Isolates Worldwide Research Articles

Phylogenetic and Recombination Analysis of Apple Stem Grooving Virus Isolates from Pears in Korea

The apple stem grooving virus (ASGV) is one of the most harmful latent viruses infecting pear orchards worldwide. To examine the genetic diversity of ASGV in Korean pear orchards, the complete coat protein (CP) gene of five ASGV isolates collected from various regions were identified. The five Korean ASGV isolates showed 88–96% nucleotide identity with the 11 isolates worldwide occurring elsewhere in the world. Phylogenetic analysis of five isolates, as well as the previously sequenced isolates, indicated that the ASGV clusters had no correlation with the host or geographical regions of origin. Recombination analysis showed that one of the five Korean isolates is a recombinant, with a recombination site in the CP gene region (nt 532–708). This study is the first report of natural recombination within the CP gene of ASGV isolates from pears grown in Korea.

Characterization of entomopathogenic fungi from invasive fall armyworm in China and their risk to native pests

AbstractThe role of pathogens in the successful invasion of pests has received increasing attention. Previous hypotheses on parasite‐related invasion mainly focus on the lack of parasites against invasive pests or the introduction of parasites with a higher risk to native pests. Fall armyworm (FAW), Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith), is a new invasive pest in China. Here, we investigated pathogen infection in eight natural populations of FAW in China, isolated and characterised the pathogens, and then evaluated the infection risk of the pathogens to native pests. The pathogen infection frequencies in FAW were very low (0.32%); only two individuals were found to have typical symptoms of fungal infection, and the fungi were identified as Beauveria bassiana and Metarhizium rileyi. Internal transcribed spacer sequence‐based analysis showed that among 44 B. bassiana isolates worldwide, the SFJS01 isolate was genetically different from only 3 isolates. Among all 13 isolates of M. rileyi from FAW, including the SFGX01 isolate, there was no significant differentiation. Comparison of the mortality caused by B. bassiana SFJS01 or M. rileyi SFGX01 against S. frugiperda, Spodoptera litura, Bemisia tabaci, Laodelphax striatellus and Nilaparvata lugens showed that the new isolates all had the highest virulence to S. frugiperda and the lowest virulence to S. litura, a native pest closely related to FAW. The findings indicated that pathogens isolated from FAW did not pose a high risk to native pests and that they did not play a key role in the successful invasion of the FAW in China.

Phylogenetic identification of Anaplasma phagocytophilum in horses in Baghdad, Iraq

This study aimed to detect Anaplasma phagocytophilum in horses through hematological and molecular tests. The 16S rRNA gene of the Anaplasma phagocytophilum parasite was amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), then sequenced, and subjected to phylogenetic analysis to explore "Equine Granulocytic Anaplasmosis" (EGA) infection in three important gathering race horses areas in Baghdad governorate, Iraq. Blood samples were obtained from 160 horses of varying ages, three breeds, and both sexes, between January and December 2021. Prevalence and risk variables for anaplasmosis were analyzed using statistical odds ratio and chi-square tests. Results demonstrated that clinical anaplasmosis symptoms comprised jaundice, weight loss, paleness of mucus membrane with petechial hemorrhage in the third elides, and edema in extremities; There was no tick infestation. The hematological test did not significantly reveal decreases in red and white blood cells and platelet count. Microscopically found 11 from 160 smears (6.88%) had morulae within granulocytes, PCR results of Anaplasma spp primers was 32 positive amplicons (20%), and molecular sequencing results of “16S ribosomal RNA genes” confirmed 21 horses (13.13%) infected by Anaplasma phagocytophilum for the first time in Iraq horses. The results of the phylogenetic analysis revealed compatibility values similarity 98.81-99.76% with worldwide isolates. Mares occurred not significantly riskier; also age and breed were not illustrated risks of any group. This study is the first molecular detection of Anaplasma phagocytophilum in racehorses reared in Baghdad in Iraq. The outcomes of this study provide genetic data for early identification of Anaplasma phagocytophilum infection, treatment, and management of the illness in Iraq horses, as well as monitoring its transmission to the human population.

