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Satellite glial cells (SGCs), involved inter alia in glutamate (Glu) metabolism, form a glial sheath around sensory neurons of dorsal root ganglia (DRGs). SGCs show a presence of glutamine synthetase (GS) which transform uptaken Glu into glutamine (Gln). In DRGs, this aminoacid is used mainly by small neurons which are able to synthetize substance P (SP) that play a crucial role in nociception. The aim of the study was to define the influence of monosodium glutamate (MSG) on GS immunoreactivity in satellite glia around various subpopulations of neurons including SP immunopositive cells in DRGs of adult rats. The studies were carried out on lumbar DRGs slides in rats which received subcutaneous injection of saline solution (control group) or 4 g/kg b. w. of MSG (MSG group). Immunofluorescence reactions were conducted with use of anti-GS and anti-SP antibodies. Administration of MSG to adult rats increased the GS immunoexpression in SGCs. In rats receiving MSG, a number of small neurons with GS-immunopositive glial sheath was not altered when compared to control individuals, whereas there was a statistically significant increase of GS immunoexpression in SGCs around large and medium neurons. Moreover, in these animals, a statistically significant increase in the number of small SP-positive neurons with GS-positive glial sheath was observed. SP is responsible for transmission of pain, thus the obtained results may be useful for further research concerning the roles of glia in nociceptive pathway regulation.
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Gânglios Espinais , Glutamato de Sódio , Animais , Ratos , Gânglios Espinais/metabolismo , Glutamato-Amônia Ligase/imunologia , Glutamato-Amônia Ligase/metabolismo , Neuroglia/metabolismo , Neurônios/metabolismo , Glutamato de Sódio/toxicidade , Glutamato de Sódio/metabolismo , Substância P/metabolismoRESUMO
Selection of livestock has not only led to changes in the level of their performance but also modified their behavior. As a result, within a single species, we have to deal with different behaviors of different breeds. In our study, we assumed that the different behaviors within a species are due to differences in the morphology and physiology of behavior-related systems. Two breeds of hens were used as a model: the highly reactive, fearful and high-performance Leghorn breed and proactive, unselected Green-legged Partridge breed. The higher reactivity and fearfulness of Leghorn hens in comparison to the Green-legged Partridge breed may be related to the greater number of neurons in the paraventricular nucleus and anterior hypothalamus and the higher content of zinc and iron in the brain, as these elements are involved in neuronal conduction and myelination processes. The reactive behaviours of Green-legged Partridge hens may be associated with the lower number of neurons in the paraventricular nucleus and the anterior hypothalamus and the higher concentration of dopamine and copper ions in the brain. The analyses confirmed the hypothesis of the existence of interbreed differences in the morphology and physiology of behaviour-related systems, which most probably emerged through unintentional and correlated selection towards high production performance. Consequently, attention should be drawn that the selection of a given genotype (breed) towards a specific environment could lead to creation of highly specialised lines that may not achieve homeostasis in every maintenance system.
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Comportamento Animal , Galinhas , Animais , Feminino , Galinhas/genética , Comportamento Animal/fisiologia , Encéfalo , Núcleo Hipotalâmico Paraventricular , GenótipoRESUMO
BACKGROUND: Microbial communities can affect disease risk by interfering with the transmission or maintenance of pathogens in blood-feeding arthropods. Here, we investigated whether bacterial communities vary between Ixodes ricinus nymphs which were or were not infected with horizontally transmitted human pathogens. METHODS: Ticks from eight forest sites were tested for the presence of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato, Babesia spp., Anaplasma phagocytophilum, and Neoehrlichia mikurensis by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), and their microbiomes were determined by 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing. Tick bacterial communities clustered poorly by pathogen infection status but better by geography. As a second approach, we analysed variation in tick microorganism community structure (in terms of species co-infection) across space using hierarchical modelling of species communities. For that, we analysed almost 14,000 nymphs, which were tested for the presence of horizontally transmitted pathogens B. burgdorferi s.l., A. phagocytophilum, and N. mikurensis, and the vertically transmitted tick symbionts Rickettsia helvetica, Rickettsiella spp., Spiroplasma ixodetis, and Candidatus Midichloria mitochondrii. RESULTS: With the exception of Rickettsiella spp., all microorganisms had either significant negative (R. helvetica and A. phagocytophilum) or positive (S. ixodetis, N. mikurensis, and B. burgdorferi s.l.) associations with M. mitochondrii. Two tick symbionts, R. helvetica and S. ixodetis, were negatively associated with each other. As expected, both B. burgdorferi s.l. and N. mikurensis had a significant positive association with each other and a negative association with A. phagocytophilum. Although these few specific associations do not appear to have a large effect on the entire microbiome composition, they can still be relevant for tick-borne pathogen dynamics. CONCLUSIONS: Based on our results, we propose that M. mitochondrii alters the propensity of ticks to acquire or maintain horizontally acquired pathogens. The underlying mechanisms for some of these remarkable interactions are discussed herein and merit further investigation. Positive and negative associations between and within horizontally and vertically transmitted symbionts.
