A variety of medical journals exist for each specialty. A full list of journals indexed by pub med can be found here: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/citmatch_help.html#JournalLists . This long list is organized by specialty, and further into "leading" journals, and "other" journals here: http://www.JournalReview.org

Journal clubs meet to discuss the content of medical journals.

List

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• ACIMED
• Acta Anaesthesiologica Scandinavica
• Acta Paediatrics
• American Family Physician
• American Journal of Epidemiology
• American Journal of Medical Genetics
• American Journal of Public Health
• Annals of Emergency Medicine
• Annals of Human Biology
• Annals of Human Genetics
• Annals of Internal Medicine
• Annual Review of Medicine
• Archives of Dermatology
• Archives of Disease in Childhood
• Archives of Facial Plastic Surgery
• Archives of General Psychiatry
• Archives of Internal Medicine
• Archives of Neurology
• Archives of Ophthalmology
• Archives of Otolaryngology - Head & Neck Surgery
• Archives of Pediatric & Adolescent Medicine
• Archives of Surgery
• Asian Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
• Biology of the Neonate
• Biometrika
• Blood
• British Journal of Cancer
• British Journal of Urology
• British Medical Journal
• Bulletin of the World Health Organization
• Calicut Medical Journal
• Canadian Medical Association Journal
• Circulation
• Child Development
• Critical Care Medicine
• Deutsche Medizinische Wochenschrift
• Emergency Medicine Journal
• Endocrinology
• Epidemiology
• European Journal of Endocrinology
• European Journal of Paediatrics
• ''Focus on Alternative and Complementary Therapies
• Growth, Genetics, and Hormones
• Harefuah
• Hormone Research
• Indian Journal of Medical Sciences (journal home)
• International Journal of Biometeorology
• International Journal of Medical Sciences
• Israel Medical Association Journal
• Journal of the American Medical Association
• JAMA & Archives Continuing Medical Education
• JAMA & Archives For The Media
• JAMA & Archives
• Journal of Bone & Joint Surgery
• Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism
• Journal of Clinical Investigation
• Journal of Experimental Medicine (journal home)
• Journal of Medical Genetics
• Journal of the National Medical Association (^*)
• Journal of Postgraduate Medicine (journal home)
• Journal of the American Medical Association
• Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine
• Journal of American Physicians and Surgeons (formerly the Medical Sentinel, magazine of the conservative Association of American Physicians and Surgeons)
• The Lancet
• Nature Clinical Practice Cardiovascular Medicine
• Nature Clinical Practice Endocrinology and Metabolism
• Nature Clinical Practice Gastroenterology and Hepatology
• Nature Clinical Practice Nephrology
• Nature Clinical Practice Neurology
• Nature Clinical Practice Oncology
• Nature Clinical Practice Rheumatology
• Nature Clinical Practice Urology
• The Journal of Medical Practice Management
• Nature Medicine
• Nature Neuroscience
• Nature Reviews Cancer
• Nature Reviews Immunology
• Nature Reviews Microbiology
• Neuroanatomy is an annual journal of clinical neuroanatomy.
• Neurology India (journal home)
• New England Journal of Medicine
• Paediatrics
• Pediatric Research
• Pediatrics in Review
• PLoS Medicine
• Public Health
• Solapur Medical Journal
• Sports Medicine
• Trends in Molecular Medicine
• Trillium Report

More on [ List of medical journals ]

AIDS Patient Care and STDs - Table of Contents

Lay Health Workers and HIV Care in Rural Lesotho: A Report from the Field
liebertonline@liebertpub.com (J. Keith Joseph et al) Fri, 03 Feb 2012 15:17:26 -0000
AIDS Patient Care and STDs , Vol. 0, No. 0.
Entry into Care and Clinician Management of Acute HIV Infection in New York City
liebertonline@liebertpub.com (Charulata J. Sabharwal et al) Wed, 25 Jan 2012 21:21:49 -0000
AIDS Patient Care and STDs , Vol. 0, No. 0.

