Hypercholesterolemia and ApoE deficiency result in severe infection with Lyme disease and relapsing-fever Borrelia.

The Lyme disease (Borrelia burgdorferi) and relapsing-fever (Borrelia hispanica) agents have distinct infection courses, but both require cholesterol for growth. They acquire cholesterol from the environment and process it to form cholesterol glycolipids that are incorporated onto their membranes. To determine whether higher levels of serum cholesterol could enhance the organ burdens of B. burgdorferi and the spirochetemia of B. hispanica in laboratory mice, apolipoprotein E (apoE)-deficient and low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR)-deficient mice that produce large amounts of serum cholesterol were infected with both spirochetes. Both apoE- and LDLR-deficient mice infected with B. burgdorferi had an increased number of spirochetes in the joints and inflamed ankles compared with the infected wild-type (WT) mice, suggesting that mutations in cholesterol transport that result in high serum cholesterol levels can affect the pathogenicity of B. burgdorferi. In contrast, elevated serum cholesterol did not lead to an increase in the spirochetemia of B. hispanica. In the LDLR-deficient mice, the course of infection was indistinguishable from the WT mice. However, infection of apoE-deficient mice with B. hispanica resulted in a longer spirochetemia and increased mortality. Together, these results argue for the apoE deficiency, and not hypercholesterolemia, as the cause for the increased severity with B. hispanica. Serum hyperlipidemias are common human diseases that could be a risk factor for increased severity in Lyme disease.

Pathogenic Leptospira are widespread in the urban wildlife of southern California.

Leptospirosis, the most widespread zoonotic disease in the world, is broadly understudied in multi-host wildlife systems. Knowledge gaps regarding Leptospira circulation in wildlife, particularly in densely populated areas, contribute to frequent misdiagnoses in humans and domestic animals. We assessed Leptospira prevalence levels and risk factors in five target wildlife species across the greater Los Angeles region: striped skunks (Mephitis mephitis), raccoons (Procyon lotor), coyotes (Canis latrans), Virginia opossums (Didelphis virginiana), and fox squirrels (Sciurus niger). We sampled more than 960 individual animals, including over 700 from target species in the greater Los Angeles region, and an additional 266 sampled opportunistically from other California regions and species. In the five target species seroprevalences ranged from 5 to 60%, and infection prevalences ranged from 0.8 to 15.2% in all except fox squirrels (0%). Leptospira phylogenomics and patterns of serologic reactivity suggest that mainland terrestrial wildlife, particularly mesocarnivores, could be the source of repeated observed introductions of Leptospira into local marine and island ecosystems. Overall, we found evidence of widespread Leptospira exposure in wildlife across Los Angeles and surrounding regions. This indicates exposure risk for humans and domestic animals and highlights that this pathogen can circulate endemically in many wildlife species even in densely populated urban areas.

A novel laboratory method to simulate climatic stress with successful application to experiments with medically relevant ticks.

Ticks are the most important vectors of zoonotic disease-causing pathogens in North America and Europe. Many tick species are expanding their geographic range. Although correlational evidence suggests that climate change is driving the range expansion of ticks, experimental evidence is necessary to develop a mechanistic understanding of ticks' response to a range of climatic conditions. Previous experiments used simulated microclimates, but these protocols require hazardous salts or expensive laboratory equipment to manipulate humidity. We developed a novel, safe, stable, convenient, and economical method to isolate individual ticks and manipulate their microclimates. The protocol involves placing individual ticks in plastic tubes, and placing six tubes along with a commercial two-way humidity control pack in an airtight container. We successfully used this method to investigate how humidity affects survival and host-seeking (questing) behavior of three tick species: the lone star tick (Amblyomma americanum), American dog tick (Dermacentor variabilis), and black-legged tick (Ixodes scapularis). We placed 72 adult females of each species individually into plastic tubes and separated them into three experimental relative humidity (RH) treatments representing distinct climates: 32% RH, 58% RH, and 84% RH. We assessed the survival and questing behavior of each tick for 30 days. In all three species, survivorship significantly declined in drier conditions. Questing height was negatively associated with RH in Amblyomma, positively associated with RH in Dermacentor, and not associated with RH in Ixodes. The frequency of questing behavior increased significantly with drier conditions for Dermacentor but not for Amblyomma or Ixodes. This report demonstrates an effective method for assessing the viability and host-seeking behavior of tick vectors of zoonotic diseases under different climatic conditions.

