Hasil untuk "Infectious and parasitic diseases"

Su Hyun Park, Yun Hye Kim, Hyeon Jin Lee et al.

Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae (APP) is a significant pathogen in the swine industry, leading to substantial economic losses and highlighting the need for effective vaccines. This study evaluates the potential of APP-derived extracellular vesicles (APP-EVs) as a vaccine candidate compared to the commercial Coglapix vaccine. APP-EVs, isolated using tangential flow filtration (TFF) and cushioned ultracentrifugation, exhibited an average size of 105 nm and a zeta potential of −17.4 mV. These EVs demonstrated stability under external stressors, such as pH changes and enzymatic exposure and were found to contain 86 major metabolites. Additionally, APP-EVs induced dendritic cell (DC) maturation in a Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)-dependent manner without cytotoxicity. APP-EVs predominantly elicited Th1-mediated IgG responses in immunized mice without significant liver and kidney toxicity. Contrarily, unlike Coglapix, which induced stronger Th2-mediated responses and notable toxicity. In addition, APP-EVs triggered APP-specific Th1, Th17, and cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) responses and promoted the activation of multifunctional T-cells. Notably, APP-EV immunization enhanced macrophage phagocytosis and improved survival rates in mice challenged with APP infection compared to those treated with Coglapix. These findings suggest that APP-EVs are promising vaccine candidates, capable of inducing potent APP-specific T-cell responses, particularly Th1, Th17, CTL, and multifunctional T-cells, thereby enhancing the protective immune response against APP infection.

Joyce L Browne, Grazia Caleo, Patrick Keating et al.

Background Humanitarian emergencies increase the risk of development or exacerbation of mental health conditions. This study documents how mental health differs between younger and older adults to inform adapted mental health services in humanitarian settings.Methods This multicountry study includes adults who accessed Médecins Sans Frontières-supported mental health services in humanitarian settings across 20 low-income and middle-income countries between July 2019 and July 2024. Mental health symptoms and precipitating events were compared between younger (20–49 years old) and older adults (50 years or older) adjusting for sex and displacement status using logistic regression analyses.Findings Data of 177 228 adults were included. Adults most frequently presented at mental health services with anxiety-related (44%; 70 496/158 665) and mood-related symptoms (26%; 41 732/158 665). Older adults had higher odds of reporting symptoms related to ageing (adjusted Odds Ratio (aOR)=4.44; 95% CI 3.84 to 5.14), physical complaints (aOR=2.74; 95% CI 2.65 to 2.83), social functioning (aOR=1.12; 95% CI 1.03 to 1.23) and neuro-psychiatry (aOR=1.09; 95% CI 1.02 to 1.17), and lower odds of reporting symptoms related to anxiety (aOR=0.68; 95% CI 0.66 to 0.70), mood (aOR=0.64; 95% CI 0.62 to 0.67) and behaviour (aOR=0.57; 95% CI 0.52 to 0.61), with variation by sex and displacement status. Compared with younger women, older women had higher odds of reporting violence, socioeconomic functioning and displacement, with variation by displacement status. Compared with younger men, older men had higher odds of reporting medical illness.Interpretation Significant differences in mental health symptoms were identified between younger and older adults, with variations by sex and displacement status. Older adults were more likely than younger adults to present symptoms related to ageing. Compared with their younger counterparts, older women were more likely to report experiences of violence, and older men were more likely to report medical illness. These findings underscore the need for age-sensitive and sex-sensitive mental health services in humanitarian settings, including staff training on age-related mental health presentations.

Kristine Rabii, Courtney Takats, Gregory Putzel et al.

Genomic surveillance of Staphylococcus aureus in hospitals usually focuses on clinical infections, missing transmissions from asymptomatic carriers and delaying detection and timely intervention. To address the issue, we performed whole-genome sequencing (WGS) on over 5,000 S. aureus isolates obtained from colonization screens at admission, in addition to standard clinical cultures, at two interconnected urban hospitals. By integrating genomic data with timestamped location information, we identified hundreds of transmissions missed by standard methods. However, nearly 70% of transmissions were detected during readmission after the index case had been discharged. This finding indicates that even with dense genomic sampling, real-time detection remains challenging due to asymptomatic carriage. Therefore, effective monitoring of nosocomial S. aureus transmission will likely require WGS and colonization sampling at both admission and discharge. The data also highlight patient- and strain-specific factors, including methicillin resistance, as predictors of S. aureus spread, which may enable cost-effective, targeted sequencing surveillance strategies.

Appadurai Daniel Reegan, Sam Joy, Purushotham Jambulingam et al.

