Pathogens MDPI

Risk Factors and the Character of Clinical Course of the Echinococcus multilocularis Infection in Patients in Poland

📜https://brnw.ch/21wMX2B

Alveolar echinococcosis (AE) is a chronic zoonotic disease caused by the larval form of Echinococcus multilocularis. In humans, it may become a serious chronic infection of the liver which resembles a slow malignant process leading to death when untreated.

The aim of the study was an assessment of the risk factors of the E. multilocularis infections and the description of AE clinical course in the group of 36 patients with confirmed AE, hospitalized at the Department and Clinic of Tropical and Parasitic Diseases, Poznan University of Medical Sciences between 2013 and 2022.

Among the study participants, most patients cultivated land, bred livestock, worked in the forest, or were employed in animal shelters. The E. multilocularis infection was diagnosed based on imaging and immunoassay techniques within 6 months in the majority of patients hospitalized in the Department.

All patients hospitalized in the Department initiated anti-parasitic therapy at the moment of the diagnosis. Pharmacological treatment combined with surgery was applied in most of the study participants, who were presented with more advanced stages of infection.

We conclude the following: 1. For humans in the risk group, regular abdominal imaging examinations and the detection of specific antibodies against E. multilocularis are recommended. 2. Regular screening tests in the hyperendemic areas of AE would increase the early detection of the disease and to improve the clinical prognosis in this extremely life-threatening parasitic disease.

Risk Factors and the Character of Clinical Course of the Echinococcus multilocularis Infection in Patients in Poland Alveolar echinococcosis (AE) is a chronic zoonotic disease caused by the larval form of Echinococcus multilocularis. In humans, it may become a serious chronic infection of the liver which resembles a slow malignant process leading to death when untreated. The aim of the study was an assessment of t...

Chronic infection with the hepatitis B virus (HBV) affects an estimated 257 million people worldwide and can lead to liver diseases such as cirrhosis and liver cancer.

📑 https://brnw.ch/21wMWAR

Viral replication is generally considered not to be cytopathic, and although some HBV proteins may have direct carcinogenic effects, the majority of HBV infection-related disease is related to chronic inflammation resulting from disrupted antiviral responses and aberrant innate immune reactions.

Like all cells, healthy and HBV-infected cells communicate with each other, as well as with other cell types, such as innate and adaptive immune cells. They do so by both interacting directly and by secreting factors into their environment.

Such factors may be small molecules, such as metabolites, single viral proteins or host proteins, but can also be more complex, such as virions, protein complexes, and extracellular vesicles. The latter are small, membrane-enclosed vesicles that are exchanged between cells, and have recently gained a lot of attention for their potential to mediate complex communication and their potential for therapeutic repurposing.

Here, we review how HBV infection affects the communication between HBV-infected cells and cells in their environment. We discuss the impact of these interactions on viral persistence in chronic infection, as well as their relation to HBV infection-related pathology.

Many Ways to Communicate—Crosstalk between the HBV-Infected Cell and Its Environment Chronic infection with the hepatitis B virus (HBV) affects an estimated 257 million people worldwide and can lead to liver diseases such as cirrhosis and liver cancer. Viral replication is generally considered not to be cytopathic, and although some HBV proteins may have direct carcinogenic effects,...

Tularemia above the Treeline: Climate and Rodent Abundance Influences Exposure of a Sentinel Species, the Arctic Fox (Vulpes lagopus), to Francisella tularensis

Explore this article here ➡️ https://brnw.ch/21wMW5z

Tularemia is a zoonotic disease found throughout most of the northern hemisphere that may experience range expansion with warming temperatures.

Rodents and lagomorphs are reservoirs for the disease, and outbreaks of tularemia often follow peaks in their abundance. As small mammals dominate the diet of arctic foxes (Vulpes lagopus), we determined whether they may serve as sentinels by identifying antibodies in live-captured and harvested foxes from northern Canada.

Overall seroprevalence was 2% (CI95 1–2%) in 176 foxes harvested in 2018–2019 compared to 17% (CI95 12–22%) of 230 foxes captured live in 2011–2021. Prevalence was at an all-time high in 2018, following a peak in vole abundance in 2017. Antibodies were identified in fox pups born in 2018 and 2019, suggesting that F. tularensis was actively transmitted during the summers.

