scholarly journals A review on the eco-epidemiology and clinical management of human granulocytic anaplasmosis and its agent in Europe

2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ioana A. Matei ◽  
Agustín Estrada-Peña ◽  
Sally J. Cutler ◽  
Muriel Vayssier-Taussat ◽  
Lucía Varela-Castro ◽  
...  

AbstractAnaplasma phagocytophilum is the agent of tick-borne fever, equine, canine and human granulocytic anaplasmosis. The common route of A. phagocytophilum transmission is through a tick bite, the main vector in Europe being Ixodes ricinus. Despite the apparently ubiquitous presence of the pathogen A. phagocytophilum in ticks and various wild and domestic animals from Europe, up to date published clinical cases of human granulocytic anaplasmosis (HGA) remain rare compared to the worldwide status. It is unclear if this reflects the epidemiological dynamics of the human infection in Europe or if the disease is underdiagnosed or underreported. Epidemiologic studies in Europe have suggested an increased occupational risk of infection for forestry workers, hunters, veterinarians, and farmers with a tick-bite history and living in endemic areas. Although the overall genetic diversity of A. phagocytophilum in Europe is higher than in the USA, the strains responsible for the human infections are related on both continents. However, the study of the genetic variability and assessment of the difference of pathogenicity and infectivity between strains to various hosts has been insufficiently explored to date. Most of the European HGA cases presented as a mild infection, common clinical signs being pyrexia, headache, myalgia and arthralgia. The diagnosis of HGA in the USA was recommended to be based on clinical signs and the patient’s history and later confirmed using specialized laboratory tests. However, in Europe since the majority of cases are presenting as mild infection, laboratory tests may be performed before the treatment in order to avoid antibiotic overuse. The drug of choice for HGA is doxycycline and because of potential for serious complication the treatment should be instituted on clinical suspicion alone.

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (5) ◽  
pp. 210-213
Author(s):  
Daniel Finnin ◽  
Christopher Hanowitz

Introduction: Human granulocytic anaplasmosis is a tick-borne disease with an increasing incidence associated with morbidity and mortality. Uncertainty remains whether a prophylactic dose of doxycycline is effective in prevention. Case Report: We present a case of an 80-year-old female with syncope, resultant facial trauma, and fever two weeks after a tick bite for which she received prophylaxis. Workup revealed anaplasmosis, and treatment led to symptomatic improvement. Conclusion: We review the presenting symptoms, laboratory findings, and treatment of anaplasmosis, as well as give caution about the limitations in prescribing a prophylactic dose of doxycycline following a tick bite.


2015 ◽  
Vol 305 (7) ◽  
pp. 736-741 ◽  
Author(s):  
Beatrix von Wissmann ◽  
Wolfgang Hautmann ◽  
Andreas Sing ◽  
Cecilia Hizo-Teufel ◽  
Volker Fingerle

