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Xu R, Prakoso D, Salvador LCM, Rajeev S. Leptospira transcriptome sequencing using long-read technology reveals unannotated transcripts and potential polyadenylation of RNA molecules. Microbiol Spectr 2023; 11:e0223423. [PMID: 37861327 PMCID: PMC10715090 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.02234-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2023] [Accepted: 09/11/2023] [Indexed: 10/21/2023] Open
Abstract
IMPORTANCE Leptospirosis, caused by the spirochete bacteria Leptospira, is a zoonotic disease of humans and animals, accounting for over 1 million annual human cases and over 60,000 deaths. We have characterized operon transcriptional units, identified novel RNA coding regions, and reported evidence of potential posttranscriptional polyadenylation in the Leptospira transcriptomes for the first time using Oxford Nanopore Technology RNA sequencing protocols. The newly identified RNA coding regions and operon transcriptional units were detected only in the pathogenic Leptospira transcriptomes, suggesting their significance in virulence-related functions. This article integrates bioinformatics, infectious diseases, microbiology, molecular biology, veterinary sciences, and public health. Given the current knowledge gap in the regulation of leptospiral pathogenicity, our findings offer valuable insights to researchers studying leptospiral pathogenicity and provide both a basis and a tool for researchers focusing on prokaryotic molecular studies for the understanding of RNA compositions and prokaryotic polyadenylation for their organisms of interest.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruijie Xu
- Institute of Bioinformatics, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, USA
- Center for the Ecology of Infectious Diseases, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, USA
| | - Dhani Prakoso
- Department of Biomedical and Diagnostic Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Liliana C. M. Salvador
- Institute of Bioinformatics, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, USA
- Center for the Ecology of Infectious Diseases, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, USA
- Department of Infectious Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, USA
| | - Sreekumari Rajeev
- Department of Biomedical and Diagnostic Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee, USA
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Rajeev S, Li S, Flannigan K, Wang A, McKay DM. A58 ENTERIC TUFT CELLS MODULATE LOCAL BUT NOT SYSTEMIC HOST IMMUNE RESPONSES TO CO-ORDINATE TIMELY EXPULSION OF HYMENOLEPIS DIMINUTA. J Can Assoc Gastroenterol 2023. [PMCID: PMC9991087 DOI: 10.1093/jcag/gwac036.058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The intestinal tuft cell is a versatile epithelial cell implicated in host detection and defence against enteric nematode and trematode parasites by producing interleukin(IL)-25 and cysteinyl leukotrienes. We have shown that immunocompetent mice develop small intestinal tuft cell hyperplasia during infection with the cestode, Hymenolepis diminuta. Whether tuft cells coordinate murine expulsion of H. diminuta and if this response is similar to other well-established parasitic models is unknown. Purpose To test 1) if tuft cells coordinate host detection and immune responses to H. diminuta; and, 2) if the lack of functional B, T cells and innate lymphoid cells (ILC2s) affect tuft cell hyperplasia and expulsion of the parasite. Method Male and female pou2f3-/-/-/+ littermates, rag-1-/- and C57BL6 mice were infected with 5 cysticercoids of H. diminuta. ILC2s were depleted in rag-1-/- with anti-CD90.2 (250μg/mouse, intraperitoneal). At necropsy, small intestines were flushed with cold PBS to count worms. IgG1, IgG2α and mast cell protease-1 (MCPT-1) was measured in serum and supernatants from splenic cells stimulated with ConA (48h) were assessed by ELISA for IL-4, -5, -10 and -13. Doublecortin-like kinase -1 (DCLK-1)+ tuft cells, goblet cells and eosinophils were identified in sections of paraffin embedded or cryopreserved mid-jejunum sections. mRNA of small intestinal epithelium enriched fractions isolated from mice at control and 11 days post-infection (dpi) was evaluated by qPCR. Result(s) Unlike pou2f3+/- and C57Bl6 mice that expel H. diminuta by 8-11 dpi., pou2f3-/- mice harbour H. diminuta at 11 dpi. Pou2f3-/- mice show similar splenic IL-4, -5, -10, -13, and serum IgG1, IgG2a and MCPT-1 levels at 8 dpi. and higher splenic IL-4, -10 at 11 dpi. compared to pou2f3+/- mice. In contrast, pou2f3+/- mice show higher jejunal goblet cell hyperplasia at 8 dpi., higher levels of small intestinal epithelium expression of dclk-1, alox5 and il-25 and jejunal eosinophilia at 11 dpi. compared to pou2f3-/- mice. At 11 dpi, ILCdepletedrag-1-/- develop tuft cell hyperplasia to the same extent as infected PBS/isotype controls and show no trace of intestinal worms in the lumen. Conclusion(s) Enteric tuft cells coordinate rapid expulsion of H. diminuta from mice, but are not essential for the host to detect and develop Th2 systemic responses in response to the worm. However, in the absence of tuft cells, deficiencies are observed in gut-specific effector immune events commonly associated with timely expulsion of enteric helminths; illustrating a disparity between local and systemic immunity following infection with this tapeworm parasite in a non permissive host. The lack of a functional adaptive immune system and surprisingly, depletion of ILC2s, does not completely abrogate worm expulsion or tuft cell hyperplasia in rag-1-/- at 11 dpi. with H. diminuta. This suggests that an innate immune cell population other than CD90.2+ ILC2s amplifies Th2 immunity to H. diminuta-infection. Please acknowledge all funding agencies by checking the applicable boxes below Other Please indicate your source of funding; NSERC, , Eyes High doctoral scholarship, Alberta Graduate excellence scholarship Disclosure of Interest None Declared
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Affiliation(s)
- S Rajeev
- Gastrointestinal Research Group and Inflammation Research Network, Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Snyder Institute for Chronic Diseases, Cumming School of Medicine,Host-Parasite Interactions Program, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada
| | - S Li
- Gastrointestinal Research Group and Inflammation Research Network, Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Snyder Institute for Chronic Diseases, Cumming School of Medicine,Host-Parasite Interactions Program, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada
| | - K Flannigan
- Gastrointestinal Research Group and Inflammation Research Network, Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Snyder Institute for Chronic Diseases, Cumming School of Medicine
| | - A Wang
- Gastrointestinal Research Group and Inflammation Research Network, Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Snyder Institute for Chronic Diseases, Cumming School of Medicine,Host-Parasite Interactions Program, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada
| | - D M McKay
- Gastrointestinal Research Group and Inflammation Research Network, Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Snyder Institute for Chronic Diseases, Cumming School of Medicine,Host-Parasite Interactions Program, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada
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Billings C, Rifkin R, Abouelkhair M, Jones RD, Bow A, Kolape J, Rajeev S, Kania S, Anderson DE. Corrigendum: In vitro and In vivo assessment of caprine origin Staphylococcus aureus ST398 strain UTCVM1 as an osteomyelitis pathogen. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2023; 12:1112995. [PMID: 36729015 PMCID: PMC9885254 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2022.1112995] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2022] [Accepted: 12/01/2022] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2022.1015655.].
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline Billings
- Large Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, United States,*Correspondence: Caroline Billings,
| | - Rebecca Rifkin
- Large Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, United States
| | - Mohamed Abouelkhair
- Biomedical and Diagnostic Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, United States
| | - Rebekah Duckett Jones
- Biomedical and Diagnostic Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, United States
| | - Austin Bow
- Large Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, United States
| | - Jaydeep Kolape
- Advanced Microscopy and Imaging Center, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, United States
| | - Sreekumari Rajeev
- Biomedical and Diagnostic Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, United States
| | - Stephen Kania
- Biomedical and Diagnostic Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, United States
| | - David E. Anderson
- Large Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, United States
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Xu R, Rajeev S, Salvador LCM. The selection of software and database for metagenomics sequence analysis impacts the outcome of microbial profiling and pathogen detection. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0284031. [PMID: 37027361 PMCID: PMC10081788 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0284031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2022] [Accepted: 03/22/2023] [Indexed: 04/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Shotgun metagenomic sequencing analysis is widely used for microbial profiling of biological specimens and pathogen detection. However, very little is known about the technical biases caused by the choice of analysis software and databases on the biological specimen. In this study, we evaluated different direct read shotgun metagenomics taxonomic profiling software to characterize the microbial compositions of simulated mice gut microbiome samples and of biological samples collected from wild rodents across multiple taxonomic levels. Using ten of the most widely used metagenomics software and four different databases, we demonstrated that obtaining an accurate species-level microbial profile using the current direct read metagenomics profiling software is still a challenging task. We also showed that the discrepancies in results when different databases and software were used could lead to significant variations in the distinct microbial taxa classified, in the characterizations of the microbial communities, and in the differentially abundant taxa identified. Differences in database contents and read profiling algorithms are the main contributors for these discrepancies. The inclusion of host genomes and of genomes of the interested taxa in the databases is important for increasing the accuracy of profiling. Our analysis also showed that software included in this study differed in their ability to detect the presence of Leptospira, a major zoonotic pathogen of one health importance, especially at the species level resolution. We concluded that using different databases and software combinations can result in confounding biological conclusions in microbial profiling. Our study warrants that software and database selection must be based on the purpose of the study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruijie Xu
- Institute of Bioinformatics, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, United States of America
- Center for the Ecology of Infectious Diseases, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Sreekumari Rajeev
- Department of Biomedical and Diagnostic Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee, United States of America
| | - Liliana C M Salvador
- Institute of Bioinformatics, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, United States of America
- Center for the Ecology of Infectious Diseases, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, United States of America
- Department of Infectious Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, United States of America
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Billings C, Rifkin R, Abouelkhair M, Jones RD, Bow A, Kolape J, Rajeev S, Kania S, Anderson DE. In vitro and in vivo assessment of caprine origin Staphylococcus aureus ST398 strain UTCVM1 as an osteomyelitis pathogen. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2022; 12:1015655. [PMID: 36726643 PMCID: PMC9885270 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2022.1015655] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2022] [Accepted: 10/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Staphylococcus aureus (SA) is a significant and well-recognized causative organism of bacterial osteomyelitis. Osteomyelitis is an inflammatory bone disease characterized by progressive bone destruction and loss. This disease causes significant morbidity and mortality to the patient and poses therapeutic challenges for clinicians. To improve the efficacy of therapeutic strategies to combat bacterial osteomyelitis, there is a need to define the molecular epidemiology of bacterial organisms more clearly and further the understanding of the pathogenesis of SA osteomyelitis. We conducted in vitro characterization of the pathogenic capabilities of an isolate of SA ST398 derived from a clinical case of osteomyelitis in a goat. We also report a rodent mandibular defect model to determine the ability of ST398 to cause reproducible osteomyelitis. Our results indicate that ST398 can invade and distort pre-osteoblastic cells in culture, induce significant inflammation and alter expression of osteoregulatory cytokines. We also demonstrate the ability of ST398 to induce osteomyelitis in a rat mandibular model. When compiled, these data support ST398 as a competent osteomyelitis pathogen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline Billings
- Large Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, United States,*Correspondence: Caroline Billings,
| | - Rebecca Rifkin
- Large Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, United States
| | - Mohamed Abouelkhair
- Biomedical and Diagnostic Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, United States
| | - Rebekah Duckett Jones
- Biomedical and Diagnostic Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, United States
| | - Austin Bow
- Large Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, United States
| | - Jaydeep Kolape
- Advanced Microscopy and Imaging Center, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, United States
| | - Sreekumari Rajeev
- Biomedical and Diagnostic Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, United States
| | - Stephen Kania
- Biomedical and Diagnostic Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, United States
| | - David E. Anderson
- Large Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, United States
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Gorman M, Xu R, Prakoso D, Salvador LCM, Rajeev S. Leptospira enrichment culture followed by ONT metagenomic sequencing allows better detection of Leptospira presence and diversity in water and soil samples. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2022; 16:e0010589. [DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0010589] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2022] [Revised: 11/07/2022] [Accepted: 10/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Background
Leptospirosis, a life-threatening disease in humans and animals, is one of the most widespread global zoonosis. Contaminated soil and water are the major transmission sources in humans and animals. Clusters of disease outbreaks are common during rainy seasons.
