Detection of tropical fungi in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue: still an indication for microscopy in times of sequence-based diagnosis?

INTRODUCTION: The aim of the study was the evaluation of panfungal PCR protocols with subsequent sequence analysis for the diagnostic identification of invasive mycoses in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue samples with rare tropical mycoses. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Five different previously described panfungal PCR/sequencing protocols targeting 18S and 28S ribosomal RNA gene fragments as well as internal transcribed spacer 1 and 2 fragments were evaluated with a collection of 17 formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue samples of patients with rare and/or tropical invasive mycoses, comprising chromoblastomycosis, coccidioidomycosis, cryptococcosis, histoplasmosis, mucormycosis, mycetoma/maduromycosis, and rhinosporidiosis, in a proof-of-principle analysis. RESULTS: The primers of the panfungal PCRs readily and predominantly reacted with contaminating environmental fungi that had deposited on the paraffin blocks. Altogether three sequence results of histoplasmosis and mycetoma samples that matched the histological assessment were associated with sample age <10 years and virtually without PCR inhibition. CONCLUSIONS: The high risk of amplifying environmental contaminants severely reduces the usefulness of the assessed panfungal PCR/sequencing protocols for the identification of rare and/or tropical mycoses in stored formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissues. Histological assessment remains valuable for such indications if cultural differentiation is impossible from inactivated sample material.

Detection of Puumala hantavirus antigen in human intestine during acute hantavirus infection.

BACKGROUND: Puumala virus (PUUV) is the most important hantavirus species in Central Europe. Nephropathia epidemica (NE), caused by PUUV, is characterized by acute renal injury (AKI) with thrombocytopenia and frequently gastrointestinal symptoms. METHODS: 456 patients with serologically and clinically confirmed NE were investigated at time of follow-up in a single clinic. The course of the NE was investigated using medical reports. We identified patients who had endoscopy with intestinal biopsy during acute phase of NE. Histopathological, immunohistochemical and molecular analyses of the biopsies were performed. RESULTS: Thirteen patients underwent colonoscopy or gastroscopy for abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea and vomiting during acute phase of NE. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) revealed PUUV nucleocapsid antigen in 11 biopsies from 8 patients; 14 biopsies from 5 patients were negative for PUUV nucleocapsid antigen. IHC localized PUUV nucleocapsid antigen in endothelial cells of capillaries or larger vessels in the lamina propria. Rate of AKI was not higher and severity of AKI was not different in the PUUV-positive compared to the PUUV-negative group. All IHC positive biopsies were positive for PUUV RNA using RT-PCR. Phylogenetic reconstruction revealed clustering of all PUUV strains from this study with viruses previously detected from the South-West of Germany. Long-term outcome was favorable in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with NE, PUUV nucleocapsid antigen and PUUV RNA was detected frequently in the intestine. This finding could explain frequent GI-symptoms in NE patients, thus demonstration of a more generalized PUUV infection. The RT-PCR was an effective and sensitive method to detect PUUV RNA in FFPE tissues. Therefore, it can be used as a diagnostic and phylogenetic approach also for archival materials. AKI was not more often present in patients with PUUV-positive IHC. This last finding should be investigated in larger numbers of patients with PUUV infection.

Detection of Usutu virus in a bullfinch (Pyrrhula pyrrhula) and a great spotted woodpecker (Dendrocopos major) in north-west Europe.

In October 2012, a 3-year-old bullfinch (Pyrrhula pyrrhula) held in captivity for its entire lifespan and a wild adult great spotted woodpecker (Dendrocopos major), both with neurological signs, were found 4 km from each other and 5 days apart in the Meuse Valley, Belgium. Non-suppurative encephalitis and mild degeneration and necrosis were identified in the brain and cerebellum, and Usutu virus antigen and RNA were detected by immunohistochemistry and real-time reverse transcriptase PCR, respectively. The two cases reported here represent the most western distribution of clinical disease in birds due to Usutu virus in Europe.

