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Nieuwenburg SA, Bruisten SM, Heijman T, Vermeulen W, van Dam AP, Schim van der Loeff MF, de Vries HJC. Use of Home-Based Self-Collected Dried Blood Spots to Test for Syphilis, Human Immunodeficiency Virus, Hepatitis C and B Virus Infections and Measuring Creatinine Concentration. Sex Transm Dis 2024; 51:283-288. [PMID: 38430511 DOI: 10.1097/olq.0000000000001941] [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: 03/04/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Home-based self-collected dried blood spot (DBS) sampling could simplify sexual health and preexposure prophylaxis care and reduce sexually transmitted infections (STIs) clinic visits for men who have sex with men (MSM). We compared the performance of DBS to venipuncture collected blood samples to test four STIs and creatinine concentration. METHODS We invited MSM clients of the Amsterdam STI clinic to participate. Routinely collected peripheral blood was tested for syphilis treponemal antibody, HIV (HIV Ag/Ab), HCV (antibodies), HBV (HBsAg) and creatinine concentration. Participants received a home kit for DBS sampling, a return envelope and a questionnaire to evaluate the acceptability, feasibility and usability of DBS, measured on 5-point Likert scales, 1 representing complete disagreement and 5 complete agreement. We assessed sensitivity and specificity of DBS versus peripheral blood-based testing. RESULTS In 2020 to 2021, we included 410 participants; 211 (51.5%) returned a completed DBS card, 117 (28.5%) returned a partially filled card and 82 (20.0%) did not return a card. The sensitivity for syphilis was 90.8% and the specificity 84.3%. For both HIV Ag/Ab and HBsAg, the sensitivity and specificity were 100.0%. The sensitivity for HCV antibody was 80.0%, and the specificity was 99.2%. The DBS creatinine concentration was a mean of 5.3 μmol/L higher than in venipuncture obtained plasma. Participants' median willingness to take a future DBS was 4 (interquartile range, 3-5). DISCUSSION Dried blood spot may be an acceptable method among MSM for STI testing and creatinine follow-up during preexposure prophylaxis use. However, collecting enough blood on DBS cards was a challenge, and sensitivities for syphilis and HCV serology were too low.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - T Heijman
- From the Department of Infectious Diseases, Public Health Service Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - W Vermeulen
- From the Department of Infectious Diseases, Public Health Service Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
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Zondag HCA, de Korne-Elenbaas J, Bruisten SM, de Vries HJC, van Dam AP. Increased clonality among Neisseria gonorrhoeae isolates during the COVID-19 pandemic in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. Microb Genom 2023; 9. [PMID: 37022326 DOI: 10.1099/mgen.0.000975] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Distancing measures during the COVID-19 lockdown led to a temporary decrease of casual sex partners among clients of the Centre for Sexual Health (CSH) in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. We investigated the effect of this change on the genotypic and phenotypic distribution of Neisseria gonorrhoeae (Ng) isolates from CSH patients. From each Ng-positive patient we sequenced one isolate, resulting in 322 isolates which constituted two groups: 181 isolates cultured from 15 January to 29 February 2020 (before the first lockdown) and 141 cultured from 15 May to 30 June 2020 (during the first lockdown). Patient characteristics showed significantly more symptomatic patients and significantly fewer reported sex partners during the lockdown. Phenotypic data showed an increase in low-level azithromycin resistance and ceftriaxone susceptibility during the lockdown, and this remained after the study period. The diversity in sequence types (STs) decreased slightly during the lockdown. A shift occurred from ST 8156 being predominant before lockdown to ST 9362 during lockdown and a remarkably low median SNP distance of 17 SNPs was found between ST 9362 isolates obtained during lockdown. These findings reflect restricted travel and the change in sexual behaviour of CSH clients during the lockdown, with a potentially increased local transmission of the ST 9362 strain during this period, which led to genotypic and phenotypic changes in the Ng population. This shows that public health measures have far-reaching consequences and should be considered in the surveillance of other infectious diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- H C A Zondag
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Public Health Laboratory, Public Health Service of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam Institute for Infection & Immunity (AI&II), location Amsterdam Medical Centre, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - J de Korne-Elenbaas
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Public Health Laboratory, Public Health Service of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam Institute for Infection & Immunity (AI&II), location Amsterdam Medical Centre, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - S M Bruisten
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Public Health Laboratory, Public Health Service of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam Institute for Infection & Immunity (AI&II), location Amsterdam Medical Centre, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - H J C de Vries
- Department of Dermatology, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam Institute for Infection & Immunity (AI&II), location Amsterdam Medical Centre, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Centre for Sexual Health, Public Health Service Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - A P van Dam
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Public Health Laboratory, Public Health Service of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam Institute for Infection & Immunity (AI&II), location Amsterdam Medical Centre, Amsterdam, Netherlands
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Zondag HCA, Nieuwenburg SA, Himschoot M, van Dam AP, Schim van der Loeff MF, de Vries HJC, Bruisten SM. Treponema pallidum Subspecies Pallidum Intrapatient Homogeneity at Various Body Locations in Men with Infectious Syphilis. Microbiol Spectr 2022; 10:e0248221. [PMID: 35736242 PMCID: PMC9430645 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.02482-21] [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] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2021] [Accepted: 05/31/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Syphilis, caused by Treponema pallidum subspecies pallidum (TP), is a complex multistage infectious disease. Systematic dissemination occurs within a few hours of transmission. We determined the molecular variation of TP at various body locations and peripheral blood within patients in different stages of syphilis to assess the distribution of TP strains at these locations. We included 162 men who have sex with men (MSM) with syphilis visiting the Sexual Health Center in Amsterdam between 2018 to 2019, who had TP DNA detected in at least one sample type (anal swab, urine sample, peripheral blood, pharyngeal swab, and/or ulcer swab). TP DNA was detected in 287 samples using a qPCR targeting the polA gene. With multilocus sequence typing (TP-MLST) based on partial sequence analysis of three genetic regions (tp0136, tp0548, tp0705), we characterized all TP DNA positive samples. Samples could be typed (119/287) from at least one anatomical location or peripheral blood from 93/162 (57%) patients in the following stages: 48 (52%) primary, 35 (38%) secondary, and 10 (11%) early latent stage syphilis. The TP-MLST type was identical within each of the 12 patients with typed samples at ≥2 different body locations. The most prevalent TP strains were 1.3.1 (39/93, 42%) and 1.1.1 (17/93, 18%) belonging to the SS14 lineage; 80% (74/93) of the patients carried a SS14 lineage TP strain and 20% (19/93) Nichols lineage. The distribution of TP-MLST types did not differ between patients by syphilis stage. We found intrapatient TP strain homogeneity and no TP strain variation between anatomical location or syphilis stages. More early latent samples should be typed and added in future studies to investigate this in more detail. IMPORTANCE Syphilis, caused by Treponema pallidum subspecies pallidum, is a complex multistage infectious disease. Systematic dissemination is known to occur within a few hours of transmission. Despite the effective antibiotic penicillin, syphilis remains prevalent worldwide. Men who have sex with men are disproportionally affected in high income countries like the Netherlands where 96% of the syphilis cases in 2020 were among this population. The inability to in vitro culture T. pallidum directly from patient samples limits whole-genome sequencing efforts. Fortunately, in 2018 a multilocus sequence typing technique was developed for T. pallidum allowing the monitoring of circulating strains. The significance of our research is in the investigation of T. pallidum molecular variation at various body locations and blood within patients in different stages of syphilis in order to assess the distribution of strains at these locations.
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Affiliation(s)
- H. C. A. Zondag
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Public Health Service Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - S. A. Nieuwenburg
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Public Health Service Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - M. Himschoot
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Public Health Service Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - A. P. van Dam
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Public Health Service Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- Amsterdam Institute for Infection and Immunity, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - M. F. Schim van der Loeff
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Public Health Service Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- Amsterdam Institute for Infection and Immunity, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - H. J. C. de Vries
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Public Health Service Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- Amsterdam Institute for Infection and Immunity, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- Department of Dermatology, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - S. M. Bruisten
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Public Health Service Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- Amsterdam Institute for Infection and Immunity, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
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Nieuwenburg SA, Zondag HCA, Bruisten SM, Jongen VW, Schim van der Loeff MF, van Dam AP, de Vries HJC. Detection of Treponema pallidum DNA during early syphilis stages in peripheral blood, oropharynx, ano-rectum and urine as a proxy for transmissibility. Clin Infect Dis 2022; 75:1054-1062. [PMID: 35079776 PMCID: PMC9522397 DOI: 10.1093/cid/ciac056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Syphilis diagnosis may be challenging, especially in the asymptomatic and early clinical stages. We evaluated the presence of Treponema pallidum DNA (TP-DNA) in various sample types to elucidate transmissibility during various syphilis stages. Methods The study was conducted at the Amsterdam Centre for Sexual Health. We included adult men who have sex with men (MSM), who were suspected of having syphilis. The 2020 European guidelines definitions were followed for the diagnosis and staging of syphilis. Using a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) targeting the polA gene of Treponema pallidum (TP-PCR), we tested the following study samples on TP-DNA: peripheral blood, oropharyngeal swab, ano-rectal swab, and urine. Results From November 2018 to December 2019 we included 293 MSM. Seventy clients had primary syphilis, 73 secondary syphilis, 86 early latent syphilis, 14 late latent syphilis, 23 treated syphilis, and 27 had no syphilis. TP-DNA was detected in at least 1 study sample in 35/70 clients with primary syphilis (2/70 peripheral blood, 7/70 oropharynx, 13/70 ano-rectum, and 24/70 urine); in 62/73 clients with secondary syphilis (15/73 peripheral blood, 47/73 oropharynx, 37/73 ano-rectum, and 26/73 urine); and in 29/86 clients with early latent syphilis (5/86 peripheral blood, 21/86 oropharynx, 11/86 ano-rectum, and 6/86 urine). TP-DNA was not detected in clients with late latent syphilis or treated syphilis, nor in clients without syphilis. Conclusions TP-DNA was frequently detected in various sample types in the absence of lesions. This is in line with the high transmission rate of syphilis and opens diagnostic opportunities for early presymptomatic syphilis stages.