Methodology/Principal findings
In this study, to detect the presence of Leptospira, we applied PCR, direct metagenomic sequencing, and enrichment culture followed by PCR and metagenomic sequencing on water and soil samples. Direct sequencing and enrichment cultures followed by PCR or sequencing effectively detected pathogenic and nonpathogenic Leptospira compared to direct PCR and 16S amplification-based metagenomic sequencing in soil or water samples. Among multiple culture media evaluated, Ellinghausen-McCullough-Johnson-Harris (EMJH) media containing antimicrobial agents was superior in recovering and detecting Leptospira from the environmental samples. Our results show that enrichment culture followed by PCR can be used to confirm the presence of pathogenic Leptospira in environmental samples. Additionally, metagenomic sequencing on enrichment cultures effectively detects the abundance and diversity of Leptospira spp. from environmental samples.
Conclusions/Significance
The selection of methodology is critical when testing environmental samples for the presence of Leptospira. Selective enrichment culture improves Leptospira detection efficacy by PCR or metagenomic sequencing and can be used successfully to understand the presence and diversity of pathogenic Leptospira during environmental surveillance.
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Rajeev S, Leon-Coria A, Wang A, Finney C, Mckay DM. A232 TUFT CELLS COORDINATE RAPID EXPULSION OF THE TAPEWORM H. DIMINUTA BUT ARE NOT REQUIRED FOR ENHANCED IMMUNITY AGAINST THE NEMATODE, H. POLYGYRUS, IN MICE PREVIOUSLY INFECTED WITH H. DIMINUTA. J Can Assoc Gastroenterol 2022. [PMCID: PMC8859380 DOI: 10.1093/jcag/gwab049.231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The tuft cell is an important sentinel that monitors the gut lumen and coordinates immunity against parasitic nematodes. We showed small intestinal tuft cell hyperplasia 11 days post-infection (dpi.) with the tapeworm Hymenolepis diminuta: a time when the parasite is no longer present in murine hosts. This may be a way by which the host protects itself from subsequent helminth-infections, a common phenomenon in parasite-endemic world regions. We test this supposition using Pou2f3-/- mice that lack tuft cells. Aims To test the hypothesis that tuft cells are important in the anti-worm response in H. diminuta ( H.d.)-infected mice subsequently infected with the nematode parasite Heligosomoides polygyrus ( H.p.). Methods Male C57BL6 and Pou2f3-/- mice (8–12 weeks) were infected with 5 H.d. cysticercoids ± 200 H.p. larvae at 10 dpi with H. diminuta (non H.p. mice - control). Upon necropsy at 24 dpi H. diminuta (i.e. 14 dpi H.p. in co-infected mice), both worms were ennumerated in small intestinal washings, H.p. granulomas examined and fecal egg counts performed. Small intestinal segments were stained for tuft (DCLK1+) and goblet cells (PAS+). As a surrogate of successful infection, IL-4 and IL-10 were measured in supernatants from concanavalin-A treated splenocytes. Results Wild-type (WT) mice expel H. diminuta by 11 dpi and this was delayed in Pou2f3-/-mice, with worms readily detectable at 14 dpi and absent by 21 dpi. Despite the delayed expulsion, both WT and Pou2f3-/- mice showed increased splenic production of IL-4 and IL-10; however, unlike WT mice, H. diminuta-infected Pou2f3-/- mice show no increase in jejunal goblet cell numbers. Mice infected with H. diminuta displayed a degree of increased resistance to H.p.-infection defined by reduced worm and egg burdens, and increased granuloma formation in comparison to H.p.-only infected animals. In this sequential co-infection model, there were no significant differences between WT and Pou2f3-/- mice in the response to H.p. Conclusions The absence of tuft cells slows expulsion of H. diminuta from its non-permissive mouse host and correlates with diminished goblet cell hyperplasia. Hypothesizing that H. diminuta-evoked tuft cell hyperplasia would enhance the immune response to a subsequent infection with an unrelated nematode parasite proved incorrect. While H. diminuta-infected mice were partially protected from H.p., response was similar in WT and Pou2f3-/- mice. Thus tuft cells are important in worm detection: yet, our co-infection data suggests that other events initiated by the primary worm infection impact the outcome of subsequent infection with a different helminth and tuft cells have a limited, if any, role to play in this helminth-host-helminth interaction. Funding Agencies CIHRNSERC, Eye’s High International doctoral scholarship
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Affiliation(s)
- S Rajeev
- University of Calgary Cumming School of Medicine, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - A Leon-Coria
- University of Calgary Department of Biological Sciences, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - A Wang
- University of Calgary Cumming School of Medicine, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - C Finney
- University of Calgary Department of Biological Sciences, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - D M Mckay
- University of Calgary Cumming School of Medicine, Calgary, AB, Canada
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Li S, Rajeev S, Wang A, Mckay DM. A181 INFECTION WITH THE RAT TAPEWORM HYMENOLEPIS DIMINUTA REVEALS AN INTERLEUKIN-4 INDEPENDENT TUFT CELL ASSOCIATED WITH PEYER’S PATCHES. J Can Assoc Gastroenterol 2022. [PMCID: PMC8859400 DOI: 10.1093/jcag/gwab049.180] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Infection with the rat tapeworm Hymenolepis diminuta elicits a T helper 2 (Th2) imunity and suppresses dinitrobenzene sulphonic-acid-induced colitis in mice. However, the signaling cascade in an immunocompetent host that recognizes and mobilizies early immune events to expel the worm is poorly understood. To fully understand how helminth-infection can ameliorate concomitant disease, it is important to elucidate key cells/mediators in the detection of the worm and early events in the local anti-worm response. Here, we assess the chemosensory epithelial tuft cell and Peyer’s patches (PP) as the primary inductive sites of mucosal immunity in H. diminuta-infected mice. Aims To assess the role of tuft cells in PP development and worm expulsion following infection of H. diminuta. Methods BALB/c, BALB/c Il-4receptor-a-/-, C57Bl/6 and C57Bl/6 pou2f3-/- (transcription factor critial for tuft cell development) mice were infected with 5 cysticercoids of H. diminuta and necropsied 5-, 8- and 11-days post-infection (dpi); time-matched non-infected mice served as controls. PP number and size were counted and measured. Enteric tuft cells were assessed by immunostaining for the canonical marker double cortin like kinase (dclk)-1, and enumerated in PP-associated epithelium and villous epithelium distant from PP. Results Dclkl+ tuft cells were sparse throughout villus epithelium of control mice, but were notably aggregrated over PPs. Infection with H. diminuta resulted in more detectable PPs by visual inspection, but did not result in a statistically significant increase in either size or number of PP. Infected mice showed increased numbers of dclk1+ tuft cells in villus epithelium and PP-associated epithelium (n=3–6). Tuft cells were absent in pou2f3-/- mice, that showed normal size and number of PPs ± infection with H. diminuta. Unexpectedly, analysis of small intestine from il4ra-/- mice revealed dclk1+ tuft cells in association with PPs; perhaps a unique sub-type of this sentinel cell. Conclusions Analysis of tuft cells after infection with H. diminuta revealed that these cells aggregate around PPs under homeostatic conditions, and future studies will explore if this distrirbution is important for ‘M’ cell development and/or PP immune reactivity. Intrigingly, an il-4ra-independent tuft cell subtype was observed that awaits fuller characterization. Understanding the tuft cell may reveal novel aspects of development of mucosal immunity relevant to combating helminth-infection and perhaps autoinflammatory enteric disease. Funding Agencies NSERC
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Affiliation(s)
- S Li
- department of Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - S Rajeev
- department of Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - A Wang
- department of Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - D M Mckay
- department of Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
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Prakoso D, Zhu X, Rajeev S. Galleria mellonella infection model to evaluate pathogenic and nonpathogenic Leptospira strains. Vet Microbiol 2022; 264:109295. [PMID: 34875420 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetmic.2021.109295] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2021] [Revised: 11/22/2021] [Accepted: 11/23/2021] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
The Galleria mellonella larvae infection model is emerging as a valuable tool for studying various characteristics of infectious agents and host-pathogen interaction. This system has been widely recognized as a high throughput, ethical, and cost-effective invertebrate infection model to study the virulence and pathogenesis of various bacterial pathogens. In this study, we compared the effect of Leptospira infection in G. mellonella larvae infected with Leptospira interrogans serovar Copenhageni (pathogenic) or Leptospira biflexa serovar Patoc (saprophytic) strains. We observed significant pathologic changes such as decreased activity, complete melanization, and lower survival rate in the G. mellonella larvae infected with a pathogenic strain L. interrogans serovar Copenhageni compared to those infected with a nonpathogenic strain L. biflexa serovar Patoc. Our study demonstrates the feasibility and the potential of using G. mellonella larvae as an alternative model to study virulence mechanisms and pathogenesis of Leptospira strains. Once optimized, the G. mellonella infection model can be a potential substitute for hamsters to explore various host and pathogen-related mechanistic events in Leptospira infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dhani Prakoso
- Department of Biomedical and Diagnostic Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tennessee, 2407 River Drive, 37996, Knoxville, TN, United States
| | - Xiaojuan Zhu
- Office of Information Technology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, United States
| | - Sreekumari Rajeev
- Department of Biomedical and Diagnostic Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tennessee, 2407 River Drive, 37996, Knoxville, TN, United States.
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Virwani A, Rajeev S, Carmichael-Branford G, Freeman MA, Dennis MM. Gross and microscopic pathology of West Indian sea eggs (Tripneustes ventricosus). J Invertebr Pathol 2020; 179:107526. [PMID: 33385401 DOI: 10.1016/j.jip.2020.107526] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2020] [Revised: 12/22/2020] [Accepted: 12/23/2020] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
In this study, we performed comprehensive pathology examinations on 83 Tripneustes ventricosus from 11 locations on St. Kitts to build baseline data necessary for disease diagnosis in this species. Gross abnormalities were observed in 23/83 (28%) urchins and included spine loss, visceral hyperpigmentation, test discoloration, and test ulceration. Ciliates were the only protists identified in this study via examination of tissue wet mounts and histology, documented in 50/83 (60%) urchins. Microscopic observations associated with visibly abnormal status included muscle necrosis, test and appendage inflammation, appendage (tube feet, spines, and pedicellariae) degeneration, severe coelomocytosis, and generalized hypermelanosis. Enterocyte intranuclear inclusion bodies, microbial aggregates, nerve pigmentation, enteric pigmentation, integument-associated crustaceans, and encysted metazoan parasites were of uncertain pathological significance. The etiology for any lesion was not microscopically apparent, contrasting literature implicating common marine bacteria in urchin diseases. This study highlights the importance of histopathology in urchin disease investigations and facilitates the recognition of disease in T. ventricosus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aakansha Virwani
- Center for Conservation Medicine and Ecosystem Health, Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, Saint Kitts and Nevis.
| | - Sreekumari Rajeev
- Center for Conservation Medicine and Ecosystem Health, Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, Saint Kitts and Nevis; Department of Biomedical and Diagnostic Sciences, University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine, Knoxville, TN 37996, USA.
| | - Gillian Carmichael-Branford
- Center for Conservation Medicine and Ecosystem Health, Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, Saint Kitts and Nevis.
| | - Mark A Freeman
- Center for Conservation Medicine and Ecosystem Health, Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, Saint Kitts and Nevis.
| | - Michelle M Dennis
- Center for Conservation Medicine and Ecosystem Health, Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, Saint Kitts and Nevis; Department of Biomedical and Diagnostic Sciences, University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine, Knoxville, TN 37996, USA.
