NADH Intraperitoneal Injection Prevents Lung Inflammation in a BALB/C Mice Model of Cigarette Smoke-Induced Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.

Cigarette smoke is one of the main factors in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), a respiratory syndrome marked by persistent respiratory symptoms and increasing airway obstruction. Perturbed NAD+/NADH levels may play a role in various diseases, including lung disorders like COPD. In our study, we investigated the preventive effect of NADH supplementation in an experimental model of COPD induced by cigarette smoke extract (CSE). N = 64 mice randomly distributed in eight groups were injected with NADH (two doses of 100 mg/kg or 200 mg/kg) or dexamethasone (2 mg/kg) before being exposed to CSE for up to 9 weeks. Additionally, NADH supplementation preserved lung antioxidant defenses by preventing the functional loss of key enzymes such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPX), catalase, and the expression levels of glutathione (GSH) (n = 4, p < 0.001). It also reduced oxidative damage markers, such as malondialdehyde (MDA) and nitrites (n = 4, p < 0.001). A marked increase in tissue myeloperoxidase activity was assessed (MPO), confirming neutrophils implication in the inflammatory process. The latter was significantly ameliorated in the NADH-treated groups (p < 0.001). Finally, NADH prevented the CSE-induced secretion of cytokines such as Tumor Necrosis Factor alpha (TNF-α), IL-17, and IFN-y (n = 4, p < 0.001). Our study shows, for the first time, the clinical potential of NADH supplementation in preventing key features of COPD via its unique anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.

First serological evidence of MERS-CoV in dromedary camels from Algeria.

Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) is a zoonotic disease. Dromedary camel is responsible of its transmission to humans. Accordingly, several human cases have been reported worldwide with a high mortality rate. In Algeria, no data reported on MERS prevalence in camels. This is a first seroprevalence study MERS-CoV in Algerian dromedaries. A total of 87 camel blood samples from EL -MENIAA and Ghardaia, were analyzed by anti-MERS-CoV IgG ELISA camel. The seroprevalence was 64 % and it significantly increases with age. Larger serological and molecular screening is needed to precisely determine the rate of MERS active circulation among Algerian dromedary population.

If You're Not Confused, You're Not Paying Attention: Ochrobactrum Is Not Brucella.

Bacteria of the genus Brucella are facultative intracellular parasites that cause brucellosis, a severe animal and human disease. Recently, a group of taxonomists merged the brucellae with the primarily free-living, phylogenetically related Ochrobactrum spp. in the genus Brucella. This change, founded only on global genomic analysis and the fortuitous isolation of some opportunistic Ochrobactrum spp. from medically compromised patients, has been automatically included in culture collections and databases. We argue that clinical and environmental microbiologists should not accept this nomenclature, and we advise against its use because (i) it was presented without in-depth phylogenetic analyses and did not consider alternative taxonomic solutions; (ii) it was launched without the input of experts in brucellosis or Ochrobactrum; (iii) it applies a non-consensus genus concept that disregards taxonomically relevant differences in structure, physiology, population structure, core-pangenome assemblies, genome structure, genomic traits, clinical features, treatment, prevention, diagnosis, genus description rules, and, above all, pathogenicity; and (iv) placing these two bacterial groups in the same genus creates risks for veterinarians, medical doctors, clinical laboratories, health authorities, and legislators who deal with brucellosis, a disease that is particularly relevant in low- and middle-income countries. Based on all this information, we urge microbiologists, bacterial collections, genomic databases, journals, and public health boards to keep the Brucella and Ochrobactrum genera separate to avoid further bewilderment and harm.

High toxoplasmosis seroprevalence among young pregnant women in Medea, Algeria.

Toxoplasmosis is a parasitic disease with worldwide distribution and a major public health problem. In fact, the zoonotic pathogen Toxoplasma gondii infects humans and almost all warm-blooded animals. One of the most common sources of human T. gondii infection is the ingestion of tissue cysts in raw or undercooked meat. The current epidemiological study was carried out in Medea (Algeria), from January to June 2017, using Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Antibodies against T. gondii were determined in sera of more than one thousand pregnant women. The different age groups were: 15-20, 20-25, 25-30, 30-35, 35-40 and 40-45. Among 1,012 pregnant women analyzed, 252 (25%) were found seropositive, 49 among them showed a IgG+/IgM+ profile, and 760 (75%) were seronegative exhibiting IgG-/IgM-. Toxoplasmosis prevalence's were 44.5% and 39.5% in 15-20 and 20-25 age categories, respectively. A long-term prevention program is needed and strategies should be focused on the serodiagnosis of toxoplasmosis, especially in pregnant women. Since the consumption of raw or undercooked meat is not a part of the culinary culture in that area of study, cat exposure remains the principal factor of human infection.