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PubMedDate not supplied

Kinetics of antibody response to polypeptides of pathogenic and nonpathogenic treponemes in experimental syphilis.

Antigenic cross-reactivity between Treponema pallidum subspecies pallidum (TP) and nonpathogenic Treponema phagedenis biotype Reiter (TR), Treponema refringens strain Noguchi (TN), and Treponema vincentii (TV) was examined by the Western immunoblotting technique in pooled sera from five rabbits infected intratesticularly with T. pallidum. Sera were obtained before infection and on days 6, 12, 20, 30, 60, and 120 after infection. The pooled preinfection sera reacted with nine polypeptides of TV, nine of TS, and five of TR. The pooled sera did not show any clear-cut reactions with TP, but some individual rabbit sera did demonstrate visible reaction with three to five polypeptides of TP. Twelve days after infection, multiple serum antibodies reacting with polypeptides of all treponemes were detected. The number of antibodies reacting with polypeptides and the intensity of reaction increased with the duration of infection; for the nonpathogenic treponemes (TV, TS, TR) 21-26 polypeptides were identified on day 30, and by day 60 a total of 21 were detected for TP. By day 120 the reaction had become less pronounced, and fewer reactive polypeptides were seen. The extent of the cross-reactivity with the three nonpathogenic treponemes reflects the complex structure of T. pallidum, which should be viewed as a mosaic of more cross-reacting than strain- or species-specific antigens.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

Phenol/water extract of Treponema socranskii subsp. socranskii as an antagonist of Toll-like receptor 4 signalling.

Treponema socranskii is one of the most frequently found oral spirochaetes in periodontitis and endodontic infections. LPS or glycolipids from bacteria are potent stimulators of innate immune and inflammatory systems. In this study the bioactivity of a phenol/water extract from T. socranskii subsp. socranskii (TSS-P) was analysed. TSS-P showed minimal endotoxicity and no inducing potential for proinflammatory cytokines (TNF-alpha and IL-8) or for intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) in human monocyte cell line THP-1 cells and primary cultured human gingival fibroblasts. Rather, it inhibited ICAM-1 expression and IL-8 secretion from cells stimulated by the LPS of Escherichia coli and Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans, which are known to be Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) agonists. However, this antagonistic activity was not shown in cells stimulated by peptidoglycan or IL-1beta. As its antagonistic mechanism, TSS-P blocked the binding of E. coli LPS to LPS-binding protein (LBP) and CD14, which are molecules involved in the recruitment of LPS to the cell membrane receptor complex TLR4-MD-2 for the intracellular signalling of LPS. TSS-P itself did not bind to MD-2 or THP-1 cells, but inhibited the binding of E. coli LPS to MD-2 or to the cells in the presence of serum (which could be replaced by recombinant human LBP and recombinant human CD14). The results suggest that TSS-P acts as an antagonist of TLR4 signalling by interfering with the functioning of LBP/CD14.

Antigens, Surface↗
PubMed1989

Laboratory diagnosis of Lyme disease.

Different techniques have been developed to aid in laboratory diagnosis of Lyme disease. The detection of serum antibodies, in particular, is relied on heavily by the medical community and is currently the most practical means of confirming B. burgdorferi infections. Although most assays may not detect low amounts of IgM antibody during the initial weeks of infection, application of a capture ELISA method has been reported to improve test sensitivity. Antibodies to Borrelia and Treponema spirochetes will cross-react in conventional assays being used for Lyme disease, but in most cases, these problems can be eliminated by performing other serologic tests or by reviewing clinical and epidemiologic data. Further improvements in the laboratory diagnosis of Lyme disease should be made by standardizing current methods (including commercial test kits), establishing reference laboratories in the United States and Europe, and by developing rapid antigen detection procedures. Finally, serologic determination of B. burgdorferi infections should remain secondary to clinical diagnosis.

Antibodies, Bacterial↗
PubMed1991

[Seroprevalence of HIV-1 infections in patients consulting the clinic for sexually transmitted diseases in Bangui, Central African Republic].

