scholarly journals Human and entomological surveillance of Toscana virus in the Emilia-Romagna region, Italy, 2010 to 2012

2014 ◽  
Vol 19 (48) ◽  
Author(s):  
M Calzolari ◽  
P Angelini ◽  
A C Finarelli ◽  
R Cagarelli ◽  
R Bellini ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Interdisciplinary Approach ◽  
Viral Meningitis ◽  
Integrated System ◽  
Clinical Samples ◽  
Toscana Virus ◽  
Entomological Surveillance ◽  
Mediterranean Countries ◽  
Phlebotomine Sandflies ◽  
Emilia Romagna Region ◽  
Human Infections

Toscana virus (TOSV), transmitted by phlebotomine sandflies, is recognised as one of the most important causes of viral meningitis in summer in Mediterranean countries. A surveillance plan based on both human and entomological surveys was started in 2010 in the Emilia-Romagna region, Italy. Clinical samples from patients with neurological manifestations were collected during 2010 to 2012. The surveillance protocol was improved during these years, allowing the detection of 65 human infections. Most of these infections were recorded in hilly areas, where sandflies reach the highest density. Entomological sampling around the homes of the patients resulted in a low number of captured sandflies, while later sampling in a hilly area with high number of human cases (n=21) resulted in a larger number of captured sandflies. Using this approach, 25,653 sandflies were sampled, of which there were 21,157 females, which were sorted into 287 pools. TOSV RNA was detected by real-time PCR in 33 of the pools. The results highlighted the role of Phlebotomus perfiliewi as the main vector of TOSV and a potential link between vector density and virus circulation. This integrated system shows that an interdisciplinary approach improves the sensitiveness and effectiveness of health surveillance.

scholarly journals Evaluation of a Trio Toscana Virus Real-Time RT-PCR Assay Targeting Three Genomic Regions within Nucleoprotein Gene

Pathogens ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 254
Author(s):  
Laurence THIRION ◽  
Laura PEZZI ◽  
Irene PEDROSA-CORRAL ◽  
Sara SANBONMATSU-GAMEZ ◽  
Xavier de de LAMBALLERIE ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Real Time ◽  
Qpcr Assay ◽  
Clinical Samples ◽  
Toscana Virus ◽  
Nucleoprotein Gene ◽  
Specificity And Sensitivity ◽  
Mediterranean Countries ◽  
Rna Targeting ◽  
Genomic Regions ◽  
Better Than

Toscana virus (TOSV) can cause central nervous system infections in both residents of and travelers to Mediterranean countries. Data mining identified three real-time RT-qPCR assays for detecting TOSV RNA targeting non-overlapping regions in the nucleoprotein gene. Here, they were combined to create a multi-region assay named Trio TOSV RT-qPCR consisting of six primers and three probes. In this study, (i) we evaluated in silico the three RT-qPCR assays available in the literature for TOSV detection, (ii) we combined the three systems to create the Trio TOSV RT-qPCR, (iii) we assessed the specificity and sensitivity of the three monoplex assays versus the Trio TOSV RT-qPCR assay, and (iv) we compared the performance of the Trio TOSV RT-qPCR assay with one of the reference monoplex assays on clinical samples. In conclusion, the Trio TOSV RT-qPCR assay performs equally or better than the three monoplex assays; therefore, it provides a robust assay that can be used for both research and diagnostic purposes.

scholarly journals Human Cystic Echinococcosis in Lebanon: A Retrospective Study and Molecular Epidemiology

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gaelle Joanny ◽  
Maria Grazia Cappai ◽  
Francesca Nonnis ◽  
Claudia Tamponi ◽  
Giorgia Dessì ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Echinococcus Granulosus ◽  
Cystic Echinococcosis ◽  
Epidemiological Data ◽  
Sensu Stricto ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Mediterranean Countries ◽  
High Gene ◽  
Human Infections ◽  
And Control ◽  
Human Cystic Echinococcosis

