Pestivirus spillover effect: molecular detection of bovine viral diarrhea virus in domestic and feral pigs / Efeito spillover de pestivírus: detecção molecular do vírus da diarreia viral bovina em suínos domésticos e javalis

Pestivirus infections are important in the livestock industries, with infection occurring in cattle, sheep and pigs. The Pestivirus genus of the family Flaviviridae, includes four recognized species: bovine viral diarrhea virus 1 (BVDV-1), bovine viral diarrhea virus 2 (BVDV-2), border disease virus (BDV), and classical swine fever virus (CSFV). All pestivirus species can infect pigs, therefore accurate and specific pestivirus detection and differentiation is of great importance to assure control measures in swine populations. The aim of the study was the molecular detection of different pestiviruses in domestic and feral pigs. A total of 527 samples (92 pigs and 435 wild boars) were tested for pestiviruses detection using molecular assays. Eleven positive samples (6 wild boars and 5 domestic pigs) were identified using panpestivirus primers targeting the 5'- UTR region of the pestivirus RNA genome. Further all the positive samples were sequentially tested for detection of CSFV, BVDV-1 and BVDV-2 using specific primers. All RNAs were identified as positives for BVDV-1 and no amplification signals were obtained from BVDV-2 and CSFV. The current detection of BVDV-1 in clinical swine specimens highlights the important risk factor of swine population as reservoir and consequently carrier for BVDV.(AU)

As infecções por pestivírus são importantes nas indústrias pecuárias, com infecções em bovinos, ovinos e suínos. O gênero Pestivirus da família Flaviviridae inclui quatro espécies reconhecidas: vírus da diarreia viral bovina 1 (BVDV-1), vírus da diarreia viral bovina 2 (BVDV-2), vírus da doença de fronteira (VDF) e vírus da peste suína clássica (VPSC). Todas as espécies de pestivírus podem infectar porcos, portanto a detecção e diferenciação precisas e específicas de pestivírus são de grande importância para garantir medidas de controle nas populações suínas. O objetivo do estudo foi a detecção molecular de diferentes pestivírus em suínos domésticos e javali. Um total de 527 amostras (92 porcos e 435 javalis) foram testados para detecção de pestivírus usando ensaios moleculares. Onze amostras positivas (6 javalis e 5 porcos domésticos) foram identificadas usando iniciadores de panpestivírus visando a região 5'-UTR do genoma do RNA do pestivírus. Além disso, todas as amostras positivas foram testadas sequencialmente para detecção de VPSC, BVDV-1 e BVDV-2 usando iniciadores específicos. Todos os RNAs foram identificados como positivos para BVDV-1 e nenhum sinal de amplificação foi obtido do BVDV-2 e CSFV. A detecção atual do BVDV-1 em amostras clínicas de suínos destaca o importante fator de risco da população suína como reservatório e consequentemente portador do BVDV.(AU)

Is rectus abdominis thickness associated with survival among patients with liver cirrhosis? A prospective cohort study

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: Sarcopenia may affect patients with liver cirrhosis and worsen disease outcomes. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate ultrasound-measured psoas major (PM) and rectus abdominis (RA) thickness for predicting survival among patients with liver cirrhosis. DESIGN AND SETTING: Prospective cohort study in a tertiary-level hospital. METHODS: 61 patients with liver cirrhosis were prospectively included during a 15-month period and followed up for at least six months. Cirrhosis was classified using the Child-Pugh score. Sarcopenia was assessed using surrogate parameters: handgrip strength (HGS), mid-arm muscle circumference (MAMC) and SGA (subjective global assessment). We used ultrasound to measure RA and PM thickness at admission. RESULTS: There were 41 men. The patients' mean age was 58.03 ± 10.8 years. 26.22% of them were Child-Pugh A, 45.9% B and 27.86% C. The patients were followed up for 11.9 ± 5.63 months. RA thickness correlated moderately with MAMC (r = 0. 596; P < 0.0001) and HGS (r = 0.515; P < 0.0001) and decreased with increasing SGA class (A, 10.6 ± 2.8 mm; B, 8.3 ± 1.9 mm; C, 6.5 ± 1.9 mm; P < 0.0001). Survival at six months was independently predicted by using the model for end-stage liver disease-serum sodium score (odds ratio, OR 1.305; 95% OR confidence interval 1.083-1.572; P = 0.005). Survival during follow-up was independently predicted by RA thickness (hazard ratio, HR 0.701; 95% HR confidence interval 0.533-0.922; P = 0.011) and ascites (HR 1.876; 95% HR confidence interval 1.078-3.267; P = 0.026). PM thickness did not have any predictive value. CONCLUSIONS: As a surrogate marker of sarcopenia, RA thickness may predict survival among patients with liver cirrhosis.

