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Nicolas Dauby

Université libre de Bruxelles, Infectious Diseases, Post-Doc

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Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB)

Birgit Apfelbaum

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Vrije Universiteit Brussel

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Concordia University (Canada)

Ranjani Paradise

Informes del Observatorio / Observatorio Reports — Instituto Cervantes at FAS - Harvard University

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Papers by Nicolas Dauby

The Challenge of Obtaining Informed Consent in a Highly Multilingual Hospital Emergency Department

Considerando Etica E Ideologia En Situaciones De Conflicto Visisiting Ethics and Ideology in Situations of Conflict Recurso Electronico 2014 Isbn 978 84 16133 08 6 Pags 114 119, Apr 12, 2014

This case study reports on the procedure of obtaining informed consent from foreign-language pati... more This case study reports on the procedure of obtaining informed consent from foreign-language patients in non-clinical research on multilingual communication in the hospital emergency department (ED). Language barriers often constitute a hurdle in obtaining informed consent from foreign-language patients. A simplified French language consent form was not effective, and the hectic context of the ED did not allow time for lengthy explanations. We experimented with audio-recorded explanations of the consent form in various languages. We propose this strategy for other similar (non-clinical) studies in tense settings which involve negligible risk for participants.

Fatal community-acquired ribotype 002 Clostridium difficile bacteremia

Anaerobe, Jan 30, 2016

Extra-colonic infections, and especially bacteremia, are infrequent manifestations of Clostridium... more Extra-colonic infections, and especially bacteremia, are infrequent manifestations of Clostridium difficile infection. C. difficile bacteremia is generally health-care associated and polymicrobial. We report the case of a patient on hunger strike that presented a C. difficile colitis and mono-microbial bacteremia on its admission to the hospital. Multilocus variable number tandem repeat analysis of stool and blood isolates indicated clonality. The strain was characterized as a ribotype 002, an emerging ribotype previously associated with high fatality rate. The patient received treatment by intra-venous amoxicillin-clavulanate and oral vancomycin but eventually died on the seventh day of admission with concomitant pneumonia and pulmonary embolism.

Increased Risk of Group B Streptococcus Invasive Infection in HIV-Exposed but Uninfected Infants: A Review of the Evidence and Possible Mechanisms

Frontiers in Immunology, 2016

Group B Streptococcus (GBS) is a major cause of neonatal sepsis and mortality worldwide. Studies ... more Group B Streptococcus (GBS) is a major cause of neonatal sepsis and mortality worldwide. Studies from both developed and developing countries have shown that HIV-exposed but uninfected (HEU) infants are at increased risk of infectious morbidity, as compared to HIV-unexposed uninfected infants (HUU). A higher susceptibility to GBS infections has been reported in HEU infants, particularly late-onset diseases and more severe manifestations of GBS diseases. We review here the possible explanations for increased susceptibility to GBS infection. Maternal GBS colonization during pregnancy is a major risk factor for early-onset GBS invasive disease, but colonization rates are not higher in HIV-infected compared to HIV-uninfected pregnant women, while selective colonization with more virulent strains in HIV-infected women is suggested in some studies. Lower serotype-specific GBS maternal antibody transfer and quantitative and qualitative defects of innate immune responses in HEU infants may play a role in the increased risk of GBS invasive disease. The impact of maternal antiretroviral treatment and its consequences on immune activation in HEU newborns are important to study. Maternal immunization presents a promising intervention to reduce GBS burden in the growing HEU population.

A pseudotumoral angiodysplasia

Endoscopy, 2009

Limited effector memory B cell response to envelope glycoprotein B during primary HCMV infection

Journal of Infectious Diseases, 2015

Following primary human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) infection, the production of antibodies against e... more Following primary human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) infection, the production of antibodies against envelope glycoprotein B (gB) is delayed, compared with production of antibodies against tegument proteins, and this likely reduces the control of HCMV dissemination. The frequency and the phenotype of gB-specific and tegument protein-specific B cells were studied in a cohort of pregnant women with primary HCMV infection. Healthy adults who had chronic HCMV infection or were recently immunized with tetanus toxoid (TT) were included as controls. Primary HCMV infection was associated with high and similar frequencies of gB-specific and tegument protein-specific B cells following primary HCMV infection. During primary infection, tegument protein-specific B cells expressed an activated (CD21(low)) memory B-cell (MBC) phenotype. Activated MBCs were also induced by TT booster immunization, indicating that the expansion of this subset is part of the physiological B-cell response to protein antigens. In contrast, gB-specific B cells had a predominant classical (CD21(+)) MBC phenotype during both primary and chronic infections. The delayed production of gB-specific immunoglobulin G (IgG) during primary HCMV infection is associated with a limited induction of MBCs with effector potential. This novel mechanism by which HCMV may interfere with the production of neutralizing antibodies could represent a target for therapeutic immunization.

