From gastroenteritis to myocarditis: a case series of Campylobacter-mediated cardiac involvement.

Background: While viruses remain the leading cause of infectious myocarditis, improved diagnostic methods have highlighted the role of bacteria as a possible cause. We report two cases of myocarditis as a complication of infection.

Case Summaries: Patient A, a 17-year-old Caucasian male with a history of asthma, presented to the emergency department (ED) after experiencing fever and nausea for four days, followed by 1 day of diarrhoea and chest discomfort.

Exploring the Potential Impact of Training on Short-Term Quality of Life and Stress of Parents of Children with Autism: The Integrative Parents' Autism Training Module.

Parents of autistic children experience high levels of parental stress and low quality of life related to the demanding child caring burden they experience. Parent education and training programs are acknowledged to improve parental well-being and reduce parenting stress. In the framework of the Erasmus+ Integrative Autism Parents Training Project (IPAT), we developed the IPAT Training Module based on parents' expressed needs, in order to improve parental quality of life (QoL) and decrease their perceived stress.

SARS-CoV-2 viral variants can rapidly be identified for clinical decision making and population surveillance using a high-throughput digital droplet PCR assay.

Epidemiologic surveillance of circulating SARS-CoV-2 variants is essential to assess impact on clinical outcomes and vaccine efficacy. Whole genome sequencing (WGS), the gold-standard to identify variants, requires significant infrastructure and expertise. We developed a digital droplet polymerase chain reaction (ddPCR) assay that can rapidly identify circulating variants of concern/interest (VOC/VOI) using variant-specific mutation combinations in the Spike gene.

Surveillance of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 and Variants Using Digital Droplet Polymerase Chain Reaction at a Large University and Healthcare System in California.

Background: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) variants with different infectivity, transmission potential, and morbidity change the characteristics of local epidemics and affect vaccine effectiveness. As part of the University of Southern California COVID-19 Pandemic Research Center's efforts to understand, control, and inform local community on coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), we implemented a SARS-CoV-2 surveillance program among students, employees, and USC Keck Medical Center patients. We present the epidemiology and distribution of SARS-CoV-2 and its variants among the population.

Quantification of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 Binding Antibody Levels To Assess Infection and Vaccine-Induced Immunity Using WHO Standards.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) binding antibody (Ab) levels following vaccination or natural infection could be used as a surrogate for immune protection if results of serological assays were standardized to yield quantitative results using an international standard. Using a bead-based serological assay (Luminex xMAP), anti-receptor binding domain (anti-RBD) Ab levels were determined for 1,450 participants enrolled in the Los Angeles Pandemic Surveillance Cohort (LAPSC) study. For 123 participants, SARS-CoV-2 binding antibody unit (BAU) levels were also quantified using WHO standards and then compared to the semiquantitative results.

Relationship between depressive symptoms, social isolation, visual complaints and hearing loss in middle-aged and older adults.

The prevalence of chronic diseases, especially depression, has been increasing worldwide. Health professionals have an important role in screening and early detection of the disorder, to prevent possible damage such as disability and dependence. With aging, sensory impairments can occur, such as visual and hearing losses, which can lead to isolation contributing to the development of depressive symptoms.

Evaluation of Recombinant Live-Attenuated Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) Vaccines RSV/ΔNS2/Δ1313/I1314L and RSV/276 in RSV-Seronegative Children.

Background: This United States-based study compared 2 candidate vaccines: RSV/ΔNS2/Δ1313/I1314L, attenuated by NS2 gene-deletion and temperature-sensitivity mutation in the polymerase gene; and RSV/276, attenuated by M2-2 deletion.

Methods: RSV-seronegative children aged 6-24 months received RSV/ΔNS2/Δ1313/I1314L (106 plaque-forming units [PFU]), RSV/276 (105 PFU), or placebo intranasally. Participants were monitored for vaccine shedding, reactogenicity, and RSV serum antibodies, and followed over the subsequent RSV season.

The role of the Mobile Mental Health Units in mental healthcare delivery in rural areas in Greece: current challenges and prospects.