140 consecutive African, exclusively heterosexual, adult outpatients to the Clinique des Maladies Sexuellement Transmissibles, with genital ulcers or urethritis, were studied in order to determine the status for HIV1-infection and syphilis. Comparison with 194 age and sex matched subjects, without STD, were chosen as controls. In the "STD"'s population, the HIV1 seroprevalence was 17.8%, and anti-treponema antibodies were found in 30% of the cases. Patients with genital ulcer were associated with a higher HIV1 seroprevalence than patients with urethritis. The "STD"'s population in Bangui is at risk for HIV1-infection (risk ratio: 2.12), and constitutes probably a very sensitive group in Central Africa for the epidemiological survey to HIV infection, and for the estimation of the prevention against AIDS.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

Mechanisms of Porphyromonas gingivalis-induced monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 expression in endothelial cells.

Monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) is expressed in vascular endothelial cells of inflamed gingival tissues and plays an important role in periodontal pathogenesis. Endothelial cells produce high levels of MCP-1 in response to Porphyromonas gingivalis, an important periodontal pathogen. The present study investigated the mechanisms involved in MCP-1 production by human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) following infection with P. gingivalis. In contrast to P. gingivalis, Bacteroides forsythus only weakly stimulated MCP-1 production while Treponema denticola could not induce MCP-1 in HUVEC. The MCP-1 production was independent of endogenous interleukin (IL)-1alpha as IL-1 receptor antagonist treatment did not reduce MCP-1 production by P. gingivalis. Meanwhile, antioxidant treatment and inhibition of NAD(P)H oxidase significantly reduced MCP-1 production. Pharmacological inhibition of p38 mitogen-associated protein (MAP) kinase, c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) or activator protein-1 (AP-1) also substantially attenuated P. gingivalis-induced MCP-1 expression by HUVEC. Indeed, activation of NF-kappaB and AP-1 was observed in P. gingivalis-infected HUVEC. These results suggest that MCP-1 expression is upregulated in P. gingivalis-infected endothelial cells via reactive oxygen species, p38 MAP kinase, JNK, NF-kappaB, and AP-1.

Bacteroidaceae Infections↗
PubMed2006

[Syphilis].

The incidence of syphilis, an infectious disease caused by Treponema pallidum, is low worldwide. The knowledge of its symptoms is however important, since the infectivity is high and therapy is comparatively easy. The first feature of an infection is the chancre, which is nearly always located in the genital region. In half of the infected patients after 8-12 weeks, if untreated, a generalisation takes place, during which the bacteria affect all organ systems. At first the skin diseases are most prominent; in long-term disease (late syphilis) symptoms of the central nervous system and the cardiovascular system become more relevant. In the chancre the infectious agent may be proven natively, but not in a culture. At about 3-6 weeks after infection specific serum antibodies may be proven with very sensitive and specific methods. Mainly the TPHA and FTA tests are used. These tests allow a reliable diagnosis to be made also in cases with ambiguous clinical features. The treatment of syphilis is performed by using parenteral depot penicillins for 14 days. It may also be applied as post-exposure prophylaxis. Specifics of the course have to be take into consideration in cases of coexisting HIV infections and neurosyphilis. The disease has a favourable prognosis, when treatment starts early enough.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗
PubMed2004

A descriptive analysis of STD prevalence among urban pregnant African-American teens: data from a pilot study.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the prevalence of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) among a sample of African-American adolescent females at the time of their first prenatal visit and to assess key characteristics of those testing positive for sexually transmitted diseases. The study also determined differences in these characteristics between adolescents who were and those who were not diagnosed with an STD. METHODS: One-hundred-and-seventy pregnant African-American adolescents (aged 14-20 years; mean = 17.5 years) receiving their first prenatal visit were recruited at a prenatal clinic located in a large urban hospital. Biological assessment included nucleic acid amplification testing for gonococcal, chlamydial, and trichomonal infections. Rapid plasma reagin testing assessed infection with syphilis. A self-administered survey and in-depth face-to-face interview were used to collect detailed information assessing adolescents' sociodemographic characteristics, psychosocial indices, and their recent sexual risk behaviors. Data were analyzed using Student's t-tests and contingency table analyses, respectively, for continuous and categorical variables. RESULTS: Overall, 23.5% tested positive for one of the four STDs. Thirteen percent were infected with Chlamydia trachomatis, 1.2% with Neisseria gonorrhoeae, 8.9% with Trichomonas vaginalis, and 1.2% with Treponema pallidum. More than one-half reported recent (past 6 months) treatment for an STD, 30% of these tested positive for at least one of the four STDs assessed. Adolescents testing positive for STDs held favorable attitudes toward condom use, but levels of sexual risk were generally high. There were no sociodemographic, psychosocial, and sexual-risk differences between those testing positive and negative. CONCLUSION: Findings support STD screening efforts targeting pregnant adolescents. Providing clinic-based counseling and prevention education programs to pregnant adolescents regardless of apparent risk factors may also be warranted.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1987

Hygromycin A, an antitreponemal substance. II. Therapeutic effect for swine dysentery.

