scholarly journals Multi-Locus Sequence Typing of Ehrlichia chaffeensis Reveals Extensive Genotypic Variation across the United States

2021 ◽  
Vol 104 (4) ◽  
pp. 1297-1304
Author(s):  
Maria L. Zambrano ◽  
Christopher D. Paddock ◽  
Sandor E. Karpathy
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Genetic Differentiation ◽  
Genotypic Variation ◽  
The United States ◽  
Amblyomma Americanum ◽  
Ehrlichia Chaffeensis ◽  
South Central ◽  
Typing System ◽  
Intergenic Regions ◽  
Multiple Strains

ABSTRACTEhrlichia chaffeensis causes human monocytic ehrlichiosis, and its principal vector is the Amblyomma americanum tick. The most frequently identified cases of ehrlichiosis come from the southeastern and south central states of the United States. In this study, a molecular typing system was developed that allows for the genetic differentiation of E. chaffeensis isolates. This multi-locus typing system included sequencing and analyzing intergenic regions ECH0033–ECH0035 and ECH0217–ECH0218, plus, variable genes variable length PCR target, 28-kDa, 120-kDa, and hemE. We examined a total of 31 unique isolates from humans and white-tailed deer, and eight DNA samples extracted from infected A. americanum collected from multiple states. This is the largest evaluation of E. chaffeensis isolates and their genotypes. Our findings show that when sequences of all six loci were concatenated and compared, the 39 samples could be separated into 23 genotypes and further grouped into six phylogenetic clades. The data in this study show no clear pattern between the geographic alignment with the genetic differentiation between the strains. As a result, this poses a challenge to understanding the spread of E. chaffeensis in the United States. Interestingly, our findings indicate that multiple strains from distant geographic origins share the same mutations, which suggests that the strains are being moved from one site to another by their hosts or vectors. In addition, we are seeing a northward shift in the lone star tick distribution in the United States. Last, some data also suggest minimal genetic mutations have occurred over time among strains that are within geographical proximity.

scholarly journals Protective Effectiveness of Long-Lasting Permethrin Impregnated Clothing Against Tick Bites in an Endemic Lyme Disease Setting: A Randomized Control Trial Among Outdoor Workers

2020 ◽  
Vol 57 (5) ◽  
pp. 1532-1538
Author(s):  
Cedar Mitchell ◽  
Megan Dyer ◽  
Feng-Chang Lin ◽  
Natalie Bowman ◽  
Thomas Mather ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Rhode Island ◽  
The United States ◽  
Amblyomma Americanum ◽  
Adverse Outcomes ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Tick Bites ◽  
Outdoor Workers ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Protective Effectiveness

Abstract Tick-borne diseases are a growing threat to public health in the United States, especially among outdoor workers who experience high occupational exposure to ticks. Long-lasting permethrin-impregnated clothing has demonstrated high initial protection against bites from blacklegged ticks, Ixodes scapularis Say (Acari: Ixodidae), in laboratory settings, and sustained protection against bites from the lone star tick, Amblyomma americanum (L.) (Acari: Ixodidae), in field tests. However, long-lasting permethrin impregnation of clothing has not been field tested among outdoor workers who are frequently exposed to blacklegged ticks. We conducted a 2-yr randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blinded trial among 82 outdoor workers in Rhode Island and southern Massachusetts. Participants in the treatment arm wore factory-impregnated permethrin clothing, and the control group wore sham-treated clothing. Outdoor working hours, tick encounters, and bites were recorded weekly to assess protective effectiveness of long-lasting permethrin-impregnated garments. Factory-impregnated clothing significantly reduced tick bites by 65% in the first study year and by 50% in the second year for a 2-yr protective effect of 58%. No significant difference in other tick bite prevention method utilization occurred between treatment and control groups, and no treatment-related adverse outcomes were reported. Factory permethrin impregnation of clothing is safe and effective for the prevention of tick bites among outdoor workers whose primary exposure is to blacklegged ticks in the northeastern United States.

scholarly journals Meningococcal Antigen Typing System (MATS)-Based Neisseria meningitidis Serogroup B Coverage Prediction for the MenB-4C Vaccine in the United States

mSphere ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 2 (6) ◽  
Author(s):  
Gowrisankar Rajam ◽  
Maria Stella ◽  
Ellie Kim ◽  
Simon Paulos ◽  
Giuseppe Boccadifuoco ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Vaccine Coverage ◽  
Binding Protein ◽  
The United States ◽  
Factor H ◽  
Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽  
Immune Reactivity ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Efficacy Trials ◽  
Typing System

