scholarly journals Laboratory Diagnosis of Bovine Abortions Caused by Non-Maintenance Pathogenic Leptospira spp.: Necropsy, Serology and Molecular Study Out of a Belgian Experience

Pathogens ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (6) ◽  
pp. 413 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fabien Grégoire ◽  
Raïssa Bakinahe ◽  
Thierry Petitjean ◽  
Samira Boarbi ◽  
Laurent Delooz ◽  
...  

Bovine leptospirosis is a bacterial zoonotic disease caused by pathogenic Leptospira spp. The pathology and epidemiology of this infection are influenced by the numerous existing serovars and their adaptation to specific hosts. Infections by host-maintained serovars such as Hardjo are well documented, unlike those from the incidental ones. In July 2014, an emerging phenomenon of an increased incidence of icteric abortions associated with leptospiral infection occurred in southern Belgium. First-line serological analyses targeting cattle-adapted serovars failed at initial diagnosis. This study provides a comprehensive description of laboratory findings—at the level of necropsy, serology and molecular diagnosis—regarding icteric and non-icteric abortions (n = 116) recorded during this time (years 2014–2015) and associated with incidental infection by serovars such as Grippotyphosa, Australis and Icterohaemorrhagiae. Based on these tests, a diagnostic pathway is proposed for these types of infection in cattle to establish an affordable but accurate diagnosis in the future. These investigations add insights into the understanding of the pathogenesis of bovine leptospirosis associated with serovars classically described as non-maintenance.

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-6
Author(s):  
Masuho Saburi ◽  
Masao Ogata ◽  
Yasuhiro Soga ◽  
Takako Satou ◽  
Kazuhito Itani ◽  
...  

<b><i>Objective:</i></b> Platelet-associated immunoglobulin G (PA-IgG) refers to IgG attached to the surface of platelets, while the immature platelet fraction (IPF) reflects the state of platelet production in bone marrow. Since PA-IgG and IPF are increased in patients with immune thrombocytopenia (ITP), reflecting amounts of platelet antibodies and compensatory platelet production, respectively, we hypothesized that these laboratory findings may provide useful markers for predicting treatment response in patients with ITP. We therefore retrospectively investigated associations between levels of these markers at diagnosis and response to first-line therapy in patients with ITP. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> Forty-three patients diagnosed with ITP at Oita Kouseiren Tsurumi Hospital between May 2010 and November 2018 were included. Patients were divided into 2 groups based on response to corticosteroid as first-line therapy. Laboratory findings were compared between responders and nonresponders. <b><i>Results:</i></b> Median PA-IgG was 285 ng/10<sup>7</sup> cells (range, 45.5–18,200 ng/10<sup>7</sup> cells), and median IPF was 15.5% (range, 5.4–62.1%). Median levels were higher than the respective upper limits of normal range (PA-IgG, 0–46 ng/10<sup>7</sup> cells; IPF, 1.1–9.5%). First-line therapy was performed using standard-dose prednisolone (0.5–1.0 mg/kg/day) in 32 patients and high-dose dexamethasone (40 mg/day, 4 days) or methylprednisolone (125–1,000 mg/day, 3–4 days) in 11 patients. Twenty-four patients (55.8%) responded to first-line therapy. In univariate analysis, type of corticosteroid (<i>p</i> = 0.17) tended to differ between groups but did not differ significantly, and no difference in IPF level was apparent between responders (15.35%; range, 5.4–41.5%) and nonresponders (16.7%; range, 6.3–62.1%; <i>p</i> = 0.15). PA-IgG was significantly higher among nonresponders (430 ng/10<sup>7</sup> cells; range, 101–18,200 ng/10<sup>7</sup> cells) than among responders (254.5 ng/10<sup>7</sup> cells; range, 45.5–470 ng/10<sup>7</sup> cells; <i>p</i> = 0.004). Multivariate analysis revealed PA-IgG was independently associated with response to first-line therapy (odds ratio, 1.000; 95% confidence interval, 1.000–1.010; <i>p</i> = 0.029). <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b> Our data suggested that PA-IgG at diagnosis could offer a useful predictor of response to first-line corticosteroid therapy for ITP.