American Journal of Epidemiology - current issue

Cover
Fri, 03 Feb 2012 07:15:44 -0800

Editorial Board
Fri, 03 Feb 2012 07:15:44 -0800


Chiropractic & Manual Therapies - Latest Articles

Translation and validation of the German version of the Bournemouth Questionnaire for Neck Pain.
Marina SoklicCynthia PetersonB. Kim Humphreys Wed, 25 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0000
Background: Clinical outcome measures are important tools to monitor patient improvement during treatment as well as to document changes for research purposes. The short-form Bournemouth questionnaire for neck pain patients (BQN) was developed from the biopsychosocial model and measures pain, disability, cognitive and affective domains. It has been shown to be a valid and reliable outcome measure in English, French and Dutch and more sensitive to change compared to other questionnaires. The purpose of this study was to translate and validate a German version of the Bournemouth questionnaire for neck pain patients. Methods: German translation and back translation into English of the BQN was done independently by four persons and overseen by an expert committee. Face validity of the German BQN was tested on 30 neck pain patients in a single chiropractic practice. Test-retest reliability was evaluated on 31 medical students and chiropractors before and after a lecture. The German BQN was then assessed on 102 first time neck pain patients at two chiropractic practices for internal consistency, external construct validity, external longitudinal construct validity and sensitivity to change compared to the German versions of the Neck Disability Index (NDI) and the Neck Pain and Disability Scale (NPAD). Results: Face validity testing lead to minor changes to the German BQN. The Intraclass Correlation Coefficient for the test-retest reliability was 0.99. The internal consistency was strong for all 7 items of the BQN with Cronbach alpha's of .79 and .80 for the pre and post-treatment total scores. External construct validity and external longitudinal construct validity using Pearson's correlation coefficient showed statistically significant correlations for all 7 scales of the BQN with the other questionnaires. The German BQN showed greater responsiveness compared to the other questionnaires for all scales. Conclusions: The German BQN is a valid and reliable outcome measure that has been successfully translated and culturally adapted. It is shorter, easier to use, and more responsive to change than the NDI and NPAD.Key WordsBournemouth Questionnaire; Outcome Assessment; Neck Pain; Chiropractic; Validity of Results
The Five Eras of Chiropractic & the future of chiropractic as seen through the eyes of a participant observer.
J Keith Simpson Thu, 19 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0000
Chiropractic has endured a turbulent history, marked by tremendous advances in areas such as education and licensing while marred by interprofessional conflict and a poor public image. The prolonged interprofessional conflict was instrumental in shaping the culture of chiropractic. These obstacles have long-since been removed although there are lingering effects from them.This article examines the chiropractic profession's history by dividing it into five Eras and suggests that there are three options available for the future of the profession. One: maintaining the status quo. Two: uniting under an evidence based scientific approach as partners in the health care delivery system that has buried the "one-cause, one-cure" sacred cow. The steps required to achieve this outcome are outlined. Three: openly dividing the profession into evidence based practitioners and subluxation based practitioners. Adopting this option would allow each branch of the profession to move forward in the health care delivery system unhindered by the other.It is unclear which option the profession will choose and whether the profession is mature enough to follow option two remains to be seen. What is evident is that the time to act is now.

