Medicine (Northwest Academic Centre) - Research Publications

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    Immune mimicry in malaria: Plasmodium falciparum secretes a functional histamine-releasing factor homolog in vitro and in vivo
    MACDONALD, ; BHISUTTHIBHAN, ; SHAPIRO, ; ROGERSON, STEPHEN JOHN ; TAYLOR, ; TEMBO, ; LANGDON, ; MESHNICK, ( 2001)
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    Broad analysis reveals a consistent pattern of var gene transcription in Plasmodium falciparum repeatedly selected for a defined adhesion phenotype
    Duffy, MF ; Byrne, TJ ; Elliott, SR ; Wilson, DW ; Rogerson, SJ ; Beeson, JG ; Noviyanti, R ; Brown, GV (WILEY, 2005-05)
    Transcription of the majority of the members of the Plasmodium falciparum var multigene family were analysed in two isolates by a quantitative approach. Both of these isolates had been repeatedly selected for adhesion to chondroitin sulphate A (CSA) and one had also been selected for adhesion to hyaluronic acid (HA). These adhesion phenotypes are expressed by many parasites isolated from placentae and are associated with malaria disease in pregnancy. Increased transcription of the var gene var2csa, or its homologue IT4 var4, was associated with the CSA and HA adhesion phenotypes in all parasites suggesting that it was the dominant, if not the only, var gene that encoded adhesion to CSA in these allogeneic isolates. Some var genes were consistently transcribed at higher levels than others regardless of expressed adhesion phenotypes suggesting a transcriptional hierarchy. Unspliced or partial transcripts were detected for most var genes tested. These atypical var gene transcripts may have implications for the regulation of var gene transcription.
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    Prospective population-based incidence of Haemophilus influenzae type b meningitis in Thailand
    Rerks-Ngarm, S ; Treleaven, SC ; Chunsuttiwat, S ; Muangchana, C ; Jolley, D ; Brooks, A ; Dejsirilert, S ; Warintrawat, S ; Guiver, M ; Kunasol, P ; Maynard, JE ; Biggs, BA ; Steinhoff, M (ELSEVIER SCI LTD, 2004-02-25)
    There are limited prospective data for Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) disease in Asia, where some countries are considering vaccine introduction. A prospective population-based study was conducted to measure the incidence of Hib meningitis in children in two northern provinces of Thailand. Children <5 years with symptoms consistent with bacterial meningitis were enrolled in the study if inclusion criteria were met. The study enrolled 598 children with clinical meningitis, 76% of whom received lumbar puncture. The rate of probable bacterial meningitis was 26.6/100,000 children <5 years per year. There were four cases of laboratory confirmed Hib meningitis (rate 3.8/100,000 children <5 years per year). These findings suggest a relatively low incidence of Hib meningitis. However, additional data from studies of pneumonia are needed to define the Hib disease burden in Thailand.