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Ophthalmology Science Sep 2021To better understand the history and epidemiology of infections of the eye and adnexa, and their relationship to cat scratch disease (CSD). We also assess infection as...
PURPOSE
To better understand the history and epidemiology of infections of the eye and adnexa, and their relationship to cat scratch disease (CSD). We also assess infection as a public health threat.
METHODS
We reviewed the available literature concerning infections of the eye and CSD, and attempted calculation of the incidence and prevalence of both eye infections and CSD from the database of the Rochester Epidemiology Project.
RESULTS
It took nearly a century of determined effort to reveal that Henri Parinaud's oculoglandular syndrome (POGS) (1889) and Leber's stellate retinitis (1916) were the result of infection and are subtypes of CSD. These ocular infections remain of clinical, epidemiologic, and public health concern to ophthalmologists with many unanswered questions. Their incidence and prevalence have yet to be accurately determined. Our attempt to achieve this through the Rochester Epidemiology Project database suggests a major obstacle is inconsistent with nonunanimous diagnostic terminology and coding.
CONCLUSIONS
Modern serologic testing and molecular diagnostic techniques offer ophthalmologists the opportunity to make infection of the eyes an area of "precision medicine." For this to happen, greater awareness and teaching about this disease, updated terminology, and a greater clinical and research effort are required.
PubMed: 36247815
DOI: 10.1016/j.xops.2021.100048 -
Molecular Genetics & Genomic Medicine Jun 2020Dental pulp with special structure has become a good reference sample in paleomicrobiology-related blood-borne diseases, many pathogens were detected by different... (Review)
Review
INTRODUCTION
Dental pulp with special structure has become a good reference sample in paleomicrobiology-related blood-borne diseases, many pathogens were detected by different methods based on the diagnosis of nucleic acids and proteins.
OBJECTIVES
This review aims to propose the preparation process from ancient teeth collection to organic molecule extraction of dental pulp and summary, analyze the methods that have been applied to detect septicemic pathogens through ancient dental pulps during the past 20 years following the first detection of an ancient microbe.
METHODS
The papers used in this review with two main objectives were obtained from PubMed and Google scholar with combining keywords: "ancient," "dental pulp," "teeth," "anatomy," "structure," "collection," "preservation," "selection," "photography," "radiography," "contamination," "decontamination," "DNA," "protein," "extraction," "bone," "paleomicrobiology," "bacteria," "virus," "pathogen," "molecular biology," "proteomics," "PCR," "MALDI-TOF," "LC/MS," "ELISA," "immunology," "immunochromatography," "genome," "microbiome," "metagenomics."
RESULTS
The analysis of ancient dental pulp should have a careful preparation process with many different steps to give highly accurate results, each step complies with the rules in archaeology and paleomicrobiology. After the collection of organic molecules from dental pulp, they were investigated for pathogen identification based on the analysis of DNA and protein. Actually, DNA approach takes a principal role in diagnosis while the protein approach is more and more used. A total of seven techniques was used and ten bacteria (Yersinia pestis, Bartonella quintana, Salmonella enterica serovar Typhi, Salmonella enterica serovar Paratyphi C, Mycobacterium leprae, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Rickettsia prowazeki, Staphylococcus aureus, Borrelia recurrentis, Bartonella henselae) and one virus (Anelloviridae) were identified. Y. pestis had the most published in quantity and all methods were investigated for this pathogen, S. aureus and B. recurrentis were identified by three different methods and others only by one. The combining methods interestingly increase the positive rate with ELISA, PCR and iPCR in Yersinia pestis diagnosis. Twenty-seven ancient genomes of Y. pestis and one ancient genome of B. recurrentis were reconstructed. Comparing to the ancient bone, ancient teeth showed more advantage in septicemic diagnosis. Beside pathogen identification, ancient pulp help to distinguish species.
CONCLUSIONS
Dental pulp with specific tissue is a suitable sample for detection of the blood infection in the past through DNA and protein identification with the correct preparation process, furthermore, it helps to more understand the pathogens of historic diseases and epidemics.
Topics: Bacterial Infections; DNA, Ancient; Dental Pulp; Fossils; Humans; Metagenome; Microbiota
PubMed: 32233019
DOI: 10.1002/mgg3.1202 -
Epidemiology and Infection Sep 2023Rodents and shrews are major reservoirs of various pathogens that are related to zoonotic infectious diseases. The purpose of this study was to investigate co-infections...