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Anaplasma phagocytophilum , Anaplasmataceae , Borrelia burgdorferi , Ixodes , Rickettsia , Animais , Humanos , RNA Ribossômico 16S/genética , Ixodes/microbiologia , Rickettsia/genética , Anaplasma phagocytophilum/genética , Borrelia burgdorferi/genética , Anaplasmataceae/genética , Ninfa/microbiologiaRESUMO
BACKGROUND: Ixodes ricinus ticks vector pathogens that cause serious health concerns. Like in other arthropods, the microbiome may affect the tick's biology, with consequences for pathogen transmission. Here, we explored the bacterial communities of I. ricinus across its developmental stages and six geographic locations by the 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing, combined with quantification of the bacterial load. RESULTS: A wide range of bacterial loads was found. Accurate quantification of low microbial biomass samples permitted comparisons to high biomass samples, despite the presence of contaminating DNA. The bacterial communities of ticks were associated with geographical location rather than life stage, and differences in Rickettsia abundance determined this association. Subsequently, we explored the geographical distribution of four vertically transmitted symbionts identified in the microbiome analysis. For that, we screened 16,555 nymphs from 19 forest sites for R. helvetica, Rickettsiella spp., Midichloria mitochondrii, and Spiroplasma ixodetis. Also, the infection rates and distributions of these symbionts were compared to the horizontally transmitted pathogens Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato, Anaplasma phagocytophilum, and Neoehrlichia mikurensis. The infection rates of all vertically transmitted symbionts differed between the study sites, and none of the symbionts was present in all tested ticks suggesting a facultative association with I. ricinus. The proportions in which symbionts occurred in populations of I. ricinus were highly variable, but geographically close study sites expressed similar proportions. These patterns were in contrast to what we observed for horizontally transmitted pathogens. Lastly, nearly 12% of tested nymphs were free of any targeted microorganisms, which is in line with the microbiome analyses. CONCLUSIONS: Our results show that the microbiome of I. ricinus is highly variable, but changes gradually and ticks originating from geographically close forest sites express similar bacterial communities. This suggests that geography-related factors affect the infection rates of vertically transmitted symbionts in I. ricinus. Since some symbionts, such as R. helvetica can cause disease in humans, we propose that public health investigations consider geographical differences in its infection rates.
Assuntos
Anaplasma phagocytophilum , Ixodes , Rickettsia , Anaplasma phagocytophilum/genética , Animais , Humanos , Ixodes/genética , Ixodes/microbiologia , Ninfa/microbiologia , RNA Ribossômico 16S/genética , Rickettsia/genéticaRESUMO
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the pharmacokinetics of acetaminophen (APAP) after single-dose IV and PO in the goose; to quantify APAP and its main metabolites in goose muscle, heart, lung, liver, and kidney; and to perform a histopathologic evaluation of goose stomach, duodenum, liver, and kidney tissues for potential signs of toxicity. ANIMALS: 24 geese. PROCEDURES: Geese were randomly divided into 3 groups (n = 8). Group I received APAP (10 mg/kg) IV, and groups II and III received the same dose PO. Groups I and II were used for the pharmacokinetic assessment, and group III was used for the residue analysis and histopathologic evaluation. APAP and its metabolites were quantified in plasma and tissues by ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry, and the pharmacokinetic analysis was performed using a noncompartmental approach. RESULTS: APAP plasma concentrations were lower than those of the metabolites in similar selected time points after both treatments. After IV treatment, the APAP area under the curve value was statistically higher than that after PO administration, resulting in an oral bioavailability of 46%. In contrast, the area under the curve of the metabolites following PO administration was statistically higher than those found after IV administration. Tissue residues of APAP were highest in the liver, with an accumulation index > 1. Fatty degeneration of hepatocytes was observed 24 hours after administration of APAP. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: In geese, treatment by PO administration of APAP shows incomplete absorption and a slight accumulation in lung and liver. Tissue alterations occurred in the liver at 24 hours, while no signs of toxicity were found in the other tested organs.
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Acetaminofen , Gansos , Animais , Acetaminofen/metabolismo , Gansos/metabolismo , Fígado , Administração Oral , Área Sob a CurvaRESUMO
Single-use plastics (SUPs) represent one of the largest and rapidly growing segments of the plastics industry. The strategies to mitigate plastic hazards has become more difficult during the COVID-19 pandemic; SUPs have gained positive health-related attributes among consumers and remain the preferred packaging material. One of the most promising strategies to tackle the SUPs problem is a worldwide transition towards a circular economy (CE) for plastics. Here, we propose the reconceptualization of a CE for SUPs based on an analysis of the perceptions of stakeholders and the public from social, psychological, and communication-related perspectives. Our study utilized focus groups with primary and secondary stakeholders - differing in their power regarding SUP CE governance - and general consumers to identify their perceptions regarding challenges to and solutions for a CE for SUPs, thereby unveiling the potential for trustworthy knowledge co-creation. Our findings demonstrate that trustworthy knowledge-in-action is the primary driver for achieving sustainability transitions across stakeholders and suggest a significant discrepancy between young consumers and producers. Furthermore, we argue that exploring diversified approaches to knowledge co-creation necessitates various disciplinary entry points, ranging from different perspectives (challenges vs. solutions, individual vs. systemic levels, diversity in agenda-setting) to innovative attempts to understand knowledge production behaviour, especially for policymakers. Perceiving scientists as science communicators who can effectively inform involved stakeholders and general consumers and engage them in SUP crisis mitigation actions, the results of our study (jointly created manifest followed by a series of posters) are subject to further research and proposals for policy decisions.
