The Effect of HSV-1 Seropositivity on the Course of Pregnancy, Childbirth and the Condition of Newborns

The goal of this research was to evaluate seropositivity to HSV-1 among pregnant women and its effect on the course of pregnancy, childbirth and the condition of newborns. Methods: The serological status, socio-demographic characteristics, parity of pregnancy and childbirth and condition of newborns in women seronegative and seropositive to HSV-1 with recurrent infection and its latent course during pregnancy were analyzed. Newborns from these mothers made up the corresponding groups. Results: Low titers of IgG antibodies to HSV-1 in women in the first trimester of pregnancy are associated with threatened miscarriage, anemia in pregnancy and chronic placental insufficiency. High titers of IgG antibodies to HSV-1 in women in the second trimester of pregnancy are associated with late miscarriages and premature births, anemia in pregnancy, chronic placental insufficiency, labor anomalies, early neonatal complications (cerebral ischemia, respiratory distress syndrome) and localized skin rashes. Low titers of IgG antibodies to HSV-1 in women in the third trimester of pregnancy are associated with premature birth, anemia in pregnancy, chronic placental insufficiency, endometritis, complications of the early neonatal period and localized skin rashes. Conclusions: Our research showed that low or high titers of IgG antibodies to HSV-1, determined by the timing of recurrence of infection during pregnancy, are associated with a high incidence of somatic pathology and complications in pregnancy, childbirth and the neonatal period.

Retrospective study of toxoplasmosis prevalence in pregnant women in Benin and its relation with malaria

Background Globally distributed with variable prevalence depending on geography, toxoplasmosis is a zoonosis caused by an obligate intracellular protozoan parasite, Toxoplasma gondii. This disease is usually benign but poses a risk for immunocompromised people and for newborns of mothers with a primary infection during pregnancy because of the risk of congenital toxoplasmosis (CT). CT can cause severe damage to fetuses-newborns. To our knowledge, no study has been conducted in sub-Saharan Africa on toxoplasmosis seroprevalence, seroconversion and CT in a large longitudinal cohort and furthermore, no observation has been made of potential relationships with malaria. Methods We performed a retrospective toxoplasmosis serological study using available samples from a large cohort of 1,037 pregnant women who were enrolled in a malaria follow-up during the 2008–2010 period in a rural area in Benin. We also used some existing data to investigate potential relationships between the maternal toxoplasmosis serological status and recorded malaria infections. Results Toxoplasmosis seroprevalence, seroconversion and CT rates were 52.6%, 3.4% and 0.2%, respectively, reflecting the population situation of toxoplasmosis, without targeted medical intervention. The education level influences the toxoplasmosis serological status of women, with women with little or no formal education have greater immunity than others. Surprisingly, toxoplasmosis seropositive pregnant women tended to present lower malaria infection during pregnancy (number) or at delivery (presence) and to have lower IgG levels to Plasmodium falciparum Apical Membrane Antigen 1, compared to toxoplasmosis seronegative women. Conclusions The high toxoplasmosis seroprevalence indicates that prevention against this parasite remains important to deploy and must be accessible and understandable to and for all individuals (educated and non-educated). A potential protective role against malaria conferred by a preexisting toxoplasmosis infection needs to be explored more precisely to examine the environmental, parasitic and/or immune aspects.

Rabies Vaccination in Dogs in Laos: Owner Knowledge and Serological Status of Dogs

Rabies is an infectious disease which is virtually 100% fatal. Humans are most often infected through the bite of an infected dog, and most cases could be prevented by vaccinating dogs. However, vaccination coverage is insufficient in most countries where canine rabies occurs endemically. This study conducted interviews and sampling of dogs in Laos to understand more about the barriers for vaccination and to evaluate the antibody status of dogs using a commercial ELISA. The study found that only 62% out of 359 dog owners knew what rabies was, and only 24% knew the disease could be fatal. Higher education was associated with higher knowledge scores. Only 56 out of 437 (13%) dogs had been rabies vaccinated according to their owner, and out of these dogs, only 34 (61%) had antibodies, and only 48% had adequate levels (above 0.5 IU/mL). However, 24% of the dogs with no known history of vaccination had antibodies, indicating either exposure or vaccination in the past without the owner’s awareness. In conclusion, this study indicates that there is a low level of knowledge about rabies, and that owner knowledge is not a good indicator of whether a dog is vaccinated or not.

Persistent symptoms among children and adolescents with and without anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies: a population-based serological study in Geneva, Switzerland

Background: It is now established that a significant proportion of adults experience persistent symptoms after SARS-CoV-2 infection. However, evidence for children and adolescents is still inconclusive. In this population-based study, we examine the proportion of children and adolescents reporting persistent symptoms after SARS-CoV-2 infection, as assessed by serological status, and compare this to a seronegative control group. Methods: We conducted a serosurvey in June-July 2021, recruiting 660 children and adolescents from 391 households selected randomly from the Geneva population. We tested participants for anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies targeting the nucleocapsid (N) protein to determine previous infection. A parent filled a questionnaire including questions on COVID-19-related symptoms lasting at least 2 weeks. Findings: Among children seropositive for anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies, the sex- and age-adjusted prevalence of symptoms lasting longer than two weeks was 18.3%, compared to 11.1% among seronegative children (prevalence difference (ΔaPrev)=7.2%, 95%CI:1.5-13.0). Main symptoms declared among seropositive children were fatigue (11.5%) and headache (11.1%). For 8.6% (aPrev, 95%CI: 4.7-12.5) of seropositives, these symptoms were declared to be highly limiting of daily activities. Adolescents aged 12-17 years had a higher adjusted prevalence of persistent symptoms (aPrev=29.1%, 95%CI:19.4-38.7) than younger children. Comparing seropositive and seronegative adolescents, the estimated prevalence of symptoms lasting over four weeks is 4.4% (ΔaPrev, 95%CI:-3.8-13.6). Interpretation: A significant proportion of children aged 12 to 17 years had symptoms lasting over two weeks after SARS-CoV-2 infection, with an estimated prevalence of symptoms lasting over 4 weeks of 4.4% in this age group. This represents a large number of adolescents in absolute terms, and should raise concern in the context of unknown long-term evolution of symptoms. Younger children appear to experience long-lasting symptoms less frequently, as no difference was observed between the seropositive and seronegative sample. Further studies with larger samples sizes are needed.

