Alphaviruses

2010 ◽  
pp. 557-561
Author(s):  
E.E. Ooi ◽  
L.R. Petersen ◽  
D.J. Gubler
Keyword(s):  
Mosquito Species ◽  
Clinical Manifestations ◽  
Febrile Illness ◽  
Domestic Animals ◽  
Human Infection ◽  
Tissue Samples ◽  
The Family ◽  
Polymerase Chain ◽  
Complex Transmission ◽  
Diagnosis Of Infection

There are 29 registered alphaviruses belonging to the family Togaviridae, 16 of which are known to cause human infection. They are RNA viruses with global geographical distribution and complex transmission cycles between wild or domestic animals or birds and one or more mosquito species; humans are infected by mosquito bites. They cause a spectrum of clinical manifestations ranging from nonspecific febrile illness to acute encephalitis and death. Diagnosis of infection is made serologically by detection of IgM and IgG antibodies, virus isolation, and polymerase chain reaction, or by immunohistochemistry on tissue samples....

Alphaviruses

2020 ◽  
pp. 821-826
Author(s):  
Ann M. Powers ◽  
E.E. Ooi ◽  
L.R. Petersen ◽  
D.J. Gubler
Keyword(s):  
Mosquito Species ◽  
Clinical Manifestations ◽  
Febrile Illness ◽  
Domestic Animals ◽  
Human Infection ◽  
Tissue Samples ◽  
The Family ◽  
Polymerase Chain ◽  
Complex Transmission ◽  
Diagnosis Of Infection

There are 31 registered alphaviruses belonging to the family Togaviridae, 16 of which are known to cause human infection. They are RNA viruses with global geographical distribution and complex transmission cycles, usually between wild or domestic animals and one or more mosquito species; humans are infected by mosquito bites and are often incidental hosts that do not contribute to the maintenance of the virus. They cause a spectrum of clinical manifestations ranging from non-specific febrile illness to chronic arthralgia to acute encephalitis and death. Diagnosis of infection is made by several methods including serologically by detection of IgM and/or IgG antibodies, virus isolation, molecularly using reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction, or by immunohistochemistry on tissue samples.

scholarly journals Toxoplasmosis Outbreak Associated With Toxoplasma gondii-Contaminated Venison—High Attack Rate, Unusual Clinical Presentation, and Atypical Genotype

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amy C Schumacher ◽  
Lina I Elbadawi ◽  
Traci DeSalvo ◽  
Anne Straily ◽  
Daniel Ajzenberg ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Toxoplasma Gondii ◽  
Clinical Manifestations ◽  
Febrile Illness ◽  
Wisconsin Department ◽  
Department Of Health ◽  
Clinical Presentations ◽  
Infection Source ◽  
Polymerase Chain ◽  
Acute Toxoplasmosis ◽  
Prior Infection

Abstract Background During 2017, in response to a physician’s report, the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, Division of Public Health, began investigating an outbreak of febrile illness among attendees of a retreat where never frozen, intentionally undercooked, locally harvested venison was served. Preliminary testing tentatively identified the illness as toxoplasmosis. Methods Confirmatory human serology panels and testing of the venison to confirm and categorize the presence and type of Toxoplasma gondii were completed by French and American national reference laboratories. All 12 retreat attendees were interviewed; medical records were reviewed. Results All attendees were male; median age was 51 years (range: 22–75). After a median incubation period of 7 days, 9 (82%) of 11 exposed persons experienced illness lasting a median of 12 days. All 9 sought outpatient healthcare for symptoms including fever, chills, sweats, and headache (100%) and ocular disturbances (33%). Testing confirmed the illness as toxoplasmosis and venison as the infection source. Multiple laboratory results were atypical for toxoplasmosis, including transaminitis (86%), lymphocytopenia (88%), thrombocytopenia (38%), and leukopenia (63%). One exposed but asymptomatic person was seronegative; the other had immunity from prior infection. The T. gondii strain was identified as closely related to an atypical genotype (haplogroup 12, polymerase chain reaction restriction fragment length polymorphism genotype 5) common in North American wildlife but with previously uncharacterized human clinical manifestations. Conclusions The T. gondii strain contaminating the venison might explain the unusual clinical presentations. In North America, clinicians and venison consumers should be aware of risk for severe or unusual presentations of acute toxoplasmosis after consuming undercooked game meat.

scholarly journals The genus Brucella and clinical manifestations of brucellosis

2009 ◽  
Vol 39 (7) ◽  
pp. 2252-2260 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mariana Noyma Xavier ◽  
Érica Azevedo Costa ◽  
Tatiane Alves Paixão ◽  
Renato Lima Santos
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Signs ◽  
Clinical Manifestations ◽  
Domestic Animals ◽  
Domestic Animal ◽  
Human Infection ◽  
Social Significance ◽  
Isolation And Characterization ◽  
The Social ◽  
World Information

