scholarly journals Encephalitozoon cuniculi Genotype III Evinces a Resistance to Albendazole Treatment in both Immunodeficient and Immunocompetent Mice

2020 ◽  
Vol 64 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Bohumil Sak ◽  
Klára Brdíčková ◽  
Nikola Holubová ◽  
Dana Květoňová ◽  
Lenka Hlásková ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Substantial Effect ◽  
Response To Treatment ◽  
Encephalitozoon Cuniculi ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Immunodeficient Mice ◽  
Immunological Status ◽  
Genotype Iii ◽  
Daily Dose ◽  
Immunocompetent Mice ◽  
Genotype Ii

ABSTRACT Of four genotypes of Encephalitozoon cuniculi, E. cuniculi genotype II is considered to represent a parasite that occurs in many host species in a latent asymptomatic form, whereas E. cuniculi genotype III seems to be more aggressive, and infections caused by this strain can lead to the death of even immunocompetent hosts. Although albendazole has been considered suitable for treatment of Encephalitozoon species, its failure in control of E. cuniculi genotype III infection has been reported. This study determined the effect of a 100× recommended daily dose of albendazole on an Encephalitozoon cuniculi genotype III course of infection in immunocompetent and immunodeficient mice and compared the results with those from experiments performed with a lower dose of albendazole and E. cuniculi genotype II. The administration of the regular dose of abendazole during the acute phase of infection reduced the number of affected organs in all strains of mice and absolute counts of spores in screened organs. However, the effect on genotype III was minor. Surprisingly, no substantial effect was recorded after the use of a 100× dose of albendazole, with larger reductions seen only in the number of affected organs and absolute counts of spores in all strains of mice, implying variations in albendazole resistance between these Encephalitozoon cuniculi genotypes. These results imply that differences in the course of infection and the response to treatment depend not only on the immunological status of the host but also on the genotype causing the infection. Understanding how microsporidia survive in hosts despite targeted antimicrosporidial treatment could significantly contribute to research related to human health.

scholarly journals DNA Detection and Genotypic Identification of Potentially Human-Pathogenic Microsporidia from Asymptomatic Pet Parrots in South Korea as a Risk Factor for Zoonotic Emergence

2011 ◽  
Vol 77 (23) ◽  
pp. 8442-8444 ◽  
Author(s):  
So-Young Lee ◽  
Sung-Seok Lee ◽  
Young S. Lyoo ◽  
Hee-Myung Park
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factor ◽  
South Korea ◽  
Dna Detection ◽  
Encephalitozoon Cuniculi ◽  
Fecal Samples ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Microsporidian Infection ◽  
Genotypic Identification ◽  
Genotype Ii

ABSTRACTWe detected and identified genotypes of human-pathogenic microsporidia in fecal samples from 51 asymptomatic captive-bred pet parrots in South Korea. Microsporidia were identified in 8 samples (15.7%); 7 parrots tested positive forEncephalitozoon hellem, and 1 parrot tested positive for bothE. hellemandEncephalitozoon cuniculi. In genotypic identifications,E. hellemwas present in genotypes 1A and 2B andE. cuniculiwas present in genotype II. Pet parrots might be a source of human microsporidian infection.

The course of infection caused by Encephalitozoon cuniculi genotype III in immunocompetent and immunodeficient mice

2017 ◽  
Vol 182 ◽  
pp. 16-21 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michaela Kotková ◽  
Bohumil Sak ◽  
Lenka Hlásková ◽  
Martin Kváč
Keyword(s):  
Encephalitozoon Cuniculi ◽  
Immunodeficient Mice ◽  
Genotype Iii

scholarly journals Bacterial Heterogeneity Is a Requirement for Host Superinfection by the Lyme Disease Spirochete

2014 ◽  
Vol 82 (11) ◽  
pp. 4542-4552 ◽  
Author(s):  
Artem S. Rogovskyy ◽  
Troy Bankhead
Keyword(s):  
Secondary Infection ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Tissue Samples ◽  
Antibiotic Resistant ◽  
Major Barrier ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Immunodeficient Mice ◽  
Immunocompetent Mice ◽  
Immune Barriers

