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Journal of Pediatric and Adolescent... Aug 2023Acute genital ulcers are painful ulcerations of the lower vagina and vulva, with limited data to guide management. We aimed to survey care providers to understand the...
INTRODUCTION
Acute genital ulcers are painful ulcerations of the lower vagina and vulva, with limited data to guide management. We aimed to survey care providers to understand the workup and management of acute genital ulcers across North America.
METHODS
A cross-sectional survey was distributed to members of NASPAG. Data are presented descriptively, and management practices between care providers are compared using Fisher's exact test.
RESULTS
Responses from 100 NASPAG members were included. Common diagnostic tests performed were herpes simplex virus PCR (82%), Epstein-Barr virus serology (56%), and cytomegalovirus serology (47%). Topical steroids were considered by 67% on the basis of the degree of accompanying inflammation. There was no difference in corticosteroid prescriptions according to the type or location of providers (P > .05).
DISCUSSION
Collaboration between pediatric and adolescent gynecology care providers is needed to prospectively evaluate the effectiveness of treatment modalities and develop evidence-based guidelines.
Topics: Female; Humans; Adolescent; Child; Gynecology; Ulcer; Epstein-Barr Virus Infections; Cross-Sectional Studies; Herpesvirus 4, Human; North America; Vulva
PubMed: 37084877
DOI: 10.1016/j.jpag.2023.04.003 -
Plant Disease Feb 2024Maize is the largest crop planted in China. Nine species of cyst nematodes have been reported to affect maize production. Heterodera zeae, H. avenae and Punctodera...
Maize is the largest crop planted in China. Nine species of cyst nematodes have been reported to affect maize production. Heterodera zeae, H. avenae and Punctodera chalcoensis can cause significant maize yield losses annually (Luc et al. 2005). In 1971, the maize cyst nematode H. zeae was first detected in Rajasthan, India (Koshy et al. 1971). Subsequently, it has been reported in many other countries such as the United States, Greece, Pakistan, and Egypt. In China, H. zeae was first identified in the maize fields of Laibin City, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region (Wu et al., 2017). Cui et al. (2020) identified H. zeae in a maize field of Yuzhou City, Henan Province of Central China in 2018. From 2018 to 2022, a survey of cyst-forming nematodes was conducted in Southwest China. Fifteen soil samples of about 500 g each were collected from Luding County, Ganzi Prefecture of Sichuan Province. No major aboveground symptoms were shown on maize, but a few females were observed on the roots of maize in one field. The cysts and second-stage juveniles (J2s) were collected from each soil sample using Cobb's screening gravity method. A total of 8.50±2.0 cysts per 100 ml of soil on the average were observed in the field. A thin subcrystalline layer was discernible only in young cysts. Morphological and molecular studies of cysts and J2s indicated that the nematodes were identified to be H. zeae in a maize-field. Morphologically, the cysts were in a lemon shape, light brown or pearly white in color. The vulval cone was prominent. Fenestra ambifenestrate, and semifenestra were separated by a fairly wide vulval bridge, fenestral length and width were variable, and the cyst wall was shown in a zigzag pattern. The J2s' body was in a vermiform, tapering at both ends, with a hyaline tail. Stylet was strongly developed with round or slightly anteriorly directed knobs. Morphological measurements of the cysts (n = 9) determined that the mean body length was 417.2 μm (403.6 to 439.4 μm), body width was 429.7 μm (397.6 to 456.9μm); length-width ratio was 1.4 (0.75 to 3); fenestra length was 525.3 μm (498.5 to 570.7 μm); and the mean semifenestra width was 458.6 μm (403.6 to 546.3 μm). Morphometric measurements of second-stage juveniles (n = 20) showed a body length of 419.7μm (355.8 to 492.5 μm); a stylet length of 20.8 μm (19.51 to 23.3μm); a tail length of 41.5 μm (20 to 49.4 μm); and a hyaline tail length of 20.7 