By conducting a molecular characterization of Corynebacterium diphtheriae strains in Australia, we identified novel sequences, nonfunctional toxin genes, and 5 recent cases of toxigenic cutaneous diphtheria. These findings highlight the importance of extrapharyngeal infections for toxin gene-bearing (functional or not) and non-toxin gene-bearing C. diphtheriae strains. Continued surveillance is recommended.
The objective of this study was to investigate the chemical composition of Syzygium aromaticum essential oil (SAEO), both as its toxicity and biological activities on Corynebacterium diphtheriae. The essential oil (EO) was obtained by hydrodistillation and verified by GC-MS. The main chemical components were eugenol (48.
Toxin-producing strains are the etiological agents of the severe upper respiratory disease, diphtheria. A global phylogenetic analysis revealed that biotype gravis is particularly lethal as it produces diphtheria toxin and a range of other virulence factors, particularly when it encounters low levels of iron at sites of infection. To gain insight into how it colonizes its host, we have identified iron-dependent changes in the exoproteome and surfaceome of strain 1737 using a combination of whole-cell fractionation, intact cell surface proteolysis, and quantitative proteomics.
Objective: To quantify changes in inequalities in uptake of childhood vaccination during a period of steadily declining overall childhood vaccination rates in England.
Design: Longitudinal study.
Setting: General practice data for five vaccines administered to children (first and second doses of the measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine (MMR1 and MMR2, respectively), rotavirus vaccine, pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) booster, and six-in-one (DTaP/IPV/Hib/HepB) vaccine covering diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio, type b, and hepatitis B) from the Cover of Vaccination Uptake Evaluated Rapidly dataset in England.
Since April 2024, a pertussis epidemic has been ongoing in Finland with 2,215 notified cases by end October. Of them, 30.1% (n = 667) were aged 10-14 years.
The study investigates how genetic variations in the TLR4 gene affect immune responses to pertussis toxin in different mouse strains (ICR, NIH, BALB/c).
Researchers discovered three specific mutations in the TLR4 gene and noted how these variations influence cytokine production in response to stimulation.
The findings aim to improve the consistency of vaccine evaluations across different mouse models, potentially enhancing vaccine development by standardizing immune response assessments.
