Research

8 pages, 862 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Detection of Anti-Echinococcus granulosus Antibodies in Humans: An Update from Pakistan

by Huma Khan, Haroon Ahmed, Muhammad Sohail Afzal, Usman Ayub Awan, Muhammad Khurram, Sami Simsek and Jianping Cao

Pathogens 2022, 11(1), 29; https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens11010029 - 28 Dec 2021

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1764

Abstract

Human cystic echinococcosis (CE) is a zoonotic disease caused by the larval stage of Echinococcus granulosus sensu lato that causes economic losses by affecting livestock and also poses a public health threat worldwide. The present study is the first retrospective report on the [...] Read more.

Human cystic echinococcosis (CE) is a zoonotic disease caused by the larval stage of Echinococcus granulosus sensu lato that causes economic losses by affecting livestock and also poses a public health threat worldwide. The present study is the first retrospective report on the seroprevalence of anti-E. granulosus antibodies in humans in Pakistan. The study used data from 93 blood analysis reports of patients suspected of having CE from different medical centers in Lahore, Pakistan. Out of 93 sera samples, 20 (21.5%) were seropositive, and higher seropositivity (17.2%) was recorded with the indirect hemagglutination test (IHA) than with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The findings indicated that age, gender, and year had no significant relationship with the seropositivity of CE. The current study provides directions towards the management of the disease in the near future in Pakistan. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Human Pathogens Infections)

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13 pages, 311 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Prevalence of Cyclomodulin-Positive E. coli and Klebsiella spp. Strains in Mexican Patients with Colon Diseases and Antimicrobial Resistance

by Adrian Canizalez-Roman, Juan E. Reina-Reyes, Uriel A. Angulo-Zamudio, Eloy E. Geminiano-Martínez, Antonio F. Flores-Carrillo, Rolando R. García-Matus, Norma M. Valencia-Mijares, Nidia Leon-Sicairos, Jorge Velazquez-Roman, Francisco A. Martínez-Villa and Gabriela Tapia-Pastrana

Pathogens 2022, 11(1), 14; https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens11010014 - 23 Dec 2021

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2491

Abstract

Colon diseases, such as colorectal cancer (CRC), are multifactor diseases that affect more than one million people per year; recently, the microbiota has been associated with an etiologic factor, specifically bacterial cyclomodulin positivity (CM⁺). Unfortunately, there are no studies from Mexico [...] Read more.

Colon diseases, such as colorectal cancer (CRC), are multifactor diseases that affect more than one million people per year; recently, the microbiota has been associated with an etiologic factor, specifically bacterial cyclomodulin positivity (CM⁺). Unfortunately, there are no studies from Mexico that detail the presence of bacterial CM⁺ in patients with colon diseases. We therefore performed a comprehensive study to investigate the associations and prevalence of cyclomodulin-positive Diarrheagenic E. coli (DEC), non-DEC, and Klebsiella spp. strains isolated from Mexican subjects with colon diseases. In this work, we analyzed 43 biopsies, 87 different bacteria were isolated, and E. coli was the most frequently noted, followed by Klebsiella spp., and Enterococcus spp. E. coli, non-DEC, and EPEC belonging to phylogroup B2 were the most prevalent. More than 80% of E. coli and Klebsiella were CM⁺. pks, cdt, cnf, and cif were identified. cdt was associated with non-DEC, cif and its combinations with EPEC, as well as cdt and psk with Klebsiella. Lastly, all the CM⁺ bacteria were resistant to at least one antibiotic (34% were MDR, and 48% XDR). In conclusion, the high prevalence of bacterial CM⁺ in colon disease patients suggests that these bacteria play an important role in the genesis of these diseases. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Human Pathogens Infections)

16 pages, 3206 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Overexpression of Plasmodium falciparum M1 Aminopeptidase Promotes an Increase in Intracellular Proteolysis and Modifies the Asexual Erythrocytic Cycle Development

by Carolina C. Hoff, Mauro F. Azevedo, Adriana B. Thurler, Sarah El Chamy Maluf, Pollyana M. S. Melo, Maday Alonso del Rivero, Jorge González-Bacerio, Adriana K. Carmona, Alexandre Budu and Marcos L. Gazarini

Pathogens 2021, 10(11), 1452; https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens10111452 - 10 Nov 2021

Viewed by 2298

Abstract

Plasmodium falciparum, the most virulent of the human malaria parasite, is responsible for high mortality rates worldwide. We studied the M1 alanyl-aminopeptidase of this protozoan (PfA-M1), which is involved in the final stages of hemoglobin cleavage, an essential process for parasite survival. [...] Read more.

