Evaluation of antigenic load in pregnant sows and identification of isoimmunization markers in offspring to increase productive and reproductive indicators for obtaining biologically safe organic products

Immunological aspects of the relationship in the functional system “mother-fetus” are consciously important both in the scientific and practical direction of the life of living organisms. The formation of the main parameters of isoimmunization is an equivalent aspect in relation to the basics of the formation of artificial tolerance mechanisms. Changes in immunological reactivity to viral and bacterial antigens may cause increased susceptibility to infectious diseases. Different levels of this condition in newborn and adult animal organisms should be based on the fact that the fetus and newborn after birth first comes into contact with the antigen, while the adult body already has partial sensitization. Chronic carrier of pathogens in animals and their influence on the spread of the infectious process is an urgent problem of modern veterinary medicine. The possibility of vaccination in newborns is limited by the presence of maternal antibodies that have an immunosuppressive effect.The immunological relationship between the fetal mother’s body in a non-inbred population should be considered in two aspects: the effects caused by maternal antigens in the fetus; the effect of fetal antigens on the mother’s body. Level of functional reserves of the pregnant body is important in the prevention of intrauterine infection.

Interest of the quantification of HBsAg in the chronic carrier of the hepatitis B virus

La quantification de l’AgHBs a montré un intérêt dans la classification du patient dans les différentes phases de l’infection chronique B. Pour évaluer l’impact de celle-ci, nous avons mené une étude prospective chez les porteurs chroniques du VHB, sur une période de 5 ans. Nous avons colligé 210 patients (114 hommes ; 96 femmes), avec un âge moyen de 43 ans (18 – 80 ans), une cytolyse dans 12% des cas (25/210) et 90% des patients AgHBe négatif (189/210). L’ADN-VHB moyen est de 3,25 ± 2 Log UI/ml. Une fibrose modérée à sévère (F2, F3, F4) est noté dans 21,42% (45/210). Le taux moyen de l’AgHBs est de 2,84 ± 1,1 Log UI/ml, il est de 4,36 LogUI/ml chez le sujet jeune versus 3 LogUI/ml pour le sujet âgé. Nous avons noté une corrélation entre le taux de l’AgHBs et celui de l’ADN VHB (r=0,40, p<0,001). Ce taux est plus élevé pour l’AgHBe positif (3,81 LogUI/ml vs 2,77 LogUI/ml). Les taux moyens d’AgHBs sont de 4,33 ; 3,13 ; 2,87 et 3,19 logUI/ml aux phases 1, 2, 3 et 4 respectivement. Entre phase 1 et phase 3, il est de 3,6 ± 1,5 vs 2,07 ± 1 (p< 0,001). Entre phase active (2 et 4) et phase inactive (3), il est de 3,35 ± 0,7 vs 2,07 ± 1 (p<0,00001). Pour un taux d’ADN VHB < 2000 UI/ml et d’AgHBs < 1000 UI/ml, la proportion de porteurs inactifs est de 43% (90/210) contre 59% (124/210) par la définition usuelle (ADN VHB (<2000 UI/ml).

Relaxed attitude towards spreading of alien crayfish species affects protection of native crayfish species: case studies and lessons learnt from a Fennoscandian viewpoint

The spreading of the alien signal crayfish (Pacifastacus leniusculus) is posing an ongoing threat to native European crayfish species in Fennoscandia, like the native noble crayfish (Astacus astacus). The signal crayfish is commonly a chronic carrier of the crayfish plague (Aphanomyces astaci), thus, in addition to being more competitive than noble crayfish, it also has a competitive advantage in this disease over the noble crayfish. The challenges rising from the introduction of the alien signal crayfish to Sweden, Finland and finally also Norway, are similar in nature. The licensed and unlicensed spreading of this species also has a similar history in these countries. In this paper we describe some of the patters of the spread of alien signal crayfish and highlight the detrimental nature of an alien crayfish, accompanied by a highly virulent disease, to native Fennoscandian crayfish and also to native Fennoscandian ecosystems. A halt to the further spreading of alien signal crayfish in Fennoscandia is the only means to ensure successful conservation outcomes for the noble crayfish.

