Eman Aleksic - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

Papers by Eman Aleksic

Research paper thumbnail of Mutagenesis of the epithelial polarity gene, discs large 1, perturbs nephrogenesis in the developing mouse kidney

Kidney International, 2005

Mutagenesis of the epithelial polarity gene, discs large 1, perturbs nephrogenesis in the develop... more Mutagenesis of the epithelial polarity gene, discs large 1, perturbs nephrogenesis in the developing mouse kidney.

Research paper thumbnail of Evolutionary history and global spread of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis Beijing lineage

Research paper thumbnail of Acquisition of HIV by African-Born Residents of Victoria, Australia: Insights from Molecular Epidemiology

Research paper thumbnail of First Molecular Epidemiology Study of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in Kiribati

PLoS ONE, 2013

We conducted a molecular epidemiology study on 120 Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolates from patie... more We conducted a molecular epidemiology study on 120 Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolates from patients presenting pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) in Burkina Faso. Classical antibiogram studies and genetic characterization, using mycobacterial interspersed repetitive-unit-variable-number tandem-repeat (MIRU-VNTR) typing and spoligotyping, were applied after culture. Molecular analysis of specific signatures showed that all TB cases reported in this study were caused by M. tuberculosis and identified no Mycobacterium bovis or Mycobacterium africanum isolates. This result is unexpected, as M. africanum strains were reportedly the etiologic agent in 20% of TB cases 2 decades ago. The comparison of spoligotypes from Burkina Faso with an international spoligotype database (SpolDB4) showed that the majority of isolates belong to major clades of M. tuberculosis (Haarlem, 9%; Latin American-Mediterranean, 30%; and T, 20%). The predominant group of isolates (30%) corresponds to spoligotype 61, described in Cameroon as the "Cameroon family." In Burkina Faso, as in Cameroon, this family could be associated with recent transmission of TB, suggesting a recent expansion in West Africa. Our data suggest a low level of primary drug resistance that may be a positive result of the Directly Observed Therapy Shortcourse program. Besides, based on spoligotyping plus MIRU-VNTR, data showed a high number of clusters in our sample, suggesting a high level of recent TB transmission in Burkina Faso. Nevertheless, an important genetic polymorphism was observed in this country, reflecting an endemicity situation where the control of TB would have less impact in the main towns.

Research paper thumbnail of HIV Type 1 in Fiji Is Caused by Subtypes C and B

AIDS Research and Human Retroviruses, 2009

The HIV epidemic in Fiji remains largely uncharacterized. By February 2009, there were 294 confir... more The HIV epidemic in Fiji remains largely uncharacterized. By February 2009, there were 294 confirmed cases; the majority occurred among the 20-to 39-year old age group and resulted from heterosexual contact. There are currently no published data concerning HIV subtypes in Fiji. In this study, venous blood samples were collected as dried blood spots from 35 HIV-positive individuals in Fiji. HIV-1 subtype was determined for 27 (77%) samples and the presence of four different subtypes, with multiple introductions of two, was demonstrated. Subtype distribution was as follows: 16 (59%) were subtype C, 9 (33%) were subtype B, 1 (4%) was subtype A, and 1 (4%) was subtype G. Phylogenetic analysis showed a clear segregation of the Fijian subtype C isolates and previously published Papua New Guinea subtype C isolates as well as multiple introductions of subtype B. These findings represent the first HIV-1 subtype data from the Fiji Islands.

Research paper thumbnail of Extremely prolonged HIV seroconversion associated with an MHC haplotype carrying disease susceptibility genes for antibody deficiency disorders

Clinical Immunology, 2010

Severe immunodeficiency during primary human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection is unusual. H... more Severe immunodeficiency during primary human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection is unusual. Here, we characterized viral and immunological parameters in a subject presenting with Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia in the setting of prolonged primary HIV illness and delayed seroconversion. HIV antibody was only detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay 12 months after presentation, and Western blot profiles remain indeterminate. Isolated virus was of R5 phenotype, exhibited poor viral fitness, but was otherwise unremarkable. Analysis of HIV antibody isotypes showed failure to mount a detectable HIV IgG response over nearly 2 years of infection, in particular IgG 1 -and IgG 3 -specific responses, despite normal responses to common infections and vaccines. Genetic analysis demonstrated homozygosity for part of an MHC haplotype containing susceptibility genes for common variable immunodeficiency (CVID) syndrome and other antibody deficiency disorders. Thus, a primary disorder of specific antibody production may explain exceptionally slow antibody development in an otherwise severe ⁎ Corresponding authors. P.R. Gorry is to be contacted at a v a i l a b l e a t w w w . s c i e n c e d i r e c t . c o m C l i n i c a l I m m u n o l o g y w w w . e l s e v i e r . c o m / l o c a t e / y c l i m Clinical Immunology (2010) 137, [199][200][201][202][203][204][205][206][207][208] seroconversion illness. This highlights the need for multiparameter testing, in particular use of a fourth generation HIV test, for confirming HIV infection and underscores the importance of host factors in HIV pathogenesis.