Plasmodium falciparum, the most virulent of the human malaria parasite, is responsible for high mortality rates worldwide. We studied the M1 alanyl-aminopeptidase of this protozoan (PfA-M1), which is involved in the final stages of hemoglobin cleavage, an essential process for parasite survival. Aiming to help in the rational development of drugs against this target, we developed a new strain of P. falciparum overexpressing PfA-M1 without the signal peptide (overPfA-M1). The overPfA-M1 parasites showed a 2.5-fold increase in proteolytic activity toward the fluorogenic substrate alanyl-7-amido-4-methylcoumarin, in relation to the wild-type group. Inhibition studies showed that overPfA-M1 presented a lower sensitivity against the metalloaminopeptidase inhibitor bestatin and to other recombinant PfA-M1 inhibitors, in comparison with the wild-type strain, indicating that PfA-M1 is a target for the in vitro antimalarial activity of these compounds. Moreover, overPfA-M1 parasites present a decreased in vitro growth, showing a reduced number of merozoites per schizont, and also a decrease in the iRBC area occupied by the parasite in trophozoite and schizont forms when compared to the controls. Interestingly, the transgenic parasite displays an increase in the aminopeptidase activity toward Met-, Ala-, Leu- and Arg-7-amido-4-methylcoumarin. We also investigated the potential role of calmodulin and cysteine proteases in PfA-M1 activity. Taken together, our data show that the overexpression of PfA-M1 in the parasite cytosol can be a suitable tool for the screening of antimalarials in specific high-throughput assays and may be used for the identification of intracellular molecular partners that modulate their activity in P. falciparum. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Human Pathogens Infections)

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13 pages, 3064 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Evidence of a Recent Bottleneck in Plasmodium falciparum Populations on the Honduran–Nicaraguan Border

by Alejandra Pinto, Osman Archaga, Ángel Mejía, Lenin Escober, Jessica Henríquez, Alberto Montoya, Hugo O. Valdivia and Gustavo Fontecha

Pathogens 2021, 10(11), 1432; https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens10111432 - 04 Nov 2021

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2250

Abstract

The countries of Central America and the island of Hispaniola have set the goal of eliminating malaria in less than a decade. Although efforts to reduce the malaria burden in the region have been successful, there has been an alarming increase in cases [...] Read more.

The countries of Central America and the island of Hispaniola have set the goal of eliminating malaria in less than a decade. Although efforts to reduce the malaria burden in the region have been successful, there has been an alarming increase in cases in the Nicaraguan Moskitia since 2014. The continuous decrease in cases between 2000 and 2014, followed by a rapid expansion from 2015 to the present, has generated a potential bottleneck effect in the populations of Plasmodium spp. Consequently, this study aimed to evaluate the genetic diversity of P. falciparum and the decrease in allelic richness in this population. The polymorphic regions of the pfmsp-1 and pfmsp-2 genes of patients with falciparum malaria from Honduras and Nicaragua were analyzed using nested PCR and sequencing. Most of the samples were classified into the K1 allelic subfamily of the pfmsp-1 gene and into the 3D7 subfamily of the pfmsp-2 gene. Despite the low genetic diversity found, more than half of the samples presented a polyclonal K1/RO33 haplotype. No sequence polymorphisms were found within each allelic subfamily. This study describes a notable decrease in the genetic diversity of P. falciparum in the Moskitia region after a bottleneck phenomenon. These results will be useful for future epidemiological investigations and the monitoring of malaria transmission in Central America. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Human Pathogens Infections)

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13 pages, 266 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Association between Cognitive Function and Depression with Human T-Cell Lymphotropic Virus 1 Seropositivity and Serointensity in UK Adults

by Lance D. Erickson, Dawson W. Hedges, Bruce L. Brown, Bradley Embley and Shawn D. Gale

Pathogens 2021, 10(11), 1409; https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens10111409 - 30 Oct 2021

Viewed by 1403

Abstract

Several viral, bacterial, and parasitic diseases have been associated with cognitive function and neuropsychiatric outcomes in humans, including human T-cell lymphotropic virus 1 (HTLV-1). In this study, we sought to further generalize previously reported associations of cognitive function and depression with HTLV-1 seropositivity [...] Read more.

Several viral, bacterial, and parasitic diseases have been associated with cognitive function and neuropsychiatric outcomes in humans, including human T-cell lymphotropic virus 1 (HTLV-1). In this study, we sought to further generalize previously reported associations of cognitive function and depression with HTLV-1 seropositivity and serointensity using a community-based sample of adults aged approximately 40 to 70 years (mean = 55.3 years) from the United Kingdom. In this sample, the results of adjusted linear regression models showed no associations of HTLV-1 seropositivity or serointensity with reasoning, pairs-matching, or reaction-time cognitive tasks or with depression. In addition, neither age, sex, educational attainment, nor income moderated associations of HTLV-1 seropositivity or serointensity with cognitive function or depression. In this middle-aged to older middle-aged adult community sample, HTLV-1 seropositivity and serointensity do not appear to be associated with reasoning, pairs-matching, and reaction-time tasks or with depression. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Human Pathogens Infections)

20 pages, 661 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Human Polyomaviruses (HPyV) in Wastewater and Environmental Samples from the Lisbon Metropolitan Area: Detection and Genetic Characterization of Viral Structural Protein-Coding Sequences

by Ana Carolina Condez, Mónica Nunes, Andreia Filipa-Silva, Inês Leonardo and Ricardo Parreira

Pathogens 2021, 10(10), 1309; https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens10101309 - 12 Oct 2021

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1817

Abstract

Due to the lack of reliable epidemiological information regarding the geographic distribution and genetic diversity of human polyomaviruses (HPyV) in Portugal, we addressed these issues in this initial study by focusing on the Lisbon Metropolitan area, the most populated and culturally diverse hub [...] Read more.

