scholarly journals First records of tick-borne pathogens in populations of the taiga tick Ixodes persulcatus in Sweden

2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas G. T. Jaenson ◽  
Peter Wilhelmsson
Keyword(s):  
Ixodes Persulcatus ◽  
Borrelia Miyamotoi ◽  
Northern Sweden ◽  
Human Pathogens ◽  
Taiga Tick ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Infected Adult ◽  
Pcr Products ◽  
Tick Vectors ◽  
First Time

Abstract Background The common tick Ixodes ricinus and the taiga tick I. persulcatus are the main tick vectors of Borrelia spirochaetes, TBE virus (TBEV) and of several other zoonotic pathogens in the western and eastern areas, respectively of the Palaearctic region. Recently, populations of the taiga tick were, for the first time, detected in northern Sweden. This prompted us to investigate if they harbour human pathogens. Methods A total of 276 I. persulcatus ticks (136 males, 126 females and 14 nymphs) and one I. ricinus nymph was collected by the cloth-dragging method in northern Sweden in July–August 2015 and May–July 2016. In addition, 8 males and 10 females of I. persulcatus were collected from two dogs (16 and 2 ticks, respectively) in two of the localities. All ticks were microscopically and molecularly identified to developmental stage and species and screened for B. burgdorferi (sensu lato), B. miyamotoi, Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Rickettsia spp., Neoehrlichia mikurensis, Babesia spp. and TBEV using real-time PCR followed by species identification by sequencing the PCR-products of conventional PCR assays. Results Of the ticks collected by the cloth-dragging method, 55% (152/277) were positive for Borrelia. There was no significant difference between the proportions of Borrelia-infected nymphs (33%, 5/15) and Borrelia-infected adult ticks (56%, 147/262), and no significant difference between the proportions of Borrelia-infected males (54%, 74/136) and Borrelia-infected females (58%, 73/126). Three different Borrelia species were identified. Borrelia afzelii was the predominant species and detected in 46% of all Borrelia-infected ticks followed by B. garinii, 35%, B. valaisiana, 1%, and mixed infections of different Borrelia species, 1%; 17% of all Borrelia-infections were untypeable. One I. persulcatus female contained Rickettsia helvetica, and one nymph contained Rickettsia sp. Of the 277 ticks analysed, all were negative for A. phagocytophilum, Babesia spp., Borrelia miyamotoi, N. mikurensis and TBEV. The ticks collected from the two dogs were negative for all pathogens examined except for Borrelia spp., that was detected in 5 out of 16 ticks removed from one of the dogs. Conclusions To our knowledge, this is the first time that I. persulcatus from Sweden has been analysed for the presence of tick-borne pathogens. The examined tick populations had a low diversity of tick-borne pathogens but a high prevalence of B. burgdorferi (s.l.).

scholarly journals CONVENTIONAL AND MOLECULAR STUDY OF Babesia spp. OF NATURAL INFECTION IN DRAGGING HORSES AT SOME AREAS OF BAGHDAD CITY, IRAQ

2019 ◽  
Vol 50 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Faraj & et al.
Keyword(s):  
Natural Infection ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Molecular Study ◽  
High Rate ◽  
Theileria Equi ◽  
Phylogenic Tree ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Pcr Products ◽  
Pcr Method ◽  
First Time

 The present study was planned to investigate equine babesiosis in dragging horses in Baghdad city, Iraq by using microscopical and molecular (PCR) techniques. 150 blood samples of horses examined for Theileria equi and Babesia caballi. 16.66% (25/150) were positive by microscopic examination. No significant difference was observed in infection rates between male and female horses and among different age groups. The result showed that PCR method has high rate of infection36% (9/25). Nine positive PCR products were sequenced and deposited in Genebank data base for first time in Iraq, phylogenic analysis demonstrated that 5 sequences belongs to T. equi (MK350319, MK346272, MK346273, MK346274 and MK36275), while 4 sequence (MK346276, MK346277, MK346278 and MK350318) belongs to B. caballi, and mounted a low genetic variation 0.035 and 0.05 respectively, among other comparison isolates. In conclusion PCR technique followed by phylogenic tree analysis a reliable methods for epidemiological, diagnosis and identification of genetic variants studies.

