Innate immunogenicity and in vitro protective potential of Schistosoma mansoni lung schistosomula excretory-secretory candidate vaccine antigens

Excretory secretory products (ESP) of Schistosoma mansoni developing larvae are ideal potential vaccines as such molecules may readily induce host primary immune responses, and local memory immune response effectors that would target, surround, and pursue the larvae while negotiating the lung blood capillaries. We herein characterized the cytokines response ESP, e.g., SG3PDH, 14-3-3-like protein, TPX, and calpain induce in the natural context of infection, and defined the global cytokine profile conducive to effective schistosome larvae killing. Accordingly, spleen cells (SC) taken from naive, and 7-, or 9-day S. mansoni-infected mice were stimulated in vitro with the selected ESP, in a recombinant or multiple antigen peptide (MAP) form, and examined for production of T helper type (Th) 1, Th2, and Th17 cytokines, and the ability to mediate in vitro attrition of lung-stage schistosomula. The study indicated that larval ESP principally elicit Th1 and Th17 type cytokines. Recombinant SG3PDH was the only test ESP to additionally activate SC from S. mansoni-infected BALB/c mice to release higher IL-4 levels than unstimulated SC and mediate significant (P

Protection of cattle against a natural infection of Fasciola hepatica by vaccination with recombinant cathepsin L1 (rFhCL1)

The liver fluke, Fasciola hepatica causes liver fluke disease, or fasciolosis, in ruminants such as cattle and sheep. An effective vaccine against the helminth parasite is essential to reduce our reliance on anthelmintics, particularly in light of frequent reports of resistance to some frontline drugs. In our study, Friesian cattle (13 per group) were vaccinated with recombinant F. hepatica cathepsin L1 protease (rFhCL1) formulated in mineral-oil based adjuvants, Montanide (TM) ISA 70VG and ISA 206VG. Following vaccination the animals were exposed to fluke-contaminated pastures for 13 weeks. At slaughter, there was a significant reduction in fluke burden of 48.2% in the cattle in both vaccinated groups, relative to the control non-vaccinated group, at p

Evaluation of hepatic changes and local and systemic immune responses in goats immunized with recombinant Peroxiredoxin (Prx) and challenged with Fasciola hepatica

Protection against Fasciola hepatica in goats immunized with Peroxiredoxin (Prx) was assessed. The experimental trial consisted of three groups of seven animals: group 1 were unimmunized and uninfected, group 2 were immunized with adjuvant only and group 3 were immunized with recombinant Prx in adjuvant (immunized and infected). Immunization with Prx in Quil A adjuvant, group 3, induced a reduction in fluke burden of 33.04% when compared to adjuvant control, group 2, although this difference was not significant. The hepatic gross and microscopical morphometric study revealed lower damage in the Prx-immunized compared to group 2 (p

An eye on RNAi in nematode parasites

RNA interference (RNAi) has revolutionised approaches to gene function determination. From a parasitology perspective, gene function studies have the added dimension of providing validation data, increasingly deemed essential to the initial phases of drug target selection, pre-screen development. Notionally advantageous to those working on nematode parasites is the fact that Caenorhabditis elegans research spawned RNAi discovery and continues to seed our understanding of its fundamentals. Unfortunately, RNAi data for nematode parasites illustrate variable and inconsistent susceptibilities which undermine confidence and exploitation. Now well-ensconced in an era of nematode parasite genomics, we can begin to unscramble this variation.

Immunovirological Correlates in Human Rabies Treated With Therapeutic Coma

A 37-year-old woman was admitted to hospital and over the next 5 days developed a progressive encephalitis. Nuchal skin biopsy, analyzed using a Rabies TaqMan(C) PCR, demonstrated rabies virus RNA. She had a history in keeping with exposure to rabies whilst in South Africa, but had not received pre- or post-exposure prophylaxis. She was treated with a therapeutic coma according to the

POSSIBLE NATURALLY-OCCURRING ZERANOL IN BOVINE BILE IN NORTHERN-IRELAND

Zeranol and two Fusarium toxins, alpha-zearalenol and beta-zearalenol, were confirmed by gaschromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) in bovine bile samples referred to this laboratory for analysis. No evidence of zeranol abuse was found on-farm. Given the recent suggestion that zeranol might arise from the metabolism of these Fusarium toxins, and the finding of zeranol in bovine and ovine urine across the EU, it. was concluded that the residues had arisen as a result of natural metabolism.

Investigating the persistence of tick-borne pathogens via the R-0 model

In the epidemiology of infectious diseases, the basic reproduction number, R-0, has a number of important applications, most notably it can be used to predict whether a pathogen is likely to become established, or persist, in a given area. We used the R-0 model to investigate the persistence of 3 tick-borne pathogens; Babesia microti, Anaplasma phagocytophilum and Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato in an Apodemus sylvaticus-Ixodes ricinus system. The persistence of these pathogens was also determined empirically by screening questing ticks and wood mice by PCR. All 3 pathogens behaved differently in response to changes in the proportion of transmission hosts on which I. ricinus fed, the efficiency of transmission between the host and ticks and the abundance of larval and nymphal ticks found on small mammals. Empirical data supported theoretical predictions of the R-0 model. The transmission pathway employed and the duration of systemic infection were also identified as important factors responsible for establishment or persistence of tick-borne pathogens in a given tick-host system. The current study demonstrates how the R-0 model can be put to practical use to investigate factors affecting tick-borne pathogen persistence, which has important implications for animal and human health worldwide.

Antimicrobial prescribing in residential homes.

Objectives: Research in residential homes has been limited to date and the extent of systemic and topical antimicrobial prescribing is largely unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate antimicrobial prescribing in residential homes in Northern Ireland (NI).

Methods: Point prevalence studies (PPSs) were completed in November 2010 (PPS1) and April 2011 (PPS2) in 30 residential homes. Data were obtained from care plans, medication administration records and staff in relation to antimicrobial prescribing and facility and resident characteristics, and analysed descriptively.

Results: The point prevalence of systemic antimicrobial prescribing was 9.4% in PPS1 and 9.2% in PPS2 (range 0.0%–33.3% during both PPSs). Trimethoprim was the most commonly prescribed systemic antimicrobial and the main indication was the prevention of urinary tract infections. Almost 25% of systemic antimicrobials were prescribed at inappropriate doses. The point prevalence of topical antimicrobial prescribing was 6.4% (range 0.0%–22.2%) in PPS1 and 5.9% (range 0.0%–21.1%) in PPS2. The most commonly prescribed topical antimicrobials were chloramphenicol eye preparations in PPS1 and fusidic acid skin preparations in PPS2; treatment with these topical antimicrobials was generally prolonged. More than 25% of all systemic and 55% of all topical antimicrobials were initiated following telephone consultations as opposed to face-to-face consultations.

Conclusions: The prevalence of systemic antimicrobial prescribing in residential homes in NI is relatively high compared with care homes (particularly nursing homes) in other countries. Systemic and topical antimicrobial prescribing is not always appropriate in terms of the doses prescribed and the duration of use. It is apparent that current strategies employed in NI are insuf?cient to ensure prudent antimicrobial prescribing within this environment.