The present paper aims to highlight the importance of Mobile Mental Health Units (MMHUs) in the delivery of mental health services in remote areas in rural Greece. Since the foundation of the first MMHUs in the eighties till nowadays, those services have expanded in many rural areas and there is some evidence that they are effective in the management of patients with severe mental disorders. The care of those patients seems to contribute to a significant reduction in voluntary and involuntary acute admissions and in length of hospital stay.

Effect of autohemotherapy in the treatment of viral infections - a systematic review.

Objective: To analyze the literature to determine whether autohemotherapy has any effect either clinically or on the immune system on viral diseases on the last ten years.

Study Design: Systematic review.

Methods: Searches from the year 2010, with at least 5 patients were conducted in PubMed/MEDLINE, Embase, Scopus, Cochrane, LILACS, SciELO, and Web of Science databases.

Association of HLA Genotype With T-Cell Activation in Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and HIV/Hepatitis C Virus-Coinfected Women.

Background: Global immune activation and HLA alleles are each associated with the pathogenesis of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and hepatitis C virus .

Methods: We evaluated the relationship between 44 HLA class I and 28 class II alleles and percentages of activated CD8 (CD8+CD38+DR+) and CD4 (CD4+CD38+DR+) T cells in 586 women who were naive to highly active antiretroviral therapy. We used linear generalized estimating equation regression models, adjusting for race/ethnicity, age, HIV load, and hepatitis C virus infection and controlling for multiplicity using a false discovery rate threshold of 0.

Live Respiratory Syncytial Virus Attenuated by M2-2 Deletion and Stabilized Temperature Sensitivity Mutation 1030s Is a Promising Vaccine Candidate in Children.

Background: The safety and immunogenicity of live respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) candidate vaccine, LID/ΔM2-2/1030s, with deletion of RSV ribonucleic acid synthesis regulatory protein M2-2 and genetically stabilized temperature-sensitivity mutation 1030s in the RSV polymerase protein was evaluated in RSV-seronegative children.

Methods: Respiratory syncytial virus-seronegative children ages 6-24 months received 1 intranasal dose of 105 plaque-forming units (PFU) of LID/ΔM2-2/1030s (n = 21) or placebo (n = 11). The RSV serum antibodies, vaccine shedding, and reactogenicity were assessed.

Live-Attenuated Respiratory Syncytial Virus Vaccine Candidate With Deletion of RNA Synthesis Regulatory Protein M2-2 is Highly Immunogenic in Children.

Background: Live respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) candidate vaccine LIDΔM2-2 is attenuated by deletion of the RSV RNA regulatory protein M2-2, resulting in upregulated viral gene transcription and antigen expression but reduced RNA replication.

Methods: RSV-seronegative children ages 6-24 months received a single intranasal dose of 105 plaque forming units (PFU) of LIDΔM2-2 (n = 20) or placebo (n = 9) (NCT02237209, NCT02040831). RSV serum antibodies, vaccine infectivity, and reactogenicity were assessed.

Oxidative stress markers and genetic polymorphisms of glutathione S-transferase T1, M1, and P1 in a subset of children with autism spectrum disorder in Lagos, Nigeria.

Background: The role of oxidative stress has been identified in the development of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and polymorphisms of glutathione S-transferase have been associated with some diseases linked to oxidative stress. Hence, we evaluated the serum levels of oxidative stress markers and investigated genetic polymorphisms of glutathione S-transferase associated with autism.

Materials And Methods: Forty-two children clinically diagnosed with ASD using the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders (DSM-5) criteria and a clinical interview were included in the study.

Longitudinal Evaluation of Language Impairment in Youth With Perinatally Acquired Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Youth With Perinatal HIV Exposure.

Background: Language impairment (LI) risk is increased for perinatally acquired human immunodeficiency virus-infected (PHIV) and perinatally exposed to HIV but uninfected (PHEU) youth. This study evaluates the persistence of LI in these groups.

Methods: The Clinical Evaluation of Language Fundamentals was repeated on participants of the Pediatric HIV/AIDS Cohort Study Adolescent Master Protocol 18 months postbaseline.

Systemic Immune Activation and HIV Shedding in the Female Genital Tract.

