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Vertical Transmission (vertical + transmission)
Selected AbstractsHCV viremia is associated with drug use in young HIV-1 and HCV coinfected pregnant and non-pregnant women,ADDICTION, Issue 5 2005Georgia B. Nikolopoulou ABSTRACT Aims Vertical transmission of HCV is increased among HIV-1/HCV coinfected women and is related to HCV viral load. In this study we assessed clinical and demographic factors associated with HCV viremia in a cohort of young pregnant and non-pregnant mothers coinfected with HIV-1. Design A cross-sectional clinic-based study nested within a prospective cohort study. Methods From 1988 to 2000, HIV-1 + pregnant and non-pregnant women with children followed in a large maternal, child and adolescent HIV-1 clinic were evaluated for HCV infection using EIA 3.0. HCV RNA levels were determined for HCV antibody + women using polymerase chain reaction. Demographic and clinical characteristics between HCV-RNA(+) and HCV-RNA(,) women and between pregnant and non-pregnant HIV-1/HCV coinfected women were compared using univariate and multivariate analyses. Findings Among 359 HIV-1(+) women, 84 (23%) were HCV-ab + and 49/84 (58%) had detectable HCV-RNA in plasma. Median age was 31. CD4 counts, HIV-1 RNA levels and demographic characteristics were similar for viremic and non-viremic women and pregnant and non-pregnant women. However, viremic women were more likely to report a history of (88% versus 43%; P < 0.001) or active injection drug use (AIDU) (83% versus 29%; P < 0.001). Logistic regression analysis showed that HCV viremia was associated significantly with AIDU (adjusted OR: 15.17; 95% CI: 3.56, 64.56) after adjusting for age, race, number of sexual partners, pregnancy status, CD4 counts and HIV-1 viral load. Conclusion In this cohort of young HIV-1 and HCV coinfected women, HCV viremia was associated strongly with active injection drug use, perhaps due to reinfection or reactivation of HCV. Thus, careful evaluation for HCV infection and counseling related to drug use may be necessary. [source] Seroprevalence of HIV infection in hospitalized paediatric patients at a tertiary care centre in western IndiaHIV MEDICINE, Issue 4 2007I Shah The prevalence of HIV infection in children in India is not known. In this study, a total of 270 children admitted to paediatric wards in Mumbai were screened for HIV infection by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Eight patients (2.96%) had a positive HIV ELISA. Of these two patients (25%) were less than 15 months of old and hence HIV infection in them could not be confirmed. The prevalence of HIV was 2.3%. Three out of 11 patients with tuberculosis (27.3%) and four out of 15 patients with nutritional anaemia (26.7%) had HIV infection (P<0.0001 in each case). Vertical transmission was the cause in all children, suggesting that implementation of Prevention of Parent to Child Transmission of HIV (PPTCT) is required to reduce the rate of paediatric HIV infection. [source] Micronutrients and Child Health: Studies in International Nutrition and HIV InfectionNUTRITION REVIEWS, Issue 11 2001Christopher Duggan M.D., M.P.H. Increasing data link micronutrient deficiencies to excess childhood morbidity and mortality, and similar relationships have been noted in the study of nutrition and HIV infection. We review epidemiologic studies that have examined the relationship between micronutrient deficiencies and health outcomes in childhood and HIV infection, as well as clinical trials of micronutrient supplementation. Vitamin A supplementation among communities at risk of deficiency effectively reduces mortality and morbidity in children younger than age 5, and vitamin A may be especially effective in HIV-infected children. Vertical transmission of HIV has not to date been affected by maternal micronutrient supplementation. In children with poor dietary zinc intake and/or bioavailability, zinc supplementation reduces the incidence and severity of diarrheal diseases, as well as the occurrence of pneumonia. Vitamin A therapy has not been associated with improved growth, whereas some trials have shown that zinc supplementation is associated with greater increments in height. Further trials of micronutrient supplementation are warranted. [source] Vertical transmission of HIV-1 infection and dilemma of infant feedingACTA PAEDIATRICA, Issue 9 2003A Ehrnst The problem of giving proper recommendations on early feeding of infants of HIV-1-positive mothers in countries with deficient hygienic conditions is discussed. Even in exclusive breastfeeding, which is associated with a lower risk of HIV transmission than when supplements are given, the risk that the infant will acquire HIV-1 has to be balanced against the risk of formula feeding. Furthermore, it also has to be stressed that exclusive breastfeeding is a rarity in many poor countries. Conclusion: The dilemma of recommending appropriate early feeding to HIV-1-positive mothers will persist until further studies of the type performed by the Coutsoudis group in South Africa have been performed. [source] HOST GROWTH CONDITIONS INFLUENCE EXPERIMENTAL EVOLUTION OF LIFE HISTORY AND VIRULENCE OF A PARASITE WITH VERTICAL AND HORIZONTAL TRANSMISSIONEVOLUTION, Issue 7 2010Hélène Magalon In parasites with mixed modes of transmission, ecological conditions may determine the relative importance of vertical and horizontal transmission for parasite fitness. This may lead to differential selection pressure on the efficiency of the two modes of transmission and on parasite virulence. In populations with high birth rates, increased opportunities for vertical transmission may select for higher vertical transmissibility and possibly lower virulence. We tested this idea in experimental populations of the protozoan Paramecium caudatum and its bacterial parasite Holospora undulata. Serial dilution produced constant host population growth and frequent vertical transmission. Consistent with predictions, evolved parasites from this "high-growth" treatment