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Affiliation(s)
- S A Nieuwenburg
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Public Health Service Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - H C A Zondag
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Public Health Service Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - S M Bruisten
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Public Health Service Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.,Amsterdam institute for Infection and Immunity (AII), Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - V W Jongen
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Public Health Service Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - M F Schim van der Loeff
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Public Health Service Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.,Amsterdam institute for Infection and Immunity (AII), Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.,Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - A P van Dam
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Public Health Service Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.,Department of Medical Microbiology, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - H J C de Vries
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Public Health Service Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.,Amsterdam institute for Infection and Immunity (AII), Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.,Department of Dermatology, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
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Baarsma ME, Schellekens J, Meijer BC, Brandenburg AH, Souilljee T, Hofhuis A, Hovius JW, van Dam AP. Diagnostic parameters of modified two-tier testing in European patients with early Lyme disease. Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis 2020; 39:2143-2152. [PMID: 32632699 PMCID: PMC7561539 DOI: 10.1007/s10096-020-03946-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [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] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2020] [Accepted: 06/09/2020] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
Modified two-tier testing (MTTT) for Lyme borreliosis (i.e. confirmation with an EIA instead of an immunoblot) has been shown to have improved sensitivity compared with standard two-tier testing (STTT) in samples from American patients, without losing specificity. The current study assesses the sensitivity and specificity of various algorithms of MTTT in European patients with erythema migrans (EM) as a model disease for early Lyme borreliosis, and in appropriate controls. Four different immunoassays were used in the first tier, followed by either an immunoblot or the C6-EIA, or were used as standalone single-tier test. These tests were performed on consecutively collected sera of 228 Dutch patients with physician-diagnosed EM in the setting of general practice, 231 controls from the general population, and 50 controls with potentially cross-reactive antibodies. All the variants of MTTT that were studied had significantly higher sensitivity compared with their equivalent STTT, while retaining comparable specificity. Within the MTTT algorithms, classifying equivocal results as positive yielded better diagnostic parameters than classifying equivocal results as negative. The best diagnostic parameters were found using the Enzygnost-2 assay in the first tier, followed by a C6-ELISA in the second tier (sensitivity 77.6%, 95% CI 71.7-82.9; specificity 96.1%, 95% CI 92.7-98.2). This algorithm performed significantly better than the equivalent STTT algorithm in terms of sensitivity (p < 0.001), while maintaining comparable specificity (population controls p = 0.617). Our results show that MTTT can be a useful tool for the serodiagnosis of European patients with early Lyme borreliosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- M E Baarsma
- Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Center for Experimental and Molecular Medicine, Amsterdam Infection & Immunity, Meibergdreef 9, Amsterdam, 1105 AZ, the Netherlands.
| | - Jfp Schellekens
- Certe Laboratory of Infectious Diseases, Groningen, the Netherlands
- Centre for Infectious Diseases Research, Diagnostics and Laboratory Surveillance, National Institute of Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, the Netherlands
| | - B C Meijer
- Certe Laboratory of Infectious Diseases, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - A H Brandenburg
- Izore, Centrum Infectieziekten Friesland, Leeuwarden, the Netherlands
| | - T Souilljee
- Certe Laboratory of Infectious Diseases, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - A Hofhuis
- Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit, Centre for Infectious Disease Control, National Institute of Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, the Netherlands
| | - J W Hovius
- Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Center for Experimental and Molecular Medicine, Amsterdam Infection & Immunity, Meibergdreef 9, Amsterdam, 1105 AZ, the Netherlands
| | - A P van Dam
- Department of Medical Microbiology, OLVG, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Department of Medical Microbiology, Amsterdam, Netherlands
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van Dulm E, Klok S, Boyd A, Joore IK, Prins M, van Dam AP, Tramper-Stranders GA, van Duijnhoven YTHP. Nasal carriage of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) among undocumented migrants and uninsured legal residents in Amsterdam, the Netherlands: a cross-sectional study. Antimicrob Resist Infect Control 2020; 9:118. [PMID: 32727560 PMCID: PMC7391596 DOI: 10.1186/s13756-020-00785-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2019] [Accepted: 07/21/2020] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Nasal carriage of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is associated with an increased risk of infection. Colonization with MRSA is observed in < 1% of the general Dutch population. Increased risk for MRSA carriage is known to occur in several key groups, one of which is asylum seekers. However, little is known about MRSA carriage among undocumented migrants and uninsured legal residents. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of nasal MRSA carriage among these groups in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. METHODS In this cross-sectional study, between October 2018 and October 2019, undocumented migrants and uninsured legal residents aged 18 years or older who were able to understand one of the study languages were recruited at an NGO health care facility in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, for general practitioner (GP) consultations. Participants were asked questions on demographics, migration history, antibiotic use and other possible risk factors for MRSA carriage and were screened for nasal MRSA carriage by selective culturing e-swabs. Characteristics of MRSA-negative and MRSA-positive participants were compared using univariable logistic regression analysis with Firth's correction. RESULTS Of the 3822 eligible patients, 760 were screened for nasal MRSA carriage (19.9%). Of the 760 participants, over half were male (58%; 442/760) and originated mainly from Africa (35%; 267/760), Asia (30%; 229/760) and North or South America (30%; 227/760). In total, 705/760 participants (93%) were undocumented migrants and 55/760 (7%) were uninsured legal residents of Amsterdam. The overall prevalence of nasal MRSA carriage was 2.0% (15/760) (95%CI 1.1 to 3.2%), with no difference between undocumented migrants (14/705) (2.0, 95%CI 1.1 to 3.3%) and uninsured legal residents (1/55) (1.8, 95%CI 0.1 to 9.7%). Genotyping showed no clustering of the 15 isolates. MRSA carriage was not associated with sociodemographic, migration history or other possible risk factors. Nevertheless, this study had limited power to detect significant determinants. Three participants (3/15; 20%) harbored Panton-Valentine leukocidin (PVL)-positive isolates. CONCLUSION Even though our study population of undocumented migrants and uninsured legal residents had a higher prevalence of nasal MRSA carriage compared to the general Dutch population, the prevalence was relatively low compared to acknowledged other high-risk groups.
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Affiliation(s)
- E van Dulm
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Public Health Service Amsterdam, Nieuwe Achtergracht 100, 1018WT, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
| | - S Klok
- NGO health care clinic Kruispost, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - A Boyd
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Public Health Service Amsterdam, Nieuwe Achtergracht 100, 1018WT, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.,HIV Monitoring Foundation, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - I K Joore
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Public Health Service Flevoland, Lelystad, the Netherlands
| | - M Prins
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Public Health Service Amsterdam, Nieuwe Achtergracht 100, 1018WT, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.,Division of Infectious Diseases, and Amsterdam Institute for Infection and Immunity (AI&II), Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Department of Internal Medicine, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - A P van Dam
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Public Health Service Amsterdam, Nieuwe Achtergracht 100, 1018WT, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.,Department of Medical Microbiology, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | | | - Y T H P van Duijnhoven
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Public Health Service Amsterdam, Nieuwe Achtergracht 100, 1018WT, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
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Dessau RB, van Dam AP, Fingerle V, Gray J, Hovius JW, Hunfeld KP, Jaulhac B, Kahl O, Kristoferitsch W, Lindgren PE, Markowicz M, Mavin S, Ornstein K, Rupprecht T, Stanek G, Strle F. To test or not to test? Laboratory support for the diagnosis of Lyme borreliosis - Author's reply. Clin Microbiol Infect 2017; 24:211-212. [PMID: 29079146 DOI: 10.1016/j.cmi.2017.10.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2017] [Accepted: 10/10/2017] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- R B Dessau
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Slagelse Hospital, Region Sjælland, Denmark.
