Route Of Vertical Transmission Research Articles

Selective replication and vertical transmission of Ebola virus in experimentally infected Angolan free-tailed bats

The natural reservoir of Ebola virus (EBOV), agent of a zoonosis burdening several African countries, remains unidentified, albeit evidence points towards bats. In contrast, the ecology of the related Marburg virus is much better understood; with experimental infections of bats being instrumental for understanding reservoir-pathogen interactions. Experiments have focused on elucidating reservoir competence, infection kinetics and specifically horizontal transmission, although, vertical transmission plays a key role in many viral enzootic cycles. Herein, we investigate the permissiveness of Angolan free-tailed bats (AFBs), known to harbour Bombali virus, to other filoviruses: Ebola, Marburg, Taï Forest and Reston viruses. We demonstrate that only the bats inoculated with EBOV show high and disseminated viral replication and infectious virus shedding, without clinical disease, while the other filoviruses fail to establish productive infections. Notably, we evidence placental-specific tissue tropism and a unique ability of EBOV to traverse the placenta, infect and persist in foetal tissues of AFBs, which results in distinct genetic signatures of adaptive evolution. These findings not only demonstrate plausible routes of horizontal and vertical transmission in these bats, which are expectant of reservoir hosts, but may also reveal an ancillary transmission mechanism, potentially required for the maintenance of EBOV in small reservoir populations.

Autogenous reproduction by Ornithodoros turicata (Ixodida: Argasidae) females and vertical transmission of the tick-borne pathogen Borrelia turicatae (Spirochaetales: Borreliaceae).

Previous research has implicated Ornithodoros ticks, including Ornithodoros turicata, as long-term reservoirs of relapsing fever (RF) spirochetes. Considering the tick's long lifespan and their efficiency in maintaining and transferring spirochetes within the population, the infection could persist in a given enzootic focus for decades. However, little is known about the relative importance of horizontal and vertical transmission routes in the persistence and evolution of RF Borrelia. Our observations on the reproductive biology of O. turicata in the absence of vertebrate hosts indicate an additional mechanism by which Borrelia turicatae can be maintained in the environment. This work establishes the foundation for studying O. turicata reproduction and spirochete-vector interactions, which will aid in devising control measures for Ornithodoros ticks and RF spirochetes.

Epidemiological and molecular evidence of intrafamilial transmission through sexual and vertical routes in Bahia, the state with the highest prevalence of HTLV-1 in Brazil.

Familial clustering of HTLV-1 and related diseases has been reported in Brazil. However, intrafamilial transmission of HTLV-1 based on molecular analysis has been studied only in a few communities of Japanese immigrants and African-Brazilians. To investigate the familial clustering of HTLV-1 infection and to determine the likely routes of transmission through epidemiological and genetic analyzes. Medical records of 1,759 HTLV-1+ patients from de the Center for HTLV in Salvador, Brazil, were evaluated to identify first-degree relatives previously tested for HTLV-1. Familial clustering was assumed if more than one member of the same family was HTLV-1+. LTR regions of HTLV-1 sequences were analyzed for the presence of intrafamilial polymorphisms. Family pedigrees were constructed and analyzed to infer the likely transmission routes of HTLV-1. In 154 patients at least one other family member had tested positive for HTLV-1 (a total of 182 first-degree relatives). Of the 91 couples (182 individuals), 51.6% were breastfed, and 67.4% reported never using a condom. Of the 42 mother-child pairs, 23.8% had a child aged 13 years or younger; all mothers reported breastfeeding their babies. Pedigrees of families with 4 or more members suggests that vertical transmission is a likely mode of transmission in three families. Three families may have had both vertical and sexual transmission routes for HTLV-1. The genetic signatures of the LTR region of 8 families revealed 3 families with evidence of vertical transmission, another 3 families (spouses) with sexual transmission, and one family with both transmission routes. HTLV-1 sequences belonged to Cosmopolitan subtype HTLV-1a Transcontinental subgroup A. Sexual and vertical transmission routes contribute to the intrafamilial spread of HTLV-1 in the state of Bahia.

Vertical transmission of African-lineage Zika virus through the fetal membranes in a rhesus macaque (Macaca mulatta) model.