Linkage between H. pylori Infection and TNF-α polymorphism in The Pregnant Women

2018 ◽  
Vol 9 (SPL1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ghaidaa Raheem Lateef ◽  
Azhar Omaran Al-Thahab
Keyword(s):  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Serum Antibody ◽  
Rapid Test ◽  
Negative Group ◽  
Positive Group ◽  
Gynecology And Obstetrics ◽  
Tnf Α ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Pcr Products ◽  
H Pylori

A study was performed on 100 pregnant women in the outpatient department of gynecology and obstetrics of Maternity and Children Hospital in Al-Diwaniya City during the period between (March to September 2016). One hundred blood samples (50 for patients and 50 for control) were collected under the supervision of the treating gynecologist. The detection of Helicobacter. pylori was done by the use of the serum antibody Rapid test. The results showed that 50 (100%) were positive and 50 (100%) were negative for H. pylori in above method.All blood of patients and control samples were used for the extraction of genomic DNA,where the 107 bp PCR product size. Genotyping of the TNF-α-308 SNP (G/A)was performed by restriction fragment length polymorphism PCR (RFLP-PCR). PCR products were digested with restr NcoI iction enzyme. Individuals with the TNF-α-308(GG) homozygote produced digested DNA bands at 80,and 20 bp bp. A heterozygous genotype ofTNF-α-308 (GA)produced 107 bp,80 bp,and 20 bp bands. Individuals with the TNF-α-308 (AA) homozygote genotype had no amplicon digested and generated only one band of 107 bp. There was a significant difference in the frequency of the TNF-α-308(GG)genotype between H. pylori positive group and H. pylori negative group(72%,78% respectively). Also for GA genotype,there was a significant difference between H. pylori positive group and H. pylori negative group(24%,18% respectively). Concerning the frequency of the TNF-α-308 (AA)genotype between H. pylori positive group and H. pylori negative group,there was no significant difference between the two groups.

MICROSCOPIC AND MOLECULAR DIAGNOSIS OF Ascaridia spp. IN DOMESTIC PIGEONS(Columba livia domestica) IN BAGHDAD CITY,IRAQ

2020 ◽  
Vol 51 (4) ◽  
pp. 1220-1225
Author(s):  
Faraj & Al- Amery
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Diagnosis ◽  
Columba Livia ◽  
Ascaridia Galli ◽  
Molecular Assay ◽  
Infection Rates ◽  
Conventional Pcr ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Pcr Products ◽  
Males And Females ◽  
Domestic Pigeons

Ascaridiosis is a very important parasitic disease of birds, it is caused by Ascaridia. This study was conducted to identify the Ascaridia species by microscopic and molecular assay in Baghdad city. One hundred and sixty fecal samples were collected from domestic pigeons during the period from 1/1/ 2019 to 31/3/ 2019.  Results showed that the rate of infection for Ascaridia spp. 15.62% by microscopic examination.  Significant difference was observed in infection rates between males and females pigeons. Fifty samples randomly selected and subjected to molecular diagnosis of Ascaridia  spp.. Molecular examination results, the total infection rate showed 16%(8/50). The eight  positive PCR products were sequenced and deposited in Gene bank data base, phylogenic analysis demonstrated that 4 sequences belongs to Ascaridia galli ( MK918635.1, MK918636.1, MK918847.1, MK919081.1), while 2 (MK919199.1, MK919200.1) belong to  Ascaridia nymphii and 2 (MK919207.1, MK919264.1)  belong to Ascaridia numidae. It is the first study in Iraq to diagnosis of  Ascaridia nymphii and Ascaridia numidae  in domesticed pigeons by using conventional PCR.

scholarly journals Molecular Detection and Phylogeny of Anaplasmaphagocytophilum and Related Variants in Small Ruminants from Turkey

Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 814
Author(s):  
Münir Aktaş ◽  
Sezayi Özübek ◽  
Mehmet Can Uluçeşme
Keyword(s):  
16S Rrna ◽  
Small Ruminants ◽  
Rrna Gene ◽  
Infection Rates ◽  
Sheep And Goats ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Pcr Rflp ◽  
First Time ◽  
Japan And China ◽  
Apparently Healthy