| | - A P van Dam
- OLVG General Hospital and Public Health Laboratory, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - V Fingerle
- National Reference Centre for Borrelia, Munich, Oberschleissheim, Germany
| | - J Gray
- UCD School of Biology and Environmental Science, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - J W Hovius
- Centre for Experimental and Molecular Medicine, Academic Medical Centre, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - K-P Hunfeld
- Northwest Medical Centre, Academic Teaching Hospital, Medical Faculty, Goethe-University, Frankfurt/Main and INSTAND e.V., Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - B Jaulhac
- National Reference Centre for Borrelia, Hôpitaux Universitaires de Strasbourg, France
| | - O Kahl
- Tick-radar GmbH, Berlin, Germany
| | - W Kristoferitsch
- Karl Landsteiner Institute for Neuroimmunological and Neurodegenerative Disorders, Vienna, Austria
| | | | - M Markowicz
- Institute for Hygiene and Applied Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - S Mavin
- National Lyme Borreliosis Testing Laboratory, Raigmore Hospital, Inverness, UK
| | - K Ornstein
- Division of Medicine, Skånevård Kryh, Region Skåne, Sweden
| | - T Rupprecht
- Department of Neurology, HELIOS Klinikum München West, Munich, Germany
| | - G Stanek
- Institute for Hygiene and Applied Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - F Strle
- Department of Infectious Diseases, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
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Dessau RB, van Dam AP, Fingerle V, Gray J, Hovius JW, Hunfeld KP, Jaulhac B, Kahl O, Kristoferitsch W, Lindgren PE, Markowicz M, Mavin S, Ornstein K, Rupprecht T, Stanek G, Strle F. To test or not to test? Laboratory support for the diagnosis of Lyme borreliosis: a position paper of ESGBOR, the ESCMID study group for Lyme borreliosis. Clin Microbiol Infect 2017; 24:118-124. [PMID: 28887186 DOI: 10.1016/j.cmi.2017.08.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2017] [Revised: 08/26/2017] [Accepted: 08/29/2017] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Lyme borreliosis (LB) is a tick-borne infection caused by Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato. The most frequent clinical manifestations are erythema migrans and Lyme neuroborreliosis. Currently, a large volume of diagnostic testing for LB is reported, whereas the incidence of clinically relevant disease manifestations is low. This indicates overuse of diagnostic testing for LB with implications for patient care and cost-effective health management. AIM The recommendations provided in this review are intended to support both the clinical diagnosis and initiatives for a more rational use of laboratory testing in patients with clinically suspected LB. SOURCES This is a narrative review combining various aspects of the clinical and laboratory diagnosis with an educational purpose. The literature search was based on existing systematic reviews, national and international guidelines and supplemented with specific citations. IMPLICATIONS The main recommendations according to current European case definitions for LB are as follows. Typical erythema migrans should be diagnosed clinically and does not require laboratory testing. The diagnosis of Lyme neuroborreliosis requires laboratory investigation of the spinal fluid including intrathecal antibody production, and the remaining disease manifestations require testing for serum antibodies to B. burgdorferi. Testing individuals with non-specific subjective symptoms is not recommended, because of a low positive predictive value.
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Affiliation(s)
- R B Dessau
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Slagelse Hospital, Region Sjælland, Denmark.
| | - A P van Dam
- OLVG General Hospital and Public Health Laboratory, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - V Fingerle
- National Reference Centre for Borrelia, Munich, Oberschleissheim, Germany
| | - J Gray
- UCD School of Biology and Environmental Science, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - J W Hovius
- Centre for Experimental and Molecular Medicine, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - K-P Hunfeld
- Northwest Medical Centre, Academic Teaching Hospital, Medical Faculty, Goethe-University, Frankfurt/Main and INSTAND e.V., Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - B Jaulhac
- National Reference Centre for Borrelia, Hôpitaux Universitaires de Strasbourg, France
| | - O Kahl
- Tick-radar GmbH, Berlin, Germany
| | - W Kristoferitsch
- Karl Landsteiner Institute for Neuroimmunological and Neurodegenerative Disorders, Vienna, Austria
| | | | - M Markowicz
- Institute for Hygiene and Applied Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - S Mavin
- National Lyme Borreliosis Testing Laboratory, Raigmore Hospital, Inverness, UK
| | - K Ornstein
- Division of Medicine, Skånevård Kryh, Region Skåne, Sweden
| | - T Rupprecht
- Department of Neurology, HELIOS Klinikum München West, Munich, Germany
| | - G Stanek
- Institute for Hygiene and Applied Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - F Strle
- Department of Infectious Diseases, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
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9
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Kumwenda JJ, Mateyu G, Kampondeni S, van Dam AP, van Lieshout L, Zijlstra EE. Differential diagnosis of stroke in a setting of high HIV prevalence in Blantyre, Malawi. Malawi Med J 2016; 17:107-11. [PMID: 27528995 DOI: 10.4314/mmj.v17i4.10891] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE The differential diagnosis of stroke in Africa in areas with high HIV prevalence includes brain infections. We studied causes of stroke in Blantyre, Malawi, where HIV prevalence among medical in-patients is 70%. METHODS In a descriptive study of 8 month duration, all patients presenting at Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital, Blantyre with central neurological deficit of acute onset (< 24 hours) had baseline investigations, including full blood count, blood glucose; serology for toxoplasmosis, syphilis and HIV; ECG, echocardiogram, ultrasound of the carotid arteries and computerized tomography scan of the brain. A lumbar puncture was performed unless contraindicated. RESULTS Ninety-eight consecutive patients (49 males) were studied. In those who were HIV positive (48%) the mean age was 37.5 years; ischemic stroke was the commonest diagnosis (n = 25, 58%) followed by infection (n=11, 23%; including tuberculous [n=4] and cryptococcal [n=2] meningitis; toxoplasmic encephalitis [n=1]; neurocysticercosis [n=1]; brain abscess [n=1]; and progressive multifocal leucoencephalopathy [n=2]). No clinical or laboratory parameters could be identified as predictors for infection, but 3 of 5 patients with fever on admission had tuberculous meningitis. In HIV negative patients (mean age 58.6 years) 55% had ischemic stroke and 31% had intracerebral hemorrhage; no brain infection was diagnosed. Presence of vascular disease correlated with age but not with HIV status. CONCLUSIONS Ischemic stroke was found in half of patients irrespective of HIV status. In those who are HIV positive, brain infection should be considered for which the presence of fever and examination of CSF seem most useful in diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- J J Kumwenda
- Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, Blantyre, Malawi
| | - G Mateyu
- Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, Blantyre, Malawi
| | - S Kampondeni
- Department of Radiology, Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital, Blantyre, Malawi
| | - A P van Dam
- Department of Medical Microbiology Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - L van Lieshout
- Department of Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - E E Zijlstra
- Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, Blantyre, Malawi
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10
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Ang CW, Brandenburg AH, van Burgel ND, Bijlmer HA, Herremans T, Stelma F, Lunel FV, van Dam AP. A Dutch nationwide evaluation of serological assays for detection of Borrelia antibodies in clinically well-defined patients. Diagn Microbiol Infect Dis 2015; 83:222-8. [PMID: 26286381 DOI: 10.1016/j.diagmicrobio.2015.07.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2015] [Revised: 07/10/2015] [Accepted: 07/14/2015] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Numerous tests for the detection of antibodies against Borrelia burgdorferi are commercially available. Manufacturer-derived data invariably report a high sensitivity and specificity, but comparative studies demonstrate large differences in clinical practice, especially with regard to specificity. We retrospectively collected data from validation studies for B. burgdorferi antibody assays from 8 laboratories in the Netherlands. The total number of samples was 809. Samples were selected based on clinical and laboratory parameters. We included samples from patients with erythema migrans, acrodermatitis chronicum atrophicans, and neuroborreliosis; cross-reactivity controls; and healthy controls. Data are presented from 10 enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays and 5 immunoblots. For manifestations of B. burgdorferi infection with short disease duration, the positivity rate of the assays varied significantly. In patients with long disease duration, the positivity rate differed only marginally. In cross-reactivity controls, there was significant variation in the reactivity rate. The majority of false-positive reactions are of the IgM isotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- C W Ang
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Infection Control, VU University Medical Centre, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
| | - A H Brandenburg
- Center for Infectious Diseases, Izore, Leeuwarden, The Netherlands
| | - N D van Burgel
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Centre of Infectious Diseases, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - H A Bijlmer
- Centre for Infectious Disease Control, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, Bilthoven, The Netherlands
| | - T Herremans
- Centre for Infectious Disease Control, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, Bilthoven, The Netherlands
| | - F Stelma
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - F Verduyn Lunel
- Department of Medical Microbiology, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - A P van Dam
- OLVG/Public Health Laboratory, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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11
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Wind CM, Vries HJCD, Dam APV. O21.4 In VitroSynergy Determination For Dual Antibiotic Therapy Against Resistant Neisseria GonorrhoeaeUsing Etest ®and Agar Dilution. Br J Vener Dis 2013. [DOI: 10.1136/sextrans-2013-051184.0206] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
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12
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Rooijen MSV, Loeff MFSVD, Dam APV, Speksnijder AGCL, Vries HJCD. O18.6 Persistence of Pharyngeal Chlamydia TrachomatisFor 1–2 Weeks is Common Among Clients at the Amsterdam STI Clinic. Br J Vener Dis 2013. [DOI: 10.1136/sextrans-2013-051184.0190] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
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13
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Rooijen MSV, Nassir N, Bom R, Vries HJCD, Bruisten S, Dam APV. P3.271 Identical Multilocus Sequence Typing (MLST) Analysis in Sequential Samples from Patients with Pharyngeal Chlamydia Infections. Br J Vener Dis 2013. [DOI: 10.1136/sextrans-2013-051184.0727] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
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14
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Wind CM, Vries HJCD, Unemo M, Dam APV. P5.077 Nucleic Acid Amplification Test (NAAT) Diagnostics Combined with Delayed Neisseria GonorrhoeaeCultivation of NAAT Positive Samples Using the ESwab™ System - the Solution For Future Gonococcal Antimicrobial Susceptibility Surveillance? Br J Vener Dis 2013. [DOI: 10.1136/sextrans-2013-051184.1121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
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15
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Abstract
A retrospective nationwide survey on the occurrence of Capnocytophaga canimorsus and Capnocytopaga cynodegmi infections in The Netherlands over 3 years showed 32 cases, of which 31 were caused by C. canimorsus and one by an unspecified oxidase-positive Capnocytophaga strain. Twenty-eight patients had been diagnosed by blood culture, one by culture from both blood and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), one by culture from a conjunctival swab, and two patients by 16S rRNA gene amplification by PCR directly from a blood or CSF specimen. The incidence rate was 0.67 infections per million population. Bacteraemia was found in 94% of the cases. The age range of patients was 38-80 years; 72% of them were male. Among 26 patients from whom clinical data were available, splenectomy was not reported, but alcoholism was reported in five. Nine patients (35%) had been admitted to the intensive-care unit, and three patients (13%) died. The mortality rate was much lower than observed in previous studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- A P van Dam
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, The Netherlands.
