Long-term surveillance of the feline leukemia virus in the endangered Iberian lynx (Lynx pardinus) in Andalusia, Spain (2008-2021)

Feline leukemia virus (FeLV) infection is considered one of the most serious disease threats for the endangered Iberian lynx (Lynx pardinus) Over 14 years (2008-2021), we investigated FeLV infection using point-of-care antigen test and quantitative real-time TaqMan qPCR for provirus detection in blood and tissues in lynxes from Andalusia (Southern Spain). A total of 776 samples from 586 individuals were included in this study. The overall prevalence for FeLV antigen in blood/serum samples was 1.4% (5/360) (95% CI: 0.2-2.6), FeLV proviral DNA prevalence in blood samples was 6.2% (31/503) (95% CI: 4.1-8.6), and FeLV proviral DNA in tissues samples was 10.2% (34/333) (95% CI: 7-13.5). From a subset of 129 longitudinally sampled individuals, 9.3% (12/129) PCR-converted during the study period. Our results suggest that FeLV infection in the Andalusian population is enzootic, with circulation of the virus at low levels in almost all the sampling years. Moreover, since only one viremic individual succumbed to the infection, this study suggests that lynxes may therefore control the infection decreasing the possibility of developing a more aggressive outcome. Although our results indicate that the FeLV infection in the Iberian lynx from Andalusia tends to stay within the regressive stage, continuous FeLV surveillance is paramount to predict potential outbreaks and ensure the survival of this population.

Exposure to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in the endangered Iberian lynx (Lynx pardinus)

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is an emerging zoonotic virus of public and animal health concern, of which felids have been suggested as potential reservoirs. Although SARS-CoV-2 exposure has been detected in domestic and wild captive animals belonging to Felidae family, surveillance has not been carried out in free-ranging wild felids so far. The aim of the present study was to assess SARS-CoV-2 exposure in the Iberian lynx (Lynx pardinus), the most endangered felid in the world. Between 2019 and 2022, we conducted a seroepidemiological study of SARS-CoV-2 in 276 free-ranging and captive Iberian lynxes. Our results evidenced limited (0.4%; 95%CI: 0.0-1.1) but not negligible exposure to this emerging virus in this endangered felid species, increasing the SARS-CoV-2 host range. The circulation of this virus in wildlife evidences the need of integrated European wildlife monitoring.

Hepatitis E virus in the endangered Iberian lynx (Lynx pardinus)

Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is an emerging zoonotic pathogen in Europe. In the Iberian Peninsula, wild boar (Sus scrofa) is considered the main wildlife reservoir of HEV. This wild ungulate shares habitat and resources with other potential HEV carriers in Iberian Mediterranean ecosystems, although information about the role of such sympatric species in the HEV epidemiological cycle is still very limited. The aims of the present large-scale, long-term study were: (1) to determine the seroprevalence and prevalence of HEV in both free-living and captive populations of the Iberian lynx (Lynx pardinus), the most endangered felid in the world; (2) to determine potential risk factors associated with HEV exposure in this species and (3) to evaluate the dynamics of seropositivity in longitudinally sampled animals during the study period. Between 2010 and 2021, serum samples from 275 Iberian lynxes were collected in free-ranging and captive populations across the Iberian Peninsula. Forty-four of the 275 lynxes were also longitudinally sampled during the study period. A double-antigen sandwich ELISA was used to test for the presence of antibodies against HEV. A subset of seropositive samples was analysed by Western blot (WB) assay to confirm exposure to HEV. In addition, serum, liver and/or faecal samples from 367 individuals were tested for orthohepevirus RNA by RT-PCR. A total of 50 (18.2%; 95% CI: 14.1-23.2) of the 275 animals analysed had anti-HEV antibodies by ELISA. Exposure to HEV was confirmed by WB in most of the ELISA-positive Iberian lynxes analysed. Significantly higher seroprevalence was found in captive (33.6%) compared to free-ranging (7.4%) individuals. Within captive population, the GEE model identified 'age' (senile, adult and subadult) as risk a factor potentially associated with HEV exposure in the Iberian lynx. Thirteen (29.5%) of 44 longitudinally surveyed individuals seroconverted against HEV during the study period. HEV RNA was detected in the faeces of one (1/364; 0.3%; 95% CI: 0.0-0.8) free-ranging adult animal sampled in 2021. Phylogenetic analysis showed that the sequenced strain belongs to HEV-3f subtype and shared a high nucleotide sequence identity (97-99.6%) with human HEV-3f sequences from Spain and France. To the best of the authors' knowledge, this is the first survey study on HEV in the Iberian lynx and the first molecular report of HEV-A infection in free-ranging felines. Our results indicate high exposure to HEV-3 in Iberian lynx populations, particularly those kept in captivity. The serological results suggest widespread but not homogeneous circulation of HEV in Iberian lynx populations. Further studies are required to assess the epidemiological role of this endangered species as a potential spillover host of HEV.