Zika virus (ZIKV) can be transmitted vertically from mother to fetus during pregnancy, resulting in a range of outcomes including severe birth defects and fetal/infant death. Potential pathways of vertical transmission in utero have been proposed but remain undefined. Identifying the timing and routes of vertical transmission of ZIKV may help us identify when interventions would be most effective. Furthermore, understanding what barriers ZIKV overcomes to effect vertical transmission may help improve models for evaluating infection by other pathogens during pregnancy. To determine the pathways of vertical transmission, we inoculated 12 pregnant rhesus macaques with an African-lineage ZIKV at gestational day 30 (term is 165 days). Eight pregnancies were surgically terminated at either seven or 14 days post-maternal infection. Maternal-fetal interface and fetal tissues and fluids were collected and evaluated for ZIKV using RT-qPCR, in situ hybridization, immunohistochemistry, and plaque assays. Four additional pregnant macaques were inoculated and terminally perfused with 4% paraformaldehyde at three, six, nine, or ten days post-maternal inoculation. For these four cases, the entire fixed pregnant uterus was evaluated with in situ hybridization for ZIKV RNA. We determined that ZIKV can reach the MFI by six days after infection and infect the fetus by ten days. Infection of the chorionic membrane and the extraembryonic coelomic fluid preceded infection of the fetus and the mesenchymal tissue of the placental villi. We did not find evidence to support a transplacental route of ZIKV vertical transmission via infection of syncytiotrophoblasts or villous cytotrophoblasts. The pattern of infection observed in the maternal-fetal interface provides evidence of paraplacental vertical ZIKV transmission through the chorionic membrane, the outer layer of the fetal membranes.

Revisiting Porcine Circovirus Infection: Recent Insights and Its Significance in the Piggery Sector.

Porcine circovirus (PCV), a member of the Circoviridae family within the genus Circovirus, poses a significant economic risk to the global swine industry. PCV2, which has nine identified genotypes (a-i), has emerged as the predominant genotype worldwide, particularly PCV2d. PCV2 has been commonly found in both domestic pigs and wild boars, and sporadically in non-porcine animals. The virus spreads among swine populations through horizontal and vertical transmission routes. Despite the availability of commercial vaccines for controlling porcine circovirus infections and associated diseases, the continuous genotypic shifts from a to b, and subsequently from b to d, have maintained PCV2 as a significant pathogen with substantial economic implications. This review aims to provide an updated understanding of the biology, genetic variation, distribution, and preventive strategies concerning porcine circoviruses and their associated diseases in swine.

Maternal transmission gives way to social transmission during gut microbiota assembly in wild mice

BackgroundThe mammalian gut microbiota influences a wide array of phenotypes which are relevant to fitness, yet knowledge about the transmission routes by which gut microbes colonise hosts in natural populations remains limited. Here, we use an intensively studied wild population of wood mice (Apodemus sylvaticus) to examine how vertical (maternal) and horizontal (social) transmission routes influence gut microbiota composition throughout life.ResultsWe identify independent signals of maternal transmission (sharing of taxa between a mother and her offspring) and social transmission (sharing of taxa predicted by the social network), whose relative magnitudes shift as hosts age. In early life, gut microbiota composition is predicted by both maternal and social relationships, but by adulthood the impact of maternal transmission becomes undetectable, leaving only a signal of social transmission. By exploring which taxa drive the maternal transmission signal, we identify a candidate maternally-transmitted bacterial family in wood mice, the Muribaculaceae.ConclusionOverall, our findings point to an ontogenetically shifting transmission landscape in wild mice, with a mother’s influence on microbiota composition waning as offspring age, while the relative impact of social contacts grows.

Distinct Wolbachia localization patterns in oocytes of diverse host species reveal multiple strategies of maternal transmission.

