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Joerger T, Taylor MG, Palazzi DL, Gerber JS. The epidemiology of cephalosporin allergy labels in pediatric primary care. Antimicrob Steward Healthc Epidemiol 2023; 3:e215. [PMID: 38156211 PMCID: PMC10753463 DOI: 10.1017/ash.2023.487] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2023] [Revised: 10/12/2023] [Accepted: 10/16/2023] [Indexed: 12/30/2023]
Abstract
Background Recent studies have sought to understand the epidemiology and impact of beta-lactam allergy labels on children; however, most of these studies have focused on penicillin allergy labels. Fewer studies assess cephalosporin antibiotic allergy labels in children. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence, factors associated with, and impact of cephalosporin allergy labels in children cared for in the primary care setting. Methods Cephalosporin allergy labels were reviewed among children in a dual center, retrospective, birth cohort who were born between 2010 and 2020 and followed in 90 pediatric primary care practices. Antibiotic prescriptions for acute otitis media were compared in children with and without cephalosporin allergies. Results 334,465 children comprised the birth cohort and 2,877 (0.9%) were labeled as cephalosporin allergic during the study period at a median age of 1.6 years. Third-generation cephalosporins were the most common class of cephalosporin allergy (83.0%). Cephalosporin allergy labels were more common in children with penicillin allergy labels than those without (5.8% vs. 0.6%). Other factors associated with a cephalosporin allergy label included white race, private insurance, presence of a chronic condition, and increased health care utilization. Children with third-generation cephalosporin allergy labels received more amoxicillin/clavulanate (28.8% vs. 10.2%) and macrolides (10.4% vs. 1.9%) and less amoxicillin (55.8% vs. 70.9%) for treatment of acute otitis media than non-allergic peers p < 0.001. Conclusions One in 100 children is labeled as cephalosporin allergic, and these children receive different antibiotics for the treatment of acute otitis media compared to non-allergic peers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Torsten Joerger
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine and Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Margaret G. Taylor
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Infectious Diseases, Baylor College of Medicine and Texas Children’s Hospital, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Debra L. Palazzi
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Infectious Diseases, Baylor College of Medicine and Texas Children’s Hospital, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Jeffrey S. Gerber
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine and Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
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Taylor MG, Joerger T, Anvari S, Li Y, Gerber JS, Palazzi DL. The Quality and Management of Penicillin Allergy Labels in Pediatric Primary Care. Pediatrics 2023; 151:e2022059309. [PMID: 36740967 PMCID: PMC10680064 DOI: 10.1542/peds.2022-059309] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/02/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Penicillin allergy labels are the most common drug allergy label. The objective of this study was to describe the quality and management of penicillin allergy labels in the pediatric primary care setting. METHODS Retrospective chart review of 500 of 18 015 children with penicillin allergy labels born from January 1, 2010 to June 30, 2020 randomly selected from an outpatient birth cohort from Texas Children's Pediatrics and Children's Hospital of Philadelphia networks. Penicillin allergy risk classification ("not allergy," "low risk," "moderate or high risk," "severe risk," "unable to classify") was determined based on documentation within (1) the allergy tab and (2) electronic healthcare notes. Outcomes of allergy referrals and penicillin re-exposure were noted. RESULTS Half of penicillin allergy labels were "unable to classify" based on allergy tab documentation. Risk classification agreement between allergy tabs and healthcare notes was fair (Cohen's ĸ = 0.35 ± 0.02). Primary care physicians referred 84 of 500 (16.8%) children to an allergist, but only 54 (10.8%) were seen in allergy clinic. All children who were challenged (25 of 25) passed skin testing. Removal of allergy labels was uncommon (69 of 500, 13.8%) but occurred more often following allergy appointments (26 of 54, 48%) than not (43 of 446, 9.6%, P < .001). Children delabeled by primary care physicians were as likely to tolerate subsequent penicillin-class antibiotics as those delabeled by an allergist (94% vs 93%, P = .87). CONCLUSIONS Penicillin allergy documentation within the allergy tab was uninformative, and children were infrequently referred to allergists. Future quality improvement studies should improve penicillin allergy documentation and expand access to allergy services.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margaret G Taylor
- Division of Infectious Diseases
- Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, Texas
| | - Torsten Joerger
- Division of Infectious Diseases
- Division of Immunology, Allergy, and Retrovirology
| | - Sara Anvari
- Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, Texas
- Division of Immunology, Allergy, and Retrovirology
| | - Yun Li
- Division of Immunology, Allergy, and Retrovirology
- Pediatric IDEAS Research Group of the Center for Pediatric Clinical Effectiveness
- Department of Biostatistics, Epidemiology, and Informatics
| | - Jeffrey S Gerber
- Division of Infectious Diseases
- Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Debra L Palazzi
- Division of Infectious Diseases
- Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, Texas
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Joerger T, Taylor MG, Li Y, Palazzi DL, Gerber JS. Impact of Penicillin Allergy Labels on Children Treated for Outpatient Respiratory Infections. J Pediatric Infect Dis Soc 2023; 12:92-98. [PMID: 36461664 PMCID: PMC9969332 DOI: 10.1093/jpids/piac125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2022] [Accepted: 11/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Penicillin allergy is the most common antibiotic allergy, yet most children labeled as allergic tolerate penicillin. The impact of inaccurate penicillin allergy labels (PALs) on pediatric outpatients is unknown. The objective of this study was to compare outcomes between children with and without a PAL after treatment for outpatient respiratory tract infections (RTI). METHODS A retrospective, longitudinal birth cohort study was performed in children who received care in 90 pediatric primary care practices in Philadelphia and Houston metropolitan areas. Prescribing and clinical outcomes of children with a PAL at the time of an RTI were compared to non-allergic children, adjusting for potential confounders. RESULTS Antibiotics were prescribed for 663,473 non-recurrent RTIs among 200,977 children. Children with a PAL (5% of cohort) were more likely than non-allergic children to receive broad-spectrum antibiotics (adjusted relative risk (aRR) 3.24, 95% CI 3.22-3.26) and second-line antibiotics (aRR 4.87, 95% CI 4.83, 4.89). Compared to non-allergic children receiving first-line antibiotics, children with a PAL were more likely to return with adverse drug events (aRR 1.28, 95% CI 1.18-1.39). There was no difference in treatment failure between groups (aRR 0.95, 95% CI 0.90-1.00). CONCLUSIONS PALs lead to higher rates of broad-spectrum and second-line antibiotic prescribing in children treated for RTIs in primary care and contribute to unnecessary healthcare utilization through increased adverse events. Given the frequency of PALs, efforts to prevent inappropriate penicillin allergy labeling and promote de-labeling of existing inaccurate allergy labels may improve care of children treated for common bacterial infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Torsten Joerger
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Infectious Diseases, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Margaret G Taylor
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Infectious Diseases, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Yun Li
- Department of Biostatistics, Epidemiology, and Informatics, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
- Pediatric IDEAS Research Group of the Center for Pediatric Clinical Effectiveness, USA
| | - Debra L Palazzi
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Infectious Diseases, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Jeffrey S Gerber
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Infectious Diseases, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
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Taylor MG, Bocchini C. 1336. Six-Year Clinical Experience of Pediatric Murine Typhus in Houston, TX. Open Forum Infect Dis 2022. [DOI: 10.1093/ofid/ofac492.1166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Background
Murine typhus is a flea-borne rickettsial disease endemic to gulf states. It shares clinical features of Kawasaki disease (KD) and multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C). We sought to explore the six-year experience with murine typhus among children living in Houston, TX.
Methods
We conducted a retrospective chart review to identify clinical and laboratory features of children with murine typhus from January 2015 to July 2021. Cases were identified by positive Rickettsia typhi serology with single IgG >=1:256, single IgM >=1:128, or increase in IgG from 1:64 to 1:28 in convalescent sera.
Results
162 cases of pediatric murine typhus were identified. Most cases (85, 52.5%) occurred in the summer. There was a bimodal distribution of age, with peaks at 4 and 17 years (Figure 1). Most children (96, 59.3%) required hospitalization; 11 were admitted to intensive care, and 3 required intubation. All children had fever; the mean duration of fever at presentation was 8.9 days (+/-2.9). Only 67 (41.4%) had a combination of fever, headache, and rash (Table 1). 64 (39.5%) had documented flea or opossum exposure. The most common laboratory abnormalities were elevated serum liver transaminases, hypoalbuminemia, thrombocytopenia, and hyponatremia (Table 1). Cardiac abnormalities were not uncommon: 20/59 (33.9%) had an abnormal electrocardiogram, 5/50 (10.0%) had troponin >0.04 ng/mL, and 4/50 (8.0%) had b-type natriuretic protein >100 pg/mL (Table 1). Most children (149, 92.0%) were diagnosed based on positive initial serological testing. Nine (5.6%) received intravenous immunoglobulin for a diagnosis of KD before typhus was diagnosed. The median duration of hospitalization was 3 days (IQR 2,5), and most children were treated with doxycycline (146, 90.1%). Figure 1.Histogram of age at time of murine typhus diagnosis.Table 1.Clinical and Laboratory Features of Children Diagnosed with Murine Typhus.
Conclusion
Murine typhus is a common cause of prolonged unexplained fever in children living in endemic areas and shares clinical features of KD and MIS-C. Cardiac abnormalities are not uncommon, and severity of illness can range from outpatient to intensive care. Lack of flea or opossum exposure or lack of headache or rash does not rule out infection. Therefore, a high index of suspicion is warranted, and initial serology testing may accelerate diagnosis in children with prolonged fever.
