scholarly journals A Review of Chlamydial Infections in Wild Birds

Pathogens ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (8) ◽  
pp. 948
Author(s):  
Helena S. Stokes ◽  
Mathew L. Berg ◽  
Andrew T. D. Bennett
Keyword(s):  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Clinical Signs ◽  
Wild Birds ◽  
Chlamydia Psittaci ◽  
Avian Host ◽  
Primary Host ◽  
Chlamydial Species ◽  
Avian Populations ◽  
Globally Distributed ◽  
Chlamydial Infections

The Chlamydia are a globally distributed genus of bacteria that can infect and cause disease in a range of hosts. Birds are the primary host for multiple chlamydial species. The most well-known of these is Chlamydia psittaci, a zoonotic bacterium that has been identified in a range of wild and domesticated birds. Wild birds are often proposed as a reservoir of Chlamydia psittaci and potentially other chlamydial species. The aim of this review is to present the current knowledge of chlamydial infections in wild avian populations. We focus on C. psittaci but also consider other Chlamydiaceae and Chlamydia-related bacteria that have been identified in wild birds. We summarise the diversity, host range, and clinical signs of infection in wild birds and consider the potential implications of these infections for zoonotic transmission and avian conservation. Chlamydial bacteria have been found in more than 70 species of wild birds, with the greatest chlamydial diversity identified in Europe. The Corvidae and Accipitridae families are emerging as significant chlamydial hosts, in addition to established wild hosts such as the Columbidae. Clarifying the effects of these bacteria on avian host fitness and the zoonotic potential of emerging Chlamydiales will help us to understand the implications of these infections for avian and human health.

scholarly journals L2HGDH Missense Variant in a Cat with L-2-Hydroxyglutaric Aciduria

Genes ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (5) ◽  
pp. 682
Author(s):  
Matthias Christen ◽  
Nils Janzen ◽  
Anne Fraser ◽  
Adrian C. Sewell ◽  
Vidhya Jagannathan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Genetic Defect ◽  
Clinical Signs ◽  
Missense Variant ◽  
Microcytic Anemia ◽  
Abnormal Behavior ◽  
Functional Candidate Gene ◽  
History Of ◽  
The Brain ◽  
Hydroxyglutaric Acid

A 7-month-old, spayed female, domestic longhair cat with L-2-hydroxyglutaric aciduria (L-2-HGA) was investigated. The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical signs, metabolic changes and underlying genetic defect. The owner of the cat reported a 4-month history of multiple paroxysmal seizure-like episodes, characterized by running around the house, often in circles, with abnormal behavior, bumping into obstacles, salivating and often urinating. The episodes were followed by a period of disorientation and inappetence. Neurological examination revealed an absent bilateral menace response. Routine blood work revealed mild microcytic anemia but biochemistry, ammonia, lactate and pre- and post-prandial bile acids were unremarkable. MRI of the brain identified multifocal, bilaterally symmetrical and T2-weighted hyperintensities within the prosencephalon, mesencephalon and metencephalon, primarily affecting the grey matter. Urinary organic acids identified highly increased levels of L-2-hydroxyglutaric acid. The cat was treated with the anticonvulsants levetiracetam and phenobarbitone and has been seizure-free for 16 months. We sequenced the genome of the affected cat and compared the data to 48 control genomes. L2HGDH, coding for L-2-hydroxyglutarate dehydrogenase, was investigated as the top functional candidate gene. This search revealed a single private protein-changing variant in the affected cat. The identified homozygous variant, XM_023255678.1:c.1301A>G, is predicted to result in an amino acid change in the L2HGDH protein, XP_023111446.1:p.His434Arg. The available clinical and biochemical data together with current knowledge about L2HGDH variants and their functional impact in humans and dogs allow us to classify the p.His434Arg variant as a causative variant for the observed neurological signs in this cat.

scholarly journals Understanding Chronic Venous Disease: A Critical Overview of Its Pathophysiology and Medical Management

