scholarly journals Preliminary Molecular Survey of the Possible Presence of Xylella fastidiosa in the Upper Ionian Coasts of Calabria, Italy, through the Capture and Analysis of Its Main Vector Insects

Insects ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (5) ◽  
pp. 446
Author(s):  
Luca Lombardo ◽  
Pierluigi Rizzo ◽  
Carmine Novellis ◽  
Veronica Vizzarri
Keyword(s):  
Xylella Fastidiosa ◽  
Diagnostic Techniques ◽  
Insect Species ◽  
Molecular Diagnostic ◽  
Molecular Diagnostic Techniques ◽  
Philaenus Spumarius ◽  
Apulia Region ◽  
Italian Regions ◽  
Olive Groves ◽  
Olive Quick Decline Syndrome

Xylella fastidiosa subsp. pauca, strain CoDiRO is the bacterium responsible for the onset of the disease known as the olive quick decline syndrome, which has been causing a phytosanitary and economic emergency in the Apulia region since 2013. To date, three insect species have been identified as pathogenic carriers of X. fastidiosa. With the advancement of the infection front, and the possibility of pathogenic insects being “hitchhiked” over long distances, the monitoring of the vectors of X. fastidiosa in the Italian regions bordering Apulia is an increasingly contingent issue for the rapid containment of the bacterium and the protection of the olive-growing heritage. Accordingly, the present research concerned the capture and recognition of the vector insects of X. fastidiosa in the upper Ionian coasts of Calabria (Italy) to evaluate the possible presence of the bacterium through molecular diagnostic techniques. The sampling allowed us to ascertain the presence of Philaenus spumarius and Neophilaenus campestris and their preferential distribution in olive groves and meadows, whereas all the 563 individuals tested negative for the pathogen.

scholarly journals Transmission of Xylella fastidiosa Subspecies Pauca Sequence Type 53 by Different Insect Species

Insects ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (10) ◽  
pp. 324 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vincenzo Cavalieri ◽  
Giuseppe Altamura ◽  
Giulio Fumarola ◽  
Michele di Carolo ◽  
Maria Saponari ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Xylella Fastidiosa ◽  
Severe Disease ◽  
Xylem Sap ◽  
Seasonal Abundance ◽  
Philaenus Spumarius ◽  
Olive Groves ◽  
Sap Feeding ◽  
Olive Quick Decline Syndrome ◽  
Exotic Pathogen

Diseases associated with Xylella fastidiosa have been described mostly in North and South America. However, during the last five years, widespread X. fastidiosa infections have been reported in a constrained area of the Apulia region (southern Italy), in olives trees suffering a severe disease, denoted as Olive Quick Decline Syndrome (OQDS). Because many xylem sap-feeding insects can function as vectors for the transmission of this exotic pathogen in EU, several research programs are ongoing to assess the role of candidate vectors in the spread of the infections. Initial investigations identified Philaenus spumarius (L.) as the predominant vector species in the olive orchards affected by the OQDS. Additional experiments have been carried out during 2016 and 2017 to assess the role of other species. More specifically, adults of the spittlebugs Philaenus italosignus Drosopolous and Remane, Neophilaenus campestris (Fallen) and of the planthopper Latilica tunetana (Matsumura) (Issidae) have been tested in transmission experiments to assess their ability to acquire the bacterium from infected olives and to infect different susceptible hosts (olives, almond, myrtle –leaf milkwort, periwinkle). Acquisition rates determined by testing individual insects in quantitative PCR assays, ranging from 5.6% in N. campestris to 22.2% in P. italosignus, whereas no acquisition was recorded for L. tunetana. Successful transmissions were detected in the recipient plants exposed to P. italosignus and N. campestris, whereas no trasmissions occurred with L. tunetana. The known vector Philaenus spumarius has been included in all the experiments for validation. The systematic surveys conducted in 2016 and 2017 provided further evidence on the population dynamics and seasonal abundance of the spittlebug populations in the olive groves.

scholarly journals Moraxella catarrhalis: from Emerging to Established Pathogen

2002 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 125-144 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cees M. Verduin ◽  
Cees Hol ◽  
André Fleer ◽  
Hans van Dijk ◽  
Alex van Belkum
Keyword(s):  
Moraxella Catarrhalis ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Bacterial Species ◽  
Bacterial Pathogen ◽  
Diagnostic Techniques ◽  
Human Infection ◽  
Molecular Diagnostic ◽  
Molecular Diagnostic Techniques ◽  
Pathogenic Potential ◽  
The Past