Disclosures
All Authors: No reported disclosures.
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Taylor MG, Joerger T, Anvari S, Li Y, Gerber JS, Palazzi D. 567. The Quality & Management of Penicillin Allergy Labels in a Pediatric Birth Cohort. Open Forum Infect Dis 2022. [PMCID: PMC9752387 DOI: 10.1093/ofid/ofac492.620] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Penicillin allergy labels (PALs) influence antibiotic prescribing, yet little is known about the quality and management of PALs placed in the pediatric outpatient setting. Methods We performed a retrospective chart review of 500 randomly selected children with PALs from a ten-year birth cohort (n=18,015) from Texas Children’s Pediatrics and Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia Primary Care Networks. PALs were classified as “not allergy” (family history, isolated diarrhea), “low risk” (maculopapular rash >24 hours into antibiotic course, no hives or pruritis), “moderate or high risk” (hives or pruritis, maculopapular rash < 24 hours into antibiotic course, anaphylaxis, swelling, or respiratory symptoms), “severe cutaneous reaction” (erythema multiforme, serum sickness), or “unable to classify” (information not available or unspecified rash characteristics or timing) based on 1) information in the allergy tab and 2) encounter notes. We used kappa-statistic measure-of-agreement to determine allergy classification agreement between the allergy tab and notes. Results The median age of PAL placement was 1.4 years (IQR 0.9, 2.2). Most (n=303, 63%) PALs were placed by physicians. Half of PALs were categorized as “unable to classify; physicians were just as likely to place ambiguous PALs as other providers (48 vs 53%, p=0.31). Most (80%) children were evaluated at a primary care office within 1 week of their reaction. There was fair agreement between the allergy tab and encounter note documentation (Table 1). Of 54 (11%) children evaluated by an allergist, 25/25 passed an oral amoxicillin challenge. Only 69 (14%) children were de-labeled during the study period, more by an allergist (48%) than in the community (9.6%, p< 0.001).
Risk stratification by penicillin allergy label and notes. ![]() Conclusion PAL classification was ambiguous in half of labeled children; there was fair risk classification agreement between the allergy tab and notes. Children with PALs were rarely referred to allergists or de-labeled in the community. Future quality improvement efforts should seek to improve PAL documentation and access to allergy services. Disclosures Debra Palazzi, MD, MEd, AAP: Board Member|AHRQ: Grant/Research Support|AMA: Board Member|Elsevier: Honoraria.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Torsten Joerger
- Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California
| | - Sara Anvari
- Baylor College of Medicine / Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, Texas
| | - Yun Li
- University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
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Taylor MG, Ankar A, Meoded A, Jarjour IT, Risen S, McNeil JC. Eosinophilic Meningitis: Eleven-Year Experience at Texas Children's Hospital. J Pediatr 2022; 251:202-208.e1. [PMID: 35977618 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpeds.2022.08.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2021] [Revised: 06/30/2021] [Accepted: 08/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Eosinophilic meningitis can be caused by various etiologies and is reported mostly in tropical climates. The diagnosis is rare in the continental US, presenting challenges for management. Following a case of pediatric eosinophilic meningitis, we reviewed our 11-year experience with this diagnosis at a large US children's hospital.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margaret G Taylor
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX.
| | - Alexander Ankar
- Division of Neurology, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX
| | - Avner Meoded
- Department of Radiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX
| | - Imad T Jarjour
- Division of Neurology, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX
| | - Sarah Risen
- Division of Neurology, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX
| | - J Chase McNeil
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX.
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Valencia Deray KG, Taylor MG, Blessing MM, Bocchini CE, Schallert EK, Ruderfer D, Srivaths PR, Malatesta Muncher R. Necrotizing enterovirus myositis in a pediatric renal transplant recipient. Pediatr Transplant 2022; 26:e14275. [PMID: 35340121 DOI: 10.1111/petr.14275] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2021] [Revised: 02/08/2022] [Accepted: 03/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Enteroviruses can cause severe infections, including viral myocarditis, meningitis, acute flaccid myelitis, and viral myositis. METHODS/RESULTS We report a 3-year-old female renal transplant recipient who presented to a tertiary care hospital with elevated serum liver aminotransferases and subsequently developed proximal muscle pain, weakness, and respiratory distress during the first week of hospitalization. Imaging of the lower extremities revealed diffuse myositis of the proximal thigh and pelvic muscles. A muscle biopsy was obtained and revealed necrotizing myositis with immunostaining positive for enterovirus, consistent with a diagnosis of enterovirus necrotizing myositis. She had complete resolution of symptoms with steroids, intravenous immune globulin, reduced tacrolimus dose, and physical therapy. CONCLUSIONS Enterovirus myositis should be included in the differential diagnosis for necrotizing myositis following renal transplantation in children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristen G Valencia Deray
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Margaret G Taylor
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Melissa M Blessing
- Department of Pathology & Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Claire E Bocchini
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Erica K Schallert
- Edward B. Singleton Department of Radiology, Texas Children's Hospital, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Daniel Ruderfer
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Poyyapakkam R Srivaths
- Renal Section, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
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Taylor MG, Nicholas SK, Forbes Satter LR, Martinez C, Cameron LH. Plasma Metagenomic Sequencing Expedites Diagnosis of Disseminated BCG in an Infant With IKBKB Mutation. Pediatr Infect Dis J 2022; 41:430-435. [PMID: 35067643 DOI: 10.1097/inf.0000000000003465] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Infants with inborn errors of immunity (IEI), born in countries where Bacillus-Calmette-Guerin (BCG) vaccination is recommended at birth, are at risk of developing infectious complications following vaccination. A prompt diagnosis of disseminated BCG infection in these infants is essential, as many will require stem cell transplantation (SCT) for the immunologic cure. In patients with IEI, the mortality risk from disseminated mycobacterial infection is high, both before and following SCT. METHODS A 7-month-old Qatari infant with an IEI, homozygous IKBKB gene mutation, was evaluated at our institution for SCT. He had a history of recurrent pneumonias, but pretransplant evaluation revealed negative cultures from bronchoalveolar fluid, blood and urine. At 8 months of age, the infant developed skin nodules of unclear etiology, prompting additional evaluation. RESULTS Given his profound immunosuppression and receipt of broad-spectrum antimicrobials, plasma metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) was obtained and identified Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex within 72 hours. A skin biopsy was performed, and antimycobacterial therapy was initiated. Mycobacterium bovis-BCG was confirmed from cultures 3 weeks later. Treatment was complicated by elevated serum liver transaminases and aminoglycoside-associated high-frequency hearing loss. The infant completed 14 months of treatment from engraftment. Evaluation for active BCG infection after SCT was negative. CONCLUSION In an infant with a unique IEI, plasma mNGS provided the first diagnosis of disseminated BCG infection. We believe that early initiation of antimycobacterial treatment improved the infant's clinical outcome. Plasma mNGS testing should be considered as a noninvasive screen for infectious pathogens in children with IEIs before SCT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margaret G Taylor
- From the Department of Pediatrics, Section of Infectious Diseases, Baylor College of Medicine, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, Texas
| | - Sarah K Nicholas
- Department of Pediatrics, Section of Immunology Allergy and Retrovirology, Baylor College of Medicine, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, Texas
| | - Lisa R Forbes Satter
- Department of Pediatrics, Section of Immunology Allergy and Retrovirology, Baylor College of Medicine, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, Texas
| | - Caridad Martinez
- Department of Pediatrics, Section of Hematology-Oncology, Baylor College of Medicine, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, Texas
| | - Lindsay H Cameron
- From the Department of Pediatrics, Section of Infectious Diseases, Baylor College of Medicine, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, Texas
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Taylor MG, Palazzi DL. Antimicrobial Stewardship in the Pediatric Primary Care Setting. Pediatr Ann 2022; 51:e196-e201. [PMID: 35575544 DOI: 10.3928/19382359-20220315-01] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Antibiotics are the most commonly prescribed medications in the pediatric outpatient setting, yet 30% to 50% of these prescriptions are deemed to be unnecessary. Outpatient antimicrobial stewardship is the concerted effort to monitor and improve antibiotic use in the community setting. The best methods of conducting antimicrobial stewardship in the outpatient setting are currently unknown, and an individualized approach is likely needed. In this review, we discuss the importance of, resources for, and research supporting outpatient antimicrobial stewardship and review ways an individual pediatric provider can further steward efforts. [Pediatr Ann. 2022;51(5):e196-e201.].