Influence of parasite density and sample storage time on the reliability of Entamoeba histolytica-specific PCR from formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded tissues.

We report on the reliability of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for the detection of Entamoeba histolytica from formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue in comparison with microscopy and have determined predictors that may influence PCR results. E. histolytica-specific and Entamoeba dispar-specific real-time PCR and microscopy from adjacent histologic sections were performed using a collection of formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue specimens obtained from patients with invasive amebiasis. Specimens had been collected during the previous 4 decades. Association of sample age, parasite density, and reliability of PCR was analyzed. E. histolytica PCR was positive in 20 of 34 biopsies (58.8%); 2 of these 20 were microscopically negative for amebae in neighboring tissue sections. PCR was negative in 9 samples with visible amebae in neighboring sections and in 5 samples without visible parasites in neighboring sections. PCR was negative in all specimens that were older than 3 decades. Low parasite counts and sample ages older than 20 years were predictors for false-negative PCR results. All samples were negative for E. dispar DNA. PCR is suitable for the detection of E. histolytica in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue samples that are younger than 2 decades and that contain intermediate to high parasite numbers. Negative results in older samples were due to progressive degradation of DNA over time as indicated by control PCRs targeting the human 18S rRNA gene. Moreover, our findings support previous suggestions that only E. histolytica but not E. dispar is responsible for invasive amebiasis.

Varicella-like cutaneous toxoplasmosis in a patient with aplastic anemia.

A 60-year-old patient with aplastic anemia presented with vesicular varicella-like skin lesions on her face, arms, legs, back, and abdomen. However, diagnosis for herpetic infection was negative. Findings of a skin biopsy led to a tentative histologic diagnosis of toxoplasmosis, and infection with Toxoplasma gondii was confirmed by immunohistochemistry and PCR. Cutaneous toxoplasmosis is a rare finding in immunocompromised patients and might mimic other infectious diseases, and vesicular lesions associated with toxoplasmosis have not been reported previously.

Immunogenicity of DNA vaccines encoding simian immunodeficiency virus antigen targeted to dendritic cells in rhesus macaques.

BACKGROUND: Targeting antigens encoded by DNA vaccines to dendritic cells (DCs) in the presence of adjuvants enhances their immunogenicity and efficacy in mice. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: To explore the immunogenicity of this approach in non-human primates, we generated a single chain antibody to the antigen uptake receptor DEC-205 expressed on rhesus macaque DCs. DNA vaccines encoding this single chain antibody fused to the SIV capsid protein were delivered to six monkeys each by either intramuscular electroporation or conventional intramuscular injection co-injected or not with poly ICLC, a stabilized poly I: C analogue, as adjuvant. Antibodies to capsid were induced by the DC-targeting and non-targeting control DNA delivered by electroporation while conventional DNA immunization at a 10-fold higher dose of DNA failed to induce detectable humoral immune responses. Substantial cellular immune responses were also observed after DNA electroporation of both DNAs, but stronger responses were induced by the non-targeting vaccine. Conventional immunization with the DC-targeting DNA at a 10-fold higher dose did not give rise to substantial cellular immune responses, neither when co-injected with poly ICLC. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: The study confirms the potent immunogenicity of DNA vaccines delivered by electroporation. Targeting the DNA via a single chain antibody to DEC-205 expressed by DCs, however, does not improve the immunogenicity of the antigens in non-human primates.

Epizootic emergence of Usutu virus in wild and captive birds in Germany.

