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Veterinary World May 2024Leptospirosis is a re-emerging zoonosis that is under-reported in tropical countries, and canines can be a potential reservoir of the disease. The objective of this...
BACKGROUND AND AIM
Leptospirosis is a re-emerging zoonosis that is under-reported in tropical countries, and canines can be a potential reservoir of the disease. The objective of this study was to diagnose spp. that is actively infected and re-infected in stray dogs and cats from Bogota, D.C., Colombia.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
A sample of 200 animals, including dogs and cats from the animal protection programs of Bogota, Colombia, were used in this study. Blood was collected from these animals for serum and DNA analysis. Conventional polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was performed using the 16s rRNA primer set, and higher-quality amplification products were sequenced by Sanger. For serodiagnosis, a group of PCR-positive samples was tested using the microagglutination test (MAT).
RESULTS
The overall PCR positivity of stray dogs and cats was 56%, 52.9%, and 65.3% in dogs and cats, respectively. The MAT seropositivity was 77.3%, and only dogs showed titers higher than 1:400. , , , , and and were the serogroups associated with dogs and cats, respectively. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the strains belonging to serovars related to isolated samples of American, European, and Asian bats (), dogs, and bovines of American origin.
CONCLUSION
These results showed that stray dogs and cats were previously exposed to different serovars of spp. and re-infected with other serovars that actively participated in the transmission cycle. These findings highlight the importance of actively diagnosing infectious animals to design effective intervention strategies.
PubMed: 38911095
DOI: 10.14202/vetworld.2024.973-980 -
Vaccine Jun 2024In New Zealand, approximately half reported pertussis cases are adult. Studies indicate underestimated pertussis burden in this population and probable reservoir for...
Pertussis epidemiology in adults: Retrospective analysis of pertussis incidence and association with comorbidities among adult populations in Aotearoa New Zealand, using national administrative datasets.
BACKGROUND
In New Zealand, approximately half reported pertussis cases are adult. Studies indicate underestimated pertussis burden in this population and probable reservoir for childhood pertussis. Pertussis is linked to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) development and increased risk with pre-existing COPD. While acellular pertussis vaccines are available for adults, data on pertussis disease burden in adults and association with COPD remain limited.
AIM
To estimate pertussis incidence in New Zealand adult health service user (HSU) population aged ≥ 18 between 2008-2019 and inform adult pertussis vaccination strategies by assessing disease burden and risk factors in different adult populations.
METHODS
Retrospective observational cohort study using an HSU cohort, formed by linking administrative health data using unique National Health Index identifier. For primary analysis, annual incidence rates were calculated using pertussis hospitalisations and notifications. In secondary analysis, Cox proportional hazards survival analyses explored association between pertussis in adults and chronic comorbidities.
RESULTS
The cohort had 2,907,258 participants in 2008 and grew to 3,513,327 by 2019, with 11,139 pertussis cases reported. Highest annual incidence rate of 84.77 per 100,000 PYRS in 2012, notably affecting females, those aged 30-49 years, and European or Māori ethnicity. Adjusting for sociodemographic variables found no significant risk of prior pertussis notification leading to comorbidity diagnosis (Adjusted-HR: 0.972). However, individuals with prior comorbidity diagnosis had 16 % greater risk of receiving pertussis notification or diagnosis (Adjusted-HR: 1.162).
CONCLUSIONS
Study found significant pertussis burden among the HSU adult cohort and highlighted higher risk of pertussis for those with recent comorbidity diagnoses. Vaccination for pertussis should be recommended for individuals with comorbidities to reduce infection risk and disease severity. GPs must have capability to test for pertussis, given it is notifiable disease with implications for individuals, their families, and broader population. High-quality disease surveillance is crucial for informing policy decisions.
PubMed: 38910093
DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2024.06.016 -
The Science of the Total Environment Jun 2024Octylisothiazolinone (OIT) and Dichlorooctylisothiazolinone (DCOIT), widely used antibacterial agents in coatings, have seen a sharp increase in use in response to the...
