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Timbrook TT, Glancey M, Noble BA, Eng S, Heins Z, Hommel B, Tessonneau M, Galvin BW, Macalino G. The epidemiology of pediatric outpatient acute respiratory tract infections in the US: a multi-facility analysis of multiplex PCR testing from 2018 to 2023. Microbiol Spectr 2024; 12:e0342323. [PMID: 38095469 PMCID: PMC10782947 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.03423-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2023] [Accepted: 11/20/2023] [Indexed: 01/13/2024] Open
Abstract
IMPORTANCE Post-pandemic, it is essential to understand the epidemiology of pediatric acute respiratory tract infections (ARTIs). Our multi-facility study elucidates the outpatient epidemiology of pediatric ARTI using highly multiplexed PCR testing, providing critical insights into the evolving landscape of the etiological agents with a particular focus on the years following the emergence of SARS-CoV-2. Utilizing data from two different multiplex PCR panels, our research provides a comprehensive analysis of respiratory pathogen positivity from 2018 to 2023. Our findings indicate that over half of the annual test results identified at least one pathogen, primarily of viral origin. Intriguingly, despite the surge in testing during the COVID-19 pandemic, pathogen detection rates remain similar to the pre-pandemic era. These data hold significant implications for directing antimicrobial stewardship strategies, curbing unnecessary antibiotic use in pediatric respiratory diseases, and the value of multiplex PCR testing in the outpatient setting among pediatrics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tristan T. Timbrook
- Global Medical Affairs, bioMérieux, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
- Department of Pharmacotherapy, College of Pharmacy, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
| | | | | | - Stephen Eng
- Baker Tilly US, LLP, New York, New York, USA
| | - Zoe Heins
- Global Medical Affairs, bioMérieux, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
| | | | - Marie Tessonneau
- Baker Tilly US, LLP, New York, New York, USA
- Global Medical Affairs, bioMérieux, Marcy l'Étoile, France
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Saribay SA, Tureček P, Paluch R, Kleisner K. Differential effects of resource scarcity and pathogen prevalence on heterosexual women's facial masculinity preferences. Evol Hum Sci 2021; 3:e48. [PMID: 37588556 PMCID: PMC10427302 DOI: 10.1017/ehs.2021.42] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The present research focused on how environmental harshness may affect heterosexual women's preferences of potential male mates' facial characteristics, namely masculinity-femininity. The evidence on this issue is mixed and mostly from Western samples. We aimed to provide causal evidence using a sample of Turkish women and Turkish male faces. A video-based manipulation was developed to heighten environmental harshness perceptions. In the main experiment, participants were primed with resource scarcity, pathogen prevalence or neither (control). They then saw masculinised vs. feminised versions of the same faces and indicated the face that they would prefer for a long-term relationship and separately rated the faces on various dimensions. In general, masculinised faces were perceived as slightly more attractive, slightly healthier and much more formidable. A multilevel Bayesian model showed that pathogen prevalence lowered the preference for masculinised faces while resource scarcity weakly elevated it. The overall drop in attractiveness ratings in cases of high perceived pathogen prevalence, one of the strongest effects we observed, suggests that during epidemics, the formation of new relationships is not a favourable strategy. Implications for evolutionary theories of mate preference are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- S. Adil Saribay
- Department of Psychology, Kadir Has University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Petr Tureček
- Department of Philosophy and History of Sciences, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
- Center for Theoretical Study, Charles University and Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Rüzgar Paluch
- Department of Clinical Psychology, Utrecht University, The Netherlands
| | - Karel Kleisner
- Department of Philosophy and History of Sciences, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
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Summerlin HN, Pola CC, Chamakura KR, Young R, Gentry T, McLamore ES, Karthikeyan R, Gomes CL. Fate of enteric viruses during leafy greens (romaine lettuce) production using treated municipal wastewater and AP205 bacteriophage as a surrogate. J Environ Sci Health A Tox Hazard Subst Environ Eng 2021; 56:1138-1144. [PMID: 34427159 DOI: 10.1080/10934529.2021.1968231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2021] [Revised: 08/08/2021] [Accepted: 08/09/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Water reuse programs are being explored to close the gap between supply and demand for irrigation in agriculture. However, these sources could contain hazardous microbial contaminants, and pose risks to public health. This study aimed to grow and irrigate romaine lettuce with inoculated wastewater effluent to track AP205 bacteriophage prevalence through cultivation and post-harvest storage. AP205 is a bacteriophage and was used as a surrogate for enteric viruses. Low and high dosages (mean ± standard deviation) of AP205 at 4.8 ± 0.4 log PFU/mL and 6.6 ± 0.2 log PFU/mL; respectively, were prepared to examine viral load influence on contamination levels. Foliage, leachate, and soil contamination levels were directly related to AP205 concentrations in the effluent. AP205 concentrations increased throughout cultivation for foliage and leachate, suggesting bacteriophage accumulation. During post-harvest storage (14 day at 4 °C), there was a significant decrease in AP205 concentration on the foliage. Results show that wastewater effluents usage for leafy greens cultivation can pose risks to humans and additional steps are required to safely apply wastewater effluents to soils and crops.