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16
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van Burgel ND, Brandenburg A, Gerritsen HJ, Kroes ACM, van Dam AP. High sensitivity and specificity of the C6-peptide ELISA on cerebrospinal fluid in Lyme neuroborreliosis patients. Clin Microbiol Infect 2011; 17:1495-500. [PMID: 21375653 DOI: 10.1111/j.1469-0691.2011.03459.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Lyme neuroborreliosis (LNB) is a serious but treatable disease. The diagnosis of LNB poses a challenge to clinicians, and improved tests are needed. The C6-peptide ELISA is frequently used on serum but not on cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Data on the sensitivity of the C6-peptide ELISA in CSF in patients suffering from LNB have been conflicting. Serum-CSF pairs from 59 LNB patients, 36 Lyme non-neuroborreliosis cases, 69 infectious meningitis/encephalitis controls and 74 neurological controls were tested in a C6-peptide ELISA. With the optimal cut-off of 1.1, the sensitivity of the C6-peptide ELISA for LNB patients in CSF was 95%, and the specificity was 83% in the Lyme non-neuroborreliosis patients, 96% in the infectious controls, and 97% in the neurological controls. These results suggest that the C6-peptide ELISA has a high sensitivity and good specificity for the diagnosis of LNB patients in CSF. The C6-peptide ELISA can be used on CSF in a clinical setting to screen for LNB.
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Affiliation(s)
- N D van Burgel
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Centre of Infectious Diseases, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, The Netherlands.
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17
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van Burgel ND, Balmus NCM, Fikrig E, van Dam AP. Infectivity of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato is unaltered in C3-deficient mice. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2010; 2:20-6. [PMID: 21771533 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2010.10.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2010] [Revised: 08/20/2010] [Accepted: 10/12/2010] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
B. burgdorferi, B. afzelii, and B. bavariensis show resistance to mouse and human complement. B. garinii and B. valaisiana are sensitive to mouse and human complement. We evaluated whether the absence of C3 in mice influenced infectivity and pathogenicity of different Borrelia species. C3 knockout mice (C3-/-) and syngeneic C57Bl/6 wild-type (WT) mice were challenged with 5 different Borrelia species. After 2 weeks, quantitative PCR (qPCR), culture, histopathology, and immunofluorescence were performed on heart, joint, brain, bladder, and skin. Spirochaetes were detected by qPCR after infection with B. burgdorferi, B. afzelii, or B. bavariensis strains. In joints of C3-/-, but not WT mice challenged with B. burgdorferi, spirochaetes were detected by qPCR. No other significant differences between C3-/- and WT mice were seen. Histopathology demonstrated concordance between borrelia load and inflammation score. Only after B. burgdorferi and B. afzelii infection, spirochaetes were detected by immunofluorescence microscopy. B. burgdorferi was cultured from heart, joint, bladder, and skin from all mice within 2 weeks. B. afzelii and B. bavariensis grew only from heart tissue from both C3-/- and WT mice after 2-6 weeks. The infectivity and pathogenicity of complement-resistant Borrelia strains is unchanged in complement-deficient mice. Complement-susceptible strains do not become infectious in the absence of C3.
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Affiliation(s)
- N D van Burgel
- Dept. of Medical Microbiology, Centre of Infectious Diseases, Leiden University Medical Centre, PO Box 9600, 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands. N.D.van
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18
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Schuijt TJ, Hovius JW, van der Poll T, van Dam AP, Fikrig E. Lyme borreliosis vaccination: the facts, the challenge, the future. Trends Parasitol 2010; 27:40-7. [PMID: 20594913 DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2010.06.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2010] [Revised: 05/31/2010] [Accepted: 06/02/2010] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Lyme disease, or Lyme borreliosis, the most prevalent arthropod-borne disease in the Western world, is caused by spirochetes belonging to the Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato group and is predominantly transmitted through Ixodes ticks. There is currently no vaccine available to prevent Lyme borreliosis in humans. Borrelia outer membrane proteins are reviewed which have been investigated as vaccine candidates. In addition, several tick proteins are discussed, on which anti-tick vaccines have been based, or are interesting future candidates, to prevent transmission of the spirochete from the tick vector to the mammalian host. Finally, novel vaccination strategies to prevent Lyme borreliosis are proposed, based on multiple Borrelia antigens, tick antigens or a combination of both Borrelia as well as tick antigens.
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Affiliation(s)
- T J Schuijt
- Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Center for Experimental and Molecular Medicine, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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19
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de Vries HJC, van der Helm JJ, Schim van der Loeff MF, van Dam AP. Multidrug-resistant Neisseria gonorrhoeae with reduced cefotaxime susceptibility is increasingly common in men who have sex with men, Amsterdam, the Netherlands. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2009; 14. [PMID: 19761737 DOI: 10.2807/ese.14.37.19330-en] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Antimicrobial resistance is an increasing problem in Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG) treatment. Presently, third-generation parenteral cephalosporins, like ceftriaxone and cefotaxime, are the first option. Resistance to oral, but not to parenteral, third-generation cephalosporins has been reported previously. We analysed the microbial susceptibility (as minimum inhibitory concentration - MIC) of NG cultures obtained from high-risk visitors of the largest Dutch outpatient clinic for sexually transmitted infections (STI) in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. Among 1,596 visitors, we identified 102 patients with at least one NG isolate with reduced susceptibility to cefotaxime (0.125 microg/ml < MIC < or = 0.5 microg/ml). The percentage of NG isolates with reduced susceptibility to cefotaxime rose from 4.8% in 2006 to 12.1% in 2008 (chi2 17.5, p<0.001). With multivariate logistic regression, being a man who has sex with men (MSM) was significantly associated with reduced susceptibility to cefotaxime (p<0.001). Compared to susceptible NG isolates, those with decreased susceptiblity to cefotaxime were more often resistant also to penicillin (16.5% vs. 43.3%), tetracycline (21.5% vs. 68.9%) and ciprofloxacin (44.4% vs. 90.0%, all p<0.001). The increased prevalence of NG strains with reduced susceptibility to cefotaxime among MSM may herald resistance to third-generation parenteral cephalosporins. A considerable proportion of these strains show resistance to multiple antibiotics which could limit future NG treatment options.
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Affiliation(s)
- H J C de Vries
- STI outpatient clinic, Cluster Infectious Diseases, Municipal Health Service Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
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20
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Hovius JWR, Ramamoorthi N, Van't Veer C, de Groot KA, Nijhof AM, Jongejan F, van Dam AP, Fikrig E. Identification of Salp15 homologues in Ixodes ricinus ticks. Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis 2008; 7:296-303. [PMID: 17896872 DOI: 10.1089/vbz.2006.0624] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The 15-kDa Ixodes scapularis salivary gland protein Salp15 protects Borrelia burgdorferi sensu stricto from antibody-mediated killing and facilitates infection of the mammalian host. In addition, Salp 15 has been shown to inhibit T-cell activation. We determined whether Ixodes ricinus, the major vector for Lyme borreliosis in Western Europe, also express salp15-related genes. We show that engorged I. ricinus express salp15 and we have identified three Salp15 homologues within these ticks by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). One of the predicted proteins showed 80% similarity to I. scapularis Salp15, evenly distributed over the entire amino acid sequence, whereas the two other predicted proteins showed approximately 60% similarity, mainly confined to the signal sequence and C-terminus. Comparison of the DNA and protein sequences with those deposited in several databases indicates that these proteins are part of a Salp15 family of which members are conserved among different Ixodes species, all capable of transmitting B. burgdorferi sensu lato. This suggests that these Salp15 homologues could also play a role in the transmission of diverse Borrelia species and in inhibition of T-cell activation.
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Affiliation(s)
- J W R Hovius
- Section of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA.
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21
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Hovius JW, Schuijt TJ, de Groot KA, Roelofs JJTH, Oei GA, Marquart JA, de Beer R, van 't Veer C, van der Poll T, Ramamoorthi N, Fikrig E, van Dam AP. Preferential protection of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu stricto by a Salp15 homologue in Ixodes ricinus saliva. J Infect Dis 2008; 198:1189-97. [PMID: 18752445 DOI: 10.1086/591917] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Ixodes ticks are the main vectors for Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato. In the United States, B. burgdorferi is the sole causative agent of Lyme borreliosis and is transmitted by Ixodes scapularis. In Europe, 3 Borrelia species-B. burgdorferi, B. garinii, and B. afzelii-are prevalent, which are transmitted by Ixodes ricinus. The I. scapularis salivary protein Salp15 has been shown to bind to B. burgdorferi outer surface protein (Osp) C, protecting the spirochete from antibody-mediated killing. METHODS AND RESULTS We recently identified a Salp15 homologue in I. ricinus, Salp15 Iric-1. Here, we have demonstrated, by solid-phase overlays, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and surface plasmon resonance, that Salp15 Iric-1 binds to B. burgdorferi OspC. Importantly, this binding protected the spirochete from antibody-mediated killing in vitro and in vivo; immune mice rechallenged with B. burgdorferi preincubated with Salp15 Iric-1 displayed significantly higher Borrelia numbers and more severe carditis, compared with control mice. Furthermore, Salp15 Iric-1 was capable of binding to OspC from B. garinii and B. afzelii, but these Borrelia species were not protected from antibody-mediated killing. CONCLUSIONS Salp15 Iric-1 interacts with all European Borrelia species but differentially protects B. burgdorferi from antibody-mediated killing, putatively giving this Borrelia species a survival advantage in nature.
