21 results on '"Parrott, Gretchen"'
Search Results
2. Analysis of bronchoalveolar lavage samples collected from 30 patients with drug-induced pneumonitis
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Yamauchi, Momoko, Haranaga, Shusaku, Parrott, Gretchen, Kinjo, Takeshi, Yamashiro, Tsuneo, Tsubakimoto, Maho, Ohtsu, Hiroshi, Ueda, Shinichiro, and Fujita, Jiro
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- 2020
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3. Clinical Features of Human Metapneumovirus Pneumonia in Non-Immunocompromised Patients : An Investigation of Three Long-Term Care Facility Outbreaks
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Karimata, Yosuke, Kinjo, Takeshi, Parrott, Gretchen, Uehara, Ayako, Nabeya, Daijiro, Haranaga, Shusaku, Higa, Futoshi, Tateyama, Masao, Miyagawa, Keiko, Kishaba, Tomoo, Otani, Kanako, Okamoto, Michiko, Nishimura, Hidekazu, and Fujita, Jiro
- Published
- 2018
4. Etiological analysis and epidemiological comparison among adult CAP and NHCAP patients in Okinawa, Japan
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Parrott, Gretchen, Nebeya, Daijiro, Kinjo, Takeshi, Miyagi, Kazuya, Haranaga, Shusaku, Higa, Futoshi, Tateyama, Masao, and Fujita, Jiro
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- 2017
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5. Normal serum IgE levels and eosinophil counts exhibited during Strongyloides stercoralis infection
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Higashiarakawa, Miwa, Hirata, Tetsuo, Tanaka, Teruhisa, Parrott, Gretchen, Kinjo, Tetsu, Naka, Hidekatsu, Hokama, Akira, and Fujita, Jiro
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- 2017
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6. Correlations between extent of X-ray infiltration and levels of serum C-reactive protein in adult non-severe community-acquired pneumonia
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Tamayose, Maki, Fujita, Jiro, Parrott, Gretchen, Miyagi, Kazuya, Maeshiro, Tatsuji, Hirata, Tetsuo, Higa, Futoshi, Tateyama, Masao, Watanabe, Akira, Aoki, Nobuki, Niki, Yoshihito, Kadota, Jun-ichi, Yanagihara, Katsunori, Kaku, Mitsuo, Hori, Seiji, and Kohno, Shigeru
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- 2015
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7. Evaluation of Anyplex™ II RV16 and RB5 real-time RT-PCR compared to Seeplex® RV15 OneStep ACE and PneumoBacter ACE for the simultaneous detection of upper respiratory pathogens
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Parrott, Gretchen, Kinjo, Takeshi, Nabeya, Daijiro, Uehara, Ayako, Nahar, Saifun, Miyagi, Kazuya, Haranaga, Shusaku, Tateyama, Masao, and Fujita, Jiro
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- 2017
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8. Diagnostic performance of serum interferon gamma, matrix metalloproteinases, and periostin measurements for pulmonary tuberculosis in Japanese patients with pneumonia.
