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Hastie CE, Lowe DJ, McAuley A, Mills NL, Winter AJ, Black C, Scott JT, O'Donnell CA, Blane DN, Browne S, Ibbotson TR, Pell JP. True prevalence of long-COVID in a nationwide, population cohort study. Nat Commun 2023; 14:7892. [PMID: 38036541 PMCID: PMC10689486 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-43661-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2023] [Accepted: 11/15/2023] [Indexed: 12/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Long-COVID prevalence estimates vary widely and should take account of symptoms that would have occurred anyway. Here we determine the prevalence of symptoms attributable to SARS-CoV-2 infection, taking account of background rates and confounding, in a nationwide population cohort study of 198,096 Scottish adults. 98,666 (49.8%) had symptomatic laboratory-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infections and 99,430 (50.2%) were age-, sex-, and socioeconomically-matched and never-infected. While 41,775 (64.5%) reported at least one symptom 6 months following SARS-CoV-2 infection, this was also true of 34,600 (50.8%) of those never-infected. The crude prevalence of one or more symptom attributable to SARS-CoV-2 infection was 13.8% (13.2%,14.3%), 12.8% (11.9%,13.6%), and 16.3% (14.4%,18.2%) at 6, 12, and 18 months respectively. Following adjustment for potential confounders, these figures were 6.6% (6.3%, 6.9%), 6.5% (6.0%, 6.9%) and 10.4% (9.1%, 11.6%) respectively. Long-COVID is characterised by a wide range of symptoms that, apart from altered taste and smell, are non-specific. Care should be taken in attributing symptoms to previous SARS-CoV-2 infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claire E Hastie
- School of Health and Wellbeing, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - David J Lowe
- School of Health and Wellbeing, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
- Emergency Department, Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, Glasgow, UK
| | - Andrew McAuley
- Public Health Scotland, Meridian Court, Glasgow, UK
- School of Health and Life Sciences, Glasgow Caledonian University, Glasgow, UK
| | - Nicholas L Mills
- BHF Centre for Cardiovascular Science, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- Usher Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Andrew J Winter
- Sandyford Sexual Health Services, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, Glasgow, UK
| | - Corri Black
- Aberdeen Centre for Health Data Science, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK
- Public Health Directorate, NHS Grampian, Aberdeen, UK
| | - Janet T Scott
- MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | | | - David N Blane
- School of Health and Wellbeing, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Susan Browne
- School of Health and Wellbeing, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Tracy R Ibbotson
- School of Health and Wellbeing, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Jill P Pell
- School of Health and Wellbeing, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK.
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2
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Hastie CE, Lowe DJ, McAuley A, Mills NL, Winter AJ, Black C, Scott JT, O'Donnell CA, Blane DN, Browne S, Ibbotson TR, Pell JP. Natural history of long-COVID in a nationwide, population cohort study. Nat Commun 2023; 14:3504. [PMID: 37311808 PMCID: PMC10263377 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-39193-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2023] [Accepted: 06/02/2023] [Indexed: 06/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Previous studies on the natural history of long-COVID have been few and selective. Without comparison groups, disease progression cannot be differentiated from symptoms originating from other causes. The Long-COVID in Scotland Study (Long-CISS) is a Scotland-wide, general population cohort of adults who had laboratory-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection matched to PCR-negative adults. Serial, self-completed, online questionnaires collected information on pre-existing health conditions and current health six, 12 and 18 months after index test. Of those with previous symptomatic infection, 35% reported persistent incomplete/no recovery, 12% improvement and 12% deterioration. At six and 12 months, one or more symptom was reported by 71.5% and 70.7% respectively of those previously infected, compared with 53.5% and 56.5% of those never infected. Altered taste, smell and confusion improved over time compared to the never infected group and adjusted for confounders. Conversely, late onset dry and productive cough, and hearing problems were more likely following SARS-CoV-2 infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claire E Hastie
- School of Health and Wellbeing, University of Glasgow G12 8TB, Glasgow, UK
| | - David J Lowe
- School of Health and Wellbeing, University of Glasgow G12 8TB, Glasgow, UK
- Emergency Department, Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, Glasgow, G52 4TF, UK
| | - Andrew McAuley
- Public Health Scotland, Meridian Court, Glasgow, G2 6QQ, UK
- School of Health and Life Sciences, Glasgow Caledonian University, Glasgow, G4 0BA, UK
| | - Nicholas L Mills
- BHF Centre for Cardiovascular Science, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH16 4SU, UK
- Usher Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH16 4UX, UK
| | - Andrew J Winter
- Sandyford Sexual Health Services, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, Glasgow, G3 7NB, UK
| | - Corri Black
- Aberdeen Centre for Health Data Science, University of Aberdeen AB25 2ZD, Aberdeen, UK
- Public Health Directorate, NHS Grampian, AB15 6RE, Aberdeen, UK
| | - Janet T Scott
- MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G61 1QH, UK
| | | | - David N Blane
- School of Health and Wellbeing, University of Glasgow G12 8TB, Glasgow, UK
| | - Susan Browne
- School of Health and Wellbeing, University of Glasgow G12 8TB, Glasgow, UK
| | - Tracy R Ibbotson
- School of Health and Wellbeing, University of Glasgow G12 8TB, Glasgow, UK
| | - Jill P Pell
- School of Health and Wellbeing, University of Glasgow G12 8TB, Glasgow, UK.
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Hastie CE, Lowe DJ, McAuley A, Winter AJ, Mills NL, Black C, Scott JT, O'Donnell CA, Blane DN, Browne S, Ibbotson TR, Pell JP. Author Correction: Outcomes among confirmed cases and a matched comparison group in the Long-COVID in Scotland study. Nat Commun 2022; 13:6540. [PMID: 36319644 PMCID: PMC9626587 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-34344-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Claire E Hastie
- Institute of Health and Wellbeing, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G12 8RZ, UK
| | - David J Lowe
- Institute of Health and Wellbeing, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G12 8RZ, UK
- Emergency Department, Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, Glasgow, G52 4TF, UK
| | - Andrew McAuley
- Public Health Scotland, Meridian Court, Glasgow, G2 6QQ, UK
- School of Health and Life Sciences, Glasgow Caledonian University, Glasgow, G4 0BA, UK
| | - Andrew J Winter
- Sandyford Sexual Health Services, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, Glasgow, G3 7NB, UK
| | - Nicholas L Mills
- BHF Centre for Cardiovascular Science, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH16 4SU, UK
- Usher Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH16 4UX, UK
| | - Corri Black
- Aberdeen Centre for Health Data Science, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, AB25 2ZD, UK
- Public Health Directorate, NHS Grampian, Aberdeen, AB15 6RE, UK
| | - Janet T Scott
- MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G61 1QH, UK
| | | | - David N Blane
- Institute of Health and Wellbeing, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G12 8RZ, UK
| | - Susan Browne
- Institute of Health and Wellbeing, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G12 8RZ, UK
| | - Tracy R Ibbotson
- Institute of Health and Wellbeing, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G12 8RZ, UK
| | - Jill P Pell
- Institute of Health and Wellbeing, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G12 8RZ, UK.
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Hastie CE, Lowe DJ, McAuley A, Winter AJ, Mills NL, Black C, Scott JT, O'Donnell CA, Blane DN, Browne S, Ibbotson TR, Pell JP. Outcomes among confirmed cases and a matched comparison group in the Long-COVID in Scotland study. Nat Commun 2022; 13:5663. [PMID: 36224173 PMCID: PMC9556711 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-33415-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 34.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2022] [Accepted: 09/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
With increasing numbers infected by SARS-CoV-2, understanding long-COVID is essential to inform health and social care support. A Scottish population cohort of 33,281 laboratory-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infections and 62,957 never-infected individuals were followed-up via 6, 12 and 18-month questionnaires and linkage to hospitalization and death records. Of the 31,486 symptomatic infections,1,856 (6%) had not recovered and 13,350 (42%) only partially. No recovery was associated with hospitalized infection, age, female sex, deprivation, respiratory disease, depression and multimorbidity. Previous symptomatic infection was associated with poorer quality of life, impairment across all daily activities and 24 persistent symptoms including breathlessness (OR 3.43, 95% CI 3.29-3.58), palpitations (OR 2.51, OR 2.36-2.66), chest pain (OR 2.09, 95% CI 1.96-2.23), and confusion (OR 2.92, 95% CI 2.78-3.07). Asymptomatic infection was not associated with adverse outcomes. Vaccination was associated with reduced risk of seven symptoms. Here we describe the nature of long-COVID and the factors associated with it.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claire E Hastie
- Institute of Health and Wellbeing, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G12 8RZ, UK
| | - David J Lowe
- Institute of Health and Wellbeing, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G12 8RZ, UK.,Emergency Department, Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, Glasgow, G52 4TF, UK
| | - Andrew McAuley
- Public Health Scotland, Meridian Court, Glasgow, G2 6QQ, UK.,School of Health and Life Sciences, Glasgow Caledonian University, Glasgow, G4 0BA, UK
| | - Andrew J Winter
- Sandyford Sexual Health Services, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, Glasgow, G3 7NB, UK
| | - Nicholas L Mills
- BHF Centre for Cardiovascular Science, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH16 4SU, UK.,Usher Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH16 4UX, UK
| | - Corri Black
- Aberdeen Centre for Health Data Science, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, AB25 2ZD, UK.,Public Health Directorate, NHS Grampian, Aberdeen, AB15 6RE, UK
| | - Janet T Scott
- MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G61 1QH, UK
| | | | - David N Blane
- Institute of Health and Wellbeing, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G12 8RZ, UK
| | - Susan Browne
- Institute of Health and Wellbeing, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G12 8RZ, UK
| | - Tracy R Ibbotson
- Institute of Health and Wellbeing, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G12 8RZ, UK
| | - Jill P Pell
- Institute of Health and Wellbeing, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G12 8RZ, UK.
