Genetic characterization of bulgarian rotavirus isolates and detection of rotavirus variants: challenges for the rotavirus vaccine program?

Abstract

Objective Endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) play an important role in tissue repairing and regeneration in ischemic organs, including the brain. However, the cause of EPC migration and the function of EPCs after ischemia are unclear. In this study, we demonstrated the effects of EPCs on ischemic brain injury in a mouse model of transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (tMCAO). Methods Circulating human EPCs were characterized with immunofluorescent staining and flow cytometry. EPCs (1 × 106) were injected into nude mice after 1 hour of tMCAO. Histological analysis and behavioral tests were performed from day 0 to 28 days after tMCAO. Results EPCs were detected in ischemic brain regions 24 hours after tMCAO. EPC transplantation significantly reduced ischemic infarct volume at 3 days after tMCAO compared with control animals (p < 0.05). CXCR4 was expressed in the majority of EPCs, and stromal‐derived factor‐1 (SDF‐1) induced EPC migration, which was blocked by pretreated EPCs with AMD3100 in vitro. SDF‐1 was upregulated in ischemic brain. Compared with control animals, injecting AMD3100‐pretreated EPCs resulted in a larger infarct volume 3 days after tMCAO, suggesting that SDF‐1–mediated signaling was involved in EPC‐mediated neuroprotection. In addition, EPC transplantation reduced mouse cortex atrophy 4 weeks after tMCAO and improved neurobehavioral outcomes (p < 0.05). EPC injection potently increased angiogenesis in the peri‐infarction area (p < 0.05). Interpretation We conclude that systemic delivery of EPCs protects the brain against ischemic injury, promotes neurovascular repair, and improves long‐term neurobehavioral outcomes. Our data suggest that SDF‐1–mediated signaling plays a critical role in EPC‐mediated neuroprotection. ANN NEUROL 2010;67:488–497

Rotavirus gastroenteritis in children less than five years of age in primary care settings in Bulgaria: an observational study

“…These hospital-based studies performed between 2005 and 2008 reported that 28%-43% of the incidence of AGE and at least a third of all the hospitalizations of children less than five years old could be attributed to RV. 15,16 Overall, only 6.3% of the children in the study were hospitalized, 20.1% of the RVpositive and 1.5% of the RV-negative.…”

“…The existing incidence data for Bulgaria are based on hospitalized cases [15][16][17] but they include only the more severe cases and do not give an accurate impression of the epidemiology and actual burden of RV disease. By one estimate, up to one in five AGE cases will see a physician and no more than two percent will be admitted to a hospital or present to an emergency room while the remaining cases will be cared for in their home by the parents or other caregivers.…”

Rotavirus Vaccination in Central Europe

“…The dominant RV genotype has changed over the years: G4P [8] (40.6%) in 2005, G9P [8] (84.8%) in 2006, G2P [4] (45.1%) in 2007, GP1P [8] (39.5%) in 2008, and G4P [8] (47%) in 2009, although this has gradually been replaced by G2P [4] (27%) (18,19).…”