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Yamauchi, Momoko, Kinjo, Takeshi, Parrott, Gretchen, Miyagi, Kazuya, Haranaga, Shusaku, Nakayama, Yuko, Chibana, Kenji, Fujita, Kaori, Nakamoto, Atsushi, Higa, Futoshi, Owan, Isoko, Yonemoto, Koji, and Fujita, Jiro
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INTERFERON gamma ,TUBERCULOSIS ,TUBERCULOSIS patients ,PNEUMONIA ,PERIOSTIN ,MATRIX metalloproteinases ,METALLOPROTEINASES - Abstract
Serum markers that differentiate between tuberculous and non-tuberculous pneumonia would be clinically useful. However, few serum markers have been investigated for their association with either disease. In this study, serum levels of interferon gamma (IFN-γ), matrix metalloproteinases 1 and 9 (MMP-1 and MMP-9, respectively), and periostin were compared between 40 pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) and 28 non-tuberculous pneumonia (non-PTB) patients. Diagnostic performance was assessed by analysis of receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curves and classification trees. Serum IFN-γ and MMP-1 levels were significantly higher and serum MMP-9 levels significantly lower in PTB than in non-PTB patients (p < 0.001, p = 0.002, p < 0.001, respectively). No significant difference was observed in serum periostin levels between groups. ROC curve analysis could not determine the appropriate cut-off value with high sensitivity and specificity; therefore, a classification tree method was applied. This method identified patients with limited infiltration into three groups with statistical significance (p = 0.01), and those with MMP-1 levels < 0.01 ng/mL and periostin levels ≥ 118.8 ng/mL included only non-PTB patients (95% confidence interval 0.0–41.0). Patients with extensive infiltration were also divided into three groups with statistical significance (p < 0.001), and those with MMP-9 levels < 3.009 ng/mL included only PTB patients (95% confidence interval 76.8–100.0). In conclusion, the novel classification tree developed using MMP-1, MMP-9, and periostin data distinguished PTB from non-PTB patients. Further studies are needed to validate our cut-off values and the overall clinical usefulness of these markers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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- 2020
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9. Comparison of two screening tests for HIV-Associated Neurocognitive Disorder suspected Japanese patients with respect to cART usage.
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Kami-Onaga, Kaoru, Tateyama, Masao, Kinjo, Takeshi, Parrott, Gretchen, Tominaga, Daisuke, Takahashi-Nakazato, Ai, Nakamura, Hideta, Tasato, Daisuke, Miyagi, Kyoko, Maeda, Saori, Arae, Hirotaka, Uehara, Hitoshi, Miyagi, Kazuya, Haranaga, Shusaku, and Fujita, Jiro
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COGNITION disorders diagnosis ,DIAGNOSIS of HIV infections ,MINI-Mental State Examination ,MEDICAL screening ,COMPARATIVE studies - Abstract
In this study, we demonstrated the pervasiveness of HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND) among a selection of Japanese patients as well as evaluated and compared the Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) and the International HIV Dementia Scale (IHDS) for use as a screening tool among combination anti-retroviral therapy (cART)-naïve and cART experienced patients. The MMSE and the IHDS have both been used as HAND screening tests around the world with variable success. It has been reported the increased usage of cART the utility of these screening tests may have been diminished due to the decreased severity of impairment and the altered pattern of neurocognitive impairments in cART era HAND patients. It is therefore possible the MMSE and the IHDS may still be useful among cART-naïve patients even in the cART era. However, only one study has investigated and compared the screening results of the IHDS among cART-naïve and cART experienced patients. All HIV positive patients who visited, or were admitted, to the Ryukyu University Hospital between January 2009 and March 2014 were evaluated for inclusion. Selected patients (n = 49) had data without omission for all tests. The overall prevalence of HAND in our cohort was 44%. The area under the curve (AUC), for all subjects using the MMSE and the IHDS, were 0.60 and 0.69, respectively. However, the AUC among cART-naïve patients were 0.58 and 0.76 for the MMSE and the IHDS, respectively. Whereas, cART experienced patients had an AUC of 0.60 and 0.61, respectively. Overall, the MMSE demonstrated a poor screening ability for HAND, regardless of cART usage (the cut-off value of 27 had a Youden's J-Index of 0.1, in all groups). Alternatively, the IHDS was moderately useful for HAND screening among cART-naïve patients (the cut-off value of 11 had a Youden's J-Index of 0.4), but performed poorly as a screening test among cART experienced patients (the cut-off value of 11 had a Youden's J-Index of 0.1). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2018
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10. Distribution of cytomegalovirus genotypes among ulcerative colitis patients in Okinawa, Japan.