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COVID-19 , Plásticos , COVID-19/epidemiologia , COVID-19/prevenção & controle , Humanos , Pandemias , SARS-CoV-2RESUMO
Rickettsiella species are bacterial symbionts that are present in a great variety of arthropod species, including ixodid ticks. However, little is known about their genetic diversity and distribution in Ixodes ricinus, as well as their relationship with other tick-associated bacteria. In this study, we investigated the occurrence and the genetic diversity of Rickettsiella spp. in I. ricinus throughout Europe and evaluated any preferential and antagonistic associations with Candidatus Midichloria mitochondrii and the pathogens Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato and Borrelia miyamotoi. Rickettsiella spp. were detected in most I. ricinus populations investigated, encompassing a wide array of climate types and environments. The infection prevalence significantly differed between geographic locations and was significantly higher in adults than in immature life stages. Phylogenetic investigations and protein characterization disclosed four Rickettsiella clades (I-IV). Close phylogenetic relations were observed between Rickettsiella strains of I. ricinus and other arthropod species. Isolation patterns were detected for Clades II and IV, which were restricted to specific geographic areas. Lastly, although coinfections occurred, we did not detect significant associations between Rickettsiella spp. and the other tick-associated bacteria investigated. Our results suggest that Rickettsiella spp. are a genetically and biologically diverse facultative symbiont of I. ricinus and that their distribution among tick populations could be influenced by environmental components.
Assuntos
Coxiellaceae , Ixodes , Animais , Europa (Continente) , Variação Genética , Ixodes/microbiologia , FilogeniaRESUMO
Human babesiosis in Europe has been attributed to infection with Babesia divergens and, to a lesser extent, with Babesia venatorum and Babesia microti, which are all transmitted to humans through a bite of Ixodes ricinus. These Babesia species circulate in the Netherlands, but autochthonous human babesiosis cases have not been reported so far. To gain more insight into the natural sources of these Babesia species, their presence in reservoir hosts and in I. ricinus was examined. Moreover, part of the ticks were tested for co-infections with other tick borne pathogens. In a cross-sectional study, qPCR-detection was used to determine the presence of Babesia species in 4611 tissue samples from 27 mammalian species and 13 bird species. Reverse line blotting (RLB) and qPCR detection of Babesia species were used to test 25,849 questing I. ricinus. Fragments of the 18S rDNA and cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene from PCR-positive isolates were sequenced for confirmation and species identification and species-specific PCR reactions were performed on samples with suspected mixed infections. Babesia microti was found in two widespread rodent species: Myodes glareolus and Apodemus sylvaticus, whereas B. divergens was detected in the geographically restricted Cervus elaphus and Bison bonasus, and occasionally in free-ranging Ovis aries. B. venatorum was detected in the ubiquitous Capreolus capreolus, and occasionally in free-ranging O. aries. Species-specific PCR revealed co-infections in C. capreolus and C. elaphus, resulting in higher prevalence of B. venatorum and B. divergens than disclosed by qPCR detection, followed by 18S rDNA and COI sequencing. The non-zoonotic Babesia species found were Babesia capreoli, Babesia vulpes, Babesia sp. deer clade, and badger-associated Babesia species. The infection rate of zoonotic Babesia species in questing I. ricinus ticks was higher for Babesia clade I (2.6%) than Babesia clade X (1.9%). Co-infection of B. microti with Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato and Neoehrlichia mikurensis in questing nymphs occurred more than expected, which reflects their mutual reservoir hosts, and suggests the possibility of co-transmission of these three pathogens to humans during a tick bite. The ubiquitous spread and abundance of B. microti and B. venatorum in their reservoir hosts and questing ticks imply some level of human exposure through tick bites. The restricted distribution of the wild reservoir hosts for B. divergens and its low infection rate in ticks might contribute to the absence of reported autochthonous cases of human babesiosis in the Netherlands.
