Comparing the performance characteristics of CSF-TRUST and CSF-VDRL for syphilis: a cross-sectional study.

Objective: In this study, we aimed to determine the performance characteristics of toluidine red unheated serum test on cerebrospinal fluids (CSF-TRUST) as compared to venereal disease research laboratory test on cerebrospinal fluids (CSF-VDRL) for laboratory the diagnosis of neurosyphilis.

Design: A cross-sectional study.

Setting: Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) clinics.

A Web-Based System for Mapping Laboratory Networks: Analysis of GLaDMap Application.

Public health emergencies such as H1N1 and SARS pandemics have demonstrated and validated the necessity of a strong and cohesive laboratory response system that is able to respond to threats in an efficient and timely manner. Individual laboratories, through connection with other laboratories or networks, are able to enhance their capacity for preparedness and response to emergencies. Efficient networks often establish standards and maintain best practices within member laboratories.

Comparison of molecular typing methods useful for detecting clusters of Campylobacter jejuni and C. coli isolates through routine surveillance.

Campylobacter spp. may be responsible for unreported outbreaks of food-borne disease. The detection of these outbreaks is made more difficult by the fact that appropriate methods for detecting clusters of Campylobacter have not been well defined.

Identification of sexual networks through molecular typing of quinolone-resistant Neisseria gonorrhoeae in Ontario, Canada.

Neisseria gonorrhoeae multi-antigen sequence typing technique demonstrated multiple sexual transmission networks in Ontario, Canada. Isolates with novel sequences had higher odds of originating in Toronto but had no association with heightened population-level quinolone exposure. Neisseria gonorrhoeae multi-antigen sequence typing technique can be a useful tool for investigation of multidrug-resistant N.

Characterization of Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter coli strains isolated in the region of Nis, Serbia.

Introduction: Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter coli represent one of the main causes of bacterial diarrhoea in humans. Although the disease is usually mild and self-limiting, severe chronic sequelae may occur, such as reactive arthritis, Guillain-Barré and Miller Fisher syndromes. Serotyping is used as an epidemiological marker, while post-infective polyneuropathies are associated with several O serotypes.

Identification of prolyliminopeptidase-negative Neisseria gonorrhoeae strains in Canada.

Neisseria gonorrhoeae strains that fail to produce the enzyme prolyliminopeptidase have been identified in Canada. Commercial test panels use prolyliminopeptidase activity for identification and to avoid the misdiagnosis of gonorrhea, at least 2 distinct methods for the confirmatory identification of N. gonorrhoeae is imperative.

The O28 Antigen Gene Clusters of Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica Serovar Dakar and Serovar Pomona Are Different.

A 10 kb O-antigen gene cluster was sequenced from a Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica Dakar O28 reference strain and from two S. Pomona serogroup O28 isolates.

Enteritis caused by Campylobacter jejuni followed by acute motor axonal neuropathy: a case report.

Introduction: Campylobacter species represent the main cause of bacterial diarrhea in developed countries and one of the most frequent causes of enterocolitis in developing ones. In some patients, Campylobacter jejuni infection of the gastrointestinal tract has been observed as an antecedent illness of acute motor axonal neuropathy, a variant of Guillain-Barré syndrome.

Case Presentation: We present a case of acute motor axonal neuropathy following infection with Campylobacter jejuni subspecies jejuni, biotype II, heat stable serotype O:19.

Ceftiofur resistance in Salmonella enterica serovar Heidelberg from chicken meat and humans, Canada.

The Canadian Integrated Program for Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance describes a strong correlation (r = 0.9, p<0.0001) between ceftiofur-resistant Salmonella enterica serovar Heidelberg isolated from retail chicken and incidence of ceftiofur-resistant Salmonella serovar Heidelberg infections in humans across Canada.

Escherichia coli O123 O antigen genes and polysaccharide structure are conserved in some Salmonella enterica serogroups.

The serotyping of O and H antigens is an important first step in the characterization of Salmonella enterica. However, serotyping has become increasingly technically demanding and expensive to perform. We have therefore sequenced additional S.

Isolation and detection of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli in clinical stool samples using conventional and molecular methods.

The isolation of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) other than serogroup O157 from clinical stool samples is problematic due to the lack of differential phenotypic characteristics from non-pathogenic E. coli. The development of molecular reagents capable of identifying both toxin and serogroup-specific genetic determinants holds promise for a more comprehensive characterization of stool samples and isolation of STEC strains.

Incidence and treatment outcomes of pharyngeal Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Chlamydia trachomatis infections in men who have sex with men: a 13-year retrospective cohort study.

Background: This study investigated the incidence and treatment outcomes of pharyngeal Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Chlamydia trachomatis cases at a Canadian clinic that mainly serves men who have sex with men.

Methods: All patients with pharyngeal N. gonorrhoeae and C.

Prevalence of and risk factors for quinolone-resistant Neisseria gonorrhoeae infection in Ontario.

Background: Quinolone-resistant Neisseria gonorrhoeae has swiftly emerged in Canada. We sought to determine its prevalence in the province of Ontario and to investigate risk factors for quinolone-resistant N. gonorrhoeae infection in a Canadian setting.

Campylobacter infection as a trigger for Guillain-Barré syndrome in Egypt.

Background: Most studies of Campylobacter infection triggering Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) are conducted in western nations were Campylobacter infection and immunity is relatively rare. In this study, we explored Campylobacter infections, Campylobacter serotypes, autoantibodies to gangliosides, and GBS in Egypt, a country where Campylobacter exposure is common.