ABSTRACT The meningococcal antigen typing system (MATS) is an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)-based system that assesses the levels of expression and immune reactivity of the three recombinant MenB-4C antigens and, in conjunction with PorA variable 2 (VR2) sequencing, provides an estimate of the susceptibility of NmB isolates to killing by MenB-4C-induced antibodies. MATS assays or similar antigen phenotype analyses assume importance under conditions in which analyses of vaccine coverage predictions are not feasible with existing strategies, including large efficacy trials or functional antibody screening of an exhaustive strain panel. MATS screening of a panel of NmB U.S. isolates (n = 442) predicts high MenB-4C vaccine coverage in the United States. Neisseria meningitidis is the most common cause of bacterial meningitis in children and young adults worldwide. A 4-component vaccine against N. meningitidis serogroup B (MenB) disease (MenB-4C [Bexsero]; GSK) combining factor H binding protein (fHBP), neisserial heparin binding protein (NHBA), neisserial adhesin A (NadA), and PorA-containing outer membrane vesicles was recently approved for use in the United States and other countries worldwide. Because the public health impact of MenB-4C in the United States is unclear, we used the meningococcal antigen typing system (MATS) to assess the strain coverage in a panel of strains representative of serogroup B (NmB) disease in the United States. MATS data correlate with killing in the human complement serum bactericidal assay (hSBA) and predict the susceptibility of NmB strains to killing in the hSBA, the accepted correlate of protection for MenB-4C vaccine. A panel of 442 NmB United States clinical isolates (collected in 2000 to 2008) whose data were down weighted with respect to the Oregon outbreak was selected from the Active Bacterial Core Surveillance (ABCs; CDC, Atlanta, GA) laboratory. MATS results examined to determine strain coverage were linked to multilocus sequence typing and antigen sequence data. MATS predicted that 91% (95% confidence interval [CI95], 72% to 96%) of the NmB strains causing disease in the United States would be covered by the MenB-4C vaccine, with the estimated coverage ranging from 88% to 97% by year with no detectable temporal trend. More than half of the covered strains could be targeted by two or more antigens. NHBA conferred coverage to 83% (CI95, 45% to 93%) of the strains, followed by factor H-binding protein (fHbp), which conferred coverage to 53% (CI95, 46% to 57%); PorA, which conferred coverage to 5.9%; and NadA, which conferred coverage to 2.5% (CI95, 1.1% to 5.2%). Two major clonal complexes (CC32 and CC41/44) had 99% strain coverage. The most frequent MATS phenotypes (39%) were fHbp and NHBA double positives. MATS predicts over 90% MenB-4C strain coverage in the United States, and the prediction is stable in time and consistent among bacterial genotypes. IMPORTANCE The meningococcal antigen typing system (MATS) is an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)-based system that assesses the levels of expression and immune reactivity of the three recombinant MenB-4C antigens and, in conjunction with PorA variable 2 (VR2) sequencing, provides an estimate of the susceptibility of NmB isolates to killing by MenB-4C-induced antibodies. MATS assays or similar antigen phenotype analyses assume importance under conditions in which analyses of vaccine coverage predictions are not feasible with existing strategies, including large efficacy trials or functional antibody screening of an exhaustive strain panel. MATS screening of a panel of NmB U.S. isolates (n = 442) predicts high MenB-4C vaccine coverage in the United States.

scholarly journals Association of the invasive Haemaphysalis longicornis tick with vertebrate hosts, other native tick vectors, and tick-borne pathogens in New York City

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Danielle M. Tufts ◽  
Laura B. Goodman ◽  
Meghan C. Benedict ◽  
April D. Davis ◽  
Meredith C. VanAcker ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
New York ◽  
Vector Potential ◽  
The United States ◽  
Dermacentor Variabilis ◽  
Amblyomma Americanum ◽  
Invasive Pest ◽  
Haemaphysalis Longicornis ◽  
Tick Vectors ◽  
Host Associations