had higher fidelity of vertical transmission and lower virulence than parasites from host populations constantly kept near their carrying capacity ("low-growth treatment"). High-growth parasites also produced fewer, but more infectious horizontal transmission stages, suggesting the compensation of trade-offs between vertical and horizontal transmission components in this treatment. These results illustrate how environmentally driven changes in host demography can promote evolutionary divergence of parasite life history and transmission strategies. [source] The selection and evolution of viral quasispecies in HIV-1 infected childrenHIV MEDICINE, Issue 1 2002P Nowak Objectives To analyse the diversity and divergence of the viral populations in three mother,child pairs in longitudinally obtained samples for up to 7 years. Methods Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were obtained from three mothers at delivery and three to four samples were obtained from each of their children from 1.5 months up to 78 months of age. The V3 region of HIV-1 was amplified by polymerase chain reaction, cloned and sequenced. HIV-1 DNA sequence comparisons were performed by phylogenetic analysis. Results The viral population was initially homogenous in two children but highly heterogeneous in one child. Three patterns of vertical transmission seemed to have occurred: transmission of the most prevalent maternal strain, of a minor maternal strain and of multiple maternal strains. In one child, a possible reappearance of a maternal sequence was observed at 34 months of age. Conclusions Children may become infected with the most prevalent maternal strain, a minor maternal variant or multiple maternal quasispecies. Maternal viral variants may reappear in children after several years of infection and could possibly be derived from a reservoir of founder quasispecies established during the children's primary HIV-1 infection. [source] Multiple invasions of Errantivirus in the genus DrosophilaINSECT MOLECULAR BIOLOGY, Issue 2 2008A. Ludwig Abstract Aiming to contribute to the knowledge of the evolutionary history of Errantivirus, a phylogenetic analysis of the env gene sequences of Errantivirus gypsy, gtwin, gypsy2, gypsy3, gypsy4 and gypsy6 was carried out in 33 Drosophilidae species. Most sequences were obtained from in silico searches in the Drosophila genomes. The complex evolutionary pattern reported by other authors for the gypsy retroelement was also observed in the present study, including vertical transmission, ancestral polymorphism, stochastic loss and horizontal transfer. Moreover, the elements gypsy2, gypsy3, gypsy4 and gypsy6 were shown to have followed an evolutionary model that is similar to gypsy. Fifteen new possible cases of horizontal transfer were suggested. The infectious potential of these elements may help elucidate the evolutionary scenario described in the present study. [source] Prevalence of salivary Streptococcus mutans in mothers and in their preschool childrenINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PAEDIATRIC DENTISTRY, Issue 1 2002I. Thorild Summary. Objectives. To establish the prevalence and possible relationship of oral Streptococcusmutans colonization in mother,child pairs. Design and setting. An analytical cross-sectional study was carried out at a well-baby evaluation clinic held at the Public Dental Clinic, Varberg, Sweden. Sample and methods. Two hundred preschool children, 100 of which were 18 months old and the remaining 100 were 3 years old, and their mothers attended the clinic. All mothers were interviewed and their children's medical history, oral hygiene routines and dietary habits established. All children were clinically examined. The presence and level of S. mutans was estimated in the mother,child pairs with the aid of the Strip mutans chair-side test. Results. Nearly 50% of mothers exhibited high levels of salivary S. mutans, prevalence among the 18-month- and 3-year-olds was 30% and 42%, respectively. A statistically significant (P < 0·01) mother,child relationship was found; a greater presence in mothers led to a higher number of children found harbouring the bacteria. Logistic regression analysis found that high maternal S. mutans levels (P < 0·001), daily sweet intake (P < 0·01) and sugary drinks in feeding bottles (P < 0·05) were significant factors for S. mutans colonization in children. Absence of daily toothbrushing and use of feeding bottles at night failed to fit into the model. Caries prevalence (initial and manifest decayed surfaces) was significantly related to S. mutans colonization (P < 0·01). Conclusion. The results support the concept of vertical transmission (mother,child), emphasizing the importance of the dietary component, and justifying a primary preventive approach with targeted action directed at mothers with high levels of S. mutans colonization. [source] Detection and survival of Campylobacter in chicken eggsJOURNAL OF APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY, Issue 5 2003O. Sahin Abstract Aims:Campylobacter jejuni, a food-borne human pathogen, is widespread in poultry; however, the sources of infection and modes of transmission of this organism on chicken farms are not well understood. The objective of this study was to determine if vertical transmission of C. jejuni occurs via eggs. Methods and Results: Using a temperature differential method, it was shown that Campylobacter had limited ability to penetrate the eggshell. When C. jejuni was directly inoculated into the egg yolk and the eggs were stored at 18°C, the organism was able to survive for up to 14 days. However, viability of C. jejuni was dramatically shortened when injected into the albumen or the air sac. When freshly laid eggs from Campylobacter -inoculated specific pathogen-free (SPF) layers were tested, C. jejuni -contamination was detected in three of 65 pooled whole eggs (5,10 eggs in each pool) via culture and PCR. However, the organism was not detected from any of the 800 eggs (80 pools), collected