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Hastie CE, Lowe DJ, McAuley A, O'Donnell CA, Mills NL, Black C, Ibbotson TR, Winter AJ, Scott JT, Blane DN, Browne S, Pell JP. Do we need consent to obtain consent? Public and participant feedback to using personal health data for recruitment. J Epidemiol Community Health 2022; 76:jech-2022-219214. [PMID: 35672086 PMCID: PMC9279750 DOI: 10.1136/jech-2022-219214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Claire E Hastie
- Institute of Health and Wellbeing, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - David J Lowe
- Institute of Health and Wellbeing, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Andrew McAuley
- Health Protection Scotland, Public Health Scotland, Edinburgh, UK
- Health Protection Scotland, Public Health Scotland, Edinburgh, UK
| | | | - Nicholas L Mills
- BHF Centre for Cardiovascular Science, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Corri Black
- Aberdeen Centre for Health Data Science, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK
| | - Tracy R Ibbotson
- Institute of Health and Wellbeing, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Andrew J Winter
- Sandyford Sexual Health Services, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, Glasgow, UK
| | - Janet T Scott
- MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - David N Blane
- Institute of Health and Wellbeing, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Susan Browne
- Institute of Health and Wellbeing, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Jill P Pell
- Institute of Health and Wellbeing, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
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Jeffreson SMR, Keller BW, Winter AJ, Chevance M, Kruijssen JMD, Krumholz MR, Fujimoto Y. A scaling relation for the molecular cloud lifetime in Milky Way-like galaxies. Mon Not R Astron Soc 2021; 505:1678-1698. [PMID: 34099958 PMCID: PMC8176572 DOI: 10.1093/mnras/stab1293] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2020] [Revised: 04/28/2021] [Accepted: 05/04/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
We study the time evolution of molecular clouds across three Milky Way-like isolated disc galaxy simulations at a temporal resolution of 1 Myr and at a range of spatial resolutions spanning two orders of magnitude in spatial scale from ∼10 pc up to ∼1 kpc. The cloud evolution networks generated at the highest spatial resolution contain a cumulative total of ∼80 000 separate molecular clouds in different galactic-dynamical environments. We find that clouds undergo mergers at a rate proportional to the crossing time between their centroids, but that their physical properties are largely insensitive to these interactions. Below the gas-disc scale height, the cloud lifetime τlife obeys a scaling relation of the form τlife∝ℓ-0.3 with the cloud size ℓ, consistent with over-densities that collapse, form stars, and are dispersed by stellar feedback. Above the disc scale height, these self-gravitating regions are no longer resolved, so the scaling relation flattens to a constant value of ∼13 Myr, consistent with the turbulent crossing time of the gas disc, as observed in nearby disc galaxies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah M R Jeffreson
- Astronomisches Rechen-Institut, Zentrum für Astronomie der Universität Heidelberg, Mönchhofstraße 12-14, D-69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- Center for Astrophysics, Harvard & Smithsonian, 60 Garden St, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
| | - Benjamin W Keller
- Astronomisches Rechen-Institut, Zentrum für Astronomie der Universität Heidelberg, Mönchhofstraße 12-14, D-69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Andrew J Winter
- Institut für Theoretische Astrophysik, Zentrum für Astronomie der Universität Heidelberg, Albert-Ueberle-Str. 2, D-69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Mélanie Chevance
- Astronomisches Rechen-Institut, Zentrum für Astronomie der Universität Heidelberg, Mönchhofstraße 12-14, D-69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - J M Diederik Kruijssen
- Astronomisches Rechen-Institut, Zentrum für Astronomie der Universität Heidelberg, Mönchhofstraße 12-14, D-69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Mark R Krumholz
- Research School of Astronomy and Astrophysics, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 2611 Australia
| | - Yusuke Fujimoto
- Earth and Planets Laboratory, Carnegie Institution for Science, 5241 Broad Branch Road, NW, Washington, DC 20015, USA
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Shah M, Gishkori S, Edington M, King S, Winter AJ, Lockington D. Ten-year review of a shared care approach in the management of ocular chlamydia trachomatis infections. Eye (Lond) 2021; 35:1614-1619. [PMID: 32782336 PMCID: PMC8169935 DOI: 10.1038/s41433-020-01128-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2020] [Revised: 07/29/2020] [Accepted: 07/31/2020] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Since 2007, the ocular 4:1 multiplex PCR assay in NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde includes Chlamydia trachomatis (ocular chlamydia (OC)) testing. OC can be identified following routine 'viral' ophthalmic testing, including in asymptomatic patients. A published audit from 2008 identified only 25% of our OC patients attended and completed sexual health management, particularly when ophthalmologists initiated treatment. We subsequently created a shared care network between ophthalmology, virology and sexual health (including a designated sexual health advisor) to address these clinical issues. METHODS A 10-year retrospective service review audit from January 2010 to December 2019 was performed to evaluate this approach. RESULTS A total of 86 patients were identified (49 males (57%), median age 23 years (range 16-77)). Ophthalmologists initiated treatment for 37 patients (43%) prior to onward sexual health referral. Of this group, 5 (13.5%) received sub-optimal treatments, and 15 (40.5%) subsequently failed to attend sexual health services for partner notification. Of the 49 (57%) patients who attended sexual health, 25 (51%) had genital chlamydia co-infection, and 98% received adequate systemic treatment. All were offered full sexual health screening and 46 (93.9%) completed partner notification. CONCLUSIONS This shared care approach more than doubled the proportion of OC patients attending sexual health services over this 10-year period (previously 25%, now 57%). Ophthalmologists could defer treatment to sexual health for more effective OC management; however, challenges remain to address real-world issues of non-attendance, inadequate treatment and incomplete contact tracing. We recommend a multi-disciplinary approach to best manage OC cases identified following ophthalmic testing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manaim Shah
- Tennent Institute of Ophthalmology, Glasgow, UK
| | | | | | - Samuel King
- Sandyford Sexual Health Services, Glasgow, UK
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Kennedy R, Winter AJ. Reducing time to treatment of bacterial sexually transmitted infections in an HIV cohort. BMJ Open Qual 2021; 9:bmjoq-2018-000603. [PMID: 32253192 PMCID: PMC7170538 DOI: 10.1136/bmjoq-2018-000603] [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] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2018] [Revised: 02/24/2020] [Accepted: 03/23/2020] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are known to increase the risk of transmission of HIV and care of sexual health needs should form part of routine HIV care. Delayed treatment of STIs can lead to complications and avoidable onward transmission. Management of acute STIs in UK specialist sexual health services usually involves a multidisciplinary approach to ensure patient recall, antimicrobial treatment and partner notification. While this works well in dedicated sexual health clinics, we found this was less optimal in our hospital-based HIV care unit. We describe a quality improvement project to improve interdisciplinary pathways by using electronic shared worklists that reduced time to treatment for chlamydia and gonorrhoea infections. Use of electronic shared worklists could be applied to other settings where rapid treatment is required or has transmission implications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard Kennedy
- Brownlee Centre, Gartnavel General Hospital, Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Andrew J Winter
- Brownlee Centre, Gartnavel General Hospital, Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
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Winter AJ, Kruijssen JMD, Longmore SN, Chevance M. Stellar clustering shapes the architecture of planetary systems. Nature 2020; 586:528-532. [PMID: 33087913 PMCID: PMC7116760 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-020-2800-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2020] [Accepted: 08/12/2020] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Planet formation is generally described in terms of a system containing the host star and a protoplanetary disk1–3, of which the internal properties (for example, mass and metallicity) determine the properties of the resulting planetary system4. However, (proto)planetary systems are predicted5,6 and observed7,8 to be affected by the spatially clustered stellar formation environment, through either dynamical star–star interactions or external photoevaporation by nearby massive stars9. It is challenging to quantify how the architecture of planetary sysems is affected by these environmental processes, because stellar groups spatially disperse within less than a billion years10, well below the ages of most known exoplanets. Here we identify old, co-moving stellar groups around exoplanet host stars in the astrometric data from the Gaia satellite11,12 and demonstrate that the architecture of planetary systems exhibits a strong dependence on local stellar clustering in position-velocity phase space. After controlling for host stellar age, mass, metallicity and distance from the star, we obtain highly significant differences (with p values of 10−5 to 10−2) in planetary system properties between phase space overdensities (composed of a greater number of co-moving stars than unstructured space) and the field. The median semi-major axis and orbital period of planets in phase space overdensities are 0.087 astronomical units and 9.6 days, respectively, compared to 0.81 astronomical units and 154 days, respectively, for planets around field stars. ‘Hot Jupiters’ (massive, short-period exoplanets) predominantly exist in stellar phase space overdensities, strongly suggesting that their extreme orbits originate from environmental perturbations rather than internal migration13,14 or planet–planet scattering15,16. Our findings reveal that stellar clustering is a key factor setting the architectures of planetary systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew J Winter
- Astronomisches Rechen-Institut, Zentrum für Astronomie der Universität Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany. .,School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK.