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INTRODUCTION: Astrocytes react to microenvironmental changes. Their reactivity is manifested by an increase in glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and S100b protein levels, hypertrophy and hyperplasia. The aim of the study was to analyse immunoreactive GFAP (GFAP-IR) and S100b (S100b-IR) astrocytes of hippocampal CA1 area in adult rats intragastrically (i.g.) treated with habanero peppers. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Brains from 10 control rats (group C) and 10 rats receiving oil suspension of habanero fruits for 7 days (group I-7) or 28 days (group II-28) were used. Antibodies against GFAP and S100b were used for immunohistochemistry. Morphology and distribution of astrocytes was evaluated under light microscope and their density was quantitatively analysed. RESULTS: In the CA1 hippocampal area of group II-28 rats, GFAP-IR cells with numerous, branched processes were observed. S100b-IR astrocytes had delicate, single processes in comparison with cells without processes observed in groups I-7 and C. In groups I-7 and II-28, GFAP-IR astrocytes' density significantly increased in SR - stratum radiatum of hippocampal CA1 area. In group I-7, a density of cells with the expression of S100b was significantly increased in SO - stratum oriens layer. In group II-28, the density of S100b-IR astrocytes was decreased. CONCLUSIONS: Habanero peppers administrated to rats, especially for a longer time, caused reactive changes in the astrocytes in hippocampal CA1 area, and thus these glial cells may protect neurons against excitotoxic damage.
Assuntos
Astrócitos/efeitos dos fármacos , Região CA1 Hipocampal/efeitos dos fármacos , Capsicum/efeitos adversos , Animais , Astrócitos/metabolismo , Região CA1 Hipocampal/citologia , Região CA1 Hipocampal/metabolismo , Proteína Glial Fibrilar Ácida/metabolismo , Masculino , Ratos Wistar , Subunidade beta da Proteína Ligante de Cálcio S100/metabolismo , Fatores de TempoRESUMO
In mountain areas of northwestern Italy, ticks were rarely collected in the past. In recent years, a marked increase in tick abundance has been observed in several Alpine valleys, together with more frequent reports of Lyme borreliosis. We then carried out a four-year study to assess the distribution and abundance of ticks and transmitted pathogens and determine their altitudinal limit in a natural park area in Piedmont region. Ixodes ricinus and Dermacentor marginatus were collected from both the vegetation and hunted wild ungulates. Tick abundance was significantly associated with altitude, habitat type and signs of animal presence, roe deer's in particular. Ixodes ricinus prevailed in distribution and abundance and, although their numbers decreased with increasing altitude, we recorded the presence of all active life stages of up to around 1700â¯m a.s.l., with conifers as the second most infested habitat after deciduous woods. Molecular analyses demonstrated the infection of questing I. ricinus nymphs with B. burgdorferi sensu lato (15.5 %), Rickettsia helvetica and R. monacensis (20.7 %), Anaplasma phagocytophilum (1.9 %), Borrelia miyamotoi (0.5 %) and Neoehrlichia mikurensis (0.5 %). One third of the questing D. marginatus were infected with R. slovaca. We observed a spatial aggregation of study sites infested by B. burgdorferi s.l. infected ticks below 1400â¯m. Borrelia-infected nymphs prevailed in open areas, while SFG rickettsiae prevalence was higher in coniferous and deciduous woods. Interestingly, prevalence of SFG rickettsiae in ticks doubled above 1400â¯m, and R. helvetica was the only pathogen detected above 1800â¯m a.s.l. Tick infestation on hunted wild ungulates indicated the persistence of tick activity during winter months and, when compared to past studies, confirmed the recent spread of I. ricinus in the area. Our study provides new insights into the population dynamics of ticks in the Alps and confirms a further expansion of ticks to higher altitudes in Europe. We underline the importance of adopting a multidisciplinary approach in order to develop effective strategies for the surveillance of tick-borne diseases, and inform the public about the hazard posed by ticks, especially in recently invaded areas.
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Distribuição Animal , Dermacentor/microbiologia , Ixodes/microbiologia , Rickettsiales/isolamento & purificação , Infestações por Carrapato/epidemiologia , Doenças Transmitidas por Carrapatos/epidemiologia , Altitude , Animais , Dermacentor/crescimento & desenvolvimento , Feminino , Itália/epidemiologia , Ixodes/crescimento & desenvolvimento , Larva/crescimento & desenvolvimento , Larva/microbiologia , Masculino , Ninfa/crescimento & desenvolvimento , Ninfa/microbiologia , Prevalência , Infestações por Carrapato/parasitologia , Doenças Transmitidas por Carrapatos/microbiologiaRESUMO
INTRODUCTION: The astrocytic S100b calcium-binding protein performs numerous intra- and extracellular functions, promoting the survival of central nervous system (CNS) structures. Its increased synthesis and release are a manifestation of reactive glial behavior, crucial for the maintenance of proper neuronal function, particularly under the pathological conditions. The periaqueductal gray matter (PAG) is a mindbrain area composed of four parts dorsomedial (dm), dorsolateral (dl), lateral (l) and ventrolateral (vl)) which are involved in pain sensing and defensive reactions of the body. The aim of this study was to evaluate the S100b protein immunoreactive (S100b-IR) astrocytes in adult rats after administration of monosodium glutamate (MSG). MATERIAL AND METHODS: The animals were administered the saline solution (group C), 2 g/kg b.w. MSG (group I) and 4 g/kg b.w. MSG (group II). The study was carried out on the brain sections stained by immunohistochemical peroxidase-antiperoxidase method with a primary mouse antibody against the S100b protein. RESULTS: The analyses showed the presence of the S100b-immunoreactive cells in dm, dl, l, vl PAG of all animals. In the C and I group animals, the PAG astrocytes were characterized mainly by the presence of the studied protein in the nucleus and cytoplasm of the cell body. In the group II rats in all parts of PAG, the S100b-IR cells with numerous, thicker and branched processes were observed. A decrease in the number of the S100b-IR cells was found in dm, dl and l PAG in the MSG-treated animals, particularly with the larger dose. The number of cells with the S100b expression was comparable in vl PAG in all rats. CONCLUSIONS: MSG administered parenterally to the higher dose to adult rats affects the immunoreactivity of S100b protein in PAG. Phenotypic changes of the studied cells may indicate reactivity of glial cells and increased expression of the studied protein whereas a decrease in their number may result from the increased protein secretion into the extracellular space or cytotoxic death of glial cells.
