scholarly journals Clinical and Anatomopathological Evaluation of BALB/c Murine Models Infected with Isolates of Seven Pathogenic Sporothrix Species

Pathogens ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (12) ◽  
pp. 1647
Author(s):  
Danielly Corrêa-Moreira ◽  
Rodrigo C. Menezes ◽  
Orazio Romeo ◽  
Cintia M. Borba ◽  
Manoel M. E. Oliveira

Background: Sporotrichosis is a subcutaneous mycosis with worldwide distribution and caused by seven pathogenic species of Sporothrix genus: S. schenckii sensu stricto, S. brasiliensis, S. globosa and S. luriei (clinical clade), and the species S. mexicana, S. pallida and S. chilensis (environmental clade). Isolates of the same species of Sporothrix may have different pathogenicities; however, few isolates of this fungus have been studied. Thus, the aim of this work was to analyze the clinical and anatomopathological changes in immunocompetent and immunosuppressed BALB/c mice infected with clinical and environmental isolates of seven different species of Sporothrix, from both clades. One human clinical isolate of S. schenckii sensu stricto, S. brasiliensis, S. globosa, S. luriei, S. mexicana and S. chilensis species and one environmental isolate of S. pallida were inoculated subcutaneously in immunocompetent mice and the same isolates of S. brasiliensis and S.schenckii sensu stricto were inoculated in immunossupressed mice. Clinical manifestations as external lesions, apathy, and alopecia were observed. At 21, 35, and 49 days after fungal inoculation, four mice from each group were weighed, euthanized and necropsied for evaluation of splenic index, recovery of fungal cells, macroscopic and histopathological analysis of livers, lungs, kidneys, and hearts. The survival assessment was observed for 50 days following inoculation. Our results demonstrated that, clinical S. schenckii isolate, followed by clinical S. mexicana, and environmental S. pallida isolates, the last two, species grouped in the environmental clade, were capable of inducing greater anatomopathological changes in mice, which was reflected in the severity of the clinical signs of these animals. Thus, we reinforce the hypothesis that the pathogenicity of Sporothrix is not only related to the species of this fungus, but also shows variation between different isolates of the same species.

2021 ◽  
Vol 49 ◽  
Author(s):  
Suélen Dalegrave ◽  
Denner Francisco Tomadon Fiorin ◽  
Eduarda Gabriela Mansour ◽  
Monica Regina De Matos ◽  
Renato Herdina Erdmann ◽  
...  

Background: In dogs, bullous pemphigoid (BP) is a subepithelial autoimmune disease, a rare dermatopathy in the clinical routine. BP is characterized by formation of vesicles and subepidermal blisters that result from dissolution of the dermal-epithelial junction. Clinical signs of BP usually include severe dermatological alterations with a variable prognosis. The aim of this work is to report a case of BP in a dog to contribute information for diagnosis, and to present clinical and pathological aspects that emerge during development of BP.Case: An adult male mongrel dog exhibited hyperemic, exudative, crusty lesions on the lip commissure and periocular areas. Results from laboratory tests were normal. Results from parasitological and mycological tests on skin scrapings were negative. Imprint cytology of the crusts revealed presence of gram-positive cocci bacteria. In the histopathological analysis of punch biopsy material, the epidermis was detached from the dermis, leading to formation of vesicles. There were inflammatory infiltrates containing neutrophils, eosinophils, and high amounts of fibrin, and areas of multifocal orthokeratotic hyperkeratosis. Multifocal infiltrates containing lymphocytes, histiocytes, and plasma cells were observed on the superficial portions of the dermis, which indicated a diagnosis of BP. After the definitive clinical diagnosis, the animal was treated with enrofloxacin (Baytril Flavour®; 5 mg/kg once a day for 10 days), and prednisolone (Prediderm®; 2 mg/kg once a day until further instructions). On the follow-up visit, 15 days later, the clinical picture had improved, and the lesions had decreased. Continuity of the treatment was prescribed, along with a gradual decrease in the corticoid dose. The dose of prednisolone was initially reduced to 1 mg/kg once a day, and later to 0.5 mg/kg until improvement of the clinical status of the patient. Remission of the lesions was observed 13 weeks later.Discussion: The diagnosis of BP was established after identification of the clinical cutaneous lesions and observation of microscopic findings on punch biopsy material obtained from the ocular and lip regions. BP does not exhibit breed or sex predisposition, and affects adult dogs. The clinical signs of BP are characteristic of autoimmune diseases that affect the dermoepidermal junction, and consist of erythematous, ulcerated, crusty, and painful lesions on the nose, dorsal area of the muzzle, and periorbital region. However, these lesions must be differentiated, by histological analysis, from several other conditions with a similar clinical presentation. Diseases that must be considered in the differential diagnosis comprise other variants of the pemphigus complex, lupus erythematosus, drug eruption, erythema multiforme, toxic epidermal necrolysis, epitheliotropic lymphoma, inherited bullous epidermolysis, mucous membrane pemphigoid, and lymphoreticular neoplasia. The clinicopathological findings indicated that the lesions were compatible with BP. The occurrence of necrotic and erythematous lesions is due to production of antibodies accompanied by a strong response of neutrophils, which results in loss of cell adhesion and epidermal necrosis. The presence of detachment of the epidermis from the dermis, inflammation in the superficial portion of the dermis, and infiltrates containing lymphocytes, histiocytes and plasma cells observed at the histopathological examination indicated the occurrence of BP. The skin histopathological examination warranted establishment of a diagnosis and therapeutic success. The lack of recurrence of clinical manifestations 43 weeks after the end of the glucocorticoid treatment demonstrated that the therapeutic approach and the cooperation of the owner are essential for success of the treatment.