pubmed: 0002-9637

Relationship of Climate, Geography, and Geology to the Incidence of Rift Valley Fever in Kenya during the 2006-2007 Outbreak.
Hightower A, Kinkade C, Nguku PM, Anyangu A, Mutonga D, Omolo J, Njenga MK, Feikin DR, Schnabel D, Ombok M, Breiman RF Relationship of Climate, Geography, and Geology to the Incidence of Rift Valley Fever in Kenya during the 2006-2007 Outbreak. Am J Trop Med Hyg. 2012 Feb;86(2):373-380 Authors: Hightower A, Kinkade C, Nguku PM, Anyangu A, Mutonga D, Omolo J, Njenga MK, Feikin DR, Schnabel D, Ombok M, Breiman RF Abstract Abstract. We estimated Rift Valley fever (RVF) incidence as a function of geological, geographical, and climatological factors during the 2006-2007 RVF epidemic in Kenya. Location information was obtained for 214 of 340 (63%) confirmed and probable RVF cases that occurred during an outbreak from November 1, 2006 to February 28, 2007. Locations with subtypes of solonetz, calcisols, solonchaks, and planosols soil types were highly associated with RVF occurrence during the outbreak period. Increased rainfall and higher greenness measures before the outbreak were associated with increased risk. RVF was more likely to occur on plains, in densely bushed areas, at lower elevations, and in the Somalia acacia ecological zone. Cases occurred in three spatial temporal clusters that differed by the date of associated rainfall, soil type, and land usage. PMID: 22302875 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
The Safety of Yellow Fever Vaccine 17D or 17DD in Children, Pregnant Women, HIV+ Individuals, and Older Persons: Systematic Review.
Thomas RE, Lorenzetti DL, Spragins W, Jackson D, Williamson T The Safety of Yellow Fever Vaccine 17D or 17DD in Children, Pregnant Women, HIV+ Individuals, and Older Persons: Systematic Review. Am J Trop Med Hyg. 2012 Feb;86(2):359-72 Authors: Thomas RE, Lorenzetti DL, Spragins W, Jackson D, Williamson T Abstract Abstract. Yellow fever vaccine provides long-lasting immunity. Rare serious adverse events after vaccination include neurologic or viscerotropic syndromes or anaphylaxis. We conducted a systematic review of adverse events associated with yellow fever vaccination in vulnerable populations. Nine electronic bibliographic databases and reference lists of included articles were searched. Electronic databases identified 2,415 abstracts for review, and 32 abstracts were included in this review. We identified nine studies of adverse events in infants and children, eight studies of adverse events in pregnant women, nine studies of adverse events in human immunodeficiency virus-positive patients, five studies of adverse events in persons 60 years and older, and one study of adverse events in individuals taking immunosuppressive medications. Two case studies of maternal-neonate transmission resulted in serious adverse events, and the five passive surveillance databases identified very small numbers of cases of yellow fever vaccine-associated viscerotropic disease, yellow fever vaccine-associated neurotropic disease, and anaphylaxis in persons ≥ 60 years. No other serious adverse events were identified in the other studies of vulnerable groups. PMID: 22302874 [PubMed - in process]