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Nahar, Saifun, Akira Hokama, Atsushi Iraha, Tetsuya Ohira, Tetsu Kinjo, Tetsuo Hirata, Takeshi Kinjo, Parrott, Gretchen L., and Jiro Fujita
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ULCERATIVE colitis ,CYTOMEGALOVIRUSES ,PATIENTS - Abstract
Background/Aims: To determine the prevalence of glycoprotein B (gB), glycoprotein N (gN), and glycoprotein H (gH) genotypes of human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) superimposed on ulcerative colitis (UC) patients in Japan. Methods: Four archived stool samples and 7-archived extracted DNA from stool samples of 11 UC patients with positive multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) results for HCMV were used UL55 gene encoding gB, UL73 gene encoding gN, and UL75 gene encoding gH were identified by PCR. Genotypes of gB and glycoprotein N were determined by sequencing. Results: Among 11 samples, 8 samples were amplified through PCR. gB, gN, and gH genotypes were successfully detected in 3 of 8 (37.5%), 4 of 8 (50%), and 8 of 8 (100%), respectively. The distribution of gB and gN genotypes analyzed through phylogenetic analysis were as follows: gB1 (2/3, 66.7%), gB3 (1/3, 33.3%), gN3a (2/4, 50%), and gN3b (2/4, 50%). Other gB genotypes (gB2 and gB4) and gN genotypes (gN1, gN2, and gN4) were not detected in this study. Out of successfully amplified 8 samples of gH genotype, gH1 and gH2 were distributed in 12.5% and 75% samples, respectively. Only 1 sample revealed mixed infection of gH genotype. The distribution of gH1 and gH2 differed significantly (1:6, P <0.05) in UC patients. The distribution of single gH genotype also revealed significant difference in UC patients who were treated with immunosuppressive drug (P <0.05). Conclusions: In this study, gB1, gN3, and gH2 gene were determined as the most frequently observed genotypes in UC patients, which suggest that there might be an association between these genotypes of HCMV and UC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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- 2018
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11. The clinical and phylogenetic investigation for a nosocomial outbreak of respiratory syncytial virus infection in an adult hemato-oncology unit.
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Nabeya, Daijiro, Kinjo, Takeshi, Parrott, Gretchen Lynn, Uehara, Ayako, Motooka, Daisuke, Nakamura, Shota, Nahar, Saifun, Nakachi, Sawako, Nakamatsu, Masashi, Maeshiro, Sakuko, Haranaga, Shusaku, Tateyama, Masao, Tomoyose, Takeaki, Masuzaki, Hiroaki, Horii, Toshihiro, and Fujita, Jiro
- Abstract
Although many reports have already shown RSV outbreaks among hemato-oncology patients, genomic studies detecting similar RSV strains prior to an outbreak in the hospital are rare. In 2014, the University of the Ryukyus hospital hemato-oncology unit experienced, and successfully managed, a respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) nosocomial outbreak. During the outbreak investigation, genotyping and phylogenetic analysis was used to identify a potential source for the outbreak. Nasopharyngeal swabs were tested for RSV using three tests: (1) rapid antigen test (RAT); (2) reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (PCR); or (3) quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR); a positive PCR reaction was considered a confirmed case of RSV. Phylogenetic analysis of the G protein was performed for outbreak and reference samples from non-outbreak periods of the same year. In total, 12 confirmed cases were identified, including 8 hemato-oncology patients. Patient samples were collected weekly, until all confirmed RSV cases returned RSV negative test results. Median time of suspected viral shedding was 16 days (n = 5, range: 8-37 days). Sensitivity and specificity of the RAT compared with RT-qPCR were 30% and 91% (n = 42). Phylogenetic analysis revealed nine genetically identical strains; eight occurring during the outbreak time period and one strain was detected 1 month prior. A genetically similar RSV detected 1 month before is considered one potential source of this outbreak. As such, healthcare providers should always enforce standard precautions, especially in the hemato-oncology unit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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- 2017
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12. Pulmonary strongyloidiasis: assessment between manifestation and radiological findings in 16 severe strongyloidiasis cases.