Blood ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 110 (11) ◽  
pp. 2179-2179
Author(s):  
Vedran Radojcic ◽  
Maria A. Pletneva ◽  
Hung-Rong Yen ◽  
Timothy J. Harris ◽  
Drew M. Pardoll ◽  
...  

Abstract Growing evidence from several murine models suggests that STAT3 signaling in CD4+ T-cells plays a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of autoimmunity. We herein tested the hypothesis that the same pathway plays a critical role in the induction of GVHD in murine models of allogeneic BMT. To test our hypothesis and to compare the differential ability of STAT3 signaling in CD4+ T-cells to mediate GVHD in MHC-mismatched and-matched murine models of alloBMT, CD4-Cre × STAT3flox/flox (STAT3KOCD4+), or corresponding wild-type control mice were used as donors of CD4+ T-cells. In an MHC-mismatched model, groups of lethally irradiated (775 cGy) BALB/c (H-2d) mice received T-cell depleted (TCD) bone marrow (BM) from wild-type C57BL/6 (H-2b) mice alone, TCD B6 BM plus 4 × 105wild-type, or STAT3KOCD4+ T-cells, all on a C57BL/6 background. In repeated experiments we observed significantly decreased clinical signs of GVHD in animals receiving STAT3KOCD4+ in comparison to those receiving wild-type CD4+ T-cells (median GVHD score of 2.25 vs. 5.29; P <.001) but no difference in lethality in chimeras monitored up to day 60 posttransplant. In an MHC-matched, minor histocompatibility mismatched setting, we conducted experiments using the B10.D2 (H-2d) BALB/c (H-2d) model in which GVHD is CD4+ T-cell-mediated and has clinicopathologic consistent with human chronic GVHD. Since the dominant clinical manifestation in this model is cutaneous sclerodermatous GVHD that is associated with in situ dermal mononuclear infiltrates, the use of BALB/c-CD45.1 (CD45.1+) mice as recipients enabled us to examine the fate of skin CD11c+ dendritic cells. After conditioning (775 cGy) recipient mice received B10.D2 (CD45.2+) TCD BM and 9.3 ×106 TCD splenocytes, repleted with 106 wild-type CD8+ and 1.9 ×106 wild-type, or STAT3KOCD4+ T-cells. We reproducibly induced all signs of chronic GVHD in chimeras receiving wild-type CD4+ T-cells, but not in chimeras injected with STAT3KOCD4+ T-cells (median GVHD score of 5.2 vs. 0.0; P <.001). We found that development of cutaneous GVHD was accompanied by prominent dermal infiltration of donor-derived inflammatory monocytes and complete turnover to donor CD11c+ epidermal DC chimerism (88.4±4.3% vs. 0.9±0.6%; P <.001). Interestingly, splenic CD11c+ DC (99.9±0.1% vs. 99.8±0.1%), CD4+ (99.9±0.2% vs. 99.6±0.7%) and CD8+ (99.9±0.2% vs. 99.9±0.2%) T-cell chimerism was nearly completely donor-derived and did not differ between the two sets of described chimeras. In summary, our data suggest that intact STAT3 signaling in CD4+ T-cells is required for clinical manifestations of delayed acute and/or chronic GVHD, but it does not interfere with lymphohematopoietic graft-versus host response and achievement of full donor chimerism. Further exploration of the STAT3 signaling pathway in pathophysiology of delayed acute and/or chronic GVHD is warranted.