The influenza season 2016/17 in Bucharest, Romania - surveillance data and clinical characteristics of patients with influenza-like illness admitted to a tertiary infectious diseases hospital

ABSTRACT Background: Influenza continues to drive seasonal morbidity, particularly in settings with low vaccine coverage. Objectives: To describe the influenza cases and viral circulation among hospitalized patients. Methods: A prospective study based on active surveillance of inpatients with influenza-like illness from a tertiary hospital in Bucharest, Romania, in the season 2016/17. Results: A total of 446 patients were tested, with a balanced gender distribution. Overall, 192 (43%) patients tested positive for influenza, with the highest positivity rate in the age groups 3-13 years and >65 years. Peak activity occurred between weeks 1 and 16/2017, with biphasic distribution: A viruses were replaced by B viruses from week 9/2017; B viruses predominated (66.1%). Among the 133 (69.3%) subtyped samples, all influenza A were subtype H3 (n = 57) and all influenza B were B/Victoria (n = 76). Patients who tested positive for influenza presented fewer comorbidities (p = 0.012), except for the elderly, in whom influenza was more common in patients with comorbidities (p = 0.050). Disease evolution was generally favorable under antiviral treatment. The length of hospital stay was slightly longer in patients with influenza-like illness who tested patients negative for influenza (p = 0.031). Conclusions: Distinctive co-circulation of A/H3 and B/Victoria in Bucharest, Romania in the 2016/17 influenza season was found. While the A/H3 subtype was predominant throughout Europe that season, B/Victoria appears to have circulated specifically in Romania and the Eastern European region, predominantly affecting preschoolers and school children.

Culture supernatants from V. cholerae O1 ElTor strains isolated from different geographic areas induce cell vacuolation and cytotoxicity / Cepas de V. cholerae O1 biotipo ElTor aisladas de diferente origen geográfico inducen vacuolización celular y citotoxicidad

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether the HlyA-induced vacuolating effect is produced by V. cholerae O1 ElTor strains isolated from different geographic origins, including Mexico. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Supernatant-induced haemolysis, vacuolating activity and cytotoxicity in Vero cells were recorded. PCR, RFLP analysis and molecular cloning were performed. RESULTS: All ElTor strains analyzed induced cellular vacuolation. Ribotype 2 strains isolates from the U.S. gulf coast yielded the highest titer of vacuolating activity. Eight of nine strains were haemolytic, while all strains were PCR positive for the hlyA gene. We cloned the hlyA gene from two ElTor strains, a toxigenic (2514-88, ctxAB+) and a non-toxigenic Mexican strain (CM 91-3, ctxAB-). Supernatant from those recombinant E. coli strains induced haemolysis, cell vacuolation and cytotoxicity. RFLP-PCR analysis revealed similarities in the hlyA gene from all strains tested. CONCLUSION: The HlyA-induced vacuolating effect is a widespread phenotype of epidemic V. cholerae O1 ElTor strains.

OBJETIVO: Analizar el efecto vacuolizante de cepas de V. cholerae O1 ElTor aisladas de diferente origen geográfico, incluyendo México. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Se realizaron pruebas de hemolisis, vacuolización y citotoxicidad en células Vero, así como PCR, análisis por RFLP y clonación molecular. RESULTADOS: Todas las cepas indujeron el efecto vacuolizante. Las cepas del ribotipo 2, aisladas de las costas del Golfo en Estados Unidos, presentaron títulos altos de vacuolización. El gen hlyA fue amplificado en las nueve cepas mediante PCR, aunque sólo ocho fueron hemolíticas. Se clonó el gen hlyA de una cepa toxigénica (2514-88, ctxAB+) y de una cepa no toxigénica aislada en México (CM 91-3, ctxAB-). El sobrenadante de las clonas recombinantes indujo hemólisis, efecto vacuolizante y citotoxicidad. El RFLP mostró alta similitud del gen hlyA de las cepas estudiadas. CONCLUSIÓN: El efecto vacuolizante es un fenotipo ampliamente distribuido en cepas epidémicas de V. cholerae O1 biotipo ElTor.

Tobacco use among Romanian youth

Se revisan datos publicados entre 1990 y 2006 sobre prevalencia de tabaquismo, así como influencias individuales y contextuales respecto al hábito de fumar entre adultos jóvenes rumanos. Los hallazgos incluyen una consideración de múltiples niveles de influencia, desde factores intraindividuales (por ejemplo, demográficos y cognitivos), influencias sociales (como familia y pares), hasta niveles de influencia macro sociales/culturales (publicidad y políticas relacionadas con el tabaco, entre otros). La fuente de datos incluye artículos y notas breves publicadas en revistas científicas o en formato electrónico, leyes, estadísticas, y se ilustran con imágenes. Con base en estos datos, se establecen recomendaciones para acciones futuras de prevención y reducción del consumo de tabaco en jóvenes rumanos.