Assuntos
Astrócitos/efeitos dos fármacos , Substância Cinzenta Periaquedutal/citologia , Glutamato de Sódio/farmacologia , Animais , Astrócitos/metabolismo , Masculino , Substância Cinzenta Periaquedutal/metabolismo , Ratos Wistar , Subunidade beta da Proteína Ligante de Cálcio S100/metabolismoRESUMO
For the development of sustainable control of tick-borne diseases, insight is needed in biological factors that affect tick populations. Here, the ecological interactions among Ixodiphagus hookeri, Ixodes ricinus, and two vertebrate species groups were investigated in relation to their effects on tick-borne disease risk. In 1129 questing ticks, I. hookeri DNA was detected more often in I. ricinus nymphs (4.4%) than in larvae (0.5%) and not in adults. Therefore, we determined the infestation rate of I. hookeri in nymphs from 19 forest sites, where vertebrate, tick, and tick-borne pathogen communities had been previously quantified. We found higher than expected co-occurrence rates of I. hookeri with deer-associated Anaplasma phagocytophilum, and lower than expected rates with rodent-associated Borrelia afzelii and Neoehrlichia mikurensis. The prevalence of I. hookeri in nymphs varied between 0% and 16% and was positively correlated with the encounter probability of ungulates and the densities of all life stages of I. ricinus. Lastly, we investigated the emergence of I. hookeri from artificially fed, field-collected nymphs. Adult wasps emerged from seven of the 172 fed nymphs. From these observations, we inferred that I. hookeri is parasitizing I. ricinus larvae that are feeding on deer, rather than on rodents or in the vegetation. Since I. hookeri populations depend on deer abundance, the main propagation host of I. ricinus, these wasps have no apparent effect on tick populations. The presence of I. hookeri may directly interfere with the transmission cycle of A. phagocytophilum, but not with that of B. afzelii or N. mikurensis.
RESUMO
BACKGROUND: Rodents are considered to contribute strongly to the risk of tick-borne diseases by feeding Ixodes ricinus larvae and by acting as amplifying hosts for pathogens. Here, we tested to what extent these two processes depend on rodent density, and for which pathogen species rodents synergistically contribute to the local disease risk, i.e. the density of infected nymphs (DIN). METHODS: In a natural woodland, we manipulated rodent densities in plots of 2500 m2 by either supplementing a critical food source (acorns) or by removing rodents during two years. Untreated plots were used as controls. Collected nymphs and rodent ear biopsies were tested for the presence of seven tick-borne microorganisms. Linear models were used to capture associations between rodents, nymphs, and pathogens. RESULTS: Investigation of data from all plots, irrespective of the treatment, revealed a strong positive association between rodent density and nymphal density, nymphal infection prevalence (NIP) with Borrelia afzelii and Neoehrlichia mikurensis, and hence DIN's of these pathogens in the following year. The NIP, but not the DIN, of the bird-associated Borrelia garinii, decreased with increasing rodent density. The NIPs of Borrelia miyamotoi and Rickettsia helvetica were independent of rodent density, and increasing rodent density moderately increased the DINs. In addition, NIPs of Babesia microti and Spiroplasma ixodetis decreased with increasing rodent density, which had a non-linear association with DINs of these microorganisms. CONCLUSIONS: A positive density dependence for all rodent- and tick-associated tick-borne pathogens was found, despite the observation that some of them decreased in prevalence. The effects on the DINs were variable among microorganisms, more than likely due to contrasts in their biology (including transmission modes, host specificity and transmission efficiency). The strongest associations were found in rodent-associated pathogens that most heavily rely on horizontal transmission. Our results draw attention to the importance of considering transmission mode of a pathogen while developing preventative measures to successfully reduce the burden of disease.