2018 ◽  
Vol 5 (suppl_1) ◽  
pp. S241-S241
Author(s):  
Michael Waxman ◽  
Jennifer White ◽  
Elizabeth M Dufort ◽  
Abigale Eichelman ◽  
Kathleen Stellrecht ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Human granulocytic anaplasmosis (HGA) is an increasingly common tickborne infection in the North-East United States. Statewide incidence of human cases of anaplasmosis in New York (excluding New York City) increased 407% from 2010–2017, with a corresponding increase in Anaplasma phagocytophilum prevalence in ticks. While previous observational studies have described the clinical features of HGA, there has been little documentation of HGA diagnosed in the emergency department (ED) setting. Methods Demographic and clinical data were extracted from electronic records of cases with a positive polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for HGA or the closely related clinical entity ehrlichiosis from 2016 to 2017. HGA and ehrlichiosis PCR were performed by the Albany Medical Center laboratory on patients treated in the ED. Basic descriptive analyses were performed. Results During the 2-year period, there were 37 cases of PCR-positive HGA and four cases of PCR-positive ehrlichiosis treated in the ED. Electronic data were available for extraction for 40 of these cases. Mean age was 54 years old (range 7–94 years). Thirty-four (85%) patients presented with fever, and 9 (23%) reported a tick bite or tick exposure. Twenty-two (55%) patients had leukopenia; 32 (80%) thrombocytopenia; 26 (65%) hyponatremia; 24 (60%) elevated transaminases; 38 (95%) at least one of these laboratory abnormality; and 13 (33%) all four laboratory abnormalities. Twenty-four patients (60%) were given the empiric diagnosis of a tickborne illness upon disposition from the ED, with 19 (48%) patients admitted to the hospital. Conclusion To our knowledge, this study represents the first description of patients diagnosed with HGA (and ehrlichiosis) in the ED setting. Because of the inherent testing bias, further study is needed to establish the true ED prevalence of HGA in highly endemic regions. Notably, only 23% reported either a tick bite or tick exposure, highlighting the need to consider this for diagnosis in patients presenting to the ED with consistent symptoms and laboratory findings in endemic areas. Further study might explore whether there exists a collection of laboratory findings that could accurately identify HGA in ED patients. Disclosures All authors: No reported disclosures.


2020 ◽  
Vol 187 (2) ◽  
pp. e12-e12
Author(s):  
Hayley Farr ◽  
Beasley L Mason ◽  
Susan L Longhofer

BackgroundThis clinical trial compared two formulations of desoxycortone pivalate (DOCP) for treating the mineralocorticoid deficit in dogs with primary hypoadrenocorticism (PH).MethodsAt veterinary clinics in the USA and France, dogs with PH (n=152) were randomised (3:1) to receive approximately monthly treatments with either the test product, Zycortal (Dechra), administered subcutaneously (n=113), or the control product, Percorten-V (Novartis Animal Health), administered intramuscularly (n=39), both at an initial dose of 2.2 mg/kg DOCP. Treatment administrators were unblinded; veterinarians assessing clinical signs were blinded; owners were blinded until at least day 90, the primary end point. Veterinarians assessed treatment outcome based on all of the following: clinical signs; sodium concentrations; potassium concentrations. Dogs received concurrent glucocorticoid therapy throughout the trial. Non-inferiority was assessed using a generalised linear mixed model to compare success rates between groups.ResultsSuccess rates at day 90 were similar between groups (per-protocol population at day 90: Zycortal 87/101, 86.2 per cent, Percorten-V 29/34, 85.1 per cent). Zycortal was non-inferior to Percorten-V as the upper limit of the 95 per cent CI for the difference between groups was 13.6 per cent. Polydipsia and polyuria were the most common clinical observations.ConclusionBoth products, in combination with glucocorticoid therapy, were safe and effective in treating PH.


2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah El Hamiani Khatat ◽  
Sylvie Daminet ◽  
Luc Duchateau ◽  
Latifa Elhachimi ◽  
Malika Kachani ◽  
...  

Anaplasma phagocytophilum is a worldwide emerging zoonotic tick-borne pathogen transmitted by Ixodid ticks and naturally maintained in complex and incompletely assessed enzootic cycles. Several studies have demonstrated an extensive genetic variability with variable host tropisms and pathogenicity. However, the relationship between genetic diversity and modified pathogenicity is not yet understood. Because of their proximity to humans, dogs are potential sentinels for the transmission of vector-borne pathogens. Furthermore, the strong molecular similarity between human and canine isolates of A. phagocytophilum in Europe and the USA and the positive association in the distribution of human and canine cases in the USA emphasizes the epidemiological role of dogs. Anaplasma phagocytophilum infects and survives within neutrophils by disregulating neutrophil functions and evading specific immune responses. Moreover, the complex interaction between the bacterium and the infected host immune system contribute to induce inflammatory injuries. Canine granulocytic anaplasmosis is an acute febrile illness characterized by lethargy, inappetence, weight loss and musculoskeletal pain. Hematological and biochemistry profile modifications associated with this disease are unspecific and include thrombocytopenia, anemia, morulae within neutrophils and increased liver enzymes activity. Coinfections with other tick-borne pathogens (TBPs) may occur, especially with Borrelia burgdorferi, complicating the clinical presentation, diagnosis and response to treatment. Although clinical studies have been published in dogs, it remains unclear if several clinical signs and clinicopathological abnormalities can be related to this infection.


