Isolation and Molecular Characterization of Tick-Borne Relapsing Fever Borrelia Infecting Ornithodoros (Pavlovskyella) verrucosus Ticks Collected in Ukraine

2019 ◽  
Vol 221 (5) ◽  
pp. 804-811 ◽  
Author(s):  
Serhii Filatov ◽  
Aparna Krishnavajhala ◽  
Brittany A Armstrong ◽  
Alexander R Kneubehl ◽  
Nathan C Nieto ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Unknown Etiology ◽  
Bacterial Disease ◽  
Relapsing Fever ◽  
Health Practitioners ◽  
Ribosomal Ribonucleic Acid ◽  
Close Relationship ◽  
Public Health Practitioners ◽  
Relationship Of ◽  
Insufficient Knowledge

Abstract Background Tick-borne relapsing fever (TBRF) is a neglected zoonotic bacterial disease known to occur on 5 continents. We report a laboratory-acquired case of TBRF caused by Borrelia caucasica, which is endemic in Ukraine and transmitted by Ornithodoros verrucosus ticks. Methods We isolated spirochetes and characterized them by partially sequencing the 16s ribosomal ribonucleic acid (rrs), flagellin (flaB), and deoxyribonucleic acid gyrase (gyrB) genes and conducting a phylogenetic analysis. Results These analyses revealed a close relationship of Ukrainian spirochetes with the Asian TBRF species, Borrelia persica. The taxonomic and nomenclature problems related to insufficient knowledge on the spirochetes and their vectors in the region are discussed. Conclusions Although these findings enhance our understanding of species identities for TBRF Borrelia in Eurasia, further work is required to address the neglected status of TBRF in this part of the world. Public health practitioners should consider TBRF and include the disease into differential diagnosis of febrile illnesses with unknown etiology.

scholarly journals Characterization of Bacillus anthracis-Like Bacteria Isolated from Wild Great Apes from Côte d'Ivoire and Cameroon

2006 ◽  
Vol 188 (15) ◽  
pp. 5333-5344 ◽  
Author(s):  
Silke R. Klee ◽  
Muhsin Özel ◽  
Bernd Appel ◽  
Christophe Boesch ◽  
Heinz Ellerbrok ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Bacillus Anthracis ◽  
Protective Antigen ◽  
Normal Growth ◽  
Growth Conditions ◽  
Penicillin G ◽  
Molecular Features ◽  
Close Relationship ◽  
Resistance To Penicillin ◽  
Relationship Of

ABSTRACT We present the microbiological and molecular characterization of bacteria isolated from four chimpanzees and one gorilla thought to have died of an anthrax-like disease in Côte d'Ivoire and Cameroon. These isolates differed significantly from classic Bacillus anthracis by the following criteria: motility, resistance to the gamma phage, and, for isolates from Cameroon, resistance to penicillin G. A capsule was expressed not only after induction by CO2 and bicarbonate but also under normal growth conditions. Subcultivation resulted in beta-hemolytic activity and gamma phage susceptibility in some subclones, suggesting differences in gene regulation compared to classic B. anthracis. The isolates from Côte d'Ivoire and Cameroon showed slight differences in their biochemical characteristics and MICs of different antibiotics but were identical in all molecular features and sequences analyzed. PCR and Southern blot analyses confirmed the presence of both the toxin and the capsule plasmid, with sizes corresponding to the B. anthracis virulence plasmids pXO1 and pXO2. Protective antigen was expressed and secreted into the culture supernatant. The isolates possessed variants of the Ba813 marker and the SG-749 fragment differing from that of classic B. anthracis strains. Multilocus sequence typing revealed a close relationship of our atypical isolates with both classic B. anthracis strains and two uncommonly virulent Bacillus cereus and Bacillus thuringiensis isolates. We propose that the newly discovered atypical B. anthracis strains share a common ancestor with classic B. anthracis or that they emerged recently by transfer of the B. anthracis plasmids to a strain of the B. cereus group.

scholarly journals Reported populations of Meloidogyne ethiopica in Europe identified as Meloidogyne luci

Plant Disease ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 101 (9) ◽  
pp. 1627-1632 ◽  
Author(s):  
Barbara Gerič Stare ◽  
Polona Strajnar ◽  
Nik Susič ◽  
Gregor Urek ◽  
Saša Širca
Keyword(s):  
Similar Species ◽  
Agricultural Pests ◽  
Esterase Isozyme ◽  
Accurate Identification ◽  
Esterase Pattern ◽  
Close Relationship ◽  
Mitochondrial Sequences ◽  
Relationship Of ◽  
Meloidogyne Ethiopica

