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Acta Veterinaria Scandinavica Apr 2024Benzalkonium chloride (BAC) is a quaternary ammonium compound (QAC), that can be found in a wide variety of household products-from disinfectants to medicaments and home... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Benzalkonium chloride (BAC) is a quaternary ammonium compound (QAC), that can be found in a wide variety of household products-from disinfectants to medicaments and home fragrances-but also professional products. In pets, cats have long been reported as more sensitive than dogs to QACs; in fact, signs of irritation such as oral ulcerations, stomatitis and pharyngitis can be observed after contact with concentrations of 2% or lower. In a review of 245 cases of BAC exposure in cats, reported by the Veterinary Poisons Information Service (United Kingdom) only 1.2% of the cases died or were euthanized. Nevertheless, BAC toxidromes in cats can result in transitory CNS and respiratory distress, as well as severe mucosal and cutaneous lesions. Currently, only a few reports are available concerning BAC poisoning in this species.
CASE PRESENTATION
A 4 month-old kitten presented with severe glossitis, lameness in the hindlimbs and episodes of vomiting and diarrhoea. The cause was unknown until the owners reported use of a BAC-containing mould remover (5%) 4 days later. The patient developed severe oral burns requiring a pharyngeal tube for feeding and severe cutaneous chemical burns. The kitten was managed with supportive therapy and required hospitalization for 10 days. The symptoms disappeared completely 3 weeks after exposure.
CONCLUSIONS
BAC is a very common compound contained in several household and professional products but, to the best of our knowledge, no previous case had been reported in Italy. We hope that this report will help raise awareness on the hazards of BAC products for cats in both domestic and work contexts.
Topics: Cats; Animals; Female; Dogs; Benzalkonium Compounds; Quaternary Ammonium Compounds; Disinfectants; Italy
PubMed: 38622748
DOI: 10.1186/s13028-024-00737-x -
The Science of the Total Environment Jun 2024Streptococcus pyogenes, Group A Streptococcus (GAS), is a human pathogen that causes a spectrum of diseases from mild to severe, including GAS pharyngitis, a common...
Group A Streptococcus pyogenes in wastewater: Applicability of wastewater-based epidemiology for monitoring the prevalence of GAS pharyngitis during the late COVID-19 pandemic phase.
Streptococcus pyogenes, Group A Streptococcus (GAS), is a human pathogen that causes a spectrum of diseases from mild to severe, including GAS pharyngitis, a common acute respiratory disease in developed countries. Although wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) has been extensively used to monitor viral pathogens such as severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, its applicability to S. pyogenes remains unexplored. This study was conducted to investigate the feasibility of detecting and quantifying S. pyogenes in wastewater by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and evaluate the applicability of WBE for monitoring the prevalence of GAS pharyngitis. A total of 52 grab influent samples were collected from a wastewater treatment plant in Japan once a week between March 2023 and February 2024. The samples were centrifuged, followed by nucleic acid extraction and qPCR for the S. pyogenes-specific genes speB and spy1258. Of the 52 samples, 90 % and 81 % were positive for speB and spy1258 genes, respectively, indicating the feasibility of S. pyogenes for wastewater surveillance. However, the percentage of quantifiable samples for speB gene was significantly higher in winter than in spring and summer. Similarly, the concentrations of both genes in wastewater samples were significantly higher in winter (speB, 4.1 ± 0.27 log copies/L; spy1258, 4.1 ± 0.28 log copies/L; One-way ANOVA, p < 0.01) than in spring and summer. Higher concentrations and detection ratios of S. pyogenes genes were observed during increased GAS pharyngitis cases in the catchment. Significant moderate correlations were observed between target gene concentrations and reported GAS pharyngitis cases. This study enhances the understanding role of WBE in monitoring and managing infectious diseases within communities.
