Novel Vector Control Approaches: The Future for Prevention of Zika Virus Transmission?

In a Perspective accompanying Abad-Franch and colleagues, Lorenz von Seidlein, Alexander Kekulé, and Daniel Strickman discuss the importance of developing effective strategies to minimize mosquito-borne transmission of human diseases.

Learning from Ebola Virus: How to Prevent Future Epidemics.

The recent Ebola virus disease (EVD) epidemic in Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone demonstrated that the World Health Organization (WHO) is incapable to control outbreaks of infectious diseases in less developed regions of the world. This essay analyses the causes for the failure of the international response and proposes four measures to improve resilience, early detection and response to future outbreaks of infectious diseases.

Linezolid resistance in clinical isolates of Staphylococcus epidermidis from German hospitals and characterization of two cfr-carrying plasmids.

Objectives: This study was a detailed investigation of Staphylococcus epidermidis clinical isolates exhibiting linezolid resistance.

Methods: Thirty-six linezolid-resistant S. epidermidis from eight German hospitals, including isolates from suspected hospital-associated outbreaks between January 2012 and April 2013, were analysed with respect to their antimicrobial susceptibility and the presence of cfr and/or mutations in the 23S rRNA, rplC, rplD and rplV genes.

The detection of surfactant proteins A, B, C and D in the human brain and their regulation in cerebral infarction, autoimmune conditions and infections of the CNS.

Surfactant proteins (SP) have been studied intensively in the respiratory system. Surfactant protein A and surfactant protein D are proteins belonging to the family of collectins each playing a major role in the innate immune system. The ability of surfactant protein A and surfactant protein D to bind various pathogens and facilitate their elimination has been described in a vast number of studies.

Cyclosporine area under the curve after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation is an indicator of Epstein-Barr virus DNAemia.

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) DNAemia and reactivation is a typical complication after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). The degree of immunosuppression is closely linked to the risk of developing EBV DNAemia. An association of cyclosporine levels with EBV DNAemia has not been interrogated.

HBs seroconversion in a patient with acute hepatitis B treated with entecavir during immunosuppression against severe bronchiolitis obliterans in the course of chronic graft versus host disease.

Chronic carriers of hepatitis B virus (HBV) who have to be immunosuppressed are at risk for HBV reactivation and hepatitis. Continuing immunosuppression in such patients and in immunosuppressed patients with active hepatitis B is strongly discouraged yet frequently inevitable. We here report on both the successful control of hepatitis and seroconversion after HBV reactivation following allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) with entecavir despite systemic immunosuppression.

Successful treatment of Candida albicans septicemia in a preterm infant with severe congenital ichthyosis (Harlequin baby).

Candida infections are a major cause of fungal septicemia in neonates and are associated with marked morbidity and mortality. Despite the spectrum of antifungal drugs being dramatically extended during the last decade, invasive fungal infections remain a serious challenge for neonatologists. Amphotericin B and its lipid formulations are the drugs of choice for the treatment of systemic candidiasis in neonates.

Processing of GB virus B non-structural proteins in cultured cells requires both NS3 protease and NS4A cofactor.

The identification of antivirals and vaccines against hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is hampered by the lack of convenient animal models. The need to develop surrogate models has recently drawn attention to GB virus B (GBV-B), which produces hepatitis in small primates. In a previous study in vitro, it was shown that GBV-B NS3 protease shares substrate specificity with the HCV enzyme, known to be crucial for virus replication.