ABSTRACTIn nature, mixedBorrelia burgdorferiinfections are common and possibly can be acquired by either superinfection or coinfection. Superinfection by heterologousB. burgdorferistrains has been established experimentally, although the ability of homologousB. burgdorfericlones to superinfect a host has not been studied in detail. Information regarding any potential immune barriers to secondary infection also currently is unavailable. In the present study, the ability to superinfect various mouse models by homologous wild-type clones was examined and compared to superinfection by heterologous strains. To assess the ability of homologousB. burgdorfericlones to successfully superinfect a mouse host, primary- and secondary-infecting spirochetes were recovered viain vitrocultivation of collected blood or tissue samples. This was accomplished by generating two different antibiotic-resistant versions of the wild-type B31-A3 clone in order to distinguish superinfectingB. burgdorferifrom primary-infecting spirochetes. The data demonstrate an inability of homologousB. burgdorferito superinfect immunocompetent mice as opposed to heterologous strains. Attempts to superinfect different types of immunodeficient mice with homologousB. burgdorferiindicate that the murine innate immune system represents a major barrier to intrastrain superinfection. Consequently, the possibility of innate immunity as a driving force forB. burgdorferiheterogeneity during the enzootic cycle is discussed.

Legumin from chickpea: hypolipidemic effect in the liver of hypercholesterolemic rats

2014 ◽  
Vol 44 (5) ◽  
pp. 378-388 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ana L. Amaral ◽  
Ederlan S. Ferreira ◽  
Valdir A. Neves ◽  
Aureluce Demonte
Keyword(s):  
Lipid Metabolism ◽  
Cholic Acid ◽  
Hdl Cholesterol ◽  
Normal Diet ◽  
Single Daily Dose ◽  
High Cholesterol Diet ◽  
Hypolipidemic Effect ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Daily Dose ◽  
11S Globulin

Purpose – This paper aims to determine the effects of 11S globulin isolated from Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) on lipid metabolism in animals subjected to a hypercholesterolemic and hyperlipidemic diet and compared to the drug simvastatin. Design/methodology/approach – Thirty-six male Wistar rats, kept in individual cages and under appropriate conditions, were separated into groups that were fed a normal diet (STD) containing casein as protein source and according to AIN-93G; a high-cholesterol diet (HC), normal diet plus 1 per cent cholesterol and 0.5 per cent cholic acid and 20 per cent coconut oil; HC diet plus the isolated 11S globulin (300 mg/kg/day); and HC diet plus the simvastatin (50 mg/kg/day), both dissolved in saline and administered by gavage for 28 days. After this time, the animals were killed. Findings – The results indicated that the addition of 1 per cent cholesterol and 0.5 per cent cholic acid induced hypercholesterolemia in the animals without interfering with their weight gain. Analyses of total cholesterol (TC), HDL-cholesterol (HDL-C) and triglycerides (TG) in the plasma, and TC and TG in the liver were made. The results show that the protein isolated from chickpea, and given as a single daily dose, did not affect the levels of plasma TC and its fractions, although decreasing the TG levels. Unlike the simvastatin, the chickpea protein significantly reduced TC and TG in the liver relative to HC group. Originality/value – A single daily dose of 11S globulin from chickpea contributed as only as additional 2.8 per cent of dietary protein intake. These findings demonstrate that 11S chickpea protein acts as a functional agent in the lipid metabolism in addition to its nutritional properties.

scholarly journals Pulmonary Interleukin-17-Positive Lymphocytes Increase during Pneumocystis murina Infection but Are Not Required for Clearance of Pneumocystis

2017 ◽  
Vol 85 (7) ◽  
Author(s):  
Chiara Ripamonti ◽  
Lisa R. Bishop ◽  
Joseph A. Kovacs
Keyword(s):  
T Cells ◽  
Fungal Infections ◽  
Intracellular Cytokine Staining ◽  
Γδ T Cells ◽  
Interleukin 17 ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Immunosuppressed Patients ◽  
Ifn Γ ◽  
Immunocompetent Mice ◽  
Deficient Mice