SUMMARY Moraxella catarrhalis (formerly known as Branhamella catarrhalis) has emerged as a significant bacterial pathogen of humans over the past two decades. During this period, microbiological and molecular diagnostic techniques have been developed and improved for M. catarrhalis, allowing the adequate determination and taxonomic positioning of this pathogen. Over the same period, studies have revealed its involvement in respiratory (e.g., sinusitis, otitis media, bronchitis, and pneumonia) and ocular infections in children and in laryngitis, bronchitis, and pneumonia in adults. The development of (molecular) epidemiological tools has enabled the national and international distribution of M. catarrhalis strains to be established, and has allowed the monitoring of nosocomial infections and the dynamics of carriage. Indeed, such monitoring has revealed an increasing number of Β-lactamase-positive M. catarrhalis isolates (now well above 90%), underscoring the pathogenic potential of this organism. Although a number of putative M. catarrhalis virulence factors have been identified and described in detail, their relationship to actual bacterial adhesion, invasion, complement resistance, etc. (and ultimately their role in infection and immunity), has been established in a only few cases. In the past 10 years, various animal models for the study of M. catarrhalis pathogenicity have been described, although not all of these models are equally suitable for the study of human infection. Techniques involving the molecular manipulation of M. catarrhalis genes and antigens are also advancing our knowledge of the host response to and pathogenesis of this bacterial species in humans, as well as providing insights into possible vaccine candidates. This review aims to outline our current knowledge of M. catarrhalis, an organism that has evolved from an emerging to a well-established human pathogen.

Unusual endophytic non-enhancing tumour in the renal pelvis: a diagnostic dilemma

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (9) ◽  
pp. e245037
Author(s):  
Murali Krishna ◽  
Santosh Kumar ◽  
Kalpesh Mahesh Parmar ◽  
Venkatesh Dhana Sekaran
Keyword(s):  
Renal Cell ◽  
Cell Cancer ◽  
Diagnostic Techniques ◽  
Molecular Diagnostic ◽  
Molecular Diagnostic Techniques ◽  
Imaging Features ◽  
Diagnostic Dilemma ◽  
Upper Tract Urothelial Cancer ◽  
Cell Variant ◽  
Clear Cell Variant

Renal cell cancer (RCC) is incidentally detected on imaging in 50%–60% of cases. Among the RCCs, clear cell variant is most common and classically seen as heterogenous enhancing lesion on CT imaging. Hypoenhancing mass presents a diagnostic dilemma with differential diagnosis being urothelial carcinoma, fat poor angiomyolipoma, oncocytoma or rarer variants of RCC. Such cases require further evaluation in form of urine cytology or newer molecular diagnostic techniques. Here, we present a case of renal mass with minimal enhancement on CT scan and imaging features suggestive of upper tract urothelial cancer. Final histopathology revealed the mass to be chromophobe variant of renal cell carcinoma.

Diagnosis of melioidosis: the role of molecular techniques

2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (4) ◽  
pp. 271-288
Author(s):  
Ian Gassiep ◽  
Delaney Burnard ◽  
Michelle J Bauer ◽  
Robert E Norton ◽  
Patrick N Harris
Keyword(s):  
Laboratory Diagnosis ◽  
Diagnostic Techniques ◽  
Molecular Techniques ◽  
Molecular Diagnostic ◽  
Clinical Samples ◽  
Molecular Diagnostic Techniques ◽  
Detection And Identification ◽  
Life Years ◽  
Culture Independent ◽  
Future Utility

Melioidosis is an emerging infectious disease with an estimated global burden of 4.64 million disability-adjusted life years per year. A major determinant related to poor disease outcomes is delay to diagnosis due to the fact that identification of the causative agent Burkholderia pseudomallei may be challenging. Over the last 25 years, advances in molecular diagnostic techniques have resulted in the potential for rapid and accurate organism detection and identification direct from clinical samples. While these methods are not yet routine in clinical practice, laboratory diagnosis of infectious diseases is transitioning to culture-independent techniques. This review article aims to evaluate molecular methods for melioidosis diagnosis direct from clinical samples and discuss current and future utility and limitations.

scholarly journals Bacterial and Fungal Endophthalmitis

2017 ◽  
Vol 30 (3) ◽  
pp. 597-613 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marlene L. Durand
Keyword(s):  
Intravitreal Injection ◽  
Systemic Infection ◽  
Visual Outcome ◽  
Diagnostic Techniques ◽  
Medical Emergency ◽  
Molecular Diagnostic ◽  
Endogenous Endophthalmitis ◽  
Molecular Diagnostic Techniques ◽  
Permanent Loss ◽  
Hematogenous Seeding