2021 ◽  
pp. 104063872110245
Author(s):  
Sabri A. Rahman ◽  
Kuan H. Khor ◽  
Siti Khairani-Bejo ◽  
Seng F. Lau ◽  
Mazlina Mazlan ◽  
...  

Leptospirosis is a serious bacterial disease that affects both humans and animals. A wide range of symptoms have been described in humans; the disease in dogs is commonly associated with kidney and/or liver disease. In Malaysia, information about the common serovars infecting dogs is limited. Therefore, we investigated the occurrences of leptospirosis in 124 pet dogs diagnosed with kidney and/or liver disease. Blood, urine, abdominal effusion, and/or kidney and liver were collected from the dogs. Based on microscopic agglutination testing, 53 of 124 (42.7%) dogs were seropositive for leptospiral exposure. Sera were frequently positive to serovars Bataviae ( n = 12), Javanica ( n = 10), and Icterohaemorrhagiae ( n = 10). Direct detection using PCR showed that 42 of 124 (33.9%) of the whole blood and 36 of 113 (31.9%) urine samples were positive for pathogenic Leptospira spp. By PCR, 2 of 23 (9.1%) kidney and 2 of 23 (9.1%) liver were positive for pathogenic Leptospira spp. Abdominal effusion from 4 dogs were PCR-positive for pathogenic Leptospira spp. The species detected were L. interrogans, L. borgpetersenii, L. kirschneri, and L. kmetyi by partial 16S rRNA sequencing. We further identified and characterized 11 Leptospira spp. isolates from 8 dogs as serovars Bataviae, Javanica, and Australis. The mortality rate of the Leptospira-infected dogs was high (18 of 53; 34%).


Vaccine ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 28 (1) ◽  
pp. 243-255 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dongjiao Luo ◽  
Feng Xue ◽  
David M. Ojcius ◽  
Jinfang Zhao ◽  
Yafei Mao ◽  
...  

2011 ◽  
Vol 135 (7) ◽  
pp. 925-934
Author(s):  
Linsheng Zhang ◽  
Sherine S. L. Chan ◽  
Daynna J. Wolff

Abstract Context.—Primary mitochondrial dysfunction is one of the most common causes of inherited disorders predominantly involving the neuromuscular system. Advances in the molecular study of mitochondrial DNA have changed our vision and our approach to primary mitochondrial disorders. Many of the mitochondrial disorders are caused by mutations in nuclear genes and are inherited in an autosomal recessive pattern. Among the autosomal inherited mitochondrial disorders, those related to DNA polymerase γ dysfunction are the most common and the best studied. Understanding the molecular mechanisms and being familiar with the recent advances in laboratory diagnosis of this group of mitochondrial disorders are essential for pathologists to interpret abnormal histopathology and laboratory results and to suggest further studies for a definitive diagnosis. Objectives.—To help pathologists better understand the common clinical syndromes originating from mutations in DNA polymerase γ and its associated proteins and use the stepwise approach of clinical, laboratory, and pathologic diagnosis of these syndromes. Data Sources.—Review of pertinent published literature and relevant Internet databases. Conclusions.—Mitochondrial disorders are now better recognized with the development of molecular tests for clinical diagnosis. A cooperative effort among primary physicians, diagnostic pathologists, geneticists, and molecular biologists with expertise in mitochondrial disorders is required to reach a definitive diagnosis.


2014 ◽  
Vol 109 (2) ◽  
pp. 163-167 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sylvia Grune Loffler ◽  
Maria Elisa Pavan ◽  
Bibiana Vanasco ◽  
Luis Samartino ◽  
Olga Suarez ◽  
...  