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalia Fernandez-Davila
- Division of Immunology, Allergy and Retrovirology, Department of Pediatrics, Texas Children's Hospital, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston
| | - Margaret G Taylor
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Pediatrics, Texas Children's Hospital, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston
| | - Sara Anvari
- Division of Immunology, Allergy and Retrovirology, Department of Pediatrics, Texas Children's Hospital, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston.,William T. Shearer Center for Human Immunobiology, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston
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Taylor MG, Joerger T, Li Y, Scheurer ME, Russo ME, Gerber JS, Palazzi DL. Factors Associated With Penicillin Allergy Labels in Electronic Health Records of Children in 2 Large US Pediatric Primary Care Networks. JAMA Netw Open 2022; 5:e222117. [PMID: 35285918 PMCID: PMC9907342 DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2022.2117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2021] [Accepted: 01/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Importance Penicillin allergy labels influence clinical decision-making, yet most children who are labeled do not have type 1 hypersensitivity allergic reactions and instead have a history of predictable adverse reactions or unspecified illness symptoms while receiving penicillin for viral infections. Studies describing penicillin allergy labeling in the pediatric outpatient setting are lacking. Objective To describe the epidemiology and factors associated with penicillin allergy labels across 2 large US pediatric primary care networks. Design, Setting, and Participants This retrospective, longitudinal birth cohort study was conducted in 90 primary care pediatric practices serving a diverse population of children across Houston, Texas, Austin, Texas, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and parts of New Jersey. Participants were children born between January 2010 and June 2020 who had a health care visit in the first 14 days of life and at least 2 additional visits in the first year of life at one of 90 primary care pediatric practices. Censoring criteria were additionally applied to exclude data from children no longer seeking health care in the 90 clinics over time. Statistical analysis was performed from February to May 2021. Exposures Basic patient demographics, health care utilization, penicillin exposure, and primary clinic location. Main Outcomes and Measures Addition of penicillin allergy label in the electronic medical record. Results Among 334 465 children in the birth cohort, 164 173 (49.1%) were female; 72 831 (21.8%) were Hispanic, 59 598 (17.8%) were non-Hispanic Black, and 148 534 (44.4%) were non-Hispanic White; the median (IQR) age at censoring was 3.8 (1.7-6.6) years; 18 015 (5.4%) were labeled as penicillin allergic, but the prevalence of penicillin allergy labeling ranged from 0.9% to 10.2% across practices. Children were labeled at a median (IQR) age of 1.3 (0.9-2.3) years. Non-Hispanic White children were more likely to be labeled compared with non-Hispanic Black children after controlling for potential confounders (adjusted odds ratio, 1.7 [95% CI, 1.6-1.8]). There were 6797 allergic children (37.7%) labeled after receiving 1 penicillin prescription and 1423 (7.9%) labeled after receiving 0 penicillin prescriptions. Conclusions and Relevance In this cohort study of more than 330 000 children, penicillin allergy labeling was common and varied widely across practices. Children were labeled early in life, and almost half were labeled after receiving 1 or 0 penicillin prescriptions. These findings raise questions regarding the validity of penicillin allergy labels. Future work exploring the fidelity of and outcomes associated with penicillin allergy-labeling in children is warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margaret G. Taylor
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Texas Children’s Hospital, Houston
| | - Torsten Joerger
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Department of Pediatrics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia
- Now with Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University School of Medicine and Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital Stanford, Stanford
| | - Yun Li
- Department of Biostatistics, Epidemiology, and Informatics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia
- Department of Pediatrics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia
- Pediatric IDEAS Research Group of the Center for Pediatric Clinical Effectiveness, Children’s, Phildelphia
| | - Michael E. Scheurer
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Texas Children’s Hospital, Houston
| | - Michael E. Russo
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Department of Pediatrics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia
| | - Jeffrey S. Gerber
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Department of Pediatrics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia
| | - Debra L. Palazzi
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Texas Children’s Hospital, Houston
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Taylor MG, Amerson-Brown MH, Hulten K, Cameron LH, Holzmann-Pazgal G, Edwards MS, Foster CE. Two Cases of Cronobacter Sakazakii Meningitis in Infants: The Importance Of Early Advanced Brain Imaging and Public Health Reporting. Pediatr Infect Dis J 2021; 40:e346-e348. [PMID: 33990519 DOI: 10.1097/inf.0000000000003184] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
We report 2 infants hospitalized with Cronobacter sakazakii meningitis. Each infant had exposure to powdered infant formula at home. Both infants survived, but 1 infant had a subdural empyema drained and developed left sensorineural hearing loss. Early advanced brain imaging is recommended in infants with C. sakazakii meningitis. Reporting to state and federal public health officials may help identify outbreaks.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Megan H Amerson-Brown
- Department of Pathology, Baylor College of Medicine and Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, Texas
| | - Kristina Hulten
- From the Section of Infectious Diseases, Department of Pediatrics
| | | | | | - Morven S Edwards
- From the Section of Infectious Diseases, Department of Pediatrics
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Taylor MG, Palazzi DL. Case 4: Fever, Rash, and Pneumonia in a 6-year-old Boy. Pediatr Rev 2020; 41:303-304. [PMID: 32482695 DOI: 10.1542/pir.2018-0064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Margaret G Taylor
- Department of Pediatrics, Infectious Diseases Section, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX
| | - Debra L Palazzi
- Department of Pediatrics, Infectious Diseases Section, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX
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Delaney MA, Wan YW, Kim GE, Creighton CJ, Taylor MG, Masand R, Park A, Valdes C, Gibbons W, Liu Z, Anderson ML. A Role for Progesterone-Regulated sFRP4 Expression in Uterine Leiomyomas. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2017; 102. [PMID: 28637297 PMCID: PMC5587057 DOI: 10.1210/jc.2016-4014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
CONTEXT Despite progesterone's key role in uterine smooth muscle tumorigenesis, the mechanisms by which it promotes the growth of uterine leiomyomas remain poorly understood. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to identify gene products mediating the effects of progesterone in uterine leiomyomas. DESIGN Gene expression profiling was used to identify putative progesterone-regulated genes differentially expressed in uterine leiomyomas, which were then studied in vitro. METHODS Gene expression was comprehensively profiled with the Illumina WG BeadChip (version 2.6) and analyzed with a bioinformatic algorithm that integrates known protein-protein interactions. Genomic binding sites for progesterone receptor (PR) were interrogated by chromatin immunoprecipitation-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (ChIP-qPCR). Small interfering RNA was used to study gene function in primary cell lines. RESULTS Our analyses identified secreted Frizzled-related protein 4 (sFRP4) as a key gene product functionally linked to PR activation whose expression was 2.6 times higher in leiomyomas than myometrium (n = 26, P < 0.01) and 2.5 times higher during the proliferative phase of the menstrual cycle (n = 26, P < 0.01). Direct binding between PR and sFRP4 promoter was observed by ChIP-qPCR. Robust overexpression of sFRP4 was also observed in primary cultures derived from leiomyoma. Progesterone preferentially inhibited sFRP4 expression and secretion in leiomyoma cultures in a dose-dependent manner sensitized by estradiol. Knockdown of sFRP4 inhibited proliferation and apoptosis in primary cultures of both myometrium and leiomyoma. CONCLUSIONS Overexpression of sFRP4 is a robust, progesterone-regulated feature of leiomyomas that increases smooth muscle proliferation. More work is needed to elucidate how progesterone's ability to modulate sFRP4 expression contributes to uterine smooth muscle tumorigenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meaghan A. Delaney
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030
| | - Ying-Wooi Wan
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030
| | - Gyoung-Eun Kim
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030
| | - Chad J. Creighton
- Dan L. Duncan Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030
| | - Margaret G. Taylor
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030
| | - Ramya Masand
- Department of Pathology & Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030
| | - Andrew Park
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030
| | - Cecilia Valdes
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030
| | - William Gibbons
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030
| | - Zhandong Liu
- Dan L. Duncan Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030
- Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030
| | - Matthew L. Anderson
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030
- Dan L. Duncan Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030
- Department of Pathology & Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030
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Plumb JOM, Taylor MG, Clissold E, Grocott MPW, Gill R. Transfusion in critical care - a UK regional audit of current practice. Anaesthesia 2017; 72:633-640. [PMID: 28213888 DOI: 10.1111/anae.13824] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/03/2017] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
A consistent message within critical care publications has been that a restrictive transfusion strategy is non-inferior, and possibly superior, to a liberal strategy for stable, non-bleeding critically ill patients. Translation into clinical practice has, however, been slow. Here, we describe the degree of adherence to UK best practice guidelines in a regional network of nine intensive care units within Wessex. All transfusions given during a 2-month period were included (n = 444). Those given for active bleeding or within 24 h of major surgery, trauma or gastrointestinal bleeding were excluded (n = 148). The median (IQR [range]) haemoglobin concentration before transfusion was 73 (68-77 [53-106]) g.l-1 , with only 34% of transfusion episodes using a transfusion threshold of < 70 g.l-1 . In a subgroup analysis that did not study patients with a history of cardiac disease (n = 42), haemoglobin concentration before transfusion was 72 (68-77 [50-98]) g.l-1 , with only 36% of transfusion episodes using a threshold of < 70 g.l-1 (see Fig. 3). Most blood transfusions given to critically ill patients who were not bleeding in this audit used a haemoglobin threshold > 70 g.l-1 . The reason why recommendations on transfusion triggers have not translated into clinical practice is unclear. With a clear national drive to decrease usage of blood products and clear evidence that a threshold of 70 g.l-1 is non-inferior, it is surprising that a scarce and potentially dangerous resource is still being overused within critical care. Simple solutions such as electronic patient records that force pause for thought before blood transfusion, or prescriptions that only allow administration of a single unit in non-emergency circumstances may help to reduce the incidence of unnecessary blood transfusions.