Due to the lack of reliable epidemiological information regarding the geographic distribution and genetic diversity of human polyomaviruses (HPyV) in Portugal, we addressed these issues in this initial study by focusing on the Lisbon Metropolitan area, the most populated and culturally diverse hub in the country. The HPyV structural protein-coding sequence was partially amplified using two touch-down PCR multiplex protocols, starting from water samples, collected between 2018 and 2020, where viral genomes were detected. The obtained results disclosed the frequent detection of HPyV1, HPyV2, HPyV5, and HPyV6 in 35.3% (n = 6), 29.4% (n = 5), 47.1% (n = 8) and 29.4% (n = 5), respectively, of the water samples analyzed. The sequences assigned to a given viral species did not segregate to a single genotype, this being especially true for HPyV2 for which five genotypes (including a putative new genotype 9) could be identified. The phylogenetic trees obtained for HPyV5 and HPyV6 had less resolving power than those obtained for HPyV1/HPyV2, but both viruses were shown to be genetically diverse. This analysis emphasizes the epidemiological helpfulness of these detection/genetic characterization studies in addition to being relevant tools for assessment of human waste contamination. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Human Pathogens Infections)

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17 pages, 1651 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Non-Penicillin-Susceptible Streptococcus suis Isolated from Humans

by Nichari Bamphensin, Peechanika Chopjitt, Rujirat Hatrongjit, Parichart Boueroy, Nahuel Fittipaldi, Marcelo Gottschalk and Anusak Kerdsin

Pathogens 2021, 10(9), 1178; https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens10091178 - 13 Sep 2021

Cited by 15 | Viewed by 2721

Abstract

Streptococcus suis is a pathogen that causes invasive infections in humans and pigs. In this study, 448 S. suis isolates recovered from human infections in Thailand were characterized with regard to their antimicrobial susceptibility and antimicrobial resistance genes, including, for non-penicillin-susceptible isolates, sequence [...] Read more.

Streptococcus suis is a pathogen that causes invasive infections in humans and pigs. In this study, 448 S. suis isolates recovered from human infections in Thailand were characterized with regard to their antimicrobial susceptibility and antimicrobial resistance genes, including, for non-penicillin-susceptible isolates, sequence analyses of five genes encoding penicillin-binding proteins (pbp1a, pbp1b, pbp2a, pbp2b, and pbp2x). All 448 isolates were susceptible to cefepime and ceftriaxone, whereas 99.6%, 91.7%, and 72.9% of the isolates were susceptible to levofloxacin, penicillin, and chloramphenicol, respectively. Almost all isolates were resistant to tetracycline (98.2%), clindamycin (94%), erythromycin (92.4%), and azithromycin (82.6%). Genes tet(O) and ermB were the predominant resistance genes detected among macrolide- and tetracycline-resistant isolates. A total of 37 out of 448 isolates (8.2%) showed intermediately resistance to penicillin. Most of these isolates (59.5%) belonged to serotype 2-ST233. Comparison of the predicted translated sequences of five PBP proteins of a penicillin-susceptible isolate (strain P1/7) to the respective PBP sequences of ten non-penicillin-susceptible isolates revealed multiple amino acid substitutions. Isolates of CC221/234 showed highly variable amino acid substitutions in all PBP proteins. An ST104 isolate had a higher number of amino acid substitutions in PBP2X. Isolates belonging to CC233/379 had numerous substitutions in PBP2B and PBP2X. ST25 isolates exhibited fewer amino acid substitutions than isolates of other STs in all five PBPs. The antimicrobial resistance of S. suis is increasing worldwide; therefore, restrictions on antimicrobial use, continuous control, and the surveillance of this bacterium throughout the pork supply chain are crucial for ensuring public health and must be a priority concern. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Human Pathogens Infections)

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12 pages, 2681 KiB

Open AccessArticle

HERV-W and Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis Are at Play in Pediatric Patients at Onset of Type 1 Diabetes

by Marta Noli, Gianfranco Meloni, Pietro Manca, Davide Cossu, Mario Palermo and Leonardo A. Sechi

Pathogens 2021, 10(9), 1135; https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens10091135 - 03 Sep 2021

Cited by 12 | Viewed by 2126

Abstract

The etiology of T1D remains unknown, although a variety of etiological agents have been proposed as potential candidates to trigger autoimmunity in susceptible individuals. Emerging evidence has indicated that endogenous human retrovirus (HERV) may play a role in the disease etiopathogenesis; although several [...] Read more.

