scholarly journals The Intestinal Microbiome in Infectious Diseases: The Clinical Relevance of a Rapidly Emerging Field

2017 ◽  
Vol 4 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Vanessa C Harris ◽  
Bastiaan W Haak ◽  
Michaël Boele van Hensbroek ◽  
Willem J Wiersinga
Keyword(s):  
Infectious Disease ◽  
At Risk ◽  
Antimicrobial Resistance ◽  
Infectious Diseases ◽  
Paradigm Shift ◽  
Clinical Relevance ◽  
Intestinal Microbiome ◽  
Risk Patient ◽  
Immune Development ◽  
Enteric Infections

Abstract The field of infectious disease is undergoing a paradigm shift as the intestinal microbiome is becoming understood. The aim of this review is to inform infectious disease physicians of the potential relevance of the intestinal microbiome to their practice. We searched Medline using both index and text words relating to infectious diseases, microbiome, and probiotics. Relevant articles published up through 2017 were reviewed within Rayyan. The review illustrates pathophysiologic concepts linking the microbiome and infectious diseases; specifically, the intestinal microbiome’s relevance to early immune development, the microbiome and enteric infections, the microbiome’s relevance in compromised hosts, and antimicrobial resistance. Within each subject, there are specific examples of diseases and at-risk patient populations where a role for the microbiome has been strongly established. This provides an overview of the significance of the intestinal microbiome to microbiology, pediatric and adult infectious diseases with an underpinning of concepts useful for the practicing clinician.

scholarly journals Emerging Infectious Diseases and Antimicrobial Resistance (EIDAR)

2019 ◽  
Vol 184 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. 59-65
Author(s):  
Charlotte Lanteri ◽  
Katrin Mende ◽  
Mark Kortepeter
Keyword(s):  
Infectious Disease ◽  
Antimicrobial Resistance ◽  
Infectious Diseases ◽  
Clinical Research ◽  
Emerging Infectious Diseases ◽  
Research Area ◽  
Us Military ◽  
Military Readiness ◽  
Military Populations

Abstract Introduction The Infectious Disease Clinical Research Program’s (IDCRP) Emerging Infectious Diseases and Antimicrobial Resistance (EIDAR) Research Area is a Department of Defense (DoD) clinical research capability that is responsive and adaptive to emerging infectious disease (EID) threats to US military readiness. Among active-duty and other Military Health System (MHS) beneficiaries, EIDAR research is largely focused on evaluating the incidence, risk factors, and acute- and long-term health effects of military-relevant EIDs, especially those caused by high-consequence pathogens or are responsible for outbreaks among US military populations. The EIDAR efforts also address Force Health Protection concerns associated with antimicrobial resistance and antimicrobial stewardship practices within the MHS. Methods The EIDAR studies utilize the approach of: (1) Preparing for emergent conditions to systematically collect clinical specimens and data and conduct clinical trials to assist the military with a scientifically appropriate response; and (2) Evaluating burden of emergent military-relevant infectious diseases and assessing risks for exposure and development of post-infectious complications and overall impact on military readiness. Results In response to the Ebola virus epidemic in West Africa, the IDCRP partnered with the National Institutes of Health in developing a multicenter, randomized safety and efficacy study of investigational therapeutics in Ebola patients. Subsequently, the EIDAR team developed a protocol to serve as a contingency plan (EpICC-EID) to allow clinical research activities to occur during future outbreaks of viral hemorrhagic fever and severe acute respiratory infections among MHS patients. The EIDAR portfolio recently expanded to include studies to understand exposure risks and impact on military readiness for a diversity of EIDs, such as seroincidence of non-Lyme disease borreliosis and Coccidioides fungal infections among high-risk military populations. The team also launched a new prospective study in response to the recent Zika epidemic to conduct surveillance for Zika and other related viruses among MHS beneficiaries in Puerto Rico. Another new study will prospectively follow U.S. Marines via an online health assessment survey to assess long-term health effects following the largest DoD Shiga Toxin-Producing Escherichia coli outbreak at the U.S. Marine Corps Recruit Depot-San Diego. In cooperation with the Trauma-Related Infections Research Area, the EIDAR Research Area is also involved with the Multidrug-Resistant and Virulent Organisms Trauma Infections Initiative, which is a collaborative effort across DoD laboratories to characterize bacterial and fungal isolates infecting combat-related extremity wounds and link lab findings to clinical outcomes. Furthermore, the EIDAR team has developed an Antimicrobial Resistance and Stewardship Collaborative Clinical Research Consortium, comprised of Infectious Disease and Pharmacy specialists. Conclusions The EIDAR Research Area is responsive to military-relevant infectious disease threats that are also frequently global public health concerns. Several new EIDAR efforts are underway that will provide Combatant Command Surgeons, Infectious Diseases Service Chiefs, and other Force Health Protection stakeholders with epidemiological information to mitigate the impact of EIDs and antimicrobial resistance on the health of U.S. military service members and their dependents.

scholarly journals Infectious Diseases and Vaccination Strategies: How to Protect the “Unprotectable”?