Infection with bacteria of the genus Brucella results in major economic and political impact by causing reproductive diseases in a significant number of domestic animal species. Moreover, it has a great social significance, since many species are capable of causing human infection, with severe consequences. Dissemination of knowledge on a specific disease is an essential step for its control. Considering that brucellosis is still the most prevalent zoonosis in the world, information about taxonomy, clinical signs in domestic animals and humans are crucial for attempting to reduce the prevalence of this disease. The recent isolation and characterization of non-classical species of Brucella indicates that a lot remains to be discovered about this genus. Nevertheless, due to the social-economic importance of brucellosis, this review aims to clarify points related to taxonomy of the genus and describe the clinical relevance of infection in humans and domestic animals.

scholarly journals Serological Evidence for Henipa-like and Filo-like Viruses in Trinidad Bats

2020 ◽  
Vol 221 (Supplement_4) ◽  
pp. S375-S382 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jonathan E Schulz ◽  
Stephanie N Seifert ◽  
John T Thompson ◽  
Victoria Avanzato ◽  
Spencer L Sterling ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
New World ◽  
Severe Disease ◽  
Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽  
Human Populations ◽  
Chain Reaction ◽  
Serum Samples ◽  
Serological Method ◽  
Tissue Samples ◽  
The Family ◽  
Polymerase Chain

Abstract Bat-borne zoonotic pathogens belonging to the family Paramxyoviridae, including Nipah and Hendra viruses, and the family Filoviridae, including Ebola and Marburg viruses, can cause severe disease and high mortality rates on spillover into human populations. Surveillance efforts for henipaviruses and filoviruses have been largely restricted to the Old World; however, recent studies suggest a potentially broader distribution for henipaviruses and filoviruses than previously recognized. In the current study, we screened for henipaviruses and filoviruses in New World bats collected across 4 locations in Trinidad near the coast of Venezuela. Bat tissue samples were screened using previously established reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction assays. Serum were screened using a multiplex immunoassay to detect antibodies reactive with the envelope glycoprotein of viruses in the genus Henipavirus and the family Filoviridae. Serum samples were also screened by means of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for antibodies reactive with Nipah G and F glycoproteins. Of 84 serum samples, 28 were reactive with ≥1 henipavirus glycoprotein by ≥1 serological method, and 6 serum samples were reactive against ≥1 filovirus glycoproteins. These data provide evidence of potential circulation of viruses related to the henipaviruses and filoviruses in New World bats.

scholarly journals Comparative evaluation of a competitive polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and a SYBR Green–based real-time PCR to quantify Porcine circovirus-2 DNA in swine tissue samples

2011 ◽  
Vol 23 (6) ◽  
pp. 1160-1167 ◽  
Author(s):  
Diogenes Dezen ◽  
Franciscus A.M. Rijsewijk ◽  
Thais F. Teixeira ◽  
Carine L. Holz ◽  
Ana P. Varela ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Polymerase Chain Reaction ◽  
Real Time ◽  
Real Time Pcr ◽  
Clinical Manifestations ◽  
Sybr Green ◽  
Porcine Circovirus ◽  
Chain Reaction ◽  
Tissue Samples ◽  
Porcine Circovirus 2 ◽  
Polymerase Chain

Porcine circovirus-2 (PCV-2) is considered the major etiological agent of post-weaning multisystemic wasting syndrome (PMWS) in pigs. The clinical manifestations of the disease are correlated with moderate to high amounts of PCV-2 DNA in biological samples of affected pigs. A threshold of 107 DNA copies/ml is suggested as the trigger factor for symptoms. A comparative study was conducted to determine which quantitative method would be more suitable to estimate the PCV-2 DNA load. Two polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays were developed: a competitive PCR (cPCR) and a SYBR Green–based real-time PCR. The assays were compared for their capacity to detect PCV-2 in DNA samples extracted from liver, lung, spleen, mesenteric lymph nodes, and kidney of PMWS-affected ( n = 23) or non–PMWS-affected pigs ( n = 9). Both assays could successfully quantify PCV-2 DNA in all tissue samples and were able to detect significant differences between the numbers of PCV-2 DNA copies found in tissues of PMWS-affected and non–PMWS-affected pigs (≥102.5). The highest mean viral loads were detected by the SYBR Green real-time PCR, up to 107.0±1.5 copies/100 ng of total DNA sample, while the cPCR detected up to 104.8±1.5. A mean difference of 101.8 was found between the amounts of PCV-2 DNA detected, using the SYBR Green real-time PCR and the cPCR, suggesting that the viral load threshold for PMWS should be determined for each particular assay.

scholarly journals Q fever.