2019 ◽  
Vol 47 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thais Nascimento de Andrade Oliveira Cruz ◽  
Juneo Freitas Silva ◽  
Fabiana Lessa Silva ◽  
Renata Santiago Alberto Carlos

Background: Renal dysplasia (RD) is a common cause of renal failure in young dogs. It is defined as a disorganization in renal parenchymal development, with abnormal differentiation. In all domestic animal species, RD may be hereditary or acquired. The affected animals show clinical signs of early chronic kidney disease, usually between 3 months to 3 years of age. The alterations include persistent metanephric ducts surrounded by primitive mesenchyme, glomeruli and fetal tubules, and abnormal interstitial fibrous tissue. We aimed to report the case of a 1-year-old canine with renal dysplasia.Case: A 1-year-old male Maltese dog experiencing polyuria, polydipsia, recurrent episodic vomiting, bloody diarrhea, weight loss, apathy, and anorexia was referred to a private clinic in the municipality of Itabuna-Bahia. Physical examination revealed hypochromic mucosa, dehydration estimated at 8%, rectal temperature of 37.5º C, halitosis, and a body score of 3 out of 9. Laboratory abnormalities included hematocrit of 18%, with hypochromic normocytic aregenerative anemia, azotemia (urea - 530 mg/dL, creatinine - 10.5 mg/dL), hyperglobulinemia (4.7 g/dL), low urinary density (1005), proteinuria (300 mg/dL), and urinary pH - 7.0. Ultrasonography revealed bilateral small kidneys with loss of cortico-medullary definition, cystic formations of different sizes on the renal surface, and hyperechoic areas in the parenchyma; these alterations were suggestive of bilateral chronic nephropathy. Considering the clinical, hematological, biochemical, and ultrasonographic presentation associated with the age of the patient, renal dysplasia was suspected. The patient's clinical condition progressed to loss of consciousness and convulsions, followed by death. Necropsy revealed pale, hypotrophic kidneys with firm consistency, irregular capsular surface containing multiple cortical cysts of different sizes, and altered cortico-medullar proportion. . Kidney fragments were sent to the Laboratory of Histopathology of the State University of Santa Cruz.  Histopathological analysis revealed a marked alteration of renal architecture with glomeruli and immature tubules (adenomatous aspect), persistent primitive mesenchyme, and remnants of the metanephric ducts, as well as tubular dilatation associated with marked interstitial fibrosis, discrete lymphohistiocytic interstitial nephritis, and multifocal areas of mineralization.Discussion: The clinical changes observed in the present case occurred as a consequence of chronic kidney failure caused by RD and included anorexia, apathy, vomiting, bloody diarrhea, polyuria, polydipsia, and dehydration. These alterations were also found in other reported cases. The macroscopic findings were similar to those described in the literature and are characteristic of chronic kidney disease: small, firm, pale-colored kidneys. Microscopic changes of renal dysplasia include persistent metanephric ducts surrounded by primitive mesenchyme, glomeruli and fetal tubules, and abnormal interstitial fibrous tissue. In the histopathological renal evaluation in the present report, morphological alterations compatible with the described alterations in the literature were observed, thus allowing the diagnosis of renal dysplasia. Renal dysplasia can affect young dogs of different breeds, causing clinical manifestations of chronic kidney disease. In view of this, this disease should be included as a differential diagnosis in patients under 3 years old who present signs of chronic nephropathy. 


Author(s):  
W.L. Steffens ◽  
M.B. Ard ◽  
C.E. Greene ◽  
A. Jaggy

Canine distemper is a multisystemic contagious viral disease having a worldwide distribution, a high mortality rate, and significant central neurologic system (CNS) complications. In its systemic manifestations, it is often presumptively diagnosed on the basis of clinical signs and history. Few definitive antemortem diagnostic tests exist, and most are limited to the detection of viral antigen by immunofluorescence techniques on tissues or cytologic specimens or high immunoglobulin levels in CSF (cerebrospinal fluid). Diagnosis of CNS distemper is often unreliable due to the relatively low cell count in CSF (<50 cells/μl) and the binding of blocking immunoglobulins in CSF to cell surfaces. A more reliable and definitive test might be possible utilizing direct morphologic detection of the etiologic agent. Distemper is the canine equivalent of human measles, in that both involve a closely related member of the Paramyxoviridae, both produce mucosal inflammation, and may produce CNS complications. In humans, diagnosis of measles-induced subacute sclerosing panencephalitis is through negative stain identification of whole or incomplete viral particles in patient CSF.


