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IMeta Apr 2024The infant gut microbiome is increasingly recognized as a reservoir of antibiotic resistance genes, yet the assembly of gut resistome in infants and its influencing...
The infant gut microbiome is increasingly recognized as a reservoir of antibiotic resistance genes, yet the assembly of gut resistome in infants and its influencing factors remain largely unknown. We characterized resistome in 4132 metagenomes from 963 infants in six countries and 4285 resistance genes were observed. The inherent resistome pattern of healthy infants ( = 272) could be distinguished by two stages: a multicompound resistance phase (Months 0-7) and a tetracycline-mupirocin-β-lactam-dominant phase (Months 8-14). Microbial taxonomy explained 40.7% of the gut resistome of healthy infants, with (25.5%) harboring the most resistance genes. In a further analysis with all available infants ( = 963), we found age was the strongest influencer on the resistome and was negatively correlated with the overall resistance during the first 3 years ( < 0.001). Using a random-forest approach, a set of 34 resistance genes could be used to predict age ( = 68.0%). Leveraging microbial host inference analyses, we inferred the age-dependent assembly of infant resistome was a result of shifts in the gut microbiome, primarily driven by changes in taxa that disproportionately harbor resistance genes across taxa (e.g., more frequently harbored resistance genes than other taxa). We performed metagenomic functional profiling and metagenomic assembled genome analyses whose results indicate that the development of gut resistome was driven by changes in microbial carbohydrate metabolism, with an increasing need for carbohydrate-active enzymes from and a decreasing need for during infancy. Importantly, we observed increased acquired resistance genes over time, which was related to increased horizontal gene transfer in the developing infant gut microbiome. In summary, infant age was negatively correlated with antimicrobial resistance gene levels, reflecting a composition shift in the gut microbiome, likely driven by the changing need for microbial carbohydrate metabolism during early life.
PubMed: 38882494
DOI: 10.1002/imt2.169 -
Heliyon Jun 2024() is the causative agent of Tuberculosis, one of the deadliest infectious diseases. According to the WHO Report 2023, in 2022, approximately 10.6 million people got... (Review)
Review
() is the causative agent of Tuberculosis, one of the deadliest infectious diseases. According to the WHO Report 2023, in 2022, approximately 10.6 million people got infected with TB, and 1.6 million died. It has multiple antibiotics for treatment, but the major drawback of anti-tuberculosis therapy (ATT) is, its prolonged treatment duration. The major contributors to the lengthy treatment period are mycobacterial persistence and drug tolerance. Persistent is phenotypically drug tolerant and metabolically slow down which makes it difficult to be eliminated during ATT. These persisting bacteria are a huge reservoir of impending disease, waiting to get reactivated upon the onset of an immune compromising state. Directly Observed Treatment Short-course, although effective against replicating bacteria; fails to eliminate the drug-tolerant persisters making TB still the second-highest killer globally. There are different mechanisms for the development of drug-tolerant mycobacterial populations being investigated. Recently, the role of biofilms in the survival and host-evasion mechanism of persisters has come to light. Therefore, it is crucial to understand the mechanism of adaptation, survival and attainment of drug tolerance by persisting -populations, in order to design better immune responses and therapeutics for the effective elimination of these bacteria by reducing the duration of treatment and also circumvent the generation of drug-resistance to achieve the goal of global eradication of TB. This review summarizes the drug-tolerance mechanism and biofilms' role in providing a niche to dormant- We also discuss methods of targeting biofilms to achieve sterile eradication of the mycobacteria and prevent its reactivation by achieving adequate immune responses.
PubMed: 38882302
DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e32003 -
Veterinary Parasitology, Regional... Jul 2024The presence of Trypanosoma cruzi vectors in urban areas has been frequent, with colonization of homes and associated with reservoir animals that increase risk to...
