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Environmental Microbiology Reports Jun 2024The pathogenic fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis has caused declines of amphibians worldwide. Yet our understanding of how water quality influences fungal...
The pathogenic fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis has caused declines of amphibians worldwide. Yet our understanding of how water quality influences fungal pathogenicity is limited. Here, we reviewed experimental studies on the effect of water quality on this pathogen to determine which parameters impacted disease dynamics consistently. The strongest evidence for protective effects is salinity which shows strong antifungal properties in hosts at natural levels. Although many fungicides had detrimental effects on the fungal pathogen in vitro, their impact on the host is variable and they can worsen infection outcomes. However, one fungicide, epoxiconazole, reduced disease effects experimentally and likely in the field. While heavy metals are frequently studied, there is weak evidence that they influence infection outcomes. Nitrogen and phosphorous do not appear to impact pathogen growth or infection in the amphibian host. The effects of other chemicals, like pesticides and disinfectants on infection were mostly unclear with mixed results or lacking an in vivo component. Our study shows that water chemistry does impact disease dynamics, but the effects of specific parameters require more investigation. Improving our understanding of how water chemistry influences disease dynamics will help predict the impact of chytridiomycosis, especially in amphibian populations affected by land use changes.
Topics: Animals; Batrachochytrium; Amphibians; Water Quality; Mycoses; Salinity; Fungicides, Industrial; Chytridiomycota; Pesticides; Disinfectants; Antifungal Agents
PubMed: 38775382
DOI: 10.1111/1758-2229.13274 -
Parasite Epidemiology and Control May 2024Ticks and tick-borne pathogens are the main challenge to livestock production and productivity in sub-Saharan Africa, particularly in Ethiopia, where favorable... (Review)
Review
Ticks and tick-borne pathogens are the main challenge to livestock production and productivity in sub-Saharan Africa, particularly in Ethiopia, where favorable conditions exist for the activity of various parasites due to its geographical location, climate, and biological and cultural characteristics. This study was to provide pooled estimates for individually available data on ixodid ticks, their trend comparisons, and ixodid tick grouping among cattle in Ethiopia. Cochrane's Q, , sensitivity analysis, funnel plot, Begg, and Egger regression tests were used to check heterogeneity and publication bias. A random effect model was used to calculate the pooled magnitude of ixodid ticks among cattle. A total of 17,161 cattle from 41 studies were included. The pooled prevalence of ixodid ticks among cattle was 64.42% (95% CI = 57.13-71.71). A total of 82,804 adult ticks belonging to three different genera of ixodid ticks, namely () (47.53%), (46.10%), and (6.37%), were recorded from the included studies. The general trend for the prevalence of ixodid tick infestation among cattle has decreased, from 68.65% in 2010-2015 to 60.13% in 2021-2023. In the present scenario, ixodid tick infestation range from 59.21 to 89.58% and are higher in Gambella region.
PubMed: 38774271
DOI: 10.1016/j.parepi.2024.e00356 -
Asian Journal of Surgery May 2024The gut microbiome is the entirety of microorganisms and their genomes residing in the gut, characterised by diversity, stability, and resilience. Disrupted gut... (Review)
Review
The gut microbiome is the entirety of microorganisms and their genomes residing in the gut, characterised by diversity, stability, and resilience. Disrupted gut microbiome has been implicated in multiple disease entities. The aim of this paper is to summarise the rapidly evolving contemporary evidence of gut dysbiosis on the development and progression of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA), discuss possible mechanisms, and explore potential microbiota-targeted interventions and prognostic markers for AAA. A systematic literature search was performed according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses statement, using PubMed, ScienceDirect, Web of Science, Ovid, Embase. Search terms of "microbiome" OR "dysbiosis" OR "microorganism"; AND "aneurysm" OR "dilatation" OR "aorta" were used. Study endpoints included effects of microbiota on AAA formation, effects of specific type of bacteria and its metabolite on AAA formation, and pre- or post-treatment by novel small-molecules/inhibitors. From May to August 2023, a total of twelve animal studies and eight human studies were included. Akkermansia muciniphila, Lactobacillus acidophilus and species from the Bacteroidetes phylum were associated with lower AAA incidence in both animal and human studies, while Proteobacteria phylum, Campylobacter, Fusobacterium and Faecalibacterium prausnitzii were found to be in abundance in the AAA group and were associated with larger aneurysms. The diversity of gut microbiota was inversely correlated with AAA diameter. Three important mechanisms were identified: including trimethylamine N-oxide pathway, butyric acid pathway, and aberrant tryptophan metabolism. With our expanding knowledge of the downstream pathogenic mechanisms of gut dysbiosis, novel therapeutics such as short-chain fatty acids and spermidine, as well as prognostic biomarkers such as TMAO have yielded promising preclinical results. In conclusion, there is strong evidence corroborating the role of gut dysbiosis in the pathogenesis of AAA, wherein its therapeutic and prognostic potential deserves further exploration.