Does Sexual and Emotional Behavior Differ Between Sexual Partners That Do Not Disclose HIV Status?

Objective: The objective of the study was to analyze whether the disclosure of HIV serological status among sexual partners is associated with differences in sexual affective behavior. Methods: Cross-sectional study was carried out with 173 participants in a specialized assistance service on the treatment of people with the Human Immunodeficiency Virus. Data were collected through interviews. Results: Our results show that from the participants who did not disclose their HIV status and who were sexually active, most had multiple sexual partners (44.6%), used combined methods of prevention (75.4%), had casual partners (63.0%), used condoms (66.2%), and had sexual intercourse while under the influence of alcohol (56.9%). The variables i.e., number of partners (p = 0.010) and type of relationship (p <0.001) showed statistical differences. Conclusion: Sexual affective behavior variables influenced the decision about disclosing HIV seropositivity to sexual partners that establish different forms of sexual partnerships.

Case Report: Molecular Detection and Characterization of Trypanosoma cruzi in Ocular Tissue from Donors with Chagas Disease

Corneal transplantation is the most frequent transplant worldwide. Tissue characteristics allow storage and transport, even between continents, increasing its accessibility around the world. Donor infection with Trypanosoma cruzi is not defined as a corneal discarding factor, although the transplant is not recommended preventively, as in any infectious diseases. Herein, by means of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) strategies, we analyzed parasite presence in ocular tissue from 10 deceased donors with Chagas diseases. Among them, positive findings were obtained in corneas, scleras, and eye muscle samples of three, two, and one donor, respectively. Moreover, among the six T. cruzi defined populations, TcV and TcVI parasites were found in some samples based on group-specific amplification strategies. Our findings point out the actual possibility of T. cruzi transmission due to corneal transplantation and makes donor’s serological status knowledge mandatory regardless of graft provenance. Failing that, we suggest a posttransplant follow-up of recipients from seropositive donors.

Dynamics of natural infection by Toxoplasma gondii in goat herds in the semiarid region of northeastern Brazil

This study aimed to describe the transmission of T. gondii in naturally infected goats in the semiarid region of northeastern Brazil, through evaluating the serological status of these animals from one to 12 months of age. Seven goat farms were selected. During the first visit, an epidemiological questionnaire was applied. Blood samples were collected from pregnant goats and from their female offspring every month, to monitor them for anti-T. gondii antibodies, using the indirect fluorescence antibody test (IFAT). Out of 66 pregnant goats evaluated, 47% (31/66) (95% CI: 34.6% − 59.7%) were positive and out of 93 female offspring, 61.3% (57/93) (95% CI: 52.4% − 69.2%) were positive, in at least one month during the evaluation period. Among the positive female offspring, 43.3% (27/57) (95% CI: 39.7% − 56.9%) presented environmental infection and 56.7% (30/57) (95% CI: 43.4% − 66.3 %) probably had only colostral antibodies or vertical transmission. It was observed that 92,6% (25/27) from environmental infections occurred until reproductive age (six months) (p < 0.0001). It was also noted that there is a correlation between the titration of mothers and offspring, until four months of age (p < 0.0001). Large fluctuations in the presence of antibodies were observed among the animals over the months monitored. It can be concluded that the prevalence of anti-T. gondii antibodies within the herds was greater than what has been expressed in specific prevalence studies and that most sheep become infected up to the six months of life in the studied area.

Effect of pig serum storage conditions on detection of anti-ASFV antibodies by ELISA

One of the measures used to control and prevent African swine fever spread in the Russian Federation involves testing pig and boar sera using inter alia serological tools based on enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for anti-viral antibody detection. However, there is no unified regulatory document specifying storage conditions for sera used in the ELISA for anti-ASFV antibody detection. There are also lack of published data on the maximum admissible shelf life of the pig sera, and the effect of storage conditions on the serological status of the pig sera as for ASF is understudied. The paper demonstrates results of the experiment aimed at the determination of the effect of storage temperatures and shelf life on the serological status of ASFV seropositive and seronegative pig sera when tested by INgezim PPA Compac (Ingenasa, Spain) ELISA as well as on the possibility of false results. During the experiment and analysis of its results, the new data were obtained, and they indicated from none to non-significant effect of the simulated storage conditions on the serological status of sera used for ASFV detection, while hemolyzed sera demonstrated more significant changes proportional to hemolysis degree and storage duration. Although the results of detection of antibodies against the agents of some diseases cannot be used in case of other pathogens, this study has a substantial applied significance as it allows to specify the dependence of the valid results of ASF serodiagnosis on the storage conditions of the samples.