High precipitation during the summer, increased snow cover and colder temperatures in May, and a higher abundance of voles were all associated with increased seroprevalence in live-captured foxes.

Thus, exposure to F. tularensis is largely mediated through climate and rodent populations in the Canadian Arctic, and arctic foxes are useful sentinels for F. tularensis in northern ecosystems.

Further studies should investigate whether infection impacts arctic fox survival and reproductive success in the circumpolar North.

Tularemia above the Treeline: Climate and Rodent Abundance Influences Exposure of a Sentinel Species, the Arctic Fox (Vulpes lagopus), to Francisella tularensis Tularemia is a zoonotic disease found throughout most of the northern hemisphere that may experience range expansion with warming temperatures. Rodents and lagomorphs are reservoirs for the disease, and outbreaks of tularemia often follow peaks in their abundance. As small mammals dominate the diet....

University of Maine researchers have just published a fascinating new study. Explore their findings and potential impact: https://brnw.ch/21wMT1K

Prophages, viral genomes integrated into bacterial genomes, are known to enhance bacterial colonization, adaptation, and ecological fitness, providing a better chance for pathogenic bacteria to disseminate and cause infection.

Streptococcus agalactiae (Group B Streptococcus or GBS) is a common bacterium found colonizing the genitourinary tract of humans. However, GBS-colonized pregnant women are at risk of passing the organism to the neonate, where it can cause severe infections.

GBS typically encode one or more prophages in their genomes, yet their role in pathogen fitness and virulence has not yet been described. Sequencing and bioinformatic analysis of the genomic content of GBS human isolates identified 42 complete prophages present in their genomes.

Comparative genomic analyses of the prophage sequences revealed that the prophages could be classified into five distinct clusters based on their genomic content, indicating significant diversity in their genetic makeup. Prophage diversity was also identified across GBS capsule serotypes, sequence types (STs), and clonal clusters (CCs).

Comprehensive genomic annotation revealed that all GBS strains encode paratox, a protein that prevents the uptake of DNA in Streptococcus, either on the chromosome, on the prophage, or both, and each prophage genome has at least one toxin-antitoxin system.

Comparative Genomic Analysis of Prophages in Human Vaginal Isolates of Streptococcus agalactiae Prophages, viral genomes integrated into bacterial genomes, are known to enhance bacterial colonization, adaptation, and ecological fitness, providing a better chance for pathogenic bacteria to disseminate and cause infection. Streptococcus agalactiae (Group B Streptococcus or GBS) is a common bacte...

Missed Opportunities for HIV Diagnosis and Their Clinical Repercussions in the Portuguese Population—A Cohort Study

🔗Link: https://brnw.ch/21wMSVr

Late human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) diagnosis has been associated with missed opportunities for earlier diagnosis. We conducted a retrospective, longitudinal, single-centre cohort study evaluating these missed opportunities and their clinical repercussions in adults with a new HIV diagnosis or who were drug-naïve, who attended our Infectious Diseases Department between 2018 and 2023.

We assessed missed opportunities in the two years prior to diagnosis or after the last negative HIV test. We compared clinical and laboratorial data from individuals with and without missed opportunities.

The primary outcome considered was AIDS-defining conditions at diagnosis. Among the 436 included individuals, 27.1% experienced at least one missed opportunity. Those with missed opportunities were more likely to be female (p = 0.007), older at their first consultation (p < 0.001), born in Africa (p < 0.001) and in countries with a high HIV prevalence (p < 0.001), and have heterosexual transmission (p < 0.001).

The adjusted analysis showed that missed opportunities were significantly associated with AIDS-defining conditions at diagnosis (OR 3.23, CI 95% [1.62–6.46], p < 0.001). These findings highlight the impact of missed opportunities on HIV severity, underscoring the need for more targeted interventions to reduce them.

Missed Opportunities for HIV Diagnosis and Their Clinical Repercussions in the Portuguese Population—A Cohort Study Late human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) diagnosis has been associated with missed opportunities for earlier diagnosis. We conducted a retrospective, longitudinal, single-centre cohort study evaluating these missed opportunities and their clinical repercussions in adults with a new HIV diagnosis or w...

