Emerging pathogens of ocular infections due to environmental changes-What lies ahead?

The complex interactions of bacterial pathogens and host defenses

BackgroundInfectious diseases continue to account for considerable illness and death worldwide, and emerging infectious diseases (EIDs) are a significant burden on global economies and public health. This study aimed to investigate the trends in infectious and parasitic disease (IPD) hospital admissions (HA) in England and Wales between 1999 and 2019.MethodsThis is an ecological study using publicly available data taken from the Hospital Episode Statistics database in England and the Patient Episode Database for Wales. Hospital admission data were collected for the period between April 1999 to March 2019. IPDHA were identified using the tenth version of the International Statistical Classification of Diseases system, diagnostic codes (A00–B99). The trend in hospital admissions was assessed using a Poisson model.ResultsThe overall annual number for IPD hospital admissions for various causes increased by 412.9%, from 151,336 in 1999 to 776,215 in 2019, representing an increase in hospital admission rate of 349.9% from 290.25 (95% CI 288.79–291.71) in 1999 to 1305.88 (95% CI 1303.00–1308.77) in 2019 per 100,000 persons: trend test, p < 0.01. The most common causes of infectious and parasitic disease hospital admissions were intestinal infectious diseases, other bacterial diseases, and other viral diseases, which accounted for 33.6, 27.5, and 23.8%, respectively. Patients aged 15 years and below accounted for 34.2% of the entire number of IPD hospital admissions, followed by the age group 15–59 years with 27.9%, the age group 75 years and above with 22.7%, and then the age group 60–74 years with 15.2%.ConclusionThere was an increase in the hospital admission rate due to infectious diseases in the UK from 1999 to 2019. The most common causes of infectious and parasitic disease hospital admissions were intestinal infectious diseases, other bacterial diseases, and other viral diseases.

Journal Article Clarification of Dietary Risk Factors and Religion in a Botulism Outbreak Get access Todd Weber, Todd Weber Enteric Diseases Branch, Division of Bacterial and Mycotic Diseases, National Centerjar Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia Reprints or correspondence: Dr. J. Todd Weber, Enteric Diseases Branch, National Center for Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention/MS C-09, Atlanta, GA 30333. Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic PubMed Google Scholar Charles L. Hatheway, Charles L. Hatheway Enteric Diseases Branch, Division of Bacterial and Mycotic Diseases, National Centerjar Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic PubMed Google Scholar Paul A. Blake, Paul A. Blake Enteric Diseases Branch, Division of Bacterial and Mycotic Diseases, National Centerjar Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic PubMed Google Scholar Robert V. Tauxe Robert V. Tauxe Enteric Diseases Branch, Division of Bacterial and Mycotic Diseases, National Centerjar Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic PubMed Google Scholar The Journal of Infectious Diseases, Volume 168, Issue 1, July 1993, Page 258, https://doi.org/10.1093/infdis/168.1.258 Published: 01 July 1993

Temporal and spatial relationships of CrAssphage and enteric viral and bacterial pathogens in wastewater in North Carolina

Symptômes cliniques ou biologiques devant amener à rechercher une amylose

The etiological agents associated with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) in Thailand have been studied extensively in bacterial pathogens, but not in viral pathogens. To clarify the association of viral pathogens with CAP, we conducted a comprehensive study of viral and bacterial pathogens in patients with CAP. We enrolled 119 hospitalized patients with CAP in Nakornping Hospital, Chiang Mai, Thailand between 2006 and 2008. The severity of pneumonia was classified and the risk factors for death were estimated. Bacterial and fungal pathogens were determined from specimens taken from blood and sputum, and viral pathogens were identified from nasopharyngeal specimens by RT-PCR using primers specific for 7 respiratory viruses. Overall, 29 patients were HIV-infected and 90 patients were non-HIV-infected. The microbial pathogens most commonly isolated among HIV-infected patients were: 4 Klebsiella pneumoniae, 4 Mycobacterium tuberculosis and 3 Haemophilus influenzae. Among non-HIV infected patients, predominant microbial pathogens were: 6 Pseudomonas aeruginosa, 5 Haemophilus influenzae and 4 Klebsiella pneumoniae. As for viral pathogens for CAP, influenza virus was identified from 2 HIV-infected patients and 5 non-HIV infected patients. In addition, human rhinovirus (HRV) and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) were identified from 2 patients each among non-HIV-infected patients. Our study demonstrates that the most common viral agent was influenza virus (5%), followed by HRV (2%) and RSV (2%) among CAP patients in northern Thailand. The underlying chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) seems to be correlated with the severity of illness.