Genotypic characterization of a Proteus mirabilis strain harboring blaKPC-2 on the IncN plasmid isolated from a patient with bloodstream infection in China

BackgroundCarbapenemase is the predominant enzyme in the mechanism leading to Enterobacterales resistance to carbapenems, and the rapid spread of the blaKPC gene is a major public health concern. Here, we describe a carbapenem-resistant Proteus mirabilis strain XH983, which harbored a blaKPC-2-producing IncN plasmid, isolated from a bloodstream infection. MethodsWhole-genome sequencing and bioinformatics analysis were performed to assess the genetic environment of P. mirabilis XH983. Conjugation and transfer experiments were performed and the corresponding strains were confirmed by antimicrobial susceptibility testing. Phylogenetic and comparative genomic analysis were performed to explore the characteristics of carbapenem-resistant P. mirabilis isolates worldwide. ResultsP. mirabilis XH983 was isolated from the blood of a patient in Hangzhou, China. The genome of XH983 contained one 4128,916 bp circular chromosome and one 24,225 bp IncN plasmid harboring blaKPC-2. P. mirabilis XH983 had multiple resistance genes, conferring resistance to aminoglycosides [aph(3')-Ia, aph(3'')-Ib, aph(6)-Id, aac(3)-IId, aadA5, aadA1], β-lactams (blaKPC-2, blaTEM-1B), phenicol (cat, catA1), sulphonamide/trimethoprim (drfA1, drfA17, sul1, sul2) and tetracycline [tet(J)]. The phylogenetic tree showed that XH983 was present in a cluster of 30 isolates, all of which carried blaKPC-2 and most of them came from the same hospital as XH983, indicating the clonal spread of the cluster. ConclusionWe characterized carbapenem-resistant P. mirabilis clinical isolate XH983. The genome sequence of P. mirabilis XH983 provides information about resistance mechanisms of P. mirabilis carrying the blaKPC-2 plasmid and the potential spread of blaKPC-2.

HapE and hmg1 Mutations Are Drivers of cyp51A-Independent Pan-Triazole Resistance in an Aspergillus fumigatus Clinical Isolate.

Aspergillus fumigatus is a ubiquitous environmental mold that can cause severe disease in immunocompromised patients and chronic disease in individuals with underlying lung conditions. Triazoles are the most widely used class of antifungal drugs to treat A. fumigatus infections, but their use in the clinic is threatened by the emergence of triazole-resistant isolates worldwide, reinforcing the need for a better understanding of resistance mechanisms. The predominant mechanisms of A. fumigatus triazole resistance involve mutations affecting the promoter region or coding sequence of the target enzyme of the triazoles, Cyp51A. However, triazole-resistant isolates without cyp51A-associated mutations are frequently identified. In this study, we investigate a pan-triazole-resistant clinical isolate, DI15-105, that simultaneously carries the mutations hapEP88L and hmg1F262del, with no mutations in cyp51A. Using a Cas9-mediated gene-editing system, hapEP88L and hmg1F262del mutations were reverted in DI15-105. Here, we show that the combination of these mutations accounts for pan-triazole resistance in DI15-105. To our knowledge, DI15-105 is the first clinical isolate reported to simultaneously carry mutations in hapE and hmg1 and only the second with the hapEP88L mutation. IMPORTANCE Triazole resistance is an important cause of treatment failure and high mortality rates for A. fumigatus human infections. Although Cyp51A-associated mutations are frequently identified as the cause of A. fumigatus triazole resistance, they do not explain the resistance phenotypes for several isolates. In this study, we demonstrate that hapE and hmg1 mutations additively contribute to pan-triazole resistance in an A. fumigatus clinical isolate lacking cyp51-associated mutations. Our results exemplify the importance of and the need for a better understanding of cyp51A-independent triazole resistance mechanisms.

Development of an immunochromatographic lateral flow assay to rapidly detect OXA-23-, OXA-40-, OXA-58- and NDM-mediated carbapenem resistance determinants in Acinetobacter baumannii.

