scholarly journals Detection and analysis of tick-borne infections in communal dogs of northwest Zimbabwe

2021 ◽  
Vol 92 ◽  
Author(s):  
Melissa A. Kennedy ◽  
Riley E. Thompson ◽  
Anna McRee Bakker ◽  
Canny Fung ◽  
Jessica Dawson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
One Health ◽  
Domestic Dogs ◽  
Pcr Analysis ◽  
High Seroprevalence ◽  
Wildlife Health ◽  
Genetic Sequencing ◽  
Polymerase Chain ◽  
The One

Domestic dogs (Canis familiaris) may serve as a reservoir or a sentinel for infectious disease pathogens that can affect human and wildlife health. To understand the role of tick-borne diseases in rural and lesser developed regions, we investigated the prevalence of several tick-borne pathogens in communal dogs of Zimbabwe. Blood samples from 225 dogs in northwest Zimbabwe were assessed by serology for Ehrlichia canis, Anaplasma phagocytophilum and Borrelia burgdorferi, and 241 samples were assessed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for Ehrlichia. There was a high seroprevalence (73%) of E. canis-specific antibodies in domestic dogs in northwest Zimbabwe, but follow up analyses via PCR and genetic sequencing indicated only 7.5% of the canines were actively infected with the organism. Whilst indicating that an organism serologically related to E. canis is likely present in the region, this data also shows that the organism is currently present in a relative minority of the domestic dogs in the region. Its presence as evidenced by both serologic and PCR analysis is significant because of the ‘one health’ paradigm, where humans and wildlife may be affected by the exposure to this pathogen in domestic dogs.

scholarly journals SAT0267 ROLE OF AGGRESSIVE IMMUNOSUPPRESSION ON SUBGLOTTIC STENOSIS IN GRANULOMATOSIS WITH POLYANGIITIS: RETROSPECTIVE ANALYSIS OF A MONOCENTRIC COHORT

2020 ◽  
Vol 79 (Suppl 1) ◽  
pp. 1076.1-1077
Author(s):  
L. Moroni ◽  
L. Giudice ◽  
G. A. Ramirez ◽  
S. Sartorelli ◽  
A. Cariddi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Medical Treatment ◽  
Clinical Characteristics ◽  
Granulomatosis With Polyangiitis ◽  
Balloon Catheter ◽  
Subglottic Stenosis ◽  
Damage Accrual ◽  
The Mean ◽  
The One

