scholarly journals An Investigation of Culicoides (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) as Potential Vectors of Medically and Veterinary Important Arboviruses in South Africa

Viruses ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (10) ◽  
pp. 1978
Author(s):  
Jumari Snyman ◽  
Gert J. Venter ◽  
Marietjie Venter
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Polymerase Chain Reaction ◽  
Disease Outbreaks ◽  
African Horse Sickness ◽  
Chain Reaction ◽  
Biting Midges ◽  
Polymerase Chain ◽  
Culicoides Biting Midges ◽  
Minimum Infection Rate

Culicoides-borne viruses such as bluetongue, African horse sickness, and Schmallenberg virus cause major economic burdens due to animal outbreaks in Africa and their emergence in Europe and Asia. However, little is known about the role of Culicoides as vectors for zoonotic arboviruses. In this study, we identify both veterinary and zoonotic arboviruses in pools of Culicoides biting midges in South Africa, during 2012–2017. Midges were collected at six surveillance sites in three provinces and screened for Alphavirs, Flavivirus, Orthobunyavirus, and Phlebovirus genera; equine encephalosis virus (EEV); and Rhaboviridae, by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. In total, 66/331 (minimum infection rate (MIR) = 0.4) pools tested positive for one or more arbovirus. Orthobunyaviruses, including Shuni virus (MIR = 0.1) and EEV (MIR = 0.2) were more readily detected, while only 2/66 (MIR = 0.1) Middelburg virus and 4/66 unknown Rhabdoviridae viruses (MIR = 0.0) were detected. This study suggests Culicoides as potential vectors of both veterinary and zoonotic arboviruses detected in disease outbreaks in Africa, which may contribute to the emergence of these viruses to new regions.

Mechanisms of mortality in Culicoides biting midges due to Haemoproteus infection

Parasitology ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 143 (13) ◽  
pp. 1748-1754 ◽  
Author(s):  
DOVILĖ BUKAUSKAITĖ ◽  
RASA BERNOTIENĖ ◽  
TATJANA A. IEZHOVA ◽  
GEDIMINAS VALKIŪNAS
Keyword(s):  
Polymerase Chain Reaction ◽  
Histological Examination ◽  
High Intensity ◽  
Chain Reaction ◽  
Biting Midges ◽  
Post Exposure ◽  
Polymerase Chain ◽  
Culicoides Biting Midges

SUMMARYWe examined the effects of Haemoproteus infection on the survival and pathology caused in the biting midges. Forty-six females of Culicoides impunctatus were exposed experimentally by allowing them to feed on a naturally infected red-backed shrike infected with Haemoproteus lanii (lineage hRB1, gametocytaemia 5·2%). Seventeen females were fed on an uninfected bird (controls). Dead insects were collected, counted and used for dissection, histological examination and polymerase chain reaction-based testing. Parasites were present in all experimentally infected biting midges, but absent from control insects. Survivorship differed significantly between the control and infected groups. Twelve hours post-exposure (PE), 45 (98%) experimentally infected midges were dead, but all control midges remained alive, and many of them survived until 7 day PE. The migrating ookinetes of H. lanii overfilled midgut, markedly damaged the midgut wall, entered the haemocoel and overfilled the abdomen and thorax of exposed biting midges. Massive infection by migrating ookinetes led to damage of abdomen and thorax of biting midges. The parasites often present in large clumps in the haemocoel in abdomen and thorax, leading to the interruption of the haemolymph circulation. These are the main reasons for rapid death of biting midges after feeding on high-intensity infections of Haemoproteus parasites.

scholarly journals Macrophage migration inhibitory factor may play a protective role in osteoarthritis

2021 ◽  
Vol 23 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ming Liu ◽  
Zikun Xie ◽  
Guang Sun ◽  
Liujun Chen ◽  
Dake Qi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Polymerase Chain Reaction ◽  
Migration Inhibitory Factor ◽  
Macrophage Migration Inhibitory Factor ◽  
Protective Role ◽  
Macrophage Migration ◽  
Chain Reaction ◽  
Protein Levels ◽  
Tnf Α ◽  
Polymerase Chain

