Rickettsia spp. in Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato ticks collected from stray dogs in Kerman city,Iran

Rickettsial diseases are recognized as one of the most important vector-borne infectious diseases for humans all over the world. Dogs and their ticks are considered the most important reservoirs for Rickettsia spp., especially in spotted fever group rickettsioses. The aim of the study was to investigate Rickettsia infections in ticks collected from stray dogs in southeastern Iran. In this study, 50 stray dogs in Kerman city were randomly selected, of 68% and 52% of which were above 8 months age and male, respectively. Ticks were collected from the dog skins. After identification of collected ticks, genomic DNA of all ticks was extracted. DNA samples were tested using real-time PCR for Rickettsia spp. infections. The species of Rickettsia in positive samples were determined using gltA gene amplification and sequencing. A total of 250 ticks were collected from 50 stray dogs and all of them belonged to Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato. Totally, 10 pooled of 50 pooled ticks were positive for Rickettsia spp. in real-time PCR and the minimal Rickettsial infection rate was 4% in this study. The identified Rickettsia spp. included R. massiliae (n = 5), R. rhipicephali (n = 1), and R. sibirica (n = 1). In this study, molecular evidence of Rickettsia spp. infection was observed in collected ticks from stray dogs in southeast Iran. More sensitivity to human and animal health care systems in southeastern Iran is essential to the diagnosis of suspected clinical cases that are related to rickettsiosis.     

Structure and expression of the gene for Pv200, a major blood-stage surface antigen of Plasmodium vivax.

Molecular cloning and structure analysis of the gene encoding the Pv200 protein of the Sal-1 strain of Plasmodium vivax revealed an overall identity of 34–37% when the deduced amino acid sequence was compared with the sequences of various major merozoite surface antigens of Plasmodium falciparum, Plasmodium yoelii and Plasmodium chabaudi. When the Sal-1 Pv200 sequence was compared with the corresponding sequence from the Belèm strain of P. vivax, it was found that the two merozoite surface antigens were relatively well conserved with an overall amino acid sequence identity of 81%. A region of 23 repeated glutamine residues, found in the sequence of the Belèm isolate was not found, however, in the Sal-1 sequence. Amino-and carboxy-terminal domains of the Pv200 protein were expressed in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Each recombinant protein was shown to react with antibodies in sera from splenectomized Bolivian Saimiri monkeys that had been infected previously with P. vivax, and in human sera from individuals with a history of exposure to vivax malaria. The availability of recombinant DNA-derived Pv200 proteins will now allow a full assessment of their utility in the diagnosis and immunoprophylaxis of the benign tertian malaria associated with P. vivax infection.     

The estimated burden of fungal diseases in Mali

Mali is a developing country facing several health challenges with a high rate of tuberculosis (TB) and a moderate HIV infection burden. Little is known or done about fungal diseases, yet they represent a significant public health problem in certain populations. The aim of this study was to estimate the national burden of fungal disease, and summarize data, diagnostic and treatment gaps. We used national demographics and PubMed searches to retrieve articles on published data on these infections and at-risk populations (pulmonary TB, HIV/AIDS patients, patients receiving critical care etc.) in Mali. The estimated Malian population was 21,251,000 in 2020 (UN), of which 45% were children <14 years. Among HIV patients, we estimate an annual incidence of 611 cryptococcosis, 1393 Pneumocystis pneumonia, 180 histoplasmosis and >5,700 esophageal candidiasis and some microsporidiosis cases. Our prevalence estimates for tinea capitis are 2.3 million, for recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis 272,460, ～60,000 fungal asthma and 7,290 cases of chronic pulmonary aspergillosis (often mistaken for TB). Less common acute fungal infections are probably invasive aspergillosis (n=1230), fungal keratitis (n=2820), candidaemia (>1,060) and mucormycosis (n=43). Histoplasmin was found in 6% in general population. A few cases of mycetoma are described in Mali. Many WHO Essential medicines and Diagnostics are not available in Mali. This shows a marked disparity in documented and estimated cases of fungal diseases in Mali. These infections are underestimated due to the lack of accurate diagnosis tools and lack of support for fungal diseases diagnosis and management.     