μm (16.6 to 24 μm). The main morphological characteristics and measured values were basically consistent with those described by Cui et al. (2022), and all of which were similar to those of H. zeae. Amplification of DNA from random single cysts (n = 5) was conducted using the protocol described by Cui et al. (2022). The rDNA-internal transcribed spacer (ITS) was amplified and sequenced using a pair of universal primers TW81 (5'-GTTTCCGTAGGTGAA CCTGC-3') and AB28 (5'-ATATGCTTAAGTTCAGCGGGT-3'). The ITS sequences were deposited at GenBank with the accession number OR811029.1. Alignments of sequences showed an identity of 98% with H. zeae sequences from China (OP692769.2, MW785772.1) and the USA (GU145616.1), which were confirmed using a pair of species-specific primers HzF1 (5'-GGGGAGGTGAATGTGGG-3') and HzR1 (5'-CCTTTGGCAATCGGTGA-3') of H. zeae with a targeted PCR fragment of 393 bp (Cui et al. 2022). Pathogenicity was conducted and confirmed by infection and reproduction on maize. Seeds (cv. Zhengda 619) were sown in three pots that contained 150 ml of a sterile soil mixture (loamy soil: sand=1:1), and 5 cysts (103 eggs/cyst on the average) were inoculated in each pot at 25/30°C, under a 12-h dark/12-h light condition (Cui et al. 2023). Fifteen days after sowing, third- and fourth-stage juveniles were observed in the rootstained with acid fuchsin, and a total of 32 cysts per maize plant on the average were collected at 40 days after sowing. The new cysts' morphological and molecular characteristics were identical to the cysts from the original soil samples. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of H. zeae as a pathogen on maize in Sichuan Province, Southwest China. Our findings will be useful for management and further research of maize cyst nematodes.
PubMed: 38311792
DOI: 10.1094/PDIS-11-23-2469-PDN -
In Vivo (Athens, Greece) 2024The Word catheter is a silicone device with a balloon system that may be inserted into a Bartholin's cyst or abscess in order to provide drainage and epithelization. The...
BACKGROUND/AIM
The Word catheter is a silicone device with a balloon system that may be inserted into a Bartholin's cyst or abscess in order to provide drainage and epithelization. The aim of this study was to evaluate the Word catheter as a therapy for Bartholin's cyst and abscess. Both patient and physician satisfaction, as well as the feasibility in an outpatient setting, were examined.
PATIENTS AND METHODS
A total of 51 women with a Bartholin's cyst or abscess were given the option of Word catheter insertion in an outpatient setting between August 2013 and March 2018. Both the patients and the consulting physicians were asked to complete two questionnaires, before, during and after treatment, with a view to evaluating the overall pain level, any discomfort symptoms and sexual activity, as well as satisfaction levels.
RESULTS
The insertion procedure seemed to constitute a short yet quite painful procedure. In most cases, the consulting physicians and the patients were content with the results. Nevertheless, dislodgement of the catheter or abscess recurrence were common. The removal of the Word catheter seemed to be short, painless, and uncomplicated. Most patients experienced pain and discomfort after catheter placement over the first days, with the symptoms fading over time. Sexual intercourse appeared to be negatively influenced.
CONCLUSION
The Word catheter was frequently well tolerated for the treatment of Bartholin's cysts and abscesses, with few non-serious side-effects, however, it did interfere with sexual health. Nonetheless, it may not be possible to make general recommendations based on this exploratory study.
Topics: Humans; Female; Bartholin's Glands; Abscess; Adult; Middle Aged; Cysts; Patient Satisfaction; Catheters; Treatment Outcome; Surveys and Questionnaires; Vulvar Diseases; Drainage; Feasibility Studies; Young Adult
PubMed: 38688643
DOI: 10.21873/invivo.13568 -
International Journal of Cancer Aug 2023The precursor lesions of vulvar squamous cell carcinoma (VSCC) include human papillomavirus (HPV)-associated and HPV-independent squamous neoplasia with a varying cancer...
