Co-infection with Babesia canis and Babesia gibsoni in a dog

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anja Strobl ◽  
Nikola Pantchev ◽  
Lukas Martin ◽  
Abigail Guija-De-Arespacochaga ◽  
Barbara Hinney ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Findings ◽  
Babesia Canis ◽  
Therapeutic Approaches ◽  
Rt Pcr ◽  
Chain Reaction ◽  
Babesia Gibsoni ◽  
Intact Male ◽  
History Of ◽  
Polymerase Chain

Abstract A four-year-old intact male Boxer, that had a history of travelling to Serbia, was referred for lethargy and anaemia. Shortly before the dog was referred, it was diagnosed twice with an infection with Babesia canis and was treated with imidocarb both times. A blood smear evaluation was indicative of the presence of intraerythrocytic piroplasms. After receiving inconclusive results regarding the type of piroplasm, the dog was diagnosed with simultaneous infections with B. canis and Babesia gibsoni via real-time polymerase chain reaction (rt-PCR) testing. The dog was treated with imidocarb, atovaquone and azithromycin, and in a follow-up examination, the PCR results were negative for B. canis and B. gibsoni. Several weeks later, the dog was presented again, and a PCR was positive for B. gibsoni. After atovaquone and azithromycin failed to eliminate the parasites, a therapy attempt using metronidazole, clindamycin and doxycycline was initiated. Six months after diagnosis, the treatment appeared successful in eliminating B. gibsoni. This case report describes the clinical findings of the co-infection and the initiated diagnostic and therapeutic approaches.

scholarly journals Autologous Bone Marrow Transplantation for Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia in Second Remission: Prognostic Relevance of Pretransplant Minimal Residual Disease Assessment by Reverse-Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction of the PML/RARα Fusion Gene

Blood ◽  
1997 ◽  
Vol 90 (3) ◽  
pp. 1321-1325 ◽  
Author(s):  
Giovanna Meloni ◽  
Daniela Diverio ◽  
Marco Vignetti ◽  
Giuseppe Avvisati ◽  
Saveria Capria ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Median Time ◽  
Fusion Gene ◽  
Autologous Bone Marrow Transplantation ◽  
Autologous Bone Marrow ◽  
Promyelocytic Leukemia ◽  
Rt Pcr ◽  
Chain Reaction ◽  
Polymerase Chain ◽  
Autologous Bone

Abstract Reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) of the PML/RARα fusion gene may predict relapse in acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) patients in hematologic complete remission (CR). We have prospectively studied by RT-PCR 15 PML/RARα+ APL patients undergoing autologous bone marrow transplantation (ABMT) in second CR. The median time of first CR duration was 12 months (range, 6 to 40). All patients were reinduced with all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA), followed in 12 of 15 cases by mitoxantrone and Ara-C as consolidation. Fourteen patients received the BAVC (BCNU, Ara-C, m-AMSA, and VP-16) schedule as conditioning regimen. Unpurged marrows were collected immediately before conditioning treatment, analyzed by RT-PCR, and reinfused at median of 2 months (range, 2 to 7) from the achievement of second CR. Seven patients were PCR+ and eight PCR− for PML/RARα in their pretransplant marrows. All seven patients of the former group remained PCR+ during the follow-up and relapsed at a median time of 5 months (range, 2 to 9) from ABMT and 9 months (range, 4 to 14) from second CR. Of the eight PCR− patients, all remained PCR− during the follow-up controls. One patient relapsed at 10 months from ABMT, one died of a secondary (PML/RARα−) leukemia, and six are in hematologic and molecular remission at a median time of 28 months (range, 15 to 60) after ABMT and 32 months (range, 17 to 62) from second CR. Our results indicate that, in APL patients in second CR, ABMT with PML/RARα− marrow cells is likely to result in prolonged clinical and molecular remissions. Conversely, patients who test PCR+ after reinduction necessitate the use of alternative aggressive approaches, including unrelated allogeneic transplant.

scholarly journals Evidence of hepatitis in patients receiving transfusions of blood components containing antibody to hepatitis C

Blood ◽  
1993 ◽  
Vol 82 (3) ◽  
pp. 1000-1005 ◽  
Author(s):  
SK Aoki ◽  
PV Holland ◽  
LP Fernando ◽  
IK Kuramoto ◽  
S Anderson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hepatitis C ◽  
Hcv Infection ◽  
Hcv Rna ◽  
Blood Components ◽  
Rt Pcr ◽  
Chain Reaction ◽  
Immunoblot Assay ◽  
Polymerase Chain ◽  
Hepatitis C Virus Antibody

