1.
Sayols-Baixeras, Sergi, et al.
(författare)
Streptococcus Species Abundance in the Gut Is Linked to Subclinical Coronary Atherosclerosis in 8973 Participants From the SCAPIS Cohort
2023
Ingår i: Circulation. - : Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. - 0009-7322 .- 1524-4539. ; 148:6, s. 459-472
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat) abstract
Background: Gut microbiota have been implicated in atherosclerotic disease, but their relation with subclinical coronary atherosclerosis is unclear. This study aimed to identify associations between the gut microbiome and computed tomography-based measures of coronary atherosclerosis and to explore relevant clinical correlates.Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study of 8973 participants (50 to 65 years of age) without overt atherosclerotic disease from the population-based SCAPIS (Swedish Cardiopulmonary Bioimage Study). Coronary atherosclerosis was measured using coronary artery calcium score and coronary computed tomography angiography. Gut microbiota species abundance and functional potential were assessed with shotgun metagenomics sequencing of stool, and associations with coronary atherosclerosis were evaluated with multivariable regression models adjusted for cardiovascular risk factors. Associated species were evaluated for association with inflammatory markers, metabolites, and corresponding species in saliva.Results: The mean age of the study sample was 57.4 years, and 53.7% were female. Coronary artery calcification was detected in 40.3%, and 5.4% had at least 1 stenosis with >50% occlusion. Sixty-four species were associated with coronary artery calcium score independent of cardiovascular risk factors, with the strongest associations observed for Streptococcus anginosus and Streptococcus oralis subsp oralis (P<1×10-5). Associations were largely similar across coronary computed tomography angiography-based measurements. Out of the 64 species, 19 species, including streptococci and other species commonly found in the oral cavity, were associated with high-sensitivity C-reactive protein plasma concentrations, and 16 with neutrophil counts. Gut microbial species that are commonly found in the oral cavity were negatively associated with plasma indole propionate and positively associated with plasma secondary bile acids and imidazole propionate. Five species, including 3 streptococci, correlated with the same species in saliva and were associated with worse dental health in the Malmö Offspring Dental Study. Microbial functional potential of dissimilatory nitrate reduction, anaerobic fatty acid β-oxidation, and amino acid degradation were associated with coronary artery calcium score.Conclusions: This study provides evidence of an association of a gut microbiota composition characterized by increased abundance of Streptococcus spp and other species commonly found in the oral cavity with coronary atherosclerosis and systemic inflammation markers. Further longitudinal and experimental studies are warranted to explore the potential implications of a bacterial component in atherogenesis.
2.
Ursing, Johan, et al.
(författare)
High-Dose Chloroquine for Treatment of Chloroquine-Resistant Plasmodium falciparum Malaria
2016
Ingår i: Journal of Infectious Diseases. - : Oxford University Press (OUP). - 0022-1899 .- 1537-6613. ; 213:8, s. 1315-1321
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat) abstract
Background. Due to development of multidrug-resistant Plasmodium falciparum new antimalarial therapies are needed. In Guinea-Bissau, routinely used triple standard-dose chloroquine remained effective for decades despite the existence of "chloroquine-resistant" P. falciparum. This study aimed to determine the in vivo efficacy of higher chloroquine concentrations against P. falciparum with resistance-conferring genotypes. Methods. Standard or double-dose chloroquine was given to 892 children aged < 15 years with uncomplicated malaria during 3 clinical trials (2001-2008) with >= 35 days follow-up. The P. falciparum resistance-conferring genotype (pfcrt 76T) and day 7 chloroquine concentrations were determined. Data were divided into age groups (< 5, 5-9, and 10-14 years) because concentrations increase with age when chloroquine is prescribed according to body weight. Results. Adequate clinical and parasitological responses were 14%, 38%, and 39% after standard-dose and 66%, 84%, and 91% after double-dose chloroquine in children aged < 5, 5-9, and 10-14 years, respectively, and infected with P. falciparum genotypes conferring chloroquine resistance (n = 195, P < .001). In parallel, median chloroquine concentrations were 471, 688, and 809 nmol/L for standard-dose and 1040, 1494, and 1585 nmol/L for double-dose chloroquine. Conclusions. Chloroquine resistance is dose dependent and can be overcome by higher, still well-tolerated doses.
3.
LeBlanc, Neil, et al.
(författare)
A novel combination of TaqMan RT-PCR and a suspension microarray assay for the detection and species identification of pestiviruses
2010
Ingår i: Veterinary Microbiology. - : Elsevier BV. - 0378-1135 .- 1873-2542. ; 142:1-2, s. 81-86
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat) abstract
The genus pestivirus contains four recognized species: classical swine fever virus, border disease virus, bovine viral diarrhoea virus types 1 and 2. All are economically important and globally distributed but classical swine fever is the most serious, concerning losses and control measures. It affects both domestic pigs and wild boars. Outbreaks of this disease in domestic pigs call for the most serious measures of disease control, including a stamping out policy in Europe. Since all the members of the pestivirus genus can infect swine, differential diagnosis using traditional methods poses some problems. Antibody tests may lack specificity due to cross-reactions, antigen capture ELISAs may have low sensitivity, and virus isolation may take several days or even longer time to complete. PCR-based tests overcome these problems for the most part, but in general lack the multiplexing capability to detect and differentiate all the pestiviruses simultaneously. The assay platform described here addresses all of these issues by combining the advantages of real-time PCR with the multiplexing capability of microarray technology. The platform includes a TaqMan real-time PCR designed for the universal detection of pestiviruses and a microarray assay that can use the amplicons produced in the real-time PCR to identify the specific pestivirus.