The lung microbiota is a complex community of microorganisms that colonize the respiratory tract of individuals from, or even before, birth.

Although the lungs were traditionally believed to be sterile, recent research has shown that there is a diversity of bacterial species in the respiratory system.

Explore this review now ➡️ https://brnw.ch/21wMSln

Knowledge about the lung microbiota in newborns and its relationship with bacterial infections is of vital importance to understand the pathogenesis of respiratory diseases in neonatal patients undergoing mechanical ventilation.

In this article, the current evidence on the composition of the lung microbiota in newborns will be reviewed, as well as the risks that an altered microbiota can impose on premature newborns.

Although advances in neonatal intensive care units have significantly improved the survival rate of preterm infants, the diagnosis and treatment of ventilator-associated pneumonia has not progressed in recent decades.

Avoiding dysbiosis caused by inappropriate use of antibiotics around birth, as well as avoiding intubation of patients or promoting early removal of endotracheal tubes, are among the most important preventive measures for ventilator-associated pneumonia.

The potential benefit of probiotics and prebiotics in preventing infectious, allergic or metabolic complications in the short or long term is not clearly established and constitutes a very important field of research in perinatal medicine.

Lung Microbiota and Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia in the Neonatal Period The lung microbiota is a complex community of microorganisms that colonize the respiratory tract of individuals from, or even before, birth. Although the lungs were traditionally believed to be sterile, recent research has shown that there is a diversity of bacterial species in the respiratory syste...

Differential Gene Expression Pattern of Importin β3 and NS5 in C6/36 Cells Acutely and Persistently Infected with Dengue Virus 2

Explore the results here 👉 https://brnw.ch/21wMPcQ

The establishment of persistent dengue virus infection within the cells of the mosquito vector is an essential requirement for viral transmission to a new human host.

The mechanisms involved in the establishment and maintenance of persistent infection are not well understood, but it has been suggested that both viral and cellular factors might play an important role.

In the present work, we evaluated differential gene expression in Aedes albopictus cells acutely (C6/36-HT) and persistently infected (C6-L) with Dengue virus 2 by cDNA-AFLP.

We observed that importin β3 was upregulated in noninfected cells compared with C6-L cells. Using RT-qPCR and plaque assays, we observed that Dengue virus levels in C6-L cells essentially do not vary over time, and peak viral titers in acutely infected cells are observed at 72 and 120 h postinfection.

The expression level of importin β3 was higher in acutely infected cells than in persistently infected cells; this correlates with higher levels of NS5 in the nucleus of the cell.

The differential pattern of importin β3 expression between acute and persistent infection with Dengue virus 2 could be a mechanism to maintain viral infection over time, reducing the antiviral response of the cell and the viral replicative rate.

Differential Gene Expression Pattern of Importin β3 and NS5 in C6/36 Cells Acutely and Persistently Infected with Dengue Virus 2 The establishment of persistent dengue virus infection within the cells of the mosquito vector is an essential requirement for viral transmission to a new human host. The mechanisms involved in the establishment and maintenance of persistent infection are not well understood, but it has been suggest...

Recent evidence relating to the impact of COVID-19 on people with diabetes is limited but continues to emerge. COVID-19 pneumonia is a newly identified illness spreading rapidly throughout the world and causes many disabilities and fatal deaths.

Read now ➡️ https://brnw.ch/21wMOYr

Over the ensuing 2 years, the indirect effects of the pandemic on healthcare delivery have become prominent, along with the lingering effects of the virus on those directly infected. Diabetes is a commonly identified risk factor that contributes not only to the severity and mortality of COVID-19 patients, but also to the associated complications, including acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and multi-organ failure. Diabetic patients are highly affected due to increased viral entry into the cells and decreased immunity.

Several hypotheses to explain the increased incidence and severity of COVID-19 infection in people with diabetes have been proposed and explained in detail recently. On the other hand, 20–50% of COVID-19 patients reported new-onset hyperglycemia without diabetes and new-onset diabetes, suggesting the two-way interactions between COVID-19 and diabetes.