Research paper thumbnail of Mutagenesis of the epithelial polarity gene, discs large 1, perturbs nephrogenesis in the developing mouse kidney

Kidney International, 2005

Mutagenesis of the epithelial polarity gene, discs large 1, perturbs nephrogenesis in the develop... more Mutagenesis of the epithelial polarity gene, discs large 1, perturbs nephrogenesis in the developing mouse kidney.

Research paper thumbnail of Evolutionary history and global spread of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis Beijing lineage

Research paper thumbnail of Acquisition of HIV by African-Born Residents of Victoria, Australia: Insights from Molecular Epidemiology

Research paper thumbnail of First Molecular Epidemiology Study of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in Kiribati

PLoS ONE, 2013

We conducted a molecular epidemiology study on 120 Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolates from patie... more We conducted a molecular epidemiology study on 120 Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolates from patients presenting pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) in Burkina Faso. Classical antibiogram studies and genetic characterization, using mycobacterial interspersed repetitive-unit-variable-number tandem-repeat (MIRU-VNTR) typing and spoligotyping, were applied after culture. Molecular analysis of specific signatures showed that all TB cases reported in this study were caused by M. tuberculosis and identified no Mycobacterium bovis or Mycobacterium africanum isolates. This result is unexpected, as M. africanum strains were reportedly the etiologic agent in 20% of TB cases 2 decades ago. The comparison of spoligotypes from Burkina Faso with an international spoligotype database (SpolDB4) showed that the majority of isolates belong to major clades of M. tuberculosis (Haarlem, 9%; Latin American-Mediterranean, 30%; and T, 20%). The predominant group of isolates (30%) corresponds to spoligotype 61, described in Cameroon as the "Cameroon family." In Burkina Faso, as in Cameroon, this family could be associated with recent transmission of TB, suggesting a recent expansion in West Africa. Our data suggest a low level of primary drug resistance that may be a positive result of the Directly Observed Therapy Shortcourse program. Besides, based on spoligotyping plus MIRU-VNTR, data showed a high number of clusters in our sample, suggesting a high level of recent TB transmission in Burkina Faso. Nevertheless, an important genetic polymorphism was observed in this country, reflecting an endemicity situation where the control of TB would have less impact in the main towns.

Research paper thumbnail of HIV Type 1 in Fiji Is Caused by Subtypes C and B

AIDS Research and Human Retroviruses, 2009

The HIV epidemic in Fiji remains largely uncharacterized. By February 2009, there were 294 confir... more The HIV epidemic in Fiji remains largely uncharacterized. By February 2009, there were 294 confirmed cases; the majority occurred among the 20-to 39-year old age group and resulted from heterosexual contact. There are currently no published data concerning HIV subtypes in Fiji. In this study, venous blood samples were collected as dried blood spots from 35 HIV-positive individuals in Fiji. HIV-1 subtype was determined for 27 (77%) samples and the presence of four different subtypes, with multiple introductions of two, was demonstrated. Subtype distribution was as follows: 16 (59%) were subtype C, 9 (33%) were subtype B, 1 (4%) was subtype A, and 1 (4%) was subtype G. Phylogenetic analysis showed a clear segregation of the Fijian subtype C isolates and previously published Papua New Guinea subtype C isolates as well as multiple introductions of subtype B. These findings represent the first HIV-1 subtype data from the Fiji Islands.

Research paper thumbnail of Extremely prolonged HIV seroconversion associated with an MHC haplotype carrying disease susceptibility genes for antibody deficiency disorders

Clinical Immunology, 2010

Severe immunodeficiency during primary human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection is unusual. H... more Severe immunodeficiency during primary human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection is unusual. Here, we characterized viral and immunological parameters in a subject presenting with Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia in the setting of prolonged primary HIV illness and delayed seroconversion. HIV antibody was only detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay 12 months after presentation, and Western blot profiles remain indeterminate. Isolated virus was of R5 phenotype, exhibited poor viral fitness, but was otherwise unremarkable. Analysis of HIV antibody isotypes showed failure to mount a detectable HIV IgG response over nearly 2 years of infection, in particular IgG 1 -and IgG 3 -specific responses, despite normal responses to common infections and vaccines. Genetic analysis demonstrated homozygosity for part of an MHC haplotype containing susceptibility genes for common variable immunodeficiency (CVID) syndrome and other antibody deficiency disorders. Thus, a primary disorder of specific antibody production may explain exceptionally slow antibody development in an otherwise severe ⁎ Corresponding authors. P.R. Gorry is to be contacted at a v a i l a b l e a t w w w . s c i e n c e d i r e c t . c o m C l i n i c a l I m m u n o l o g y w w w . e l s e v i e r . c o m / l o c a t e / y c l i m Clinical Immunology (2010) 137, [199][200][201][202][203][204][205][206][207][208] seroconversion illness. This highlights the need for multiparameter testing, in particular use of a fourth generation HIV test, for confirming HIV infection and underscores the importance of host factors in HIV pathogenesis.