Murine modeling of menstruation identifies immune correlates of protection during challenge.

The menstrual cycle influences the risk of acquiring sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including (), although the underlying immune contributions are poorly defined. A mouse model simulating the immune-mediated process of menstruation could provide valuable insights into tissue-specific determinants of protection against chlamydial infection within the cervicovaginal and uterine mucosae comprising the female reproductive tract (FRT). Here, we used the pseudopregnancy approach in naïve C57Bl/6 mice and performed vaginal challenge with () at decidualization, endometrial tissue remodeling, or uterine repair.

Fate mapping via CCR2-CreER mice reveals monocyte-to-microglia transition in development and neonatal stroke.

Whether monocytes contribute to the brain microglial pool in development or after brain injury remains contentious. To address this issue, we generated CCR2-CreER mice to track monocyte derivatives in a tamoxifen-inducible manner. This method labeled Ly6C and Ly6C monocytes after tamoxifen dosing and detected a surge of perivascular macrophages before blood-brain barrier breakdown in adult stroke.

Pulmonary monocytes interact with effector T cells in the lung tissue to drive T differentiation following viral infection.

Lung resident memory CD8 T cells (T) are critical for protection against respiratory viruses, but the cellular interactions required for their development are poorly understood. Herein we describe the necessity of classical monocytes for the establishment of lung T following influenza infection. We find that, during the initial appearance of lung T, monocytes and dendritic cells are the most numerous influenza antigen-bearing APCs in the lung.

Why Are CD8 T Cell Epitopes of Human Influenza A Virus Conserved?

The high degree of conservation of CD8 T cell epitopes of influenza A virus (IAV) may allow for the development of T cell-inducing vaccines that provide protection across different strains and subtypes. This conservation is not fully explained by functional constraint, since an additional mutation(s) can compensate for the replicative fitness loss of IAV escape variants. Here, we propose three additional mechanisms that contribute to the conservation of CD8 T cell epitopes of IAV.

Correction: The Critical Role of Early Dengue Surveillance and Limitations of Clinical Reporting - Implications for Non-Endemic Countries.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.

IL-36γ Protects against Severe Influenza Infection by Promoting Lung Alveolar Macrophage Survival and Limiting Viral Replication.

Although influenza virus infection remains a concerning disease for public health, the roles of individual cytokines during the immune response to influenza infection are not fully understood. We have identified IL-36γ as a key mediator of immune protection during both high- and low-pathogenesis influenza infection. mRNA is upregulated in the lung following influenza infection, and mice lacking IL-36γ have greatly increased morbidity and mortality upon infection with either H1N1 or H3N2 influenza.

The Critical Role of Early Dengue Surveillance and Limitations of Clinical Reporting - Implications for Non-Endemic Countries.

The increasing dengue burden and epidemic severity worldwide have highlighted the need to improve surveillance. In non-endemic areas such as Taiwan, where outbreaks start mostly with imported cases from Southeast Asia, a closer examination of surveillance dynamics to detect cases early is necessary. To evaluate problems with dengue surveillance and investigate the involvement of different factors at various epidemic stages, we investigated 632 laboratory-confirmed indigenous dengue cases in Kaohsiung City, Taiwan during 2009-2010.

Lessons from the Largest Epidemic of Avian Influenza Viruses in Taiwan, 2015.

The largest epidemic of avian influenza (AI) in history attacked poultry and wild birds throughout Taiwan starting January 6, 2015. This study analyzed surveillance results, epidemiologic characteristics, and viral sequences by using government-released information, with the intention to provide recommendations to minimize future pandemic influenza. The H5 clade 2.

Early detection for cases of enterovirus- and influenza-like illness through a newly established school-based syndromic surveillance system in Taipei, January 2010 ~ August 2011.

School children may transmit pathogens with cluster cases occurring on campuses and in families. In response to the 2009 influenza A (H1N1) pandemic, Taipei City Government officials developed a School-based Infectious Disease Syndromic Surveillance System (SID-SSS). Teachers and nurses from preschools to universities in all 12 districts within Taipei are required to daily report cases of symptomatic children or sick leave requests through the SID-SSS.

Emerged HA and NA mutants of the pandemic influenza H1N1 viruses with increasing epidemiological significance in Taipei and Kaohsiung, Taiwan, 2009-10.

The 2009 influenza pandemic provided an opportunity to observe dynamic changes of the hemagglutinin (HA) and neuraminidase (NA) of pH1N1 strains that spread in two metropolitan areas--Taipei and Kaohsiung. We observed cumulative increases of amino acid substitutions of both HA and NA that were higher in the post-peak than in the pre-peak period of the epidemic. About 14.