The precursor lesions of vulvar squamous cell carcinoma (VSCC) include human papillomavirus (HPV)-associated and HPV-independent squamous neoplasia with a varying cancer risk. Our study aimed to validate the accuracy of previously identified DNA methylation markers for detection of such high-grade vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia (VIN). A large clinical series of 751 vulvar lesions, originally diagnosed as high-grade VIN, were reassessed and categorized into HPV-associated or HPV-independent vulvar disease categories. Together with 113 healthy vulvar controls, all samples were tested for 12 methylation markers with quantitative multiplex methylation-specific PCR (qMSP). Performance of individual markers and selection of an optimal marker panel for detection of high-grade VIN was determined by logistic regression analysis. SST was the best-performing individual marker (AUC 0.90), detecting 80% of high-grade VIN cases, with excellent detection of HPV-independent VIN (95%), known to have the highest cancer risk. Merely 2% of controls tested methylation positive for SST. Selection of a marker panel, including ZNF582, SST and miR124-2, resulted in a comparably high accuracy for detection of high-grade VIN (AUC 0.89). In conclusion, we clinically validated the accuracy of 12 DNA methylation markers for detection of high-grade VIN. SST, as a sole marker or in a panel, provides an optimal diagnostic tool to distinguish high-grade VIN in need of treatment, particularly HPV-independent VIN, from low-grade or reactive vulvar lesions. These findings warrant further prognostic validation of methylation biomarkers for cancer risk stratification of patients with VIN.
Topics: Female; Humans; Papillomavirus Infections; Methylation; Papillomaviridae; Vulva; Carcinoma in Situ; Vulvar Neoplasms; Biomarkers; Human Papillomavirus Viruses
PubMed: 37074263
DOI: 10.1002/ijc.34537 -
Saudi Journal of Biological Sciences Aug 2023family has a genetic and morphological variability between species affecting rodents, but it is considerably hard to morphologically diagnose species within the genus...
family has a genetic and morphological variability between species affecting rodents, but it is considerably hard to morphologically diagnose species within the genus of and the individuals of these species are identified according to their host, as it is known that . is strictly host-specific. However, some species lack host specificity. So, it is necessary to use molecular data in order to well identify the spp. in Egyptian rodents. The host examined in the current research is and the molecularly identified species from its cecum is . In addition, was subjected to treatment with Crude Venom as a model of natural alternative treatment for gastrointestinal nematodes that increasingly develop anthelmintic drug resistance. The changes in were monitored using scanning electron microscopy, Crude Venom made a significant ultrastructural surface changes in , including marked cuticular sloughing, disintegrated bacillary glands, bursting of vulva and edema of anal region. This study was done for closer identification of . infecting rodents in Egypt and evaluating the efficacy of Crude Venom .
PubMed: 37405137
DOI: 10.1016/j.sjbs.2023.103713 -
American Journal of Veterinary Research May 2024To describe an outbreak of vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) in southern white rhinoceros (SWR; Ceratotherium simum simum) and greater one-horned rhinoceros (GOHR;...
OBJECTIVE
To describe an outbreak of vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) in southern white rhinoceros (SWR; Ceratotherium simum simum) and greater one-horned rhinoceros (GOHR; Rhinoceros unicornis) at a safari park in San Diego, CA, from May to September 2023.
ANIMALS
21 SWR and 5 GOHR in professionally managed care.
METHODS
Rhinoceros of both species presented with a range of clinical signs and severities. Lesion locations were categorized as cutaneous (coronary bands, heels and soles, limbs, ventrum, neck folds, and ears) and mucocutaneous (lips, nostrils, mucous membranes of the oral cavity, and vulva). Clinical signs included lethargy, lameness, difficulty with prehension, hyporexia to anorexia, and hypersalivation. Severely affected rhinoceros had clinical pathology findings consistent with systemic inflammation.
