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Fecal Samples (fecal + sample)

Distribution by Scientific Domains

Life Sciences	75%
Medical Sciences	23%

Selected Abstracts

Sublethal effects of methylmercury on fecal metabolites of testosterone, estradiol, and corticosterone in captive juvenile white ibises (Eudocimus albus),

ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY & CHEMISTRY, Issue 5 2009
Evan M. Adams
Abstract Methylmercury (MeHg) is a globally distributed neurotoxin, endocrine disruptor, and teratogen, and its effects on birds are poorly understood, especially within an environmentally relevant exposure range. In an effort to understand the potential causal relationship between MeHg exposure and endocrine development, we established four dietary exposure groups (0 [control], 0.05, 0.1, and 0.3 mg/kg wet wt/d of MeHg) of postfledging white ibises (Eudocimus albus) in a divided, free-flight aviary that spanned the estimated range of environmental exposure for this species. Fecal samples were collected from individually identified ibises over six months in 2005 and processed for hormone evaluation. Significant sex-related differences in fecal estradiol concentrations, though unpredicted in direction, suggest that this steroid could be related to juvenile development in this species. Using repeated-measures general linear models, we tested a set of candidate models to explain variation in endocrine expression. We found that MeHg exposure led to significant differences in fecal estradiol concentrations between the control and medium-dose groups, whereas differences in fecal corticosterone concentrations were observed between the control and both the low- and high-dose groups. These results suggest highly nonlinear dose-response patterns for MeHg. Many endocrine-disrupting contaminants are theorized to affect multiple endpoints in a nonlinear manner, making results difficult to interpret using a traditional toxicological approach. The evidence presented here suggests that endocrine effects of MeHg exposure could behave similarly. [source]

Zoonotic risk of hepatitis E virus (HEV): A study of HEV infection in animals and humans in suburbs of Beijing

HEPATOLOGY RESEARCH, Issue 12 2009
Yibin Chang
Aim:, To investigate hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection among different animals and workers in pig farms and slaughterhouses, and analyze the genotype of HEV isolated in this study. Methods:, Serum samples were collected from adult swine, cows, sheep, younger swine (< 3 months), and workers in pig farms and slaughterhouses (professional group). Fecal samples were collected from younger swine in the south suburbs of Beijing. Anti-HEV antibody was evaluated by direct sandwich enzyme immunoassay. HEV RNA was extracted from fecal samples and amplified by nested reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-nPCR). The PCR products were sequenced, and the sequence homology and phylogenetics of the HEV strains isolated from swine were analyzed. Results:, The anti-HEV positivity rates in adult swine, cows, sheep, younger swine, professional group and general population were 98.23% (222/226), 29.35% (54/184), 9.80% (20/207), 60.73% (99/164), 42.51% (105/247) and 20.29% (522/2572), respectively. The HEV RNA positivity rate of fecal samples was 22.89% (19/83) and 16/19 samples were positive for HEV RNA amplified with both primers, HEV open reading frame (ORF)1 and HEV ORF2. Sequence analysis of these 16 samples showed that there were two groups, designated BJ-1 and BJ-2. The nucleotide homology of BJ-1 and BJ-2 was 99%. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that both of these groups belonged to genotype 4d. Conclusion:, Workers in pig farms and slaughterhouses were more likely to contract HEV infection than the general population because of close contact with swine with a high prevalence of anti-HEV. [source]

Fecal calprotectin, lactoferrin, and endoscopic disease activity in monitoring anti-TNF-alpha therapy for Crohn's disease

INFLAMMATORY BOWEL DISEASES, Issue 10 2008
Taina Sipponen MD
Abstract Background: Fecal calprotectin and lactoferrin are promising noninvasive biomarkers for intestinal inflammation. In Crohn's disease (CD), during anti-TNF-alpha (TNF-,) treatment, the clinical significance of these markers has, however, been insufficiently explored. Methods: Among CD patients receiving anti-TNF-, therapy we assessed the role of fecal calprotectin and lactoferrin as surrogate markers for mucosal healing. Before and 3 months after the beginning of anti-TNF-, induction, 15 patients underwent ileocolonoscopy with scoring of the Crohn's Disease Index of Severity (CDEIS). Fecal samples for calprotectin and for lactoferrin measurements were collected and the Crohn's Disease Activity Index (CDAI) was calculated at the time of the endoscopies and 2 and 8 weeks after the first treatment. Results: The median CDEIS fell from 13.0 to 4.8 (P = 0.002) and CDAI from 158 to 68 (P = 0.005). Accordingly, the median fecal calprotectin concentration fell from 1173 ,g/g to 130 ,g/g (P = 0.001) and fecal lactoferrin from 105.0 ,g/g to 2.7 ,g/g (P = 0.001). Of the 15 patients, 11 (73%) showed an endoscopic response to treatment and 5 of these achieved endoscopic remission (CDEIS < 3). In those 5 patients the fecal calprotectin concentration declined from 1891 ,g/g (range 813,2434) to 27 ,g/g (13,130) and lactoferrin from 92.4 ,g/g (35.5,235.6) to 1.9 ,g/g (0.0,2.1). Conclusions: Compared to pretreatment values, concentrations of fecal calprotectin and lactoferrin after the anti-TNF-, treatment were significantly lower. During anti-TNF-, therapy these fecal neutrophil-derived proteins may thus be useful surrogate markers for mucosal healing. (Inflamm Bowel Dis 2008) [source]

Bacterial population analysis of human colon and terminal ileum biopsies with 16S rRNA-based fluorescent probes: Commensal bacteria live in suspension and have no direct contact with epithelial cells

INFLAMMATORY BOWEL DISEASES, Issue 10 2005
Laurens A van der Waaij PhD
Abstract Background: The commensal intestinal microflora has important metabolic and perhaps also immune modulatory functions. Evidence has accumulated that the microflora plays a role in the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease. Therefore, there is a growing interest in the intestinal microflora and its interaction with the host. Presumably, this interaction takes place at the mucus layer. In this study, we investigated the microflora that is present at the mucus layer and addressed the following questions. Does a specific mucus-adherent microflora exist? Is there direct contact between commensal bacteria and epithelial cells? Methods: Snap-frozen biopsies were taken of 5 colon regions and of the terminal ileum in 9 subjects with a normal colon. Fecal samples were also collected. Bacteria were detected in cryosections with fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) with 16S ribosomal (r)RNA-targeted probes for all bacteria and specific probes for the major representatives of anaerobic microflora (bifidobacteria, Bacteroides, clostridia, atopobia) and aerobic microflora (Enterobacteriaceae, enterococci, streptococci, lactobacilli). Results: With this sensitive technique, bacteria were only observed at the luminal side of the intestinal mucus layer. Very few microcolonies were present at the mucus layer, and the composition of the bacterial microflora present in the feces was similar to that at the mucus layer of the terminal ileum and colon regions. Conclusions: We did not observe direct contact between bacteria and epithelial cells. The equal distribution of bacterial species suggests that intestinal commensal bacteria live in suspension in the lumen and that there is no specific mucus-adherent microflora. [source]

