Three human coronaviruses are known to exist: coronavirus 229E (HCoV-229E), HCoV-OC43 and severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS)-associated (SARS-CoV). Here we report the identification of a fourth coronavirus, HCoV-NL63, using new method virus discovery. The was isolated from 7-month-old child suffering bronchiolitis conjunctivitis. complete genome sequence indicates that this is not recombinant, but rather group 1 coronavirus. in vitro host cell range HCoV-NL63 notable because it...

Recently, outbreaks of anorectal lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV) have occurred among men who sex with (MSM). This study identifies risk factors and clinical predictors LGV to determine the implications for practice.The Chlamydia trachomatis serovars all MSM had chlamydia diagnosed at a sexually transmitted infection clinic in Amsterdam, The Netherlands, 2002 2003 were retrospectively typed; 87 persons infected C. serovar L2b received diagnosis LGV. A-K thus non-LGV (n = 377) reported having...

Dramatic increases have occurred in sexually transmitted diseases (STD) and sexual risk behaviour among homosexual men Amsterdam internationally. We investigated whether these trends indicate a resurgence of the HIV epidemic.HIV incidence was determined attendees an STD clinic Amsterdam, who had participated semi-annual anonymous unlinked cross-sectional prevalence studies from 1991 to 2001. Stored HIV-seropositive samples were tested with less-sensitive assay and, if non-reactive, further...

Abstract We traced the Chlamydia trachomatis L2b variant in Amsterdam and San Francisco. All recent lymphogranuloma venereum cases were caused by variant. This was also present 1980s Thus, current "outbreak" is most likely a slowly evolving epidemic.

ABSTRACT Incorporating resins in blood culture media can effectively reduce the activities of several antibiotics. It was shown that some generally used antibiotics decreased by 80 to 90% within 2 h Bactec Plus Aerobic/F resin-containing medium. vials containing were still found be positive for bacteria when present. The addition β-lactamase shortened detection time irrespective presence resins.

Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV1) and 2 (HSV2) infection can lead to significant morbidity, HSV2 is considered a risk factor for HIV transmission. The majority of HSV-infected people are asymptomatic unaware their infection. We aimed determine the HSV1 prevalence among various ethnic groups in large urban area Netherlands. In 2004, serum samples from population-based repository 1,325 over 18 years living Amsterdam were tested antibodies order high-risk groups. Prevalence ratios estimated...

Intracellular pattern-recognition receptors NOD1 and NOD2 are capable of sensing common structural units bacterial walls. Recognition triggers specific immune signalling pathways leads to pro-inflammatory cytokine upregulation adequate response. We investigated whether two functional polymorphisms in exert an effect on susceptibility (STD patients) severity (female patients visiting the fertility clinic) Chlamydia trachomatis infection 807 Dutch Caucasian women. A significant association...

Abstract Background The functional polymorphism -260 C>T in the LPS sensing TLR4 co-receptor CD14 gene enhances transcriptional activity and results a higher receptor density. Individuals carrying T/T genotype also have significantly serum levels of soluble CD14. T allele this has recently been linked to Chlamydia pneumoniae infection. We investigated role susceptibility severity (defined as subfertility and/or tubal pathology) C. trachomatis infection Dutch Caucasian women. Methods...

Abstract Background Screening and active case finding for Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) is recommended to prevent reproductive morbidity. However insight in community prevalence of gonococcal infections co-infections with Neisseria gonorrhoea (NG) lacking. Methods Nested study within a large population-based Pilot among 21.000 persons 15–29 year. All CT-positive (166) random sample 605 CT-negative specimens were as well tested infection. Results Overall the was 2.0% (95% CI: 1.7–2.3), highest...

C57BL/6 mice are protected from a lethal pneumonia caused by Sendai virus when treated with low doses of mAb directed to the CD3 Ag. The protective mechanism is not due an accelerated virus-specific Th cell, CTL, or antibody response but strong NK cell via in vivo induction lymphokines. Antibodies against NK1.1 and asialo GM1 marker totally reversed effect anti-CD3 treatment. In treatment rIL-2 also induced activity antiviral protection. Treatment protects given narrow time window (1 day...

IncA variation among Dutch Chlamydia trachomatis isolates was investigated. Of 98 strains, two carried an incA with a premature stop codon, lacked IncA, and were nonfusogenic, while 96 contained intact incA, expressed fusogenic. Among these nine sequence types found, of which the three most frequently encountered (88% strains) randomly distributed symptomatic asymptomatic patients.

Factor VIII is a plasma protein which plays an essential role in the coagulation system. When assembled with enzyme IXa on phospholipid membrane, it functions as cofactor complex that cleaves zymogen X to Xa. We studied binding of both and light chain planar bilayers consisting 25% dioleoylphosphatidylserine 75% dioleoylphosphatidylcholine (PSPC) by ellipsometry. Equilibrium-binding studies revealed its bind high affinity PSPC bilayers. The VIII, dissociation constant Kd 0.24 nM, was...

Herpes simplex virus type 1 and 2 (HSV-1 HSV-2) are both highly prevalent. The rate of genital HSV-1 transmission is reportedly increasing over time. HSV-2 considered to be an important risk factor for HIV transmission. We therefore studied changes in the prevalence a large cohort men who have sex with (MSM) 20-year time period.Among 1847 HIV-infected HIV-uninfected MSM participating Amsterdam Cohort Studies, seroprevalence was determined ratios (PRR) 95% confidence intervals were...

This report describes the actions of public health experts in cooperation with specialists sexually transmitted diseases (STD), epidemiologists and (molecular) microbiologists to investigate possible introduction swCT variant Netherlands: 1. Investigating trends CT epidemiology Result: STD surveillance laboratory did not show any evidence Holland. 2. Retesting samples by TaqMan PCR Roche CT-negative suspected be CT-positive on basis clinical picture were retested but harbour 3. Screening...

ABSTRACT Surveillance of antibiotic resistance in Neisseria gonorrhoeae showed a decrease the percentage β-lactamase-producing isolates but an increase intermediately penicillin-resistant strains and resistant to high level tetracycline. MICs for ciprofloxacin-resistant that emerged increased, these had mutations gyrA parC similar those observed Far East.

<h3>Abstract</h3> <b>Problem</b> Prophylactic treatment and follow-up after exposure to HIV, hepatitis B, C outside hospital needs be improved. <b>Background setting</b> Until January 2000, people in Amsterdam could report either a or the municipal health service. If they reported service, were then referred hospitals for HIV prophylaxis, whereas service handled related B traced sources. For cases hospital, staff often did not trace sources follow up patients C. <b>Key measures...