Polymicrobial acute respiratory infections in a hospital-based pediatric population.

Background: The clinical impact of polymicrobial respiratory infections remains uncertain. Previous reports are contradictory regarding an association with severe disease.

Methods: Three hundred forty-six specimens from children with acute respiratory illness identified at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics Clinical Microbiology Laboratory were evaluated by direct immunofluorescent assay and/or viral culture by Clinical Microbiology Laboratory and later by molecular study for the presence of influenza, parainfluenza, respiratory syncytial virus, adenovirus, human metapneumovirus, rhinovirus and human bocavirus.

MChip, a low density microarray, differentiates among seasonal human H1N1, North American swine H1N1, and the 2009 pandemic H1N1.

Background: The MChip uses data from the hybridization of amplified viral RNA to 15 distinct oligonucleotides that target the influenza A matrix (M) gene segment. An artificial neural network (ANN) automates the interpretation of subtle differences in fluorescence intensity patterns from the microarray. The complete process from clinical specimen to identification including amplification of viral RNA can be completed in <8 hours for under US$10.

Emergent US adenovirus 3 strains associated with an epidemic and serious disease.

Background: Adenovirus type 3 (HAdV3) is one of the most prevalent serotypes detected globally. Variants of HAdV3 have been associated with outbreaks of severe disease.

Objectives: To better understand genetic diversity of circulating HAdV3s and examine risk factors for severe disease.

Molecular typing of clinical adenovirus specimens by an algorithm which permits detection of adenovirus coinfections and intermediate adenovirus strains.

Background: Epidemiological data suggest that clinical outcomes of human adenovirus (HAdV) infection may be influenced by virus serotype, coinfection with multiple strains, or infection with novel intermediate strains. In this report, we propose a clinical algorithm for detecting HAdV coinfection and intermediate strains.

Study Design: We PCR amplified and sequenced subregions of the hexon and fiber genes of 342 HAdV-positive clinical specimens obtained from 14 surveillance laboratories.

Adenovirus type 3 outbreak in connecticut associated with a novel variant.

An adenovirus outbreak occurred in New Haven, Connecticut in 2006-2007. Molecular typing revealed a twofold increase in adenovirus type 3 infections. Restriction enzyme analysis (REA) indicated that the CT outbreak was largely due to a marked increase in the novel Ad3a51 strain.

Evidence for avian influenza A infections among Iowa's agricultural workers.

Background: Identifying risk factors for zoonotic influenza transmission may aid public health officials in pandemic influenza planning.

Objectives: We sought to evaluate rural Iowan agriculture workers exposed to poultry for previous evidence of avian influenza virus infection.

Methods: In 2004 we enrolled 803 rural adult Iowans in a 2-year prospective study of zoonotic influenza transmission.

Swine workers and swine influenza virus infections.

In 2004, 803 rural Iowans from the Agricultural Health Study were enrolled in a 2-year prospective study of zoonotic influenza transmission. Demographic and occupational exposure data from enrollment, 12-month, and 24-month follow-up encounters were examined for association with evidence of previous and incident influenza virus infections. When proportional odds modeling with multivariable adjustment was used, upon enrollment, swine-exposed participants (odds ratio [OR] 54.

Genotype prevalence and risk factors for severe clinical adenovirus infection, United States 2004-2006.

Background: Recently, epidemiological and clinical data have revealed important changes with regard to clinical adenovirus infection, including alterations in antigenic presentation, geographical distribution, and virulence of the virus.

Methods: In an effort to better understand the epidemiology of clinical adenovirus infection in the United States, we adopted a new molecular adenovirus typing technique to study clinical adenovirus isolates collected from 22 medical facilities over a 25-month period during 2004-2006. A hexon gene sequence typing method was used to characterize 2237 clinical adenovirus-positive specimens, comparing their sequences with those of the 51 currently recognized prototype human adenovirus strains.

11-Beta hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 2 in human adult and fetal lung and its regulation by sex steroids.

11-Beta hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 2 (HSD2) oxidizes the biologically active glucocorticoid (GC), cortisol, to inactive cortisone. We characterized HSD2 gene expression and activity in human adult and fetal lung tissues and in cultured fetal lung explants, and examined the potential regulation of HSD2 in the fetal lung by sex steroids. Human adult lung, fetal lung, and cultured fetal lung explant tissues contained similar amounts of HSD2 mRNA.

Human metapneumovirus, Peru.

We retrospectively studied 420 pharyngeal swab specimens collected from Peruvian and Argentinean patients with influenzalike illness in 2002 and 2003 for evidence of human metapneumovirus (HMPV). Twelve specimens (2.3%) were positive by multiple assays.

Antisense inhibition of surfactant protein A decreases tubular myelin formation in human fetal lung in vitro.

Surfactant protein A (SP-A) is the most abundant of the surfactant-associated proteins. SP-A is involved in the formation of tubular myelin, the modulation of the surface tension-reducing properties of surfactant phospholipids, the metabolism of surfactant phospholipids, and local pulmonary host defense. We hypothesized that elimination of SP-A would alter the regulation of SP-B gene expression and the formation of tubular myelin.