A systematic review is required to confirm diabetes as a complication in those patients diagnosed with COVID-19. Diabetes and diabetes-related complications in COVID-19 patients are primarily due to the acute illness caused during the SARS-CoV-2 infection followed by the release of glucocorticoids, catecholamines, and pro-inflammatory cytokines, which have been shown to drive hyperglycemia positively.

This review provides brief insights into the potential mechanisms linking COVID-19 and diabetes, and presents clinical management recommendations for better handling of the disease.

COVID-19: Diabetes Perspective—Pathophysiology and Management Recent evidence relating to the impact of COVID-19 on people with diabetes is limited but continues to emerge. COVID-19 pneumonia is a newly identified illness spreading rapidly throughout the world and causes many disabilities and fatal deaths. Over the ensuing 2 years, the indirect effects of the....

Attraction sites are important for environmental pathogen transmission and spillover. Yet, their role in wildlife disease dynamics is often poorly substantiated.

Herein, we study the role of salt licks as potential attraction sites for the spillover of gastrointestinal parasites from domestic sheep to wild reindeer.

🔗Link: https://brnw.ch/21wMOPU

Eggs from the introduced sheep nematode Nematodirus battus were found in faecal samples of both species, suggestive of spillover. DNA metabarcoding of soil, collected at salt licks, revealed that N. battus, in addition to Teladorsagia circumcincta, were the most frequently occurring parasitic nematodes, with a significantly higher prevalence of nematodal DNA in salt lick soil compared to soil from control sites nearby.

The finding of similar DNA haplotypes of N. battus in sheep, reindeer, and salt lick soil supports the hypothesis of spillover to reindeer via salt licks. More detailed investigation of the genetic diversity of N. battus across these hosts is needed to draw firm conclusions. Infection with these sheep nematodes could potentially explain a recently observed decline in the calf recruitment rate of the Knutshø reindeer herd.

This study also supports the hypothesized role of artificial salt licks as hot spots for the transmission of environmentally persistent pathogens and illustrates the importance of knowledge about such attraction points in the study of disease in free-roaming animals.

Parasite Spillover from Domestic Sheep to Wild Reindeer—The Role of Salt Licks Attraction sites are important for environmental pathogen transmission and spillover. Yet, their role in wildlife disease dynamics is often poorly substantiated. Herein, we study the role of salt licks as potential attraction sites for the spillover of gastrointestinal parasites from domestic sheep....

Composting of Wild Boar Carcasses in Lithuania Leads to Inactivation of African Swine Fever Virus in Wintertime

🌐Link to full article: https://brnw.ch/21wMtcN

African swine fever (ASF) continues to spread and persist in the Eurasian wild boar population. The infection pressure resulting from infected carcasses in the environment can be a major contributor to disease persistence and spread. For this reason, it is crucial to find a safe and efficient method of carcass disposal under different circumstances.

In the presented study, we investigated open-air composting of carcasses under winter conditions in northeastern Europe, i.e., Lithuania. We can demonstrate that the ASF virus (ASFV) is inactivated in both entire wild boar carcasses and pieces thereof in a time- and temperature-dependent manner. Composting piles reached up to 59.0 °C, and ASFV was shown to be inactivated. However, the ASFV genome was still present until the end of the 112-day sampling period.

While further studies are needed to explore potential risk factors (and their mitigation), such as destruction of composting piles by scavengers or harsh weather conditions, composting seems to present a valid method to inactivate the ASFV in wild boar carcasses where rendering or other disposal methods are not feasible. In summary, composting provides a new tool in our toolbox of ASF control in wild boar and can be considered for carcass disposal.

Chagas disease is a chronic systemic infection transmitted by Trypanosoma cruzi. Its life cycle consists of different stages in vector insects and host mammals.

🔗Explore this Editor's Choice Review: https://brnw.ch/21wMt9S

Trypanosoma cruzi strains cause different clinical manifestations of Chagas disease alongside geographic differences in morbidity and mortality. Natural killer cells provide the cytokine interferon-gamma in the initial phases of T. cruzi infection.

Phagocytes secrete cytokines that promote inflammation and activation of other cells involved in defence. Dendritic cells, monocytes and macrophages modulate the adaptive immune response, and B lymphocytes activate an effective humoral immune response to T. cruzi.

