1/3. An outbreak of enterovirus 71 infection in taiwan 1998: a comprehensive pathological, virological, and molecular study on a case of fulminant encephalitis.BACKGROUND: In a recent enterovirus outbreak in taiwan, serotype 71 was the culprit of encephalitis causing rapid clinical deterioration and death among young children. OBJECTIVES: Since knowledge of enterovirus 71 (EV71) infection in the central nervous system is still limited, the purpose of the present case study was attempted to uncover the pathogenesis of the virus. STUDY DESIGN: We performed a detailed pathological examination, virological and molecular studies on a case of EV71 infection with a rapidly fatal outcome. In addition, the whole genome of the virus was sequenced to determine the genetic relationships to other enteroviruses and two other EV71 strains (a prototype BrCr and a neurovirulent MS strain), and to provide the genetic basis of its neurovirulence of the new isolate, NCKU9822 strain. RESULTS: Characteristic features of acute encephalomyelitis were observed, with most prominent lesions in the spinal cord and brain stem. Mild myocarditis and pancreatitis were also noticed. EV71 antigen was localized to neurons on immunohistochemical staining. EV71 was recovered from all organs with inflammatory reaction. sequence analysis showed that overall NCKU9822 and the two EV71 strains shared 80% nucleotide identity and 95% amino acid identity. It had only 45% amino acid and 52% nucleotide identities with polioviral P1 capsid region. CONCLUSION: The spinal cord and brain stem were the main targets of EV71 in the fatal cases in this outbreak, however, heart and pancreas might also be involved. Since the amino acid sequences in the P1 region are conserved (97% identity) among the three EV71 strains as compared to other enteroviruses and polioviruses, these EV71 neurovirulent strains might share the same mechanisms of neurovirulence, and the mechanisms might be different from those in polioviruses.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = antigen (Clic here for more details about this article) |
2/3. Lympho-monocytic enteroviral myocarditis: traditional, immunohistological and molecularpathological methods for diagnosis in a case of suspected sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).A 7-month-old boy was found lifeless in his bed by his grandfather. Near the mouth there were some blood and chyme on the bedlinen. His mother reported a chill during the last 8 days. autopsy revealed multiple petechia under the capsule of the thymus, subepicardially and subpleurally, the cause of death was tentative supposed to be a sudden infant death. Histologically parts of the myocardium showed a lympho-monocytic myocarditis according to the DALLAS-criteria. Immunohistological investigations demonstrated an enhanced expression of MHC class II antigens, an increased number of leucocytes as well as t-lymphocytes. in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry revealed myocardial enterovirus infection. Considering that there were regions in the myocardium without the traditional findings of myocardial necrosis and inflammation but with distinct expression of the above mentioned immunohistologic markers, immunohistological investigations turn out to be an appropriate tool to examine infant fatalities with uncertain cause of death for early stages of myocarditis.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = antigen (Clic here for more details about this article) |
3/3. 1: Infections in pregnant women.Some infections are more serious in pregnant than non-pregnant women because of the potential for vertical transmission to the fetus or infant (eg, varicella, rubella, cytomegalovirus infection, toxoplasmosis and listeriosis). Pre-pregnancy or routine antenatal screening for presence of, or susceptibility to, some of these infections and appropriate management can prevent adverse fetal or perinatal outcomes; screening should include rubella IgG, hepatitis b surface antigen, serological tests for syphilis and hiv antibody. If certain other vertically transmissible infections are suspected because of a positive antenatal test result, confirmatory tests for maternal and, if indicated, fetal infection are essential before intervention is considered (eg, cytomegalovirus infection). For some vertically transmissible infections that are not readily preventable, appropriate management of maternal infection can reduce fetal damage (eg, toxoplasmosis).- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = antigen (Clic here for more details about this article) |