JMM Profiles
Journal of Medical Microbiology is now publishing ‘JMM Profiles’ in one of three categories; Pathogen Profile, Antimicrobial Profile and Diagnostic Profile. These articles will provide a brief summary review in each of these areas. The profiles are fully citable and free to read for 30 days after publication, and will make an excellent resource for education or reference.
Collection Contents
21 - 31 of 31 results
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JMM Profile: Louping ill virus
More LessLouping ill virus (LIV) is a single-stranded, positive-sense RNA virus within the genus Flavivirus that is transmitted to vertebrate hosts by bites from infected ticks, the arthropod vector. The virus affects livestock in upland areas of Great Britain and Ireland, resulting in a febrile illness that can progress to fatal encephalitis. Prevention of the disease is facilitated by combining acaricide treatment, land management and vaccination strategies. However, vaccines have been discontinued in recent years. Although rare, LIV can be transmitted to and cause disease in humans. Consequently, LIV infection is a threat to human and veterinary health and can impact on the rural economy.
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JMM Profile: Tick-borne encephalitis virus
More LessTick-borne encephalitis (TBE) is caused by a neurotropic flavivirus, transmitted by the bite of Ixodes species tick vectors, and is increasing in incidence and expanding its geographical range throughout Eurasia and the Far East. Most infections are asymptomatic. However, between 2 and 30 % of cases may develop into severe neurological disease, long-term neurological sequelae or death. Diagnosis is based upon clinical signs of neurological disease and demonstration of virus-specific IgM and IgG antibodies. There is no specific antiviral treatment and supportive care is required for the various manifestations of disease. Vaccination is an effective way of preventing disease.
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JMM profile: Loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP): for the rapid detection of nucleic acid targets in resource-limited settings
More LessLoop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) is a rapid alternative to PCR, in which the reaction occurs at one temperature and uses a polymerase with high displacement activity, e.g. Bacillus stearothermophilus DNA polymerase I (Bst) or homologues. Since the discovery of LAMP in 2000, several applications have been developed to employ this technique in the rapid detection of nucleic acid targets and enhance its performance. Improvements to the LAMP technique and a variety of innovative detection methods have led to its application for a wide range of targets in medical and veterinary microbiology, particularly in resource-poor settings. The key advantages of LAMP-based diagnostics include the ability to rapidly detect target nucleic acid sequences within 30 min and its ease of use, facilitating its application in field, bedside, pen-side, point-of-care and point-of-need diagnostic settings. LAMP can be a valuable tool to aid in the detection and management of disease outbreaks.
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JMM Profile: Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae: a major cause of lung disease in pigs but difficult to control and eradicate
More LessThe Gram-negative bacterium Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae is the causative agent of pleuropneumonia in pigs, its only known natural host. Typical symptoms of peracute disease include fever, apathy and anorexia, and time from infection to death may only be 6 h. Severe lung lesions result from presence of one or two of the ApxI-III toxins. Control is through good husbandry practice, vaccines and antibiotic use. Culture and presence of the species-specific apxIV gene by PCR confirms diagnosis, and identification of serovar, of which 19 are known, informs on appropriate vaccine use and epidemiology.
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JMM Profile: Carbapenems: a broad-spectrum antibiotic
More LessCarbapenems are potent members of the β-lactam family that inhibit bacterial cell-wall biosynthesis inhibitors . They are highly effective against Gram-negative and Gram-positive drug-resistant infections . As such, carbapenems are typically reserved as an antibiotic of last resort. The WHO lists meropenem as an essential medicine. Nausea and vomiting are reported in ≤20% of carbapenem recipients, with 1.5% suffering seizures. Enzymatic hydrolysis of the β-lactam ring is the main driver of clinical resistance. These enzymes can be classified as Class A, B and D. Classes A and D are serine β-lactamases, whereas Class B rely on metal-mediated hydrolysis, typically through zinc.
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JMM Profile: Streptococcus pneumoniae: sugar-coated captain of the men of death
More LessStreptococcus pneumoniae is a highly adept human pathogen. A frequent asymptomatic member of the respiratory microbiota, the pneumococcus has a remarkable capacity to cause mucosal (pneumonia and otitis media) and invasive diseases (bacteremia, meningitis). In addition, the organism utilizes a vast battery of virulence factors for tissue and immune evasion. Though recognized as a significant cause of pneumonia for over a century, efforts to develop more effective vaccines remain ongoing. The pathogen’s inherent capacity to exchange genetic material is critical to the pneumococcus’ success. This feature historically facilitated essential discoveries in genetics and is vital for disseminating antibiotic resistance and vaccine evasion.
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JMM Profile: Bordetella pertussis and whooping cough (pertussis): still a significant cause of infant morbidity and mortality, but vaccine-preventable
More LessWhooping cough (pertussis) is a highly contagious respiratory bacterial infection caused by Bordetella pertussis and is an important cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, particularly in infants. Bordetella parapertussis can cause a similar, but usually less severe pertussis-like disease. Bordetella pertussis has a number of virulence factors including adhesins and toxins which allow the organism to bind to ciliated epithelial cells in the upper respiratory tract and interfere with host clearance mechanisms. Typical symptoms of pertussis include paroxysmal cough with characteristic whoop and vomiting. Severe complications and deaths occur mostly in infants. Laboratory confirmation can be performed by isolation, detection of genomic DNA or specific antibodies. Childhood vaccination is safe, effective and remains the best control method available. Many countries have replaced whole-cell pertussis vaccines (wP) with acellular pertussis vaccines (aP). Waning protection following immunisation with aP is considered to be more rapid than that from wP. Deployed by resource-rich countries to date, maternal immunisation programmes have also demonstrated high efficacy in preventing hospitalisation and death in infants by passive immunisation through transplacental transfer of maternal antibodies.
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JMM Profile: Vibrio cholerae: an opportunist of human crises
More LessVibrio cholerae O1 is the aetiological agent of the severe diarrhoeal disease cholera. Annually, there are an estimated 1–4 million cholera cases worldwide and over 140 000 deaths. The primary mode of disease transmission is through the consumption of water or food contaminated with the bacterium. Although cholera patients can be treated effectively using rehydration therapy, the disease remains a major scourge in areas with limited access to clean water and proper sanitation. Its continued prevalence highlights the failure of socioeconomic policies leading to wealth disparities, fragile and dated public infrastructure, and lack of appropriate health surveillance.
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JMM Profile: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)
More LessThe severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) virus is the cause of an infection known as coronavirus infectious disease 2019 (COVID-19). COVID-19 has become a global source of morbidity, mortality and social disruption since its emergence in East Asia in late 2019 and subsequent pandemic spread. Typical symptoms include cough, sore throat, fever, and sudden loss of taste and smell. Persistent, post-infection sequelae have been noted in a minority of cases. Severe complications and deaths occur mostly in older adults. Laboratory confirmation can be performed by viral RNA and antigen detection in nasal swabs or by detecting specific neutralizing antibodies. There is no effective and approved antiviral treatment, but several vaccines with favourable safety and efficacy profiles are being used in mass vaccination programmes. Vaccine-based COVID control should be seen as an addition to existing hygiene measures such as physical distancing, increased hand hygiene, cough etiquette, and barrier protection with personal protective equipment for frontline healthcare workers and other high-risk professions.
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