Introduction. Acinetobacter baumannii infections can be extremely challenging to treat owing to the worldwide prevalence of multidrug-resistant isolates, especially against carbapenems. Colonization with carbapenem-resistant A. baumannii (CRAb) requires rapid action from an infection control perspective because the organism is known for its propensity for epidemic spread. Hypothesis/Gap Statement. There is an unmet medical need to rapidly identify CRAb to enable appropriate antimicrobial treatment and to prevent transmission. Aim. Our aim was to expand the OXA-detection abilities of the rapid immunochromatographic test (ICT) OXA-23 K-SeT (Coris BioConcept) to include OXA-40- and OXA-58-like carbapenemases, which together confer carbapenem resistance to more than 94 % of CRAb isolates worldwide. Methodology. We used hybridoma technology to generate mAbs against OXA-40 and OXA-58 and selected them for productivity and specificity against recombinant and endogenous OXA-40 and OXA-58. Combinations of the resulting mAbs were analysed in ICT format for their ability to detect recombinant rOXA-40His6 or rOXA-58His6, respectively. Subsequently, selected antibody pairs were implemented into single-OXA-40 or single-OXA-58 prototypes and the final OXA-23/40/58/NDM ICT and were evaluated on clinical Acinetobacter spp. isolates with well-defined carbapenem resistance mechanisms. Results. Five anti-OXA-40 and anti-OXA-58 mAbs were selected. Competition ELISA with combinations of these antibodies revealed that the anti-OXA-40 antibodies bind to one of two binding clusters on OXA-40, while anti-OXA-58 antibodies bind to one of four binding clusters on OXA-58. Direct binding to the corresponding antigen in an ICT format has left only three antibodies against rOXA-40His6 and rOXA-58His6, respectively for the subsequent sandwich ICT selection procedure, which revealed that the anti-OXA-40 (#5) and anti-OXA-58 (#A8) mAbs in combination with the cross-reactive mAb #C8 performed best. They were implemented into single-OXA-40 and single-OXA-58 ICT prototypes and evaluated. These single ICT prototypes demonstrated 100 % specificity and sensitivity. Based on these results, an OXA-23/40/58/NDM-ICT was developed, complemented with OXA-23 and NDM-specific detection. An evaluation with selected carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter spp. isolates (n=34) showed 100 % specificity. Conclusion. With this easy-to-use detection assay, one can save 12-48 h in diagnostics, which helps to treat patients earlier with appropriate antibiotics and allows immediate intervention to control transmission of CRAb.

Bombyx mori as a model for Niallia circulans pathogenicity.

Increasing incidences of resistance to antibiotics by pathogenic bacteria is a worldwide concern and isolation of antibiotic-resistant strains of Niallia circulans (formerly known as Bacillus circulans), an opportunistic human pathogen, has been reported. Due to their lack of ethical constraints as well as their cost-effective rearing, invertebrates have been commonly used to study infection by bacteria pathogenic to humans. In this study, we demonstrate that a foodborne strain of N. circulans kills larvae of the silkworm, Bombyx mori within 48 h after hemolymph injection. The infected larvae turned black with an increase in the phenoloxidase (PO) activity in the hemolymph. Midgut injection of N. circulans resulted in the killing of larvae within 96 h. A significant increase in bacterial load was observed in the hemolymph 12 h after infection. The viable hemocyte number decreased to 48% within 12 h of injection. RT-qPCR analysis revealed that upon hemolymph infection with N. circulans the expression of the antimicrobial peptide (AMP) genes, Bmdefensin-B and Bmgloverin-3, were upregulated 2.5- and 1.8-fold, respectively, whereas 1.6-fold upregulation was observed for BmToll-2 in the larval fat body. Therapeutic effects of antibiotics like tetracycline, imipenem, ceftriaxone, ampicillin, and clindamycin were observed against N. circulans in the Bombyx larvae with varying efficacies. Results from this study suggest that larvae of B. mori can be used as infection models for screening therapeutics that are effective against N. circulans.