from the same SPF flock, but kept at 18°C for 7 days before testing. Likewise, Campylobacter was not recovered from any of 500 fresh eggs obtained from commercial broiler-breeder flocks that were actively shedding Campylobacter in faeces. Also, none of the 1000 eggs from broiler breeders obtained from a commercial hatchery were positive for Campylobacter. Conclusions: These results suggest that vertical transmission of C. jejuni through the egg is probably a rare event and does not play a major role in the introduction of Campylobacter to chicken flocks. Significance and Impact of the Study: Control of Campylobacter transmission to chicken flocks should focus on sources of infection that are not related to eggs. [source] Systematic review of the efficacy of antiretroviral therapies for reducing the risk of mother-to-child transmission of HIV infectionJOURNAL OF CLINICAL PHARMACY & THERAPEUTICS, Issue 3 2007N. Suksomboon PhD Summary Objective:, To evaluate the efficacy of antiretroviral therapies in reducing the risk of mother-to-child transmission of HIV infection. Methods:, Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Clinical trials of antiretrovirals were identified through electronic searches (MEDLINE, EMBASE, BIOSIS, EBM review and the Cochrane Library) up until November 2006. Historical searches of reference lists of relevant randomized controlled trials, and systematic and narrative reviews were also undertaken. Studies were included if they were (i) randomized controlled trials of any antiretroviral therapy aimed at decreasing the risk of mother-to-child transmission of HIV infection, (ii) reporting outcomes in terms of HIV infection in infant, infant death, stillbirth, premature delivery, or low birth weight. The data were extracted by a single investigator and checked by a second investigator. Disagreements were resolved through discussion or a third investigator. The efficacy was estimated using relative risk (RR), risk difference (RD) and number needed to treat (NNT) together with 95% confidence intervals. Results:, Fifteen trials were included in the systematic review. Based on five placebo-controlled trials, a zidovudine regimen reduced the risk of mother-to-child transmission by 43% (95% CI: 29,55%). The incidence of low birth weight seems to be decreased with zidovudine (pooled RR 0·75, 95% CI: 0·57,0·99). The efficacy of short-short course of zidovudine was comparable with that of the long-short course. Nevirapine monotherapy given to mothers and babies as a single dose reduced the risk of vertical transmission compared with an intrapartum and post-partum regimen of zidovudine (RR 0·60, 95% CI: 0·41,0·87). Zidovudine plus lamivudine was effective in reducing the risk of maternal-child transmission of HIV (RR 0·63, 95% CI: 0·45,0·90). Adding zidovudine to single-dose nevirapine in babies was no more effective than nevirapine alone (pooled RR 0·88, 95% CI: 0·47,1·63), nor was there any significant difference between zidovudine plus lamivudine and nevirapine. In mothers who were treated with standard antiretroviral therapy, no additional benefit was observed with the addition of a single dose of nevirapine in mothers and newborns. In addition, for mothers who received zidovudine prophylaxis, a two-dose intrapartum/newborn nevirapine reduced the risk of HIV infection and death of babies by 68% (95% CI: 39,83%) and 80% (95% CI: 10,95%), respectively, when compared with placebo. Conclusions:, The available evidence suggests that zidovudine alone or in combination with lamivudine and nevirapine monotherapy is effective for the prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV. They may also be beneficial in reducing the risk of infant death. Different antiretroviral regimens appear to be comparably effective in reducing HIV transmission from mothers to babies. In mothers already receiving zidovudine prophylaxis, adding a single dose of nevirapine to mothers during labour and giving the same drug to infants may further decrease the risk of vertical transmission and infant death. [source] Phylogenetic analyses and molecular epidemiology of European salmonid alphaviruses (SAV) based on partial E2 and nsP3 gene nucleotide sequencesJOURNAL OF FISH DISEASES, Issue 11 2008E Fringuelli Abstract Sequence data were generated for portions of the E2 and nsP3 genes of 48 salmonid alphaviruses from farmed Atlantic salmon (AS), Salmo salar L., and rainbow trout (RT), Oncorhynchus mykiss (Walbaum), in marine and freshwater environments, respectively, from the Republic of Ireland, Northern Ireland, England, Scotland, Norway, France, Italy and Spain between 1991 and 2007. Based on these sequences, and those of six previously published reference strains, phylogenetic trees were constructed using the parsimony method. Trees generated with both gene segments were similar. Clades corresponding to the three previously recognized subtypes were generated and in addition, two further new clades of viruses were identified. A single further strain (F96-1045) was found to be distinct from all of the other strains in the study. The percentage of nucleotide divergence within clades was generally low (0,4.8% for E2, 0,6.6% for nsP3). Interclade divergence tended to be higher (3.4,19.7% for E2, 6.5,28.1% for nsP3). Based on these results and using current SAV terminology, the two new clades and F96-1045 were termed SAV subtypes 4, 5 and 6, respectively. SAV4 contained AS strains from Ireland and Scotland, while SAV5 contained only Scottish AS strains. Recently identified SAV strains from RT in Italy and Spain were shown to belong to SAV2. In addition, marine AS strains belonging to SAV2 were identified for the first time. Analysis of the origin of several clusters of strains with identical E2 and nsP3 sequences strongly support horizontal transmission of virus between farms and aquaculture companies. Evidence in support of vertical transmission was not found. [source] Experimental vertical transmission of Macrobrachium rosenbergii nodavirus (MrNV) and extra small