Abstract Background Vector-borne diseases remain a major global health problem, mostly in tropical and subtropical areas. Effective vector control is crucial for controlling vector borne diseases (VBDs). Over the years various vector control tools and strategies have been employed globally. However, the recent challenges including insecticide-resistant, alterations in vector behaviour, and non-target effects have highlighted the need for novel vector control tools and alternate strategies. One such tool is the Attractive Targeted Sugar Baits (ATSBs), which uses the sugar-seeking habit of adult mosquitoes. The ATSB strategy operates on an “attract and kill” approach, where mosquitoes are lured to the bait and to feed on sugar combined with an insecticide. For this, a standard methodology needs to be developed for a uniform evaluation of ATSBs. Results The ATSB vector control strategy has shown promising results in studies carried out in various parts of Africa and the Middle East on controlling populations of mosquito species. Although numerous experiments have been conducted and are ongoing in various countries, there remains a lack of standardized guidelines for evaluating ATSBs. In 2023, the ICMR along with partners drafted the 3rd edition of Common Protocols for evaluating public health vector control products. The revised edition included a trial methodology for ATSB. Taking this into consideration, the phase-wise standard methodology is presented in this review for the uniform evaluation of different formulations/products of ATSBs. Conclusions The methodologies, outlined in this article will serve as the standard methodology for testing ATSB formulations/products under laboratory conditions (Phase I), small-phase (Phase II), and large-phase field trial (Phase III) conditions.

Anne Schneider, Jannik Fasse, Dennis Tappe et al.

An 18-year-old male patient from Ukraine, living in Germany for 2 years, presented with a painless subcutaneous swelling on the left cheek that had been present for several months. Finally, the diagnosis of subcutaneous dirofilariasis caused by Dirofilaria repens was confirmed by 12S rRNA gene PCR and sequencing from tissue by nematode-specific PCRs followed by sequencing after surgical resection of the lesion. Microfilaremia was ruled out and no further treatment was required. Subcutaneous filariasis continues to spread in Central Europe due to climate change, the expansion of vector mosquitoes and the mobility of humans and dogs.

Hai Viet Nguyen, Daniella Brals, Edine Tiemersma et al.

To assess sex disparities in tuberculosis in Vietnam, we conducted a nested, case–control study based on a 2017 tuberculosis prevalence survey. We defined the case group as all survey participants with laboratory–confirmed tuberculosis and the control group as a randomly selected group of participants with no tuberculosis. We used structural equation modeling to describe pathways from sex to tuberculosis according to an a priori conceptual framework. Our analysis included 1,319 participants, of whom 250 were case-patients. We found that sex was directly associated with tuberculosis prevalence (adjusted odds ratio for men compared with women 3.0 [95% CI 1.7–5.0]) and indirectly associated through other domains. The strong sex difference in tuberculosis prevalence is explained by a complex interplay of factors relating to behavioral and environmental risks, access to healthcare, and clinical manifestations. However, after controlling for all those factors, a direct sex effect remains that might be caused by biological factors.

Gawahir A. Ali, Muna Al Maslamani, Mahir Petkar et al.

Sphenoid sinus aspergilloma (SSA) with visual loss has rarely been reported. Timely recognition and prompt surgical intervention are crucial to avoid permanent neurological consequences.

Maria Eugenia León

Objective:To describe the epidemiological characteristics of whooping cough in Paraguay. Methods: 5327 samples of children and adults of all ages with suspected whooping cough and their contacts were included in this study.745 samples were pro-cessed per microbiological culture and 4582 samples per microbiological culture and PCR. Results:The overall frequency of cases and their laboratory-confirmed contacts was 9.1%.A total of 361 cases and 123 close case contacts were detected as posi-tive. Positive cases were more common in the < 2 months (70.6%), followed by the 2-6 month (11.9%). Conclusion:In Paraguay it is a public health problem that mainly affects children under 2 months, who have not yet received the vaccine.Knowing the epidemio-logy of whooping cough or pertussis helps us to know the burden of the disease as well as to measure the effectiveness and impact of vaccines.

Pishmisheva Mariya, Shikov Peter, Golkocheva Markova Еliza et al.

1 Dept. Infectious Diseases, Regional Hospital – Pazardzhik, Bulgaria 2 Dept. Nephrology and Hemodialysis, Regional Hospital – Pazardik, Bulgaria 3 National Reference Laboratory of Viral Hepatitis, National Center of Infectious and Parasitic Diseases, Sofiaq Bulgaria 4 Faculty of Public Health, Medical University, Sofia, Bulgaria 5 Faculty of Public Health, Medical University, Plovdiv, Bulgaria 6 Clinical Laboratory, Dept. of Immunology and Molecular Diagnostics, Acibadem City Clinic, Tokuda Hospital, Sofia, Bulgaria *Corresponding author

Ze-Yu Zhao, Yuan-Zhao Zhu, Jing-Wen Xu et al.