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Daijiro Nabeya, Shusaku Haranaga, Parrott, Gretchen Lynn, Takeshi Kinjo, Saifun Nahar, Teruhisa Tanaka, Tetsuo Hirata, Akira Hokama, Masao Tateyama, Jiro Fujita, Nabeya, Daijiro, Haranaga, Shusaku, Kinjo, Takeshi, Nahar, Saifun, Tanaka, Teruhisa, Hirata, Tetsuo, Hokama, Akira, Tateyama, Masao, and Fujita, Jiro
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STRONGYLOIDIASIS ,LUNG diseases ,RADIOLOGY ,SYNDROMES ,PARASITIC diseases - Abstract
Background: Strongyloidiasis is a chronic parasitic infection caused by Strongyloides stercoralis. Severe cases such as, hyperinfection syndrome (HS) and disseminated strongyloidiasis (DS), can involve pulmonary manifestations. These manifestations frequently aid the diagnosis of strongyloidiasis. Here, we present the pulmonary manifestations and radiological findings of severe strongyloidiasis.Methods: From January 2004 to December 2014, all patients diagnosed with severe strongyloidiasis at the University of the Ryukyus Hospital or affiliated hospitals in Okinawa, Japan, were included in this retrospective study. All diagnoses were confirmed by the microscopic or histopathological identification of larvae. Severe strongyloidiasis was defined by the presence of any of the following: 1) the identification of S. stercoralis from extra gastrointestinal specimens, 2) sepsis, 3) meningitis, 4) acute respiratory failure, or 5) respiratory tract hemorrhage. Patients were assigned to either HS or DS. Medical records were further reviewed to extract related clinical features and radiological findings.Results: Sixteen severe strongyloidiasis cases were included. Of those, fifteen cases had pulmonary manifestations, eight had acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) (53%), seven had enteric bacterial pneumonia (46%) and five had pulmonary hemorrhage (33%). Acute respiratory failure was a common indicator for pulmonary manifestation (87%). Chest X-ray findings frequently showed diffuse shadows (71%). Additionally, ileum gas was detected for ten of the sixteen cases in the upper abdomen during assessment with chest X-ray. While, chest CT findings frequently showed ground-glass opacity (GGO) in 89% of patients. Interlobular septal thickening was also frequently shown (67%), always accompanying GGO in upper lobes.Conclusions: In summary, our study described HS/DS cases with pulmonary manifestations including, ARDS, bacterial pneumonia and pulmonary hemorrhage. Chest X-ray findings in HS/DS cases frequently showed diffuse shadows, and the combination of GGO and interlobular septal thickening in chest CT was common in HS/DS, regardless of accompanying pulmonary manifestations. This CT finding suggests alveolar hemorrhage could be used as a potential marker indicating the transition from latent to symptomatic state. Respiratory specimens are especially useful for detecting larvae in cases of HS/DS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]- Published
- 2017
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13. Relationship Among Strongyloides stercoralis Infection, Human T-Cell Lymphotropic Virus Type 1 Infection, and Cancer: A 24-Year Cohort Inpatient Study in Okinawa, Japan.
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Teruhisa Tanaka, Tetsuo Hirata, Parrott, Gretchen, Miwa Higashiarakawa, Takeshi Kinjo, Tetsu Kinjo, Akira Hokama, and Jiro Fujita
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- 2016
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14. Chest Computed Tomography Abnormalities and Their Relationship to the Clinical Manifestation of Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infection in a Genetically Confirmed Outbreak.
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Nabeya D, Kinjo T, Parrott GL, Nakachi S, Yamashiro T, Ikemiyagi N, Arakaki W, Masuzaki H, and Fujita J
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- Aged, Disease Outbreaks, Humans, Japan epidemiology, Middle Aged, Respiratory Sounds, Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infections epidemiology, Respiratory Tract Infections epidemiology, Retrospective Studies, Tomography, X-Ray Computed methods, Young Adult, Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infections diagnostic imaging, Respiratory Tract Infections diagnostic imaging
- Abstract
Studies reporting chest images of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)-induced lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI) in an outbreak setting and their relationship to the clinical manifestation are limited. During a genetically confirmed RSV outbreak, eight patients underwent both chest X-ray and computed tomography (CT). Among these, 5 cases had newly appearing abnormalities on CT, although chest X-ray was able to detect abnormalities in only 2 cases (40%). Although bronchial wall thickening was common, other findings and their distribution were variable, even in an outbreak setting. All patients with both a history of anticancer chemotherapy against hematological cancer and lower respiratory symptoms, such as wheezing, sputum, and hypoxemia, had abnormalities on CT, suggesting that these two factors might be important for predicting the existence of LRTI in RSV-infected patients.