virus (XSV) from brooders to progeny in Macrobrachium rosenbergii and ArtemiaJOURNAL OF FISH DISEASES, Issue 1 2007R Sudhakaran Abstract White tail disease (WTD) is a serious problem in hatcheries and nursery ponds of Macrobrachium rosenbergii in India. Experiments were carried out to determine the possibility of vertical transmission of M. rosenbergii nodavirus (MrNV) and extra small virus (XSV) in M. rosenbergii and Artemia. Prawn broodstock inoculated with MrNV and XSV by oral or immersion challenge survived without any clinical signs of WTD. The brooders spawned 5,7 days after inoculation and the eggs hatched. The survival rate of larvae gradually decreased, and 100% mortality was observed at the post-larvae (PL) stage. Whitish muscle, the typical sign of WTD, was seen in advanced larval developmental stages. The ovarian tissue and fertilized eggs were found to be positive for MrNV/XSV by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) whereas the larval stages showed positive by RT nested PCR (nRT-PCR). In Artemia, reproductive cysts and nauplii derived from challenged brooders were normal and survival rates were within the expected range for normal rearing conditions. The reproductive cysts were found to be positive for MrNV/XSV by RT-PCR whereas the nauplii showed MrNV/XSV-positive by nRT-PCR. The PL of M. rosenbergii fed nauplii derived from challenged Artemia brooders died at 9 days post-inoculum with clinical signs of WTD. [source] A serological and molecular survey of hepatitis B in children 15 years after inception of the national hepatitis B vaccination program in eastern China,JOURNAL OF MEDICAL VIROLOGY, Issue 9 2009Ying Dong Abstract The emergence of mutations in the hepatitis B virus (HBV) S gene has threatened the long-term success of vaccination programs since the worldwide introduction of effective vaccines against hepatitis B. This study was conducted on 5,407 children (0,8 years old) in eastern China in 2007. We analyzed the prevalence of HBsAg, anti-HBs, and "a"-determinant mutations in the HBV S gene by microparticle enzyme immunoassays, PCR, and DNASTAR software. The total HBsAg prevalence was 1.52% (82/5,407) in the children and increased with age. In contrast, the positive rate (65.42%, 2,374/3,629) and the titers of anti-HBs decreased with age. The predominant infection was HBV of genotype C and serotype adr (45/51; 88% of cases). Mutations of I126T, amino acid 137 (nt553T deletion mutation), G145A, G145R, and F158S were found in the children; the mutations of amino acid 137 and F158S have not been reported previously. The total prevalence of mutant strains was 14% (7/51). To investigate whether the infection resulted from maternal transmission, we compared the S gene sequences in 16 mother,child pairs. Fourteen mother,child pairs exhibited the same HBV genotype, with 99.5,100% sequence homology in the S gene, while two pairs exhibited different genotypes. This study suggested that the hepatitis B vaccination strategies in eastern China have been successful. Although the emergence of "a"-determinant mutations in the HBV S gene have resulted in HBV infection in immunized children, this does not pose a threat to the vaccination strategies. The HBV-infected children had contracted the infection via vertical transmission. J. Med. Virol. 81:1517,1524, 2009. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Mother to child transmission of HIV-1 in a Thai population: Role of virus characteristics and maternal humoral immune response,JOURNAL OF MEDICAL VIROLOGY, Issue 5 2009Chonticha Kittinunvorakoon Abstract The objective of this study was to investigate factors influencing mother to child transmission of HIV-1 in Thailand, where HIV-1 CRF01_AE, the major subtype in Southeast Asia, predominates. Samples from 84 HIV-1 infected, anti-retroviral treatment-naïve, non-breast feeding mothers, 28 who transmitted HIV-1 to their babies (transmitters) and 56 who did not (non-transmitters), were studied for maternal humoral immune response and virus characteristics. Maternal humoral immune response was measured by lymphocyte phenotyping; neutralizing antibodies to laboratory HIV-1 MN strain and two clinical isolates; peptide binding antibody to gp41 and V3 from strains CRF01_AE, B, and MN; autologous antibodies; and quasispecies diversity. Virus characteristics studied were viral load, co-receptor usage, and viral replication capacity. No significant difference between transmitters and non-transmitters was found for any parameter of maternal humoral immune response. However, viral load and viral replication capacity were significantly higher in transmitters versus non-transmitters and were not correlated with each other. This suggests that viral replication capacity may be a transmission factor independent of viral load, which is already well established as a risk factor for transmission of HIV-1. All except four viral isolates used the CCR5 co-receptor. This is one of few studies of vertical transmission in a population where HIV-1 CRF01_AE predominates. The data suggest that in this population the maternal humoral immune response was not important in preventing transmission at parturition, but that virus characteristics were key factors, and that viral replication capacity may contribute to birth-associated mother to child transmission of HIV-1. J. Med. Virol. 81:768,778, 2009. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Case report: Rift Valley Fever with vertical transmission in a pregnant Sudanese womanJOURNAL OF MEDICAL VIROLOGY, Issue 5 2008Ishag Adam Abstract Rift Valley Fever (RVF) is a viral disease transmitted to humans by mosquito bite and contact with animals or their infected tissues. A 29-year old primigravidae presented in early labour with symptoms suggestive of RVF. She delivered baby of 3.2 kg with skin rash, palpable liver and spleen. The two samples from the mother and neonate were found to be positive for RVF-IgM. This report demonstrate that, RVF can be vertically transmitted. J. Med. Virol. 