This study aimed to identify the causative agent of mass mortality in wild and captive birds in southwest Germany and to gather insights into the phylogenetic relationship and spatial distribution of the pathogen. Since June 2011, 223 dead birds were collected and tested for the presence of viral pathogens. Usutu virus (USUV) RNA was detected by real-time RT-PCR in 86 birds representing 6 species. The virus was isolated in cell culture from the heart of 18 Blackbirds (Turdus merula). USUV-specific antigen was demonstrated by immunohistochemistry in brain, heart, liver, and lung of infected Blackbirds. The complete polyprotein coding sequence was obtained by deep sequencing of liver and spleen samples of a dead Blackbird from Mannheim (BH65/11-02-03). Phylogenetic analysis of the German USUV strain BH65/11-02-03 revealed a close relationship with strain Vienna that caused mass mortality among birds in Austria in 2001. Wild birds from lowland river valleys in southwest Germany were mainly affected by USUV, but also birds kept in aviaries. Our data suggest that after the initial detection of USUV in German mosquitoes in 2010, the virus spread in 2011 and caused epizootics among wild and captive birds in southwest Germany. The data also indicate an increased risk of USUV infections in humans in Germany.

Absence of HIV-1 evolution in the gut-associated lymphoid tissue from patients on combination antiviral therapy initiated during primary infection.

Mucosal mononuclear (MMC) CCR5+CD4+ T cells of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract are selectively infected and depleted during acute HIV-1 infection. Despite early initiation of combination antiretroviral therapy (cART), gut-associated lymphoid tissue (GALT) CD4+ T cell depletion and activation persist in the majority of HIV-1 positive individuals studied. This may result from ongoing HIV-1 replication and T-cell activation despite effective cART. We hypothesized that ongoing viral replication in the GI tract during cART would result in measurable viral evolution, with divergent populations emerging over time. Subjects treated during early HIV-1 infection underwent phlebotomy and flexible sigmoidoscopy with biopsies prior to and 15-24 months post initiation of cART. At the 2(nd) biopsy, three GALT phenotypes were noted, characterized by high, intermediate and low levels of immune activation. A representative case from each phenotype was analyzed. Each subject had plasma HIV-1 RNA levels <50 copies/ml at 2(nd) GI biopsy and CD4+ T cell reconstitution in the peripheral blood. Single genome amplification of full-length HIV-1 envelope was performed for each subject pre- and post-initiation of cART in GALT and PBMC. A total of 280 confirmed single genome sequences (SGS) were analyzed for experimental cases. For each subject, maximum likelihood phylogenetic trees derived from molecular sequence data showed no evidence of evolved forms in the GALT over the study period. During treatment, HIV-1 envelope diversity in GALT-derived SGS did not increase and post-treatment GALT-derived SGS showed no substantial genetic divergence from pre-treatment sequences within transmitted groups. Similar results were obtained from PBMC-derived SGS. Our results reveal that initiation of cART during acute/early HIV-1 infection can result in the interruption of measurable viral evolution in the GALT, suggesting the absence of de-novo rounds of HIV-1 replication in this compartment during suppressive cART.

Hantavirus and acute appendicitis--the diagnosis behind the diagnosis?

A 33-year-old man with a history of acute lower abdominal pain was admitted to the emergency room. After laparoscopic appendectomy and pathological confirmed acute appendicitis the patient developed thrombocytopenia and acute renal failure. Serological testing for hantaviruses revealed a positive result for PUUV IgG and IgM. Immunohistochemical work-up detected PUUV antigen in endothelial cells of capillaries and larger vessels. The high percentage of patients with hantavirus infection and severe abdominal pain is remarkable and, up to now, unexplained. To our knowledge this is the first report demonstrating PUUV antigen in the human intestine. Further studies are warranted whether hantaviruses are setting the stage for a secondary bacterial infection or cause an inflammation itself.

Immunohistology of ectopic secondary lymph follicles in subcutaneous nodules from patients with hyperreactive onchocerciasis (sowda).