Diversity of viruses associated with acute gastroenteritis in children hospitalized with diarrhea in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

JOURNAL OF MEDICAL VIROLOGY, Issue 5 2007
Tuan Anh Nguyen
Abstract A molecular epidemiological study on common diarrheal viruses was conducted in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam between October 2002 and September 2003. Fecal samples were collected from 1,010 hospitalized children with acute gastroenteritis. Those samples were screened for groups A, B, and C rotavirus, adenovirus, genogroups I and II norovirus (NoV), sapovirus (SaV), and human astrovirus (HAstV) by RT-multiplex PCR, and the positive specimens were characterized further by ELISA, nested PCR, or sequencing. Among the diarrheal viruses detected, group A rotavirus was the most common, with a proportion of 67.4%, whereas NoV GII, adenovirus, SaV, and HAstV were also found in 5.5, 3.2, 0.8, and 0.6%, respectively. It is noteworthy that the group C rotavirus was first reported in Vietnam, with a proportion of 0.5% in this study. Fifty-six of 1,010 (5.5%) samples were found positive with more than one viral agent, in which 25 samples contained both group A rotavirus and NoV GII. Group A rotavirus could be identified throughout year with the peaks in both the dry and rainy season, whereas other viruses prevailed mainly in the rainy season. G-typing for the group A rotavirus showed that genotype 1 was still the most prevailing (33.0%), but interestingly, serotype 9 was emergent and became the third most common rotavirus G-type in these samples (13.7%). The four most common G,P combinations globally, G1P[8], G2P[4], G3P[8], and G4P[8] were found in 46.8% of rotavirus-positive samples, and it is of interest that one unusual rotavirus G9P[19] strain was first detected in Vietnam. The majority of NoV strains belonged to GII/4, and SaV strains mainly clustered with the Manchester strain (GI/1). Twenty-seven out of 32 adenovirus strains were identified as serotype 41. All HAstVs belonged to genotype 1. The results indicated clearly the impact of viral agents causing gastroenteritis and the importance of vaccination against diarrhea in Vietnam. J. Med. Virol. 79:582,590, 2007. © 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source]

Nutritional status, body composition, and intestinal parasitism among the Mbyá-Guaraní communities of Misiones, Argentina

AMERICAN JOURNAL OF HUMAN BIOLOGY, Issue 2 2010
M.L. Zonta
Indigenous communities in Argentina represent socially and economically neglected populations. They are living in extreme poverty and environmental degradation conditions. New information about health status and socio-environmental features is urgently needed to be applied in future sanitary policies. Present study describes the nutritional status, body composition, and intestinal parasitism among Mbyá-Guaraní children from three communities in the Misiones Province. Anthropometric parameters were analized for 178 individuals (aged 1,14). Data were transformed to z -scores using NHANES I and II. Stunting showed the greatest prevalence (44.9%). Children were found to have low arm circumference and low arm muscle area, although with tricipital skinfold value near to the reference. They also tend to have shorter than normal lower limbs. Fecal samples and anal brushes (for Enterobius vermicularis) were collected in 45 children (aged 1,13). Ritchie's sedimentation and Willis' flotation techniques were used to determine parasitoses. Ninety five percent of children were infected with at least one species and 81.4% were polyparasitized. The higher prevalences corresponded to Blastocystis hominis, hookworms (Ancylostoma duodenale/Necator americanus), and Entamoeba coli. Associations occurred between hookworms with B. hominis/E. coli and B. hominis with nonpathogenic amoebas. Thirty nine percent of the children with stunting presented B. hominis, Strongyloides, and hookworms. Our results indicate that this indigenous population is subjected to extreme poverty conditions and is one of the most marginalized in this country. Severe growth stunting and parasitic infection are still quite common among Mbyá children affecting about half of them along with significant changes in body composition and proportions. Am. J. Hum. Biol., 2010. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source]

Influence of helminth infections on childhood nutritional status in lowland Bolivia,

AMERICAN JOURNAL OF HUMAN BIOLOGY, Issue 5 2009
S. Tanner
Infectious disease, such as diarrheal disease, respiratory infections, and parasitic infections, are an important source of nutritional and energetic stress in many populations. Inspired by the research and methodological innovations of A. Roberto Frisancho, this work considers the impact of childhood environment and local disease ecology on child health and nutritional patterns among an indigenous group in lowland Bolivia. Specifically, we examine the association between soil-transmitted helminth infection, especially hookworm species, and anthropometric markers of short- and long-term nutritional status. Fecal samples, anthropometric dimensions, and health interviews were collected for 92 children ranging in age from 2.0 to 10.9 years. Microscopic examination revealed high levels of parasitic infection, with 76% of children positive for hookworm species infections (77% of girls and 74% of boys). Less common infections included Ascaris lumbricoides, Trichurius trichiura, and Strongyloides stercoralis with only 15% of children positive for multiple-species infections. After adjusting for sex and age, no statistically significant associations were observed between helminth infections and the frequency of reported illness or anthropometric measures of nutritional status. These data demonstrate the difficulty of assessing nutritional impacts of endemic infections. Am. J. Hum. Biol., 2009. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source]

A survey of entodiniomorphid ciliates in chimpanzees and bonobos

AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL ANTHROPOLOGY, Issue 1 2010
ina Pomajbíková
Abstract Intestinal entodiniomorphid ciliates are commonly diagnosed in the feces of wild apes of the genera Pan and Gorilla. Although some authors previously considered entodiniomorphid ciliates as possible pathogens, a symbiotic function within the intestinal ecosystem and their participation in fiber fermentation has been proposed. Previous studies have suggested that these ciliates gradually disappear under captive conditions. We studied entodiniomorphid ciliates in 23 captive groups of chimpanzees, three groups of captive bonobos and six populations of wild chimpanzees. Fecal samples were examined using Sheather's flotation and Merthiolate-Iodine-Formaldehyde Concentration (MIFC) methods. We quantified the number of ciliates per gram of feces. The MIFC method was more sensitive for ciliate detection than the flotation method. Ciliates of genus Troglodytella were detected in 13 groups of captive chimpanzees, two groups of bonobos and in all wild chimpanzee populations studied. The absence of entodiniomorphids in some captive groups might be because of the extensive administration of chemotherapeutics in the past or a side-effect of the causative or prophylactic administration of antiparasitic or antibiotic drugs. The infection intensities of ciliates in captive chimpanzees were higher than in wild ones. We suppose that the over-supply of starch, typical in captive primate diets, might induce an increase in the number of ciliates. In vitro studies on metabolism and biochemical activities of entodiniomorphids are needed to clarify their role in ape digestion. Am J Phys Anthropol 2010. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source]

