Detection of toxoplasma antibodies in sera of Salmonidae by ELISA

Toxoplasma gondii is a protozoan parasite with a worldwide distribution. It is capable of infecting all warm-blooded animals. Toxoplasmosis was not considered a waterborne zoonoses, but recently, it has been reported in many marine mammals. Coastal pollution by sewage from humans and pets has been suggested as a source for toxoplasma infection in these animals. Recent reports of toxoplasmosis in marine mammals raise concern that cold-blooded marine animals are potential sources of T. gondii infection. Conversely, the increasing proclivity for eating fish, crabs, shrimp, and mollusks—raw, undercooked, smoked, or dried—facilitates zoonoses infections caused by protozoan microorganisms; and one of them is toxoplasma. Detection of antibodies against T. gondii can be achieved by different serological tests such as enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). To determine whether toxoplasmosis has a role in Salmonidae infection, which is the most common seafood in Shahrekord district, this research was carried out on 50 Salmonidae aged 4 months (weight 700 ± 200 g). ELISA was performed on serum samples for detecting T. gondii-specific immunoglobulin M (IgM) and immunoglobulin G (IgG). As a result, toxoplasmic IgM antibody was detected in five of 50 samples (cut-off value of ≥0.183). Based on these findings, we believe that Salmonidae may be susceptible to primary T. gondii infection. While there is still no evidence of T. gondii transmission from cold-blooded sea animals to human via consuming their meat or other products, further research can be done to prove the possibility of this hypothesis.     

Cyclosporine trough (C0) and 2-hour postdose (C2) levels: which one is a predictor of graft loss?

BACKGROUND: Compared with conventionally measured trough level (C0), cyclosporine 2-hour postdose (C2) concentrations show a better correlation with the area under the curve and acute graft rejection. OBJECTIVES: We evaluated the relationships of C0 and C2 with long-term graft survival among kidney transplant recipients. METHODS: In a case-control design, we selected 215 adult kidney recipients. Inclusion criteria were more than 18 years of age at transplantation and at least 6 months of follow-up. The case group consisted of patients with graft loss (n=17) and a control group, patients with functioning grafts (n=198). The C0 and C2 levels for the first 6 months posttransplantation, along with demographic and clinical data, were compared between the two groups using univariate analysis. P<.05 was considered to be significant. RESULTS: The mean age at transplantation was 40.5 +/- 16.5 years. The mean follow-up duration was 18 +/- 14 months. The mean C0 values for the case and control groups were 257.8 +/- 126.5 and 248.5 +/- 104.4 mumol/L, respectively (P>.05). The values for C2 were 712.7 +/- 273.2 and 886.2 +/- 266.9 mumol/L, respectively (P=.01). CONCLUSIONS: We observed that C2, but not C0, in the first 6 months posttransplantation were a predictor of long-term graft survival. The findings here in supported the results of other studies that have proposed cyclosporine concentration monitoring by C2 rather than C0 measurements.     

Is ceftizoxime an appropriate surrogate for amikacin in neonatal sepsis treatment? A randomized clinical trial

Neonatal sepsis, a life-threatening condition, presents with non-specific clinical manifestations and needs immediate empirical antimicrobial therapy. Choosing an appropriate antibiotic regimen covering the most probable pathogens is an important issue. In this study we compared the effectiveness of ceftizoxime and amikacin in the treatment of neonatal sepsis both in combination with ampicillin. In a randomized clinical trial, all term neonates with suspected sepsis referred to Bahrami hospital during March 2008 to March 2010 were evaluated. Patients were randomly recruited into two groups; one group receiving ampicillin and amikacin and the other ampicillin and ceftizoxime. Blood, urine and cerebrospinal fluid cultures, leukocyte count and C-reactive protein level were measured in all neonates. A total of 135 neonates were evaluated, 65 in amikacin group and 70 in ceftizoxime group. 60 neonates (85.7%) in ceftizoxime group and 54 neonates (83.1%) in amikacin group responded to the treatment (P= 0.673 and χ2 = 0.178). Only 24 (18%) blood samples had a report of positive blood culture. The most frequent pathogen was coagulase negative staphylococcus with the frequency of 58.32% of all positive blood samples. Ceftizoxime in combination with ampicillin is an appropriate antimicrobial regimen for surrogating the combination of ampicillin and amikacin to prevent bacterial resistance against them.     

Intramedullary neurenteric cyst of the conus medullaris without associated spinal malformation: a case report and review of the literature

Spinal neurenteric (NE) cysts are rare congenital anomalies that may occur either alone or in the context of a complex malformative disorder. They are usually intradural-extramedullary lesions. Intramedullary NE cysts not associated with other congenital anomalies are very rare and only a few cases have been reported in the conus medullaris region. Intramedullary neurenteric cysts not associated with other spinal anomalies are very rare especially in the conus medullaris region. MRI is useful to define the cyst and the osseous anomalies associated with this lesion. The goal of treatment of an intramedullary neurenteric cyst is total excision at the first operation, if possible. Life-long follow-up with annual MRI is recommended due to the risk of cyst recurrence. We report an intramedullary NE cyst of the conus medullaris without associated malformation and the relevant literature is briefly reviewed.     

Effect of A2 gene on infectivity of the nonpathogenic parasite <Emphasis Type="Italic">Leishmania tarentolae</Emphasis>

Several species of protozoan parasites of the genus Leishmania are pathogenic to mammals and cause a wide spectrum of pathologies in human. However, the genus includes some species which infect reptiles. Leishmania tarentolae is a lizard pathogen absolutely nonpathogenic to mammals. Recent studies have shown that among some major virulence factors, A2 is absent in this species. First identified as an amastigote-specific gene in Leishmania donovani, A2 has been proved to play a major role in parasite virulence and visceralization capability. In this study, we have transfected A2 episomally into L. tarentolae and evaluated its effect on infectivity and survival of the parasites, in vitro and in vivo. During infection of in vitro-cultured intraperitoneal macrophages of BALB/c mice, A2-expressing L. tarentolae parasites demonstrated significantly higher level of infectivity in days 3 and 4 post-infection in comparison with the wild-type strain as control. Furthermore, in vivo infection showed that A2 has significantly increased the ability of L. tarentolae to survive in the liver of BALB/c mice. Altogether, our results show that A2 is functional in L. tarentolae, although through an unknown mechanism, and loss of A2 has been one of the factors partly contributing to the loss of virulence of L. tarentolae.     

Innate lymphoid cells promote lung-tissue homeostasis after infection with influenza virus

Innate lymphoid cells (ILCs), a heterogeneous cell population, are critical in orchestrating immunity and inflammation in the intestine, but whether ILCs influence immune responses or tissue homeostasis at other mucosal sites remains poorly characterized. Here we identify a population of lung-resident ILCs in mice and humans that expressed the alloantigen Thy-1 (CD90), interleukin 2 (IL-2) receptor a-chain (CD25), IL-7 receptor a-chain (CD127) and the IL-33 receptor subunit T1-ST2. Notably, mouse ILCs accumulated in the lung after infection with influenza virus, and depletion of ILCs resulted in loss of airway epithelial integrity, diminished lung function and impaired airway remodeling. These defects were restored by administration of the lung ILC product amphiregulin. Collectively, our results demonstrate a critical role for lung ILCs in restoring airway epithelial integrity and tissue homeostasis after infection with influenza virus.