[Comparative assessment of the Vitek 2 and Phoenix systems for detection of extended-spectrum beta-lactamases].

Introduction And Purpose: Detection of beta-lactam resistance in Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae strains is clinically relevant. Moreover, it is important to differentiate between extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) production and other mechanisms of resistance to avoid inadequate treatment of infection caused by these strains. The aim of this study was to compare the performance of the Vitek 2 and BD Phoenix automated systems for confirmatory testing of ESBL production.

Implication of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase isoforms (alpha, beta, gamma and delta) in CD4+ T-cell infection with human immunodeficiency virus type I.

The CD4(+) T-cell reduction characteristic of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infection is thought to result, in addition to infected T-cell death, mainly from uninfected bystander T-cell apoptosis. Nevertheless, the immunological and virological mechanisms leading to T-cell death during HIV-1 infection are not yet fully understood. In the present study, we analysed the individual implication of the p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) isoforms (p38alpha, p38beta, p38gamma and p38delta) during apoptosis induced by HIV-1, taking into account that HIV-1 replication is known to be blocked by p38 inhibitors.

[CMV DNA detection in plasma using real-time PCR based on the SYBR-Green I dye method].

Objective: The aim of this study is to assess a real-time PCR technique on the LightCycler 2.0 with SYBR-Green I detection as compared to another real-time PCR method based on detection with FRET (fluorescence resonance energy transfer) probes for the quantification of CMV DNA.

Methods: The two real-time PCR methods were used to test plasma samples from immunocompromised patients with clinically suspected CMV disease, patients under follow-up without symptoms, and healthy adults.