1993 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. 193-198 ◽  
Author(s):  
L G Reimer
Keyword(s):  
Q Fever ◽  
Febrile Illness ◽  
Etiologic Agent ◽  
Human Infection ◽  
Prolonged Treatment ◽  
Genetic Characteristics ◽  
Modes Of Transmission ◽  
Pregnant Sheep ◽  
The Family ◽  
Domestic Livestock

Q fever is an acute febrile illness first described in 1935 and now seen in many parts of the world. Human infection follows exposure to animals, especially domestic livestock. Recent outbreaks in metropolitan areas have implicated cats as the carrier of disease to humans. The etiologic agent, Coxiella burnetti, belongs to the family Rickettsiaceae, although it has distinct genetic characteristics and modes of transmission. Most recent attention has been focused on a number of large outbreaks of Q fever associated with medical research involving pregnant sheep. Although most infections are self-limited, some patients require prolonged treatment. Recent vaccines have had encouraging success in the prevention of disease in individuals at high risk of exposure.

Scrub typhus (Orientia tsutsugamushi), A rapidly spreading epidemic in Chennai - A standalone lab experience

2016 ◽  
Vol 5 (09) ◽  
pp. 4896
Author(s):  
Sripriya C.S.* ◽  
Shanthi B. ◽  
Arockia Doss S. ◽  
Antonie Raj I. ◽  
Mohana Priya
Keyword(s):  
Scrub Typhus ◽  
Clinical Symptoms ◽  
Clinical Manifestations ◽  
Febrile Illness ◽  
Orientia Tsutsugamushi ◽  
The Past ◽  
Igm Elisa ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Specific Symptoms ◽  
Symptoms And Signs

Scrub typhus (Orientia tsutsugamushi), is a strict intracellular bacterium which is reported to be a recent threat to parts of southern India. There is re-emergence of scrub typhus during the past few years in Chennai. Scrub typhus is an acute febrile illness which generally causes non-specific symptoms and signs. The clinical manifestations of this disease range from sub-clinical disease to organ failure to fatal disease. This study documents our laboratory experience in diagnosis of scrub typhus in patients with fever and suspected clinical symptoms of scrub typhus infection for a period of two years from April 2014 to April 2016 using immunochromatography and IgM ELISA methods. The study was conducted on 648 patients out of whom 188 patients were found to be positive for scrub typhus. Results also showed that pediatric (0 -12 years) and young adults (20 – 39 years) were more exposed to scrub typhus infection and female patients were more infected compared to male. The study also showed that the rate of infection was higher between September to February which also suggested that the infection rate is proportional to the climatic condition. Statistical analysis showed that the mean age of the patients in this study was 37.6, standard deviation was 18.97, CV % was 50.45. 

Using a Polymerase Chain Reaction as a Complementary Test to Improve the Detection of Dermatophyte Fungus in Nails

2014 ◽  
Vol 104 (3) ◽  
pp. 233-237 ◽  
Author(s):  
María José Iglesias Sánchez ◽  
Ana María Pérez Pico ◽  
Félix Marcos Tejedor ◽  
María Jesús Iglesias Sánchez ◽  
Raquel Mayordomo Acevedo
Keyword(s):  
Polymerase Chain Reaction ◽  
Dna Sequences ◽  
Classical Method ◽  
Clinical Manifestations ◽  
Culture Method ◽  
Clinical Samples ◽  
Chain Reaction ◽  
Nested Polymerase Chain Reaction ◽  
Traditional Procedure ◽  
Polymerase Chain

Background Dermatomycoses are a group of pathologic abnormalities frequently seen in clinical practice, and their prevalence has increased in recent decades. Diagnostic confirmation of mycotic infection in nails is essential because there are several pathologic conditions with similar clinical manifestations. The classical method for confirming the presence of fungus in nail is microbiological culture and the identification of morphological structures by microscopy. Methods We devised a nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) that amplifies specific DNA sequences of dermatophyte fungus that is notably faster than the 3 to 4 weeks that the traditional procedure takes. We compared this new technique and the conventional plate culture method in 225 nail samples. The results were subjected to statistical analysis. Results We found concordance in 78.2% of the samples analyzed by the two methods and increased sensitivity when simultaneously using the two methods to analyze clinical samples. Now we can confirm the presence of dermatophyte fungus in most of the positive samples in just 24 hours, and we have to wait for the result of culture only in negative PCR cases. Conclusions Although this PCR cannot, at present, substitute for the traditional culture method in the detection of dermatophyte infection of the nails, it can be used as a complementary technique because its main advantage lies in the significant reduction of time used for diagnosis, in addition to higher sensitivity.