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Affiliation(s)
- J O M Plumb
- Shackleton Department of Anaesthesia, University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust, Southampton, UK
| | - M G Taylor
- Shackleton Department of Anaesthesia, University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust, Southampton, UK
| | - E Clissold
- Shackleton Department of Anaesthesia, University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust, Southampton, UK
| | - M P W Grocott
- Shackleton Department of Anaesthesia, University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust, Southampton, UK
| | - R Gill
- Shackleton Department of Anaesthesia, University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust, Southampton, UK
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16
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Bhasin JM, Lee BH, Matkin L, Taylor MG, Hu B, Xu Y, Magi-Galluzzi C, Klein EA, Ting AH. Methylome-wide Sequencing Detects DNA Hypermethylation Distinguishing Indolent from Aggressive Prostate Cancer. Cell Rep 2015; 13:2135-46. [PMID: 26628371 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2015.10.078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2015] [Revised: 09/10/2015] [Accepted: 10/28/2015] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
A critical need in understanding the biology of prostate cancer is characterizing the molecular differences between indolent and aggressive cases. Because DNA methylation can capture the regulatory state of tumors, we analyzed differential methylation patterns genome-wide among benign prostatic tissue and low-grade and high-grade prostate cancer and found extensive, focal hypermethylation regions unique to high-grade disease. These hypermethylation regions occurred not only in the promoters of genes but also in gene bodies and at intergenic regions that are enriched for DNA-protein binding sites. Integration with existing RNA-sequencing (RNA-seq) and survival data revealed regions where DNA methylation correlates with reduced gene expression associated with poor outcome. Regions specific to aggressive disease are proximal to genes with distinct functions from regions shared by indolent and aggressive disease. Our compendium of methylation changes reveals crucial molecular distinctions between indolent and aggressive prostate cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeffrey M Bhasin
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA; Genomic Medicine Institute, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA
| | - Byron H Lee
- Glickman Urological and Kidney Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA
| | - Lars Matkin
- Genomic Medicine Institute, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA
| | - Margaret G Taylor
- Genomic Medicine Institute, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA
| | - Bo Hu
- Quantitative Health Sciences, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA
| | - Yaomin Xu
- Department of Biostatistics, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN 37240, USA
| | - Cristina Magi-Galluzzi
- Robert J. Tomsich Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA
| | - Eric A Klein
- Glickman Urological and Kidney Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA
| | - Angela H Ting
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA; Genomic Medicine Institute, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA.
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17
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Lee BH, Taylor MG, Robinet P, Smith JD, Schweitzer J, Sehayek E, Falzarano SM, Magi-Galluzzi C, Klein EA, Ting AH. Dysregulation of cholesterol homeostasis in human prostate cancer through loss of ABCA1. Cancer Res 2012; 73:1211-8. [PMID: 23233737 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-12-3128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 111] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Recent epidemiologic data show that low serum cholesterol level as well as statin use is associated with a decreased risk of developing aggressive or advanced prostate cancer, suggesting a role for cholesterol in aggressive prostate cancer development. Intracellular cholesterol promotes prostate cancer progression as a substrate for de novo androgen synthesis and through regulation of AKT signaling. By conducting next-generation sequencing-based DNA methylome analysis, we have discovered marked hypermethylation at the promoter of the major cellular cholesterol efflux transporter, ABCA1, in LNCaP prostate cancer cells. ABCA1 promoter hypermethylation renders the promoter unresponsive to transactivation and leads to elevated cholesterol levels in LNCaP. ABCA1 promoter hypermethylation is enriched in intermediate- to high-grade prostate cancers and not detectable in benign prostate. Remarkably, ABCA1 downregulation is evident in all prostate cancers examined, and expression levels are inversely correlated with Gleason grade. Our results suggest that cancer-specific ABCA1 hypermethylation and loss of protein expression direct high intracellular cholesterol levels and hence contribute to an environment conducive to tumor progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Byron H Lee
- Glickman Urological & Kidney Institute, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA
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18
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Verrengia Guerrero NR, Taylor MG, Simkiss K. Modelling 2,4-dichlorophenol bioavailability and bioaccumulation by the freshwater fingernail clam Sphaerium corneum using artificial particles and humic acids. Environ Pollut 2007; 145:238-44. [PMID: 16690183 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2006.03.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2005] [Revised: 03/03/2006] [Accepted: 03/12/2006] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
The complex and variable composition of natural sediments makes it very difficult to predict the bioavailability and bioaccumulation of sediment-bound contaminants. Several approaches have been proposed to overcome this problem, including an experimental model using artificial particles with or without humic acids as a source of organic matter. For this work, we have applied this experimental model, and also a sample of a natural sediment, to investigate the uptake and bioaccumulation of 2,4-dichlorophenol (2,4-DCP) by Sphaerium corneum. Additionally, the particle-water partition coefficients (K(d)) were calculated. The results showed that the bioaccumulation of 2,4-DCP by clams did not depend solely on the levels of chemical dissolved, but also on the amount sorbed onto the particles and the characteristics and the strength of that binding. This study confirms the value of using artificial particles as a suitable experimental model for assessing the fate of sediment-bound contaminants.
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Affiliation(s)
- N R Verrengia Guerrero
- Toxicology and Legal Chemistry, Department of Biological Chemistry, Faculty of Exact and Natural Sciences, University of Buenos Aires, Argentina.
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19
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Affiliation(s)
- M G Taylor
- Department of Medical Helminthology London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine London WC1 E7HT, UK
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20
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Liu JM, Cai XZ, Lin JJ, Fu ZQ, Yang GZ, Shi FH, Cai YM, Shen W, Taylor MG, Wu XF. Gene cloning, expression and vaccine testing of Schistosoma japonicum SjFABP. Parasite Immunol 2004; 26:351-8. [PMID: 15679632 DOI: 10.1111/j.0141-9838.2004.00720.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
A 600 bp DNA fragment was amplified by PCR from an adult Schistosoma japonicum cDNA library. Sequence analysis confirmed that this fragment contained an S. japonicum Chinese mainland strain fatty acid binding protein (Sj14FABP) gene. This gene was subsequently expressed in Escherichia coli (E. coli) and in Baculovirus/silkworm systems. The recombinant protein from E. coli was a 41 kDa GST fusion protein (rSj14/GST), which could be purified by glutathione agarose affinity chromatography, with a yield of 25 mg/L E. coli culture. The recombinant protein from the Baculovirus/silkworm system was an 18 kDa fusion protein (rSj14/His), which could be purified by Ni-NTA resin chromatography column with a yield of 3.5 mg per silkworm larva. Both rSj14/GST and rSj14/His could be recognized by S. japonicum-infected mouse sera and anti-rSj14/GST mouse sera in Western blotting. The purified recombinant protein was immunogenic in mice, rats and sheep, and 34.3%, 31.9% and 59.2% worm reductions, respectively, were obtained in vaccinated Kunming mice, Wistar rats and sheep vaccinated with Sj14/GST, compared to non-vaccinated control groups. Worm reductions of 48.8% and 49.0% were recorded in Balb/c mice immunized with Sj14/His, compared to non-vaccinated and BCG-vaccinated groups, respectively. These results indicate that rSj14FABP is a promising candidate vaccine for schistosomiasis japonica, particularly as in the rat and sheep vaccination experiments, no adjuvant was used.
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Affiliation(s)
- J M Liu
- Shanghai Institute of Animal Parasitology, Ministry of Agriculture, Shanghai, PR China.
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21
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Shen L, Zhang ZS, Wu HW, Weir RE, Xie ZW, Hu LS, Chen SZ, Ji MJ, Su C, Zhang Y, Bickle QD, Cousens SN, Taylor MG, Wu GL. IFN-gamma is associated with risk of Schistosoma japonicum infection in China. Parasite Immunol 2004; 25:483-7. [PMID: 15157025 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-3024.2003.t01-1-00661.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Before the start of the schistosomiasis transmission season, 129 villagers resident on a Schistosoma japonicum-endemic island in Poyang Lake, Jiangxi Province, 64 of whom were stool-positive for S. japonicum eggs by the Kato method and 65 negative, were treated with praziquantel. Forty-five days later the 93 subjects who presented for follow-up were all stool-negative. Blood samples were collected from all 93 individuals. S. japonicum soluble worm antigen (SWAP) and soluble egg antigen (SEA) stimulated IL-4, IL-5 and IFN-gamma production in whole-blood cultures were measured by ELISA. All the subjects were interviewed nine times during the subsequent transmission season to estimate the intensity of their contact with potentially infective snail habitats, and the subjects were all re-screened for S. japonicum by the Kato method at the end of the transmission season. Fourteen subjects were found to be infected at that time. There was some indication that the risk of infection might be associated with gender (with females being at higher risk) and with the intensity of water contact, and there was evidence that levels of SEA-induced IFN-gamma production were associated with reduced risk of infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Shen
- Molecular- and Immuno-parasitology Research Department, Nanjing Medical University, China, PR
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22
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Shen L, Wu HW, Zhang ZS, Weir RE, Xie ZW, Hu LS, Chen SZ, Taylor MG, Wu GL. [Human parasite antigen-specific IFN-gamma response in schistosomitsis japonica endemic area]. Zhongguo Ji Sheng Chong Xue Yu Ji Sheng Chong Bing Za Zhi 2003; 18:132-4. [PMID: 12567684] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/28/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To explore the characteristics of human schistosome antigen-specific IFN-gamma response in a population in an area endemic for schistosomiasis japonica. METHODS Three neighboring villages were chosen on Nanshan Island of Poyang Lake. 65 egg-negative persons and 64 egg-positive ones were selected randomly from the residents aged 14-41 years according to the egg counts by Kato-Katz thick smear method. IFN-gamma was measured in the whole blood culture supernatant after stimulated by the schistosome soluble egg antigen (SEA) and soluble worm antigen preparations (SWAP). Serum isotype-restricted antibody was detected by ELISA. RESULTS IFN-gamma levels induced by both SEA and SWAP were increased significantly after praziquantel treatment. The SEA-specific IFN-gamma level of the uninfected group was much higher than that of the reinfected group. A negative correlation between IFN-gamma level and IgG4 production was found, reflecting that IFN-gamma might be associated with the resistance to schistosome reinfection. CONCLUSION The changes in IFN-gamma level might play an important role in association with the resistance to schistosome reinfection.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Shen
- Molecular and Immunoparasitology Research Department, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210029
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23
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Shen L, Wu HW, Zhang ZS, Weir R, Shao LJ, Xie ZW, Hu LS, Chen SZ, Su C, Zhang T, Taylor MG, Wu GL. [Studies on human cytokine responses before and after praziquantel chemotherapy in an endemic area of schistosomiasis japonica]. Zhongguo Ji Sheng Chong Xue Yu Ji Sheng Chong Bing Za Zhi 2003; 18:14-7. [PMID: 12567463] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/28/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To observe the cellular immune responses in a population of an endemic area of schistosomiasis japonica and the influence of praziquantel treatment. METHODS Blood was taken from 129 residents (64 cases were egg-positive, 65 cases were egg-negitive) of an endemic area of Poyang Lake before and 45 days after praziquantel treatment. Cytokines induced by the schistosome soluble egg antigen (SEA) and soluble worm antigen preparations (SWAP) in the peripheral blood cells including IL-5, IL-10 and IFN-gamma were measured. RESULTS Among 129 cases, the cytokine levels were found much higher in egg negative individuals than in egg-positive individuals. The cytokine levels induced by both antigens were increased significantly after praziqantel treatment especially IL-5 and IFN-gamma. CONCLUSION The cellular immune responses in the population in schistosomiasis japonica endemic area exhibited a general trend of down-regulation and were elevated significantly after praziquantel treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Shen
- Laboratory of Molecular and Immuno-Parasitology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210029
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Verrengia Guerrero NR, Taylor MG, Wider EA, Simkiss K. Influence of particle characteristics and organic matter content on the bioavailability and bioaccumulation of pyrene by clams. Environ Pollut 2003; 121:115-122. [PMID: 12475068 DOI: 10.1016/s0269-7491(02)00197-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Hydrophobic chemicals are known to associate with sediment particles including those from both suspended particulate matter and bottom deposits. The complex and variable composition of natural particles makes it very difficult therefore, to predict the bioavailability of sediment-bound contaminants. To overcome these problems we have previously devised a test system using artificial particles, with or without humic acids, for use as an experimental model of natural sediments. In the present work we have applied this experimental technique to investigate the bioavailability and bioaccumulation of pyrene by the freshwater fingernail clam Sphaerium corneum. The uptake and accumulation of pyrene in clams exposed to the chemical in the presence of a sample of natural sediment was also investigated. According to the results obtained, particle surface properties and organic matter content are the key factors for assessing the bioavailability and bioaccumulation of pyrene by clams.