A broad array of endosymbionts radiate through host populations via vertical transmission, yet much remains unknown concerning the cellular basis, diversity, and routes underlying this transmission strategy. Here, we address these issues, by examining the cellular distributions of Wolbachia strains that diverged up to 50 million years ago in the oocytes of 18 divergent Drosophila species. This analysis revealed 3 Wolbachia distribution patterns: (1) a tight clustering at the posterior pole plasm (the site of germline formation); (2) a concentration at the posterior pole plasm, but with a significant bacteria population distributed throughout the oocyte; and (3) a distribution throughout the oocyte, with none or very few located at the posterior pole plasm. Examination of this latter class indicates Wolbachia accesses the posterior pole plasm during the interval between late oogenesis and the blastoderm formation. We also find that 1 Wolbachia strain in this class concentrates in the posterior somatic follicle cells that encompass the pole plasm of the developing oocyte. In contrast, strains in which Wolbachia concentrate at the posterior pole plasm generally exhibit no or few Wolbachia in the follicle cells associated with the pole plasm. Taken together, these studies suggest that for some Drosophila species, Wolbachia invade the germline from neighboring somatic follicle cells. Phylogenomic analysis indicates that closely related Wolbachia strains tend to exhibit similar patterns of posterior localization, suggesting that specific localization strategies are a function of Wolbachia-associated factors. Previous studies revealed that endosymbionts rely on 1 of 2 distinct routes of vertical transmission: continuous maintenance in the germline (germline-to-germline) or a more circuitous route via the soma (germline-to-soma-to-germline). Here, we provide compelling evidence that Wolbachia strains infecting Drosophila species maintain the diverse arrays of cellular mechanisms necessary for both of these distinct transmission routes. This characteristic may account for its ability to infect and spread globally through a vast range of host insect species.

Investigating the Role of Mobility between Rural Areas and Forests on the Spread of Zika

A mathematical model of Zika virus transmission, incorporating human movement between rural areas and nearby forests, is presented to investigate the role of human movement in the spread of Zika virus infections in human and mosquito populations. Proportions of both susceptible and infected humans living in rural areas are assumed to move to nearby forest areas. Direct, indirect, and vertical transmission routes are incorporated for all populations. A mathematical analysis of the proposed model is presented. The analysis starts with normalizing the proposed model. The positivity and boundedness of solutions to the normalized model are then addressed. The basic reproduction number is calculated using the next-generation matrix method and its relation to the three routes of disease transmission has been presented. The sensitivity analysis of the basic reproduction number to all model parameters is investigated. The analysis also includes the existence and stability of disease-free and endemic equilibrium points. Bifurcation analysis is also carried out. Finally, numerical solutions to the normalized model are obtained to confirm the theoretical results and demonstrate human movement's role in disease transmission in human and mosquito populations.

Identification of the parasite, Trypanosoma cruzi, in multiple tissues of epidemiological significance in the Virginia opossum (Didelphis virginiana): Implications for environmental and vertical transmission routes.

Trypanosoma cruzi, a parasitic protozoan, is endemic to the Americas and the causative agent of Chagas disease in humans. In South America, opossums facilitate transmission via infected anal gland secretions in addition to transmission via triatomine vectors. In North America, the Virginia opossum is a reservoir host for the parasite with transmission routes that are not clearly defined. The unique biology of this marsupial provides the opportunity to investigate vertical transmission in this wildlife species in situ. Our objectives were to investigate alternative routes of transmission that may facilitate spillover into other species and to determine if vertical transmission was evident. Virginia opossums were sampled at 10 trapping locations over a 10-month period in a 5-county region of north central Florida. Peripheral blood, fecal swabs, and anal gland secretions were collected from each adult individual, and peripheral blood was collected from joey opossums. Total DNA was extracted from each collected sample type, and T. cruzi infected individuals and the infecting Discrete Typing Unit (DTU) were identified using real time PCR methods. Adult Virginia opossums (n = 112) were infected with T. cruzi (51.8%, 95% CI [42.6-60.8%]) throughout the sampled period and at each location. T. cruzi DNA was found in each of the three biological sample types. Vertical transmission of T. cruzi was inferred in one litter of mother-dependent (n = 20, 5.0%, 95% CI [0.9-23.6%]) joey opossums where 2 joeys from this same litter were rtPCR positive for T. cruzi. We inferred vertical transmission from mother to neonate which may serve to amplify the prevalence of T. cruzi in adult Virginia opossums. T. cruzi DNA was detected in the anal gland secretions of Virginia opossums. Infected anal gland secretions suggest a possible environmental route of transmission for T. cruzi via the deposition of contaminated feces and spraint at wildlife latrines. Only DTU1 was identified in the sampled population which is consistent with human autochthonous cases in the United States.