Ectopic secondary lymph follicles emerge in patients with autoimmune or infectious diseases, e.g. in the synovium in rheumatoid arthritis or the skin in Borrelia burgdorferi infection, but ectopic localisations in the skin are rarely described for helminth infections. We investigated the cellular composition of secondary lymph follicles in subcutaneous nodules from eight patients with hyperreactive onchocerciasis (synonymous "localised" form or sowda) using immunohistology. CD3- and CD45RO-positive T cells and CD20-positive B cells were present in the mantle zone. The germinal centre was characterised by many B cells and CD35-positive follicular dendritic cells, which formed a network of attached IgE- and CD23-positive cells with the low-affinity IgE (epsilon) receptor. Few of the B cells were labelled for IgG1, IgG2 and IgG4, whereas in other zones of the nodule IgG1 was expressed by plasma cells and IgG1-coated dead microfilariae. B cells and few macrophages expressed the MHC class II molecule HLA-DR. Mature CD68-positive tingible body macrophages with phagocytosed leukocytes and CD57-positive lymphocytes occurred in the germinal centre. Macrophages in the germinal centre only weakly expressed alpha1-antichymotrypsin in contrast to macrophages in other zones of the onchocercoma. Furthermore, the multifunctional cytokine TGF-beta was only weakly expressed by macrophages and lymphocytes in the secondary follicles. Only few tryptase-positive mast cells, calprotectin-positive young macrophages, eosinophils and neutrophils occurred in the secondary follicles, although these cells were abundant in the onchocercomas. In conclusion, the ectopic secondary lymph follicles in onchocercomas and lymph nodes from hyperreactive onchocerciasis patients are equally composed.

Role played by CD4+FOXP3+ regulatory T Cells in suppression of host responses to Haemophilus ducreyi during experimental infection of human volunteers.

Haemophilus ducreyi causes chancroid, a genital ulcer disease. Among human volunteers, the majority of experimentally infected individuals fail to clear the infection and form pustules. Here, we investigated the role played by CD4(+)FOXP3(+) regulatory T (T(reg)) cells in the formation of pustules. In pustules, there was a significant enrichment of CD4(+)FOXP3(+) T cells, compared with that in peripheral blood. The majority of lesional FOXP3(+) T cells were CD4(+), CD25(+), CD127(lo/-), and CTLA-4(+). FOXP3(+) T cells were found throughout pustules but were most abundant at their base. Significantly fewer lesional CD4(+)FOXP3(+) T cells expressed interferon gamma, compared with lesional CD4(+)FOXP3(-) effector T cells. Depletion of CD4(+)CD25(+) T cells from the peripheral blood of infected and uninfected volunteers significantly enhanced proliferation of H. ducreyi-reactive CD4(+) T cells. Our results indicate that the population of CD4(+)CD25(+)CD127(lo/-)FOXP3(+) T(reg) cells are expanded at H. ducreyi-infected sites and that these cells may play a role in suppressing the host immune response to the bacterium.

Analysis of humoral immune responses in rhesus macaques vaccinated with attenuated SIVmac239Deltanef and challenged with pathogenic SIVmac251.

BACKGROUND: To determine the correlation between protection and humoral immune response against simian immunodeficiency virus (SIVmac251), 11 macaques were immunized with live-attenuated SIVmac239Deltanef either intravenously or via the tonsils and exposed to SIVmac251 after either 6 or 15 months along with unvaccinated controls. RESULTS: Independent of the route of vaccine application, viremia was significantly reduced in vaccinees compared with controls 2 weeks post-challenge. Concomitantly, viremia correlated inversely with SIV-specific IgG, complement-mediated lysis and neutralizing antibodies and these parameters seemed to contribute to reduced viremia. During chronic infection, six monkeys controlled viremia in the circulation (two or fewer infectious units per 10(6) PBMCs) and showed no signs of trapping in lymphatic tissues (Appendix S1). CONCLUSIONS: As no significant differences were observed throughout the study, with respect to the humoral immune response and viremia control, between the two vaccinated cohorts, mucosal immunization strategies are recommended due to more simplified application.

Synthetic double-stranded RNAs are adjuvants for the induction of T helper 1 and humoral immune responses to human papillomavirus in rhesus macaques.

