scholarly journals Local brucellosis outbreak on Thassos, Greece: a preliminary report

2008 ◽  
Vol 13 (25) ◽  
Author(s):  
R Vorou ◽  
K Gkolfinopoulou ◽  
G Dougas ◽  
K Mellou ◽  
IN Pierroutsakos ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Infected Animal ◽  
Case Fatality ◽  
Human Brucellosis ◽  
Southeastern Europe ◽  
Animal Tissues ◽  
Death Case ◽  
Insidious Onset ◽  
Severe Infections ◽  
The Central Nervous System ◽  
The Mediterranean Basin

Brucellosis is a zoonosis resulting in reproductive failure in wild and domestic animals and febrile disease and occasionally severe infections of the central nervous system and endocarditis in humans. In animals and humans alike, it is found worldwide, including southeastern Europe, the Mediterranean basin (Portugal, Spain, southern France, Italy, Greece, Turkey, northern Africa), parts of Mexico, Central and Latin America, Asia, and Africa [1]. Human brucellosis represents a professional hazard, being acquired via ingestion, inhalation in laboratories or abattoirs, conjunctiva and skin trauma contamination with infected animal tissues and products [1,2]. Symptoms can appear as acute or insidious onset, after five to 60 days and last for days, months and occasionally as long as a year. Relapses can also occur. Treatment is effective with antibiotics. Untreated brucellosis can lead to death (case-fatality ratio around 2%), usually by heart complications.

scholarly journals Human to Human Transmission ofBrucella Melitensis

1995 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. 153-155 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patrice Vigeant ◽  
Jack Mendelson ◽  
Mark A Miller
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Products ◽  
Infected Animal ◽  
Brucella Melitensis ◽  
Human Brucellosis ◽  
Animal Tissues ◽  
Goat Cheese ◽  
Mode Of Transmission

Human brucellosis is acquired mainly through contact with infected animal tissues, ingestion of unpasteurized dairy products or infected aerosols. Person to person transmission is still considered uncertain. The case of a woman diagnosed with proven brucellosis after her husband suffered a relapse of bacteremia withBrucella melitensisbiotype 3, which was originally acquired abroad by eating goat cheese, is described. It was postulated that person to person spread of brucellosis is a likely mode of transmission in this case.

scholarly journals Mutations in the PA Protein of Avian H5N1 Influenza Viruses Affect Polymerase Activity and Mouse Virulence

2017 ◽  
pp. JVI.01557-17 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gongxun Zhong ◽  
Mai Quynh Le ◽  
Tiago J.S. Lopes ◽  
Peter Halfmann ◽  
Masato Hatta ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acid ◽  
Case Fatality ◽  
Polymerase Activity ◽  
Influenza Viruses ◽  
Viral Polymerase ◽  
Highly Pathogenic ◽  
H5n1 Influenza ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Severe Infections ◽  
Viral Determinants

To study the influenza viral determinants of pathogenicity, we characterized two highly pathogenic avian H5N1 influenza viruses isolated in Vietnam in 2012 (A/duck/Vietnam/QT1480/2012; QT1480) and 2013 (A/duck/Vietnam/QT1728/2013; QT1728) and found that the activity of their polymerase complexes differed significantly, even though both viruses were highly pathogenic in mice. Further studies revealed that the PA-S343A/E347D mutations reduced viral polymerase activity and mouse virulence when tested in the genetic background of QT1728 virus. In contrast, the PA-343S/347E mutations increased the polymerase activity of QT1480 and the virulence of a low pathogenic H5N1 influenza virus. The PA-343S residue (which alone increased viral polymerase activity and mouse virulence significantly relative to viral replication complexes encoding PA-343A) is frequently found in H5N1 influenza viruses of several subclades; infection with a virus possessing this amino acid may pose an increased risk to humans.IMPORTANCEH5N1 influenza viruses cause severe infections in humans with a case fatality rate that exceeds 50%. The factors that determine the high virulence of these viruses in humans are not fully understood. Here, we identified two amino acid changes in the viral polymerase PA protein that affect the activity of the viral polymerase complex and virulence in mice. Infection with viruses possessing these amino acid changes may pose an increased risk to humans.

scholarly journals Increasing Importance of Balamuthia mandrillaris

2008 ◽  
Vol 21 (3) ◽  
pp. 435-448 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abdul Matin ◽  
Ruqaiyyah Siddiqui ◽  
Samantha Jayasekera ◽  
Naveed Ahmed Khan
Keyword(s):  
Case Fatality Rate ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Case Fatality ◽  
Protozoan Parasite ◽  
Therapeutic Interventions ◽  
Fatality Rate ◽  
Balamuthia Mandrillaris ◽  
Preventative Measures ◽  
Granulomatous Amoebic Encephalitis ◽  
The Central Nervous System