RESULTS
Vesicular stomatitis New Jersey virus was confirmed via PCR from swabs of lesions in 10/26 (38%) rhinoceros. Of these 10 confirmed cases, 9 (90%) were SWR and 1 (10%) was a GOHR. A further 6/26 (24%) were considered probable cases, and 10/26 (38%) were considered suspect cases based on clinical signs, but the inability to appropriately sample due to the housing environment precluded confirmation. Histopathology samples from 3 rhinoceros were consistent with VSV, and viral RNA was localized in histologic lesions via RNA in situ hybridization for 1 case. All rhinoceros survived infection despite severe systemic illness in 2 animals.
CLINICAL RELEVANCE
This case series describes the clinical appearance and progression of VSV in 2 rhinoceros species. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first report of VSV in a rhinoceros.
Topics: Animals; Perissodactyla; California; Animals, Zoo; Female; Male; Disease Outbreaks; Vesicular stomatitis New Jersey virus; Vesicular Stomatitis
PubMed: 38382199
DOI: 10.2460/ajvr.23.12.0284 -
Plant Disease Apr 2024Root-knot nematodes of the genus parasitize the roots of thousands of plants and can cause severe damage and yield losses. Here, we report a new root-knot nematode, n....
Root-knot nematodes of the genus parasitize the roots of thousands of plants and can cause severe damage and yield losses. Here, we report a new root-knot nematode, n. sp., parasitizing "lemon" () in Hainan Province, South China. Lemon trees infected by the root-knot nematode showed poor-quality lemons, chlorosis of foliage, weak growth, and numerous root galls with white females and egg masses protruding outside. Phylogenetic trees of sequences within the ribosomal and mitochondrial DNA demonstrated that this species differs clearly from other previously described root-knot nematodes. Morphologically, the new species is characterized by an oval-shaped perineal pattern and the lateral field marked by a ridge of cuticle on one or both sides; the dorsal arch is low, with fine to coarse, smooth cuticle striae; the vulva slit is centrally located at the unstriated area; the spicules of males are arcuate and curved ventrally; the gubernaculum is distinct and curved; the labial disc of second-stage juveniles is prominent and dumbbell shaped; stylet knobs are oval and sloping backwardly; pharyngeal glands are not filling the body cavity and overlapping the intestine ventrally; and the conical tail is gradually tapering. Phylogenetic trees based on the ITS1-5.8S-ITS2, D2-D3 of the 28S rDNA, and COI and COII-16S rRNA genes of the mtDNA showed that n. sp. belongs to an undescribed root-knot nematode lineage that is separated from other species with the resemblance in morphology, such as , , , and .
Topics: Animals; Tylenchoidea; Phylogeny; China; Female; Male; Plant Diseases; Citrus; Plant Roots; DNA, Helminth; DNA, Mitochondrial; DNA, Ribosomal
PubMed: 37877995
DOI: 10.1094/PDIS-05-23-0919-SR -
Cancers May 2024Both cervical cancer and cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) are associated with human papillomavirus (HPV) infection at different anogenital sites, but the...
High-Risk Genotypes of Human Papillomavirus at Diverse Anogenital Sites among Chinese Women: Infection Features and Potential Correlation with Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia.
BACKGROUND
Both cervical cancer and cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) are associated with human papillomavirus (HPV) infection at different anogenital sites, but the infection features of high-risk (HR) HPVs at these sites and their association with cervical lesions have not been well characterized. Given the limitation of cervical HPV 16/18 test in screening patients with high-grade CIN (CIN 2+), studies on whether non-16/18 HR-HPV subtype(s) have potential as additional indicator(s) to improve CIN 2+ screening are needed.
METHODS
The infection of 15 HR-HPVs in vulva, anus, vagina, and cervix of 499 Chinese women was analyzed, and CIN lesion-associated HR-HPV subtypes were revealed.
RESULTS
In addition to the well-known cervical-cancer-associated HPV 16, 52, and 58, HPV 51, 53, and 56 were also identified as high-frequency detected subtypes prevalently and consistently present at the anogenital sites studied, preferentially in multi-infection patterns. HPV 16, 52, 58, 56, and 53 were the top five prevalent subtypes in patients with CIN 2+. In addition, we found that cervical HPV 33/35/52/53/56/58 co-testing with HPV 16/18 might improve CIN 2+ screening performance.