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Rajeev S, Toka FN, Shiokawa K. Potential use of a canine whole blood culture system to evaluate the immune response to Leptospira. Comp Immunol Microbiol Infect Dis 2020; 73:101546. [PMID: 32916553 DOI: 10.1016/j.cimid.2020.101546] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2020] [Revised: 08/11/2020] [Accepted: 08/28/2020] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
In susceptible hosts, protection from Leptospira infection is mediated by the innate immune response at the point of entry and humoral immunity. Thus, identifying and segregating the initial host response at the representative host-pathogen interface is needed to understand the typical outcomes of Leptospira infection, clearance, persistence, or disease. An in vitro whole blood culture system to study the overall immune response using pathogenic and non-pathogenic Leptospira strains was explored in this study. Using an ELISA, increased IL-8, TNF alpha, and IL-1 in blood samples stimulated with pathogenic and nonpathogenic Leptospira compared to unstimulated controls were detected. In RT2 Profiler PCR Array assays, consistent upregulation of 22 genes and downregulation of 25 genes were observed. Few of the notable upregulated genes included BPI, CCL3, CXCL2, IL-6, IL-8, TLR1, TLR2, TLR6, and TNF and downregulated genes included, LBP, LYZ, MPO, MYD88. IFNβ was upregulated in samples treated with pathogenic Leptospira and IL-1β was upregulated in samples treated with nonpathogenic Leptospira. Toll- like Receptor signaling and expression of pattern recognition receptors were two of the five prominent canonical pathways observed. Individual deconvolution of each of the specific and significant pathways observed in this study may improve the understanding of the pathogenesis of this important zoonotic agent. The use of this system in conjunction with whole transcriptome analysis in a larger population, may unveil the robust nature of host/Leptospira interaction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sreekumari Rajeev
- Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, PO Box 334, Basseterre, Saint Kitts, West Indies, Cote d'Ivoire.
| | - Felix N Toka
- Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, PO Box 334, Basseterre, Saint Kitts, West Indies, Cote d'Ivoire
| | - Kanae Shiokawa
- Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, PO Box 334, Basseterre, Saint Kitts, West Indies, Cote d'Ivoire
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Llanes A, Restrepo CM, Caballero Z, Rajeev S, Kennedy MA, Lleonart R. Betacoronavirus Genomes: How Genomic Information has been Used to Deal with Past Outbreaks and the COVID-19 Pandemic. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:E4546. [PMID: 32604724 PMCID: PMC7352669 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21124546] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2020] [Revised: 06/22/2020] [Accepted: 06/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
In the 21st century, three highly pathogenic betacoronaviruses have emerged, with an alarming rate of human morbidity and case fatality. Genomic information has been widely used to understand the pathogenesis, animal origin and mode of transmission of coronaviruses in the aftermath of the 2002-2003 severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and 2012 Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) outbreaks. Furthermore, genome sequencing and bioinformatic analysis have had an unprecedented relevance in the battle against the 2019-2020 coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, the newest and most devastating outbreak caused by a coronavirus in the history of mankind. Here, we review how genomic information has been used to tackle outbreaks caused by emerging, highly pathogenic, betacoronavirus strains, emphasizing on SARS-CoV, MERS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2. We focus on shared genomic features of the betacoronaviruses and the application of genomic information to phylogenetic analysis, molecular epidemiology and the design of diagnostic systems, potential drugs and vaccine candidates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alejandro Llanes
- Centro de Biología Celular y Molecular de Enfermedades, Instituto de Investigaciones Científicas y Servicios de Alta Tecnología (INDICASAT AIP), Panama City 0801, Panama; (A.L.); (C.M.R.); (Z.C.)
| | - Carlos M. Restrepo
- Centro de Biología Celular y Molecular de Enfermedades, Instituto de Investigaciones Científicas y Servicios de Alta Tecnología (INDICASAT AIP), Panama City 0801, Panama; (A.L.); (C.M.R.); (Z.C.)
| | - Zuleima Caballero
- Centro de Biología Celular y Molecular de Enfermedades, Instituto de Investigaciones Científicas y Servicios de Alta Tecnología (INDICASAT AIP), Panama City 0801, Panama; (A.L.); (C.M.R.); (Z.C.)
| | - Sreekumari Rajeev
- College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA;
| | - Melissa A. Kennedy
- College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN 37996, USA;
| | - Ricardo Lleonart
- Centro de Biología Celular y Molecular de Enfermedades, Instituto de Investigaciones Científicas y Servicios de Alta Tecnología (INDICASAT AIP), Panama City 0801, Panama; (A.L.); (C.M.R.); (Z.C.)
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GULATI P, Munawer Dijoo A, Tanmay P, Kritie C, Aman G, Rajeev S. SAT-339 Low Dose Induction Immunotherapy with Anti Human T-lymphocyte Immunoglobulin (Grafalon) in High Risk Renal transplantation – A Real-world, Single Centre Experience from India. Kidney Int Rep 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ekir.2020.02.359] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
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Rajeev S, Defaye M, Shute AJ, Wang A, Wang SJ, Altier C, McKay DM. A47 ENTERIC TUFT CELL HYPERPLASIA FOLLOWING INFECTION WITH THE TAPEWORM HYMENOLEPIS DIMINUTA IS AFFECTED BY NEURONAL BUT NOT BACTERIAL FACTORS. J Can Assoc Gastroenterol 2020. [DOI: 10.1093/jcag/gwz047.046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Background
Tuft cells are a rare chemosensory population of the intestinal epithelium that detect intestinal parasitic nematodes and release IL-25 to mobilize innate lymphoid type 2 cells (ILC2), which then drive a Th2- dominant nematode expulsion response. Immunocompetent mice develop tuft cell hyperplasia in the small intestine during infection with Hymenolepis diminuta, a non-abrasive lumen dwelling small intestinal cestode parasite. Helminth infections are accompanied by alterations in sensory motor functions of the gut as well as the composition of the microbiota. It is poorly understood if tuft cell hyperplasia is regulated by these immunomodulatory influences.
Aims
To test if mice lacking (1) a functional adaptive immune system, (2) TRPV1+ gut-innervating sensory nerves and (3) a microbiome, display enteric tuft cell hyperplasia following infection with H. diminuta.
Methods
RAG-1-/- (male and female) and germ-free mice (n=3–6) were infected with 5 cysticercoids of H. diminuta and age matched non-infected mice served as control groups. Male C57BL/6j mice were treated with resiniferatoxin (RTX) to ablate TRPV1 +sensory neurons before infection. Mid-jejunum cryostat or paraffin embedded sections immunostained against doublecortin-like kinase -1 (DCLK-1) were blindly scored for tuft cell enumeration at 5–14 days post-infection.
Results
Tuft cell hyperplasia (~10-15-fold increase) was observed in the jejunum of wild-type mice at 11 days post infection with H. diminuta, by which time worms are expelled. Infected RAG-1-/- mice develop tuft cell hyperplasia of lesser magnitude than wild-type mice. Germ-free mice displayed tuft cell hyperplasia and kinetics of worm expulsion that were not different from wild-type mice. RTX-treated mice with confirmed loss of TRPV1+ nerve fibers in the gut and their cell soma in the dorsal root and nodose ganglia, had a greater increase (~2-fold) in tuft cell numbers compared to H. diminuta-only mice at 11 days post-infection.
Conclusions
Knowledge of how the host senses helminths in the gut lumen is central to the host-parasite interaction. Using the H. diminuta-mouse model system we find that tuft cell hyperplasia is largely, but not entirely dependent on adaptive immunity, occurs independent of the gut microbiota, and, intriguingly, TRPV1+ sensory nerves appear to act as a brake on the system, limiting the magnitude of the hyperplasia.
Funding Agencies
CIHRNSERC, Henry Koopman’s Memorial scholarship
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Affiliation(s)
- S Rajeev
- Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - M Defaye
- Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - A J Shute
- Phisiology and Pharmacology, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - A Wang
- Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - S J Wang
- Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - C Altier
- Physiology & Pharmacology, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - D M McKay
- Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
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Rajeev S, Shiokawa K, Llanes A, Rajeev M, Restrepo CM, Chin R, Cedeño E, Ellis E. Detection and Characterization of Leptospira Infection and Exposure in Rats on the Caribbean Island of Saint Kitts. Animals (Basel) 2020; 10:E350. [PMID: 32098357 PMCID: PMC7071179 DOI: 10.3390/ani10020350] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2020] [Revised: 02/15/2020] [Accepted: 02/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
In this study, we detected and characterized Leptospira infection and exposure in rats on the Caribbean island of Saint Kitts for the first time. We detected Leptospira infection in 17/29 (59%), 14/29 (48)%, and 11/29 (38)% of rats by RT-PCR, culture, and immunofluorescence assay, respectively. Whole genome sequencing (WGS) and analysis and serogrouping of 17 Leptospira strains isolated from rats revealed their close relationship with L. interrogans serogroup Icterohaemorrhagiae (n = 10) and L. borgpetersenii serogroup Ballum (n = 7). WGS, serogrouping, and additional PCR tests on rat kidneys confirmed mixed infections with L. interrogans and L. borgpetersenii in the kidneys of three rats. Microscopic agglutination test (MAT) was positive for 25/29 (87%) of the rats tested, and the response was restricted to serovars Icterohaemorrhagiae {24/29(83%)}, Mankarso {4/29(14%)}, Copenhageni {4/29(14%)}, Grippotyphosa {2/29(7%)}, and Wolffi {1/29(3%)}. Interestingly, there was no agglutinating antibody response to serovar Ballum. We observed a similar pattern in the serologic response using Leptospira isolates obtained from this study with each of the rat sera, with strong response to L. interrogans isolates but minimal reactivity to L. borgpetersenii isolates. Our findings suggest the use of multiple complementary diagnostic tests for Leptospira surveillance and diagnosis to improve the accuracy of the data.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sreekumari Rajeev
- Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, Saint Kitts, KN 0101, West Indies;
| | - Kanae Shiokawa
- Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, Saint Kitts, KN 0101, West Indies;
| | - Alejandro Llanes
- Instituto de Investigaciones Científicas y Servicios de Alta Tecnología (INDICASAT AIP), Panama City 0801, Panama; (A.L.); (C.M.R.); (R.C.); (E.C.); (E.E.)
| | - Malavika Rajeev
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA;
| | - Carlos Mario Restrepo
- Instituto de Investigaciones Científicas y Servicios de Alta Tecnología (INDICASAT AIP), Panama City 0801, Panama; (A.L.); (C.M.R.); (R.C.); (E.C.); (E.E.)
| | - Raymond Chin
- Instituto de Investigaciones Científicas y Servicios de Alta Tecnología (INDICASAT AIP), Panama City 0801, Panama; (A.L.); (C.M.R.); (R.C.); (E.C.); (E.E.)
| | - Eymi Cedeño
- Instituto de Investigaciones Científicas y Servicios de Alta Tecnología (INDICASAT AIP), Panama City 0801, Panama; (A.L.); (C.M.R.); (R.C.); (E.C.); (E.E.)
| | - Esteban Ellis
- Instituto de Investigaciones Científicas y Servicios de Alta Tecnología (INDICASAT AIP), Panama City 0801, Panama; (A.L.); (C.M.R.); (R.C.); (E.C.); (E.E.)