SUMMARY Balamuthia mandrillaris is an emerging protozoan parasite, an agent of granulomatous amoebic encephalitis involving the central nervous system, with a case fatality rate of >98%. This review presents our current understanding of Balamuthia infections, their pathogenesis and pathophysiology, and molecular mechanisms associated with the disease, as well as virulence traits of Balamuthia that may be potential targets for therapeutic interventions and/or for the development of preventative measures.

scholarly journals Inoculum and Infection Dynamics of Polystigma amygdalinum in Almond Orchards in Spain

Plant Disease ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 104 (4) ◽  
pp. 1239-1246
Author(s):  
Erick Zúñiga ◽  
Joaquín Romero ◽  
Andrés Ollero-Lara ◽  
María Lovera ◽  
Octavio Arquero ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Geographical Location ◽  
Sampling Period ◽  
Seasonal Development ◽  
Leaf Blotch ◽  
Infection Dynamics ◽  
Ascospore Germination ◽  
Severe Infections ◽  
Almond Orchards ◽  
Key Aspects ◽  
The Mediterranean Basin

Red leaf blotch (RLB) disease of almond, caused by Polystigma amygdalinum, is an important foliar disease in most production regions of the Mediterranean basin and the Middle East because severe infections may cause a premature defoliation of the tree. Some key aspects on the epidemiology of P. amygdalinum were studied in multiyear trials in two almond-growing regions in Spain, which included the seasonal development of perithecia and production and germination of ascospores along with the disease incubation and plant infectivity periods. Our results showed that primary inoculum was available in extended periods (January to August). Significant differences in ascospore amounts among regions, higher in the southern Andalusia and lower in the northern Catalonia, and years of study were detected. The factors geographical location, sampling period, and evaluation year were found significant on the development of P. amygdalinum perithecia. Variable ascospore germination rates were observed from April to July: >15% but rarely exceeding 30%. The RLB infectivity period in Catalonia extended from March to mid-June, whereas in Andalusia it was from March to May. The incubation period was mainly in a range of 5 to 10 weeks in Catalonia. The environmental conditions of October to January influence the available ascospore amounts in the next season. RLB infection occurs in spring to summer when mean temperatures are in the range 10 to 20°C. These results represent the first step in developing a prediction model of the disease that might serve as a tool for the control of RLB.

scholarly journals Pitfalls in the Diagnosis and Management of Invasive Pneumococcal Meningoencephalitis – What We Can Learn From a Case

2017 ◽  
Vol 10 ◽  
pp. 117954761772550
Author(s):  
Pascale S Grzonka ◽  
Raoul Sutter
Keyword(s):  
Case Fatality Rate ◽  
Pneumococcal Meningitis ◽  
Case Fatality ◽  
Rapid Diagnosis ◽  
Common Type ◽  
Neurological Sequelae ◽  
Management Of Complications ◽  
Life Threatening ◽  
The Central Nervous System

Invasive pneumococcal meningitis is a life-threatening infectious disease affecting the central nervous system. It continues to be the most common type of community-acquired acute bacterial meningitides. Despite advances in neuro-critical care, the case fatality rate remains high. Rapid diagnosis and initiation of antibiotic therapy precludes mortality and long-term neurological sequelae in survivors. However, not all cases are easily recognised, and unanticipated complications may impede optimal course and outcome. Here, we describe a case of invasive pneumococcal meningoencephalitis in a 65-year-old man with an unusual initial presentation and pitfalls in the course of the disease. We highlight the importance of early diagnosis and treatment as well as recognition and management of complications.

scholarly journals Analysis of Expression Profile of Mammalian Cell Entry (mce) Operons of Mycobacterium tuberculosis

2003 ◽  
Vol 71 (10) ◽  
pp. 6083-6087 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ashwani Kumar ◽  
Mridula Bose ◽  
Vani Brahmachari
Keyword(s):  
Mycobacterium Tuberculosis ◽  
Expression Profile ◽  
In Silico ◽  
Infected Animal ◽  
In Silico Analysis ◽  
Cell Entry ◽  
Animal Tissues ◽  
Mce Operons ◽  
Silico Analysis

ABSTRACT The sequencing of the complete genome of M. tuberculosis H37Rv has resulted in the recognition of four mce operons in its genome by in silico analysis. In an attempt to understand the significance of the redundancy of mce operons, we analyzed the expression profile of mce operons after different periods of growth in culture as well as during in vivo infection. Our results strongly suggest that mce1 is expressed as a polycistronic message. In culture from day 8 to day 12, expression of only mce1 was observed, but as the cultures progress towards stationary phase the expression profile of mce operons was altered; the transcripts of the mce1 operon were barely detected while those of the mce4 operon were prominent. In an analysis of the expression of mce operons in tubercle material collected from infected animal tissues, we detected the expression of mce1, -3 and -4. Our results imply that mce operons other than mce1 are also expressed during infection and that it is necessary to examine their role in pathogenesis.