Annals of Clinical Microbiology and Antimicrobials - Latest Articles

Superantigen profiles of emm and emm-like typeable and nontypeable pharyngeal streptococcal isolates of South India
Thangarajan Durai AnandThangamani RajeshJeyaprakash RajendhranParamasamy Gunasekaran Thu, 02 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0000
Background: The major virulence factors determining the pathogenicity of streptococcal strains include M protein encoded by emm and emm-like (emmL) genes and superantigens. In this study, the distribution of emm, emmL and superantigen genes was analyzed among the streptococcal strains isolated from the patients of acute pharyngitis. Methods: The streptococcal strains were isolated from the throat swabs of 1040 patients of acute pharyngitis. The emm and emmL genes were PCR amplified from each strain and sequenced to determine the emm types. The dot-blot hybridization was performed to confirm the pathogens as true emm nontypeable strains. The presence of eleven currently known superantigens was determined in all the strains by multiplex PCR. Results: Totally, 124 beta-hemolytic streptococcal strains were isolated and they were classified as group A streptococcus (GAS) [15.3% (19/124)], group C streptococcus (GCS) [59.7% (74/124)] and group G streptococcus (GGS) [25.0% (31/124)]. Among 124 strains, only 35 strains were emm typeable and the remaining 89 strains were emm nontypeable. All GAS isolates were typeable, whereas most of the GCS and GGS strains were nontypeable. These nontypeable strains belong to S. anginosus [75.3% (67/89)] and S. dysgalactiae subsp. equisimilis [24.7% (22/89)]. The emm and emmL types identified in this study include emm12.0 (28.6%), stG643.0 (28.6%), stC46.0 (17.0%), emm30.11 (8.5%), emm3.0 (2.9%), emm48.0 (5.7%), st3343.0 (2.9%), emm107.0 (2.9%) and stS104.2 (2.9%). Various superantigen profiles were observed in typeable as well as nontypeable strains. Conclusions: Multiplex PCR analysis revealed the presence of superantigens in all the typeable strains irrespective of their emm types. However, the presence of superantigen genes in emm and emmL nontypeable strains has not been previously reported. In this study, presence of at least one or a combination of superantigen coding genes was identified in all the emm and emmL nontypeable strains. Thus, the superantigens may inevitably play an important role in the pathogenesis of these nontypeable strains in the absence of the primary virulence factor, M protein.
Genotypes and serotype distribution of macrolide resistant invasive and non- invasive Streptococcus pneumoniae isolates from Lebanon
Nedal TahaGeorge ArajRima WakimSouha KanjZeina KanafaniAhmad SabraMarie-Therese KhairallahFarah NassarMarwa ShehabMaysa BaroudGhassan DbaiboGhassan Matar Mon, 16 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0000
Background: This study determined macrolide resistance genotypes in clinical isolates of Streptococcus pneumoniae from multiple medical centers in Lebanon and assessed the serotype distribution in relation to these mechanism(s) of resistance and the source of isolate recovery. Methods: Forty four macrolide resistant and 21 macrolide susceptible S. pneumoniae clinical isolates were tested for antimicrobial susceptibility according to CLSI guidelines (2008) and underwent molecular characterization. Serotyping of these isolates was performed by Multiplex PCR-based serotype deduction using CDC protocols. PCR amplification of macrolide resistant erm (encoding methylase) and mef (encoding macrolide efflux pump protein) genes was carried out. Results: Among 44 isolates resistant to erythromycin, 35 were resistant to penicillin and 18 to ceftriaxone. Examination of 44 macrolide resistant isolates by PCR showed that 16 isolates harbored the erm(B) gene, 8 isolates harbored the mef gene, and 14 isolates harbored both the erm(B) and mef genes. There was no amplification by PCR of the erm(B) or mef genes in 6 isolates. Seven different capsular serotypes 2, 9V/9A,12F, 14,19A, 19F, and 23, were detected by multiplex PCR serotype deduction in 35 of 44 macrolide resistant isolates, with 19F being the most prevalent serotype. With the exception of serotype 2, all serotypes were invasive. Isolates belonging to the invasive serotypes 14 and 19F harbored both erm(B) and mef genes. Nine of the 44 macrolide resistant isolates were non-serotypable by our protocols. Conclusion: Macrolide resistance in S. pneumoniae in Lebanon is mainly through target site modification but is also mediated through efflux pumps, with serotype 19F having dual resistance and being the most prevalent and invasive.

