein Sequence Alignment

Toxoplasma gondiiis a protozoan parasite capable of infecting humans and animals. Surface antigen glycoproteins, SAG2C, -2D, -2X, and -2Y, are expressed on the surface of bradyzoites. These antigens have been shown to protect bradyzoites against immune responses during chronic infections. We studied structures of SAG2C, -2D, -2X, and -2Y proteins using bioinformatics methods. The protein sequence alignment was performed by T-Coffee method. Secondary structural and functional domains were predicted using software PSIPRED v3.0 and SMART software, and 3D models of proteins were constructed and compared using the I-TASSER server, VMD, and SWISS-spdbv. Our results showed that SAG2C, -2D, -2X, and -2Y are highly homologous proteins. They share the same conserved peptides and HLA-I restricted epitopes. The similarity in structure and domains indicated putative common functions that might stimulate similar immune response in hosts. The conserved peptides and HLA-restricted epitopes could provide important insights on vaccine study and the diagnosis of this disease.

Infection with the intracellular protozoan parasite Theileria parva induces constitutively high levels of NF-kappa B in bovine T lymphocytes

1989 ◽  
Vol 9 (11) ◽  
pp. 4677-4686
Author(s):  
V Ivanov ◽  
B Stein ◽  
I Baumann ◽  
D A Dobbelaere ◽  
P Herrlich ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
T Cells ◽  
Phorbol Esters ◽  
Protozoan Parasite ◽  
Lymphoproliferative Disease ◽  
Host Cells ◽  
Specific Gene ◽  
Theileria Parva ◽  
Nf Kappa B ◽  
Intracellular Protozoan Parasite

The intracellular protozoan parasite Theileria parva causes a lymphoproliferative disease of T cells in cattle and uncontrolled lymphocyte proliferation in culture. We have identified and characterized in infected cells the transcriptional activator, NF-kappa B, whose recognition motifs have been identified in several gene enhancers important for lymphocyte-specific gene expression. NF-kappa B is normally constitutively activated in nuclear extracts derived from B cells and can be induced in T cells and nonlymphoid cells by phorbol esters. Theileria-infected lymphocytes contained constitutively high levels of activated NF-kappa B in nuclear fractions and inactive NF-kappa B in cytoplasmic fractions. The inactive cytoplasmic precursor could be activated by treatment of extracts with deoxycholate, which was shown previously to dissociate NF-kappa B from an inhibitor, I kappa B. Treatment of lymphocyte extracts with 3 mM GTP stimulated NF-kappa B binding to its recognition motif in vitro, thereby distinguishing it from a related nuclear factor, H2-TF1. Selective killing of the parasite, which left the host cells intact, resulted in a rapid loss of NF-kappa B from the nuclear fractions and a slower loss from the cytoplasmic fractions. In parasitized cells, NF-kappa B could not be further stimulated by treatment with 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate whereas in cells treated to remove the parasite, this compound stimulated elevated levels of NF-kappa B. We propose that high levels of activated NF-kappa B are maintained by the presence of the parasite in infected T cells. Similarly, we propose that the high levels of inactive cytoplasmic precursor are a result of increased synthesis due to the presence of the parasite.

Unique report of two Sarcocystis species from Egyptian domestic chicken (Gallus gallus) – new host and locality

2021 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
pp. 152-158
Author(s):  
E. M. Galila ◽  
E. K. A. Bazh ◽  
N. Elhawary ◽  
H. A. Abdellatif ◽  
A.-R. A. Abou-Rawash
Keyword(s):  
Nile Delta ◽  
Protozoan Parasite ◽  
Intestinal Wall ◽  
Sarcocystis Species ◽  
Middle Region ◽  
New Host ◽  
Sarcocystis Spp ◽  
Hexagonal Shape ◽  
The World ◽  
Intracellular Protozoan Parasite

Sarcocystis is an intracellular protozoan parasite in the phylum Apicomplexa. It is widely distributed all over the world. There are scarce reports about chicken Sarcocystis. From February 2016 to January 2018, a total number of 630 chicken carcasses, intestines and viscera were collected from different chicken markets in Menoufia and Gharbia Governorates, Middle region of the Nile Delta, Egypt and carefully inspected. Macroscopic and microscopic cysts of Sarcocystis spp. were found in the intestinal wall and mesentery of 5 birds. Histopathological sections revealed the presence of two shapes of the macroscopic cysts (oval and kidney shape). Their wall was striated and characterised by the presence of radial septa. It had compartments mostly of hexagonal shape, containing both bradyzoites and metrocytes in the periphery. The bradyzoites were banana-shaped and measured 20–30 × 8–10 μm with centrally or posteriorly located nuclei. Microscopic cysts of Sarcocystis spp. were detected in-between muscle bundles, with variable shapes (spindle and oval).

Allergy and Urinary Infections: Is There an Association?

PEDIATRICS ◽  
1971 ◽  
Vol 48 (1) ◽  
pp. 166-166
Author(s):  
Anne Harrison
Keyword(s):  
Abdominal Pain ◽  
Acute Pyelonephritis ◽  
Urine Culture ◽  
Hay Fever ◽  
Laboratory Work ◽  
Low Grade ◽  
Chronic Infections ◽  
Urinary Infections

Noting in my small general pediatric practide that the same families kept returning for urine checks following infections as well as for allergy shots, I decided to review all of the current charts to determine the incidence of both problems. "Allergy" includes hay fever, asthma, allergic cough, eczema, bee and other stings, and reaction to foods or drugs severe enough to warrant avoidance, medication, or allergic workup. "G-U infection" includes typical symptoms of bladder irritation with or without pyuria and bacteriuria, acute pyelonephritis diagnosed by the usual symptomatology and laboratory work, and subacute or chronic infections with the children presenting often with more subtle symptoms (tired, cranky, low-grade fever, and off-and-on abdominal pain being the most common complaints) and with a "clean-catch" urine culture of at least 20,000 colonies of one organism.

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