ABSTRACT Pneumocystis remains an important pathogen of immunosuppressed patients, causing a potentially life-threatening pneumonia. Despite its medical importance, the immune responses required to control infection, including the role of interleukin-17 (IL-17), which is important in controlling other fungal infections, have not been clearly defined. Using flow cytometry and intracellular cytokine staining after stimulation with phorbol myristate acetate and ionomycin, we examined gamma interferon (IFN-γ), IL-4, IL-5, and IL-17 production by lung lymphocytes in immunocompetent C57BL/6 mice over time following infection with Pneumocystis murina. We also examined the clearance of Pneumocystis infection in IL-17A-deficient mice. The production of both IFN-γ and IL-17 by pulmonary lymphocytes increased during infection, with maximum production at approximately days 35 to 40, coinciding with peak Pneumocystis levels in the lungs, while minimal changes were seen in IL-4- and IL-5-positive cells. The proportion of cells producing IFN-γ was consistently higher than for cells producing IL-17, with peak levels of ∼25 to 30% of CD3+ T cells for the former compared to ∼15% for the latter. Both CD4+ T cells and γδ T cells produced IL-17. Administration of anti-IFN-γ antibody led to a decrease in IFN-γ-positive cells, and an increase in IL-5-positive cells, but did not impact clearance of Pneumocystis infection. Despite the increases in IL-17 production during infection, IL-17A-deficient mice cleared Pneumocystis infection with kinetics similar to C57BL/6 mice. Thus, while IL-17 production in the lungs is increased during Pneumocystis infection in immunocompetent mice, IL-17A is not required for control of Pneumocystis infection.

scholarly journals In VitroandIn VivoActivity of Solithromycin (CEM-101) against Plasmodium Species

2011 ◽  
Vol 56 (2) ◽  
pp. 703-707 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sergio Wittlin ◽  
Eric Ekland ◽  
J Carl Craft ◽  
Julie Lotharius ◽  
Ian Bathurst ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Drug Exposure ◽  
Antimalarial Activity ◽  
Plasmodium Species ◽  
Parasite Clearance ◽  
Response To Treatment ◽  
Cross Resistance ◽  
Asexual Blood Stage ◽  
Content Type

ABSTRACTWith the emergence ofPlasmodium falciparuminfections exhibiting increased parasite clearance times in response to treatment with artemisinin-based combination therapies, the need for new therapeutic agents is urgent. Solithromycin, a potent new fluoroketolide currently in development, has been shown to be an effective, broad-spectrum antimicrobial agent. Malarial parasites possess an unusual organelle, termed the apicoplast, which carries a cryptic genome of prokaryotic origin that encodes its own translation and transcription machinery. Given the similarity of apicoplast and bacterial ribosomes, we have examined solithromycin for antimalarial activity. Other antibiotics known to target the apicoplast, such as the macrolide azithromycin, demonstrate a delayed-death effect, whereby treated asexual blood-stage parasites die in the second generation of drug exposure. Solithromycin demonstrated potentin vitroactivity against the NF54 strain ofP. falciparum, as well as against two multidrug-resistant strains, Dd2 and 7G8. The dramatic increase in potency observed after two generations of exposure suggests that it targets the apicoplast. Solithromycin also retained potency against azithromycin-resistant parasites derived from Dd2 and 7G8, although these lines did demonstrate a degree of cross-resistance. In anin vivomodel ofP. bergheiinfection in mice, solithromycin demonstrated a 100% cure rate when administered as a dosage regimen of four doses of 100 mg/kg of body weight, the same dose required for artesunate or chloroquine to achieve 100% cure rates in this rodent malaria model. These promisingin vitroandin vivodata support further investigations into the development of solithromycin as an antimalarial agent.

Effect of process parameters on stress and strain of hybrid deposition and micro-rolling

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Xushan Zhao ◽  
Yuanxun Wang ◽  
Guilan Wang ◽  
Runsheng Li ◽  
Haiou Zhang
Keyword(s):  
Residual Stress ◽  
Plastic Strain ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Substantial Effect ◽  
Weld Bead ◽  
Stress And Strain ◽  
Residual Tensile Stress ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Orthogonal Optimization ◽  
Selection Of