This study was conducted to evaluate hygromycin A fed to growing swine at 1, 5, 10 or 20 g/ton feed for the control of Treponema hyodysenteriae-caused dysentery. Pigs provided carbadox at 50 g/ton feed served as an infected treatment control group. All pigs were orally, via stomach intubation, administered 100 ml of a T. hyodysenteriae broth culture. During the in vivo test, rectal swabs were taken for T. hyodysenteriae isolation, body weights of all pigs and the feed consumption was determined. All pigs were euthanized and necropsied at study end; the large intestine was cultured for T. hyodysenteriae and gross intestinal lesions were noted. T. hyodysenteriae-caused swine dysentery was successfully controlled by feeding hygromycin A at 5 g/ton. Hygromycin A medicated pigs performed as well as or better than carbadox-medicated pigs.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Congenital syphilis--United States, 1998.

Congenital syphilis (CS) occurs when the spirochete Treponema pallidum is transmitted from a pregnant woman with syphilis to her fetus. A multiorgan infection, CS may result in a neurologic or musculoskeletal handicap or death in the fetus when not properly treated. Trends in CS rates in women of childbearing age follow by approximately 1 year the rates of primary and secondary syphilis. The last national syphilis epidemic, which was followed by a CS epidemic, occurred during the late 1980s and early 1990s. The syphilis rate began to decline in 1991; the CS rate began to decline in 1992. To evaluate CS epidemiology since this decline, CDC analyzed 1998 CS notifiable disease data and assessed rate changes during 1992-1998. This report summarizes the results, which indicate that the CS rate declined 78.2% from 1992 to 1998, and that rates remained disproportionately high in the southeastern United States and among minority racial/ethnic populations.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1976

Treponema pallidum in early syphilitic lesions in humans during high-dosage penicillin therapy. An electron microscopical study.

The alterations of early syphilitic infection occuring in the course of high dosage penicillin (120 mega IU, 36 h) as clinical experimental trial has been studied both from the clinical and the electron microscopical views. By electron microscopical studies, findings revealing the localization and the status of treponemes before and during penicillin treatment could be established. Before treatment started, the majority of treponemes was of intercellular localization. In the course of treatment various forms of destruction could be differentiated. The most striking change in the host tissue after 7-8 h of penicillin therapy was an elimination of treponemes by penetrating phagocytes. 24 h after the beginning of treatment, treponemes could not be demonstrated any more. The clinical and serological findings after the high dosage penicilline will produce results comparable to those of conventional therapie.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Phylogenetic analysis of pathogen-related oral spirochetes.

Recently, Riviere et al. reported as yet uncultivable invasive oral spirochetes that cross-reacted with monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) specific for Treponema pallidum (G. R. Riviere, K. S. Elliot, D. F. Adams, L. G. Simonson, L. B. Forgas, A. M. Nilius, and S. A. Lukehart, J. Periodontol. 63:131-136, 1992; G. R. Riviere, M. A. Wagoner, S. A. Baker-Zander, K. S. Weisz, D. F. Adams, L. Simonson, and S. A. Lukehart, N. Engl. J. Med. 325:539-543, 1991; G. R. Riviere, K. S. Weisz, D. F. Adams, and D. D. Thomas, Infect. Immun. 59:3377-3380, 1991; G. R. Riviere, K. S. Weisz, L. G. Simonson, and S. A. Lukehart, Infect. Immun. 59:2653-2657, 1991). In an attempt to phylogenetically analyze these pathogen-related oral spirochetes, we used immunomagnetic separation, combined with comparative sequence analysis of 16S rRNA genes amplified in vitro by the PCR. The bacteria were immunomagnetically enriched from subgingival plaque samples of patients with rapidly progressive periodontitis by using MAb H9-2 specific for the 37-kDa endoflagellum sheath protein of T. pallidum. After PCR amplification with universal eubacterial primers 16S rRNA gene fragments were cloned into Escherichia coli. A total of 20 randomly selected recombinants were analyzed by sequencing about 200 to 300 bases of the 500-bp inserts. All the spirochetal 16S rRNA sequences clustered to previously described, as yet uncultivable cluster 7 treponemes of group I (B. K. Choi, B. J. Paster, F. E. Dewhirst, and U. B. Göbel, Infect. Immun. 62:1889-1895, 1994). With a sequence similarity of 96.4% the most closely related cultivable treponeme was Treponema vincentii, which also belongs to the group I treponemes. Subsequent immunological analysis of cultured treponemes with MAb H9-2 revealed that only T. vincentii strains showed specific immunofluorescence or a characteristic 37-kDa band in immunoblots. We therefore conclude that pathogen-related oral spirochetes constitute a heterogeneous population of treponemes comprising T. vincentii and T. vincentii-related organisms that have common epitopes cross-reacting with MAb H9-2.