| | - J M Diederik Kruijssen
- Astronomisches Rechen-Institut, Zentrum für Astronomie der Universität Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Steven N Longmore
- Astrophysics Research Institute, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, UK
| | - Mélanie Chevance
- Astronomisches Rechen-Institut, Zentrum für Astronomie der Universität Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
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Simms I, Goh BT, French P, Wallace LA, Irvine N, Thomas DR, Winter AJ, Lyall H, Webb S. A brief recent history of the epidemiology of congenital syphilis in the United Kingdom. Int J STD AIDS 2018; 29:1110-1119. [PMID: 29862901 DOI: 10.1177/0956462418776070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Within a century, congenital syphilis has been reduced from a major cause of morbidity and mortality to a condition rarely seen in the UK. Here, newly-derived literature and information searches were used to create a contemporary overview of the epidemic, including its epidemiology. Although constrained by high-quality healthcare services and with an incidence below the World Health Organization elimination threshold, congenital syphilis still has the potential to cause major consequences for the health and life chances of affected infants. If the complex challenges presented by this preventable disease are to be resolved, intervention strategies need to be optimised, rigorously assessed and extended across Europe.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ian Simms
- 1 HIV & STI Department, Public Health England, Colindale, London, UK
| | | | - Patrick French
- 3 The Mortimer Market Centre, NHS Camden Provider Services, London, UK
| | | | - Neil Irvine
- 5 Public Health Agency, Health and Social Care Northern Ireland, Belfast, UK
| | - Daniel Rh Thomas
- 6 Communicable Disease Surveillance Centre, Public Health Wales, Cardiff, UK
| | - Andrew J Winter
- 7 Sandyford Sexual Health Services, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, Scotland, UK
| | | | - Sharon Webb
- 9 NHS Infectious Diseases in Pregnancy Screening Programme, PHE Screening, London, UK
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Brook G, Brockmeyer N, van de Laar T, Schellberg S, Winter AJ. 2017 European guideline for the screening, prevention and initial management of hepatitis B and C infections in sexual health settings. Int J STD AIDS 2018; 29:949-967. [PMID: 29716442 DOI: 10.1177/0956462418767576] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
This guideline updates the 2010 European guideline for the management of hepatitis B and C virus infections. It is primarily intended to provide advice on testing, prevention and initial management of viral hepatitis B and C for clinicians working in sexual health clinical settings in European countries. The guideline is in a new question and answer format based on clinical situations, from which population/intervention/comparison/outcome questions were formulated. Updates cover areas such as epidemiology, point-of-care tests for hepatitis B, hepatitis C risk and 'chemsex', and HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis and hepatitis B. We have also included a short paragraph on hepatitis E noting there is no evidence for sexual transmission. The guideline has been prepared in accordance with the Europe protocol for production available at http://www.iusti.org/regions/europe/pdf/2017/ProtocolForProduction2017.pdf.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gary Brook
- 1 Genitourinary Medicine, London North West Healthcare NHS Trust, London, UK
| | - Norbert Brockmeyer
- 2 Klinik für Dermatologie, Venerologie und Allergologie, Ruhr-Universität Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Thijs van de Laar
- 3 Department of Bloodborne Infections, Sanquin Blood Supply, Amsterdam, Netherlands
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Acquah R, Winter AJ, Jackson C, Gunson RN. A combined multiplex PCR test for herpes simplex-1/2 andTreponema pallidum: a review of 5-year routine use. Sex Transm Infect 2017; 93:326. [DOI: 10.1136/sextrans-2017-053220] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2017] [Accepted: 04/18/2017] [Indexed: 11/03/2022] Open
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Conway DI, Robertson C, Gray H, Young L, McDaid LM, Winter AJ, Campbell C, Pan J, Kavanagh K, Kean S, Bhatia R, Cubie H, Clarkson JE, Bagg J, Pollock KG, Cuschieri K. Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) Oral Prevalence in Scotland (HOPSCOTCH): A Feasibility Study in Dental Settings. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0165847. [PMID: 27861508 PMCID: PMC5115665 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0165847] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2016] [Accepted: 10/18/2016] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to test the feasibility of undertaking a full population investigation into the prevalence, incidence, and persistence of oral Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) in Scotland via dental settings. Male and female patients aged 16–69 years were recruited by Research Nurses in 3 primary care and dental outreach teaching centres and 2 General Dental Practices (GDPs), and by Dental Care Teams in 2 further GDPs. Participants completed a questionnaire (via an online tablet computer or paper) with socioeconomic, lifestyle, and sexual history items; and were followed up at 6-months for further questionnaire through appointment or post/online. Saline oral gargle/rinse samples, collected at baseline and follow-up, were subject to molecular HPV genotyping centrally. 1213 dental patients were approached and 402 individuals consented (participation rate 33.1%). 390 completed the baseline questionnaire and 380 provided a baseline oral specimen. Follow-up rate was 61.6% at 6 months. While recruitment was no different in Research Nurse vs Dental Care Team models the Nurse model ensured more rapid recruitment. There were relatively few missing responses in the questionnaire and high levels of disclosure of risk behaviours (99% answered some of the sexual history questions). Data linkage of participant data to routine health records including HPV vaccination data was successful with 99.1% matching. Oral rinse/gargle sample collection and subsequent HPV testing was feasible. Preliminary analyses found over 95% of samples to be valid for molecular HPV detection prevalence of oral HPV infection of 5.5% (95%CI 3.7, 8.3). It is feasible to recruit and follow-up dental patients largely representative / reflective of the wider population, suggesting it would be possible to undertake a study to investigate the prevalence, incidence, and determinants of oral HPV infection in dental settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- David I. Conway
- School of Medicine, Dentistry and Nursing, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
- * E-mail:
| | - Chris Robertson
- Mathematics and Statistics, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Heather Gray
- Glasgow Caledonian University, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Linda Young
- NHS Education for Scotland, Dundee, United Kingdom
| | - Lisa M. McDaid
- MRC/CSO Social and Public Health Sciences Unit, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Andrew J. Winter
- Sandyford Sexual Health Services, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde Health Board, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Christine Campbell
- Centre for Population Health Sciences, Usher Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Jiafeng Pan
- Mathematics and Statistics, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Kimberley Kavanagh
- Mathematics and Statistics, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Sharon Kean
- Robertson Centre for Biostatistics, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Ramya Bhatia
- Human Papillomavirus Research Group, Division of Pathology, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Heather Cubie
- Human Papillomavirus Research Group, Division of Pathology, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Jan E. Clarkson
- School of Dentistry, University of Dundee, Dundee, United Kingdom
| | - Jeremy Bagg
- School of Medicine, Dentistry and Nursing, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Kevin G. Pollock
- Health Protection Scotland, National Services Scotland, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Kate Cuschieri
- Scottish HPV Reference Laboratory, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
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Affiliation(s)
- A J Winter
- Sandyford Initiative, 2-6 Sandyford Place, Glasgow G3 7NB, UK.