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Affiliation(s)
- J W Hovius
- Center for Experimental and Molecular Medicine, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
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22
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Koek AG, Bruisten SM, Dierdorp M, van Dam AP, Templeton K. Specific and sensitive diagnosis of syphilis using a real-time PCR for Treponema pallidum. Clin Microbiol Infect 2008; 12:1233-6. [PMID: 17121633 DOI: 10.1111/j.1469-0691.2006.01566.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
A real-time PCR assay with a Taqman probe was developed that targeted the polA gene of Treponema pallidum. The test was validated using an analytical panel (n = 140) and a clinical panel of genital samples (n = 112) from patients attending a sexually transmitted infections clinic. High sensitivities and specificities of 94-100% were achieved using two real-time PCR platforms, the Rotor-Gene and the iCycler. The assay can be completed within 2 h, enabling reporting in <8 h. This fast and robust assay is suitable for implementation in routine laboratories for diagnosing primary syphilis.
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Affiliation(s)
- A G Koek
- Amsterdam Municipal Health Laboratory and Department of Infectious Diseases, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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23
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Kuijper EJ, van Dam AP. [Invasive zygomycosis in patients treated for haematological malignancies]. Ned Tijdschr Geneeskd 2008; 152:291-292. [PMID: 18333547] [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: 05/26/2023]
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24
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de Boer MGJ, Lambregts PCLA, van Dam AP, van 't Wout JW. Meningitis caused by Capnocytophaga canimorsus: When to expect the unexpected. Clin Neurol Neurosurg 2007; 109:393-8. [PMID: 17408852 DOI: 10.1016/j.clineuro.2007.02.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [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] [Received: 10/25/2006] [Revised: 02/13/2007] [Accepted: 02/19/2007] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
In this article we review the available data concerning meningitis caused by Capnocytophaga canimorsus. The clinical presentation of this rare condition is described with the emphasis on associated conditions and management issues. Two additional cases, illustrating the difficulties in recognizing this rare disease, are presented. Reviewing a total of 28 reported cases, a preceding bite-incident by a cat or dog, or close contact with these animals, was described in the majority of cases (89%). Patients had a median age of 58 years; splenectomy and alcohol abuse were noted in, respectively, 18% and 25% of patients. Only in one case immune suppressive drug use was reported. The diagnosis C. canimorsus meningitis should be considered in healthy and immunocompromised adults, especially after splenectomy, who present with symptoms attributable to meningitis and a history of recent exposure to dogs or cats. The possibility of this condition has implications for both the diagnostic work-up and the treatment of the patient.
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Affiliation(s)
- M G J de Boer
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Leiden University Medical Center, The Netherlands.
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25
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Gooskens J, Templeton KE, Claas EC, van Dam AP. Evaluation of an internally controlled real-time PCR targeting the ospA gene for detection of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato DNA in cerebrospinal fluid. Clin Microbiol Infect 2006; 12:894-900. [PMID: 16882295 DOI: 10.1111/j.1469-0691.2006.01509.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [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
This study reports the development and evaluation of an internally controlled real-time PCR targeting the ospA gene for detection of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu stricto, Borrelia garinii, Borrelia afzelii and Borrelia valaisiana. DNA was extracted using QIAamp DNA Blood Mini kit columns. DNA from 33 B. burgdorferi sensu lato strains reacted in the assay, whereas no reactivity was observed with DNA from four relapsing fever Borrelia spp., 11 unrelated spirochaetes, and 31 unrelated microorganisms. The quantitative sensitivity of the assay was 1-10 fg of Borrelia DNA and one to five cultured Borrelia spirochaetes. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) specimens from 70 patients sent for routine testing for neuroborreliosis, and three CSF specimens containing B. garinii were also tested. Positive PCR results were obtained with all three culture-confirmed neuroborreliosis specimens, five of ten neuroborreliosis specimens with specific antibodies in CSF and pleocytosis, none of nine specimens from possible cases of early neuroborreliosis (antibodies in serum, CSF pleocytosis, no antibodies in CSF), one of 15 specimens from patients with active or past Lyme disease with neurological signs (antibodies in serum, no pleocytosis or antibodies in CSF), and none of 36 specimens from patients without Lyme borreliosis (no antibodies in serum or CSF). Overall, the real-time PCR assay enabled sensitive and specific detection of all B. burgdorferi sensu lato species tested. The PCR had a sensitivity of 50% in patients with neuroborreliosis. The main diagnostic role of the assay could be to confirm neuroborreliosis in patients for whom the diagnosis is doubtful.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Gooskens
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Center of Infectious Diseases, Leiden University Medical Center, PO Box 9600, 2300 RC, Leiden, The Netherlands
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26
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van Dam AP, Pronk M, van Hoek B, Claas ECJ. Successful Treatment of Legionella maceachernii Pneumonia after Diagnosis by Polymerase Chain Reaction and Culture. Clin Infect Dis 2006. [DOI: 10.1086/501135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
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27
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Kumwenda JJ, Mateyu G, Kampondeni S, van Dam AP, van Lieshout L, Zijlstra EE. Differential diagnosis of stroke in a setting of high HIV prevalence in Blantyre, Malawi. Stroke 2005; 36:960-4. [PMID: 15802634 DOI: 10.1161/01.str.0000162585.97216.ef] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [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: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE The differential diagnosis of stroke in Africa in areas with high HIV prevalence includes brain infections. We studied causes of stroke in Blantyre, Malawi, where HIV prevalence among medical inpatients is 70%. METHODS In a descriptive study of 8-month duration, all patients presenting at Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital, Blantyre, with central neurological deficit of acute onset (<24 hours) had baseline investigations, including full blood count, blood glucose, serology for toxoplasmosis, syphilis, and HIV, ECG, echocardiogram, ultrasound of the carotid arteries, and computerized tomography scan of the brain. A lumbar puncture was performed unless contraindicated. RESULTS Ninety-eight consecutive patients (49 males) were studied. In those who were HIV positive (48%), the mean age was 37.5 years; ischemic stroke was the commonest diagnosis (n=25; 58%), followed by infection (n=11; 23%; including tuberculous [n=4] and cryptococcal [n=2] meningitis; toxoplasmic encephalitis [n=1]; neurocysticercosis [n=1]; brain abscess [n=1]; and progressive multifocal leucoencephalopathy [n=2]). No clinical or laboratory parameters could be identified as predictors for infection, but 3 of 5 patients with fever on admission had tuberculous meningitis. In HIV-negative patients (mean age 58.6 years), 55% had ischemic stroke and 31% had intracerebral hemorrhage; no brain infection was diagnosed. Presence of vascular disease correlated with age but not with HIV status. CONCLUSIONS Ischemic stroke was found in half of patients irrespective of HIV status. In those who are HIV positive, brain infection should be considered for which the presence of fever and examination of cerebrospinal fluid seem most useful in diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- J J Kumwenda
- Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, Blantyre, Malawi
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28
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van Dam AP, Pruijm MTC, Harinck BIJ, Gelinck LBS, Kuijper EJ. Pneumonia involving Aspergillus and Rhizopus spp. after a near-drowning incident with subsequent Nocardia cyriacigeorgici and N. farcinica coinfection as a late complication. Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis 2004; 24:61-4. [PMID: 15599783 DOI: 10.1007/s10096-004-1263-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [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: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
Reported here is the case of a 22-year-old man who developed pneumonia with unusual pathogens after a near-drowning incident. On day 7 following admission, Rhizopus spp. and Aspergillus fumigatus were cultured from the patient's bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. One week later, sputum cultures revealed N. cyriacigeorgici as well as N. farcinica. The patient recovered fully after prolonged therapy with liposomal amphotericin B, amikacin, meropenem and cotrimoxazole.
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Affiliation(s)
- A P van Dam
- Clinical Microbiology Laboratory, Leiden University Medical Centre, P.O. Box 9600, 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands.
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29
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Schippers EF, van Dam AP, Lavrijsen APM. [Sharp increase in the number of syphilis cases in The Netherlands: early recognition and treatment is of great importance]. Ned Tijdschr Geneeskd 2004; 148:1221-6. [PMID: 15301382] [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: 04/30/2023]
Abstract
Syphilis was diagnosed in three men having sex with men, aged 36, 38 and 58 years, who had a variety of skin lesions and other symptoms. In a woman aged 38 years and her 39-year-old husband, syphilis was found during routine pregnancy screening. All patients were successfully treated with intramuscular (benzathin) benzylpenicillin. Early recognition and treatment as well as advice on avoiding high-risk sexual behaviour are important in preventing further spread of the disease. Although generally the risk of HIV transmission during unprotected oral sexual contact is believed to be low, the transmission of Treponema pallidum during this type of contact is possible and is probably the most important transmission route amongst men having sex with men.
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Affiliation(s)
- E F Schippers
- Afd. Infectieziekten, Leids Universitair Medisch Centrum, Postbus 9600, 2300 RC Leiden.
