The Association of Biofilm with Enterovirus 71 Prolongs Viral Viability and Survival.

The transition time during which a virus leaves its host and infects the next susceptible host is critical for virus survival. Enterovirus 71 (EV71) is stable in aqueous environments, but its molecular interactions with bacteria and their biofilms are not well-established. is a highly successful gut bacterial pathogen, with its capacity to form biofilms being linked to its transmission.

Epidemiology and Relative Severity of Influenza Subtypes in Singapore in the Post-Pandemic Period from 2009 to 2010.

Background: After 2009, pandemic influenza A(H1N1) [A(H1N1)pdm09] cocirculated with A(H3N2) and B in Singapore.

Methods: A cohort of 760 participants contributed demographic data and up to 4 blood samples each from October 2009 to September 2010. We compared epidemiology of the 3 subtypes and investigated evidence for heterotypic immunity through multivariable logistic regression using a generalized estimating equation.

Seroepidemiology of Coxsackievirus A6, Coxsackievirus A16, and Enterovirus 71 Infections among Children and Adolescents in Singapore, 2008-2010.

Coxsackieviruses A6 (CV-A6) and A16 (CV-A16) and Enterovirus 71 (EV-A71) have caused periodic epidemics of hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) among children in Singapore. We conducted a cross-sectional study to estimate the seroprevalence of these enteroviruses among Singapore children and adolescents. The study was conducted between August 2008 and July 2010.

MAPK Phosphatase 5 Expression Induced by Influenza and Other RNA Virus Infection Negatively Regulates IRF3 Activation and Type I Interferon Response.

The type I interferon system is essential for antiviral immune response and is a primary target of viral immune evasion strategies. Here, we show that virus infection induces the expression of MAPK phosphatase 5 (MKP5), a dual-specificity phosphatase (DUSP), in host cells. Mice deficient in MKP5 were resistant to H1N1 influenza infection, which is associated with increased IRF3 activation and type I interferon expression in comparison with WT mice.

Rate of decline of antibody titers to pandemic influenza A (H1N1-2009) by hemagglutination inhibition and virus microneutralization assays in a cohort of seroconverting adults in Singapore.

Background: The rate of decline of antibody titers to influenza following infection can affect results of serological surveys, and may explain re-infection and recurrent epidemics by the same strain.

Methods: We followed up a cohort who seroconverted on hemagglutination inhibition (HI) antibody titers (≥ 4-fold increase) to pandemic influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 during a seroincidence study in 2009. Along with the pre-epidemic sample, and the sample from 2009 with the highest HI titer between August and October 2009 (A), two additional blood samples obtained in April 2010 and September 2010 (B and C) were assayed for antibodies to A(H1N1)pdm09 by both HI and virus microneutralization (MN) assays.

Factors influencing infection by pandemic influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 over three epidemic waves in Singapore.

Introduction: Previous influenza pandemics had second and on occasion third waves in many countries that were at times more severe than the initial pandemic waves.

Objective: This study aims to determine the seroepidemiology of successive waves of H1N1pdm09 infections in Singapore and the overall risks of infection.

Methods: We performed a cohort study amongst 838 adults, with blood samples provided upon recruitment and at 5 points from 2009 to 2011 and tested by haemagglutination inhibition (HI) with A/California/7/2009 (H1N1pdm09).

Teacher led school-based surveillance can allow accurate tracking of emerging infectious diseases - evidence from serial cross-sectional surveys of febrile respiratory illness during the H1N1 2009 influenza pandemic in Singapore.

Background: Schools are important foci of influenza transmission and potential targets for surveillance and interventions. We compared several school-based influenza monitoring systems with clinic-based influenza-like illness (ILI) surveillance, and assessed the variation in illness rates between and within schools.

Methods: During the initial wave of pandemic H1N1 (pdmH1N1) infections from June to Sept 2009 in Singapore, we collected data on nation-wide laboratory confirmed cases (Sch-LCC) and daily temperature monitoring (Sch-DTM), and teacher-led febrile respiratory illness reporting in 6 sentinel schools (Sch-FRI).

In vivo and in vitro studies on the antiviral activities of viperin against influenza H1N1 virus infection.

Influenza A virus has caused a number of pandemics in past decades, including the recent H1N1-2009 pandemic. Viperin is an interferon (IFN)-inducible protein of innate immunity, and acts as a broad-spectrum antiviral protein. We explored the antiviral activities and mechanisms of viperin during influenza virus (IFV) infection in vitro and in vivo.

Excessive neutrophils and neutrophil extracellular traps contribute to acute lung injury of influenza pneumonitis.

Complications of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) are common among critically ill patients infected with highly pathogenic influenza viruses. Macrophages and neutrophils constitute the majority of cells recruited into infected lungs, and are associated with immunopathology in influenza pneumonia. We examined pathological manifestations in models of macrophage- or neutrophil-depleted mice challenged with sublethal doses of influenza A virus H1N1 strain PR8.

Development of live attenuated Bordetella pertussis strains expressing the universal influenza vaccine candidate M2e.

The attenuated Bordetella pertussis BPZE1 vaccine strain represents an attractive platform for the delivery of heterologous vaccine candidates via the nasal route. The filamentous hemagglutinin (FHA) has been used to secrete or expose the foreign antigens at the bacterial surface. In this study, one, two and three copies of the Cys-containing ectodomain of matrix protein 2 (M2e) from influenza A virus were genetically fused to full length FHA and expressed in BPZE1.

Attenuated Bordetella pertussis protects against highly pathogenic influenza A viruses by dampening the cytokine storm.

The threat of a pandemic spread of highly virulent influenza A viruses currently represents a top global public health problem. Mass vaccination remains the most effective way to combat influenza virus. However, current vaccination strategies face the challenge to meet the demands in a pandemic situation.

Identification of neutralizing linear epitopes from the VP1 capsid protein of Enterovirus 71 using synthetic peptides.

Enterovirus 71 (EV71) is the main causative agent of Hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) and has been associated with severe neurological diseases resulting in high mortalities. Currently, there is no vaccine available and treatment is limited to palliative care. In this study, antisera were raised in mice against 95 overlapping synthetic peptides spanning the VP1 capsid protein of EV71.

Detection of Chlamydophila pneumoniae in dendritic cells in atherosclerotic lesions.

Dendritic cells (DCs) populate atherosclerotic lesions and might be involved in the regulation of immune reactions in atherosclerosis. The present work was undertaken to examine a possible association of DCs with Chlamydophila pneumoniae in human atherosclerotic plaques obtained by endarterectomy. C.

Chlamydia pneumoniae IgG seropositivity and clinical history of ischemic heart disease in Singapore.

There is still substantial uncertainty concerning the association between Chlamydia pneumoniae and ischemic heart disease. This may partly be explained by the adjustment for potential confounders in different population studies. This is the first study in Singapore to look at the association of C.