The presence of Trypanosoma cruzi vectors in urban areas has been frequent, with colonization of homes and associated with reservoir animals that increase risk to humans, with simultaneous circulation of vectors and T. cruzi. The study aimed to describe the circulation of triatomines and T. cruzi in the Metropolitan Region of São Paulo, as well as evaluate risk situations. For analysis purposes, the triatomine notification information from January 2016 to July 2023 was used. While for Didelphis sp. collection with the aid of traps, notification information used was from 2019 to 2023. Information about triatomines came from spontaneous demand by the population and notification services were carried out by state field teams following defined protocols. 202 notifications were received with the capture of 448 triatomines. The positivity for T. cruzi observed was 60.5%. Regarding Didelphis sp., 416 animals were collected, 5.3% of which were positive for T. cruzi. There was overlapping areas of presence of infected triatomines and Didelphis sp., whose Discrete Typing Unit (DTU) was T. cruzi I. This work indicates the presence of infected vectors in urban areas, and the presence of a wild cycle of T. cruzi in didelphiids, reaffirming the need for and importance of vector surveillance work, through actions that can prevent the transmission of Chagas disease.
Topics: Animals; Trypanosoma cruzi; Chagas Disease; Brazil; Insect Vectors; Risk Assessment; Didelphis; Triatominae; Cities; Humans
PubMed: 38880572
DOI: 10.1016/j.vprsr.2024.101059 -
Veterinary Parasitology, Regional... Jul 2024Giardiasis is a small intestinal disease caused by the zoonotic parasite, Giardia duodenalis. This study presents the molecular findings of G. duodenalis infection in...
Giardiasis is a small intestinal disease caused by the zoonotic parasite, Giardia duodenalis. This study presents the molecular findings of G. duodenalis infection in companion dogs, domestic livestock and wildlife in the Northern Jordan Basin, Israel. Identification of G. duodenalis was accomplished by nested PCR (nPCR) targeting the 18S rRNA gene. Samples were collected from water (five samples from four sources of which one was recycled water), as well as feces from wolves (Canis lupus) (n = 34), jackals (Canis aureus) (n = 24), wild boars (Sus scrofa) (n = 40), cattle (Bos taurus) (n = 40), dogs (Canis lupus familiaris) (n = 37) and nutria (Mayocastor coypus) (n = 100). All positive samples were sequenced and a phylogenetic tree was drawn using the Bayesian Inference (BI) algorithm. Differences in G. duodenalis prevalence between the different hosts were analyzed by Pearson's chi-square (p < 0.05). Of the total 275 fecal samples, 36 were positive for G. duodenalis (13%). Frequency rates among different animal species was highest in wolves (32.3%), whilst rates in wild boars (22.5%), dogs (16.2%), cattle (12.5%) and jackals (4.2%), were observed to be significantly lower (p < 0.001). Three out of 5 recycled water (RW) samples were G. duodenalis positive. Three clusters with high posterior probabilities (PP) were found in the BI: Cluster 1: samples from wolves, wild boars, water and cattle together with database sequences of assemblages A, B and F, Cluster 2: samples from dogs, nutria and a jackal with sequences from assemblage D and Cluster 3: samples from cattle, wild boars, wolves and dogs with sequences from assemblage C and D. We suggest that wolves serve as reservoirs of G. duodenalis in this region. The finding of Giardia in RW suggests that this vehicle may further contaminate crops intended for human consumption as this water source is used for agricultural irrigation.
Topics: Animals; Dogs; Giardiasis; Giardia lamblia; Prevalence; Feces; Dog Diseases; Phylogeny; Israel; Animals, Wild; Livestock; RNA, Ribosomal, 18S; Cattle; Polymerase Chain Reaction; Pets
PubMed: 38880565
DOI: 10.1016/j.vprsr.2024.101042 -
Parasites & Vectors Jun 2024Powassan virus, a North American tick-borne flavivirus, can cause severe neuroinvasive disease in humans. While Ixodes scapularis are the primary vectors of Powassan...
