Human Cases Research Articles

A molecular epidemiological analysis of Burkholderia pseudomallei in southern Thailand.

Melioidosis, a severe bacterial illness caused by Burkholderia pseudomallei, is prevalent in most parts of Thailand, including its southern region situated within the Malay Peninsula. Despite a lower reported incidence rate of melioidosis in the South compared to the Northeast, the mortality rate remains persistently high. This study aimed to better understand the epidemiology and investigate the presence of B. pseudomallei in the natural environment of southern Thailand. Using multi-locus sequence typing (MLST), we characterized B. pseudomallei isolates derived from human cases and compared them with previously reported sequence types (STs) from the same region. A total of 263 clinical isolates retrieved from 156 melioidosis patients between 2014 and 2020 were analyzed, revealing 72 distinct STs, with 25 (35%) matching STs from Finkelstein's environmental isolates collected in southern Thailand during 1964-1967. Notably, strains bearing STs 288, 84, 54, 289, and 46 were frequently found among patients. Additionally, we observed strain diversity with multiple STs in 13 of 59 patients, indicating exposure to various B. pseudomallei genotypes in the environmental sources of the infection. Environmental surveys were conducted in Songkhla Province to detect B. pseudomallei in soil and water samples where local patients lived. Of the 2737 soil samples from 208 locations and 244 water samples from diverse sources, 52 (25%) soil sampling locations and 63 (26%) water sources were cultured positive for B. pseudomallei. Positive soil samples were predominantly found in animal farming area and non-agricultural zones like mountains and grasslands, while water samples were frequently positive in waterfalls, streams, and surface runoffs, with only 9% of rice paddies testing positive. Collectively, a significant proportion of recent melioidosis cases in Songkhla Province can be attributed to known B. pseudomallei STs persisting in the environment for at least the past six decades. Further characterization of B. pseudomallei isolates from recent environment surveys is warranted. These findings illuminate the contemporary landscape of B. pseudomallei infections and their environmental prevalence in southern Thailand, contributing to the regional threat assessment in Thailand and Southeast Asia.

Lysine Methyltransferase 2D Regulates Immune Response and Metastasis in Head and Neck Cancer.

The most frequently altered epigenetic modifier in head and neck squamous carcinoma (HNSC) is the histone methyltransferase KMT2D. KMT2D catalyzes methylation of histone H3K4 resulting in open chromatin and the activation of target genes. Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) promote cancer growth by causing T lymphocyte exhaustion. C-C motif chemokine ligand 2 (CCL2) is a potent TAM chemotactic factor. In HNSC, TAMs have been associated with unfavorable patient outcomes and metastasis. The aim of this study was to determine the role of KMT2D in HNSC using genetically engineered in vivo models. KMT2D protein expression was correlated with lymph node metastasis in human HNSC using immunohistochemistry. Genetically engineered KMT2D and CCL2 knockout models of HNSC were created in vivo. HNSC was characterized using qRT-PCR, histopathology, and immunohistochemistry/immunofluorescence microscopy. We also analyzed the effects of KMT2D expression on the proliferation and migration of human HNSC lines. The regulation of the CCL2 gene by KMT2D was characterized using chromatin immunoprecipitation-sequencing assay of transposase accessible chromatin-sequencing, and chromatin conformation capture-sequencing. Human HNSC cases with high KMT2D expression exhibited significantly increased lymph node metastasis. Reduced KMT2D expression in our genetically engineered model correlated with reduced lymph node metastasis, longer latency, and slow tumor growth. CCL2 expression was decreased in KMT2D deficient HNSC, which correlated with a reduced TAM gene expression signature. Genomic experiments demonstrated that KMT2D directly targeted the CCL2 gene. A new genetically engineered in vivo model of CCL2-null HNSC was created, recapitulating the KMT2D deficient phenotype and showing a decreased T lymphocyte exhaustion signature. KMT2D regulates CCL2-mediated immune response and metastasis in HNSC.