Abstract Purpose Human cystic echinococcosis (CE) is a zoonotic parasitic disease that constitutes a public health challenge and a socio-economic burden in endemic areas worldwide. No specific surveillance system of CE infections in humans exists in Lebanon. The incidence and trends over time have not been documented. The current study aimed to assess the demographic and epidemiologic features of human CE surgical cases over a 14-year period in the five main regions of Lebanon. Methods From 2005 to 2018, a total of 894 surgically confirmed cases of hydatidosis were recorded from five anatomy and pathology laboratories. Results The mean annual surgical incidence was 1.23/100,000 inhabitants. Over the span of these years, the incidence increased from 0.53 to 1.94 cases/100,000 inhabitants in 2005 and 2018, respectively. CE is present in Lebanon with an uneven distribution from one region to the other with higher prevalence in Bekaa (29.0%), a rural area where sheep raising is widespread. Human CE cases were more common in females (60.1%) than in males (39.9%) and a high burden of infection was reported for the age group of 30–39 years. Besides, 66.7% of the cases expressed only liver complications whereas, 20.5% showed predilection towards lungs. The 7.8% of cases presented cysts in other organs, and 1.3% showed multiple localizations. Additionally, predominant involvement of Echinococcus granulosus sensu stricto was recorded in human infections. Comparison of Echinococcus granulosus s.s. populations from different Mediterranean countries also revealed high gene flow among this region and sharing of alleles. Conclusion The current study is a step forward to fill the gap of knowledge for the hydatidosis in Lebanon where the lack of epidemiological data and control measures have resulted in higher incidence of human CE. Graphic Abstract

scholarly journals Rapid identification of health care–associated infections with an integrated fluorescence anisotropy system

2016 ◽  
Vol 2 (5) ◽  
pp. e1600300 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ki Soo Park ◽  
Chen-Han Huang ◽  
Kyungheon Lee ◽  
Yeong-Eun Yoo ◽  
Cesar M. Castro ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Fluorescence Anisotropy ◽  
Bacterial Species ◽  
Rapid Identification ◽  
Integrated System ◽  
Clinical Samples ◽  
Drug Resistant ◽  
Polarization Anisotropy ◽  
Major Health ◽  
Health Care Associated Infections

Health care–associated infections (HAIs) and drug-resistant pathogens have become a major health care issue with millions of reported cases every year. Advanced diagnostics would allow clinicians to more quickly determine the most effective treatment, reduce the nonspecific use of broad-spectrum antimicrobials, and facilitate enrollment in new antibiotic treatments. We present a new integrated system, polarization anisotropy diagnostics (PAD), for rapid detection of HAI pathogens. The PAD uses changes of fluorescence anisotropy when detection probes recognize target bacterial nucleic acids. The technology is inherently robust against environmental noise and economically scalable for parallel measurements. The assay is fast (2 hours) and performed on-site in a single-tube format. When applied to clinical samples obtained from interventional procedures, the PAD determined the overall bacterial burden, differentiated HAI bacterial species, and identified drug resistance and virulence status. The PAD system holds promise as a powerful tool for near-patient, rapid HAI testing.

scholarly journals Arthropod-borne viruses transmitted by Phlebotomine sandflies in Europe: a review

2010 ◽  
Vol 15 (10) ◽  
Author(s):  
J Depaquit ◽  
M Grandadam ◽  
F Fouque ◽  
PE Andry ◽  
C Peyrefitte
Keyword(s):  
Field Work ◽  
Epidemiological Surveillance ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Toscana Virus ◽  
Viral Isolation ◽  
Phlebotomine Sandflies ◽  
Mediterranean Europe ◽  
Medical Importance ◽  
Near Future ◽  
Vectorial Competence

Phlebotomine sandflies are known to transmit leishmaniases, bacteria and viruses that affect humans and animals in many countries worldwide. These sandfly-borne viruses are mainly the Phlebovirus, the Vesiculovirus and the Orbivirus. Some of these viruses are associated with outbreaks or human cases in the Mediterranean Europe. In this paper, the viruses transmitted by Phlebotomine sandflies in Europe (Toscana virus, Sicilian virus, sandfly fever Naples virus) are reviewed and their medical importance, geographical distribution, epidemiology and potential spreading discussed. Data on vertebrate reservoirs is sparse for sandfly fever viruses. The factor currently known to limit the spread of diseases is mainly the distribution areas of potential vectors. The distribution areas of the disease may not be restricted to the areas where they have been recorded but could be as wide as those of their vectors, that is to say Larroussius and P. papatasi mainly but not exclusively. Consequently, field work in form of viral isolation from sandflies and possible reservoirs as well as laboratory work to establish vectorial competence of colonised sandflies need to be encouraged in a near future, and epidemiological surveillance should be undertaken throughout the European Union.

scholarly journals Sandfly – Pappataci Fever in Bosnia and Herzegovina: The new-old Disease

2009 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 39-43 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mirsada Hukić ◽  
Irma Salimović-Bešić
Keyword(s):  
Bosnia And Herzegovina ◽  
Historical Data ◽  
Febrile Illness ◽  
Unknown Etiology ◽  
Asian Countries ◽  
Toscana Virus ◽  
Serum Samples ◽  
Long Period ◽  
Mediterranean Countries ◽  
Serology Test

