Diversity and distribution of plant parasitic-nematodes on golf courses in localities of Baja California Sur, Mexico

Golf is a tourist attraction in Baja California Sur (BCS), Mexico. However, the quality of its fields is detracted by presenting yellowing and death on tufgrass. Plant parasitic nematodes are one of the main limitations around the world. However, in BCS, its presence is unknown. In order to determine the diversity and distribution of phytonmatodes in golf courses in BCS, soil samples were collected in four courses. Nematode extraction was done using the Baerman funnel technique. Specimens were identified at the genus level and the population in each zone was quantified. The genera Meloidogyne, Helicotylenchus, Criconema, Xiphinema, Pratylenchus, Tylenchus, Hoplolaimus and Trichodorus were associated with the death of tufgrass with significant variations (p<0.05) in populations. These results are the first records of these genera in the golf courses evaluated, useful in the development of in the State.

Funnel technique for wide infrarenal aneurysm neck with Lifetech Ankura™ Stent Graft System

Background: In this study, we present our mid-term results in patients undergoing treatment with the funnel technique and describe technical issues for this bailout technique in extra-wide infrarenal necks. Methods: Between January 2018 and June 2020, a total of seven male, symptomatic patients (median: 74.5 years; range, 64 to 84 years) who had comorbidities and were in the American Society for Anesthesiologists Class IV and treated by the funnel technique in an endovascular fashion were included. Pre- and post-procedural data of the patients, early mortality and technical success rates were evaluated. Results: There was no early mortality. Technical success rate was 100%. There was no type I or III endoleaks at the completion angiography. All patients were discharged without any problem on the second or third day of the procedure. The median follow-up was 13 (range, 6 to 28) months. The aneurysm sac shrinkage was achieved in all patients over six months of follow up. During the follow-up period, no proximal endoleak or infrarenal aortic neck diameter enlargement was found. Conclusion: Based on our limited experience, the funnel technique may be considered more than a bailout procedure under special circumstances.

Screening of Strongyloides stercoralis infection in high-risk patients in Khuzestan Province, Southwestern Iran

Background Strongyloidiasis, one of the neglected tropical diseases (NTDs), can be fatal in immunocompromised patients. Available data on Strongyloides stercoralis infection in high-risk patients in Iran are limited. The aim of the present study was to determine the prevalence of S. stercoralis infection and associated risk factors among high-risk patients as well as to evaluate the sensitivity of the diagnostic tests used in the diagnose of S. stercoralis infection. Methods This cross-sectional study was performed from 2019 to 2020 among 300 high-risk patients in Khuzestan Province, southwestern Iran. Patients with autoimmune diseases, uncontrolled diabetes, HIV/AIDS, cancer, organ transplant, hematological malignancy, asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) were examined using direct smear examination, formalin-ether concentration, Baermann funnel technique, agar plate culture, and ELISA test. Since agar plate culture was considered the reference diagnostic test, culture-positive samples were confirmed by PCR amplification and the sequencing of the nuclear 18S rDNA (SSU) hypervariable region (HVRIV) of the parasite. Results The prevalence of S. stercoralis infection was 1%, 1.3%, 2%, 2.7%, and 8.7% using direct smear examination, formalin-ether concentration, Baermann funnel technique, agar plate culture, and ELISA test, respectively. All culture-positive samples were confirmed by SSU-PCR. According to the results, the most sensitive test was ELISA, with 100% sensitivity, followed by the Baermann funnel technique with the sensitivity of 75%. Direct smear examination, formalin-ether concentration technique, and Baermann funnel technique had the highest PPV (100%) while the ELISA test had the highest NPV (100%). Significant eosinophilia was observed in the patients whose culture test was positive (7/8; P < 0.05). In the present study, the majority of the positive cases by the agar plate culture had a history of prolonged exposure to soil and of asthma and COPD and were > 60 years old. Conclusions Given that the ELISA test had the highest NPV, the screening of all high-risk patients for S. stercoralis infection in endemic areas is recommended prior to starting corticosteroid therapy with the ELISA test. The results indicate the importance of paying attention to patients with unknown eosinophilia in endemic areas. Ivermectin should be available to strongyloidiasis patients in the endemic areas.

