The increasing threat to European forests from the invasive foliar pine pathogen, Lecanosticta acicola.

European forests are threatened by increasing numbers of invasive pests and pathogens. Over the past century, Lecanosticta acicola, a foliar pathogen predominantly of Pinus spp., has expanded its range globally, and is increasing in impact. Lecanosticta acicola causes brown spot needle blight, resulting in premature defoliation, reduced growth, and mortality in some hosts. Originating from southern regions of North American, it devastated forests in the USA's southern states in the early twentieth century, and in 1942 was discovered in Spain. Derived from Euphresco project 'Brownspotrisk,' this study aimed to establish the current distribution of Lecanosticta species, and assess the risks of L. acicola to European forests. Pathogen reports from the literature, and new/ unpublished survey data were combined into an open-access geo-database (http://www.portalofforestpathology.com), and used to visualise the pathogen's range, infer its climatic tolerance, and update its host range. Lecanosticta species have now been recorded in 44 countries, mostly in the northern hemisphere. The type species, L. acicola, has increased its range in recent years, and is present in 24 out of the 26 European countries where data were available. Other species of Lecanosticta are largely restricted to Mexico and Central America, and recently Colombia. The geo-database records demonstrate that L. acicola tolerates a wide range of climates across the northern hemisphere, and indicate its potential to colonise Pinus spp. forests across large swathes of the Europe. Preliminary analyses suggest L. acicola could affect 62% of global Pinus species area by the end of this century, under climate change predictions. Although its host range appears slightly narrower than the similar Dothistroma species, Lecanosticta species were recorded on 70 host taxa, mostly Pinus spp., but including, Cedrus and Picea spp. Twenty-three, including species of critical ecological, environmental and economic significance in Europe, are highly susceptible to L. acicola, suffering heavy defoliation and sometimes mortality. Variation in apparent susceptibility between reports could reflect variation between regions in the hosts' genetic make-up, but could also reflect the significant variation in L. acicola populations and lineages found across Europe. This study served to highlight significant gaps in our understanding of the pathogen's behaviour. Lecanosticta acicola has recently been downgraded from an A1 quarantine pest to a regulated non quarantine pathogen, and is now widely distributed across Europe. With a need to consider disease management, this study also explored global BSNB strategies, and used Case Studies to summarise the tactics employed to date in Europe.

Evidence for homoploid speciation in Phytophthora alni supports taxonomic reclassification in this species complex.

Alder decline has been a problem along European watercourses since the early 1990s. Hybridization was identified as the main cause of this emerging disease. Indeed, the causal agent, a soil-borne pathogen named Phytophthora alni subsp. alni (Paa) is the result of interspecific hybridization between two taxa, Phytophthora alni subsp. multiformis (Pam) and Phytophthora alni subsp. uniformis (Pau), initially identified as subspecies of Paa. The aim of this work was to characterize the ploidy level within the P. alni complex that is presently poorly understood. For that, we used two complementary approaches for a set of 31 isolates of Paa, Pam and Pau: (i) quantification of allele copy number of three single-copy nuclear genes using allele-specific real-time PCR and (ii) comparison of the genome size estimated by flow cytometry. Relative quantification of alleles of the three single-copy genes showed that the copy number of a given allele in Paa was systematically half that of its parents Pau or Pam. Moreover, DNA content estimated by flow cytometry in Paa was equal to half the sum of those in Pam and Pau. Our results therefore suggest that the hybrid Paa is an allotriploid species, containing half of the genome of each of its parents Pam and Pau, which in turn are considered to be allotetraploid and diploid, respectively. Paa thus results from a homoploid speciation process. Based on published data and on results from this study, a new formal taxonomic name is proposed for the three taxa Paa, Pam and Pau which are raised to species status and renamed P. ×alni, P. ×multiformis and P. uniformis, respectively.

[Anti-NEP and anti-PLA2R antibodies in membranous nephropathy: an update]. / Anticorps anti-EPN et anti-PLA2R dans les glomerulopathies extramembraneuses: le point en 2014.