Metastatic involvement of skeletal muscle from gastric adenocarcinoma

Gastric cancer represents the fifth most common cancer diagnosis worldwide and the third leading cause of cancer-related mortality. In the USA, the overall 5-year survival rate is 31%, with distant disease nearing 5%. The most common sites of metastasis are the liver and peritoneum. Skeletal muscle involvement has been rarely reported. Since clinical and imaging findings overlap with primary sarcomas, a confirmatory biopsy is required for diagnosis. Prognosis remains poor with treatment options including palliative chemotherapy, radiotherapy and surgical resection. We report the case of a 57-year-old female presenting with extensive involvement of skeletal muscle 10 years after achieving remission. In addition to illustrating the refractoriness and poor outcomes associated with muscle involvement, this case and comprehensive review of the literature highlights important characteristics of disease biology and tumor genomics that warrant detailed discussion and exposition to a wider audience.

Characterization of porcine milk oligosaccharides during early lactation and their relation to the fecal microbiome

The composition of porcine milk oligosaccharides (PMO) was analyzed during early lactation and their relation to piglet gut microbiome was investigated. Pigs are considered ideal intestinal models to simulate humans because of the striking similarity in intestinal physiopathology to humans. The evolution of PMO was investigated in the milk from 3 healthy sows at prefarrowing, farrowing, and d 7 and 14 postpartum by Nano-LC Chip Quadrupole-Time-of-Flight mass spectrometer (Agilent Technologies, Santa Clara, CA). Previously sequenced metagenome libraries were reanalyzed to examine changes with specific gut bacterial populations. Over 30 oligosaccharides (OS) were identified in the milk, with 3'-sialyllactose, lacto-N-tetraose, α1-3,β1-4-d-galactotriose, 2'-fucosyllactose, and 6'-sialyllactose being the most abundant species (accounting for ~70% of the total OS). Porcine milk had lower OS diversity (number of unique structures) than human milk, and appeared closer to bovine and caprine milk. In agreement with previous studies, only 3 fucosylated OS were identified. Surprisingly, their contribution to total OS abundance was greater than in bovine milk (9 vs. 1%). Indeed, fucosylated PMO increased during lactation, mirroring a similar trend observed for neutral and type I OS content during early lactation. Taken together, these results suggest that, in terms of abundance, PMO are closer to human milk than other domestic species, such as bovine and caprine milks. Metagenomic sequencing revealed that fucose-consuming bacterial taxa in the gut microbiota of piglets were qualitatively but not quantitatively different between nursing and weaning stages, suggesting that both the composition and structure of dietary glycans may play a critical role in shaping the distal gut microbiome. The similarity of both intestinal physiopathology and milk OS composition in human and porcine species suggests similar effects on gastrointestinal development of early nutrition, reinforcing the use of the pig intestinal model to simulate human intestinal models in the clinical setting.