AbstractHaemaphysalis longicornis, the Asian longhorned tick, is an invasive ixodid tick that has rapidly spread across the northeastern and southeastern regions of the United States since first reported in 2017. The emergence of H. longicornis presents a potential threat for livestock, wildlife, and human health as the host associations and vector potential of this invasive pest in the United States are poorly understood. Previous field data from the United States has shown that H. longicornis was not associated with natural populations of small mammals or birds, but they show a preference for medium sized mammals in laboratory experiments. Therefore, medium and large sized mammals were sampled on Staten Island, New York to determine H. longicornis host associations and vector potential for a range of human and veterinary pathogens. A total of 97 hosts were sampled and five species of tick (Amblyomma americanum, Dermacentor variabilis, H. longicornis, Ixodes scapularis, Ixodes cookei) were found feeding concurrently on these hosts. Haemaphysalis longicornis was found in the highest proportions compared to other native tick species on raccoons (55.4%), Virginia opossums (28.9%), and white-tailed deer (11.5%). Tissue, blood, and engorged larvae were tested for 17 different pathogens using a nanoscale PCR platform. Infection with five pathogens (Borrelia burgdorferi, Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Rickettsia spp., Mycoplasma haemocanis, and Bartonella spp.) was detected in host samples, but no pathogens were found in any larval samples. These results suggest that although large and medium sized mammals feed large numbers of H. longicornis ticks in the environment there is presently a low potential for H. longicornis to acquire pathogens from these wildlife hosts.HighlightsH. longicornis were sampled from seven genera of large and medium-sized mammalsRaccoons, opossums, and white-tailed deer fed a large proportion of H. longicornisH. longicornis did not acquire pathogens through co-feeding with native tick vectorsHost species were infected with a range of pathogens of human and veterinary concernHost-derived H. longicornis engorged larvae were not infected with any pathogens

The Empire's New Frontiers

2003 ◽  
Vol 102 (667) ◽  
pp. 383-387 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael T. Klare
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Nineteenth Century ◽  
Great Britain ◽  
The United States ◽  
Late Nineteenth Century ◽  
Natural Behavior ◽  
Central Eurasia ◽  
South Central ◽  
Strategic Position ◽  
Late Nineteenth

The United States … wants to enhance its own strategic position in south-central Eurasia, much as Great Britain attempted in the late nineteenth century. This effort encompasses anti-terrorism and the pursuit of oil, but many in Washington also see it as an end in itself—as the natural behavior of a global superpower engaged in global dominance.

scholarly journals 692. Effects of Regional Climatic Variability on West Nile Virus Outbreaks in the United States

2018 ◽  
Vol 5 (suppl_1) ◽  
pp. S249-S250
Author(s):  
Raghesh Varot Kangath ◽  
Buddhika Maduraperuma ◽  
Juliana Souza Borges ◽  
Rajasreepai Ramachandrapai
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
High Temperature ◽  
Population Density ◽  
Climatic Variability ◽  
The United States ◽  
Climatic Data ◽  
Cca Ordination ◽  
Neuroinvasive Disease ◽  
South Central ◽  
Risk Areas

Abstract Background Transmission of WNV to humans in the United States typically occurs between June and September since warm temperatures accelerate mosquito life cycle. Precipitation can cause increase in aquatic breeding but outbreaks often depends upon human water management. We examine epidemiology, patterns of WNV disease transmission, and identification of high-risk areas in the United States from 2003 to 2014. Methods Trends and relationships of WNV cases and climatic factors were analyzed among the regions of the United States from 2003 to 2014. Human WNV tabulate data and climatic data were obtained from Centers for Disease Control, and NOAA and Climate Data Guide, respectively. Canonical correspondence analysis (CCA) was performed using variables: (i) neuroinvasive disease cases, non-neuroinvasive disease cases, deaths, presumptiveviremic blood donors, (ii) precipitation, temperature, Palmer Drought Severity Index (PDSI) and population density. The CCA ordination was explained the variability between WNV disease cases andclimatic variables. Biplots were used to visualize the associations between WNV cases and climatic anomalies. Results We compared the state wise WNV disease cases in relation to climatic and population density in the United States from 2003 to 2014. A total of 4,064 cases in 2006, 956 cases in 2010 and, 2,141 cases in 2014 were reported in the 32 states of the United States. Colorado state reported the highest WNV cases in 2003 (2,947 cases; 33%), followed by Texas in 2012 (1,868 cases; 35%) and California in 2014 (801 case; 37%). CCA ordination showed distinguishable clustering patterns between south central (Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Arkansas, and Oklahoma) and northern Great Plains (North Dakota, South Dakota, and Nebraska) regions (Figure 1). High temperature and prolong drought were the most important variable predictor for high WNV outbreak. Conclusion Vector control methods focusing on prevention must be implemented to avoid epidemics of WNV if high temperature is leading to an unusual drought especially at the risk areas, such as Texas and California. However, high temperature with moist spell anomalies in the south central region showed a negative influence on WNV outbreak. Disclosures All authors: No reported disclosures.

