scholarly journals First report on the prevalence of Fasciola hepatica in the endangered Père David’s deer (Elaphurus davidianus) in China

2020 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Si-Yang Huang ◽  
Jing-Zhi Gong ◽  
Yi-Jun Ren ◽  
Ming Pan ◽  
Wei-Min Cai ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fasciola Hepatica ◽  
Potential Threat ◽  
Prevalence Data ◽  
First Report ◽  
Natural Reserve ◽  
Zoonotic Parasite ◽  
The World ◽  
Père David’S Deer ◽  
Microscopy Examination ◽  
Elaphurus Davidianus

Abstract Background Fasciola hepatica is an important zoonotic parasite that causes fasciolosis in a broad range of animals. No information is available about the prevalence of F. hepatica in Père David’s deer (Elaphurus davidianus), an endangered species in the world. Therefore, the purpose of the study was to evaluate the prevalence of fasciolosis in Père David’s deer in the Dafeng Elk National Natural Reserve, Jiangsu province, China. Results In this study, 142 fecal samples from Père David’s deer were analyzed for F. hepatica by microscopy and nest-PCR. Only one sample was positive for F. hepatica according to microscopy examination, while 18 of 142 (12.68, 95%CI: 2.841–22.45%) samples were positive for F. hepatica according to nest-PCR results. Conclusions This is the first report of prevalence of F. hepatica in Père David’s deer. The prevalence data indicated that F. hepatica was also present in this endangered animal, which may cause a potential threat to this precious species.

First report of Rinamba opacicollis Cameron (Hymenoptera: Braconidae, Doryctinae) in India as parasitoid of coffee stem borer, Xylotrechus quadripes (Chevrolat) (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae)

ENTOMON ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 44 (4) ◽  
pp. 311-314
Author(s):  
A. Roobakkumar ◽  
H.G. Seetharama ◽  
P. Krishna Reddy ◽  
M.S. Uma ◽  
A. P. Ranjith
Keyword(s):  
Integrated Control ◽  
Host Record ◽  
Stem Borer ◽  
Arabica Coffee ◽  
First Report ◽  
The World ◽  
First Time

Rinamba opacicollis Cameron (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) was collected from Chikkamagaluru, Karnataka, India for the first time from the larvae of white stem borer, Xylotrechus quadripes Chevrolat infesting arabica coffee. Its role in the biological or integrated control of X. quadripes remains to be evaluated. White stem borer could be the first host record of this parasitoid all over the world.

scholarly journals Deepening of In Silico Evaluation of SARS-CoV-2 Detection RT-qPCR Assays in the Context of New Variants

Genes ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 565
Author(s):  
Mathieu Gand ◽  
Kevin Vanneste ◽  
Isabelle Thomas ◽  
Steven Van Gucht ◽  
Arnaud Capron ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Performance Evaluation ◽  
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ◽  
In Silico ◽  
The Other ◽  
Viral Rna ◽  
Potential Threat ◽  
The World

For 1 year now, the world is undergoing a coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic due to the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The most widely used method for COVID-19 diagnosis is the detection of viral RNA by RT-qPCR with a specific set of primers and probe. It is important to frequently evaluate the performance of these tests and this can be done first by an in silico approach. Previously, we reported some mismatches between the oligonucleotides of publicly available RT-qPCR assays and SARS-CoV-2 genomes collected from GISAID and NCBI, potentially impacting proper detection of the virus. In the present study, 11 primers and probe sets investigated during the first study were evaluated again with 84,305 new SARS-CoV-2 unique genomes collected between June 2020 and January 2021. The lower inclusivity of the China CDC assay targeting the gene N has continued to decrease with new mismatches detected, whereas the other evaluated assays kept their inclusivity above 99%. Additionally, some mutations specific to new SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern were found to be located in oligonucleotide annealing sites. This might impact the strategy to be considered for future SARS-CoV-2 testing. Given the potential threat of the new variants, it is crucial to assess if they can still be correctly targeted by the primers and probes of the RT-qPCR assays. Our study highlights that considering the evolution of the virus and the emergence of new variants, an in silico (re-)evaluation should be performed on a regular basis. Ideally, this should be done for all the RT-qPCR assays employed for SARS-CoV-2 detection, including also commercial tests, although the primer and probe sequences used in these kits are rarely disclosed, which impedes independent performance evaluation.