Background:Subglottic stenosis (SGS) is defined as airway narrowing below the vocal cords and is a common and potentially life-threatening manifestation of Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis (GPA), with an estimated prevalence of 16-23% (1). Balloon catheter dilation is effective in GPA-related SGS, but relapses are frequent. Little is known about the role of immunosuppression in this setting.Objectives:to analyse the clinical characteristics of a monocentric GPA cohort, describe phenotype differences among patients with and without SGS and investigate the role of surgical and medical treatments on relapse risk and general outcome.Methods:Biopsy-proven patients with SGS were identified by review of medical charts among a cohort of patients with GPA, classified according to the algorithm of the European Medicine Agency (2). The clinical characteristics of patients with SGS were retrospectively collected over a median follow-up time of 15.9 years and compared to those of patients without SGS.Results:Fourteen patients with SGS-GPA were identified, with a female to male ratio of 1:1 and a prevalence of 29.2% among the cohort. The mean ± SD age at GPA onset was 30.8 ± 14.4 years, with a mean time from GPA diagnosis to SGS onset of 4.7 ± 4.2 years. ANCA were positive in 78.6% (54.0% anti-PR3, 18.1% anti-MPO and 27.9% IFI only). The mean Birmingham Vasculitis Activity Score (BVAS) at onset was 10.0 ± 5.6. The main clinical manifestations associated with SGS were crusty rhinitis (100%), sinusitis (78%), pulmonary disease (72.7%), otitis/mastoiditis (50%), glomerulonephritis (42.9%), orbital pseudotumor (28.6%). Six patients (42.9%) received medical treatment only, other six (42.9%) had one to three balloon dilations and two (14.2%) underwent four or more procedures. Eight patients had no SGS relapse (maximum one dilation) and they all received immunosuppression with rituximab (RTX), cyclophosphamide (CYC) or azathioprine (AZA). All patients who received no immunosuppression, methotrexate (MTX) or mycophenolate (MMF) had at least one relapse. Patients treated with MTX or MMF had a mean relapse-free survival of 13.1 months, which was comparable to the one of patients not receiving medical treatment (40.2 months; p=NS) and shorter than the one of patients receiving CYC or RTX (153.2 months; p=0.032). CYC use also inversely correlated with the number of surgical procedures (r=-0.691, p=0.006). Compared to patients without SGS (31 consecutive patients with at least 4 years of follow-up), patients with SGS-GPA had an earlier disease onset (mean age 30.8 vs 50.4 years; p<0.001), but with lower BVAS (mean 10.0 vs 15.3; p=0.013) and showed a higher prevalence of crusty rhinitis (100% vs 67.7%; p=0.019). No difference was observed in damage accrual over time between the two groups.Conclusion:Subglottic stenosis is highly prevalent in patients with GPA and may define a milder disease subset occurring more frequently in younger patients. MTX and MMF might be insufficient to prevent SGS relapses requiring balloon dilation. Aggressive immunosuppression (CYC or RTX) might have a non-redundant role in this setting and reduce the risk of relapses.References:[1]Quinn KA, et al. Subglottic stenosis and endobronchial disease in granulomatosis with polyangiitis. Rheumatology 2019; 58 (12), 2203-2211.[2]Watts R, et al. Development and validation of a consensus methodology for the classification of the ANCA associated vasculitides and polyarteritis nodosa for epidemiological studies. Ann Rheum Dis 2007; 66: 222-7.Disclosure of Interests:Luca Moroni: None declared, Laura Giudice: None declared, Giuseppe Alvise Ramirez: None declared, Silvia Sartorelli: None declared, adriana cariddi: None declared, Angelo Carretta: None declared, Enrica Bozzolo: None declared, Lorenzo Dagna Grant/research support from: The Unit of Immunology, Rheumatology, Allergy and Rare Diseases (UnIRAR) received unresctricted research/educational grants from Abbvie, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Celgene, Janssen, Merk Sharp & Dohme, Mundipharma Pharmaceuticals, Novartis, Pfizer, Roche, Sanofi-Genzyme, and SOBI., Consultant of: Prof Lorenzo Dagna received consultation honoraria from Abbvie, Amgen, Biogen, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Celltrion, Novartis, Pfizer, Roche, Sanofi-Genzyme, and SOBI.

The role of inflammation in recent-onset dilated cardiomyopathy

2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (Supplement_2) ◽  
Author(s):  
A Chaloupka ◽  
J Krejci ◽  
H Poloczkova ◽  
P Hude ◽  
E Ozabalova ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Dilated Cardiomyopathy ◽  
Left Ventricular ◽  
Pcr Analysis ◽  
Myocardial Inflammation ◽  
Gene Variants ◽  
Absolute Increase ◽  
Recent Onset ◽  
Cardiotropic Viruses