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Hill K, Stewart KM, Rajeev S, Conan A, Dennis MM. PATHOLOGY OF LEATHERBACK SEA TURTLE ( DERMOCHELYS CORIACEA) EMBRYOS AND HATCHLINGS FROM NESTS IN ST. KITTS, WEST INDIES (2015-16). J Wildl Dis 2019; 55:782-793. [PMID: 31166849] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Sustained hatchling production is a priority for leatherback sea turtle (Dermochelys coriacea) conservation. Yet the species is challenged by notoriously low hatch success, much lower than other species of sea turtles, and the result of a high rate of embryo mortality for which the causes are not understood. The aim of our study was to describe the pathology of embryos and dead-in-nest hatchlings, to help understand the basis for low hatch success in St. Kitts, West Indies. We surveyed two leatherback nesting beaches, Keys and North Friars, in 2015-16. Pathology was present in 38% (32 of 84) of individuals, including renal mineralization (24%, 20 of 83), bacterial pneumonia (12%, 10 of 82), and skeletal muscle necrosis (7%, 6 of 84). Renal mineralization was seen in all stages of development that we examined and was associated with cardiac mineralization in two cases. Bacterial pneumonia affected dead-in-nest hatchlings and late-stage embryos and involved 40% (6 of 15) of nests evaluated, all laid by different mothers. Hematopoiesis was consistently observed in the liver, lung, kidneys, and heart. Gonad was histologically classified as female in 100% (68 of 68) of individuals examined. Rathke's gland was identified in the axillary musculature of 51 individuals, which has not previously been described in leatherbacks. Bacterial pneumonia and renal mineralization were presumed to be significant causes of death in leatherback embryos and hatchlings in St. Kitts. Overrepresentation of females in our study suggested high incubation temperatures in the nests.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristine Hill
- Center for Conservation Medicine and Ecosystem Health, Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, Camps, St. Kitts, West Indies
- St. Kitts Sea Turtle Monitoring Network, PO Box 2298, Basseterre, St. Kitts, West Indies
| | - Kimberly M Stewart
- Center for Conservation Medicine and Ecosystem Health, Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, Camps, St. Kitts, West Indies
- St. Kitts Sea Turtle Monitoring Network, PO Box 2298, Basseterre, St. Kitts, West Indies
| | - Sreekumari Rajeev
- Center for Conservation Medicine and Ecosystem Health, Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, Camps, St. Kitts, West Indies
| | - Anne Conan
- Center for Conservation Medicine and Ecosystem Health, Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, Camps, St. Kitts, West Indies
| | - Michelle M Dennis
- Center for Conservation Medicine and Ecosystem Health, Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, Camps, St. Kitts, West Indies
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Bolfa P, Wang P, Nair R, Rajeev S, Armien AG, Henthorn PS, Wood T, Thrall MA, Giger U. Hereditary β-mannosidosis in a dog: Clinicopathological and molecular genetic characterization. Mol Genet Metab 2019; 128:137-143. [PMID: 31439511 PMCID: PMC6864274 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymgme.2019.08.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2019] [Revised: 08/05/2019] [Accepted: 08/09/2019] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Hereditary β-mannosidosis causing progressive lysosomal neuropathy and other clinical signs, has been previously described in humans, Nubian goats, and Salers cattle. Here we report the clinicopathological, metabolic, and molecular genetic features of canine beta-mannosidase (MANBA, EC 3.2.1.25) deficiency. A 1-year-old male mix-breed dog from St. Kitts was presented with progressive stumbling, weakness, and regurgitation. Vacuolated lymphocytes were observed on the blood film. Postmortem findings included marked enlargement of nerves, megaesophagus, and internal hydrocephalus. Vacuolated macrophages, neurons, and secretory epithelial cells suggested an oligosaccharide storage disease. Plasma concentration of the β-mannosidosis specific oligosaccharide was approximately 75 fold that of controls. The plasma beta-mannosidase activity was severely reduced to ~5% of controls; five other lysosomal acid hydrolase activities were increased or within their normal reference interval. Genomic sequencing of this dog's MANBA gene identified a homozygous exonic five bp tandem duplication in the penultimate exon of the MANBA gene (c.2377_2381dupTATCA) which results in a reading frame shift, altering the subsequent amino acid sequence and creating a premature stop codon. The truncated beta-mannosidase enzyme is expected to be dysfunctional. This enzyme deficiency causes the accumulation of un-degraded oligosaccharides in cells, which affect the myelination of the peripheral and central nervous systems. This insertion was not encountered in 121 and 80-screened samples from dogs on St. Kitts (all were homozygous for wild-type) and Philadelphia region (wild-type), respectively. In conclusion, canine β-mannosidosis has similar clinicopathological features with some human patients, but milder signs than in ruminants and more severe than in knockout mice. Hence, dogs with β-mannosidosis could become a valuable disease model for the human disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pompei Bolfa
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, PO Box 334, Basseterre, Saint Kitts and Nevis.
| | - Ping Wang
- Section of Medical Genetics (PennGen), School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, 3900 Delancey St., Philadelphia, PA 19104-6010, USA
| | - Rajeev Nair
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, PO Box 334, Basseterre, Saint Kitts and Nevis
| | - Sreekumari Rajeev
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, PO Box 334, Basseterre, Saint Kitts and Nevis
| | - Anibal G Armien
- Ultrastructural Pathology Unit, Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, University of Minnesota, 1333 Gortner Avenue, St. Paul, MN 55108, USA
| | - Paula S Henthorn
- Section of Medical Genetics (PennGen), School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, 3900 Delancey St., Philadelphia, PA 19104-6010, USA
| | - Tim Wood
- Biochemical Genetics Laboratory, Greenwood Genetic Center, 106 Gregor Mendel Circle, Greenwood, SC 29646, USA
| | - Mary Anna Thrall
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, PO Box 334, Basseterre, Saint Kitts and Nevis
| | - Urs Giger
- Section of Medical Genetics (PennGen), School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, 3900 Delancey St., Philadelphia, PA 19104-6010, USA
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Abstract
Background The role of rodents in Leptospira epidemiology and transmission is well known worldwide. Rats are known to carry different pathogenic serovars of Leptospira spp. capable of causing disease in humans and animals. Wild rats (Rattus spp.), especially the Norway/brown rat (Rattus norvegicus) and the black rat (R. rattus), are the most important sources of Leptospira infection, as they are abundant in urban and peridomestic environments. In this study, we compiled and summarized available data in the literature on global prevalence of Leptospira exposure and infection in rats, as well as compared the global distribution of Leptospira spp. in rats with respect to prevalence, geographic location, method of detection, diversity of serogroups/serovars, and species of rat. Methods We conducted a thorough literature search using PubMed without restrictions on publication date as well as Google Scholar to manually search for other relevant articles. Abstracts were included if they described data pertaining to Leptospira spp. in rats (Rattus spp.) from any geographic region around the world, including reviews. The data extracted from the articles selected included the author(s), year of publication, geographic location, method(s) of detection used, species of rat(s), sample size, prevalence of Leptospira spp. (overall and within each rat species), and information on species, serogroups, and/or serovars of Leptospira spp. detected. Findings A thorough search on PubMed retrieved 303 titles. After screening the articles for duplicates and inclusion/exclusion criteria, as well as manual inclusion of relevant articles, 145 articles were included in this review. Leptospira prevalence in rats varied considerably based on geographic location, with some reporting zero prevalence in countries such as Madagascar, Tanzania, and the Faroe Islands, and others reporting as high as >80% prevalence in studies done in Brazil, India, and the Philippines. The top five countries that were reported based on number of articles include India (n = 13), Malaysia (n = 9), Brazil (n = 8), Thailand (n = 7), and France (n = 6). Methods of detecting or isolating Leptospira spp. also varied among studies. Studies among different Rattus species reported a higher Leptospira prevalence in R. norvegicus. The serovar Icterohaemorrhagiae was the most prevalent serovar reported in Rattus spp. worldwide. Additionally, this literature review provided evidence for Leptospira infection in laboratory rodent colonies within controlled environments, implicating the zoonotic potential to laboratory animal caretakers. Conclusions Reports on global distribution of Leptospira infection in rats varies widely, with considerably high prevalence reported in many countries. This literature review emphasizes the need for enhanced surveillance programs using standardized methods for assessing Leptospira exposure or infection in rats. This review also demonstrated several weaknesses to the current methods of reporting the prevalence of Leptospira spp. in rats worldwide. As such, this necessitates a call for standardized protocols for the testing and reporting of such studies, especially pertaining to the diagnostic methods used. A deeper understanding of the ecology and epidemiology of Leptospira spp. in rats in urban environments is warranted. It is also pertinent for rat control programs to be proposed in conjunction with increased efforts for public awareness and education regarding leptospirosis transmission and prevention. The role of rodents in the transmission of many diseases, including leptospirosis, is widely known. Rats abundant in urban and peridomestic environments are the most important reservoirs and sources of Leptospira infection in humans and animals. Leptospirosis is a significant but neglected disease of humans and animals that is increasing in incidence in regions affected by natural disasters. This paper summarizes the global prevalence and distribution of Leptospira infection in rats and will add to the literature that supports research, education, and public awareness regarding leptospirosis transmission and prevention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenneth Boey
- Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, Basseterre, St. Kitts, West Indies
| | - Kanae Shiokawa
- Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, Basseterre, St. Kitts, West Indies
| | - Sreekumari Rajeev
- Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, Basseterre, St. Kitts, West Indies
- * E-mail:
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Becker AAMJ, Rajeev S, Freeman MA, Beierschmitt A, Savinon V, Wulcan JM, Bolfa P. Extraintestinal Acanthocephalan Oncicola venezuelensis (Oligacanthorhynchidae) in Small Indian Mongooses ( Herpestes auropunctatus) and African Green Monkeys ( Chlorocebus aethiops sabaeus). Vet Pathol 2019; 56:794-798. [PMID: 31170895 DOI: 10.1177/0300985819848502] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
We identified multiple extraintestinal cystacanths during routine postmortem examination of 3 small Indian mongooses and 2 African green monkeys from the Caribbean island of St. Kitts. In mongooses, cystacanths were encysted or free in the subcutaneous tissue, skeletal muscle, or peritoneal or pericardial cavities, whereas in the monkeys, they were in the cavity and parietal layer of the, tunica vaginalis, skeletal muscle, and peritoneal cavity. Morphological, histological, and molecular characterization identified these cystacanths as Oncicola venezuelensis (Acanthocephala: Oligacanthorhynchidae). There was minimal to mild lymphoplasmacytic inflammation associated with the parasite in the mongooses and moderate inflammation, mineralization, hemorrhage, and fibrosis in the connective tissue between the testis and epididymis in 1 monkey. We identified a mature male O. venezuelensis attached in the aboral jejunum of a feral cat, confirming it as the definitive host. Termites serve as intermediate hosts and lizards as paratenic hosts. This report emphasizes the role of the small Indian mongoose and African green monkey as paratenic hosts for O. venezuelensis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne A M J Becker
