Epidemiology of marine turtle fibropapillomatosis and tumour-associated chelonid alphaherpesvirus 5 (ChHV5; Scutavirus chelonidalpha5) in North-Western Mexico: a scoping review implementing the one health approach.

Fibropapillomatosis (FP) - tumour-associated chelonid alphaherpesvirus 5 (ChHV5; Scutavirus chelonidalpha5) - is a disease that affect marine turtles around the world, and characterized by the formation of cutaneous tumours that can appear anywhere on the body. We carried out a thorough literature search (from 1990 to 2024) in the feeding sites of North-western Mexico, a region that hosts important habitats for feeding, development, and reproduction for five of the seven existing sea turtle species. We found 18 reports recording a total of 32 cases of FP and/or ChHV5/Scutavirus chelonidalpha5 in coastal and insular areas of North-western Mexico. Baja California Sur resulted with the highest number of cases (75%). While the first case of ChHV5/Scutavirus chelonidalpha5 infection was reported in 2004, the presence of FP tumours was reported in 2014 and became more frequent between 2019 and 2024. The affected species were black, Chelonia mydas (50%), olive ridley, Lepidochelys olivacea (46.8%) and loggerhead turtles, Caretta caretta (3.2%). Tumours occurred mainly in anterior flippers (46.1%) and neck (22.5%), and most had a nodular and verrucous appearance with a rough surface. In the study region, there is a potential sign of the emergence of the ChHV5/Scutavirus chelonidalpha5 infections and FP disease during the last 20 years, with a rapid increase during the last 10 years. As long as infections by ChHV5/Scutavirus chelonidalpha5 and the prevalence of the FP disease may be potentially influenced by anthropogenic activities, a One Health approach is needed to understand and improve sea turtles' health.

The Cysteine Protease Giardipain-1 from Giardia duodenalis Contributes to a Disruption of Intestinal Homeostasis.

In giardiasis, diarrhoea, dehydration, malabsorption, weight loss and/or chronic inflammation are indicative of epithelial barrier dysfunction. However, the pathogenesis of giardiasis is still enigmatic in many aspects. Here, we show evidence that a cysteine protease of Giardia duodenalis called giardipain-1, contributes to the pathogenesis of giardiasis induced by trophozoites of the WB strain. In an experimental system, we demonstrate that purified giardipain-1 induces apoptosis and extrusion of epithelial cells at the tips of the villi in infected jirds (Meriones unguiculatus). Moreover, jird infection with trophozoites expressing giardipain-1 resulted in intestinal epithelial damage, cellular infiltration, crypt hyperplasia, goblet cell hypertrophy and oedema. Pathological alterations were more pronounced when jirds were infected intragastrically with Giardia trophozoites that stably overexpress giardipain-1. Furthermore, Giardia colonization in jirds results in a chronic inflammation that could relate to the dysbiosis triggered by the protist. Taken together, these results reveal that giardipain-1 plays a key role in the pathogenesis of giardiasis.

Acute Disseminated Toxoplasmosis in Two Specimens of Macropus rufogriseus Caused by a Genotype so far Exclusive to South America.

Macropods are included among the species considered highly susceptible to Toxoplasma gondii infection. Clinically, it is difficult to distinguish between acute toxoplasmosis due to primary infection and reactivation of chronic latent infection in susceptible species until pathologic studies are performed. Here, we described the clinical cases and lesions found in two deceased Bennett's wallabies (Macropus rufogriseus) with a presumptive diagnosis of toxoplasmosis, as well as the genetic characterization of the T. gondii isolates obtained from these specimens. Both animals presented acute infection lesions in the lungs, liver, spleen and lymph nodes associated to T. gondii infection. Histopathology and immunohistochemistry also demonstrated tissue cysts of different sizes, indicating that the wallabies were previously infected with this parasite. Two isolates were obtained, one from each specimen and the molecular characterization was done; both isolates were the ToxoDB #116 genotype. This is the first study that reports the isolation of this particular genotype outside South America, and given the histopathological findings, it could be considered virulent for this species. The dynamics of infection that T. gondii is causing in definitive and intermediate hosts in a region allows us to know the risks to which the animals and humans that live in the area are exposed, and in the future to implement a preventive medicine plan against this parasite.

The Extracellular Vesicles from the Commensal Staphylococcus Epidermidis ATCC12228 Strain Regulate Skin Inflammation in the Imiquimod-Induced Psoriasis Murine Model.