Antibodies, Bacterial↗
PubMed1985

Binding of glycosaminoglycans to the surface of Treponema pallidum and subsequent effects on complement interactions between antigen and antibody.

Acidified bovine serum albumin (acid BSA) reacts with glycosaminoglycans to form a precipitate. This reaction was adapted to Treponema pallidum to show glycosaminoglycans associated with the surface of the micro-organism. As testicular infection progressed from days 4 to 18, treponemes showed increasing amounts of these surface components. High speed centrifuging effectively removed the glycosaminoglycans, thus indicating that they were loosely bound. The subsequent addition of commercial preparations of hyaluronic acid or chondroitin sulphate resulted in their immediate adherence to the surface of the pathogens T pallidum and T pertenue, but not to the non-pathogens T vincenti, T denticola, or T phagedenis. The amount adhering to the treponemal surface varied depending on the concentration added. Intradermal inoculation showed that the virulence of T pallidum was not altered by the glycosaminoglycans associated with its surface. The coating of treponemes with hyaluronic acid or chondroitin sulphate did not interfere with neutralising antibodies or antibodies found by radioimmunoassay using whole organisms. In contrast, hyaluronic acid or chondroitin sulphate on the treponemal surface did interfere with immobilising antibodies. Results are discussed in terms of the potential role of the treponemal glycosaminoglycans in the infectious process.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Recent advances in diagnosis of sexually transmitted diseases.

In an effort to better diagnose, treat, and control sexually transmitted diseases (STD), a number of new diagnostic assays using molecular techniques have been developed. By incorporating molecular amplification, the sensitivity for detecting sexually transmitted infections has become markedly enhanced, and organisms that were difficult or impossible to cultivate, such as human papillomavirus (HPV) or Treponema pallidum can now be detected and monitored. By using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) or ligase chain reaction (LCR), the sensitivity of detecting some pathogens is comparable to, or in some cases better than, direct in vitro cultivation of the agent. DNA fingerprint analysis of amplified microbial DNA also has been effectively used for detailed study of the epidemiology and pathophysiology of sexually transmitted infections. In addition to direct detection, molecular techniques have been used to enhance serologic techniques by use of cloned proteins and recombinant antigens. These techniques have enabled investigators to differentiate infection caused by closely related pathogens, such as human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) and HIV-2 and human T-cell lymphotrophic virus type 1 (HTLV-1) and HTLV-2. As a consequence of these molecular tools, the diagnostic repertoire of the clinical laboratory for the diagnosis of STD will expand significantly, allowing investigators to better diagnose and more effectively control the spread of STD. However, with such new technology, new problems and challenges have arisen, such as the risk of sample contamination resulting in false-positive results, and the presence of inhibitors resulting in false-negative results.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Diagnosis, Differential↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Cerebrospinal fluid proteins in neurosyphilis and HIV infection.

This paper briefly reviews the factors which influence the concentrations of proteins, particularly immunoglobulins, within the CSF and how antibodies which are locally synthesized within the central nervous system can be detected by the laboratory. The use of nitrocellulose immunoblotting for the identification of antibodies which are specific to Treponema pallidum and Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type-1 are discussed.