BACKGROUND
Powassan virus, a North American tick-borne flavivirus, can cause severe neuroinvasive disease in humans. While Ixodes scapularis are the primary vectors of Powassan virus lineage II (POWV II), also known as deer tick virus, recent laboratory vector competence studies showed that other genera of ticks can horizontally and vertically transmit POWV II. One such tick is the Haemaphysalis longicornis, an invasive species from East Asia that recently established populations in the eastern USA and already shares overlapping geographic range with native vector species such as I. scapularis. Reports of invasive H. longicornis feeding concurrently with native I. scapularis on multiple sampled hosts highlight the potential for interspecies co-feeding transmission of POWV II. Given the absence of a clearly defined vertebrate reservoir host for POWV II, it is possible that this virus is sustained in transmission foci via nonviremic transmission between ticks co-feeding on the same vertebrate host. The objective of this study was to evaluate whether uninfected H. longicornis co-feeding in close proximity to POWV II-infected I. scapularis can acquire POWV independent of host viremia.
METHODS
Using an in vivo tick transmission model, I. scapularis females infected with POWV II ("donors") were co-fed on mice with uninfected H. longicornis larvae and nymphs ("recipients"). The donor and recipient ticks were infested on mice in various sequences, and mouse infection status was monitored by temporal screening of blood for POWV II RNA via quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (q-RT-PCR).
RESULTS
The prevalence of POWV II RNA was highest in recipient H. longicornis that fed on viremic mice. However, nonviremic mice were also able to support co-feeding transmission of POWV, as demonstrated by the detection of viral RNA in multiple H. longicornis dispersed across different mice. Detection of viral RNA at the skin site of tick feeding but not at distal skin sites indicates that a localized skin infection facilitates transmission of POWV between donor and recipient ticks co-feeding in close proximity.
CONCLUSIONS
This is the first report examining transmission of POWV between co-feeding ticks. Against the backdrop of multiple unknowns related to POWV ecology, findings from this study provide insight on possible mechanisms by which POWV could be maintained in nature.
Topics: Animals; Encephalitis Viruses, Tick-Borne; Encephalitis, Tick-Borne; Ixodes; Mice; Ixodidae; Female; Feeding Behavior; Introduced Species; Haemaphysalis longicornis; East Asian People
PubMed: 38879603
DOI: 10.1186/s13071-024-06335-0 -
Population Health Metrics Jun 2024Heterogeneity in national SARS-CoV-2 infection surveillance capabilities may compromise global enumeration and tracking of COVID-19 cases and deaths and bias analyses of...
BACKGROUND
Heterogeneity in national SARS-CoV-2 infection surveillance capabilities may compromise global enumeration and tracking of COVID-19 cases and deaths and bias analyses of the pandemic's tolls. Taking account of heterogeneity in data completeness may thus help clarify analyses of the relationship between COVID-19 outcomes and standard preparedness measures.
METHODS
We examined country-level associations of pandemic preparedness capacities inventories, from the Global Health Security (GHS) Index and Joint External Evaluation (JEE), on SARS-CoV-2 infection and COVID-19 death data completion rates adjusted for income. Analyses were stratified by 100, 100-300, 300-500, and 500-700 days after the first reported case in each country. We subsequently reevaluated the relationship of pandemic preparedness on SARS-CoV-2 infection and age-standardized COVID-19 death rates adjusted for cross-country differentials in data completeness during the pre-vaccine era.
RESULTS
Every 10% increase in the GHS Index was associated with a 14.9% (95% confidence interval 8.34-21.8%) increase in SARS-CoV-2 infection completion rate and a 10.6% (5.91-15.4%) increase in the death completion rate during the entire observation period. Disease prevention (infections: β = 1.08 [1.05-1.10], deaths: β = 1.05 [1.04-1.07]), detection (infections: β = 1.04 [1.01-1.06], deaths: β = 1.03 [1.01-1.05]), response (infections: β = 1.06 [1.00-1.13], deaths: β = 1.05 [1.00-1.10]), health system (infections: β = 1.06 [1.03-1.10], deaths: β = 1.05 [1.03-1.07]), and risk environment (infections: β = 1.27 [1.15-1.41], deaths: β = 1.15 [1.08-1.23]) were associated with both data completeness outcomes. Effect sizes of GHS Index on infection completion (Low income: β = 1.18 [1.04-1.34], Lower Middle income: β = 1.41 [1.16-1.71]) and death completion rates (Low income: β = 1.19 [1.09-1.31], Lower Middle income: β = 1.25 [1.10-1.43]) were largest in LMICs. After adjustment for cross-country differences in data completeness, each 10% increase in the GHS Index was associated with a 13.5% (4.80-21.4%) decrease in SARS-CoV-2 infection rate at 100 days and a 9.10 (1.07-16.5%) decrease at 300 days. For age-standardized COVID-19 death rates, each 10% increase in the GHS Index was with a 15.7% (5.19-25.0%) decrease at 100 days and a 10.3% (- 0.00-19.5%) decrease at 300 days.