pubmed: 1359-6535

Entecavir versus lamivudine in the treatment of chronic hepatitis B patients with hepatic decompensation.
Hsu YC, Mo LR, Chang CY, Perng DS, Tseng CH, Lo GH, Tai CM, Lin CW, Hsu CC, Hsu CY, Huang SC, Lin JT Entecavir versus lamivudine in the treatment of chronic hepatitis B patients with hepatic decompensation. Antivir Ther. 2011 Dec 20; Authors: Hsu YC, Mo LR, Chang CY, Perng DS, Tseng CH, Lo GH, Tai CM, Lin CW, Hsu CC, Hsu CY, Huang SC, Lin JT Abstract BACKGROUND: Lamivudine has been widely used in chronic hepatitis B patients with hepatic decompensation, but its use is limited by drug resistance. This outcome research aimed to investigate the comparative efficacy and safety of entecavir versus lamivudine in decompensated patients. METHODS: Between November 2004 and February 2010, 126 consecutive treatment-naive patients received either entecavir (n=53) or lamivudine (n=73) for decompensated chronic hepatitis B. All patients presented with both hyperbilirubinaemia and coagulopathy. Primary outcome was mortality within 1 year; secondary outcomes included liver-related mortality, biochemical and virological response, and improvement of hepatic dysfunction. RESULTS: Both treatment groups were comparable in baseline characteristics. A total of 19 (35.8%) entecavir and 33 (45.2%) lamivudine receivers expired within 1 year, respectively (P=0.29, log rank test). Age (hazard ratio [HR] 1.04 per year, 95% CI 1.01, 1.06), cirrhosis (HR 2.07, 95% CI 1.02, 4.23), and international normalized ratio for prothrombin time (HR 1.44, 95% CI 1.20, 1.74) were independent baseline predictors for all-cause mortality. Antiviral therapy was also unrelated to liver-specific death. However, more patients taking entecavir tended to attain aminotransferase normalization (76.5% versus 52.5%; P=0.05) and viral DNA undetectability (100% versus 58.3%; P=0.06). Moreover, entecavir was associated with significantly greater reduction of the model for end-stage liver disease scores (median 10.0 versus 4.3; P=0.02). Overall, 3 (7.5%) lamivudine but no entecavir users acquired drug resistance in 1 year (P=0.25). CONCLUSIONS: Entecavir as compared with lamivudine is similar in the effect on short-term mortality but is associated with greater clinical improvement among chronic hepatitis survivors who recovered from hepatic decompensation. PMID: 22301517 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
Interleukin 28B genetic polymorphisms and viral factors help identify HCV genotype-1 patients who benefit from 24-week pegylated interferon plus ribavirin therapy.
Liu CH, Liang CC, Liu CJ, Tseng TC, Lin CL, Yang SS, Su TH, Hsu SJ, Lin JW, Chen JH, Chen PJ, Chen DS, Kao JH Interleukin 28B genetic polymorphisms and viral factors help identify HCV genotype-1 patients who benefit from 24-week pegylated interferon plus ribavirin therapy. Antivir Ther. 2011 Dec 20; Authors: Liu CH, Liang CC, Liu CJ, Tseng TC, Lin CL, Yang SS, Su TH, Hsu SJ, Lin JW, Chen JH, Chen PJ, Chen DS, Kao JH Abstract BACKGROUND: Interleukin 28B (IL28B) single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) genotypes and viral factors can predict sustained virological response (SVR) in HCV genotype-1 (HCV-1) patients receiving 48 weeks of pegylated interferon and ribavirin. Whether these factors would identify those patients who can benefit from a shorter duration of therapy remains unclear. METHODS: Treatment-naive HCV-1 patients (n=662) receiving 24 or 48 weeks of combination therapy were enrolled. Baseline demographic data, HCV viral load, IL28B SNP genotypes (rs8099917), duration of therapy and rapid virological response (RVR) were evaluated to predict SVR. The SVR rates were further stratified by the independent factors and compared. RESULTS: The IL28B rs8099917 TT genotype, low baseline viral load (HCV RNA≤600,000 IU/ml), RVR and 48-week therapy independently predicted SVR. In RVR patients with the IL28B rs8099917 TT genotype, the SVR rate of 24-week therapy was comparable to 48-week therapy (95% versus 99%; P=0.21) at low baseline viral load, but was inferior to 48-week therapy (70% versus 97%; P<0.001) at high baseline viral load. In non-RVR patients, the SVR rate of 24-week therapy was inferior to 48-week therapy for those with the IL28B rs8099917 TT genotype but high baseline viral load (23% versus 62%; P<0.001), and those with the IL28B rs8099917 GT/GG genotype but low baseline viral load (0% versus 33%; P=0.02). CONCLUSIONS: HCV-1 patients simultaneously bearing the IL28B rs8099917 TT genotype, low baseline viral load and RVR can benefit from a shorter duration of combination therapy. PMID: 22301466 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

