Article
Cell Biology
Kevin M. Waters, Brian K. Cox, Mary T. Wong, Maha Guindi, Stacey A. Kim, Brent K. Larson, Margie Morgan, Lysandra Voltaggio, Bonnie L. Balzer
Summary: Recent studies have shown a resurgence of lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV) proctitis caused by Chlamydia trachomatis (CT). Histological analysis of biopsies from 12 LGV patients revealed mild to moderate acute inflammation with prominent lymphoplasmacytic infiltrate and absence of marked crypt distortion. A novel RNA in-situ hybridisation (ISH) stain targeting CT 23s rRNA showed good sensitivity and specificity in differentiating types of STI proctitis.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Luis Pineiro, Laura Villa, Paula Salmeron, Maria Dolores Macia, Luis Otero, Marti Vall-Mayans, Ana Milagro, Samuel Bernal, Ayla Manzanal, Inigo Ansa, Gustavo Cilla
Summary: This study assessed the dynamics of Chlamydia trachomatis infection transmission in Spain and its association with clinical and epidemiological variables. Genotype and sequence type distribution varied according to sex, sexual behavior, and geographical area. Sexual behavior was found to be an important factor in the transmission dynamics of C. trachomatis.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Vitor Borges, Joana Isidro, Cristina Correia, Dora Cordeiro, Luis Vieira, Zohra Lodhia, Candida Fernandes, Ana Maria Rodrigues, Jacinta Azevedo, Joao Alves, Joao Roxo, Miguel Rocha, Rita Corte-Real, Cristina Toscano, Maria Ana Pessanha, Israel Nissan, Shlomo Pilo, Efrat Rorman, Zeev Dveyrin, Yossi Paitan, Haim Paran, Gal Wagner-Kolasko, Jennifer Beirnes, Suzanne Gibbons, Alberto Severini, Maria Jose Borrego, Joao Paulo Gomes
Summary: A new strain of Chlamydia trachomatis lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV) with a non-LGV ompA genotype has been identified, showing circulation in Europe, Middle East, and North America, along with the emergence of antibiotic resistance. Broad surveillance is necessary.
CLINICAL INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Laura Martinez-Garcia, Jose Maria Gonzalez-Alba, Teresa Puerta, Alicia Comunion, Maria Concepcion Rodriguez-Jimenez, Eva Orviz, Matilde Sanchez-Conde, Mario Rodriguez-Dominguez, Rafael Canton, Juan Carlos Galan
Summary: This study proposed a new combination of molecular markers based on the most variable genes of L-genotype genomes to improve the characterization of the current LGV epidemic in Madrid, Spain. The new combination of molecular markers demonstrated higher diversity and improved discrimination of LGV strains compared to the previously published MLST scheme based on hypervariable genes.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Antonella Marangoni, Claudio Foschi, Federico Tartari, Valeria Gaspari, Maria Carla Re
Summary: In Italy, LGV infection is endemic among MSM with various circulating genovariants. Active surveillance and genotyping programs are necessary to reduce the re-establishment of LGV infection.
SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED INFECTIONS
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Antonella Marangoni, Stefano Amadesi, Marielle Ezekielle Djusse, Claudio Foschi, Valeria Gaspari, Tiziana Lazzarotto, Paolo Gaibani
Summary: Lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV) is a systemic sexually transmitted infection mainly spreading within men who have sex with men (MSM). In this study, the whole genome of a C. trachomatis strain (LGV/17) responsible for a rectal LGV case was described. The LGV/17 strain showed a genomic structure similar to reference sequences and was closely related to other L2f strains, indicative of the long-distance dynamics of transmission.
CURRENT ISSUES IN MOLECULAR BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Chin-Shiang Tsai, Po-Lin Chen, Nan-Yao Lee, Huey-Pin Tsai, Sung-Hsi Huang, Szu-Ying Chen, Yu-Wen Tang, Yen-Chun Lin, Pei-Fang Tsai, Lin-Wen Mao, Shu-Li Su, Jiun-Ling Wang, Wen-Chien Ko
Summary: The prevalence of rectal chlamydia among non-HIV men who have sex with men (MSM) in Taiwan is uncertain, and rectal lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV) has never been reported in the Far East. A study in southern Taiwan from 2020 to 2022 found that 6.2% of MSM had rectal chlamydia infection. Risk factors for rectal chlamydia included co-infection with rectal gonorrhea and multiple sexual partners. The study also identified different genotypes or genovariants of chlamydia, with L2b being the most prevalent in rectal LGV cases.