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Affiliation(s)
- Harvey N Summerlin
- Department of Biological & Agricultural Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, USA
| | - Cícero C Pola
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa, USA
| | - Karthikeyan R Chamakura
- Center for Phage Technology, Texas A&M AgriLife, College Station, Texas, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, USA
| | - Ry Young
- Center for Phage Technology, Texas A&M AgriLife, College Station, Texas, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, USA
| | - Terry Gentry
- Department of Soil and Crop Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, USA
| | - Eric S McLamore
- Department of Agricultural Sciences, Clemson University, Clemson, South Carolina, USA
| | | | - Carmen L Gomes
- Department of Biological & Agricultural Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, USA
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa, USA
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Milholland MT, Xu G, Rich SM, Machtinger ET, Mullinax JM, Li AY. Pathogen Coinfections Harbored by Adult Ixodes scapularis from White-Tailed Deer Compared with Questing Adults Across Sites in Maryland, USA. Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis 2020; 21:86-91. [PMID: 33316206 DOI: 10.1089/vbz.2020.2644] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The blacklegged tick, Ixodes scapularis, can acquire and transmit tick-borne pathogens (TBPs) responsible for diseases such as human granulocytic anaplasmosis (Anaplasma phagocytophilum [ANPH]), babesiosis (Babesia microti [BABE]), Lyme borreliosis (Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato [BBSL]), and the relatively novel relapsing fever-like illness, Borrelia miyamotoi (BMIY) disease in the northeastern United States. Coinfections with these pathogens are becoming increasingly more common in I. scapularis and their hosts, likely attributed to their shared enzootic cycles. Urban habitats are favorable to host species such as white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) and these ungulates are known to be important to I. scapularis for reproduction and dispersal in North America. To understand the relationship between TBPs, white-tailed deer, and I. scapularis, we sampled eight sites across central Maryland collecting I. scapularis using standard tick dragging/flagging methods and retrieved others from deer carcasses. Pathogenic TBP species in each tick were determined using qPCR. In total, 903 adult ticks (deer: n = 573; questing: n = 330) revealed landscape-level prevalence of ANPH (27.8%), BABE (1.3%), BBSL (14.6%), and BMIY (0.8%) as singular infections overall. However, secondary coinfections of ANPH and BBSL were highest (9.9%) in ticks feeding from deer while associations of BBSL and BABE (4.2%) were highest in questing ticks. Results from this study provide evidence suggesting that adult I. scapularis acquire pathogenic species through phenologically associated host use, and thus, subsequent infections found in adults may provide insights into coinfection relationships.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew T Milholland
- Invasive Insect Biocontrol & Behavior Laboratory, USDA-ARS, Beltsville, Maryland, USA.,AGNR-Environmental Science & Technology, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland, USA
| | - Guang Xu
- Department of Microbiology, University of Massachusetts-Amherst, Amherst, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Stephen M Rich
- Department of Microbiology, University of Massachusetts-Amherst, Amherst, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Erika T Machtinger
- Department of Entomology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Jennifer M Mullinax
- AGNR-Environmental Science & Technology, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland, USA
| | - Andrew Y Li
- Invasive Insect Biocontrol & Behavior Laboratory, USDA-ARS, Beltsville, Maryland, USA