The etiology of T1D remains unknown, although a variety of etiological agents have been proposed as potential candidates to trigger autoimmunity in susceptible individuals. Emerging evidence has indicated that endogenous human retrovirus (HERV) may play a role in the disease etiopathogenesis; although several epigenetic mechanisms keep most HERVs silenced, environmental stimuli such as infections may contribute to the transcriptional reactivation of HERV-Wand thus promote pathological conditions. Previous studies have indicated that also Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (MAP) could be a potential risk factor for T1D, particularly in the Sardinian population. In the present study, the humoral response against HERV-W envelope and MAP-derived peptides was analyzed to investigate their potential role in T1D etiopathogenesis, in a Sardinian population at T1D onset (n = 26), T1D (45) and an age-matched healthy population (n = 45). For the first time, a high serum-prevalence of anti-Map and anti-HERV-W Abs was observed in pediatric patients at onset of T1D compared to T1D patients and healthy controls. Our results support the hypothesis that external infections and internal reactivations are involved in the etiology of T1D, and that HERV-W activation may be induced by infectious agents such as MAP. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Human Pathogens Infections)

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13 pages, 1664 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Discrete Survival Model Analysis of Plasmodium falciparum Response to Artemisinin-Based Combination Therapies among Children in Regions of Varying Malaria Transmission in Cameroon

by Akindeh M. Nji, Innocent M. Ali, Peter Thelma Ngwa Niba, Evehe Marie-Solange, Christian Heumann, Guenter Froeschl and Wilfred F. Mbacham

Pathogens 2021, 10(9), 1106; https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens10091106 - 30 Aug 2021

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1909

Abstract

The need to monitor changes in parasite clearance following treatment with artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACTs) is important in the containment of drug resistance. This study aimed to model Plasmodium falciparum response to ACTs among children in two different transmission settings (Mutengene and Garoua) [...] Read more.

The need to monitor changes in parasite clearance following treatment with artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACTs) is important in the containment of drug resistance. This study aimed to model Plasmodium falciparum response to ACTs among children in two different transmission settings (Mutengene and Garoua) in Cameroon. Using the step function, a discrete-time survival model was fitted with all the covariates included that might play a role in parasite clearance. The probability of clearing parasites within 24 h following treatment was 21.6% and 70.3% for younger children aged 6 to 59 months and 29.3% and 59.8% for older children aged 60 to 120 months in Mutengene and Garoua, respectively. After two days of treatment, the conditional probability of clearing parasites given that they were not cleared on day 1 was 76.7% and 96.6% for children aged 6–59 months and 83.1% and 93.5% for children aged 60–120 months in Mutengene and Garoua, respectively. The model demonstrated that the ecological setting, age group and pretreatment serum levels of creatinine and alanine aminotransferase were the main factors that significantly influenced parasite clearance in vivo after administration of ACTs (p < 0.05). The findings highlight the need for further investigations on host differential response to ACTs in current practice. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Human Pathogens Infections)

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13 pages, 1455 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Anti-Inflammatory Properties of Plasma from Children with Short Bowel Syndrome

by Irshad Ahmed Hajam, Farhana Ali, Jocelyn Young, Mary Abigail Garcia, Christopher Cannavino, Nanda Ramchandar and George Y. Liu

Pathogens 2021, 10(8), 1021; https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens10081021 - 13 Aug 2021

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2403

Abstract

Sepsis, resulting from a dysregulated host immune response to invading pathogens, is the leading cause of mortality in critically ill patients worldwide. Immunomodulatory treatment for sepsis is currently lacking. Children with short bowel syndrome (SBS) may present with less severe symptoms during gram-negative [...] Read more.

Sepsis, resulting from a dysregulated host immune response to invading pathogens, is the leading cause of mortality in critically ill patients worldwide. Immunomodulatory treatment for sepsis is currently lacking. Children with short bowel syndrome (SBS) may present with less severe symptoms during gram-negative bacteremia. We, therefore, tested the hypothesis that plasma from children with SBS could confer protection against Escherichia coli sepsis. We showed that SBS plasma at 5% and 10% concentrations significantly (p < 0.05) inhibited the production of both TNF-α and IL-6 induced by either E. coli- or LPS-stimulated host cells when compared to plasma from healthy controls. Furthermore, mice treated intravenously with select plasma samples from SBS or healthy subjects had reduced proinflammatory cytokine levels in plasma and a significant survival advantage after E. coli infection. However, SBS plasma was not more protective than the plasma of healthy subjects, suggesting that children with SBS have other immunomodulatory mechanisms, in addition to neutralizing antibodies, to alleviate their symptoms during gram-negative sepsis. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Human Pathogens Infections)

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10 pages, 919 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Molecular Epidemiology of Sapovirus in Children Living in the Northwest Amazon Region

by Marcia Terezinha Baroni de Moraes, Gabriel Azevedo Alves Leitão, Alberto Ignácio Olivares Olivares, Maria da Penha Trindade Pinheiro Xavier, Romanul de Souza Bispo, Sumit Sharma, José Paulo Gagliardi Leite, Lennart Svensson and Johan Nordgren

Pathogens 2021, 10(8), 965; https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens10080965 - 30 Jul 2021

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2039

Abstract

Sapovirus is an important etiological agent of acute gastroenteritis (AGE), mainly in children under 5 years old living in lower-income communities. Eighteen identified sapovirus genotypes have been observed to infect humans. The aim of this study was to identify sapovirus genotypes circulating in [...] Read more.