BMC Infectious Diseases - Latest Articles

Measurement of the plasma levels of antibodies against the polymorphic vaccine candidate apical membrane antigen 1 in a malaria-exposed population
Kwadwo KusiDaniel DodooSamuel BosomprahMarjolein van der EijkBart FaberClemens KockenEdmond Remarque Thu, 02 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0000
Background: Establishing antibody correlates of protection against malaria in human field studies and clinical trials requires, amongst others, an accurate estimation of antibody levels. For polymorphic antigens such as apical membrane antigen 1 (AMA1), this may be confounded by the occurrence of a large number of allelic variants in nature. Methods: To test this hypothesis, plasma antibody levels in an age-stratified cohort of naturally exposed children from a malaria-endemic area in Southern Ghana were determined by indirect ELISA. Titres against four single PfAMA1 alleles were compared with those against three different allele mixtures presumed to have a wider repertoire of epitope specificities. Associations of antibody levels with the incidence of clinical malaria as well as with previous exposure to parasites were also examined. Results: Antibody titres against PfAMA1 alleles generally increased with age/exposure while antibody specificity for PfAMA1 variants decreased, implying that younger children ([less than or equal to] 5 years) elicit a more strain-specific antibody response compared to older children. Antibody titre measurements against the FVO and 3D7 AMA1 alleles gave the best titre estimates as these varied least in pair-wise comparisons with titres against all PfAMA1 allele mixtures. There was no association between antibody levels against any capture antigen and either clinical malaria incidence or parasite density. Conclusions: The current data shows that levels of naturally acquired antigen-specific antibodies, especially in infants and young children, are dependent on the antigenic allele used for measurement. This may be relevant to the interpretation of antibody titre data from measurements against single PfAMA1 alleles, especially in studies involving infants and young children who have experienced fewer infections.
Inter-rater agreement in the assessment of abnormal chest X-ray findings for tuberculosis between two Asian countries
Shinsaku SakuradaNguyen HangNaoki IshizukaEmiko ToyotaLe HungPham ChucLuu LienPham ThuongPham BichNaoto KeichoNobuyuki Kobayashi Wed, 01 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0000
Background: Inter-rater agreement in the interpretation of chest X-ray (CXR) films is crucial for clinical and epidemiological studies of tuberculosis. We compared the readings of CXR films used for a survey of tuberculosis between raters from two Asian countries. Methods: Of the 11,624 people enrolled in a prevalence survey in Hanoi, Viet Nam, in 2003, we studied 258 individuals whose CXR films did not exclude the possibility of active tuberculosis. Follow-up films obtained from accessible individuals in 2006 were also analyzed. Two Japanese and two Vietnamese raters read the CXR films based on a coding system proposed by Den Boon et al. and another system newly developed in this study. Inter-rater agreement was evaluated by kappa statistics. Marginal homogeneity was evaluated by the generalized estimating equation (GEE). Results: CXR findings suspected of tuberculosis differed between the four raters. The frequencies of infiltrates and fibrosis/scarring detected on the films significantly differed between the raters from the two countries (P < 0.0001 and P = 0.0082, respectively, by GEE). The definition of findings such as primary cavity, used in the coding systems also affected the degree of agreement. Conclusions: CXR findings were inconsistent between the raters with different backgrounds. High inter-rater agreement is a component necessary for an optimal CXR coding system, particularly in international studies. An analysis of reading results and a thorough discussion to achieve a consensus would be necessary to achieve further consistency and high quality of reading.

Epidemiologic Reviews - current issue

Cover
Mon, 02 Jan 2012 19:36:31 -0800

Editorial Board
Mon, 02 Jan 2012 19:36:31 -0800


Epidemiology & Infection - Current Issue

Volume 140 Issue 03
Thu, 01 Mar 2012 00:00:00 -0000
Epidemiology Infection, Volume 140 Issue 03 Epidemiology Infection publishes original reports and reviews on all aspects of infection in humans and animals. Particular emphasis is given to the epidemiology, prevention and control of infectious diseases. The scope includes the zoonoses, tropical infections, food hygiene, vaccine studies, statistics and the clinical, social and public-health aspects of infectious disease. It has become the key international periodical in which to find the latest reports on recently discovered infections and new technology. For those concerned with policy and planning for the control of infections, the papers on mathematical modelling of epidemics caused by historical, current and emergent infections will be of particular value.
HYG volume 140 issue 3 Cover and Front matter
Miscellaneous Epidemiology & Infection, Volume 140 Issue 03, pp f1-f2Abstract