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Affiliation(s)
- N R Verrengia Guerrero
- Biomarkers Lab., Dept. of Biological Chemistry, Faculty of Exact and Natural Sciences, University of Buenos Aires, Argentina.
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25
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Larnach D, Taylor MG. The Square-Wave Resolver: An Apparatus for the Continuous Analysis of Periodic Signals Recorded on Magnetic Tape. Phys Med Biol 2002. [DOI: 10.1088/0031-9155/10/4/309] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
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27
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Shen L, Zhang ZS, Wu HW, Weir RE, Xie ZW, Hu LS, Chen SZ, Ji MJ, Su C, Zhang Y, Bickle QD, Cousens SN, Taylor MG, Wu GL. Down-regulation of specific antigen-driven cytokine production in a population with endemic Schistosoma japonicum infection. Clin Exp Immunol 2002; 129:339-45. [PMID: 12165092 PMCID: PMC1906450 DOI: 10.1046/j.1365-2249.2002.01914.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Schistosome antigen-driven cytokine responses and antischistosome antibody levels of residents of a Schistosoma japonicum endemic island in Poyang Lake, Jiangxi Province were studied before and 45 days after treatment with praziquantel. IL-4, IL-5, IL-10 and INF-gamma were all detected in the supernatants of whole-blood cultures after stimulation with schistosome soluble egg antigen (SEA) and soluble worm antigen preparation (SWAP). The percentages of subjects producing detectable amounts of each cytokine assayed were higher in the group who were negative by stool examination at the start of the study than in those who were initially stool positive. After praziquantel treatment the percentages of subjects producing both type I and type II cytokines increased. This suggests that the production of both types of cytokine was down-regulated in the presence of live, egg-laying S. japonicum adult worms but that this was reversible by treatment. In contrast, the antibody studies showed higher levels of SWAP and SEA-specific antibodies (IgE, total IgG, IgG4, IgM) in subjects who were originally stool-positive than in those who were stool-negative. After treatment specific IgE responses were elevated, but total IgG and IgG4 anti-SEA and IgM anti-SWAP antibody levels all fell significantly.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Shen
- Molecular- and Immuno-parasitology Research Department, Nanjing Medical University, China
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28
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Abstract
A series of dodecyl 1-thio-β-D-glycosides has been synthesized and characterized (DSC, NMR, CP MAS, X-ray diffraction) as possible new marking materials with liquid-crystalline properties. These compounds undergo solid to liquid crystal phase transitions at various temperatures, which depend on the nature of the carbohydrate part of the structure. Their liquid-crystalline phases show extreme shear thinning behaviour.Key words: liquid crystal, powder X-ray diffraction, phase transition, thioglycoside, solid-state NMR, marking material
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29
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Soto M, Zaldibar B, Cancio I, Taylor MG, Turner M, Morgan AJ, Marigómez I. Subcellular distribution of cadmium and its cellular ligands in mussel digestive gland cells as revealed by combined autometallography and X-ray microprobe analysis. Histochem J 2002; 34:273-80. [PMID: 12769258 DOI: 10.1023/a:1023322423654] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
Autometallography (AMG) and electron probe X-ray microanalysis (EPXMA) were applied in combination to determine the subcellular distribution of Cd and its subcellular ligands in the digestive gland cells of Cd-exposed mussels Mytilus galloprovincialis. Black silver deposits (BSD), which reveal the presence of metals when AMG is applied, were only localized in digestive cell lysosomes. Digestive cell cytoplasm and basophilic cells were devoid of BSD. EPXMA (static probe and X-ray mapping) indicated that Cd, S (possibly associated with metallothioneins or metallothionein-like proteins) and autometallographical Ag ions are co-localized within digestive cell lysosomes. In addition, Cd and S co-occur in the absence of Ag in the cytosol of digestive cells. AMG does not reveal the presence of the Cd 'pool' strongly bound to cytosolic Cd-metallothionein complexes; only 'free' Cd or Cd supposedly loosely bound to (semi)digested metallothionein within lysosomes was revealed. The levels of lysosomal Cd were indirectly quantified by stereology as the volume density of BSD (V(v)BSD). Significantly higher values were recorded in Cd-exposed mussels compared with controls at all exposure times. However, V(v)BSD values were lower at days 7 and 21 than at day 1. This relative decrease in V(v)BSD reflected another (and confounding) response elicited by Cd-exposure in the digestive epithelium: the volume density of basophilic cells (V(v)BAS) increased significantly as exposure progressed. Due to this cell-type replacement, the net accumulative capacity of the digestive epithelium decreases at long exposure times.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Soto
- Cell Biology and Histology Laboratory, Zoology and Animal Cell Dynamics Department, School of Sciences, University of the Basque Country, Bilbao, Basque Country
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Verrengia Guerrero NR, Taylor MG, Davies NA, Lawrence MAM, Edwards PA, Simkiss K, Wider EA. Evidence of differences in the biotransformation of organic contaminants in three species of freshwater invertebrates. Environ Pollut 2002; 117:523-530. [PMID: 11926182 DOI: 10.1016/s0269-7491(01)00132-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
Acute static bioassays were performed using three freshwater invertebrate species (the oligochaete Lumbriculus variegatus, the fingernail clam Sphaerium corneum and the larvae Chironomus riparius) exposed separately to a variety of 14C radiolabelled contaminants. The aim of this work was to investigate if the chemicals remained as parent compounds after the treatments. Chemicals used were 2,4-dichlorophenol; 2,4,5-trichlorophenol; pentachlorophenol; pyrene; Fenpropidin, and Trifluralin. Homogenates of the whole body tissue of each organism were prepared and total radioactivity was measured. Contaminants were then extracted into organic solvents and analysed by high-pressure liquid chromatography techniques. Chromatograms showed that most of the substances extracted were present as parent compounds in S. corneum and in L. variegatus. In contrast, for C. riparius a low proportion of the chemicals was recovered as parent compounds. These results suggest that different metabolic processes could take place in the different species.
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Affiliation(s)
- N R Verrengia Guerrero
- Department of Biological Chemistry, Faculty of Exact and Natural Sciences, University of Buenos Aires, Argentina.