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 35
Author(s):  
Titiek Sulistyowati ◽  
Deby Kusumaningrum ◽  
Eko Budi Koendhori ◽  
Ni Made Mertaniasih

Background: Tuberculosis continues one of the major challenges to global health. Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex can affect any organ other than the lung parenchyma, include central nervous system. The mortality rate of tuberculous meningitis (TBM) are high worldwide with up to half of survivors suffering irreversible sequelae. Diagnosis of TBM is difficult due to paucibacillary, various clinical manifestation, and invasive procedure to appropriate specimens. Objective: The objectiveis to study the positivity rate of microbiological laboratory diagnosis and its drug sensitivity patterns of TBM patients in Dr. Soetomo Hospital Surabaya during October 2015 until September 2016. Methods: Specimens were cerebrospinal fluids. Identification and drug anti TB sensitivity test were done by BACTEC MGIT 960 system in Clinical Microbiology Laboratory Dr. Soetomo Hospital Surabaya. Result: Most patients with TBM were women (54.29%). Based on age groups, most dominant was adult population (65.71%). Proportion percentage of positive M. tuberculosis complex among 180 specimens were 19.44%. First line anti TB drug sensitivity pattern of 35 isolates were 1 monoresistant, 1 poly-resistant, no multiple drug resistant (MDR), and 33 pan-susceptible. Conclusion: Positivity rate of Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex laboratory diagnosis from TBM suspect patients were low. There was no MDR TB in this study, but mono-resistant and poly-resistant. Microbiological diagnosis was important to give information of active disease and drug sensitivity pattern. Resistance to first line anti TB drugs is alarming to properly manage TBM patients.


2021 ◽  
pp. 191-216
Author(s):  
Sherry A. Dunbar ◽  
Yi-Wei Tang

AbstractCoronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has brought a huge impact on global health and the economy. Early and accurate diagnosis of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infections is essential for clinical intervention and pandemic control. This book chapter addresses the evolving approach to the laboratory diagnosis of COVID-19 covering preanalytical, analytical, and postanalytical steps. The rapidly changing dynamics of the COVID-19 pandemic serve as an example which will be important for laboratories to plan for future pandemics. With the quick identification of the causative pathogen and availability of the genome sequence, it will be possible to develop and implement diagnostic tests within weeks of an outbreak. Laboratories will need to be flexible to continuously adapt to changing testing needs and burdens on the healthcare system, plan mitigation strategies for bottlenecks in testing and workflow due to limitations on resources and supplies, and prepare back-up plans now in order to be better prepared for future pandemics.


Author(s):  
Natalie M. Bowman ◽  
Filemón Bucardo ◽  
Matthew H. Collins ◽  
Yaoska Reyes ◽  
Edwing Centeno Cuadra ◽  
...  

The American Zika virus (ZIKV) epidemic has highlighted the need to gain a better understanding of this emerging virus. The goal of this study was to describe the clinical symptoms, laboratory findings, and risk factors for symptomatic ZIKV infection in an area with ongoing transmission of other arboviral infections. We recruited patients at least 2 years of age seeking care at public health centers in León, Nicaragua, between January 2016 and August 2017, for fever, maculopapular rash, and/or nonsuppurative conjunctivitis with a duration of less than 1 week. A laboratory diagnosis of ZIKV was established using a combination of molecular and serological tests. Clinical and laboratory findings and potential risk factors were compared between participants with and without acute ZIKV infection. Fifty-eight (26%) of the 225 participants included in the analysis were found to have acute ZIKV infection. Pregnancy and reports of previous arboviral infection were associated with a higher risk of ZIKV infection. Rash, conjunctivitis, sore throat, and lower absolute neutrophil counts were associated with acute ZIKV infection. The clinical characteristics and risk factors identified were consistent with those identified by previous studies; however, we found sore throat to be a feature of ZIKV infection. We also found that neutrophil counts were lower in ZIKV-infected subjects. These clinical symptoms and laboratory data may help clinicians suspect ZIKV infection during future outbreaks.


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