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Query: UMLS:C0026918 (Mycobacterium)
 52,428 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

Significant resistance against influenza virus and Mycobacterium tuberculosis infections was induced when trehalose dimycolate from M. tuberculosis or M. bovis but not M. avium was combined with muramyl dipeptide. Trehalose dimycolate from M. tuberculosis, in contrast to that from M. avium, could confer resistance against Toxoplasma gondii infections.
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PMID:Trehalose dimycolate from various mycobacterial species induces differing anti-infectious activities in combination with muramyl dipeptide. 406 40

The effects of two aminobutyryl and four seryl analogs of the synthetic muramyl dipeptide (MDP) against aerosol infections with influenza virus and Mycobacterium tuberculosis were studied. Regardless of the MDP analog employed, there was no evidence that the resistance against viral and bacterial aerosol infections was enhanced in the treated mice. In parallel studies, significant protection against influenza virus and M. tuberculosis infections was induced by the combination of MDP or analogs with the mycobacterial glycolipid trehalose dimycolate (TDM). Resistance conferred by the MDP + TDM combination against influenza virus was present 1 week after pretreatment and could be abrogated by macrophage inhibitory agents silica, dextran sulfate, and carrageenan. Splenic cells from MDP + TDM-pretreated animals generated markedly enhanced levels of luminol-dependent chemiluminescence in response to influenza A and B viruses.
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PMID:Protective effect of muramyl dipeptide analogs in combination with trehalose dimycolate against aerogenic influenza virus and Mycobacterium tuberculosis infections in mice. 643 30

Mycobacterium bovis BCG was genetically engineered to express and secrete mouse interleukin-2 (IL-2) and rat IL-2. Genes encoding IL-2 were inserted into an Escherichia coli-BCG shuttle plasmid under the control of the BCG HSP60 promoter. To facilitate study of proteins produced in this system, the IL-2 gene product was expressed (i) alone, (ii) with the mycobacterial alpha-antigen secretion signal sequence at the amino terminus, (iii) with an influenza virus hemagglutinin epitope tag at the amino terminus, and (iv) with both the secretion signal sequence and the epitope tag. When expressed with the alpha-antigen signal sequence, biologically active IL-2 was secreted into the extracellular medium. Western blot (immunoblot) analysis of the intracellular IL-2 and extracellular IL-2 revealed that the secretion signal was appropriately cleaved from the recombinant lymphokine upon secretion. To assess the ability of recombinant BCG to stimulate cytokine production in a splenocyte population, mouse splenocytes were cultured together with wild-type or IL-2-producing BCG. IL-2-secreting BCG clones stimulated substantial increases in gamma interferon production, which could be reproduced by the addition of exogenous IL-2 to BCG. Levels of IL-6, IL-10, tumor necrosis factor alpha, and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor were not significantly changed, while IL-4 and IL-5 remained undetectable (less than 50 pg/ml). The enhanced production of gamma interferon in response to IL-2-secreting BCG was strain independent. Recombinant BCG expressing mammalian cytokines provides a novel means to deliver cytokines and may augment the immunostimulatory properties of BCG in immunization and cancer therapy.
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PMID:Recombinant Mycobacterium bovis BCG secreting functional interleukin-2 enhances gamma interferon production by splenocytes. 818 76

Tuberculous meningitis usually results from hematogenous seeding of the central nervous system from a primary pulmonary source of infection. Initially, the meningitic process can mimic a flu-like syndrome, followed rapidly by the development of profound neurologic deficits. Computed tomography scanning or magnetic resonance imaging of the head often demonstrates a characteristic pattern of basal cistern involvement with Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The incidence of tuberculous meningitis in the more developed countries has increased during the past 5 years because of the growing number of cases in patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, the spread among the homeless, and the expanding immigrant population. The significant morbidity and mortality rates associated with tuberculous meningitis--generally considered to be a disease of the past--emphasize the need for greater clinical awareness, early diagnosis, and prompt treatment.
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PMID:Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging of tuberculous meningitis. 847 23