- 1 Department of Biomedical Sciences, Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, Basseterre, St. Kitts and Nevis, West Indies
| | - Sreekumari Rajeev
- 1 Department of Biomedical Sciences, Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, Basseterre, St. Kitts and Nevis, West Indies
| | - Mark A Freeman
- 1 Department of Biomedical Sciences, Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, Basseterre, St. Kitts and Nevis, West Indies
| | - Amy Beierschmitt
- 1 Department of Biomedical Sciences, Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, Basseterre, St. Kitts and Nevis, West Indies.,2 Behavioural Science Foundation, Estridge Estate, St.Kitts and Nevis
| | - Victoria Savinon
- 1 Department of Biomedical Sciences, Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, Basseterre, St. Kitts and Nevis, West Indies
| | - Judit M Wulcan
- 1 Department of Biomedical Sciences, Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, Basseterre, St. Kitts and Nevis, West Indies
| | - Pompei Bolfa
- 1 Department of Biomedical Sciences, Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, Basseterre, St. Kitts and Nevis, West Indies
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Boey K, Shiokawa K, Avsaroglu H, Rajeev S. Seroprevalence of Rodent Pathogens in Wild Rats from the Island of St. Kitts, West Indies. Animals (Basel) 2019; 9:ani9050228. [PMID: 31083284 PMCID: PMC6562389 DOI: 10.3390/ani9050228] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2019] [Revised: 03/21/2019] [Accepted: 03/28/2019] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary The role of rodents in the transmission of many diseases is widely known. Wild rats abundant in urban environments may transmit diseases to humans and other animals, including laboratory rodents used for biomedical research in research facilities, possibly compromising research data. In order to gather information about the various diseases present around such facilities, it is important to conduct routine surveillance of wild rodents in the area. In this pilot study, we surveyed 22 captured wild rats (Rattus norvegicus and Rattus rattus) from the Caribbean island of St. Kitts for 19 microorganisms. Information gained from such surveillance data would be beneficial in assessing regional public health risks and when implementing routine laboratory rodent health monitoring protocols. Abstract A pilot seroprevalence study was conducted to document exposure to selected pathogens in wild rats inhabiting the Caribbean island of St. Kitts. Serum samples collected from 22 captured wild rats (Rattus norvegicus and Rattus rattus) were tested for the presence of antibodies to various rodent pathogens using a rat MFI2 serology panel. The samples were positive for cilia-associated respiratory bacillus (13/22; 59.1%), Clostridium piliforme (4/22; 18.2%), Mycoplasma pulmonis (4/22; 18.2%), Pneumocystis carinii (1/22; 4.5%), mouse adenovirus type 2 (16/22; 72.7%), Kilham rat virus (15/22; 68.2%), reovirus type 3 (9/22; 40.9%), rat parvovirus (4/22; 18.2%), rat minute virus (4/22; 18.2%), rat theilovirus (2/22; 9.1%), and infectious diarrhea of infant rats strain of group B rotavirus (rat rotavirus) (1/22; 4.5%). This study provides the first evidence of exposure to various rodent pathogens in wild rats on the island of St. Kitts. Periodic pathogen surveillance in the wild rat population would be beneficial in assessing potential regional zoonotic risks as well as in enhancing the current knowledge when implementing routine animal health monitoring protocols in facilities with laboratory rodent colonies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenneth Boey
- Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, P.O. Box 334, Basseterre, St. Kitts, West Indies.
| | - Kanae Shiokawa
- Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, P.O. Box 334, Basseterre, St. Kitts, West Indies.
| | - Harutyun Avsaroglu
- Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, P.O. Box 334, Basseterre, St. Kitts, West Indies.
| | - Sreekumari Rajeev
- Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, P.O. Box 334, Basseterre, St. Kitts, West Indies.
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Shiokawa K, Welcome S, Kenig M, Lim B, Rajeev S. Epidemiology of Leptospira infection in livestock species in Saint Kitts. Trop Anim Health Prod 2019; 51:1645-1650. [PMID: 30877524 DOI: 10.1007/s11250-019-01859-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2018] [Accepted: 02/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
This pilot study describes the prevalence of Leptospira infection and exposure in livestock species, cattle, pig, sheep, and goats in Saint Kitts in the Caribbean region. Serum and kidney samples were collected from cattle, pigs, sheep, and goats at a local abattoir between September 2016 and March 2017. Cattle had the highest seroprevalence (79.8%) followed by pigs (64.8%), sheep (39.4%), and goats (24.8%). Highest seroprevalence was observed to serovars, Mankarso in cattle, Bratislava in pigs, Hardjo in sheep, and goats. Leptospira DNA was amplified from kidney samples of 18/99 cattle (18.2%), 11/106 pigs (10.4%), 4/106 sheep (3.8%), and 2/105 goats (1.9%). Our findings warrant further studies to assess leptospirosis associated economic burden to subsistence farmers and public health impact.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kanae Shiokawa
- Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, PO Box 334, Basseterre, West Indies, Saint Kitts and Nevis
| | - Shamara Welcome
- Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, PO Box 334, Basseterre, West Indies, Saint Kitts and Nevis
| | - Michalina Kenig
- Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, PO Box 334, Basseterre, West Indies, Saint Kitts and Nevis
| | - Brenda Lim
- Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, PO Box 334, Basseterre, West Indies, Saint Kitts and Nevis
| | - Sreekumari Rajeev
- Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, PO Box 334, Basseterre, West Indies, Saint Kitts and Nevis. .,College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32610, USA.
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Rajeev S, Wang SJ, Wallace L, Sharkey KA, McKay DM. A161 INFECTION WITH THE TAPEWORM HYMENOLEPIS DIMINUTA EVOKES A MASSIVE, BUT DELAYED INCREASE IN TUFT CELLS IN THE MURINE INTESTINE. J Can Assoc Gastroenterol 2019. [DOI: 10.1093/jcag/gwz006.160] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- S Rajeev
- University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - S J Wang
- University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - L Wallace
- University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | | | - D M McKay
- University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
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Lee D, Tertuliano M, Vellidis G, Harris C, Grossman MK, Rajeev S, Levy K. Evaluation of Grower-Friendly, Science-Based Sampling Approaches for the Detection of Salmonella in Ponds Used for Irrigation of Fresh Produce. Foodborne Pathog Dis 2018; 15:627-636. [PMID: 30334659 PMCID: PMC6201782 DOI: 10.1089/fpd.2018.2441] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The recognition that irrigation water sources contribute to preharvest contamination of produce has led to new regulations on testing microbial water quality. To best identify contamination problems, growers who depend on irrigation ponds need guidance on how and where to collect water samples for testing. In this study, we evaluated several sampling strategies to identify Salmonella and Escherichia coli contamination in five ponds used for irrigation on produce farms in southern Georgia. Both Salmonella and E. coli were detected regularly in all the ponds over the 19-month study period, with overall prevalence and concentrations increasing in late summer and early fall. Of 507 water samples, 217 (42.8%) were positive for Salmonella, with a very low geometric mean (GM) concentration of 0.06 most probable number (MPN)/100 mL, and 442 (87.1%) tested positive for E. coli, with a GM of 6.40 MPN/100 mL. We found no significant differences in Salmonella or E. coli detection rates or concentrations between sampling at the bank closest to the pump intake versus sampling from the bank around the pond perimeter, when comparing with results from the pump intake, which we considered our gold standard. However, samples collected from the bank closest to the intake had a greater level of agreement with the intake (Cohen's kappa statistic = 0.53; p < 0.001) than the samples collected around the pond perimeter (kappa = 0.34; p = 0.009). E. coli concentrations were associated with increased odds of Salmonella detection (odds ratio = 1.31; 95% confidence interval = 1.10-1.56). All the ponds would have met the Produce Safety Rule standards for E. coli, although Salmonella was also detected. Results from this study provide important information to growers and regulators about pathogen detection in irrigation ponds and inform best practices for surface water sampling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Debbie Lee
- Department of Environmental Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Moukaram Tertuliano
- Department of Crop and Soil Sciences, University of Georgia, Tifton, Georgia
| | - George Vellidis
- Department of Crop and Soil Sciences, University of Georgia, Tifton, Georgia
| | - Casey Harris
- Department of Crop and Soil Sciences, University of Georgia, Tifton, Georgia
| | - Marissa K. Grossman
- Program in Population Biology, Ecology, and Evolution, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Sreekumari Rajeev
- Department of Infectious Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, Veterinary Diagnostic and Investigational Laboratory, Tifton, Georgia
| | - Karen Levy
- Department of Environmental Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
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Pratt N, Rajeev S. Leptospira seroprevalence in animals in the Caribbean region: A systematic review. Acta Trop 2018; 182:34-42. [PMID: 29457993 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2018.02.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2017] [Revised: 01/14/2018] [Accepted: 02/11/2018] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
This systematic review summarises the data published on the Leptospira seroprevalence, serovar diversity and distribution among animal species in the Caribbean region. Following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines, and checklist, relevant articles were identified and data were extracted and recorded. The review provided Leptospira seroprevalence data from 16 Caribbean islands (Barbados, Trinidad, Grenada, Puerto Rico, Saint Croix, St. Kitts and Nevis, Jamaica, Antigua, Carriacou, Dominica, Guadalupe, Martinique, Monserrat, St. Lucia, St. Maarten, and St. Vincent) in a variety of animal species. Reviewing the literature highlighted the limited amount of data available from limited number of islands. Many of the studies conducted have recorded seroprevalences based on variable and small samples sizes. Besides, serovar panels used for MAT were not consistent between studies. The review indicates that the Leptospira exposure in a given geographic location may change with time and climatic and environmental conditions, and highlights the need to conduct continual surveillance in tropical countries where the climate supports the survival of Leptospira in the environment. Specific attention must be given to standardization of MAT panels and protocols and providing training across laboratories involved in testing. Further, animal and environment testing to isolate and identify circulating Leptospira spp. in a geographic region must actively be pursued. This knowledge is important to implement geographically specific control programs, as risk factors of Leptospira transmission is favoured by various factors such as change in climatic conditions, urbanization, encroachment of wildlife inhabitation, import/export of animals, increase in adventure travel, and water related recreational activities.