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (15) ◽  
pp. 3239
Author(s):  
Miguel A. Ortega ◽  
Oscar Fraile-Martínez ◽  
Cielo García-Montero ◽  
Miguel A. Álvarez-Mon ◽  
Chen Chaowen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Inflammatory Responses ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Varicose Veins ◽  
Clinical Signs ◽  
Clinical Manifestations ◽  
Significant Loss ◽  
Venous Hypertension ◽  
Chronic Venous Disease ◽  
Venous Disease ◽  
Environmental Agents

Chronic venous disease (CVD) is a multifactorial condition affecting an important percentage of the global population. It ranges from mild clinical signs, such as telangiectasias or reticular veins, to severe manifestations, such as venous ulcerations. However, varicose veins (VVs) are the most common manifestation of CVD. The explicit mechanisms of the disease are not well-understood. It seems that genetics and a plethora of environmental agents play an important role in the development and progression of CVD. The exposure to these factors leads to altered hemodynamics of the venous system, described as ambulatory venous hypertension, therefore promoting microcirculatory changes, inflammatory responses, hypoxia, venous wall remodeling, and epigenetic variations, even with important systemic implications. Thus, a proper clinical management of patients with CVD is essential to prevent potential harms of the disease, which also entails a significant loss of the quality of life in these individuals. Hence, the aim of the present review is to collect the current knowledge of CVD, including its epidemiology, etiology, and risk factors, but emphasizing the pathophysiology and medical care of these patients, including clinical manifestations, diagnosis, and treatments. Furthermore, future directions will also be covered in this work in order to provide potential fields to explore in the context of CVD.

scholarly journals AB0815 FIRST DEGREE RELATIVES OF PATIENTS WITH SYSTEMIC LUPUS ERYTHEMATOSUS - CLINICAL, SEROLOGICAL AND IMMUNOLOGICAL CORRELATIONS

2021 ◽  
Vol 80 (Suppl 1) ◽  
pp. 1432.2-1432
Author(s):  
B. Penev ◽  
G. Vasilev ◽  
D. Kyurkchiev ◽  
S. Monov
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus ◽  
Connective Tissue ◽  
Lupus Erythematosus ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Clinical Signs ◽  
Connective Tissue Diseases ◽  
Pharmaceutical Products ◽  
Systemic Lupus