Factores determinantes de extracción de dientes permanentes en pacientes que asisten a hospitales y/o servicios odontológicos / determinant factors in the permanent teeth extractions in patients attending dental hospitals of dental services

Este artículo tiene como objetivo identificar y analizar los factores determinantes que conducen a la extracción de dientes permanentes en pacientes que asisten a hospitales y/o servicios odontológicos. A través de una revisión exhaustiva de la literatura científica y datos epidemiológicos, se exploran las principales causas de pérdida dental, incluyendo caries, enfermedad periodontal, trauma y factores socioeconómicos. Se discuten las implicaciones clínicas y de salud pública de estos hallazgos, así como estrategias preventivas y terapéuticas para reducir la incidencia de extracciones dentales (AU)

This article aims to identify and analyze the determining factors leading to the extraction of permanent teeth in patients attending hospitals and/or dental services. Through a comprehensive review of scientific literature and epidemiological data, the main causes of tooth loss are explored, including caries, periodontal disease, trauma, and socioeconomic factors. The clinical and public health implications of these findings are discussed, as well as preventive and therapeutic strategies to reduce the incidence of dental extractions (AU)

Identification of Novel Viruses in Amblyomma americanum, Dermacentor variabilis, and Ixodes scapularis Ticks.

Ticks carry a wide range of known human and animal pathogens and are postulated to carry others with the potential to cause disease. Here we report a discovery effort wherein unbiased high-throughput sequencing was used to characterize the virome of 2,021 ticks, including Ixodes scapularis (n = 1,138), Amblyomma americanum (n = 720), and Dermacentor variabilis (n = 163), collected in New York, Connecticut, and Virginia in 2015 and 2016. We identified 33 viruses, including 24 putative novel viral species. The most frequently detected viruses were phylogenetically related to members of the Bunyaviridae and Rhabdoviridae families, as well as the recently proposed Chuviridae. Our work expands our understanding of tick viromes and underscores the high viral diversity that is present in ticks. IMPORTANCE The incidence of tick-borne disease is increasing, driven by rapid geographical expansion of ticks and the discovery of new tick-associated pathogens. The examination of the tick microbiome is essential in order to understand the relationship between microbes and their tick hosts and to facilitate the identification of new tick-borne pathogens. Genomic analyses using unbiased high-throughput sequencing platforms have proven valuable for investigations of tick bacterial diversity, but the examination of tick viromes has historically not been well explored. By performing a comprehensive virome analysis of the three primary tick species associated with human disease in the United States, we gained substantial insight into tick virome diversity and can begin to assess a potential role of these viruses in the tick life cycle.

Population and Evolutionary Genomics of Amblyomma americanum, an Expanding Arthropod Disease Vector.

The lone star tick, Amblyomma americanum, is an important disease vector and the most frequent tick found attached to humans in the eastern United States. The lone star tick has recently experienced a rapid range expansion into the Northeast and Midwest, but despite this emerging infectious threat to wildlife, livestock, and human health, little is known about the genetic causes and consequences of the geographic expansion. In the first population genomic analysis of any tick species, we characterize the genetic diversity and population structure of A. americanum across its current geographic range, which has recently expanded. Using a high-throughput genotyping-by-sequencing approach, we discovered more than 8,000 single nucleotide polymorphisms in 90 ticks from five locations. Surprisingly, newly established populations in New York (NY) and Oklahoma (OK) are as diverse as historic range populations in North and South Carolina. However, substantial population structure occurs among regions, such that new populations in NY and OK are genetically distinct from historic range populations and from one another. Ticks from a laboratory colony are genetically distinct from wild populations, underscoring the need to account for natural variation when conducting transmission or immunological studies, many of which utilize laboratory-reared ticks. An FST-outlier analysis comparing a recently established population to a long-standing population detected numerous outlier sites, compatible with positive and balancing selection, highlighting the potential for adaptation during the range expansion. This study provides a framework for applying high-throughput DNA sequencing technologies for future investigations of ticks, which are common vectors of diseases.

