BACKGROUND To determine a possible relation between Mycoplasma pneumoniae (MP) or Chlamidia pneumoniae (CP) seropositivity and age-related macular degeneration (AMD). METHODS Sixty patients (20 wet AMD, 20 dry AMD and 20 non-AMD controls) were included in the study. Serum samples were collected for analysis of IgM and IgG antibody seropositivity for CP and MP by enzyme-linked immunosorbent as...

BACKGROUND In India, Pune was one of the badly affected cities during the influenza A (H1N1) 2009 pandemic. We undertook serosurveys among the risk groups and general population to determine the extent of pandemic influenza A (H1N1) 2009 virus infections. METHODS Pre-pandemic sera from the archives, collected during January 2005 to March 2009, were assayed for the determination of baseline se...

Because Helicobacter pylori colonization can produce systemic as well as local effects, it may be associated with carcinogenesis in extra gastric target organs. The currently available data regarding a possible link between H. pylori seropositivity and colorectal cancer risk are limited and inconclusive. In this prospective case-control study nested within the Alpha-Tocopherol, Beta-Carotene St...

BACKGROUND Herpesviruses have been linked to cognitive impairment in older individuals but little is known about the association in the general US population. METHODS We determined whether cytomegalovirus (CMV) and herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) seropositivity were associated with cognitive impairment among children (aged 6-16 years) and adults aged 20-59 or ≥60 years, using data from the Nat...

Seroprevalence data on viral hepatitis in the general population vary widely. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of hepatitis A (HAV), hepatitis B (HBV) and hepatitis C (HCV) viruses in the general Croatian adult population undergoing routine check-ups. The seroprevalence of anti-HAV, anti-HBc and anti-HCV was 40.5%, 7.0% and 0.9%, respectively. HBsAg was found in 0.7% and an...

INTRODUCTION Leprosy is mainly transmitted among family members who share genetic and ambient factors. The clinical form of leprosy in the index case and kinship could be risk factors for leprosy transmission. High antibody levels in household contacts (HC) in the absence of neural or skin lesions may characterize latent infection. This study aimed to evaluate the association between seropositi...

BACKGROUND Chlamydia pneumoniae, a bacterium that causes respiratory infections, is probably under-diagnosed. There is also interest in its possible role in the aetiology of coronary heart disease. This is the first population-based seroprevalence survey of C. pneumoniae infection in Singapore. METHODS A random sample of 1,068 people aged 18-69 years was selected from the participants of the ...

This article presents the results of a cross-sectional study involving 115 newly-diagnosed leprosy patients and 1,011 household contacts, all under the age of 18. Seropositivity ratios and factors associated with a positive ML Flow were determined. The test was positive in 21.7% of patients and in 19.7% of contacts. Among patients, logistic regression indicated the association of seropositivity...