Membranous nephropathy (MN) is the most common cause for nephrotic syndrome in adults and occurs as an idiopathic (primary) or secondary disease. Since the early 2000's, substantial advances have been made in the understanding of the molecular bases of MN. The neutral endopeptidase (NEP) and the receptor for secretory phospholipase A2 (PLA2R) have been identified as target antigens for circulating and deposited antibodies in allo-immune neonatal and adult " idiopathic " MN, respectively. These antibodies recognize specific antigens of podocytes, precipitate as subepithelial immune complexes and activate complement leading to proteinuria. Anti-PLA2R antibodies are of particular clinical importance. Indeed, they are detected in approximately 70% of primary MN in adults, demonstrating that MN actually is an autoimmune condition specific to the kidney. In Europeans, genome-wide studies have shown an association between alleles of PLA2R1 and HLA DQA1 (class II genes of tissue histocompatibility complex) genes and idiopathic MN. Newly developed diagnostic tests detecting circulating anti-PLA2R antibody and PLA2R antigen in glomerular deposits have induced a change in paradigm in the diagnostic approach of idiopathic MN. Measurement of circulating anti-PLA2R antibody is also very useful for the monitoring of MN activity. However, the mechanisms responsible for the formation of anti-PLA2R antibodies as well as those involved in the progression of MN to end-stage renal disease remain to be defined.

[Experimental nephrology unit: overview and research projects]. / Unité de néphrologie expérimentale facultaire: etat des lieux et projets d'avenir.

After a short historical background of the Laboratory, the main research topics--renal toxicology, physiopathology of renal interstitial fibrosis and hormonology--are described in the perspective of a partnership between research clinicians and full time scientists. National as well as international scientific collaborations underline the need of combining expertises, stimulating also the training of youngest colleagues to the experimental approach of their future discipline.

Tracking the invasion: dispersal of Hymenoscyphus fraxineus airborne inoculum at different scales.

Ash dieback is caused by an invasive pathogen Hymenoscyphus fraxineus, which emerged in Europe in the 1990s and jeopardizes the management of ash stands. Although the biological cycle of the pathogen is well understood, its dispersal patterns via airborne spores remain poorly described. We investigated the seasonal and spatial patterns of dispersal in France using both a passive spore-trapping method coupled with a real-time PCR assay and reports of ash dieback based on symptom observations. Spores detection varies from year to year with a detection ability of 30-47% depending on meteorological conditions, which affect both production of inoculum and efficiency of the trapping. Nevertheless, our results are consistent and we showed that the sporulation peak occurred from June to August and that spores were detected up to 50-100 km ahead of the disease front, proving the presence of the pathogen before any observation of symptoms. The spore dispersal gradient was steep, most of inoculum remaining within 50 m of infected ashes. Two dispersal kernels were fitted using Bayesian methods to estimate the mean dispersal distance of H. fraxineus from inoculum sources. The estimated mean distances of dispersal, either local or regional scale, were 1.4 km and 2.6 km, respectively, the best fitting kernel being the inverse power-law. This information may help to design disease management strategies.

Control of the duration of urinary catheterization: impact on catheter-associated urinary tract infection.

Catheter-associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI) is one of the most common types of nosocomial infection. Reducing the duration of catheterization may be a key intervention in CAUTI prevention. We carried out a prospective time-sequence, non-randomized intervention study in five departments of our university hospital. We wished to determine the impact of daily reminders from nurses to physicians to remove unnecessary urinary catheters four days after insertion. The intervention significantly decreased the duration of catheterization in two out of five departments. The frequency of late CAUTI (LCAUTI) among catheterized patients in all five departments decreased from 10.6 to 1.1 per 100 patients (P = 0.003) and the incidence of LCAUTI decreased from 12.3 to 1.8 per 1000 catheter-days (P = 0.03). Logistic regression analysis showed that duration of catheterization and iterative catheter changes were associated with LCAUTI. This study demonstrates that a simple measure can reduce the frequency of LCAUTI.

Risk factors for the phytophthora-induced decline of alder in northeastern france.

ABSTRACT A lethal disease of common alder caused by Phytophthora alni, a new hybrid pathogen, has been spreading in Europe since the early 1990s. In 2004, we conducted an epidemiological survey in northeastern France to determine disease frequency and to investigate the impact of environmental factors on disease prevalence. Seventy-eight plots in the Rhin-Meuse basin were investigated. The survey was structured to enable critical examination of the possible impact of nitrogen pollution of the river water on disease prevalence. P. alni-induced alder decline was common throughout northeastern France. Altogether, disease was found in 80% of the plots containing alder, with 16% of all the alders affected. Striking differences existed between watercourse types. Lower proportions of diseased alders were found in watercourse types with rapid water flow, such as mountain streams of the Vosges and piedmont or watercourses on steep calcareous slopes, than in the slow watercourses of the low-lying valleys of the calcareous plateaus and of the clayey plains. Disease prevalence was not related to the total oxidized nitrogen concentration of the water. However, prevalence increased with the mean summer temperature of the river water and where clayey soils were found in the river banks. The results of this work can be used for the assessment of P. alni-induced alder decline risks in affected European countries and in areas where the disease could be introduced.

