scholarly journals Clinical evaluation of Morgellons disease in a cohort of North American patients

2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Melissa C. Fesler ◽  
Marianne J. Middelveen ◽  
Raphael B. Stricker
Keyword(s):  
Helicobacter Pylori ◽  
North American ◽  
Laboratory Testing ◽  
Skin Lesions ◽  
Infectious Agents ◽  
Genetic Determinants ◽  
Epidemiological Evidence ◽  
Dermatological Condition ◽  
Babesia Spp ◽  
Morgellons Disease

Morgellons disease (MD) is a dermatological condition characterized by aberrant production of keratin and collagen fibers in skin. Although infection with Borrelia burgdorferi, the causative agent of Lyme disease (LD), has been associated with MD, relatively few studies have hitherto provided epidemiological evidence regarding this association. A cohort of 1000 seropositive North American LD patients was evaluated for the presence of MD. Patients were diagnosed with MD based on detection of microscopic fibers in skin lesions or under unbroken skin. Demographic and clinical features of MD patients were analyzed, and laboratory testing for tickborne coinfections and other infectious agents, was performed. Subjective and objective features of MD were analyzed using statistical methods. Of 1000 seropositive LD patients, 60 (6%) were diagnosed with MD. Of these 60 patients, 75% were female and 78% presented in the late disseminated stage of MD. All 60 patients (100%) were seropositive for B. burgdorferi infection. Tickborne coinfections in these patients included Babesia spp (62%), Bartonella and Rickettsia (25% each), Ehrlichia (15%) and i (10%). Helicobacter pylori was detected in 12% of MD patients. In all, 77% of MD patients had one or more coinfections. This study confirms recent findings that MD occurs in a limited subset of LD patients. The clinical and genetic determinants of MD in LD patients require further study.

scholarly journals Mixed Borrelia burgdorferi and Helicobacter pylori Biofilms in Morgellons Disease Dermatological Specimens

Healthcare ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 70 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marianne J. Middelveen ◽  
Katherine R. Filush ◽  
Cheryl Bandoski ◽  
Rumanah S. Kasliwala ◽  
Anthony Melillo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Helicobacter Pylori ◽  
Borrelia Burgdorferi ◽  
Skin Lesions ◽  
Epithelial Tissue ◽  
Phosphorylated Tau ◽  
Β Amyloid ◽  
Tissue Specimens ◽  
Biofilm Development ◽  
Development Methods ◽  
Morgellons Disease

Background: Morgellons disease (MD) is a dermopathy that is associated with tick-borne illness. It is characterized by spontaneously developing skin lesions containing embedded or projecting filaments, and patients may also experience symptoms resembling those of Lyme disease (LD) including musculoskeletal, neurological and cardiovascular manifestations. Various species of Borrelia and co-infecting pathogens have been detected in body fluids and tissue specimens from MD patients. We sought to investigate the coexistence of Borrelia burgdorferi (Bb) and Helicobacter pylori (Hp) in skin specimens from MD subjects, and to characterize their association with mixed amyloid biofilm development. Methods: Testing for Bb and Hp was performed on dermatological specimens from 14 MD patients using tissue culture, immunohistochemical (IHC) staining, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing, fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) and confocal microscopy. Markers for amyloid and biofilm formation were investigated using histochemical and IHC staining. Results: Bb and Hp were detected in dermatological tissue taken from MD lesions. Bb and Hp tended to co-localize in foci within the epithelial tissue. Skin sections exhibiting foci of co-infecting Bb and Hp contained amyloid markers including β-amyloid protein, thioflavin and phosphorylated tau. The biofilm marker alginate was also found in the sections. Conclusions: Mixed Bb and Hp biofilms containing β-amyloid and phosphorylated tau may play a role in the evolution of MD.

scholarly journals A Next-Generation Sequencing-Based Approach to Identify Genetic Determinants of Antibiotic Resistance in Cambodian Helicobacter pylori Clinical Isolates