Reserpine as an uncoupler of oxidative phosphorylation and the relevance to its psychoactive properties

Many drugs differing widely in chemical structure uncouple mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation in vitro. This observation has led to the hypothesis that in vivo uncoupling is the basis of their pharmacological activity. Serpasil, a parenteral preparation of reserpine, recently has been shown to uncouple oxidative phosphorylation in vervet monkey kidney mitochondria. Although the drug exhibits some properties of a "classical" uncoupler, our studies show that it has a dual effect on energy conservation. Reserpine released respiratory control in rat liver mitochondria only when dissolved in organic solvents (as in Serpasil) or when deprotonated. Reserpine also released the oligomycin-induced respiratory control in beef heart submitochondrial particles, and inhibited energized uptake of Ca2- by rat liver mitochondria. Reserpine had a dual effect on mitochondrial ATPase: It (a) enhanced ATP hydrolysis by intact liver mitochondria, and (b) inhibited ATP hydrolysis by submitochondrial particles of beef heart. On a molar basis, reserpine was less effective than carbonyl cyanide 3-chlorophenylhydrazone in all bioenergetic reactions examined. Homogenates and mitochondria isolated from brain and liver of rats stuporous from intraperitoneally injections of Serpasil exhibited no detectable abnormalities in respiratory states and responded to known uncouplers in the expected manner. There was no evidence of in vivo uncoupling of oxidative phosphorylation as a basis of the pharmacological activity of reserpine, although interference with energy transfer may be involved in toxic manifestations of the drug. The results indicate the need for caution in interpreting the action of drugs formulated in complex pharmaceutical preparations and based solely on in vitro experiments.     

中国血吸虫病流行现状分析

目的 分析近5年来中国血吸虫病流行趋势及疫情变化的特点。方法 收集血吸虫病流行历史资料及近年流行区疫情报告资料,比较分析1998年后全国血吸虫病流行趋势和疫情回升特点。结果 2003年底报告资料显示,与建国初期相比,全国流行省、县、乡镇分别减少了42％、40％和53％;血吸虫病估计病例数较建国初期减少了92.74％;钉螺面积减少了73.56％。但全国推算慢性血吸虫病例数徘徊在80万左右,急性感染报告数以年平均25％上升;1998年以来钉螺面积净增加31321.5万m~2,全国7省20个纵向监测点内,30％、70％和35％监测点的人群、耕牛和钉螺的感染率分别出现上升趋势。湖区5省中有38个达到血吸虫病传播控制和传播阻断标准县(市、区)疫情分别出现了明显的回升,湖南省6个非疫区(株洲市3个、长沙市2个、桃源县1个)新发现钉螺,长沙市桔子洲头等I6个洲滩均有钉螺,并发生急性感染;已阻断传播地区如上海、浙江、福建等省市也发现大面积钉螺。长江中下游沿江的大中城市相继发现感染性钉螺和新发病例。结论 近年来长江中下游地区局部血吸虫病流行区疫情回升明显,回升原因有环境生态变化、社会经济变化及预防控制力度变化等因素的影响。     

Worm expulsion of Gymnophalloides seoi from C57BL/6 mice: role of metacercarial exosomes in upregulating TLR2 and MUC2 expression in intestinal tissues

Parasitology Research - Gymnophalloides seoi worms were rapidly expelled from C57BL/6 mice within days 3–6 post-infection probably due to operation of mucosal innate immunity. To understand...     

科技引领 技术创新|为加速消除疟疾进程提供驱动力

江苏省启动消除疟疾行动以来，在疟疾流行病学、病原生物学和媒介生物学等方面开展了系列科学研究，并建立了一些新技术和新方法，这不仅为江苏省消除疟疾提供了有力保障、有效阻断了本地疟疾传播，还为全国乃至全球消除疟疾提供借鉴和技术支持。     

Analysis of theoretical knowledge and the practice of science among brazilian otorhinolaryngologists

Physicians from all medical specialties are required to understand the principles of science and to interpret medical literature. Yet, the levels of theoretical and practical knowledge held by Brazilian otorhinolaryngologists has not been evaluated to date.ObjectiveTo assess the background and level of scientific knowledge of Brazilian otorhinolaryngologists.MethodParticipants of two national ENT meetings were invited to answer a questionnaire to assess scientific practice and knowledge.Results and ConclusionThis study included 73 medical doctors (52% otorhinolaryngologists and 38% residents) aged between 18 and 65 years. About two-thirds have been involved in some form of scientific activity during undergraduate education and/or reported to have written at least one scientific paper. Physicians who took part in research projects felt better prepared to interpret scientific papers and carry out research projects (p = 0.0103 and p = 0.0240, respectively). Respondents who claimed to have participated in research or to have written papers had higher scores on theoretical scientific concepts (p = 0.0101 and p = 0.0103, respectively). However, the overall rate of right answers on questions regarding scientific knowledge was 46.1%. Therefore, a deficiency was observed in the scientific education of Brazilian otorhinolaryngologists. Such deficiency may be mitigated through participation in research.