Background:Antinuclear antibodies (ANA) have been unequivocally recognized as essential for diagnosis and play both pathogenic and diagnostic roles in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). SLE and ANA have also been found to be more often among relatives of SLE patients. ANA and other immunological changes are known to appear prior to the clinical onset of the disease and thus can be used as predictors. Studies have reported that relatives of SLE patients who later transitioned to SLE displayed more lupus-associated autoantibody specificities and had early clinical signs. They also displayed elevated baseline plasma levels of inflammatory mediators, including B-lymphocyte stimulator (BLyS) and interferon-associated chemokines, with concurrent decreases in levels of regulatory mediators, e.g. tumor growth factor (TGF)-β. Commonly recognized risk factors for SLE are signs of past Epstein-Barr (EBV) infection, use of estrogen drugs and current smoking. It seems that ANA, immunologic changes and risk factors have not been investigated together in relatives of SLE patients.Objectives:The aim of the study was to determine the relative prevalence of clinical signs of SLE or connective tissue disease (CTD), smoking, use of estrogen drugs and levels of circulating ANA, BLyS, IFN-α, TGF-β, anti-EBV viral capsid antigen (VCA) IgM and IgG antibodies among sera of FDR, non-FDR healthy individuals and SLE patients.Methods:Forty three FDRs of SLE patients were studied along with 15 SLE patients and 15 clinically healthy subjects as control groups. The FDRs and the healthy answered a questionnaire about early clinical signs of CTD, smoking and estrogen use history. The questionnaire was developed based on the existing Screening Questionnaire for Connective Tissue Diseases and current knowledge of most early signs of CTD. Blood samples were obtained and tested for ANA, both by indirect immunofluorescence and immunoblot, anti-dsDNA by ELISA. ELISA was also performed to measure levels of BLys, IFN-α, TGF-β, anti-EBV IgM and IgG.Results:More than half of the FDRs displayed ANA in titer 1:160 or more, with predominately AC-4 type of fluorescence according to International Classification on ANA Patterns (ICAP) compared to only AC-1 and AC-0 among patients and controls respectively. A correlation between the ANA titer and the number of complaints was found. This was particularly valid or reported skin complaints and oral ulcers which appeared more frequently when ANA was 1:320 or above (p=0,018 and 0,038 respectively). Furthermore, oral ulcerations showed positive correlation with the presence of anti-Ro60. No associations were found in the healthy group between reported complaints and ANA titers. Smoking and estrogen use did not differ across the three groups. Patients showed significant differences in levels of BLys (p=0,027), TGF-β (p=0,019) and anti-EBV IgG (p=0.041) compared to both FDRs and controls. Without reaching statistical significance, levels of TGF-β tend to split the FDR group into “healthy-like” and “SLE-like”.Conclusion:Our results show that FDR ANA levels are between those of SLE patients and healthy subject groups. This is consistent with previous studies. The data also suggest that ANA positivity correlates with reported complaints, some of which could be interpreted as very early clinical signs of SLE. Of note, anti-Ro60 is known to be among the earliest ANA that appear in “future” SLE patients and in this study they are related to oral complaints that could be caused by early sicca phenomena. Immunologically, our data support previous findings [1] that the FDRs are a heterogenic group with different “lupus-developing” potential.References:[1]Munroe МE. et al, Soluble Mediators and Clinical Features Discern Risk of Transitioning to Classified Disease in Relatives of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Patients, Arthritis Rheumatol. 2017 March; 69(3): 630–642.Disclosure of Interests:Bogdan Penev: None declared, Georgi Vasilev: None declared, Dobroslav Kyurkchiev: None declared, Simeon Monov Speakers bureau: I have been paid for giving lectures on statistical data on efficacy of many pharmaceutical products on various companies

scholarly journals Replication and Transmission of the Novel Bovine Influenza D Virus in a Guinea Pig Model

2015 ◽  
Vol 89 (23) ◽  
pp. 11990-12001 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chithra Sreenivasan ◽  
Milton Thomas ◽  
Zizhang Sheng ◽  
Ben M. Hause ◽  
Emily A. Collin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Influenza Virus ◽  
Respiratory Tract ◽  
Guinea Pigs ◽  
Clinical Signs ◽  
Suitable Model ◽  
Upper Respiratory Tract ◽  
Experimental Conditions ◽  
Primary Host ◽  
Transmission Potential ◽  
Sentinel Animals

ABSTRACTInfluenza D virus (FLUDV) is a novel influenza virus that infects cattle and swine. The goal of this study was to investigate the replication and transmission of bovine FLUDV in guinea pigs. Following direct intranasal inoculation of animals, the virus was detected in nasal washes of infected animals during the first 7 days postinfection. High viral titers were obtained from nasal turbinates and lung tissues of directly inoculated animals. Further, bovine FLUDV was able to transmit from the infected guinea pigs to sentinel animals by means of contact and not by aerosol dissemination under the experimental conditions tested in this study. Despite exhibiting no clinical signs, infected guinea pigs developed seroconversion and the viral antigen was detected in lungs of animals by immunohistochemistry. The observation that bovine FLUDV replicated in the respiratory tract of guinea pigs was similar to observations described previously in studies of gnotobiotic calves and pigs experimentally infected with bovine FLUDV but different from those described previously in experimental infections in ferrets and swine with a swine FLUDV, which supported virus replication only in the upper respiratory tract and not in the lower respiratory tract, including lung. Our study established that guinea pigs could be used as an animal model for studying this newly emerging influenza virus.IMPORTANCEInfluenza D virus (FLUDV) is a novel emerging pathogen with bovine as its primary host. The epidemiology and pathogenicity of the virus are not yet known. FLUDV also spreads to swine, and the presence of FLUDV-specific antibodies in humans could indicate that there is a potential for zoonosis. Our results showed that bovine FLUDV replicated in the nasal turbinate and lungs of guinea pigs at high titers and was also able to transmit from an infected animal to sentinel animals by contact. The fact that bovine FLUDV replicated productively in both the upper and lower respiratory tracts of guinea pigs, similarly to virus infection in its native host, demonstrates that guinea pigs would be a suitable model host to study the replication and transmission potential of bovine FLUDV.

