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Pathogens (Basel, Switzerland) Mar 2024Despite several decades of mass drug administration and elimination-related activities, human onchocerciasis still represents a major parasitic threat in endemic...
Despite several decades of mass drug administration and elimination-related activities, human onchocerciasis still represents a major parasitic threat in endemic regions. Among the challenges encountered by the elimination program is the lack of a suitable diagnostic tool that is accurate and non-invasive. Currently used methods are either invasive or not suitable for monitoring large numbers of patients. Herein, we describe the identification and characterization of heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) as a novel diagnostic biomarker for human onchocerciasis, which can directly be detected in urine samples of infected patients. This nematode-specific antigen was identified through LC-MS after differential SDS-PAGE using urine-derived protein extracts from -infected patients in Cameroon. Polyclonal antibodies generated in rabbits after cloning and expression of HSP70 in reliably differentiated between urine samples from infected- and uninfected patients in a hypoendemic area of human onchocerciasis. These results provide an excellent basis for further development of a non-invasive and scalable diagnostic assay for human onchocerciasis using urine samples. Such a urine-based diagnostic assay will be of major importance for the elimination program of human onchcerciasis in endemic countries.
PubMed: 38668248
DOI: 10.3390/pathogens13040293 -
Radiology Case Reports Jul 2024Gastric volvulus is a rare condition determined by the rotation of one part of stomach around another. Stomach can rotate around its longitudinal or short axis or both....
Gastric volvulus is a rare condition determined by the rotation of one part of stomach around another. Stomach can rotate around its longitudinal or short axis or both. The presentation can be acute, subacute and chronic due to twisting and untwisting andimaging should be performed in the acute phase. MDCT shows high accuracy in thediagnosis and definition of gastric volvulus being the preferred diagnostic test in emergency settings. Gastric volvulus may be associated or determined by pre-existing hiatal hernia and accurate analysis of CT signs may be evaluated on order to differentiate between a stomach in an abnormal position and a volvulus.At CT, a displaced antrum at the same level or cranial to the fundus and a transition point at the pylorus is diagnostic for mesenteroaxial volvulus. We present a case of a 70 years old woman with mesenteroaxial volvulus in hiatal hernia.
PubMed: 38666144
DOI: 10.1016/j.radcr.2024.03.023 -
Journal of Surgical Case Reports Apr 2024This case report describes a rare instance of cecal volvulus resulting from an internal hernia through Petersen's space, occurring 20 years after Roux-en-Y gastric...
This case report describes a rare instance of cecal volvulus resulting from an internal hernia through Petersen's space, occurring 20 years after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery, marking it as the second such case in English literature. An 81-year-old female presented with symptoms of bowel obstruction, and imaging findings concerning for cecal volvulus. Emergency surgery revealed necrotic bowel due to an internal hernia, necessitating a right hemicolectomy, with subsequent successful anastomosis and hernia defect closure. The incidence of internal hernias post-gastric bypass is notable, emphasizing the critical need for surgical vigilance. This case underscores the importance of considering internal hernias in differential diagnoses for bowel obstruction in post-bariatric surgery patients, highlighting the life-saving role of prompt surgical intervention in the management of cecal volvulus complications.
PubMed: 38666096
DOI: 10.1093/jscr/rjae252 -
Frontiers in Tropical Diseases Apr 2024Mouse models of human filarial infections are not only urgently needed to investigate the biology of the nematodes and their modulation of the host's immunity, but will...
INTRODUCTION
Mouse models of human filarial infections are not only urgently needed to investigate the biology of the nematodes and their modulation of the host's immunity, but will also provide a platform to screen and test novel anti-filarial drugs. Recently, murine infection models have been stablished using immunocompromised mouse strains, whereas murine infections have not been implemented until now.
METHODS
Therefore, we aim to establish experimental infections using the immunocompromised mouse strains RAG2IL-2Rγ (lack B, T and natural killer cells), IL-4Rα/IL-5 (impaired IL-4/5 signalling and eosinophil activation) and NOD.Cg-PrkdcIl2rg l/SzJ (NOD scid gamma, NSG) BALB/c mice (lack mature lymphocytes) through subcutaneous (s.c.) or intraperitoneal (i.p.) inoculation of infective stage 3 larvae (L3) isolated from engorged vectors.