Octylisothiazolinone (OIT) and Dichlorooctylisothiazolinone (DCOIT), widely used antibacterial agents in coatings, have seen a sharp increase in use in response to the Coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic, ultimately leading to their increase in the aquatic environment. However, their photodegradation process in surface water is still unclear. The purpose of this study is to investigate the photodegradation kinetics and mechanisms of OIT and DCOIT in natural water environments. Under simulated solar irradiation, they undergo direct photolysis in both natural freshwater and seawater mainly via their excited singlet states, while no self-sensitization photolysis was observed. The direct photolysis rate constants of OIT and DCOIT were 1.19 ± 0.07 and 0.57 ± 0.03 h, respectively. In addition, dissolved organic matter (DOM), NO and Cl in natural waters did not contribute significantly to the photodegradation, and the light screening effect of DOM was identified as the main inhibiting factor. The photodegradation half-life of OIT was estimated to be 0.66 to 1.69 days, while the half-life of DCOIT was as high as 20.9 days during winter in surface water at 30°N latitude. Ring opening of the N-S bond and covalent bond breaking between CN are the main pathways for the photodegradation of OIT and DCOIT, which is verified by density-functional theory calculations. Ecological Structure Activity Relationships (ECOSAR) results indicate that OIT and DCOIT have "Very Toxic" biological toxicity, and the acute toxicity of their products is significantly reduced. It is noteworthy that the toxicity of the products of DCOIT is generally higher than that of OIT, and the chronic toxicity of most of the products is still above the "Toxic" level. Therefore, an in-depth understanding of the photodegradation mechanisms of OIT and DCOIT in aqueous environments is crucial for accurately assessing their ecological risks in natural water environments.
PubMed: 38909814
DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.174185 -
International Journal of Biological... Jun 2024The Rab proteins primarily regulate vesicular transport between membrane-bound organelles and are important for innate immune. However, there is currently a lack of...
The Rab proteins primarily regulate vesicular transport between membrane-bound organelles and are important for innate immune. However, there is currently a lack of studies on crustaceans regarding Rab proteins, particularly core Rabs. We identified a Rab11 gene from Procambarus clarkii (PcRab11) and evaluated its potential involvement in immune response. The results showed PcRab11 was 1789 bp long, with an open reading frame of 645 bp encoding 211 amino acids and an estimated molecular weight of 23.8 kDa. Sequence analysis revealed its remarkable evolutionary conservation. The PcRab11 was widely expressed in various tissues, with highest levels in hepatopancreas, and localized within the cell cytoplasm. Upon infection with white spot syndrome virus (WSSV) or Aeromonas veronii, the expression of PcRab11 in immune organs was significantly induced. Furthermore, silencing PcRab11 reduced phagocytosis-related genes expression and haemocytes' phagocytic activity to FITC-labeled A. veronii, as well as decreased mortality and death time in WSSV or A. veronii infected P. clarkii. Additionally, the potential protein interaction between PcRab11 and 14-3-3ε was identified in haemocytes. Overall, our findings provided evidence for the involvement of Rab11 in P. clarkii's immune response, establishing a foundation to explore the immune role of core Rab proteins in crustaceans' innate immune system.
PubMed: 38909733
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.133299 -
Poultry Science Jun 2024Migratory wild birds can carry various pathogens, such as influenza A virus, which can spread to globally and cause disease outbreaks and epidemics. Continuous...
Migratory wild birds can carry various pathogens, such as influenza A virus, which can spread to globally and cause disease outbreaks and epidemics. Continuous epidemiological surveillance of migratory wild birds is of great significance for the early warning, prevention, and control of epidemics. To investigate the pathogen infection status of migratory wild birds in eastern China, fecal samples were collected from wetlands to conduct pathogen surveillance. The results showed that duck orthoreovirus (DRV) and goose parvovirus (GPV) nucleic acid were detected positive in the fecal samples collected from wild ducks, egrets, and swan. Phylogenetic analysis of the amplified viral genes reveals that the isolates were closely related to the prevalent strains in the regions involved in East Asian-Australasian (EAA) migratory flyway. Phylogenetic analysis of the amplified viral genes confirmed that they were closely related to circulating strains in the regions involved in the EAA migration pathway. The findings of this study have expanded the host range of the orthoreovirus and parvovirus, and revealed possible virus transmission between wild migratory birds and poultry.
