Intestinal secretory immune response to infection with Aeromonas species and Plesiomonas shigelloides among students from the United States in Mexico

Article Abstract:

Many different types of bacteria have been reported to cause diarrhea. Enteropathogens, such as Plesiomonas shigelloides and Aeromonas species, are microorganisms that cause disease in the digestive tract. These bacteria are frequently present in stool samples obtained during cases of diarrhea. However, studies performed to determine if these bacteria are the cause of the diarrhea have produced conflicting results. In one study, 57 volunteers ingested either Plesiomonas shigelloides or one of five different strains of Aeromonas, yet only two of the subjects developed diarrhea. In another study, Escherichia coli and Shigella species were found to be the most common causes of diarrhea in adults from the US traveling to Guadalajara, Mexico. In the same study, Aeromonas species and Plesiomonas shigelloides were only found in 2 to 7 percent of the patients with diarrhea. Based on these results it seems possible that these bacteria may be present in the digestive tract without causing diarrhea. To test this theory, 28 US students who developed diarrhea while attending summer school in Guadalajara were studied. In order to identify the bacteria responsible for causing the diarrhea, stool samples were tested for intestinal secretory IgA (sIgA, a protein made in the intestines during illness). In 12 cases, Aeromonas sobria or Aeromonas hydrophila were identified as the cause of the diarrhea. Plesiomonas shigelloides was present in the stool samples from 14 subjects, but was not the cause of the diarrhea. It is concluded that Aeromonas species can cause travelers' diarrhea, but Plesiomonas shigelloides is not likely to do so. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Mexico, Anaerobic bacteria, American students in foreign countries, American students abroad

---

Multiple-challenge study of host susceptibility to Norwalk gastroenteritis in US adults

Article Abstract:

Norwalk virus has been implicated by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) as one of the principal causes of outbreaks of foodborne disease in the United States. It has also been characterized as the major cause of waterborne gastroenteritis, and an important cause of shellfish-related gastroenteritis. The virus is also implicated in traveller's diarrhea. Susceptibility to Norwalk virus, developing antibodies (proteins that fight the invading antigen or, in this case, virus), and protection from repeated infections are factors that are not clearly understood and have not been clarified by recent studies. A multiple challenge test was administered to 42 volunteers, 30 who had antibody titers of <1:100 and 12 who had titers of 1:200. Each subject was multiply challenged, and over extended time periods the titer changes were measured, and illness, if any, was recorded. The results showed that the presence of pre-existing antibody imparted no specific protection to the first challenge of the virus. Those with high antibody titers against Norwalk virus were more likely to develop gastroenteritis. Progressively greater resistance to clinical illness occurred with repeated exposure to the infecting virus. Norwalk virus infections occur more frequently in developing countries. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Physiological aspects, Foodborne diseases, Gastroenteritis, Norwalk virus

---

HIV-1 seroprevalence in Zambian patients with acute diarrhea: a community-based study

Article Abstract:

Acute diarrhea in Zambia is strongly associated with HIV infection. Researchers compared 256 patients with diarrhea and 140 apparently healthy people. About one-third of diarrhea patients were infected with HIV. HIV infection was diagnosed in 52% of adults with acute diarrhea and 23% of adults without diarrhea. In children, acute diarrhea was not associated with HIV infection.

Zambia, Health aspects, HIV infection, HIV infections, HIV seroprevalence

Similar abstracts:

• Abstracts: Seroprevalence and risk factors for HTLV-I/II infection among female prostitutes in the United States. Seroprevalence of HTLV-I and HTLV-II among intravenous drug users and persons in clinics for sexually transmitted diseases
• Abstracts: Cigarette smoking and lung cancer cell types. Comparative epidemiology of cancer between the United States and Japan: a second look
• Abstracts: Cytomegalovirus infection in women attending a sexually transmitted disease clinic. Phase I study of high-dose, intravenous rsCD4 in subjects with advanced HIV-1 infection
• Abstracts: Poliovirus vaccination responses in HIV-infected patients: correlation with T4 cell counts. Increased intracellular macrophage inflammatory protein-1 beta correlates with advanced HIV disease
• Abstracts: Indomethacin treatment for polyhydramnios and subsequent infantile nephrogenic diabetes insipidus. Postpartum cardiovascular complications after bromocriptine and cocaine use

This website is not affiliated with document authors or copyright owners. This page is provided for informational purposes only. Unintentional errors are possible.