Case Report: Non-typhoidal Salmonella infections transmitted by reptiles and amphibians.

Non-typhoidal Salmonella infections (NTSI) can cause bacterial diarrhea, mostly leading to self-limiting gastroenteritis. However, in at-risk populations, NTSI can have severe complications. As transmission is most commonly foodborne, infection is rare in the breast- or bottle-fed very young. Another route is increasingly implicated, however, in newborns and infants especially: Contact with reptiles and amphibians. We describe infection with Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica ser. Monschaui (S. Monschaui), transmitted from bearded dragons, in a three-week-old boy. The boy initially appeared well, on the next morning deterioration was dramatic, with tachypnea, tachycardia, and mottled skin. Gram-negative sepsis was documented on day 2. His case prompted a review of published instances of reptile- and amphibian-associated salmonellosis (RAAS), summarized here. Association of S. Monschaui infection with exposure to reptiles and amphibians prompted inquiry into household pets. The parents had kept bearded dragons (Pogona sp.), the last of which died two weeks before the patient was born; confirmation of colonization with S. Monschaui was thus precluded. Among 63 reports (-5,000 cases) of RAAS or S. Monschaui, 62 appeared between 1995 and 2022, 10 were single case reports, and 53 were original articles with -5,000 cases; vectors included turtles, frogs, lizards, and snakes. RAAS is not a new phenomenon, but its incidence recently has risen due to the increased popularity of reptiles and amphibians as non-traditional pets. These animals can carry Salmonella sp. and transmit it to humans, posing a risk particularly to infants and other vulnerable persons. Risk mitigation requires that those bringing such pets into the home be informed of dangers associated with reptile and amphibian contact; that those selling reptiles and amphibians be mandated to inform customers comprehensively may be in order.

State-of-the-Art Targeted High-Throughput Sequencing for Detecting Inherited Platelet Disorders.

Inherited platelet disorders (IPDs) are a heterogeneous group of rare entities caused by molecular divergence in genes relevant for platelet formation and function. A rational diagnostic approach is necessary to counsel and treat patients with IPDs. With the introduction of high-throughput sequencing at the beginning of this millennium, a more accurate diagnosis of IPDs has become available. We discuss advantages and limitations of genetic testing, technical issues, and ethical aspects. Additionally, we provide information on the clinical significance of different classes of variants and how they are correctly reported.

Optimization of the Alizarin Red S Assay by Enhancing Mineralization of Osteoblasts.

The alizarin red S assay is considered the gold standard for quantification of osteoblast mineralization and is thus widely used among scientists. However, there are several restrictions to this method, e.g., moderate sensitivity makes it difficult to uncover slight but significant effects of potentially clinically relevant substances. Therefore, an adaptation of the staining method is appropriate and might be obtained by increasing the mineralization ability of osteoblasts. In this study, cell culture experiments with human (SaOs-2) and murine (MC3T3-E1) osteoblasts were performed under the addition of increasing concentrations of calcium chloride (1, 2.5, 5, and 10 mM) or calcitonin (1, 2.5, 5, and 10 nM). After three or four weeks, the mineralization matrix was stained with alizarin red S and the concentration was quantified photometrically. Only calcium chloride was able to significantly increase mineralization, and therefore enhanced the sensitivity of the alizarin red S staining in a dose-dependent manner in both osteoblastic cell lines as well as independent of the cell culture well surface area. This cost- and time-efficient optimization enables a more sensitive analysis of potentially clinically relevant substances in future bone research.