RESULTS
In total, 145 immunocompromised mice have been inoculated with 3,250 , 3,337 , and 2,720 L3 to comparatively analyse which immunocompromised mouse strain is susceptible to human filarial infections. Whereas, no and L3 could be recovered upon 2-63 days post-inoculation, a 62-66% L3 recovery rate could be achieved in the different mouse strains. Gender of mice, type of inoculation (s.c. or i.p.) or time point of analysis (2-63 days post inoculation) did not interfere with the success of L3 recovery. In addition, administration of the immune suppressants hydrocortisone, prednisolone and cyclophosphamide did not restore L3 recovery rates.
DISCUSSION
These findings show that RAG2IL-2RgBALB/c and C57BL/6, IL-4Rα/IL-5 BALB/c and NSG mice were not susceptible to and L3 inoculation using the applied methods, whereas infection could be maintained. Further studies should investigate if humanized immunocompromised mice might be susceptible to . and .
PubMed: 38655273
DOI: 10.3389/fitd.2024.1293632 -
Surgical Case Reports Apr 2024Indocyanine green fluorescence angiography, a validated noninvasive imaging technique, is used to assess tissue vascularization. Here, we report three infant patients...
BACKGROUND
Indocyanine green fluorescence angiography, a validated noninvasive imaging technique, is used to assess tissue vascularization. Here, we report three infant patients who underwent intraoperative indocyanine green fluorescence angiography and suffered from postoperative complications caused by the lack of weak fluorescent intestinal resection and assessed residual intestinal perfusion.
CASE PRESENTATION
We observed the clinical characteristics and operative findings of patients treated from January 2022 to December 2022. Indocyanine green (0.5 mg/kg) was intravenously injected. The first patient was a 29-day-old girl with surgical necrotizing enterocolitis who underwent intraoperative indocyanine green fluorescence angiography at the first- and second-look operations. The proximal jejunum was difficult to diagnose to detect blood flow during the second-look operation. The second patient was a 32-day-old boy with surgical necrotizing enterocolitis. A part of the antimesenteric mucosa of the patient that exhibited weak fluorescence was preserved; however, it formed postoperative hematomas. The third patient was a 30-day-old boy with midgut volvulus. Weak fluorescence in the intestinal wall was observed 5 cm of the small intestine from the ileocecal valve was preserved, but it formed a stricture, and the patient underwent ileocecal resection after 30 days.
CONCLUSIONS
Weak fluorescence in the intestine in infants by performing indocyanine green fluorescence angiography is associated with a high risk of non-recovering ischemic lesions and postoperative complications.
PubMed: 38653822
DOI: 10.1186/s40792-024-01885-y -
Cureus Mar 2024Cerebral palsy (CP) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects motor function and is often accompanied by secondary musculoskeletal issues. Severe scoliosis, a...
Cerebral palsy (CP) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects motor function and is often accompanied by secondary musculoskeletal issues. Severe scoliosis, a lateral curvature of the spine over 40 degrees, poses a significant challenge for individuals with CP, impacting their mobility and overall well-being. While the association between scoliosis and gastrointestinal complications is acknowledged, the occurrence of colonic volvulus with necrosis in the context of CP and severe scoliosis is rare and complex. This case report emphasizes the importance of clinical awareness in managing gastrointestinal complications in patients with CP and severe scoliosis. An 11-year-old female presented with gastroenteritis and a concurrent viral upper respiratory tract infection. She experienced complications such as greenish vomiting, hematemesis, abdominal distention, and constipation. The patient has a medical history of epilepsy and was diagnosed with quadriplegic CP at four months old due to viral meningitis. She is currently on anti-epileptic medications and receives regular follow-ups with neurology. Severe lumbar scoliosis of more than 50 degrees Cobb angle is also noted. Physical examination revealed dehydration, bilious content in nasogastric tube (NGT) aspiration, tender abdomen, and an empty digital rectal examination. Some laboratory findings showed elevated levels of erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), prothrombin time (PT), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), and sodium, while albumin levels were decreased, and white blood cell (WBC) count was mildly elevated. Abdominal computed tomography (CT) with contrast showed a distended ascending colon with air and swirling of the mesentery. The distal half of the large bowel was not dilated, and fecal matter was present. The small bowel appeared to be collapsed, and there was moderate free fluid in the peritoneal cavity, indicating colonic volvulus involving the proximal large bowel. The patient underwent surgery, which involved deflating and removing the distended colon, resecting the gangrenous colon, and performing an ilio-sigmoid anastomosis to restore gastrointestinal continuity. Postoperatively, the patient received close monitoring in the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU), received total parenteral nutrition (TPN) for five days, gradually progressed feeding, and showed overall improvement in her condition. In conclusion, this case report highlights a rare occurrence of colonic volvulus in a patient with CP and severe scoliosis. It emphasizes the complex relationship between neurological and musculoskeletal disorders in gastrointestinal complications. A multidisciplinary approach is important for optimal management. It shows the importance of musculoskeletal factors in patients with neurological conditions. Overall, it contributes to the medical literature and emphasizes tailored management strategies for gastrointestinal issues in such patients.