PubMed: 38909506
DOI: 10.1016/j.psj.2024.103940 -
Annals of Medicine Dec 2024The lung is an important site of extramedullary platelet formation, and megakaryocytes in the lung participate in immune responses in addition to platelet production. In... (Review)
Review
The lung is an important site of extramedullary platelet formation, and megakaryocytes in the lung participate in immune responses in addition to platelet production. In acute lung injury and chronic lung injury, megakaryocytes and platelets play a promoting or protective role through different mechanisms. The authors reviewed the role of megakaryocytes and platelets in common clinical lung injuries with different course of disease and different pathogenic factors in order to provide new thinking for the diagnosis and treatment of lung injuries.
Topics: Megakaryocytes; Humans; Blood Platelets; Acute Lung Injury; Lung Injury; Lung; Animals; Respiratory Distress Syndrome
PubMed: 38902986
DOI: 10.1080/07853890.2024.2362871 -
Applied and Environmental Microbiology Jun 2024, a Lyme disease spirochete, causes a range of acute and chronic maladies in humans. However, a primary vertebrate reservoir in the United States, the white-footed...
, a Lyme disease spirochete, causes a range of acute and chronic maladies in humans. However, a primary vertebrate reservoir in the United States, the white-footed deermouse , is reported not to have reduced fitness following infection. Although laboratory strains of mice have successfully been leveraged to model acute human Lyme disease, the ability of these rodents to model interactions remains understudied. Here, we compared infection of with B31 with infection of the traditional murine models-C57BL/6J and C3H/HeN , which develop signs of inflammation akin to human disease. We find that was able to reach much higher burdens (10- to 30-times higher) in multiple skin sites and that the overall dynamics of infection differed between the two rodent species. We also found that remained transmissive to larval for a far shorter period than either strain. In line with these observations, we found that does launch a modest but sustained inflammatory response against in the skin, which we hypothesize leads to reduced bacterial viability and rodent-to-tick transmission in these hosts. Similarly, we also observe evidence of inflammation in infected hearts. These observations provide new insight into reservoir species and the enzootic cycle.IMPORTANCEA Lyme disease-causing bacteria, , must alternate between infecting a vertebrate host-usually rodents or birds-and ticks. In order to be successful in that endeavor, the bacteria must avoid being killed by the vertebrate host before it can infect a new larval tick. In this work, we examine how and one of its primary vertebrate reservoirs, , interact during an experimental infection. We find that appears to colonize its natural host less successfully than conventional laboratory mouse models, which aligns with a sustained seemingly anti-bacterial response by against the microbe. These data enhance our understanding of host-pathogen interactions and could potentially serve as a foundation to uncover ways to disrupt the spread of in nature.
PubMed: 38899883
DOI: 10.1128/aem.00822-24 -
Veterinaria Italiana Jul 2024Leishmaniasis, a parasitic disease found in many parts of southern Europe, is transmitted in both humans and canines through the bite of phlebotomine sandflies, and can...
Leishmaniasis, a parasitic disease found in many parts of southern Europe, is transmitted in both humans and canines through the bite of phlebotomine sandflies, and can present in a variety of ways, such as cutaneous, mucocutaneous, diffuse, and visceral. In Bulgaria there are endemic areas of canine leishmaniasis, with sporadic cases in humans. However, no detailed studies of the animal population and vectors have been performed. Here we describe a few clinical cases of canine visceral leishmaniasis in two districts in western Bulgaria: one endemic and one without previously detected cases in humans or dogs. Diagnosis was confirmed serologically and molecularly using both real time and conventional PCR. Specific anti-leishmanial antibodies were confirmed in three of the cases via ELISA, with 50% of them returning extremely high values. In the majority of the cases DNA fragments were detected in the skin or lymph node aspirate but not in the blood. This paper highlights the need for further studies updating the current knowledge on the epidemiology, diagnosis, and control of visceral leishmaniasis in the reservoir host population.
Topics: Dogs; Animals; Bulgaria; Dog Diseases; Leishmaniasis, Visceral; Male; Female; Leishmaniasis
PubMed: 38898792
DOI: 10.12834/VetIt.3128.23106.2 -
Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory... Jun 2024The role of vitamin D deficiency in cardiovascular disease (CVD) is controversial. Inherent biological and analytical limitations compromise the specificity of widely...
