Japanese Journal of Infectious Diseases
Online ISSN : 1884-2836
Print ISSN : 1344-6304
ISSN-L : 1344-6304
Volume 68, Issue 1
Displaying 1-19 of 19 articles from this issue
Original Article
  • Shinje Moon, Yeongseon Hong, Kyu-Jam Hwang, Suyeon Kim, Jihye Eom, Don ...
    Article type: Original Article
    2015 Volume 68 Issue 1 Pages 1-4
    Published: 2015
    Released on J-STAGE: January 26, 2015
    Advance online publication: November 25, 2014
    JOURNAL FREE ACCESS
    Lyme borreliosis is one of the most common tick-borne infections in the northern hemisphere. However, the epidemiological features and clinical manifestations of this disease in Korea are unknown. The present study is the first to investigate the characteristics of Lyme borreliosis in Korea. We traced suspected cases of Lyme borreliosis during the period 2005–2012. Of the 16 identified patients with the disease, 11 had acquired autochthonous infection within Korea, while 5 patients were infected outside Korea. The history of past exposure was investigated in 8 of the 11 patients with autochthonous infection; 5 of these 8 patients (62.5%) were suspected to have acquired the infection in the northeastern alpine region. Clinically, of 11 patients with autochthonous infection, 6 (54.5%) showed early skin manifestations, 4 (36.4%) showed neurological manifestations, and 1 (9.1%) showed acrodermatitis chronica atrophicans. In conclusion, Lyme borreliosis could be endemic in the northeastern alpine region of Korea, and neurological and early skin manifestations are likely to be the major clinical characteristics of autochthonous Lyme borreliosis in Korea.
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  • Tanida Suwalak, Pornpen Srisawasdi, Apichaya Puangpetch, Siwalee Santo ...
    Article type: Original Article
    2015 Volume 68 Issue 1 Pages 5-12
    Published: 2015
    Released on J-STAGE: January 26, 2015
    Advance online publication: November 25, 2014
    JOURNAL FREE ACCESS
    The purpose of this retrospective case-control study was to investigate the frequency of Apolipoprotein E (ApoE) polymorphisms and their influence on antiretroviral therapy (ART)-induced lipodystrophy or dyslipidemia in HIV-infected Thai patients. The clinical characteristics and frequencies of ApoE genotypes were compared between the case (moderate to severe lipodystrophy, n = 67) and control (absent to mild lipodystrophy, n = 18) groups. The ApoE genotype frequencies among the 85 participants were 2.35% (n = 2) for E2/E2, 20% (n = 17) for E2/E3, 9.41% (n = 8) for E2/E4, 36.47% (n = 31) for E3/E3, 30.59% (n = 26) for E3/E4, and 1.18% (n = 1) for E4/E4. None of the ApoE genotypes showed association with ART-induced lipodystrophy. However, the levels of total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-cholesterol), and ApoB were lower in patients carrying the E2 allele but higher in E4 carriers. Interestingly, the ratios between TC and high-density lipoprotein (TC/HDL cholesterol ratio) and ApoB/ApoA-I ratio were significantly higher in the case group. Patients carrying the E2 allele displayed protective lipid profile, while those carrying E4 appeared to be at higher risk of dyslipidemia. In conclusion, ApoE polymorphisms were not associated with lipodystrophy in patients undergoing antiretroviral therapy but influenced lipid alteration.
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  • Md Nazrul Islam Mondal, Nazrul Hoque, Md Rocky Khan Chowdhury, Md Sabb ...