Ischemia-reperfusion responses in human lung transplants at the single-cell resolution

Ischemia-reperfusion is an unavoidable step of organ transplantation. Development of therapeutics for lung injury during transplantation has proved challenging; understanding lung injury from human data at the single-cell resolution is required to accelerate the development of therapeutics. Donor lung biopsies from 6 human lung transplant cases were collected at the end of cold preservation and 2-hour reperfusion and underwent single-cell RNA sequencing. Donor and recipient origin of cells from the reperfusion timepoint were deconvolved. Gene expression profiles were: (1) compared between each donor cell type between timepoints and (2) compared between donor and recipient cells. Inflammatory responses from donor lung macrophages were found after reperfusion with upregulation of multiple cytokines and chemokines, especially IL-1β and IL-1α. Significant inflammatory responses were found in alveolar epithelial cells (featured by CXCL8) and lung endothelial cells (featured by IL-6 upregulation). Different inflammatory responses were noted between donor and recipient monocytes and CD8+ T cells. The inflammatory signals and differences between donor and recipient cells observed provide insight into the cellular and molecular mechanisms of ischemia-reperfusion induced lung injury. Further investigations may lead to the development of novel targeted therapeutics.

Antibiotic resistance risk assessment in Mymensingh, Bangladesh: Current scenario from human-animal-environmental interfaces viewpoint

The imprudent use of antibiotics increases the environmental microflora's resistance to various drugs, particularly antibiotics. Prescription data is crucial for understanding antibiotic usage frequency and dosage. This health-focused study aims to analyze antibiotic prescription patterns in human and veterinary practices to identify emerging trends in environmental antibiotic resistance.For this survey, A total of 6550 prescriptions were randomly collected from hospitals and pharmacies in Mymensingh sadar upazila, Bangladesh, between August and October 2022. Of these, 5123 (78 %) were for human cases and 1427 (22 %) for veterinary purposes. Photos of the prescriptions were taken and analyzed to understand prescribing habits. Additionally, 30 water samples from rivers, ponds, sewage, and households in Mymensingh City Corporation were collected to assess environmental antibiotic levels and resistance patterns of microorganisms.The analysis showed that Cephalosporins were the most prescribed antibiotics, found in 570 (56.27 %) of human prescriptions and 230 (42.99 %) of veterinary prescriptions. Aminoglycosides had the lowest frequency, with 13 (1.2 %) for humans and 46 (8.6 %) for animals. Macrolides (12.24 %), carboxylic acids (1.87 %), and rifamycins (1.28 %) were only found in human prescriptions, while sulfa drugs (10.84 %), tetracyclines (5.42 %), and combinations of antibiotics (14.77 %) were only in animal prescriptions. Quinolones were prescribed 4.06 times more for humans, while aminoglycosides were used 3.54 times more for animals. Environmental samples showed E. coli had the highest resistance (MAR Value: 0.625) against eight antibiotics.This study illuminates the human-animal prescription patterns that are influenced by environmental factors which drive antibiotic stewardship in Bangladesh. It is imperative for practitioners to exercise caution and adhere to guidelines when prescribing antibiotics, both in human and veterinary practices, given the alarming trend of antibiotic resistance. Additionally, measures must be taken to restrict the influx of antibiotics residue into the environment.

Rabies surveillance and prevention in Guinea: Epidemiological data and postexposure prophylaxis challenges.

Canine rabies is an endemic form of zoonosis and represents a major public health threat in Guinea, similar to other African countries. However, few investigations on the epidemiology of rabies in animals and humans have been conducted, and evidence-based data required to inform health policies remain inadequate. This study was conducted to update our knowledge of human dog-mediated rabies epidemiology and post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) accessibility-related factors in Guinea. This retrospective study, conducted from January 2018 to December 2020, collected data on animal bite cases, veterinary observations, rabies diagnoses through fluorescent antibody test, and PEP delivery from three veterinary and medical entities. Statistical analysis utilized Chi-square test and Fisher's exact test to evaluate relationships between variables. An average of 775 bites was recorded annually, and dogs were responsible for 98% of bites. However, only 64% of the biting dogs were under veterinary observation as required for integrated bite case management. Regarding the geographical distribution of bite cases, the entire country was affected, with the highest number of bites recorded in the prefectures of Nzérékoré and the special zone of Conakry. In addition, the laboratory diagnosis of brain samples from biting dogs indicated that 72% of the samples were rabies-positive. However, regarding prevention, only 58% of the bitten individuals received full PEP. Improving disease surveillance and PEP provision for dog-transmitted rabies is crucial to preventing human cases and deaths. Increasing community awareness is essential for enhancing dog vaccination and PEP utilization. A national action plan integrating stakeholders for controlling canine rabies should be developed for effective One Health collaboration.