Sapovirus is an important etiological agent of acute gastroenteritis (AGE), mainly in children under 5 years old living in lower-income communities. Eighteen identified sapovirus genotypes have been observed to infect humans. The aim of this study was to identify sapovirus genotypes circulating in the Amazon region. Twenty-eight samples were successfully genotyped using partial sequencing of the capsid gene. The genotypes identified were GI.1 (n = 3), GI.2 (n = 7), GII.1 (n = 1), GII.2 (n = 1), GII.3 (n = 5), GII.5 (n = 1), and GIV.1 (n = 10). The GIV genotype was the most detected genotype (35.7%, 10/28). The phylogenetic analysis identified sapovirus genotypes that had no similarity with other strains reported from Brazil, indicating that these genotypes may have entered the Amazon region via intense tourism in the Amazon rainforest. No association between histo-blood group antigen expression and sapovirus infection was observed. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Human Pathogens Infections)

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14 pages, 1617 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Reduced Level of Tear Antimicrobial and Immunomodulatory Proteins as a Possible Reason for Higher Ocular Infections in Diabetic Patients

by Gergő Kalló, Anita Katalin Varga, Judit Szabó, Miklós Emri, József Tőzsér, Adrienne Csutak and Éva Csősz

Pathogens 2021, 10(7), 883; https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens10070883 - 12 Jul 2021

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2436

Abstract

(1) Background: Diabetes mellitus is one of the most common metabolic disorders and a risk factor for bacterial ocular infections. Our aim was to examine the antibacterial activity of tears from patients with diabetes mellitus with and without diabetic retinopathy and to link [...] Read more.

(1) Background: Diabetes mellitus is one of the most common metabolic disorders and a risk factor for bacterial ocular infections. Our aim was to examine the antibacterial activity of tears from patients with diabetes mellitus with and without diabetic retinopathy and to link this activity to the level of tear proteins. (2) Methods: Non-stimulated basal tears were collected from 39 eyes of 35 subjects. The antibacterial activity of tear pools was tested against pathogenic Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 29213, Escherichia coli ATCC 26922 and Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 27853 strains. The levels of 10 antimicrobial and immunomodulatory proteins were analyzed in the individual tear samples of the studied groups by SRM-based targeted mass spectrometry analysis. (3) Results: Disease stage-specific antimicrobial effect was observed in case of Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 29213 strain, and a non-disease specific inhibitory effect was observed in case of Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 27853 strain. Changes in the levels of the studied antimicrobial and immunomodulatory proteins in the tears of the studied groups were also observed. (4) Conclusions: The higher ocular infection rate observed in diabetic patients may be the consequence of the decreased antimicrobial activity of tears possibly caused by the changes in the levels of antimicrobial and immunomodulatory proteins. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Human Pathogens Infections)

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10 pages, 999 KiB

Open AccessArticle

No Evidence for the Involvement of Leiomodin-1 Antibodies in the Pathogenesis of Onchocerciasis-Associated Epilepsy

by An Hotterbeekx, Melissa Krizia Vieri, Melanie Ramberger, Ashraf Jozefzoon-Aghai, Michel Mandro, Floribert Tepage, Alfred Dusabimana, Samir Kumar-Singh, Maarten J. Titulaer and Robert Colebunders

Pathogens 2021, 10(7), 845; https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens10070845 - 05 Jul 2021

Cited by 14 | Viewed by 2054

Abstract

Nodding syndrome has been suggested to be triggered by neurotoxic leiomodin-1 auto-antibodies cross-reacting with Onchocerca volvulus. Here, we screened serum and CSF samples of persons with nodding syndrome and other forms of onchocerciasis-associated epilepsy (OAE) and African and European controls for leiomodin-1 [...] Read more.

Nodding syndrome has been suggested to be triggered by neurotoxic leiomodin-1 auto-antibodies cross-reacting with Onchocerca volvulus. Here, we screened serum and CSF samples of persons with nodding syndrome and other forms of onchocerciasis-associated epilepsy (OAE) and African and European controls for leiomodin-1 antibodies by a cell-based assay (CBA) and Western blot (WB). These samples were also investigated for the presence of auto-antibodies cross-reacting with rat brain tissue by immunohistochemistry (IHC). Additionally, IHC was used to detect the leiomodin-1 protein in post-mortem brain samples of persons with OAE who died. Leiomodin-1 antibodies were detected by CBA in 6/52 (12%) and by WB in 23/54 (43%) persons with OAE compared to in 14/61 (23%) (p = 0.113) and 23/54 (43%) (p = 0.479) of controls without epilepsy. Multivariable exact logistic regression did not show an association between O. volvulus infection or epilepsy status and the presence of leiomodin-1. Leiomodin-1 antibodies were not detected in 12 CSF samples from persons with OAE or in 16 CSF samples from persons with acute-onset neurological conditions, as well as not being detected in serum from European controls. Moreover, the leiomodin-1 protein was only detected in capillary walls in post-mortem brain tissues and not in brain cells. IHC on rat brain slides with serum samples from persons with OAE or controls from persons with or without O. volvulus infection revealed no specific staining pattern. In conclusion, our data do not support OAE to be an autoimmune disorder caused by leiomodin-1 antibodies. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Human Pathogens Infections)

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10 pages, 1031 KiB

Open AccessArticle

No Evidence Known Viruses Play a Role in the Pathogenesis of Onchocerciasis-Associated Epilepsy. An Explorative Metagenomic Case-Control Study

by Michael Roach, Adrian Cantu, Melissa Krizia Vieri, Matthew Cotten, Paul Kellam, My Phan, Lia van der Hoek, Michel Mandro, Floribert Tepage, Germain Mambandu, Gisele Musinya, Anne Laudisoit, Robert Colebunders, Robert Edwards and John L. Mokili

Pathogens 2021, 10(7), 787; https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens10070787 - 22 Jun 2021

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 4128

Abstract

Despite the increasing epidemiological evidence that the Onchocerca volvulus parasite is strongly associated with epilepsy in children, hence the name onchocerciasis-associated epilepsy (OAE), the pathophysiological mechanism of OAE remains to be elucidated. In June 2014, children with unprovoked convulsive epilepsy and healthy controls [...] Read more.

