Granulocytic anaplasmosis — emerging tick-borne disease of humans and animals

Biologia ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 65 (6) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mária Nováková ◽  
Bronislava Víchová

AbstractGranulocytic anaplasmoses represent a group of emerging tick-borne infectious diseases caused by the obligate intracellular gram-negative bacterium, Anaplasma phagocytophilum (Rickettsiales) that infects granulocytes. It has been known as a ruminant pathogen in Europe since 1932, however, recently it has emerged as a pathogen of humans and domestic animals such as dogs and horses in the Northern Hemisphere, including United States and Europe. Rodents and game animals (especially deer) are presumed to play a crucial role in the maintenance of A. phagocytophilum in natural foci and serve as competent reservoirs. Up to now, the presence of bacterial DNA has been confirmed by molecular methods in a number of domestic and wildlife animals. Circulation of several genotypes has been confirmed in natural foci but the vector competence and the host spectrum involved in its circulation is still under investigation. Human granulocytic anaplasmosis (HGA) typically occurs in spring or summer and clinical manifestations range from mild or self-limiting to severe disease, especially in elderly patients with up to 50% requiring hospitalization and 7% intensive care. So far, no confirmed A. phagocytophilum infections of humans have been reported in Slovakia despite the fact that the presence of anti-anaplasma antibodies has been detected in investigated patients sera. This fact could be explained by non-specific clinical signs of the infection or lack of information in physicians and underdiagnosed or misdiagnosed cases. The purpose of this review is to present biology, ecology and life cycle of A. phagocytophilum and introduce clinical symptoms, diagnosis and treatment of the infection caused by this pathogenic bacterium.

2018 ◽  
Vol 68 (2) ◽  
pp. 127-160 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bilić Petra ◽  
Kuleš Josipa ◽  
Barić Rafaj Renata ◽  
Mrljak Vladimir

Abstract Canine babesiosis is a tick-borne disease caused by protozoal haemoparasites of different Babesia species. Babesiosis is one of the most important globally extended and quickly spreading tick-borne infections of dogs. This comprehensive review gives an in-depth overview of Babesia species currently identified in dogs together with relevant vector tick species and their geographical distribution, life cycle and transmission of parasite. The main mechanisms in the pathogenesis of babesiosis are described and elucidated by recent literature overview. As Babesia infection causes a disease with very variable clinical manifestations, special attention is given to clinical signs, laboratory features and clinicopathological findings. The diagnosis of canine babesiosis by microscopy, serological and molecular methods is reviewed, together with recent advances in mass spectrometry based assays. Accurate detection and species recognition are important for the selection of the appropriate therapy, monitoring and prediction of the outcome of the disease. Finally, guidelines for the treatment and prevention of canine babesiosis are given.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wenjun Du ◽  
Jinhong Yu ◽  
Hui Wang ◽  
Xiaoguo Zhang ◽  
Shouwei Zhang ◽  
...  

Abstract Aims & Background: The COVID-19 outbreak spread in China and is a threat to the world. We reported on the epidemiological, clinical, laboratory, and radiological characteristics of children cases to help health workers better understand and provide timely diagnosis and treatment.Methods: Retrospectively, two research centers’ case series of 67 consecutive hospitalized cases including 14 children cases with COVID-19 between 23 Jan 2020 to 15 Feb 2020 from Jinan and Rizhao were enrolled in this study. Epidemiological, clinical, laboratory, and radiological characteristics of children and adults were analyzed and compared.Results: Most cases in children were mild(21.4%) and conventional cases(78.6%), with mild clinical signs and symptoms, and all cases were of family clusters. Fever (35.7%) and dry cough(21.4%) were described as clinical manifestations in children cases. Dry cough and phlegm were not the most common symptoms in children compared with adults(p=0.03). In the early stages of the disease, lymphocyte counts did not significantly decline but neutrophils counts did in children compared with adults(p=0.00).There was an elevated level of LDH(p=0.01) and a lower level of CRP(p=0.00)and IL-6(p=0.01) in children compared with adults. There were 8 (57.1%)asymptomatic cases and 6 (42.9%)symptomatic cases among the 14 children cases. The age of asymptomatic patients was younger than that of symptomatic patients(p=0.03). Even among asymptomatic patients, 5(62.5%)cases had pneumonia including 3 (60%) cases with bilateral pneumonia, which was not different compared with that of asymptomatic cases(p=0.58, p=0.74).Conclusions: The clinical symptoms of children are mild, and the positive indicators of laboratory tests are rare, which may easily cause clinical misdiagnoses.