Abstract Background The aetiology of recent-onset dilated cardiomyopathy (RODCM) includes inflammatory, genetic, toxic and metabolic causes. Delineating the role of inflammation on the genetic background could improve risk stratification. Purpose We aimed to ascertain the role of inflammation evaluated by serum CRP immunohistochemical and PCR analysis of endomyocardial biopsy (EMB) in conjunction with genetic testing in left ventricular reverse remodelling (LVRR) in 12-month follow-up. Methods 83 RODCM patients enrolled in this prospective observational study underwent 12-month echocardiographic follow up whole-exome sequencing, and EMB. Presence of cardiotropic viruses was determined by PCR analysis of the EMB samples. Inflammation was defined according to TIMIC immunohistochemical criteria as the presence of &gt;7 CD3+ lymphocytes/mm2 and/or &gt;14 infiltrating leukocytes (LCA+ cells/mm2). LVRR was defined as an absolute increase in LV ejection fraction &gt; +10% and a relative decrease of LV end-diastolic diameter &gt;−10% at 12 months. Results LVRR occurred in 28 (34%) of all cases. PCR analysis uncovered cardiotropic viruses in 55 (66%) patients, with highest prevalence of parvovirus B19 (47%). (Figure 1) EMB analysis detected inflammation in 28 (34%) cases and inflammation significantly positively predicted LVRR (P=0.019). Sequencing identified disease-related gene variants (ACMG class 3–5) in 45 (54%) patients. Carriers of non-titin gene variants showed a lowest probability of 12-month LVRR (19%) P=0.041. Combination of genetic findings and inflammation did not improve the prediction of LVRR in 12 months. (Table 1) Conclusion Both myocardial inflammation and disease-causing variants can be identified in a large proportion of RODCM cases. Prognostic value of CRP and virus detection is low. Non-titin disease-related variants carriers of are less likely to reach LVRR. In contrast, myocardial inflammation detected by EMB predicts favourable remodelling in 12 months. Figure 1 Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: None

Rupture of the Globe: What to Do, What not to Do

2020 ◽  
Vol 237 (09) ◽  
pp. 1070-1078
Author(s):  
Antonia M. Joussen ◽  
Bert Müller ◽  
Bernd Kirchhof ◽  
Theodor Stappler ◽  
Oliver Zeitz
Keyword(s):  
Pars Plana Vitrectomy ◽  
Peak Pressure ◽  
Eye Injury ◽  
Retinal Tear ◽  
Giant Retinal Tear ◽  
Macular Holes ◽  
Pars Plana ◽  
The One

AbstractDue to their complexity, globe ruptures are highly compromising traumas for the patient. This is due on the one hand to the eye injury itself with the accompanying loss of vision and on the other hand due to the need for extended treatment with uncertain prognosis and the resulting psychological stress. Globe ruptures are among the prognostically most unfavorable injuries due to the force and peak pressure impacting the eye. Furthermore, contusional retinal necrosis may be of significance prognostically. In the present review, we discuss treatment of globe ruptures involving retinal surgery. We discuss the primary sugery, its chronological planning and extent as well as the necessity for follow-up interventions. We also discuss the origin of traumatic retinal detachment with differential diagnosis of giant retinal tear versus oradialysis as well as secondary sequelae of traumas such as formation of macular holes and their treatment. On this basis, the use of buckling surgery versus pars-plana vitrectomy is discussed. Further focus is set on the role of the iris lens diaphragm in surgery of globe ruptures.

scholarly journals Chest CT as a Complement to RT-PCR to Confirm and Follow-up COVID-19 Patients

Medicinus ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 31
Author(s):  
Aziza Ghanie Icksan ◽  
Muhammad Hafiz ◽  
Annisa Dian Harlivasari
Keyword(s):  
Chest Ct ◽  
Rt Pcr ◽  
High Resolution Computed Tomography ◽  
X Ray ◽  
First Case ◽  
Chest X Ray ◽  
Polymerase Chain

<p><strong>Background : </strong>The first case of COVID-19 in Indonesia was recorded in March 2020. Limitation of reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) has put chest CT as an essential complementary tool in the diagnosis and follow up treatment for COVID-19. Literatures strongly suggested that High-Resolution Computed Tomography (HRCT) is essential in diagnosing typical symptoms of COVID-19 at the early phase of disease due to its superior sensitivity  (97%) compared to chest x-ray (CXR).</p><p>The two cases presented in this case study showed the crucial role of chest CT with HRCT to establish the working diagnosis and follow up COVID-19 patients as a complement to RT-PCR, currently deemed a gold standard.<strong></strong></p>

scholarly journals Opportunistic Mapping of Strongyloides stercoralis and Hookworm in Dogs in Remote Australian Communities

