Diet and ontogeny drastically alter the larval microbiome of the invertebrate model Galleria mellonella.

Larvae of the greater wax moth (Galleria mellonella) are an emerging animal model to study the innate immune response and biodegradation of plastic polymers. Both of these complex biological processes are likely impacted by the plasticity of host-microbe interactions, which remains understudied in lepidopterans. Consequently, we carried out 16S rRNA sequencing to explore the effect diet (natural, artificial) has on the bacterial assemblages of G. mellonella in different tissues (gut, fat bodies, silk glands) throughout development (eggs, six instar stages, adults). The microbiome was rich in diversity, with Proteobacteria and Firmicutes being the most represented phyla. Contrary to other lepidopterans, G. mellonella appears to possess a resident microbiome dominated by Ralstonia. As larvae progress through development, the bacterial assemblages become increasingly shaped by the caterpillar's diet. In particular, a number of bacteria genera widely associated with the G. mellonella microbiome (e.g., Enterococcus and Enterbacter) were significantly enriched on an artificial diet. Overall, these results indicate that the G. mellonella microbiome is not as simplistic and homogenous as previously described. Rather, its bacterial communities are drastically affected by both diet and ontogeny, which should be taken into consideration in future studies planning to use G. mellonella as model species.

In vitro degradation of low-density polyethylene by new bacteria from larvae of the greater wax moth, Galleria mellonella.

Three bacterial species isolated from whole body extracts of the greater wax moth larvae, Galleria mellonella, were evaluated for their ability to utilize low-density polyethylene (LDPE) as a sole carbon source in vitro. These bacteria were identified as Lysinibacillus fusiformis, Bacillus aryabhattai, and Microbacterium oxydans. Their ability to biodegrade LDPE was assessed by growth curves, cell biomass production, polyethylene (PE) weight loss, and the presence of LDPE hydrolysis products in the growth media. Consortia of these bacteria with three other bacteria previously shown to degrade LDPE (Cupriavidus necator H16, Pseudomonas putida LS46, and Pseudomonas putida IRN22) were also tested. Growth curves of the bacteria utilizing LDPE as a sole carbon source revealed a peak in cell density after 24 h. Cell densities declined by 48 h but slowly increased again to different extents, depending on the bacteria. Incubation of LDPE with bacteria isolated from greater wax moth larvae had significant effects on bacterial cell mass production and weight loss of LDPE in PE-containing media. The bacterial consortia were better able to degrade LDPE than were the individual species alone. Gas chromatographic analyses revealed the presence of linear alkanes and other unknown putative LDPE hydrolysis products in some of bacterial culture media.

Treatment, prevention and public health management of impetigo, scabies, crusted scabies and fungal skin infections in endemic populations: a systematic review.

We conducted a systematic review of the treatment, prevention and public health control of skin infections including impetigo, scabies, crusted scabies and tinea in resource-limited settings where skin infections are endemic. The aim is to inform strategies, guidelines and research to improve skin health in populations that are inequitably affected by infections of the skin and the downstream consequences of these. The systematic review is reported according to the PRISMA statement. From 1759 titles identified, 81 full text studies were reviewed and key findings outlined for impetigo, scabies, crusted scabies and tinea. Improvements in primary care and public health management of skin infections will have broad and lasting impacts on overall quality of life including reductions in morbidity and mortality from sepsis, skeletal infections, kidney and heart disease.

Nous avons effectué une analyse systématique du traitement, de la prévention et du contrôle de santé publique des infections cutanées comprenant l'impétigo, la gale, la gale en croûte et la teigne, dans des cadres à ressources limitées où les infections cutanées sont endémiques. Le but étant d'informer les stratégies, les directives et la recherche pour améliorer la santé de la peau dans les populations qui sont touchées de manière inéquitable par les infections cutanées et leurs conséquences plus tard. La revue systématique est rapportée selon la déclaration PRISMA. Sur 1759 titres recensés, 81 études en texte intégral ont été passées en revue et les principaux résultats rapportés concernant l'impétigo, la gale, la gale en croûte et la teigne. Les améliorations apportées dans la prise en charge des infections de la peau dans les soins de santé primaires et les soins de santé publique auront des répercussions vastes et durables sur la qualité de vie en général, notamment une réduction de la morbidité et de la mortalité dues au sepsis, aux infections du squelette, aux maladies du rein et du cœur.