Methods: GBS cases (n = 133) were compared to age- and hospital-matched patient controls (n = 374).

Examination of Salmonella and Escherichia coli translocation from hog manure to forage, soil, and cattle grazed on the hog manure-treated pasture.

Use of hog (Sus scrofa) manure as a fertilizer is a practical solution for waste re-utilization, however, it may serve as a vehicle for environmental and domestic animal contamination. Work was conducted to determine whether pathogens, naturally present in hog manure could be detected in cattle (Bos taurus) grazed on the manure-treated pasture, and whether forage contamination occurred. During two 3 mo summer trials manure was applied to yield < or = 124 kg available N per hectare in a single spring or split spring and fall application.

Genetic characterization of clinical and agri-food isolates of multi drug resistant Salmonella enterica serovar Heidelberg from Canada.

Background: Salmonella enterica serovar Heidelberg ranks amongst the most prevalent causes of human salmonellosis in Canada and an increase in resistance to extended spectrum cephalosporins (ESC) has been observed by the Canadian Integrated Program for Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance. This study examined the genetic relationship between S. Heidelberg isolates from livestock, abattoir, retail meat, and clinical human specimens to determine whether there was a link between the emergence of MDR S.

Syndromic Surveillance of Norovirus using Over-the-counter Sales of Medications Related to Gastrointestinal Illness.

Objective: To assess whether over-the-counter (OTC) sales of gastrointestinal illness (GI)-related medications are associated with temporal trends of reportable community viral, bacterial and parasitic infections.

Methods: The temporal patterns in weekly and seasonal sales of nonprescription products related to GI were compared with those of reportable viral, bacterial and parasitic infections in a Canadian province.

Results: Temporal patterns of OTC product sales and Norovirus activity were similar, both having highest activity in the winter months.

Sequence variability of Campylobacter temperate bacteriophages.

Background: Prophages integrated within the chromosomes of Campylobacter jejuni isolates have been demonstrated very recently. Prior work with Campylobacter temperate bacteriophages, as well as evidence from prophages in other enteric bacteria, suggests these prophages might have a role in the biology and virulence of the organism. However, very little is known about the genetic variability of Campylobacter prophages which, if present, could lead to differential phenotypes in isolates carrying the phages versus those that do not.

The laboratory diagnosis of Neisseria gonorrhoeae.

The present article describes the laboratory diagnosis of Neisseria gonorrhoeae by culturing of the organism from different types of clinical specimens followed by confirmatory tests. The success of culture methods requires good quality collection and transport of clinical specimens. The present guide describes the media requirements and cultural conditions for N gonorrhoeae growth and the characteristics for a presumptive identification of N gonorrhoeae.

Salmonella genomic island 1 (SGI1), variant SGI1-I, and new variant SGI1-O in proteus mirabilis clinical and food isolates from China.

Salmonella genomic island 1 (SGI1) and variants (SGI1-I and the new variant SGI1-O) were mapped in five strains of Proteus mirabilis isolated from humans and food in China. Sequencing showed that SGI1 and variants were integrated at the 3' end of the chromosomal thdF gene as previously described for Salmonella strains.

Limited genetic diversity in Salmonella enterica serovar Enteritidis PT13.

Background: Salmonella enterica serovar Enteritidis has emerged as a significant foodborne pathogen throughout the world and is commonly characterized by phage typing. In Canada phage types (PT) 4, 8 and 13 predominate and in 2005 a large foodborne PT13 outbreak occurred in the province of Ontario. The ability to link strains during this outbreak was difficult due to the apparent clonality of PT13 isolates in Canada, as there was a single dominant pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) profile amongst epidemiologically linked human and food isolates as well as concurrent sporadic strains.

Isolation and genetic characterization of a coinfection of non-O157 Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli.

A coinfection of O177:NM and O55:H7 Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) was identified for a child with acute bloody diarrhea and hemolytic uremic syndrome by using culture and serotype-specific molecular reagents. The profile of O157-related genetic islands revealed that the O55:H7 isolate was highly similar to O157 STEC whereas the O177:NM isolate lacked several fimbrial O islands and non-locus-of-enterocyte-effacement effector determinants. However, both STEC serotypes are known to cause serious disease, and the significant repertoire of virulence determinants in both strains made it impossible to determine their individual contributions to the clinical symptoms.

Outbreak of Escherichia coli 0157:H7 infections associated with consumption of beef donair.

The Calgary Health Region identified an outbreak of Escherichia coli 0157:H7 infection in September 2004 following a fourfold increase in laboratory reports. Clinical isolates were indistinguishable by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE), and the PFGE pattern was unique in North America. Most affected individuals reported beef donair consumption in 10-day food histories.

Detection of the Escherichia coli pathogenic gene eae with three real-time polymerase chain reaction methods.

Several real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) methods are currently available to rapidly detect the presence of a specific DNA sequence. When used for detection of pathogenic organisms, the turnaround time for PCR-based methods is much lower than for traditional culture techniques. This study compared the sensitivity of three real-time PCR methods when detecting the Escherichia coli pathogenic gene eae to determine which method is most effective in identifying very low levels of the organism.

Phylogenetic relationships of Campylobacter jejuni based on porA sequences.

Campylobacter porins are the dominant major outer membrane protein (MOMP) of these bacteria. They are composed of hypervariable, surface-exposed, peptide loops and membrane-embedded, conserved peptide regions. Porins are functionally important and may also be useful for molecular subtyping methods but have not yet been well characterized.