Ecology of the gastrointestinal parasites of Colobus vellerosus at Boabeng-Fiema, Ghana: Possible anthropozoonotic transmission

AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL ANTHROPOLOGY, Issue 3 2009
Julie A. Teichroeb
Abstract Parasite richness and prevalence in wild animals can be used as indicators of population and ecosystem health. In this study, the gastrointestinal parasites of ursine colobus monkeys (Colobus vellerosus) at the Boabeng-Fiema Monkey Sanctuary (BFMS), Ghana, were investigated. BFMS is a sacred grove where monkeys and humans have long lived in relatively peaceful proximity. Fecal samples (n = 109) were collected opportunistically from >27 adult and subadult males in six bisexual groups and one all-male band from July 2004 to August 2005. Using fecal floatation, we detected three protozoans (two Entamoeba sp., Isospora sp.), five nematodes (Ascaris sp., Enterobius sp., Trichuris sp., two strongyle sp.), and one digenean trematode. Using fluorescein labeled antibodies, we detected an additional protozoan (Giardia sp.), and with PCR techniques, we characterized this as G. duodenalis Assemblage B and also identified a protistan (Blastocystis sp., subtype 2). The most prevalent parasite species were G. duodenalis and Trichuris sp. Parasites were more prevalent in the long wet season than the long dry. Parasite prevalence did not vary by age, and average parasite richness did not differ by rank for males whose status remained unchanged. However, males that changed rank tended to show higher average parasite richness when they were lower ranked. Individuals that spent more time near human settlements had a higher prevalence of Isospora sp. that morphologically resembled the human species I. belli. The presence of this parasite and G. duodenalis Assemblage B indicates possible anthropozoonotic and/or zoonotic transmission between humans and colobus monkeys at this site. Am J Phys Anthropol, 2009. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source]

Testing extraction and storage parameters for a fecal hormone method

AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PRIMATOLOGY, Issue 11 2010
David J. Pappano
Abstract Four experiments were conducted to test different aspects of a "field-friendly" fecal hormone extraction method that utilizes methanol extraction in the field followed by storage on C18 solid-phase extraction cartridges. Fecal samples were collected from geladas (Theropithecus gelada) housed at the Bronx Zoo, and the experiments were conducted in a laboratory setting to ensure maximum control. The experiments were designed to either simulate the conditions to which fecal samples are subjected during fieldwork or improve on an existing protocol. The experiments tested the relationship between fecal hormone metabolite preservation/recovery and: (1) the amount of time a sample is stored at ambient temperature; (2) the number of freeze/thaw cycles a sample undergoes; (3) the effectiveness of different extraction solutions; and (4) the effectiveness of different cartridge washes. For each experiment, samples were assayed by radioimmunoassay for fecal glucocorticoid (GC) and testosterone (T) metabolites. Results for each of the experiments were as follows. First, storage at ambient temperature did not affect hormone levels until 4 weeks of storage, with significant increases for both GC and T metabolites at 4 weeks. Second, hormone levels significantly decreased in samples after two freeze/thaw cycles for GCs and six freeze/thaws cycles for T. Third, for both GCs and T, hormone extraction using various methanol solutions was significantly higher than using 100% ethanol. Finally, using a 20% methanol solution to wash cartridges significantly increased GC levels but had no effect on T levels. These results suggest that, when utilizing C18 cartridges for fecal steroid storage, researchers should consider several methodological options to optimize hormone preservation and recovery from fecal samples. Am. J. Primatol. 72:934,941, 2010. © 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source]

Phylogeography of the Angolan black and white colobus monkey, Colobus angolesnsis palliatus, in Kenya and Tanzania

AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PRIMATOLOGY, Issue 8 2010
Monica M. McDonald
Abstract Little is known about genetic variation in the 6,8 subspecies of Colobus angolensis, currently distinguished by pelage differences. We present a comparative genetic analysis of one of these subspecies, C. a. palliatus, in Kenya and Tanzania that assesses evolutionary relationships and patterns of mitochondrial genetic diversity in 103 individuals across its geographic range. Fecal samples from approximately 156 individuals were collected in four localities: (1) Diani Forest, Kenya; (2) Shimoni, Kenya; (3) Udzungwa Mountains National Park, Eastern Arc Mountains, Tanzania; and (4) Mount Rungwe, Southern Highlands, Tanzania. These samples represent at least six groups, with 5,15 samples from each. Comparative sequence analysis of a 1,795 base pair mtDNA fragment revealed 19 unique haplotypes in four populations. Phylogenetic analyses suggest that sampled Kenyan haplotypes are paraphyletic, with one Kenyan haplotype basal to all other sampled haplotypes. Analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) suggests high levels of genetic variation among populations (,ST 0.72, P<0.001). Genetic data are concordant with a subspecies level differentiation between C. a. palliatus populations in Kenya and those in Central and southern Tanzania, as earlier suggested based on pelage differences. This study highlights the evolutionary distinctiveness of Kenyan populations of C. a. palliatus relative to Tanzanian populations. Although C. a. palliatus habitat in Tanzania is currently better protected than in Kenya, our results suggest Kenyan and Tanzanian populations should be considered distinct units, and the protection of C. a. palliatus habitat in Kenya, as well as habitat connectivity between Kenyan populations, should be prioritized for conservation and management. Am. J. Primatol. 72:715,724, 2010. © 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source]

Identification of a New Microsporidian Parasite Related to Vittaforma corneae in HIV-Positive and HIV-Negative Patients from Portugal

THE JOURNAL OF EUKARYOTIC MICROBIOLOGY, Issue 2003
IRSHAD M. SULAIMAN
ABSTRACT. Fecal samples from 22 HIV-positive and 3 HIV-negative patients from Portugal with symptomatic diarrhea were diagnosed positive for microsporidia by microscopy, with most parasites detected significantly bigger than Enterocytozoon bieneusi and Encephalitozoon spp. Sequence characterization of the small subunit (SSU) rRNA gene identified a microsporidian parasite with 96% homology to two published Vittaforma corneae sequences. Phylogenetic analysis confirmed the genetic relatedness of this new microsporidian parasite to Vittaforma corneae as well as Cystosporogenes operophterae. Results of the study demonstrate the presence of a new human-pathogenic microsporidian species, which is responsible for significant number of infections in HIV-positive and HIV-negative patients in Portugal. [source]

Declining and low fecal corticoids are associated with distress, not acclimation to stress, during the translocation of African rhinoceros

