Infectious Diseases

Exchange of genetic material between harmless bacteria could be reservoir of antibiotic resistance
In this study, a seemingly harmless strain of the bacterium, known as non-typable or NT, was the most common type of S. pneumoniae found in over 3000 samples from individuals in a refugee camp. Although harmless, this strain is exchanging DNA at a faster rate than the other more harmful forms of the bacterium, including DNA carrying genes that carry antibiotic resistance. MedicalXpress

The parasite that escaped out of Africa
An international team of scientists has traced the origin of Plasmodium vivax, the second-worst malaria parasite of humans, to Africa, according to a study published this week in Nature Communications. Until recently, the closest genetic relatives of human P. vivax were found only in Asian macaques, leading researchers to believe that P. vivax originated in Asia. MedicalXpress

Polio-Like Syndrome Found in 5 California Children
A polio-like syndrome was identified in five children in California between August 2012 and July 2013, according to findings released on Sunday in advance of the American Academy of Neurology's annual meeting.

The children had acute flaccid paralysis in at least one limb and related spinal cord abnormalities on MRI. (Children who met criteria for Guillain-Barre syndrome or botulism were excluded.) Paralysis had a sudden onset, peaking in severity within 2 days. Three of the children had respiratory symptoms before paralysis onset.All had been vaccinated against polio. Two children tested positive for enterovirus 68 (a rare virus associated with polio-like symptoms); the remaining three cases had no identifiable cause. Despite treatment, all had poor limb function at 6 months. Journal Watch