scholarly journals AB0968 DIAGNOSIS OF INFLAMMATORY BACK PAIN (IBP) IN A LOW-INCOME POPULATION USING ASAS IBP DEFINITION

2020 ◽  
Vol 79 (Suppl 1) ◽  
pp. 1779.4-1779
Author(s):  
J. Oliveira ◽  
R. Nunes ◽  
G. Da Silva ◽  
I. Nogueira ◽  
A. Azevedo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Back Pain ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Smoking Prevalence ◽  
Inflammatory Back Pain ◽  
Clinical Practices ◽  
Research Support ◽  
Low Literacy ◽  
Prevalence Data ◽  
First Report ◽  
Low Income Population

Background:Inflammatory back pain (IBP) is an important entry criterion for identifying patients with axial spondyloarthritis. Due to the very frequent prevalence of chronic non-inflammatory back pain (CBP), IBP is difficult to differentiate and recognize in many clinical practices. CBP is a frequent diagnosis in populations with low socioeconomic status.Objectives:To investigate whether IBP ASAS definition help discriminate from CBP in a low-income population.Methods:A total of 202 consecutive individuals were directly interviewed in Fortaleza/Brazil, for the prevalence of IBP (ASAS definition), monthly family income (US$), school education [>/≤ 8 school-years(SY)], and smoking habit (present/absent). People from all social levels were included.Results:Mean age was 38.9±12.9 years, 100 (49.5%) were male and 36 (17.8%) were smokers; 135 (66.8%) declared less than 730US$ family earnings per month and 71 (35.1%) had less than 8 SY. Although 122 (60.3%) declared lumbar pain, in comparison, 29 (14.3%), 22 (10.9%) and 59 (29.2%) fulfilled ASAS, Berlin, and Calin’s IBP criteria, respectively. There were 39 (58.02%) vs. 83 (61.5%) with vs. without CBP and 9 (13.4%) vs. 20 (14.8%) fulfilling vs. not fulfilling the ASAS IBP definition among those with more or less than 730US$ earnings (P>0.05), respectively.Conclusion:This is the first report on the prevalence of IBP in a very low-income population. Over one-third had less than 8SY, revealing very low literacy. Smoking prevalence was also low if compared to 28% smoking prevalence WHO estimates across Europe*. These IBP prevalence data are similar to those reported in wealthier populations, living in higher latitude. Data suggest that ASAS IBP definition may be used to discriminate patients with IBP from those with CBP, regardless of income and literacy.References:This is the first report on the prevalence of IBP in a very low-income population. Over one-third had less than 8SY, revealing very low literacy. Smoking prevalence (17.8%) was also low if compared to 28% smoking prevalence WHO estimates across Europe*. These IBP prevalence data are similar to those reported in wealthier populations, living in higher latitude. Data suggest that ASAS IBP definition may be used to discriminate patients with IBP from those with CBP, regardless of income and literacy.Disclosure of Interests:Jobson Oliveira: None declared, Rodolfo Nunes: None declared, Guilherme da Silva: None declared, Igor Nogueira: None declared, Artur Azevedo: None declared, Xenofon Baraliakos Grant/research support from: Grant/research support from: AbbVie, BMS, Celgene, Chugai, Merck, Novartis, Pfizer, UCB and Werfen, Consultant of: AbbVie, BMS, Celgene, Chugai, Merck, Novartis, Pfizer, UCB and Werfen, Speakers bureau: AbbVie, BMS, Celgene, Chugai, Merck, Novartis, Pfizer, UCB and Werfen, Airton Rocha Speakers bureau: Not related to the present work

Aphelenchoides besseyi parasitizing cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) in Brazil

