BoLA-DRB3 exon2 polymorphisms among tuberculous cattle: Nucleotide and functional variability and their association with bovine tuberculosis pathology

Bovine tuberculosis (bTB) is caused by Mycobacterium bovis and disseminated worldwide. In Argentina, the highest prevalence occurs in dairy areas. BoLA DRB3.2 is related to the adaptive immunity in mycobacterial infections. Genetic polymorphisms of this marker have been associated with resistance or susceptibility to bovine diseases. We evaluated the association between BoLA DRB3.2 polymorphisms and bTB pathology scores in dairy and beef cattle breeds of Argentina. Most bovines exhibited visible lesions compatible with tuberculosis and, furthermore, 150 (85.7%) were also positive by bacteriology. A pathology index showed a variable degree of disease, from 3 to 76 (median pathology score = 9 (IQR: 7-15)). Thirty-five BoLA DRB3.2 alleles were identified with an associated frequency from 16% to 0.3%, distributed 73% (n = 128) in heterozygosis and 27% (n = 47) in homozygosis, with 12 BoLA DRB3.2 alleles (*0101, *1101, *1501, *0201, *2707 *1001, *1002, *1201, *14011, *0501 *0902 and *0701) representing the 74.7% of the population variability. A functional analysis grouped them in 4 out of 5 clusters (A-D), suggesting a functional overlapping. Among the 90 identified genotypes, *1101/*1101, *1101/*1501 and *0101/*0101 were the most frequent (10%, 8.9% and 8.9%, respectively). No association was detected between the pathology scores and a specific DRB3.2 allele (p > .05). Animals infected with M. bovis spoligotype SB0153 showed a significantly higher pathology score than those affected by the spoligotype SB0145 (p = .018). Furthermore, the Aberdeen Angus breed exhibited highest pathological scores (p < .0001), which were associated with disseminated lesion, thus suggesting that the host component could be important to the disease progression.

P1336 Sometimes the heart could appear different if seen under a magnetic resonance scanner: misdiagnosed cases of isolated left ventricle apical hypoplasia and double chambered left ventricle

Introduction

Congenital heart diseases (CHD) are detected in 1% of children, often usually the first year of life; however, many defects are diagnosed later or remain undiagnosed. Both congenital and acquired disorders could affect the left ventricle (LV). First-line assessment includes echocardiography; nonetheless, because of intrinsic or technical limitations and artefacts, further investigation may be required. Cardiac Magnetic Resonance (CMR) is capable of providing anatomical and functional information without many of limitations and drawbacks of echocardiography. We describe CMR findings of misdiagnosed cases of two rare congenital LV abnormalities: isolated LV apical hypoplasia (ILVAH) and double-chambered LV (DCLV).

Case report 1 (image A,B,D)

An 18 yrs girl diagnosed with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) was submitted to our CMR Lab for a functional assessment. After birth, deep Q waves in the inferior leads were noted on the ecg, and an echocardiographic examination showed a dilated and hypokinetic LV. At 1 year of age, she underwent cardiac catheterization that excluded coronary arteries anomalies and confirmed a reduced LV systolic function. A diagnosis of idiopathic DCM was formulated and she was initiated with anticongestive therapy. During the follow-up she felt well with normal exercise tolerance, longitudinal echocardiography did not show any substantial modification over the years. In 2018, a CMR study was performed. Surprisingly, the cardiac apex was formed exclusively by the right ventricle, wrapped around the LV. The LV appeared spherical and truncated inferiorly, and the apical portion was missing; LV volumes and ejection fraction were normal; regional akinesia and subendocardial late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) were evident at the inferior wall. These findings were consistent of ILVAH.

Case Report 2 (image C,E,F)

A 24 yrs old boy with prenatal diagnosis of LV diverticulum came to our observation for a CMR study. He was asymptomatic, particularly, no palpitations or syncope were referred, nor arrhythmias were detected during the follow-up; exercise tolerance was normal. CMR showed a coarse muscle band in the LV cavity, extending from the apex to the posterior papillary muscle, thus delimiting a contractile accessory chamber. LV volumes and global systolic function were normal. The LV accessory chamber presented a normal structured free lateral wall with a normal systolic thikening, except at the apical infero-lateral segment where it appeared thinned and akinetic and showed LGE with a subendocardial pattern. These findings were consistent of DCLV.

Conclusions

the LV could be affected by many diseases with different etiological, clinical and morphological features. Compared to other imaging diagnostic modalities, CMR allows better definition of LV morphology, function and tissue characterization, becoming essential for LV abnormalities diagnosis and follow-up.

Abstract P1336 Figure.

Influence of alkoxy chain envelopes on the interfacial photoinduced processes in tetraarylporphyrin-sensitized solar cells

We have investigated the effect of the alkoxy chain length and nature on the reduction of dye-to-dye aggregation as well as on the enhancement of light harvesting capabilities.