Abstract Background Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most prevalent form of arthritis and the major cause of disability and overall diminution of quality of life in the elderly population. Currently there is no cure for OA, partly due to the large gaps in our understanding of its underlying molecular and cellular mechanisms. Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) is a procytokine that mediates pleiotropic inflammatory effects in inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and ankylosing spondylitis (AS). However, data on the role of MIF in OA is limited with conflicting results. We undertook this study to investigate the role of MIF in OA by examining MIF genotype, mRNA expression, and protein levels in the Newfoundland Osteoarthritis Study. Methods One hundred nineteen end-stage knee/hip OA patients, 16 RA patients, and 113 healthy controls were included in the study. Two polymorphisms in the MIF gene, rs755622, and -794 CATT5-8, were genotyped using polymerase chain reaction–restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) and PCR followed by automated capillary electrophoresis, respectively. MIF mRNA levels in articular cartilage and subchondral bone were measured by quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Plasma concentrations of MIF, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β) were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results rs755622 and -794 CATT5-8 genotypes were not associated with MIF mRNA or protein levels or OA (all p ≥ 0.19). MIF mRNA level in cartilage was lower in OA patients than in controls (p = 0.028) and RA patients (p = 0.004), while the levels in bone were comparable between OA patients and controls (p = 0.165). MIF protein level in plasma was lower in OA patients than in controls (p = 3.01 × 10−10), while the levels of TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-1β in plasma were all significantly higher in OA patients than in controls (all p ≤ 0.0007). Multivariable logistic regression showed lower MIF and higher IL-1β protein levels in plasma were independently associated with OA (OR per SD increase = 0.10 and 8.08; 95% CI = 0.04–0.19 and 4.42–16.82, respectively), but TNF-α and IL-6 became non-significant. Conclusions Reduced MIF mRNA and protein expression in OA patients suggested MIF might have a protective role in OA and could serve as a biomarker to differentiate OA from other joint disorders.

scholarly journals Psittacine beak and feather disease virus in budgerigars and ring-neck parakeets in South Africa

2004 ◽  
Vol 71 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Albertyn ◽  
K.M. Tajbhai ◽  
R.R. Bragg
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Polymerase Chain Reaction ◽  
Genetic Variation ◽  
Disease Virus ◽  
Common Disease ◽  
Sample Collection ◽  
Chain Reaction ◽  
Polymerase Chain ◽  
Feather Disease Virus ◽  
Viral Isolates

Psittacine beak and feather disease (PBFD) is a common disease of the psittacine species and is caused by the psittacine beak and feather disease virus (PBFDV). In this study the occurrence of the disease in ring-neck parakeets and budgerigars in South Africa suffering from feathering problems, using polymerase chain reaction as a diagnostic test was investigated. The genetic variation between viral isolates was also studied. Results indicate that PBFDV can be attributed to being the cause of feathering problems in some of the ring-neck parakeets and budgerigars in South Africa. Genetic variation of isolates occurs between species and individuals. A cheap and easy to use method of blood sample collection on filter paper for diagnostic purposes was also evaluated. It proved to be less stressful to the birds and did not inhibit further processes.

scholarly journals Clinical assessement of the 8 genes on chromosome 3 with also MGMT gene promoter regions methylaton status in patients with breast cancer luminal hystotype

2017 ◽  
Vol 16 (4) ◽  
pp. 38-45
Author(s):  
D. A. Ryabchikov ◽  
I. K. Vorotnikov ◽  
T. P. Kazubskaya ◽  
S. S. Lukina ◽  
E. A. Filippova ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Polymerase Chain Reaction ◽  
Normal Tissue ◽  
Methylation Status ◽  
Chromosome 3 ◽  
Epigenetic Changes ◽  
Chain Reaction ◽  
Promoter Regions ◽  
Polymerase Chain