The Prevalence of Aliarcobacter Species in the Fecal Microbiota of Farm Animals and Potential Effective Agents for Their Treatment: A Review of the Past Decade.

There is an endless demand for livestock-originated food, so it is necessary to elucidate the hazard points for livestock breeding. Pathogens are one of the hazard points that threaten the biosecurity of farm-animal breeding and public health. As a potential foodborne pathogen, Aliarcobacter is a member of the intestinal microbiota of farm animals with and without diarrhea. Aliarcobacter spp. are capable of colonizing livestock intestines and are transmitted through the feces. Hence, they endanger slaughterhouses and milk products with fecal contamination. They also have other, rarer, vertical and horizontal transmission routes, including the offspring that abort in farm animals. Gastrointestinal symptoms and abort cases demonstrate potential financial losses to the industry. Viewed from this perspective, the global circulation of farm-animal products is a significant route for zoonotic agents, including Aliarcobacter. In the last decade, worldwide prevalence of Aliarcobacter in fecal samples has ranged from 0.8% in Italy to 100% in Turkey. Furthermore, antibiotic resistance is recognized as a new type of environmental pollutant and has become a hot topic in animal breeding and the food industry. Increasing antibiotic resistance has become a significant problem impacting productivity. The increase in antimicrobial resistance rates in Aliarcobacter is caused by the misuse of antimicrobial drugs in livestock animals, leading to the acquiring of resistance genes from other bacteria, as well as mutations in current resistance genes. The most resistant strains are A. butzleri, A. cryaerophilus, and A. skirrowii. This review analyzes recent findings from the past decade on the prevalence of Aliarcobacter in the intestinal microbiota and the current effective antibiotics against Aliarcobacter. The paper also highlights that A. cryaerophilus and A. skirrowii are found frequently in diarrheal feces, indicating that Aliarcobacter should be studied further in livestock diarrheal diseases. Moreover, Aliarcobacter-infected farm animals can be treated with only a limited number of antibiotics, such as enrofloxacin, doxycycline, oxytetracycline, and gentamicin.

Presence of entry receptors and viral markers suggest a low level of placental replication of hepatitis B virus in a proportion of pregnant women infected with chronic hepatitis B

The transplacental route of vertical transmission of Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) has been known for over a decade. Here we present evidence which suggest HBV can replicate in placenta. Forty-one HBsAg positive and 10 control pregnant women were enrolled in the study after obtaining informed consent. HBV positives were further divided in the High Viral Load (HVL) Group and Low Viral Load (LVL) Group according to INASL guidelines 2018. The Presence of the HBV DNA and expression of NTCP in the placenta was analyzed by qPCR/RT-qPCR and/or immunohistochemistry (IHC). The presence of cccDNA was assessed using Digital Droplet PCR while the presence of pre-genomic (pg) RNA was assessed through qRT-PCR and sequencing. The presence of HBeAg and HBcAg in the placenta was assessed by IHC. Immunostaining of NTCP, HBeAg and HBcAg on trophoblasts along with the presence of total HBV DNA, cccDNA and pgRNA indicated, that these cells are not only susceptible to HBV infection but may also support viral replication. This is further supported by the finding that trophoblasts of the several HBeAg seronegative samples harbored the HBeAg. Although, we did not find any correlation in NTCP expression and viral markers with viral load indicates placental replication may not aping hepatocytes. The presence of the HBV receptor, NTCP along with the presence of cccDNA, pgRNA, and HBeAg in placenta of HBV infected females without circulating HBeAg suggest that placenta act as a replication host.

Some topical issues of prevention of salmonella infection in the production and consumption of chicken eggs: the role of disinfection in the context of antiepidemic measures

Chicken eggs and their processed products are food products that have valuable nutritional and dietary properties.However, the shell and the food eggs themselves can be infected with Salmonella pathogens — Salmonella Enteritidis and Salmonella Typhimurium. The prevalence of salmonella infection associated with the production and consumption of chicken eggs, economic losses from the diagnosis and treatment of patients predetermine the need for a comprehensive study of risk factors, the development and improvement of a set of measures to prevent this anthropozoon infection. An analytical review of the scientific literature and regulatory documents allowed us to conclude that for the prevention of salmonellosis, it is necessary to develop and implement a set of sanitary and veterinary measures aimed at breaking the vertical and horizontal transmission routes of infection, covering all links of the food chain (from laying hens to eating eggs), among which disinfection measures play an important role.

