A Simple-to-Perform mRNA Gene Expression Assay on Whole Blood Accurately Appraises Varicella Zoster Virus-Specific Cell-Mediated Immunity After Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation.

Herpes zoster, which is due to the reactivation of Varicella zoster virus (VZV), is a leading cause of morbidity after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT). While cell-mediated immunity (CMI) is critical to inhibiting VZV reactivation, CMI is not routinely assessed due to a lack of reliable tests. In this study, we aimed to evaluate VZV-specific CMI among allo-HSCT recipients (n = 60) and healthy individuals (HI, n = 17) through a panel of three immune functional assays after stimulation by VZV antigen: quantification of (i) IFN-γ release in the supernatants, (ii) T-cell proliferation after a 7-day stimulation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC), and (iii) measurement of the - mRNA gene expression level after 24 h of stimulation of a whole-blood sample.

Efficacy and Safety of Revaccination against Tetanus, Diphtheria, Haemophilus influenzae Type b and Hepatitis B Virus in a Prospective Cohort of Adult Recipients of Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation.

Data on immunogenicity and safety of the recommended revaccination schedule against diphtheria, tetanus, poliomyelitis, pertussis, Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib), and hepatitis B in adult allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) recipients are limited. This prospective single-center cohort study (April 2014 to March 2018) included adult allo-HSCT recipients referred to a dedicated vaccinology consultation and vaccinated with the pediatric combined diphtheria, tetanus, acellular pertussis, hepatitis B virus, inactivated poliovirus, and Haemophilus influenzae type b (DTaP(±HB)-IPV-Hib) vaccine (3 doses 1 month apart, booster dose 1 year later). The proportion of responders to tetanus, diphtheria, Hib, and hepatitis B vaccine and geometric mean concentrations (GMCs) of antibodies were assessed before and up to 24 months after vaccination.

Lyme-associated uveitis: Clinical spectrum and review of literature.

Background: Clinical presentation of Lyme-associated uveitis is poorly described. We reported here a case series of seven patients with uveitis related to Lyme disease and a review of the literature.

Methods: A retrospective study in our university hospital between 1 May 2003 and 31 July 2016 on 1006 uveitis patients and review of Pubmed library.

Diagnosis of Lyme-associated uveitis: value of serological testing in a tertiary centre.

Aims: To determine the frequency and clinical presentation of Lyme disease in patients with uveitis and to assess the value of serological testing.

Methods: Retrospective study on all patients with uveitis who were referred to our tertiary hospital were serologically tested for Lyme in our laboratory between 2003 and 2016. Screening consisted of determining serum IgG and IgM by ELISA method.

Evaluation of a commercial immunochromatographic assay for rapid routine identification of PBP2a-positive Staphylococcus aureus and coagulase-negative staphylococci.

We evaluated the performance of an immunochromatographic assay (PBP2a Culture Colony Test - Alere™), detecting protein-binding penicillin 2a on staphylococci primary isolates in only 6minutes. The assay is highly sensitive for the direct detection of MRSA on various culture media whereas it requires cefoxitin induction for methicillin-resistant coagulase-negative staphylococci.

Detection of Treponema pallidum in aqueous humor by real-time polymerase chain reaction.

Purpose: To report the additional clinical value of real-time Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in the detection of Treponema pallidum in aqueous humor.

Methods: A real-time (RT) PCR assay targeting the polymerase 1 gene of Treponema pallidum was performed in aqueous humor samples collected in consecutive patients with ocular syphilis.

Results: Five patients presenting with optic neuritis (1), posterior placoid chorioretinitis (1), or panuveitis with retinitis (3) were tested.

Murine typhus as a cause of Fever in travelers from Tunisia and mediterranean areas.

Background: Travelers are exposed to a variety of health risks in unfamiliar environments and fever is a common problem in patients returning from travel abroad. Rickettsial diseases are increasingly frequently being reported among international travelers. Here we present cases of Rickettsia typhi infection, the agent of murine typhus, that were identified in our laboratory the last year, in travelers from Tunisia.