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Vetores Aracnídeos/microbiologia , Doenças Transmissíveis/epidemiologia , Ixodes/microbiologia , Roedores/crescimento & desenvolvimento , Roedores/parasitologia , Doenças Transmitidas por Carrapatos/epidemiologia , Animais , Aves , Grupo Borrelia Burgdorferi/fisiologia , Doenças Transmissíveis/microbiologia , Doenças Transmissíveis/transmissão , DNA Bacteriano/isolamento & purificação , Ehrlichia/fisiologia , Florestas , Transmissão Vertical de Doenças Infecciosas , Modelos Lineares , Países Baixos/epidemiologia , Densidade Demográfica , Prevalência , Reação em Cadeia da Polimerase em Tempo Real , Fatores de Risco , Estações do Ano , Doenças Transmitidas por Carrapatos/microbiologia , Doenças Transmitidas por Carrapatos/transmissãoRESUMO
Ticks transmit the highest variety of pathogens impacting human and animal health worldwide. It is now well established that ticks also harbour a microbial complex of coexisting symbionts, commensals and pathogens. With the development of high throughput sequencing technologies, studies dealing with such diverse bacterial composition in tick considerably increased in the past years and revealed an unexpected microbial diversity. These data on diversity and composition of the tick microbes are increasingly available, giving crucial details on microbial communities in ticks and improving our knowledge on the tick microbial community. However, consensus is currently lacking as to which scales (tick organs, individual specimens or species, communities of ticks, populations adapted to particular environmental conditions, spatial and temporal scales) best facilitate characterizing microbial community composition of ticks and understanding the diverse relationships among tick-borne bacteria. Temporal or spatial scales have a clear influence on how we conduct ecological studies, interpret results, and understand interactions between organisms that build the microbiome. We consider that patterns apparent at one scale can collapse into noise when viewed from other scales, indicating that processes shaping tick microbiome have a continuum of variability that has not yet been captured. Based on available reports, this review demonstrates how much the concept of scale is crucial to be considered in tick microbial community studies to improve our knowledge on tick microbe ecology and pathogen/microbiota interactions.
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Vetores Aracnídeos/microbiologia , Microbiota/fisiologia , Doenças Transmitidas por Carrapatos/transmissão , Carrapatos/microbiologia , Animais , Reservatórios de Doenças , Interações Hospedeiro-Patógeno , Humanos , Análise Espaço-Temporal , Simbiose , Carrapatos/crescimento & desenvolvimentoRESUMO
BACKGROUND: Elucidating which wildlife species significantly contribute to the maintenance of Ixodes ricinus populations and the enzootic cycles of the pathogens they transmit is imperative in understanding the driving forces behind the emergence of tick-borne diseases. Here, we aimed to quantify the relative contribution of four mustelid species in the life-cycles of I. ricinus and Borrelia burgdorferi (sensu lato) in forested areas and to investigate their role in the transmission of other tick-borne pathogens. Road-killed badgers, pine martens, stone martens and polecats were collected in Belgium and the Netherlands. Their organs and feeding ticks were tested for the presence of tick-borne pathogens. RESULTS: Ixodes hexagonus and I. ricinus were found on half of the screened animals (n = 637). Pine martens had the highest I. ricinus burden, whereas polecats had the highest I. hexagonus burden. We detected DNA from B. burgdorferi (s.l.) and Anaplasma phagocytophilum in organs of all four mustelid species (n = 789), and Neoehrlichia mikurensis DNA was detected in all species, except badgers. DNA from B. miyamotoi was not detected in any of the investigated mustelids. From the 15 larvae of I. ricinus feeding on pine martens (n = 44), only one was positive for B. miyamotoi DNA, and all tested negative for B. burgdorferi (s.l.), N. mikurensis and A. phagocytophilum. The two feeding larvae from the investigated polecats (n = 364) and stone martens (n = 39) were negative for all four pathogens. The infection rate of N. mikurensis was higher in feeding nymphs collected from mustelids compared to questing nymphs, but not for B. burgdorferi (s.l.), B. miyamotoi or A. phagocytophilum. CONCLUSIONS: Although all stages of I. ricinus can be found on badgers, polecats, pine and stone martens, their relative contribution to the life-cycle of I. ricinus in forested areas is less than 1%. Consequently, the relative contribution of mustelids to the enzootic cycles of I. ricinus-borne pathogens is negligible, despite the presence of these pathogens in organs and feeding ticks. Interestingly, all four mustelid species carried all stages of I. hexagonus, potentially maintaining enzootic cycles of this tick species apart from the cycle involving hedgehogs as main host species.