Clinical manifestations and diagnostic approaches in cases of canine leishmaniasis in Bulgaria.

Leishmaniasis, a parasitic disease found in many parts of southern Europe, is transmitted in both humans and canines through the bite of phlebotomine sandflies, and can present in a variety of ways, such as cutaneous, mucocutaneous, diffuse, and visceral. In Bulgaria there are endemic areas of canine leishmaniasis, with sporadic cases in humans. However, no detailed studies of the animal population and vectors have been performed. Here we describe a few clinical cases of canine visceral leishmaniasis in two districts in western Bulgaria: one endemic and one without previously detected cases in humans or dogs. Diagnosis was confirmed serologically and molecularly using both real time and conventional PCR. Specific anti-leishmanial antibodies were confirmed in three of the cases via ELISA, with 50% of them returning extremely high values. In the majority of the cases DNA fragments were detected in the skin or lymph node aspirate but not in the blood. This paper highlights the need for further studies updating the current knowledge on the epidemiology, diagnosis, and control of visceral leishmaniasis in the reservoir host population.

Systematic review of bovine and zoonotic tuberculosis in the Western Pacific and the Southeast Asia regions of the World Health Organization.

Tuberculosis (TB) remains a leading cause of mortality worldwide. We conducted this systematic review to understand the distribution of bovine and zoonotic tuberculosis in the World Health Organization (WHO)'s Southeast Asia Region (SEAR) and Western Pacific Region (WPR) to inform our understanding of the risk posed by this disease. A two-pronged strategy was used by evaluating data from peer-reviewed literature and official reports. A systematic search was conducted using a structured query in four databases (Web of Science, Scopus, Medline, and PubMed) to identify any reports of the occurrence of zoonotic TB. No language and time constraints were used during the search, but non-English language articles were later excluded. The official data were sourced from the World Organization for Animal Health's (WOAH) World Animal Health Information System (WAHIS) and WHO's global TB database. The retrieved records from SEAR and WPR (n = 113) were screened for eligibility, and data about disease occurrence were extracted and tabulated. In SEAR, all of the five studies that conducted Mycobacterium speciation (5/6) in humans were from India, and the reported Mycobacterium species included M. tuberculosis, M. bovis, M. scrofulacium, M. kansasii, M. phlei, M. smegmatis and M. orygis. In WPR, Mycobacterium speciation investigations in humans were conducted in Australia (8), China (2), Japan (2), NewZealand (2) and Malaysia (1), and the reported Mycobacterium species included M. bovis, M. africanum and M. tuberculosis. Seven countries in WHO's SEAR have officially reported the occurrence of Mycobacterium bovis in their animals: Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Thailand. In WPR, the WAHIS information system includes reports of the identification of M. bovis from 11 countries - China, Fiji, Japan, Malaysia, Mongolia, New Zealand, the Philippines, the Republic of Korea, Singapore, Tonga and Viet Nam. In contrast, human zoonotic TB cases in the WHO database were only listed from Australia, Brunei Darussalam and Palau countries. The available data suggests under-reporting of zoonotic TB in the regions. Efforts are required to strengthen zoonotic TB surveillance systems from both animal and human health sides to better understand the impact of zoonotic TB in order to take appropriate action to achieve the goal of ending the TB epidemic.

PAROKI RAMAH ANAK SEBAGAI WUJUD DIAKONIA GEREJA TERHADAP PERSOALAN HUMAN TRAFFICKING

The Catholic Church pays full attention to efforts to eradicate human trafficking that affects children Catholic Church pays full attention to efforts to eradicate human trafficking that affects children and women. The Church realizes that human trafficking is a humanitarian issue that must be handled seriously. Humans, including children and women, are the image of God and have the same dignity as all people. This concern is a form of Church diakonia, namely serving and protecting the small and weak. One of the Church's efforts is realized through a child-friendly parish program. A child-friendly parish is a pastoral program that prioritizes children to grow integrally as members of the Church. The approach used to obtain information about child-friendly parish programs is qualitative, using interview and observation methods. From this research it is concluded that the child-friendly parish program as a form of Church diakonia has not been fully understood and realized in parish life. So at the end of this article the author states several responsibilities of the Church as a form of Church diakonia in relation to human trafficking cases and offers several practical efforts that can be made by the Church to improve the quality of Church services to children through child-friendly parish programs.