MOLECULAR CHARACTERIZATION SOME BACTERIAL PATHOGENS CAUSING BOVINE MASTITIS WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO Mycoplasma bovis

In dairy industry, bovine mastitis is the most prevalent disease, which reduces milk production and causes economic losses. This study was conducted to estimate the prevalence of Mycoplasma bovis and some bacteria causing mastitis in dairy farms and partial sequencing of 16SrRNA target genes and Quinolones Resistance Determining Regions (QRDRs) (gyrA and parC) in M. bovis isolates. 370 milk samples were obtained from farms located in villages in Fayoum governorate, Egypt. The examined milk samples (8,91%) were positive for the California mastitis test (CMT). Multiplex RT-PCR was used for the recognition of microorganisms causing mastitis (Staphylococcus (S.) aureus, Streptococcus species (spp.), Escherichia (E.) coli, and Mycoplasma (M.) bovis) from mastitic milk. The results revealed that E. coli was the most predominant (84.8%) followed by S. aureus (81.8%) while M. bovis was the lowest one (51.5%). Mixed infection with two or more mastitic bacterial agents was also identified. All 33 examined mastitic milk samples were diagnosed with mixed infection with E. coli, S. aureus, Streptococcus spp. and M. bovis (36.36%), E. coli and S. aureus (21.21%), and rephrase E. coli, M. bovis, and Streptococcus spp. (6.06%). The sequence analysis of M. bovis 16SrRNA genes illustrated a high similarity of examined isolates to strains previously deposited in the GenBank recovered from the same locality. The gyrA amino acids showed no substitution but showed 100% similarity with M. bovis isolates worldwide. However, the amino acid sequence of parC, showed substitution at positions 2 (Gln to Arg) (CAG >>CGT), 75 (Ile to Ser) (ATT>>AGC), and 79 (Asn to Asp) (AAC>>GAT). Sequence results can lead to the creation of appropriate treatment and control measures for M. bovis, while multiplex RT-PCR, can be exploited as a standard diagnostic method for major mastitis pathogens.

Prevalence of Depression and Anxiety Among Qassim University Students During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Introduction Depression and anxiety are two types of mental disorders. Individuals with depression usually experience depressed mood, loss of interest or enjoyment, and reduced energy, leading to increased fatigability that diminishes their activity. Meanwhile, anxiety disorders refer to a group of mental disorders characterized by feelings of anxiety and fear. The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has led to mass quarantine, isolation, and lockdowns worldwide, which have impacted the population's mental health. In Saudi Arabia, a study showed that 17.1% and 10.5% of the population had moderate-to-severe features of depression and anxiety, respectively. Demonstrating the prevalence of depression and anxiety in educational institutions is essential. This study aimed to measure the prevalence of depression and anxiety among students at Qassim University during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted at Qassim University, Saudi Arabia. The students were selected using a multistage random sampling technique. An online questionnaire was sent to the selected students via e-mail and social media platforms. The questionnaire contained three parts: the first part included socio-demographic questions, the second part contained the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) to measure depression, and the third part contained the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7) questionnaire to measure anxiety. Results In total, 411 university students completed the questionnaire (response rate = 75%). The prevalence of depression and anxiety was 40.6% and 29.4%, respectively. Females had higher levels of depression and anxiety than men (p < 0.001). The College of Arabic Language and Social Studies (CALSS) had the highest prevalence of depression and anxiety (42.9% and 30.6%, respectively). Conclusion We found a high post-pandemic prevalence of depression and anxiety among the students at Qassim University. Our findings demonstrate the need for psychological intervention programs for the students of Qassim University.