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- 2020
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15. Pulmonary strongyloidiasis: assessment between manifestation and radiological findings in 16 severe strongyloidiasis cases.
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Nabeya D, Haranaga S, Parrott GL, Kinjo T, Nahar S, Tanaka T, Hirata T, Hokama A, Tateyama M, and Fujita J
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- Adult, Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Animals, Female, Hemorrhage parasitology, Humans, Larva, Lung Diseases diagnostic imaging, Male, Middle Aged, Respiratory Distress Syndrome parasitology, Retrospective Studies, Strongyloides stercoralis pathogenicity, Lung Diseases parasitology, Strongyloidiasis diagnostic imaging, Strongyloidiasis etiology
- Abstract
Background: Strongyloidiasis is a chronic parasitic infection caused by Strongyloides stercoralis. Severe cases such as, hyperinfection syndrome (HS) and disseminated strongyloidiasis (DS), can involve pulmonary manifestations. These manifestations frequently aid the diagnosis of strongyloidiasis. Here, we present the pulmonary manifestations and radiological findings of severe strongyloidiasis., Methods: From January 2004 to December 2014, all patients diagnosed with severe strongyloidiasis at the University of the Ryukyus Hospital or affiliated hospitals in Okinawa, Japan, were included in this retrospective study. All diagnoses were confirmed by the microscopic or histopathological identification of larvae. Severe strongyloidiasis was defined by the presence of any of the following: 1) the identification of S. stercoralis from extra gastrointestinal specimens, 2) sepsis, 3) meningitis, 4) acute respiratory failure, or 5) respiratory tract hemorrhage. Patients were assigned to either HS or DS. Medical records were further reviewed to extract related clinical features and radiological findings., Results: Sixteen severe strongyloidiasis cases were included. Of those, fifteen cases had pulmonary manifestations, eight had acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) (53%), seven had enteric bacterial pneumonia (46%) and five had pulmonary hemorrhage (33%). Acute respiratory failure was a common indicator for pulmonary manifestation (87%). Chest X-ray findings frequently showed diffuse shadows (71%). Additionally, ileum gas was detected for ten of the sixteen cases in the upper abdomen during assessment with chest X-ray. While, chest CT findings frequently showed ground-glass opacity (GGO) in 89% of patients. Interlobular septal thickening was also frequently shown (67%), always accompanying GGO in upper lobes., Conclusions: In summary, our study described HS/DS cases with pulmonary manifestations including, ARDS, bacterial pneumonia and pulmonary hemorrhage. Chest X-ray findings in HS/DS cases frequently showed diffuse shadows, and the combination of GGO and interlobular septal thickening in chest CT was common in HS/DS, regardless of accompanying pulmonary manifestations. This CT finding suggests alveolar hemorrhage could be used as a potential marker indicating the transition from latent to symptomatic state. Respiratory specimens are especially useful for detecting larvae in cases of HS/DS.
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- 2017
- Full Text
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16. Comparative epidemiology of influenza A and B viral infection in a subtropical region: a 7-year surveillance in Okinawa, Japan.