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Mason MJ, Winter AJ. How to diagnose and treat aerobic and desquamative inflammatory vaginitis. Sex Transm Infect 2016; 93:8-10. [PMID: 27272705 DOI: 10.1136/sextrans-2015-052406] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2015] [Revised: 04/22/2016] [Accepted: 05/14/2016] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
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Bradley-Stewart AJ, Jesudason N, Michie K, Winter AJ, Gunson RN. Hepatitis E in Scotland: assessment of HEV infection in two high-risk patient groups with elevated liver enzymes. J Clin Virol 2014; 63:36-7. [PMID: 25600601 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcv.2014.11.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2014] [Accepted: 11/18/2014] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- A J Bradley-Stewart
- West of Scotland Specialist Virology Centre, Level 5, New Lister Building, Glasgow Royal Infirmary, 10-16 Alexandra Parade, Glasgow G31 2ER, United Kingdom.
| | - N Jesudason
- West of Scotland Specialist Virology Centre, Level 5, New Lister Building, Glasgow Royal Infirmary, 10-16 Alexandra Parade, Glasgow G31 2ER, United Kingdom
| | - K Michie
- Brownlee Centre, Gartnavel General Hospital, 1053 Great Western Road, Glasgow G12 0YN, United Kingdom
| | - A J Winter
- Brownlee Centre, Gartnavel General Hospital, 1053 Great Western Road, Glasgow G12 0YN, United Kingdom
| | - R N Gunson
- West of Scotland Specialist Virology Centre, Level 5, New Lister Building, Glasgow Royal Infirmary, 10-16 Alexandra Parade, Glasgow G31 2ER, United Kingdom
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Pallawela SNS, Sullivan AK, Macdonald N, French P, White J, Dean G, Smith A, Winter AJ, Mandalia S, Alexander S, Ison C, Ward H. Clinical predictors of rectal lymphogranuloma venereum infection: results from a multicentre case-control study in the U.K. Sex Transm Infect 2014; 90:269-74. [PMID: 24687130 PMCID: PMC4033117 DOI: 10.1136/sextrans-2013-051401] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [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] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective Since 2003, over 2000 cases of lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV) have been diagnosed in the UK in men who have sex with men (MSM). Most cases present with proctitis, but there are limited data on how to differentiate clinically between LGV and other pathology. We analysed the clinical presentations of rectal LGV in MSM to identify clinical characteristics predictive of LGV proctitis and produced a clinical prediction model. Design A prospective multicentre case–control study was conducted at six UK hospitals from 2008 to 2010. Cases of rectal LGV were compared with controls with rectal symptoms but without LGV. Methods Data from 98 LGV cases and 81 controls were collected from patients and clinicians using computer-assisted self-interviews and clinical report forms. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression was used to compare symptoms and signs. Clinical prediction models for LGV were compared using receiver operating curves. Results Tenesmus, constipation, anal discharge and weight loss were significantly more common in cases than controls. In multivariate analysis, tenesmus and constipation alone were suggestive of LGV (OR 2.98, 95% CI 0.99 to 8.98 and 2.87, 95% CI 1.01 to 8.15, respectively) and that tenesmus alone or in combination with constipation was a significant predictor of LGV (OR 6.97, 95% CI 2.71 to 17.92). The best clinical prediction was having one or more of tenesmus, constipation and exudate on proctoscopy, with a sensitivity of 77% and specificity of 65%. Conclusions This study indicates that tenesmus alone or in combination with constipation makes a diagnosis of LGV in MSM presenting with rectal symptoms more likely.
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Affiliation(s)
- S N S Pallawela
- Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - A K Sullivan
- Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - N Macdonald
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - P French
- Mortimer Market Centre, Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - J White
- Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - G Dean
- Brighton & Sussex University Hospitals NHS Trust, Claude Nicol Centre, Brighton, UK
| | - A Smith
- Jefferiss Wing Centre for Sexual Health, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, London, UK
| | - A J Winter
- Sandyford Sexual Health Services, Glasgow, UK
| | - S Mandalia
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - S Alexander
- Sexually Transmitted Bacterial Reference Laboratory, Public Health England, London, UK
| | - C Ison
- Sexually Transmitted Bacterial Reference Laboratory, Public Health England, London, UK
| | - H Ward
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, London, UK
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Macdonald N, Sullivan AK, French P, White JA, Dean G, Smith A, Winter AJ, Alexander S, Ison C, Ward H. Risk factors for rectal lymphogranuloma venereum in gay men: results of a multicentre case-control study in the U.K. Sex Transm Infect 2014; 90:262-8. [PMID: 24493859 PMCID: PMC4033107 DOI: 10.1136/sextrans-2013-051404] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [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] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective To identify risk factors for rectal lymphogranuloma venereum (rLGV) in men who have sex with men (MSM). Design A case-control study at 6 UK hospitals compared MSM with rLGV (cases) with rLGV-negative controls: MSM without potential rLGV symptoms (CGa) and separately, MSM with such symptoms (CGs). Methods Between 2008 and 2010, there were 90 rLGV cases, 74 CGa and 69 CGs recruited. Lifestyles and sexual behaviours in the previous 3 months were reported using internet-based computer-assisted self-interviews. Logistic regression was used to investigate factors associated with rLGV. Results Cases were significantly more likely to be HIV-positive (89%) compared with CGa (46%) and CGs (64%). Independent behavioural risks for rLGV were: unprotected receptive anal intercourse (adjusted OR (AOR)10.7, 95% CI 3.5 to 32.8), fisting another (AOR=6.7, CI 1.8 to 25.3), sex under the influence of gamma-hydroxybutyrate (AOR=3.1, CI 1.3 to 7.4) and anonymous sexual contacts (AOR=2.7, CI 1.2 to 6.3), compared with CGa; unprotected insertive anal intercourse (AOR=4.7, CI 2.0 to 10.9) and rectal douching (AOR=2.9 CI 1.3 to 6.6), compared with CGs. An incubation period from exposure to symptoms of 30 days was indicated. Conclusions Unprotected receptive anal intercourse is a key risk factor for rectal LGV with the likelihood that rectal-to-rectal transmission is facilitated where insertive anal sex also occurs. The association between HIV and rLGV appears linked to HIV-positive men seeking unprotected sex with others with the same HIV status, sexual and drug interests. Such men should be targeted for frequent STI screening and interventions to minimise associated risks.
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Affiliation(s)
- N Macdonald
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - A K Sullivan
- Chelsea and Westminster NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - P French
- Mortimer Market Centre, Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - J A White
- Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - G Dean
- Brighton & Sussex University Hospitals NHS Trust, Brighton, UK
| | - A Smith
- Jefferiss Wing Centre for Sexual Health, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, London, UK
| | - A J Winter
- Sandyford Sexual Health Services, Glasgow, UK
| | - S Alexander
- Sexually Transmitted Bacterial Reference Unit, Public Health England, London, UK
| | - C Ison
- Sexually Transmitted Bacterial Reference Unit, Public Health England, London, UK
| | - H Ward
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, London, UK
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Brook G, Bacon L, Evans C, McClean H, Roberts C, Tipple C, Winter AJ, Sullivan AK. 2013 UK national guideline for consultations requiring sexual history taking. Clinical Effectiveness Group British Association for Sexual Health and HIV. Int J STD AIDS 2013; 25:391-404. [PMID: 24285601 DOI: 10.1177/0956462413512807] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Gary Brook
- North West London Hospitals NHS Trust, London, UK
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Abstract
We present an audit of cervical smear uptake in our HIV-positive cohort in Glasgow. Uptake was favourable in comparison with the general population in the rest of Scotland (75% versus 73.4%); however, much lower than the British Association for Sexual Health and HIV (BASHH) recommended standard of 95%. A significant number of patients were incorrectly identified as only requiring three-yearly smears when they attended non-specialist services which may contribute to reduced uptake.
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Scott LJ, Gunson RN, Carman WF, Winter AJ. A new multiplex real-time PCR test for HSV1/2 and syphilis: an evaluation of its impact in the laboratory and clinical setting. Sex Transm Infect 2010; 86:537-9. [PMID: 20643660 DOI: 10.1136/sti.2009.040451] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [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
OBJECTIVES To develop, evaluate and implement a new multiplex real-time PCR test for the detection of herpes simplex virus (HSV)1, HSV2 and syphilis in a single sample using a single test. METHODS A multiplex real-time PCR test detecting HSV1, HSV2 and Treponema pallidum was designed, validated and evaluated for a period of 6 months on patients attending the Sandyford Initiative (a series of genitourinary medicine clinics in and around Glasgow). A total of 692 samples were tested, and T pallidum PCR positives were confirmed by a second PCR at the Scottish Reference Laboratory (SBSTIRL). All PCR results were aligned with dark ground microscopy findings and serological results where available and compared. RESULTS The laboratory validation of the multiplex assay showed the test to be sensitive, specific and robust. Of the 692 samples, 139 were positive for HSV1, 136 for HSV2, 15 for syphilis, one for both syphilis and HSV1, and 401 were negative; the reference laboratory confirmed all T pallidum PCR-positive samples. The PCR test was more sensitive than both dark ground microscopy and serological testing for the diagnosis of primary syphilis. CONCLUSIONS The introduction of this new test has led to a better turnaround time for the diagnosis of genital ulcer disease, better detection of primary syphilis infection, and the detection of unexpected cases of syphilis where the aetiological agent suspected was HSV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Jane Scott
- West of Scotland Specialist Virology Centre, Gartnavel General Hospital, 1053 Great Western Road, Glasgow G12OYN, UK.