Blotting, Western↗
PubMed2005

Sexually transmitted infections in rural Madagascar at an early stage of the HIV epidemic: a 6-month community-based follow-up study.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in Madagascar have primarily been monitored in selected groups of patients attending STI clinics in major cities as part of the HIV surveillance program in Madagascar. GOAL OF THE STUDY: The aim of the study was to provide complementary data related to STI prevalence in a general rural population. STUDY DESIGN: STIs were investigated in 643 subjects aged 15 to 49 years as part of a cross-sectional morbidity study of urogenital schistosomiasis. Infection rates were reassessed 3 weeks and 6 months after systematic STI treatment at baseline. RESULTS: Neisseria gonorrhoeae (Ng), Chlamydia trachomatis (Ct), Mycoplasma genitalium (Mg), Trichomonas vaginalis (Tv), and/or antibodies to Treponema pallidum (Tp) were diagnosed in 125 (37.5%) of 333 women and in 83 (26.8%) of 310 men. In addition, 49% of the women and 28% of the men were infected with herpes simplex virus-2. Six (0.9%) subjects were found HIV-antibody positive. Between the 3-week and 6-month follow-up surveys Ng, Ct, and/or Mg prevalence increased most prominently in women aged 15 to 24 years. CONCLUSION: Study findings suggest that rural areas in Madagascar should be as closely monitored and assisted in STI and HIV control as their urban counterparts. Following the current consensus, young adults should constitute a priority target group in the control programs.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2006

Detection of Treponema pallidum in the vitreous by PCR.

BACKGROUND: Ocular involvement of syphilis still poses a clinical challenge due to the chameleonic behaviour of the disease. As the serodiagnosis has significant limitations, the direct detection of Treponema pallidum (TP) in the vitreous represents a desirable diagnostic tool. METHODS: Real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for the detection of TP was applied in diagnostic vitrectomies of two patients with acute chorioretinitis. Qualitative verification of TP by real-time PCR and melting point analysis according to a modified protocol was ruled out. Patients underwent complete ophthalmological examination with fundus photographs, fluorescein angiography, serological examination, antibiotic treatment and follow-up. RESULTS: In two cases of acute chorioretinitis of unknown origin, real-time PCR of vitreous specimens of both patients provided evidence of TP and was 100% specific. Initial diagnosis of presumed viral retinitis was ruled out by PCR of vitreous specimen. Patients were treated with systemic antibiotics and showed prompt improvement in visual function and resolution of fundus lesions. CONCLUSIONS: With real-time PCR, detection of TP in the vitreous was possible and delivered a sensitive, quick and inexpensive answer to a disease rather difficult to assess. In cases of acute chorioretinitis, the use of PCR-based assays of vitreous specimens in the diagnostic evaluation of patients is advisable. Although syphilitic chorioretinitis is a rare disease, PCR should include search for TP, as diagnostic dilemmas prolong definitive treatment in a sight-threatening disease.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Inhibition of periodontopathogen-derived proteolytic enzymes by a high-molecular-weight fraction isolated from cranberry.

BACKGROUND: Porphyromonas gingivalis, Tannerella forsythia and Treponema denticola are three major aetiological agents of chronic periodontitis. The strong proteolytic activities of these bacteria are critical to their survival since their energy source is obtained from peptides and amino acids derived from proteins. In addition, proteases are important factors contributing to periodontal tissue destruction by a variety of mechanisms, including direct tissue degradation and modulation of host inflammatory responses. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of non-dialysable material (NDM) prepared from cranberry juice concentrate on the proteolytic activities of P. gingivalis, T. forsythia and T. denticola. METHODS: The effect of NDM on gingipain and dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPP IV) activities of P. gingivalis, trypsin-like activity of T. forsythia and chymotrypsin-like activity of T. denticola was evaluated using synthetic chromogenic peptides. In addition, the capacity of P. gingivalis to degrade fluorescein-labelled type I collagen and fluorescein-labelled transferrin in the presence of NDM was evaluated by fluorometry. RESULTS: NDM dose-dependently inhibited the proteinases of P. gingivalis, T. forsythia and T. denticola as well as type I collagen and transferrin degradation by P. gingivalis. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that NDM has the potential to reduce either the proliferation of P. gingivalis, T. forsythia and T. denticola in periodontal pockets or their proteinase-mediated destructive process occurring in periodontitis.

Bacteroidetes↗