Despite the increasing epidemiological evidence that the Onchocerca volvulus parasite is strongly associated with epilepsy in children, hence the name onchocerciasis-associated epilepsy (OAE), the pathophysiological mechanism of OAE remains to be elucidated. In June 2014, children with unprovoked convulsive epilepsy and healthy controls were enrolled in a case control study in Titule, Bas-Uélé Province in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) to identify risk factors for epilepsy. Using a subset of samples collected from individuals enrolled in this study (16 persons with OAE and 9 controls) plasma, buffy coat, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) were subjected to random-primed next-generation sequencing. The resulting sequences were analyzed using sensitive computational methods to identify viral DNA and RNA sequences. Anneloviridae, Flaviviridae, Hepadnaviridae (Hepatitis B virus), Herpesviridae, Papillomaviridae, Polyomaviridae (Human polyomavirus), and Virgaviridae were identified in cases and in controls. Not unexpectedly, a variety of bacteriophages were also detected in all cases and controls. However, none of the identified viral sequences were found enriched in OAE cases, which was our criteria for agents that might play a role in the etiology or pathogenesis of OAE. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Human Pathogens Infections)

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7 pages, 2051 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Arthrobacter woluwensis Bacteremia: A Clinical and Genomic Report

by Shu-Yuan Li, Chin-Chuan Kao, Yu-Cheng Hu, Chung-Hsu Lai, Yi-Ping Jiang, Yan-Chiao Mao, Yao-Ting Huang and Po-Yu Liu

Pathogens 2021, 10(4), 443; https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens10040443 - 08 Apr 2021

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2189

Abstract

Arthrobacter woluwensis is a Gram-positive, aerobic Actinobacteria that is widely distributed in the environment worldwide. Little is known about A. woluwensis infection and it is commonly mis-identified by culturing with commercial kits. To date, only six cases of bacteremia caused by A. woluwensis [...] Read more.

Arthrobacter woluwensis is a Gram-positive, aerobic Actinobacteria that is widely distributed in the environment worldwide. Little is known about A. woluwensis infection and it is commonly mis-identified by culturing with commercial kits. To date, only six cases of bacteremia caused by A. woluwensis have been reported in the literature. Herein, we report a case of Arthrobacter woluwensis bacteremia in an immunocompromised host. In this case report, the results of antimicrobial susceptibility testing showed that this clinical isolate of A. woluwensis is sensitive to vancomycin, teicoplanin, but resistant to penicillin, cephalosporin and ciprofloxacin. Additionally, whole genome sequencing analysis identified common subunits of the urease system. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Human Pathogens Infections)

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11 pages, 2534 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Characterization of Ocular Surface Microbial Profiles Revealed Discrepancies between Conjunctival and Corneal Microbiota

by Anna Matysiak, Michal Kabza, Justyna A. Karolak, Marcelina M. Jaworska, Malgorzata Rydzanicz, Rafal Ploski, Jacek P. Szaflik and Marzena Gajecka

Pathogens 2021, 10(4), 405; https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens10040405 - 30 Mar 2021

Cited by 21 | Viewed by 2697

Abstract

The ocular microbiome composition has only been partially characterized. Here, we used RNA-sequencing (RNA-Seq) data to assess microbial diversity in human corneal tissue. Additionally, conjunctival swab samples were examined to characterize ocular surface microbiota. Short RNA-Seq reads, obtained from a previous transcriptome study [...] Read more.

The ocular microbiome composition has only been partially characterized. Here, we used RNA-sequencing (RNA-Seq) data to assess microbial diversity in human corneal tissue. Additionally, conjunctival swab samples were examined to characterize ocular surface microbiota. Short RNA-Seq reads, obtained from a previous transcriptome study of 50 corneal tissues, were mapped to the human reference genome GRCh38 to remove sequences of human origin. The unmapped reads were then used for taxonomic classification by comparing them with known bacterial, archaeal, and viral sequences from public databases. The components of microbial communities were identified and characterized using both conventional microbiology and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) techniques in 36 conjunctival swabs. The majority of ocular samples examined by conventional and molecular techniques showed very similar microbial taxonomic profiles, with most of the microorganisms being classified into Proteobacteria, Firmicutes, and Actinobacteria phyla. Only 50% of conjunctival samples exhibited bacterial growth. The PCR detection provided a broader overview of positive results for conjunctival materials. The RNA-Seq assessment revealed significant variability of the corneal microbial communities, including fastidious bacteria and viruses. The use of the combined techniques allowed for a comprehensive characterization of the eye microbiome’s elements, especially in aspects of microbiota diversity. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Human Pathogens Infections)

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Review

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22 pages, 18705 KiB

Open AccessReview

Zoonotic Malaria: Non-Laverania Plasmodium Biology and Invasion Mechanisms

by Jing-Wen Hang, Farhana Tukijan, Erica-Qian-Hui Lee, Shifana Raja Abdeen, Yaw Aniweh and Benoit Malleret

Pathogens 2021, 10(7), 889; https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens10070889 - 13 Jul 2021

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 13736

Abstract

Malaria, which is caused by Plasmodium parasites through Anopheles mosquito transmission, remains one of the most life-threatening diseases affecting hundreds of millions of people worldwide every year. Plasmodium vivax, which accounts for the majority of cases of recurring malaria caused by the [...] Read more.