Gangliosides and sialic acid effects upon newborn pathogenic bacteria adhesion: an in vitro study

The effect of the main gangliosides (GM(1), GM(3), GD(3)) and free sialic acid (Neu5Ac) upon the adhesion of pathogenic bacteria implicated in infant diarrhoea is assessed in vitro using the Caco-2 cell line. Concentrations of the bioactive compounds found in the bioaccessible (soluble) fraction of infant formula and human milk are employed. Bacterial adhesion behaviour included enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC), enteropathogenic E.coli (EPEC), Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella entericaserovartyphi, Shigella sonnei, Campylobacter jejuni and Helicobacter pylori. Three different approaches were assayed: pre-incubation of bacteria and compounds before addition to cells (competition); pre-incubation of the cells with compounds (exclusion); and pre-incubation of cells with bacteria (displacement). Furthermore, the spatial localization of the most abundant gangliosides, GM(3) and GD(3), in Caco-2 cells has been determined using confocal microscopy. Results show that GM(3), GD(3), GM(1) and Neu5Ac at the assayed concentrations are able to interfere with the adhesion of several pathogenic bacteria involved in neonatal diseases-the greatest effect corresponding to Neu5Ac, followed by GD(3), GM(1) and GM(3). Gangliosides GM(3) and GD(3) are located in the apical and basolateral membranes of the Caco-2 cells.

Behavioral and histopathological consequences of paraquat intoxication in mice: effects of alpha-synuclein over-expression

Genetic variability in the alpha-synuclein gene and long-term exposure to the pesticide paraquat constitute possible risk factors for sporadic Parkinson's disease. The goal of the present study was to further characterize the effects of paraquat in mice as a model of Parkinson's disease and to determine whether it acted synergistically with alpha-synuclein over-expression to cause nigrostriatal cell death or dysfunction. Paraquat (10 mg/kg i.p.) was administered once a week for 3 weeks to mice over-expressing human alpha-synuclein under the Thy1 promoter and their wild-type littermates. The effect of paraquat on catecholaminergic neurons was reminiscent of that of Parkinson's disease, with preferential loss of dopaminergic neurons in the ventral tier of the substantia nigra pars compacta and loss of tyrosine hydroxylase staining in the locus coeruleus. alpha-Synuclein over-expression did not increase paraquat-induced cell loss, and paraquat did not worsen the behavioral deficits observed in the transgenic mice. However, paraquat markedly increased proteinase-K-resistant alpha-synuclein aggregates in substantia nigra of the transgenic mice. The data further validate the use of paraquat to model Parkinson's disease in mice and show that although paraquat and alpha-synuclein over-expression act synergistically to increase protein aggregation in vivo, this interaction does not result in short-term neuroprotection or increased vulnerability of nigrostriatal neurons.

Outcomes of an inner-city HIV mental health programme integrated with primary care and emphasizing cultural responsiveness

Effectiveness of HIV-related mental health practice in inner cities has not been adequately documented despite an urgent need for interventions for populations disproportionately affected by the epidemic. Practices must take into account and respond to cultural issues of people of colour and the needs of those infected through injection drug use or heterosexual sex with IDUs. We report the effectiveness of an HIV mental health programme integrated with primary care and emphasizing cultural responsiveness. A sample of 47 of 188 patients who received psychiatric and psychotherapy services was compared with other subjects. The 47 had an average of 8.34 encounters over an average of 36.23 weeks. Consumers of project services used mental health care at a higher rate than did comparison subjects. Regression analyses indicated that utilization was related to reduction in reported mental health problems, HIV-related physical symptoms, and use of alcohol and powdered cocaine, as well as to improvement in social functioning. Our clients, individuals often viewed as not likely to avail themselves of or benefit from mental health care, were highly motivated for self-improvement and, given access to competent, convenient and culturally respectful services, improved their well-being in significant domains.