PubMed: 38650790
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.56743 -
Journal of Comparative Pathology May 2024This case series describes the post-mortem findings in 17 bitches (Canis lupus familiaris) with a recent (<7 days) history of caesarean section, most (94%) of which had...
This case series describes the post-mortem findings in 17 bitches (Canis lupus familiaris) with a recent (<7 days) history of caesarean section, most (94%) of which had undergone conservative caesarean section with preservation of the uterus. Brachycephalic breeds accounted for 71% of all cases, with the French Bulldog (35%, n = 6), English Bulldog (18%, n = 3) and Boston Terrier (12%, n = 2) overrepresented. Eleven animals (65%) died between 4 and 48 h after surgery, whereas six (35%) died during the procedure. The most common cause of death was septicaemia (41%, n = 7) associated with Streptococcus canis (29%, n = 5) and/or Escherichia coli (24%, n = 4). Other causes of death included brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome (BOAS)-associated respiratory failure (24%, n = 4), haemorrhagic shock (18%, n = 3), inconclusive (12%, n = 2) and gastric dilatation and volvulus (6%, n = 1). Histopathological changes were seen in the uterus of 10 cases and included marked inflammation (60%, n = 6), marked haemorrhage (20%, n = 2) or both (20%, n = 2). Metritis was often characterized by fibrinonecrotic, neutrophilic to mixed inflammation, consistent with acute infection. However, prominent lymphohistiocytic infiltrates in two cases suggested that infection had been present prior to surgery. Peritonitis, myositis and panniculitis commonly (35%, n = 6) surrounded the incision sites. The presence of inflammation and bacterial colonies within multiple surgical sites suggested iatrogenic implantation of bacteria, potentially from the uterine lumen. Bacterial culture and isolation, as well as tape measurements for evaluation of conformational BOAS risk factors where applicable, are recommended as part of the routine post-mortem work-up for bitches that die shortly after caesarean section.
Topics: Animals; Female; Dogs; Dog Diseases; Cesarean Section; Pregnancy
PubMed: 38636281
DOI: 10.1016/j.jcpa.2024.03.205 -
Cureus Mar 2024The occurrence of small intestinal diverticula is relatively infrequent compared to its counterpart in the large bowel. Duodenal diverticula exhibit a significantly...
The occurrence of small intestinal diverticula is relatively infrequent compared to its counterpart in the large bowel. Duodenal diverticula exhibit a significantly higher prevalence within the small intestine compared to jejunoileal diverticula, with a ratio of five to one. The occurrence of jejunoileal diverticula exhibits considerable variability and has been documented to range from 0.5% to 2.3% in radiographic series, while autopsy studies have reported rates as high as 7%. We present the clinical details of a 65-year-old male patient who sought medical attention due to a constellation of symptoms, including abdominal pain, vomiting, and obstipation. After adequate resuscitation with IV fluids and preoperative preparation, the patient was transported to the operating room for an emergency exploratory laparotomy. Multiple jejunal diverticuli were identified in the proximal jejunum at the antimesenteric border, less than three feet from the duodenojejunal (DJ) junction. The terminal ileum was found to be 360° rotated counterclockwise around the small bowel mesentery, causing the small intestine to appear congested; however, after clockwise de-rotation, the small bowel regained its normal color. Adhesiolysis and small bowel decompression were performed, and the patient had an uneventful recovery.