Abstract When hepatitis C virus antibody (anti-HCV) enzyme immunoassay (EIA1) testing became available in 1990, we tested samples from previously transfused blood units, traced the recipients of reactive units, and evaluated the recipients for HCV infection during the 12 months after transfusion. Ten of 42 recipients of EIA1-reactive blood were anti-HCV reactive on follow-up by EIA1 and 12 were reactive by a second- generation assay (EIA2). Reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) detected HCV RNA in 5 seronegative recipients. In all, 17 of 42 recipients (40%) of EIA1-reactive blood had evidence of HCV infection. In comparison, 54 surgery patients, who received either no transfusion or autologous EIA1-nonreactive blood, remained EIA1 nonreactive and RT-PCR negative for 1 year; 1 patient (1.8%) became EIA2 reactive (P < or = .01). Of the recipients of anti-HVC reactive blood transfusions (reactive by both EIA1 and a supplemental 4-antigen strip immunoblot assay [RIBA2]), 14 (93%) of the recipients had evidence of HCV infection compared with only 3 of 27 recipients (11%) of EIA1-reactive, RIBA2-nonreactive blood (P < or = .01). Thus, blood components reactive for anti-HCV EIA1 may have transmitted HCV up to 40% of the time, but blood components found reactive by both EIA1 and RIBA2 may transmit HCV with a frequency of greater than 90%.

scholarly journals The use of chest ultrasonography in suspected cases of COVID-19 in the emergency department

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. FSO635
Author(s):  
Enrico Allegorico ◽  
Carlo Buonerba ◽  
Giorgio Bosso ◽  
Antonio Pagano ◽  
Giovanni Porta ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Lung Ultrasound ◽  
Initial Assessment ◽  
Rt Pcr ◽  
Chain Reaction ◽  
Variable Model ◽  
Chest Ultrasonography ◽  
History Of ◽  
Ultrasound Score ◽  
Polymerase Chain ◽  
Or History

Aim: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) virus-specific reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) represents the diagnostic gold standard. We explored the value of chest ultrasonography to predict positivity to SARS-CoV-2 on RT-PCR in suspected COVID-19 cases. Patients & methods: Consecutive patients with suspect COVID-19 were included if they had fever and/or history of cough and/or dyspnea. Lung ultrasound score (LUSS) was computed according to published methods. Results: A total of 76 patients were included. A 3-variable model based on aspartate transaminase (AST) > upper limit of normal, LUSS >12 and body temperature >37.5°C yielded an overall accuracy of 91%. Conclusion: A simple LUSS-based model may represent a powerful tool for initial assessment in suspected cases of COVID-19.

scholarly journals Evidence of hepatitis in patients receiving transfusions of blood components containing antibody to hepatitis C

Blood ◽  
1993 ◽  
Vol 82 (3) ◽  
pp. 1000-1005
Author(s):  
SK Aoki ◽  
PV Holland ◽  
LP Fernando ◽  
IK Kuramoto ◽  
S Anderson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hepatitis C ◽  
Hcv Infection ◽  
Hcv Rna ◽  
Blood Components ◽  
Rt Pcr ◽  
Chain Reaction ◽  
Immunoblot Assay ◽  
Polymerase Chain ◽  
Hepatitis C Virus Antibody

When hepatitis C virus antibody (anti-HCV) enzyme immunoassay (EIA1) testing became available in 1990, we tested samples from previously transfused blood units, traced the recipients of reactive units, and evaluated the recipients for HCV infection during the 12 months after transfusion. Ten of 42 recipients of EIA1-reactive blood were anti-HCV reactive on follow-up by EIA1 and 12 were reactive by a second- generation assay (EIA2). Reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) detected HCV RNA in 5 seronegative recipients. In all, 17 of 42 recipients (40%) of EIA1-reactive blood had evidence of HCV infection. In comparison, 54 surgery patients, who received either no transfusion or autologous EIA1-nonreactive blood, remained EIA1 nonreactive and RT-PCR negative for 1 year; 1 patient (1.8%) became EIA2 reactive (P < or = .01). Of the recipients of anti-HVC reactive blood transfusions (reactive by both EIA1 and a supplemental 4-antigen strip immunoblot assay [RIBA2]), 14 (93%) of the recipients had evidence of HCV infection compared with only 3 of 27 recipients (11%) of EIA1-reactive, RIBA2-nonreactive blood (P < or = .01). Thus, blood components reactive for anti-HCV EIA1 may have transmitted HCV up to 40% of the time, but blood components found reactive by both EIA1 and RIBA2 may transmit HCV with a frequency of greater than 90%.