Anaplasma phagocytophilum causes tick-borne fever in small ruminants. Recently, novel Anaplasma variants related to A. phagocytophilum have been reported in ruminants from Tunisia, Italy, South Korea, Japan, and China. Based on 16S rRNA and groEL genes and sequencing, we screened the frequency of A. phagocytophilum and related variants in 433 apparently healthy small ruminants in Turkey. Anaplasma spp. overall infection rates were 27.9% (121/433 analyzed samples). The frequency of A. phagocytophilum and A. phagocytophilum-like 1 infections was 1.4% and 26.5%, respectively. No A. phagocytophilum-like 2 was detected in the tested animals. The prevalence of Anaplasma spp. was comparable in species, and no significant difference was detected between sheep and goats, whereas the prevalence significantly increased with tick infestation. Sequencing confirmed PCR-RFLP data and showed the presence of A. phagocytophilum and A. phagocytophilum-like-1 variant in the sampled animals. Phylogeny-based on 16S rRNA gene revealed the A. phagocytophilum-like 1 in a separate clade together with the previous isolates detected in small ruminants and ticks. In this work, A. phagocytophilum-like 1 has been detected for the first time in sheep and goats from Turkey. This finding revealed that the variant should be considered in the diagnosis of caprine and ovine anaplasmosis.

scholarly journals Surveillance of Ticks and Tick-Borne Pathogens in Suburban Natural Habitats of Central Maryland

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthew T Milholland ◽  
Lars Eisen ◽  
Robyn M Nadolny ◽  
Andrias Hojgaard ◽  
Erika T Machtinger ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Lyme Disease ◽  
Borrelia Burgdorferi ◽  
Spotted Fever ◽  
Babesia Microti ◽  
Borrelia Burgdorferi Sensu Lato ◽  
Spotted Fever Group ◽  
Borrelia Miyamotoi ◽  
Natural Habitats ◽  
Questing Ticks ◽  
Tick Vectors

Abstract Lyme and other tick-borne diseases are increasing in the eastern United States and there is a lack of research on integrated strategies to control tick vectors. Here we present results of a study on tick-borne pathogens detected from tick vectors and rodent reservoirs from an ongoing 5-yr tick suppression study in the Lyme disease-endemic state of Maryland, where human-biting tick species, including Ixodes scapularis Say (Acari: Ixodidae) (the primary vector of Lyme disease spirochetes), are abundant. During the 2017 tick season, we collected 207 questing ticks and 602 ticks recovered from 327 mice (Peromyscus spp. (Rodentia: Cricetidae)), together with blood and ear tissue from the mice, at seven suburban parks in Howard County. Ticks were selectively tested for the presence of the causative agents of Lyme disease (Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato [s.l.]), anaplasmosis (Anaplasma phagocytophilum), babesiosis (Babesia microti), ehrlichiosis (Ehrlichia ewingii, Ehrlichia chaffeensis, and ‘Panola Mountain’ Ehrlichia) and spotted fever group rickettsiosis (Rickettsia spp.). Peromyscus ear tissue and blood samples were tested for Bo. burgdorferi sensu stricto (s.s), A. phagocytophilum, Ba. microti, and Borrelia miyamotoi. We found 13.6% (15/110) of questing I. scapularis nymphs to be Bo. burgdorferi s.l. positive and 1.8% (2/110) were A. phagocytophilum positive among all sites. Borrelia burgdorferi s.s. was found in 71.1% (54/76) of I. scapularis nymphs removed from mice and 58.8% (194/330) of captured mice. Results from study on tick abundance and pathogen infection status in questing ticks, rodent reservoirs, and ticks feeding on Peromyscus spp. will aid efficacy evaluation of the integrated tick management measures being implemented.

Patients Who Attend Alone at a First Memory Consultation: Are They a Specific Population,or Is It an Instance of Confounding Bias?