Fall Armyworm Gut Bacterial Diversity Associated with Different Developmental Stages, Environmental Habitats, and Diets.

Simple SummaryMicroorganisms play a crucial role during the growth and development of insects. However, as a major invasive pest, the diversity and dynamics of gut microbes with different developmental stages, environmental habitats, and diets in Spodoptera frugiperda remain unclear. The abundant gut microbes of S. frugiperda may be beneficial for its abilities of invasiveness and adaptation. Therefore, it is of great importance to systematically understand the microbial dynamics of S. frugiperda. This study systematically explored the changes of microorganisms of S. frugiperda at each developmental stage. Furthermore, the differences in gut microorganisms of S. frugiperda in different living environments (field and laboratory) and different foods (corn and artificial diet) were also explored. Our results suggest that S. frugiperda gut microbes vary greatly at different developmental stages and demonstrate vertical transmission of bacteria in S. frugiperda. Furthermore, environment and diet can also alter gut microbes. We performed a detailed investigation of the microbial community of S. frugiperda that provides a basis for future research. Since the plasticity of insect gut microbes helps insects utilize different foods and enhances insect fitness, a comprehensive understanding of S. frugiperda’s gut microbiome will help develop novel pest control strategies for this invasive pest prevention.The fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), is a major invasive pest that seriously threatens world agricultural production and food security. Microorganisms play a crucial role in the growth and development of insects. However, the diversity and dynamics of gut microbes with different developmental stages, environmental habitats, and diets in S. frugiperda remain unclear. In this study, we found the changes of the microbiome of S. frugiperda across their life stages, and the bacteria were dominated by Firmicutes and Proteobacteria. The community composition of the egg stage was quite different from other developmental stages, which had the highest community diversity and community richness, and was dominated by Proteobacteria. The bacterial community compositions of male and female adults were similar to those of early larvae stage (L1–L2), and operational taxonomic units (OTUs) with abundant content were Enterococcus and Enterobacteriaceae bacteria, including Enterobacteria, Klebsiella, Pantoea, and Escherichia. The third instar larvae (L3) mainly consist of Enterococcus. The late stage larvae (L4–L6) harbored high proportions of Enterococcus, Rhodococcus, and Ralstonia. There was no significant difference in gut microbial composition between field populations and laboratory populations in a short period of rearing time. However, after long-term laboratory feeding, the gut microbial diversity of S. frugiperda was significantly reduced. Enterococcus and Rhodococccus of S. frugiperda feeding on maize showed higher relative proportion, while the microbial community of S. frugiperda feeding on artificial diet was composed mainly of Enterococcus, with a total of 98% of the gut microbiota. The gene functions such as metabolism, cell growth and death, transport and catabolism, and environmental adaptation were more active in S. frugiperda feeding on corn than those feeding on artificial diet. In short, these results indicate that developmental stage, habitat, and diet can alter the gut bacteria of S. frugiperda, and suggest a vertical transmission route of bacteria in S. frugiperda. A comprehensive understanding of gut microbiome of S. frugiperda will help develop novel pest control strategies to manage this pest.

