Bactericidal activity of M protein conserved region antibodies against group A streptococcal isolates from the Northern Thai population.

Background: Most group A streptococcal (GAS) vaccine strategies have focused on the surface M protein, a major virulence factor of GAS. The amino-terminus of the M protein elicits antibodies, that are both opsonic and protective, but which are type specific. J14, a chimeric peptide that contains 14 amino acids from the M protein conserved C-region at the carboxy-terminus, offers the possibility of a vaccine which will elicit protective opsonic antibodies against multiple different GAS strains.

Parvovirus B19 infection in children with acute illness and rash.

Parvovirus B19 is responsible for a variety of cutaneous diseases, including erythema infectiosum and papular purpuric gloves-and-socks syndrome. It is also associated with other dermatologic diseases, such as systemic lupus erythematosus. To study the prevalence of parvovirus B19 infection in children with acute illness and rash, we did a prospective study of 110 children at the Chiang Mai University teaching hospital from January 2001 to November 2003.

M protein typing of Thai group A streptococcal isolates by PCR-Restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis.

Background: Group A streptococcal (GAS) infections can lead to the development of severe post-infectious sequelae, such as rheumatic fever (RF) and rheumatic heart disease (RHD). RF and RHD are a major health concern in developing countries, and in indigenous populations of developed nations. The majority of GAS isolates are M protein-nontypeable (MNT) by standard serotyping.

Scabies in Thai orphanages.

Background: Scabies outbreaks have emerged in the orphanages in Chiang Mai, Thailand. Sulfur has been accepted as the standard treatment for childhood scabies in Thailand. Sulfur was administered in the mass treatment in two orphanages.

Entomophthoromycosis in Maharaj Nakorn Chiang Mai Hospital.

Objective: To review documented entomophthoromycosis patients at Maharaj Nakorn Chiang Mai Hospital from 1985 to 2001.

Material And Method: A retrospective review was performed at Maharaj Nakorn Chiang Mai Hospital from 1985 to 2001. Eight cases of entomophthoromycosis were found between 1988 and 1993, with five patients diagnosed as subcutaneous zygomycosis, I GI entomophthoromycosis and 2 rhinofacial zygomycosis.

Sulfur for scabies outbreaks in orphanages.

Scabies outbreaks occurred in two large orphanages in Chiang Mai, Thailand. Since we were concerned about the availability, safety, and cost of scabicides in Thailand, sulfur in petrolatum was our choice for mass treatment of the children. We studied the efficacy of sulfur in children 2 months to 6 years of age.