Filaria Journal - Latest Articles

Contribution of migrant coffee labourers infected with Onchocerca volvulus to the maintenance of the microfilarial reservoir in an ivermectin-treated area of Mexico.
Mario Rodriguez-PerezAldo Segura-CabreraCristian Lizarazo-OrtegaMaria-Gloria BasanezJohn Davies Tue, 18 Dec 2007 00:00:00 -0000
Background: Since 1991, in Mexico, ivermectin has been administered twice a year to all residents in the onchocerciasis endemic foci which are mainly located in the coffee growing areas. However, the presence of a potentially infected itinerant seasonal labour force which is not treated regularly could jeopardise the attainment of the 85% coverage which is the present target for elimination of the disease. Methods: The prevalence and intensity of Onchocerca volvulus microfilariae (mf), as well as their transmission from humans to vectors, were assessed during the coffee planting-clearing and harvesting seasons of 1997–1998, and 1998–1999 in two localities (I and II) of Southern Chiapas, Mexico, which regularly receive an influx of untreated migrant coffee labourers. Results: Localities I and II had, respectively, an average of 391 (± 32) and 358 (± 14) resident inhabitants, and 70 (± 52) and 498 (± 289) temporary labourers. The ratio of migrants to residents ranged from 0.1:1 in locality I to 2.4:1 in locality II. The proportion of infected Simulium ochraceum s.l. parous flies was significantly lower in locality I than in locality II, and significantly higher during the stay of the migrants than before their arrival or after their departure. Parity and infection were higher in May-July than in November-February (in contrast with the latter being typically considered as the peak onchocerciasis transmission season by S. ochraceum s.l.). Conclusion: The presence of significant numbers of untreated and potentially infected migrants may contribute to ongoing transmission, and their incorporation into ivermectin programmes should be beneficial for the attainment of the elimination goals of the regional initiative. However, the possibility that the results also reflect transmission patterns for the area cannot be excluded and these should be analyzed further.
Epidemiology and psycho-social aspects Of onchocercal skin diseases in northeastern Nigeria
Ikem OkoyeCelestine Onwuliri Mon, 03 Dec 2007 00:00:00 -0000
Background: Observations were made on the prevalence of onchocerciasis and Onchocercal Skin Diseases (OSD); frequency of occurrence and anatomical distribution of OSD in the Hawal River Valley, an established onchocerciasis endemic focus in north-eastern Nigeria. Methods: Symptoms of OSD were diagnosed in 5 844 subjects using Rapid Assessment Method (RAM) while 1 479 of the subjects chosen from alternate households had their skin biopsies examined for active microfilariae of Onchocerca volvulus. Also, Focal Group Discussions (FGD) were conducted at the Health District levels. Results: O. volvulus was recorded in (19.0%) and OSD in (43.8%) of the subjects. The Mantel-Haenszel test for linear association showed a close agreement between onchocerciasis prevalence and the rate of OSD (χ2 = 3.93; p < 0.05). The various forms of OSD occurred in the order: CPOD (17.7%), APOD (9.9%), DPM (9.0%), LOD (7.0%) and ATR (3.1%). The overall frequency of occurrence of various symptoms of OSD on different anatomical locations showed the locations in descending order of occurrence as lower limbs (24.6%), upper limbs (21.3%), buttocks (19.9%), shoulder & neck (19.1%), abdomen and trunk (11.3%), backside (10.6), and 'other' sites (7.5%). The Focal Group Discussion (FGD) revealed the most worrisome consequences of OSD as social isolation of victims (31.3%), shame and low self esteem (22.7%) and high cost of medication (15.6%). Conclusion: It is recommended that Onchocerciasis control programmes in the Hawal River Valley and any other focus with high incidence of OSD should incorporate an aspect that would address the anxiety and depression caused by various OSD lesions since they carry lots of psycho-social implications. This would increase acceptance and compliance of the target population. The classification criteria of onchocerciasis endemicity should be based on either or both of the O. volvulus and onchocercal skin disease burden of any community and no longer on O. volvulus parasitic infection rate alone.