Plant Disease ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luciany Favoreto ◽  
Rafaela Bueno ◽  
Angélica Calandrelli ◽  
Patrícia Priscila França ◽  
Mauricio Conrado Meyer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Common Bean ◽  
Vigna Unguiculata ◽  
Host Reaction ◽  
First Report ◽  
Cowpea Cultivars ◽  
The World ◽  
Cotton Plants ◽  
Aphelenchoides Besseyi ◽  
Leaf Deformation

Several species of nematodes are known to cause losses to cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) throughout the world. In Brazil, Aphelenchoides besseyi was recently described causing damages on soybean, cotton, and common bean, but no report was found about the parasitism of this nematode in cowpea. The present study aimed to verify the host reaction of cowpea cultivars to A. besseyi. The experiment was conducted under greenhouse conditions, using as inoculum two A. besseyi populations, obtained from symptomatic soybean and cotton plants collected in naturally infested fields. Cultivars ‘Imponente’, ‘Aracê’, ‘Guariba’, ‘Tumucumaque’, ‘Nova Era’, and ‘Tracuateua’ were inoculated with 500 A. besseyi of each population, separately, into soil and after 30 days from the inoculation nematodes were extracted from shoot systems. Both populations were able to parasitize all the cowpea cultivars. Independently of the cultivar, cowpea plants exhibited symptoms of leaf deformation similar to those described for soybean, cotton, and common bean and, in addition, severe brooming was observed and the interior of the stems was porous and necrotic. To our knowledge, this is the first report of parasitism by A. besseyi of cowpea in Brazil, under greenhouse conditions, increasing the list of hosts of this nematode.

scholarly journals First Report from Syria of Citrus tristeza virus in Citrus spp.

Plant Disease ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 92 (10) ◽  
pp. 1468-1468
Author(s):  
R. Abou Kubaa ◽  
K. Djelouah ◽  
A. M. D'Onghia ◽  
R. Addante ◽  
M. Jamal
Keyword(s):  
Citrus Tristeza Virus ◽  
Sweet Orange ◽  
Citrus Limon ◽  
Potential Threat ◽  
First Report ◽  
Mexican Lime ◽  
Vein Clearing ◽  
Citrus Varieties ◽  
Tristeza Virus ◽  
Citrus Tristeza

During the spring of 2006, the main Syrian citrus-growing areas of Lattakia (Jableh, Aledyye, Eseelya, Siano, and Hresoon provinces) and Tartous (Almintar, Aljammase, Karto, Majdaloonelbahr, Yahmour, Amreet, Althawra, and Safita provinces) were surveyed to assess the presence of Citrus tristeza virus (CTV). Eight nurseries (approximately 130 plants per nursery), two budwood source fields (approximately 230 trees per field), and 19 groves (approximately 60 trees per grove) containing the main citrus varieties were visually inspected and sampled for serological assays. The hierarchical sampling method was carried out in each selected grove (2). Infected samples were collected from two nurseries, two budwood source fields, and six groves. Stems and leaf petioles from nursery trees and flower explants from the groves were collected and analyzed for CTV by direct tissue blot immunoassay (DTBIA) with the commercial kit from Plantprint (Valencia, Spain). Of 2,653 samples tested, 89 (4%) CTV-infected plants were detected. Five citrus varieties were found to be infected and Meyer lemon (Citrus limon ‘Meyer’) had the highest incidence at 16%. Numerous sweet orange varieties (Citrus sinensis L.) were found to be highly infected in the field, but only the Washington navel sweet orange was found to be infected in the nurseries. No clear CTV symptoms were observed during the survey. Samples that were positive for CTV by DTBIA were also positive by biological indexing on Mexican lime (C. aurantifolia) and immunocapture-reverse transcription-PCR as described by Nolasco et al. (3). Coat protein gene sequences obtained from five selected clones of a Syrian CTV isolate (GenBank Accession No. EU626555) showed more than 99 and 98% nucleotide sequence identity to a Jordanian CTV isolate (GenBank Accession No. AY550252) and the VT isolate (GenBank Accession No. U56902), respectively. Almost all infected samples induced moderate vein clearing symptoms when grafted to Mexican lime. Symptoms of vein clearing, leaf cupping, stunting, and stem pitting on Mexican lime were induced by graft transmission of CTV from one Valencia sample from the Tartous area. The viral inoculum is widely and randomly distributed in commercial groves, especially in the southern Tartous area and in some nurseries. To our knowledge, this is the first report of CTV in Syria. However, CTV was reported from the neighboring citrus-growing countries of Lebanon, Turkey, and Jordan (1), and the severe seedling yellows strain is present in this area, which poses a potential threat to Syrian citriculture. References: (1) G. H. Anfoka et al. Phytopathol. Mediterr. 44:17, 2005. (2) G. Hughes and T. R. Gottwald, Phytopathology 88:715, 1998. (3) G. Nolasco et al. Eur. J. Plant Pathol. 108:293, 2002.