Ampullary carcinoid tumor presenting as acute pancreatitis in a patient with von Recklinghausen's disease: case report and review of the literature

A patient with von Recklinghausen syndrome presented with multiple attacks of pancreatitis. Evaluation using computed tomography, endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography, and endosonography revealed an ampullary carcinoid. The patient underwent a pylorus-sparing Whipple resection, and is doing well after 30 months of follow-up. This is the second reported case of ampullary carcinoid presenting with pancreatitis in a patient with von Recklinghausen syndrome.

Rhabdomyolysis as a result of Streptococcus pneumoniae: report of a case and review

We report the case of a patient who presented with RM associated with bacteremic pneumococcal pneumonia and review the literature on this condition.

[Organic extracts with antimicrobian activity from Penicillium sp. (Moniliales) isolated from the sponge Ircinia felix (Porifera: Demospongiae)]

This research expresses the potential of the bacterial activity present in the organic extracts obtained from Penicillium sp., isolated from the esponge Irciniafelix. This activity was evaluated through agar diffusion test and Minimal Inhibitory Concentration (MIC). The susceptibility trials of organic fractions were carried out against Staphylococcus aureus, S. epidermidis, Bacillus cereus and B. subtilis. The use of the chromatographic techniques (CLV and TLC), permitted to obtain bioactive organic extracts of different polarities, of which only the EtOAc and MeOH fractions inhibited the growth of the bacteria used. Of the EtOAc fractionation, only fraction number 3 EtOAc/Hex presented greatest activity against the Gram-positive bacteria. Number 1 EtOAc/Hex fraction increased its activity against S. aureus (24 mm) and S. epidermidis (25 mm), which can be explained by the loss of possible antagonistic effect during the fractionation process. The CMI trials were carried out for the EtOAc number I subfraction against S. aureus, S. epidermidis, B. cereus and B. subtilis, wich was clinical interest, and shows the potential of this organic extract as antimicrobial agent.

Rhabdomyolysis of infectious and noninfectious causes

BACKGROUND

This study was done to determine variables associated with infectious rhabdomyolysis (IRM).

METHODS

In this retrospective case-control study, rhabdomyolysis (RM) was defined as a fivefold or greater elevation in creatine kinase (CK) levels with a muscle/brain (MB) fraction <5%. Patients with myocardial infarction or cerebrovascular accident or a recent history of surgery, trauma, or immobilization were excluded.

RESULTS

We analyzed 52 cases of RM seen at our institution between 1992 and 2000; IRM was the most frequent cause (31%), most commonly respiratory tract infections (38%). When a microorganism could be identified (50%), it was more often gram-negative (63%). Patients with IRM were elderly and had fever and lower CK levels. Infectious rhabdomyolysis was associated with a higher morbidity but not with a higher risk of death.

CONCLUSIONS

Infectious rhabdomyolysis is the main cause of RM and must be suspected in elderly patients with fever and low levels of CK.

Rhabdomyolysis of infectious and noninfectious causes

BACKGROUND

This study was done to determine variables associated with infectious rhabdomyolysis (IRM).

METHODS

In this retrospective case-control study, rhabdomyolysis (RM) was defined as a fivefold or greater elevation in creatine kinase (CK) levels with a muscle/brain (MB) fraction <5%. Patients with myocardial infarction or cerebrovascular accident or a recent history of surgery, trauma, or immobilization were excluded.

RESULTS

We analyzed 52 cases of RM seen at our institution between 1992 and 2000; IRM was the most frequent cause (31%), most commonly respiratory tract infections (38%). When a microorganism could be identified (50%), it was more often gram-negative (63%). Patients with IRM were elderly and had fever and lower CK levels. Infectious rhabdomyolysis was associated with a higher morbidity but not with a higher risk of death.

CONCLUSIONS

Infectious rhabdomyolysis is the main cause of RM and must be suspected in elderly patients with fever and low levels of CK.