JOURNAL OF MICROBIOLOGY IMMUNOLOGY AND INFECTION
(2023)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Arabella Touati, Cecile Laurier-Nadalie, Cecile Bebear, Olivia Peuchant, Bertille de Barbeyrac
Summary: The study evaluated the performance of four commercial real-time PCR kits for LGV diagnosis and showed that they all demonstrated very good performance for LGV detection in anorectal specimens. The clinical sensitivities and specificities varied between 91% and 100%, with some kits performing better than others. Overall agreement ranged between 91.3% and 100%.
CLINICAL MICROBIOLOGY AND INFECTION
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Birgit Sadoghi, Peter Komericki, Jasminka Igrec, Georg C. Hutterer, Peter Wolf
Summary: A 66-year-old bisexual patient presented with painful bloody defecation, which was initially misdiagnosed as rectal cancer but was actually caused by lymphogranuloma venereum. After treatment with doxycycline, the symptoms quickly improved and all pathological alterations regressed completely on follow-up MRI.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF STD & AIDS
(2021)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Aws Waleed M. Al-Hayani, Iris Martinez Alemany, Carlos Santonja, Alfonso Cabello Ubeda, Laura Prieto Perez, Maria Carmen Ceballos-Rodriguez, Irene Carrillo Acosta, Miguel de Gorgolas Hernandez-Mora, Beatriz Alvarez Alvarez
Summary: Sweet Syndrome is a neutrophilic dermatosis and a rare variant, Histiocytoid Sweet Syndrome (HSS), can be associated with various conditions such as cancer, infections, and drug toxicity. This study presents a case of HSS in an HIV-positive patient in an infectious disease setting.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Shir Azrielant, Amichai Sheffy, Fahim Kanani, Israel Nissan, Amos Adler, Michal Dekel
Summary: Perihepatitis (Fitz-Hugh-Curtis syndrome) is a rare complication of sexually transmitted infections, mostly seen in women. Only 12 male cases have been reported to date, of which Chlamydia trachomatis was confirmed in 2. Our case suggests that rectal Mpox lesions may facilitate chlamydial dissemination.
SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED INFECTIONS
(2023)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Evonne N. Woodson, Samantha S. Katz, Sheree S. Mosley, Damien C. Danavall, Katherine E. Bowden, Kai-Hua Chi, Brian H. Raphael
Summary: A rapid real-time PCR method for differentiating Chlamydia trachomatis infections associated with LGV or non-LGV serovars showed a sensitivity of 87.5% for LGV detection and high specificity, accuracy, and reproducibility. The performance characteristics were between 93% and 100% with a detection limit of <= 100 copies/reaction, comparable to the reference method of Sanger sequencing.
DIAGNOSTIC MICROBIOLOGY AND INFECTIOUS DISEASE
(2021)
Review
Infectious Diseases
Ronnie M. Gravett, Jeanne Marrazzo
Summary: Lymphogranuloma venereum has become a significant sexually transmitted infection among men who have sex with men, particularly those living with HIV. However, the lack of accessible diagnostics limits our understanding of its actual incidence and impact on the HIV epidemic. Testing asymptomatic individuals at high risk can improve case detection and allow for earlier intervention.
CURRENT INFECTIOUS DISEASE REPORTS
(2022)
Review
Allergy
Katarzyna Smolarczyk, Beata Mlynarczyk-Bonikowska, Slawomir Majewski, Ewa Rudnicka, Magnus Unemo, Piotr Fiedor
Summary: Lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV) is a sexually transmitted disease that is increasing in incidence globally, particularly among men who have sex with men (MSM) and is a common cause of severe proctitis/proctocolitis. Accurate diagnosis is crucial for appropriate treatment and to prevent complications and sequelae.
POSTEPY DERMATOLOGII I ALERGOLOGII
(2022)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Yasmin Hughes, Marcus Y. Chen, Christopher K. Fairley, Jane S. Hocking, Deborah Williamson, Jason J. Ong, Vesna De Petra, Eric P. F. Chow
Summary: Universal testing for rectal lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV) in men who have sex with men (MSM) led to the detection of asymptomatic cases, constituting a significant proportion of LGV cases.
SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED INFECTIONS
(2022)
Letter
Dermatology
Miguel Alpalhao, Diogo Sousa, Joana Vieitez Frade, Joao Patrocinio, Pedro Miguel Garrido, Catarina Correia, Claudia Brazao, Dora Mancha, Maria Sofia Nuncio, Isabel Lopes Carvalho, Ana Pelerito, Maria Jose Borrego, Paulo Filipe
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN ACADEMY OF DERMATOLOGY
(2023)
Letter
Dermatology
Margarida Caldeira, Candida Fernandes, Jose Neves, Alexandre Joao, Rebeca Calado, Ana Raquel Pinto, Maria Jose Borrego, Rita Cordeiro, Jorge Machado, Ana Pelerito, Isabel Lopes de Carvalho, Luis Vieira, Maria Sofia Nuncio, Maria Joao Paiva Lopes
JOURNAL OF THE EUROPEAN ACADEMY OF DERMATOLOGY AND VENEREOLOGY
(2023)
Letter
Dermatology
Claudia Brazao, Pedro Miguel Garrido, Miguel Alpalhao, Angela Roda, Joana Vieitez-Frade, Joao Augusto Ferreira, Ana Pelerito, Isabel Lopes Carvalho, Maria Sofia Nuncio, Rita Cordeiro, Maria Jose Borrego, Paulo Filipe
JOURNAL OF THE EUROPEAN ACADEMY OF DERMATOLOGY AND VENEREOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Rita Macedo, Joana Isidro, Rita Ferreira, Miguel Pinto, Vitor Borges, Silvia Duarte, Luis Vieira, Joao Paulo Gomes
Summary: This study aimed to prove the feasibility of applying whole genome sequencing of Mycobacterium tuberculosis directly on clinical samples, in order to avoid the time-consuming culture isolation and the potential prolonged suboptimal antibiotic treatment. The results demonstrated that capturing and sequencing the M. tuberculosis genome directly from positive sputum samples can provide a solution for epidemiological and drug susceptibility predictions.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Maria Pequito Luis, Ines Serrano Pereira, Joana N. Bugalhao, CatarinaN Simoes, Cristiano Mota, Maria Joao Romao, Luis Jaime Mota
Summary: Chlamydia trachomatis is a bacterial pathogen that infects the eyes and genitourinary system in humans. Its ability to grow inside host cells in a membrane-bound compartment called an inclusion relies on effector proteins that are transported by a type III secretion system. One of these effector proteins, IncM, was found to play a role in inhibiting host cell cytokinesis and inducing multinucleation in infected cells.
INFECTION AND IMMUNITY
(2023)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Irina Kislaya, Andre Peralta-Santos, Vitor Borges, Luis Vieira, Carlos Sousa, Bibiana Ferreira, Ana Pelerito, Joao Paulo Gomes, Pedro Pinto Leite, Baltazar Nunes
Summary: This study aimed to estimate the comparative vaccine effectiveness between the Omicron and Delta variants in terms of primary and booster vaccination exposure. The results showed that the odds of vaccination were higher in cases infected with the Omicron variant compared to the Delta variant, but the vaccine effectiveness was reduced. The vaccine effectiveness against Omicron for complete primary vaccination and booster dose was -6.0% and 62.7%, respectively.
INFLUENZA AND OTHER RESPIRATORY VIRUSES
(2023)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Veronica Mixao, Miguel Pinto, Daniel Sobral, Adriano Di Pasquale, Joao Paulo Gomes, Vitor Borges
Summary: ReporTree is a flexible bioinformatics pipeline that rapidly identifies genetic clusters and generates surveillance reports based on available metadata, contributing to genomics-informed pathogen surveillance in public health.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Nicholas F. G. Chen, Chrispin Chaguza, Luc Gagne, Matthew Doucette, Sandra Smole, Erika Buzby, Joshua Hall, Stephanie J. Ash, Rachel Harrington, Seana Cofsky, Selina J. Clancy, Curtis J. Kapsak, Joel M. Sevinsky, Kevin M. Libuit, Daniel J. Park, Peera Hemarajata, Jacob M. C. Garrigues, Nicole M. Green, Sean Sierra-Patev, Kristin Carpenter-Azevedo, Richard C. Huard, Claire Pearson, Kutluhan Incekara, Christina Nishimura, Jian Ping Huang, Emily Gagnon, Ethan Reever, Jafar Razeq, Anthony Muyombwe, Vitor Borges, Rita Ferreira, Daniel Sobral, Silvia Duarte, Daniela M. Santos, Luis Vieira, Joao Paulo Gomes, Carly Aquino, Isabella M. Savino, Karinda Felton, Moneeb Bajwa, Nyjil Hayward, Holly Miller, Allison H. Naumann, Ria P. Allman, Neel M. Greer, Amary Fall, Heba H. Mostafa, Martin P. McHugh, Daniel M. Maloney, Rebecca Dewar, Juliet Kenicer, Abby E. Parker, Katharine Mathers, Jonathan A. Wild, Seb Cotton, Kate E. Templeton, George Churchwell, Philip A. R. Lee, Maria Pedrosa, Brenna McGruder, Sarah Schmedes, Matthew R. Plumb, Xiong Wang, Regina Bones I. Barcellos, Fernanda M. S. D. Godinho, Richard Steiner R. Salvato, Aimee Ceniseros, Mallery Breban, Nathan D. Grubaugh, Glen R. Gallagher, Chantal B. F. Vogels