OBJECTIVES
The role of vitamin D deficiency in cardiovascular disease (CVD) is controversial. Inherent biological and analytical limitations compromise the specificity of widely used 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] cut-offs. Simultaneous determination of 25(OH)D and 24,25-dihydroxyvitamin D [24,25(OH)D] permits a functional assessment of vitamin D metabolism. The present study compared the associations of functional vitamin D deficiency and low vitamin D reservoirs with CVD mortality and CVD burden.
METHODS
25(OH)D, 24,25(OH)D, the degree of coronary obstruction on angiography, high-sensitive cardiac troponin T (hs-cTnT), N-terminal brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), and 10-year CVD mortality were obtained from 2,456 participants of the LURIC (Ludwigshafen Risk and Cardiovascular Health) study.
RESULTS
Neither low 25(OH)D concentrations nor functional vitamin D deficiency were associated with the number of atherosclerotic coronary arteries or the degree of coronary obstruction. Over a median follow-up of 9.9 years, 454 participants died (23.6 %) due to CVD. CVD mortality was doubled in individuals with 25(OH)D concentrations below the widely used cut-off for deficiency of <50 nmol/L [20 ng/mL] (21.6 vs. 11.5 %). In individuals with and without functional vitamin D deficiency, CVD mortality was 25.0 and 16.7 %, respectively. NT-proBNP and heart failure prevalence were also higher in vitamin D deficient individuals.
CONCLUSIONS
Vitamin D deficient individuals have markedly higher CVD mortality, but only marginally higher hs-cTnT concentrations. A higher prevalence of heart failure and higher NT-proBNP concentrations suggest a link between vitamin D deficiency and cardiac function. The traditional and metabolic assessment of vitamin D status showed comparable associations for the different parameters of cardiac health.
PubMed: 38890759
DOI: 10.1515/cclm-2024-0391 -
BMJ Open Jun 2024Urogenital schistosomiasis (UGS) caused by is endemic in Southern Tanzania. The disease has significant implications for both socioeconomic and public health. Because...
BACKGROUND
Urogenital schistosomiasis (UGS) caused by is endemic in Southern Tanzania. The disease has significant implications for both socioeconomic and public health. Because infections with usually peak in childhood, the majority of studies have concentrated on school-aged children leaving other groups such as males which might be continuous reservoir of infection transmission. However, despite its chronic consequences in the male population, the disease has received insufficient attention, especially in sub-Saharan Africa. This study was conducted to describe the previous and current schistosomiasis status among adult males living in high-endemic areas of southern Tanzania DESIGN, SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: A descriptive cross-sectional study was employed to gather data on the prevalence of UGS among adult men residing at schistosomiasis endemic in the Mtama District Council. Quantitative methods of data collection which included questionnaire and laboratory procedures were used.
RESULTS
Out of 245 participants, macrohaematuria and microhaematuria were found in 12 (4.9%, 95% CI 2.4% to 7.8%) and 66 (26.9%, 95% CI 21.6% to 32.7%) participants, respectively. ova were recovered from the urine samples of 54 (22.0%, 95% CI 16.7% to 27.3%) participants. The median intensity of infection was 20 eggs per 10 mL of urine ranging from 1 to 201 eggs per 10 mL of urine (IQR) 60.5). Out of 245 participants 33 (13.5% 95% CI 9.0% to 17.6%) had light intensity of infection and 21 (38.9%, 95% CI; 25.0% to 52.5%) had heavy intensity of infection. Overall, the prevalence of heavy intensity of infection was 8.6% (95% CI 4.9% to 12.6%). The prevalence and intensity of UGS varied significantly by age, marital status and village of residence.
CONCLUSION
This study sheds light on the prevalence of UGS among adult males in endemic areas of southern Tanzania. The results highlight the urgent need for comprehensive intervention strategies to address the burden of the disease.
Topics: Humans; Male; Tanzania; Cross-Sectional Studies; Schistosomiasis haematobia; Adult; Prevalence; Young Adult; Schistosoma haematobium; Endemic Diseases; Middle Aged; Animals; Adolescent; Hematuria
PubMed: 38889945
DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2023-079690