Palmitoyl acyltransferase DHHC21 mediates endothelial dysfunction in systemic inflammatory response syndrome.

Endothelial dysfunction is a hallmark of systemic inflammatory response underlying multiple organ failure. Here we report a novel function of DHHC-containing palmitoyl acyltransferases (PATs) in mediating endothelial inflammation. Pharmacological inhibition of PATs attenuates barrier leakage and leucocyte adhesion induced by endothelial junction hyperpermeability and ICAM-1 expression during inflammation.

Vagococcus carniphilus sp. nov., isolated from ground beef.

Nine enterococcus-like strains were referred to the Streptococcus Laboratory at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for further identification from the National Antimicrobial Resistance Monitoring System Laboratory at the CDC. The cultures were isolated from ground beef purchased from retail in Oregon in 2000. Conventional biochemical testing and analysis of whole-cell protein electrophoretic profiles distinguished these strains from known species of enterococci and vagococci.

An outbreak of conjunctivitis due to atypical Streptococcus pneumoniae.

Background: In February 2002, clinicians at the Dartmouth College Health Service recognized an outbreak of conjunctivitis; cultures of conjunctival swabs implicated Streptococcus pneumoniae. An investigation was begun to determine the extent of the outbreak, confirm the cause, identify modes of transmission, and implement control measures.

Methods: Investigators reviewed the health service's data base for diagnoses of conjunctivitis.

Pulsed-field fingerprinting of vaginal group B streptococcus in pregnancy.

Objective: There is more to be learned about the epidemiology of group B beta-hemolytic streptococci infections in pregnancy. In this study, we investigated the discriminating capabilities of pulsed-field gel electrophoresis of group B streptococci strains from pregnant patients and mother/infant pairs of patients compared with serotyping.

Methods: Forty-two vaginal strains of group B streptococci cultured from pregnant patients in the third trimester and strains from 20 mother/infant pairs with documented newborn group B streptococci infection were studied.

Recurrent invasive pneumococcal disease in individuals with human immunodeficiency virus infection.

The proportion of relapses and reinfections that are potentially preventable by vaccine in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected persons with recurrent pneumococcal disease is unknown. Isolates from HIV-infected individuals from Baltimore with recurrent pneumococcal invasive disease were collected from 1 January 1995 through 31 December 2000. Serotyping and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis were performed.

Distribution of penicillin-nonsusceptible pneumococcal clones in the Baltimore metropolitan area and variables associated with drug resistance.

We assessed the distribution of the clonal groups (as determined by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis) of penicillin-nonsusceptible Streptococcus pneumoniae that caused invasive pneumococcal infection in the Baltimore metropolitan area during 1995 and 1996. Although S. pneumoniae caused invasive disease in individuals from a variety of demographic groups and locations, strains isolated during the season in which respiratory infections are most common were more likely to be from clonal groups associated with penicillin resistance than from other groups.