Pathogens ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (5) ◽  
pp. 398
Author(s):  
Meruyert Beknazarova ◽  
Harriet Whiley ◽  
Rebecca Traub ◽  
Kirstin Ross
Keyword(s):  
One Health ◽  
Unknown Origin ◽  
Strongyloides Stercoralis ◽  
Pcr Analysis ◽  
Limited Information ◽  
Prevention Strategies ◽  
Remote Communities ◽  
Faecal Samples ◽  
Polymerase Chain ◽  
Insight Into

Both Strongyloides stercoralis and hookworms are common soil-transmitted helminths in remote Australian communities. In addition to infecting humans, S. stercoralis and some species of hookworms infect canids and therefore present both environmental and zoonotic sources of transmission to humans. Currently, there is limited information available on the prevalence of hookworms and S. stercoralis infections in dogs living in communities across the Northern Territory in Australia. In this study, 274 dog faecal samples and 11 faecal samples of unknown origin were collected from the environment and directly from animals across 27 remote communities in Northern and Central Australia. Samples were examined using real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis for the presence of S. stercoralis and four hookworm species: Ancylostoma caninum, Ancylostoma ceylanicum, Ancylostoma braziliense and Uncinaria stenocephala. The prevalence of S. stercoralis in dogs was found to be 21.9% (60/274). A. caninum was the only hookworm detected in the dog samples, with a prevalence of 31.4% (86/274). This study provides an insight into the prevalence of S. stercoralis and hookworms in dogs and informs future intervention and prevention strategies aimed at controlling these parasites in both dogs and humans. A “One Health” approach is crucial for the prevention of these diseases in Australia.

scholarly journals Seven Years Leptospirosis Follow-Up in a Critical Care Unit of a French Metropolitan Hospital; Role of Real Time PCR for a Quick and Acute Diagnosis

2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (9) ◽  
pp. 3011
Author(s):  
Olivier Bahuaud ◽  
Adeline Pastuszka ◽  
Cécile Le Brun ◽  
Stephan Ehrmann ◽  
Philippe Lanotte
Keyword(s):  
Intensive Care Unit ◽  
Intensive Care ◽  
Multiple Organ ◽  
Biological Data ◽  
Chain Reaction ◽  
Metropolitan Hospital ◽  
Polymerase Chain ◽  
Molecular Biology Method

(1) Background: Leptospirosis infection can lead to multiple organ failure, requiring hospitalization in an intensive care unit for supportive care, along with initiation of an adapted antibiotic therapy. Achieving a quick diagnosis is decisive in the management of these patients. (2) Methods: We present here a review of leptospirosis cases diagnosed in the intensive care unit of our hospital over seven years. Clinical and biological data were gathered, and we compared the differences in terms of diagnostic method. (3) Results: Molecular biology method by Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) allowed quick and reliable diagnosis when performed in the first days after the symptoms began. Moreover, we identified that sampling blood and urine for PCR was more efficient than performing PCR on only one type of biological sample. (4) Conclusions: Our results confirm the efficiency of PCR for the quick diagnosis of leptospirosis and suggest that testing both blood and urine early in the disease might improve diagnosis.

ONE HEALTH AND BIOSAFETY -NEED OF HARMONIZATION IN MONGOLIA

2015 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 146-157
Author(s):  
Zayatiin Batsukh ◽  
Gonchigoogiin Battsetseg
Keyword(s):  
One Health ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Social Scientists ◽  
Wildlife Health ◽  
The Public ◽  
Health Practitioners ◽  
Health Concept ◽  
The Many ◽  
The One

