摘要:

Shigellaand related enteropathogens deliver effector molecules into the cytoplasm of epithelial cells and macrophages via a type III secretion system. Epithelial cells respond to contact withShigellaby rearranging the cytoskeleton, which leads to uptake of the bacterium. Apart from several cytoskeletal proteins, this process involves the recruitment and activation of kinases, and the small GTPase rho. Macrophages infected withShigellaundergo apoptosis and release mature IL-1β, a pro-inflammatory cytokine. This apoptotic pathway requires caspase-1 (IL-1β-converting enzyme). Pro-inflammatory macrophage apoptosis triggers acute shigellosis and might be relevant in other infectious diseases.

ISSN:0951-7375    

出版商:OVID    

年代:1999

数据来源: OVID

摘要:

Ocular infection withChlamydia trachomatisleading to trachoma is the commonest cause of treatable blindness worldwide. Although effectively controlled by improved sanitation, a chlamydial vaccine may prove a more cost-effective method of protection against this disease in the medium term. The development of vaccines againstChlamydia trachomatishas been hampered by a lack of understanding of the immune responses leading to protection or pathology, particularly in humans. Although a strong cell-mediated immune response (T helper lymphocyte type 1) is almost certainly necessary to resolve intracellular chlamydial infection, a humoral (T helper lymphocyte type 2) response may protect against colonization and limit immunopathological events. Recent studies addressing this potential conflict are reviewed.

ISSN:0951-7375    

出版商:OVID    

年代:1999

数据来源: OVID

摘要:

Considerable progress has been achieved in relating environmental stimuli and viral genetics to herpes simplex virus reactivation. The cytokines IL-1, IL-6, nerve growth factor NGF, and interferons have been implicated in herpes simplex virus reactivation. These molecules may act as signals which convey important information about the environment to the latent viral genome. Herpes simplex virus latency associated transcript expression is important for viral reactivation. The function of these unique viral RNA's is not completely understood, but they appear to be necessary for the efficient establishment of a latent infection in the ganglion. A better understanding of the mechanisms underlying the herpes simplex virus reactivation can be expected to lead to novel effective treatments for herpes simplex diseases.

ISSN:0951-7375    

出版商:OVID    

年代:1999

数据来源: OVID

摘要:

The design of effective prophylactic measures to prevent the vertical transmission of HIV-1 and of therapies to alter the natural progression of pediatric HIV disease requires a thorough understanding of basic pathogenetic principles. Maternal viral load, the biological behavior of HIV, such as replicative capacity in different types of cells, monocyte/macrophage tropism, and the capacity of the infant's cells to support infection have all been assessed for their contribution to the risk of mother-to-child transmission. Similarly, the effects of viral load and phenotype (e.g. replicative capacity, cell tropism, syncytium-inducing capacity and the use of chemokine co-receptors) have all been investigated as parameters associated with variations in the expression of clinical disease in children. Some of the extant data are conflicting, but general principles regarding pathogenesis are beginning to emerge.

ISSN:0951-7375    

出版商:OVID    

年代:1999

数据来源: OVID

摘要:

Mother-to-child, or vertical transmission, of hepatitis C virus is now the dominant mode of acquisition of infection for children. The rate of transmission is low in women who are not also HIV-positive. Whether the mode of delivery is associated with transmission remains questionable; breast-feeding does not appear to be a source of infection. The detection of hepatitis C virus RNA using the polymerase chain reaction is a sensitive method for the early diagnosis of infection in perinatally exposed infants, but false positive results can occur. The natural history of hepatitis C virus infection in children is not well defined, but chronic infection is common in most cases. The disease progression is slower than in adults. Therapeutic trials (not placebo controlled) in a small number of children suggested a sustained response to interferon treatment in only a minority of cases. The option of combination therapy with ribavirin looks promising and needs evaluation.

ISSN:0951-7375    

出版商:OVID    

年代:1999

数据来源: OVID

摘要:

Human herpesvirus 6 may be transmitted from saliva to infants, but other routes of transmission, such as organ and bone marrow transplantation, have also been reported. Intrauterine infection has also been suggested. Although the clinical symptoms during the primary infection in children are mild, human herpesvirus 6 may have neurotropic properties and be involved in the pathogenesis of febrile seizures in infants. The clinical symptoms caused by human herpesvirus 7 are not yet clear, but reports have described neurological symptoms. Human herpesvirus 8 has been identified from Kaposi's sarcoma tissue using molecular procedures. Serological study shows that human herpesvirus 8 is not so common in society and the mode of transmission is still unclear. Several routes of infection have, however, been considered, including sexual transmission.

ISSN:0951-7375    

出版商:OVID    

年代:1999

数据来源: OVID

摘要:

The life expectancy of patients with cystic fibrosis has increased markedly during the past two decades due in large part to improved clinical care, including the use of more effective antimicrobial agents for Pseudomonas. However, the chronic lung disease of CF remains the principal cause of mortality. A growing understanding of the complex interactions between infection and inflammation has led to new approaches for treatment, including chronic use of aerosolized antibiotics, particularly tobramycin, in patients known to be colonized/infected withP. aeruginosaand anti-inflammatory treatments to slow the progression of lung disease.

ISSN:0951-7375    

出版商:OVID    

年代:1999

数据来源: OVID

摘要:

Lyme disease is the most common vector-borne infection affecting children living in temperate parts of the western hemisphere. The widespread anxiety about the long-term consequences of the illness, however, finds no support in the literature. Although the number of long-term follow-up studies is limited, the prognosis in children treated for Lyme disease seems to be extremely favourable.

ISSN:0951-7375    

出版商:OVID    

年代:1999

数据来源: OVID

ISSN:0951-7375    

出版商:OVID    

年代:1999

数据来源: OVID