Search results for " infections"
showing 10 items of 2592 documents
Cetacean Morbillivirus: Current Knowledge and Future Directions
2014
We review the molecular and epidemiological characteristics of cetacean morbillivirus (CeMV) and the diagnosis and pathogenesis of associated disease, with six different strains detected in cetaceans worldwide. CeMV has caused epidemics with high mortality in odontocetes in Europe, the USAand Australia. It represents a distinct species within the Morbillivirusgenus. Although most CeMV strains are phylogenetically closely related, recent data indicate that morbilliviruses recovered from Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops aduncus), from Western Australia, and a Guiana dolphin (Sotalia guianensis), from Brazil, are divergent. The signaling lymphocyte activation molecule (SLAM) cell rec…
Interpersonal Distance in the SARS-CoV-2 Crisis
2020
Background Mandatory rules for social distancing to curb the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic require individuals to maintain a critical interpersonal distance above 1.5 m. However, this contradicts our natural preference, which is closer to 1 m for non-intimate encounters, for example, when asking a stranger for directions. Objective This review addresses how humans typically regulate interpersonal distances, in order to highlight the challenges of enforcing atypically large interpersonal distances. Method To understand the challenges posed by social distancing requirements, we integrate relevant contributions from visual perception, social perception, and human factors. Results To date, research on pr…
Leishmania tarentolae and Leishmania infantum in humans, dogs and cats in the Pelagie archipelago, southern Italy.
2021
Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) caused by Leishmania infantum is endemic in the Mediterranean basin with most of the infected human patients remaining asymptomatic. Recently, the saurian-associated Leishmania tarentolae was detected in human blood donors and in sheltered dogs. The circulation of L. infantum and L. tarentolae was investigated in humans, dogs and cats living in the Pelagie islands (Sicily, Italy) by multiple serological and molecular testing. Human serum samples (n = 346) were tested to assess the exposure to L. infantum by immunofluorescence antibody test (IFAT), enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and Western blot (WB) and to L. tarentolae by IFAT. Meanwhile, sera from do…
Investigation and control of a Norovirus outbreak of probable waterborne transmission through a municipal groundwater system
2014
During March 2011 an outbreak of gastroenteritis occurred in Santo Stefano di Quisquina, Agrigento, Sicily, Italy. Within two weeks 156 cases were identified among the 4,965 people living in the municipality. An epidemiological investigation was conducted to characterize the outbreak and target the control measures. A case was defined as a person developing diarrhea or vomiting during February 27–March 13, 2011. Stool specimens were collected from 12 cases. Norovirus (NoV) genotype GII.4 variant New Orleans 2009 was identified in stool samples from 11 of 12 cases tested (91.7%). Epidemiological investigations suggested a possible association with municipal drinking water consumption. Water …
A case report of double etiology of ecthyma gangrenosum
2019
Abstract Rationale: Ecthyma gangrenosum is a cutaneous infection, most commonly occurring during sepsis evolution with Pseudomonas aeruginosa on an immunocompromised background. There have been rare case reports in previously healthy children and rarer are the cases with double etiology. Patient concerns: We present the case of a female Caucasian patient, aged 1 year and 8 months, who developed severe sepsis during flu evolution with predominant respiratory and cerebral manifestations. On admission, at skin level, there was noticed a necrotic coccygeal ulceration (with rapid increasing dimensions 0.5/0.5 cm in 24 hours), and with the transformation from a dry necrosis in a sphacelus at the …
Segregation and co-occurrence of larval cestodes in freshwater fishes in the Bothnian Bay, Finland
1992
SUMMARYTwo autogenic (Triaenophorus crassus and T. nodulosus) and four allogenic (Diphyllobothrium latum, D. dendriticum, D. ditremum and Schistocephalus solidus) larval cestode species were found in 13 out of 31 fish species studied from the Bothnian Bay, NE Baltic. Gasterosteus aculeatus was the most heavily infected fish with 4 larval cestode species; for two of them (D. ditremum and S. solidus) the three-spined stickleback was found to be the required fish intermediate host. Among allogenic cestode species, those restricted to different definitive host species segregated their larval population in relation to the fish host, while, for example, D. ditremum and S. solidus, both maturing i…
Parasites as indicators of social structure and stock identity of marine mammals
1995
Abstract Introduction: the use of parasites as biological indicators of marine mammals has not yet received all the necessary attention. The aim of this review is to show the value of parasite data in studies of stock identity and social structure. Methods: the application of the technique to marine mammals is hampered by the lack of control over sampling conditions and the paucity of information about the biology of their parasites. Relevant criteria for, suitable parasite tags are discussed. Case studies: previous work on marine mammals is presented to illustrate the usefulness and limitations of parasite data. A study of pilot whales revealed that differences in helminth infections betwe…
O início de uma nova era: teste sistemático para patógenos causadores de infecções agudas das vias aéreas superiores (IVAS) em crianças
2007
On average humans get sick ten times per year. About six times the illness is due to an acute respiratory tract infection (ARI). Morbidity is especially high in children since they usually encounter the offending organism for the first time in their life; the lack of immunity results in shedding of the offending organisms in high numbers of prolonged time as compared to adults; their airways are smaller than those of adults and thus the inflammatory response leads to a more significant narrowing of the airways resulting in more severe disease; on average they have a high number of social contacts and also a more intimate contact with peers and caregivers alike resulting in a higher attack r…
Seasonal population dynamics of Zeuxapta seriolae (Monogenea: Heteraxinidae) parasitising Seriola dumerili (Carangidae) in the Western Mediterranean.
2013
We examined the seasonal and yearly population dynamics of the monogenean pathogen Zeuxapta seriolae on juvenile fish from wild populations of Seriola dumerili. The study is based on bimonthly monitoring between April, 2005 and April, 2007 off Majorca, and newly obtained monogenean population data for juvenile fish from three additional localities in the Western Mediterranean (off Alicante, Corsica and Sardinia). We documented the highest intensities and abundances of Z. seriolae, with mean abundance values similar to or higher than those reported in the single case of wild fish mortalities reported to date. There was a recurrent pattern of seasonal change in infection with Z. seriolae in t…
Seroprevalence of and risk factors for Leishmania seropositivity in a sample population of Western Sicily (Italy)
2013
Background: Leishmania is a vector-borne parasite responsible for significant morbidity and mortality worldwide. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of and risk factors for Leishmania infantum seropositivity in a sample of Sicilian population.Methods: A total of 260 subjects were interviewed using a standardized questionnaire and requested for an venous blood sample.Results: Overall, 36 subjects (13.8%) were seropositive against L. infantum with a statistically significant higher prevalence of positivity in older subjects (p=0.04). After adjustment for age, a higher risk for Leishmania seropositivity was found in subjects who had pets living outdoors and untreated with anti-p…