scholarly journals Characterization of a profilin-like protein from Fasciola hepatica

PeerJ ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
pp. e10503
Author(s):  
Jessica Wilkie ◽  
Timothy C. Cameron ◽  
Travis Beddoe
Keyword(s):  
Fasciola Hepatica ◽  
Recombinant Expression ◽  
Tegument Proteins ◽  
Novel Treatments ◽  
The World ◽  
Eukaryotic Organisms ◽  
Novel Drug ◽  
First Time ◽  
Important Disease

Fasciola hepatica is the causative agent of fasciolosis, an important disease of humans and livestock around the world. There is an urgent requirement for novel treatments for F. hepatica due to increasing reports of drug resistance appearing around the world. The outer body covering of F. hepatica is referred to as the tegument membrane which is of crucial importance for the modulation of the host response and parasite survival; therefore, tegument proteins may represent novel drug or vaccine targets. Previous studies have identified a profilin-like protein in the tegument of F. hepatica. Profilin is a regulatory component of the actin cytoskeleton in all eukaryotic cells, and in some protozoan parasites, profilin has been shown to drive a potent IL-12 response. This study characterized the identified profilin form F. hepatica (termed FhProfilin) for the first time. Recombinant expression of FhProfilin resulted in a protein approximately 14 kDa in size which was determined to be dimeric like other profilins isolated from a range of eukaryotic organisms. FhProfilin was shown to bind poly-L-proline (pLp) and sequester actin monomers which is characteristic of the profilin family; however, there was no binding of FhProfilin to phosphatidylinositol lipids. Despite FhProfilin being a component of the tegument, it was shown not to generate an immune response in experimentally infected sheep or cattle.

scholarly journals Exposure of Domestic Cats to Distinct Ehrlichia canis TRP Genotypes

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (12) ◽  
pp. 310
Author(s):  
Ísis Assis Braga ◽  
Isis Indaiara Gonçalves Granjeiro Taques ◽  
Estefânia Crivelatti Grontoski ◽  
Ingrid Savino de Oliveira Dias ◽  
Nathalia Assis Pereira ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Antibody Test ◽  
Ehrlichia Canis ◽  
Indirect Fluorescence Antibody Test ◽  
Domestic Cats ◽  
Serum Samples ◽  
Specific Antibodies ◽  
First Report ◽  
The World ◽  
Fluorescence Antibody ◽  
Indirect Fluorescence Antibody

Cats naturally exposed to Ehrlichia canis have been described in different regions of the world, but little is known about the genotypes associated with infection in these animals. To detect E. canis-specific antibodies and investigate the E. canis TRP genotypes in cats, serum samples from 76 domestic cats reactive to crude E. canis antigens by the indirect fluorescence antibody test (IFAT) were analyzed by ELISA, using E. canis-specific peptides (i.e., TRP19 and TRP36 /BR/US/CR). Of these, 25 (32.9%) cats reacted to at least one TRP peptide, confirming their specific exposure to E. canis. Eighteen (23.7%) cats reacted to TRP19, 15 (19.8%) to BRTRP36, and 11 (14.5%) to USTRP36, but none of them reacted to CRTRP36. Eight (10.5%) cats reacted to TRP19 but not to any TRP36 genotype, demonstrating the possible existence of a new E. canis genotype infecting felines. Nevertheless, this study provides the first report of anti-E. canis-specific antibodies in domestic cats.

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