Molecular surveillance detects high prevalence of the neglected parasite Mansonella ozzardi in the Colombian Amazon

Mansonellosis is an undermapped insect-transmitted disease caused by filarial nematodes that are estimated to infect hundreds of millions of people globally. Despite their prevalence, there are many outstanding questions regarding the general biology and health impacts of the responsible parasites. Historical reports suggest that the Colombian Amazon is endemic for mansonellosis and may serve as an ideal location to pursue these questions in the backdrop of other endemic and emerging pathogens. We deployed molecular and classical diagnostic approaches to survey Mansonella prevalence among adults belonging to indigenous communities along the Amazon River and its tributaries near Leticia, Colombia. Deployment of a loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assay on blood samples revealed an infection prevalence of ∼40% for Mansonella ozzardi . This assay identified significantly more infections than blood smear microscopy or LAMP assays performed using plasma, likely reflecting greater sensitivity and the ability to detect low microfilaremias or occult infections. Mansonella infection rates increased with age and were higher among males compared to females. Genomic analysis confirmed the presence of M. ozzardi that clusters closely with strains sequenced in neighboring countries. We successfully cryopreserved and revitalized M. ozzardi microfilariae, advancing the prospects of rearing infective larvae in controlled settings. These data suggest an underestimation of true mansonellosis prevalence, and we expect that these methods will help facilitate the study of mansonellosis in endemic and laboratory settings.

A Stream-Wetland-Riparian (SWR) index for assessing condition of aquatic ecosystems in small watersheds along the Atlantic slope of the eastern U.S

As part of a regional study by the Atlantic Slope Consortium (ASC) to develop ecological and socioeconomic indicators of aquatic ecosystem condition, we developed and tested a protocol for rapidly assessing condition of the stream, wetland, and riparian components of freshwater aquatic ecosystems. Aspects of hydrology, vegetation, in-stream and wetland characteristics, and on-site stressors were measured in the field. The resulting metrics were used to develop an index of overall condition, termed the Stream-Wetland-Riparian (SWR) Index. Values of this Index were compared to existing biotic indices and chemical measures, and to a Landscape Index created using satellite-based land cover data and a geographic information system (GIS). Comparisons were made at several levels of spatial aggregation and resolution, from site to small watershed. The SWR Index and associated Landscape Indices were shown to correlate highly with biological indicators of stream condition at the site level and for small contributing areas. The landscape patterns prevalent throughout the entire watershed do not necessarily match the patterns found adjacent to the stream network. We suggest a top-down approach that managers can use to sequentially apply these methods, to first prioritize watersheds based on a relative condition measure provided by the Landscape Index, and then assess condition and diagnose stressors of aquatic resources at the subwatershed and site level.

An innovative way to continue the ministry. A Catholic multi-institutional healthcare system achieves public juridic person status

Members in a Catholic multi-institutional healthcare system that has been established as a public juridic person know their missions will be carried on even if they must leave the healthcare field. The establishment of a public juridic person was a goal of the Catholic Health Corporation (CHC), Omaha, since it began in 1980. The juridic person was to be named Catholic Health Care Federation (CHCF) in order to distinguish the canonical juridic person from the civil law corporation. It took many years to determine which competent authority was the most appropriate to grant CHCF public juridic status. The Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life (CICLSAL) was deemed the appropriate authority. CICLSAL established CHCF as a public juridic person on June 8, 1991. CHCF's member religious institutes are the same as CHC's. But CHCF is the canonical sponsor for two owned facilities and manages a third community-owned facility. The religious institutes remain the sole canonical sponsor for their own facilities; however, they jointly sponsor three facilities through CHCF. Public juridic person status is a way for CHCF to continue Christ's healing mission.

Case studies in canonical stewardship

In facing the challenges that confront Catholic health care today, it is important to know which civil law forms will assist in preserving the Church's ministry. The proper meshing of civil law and canon law thus provides a vehicle to strengthen the apostolate's work. The case studies presented here suggest several means of applying the principles in the new Code of Canon Law to three potentially problematic situations: the merger of a Catholic and non-Catholic hospital, the leasing of a Catholic hospital to an operating company, and the use of the multicorporate format.