Multislice CT in congenital bronchopulmonary malformations in children

Congenital bronchopulmonary malformations encompass a wide spectrum of pathologies involving the lungs, trachea and bronchi, pulmonary vessels, and oesophagus. These developmental lesions are often isolated, but the association of two or more anomalies is not infrequent. Contrast-enhanced multidetector computed tomography (MDCT), thanks to multiplanar and 3D reconstructions, allows for detailed studies of these malformations, achieving better accuracy compared with conventional techniques such as chest X-ray, fluoroscopy, ventilation and perfusion scintigraphy and ultrasonography. MDCT is characterised by fast data acquisition and does not require sedation in the majority of cases. The main drawbacks of MDCT are the use of ionising radiation and - in many cases -contrast media. Recently, improved CT scanners and optimised CT protocols have made available to children all the benefits of MDCT, thanks to a significant reduction in radiation dose and an improved risk-benefit ratio. The aim of our paper was to evaluate MDCT in children with bronchopulmonary malformations by reporting our experience (about 2,400 studies in 30 months with a 64-slice MDCT scanner) and comparing it with the available literature.

Individual Animals of a Cattle Herd Infected with the Same Mycobacterium bovis Genotype Shows Important Variations in Bacteriological, Histopathological and Immune Response Parameters

Cattle are the host and main reservoir of the etiologic agent of bovine tuberculosis, Mycobacterium bovis; although other mammalian species, including humans, are susceptible. The tuberculin test and/or slaughterhouse surveillance is the diagnostic method used by control programs all around the world to control and eradicate the disease. In order to compare different tuberculosis diagnostic tests and to reach disease confirmation, a study was performed in a group of 14 steers of Friesian breed, reacting positively to tuberculin test. Three ante-mortem assays were performed according to the type of sample: the gamma interferon (IFN-gamma) test (which quantifies the release of this cytokine by sensitized lymphocytes in whole blood in response to purified protein derivative (PPD) and recombinant ESAT-6 and CFP10 proteins); PCR and bacteriologic culture from nasal swab and intradermal tuberculin test. These assays were taken at different times to assess the evolution of clinical parameters. Post-mortem examination showed macroscopic and microscopic tuberculosis lesions with acid-fast bacillus and positive cultures. By spoligotyping, we observed that all the isolates showed the same pattern. The positive results based on comparison to lesions observed ranged from 58% to 75% for the IFN-gamma assays, to 72% for cultures, and ranged from 50% to 90% for PCR in nasal swabs. In conclusion, in a herd infected by the same strain, ante-mortem direct and immune-diagnostic parameters change, suggesting that several tests are needed for a faster control of infection at herd level.

Pancreatitis caused by duodenal duplication

The authors present the investigations and surgical treatment of two cases of duodenal cystic duplication. Abdominal pain and gastroesophageal reflux were the most important symptoms and signs associated with an history of recurrent acute pancreatitis. Computed tomography scan, ultrasound examination, and cholangiography confirmed preoperatively the diagnosis, and a transduodenal surgical approach was carried out in both children. A simple marsupialization of the cyst was performed in the former, and a sphincterotomy with papillosphincteroplasty was associated in the latter. The diagnosis was confirmed by microscopy, and both the children are asymptomatic after a 14 and 18 months of follow-up. This report focuses on the importance of the cholangiopancreatography for every child presenting with recurrent, unexplained bouts of acute pancreatitis, and underlines the technical surgical aspects on the basis of the anatomic identification of the malformation.

[Intraparenchymal renal Doppler: the indirect signs of renal artery stenosis in native and transplanted kidneys in childhood]

Ultrasonography is currently the method of choice to examine the pediatric patient because it is widely available, noninvasive and inexpensive. Particularly, Doppler US is the method of choice to study renal artery stenoses, which are among the most frequent causes of arterial hypertension in children, in both renal allografts and native kidneys. This study was aimed at investigating the value of the indirect signs of stenosis observed during the assessment of intrarenal vessels--i.e., changes in the waveform, resistive index and acceleration index. We examined 63 renal allograft recipients and a 12-year-old boy with a native kidney and arterial hypertension. In all cases the Doppler curves of the intrarenal vessels were studied both qualitatively and quantitatively. In this paper we report on 5 cases (4 allografts and 1 native kidney) with major waveform changes in the downstream renal circulation. Our findings confirmed the resistive index and the acceleration index measured with Doppler US in the intrarenal vessels to be major diagnostic tools in renal artery stenoses in the pediatric patient when the renal arteries are difficult to assess. However, the technique exhibits some limitations and allows an unquestionable diagnosis only in severe stenoses.

[Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma with hepatosplenic involvement. The importance of imaging diagnosis using magnetic resonance tomography]

This study evaluates the importance of magnetic resonance imaging (MR) in the exploration of the abdomen in a case of non-Hodgkin lymphoma diagnosed in a 14-year-old boy. Results are compared with those obtained using two widely used diagnostic methods: CT and ultrasonography (US). US revealed a prevalent involvement of the spleen, whereas CT showed a marked hepatic infiltration. The role of MR seems important because it allowed the contemporary and careful evaluation of hepatolienal involvement. The main advantages and drawbacks of using MR in pediatrics, and in particular in the study of the metastatic involvement of hypochondriac organs are discussed.

[Treatment of pilonidal sinus. Our experience]

The various types of surgical techniques adopted in a group of 167 patients suffering from pilonidal cysts and fistulas are examined: closed, semi-closed and open method. The results are assessed and the reasons for preferring the closed method are examined.