Specific immunological areactivity formation during gestation period in pregnant sows

Changes in immunological reactivity to viral and bacterial antigens may cause increased susceptibility to infectious diseases. Different levels of this condition in newborn and adult animal organisms should be based on the fact that the fetus and newborn after birth first comes into contact with the antigen, while the adult body already has partial sensitization. Chronic carrier of pathogens in animals and their influence on the spread of the infectious process is an urgent problem of modern veterinary medicine. The possibility of vaccination in newborns is limited by the presence of maternal antibodies that have an immunosuppressive effect. A high level of functional reserves of the pregnant body is important in the prevention of intrauterine infection. On the one hand, infection in the prenatal period of development affects the processes of growth and development of the fetus, on the other hand, during this period, the mother's body is isoimmunized by fetal antigens, accompanied by increased sensitivity of the body with the predominant manifestation of cellular phenomena in the absence of enhanced antibody synthesis.

Non-typhoidal salmonellosis presenting as acute calculus cholecystitis

Non-typhoidal Salmonella spp.are Gram-negative bacilli, which typically cause a clinical picture of gastroenteritis and, less commonly, patients may become a chronic carrier of the pathogen within their gallbladder. We describe a rare clinical presentation of a non-typhoidal Salmonella spp. infection as acute calculus cholecystitis in an adult patient. Salmonella enterica subsp. Salamae (ST P4271) was grown from cholecystostomy fluid, and the patient subsequently underwent a laparoscopic cholecystectomy that demonstrated a necrotic gallbladder fundus. We advise that microbiological sampling of bile is essential, especially in the context of foreign travel, to detect unusual pathogens as in this case or common pathogens that may have unusual antimicrobial resistance. Given the necrotic gallbladder as in this case, we also advise that early cholecystectomy should be strongly considered in these patients.

Chronic urinary carrier state due to Salmonella Typhi causing urinary tract infection in an immunocompetent healthy woman

Enteric fever caused by Salmonella Typhi is a global public health problem. With adequate treatment, most patients recover from the acute phase; however, 2–4% develop a chronic carrier state acting as reservoir of infection by continued shedding of bacteria in faeces and urine. Recovery of S. Typhi from urine is rare, even in endemic areas. The three main causes of bacteriuria arise following a recent episode of typhoid fever, in chronic carrier states involving the urinary system and occasionally following localised urinary tract infection (UTI) due to S. Typhi. Symptomatic Salmonella UTI is mostly encountered in an immunocompromised patient with some underlying structural abnormality involving the urinary tract. We report a case of symptomatic UTI caused by Salmonella Typhi in a 50-year-old immunocompetent woman in a chronic carrier state without any known urological abnormality.

Nasopharyngeal carriage of Streptococcus pneumoniae and serotypes indentified among nursing home residents in comparison to the elderly and patients younger than 65 years living in domestic environment

Introduction In Slovenia, there is little data available on pneumococcal vaccination rates and no data on asymptomatic NPCR and serotypes in the population of nursing home residents in comparison to the elderly living in domestic environment, therefore the goal was to gain these data. Methods A cross sectional epidemiological study was performed. Nasopharyngeal swabs from 151 nursing home residents, 150 elderly living in domestic environment, and 38 adults less than 65 years old were collected twice (in two consecutive years). The swabs were analysed for pneumococcal identification and serotyping. Patient data were collected from medical files and medical history. Results No statistically significant differences in NPCR were seen between compared groups in two consecutive years. An average NPCR in two consecutive years in nursing home residents was 1.45%, in the elderly living in domestic environment 0.85%, and in adults less than 65 years old 7.05%. Serotypes identified among nursing home residents were 6B and 9N, among the group of elderly living in domestic environment, 6A and among adults less than 65 years old, 35F, 18C and 3. Pneumococcal vaccination rates were low (3.3% in nursing home residents, 6% in the elderly from domestic environment and 0% in the group of adults less than 65 years old). Conclusions Our data suggests that NPCR and the proportion of people vaccinated with pneumococcal vaccine among the elderly are low. We identified different serotypes in all groups, only one person was a chronic carrier (serotype 35F).