2019 ◽  
Vol 81 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 81-86
Author(s):  
Pierre Koskas ◽  
Mouna Romdhani ◽  
Olivier Drunat
Keyword(s):  
Selection Bias ◽  
Confounding Bias ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Comparison Groups ◽  
Methodological Problems ◽  
Group 2 ◽  
The Impact ◽  
First Time ◽  
State Examination ◽  
Group 1

As commonly happens in epidemiological research, none of the reported studies were totally free of methodological problems. Studies have considered the influence of social relationships on dementia, but the mechanisms underlying these associations are not perfectly understood. We look at the possible impact of selection bias. For their first memory consultation, patients may come alone or accompanied by a relative. Our objective is to better understand the impact of this factor by retrospective follow-up of geriatric memory outpatients over several years. All patients over 70 who were referred to Bretonneau Memory Clinic for the first time, between January 2006 and 2018, were included in the study. The patients who came alone formed group 1, the others, whatever type of relative accompanied them, formed group 2. We compared the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) scores of patients; and for all patients who came twice for consultation with at least a 60-day interval, we compared their first MMSE with the MMSE performed at the second consultation. In total, 2,935 patients were included, aged 79.7 ± 8.4 years. Six hundred and twenty-five formed group 1 and 2,310 group 2. We found a significant difference in MMSE scores between the 2 groups of patients; and upon second consultation in group 2, but that difference was minor in group 1. Our finding of a possible confounding factor underlines the complexity of choosing comparison groups in order to minimize selection bias while maintaining clinical relevance.

scholarly journals Safety and efficacy of directly acting antivirals (sofosbuvir and daclatasvir) in treatment of chronic HCV in HIV-HCV co-infected Egyptian patients

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Inas E L-Khedr Mohamed ◽  
Kadry Mohamed EL-Saeed ◽  
Mahmoud Hassan Al-Sadik ◽  
Christina Alphonse Anwar
Keyword(s):  
Complete Blood Count ◽  
Virologic Response ◽  
Safety And Efficacy ◽  
Treatment Regimens ◽  
End Of Treatment ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Egyptian Patients ◽  
Infected Adult ◽  
Chronic Hcv

Abstract Background Cure of chronic hepatitis C (HCV) in HIV/HCV co-infected patients is a priority due to their increased risk of complications. Daclatasvir and sofosbuvir treatment regimens with or without ribavirin are considered an important chance for better HCV treatment in patients with HIV/HCV co-infection. This study aimed at the assessment of safety and efficacy of sofosbuvir-daclatasvir treatment regimens in HIV/HCV co-infected Egyptian patients. Results Thirty HIV/HCV co-infected adult patients were included. All patients completed the study duration without major problems or drug interactions, HCV PCR was negative for all patients at the end of treatment, yet 12 weeks after ending treatment, only one patient (3.33%) had HCV relapse. Liver enzymes showed a significant decrease by the end of treatment and 12 weeks after end of treatment in comparison with their values before treatment (P-value = 0.0001). CD4 counts as well showed significant increase. There was non-significant change in serum albumin, total bilirubin, alfa fetoprotein, complete blood count (CBC), coagulation profile, random blood sugar, or serum creatinine. Ultrasonographic findings did not show significant difference. Conclusion Combination of daclatasvir and sofosbuvir have showed 96.67% sustained virologic response at 12 weeks after treatment (SVR 12) among HIV/HCV co-infected patients, with a good safety profile. Moreover, the treated patients showed a significant increase in CD4 lymphocytic count.

Quality of life in adolescents and young adults with CHD is not reduced: a systematic review and meta-analysis

2015 ◽  
Vol 26 (3) ◽  
pp. 415-425 ◽  
Author(s):  
Morten Schrøder ◽  
Kirsten A. Boisen ◽  
Jesper Reimers ◽  
Grete Teilmann ◽  
Jesper Brok
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Systematic Review ◽  
Young Adults ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Adolescents And Young Adults ◽  
Analysis Model ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Newcastle Ottawa Scale ◽  
First Time

AbstractPurposeWe performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies assessing quality of life in adolescents and young adults born with CHD compared with age-matched controls.MethodsWe carried out a systematic search of the literature published in Medline, Embase, PsychINFO, and the Cochrane Library’s Database (1990–2013); two authors independently extracted data from the included studies. We used the Newcastle–Ottawa scale for quality assessment of studies. A random effects meta-analysis model was used. Heterogeneity was assessed using the I2-test.ResultsWe included 18 studies with 1786 patients. The studies were of acceptable-to-good quality. The meta-analysis of six studies on quality of life showed no significant difference – mean difference: −1.31; 95% confidence intervals: −6.51 to +3.89, I2=90.9% – between adolescents and young adults with CHD and controls. Similar results were found in 10 studies not eligible for the meta-analysis. In subdomains, it seems that patients had reduced physical quality of life; however, social functioning was comparable or better compared with controls.ConclusionFor the first time in a meta-analysis, we have shown that quality of life in adolescents and young adults with CHD is not reduced when compared with age-matched controls.