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Zhang Y, Taylor MG, Johansen MV, Bickle QD. Vaccination of mice with a cocktail DNA vaccine induces a Th1-type immune response and partial protection against Schistosoma japonicum infection. Vaccine 2001; 20:724-30. [PMID: 11738735 DOI: 10.1016/s0264-410x(01)00420-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Several defined vaccine candidate antigens of Schistosoma japonicum have shown promise in large animal vaccination experiments. However, vaccination of mice in the laboratory with either single recombinant antigens or DNA encoding forms of the individual antigens has so far failed to induce significant protection against S. japonicum cercarial challenge infection as judged by worm reduction, although specific antibodies were generated. This is in contrast to the results achieved using radiation-attenuated vaccines which are highly protective. Even in large animal vaccination experiments, the protection levels obtained with single defined antigens were far below those achieved using the attenuated vaccines. One possible interpretation is that the immune responses induced by single antigen vaccination may not be strong enough to combat the challenging infection. We, therefore, carried out mouse vaccination experiments using a cocktail DNA vaccine comprising four DNA plasmids encoding four different S. japonicum antigens, Sj62, Sj28, Sj23 and Sj14-3-3, respectively. We, also investigated whether co-injection of the mouse IL-12 encoding plasmid with the cocktail DNA vaccine was able to enhance the Th1 responses and hence the protective immunity. Three intramuscular injections of the cocktail DNA vaccine induced a significant Th1-type cellular response with high level of IFN-gamma production by splenocytes upon in vitro stimulation with recombinant antigens. Importantly, significant IgG antibody responses were also induced against crude worm antigens. In two out of three experiments, significant resistance (34-37 and 44-45%, respectively) was demonstrated while another experiment did not show any protection against S. japonicum cercarial challenge infection. Co-injection of the IL-12 encoding DNA did not further enhance these responses, nor the level of resistance, compared with the cocktail DNA alone.
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Affiliation(s)
- Y Zhang
- Immunology Unit, Department of Infectious & Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London WC1E 7HT, UK.
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32
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Verrengia Guerrero NR, Taylor MG, Wider EA, Simkiss K. Modeling pentachlorophenol bioavailability and bioaccumulation by the freshwater fingernail clam Sphaerium corneum using artificial particles and humic acids. Environ Toxicol Chem 2001; 20:2910-2915. [PMID: 11764179 DOI: 10.1897/1551-5028(2001)020<2910:mpbabb>2.0.co;2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
The uptake of anthropogenic chemicals by benthic bivalves may occur through the water phase and also by the ingestion of particles from both the suspended matter and bottom sediments. Many chemicals sorb to sediments and, subsequently, are released in the digestive tract of animals. The assessment of sediment-bound chemicals has been difficult because of the complexity of the association between these chemicals and natural particles. To simplify this complexity, we previously devised a test system using artificial particles with known chemical structures. In the present work, we improved this experimental design by adding humic materials as a source of organic matter. Bioassays were conducted by exposing the fingernail clam Sphaerium corneum to sublethal levels of pentachlorophenol (PCP) in the presence or absence of the artificial particles, treated with or without a commercial preparation of humic acids. The results showed that the bioavailability and bioaccumulation could be explained on the basis of the interactions of PCP with the active groups and/or the backbone of the resins, both in systems with or without humic acids. This model may constitute a useful approach to modeling and predicting the uptake and accumulation of chemicals bound to natural sediments.
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Affiliation(s)
- N R Verrengia Guerrero
- Department of Biological Chemistry, Faculty of Exact & Natural Sciences, University of Buenos Aires, Argentina.
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33
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Shi F, Zhang Y, Ye P, Lin J, Cai Y, Shen W, Bickle QD, Taylor MG. Laboratory and field evaluation of Schistosoma japonicum DNA vaccines in sheep and water buffalo in China. Vaccine 2001; 20:462-7. [PMID: 11672910 DOI: 10.1016/s0264-410x(01)00340-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Vaccines are needed to control zoonotic Schistosoma japonicum infection and several vaccine candidates have now been identified. Two of these (Sj28GST and Sj23) have shown particular promise in sheep when injected with Freund's adjuvants. The objective of the present work was to find a vaccine formulation which may have potential for widespread use in the field. DNA vaccine formulations of these antigens were produced and tested first in sheep under laboratory conditions and then in both the laboratory and the field in water buffalo. In both host species partial protection as evidenced by a reduction in parasite counts in vaccinated compared with control animals was induced by both vaccines, and in water buffalo the vaccines were shown to be partially protective in the field as well as in the laboratory. These results suggest that the two DNA vaccines tested here may have potential for large-scale field use.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Shi
- Shanghai Institute of Animal Parasitology, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, 3 Lane 345 Shi-long Road, Shanghai 200232, China
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34
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Tucker CJ, Slayback DA, Pinzon JE, Los SO, Myneni RB, Taylor MG. Higher northern latitude normalized difference vegetation index and growing season trends from 1982 to 1999. Int J Biometeorol 2001; 45:184-190. [PMID: 11769318 DOI: 10.1007/s00484-001-0109-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 170] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
Normalized difference vegetation index data from the polar-orbiting National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration meteorological satellites from 1982 to 1999 show significant variations in photosynthetic activity and growing season length at latitudes above 35 degrees N. Two distinct periods of increasing plant growth are apparent: 1982-1991 and 1992-1999, separated by a reduction from 1991 to 1992 associated with global cooling resulting from the volcanic eruption of Mt. Pinatubo in June 1991. The average May to September normalized difference vegetation index from 45 degrees N to 75 degrees N increased by 9% from 1982 to 1991, decreased by 5% from 1991 to 1992, and increased by 8% from 1992 to 1999. Variations in the normalized difference vegetation index were associated with variations in the start of the growing season of -5.6, +3.9, and -1.7 days respectively, for the three time periods. Our results support surface temperature increases within the same period at higher northern latitudes where temperature limits plant growth.
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Affiliation(s)
- C J Tucker
- Laboratory for Terrestrial Physics, NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Maryland 20771, USA.
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35
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Tieman DM, Ciardi JA, Taylor MG, Klee HJ. Members of the tomato LeEIL (EIN3-like) gene family are functionally redundant and regulate ethylene responses throughout plant development. Plant J 2001; 26:47-58. [PMID: 11359609 DOI: 10.1046/j.1365-313x.2001.01006.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 102] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
The plant hormone ethylene regulates many aspects of growth, development and responses to the environment. The Arabidopsis ETHYLENE INSENSITIVE3 (EIN3) protein is a nuclear-localized component of the ethylene signal-transduction pathway with DNA-binding activity. Loss-of-function mutations in this protein result in ethylene insensitivity in Arabidopsis. To gain a better understanding of the ethylene signal-transduction pathway in tomato, we have identified three homologs of the Arabidopsis EIN3 gene (LeEILs). Each of these genes complemented the ein3-1 mutation in transgenic Arabidopsis, indicating that all are involved in ethylene signal transduction. Transgenic tomato plants with reduced expression of a single LeEIL gene did not exhibit significant changes in ethylene response; reduced expression of multiple tomato LeEIL genes was necessary to reduce ethylene sensitivity significantly. Reduced LeEIL expression affected all ethylene responses examined, including leaf epinasty, flower abscission, flower senescence and fruit ripening. Our results indicate that the LeEILs are functionally redundant and positive regulators of multiple ethylene responses throughout plant development.
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Affiliation(s)
- D M Tieman
- PO Box 110690, Horticultural Sciences Department, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611-0690, USA
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36
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Abstract
Biological interest in trace element speciation has tended to be polarised in very different ways according to the concerns of the investigators. Much of the ecological interest has centred on the effects of metal ions in the external environment with the "free metal ion model" dominating discussions of potential toxicity. By way of contrast biochemists have been much more concerned with the stereochemical and kinetic aspects of specificity in metal protein interactions in the cytoplasm. Separating these two sets of interests are the membrane biophysicists whose studies have concentrated on the channel concept. All three groups have tended to ignore speciation onto the solid phase. In the overall biological context, trace element speciation in the cell is more concerned with kinetics and the evolution of specificity of interaction between diverse ligands than with the conditions for equilibrium.
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Affiliation(s)
- K Simkiss
- School of Animal & Microbial Sciences, The University of Reading, UK.
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37
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Simkiss K, Davies NA, Edwards PA, Lawrence MA, Taylor MG. The use of sediment analogues to study the uptake of pollutants by chironomid larvae. Environ Pollut 2001; 115:89-96. [PMID: 11586776 DOI: 10.1016/s0269-7491(01)00090-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
A technique is described that uses artificial resin beads with known surface properties to investigate the factors influencing the bioaccumulation of pollutants from sediments. One advantage of this technique is that it provides a standard procedure against which it is possible to calibrate natural sediments with their diverse properties. The method has been used on third instar larvae of the midge Chironomus riparius and the results are compared with previous studies on the worm Lumbriculus variegatus. The use of a standard test using resin beads as a substitute for natural sediment allows comparisons to be made between species and substrates. Thus, the bioaccumulation factors for the midge larvae are much smaller than those of the worm and this correlates with the ability of the insect larva to detoxify many pollutants. It is also possible to use the test to identify if ingestion of the sediment increases the bioaccumulation of contaminants and whether this involves the release of pollutants by digestive processes or not.
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Affiliation(s)
- K Simkiss
- School of Animal & Microbial Sciences, University of Reading, Reading RG6 6AJ, UK.
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38
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Savioli L, Neira M, Albonico M, Beach MJ, Chwaya HM, Crompton DW, Dunne J, Ehrenberg JP, Gyorkos T, Kvalsvig J, Taylor MG, Urbani C, Zheng F. Treatment for intestinal helminth infection. Review needed to take account of all relevant evidence, not only effects on growth and cognitive performance. BMJ 2000; 321:1226-7. [PMID: 11185587] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/19/2023]
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39
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Abstract
The adsorption and desorption of 2,4-dichlorophenol (DCP) and pentachlorophenol (PCP) were studied for a range of synthetic particles, a dimethylditallowammonium exchanged clay and a natural sediment. The synthetic particles were Dowex 1X8400, Toyopearl Phenyl 650M and Toyopearl SP 650M. The bioaccumulation of the DCP and PCP from these particles was then studied using the oligochaete, Lumbriculus variegatus. There is a correlation between contaminant-particle interactions, as determined from adsorption and desorption isotherms, and bioaccumulation. Bioaccumulation by L. variegatus was found to be highest from the systems where differences in the classification of adsorption and desorption isotherms were observed.