Sandfly fever viruses (SFV) are endemic in the Mediterranean, Middle East, northern African and western Asian countries. Toscana virus (TOSV), serotype of Sandfly fever Naples virus, is among of the three most prevalent viruses associated with meningitis during the warm seasons in northern Mediterranean countries. The historical data of the sandfly fever (Pappataci fever) indicates its origin in Bosnia and Herzegovina at the end of 19th century. There is a long period of time for which there are no data on research related to the SFV in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The purpose of the study was to investigate the presence of sandfly fever in Bosnia and Herzegovina in recent years. The 68 of serum samples were obtained from February 2006 until September 2008 from a group of patients with febrile illness of unknown etiology. The sera were tested on the presence of IgG and IgM antibodies against TOSV by specific serology test- recomLine Bunyavirus IgG/IgM immuno-line assay. The recent TOSV-infection was confirmed in the patients in each year during the study: 10,71% (3/28) in 2008; 9,38% (3/32) in 2007 and 12,50% (1/8) in 2006. The presence of specific antibodies to TOSV in the sera of the patients in recent years indicates re-emerging character of the disease in this region. It would be necessary to make biological, epidemiological and clinical research on the TOSV and related phleboviruses to elucidate the problem of SFV in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

scholarly journals Integrated Analyses of Proteins and Their Glycans in a Magnetic Bead–Based Multiplex Assay Format

2013 ◽  
Vol 59 (1) ◽  
pp. 315-324 ◽  
Author(s):  
Danni Li ◽  
Hanching Chiu ◽  
Jing Chen ◽  
Hui Zhang ◽  
Daniel W Chan
Keyword(s):  
Prostate Cancer ◽  
Magnetic Beads ◽  
Biomarker Discovery ◽  
Magnetic Bead ◽  
Protein Quantification ◽  
Integrated System ◽  
Clinical Samples ◽  
Improved Performance ◽  
Integrated Detection ◽  
Cancer Tissues

BACKGROUND Well-annotated clinical samples are valuable resources for biomarker discovery and validation. Multiplex and integrated methods that simultaneously measure multiple analytes and generate integrated information about these analytes from a single measurement are desirable because these methods help conserve precious samples. We developed a magnetic bead–based system for multiplex and integrated glycoprotein quantification by immunoassays and glycan detection by lectin immunosorbent assays (LISAs). METHODS Magnetic beads coupled with antibodies were used for capturing proteins of interest. Biotinylated antibodies in combination with streptavidin-labeled phycoerythrin were used for protein quantification. In the LISAs, biotinylated detection antibodies were replaced by biotinylated lectins for glycan detection. RESULTS Using tissue inhibitor of metallopeptidase 1 (TIMP-1), tissue plasminogen activator, membrane metallo-endopeptidase, and dipeptidyl peptidase-IV (DPP-4) as models, we found that the multiplex integrated system was comparable to single immunoassays in protein quantification and LISAs in glycan detection. The merits of this system were demonstrated when applied to well-annotated prostate cancer tissues for validation of biomarkers in aggressive prostate cancer. Because of the system's multiplex ability, we used only 300 ng of tissue protein for the integrated detection of glycans in these proteins. Fucosylated TIMP-1 and DPP-4 offered improved performance over the proteins in distinguishing aggressive and nonaggressive prostate cancer. CONCLUSIONS The multiplex and integrated system conserves samples and is a useful tool for validation of glycoproteins and their glycoforms as biomarkers.

scholarly journals Grounds, aims and realization of interdisciplinary training in the sphere of socially important infections

2014 ◽  
Vol 21 (2) ◽  
pp. 10-17 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. F. Bagnenko ◽  
N. A. Belyakov ◽  
E. B. Yastrebova ◽  
A. G. Rakhmanova ◽  
E. V. Stepanova
Keyword(s):  
Viral Hepatitis ◽  
Interdisciplinary Approach ◽  
Chronic Viral Hepatitis ◽  
Interdisciplinary Training ◽  
Sexual Contacts ◽  
Complex Training ◽  
Human Infections ◽  
Medical University

The Scientific Board of the I.P. Pavlov St. Petersburg State Medical University announced organization of a new department - of socially-important infections - such as Viral Human Infections, chronic viral hepatitis, infections transmitted by sexual contacts and tuberculosis. The new department has adopted the long-term traditions of the infection service and is oriented on complex training of the medical personal. The interdisciplinary approach to training of specialists in the sphere of socially important infections garantees the expediency of realization of all forms of training.

scholarly journals Phlebotomine sandflies (Diptera: Psychodidae) in Governador Valadares, a transmission area for American tegumentary leishmaniasis in State of Minas Gerais, Brazil