Puerperal Septic Fever and Helminthosis in a 5-Year-Old German Shepherd Bitch

Puerperium is a period post-partum characterized by physiological changes whereby the upper and lower reproductive tracts of the female genital system progressively tries to histologically and endocrinologically return to its pre-gravid state and the period is accompanied by adequate uterine tone for lochia elimination and epithelial regeneration (Voorwald and Tiosso, 2015). Normally, during puerperium the bitch exhibit initially greenish discharge (due to marginal haematoma), then serosanguinous vaginal discharge for 1–6 weeks being the time considered, as the time of normal uterine involution (Feldman and Nelson, 1986). In the first three weeks brownish, non-odorous lochia will be discharged from the vulva, gradually decreasing in volume after the first week (Von Heimendahl et al., 2009). In bitches, the normal uterine involution requires more and adequate time compared to other species due to its nature of the endothelial placentation and deep uterine wounds created at placentation sites after detachment (Al-Bassam et al., 1981). The duration of the puerperium/periparturient period in the bitch has been defined to be 12 weeks (Al-Bassam et al., 1981, Orfanou et al., 2009) or 15 weeks (Yeager et al., 1990). The Bitch, being a monoestrous, polytococcus, non-seasonal animal has a physiological anestrous stage that lasts between 15 to 30 weeks following either parturition (whelping) or diestrous which is characterized by normal quiescence of the gonads and the tubular reproductive tracts. The peripaturient period that occurs during the anaestrous stage of the reproductive/oestrous cycle of the bitch is very delicate and animals are usually susceptible to varying pathological conditions owing to stress and increased demands from the environment and the newborns. For this reason, follow-up of uterine involution is essential to ensure future reproductive capacity/fertility, since failure to complete reproductive organs regression can lead to endometritis, metritis and placental retention (Hirt et al., 2000; Magata et al., 2013). Many assumptions were raised due to lots of biological activities such as nursing of the puppies, uterine involution, milk production and hormonal changes that take place during postpartum period. Thus, bitches are supposed to be more susceptible to pathologic conditions and therefore, it is important to monitor vital functions, appetite and behaviour of postpartum bitches on a daily basis to enable early detection of illness (Grundy and Davidson, 2004). Increase demand in lactation/milk production may predispose the bitch to hypocalcaemia (puerperal tetany) during this period and also a few days post whelping the cervix is physiologically open, paving ways for ascending uterine infection by pyogenic microbes which may lead to septicemia. Thus, a good health surveillance by both the owners and veterinarians is of paramount significance.Infestation of the gastro-intestinal tract and other organs of the animal body by both the adult and immature stages of endo-parasitic helminths is well documented in dogs, especially in newly whelped or neonates and it constitute one of the main causes of pathologies of the intestinal tract in dogs (Blagburn et al., 1996). The life cycle of the many occurring canine helminth species usually involved a vertical transmission from the dam to her offspring. The route of vertical transmission can be: prenatal (e.g Toxocara canis), lactogenic (e.g Ancylostoma caninum, Strongyloides stercoralis) or via coprophagy (Echinococcus multilocularis, Filaroides hirthi, Oslems osleri). Hypobiosis or developmental arrest allows for certain and specific life-cycle stages of the helminthic parasites (mostly L3) to be temporary in-activated in the somatic tissues of the host until the condition for survival is conducive. Such occurs mostly during pregnancy or when the immunity of the host is severely compromised (Shoop, 1999). The L3 re-activates during gestation and is transmitted to the offspring or neonates via milk during puerperal period, the parasites then infest the intestinal tract of the neonates and cause pathologies such as protein loss, diarrhea, obstruction of lumen, iron-deficiency anaemia (especially hook worms) and mortality in unattended condition (Cromptom, 1989).

COVID-19: the possibility, ways, mechanisms, and interruptions of mother-to-child transmission.