SUMMARY Endophthalmitis is a severe eye infection that may result in permanent loss of useful vision in the affected eye. Most cases are exogenous and occur as a complication of cataract surgery, an intravitreal injection, or penetrating ocular trauma. Endogenous endophthalmitis results from hematogenous seeding of the eye by bacteria or fungi, but bacteremia or fungemia may be transient and patients may present without symptoms of systemic infection. Nearly all endophthalmitis patients present with decreased vision, and some also have eye pain. Eye examination usually reveals a hypopyon and intraocular inflammation. Diagnosis is clinical, supported by cultures of the vitreous and/or aqueous or by blood cultures in some endogenous cases. Molecular diagnostic techniques have been used in research laboratories for pathogen identification in endophthalmitis and offer the possibility of rapid diagnosis, including in culture-negative cases. Intravitreal injection of antibiotics is the most important component of treatment; some cases also benefit from surgical debridement of the vitreous by a vitrectomy. The visual outcome depends partly on the pathogen: coagulase-negative staphylococcal endophthalmitis has a better prognosis than does streptococcal endophthalmitis, for example. Endophthalmitis is a medical emergency, and prompt diagnosis and treatment are essential for saving vision.

scholarly journals Landscape composition predicts the distribution of Philaenus spumarius, vector of Xylella fastidiosa, in olive groves

2019 ◽  
Vol 92 (3) ◽  
pp. 1101-1109 ◽  
Author(s):  
Giacomo Santoiemma ◽  
Giovanni Tamburini ◽  
Francesco Sanna ◽  
Nicola Mori ◽  
Lorenzo Marini
Keyword(s):  
Xylella Fastidiosa ◽  
Landscape Composition ◽  
Philaenus Spumarius ◽  
Olive Groves

Fungal Peritonitis in Peritoneal Dialysis Patients

2005 ◽  
Vol 25 (3) ◽  
pp. 207-222 ◽  
Author(s):  
Narayan Prasad ◽  
Amit Gupta
Keyword(s):  
Abdominal Pain ◽  
Peritoneal Dialysis ◽  
Candida Species ◽  
Fungal Infections ◽  
Diagnostic Techniques ◽  
Catheter Removal ◽  
Prolonged Treatment ◽  
Molecular Diagnostic ◽  
Molecular Diagnostic Techniques ◽  
Fungal Peritonitis

Peritonitis is one of the most frequent complications of peritoneal dialysis (PD) and 1% – 15% of episodes are caused by fungal infections. The mortality rate of fungal peritonitis (FP) varies from 5% to 53%; failure to resume PD occurs in up to 40% of patients. The majority of these FP episodes are caused by Candida species. Candida albicans has historically been reported to be a more common cause than non-albicans Candida species, but in recent reports a shift has been observed and non-albicans Candida may now be more common. Unusual, often “nonpathogenic,” fungi are being increasingly reported as etiologic agents in FP. Clinical features of FP are not different from those of bacterial peritonitis. Phenotypic identification of fungi in clinical microbiology laboratories is often difficult and delayed. New molecular diagnostic techniques ( e.g., polymerase chain reaction) are being developed and evaluated, and may improve diagnosis and so facilitate early treatment of infected patients. Abdominal pain, abdominal pain with fever, and catheter left in situ are risk factors for mortality and technique failure in FP. In programs with high baseline rates of FP, nystatin prophylaxis may be beneficial. Each program must examine its own history of FP to decide whether prophylaxis would be beneficial. Catheter removal is indicated immediately after fungi are identified by Gram stain or culture in all patients with FP. Prolonged treatment with antifungal agents to determine response and attempt clearance is not encouraged. Antifungals should be continued for 10 days to 2 weeks after catheter removal. Attempts at reinsertion should be made only after waiting for 4 – 6 weeks.

scholarly journals Male infertility: biomolecular aspects

2014 ◽  
Vol 5 (6) ◽  
pp. 449-456 ◽  
Author(s):  
Damiano Pizzol ◽  
Alessandro Bertoldo ◽  
Carlo Foresta
Keyword(s):  
Male Infertility ◽  
Semen Analysis ◽  
Diagnostic Techniques ◽  
Molecular Techniques ◽  
Molecular Diagnostic ◽  
Molecular Diagnostic Techniques ◽  
Assisted Reproductive Technique ◽  
Sperm Analysis ◽  
Precise Diagnosis ◽  
Near Future

AbstractMale infertility is a problem that faces increasing interest, and the continuous development of assisted reproduction techniques solicits attempts to identify a precise diagnosis, in particular for idiopathic infertile couples and those undergoing assisted reproductive technique cycles. To date, diagnosis of male infertility is commonly based on standard semen analysis, but in many cases, this is not enough to detect any sperm abnormality. A better understanding of biomolecular issues and mechanism of damaged spermatogenesis and the refinement of the molecular techniques for sperm evaluation and selection are important advances that can lead to the optimization of diagnostic and therapeutic management of male and couple infertility. Faced with a growing number of new proposed techniques and diagnostic tests, it is fundamental to know which tests are already routinely used in the clinical practice and those that are likely to be used in the near future. This review focuses on the main molecular diagnostic techniques for male infertility and on newly developed methods that will probably be part of routine sperm analysis in the near future.

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