The tropical group of root-knot nematodes (RKN) including Meloidogyne ethiopica and M. luci is a highly polyphagus and damaging group of agricultural pests. M. ethiopica has been detected in several European countries (Slovenia, Italy, Greece) and also in Turkey. However, a description of a new sister species M. luci calls for reclassification of all European and Turkish M. ethiopica populations reported up to date as M. luci. Accurate identification can be accomplished through analysis of the esterase isozyme pattern, which is the most distinguishing character between the two otherwise very similar species. Both species display a three banded esterase pattern where the upper band is slightly shifted between the two species. In addition, molecular characterization of M. ethiopica and M. luci populations revealed that the ITS, SSU, and LSU of the rDNA regions are not appropriate markers for studying relationships among the tropical group of RKNs. However, the COII/lRNA region on mtDNA proved to be very useful for analyzing the phylogenetic relationship of these very closely related species/populations. Mitochondrial sequences with low levels of heteroplasmy allowed clustering of all M. luci populations in a monophyletic clade with a clear separation of this recently described species from M. ethiopica. At the same time, a very close relationship between M. ethiopica and M. luci was confirmed again.

scholarly journals Survey and Characterization of Jingmen Tick Virus Variants

Viruses ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (11) ◽  
pp. 1071 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ender Dinçer ◽  
Sabri Hacıoğlu ◽  
Sırrı Kar ◽  
Nergis Emanet ◽  
Annika Brinkmann ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Functional Organization ◽  
Phylogenetic Reconstruction ◽  
Hemorrhagic Fever ◽  
Infected Tick ◽  
Viral Genomes ◽  
Hemorrhagic Fever Virus ◽  
Close Relationship ◽  
Human Animal ◽  
Relationship Of

We obtained a Jingmen tick virus (JMTV) isolate, following inoculation of a tick pool with detectable Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus (CCHFV) RNA. We subsequently screened 7223 ticks, representing 15 species in five genera, collected from various regions in Anatolia and eastern Thrace, Turkey. Moreover, we tested specimens from various patient cohorts (n = 103), and canine (n = 60), bovine (n = 20) and avian specimens (n = 65). JMTV nucleic acids were detected in 3.9% of the tick pools, including those from several tick species from the genera Rhipicephalus and Haemaphysalis, and Hyalomma marginatum, the main vector of CCHFV in Turkey. Phylogenetic analysis supported two separate clades, independent of host or location, suggesting ubiquitous distribution in ticks. JMTV was not recovered from any human, animal or bird specimens tested. Near-complete viral genomes were sequenced from the prototype isolate and from three infected tick pools. Genome topology and functional organization were identical to the members of Jingmen group viruses. Phylogenetic reconstruction of individual viral genome segments and functional elements further supported the close relationship of the strains from Kosovo. We further identified probable recombination events in the JMTV genome, involving closely-related strains from Anatolia or China.

Morphological and molecular characterization of Euplotes encysticus (Protozoa: Ciliophora: Euplotida)

2010 ◽  
Vol 90 (7) ◽  
pp. 1411-1416 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xinpeng Fan ◽  
Jie Huang ◽  
Xiaofeng Lin ◽  
Jiqiu Li ◽  
Khaled A.S. Al-Rasheid ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gene Sequence ◽  
Sandy Beach ◽  
Complex Type ◽  
Close Relationship ◽  
Protozoa Ciliophora ◽  
New Diagnosis ◽  
Relationship Of ◽  
Morphological And Molecular Characterization ◽  
High Support

The ciliate Euplotes encysticus Yonezawa, 1985 was insufficiently described so far regarding its living morphology, infraciliature and silverline system. Recently, a China population was isolated from brackish water (salinity 6‰) near a coastal sandy beach (114°32′E 22°43′N) of the Daya Bay, South China Sea and subsequent investigations were performed on it in detail. Based on data available, the morphology of this species was summarized and a new diagnosis is given which is characterized by: medium-sized body with consistently 9 frontoventral, 2 caudal and 2 left marginal cirri; 30–40 adoral membranelles; 7 dorsal kineties; dorsal silverline system consisting of complex type with irregular network; capable of encystment. Both the morphology and SSr RNA gene sequence show, with high support, a close relationship of E. encysticus and Euplotes muscorum.

scholarly journals Morphological and molecular characterization of Aporcella femina sp. n. (Dorylaimida, Aporcelaimidae) from Nigeria

2021 ◽  
Vol 95 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Rashidifard ◽  
T.T. Bello ◽  
H. Fourie ◽  
D.L. Coyne ◽  
R. Peña-Santiago
Keyword(s):  
Phylogenetic Analyses ◽  
Large Subunit ◽  
Small Subunit ◽  
Female Genital System ◽  
Close Relationship ◽  
Relationship Of ◽  
A New Species ◽  
Morphological And Molecular Characterization ◽  
Female Genital

Abstract A new species of the genus Aporcella collected from a watermelon field in Nigeria is described, including its morphological and molecular (small subunit (SSU) and large subunit (LSU) ribosomal DNA (rDNA)) characterization. Aporcella femina sp. n. is distinguished by its 3.21–3.64 mm-long body, inner cuticle layer with fine but distinct transverse striation, lip region offset by deep constriction, 22–25 μm broad, odontostyle 20–26 μm, neck 661–811 μm long, pharyngeal expansion occupying 52–56% of the total neck length, female genital system didelphic–amphidelphic, uterus 191–350 μm or 1.9–3.3 mid-body diameters long, V = 52–57, tail short and convex conoid (35–48 μm, c = 72–98, c′ = 0.7–0.9) and males absent. Phylogenetic analyses based on the partial sequence of SSU and LSU (D2–D3) rDNA revealed a close relationship of A. femina sp. n. with other Aporcella species, confirming the monophyly of the genus as well as its association to a clade made of several taxa characterized by the absence of pars refringens vaginae.

