L Cohort51 SLEr = ?.33, p = 0.doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0055275.tVitamin D in SLEsun protective 23388095 behaviours; and genetic variation in the metabolism of vitamin D. Much emphasis has been placed on vitamin D in SLE in recent years. Apart from its significant association with disease activity, based on the evidence highlighted in this systematic review, it is premature and would be fallacious to make any definitive claims for or against the role of vitamin D in other clinical aspects.Author ContributionsConceived and designed the experiments: RS AAR. Performed the experiments: RS. Analyzed the data: AAR. Wrote the paper: RS AAR.
In May and July 2011 Germany experienced an Entero Haemolytic Escherichia coli (EHEC) O104 infection outbreak. The Robert Koch Institut (RKI), a Federal Institute within the portfolio of the Federal Ministry of Health, reported 2987 cases of Shigatoxin mediated gastroenteritis [1]. The outbreak was declared to have been terminated on July 26th 2011. Most cases occurred inNorthern Germany, and fenugreek seeds from Egypt were suspected (but not established) as the source of infection [1,2]. Recent reports have focused on bacteriology, epidemiology, and the incidence of the Haemolytic Uraemic Syndrome (HUS), a major complication of EHEC gastroenteritis [3?]. Most former EHEC outbreaks were related to the O157:H7 strain of E. coli, while the recent cases have been caused by the O104:H4 strain. Prior to the recent episode in Germany, only minor outbreaksEHEC O104 Infection in Hospitalized Patientsrelated to EHEC O104 H4 had been reported [6,7]. The current O104:H4 strain is characterised by the expression of Shiga-toxin 2 and “Extended Spectrum b-Lactamase“ (ESBL) [8]. Genome sequence analysis has demonstrated that the current pathogen represents a new phenotype which combines the characteristics of EHEC and Entero Aggregative Escherichia coli (EAEC) [9]. This finding may explain the strong adherence of the O104:H4 strain to the colon mucosa and the enhancement of virulence. Brzuszkiewicz et al. suggest the term Entero Aggregative Haemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EAHEC) to describe this new phenotype [3]. HUS, first described in 1955 [10], is characterized by the triad of acute renal failure, haemolytic anaemia, and thrombocytopenia, mostly affecting children [11]. The recent EHEC episode has been complicated by HUS in 25 of patients [4]. However, in contrast to previous outbreaks, young female adults have been affected in the majority of cases, whereas pediatric cases remained rare [4]. Earlier O157:H7 outbreaks found HUS in only 7 of adult patients [12]. The evidence base for the Title Loaded From File treatment of EHEC enterocolitis and HUS is limited [13]. Recommendations rely on retrospective analyses of outbreaks (mostly O157:H7) and Title Loaded From File conclusions from in vitro research. The use of antibiotics is controversial [14?8]; some in vitro data suggest that antibiotics could aggravate the course of the disease by enhancing Shiga-toxin production [11]. Plasmapheresis for the treatment of HUS is 1317923 used on an empiric basis and is recommended by the German Society of Nephrology in case of neurological complications and/or rapid onset of HUS accompanied by thrombocytopenia [19]. The successful use of Eculizumab, a monoclonal antibody that prevents the activation of the fifth component of the complement cascade, for the treatment of HUS in children has been recently reported during the current EHEC outbreak [20]. Here we describe the clinical presentation.L Cohort51 SLEr = ?.33, p = 0.doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0055275.tVitamin D in SLEsun protective 23388095 behaviours; and genetic variation in the metabolism of vitamin D. Much emphasis has been placed on vitamin D in SLE in recent years. Apart from its significant association with disease activity, based on the evidence highlighted in this systematic review, it is premature and would be fallacious to make any definitive claims for or against the role of vitamin D in other clinical aspects.Author ContributionsConceived and designed the experiments: RS AAR. Performed the experiments: RS. Analyzed the data: AAR. Wrote the paper: RS AAR.
In May and July 2011 Germany experienced an Entero Haemolytic Escherichia coli (EHEC) O104 infection outbreak. The Robert Koch Institut (RKI), a Federal Institute within the portfolio of the Federal Ministry of Health, reported 2987 cases of Shigatoxin mediated gastroenteritis [1]. The outbreak was declared to have been terminated on July 26th 2011. Most cases occurred inNorthern Germany, and fenugreek seeds from Egypt were suspected (but not established) as the source of infection [1,2]. Recent reports have focused on bacteriology, epidemiology, and the incidence of the Haemolytic Uraemic Syndrome (HUS), a major complication of EHEC gastroenteritis [3?]. Most former EHEC outbreaks were related to the O157:H7 strain of E. coli, while the recent cases have been caused by the O104:H4 strain. Prior to the recent episode in Germany, only minor outbreaksEHEC O104 Infection in Hospitalized Patientsrelated to EHEC O104 H4 had been reported [6,7]. The current O104:H4 strain is characterised by the expression of Shiga-toxin 2 and “Extended Spectrum b-Lactamase“ (ESBL) [8]. Genome sequence analysis has demonstrated that the current pathogen represents a new phenotype which combines the characteristics of EHEC and Entero Aggregative Escherichia coli (EAEC) [9]. This finding may explain the strong adherence of the O104:H4 strain to the colon mucosa and the enhancement of virulence. Brzuszkiewicz et al. suggest the term Entero Aggregative Haemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EAHEC) to describe this new phenotype [3]. HUS, first described in 1955 [10], is characterized by the triad of acute renal failure, haemolytic anaemia, and thrombocytopenia, mostly affecting children [11]. The recent EHEC episode has been complicated by HUS in 25 of patients [4]. However, in contrast to previous outbreaks, young female adults have been affected in the majority of cases, whereas pediatric cases remained rare [4]. Earlier O157:H7 outbreaks found HUS in only 7 of adult patients [12]. The evidence base for the treatment of EHEC enterocolitis and HUS is limited [13]. Recommendations rely on retrospective analyses of outbreaks (mostly O157:H7) and conclusions from in vitro research. The use of antibiotics is controversial [14?8]; some in vitro data suggest that antibiotics could aggravate the course of the disease by enhancing Shiga-toxin production [11]. Plasmapheresis for the treatment of HUS is 1317923 used on an empiric basis and is recommended by the German Society of Nephrology in case of neurological complications and/or rapid onset of HUS accompanied by thrombocytopenia [19]. The successful use of Eculizumab, a monoclonal antibody that prevents the activation of the fifth component of the complement cascade, for the treatment of HUS in children has been recently reported during the current EHEC outbreak [20]. Here we describe the clinical presentation.