scholarly journals Making a Difference: Adaptation of the Clinical Laboratory in Response to the Rapidly Evolving COVID-19 Pandemic

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
pp. 237428952110239
Author(s):  
Nikhil S. Sahajpal ◽  
Ashis K. Mondal ◽  
Sudha Ananth ◽  
Allan Njau ◽  
Sadanand Fulzele ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Laboratory ◽  
Clinical Manifestations ◽  
Nasopharyngeal Swab ◽  
Next Generation Sequencing Technology ◽  
Making A Difference ◽  
Scale Population ◽  
Wide Scale ◽  
Pooling Strategy ◽  
Polymerase Chain ◽  
Phylogenetic Evolution

The COVID-19 pandemic, caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, led to unprecedented demands assigned to clinical diagnostic laboratories worldwide, forcing them to make significant changes to their regular workflow as they adapted to new diagnostic tests and sample volumes. Herein, we summarize the modifications/adaptation the laboratory had to exercise to cope with rapidly evolving situations in the current pandemic. In the first phase of the pandemic, the laboratory validated 2 reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction–based assays to test ∼1000 samples/day and rapidly modified procedures and validated various preanalytical and analytical steps to overcome the supply chain constraints that would have otherwise derailed testing efforts. Further, the pooling strategy was validated for wide-scale population screening using nasopharyngeal swab samples and saliva samples. The translational research arm of the laboratory pursued several initiatives to understand the variable clinical manifestations that this virus presented in the population. The phylogenetic evolution of the virus was investigated using next-generation sequencing technology. The laboratory has initiated the formation of a consortium that includes groups investigating genomes at the level of large structural variants, using genome optical mapping via this collaborative global effort. This article summarizes our journey as the laboratory has sought to adapt and continue to positively contribute to the unprecedented demands and challenges of this rapidly evolving pandemic.

scholarly journals Molecular Evidence of Hemolivia mauritanica, Ehrlichia spp. and the Endosymbiont Candidatus Midichloria Mitochondrii in Hyalomma aegyptium Infesting Testudo graeca Tortoises from Doha, Qatar

Animals ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 30
Author(s):  
Patrícia F. Barradas ◽  
Clara Lima ◽  
Luís Cardoso ◽  
Irina Amorim ◽  
Fátima Gärtner ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Animal Health ◽  
Clinical Manifestations ◽  
Febrile Illness ◽  
Molecular Evidence ◽  
Large Animal ◽  
Hard Tick ◽  
Testudo Graeca ◽  
Worldwide Distribution ◽  
Organ System Failure ◽  
Midichloria Mitochondrii

Tick-borne agents constitute a growing concern for human and animal health worldwide. Hyalomma aegyptium is a hard tick with a three-host life cycle, whose main hosts for adults are Palearctic tortoises of genus Testudo. Nevertheless, immature ticks can feed on a variety of hosts, representing an important eco-epidemiological issue regarding H. aegyptium pathogens circulation. Hyalomma aegyptium ticks are vectors and/or reservoirs of various pathogenic agents, such as Ehrlichia, Anaplasma, Babesia and Hepatozoon/Hemolivia. Ehrlichia and Anaplasma are emergent tick-borne bacteria with a worldwide distribution and zoonotic potential, responsible for diseases that cause clinical manifestations that grade from acute febrile illness to a fulminant disease characterized by multi-organ system failure, depending on the species. Babesia and Hepatozoon/Hemolivia are tick-borne parasites with increasing importance in multiple species. Testudo graeca tortoises acquired in a large animal market in Doha, Qatar, were screened for a panel of tick-borne pathogens by conventional PCR followed by bidirectional sequencing. The most prevalent agent identified in ticks was Hemolivia mauritanica (28.6%), followed by Candidatus Midichloria mitochondrii (9.5%) and Ehrlichia spp. (4.7%). All samples were negative for Babesia spp. and Hepatozoon spp. Overall, 43% of the examined adult ticks were infected with at least one agent. Only 4.7% of the ticks appeared to be simultaneously infected with two agents, i.e., Ehrlichia spp. and H. mauritanica. This is the first detection of H. mauritanica, Ehrlichia spp. and Candidatus M. mitochondrii in H. aegyptium ticks collected from pet spur-thighed tortoises, in Qatar, a fact which adds to the geographical extension of these agents. The international trade of Testudo tortoises carrying ticks infected with pathogens of veterinary and medical importance deserves strict control, in order to reduce potential exotic diseases.

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