We have measured markers of human papillomavirus type 16 (HPV 16) infection in children (1–10 years of age) who were hospitalized for reasons unrelated to papillomavirus infection. Genital and buccal swabs obtained from 79 children were tested for the presence of HPV 16 DNA by PCR. Low-level positivity was found in 34 donors, twice as often in oral than in genital swabs. There was no sex-specific difference, but there was a trend towards a higher positivity rate with young age. Serum antibodies (IgG) were measured by ELISA based on peptides derived from the HPV 16 early proteins E4 (one peptide), E6 (two peptides) or E7 (two peptides) in 75 children and by ELISA based on virus-like particles in 66 children. Low-positivity rates were found for E6 (5.1%), E7 (2.5%) or capsid proteins (1.5%), but 20.3% of the sera reacted with the E4-specific peptide. There was no correlation between sero-positivity and the detection of HPV 16 DNA. In those instances where HPV DNA positivity in young children represents true infection and not environmental contamination, we speculate that this infection is accompanied by low-level virus replication that does not induce a measurable antibody response. Reactivity to the E4 protein is likely due to cross-reacting antibodies directed either against E4 proteins of other HPV types or against unrelated antigens.

No abstract

BACKGROUND Elizabethkingia meningoseptica is an emerging pathogen causing meningitis, pneumonia, endocarditis, bacteremia, sepsis, wound & soft tissue infections, abdominal, respiratory and ocular infections, dialysis associated peritonitis and prosthesis associated septic arthritis, especially in immunodeficient hosts of various age groups. The prevalence of nosocomial infection by E. meningoseptica has increased, predominantly in patients with invasive procedures, prior use of broad-spectrum antimicrobial and co-morbid conditions. We wanted to determine the prevalence of Elizabethkingia meningoseptica among the clinical samples processed in our laboratory and their antimicrobial susceptibility pattern. METHODS This observational study was conducted in patients admitted to a tertiary care hospital, from October 2017 to October 2020. The study subjects were selected on positive bacterial culture reports after excluding patients of less than 18 years of age and their demographic and clinical features were obtained from their medical records. Blood samples were processed by BacT/Alert. VITEK-2 system was used to identify the bacteria and their antimicrobial susceptibility pattern. RESULTS Among the 3532 clinical samples processed, 16 (0.45 %) bacterial isolates were Elizabethkingia meningoseptica. Out of them, 5 (31.25 %) were from blood and 11 (68.75 %) were from endotracheal tubes. More number of cases 6 (38 %) were seen in the age group of 61 - 70 years. Most of the patients were on mechanical ventilation with common co-morbid condition associated was cardiovascular diseases 11 (68 %). E. meningoseptica was most often sensitive to nalidixic acid and ciprofloxacin (50 %), tigecycline 4 (30 %), minocycline 3 (18 %), cotrimoxazole 2 (15 %), piperacillin-tazobactam 1 (13 %) and minocyclin (18.75 %). CONCLUSIONS Infection with E. meningoseptica is clinically important as the organism causes nosocomial infection and is intrinsically resistant to multiple antibiotics, such as βlactams, aminoglycosides, tetracycline, tigecycline, colistin, chloramphenicol and carbapenems. Early diagnosis and prompt treatment is required to prevent the morbidity and mortality. KEYWORDS Elizabethkingia Meningoseptica, Antimicrobial Susceptibility, Clinical Profile