[Epidemiological, clinical and etiological profile of tinea capitis in adult patients in Dakar, Senegal]. / Profil épidémio-clinique et étiologique des teignes du cuir chevelu chez l'adulte à Dakar (Sénégal).

OBJECTIVE: To determine the epidemiological and etiological profile of tinea capitis in adults in Dakar (Senegal). PATIENTS AND METHODS: A 9-month prospective, multicenter, descriptive and analytic study. Patients included were aged over 18 years. Mycological tests were used to confirm the diagnosis. RESULTS: 121 patients were included with a mean age of 36.1 years and a hospitalisation frequency of 0.8%. The age range of 64.4% of patients was between19 and 38 years. 51% of patients were housewives. A low socioeconomic level was found in 72.8% of cases. In 3.3% of patients, the disease began in childhood. 31.4% of patients had already consulted a traditional healer. Similar familial cases were noted in 60.3% of patients. Contact with a sheep was noted in 32.2% of cases, deliberate skin lightening in 64% of women, hair salon attendance in 46.7% of women, and immunosuppression in 17.3% of patients, while itching was present in 95.5%. Dermatologic examination showed scaled plaques and a diffuse form, with 92.6% and 64% (n=75) respectively. Wood's light examination was positive in 40.2% of patients. A positive culture test was found in 71%. The most frequently encountered species were: T. soudanense (65%), M. audouinii (21%), T. rubrum (4.7%), M. gypseum (3.5%), T. violaceum (2.3%), T. verrucosum (2.3%) and M. canis (1 case). The clinical course was favorable under treatment with griseofulvin or terbinafine. CONCLUSION: Tinea capitis in adults mainly affects young women. The diffuse form is the most common. The most frequently encountered species was T. soudanense.

Selecting and validating reference genes for quantitative real-time PCR in Plutella xylostella (L.).

Gene expression analysis provides important clues regarding gene functions, and quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) is a widely used method in gene expression studies. Reference genes are essential for normalizing and accurately assessing gene expression. In the present study, 16 candidate reference genes (ACTB, CyPA, EF1-α, GAPDH, HSP90, NDPk, RPL13a, RPL18, RPL19, RPL32, RPL4, RPL8, RPS13, RPS4, α-TUB, and ß-TUB) from Plutella xylostella were selected to evaluate gene expression stability across different experimental conditions using five statistical algorithms (geNorm, NormFinder, Delta Ct, BestKeeper, and RefFinder). The results suggest that different reference genes or combinations of reference genes are suitable for normalization in gene expression studies of P. xylostella according to the different developmental stages, strains, tissues, and insecticide treatments. Based on the given experimental sets, the most stable reference genes were RPS4 across different developmental stages, RPL8 across different strains and tissues, and EF1-α across different insecticide treatments. A comprehensive and systematic assessment of potential reference genes for gene expression normalization is essential for post-genomic functional research in P. xylostella, a notorious pest with worldwide distribution and a high capacity to adapt and develop resistance to insecticides.

Analysis of trichoscopic signs observed in 24 patients presenting tinea capitis: Hypotheses based on physiopathology and proposed new classification.