2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (6) ◽  
pp. 858 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vo Phuoc Tuan ◽  
Dou Narith ◽  
Evariste Tshibangu-Kabamba ◽  
Ho Dang Quy Dung ◽  
Pham Thanh Viet ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Helicobacter Pylori ◽  
Antibiotic Resistance ◽  
Genetic Resistance ◽  
23S Rrna ◽  
Next Generation ◽  
Genetic Determinants ◽  
Resistance Determinants ◽  
Genotypic Analysis ◽  
H Pylori ◽  
Resistant Genotypes

We evaluated the primary resistance of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) to routinely used antibiotics in Cambodia, an unexplored topic in the country, and assessed next-generation sequencing’s (NGS) potential to discover genetic resistance determinants. Fifty-five H. pylori strains were successfully cultured and screened for antibiotic susceptibility using agar dilution. Genotypic analysis was performed using NGS data with a CLC genomic workbench. PlasmidSeeker was used to detect plasmids. The correlation between resistant genotypes and phenotypes was evaluated statistically. Resistances to metronidazole (MTZ), levofloxacin (LVX), clarithromycin (CLR), and amoxicillin (AMX) were 96.4%, 67.3%, 25.5%, and 9.1%, respectively. No resistance to tetracycline (TET) was observed. Multi-drug resistance affected 76.4% of strains. No plasmids were found, but genetic determinants of resistance to CLR, LVX, and AMX were 23S rRNA (A2146G and A2147G), GyrA (N87K and D91Y/N/G), and pbp1 (P473L), respectively. No determinants were genetically linked to MTZ or TET resistance. There was high concordance between resistant genotypes and phenotypes for AMX, LVX, and CLR. We observed high antibiotic resistance rates of CLR, MTZ, and LVX, emphasizing the need for periodic evaluation and alternative therapies in Cambodia. NGS showed high capability for detecting genetic resistance determinants and potential for implementation in local treatment policies.

scholarly journals Hepatitis A outbreak involving bread.

1991 ◽  
Vol 106 (1) ◽  
pp. 199-202 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. R. E Warburton ◽  
T. G. Wreghitt ◽  
A. Rampling ◽  
R. Buttery ◽  
K. N. Ward ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hepatitis A ◽  
Hepatitis A Virus ◽  
Skin Lesions ◽  
Late Spring ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Infectious Agents ◽  
Disposable Gloves

SUMMARYAn outbreak of hepatitis A involved more than 50 residents of a group of villages in the late spring and summer of 1989. The only food that was common to all the laboratory-confirmed cases was bread, purchased either unwrapped or as rolls, sandwiches or filled rolls, and supplied either directly from one shop or indirectly through its subsidiary outlets. It was concluded that this bread was the most likely vehicle of transmission of the hepatitis A virus and that the bread was contaminated by soiled hands which were inadequately washed because of painful skin lesions. Comprehensive control measures were successful in limiting further spread of the infection. This outbreak highlights the transmissibility of hepatitis A virus on food. The use of disposable gloves when handling food which is to be consumed without further cooking would prevent transmission of this or other infectious agents by this route.

scholarly journals New opportunities in the treatment of cutaneous lymphoid hyperplasia

2020 ◽  
Vol 23 (1) ◽  
pp. 17-22
Author(s):  
O. Yu. Olisova ◽  
E. M. Anpilogova
Keyword(s):  
Photodynamic Therapy ◽  
Complete Remission ◽  
Partial Remission ◽  
Laboratory Testing ◽  
Skin Lesions ◽  
Lymphoid Hyperplasia ◽  
Response To Treatment ◽  
Safe Method ◽  
Modified Assessment

Here, we present the results of our research regarding the efficacy of photodynamic therapy (PDT) in cutaneous lymphoid hyperplasia (CLH). We observed five patients with CLH. The diagnoses were confirmed both clinically and through laboratory testing. The response to treatment was defined by the index of the modified assessment of the severity of the skin lesions scale (mSWAT). PDT (665 10 nm) with topical photosensitizer application was performed once a week. The PDT course consisted of 4 2 sessions. After the therapy, complete remission was achieved in four patients (80%; mSWAT 95100%) and partial remission in one patient (20%; mSWAT 63%). Thus, PDT proved to be an effective and safe method for treating CLH.