scholarly journals Schmallenberg virus: a systematic international literature review (2011-2019) from an Irish perspective

2019 ◽  
Vol 72 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Áine B. Collins ◽  
Michael L. Doherty ◽  
Damien J. Barrett ◽  
John F. Mee
Keyword(s):  
Scientific Literature ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Clinical Signs ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Schmallenberg Virus ◽  
Transmission Risk ◽  
Surveillance Program ◽  
Emerging Viruses ◽  
Biting Midges ◽  
Irish Case

Abstract In Autumn 2011, nonspecific clinical signs of pyrexia, diarrhoea, and drop in milk yield were observed in dairy cattle near the German town of Schmallenberg at the Dutch/German border. Targeted veterinary diagnostic investigations for classical endemic and emerging viruses could not identify a causal agent. Blood samples were collected from animals with clinical signs and subjected to metagenomic analysis; a novel orthobunyavirus was identified and named Schmallenberg virus (SBV). In late 2011/early 2012, an epidemic of abortions and congenital malformations in calves, lambs and goat kids, characterised by arthrogryposis and hydranencephaly were reported in continental Europe. Subsequently, SBV RNA was confirmed in both aborted and congenitally malformed foetuses and also in Culicoides species biting midges. It soon became evident that SBV was an arthropod-borne teratogenic virus affecting domestic ruminants. SBV rapidly achieved a pan-European distribution with most countries confirming SBV infection within a year or two of the initial emergence. The first Irish case of SBV was confirmed in the south of the country in late 2012 in a bovine foetus. Since SBV was first identified in 2011, a considerable body of scientific research has been conducted internationally describing this novel emerging virus. The aim of this systematic review is to provide a comprehensive synopsis of the most up-to-date scientific literature regarding the origin of SBV and the spread of the Schmallenberg epidemic, in addition to describing the species affected, clinical signs, pathogenesis, transmission, risk factors, impact, diagnostics, surveillance methods and control measures. This review also highlights current knowledge gaps in the scientific literature regarding SBV, most notably the requirement for further research to determine if, and to what extent, SBV circulation occurred in Europe and internationally during 2017 and 2018. Moreover, recommendations are also made regarding future arbovirus surveillance in Europe, specifically the establishment of a European-wide sentinel herd surveillance program, which incorporates bovine serology and Culicoides entomology and virology studies, at national and international level to monitor for the emergence and re-emergence of arboviruses such as SBV, bluetongue virus and other novel Culicoides-borne arboviruses.

scholarly journals Canine parvovirosis: Still an existing problem.

2019 ◽  
Vol 75 (04) ◽  
pp. 6191-2019
Author(s):  
ALICJA WÓJCIK ◽  
STANISŁAW WINIARCZYK ◽  
JERZY ZIĘTEK
Keyword(s):  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Clinical Signs ◽  
Clinical Problem ◽  
Final Diagnosis ◽  
Diagnostic Methods ◽  
High Morbidity ◽  
Viral Pathogens ◽  
Treatment Protocols ◽  
Prophylactic Vaccination ◽  
Hemorrhagic Enteritis

Parvoviral infections of dogs are still a clinical problem throughout the world. This is despite the development of prevention, increased awareness among the owners and increasingly effective treatment protocols due to the extremely high virulence of the virus. Parvovirosis is a disease caused by a virus of the Parvoviridae family in various variants: CPV-2, CPV-2a, CPV-2b and CPV-2c, all of which produce similar clinical signs, including acute hemorrhagic enteritis and myocarditis. It is one of the most important viral pathogens, with extremely high morbidity and mortality. This study is a compendium of current knowledge about parvoviral infections in dogs. It describes their aetiology, pathogenesis and factors predisposing to parvovirosis. Special emphasis is placed on the description of clinical signs and treatment of sick dogs. Various diagnostic methods that are necessary to make the final diagnosis of the disease are described. The recommendations of the WSAVA on prophylactic vaccination are also analyzed.