scholarly journals Genetic defects underlying paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria that arises out of aplastic anemia

Blood ◽  
1995 ◽  
Vol 86 (12) ◽  
pp. 4656-4661 ◽  
Author(s):  
S Nagarajan ◽  
RA Brodsky ◽  
NS Young ◽  
ME Medof
Keyword(s):  
Aplastic Anemia ◽  
Rna Splicing ◽  
Antithymocyte Globulin ◽  
Paroxysmal Nocturnal Hemoglobinuria ◽  
Rt Pcr ◽  
Chain Reaction ◽  
The Third ◽  
Mrna Transcripts ◽  
Polymerase Chain

Treatment of severe aplastic anemia with antithymocyte globulin (ATG) and cyclosporin leads to clinical remission in a large proportion of patients. As many as 10% to 57% of these patients, however, develop paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH). We and others have observed that this secondary PNH appears to be more indolent than classical PNH, which results from an acquired mutation in the PIG-A gene. In the present study, we compared PIG-A mRNA transcripts in affected cells from patients with secondary PNH and patients with classical PNH. All four of our aplastic patients who developed PNH had a negative Ham test at diagnosis. Two of the four showed a positive Ham test within 3 months after ATG/cyclosporin administration, one developed a positive test at 6 months, and another at 18 months after immunosuppressive therapy. All four patients remain transfusion-independent with no thrombotic episodes after a mean follow-up of 30 months (range, 6 to 63 months). Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) of PIG-A transcripts in DAF-/CD59- neutrophils or lymphocyte lines of the four patients showed PIG-A abnormalities in all cases. Transition of C163 to T was found in one, a 14-bp deletion (positions 1141 to 1154) was found in the second, deletion of C39 was found in the third, and two mutations, transition of C55 to T and transversion of T762 to A, were found in the fourth. These abnormalities compared with findings of abnormal RNA splicing causing a 133-bp deletion, a 4-bp insertion (between positions 578 and 579), loss of A767, and loss of C575 in four patients with primary PNH. We conclude that secondary PNH that evolves out of aplastic anemia, like classical PNH, is associated with mutations in the PIG-A gene. The apparent indolent nature of this disease probably reflects early detection.

scholarly journals Endothelin-1–Mediated Alteration of Metallothionein and Trace Metals in the Liver and Kidneys of Chronically Diabetic Rats

2002 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
pp. 193-198 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lu Cai ◽  
Shali Chen ◽  
Terry Evans ◽  
M. George Cherian ◽  
Subrata Chakrabarti
Keyword(s):  
Trace Metals ◽  
Diabetic Rats ◽  
Rt Pcr ◽  
Chain Reaction ◽  
Endothelin 1 ◽  
Liver And Kidney ◽  
Polymerase Chain ◽  
Age And Sex

In the present study, the role of endothelin-1 (ET-1) on alterations of hepatic and renal metallothionein (MT) and trace metals (Zn, Cu, and Fe) were investigated in streptozotocin (STZ)- induced diabetic rats. Diabetic rats, age- and sex-matched controls, as well as control and diabetic animals on a dualETA/ETBreceptor blocker, bosentan, were investigated after 6 months of follow-up. MT was measured by cadmium-heme assay. Metals were measured by atomic absorption spectrometer. ET-1 mRNA was analyzed by reverse transcriptase–polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) technique. Hepatic and renal ET-1 mRNA was increased in diabetic rats as compared to control rats, along with an increase in both hepatic and renal MT proteins. The increased hepatic MT protein level was associated with decreases in hepatic Cu and Fe, whereas increased renal MT was associated with increases in renal Cu and Fe accumulation. Zn levels were unaltered in both organs in diabetic rats. Bosentan treatment partially prevented the increase in MT levels in both liver and kidney, along with reduced serum creatinine and increased urinary creatinine levels. Further bosentan treatment corrected the increased Cu and Fe levels in the kidney in diabetic rats, but reduced hepatic Cu and Fe levels. No significant effects of bosentan treatment on nondiabetic rats were observed. The data suggest that the possible effects of ET antagonism in diabetes may be mediated via changes in MT and trace metals.