Foodborne Pathogens and Disease - Table of Contents

Isolation and Molecular Characterization of Escherichia coli O157 from Broiler and Human Samples
liebertonline@liebertpub.com (Recep Kalin et al) Fri, 03 Feb 2012 15:39:05 -0000
Foodborne Pathogens and Disease , Vol. 0, No. 0.
Salmonella Enteritidis Strains from Poultry Exhibit Differential Responses to Acid Stress, Oxidative Stress, and Survival in the Egg Albumen
liebertonline@liebertpub.com (Devendra H. Shah et al) Fri, 03 Feb 2012 15:39:03 -0000
Foodborne Pathogens and Disease , Vol. 0, No. 0.

pubmed: 0019-9567

Chlamydia muridarum T cell antigens and adjuvants that induce protective immunity in mice.
Yu H, Karunakaran KP, Jiang X, Shen C, Andersen P, Brunham RC Chlamydia muridarum T cell antigens and adjuvants that induce protective immunity in mice. Infect Immun. 2012 Jan 30; Authors: Yu H, Karunakaran KP, Jiang X, Shen C, Andersen P, Brunham RC Abstract Major impediments to a Chlamydia vaccine lie in discovering T cell antigens and polarizing adjuvants that stimulate protective immunity. We previously reported the discovery of three T cell antigens (PmpG, PmpF and RplF) via immunoproteomics that elicited protective immunity in the murine genital tract infection model against Chlamydia infection after adoptive transfer of antigen-pulsed dendritic cells). To expand the T cell antigen repertoire necessary for a Chlamydia vaccine, we evaluated 10 new Chlamydia T cell antigens discovered via immunoproteomics in addition to the 3 antigens reported earlier as a molecular subunit vaccine. We first tested five adjuvants including three cationic liposome formulations [DDA/MPL, DDA/TDB (CAF01) and DDA/MMG (CAF04)], Montanide ISA720/CpG-ODN1826 and Alum using PmpG protein as a model T cell antigen in the mouse genital tract infection model. The results showed that the cationic liposomal adjuvants DDA/MPL and DDA/TDB elicited the best protective immune responses characterized by multifunctional CD4+ T cells coexpressing IFN-γ and TNF-α and reduced infection by over three logs. Using DDA/MPL as adjuvant, we found seven of 13 Chlamydia T cell antigens (PmpG, PmpE, PmpF, Aasf, RplF, TC0420 and TC0825) conferred protection better than or equal to the reference vaccine antigen MOMP. Pools of membrane/secreted proteins, cytoplasmic proteins and hypothetical proteins were tested individually or in combination. Immunization with combinations protected as well as the best individual protein in that combination. The T cell antigens and adjuvants discovered in this study are of further interest in the development of a molecularly defined Chlamydia vaccine. PMID: 22290151 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
Detection of established virulence genes and plasmids to differentiate Borrelia burgdorferi strains.
Chan K, Casjens S, Parveen N Detection of established virulence genes and plasmids to differentiate Borrelia burgdorferi strains. Infect Immun. 2012 Jan 30; Authors: Chan K, Casjens S, Parveen N Abstract Borrelia burgdorferi sensu stricto is the major causative agent of Lyme disease in the United States while B. garinii and B. afzelii are more prevalent in the Europe. The highly complex genome of B. burgdorferi is comprised of a linear chromosome and a large number of variably sized linear and circular plasmids. Many plasmids of this spirochete are unstable during its culture in vitro. Given that many of the B. burgdorferi virulence factors identified to date are plasmid-encoded, spirochetal plasmid content determination is essential for gene Subscribe to Journals RSS feed