Incidence and detection of cucurbit mosaic disease in Assam

The cucurbits belong to the family Cucurbitaceous (gourd family) under the order Cucurbit ales which include many economically important vegetable and fruit species. Among various factors, viruses are one of the important factors reducing in quantity as well as quality of cucurbits. These crops are severely affected by the cucurbit mosaic disease worldwide, which is the major viral disease of the cucurbits. Considering the importance of the disease, the present investigation was taken up for incidence, detection, host range study and characterization of viruses associated with cucurbit mosaic disease in Assam. Survey was conducted in 5 districts of Assam (Sonitpur, Biswanath, Jorhat, Sivasagar, Dibrugarh) during 2021-22. Symptomatology revealed presence of various mosaic symptoms in the surveyed areas. Among the five surveyed locations, the symptoms observed in Sonitpur district were severe, whereas Biswanath district were moderate and mild symptoms were observed in Jorhat, Sivasagar, and Dibrugarh districts. Vector incidence study showed that aphid is the predominant vector. Molecular assay confirmed the presence of Cucumber Mosaic Virus in the collected cucurbit samples of surveyed areas; with severe incidence of mosaic disease in Sonitpur (90.91%), moderate in Biswanath (66.67%), mild in Jorhat (14.29%), Sivasagar (11%) and Dibrugarh (25%) districts. Molecular characterization of Cucumber mosaic virus cucurbit isolate from Jorhat district of Assam, was done through partial sequencing and similarity analysis showed 90.94 to 94.74 per cent sequence homology with different worldwide isolates of Cucumber mosaic virus.

Population Structure and Genomic Characteristics of Australian Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae Reveals Unobserved Diversity in the Australian Pig Industry.

Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae is a bacterial pathogen that is the causative agent of erysipelas in a variety of animals, including swine, emus, turkeys, muskox, caribou, moose, and humans. This study aims to investigate the population structure and genomic features of Australian isolates of E. rhusiopathiae in the Australian pig industry and compare them to the broader scope of isolates worldwide. A total of 178 isolates (154 Australian, seven vaccine isolates, six international isolates, and 11 of unknown origin) in this study were screened against an MLST scheme and publicly available reference isolates, identifying 59 new alleles, with isolates separating into two main single locus variant groups. Investigation with BLASTn revealed the presence of the spaA gene in 171 (96%) of the isolates, with three main groups of SpaA protein sequences observed amongst the isolates. Novel SpaA protein sequences, categorised here as group 3 sequences, consisted of two sequence types forming separate clades to groups 1 and 2, with amino acid variants at positions 195 (D/A), 303 (G/E) and 323(P/L). In addition to the newly identified groups, five new variant positions were identified, 124 (S/N), 307 (Q/R), 323 (P/L), 379 (M/I), and 400 (V/I). Resistance screening identified genes related to lincomycin, streptomycin, erythromycin, and tetracycline resistance. Of the 29 isolates carrying these resistance genes, 82% belonged to SpaA group 2-N101S (n = 22) or 2-N101S-I257L (n = 2). In addition, 79% (n = 23) of these 29 isolates belonged to MLST group ST 5. Our results illustrate that Australia appears to have a unique diversity of E. rhusiopathiae isolates in pig production industries within the wider global context of isolates.

Local characteristics of molecular epidemiolgy of Acinetobacter baumannii in Jilin province (northeast China)

A. Baumannii is an opportunistic nosocomial pathogen which has severe antibiotic resistance. However, the epidemiology is less clearly understood in Jilin province and China. Thus, 89 A. baumannii isolates from a single hospital in Jilin province between 2013–2017 were performed by MLST. In order to better understanding of the epidemiology of Jilin isolates, Chinese strains originated from other domestic regions and worldwide isolates in MLST database were analyzed by silico phylogenetic tools together. A total of 22 STs in Jilin were identified, and 10 STs were found to be novel. The top three predominant sequence types are ST195 (n = 34, 38.2%), ST208 (n = 14, 15.7%) and ST540 (n = 13, 14.6%). ST369 is predicted to be group founder and ST195, ST540 are subgroup founders of the majority STs in Jilin Province. Some newly discovered singletons showed close relationship with strains from other countries, which suggest that nation-cross transmission is one of important origin of Jilin strains. The majority of Jilin STs showed clonality and close relationship with the majorities from other regions of China. But occupation of individual STs in Jilin were different from that of other domestic regions. The aggregation trend and genetic relationship proved that predominant Jilin STs continue to mutate during transmission. Drug resistance facilitated transmission of Jilin A.baumannii isolates because more than 94% of isolates are resistant to at least one carbapenem and the STs with strong resistance to carbapenems usually has more isolates. In conclusion, high diversity and different occupation of STs, and occupation of novel STs proved that epidemiology of A. baumannii in Jilin has special regional characteristics, and drug resistance facilitated transmission of domestic strains and foreign strains.