Summary: The multicountry monkeypox outbreak in 2022, alongside the COVID-19 pandemic, emphasized the importance of genomic surveillance and rapid pathogen whole-genome sequencing. Highly multiplexed amplicon-based sequencing provides a cost-effective and flexible approach for pathogen whole-genome sequencing, allowing for rapid response to emerging pathogens.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Sofia Carneiro, Miguel Pinto, Sonia Silva, Andrea Santos, Irene Rodrigues, Daniela Santos, Silvia Duarte, Luis Vieira, Joao Paulo Gomes, Rita Macedo
Summary: This study examined the genetic diversity and antimicrobial resistance profiles of circulating Mycobacterium abscessus complex (MABC) strains in Portugal. The results showed a high genetic diversity among the Portuguese isolates, suggesting the potential for international circulation or cross-border transmission.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Review
Health Care Sciences & Services
Rafaela Rodrigues, Pedro Vieira-Baptista, Carlos Catalao, Maria Jose Borrego, Carlos Sousa, Nuno Vale
Summary: Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are a leading global health concern, causing significant burden in terms of disease, mortality, healthcare costs, and social stigma. Chlamydial and gonococcal infections, caused by Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) and Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG) respectively, are the most common bacterial STIs. These infections are often asymptomatic, but can lead to severe long-term complications and increased risk of other STIs. Dual-testing for both pathogens is recommended due to similar symptoms and frequent co-occurrence. This review provides insights into the clinical aspects, diagnostic tests, treatment, and strategies for controlling CT and NG infections worldwide. Antibiotics are the primary treatment, but the increasing incidence and antibiotic resistance pose challenges, particularly for NG infections. The potential association between CT infections and tumorigenesis is also discussed, along with the molecular basis that may aid in developing effective drugs and vaccines.
JOURNAL OF PERSONALIZED MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Irina Kislaya, Pedro Casaca, Vitor Borges, Carlos Sousa, Bibiana I. Ferreira, Ana Fonte, Eugenia Fernandes, Carlos Matias Dias, Silvia Duarte, Jose Pedro Almeida, Ines Grenho, Luis Coelho, Rita Ferreira, Patricia Pita Ferreira, Claudia Medeiros Borges, Joana Isidro, Miguel Pinto, Luis Menezes, Daniel Sobral, Alexandra Nunes, Daniela Santos, Antonio Maia Goncalves, Luis Vieira, Joao Paulo Gomes, Pedro Pinto Leite, Baltazar Nunes, Ausenda Machado, Andre Peralta-Santos
Summary: We evaluated the effectiveness of primary and booster vaccination against SARS-CoV-2 Omicron BA.5 and BA.2 lineages in preventing infection and disease progression. Through a case-case and cohort study, we determined the odds ratios for vaccination using logistic regression and the vaccine effectiveness against disease progression through penalized logistic regression. Our findings showed that there were no reduced vaccine effectiveness for both primary and booster vaccinations against BA.5 infection. However, booster vaccine effectiveness against hospitalization was lower for BA.5 cases compared to BA.2 cases. Despite this, booster vaccination still provided substantial protection against severe disease progression from BA.5 infection.
EMERGING INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2023)
Article
Infectious Diseases
M. Oliveira, M. Pinto, H. Simoes, J. P. Gomes, C. Verissimo, R. Sabino
Summary: The study found that molecular techniques, such as real-time multiplex PCR and metagenomics, have the ability to rapidly and accurately detect potential pathogenic fungi in high-risk patients for aspergillosis, improving diagnostic efficiency.
INFECTIOUS DISEASES NOW
(2023)