Investigating the Hepatitis E Virus (HEV) Diversity in Rat Reservoirs from Northern Italy.

Hepatitis E virus belonging to the Rocahepevirus ratti species, genotype HEV-C1, has been extensively reported in rats in Europe, Asia and North America. Recently, human cases of hepatitis associated with HEV-C1 infection have been reported, but the zoonotic nature of rat-HEV remains controversial. The transmission route of rat-HEV is unidentified and requires further investigation. The HEV strains of the Paslahepevirus balayani species, belonging to the same Hepeviridae family, and including the zoonotic genotype HEV-3 usually found in pigs, have also sporadically been identified in rats. We sampled 115 rats (liver, lung, feces) between 2020 and 2023 in Northeast Italy and the HEV detection was carried out by using Reverse Transcription PCR. HEV RNA was detected in 3/115 (2.6%) rats who tested positive for HEV-C1 strains in paired lung, intestinal contents and liver samples. Overall, none tested positive for the Paslahepevirus balayani strains. In conclusion, our results confirm the presence of HEV-rat in Italy with a prevalence similar to previous studies but show that there is a wide heterogeneity of strains in circulation. The detection of HEV-C1 genotype of Rocahepevirus ratti species in some human cases of acute hepatitis suggests that HEV-C1 may be an underestimated source of human infections. This finding, with the geographically widespread detection of HEV-C1 in rats, raises questions about the role of rats as hosts for both HEV-C1 and HEV-3 and the possibility of zoonotic transmission.

Molecular and serological investigation of Francisella tularensis among wild animals in Yamaguchi prefecture.

Francisella tularensis is an intracellular gram-negative bacterium known as the causative agent of tularemia, which can be transmitted to humans by direct contact with wild animals or by tick bites. Although F. tularensis is highly pathogenic, its recent prevalence in Japan is underreported due to the small number of reported cases. To clarify the current situation of F. tularensis in wild animals, we conducted surveillance on various species of wild animals in Yamaguchi prefecture. In this study, we screened 809 samples collected from 90 Japanese black bears, 105 Japanese monkeys, 168 sika deer, 205 wild boars, and 84 bats. For seroprevalence analysis, we tested 177 serum samples from 75 black bears and 102 monkeys using the microagglutination test. The results showed that serums from five black bears exhibited slight agglutination. Western blot was performed as a confirmatory test on these five samples, but no positive signals were detected. Additionally, molecular surveillance was conducted using DNA extracted from 464 whole blood and 168 tissues, targeting the gene encoding 23 KDa hypothetical protein by real-time PCR and outer membrane protein A gene by conventional PCR. No positive samples of F. tularensis were detected by either real-time or conventional PCR. Although we did not detect any F. tularensis-positive samples through serological and molecular analyses, continuous surveillance studies are necessary since sporadic human cases have been reported in Japan.

Orthoflavivirus surveillance in the Netherlands: Insights from a serosurvey in horses & dogs and a questionnaire among horse owners.