Nonmalignant obstruction is a common problem with metal stents in the treatment of esophageal cancer

BACKGROUND

The use of metal stents for the treatment of dysphagia due to esophageal malignancy is an important advance because of ease of delivery and their self-expandable property. Obstruction due to tumor overgrowth is a recognized complication, but nonmalignant obstruction in patients with metal stents is rarely reported.

METHODS

Database records of patients who had esophageal cancer and underwent metal stent insertion were reviewed.

RESULTS

A total of 116 patients were seen between October 1993 and October 1997. Four types of metal stents had been used (Ultraflex, Z Stent, Wallstent, and Esophacoil). Detailed follow-up information was available for 81 patients, who constitute the study sample. Forty-nine (60%) stent obstructions were reported, 26 of the 49 (53%) were due to tumor overgrowth and 23 (47%) were not associated with malignancy. Histologic analysis of the nonmalignant obstructing tissue showed granulation tissue (56%), reactive hyperplasia (22%) and fibrosis (22%).

CONCLUSIONS

Nonmalignant obstruction is a common although infrequently reported complication after placement of metal stents for esophageal cancer. The tissue response of the esophageal mucosa occurred with all 4 types of stents used. No specific characteristic of the stent or prior treatment seems to be related to obstruction of the stent in patients with either nonmalignant obstruction or tumor overgrowth.

[Psoas abscess, a rare and forgotten entity. Report of 6 cases]

The psoas abscess is an entity, some times forgotten in our daily clinical practice. The gram-positive microorganisms are the most frequent, and S. aureus is the most important pathogen. We present a retrospective study of six cases. In our revision, five patients were women (83.3%), and one man (16.6%), with a median age of 65.83 years. The associated pathology were vertebral in four patients (66.6%), and urologic in two of them. The main symptoms were fever and lumbar pain. All the patients were diagnosed by CT. The correct identification of the microorganisms, and the prompt use of the antibiotherapy associated to surgery, helped to a total recuperation of this patients.

Intravenous immunoglobulin therapy for severe Clostridium difficile colitis

BACKGROUND

Many individuals have serum antibodies against Clostridium difficile toxins. Those with an impaired antitoxin response may be susceptible to recurrent, prolonged, or severe C difficile diarrhoea and colitis.

AIMS

To examine whether treatment with intravenous immunoglobulin might be effective in patients with severe pseudomembranous colitis unresponsive to standard antimicrobial therapy.

PATIENTS

Two patients with pseudomembranous colitis not responding to metronidazole and vancomycin were given normal pooled human immunoglobulin intravenously (200-300 mg/kg).

METHODS

Antibodies against C difficile toxins were measured in nine immunoglobulin preparations by ELISA and by cytotoxin neutralisation assay.

RESULTS

Both patients responded quickly as shown by resolution of diarrhoea, abdominal tenderness, and distension. All immunoglobulin preparations tested contained IgG against C difficile toxins A and B by ELISA and neutralised the cytotoxic activity of C difficile toxins in vitro at IgG concentrations of 0.4-1.6 mg/ml.

CONCLUSION

Passive immunotherapy with intravenous immunoglobulin may be a useful addition to antibiotic therapy for severe, refractory C difficile colitis. IgG antitoxin is present in standard immunoglobulin preparations and C difficile toxin neutralising activity is evident at IgG concentrations which are readily achieved in the serum by intravenous immunoglobulin administration.