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Haiyan Xu ◽  
Weibing Zhang ◽  
Kai Zhang ◽  
Yue Zhang ◽  
Zhenyu Wang ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Infection with Salmonella enterica usually results in diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps, but some people become asymptomatic or chronic carrier as a source of infection for others. This study aimed to analyze the difference in serotype, antimicrobial resistance, and genetic profiles between Salmonella strains isolated from patients and those from asymptomatic people in Nantong city, China. Methods A total of 88 Salmonella strains were collected from patients and asymptomatic people from 2017 to 2018. Serotyping, antimicrobial susceptibility testing, and PFGE analysis were performed to analyze the characteristics of these strains. Results Twenty serotypes belonging to 8 serogroups were identified in the 88 Salmonella strains. S. Typhimurium remained to be the predominant serotype in strains from both patients and asymptomatic people. Among the 27 strains from patients, S. Enteritidis and S. Rissen were shown as the other two major serotypes, while S. London, S. Derby, and S. Meleagridis were demonstrated as the other significant serotypes among the 61 strains from asymptomatic people. Antimicrobial resistance testing revealed that 84.1% of strains from both resources were multi-drug resistant. PFGE displayed a highly discriminative ability to differentiate strains belonging to S. Derby, S. Typhimurium, etc., but could not efficiently differentiate serotypes like S. Enteritidis. Conclusions This study’s results demonstrated that S. Typhimurium could cause human infection in both symptomatic and asymptomatic state; S. London, S. Derby, and S. Meleagridis usually cause asymptomatic infection, while S. Enteritidis infection mainly results in human diseases. The high multi-drug resistance rate detected in the antimicrobial resistance and diverse PFGE profiles of these strains implied that the strains were isolated from different sources, and the increased surveillance of Salmonella from both patients and asymptomatic people should be taken to control the disease.


2021 ◽  
Vol 186 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 370-377
Author(s):  
Edward Chaum ◽  
Ernő Lindner

ABSTRACT Background Target-controlled infusion anesthesia is used worldwide to provide user-defined, stable, blood concentrations of propofol for sedation and anesthesia. The drug infusion is controlled by a microprocessor that uses population-based pharmacokinetic data and patient biometrics to estimate the required infusion rate to replace losses from the blood compartment due to drug distribution and metabolism. The objective of the research was to develop and validate a method to detect and quantify propofol levels in the blood, to improve the safety of propofol use, and to demonstrate a pathway for regulatory approval for its use in the USA. Methods We conceptualized and prototyped a novel “smart” biosensor-enabled intravenous catheter capable of quantifying propofol at physiologic levels in the blood, in real time. The clinical embodiment of the platform is comprised of a “smart” biosensor-enabled catheter prototype, a signal generation/detection readout display, and a driving electronics software. The biosensor was validated in vitro using a variety of electrochemical methods in both static and flow systems with biofluids, including blood. Results We present data demonstrating the experimental detection and quantification of propofol at sub-micromolar concentrations using this biosensor and method. Detection of the drug is rapid and stable with negligible biofouling due to the sensor coating. It shows a linear correlation with mass spectroscopy methods. An intuitive graphical user interface was developed to: (1) detect and quantify the propofol sensor signal, (2) determine the difference between targeted and actual propofol concentration, (3) communicate the variance in real time, and (4) use the output of the controller to drive drug delivery from an in-line syringe pump. The automated delivery and maintenance of propofol levels was demonstrated in a modeled benchtop “patient” applying the known pharmacokinetics of the drug using published algorithms. Conclusions We present a proof-of-concept and in vitro validation of accurate electrochemical quantification of propofol directly from the blood and the design and prototyping of a “smart,” indwelling, biosensor-enabled catheter and demonstrate feedback hardware and software architecture permitting accurate measurement of propofol in blood in real time. The controller platform is shown to permit autonomous, “closed-loop” delivery of the drug and maintenance of user-defined propofol levels in a dynamic flow model.