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are evaginations of the cytoplasmic membrane, containing nucleic acids, proteins, lipids, enzymes, and toxins. EVs participate in various bacterial physiological processes. Staphylococcus epidermidis interacts and communicates with the host skin. S. epidermidis' EVs may have an essential role in this communication mechanism, modulating the immunological environment. This work aimed to evaluate if S. epidermidis' EVs can modulate cytokine production by keratinocytes in vitro and in vivo using the imiquimod-induced psoriasis murine model. S. epidermidis' EVs were obtained from a commensal strain (ATC12228EVs) and a clinical isolated strain (983EVs). EVs from both origins induced IL-6 expression in HaCaT keratinocyte cultures; nevertheless, 983EVs promoted a higher expression of the pro-inflammatory cytokines VEGF-A, LL37, IL-8, and IL-17F than ATCC12228EVs. Moreover, in vivo imiquimod-induced psoriatic skin treated with ATCC12228EVs reduced the characteristic psoriatic skin features, such as acanthosis and cellular infiltrate, as well as VEGF-A, IL-6, KC, IL-23, IL-17F, IL-36γ, and IL-36R expression in a more efficient manner than 983EVs; however, in contrast, Foxp3 expression did not significantly change, and IL-36 receptor antagonist (IL-36Ra) was found to be increased. Our findings showed a distinctive immunological profile induction that is dependent on the clinical or commensal EV origin in a mice model of skin-like psoriasis. Characteristically, proteomics analysis showed differences in the EVs protein content, dependent on origin of the isolated EVs. Specifically, in ATCC12228EVs, we found the proteins glutamate dehydrogenase, ornithine carbamoyltransferase, arginine deiminase, carbamate kinase, catalase, superoxide dismutase, phenol-soluble ß1/ß2 modulin, and polyglycerol phosphate α-glucosyltransferase, which could be involved in the reduction of lesions in the murine imiquimod-induced psoriasis skin. Our results show that the commensal ATCC12228EVs have a greater protective/attenuating effect on the murine imiquimod-induced psoriasis by inducing IL-36Ra expression in comparison with EVs from a clinical isolate of S. epidermidis.

Autoantibodies Against Ubiquitous and Confined Antigens in Patients With Ocular, Neuro-Ophthalmic and Congenital Cerebral Toxoplasmosis.

Toxoplasma gondii infection can trigger autoreactivity by different mechanisms. In the case of ocular toxoplasmosis, disruption of the blood-retinal barrier may cause exposure of confined retinal antigens such as recoverin. Besides, cross-reactivity can be induced by molecular mimicry of parasite antigens like HSP70, which shares 76% identity with the human ortholog. Autoreactivity can be a determining factor of clinical manifestations in the eye and in the central nervous system. We performed a prospective observational study to determine the presence of autoantibodies against recoverin and HSP70 by indirect ELISA in the serum of 65 patients with ocular, neuro-ophthalmic and congenital cerebral toxoplasmosis. We found systemic autoantibodies against recoverin and HSP70 in 33.8% and 15.6% of individuals, respectively. The presence of autoantibodies in cases of OT may be related to the severity of clinical manifestations, while in cases with CNS involvement they may have a protective role. Unexpectedly, anti-recoverin antibodies were found in patients with cerebral involvement, without ocular toxoplasmosis; therefore, we analyzed and proved cross-reactivity between recoverin and a brain antigen, hippocalcin, so the immunological phenomenon occurring in one immune-privileged organ (e.g. the central nervous system) could affect the environment of another (egg. the eye).

Report of an unsual case of anophthalmia and craniofacial cleft in a newborn with Toxoplasma gondii congenital infection.

BACKGROUND: We present one unusual case of anophthalmia and craniofacial cleft, probably due to congenital toxoplasmosis only. CASE PRESENTATION: A two-month-old male had a twin in utero who disappeared between the 7th and the 14th week of gestation. At birth, the baby presented anophthalmia and craniofacial cleft, and no sign compatible with genetic or exposition/deficiency problems, like the Wolf-Hirschhorn syndrome or maternal vitamin A deficiency. Congenital toxoplasmosis was confirmed by the presence of IgM abs and IgG neo-antibodies in western blot, as well as by real time PCR in blood. CMV infection was also discarded by PCR and IgM negative results. Structures suggestive of T. gondii pseudocysts were observed in a biopsy taken during the first functional/esthetic surgery. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that this is a rare case of anophthalmia combined with craniofacial cleft due to congenital toxoplasmosis, that must be considered by physicians. This has not been reported before.

Patogenia de Salmonella enteritidis FT 13a y Salmonella enteritidis biovar Issatschenko en pollos de engorda / Pathogenesis of Salmonella enteritidis PT 13a and Salmonella enteritidis biovar Issatschenko in broiler chickens