Toll-like receptor (TLR) ligands are being considered as adjuvants for the induction of antigen-specific immune responses, as in the design of vaccines. Polyriboinosinic-polyribocytoidylic acid (poly I:C), a synthetic double-stranded RNA (dsRNA), is recognized by TLR3 and other intracellular receptors. Poly ICLC is a poly I:C analogue, which has been stabilized against the serum nucleases that are present in the plasma of primates. Poly I:C(12)U, another analogue, is less toxic but also less stable in vivo than poly I:C, and TLR3 is essential for its recognition. To study the effects of these compounds on the induction of protein-specific immune responses in an animal model relevant to humans, rhesus macaques were immunized subcutaneously (s.c.) with keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH) or human papillomavirus (HPV)16 capsomeres with or without dsRNA or a control adjuvant, the TLR9 ligand CpG-C. All dsRNA compounds served as adjuvants for KLH-specific cellular immune responses, with the highest proliferative responses being observed with 2 mg/animal poly ICLC (p = 0.002) or 6 mg/animal poly I:C(12)U (p = 0.001) when compared with immunization with KLH alone. Notably, poly ICLC -- but not CpG-C given at the same dose -- also helped to induce HPV16-specific Th1 immune responses while both adjuvants supported the induction of strong anti-HPV16 L1 antibody responses as determined by ELISA and neutralization assay. In contrast, control animals injected with HPV16 capsomeres alone did not develop substantial HPV16-specific immune responses. Injection of dsRNA led to increased numbers of cells producing the T cell-activating chemokines CXCL9 and CXCL10 as detected by in situ hybridization in draining lymph nodes 18 hours after injections, and to increased serum levels of CXCL10 (p = 0.01). This was paralleled by the reduced production of the homeostatic T cell-attracting chemokine CCL21. Thus, synthetic dsRNAs induce an innate chemokine response and act as adjuvants for virus-specific Th1 and humoral immune responses in nonhuman primates.

Altered expression of the receptor-ligand pair CXCR5/CXCL13 in B cells during chronic HIV-1 infection.

HIV-1 infection is associated with B-cell abnormalities, such as hypergammaglobulinemia, poor immunization responses, and loss of serologic memory. To determine whether altered expression of chemokine receptors and their ligands may play a role in B-cell dysfunctions during HIV-1 infection, the expression of CXC chemokine receptor 4 (CXCR4), CXCR5, and CC chemokine receptor 7 (CCR7) and their respective ligands on CD19(+) B cells were examined in HIV-1-infected patients and controls. We report a decreased CXCR5 expression on B cells from patients (P < .05), a phenomenon associated with a low CD4 T-cell count (< 350 cells/microL). Interestingly, an increased expression of CXC chemokine ligand 13 (CXCL13), the ligand for CXCR5, was found in peripheral B cells from HIV-1-infected patients. Moreover, on B-cell activation in vitro, CXCL13 was secreted in culture. CXCL13(+) B cells were also found in the lymph nodes of HIV-1-infected patients, but not in control tissue. B-cell migration toward CXCL13, CXCL12, and CC chemokine ligand 21 (CCL21), ligands for CXCR5, CXCR4, and CCR7 was also evaluated. In patients with a low CD4 T-cell count, migration toward all ligands was increased. Our findings indicate that altered expression of the chemokine receptor-ligand pair, CXCR5/CXCL13, may participate in the establishment of B-cell dysfunctions during HIV-1 infection.

IL-12-impaired and IL-12-secreting dendritic cells produce IL-23 upon CD154 restimulation.