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Devi M, Dutta JB, Rajkhowa S, Kalita D, Saikia GK, Das BC, Hazarika RA, Mahato G. Prevalence of multiple drug resistant Streptococcus suis in and around Guwahati, India. Vet World 2017; 10:556-561. [PMID: 28620262 PMCID: PMC5465772 DOI: 10.14202/vetworld.2017.556-561] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2016] [Accepted: 04/07/2017] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Aim: This study was conducted to determine the prevalence and antimicrobial susceptibility of Streptococcus suis and their resistance patterns isolated from both clinically healthy carriers and diseased pigs in and around Guwahati, Assam, India. Materials and Methods: A total of 497 samples were collected during October, 2012, to April, 2014, from clinically healthy (n=67) and diseased (n=230) pigs of varying age and either sex maintained under organized and unorganized farming systems. Samples were processed for isolation and identification of S. suis by biochemical characterization and polymerase chain reaction targeting the housekeeping gene glutamate dehydrogenase. In vitro antimicrobial susceptibility of the recovered isolates against nine antibiotic groups comprising 17 antimicrobial agents was studied by standard method. Results: Of the 497 samples examined, 7 (1.41%) isolates were confirmed to be S. suis of which 5 (1.87%) and 2 (0.87%) were derived from clinically healthy and diseased pigs, respectively. All the isolates were susceptible to gentamicin, amikacin, and erythromycin (100%) followed by the penicillin group and enrofloxacin (85.71%), ceftriaxone, doxycycline HCL, ofloxacin and chloramphenicol (71.43%), to kanamycin, clindamycin and co-trimoxazole (42.85%). The isolates showed least susceptibility to cefalexin, tetracycline and streptomycin (28.57%). All the five S. suis isolates from clinically healthy pigs were susceptible to penicillin G, amoxyclav, doxycycline HCl, gentamicin, amikacin and erythromycin, 80.00% isolates susceptible to ampicillin, enrofloxacin and ofloxacin, 60.00% to ceftriaxone, kanamycin and chloramphenicol, 40% to cefalexin, tetracycline, clindamycin and co-trimoxazole, respectively. Only 20.00% isolates were susceptible to streptomycin. Both the isolates recovered from diseased pigs were susceptible to ampicillin, ceftriaxone, gentamicin, amikacin, enrofloxacin, erythromycin, and clindamycin. On the other hand, both the isolates were resistant to cefalexin, tetracycline, doxycycline HCL, and kanamycin. Altogether five different resistance patterns (multi-drug resistance) were observed. Of the seven S. suis isolates, two isolates were susceptible to all the 17 antimicrobial agents, one isolate was resistant to four antimicrobial agents, two isolates to seven agents, one isolate to nine agents, and one isolate exhibited resistance to 14 antimicrobial agents. Conclusion: This study was conducted to determine the prevalence of S. suis in clinically healthy and diseased pigs and their antimicrobial susceptibility patterns. All the isolates were susceptible to gentamicin, amikacin and erythromycin, and most of them were resistant to cefalexin, tetracycline and streptomycin. Five different patterns of antimicrobial resistance (multi-drug resistance) were observed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mrinalee Devi
- Department of Veterinary Epidemiology and Preventive Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Science, AAU, Khanapara, Guwahati, Assam - 781 022, India
| | - Jyoti B Dutta
- Department of Veterinary Epidemiology and Preventive Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Science, AAU, Khanapara, Guwahati, Assam - 781 022, India
| | - Swaraj Rajkhowa
- National Research Centre on Pig, ICAR, Rani, Kamrup, Assam - 781 131, India
| | - Dhireswar Kalita
- AICRP/MSP on Pigs, College of Veterinary Science, AAU, Khanapara, Guwahati, Assam - 781 022, India
| | - Girindra Kumar Saikia
- Department of Veterinary Microbiology, College of Veterinary Science, AAU, Khanapara, Guwahati, Assam - 781 022, India
| | - Bipin Chandra Das
- Department of Veterinary Epidemiology and Preventive Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Science, AAU, Khanapara, Guwahati, Assam - 781 022, India
| | - Razibuddin Ahmed Hazarika
- Department of Veterinary Public Health, College of Veterinary Science, AAU, Khanapara, Guwahati, Assam - 781 022, India
| | - Gauranga Mahato
- Department of Veterinary Epidemiology and Preventive Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Science, AAU, Khanapara, Guwahati, Assam - 781 022, India
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Chaber AL, Cozzi G, Broekhuis F, Hartley R, W McNutt J. Serosurvey for Selected Viral Pathogens among Sympatric Species of the African Large Predator Guild in Northern Botswana. J Wildl Dis 2017; 53:170-5. [PMID: 27763827 DOI: 10.7589/2015-11-302] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