To gain insights into a possible immune defect predisposing to disseminated mycobacteria infection, we studied three of six surviving children with disseminated Mycobacterium avium complex infection, who had no recognized form of immunodeficiency. We used mycobacteria isolated from the patients and diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis vaccine (DTP) to study antigen-specific T lymphocyte responses. We observed that interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) production by T cells in response to antigens (both mycobacteria and DTP) in these patients with disseminated infection was greatly impaired. This defect did not seem to be the result of T cell unresponsiveness, as phytohaemagglutinin (PHA) stimulation was able to induce high levels of IFN-gamma comparable to those seen in control patients with localized infection. Further experiments showed that peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from patients with disseminated infection were able to present influenza haemagglutinin (HA) peptides to specific T cell clones. However, this ability was lost when the whole HA protein was used as source of antigen. Taken together, these observations support the notion that the primary immune defect in these patients with disseminated mycobacterial infection rests in the antigen-processing functions of their antigen-presenting cells (APC). These findings may provide clues to the wider problem of susceptibility to mycobacteria and other intracellular pathogens and have implications in designing therapy for these patients.
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PMID:Defective antigen processing associated with familial disseminated mycobacteriosis. 856 83

The patient population at risk for opportunistic pulmonary infections has increased during the last decade. The spectrum of organisms causing opportunistic infections has also grown. With an ever broader list of potential diagnosis, a specific diagnosis of the cause of pulmonary disease becomes more important. Recent microbiologic advances have helped to facilitate the laboratory diagnosis of some of these agents. Immunoassays are available for the detection of antigen in nasopharyngeal secretions (respiratory syncytial virus, influenza) in serum (Cryptococcus species), and in urine (Legionella or Histoplasma species). Rapid-culture techniques are available for the culture and detection of various viruses, including cytomegalovirus. Molecular probes can now assist in the rapid identification of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and some fungi. In the near future, polymerase chain reaction-based techniques may assist in the detection of Pneumocystis carinii and Legionella, Chlamydia, Mycoplasma, and Mycobacteria species. An expeditious evaluation of pulmonary disease requires an understanding of the differential diagnosis of likely causes of pulmonary disease in specific immunosuppressed patient populations, an understanding of the most appropriate specimens to process for these diagnoses, and an understanding of the limitations (sensitivity and specificity) of these diagnostic tests. An understanding of the most appropriate specimens and tests in a given institution should allow for early, relatively specific treatment of many potentially life-threatening infections.
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PMID:The laboratory evaluation of opportunistic pulmonary infections. 859 23

We have examined the immunogenicity of complexes formed by non-covalent association of a synthetic peptide corresponding to influenza A virus nucleoprotein, residues 206-229 (pNP) and Mycobacterium tuberculosis heat-shock protein 70 (hsp 70). One or two injections of these complexes given to BALB/c mice without any additional adjuvant, were capable of eliciting very strong peptide-specific proliferative T-cell responses in the spleen. These responses were dependent on the stability of the complex since immunogenicity was lost when dissociated with ATP prior to immunization. T-cell responses to hsp 70 were easily generated by immunization with the purified chaperone alone, either after primary or secondary immunization. Injection of pNP-hsp 70 complexes, however, although generating good primary responses, resulted in very much decreased proliferative responses to the hsp 70.
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PMID:Synthetic peptides non-covalently bound to bacterial hsp 70 elicit peptide-specific T-cell responses in vivo. 888 47

