Compte rendu The canine hookworm Ancylostoma caninum: A novel threat for anthelmintic resistance in Canada.

The canine hookworm Ancylostoma caninum is one of the most prevalent parasitic nematodes in dogs worldwide and has the potential for zoonotic transmission to humans, including the development of cutaneous larva migrans. Recent confirmation of anthelmintic resistance (AR) in A. caninum to several anthelmintic classes, mainly in the USA, indicates the potential for this scenario in Canada. We consider various factors that may lead to resistant isolates in Canada, such as the widespread use of antiparasitic drugs without the assessment of efficacy; increased A. caninum prevalence in various Canadian provinces; and the importation of dogs, mostly from the USA, with a history of persistent infection by A. caninum. Our objective was to review factors that influence A. caninum to develop AR and raise awareness regarding the need for a strategic plan to control this parasitic nematode through the appropriate use of anthelmintics.

Le ver à crochet Ancylostoma caninum : une nouvelle menace de la résistance aux vermifuges au Canada. Le ver à crochet du chien Ancylostoma caninum est un des nématodes le plus répandu chez les chiens dans le monde, avec un potentiel zoonotique, car ils peuvent infecter les humains et provoquer des maladies telles que la larva migrans cutanée. Les récentes découvertes de la résistance d'A. caninum à plusieurs classes d'anthelminthiques aux États-Unis ont attiré notre attention sur ce scénario possible au Canada. Nous considérons que des facteurs tels que l'utilisation répandue de médicaments anthelminthiques sans évaluation de l'efficacité, l'augmentation de la prévalence chez A. caninum dans différentes provinces canadiennes, et la migration de chiens, surtout des É.-U., ayant des antécédents d'infection persistante par A. caninum, peuvent conduire à la présence d'isolats résistants aux anthelminthiques usuels au Canada. L'objectif de cette revue est de réviser tous ces aspects concernant les caractéristiques d'A. caninum à cette résistance et de prendre conscience qu'il pourrait devenir un problème majeur dans la santé des animaux de compagnie au Canada, donc il faudrait mis en place une planification stratégique pour contrôler ce strongle par l'utilisation judicieuse des antihelminthiques.(Traduit par les auteurs).

Surveillance of Ancylostoma caninum in naturally infected dogs in Quebec, Canada, and assessment of benzimidazole anthelmintics reveal a variable efficacy with the presence of a resistant isolate in imported dogs.

Ancylostoma caninum is a widely prevalent parasitic nematode in dogs across the world. There has been a notable increase in reports of anthelmintic resistance in A. caninum within the United States of America in recent years, which has led us to investigate the potential of this scenario in Canada. The study objectives were to assess the prevalence of A. caninum in two different groups, including a colony of rescued dogs in Canada and three imported Greyhound dogs from USA, and to evaluate the efficacy of two benzimidazole (BZ) anthelmintics against A. caninum, complemented with a molecular genetic analysis adapted to low prevalence. Fecal samples were collected at pre- and post-treatment with fenbendazole for the native shelters-origin group, and a combination of anthelmintic formulations, including the pro-BZ febantel for the USA-origin group. The coprology analyses found several genera of internal parasites. Canine ancylostomiasis was the most prevalent parasitosis with 30.77% in the native group and 100% in the USA group, but with overall low average of A. caninum eggs per gram. Through the fecal egg count reduction test (FECRT), applying a cut-off at 90% as baseline of egg reduction for successful efficacy, BZ showed variable efficacy. Furthermore, molecular analysis confirmed the presence of A. caninum in both groups of dogs and found differences in the genetics linked to BZ resistance on the A. caninum ß-tubulin isotype 1 gene. In the isolate from the native group, both codons 167 and 200 were homozygous without the presence of single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP). In contrast, the selected isolate from the USA group, showed a homozygous allele at position 200 and a heterozygous SNP at position 167. The latter was congruent with the low efficacy in FECRT and agrees with the recent findings of USA A. caninum isolate resistant phenotype to the BZ anthelmintics. The limitations of the study include an overall low eggs-per-gram in both canine groups, and the shortage of additional fecal samples from the USA group, restraining the molecular analysis only to one out of the three Greyhounds. This study provided some insights on the efficacy of BZs against A. caninum and revealed the presence of BZ resistant isolates in imported dogs in Quebec, Canada. All this information should be considered, for choosing the best strategy in the control of A. caninum using anthelmintic drugs.

Interaction and integration among behaviors of adult Drosophila in nature.