    Article type: Original Article
    2015 Volume 68 Issue 1 Pages 13-19
    Published: 2015
    Released on J-STAGE: January 26, 2015
    Advance online publication: November 25, 2014
    JOURNAL FREE ACCESS
    The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) epidemic continues to be associated with misconceptions and misinformed opinions, which increase the risk of HIV transmission. Therefore, the present study aimed to identify the determinant factors among different socioeconomic and demographic factors affecting misconceptions about HIV transmission among ever-married women in Bangladesh. Data and necessary information of 9,272 ever-married women were extracted from the Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey 2011. Three types of misconceptions were considered. Both bivariate and multivariate analyses were used as the statistical tools to determine the factors affecting misconceptions about HIV transmission. The results revealed that misconceptions are more prevalent among women who are older, less educated, have husbands who are less educated, live in rural areas, have poor economic conditions, and have less access to mass media. The respondent's age, education, husband's education, place of residence, wealth index, and exposure to mass media are significantly associated with the misconceptions. Finally, logistic regression analysis identified age, education, place of residence, wealth index, and exposure to mass media as significant predictors. Because socioeconomic factors are the key determinants of misconceptions about HIV transmission, intervention programs should be aimed at HIV prevention via education and awareness programs to reduce misconceptions as important parts of the prevention strategy.
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  • Kyung-Wook Hong, Hee Jin Cheong, Joon Young Song, Ji Yun Noh, Tae Un Y ...
    Article type: Original Article
    2015 Volume 68 Issue 1 Pages 20-26
    Published: 2015
    Released on J-STAGE: January 26, 2015
    Advance online publication: November 25, 2014
    JOURNAL FREE ACCESS
    This study aims to evaluate and compare the epidemiological patterns and clinical courses of influenza A and B among children and adults. For this purpose, we retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 809 children and 271 adolescents/adults with laboratory-confirmed influenza between October 2011 and May 2012 at a tertiary-care hospital. Children with influenza B presented with high fever (body temperature >39℃), sputum production, diarrhea, nausea/vomiting, and myalgia more frequently than those with influenza A. Children with influenza B also showed longer intervals from symptom onset to the initiation of antivirals and higher rates of antibiotic prescription and hospitalization than those with influenza A. Adults aged 20–59 years accounted for approximately 16% and 20% of patients with influenza A and B, respectively. Although clinical manifestations and outcomes were similar between adult patients with influenza A and those with influenza B, influenza B may cause substantial disease burden among not only children but also socially active adults aged 20–59 years.
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  • Yuuki Nakamura, Tamie Sugawara, Hirokazu Kawanohara, Yasushi Ohkusa, M ...
    Article type: Original Article
    2015 Volume 68 Issue 1 Pages 27-29
    Published: 2015
    Released on J-STAGE: January 26, 2015
    Advance online publication: November 25, 2014
    JOURNAL FREE ACCESS
    Officially, the national official sentinel surveillance of infectious diseases (NOSSID) has been used to estimate the number of influenza patients nationwide; NOSSID is based on the Law Concerning the Prevention of Infectious Diseases and Medical Care for Patients of Infections (the Infectious Diseases Control Law). Prescription Surveillance (PS) has also provided a numerical estimate of influenza patients. This study compared these 2 estimations using NOSSID and PS with the numbers of influenza patients from all electronic medical claims (NDBEMC), which had the nearly-comprehensive data from surveys. Results showed that the estimate from NOSSID was about twice the estimate from the NDBEMC. However, the estimated number from the PS was almost equivalent to that from the NDBEMC. The estimated number of patients from NOSSID might not be precise, but NOSSID itself may be useful to monitor influenza trends.
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  • Ðinh Quang Tuan, Pham Hoang Hung, Phan Xuan Mai, Tran Kiem Hao, Ch ...
    Article type: Original Article
    2015 Volume 68 Issue 1 Pages 30-32
    Published: 2015
    Released on J-STAGE: January 26, 2015
    Advance online publication: November 25, 2014
    JOURNAL FREE ACCESS
    Four Vietnamese infants who survived infection with Salmonella meningitis are reported. A female infant who experienced relapse recovered without complications and another had neurological sequellae. The remaining 2 infants survived without complications. The initial treatment was chloramphenicol and ceftriaxone, whereas a change of antibiotics to imipenem and fluoroquinolone was required for 2 infants. Fluoroquinolone may be a treatment option in patients with Salmonella meningitis who experience complications even though the drug is contraindicated for the pediatric age group.
