Detection of Chronic Wasting Disease Prions in Fetal Tissues of Free-Ranging White-Tailed Deer

The transmission of chronic wasting disease (CWD) has largely been attributed to contact with infectious prions shed in excretions (saliva, urine, feces, blood) by direct animal-to-animal exposure or indirect contact with the environment. Less-well studied has been the role that mother-to-offspring transmission may play in the facile transmission of CWD, and whether mother-to-offspring transmission before birth may contribute to the extensive spread of CWD. We thereby focused on a population of free-ranging white-tailed deer from West Virginia, USA, in which CWD has been detected. Fetal tissues, ranging from 113 to 158 days of gestation, were harvested from the uteri of CWD+ dams in the asymptomatic phase of infection. Using serial protein misfolding amplification (sPMCA), we detected evidence of prion seeds in 7 of 14 fetuses (50%) from 7 of 9 pregnancies (78%), with the earliest detection at 113 gestational days. This is the first report of CWD detection in free ranging white-tailed deer fetal tissues. Further investigation within cervid populations across North America will help define the role and impact of mother-to-offspring vertical transmission of CWD.

Body fluids from the rat exposed to chlorpyrifos induce cytotoxicity against the corresponding tissue−derived cells in vitro

Background This study aims to establish an in vitro monitoring approach to evaluate the pesticide exposures. We studied the in vitro cytotoxicity of three different body fluids of rats to the respective corresponding tissue-derived cells. Methods Wistar rats were orally administrated daily with three different doses of chlorpyrifos (1.30, 3.26, and 8.15 mg/kg body weight/day, which is equal to the doses of 1/125, 1/50, and 1/20 LD50, respectively) for consecutive 90 days. Blood samples as well as 24-hour urine and fecal samples were collected and processed. Then, urine, serum, and feces samples were used to treat the correspondent cell lines, i.e., T24 bladder cancer cells, Jurkat lymphocytes, and HT-29 colon cancer cells respectively, which derived from the correspondent tissues that could interact with the respective corresponding body fluids in organism. Cell viability was determined by using MTT or trypan blue staining. Results The results showed that urine, serum, and feces extract of the rats exposed to chlorpyrifos displayed concentration- and time-dependent cytotoxicity to the cell lines. Furthermore, we found that the cytotoxicity of body fluids from the exposed animals was mainly due to the presence of 3, 4, 5-trichloropyrindinol, the major toxic metabolite of chlorpyrifos. Conclusions These findings indicated that urine, serum, and feces extraction, especially urine, combining with the corresponding tissue-derived cell lines as the in vitro cell models could be used to evaluate the animal exposure to pesticides even at the low dose with no apparent toxicological signs in the animals. Thus, this in vitro approach could be served as complementary methodology to the existing toolbox of biological monitoring of long-term and low-dose exposure to environmental pesticide residues in practice.

Perfluorooctanoic Acid (PFOA) Transport in Soil and Absorption and Distribution in Alfalfa (Medicago sativa)

Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), used as a surfactant in consumer and industrial products, is frequently found in biosolids from wastewater treatment plants. When present in biosolids applied to croplands, PFOA has potential to contaminate feed and fodder used by livestock, but the extent of PFOA transfer from soil to plants is not well characterized. A single dose of [ 14 C]-PFOA was applied to unplanted soil or soil containing growing alfalfa. PFOA transport through unplanted soil and uptake by alfalfa was monitored over a 10-week study period. Radiocarbon was initially measured in roots, stems, and leaves 7 days after PFOA application to soil. PFOA accumulation was greatest in leaves during the 10-week sampling. By week 10, PFOA migration through unplanted soil had reached a depth of 22.8 ± 2.5 cm. In contrast, PFOA migrated to 7.5 ± 2.5 cm in soil containing alfalfa plants. The greatest predictor of PFOA concentration in alfalfa leaves was PFOA concentration in the top 5 cm of soil; PFOA concentrations at lower depths were not correlated with alfalfa PFOA levels. PFOA transport through soil may be slowed by the presence of forage, however PFOA accumulation in edible portions of forage plants may increase food animal exposure to PFOA residues.

THE NEUROENDOCRINE SYSTEM RESPONSE OF 2-5 G COMMUNICATION ELECTROMAGNETIC FIELD ANIMAL EXPOSURE

Background. The neuroendocrine effect on the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal cortex axis is significant example stressor of electromagnetic exposure for biological object. Aim. The neuroendocrine effect investigation of multi-frequency electromagnetic field laboratory animals’ exposure from 2-5 generations cellular base stations Methods. The neuroendocrine status evaluated by corticosterone and adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) concentrations in blood exposed and sham rats. ACTH and corticosterone rat blood assessed by immunoenzyme method. Results. The results of the multi-frequency electromagnetic field laboratory animals’ exposure from 2-5 generations cellular base stations in a chronic experiment showed wave-like changes in the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal function. These changes are manifested in an immediate increase in corticosteroids secretion and depression of the corticosteroid response to normal or subnormal levels. After 3 month chronic exposure there was a secondary rise in hormonal secretion.

A rare case of abdominal cocoon caused by brucellosis

Brucella is the most common zoonosis in the world and is also included among the neglected endemic zoonoses by the World Health Organization. Its clinical presentation is often vague and it is not frequently suspected. A thorough history of social-economic status and animal exposure is often missed. We present a case of abdominal cocoon in a young patient residing at a dairy farm who tested positive for Brucella serology. Timely diagnosis and management prevented the progression of this debilitating condition to intestinal obstruction.

Parvovirus B19 Seroprevalence in Women with Bad Obstetric History in Kirkuk.