PubMed: 38618384
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.56125 -
Open Research Europe 2023Maridi County is an onchocerciasis-endemic area in South Sudan. Annual community-directed treatment with ivermectin (CDTi) was instituted in Maridi since the early...
BACKGROUND
Maridi County is an onchocerciasis-endemic area in South Sudan. Annual community-directed treatment with ivermectin (CDTi) was instituted in Maridi since the early 2000s, but with low coverage. In 2021, the CDTi programme was strengthened to a six-monthly programme. Additionally, the community-based vector control strategy "Slash and Clear" has been implemented since 2019 at the Maridi Dam, the only blackfly breeding site in the area. This study assessed the effect of these reinforced onchocerciasis elimination interventions on the seroprevalence among young children, an indicator of ongoing transmission.
METHODS
Baseline and follow-up serosurveys were conducted in Maridi in 2019 (prior to strengthening onchocerciasis elimination efforts) and 2023, respectively. During both surveys, children aged three to nine years were recruited from five study sites situated at different distances from the Maridi Dam. Ov16 antibodies were detected via rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) using whole blood obtained by finger-pricking the participants. Baseline and follow-up Ov16 prevalence rates were calculated and compared.
RESULTS
In 2019, the Ov16 seroprevalence among children aged three to nine years was 24.5% compared to 30.6% in 2023 (p=0.22). Both surveys found a particularly high Ov16 seroprevalence in the study site closest to the Maridi Dam (35.0% in 2019 and 44.0% in 2023, p=0.52). The Ov16 seroprevalence had a non-significant decreasing trend in the three-year-old children, from 12.5% (3/24) in 2019 to 8.8% (3/34) in 2023 (p=0.65).
CONCLUSION
The persistent Ov16 RDT seropositivity among three-year-old children in 2023 indicates ongoing transmission. Therefore, further strengthening of the onchocerciasis elimination programme is required. The study highlights the utility of RDTs in monitoring onchocerciasis transmission in highly endemic settings.
PubMed: 38617116
DOI: 10.12688/openreseurope.16093.2 -
International Journal of Molecular... Mar 2024A better understanding of the function of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) may facilitate the development of interventions for sepsis. The study aims to investigate...
A better understanding of the function of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) may facilitate the development of interventions for sepsis. The study aims to investigate the formation and degradation of NETs in three murine sepsis models and to analyze the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) during NET formation. Murine sepsis was induced by midgut volvulus (720° for 15 min), cecal ligation and puncture (CLP), or the application of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) (10 mg/kg body weight i.p.). NET formation and degradation was modulated using mice that were genetically deficient for -KO) or and -DKO). After 48 h, mice were killed. Plasma levels of circulating free DNA (cfDNA) and neutrophil elastase (NE) were quantified to assess NET formation and degradation. Plasma deoxyribonuclease1 (DNase1) protein levels, as well as tissue malondialdehyde (MDA) activity and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity, were quantified. DNase1 and DNase1L3 in liver, intestine, spleen, and lung tissues were assessed. The applied sepsis models resulted in a simultaneous increase in NET formation and oxidative stress. NET formation and survival differed in the three models. In contrast to LPS and Volvulus, CLP-induced sepsis showed a decreased and increased 48 h survival in -KO and -DKO mice, when compared to WT mice, respectively. -KO mice showed decreased formation of NETs and ROS, while -DKO mice with impaired NET degradation accumulated ROS and chronicled the septic state. The findings indicate a dual role for NET formation and degradation in sepsis and ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury: NETs seem to exhibit a protective capacity in certain sepsis paradigms (CLP model), whereas, collectively, they seem to contribute adversely to scenarios where sepsis is combined with ischemia-reperfusion (volvulus).
Topics: Animals; Mice; Disease Models, Animal; Extracellular Traps; Intestinal Volvulus; Lipopolysaccharides; Reactive Oxygen Species; Reperfusion Injury; Sepsis; Blood Group Antigens; Cell-Free Nucleic Acids; Protons; Ischemia
PubMed: 38612596
DOI: 10.3390/ijms25073787