First Report of Phytophthora ramorum on Ornamental Plants in France.

In April 2002, Phytophthora ramorum was associated with twig blight and brown spots on Rhododendron spp. leaves from a nursery in France. The isolate was identified by its morphological characters on V8 agar: slow growth, deciduous and semipapillate sporangia, and abundant production of large chlamydospores (3). The identification was confirmed by ITS rDNA sequencing. During 2002, P. ramorum was also isolated from diseased Viburnum tinus and V. × bodnantense plants exhibiting symptoms of wilting and stem base discoloration. Subsequently, repeated surveys for P. ramorum were carried out in nurseries and areas surrounding nurseries throughout France. Since 2004, a large range of known hosts were investigated in approximately 2,000 nurseries and 200 other sites each year. P. ramorum was detected exclusively in nurseries at 29 locations in 2002, 9 in 2003, 23 in 2004, 17 in 2005, and 19 in 2006. Rhododendron spp. and occasionally V. tinus were the major hosts. In addition, the pathogen was detected for the first time on Pieris japonica in two nurseries in 2005 and on Camellia sp. in one nursery in 2006 from plants exhibiting leaf and twig blight. In both cases, P. ramorum had already been detected on Rhododendron spp. in the same nurseries. Most of the infected plants were found in northwestern France (Bretagne and Pays-de-la-Loire), or came from this region, which is the main rhododendron-growing area in France. In some cases, plants were imported from Belgium or the Netherlands. P. ramorum was also detected in a nursery in soil close to diseased Rhododendron spp. plants and pond water used for irrigation by using a combination of baiting with Rhododendron spp. leaves and PCR assay with species-specific primers (1). Overall, approximately 1% of the investigated nurseries were found positive each year, and this ratio was quite stable from 2004 to 2006. To date, P. ramorum has not been detected outside of nurseries, although many surveys were conducted on the west coast of France where the risk is considered to be high because of a favorable mild and humid climate and the presence of suitable hosts. In addition, 78 isolates of P. ramorum collected between 2002 and 2004 on Rhododendron spp. and V. tinus were found to be of A1 mating type based on pairings with P. cryptogea A1 and A2 mating types (2). References: (1) K. J. Hayden et al. Phytopathology 94:1075, 2004. (2) S. Werres and B. Zielke J. Plant Dis. Prot. 110:129, 2003. (3) S. Werres et al. Mycol. Res. 105:1155, 2001.

Androgen excess in women with acne alone compared with women with acne and/or hirsutism.

Acne is known to be one of the features of hyperandrogenism. The aim of the present work was to study women with persistent acne and without other evidence of hyperandrogenism, such as hirsutism, alopecia, or irregular menses. Among 87 female patients with acne and/or hirsutism, we defined three groups: group 1 (n = 29), patients having treatment-resistant acne without menstrual disturbance, alopecia, or hirsutism; group 2 (n = 27), patients with acne and hirsutism; and group 3 (n = 31), patients with hirsutism alone. Clinical chemistry criteria for hyperandrogenism were based on elevated values of one or more of the following parameters: plasma testosterone, delta-4-androstenedione, dehydroepiandrosterone, urinary 5 alpha-androstane 3 alpha-17 beta-diol, and 17-ketosteroids (with chromatography). Plasma and urine samples were drawn between the 18th and 25th days of the cycle. Among group 1 patients, we found 25 subjects (86%) with hyperandrogenism, according to these laboratory criteria. The etiologies were: polycystic ovary syndrome (36%), adrenal hypersecretion (40%, of which 12% showed secondary polycystic ovaries), isolated increase in 5 alpha-androstane 3 alpha-17 beta-diol (20%), and hyperandrogenism without diagnosis (4%). The parameters were found to be more elevated in these patients than in a control group of 30 normal volunteer women. In groups 2 and 3, the findings were essentially the same as in group 1, except for increased levels of testosterone and the testosterone/SHBG ratio. Furthermore, it was evident that persistent acne may be an isolated sign of hyperandrogenism.