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Affiliation(s)
- M A Lawrence
- School of Animal and Microbial Sciences, The University of Reading, Whiteknights, UK.
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40
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Zhang Y, Bickle QD, Taylor MG. Cloning of Schistosoma japonicum 14-3-3 epsilon (Sj14-3-3 epsilon), a new member of the 14-3-3 family of proteins from schistosomes. Int J Parasitol 2000; 30:991-4. [PMID: 10980288 DOI: 10.1016/s0020-7519(00)00086-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
A new member of the 14-3-3 protein family from Schistosoma japonicum has been identified. Phylogenetic analysis showed that this member belongs to the epsilon subfamily of the 14-3-3 proteins, and it is therefore named Sj14-3-3 epsilon. Consistent with the findings for the previously reported S. japonicum 14-3-3 protein (Sj14-3-3), Southern analysis suggested the presence of more than one gene, and/or introns or allelic polymorphism in this epsilon isoform. By RT-PCR, Sj14-3-3 epsilon was shown to be stage-specifically transcribed, being abundant in adults, present in sporocysts but absent in cercariae. Furthermore, mRNA of the epsilon isoform seemed to be much less abundant in the sporocyst stage, compared with Sj14-3-3. This suggests varying requirements of the different 14-3-3 isoforms at different stages of the life cycle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Y Zhang
- Immunology Unit, Department of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London WC1E 7HT, UK.
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41
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Maurer CR, Gaston RP, Hill DL, Gleeson MJ, Taylor MG, Fenlon MR, Edwards PJ, Hawkes DJ. AcouStick: An optically tracked A-mode ultrasonography system for registration in image-guided neurosurgery. Stereotact Funct Neurosurg 2000; 72:143-4. [PMID: 10853067 DOI: 10.1159/000029715] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- CR Maurer
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Rochester, Rochester, N.Y., USA
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42
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Tieman DM, Taylor MG, Ciardi JA, Klee HJ. The tomato ethylene receptors NR and LeETR4 are negative regulators of ethylene response and exhibit functional compensation within a multigene family. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2000; 97:5663-8. [PMID: 10792050 PMCID: PMC25885 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.090550597] [Citation(s) in RCA: 189] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The plant hormone ethylene is involved in many developmental processes, including fruit ripening, abscission, senescence, and leaf epinasty. Tomato contains a family of ethylene receptors, designated LeETR1, LeETR2, NR, LeETR4, and LeETR5, with homology to the Arabidopsis ETR1 ethylene receptor. Transgenic plants with reduced LeETR4 gene expression display multiple symptoms of extreme ethylene sensitivity, including severe epinasty, enhanced flower senescence, and accelerated fruit ripening. Therefore, LeETR4 is a negative regulator of ethylene responses. Reduced expression of this single gene affects multiple developmental processes in tomato, whereas in Arabidopsis multiple ethylene receptors must be inactivated to increase ethylene response. Transgenic lines with reduced NR mRNA levels exhibit normal ethylene sensitivity but elevated levels of LeETR4 mRNA, indicating a functional compensation of LeETR4 for reduced NR expression. Overexpression of NR in lines with lowered LeETR4 gene expression eliminates the ethylene-sensitive phenotype, indicating that despite marked differences in structure these ethylene receptors are functionally redundant.
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Affiliation(s)
- D M Tieman
- Horticultural Sciences, University of Florida, P.O. Box 110690, Gainesville, FL 32611-0690, USA
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43
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Abstract
The recombinant Schistosoma mansoni 62 kDa myosin fragment, rIrV-5, is highly protective in experimental animals, however, vaccination of mice and rats with the recombinant Schistosoma japonicum homologue, rSj62, did not induce significant resistance against S. japonicum infection. To explore alternative ways of presenting this antigen, we further constructed a plasmid (VRSj62) which encodes Sj62 using the VR1020 vector and tested it in vaccination experiments. Four immunisations with 10 microg VRSj62 DNA alone were sufficient to induce high and progressively increasing levels of IgG antibodies against rSj62 with increasing numbers of injections in CBA/Ca mice (IgG titre > or =1:25000), and three injections with 50 microg VRSj62 DNA alone induced significant IgG responses in C57Bl/6 mice (IgG titre, 1:1600). However, vaccination with plasmid DNA entrapped in cationic liposomes or together with pUC19 DNA as a source of CpG motifs, both of which have been reported to enhance immune responses, did not enhance specific antibody production. In spite of the stimulation of specific antibodies against rSj62 with the naked DNA construct no resistance to challenge was demonstrated.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Antibodies, Helminth/biosynthesis
- Antibodies, Helminth/immunology
- Antigen-Antibody Reactions
- Antigens, Helminth/genetics
- Antigens, Helminth/immunology
- CpG Islands
- DNA, Recombinant/genetics
- Female
- Helminth Proteins/administration & dosage
- Helminth Proteins/genetics
- Helminth Proteins/immunology
- Immunization, Secondary
- Immunoglobulin G/biosynthesis
- Immunoglobulin G/immunology
- Liposomes/administration & dosage
- Mice
- Mice, Inbred C57BL
- Mice, Inbred CBA
- Microscopy, Immunoelectron
- Muscles/immunology
- Muscles/ultrastructure
- Myosins/genetics
- Myosins/immunology
- Plasmids/genetics
- Schistosoma japonicum/genetics
- Schistosoma japonicum/immunology
- Schistosoma japonicum/ultrastructure
- Schistosomiasis japonica/prevention & control
- Vaccination
- Vaccines, DNA/administration & dosage
- Vaccines, DNA/immunology
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Affiliation(s)
- Y Y Zhang
- Immunology Unit, Department of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London, UK
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44
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King GJ, Wheeler TT, McGorray SP, Aiosa LS, Bloom RM, Taylor MG. Orthodontists' perceptions of the impact of phase 1 treatment for Class II malocclusion on phase 2 needs. J Dent Res 1999; 78:1745-53. [PMID: 10576171 DOI: 10.1177/00220345990780111201] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The most appropriate timing for the treatment of Class II malocclusions is controversial. Some clinicians advocate starting a first phase in the mixed dentition, followed by a phase 2 in the permanent dentition. Others see no clear advantage to that approach and recommend that the entire treatment be done in the late mixed or early permanent dentition. This study examines how orthodontists, blinded to treatment approach, perceive the impact of phase 1 treatment on phase 2 needs. The sample consisted of 242 Class II subjects, aged 10 to 15, who had completed phase 1 or observation in a randomized clinical trial (RCT). For each subject, video orthodontic records, a questionnaire, a fact sheet, and a cephalometric tracing were sent to five randomly selected reviewing orthodontists blinded to subject group and study purpose. Reviewing orthodontists were asked to assess treatment need, general approach, need for extractions, priority, difficulty, and determinants. Orthodontists agreed highly on treatment need (95%) and moderately on treatment approach (84%) and extraction need (80%). They did not perceive differences in need, approach, or extractions between treated and control groups. Treated subjects were judged as less difficult (p = 0.0001) and to have a lower treatment priority (p = 0.0001) than controls. In ranking problems that affect treatment decisions, the orthodontists ranked dental Class II (p = 0.005) and skeletal relationships (p = 0.004) more highly in control than in treated patients. These data indicate that orthodontists do not perceive phase 1 treatment for Class II as preventing the need for a second phase or as offering any particular advantage with respect to preventing the need for extractions or other skeletal treatments in that second phase. They do view early Class II treatment as an effective means of reducing the difficulty of and priority for phase 2.
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Affiliation(s)
- G J King
- Department of Orthodontics, School of Dentistry, University of Washington, Seattle 98195-3446, USA
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45
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Zhang Y, Taylor MG, McCrossan MV, Bickle QD. Molecular cloning and characterization of a novel Schistosoma japonicum "irradiated vaccine-specific" antigen, Sj14-3-3. Mol Biochem Parasitol 1999; 103:25-34. [PMID: 10514078 DOI: 10.1016/s0166-6851(99)00083-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
A Schistosoma japonicum cDNA coding for a full length S. japonicum 14-3-3 protein was obtained by antibody screening of an adult worm cDNA library using sera taken from mice vaccinated with UV-attenuated cercariae, which are capable of transferring high levels of passive immunity to this parasite. The deduced amino acid sequence consists of 254 amino acids and is highly homologous with 14-3-3 family of proteins from a variety of species (55-69% identity). The recombinant S. japonicun 14-3-3 protein (rSj14-3-3) was expressed and purified in pGEX/E. coli, and in Western blotting was strongly recognised by sera from mice, rats and bovines vaccinated with irradiated S. japonicum cercariae. Analysis of mRNA showed that Sj14-3-3 is expressed in sporocysts and adult worms, but not in cercariae, however mouse antisera against rSj14-3-3 recognised a 29 kDa native antigen in antigen preparations made from eggs, cercariae, schistosomula and adult worms of S. japonicum indicating that this antigen is present in all life-cycle stages. The presence of the native antigen in detergent extracts of intact schistosomula suggests that it is also present in the schistosomular tegument which is the most vulnerable target for immune attack. However, antisera against rSj14-3-3 did not recognise a similar band in S. mansoni or S. haematobium antigens, indicating that, like the UV-attenuated vaccines, this protein induced species-specific immune responses. Southern blot analysis suggested that there may exist more than one gene copy and/or polymorphism for Sj14-3-3. Immunoelectron microscopy confirmed that the native antigen is present throughout the body of adult worms including the tegument, but is less abundant in the muscles. The potential of rSj14-3-3 as a vaccine is now under further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Y Zhang
- Department of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, UK.