Background. Epigenetic changes of TSG are supposed as the most fine and active genes regulation mechanism in particular breast cancer (BC) genes pathway development. The most valuable results are awaited for methylation role of genes located on the short arm of chromosome 3 with also MGMT gene (10q26) in BC pathogenesis because of their ambiguous data for methylation status in tumors. Objective: to illustrate the specific methylation role of the RASSF1A, SEMA3B, RARß2, RHOA, GPX1, USP4, DAG1, NKIRAS1 and MGMT genes promoter regions in BC pathogenesis. Materials and methods. Sample set of 174 BC patients consists of tumor and surrounding histologically normal tissue that were collected and clinically characterized in the N.N. Blokhin National Medical Research Center of Oncology. Two substantive methods were used to evaluate DNA methylation status. To analyse RASSF1A, SEMA3B, RARß2 and MGMT genes methylation we used polymerase chain reaction specific for the methylated allele. Whereas for analyses RHOA, GPX1, USP4, DAG1, NKIRAS1 promoter regions genes methylation status was used methyl sensitive restriction analyses with 2 methyl sensitive endonuclaeses HpaII and HhaI with subsequent polymerase chain reaction. Results. A statistically significant high frequency of RASSF1A, SEMA3B, RARß2, and MGMT genes methylation in epithelial breast tumors compared with histologically normal tissue from the same patients was shown. Significant correlation of RARß2 and MGMT genes methylation frequency considering the different clinical and morphological characteristics of the malignant process was revealed. The statistically significant relationship between methylation of RASSF1A, RARß2 and MGMT genes and patient survival is shown for the first time. Conclusion. The findings of epigenetic changes in the luminal BC supplement the “molecular picture” of this cancer and contribute to an understanding of its pathogenesis. The revealed features of investigated genes methylation can find clinical application for the development of modern approaches to prognosis, prevention and choice of tactics for treatment of BC in females of the Moscow region.

The role of intraocular f luid polymerase chain reaction in the diagnosis, treatment and monitoring of cytomegalovirus retinitis

2021 ◽  
pp. 380-383
Author(s):  
B.S. Pershin ◽  
◽  
A.A. Maschan ◽  
V.Y. Makhmutov ◽  
M.A. Ilushina ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Polymerase Chain Reaction ◽  
Stem Cell ◽  
Retinal Detachment ◽  
Cytomegalovirus Retinitis ◽  
Chain Reaction ◽  
Hematopoietic Stem ◽  
Key Words Cytomegalovirus ◽  
Polymerase Chain ◽  
Intraocular Fluid

Purpose. To study the possibilities of a new method of CMRR treatment in the prevention of irreversible blindness. Material and methods. 74 patients with cytomegalovirus retinitis, frolicking after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. The first group (9 people, 15 eyes) consisted of children, whose treatment was carried out under ophthalmoscopic control. The second group (65 people, 114 eyes) consisted of children in whom the control of the effectiveness of treatment was carried out using PCR of aqueous humor in real time. Results. In the first group, retinal detachment was diagnosed in three out of fifteen eyes, accounting for 20%. In the second group, the incidence of retinal detachment was 3.5% of 114 eyes. Among patients receiving treatment under ophthalmoscopic control, CMRR relapses were detected in 5 cases, which amounted to 33.3%. In children, whose treatment was controlled by intraocular fluid PCR, relapses were diagnosed in 22 cases, which amounted to 19.29%. Conclusions. Intravitreal administration of antiviral drugs under the control of polymerase chain reaction is a more effective method of treating cytomegalovirus retinitis than intravitreal administration under ophthalmoscopic control. Key words: cytomegalovirus retinitis, intraocular fluid polymerase chain reaction.

Study of the HLA-DPβ1 Locus by the Polymerase Chain Reaction Technique in Patients with Hodgkin's Disease

1993 ◽  
Vol 79 (2) ◽  
pp. 133-136 ◽  
Author(s):  
Guseppe Pellegris ◽  
Claudia Lombardo ◽  
Annelisa Cantoni ◽  
Liliana Devizzi ◽  
Monica Balzarotti
Keyword(s):  
Polymerase Chain Reaction ◽  
Hodgkin's Disease ◽  
Hodgkin’S Disease ◽  
Polymerase Chain Reaction Method ◽  
Healthy Controls ◽  
Chain Reaction ◽  
Reaction Method ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Polymerase Chain

Background A number of reports have studied associations between Hodgkin's disease and HLA. Some of them established correlation between several antigens and Hodgkin's disease, and others found no correlations. Methods The HLA DP locus was determined by the polymerase chain reaction method in 31 Hodgkin's disease patients and 58 healthy controls. Results No significant difference between patients and controls was noted. Conclusions Further investigations are needed to confirm the hypothesis of a possible role of the HLA complex as one of the factors involved in Hodgkin's disease.

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