Experimental studies in monkeys on the basis of ex vivo-generated, reinjected dendritic cells (DCs) allow investigations of primate DC biology in vivo. To study in vitro and in vivo properties of DCs with a reduced capacity to produce IL-12, we adapted findings obtained in vitro with human cells to the rhesus macaque model. Following exposure of immature monocyte-derived monkey DCs to the immunomodulating synthetic polypeptide glatiramer acetate (GA) and to dibutyryl-cAMP (d-cAMP; i.e., a cAMP enhancer that activates DCs but inhibits the induction of Th1 immune responses), the resulting DCs displayed a mature phenotype with enhanced Ag-specific T cell stimulatory function, notably also for memory Th1 cells. Phosphorylation of p38 MAPK was not induced in GA/d-cAMP-activated DCs. Accordingly, these cells secreted significantly less IL-12p40 (p < or = 0.001) than did cytokine-activated cells. However, upon restimulation with rhesus macaque CD154, GA/d-cAMP-activated DCs produced IL-12p40/IL-23. Additionally, DCs activated by proinflammatory cytokines following protocols for the generation of cells used in clinical studies secreted significantly more IL-23 upon CD154 restimulation than following prior activation. Two days after intradermal injection, GA/d-cAMP-activated fluorescence-labeled DCs were detected in the T cell areas of draining lymph nodes. When similarly injected, GA/d-cAMP as well as cytokine-activated protein-loaded DCs induced comparable Th immune responses characterized by secretion of IFN-gamma, TNF, and IL-17, and transiently expanded FOXP3(+) regulatory T cells. Reactivation of primate DCs through CD154 considerably influences their immmunostimulatory properties. This may have a substantial impact on the development of innovative vaccine approaches.

Atraumatic oral spray immunization with replication-deficient viral vector vaccines.

The development of needle-free vaccines is one of the recently defined "grand challenges in global health" (H. Varmus, R. Klausner, R. Klausner, R. Zerhouni, T. Acharya, A. S. Daar, and P. A. Singer, Science 302:398-399, 2003). To explore whether a natural pathway to the inductive site of the mucosa-associated lymphatic tissue could be exploited for atraumatic immunization purposes, replication-deficient viral vector vaccines were sprayed directly onto the tonsils of rhesus macaques. Tonsillar immunization with viral vector vaccines encoding simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) antigens induced cellular and humoral immune responses. Viral RNA levels after a stringent SIV challenge were reduced, providing a level of protection similar to that observed after systemic immunization with the same vaccines. Thus, atraumatic oral spray immunization with replication-deficient vectors can overcome the epithelial barrier, deliver the vaccine antigen to the mucosa-associated lymphatic tissue, and avoid induction of tolerance, providing a novel approach to circumvent acceptability problems of syringe and needle vaccines for children and in developing countries.

Multiprotein genetic vaccine in the SIV-Macaca animal model: a promising approach to generate sterilizing immunity to HIV infection.

BACKGROUND: Vaccine combining structural and regulatory proteins is an emerging approach to develop an HIV/AIDS vaccine and therefore, the immunogenicity and efficacy of two regimens of immunization combining structural (Gag/Pol, Env) and regulatory (Rev, Tat, Nef) Simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) proteins were compared in cynomolgus monkeys. METHODS: Monkeys were immunized with Modified Vaccine Ankara vector (MVA-J5) (protocol 1) or with DNA, Semliki forest virus and MVA vectors (DNA/SFV/MVA) (protocol 2). At week 32, all monkeys were challenge intravenously (protocol 1) or intrarectally (protocol 2) with 50 MID(50) of SIVmac251. Humoral, proliferative responses and in particular in protocol 2, the frequency of IFN-gamma producing cells, were measured in all monkeys before and after the challenge. RESULTS: Both vaccine regimens elicited humoral and proliferative responses but failed to induce neutralizing antibodies. Upon intravenous challenge, two out of three MVA-J5 vaccinated monkeys exhibited a long-term control of the viral replication whereas DNA/SFV/MVA vaccine abrogated the virus replication up to undetectable level in three out of four vaccinated monkeys. A major contribution to this vaccine effect appeared to be the IFN-gamma/ELISPOT responses to vaccine antigens (Gag, Rev Tat and Nef). CONCLUSIONS: These results, indicate that multiprotein heterologous prime-boost vaccination can induce a robust vaccine-induced immunity able to abrogate virus replication.