Carbapenem resistance in Acinetobacter pittii isolates mediated by metallo-β-lactamases.

To characterize the genetic environment of metallo-β-lactamases (MBL) in carbapenem-resistant clinical Acinetobacter pittii isolates. Seventeen carbapenem-resistant A. pittii isolates harbouring an MBL were collected between 2010 and 2015 in Germany. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed using agar dilution. Presence of MBLs was confirmed by PCR and their genetic location determined by S1-pulsed-field gel electrophoresis followed by Southern blot hybridization. Whole-genome sequencing was performed using the Miseq and MinION platforms. Isolates were typed using an ad hoc core genome MLST scheme. Conjugation into A. baumannii was tested by broth mating. In 10 isolates the MBL was plasmid-encoded and in seven isolates chromosomally encoded. blaGIM-1 and blaVIM-2 were plasmid-encoded, blaVIM-4 was chromosomally encoded, while blaNDM-1 was chromosomally encoded in four and plasmid-encoded in three isolates. Seven of ten plasmids were conjugative into A. baumannii. Although most isolates were unrelated, the backbones of the MBL-encoding plasmid showed >99% similarity and only differed in the MBL-encoding area. blaNDM-1-harbouring plasmids were highly similar to other plasmids from Acinetobacter isolates worldwide while the blaVIM-2- and blaGIM-1-encoding plasmids have not been described. These data show the existence of a promiscuous plasmid circulating in A. pittii isolates in Germany that differs only in the MBL-encoding region. Its plasmid backbone has been found globally among multiple Acinetobacter spp. These data should raise awareness of an epidemic conjugative plasmid that has independently acquired MBLs. We should also consider that future comparative plasmid analysis will look beyond solely the resistome and include the mobile elements carrying the resistance genes.

Comparative Analysis of Tomato Brown Rugose Fruit Virus Isolates Shows Limited Genetic Diversity.

Tomato is an important vegetable in the United States and around the world. Recently, tomato brown rugose fruit virus (ToBRFV), an emerging tobamovirus, has impacted tomato crops worldwide and can result in fruit loss. ToBRFV causes severe symptoms, such as mosaic, puckering, and necrotic lesions on leaves; other symptoms include brown rugose and marbling on fruits. More importantly, ToBRFV can overcome resistance in tomato cultivars carrying the Tm-22 locus. In this study, we recovered ToBRFV sequences from tomato seeds, leaves, and fruits from the U.S., Mexico, and Peru. Samples were pre-screened using a real-time RT-PCR assay prior to high-throughput sequencing. Virus draft genomes from 22 samples were assembled and analyzed against more than 120 publicly available genomes. Overall, most sequenced isolates were similar to each other and did not form a distinct population. Phylogenetic analysis revealed three clades within the ToBRFV population. Most of the isolates (95%) clustered in clade 3. Genetic analysis revealed differentiation between the three clades indicating minor divergence occurring. Overall, pairwise identity showed limited genetic diversity among the isolates in this study with worldwide isolates, with a pairwise identity ranging from 99.36% and 99.97%. The overall population is undergoing high gene flow and population expansion with strong negative selection pressure at all ToBRFV genes. Based on the results of this study, it is likely that the limited ToBRFV diversity is associated with the rapid movement and eradication of ToBRFV-infected material between countries.

1693. Meropenem-Xeruborbactam: In Vitro Potency against Gram-Negative Bacteria in Comparison with Marketed and Investigational Beta-lactam (BL)/Beta-lactamase Inhibitor (BLI) Combinations

