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  • Klemmensen Hayes posted an update 2 weeks, 2 days ago

    Bayesian modelling estimated the sensitivity and specificity of the MAT as 96.2% (95% credible interval 91.8-98.8) and 82.1% (64.9-93.6), and qPCR as 90.1% (83.6-95.5) and 96.0% (82.1-99.8), respectively. True prevalence of T. gondii infection in feral cats on Phillip Island was estimated as 90.3% (83.2-95.1). Multivariable logistic regression analysis indicated that T. gondii infection was positively associated with weight and this effect was modified by season. Cats trapped in winter had a high probability of infection, regardless of weight. The present study suggests qPCR applied to tissue is a highly sensitive, specific and logistically feasible tool for T. gondii testing in feral cat populations. Additionally, T. gondii infection is highly prevalent in feral cats on Phillip Island, which may have significant impacts on endemic and introduced marsupial populations.To understand the importance of host’ habitat choice in determining parasite burden, we studied the distribution of two helminth parasites of the red fox (Vulpes vulpes) in south-eastern Europe (Romania) Crenosoma vulpis and Eucoleus aerophilus, both widely distributed respiratory nematodes parasitic in various carnivores. Even though the life cycle and biology of the two nematodes follow a different pattern, both parasites appear to be co-distributed and often co-infect foxes with variable prevalences across their range. Between July 2016 and August 2018, 550 red foxes, V. vulpes were collected by hunters in different localities from 22 counties of Romania and examined by necropsy. All parasites found in the trachea and bronchial system were collected and preserved in 70% ethanol. We characterised red fox/parasite habitats using seven predictors (fragmentation, altitude, presence/absence of water surface, per cent cover of arable land/grassland/urbanized areas/forest cover/wetlands). Prevalence, abundance, intensity, and sex ratio were calculated and statistically analysed using the R software. Out of the 550 examined foxes, 76.2% were infected with lungworms. The overall prevalence was 32.0% for C. vulpis and 72.5% for E. aerophilus. The mean intensity of infection was 13.70 for C. vulpis 6.15 for E. aerophilus. For both nematodes, the prevalence was significantly higher in males than in females, and there was no influence of hosts’ age. No statistical differences were found for intensity and mean intensity in the case of infection with C. vulpis and E. Selleckchem Val-boroPro aerophilus between age and sex categories. The abundance of C. vulpis showed a strong positive relationship with the presence of wetlands and habitat fragmentation. We found a significant correlation between the abundance of E. aerophilus and altitude, with foxes from higher elevations showing higher prevalences.Background While chemotherapeutic agents result in an improvement in both disease-free and overall survival in cancer patients, treatment can result in short and long-term complications. One well-known complication is neuropathy which can result from a number of chemotherapeutic agents. However, chemotherapy-induced phrenic neuropathy is an exceedingly rare phenomenon with few cases reported in the literature. Case A 34-year-old male with metastatic testicular cancer presented with progressive dyspnea on exertion after initiation of chemotherapy with bleomycin, cisplatin, and etoposide. Multiple diagnostic studies were performed including pulmonary function testing, chest computed tomography, fluoroscopic sniff evaluation, in addition to phrenic nerve electromyography. Based on results of these tests, the diagnosis of chemotherapy-induced phrenic neuropathy was made. Conclusion Chemotherapy-induced phrenic neuropathy, although rare, should be considered as a cause of dyspnea in cancer patients following initiation of chemotherapy.Amyloidosis is a rare disease especially the localized form involving pulmonary parenchyma. We report the case of a 74 years old woman who presented with chest pain and dyspnoea. CT scan showed pulmonary embolism and bilateral nodules. Laboratory examinations highlighted circulating Kappa IgM. 18F-FDG PET/CT showed intense activity of the nodules. Histological investigation supported the diagnosis of nodular pulmonary amyloidosis. There were no sign of systemic amyloidosis or autoimmune disease. No treatment was initiated the patient remains asymptomatic after one year. Localized pulmonary amyloidosis related to MGUS was the most likely diagnosis. Malignancy, a differential diagnosis of pulmonary amyloidosis, must be excluded histological examinations are overriding. Difference between systemic and localized amyloidosis conditions treatment and prognosis. This observation emphasizes the difficulty to establish the diagnosis of pulmonary nodular amyloidosis and the complex relationship between amyloidosis and thromboembolism.A patient with well-controlled type 2 diabetes mellitus developed a severe pulmonary infection secondary to Rhizopus spp. after receiving short courses of corticosteroids for a respiratory tract infection. He recovered after an aggressive surgical intervention and treatment with isavuconazole. Patients on chronic corticosteroid therapy have a higher risk for pulmonary mucormycosis, but there are much fewer reports of mucormycosis occurring in patients after only short courses of steroid therapy.Purpureocillium lilacinum is a rare but emerging pathogen in immunocompromised patients that primarily infects the skin and subcutaneous tissue. We present a novel case of Purpureocillium lilacinum infection in a patient with pyoderma gangrenosum who was successfully treated with isavuconazonium, followed by a literature review of 13 total cases of infection with Purpureocillium lilacinum gathered from a review of the PubMed database. Previous reports have utilized voriconazole, an antifungal with significant toxic side effects. Our case highlights the importance of culture and biopsy in patients with pyoderma gangrenosum who are unresponsive to standard treatment irrespective of pathergy risk.Tinea corporis and congenital ichthyoses are common dermatological diseases. The association of the two disorders is plausible due to the immunological and barrier defects of ichthyoses; however, relatively limited literature is available in this field. Since superficial fungal infections possess atypical morphology in keratinization disorders, and could imitate other dermatological conditions, the correct diagnosis can be challenging. We present the case of a 54-year-old woman with ichthyosis, who was initially treated for drug-hypersensitivity reaction.