80:929,929, 2008. © 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Retrospective study of the prevalence of human T-cell lymphotropic virus-type 1/2, HIV, and HBV in pregnant women in ArgentinaJOURNAL OF MEDICAL VIROLOGY, Issue 12 2007Alejandra Trenchi Abstract This study shows first data on HTLV-1/2 seroprevalence among pregnant women in the non-endemic region of Argentina. In a retrospective study a representative sample (n,=,3,143) of the pregnant women registered in the health public service in the province of Córdoba was evaluated. HTLV-1/2 seroprevalence was 0.191%,±,0.0857 [IC 0.022,0.359]. This prevalence was 10 times higher in pregnant women than in blood donors [0.019 (4/21.183)]. The pregnant women would reflect the epidemiology of the general population more accurately since it constitutes a more heterogeneous group than that of blood donors. The prevalence of infection with HIV was 2.8 times higher than that of HTLV-1/2 (P,<,0.05) and the presence of any of these two viruses was not a subrogating indicator of the presence of the other (Goodman and Kruskal's Tau coefficient,=,0.0092). The prevalence of HBV was not significantly different from that of HTLV-1/2 (P,>,0.05). We consider that it is necessary to carry out continuous studies in order to define the main risk factors for infection of these women. Thus, a decision could be made to apply the best policy in public health to prevent vertical transmission of the virus in Argentina. J. Med. Virol. 79:1974,1978, 2007. © Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Toxoplasma gondii, HCV, and HBV seroprevalence and co-infection among HIV-positive and -negative pregnant women in Burkina FasoJOURNAL OF MEDICAL VIROLOGY, Issue 6 2006Jacques Simpore Abstract Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) infections can cause serious complications in HIV-infected pregnant women, leading to miscarriage, stillbirth, birth defects (e.g., mental retardation, blindness, epilepsy etc.) and could favor or enhance the mother-to-child transmission of HCV, HBV, and HIV vertical transmission. From May 20, 2004 to August 3, 2005, 336 18,45 years aged pregnant women, were enrolled for an investigation of the prevalence of serum antibodies against T. gondii, HCV, HBV, and HIV using ELISA. The prevalence of T. gondii, HCV, and HBV in pregnant women was 25.3%, 5.4%, and 9.8%, respectively and the HIV serostatus (61.6%) seems to be associated with greater prevalence rates of both T. gondii (28.5% vs. 20.2%) and HBV (11.6% vs. 7.0%). Without taking into account HIV, only 65.5% (220 of 336) of the women were not infected with these agents. The co-infection rate between HIV-infected and -negative women was different statistically: T. gondii/HBV 0.048 versus 0.015, T. gondii/HCV 0.014 versus 0.008, and HCV/HBV 0.005 versus 0.008, respectively. The elevated co-infection rate in HIV-positive women demonstrated that they are exposed to T. gondii, HCV, and HBV infections prevalently by sexual contact. J. Med. Virol. 78:730,733, 2006. © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Reduction of mother-to-child transmission of HIV at Saint Camille Medical Centre in Burkina FasoJOURNAL OF MEDICAL VIROLOGY, Issue 2 2006J. Simpore Abstract One thousand three hundred and twenty-eight pregnant women with less than 32 weeks of amenorrhea received voluntary counseling and testing at Saint Camille Medical Center from May 1, 2002 to December 30, 2004. Following informed consent and pre-test counseling, HIV screening was performed in 1,202 women. According to the prevention protocol, HIV-positive women received a single dose of Nevirapine (200 mg) during their labor, while their newborn received a single dose of Nevirapine (2 mg/kg) within 72 hr from birth. HIV seroprevalence (11.2%) was higher than in the overall population. One hundred and ninty-three children were born at the end of December 2004; 53 children (27.5%) followed a short breastfeeding protocol for 4 months, while 140 (72.5%) were fed artificially. All the children underwent RT-PCR test for HIV 5,6 months after their birth: 173 (89.6%) were HIV negative whilst 20 children (10.4%) were HIV positive. Out of the 20 positive children 5/53 (9.4%) had received breast milk for 4 months, while the remaining 15/140 (10.7%) had been fed artificially (P,=,0.814). Artificially fed babies (3/140 (2.1%)) and 1/53 (1.9%) of those breast fed for 4 months deceased according to mortality rate of HIV-positive children. This shows that there is no statistically significant difference (P,=,0.648) between the mortality of artificially fed (3/140 or 2.1%) and breast-fed (1/53 or 1.9%) children. Artificially fed children (20/140 (14.3%)) and 5/53 (9.4%) of breast-fed children died within 6,10 months. This figure indicates that there is no significant difference between the mortality rate of artificially and that of breast-fed children (P,=,0.427). Although the HIV prevention program reduced significantly the vertical transmission of HIV at Saint Camille Medical Center, the mortality of artificially fed children was still high due to gastrointestinal diseases. The HIV diagnosis by RT-PCR technique was of great help in the early identification of HIV-infected children. J. Med. Virol. 78:148,152, 2006. © 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Human herpesvirus-8 infection in pregnancy and labor: Lack of evidence of vertical transmissionJOURNAL OF MEDICAL VIROLOGY, Issue 3 2004Loredana Sarmati Abstract To investigate whether vertical transmission of the human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8) may occur during pregnancy or at delivery, we enrolled 295 women recruited attending the Division of Obstetrics and Gynecology of a University Teaching of Rome Tor Vergata, S. Eugenio Hospital. The study population was divided in two groups: 245 pregnant women who underwent amniocentesis for genetic screening at 16,18 weeks gestation (group 1) and 50 women at the childbirth (group 2). Maternal blood was obtained from all women. Amniotic fluid (group 1) and cord blood (group 2) were obtained at midtrimester and at delivery, respectively. The presence of anti-HHV-8 antibodies in serum samples was investigated by an immunfluorescence assay. All amniotic fluids, maternal blood, and cord blood samples from HHV-8 seropositive women were tested for the presence of HHV-8 DNA sequences by the polymerase chain reaction. Thirty women, 27 of the group 1 and three of the group 2, were found to have anti-HHV-8 antibodies. Two neonates of the three seropositive mothers of the group 2 had anti-HHV-8 antibodies in cord blood. HHV-8 DNA sequences were detected in the blood of one woman of the group 2. None of the amniotic fluid and cord blood samples had detectable HHV-8 DNA sequences. This study suggests that vertical transmission of HHV-8 is unlikely or, at least, very rare. J. Med. Virol. 