Background: Plasma HIV RNA is the most significant determinant of cervical HIV shedding. However, shedding is also associated with sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and cervical inflammation. The mechanism by which this occurs is poorly understood.

Exercise intervention and cardiovascular risk factors in obese children. Comparison between obese youngsters taking part in a physical activity school-based programme with and without individualised diet counselling: the ACORDA project.

Aim: To determine the effects of a school-based exercise intervention programme on cardiovascular risk factors, including body fat (BF), metabolic profile and physical activity (PA) in children with and without individualised dietary counselling approach (IDC and WIDC).

Subjects And Methods: Forty-six overweight children from 6-16 years old (25 girls, 54.3%; age = 10.

Effect of cytomegalovirus co-infection on normalization of selected T-cell subsets in children with perinatally acquired HIV infection treated with combination antiretroviral therapy.

Background: We examined the effect of cytomegalovirus (CMV) co-infection and viremia on reconstitution of selected CD4+ and CD8+ T-cell subsets in perinatally HIV-infected (PHIV+) children ≥ 1-year old who participated in a partially randomized, open-label, 96-week combination antiretroviral therapy (cART)-algorithm study.

Methods: Participants were categorized as CMV-naïve, CMV-positive (CMV+) viremic, and CMV+ aviremic, based on blood, urine, or throat culture, CMV IgG and DNA polymerase chain reaction measured at baseline. At weeks 0, 12, 20 and 40, T-cell subsets including naïve (CD62L+CD45RA+; CD95-CD28+), activated (CD38+HLA-DR+) and terminally differentiated (CD62L-CD45RA+; CD95+CD28-) CD4+ and CD8+ T-cells were measured by flow cytometry.

Simultaneous plasma and genital pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of atazanavir and efavirenz in HIV-infected women starting therapy.

Few studies have characterized longitudinal female plasma and genital antiretroviral pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics. Among 20 regimen-naive HIV-infected adult women initiating atazanavir-based therapy (n = 9) or efavirenz-based therapy (n = 11), we measured blood CD4+ T lymphocytes, and paired plasma and genital HIV RNA and atazanavir or efavirenz 2 days before starting therapy and 2, 4, 7, 10, 21, 28, 60, 120, and 180 days after. The mean (range) log10 baseline plasma viral load was 4.

T-cell activation, both pre- and post-HAART levels, correlates with carotid artery stiffness over 6.5 years among HIV-infected women in the WIHS.

Objective: T-cell activation is a major pathway driving HIV disease progression. Little is known regarding the impact of T-cell activation on HIV-associated atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease, a common comorbidity in HIV infection. We hypothesized that T-cell activation will predict vascular stiffness, a measure of subclinical atherosclerosis.

Effect of protease inhibitors on steady-state pharmacokinetics of oral norethindrone contraception in HIV-infected women.

Objective: Pharmacokinetic interactions exist between combined oral contraceptives and protease inhibitors (PI). However, such information is lacking for progestin-only oral contraception. We sought to define the steady-state pharmacokinetic interaction between norethindrone (NET) and PI in HIV-infected women.

Association of HIV clinical disease progression with profiles of early immune activation: results from a cluster analysis approach.

Objective: CD4 and CD8 T-cell activation are independent predictors of AIDS. The complete activation profile of both T-cell subtypes and their predictive value for AIDS risk is largely unknown.

Design: A total of 564 AIDS-free women in the Women's Interagency HIV Study were followed over 6.

Permissive and protective factors associated with presence, level, and longitudinal pattern of cervicovaginal HIV shedding.

Background: Cervicovaginal HIV level (CV-VL) influences HIV transmission. Plasma viral load (PVL) correlates with CV-VL, but discordance is frequent. We evaluated how PVL, behavioral, immunological, and local factors/conditions individually and collectively correlate with CV-VL.

Posaconazole for chronic refractory coccidioidal meningitis.

Coccidioidal meningitis is a potentially lethal infection. Disease progression while taking fluconazole is a common complication and safe, effective, alternative treatments are limited. Posaconazole therapy resulted in symptomatic and laboratory improvement in 2 patients and clinical improvement in a third patient with chronic, previously unresponsive coccidioidal meningitis.