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  • Ram Singh, Pramod Kumar
    Article type: Original Article
    2015 Volume 68 Issue 1 Pages 33-37
    Published: 2015
    Released on J-STAGE: January 26, 2015
    Advance online publication: November 25, 2014
    JOURNAL FREE ACCESS
    We present the results of susceptibility tests conducted on the sandfly Phlebotomus argentipes, the vector of visceral leishmaniasis in India. Adult P. argentipes insects were collected from 42 villages in 6 districts of the state of Bihar, India, as follows: Patna, Vaishali, Muzaffarpur, Samastipur, Sheohar, and Sitamarhi. These adult insects were exposed to 4% DDT-, 5% malathion-, and 0.05% deltamethrin-impregnated papers using a WHO test kit by following the standard procedures. In 16 (38.1%) of 42 villages surveyed, the P. argentipes populations developed resistance to DDT. Susceptibility tests using the organophosphate malathion in 22 villages revealed that in 1 (4.5%) village, the species developed resistance to this insecticide. P. argentipes was, however, highly susceptible to the synthetic pyrethroid deltamethrin. For long-term vector control of P. argentipes, it will be necessary to overcome the threat of insecticide resistance in this species.
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  • Malay Kumar Saha, Tanmay Mahapatra, Subrata Biswas, Piyali Ghosh, Sanc ...
    Article type: Original Article
    2015 Volume 68 Issue 1 Pages 38-44
    Published: 2015
    Released on J-STAGE: January 26, 2015
    Advance online publication: November 25, 2014
    JOURNAL FREE ACCESS
    Men who have sex with men (MSM) in India are mostly hidden due to stigma and discrimination and are at a higher risk of acquiring human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). HIV Sentinel Surveillance (HSS) reported an increased HIV burden in Chhattisgarh, an important state in central India. This state has the distinction of having the highest HIV prevalence among MSM in India; therefore, it warrants special attention; hence, we focused on the role of MSM in the HIV epidemic in this state. Cross-sectional analysis of the most recent latest (2010–2011) HSS data of 227 MSM in Chhattisgarh revealed a HIV seropositivity of 14.98%. Older age, unemployment, and receiving money for sex with a man were associated with a higher HIV risk. Participants were mostly young (mean age, approximately 26 years), school-level educated (51.98%), urban residents (99.56%), in service (46.26%), not involved in heterosexual activity (97.36%), or paid sex (68.72%). None of the participants reported injection drug use, and almost all of them (98.68%) were kothis. Some of the observed associations lacked statistical power due to sparse data obtained during this initial surveillance among MSM in Chhattisgarh. Therefore, further studies involving a larger population are needed to understand the role of MSM in the dynamics of the HIV epidemic in this state to facilitate the planning of appropriate interventions, as the epidemic is likely to be concentrated among MSM in Chhattisgarh.
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  • Gubio Soares Campos, Aryane Cruz Oliveira Pinho, Claudio Jose de Freit ...
    Article type: Original Article
    2015 Volume 68 Issue 1 Pages 45-49
    Published: 2015
    Released on J-STAGE: January 26, 2015
    Advance online publication: November 25, 2014
    JOURNAL FREE ACCESS
    Dengue fever (DF) is a mosquito-borne viral disease of great concern in tropical and subtropical regions of the world. One important cause of the increase in DF is rapid development and urbanization has led to proliferation of the Aedes aegypti mosquito, the vector responsible for transmission of the illness. Surveillance of dengue virus (DENV) infection in Brazil shows the predominance of DENV-1, DENV-2, and DENV-3 until 2010. This study reports the reappearance of DENV-4 in Brazil for the first time in 30 years. Serum samples were collected from individuals (n = 214) exhibiting fever and muscular pain in Bahia, Brazil, during 2011–2012. These samples were subjected to reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR)/nested PCR, which revealed that 82% of samples were positive for DENV-4; most were older age groups and exhibited a serological pattern consistent with a primary infection. The cocirculation of multiple DENV serotypes within the same city places the population at risk for a fatal form of the disease. Therefore, with the increasing incidence of severe DF cases, early diagnosis will be a priority for public health efforts in Brazil.