Assuntos
Borrelia burgdorferi/isolamento & purificação , Ixodes/microbiologia , Mustelidae/parasitologia , Infestações por Carrapato/veterinária , Doenças Transmitidas por Carrapatos/veterinária , Anaplasma phagocytophilum/genética , Anaplasma phagocytophilum/isolamento & purificação , Anaplasma phagocytophilum/patogenicidade , Anaplasmataceae/genética , Anaplasmataceae/isolamento & purificação , Anaplasmataceae/patogenicidade , Animais , Animais Selvagens , Bélgica/epidemiologia , Infecções por Borrelia/transmissão , Infecções por Borrelia/veterinária , Borrelia burgdorferi/genética , Borrelia burgdorferi/patogenicidade , DNA Bacteriano/química , DNA Bacteriano/genética , DNA Bacteriano/isolamento & purificação , Ehrlichiose/complicações , Ehrlichiose/epidemiologia , Ehrlichiose/transmissão , Ehrlichiose/veterinária , Furões/microbiologia , Ouriços/parasitologia , Estágios do Ciclo de Vida , Doença de Lyme/epidemiologia , Doença de Lyme/microbiologia , Doença de Lyme/transmissão , Doença de Lyme/veterinária , Países Baixos/epidemiologia , Ninfa/microbiologia , Rickettsia/genética , Rickettsia/isolamento & purificação , Rickettsia/patogenicidade , Infestações por Carrapato/complicações , Infestações por Carrapato/epidemiologia , Doenças Transmitidas por Carrapatos/microbiologia , Doenças Transmitidas por Carrapatos/transmissãoRESUMO
Purpose: The aim of this study was to establish normative data for Polish persons who stutter (PWS) and persons who do not stutter (PWNS) with the adapted version of the Behavior Assessment Battery (BAB; Vanryckeghem & Brutten, 2018) for adults and to investigate whether or not gender and age influenced the results. In addition, the BAB subtests' reliability and validity were examined. Method: A Polish version of the BAB test procedures, including the Speech Situation Checklist-Emotional Reaction, Speech Situation Checklist-Speech Disruption, Behavior Checklist, and Communication Attitude Test for Adults Who Stutter (Vanryckeghem & Brutten, 2018), were individually administered to 123 adults who stutter and 151 adults who do not stutter between the ages of 17 and 70. Results: PWS scored statistically significantly higher on all BAB subtests compared to PWNS. No significant between-groups gender or age difference was detected. The test data indicate high internal validity. The test items correlate well with the total score and significantly differentiate the two groups. The test battery validly differentiates PWS from PWNS with high accuracy. Conclusions: The Polish version of the BAB for adults confirms data collected in previous cross-cultural investigations. The results once again differentiate PWS from PWNS in a powerful way. Compared to PWNS, PWS report significantly more anxiety and speech breakdown when speaking in particular speech situations. They also report their attitude toward speech to be significantly more negative compared to the typical speaker and indicate using a significant number of coping behaviors to avoid or escape difficult speaking conditions. The BAB test battery, in its totality, assists in multidimensional assessment, pre- and posttreatment comparison, and identification of treatment targets based on the answers of PWS to each test item.
Assuntos
Comportamento do Adolescente , Lista de Checagem , Acústica da Fala , Gagueira/diagnóstico , Gagueira/psicologia , Qualidade da Voz , Adolescente , Adulto , Idoso , Estudos de Casos e Controles , Emoções , Feminino , Humanos , Relações Interpessoais , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Polônia , Valor Preditivo dos Testes , Reprodutibilidade dos Testes , Índice de Gravidade de Doença , Inteligibilidade da Fala , Gagueira/fisiopatologia , Gagueira/terapia , Adulto JovemRESUMO
Bats are important zoonotic reservoirs for many pathogens worldwide. Although their highly specialized ectoparasites, bat flies (Diptera: Hippoboscoidea), can transmit Bartonella bacteria including human pathogens, their eco-epidemiology is unexplored. Here, we analyzed the prevalence and diversity of Bartonella strains sampled from 10 bat fly species from 14 European bat species. We found high prevalence of Bartonella spp. in most bat fly species with wide geographical distribution. Bat species explained most of the variance in Bartonella distribution with the highest prevalence of infected flies recorded in species living in dense groups exclusively in caves. Bat gender but not bat fly gender was also an important factor with the more mobile male bats giving more opportunity for the ectoparasites to access several host individuals. We detected high diversity of Bartonella strains (18 sequences, 7 genotypes, in 9 bat fly species) comparable with tropical assemblages of bat-bat fly association. Most genotypes are novel (15 out of 18 recorded strains have a similarity of 92-99%, with three sequences having 100% similarity to Bartonella spp. sequences deposited in GenBank) with currently unknown pathogenicity; however, 4 of these sequences are similar (up to 92% sequence similarity) to Bartonella spp. with known zoonotic potential. The high prevalence and diversity of Bartonella spp. suggests a long shared evolution of these bacteria with bat flies and bats providing excellent study targets for the eco-epidemiology of host-vector-pathogen cycles.