72:462,466, 2004. © 2004 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Prevalence of hepatitis B and C: A Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre experienceJOURNAL OF OBSTETRICS AND GYNAECOLOGY RESEARCH (ELECTRONIC), Issue 3 2009Shehla Sami Abstract Aim:, To determine the prevalence of carriers of hepatitis B and C viruses among the obstetrical and gynecological population, the incidence of vertical transmission in obstetrical patients and to ascertain the risk factors associated with their transmission. Methods:, We conducted a prospective study over a 1-year period, from 1 January to 31 December 2005, comprising of an obstetrical population of 5902 deliveries and 548 major gynecology surgery patients. The study population was recruited by simple convenient sampling at Unit-I, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre, Karachi, Pakistan. Booked obstetrical and major gynecological surgical patients were routinely screened by Enzyme Immunoassay for hepatitis B surface antigen (HbsAg) and anti-hepatitis C antibodies (anti-HCV) on venous blood samples. Liver function and carrier profile tests were performed on mothers who were positive for HBsAg. Babies of mothers with HbsAg were tested at birth for both HbsAg and HbeAg. Results:, Hepatitis B was detected in 275 pregnant women (4.6%) and in 70 (12%) gynecological patients. Hepatitis C was detected in 108 (1.8%) pregnant women and in 89 (16%) gynecological patients. Babies born to mothers with HBV or HCV infections tested negative. Four gynecological patients tested positive for both HBV and HCV infections. Unsafe surgery, injections and inadequately screened blood transfusions were the main underlying causes of infection. Conclusion:, Routine screening of the obstetrical population detected more cases of HBV infection than HCV, whereas HCV was more prevalent in the gynecological population, emphasizing the need for safe medical practices and patient education. [source] How many symbionts are provided by mothers, acquired by offspring, and needed for successful vertical transmission in an obligate insect,bacterium mutualism?MOLECULAR ECOLOGY, Issue 24 2007TAKAHIRO HOSOKAWA Abstract Vertical symbiont transmission is among the most pivotal processes for maintenance of symbiotic associations. However, it is poorly understood whether and how the levels of resource allocation and investment upon vertical transmission are regulated. The stinkbug Megacopta punctatissima is obligatorily associated with the gut symbiotic bacterium ,Candidatus Ishikawaella capsulata', whose transmission is mediated by a unique mechanism called ,symbiont capsule'. We investigated the population dynamics of the symbiont during vertical transmission in the host,symbiont mutualism. The stinkbug mothers produced one capsule for around 3.6 eggs irrespective of clutch size, suggesting a strict maternal control over symbiont supply for the offspring. However, experimental manipulation of egg/capsule ratios revealed that one capsule is sufficient for symbiont transmission to six nymphs. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction analyses demonstrated that a capsule contains 1.2 × 108 symbionts, a newborn nymph possesses 2 × 107 symbionts from a capsule, and thus one capsule certainly contains a sufficient amount of symbiont cells for six nymphs. These results indicated that the stinkbug mothers produce 1.7 times more symbiont capsules than needed. The newborn nymphs consistently harboured around 2 × 107 symbionts, also suggesting a nymphal control over symbiont transmission. The threshold symbiont titre minimally needed for successful vertical transmission was estimated to be 1.9 × 106 symbionts, which is only 1/10 of the actual symbiont titre detected in a newborn nymph. These results illuminate several ecological factors that may be relevant to parental and offspring controls over symbiotic resource allocation through host insect generations. [source] Population genetic signatures of diffuse co-evolution between leaf-cutting ants and their cultivar fungiMOLECULAR ECOLOGY, Issue 1 2007A. S. MIKHEYEV Abstract Switching of symbiotic partners pervades most mutualisms, despite mechanisms that appear to enforce partner fidelity. To investigate the interplay of forces binding and dissolving mutualistic pairings, we investigated partner fidelity at the population level in the attine ant,fungal cultivar mutualism. The ants and their cultivars exhibit both broad-scale co-evolution, as well as cultivar switching, with short-term symbiont fidelity maintained by vertical transmission of maternal garden inoculates via dispersing queens and by the elimination of alien cultivar strains. Using microsatellite markers, we genotyped cultivar fungi associated with five co-occurring Panamanian attine ant species, representing the two most derived genera, leaf-cutters Atta and Acromyrmex. Despite the presence of mechanisms apparently ensuring the cotransmission of symbiont genotypes, different species and genera of ants sometimes shared identical fungus garden genotypes, indicating widespread cultivar exchange. The cultivar population was largely unstructured with respect to host ant species, with only 10% of the structure