Author(s):  
А.Р. Зарипова ◽  
Л.Р. Нургалиева ◽  
А.В. Тюрин ◽  
И.Р. Минниахметов ◽  
Р.И. Хусаинова

Проведено исследование гена интерферон индуцированного трансмембранного белка 5 (IFITM5) у 99 пациентов с несовершенным остеогенезом (НО) из 86 неродственных семей. НО - клинически и генетически гетерогенное наследственное заболевание соединительной ткани, основное клиническое проявление которого - множественные переломы, начиная с неонатального периода жизни, зачастую приводящие к инвалидизации с детского возраста. К основным клиническим признакам НО относятся голубые склеры, потеря слуха, аномалия дентина, повышенная ломкость костей, нарушения роста и осанки с развитием характерных инвалидизирующих деформаций костей и сопутствующих проблем, включающих дыхательные, неврологические, сердечные, почечные нарушения. НО встречается как у мужчин, так и у женщин. До сих пор не определена степень генетической гетерогенности заболевания. На сегодняшний день известно 20 генов, вовлеченных в патогенез НО, и исследователи разных стран продолжают искать новые гены. В последнее десятилетие стало известно, что аутосомно-рецессивные, аутосомно-доминантные и Х-сцепленные мутации в широком спектре генов, кодирующих белки, которые участвуют в синтезе коллагена I типа, его процессинге, секреции и посттрансляционной модификации, а также в белках, которые регулируют дифференцировку и активность костеобразующих клеток, вызывают НО. Мутации в гене IFITM5, также называемом BRIL (bone-restricted IFITM-like protein), участвующем в формировании остеобластов, приводят к развитию НО типа V. До 5% пациентов имеют НО типа V, который характеризуется образованием гиперпластического каллуса после переломов, кальцификацией межкостной мембраны предплечья и сетчатым рисунком ламелирования, наблюдаемого при гистологическом исследовании кости. В 2012 г. гетерозиготная мутация (c.-14C> T) в 5’-нетранслируемой области (UTR) гена IFITM5 была идентифицирована как основная причина НО V типа. В представленной работе проведен анализ гена IFITM5 и идентифицирована мутация c.-14C>T, возникшая de novo, у одного пациента с НО, которому впоследствии был установлен V тип заболевания. Также выявлены три известных полиморфных варианта: rs57285449; c.80G>C (p.Gly27Ala) и rs2293745; c.187-45C>T и rs755971385 c.279G>A (p.Thr93=) и один ранее не описанный вариант: c.128G>A (p.Ser43Asn) AGC>AAC (S/D), которые не являются патогенными. В статье уделяется внимание особенностям клинических проявлений НО V типа и рекомендуется определение мутации c.-14C>T в гене IFITM5 при подозрении на данную форму заболевания. A study was made of interferon-induced transmembrane protein 5 gene (IFITM5) in 99 patients with osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) from 86 unrelated families and a search for pathogenic gene variants involved in the formation of the disease phenotype. OI is a clinically and genetically heterogeneous hereditary disease of the connective tissue, the main clinical manifestation of which is multiple fractures, starting from the natal period of life, often leading to disability from childhood. The main clinical signs of OI include blue sclera, hearing loss, anomaly of dentin, increased fragility of bones, impaired growth and posture, with the development of characteristic disabling bone deformities and associated problems, including respiratory, neurological, cardiac, and renal disorders. OI occurs in both men and women. The degree of genetic heterogeneity of the disease has not yet been determined. To date, 20 genes are known to be involved in the pathogenesis of OI, and researchers from different countries continue to search for new genes. In the last decade, it has become known that autosomal recessive, autosomal dominant and X-linked mutations in a wide range of genes encoding proteins that are involved in the synthesis of type I collagen, its processing, secretion and post-translational modification, as well as in proteins that regulate the differentiation and activity of bone-forming cells cause OI. Mutations in the IFITM5 gene, also called BRIL (bone-restricted IFITM-like protein), involved in the formation of osteoblasts, lead to the development of OI type V. Up to 5% of patients have OI type V, which is characterized by the formation of a hyperplastic callus after fractures, calcification of the interosseous membrane of the forearm, and a mesh lamellar pattern observed during histological examination of the bone. In 2012, a heterozygous mutation (c.-14C> T) in the 5’-untranslated region (UTR) of the IFITM5 gene was identified as the main cause of OI type V. In the present work, the IFITM5 gene was analyzed and the de novo c.-14C> T mutation was identified in one patient with OI who was subsequently diagnosed with type V of the disease. Three known polymorphic variants were also identified: rs57285449; c.80G> C (p.Gly27Ala) and rs2293745; c.187-45C> T and rs755971385 c.279G> A (p.Thr93 =) and one previously undescribed variant: c.128G> A (p.Ser43Asn) AGC> AAC (S / D), which were not pathogenic. The article focuses on the features of the clinical manifestations of OI type V, and it is recommended to determine the c.-14C> T mutation in the IFITM5 gene if this form of the disease is suspected.


