[The Reye syndrome]

The Reye syndrome is a complex disease that remains little-known despite its severity. It can occur in children of all ages, and is often fatal, while surviving children often display neurological damage. The therapy is symptomatic and supportive. The diagnosis of Reye's syndrome is not straightforward, as the symptoms are very diverse. The causes of the disease are moreover still unclear, and, after many years of discussion and research, it can still not be proved irrefutably whether administration of acetylsalicylic acid to children suffering from viral infections is a factor in the development of Reye's syndrome.

Molecular and Serological Evidence for Anaplasma platys and Babesia sp. Infection in a Dog, Imported in Belgium, from Southern Spain

This case report describes a dog suffering from a co-infection with Babesia and Anaplasma parasites. Anaplasma platys was found to be responsible for the anaplasmosis by molecular biology techniques, while microscopical and serological evidence was found for a coexistent babesiosis, although this could not be confirmed by polymerase chain reaction. Moreover, the possible risk of import of exotic pathogens is highlighted.

Evaluation of an indirect fluorescence immunoassay for the detection of serum antibodies against Babesia divergens in humans

Since an indirect fluorescence immunoassay (IFA) for the detection of specific antibodies against Babesia divergens in human sera is not commercially available, an in-house prepared B. divergens IFA for the examination of bovine sera was established for serological studies in humans. To determine whether the described IFA is appropriate for such studies, 2 B. divergens antigens (of human or bovine origin) were tested using serum samples obtained from febrile human patients with a history of 'tick bite'. Sera from other species of animals infected with B. divergens, Babesia EU1, B. microti or B. canis were also included for comparative purposes. All serum samples were also tested using a commercially available IFA for the detection of antibodies against B. microti, and the results compared with those obtained using blood smear and molecular techniques. This study showed that the evaluation and standardization of a B. divergens IFA for testing human sera is critical and that different B. divergens antigens provide different end-point titres of antibodies, leading to false negative or positive results. Serological cross-reactivity between B. divergens and Babesia EU1 needs to be taken into account when interpreting IFA results.

The molecular evidence of Babesia microti infection in small mammals collected in Slovenia

In Europe, the zoonotic cycle of Babesia microti has not been determined so far. Recently, B. microti was detected in Ixodes ricinus ticks in Slovenia by using molecular methods. In order to investigate the mammalian hosts of B. microti in Slovenia we collected 261 small mammals representing 11 species. They were tested for the presence of babesial parasites with a PCR assay based on the nuclear small subunit rRNA gene (nss-rDNA). The bank vole (Clethrionomys glareolus) and yellow-necked mouse (Apodemus flavicollis) were infected with B. microti. The prevalence rate was 15.9% for C. glareolus and 11.8% for A. flavicollis. Nucleotide sequences of amplified portions of B. microti nss-rDNA from C. glareolus and A. flavicollis were indistinguishable from each other and identical with those previously described in I. ricinus ticks collected in Slovenia. The results of this study represent molecular evidence of B. microti in small mammals in Europe.

Diversity of Babesia Infecting European sheep ticks (Ixodes ricinus)

Questing Ixodes ricinus (Acari: Ixodidae) adult and nymphal ticks collected in various parts of Slovenia were tested for the presence of babesial parasites with a PCR assay based on the nuclear small subunit rRNA gene (nss-ribosomal DNA [rDNA]). Thirteen of 135 ticks were found to contain babesial DNA. Sequence determination and analysis of amplified portions of nss-rDNA revealed their identity with Babesia microti and a high degree of homology with Babesia odocoilei and Babesia divergens. The results of this study represent the first genetic evidence of B. microti and B. divergens-like parasites in I. ricinus ticks in Europe.

The Str mouse as a model for incontinentia pigmenti

Striated mouse has been proposed as a model for incontinentia pigmenti (IP) based on the similarities in genetic predisposition and syntenic gene localisation in mouse. IP is considered an ectodermal dysplasia with all four characteristic structures involved: sweat glands, hair, teeth and nails. Recently mutations have been found in the Nsdhl, encoding an NAD(P)H steroid dehydrogenase-like protein in Str and Bpa mice. We analysed the phenotype of the Str mouse to evaluate the involvement of ectodermally derived tissues. Our results demonstrated that in Str mouse in addition to abnormal coat texture, sweat glands were severely dystrophic or missing. Retinal degeneration and skeletal abnormalities were also found. We conclude that Str mouse is a good model to get new insights in the pathogenesis of ectodermal dysplasias and X linked male lethality in humans.