Rodents and shrews are major reservoirs of various pathogens that are related to zoonotic infectious diseases. The purpose of this study was to investigate co-infections of zoonotic pathogens in rodents and shrews trapped in four provinces of China. We sampled different rodent and shrew communities within and around human settlements in four provinces of China and characterised several important zoonotic viral, bacterial, and parasitic pathogens by PCR methods and phylogenetic analysis. A total of 864 rodents and shrews belonging to 24 and 13 species from were captured, respectively. For viral pathogens, two species of hantavirus (Hantaan orthohantavirus and Caobang orthohantavirus) were identified in 3.47% of rodents and shrews. The overall prevalence of spp., Anaplasmataceae, spp., spp., Spotted fever group Rickettsiae, spp., and were 31.25%, 8.91%, 4.17%, 3.94%, 3.59%, 3.47%, and 0.58%, respectively. Furthermore, the highest co-infection status of three pathogens was observed among spp., spp., and Anaplasmataceae with a co-infection rate of 0.46%. Our results suggested that species distribution and co-infections of zoonotic pathogens were prevalent in rodents and shrews, highlighting the necessity of active surveillance for zoonotic pathogens in wild mammals in wider regions.
Topics: Animals; Bartonella; China; Coinfection; Leptospira; Phylogeny; Rodentia; Shrews
PubMed: 37675640
DOI: 10.1017/S0950268823001450 -
Virulence Dec 2024Gram-negative species are facultative intracellular bacteria that can survive in the harsh intracellular milieu of host cells. They have evolved strategies to evade... (Review)
Review
Gram-negative species are facultative intracellular bacteria that can survive in the harsh intracellular milieu of host cells. They have evolved strategies to evade detection and degradation by the host immune system, which ensures their proliferation in the host. Following infection, alters the initial immunogenic surface-exposed proteins to evade immune recognition via antigen or phase variation. The diverse lipopolysaccharide structures of certain species allow them to escape recognition by the host pattern recognition receptors. Additionally, the survival of mature erythrocytes and their resistance to lysosomal fusion further complicate the immune clearance of this species. Certain species also evade immune attacks by producing biofilms and anti-inflammatory cytokines and decreasing endothelial cell apoptosis. Overall, these factors create a challenging landscape for the host immune system to rapidly and effectively eradicate the species, thereby facilitating the persistence of infections and creating a substantial obstacle for therapeutic interventions. This review focuses on the effects of three human-specific species, particularly their mechanisms of host invasion and immune escape, to gain new perspectives in the development of effective diagnostic tools, prophylactic measures, and treatment options for infections.
Topics: Humans; Bartonella; Immune Evasion; Bartonella Infections; Apoptosis; Biofilms; Membrane Proteins
PubMed: 38443331
DOI: 10.1080/21505594.2024.2322961 -
Vector Borne and Zoonotic Diseases... Jan 2023species are fastidious gram-negative vector-borne bacteria with a wide range of mammalian reservoirs. While it is understood that some species of are human pathogens,...
species are fastidious gram-negative vector-borne bacteria with a wide range of mammalian reservoirs. While it is understood that some species of are human pathogens, the extent of human exposure to species (both pathogenic and nonpathogenic) is yet to be fully understood. To this end, residual sera from participants enrolled in undifferentiated fever studies in Cambodia, Ghana, Laos, and Peru were screened for the presence of IgG antibodies against and , using the FOCUS diagnostics Dual Spot- IgG Immunofluorescence assay. Forty-eight patients with suspected or confirmed exposure or infection in Peru were screened to assess cross-reactivity of the FOCUS assay for IgG against other . Ten of 13 patients with confirmed infection were -specific IgG positive, and overall, 36/48 of the samples were positive. In addition, 79/206, 44/200, 101/180, and 57/100 of the samples from Peru, Laos, Cambodia, and Ghana, respectively, were -specific IgG positive. Furthermore, ectoparasite pools from Cambodia, Laos, and Peru were tested using quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) for the presence of DNA. Of the sand fly pools collected in Peru, 0/196 were qPCR positive; 15/140 flea pools collected in Cambodia were qPCR positive; while 0/105 ticks, 0/22 fleas, and 0/3 louse pools collected in Laos tested positive for DNA. Evidence of in fleas from Cambodia supports the possibility that humans are exposed to through this traditional vector. However, species were not found in fleas, ticks, or lice from Laos, or sand flies from Peru. This could account for the lower positive serology among the population in Laos and the strictly localized nature of infections in Peru. Human exposure to the Bartonella species and Bartonella as a human pathogen warrants further investigation.
