Publications by authors named "John J M Moran"
Background: Although pre-transplant immunization is routinely recommended, this recommendation is based on little data. The primary objective of this study was to compare antibody responses in lung transplant patients who received influenza vaccine before the transplant, within the first six months of transplant, between 13 and 60 months post-transplant, and 110 months or beyond transplant.
Methods: This prospective cohort study included 357 total immunization events performed over five yr to measure H1N1, H3N2, and B antibody responses to the influenza vaccine in pre- and post-lung transplant patients.
Background: Lung transplant recipients are among those with the highest risk of influenza infection and complications each year. A few studies show adequate responses after influenza immunization; no studies examined the season-long protection.
Methods: Influenza antibody concentrations were measured using hemagglutination inhibition assays before immunization, 2 to 4 weeks after immunization, and 6 months after immunization in 25 healthy controls and 54 lung transplant patients.
Background: The timing of influenza vaccination and susceptibility to re-circulating virus in the population is influenced by the persistence of seroprotection. Immunosuppressed transplant patients are known to have lower antibody response rates than healthy individuals, but acceptable antibody concentrations are achieved. The duration of this seroprotection beyond a single season has not been evaluated in either healthy or immunosuppressed populations.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFMethicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) isolates that are susceptible to vancomycin but are tolerant to its killing effect may present a potential challenge for effective treatment. This study compared the microbiologic characteristics of clinical vancomycin-tolerant (VT-MRSA) and vancomycin-susceptible (VS-MRSA) strains using phenotypic and gene regulation studies. MRSA isolates collected from vancomycin-treated patients with bacteremia over a 5-year period were analyzed for vancomycin, daptomycin, and telavancin susceptibility, as well as accessory gene regulator (agr) group and function.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFArticle Synopsis
- The study investigates how different antibiotics affect cytokine production in human immune cells when exposed to toxins from Staphylococcus aureus, which can trigger harmful inflammation.
- Using various antibiotics, researchers measured the effects on specific inflammatory cytokines produced by the cells after exposure to S. aureus toxins.
- Results showed that tigecycline and linezolid significantly reduced certain cytokines, while trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole increased TNF-α and IL-8, suggesting varying impacts of antibiotics on inflammatory responses.
Background: Xanthine oxidase is a major source of superoxide in the vascular endothelium. Previous work in humans demonstrated improved conduit artery function following xanthine oxidase inhibition in patients with obstructive sleep apnea.
Objectives: To determine whether impairments in endothelium-dependent vasodilation produced by exposure to chronic intermittent hypoxia are prevented by in vivo treatment with allopurinol, a xanthine oxidase inhibitor.
Article Synopsis
- - The study aimed to compare T-cell immune responses to influenza vaccination between patients with chronic heart failure (CHF) and healthy individuals to see if CHF patients had weaker responses.
- - Conducted at a university hospital, the research involved 18 stable CHF patients and 16 healthy controls, who were vaccinated with the 2006-2007 influenza vaccine and monitored for immune responses over several months.
- - Results showed that CHF patients had significantly lower T-cell responses to the A/H3N2 strain of the vaccine, but responses to A/H1N1 and B type were not significantly different, indicating that CHF affects immune response to certain influenza strains.
Background: Influenza viral infections cause significant morbidity and mortality each season. Lung transplant patients may be at higher risk because of their underlying pathophysiology. Although annual immunization is the standard of care, its efficacy remains largely unproven.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFInsulin resistance is prevalent in heart failure (HF) patients, and beta2 adrenergic receptors (beta2-AR) are involved in glucose homeostasis. We hypothesized that beta2-AR Gln27Glu and Arg16Gly polymorphisms affect insulin resistance in HF patients, and we explored if effects of beta2-AR polymorphisms on glucose handling are modified by choice of beta blocker. We studied 30 nondiabetic adults with HF and a history of systolic dysfunction; 15 were receiving metoprolol succinate, and 15 were receiving carvedilol.
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