Prevalencia de Prevotella spp y Porphyromona spp en periodontitis crónica / Prevalence of Prevotella spp and Porphyromona spp in chronic periodontitis

Las enfermedades del periodonto tienen una etiopatogenia compleja y puede considerarse multifactorial. El factor etiológico esencial en la patología inflamatoria periodontal es la biopelícula dental y cuando el desequilibrio entre el huésped y los microorganismos cambia la complejidad de la flora. Ciertas bacterias como Porphyromonas gingivalis, Prevotella intermedia, Prevotella nigrescens, Prevotella loescheii, Fusobacterium nucleatum, Tannerrella forsythia, Campylobacter rectus, Eikenella corrodens y Treponema spp., han sido comúnmente relacionadas con la periodontitis crónica y son consideradas como indicadores de riesgo para la progresión de dicha enfermedad. El objetivo de este trabajo fue establecer la prevalencia de Prevotella spp y Porphyromona spp en los distintos estadios de periodontitis crónicas. Material y métodos: Se estudiaron 48 pacientes sistémicamente saludables con diagnóstico de periodontitis crónica. Se completó el consentimiento informado, se realizó historia clínica y examen periodontal. El estado periodontal se clasificó en distintos grados de severidad: leve, moderada y severa. Se tomaron muestras de dos sitios con mayor profundidad de sondaje con conos de papel absorbente estériles y se transportaron en un medio prerreducido. Para el aislamiento de Prevotella spp se utilizó agar Brucella más sangre ovina al 5%, hemina, vitamina K al que se agregaron vancomicina y kanamicina; Porphyromonas sp se aisló en el mismo medio con el agregado de bacitracina y colistina. Se sembraron 10 µl de muestra entera y las placas fueron incubadas en jarras de anaerobiosis por 5 a 7 días a 37ºC. Resultados: los distintos grados de periodontitis correspondieron a un 17% periodontits leve, 57% moderada y 26% severa. En el total de pacientes se determinó la presencia de Prevotella spp en el 54% de los casos y un 12,5% de Porphyromona spp. Conclusión: De los pacientes estudiados con periodontits crónica, un 52% correspondió al sexo masculino, un 57% de los casos correspondieron a periodontitis moderada. Se aisló Prevotella sp en todos los estadios de periodontitis crónica y Porphyromonas sp sólo en periodontitis severas (AU)

Periodontal diseases have a complex etiopathogenesis and can be considered multifactorial. The essential etiological factor in periodontal inflammatory pathology is the dental biofilm and when the imbalance between the host and the microorganisms changes the complexity of the flora. Certain bacteria such as Porphyromonas gingivalis, Prevotella intermedia, Prevotella nigrescens, Prevotella loescheii, Fusobacterium nucleatum, Tannerrella forsythia, Campylobacter rectus, Eikenella corrodens and Treponema spp., Have been commonly related to chronic periodontitis and are considered as risk indicators for the progression of said disease. The objective of this work was to establish the prevalence of Prevotella spp and Porphyromonas spp in the different stages of chronic periodontitis. Forty eight systemically healthy patients diagnosed with chronic periodontitis were studied. Informed consent was completed, a medical history and periodontal examination was carried out. The periodontal state was classified into different degrees of severity: mild, moderate and severe. Samples were taken from two sites with greater depth of probing with sterile absorbent paper cones and transported in a prereduced medium. For the isolation of Prevotella spp, Brucella agar plus 5% sheep blood, hemin, vitamin K to which vancomycin and kanamycin were added. For Porphyromonas spp, the same medium was used and bacitracin and colistin were added. 10 µl of the whole sample was seeded and the plates were incubated in anaerobic jars for 5 to 7 days at 37 ° C. Different degrees of periodontitis corresponded to 17% mild periodontitis, 57% moderate and 26% severe. In the total number of patients, the presence of Prevotella spp was determined in 54% of the cases and 12.5% of Porphyromona spp. Of the patients studied with chronic periodontitis, 52% corresponded to the male sex, 57% of the cases corresponded to moderate periodontitis. Prevotella spp was isolated in all stages of chronic periodontitis and Porphyromonas sp only in severe periodontitis (AU)