2012 ◽  
pp. 74-84
Author(s):  
Thi Kieu Nhi Nguyen

Objectives: 1. Estimating the ratios of clinical and paraclinical signs of post-term newborns hospitalized at Pediatric Department of Hue University Hospital. 2. Identifying the relation between clinical signs and paraclinical signs. Materials and Method: 72 post- term babies < 7 days of life hospitalized at NICU from 2010/5 to 2011/4. Classification of post - term newborn was based on WHO 2003: gestational age ≥ 42 weeks with clinical manifestations: desquamation on press with fingers or natural desquamation, withered or meconial umbilicus, meconial long finger nails (*) or geatational age still < 42 weeks with theses clinical manifestations (*). Data were recorded on a clinical record form. Per-protocol analysis of clinical outcomes was performed by using Medcalc 11.5 and Excell 2007. Analyses used the χ2 test or Fisher's exact test for categorical data; Student's t test was used for continuous data and the Mann-Whitney U test for nonparametric data. Data were presented as means or proportions with 95% CIs. Results: Clinical characteristics: Tachypnea and grasp were main reasons of hospitalisation (48.61%). Poor feeding, vomitting (16.67%). Asphyxia (8.34%). Jawndice (6.94%). Hypothermia < 36.50C (13.89%), fever (13.89%). Tachypnea (59.72%). Bradycardia (1.39%). Poor feeding (11.11%). Hypertonia (9.72%). Paraclinical characteristics: Erythrocytes < 4.5.1012/l (51.39%), Leucocytes 5 – 25.103/mm3 (81.94%), Thrombocytes 100- 400.103/mm3 (94.44%). Hemoglobinemia < 10mg/l (67.61%). Maternal characteristics: Menstrual cycles regular (75%). Primiparity (75%). Amniotic volume average (70.42%), little (29.58%). Aminiotic liquid clair (62.5%), aminiotic liquid yellow (4.17%), aminiotic meconial liquid (33.33%). Maternal manifestation of one of many risk factors consist of genital infection; urinary infection; fever before, during, after 3 days of birth; prolonged delivery; medical diseases influence the foetus (75%). The relation between clinical signs and paraclinical signs: There was significantly statistical difference: between gestationnal age based on obstetrical criteria and amniotic volume on ultrasound (p < 0.05); between birth weight and glucosemia p < 0.02). There was conversional correlation of average level between erythroctes number and respiratory rate (r = - 0.5158; p < 0,0001), concordance correlation of weak level betwwen leucocytes number and respiratory rate r = 0.3045; p = 0.0093). Conclusion: It should made diagnosis of postterm baby based on degree of desquamation. The mother who has menstrual cycles regular is still delivered of a postterm baby. A postterm baby has the individual clinical and paraclinical signs.


Author(s):  
P. R. Chavelikar ◽  
G. C. Mandali ◽  
D. M. Patel

Ruminal acidosis is one of the most important clinical emergencies in sheep and goats resulting into high mortality rate. In the present study, eight healthy farm goats and 24 goats presented to the TVCC of the college with clinical signs of ruminal acidosis like anorexia, tympany, increased pulse and respiratory rate, reduced body temperature, doughy rumen, enteritis, oliguria, grinding of teeth, purulent nasal discharge, muscle twitching, arched back, dehydration and recumbency with rumen liquor pH below 6 were examined for haematological alterations using autohaematoanalyzer. Among various haematological parameters evaluated from acidotic goats, the mean values of Hb (12.21±0.17 vs. 10.86±0.15 g/dl), TEC (14.28±0.16 vs. 12.04±0.36 ×106/ μl), TLC (13.43±0.11 vs. 11.11±0.27 ×103/μl), PCV (36.91±0.53 vs. 29.88±0.55%), neutrophils (64.54±0.93 vs. 28.13±0.92%), MCV (23.38±0.37 vs. 19.38±1.34 fl) and MCH (7.03±0.08 vs. 6.31±0.25 pg) were found significantly increased, while the mean values of lymphocytes (28.00±0.82 vs. 65.38±0.80%) and MCHC (24.55 ±0.26 vs. 34.88±0.97 g/dl) were decreased significantly from the base values of healthy goats. It was concluded that ruminal acidosis induced due to accidental heavy ingestion of readily fermentable carbohydrate rich grains and food waste significantly altered the haematological profile concurrent with clinical manifestations in goats, and hence can be used to assess the severity of the disease.