in genetic variance being attributable to partitioning among ant species and genera. Furthermore, despite significant genetic and ecological dissimilarity between Atta and Acromyrmex, generic difference accounted for little, if any, variance in cultivar population structure, suggesting that cultivar exchange dwarfs selective forces that may act to create co-adaptive ant,cultivar combinations. Thus, binding forces that appear to enforce host fidelity are relatively weak and pairwise associations between cultivar lineages and ant species have little opportunity for evolutionary persistence. This implicates that mechanisms other than partner fidelity feedback play important roles in stabilizing the leafcutter ant,fungus mutualism over evolutionary time. [source] Zinc Nutrition and HIV InfectionNUTRITION REVIEWS, Issue 3 2002Roland Kupka BS The trace element zinc is involved in many important immune processes. A number of immunologic impairments owing to zinc deficiency are also evident in HIV disease, most notably a reduction in the number of circulating T lymphocytes. Observational epidemiologic studies have provided conflicting results on the role of zinc status in HIV disease progression. Randomized, placebo-controlled trials are needed to resolve this controversy. Studies must also address the role of zinc in vertical transmission of HIV from mother to child and its role in reducing the risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes, both of which are of considerable public health importance in developing countries. [source] Anesthesia in HIV-infected childrenPEDIATRIC ANESTHESIA, Issue 6 2007RUENREONG LEELANUKROM Summary In 2005, it was estimated that 2.3 million children below15 years of age were living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/AIDS and 570 000 children below 15 years died. Maternal-infant or vertical transmission is the most common mode of HIV infection in children. As transplacental passage of maternal anti-HIV antibodies, diagnosis of HIV infection in young infants relies on virologic assays. Infants older than 18 months of age can be diagnosed by serology alone. Pediatric HIV infections are classified according to Center for Disease Control and Prevention 1994 revised classification system. The understanding of viral pathogenesis, the development of highly active antiretroviral therapy, and the ability to quantitate viral burden have led to significant reduction in disease progression and morbidity in HIV-infected children. As survival improves, these children will require anesthesia care and pain treatment during the course of their illness. Considerations for the anesthesiologist include: possible involvement of multiple organ systems, adverse reactions and drug interactions of antiretroviral agents and adequate infection control to prevent HIV transmission in hospital and other infections to the immunocompromized patients. Finally, care should be taken not to violate confidentiality. [source] Social learning of diet and foraging skills by wild immature Bornean orangutans: implications for cultureAMERICAN JOURNAL OF PRIMATOLOGY, Issue 1 2010Adrian V. Jaeggi Abstract Studies of social learning in the wild are important to complement findings from experiments in captivity. In this field study, immature Bornean orangutans rarely foraged independently but consistently followed their mothers' choices. Their diets were essentially identical to their mothers' even though not all mothers had the same diet. This suggests vertical transmission of diet by enhancement. Also, immatures selectively observed their mothers during extractive foraging, which increased goal-directed practice but not general manipulation of similar objects, suggesting observational forms of learning of complex skills. Teaching was not observed. These results are consistent with the reported presence of food traditions and skill cultures in wild orangutans. We suggest that food traditions can develop wherever association commonly allows for social learning. However, the capacity for observational learning, and thus more complex culture, is more likely to evolve among extractive foragers with prolonged association between adults and immatures. Am. J. Primatol. 72:62,71, 2010. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Annotation: Paediatric HIV InfectionTHE JOURNAL OF CHILD PSYCHOLOGY AND PSYCHIATRY AND ALLIED DISCIPLINES, Issue 4 2001Rebekah Lwin HIV and AIDS have made a huge global impact, permeating the social, cultural, and economic fabric of almost all nations. The first cases of HIV infection in children were reported in the late 1980s and numbers have since risen steadily throughout the world, with some of the poorest and least developed countries experiencing the highest prevalence. Combined drug regimes have changed the course of HIV-related illness and brought increased survival to those for whom treatment is available. With this, however, have come fresh concerns relating to drug resistance, treatment adherence, and the risk of second-generation vertical transmission as HIV-infected children now survive into adulthood and beyond. The psychological literature has addressed issues such as the direct effect of HIV on child development, social and cultural attitudes, family functioning and support, affected children and orphans of HIV-infected parents, sexual health education, disclosure of diagnosis, and long-term clinical management. The outcome for those living in wealthier countries is optimistic, but the spread of this virus in the rest of the world and its impact on family life and social and political systems remains of great concern. [source] Unique Susceptibility of the Fetal Thymus to Feline Immunodeficiency Virus Infection: An Animal Model for HIV Infection In Utero1AMERICAN JOURNAL OF REPRODUCTIVE IMMUNOLOGY, Issue 5 2001CALVIN M. JOHNSON PROBLEM: Human infants infected in utero with HIV develop thymus insufficiency and progress to AIDS sooner than infants infected peripartum. However, direct analysis of the thymus is