Supplementary figure 1

The challenge of obtaining informed consent in a highly multilingual hospital emergency department

by Nicolas Dauby and Antoon Cox

Obras colectivas humanidades, from (Re) considerando ética e ideología en situaciones de conflicto = (Re) visisiting ethics and ideology in situations of conflict, issue 39, vol.1, pp.114 - 119, eds. Carmen Valero Garcés, published by Universidad , Apr 16, 2014

This case study reports on the procedure of obtaining informed consent from foreign-language pat... more This case study reports on the procedure of obtaining informed consent from foreign-language
patients in non-clinical research on multilingual communication in the hospital emergency
department (ED). Language barriers often constitute a hurdle in obtaining informed consent
from foreign-language patients. A simplified French language consent form was not effective,
and the hectic context of the ED did not allow time for lengthy explanations. We experimented
with audio-recorded explanations of the consent form in various languages. We propose this
strategy for other similar (non-clinical) studies in tense settings which involve negligible risk for
participants.

Supplemental Figure 2

Probable hypersensitivity reaction to vancomycin associating rash, fever and neutropenia

Acta clinica Belgica

We describe the case of a 54-year old woman with breast cancer who was treated by vancomycin for ... more We describe the case of a 54-year old woman with breast cancer who was treated by vancomycin for febrile neutropenia due to a methicillin-resistant Staphyloccocus epidermidis infection of a surgically implanted catheter. She developed an hypersensitivity reaction to vancomycin associating neutropenia, fever, skin rash and elevated liver enzymes following re-challenge with vancomycin after having been misdiagnosed with septic thrombophlebitis. Following this re-challenge, neutrophils count fell dramatically but promptly resolved after cessation of vancomycin.

Amikacin-induced hypomagnesaemic tetany complicating multidrug-resistant tuberculosis treatment

The international journal of tuberculosis and lung disease : the official journal of the International Union against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease, 2010

B cell responses in pregnancy and vaccine efficacy

Human Reproduction Update, 2015

A pseudotumoral angiodysplasia

Endoscopy, 2009

Management of a Cryptosporidium hominis Outbreak in a Day-care Center

The Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal, 2012

Background: Cryptosporidium outbreaks in day-care centers (DCCs) occur commonly. However, control... more Background: Cryptosporidium outbreaks in day-care centers (DCCs) occur commonly. However, controlling spread of infection in these settings is difficult, and data about effectiveness of different control strategies are sparse. In this study, a Cryptosporidium outbreak in a large DCC located in Brussels is described with evaluation of hygienic and therapeutic interventions. Methods: During a 3-week period, 43 of 130 children attending the DCC developed enteric symptoms. Stools from 122 children were examined for microbial pathogens. Of them, 38 (31%) were diagnosed with Cryptosporidium, 29 of them being symptomatic (76%) and 9 (24%) asymptomatic. Diagnosis was performed by microscopy, antigen tests, and real-time polymerase chain reaction. Strict infection control measures were implemented during the first week after the start of outbreak. After 4 weeks, 27/38 children (71%) were still symptomatic and Cryptosporidium positive. Because of persisting symptoms and fear of further spread of infection, all 27 children were treated with paromomycin. Two weeks later, 18 of 27 children were asymptomatic and were parasitologically negative. The remaining 9 children, still symptomatic and Cryptosporidium positive, were treated with nitazoxanide. Three weeks later, week 9 after the start of outbreak, all 38 children involved in the outbreak were asymptomatic and Cryptosporidium negative. Conclusions: Our study underscores the need to rule out Cryptosporidium etiology in a diarrheal outbreak in a DCC. Rapid implementation of infection control measures can most likely halt the spread of infection. The role of nitazoxanide to limit duration of shedding of oocysts deserves more attention for its use in outbreaks.