CONCLUSION
This study provided a new insight into HR-HPV screening strategy based on different subtype combinations, which might be used in risk stratification clinically.
PubMed: 38893229
DOI: 10.3390/cancers16112107 -
Parasites & Vectors Mar 2024The family Rhabdiasidae (Nematoda: Rhabditida) is a globally distributed group of nematode parasites, with over 110 species parasitic mainly in amphibians and reptiles....
Molecular phylogeny of the family Rhabdiasidae (Nematoda: Rhabditida), with morphology, genetic characterization and mitochondrial genomes of Rhabdias kafunata and R. bufonis.
BACKGROUND
The family Rhabdiasidae (Nematoda: Rhabditida) is a globally distributed group of nematode parasites, with over 110 species parasitic mainly in amphibians and reptiles. However, the systematic position of the family Rhabdiasidae in the order Rhabditida remains unsolved, and the evolutionary relationships among its genera are still unclear. Moreover, the present knowledge of the mitochondrial genomes of rhabdiasids remains limited.
METHODS
Two rhabdiasid species: Rhabdias kafunata Sata, Takeuchi & Nakano, 2020 and R. bufonis (Schrank, 1788) collected from the Asiatic toad Bufo gargarizans Cantor (Amphibia: Anura) in China, were identified based on morphology (light and scanning electron microscopy) and molecular characterization (sequencing of the nuclear 28S and ITS regions and mitochondrial cox1 and 12S genes). The complete mitochondrial genomes of R. kafunata and R. bufonis were also sequenced and annotated for the first time. Moreover, phylogenetic analyses based on the amino acid sequences of 12 protein-coding genes (PCGs) of the mitochondrial genomes were performed to clarify the systematic position of the family Rhabdiasidae in the order Rhabditida using maximum likelihood (ML) and Bayesian inference (BI). The phylogenetic analyses based on the 28S + ITS sequences, were also inferred to assess the evolutionary relationships among the genera within Rhabdiasidae.
RESULTS
The detailed morphology of the cephalic structures, vulva and eggs in R. kafunata and R. bufonis was revealed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) for the first time. The characterization of 28S and ITS regions of R. kafunata was reported for the first time. The mitogenomes of R. kafunata and R. bufonis are 15,437 bp and 15,128 bp long, respectively, and both contain 36 genes, including 12 PCGs (missing atp8). Comparative mitogenomics revealed that the gene arrangement of R. kafunata and R. bufonis is different from all of the currently available mitogenomes of nematodes. Phylogenetic analyses based on the ITS + 28S data showed Neoentomelas and Kurilonema as sister lineages, and supported the monophyly of Entomelas, Pneumonema, Serpentirhabdias and Rhabdias. Mitochondrial phylogenomic results supported Rhabdiasidae as a member of the superfamily Rhabditoidea in the suborder Rhabditina, and its occurrance as sister to the family Rhabditidae.
CONCLUSIONS
The complete mitochondrial genome of R. kafunata and R. bufonis were reported for the first time, and two new gene arrangements of mitogenomes in Nematoda were revealed. Mitogenomic phylogenetic results indicated that the family Rhabdiasidae is a member of Rhabditoidea in Rhabditina, and is closely related to Rhabditidae. Molecular phylogenies based on the ITS + 28S sequence data supported the validity of Kurilonema, and showed that Kurilonema is sister to Neoentomelas. The present phylogenetic results also indicated that the ancestors of rhabdiasids seem to have initially infected reptiles, then spreading to amphibians.
Topics: Female; Animals; Phylogeny; Rhabditida; Genome, Mitochondrial; Bayes Theorem; Ovum; Rhabditoidea; Anura; Reptiles
PubMed: 38429838
DOI: 10.1186/s13071-024-06201-z -
Plant Disease Jan 2024Coriander (Coriandrum sativum), which can be used for its root, stem, and leaf as both food and medicine (Prachayasittikul et al. 2018), is widely cultivated in China....