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van Dam AP, Schippers EF, Visser LG, Peek N, Swaan CM, Kuijper EJ. [A case of diphtheria in the Netherlands due to an infection with Corynebacterium ulcerans]. Ned Tijdschr Geneeskd 2003; 147:403-6. [PMID: 12661461] [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: 03/01/2023]
Abstract
A 58-year-old woman was admitted due to a pseudomembranous pharyngitis. The patient had not been vaccinated against diphtheria. Corynebacterium ulcerans was cultured from a throat swab. The production of diphtheria toxin by these bacteria was demonstrated with PCR and an immunoprecipitation test. The patient was cared for in respiratory isolation and was treated with benzylpenicillin. She quickly recovered and was discharged four days after admission. A contact investigation did not reveal any dissemination of the toxin-producing C. ulcerans and a source was not found. In spite of the large-scale vaccination against diphtheria which has taken place in the Netherlands since 1953, a physician has to consider diphtheria in the differential diagnosis of patients who present with a clinical syndrome compatible with this disease. Either Corynebacterium diphtheriae or C. ulcerans could be the pathogen responsible.
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Affiliation(s)
- A P van Dam
- Klinisch Microbiologisch Laboratorium, Leids Universitair Medisch Centrum, Postbus 9600, 2300 RC Leiden.
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Abstract
Diagnosis of human Lyme borreliosis is usually based on serology, which has a number of pitfalls. In the early phase of the disease serology can still be negative, whereas false-positive results are also common. The interpretation of confirmatory Western blot tests is not always easy. Furthermore, routine serology cannot discriminate between active and past infection. In addition, recombinant antigens are being introduced to improve serologic tests. New developments in the diagnosis of Lyme disease are the development of PCR tests. This review gives an overview of the molecular diagnostic possibilities of Lyme borreliosis, mainly by PCR, and describes some interesting possibilities for future serology.
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Affiliation(s)
- A P van Dam
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Leiden University Medical Center, P.O. Box 9600, 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands.
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Wang G, van Dam AP, Dankert J. Analysis of a VMP-like sequence (vls) locus in Borrelia garinii and Vls homologues among four Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato species. FEMS Microbiol Lett 2001; 199:39-45. [PMID: 11356565 DOI: 10.1111/j.1574-6968.2001.tb10648.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [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: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The VMP-like sequence (vls) locus that consists of one expressed vlsE gene and 15 silent vls cassettes has been described in Borrelia burgdorferi sensu stricto B31. In the present study, the vls locus from a Borrelia garinii isolate A87SA was analyzed. DNA fragments that contained three complete and five partial vls cassettes were cloned and sequenced. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) analysis and Southern hybridization of the PFGE blot indicated that the vls locus of B. garinii A87SA, consisting of at least eight vls cassettes, was located on a 21-kb linear plasmid. The size of the three complete vls cassettes varied from 573 to 612 bp. They had 93.8-94.3% identity at the nucleotide level and 84.9-87.3% amino acid identity. The amino acid sequences of the three vls cassettes of B. garinii A87SA exhibited 45.9-50.8% identity to the VlsE sequence of B. burgdorferi B31, and 30.0-33.8% identity to the VMP17 sequence of B. hermsii HS1. Homologues of the vls locus of B. garinii were detected by dot blot hybridization among 24 of the 30 (80.0%) isolates representing four B. burgdorferi sensu lato species distributed widely in Europe. Our findings indicate that B. garinii might possess a similar vls structure to that described in B. burgdorferi sensu stricto. The highly conserved nature of the vls locus among various B. burgdorferi sensu lato species suggests that it may be important in the physiology and pathogenesis of Lyme disease spirochetes.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Wang
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
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Kuijper EJ, de Weerdt J, Kato H, Kato N, van Dam AP, van der Vorm ER, Weel J, van Rheenen C, Dankert J. Nosocomial outbreak of Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhoea due to a clindamycin-resistant enterotoxin A-negative strain. Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis 2001; 20:528-34. [PMID: 11681431 DOI: 10.1007/s100960100550] [Citation(s) in RCA: 99] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [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: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
A clindamycin-resistant toxin A-negative, toxin B-positive Clostridium difficile strain caused an outbreak among 24 hospitalized patients at the Department of Surgery, the Intensive Care unit, and the Department of Internal Medicine of an 800-bed academic hospital. Nineteen patients had undergone a surgical intervention and all 24 patients received at least one dose of antibiotics prior to the development of Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhoea. Twenty-seven episodes of Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhoea in 24 patients were categorized as mild (n=19), severe (n=7), or fatal (n=1). Relapses occurred in three patients. Nineteen of the 27 episodes required anti-Clostridium difficile treatment. Molecular typing performed by arbitrary primer polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and PCR amplification of rRNA intergenic spacer regions revealed that the outbreak strains recovered from culture were identical. The outbreak strain belonged to serogroup F and was resistant to erythromycin, clindamycin, and tetracycline, whereas susceptibility to chloramphenicol varied. No phenotypic activity of enterotoxin A was detected. A deletion of approximately 1.7 kb was found in the toxin A gene. Cytotoxin B had an unusual effect on cell culture assays that, at first, was not recognized as Clostridium difficile specific but could be neutralized with anti-Clostridium difficile B cytotoxin.
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Affiliation(s)
- E J Kuijper
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Hospital Hygiene, Academic Medical Center of the University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
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Ulvestad E, Kanestrøm A, Sønsteby LJ, Jureen R, Omland T, Edvardsen B, Lundervik J, Kristoffersen E, van Dam AP. Diagnostic and biological significance of anti-p41 IgM antibodies against Borrelia burgdorferi. Scand J Immunol 2001; 53:416-21. [PMID: 11285123 DOI: 10.1046/j.1365-3083.2001.00893.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
We performed a prospective study to investigate the biological significance and diagnostic specificity of anti-p41 immunoglobulin (Ig)M antibodies against Borrelia burgdorferi. During a 1-year interval 2403 patients were referred to our department for B. burgdorferi serology. Sixty-three patients had repetitive positive tests for IgM anti-p41 antibodies and negative tests for anti-p41 IgG antibodies. Ten of the 63 patients recently had symptoms of erythema migrans. A confirmatory IgM Western blot gave a positive reaction in 5 patients out of 53 patients with little or no clinical evidence of B. burgdorferi infection. The remaining 48 patients were negative in this test and were considered as false-positives. Two whole cell enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISAs), two immunofluorescence assays and Western blotting were not useful as confirmatory tests. Sera from 330 blood donors and 72 cord sera were also screened for anti-p41 IgM. Five blood donor sera and five cord sera showed an IgM reactivity against p41. Based on our data we hypothesize that up to 1.5% of the population may have natural IgM antibodies against p41 in their sera. We observed that six out of nine sera with such antibodies could immobilize a B. afzelii reference strain in vitro. Whether anti-p41 IgM antibodies are capable of inactivating infective spirochetes and thereby prevent infection in vivo is, however, not yet clarified. The paradoxical conclusion that anti-p41 IgM antibodies may be a sign of resistance to infection rather than a sign of infection should be given consideration.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Ulvestad
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The Gade Institute, Haukeland University Hospital, Armauer Hansen Building, N-5021 Bergen, Norway.
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Hovius JW, Hovius KE, Oei A, Houwers DJ, van Dam AP. Antibodies against specific proteins of and immobilizing activity against three strains of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato can be found in symptomatic but not in infected asymptomatic dogs. J Clin Microbiol 2000; 38:2611-21. [PMID: 10878052 PMCID: PMC86979 DOI: 10.1128/jcm.38.7.2611-2621.2000] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [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: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
In an area where Lyme disease is endemic in The Netherlands all dogs had positive titers by whole-cell enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and appeared to be naturally infected by Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato. To compare the antibody responses of symptomatic dogs and asymptomatic controls, we performed Western blots and in vitro immobilization assays to study antibody-dependent bactericidal activity. Strains from three different genospecies were employed as the antigen source: B. burgdorferi strain B31, Borrelia garinii strain A87S, and Borrelia afzelii strain pKo. Antibodies against flagellin (p41) and p39 for three strains were found in sera from both symptomatic and asymptomatic dogs and were therefore considered to be markers of exposure. Antibodies against p56 and p30 of strain B31, against p75, p58, p50, OspC, and p<19 of strain A87S, and against p56, p54, p45, OspB, p31, p26, and p<19 of strain pKo were found significantly more frequently in sera from symptomatic dogs younger than 8 years when the first symptoms were observed than in those from age-matched controls (P<0.01). These antibodies were not found in preclinical sera and appeared during development of disease. Antibodies against OspA of strains B31 and A87S were only seen in acute-phase and convalescent sera from three dogs that recovered from disease. Incubation with 25% normal canine serum did not result in the immobilization of strains B31 and pKo, but partial immobilization of strain A87S (61%+/-24% [standard deviation] at 5 h) occurred. Seven of 15 sera from symptomatic dogs but none of the sera from 11 asymptomatic dogs had antibody-dependent immobilizing activity against one of the strains. Consecutive sera from one of these dogs immobilized two different strains. Antibody-mediated bactericidal serum was not seen before onset of disease, was strongest in the acute phase of disease, and fluctuated during chronic disease. From seven out of eight symptomatic dogs Borrelia DNA was amplified by PCR; in three of them the bactericidal activity was directed against one of the genospecies amplified from that dog; however, four PCR-positive dogs lacked bactericidal activity. In conclusion, dogs with symptomatic canine borreliosis have more-extensive antibody reactivity against Borrelia, as shown by both Western blotting and immobilization assays.