CONCLUSIONS
Results support the pre-pandemic hypothesis that countries with greater pandemic preparedness capacities have larger SARS-CoV-2 infection and mortality data completeness rates and lower COVID-19 disease burdens. More high-quality data of COVID-19 impact based on direct measurement are needed.
Topics: COVID-19; Humans; SARS-CoV-2; Global Health; Pandemics; Pandemic Preparedness
PubMed: 38879515
DOI: 10.1186/s12963-024-00333-1 -
International Journal of Infectious... Jun 2024Monkeypox (Mpox) is a neglected viral endemic tropical disease in both Central and Western African countries transmitted to humans by an animal. However, the natural...
Monkeypox (Mpox) is a neglected viral endemic tropical disease in both Central and Western African countries transmitted to humans by an animal. However, the natural reservoir of the virus remains elusive. In this study we looked for potential reservoirs of MPXV in Gabonese wildlife to prevent future outbreaks and enrich the literature with additional data on animal reservoirs. DNA was extracted from livers and spleens from 2549 animals (bats (859), bushmeats (356), rodents (1309), and shrews (25)) collected between 2012 and 2021. DNA was analyzed by real-time and conventional PCR targeting the 14 KD Protein and the rpo subunit RNA polymerase of orthopoxviruses. No MPXV DNA was detected despite the presence of potential host reservoirs like Critcetomys, Crocidura, Praomys, and Atherurus africanus. This absence could be due to: (i) the low number of animals collected for some species, (ii) the acute nature of Mpox infection, but also (iii) the lack of the potential reservoir Funisciurus anerythrus among collected animals, and (iv) the fact that the samplings are not included in the probable ecological niche of MPXV. Longitudinal studies including potential ecological niches of both F. anerythrus and MPXV in Gabon may be useful to get more information on MPXV circulation.
PubMed: 38878993
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijid.2024.107106 -
The International Journal of... Jun 2024Heart failure (HF) is a heterogenous disease requiring precise diagnostics and knowledge of pathophysiological processes. Since structural and functional imaging data...
Heart failure (HF) is a heterogenous disease requiring precise diagnostics and knowledge of pathophysiological processes. Since structural and functional imaging data are scarce we hypothesized that cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR)-based analyses would provide accurate characterization and mechanistic insights into different HF groups comprising preserved (HFpEF), mid-range (HFmrEF) and reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). 22 HFpEF, 17 HFmrEF and 15 HFrEF patients as well as 19 healthy volunteers were included. CMR image assessment contained left atrial (LA) and left ventricular (LV) volumetric evaluation as well as left atrioventricular coupling index (LACI). Furthermore, CMR feature-tracking included LV and LA strain in terms of reservoir (Es), conduit (Ee) and active boosterpump (Ea) function. CMR-based tissue characterization comprised T1 mapping as well as late-gadolinium enhancement (LGE) analyses. HFpEF patients showed predominant atrial impairment (Es 20.8%vs.25.4%, p = 0.02 and Ee 8.3%vs.13.5%, p = 0.001) and increased LACI compared to healthy controls (14.5%vs.23.3%, p = 0.004). Patients with HFmrEF showed LV enlargement but mostly preserved LA function with a compensatory increase in LA boosterpump (LA Ea: 15.0%, p = 0.049). In HFrEF LA and LV functional impairment was documented (Es: 14.2%, Ee: 5.4% p < 0.001 respectively; Ea: 8.8%, p = 0.02). This was paralleled by non-invasively assessed progressive fibrosis (T1 mapping and LGE; HFrEF > HFmrEF > HFpEF). CMR-imaging reveals insights into HF phenotypes with mainly atrial affection in HFpEF, ventricular affection with atrial compensation in HFmrEF and global impairment in HFrEF paralleled by progressive LV fibrosis. These data suggest a necessity for a personalized HF management based on imaging findings for future optimized patient management.