scholarly journals Clinico-pathological and Immunohistochemistry of Newcastle Disease in Indigenous Chickens and Some Wild Birds in Plateau State, Nigeria

2019 ◽  
pp. 1-15
Author(s):  
Kumbish, Peterside Rinle ◽  
Oladele, Sunday Blessing ◽  
Esievo, King Akpofure Nelson ◽  
Ibrahim, Najume Doguwa Giginya ◽  
Ahmed, James Saidu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Newcastle Disease ◽  
Clinical Signs ◽  
Wild Birds ◽  
Watery Diarrhoea ◽  
Positive Staining ◽  
Pulmonary Congestion ◽  
Trade Restrictions ◽  
Indigenous Chickens ◽  
Plateau State ◽  
Apparently Healthy

Aim: Newcastle disease (ND) is one of the most important avian diseases. Virulent strains of Newcastle disease virus (NDV) have the potential of rapid spread, and may cause serious economic impact and international trade restrictions for the poultry industry. The objective was to study the clinical, gross and histo-pathological and immunohistopathological changes of Newcastle disease infection in apparently healthy and sick indigenous chickens, ducks, pigeons and some wild birds in Plateau State. Methodology: The indigenous chickens used in this study were randomly selected from apparently healthy and from those with suggestive clinical signs of ND. A total of 638 birds were used for the study. Out of the total number of birds sampled, 349 were indigenous chickens, 98 pigeons, 96 ducks and 95 from different species of wild birds. Out of the number sampled from indigenous chickens, 169 (44.01%) were live birds, while 180 (46.90%) were carcasses. Tissues were collected from indigenous chickens, pigeons, ducks and some wild birds from both sick, and apparently healthy unvaccinated flocks to screen for the presence of NDV by immunohistochemical (IHC) techniques.  The histopathology and immunohistochemistry were done using standard laboratory procedures. Results: Clinical signs observed in live birds generally varied from weakness, greenish watery diarrhoea, respiratory difficulty, anorexia and coughing, torticollis, droopy wings, paralysis, partial leg paralysis, and opisthotonos. Generally, the gross lesions in euthanized and dead birds were mostly hyperaemia, hepatomegaly, splenomegaly, moderate enlargement of the heart, petechial haemorrhages on the mucosa surface of the proventriculus and haemorrhagic tracheitis, congestion and moderate enlargement of the pancreas, pulmonary congestion and congested kidneys. Histopathological changes include lymphoid depletion and connective tissue proliferation, enteritis, pulmonary congestion and splenitis. A total of six samples (1.56%) out of 349 from indigenous chickens had positive staining for NDV antigen using IHC technique. While there were only two samples out of the 95  wild birds samples positive by IHC, both of the positive samples were from Red-eyed Dove (Streptopelia semitorquata), resulting in a 25% (2/8) positive rate from this species; had positive staining for NDV by immunohistochemistry. All IHC positive cases in this study, in both wild birds and indigenous chickens shared similar staining patterns. Conclusion: The study also shows that NDV antigens in wild birds and indigenous chickens concentrate more in the spleen, pancreas, trachea and proventriculus. This study, presents for the first time to the best of our knowledge that viral antigens (NDV) in wild birds and indigenous chickens were demonstrated by immunohistochemical technique in Plateau State, Nigeria.

scholarly journals Cryptosporidium spp. infections in livestock and wild animals in Azerbaijan territory

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Mamedova ◽  
P. Karanis
Keyword(s):  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Protozoan Parasite ◽  
Wild Animals ◽  
Vertebrate Species ◽  
Cryptosporidium Spp ◽  
Globally Distributed ◽  
Intracellular Protozoan Parasite

Abstract Cryptosporidium is an intracellular protozoan parasite, globally distributed and capable of infecting various vertebrate species, including humans as well as domestic and wild animals. Cryptosporidium is increasingly gaining attention as a human and an animal pathogen mainly due to its dominant involvement in worldwide waterborne outbreaks. The present paper reviews the current knowledge and understanding of Cryptosporidium spp. in terrestrial and water animals in Azerbaijan.

scholarly journals Acute leukemias in dogs: Analysis of 31 cases.