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Affiliation(s)
- J W Hovius
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, 3508 TD Utrecht, The Netherlands
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36
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Abstract
Borrelia valaisiana is a recently described bacterial species in the Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato complex. To further characterize this bacterium, the plasmid-encoded ospA genes from eight B. valaisiana isolates were amplified by PCR, cloned and sequenced. All B. valaisiana isolates studied possessed an ospA gene with a size of 822-825 bp. The identity of the predicted amino acid sequences of the OspA proteins among B. valaisiana isolates was 69.1-100%, and ranged from 68.2 to 79.1% between B. valaisiana and other B. burgdorferi sensu lato species. Based on the OspA protein sequences, the eight B. valaisiana isolates could be distinguished into two subgroups. Subgroup I contained six B. valaisiana isolates of which OspA sequences were almost identical, but clearly differed from other LB spirochetes. Subgroup II consisted of two isolates with identical OspA sequences which were only 70% identical to subgroup I B. valaisiana isolates and similarly distant from the OspA sequences of other B. burgdorferi sensu lato genospecies. Phylogenetic analysis indicates that B. valaisiana isolates belonging to subgroups I and II possibly evolved from two distinct ancestors. Our data showed for the first time a major difference in OspA proteins within a well-defined B. burgdorferi sensu lato species at the evolutionary level, suggesting that it is not always reliable to assign Borrelia isolates to a definite species solely based on data from ospA gene sequence analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Wang
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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Wang G, van Dam AP, Schwartz I, Dankert J. Molecular typing of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato: taxonomic, epidemiological, and clinical implications. Clin Microbiol Rev 1999; 12:633-53. [PMID: 10515907 PMCID: PMC88929 DOI: 10.1128/cmr.12.4.633] [Citation(s) in RCA: 278] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.1] [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: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato, the spirochete that causes human Lyme borreliosis (LB), is a genetically and phenotypically divergent species. In the past several years, various molecular approaches have been developed and used to determine the phenotypic and genetic heterogeneity within the LB-related spirochetes and their potential association with distinct clinical syndromes. These methods include serotyping, multilocus enzyme electrophoresis, DNA-DNA reassociation analysis, rRNA gene restriction analysis (ribotyping), pulsed-field gel electrophoresis, plasmid fingerprinting, randomly amplified polymorphic DNA fingerprinting analysis, species-specific PCR and PCR-based restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis, and sequence analysis of 16S rRNA and other conserved genes. On the basis of DNA-DNA reassociation analysis, 10 different Borrelia species have been described within the B. burgdorferi sensu lato complex: B. burgdorferi sensu stricto, Borrelia garinii, Borrelia afzelii, Borrelia japonica, Borrelia andersonii, Borrelia valaisiana, Borrelia lusitaniae, Borrelia tanukii, Borrelia turdi, and Borrelia bissettii sp. nov. To date, only B. burgdorferi sensu stricto, B. garinii, and B. afzelii are well known to be responsible for causing human disease. Different Borrelia species have been associated with distinct clinical manifestations of LB. In addition, Borrelia species are differentially distributed worldwide and may be maintained through different transmission cycles in nature. In this paper, the molecular methods used for typing of B. burgdorferi sensu lato are reviewed. The current taxonomic status of B. burgdorferi sensu lato and its epidemiological and clinical implications, especiallly correlation between the variable clinical presentations and the infecting Borrelia species, are discussed in detail.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Wang
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Academic Medical Centre, University of Amsterdam, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
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Wang G, van Dam AP, Dankert J. Phenotypic and genetic characterization of a novel Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato isolate from a patient with lyme borreliosis. J Clin Microbiol 1999; 37:3025-8. [PMID: 10449497 PMCID: PMC85444 DOI: 10.1128/jcm.37.9.3025-3028.1999] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/1998] [Accepted: 05/28/1999] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato A14S was cultured from a skin biopsy specimen of a patient with erythema migrans in The Netherlands. This isolate had a unique DNA fingerprint pattern compared to 135 other B. burgdorferi sensu lato isolates. In this study, the isolate A14S was further characterized by protein analysis with sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and reactivity with various monoclonal antibodies. In addition, the 16S rRNA, ospA, and ospC genes, as well as the 5S-23S rRNA intergenic spacer DNA, were amplified by PCR, cloned, and sequenced. SDS-PAGE protein profiles and phylogenetic analysis based on all of the analyzed genes confirmed that B. burgdorferi sensu lato A14S was phenotypically and genetically different from the three human pathogenic species B. burgdorferi sensu stricto, Borrelia garinii, and Borrelia afzelii, as well as from other B. burgdorferi sensu lato species. Our findings indicate that Borrelia genomic groups or isolates other than the three well-known human pathogenic species may also cause human Lyme borreliosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Wang
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Academic Medical Centre, University of Amsterdam, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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39
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Abstract
Molecular polymorphism of the ospC gene has been reported in Borrelia burgdorferi sensu stricto, Borrelia garinii and Borrelia afzelii, the spirochetes causing human Lyme borreliosis. To assess the genetic relationship between ospC genes from the recently described Borrelia valaisiana sp. nov. and other B. burgdorferi sensu lato species, the ospC genes from eight B. valaisiana isolates were amplified by PCR, cloned and sequenced. The ospC genes of three B. valaisiana isolates were identical, but clearly distinct from ospC genes from other Borrelia species. Four B. valaisiana isolates possessed ospC genes more related to those of B. garinii, and fell into a cluster representing B. garinii species in the phylogenetic tree. One isolate had an ospC gene encoding a protein identical to that of B. afzelii strain. Since five of the eight (62.5%) B. valaisiana isolates contained a gene highly homologous or even identical to ospC genes found among B. garinii and B. afzelii strains, our findings indicate that ospC gene transfer occurs between B. valaisiana and other Lyme disease spirochetes.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Wang
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Academic Medical Centre, University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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van Dam AP, van Gool T, Wetsteyn JC, Dankert J. Tick-borne relapsing fever imported from West Africa: diagnosis by quantitative buffy coat analysis and in vitro culture of Borrelia crocidurae. J Clin Microbiol 1999; 37:2027-30. [PMID: 10325370 PMCID: PMC85019 DOI: 10.1128/jcm.37.6.2027-2030.1999] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/1998] [Accepted: 03/17/1999] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
West African tick-borne relapsing fever (TBRF) is difficult to diagnose due to the low number of spirochetes in the bloodstream of patients. Previously, the causative microorganism, Borrelia crocidurae, had never been cultured in vitro. TBRF was rapidly diagnosed for two patients returning from western Africa with fever of unknown origin by quantitative buffy coat (QBC) analysis. Diagnosis was confirmed by intraperitoneal inoculation of blood specimens from patients into laboratory mice. In vitro experiments showed that QBC analysis may be as much as 100-fold more sensitive than thick smear. Spirochetes were also cultured from blood samples from both patients in modified Kelly's medium and were identified as B. crocidurae by partial sequencing of the PCR-amplified rrs gene.
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Affiliation(s)
- A P van Dam
- Departments of Medical Microbiology, Tropical Medicine and AIDS, Academic Medical Centre, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
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Abstract
The untranslated leader region of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) RNA genome contains multiple regulatory elements that fold into stable hairpin structures. Because extensive secondary structure can block the scanning of ribosomes, an alternative mechanism for HIV translation seems feasible. To study the mechanism of HIV-1 mRNA translation, a start codon was introduced in the leader region that will usurp scanning ribosomes. This upstream AUG mutation (uAUG) inhibited HIV gene expression, indicating that HIV-1 mRNA translation occurs via the regular scanning mechanism. Revertant viruses with increased replication capacity were obtained upon prolonged culturing of the mutant virus. To our surprise, the introduced start codon had not been inactivated in these phenotypic revertants. Instead, these revertants contain additional mutations in the envelope (Env) protein that stimulated HIV-1 replication. These second-site Env mutations did not specifically overcome the gene expression defect of the uAUG mutant, as the replication capacity of other HIV-1 mutants with an unrelated defect could also be improved. The uAUG construct appears to be a unique tool in forced HIV-1 adaptation studies because the deleterious uAUG mutation is stably maintained in the progeny, yielding phenotypic revertants with second-site mutations elsewhere in the viral genome.