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Daryoosh Fahimi ◽  
Leila Khedmat ◽  
Azadeh Afshin ◽  
Zahra Noparast ◽  
Maryam Jafaripor ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Upper urinary tract infection (UTI) or pyelonephritis may increase the pathogenesis rate and risk of severe complications in children due to kidney atrophy. Objective A set of clinical symptoms, laboratory markers, and ultrasound findings were assessed to achieve the early diagnosis and prognosis of pyelonephritis in hospitalized pediatrics. Methods A cross-sectional study with 104 Iranian children (95 girls and 9 boys) aged 1 month to 12 years with acute pyelonephritis during 2012–2018 was conducted. The ultrasound examination of kidneys and urinary tract during hospitalization, the incidence of clinical symptoms, and laboratory markers in blood and urine were monitored to identify the best predictive factors of early diagnosis of this bacterial infection. Results Three-fourth of the patients had one of the four clinical symptoms of abdominal pain, constipation, dysuria, and vomiting, while others were asymptomatic. A much frequency of pyuria (88.46%), Escherichia coli in urine (92.31%), leukocytosis (81.73%), and high ESR (> 10 mm/h, 92.30%) and CRP (> 10 mg/L, 82.82%) was observed. The kidney and urinary tract ultrasonography only in 32.7% of children revealed findings in favor of pyelonephritis (cystitis, ureteral stones, and hydronephrosis). Conclusion There was a high frequency of clinical signs and laboratory markers associated with pyelonephritis. Ultrasound alone was not an efficient tool to track febrile UTI as most patients presented normal sonography.


2018 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
pp. 215265671877360 ◽  
Author(s):  
Urs C. Steiner ◽  
Lucas M. Bachmann ◽  
Micheal B. Soyka ◽  
Stephan Regenass ◽  
Lukas Steinegger ◽  
...  

Background Rhinitis is a very common disease with allergies being the most frequent causative factor. It can co-occur together with asthma and eczema in atopic as well as in nonatopic patients. Objectives To assess the prevalence of allergic sensitization within patient groups with rhinitis in consideration of the co-occurring disorders of asthma and eczema. Methods Students of the third year of medical school completed an anonymous questionnaire on age, gender, and clinical symptoms, such as seasonal rhinitis, perennial rhinitis, asthma, and eczema, and underwent an ImmunoCAP Rapid test. We calculated the prevalence of sensitization within subgroups of patients reporting allergic disorders, such as rhinitis, asthma, and eczema. Results Questionnaires and ImmunoCAP Rapid tests of 1513 medical students were analyzed. The participants’ self-reported presence of seasonal/perennial rhinitis, asthma, and eczema was compared to the presence of sensitization. Data of 1467 subjects could be analyzed. Seasonal rhinitis was the most common symptom, followed by eczema, asthma, and perennial rhinitis. The participants were differentiated into 16 subgroups according to the combined clinical manifestations of the different symptoms and association to sensitization within subgroups. The prevalence of sensitization ranged from 18% in subjects reporting only eczema without any other symptom to 100% in those reporting to have asthma, seasonal/perennial rhinitis, and eczema together. In subjects reporting no sign or symptom at all, the prevalence of sensitization was 19%. Seasonal rhinitis was the strongest single predictor for sensitization with the highest proportion of sensitized participants in all symptom combinations (67%–100%), followed by perennial rhinitis (31%–100%), asthma (30%–100%), and eczema (18%–100%). Conclusion Rhinitis most often is associated with allergen sensitization, and the probability of sensitization is substantially enhanced by co-occurrence of asthma. A careful assessment of clinical signs and symptoms is important and enables the selection of patients in whom targeted diagnostic analysis and therapy is appropriate. Trial registration: retrospectively registered by the Cantonal Ethics Committee Zurich on 22.01.2016; Nr: 08-2016.


2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-4
Author(s):  
Sakviseth Bin ◽  
Sethikar Im

Introduction. Syphilis is a tropical disease, caused by a spirochete Treponema pallidum, which can be transmitted transplacentally from untreated mothers to the fetus during any stages of pregnancy. Clinical manifestations of early congenital syphilis are variable and nonspecific. The diagnosis is based on the serology status of the mother, newborn clinical symptoms, and comparative serology titer between mother and newborn. Case Presentation. A late preterm female infant, appropriate for gestational age, was treated for severe early onset sepsis due to Enterobacter cloacae since day 2 of life. The coinfection with Treponema pallidum was suspected and confirmed at day 4 with clinical signs and a fourfold increase of rapid plasma reagin (RPR) compared to mother’s serology. Combined with meropenem and amikacin, Benzyl-Penicillin was used for 10 days, thereby resulting in a significant clinical and laboratory improvement. The girl was discharged at day 18 and brought for regular follow-ups for both growth milestone and syphilis serology. RPR decreased fourfold at the age of 1 month. Conclusion. Syphilis should not be overlooked. The vertical transmission is preventable by an on-time treatment of the infected mother, triggered by a proper antenatal screening at the right time. Congenital syphilis should be ruled out in any challenging neonatal sepsis. The diagnosis tools and treatments are easily accessible and inexpensive in our economical settings.