Zoonotic arboviruses (arthropod-borne) of the Orthoflavivirus genus, such as West Nile virus (WNV), Usutu virus (USUV) and Tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV), are emerging in Northwestern Europe and pose a threat to both human and animal health. In the Netherlands, passive symptomatic surveillance (notification of clinical cases) in horses is one of the main pillars for the early detection of WNV. For such passive surveillance to work properly, horse owners and veterinarians need to recognize symptoms and report suspected cases to the authorities. Currently, little is known about the seroprevalence of orthoflaviviruses in domestic animals in the Netherlands. Therefore, this study aims at identifying the seroprevalence of WNV and USUV in horses and dogs in the Netherlands. Additionally, this study seeks to evaluate the knowledge and perceptions of Dutch horse owners towards mosquito-borne viruses. A cross-sectional serosurvey in horses and dogs was conducted between May 2021 and May 2022. Serum samples were screened using an ELISA and doubtful and positive samples were confirmed by Virus Neutralization Tests for WNV, USUV and TBEV. A validated questionnaire, the MosquitoWise survey, was used to assess the knowledge and perceptions of Dutch horse owners towards mosquito-borne viruses between July and October 2022. The serosurvey revealed a low seroprevalence for WNV in horses and no WNV-positive dogs were found. Similarly, a low USUV seroprevalence was found in dogs. The MosquitoWise survey revealed a high knowledge level for horse owners and high awareness of WNV vaccination but a more limited intent to vaccinate. The low seroprevalences of WNV and USUV indicate many dogs and horses remain susceptible, offering opportunities for trend analysis and surveillance. However, despite multiple recent detections of WNV, USUV, and TBEV in humans, the role of dogs and horses in early detection of human cases is debatable. High awareness among horse owners and the absence of detected equine WNV cases highlight this uncertainty. Continued surveillance is crucial for detecting increased virus circulation and protecting both animal and human health.

Neuropathologically directed profiling of PRNP somatic and germline variants in sporadic human prion disease.

Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (CJD), the most common human prion disease, is associated with pathologic misfolding of the prion protein (PrP), encoded by the PRNP gene. Of human prion disease cases,<1% were transmitted by misfolded PrP, ~ 15% are inherited, and ~ 85% are sporadic (sCJD). While familial cases are inherited through germline mutations in PRNP, the cause of sCJD is unknown. Somatic mutations have been hypothesized as a cause of sCJD, and recent studies have revealed that somatic mutations accumulate in neurons during aging. To investigate the hypothesis that somatic mutations in PRNP may underlie sCJD, we performed deep DNA sequencing of PRNP in 205 sCJD cases and 170 age-matched non-disease controls. We included 5 cases of Heidenhain variant sporadic CJD (H-sCJD), where visual symptomatology and neuropathology implicate localized initiation of prion formation, and examined multiple regions across the brain including in the affected occipital cortex. We employed Multiple Independent Primer PCR Sequencing (MIPP-Seq) with a median depth of > 5000× across the PRNP coding region and analyzed for variants using MosaicHunter. An allele mixing experiment showed positive detection of variants in bulk DNA at a variant allele fraction (VAF) as low as 0.2%. We observed multiple polymorphic germline variants among individuals in our cohort. However, we did not identify bona fide somatic variants in sCJD, including across multiple affected regions in H-sCJD, nor in control individuals. Beyond our stringent variant-identification pipeline, we also analyzed VAFs from raw sequencing data, and observed no evidence of prion disease enrichment for the known germline pathogenic variants P102L, D178N, and E200K. The lack of PRNP pathogenic somatic mutations in H-sCJD or the broader cohort of sCJD suggests that clonal somatic mutations may not play a major role in sporadic prion disease. With H-sCJD representing a localized presentation of neurodegeneration, this serves as a test of the potential role of clonal somatic mutations in genes known to cause familial neurodegeneration.

Rabies control in Bangladesh and prediction of human rabies cases by 2030: a One Health approach

Bangladesh is making progress toward achieving zero dog-mediated rabies deaths by 2030, a global goal set in2015. Drawing from multiple datasets, including patient immunisation record books and mass dog vaccination (MDV) databases, we conducted a comprehensive analysis between 2011 and 2023 to understand the effectiveness of rabies control programmes and predict human rabies cases in Bangladesh by 2030 using time-series forecasting models. We also compared rabies virus sequences from GenBank in Bangladesh and other South Asian countries. The estimated dog population in Bangladesh was determined to be 1,668,140, with an average dog population density of 12.83 dogs/km2 (95% CI 11.14-14.53) and a human-to-dog ratio of 86.70 (95% CI 76.60-96.80). The MDV campaign has led to the vaccination of an average of 21,295 dogs (95% CI 18,654-23,935) per district annually out of an estimated 26,065 dogs (95% CI 22,898-29,230). A declining trend in predicted and observed human rabies cases has been identified, suggesting that Bangladesh is poised to make substantial progress towards achieving the 'Zero by 30' goal, provided the current trajectory continues. The phylogenetic analysis shows that rabies viruses in Bangladesh belong to the Arctic-like-1 group, which differs from those in Bhutan despite sharing a common ancestor. Bangladesh's One Health approach demonstrated that an increase in MDV and anti-rabies vaccine (ARV) resulted in a decline in the relative risk of human rabies cases, indicating that eliminating dog-mediated human rabies could be achievable. The study was supported by the Communicable Disease Control (CDC) Division of the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) of the People's Republic of Bangladesh.