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46
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McGorray SP, Wheeler TT, Keeling SD, Yurkiewicz L, Taylor MG, King GJ. Evaluation of orthodontists' perception of treatment need and the peer assessment rating (PAR) index. Angle Orthod 1999; 69:325-33. [PMID: 10456600 DOI: 10.1043/0003-3219(1999)069<0325:eoopot>2.3.co;2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
This paper examines the relationship between orthodontists' subjective assessment of treatment need and objective measurements obtained during standardized intra- and extraoral examinations. Logistic regression modeling was used to develop predictive models of treatment need. Data were obtained from 1155 eighth-grade students by four orthodontists who used standardized examination forms to assess demographics, trauma, skeletal relationships, morphologic malocclusion traits, and mandibular function. At the conclusion of the examination, the orthodontist rated the subjective treatment need as none, elective, recommended, soon, or immediate. For some analyses, the categories were collapsed to represent no need and need. The peer assessment rating (PAR) index (American validated version) was computed from the clinical exam findings and scoring of dental models; PAR scores were used to document malocclusion severity and treatment difficulty. Spearman rank correlation coefficients quantified the relationship between PAR scores and need categories. Logistic regression analysis modeled treatment need using components of the PAR index as well as other variables. The components of these models, as well as sensitivity and specificity, were compared with malocclusion severity/treatment difficulty scores obtained from malocclusion assessments using the PAR index. The five subjective treatment need categories and the PAR index scores were significantly correlated (rho = 0.62, p<0.001). Significant differences were detected between the need and no need groups for all PAR components (p<0.001). PAR index scores and predicted probabilities from logistic regression models performed equally well for classification purposes (no need, need). The data suggest that the PAR index is highly correlated with orthodontists' subjective assessment of treatment need when that assessment is made in the absence of financial considerations and patient desires.
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Affiliation(s)
- S P McGorray
- Department of Statistics, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, University of Florida, USA
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47
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Abstract
gamma-irradiated cercarial vaccines induce high levels of protection in mice against Schistosoma mansoni infection, however, the same has not been well established for S. japonicum. Here we describe vaccination studies in mice with gamma-irradiated S. japonicum cercariae testing the effectiveness of different irradiation doses, number of vaccinations, and mouse strains. In CBA/Ca mice, a single percutaneous exposure to 500 S. japonicum cercariae previously attenuated by 10, 20, 30, 40 or 50 krad gamma-irradiation induced significant, but comparable levels of protection (34-46%) against challenge infection. In a repeat experiment in C57Bl/6 mice, only groups vaccinated with 10 or 20 krad gamma-irradiated cercariae showed statistically significant, but lower levels of resistance (20-24%). Multiple vaccination of CBA/Ca mice with 500 20 krad gamma-irradiated cercariae did not improve the resistance level (40%). Analysis of IgG responses showed no clear correlation between antibody levels and levels of protection. Western blot analysis suggested that recognition of a 200-kDa antigen might be correlated with protection, that antigens of 42 and 50 kDa may be involved in the protection induced by single vaccination, but that different antigens might be protective in single vs multiple vaccinations. Sera from mice vaccinated with gamma-irradiated cercariae recognized many fewer antigens than more protective sera from mice vaccinated with UV-attenuated cercariae. These results suggest that the mouse may not be a suitable host for studies involving gamma-irradiated S. japonicum vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Y Zhang
- Department of Infectious & Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, UK
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48
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Zhang Y, Taylor MG, Bickle QD. Schistosoma japonicum myosin: cloning, expression and vaccination studies with the homologue of the S. mansoni myosin fragment IrV-5. Parasite Immunol 1998; 20:583-94. [PMID: 9990643 DOI: 10.1046/j.1365-3024.1998.00189.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
The Schistosoma japonicum homologue of the 62 kDa fragment of S. mansoni myosin (SmIrV-5), which has proved highly protective against S. mansoni infection in mice and rats, has been cloned and expressed as the full length 62 kDa equivalent, Sj62, and a truncated 44 kDa version, Sj44. DNA sequencing showed the Sj62 sequence to be 88.4% identical at the nucleic acid level and 96% identical in deduced amino acid sequence to that of SmIrV-5. The recombinant proteins (rSj44 and rSj62) were strongly recognized in Western blotting by sera from mice multiply vaccinated with UV-irradiated S. japonicum cercariae and weakly recognized by S. japonicum chronic infection mouse sera. Unlike SmIrV-5, mouse antisera against the recombinant S. japonicum proteins did not give positive recognition in immunofluorescence assay with the surface of newly transformed schistosomula of the homologous species, S. japonicum, nor did they react with S. mansoni schistosomula. However, the anti-rSj62 sera clearly localized the native antigen to the subtegumental muscle layers in male adult worm sections by immunoelectron microscopy. Vaccination of several groups of mice and/or rats with rSj44 and rSj62 incorporated into different adjuvants induced high titres of specific IgG but in only one experimental group was there a significant reduction in worm burden (27%, P < 0.05). The possible reasons for the disparity between the vaccination results presented here and those demonstrated in experiments using rSm62 (IrV-5) are discussed.
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MESH Headings
- Amino Acid Sequence
- Animals
- Antibodies, Helminth/blood
- Antibodies, Helminth/immunology
- Antigens, Helminth/genetics
- Antigens, Helminth/immunology
- Base Sequence
- Cloning, Molecular
- Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
- Female
- Helminth Proteins/genetics
- Helminth Proteins/immunology
- Male
- Mice
- Mice, Inbred CBA
- Microscopy, Immunoelectron
- Molecular Sequence Data
- Myosins/genetics
- Myosins/immunology
- Peptide Fragments/genetics
- Peptide Fragments/immunology
- Rats
- Rats, Inbred F344
- Schistosoma japonicum/genetics
- Schistosoma japonicum/immunology
- Schistosoma mansoni/genetics
- Schistosomiasis japonica/immunology
- Schistosomiasis japonica/prevention & control
- Sequence Homology, Amino Acid
- Vaccines, Synthetic/immunology
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Affiliation(s)
- Y Zhang
- Department of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, UK
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Abstract
The hen (chicken) egg-white lysozyme (HEWL) epitope for the monoclonal antibody HyHEL-10 Fab (Fab-10) was investigated by alanine scan mutagenesis. The association rate constants (k(on)) for the HEWL Fab-10 complexes were obtained from the homogenous solution method described in the preceding paper (Taylor et al., 1998). A new method for determining the dissociation rate constant (k(off)) for the complex, by trapping nascent free antibody with an inactive HEWL mutant is described. The values of k(on) fall within a factor of 2 of the wild-type (WT) HEWL value (1.43+/-0.13 X 10(6)M(-1)s(-1)), while the increases in k(off)more nearly reflect the total change in free energies of the complex (deltadeltaG(D)). The dissociation constants (K(D)) were measured directly in those cases where satisfactory kinetic data could not be obtained. The Y20A, K96A, and K97A HEWL.Fab-10 complexes are destabilized by more than 4 kcal/mol compared to the WT complex. The R21A, L75A, and D101A antibody complexes are moderately destabilized (0.7 < deltadeltaG(D)< or = 1.0 kcal/mol). Additional mutations of the "hotspot" residues (Tyr20, Lys96, Lys97) were constructed to probe, more precisely, the nature of their contributions to complex formation. The results show that the entire hydrocarbon side chains of Tyr20 and Lys97, and only the epsilon-amino group of Lys96, contribute to the stability of the complex. The value of deltadeltaG(D) for the R21A mutant complex is a distinct outlier in the Arg21 replacement series demonstrating the importance of supplementing alanine scan mutagenesis with additional mutations.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Rajpal
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Berkeley 94720, USA
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50
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Abstract
The rate constants, k(on), for the formation of hen (chicken) lysozyme (HEWL). Fab-10 complexes have been determined for wild-type (WT) and epitope-mutated lysozymes by a homogeneous solution method based on the 95% reduced enzymatic activity of the complex. The values fall within a narrow 10-fold range [(0.18 to 1.92) x 10(6) M(-1)s(-l)]. The affinity constants, K(D), cover a broader, 440-fold, range from 0.075 to 33 nM. Values of K(D) as high as 7 microM were obtained for the complexes prepared from some mutations at HEWL positions 96 and 97, but the associated kinetic constants could not be determined. The values of k(on) are negatively correlated with side-chain volume at position 101HEWL, but are essentially independent of this parameter for position 21HEWL substitutions. The multiple mutations made at positions 21HEWL and 101HEWL provide sufficient experimental data on complex formation to evaluate phi values [phi = (deltadeltaGon)/(deltadeltaG(D))] at these two positions to begin to define trajectories for protein-protein association. The data, when interpreted within the concept of a two-step association sequence embracing a metastable encounter complex intermediate, argue that the rate determining step at position 21HEWL (phiavg = 0.2) is encounter complex formation, but the larger phi(avg) value of 0.36 experienced for most position 101HEWL mutations indicates a larger contribution from the post-encounter annealing process at this site for these replacements.
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Affiliation(s)
- M G Taylor
- Center for Advanced Materials, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California 94720, USA
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