INTRODUCTION: Trichoscopy (hair dermoscopy) is a non-invasive and very useful technique for the diagnosis and follow-up of hair and scalp disorders. In tinea capitis, specific aspects of the hair shaft have been described, with the main ones being: comma hair, corkscrew hair, bar code-like hair (BCH) and zigzag hair (ZZH). METHOD: Herein we report on a retrospective study of 24 patients with tinea capitis (TC). All patients underwent trichoscopic examination and mycological culture. RESULTS: Trichoscopy was abnormal in all 24 patients showing hair-shaft abnormalities. We observed three types of images depending on the nature and the mechanism of infection and discuss the different trichoscopic aspects of the hair shaft (comma hair, corkscrew hair, bar code-like hair, zigzag hair, broken hair and black dots) resulting from 3 mechanisms of penetration of the fungus in the hair shaft (endothrix, ectothrix and ectothrix-endothrix). All patients had positive mycological cultures: 15 with trichophytic TC (8 with Trichophyton tonsurans, 5 with T. soudanense and 2 with T. verrucosum) and 9 microsporic TC (7 with Microsporum audouini, and 2 with M. canis). DISCUSSION: We propose for the first time, to our knowledge, a classification of trichoscopic signs of TC. This classification will enable rapid diagnosis and prediction of the nature of the fungus before mycological culture. CONCLUSION: Our study shows the importance of trichoscopy in the diagnosis and monitoring of TC as well as its very good correlation with mycological culture. We propose a new classification of trichoscopic signs dependent on the nature of the mycological agent and the mechanism of infection. Further prospective studies with more patients are needed to confirm this classification.

[Generalized exanthematous pustular dermatophytid, a rare clinical presentation of dermatophytid reaction]. / La dermatophytide exanthématique et pustuleuse généralisée (DEPG), une présentation clinique rare de dermatophytide.

BACKGROUND: Dermatophytids are immunologically mediated dermatologic presentations secondary to sensitization to a dermatophyte infection. They are most frequently associated with toe-web intertrigo and usually present as localized, palmar, pruriginous vesicular eruptions. We report three original cases of generalized exanthematous pustular dermatophytid associated with kerions. PATIENTS: Two boys aged 11 and 6 years, and one girl aged 6 years initially presented with kerion secondary to Trichophyton tonsurans (case 1), Trichophyton soudanense (case 2) and Trichophyton mentagrophytes (case 3), respectively. Two to three days after initiation of griseofulvin treatment, all patients presented with a pustular eruption extending from the head to the trunk, associated in one case with fever of 39°C and inflammatory chondritis. Samples obtained from the pustular lesions were sterile, serum inflammatory markers were within the normal range and skin lesions resolved on oral corticosteroid treatment (prednisone 0.75 mg/kg, case 1) or high-potency topical steroids (cases 2 and 3) given as an adjunct to griseofulvin treatment (19 to 23 mg/kg/d). DISCUSSION: Dermatophytids occur during the acute phase of infection or within a few days of treatment initiation. Lesions are remote from the infection site, contain no dermatophyte, and resolve after treatment of the infection. We report three original cases of generalized exanthematous pustular dermatophytid, associated in one case with fever and inflammatory chondritis. The main differential diagnosis is acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis secondary to antifungal drugs. Differences in clinical presentation between the two enable the appropriate diagnosis to be made as well as continued use of the antifungal medication needed to cure the patient. General or topical steroids may also be used in combination.

[The burden of fungal infections in Algeria]. / Estimation des infections fongiques en Algérie.

In Algeria, superficial mycoses are very commonly diagnosed. Deep fungal infections are less often observed. Few data from Algeria are found in the literature. We report for the first time the main causes of these diseases in our country and provide burden estimates. We searched for existing data and estimated the incidence and prevalence of fungal diseases based on the population at risk and available epidemiological data. Demographic data were derived from the Service (Office) of the Statistics (ONES), World Health Organization (WHO), The Joint Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) and national published reports. When no data existed, risk populations were used to estimate frequencies of fungal infections, using previously described methodology. Algeria has 40.4 million inhabitants and probably at least 568,900 (1.41 %) of Algerians have a serious fungal infection each year. Recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis (485,000) and fungal asthma (72,000) are probably the commonest problems as there are over 1 million adult asthmatics. Candidaemia is estimated in 2020, invasive aspergillosis in 2865, intra-abdominal candidiasis in 303 people and are the most common life-threatening problems. AIDS is uncommon, but cancer is not (45,000 new cases of cancer among including 1500 in children) and nor is COPD (an estimated 317,762 patients of whom 20.3 % are admitted to hospital each year). A focus on improving the diagnosis and epidemiological data related to fungal infection is necessary in Algeria.

[Tinea capitis in the military hospital Avicenna (Morocco): Review of 8 years (2006-2013)]. / Teignes du cuir chevelu à l'hôpital militaire Avicenne de Marrakech (Maroc): bilan de 8ans (2006-2013).

