Characterization of genotypes of Enterocytozoon bieneusi in immunosuppressed and immunocompetent patient groups.

A retrospective phylogenetic analysis was performed on isolates of Enterocytozoon bieneusi to characterize the genotypes in different patient cohorts. Fifty-seven isolates, collected from patients living in Malawi and the Netherlands, were classified by age and immune status of the hosts. Sequence analysis of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region identified 16 genotypes; nine have not previously been described.

Serotype g12 rotaviruses, Lilongwe, Malawi.

To assess diversity of rotavirus strains in Lilongwe, Malawi, we conducted a cross-sectional study of children with acute gastroenteritis, July 2005-June 2007. Serotype G12 was identified in 30 (5%) of 546 rotavirus-positive fecal specimens. The G12 strain possessed multiple electropherotypes and P-types, but their viral protein 7 sequences were closely related, indicating that reassortment has occurred.

Real-time polymerase chain reaction for detection of Isospora belli in stool samples.

A real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay targeting the internal transcribed spacer 2 region of the ribosomal RNA gene was developed for the detection of Isospora belli DNA in fecal samples, including an internal control to detect inhibition during the amplification process. The assay was performed on species-specific DNA controls (n = 27) and a range of positive (n = 21) and negative (n = 120) stool samples, and achieved 100% specificity and sensitivity. The simple fecal sample collection procedure, the high-throughput potential, and the possibility of quantification makes the I.

Pneumocystis pneumonia in HIV-positive adults, Malawi.

In a prospective study of 660 HIV-positive Malawian adults, we diagnosed Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia (PcP) using clinical features, induced sputum for immunofluorescent staining, real-time PCR, and posttreatment follow-up. PcP incidence was highest in patients with the lowest CD4 counts, but PcP is uncommon compared with incidences of pulmonary tuberculosis and bacterial pneumonia.

Observational cohort study of HIV-infected African children.

Background: Most information about children living with HIV is based on follow up from children identified through mother-to-child transmission studies. Children identified through voluntary counseling and testing (VCT) represent a unique cohort that has not been previously described in the literature.

Methods: Children who were found to have HIV infection through VCT were offered enrollment in this study.

A community-based study of the incidence of trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole-preventable infections in Malawian adults living with HIV.

The benefits of trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TS) prophylaxis reported for persons living with HIV in Cote d'Ivoire are difficult to extrapolate to sub-Saharan African countries where bacterial resistance to TS is higher and cross-resistance between TS and sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine (SP) may impair SP efficacy for malaria treatment. We conducted a community-based cohort study to measure the incidence of potentially TS-preventable illnesses in Blantyre, Malawi. We found a high incidence of malaria, invasive bacterial infections, and probable bacterial pneumonias but low rates of Pneumocystis jiroveci pneumonia, isosporiasis, and Toxoplasma encephalitis.

Chromosomal fragility in a behavioral disorder.

Numerous studies have shown there is consistent evidence implicating genetic factors in the etiology of autism. In some cases chromosomal abnormalities have been identified. One type of these abnormalities is gaps and breaks nonrandomly located in chromosomes, denominated fragile sites (FS).