The recent increase in the creation of transboundary protected areas and wildlife corridors between them lends importance to information on pathogen prevalence and transmission among wildlife species that will become connected. One such initiative is the Kavango Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area of which Botswana's Okavango Delta constitutes a major contribution for wildlife and ecosystems. Between 2008 and 2011, we collected serum samples from 14 lions ( Panthera leo ), four leopards ( Panthera pardus ), 19 spotted hyenas ( Crocuta crocuta ), and six cheetahs ( Acinonyx jubatus ) in the Okavango. Samples were tested for antibodies against canine distemper virus (CDV), feline panleukopenia virus, enteric coronavirus, feline calicivirus, feline herpesvirus (FHV-1), and feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV). Evidence of exposure to all of these pathogens was found, to varying degrees, in at least one of the species sampled. High antibody prevalence (>90%) was only found to FHV-1 and FIV in lions. Only hyenas (26%, 5/19) were positive for CDV antibody. Except for one case, all individuals displayed physical conditions consistent with normal health for ≥12 mo following sampling. Our results emphasize the need for a comprehensive, multispecies approach to disease monitoring and the development of coordinated management strategies for subpopulations likely to be connected in transboundary initiatives.
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Fox M, Knapp LA, Andrews PW, Fincher CL. Hygiene and the world distribution of Alzheimer's disease: Epidemiological evidence for a relationship between microbial environment and age-adjusted disease burden. Evol Med Public Health 2013; 2013:173-86. [PMID: 24481197 PMCID: PMC3868447 DOI: 10.1093/emph/eot015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
People living in sanitized environments may be at greater Alzheimer's risk. We compare Alzheimer's rates in different countries in light of countries' historical and contemporary pathogen prevalence, sanitation, and urbanization. We find that countries that are less urbanized, with more pathogens and lower degree of sanitation have lower Alzheimer's rates. Background and objectives: Alzheimer’s disease (AD) shares certain etiological features with autoimmunity. Prevalence of autoimmunity varies between populations in accordance with variation in environmental microbial diversity. Exposure to microorganisms may improve individuals’ immunoregulation in ways that protect against autoimmunity, and we suggest that this may also be the case for AD. Here, we investigate whether differences in microbial diversity can explain patterns of age-adjusted AD rates between countries. Methodology: We use regression models to test whether pathogen prevalence, as a proxy for microbial diversity, across 192 countries can explain a significant amount of the variation in age-standardized AD disability-adjusted life-year (DALY) rates. We also review and assess the relationship between pathogen prevalence and AD rates in different world populations. Results: Based on our analyses, it appears that hygiene is positively associated with AD risk. Countries with greater degree of sanitation and lower degree of pathogen prevalence have higher age-adjusted AD DALY rates. Countries with greater degree of urbanization and wealth exhibit higher age-adjusted AD DALY rates. Conclusions and implications: Variation in hygiene may partly explain global patterns in AD rates. Microorganism exposure may be inversely related to AD risk. These results may help predict AD burden in developing countries where microbial diversity is rapidly diminishing. Epidemiological forecasting is important for preparing for future healthcare needs and research prioritization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Molly Fox
- Division of Biological Anthropology, Department of Anthropology and Archaeology, University of Cambridge, Pembroke Street, Cambridge CB2 3QY, UK, Department of Anthropology, University of Utah, 270 S 1400 E, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA, Department of Psychology, Neuroscience & Behaviour, McMaster University, 1280 Main Street W, Hamilton, ON L8S 4K1, Canada and Institute of Neuroscience and Psychology, University of Glasgow, 58 Hillhead Street, Glasgow G12 8QB, UK
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