BackgroundIn December 2019, novel coronavirus pneumonia was detected in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China, and as the epidemic spread, such cases emerged worldwide. Recently, the World Health Organization (WHO) named a new mutant Omicron (B.1.1.529), which disrupts the binding of most antibodies to the S protein and has a greater ability to break through the vaccine, posing a serious risk to population safety. Positive pregnant women give birth to positive newborns despite appropriate isolation measures taken by medical staff, suggesting that we may have vertical transmission of the novel coronavirus. This article analyzes and studies the possible vertical transmission path of the new coronavirus in the perinatal period of pregnant women and the antibody-dependent enhancement (ADE), and puts forward effective preventive measures for positive pregnant women to provide further reference for clinical work.MethodsWe searched multiple databases, including PubMed, CNKI, Google Scholar, WHO COVID-19 database, and CDC database. Search terms included COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2, vertical transmission, Omicron, Vaginal, Breast Feeding, Vaccine, Neonatal, Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus, Pregnancy, and Semen.Selection criteriaThe following criteria were also met: (1) positive maternal novel coronavirus nucleic acid test; (2) reporting of neonatal outcome; (3) language in Chinese or English; (4) study date or location indicated; (5) no suspected or confirmed duplicated reports.ResultsThere is evidence of vertical transmission, and the risk of possible vertical transmission is 5.7% (75/1314). The article listed four possible vertical transmission routes, namely placental transmission, vaginal upstream transmission, breastfeeding transmission and monocyte, and macrophage transmission route, with placental transmission being the most probable. Meanwhile, SARS-CoV-2 may also enter the placenta to infect the fetus through antibody-dependent enhanced substitution mechanism. We recommend three methods for early surveillance of vertical transmission, namely nucleic acid testing, antibody screening, and antigen testing, and analyze their advantages and disadvantages. Finally, the article provides recommendations in four areas: labor management, neonatal management, nosocomial infection prevention and control, and vaccination. As well as suggesting effective preventive measures for positive pregnant women and analyzing the advantages and disadvantages of vaccination, it is recommended that pregnant women should be vaccinated promptly, but considering that the vaccine may cause fever, it is recommended to consider vaccination cautiously in the first trimester of pregnancy.ConclusionThe article concludes that vertical transmission is possible, with placental transmission being the most likely, and that the risk of possible vertical transmission is 5.7% (75/1314). Good personal protection, patient isolation, ward disinfection, and vaccination are the best means of interrupting SARS-CoV-2.

Microbiomes of the Sydney Rock Oyster are acquired through both vertical and horizontal transmission

BackgroundThe term holobiont is widely accepted to describe animal hosts and their associated microorganisms. The genomes of all that the holobiont encompasses, are termed the hologenome and it has been proposed as a unit of selection in evolution. To demonstrate that natural selection acts on the hologenome, a significant portion of the associated microbial genomes should be transferred between generations. Using the Sydney Rock Oyster (Saccostrea glomerata) as a model, we tested if the microbes of this broadcast spawning species could be passed down to the next generation by conducting single parent crosses and tracking the microbiome from parent to offspring and throughout early larval stages using 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing. From each cross, we sampled adult tissues (mantle, gill, stomach, gonad, eggs or sperm), larvae (D-veliger, umbo, eyed pediveliger, and spat), and the surrounding environment (water and algae feed) for microbial community analysis.ResultsWe found that each larval stage has a distinct microbiome that is partially influenced by their parental microbiome, particularly the maternal egg microbiome. We also demonstrate the presence of core microbes that are consistent across all families, persist throughout early life stages (from eggs to spat), and are not detected in the microbiomes of the surrounding environment. In addition to the core microbiomes that span all life cycle stages, there is also evidence of environmentally acquired microbial communities, with earlier larval stages (D-veliger and umbo), more influenced by seawater microbiomes, and later larval stages (eyed pediveliger and spat) dominated by microbial members that are specific to oysters and not detected in the surrounding environment.ConclusionOur study characterized the succession of oyster larvae microbiomes from gametes to spat and tracked selected members that persisted across multiple life stages. Overall our findings suggest that both horizontal and vertical transmission routes are possible for the complex microbial communities associated with a broadcast spawning marine invertebrate. We demonstrate that not all members of oyster-associated microbiomes are governed by the same ecological dynamics, which is critical for determining what constitutes a hologenome.

Some features of the transmission of covid-19 infection in the child population (review)

Introduction. During the first wave of the pandemic COVID-19, there was limited and poor quality information on the contribution of children to the transmission of SARS-CoV-2. By early August 2020, several confirmed cases of transmission from children had been published, with no clear evidence that the frequency of transmission from children is higher than that of adults. Since the beginning of the pandemic, children have accounted for 18.4 % of the total number of registered cases, and at the beginning of January 2022, 25.5 % of the total number of COVID-19 cases. Most of the new cases of the disease are Omicron strains. Even with the predicted generally less severe illness resulting from Omicron infection in children, doctors fear that more children may be hospitalized in the coming weeks, given the ever-increasing number of cases of infection with the virus. Data on the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection among children compared with adults is needed to inform COVID-19 risks and prevention strategies, including COVID-19 childhood vaccination policy. Aim. To display literature data containing a review of studies on the transmission of coronavirus infection in children; to analyze the features of the vertical transmission route. Materials and methods. An analysis was made of publications containing data from studies of cases and features of the transmission of COVID-19 disease in children, including from mother to child. Results. Currently, foreign sources note several options for the transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in children. SARS-CoV-2 infection during pregnancy may affect pregnancy outcome, delivery, and the birth of a potentially infected baby. Conclusion. Data on the risk of infection and possible routes of transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in children, including vertical transmission, are needed to improve prevention methods, including immunization of pregnant women and children.