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Iha Y, Kinjo T, Parrott G, Higa F, Mori H, and Fujita J
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- Adolescent, Child, Child, Preschool, Climate, Disease Outbreaks, Humans, Humidity, Infant, Infant, Newborn, Alphainfluenzavirus pathogenicity, Betainfluenzavirus pathogenicity, Japan epidemiology, Pandemics, Retrospective Studies, Seasons, Young Adult, Influenza, Human epidemiology, Influenza, Human virology
- Abstract
Background: The epidemic patterns of influenza B infection and their association with climate conditions are not well understood. Influenza surveillance in Okinawa is important for clarifying transmission patterns in both temperate and tropical regions. Using surveillance data, collected over 7 years in the subtropical region of Japan, this study aims to characterize the epidemic patterns of influenza B infection and its association with ambient temperature and relative humidity, in a parallel comparison with influenza A., Methods: From January 2007 until March 2014, two individual influenza surveillance datasets were collected from external sources. The first dataset, included weekly rapid antigen test (RAT) results from four representative general hospitals, located in the capital city of Okinawa. A nation-wide surveillance of influenza, diagnosed by RAT results and/or influenza-like illness symptoms, included the age distribution of affected patients and was used as the second dataset. To analyze the association between infection and local climate conditions, ambient temperature and relative humidity during the study period were retrieved from the Japanese Meteorological Agency website., Results: Although influenza A maintained high number of infections from December through March, epidemics of influenza B infection were observed annually from March through July. The only observed exception was 2010, when the pandemic strain of 2009 dominated. During influenza B outbreaks, influenza patients aged 5 to 9 years old and 10 to 14 years old more frequently visited sentinel sites. Although both ambient temperature and relative humidity are inversely associated with influenza A infection, influenza B infection was found to be directly associated with high relative humidity., Conclusion: Further studies are needed to elucidate the complex epidemiology of influenza B and its relationship with influenza A. In the subtropical setting of Okinawa, epidemics of influenza B infection occur from March to July following the influenza A epidemic, and primarily affect school-age children. These findings help to define unknown aspects of influenza B and can inform healthcare decisions for patients located outside temperate regions.
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- 2016
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17. Factors associated with visceral fat accumulation in the general population in Okinawa, Japan.
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Arakaki S, Maeshiro T, Hokama A, Hoshino K, Maruwaka S, Higashiarakawa M, Parrott G, Hirata T, Kinjo K, and Fujita J
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Aim: To investigate the clinical and biochemical factors associated with visceral fat accumulation in the general population., Methods: We enrolled 1004 subjects who underwent a medical health checkup between April 2008 and March 2009. The medical health checkup included the following tests: Height, body weight, waist circumference (WC), systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, urinalysis, blood-cell counts, blood chemistry, electrocardiography, chest radiography, and abdominal computed tomography (CT) for visceral fat accumulation. The patients' medical history and lifestyle factors were collected privately by nurses using a self-administered questionnaire, and they included questions regarding physical activity, sleep duration, dietary habits, smoking, and alcohol consumption. Visceral fat area (VFA) was defined as the sum of the intraperitoneal fat area at the level of the umbilicus with CT density in the range of -150 to -50 Hounsfield units., Results: The mean age and body mass index (BMI) of the study subjects were 57.0 years and 24.4 kg/m(2). In both male and females, VFA was significantly and positively correlated with WC (r = 0.532, P < 0.01; r = 0.612, P < 0.01). Subjects with high levels of VFA were primarily male with significantly higher age, height, body weight, BMI, systolic blood pressure (BP), diastolic BP, and hemoglobin in all subjects (P < 0.05). A multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that VFA had a positive relationship with age ≥ 56, BMI ≥ 25 kg/m(2), and triglyceride level ≥ 149 in males (P < 0.05), whereas it had a positive relationship with age ≥ 58, BMI ≥ 24.4 kg/m(2), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol level < 40 mg/dL, and current drinking in females (P < 0.05)., Conclusion: These results suggest that gender differences exist in the clinical and biochemical parameters associated with visceral fat accumulation.
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- 2016
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18. A Compendium for Mycoplasma pneumoniae.