The One Health concept recognizes that the health of humans is connected to the health of animals and the environment. The major aim of the One Health is to improve health and well-being through the prevention of risks and the mitigation of effects of crises that originate at the interface between humans, animals and their various environments.Regardless of which of the many definitions of One Health is used, the common theme is collaboration across sectors. Collaborating across sectors that have a direct or indirect impact on health involves thinking and working across silos and optimizing resources and efforts while respecting the autonomy of the various sectors. To improve the effectiveness of the One Health approach, there is a need to establish a better sectoral balance among existing groups and networks, especially between veterinarians and physicians, and to increase the participation of environmental and wildlife health practitioners, as well as social scientists and development actors.As this kind of collaboration newly introduced in Mongolia, there are numerous complications and difficulties may arise, that eventually could lead to the results, with higher negative impact to the public and personal health. From the technical perspective, it is undoubtfully important to evaluate the system and reveal the gap and weakness of each stakeholder in this important network and try to introduce common standard operational procedures for the handling and maintaining infective agents to avoid the unpleasant spill over the pathogen into the environment.Mongolian Journal of Agricultural Sciences Vol.13(2) 2014: 146-152

scholarly journals Strengthening the One Health Agenda: The Role of Molecular Epidemiology in Aspergillus Threat Management

Genes ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 9 (7) ◽  
pp. 359 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eta Ashu ◽  
Jianping Xu
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Molecular Epidemiology ◽  
One Health ◽  
Species Level ◽  
Aspergillus Species ◽  
Diagnostic Tools ◽  
Health Initiative ◽  
Threat Management ◽  
The One

The United Nations’ One Health initiative advocates the collaboration of multiple sectors within the global and local health authorities toward the goal of better public health management outcomes. The emerging global health threat posed by Aspergillus species is an example of a management challenge that would benefit from the One Health approach. In this paper, we explore the potential role of molecular epidemiology in Aspergillus threat management and strengthening of the One Health initiative. Effective management of Aspergillus at a public health level requires the development of rapid and accurate diagnostic tools to not only identify the infecting pathogen to species level, but also to the level of individual genotype, including drug susceptibility patterns. While a variety of molecular methods have been developed for Aspergillus diagnosis, their use at below-species level in clinical settings has been very limited, especially in resource-poor countries and regions. Here we provide a framework for Aspergillus threat management and describe how molecular epidemiology and experimental evolution methods could be used for predicting resistance through drug exposure. Our analyses highlight the need for standardization of loci and methods used for molecular diagnostics, and surveillance across Aspergillus species and geographic regions. Such standardization will enable comparisons at national and global levels and through the One Health approach, strengthen Aspergillus threat management efforts.

scholarly journals The Demographic Risk Factors for Brucellosis in Asia

2021 ◽  
pp. 6-13
Author(s):  
Sumi Singh
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Direct Contact ◽  
Mixed Type ◽  
One Health ◽  
Asian Countries ◽  
Chain Reaction ◽  
True Prevalence ◽  
Global Trend ◽  
Polymerase Chain ◽  
The One