Cohn and Scott and Duncan advocate alternative theories to the effect that historical plague was a viral disease and maintain, in accordance with this view, that survival of plague infection provided persistent and strong immunity. If the observation or assertion were correct that survivors of historical plague disease acquired strong and persistent immunity, it would constitute substantial evidence that historical plague epidemics could not have been bubonic plague or indeed any other bacterial disease, and probably was a viral disease instead. Since this type of assertion tend to falsify the bubonic plague theory and to justify the search for a tenable alternative, this subject of immunity must also be examined sufficiently thoroughly to decide the matter. Epidemiological theory militates against the notion that the Black Death and subsequent plague epidemics could have been a viral disease but is compatible with a bacterial disease.Keywords: bacterial disease; Black Death; historical plague; immunity; viral disease

We engineered probiotic bacteria, Lactobacillus plantarum, to produce specific double-stranded (ds)RNA for viral inhibition in penaeid shrimp. When supplemented in feed, the developed strain should offer specific viral disease resistance and still remain other beneficial effects on shrimp health against other bacterial pathogens. The pWH1520 expression vector was constructed to encode hairpin RNA targeting shrimp yellow head virus (YHV) in L. plantarum. The quantity of YHV-specific dsRNA (dsYHV) was approximately 1.66 ± 0.25 ng from 7 × 1011 CFU of L. plantarum. Feeding shrimp with the probiotic expressing dsYHV (at 1011 CFU g−1 feed) for 5 days prior to YHV challenge provided shrimp partial protection against YHV. In vitro agar well diffusion analysis revealed that both wild-type and transformed L. plantarum inhibited growth of Vibrio parahaemolyticus, the shrimp pathogen responsible for acute hepatopancreatic necrosis disease (AHPND) and early mortality syndrome (EMS). When tested in shrimp by immersion method, both L. plantarum strains (at 107 CFUs ml−1 seawater) also provided shrimp protection against V. parahaemolyticus. In conclusion, this study suggested the potential of the dsRNA-expressed L. plantarum for promoting shrimp health against the pathogenic virus. In addition, engineering L. plantarum for dsRNA production did not alter the probiotic’s intrinsic antibacterial property, and therefore, the developed strain can be used to protect shrimp against the important bacterial pathogen, V. parahaemolyticus causing AHPND/EMS.

A six-year retrospective survey of poultry diseases presented to veterinary clinics in Maiduguri, Borno State, Nigeria between January 1995 and December 2000 was conducted. Out of a total of 23,813 poultry cases, 18,304 (76.9%) and 5,509 (23.1%) cases were recorded at the State Veterinary Clinic (SVC) Maiduguri and Veterinary Teaching Hospital (VTH) University of Maiduguri respectively. Out of the 18,304 cases presented at the SVC, viral diseases constituted about 44%, bacterial infections were 19.7%, parasitic infestations were 28.7% while non-infectious conditions were 8.7%. Similarly, out of the 5,509 cases recorded at the VTH University of Maiduguri, viral diseases were 69.9%, bacterial diseases were 10.7%, while parasitic and non-infectious conditions were 15.4% and 4.5% respectively. Among the viral diseases encountered, Newcastle disease (ND) and infectious bursal disease (IBD) were the most important while fowl cholera and coccidiosis formed the major bacterial and parasitic diseases respectively. A successful development of control and preventive measures can only be achieved after a careful assessment of each condition is carried out. Key Words: Poultry health problems, semi-arid, retrospective study, Nigeria. Trop. Vet. Vol. 21: (3) 138-145 (2003)

Food-borne diseases — The challenges of 20 years ago still persist while new ones continue to emerge