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Abu-Rajab K, Palmer HM, Scoular A, Church S, Connell J, Hart G, Winter AJ. To what extent does Neisseria gonorrhoeae multiantigen sequence typing of gonococcal isolates support information derived from patient interviews? Int J STD AIDS 2009; 20:414-7. [PMID: 19451328 DOI: 10.1258/ijsa.2008.008356] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Gonococcal isolates from genitourinary (GU) medicine clinic attendees in Glasgow, Scotland were typed using Neisseria gonorrhoeae multiantigen sequence typing (NG-MAST). Correlation between named partners (contacts) and NG-MAST type was sought and associations between specific NG-MAST types, and the social, epidemiological and geographical data were explored. We found NG-MAST typing to be a supportive and confirmatory tool for contact tracing. Specific NG-MAST types were found to be associated with distinct characteristics such as sexuality or chlamydial co-infection. An increased number of gonococcal infections were reported from those resident in deprived areas of Glasgow than from those resident in more affluent areas. However, there was no clear geographic clustering of specific NG-MAST types found within the city. Routinely observing the spread of common strains of gonorrhoea is likely best done from a larger geographical perspective unless a specific outbreak occurs.
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Affiliation(s)
- K Abu-Rajab
- Sandyford, 2-6 Sandyford Place, Glasgow G3 7NB, UK.
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Affiliation(s)
- A E Currie
- Department of GU Medicine, Monklands Hospital, Monkscroft Avenue, Airdrie, ML6 OJS.
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Hijazi L, Thow C, Winter AJ. Factors affecting co-infection with genital chlamydia and genital gonorrhoea in an urban genitourinary medicine clinic. Sex Transm Infect 2002; 78:387. [PMID: 12407251 PMCID: PMC1744554 DOI: 10.1136/sti.78.5.387] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022] Open
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Ross JDC, Ghanem M, Tariq A, Gilleran G, Winter AJ. Seroprevalence of hepatitis A immunity in male genitourinary medicine clinic attenders: a case control study of heterosexual and homosexual men. Sex Transm Infect 2002; 78:174-9. [PMID: 12238647 PMCID: PMC1744479 DOI: 10.1136/sti.78.3.174] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To compare the seroprevalence of hepatitis A in homosexual and heterosexual men to determine their susceptibility to infection and provide guidance for a policy on vaccination. METHODS A case-control study design was utilised to compare the risk factors associated with hepatitis A in homosexual and heterosexual men attending a city centre genitourinary medicine clinic. Demographic and sexual behavioural characteristics were included in univariate and multivariate models. RESULTS The overall seropositivity rate was 29% with no significant difference between homosexual and heterosexual men. Ethnicity and age were strongly associated with hepatitis A seropositivity in both homosexuals and heterosexuals. A history of sex in a sauna in homosexual men, and being born outside the United Kingdom for heterosexual men, was associated with hepatitis A seropositivity. CONCLUSIONS Targeted hepatitis A screening and vaccination of homosexual men attending UK genitourinary medicine clinics is not supported by the results of this study.
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Griffiths M, Stockdale H, Winter AJ, Huengsberg M. Uptake of HIV testing in a genitourinary medicine clinic is affected by individual doctors. Sex Transm Infect 2001; 77:143-4. [PMID: 11287700 PMCID: PMC1744287 DOI: 10.1136/sti.77.2.143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- M Griffiths
- Whittall Street Clinic, Birmingham B4 6DH, UK
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Winter AJ. Topics in International Health: HIV/AIDS.: pound30 for individuals, pound20 or pound45 for institutions in developing countries, and pound120 for "first world" institutions, post inclusive with a 30 day money back guarantee. CD-Roms are not Apple Mac compatible. Oxon: CABI Publishing, 2000. Sex Transm Infect 2001; 77:80. [PMID: 11158708 PMCID: PMC1758322 DOI: 10.1136/sti.77.1.80] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- A J Winter
- Department of Genitourinary Medicine, Sandyford Initiative, Glasgow G3 7NB
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Nègre D, Mangeot PE, Duisit G, Blanchard S, Vidalain PO, Leissner P, Winter AJ, Rabourdin-Combe C, Mehtali M, Moullier P, Darlix JL, Cosset FL. Characterization of novel safe lentiviral vectors derived from simian immunodeficiency virus (SIVmac251) that efficiently transduce mature human dendritic cells. Gene Ther 2000; 7:1613-23. [PMID: 11083469 DOI: 10.1038/sj.gt.3301292] [Citation(s) in RCA: 170] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.1] [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: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
We describe the generation and the characterization of new lentiviral vectors derived from SIVmac251, a simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV). A methodical approach was used to engineer both efficient and safe packaging constructs allowing the production of SIV viral core proteins. SIV-vectors encoding GFP (green fluorescent protein) were generated as VSV-G-pseudotyped particles upon transient expression of the vector construct and helper functions in 293 cells. The SIV vectors were able to transduce efficiently various target cell types at low multiplicity of infection, including monocyte-differentiated human dendritic cells (DCs) which retained their capacity to differentiate into mature DCs after gene transfer. Transduction of the DCs by the SIV vectors was prevented when infections were performed in the presence of AZT, a reverse-transcriptase inhibitor. After gene transfer, expression of the GFP in the target cells remained constant after several weeks, indicating that the vectors had been stably integrated into the genome of the host cells. Preparations of SIV vectors were systematically checked for the absence of replication-competent and recombinant retroviruses but remained negative, suggesting the innocuousness of these novel gene delivery vectors. Side-to-side comparisons with vectors derived from HIV-1 (human immunodeficiency virus) indicated that the SIV vectors were equally potent in transducing proliferating target cells. Finally, we have determined the infectivity of SIV vectors pseudotyped with surface glycoproteins of several membrane-enveloped viruses.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Nègre
- Vectorologie Rétrovirale and Thérapie Génique, U412 INSERM, IFR 74 and ENS de Lyon, France
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Winter AJ, Gilleran G, Eastick K, Ross JD. Comparison of a ligase chain reaction-based assay and cell culture for detection of pharyngeal carriage of Chlamydia trachomatis. J Clin Microbiol 2000; 38:3502-4. [PMID: 10970416 PMCID: PMC87419 DOI: 10.1128/jcm.38.9.3502-3504.2000] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2000] [Accepted: 06/23/2000] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
In 264 genitourinary medicine clinic attenders reporting recent fellatio, the prevalence of pharyngeal Chlamydia trachomatis determined by an expanded standard including cell culture and two in-house PCR tests was 1.5% in 194 women and zero in 70 men. The ligase chain reaction (Abbott LCx) had a specificity of 99.2% and a positive predictive value of 60%.
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Affiliation(s)
- A J Winter
- Department of Genitourinary Medicine, Whittall St. Clinic, Birmingham, United Kingdom.