Living in environments whose ecologies vary in periods as short as 24 h is a challenge for animals as Drosophila species that inhabit pear and apple orchards. These orchards have sunny and shady sections. The size and shape of these habitats change daily according to the position of the sun in the sky. Sunny areas are related to dryness and water loss, and shady places have lower temperatures and higher humidity. The presence of heterospecific flies may lead to competition for space and food. In sunny habitats we did not find adult Drosophila. In shady sections we found conspecific groups D. melanogaster, D. simulans, D. immigrans, D. subobscura, and the Chilean endemic D. pavani perched on grasses and herbs at 8-10 cm from fruits that had fallen on the ground. In the fruits, 99% of the adults were females and they were not grouped. The way in which daily changes in the size and shape of shady habitats together with the presence of heterospecific adults influence the selection of places to live is poorly understood in Drosophila. Our experiments show that adults of the five species prefer dark areas. The experimental results show that the odors of each species: i) influence conspecifics to select similar perch sites and decrease mobility, and ii) increase mobility in heterospecific adults and modify their perch site preferences. Attractions between conspecifics, the repulsions between species, and preferences for shaded areas matter in choosing a place to live in the five Drosophila species. These behaviors seem to have evolved as coordinated routines, contributing to the coexistence of the five Drosophila species in the apple and pear orchards examined.

Genetic Screening of Candida albicans Inactivation Mutants Identifies New Genes Involved in Macrophage-Fungal Cell Interactions.

Candida albicans, an important fungal pathogen of humans, displays different morphologies, such as yeast, pseudo-hyphae and hyphae, which are recognized unequally by phagocytic cells of the innate immune response. Once C. albicans cells invade host tissues, immune cells such as macrophages are attracted to the site of infection and activated to recognize, engulf and kill the pathogen. We have investigated this fungal cell-macrophage interface by using high-throughput screening of the C. albicans GRACE library to identify genes that can influence this interaction and modify the kinetics of engulfment. Compared with the wild-type (WT) strain, we identified generally faster rates of engulfment for those fungal strains with constitutive pseudo-hyphal and hyphal phenotypes, whereas yeast-form-locked strains showed a reduced and delayed recognition and internalization by macrophages. We identified a number of GRACE strains that showed normal morphological development but exhibited different recognition and engulfment kinetics by cultured macrophages and characterized two mutants that modified interactions with the murine and human-derived macrophages. One mutant inactivated an uncharacterized C. albicans open reading frame that is the ortholog of S. cerevisiae OPY1, the other inactivated CaKRE1. The modified interaction was monitored during a 4 h co-culture. Early in the interaction, both opy1 and kre1 mutant strains showed reduced recognition and engulfment rates by macrophages when compared with WT cells. At fungal germ tube initiation, the engulfment kinetics increased for both mutants and WT cells, however the WT cells still showed a higher internalization by macrophages up to 2 h of interaction. Subsequently, between 2 and 4 h of the interaction, when most macrophages contain engulfed fungal cells, the engulfment kinetics increased for the opy1 mutant and further decreased for the kre1 mutant compared with Ca-WT. It appears that fungal morphology influences macrophage association with C. albicans cells and that both OPY1 and KRE1 play roles in the interaction of the fungal cells with phagocytes.

SAGA Complex Subunits in Candida albicans Differentially Regulate Filamentation, Invasiveness, and Biofilm Formation.

SAGA (Spt-Ada-Gcn5-acetyltransferase) is a highly conserved, multiprotein co-activator complex that consists of five distinct modules. It has two enzymatic functions, a histone acetyltransferase (HAT) and a deubiquitinase (DUB) and plays a central role in processes such as transcription initiation, elongation, protein stability, and telomere maintenance. We analyzed conditional and null mutants of the SAGA complex module components in the fungal pathogen Candida albicans; Ngg1, (the HAT module); Ubp8, (the DUB module); Tra1, (the recruitment module), Spt7, (the architecture module) and Spt8, (the TBP interaction unit), and assessed their roles in a variety of cellular processes. We observed that spt7Δ/Δ and spt8Δ/Δ strains have a filamentous phenotype, and both are highly invasive in yeast growing conditions as compared to the wild type, while ngg1Δ/Δ and ubp8Δ/Δ are in yeast-locked state and non-invasive in both YPD media and filamentous induced conditions compared to wild type. RNA-sequencing-based transcriptional profiling of SAGA mutants reveals upregulation of hyphal specific genes in spt7Δ/Δ and spt8Δ/Δ strains and downregulation of ergosterol metabolism pathway. As well, spt7Δ/Δ and spt8Δ/Δ confer susceptibility to antifungal drugs, to acidic and alkaline pH, to high temperature, and to osmotic, oxidative, cell wall, and DNA damage stresses, indicating that these proteins are important for genotoxic and cellular stress responses. Despite having similar morphological phenotypes (constitutively filamentous and invasive) spt7 and spt8 mutants displayed variation in nuclear distribution where spt7Δ/Δ cells were frequently binucleate and spt8Δ/Δ cells were consistently mononucleate. We also observed that spt7Δ/Δ and spt8Δ/Δ mutants were quickly engulfed by macrophages compared to ngg1Δ/Δ and ubp8Δ/Δ strains. All these findings suggest that the SAGA complex modules can have contrasting functions where loss of Spt7 or Spt8 enhances filamentation and invasiveness while loss of Ngg1 or Ubp8 blocks these processes.