Respiratory infections, collectively, are one of the World's most common and serious illness groups. As recent observations have shown, the most severe courses of acute respiratory infection, often leading to death, are due to uncontrolled cytokine production (hypercytokinemia). The study involved 364 patients with respiratory illness being treated in clinics in St. Petersburg (Russia) in 2018-2019 and 30 healthy controls. Cytokine analysis was carried out in the acute phase of illness (2-3 days from onset of initial symptoms) and in the stage of recovery (days 9-10). The research presented is devoted to the assessment of mRNA expression of specific cytokines (interleukin [IL]-1b, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-18, tumor necrosis factor-α [TNF-α], and interferon-λ) and MxA in whole blood leukocytes, by means of real-time polymerase chain reaction. In 70% of patients, bacterial or viral pathogens were identified, with influenza viral infections (types A and B) prevailing. Significant increases in the expression of IL-18, TNF, and IL-10 were observed, relative to controls, only with influenza viral infections. We have shown a difference in IL-6 mRNA expression in patients with bacterial or viral pathogens. No statistically significant difference was found in white blood cells IL-4 expression levels between patients and healthy controls. Investigation of the nuances of systemic cytokine production, in response to specific viral and bacterial pathogens, makes it possible to assess the risks of developing hypercytokinemia during respiratory infection with agents circulating in the human population and to predict the pathogenicity and virulence of circulating threats.

Ubiquitin and ubiquitin-like specific proteases targeted by infectious pathogens: Emerging patterns and molecular principles

Green tea is one of the most popular drinks consumed in the world. Important components contained in green tea and having antioxidant and anticarcinogenic properties are catechins - organic substances belonging to the class of polyphenolic compounds. Green tea contains 4 main catechins: (-)-epicatechin, (-)-epicatechin-3-gallate, (-)-epigallocatechin and (-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate. This review summarizes the results of key studies, predominantly performed over the last 5 years, which provide evidence that catechins in green tea protect against ultraviolet radiation, can improve the quality of life of patients suffering from cancer, cardiovascular, neurodegenerative, viral, infectious diseases, obesity and a number of other pathologies, as well as serve as a measure for the prevention of these diseases in healthy individuals. The most potent catechin found in green tea has been shown to be (-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate. The anticarcinogenic effects of (-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate in the case of prostate cancer, breast cancer, colorectal cancer are presented. The powerful antioxidant activity of catechins can form the basis for the prevention of the development of infectious and viral diseases, as well as improve the quality of life of patients with metabolic syndrome and obesity. Thus, green tea is not only a tonic drink, but also an important tool for the prevention and treatment of human diseases, in the pathogenesis of which free radical oxidation and oxidative stress play an important role. The areas of practical application of green tea catechins can be the treatment of malignant tumors (during a course of chemotherapy or radiation therapy), the treatment of viral, infectious and cardiovascular diseases, skin protection from ultraviolet rays, etc.

Infectious diseases caused by pathogenic bacteria and viruses pose a significant threat to human life and well-being. The prompt identification of these pathogens, characterized by speed, accuracy, and efficiency, not only aids in the timely screening of infected individuals and the prevention of further transmission, but also facilitates the precise diagnosis and treatment of patients. Direct smear microscopy, microbial culture, nucleic acid-based polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) based on microbial surface antigens or human serum antibodies, have made substantial contributions to the prevention and management of infectious diseases. Due to its shorter processing time, simple equipment requirements, and no need for professional and technical personnel, ELISA has inherent advantages over other methods for detecting pathogenic bacteria and viruses. Horseradish peroxidase mediated catalysis of substrate coloration is the key for the detection of target substances in ELISA. However, the variability, high cost, and environmental susceptibility of natural peroxidase greatly limit the application of ELISA in pathogen detection. Compared with natural enzymes, nanomaterials with enzyme-mimicking activity are inexpensive, highly environmentally stable, easy to store and mass producing, etc. Based on their peroxidase-like activities and unique physicochemical properties, nanomaterials can greatly improve the efficiency and ease of use of ELISA-like detection methods for pathogenic bacteria and viruses. This review introduces recent advances in the application of nanomaterials with peroxidase-like activity for the detection of pathogenic bacteria (both gram-negative bacteria and gram-positive bacteria) and viruses (both RNA viruses and DNA viruses). The emphasis is on the detection principle and the evaluation of effectiveness. The limitations and prospects for future translations are also discussed.

Microbiota in viral infection and disease in humans and farm animals