PubMed: 38878148
DOI: 10.1007/s10554-024-03145-4 -
JACC. Cardiovascular Imaging Jun 2024There are significant sex and age differences in left ventricular (LV) remodeling that may lead to disparity in outcomes when used to inform the timing of aortic...
BACKGROUND
There are significant sex and age differences in left ventricular (LV) remodeling that may lead to disparity in outcomes when used to inform the timing of aortic regurgitation (AR) intervention.
OBJECTIVES
The aim of this study was to examine whether left atrial (LA) parameters might represent better criteria than LV parameters to inform the timing of AR intervention.
METHODS
Using data on patients with moderate to severe or severe AR with serial echocardiography (2010-2016), the longitudinal trends in left atrial volume index (LAVI) and left atrial reservoir strain (LAr) were evaluated by sex and age. The incremental utility of these parameters in predicting adverse events over LV parameters was also determined.
RESULTS
In 525 patients (25.7% women) with 1,687 echocardiograms over a median follow-up period of 2.0 years (Q1-Q3: 1.0-3.6 years), there was significant increase in LAVI (1.0 mL/m per year [95% CI: 0.76-1.2 mL/m per year]) and decrease in LAr (-1.3% per year [95% CI: -1.6% to -0.92%]), without a significant interaction by sex or age category (P for interaction ≥ 0.17). In addition, both LAVI and LAr were significant predictors of adverse events independent of LV parameters. The optimal discriminatory thresholds were 37 mL/m for LAVI and 35% for LAr. These thresholds were similar across categories of sex and age. Within the relatively short-term follow-up, surgery was associated with survival benefit among patients with LAVI ≥37 mL/m (HR: 0.33 [95% CI: 0.15-0.72]; P = 0.006) but was not statistically significant among patients with LAVI <37 mL/m (HR: 0.46 [95% CI: 0.18-1.17]; P = 0.09). Similarly, surgery was associated with survival for the subgroup with LAr ≤35% but not among those with LAr >35%.
CONCLUSIONS
Unlike LV remodeling, LA remodeling demonstrates a similar rate of progression between categories of sex and age among patients with AR. In addition, LA parameters provide incremental prognostic value over LV parameters.
PubMed: 38878040
DOI: 10.1016/j.jcmg.2024.04.007 -
Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine :... Jun 2024Rodents are typically viewed as asymptomatic reservoirs for leptospirosis infection, as clinical disease in rodents is rarely described. This report includes three...
Rodents are typically viewed as asymptomatic reservoirs for leptospirosis infection, as clinical disease in rodents is rarely described. This report includes three separate cases of leptospirosis in Patagonian maras () over a 3-yr period in multiple locations within a single zoo. All three cases presented with varying clinical signs including lethargy, conjunctival hyperemia, hyperbilirubinemia, and presumed renal azotemia. Infection with spp. was diagnosed antemortem by PCR on whole blood ( = 1, Case 1) or urine ( = 2, Cases 2 and 3). antibody titers measured by serum microagglutination testing ( = 3) were elevated or increased in all three animals over a 1-3-wk period for serovars Bratislava and Hardjo (Case 1) and Grippotyphosa (Case 2 and 3). Two of the three animals responded to treatment with penicillin and doxycycline and supportive care, whereas one animal did not respond to treatment. Postmortem findings in this individual included conjunctivitis, chemosis, dehydration, icterus, tricavitary serosanguinous effusions, necrotizing hepatitis, diffuse pulmonary congestion, and edema. Immunohistochemical examination identified scattered organisms within hepatocytes and renal tubular epithelial cells. A wild raccoon () at the institution tested positive by PCR on kidney tissue for the same spp. serovar and was the suspected source of infection. This case series highlights the clinical importance of leptospirosis as a differential for Patagonian maras presenting with lethargy, ocular signs, acute hepatic disease, and azotemia.
Topics: Animals; Leptospirosis; Male; Female; Animals, Zoo; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Leptospira; Rodent Diseases; Rodentia
PubMed: 38875208
DOI: 10.1638/2023-0042