2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (10) ◽  
pp. 642-646
Author(s):  
I.I. Zakhur ◽  
◽  
S.V. Koshkin ◽  
V.A. Bobro ◽  
◽  
...  

The paper reviews current data on lichen ruber planus, a disease characterized by multifactorial pathogenesis, polymorphic clinical symptoms, severe long recurrent course, and a significant resistance to treatment. In the last decades, a substantial growth in the prevalence of this dermatosis is observed. Moreover, the rate of atypical cases also increases. The most common symptoms at disease onset are a generalized rash, severe itching, and malaise. Many patients present with acute clinical signs. Patients with the different forms of the disease (in particular, those with oral lichen planus) report on the significant reduction in the quality of life. The authors describe the specificity of clinical polymorphism, the variability of clinical manifestations and HLA system in annular lichen planus. The aim of this paper is to summarize currently available data considering the diversity of clinical variants which are required for the understanding of the pathogenesis to improve the diagnosis in difficult cases and to control its course. The authors also address a case study of annular lichen planus in a 63-year-old woman. KEYWORDS: lichen ruber planus, dermatosis, histopathology, HLA system. FOR CITATION: Zakhur I.I., Koshkin S.V., Bobro V.A. Annular lichen planus, a rare variant of lichen planus. Russian Medical Inquiry. 2020;4(10):642–646. DOI: 10.32364/2587-6821-2020-4-10-642-646.


Parasitology ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 146 (2) ◽  
pp. 161-167 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hong-Bo Liu ◽  
Ran Wei ◽  
Xue-Bing Ni ◽  
Yuan-Chun Zheng ◽  
Qiu-Bo Huo ◽  
...  

AbstractNortheastern China is a region of high tick abundance, multiple tick-borne pathogens and likely human infections. The spectrum of diseases caused by tick-borne pathogens has not been objectively evaluated in this region for clinical management and for comparison with other regions globally where tick-transmitted diseases are common. Based on clinical symptoms, PCR, indirect immunofluorescent assay and (or) blood smear, we identified and described tick-borne diseases from patients with recent tick bite seen at Mudanjiang Forestry Central Hospital. From May 2010 to September 2011, 42% (75/180) of patients were diagnosed with a specific tick-borne disease, including Lyme borreliosis, tick-borne encephalitis, human granulocytic anaplasmosis, human babesiosis and spotted fever group rickettsiosis. When we compared clinical and laboratory features to identify factors that might discriminate tick-transmitted infections from those lacking that evidence, we revealed that erythema migrans and neurological manifestations were statistically significantly differently presented between those with and without documented aetiologies (P< 0.001,P= 0.003). Twelve patients (6.7%, 12/180) were co-infected with two tick-borne pathogens. We demonstrated the poor ability of clinicians to identify the specific tick-borne disease. In addition, it is necessary to develop specific laboratory assays for optimal diagnosis of tick-borne diseases.