scholarly journals Performance of Landscape Roses Grown with Minimal Input in the North-central, Central, and South-central United States

2017 ◽  
Vol 27 (5) ◽  
pp. 718-730 ◽  
Author(s):  
David C. Zlesak ◽  
Randy Nelson ◽  
Derald Harp ◽  
Barbara Villarreal ◽  
Nick Howell ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
National Level ◽  
The United States ◽  
The South ◽  
Flower Number ◽  
North Central ◽  
The North ◽  
South Central ◽  
Central United States ◽  
Plant Hardiness

Landscape roses (Rosa sp.) are popular flowering shrubs. Consumers are less willing or able to maintain landscape beds than in years past and require plants that are not only attractive, but well-adapted to regional climatic conditions, soil types, and disease and pest pressures. Marketing and distribution of rose cultivars occurs on a national level; therefore, it is difficult for U.S. consumers in the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Plant Hardiness Zones 3 to 5 to identify well-adapted, cold-hardy cultivars. Identifying suitable cultivars that have strong genetic resistance to pests and disease and that will tolerate temperature extremes without winter protection in the USDA Plant Hardiness Zones 3 to 5 is of tremendous value to consumers and retailers in northern states. Twenty landscape rose cultivars, primarily developed in north-central North America, were evaluated at five locations in the United States (three in the north-central United States, one in the central United States, and one in the south-central United States) using the low-input, multiyear Earth-Kind® methodology. Six roses had ≥75% plant survival at the end of the study and were in the top 50% of performers for overall mean horticultural rating at each of the three north-central U.S. sites: ‘Lena’, ‘Frontenac’, ‘Ole’, ‘Polar Joy’, ‘Sunrise Sunset’, and ‘Sven’. Five of these six roses met the same criteria at the central United States (exception ‘Lena’) and the south-central United States (exception ‘Polar Joy’) sites. Cultivar, rating time, and their interaction were highly significant, and block effects were not significant for horticultural rating for all single-site analyses of variance. Significant positive correlations were found between sites for flower number, flower diameter, and overall horticultural rating. Significant negative correlations were found between flower number and diameter within each site and also between black spot (Diplocarpon rosae) lesion size from a previous study and overall horticultural rating for three of the five sites. Cane survival ratings were not significantly correlated with overall horticultural rating, suggesting some cultivars can experience severe winter cane dieback, yet recover and perform well. Data from this study benefit multiple stakeholders, including nurseries, landscapers, and consumers, with evidence-based regional cultivar recommendations and breeders desiring to identify regionally adapted parents.

scholarly journals Dissecting the Financial Relationship between Industry and Academic Neurosurgery

Neurosurgery ◽  
2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mustafa Motiwala ◽  
Michael J Herr ◽  
Sripraharsha S Jampana Raju ◽  
Jock Lillard ◽  
Sonia Ajmera ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
New England ◽  
Geographic Location ◽  
Bimodal Distribution ◽  
The United States ◽  
Median Number ◽  
Career Stage ◽  
Entire Cohort ◽  
South Central ◽  
And Gender

Abstract BACKGROUND Established by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), the Open Payments Database (OPD) has reported industry payments to physicians since August 2013. OBJECTIVE To evaluate the frequency, type, and value of payments received by academic neurosurgeons in the United States over a 5-yr period (2014-2018). METHODS The OPD was queried for attending neurosurgeons from all neurosurgical training programs in the United States (n = 116). Information from the OPD was analyzed for the entire cohort as well as for comparative subgroup analyses, such as career stage, subspecialty, and geographic location. RESULTS Of all identified neurosurgeons, 1509 (95.0%) received some payment from industry between 2014 and 2018 for a total of 106 171 payments totaling $266 407 458.33. A bimodal distribution was observed for payment number and total value: 0 to 9 (n = 438) vs > 50 (n = 563) and 0-$1000 (n = 418) vs >$10 000 (n = 653), respectively. Royalty/License was the most common type of payment overall (59.6%; $158 723 550.57). The median number (40) and value ($8958.95) of payments were highest for mid-career surgeons. The South-Central region received the most money ($117 970 036.39) while New England received the greatest number of payments (29 423). Spine surgeons had the greatest median number (60) and dollar value ($20 551.27) of payments, while pediatric neurosurgeons received the least (8; $1108.29). Male neurosurgeons received a greater number (31) and value ($6395.80) of payments than their female counterparts (11, $1643.72). CONCLUSION From 2014 to 2018, payments to academic neurosurgeons have increased in number and value. Dollars received were dependent on geography, career stage, subspecialty and gender.

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