2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 811
Author(s):  
Taketoshi Ide ◽  
Takamichi Ito ◽  
Maiko Wada-Ohno ◽  
Masutaka Furue

The efficacy of preoperative imaging for acral melanoma (AM) has not been fully evaluated. We examined the accuracy of imaging modalities in the detection of nodal and distant metastases in patients with AM. A retrospective review of 109 patients with AM was performed. All patients had no clinical signs suggestive of distant metastases, and underwent preoperative screening computed tomography (CT) and positron emission tomography (PET)/CT scans. Of 100 patients without lymphadenopathy, 17 patients were suspected of having nodal metastasis in CT and PET/CT, but only two of them were confirmed on histopathological analysis. On the other hand, 12 out of 83 negatively imaged patients showed histopathological signs of nodal metastasis; thus, the sensitivity and specificity of nodal detection were 14.3% and 82.6%, respectively. Regard to the detection of distant metastases, four patients were suspected of having metastasis, but this was later ruled out. The remaining 96 negatively imaged patients were confirmed to have no metastasis at the time of CT and PET/CT by the follow-up. In contrast, distant metastases were found by CT and PET/CT in four of nine patients (44.4%) with lymphadenopathy. Routine preoperative CT and PET/CT for AM patients without lymphadenopathy may not be warranted because of low sensitivity and specificity, but it can be considered for those with lymphadenopathy.


2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (15) ◽  
pp. 3239
Author(s):  
Miguel A. Ortega ◽  
Oscar Fraile-Martínez ◽  
Cielo García-Montero ◽  
Miguel A. Álvarez-Mon ◽  
Chen Chaowen ◽  
...  

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.


Animals ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 30
Author(s):  
Patrícia F. Barradas ◽  
Clara Lima ◽  
Luís Cardoso ◽  
Irina Amorim ◽  
Fátima Gärtner ◽  
...  

Tick-borne agents constitute a growing concern for human and animal health worldwide. Hyalomma aegyptium is a hard tick with a three-host life cycle, whose main hosts for adults are Palearctic tortoises of genus Testudo. Nevertheless, immature ticks can feed on a variety of hosts, representing an important eco-epidemiological issue regarding H. aegyptium pathogens circulation. Hyalomma aegyptium ticks are vectors and/or reservoirs of various pathogenic agents, such as Ehrlichia, Anaplasma, Babesia and Hepatozoon/Hemolivia. Ehrlichia and Anaplasma are emergent tick-borne bacteria with a worldwide distribution and zoonotic potential, responsible for diseases that cause clinical manifestations that grade from acute febrile illness to a fulminant disease characterized by multi-organ system failure, depending on the species. Babesia and Hepatozoon/Hemolivia are tick-borne parasites with increasing importance in multiple species. Testudo graeca tortoises acquired in a large animal market in Doha, Qatar, were screened for a panel of tick-borne pathogens by conventional PCR followed by bidirectional sequencing. The most prevalent agent identified in ticks was Hemolivia mauritanica (28.6%), followed by Candidatus Midichloria mitochondrii (9.5%) and Ehrlichia spp. (4.7%). All samples were negative for Babesia spp. and Hepatozoon spp. Overall, 43% of the examined adult ticks were infected with at least one agent. Only 4.7% of the ticks appeared to be simultaneously infected with two agents, i.e., Ehrlichia spp. and H. mauritanica. This is the first detection of H. mauritanica, Ehrlichia spp. and Candidatus M. mitochondrii in H. aegyptium ticks collected from pet spur-thighed tortoises, in Qatar, a fact which adds to the geographical extension of these agents. The international trade of Testudo tortoises carrying ticks infected with pathogens of veterinary and medical importance deserves strict control, in order to reduce potential exotic diseases.


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