ANIMAL CONSERVATION, Issue 1 2010
W. L. Linklater
Abstract Concentrations of adrenal steroid metabolites in feces are routinely used to assess the welfare of animals that are the subject of conservation efforts. The assumption that low and declining corticoid concentrations indicate the absence of stress and acclimation, respectively, is often made without experimental support or wild-animal comparisons, although intrinsic control of adrenal steroids might occur even under ongoing stress and distress. We adopted the capture and 11-week captivity of 18 black (Diceros bicornis: 11 males, seven females) and 52 white (Ceratotherium simum: 22 males, 30 females) rhinoceros as an experimental test of the relationship between corticoid concentrations and stress (translocation) and measured for suppressed gonad function as an indicator of distress , the biological cost of cumulative stressors. Fecal samples collected from the rectum at capture and during captivity were stored frozen and their corticoid, and androgen (in males) or progestin (in females), concentrations determined by radioimmunoassay. Corticoid profiles followed the expected pattern of being two to five times pre-capture levels (ng g,1: black rhino: female 24.5±3.7, male 23.9±2.2; white rhino: female 16.3±1.6, male 12.3±2.4) for up to 17 days after capture and declined with time in captivity. Black rhinoceros and male white rhinoceros corticoids declined below pre-capture values and were associated with suppressed levels of androgens and progestins with increased time in captivity. Declining corticoids could not be interpreted as acclimation or the absence of stressors, without also measuring for distress in African rhinoceros. White rhinoceros female corticoid values remained elevated, although their gonad steroid levels were also suppressed. We discuss our findings for the management of rhinoceros in the wild and captivity. [source]

Reproduction of the Bat Glossophaga commissarisi (Phyllostomidae: Glossophaginae) in the Costa Rican Rain Forest During Frugivorous and Nectarivorous Periods,

BIOTROPICA, Issue 3 2005
Marco Tschapka
ABSTRACT I studied the reproduction of the 9 g nectarivorous bat Glossophaga commissarisi (Phyllostomidae: Glossophaginae) in relation to its food choice in a Costa Rican lowland rain forest over more than 2 yr. Reproduction was bimodal with birth peaks in April/May and October/November. The first birth peak coincided with a period of frugivory, whereas the second occurred during a period of almost exclusive nectarivory. All adult females recaptured in consecutive reproductive periods were reproductively active on both occasions, indicating that individual G. commissarisi females regularly reproduce twice per year at the study site. Throughout the annual cycle the mean testis length of the males correlated best with the proportion of females lactating, suggesting a post partum estrous pattern. Animals became reproductively active at about 1 yr of age. Fecal samples showed that females consumed significantly more insects than males. RESUMEN Se estudió la reproducción del murciélago nectarívero Glossophaga commissarisi (Phyllostomidae: Glossophaginae) en relación a sus preferencias alimenticias en un bosque lluvioso de tierras bajas en Costa Rica por más de dos años. La reproducción fue bimodal con picos de nacimiento en abril/mayo y octubre/noviembre. El primer pico de nacimiento coincidió con un periodo de frugivoría, mientras que el segundo ocurrió durante un periodo exclusivo de nectarivoría. Todas las hembras adultas recapturadas en periodos reproductivos consecutivos estaban reproductivamente activas en ambas occasiones. Indicando así que cada hembra de G. commissarisi regularmente reproduce dos veces al año en el sitio del estudio. Durante todo el ciclo annual el promedio de la longitud de los testículos de los machos se correlacionó mejor con la proporción de hembras en lactancia, sugiriendo una norma de post partum estro. Los animales se vuelven reproductivamente activos cerca de un año de edad. Examen de muestras fecales indicaron que las hembras consumen significativamente más insectos que los machos. [source]

Altered early infant gut microbiota in children developing allergy up to 5 years of age

CLINICAL & EXPERIMENTAL ALLERGY, Issue 4 2009
Y. M. Sjögren
Summary Background Early colonization with bifidobacteria and lactobacilli is postulated to protect children from allergy, while Clostridium (C.) difficile colonization might be associated with allergic disease. Previous studies of infant gut microbiota in relation to subsequent allergy development have mostly employed culture-dependent techniques, studied genera of bacteria and the follow-up period was limited to 2 years. Objective To relate gut microbiota in early infancy, notably bifidobacteria and lactobacilli at species level, to allergy development during the first 5 years of life and study if environmental factors influence the early infant gut microbiota. Methods Fecal samples were collected at 1 week, 1 month and 2 months after birth from 47 Swedish infants, followed prospectively to 5 years of age. Bacterial DNA was analysed with real-time PCR and related to allergy development, family size as well as endotoxin and Fel d 1 levels in house dust samples. Primers binding to C. difficile, four species of bifidobacteria, two lactobacilli groups and Bacteroides fragilis were used. Children regarded as allergic manifested allergic symptoms and were skin prick test positive during their first 5 years while non-allergic children were neither. Results Children who developed allergy were significantly less often colonized with lactobacilli group I (Lactobacillus (L.) rhamnosus, L. casei, L. paracasei), Bifidobacterium adolescentis and C. difficile during their first 2 months. Infants colonized with several Bifidobacterium species had been exposed to higher amounts of endotoxin and grew up in larger families than infants harbouring few species. Conclusion A more diverse gut microbiota early in life might prevent allergy development and may be related to the previously suggested inverse relationship between allergy, family size and endotoxin exposure. [source]

Evidence for the consumption of arboreal, diurnal primates by bonobos (Pan paniscus)

AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PRIMATOLOGY, Issue 2 2009
Martin Surbeck
Abstract We present evidence for the consumption of a diurnal, arboreal, group living primate by bonobos. The digit of an immature black mangabey (Lophocebus aterrimus) was found in the fresh feces of a bonobo (Pan paniscus) at the Lui Kotale study site, Democratic Republic of Congo. In close proximity to the fecal sample containing the remains of the digit, we also found a large part of the pelt of a black mangabey. Evidence suggests that the Lui Kotale bonobos consume more meat than other bonobo populations and have greater variation in the mammalian species exploited than previously thought [Hohmann & Fruth, Folia primatologica 79:103,110]. The current finding supports Stanford's argument [Current Anthropology 39:399,420] that some differences in the diet and behavior between chimpanzees (P. troglodytes) and bonobos are an artefact of the limited number of bonobo study populations. If bonobos did obtain the monkey by active hunting, this would challenge current evolutionary models relating the intra-specific aggression and violence seen in chimpanzees and humans to hunting and meat consumption [Wrangham, Yearbook of Physical Anthropology 42:1,30]. Am. J. Primatol. 71:171,174, 2009. © 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source]

Noninvasive Stress and Reproductive Measures of Social and Ecological Pressures in Free-Ranging African Elephants