Surveillance for severe community-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infection

2009 ◽  
Vol 137 (12) ◽  
pp. 1674-1678 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. WIERSMA ◽  
M. TOBIN D'ANGELO ◽  
W. R. DALEY ◽  
J. TUTTLE ◽  
K. E. ARNOLD ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Staphylococcus Aureus ◽  
Case Fatality ◽  
Invasive Disease ◽  
Methicillin Resistant ◽  
Risk Of Death ◽  
Clinical Syndromes ◽  
The Usa ◽  
Severe Infections ◽  
Traditional Risk Factors

SUMMARYCommunity-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA) has rapidly emerged in the USA as a cause of severe infections in previously healthy persons without traditional risk factors. We describe the epidemiology of severe CA-MRSA disease in the state of Georgia, USA and analyse the risk of death associated with three different clinical syndromes of CA-MRSA disease – pneumonia, invasive disease, and skin and soft-tissue infections (SSTIs). A total of 1670 cases of severe CA-MRSA disease were reported during 2005–2007. The case-fatality rate was 3·4%; sex and race of fatal and non-fatal cases did not differ significantly. While CA-MRSA pneumonia and invasive disease were less common than SSTIs, they were about 15 times more likely to result in death [risk ratio 16·69, 95% confidence interval (CI) 10·28–27·07 and 13·98, 95% CI 7·74–25·27, respectively]. When controlling for age and the presence of other clinical syndromes the odds of death in patients manifesting specific severe CA-MRSA syndromes was highest in those with pneumonia (odds ratio 11·34). Possible risk factors for severe CA-MRSA SSTI and pneumonia included the draining of lesions without medical assistance and an antecedent influenza-like illness.

Cerebrospinal acanthamebic granulomas

2003 ◽  
Vol 99 (3) ◽  
pp. 572-574 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vernon Velho ◽  
Gopal Krishan Sharma ◽  
Deepak Amrut Palande
Keyword(s):  
Surgical Excision ◽  
Imaging Studies ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Mode Of Entry ◽  
Antituberculosis Treatment ◽  
History Of ◽  
Severe Infections ◽  
The Central Nervous System ◽  
The Right ◽  
Fine Print

✓ The authors present the case of a previously healthy 26-year-old man who presented with cerebrospinal acanthamebic granulomas, and they review the literature on acanthamebic granulomas of the central nervous system (CNS). The appearance of the lesion on imaging studies suggested the presence of tuberculous granulomas, which are common in India, and antituberculosis treatment was started. Despite surgical excision of a granuloma located in the right temporoparietal region and an intramedullary granuloma at T7–8, the disease progressed and resulted in death. Unlike other cases, this patient was not immunocompromised, had no history of engaging in water activities, and had no ulcers on his body, leaving in question the mode of entry used by the ameba. Acanthamebic granulomas can cause severe infections in healthy patients as well as in sick ones. This disease should be considered in the differential diagnosis when treating infective granulomas of the CNS.

scholarly journals Doxycycline Induces Apoptosis of Brucella Suis S2 Strain-Infected HMC3 Microglial Cells by Activating Calreticulin-Dependent JNK/p53 Signaling Pathway

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhao Wang ◽  
Yanbai Wang ◽  
Huan Yang ◽  
Jiayu Guo ◽  
Zhenhai Wang
Keyword(s):  
Protein Expression ◽  
Signaling Pathway ◽  
Cell Apoptosis ◽  
Human Brucellosis ◽  
Protein Levels ◽  
P53 Signaling ◽  
Brucella Suis ◽  
The Central Nervous System ◽  
Infected Cells ◽  
P53 Signaling Pathway

Neurobrucellosis is a chronic complication of human brucellosis that is caused by the presence of Brucella spp in the central nervous system (CNS) and the inflammation play a key role on the pathogenesis. Doxycycline (Dox) is a widely used antibiotic that induces apoptosis of bacteria-infected cells. However, the mechanisms of Brucella inhibition of microglial apoptosis and Dox induction of apoptosis are still poorly understood. In this study, we found that Brucella suis S2 strain (B. suis S2) increased calreticulin (CALR) protein levels and inhbited HMC3 cell apoptosis. Hence, we constructed two HMC3 cell line variants, one with stable overexpression (HMC3-CALR) and one with low expression of CALR (HMC3-sh-CALR). CALR was found to decrease levels of p-JNK and p-p53 proteins, as well as suppress apoptosis in HMC3 cells. These findings suggest that CALR suppresses apoptosis by inhibiting the JNK/p53 signaling pathway. Next, we treated HMC3, HMC3-CALR and HMC3-sh-CALR cell lines with B. suis S2 or Dox. Our results demonstrate that B. suis S2 restrains the JNK/p53 signaling pathway to inhibit HMC3 cell apoptosis via increasing CALR protein expression, while Dox plays the opposite role. Finally, we treated B. suis S2-infected HMC3 cells with Dox. Our results confirm that Dox induces JNK/p53-dependent apoptosis in B. suis S2-infected HMC3 cells through inhibition of CALR protein expression. Taken together, these results reveal that CALR and the JNK/p53 signaling pathway may serve as novel therapeutic targets for treatment of neurobrucellosis.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document