Publications by authors named "Spaargaren J"

Many children referred to mental health services have neurodevelopmental problems, which are not always recognized because the resulting emotional and behavioral problems dominate diagnosis and treatment. BOAM (Basic needs, Order, Autonomy and Meaning) is a new diagnostic system consisting of imaginative models that explain the complexity of symptoms and underlying neuropsychological problems in a simple way. It is designed to be used in a transparent, collaborative process with families, so that family members can better understand the nature of mental health problems, thus increasing self-knowledge and mutual understanding.

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There is a need for more accurate Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) IgG antibody tests for tubal factor infertility (TFI) diagnostics. We evaluated the predictive value for TFI of Medac ELISA plus (MOMP) and multitarget Mikrogen ELISA (MOMP-CPAF-TARP). Based on Medac ELISA plus results, 183 subfertile women underwent either hysterosalpingography or laparoscopy to diagnose TFI.

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Chlamydia trachomatis (hereafter CT) is Gram-negative, obligate intracellular pathogen. It causes the world's most common non-viral sexually transmitted disease. India is home to the world's greatest burden of infectious diseases, yet information on prevalence rates of CT is scarce.

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Chlamydia trachomatis is the most common sexually transmitted bacterium worldwide. Its often asymptomatic course of infection increases chances of transmission, and increases risk of late complications. Genetic variations in the host immune system are known to impact the course of infections.

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The interindividual differences in response to Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) infections are for an important part based on the differences in our host genetic make-up. In the past, several genes and pathways have been identified and linked to protection against or risk for CT infection (i.e.

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Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is characterised by depletion of the normal Lactobacillus spp. and overgrowth of commensal anaerobic bacteria. We investigated the composition of vaginal microbiota and their association with BV in women of reproductive age.

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A 53-year-old homosexual man presented at his general practitioner (GP) practice with a suspicion of sexually transmitted infection. Initial NAAT screening was performed for Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae. The patient was positive for Neisseria gonorrhoeae both for his urine and rectal sample.

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Intracellular pattern-recognition receptors NOD1 and NOD2 are capable of sensing common structural units of bacterial walls. Recognition triggers specific immune signalling pathways and leads to pro-inflammatory cytokine upregulation and adequate immune response. We investigated whether two functional polymorphisms in NOD1 and NOD2 exert an effect on susceptibility to (STD patients) and severity of (female patients visiting the fertility clinic) Chlamydia trachomatis infection in 807 Dutch Caucasian women.

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We have developed and validated a multiplex-PCR method for detection of dermatophyte spp., Candida albicans and parapsilosis for routine diagnostics. Our m-PCR showed excellent concordance with culture results in 475 clinical samples.

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Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV1) and 2 (HSV2) infection can lead to significant morbidity, and HSV2 is considered a risk factor for HIV transmission. The majority of HSV-infected people are asymptomatic and unaware of their infection. We aimed to determine the HSV1 and HSV2 prevalence among various ethnic groups in a large urban area in the Netherlands.

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This report describes the actions of public health experts in cooperation with specialists in sexually transmitted diseases (STD), epidemiologists and (molecular) microbiologists to investigate the possible introduction of the swCT variant in the Netherlands: 1. Investigating trends in CT epidemiology Result: STD surveillance and laboratory surveillance did not show any evidence of the introduction of the swCT variant in Holland. 2.

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Objectives: Herpes simplex virus type 1 and type 2 (HSV-1 and HSV-2) are both highly prevalent. The rate of genital HSV-1 transmission is reportedly increasing over time. HSV-2 is considered to be an important risk factor for HIV transmission.

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The use of an integrated approach to the study of Chlamydia trachomatis infection of the female genital tract, presented at the mini-symposium "Chlamydia trachomatis infections" and described in the thesis of Joseph M. Lyons, has resulted in the creation of the ICTI consortium. The ICTI consortium is based on strong interaction and collaboration between basic scientists, clinicians, epidemiologists, and health care policy makers.

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Background: Screening and active case finding for Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) is recommended to prevent reproductive morbidity. However insight in community prevalence of gonococcal infections and co-infections with Neisseria gonorrhoea (NG) is lacking.

Methods: Nested study within a large population-based Chlamydia Screening Pilot among 21.

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Background: The functional polymorphism -260 C>T in the LPS sensing TLR4 co-receptor CD14 gene enhances the transcriptional activity and results in a higher CD14 receptor density. Individuals carrying the T/T genotype also have significantly higher serum levels of soluble CD14. The T allele of this polymorphism has recently been linked to Chlamydia pneumoniae infection.

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Article Synopsis
  • Recent LGV outbreaks among men who have sex with men (MSM) prompt a study to identify risk factors and clinical predictors.
  • The study, conducted in Amsterdam, analyzed MSM with diagnosed anorectal chlamydia, focusing on those infected with the specific LGV serovar L2b.
  • HIV positivity was found to significantly increase the risk of LGV, with proctoscopic findings and elevated white blood cell counts serving as key clinical predictors for diagnosis.
  • The study concludes that testing for LGV in MSM with anorectal chlamydia is crucial, recommending treatment based on syndromic approaches when serovar typing isn't accessible.
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We traced the Chlamydia trachomatis L2b variant in Amsterdam and San Francisco. All recent lymphogranuloma venereum cases in Amsterdam were caused by the L2b variant. This variant was also present in the 1980s in San Francisco.

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We retrospectively conducted a study of men who have sex with men who visited the Amsterdam, the Netherlands, sexually transmitted diseases clinic from January 2002 to December 2003 and had rectal Chlamydia trachomatis infections. We found that symptomatic (73%) as well as asymptomatic (43%) patients were infected with a new C. trachomatis LGV variant.

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Objective: To collect information about the incidence ofgonorrhoea and gonococcal resistance in the Netherlands.

Method: A questionnaire was sent to 39 medical microbiology laboratories to obtain information on current diagnostics and the susceptibility testing method, and on the number of positive results and the susceptibility pattern of gonococcal isolates in 2002 and 2003 (up to and including November).

Results: 32 laboratories participated in this survey.

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IncA variation among Dutch Chlamydia trachomatis isolates was investigated. Of 98 strains, two carried an incA with a premature stop codon, lacked IncA, and were nonfusogenic, while 96 contained an intact incA, expressed IncA, and were fusogenic. Among these 96 strains, nine IncA sequence types were found, of which the three most frequently encountered (88% of the strains) were randomly distributed among symptomatic and asymptomatic patients.

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Problem: Prophylactic treatment and follow-up after exposure to HIV, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C outside hospital needs to be improved.

Background And Setting: Until January 2000, people in Amsterdam could report exposure outside hospital to either a hospital or the municipal health service. If they reported to the municipal health service, they were then referred to hospitals for HIV prophylaxis, whereas the municipal health service handled treatment and follow-up related to hepatitis B and hepatitis C and traced sources.

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Objectives: To assess and evaluate the rate and outcome of occupational exposure to hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in the Amsterdam police force.

Methods: Retrospectively, all accidents with risk for viral transmission reported to the Municipal Health Service between January 1, 2000 and December 31, 2003 were described and analyzed in 2004.

Results: Over a 4-year period, 112 exposures with a viral transmission risk were reported (the estimated exposure rate was 68/10,000/year).

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