CONSERVATION BIOLOGY, Issue 4 2001
C. A. H. Foley
This, coupled with political pressures to delist the elephant, has created a need for noninvasive physiological measures that can quantify the long-term effects of past mortality patterns of this long-lived species. We collected fresh fecal samples from 16 female elephants in three different groups over 23 months at Tarangire National Park, Tanzania, and analyzed them for fecal progesterone and cortisol metabolites. Social and ecological measures were collected concurrently. Fecal progesterone metabolite measures corresponded significantly with stage of gestation, and appear to be able to confirm pregnancy in female elephants from as early as 3 months of gestation. We found that progesterone metabolite concentrations were significantly lower during the dry season than during the wet season after controlling for stage of gestation. Fecal cortisol metabolite concentrations showed the opposite seasonal pattern, being significantly higher in the dry season and inversely correlated with rainfall across seasons. Fecal cortisol metabolite concentrations also increased with group size and were correlated positively with dominance rank in the largest group. Our results suggest that measures of progesterone and cortisol metabolites in feces provide indices of reproductive function and physiological stress that can quantify both natural and human disturbances in African elephants. These measures are ideally suited for monitoring the long-term effects of social disruption from poaching and a variety of other management concerns. Resumen: Debido a la cacería furtiva, la población de elefante africano ( Loxodonta africana) declinó en un 60%, principalmente adultos, entre 1979 y 1988. Esto, aunado a presiones políticas para eliminar al elefante de las listas de especies en peligro, ha creado la necesidad de medidas fisiológicas no invasivas que puedan cuantificar efectos a largo plazo de patrones de mortalidad en el pasado de esta especie longeva. Recolectamos muestras fecales de 16 elefantes hembras en tres grupos diferentes en el Parque Nacional Tarangire, Tanzania a lo largo de 23 meses, y las analizamos para detectar metabolitos de progesterona fecal y de cortisol. Al mismo tiempo se recolectaron medidas sociales y ecológicas. Las medidas de metabolitos de progesterona fecal correspondieron significativamente con la etapa de gestación, y parecen permitir la confirmación de preñez en elefantes hembras tan temprano como a los tres meses de gestación. Las concentraciones de metabolitos de progesterona fueron significativamente menores durante la época de sequía que en la de lluvias después de controlar para la etapa de gestación. Las concentraciones de metabolitos de cortisol fecal mostraron un patrón estacional opuesto, siendo significativamente más altas en la época de sequía e inversamente correlacionados con la precipitación en todas las estaciones. Las concentraciones de metabolitos de cortisol fecal también incrementaron con el tamaño del grupo y se correlacionaron positivamente con el rango de dominancia en el grupo más grande. Nuestros resultados sugieren que las medidas de metabolitos de progesterona y cortisol en las heces proporcionan índices de la función reproductiva y del estrés fisiológico que puede cuantificar perturbaciones, tanto naturales como humanas, en elefantes africanos. Estas medidas son idealmente adecuadas para monitorear efectos a largo plazo de la disrupción social por la cacería furtiva y así como una variedad de aspectos del manejo. [source]

Spatial pattern of adult trees and the mammal-generated seed rain in the Iberian pear

ECOGRAPHY, Issue 3 2010
Jose M. Fedriani
The degree to which plant individuals are aggregated or dispersed co-determines how a species uses resources, how it is used as a resource, and how it reproduces. Quantifying such spatial patterns, however, presents several methodological issues that can be overcome by using spatial point pattern analyses (SPPA). We used SPPA to assess the distribution of P. bourgaeana adult trees and their seeds (within fecal samples) dispersed by three mammals (badger, fox, and wild boar) within a 72-ha plot across a range of spatial scales. Pyrus bourgaeana trees in our study plot (n=75) were clearly aggregated with a critical spatial scale of ca 25,m, and approximately nine randomly distributed tree clusters were identified. As expected from their marking behaviors, the spatial patterns of fecal deposition varied widely among mammal species. Whereas badger feces and dispersed seeds were clearly clustered at small spatial scales (<10,m), boar and fox feces were relatively scattered across the plot. A toroidal shift null model testing for independence indicated that boars tended to deliver seeds to the vicinity of adult trees and thus could contribute to the maintenance and enlargement of existing tree clusters. Badgers delivered feces and seeds in a highly clumped pattern but unlike boars, away from P. bourgaeana neighborhoods; thus, they are more likely to create new tree clusters than boars. The strong tree aggregation is likely to be the result of one or several non-exclusive processes, such as the spatial patterning of seed delivery by dispersers and seedling establishment beneath mother trees. In turn, the distinctive distribution of P. bourgaeana in Doñana appeared to interact with the foraging behavior of its mammalian seed dispersers, leading to neighbourhood-specific dispersal patterns and fruit-removal rates. Our study exemplifies how a detailed description of patterns generates testable hypotheses concerning the ecology of zoochorous. Pyrus bourgaeana dispersers were unique and complementary in their spatial patterning of seed delivery, which likely confers resilience to their overall service and suggests lack of redundancy and expendability of any one species. [source]

Detection of Helicobacter species DNA by quantitative PCR in the gastrointestinal tract of healthy individuals and of patients with inflammatory bowel disease

FEMS IMMUNOLOGY & MEDICAL MICROBIOLOGY, Issue 1 2004
Xander W. Huijsdens
Abstract In many animal species different intestinal Helicobacter species have been described and a few species are associated with intestinal infection. In humans, the only member of the Helicobacter family which is well described in literature is Helicobacter pylori. No other Helicobacter -associated diseases have definitely been shown in humans. We developed a sensitive quantitative PCR to investigate whether Helicobacter species DNA can be detected in the human gastrointestinal tract. We tested gastric biopsies (including biopsies from H. pylori positive persons), intestinal mucosal biopsies and fecal samples from healthy persons, and intestinal mucosal biopsies from patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) for the presence of Helicobacter species. All gastric biopsies, positive for H. pylori by culture, were also positive in our newly developed PCR. No Helicobacter species were found in the mucosal biopsies from patients with IBD (n=56) nor from healthy controls (n=25). All fecal samples were negative. Our study suggests that Helicobacter species, other than H. pylori, are not present in the normal human gastrointestinal flora and our results do not support a role of Helicobacter species in IBD. [source]

The effect of antibiotics and bismuth on fecal hydrogen sulfide and sulfate-reducing bacteria in the rat