Skeletal elements of crinoid echinoderms: High-resolution structural and microanalytical results

1983 ◽  
Vol 41 ◽  
pp. 194-195
Author(s):  
D. F. Blake ◽  
L. F. Allard ◽  
D. R. Peacor
Keyword(s):  
High Resolution ◽  
Marine Invertebrates ◽  
Sea Urchins ◽  
Structural Features ◽  
Sea Stars ◽  
High Resolution Tem ◽  
Relationship Of ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Insight Into

Echinodermata is a phylum of marine invertebrates which has been extant since Cambrian time (c.a. 500 m.y. before the present). Modern examples of echinoderms include sea urchins, sea stars, and sea lilies (crinoids). The endoskeletons of echinoderms are composed of plates or ossicles (Fig. 1) which are with few exceptions, porous, single crystals of high-magnesian calcite. Despite their single crystal nature, fracture surfaces do not exhibit the near-perfect {10.4} cleavage characteristic of inorganic calcite. This paradoxical mix of biogenic and inorganic features has prompted much recent work on echinoderm skeletal crystallography. Furthermore, fossil echinoderm hard parts comprise a volumetrically significant portion of some marine limestones sequences. The ultrastructural and microchemical characterization of modern skeletal material should lend insight into: 1). The nature of the biogenic processes involved, for example, the relationship of Mg heterogeneity to morphological and structural features in modern echinoderm material, and 2). The nature of the diagenetic changes undergone by their ancient, fossilized counterparts. In this study, high resolution TEM (HRTEM), high voltage TEM (HVTEM), and STEM microanalysis are used to characterize tha ultrastructural and microchemical composition of skeletal elements of the modern crinoid Neocrinus blakei.

scholarly journals What makes a ‘successful’ collaborative research project between public health practitioners and academics? A mixed-methods review of funding applications submitted to a local intervention evaluation scheme

2021 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter van der Graaf ◽  
Lindsay Blank ◽  
Eleanor Holding ◽  
Elizabeth Goyder
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Health Research ◽  
Collaborative Research ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Public Health Practice ◽  
Rapid Review ◽  
Success Rates ◽  
Evaluation Scheme ◽  
Health Practitioners ◽  
Public Health Practitioners

Abstract Background The national Public Health Practice Evaluation Scheme (PHPES) is a response-mode funded evaluation programme operated by the National Institute for Health Research School for Public Health Research (NIHR SPHR). The scheme enables public health professionals to work in partnership with SPHR researchers to conduct rigorous evaluations of their interventions. Our evaluation reviewed the learning from the first five years of PHPES (2013–2017) and how this was used to implement a revised scheme within the School. Methods We conducted a rapid review of applications and reports from 81 PHPES projects and sampled eight projects (including unfunded) to interview one researcher and one practitioner involved in each sampled project (n = 16) in order to identify factors that influence success of applications and effective delivery and dissemination of evaluations. Findings from the review and interviews were tested in an online survey with practitioners (applicants), researchers (principal investigators [PIs]) and PHPES panel members (n = 19) to explore the relative importance of these factors. Findings from the survey were synthesised and discussed for implications at a national workshop with wider stakeholders, including public members (n = 20). Results Strengths: PHPES provides much needed resources for evaluation which often are not available locally, and produces useful evidence to understand where a programme is not delivering, which can be used to formatively develop interventions. Weaknesses: Objectives of PHPES were too narrowly focused on (cost-)effectiveness of interventions, while practitioners also valued implementation studies and process evaluations. Opportunities: PHPES provided opportunities for novel/promising but less developed ideas. More funded time to develop a protocol and ensure feasibility of the intervention prior to application could increase intervention delivery success rates. Threats: There can be tensions between researchers and practitioners, for example, on the need to show the 'success’ of the intervention, on the use of existing research evidence, and the importance of generalisability of findings and of generating peer-reviewed publications. Conclusions The success of collaborative research projects between public health practitioners (PHP) and researchers can be improved by funders being mindful of tensions related to (1) the scope of collaborations, (2) local versus national impact, and (3) increasing inequalities in access to funding. Our study and comparisons with related funding schemes demonstrate how these tensions can be successfully resolved.

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