Grassland versus forest dwelling rodents as indicators of environmental contamination with the zoonotic nematode Toxocara spp.

Small mammals are suspected of contributing to the dissemination of Toxocara canis and helping with the parasite survival during periods when there is a temporary absence of suitable definitive hosts. While the primary aim of the current study was the assessment of seroprevalence of Toxocara spp. infections in wild rodents in Poland, we also explored the role of intrinsic (sex, age) and extrinsic factors (study site) influencing dynamics of this infection to ascertain whether grassland versus forest rodents play a greater role as indicators of environmental contamination with T. canis. We trapped 577 rodents belonging to four species (Myodes glareolus, Microtus arvalis, Microtus agrestis, Alexandromys oeconomus) in north-eastern Poland. Blood was collected during the parasitological examination, and serum was frozen at - 80 °C until further analyses. A bespoke enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to detect antibodies against Toxocara spp. We found Toxocara spp. antibodies in the sera of all four rodent species with an overall seroprevalence of 2.8% [1.9-4.1%]. There was a significant difference in seroprevalence between vole species, with the grassland species (M. arvalis, M. agrestis and A. oeconomus) showing a 16-fold higher seroprevalence (15.7% [8.7-25.9%]) than the forest-dwelling M. glareolus (0.98% [0.5-1.8%]). We hypothesise that the seroprevalence of Toxocara spp. differs between forest and grassland rodents because of the higher contamination of grasslands by domestic dogs and wild canids. Our results underline the need for wide biomonitoring of both types of ecosystems to assess the role of rodents as indicators of environmental contamination with zoonotic pathogens.

Wild Red Deer (Cervus elaphus) Do Not Play a Role as Vectors or Reservoirs of SARS-CoV-2 in North-Eastern Poland.

Several studies reported a high prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 among white-tailed deer in North America. Monitoring cervids in all regions to better understand SARS-CoV-2 infection and circulation in other deer populations has been urged. To evaluate deer exposure and/or infection to/by SARS-CoV-2 in Poland, we sampled 90 red deer shot by hunters in five hunting districts in north-eastern Poland. Serum and nasopharyngeal swabs were collected, and then an immunofluorescent assay (IFA) to detect anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies was performed as well as real-time PCR with reverse transcription for direct virus detection. No positive samples were detected. There is no evidence of spillover of SARS-CoV-2 from the human to deer population in Poland.

Gallium Mesoporphyrin IX-Mediated Photodestruction: A Pharmacological Trojan Horse Strategy To Eliminate Multidrug-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus.

One of the factors determining efficient antimicrobial photodynamic inactivation (aPDI) is the accumulation of a light-activated compound, namely, a photosensitizer (PS). Targeted PS recognition is the approach based on the interaction between the membrane receptor on the bacterial surface and the PS, whereas the compound is efficiently accumulated by the same mechanism as the natural ligand. In this study, we showed that gallium mesoporphyrin IX (Ga3+MPIX) provided dual functionality─iron metabolism disruption and PS properties in aPDI. Ga3+MPIX induced efficient (>5log10 reduction in CFU/mL) bacterial photodestruction with excitation in the area of Q band absorption with relatively low eukaryotic cytotoxicity and phototoxicity. The Ga3+MPIX is recognized by the same systems as haem by the iron-regulated surface determinant (Isd). However, the impairment in the ATPase of the haem detoxification efflux pump was the most sensitive to the Ga3+MPIX-mediated aPDI phenotype. This indicates that changes within the metalloporphyrin structure (vinyl vs ethyl groups) did not significantly alter the properties of recognition of the compound but influenced its biophysical properties.

Atypical spindle cell lipomatous tumour presenting as a large retroperitoneal mass - a case report and review of the literature.

Atypical spindle cell lipomatous tumour (ASCLT) is a benign neoplasm that presents a variable proportion of atypical spindle and adipocytic cells, frequently expressing CD34, and embedded in myxoid or collagenous matrix. An important feature is a constant lack of either MDM2 or CDK4 amplification. It typically arises in the extremities. The retroperitoneum is a rare site of involvement. We report a case of a retroperitoneal ASCLT in a 62-year-old male. A differential diagnosis of ASCLT from the other mesenchymal, spindle-cell, and lipomatous tumours is crucial for optimal treatment and significantly influences the prognosis. A diagnosis should be warranted by the immunohistochemistry and molecular findings.

Genetic Carriers and Genomic Distribution of cadA6-A Novel Variant of a Cadmium Resistance Determinant Identified in Listeria spp.

Listeria monocytogenes is a pathogen responsible for severe cases of food poisoning. Listeria spp. strains occurring in soil and water environments may serve as a reservoir of resistance determinants for pathogenic L. monocytogenes strains. A large collection of Listeria spp. strains (155) isolated from natural, agricultural, and urban areas was screened for resistance to heavy metals and metalloids, and the presence of resistance determinants and extrachromosomal replicons. Of the tested strains, 35% were resistant to cadmium and 17% to arsenic. Sequence analysis of resistance plasmids isolated from strains of Listeria seeligeri and Listeria ivanovii, and the chromosome of L. seeligeri strain Sr73, identified a novel variant of the cadAC cadmium resistance efflux system, cadA6, that was functional in L. monocytogenes cells. The cadA6 cassette was detected in four Listeria species, including strains of L. monocytogenes, isolated from various countries and sources-environmental, food-associated, and clinical samples. This resistance cassette is harbored by four novel composite or non-composite transposons, which increases its potential for horizontal transmission. Since some cadAC cassettes may influence virulence and biofilm formation, it is important to monitor their presence in Listeria spp. strains inhabiting different environments.

Diagnostic Imaging of Pregnant Women - The Role of Magnetic Resonance Imaging.

BACKGROUND: Presentation of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings in pregnant women in the Department of Diagnostic Imaging, Institute of Mother and Child, Warsaw, Poland. MATERIAL/METHODS: Forty-three symptomatic pregnant women underwent MRI between 9 and 33 weeks of gestation (mean of 23 weeks). Moreover, we included 2 pregnant women who underwent fetal MRI and had incidental abnormalities. RESULTS: In 9 cases, we excluded the suspected brain abnormalities. In 4 cases, we found unremarkable changes in the brain without clinical significance. One patient was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, one with cortical dysplasia, one with pineal hemorrhage and one with a brain tumor. On abdominal MRI, 2 patients had normal findings, one patient had colon cancer with a hepatic metastasis, one patient had a hepatic angioma, one patient had an extraadrenal pheochromocytoma, one patient had an abscess in the iliopsoas muscle, 9 patients had myomas, two patients had ovarian simple cysts, two endometrial cysts, three dermoid cysts, one patient had sacrococcygeal teratoma, one patient had a cystadenofibroma (partial borderline tumor), one patient had an androgenic ovarian tumor and two patients had hyperreactio luteinalis. One patient was diagnosed with transient osteoporosis of the hip and one with a stress fracture of the sacral bone. CONCLUSIONS: Magnetic resonance imaging is the best imaging modality for pregnant women. Although ultrasonography is the method of choice, doubtful cases as well as structures that cannot be examined with ultrasonography can be non-invasively evaluated with MRI.