2017 ◽  
Vol 73 (2) ◽  
pp. 118-123
Author(s):  
Rafał Sapierzyński ◽  
Tomasz Huć ◽  
Michał Czopowicz ◽  
Urszula Jankowska ◽  
Dariusz Jagielski ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Bone Marrow ◽  
Acute Leukemia ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Correct Diagnosis ◽  
Clinical Signs ◽  
Recurrent Fever ◽  
Cytological Examination ◽  
Acute Leukemias ◽  
Staining Methods ◽  
Dog Breed

The aim of the present study was to analyse epidemiological, cytological, laboratory and clinical data from canine acute leukemia (AL) cases. The study was conducted from 2009 to 2015, and included 2384 dogs undergoing cytological examination in two veterinary practices in Warsaw. The analysis included dogs in which bone marrow cytology revealed acute leukemia, regardless of its subtype. Data on breed, age, sex, as well as clinical signs and results of haematological examination were collected for every dog. Breed predisposition to acute leukemia was calculated by statistical methods on the basis of the theoretical distribution of canine breeds in Poland. Acute leukemia was diagnosed in 31 dogs (24.7%) undergoing bone marrow cytology, that is, in 1.3% of all the dogs examined by cytology during the study period. The disease was diagnosed mainly in adults, and a strong predisposition was found particularly in German shepherds and Golden retrievers. The median duration of clinical signs from the onset to diagnosis was 14 days. The clinical signs were mostly non-specific (apathy, recurrent fever, lack of appetite), whereas lymphadenomegaly or/and splenomegaly were observed more seldom. Hematology revealed neoplastic leukocytosis in 75% of dogs, whereas anemia and trombocytopenia were observed in 86% and 85% of patients, respectively. Regardless of the leukemia subtype, prognosis was poor. In conclusion, it can be stated that according to current knowledge on canine acute leukemias, bone marrow cytology based on routine staining methods is sufficient for correct diagnosis in a vast majority of cases.

scholarly journals Chlamydiosis of dogs and cats in in modern cities

2021 ◽  
Vol 258 ◽  
pp. 04004
Author(s):  
Vitaliy Nedosekov ◽  
Alexander Martyniuk ◽  
Tatyana Stepanova ◽  
Valeria Yustyniuk ◽  
Irina Gulyukina ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Signs ◽  
Microbiological Investigation ◽  
Satisfactory Level ◽  
Modern Cities ◽  
Depth Analysis ◽  
Age And Sex ◽  
Chlamydial Infections

The aim of the research was to conduct an in-depth analysis of the investigation of chlamydial infections occurred in cats and dogs in Kyiv during the last 10 years. The article includes three main directions of investigation: 1) The analysis of the epizootic situation with chlamydiosis; 2) Microbiological investigation and 3) Serological monitoring. The clinical and epizootiological studies of chlamydiosis of dogs and cats have been looked into, with the focus on differences and similarities in age and sex of diseased animals. We have investigated 3334 animals (1351 dogs and 1983 cats), including 721 animals (107 dogs and 614 cats) with the manifestation of clinical signs specific to chlamydia. During the investigation 11 isolates of Chlamydia spp. were obtained from the infected animals. Additionally, immune and biological peculiarities have been analyzed. Due to serological monitoring within the epizootiological uncontrolled experiment, a satisfactory level of protection of cats (63%) vaccinated against chlamydiosis has been reached, as well as the possibility of the persistence of the pathogen in unvaccinated animals (9%).

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