Topics: Streptococcus pyogenes; Wastewater; COVID-19; Pharyngitis; Humans; Japan; Streptococcal Infections; SARS-CoV-2; Wastewater-Based Epidemiological Monitoring; Prevalence
PubMed: 38621526
DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.172447 -
Orvosi Hetilap Apr 2024
Topics: Humans; Anti-Infective Agents, Local; Imines; Pyridines; Otolaryngology
PubMed: 38619884
DOI: 10.1556/650.2024.33019 -
European Journal of Clinical... Jun 2024Fusobacterium necrophorum is a common cause of pharyngotonsillitis. However, no guidelines exist on when to diagnose or treat it. We aimed to investigate associations... (Observational Study)
Observational Study
OBJECTIVES
Fusobacterium necrophorum is a common cause of pharyngotonsillitis. However, no guidelines exist on when to diagnose or treat it. We aimed to investigate associations between clinical criteria and F. necrophorum-positivity in pharyngotonsillitis and assess the predictive potential of a simple scoring system.
METHODS
Pharyngotonsillitis patients who were tested for F. necrophorum (PCR) and presented to hospitals in the Skåne Region, Sweden, between 2013-2020 were eligible. Data were retrieved from electronic chart reviews and registries. By logistic regression we investigated associations between F. necrophorum-positivity and pre-specified criteria: age 13-30 years, symptom duration ≤ 3 days, absence of viral symptoms (e.g. cough, coryza), fever, tonsillar swelling/exudate, lymphadenopathy and CRP ≥ 50 mg/L. In secondary analyses, associated variables were weighted by strength of association into a score and its predictive accuracy of F. necrophorum was assessed.
RESULTS
Among 561 cases included, 184 (33%) had F. necrophorum, which was associated with the following criteria: age 13-30, symptom duration ≤ 3 days, absence of viral symptoms, tonsillar swelling/exudate and CRP ≥ 50 mg/L. Age 13-30 had the strongest association (OR5.7 95%CI 3.7-8.8). After weighting, these five variables had a sensitivity and specificity of 68% and 71% respectively to predict F. necrophorum-positivity at the proposed cut-off.
CONCLUSION
Our results suggest that F. necrophorum cases presenting to hospitals might be better distinguished from other pharyngotonsillitis cases by a simple scoring system presented, with age 13-30 being the strongest predictor for F. necrophorum. Prospective studies, involving primary care settings, are needed to evaluate generalisability of findings beyond cases presenting to hospitals.
Topics: Humans; Fusobacterium necrophorum; Sweden; Fusobacterium Infections; Male; Adolescent; Female; Adult; Tonsillitis; Young Adult; Pharyngitis; Middle Aged; Hospitals; Aged
PubMed: 38609699
DOI: 10.1007/s10096-024-04827-6 -
HNO Jun 2024For preoperative skin antisepsis, alcohol-containing iodine solutions and octenidine are suitable. For wound antisepsis, polyhexanide and hypochlorous acid (HOCL) are... (Review)
Review
For preoperative skin antisepsis, alcohol-containing iodine solutions and octenidine are suitable. For wound antisepsis, polyhexanide and hypochlorous acid (HOCL) are also available, but only PVP-iodine and HOCL can be applied to cartilage. Chlorhexidine should only be used as mouth- and bodywash for Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) decolonization. For the many other throat antiseptics, evidence of clinical efficacy is lacking. For decolonization of the nares, polyhexanide and octenidine are available as nasal gels, but these are inferior to mupirocin for MRSA decolonization. PVP-iodine and HOCL are safe to use for nasal irrigation, but only HOCL has proven effective to improve symptoms of chronic rhinosinusitis. All antiseptics exhibit a certain ototoxicity. With an intact eardrum, acetic acid-containing eardrops can be used to prevent and treat external otitis and myringitis. When the eardrum is perforated, only alcohol-free PVP-iodine and HOCL may be used.