Mucina y Enfermedad Periodontal / Mucin and periodontal disease

La enfermedad periodontal (EP) es una patología que afecta principalmente los tejidos que rodean a la pieza dentaria (PD) y se caracteriza, en la mayoría de los casos, por una exposición bacteriana que favorece una respuesta destructiva e inflamatoria del huésped, que conduce a la pérdida de inserción periodontal de la PD, provocando una marcada reabsorción ósea y la posible pérdida de las PD. El diagnóstico de EP implica evaluaciones clínicas y radiográficas, en la actualidad se están realizando diversas investigaciones para evaluar posibles compuestos en los fluidos orales a través de lo cual puede ser posible evaluar la presencia y gravedad de estas enfermedades, como así también el riesgo en los pacientes. Hay evidencias de la interacción de macromoléculas salivales, como las mucinas, con microorganismos específicos. De esta manera las mucinas, junto con otros productos de la saliva, ayudan a modular tanto el número como el tipo de proliferación de ciertos organismos y provocar la disminución de otros. La revisión de la literatura actual concluye que las mucinas salivales pueden servir como un parámetro bioquímico de la inflamación del periodonto (AU)

Periodontal disease (PD) is a pathology that mainly affects the tissues surrounding the tooth (PD) and is characterized, in most cases, by a bacterial exposure that favors a destructive and inflammatory response of the host, which leads to the loss of periodontal insertion of the PD, causing a marked bone resorption and the possible loss of the PD. The diagnosis of PD involves clinical and radiographic evaluations, at present several investigations are being carried out to evaluate possible compounds in oral fluids through which it may be possible to evaluate the presence and severity of these diseases, as well as the risk in patients. There is evidence of the interaction of salivary macromolecules, such as mucins, with specific microorganisms. In this way, mucins, together with other saliva products, help modulate both the number and type of proliferation of certain organisms and cause the decrease of others. The review of the current literature concludes that salivary mucins can serve as a biochemical parameter of inflammation of the periodontium (AU)

First regional evaluation of nuclear genetic diversity and population structure in northeastern coyotes ( Canis latrans).

Previous genetic studies of eastern coyotes ( Canis latrans) are based on one of two strategies: sampling many individuals using one or very few molecular markers, or sampling very few individuals using many genomic markers. Thus, a regional analysis of genetic diversity and population structure in eastern coyotes using many samples and several molecular markers is lacking. I evaluated genetic diversity and population structure in 385 northeastern coyotes using 16 common single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). A region-wide analysis of population structure revealed three primary genetic populations, but these do not correspond to the same three subdivisions inferred in a previous analysis of mitochondrial DNA sequences. More focused geographic analyses of population structure indicated that ample genetic structure occurs in coyotes from an intermediate contact zone where two range expansion fronts meet. These results demonstrate that genotyping several highly heterozygous SNPs in a large, geographically dense sample is an effective way to detect cryptic population genetic structure. The importance of SNPs in studies of population and wildlife genomics is rapidly increasing; this study adds to the growing body of recent literature that demonstrates the utility of SNPs ascertained from a model organism for evolutionary inference in closely related species.

Prevalencia de Prevotella spp y Porphyromona spp en periodontitis crónica / Prevalence of Prevotella spp and Porphyromona spp in chronic periodontitis

Las enfermedades del periodonto tienen una etiopatogenia compleja y puede considerarse multifactorial. El factor etiológico esencial en la patología inflamatoria periodontal es la biopelícula dental y cuando el desequilibrio entre el huésped y los microorganismos cambia la complejidad de la flora. Ciertas bacterias como Porphyromonas gingivalis, Prevotella intermedia, Prevotella nigrescens, Prevotella loescheii, Fusobacterium nucleatum, Tannerrella forsythia, Campylobacter rectus, Eikenella corrodens y Treponema spp., han sido comúnmente relacionadas con la periodontitis crónica y son consideradas como indicadores de riesgo para la progresión de dicha enfermedad. El objetivo de este trabajo fue establecer la prevalencia de Prevotella spp y Porphyromona spp en los distintos estadios de periodontitis crónicas. Material y métodos: Se estudiaron 48 pacientes sistémicamente saludables con diagnóstico de periodontitis crónica. Se completó el consentimiento informado, se realizó historia clínica y examen periodontal. El estado periodontal se clasificó en distintos grados de severidad: leve, moderada y severa. Se tomaron muestras de dos sitios con mayor profundidad de sondaje con conos de papel absorbente estériles y se transportaron en un medio prerreducido. Para el aislamiento de Prevotella spp se utilizó agar Brucella más sangre ovina al 5%, hemina, vitamina K al que se agregaron vancomicina y kanamicina; Porphyromonas sp se aisló en el mismo medio con el agregado de bacitracina y colistina. Se sembraron 10 µl de muestra entera y las placas fueron incubadas en jarras de anaerobiosis por 5 a 7 días a 37ºC. Resultados: los distintos grados de periodontitis correspondieron a un 17% periodontits leve, 57% moderada y 26% severa. En el total de pacientes se determinó la presencia de Prevotella spp en el 54% de los casos y un 12,5% de Porphyromona spp. Conclusión: De los pacientes estudiados con periodontits crónica, un 52% correspondió al sexo masculino, un 57% de los casos correspondieron a periodontitis moderada. Se aisló Prevotella sp en todos los estadios de periodontitis crónica y Porphyromonas sp sólo en periodontitis severas (AU)