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Mangeot PE, Nègre D, Dubois B, Winter AJ, Leissner P, Mehtali M, Kaiserlian D, Cosset FL, Darlix JL. Development of minimal lentivirus vectors derived from simian immunodeficiency virus (SIVmac251) and their use for gene transfer into human dendritic cells. J Virol 2000; 74:8307-15. [PMID: 10954529 PMCID: PMC116340 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.74.18.8307-8315.2000] [Citation(s) in RCA: 103] [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: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Lentivirus-derived vectors are very promising gene delivery systems since they are able to transduce nonproliferating differentiated cells, while murine leukemia virus-based vectors can only transduce cycling cells. Here we report the construction and characterization of highly efficient minimal vectors derived from simian immunodeficiency virus (SIVmac251). High-fidelity PCR amplification of DNA fragments was used to generate a minimal SIV vector formed from a 5' cytomegalovirus early promoter, the 5' viral sequences up to the 5' end of gag required for reverse transcription and packaging, the Rev-responsive element, a gene-expressing cassette, and the 3' long terminal repeat (LTR). Production of SIV vector particles was achieved by transfecting 293T cells with the vector DNA and helper constructs coding for the viral genes and the vesicular stomatitis virus glycoprotein G envelope. These SIV vectors were found to have transducing titers reaching 10(7) transducing units/ml on HeLa cells and to deliver a gene without transfer of helper functions to target cells. The central polypurine tract can be included in the minimal vector, resulting in a two- to threefold increase in the transduction titers on dividing or growth-arrested cells. Based on this minimal SIV vector, a sin vector was designed by deleting 151 nucleotides in the 3' LTR U3 region, and this SIV sin vector retained high transduction titers. Furthermore, the minimal SIV vector was efficient at transducing terminally differentiated human CD34(+) cell-derived or monocyte-derived dendritic cells (DCs). Results show that up to 40% of human primary DCs can be transduced by the SIV vectors. This opens a new perspective in the field of immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- P E Mangeot
- LaboRetro, Unité de Virologie Humaine (INSERM-ENS no. 412), Lyon, France
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Abstract
OBJECTIVE To describe the sociodemographic and geographic risk factors for incident Chlamydia trachomatis genital infection. DESIGN Cross sectional retrospective study of cases diagnosed in local genitourinary clinics. SETTING Coventry, West Midlands, from 1992 to 1996. SUBJECTS 582 female and 620 male Coventry residents aged 15-64 years diagnosed with one or more episodes of genital Chlamydia trachomatis infection by enzyme immunoassay. Subjects were assigned a Townsend deprivation score based on residence. The denominator population aged 15-64 years was derived from 1991 census data. RESULTS The mean annual incidence of genital chlamydia was 151 episodes (95% CI 140-163) per 100,000 population in men and 138 episodes (95% CI 128-149) per 100,000 population in women. Highest subgroup incidence was observed in 15-19 year old black women (2367 (95% CI 1370-4560) per 100,000), and 20-24 year old black men (1951 (95% CI 1158-3220) per 100,000). In univariate analyses, the most important risk factor for chlamydia infection in males was being black (incidence 1377 (95% CI 1137-1652) per 100,000 for black v 133 (95% CI 122-145) per 100,000 for white; RR 10.4, p < 0.0001) and for women was young age (incidence 475 (95% CI 415-540) per 100,000 for age group 15-19 years v 52 (95% CI 45-60) per 100,000 for age group 25-64 years; RR 9.1, p < 0.0001). In Poisson regression models of first episodes of genital chlamydia, for both males and females the effect of ethnic group could not be fully explained by socioeconomic confounding. There were significant interactions between age and ethnic group for both sexes and between age and level of deprivation for men. Geographical analysis revealed a high incidence of genital chlamydia in estates on the edge of the city as well as the urban core. CONCLUSIONS There is a complex interaction between geographical location, age, ethnic group, and social deprivation on the risk of acquiring genital Chlamydia trachomatis in Coventry. Better population based data are needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- A J Winter
- Department of Genitourinary Medicine, Walsgrave NHS Trust, Coventry.
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Winter AJ, Taylor S, Workman J, White D, Ross JD, Swan AV, Pillay D. Asymptomatic urethritis and detection of HIV-1 RNA in seminal plasma. Sex Transm Infect 1999; 75:261-3. [PMID: 10615314 PMCID: PMC1758225 DOI: 10.1136/sti.75.4.261] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To define risk factors for detection of HIV-1 RNA in semen in men attending the two largest HIV clinics in the West Midlands. METHODS 94 HIV-1 seropositive men at any stage of infection donated matched semen and blood samples. 36 subjects (38%) were on no antiretroviral treatment, 12 (13%) were on dual therapy, and 46 (49%) were on three or more drugs. Median CD4 count was 291 cells x 10(6)/l. 87 subjects underwent a urethritis screen (Gram stained urethral smear and culture for gonococcus, and LCR for Chlamydia trachomatis on first pass urine). Quantitative cell free HIV-1 RNA was determined by commercial nucleic acid sequence based assay with a lower detection limit of 800 copies/ml for semen and 400 copies/ml for blood. Independent risk factors for seminal HIV RNA detection were defined by logistic regression. RESULTS In univariate analysis, subjects not taking antiretrovirals were 11 times more likely to shed HIV RNA (21/36 (58%) v 6/58 (10%); p < 0.0001). Seven subjects (8%) had urethritis (including one C trachomatis infection). Urethritis was significantly associated with detection of seminal HIV RNA (adjusted OR, 80.2; p = 0.006), as was blood plasma viral load (adj OR, 19.3 per factor 10 increase; p < 0.001) and age (adj OR, 1.16 per 1 year older; p = 0.001). Antiviral treatment status, absolute CD4 and CD8 count, clinical stage, treatment centre, ethnicity, and risk factor were not independent predictors. No subject with undetectable blood viral load had detectable seminal HIV RNA. CONCLUSION Asymptomatic urethritis is independently associated with seminal HIV RNA shedding.
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Winter AJ, Wiselka MJ, Wilde JT, Radcliffe KW. Fever, weight loss, and night sweats: infection or malignancy? Sex Transm Infect 1998; 74:439-44. [PMID: 10195055 PMCID: PMC1758155 DOI: 10.1136/sti.74.6.439] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
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Winter AJ, Mullis D, Radcliffe KW. Informed consent. Policy has loopholes. BMJ 1998; 317:949. [PMID: 9841018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/09/2023]
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Winter AJ, Comis SD, Osborne MP, Hayward TL, Stephen J, Tarlow MJ. Ototoxicity resulting from intracochlear perfusion of Streptococcus pneumoniae in the guinea pig is modified by cefotaxime or amoxycillin pretreatment. J Infect 1998; 36:73-7. [PMID: 9515673 DOI: 10.1016/s0163-4453(98)93270-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Acute changes in the electrophysiology and ultrastructure of the organ of Corti were studied after microperfusion of c. 5 x 10(6) CFU of serotype 2 Streptococcus pneumoniae D39 or Escherichia coli K-12 directly into the scala tympani of guinea pigs. Hearing loss was assessed by recording the auditory nerve compound action potential response to a 10 kHz tone pip. Mean hearing loss 3 h after pneumococcal perfusion (n = 4) was 44 dB, compared to 6 dB after E. coli perfusion (n = 4) (P<0.001). After pneumococcal perfusion, scanning electron microscopy revealed damage to hair cell stereocilia and cratering of the apical surface of supporting cells. Intraperitoneal injection of 100 mg/kg cefotaxime (n = 4) or 100 mg/kg amoxycillin (n = 4) 30 min before perfusion of pneumococci significantly reduced mean hearing loss to 23 dB (P=0.01) or 20 dB (P=0.01), respectively, and diminished ultrastructural damage. The data suggest that if pneumococci invade the inner ear during meningitis, cochlear deafness may rapidly ensue.
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Affiliation(s)
- A J Winter
- Department of Infection, University of Birmingham, UK
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Winter AJ, Comis SD, Osborne MP, Tarlow MJ, Stephen J, Andrew PW, Hill J, Mitchell TJ. A role for pneumolysin but not neuraminidase in the hearing loss and cochlear damage induced by experimental pneumococcal meningitis in guinea pigs. Infect Immun 1997; 65:4411-8. [PMID: 9353013 PMCID: PMC175634 DOI: 10.1128/iai.65.11.4411-4418.1997] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
We investigated the roles of pneumolysin and neuraminidase in the pathogenesis of deafness and cochlear damage during experimental pneumococcal meningitis. Anesthetized guinea pigs were inoculated intracranially with 7.5 log10 CFU of either (i) wild-type Streptococcus pneumoniae D39 (n = 8), (ii) PLN-A, a defined isogenic derivative of D39 deficient in pneumolysin (n = 5), or (iii) deltaNA1, a new derivative of D39 deficient in neuraminidase constructed by insertion-duplication mutagenesis of the nanA gene (n = 5). To quantify hearing loss, the auditory nerve compound action potential evoked by a tone pulse was recorded from the round window membrane of the cochlea every 3 h for 12 h. The organ of Corti was intravitally fixed for subsequent examination by high-resolution scanning and transmission electron microscopy. All animals sustained similar meningeal inflammatory responses. PLN-A induced significantly less hearing loss than D39 over the frequency range of 3 to 10 kHz. Levels of mean hearing loss at 10 kHz 12 h postinoculation were as follows: D39, 50 dB; deltaNA1, 52 dB (P = 0.76 versus D39), and PLN-A, 12 dB (P < 0.0001 versus D39). The mean rates of hearing loss at 10 kHz were 4.4 dB/h for D39, 4.3 dB/h for deltaNA1, and just 1.0 dB/h for PLN-A (P < 0.0001 versus D39). Suppurative labyrinthitis was universal. PLN-A induced the accumulation of less protein in the cerebrospinal fluid (P = 0.04 versus D39). Infection with D39 and deltaNA1 induced significant damage to the reticular lamina, the sensory hair cells, and supporting cells of the organ of Corti. By contrast, after infection with PLN-A, the organ of Corti appeared virtually intact. Pneumolysin seems to be the principal cause of cochlear damage in this model of meningogenic deafness. No clear pathogenic role was demonstrated for neuraminidase.