Purpose This paper aims to summarize the influence law of hybrid deposited and micro-rolling (HDMR) technology on the shaping strain and residual stress. And the rolling parameters combination was further optimized to guide the actual production. Design/methodology/approach This paper proposed a three-dimensional coupled thermo-mechanical model of the HDMR process. The validated model is used to investigate the influences of rolling parameters on stress and plastic strain (the distance between the energy source and roller [De–r], the rolling compression [cr] and the friction coefficient [fr]). The orthogonal optimization of three factors and three levels was carried out. The influence of rolling parameters on the plastic strain and residual stress is analyzed. Findings The simulation results show that HDMR technology can effectively increase the shaping strain of the weld bead and reduce the residual tensile stress on the weld bead surface. Furthermore, the influence of rolling parameters on stress and strain is obtained by orthogonal analysis, and the corresponding optimal combination is proposed. Also, the rolling temperature significantly affects the residual stress, and the rolling reduction has a substantial effect on the plastic deformation. Research limitations/implications Owing to the choice of research methods, this paper failed to study microstructure evolution. Originality/value This paper provides a reference principle for the optimal selection of rolling parameters in HDMR.

scholarly journals Brand authenticity leads to perceived value and brand trust

2019 ◽  
Vol 28 (3) ◽  
pp. 222-238 ◽  
Author(s):  
Asuncion Hernandez-Fernandez ◽  
Mathieu Collin Lewis
Keyword(s):  
Perceived Value ◽  
Sampling Technique ◽  
Simple Random Sampling ◽  
Substantial Effect ◽  
Brand Trust ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Brand Authenticity ◽  
Craft Beer ◽  
The Usa ◽  
Online Format

Purpose This paper investigates consumer perceptions of brand authenticity (BA), perceived value (PV) and brand trust (BT) into the context of craft beer market. The purpose of this paper is to examine the statistical associations between these constructs as well as the three antecedents of BA: individuality, consistency and continuity. Design/methodology/approach The survey, delivered in an online format, was completed by 749 respondents from the USA. These respondents were gained through a basic simple random sampling technique. After conducting data analysis techniques such as reliability, correlation and regression, all five research hypotheses were accepted. Findings All three antecedents of BA were found to have significant influence on the first-order construct. Also, BA was shown to have a substantial effect on both PV and BT. The relationship between brand individuality and BA was the most significant of the five, while the association between BA and PV was found to be the least significant. Originality/value Prior research on BA, the majority of which has involved a qualitative approach, has been severely limited. The authors’ work deepens the study of the effects of BA, or its various antecedents, on PV and BT, enhancing the research with an empirical, quantitative analysis. In addition to the shortage of investigation related to these factors, there has been a nearly complete absence of the application of these variables to the craft beer market.

scholarly journals Monitoring Tuberculosis Drug Activity in Live Animals by Using Near-Infrared Fluorescence Imaging

2019 ◽  
Vol 63 (12) ◽  
Author(s):  
Raphael Sommer ◽  
Stewart T. Cole
Keyword(s):  
Mycobacterium Tuberculosis ◽  
Near Infrared ◽  
Imaging System ◽  
Limit Of Detection ◽  
Bacterial Load ◽  
Genetically Engineered ◽  
Fluorescent Imaging ◽  
Effective Vaccine ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Immunodeficient Mice

ABSTRACT Worldwide, tuberculosis (TB) is the leading cause of death due to infection with a single pathogenic agent, Mycobacterium tuberculosis. In the absence of an effective vaccine, new, more powerful antibiotics are required to halt the growing spread of multidrug-resistant strains and to shorten the duration of TB treatment. However, assessing drug efficacy at the preclinical stage remains a long and fastidious procedure that delays the progression of drugs down the pipeline and towards the clinic. In this investigation, we report the construction, optimization, and characterization of genetically engineered near-infrared (NIR) fluorescent reporter strains of the pathogens Mycobacterium marinum and Mycobacterium tuberculosis that enable the direct visualization of bacteria in infected zebrafish and mice, respectively. Fluorescence could be measured precisely in infected immunodeficient mice, while its intensity appeared to be below the limit of detection in immunocompetent mice, probably because of the lower bacterial load obtained in these animals. Furthermore, we show that the fluorescence level accurately reflects the bacterial load, as determined by CFU enumeration, thus enabling the efficacy of antibiotic treatment to be assessed in live animals in real time. The NIR fluorescent imaging system disclosed here is a valuable resource for TB research and can serve to accelerate drug development.

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