FEMS MICROBIOLOGY LETTERS, Issue 1 2003
Hiroki Ohge
Abstract Colonic bacteria produce the highly toxic thiol, hydrogen sulfide. Despite speculation that this compound induces colonic mucosal injury, there is little information concerning manipulations that might reduce its production. We studied the effect of antibiotics and bismuth on the production of hydrogen sulfide in rats. Baseline fecal samples were analyzed for hydrogen sulfide concentration and release rate during incubation and numbers of sulfate-reducing bacteria. Groups of six rats received daily doses of ciprofloxacin, metronidazole, or sulfasalazine for one week, and feces were reanalyzed. Bismuth subnitrate was then added to the antibiotic regimens. While sulfide production and sulfate-reducing bacteria were resistant to treatment with ciprofloxacin or metronidazole, bismuth acted synergistically with ciprofloxacin to inhibit sulfate-reducing bacteria growth and to reduce sulfide production. Combination antibiotic,bismuth therapy could provide insights into the importance of sulfide and sulfate-reducing bacteria in both human and animal models of colitis and have clinical utility in the treatment of antibiotic-resistant enteric pathogens. [source]

Zoonotic risk of hepatitis E virus (HEV): A study of HEV infection in animals and humans in suburbs of Beijing

Low counts of Faecalibacterium prausnitzii in colitis microbiota

INFLAMMATORY BOWEL DISEASES, Issue 8 2009
H. Sokol MD
Abstract Background: The intestinal microbiota is suspected to play a role in colitis and particularly in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) pathogenesis. The aim was to compare the fecal microbiota composition of patients with colitis to that of healthy subjects (HS). Methods: fecal samples from 22 active Crohn's disease (A-CD) patients, 10 CD patients in remission (R-CD), 13 active ulcerative colitis (A-UC) patients, 4 UC patients in remission (R-UC), 8 infectious colitis (IC) patients, and 27 HS were analyzed by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) targeting the 16S rRNA gene. Bacterial counts were transformed to logarithms (Log10 CFU) for statistical analysis. Results: Bacteria of the phylum Firmicutes (Clostridium leptum and Clostridium coccoides groups) were less represented in A-IBD patients (9.7; P = 0.004) and IC (9.4; P = 0.02), compared to HS (10.8). Faecalibacterium prausnitzii species (a major representative of the C. leptum group) had lower counts in A-IBD and IC patients compared to HS (8.8 and 8.3 versus 10.4; P = 0.0004 and P = 0.003). The Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio was lower in A-IBD (1.3; P = 0.0001) and IC patients (0.4; P = 0.002). Compared to HS, Bifidobacteria were less represented in A-IBD and IC (7.9 and 7.7 versus 9.2; P = 0.001 and P = 0.01). Conclusions: The fecal microbiota of patients with IBD differs from that of HS. The phylum Firmicutes and particularly the species F. prausnitzii, are underrepresented in A-IBD patients as well as in IC patients. These bacteria could be crucial to gut homeostasis since lower counts of F. prausnitzii are consistently associated with a reduced protection of the gut mucosa. (Inflamm Bowel Dis 2009) [source]

IL-23/IL-17 immunity as a hallmark of Crohn's disease

INFLAMMATORY BOWEL DISEASES, Issue 9 2008
Veera Hölttä MD
Abstract Background: We studied the balance between ileal T-effector cells versus T-regulatory cells in active and inactive Crohn's disease (CD). Methods: We compared effector and regulatory T-cell-related markers such as interleukin (IL),17, interferon (IFN)-,, IL-4, and Foxp3 transforming growth factor (TGF),, CTLA-4 and markers for innate immune activation such as IL-6, IL-10, IL-18, IL-23, tumor necrosis factor (TNF),,, and IL-12p70, studied with immunohistochemistry and RT-PCR in ileal biopsies from patients with active or inactive CD and from control subjects. IL-17 in fecal samples was detected by ELISA. The effect of IL-17 on IL-8 and TNF-, mRNA expression in epithelial cell line Caco-2 was studied. Results: The numbers of IL-4-, IL-17-, and IL-23(p19)-positive cells in the lamina propria were higher in patients with CD, both active and inactive, than in the controls. mRNA expression of IL-17A, IL-6, and Foxp3 was increased in the biopsies both from patients with active disease and those in remission, whereas mRNA expression of IL-23 was increased only in active disease. Fecal IL-17 concentration was increased in patients with active disease. IL-17 enhanced the IL-8 and TNF-, response of the epithelial cell line to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in vitro. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that activation of the IL-23/IL-17 axis is fundamentally connected to the etiology of CD and may represent the basis for the relapsing nature of the disease by increasing the sensitivity of epithelium to microbial LPS. (Inflamm Bowel Dis 2008) [source]

Surveillance for highly pathogenic avian influenza in wild birds in the USA

INTEGRATIVE ZOOLOGY (ELECTRONIC), Issue 4 2009
Thomas J. DELIBERTO
Abstract As part of the USA's National Strategy for Pandemic Influenza, an Interagency Strategic Plan for the Early Detection of Highly Pathogenic H5N1 Avian Influenza in Wild Migratory Birds was developed and implemented. From 1 April 2006 through 31 March 2009, 261 946 samples from wild birds and 101 457 wild bird fecal samples were collected in the USA; no highly pathogenic avian influenza was detected. The United States Department of Agriculture, and state and tribal cooperators accounted for 213 115 (81%) of the wild bird samples collected; 31, 27, 21 and 21% of the samples were collected from the Atlantic, Pacific, Central and Mississippi flyways, respectively. More than 250 species of wild birds in all 50 states were sampled. The majority of wild birds (86%) were dabbling ducks, geese, swans and shorebirds. The apparent prevalence of low pathogenic avian influenza viruses during biological years 2007 and 2008 was 9.7 and 11.0%, respectively. The apparent prevalence of H5 and H7 subtypes across all species sampled were 0.5 and 0.06%, respectively. The pooled fecal samples (n= 101 539) positive for low pathogenic avian influenza were 4.0, 6.7 and 4.7% for biological years 2006, 2007 and 2008, respectively. The highly pathogenic early detection system for wild birds developed and implemented in the USA represents the largest coordinated wildlife disease surveillance system ever conducted. This effort provided evidence that wild birds in the USA were free of highly pathogenic avian influenza virus (given the expected minimum prevalence of 0.001%) at the 99.9% confidence level during the surveillance period. [source]

Untersuchungen zur prophylaktischen Wirkung der Verfütterung eines Probiotikums und von erregerspezifischen Kolostrum- und Dotterantikörpern bei neugeborenen Kälbern