Abstract Background The novel coronavirus, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2, also called 2019-nCoV) causes different morbidity risks to individuals in different age groups. This study attempts to quantify the age-specific transmissibility using a mathematical model. Methods An epidemiological model with five compartments (susceptible–exposed–symptomatic–asymptomatic–recovered/removed [SEIAR]) was developed based on observed transmission features. Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases were divided into four age groups: group 1, those ≤ 14 years old; group 2, those 15 to 44 years old; group 3, those 45 to 64 years old; and group 4, those ≥ 65 years old. The model was initially based on cases (including imported cases and secondary cases) collected in Hunan Province from January 5 to February 19, 2020. Another dataset, from Jilin Province, was used to test the model. Results The age-specific SEIAR model fitted the data well in each age group (P < 0.001). In Hunan Province, the highest transmissibility was from age group 4 to 3 (median: β 43 = 7.71 × 10− 9; SAR 43 = 3.86 × 10− 8), followed by group 3 to 4 (median: β 34 = 3.07 × 10− 9; SAR 34 = 1.53 × 10− 8), group 2 to 2 (median: β 22 = 1.24 × 10− 9; SAR 22 = 6.21 × 10− 9), and group 3 to 1 (median: β 31 = 4.10 × 10− 10; SAR 31 = 2.08 × 10− 9). The lowest transmissibility was from age group 3 to 3 (median: β 33 = 1.64 × 10− 19; SAR 33 = 8.19 × 10− 19), followed by group 4 to 4 (median: β 44 = 3.66 × 10− 17; SAR 44 = 1.83 × 10− 16), group 3 to 2 (median: β 32 = 1.21 × 10− 16; SAR 32 = 6.06 × 10− 16), and group 1 to 4 (median: β 14 = 7.20 × 10− 14; SAR 14 = 3.60 × 10− 13). In Jilin Province, the highest transmissibility occurred from age group 4 to 4 (median: β 43 = 4.27 × 10− 8; SAR 43 = 2.13 × 10− 7), followed by group 3 to 4 (median: β 34 = 1.81 × 10− 8; SAR 34 = 9.03 × 10− 8). Conclusions SARS-CoV-2 exhibits high transmissibility between middle-aged (45 to 64 years old) and elderly (≥ 65 years old) people. Children (≤ 14 years old) have very low susceptibility to COVID-19. This study will improve our understanding of the transmission feature of SARS-CoV-2 in different age groups and suggest the most prevention measures should be applied to middle-aged and elderly people.

Teguh Hari Sucipto, Nourmalasari Aisyah, Puji Lestari et al.

Betle leaf (Piper betle L.) is a medicinal plant. It contains essential oil and shows various biological activities, such as antibacterial, anticoagulant, etc. It is further reported to have low anticoagulant activities; thus, it is highly potential as a candidate for coagulant drug. Coagulant is used to prevent bleeding for patients with blood clotting disorders like hemophilia. In Indonesia, 1,236 people were reported with hemophilia. The standard parameters of anticoagulant activity are the freezing period and the compound concentrations. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of betle leaf’s essential oil on blood coagulation in patients with factor VIII and IX of blood plasma disorders. The isolation of essential oil is conducted through steam distillation method with two kinds of solvents, namely distilled water and n-hexane. The obtained n-hexane extract is then separated from the liquid-liquid extraction and rotary evaporator. Essential oil is diluted with citrate plasma solution. The test results of blood clots increase as the concentration of essential oils increase. The results are recorded as such: essential oils ½ times dilution of 99.67 seconds; ¼ times dilution of 127 seconds; 1/8 times dilution of 179 seconds; and 1/16 times dilution of 242.67 seconds. The test above proves that the piper betle extract possesses a coagulant activity. The ethanol extract contained in the piper betle could stimulate clotting in the blood cells. It is caused by the increase of blood plasma concentration which further escalate the plasma fluid into the blood cells. Based on this study, the activity of Mycobacterium tuberculosis can be obstructed by betle leaf in ½ times dilution. The extract significantly reduces acid which accelerates bacteria development.

Jaime Franco, Florencia Sardi, László Szilágyi et al.