Adjunctive passive immunotherapy in human immunodeficiency virus type 1-infected individuals treated with antiviral therapy during acute and early infection.

Three neutralizing monoclonal antibodies (MAbs), 2G12, 2F5, and 4E10, with activity in vitro and in vivo were administered in an open-label, nonrandomized, proof-of-concept study to attempt to prevent viral rebound after interruption of antiretroviral therapy (ART). Ten human immunodeficiency virus type 1-infected individuals identified and treated with ART during acute and early infection were enrolled. The first six patients were administered 1.0 g of each of the three MAbs per infusion. The remaining four patients received 2G12 at 1.0 g/infusion and 2.0 g/infusion of 2F5 and 4E10. The MAbs were well tolerated. Grade I post-partial thromboplastin time prolongations were noted. Viral rebound was observed in 8/10 subjects (28 to 73 days post-ART interruption), and 2/10 subjects remained aviremic over the course of the study. In seven of eight subjects with viral rebound, clear resistance to 2G12 emerged, whereas reductions in the susceptibilities of plasma-derived recombinant viruses to 2F5 and 4E10 were neither sustained nor consistently measured. Viral rebound was associated with a preferential depletion of CD4(+) T cells within the gastrointestinal tract. Though safe, the use of MAbs generally delayed, but did not prevent, virologic rebound. Consideration should be given to further pilot studies with alternative combinations of MAbs and perhaps additional novel treatment modalities.

Experimental infection with Haemophilus ducreyi in persons who are infected with HIV does not cause local or augment systemic viral replication.

We infected 11 HIV-seropositive volunteers whose CD4(+) cell counts were >350 cells/ microL (7 of whom were receiving antiretrovirals) with Haemophilus ducreyi. The papule and pustule formation rates were similar to those observed in HIV-seronegative historical control subjects. No subject experienced a sustained change in CD4(+) cell count or HIV RNA level. The cellular infiltrate in biopsy samples obtained from the HIV-seropositive and HIV-seronegative subjects did not differ with respect to the percentage of leukocytes, neutrophils, macrophages, or T cells. The CD4(+):CD8(+) cell ratio in biopsy samples from the HIV-seropositive subjects was 1:3, the inverse of the ratio seen in the HIV-seronegative subjects (P<.0001). Although CD4(+) cells proliferated in lesions, in situ hybridization and reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction for HIV RNA was negative. We conclude that experimental infection in HIV-seropositive persons is clinically similar to infection in HIV-seronegative persons and does not cause local or augment systemic viral replication. Thus, prompt treatment of chancroid may abrogate increases in viral replication associated with natural disease.

A single vaccination with attenuated SIVmac 239 via the tonsillar route confers partial protection against challenge with SIVmac 251 at a distant mucosal site, the rectum.

Elucidating the mechanisms that protect monkeys previously immunized with attenuated SIV (SIVDeltanef) against challenge infection with pathogenic virus may reveal new strategies for the development of an effective HIV vaccine. Here we show that a single atraumatic application of SIVDeltanef to the tonsils of four rhesus macaques conferred protection against SIVmac251 applied intrarectally 26 weeks later. While this protection was not complete, i.e., challenge virus could be isolated from all immunized animals, it was reflected by significantly lower viral loads in the blood (weeks 2-16 after challenge, p < 0.01) and considerably lower loads in lymphoid organs, and more stable peripheral CD4 counts in a proportion of the immunized animals as compared to four non-immunized, SIVmac251-infected control monkeys. SIV-specific humoral as well as systemic and mucosal T cell responses were detected in the immunized animals, but there was no correlation between their magnitude of expression and the level of protection. Analyses of leukocyte subsets in these animals at necropsy (24 weeks after challenge) did not reveal a significantly enhanced proportion of gamma/delta T cells in the tissues of protected monkeys. Therefore, tonsillar application of attenuated SIV induces protection in some animals against a superinfection with wild-type SIV distant at a distant mucosal site.