Biomedical subjects

Jaber Aslanzadeh

Publications and source records attributed to Jaber Aslanzadeh.

6 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

Confirmation of tick bite by detection of antibody to Ixodes calreticulin salivary protein.

Ticks introduce a variety of pharmacologically active molecules into their host during attachment and feeding in order to obtain a blood meal. People who are repeatedly exposed to ticks may develop an immune response to tick salivary proteins. Despite this response, people usually are unaware of having been bitten, especially if they are not repeatedly exposed to ticks. In order to develop a laboratory marker of tick exposure that would be useful in understanding the epidemiology of tick-borne infection and the immune response to tick bite, we developed an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to detect antibody to a recombinant form of calreticulin protein found in the salivary glands of Ixodes scapularis, a member of a complex of Ixodes ticks that serve as the vectors for Lyme disease, human babesiosis, and human granulocytic anaplasmosis. Using this assay, we tested sera obtained from C3H/HeN and BALB/c mice before and after experimental deer tick infestation. These mice developed antibody to Ixodes calreticulin antigen after infestation. We then used the same assay to test sera obtained from people before and after they experienced deer tick bite(s). People experiencing deer tick bite(s) developed Ixodes calreticulin-specific antibody responses that persisted for up to 17 months. This Ixodes recombinant calreticulin ELISA provides objective evidence of deer tick exposure in people.

Animals↗

PubMed2006

Clinical correlation of the CLSI susceptibility breakpoint for piperacillin- tazobactam against extended-spectrum-beta-lactamase-producing Escherichia coli and Klebsiella species.

We assessed infections caused by extended-spectrum-beta-lactamase-producing Escherichia coli or Klebsiella spp. treated with piperacillin-tazobactam to determine if the susceptibility breakpoint predicts outcome. Treatment was successful in 10 of 11 nonurinary infections from susceptible strains and in 2 of 6 infections with MICs of >16/4 mug/ml. All six urinary infections responded to treatment regardless of susceptibility.

Aged↗

PubMed2005

Case report and brief commentary: Wuchereria bancrofti and Onchocerca volvulus co-infection in a refugee from Sierra Leone.

Filarial infection is endemic in the tropics and is a public health problem in Africa, Asia, South and Central America, and the Pacific Islands. Co-infection with filarial nematodes, if unrecognized, can result in untoward therapeutic consequences. We report a case of co-infection of Wuchereria bancrofti and Onchocerca volvulus that was diagnosed by direct blood smear (W. bancrofti ) and serology (O. volvulus) in a native of Sierra Leone. We comment briefly on the therapeutic implications of the co-infection.

Adult↗

PubMed2004

Preventing PCR amplification carryover contamination in a clinical laboratory.

During the past two decades PCR and several other DNA/RNA amplification techniques have become important diagnostic tools in clinical laboratories. Amplification products contamination has been the main impediment to using these techniques routinely in diagnostic laboratories. Over the years, several creative pre- and post-amplification methods have been developed that prevent amplicon carryover contamination. These procedures, coupled with automated systems that employ real-time amplification and simultaneous detection in a closed system, have substantially reduced the possibility of false positive results due to amplification products carryover contamination.

Clinical Laboratory Techniques↗

PubMed2002

Comparison of M4 and M4RT media for transporting cervical swab samples for PCR detection of Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae.

In a prospective study, M4RT medium was compared to the traditional M4 medium to transport cervical swab specimens for Neisseria gonorrhoeae/Chlamydia trachomatis (NG/CT) PCR testing using the Roche COBAS Amplicor. Two cervical swab samples were collected from 270 consecutive patients screened for NG/CT in a satellite facility. The swabs were placed individually in M4RT and M4 medium and were immediately refrigerated, transported to the laboratory on wet ice, and stored at 2 to 8 degrees C until the PCR testing was performed within 7 da of collection. Seven of the cervical swab samples transported in M4 or M4RT were PCR positive for CT. Two additional samples transported in M4RT and a third swab transported in M4 were CT PCR positive. These samples were PCR negative in the alternative medium. Similarly, 12 of the cervical swabs transported in M4 or M4RT were NG PCR positive. Three additional swabs transported in M4 media were NG PCR positive. Initially, 2 of these samples when transported in M4RT were NG PCR equivocal and were considered NG PCR positive on repeat testing. Similarly, 2 additional swab samples transported in M4 RT media were NG PCR positive. These samples, when transported in M4 media, were NG PCR equivocal or negative. However, on repeat testing the equivocal sample was considered NG PCR positive. We conclude M4 and M4RT transport media are equally reliable for transporting cervical swab samples for NG/CT PCR testing. M4RT medium is more convenient to use, as it did not require refrigeration until it was inoculated with the clinical sample.

Chlamydia trachomatis↗

PubMed2002

HIV resistance testing: an update.

In recent years, resistance testing has become an important tool in optimizing the combination therapy for treating HIV infected individuals. The identification of resistance mutations has allowed physicians to select the antiviral agents with maximum therapeutic benefic and minimum toxic side effects. The current therapeutic agents approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), their mechanisms of actions, and the mutations of the HIV viral genome that lead to resistance to antiviral agents are discussed. In addition, methods of resistance testing, both genotypic and phenotypic, are evaluated with consideration of their inherent advantages and disadvantages.

Drug Resistance, Microbial↗