Nonrandom distribution of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus in chronic wounds.

The spatial organization of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus in chronic wounds was investigated in the present study. Wound biopsy specimens were obtained from patients diagnosed as having chronic venous leg ulcers, and bacterial aggregates in these wounds were detected and located by the use of peptide nucleic acid-based fluorescence in situ hybridization and confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM). We acquired CLSM images of multiple regions in multiple sections cut from five wounds containing P.

Determination of new cutoff values for indirect immunofluorescence antibody test for Q fever diagnosis in Denmark.

Q fever is a ubiquitous zoonosis caused by Coxiella burnetii. The disease is emerging in many parts of the world, likely because of increased awareness and availability of better diagnostics. The diagnosis is primarily based on serology.

Comparative structure-function analysis of mannose-specific FimH adhesins from Klebsiella pneumoniae and Escherichia coli.

FimH, the adhesive subunit of type 1 fimbriae expressed by many enterobacteria, mediates mannose-sensitive binding to target host cells. At the same time, fine receptor-structural specificities of FimH from different species can be substantially different, affecting bacterial tissue tropism and, as a result, the role of the particular fimbriae in pathogenesis. In this study, we compared functional properties of the FimH proteins from Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae, which are both 279 amino acids in length but differ by some approximately 15% of residues.

Identification of a conserved chromosomal region encoding Klebsiella pneumoniae type 1 and type 3 fimbriae and assessment of the role of fimbriae in pathogenicity.

Type 3 fimbriae are expressed by most clinical Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates and mediate adhesion to host structures in vitro. However, the role of type 3 fimbriae in K. pneumoniae virulence has not been evaluated by use of in vivo infection models.

MLST clustering of Campylobacter jejuni isolates from patients with gastroenteritis, reactive arthritis and Guillain-Barré syndrome.

Aims: To determine the diversity and population structure of Campylobacter jejuni (C. jejuni) isolates from Danish patients and to examine the association between multilocus sequence typing types and different clinical symptoms including gastroenteritis (GI), Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) and reactive arthritis (RA).

Methods And Results: Multilocus sequence typing (MLST) was used to characterize 122 isolates, including 18 from patients with RA and 8 from patients with GBS.

A phylogenetic group of Escherichia coli associated with active left-sided inflammatory bowel disease.

Background: Escherichia coli have been found in increased numbers in tissues from patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) and adherent-invasive E. coli have been found in resected ileum from patients with Crohn's disease. This study aimed to characterize possible differences in phylogenetic group (triplex PCR), extraintestinal pathogenic E.

Sialylation of Campylobacter jejuni lipo-oligosaccharides is associated with severe gastro-enteritis and reactive arthritis.

We used various genotyping methods to identify bacterial genetic markers for development of arthritic symptoms following Campylobacter enteritis. We genotyped a collection of population derived Campylobacter strains, with detailed information on clinical characteristics, including arthritic symptoms. Besides using whole genome screening methods, we focused on the lipo-oligosaccharide (LOS) gene locus in which marker genes for developing post-Campylobacter neurological disease are present.

Evaluation of the specificity of pneumococcal polysaccharide enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and the effect of serum adsorption based on standard pneumococcal serogroup- or serotype-specific rabbit antisera.

Worldwide, Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococcus) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality, especially in infants and elderly people. Pneumococcal capsular polysaccharides are well characterized, and more than 90 different serotypes have been identified. Serotype-specific antibodies against the capsular polysaccharide are produced during infection.

Pneumococcal serotypes and mortality following invasive pneumococcal disease: a population-based cohort study.

Background: Pneumococcal disease is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between specific pneumococcal serotypes and mortality from invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD).

Methods And Findings: In a nationwide population-based cohort study of IPD in Denmark during 1977-2007, 30-d mortality associated with pneumococcal serotypes was examined by multivariate logistic regression analysis after controlling for potential confounders.

Estimation of incidences of infectious diseases based on antibody measurements.

Owing to under-ascertainment it is difficult if not impossible to determine the incidence of a given disease based on cases notified to routine public health surveillance. This is especially true for diseases that are often present in mild forms as for example diarrhoea caused by foodborne bacterial infections. This study presents a Bayesian approach for obtaining incidence estimates by use of measurements of serum antibodies against Salmonella from a cross-sectional study.

Screening Escherichia coli, Enterococcus faecalis, and Clostridium perfringens as indicator organisms in evaluating pathogen-reducing capacity in biogas plants.

This study was conducted to identify an indicator organism(s) in evaluating the pathogen-reducing capacity of biogas plants. Fresh cow manure containing 10(4) to 10(5) colony forming unit (CFU) per milliliter of Escherichia coli and Enterococcus faecalis along with an inoculated Clostridium perfringens strain were exposed to 37 degrees C for 15 days, 55 degrees C for 48 h, and 70 degrees C for 24 h. C.

Problem solved: a modified enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for detection of human antibodies to pertussis toxin eliminates false-positive results occurring at analysis of heat-treated sera.

Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for measurement of antibodies to pertussis toxin (PT) is a widely used method for diagnosis of whooping cough and is also frequently used for seroprevalence studies and for assessment of antibodies after vaccinations against whooping cough. The recommended ELISA procedure for assessment of PT antibodies in human serum does, however, have a serious problem with false-positive results when heat-treated sera are analyzed. Historic sera might have been exposed to routine heat treatment, and diagnostic sera from warm geographic regions are at risk of unintentional exposure to heat.