Malaria, which is caused by Plasmodium parasites through Anopheles mosquito transmission, remains one of the most life-threatening diseases affecting hundreds of millions of people worldwide every year. Plasmodium vivax, which accounts for the majority of cases of recurring malaria caused by the Plasmodium (non-Laverania) subgenus, is an ancient and continuing zoonosis originating from monkey hosts probably outside Africa. The emergence of other zoonotic malarias (P. knowlesi, P. cynomolgi, and P. simium) further highlights the seriousness of the disease. The severity of this epidemic disease is dependent on many factors, including the parasite characteristics, host-parasite interactions, and the pathology of the infection. Successful infection depends on the ability of the parasite to invade the host; however, little is known about the parasite invasion biology and mechanisms. The lack of this information adds to the challenges to malaria control and elimination, hence enhancing the potential for continuation of this zoonosis. Here, we review the literature describing the characteristics, distribution, and genome details of the parasites, as well as host specificity, host-parasite interactions, and parasite pathology. This information will provide the basis of a greater understanding of the epidemiology and pathogenesis of malaria to support future development of strategies for the control and prevention of this zoonotic infection. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Human Pathogens Infections)

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11 pages, 511 KiB

Open AccessReview

World Health Organization High Priority Pathogens: Ophthalmic Disease Findings and Vision Health Perspectives

by Sanjana Kuthyar, Casey L. Anthony, Tolulope Fashina, Steven Yeh and Jessica G. Shantha

Pathogens 2021, 10(4), 442; https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens10040442 - 08 Apr 2021

Cited by 11 | Viewed by 3646

Abstract

Recent Ebola epidemics, the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, and emerging infectious disease threats have highlighted the importance of global infectious diseases and responses to public health emergencies. Ophthalmologists are essential health care workers who provide urgent and emergent vision care services during outbreaks and [...] Read more.

Recent Ebola epidemics, the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, and emerging infectious disease threats have highlighted the importance of global infectious diseases and responses to public health emergencies. Ophthalmologists are essential health care workers who provide urgent and emergent vision care services during outbreaks and address the ocular consequences of epidemic and pandemic infectious diseases. In 2017, the World Health Organization (WHO) identified high priority pathogens likely to cause a future epidemic with the goal of guiding research and development to improve diagnostic tests, vaccines, and medicines. These measures were necessary to better inform and respond to public health emergencies. Given the ocular complications associated with emerging infectious diseases, there is a need to recognize the ophthalmic sequelae for future vision health preparedness for potential future outbreaks. The WHO High Priority pathogens list provides a roadmap for ophthalmologists and subspecialty providers that will guide strategic areas of research for clinical care and preparedness for future pandemic threats. This review summarizes these key viral pathogens, summarizes major systemic disease findings, and delineates relevant ocular complications of the WHO High Priority pathogens list, including Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever, Filovirus diseases (Ebola virus disease and Marburg hemorrhagic fever), human Coronaviruses, Lassa Fever, Nipah virus infection, Zika, and Rift Valley fever. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Human Pathogens Infections)

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Other

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17 pages, 1358 KiB

Open AccessBrief Report

Putrescine Detected in Strains of Staphylococcus aureus

by Javier Seravalli and Frank Portugal

Pathogens 2023, 12(7), 881; https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens12070881 - 27 Jun 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1077

Abstract

Most forms of life, including the archaea, bacteria, and eukaryotes synthesize the polyamine putrescine. Although putrescine is widely distributed, several Gram-positive bacteria, including Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus), appear to be the exceptions. We report here that strains of S. aureus can [...] Read more.

Most forms of life, including the archaea, bacteria, and eukaryotes synthesize the polyamine putrescine. Although putrescine is widely distributed, several Gram-positive bacteria, including Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus), appear to be the exceptions. We report here that strains of S. aureus can produce the polyamine putrescine, as well as the derivative N-acetyl-putrescine. Three strains of S. aureus from the American Type Culture Collection (ATCC), one strain listed in the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) database, whose genomic sequence is well defined, and well as eight strains from S. aureus-induced brain abscesses of individual patients from multiple geographic locations were evaluated. Each strain was grown in complete chemically defined medium (CDM) under stringent conditions, after which the partially purified conditioned medium (CM) was analyzed by mass spectroscopy (MS), and the data were reported as the ratio of experimental results to controls. We confirmed the synthesis of putrescine by S. aureus by using ¹³C/¹⁵N-labeled arginine as a tracer. We found that agmatine, N-acetyl-putrescine, ornithine, citrulline, proline, and NH₃ were all labeled with heavy isotope derived from ¹³C/¹⁵N-labeled arginine. None of the strains examined produced spermine or spermidine, but strains from either ATCC or human brain abscesses produced putrescine and/or its derivative N-acetyl-putrescine. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Human Pathogens Infections)