Effects of inhalation aromatherapy as a complementary therapy in pediatric patients in the clinical practice: A systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Inhalation aromatherapy is a complementary therapy in different clinical settings, but there is little evidence about its effectiveness in childcare. OBJECTIVE: To assess the effectiveness of inhalational aromatherapy in the care of hospitalized pediatric patients. METHODS: Systematic review of clinical trials and quasi-experimental studies, based on PRISMA recommendations, searching Medline, Web of Science, Scopus, SciELO, LILACS, CINAHL, Science Direct, EBSCO, and updated databases. The Down and Black 2020, RoB 2020 CLARITY, and ROBINS-I 2020 scales were used through the Distiller SR software to verify the studies' internal validity and risk of bias. RESULTS: From 446 articles identified, 9 fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Seven were randomized controlled trials (RCTs), one pilot RCT, and one non-randomized quasi-experimental trial. Different outcomes were analyzed, with pain being the most frequently measured variable. None of the 6 studies that evaluated pain showed significant effects with inhalation aromatherapy. Additionally, non-significant effects were found regarding nausea, vomiting, and behavioral/emotional variables. CONCLUSIONS: The findings are still inconclusive, and more evidence is required from future studies with high methodological quality, blinding, and adequate sample sizes.

Bovine (Bos taurus) humoral immune response against Echinococcus granulosus and hydatid cyst infertility.

Echinococcus granulosus, the agent of hydatid disease, presents an indirect life cycle, with canines (mainly dogs) as definitive hosts, and herbivores and human as intermediary ones. In intermediary hosts fertile and infertile cysts develop, but only the first ones develop protoscoleces, the parasite form infective to definitive hosts. We report the presence of bovine IgGs in the germinal layer from infertile cysts (GLIC), in an order of magnitude greater than in the germinal layer from fertile cysts (GLFC). When extracted with salt solutions, bovine IgGs from GLIC are associated with low or with high affinity (most likely corresponding to non specific and antigen specific antibodies, respectively). Specific IgGs penetrate both the cells of the germinal layer and HeLa cultured cells and recognize parasitic proteins. These results, taken together with previous ones from our laboratory, showing induction of apoptosis in the germinal layer of infertile hydatid cysts, provide the first coherent explanation of the infertility process. They also offer the possibility of identifying the parasite antigens recognized, as possible targets for immune modulation.

The behavior of adult Drosophila in the wild.

Little is known about how Drosophila adults behave in the wild, including mating, allocation of food and space, and escape from predators. This lack of information has negative implications for our ability to understand the capabilities of the nervous system to integrate sensory cues necessary for the adaptation of organisms in natural conditions. We characterized a set of behavioral routines of D. melanogaster and D. simulans adults in three ecologically different orchards: grape, apple and prickly pear. We also investigated how the flies identify conspecifics and aliens in the wild to better understand relationships between group formation and adaptation of Drosophila to breeding sites. We characterized the locations by recording in each orchard humidity, temperature, illumination conditions, pH of fruits, the presence/absence of other Drosophila species and the predator ant Linepithema humile. Our findings suggest that the home range of these species of Drosophila includes decaying fruits and, principally, a variety of microhabitats that surround the fruits. The ecological heterogeneity of the orchards and odors emitted by adult D. melanogaster and D. simulans influence perch preferences, cluster formation, court and mating, egg-laying site selection, and use of space. This is one of the first large examinations of the association between changing, complex environments and a set of adult behaviors of Drosophila. Therefore, our results have implications for understanding the genetic differentiation and evolution of populations of species in the genus Drosophila.

Characterisation of P-glycoprotein-9.1 in Haemonchus contortus.