Algorithm for laboratory diagnostics of parvoviral infection in risk groups.

Parvovirus infection (PVI) is widespread, characterized by airborne, bloodborne and vertical transmission routes. Parvovirus B19 (PVB19) exhibits tropism to erythropoietic cells. According to the increased likelihood principle of PVB19 infection and the severity of the consequences, immunocompromised individuals, especially those with hematological manifestations of diseases, are in increased risk group. Based on the own research results and analysis of the published data, we have proposed specific algorithms for PVI laboratory testing in individual risk groups, taking into account the peculiarities of the development and infection manifestation in each group: in HIV-infected patients, in oncohematological patients with to whom allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) have been prescribed (blood and bone marrow recipients), as well as in patients with chronic anemia of parasitic etiology. For each group, the main clinical or laboratory marker, treatment procedure, or patient physiological parameters have been determined, based on which it was recommended to test for PVI. For HIV-infected patients, the main criterion for PVI testing is persistent anemia. For oncohematological patients, the basis for PVI testing is allo-HSCT procedure, which is planned or performed for this particular patient. For malaria patients, the patient's age was considered as major criterion, since in malaria and PVI coinfected young children can lead to a fatal outcome. The proposed PVI diagnostics algorithms usein risk groups can help to predict the severe course of underlying disease associated with PVB19 infection, and timely correct the therapy used.

A Model for Brucellosis Disease Incorporating Age of Infection and Waning Immunity

This paper proposes a model for brucellosis transmission. The model takes into account the age of infection and waning immunity, that is, the progressive loss of immunity after recovery. Three routes of transmissions are considered: vertical transmission, and both direct and indirect routes of horizontal transmission. According to the well-posedness results, we provide explicit formulas for the equilibria. Next, we derive the basic reproduction number R0 and prove some stability results depending on the basic reproductive number. Finally, we perform numerical simulations using model parameters estimated from biological data to confirm our theoretical results. The results of these simulations suggest that for certain values of parameters, there will be periodic outbreaks of epidemics, and the disease will not be eradicated from the population. Our results also highlight the fact that the birth rate of cattle significantly influences the dynamics of the disease. The proposed model can be of a good use in studying the effects of vaccination on the cattle population.

Stability analysis and optimal control of production-limiting disease in farm with two vaccines

<p style='text-indent:20px;'>The transmission of production-limiting disease in farm, such as Neosporosis and Johne's disease, has brought a huge loss worldwide due to reproductive failure. This paper aims to provide a modeling framework for controlling the disease and investigating the spread dynamics of <i>Neospora caninum</i>-infected dairy as a case study. In particular, a dynamic model for production-limiting disease transmission in the farm is proposed. It incorporates the vertical and horizontal transmission routes and two vaccines. The threshold parameter, basic reproduction number <inline-formula><tex-math id="M1">\begin{document}$ \mathcal{R}_0 $\end{document}</tex-math></inline-formula>, is derived and qualitatively used to explore the stability of the equilibria. Global stability of the disease-free and endemic equilibria is investigated using the comparison theorem or geometric approach. On the case study of <i>Neospora caninum</i>-infected dairy in Switzerland, sensitivity analysis of all involved parameters with respect to the basic reproduction number <inline-formula><tex-math id="M2">\begin{document}$ \mathcal{R}_0 $\end{document}</tex-math></inline-formula> has been performed. Through Pontryagin's maximum principle, the optimal control problem is discussed to determine the optimal vaccination coverage rate while minimizing the number of infected individuals and control cost at the same time. Moreover, numerical simulations are performed to support the analytical findings. The present study provides useful information on the understanding of production-limiting disease prevention on a farm.</p>