Topics: Humans; Anti-Infective Agents, Local; Otolaryngology; Otorhinolaryngologic Diseases
PubMed: 38592477
DOI: 10.1007/s00106-024-01456-5 -
European Journal of Pharmaceutics and... Jun 2024Our study aimed to develop a virucidal throat spray using bioactive compounds and excipients, focusing on the preparation of Curcumin (CUR) in a self-nano emulsifying...
Our study aimed to develop a virucidal throat spray using bioactive compounds and excipients, focusing on the preparation of Curcumin (CUR) in a self-nano emulsifying drug delivery system (SNEDDS). Two molecular docking studies against SARS-CoV-2 targets guided the selection of proper oil, surfactant, co-surfactant, and natural bioactive that would maximize the antiviral activity of the throat spray. Two self-nanoemulsifying formulas that were diluted with different vehicles to prepare eight CUR-loaded SNESNS (self-nanoemulsifying self-nanosuspension) formulas. In vitro characterization studies and in vitro anti-SARS-CoV-2 effect revealed that the optimal formula, consisted of 20 % Anise oil, 70 % Tween 80, 10 % PEG 400, and 0.1 %w/w CUR, diluted with DEAE-Dx. Preclinical toxicity tests on male rats confirmed the safety of a mild throat spray dose (5 µg/mL CUR). In a rat model of acute pharyngitis induced by ammonia, post-treatment with the optimal formula of CUR loaded SNESNS for one week significantly reduced elevated proinflammatory markers (TNF-α, IL6, MCP1, and IL8). In conclusion, our CUR-loaded SNESNS formula, at 5 µg/mL concentration, shows promising effect as a prophylactic throat spray against SARS-CoV-2 and as a treatment for pharyngitis.
Topics: Animals; Pharyngitis; Excipients; Rats; Male; Antiviral Agents; COVID-19 Drug Treatment; SARS-CoV-2; COVID-19; Curcumin; Humans; Molecular Docking Simulation; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Nanoparticle Drug Delivery System; Chlorocebus aethiops
PubMed: 38588829
DOI: 10.1016/j.ejpb.2024.114279 -
MBio May 2024Among genes present in all group A streptococci (GAS), those encoding M-fibril and T-pilus proteins display the highest levels of sequence diversity, giving rise to the...
Among genes present in all group A streptococci (GAS), those encoding M-fibril and T-pilus proteins display the highest levels of sequence diversity, giving rise to the two primary serological typing schemes historically used to define strain. A new genotyping scheme for the pilin adhesin and backbone genes is developed and, when combined with typing, provides an account of the global GAS strain population. Cluster analysis based on nucleotide sequence similarity assigns most T-serotypes to discrete pilin backbone sequence clusters, yet the established T-types correspond to only half the clusters. The major pilin adhesin and backbone sequence clusters yield 98 unique combinations, defined as "pilin types." Numerous horizontal transfer events that involve pilin or genes generate extensive antigenic and functional diversity on the bacterial cell surface and lead to the emergence of new strains. Inferred pilin genotypes applied to a meta-analysis of global population-based collections of pharyngitis and impetigo isolates reveal highly significant associations between pilin genotypes and GAS infection at distinct ecological niches, consistent with a role for pilin gene products in adaptive evolution. Integration of and pilin typing into open-access online tools (pubmlst.org) ensures broad utility for end-users wanting to determine the architecture of M-fibril and T-pilus genes from genome assemblies.IMPORTANCEPrecision in defining the variant forms of infectious agents is critical to understanding their population biology and the epidemiology of associated diseases. Group A (GAS) is a global pathogen that causes a wide range of diseases and displays a highly diverse cell surface due to the antigenic heterogeneity of M-fibril and T-pilus proteins which also act as virulence factors of varied functions. genotyping is well-established and highly utilized, but there is no counterpart for pilin genes. A global GAS collection provides the basis for a comprehensive pilin typing scheme, and online tools for determining and pilin genotypes are developed. Application of these tools reveals the expansion of structural-functional diversity among GAS via horizontal gene transfer, as evidenced by unique combinations of surface protein genes. Pilin and genotype correlations with superficial throat vs skin infection provide new insights on the molecular determinants underlying key ecological and epidemiological trends.