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  • Gulsum Iclal Bayhan, Saliha Senel, Gonul Tanir, Sengul Ozkan
    Article type: Original Article
    2015 Volume 68 Issue 1 Pages 50-54
    Published: 2015
    Released on J-STAGE: January 26, 2015
    Advance online publication: November 25, 2014
    JOURNAL FREE ACCESS
    Pseudomonas luteola has rarely been reported as a human pathogen. The clinical manifestations of P. luteola bacteremia and its susceptibility to antibiotics have not been characterized. This retrospective study was conducted at a 382-bed tertiary care center in Turkey. During the 9-year study period, 7 patients (5 females and 2 males) were diagnosed with P. luteola bacteremia. Six of these patients had hospital-acquired bacteremia, whereas 1 patient had community-acquired P. luteola infection. All patients had monomicrobial bacteremia. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing revealed that all strains of P. luteola were sensitive to amikacin, gentamicin, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, and meropenem, and that all strains were resistant to piperacillin-tazobactam, aztreonam, and colistin. In conclusion, we believe that P. luteola can cause both community- and hospital-acquired bacteremia. Amikacin, gentamicin, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, and meropenem were effective against P. luteola in the present study.
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  • Sendeaw M. Feleke, Abebe Animut, Mulugeta Belay
    Article type: Original Article
    2015 Volume 68 Issue 1 Pages 55-59
    Published: 2015
    Released on J-STAGE: January 26, 2015
    Advance online publication: November 25, 2014
    JOURNAL FREE ACCESS
    Malaria diagnosis is a common challenge in developing countries with limited diagnostic services. Common febrile illnesses were assessed in 280 malaria-suspected patients, and each case was subjected to clinical and laboratory examinations for malaria, relapsing fever, typhoid fever, typhus, and brucellosis. Data were entered and analyzed using Epi Info version 3.1 software. Malaria accounted for 17% (CI, 12.6–21.4%) of febrile illnesses. The remaining cases were associated with typhoid fever (18.5%; CI, 13.95–23.05%), typhus (17.8%; CI, 13.32–22.28%), brucellosis (1%; CI, −0.17–2.17%), relapsing fever (2%; CI, 0.36–3.64%), and unknown causes (44%). Approximately 7% of patients had coinfections, and 2% of patients treated as monoinfections. Approximately 1.4% of the nonmalarial patients received antimalarial treatment. The sensitivity and specificity of the CareStart Pf/pan rapid diagnostic tests in comparison with those of microscopy were 100% and 91%, respectively, with positive- and negative-predictive values of 94% and 100%, respectively. Compared with microscopy, the positive-predictive value of each malaria symptom was much lower than that of the symptoms combined: fever, 17%; sweating, 30%; headache, 18%; general body ache, 22%; loss of appetite, 21%. The study findings revealed a high proportion of nonmalarial illnesses were clinically categorized as malaria. Parasite-based diagnosis is recommended for the management of malarial and nonmalarial cases.
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Short Communication
  • Tian-Cheng Li, Kenzo Yonemitsu, Yutaka Terada, Naokazu Takeda, Wakita ...
    Article type: Short Communication
    2015 Volume 68 Issue 1 Pages 60-62
    Published: 2015
    Released on J-STAGE: January 26, 2015
    Advance online publication: November 25, 2014
    JOURNAL FREE ACCESS
    We examined 85 fecal samples from pet ferrets in 10 animal hospitals in Japan for the detection of ferret hepatitis E virus (HEV) RNA. We found that 6 (7.1%) of the samples were positive for ferret HEV RNA. Phylogenetic analysis based on the partial ORF1 indicated that these ferret HEV strains were clearly separated from the Netherlands strains and were divided into 2 distinct clusters. These results suggest that ferret HEV is genetically diverse, and since ferrets are not indigenous to Japan, ferret HEV has been introduced into Japan through importation.