Topics: Humans; Animals; Bartonella; Bartonella Infections; Peru; Laos; Cambodia; Ghana; Flea Infestations; Siphonaptera; Ticks; Mammals
PubMed: 36633562
DOI: 10.1089/vbz.2021.0090 -
PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases Jun 2022The aim of this study was to investigate the occurrence and molecular characteristics of Bartonella infections in small rodents in the Shangdang Basin, China. Small...
The aim of this study was to investigate the occurrence and molecular characteristics of Bartonella infections in small rodents in the Shangdang Basin, China. Small rodents were captured using snap traps, and their liver, spleen, and kidney tissues were harvested for Bartonella detection and identification using a combination of real-time PCR of the ssrA gene (296 bp) and conventional PCR and sequencing of the gltA gene (379 bp). Results showed that 55 of 147 small rodents to be positive for Bartonella, with a positivity rate of 37.41%, and 95% confidence interval of 29.50%- 45.33%. While the positivity rate across genders (42.62% in males and 33.72% in females, χ2 = 1.208, P = 0.272) and tissues (28.57% in liver, 33.59% in spleen, and 36.76% in kidney, χ2 = 2.197, P = 0.333) of small rodents was not statistically different, that in different habitats (5.13% in villages, 84.44% in forests, and 54.17% in farmlands, χ2 = 80.105, P<0.001) was statistically different. There were 42 Bartonella sequences identified in six species, including 30 B. grahamii, three B. phoceensis, two B. japonica, two B. queenslandensis, one B. fuyuanensis and four unknown Bartonella species from Niviventer confucianus, Apodemus agrarius and Tscherskia triton. In addition to habitat, Bartonella species infection could be affected by the rodent species as well. Among the Bartonella species detected in this area, B. grahamii was the dominant epidemic species (accounting for 71.43%). B. grahamii exhibited four distinct clusters, and showed a certain host specificity. In addition, 11 haplotypes of B. grahamii were observed using DNASP 6.12.03, among which nine haplotypes were novel. Overall, high occurrence and genetic diversity of Bartonella were observed among small rodents in the Shangdang Basin; this information could potentially help the prevention and control of rodent-Bartonella species in this area.
Topics: Animals; Bartonella; Bartonella Infections; China; Female; Male; Murinae; Phylogeny; Prevalence
PubMed: 35648747
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0010446 -
Infection, Genetics and Evolution :... Jan 2022Although Bartonella spp. is described in cats worldwide, little is known about the occurrence and genetic diversity of Bartonella spp. in cats from South America. To...
Although Bartonella spp. is described in cats worldwide, little is known about the occurrence and genetic diversity of Bartonella spp. in cats from South America. To date, it has only been detected in cats from Brazil, Chile and Argentina. This study aimed to undertake a molecular survey and explore the genetic diversity of Bartonella spp. in domestic cats from Paraguay. A TaqMan real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR) targeting the nuoG gene (83 bp) for Bartonella spp. was used to screen 125 blood samples from cats in Asuncion, Paraguay. nuoG qPCR-positive samples were further submitted to conventional PCR assays based on the ITS (453- 717 bp), gltA (767 bp), ftsZ (515 bp), rpoB (333 bp), ribC (585-588 bp), and pap-31 (564 bp) loci. Positive samples were sequenced for species identification, phylogenetic, and haplotype analyses. Bartonella D.N.A. was present in 20.8% (26/125) cat blood samples, with low levels of Bartonella nuoG D.N.A. cPCR products targeting gltA, ftsZ, ITS, and rpoB loci from sixteen cats were successfully sequenced. However, all nouG qPCR-positive samples were negative for the ribC and pap-31 genes. Bartonella henselae [62.5% (10/16)] and Bartonella clarridgeiae [37.5% (6/16)] were identified among the sequenced samples. Upon phylogenetic analysis, B. henselae and B. clarridgeiae from Paraguay clustered with sequences detected in domestic and wild cats, dogs, and cat fleas worldwide. Two to four haplotypes of B. henselae and B. clarridgeiae in cats from Paraguay were observed, with some being exclusive and others shared with worldwide distributed haplotypes. Here, we report B. henselae and B. clarridgeiae for the first time in cats from Paraguay. Its circulation in cats suggests the need to consider Bartonellae when testing clinical samples from suspected infectious diseases in humans from Paraguay.