Topics: Streptococcus pyogenes; Genetic Variation; Humans; Genotype; Recombination, Genetic; Bacterial Outer Membrane Proteins; Fimbriae Proteins; Gene Transfer, Horizontal; Antigens, Bacterial; Streptococcal Infections; Impetigo; Pharyngitis; Fimbriae, Bacterial; Carrier Proteins
PubMed: 38587426
DOI: 10.1128/mbio.00693-24 -
Journal of the Pediatric Infectious... Jun 2024Acute respiratory tract infections (ARTIs) account for most antibiotic prescriptions in pediatrics. Although US guidelines continue to recommend ≥10 days antibiotics... (Review)
Review
Acute respiratory tract infections (ARTIs) account for most antibiotic prescriptions in pediatrics. Although US guidelines continue to recommend ≥10 days antibiotics for common ARTIs, evidence suggests that 5-day courses can be safe and effective. Academic imprinting seems to play a major role in the continued use of prolonged antibiotic durations. In this report, we discuss the evidence supporting short antibiotic courses for group A streptococcal pharyngitis, acute otitis media, and acute bacterial rhinosinusitis. We discuss the basis for prolonged antibiotic course recommendations and recent literature investigating shorter courses. Prescribers in the United States should overcome academic imprinting and follow international trends to reduce antibiotic durations for common ARTIs, where 5 days is a safe and efficacious course when antibiotics are prescribed.
Topics: Humans; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Respiratory Tract Infections; Acute Disease; Sinusitis; Pharyngitis; Otitis Media; Child; Drug Administration Schedule; Streptococcal Infections; Practice Guidelines as Topic; Rhinitis; United States; Streptococcus pyogenes
PubMed: 38581154
DOI: 10.1093/jpids/piae034 -
IJID Regions Jun 2024The article presents a rare case of human invasion by the trematode in the European part of Russia. The diagnosis was established based on a parasitological study of...
The article presents a rare case of human invasion by the trematode in the European part of Russia. The diagnosis was established based on a parasitological study of flukes removed from the tonsils and pharynx of a 42-year-old woman, a resident of the Tambov region of Russia.
PubMed: 38577555
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijregi.2024.03.001 -
Frontiers in Immunology 2024is a Gram-positive pathogen that causes a significant global burden of skin pyoderma and pharyngitis. In some cases, infection can lead to severe invasive streptococcal...
INTRODUCTION
is a Gram-positive pathogen that causes a significant global burden of skin pyoderma and pharyngitis. In some cases, infection can lead to severe invasive streptococcal diseases. Previous studies have shown that IL-17 deficiency in mice (IL-17) can reduce clearance from the mucosal surfaces. However, the effect of IL-17 on the development of severe invasive streptococcal disease has not yet been assessed.
METHODS
Here, we modeled single or repeated non-lethal intranasal (IN) M1 strain infections in immunocompetent and IL-17 mice to assess bacterial colonization following a final IN or skin challenge.
RESULTS
Immunocompetent mice that received a single infection showed long-lasting immunity to subsequent IN infection, and no bacteria were detected in the lymph nodes or spleens. However, in the absence of IL-17, a single IN infection resulted in dissemination of to the lymphoid organs, which was accentuated by repeated IN infections. In contrast to what was observed in the respiratory mucosa, skin immunity did not correlate with the systemic levels of IL-17. Instead, it was found to be associated with the activation of germinal center responses and accumulation of neutrophils in the spleen.
DISCUSSION
Our results demonstrated that IL-17 plays a critical role in preventing invasive disease following infection of the respiratory tract.
Topics: Animals; Mice; Interleukin-17; Monitoring, Immunologic; Respiratory Mucosa; Streptococcal Infections; Streptococcus pyogenes
PubMed: 38576622
DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1351777