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Eleftherios Mylonakis

Publications and source records attributed to Eleftherios Mylonakis.

24 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed2002

Human immunodeficiency virus infection and the thyroid.

Abnormalities of thyroid function are associated with a number of systemic conditions, including patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Most patients with early HIV infection and a stable body weight have normal thyroid function. Subtle abnormalities of a number of thyroid function tests have been reported during the early asymptomatic phase of HIV disease. These include an inappropriately normal triiodothyronine (T(3)) and reduced reverse triiodothyronine (rT(3)), and increased thyroxine-binding globulin (TBG) levels. Opportunistic infections involving the thyroid gland, neoplasms such as lymphoma and Kaposi's sarcoma, and medications can alter the thyroid function in individuals with more advanced HIV infection. If thyroid dysfunction is diagnosed in an HIV-infected patient, it should be treated in the usual manner. However, high index of suspicion and caution in the interpretation of thyroid function tests in patients with HIV disease are needed for optimal diagnosis and treatment.

Anti-HIV Agents↗
PubMed2002

Virulence effect of Enterococcus faecalis protease genes and the quorum-sensing locus fsr in Caenorhabditis elegans and mice.

The expression of two Enterococcus faecalis extracellular virulence-related proteins, gelatinase (GelE) and serine protease (SprE), has been shown to be positively regulated by the fsr quorum-sensing system. We recently developed a novel system for studying E. faecalis pathogenicity that involves killing of the nematode worm Caenorhabditis elegans and showed that an E. faecalis fsrB mutant (strain TX5266) exhibited attenuated killing. We explore here the role of the fsr/gelE-sprE locus in pathogenicity by comparing results obtained in the nematode system with a mouse peritonitis model of E. faecalis infection. Insertion mutants of fsrA (TX5240) and fsrC (TX5242), like fsrB (TX5266), were attenuated in their ability to kill C. elegans. A deletion mutant of gelE (TX5264) and an insertion mutant of sprE (TX5243) were also attenuated in C. elegans killing, although to a lesser extent than the fsr mutants. Complementation of fsrB (TX5266) with a 6-kb fragment containing the entire fsr locus restored virulence in both the nematode and the mouse peritonitis models. The fsr mutants were not impaired in their ability to colonize the nematode intestine. These data show that extracellular proteases and the quorum-sensing fsr system are important for E. faecalis virulence in two highly divergent hosts: nematodes and mice.

Animals↗
PubMed2002

The Enterococcus faecalis fsrB gene, a key component of the fsr quorum-sensing system, is associated with virulence in the rabbit endophthalmitis model.

We used a rabbit endophthalmitis model to explore the role of fsrB, a gene required for the function of the fsr quorum-sensing system of Enterococcus faecalis, in pathogenicity. A nonpolar deletion mutant of fsrB had significantly reduced virulence compared to wild type. Complementation of mutation restored virulence. These data corroborate the role of fsrB in E. faecalis pathogenesis and suggest that the rabbit endophthalmitis model can be used to study the in vivo role of quorum sensing.

Animals↗
PubMed2002

Antifungal use in HIV infection.

Systemic fungal infections continue to be a major cause of morbidity and mortality among HIV-infected patients. Mucosal candidiasis remains the most common fungal disease in this population, while cryptococcosis and aspergillosis are associated with significant mortality. Histoplasmosis and penicilliosis are relatively common in some areas. Blastomycosis, coccidioidomycosis and paracoccidioidomycosis have also been described in association with HIV. Over the last decade, a number of clinical trials have evaluated the use of antifungal therapies in this population and shaped our approach to prophylaxis and therapy. This report outlines the state of the art in the management of HIV-associated fungal infections and discusses the unique difficulties and drug-drug interactions associated with managing fungal infections in this population. Deoxycholate or liposomal formulations of amphotericin B and the triazoles fluconazole and itraconazole are the most commonly used antifungal agents. Healthcare providers should be familiar with the appropriate antifungal management and its limitations. Possible interactions with antiretrovirals should be considered when prescribing antifungal treatment. An exciting new decade in antifungal therapy is beginning, in which the second-generation triazoles and echinocandins will hopefully help us to overcome the limitations of the current antifungal arsenal.

AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections↗