Hybrid endografts in ‘wide neck’ abdominal aortic aneurysm in patients unfit for open surgery: The Funnel Technique – Case report and review of the literature

Objectives Abdominal aortic aneurysms with a wide proximal neck (>32 mm) are a contraindication for the use of conventional abdominal endovascular stent grafts because of their limited maximum proximal diameter (36 mm). In these cases, it is customary to resort to sophisticated techniques such as parallel or fenestrated grafts. In very selected cases, such as symptomatic wide neck aneurysm or patient with limited life expectancy, Funnel Technique may find an indication. Methods It consists in placing a bifurcated endograft in the abdominal aorta embricated with a thoracic endograft as a proximal cuff in an infrarenal position. Results In the literature review, we found 32 cases of this technique, whose characteristics are collected in a table. Conclusion The Funnel Technique, taking advantage of the larger diameters of the thoracic prostheses, may easily treat abdominal aortic aneurysm cases with a wide neck.

Screening of Strongyloides stercoralis Infection in High-Risk Patients in Khuzestan Province, Southwestern Iran

Background: Strongyloidiasis, one of the neglected tropical diseases (NTDs), can be fatal in immunocompromised patients. Available data on Strongyloides stercoralis infection in high-risk patients in Iran; however, is limited. The aim of the present study was to determine the prevalence of S. stercoralis infection and associated risk factors among high-risk patients, as well as to evaluate the accuracy of the diagnostic tests used in the diagnose of S. stercoralis infection. Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed during 2019 to 2020 among 300 high-risk patients in Khuzestan Province, southwestern Iran. Patients with autoimmune diseases, uncontrolled diabetes, HIV/AIDS, cancer, organ transplant, hematologic malignancy, asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) were examined using direct smear examination, formalin-ether concentration, Baermann funnel technique, agar plate culture, and ELISA test. Culture-positive samples were confirmed by PCR amplification and sequencing of the nuclear 18S rDNA (SSU) hypervariable region (HVRIV) of the parasite.Results: The prevalence of S. stercoralis infection was 1%, 1.3%, 2%, 2.7%, and 8.7% using direct smear examination, formalin-ether concentration, Baermann funnel technique, agar plate culture, and ELISA test, respectively. All culture-positive samples were confirmed by SSU-PCR. According to the results, the most sensitive test was ELISA, with 100% sensitivity, followed by Baermann funnel technique with sensitivity of 75%. Direct smear examination, formalin-ether concentration technique, and Baermann funnel technique had the highest PPV (100%), while ELISA test had the highest NPV (100%). Eosinophilia significantly was observed in patients whose culture test were positive (7/8; p= 0.001). Of these, 5 patients had a history of asthma and COPD. In the present study, the majority of the positive cases by the agar plate culture had a history of prolonged exposure to soil, history of asthma and COPD, and were over the ages of 60. In two cases, S. stercoralis larva was observed 6 months and 8 months after treatment with albendazole.Conclusions: Given that the ELISA test had the highest NPV, screening of all high-risk patients for S. stercoralis infection in endemic areas is recommended prior to starting corticosteroid therapy with ELISA test. Ivermectin should be available to the strongyloidiasis patients in the endemic areas.

In Vitro Lethal Activity of the Nematophagous Fungus Clonostachys rosea (Ascomycota: Hypocreales) against Nematodes of Five Different Taxa

This study was aimed to evaluate the in vitro lethal activity of the nematophagous fungi Clonostachys rosea against 5 nematodes species belonging to different taxa. Two groups of 35 Petri dishes (PD) each were divided into 5 series of 7 (PD). Group 1 (series 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5) contained only water agar; meanwhile group 2 plates (series 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10) contained C. rosea cultures growth on water agar. Every plate from the two groups was added with 500 nematodes corresponding to the following genera/specie: Haemonchus contortus, Caenorhabditis elegans, Rhabditis sp., Panagrellus redivivus, and Butlerius sp. After 5-day incubation at room temperature, free (nontrapped) larvae were recovered from plates using the Baermann funnel technique. Recovered nematodes were counted and compared with their proper controls. Results shown an important reduction percentage of the nematode population attributed to the fungal lethal activity as follows: H. contortus (L3) 87.7%; C. elegans 94.7%; Rhabditis sp. 71.9%; P. redivivus 92.7%; and Butlerius sp. 100% (p≤0.05). The activity showed by C. rosea against the H. contortus can be crucial for further studies focused to the biological control of sheep haemonchosis, although the environmental impact against beneficial nematodes should be evaluated.