2021 ◽  
Vol 29 (1) ◽  
pp. 230949902098821
Author(s):  
Md Kamrul Ahsan ◽  
Md Sariful Hasan ◽  
Md Shahidul Islam Khan ◽  
Najmus Sakeb

Purpose: To perform retrospective analysis of 75 post-operative disc space infections after open lumbar discectomy (OLD) and to assess the outcome of their medical and surgical management in a tertiary-level hospital. Methods: Records of 50 men and 25 women aged 26–65 (mean, 42.53) years who underwent treatment for post-operative discitis (POD) after single level OLD at L3–4 (n = 8), L4–5 (n = 42), L5–S1 (n = 25) level. The POD was diagnosed according to specific clinical signs, laboratory and radiographic investigations and all of them received initial intravenous antibiotics (IVA) for at least 4–6 weeks followed by oral ones. Successful responders (n = 55) were considered in Group-C and remainder [Group-S (n = 20)] were operated at least after 4 weeks of failure. Demographic data, clinical variables, hospital stay, duration of antibiotic treatment and post-treatment complications were collected from the hospital record and assessment before and after treatment were done by using visual analogue scale (VAS) and Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) score. Comprehensive outcome was evaluated by modified criteria of Kirkaldy-Willis. Results: The mean follows up was 36.38 months. Significant improvement of mean VAS and JOA score was achieved in both conservative (76.36% satisfactory) and operative (90% satisfactory) groups although the difference was statistically insignificant. Conclusion: Although insignificant, early surgical intervention provided better results (e.g. functional outcomes, length of hospital stay and duration of antibiotic treatment therapy) than conventional conservative treatment in post-operative discitis.


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Joanna M. Blodgett ◽  
Chantelle C. Lachance ◽  
Brendon Stubbs ◽  
Melissa Co ◽  
Yu-Tzu Wu ◽  
...  

Abstract Background The Centre for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) is a commonly used psychometric scale of depression. A four-factor structure (depressed affect, positive affect, somatic symptoms, and interpersonal difficulties) was initially identified in an American sample aged 18 to 65. Despite emerging evidence, a latent structure has not been established in adolescents. This review aimed to investigate the factor structure of the CES-D in adolescents. Methods We searched Web of Science, PsychINFO and Scopus and included peer-reviewed, original studies assessing the factor structure of the 20-item CES-D in adolescents aged ≤18. Two independent researchers screened results and extracted data. Results Thirteen studies met the inclusion criteria and were primarily from school-based samples in the USA or Asia. Studies that conducted confirmatory factor analysis (CFA; n = 9) reported a four-factor structure consistent with the original factor structure; these studies were primarily USA-based. Conversely, studies that conducted exploratory factor analysis (EFA) reported distinct two or three factor structures (n = 4) and were primarily based in Asia. Limitations Studies in a non-English language and those that included individuals aged > 18 years were excluded. Ethnic or cultural differences as well as different analytical methods impacted generalisability of results. The use of CFA as the primary analysis may have biased towards a four-factor structure. Conclusions A four-factor CES-D structure was an appropriate fit for adolescents in Western countries; further research is required to determine the fit in in Asian countries. This has important implications for clinical use of the scale. Future research should consider how cultural differences shape the experience of depression in adolescents.


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