Periodontal diseases have a complex etiopathogenesis and can be considered multifactorial. The essential etiological factor in periodontal inflammatory pathology is the dental biofilm and when the imbalance between the host and the microorganisms changes the complexity of the flora. Certain bacteria such as Porphyromonas gingivalis, Prevotella intermedia, Prevotella nigrescens, Prevotella loescheii, Fusobacterium nucleatum, Tannerrella forsythia, Campylobacter rectus, Eikenella corrodens and Treponema spp., Have been commonly related to chronic periodontitis and are considered as risk indicators for the progression of said disease. The objective of this work was to establish the prevalence of Prevotella spp and Porphyromonas spp in the different stages of chronic periodontitis. Forty eight systemically healthy patients diagnosed with chronic periodontitis were studied. Informed consent was completed, a medical history and periodontal examination was carried out. The periodontal state was classified into different degrees of severity: mild, moderate and severe. Samples were taken from two sites with greater depth of probing with sterile absorbent paper cones and transported in a prereduced medium. For the isolation of Prevotella spp, Brucella agar plus 5% sheep blood, hemin, vitamin K to which vancomycin and kanamycin were added. For Porphyromonas spp, the same medium was used and bacitracin and colistin were added. 10 �l of the whole sample was seeded and the plates were incubated in anaerobic jars for 5 to 7 days at 37 ° C. Different degrees of periodontitis corresponded to 17% mild periodontitis, 57% moderate and 26% severe. In the total number of patients, the presence of Prevotella spp was determined in 54% of the cases and 12.5% of Porphyromona spp. Of the patients studied with chronic periodontitis, 52% corresponded to the male sex, 57% of the cases corresponded to moderate periodontitis. Prevotella spp was isolated in all stages of chronic periodontitis and Porphyromonas sp only in severe periodontitis (AU)

Rol de la fosfatasa alcalina salival en el diagnóstico de las enfermedades periodontales / The role of alcaline phosphatase on the diagnosis of periodontal diseases

Uno de los tejidos más afectados en esta enfermedad es el tejido óseo que recubre a la pieza dentaria (hueso alveolar), que como consecuencia de la progresión de la enfermedad, se va produciendo una reabsorción y destrucción total del mismo. Sería de utilidadpoder contar con algún criterio diagnóstico, como son los marcadores biológicos, que permita detectar la posible agresión a los tejidos. La FAL ósea es una enzima directamente relacionada con el metabolismo osteológico de nuestro organismo, particularmente cuando se produce el remodelamiento (reabsorción-neoformación) del mismo. El propósito de esta revisión bibliográfica es determinar el rol de la fosfatasa alcalina salival como marcador bioquímico de la enfermedad periodontal.

Prevalencia de herpes virus en bolsas periodontales de pacientes asistidos en la Cátedra de Periodoncia de la FOUNNE / Prevalence of herpes virus in periodontal pockets of patients assisted at the Periodontics Department, FOUNNE