Primary human cytomegalovirus infection induces the expansion of virus-specific activated and atypical memory B cells

Journal of Infectious Diseases, 2014

Background. Although neutralizing antibodies play a central role in the control of cytomegaloviru... more

Acute myocardial infarction following thalidomide treatment for AIDS-related ulcers

AIDS, 2015

P523 Evaluation of three commercial assays for the detection of Giardia and Cryptosporidium organisms in stool specimens

International Journal of Antimicrobial Agents, 2007

Objectives: Giardia is known as the most common pathogenic intestinal protozoa in Belgium, yet Cr... more Objectives: Giardia is known as the most common pathogenic intestinal protozoa in Belgium, yet Cryptosporidium remains frequently under diagnosed. We compared three commercial assays for the detection of Giardia and Cryptosporidium. Methods: Stool specimens were collected from 101 children attending a day care centre located in Brussels. Most of those children presented abdominal complaints and/or diarrhoea since two weeks. Therefore, we wanted to investigate this outbreak in order to exclude a parasitic etiology. Stool specimens were examined according to our specific Triple-Feces-Test (TFT) protocol which consists in 3 samples collected on 3 consecutive days (2 with SAF preservative and one fresh specimen) examined with and without concentration techniques and a permanent staining. In addition, a Rhodamine-auramine O staining for Cryptosporidium is performed on the fresh specimen, with confirmation with Kinyoun carbolfuchsin acid-fast staining. Results obtained with our protocol were compared with those from Prospect Crypto/Giardia ® (ELISA), ImmunoCard STAT ® (IC) and Merifluor ® direct fluorescentantibody (DFA) commercial tests, each of them performed on the unpreserved stool specimen. Results: Among the 101 children included in the study, 5 and 17 were infected with G. lamblia and Cryptosporidium respectively. The sensitivity of the TFT-protocol was 100% for Giardia which was similar to the sensitivity of the IC and ELISA tests. The specificity of all tested methods was never lower than 97%. The sensitivity of the IC and the ELISA for the detection of Cryptosporidium were 100% and 95.3% respectively compared to 52.9% for the microscopic examination. When we used DFA as screening methods for the diagnosis of Giardia or Cryptosporidium, we found a sensitivity of 80% and 82% respectively. Specificity of the DFA was 100% and 97.6% for Giardia and Cryptosporidium respectively. Conclusion: Microscopy with the TFT protocol is very sensitive for detection of Giardia but less sensitive for detection of Cryptosporidium than the three commercial kits tested. Regarding to our results, we should consider including ELISA or IC tests in our TFT-protocol for a more reliable detection of Crytosporidium.

Characteristics of non-AIDS-defining malignancies in the HAART era: a clinico-epidemiological study

Journal of the International AIDS Society, 2011

Background: Non-AIDS-defining malignancies (NADM) are becoming a major cause of mortality in the ... more

Meropenem/Clavulanate and Linezolid Treatment for Extensively Drug-resistant Tuberculosis

The Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal, 2011

Uninfected but not unaffected: chronic maternal infections during pregnancy, fetal immunity, and susceptibility to postnatal infections

The Lancet Infectious Diseases, 2012

Chronic infections during pregnancy are highly prevalent in some parts of the world. Infections w... more Chronic infections during pregnancy are highly prevalent in some parts of the world. Infections with helminths, Trypanosoma cruzi, Plasmodium spp, and HIV might aff ect the development of fetal immunity and susceptibility to postnatal infections independently of in-utero transmission of the pathogens. Fetal adaptive immune responses are common in neonates who have been exposed to maternal infection during pregnancy but not infected themselves. Such responses could aff ect the development of immunity to the homologous pathogens and their control during the fi rst few years of life. Fetal innate and regulatory responses might also aff ect immunity to unrelated pathogens and responses to vaccines. Strategies to improve child health should integrate the possible clinical implications of in-utero exposure to chronic maternal infections.

Maternal Infection with Trypanosoma cruzi and Congenital Chagas Disease Induce a Trend to a Type 1 Polarization of Infant Immune Responses to Vaccines

by Nicolas Dauby and Yves Carlier

PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases, 2009

Background: We previously showed that newborns congenitally infected with Trypanosoma cruzi (M+B+... more Background: We previously showed that newborns congenitally infected with Trypanosoma cruzi (M+B+) display a strong type 1 parasite-specific T cell immune response, whereas uninfected newborns from T. cruzi-infected mothers (M+B2) are prone to produce higher levels of proinflammatory cytokines than control neonates (M2B2). The purpose of the present study was to determine if such fetal/neonatal immunological environments could alter the response to standard vaccines administered in early life.