The objective of this study was to determine Salmonella enteritidis phage type 13a (SE PT 13a) and Salmonella enteritidis biovar Issatschenko phage type 6a (SI) pathogenesis in 4 days old broiler chickens. Twenty-eight birds per treatment were inoculated with a dose of 1x10(8) (SE PT 13a) and 1x10(9) (SI), respectively, and fourteen chickens were inoculated with physiological saline solution (PSS) as negative controls. Samples from liver, spleen, heart, lung, crop, duodenum, jejunum, ileum and blind guts were taken during fourteen different times postinfection (6, 18, 30, 42, 54, 78, 102, 126, 150, 174, 198, 222, 246 and 270 hours postinfection (hpi) in order to obtain Salmonella spp isolation for bacteriological, histopathological and ultrastructural examination. During the first week, some depressed birds were observed, and the second week birds were found with yolk sac retention in both treatments. SE PT 13a was isolated at 18, 30, 42, 54, 78, 102, 126, 150, 174, 198, 246 and 270 hpi from all organs previously described. SI was isolated at 42, 150, 174 and 222 hpi, from crop, jejunum, ileum and blind gut samples. Ileum was the main organ where more frequently SE PT 13a and SI were isolated. There was no mortality in either treatments. Histopathology revealed inflammation, coagulative necrosis, congestion and hemorrhages in gastrointestinal tract (GIT) and visceral organs since 6 hpi in both treatments, with lesions from mild to severe. Ultrastructurally changes in enterocytes' cytoplasm: degeneration, necrosis, invasion and penetration of SE PT 13a and SI were observed. Results of this research showed the ability of SE PT 13a as well as SI to penetrate and invade enterocytes in experimentally infected broiler chicken, demonstrating that SI is able to infect broiler chickens and not only Muridae family.

El objetivo del presente estudio fue determinar la patogenia de Salmonella enteritidis fagotipo 13a (SE FT 13a) y de Salmonella enteritidis biovar Issatschenko fagotipo 6a (SI) en pollitos de engorda de cuatro días de edad. Veintiocho aves por tratamiento fueron inoculadas con dosis de 1 x 10(8) (SE FT 13a) y 1 x 10(9) (SI), respectivamente, y 14 pollitos fueron inoculados con solución salina fisiológica (SSF), como testigos negativos. Se tomaron muestras de hígado, bazo, corazón, pulmón, buche, duodeno, yeyuno, íleon y ciegos durante 14 tiempos posinfección (6, 18, 30, 42, 54, 78, 102, 126, 150, 174, 198, 222, 246 y 270 horas posinfección (hpi)), para realizar el aislamiento bacteriológico de Salmonella spp, exámenes histopatológico y ultraestructural. Durante la primera semana, se observó que algunas aves estaban deprimidas, y en la segunda semana se encontraron aves con retención de saco vitelino en ambos tratamientos. Se aisló SE FT 13a a partir de las 18, 30, 42, 54, 78, 102, 126, 150, 174, 198, 246 y 270 hpi, en todos los órganos previamente descritos. SI fue aislada a las 42, 150, 174 y 222 hpi de muestras de buche, yeyuno, íleon y ciegos. El íleon fue el órgano de donde se aisló SE FT 13a y SI con mayor frecuencia. No se registró mortalidad en ningún tratamiento. El examen histopatológico reveló inflamación, necrosis coagulativa, congestión y hemorragias en tracto gastrointestinal (TGI) y órganos viscerales a partir de las 6 hpi en ambos tratamientos, con grados de lesión de leve a severo. Ultraestructuralmente se observaron cambios en el citoplasma celular de enterocitos: degeneración, necrosis, invasión y penetración de SE FT 13a y SI. Los resultados de la presente investigación evidenciaron la capacidad de SE FT 13a y SI para penetrar e invadir enterocitos de los pollitos infectados experimentalmente, demostrando que SI es capaz de infectar pollos de engorda y no sólo a la familia Muridae.

Casiopeina III-ia induces apoptosis in HCT-15 cells in vitro through caspase-dependent mechanisms and has antitumor effect in vivo.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the in vitro and in vivo effects of the new chemotherapy agent Casiopeina III-ia [(4,4'-dimethyl-2,2'-bipiridine)(acetylacetonate) Copper (II) nitrate] on HCT-15 (p53-/-) colon cellular line. In vitro, the drug reduced the viability and induced necrosis and apoptosis in a dose dependent manner, without affecting cell cycle phases. Apoptosis was related to Bax increasing levels, suggesting a caspase-dependent mechanism of death, as verified by nucleosomal fragmentation of DNA. In vivo, the antitumor activity of Casiopeina III-ia was tested in HCT-15 cells transplanted to nude mice. In this study we will show that the novel antineoplastic agent Casiopeina III-ia is active on this colon tumor line, setting out as a good candidate for the treatment of colon tumors refractory to chemotherapy.

Linfoquistosis en peces tetra fantasía (parambassis baculis) de la ciudad de México / Lymphocystis in parambassis baculis in Mexico City

En el presente estudio se informa sobre la presencia de linfoquistosis en peces tetra fantasía (Parambassis baculis) de la ciudad de México. En la revisión macroscópica se observaron tumoraciones de 0.1-0.4 cm de diámetro en las aletas dorsales y opérculos. En el resto de los órganos y tejidos no se observaron lesiones. En histopatología y ultraestructura de las lesiones, se encontraron fibroblastos hipertrofiados con gran cantidad de partículas virales de linfoquistosis, de 200-300 nm de diámetro. Se deberán realizar otros estudios para determinar la prevalencia de linfoquistosis en peces comerciales y ornamentales en México, así como el impacto económico y sanitario en la acuicultura, ya que no se encuentran informes de esta enfermedad en México.