The rising incidence of feline and cat-transmitted sporotrichosis in Latin America.

Sporotrichosis is a subcutaneous mycosis caused by different species of thermodimorphic fungi belonging to the genus Sporothrix. These fungi may affect a wide range of warm-blooded animals, including humans, dogs and, mainly, cats. In this article, we conducted a narrative literature review about the status of feline and cat-transmitted sporotrichosis in Latin American countries, with emphasis on Brazil. From a global perspective, Latin America is one of the main foci of human and feline sporotrichosis. In humans, the disease has been reported in several countries, with endemic transmission occurring in Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Mexico and Uruguay. Sporothrix brasiliensis is the most common species identified in human cases in Brazil, whereas Sporothrix schenckii predominates in other countries. Domestic cats are the main source of infection in the zoonotic transmission cycle of sporotrichosis in Latin America. Cases of feline sporotrichosis have been reported in several countries, including Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay and Peru.

Zoonotic Sporotrichosis outbreak: Emerging public health threat in the Amazon State, Brazil.

Sporotrichosis is the most common subcutaneous mycosis caused by Sporothrix spp. Traditionally, it is transmitted through injuries involving plant debris. However, over the past few decades, there has been an epidemic increase in human cases resulting from contact with infected animals, particularly cats, in various regions of Brazil. In this report, we report a notable increase in both human and animal cases within the Brazilian Amazon state. An ecological study was conducted by analyzing official records of human and animal sporotrichosis diagnosed in the state of Amazon from 2020 to 2023. Data including patient demographics, clinical manifestations, mycological examination results, and species identification through PCR confirmation were evaluated. During this period, a total of 950 human cases and 2,823 animal cases of sporotrichosis were reported at an exponential rate, since no human cases were registered in 2020. The spatial and temporal dispersion of human sporotrichosis followed that of animal cases, moving from downtown areas to the periphery. Contact with infected animals was reported in 77.7% of cases, with cats being the most commonly implicated (73.5%). Only 66.7% of individuals underwent mycological examination. Among the positive cultures for Sporothrix spp., 65.4% were identified as S. brasiliensis. All patients were treated with systemic antifungals. This study highlights a rising incidence of sporotrichosis among animals and humans in the Brazilian Amazon region over the past four years, with S. brasiliensis being the predominant agent. Collaborative efforts involving healthcare professionals, veterinarians, and public health authorities are crucial to implement effective control measures, educate populations at risk, and promote responsible guidance for pet guardians. These measures are essential to mitigate the burden of epidemic sporotrichosis in Brazil.

An Update on the Entomology, Virology, Pathogenesis, and Epidemiology Status of West Nile and Dengue Viruses in Europe (2018-2023).

In recent decades, increases in temperature and tropical rainfall have facilitated the spread of mosquito species into temperate zones. Mosquitoes are vectors for many viruses, including West Nile virus (WNV) and dengue virus (DENV), and pose a serious threat to public health. This review covers most of the current knowledge on the mosquito species associated with the transmission of WNV and DENV and their geographical distribution and discusses the main vertebrate hosts involved in the cycles of WNV or DENV. It also describes virological and pathogenic aspects of WNV or DENV infection, including emerging concepts linking WNV and DENV to the reproductive system. Furthermore, it provides an epidemiological analysis of the human cases of WNV and DENV reported in Europe, from 1 January 2018 to 31 December 2023, with a particular focus on Italy. The first autochthonous cases of DENV infection, with the most likely vector being Aedes albopictus, have been observed in several European countries in recent years, with a high incidence in Italy in 2023. The lack of treatments and effective vaccines is a serious challenge. Currently, the primary strategy to prevent the spread of WNV and DENV infections in humans remains to limit the spread of mosquitoes.