The Challenge of Obtaining Informed Consent in a Highly Multilingual Hospital Emergency Department

Considerando Etica E Ideologia En Situaciones De Conflicto Visisiting Ethics and Ideology in Situations of Conflict Recurso Electronico 2014 Isbn 978 84 16133 08 6 Pags 114 119, Apr 12, 2014

This case study reports on the procedure of obtaining informed consent from foreign-language pati... more This case study reports on the procedure of obtaining informed consent from foreign-language patients in non-clinical research on multilingual communication in the hospital emergency department (ED). Language barriers often constitute a hurdle in obtaining informed consent from foreign-language patients. A simplified French language consent form was not effective, and the hectic context of the ED did not allow time for lengthy explanations. We experimented with audio-recorded explanations of the consent form in various languages. We propose this strategy for other similar (non-clinical) studies in tense settings which involve negligible risk for participants.

Fatal community-acquired ribotype 002 Clostridium difficile bacteremia

Anaerobe, Jan 30, 2016

Extra-colonic infections, and especially bacteremia, are infrequent manifestations of Clostridium... more Extra-colonic infections, and especially bacteremia, are infrequent manifestations of Clostridium difficile infection. C. difficile bacteremia is generally health-care associated and polymicrobial. We report the case of a patient on hunger strike that presented a C. difficile colitis and mono-microbial bacteremia on its admission to the hospital. Multilocus variable number tandem repeat analysis of stool and blood isolates indicated clonality. The strain was characterized as a ribotype 002, an emerging ribotype previously associated with high fatality rate. The patient received treatment by intra-venous amoxicillin-clavulanate and oral vancomycin but eventually died on the seventh day of admission with concomitant pneumonia and pulmonary embolism.

Increased Risk of Group B Streptococcus Invasive Infection in HIV-Exposed but Uninfected Infants: A Review of the Evidence and Possible Mechanisms

Frontiers in Immunology, 2016

Group B Streptococcus (GBS) is a major cause of neonatal sepsis and mortality worldwide. Studies ... more Group B Streptococcus (GBS) is a major cause of neonatal sepsis and mortality worldwide. Studies from both developed and developing countries have shown that HIV-exposed but uninfected (HEU) infants are at increased risk of infectious morbidity, as compared to HIV-unexposed uninfected infants (HUU). A higher susceptibility to GBS infections has been reported in HEU infants, particularly late-onset diseases and more severe manifestations of GBS diseases. We review here the possible explanations for increased susceptibility to GBS infection. Maternal GBS colonization during pregnancy is a major risk factor for early-onset GBS invasive disease, but colonization rates are not higher in HIV-infected compared to HIV-uninfected pregnant women, while selective colonization with more virulent strains in HIV-infected women is suggested in some studies. Lower serotype-specific GBS maternal antibody transfer and quantitative and qualitative defects of innate immune responses in HEU infants may play a role in the increased risk of GBS invasive disease. The impact of maternal antiretroviral treatment and its consequences on immune activation in HEU newborns are important to study. Maternal immunization presents a promising intervention to reduce GBS burden in the growing HEU population.

A pseudotumoral angiodysplasia

Endoscopy, 2009

Limited effector memory B cell response to envelope glycoprotein B during primary HCMV infection

Journal of Infectious Diseases, 2015

Following primary human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) infection, the production of antibodies against e... more Following primary human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) infection, the production of antibodies against envelope glycoprotein B (gB) is delayed, compared with production of antibodies against tegument proteins, and this likely reduces the control of HCMV dissemination. The frequency and the phenotype of gB-specific and tegument protein-specific B cells were studied in a cohort of pregnant women with primary HCMV infection. Healthy adults who had chronic HCMV infection or were recently immunized with tetanus toxoid (TT) were included as controls. Primary HCMV infection was associated with high and similar frequencies of gB-specific and tegument protein-specific B cells following primary HCMV infection. During primary infection, tegument protein-specific B cells expressed an activated (CD21(low)) memory B-cell (MBC) phenotype. Activated MBCs were also induced by TT booster immunization, indicating that the expansion of this subset is part of the physiological B-cell response to protein antigens. In contrast, gB-specific B cells had a predominant classical (CD21(+)) MBC phenotype during both primary and chronic infections. The delayed production of gB-specific immunoglobulin G (IgG) during primary HCMV infection is associated with a limited induction of MBCs with effector potential. This novel mechanism by which HCMV may interfere with the production of neutralizing antibodies could represent a target for therapeutic immunization.