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Affiliation(s)
- A T Das
- Department of Human Retrovirology, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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Wang G, van Dam AP, Spanjaard L, Dankert J. Molecular typing of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato by randomly amplified polymorphic DNA fingerprinting analysis. J Clin Microbiol 1998; 36:768-76. [PMID: 9508310 PMCID: PMC104623 DOI: 10.1128/jcm.36.3.768-776.1998] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/1997] [Accepted: 12/02/1997] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
To study whether pathogenic clusters of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato strains occur, we typed 136 isolates, cultured from specimens from patients (n = 49) with various clinical entities and from ticks (n = 83) or dogs (n = 4) from different geographic regions, by randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) fingerprinting with four arbitrary primers. The RAPD patterns were reproducible up to the 95% similarity level as shown in duplicate experiments. In these experiments the purified DNAs prepared on different days, from different colonies, and after various passages were used as templates. With an intergroup difference of 55%, the 136 strains could be divided into seven genetic clusters. Six clusters comprised and corresponded to the established species B. burgdorferi sensu stricto (n = 23), Borrelia garinii (n = 39), Borrelia afzelii (n = 59), Borrelia japonica (n = 1), Borrelia valaisiana (n = 12), and genomic group DN127 (n = 1). One strain from a patient with erythema migrans (EM) did not belong to any of the species or genomic groups known up to now. The RAPD types of B. burgdorferi sensu stricto, B. garinii, and B. afzelii isolates, which may give rise to human Lyme borreliosis (LB), were associated with their geographic origins. A high degree of genetic diversity was observed among the 39 B. garinii strains, and six subgroups could be recognized. One of these comprised eight isolates from patients with disseminated LB only and no tick isolates. B. afzelii strains from patients with EM or acrodermatitis chronica atrophicans were not clustered in particular branches. Our study showed that RAPD analysis is a powerful tool for discriminating different Borrelia species as well as Borrelia isolates within species.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Wang
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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Wang G, van Dam AP, Le Fleche A, Postic D, Peter O, Baranton G, de Boer R, Spanjaard L, Dankert J. Genetic and phenotypic analysis of Borrelia valaisiana sp. nov. (Borrelia genomic groups VS116 and M19). Int J Syst Bacteriol 1997; 47:926-32. [PMID: 9336888 DOI: 10.1099/00207713-47-4-926] [Citation(s) in RCA: 165] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
To clarify the taxonomic status of two recently described Borrelia genomic groups, groups VS116 and M19, three group VS116 strains and eight group M19 strains isolated from Ixodes ricinus ticks in Switzerland, The Netherlands, and the United Kingdom were characterized. PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis of the 5S-23S intergenic spacer amplicon, rRNA gene restriction analysis, 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) fingerprinting, sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE), and immunoblotting with monoclonal antibodies were used for genetic and phenotypic analysis. The PCR-RFLP and RAPD patterns of three group VS116 strains and eight group M19 strains were identical but differed from those of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu stricto, Borrelia garinii, Borrelia afzelii, and Borrelia japonica. DNAs from all group VS116 and M19 strains yielded three fragments (6.9, 3.2, and 1.4 kb) and four fragments (2.1, 1.2, 0.8, and 0.6 kb) after digestion with EcoRV and HindIII, respectively, hybridizing with an Escherichia coli 16S + 23S cDNA probe. The SDS-PAGE protein profiles of group VS116 and M19 strains were heterogeneous. Phylogenetic analysis of the partial 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that group VS116 and M19 spirochetes were members of a Borrelia species distinct from previously characterized members of the genus Borrelia. Based on our present study and data from previous DNA-DNA hybridizations, a new Borrelia species, Borrelia valaisiana sp.nov., in the B. burgdorferi complex, is proposed. Strain VS116 is the type strain of this new species.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Wang
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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van Dam AP, Oei A, Jaspars R, Fijen C, Wilske B, Spanjaard L, Dankert J. Complement-mediated serum sensitivity among spirochetes that cause Lyme disease. Infect Immun 1997; 65:1228-36. [PMID: 9119456 PMCID: PMC175122 DOI: 10.1128/iai.65.4.1228-1236.1997] [Citation(s) in RCA: 111] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [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: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Borrelia burgdorferi-related isolates were tested for their sensitivity to normal human serum (NHS) and their ability to activate complement. By dark-field microscopy, electron microscopy, and subsurface plating, it was shown that exposure of a Borrelia garinii isolate to 10% or more NHS resulted in immobilization, blebbing, and killing of the spirochetes. These effects were mediated by complement, since they were not seen after heat treatment of NHS, in the presence of EDTA, or in an agammaglobulinemic serum. All seven B. garinii type 5 or 6 and all four VS116/M19 strains were serum sensitive, whereas all eight Borrelia afzelii, five of eight B. garinii type 4, and three of seven B. burgdorferi sensu stricto isolates were serum resistant. The other isolates were partially serum sensitive. Four serum-sensitive B. garinii isolates had been isolated from human cerebrospinal fluid. Most likely, activation of both the alternative pathway and the classical pathway of complement was involved, since bactericidal activity was diminished in properdin-deficient sera as well as in a C1q-depleted serum and in a C4-deficient serum. Bactericidal activity could be restored when a serum lacking C1q or C4 was mixed with a properdin-deficient serum. Isolates with various genetic backgrounds were equally able to activate C3 as measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. In the presence of Mg-EGTA, C3 was activated by all isolates after exposure to > or = 10% NHS. This study shows that B. burgdorferi-related spirochetes can be either serum sensitive or serum resistant in vitro and that this characteristic is associated with their genetic background.
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Affiliation(s)
- A P van Dam
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Academic Medical Centre, University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
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van Dam AP. [The diagnosis and treatment of lymphedema]. Ned Tijdschr Geneeskd 1995; 139:1307-8. [PMID: 7609809] [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: 01/26/2023]
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van Dam AP, Wekking EM, Callewaert JA, Schipperijn AJ, Oomen HA, de Jong J, Swaak AJ, Smeenk RJ, Feltkamp TE. Psychiatric symptoms before systemic lupus erythematosus is diagnosed. Rheumatol Int 1994; 14:57-62. [PMID: 7824836 DOI: 10.1007/bf00300248] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [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: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Psychiatric symptoms are rarely reported as an initial feature of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Nevertheless, many patients have the feeling that psychiatric symptoms occurred before they were diagnosed as having SLE. This feeling was confirmed by an enquiry among members of the Dutch Lupus Patients Society: half of them had experienced psychiatric complaints before SLE was diagnosed. Two-thirds of these patients searched for professional help for these complaints. This motivated us to study whether SLE patients were admitted into psychiatric hospitals without being diagnosed as having SLE. Sera from 2121 patients admitted to a psychiatric hospital and from 500 controls matched for sex and age were tested for the presence of antinuclear antibodies (ANA) and antibodies to DNA. ANA were found in 3% of patients, as well as controls. Anti-DNA antibodies were found in 1% of both patients and controls. Two out of 114 patients psychiatric patients with ANA and/or anti-DNA antibodies had SLE and/or Sjögren's syndrome. We concluded that SLE is not an important cause of admission to psychiatric hospitals. Routine tests for the determination of antinuclear and anti-DNA antibodies on admissions in these hospitals thus would not seem useful. To study whether patients with another chronic disease also had psychiatric complaints before being diagnosed, we performed the same enquiry among members of the Dutch Sarcoidosis Patients Society. The results were almost equal to those of the enquiry of the members of the Dutch Lupus Patients Society. Why members of both societies so often report psychiatric symptoms before their disease is diagnosed should be a subject of further studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- A P van Dam
- Department of Autoimmune Diseases, Central Laboratory of the Netherlands Red Cross Blood Transfusion Service, Amsterdam
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van Dam AP, Kuiper H, Spanjaard L, Dankert J. Lyme borreliosis. Lancet 1994; 343:1567. [PMID: 7911885 DOI: 10.1016/s0140-6736(94)92965-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
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Kuiper H, de Jongh BM, van Dam AP, Dodge DE, Ramselaar AC, Spanjaard L, Dankert J. Evaluation of central nervous system involvement in Lyme borreliosis patients with a solitary erythema migrans lesion. Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis 1994; 13:379-87. [PMID: 8070450 DOI: 10.1007/bf01971994] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [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: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
To determine whether early dissemination of Borrelia burgdorferi to the central nervous system occurs in stage I of Lyme borreliosis, neurological and cerebrospinal fluid examination was performed in 48 consecutive patients in whom the only sign of infection was a solitary erythema migrans lesion. Long-term follow-up after treatment with tetracycline was carried out by telephone interview. At presentation, neurological findings were normal in all 48 patients. Cerebrospinal fluid samples were obtained from 29 (60%) patients. Mild pleocytosis and mild impairment of the blood-brain barrier were present in four and one of these patients, respectively. No significant amount of tumor necrosis factor or interleukin 6 was found in the cerebrospinal fluid samples. Culture results of 13 cerebrospinal fluid samples were negative. Borrelia burgdorferi DNA was only detected by the polymerase chain reaction in one of two aliquots of the cerebrospinal fluid sample of one patient. None of 46 patients who were interviewed 12 to 51 (median 25) months after antibiotic treatment developed manifestations consistent with disseminated or chronic Lyme borreliosis. Thus, no compelling evidence was found for the presence of asymptomatic central nervous system involvement in patients with clinically localized Lyme borreliosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- H Kuiper
- Department of Neurology, Academisch Medisch Centrum, University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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Kuiper H, van Dam AP, Spanjaard L, de Jongh BM, Widjojokusumo A, Ramselaar TC, Cairo I, Vos K, Dankert J. Isolation of Borrelia burgdorferi from biopsy specimens taken from healthy-looking skin of patients with Lyme borreliosis. J Clin Microbiol 1994; 32:715-20. [PMID: 8195384 PMCID: PMC263113 DOI: 10.1128/jcm.32.3.715-720.1994] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [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: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Erythematous skin lesions due to infection with Borrelia burgdorferi will often disappear without antibiotic treatment. The aim of the study was to assess whether after disappearance of the erythematous skin lesion B. burgdorferi is still present in the healthy-looking skin of untreated patients. In six patients, a skin biopsy specimen was taken at the site of a previous erythematous skin lesion 1 to 6 months after disappearance of the lesion. Four of them presented with early disseminated Lyme borreliosis. In one additional patient with early disseminated Lyme borreliosis, the site of a previous tick bite was biopsied. None of these patients had been treated with antibiotics before presentation. The cultures of the skin biopsy specimens of the seven patients showed growth of Borrelia species. By rRNA gene restriction analysis and genospecies-specific PCR, six isolates were classified as Borrelia garinii and one as Borrelia group VS461. These results show that B. burgdorferi can still be cultured from the skin after disappearance of the erythematous skin lesion or at the site of a previous tick bite.
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Affiliation(s)
- H Kuiper
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Academic Medical Centre, University Hospital, University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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