scholarly journals The stress hyperglycaemia ratio is associated with left ventricular remodelling after first acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Shuai Meng ◽  
Yong Zhu ◽  
Kesen Liu ◽  
Ruofei Jia ◽  
Jing Nan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Myocardial Infarction ◽  
Left Ventricular ◽  
Left Ventricular Ejection ◽  
Ventricular Ejection Fraction ◽  
St Segment Elevation ◽  
Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction ◽  
Stress Hyperglycaemia ◽  
St Segment ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
First Time

Abstract Background Left ventricular negative remodelling after ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) is considered as the major cause for the poor prognosis. But the predisposing factors and potential mechanisms of left ventricular negative remodelling after STEMI remain not fully understood. The present research mainly assessed the association between the stress hyperglycaemia ratio (SHR) and left ventricular negative remodelling. Methods We recruited 127 first-time, anterior, and acute STEMI patients in the present study. All enrolled patients were divided into 2 subgroups equally according to the median value of SHR level (1.191). Echocardiography was conducted within 24 h after admission and 6 months post-STEMI to measure left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (LVEDD), and left ventricular end-systolic diameter (LVESD). Changes in echocardiography parameters (δLVEF, δLVEDD, δLVESD) were calculated as LVEF, LVEDD, and LVESD at 6 months after infarction minus baseline LVEF, LVEDD and LVESD, respectively. Results In the present study, the mean SHR was 1.22 ± 0.25 and there was significant difference in SHR between the 2 subgroups (1.05 (0.95, 1.11) vs 1.39 (1.28, 1.50), p < 0.0001). The global LVEF at 6 months post-STEMI was significantly higher in the low SHR group than the high SHR group (59.37 ± 7.33 vs 54.03 ± 9.64, p  = 0.001). Additionally, the global LVEDD (49.84 ± 5.10 vs 51.81 ± 5.60, p  = 0.040) and LVESD (33.27 ± 5.03 vs 35.38 ± 6.05, p  = 0.035) at 6 months after STEMI were lower in the low SHR group. Most importantly, after adjusting through multivariable linear regression analysis, SHR remained associated with δLVEF (beta = −9.825, 95% CI −15.168 to −4.481, p  < 0.0001), δLVEDD (beta = 4.879, 95% CI 1.725 to 8.069, p  = 0.003), and δLVESD (beta = 5.079, 95% CI 1.421 to 8.738, p  = 0.007). Conclusions In the present research, we demonstrated for the first time that SHR is significantly correlated with left ventricular negative remodelling after STEMI.

scholarly journals Comparing Executive Function of Normal Children with ADHD Children

2016 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 11
Author(s):  
Fereshteh Heydari ◽  
Shohreh Farahani
Keyword(s):  
Executive Function ◽  
Cognitive Deficits ◽  
Measurement Tool ◽  
Normal Male ◽  
Normal Children ◽  
Age And Gender ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Adhd Children ◽  
And Gender ◽  
First Time

<p>This study was conducted to compare with the executive function of ADHD versus normal male and female children. To obtain this objective, 30 ADHD children referring a private psychological center for the first time who had taken no medication for this disorder, and 30 normal children from one of the schools of District 14 in Tehran were selected randomly who were of the same age and gender of ADHD children. Wisconsin test was used as a measurement tool. Results showed that there is a significant difference between the average scores of the executive function of normal and ADHD children as well as average scores of the executive function of normal boys and ADHD children at the 0.01 level. In addition, there was a significant difference between the average scores of the executive function of normal girls and ADHD girls at the 0.05 level according to which null hypothesis is rejected. Therefore, ADHD children are of lower executive and cognitive function compared to normal children and have extensive cognitive deficits. Therefore, they require medications along with special training and rehabilitation.</p>

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