difficult due to limited tissue access and variable timing of vertical transmission. METHOD OF STUDY: Fetal and neonatal cats were inoculated with feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) at an equivalent infectious dose. The thymus, blood, and lymph nodes were harvested and compared at 23 and 46 days post-inoculation (p.i.) and also compared to sham-inoculated, age-matched controls. Lymphocyte phenotypes were analyzed by flow cytometry and virus burden was quantified in histologic sections and by virus isolation from plasma. RESULTS: Fetal cats inoculated with FIV had acute thymus atrophy at birth, which coincided with peak viremia. At 46 days p.i., thymus size and cell composition rebounded and supported increased productive infection. In contrast, neonatal cats inoculated with FIV developed chronic thymus atrophy and degeneration, which was associated with decreasing productive infection and low-level viremia. CONCLUSIONS: The fetal thymus is uniquely vulnerable to acute, transient depletion and high-level productive infection. The neonatal thymus is less vulnerable to acute changes, and responds through progressive atrophy and declining productive infection. Reduced immune competence, as reflected by the failure to control virus replication, may contribute to the accelerated progression of FIV and HIV infections in utero. [source] Low frequency of horizontal and vertical transmission of two begomoviruses through whiteflies exhibits little relevance to the vector infectivityANNALS OF APPLIED BIOLOGY, Issue 1 2010J. Wang Transmissions of plant viruses between individuals of their vector insects through mating are rare events. Recently, three begomoviruses were found to be transmitted between males and females of the whitefly Bemisia tabaci through mating, and two viruses were shown to be transmitted transovarially to progeny. However, results between reports were not consistent. Here we examined the horizontal and vertical transmission of Tomato yellow leaf curl virus (TYLCV) and Tomato yellow leaf curl China virus (TYLCCNV) by the B and Q biotypes of B. tabaci, using virus isolates and whitefly colonies established recently in China. Both TYLCV DNA and TYLCCNV DNA were shown to be transmitted horizontally and vertically by each of the two biotypes of the whitefly, but frequency of transmission was usually low. In transovarial transmission, virus DNA was detected in eggs and nymphs but not in the adults of the first generation progeny, except in the combination of TYLCV and Q biotype whitefly where 2,3% of the offspring adults contained the virus DNA. We also showed that the first generation adults, which developed from eggs of viruliferous whiteflies, were not infective to plants. These results demonstrated that for the viruses and whiteflies tested here low frequency of horizontal and vertical transmission can be expected but these two modes of transmission are unlikely to have much epidemiological relevance in the field. [source] Current concepts on human papillomavirus infections in childrenAPMIS, Issue 6-7 2010STINA SYRJÄNEN Syrjänen S. Current concepts on human papillomavirus infections in children. APMIS 2010; 118: 494,509. Current evidence is strong enough to conclude that human papillomavirus (HPV) can be transmitted both sexually and non-sexually. The debate on HPV infections in children still continues but it is more focused on HPV prevalence than on transmission modes. HPV DNA detection in amniotic fluid, foetal membranes, cord blood and placental trophoblastic cells all suggest HPV infection in utero, i.e. prenatal transmission. Based on recent meta-analysis, vertical transmission occurs in approximately 20% of cases. Most of the mucosal HPV infections in infants are incident, persistent infections in oral and genital mucosa being found in less than 10% and 2% respectively. The mother seems to be the main transmitter of HPV to her newborn, but subsequent HPV infections are acquired horizontally via saliva or other contacts. Bimodal peak prevalence is seen for skin warts, oral papillomas and recurrent respiratory papillomatosis (RRP) in younger and older age groups, suggesting similar epidemiology. Of the clinical HPV diseases, juvenile-onset-RRP and genital condylomata are problematic; the former because of its life-threatening potential and the latter because of possible sexual abuse. HPV6 and 11 are the most common genotypes in both the lesions. Early in life, infections by the high-risk HPV genotypes may also remain persistent for a considerable period, and should be of considerable importance for HPV vaccination strategies. [source] Clinical disease among patients heterozygous for familial mediterranean fever,ARTHRITIS & RHEUMATISM, Issue 6 2009Dina Marek-Yagel Objective To define the molecular basis of familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) in patients with only 1 mutation in the MEFV gene. Methods Genetic analysis was performed in 20 FMF patients, including full sequencing of complementary DNA (cDNA) samples and multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification analysis. In patients with first-degree relatives with FMF, haplotype analysis was also performed. Results A second mutation was found in 2 patients. In the other 18 patients, we could not identify additional mutations, large genomic deletions, or duplications. Analysis of single-nucleotide polymorphisms along the cDNA ruled out a lack of expression of 1 of the alleles. In 2 of the 3 families in which more than 1 sibling had FMF, we showed that the affected siblings inherited a different MEFV allele from the parent who did not have the MEFV mutation. Conclusion These findings are highly consistent with the existence of a clinical phenotype among some patients who are heterozygous for FMF and could explain the vertical transmission in some families. A single mutation in the MEFV gene may be much more common than was previously thought and may include up to 25% of patients who are diagnosed as having FMF. [source] | ||||||||||||||||