JOURNAL OF ANIMAL PHYSIOLOGY AND NUTRITION, Issue 3-4 2000
M. H. Von Erhard
Studies on the prophylactic effect of feeding probiotics, pathogen-specific colostrum antibodies or egg yolk antibodies in newborn calves The prophylactic efficacy of feeding probiotics, specific egg yolk antibodies and specific colostrum antibodies on neonatal diarrhoea was investigated in a field trial with calves, grouped (n = 39/40 per group) according to the following treatments: Group I: feeding no additive; Group II: feeding probiotics (5 g powder/day with Bacillus cereus var. toyoi); Group III: feeding egg powder (10 g/day with specific egg yolk antibodies against rotavirus, coronavirus and Escherichia coli F5); Group IV: feeding colostrum antibodies (10 ml/day containing 1 g bovine immunoglobulins with specific antibodies against rotavirus, coronavirus and E. coli antigens); Group V: feeding egg powder together with probiotics (according to group II and III). The additives were given twice daily with the meal from day 2 to day 14 post-natum. The presence of infectious agents was proved in fecal samples of all calves. Intestinal infections with rotavirus (30.8% of the calves) predominated compared to those with coronavirus (7.1%), E. coli F5 (1.5%) and cryptosporidia (24.2%). In contrast to earlier studies, the manifestation of diarrhoea did not differ significantly between the five groups. Only the growth rate of the calves between day 2 and day 14 of life as a measure of their welfare showed treatmentFspecific differences. The control group (I) showed the lowest body weight gain of about 5.8 kg (SD 5.0), whereas in the treated groups it averaged 6.3 kg (SD 4.1, p = 0,60; group II), 6.8 kg (SD 4.3, p = 0.36; group III), 6.9 kg (SD 4.7, p = 0.61; group IV) and 7.7 kg (SD 4.9, p = 0.08; group V). Considering only the rotavirus-positive calves the body weight gain of the control group (I) was 3.5 kg (SD 4.8) and of the treated groups was 3.8 kg (SD 3.3, p = 0.65; II), 5.0 kg (SD 3.5, p = 0.54; III), 6.6 kg (SD 4.5, p = 0.05; IV) and 6.1 kg (SD 5.0, p = 0.13; V). Obviously, the feeding of antibodies from colostrum or from egg powder does increase the mean body weight gain. The feeding of probiotics alone has nearly no effect. However, in the combination with specific egg antibodies probiotics seem to have a synergistic effect. In serum from the 198 newborn calves the IgG concentration averaged 4.9 mg/ml serum (SD 3.3). From 93 dams of these calves a sample of the first colostrum could be obtained showing a mean IgG concentration of 22.0 mg/ml (SD 11.0). IgG levels in the colostrum and in the serum have been positively correlated (r = 0.37, p < 0.05). Calves with a high intensity of diarrhoea had a significantly (p = 0.01) lower mean IgG serum level (3.7 mg/ml; n = 36; SD 2.5) than calves without diarrhoea (5.6 mg/ml; n = 75; SD 4.0). In Rahmen eines Feldversuches wurde die prophylaktische Wirksamkeit verschiedener Futteradditiva (Probiotikum, spezifische Dotterantikörper, spezifische Kolostrumantikörper) bei der neonatalen Kälberdiarrhoe untersucht. Dazu wurden die Kälber entsprechend der Behandlung in folgende fünf Gruppen (je n = 39/40) eingeteilt: I: Keine Futterzusatzstoffe, II: Verfütterung eines Probiotikums (5 g Pulver/Tag mit Bacillus cereus var. toyoi), III: Verfütterung von Eipulver (10 g/Tag mit spezifischen Dotterantikörpern gegen Rotaviren, Coronaviren und E. coli F5), IV: Verfütterung von Kolostrumantikörpern (10 ml/Tag mit 1 g bovinen Immunglobulin mit spezifischen Antikörpern gegen Rotaviren, Coronaviren und Escherichia coli Antigene), V: Verfütterung von Eipulver zusammen mit einem Probiotikum (analog den Gruppen II und III). Die Prophylaktika wurden zwei Mal täglich vom 2. bis zum 14. Lebenstag mit der Tränke verabreicht. Bei allen Kälbern wurde ein Erregernachweis im Kot geführt. Rotaviren (30,8%) konnten im Vergleich zu Coronaviren (7,1%), E. coli F5 (1,5%) und Kryptosporidien (24,2%) häufiger nachgewiesen werden. Im Gegensatz zu früheren Studien konnten hinsichtlich des Durchfallgeschehens keine signifikanten Unterschiede zwischen den Gruppen festgestellt werden. Nur die Körperge wichtszunahme der Kälber zwischen 2. und 14. Lebenstag zeigte behandlungsspezifische Unterschiede. Die Kontrollgruppe (I) verbuchte mit 5,8 kg (SD 5,0) die niedrigste Körpergewichtszunahme. Verglichen damit lag die Zunahme der behandelten Gruppen bei 6,3 (SD 4,1; p = 0,60; Gruppe II), 6,8 kg (SD 4,3; p = 0,36; Gruppe III), 6,9 kg (SD 4,7, p = 0,61; Gruppe IV) und bei 7,7 kg (SD 4,9, p = 0,08; Gruppe V). Bei Rotavirus-positiven Kälbern war eine Körpergewichtszunahme von 3,5 kg (SD 4,8; Kontrollgruppe), 3,8 kg (SD 3,3, p = 0,65; Gruppe II), 5,0 kg (SD 3,5, p = 0,54; Gruppe III), 6,6 kg (SD 4,5, p = 0,05; Gruppe IV) und von 6,1 kg (SD 5.0, p = 0,13; Gruppe V) zu verzeichnen. Offensichtlich verhindert die prophylaktische Verfütterung von Kolostrum- oder Dotterantikörpern eine infektionsbedingte Verminderung der Körpergewichtszunahme. Die Applikation des Probiotikums alleine zeigte keinen vergleichbaren Effekt. Allerdings ist eine synergistische Wirkung in Kombination mit Antikörpern nicht auszuschließen. In den Seren der 198 neugeborenen Kälber wurde eine mittlere Immunglobulin G (IgG)-Konzentration von 4,9 mg/ml (SD 3,3) gemessen. Von 93 Muttertieren dieser Kälber konnte das Erstgemelk genommen werden, das eine mittlere IgG-Konzentration von 22,0 mg/ml (SD 11,0) aufwies. Die IgG-Gehalte in den Kolostrumproben und den Kälberseren zeigten eine Korrelation von r = 0,37 (p < 0,05). Kälber mit hochgradigem Durchfall hatten mit 3,7 mg/ml Serum (n = 36, SD 2,5) einen signifikant niedrigeren mittleren IgG-Wert als Kälber ohne Durchfall (5,6 mg/ml, n = 75, SD 4,0). [source]

ESCHERICHIA COLI O157 IN IRISH FEEDLOT CATTLE: A LONGITUDINAL STUDY INVOLVING PREHARVEST AND HARVEST PHASES OF THE FOOD CHAIN