2013 ◽  
Vol 2013 ◽  
pp. 1-5 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elena Bozzola ◽  
Mauro Bozzola ◽  
Valeria Calcaterra ◽  
Salvatore Barberi ◽  
Alberto Villani
Keyword(s):  
Infectious Disease ◽  
At Risk ◽  
Infectious Diseases ◽  
Medical Records ◽  
Morbidity And Mortality ◽  
Childhood Immunization ◽  
Household Contacts ◽  
Vaccination Strategies ◽  
Immunization Strategies ◽  
Complicated Course

Introduction. The circulation of infectious diseases puts small infants too young to be vaccinated at risk of morbidity and mortality, often requiring prolonged hospitalization. Material and Methods. We have reviewed the medical records of children not eligible for vaccination because of age, admitted to hospital for pertussis, measles, or varicella from February 1, 2010, till February 1, 2012. Results. Of the case records scrutinized, 21 were hospitalized for pertussis, 18 for measles, and 32 for varicella. Out of them, 42%, 66%, and 78% diagnosed with, respectively, pertussis, measles, and varicella had a complicated course of the disease. Discussion. To avoid infectious disease circulation, childhood immunization strategies should be adopted, such as vaccination of healthcare givers, adult household contacts, and parents planning to have, or who have had, a newborn baby.

T-cell immunosenescence and its clinical relevance in man

1998 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 5-14 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ed Remarque ◽  
Graham Pawelec
Keyword(s):  
Infectious Disease ◽  
Immune System ◽  
T Cell ◽  
Infectious Diseases ◽  
Empirical Evidence ◽  
Elderly People ◽  
Clinical Relevance ◽  
Scientific Progress ◽  
Clinical Importance ◽  
Good Health

Scientific progress in human immunosenescence research is pointing increasingly towards the clinical importance of age-associated changes in immunity, although many areas remain controversial. For infectious disease, there is accumulating good empirical evidence, discussed in this review, that immunosenescence compromises protection in elderly people. This implies that an age-associated decreasing immunity results in increased incidence of those diseases that the immune system is designed to protect against, i.e. infectious diseases. This unsurprising conclusion suggests that preventing these infections using interventions designed to prevent or reverse immunosenescence could extend the period of life enjoyed in good health.

scholarly journals Current Finding of Helminth Morphology Cause Infectious Disease

2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 76
Author(s):  
Reqgi First Trasia
Keyword(s):  
Infectious Disease ◽  
At Risk ◽  
Life Cycle ◽  
Infectious Diseases ◽  
Soil Contamination ◽  
Disease Transmission ◽  
Adult Stage ◽  
Current Finding ◽  
Female Type ◽  
Populations At Risk

<p><strong>In Indonesia, the prevalence of helminthiasis is still high, especially in children. The frequency is 60-70% in populations at risk. The lack of use of family latrines causes soil contamination with feces around the yard. There are still few articles that review the morphology of worms that cause infectious diseases in Indonesia. Whereas knowledge of morphology is important to understand the life cycle of worms that play a role in disease transmission in humans and mammals. This article aims to discuss the latest findings regarding the morphology of worms that cause infectious diseases in humans. It can be concluded that at the adult stage, worms can be sexed. Usually, the female type has a relatively larger size than the male. On the head (anterior) there are 3 lips that have sensor papillae, one on the mediodorsal and 2 on the ventrolateral. Between the 3 lips there is a bucal cavity which is triangular in shape and functions as a mouth.</strong></p><p><em><strong>Keywords - </strong>Morphology, Helminth, Infectious disease</em></p>

scholarly journals Computational Health Engineering Applied to Model Infectious Diseases and Antimicrobial Resistance Spread

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (12) ◽  
pp. 2486 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mónica Cartelle Gestal ◽  
Margaret R. Dedloff ◽  
Eva Torres-Sangiao
Keyword(s):  
Infectious Disease ◽  
Antimicrobial Resistance ◽  
Infectious Diseases ◽  
Human Health ◽  
Protein Interactions ◽  
Bacterial Infections ◽  
World Health ◽  
Resistant Bacteria ◽  
Detection And Identification ◽  
Antimicrobial Resistance Genes

Infectious diseases are the primary cause of mortality worldwide. The dangers of infectious disease are compounded with antimicrobial resistance, which remains the greatest concern for human health. Although novel approaches are under investigation, the World Health Organization predicts that by 2050, septicaemia caused by antimicrobial resistant bacteria could result in 10 million deaths per year. One of the main challenges in medical microbiology is to develop novel experimental approaches, which enable a better understanding of bacterial infections and antimicrobial resistance. After the introduction of whole genome sequencing, there was a great improvement in bacterial detection and identification, which also enabled the characterization of virulence factors and antimicrobial resistance genes. Today, the use of in silico experiments jointly with computational and machine learning offer an in depth understanding of systems biology, allowing us to use this knowledge for the prevention, prediction, and control of infectious disease. Herein, the aim of this review is to discuss the latest advances in human health engineering and their applicability in the control of infectious diseases. An in-depth knowledge of host–pathogen–protein interactions, combined with a better understanding of a host’s immune response and bacterial fitness, are key determinants for halting infectious diseases and antimicrobial resistance dissemination.