Abstract Background Several BLI combinations have entered into clinical testing or been approved for use but there are few comparative studies of their in vitro activity. Xeruborbactam (XER, formerly QPX7728) is a cyclic boronate BLI with potent inhibitory activity against serine and metallo-beta-lactamases (MBL). It is in clinical development in combination with meropenem (MEM). The objective of this study was to compare in vitro potency of MEM-XER to that of other investigational and approved BL/BLI combinations in head-to-head testing against recent isolates of carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales (CRE) and Acinetobacter baumannii (CRAB) as well as Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA). Methods The test panel of recent worldwide isolates consisted of 507 CRE including 168 MBL producers (157 NDM, 11 VIM, 1 IMP), 506 CRAB, and 506 PA that were representative of current isolates and included 65 MDR (resistant to ≥ 3 antimicrobial classes) strains. MEM-XER was tested with XER at a fixed 8 mg/L conc. and other BL/BLI combinations at their recommended BLI concentrations. MIC testing was conducted blinded to drug identity using CLSI reference methods and controlled using approved quality control bacterial strains and ranges. Results The MIC50 and MIC90 for MEM-XER vs CRE ranged from ≤ 0.03 mg/L to 0.06 mg/L and 0.06 mg/L to 1 mg/L, respectively. MEM-XER and cefepime-taniborbactam (FEP-TANI) were the only BL/BLIs with activity against MBL-producers; based on MIC90, MEM-XER (MIC90 of 1 mg/L) was 16-fold more potent than FEP-TANI (MIC90 of 16 mg/L). MEM-XER and sulbactam-durlobactam (SUL-DUR) were the only agents with high potency against CRAB, with MIC50/MIC90 of 0.5/4 mg/L and 1/2 mg/L. For the representative panel of PA, the potency of MEM-XER, FEP-TAN, ceftolozane-tazobactam (TOL-TAZ), imipenem-relebactam (IMP-REL), and CAZ-AVI was similar with MIC90s ranging between 2-8 mg/L; for the MDR panel, MIC90‘s were &amp;gt; 8 mg/L for all combinations, with MER-XER, IMP-REL, TOL-TAZ, and CAZ-AVI having MIC50’s of 2-4 mg/L. Conclusion Compared to the marketed or investigational BL/BLIs, MEM-XERU had the broadest coverage of carbapenem-resistant gram-negative bacteria, with the most differentiating property being activity against multiple strains of MBL-producing CRE and CRAB. Disclosures Mariana Castanheira, PhD, AbbVie: Grant/Research Support|Cidara: Grant/Research Support|GSK: Grant/Research Support|Melinta: Grant/Research Support|Pfizer: Grant/Research Support|Shionogi: Grant/Research Support Jill Lindley, BS, AbbVie: Grant/Research Support.

Diversity and molecular epidemiology of Ostreid herpesvirus 1 in farmed Crassostrea gigas in Australia: Geographic clusters and implications for “microvariants” in global mortality events

Since 2010, mass mortality events known as Pacific oyster mortality syndrome (POMS) have occurred in Crassostrea gigas in Australia associated with Ostreid herpesvirus 1. The virus was thought to be an OsHV-1 µVar or “microvariant”, i.e. one of the dominant variants associated with POMS in Europe, but there are few data to characterize the genotype in Australia. Consequently, the genetic identity and diversity of the virus was determined to understand the epidemiology of the disease in Australia. Samples were analysed from diseased C. gigas over five summer seasons between 2011 and 2016 in POMS-affected estuaries: Georges River in New South Wales (NSW), Hawkesbury River (NSW) and Pitt Water in Tasmania. Sequencing was attempted for six genomic regions. Numerous variants were identified among these regions (n = 100 isolates) while twelve variants were identified from concatenated nucleotide sequences (n = 61 isolates). Nucleotide diversity of the seven genotypes of C region among Australian isolates (Pi 0.99 × 10−3) was the lowest globally. All Australian isolates grouped in a cluster distinct from other OsHV-1 isolates worldwide. This is the first report that Australian outbreaks of POMS were associated with OsHV-1 distinct from OsHV-1 reference genotype, µVar and other microvariants from other countries. The findings illustrate that microvariants are not the only variants of OsHV-1 associated with mass mortality events in C. gigas. In addition, there was mutually exclusive spatial clustering of viral genomic and amino acid sequence variants between estuaries, and a possible association between genotype/amino acid sequence and the prevalence and severity of POMS, as this differed between these estuaries. The sequencing findings supported prior epidemiological evidence for environmental reservoirs of OsHV-1 for POMS outbreaks in Australia.