PubMed: 38772822
DOI: 10.1016/j.asjsur.2024.05.058 -
Transplantation Direct Jun 2024The urinary microbiome, also known as the urobiome, was traditionally considered sterile. However, emerging evidence suggests its presence in the urinary tract. Urobiome...
BACKGROUND
The urinary microbiome, also known as the urobiome, was traditionally considered sterile. However, emerging evidence suggests its presence in the urinary tract. Urobiome dysbiosis has been associated with various urologic conditions, making it a topic of interest also in kidney transplantation. This systematic review examines the evidence of urobiome changes in kidney transplant recipients (KTRs).
METHODS
Systematic literature searches in the PubMed and SCOPUS databases.
RESULTS
Of the 770 articles identified, 8 met the inclusion criteria. The urobiome showed reduced diversity in KTRs compared with healthy controls and patients on dialysis. Proteobacteria enrichment was associated with graft stability or spontaneous tolerance in KTRs without immunological events. Kidney interstitial fibrosis and tubular atrophy were associated with changes in resident urinary microbes and increased pathogenic bacteria. Additionally, KTRs with chronic allograft dysfunction had a higher prevalence of .
CONCLUSIONS
The review highlights the importance of studying the urobiome in KTRs and its potential impact on transplant outcomes. The field remains largely unexplored, and further research is needed to establish consistent study designs and objectives. Future studies could lead to biomarker discovery, personalized therapies, and improved outcomes and graft survival in KTRs.
PubMed: 38769976
DOI: 10.1097/TXD.0000000000001643 -
PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases May 2024At the end of 2022, there were over 108 million forcibly displaced people globally, including refugees, asylum seekers (AS) and internally displaced people (IDPs).... (Review)
Review
Status of zoonotic disease research in refugees, asylum seekers and internally displaced people, globally: A scoping review of forty clinically important zoonotic pathogens.
BACKGROUND
At the end of 2022, there were over 108 million forcibly displaced people globally, including refugees, asylum seekers (AS) and internally displaced people (IDPs). Forced migration increases the risk of infectious disease transmission, and zoonotic pathogens account for 61% of emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases. Zoonoses create a high burden of disease and have the potential to cause large-scale outbreaks. This scoping review aimed to assess the state of research on a range of clinically relevant zoonotic pathogens in displaced populations in order to identify the gaps in literature and guide future research.
METHODOLOGY / PRINCIPAL FINDINGS
Literature was systematically searched to identify original research related to 40 selected zoonotic pathogens of interest in refugees, AS and IDPs. We included only peer-reviewed original research in English, with no publication date restrictions. Demographic data, migration pathways, health factors, associated outbreaks, predictive factors and preventative measures were extracted and synthesized. We identified 4,295 articles, of which 347 were included; dates of publications ranged from 1937 to 2022. Refugees were the most common population investigated (75%). Migration pathways of displaced populations increased over time towards a more complex web, involving migration in dual directions. The most frequent pathogen investigated was Schistosoma spp. (n = 99 articles). Disease outbreaks were reported in 46 publications (13.3%), with viruses being the most commonly reported pathogen type. Limited access to hygiene/sanitation, crowding and refugee status were the most commonly discussed predictors of infection. Vaccination/prophylaxis drug administration, surveillance/screening and improved hygiene/sanitation were the most commonly discussed preventative measures.
CONCLUSIONS / SIGNIFICANCE
The current research on zoonoses in displaced populations displays gaps in the spectrum of pathogens studied, as well as in the (sub)populations investigated. Future studies should be more inclusive of One Health approaches to adequately investigate the impact of zoonotic pathogens and identify transmission pathways as a basis for designing interventions for displaced populations.