BACKGROUND: The existence nematodes of veterinary importance such as Haemonchus contortus resistant to anthelmintic drugs, including the macrocyclic lactones, has become a major concern in animal health. Macrocyclic lactone resistance in H. contortus seems to be multigenic including the active efflux of these drugs by P-glycoproteins, members of the ABC transporter family, present in this parasite. The goals of the present work were to determine the activity of H. contortus P-glycoprotein 9.1 (Hco-PGP-9.1) and its interaction with the avermectins, ivermectin, abamectin, and also the milbemycin, moxidectin. Additionally, the localisation of Hco-PGP-9.1 was sought in adult worms. METHODS: Hco-Pgp-9.1 was cloned and expressed in mammalian cells and its expression profile was determined at the transcriptional and protein level by qRT-PCR and Western-blot, respectively. The nematode transport activity was assessed using the tracer dye Rhodamine 123. A ligand competition assay between different macrocyclic lactones and Rhodamine 123 was used to establish whether or not there was interaction between Hco-PGP-9.1 and the avermectins (abamectin and ivermectin) or moxidectin. In addition, immunostaining was carried out to localise Hco-PGP-9.1 expression in the transgenic cells and in adult female parasites. RESULTS: Hco-PGP-9.1 was expressed in the cell membrane of the transfected host cells and was able to extrude Rhodamine 123. Ivermectin and abamectin, but not moxidectin, had a pronounced inhibitory effect on the ability of Hco-PGP-9.1 to transport Rhodamine 123. Antibodies raised against Hco-PGP-9.1 epitopes localised to the uterus of adult female H. contortus. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest a strong interaction of the avermectins with Hco-PGP-9.1. However, possibly due to its physico-chemical properties, moxidectin had markedly less effect on Hco-PGP-9.1. Because of the greater interaction of the avermectins than moxidectin with this transporter, it is more likely to contribute to avermectin resistance than to moxidectin resistance in H. contortus. Possible over expression of Hco-PGP-9.1 in the female reproductive system in resistant worms could reduce paralysis of the uterus by macrocyclic lactones, allowing continued egg release in drug challenged resistant worms.

Haemonchus contortus P-glycoprotein-2: in situ localisation and characterisation of macrocyclic lactone transport.

Haemonchus contortus is a veterinary nematode that infects small ruminants, causing serious decreases in animal production worldwide. Effective control through anthelmintic treatment has been compromised by the development of resistance to these drugs, including the macrocyclic lactones. The mechanisms of resistance in H. contortus have yet to be established but may involve efflux of the macrocyclic lactones by nematode ATP-binding-cassette transporters such as P-glycoproteins. Here we report the expression and functional activity of H. contortus P-glycoprotein 2 expressed in mammalian cells and characterise its interaction with the macrocyclic lactones, ivermectin, abamectin and moxidectin. The ability of H. contortus P-glycoprotein 2 to transport different fluorophore substrates was markedly inhibited by ivermectin and abamectin in a dose-dependent and saturable way. The profile of transport inhibition by moxidectin was markedly different. H. contortus P-glycoprotein 2 was expressed in the pharynx, the first portion of the worm's intestine and perhaps in adjacent nervous tissue, suggesting a role for this gene in regulating the uptake of avermectins and in protecting nematode tissues from the effects of macrocyclic lactone anthelmintic drugs. H. contortus P-glycoprotein 2 may thus contribute to resistance to these drugs in H. contortus.

Atención genética perinatal primaria para la prevención de los defectos del nacimiento / Attention of primary perinatal genetics for the prevention of the birth defects

Indicar la importancia del asesoramiento genético para la prevención de los defectos del nacimiento y una reproducción sana, utilizando una población blanco altamente motivada, tal como la madre de alto riesgo para defectos del nacimiento. Selección de madres de alto riesgo en la consulta prenatal, la consulta de niños sanos, el servicio de ultrasonido y el registro de malformados. Hospital Chiquinquirá de Maracaibo y consultas públicas y privadas de la región. En once años, 576 pacientes, se atendieron en la consulta de genética. La ultrasonografía realizada por el genetista, demostró ser mas eficiente (38,23 por ciento) que la realizada en el servicio de ultrasonido (11,1 por ciento),(p>0,001; prueba de Z de una cola). La atención prenatal a la madre es incompleta sin el asesoramiento genético ya que a través del mismo, es posible la selección de un 10 por ciento a un 50 por ciento de embarazos de alto riesgo para defectos fetales cuya prevención de incidencia y recurrencia es posible, con beneficios económicos cuantificables para la nación