Early Detection of Relapse by Prospective Reverse Transcriptase-Polymerase Chain Reaction Analysis of the PML/RARα Fusion Gene in Patients With Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia Enrolled in the GIMEMA-AIEOP Multicenter “AIDA” Trial

Blood ◽  
1998 ◽  
Vol 92 (3) ◽  
pp. 784-789 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniela Diverio ◽  
Vincenzo Rossi ◽  
Giuseppe Avvisati ◽  
Silvia DeSantis ◽  
Alessandra Pistilli ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Polymerase Chain Reaction ◽  
Fusion Gene ◽  
Promyelocytic Leukemia ◽  
Rt Pcr ◽  
Molecular Monitoring ◽  
Chain Reaction ◽  
Trans Retinoic Acid ◽  
All Trans Retinoic Acid ◽  
Polymerase Chain

Abstract Although the majority of patients with acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) are potentially cured by treatments combining all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) and chemotherapy (CHT), a sizable proportion (around 30%) will relapse during follow-up. Retrospective molecular monitoring studies using reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) for the specific PML/RARα fusion gene, have shown that a positive test usually precedes the occurrence of hematologic relapse. Prospective RT-PCR analyses were performed since 1993 at diagnosis and at preestablished time intervals during follow-up in bone marrow (BM) samples of 163 patients with PML/RARα+ APL enrolled in the multicenter Gruppo Italiano Malattie Ematologiche Maligne dell' Adulto (GIMEMA) trial AIDA (All-trans retinoic acid plus Idarubicin). Treatment consisted of ATRA and idarubicin for induction followed by three polychemotherapy courses as consolidation. The sensitivity level of the RT-PCR assay for PML/RARα, as assessed by serial dilution experiments, was 10−4. All patients were in hematologic remission and tested PCR− at the end of consolidation. Of 21 who converted to PCR-positive thereafter, 20 underwent hematologic relapse at a median time of 3 months (range, 1 to 14) from the first PCR+ result. Seventeen of these 21 (81%) PCR+ conversions were recorded within the first 6 months postconsolidation. Of 142 who tested persistently PCR− in ≥2 tests after consolidation, 8 had hematologic relapse and 134 remained in complete remission (CR) after a median follow-up of 18 months (range, 6 to 38) postconsolidation. Using a time-dependent Cox model, the relative risk of hematologic relapse of patients who converted to PCR+ was 31.8 (confidence limits 95%, 12.9 to 78.3). Our results indicate that conversion to PCR positivity for PML/RARα during remission is highly predictive of subsequent hematologic relapse and highlight the prognostic value of stringent molecular monitoring during the early postconsolidation phase in APL. As a result of the present study, salvage treatment in patients enrolled in the GIMEMA trial AIDA is now anticipated at the time of molecular relapse, defined as the conversion to PCR positivity in two successive BM samplings during follow-up. © 1998 by The American Society of Hematology.

scholarly journals Characteristics of recovered COVID-19 patients with recurrent positive RT-PCR findings in Wuhan, China: a retrospective study

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Tie-Jun Shui ◽  
Chao Li ◽  
Hong-bing Liu ◽  
Xiaohua Chen ◽  
Bi-ke Zhang
Keyword(s):  
Polymerase Chain Reaction ◽  
Retrospective Study ◽  
Clinical Characteristics ◽  
Throat Swab ◽  
Antibody Detection ◽  
Controlled Trials ◽  
Rt Pcr ◽  
Chain Reaction ◽  
Polymerase Chain

Abstract Background Two months after the outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Wuhan, China, tens of thousands of hospitalized patients had recovered, and little is known about the follow-up of the recovered patients. Methods The clinical characteristics, reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) results from throat swab specimens and the results of serological COVID-19 rapid diagnostic test (RDT) for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) were retrospectively reviewed for a total of 758 recovered patients who were previously hospitalized in 17 hospitals and quarantined at 32 rehabilitation stations in Wuhan, China. Results In total, 59 patients (7.78%) had recurrent positive findings for COVID-19 on RT-PCR from throat swabs. With regard to antibody detection, 50/59 (84.75%) and 4/59 (6.78%) patients had positive IgG or dual positive IgG/IgM RDT results, respectively. Conclusions Some patients who had been quarantined and had subsequently recovered from COVID-19 had recurrent positive RT-PCR results for SARS-CoV-2, and the possibility of transmission of the virus by recovered patients needs further investigation. Trial registration Current Controlled Trials ChiCTR2000033580, Jun 6th 2020. Retrospectively registered.