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Affiliation(s)
- A J Winter
- Department of Infection, University of Birmingham, United Kingdom
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Winter AJ, Schurig GG, Boyle SM, Sriranganathan N, Bevins JS, Enright FM, Elzer PH, Kopec JD. Protection of BALB/c mice against homologous and heterologous species of Brucella by rough strain vaccines derived from Brucella melitensis and Brucella suis biovar 4. Am J Vet Res 1996; 57:677-83. [PMID: 8723881] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To evaluate stable rough mutants derived from Brucella melitensis 16M and B suis 2579 (biovar 4) as vaccines against homologous and heterologous Brucella spp in the BALB/c mouse model. DESIGN, ANIMALS, AND PROCEDURE: Rough mutants VTRM1 and VTRS1 were obtained from B melitensis 16M and B suis 2579, respectively, by allelic exchange of rfbU gene encoding mannosyltransferase with a Tn5-disrupted rfbU gene. Mice were vaccinated with VTRM1 or VTRS1 and challenge exposed 8 weeks later. RESULTS VTRM1 and VTRS1 replicated extensively in the spleen during the first 3 weeks of infection, then decreased rapidly. Antibodies specific for the O polysaccharide were not detected in sera of mice inoculated with either rough strain. Vaccination with VTRM1 or VTRS1 induced protection against virulent strains of B abortus (2308), B melitensis (16M), B suis biovar 1 (750), and B suis biovar 4 (2579). VTRM1 also protected against B ovis (PA) and against 4 field isolates of B abortus from bison or elk. VTRS1 conferred protection against 4 field isolates of B suis biovar 4 from reindeer. Vaccines prepared from live VTRM1 or VTRS1 provided significantly greater protection than that afforded by vaccines of killed cells in QS-21 adjuvant. Vaccination with VTRM1 containing VTRS1 gave minimal protection against the antigenically unrelated Listeria monocytogenes, thus demonstrating the immunologic specificity of protection against Brucella spp. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Results encourage evaluation, in primary host species, of VTRM1 and VTRS1, along with RB51, as alternative vaccines to strain 19, Rev 1, or other smooth phase vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- A J Winter
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
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Winter AJ, Marwick S, Osborne M, Comis S, Stephen J, Tarlow M. Ultrastructural damage to the organ of corti during acute experimental Escherichia coli and pneumococcal meningitis in guinea pigs. Acta Otolaryngol 1996; 116:401-7. [PMID: 8790739 DOI: 10.3109/00016489609137864] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [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: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
Experimental meningitis was induced in 16 pigmented guinea pigs by subarachnoid inoculation of mid log-phase 1 x 10(9) E. coli K-12 (n = 8) or 5 x 10(7) Streptococcus pneumoniae type 2 (n = 8). Animals were killed at various times between 3 and 12 h after inoculation and the ultrastructure of the organ of Corti (including the basilar membrane) was examined with high resolution scanning electron microscopy. Both E. coli and S. pneumoniae induced meningitis and invaded scala tympani. In both types of meningitis the apical surface of inner supporting cells developed craters. inner hair cell stereocilia were also disrupted. In pneumococcal meningitis both these lesions were more pronounced but in addition there were breaks in the junctions between inner hair cells and their adjacent supporting cells and there was ballooning and rupture of the apical surface of outer hair cells. Damage to the organ of Corti after bacterial invasion of the inner ear may be one of the mechanisms by which bacterial meningitis can cause deafness. The more severe cochlear lesions induced by S.pneumoniae may explain the higher incidence of deafness after pneumococcal meningitis.
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Affiliation(s)
- A J Winter
- Department of Infection, University of Birmingham, UK
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Abstract
Immunoblastic transformation of Waldenström's macroglobulinaemia is normally a preterminal event. We report a case in which the immunoblastic transformation appeared to be limited to the spleen. Splenectomy was more effective than cytotoxic chemotherapy in controlling the disease, and the patient remains free of disease 45 months later.
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Affiliation(s)
- A J Winter
- Department of Haematology, Alexandra Hospital, Redditch
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Abstract
Retroviruses contain a dimeric RNA consisting of two identical molecules of plus-strand genomic RNA. The structure of the linkage between the two monomers is not known, but they are believed to be joined near their 5' ends. Darlix and coworkers have reported that transcripts of retroviral RNA sequences can dimerize spontaneously in vitro (see, for example, E. Bieth, C. Gabus, and J. L. Darlix, Nucleic Acids Res. 18:119-127, 1990). As one approach to identification of sequences which might participate in the linkage, we have mapped sequences derived from the 5' 378 bases of Harvey sarcoma virus (HaSV) RNA which can dimerize in vitro. We found that at least three distinct regions, consisting of nucleotides 37 to 229, 205 to 272, and 271 to 378, can form these dimers. Two of these regions contain nucleotides 205 to 226; computer analysis suggests that this region can form a stem-loop with an inverted repeat in the loop. We propose that this hypothetical structure is involved in dimer formation by these two transcripts. We also compared the thermal stabilities of each of these dimers with that of HaSV viral RNA. Dimers of nucleotides 37 to 229 and 205 to 272 both exhibited melting temperatures near that of viral RNA, while dimers of nucleotides 271 to 378 are quite unstable. We also found that dimers of nucleotides 37 to 378 formed at 37 degrees C are less thermostable than dimers of the same RNA formed at 55 degrees C. It seems possible that bases from all of these regions participate in the dimer linkage present in viral RNA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Y X Feng
- Laboratory of Molecular Virology and Carcinogenesis, ABL-Basic Research Program, NCI-Frederick Cancer Research and Development Center, Maryland 21702-1201
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Jiménez de Bagüés MP, Elzer PH, Jones SM, Blasco JM, Enright FM, Schurig GG, Winter AJ. Vaccination with Brucella abortus rough mutant RB51 protects BALB/c mice against virulent strains of Brucella abortus, Brucella melitensis, and Brucella ovis. Infect Immun 1994; 62:4990-6. [PMID: 7927779 PMCID: PMC303217 DOI: 10.1128/iai.62.11.4990-4996.1994] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [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: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Vaccination of BALB/c mice with live Brucella abortus RB51, a stable rough mutant, produced protection against challenge with virulent strains of Brucella abortus, Brucella melitensis, and Brucella ovis. Passive-transfer experiments indicated that vaccinated mice were protected against B. abortus 2308 through cell-mediated immunity, against B. ovis PA through humoral immunity, and against B. melitensis 16M through both forms of immunity. Live bacteria were required for the induction of protective cell-mediated immunity; vaccination with whole killed cells of strain RB51 failed to protect mice against B. abortus 2308 despite development of good delayed-type hypersensitivity reactions. Protective antibodies against the heterologous species were generated in vaccinated mice primarily through anamnestic responses following challenge infections. Growth of the antigenically unrelated bacterium Listeria monocytogenes in the spleens of vaccinated mice indicated that nonspecific killing by residual activated macrophages contributed minimally to protection. These results encourage the continued investigation of strain RB51 as an alternative vaccine against heterologous Brucella species. However, its usefulness against B. ovis would be limited if, as suggested here, epitopes critical for protective cell-mediated immunity are not shared between B. abortus and B. ovis.
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Elzer PH, Jacobson RH, Nielsen KH, Douglas JT, Winter AJ. BALB/c mice infected with Brucella abortus express protracted polyclonal responses of both IgG2a and IgG3 isotypes. Immunol Lett 1994; 42:145-50. [PMID: 7890314 DOI: 10.1016/0165-2478(94)90078-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [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: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
A polyclonal IgG2a response dependent on the secretion of endogenous IFN-gamma has been demonstrated in BALB/c mice injected with killed whole cells of Brucella abortus [1]. Here we report intense and protracted polyclonal responses of IgG2a and also of IgG3 isotypes in BALB/c mice undergoing primary infections with B. abortus attenuated vaccine strain 19 or virulent strain 2308. Ratios of total serum Ig levels between infected mice and age matched controls were greater than 38 for IgG3 and greater than 12 for IgG2a between weeks 4 and 8 post-infection. Polyclonal increases of IgM and IgG1 that were proportionally much lower (ratios < 2 and < or = 3, respectively) also occurred in infected mice during this time. It is hypothesized that both IgG3 and IgG2a polyclonal responses required IFN-gamma, which was induced by B. abortus primarily in a T cell-independent fashion during the first weeks of infection, and from T cells thereafter.