2011 ◽  
Vol 44 (2) ◽  
pp. 136-139 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ricardo Andrade Barata ◽  
Gustavo Fontes Paz ◽  
Marcela Cardoso Bastos ◽  
Roberta Christiane Oliveira Andrade ◽  
Daniela Campos Mendes de Barros ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Climatic Factors ◽  
Minas Gerais ◽  
Entomological Surveillance ◽  
Tegumentary Leishmaniasis ◽  
Phlebotomine Sandfly ◽  
Phlebotomine Sandflies ◽  
Relative Air Humidity ◽  
Transmission Area ◽  
American Tegumentary Leishmaniasis ◽  
One Year

INTRODUCTION: A study on the phlebotomine sandfly fauna was carried out in an endemic area for American tegumentary leishmaniasis in the municipality of Governador Valadares, in the State of Minas Gerais, Brazil. METHODS: Captures were undertaken using HP light traps in four districts, on three nights per month, for one year (from January to December 2008). Correlations between climatic factors (temperature, relative air humidity and rainfall) and the numbers of sandflies collected was observed. RESULTS: 5,413 phlebotomine specimens were caught and were identified as belonging to 12 species. Of these specimens, 2,851 (52%) were females and 2,562 (48%) were males. CONCLUSIONS: Lutzomyia intermedia predominated (29.9% of the species caught), thus suggesting that they were responsible for transmission of American tegumentary leishmaniasis, together with L. whitmani, which was also found in the area (4.3%). The presence of L. longipalpis (11.9%), the main vector for visceral leishmaniasis in Brazil, is an important finding, which makes rigorous entomological surveillance of the area necessary.

scholarly journals Scedosporium spp. from Clinical Setting in Argentina, with the Proposal of the New Pathogenic Species Scedosporium americanum

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 160
Author(s):  
Ruben A. Abrantes ◽  
Nicolás Refojo ◽  
Alejandra I. Hevia ◽  
Julián Fernández ◽  
Guillermina Isla ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Antifungal Drugs ◽  
Phenotypic Characterization ◽  
Clinical Samples ◽  
Phylogenetic Study ◽  
Reference Laboratory ◽  
In Vitro Susceptibility ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Human Infections ◽  
Scedosporium Species

Species of the genus Scedosporium (family Microascaceae, phylum Ascomycota) are responsible for a wide range of opportunistic human infections, and have a low susceptibility to most antifungal drugs. It is well known that the pattern of Scedosporium species distribution varies according to geographic region. To assess the diversity of Scedosporium species in Argentina involved in human infections, we carried out a retrospective study reviewing 49 strains from clinical samples sent for diagnosis to the National Clinical Mycology Reference Laboratory between 1985 and 2019. Then, a phenotypic characterization, a phylogenetic study and and in vitro susceptibility test to antifungals were carried out. An analysis of combined nucleotide sequences dataset of the internal transcribed spacer of the ribosomal DNA (ITS) and of a fragment of the β-tubulin gene (BT2) demonstrated that 92 % of the strains belonged to the species S. boydii, S. apiospermum and S. angustum, all them pertaining to S. apiospermum species complex. However, two strains (4%) were identified as S. aurantiacum, a species never reported in clinical settings in the Americas’. Surprisingly, one of them displayed a polycytella-like conidiogenesis, up to date only reported for S. apiospermum. In addition, the strain DMic 165285 was phylogenetically located far away from the rest of the species, so is proposed as the novel species Scedosporium americanum. On the other hand, from all seven antifungals tested, voriconazole and posaconazole were the most active drugs against Scedosporium spp.

scholarly journals Pathogenic Budding Yeasts Isolated outside of Clinical Settings

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dana Opulente ◽  
Quinn Langdon ◽  
Kelly Buh ◽  
Max Haase ◽  
Kayla Sylvester ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
The United States ◽  
Clinical Samples ◽  
Clinical Settings ◽  
Opportunistic Pathogens ◽  
Pathogenic Yeast ◽  
Pichia Kudriavzevii ◽  
Issatchenkia Orientalis ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Clinical Environments ◽  
Human Infections

Budding yeasts are distributed across a wide range of habitats, including as human commensals. However, under some conditions, these commensals can cause superficial, invasive, and even lethal infections. Despite their importance to human health, little is known about the ecology of these opportunistic pathogens, aside from their associations with mammals and clinical environments. During a survey of approximately 1000 non-clinical samples across the United States of America, we isolated 54 strains of budding yeast species considered opportunistic pathogens, including Candida albicans and Candida (Nakaseomyces) glabrata. We found that, as a group, pathogenic yeasts were positively associated with fruits and soil environments, while the species Pichia kudriavzevii (syn. Candida krusei syn. Issatchenkia orientalis) had a significant association with plants. These results suggest that pathogenic yeast ecology is more complex and diverse than is currently appreciated and raises the possibility that these additional environments could be a point of contact for human infections.

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