Laboratory Biosafety: Sentinel surveillance of Lyme disease risk in Canada, 2019: Results from the first year of the Canadian Lyme Sentinel Network (CaLSeN)

BackgroundLyme disease is an emerging vector-borne zoonotic disease of increasing public health importance in Canada. As part of its mandate, the Canadian Lyme Disease Research Network (CLyDRN) launched a pan-Canadian sentinel surveillance initiative, the Canadian Lyme Sentinel Network (CaLSeN), in 2019.ObjectivesTo create a standardized, national sentinel surveillance network providing a real-time portrait of the evolving environmental risk of Lyme disease in each province.MethodsA multicriteria decision analysis (MCDA) approach was used in the selection of sentinel regions. Within each sentinel region, a systematic drag sampling protocol was performed in selected sampling sites. Ticks collected during these active surveillance visits were identified to species, and Ixodes spp. ticks were tested for infection with Borrelia burgdorferi, Borrelia miyamotoi, Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Babesia microti and Powassan virus.ResultsIn 2019, a total of 567 Ixodes spp. ticks (I. scapularis [n=550]; I. pacificus [n=10]; and I. angustus [n=7]) were collected in seven provinces: British Columbia, Manitoba, Ontario, Québec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island. The highest mean tick densities (nymphs/100 m²) were found in sentinel regions of Lunenburg (0.45), Montréal (0.43) and Granby (0.38). Overall, the Borrelia burgdorferi prevalence in ticks was 25.2% (0%–45.0%). One I. angustus nymph from British Columbia was positive for Babesia microti, a first for the province. The deer tick lineage of Powassan virus was detected in one adult I. scapularis in Nova Scotia.ConclusionCaLSeN provides the first coordinated national active surveillance initiative for tick-borne disease in Canada. Through multidisciplinary collaborations between experts in each province, the pilot year was successful in establishing a baseline for Lyme disease risk across the country, allowing future trends to be detected and studied.     

Olmesartan‐associated duodenal villous atrophy,an emerging clinical issue

Duodenal villous atrophy with olmesartan was described in 2012, 10 years following registration of olmesartan. Clinical features are severe watery diarrhoea, usually occurring in association with weight loss. Onset is delayed, with a mean duration of prior exposure to olmesartan of 3 years. Diagnosis may be delayed. Symptoms resolve over weeks following cessation of olmesartan. Epidemiological studies suggest increased risk with olmesartan, rather than a class effect of all angiotensin receptor blockers. Post‐marketing surveillance for drug safety remains important.     

Somatic mosaicism in trichorhinophalangeal syndrome: a lesson for genetic counseling

Trichorhinophalangeal syndrome type I (TRPSI) is a genetic disorder characterized by sparse hair, a bulbous nasal tip, short stature with severe generalized shortening of all phalanges, metacarpal and metatarsal bones and cone-shaped epiphyses. This syndrome is caused by autosomal dominant mutations in the TRPS1 gene. However, because recurrence has been observed in siblings from healthy parents, an autosomal recessive mode of inheritance has also been suggested. We report on a male patient, born to healthy unrelated parents, with TRPSI. Using Sanger sequencing, we identified a mutation in the TRPS1 gene (c.2735 G>A, P.Cys912Tyr). The same mutation was detected as a 10% mosaic mutation by Pyrosequencing in blood-derived DNA from his healthy mother. To our knowledge, this is the first time that somatic mosaicism has been identified in TRPSI. This data combined with the observations of recurrences in siblings from healthy parents modifies the genetic counseling for TRPSI, which should discuss a 5–10 percent recurrence risk for healthy parents with an affected child because of the possibility of germinal mosaicism.     

Comparing P300 modulations: Target‐to‐target interval versus infrequent nontarget‐to‐nontarget interval in a three‐stimulus task

This study examined temporal determinants of the P300 component of the ERP in a three‐stimulus visual oddball task. Frequent standards, with equiprobable targets and infrequent nontargets, were utilized. We tested whether the infrequent nontarget‐to‐nontarget interval (infrequent NNI) influences P300 amplitudes and latencies analogously to the target‐to‐target interval (TTI). EEG was recorded from 27 participants, and response time and P300 effects of TTIs and infrequent NNIs were assessed. Increases in TTI augmented target P300 amplitudes and decreased latencies and response times. However, this modulation of P300 amplitude was weak for manipulations of infrequent NNI. P300 latencies increased initially before decreasing across infrequent NNI levels. Together, these findings support the notion that the P300 has an underlying temporal mechanism that is modulated by motivationally significant events. Theoretical implications are discussed.     

Is Television Viewing Time a Marker of a Broader Pattern of Sedentary Behavior?

Background Television (TV) viewing time is associated with abnormal glucose metabolism, the metabolic syndrome, and risk of type 2 diabetes; associations are stronger and more consistent in women. One explanation of this difference may be that TV viewing is a marker of an overall pattern of sedentary behavior in women. Purpose We sought to examine associations of TV viewing time with other sedentary behaviors and with leisure-time physical activity in a large sample of Australian adults. Methods Adults aged between 20 and 65 years (n = 2,046) completed a self-administered questionnaire on TV viewing, five other leisure-time sedentary behaviors, and leisure-time physical activity. Mean adjusted time spent in other sedentary behaviors and in physical activity was compared across TV-time categories previously shown to be associated with abnormal glucose metabolism. Results After adjustment for body mass index and socio-demographic variables, women’s time spent watching TV was associated positively with time in other sedentary behaviors and negatively with leisure-time physical activity, but no such associations were observed in men. Conclusions TV viewing time may be a robust marker of a sedentary lifestyle in women but not in men. Gender differences in the pattern of sedentary behaviors may explain at least in part the gender differences in the previously reported associations of TV viewing time with biological attributes related to type 2 diabetes.     

Core Beliefs and History of Major Depressive Episodes in Currently Non-depressed University Students

The current study examined the association between negative core beliefs and a past history of major depressive episodes (MDE) in currently non-depressed university students. Sixty-three university students completed self-report measures assessing current depressive symptoms. They also completed a semi-structured interview assessing current and past histories of MDE. The presence of negative core beliefs was identified through an examination of participants’ life stories. Negative core beliefs were associated with a past history of MDE in non-disordered participants. Further, analyses revealed that the content domains of (1) disconnection/rejection and (2) overvigilance/inhibition were significantly associated with a past history of MDE whereas the content domains of (1) impaired autonomy/performance, (2) impaired limits, and (3) other-directedness were not. Findings provide preliminary support for recent theoretical models highlighting the potential importance of core beliefs in the etiology of depression.