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  • Liu Yang, Yupeng Long, Cong Li, Liang Cao, Haiyan Gan, Kailing Huang, ...
    Article type: Short Communication
    2015 Volume 68 Issue 1 Pages 63-66
    Published: 2015
    Released on J-STAGE: January 26, 2015
    Advance online publication: November 25, 2014
    JOURNAL FREE ACCESS
    Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are an important class of pervasive genes, and their misregulation has been shown in various types of diseases. However, the relationship between lncRNAs and the immune response to pathogen infection has been rarely reported. Helicobacter pylori is a major human pathogenic bacterium that causes gastritis, peptic ulcer disease, mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma, and gastric cancer. The regulatory mechanism of the H. pylori-induced immune response is not yet clear. In the present study, we identified nonoverlapping signatures of a small number of lncRNAs that were aberrantly expressed in H. pylori-infected gastric epithelial cells using microarray analysis followed by bioassays. From microarray data, we found that 23 lncRNAs were upregulated and 21 were downregulated. Five lncRNAs, XLOC_004562, XLOC_005912, XLOC_000620, XLOC_004122, and XLOC_014388, were further evaluated using quantitative reverse transcription-PCR, and the results matched well with microarray data. In addition, XLOC_004122 and XLOC_014388 were decreased in gastric mucosal tissues of H. pylori-positive patients. Differentially expressed lncRNAs may play a partial or key role in the immune response to H. pylori, and this may provide potential targets for the future treatment of H. pylori-related diseases.
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  • Harumi Gomi, Nahoko Unuma, Koichi Nakao, Yuji Morisawa
    Article type: Short Communication
    2015 Volume 68 Issue 1 Pages 67-69
    Published: 2015
    Released on J-STAGE: January 26, 2015
    Advance online publication: November 25, 2014
    JOURNAL FREE ACCESS
    An 89-year-old Japanese woman with no history of contact with infected individuals developed meningococcal meningitis with meningococcemia. Compared with other countries, invasive meningococcal disease is relatively rare in Japan, with an annual incidence of a total of 10–20 cases for more than 2 decades; this represents approximately 1% of the corresponding incidence in the United States and United Kingdom. The most prevalent serotypes of the causative agent Neisseria meningitidis in Japan are serotypes B and Y. The patient in this study was also infected with a strain of serotype Y. The meningococcal vaccine has not yet been approved for use in Japan. The only possible transmission route in this patient was a visit by the patient's grandchild a few days prior to the onset of symptoms. Due to its low incidence, clinicians do not have sufficient experience for managing this potentially fatal illness. This case highlights the need for considering a complete differential diagnosis of invasive meningococcal disease.
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Epidemiological Report
  • Qing-ming Zheng, Hua-tang Zeng, Chuan-wen Dai, Shun-xiang Zhang, Zhen ...
    Article type: Epidemiological Report
    2015 Volume 68 Issue 1 Pages 70-74
    Published: 2015
    Released on J-STAGE: January 26, 2015
    JOURNAL FREE ACCESS
    An outbreak of norovirus GII.4/Sydney_2012 affected a China elder care facility in December 2012. A total of 39 elderly people and staff met the outbreak case definition. The attack rates in the elderly and the staff were 15.9% (31/195) and 23.2% (19/82), respectively, including 13 asymptomatic cases in the staff. The result of gene sequencing revealed that the outbreak was caused by norovirus GII.4 Sydney. The mode of transmission of this outbreak was proven to be person-to-person. The first case (a self-cared elder) was affected outside the elder care facility and was not isolated after returning. Norovirus was transmitted via close contact among the self-cared elderly. Then, through service-related close contact, the attendants promoted the cross-transmission between the self-cared elderly and the nursed elderly. The virus was also spread among the staff via daily contact. In the elder care facility, the asymptomatic cases in the attendants played an important role in the transmission of norovirus, which deserves high attention.
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Laboratory and Epidemiology Communications
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