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: Tinea capitis are due to fungal infection by dermatophytes. They are common in developing countries including Morocco. The objective of this study intended to describe the epidemiology, clinical and mycological profile of tinea capitis in Avicenna military hospital of Marrakech. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This is a retrospective study over an 8-year period (from 1st January 2006 to 31st December 2013). All patients targeted through this study presented to the laboratory with the suspicion of tinea capitis, they were under a detailed investigation with a careful mycological analysis; diagnosis of tinea capitis was established as the direct examination and/or the sampling proved positive. RESULTS: Of the 334 patients investigated, 216 had a TC with an overall prevalence of 64.67%. The average age was 6 years. The M/F sex ratio was 0.55. The isolated dermatophytes were Microsporum canis with 105 cases (63.26%), Trichophyton violaceum in 44 cases (26.51%), T. mentographytes in 8 cases (4.81%), M. langeronii in 5 cases (3.01%), T. verrucosum in 3 cases (1.8%) and T. schoenleinii in 1 case (0.61%). The contact with animals was found in 40% of cases and immunosupression in 3.47% of cases. We verify through our investigation that tineas predominate among school age children with a female predominance. The epidemiological profile of TC in our study is similar to that of other studies in Moroccan and Maghrebian countries investigations. CONCLUSION: The TC is relatively a mild infection but can be confused with other dermatoses not easy to diagnose. For this reason, their treatment necessitates a mycological analysis.

An estimation of burden of serious fungal infections in France.

OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY: An estimation of burden of serious fungal diseases in France is essential data to inform public health priorities on the importance of resources and research needed on these infections. In France, precise data are available for invasive fungal diseases but estimates for several other diseases such as chronic and immunoallergic diseases are by contrast less known. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A systematic literature search was conducted using the Web of Science Platform. Published epidemiology papers reporting fungal infection rates from France were identified. Where no data existed, we used specific populations at risk and fungal infection frequencies in those populations to estimate national incidence or prevalence, depending on the condition. RESULTS: The model predicts high prevalences of severe asthma with fungal sensitization episodes (189 cases/100,000 adults per year), of allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (145/100,000) and of chronic pulmonary aspergillosis (5.24/100,000). Besides, estimated incidence for invasive aspergillosis is 1.8/100,000 annually based on classical high risk factors. Estimates for invasive mucormycosis, pneumocystosis and cryptococcosis are 0.12/100,000, 1/100,000 and 0.2/100,000, respectively. Regarding invasive candidiasis, more than 10,000 cases per year are estimated, and a much higher number of recurrent vaginal candidiasis is probable but must be confirmed. Finally, this survey was an opportunity to report a first picture of the frequency of tinea capitis in France. CONCLUSION: Using local and literature data of the incidence or prevalence of fungal infections, approximately 1,000,000 (1.47%) people in France are estimated to suffer from serious fungal infections each year.

Epidemiology of tinea capitis among school-age children in Meiganga, Cameroon.

Tinea capitis (TC) commonly called scalp ringworm is a worldwide concern and a public health problem in Africa. This study aimed at determining the epidemiologic profile of TC among school-aged children in the savanna zone of Cameroon. All children present at school during this study period, August 2011-July 2012, were examined for signs suggestive of TC. Children not registered at school were excluded from the study. Pathologic specimens were taken from suspected head lesions and cultured. Amongst the 4601 children, average age 10.7±0.16 years, 377 presented with suggestive TC lesions giving a prevalence of 8.1%. The proportion of boys with TC was (63.7%) higher than in girls (36.3%) (P≤0.05). TC manifestations varied; small plaques of alopecia 59.26% were the most frequent. Communal living was the most incriminated risk factor. Three hundred and thirty six isolates were obtained in culture. The prevalence was significantly higher (P<0.05) in age range between 8 and 12 years, followed by that between 13 and 15. The most prevalent isolate was T. soudannense 56.8%, followed by T. rubrum 29.2%. Only 6.0% of the isolates belonged to the genus Microsporum.