Supplementary figure 1

The challenge of obtaining informed consent in a highly multilingual hospital emergency department

by Nicolas Dauby and Antoon Cox

Obras colectivas humanidades, from (Re) considerando ética e ideología en situaciones de conflicto = (Re) visisiting ethics and ideology in situations of conflict, issue 39, vol.1, pp.114 - 119, eds. Carmen Valero Garcés, published by Universidad , Apr 16, 2014

This case study reports on the procedure of obtaining informed consent from foreign-language pat... more This case study reports on the procedure of obtaining informed consent from foreign-language
patients in non-clinical research on multilingual communication in the hospital emergency
department (ED). Language barriers often constitute a hurdle in obtaining informed consent
from foreign-language patients. A simplified French language consent form was not effective,
and the hectic context of the ED did not allow time for lengthy explanations. We experimented
with audio-recorded explanations of the consent form in various languages. We propose this
strategy for other similar (non-clinical) studies in tense settings which involve negligible risk for
participants.

Supplemental Figure 2

Probable hypersensitivity reaction to vancomycin associating rash, fever and neutropenia

Acta clinica Belgica

We describe the case of a 54-year old woman with breast cancer who was treated by vancomycin for ... more We describe the case of a 54-year old woman with breast cancer who was treated by vancomycin for febrile neutropenia due to a methicillin-resistant Staphyloccocus epidermidis infection of a surgically implanted catheter. She developed an hypersensitivity reaction to vancomycin associating neutropenia, fever, skin rash and elevated liver enzymes following re-challenge with vancomycin after having been misdiagnosed with septic thrombophlebitis. Following this re-challenge, neutrophils count fell dramatically but promptly resolved after cessation of vancomycin.

Amikacin-induced hypomagnesaemic tetany complicating multidrug-resistant tuberculosis treatment

The international journal of tuberculosis and lung disease : the official journal of the International Union against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease, 2010

B cell responses in pregnancy and vaccine efficacy

Human Reproduction Update, 2015

A pseudotumoral angiodysplasia

Endoscopy, 2009

Management of a Cryptosporidium hominis Outbreak in a Day-care Center

The Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal, 2012

Background: Cryptosporidium outbreaks in day-care centers (DCCs) occur commonly. However, control... more Background: Cryptosporidium outbreaks in day-care centers (DCCs) occur commonly. However, controlling spread of infection in these settings is difficult, and data about effectiveness of different control strategies are sparse. In this study, a Cryptosporidium outbreak in a large DCC located in Brussels is described with evaluation of hygienic and therapeutic interventions. Methods: During a 3-week period, 43 of 130 children attending the DCC developed enteric symptoms. Stools from 122 children were examined for microbial pathogens. Of them, 38 (31%) were diagnosed with Cryptosporidium, 29 of them being symptomatic (76%) and 9 (24%) asymptomatic. Diagnosis was performed by microscopy, antigen tests, and real-time polymerase chain reaction. Strict infection control measures were implemented during the first week after the start of outbreak. After 4 weeks, 27/38 children (71%) were still symptomatic and Cryptosporidium positive. Because of persisting symptoms and fear of further spread of infection, all 27 children were treated with paromomycin. Two weeks later, 18 of 27 children were asymptomatic and were parasitologically negative. The remaining 9 children, still symptomatic and Cryptosporidium positive, were treated with nitazoxanide. Three weeks later, week 9 after the start of outbreak, all 38 children involved in the outbreak were asymptomatic and Cryptosporidium negative. Conclusions: Our study underscores the need to rule out Cryptosporidium etiology in a diarrheal outbreak in a DCC. Rapid implementation of infection control measures can most likely halt the spread of infection. The role of nitazoxanide to limit duration of shedding of oocysts deserves more attention for its use in outbreaks.