JOURNAL OF FOOD SAFETY, Issue 3 2003
DONAL MINIHAN
ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to investigate fecal shedding and transmission of E. coli O157 in cohorts of cattle within a feedlot, to assess subsequent contamination of carcasses with this pathogen and to identify risk factors associated with fecal shedding of E. coli O157. A cohort of 133 heifers housed infour adjacent pens was examined over a five month period, from entering the feedlot to slaughter. Individual rectal fecal samples and pen environmental samples were taken at monthly intervals. The entire outer and inner surfaces of a carcass side of each animal were swabbed immediately following slaughter. E. coli O157 was isolated from 136 (23%) of the 600 rectal fecal samples; 96% of which contained virulent markers. One hundred and sixty environmental samples were examined and E. coli O157 was isolated from 46 (29%), all of which contained virulent markers. E. coli O157 was not isolated from any of the dressed carcasses. The prevalence of E. coli O157 fecal shedding may be related to the pen and E. coli O157 contamination of the pen floor feces, water trough and feed. E. coli O157 should be considered as a pathogen shed in the feces of a substantial proportion of feedlot cattle. However, with good hygienic practice at harvest, a very low level of this pathogen can be achieved on dressed carcasses. [source]

Yersinia pseudotuberculosis infection in breeding monkeys: detection and analysis of strain diversity by PCR

JOURNAL OF MEDICAL PRIMATOLOGY, Issue 3 2002
T. Kageyama
In the last three decades, several monkeys reared in outdoor/indoor,outdoor breeding colonies and cages of the Primate Research Institute, Kyoto University, died of yersiniosis caused by Yersinia pseudotuberculosis, necessitating introduction of a method to detect the bacteria rapidly and thus allow preventive measures to be undertaken. A rapid nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method for identification of Y. pseudotuberculosis in fecal samples and a random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD)-PCR approach for distinguishing between bacterial strains were therefore developed. Yersinia pseudotuberculosis isolates from monkey specimens were found to be classifiable into several types. To determine the source of infection, hundreds of fecal samples of wild rats, pigeons, and sparrows were collected from around the breeding colonies and cages, and subjected to PCR analyses. Yersinia pseudotuberculosis was detected in 1.7% of the fecal samples of wild rats. The DNA fingerprints of the bacteria revealed by RAPD-PCR were the same as that of one strain isolated from macaques, suggesting the wild rat to be a possible source of infection. [source]

Human caliciviruses detected in Mexican children admitted to hospital during 1998,2000, with severe acute gastroenteritis not due to other enteropathogens

JOURNAL OF MEDICAL VIROLOGY, Issue 4 2010
Ana Lorena Gutiérrez-Escolano
Abstract Few studies exist regarding the frequency of human caliciviruses as single etiologic agents in sporadic cases, or in outbreaks occurring in children hospitalized for acute gastroenteritis. In this study, a total of 1,129 children of <5 years of age and hospitalized due to acute diarrhea were enrolled from three main hospitals in Mexico City during a period of 3 years (March 1998 to December 2000). After analyzing all fecal samples for several enteropathogens, 396 stools that remained negative were further screened for human caliciviruses by RT-PCR using a primer set specific to norovirus and sapovirus. Human caliciviruses were detected in 5.6% (22/396) of the children. The minimum incidence rate for 1999 were 5.3% (7/132) for 1999 and 7.8% (13/167) for 2000, since only fecal specimens that tested negative to other enteric pathogens were examined. Positive samples were further characterized using specific GI and GII primers and sequencing. Norovirus GII was detected in 19/22 samples, most of them were GII/4, while sapovirus GI/2 was detected in one sample. Associations between the presence of human calicivirus and clinical and epidemiological data revealed that diarrhea occurred with a seasonal pattern, and that children hospitalized due to human calicivirus disease scored an average of 13,±,3.2 (SD) points on the Vesikari scale, which corresponded to severe episodes. These results highlight that human caliciviruses, by themselves, are enteropathogens of acute severe diarrhea among young Mexican children requiring hospitalization and that their detection is important in order to reduce the diagnosis gap. J. Med. Virol. 82:632,637, 2010. © 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source]

An in-house-anti-hepatitis A virus (HAV)-specific immunoglobulin M capture enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay: Evaluation and application to an HAV outbreak

JOURNAL OF MEDICAL VIROLOGY, Issue 9 2009
Tomoko Kiyohara
Abstract An anti-hepatitis A virus (HAV)-specific immunoglobulin M capture enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (anti-HAV IgM ELISA) kit was re-designed for laboratory use and compared with a commercial anti-HAV IgM detection system using 58 serum samples collected from patients, vaccines, and healthy individuals. Because concordance between the two systems was high (r,=,0.93, P,<,0.05), 19 sets of serum and fecal samples obtained from individuals exposed to an HAV outbreak were also examined. Serum levels of anti-HAV IgM were determined using the in-house ELISA kit and the HAV genome in fecal samples was detected using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Among the 19 sets of sample, 14 were positive for both anti-HAV IgM and the HAV genome. All of those whose serum samples were anti-HAV IgM negative were also negative for the HAV genome in fecal samples. The results of the in-house IgM ELISA were consistent with those of the HAV genome detected by PCR and with the commercial IgM ELISA. The in-house anti-HAV IgM ELISA kit was therefore proven suitable for laboratory use and applicable to epidemiological studies of HAV infection. J. Med. Virol. 81:1513,1516, 2009. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source]

Detection of human bocavirus in respiratory, fecal, and blood samples by real-time PCR,

JOURNAL OF MEDICAL VIROLOGY, Issue 3 2009
Sarah J. Tozer
Abstract Human bocavirus (HBoV) has been detected worldwide in respiratory samples. Two real-time PCR assays, targeting the non-structural protein (NP-1) and viral protein (VP-1) genes, were designed and validated to detect HBoV in patients with respiratory disease, gastroenteritis, or systemic illness. Sensitivity of the NP-1 and VP-1 assays were equal to the conventional PCR assay previously described by Allander et al. [2005: Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 102: 12891,12896] being 100%, and giving specificity of 94% and 93%, respectively. There was no cross-reaction identified with unrelated respiratory agents, or to human DNA. The limits of detection were 10 copies of genomic DNA equivalents per reaction for both assays. The assays were used to screen three different sample populations, combined nose, and throat swabs (n,=,96) from children with acute respiratory disease, fecal samples (n,=,375) from adults, and children with gastroenteritis and whole blood (n,=,229) collected from 31 immunocompromised children taken over an 18-month period. In total 17 (18%) respiratory samples and 18 (4.8%) fecal samples were identified as having HBoV present. Of the pediatric whole blood specimens investigated, HBoV was detected in six (2.6%) samples from four patients. In summary, two real-time PCR assays targeting different genes were designed and validated for use as screening methods for the detection of HBoV. HBoV was found in three different specimen types: parent-collected combined nose,throat swabs, fecal samples collected from symptomatic individuals and whole blood from immunocompromised children. J. Med. Virol. 81:488,493, 2009. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source]