This review focuses on the main immune mechanisms acting during T. cruzi infection, on the strategies activated by the pathogen against the host cells, on the processes involved in inflammasome and virulence factors and on the new strategies for preventing, controlling and treating this disease.

A Review on the Immunological Response against Trypanosoma cruzi Chagas disease is a chronic systemic infection transmitted by Trypanosoma cruzi. Its life cycle consists of different stages in vector insects and host mammals. Trypanosoma cruzi strains cause different clinical manifestations of Chagas disease alongside geographic differences in morbidity and morta...

mRNA Turnover Protein 4 Is Vital for Fungal Pathogenicity and Response to Oxidative Stress in Sclerotinia sclerotiorum

Explore the results here ➡️ https://brnw.ch/21wMt5m

Ribosome assembly factors have been extensively studied in yeast, and their abnormalities may affect the assembly process of ribosomes and cause severe damage to cells.

However, it is not clear whether mRNA turnover protein 4 (MRT4) functions in the fungal growth and pathogenicity in Sclerotinia sclerotiorum. Here, we identified the nucleus-located gene SsMRT4 using reverse genetics, and found that knockdown of SsMRT4 resulted in re**rd mycelia growth and complete loss of pathogenicity.

Furthermore, mrt4 knockdown mutants showed almost no appressorium formation and oxalic acid production comparing to the wild-type and complementary strains. In addition, the abilities to ROS elimination and resistance to oxidative and osmotic stresses were also seriously compromised in mrt4 mutants.

Overall, our study clarified the role of SsMRT4 in S. sclerotiorum, providing new insights into ribosome assembly in regulating pathogenicity and resistance to environmental stresses of fungi.

mRNA Turnover Protein 4 Is Vital for Fungal Pathogenicity and Response to Oxidative Stress in Sclerotinia sclerotiorum Ribosome assembly factors have been extensively studied in yeast, and their abnormalities may affect the assembly process of ribosomes and cause severe damage to cells. However, it is not clear whether mRNA turnover protein 4 (MRT4) functions in the fungal growth and pathogenicity in Sclerotinia scl...

New review explores how immune responses and genetic factors influence Chagas disease outcomes, offering potential markers for severity and targets for control.

Explore the results 👉 https://brnw.ch/21wM5MR

This study belongs to the Special Issue Neglected and Emergent Diseases (https://brnw.ch/21wM5MS)

Cytokine Networks as Targets for Preventing and Controlling Chagas Heart Disease Chagas disease, a neglected disease caused by the protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi, is endemic in 21 Latin American countries, affecting 6–8 million people. Increasing numbers of Chagas disease cases have also been reported in non-endemic countries due to migration, contamination via blood transfusions...

Many rigorous studies have shown that early childhood infections leave a lasting imprint on the immune system. The understanding of this phenomenon has expanded significantly since 1960, when Dr. Thomas Francis Jr first coined the term “original antigenic sin”, to account for all previous pathogen exposures, rather than only the first.

Explore the results here ➡️ https://brnw.ch/21wM5Lt

Now more commonly referred to as “immune imprinting”, this effect most often focuses on how memory B-cell responses are shaped by prior antigen exposure, and the resultant antibodies produced after subsequent exposure to antigenically similar pathogens.

Although imprinting was originally observed within the context of influenza viral infection, it has since been applied to the pandemic coronavirus SARS-CoV-2. To fully comprehend how imprinting affects the evolution of antibody responses, it is necessary to compare responses elicited by pathogenic strains that are both antigenically similar and dissimilar to strains encountered previously.

To accomplish this, we must be able to measure the antigenic distance between strains, which can be easily accomplished using data from multidimensional immunological assays. The knowledge of imprinting, combined with antigenic distance measures, may allow for improvements in vaccine design and development for both influenza and SARS-CoV-2 viruses.

First Impressions Matter: Immune Imprinting and Antibody Cross-Reactivity in Influenza and SARS-CoV-2 Many rigorous studies have shown that early childhood infections leave a lasting imprint on the immune system. The understanding of this phenomenon has expanded significantly since 1960, when Dr. Thomas Francis Jr first coined the term “original antigenic sin”, to account for all previous pathog...