Topics: Refugees; Humans; Animals; Zoonoses
PubMed: 38768252
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0012164 -
International Journal of Infectious... Aug 2024The objective was to estimate the probability that finding a Streptococcus pyogenes (Group A Streptococcus) in a throat swab in a patient with a sore throat reflects the... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
OBJECTIVES
The objective was to estimate the probability that finding a Streptococcus pyogenes (Group A Streptococcus) in a throat swab in a patient with a sore throat reflects the aetiology. We also investigated to what extent this is influenced by age, carrier rates of S. pyogenes and climate zone.
METHODS
We conducted a comprehensive search of Medline and Scopus up until October 2023 for case-control studies reporting the prevalence of S. pyogenes in patients with a sore throat and healthy controls. We only included studies with separate data for children and adults. We used the positive and negative etiologic predictive values (P-EPV and N-EPV) to estimate the probability of a link between a sore throat and a finding of S. pyogenes.
RESULTS
We included 15 studies in our meta-analysis. The overall P-EPV for children and adults were 63% (49-74%) and 92% (87-95%), respectively. The P-EPV rose to 83% (64-93%) for children and 94% (90-97%) for adults when only patients with 3-4 Centor criteria were included. The overall N-EPV was 97% (96-98%) for children and 96% (95-97%) for adults.
CONCLUSION
Detecting S. pyogenes in adult patients with an uncomplicated acute sore throat is useful to rule in S. pyogenes as the likely aetiologic agent. The P-EPV significantly increased for children when those with 3-4 Centor criteria were selected. A negative throat swab is always useful for both children and adults to rule out S. pyogenes as the cause of sore throat.
Topics: Humans; Streptococcus pyogenes; Pharyngitis; Streptococcal Infections; Child; Adult; Carrier State; Pharynx; Prevalence
PubMed: 38762046
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijid.2024.107100 -
Frontiers in Microbiology 2024The increasing demand for orthopedic surgeries, including joint replacements, is driven by an aging population and improved diagnosis of joint conditions. Orthopedic...
The increasing demand for orthopedic surgeries, including joint replacements, is driven by an aging population and improved diagnosis of joint conditions. Orthopedic surgeries carry a risk of infection, especially in patients with comorbidities. The rise of antibiotic resistance exacerbates this issue, necessitating alternatives like bioengineered antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), offering broad-spectrum activity and multiple action mechanisms. This review aimed to assess the prevalence of antimicrobial potential and the yield after purification among recombinant AMP families. The antimicrobial potential was evaluated using the Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) values against the most common bacteria involved in clinical infections. This systematic review adhered to PRISMA guidelines, focusing on studies of recombinant AMPs. The search strategy was run on PubMed, Scopus and Embase up to 30 March 2023. The Population, Exposure and Outcome model was used to extract the data from studies and ToxRTool for the risk of bias analysis. This review included studies providing peptide production yield data and MIC values against pathogenic bacteria. Non-English texts, reviews, conference abstracts, books, studies focusing solely on chemical synthesis, those reporting incomplete data sets, using non-standard MIC assessment methods, or presenting MIC values as ranges rather than precise concentrations, were excluded. From 370 publications, 34 studies on AMPs were analyzed. These covered 46 AMPs across 18 families, with Defensins and Hepcidins being most common. Yields varied from 0.5 to 2,700 mg/L. AMPs were tested against 23 bacterial genera, with MIC values ranging from 0.125 to >1,152 μg/mL. Arenicins showed the highest antimicrobial activity, particularly against common orthopedic infection pathogens. However, AMP production yields varied and some AMPs demonstrated limited effectiveness against certain bacterial strains. This systematic review emphasizes the critical role of bioengineered AMPs to cope infections and antibiotic resistance. It meticulously evaluates recombinant AMPs, focusing on their antimicrobial efficacy and production yields. The review highlights that, despite the variability in AMP yields and effectiveness, Arenicins and Defensins are promising candidates for future research and clinical applications in treating antibiotic-resistant orthopedic infections. This study contributes significantly to the understanding of AMPs in healthcare, underscoring their potential in addressing the growing challenge of antibiotic resistance. https://osf.io/2uq4c/.