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Llanes A, Restrepo CM, Riesgo-Ferreiro P, Rajeev S. Genomic Variability among Field Isolates and Laboratory-Adapted Strains of Leptospira borgpetersenii Serovar Hardjo. Int J Microbiol 2018; 2018:2137036. [PMID: 29951097 PMCID: PMC5987247 DOI: 10.1155/2018/2137036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2018] [Revised: 03/12/2018] [Accepted: 03/20/2018] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Leptospira borgpetersenii serovar Hardjo colonizes cattle kidneys and may occasionally infect humans and other mammals. Strains belonging to two clonal subtypes (types A and B) with marked differences in their pathogenicity in the hamster experimental model have been described for this serovar. Such differences have been attributed to point mutations in individual genes, although those genes have not yet been characterized. In order to better understand genetic variability among L. borgpetersenii serovar Hardjo isolates, we sequenced and compared the genomes of two laboratory-adapted strains and three abattoir-derived field isolates of L. borgpetersenii serovar Hardjo. Relatively low genetic variability was observed within isolates of the same subtype, with most of the mutations of moderate or high impact found in the laboratory-adapted isolates. In contrast, several differences regarding gene content and genetic variants were observed between the two subtypes. Putative type-specific genes appear to encode proteins associated with functions that are critical for infection. Some of these genes seem to be involved in transcriptional regulation, possibly leading to a distinct regulatory pattern in each type. These results show that changes in regulatory mechanisms, previously suggested to be critical during Leptospira speciation, may occur in L. borgpetersenii. In addition, the bioinformatics methodology used in this study for variant calling can be useful to other groups working with nonmodel prokaryotic organisms such as Leptospira species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alejandro Llanes
- Centro de Biología Celular y Molecular de Enfermedades, Instituto de Investigaciones Científicas y Servicios de Alta Tecnología (INDICASAT AIP), Ciudad del Saber, Panama, Panama
| | - Carlos Mario Restrepo
- Centro de Biología Celular y Molecular de Enfermedades, Instituto de Investigaciones Científicas y Servicios de Alta Tecnología (INDICASAT AIP), Ciudad del Saber, Panama, Panama
| | | | - Sreekumari Rajeev
- School of Veterinary Medicine, Ross University, Basseterre, Saint Kitts and Nevis
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Harris CS, Tertuliano M, Rajeev S, Vellidis G, Levy K. Impact of storm runoff on Salmonella and Escherichia coli prevalence in irrigation ponds of fresh produce farms in southern Georgia. J Appl Microbiol 2018; 124:910-921. [PMID: 29316043 DOI: 10.1111/jam.13689] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2017] [Revised: 12/22/2017] [Accepted: 12/29/2017] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
AIMS To examine Salmonella and Escherichia coli in storm runoff and irrigation ponds used by fresh produce growers, and compare Salmonella serovars with those found in cases of human salmonellosis. METHODS AND RESULTS We collected water before and after rain events at two irrigation ponds on farms in southern Georgia, USA, and collected storm runoff/storm flow within the contributing watershed of each pond. Salmonella and E. coli concentrations were higher in ponds after rain events by an average of 0·46 (P < 0·01) and 0·61 (P < 0·05) log10 most probable number (MPN) per 100 ml respectively. Salmonella concentrations in storm runoff from fields and forests were not significantly higher than in ponds before rain events, but concentrations in storm flow from streams and ditches were higher by an average of 1·22 log10 MPN per 100 ml (P < 0·001). Eighteen Salmonella serovars were identified from 155 serotyped isolates, and eight serovars were shared between storm runoff/storm flow and ponds. Seven of the serovars, including five of the shared serovars, were present in cases of human illness in the study region in the same year. However, several serovars most commonly associated with human illness in the study region (e.g. Javiana, Enteritidis, and Montevideo) were not found in any water samples. CONCLUSIONS Salmonella and E. coli concentrations in irrigation ponds were higher, on average, after rain events, but concentrations of Salmonella were low, and the ponds met FDA water quality standards based on E. coli. Some similarities and notable differences were found between Salmonella serovars in water samples and in cases of human illness. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY This study directly examined storm runoff/storm flow into irrigation ponds and quantified increases in Salmonella and E. coli following rain events, with potential implications for irrigation pond management as well as human health.
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Affiliation(s)
- C S Harris
- Bureau of Water Resources, St. Johns River Water Management District, Palatka, FL, USA
| | - M Tertuliano
- Department of Crop and Soil Sciences, University of Georgia, Tifton, GA, USA
| | - S Rajeev
- Biomedical Sciences, Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, Basseterre, KN
| | - G Vellidis
- Department of Crop and Soil Sciences, University of Georgia, Tifton, GA, USA
| | - K Levy
- Department of Environmental Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
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Larson CR, Dennis M, Nair RV, Llanes A, Peda A, Welcome S, Rajeev S. Isolation and characterization of Leptospira interrogans serovar Copenhageni from a dog from Saint Kitts. JMM Case Rep 2017; 4:e005120. [PMID: 29188067 PMCID: PMC5692236 DOI: 10.1099/jmmcr.0.005120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2017] [Accepted: 09/27/2017] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction. Leptospirosis is a zoonotic bacterial disease of global distribution affecting humans and animals. The initial phase of leptospirosis resembles many other febrile illness and due to its broad and biphasic clinical manifestations, selection and implementation of appropriate diagnostic tests can be challenging. Case presentation. This report describes a case investigation of a 14 weeks old male, orphan puppy, presented with generalised jaundice, anemia, weakness, and anorexia. Clinical abnormalities included the evidence of renal and hepatic failure. Antemortem and postmortem diagnostic investigations were conducted to identify the cause of illness. PCR testing and culture of blood was positive for Leptospira sp. Necropsy followed by histopathology evaluation revealed lesions compatible with liver and kidney damage consisting of marked diffuse hepatocellular dissociation, acute renal tubular necrosis, and mild interstitial nephritis. Conclusion. Multiple diagnostic techniques including bacterial isolation confirmed Leptospira infection in this puppy. Whole genome sequencing and analysis identified the Leptospira sp. isolated from this puppy as Leptospira interrogans serovar Copenhageni. To our knowledge, this case report describes the first isolation of Leptospira from Saint Kitts. This case highlights the usefulness of including multiple diagnostic tests for the diagnosis and epidemiological investigation of Leptospira infection. Accurate diagnosis followed by timely intervention can prevent case fatality and mortality in infected patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher R Larson
- Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, Basseterre, St. Kitts, West Indies
| | - Michelle Dennis
- Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, Basseterre, St. Kitts, West Indies
| | - Rajeev V Nair
- Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, Basseterre, St. Kitts, West Indies
| | - Alejandro Llanes
- Centro de Biología Celular y Molecular de Enfermedades, Instituto de Investigaciones Científicas y Servicios de Alta Tecnología (INDICASAT AIP), Ciudad del Saber, Panama
| | - Andrea Peda
- Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, Basseterre, St. Kitts, West Indies
| | - Shamara Welcome
- Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, Basseterre, St. Kitts, West Indies
| | - Sreekumari Rajeev
- Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, Basseterre, St. Kitts, West Indies
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Rajeev S, Conan A, Pratt N, Beierschmitt A, Palmour R. High Leptospira seroprevalence in captive and wild-caught vervet monkeys (Chlorocebus sabeus) on the Caribbean island of Saint Kitts. J Vet Diagn Invest 2017; 29:930-934. [DOI: 10.1177/1040638717724838] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Leptospirosis is a zoonotic disease of global importance. Very little information is available on Leptospira infection in nonhuman primates. We report herein a high seroprevalence (49.4%; 95% confidence interval: 41.6–57.2%) to Leptospira serovars in vervet monkeys ( Chlorocebus sabeus) on the Caribbean island of Saint Kitts. Monkeys bred in captivity ( n = 81) had a significantly higher seroprevalence compared to wild-caught monkeys ( n = 81; p < 0.05). Seroprevalence to serovar Bataviae was significantly higher in monkeys bred in captivity and was higher to serovar Bratislava in wild-caught monkeys ( p < 0.05). Our data confirm that exposure to various Leptospira serovars and seroconversion occurs in wild and captive vervet monkeys on the Caribbean island of Saint Kitts. Further studies are warranted to better understand epidemiology, transmission, pathology, and possible reservoir status in this species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sreekumari Rajeev
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, Saint Kitts (Rajeev, Conan, Pratt, Beierschmit)
- McGill University, Montreal, Canada (Palmour)
- Behavioral Science Foundation, Saint Kitts (Palmour, Beierschmit)
| | - Anne Conan
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, Saint Kitts (Rajeev, Conan, Pratt, Beierschmit)
- McGill University, Montreal, Canada (Palmour)
- Behavioral Science Foundation, Saint Kitts (Palmour, Beierschmit)
| | - Nicola Pratt
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, Saint Kitts (Rajeev, Conan, Pratt, Beierschmit)
- McGill University, Montreal, Canada (Palmour)
- Behavioral Science Foundation, Saint Kitts (Palmour, Beierschmit)
| | - Amy Beierschmitt
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, Saint Kitts (Rajeev, Conan, Pratt, Beierschmit)
- McGill University, Montreal, Canada (Palmour)
- Behavioral Science Foundation, Saint Kitts (Palmour, Beierschmit)
| | - Roberta Palmour
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, Saint Kitts (Rajeev, Conan, Pratt, Beierschmit)
- McGill University, Montreal, Canada (Palmour)
- Behavioral Science Foundation, Saint Kitts (Palmour, Beierschmit)
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Abstract
Objectives Platynosomum species are cat-specific parasitic trematodes that parasitize the biliary ducts and gall bladder. Due to the common connection to the major duodenal papilla of the pancreas and common bile ducts in addition to the periductal proximity of the pancreas, it is possible that platynosomosis could cause pancreatitis. The objective of this study was to determine whether platynosomosis, a commonly diagnosed parasitic disease in cats on St Kitts, has any association with pancreatic disease. Methods To investigate this possibility, the pancreas of free-roaming cats with naturally acquired platynosomosis were evaluated via ultrasound, serum concentrations of feline pancreatic lipase (fPL), cobalamin, folate and feline trypsin-like immunoreactivity (fTLI) and histopathology. Twenty free-roaming, young adult, feral cats, positive for feline immunodeficiency virus, and diagnosed with Platynosomum species infection via fecal analysis were recruited. The liver, biliary system and pancreas were evaluated via ultrasonography during a short duration anesthesia. Serum concentrations of fPL, fTLI, folate and cobalamin were measured. Sections of the right limb, left limb and body of the pancreas were evaluated histopathologically using hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) stain. Results None of the cats had sufficient criteria to fulfill the ultrasonographic diagnosis of pancreatitis. One cat had an elevated fPL concentration in the range consistent with pancreatitis. Four cats had cobalamin deficiencies and 11 had abnormal folate concentration. The fTLI concentration was equivocal for the diagnosis of exocrine pancreatic insufficiency in one cat. With a single exception, histopathology changes, when present (n = 12), were mild, non-specific and predominantly characterized by lymphocytic infiltrates and fibrosis. The exception was a cat that presented a chronic interstitial and eosinophilic pancreatitis of slightly increased severity, likely the result of platynosomosis. Conclusions and relevance The results of this study suggest that platynosomosis rarely induces pancreatic damage in cats. With only one exception, chronic pancreatitis diagnosed in cats with fluke-induced cholangitis and cholangiohepatitis was subtle and interpreted as an incidental background lesion unrelated to platynosomosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liza S Köster
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, Basseterre, West Indies
- Current address: School of Veterinary Medicine, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Linda Shell
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, Basseterre, West Indies
| | - Jennifer Ketzis
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, Basseterre, West Indies
| | - Sreekumari Rajeev
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, Basseterre, West Indies
| | - Oscar Illanes
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, Basseterre, West Indies