Topics: Animals; Bartonella; Bartonella Infections; Bartonella henselae; Cat Diseases; Cats; Genetic Variation; Paraguay; Phylogeny
PubMed: 34896287
DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2021.105181 -
Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine Jan 2022Improved understanding of Bartonella spp. serology in dogs may aid clinical decision making.
BACKGROUND
Improved understanding of Bartonella spp. serology in dogs may aid clinical decision making.
OBJECTIVE
Describe demographic and geographic patterns of Bartonella spp. seroreactivity in dogs, and describe hematologic and serum biochemical abnormalities in Bartonella spp. seroreactive and nonseroreactive dogs.
ANIMALS
Serum samples from 5957 dogs in the United States, previously submitted to IDEXX Reference Laboratories.
METHODS
Serum was tested using 3 indirect ELISAs for B. henselae, B. vinsonii subsp. berkhoffii, and B. koehlerae. Complete blood count and serum biochemistry panel results were reviewed retrospectively.
RESULTS
Overall, 6.1% of dogs were Bartonella spp. seroreactive. Toy breeds were less likely to be seroreactive (3.9%) than mixed breeds (7.5%; adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 0.48; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.32-0.72), and dogs <1 year old were less likely to be seroreactive (3.4%) than dogs 1 to 5.5 years of age (7.3%; aOR, 0.42; 95% CI, 0.23-0.72). Dogs in the West South Central (9.8%) and South Atlantic (8.8%) regions were more likely than dogs elsewhere in the United States to be seroreactive (aOR, 2.22; 95% CI, 1.31-3.87; aOR, 2.44; 95% CI, 1.38-4.36).
CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE
Demographic and geographic findings for Bartonella spp. exposure were broadly comparable to previously reported patterns.
Topics: Animals; Bartonella; Bartonella Infections; Dog Diseases; Dogs; Retrospective Studies; Seroepidemiologic Studies; United States
PubMed: 34788481
DOI: 10.1111/jvim.16311 -
Pathogens (Basel, Switzerland) Jun 2022spp. comprises emergent and re-emergent fastidious Gram-negative bacteria with worldwide distribution. Cats are the main reservoir hosts for and dogs represent...
spp. comprises emergent and re-emergent fastidious Gram-negative bacteria with worldwide distribution. Cats are the main reservoir hosts for and dogs represent opportunistic hosts for the bacteria. Even though ticks may also play a role in transmission, their competence as vectors for spp. has not been totally understood. Considering only a few studies had a focus on screening in animals, humans and ectoparasites in Portugal, this study aimed to address the molecular occurrence of sp. in 123 stray cats, 25 stray dogs, 30 humans from Lisbon and 236 questing ticks within the country. Using a qPCR targeting the gene, it was possible to detect sp. DNA on 20.32% of cat samples (25/123). From these positive samples, 13 sequences were characterized as , 11 as and 1 presented co-infection with both species. The absolute quantification of DNA in sampled cats ranged from 2.78 × 10 to 1.03 × 10 copies/µL. The sampled dogs, humans and ticks were negative. These results showed that and are circulating in stray cats from Lisbon. Additional and more extended studies should be conducted to determine the impact of such infections on humans, particularly those in constant and direct contact with cats.
PubMed: 35889995
DOI: 10.3390/pathogens11070749 -
The Journal of Veterinary Medical... May 2021A year-round molecular epidemiological survey (2017 to 2018) was conducted on three hemoplasmas and two Bartonella species with zoonotic potential in client-owned cats...
A year-round molecular epidemiological survey (2017 to 2018) was conducted on three hemoplasmas and two Bartonella species with zoonotic potential in client-owned cats in Beijing and Shanghai. Among 668 specimens, the overall hemoplasma-positive rate was 4.9% (3.4% for Candidatus Mycoplasma haemominutum, 0.9% for Mycoplasma haemofelis and 1.2% for Candidatus Mycoplasma turicensis). The overall Bartonella-positive rate was 8.5% (4.8% for B. henselae and 4.3% for B. clarridgeiae). Age, breed, ectoparasiticide use and stray history, but not city, season and gender, were significantly associated with the positive rates of one or more pathogens. This is also the first report on the prevalence of Candidatus Mycoplasma turicensis in cats in China.
Topics: Animals; Bartonella; Beijing; Cat Diseases; Cats; China; DNA, Bacterial; Mycoplasma; Mycoplasma Infections; Prevalence
PubMed: 33731498
DOI: 10.1292/jvms.20-0681