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Parrott GL, Kinjo T, and Fujita J
- Abstract
Historically, atypical pneumonia was a term used to describe an unusual presentation of pneumonia. Currently, it is used to describe the multitude of symptoms juxtaposing the classic symptoms found in cases of pneumococcal pneumonia. Specifically, atypical pneumonia is a syndrome resulting from a relatively common group of pathogens including Chlamydophila sp., and Mycoplasma pneumoniae. The incidence of M. pneumoniae pneumonia in adults is less than the burden experienced by children. Transmission rates among families indicate children may act as a reservoir and maintain contagiousness over a long period of time ranging from months to years. In adults, M. pneumoniae typically produces a mild, "walking" pneumonia and is considered to be one of the causes of persistent cough in patients. M. pneumoniae has also been shown to trigger the exacerbation of other lung diseases. It has been repeatedly detected in patients with bronchitis, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder, and cystic fibrosis. Recent advances in technology allow for the rapid diagnosis of M. pneumoniae through the use of polymerase chain reaction or rapid antigen tests. With this, more effort has been afforded to identify the causative etiologic agent in all cases of pneumonia. However, previous practices, including the overprescribing of macrolide treatment in China and Japan, have created increased incidence of macrolide-resistant M. pneumoniae. Reports from these countries indicate that >85% of M. pneumoniae pneumonia pediatric cases are macrolide-resistant. Despite its extensively studied past, the smallest bacterial species still inspires some of the largest questions. The developments in microbiology, diagnostic features and techniques, epidemiology, treatment and vaccines, and upper respiratory conditions associated with M. pneumoniae in adult populations are included within this review.
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- 2016
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19. Relationship Among Strongyloides stercoralis Infection, Human T-Cell Lymphotropic Virus Type 1 Infection, and Cancer: A 24-Year Cohort Inpatient Study in Okinawa, Japan.
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Tanaka T, Hirata T, Parrott G, Higashiarakawa M, Kinjo T, Kinjo T, Hokama A, and Fujita J
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- Adolescent, Adult, Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Animals, Child, Cohort Studies, Female, Humans, Japan epidemiology, Male, Middle Aged, Neoplasms epidemiology, Odds Ratio, Prevalence, Retrospective Studies, Strongyloidiasis epidemiology, Strongyloidiasis parasitology, Time Factors, Young Adult, HTLV-I Infections complications, Human T-lymphotropic virus 1 isolation & purification, Neoplasms complications, Strongyloides stercoralis, Strongyloidiasis complications
- Abstract
This study evaluated the prevalence of Strongyloides stercoralis infection and human T-cell lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1) infection in the population. In addition, this study investigated the relationship between S. stercoralis infection or HTLV-1 infection and a patient's risk of developing related cancers. This is a retrospective cohort study of 5,209 patients. The prevalence of S. stercoralis infection was 5.2% among all patients. The prevalence among men (6.3%) was significantly higher than among women (3.6%, P < 0.001). The prevalence of HTLV-1 infection among this population was 13.6% and the prevalence among women (15.5%) was significantly higher than that of men (12.3%, P < 0.001). HTLV-1 seroprevalence was higher in patients with liver cancer (P = 0.003, odds ratio [OR]: 1.91, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.24, 2.95) and in those with lymphoma other than adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATLL) (P = 0.005, adjusted OR: 2.76, 95% CI: 1.36, 5.62) if compared with patients without any neoplasm. The prevalence of both S. stercoralis and HTLV-1 in the Okinawan population has been steadily decreasing over the past 24 years. HTLV-1 infection significantly increases the odds of developing liver cancer and lymphomas other than ATLL., (© The American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene.)
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- 2016
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20. An Epidemiological Analysis of Summer Influenza Epidemics in Okinawa.
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Sunagawa S, Iha Y, Taira K, Okano S, Kinjo T, Higa F, Kuba K, Tateyama M, Nakamura K, Nakamura S, Motooka D, Horii T, Parrott GL, and Fujita J
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- Climate, Epidemics prevention & control, Genetic Variation, Humans, Incidence, Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype genetics, Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype immunology, Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype isolation & purification, Influenza A Virus, H3N2 Subtype genetics, Influenza A Virus, H3N2 Subtype immunology, Influenza A Virus, H3N2 Subtype isolation & purification, Influenza B virus genetics, Influenza B virus immunology, Influenza B virus isolation & purification, Influenza, Human immunology, Japan epidemiology, Phylogeny, Population Surveillance, Epidemics statistics & numerical data, Influenza, Human epidemiology, Influenza, Human virology, Seasons
- Abstract
Objective This study evaluates the difference between winter influenza and summer influenza in Okinawa. Methods From January 2007 to June 2014, weekly rapid antigen test (RAT) results performed in four acute care hospitals were collected for the surveillance of regional influenza prevalence in the Naha region of the Okinawa Islands. Results An antigenic data analysis revealed that multiple H1N1 and H3N2 viruses consistently co-circulate in Okinawa, creating synchronized seasonal patterns and a high genetic diversity of influenza A. Additionally, influenza B viruses play a significant role in summer epidemics, almost every year. To further understand influenza epidemics during the summer in Okinawa, we evaluated the full genome sequences of some representative human influenza A and influenza B viruses isolated in Okinawa. Phylogenetic data analysis also revealed that multiple H1N1 and H3N2 viruses consistently co-circulate in Okinawa. Conclusion This surveillance revealed a distinct epidemic pattern of seasonal and pandemic influenza in this subtropical region.
