Molecular characterization of HIV-1 subtype C gp-120 regions potentially involved in virus adaptive mechanisms.

The role of variable regions of HIV-1 gp120 in immune escape of HIV has been investigated. However, there is scant information on how conserved gp120 regions contribute to virus escaping. Here we have studied how molecular sequence characteristics of conserved C3, C4 and V3 regions of clade C HIV-1 gp120 that are involved in HIV entry and are target of the immune response, are modulated during the disease course.

LabPush: a pilot study of providing remote clinics with laboratory results via short message service (SMS) in Swaziland, Africa.

Background: Turnaround time (TAT) is an important indicator of laboratory performance. It is often difficult to achieve fast TAT for blood tests conducted at clinics in developing countries. This is because clinics where the patient is treated are often far away from the laboratory, and transporting blood samples and test results between the two locations creates significant delay.

Prevalence of Schistosoma haematobium infection among schoolchildren in remote areas devoid of sanitation in northwestern Swaziland, Southern Africa.

A parasitological survey of Schistosoma haematobium infection among primary schoolchildren in the remote areas of Hhohho and Manzini Provinces in northwestern Swaziland was undertaken. Presence of infection in subjects was confirmed on detection of S. haematobium ova in urine or the presence of hematuria.

Identification of recent HIV infections and of factors associated with virus acquisition among pregnant women in 2004 and 2006 in Swaziland.

Background: HIV continues to spread at high rates in sub-Saharan Africa. In particular, Swaziland is one of the countries most affected by the HIV/AIDS pandemic. Monitoring of HIV infection in Swaziland is being made by periodical investigations on HIV prevalence in pregnant women.

Subtype assignment and phylogenetic analysis of HIV type 1 strains in patients from Swaziland.

Aim of this study was to assess HIV-1 subtype distribution and prevalence of transmitted mutations related to antiretroviral drugs in Swaziland. According to the WHO guidelines, 47 plasma samples from naive patients stored at HIV/AIDS National Reference Laboratory in Mbabane between 2002 and 2003, before the introduction of antiretroviral therapy in the country, were studied. HIV-1 RNA was extracted from the plasma samples, RT and protease regions of pol gene were amplified and sequenced.

Mapping helper T-cell epitopes on platelet membrane glycoprotein IIIa in chronic autoimmune thrombocytopenic purpura.

Chronic autoimmune thrombocytopenic purpura (AITP) is associated with autoantibodies specific for platelet membrane components, often including glycoprotein GPIIIa. T helper (Th) cells reactive with GPIIIa, which are capable of driving the autoantibody response, are activated in AITP, and the aim here was to map the epitopes that they recognize. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were obtained from 31 patients with AITP and 30 control donors and stimulated with a panel of 86 overlapping synthetic 15-mer peptides spanning the complete sequence of GPIIIa.

Characterization of the alloreactive helper T-cell response to the platelet membrane glycoprotein IIIa (integrin-beta3) in human platelet antigen-1a alloimmunized human platelet antigen-1b1b women.

Background: The aims were to characterize the helper T-cell response to platelet (PLT) glycoprotein (GP) IIIa, which stimulates the alloimmune antibody response to human PLT antigen (HPA)-1a, to identify immunodominant epitopes and to examine the HLA Class II associations.

Study Design And Methods: Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMNCs) were obtained from 21 HPA-1b1b women who had an HPA-1a-mismatched pregnancy, 14 of whom developed anti-HPA-1a, and 11 control donors. PBMNCs were stimulated with two panels of 15-mer peptides corresponding to the HPA-1a/1b polymorphic region, with either Leu33 (-1a) or Pro33 (-1b) at each possible position, and the proliferative responses were measured.