PubMed: 38756724
DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2024.1370826 -
Research in Veterinary Science Jul 2024Canine enteric coronavirus (CeCoV) is a globally distributed enteric pathogen that causes significant harm to canines. The objective of this systematic review was to... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
Canine enteric coronavirus (CeCoV) is a globally distributed enteric pathogen that causes significant harm to canines. The objective of this systematic review was to examine the global dissemination of CeCoV and assess the potential for infected canines to be exposed to various CeCoV genotypes and subtypes. With an aggregated prevalence of 18.8%, the study predicted regional variations, indicating that CeCoV is an exceptionally prevalent disease. The increased likelihood that infected canines will be asymptomatic is a significant cause for concern, as undetected cases of CeCoV infection could persist and spread the disease. This underscores the significance of ongoing surveillance of CeCoV in order to avert its transmission. Nevertheless, further investigation is necessary in order to ascertain the moderators that significantly impact the prevalence and distribution of distinct subtypes and genotypes of CeCoV. Hence, it is imperative to undertake randomized clinical trials in order to acquire a more accurate understanding of the variables that influence the prevalence of CeCoV. By conducting ongoing surveillance, regional variations in the prevalence of CeCoV in canines can be accounted for, thereby enhancing our comprehension of the illness and ultimately impeding its transmission.
Topics: Dogs; Animals; Dog Diseases; Coronavirus, Canine; Prevalence; Coronavirus Infections
PubMed: 38749265
DOI: 10.1016/j.rvsc.2024.105289 -
Cureus Apr 2024The sources of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), also known as peptide-based antibiotics, are diverse, such as plants, animals, microorganisms including human leukocytes,... (Review)
Review
The sources of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), also known as peptide-based antibiotics, are diverse, such as plants, animals, microorganisms including human leukocytes, saliva, human defense peptides, and human sweat. These natural sources provide a rich variety of AMPs with unique characteristics and potential therapeutic applications, including wound-healing and antimicrobial properties. AMPs derived from these sources have shown promise in combating a wide range of pathogens, making them valuable targets for further research and potential clinical applications. The design of AMPs for wound healing involves a meticulous process of structurally optimizing peptides to possess a unique combination of antibacterial and wound-healing characteristics. This systematic review was produced to show the design and applications of AMPs in wound healing. The terms "antimicrobial peptides AND wound healing" were used to search for articles published between September 2023 and January 2010. In the search, we found a total of 12958 articles, of which 12898 were excluded, and the remaining 60 articles were chosen for further study. This systematic review underscores the potential of AMPs as valuable tools in infection control and wound healing, showcasing their versatility and effectiveness in combating a wide range of pathogens. Overall, AMPs in wound healing display a diverse mechanism of action, influencing the inflammatory response, encouraging tissue regeneration, and aiding tissue remodeling, along with strong antibacterial activity. Furthermore, this systematic review addresses AMP toxicity studies, which include rigorous in vitro and in vivo examinations to determine potential cytotoxic effects, systemic toxicity, and any adverse responses connected with its usage in wound-healing applications.
PubMed: 38741875
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.58178 -
Frontiers in Endocrinology 2023Premature ovarian insufficiency (POI) is a primary cause of infertility with variable clinical manifestations. POI is a multifactorial disease with both environmental...
INTRODUCTION
Premature ovarian insufficiency (POI) is a primary cause of infertility with variable clinical manifestations. POI is a multifactorial disease with both environmental and known genetic etiologies, but data on the genetic variations associated with POI in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region are scarce. The aim of this study was to systematically review all known genetic causes of POI in the MENA region.
METHODS
The PubMed, Science Direct, ProQuest, and Embase databases were searched from inception to December 2022 for all reports of genetic variants associated with POI in the MENA region. Clinical and genetic data were collected from eligible articles, and ClinVar and PubMed (dbSNP) were searched for variants.
RESULTS
Of 1,803 studies, 25 met the inclusion criteria. Fifteen studies were case-control studies and ten were case reports representing 1,080 non-syndromic POI patients in total. Seventy-nine variants in 25 genes associated with POI were reported in ten MENA countries. Of the 79 variants, 46 were rare and 33 were common variants. Of the 46 rare variants, 19 were pathogenic or likely pathogenic according to ACMG classification guidelines and ClinVar. No clear phenotype-genotype association was observed. Male family members carrying pathogenic variants also had infertility problems.
DISCUSSION
To our best knowledge, this is the first systematic review of the genetic variants associated with POI in the MENA region. Further functional studies are needed to assess the disease-causing molecular mechanisms of these variants. Knowledge of the genetic basis of POI in the Middle East could facilitate early detection of the condition and thus early implementation of therapeutic interventions, paving the way for precision medicine options in specific populations.
Topics: Humans; Primary Ovarian Insufficiency; Female; Middle East; Africa, Northern; Genetic Variation; Genetic Predisposition to Disease
PubMed: 38737775
DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1289333