Serial Follow-Up and the Prognostic Significance of Reverse Transcriptase-Polymerase Chain Reaction—Staged Sentinel Lymph Nodes From Melanoma Patients

2004 ◽  
Vol 22 (19) ◽  
pp. 3989-3996 ◽  
Author(s):  
Udai S. Kammula ◽  
Ronald Ghossein ◽  
Satyajit Bhattacharya ◽  
Daniel G. Coit
Keyword(s):  
Polymerase Chain Reaction ◽  
Reverse Transcriptase ◽  
Prognostic Significance ◽  
Recurrence Risk ◽  
Rt Pcr ◽  
Chain Reaction ◽  
Recurrence Rates ◽  
Single Marker ◽  
Polymerase Chain

Purpose Reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) may provide an extremely sensitive method for detection of occult nodal disease. We evaluated the role of a single-marker RT-PCR assay for tyrosinase mRNA in the detection of melanoma sentinel lymph node (SLN) metastases and correlated the results with long-term clinical outcome. Patients and Methods One hundred twelve patients who underwent SLN biopsy for melanoma were prospectively analyzed. SLNs were bivalved, with half of each specimen evaluated by histologic methods and the other half evaluated by nested RT-PCR for tyrosinase. Results Fifteen patients (13%) had histologically positive SLNs, all of whom were also positive by RT-PCR (HISTO+/PCR+). Thirty-nine patients (35%) had SLNs that were negative by both histology and RT-PCR (HISTO−/PCR−). Fifty-eight patients (52%) were histologically negative but upstaged with a positive RT-PCR result (HISTO−/PCR+). Initially, at a median follow-up of 42 months, recurrence rates among the three cohorts were statistically different (HISTO+/PCR+, 53%; HISTO−/PCR+, 14%; and HISTO−/PCR−, 0%). However, at a longer median follow-up (67 months), recurrence rates for the HISTO−/PCR+ (24%) and HISTO−/PCR− (15%) groups were no longer statistically different (P = .25). The median time to relapse between the HISTO−/PCR+ and HISTO−/PCR− groups differed by 10 months (31 v 41 months, respectively). Conclusion With extended follow-up of patients with histologically negative SLNs, detection of submicroscopic disease by tyrosinase RT-PCR does not define a subgroup that is at higher recurrence risk when compared with patients with RT-PCR–negative SLNs. Future studies evaluating molecular staging will require approximately 5 years of median follow-up to accurately define outcome for patients with occult melanoma metastases.

scholarly journals Repurposing FIB-4 index as a predictor of mortality in patients with hematological malignancies and COVID-19

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (9) ◽  
pp. e0257775
Author(s):  
Noorwati Sutandyo ◽  
Sri Agustini Kurniawati ◽  
Achmad Mulawarman Jayusman ◽  
Anisa Hana Syafiyah ◽  
Raymond Pranata ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Retrospective Cohort ◽  
Posterior Probability ◽  
Primary Outcome ◽  
Hematological Malignancies ◽  
Independent Predictor ◽  
Rt Pcr ◽  
Chain Reaction ◽  
Consecutive Sampling ◽  
Polymerase Chain

Background In this study, we aimed to investigate whether FIB-4 index is useful in predicting mortality in patients with concurrent hematological malignancies and COVID-19. We also aimed to determine the optimal cut-off point for the prediction. Methods This is a single-center retrospective cohort study conducted in Dharmais National Cancer Hospital, Indonesia. Consecutive sampling of adults with hematological malignancies and COVID-19 was performed between May 2020 and January 2021. COVID-19 screening test using the reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) of nasopharyngeal samples were performed prior to hospitalization for chemotherapy. FIB-4 index is derived from [age (years) × AST (IU/L)]/[platelet count (109/L) × √ALT (U/L)]. The primary outcome of this study is mortality, defined as clinically validated death/non-survivor during a 3-months (90 days) follow-up. Results There were a total of 70 patients with hematological malignancies and COVID-19 in this study. Median FIB-4 Index was higher in non-survivors (13.1 vs 1.02, p<0.001). FIB-4 index above 3.85 has a sensitivity of 79%, specificity of 84%, PLR of 5.27, and NLR of 0.32. The AUC was 0.849 95% CI 0.735–0.962, p<0.001. This cut-off point was associated with OR of 16.70 95% CI 4.07–66.67, p<0.001. In this study, a FIB-4 >3.85 confers to 80% posterior probability of mortality and FIB-4 <3.85 to 19% probability. FIB-4 >3.85 was associated with shorter time-to-mortality (HR 9.10 95% CI 2.99–27.65, p<0.001). Multivariate analysis indicated that FIB-4 >3.85 (HR 4.09 95% CI 1.32–12.70, p = 0.015) and CRP> 71.57 mg/L (HR 3.36 95% CI 1.08–10.50, p = 0.037) were independently associated with shorter time-to-mortality. Conclusion This study indicates that a FIB-4 index >3.85 was independent predictor of mortality in patients with hematological malignancies and COVID-19 infection.

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