Background: In Iraqi community, abnormal pregnancy form a major social ans psychological and health problem. The underlying etiology of this health phenomenon was varied and includes sets of infections and autoimmune diseases. Globally human parvovirus 19 infection is common and the infection attribute to bad obstetric outcomes. Global maternal parvovirus B19 remote infection rate was with a range of 13.2% to 97.9%, while the range of acute infection was 0.5% to 97.9%. In Arab countries, the IgG seroprevalence was 53.3% to 74%, while IgM seroprevalence range was 2.2% to 84%. Objective: To evaluate the role of Parvovirus B19 as an etiology of bad obstetric outcome in women in Kirkuk, Iraq. Materials and Methods: Descriptive Case Control Study. Women included in the study were recruited from Kirkuk General Hospital and their age ranged from 14 to 48 years. A 663 women were included in the study and 237 of them were none pregnant, while the pregnant were 215. Additionally, the study included 211 women with inevitable abortion. A control group (306 women) women with history of normal pregnancy (Pregnant=149; non-pregnant=157). Clinical and laboratory investigations were conducted on all patients and control groups to exclude other causes [7]. Medical and obstetric data and demographic characteristics gathered through interview according to previously designed questionnaire [7]. ELISA kits were used to determine Parvovirus B19 IgM and IgG antibodies. Results: The overall parvovirus seroprevalence was 93% and with no significant difference between women with normal (89.5%) and those with abnormal (93.1%) pregnancy outcomes . In addition, parvovirus IgM overall seroprevalence was 56.3%. Furthermore, current parvovirus infection was higher in women with BOH (52.6%) than that in women with normal pregnancy (49.7%) outcomes. Parvovirus IgM seroprevalence was 52.6% in women with BOH and 49.7% in women with normal pregnancy, however, the difference was not statistically significant. In contrast, the acute infection with parvovirus was significantly (X2=11.8, P=0.001) lower in women with normal pregnancy (49.7%) than in those with inevitable abortion (64.9%), While IgG seroprevalence difference was not significant between the two groups. Infection seroprevalence was more frequent in housewife, uneducated women, large family size, non-smoker, rural area, non animal exposure, repeated abortion, congenital anomalies, and anaemia. Conclusion: Parvovirus B19 infection may be with bad obstetric outcomes if occurred during pregnancy and OR confirm a significant association of the infection with parvovirus with smoking, occupation, crowding index, education, animal exposure and number of repeated abortion.

The Risk Assessment of Pesticide Ingestion with Fruit and Vegetables for Consumer’s Health

Pesticides are chemicals used in agriculture to protect crops from pests. In addition to protection during cultivation, they are also used after harvesting to extend the shelf life of products. Postharvest control stands out, especially when it comes to products imported from distant countries, resulting in increased concentration of pesticides and risk to human health consuming such products. In this study, analyses of pesticide residues were performed on 200 samples of fruits and vegetables. Pesticide residues were identified and quantified in 30 out of 200 samples. Study results revealed imazalil to be the most frequently detected pesticide. Risk assessment was performed on the obtained results, and it was carried out separately for adults and for children under 6 years of age. Imazalil showed the highest ARfD percentage for adults (max% ARfD 251%), and these values were especially high on risk assessment for children, where they amounted up to max% ARfD 1087%. The study of imazalil impact was performed on 16 Swiss albino mice divided into two groups and 4 subgroups. Experimental group animals were treated with the corresponding NOAEL dose of imazalil (10 mg/kg) for 28 days. Body weight was measured before each pesticide application on a digital electronic Sartorius scale. Peripheral blood analysis was performed after 28-day animal exposure to pesticides. Animals were anesthetized, blood samples were obtained by cardiac puncture, and red blood cell (RBC) count, hemoglobin (Hb) concentration, and white blood cell (WBC) count were determined by standard hematological methods. The organs for determination of imazalil concentration were extracted immediately upon animal sacrifice and stored in a freezer at -80°C until analysis. Results show difference in gain weight, and an increase in WBC count was recorded in the experimental group as compared with a control group of animals. The highest imazalil levels were recorded in adipose tissue (45.2‰) which proves tendency to accumulate.

Rare case of Capnocytophaga canimorsus meningitis in a man without risk factors

Capnocytophaga canimorsus meningitis is an uncommon but potentially serious cause of meningitis, which is considered particularly rare in healthy and immunocompetent individuals. We present a case of C. canimorsus meningitis in a young, immunocompetent patient which was acquired following a dog bite. We review the literature and propose that underdiagnosis of this condition is likely. To avoid misdiagnosis, and thus improper management, clinicians should ensure that they identify animal exposure in all meningitic patients, and adopt a higher clinical suspicion in the absence of classical risk factors.

Effects of Sulfamethoxazole on Growth and Antibiotic Resistance of A Natural Microbial Community

Diffuse environmental antibiotic and antibiotic resistance gene contamination is increasing human and animal exposure to these emerging compounds with a consequent risk of reduction in antibiotic effectiveness. The present work investigated the effect of the antibiotic sulfamethoxazole (SMX) on growth and antibiotic resistance genes of a microbial community collected from an anaerobic digestion plant fed with cattle manure. Digestate samples were used as inoculum for concentration-dependent experiments using SMX at various concentrations. The antibiotic concentrations affecting the mixed microbial community in terms of growth and spread of resistant genes (sul1, sul2) were investigated through OD (Optical Density) measures and qPCR assays. Moreover, SMX biodegradation was assessed by LC-MS/MS analysis. The overall results showed that SMX concentrations in the range of those found in the environment did not affect the microbial community growth and did not select for antibiotic-resistant gene (ARG) maintenance or spread. Furthermore, the microorganisms tested were able to degrade SMX in only 24 h. This study confirms the complexity of antibiotic resistance spread in real matrices where different microorganisms coexist and suggests that antibiotic biodegradation needs to be included for fully understanding the resistance phenomena among bacteria.