Assuntos
Infecções por Bartonella/veterinária , Bartonella/genética , Quirópteros , Dípteros/microbiologia , Genótipo , Animais , Bartonella/classificação , Infecções por Bartonella/epidemiologia , Infecções por Bartonella/microbiologia , Cavernas , Quirópteros/microbiologia , Quirópteros/parasitologia , Feminino , Hungria/epidemiologia , Masculino , Reação em Cadeia da Polimerase/veterinária , Romênia/epidemiologia , Análise de Sequência de DNA/veterináriaRESUMO
BACKGROUND: Borrelia miyamotoi is a spirochete transmitted by several ixodid tick species. It causes a relapsing fever in humans and is currently considered as an emerging pathogen. In Europe, B. miyamotoi seems to occur at low prevalence in Ixodes ricinus ticks but has a wide distribution. Here we report the first detection of B. miyamotoi in Ixodes ricinus ticks collected in two independent studies conducted in 2016 in the north-eastern and north-western Alps, Italy. RESULTS: Three out of 405 nymphs (0.74%) tested positive for Borrelia miyamotoi. In particular, B. miyamotoi was found in 2/365 nymphs in the western and in 1/40 nymphs in the eastern alpine area. These are the first findings of B. miyamotoi in Italy. CONCLUSIONS: Exposure to B. miyamotoi and risk of human infection may occur through tick bites in northern Italy. Relapsing fever caused by Borrelia miyamotoi has not yet been reported in Italy, but misdiagnoses with tick-borne encephalitis, human granulocytic anaplasmosis or other relapsing fever can occur. Our findings suggest that B. miyamotoi should be considered in the differential diagnosis of febrile patients originating from Lyme borreliosis endemic regions. The distribution of this pathogen and its relevance to public health need further investigation.
Assuntos
Borrelia/isolamento & purificação , Ixodes/microbiologia , Febre Recorrente/epidemiologia , Animais , Borrelia/classificação , Borrelia/genética , Encefalite Transmitida por Carrapatos , Humanos , Itália/epidemiologia , Doença de Lyme/epidemiologia , Doença de Lyme/microbiologia , Ninfa/microbiologia , Filogenia , Febre Recorrente/diagnóstico , Febre Recorrente/microbiologia , Zoonoses/epidemiologia , Zoonoses/microbiologiaRESUMO
In Europe, several species of bats, owls and kestrels exemplify highly urbanised, flying vertebrates, which may get close to humans or domestic animals. Bat droppings and bird pellets may have epidemiological, as well as diagnostic significance from the point of view of pathogens. In this work 221 bat faecal and 118 bird pellet samples were screened for a broad range of vector-borne bacteria using PCR-based methods. Rickettsia DNA was detected in 13 bat faecal DNA extracts, including the sequence of a rickettsial insect endosymbiont, a novel Rickettsia genotype and Rickettsia helvetica. Faecal samples of the pond bat (Myotis dasycneme) were positive for a Neorickettsia sp. and for haemoplasmas of the haemofelis group. In addition, two bird pellets (collected from a Long-eared Owl, Asio otus, and from a Common Kestrel, Falco tinnunculus) contained the DNA of a Rickettsia sp. and Anaplasma phagocytophilum, respectively. In both of these bird pellets the bones of Microtus arvalis were identified. All samples were negative for Borrelia burgdorferi s.l., Francisella tularensis, Coxiella burnetii and Chlamydiales. In conclusion, bats were shown to pass rickettsia and haemoplasma DNA in their faeces. Molecular evidence is provided for the presence of Neorickettsia sp. in bat faeces in Europe. In the evaluated regions bat faeces and owl/kestrel pellets do not appear to pose epidemiological risk from the point of view of F. tularensis, C. burnetii and Chlamydiales. Testing of bird pellets may provide an alternative approach to trapping for assessing the local occurrence of vector-borne bacteria in small mammals.
Assuntos
Aves/microbiologia , Quirópteros/microbiologia , Fezes/microbiologia , Neorickettsia/genética , Anaplasma phagocytophilum/genética , Infecções por Anaplasmataceae/microbiologia , Animais , DNA Bacteriano/genética , Europa (Continente) , Neorickettsia/classificação , Neorickettsia/isolamento & purificação , Filogenia , RNA Ribossômico 16S/genética , EstrigiformesRESUMO
INTRODUCTION: Sternum closure techniques have been compared regarding biomechanics, efficacy in high-risk patients and prevention of mediastinitis or sternal dehiscence. There are no papers concerning patients' comfort and postoperative rehabilitation rate. AIM: To establish the best surgical closure technique after midline sternotomy regarding the lowest pain level in the postoperative period and the highest rate of postoperative rehabilitation. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retrospective analysis was performed on a group of 100 patients after cardiothoracic procedures which was divided into 3 subgroups according to sternal closure technique based on postoperative thoracic X-ray. To assess patients' pain and their physical activity we used a custom questionnaire. The statistical analysis was performed on the data regarding occurrence of wound healing complications risk factors, Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) for Pain score, the number of days until achieving important rehabilitations stages and the occurrence of sternal refixation. RESULTS: Subgroups had 35, 33 and 32 patients. The statistical analysis showed significantly lower NRS scores between the 14th (p = 0.0012) (1.17) and 30th (p = 0.0196) day (0.65) after the procedure in the group sutured with only single interrupted wire. There was also a significant difference in the number of days between the operation and the first time the patient could lie sideways (p = 0.0105). There was no statistically significant difference between the three groups regarding other measured factors. CONCLUSIONS: The single wire suture provides less pain at the 14th and 30th day postoperatively measured on the NRS and ensures faster rehabilitation compared to sternal closing technique which involves placing both single and figure-of-8 sutures.