Coriander (Coriandrum sativum), which can be used for its root, stem, and leaf as both food and medicine (Prachayasittikul et al. 2018), is widely cultivated in China. The coriander cultivation area of Guanzhong region, including Xi' an, Xianyang, and Weinan, is 20 million m2, which accounts for 85.7% of the total cultivation area in Shaanxi. In September 2022, obvious galls were observed on the roots of coriander plants (cv. Xiaoye) growing in a field in Huyi District, Xi' an City (34°1'26.4"N, 108°31'58.8"E). The diseased plants did not show obvious above-ground symptoms. To identify the species, second-stage juveniles (J2s) and males were collected from soil in the root zone, and adult females were isolated from galls of diseased roots. The perineal patterns of adult females (n = 20) were round to oval, with high dorsal arches and no obvious lateral lines were observed. Morphological measurements of females (n = 20) included body length (L) = 682 ± 56 (554 to 780) μm, body width (BW) = 522 ± 45 (420 to 597) μm, stylet = 14.9 ± 0.9 (13.4 to 16.3) μm, dorsal pharyngeal gland orifice to stylet base (DGO) = 5.3 ± 0.5 (4.3 to 6.3) μm, vulval slit length = 26 ± 2.8 (20 to 32) μm, vulval slit to anus distance = 21 ± 1.7 (18.5 to 26) μm. Measurements of males (n = 8) were L = 1398 ± 57 (1308 to 1450) μm, BW = 28 ± 2.9 (23 to 32) μm, stylet = 16.1 ± 0.8 (15.3 to 17.3) μm, DGO = 4.5 ± 0.5 (3.5 to 4.9) μm, spicules = 27 ± 1.1 (26 to 29) μm. Measurements of J2s (n = 20) were as follows: L = 434 ± 16.8 (391 to 477) μm, BW = 15.6 ± 0.9 (13.7 to 17.3) μm, stylet = 12.6 ± 0.6 (11.3 to 13.6) μm, DGO = 3.9 ± 0.3 (3.4 to 4.5) μm, tail = 52 ± 4.0 (47 to 60) μm, hyaline tail length = 15.6 ± 1.3 (13.6 to 18.6) μm. These morphological characteristics were consistent with those described for Meloidogyne enterolobii (Yang and Eisenback 1983). Ten females were put in 10 tubes for DNA extraction following Htay et al. (2016). The ITS-rDNA sequence was amplified using the primers 18S/26S (Vrain et al. 1992). A 765 bp fragment was obtained and the sequence (GenBank OR789453) was 99.87% identical to sequences of M. enterolobii (MT406251 and MT067559). The mtDNA CoxII-16S sequence was amplified using primers C2F3/1108 (Powers and Harris, 1993). The sequence was 705 bp (OR795028) and 100% identical to sequences of M. enterolobii (MK455870 and MZ643270). A single 236 bp fragment was amplified using species-specific primers Me-F/Me-R, confirming the species as M. enterolobii (Long et al. 2006). The infection test was conducted in a greenhouse at 27 ± 2℃. Eight 2-week-old coriander plants (cv. Xiaoye) were individually grown in pots filled with sterilizer soil and inoculated with 800 J2s hatched from collected M. enterolobii egg masses. Forty-five days after nematode inoculation, the inoculated plants had galled roots like those observed in the field. The reproduction factor (final population density/initial population density) was 11.9 ± 2.0, indicating coriander was a suitable host for M. enterolobii. No symptoms were observed in controls. To our knowledge, this is the first known natural infection of coriander with M. enterolobii in China. M. enterolobii has been reported on various crops in southern provinces of China (EPPO, 2023). Considering the high level of agricultural trade between different regions, there is a high risk of M. enterolobii transmission to Guanzhong region through infested soil and susceptible plant materials. Further monitoring and research on effective control strategies are needed to prevent the spread of this nematode.
PubMed: 38268168
DOI: 10.1094/PDIS-11-23-2385-PDN