El objetivo de este trabajo fue determinar la prevalencia de herpesvirus humano en la enfermedad periodontal en pacientes concurrentes y asistidos en la Cátedra de Periodoncia de la Facultad de Odontología de laUniversidad Nacional del Nordeste y su posible mecanismo histopatológico.El procedimiento fue realizado en el ámbito de la F.O.U.N.N.E., en la Cátedra de Periodoncia lo que se refiere a su faz clínica y en el Laboratorio Central de laProvincia Corrientes la detección microbiológica mediante Nested PCR.Con una población de 30 hombres y mujeres con edades comprendidas entre 25 y 60 años que concurran como pacientes a la Cátedra de Periodoncia de la Facultad de Odontología de la U.N.N.E. La recolección de datos se hizo a través de métodos de observación,validando, como herramientas metodológicas para el área clínica, la sonda periodontal tipo Marquis e imágenes radiográficas periapicales tomadas con la técnica del paralelo del sector o sectores compatibles con diagnóstico clínico de periodontitis. Se procedió, en el sitio de mayor profundidad de bolsa, a introducir tres conos de papel absorbentes estériles para tomar el contenido, estos conos luego fueron introducidos en medios detransporte específicos y derivados inmediatamente al Laboratorio Central de la Provincia de Corrientes, parael desarrollo del método de la reacción en cadena de la polimerasa (P.C.R.) sobre las muestras tomadas a cadapaciente a fin de detectar la presencia de los virus. Resultados: Total de pacientes que constituyeron lamuestra: 30 (100 por ciento). Pacientes con herpesvirus (HVS): 5 (17 por ciento). Pacientes sin presencia viral: 25 (83 por ciento). Los sitios infectados con virus presentaron mayor destrucción de tejidos periodontales comparativamente con sitios no infectados.

Gingivoestomatitis necrotizante: estado actual; presentación de dos casos clínicos / Necrotizing gingivo-stomatitis: current status; report of two clinical cases

La gingivitis ulceronecrotizante (GUN), periodontitis ulceronecrotizante (PUN), estomatitis necrotizante (EN) y el noma (cancrum oris) son considerados diferentes estadíos clínicos de un mismo proceso: la gingivoestomatitis necrotizante. El factor predominante en el desarrollo de la GEN es la inmunosupresión asociada con factores predisponentes locales y sistémicos, pero los agentes etiológicos primarios son bacterias oportunistas. El propósito de este trabajo fue presentar dos casos de GEN en pacientes jóvenes. Proponemos que un diagnóstico temprano de las enfermedades periodontales necrotizantes permite adoptar medidas terapéuticas simples para lograr un mejor pronóstico

Efecto de la exodoncia de terceros molares mandibulares parcialmente impactados sobre el estado periodontal de los segundos molares / The effect of the extraction of partially impacted mandibular third molars on the periodontal status of second molars

El estado periodontal de las superficies distales de los segundos molares mandibulares (2Ms) en 216 pacientes (rango de edad 18-44; media 27 +- 7 años) con terceros molares (3Ms) parcialmente erupcionados (grupo experimental) y totalmente retenidos (grupo control), fue estudiado en el preoperatorio y seis meses después de la extracción quirúrgica del tercer molar. Los siguientes parámetros periodontales fueron medidos en el segundo molar: profundidad de sondaje (PS) y nivel de inserción clínica (NI). Se estudió una radiografía panorámica preoperatoria de cada sujeto. Se registraron el patrón de impactación del tercer molar y la presencia de radiolucidez de la cresta ósea (RC) entre el segundo y tercer molar mandibular. Antes y después de la cirugía todos los pacientes recibieron tratamiento periodontal. Antes de la cirugía, los valores de la PS fueron más altos en el grupo experimental que en el grupo control. Pérdida de inserción fue observada solamente en 36 casos asociados con presencia de RC y retenciones mesioangulares, en el grupo experimental. RC fue más frecuente en individuos con edades superiores a los 23 años y 3Ms parcialmente erupcionados y retención mesioangular. Después de la cirugía (período de observación de seis meses), los valores para ambos parámetros fueron significativamente más bajos que antes de la exodoncia en el grupo experimental. El análisis estadístico (prueba de la t de Student) de las mediciones periodontales mostraron diferencias significativas a un valor de P <0.05. Se observó pérdida de inserción clínica posoperatoria persistente en la superficie distal de 2Ms en el grupo de pacientes mayores de 23 años con 3Ms asociados a RC. En este estudio, la remoción de los 3Ms mandibulares parcialmente retenidos, en pacientes con encías clínicamente sanas, no causó defectos periodontales en la superficie distal de los 2Ms, con la excepción de los casos asociados a RC en el preoperatorio