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14 pages, 2532 KiB

Open AccessSystematic Review

Nasopharyngeal Swabs vs. Nasal Aspirates for Respiratory Virus Detection: A Systematic Review

by Matthew F. Flynn, Martin Kelly and James S. G. Dooley

Pathogens 2021, 10(11), 1515; https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens10111515 - 20 Nov 2021

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 3174

Abstract

Nasal pathogen detection sensitivities can be as low as 70% despite advances in molecular diagnostics. This may be linked to the choice of sampling method. A diagnostic test accuracy review for sensitivity was undertaken to compare sensitivity of swabbing to the nasopharynx and [...] Read more.

Nasal pathogen detection sensitivities can be as low as 70% despite advances in molecular diagnostics. This may be linked to the choice of sampling method. A diagnostic test accuracy review for sensitivity was undertaken to compare sensitivity of swabbing to the nasopharynx and extracting nasal aspirates, using the PRISMA protocol, Cochrane rapid review methodology, and QUADAS-2 risk of bias tools, with meta-analysis of included studies. Sensitivities were calculated by a consensus standard of positivity by either method as the ‘gold standard.’ Insufficient sampling methodology, cross sectional study designs, and studies pooling samples across anatomical sites were excluded. Of 13 subsequently eligible studies, 8 had ‘high’ risk of bias, and 5 had ‘high’ applicability concerns. There were no statistical differences in overall sensitivities between collection methods for eight different viruses, and this did not differ with use of PCR, immunofluorescence, or culture. In one study alone, Influenza H1N1(2009) favored nasopharyngeal swabs, with aspirates having 93.3% of the sensitivity of swabs (p > 0.001). Similarly equivocal sensitivities were noted in reports detecting bacteria. The chain of sampling, from anatomical site to laboratory results, features different potential foci along which sensitivity may be lost. A fair body of evidence exists that use of a different sampling method will not yield more respiratory pathogens. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Human Pathogens Infections)

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4 pages, 593 KiB

Open AccessCase Report

Intracellular S. aureus in Osteoblasts in a Clinical Sample from a Patient with Chronic Osteomyelitis—A Case Report

by Nike Walter, Daniel Mendelsohn, Christoph Brochhausen, Markus Rupp and Volker Alt

Pathogens 2021, 10(8), 1064; https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens10081064 - 22 Aug 2021

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2334

Abstract

The pathophysiological role of intracellular bacteria in osteomyelitis is still a matter of debate. Here, we demonstrate for the first time the presence of Staphylococcus aureus internalized into osteoblasts in human tissue samples of a case with a chronic osteomyelitis using ultrastructural transmission [...] Read more.

The pathophysiological role of intracellular bacteria in osteomyelitis is still a matter of debate. Here, we demonstrate for the first time the presence of Staphylococcus aureus internalized into osteoblasts in human tissue samples of a case with a chronic osteomyelitis using ultrastructural transmission electron microscope analysis. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Human Pathogens Infections)

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5 pages, 1174 KiB

Open AccessCase Report

Renal Thrombotic Microangiopathy in Concurrent COVID-19 Vaccination and Infection

by Marco De Fabritiis, Maria Laura Angelini, Benedetta Fabbrizio, Giovanna Cenacchi, Claudio Americo, Stefania Cristino, Maria Francesca Lifrieri, Maria Cappuccilli, Alessandra Spazzoli, Loretta Zambianchi and Giovanni Mosconi

Pathogens 2021, 10(8), 1045; https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens10081045 - 17 Aug 2021

Cited by 22 | Viewed by 2916

Abstract

We report on the development of nephrotic proteinuria and microhematuria, with histological features of renal thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA), following the first dose of BNT162b2 COVID-19 vaccine (Pfizer-BioNTech) and COVID-19 diagnosis. A 35-year-old previously healthy man was admitted at our hospital due to the [...] Read more.

We report on the development of nephrotic proteinuria and microhematuria, with histological features of renal thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA), following the first dose of BNT162b2 COVID-19 vaccine (Pfizer-BioNTech) and COVID-19 diagnosis. A 35-year-old previously healthy man was admitted at our hospital due to the onset of foamy urine. Previously, 40 days earlier, he had received the first injection of the vaccine, and 33 days earlier, the RT-PCR for SARS-CoV-2 tested positive. Laboratory tests showed nephrotic proteinuria (7.9 gr/day), microhematuria, serum creatinine 0.91 mg/dL. Kidney biopsy revealed ultrastructural evidence of severe endothelial cell injury suggestive of a starting phase of TMA. After high-dose steroid treatment administration, complete remission of proteinuria was achieved in a few weeks. The association of COVID-19 with renal TMA has been previously described only in patients with acute renal injury. Besides, the correlation with COVID-19 vaccine has not been reported so far. The close temporal proximity (7 days) between the two events opens the question whether the histological findings should be ascribed to COVID-19 itself or to vaccine injection. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Human Pathogens Infections)

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