This document updates and replaces CDC's previously published "Guideline for Prevention of Nosocomial Pneumonia" (Infect Control 1982;3:327-33, Respir Care 1983;28:221-32, and Am J Infect Control 1983;11:230-44). This revised guideline is designed to reduce the incidence of nosocomial pneumonia and is intended for use by personnel who are responsible for surveillance and control of infections in acute-care hospitals; the information may not be applicable in long-term-care facilities because of the unique characteristics of such settings. This revised guideline addresses common problems encountered by infection-control practitioners regarding the prevention and control of nosocomial pneumonia in U.S. hospitals. Sections on the prevention of bacterial pneumonia in mechanically ventilated and/or critically ill patients, care of respiratory-therapy devices, prevention of cross-contamination, and prevention of viral lower respiratory tract infections (e.g., respiratory syncytial virus [RSV] and influenza infections) have been expanded and updated. New sections on Legionnaires disease and pneumonia caused by Aspergillus sp. have been included. Lower respiratory tract infection caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis is not addressed in this document. Part I, "An Overview of the Prevention of Nosocomial Pneumonia, 1994, provides the background information for the consensus recommendations of the Hospital Infection Control Practices Advisory Committee (HICPAC) in Part II, Recommendations for Prevention of Nosocomial Pneumonia." Pneumonia is the second most common nosocomial infection in the United States and is associated with substantial morbidity and mortality. Most patients who have nosocomial pneumonia are infants, young children, and persons > 65 years of age; persons who have severe underlying disease, immunosuppression, depressed sensorium, and/or cardiopulmonary disease and persons who have had thoracoabdominal surgery. Although patients receiving mechanically assisted ventilation do not represent a major proportion of patients who have nosocomial pneumonia, they are at highest risk for acquiring the infection. Most bacterial nosocomial pneumonias occur by aspiration of bacteria colonizing the oropharynx or upper gastrointestinal tract of the patient. Because intubation and mechanical ventilation alter first-line patient defenses, they greatly increase the risk for nosocomial bacterial pneumonia. Pneumonias caused by Legionella sp., Aspergillus sp., and influenza virus are often caused by inhalation of contaminated aerosols. RSV infection usually occurs after viral inoculation of the conjunctivae or nasal mucosa by contaminated hands. Traditional preventive measures for nosocomial pneumonia include decreasing aspiration by the patient, preventing cross-contamination or colonization via hands of personnel, appropriate disinfection or sterilization of respiratory-therapy devices, use of available vaccines to protect against particular infections, and education of hospital staff and patients. New measures being investigated involve reducing oropharyngeal and gastric colonization by pathogenic microorganisms.
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PMID:Guidelines for prevention of nosocomial pneumonia. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 903 4

The current status and future prospects of vaccines for adults are discussed. For every child in America who dies of a vaccine-preventable disease, about 400 adults die of such a disease. Evidence of the merit of influenza vaccination continues to accumulate, yet < 30% of high-risk people younger than 65 have been vaccinated. Use of pneumococcal vaccine lags behind that of influenza vaccine. Serious discrepancies in immunization levels exist among different segments of U.S. adult society. A vaccination status assessment is now recommended for everyone reaching the age of 50. New vaccines are available to prevent varicella, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever. There are now two formulations of hepatitis A virus vaccine; adult users of these vaccines include travelers, people relocating to areas with poor sanitation, military personnel, laboratory workers, and hemophiliacs. New rabies vaccines may be the next vaccines to be used primarily in adults. Vaccines against pertussis, Lyme disease, cholera, herpes simplex, malaria, other infectious diseases, and cancer are in various stages of development. For health care personnel in areas where there is a strong likelihood of Mycobacterium tuberculosis transmission and infection, BCG vaccination is recommended. The risk of immunization to a person infected with the human immunodeficiency virus is likely outweighed by the protection offered against other health threats. Health systems should select tetanus-diphtheria toxoids adsorbed for their formularies for immunizing adults, not monovalent tetanus toxoid. Vaccines are available to prevent a growing list of infectious diseases but are underused in adults.
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PMID:Status and future of vaccines for adults. 904 59

Little is known about the type 1/type 2 T cell dichotomy in old age. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) and T cell lines from old and young healthy individuals were therefore analyzed for their production of interferon gamma (IFN-gamma) and interleukin 4 (IL-4). Tetanus toxoid (TT), purified protein derivative of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, inactivated influenza virus and OKT-3 were used as stimuli. RT-PCR and ELISA determinations were performed. When stimulated with TT, PBMC from young and old individuals expressed IL-4, but produced little IFN-gamma. All other stimuli induced a pronounced IFN-gamma production, while little or no IL-4 was expressed. T cell lines, regardless of their specificity or the donor age, produced IFN-gamma and IL-4. The quantities of cytokines produced did not significantly differ between the age groups. The capacity of the immune system to trigger type 1 and type 2 T cell responses is thus well preserved in old age.
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PMID:Cytokine production in response to stimulation with tetanus toxoid, Mycobacterium tuberculosis and influenza antigens in peripheral blood mononuclear cells and T cell lines from healthy elderlies. 910 86


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