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Llanes A, Restrepo CM, Rajeev S. Whole Genome Sequencing Allows Better Understanding of the Evolutionary History of Leptospira interrogans Serovar Hardjo. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0159387. [PMID: 27442015 PMCID: PMC4956267 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0159387] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2016] [Accepted: 07/02/2016] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The genome of a laboratory-adapted strain of Leptospira interrogans serovar Hardjo was sequenced and analyzed. Comparison of the sequenced genome with that recently published for a field isolate of the same serovar revealed relatively high sequence conservation at the nucleotide level, despite the different biological background of both samples. Conversely, comparison of both serovar Hardjo genomes with those of L. borgpetersenii serovar Hardjo showed extensive differences between the corresponding chromosomes, except for the region occupied by their rfb loci. Additionally, comparison of the serovar Hardjo genomes with those of different L. interrogans serovars allowed us to detect several genomic features that may confer an adaptive advantage to L. interrogans serovar Hardjo, including a possible integrated plasmid and an additional copy of a cluster encoding a membrane transport system known to be involved in drug resistance. A phylogenomic strategy was used to better understand the evolutionary position of the Hardjo serovar among L. interrogans serovars and other Leptospira species. The proposed phylogeny supports the hypothesis that the presence of similar rfb loci in two different species may be the result of a lateral gene transfer event.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alejandro Llanes
- Centro de Biología Celular y Molecular de Enfermedades, Instituto de Investigaciones Científicas y Servicios de Alta Tecnología (INDICASAT AIP), Ciudad del Saber, Panamá, Panamá
- * E-mail:
| | - Carlos Mario Restrepo
- Centro de Biología Celular y Molecular de Enfermedades, Instituto de Investigaciones Científicas y Servicios de Alta Tecnología (INDICASAT AIP), Ciudad del Saber, Panamá, Panamá
| | - Sreekumari Rajeev
- Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, Basseterre, St. Kitts & Nevis
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Ilha MRS, Rajeev S. Pathology in practice. Mycotic dermatitis and gout in an American alligator. J Am Vet Med Assoc 2015; 246:609-11. [PMID: 25719841 DOI: 10.2460/javma.246.6.609] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Marcia R S Ilha
- Veterinary Diagnostic and Investigational Laboratory, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Tifton, GA 31793
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Rajeev S, Ilha M, Woldemeskel M, Berghaus RD, Pence ME. Detection of asymptomatic renal Leptospira infection in abattoir slaughtered cattle in southeastern Georgia, United States. SAGE Open Med 2014; 2:2050312114544696. [PMID: 26770734 PMCID: PMC4607197 DOI: 10.1177/2050312114544696] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2014] [Accepted: 06/30/2014] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives: Leptospirosis is one of the most widespread zoonotic infectious diseases affecting humans and animals. Several animal species, including cattle, can act as potential asymptomatic carriers facilitating zoonotic transmission of Leptospira. This study was conducted to assess the occurrence of asymptomatic renal Leptospira carriers among cattle slaughtered in southeastern Georgia, United States. Methods: A battery of diagnostic tests, including dark field microscopy, direct fluorescent antibody staining, polymerase chain reaction, and culture, were performed on a set of bovine kidneys (n = 37) collected from an abattoir in southeastern Georgia, United States. Virulence of a field isolate obtained from this study was tested in a hamster experimental model. Results: Motile spirochete-like structures were observed by dark field microscopy in 23 (59%) out of 37 kidney samples tested. In all, 29 samples (78%) were positive by direct fluorescent antibody staining. Only 11 (29.7%) samples by polymerase chain reaction and 3 (8.1%) by culture were positive for Leptospira sp. The isolates obtained by culture were confirmed as Leptospira borgpetersenii. Hamsters experimentally infected with one of the Leptospira field isolates obtained from this study did not show clinical signs but developed renal infection with interstitial nephritis and tubular necrosis. Conclusions: This study confirms that asymptomatic Leptospira renal infection is present among cattle in the region. Our findings underscore the need for future studies to assess the potential environmental contamination and transmission to humans in contact with infected cattle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sreekumari Rajeev
- Veterinary Diagnostic and Investigational Laboratory, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Tifton, GA, USA
| | - Marcia Ilha
- Veterinary Diagnostic and Investigational Laboratory, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Tifton, GA, USA
| | - Moges Woldemeskel
- Veterinary Diagnostic and Investigational Laboratory, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Tifton, GA, USA
| | - Roy D Berghaus
- Department of Population Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
| | - Mel E Pence
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Midwestern University, Glendale, AZ, USA
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34
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Hines ME, Turnquist SE, Ilha MRS, Rajeev S, Jones AL, Whittington L, Bannantine JP, Barletta RG, Gröhn YT, Katani R, Talaat AM, Li L, Kapur V. Evaluation of novel oral vaccine candidates and validation of a caprine model of Johne's disease. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2014; 4:26. [PMID: 24624365 PMCID: PMC3941644 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2014.00026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2013] [Accepted: 02/12/2014] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Johne's disease (JD) caused by Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (MAP) is a major threat to the dairy industry and possibly some cases of Crohn's disease in humans. A MAP vaccine that reduced of clinical disease and/or reduced fecal shedding would aid in the control of JD. The objectives of this study were (1) to evaluate the efficacy of 5 attenuated strains of MAP as vaccine candidates compared to a commercial control vaccine using the protocol proposed by the Johne's Disease Integrated Program (JDIP) Animal Model Standardization Committee (AMSC), and (2) to validate the AMSC Johne's disease goat challenge model. Eighty goat kids were vaccinated orally twice at 8 and 10 weeks of age with an experimental vaccine or once subcutaneously at 8 weeks with Silirum® (Zoetis), or a sham control oral vaccine at 8 and 10 weeks. Kids were challenged orally with a total of approximately 1.44 × 109 CFU divided in two consecutive daily doses using MAP ATCC-700535 (K10-like bovine isolate). All kids were necropsied at 13 months post-challenge. Results indicated that the AMSC goat challenge model is a highly efficient and valid model for JD challenge studies. None of the experimental or control vaccines evaluated prevented MAP infection or eliminated fecal shedding, although the 329 vaccine lowered the incidence of infection, fecal shedding, tissue colonization and reduced lesion scores, but less than the control vaccine. Based on our results the relative performance ranking of the experimental live-attenuated vaccines evaluated, the 329 vaccine was the best performer, followed by the 318 vaccine, then 316 vaccine, 315 vaccine and finally the 319 vaccine was the worst performer. The subcutaneously injected control vaccine outperformed the orally-delivered mutant vaccine candidates. Two vaccines (329 and 318) do reduce presence of JD gross and microscopic lesions, slow progression of disease, and one vaccine (329) reduced fecal shedding and tissue colonization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Murray E Hines
- Tifton Veterinary Diagnostic and Investigational Laboratory, University of Georgia Tifton, GA, USA
| | - Sue E Turnquist
- Tifton Veterinary Diagnostic and Investigational Laboratory, University of Georgia Tifton, GA, USA
| | - Marcia R S Ilha
- Tifton Veterinary Diagnostic and Investigational Laboratory, University of Georgia Tifton, GA, USA
| | - Sreekumari Rajeev
- Tifton Veterinary Diagnostic and Investigational Laboratory, University of Georgia Tifton, GA, USA
| | - Arthur L Jones
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Food Animal Health and Management Program, University of Georgia Athens, GA, USA
| | - Lisa Whittington
- Tifton Veterinary Diagnostic and Investigational Laboratory, University of Georgia Tifton, GA, USA
| | - John P Bannantine
- National Animal Disease Center, United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service Ames, IA, USA
| | - Raúl G Barletta
- School of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Nebraska Lincoln, NE, USA
| | - Yrjö T Gröhn
- Section of Epidemiology, Department of Population Medicine and Diagnostic Sciences, Cornell University Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - Robab Katani
- Department of Veterinary Science, Penn State University, University Park Pennsylvania, PA, USA
| | - Adel M Talaat
- Department of Pathobiological Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison Madison, WI, USA
| | - Lingling Li
- Department of Veterinary Science, Penn State University, University Park Pennsylvania, PA, USA
| | - Vivek Kapur
- Department of Veterinary Science, Penn State University, University Park Pennsylvania, PA, USA
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Vereen E, Lowrance RR, Jenkins MB, Adams P, Rajeev S, Lipp EK. Landscape and seasonal factors influence Salmonella and Campylobacter prevalence in a rural mixed use watershed. Water Res 2013; 47:6075-6085. [PMID: 23969398 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2013.07.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2013] [Revised: 07/08/2013] [Accepted: 07/18/2013] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Salmonella and Campylobacter prevalence in stream networks of the Satilla River Basin (SRB) were monitored monthly from August 2007 to August 2009 to study relationships between these pathogens and land use, presence of poultry houses and wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) discharge. Salmonella and Campylobacter were detected at all 10 stream sites and the three sites at the sole wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) in the study area. In all, 43% (129/299) and 62% (96/156) of samples were positive for Salmonella and Campylobacter, respectively, with detection frequency increasing in downstream sites with more poultry production and influence of WWTP discharge. Both Salmonella and Campylobacter detection frequencies were positively associated with the number of poultry houses in the subwatersheds, but agricultural land use as a proportion of the watershed was not a significant predictor of either pathogen. Fecal indicator bacterial levels were assessed and evaluated for their ability to predict the presence of pathogens. Of those examined, enterococci was most predictive; of the 129 samples positive for Salmonella, 88% (113/129) were detected when enterococci were above EPA single sample threshold (61 CFU 100 ml(-1)); and of the 96 samples positive for Campylobacter, 90% (86/96) were detected when enterococci levels exceeded this level. Comparatively, Escherichia coli concentrations were above EPA single sample thresholds in 38% (49/129) of the positive Salmonella samples. Detection of the pathogens throughout the watershed indicated that there was potential for waterborne transmission especially in downstream areas that were more likely to have recreational users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ethell Vereen
- University of Georgia, Odum School of Ecology, Athens, GA 30602, USA; USDA-Agricultural Research Service, Southeast Watershed Research Unit, Tifton, GA 31793, USA
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Ilha MRS, Coarsey M, Whittington L, Rajeev S, Ramamoorthy S. The occurrence of Bovine viral diarrhea virus in hunter-harvested white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) in the state of Georgia, southeastern United States. J Vet Diagn Invest 2012; 24:1052-6. [PMID: 23019244 DOI: 10.1177/1040638712462375] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The prevalence of Bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) in free-ranging white-tailed deer (WTD, Odocoileus virginianus) in the state of Georgia was evaluated using ear notches collected from hunter-harvested deer during the hunting season of 2010-2011. From September to December 2010, 367 ear samples from WTD were collected from 37 counties in Georgia. The samples were from 178 (48.5%) female deer, 187 (51%) male deer, and 2 (0.5%) of unknown sex. The age of the animals varied from 6 months to 6.5 years. The age was not recorded in 34 animals (9.3%). Of the animals with known ages, 42% were under 2 years. Screening of 367 samples for BVDV using an antigen-capture enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (AgELISA) resulted in 364 negative samples and 3 suspect samples. The 3 suspect samples were negative for BVDV reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), virus isolation, and immunohistochemistry. A subpopulation of samples (n = 89) selected from various geographical regions also tested negative for BVDV RT-PCR. In conclusion, although a few of the samples were suspect for the presence of BVDV by AgELISA, the presence of the virus within the deer population studied could not be confirmed further.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcia R S Ilha
- University of Georgia, Veterinary Diagnostic and Investigation Laboratory, Tifton, GA, USA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sreekumari Rajeev
- Veterinary Diagnostic and Investigational Laboratory, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Tifton, GA 31793, USA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sreekumari Rajeev
- Veterinary Diagnostic and Investigational Laboratory, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Tifton, GA 31793, USA.