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- 2016
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21. Evaluation of a multiplex PCR assay for detection of cytomegalovirus in stool samples from patients with ulcerative colitis.
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Nahar S, Iraha A, Hokama A, Uehara A, Parrott G, Ohira T, Kaida M, Kinjo T, Kinjo T, Hirata T, Kinjo N, and Fujita J
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- Adolescent, Adult, Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Colitis, Ulcerative diagnosis, Colitis, Ulcerative immunology, Colonoscopy, Cytomegalovirus isolation & purification, Cytomegalovirus Infections immunology, Cytomegalovirus Infections virology, DNA, Viral isolation & purification, Feasibility Studies, Female, Humans, Immunocompetence, Immunocompromised Host, Male, Middle Aged, Opportunistic Infections immunology, Opportunistic Infections virology, Predictive Value of Tests, Prospective Studies, Reproducibility of Results, Young Adult, Colitis, Ulcerative drug therapy, Cytomegalovirus genetics, Cytomegalovirus Infections diagnosis, DNA, Viral genetics, Feces virology, Immunosuppressive Agents adverse effects, Multiplex Polymerase Chain Reaction, Opportunistic Infections diagnosis, Virology methods
- Abstract
Aim: To evaluate a multiplex PCR assay for the detection of bacterial and viral enteropathogens in stool samples from patients with ulcerative colitis (UC)., Methods: We prospectively analyzed 300 individuals, including immunocompetent patients, immunocompromised patients, and patients with UC. Stool samples were collected from the recto-sigmoid region of the colon by endoscopy. The samples were qualitatively analyzed for bacterial and viral enteropathogens with a multiplex PCR assay using a Seeplex(®) Kit. Additional clinical and laboratory data were collected from the medical records., Results: A multiplex PCR assay detected 397 pathogens (191 bacteria and 206 viruses) in 215 samples (71.7%). The most frequently detected bacteria were Escherichia coli H7, 85 (28.3%); followed by Aeromonas spp., 43 (14.3%); and Clostridium perfringens, 36 (12.0%) samples. The most prevalent viruses were Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), 90 (30.0%); followed by human herpes virus-6 (HHV-6), 53 (17.7%); and cytomegalovirus (CMV), 37 (12.3%) samples. The prevalence rate of CMV infection was significantly higher in the immunocompromised group than in the immunocompetent group (P < 0.01). CMV infection was more common in patients with UC (26/71; 36.6%) than in the immunocompetent patients excluding UC (6/188; 3.2%) (P < 0.01). CMV infection was more prevalent in UC active patients (25/58; 43.1%) than in UC inactive patients (1/13; 7.7%) (P < 0.05). Among 4 groups which defined by the UC activity and immunosuppressive drugs, the prevalence rate of CMV infection was highest in the UC active patients with immunosuppressive drugs (19/34; 55.8%). Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection was more common in the immunocompromised patients excluding UC (18/41; 43.9%) than in the immunocompetent patients excluding UC (47/188; 25.0%) (P < 0.05). The simultaneous presence of CMV and EBV and/or HHV6 in UC active patients (14/58; 24.1%) was greater than in immunocompromised patients excluding UC (5/41; 12.2%) (P < 0.05)., Conclusion: The multiplex PCR assay that was used to analyze the stool samples in this study may serve as a non-invasive approach that can be used to exclude the possibility of CMV infection in patients with active UC who are treated with immunosuppressive therapy.
- Published
- 2015
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