Adsorption of a Corticoid on Colloidal Hematite Particles of Different Geometries

An electrokinetic study of the adsorption of a glucocorticoid drug, betamethasone disodium phosphate (BMP), on hematite (alpha-Fe2O3) particles is presented in this work. We analyze the electrophoretic mobility of both spherical and elongated hematite as a function of the concentration of BMP in the dispersion medium; it is found that, even for the lowest BMP concentration, the drug molecules adsorb onto the particles, changing their surface charge from positive to negative. When the drug concentration is increased between 10(-5) and 5 x 10(-3) M, the mobility of spherical hematite shows a monotonous increase from approximately -1.5 to approximately -3.5 &mgr;ms-1/Vcm-1; in the case of elongated particles, the mobility increases with BMP concentration up to 10(-4) M, larger concentrations of the corticoid having little effect on the electrokinetic properties of the particles. The effect of pH on the electrophoretic mobility of hematite is also investigated for two constant drug concentrations (0.05 and 0.5 mM); the isoelectric point of the particles is shifted to a pH below 3, another indication of adsorption of the negatively charged phosphate groups of BMP. These qualitative reasonings are confirmed by direct spectrophotometric determinations of the amount of BMP adsorbed on both hematite samples: spherical and ellipsoidal. The effect of pH on the adsorption density, Gamma, suggests that electrostatic interactions are not the only forces responsible for adsorption. In fact, although Gamma decreases with pH for both types of particles, it remains measurable up to pH 10, when strong electric repulsion is to be expected between hematite and phosphate groups. The effect of initial BMP concentration on Gamma is also studied. It is shown that a plateau region is reached in both samples, this indicating that their surfaces get saturated with BMP: the saturation begins when the coverage is of the order of approximately 1/8 (spherical particles) and approximately 1/40 (elongated particles) of a drug monolayer. Such difference might be due to the ellipsoidal hematite particles having a lower positive surface charge, since they are synthesized in a different dispersion medium.

Adsorption of betamethasone disodium phosphate on ethylcellulose latex: an electrokinetic study

The use of polymer latexes as vehicles for drug transport and controlled delivery in the body is a very active research field in applied colloid science. In this work, the polymer chosen is a commercially available ethylcellulose-based material, Aquacoat. We report electrokinetic (electrophoresis) data on this polymer in the presence of the soluble glucocorticoid betamethasone disodium phosphate (BMP). The electrophoretic mobility of the particles becomes more negative as the concentration of BMP in the medium is increased between 10(-5) and 10(-3) M, this demonstrating that the negative species produced upon dissolution of BMP adsorb on the particles; this trend is reversed for higher concentrations due to the phenomenon of double layer thickness. When pH is increased at constant BMP concentration, the negative mobility increases in absolute value, but it reaches lower values than attained in the absence of BMP. This is interpreted as another consequence of adsorption, since the ionization constants of the phosphate and sulfate groups are different. Such adsorption is confirmed and measured by spectrophotometric analysis of the supernatants after centrifugation of the suspensions; it is found that the adsorption density increases with the initial concentration of BMP in the medium, an almost vertical isotherm being obtained for concentrations above 5 x 10(-3) M, possibly due to bidimensional aggregation of the adsorbed molecules and multilayer adsorption at higher concentrations. It is found that the adsorbed amount increases with the ionic strength of the medium as a consequence of screening of the particle and BMP charges, whereas these electrostatic contributions to adsorption manifest also in the pH dependence of adsorption. IR analysis of the particles after equilibration with BMP solutions of increasing concentration agrees well with adsorption data.

Effects of different amino acids on the electrical characteristics of pharmaceutical polymers

The effect of variations in pH and in concentration of five different amino acids (alanine, glycine, lysine, threonine, and glutamic acid) on the electrical properties of the Aquacoat polymer/solution interface was investigated by means of electrophoretic mobility measurements. The results are explained on the basis of determinations of adsorption of the amino acids on the polymer particles. The pH appears to be a determining factor in the way amino acids interact with the negatively charged polymer particles. The net, pH-dependent charge on the amino acid molecules may significantly affect their interaction with Aquacoat; thus, electrostatic effects seem to be most important in the case of lysine and glutamic acid. However, specific effects related to the structure (polarizability, size, charge) of the side group of the amino acid species appear to play an important role in the interaction and adsorption phenomena involved.