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Tenny M, Rajeev S, Chakravarthy B, Anderson C, Lotfipour S. 419 Emergency Department Mental Health Visits, Trends 2002-2008. Ann Emerg Med 2011. [DOI: 10.1016/j.annemergmed.2011.06.453] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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Reena P, Dayananda S, Pai R, Jamema SV, Gupta T, Deepak D, Rajeev S. Performance characterization of siemens primus linear accelerator under small monitor unit and small segments for the implementation of step-and-shoot intensity-modulated radiotherapy. J Med Phys 2011; 31:269-74. [PMID: 21206643 PMCID: PMC3004102 DOI: 10.4103/0971-6203.29197] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2006] [Accepted: 09/02/2006] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Implementation of step-and-shoot intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) needs careful understanding of the accelerator start-up characteristic to ensure accurate and precise delivery of radiation dose to patient. The dosimetric characteristic of a Siemens Primus linear accelerator (LA) which delivers 6 and 18 MV x-rays at the dose rate of 300 and 500 monitor unit (MU) per minutes (min) respectively was studied under the condition of small MU ranging from 1 to 100. Dose monitor linearity was studied at different dose calibration parameter (D1_C0) by measuring ionization at 10 cm depth in a solid water phantom using a 0.6 cc ionization chamber. Monitor unit stability was studied from different intensity modulated (IM) groups comprising various combinations of MU per field and number of fields. Stability of beam flatness and symmetry was investigated under normal and IMRT mode for 20×20 cm2 field under small MU using a 2D Profiler kept isocentrically at 5 cm depth. Inter segment response was investigated form 1 to 10 MU by measuring the dose per MU from various IM groups, each consisting of four segments with inter-segment separation of 2 cm. In the range 1-4 MU, the dose linearity error was more than 5% (max −32% at 1 MU) for 6 MV x-rays at factory calibrated D1_C0 value of 6000. The dose linearity error was reduced to −10.95% at 1 MU, within −3% for 2 and 3 MU and ±1% for MU ≥4 when the D1_C0 was subsequently tuned at 4500. For 18 MV x-rays, the dose linearity error at factory calibrated D1_C0 value of 4400 was within ±1% for MU ≥3 with maximum of −13.5 observed at 1 MU. For both the beam energies and MU/field ≥4, the stability of monitor unit tested for different IM groups was within ±1% of the dose from the normal treatment field. This variation increases to −2.6% for 6 MV and −2.7% for 18 MV x-rays for 2 MU/field. No significant variation was observed in the stability of beam profile measured from normal and IMRT mode. The beam flatness was within 3% for 6 MV x-rays and more than 3% (Max 3.5%) for 18 MV x-rays at lesser irradiation time ≤3 MU. The beam stability improves with the increase in irradiation time. Both the beam energies show very good symmetry (≤2%) at all irradiation time. For all the three segment sizes studied, the nonlinearity was observed at smaller MU/segment in both the energies. When the MU/segment is ≥4, all segment size shows fairly linear relation with dose/MU. The smaller segment size shows larger nonlinearity at smaller MU/segment and become more linear at larger MU/segment. Based on our study, we conclude that the Primus LA from Siemens installed at our hospital is ideally suited for step-and-shoot IMRT preferably for radiation ON time ≥4MU per segment.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Reena
- Department of Radiation Oncology, ACTREC, TMC, Kharghar, New Mumbai, India
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Abstract
A 6-week-old, female, mixed-breed dog with a clinical history of sudden onset of neurologic signs was presented for necropsy. The dog was diagnosed with suppurative and histiocytic meningoencephalitis based on necropsy findings and histopathology. Mycoplasma sp. was isolated in pure culture from the brain and meninges and was identified as Mycoplasma edwardii using DNA sequencing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcia R S Ilha
- Veterinary Diagnostic and Investigational Laboratory, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Tifton, GA 31793, USA.
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Woldemeskel M, Rajeev S. Mast cells in canine cutaneous hemangioma, hemangiosarcoma and mammary tumors. Vet Res Commun 2010; 34:153-60. [DOI: 10.1007/s11259-010-9341-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/20/2010] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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Rajeev S, Berghaus RD, Overton MW, Pence ME, Baldwin CA. Comparison of Fluorescent Antibody and Microscopic Agglutination Testing for Leptospira in Pregnant and Nonpregnant Cows. J Vet Diagn Invest 2010; 22:51-4. [DOI: 10.1177/104063871002200108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Serum and urine samples from 30 cows (15 pregnant and 15 nonpregnant) from each of 10 Georgia dairy herds (total cows = 300) were examined by microscopic agglutination testing (MAT) and direct fluorescent antibody testing (FAT), respectively. Seven of the 10 herds had at least 1 cow with a positive FAT, and all of the herds had at least 1 cow with a reciprocal MAT titer ≥100 for 1 or more serovars. Serological testing was not helpful in identifying the infecting serovar for cows with a positive FAT result. The MAT titers for all 7 of the serovars evaluated were significantly correlated with one another, with 17 (81%) of the 21 Spearman rank correlation coefficients ≥0.4 in magnitude. Twenty (56%) of 36 FAT-positive cows did not have a titer that was highest for any particular serovar. Four of the 7 herds that reported using a Leptospira borgpetersenii serovar Hardjo-bovis vaccine had one or more FAT-positive cows compared with 3 out of 3 herds that reported they were not using this type of vaccine, although this difference was not statistically significant.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sreekumari Rajeev
- University of Georgia, The College of Veterinary Medicine, Veterinary Diagnostic and Investigational Laboratory, Tifton, GA
| | - Roy D. Berghaus
- Department of Population Health, The University of Georgia, Athens, GA
| | | | - Mel E. Pence
- Department of Population Health, The University of Georgia, Athens, GA
| | - Charles A. Baldwin
- University of Georgia, The College of Veterinary Medicine, Veterinary Diagnostic and Investigational Laboratory, Tifton, GA
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Rajeev S, Wong D. Effect of β-Blockers on Perioperative Myocardial Ischemia in Patients Undergoing Noncardiac Surgery. Curr Drug Targets 2009; 10:833-41. [DOI: 10.2174/138945009789108765] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
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Batra YK, Rajeev S, Panda NB, Lokesh VC, Rao KLN. Intrathecal neostigmine with bupivacaine for infants undergoing lower abdominal and urogenital procedures: dose response. Acta Anaesthesiol Scand 2009; 53:470-5. [PMID: 19317863 DOI: 10.1111/j.1399-6576.2008.01837.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Intrathecal (IT) neostigmine produces dose-dependent analgesia in adults. However, the dose of spinal neostigmine has not been investigated in infants. The purpose of this study was to assess spinal anesthesia (SA) duration provided by four doses of spinal neostigmine added to bupivacaine for lower abdominal and urogenital procedures in infants. METHODS Seventy-five infants were randomized into five groups. The control group B received IT plain 0.5% hyperbaric bupivacaine. Groups BN.25, BN.50, BN.75, and BN1.0 received bupivacaine with 0.25, 0.5, 0.75, and 1 microg/kg of neostigmine, respectively. The primary variable was the duration of anesthesia assessed by recovery of hip flexion. Postoperative pain with facial expression, leg activity, arm activity, crying and consolability scale score, and rescue analgesic requirements were the secondary variables measured, and the side effects were noted. RESULTS Seventy-three infants completed the study. There was a significant linear increase in SA duration with IT neostigmine to 65.2 (4.3) min with 0.5 microg/kg (P<0.01), 88.2 (5.1) with 0.75 microg/kg (P<0.001) and 92 (4.3) with 1 microg/kg (P<0.001) from 52.4 (4.3) min with bupivacaine alone. SA duration showed no significant difference between plain bupivacaine and BN.25 (P=0.100) or between groups BN.75 and BN1.0 (P=0.451). Groups BN.75 and BN1.0 had significantly reduced pain scores, and the median duration before the first dose rescue analgesic was requested prolonged significantly (P<0.001) compared with the other three groups. CONCLUSIONS IT neostigmine at a dose of 0.75 microg/kg added to bupivacaine significantly prolonged SA duration with reduced postoperative pain scores and rescue analgesic requirements in infants undergoing lower abdominal and urogenital procedures. No additional benefits were provided on increasing it to 1 microg/kg.
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Affiliation(s)
- Y K Batra
- Department of Anaesthesia and Intensive Care, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India.
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Brookins MD, Rajeev S, Thornhill TD, Kreinheder K, Miller DL. Mandibular and maxillary osteomyelitis and myositis in a captive herd of red kangaroos (Macropus rufus). J Vet Diagn Invest 2008; 20:846-9. [PMID: 18987245 DOI: 10.1177/104063870802000627] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Jaw infections in macropods are common and will result in mortality if not promptly diagnosed and aggressively treated. They have most often been reported in wallabies; however, in the current case, the gross and histopathologic findings, microbial culture, and management of jaw infections in a population of red kangaroos (Macropus rufus) housed in a zoological park are described. Three red kangaroos, among a group of 23, were submitted for necropsy after death after progressively invasive and nonresolving jaw infections. Extensive bone and soft-tissue inflammation and necrosis were observed in all animals. A mixed population of aerobic and anaerobic bacteria was cultured; however, Pseudomonas spp. was consistently isolated from the sites of infection in all animals. Parental administration of gentamicin and penicillin, along with daily oral flushing of the wounds with Betadine, removal of all rough forage, and hand feeding soft-pelleted feed, was effective in controlling the progression of disease in 1 affected animal. This case documents an important disease in an additional macropod species and identifies predisposing factors, possible etiologies, and treatment and/or management options.
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Affiliation(s)
- Milagros D Brookins
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Veterinary Diagnostic and Investigational Laboratory, University of Georgia, 43 Brighton Road, Tifton, GA 31793, USA
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Abstract
Fonsecaea pedrosoi is the most common fungal agent associated with human chromoblastomycosis. In the current study, a phaeohyphomycotic condition of the skin caused by Fonsecaea pedrosoi is described in a dog.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sreekumari Rajeev
- Veterinary Diagnostic and Investigational Laboratory, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Tifton, GA, USA.
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Rajeev S, Shulaw W, Berghaus R, Zhang Y, Byrum B. A testing scheme for the detection of Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis in bovine feces utilizing the ESP para-JEM liquid culture system. J Vet Diagn Invest 2008; 18:529-35. [PMID: 17121079 DOI: 10.1177/104063870601800602] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
A testing scheme for the detection of Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (MAP) in broth cultures of bovine fecal samples carried out in ESP para-JEM System was evaluated. The scheme included acid-fast staining (on signal-positive and signal-negative samples), and confirmation by PCR for 2 MAP-specific targets and subculture of all acid-fast positive PCR-negative samples. Two hundred and fifty bovine fecal samples were evaluated for the presence of MAP using this scheme. Thirty-seven (15%) of 250 fecal samples had a positive culture result when the proposed testing scheme was used, compared to 14 (6%) positive results when using the standard ESP para-JEM protocol (requiring samples to have a positive signal from the system, a positive acid-fast stain, and a positive IS900 PCR result), and 20 (8%) positives when conventional culture was performed on Herrold egg yolk (HEY) media. A preliminary comparison of real-time and conventional PCR on DNA extracted from 15 MAP-positive broth cultures by 3 different protocols suggested that conventional PCR may be a better choice for the confirmation of the presence of MAP in the liquid cultures than real-time PCR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sreekumari Rajeev
- Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory, Ohio Department of Agriculture, Renoldsburg, OH 43068, USA
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