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Affiliation(s)
- P H Elzer
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853
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Elzer PH, Jacobson RH, Jones SM, Nielsen KH, Douglas JT, Winter AJ. Antibody-mediated protection against Brucella abortus in BALB/c mice at successive periods after infection: variation between virulent strain 2308 and attenuated vaccine strain 19. Immunol Suppl 1994; 82:651-8. [PMID: 7835931 PMCID: PMC1414908] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
In BALB/c mice antibodies specific for the O polysaccharide (OPS) as well as T lymphocytes mediate protective immunity to Brucella abortus. We performed quantitative analyses of isotypes of OPS antibodies generated during primary infections, and tested the protective qualities of antisera at successive stages of infection against B. abortus strain 2308, representative of the wild type, and attenuated vaccine strain 19. IgM antibodies predominated during the first 3-4 weeks of infection. IgG3 antibodies increased slowly for the first 3 weeks but then rose rapidly and persisted at high levels (> 300 micrograms/ml). IgG1, IgG2a and IgG2b antibodies had increased slightly by week 4 and then remained at low to moderate levels (< 70 micrograms/ml). Week 2 serum pools (IgM high, IgG3 low or undetectable) transferred substantial protection against 2308 (> or = 1 log unit) which increased relatively little (to 1.2-1.5 log units) with later sera that were high in IgG antibodies. In contrast, week 2 sera conferred low levels of protection against 19 (< 0.6 log units), but protection was dramatically increased (to > or = 2.3 log units) with sera obtained 1 week later that had slightly increased IgG antibodies. Monoclonal IgM antibodies also provided better protection against 2308 than 19, while monoclonal IgG3 antibodies protected much better against 19. Strain 19 opsonized with antibodies taken at any stage of infection was killed within normal macrophages, whereas comparably opsonized 2308 underwent intracellular replication. Phagocytosis of 2308 was better than of 19 when brucellae were opsonized with either polyclonal IgM or IgG3 antibodies, and the difference between strains was more extreme following IgM opsonization. The data suggest an explanation for differences in the growth curves of 2308 and 19 in spleens of BALB/c mice. Higher numbers achieved by 19 at week 2 could result from extracellular replication owing to ineffectual opsonization by IgM antibodies, while the precipitous decline of 19 beginning at week 3 could be caused by the increase in more effective IgG3 opsonins that facilitate its rapid intracellular destruction.
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Affiliation(s)
- P H Elzer
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853
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Jiménez de Bagüés MP, Elzer PH, Blasco JM, Marín CM, Gamazo C, Winter AJ. Protective immunity to Brucella ovis in BALB/c mice following recovery from primary infection or immunization with subcellular vaccines. Infect Immun 1994; 62:632-8. [PMID: 8300219 PMCID: PMC186150 DOI: 10.1128/iai.62.2.632-638.1994] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [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
Experiments were performed with BALB/c mice to elucidate the roles of humoral and cell-mediated immune responses in the acquisition of protective immunity to Brucella ovis and to compare infection immunity with immunity developed through vaccination with a hot saline extract (HS) of B. ovis. Mice convalescing from a primary infection with B. ovis displayed a high level of resistance to reinfection, as evidenced by splenic bacterial counts decreased over 10,000-fold from control groups at 2 weeks after challenge. Passive transfer assays revealed that protection was mediated by both T lymphocytes and antibodies but that antibodies had a substantially greater role on the basis of log units of protection that were transferred. Antibodies specific for HS proteins in sera from convalescent mice were predominantly of the immunoglobulin G 2a and 3 isotypes. Vaccination with HS conferred good protection against B. ovis, but protection was greatly enhanced by the incorporation of QS-21 or other adjuvants. Protection provided by the HS vaccine resulted largely from immune responses to its protein moieties. A critical evaluation of the protective efficacy of the rough lipopolysaccharide component of HS was precluded by its poor immunogenicity in BALB/c mice. HS-QS-21 afforded protection against challenge infection with B. ovis as good as that which developed after a primary infection and as good as or better than that provided by attenuated Brucella melitensis vaccine strain Rev 1. Passive transfer experiments confirmed that the magnitudes of both humoral and cell-mediated forms of protective immunity were equivalent in mice vaccinated with HS-QS-21 and those recovering from a primary infection. Protective immunity to B. ovis in mice therefore resembled that to Brucella abortus, except that the relative roles of humoral and cell-mediated immunity, rather than being equivalent, were shifted toward a greater role for antibodies.
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Blasco JM, Gamazo C, Winter AJ, Jiménez de Bagüés MP, Marín C, Barberán M, Moriyón I, Alonso-Urmeneta B, Díaz R. Evaluation of whole cell and subcellular vaccines against Brucella ovis in rams. Vet Immunol Immunopathol 1993; 37:257-70. [PMID: 8236802 DOI: 10.1016/0165-2427(93)90198-d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [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]
Abstract
Five antigen preparations from Brucella ovis strain REO 198 were incorporated with the pluronic polymer L-121 and muramyl dipeptide and tested as vaccines against B. ovis infection of rams. The antigenic preparations were: (1) a fraction enriched in outer membrane proteins and rough lipopolysaccharide (hot saline extract, HS); (2) the proteins from HS substantially free of lipopolysaccharide; (3) outer membrane blebs; (4) outer membrane-peptidoglycan complexes extracted with detergent; (5) killed whole cells. The experimental vaccines were compared with two standard vaccines, rough Brucella abortus 45/20 whole killed cells in an oil based adjuvant, and live Brucella melitensis Rev 1. Immunizations with non-living vaccines were performed on two occasions, 18 weeks apart. The rams were challenged with a virulent strain of B. ovis 31 weeks after the second vaccination and slaughtered 15 weeks thereafter. Rates of infection in groups vaccinated with Rev 1 (33%), and HS (40%) were significantly lower (P < 0.005 and P < 0.025, respectively) than that in the non-vaccinated control group (87%). Strain 45/20 was the only other vaccine that conferred a significant level of protection (50%) (P < 0.05). The organ distribution of the infection and the level of colonization of infected organs did not differ significantly between infected animals in the various vaccine groups and those in the unvaccinated control group. No statistically significant relationship was detected between the magnitude of the antibody responses to the HS extract, to outer membrane proteins, or to the rough lipopolysaccharide, and freedom from infection. The results indicate that the HS extract of B. ovis may represent a useful alternative to B. melitensis Rev 1 or B. abortus 45/20 as a vaccine against B. ovis.
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Affiliation(s)
- J M Blasco
- Servicio de Investigación Agraria, Diputación General de Aragón, Zaragoza, Spain
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Winter AJ, Alkema MJ, Groot Koerkamp MJ, van der Horst G, Mul Y, Tabak HF. Interlocked circle formation by group I introns: structural requirements and mechanism. Nucleic Acids Res 1993; 21:3217-26. [PMID: 8341596 PMCID: PMC309758 DOI: 10.1093/nar/21.14.3217] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Precursor RNA transcribed from the yeast mitochondrial gene coding for the large ribosomal RNA contains a group I intron that can excise itself in vitro. Apart from group I specific sequence elements the intron also contains a gene encoding a DNA endonuclease involved in intron dispersal. A precursor RNA derivative from which this gene has been removed self-splices efficiently, but due to activation of cryptic opening sites located in the 5' exon, the 3' part of this exon is sometimes co-excised with the intron. Upon further reaction, this enlarged intron molecules give rise to interlocked circles, comprising small circles derived from 5' exon parts and large circles of the intron. Sequence comparison between cryptic opening sites and authentic splice sites reveals in most cases homology with the 3' exon part that is capable of interacting with the Internal Guide Sequence. The role of the IGS was further substantiated by replacing the cryptic opening sites with well defined sequences of authentic splice sites: one corresponding to the 3' splice site and its mutant derivatives, the other to a fragment containing the natural 5'-3' exon junction. Precursor RNAs derived from these constructs give rise to interlocked circles, and mutation studies confirm that the 3' exon nucleotides flanking a 3' splice site are essential for their formation. The results underline the crucial role of the IGS in interlocked circle formation which behaves similarly as in the normal self-splicing reactions. It has been proposed that the two short helices formed by basepairing of the IGS with the 5' and 3' exon can co-axially stack on top of each other forming a quasi continuous RNA double helix or pseudoknot. We present a model explaining how transesterification reactions of a mutant precursor RNA in such a pseudoknot can lead to interlocked circles. The experiments support the notion that a similar structure is also operative in splicing of wild type precursor RNA.
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Affiliation(s)
- A J Winter
- EC Slater Institute, Section for Biochemistry/FG, Academisch Medisch Centrum, University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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Abstract
Interactions of the 5' and 3' splice sites with intron internal sequences of the yeast mitochondrial group I intron aI3 were studied using mutation analysis. The results can be fully explained by the splice guide model in which the splice sites are defined by the Internal Guide Sequence. No evidence was found for an alternative interaction between intron nucleotides preceding the 3' splice site and nucleotides in the vicinity of the core region as was found for the Tetrahymena intron. Our results also suggest that binding of the 5' and 3' splice site nucleotides to the IGS can not take place simultaneously. The intron must therefore undergo conformational changes as the reaction proceeds from the first step of self splicing, GTP attack at the 5' splice site, to exon ligation, the second step.
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Affiliation(s)
- A J Winter
- EC Slater Institute for Biochemical Research, University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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