Brucellosis is also known as Undulant fever, Malta fever, rock fever, intermittent fever, Gibraltar fever, contagious abortion, Maltese fever, Crimean fever, or even Mediterranean fever. Clinical manifestations commonly encountered are fever and arthralgia. It has veterinary importance making it the leading cause of abortion and infertility in animals. Countries in which mixed agriculture is still the leading occupation have reported this disease in high number. The disease is common in areas where the mixed type of farming is still practiced, it is a type of farming where owners cohabit with their animals in the shed during the nighttime. The incidence of the disease is reported more in humans who have direct contact with the animal’s abortus fetus and reproductive secretions. A favorable environment is created for transmission when the healthy and infected animals are kept together free and are difficult to segregate. Diagnosis of the disease is done by isolation of the bacteria from the sample using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique. The disease was claimed to be eradicated but now as the global trend of infectious diseases is constantly changing it now appears to be a re-emergent disease. The best way to prevent the spread of the infection is through the One Health approach. Although brucellosis has been widely reported in animals and humans only a few studies have addressed the true prevalence of the disease in the context of Asia which is quite a challenge. It is unable to provide the true context of the disease. The case burden is more prevalent in the developing countries where it is found to be endemic in animals as well as in humans. Thus, this paper highlights the risk factors commonly found in Asian countries that are associated with increased prevalence of infection in humans which has now been believed to be involved many generations across the globe. Countries in which mixed agriculture is still the leading occupation have reported this disease in high number. The disease is common in areas where the mixed type of farming is still practiced, it is a type of farming where owners cohabit with their animals in the shed during the nighttime. The incidence of the disease is reported more in humans who have direct contact with the animal’s abortus fetus and reproductive secretions. A favorable environment is created for transmission when the healthy and infected animals are kept together free and are difficult to segregate. Diagnosis of the disease is done by isolation of the bacteria from the sample using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique. The disease was claimed to be eradicated but now as the global trend of infectious diseases is constantly changing it appears to be a re-emergent disease. The best way to prevent the spread of the infection is through the One Health approach. Although brucellosis has been widely reported in animals and humans only a few studies have addressed the true prevalence of the disease in the context of Asia which is quite a challenge. It is unable to provide the true context of the disease. The case burden is more prevalent in the developing countries where it is found to be endemic in animals as well as in humans. Thus, this paper highlights the risk factors commonly found in Asian countries that are associated with increased prevalence of infection in humans which has now been believed to be involved many generations across the globe.

scholarly journals Recovery from COVID-19 and acute respiratory distress syndrome: the potential role of an intensive care unit recovery clinic: a case report

2020 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kirby P. Mayer ◽  
Jamie L. Sturgill ◽  
Anna G. Kalema ◽  
Melissa K. Soper ◽  
Sherif M. Seif ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Intensive Care Unit ◽  
Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome ◽  
Intensive Care ◽  
Case Report ◽  
Respiratory Distress Syndrome ◽  
Respiratory Distress ◽  
Distress Syndrome ◽  
Polymerase Chain

Abstract Background In this case report, we describe the trajectory of recovery of a young, healthy patient diagnosed with coronavirus disease 2019 who developed acute respiratory distress syndrome. The purpose of this case report is to highlight the potential role of intensive care unit recovery or follow-up clinics for patients surviving acute hospitalization for coronavirus disease 2019. Case presentation Our patient was a 27-year-old Caucasian woman with a past medical history of asthma transferred from a community hospital to our medical intensive care unit for acute hypoxic respiratory failure due to bilateral pneumonia requiring mechanical ventilation (ratio of arterial oxygen partial pressure to fraction of inspired oxygen, 180). On day 2 of her intensive care unit admission, reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction confirmed coronavirus disease 2019. Her clinical status gradually improved, and she was extubated on intensive care unit day 5. She had a negative test result for coronavirus disease 2019 twice with repeated reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction before being discharged to home after 10 days in the intensive care unit. Two weeks after intensive care unit discharge, the patient returned to our outpatient intensive care unit recovery clinic. At follow-up, the patient endorsed significant fatigue and exhaustion with difficulty walking, minor issues with sleep disruption, and periods of memory loss. She scored 10/12 on the short performance physical battery, indicating good physical function. She did not have signs of anxiety, depression, or post-traumatic stress disorder through self-report questionnaires. Clinically, she was considered at low risk of developing post–intensive care syndrome, but she required follow-up services to assist in navigating the healthcare system, addressing remaining symptoms, and promoting return to her pre–coronavirus disease 2019 societal role. Conclusion We present this case report to suggest that patients surviving coronavirus disease 2019 with subsequent development of acute respiratory distress syndrome will require more intense intensive care unit recovery follow-up. Patients with a higher degree of acute illness who also have pre-existing comorbidities and those of older age who survive mechanical ventilation for coronavirus disease 2019 will require substantial post–intensive care unit care to mitigate and treat post–intensive care syndrome, promote reintegration into the community, and improve quality of life.

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