Genetic Diversity of Trypanosoma cruzi in the United States of America: The Least Endemic Country for Chagas Disease.

Chagas disease (CD), caused by Trypanosoma cruzi and endemic in Latin America, has become an emergent health problem in non-endemic countries due to human migration. The United States (US) is the non-Latin American country with the highest CD burden and cannot be considered as non-endemic, since triatomine vectors and reservoir animals have been found. Populations of T. cruzi are divided into genetic subdivisions, which are known as discrete typing units (DTUs): TcI to TcVI and TcBat. Autochthonous human T. cruzi infection in the US is sporadic, but it may change due to environmental factors affecting the geographic distribution of triatomines. We aimed to perform a literature review of the genetic diversity of T. cruzi in triatomine vectors and mammalian hosts, including human cases, in the US. The 34 analyzed studies revealed the presence of T. cruzi in 18 states, which was mainly concentrated in Texas, Louisiana and New Mexico. TcI and TcIV were the principal DTUs identified, being TcI the most genotyped (42.4%; 917/2164). This study represents a first attempt to compile the molecular epidemiology of T. cruzi in the US, which is fundamental for predicting the progression of the infection in the country and could be of great help in its future management.

Business, Human Rights and Climate Change: The Gradual Expansion of the Duty of Care

Abstract This article investigates how human rights considerations are increasingly shaping tort law by focusing on the gradual expansion of the duty of care in business and human rights cases. For decades, victims have attempted to hold parent companies to account for extraterritorial human rights abuses committed by their foreign subsidiaries. Recently, the Supreme Court ruled that UK courts have jurisdiction over such business and human rights cases. These cases are not only jurisdictional. They also contributed to developing the duty of care case law on parental liability. But how much can human rights considerations stretch the boundaries of tort law? The article analyses the case of climate change litigation to assess whether a further development in tort law jurisprudence would be necessary to hold corporations accountable for their contribution to climate change.

The Transmission of SARS-CoV-2 from COVID-19-Diagnosed People to Their Pet Dogs and Cats in a Multi-Year Surveillance Project.

Recent emerging zoonotic disease outbreaks, such as that of SARS-CoV-2, have demonstrated the need for wider companion animal disease surveillance. We tested 1000 dogs and cats belonging to employees of a US veterinary hospital network that were exposed to human COVID-19 cases in the household between 1 January 2020 and 10 March 2022 for SARS-CoV-2 and surveyed their owners about clinical signs and risk factors. The seropositivity was 33% for 747 dogs and 27% for 253 cats. Pet seropositivity correlated with the US human case rates over time, exhibiting peaks corresponding with the major COVID-19 surges. Antibodies persisted longer than previously documented (828 days in dogs; 650 days in cats). Increasing age and duration of proximity to infected people were associated with increased seropositivity in dogs but not cats. Cats were more likely to have clinical signs, but an association between seropositivity and the presence of clinical signs was not found in either species.

Arcobacteraceae: An Exploration of Antibiotic Resistance Featuring the Latest Research Updates.

The Arcobacteraceae bacterial family includes species isolated from animals and related food products. Moreover, these species have been found in other ecological niches, including water. Some species, particularly Arcobacter butzleri and Arcobacter cryaerophilus, have been isolated from human clinical cases and linked to gastrointestinal symptoms. The presence of antibiotic-resistant strains is a concern for public health, considering the possible zoonoses and foodborne infections caused by contaminated food containing bacteria resistant to antibiotic treatments. This review aims to highlight the importance of antibiotic resistance in Arcobacter spp. isolates from several sources, including information about antibiotic classes to which this bacterium has shown resistance. Arcobacter spp. demonstrated a wide spectrum of antibiotic resistance, including several antibiotic resistance genes. Antibiotic resistance genomic traits include efflux pumps and mutations in antibiotic target proteins. The literature shows a high proportion of Arcobacter spp. that are multidrug-resistant. However, studies in the literature have primarily focused on the evaluation of antibiotic resistance in A. butzleri and A. cryaerophilus, as these species are frequently isolated from various sources. These aspects underline the necessity of studies focused on several Arcobacter species that could potentially be isolated from several sources.