With the aim to develop compounds able to target multiple metabolic pathways and, thus, to lower the chances of drug resistance, we investigated the anti-trypanosomal activity and selectivity of a series of symmetric diglycosyl diselenides and disulfides. Of 18 compounds tested the fully acetylated forms of di-β-D-glucopyranosyl and di-β-D-galactopyranosyl diselenides (13 and 15, respectively) displayed strong growth inhibition against the bloodstream stage of African trypanosomes (EC50 0.54 μM for 13 and 1.49 μM for 15) although with rather low selectivity (SI < 10 assayed with murine macrophages). Nonacetylated versions of the same sugar diselenides proved to be, however, much less efficient or completely inactive to suppress trypanosome growth. Significantly, the galactosyl (15), and to a minor extent the glucosyl (13), derivative inhibited glucose catabolism but not its uptake. Both compounds induced redox unbalance in the pathogen. In vitro NMR analysis indicated that diglycosyl diselenides react with glutathione, under physiological conditions, via formation of selenenylsulfide bonds. Our results suggest that non-specific cellular targets as well as actors of the glucose and the redox metabolism of the parasite may be affected. These molecules are therefore promising leads for the development of novel multitarget antitrypanosomal agents. Keywords: Glutathione, Redox biosensor, Selenosugar, Trypanosome inhibition, Selenium NMR

O. Epaulard, A. Foote, J. Bosson

Jennifer M Babik, P. Chin-Hong

F. Zakari, J. Ayo, P. Rekwot et al.

The review examines the role of blood in homeostasis, diagnosis and treatment of disease as influenced by meteorological stress factors, age, sex and physical activity of the donkeys. Haematological parameters play a crucial role in clinical diagnosis of infectious and parasitic diseases, in assessing the responses of donkeys to treatment and in prevention of diseases. The changes in blood values are important in evaluating the responses of the animals to various physiologic conditions. In conclusion, haematological values of donkeys are largely influenced by age, sex, physical factors of the environment and physical activity, and consideration of the factors will aid accurate diagnosis and therapeutic evaluation of equine diseases.

A. Nimir, Ahmed M Saliem, I. A. Ibrahim

Ocular parasitosis in human is more prevalent in geographical areas where environmental factors and poor sanitary conditions favor the parasitism between man and animals. Lesions in the eye can be due to damage directly caused by the infectious pathogen, indirect pathology caused by toxic products, or the immune response incited by infections or ectopic parasitism. The epidemiology of parasitic ocular diseases reflects the habitat of the causative parasites as well as the habits and health status of the patient. An ocular examination may provide clues to the underlying disease/infection, and an awareness of the possibilities of travel-related pathology may shed light on an ocular presentation. This paper is a comprehensive review of the parasitic diseases of the eye. The majority of the clinically important species of parasites involved in eye infection are reviewed in this paper. Parasites are discussed by the disease or infection they cause.

J. van Griensven, E. Diro

Ojesina Akinyemi I, Jung Joonil, Barouk Sharon et al.

N. Chamond, A. Cosson, M. Blom-Potar et al.

African trypanosomiasis is a severe parasitic disease that affects both humans and livestock. Several different species may cause animal trypanosomosis and although Trypanosoma vivax (sub-genus Duttonella) is currently responsible for the vast majority of debilitating cases causing great economic hardship in West Africa and South America, little is known about its biology and interaction with its hosts. Relatively speaking, T. vivax has been more than neglected despite an urgent need to develop efficient control strategies. Some pioneering rodent models were developed to circumvent the difficulties of working with livestock, but disappointedly were for the most part discontinued decades ago. To gain more insight into the biology of T. vivax, its interactions with the host and consequently its pathogenesis, we have developed a number of reproducible murine models using a parasite isolate that is infectious for rodents. Firstly, we analyzed the parasitical characteristics of the infection using inbred and outbred mouse strains to compare the impact of host genetic background on the infection and on survival rates. Hematological studies showed that the infection gave rise to severe anemia, and histopathological investigations in various organs showed multifocal inflammatory infiltrates associated with extramedullary hematopoiesis in the liver, and cerebral edema. The models developed are consistent with field observations and pave the way for subsequent in-depth studies into the pathogenesis of T. vivax - trypanosomosis.

M. A. Gonçalves, Cinara de Cássia Brandão de Matos, L. C. J. F. Spegiorin et al.

Infectious and parasitic diseases affecting women during their reproductive age may result in vertical transmission. The aim of this study was to determine the seroprevalence for TORSCH among pregnant women receiving care at a university hospital. Records of 574 pregnant women who received medical attention from January 2006 to December 2007 were assessed. The mean age was 27.2 ± 6.5 years ranging from 13 to 44. The results of the immunodiagnostic tests were: 62.0% (345/556) for IgG and 3.4% (19/556) for IgM anti-T. gondii; 93.1% (433/465) for IgG and 0.6% (3/465) for IgM anti-rubella; 0.9% (5/561) for VDRL; 1.8% (10/554) for HBsAg; 0.7% (4/545) for anti-HCV and 2.1% (11/531) for HIV. In conclusion, the results of immunodiagnostic tests for the TORSCH panel among pregnant women attending a perinatal service of a university hospital are in agreement with those reported by previous studies and by governmental sources.