scholarly journals Genetic Determinants of Biofilm Formation and Antibiotic Resistance of Helicobacter Pylori using Whole Genome Sequencing

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kartika Afrida Fauzia ◽  
Hafeza Aftab ◽  
Muhammad Miftahussurur ◽  
Langgeng Agung Waskito ◽  
Vo Phuoc Tuan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Helicobacter Pylori ◽  
Antibiotic Resistance ◽  
Biofilm Formation ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Whole Genome ◽  
Nucleotide Polymorphisms ◽  
Genetic Determinants ◽  
Genome Sequences ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
H Pylori

Abstract The nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with the biofilm formation phenotype of Helicobacter pylori were investigated. Fifty-six H. pylori isolates from Bangladeshi patients were included in this cross-sectional study. Crystal violet was used to classify the phenotypes into high- and low-biofilm formers. Whole genome sequences were analyzed using the “Antimicrobial Resistance Identification By Assembly” (ARIBA) pipeline. The results indicated 19.6% high- and 81.4% low-biofilm formers. These phenotypes were not related to specific clades in the phylogenetic analysis. Biofilm formation was significantly associated with SNPs of alpA, alpB, cagE, cgt, csd4, csd5, futB, gluP, homD, and murF (P < 0.05). Among the SNPs reported in alpB, strains encoding the N156K, G160S, and A223V mutations were high-biofilm formers. Mutations associated with antibiotic resistance can be detected. This study revealed the potential role of SNPs to biofilm formation, and propose a method to detect mutation in antibiotic resistance and biofilm from whole genome sequences.

scholarly journals Cancers Attributable to Infectious Agents: an Ecological Study in Asia

2018 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 35-40
Author(s):  
Zaher Khazaei ◽  
Yousef Moradi ◽  
Hossein Ali Adineh ◽  
F Rezaei ◽  
Malihe Sohrabivafa ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Helicobacter Pylori ◽  
Hepatitis C ◽  
Hepatitis B ◽  
Ecological Study ◽  
International Agency ◽  
Infectious Agents ◽  
Human Beings ◽  
Common Cancer ◽  
B Virus ◽  
Males And Females

Infections are a major contributor to cancer, especially in developing countries. Infections through the virus, bacteria and parasites are the most and most preventable causes of cancer in the world. The aim of the current study was to investigate the epidemiology of cancer-related infections in Asia. We considered 4 infectious agents classified as carcinogenic to human beings by the International Agency for Research on Cancer. We calculated the number of new cancer cases in 2012 attributable to infections by country, by combining cancer incidence estimates (from GLOBOCAN 2012) with the estimates of attributable fraction (AF) for the infectious agents. AF estimates were calculated from the prevalence of infection in cancer cases for the infection (for some sites). According to data registered in 2012, about 14 million new cases of cancer were detected worldwide of which 2. 2 million people (15.4%) diagnosed with cancer due to infection. The highest incidence of infectious cancers related to the African continent with a prevalence of 27.6% followed by Asian continents (21.4%), America (7.9%), Europe (7.3%) and Oceania (4.8%), respectively. In the Asian continent, of all cancers associated with infection in males, 48.1% were related to Helicobacter pylori infection, 33.2% of hepatitis B virus, 8% of hepatitis C and 3.3% of HPV and in women 47.4% HPV, 28.7% Helicobacter pylori, 15.3% Hepatitis B and 4.5% Hepatitis C, respectively. India (230,000 cases) and Japan (140,000 cases) were the most affected, while Bahrain (86 cases) and Brunei (88 cases) had the least cases of infection-related cancer. in Asia, the most common cancer-related infection in males and females were reported for Helicobacter pylori and HPV, respectively. Therefore, with preventive interventions aimed at reducing these infections, the burden of cancers can be reduced.

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