scholarly journals Emerging Infectious Diseases in Pregnant Women in a Non-Endemic Area: Almost One Out of Four Is at Risk

Pathogens ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 56
Author(s):  
Giulia Modi ◽  
Beatrice Borchi ◽  
Susanna Giaché ◽  
Irene Campolmi ◽  
Michele Trotta ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Infectious Disease ◽  
At Risk ◽  
Infectious Diseases ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Health Care Professionals ◽  
Emerging Infectious Diseases ◽  
Plasmodium Falciparum Malaria ◽  
Emerging Infectious Disease ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Sub Saharan

We report the results of a targeted testing strategy for five emerging infectious diseases (Chagas disease, human T-lymphotropic virus 1 infection, malaria, schistosomiasis, and Zika virus infection) in pregnant women accessing an Italian referral centre for infectious diseases in pregnancy for unrelated reasons. The strategy is based on a quick five-question questionnaire which allows the identification of pregnant women at risk who should be tested for a specific disease. One hundred and three (24%) out of 429 pregnant women evaluated in a 20 month period were at risk for at least one emerging infectious disease. Three (2.9%, all from sub-Saharan Africa) out of 103 at-risk women resulted in being affected (one case of Plasmodium falciparum malaria, two cases of schistosomiasis) and were appropriately managed. Prevalence of emerging infectious disease was particularly high in pregnant women from Africa (three out of 25 pregnant women tested, 12%). The proposed strategy could be used by health care professionals managing pregnant women in non-endemic setting, to identify those at risk for one of the five infection which could benefit for a targeted test and treatment.

scholarly journals HLA and Infectious Diseases

2009 ◽  
Vol 22 (2) ◽  
pp. 370-385 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jenefer M. Blackwell ◽  
Sarra E. Jamieson ◽  
David Burgner
Keyword(s):  
Infectious Disease ◽  
Infectious Diseases ◽  
Human Leukocyte Antigen ◽  
Molecular Basis ◽  
Selective Pressure ◽  
Human Leukocyte ◽  
Acquired Immunity ◽  
Leukocyte Antigen ◽  
Extreme Variability ◽  
Classical Human Leukocyte Antigen

SUMMARY Following their discovery in the early 1970s, classical human leukocyte antigen (HLA) loci have been the prototypical candidates for genetic susceptibility to infectious disease. Indeed, the original hypothesis for the extreme variability observed at HLA loci (H-2 in mice) was the major selective pressure from infectious diseases. Now that both the human genome and the molecular basis of innate and acquired immunity are understood in greater detail, do the classical HLA loci still stand out as major genes that determine susceptibility to infectious disease? This review looks afresh at the evidence supporting a role for classical HLA loci in susceptibility to infectious disease, examines the limitations of data reported to date, and discusses current advances in methodology and technology that will potentially lead to greater understanding of their role in infectious diseases in the future.

scholarly journals Drivers of Infectious Disease Seasonality: Potential Implications for COVID-19

2021 ◽  
pp. 074873042098732
Author(s):  
N. Kronfeld-Schor ◽  
T. J. Stevenson ◽  
S. Nickbakhsh ◽  
E. S. Schernhammer ◽  
X. C. Dopico ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Infectious Disease ◽  
Infectious Diseases ◽  
Multidisciplinary Approach ◽  
Preliminary Assessment ◽  
Epidemiological Evidence ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Human Coronaviruses ◽  
Induced Changes ◽  
And Behavior ◽  
Timing Phase

Not 1 year has passed since the emergence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the causative agent of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Since its emergence, great uncertainty has surrounded the potential for COVID-19 to establish as a seasonally recurrent disease. Many infectious diseases, including endemic human coronaviruses, vary across the year. They show a wide range of seasonal waveforms, timing (phase), and amplitudes, which differ depending on the geographical region. Drivers of such patterns are predominantly studied from an epidemiological perspective with a focus on weather and behavior, but complementary insights emerge from physiological studies of seasonality in animals, including humans. Thus, we take a multidisciplinary approach to integrate knowledge from usually distinct fields. First, we review epidemiological evidence of environmental and behavioral drivers of infectious disease seasonality. Subsequently, we take a chronobiological perspective and discuss within-host changes that may affect susceptibility, morbidity, and mortality from infectious diseases. Based on photoperiodic, circannual, and comparative human data, we not only identify promising future avenues but also highlight the need for further studies in animal models. Our preliminary assessment is that host immune seasonality warrants evaluation alongside weather and human behavior as factors that may contribute to COVID-19 seasonality, and that the relative importance of these drivers requires further investigation. A major challenge to predicting seasonality of infectious diseases are rapid, human-induced changes in the hitherto predictable seasonality of our planet, whose influence we review in a final outlook section. We conclude that a proactive multidisciplinary approach is warranted to predict, mitigate, and prevent seasonal infectious diseases in our complex, changing human-earth system.

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