Short report: high prevalence of serine protease autotransporter cytotoxins among strains of enteroaggregative Escherichia coli.

Enteroaggregative Escherichia coli (EAEC) pathogenesis is thought to comprise intestinal colonization followed by the release of enterotoxins and cytotoxins. Here, we use a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to determine the prevalence of 10 genes encoding serine protease autotransporter toxins (SPATEs) in a collection of clinical EAEC isolates. Eighty-six percent of EAEC strains harbored genes encoding one or more class I cytotoxic SPATE proteins (Pet, Sat, EspP, or SigA).

Evaluation of serological tests for the diagnosis of rickettsiosis in Denmark.

Two commercially available immunofluorescence assays (IFA) were compared using historical sera evaluated for rickettsial antibodies by the Weil-Felix test. An IFA test produced by Focus Diagnostics prepared with Rickettsia rickettsii and R. typhi antigens was compared with a custom made kit from Fuller Laboratories with R.

Population variability of the FimH type 1 fimbrial adhesin in Klebsiella pneumoniae.

FimH is an adhesive subunit of type 1 fimbriae expressed by different enterobacterial species. The enteric bacterium Klebsiella pneumoniae is an environmental organism that is also a frequent cause of sepsis, urinary tract infection (UTI), and liver abscess. Type 1 fimbriae have been shown to be critical for the ability of K.

Detection of Rickettsia spp. in Danish ticks (Acari: Ixodes ricinus) using real-time PCR.

We examined 192 Ixodes ricinus tick nymphs from Denmark for the presence of Rickettsia spp. We used a species-specific real-time PCR; 13.0% of the ticks were positive for rickettsial DNA.

A Case of Helicobacter cinaedi Bacteraemia in a Previously Healthy Person with Cellulitis.

Helicobacter cinaedi is an infrequent, but well recognized cause of gastroenteritis in immunosuppressed patients. Here we report a case of an extra-intestinal infection in a previous healthy 61-year old heterosexual male. Focus for the infection was most likely cellulitis on the lower right leg.

A novel fluorescent in situ hybridization technique for detection of Rickettsia spp. in archival samples.

A novel, sensitive and specific method for detecting Rickettsia spp. in archival samples is described. The method involves the use of fluorescently marked oligonucleotide probes for in situ hybridization.

Determination of rickettsial and antinuclear antibodies in Danish patients with sarcoidosis.

Introduction: Rickettsia helvetica has been proposed as an aetiological agent in sarcoidosis.

Objectives: To assess the prevalence of plasma anti-Rickettsia antibodies in a Danish population of patients with sarcoidosis and control subjects. In addition, we evaluated the presence of plasma antinuclear antibodies (ANAs).

Transfer of antimicrobial resistance plasmids from Klebsiella pneumoniae to Escherichia coli in the mouse intestine.

Objectives And Methods: Klebsiella pneumoniae is a nosocomial pathogen and is considered the most common gram-negative bacterium that exhibits multiple antimicrobial resistances. In this study, the transfer of antimicrobial resistance genes from the clinical multiresistant K. pneumoniae MGH75875 isolate was assessed in vitro and in vivo in an intestinal colonization animal model.

A standardized conjugation protocol to asses antibiotic resistance transfer between lactococcal species.

Optimal conditions and a standardized method for conjugation between two model lactococcal strains, Lactococcus lactis SH4174 (pAMbeta1-containing, erythromycin resistant donor) and L. lactis Bu2-60 (plasmid-free, erythromycin sensitive recipient), were developed and tested in a inter-laboratory experiments involving five laboratories from different countries. The ultimate goal of the study was to assess the microbial potential of antibiotic resistance transfer among Lactic Acid Bacteria (LAB).

Complete genome sequence of the N2-fixing broad host range endophyte Klebsiella pneumoniae 342 and virulence predictions verified in mice.

We report here the sequencing and analysis of the genome of the nitrogen-fixing endophyte, Klebsiella pneumoniae 342. Although K. pneumoniae 342 is a member of the enteric bacteria, it serves as a model for studies of endophytic, plant-bacterial associations due to its efficient colonization of plant tissues (including maize and wheat, two of the most important crops in the world), while maintaining a mutualistic relationship that encompasses supplying organic nitrogen to the host plant.

Host-pathogen interactions in Campylobacter infections: the host perspective.

Campylobacter is a major cause of acute bacterial diarrhea in humans worldwide. This study was aimed at summarizing the current understanding of host mechanisms involved in the defense against Campylobacter by evaluating data available from three sources: (i) epidemiological observations, (ii) observations of patients, and (iii) experimental observations including observations of animal models and human volunteer studies. Analysis of available data clearly indicates that an effective immune system is crucial for the host defense against Campylobacter infection.

Ficolins and Mannose-Binding Lectin in Danish patients with sarcoidosis.

Mannose-Binding Lectin (MBL) is a prognostic marker in pulmonary diseases. Ficolins, sharing many structural and functional similarities with MBL, may also be involved in the pathogenesis of pulmonary diseases. The objectives of the study were to establish whether plasma concentrations of Ficolin-2, -3, and MBL in Danish patients with sarcoidosis and control persons differed and whether they were of prognostic significance.