2019 ◽  
Vol 4 (3) ◽  

Introduction: Fascioliasis is a disease of the hepatobiliary system, caused by Fasciola spp that are increasing and threating of public health in the tropic areas, including of Central coastal of Vietnam. World Health Organisation estimates that at least 2.4 million people are infected in more than 70 countries worldwide, with several million at risk, and particularly, no continent is free from fascioliasis. This study carried out to evaluate several typical clinical and paracinical aspects in the pregnant women and children groups with fascioliasis. Methods: With the descriptive cross-sectional study design, and sample size in line with hospital based data. Results: the data post-analysis showed that total of 94 pregnant women and 212 child with gigantica fascioliasis were enrolled:- In the pregnant women group: the major clinical symptoms of epigastric and Chauffard Rivet triangle pain (95.74%), subshoulder muscle pain (97.87%), gastrointestinal disturbances as abdominal pain plus constipation (14.89%), loosed stool (22.34%), nausea and/or vomit (29.78%), mild fever (68%), allergic reaction with pruritis and urticaria (64.89%), mild anemia (4.26%), rare symptoms may be hepatomegaly (6.38%), chest pain, dyspnoea (43.62%), jaundice (2.13%); Laboratory parameters were positive ELISA test with Fasciola gigantica antigen (95.74%), hepatobiliary lesions by ultrasound (97.87%), majority in right liver (90.32%), eosinophilia is the predominant indicator (90.42%), In the children group: the clinical manifestations included of epigastric and Chauffard-Rivet area pain (94.34%), flatuence, nausea and intermittent vomiting (76.41%), digestive disoders (40.57%), allergy (30.66%), fatigue plus weight loss (12.74%); laboratory findings included of hepatobiliary lesions by US (100%), positive ELISA with Fasciola gigantica antigen (96.70%), eosinophil of 93.39% and 1.90% positive copro-examination with Fasciolae eggs. Conclusions: In pregnant women, symptoms are indistinguishable from hepatobiliary, digestive tract diseases or overlap with gestation terrains, and clinical signs of paediatric fascioliasis may mimic a wide spectrum of hepatobiliary disorders laboratory parameters and imaging diagnostics, especially in FasELISA, hypereosinophilia and liver lesions by ultrasound were very useful in positive diagnosis.


2009 ◽  
Vol 45 (5) ◽  
pp. 232-238 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michelle L. Plier ◽  
Edward B. Breitschwerdt ◽  
Barbara C. Hegarty ◽  
Linda B. Kidd

Granulocytic anaplasmosis is an emerging infectious disease affecting dogs and humans in the United States and other regions of the world. Relatively few cases have been described in pregnant women, and perinatal transmission appears to occur infrequently in humans. Infection in pregnant dogs has not been reported. Diagnosis of infection during pregnancy poses therapeutic challenges, because doxycycline, the treatment of choice, is teratogenic. Also, infection during pregnancy may result in more severe disease. When infection is diagnosed after parturition, knowledge of the risk of perinatal transmission to offspring is important, because prophylactic therapy in neonates is also not without risk. In this report, we describe relatively severe clinical manifestations of Anaplasma phagocytophilum infection in a postpartum bitch and a lack of perinatal transmission to her puppies.


Vaccines ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 61 ◽  
Author(s):  
Irina Isakova-Sivak ◽  
Victoria Matyushenko ◽  
Tatiana Kotomina ◽  
Irina Kiseleva ◽  
Elena Krutikova ◽  
...  

The development of universal influenza vaccines has been a priority for more than 20 years. We conducted a preclinical study in ferrets of two sets of live attenuated influenza vaccines (LAIVs) expressing chimeric hemagglutinin (cHA). These vaccines contained the HA stalk domain from H1N1pdm09 virus but had antigenically unrelated globular head domains from avian influenza viruses H5N1, H8N4 and H9N2. The viral nucleoproteins (NPs) in the two sets of universal LAIV candidates were from different sources: one LAIV set contained NP from A/Leningrad/17 master donor virus (MDV), while in the other set this gene was from wild-type (WT) H1N1pdm09 virus, in order to better match the CD8 T-cell epitopes of currently circulating influenza A viruses. To avoid any difference in protective effect of the various anti-neuraminidase (NA) antibodies, all LAIVs were engineered to contain the NA gene of Len/17 MDV. Naïve ferrets were sequentially immunized with three doses of (i) classical LAIVs containing non-chimeric HA and NP from MDV (LAIVs (NP-MDV)); (ii) cHA-based LAIVs containing NP from MDV (cHA LAIVs (NP-MDV)); and (iii) cHA-based LAIVs containing NP from H1N1pdm09 virus (cHA LAIVs (NP-WT)). All vaccination regimens were safe, producing no significant increase in body temperature or weight loss, in comparison with the placebo group. The two groups of cHA-based vaccines induced a broadly reactive HA stalk-directed antibody, while classical LAIVs did not. A high-dose challenge with H1N1pdm09 virus induced significant pathology in the control, non-immunized ferrets, including high virus titers in respiratory tissues, clinical signs of disease and histopathological changes in nasal turbinates and lung tissues. All three vaccination regimens protected animals from clinical manifestations of disease: immunized ferrets did not lose weight or show clinical symptoms, and their fever was significantly lower than in the control group. Further analysis of virological and pathological data revealed the following hierarchy in the cross-protective efficacy of the vaccines: cHA LAIVs (NP-WT) > cHA LAIVs (NP-MDV) > LAIVs (NP-MDV). This ferret study showed that prototype universal cHA-based LAIVs are highly promising candidates for further clinical development.


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