Primary human cytomegalovirus infection induces the expansion of virus-specific activated and atypical memory B cells

Journal of Infectious Diseases, 2014

Background. Although neutralizing antibodies play a central role in the control of cytomegaloviru... more

Acute myocardial infarction following thalidomide treatment for AIDS-related ulcers

AIDS, 2015

P523 Evaluation of three commercial assays for the detection of Giardia and Cryptosporidium organisms in stool specimens

International Journal of Antimicrobial Agents, 2007

Objectives: Giardia is known as the most common pathogenic intestinal protozoa in Belgium, yet Cr... more Objectives: Giardia is known as the most common pathogenic intestinal protozoa in Belgium, yet Cryptosporidium remains frequently under diagnosed. We compared three commercial assays for the detection of Giardia and Cryptosporidium. Methods: Stool specimens were collected from 101 children attending a day care centre located in Brussels. Most of those children presented abdominal complaints and/or diarrhoea since two weeks. Therefore, we wanted to investigate this outbreak in order to exclude a parasitic etiology. Stool specimens were examined according to our specific Triple-Feces-Test (TFT) protocol which consists in 3 samples collected on 3 consecutive days (2 with SAF preservative and one fresh specimen) examined with and without concentration techniques and a permanent staining. In addition, a Rhodamine-auramine O staining for Cryptosporidium is performed on the fresh specimen, with confirmation with Kinyoun carbolfuchsin acid-fast staining. Results obtained with our protocol were compared with those from Prospect Crypto/Giardia ® (ELISA), ImmunoCard STAT ® (IC) and Merifluor ® direct fluorescentantibody (DFA) commercial tests, each of them performed on the unpreserved stool specimen. Results: Among the 101 children included in the study, 5 and 17 were infected with G. lamblia and Cryptosporidium respectively. The sensitivity of the TFT-protocol was 100% for Giardia which was similar to the sensitivity of the IC and ELISA tests. The specificity of all tested methods was never lower than 97%. The sensitivity of the IC and the ELISA for the detection of Cryptosporidium were 100% and 95.3% respectively compared to 52.9% for the microscopic examination. When we used DFA as screening methods for the diagnosis of Giardia or Cryptosporidium, we found a sensitivity of 80% and 82% respectively. Specificity of the DFA was 100% and 97.6% for Giardia and Cryptosporidium respectively. Conclusion: Microscopy with the TFT protocol is very sensitive for detection of Giardia but less sensitive for detection of Cryptosporidium than the three commercial kits tested. Regarding to our results, we should consider including ELISA or IC tests in our TFT-protocol for a more reliable detection of Crytosporidium.

Characteristics of non-AIDS-defining malignancies in the HAART era: a clinico-epidemiological study

Journal of the International AIDS Society, 2011

Background: Non-AIDS-defining malignancies (NADM) are becoming a major cause of mortality in the ... more

Meropenem/Clavulanate and Linezolid Treatment for Extensively Drug-resistant Tuberculosis

The Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal, 2011

Uninfected but not unaffected: chronic maternal infections during pregnancy, fetal immunity, and susceptibility to postnatal infections

The Lancet Infectious Diseases, 2012

Chronic infections during pregnancy are highly prevalent in some parts of the world. Infections w... more Chronic infections during pregnancy are highly prevalent in some parts of the world. Infections with helminths, Trypanosoma cruzi, Plasmodium spp, and HIV might aff ect the development of fetal immunity and susceptibility to postnatal infections independently of in-utero transmission of the pathogens. Fetal adaptive immune responses are common in neonates who have been exposed to maternal infection during pregnancy but not infected themselves. Such responses could aff ect the development of immunity to the homologous pathogens and their control during the fi rst few years of life. Fetal innate and regulatory responses might also aff ect immunity to unrelated pathogens and responses to vaccines. Strategies to improve child health should integrate the possible clinical implications of in-utero exposure to chronic maternal infections.

Maternal Infection with Trypanosoma cruzi and Congenital Chagas Disease Induce a Trend to a Type 1 Polarization of Infant Immune Responses to Vaccines

by Nicolas Dauby and Yves Carlier

PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases, 2009

Background: We previously showed that newborns congenitally infected with Trypanosoma cruzi (M+B+... more Background: We previously showed that newborns congenitally infected with Trypanosoma cruzi (M+B+) display a strong type 1 parasite-specific T cell immune response, whereas uninfected newborns from T. cruzi-infected mothers (M+B2) are prone to produce higher levels of proinflammatory cytokines than control neonates (M2B2). The purpose of the present study was to determine if such fetal/neonatal immunological environments could alter the response to standard vaccines administered in early life.