The Psychological Impact of Isolation on Hospitalised Patients with COVID-19 Infection in the UAE

Infection prevention and control measures for COVID-19 may include immediate admission to an isolation facility for the infected. However, the mental health impact of this isolation worldwide is not fully documented. This study aims to contribute to global data on the psychological impact of COVID-19 and to be the first study to assess psychological distress among hospitalised patients with COVID-19 in the UAE. Using a cross-sectional study design on 132 hospitalised patients, we found that 90% of participants scored within the normal levels for psychological distress. The length of stay was associated with higher levels of psychological distress and those aged 41–60 years had lower levels of psychological distress compared to the 31–40 years group. Our results contributed to global data on the psychological impact of COVID-19 and may help to identify those at risk for psychological distress due to COVID-19 hospitalisation for targeted prevention and future pandemic preparedness plans.

Impactos de la pandemia de coronavirus en el bienestar animal

In 2020, the World Health Organization decreed a state of pandemic caused by the “new coronavirus”, Covid-19, leading to a scenario of social isolation worldwide, drastically changing the routine of human beings and, consequently, of their companion animals. In this context, the following literature review aims to carry out a compilation of research results promoted worldwide, bringing together data from several studies on the impacts caused by the coronavirus pandemic on animal well-being and behavior. In this way, it was possible to conclude that the biggest complication caused during this period was the hyper attachment and excessive dependence of the companion animals with their tutors, triggering several behavioral disorders, such as the Separation Anxiety Syndrome, especially after the normal return of the activities of the human daily life. In addition, some negative repercussions of the closeness of the human-animal relationship during this period was the significant increase in dog aggression attacks, especially against children, related to the reduction of walks and moments of rest and disconnection of the animals. Studies have also made it possible to identify risk factors related to confinement, such as less socialization and difficult access to veterinary services. Thus, it can be concluded that the mental health status of tutors has clear effects on the behavior and well-being of companion animals.

A unique Toxoplasma gondii haplotype accompanied the global expansion of cats

Toxoplasma gondii is a cyst-forming apicomplexan parasite of virtually all warm-blooded species, with all true cats (Felidae) as definitive hosts. It is the etiologic agent of toxoplasmosis, a disease causing substantial public health burden worldwide. Few intercontinental clonal lineages represent the large majority of isolates worldwide. Little is known about the evolutionary forces driving the success of these lineages, the timing and the mechanisms of their global dispersal. In this study, we analyse a set of 156 genomes and we provide estimates of T. gondii mutation rate and generation time. We elucidate how the evolution of T. gondii populations is intimately linked to the major events that have punctuated the recent history of cats. We show that a unique haplotype, whose length represents only 0.16% of the whole T. gondii genome, is common to all intercontinental lineages and hybrid populations derived from these lineages. This haplotype has accompanied wildcats (Felis silvestris) during their emergence from the wild to domestic settlements, their dispersal in the Old World, and their expansion in the last five centuries to the Americas. The selection of this haplotype is most parsimoniously explained by its role in sexual reproduction of T. gondii in domestic cats.

Epigenetic perspectives of COVID-19: Virus infection to disease progression and therapeutic control

COVID-19 has caused numerous deaths as well as imposed social isolation and upheaval world-wide. Although, the genome and the composition of the virus, the entry process and replication mechanisms are well investigated from by several laboratories across the world, there are many unknown remaining questions. For example, what are the functions of membrane lipids during entry, packaging and exit of virus particles? Also, the metabolic aspects of the infected tissue cells are poorly understood. In the course of virus replication and formation of virus particles within the host cell, the enhanced metabolic activities of the host is directly proportional to viral loads. The epigenetic landscape of the host cells is also altered, particularly the expression/repression of genes associated with cellular metabolism as well as cellular processes that are antagonistic to the virus. Metabolic pathways are enzyme driven processes and the expression profile and mechanism of regulations of the respective genes encoding those enzymes during the course of pathogen invasion might be highly informative on the course of the disease. Recently, the metabolic profile of the patients' sera have been analysed from few patients. In view of this, and to gain further insights into the roles that epigenetic mechanisms might play in this scenario in regulation of metabolic pathways during the progression of COVID-19 are discussed and summarised in this contribution for ensuring best therapy.