It's happening now! Join the Parasites in the Pacific 2024 Conference in Auckland, New Zealand. Delve into the latest research and connect with experts in the field. Don't miss out!

Calling all Parasitologists! 🪱

Journal Pathogens is proud to be a sponsor of the Parasites in the Pacific 2024 Conference in Auckland, New Zealand! 🇳🇿

🗓️Dates: August 26-29, 2024

This is your chance to delve into the latest research on parasites and anaerobic protozoology! Join us for a comprehensive program covering:

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New Editor's Choice Research Spotlight 🔬

Explore the full study here: https://brnw.ch/21wM5Ik

Wild carnivore species infected with highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) virus subtype H5N1 during the 2021–2022 outbreak in the Netherlands included red fox (Vulpes vulpes), polecat (Mustela putorius), otter (Lutra lutra), and badger (Meles meles).

Most of the animals were submitted for testing because they showed neurological signs. In this study, the HPAI H5N1 virus was detected by PCR and/or immunohistochemistry in 11 animals and was primarily present in brain tissue, often associated with a (meningo) encephalitis in the cerebrum. In contrast, the virus was rarely detected in the respiratory tract and intestinal tract and associated lesions were minimal.

Full genome sequencing followed by phylogenetic analysis demonstrated that these carnivore viruses were related to viruses detected in wild birds in the Netherlands. The carnivore viruses themselves were not closely related, and the infected carnivores did not cluster geographically, suggesting that they were infected separately.

The mutation PB2-E627K was identified in most carnivore virus genomes, providing evidence for mammalian adaptation. This study showed that brain samples should be included in wild life surveillance programs for the reliable detection of the HPAI H5N1 virus in mammals.

Surveillance of the wild carnivore population and notification to the Veterinary Authority are important from a one-heath perspective, and instrumental to pandemic preparedness.

Stay updated on H5N1 virus research! 🦠🔬 Follow our page for the latest findings and expert insights. Don't miss out on crucial updates.

Zoonotic Mutation of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza H5N1 Virus Identified in the Brain of Multiple Wild Carnivore Species Wild carnivore species infected with highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) virus subtype H5N1 during the 2021–2022 outbreak in the Netherlands included red fox (Vulpes vulpes), polecat (Mustela putorius), otter (Lutra lutra), and badger (Meles meles). Most of the animals were submitted for test...

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We are pleased to announce the appointment of Prof. Dr. Hinh Ly as the new Editor-in-Chief of Pathogens (ISSN: 2076-0817).

Prof. Dr. Hinh Ly is a tenured Professor in the Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences and serves as Director of the Graduate Program in Comparative & Molecular Biosciences and as a coordinator of a flagship graduate course for the NIH T32 Ph.D. and DVM-Ph.D. training program in Comparative Medicine and Pathology in the College of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities.

Curious about the future of Pathogens? We have sat down with Prof. Dr. Hinh Ly for an eye-opening conversation. From his bold vision for our journal to his take on open-access publishing, Dr. Ly shares insights that might just change how you think about research. Read now: https://brnw.ch/21wLI2z

Prof. Dr. Ly’s laboratory focuses on understanding virus–host interactions in the replication and pathogenesis of zoonotic viral pathogens (arenaviruses such as Lassa virus, coronaviruses such as SARS-CoV-2, and influenza viruses) and developing novel preventative and treatment measures against them. The Ly laboratory also develops novel, safe, and effective viral vectors and vaccines against various human and animal pathogens. They have successfully used various animal models, including mice, guinea pigs, chickens, turkeys, swine, etc. to understand important issues of virus–host interactions and to evaluate the protective efficacy of some of the new antivirals and vaccines against communicable diseases.

Prof. Dr. Hinh Ly is taking over the role of Editor-in-Chief from Prof. Dr. Lawrence S. Young, the founding Editor-in-Chief, whose passion for advancing pathogens science and visionary guidance have left an indelible mark on the journal. His exceptional stewardship of and leadership, dedication, and commitment to the Pathogens journal since 2012 are deeply appreciated.