57 research outputs found

    Dermanyssus gallinae in layer farms in Kosovo: a high risk for salmonella prevalence

    Get PDF
    Background The poultry red mite (PRM), Dermanyssus gallinae (D.g.) is a serious ectoparasitic pest of poultry and potential pathogen vector. The prevalence of D. g. and the prevalence of Salmonella spp. within mites on infested laying poultry farms were investigated in Kosovo. Findings In total, 14 populated layer farms located in the Southern Kosovo were assessed for D. g. presence. Another two farms in this region were investigated 6 months after depopulation. Investigated flocks were all maintained in cages, a common housing system in Kosovo. A total of eight farms were found to be infested with D. g. (50%) at varying levels, including the two depopulated farms. The detection of Salmonella spp. from D. g. was carried out using PCR. Out of the eight layer farms infested with D. g., Salmonella spp. was present in mites on three farms (37.5%). Conclusions This study confirms the high prevalence of D. g. in layer flocks in Kosovo and demonstrates the link between this mite and the presence of Salmonella spp. on infested farms

    Genomic characterization of a novel group A lamb rotavirus isolated in Zaragoza, Spain

    Get PDF
    An ovine rotavirus (OVR) strain, 762, was isolated from a 30-day-old lamb affected with severe gastroenteritis, in Zaragoza, Spain, and the VP4, VP7, VP6, NSP4, and NSP5/NSP6 genes were subsequently characterized molecularly. Strain OVR762 was classified as a P[14] rotavirus, as the VP4 and VP8* trypsin-cleavage product of the VP4 protein revealed the highest amino acid (aa) identity (94% and 97%, respectively) with that of the P11[14] human rotavirus (HRV) strain PA169, isolated in Italy. Analysis of the VP7 gene product revealed that OVR762 possessed G8 serotype specificity, a type common in ruminants, with the highest degree of aa identity(95–98%) shared with serotype G8 HRV, bovine rotavirus, and guanaco (Lama guanicoe) rotavirus strains. Moreover, strain OVR762 displayed a bovine-like NSP4 (genotype E2) and NSP5/NSP6 (genotype H3), and a VP6 genotype I2, as well as a long electropherotype pattern. This is the first report of a lamb rotavirus with P[14] and G8 specificities, providing additional evidence for the wide genetic and antigenic diversity of group A rotaviruses

    First-in-Human Randomized Trial to Assess Safety, Tolerability, Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics of the KDM1A Inhibitor Vafidemstat

    Get PDF
    Vafidemstat, an inhibitor of the histone lysine-specific demethylase KDM1A, corrects cognition deficits and behavior alterations in rodent models. Here, we report the results from the first-in-human trial of vafidemstat in healthy young and older adult volunteers. A total of 110 volunteers participated: 87 were treated with vafidemstat and 23 with placebo. The study aimed to determine the safety and tolerability of vafidemstat, to characterize its pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic profiles, to assess its central nervous system (CNS) exposure, and to acquire the necessary data to select the appropriate doses for long-term treatment of patients with CNS disease in phase II trials. This single-center, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase I trial included a single and 5-day repeated dose-escalation and open-label CNS penetration substudy. Primary outcomes were safety and tolerability; secondary outcomes included analysis of the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics, including chemoprobe-based immune analysis of KDM1A target engagement (TE) in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and platelet monoamine oxidase B (MAOB) inhibition. CNS and cognitive function were also evaluated. No severe adverse events (AEs) were reported in the dose-escalation stage. AEs were reported at all dose levels; none were dose dependent, and no significant differences were observed between active treatment and placebo. Biochemistry, urinalysis, vital signs, electrocardiogram, and hematology did not change significantly with dose escalation, with the exception of a transient reduction of platelet counts in an extra dose level incorporated for that purpose. Vafidemstat exhibits rapid oral absorption, approximate dose-proportional exposures, and moderate systemic accumulation after 5 days of treatment. The cerebrospinal fluid-to-plasma unbound ratio demonstrated CNS penetration. Vafidemstat bound KDM1A in PBMCs in a dose-dependent manner. No MAOB inhibition was detected. Vafidemstat did not affect the CNS or cognitive function. Vafidemstat displayed good safety and tolerability. This phase I trial confirmed KDM1A TE and CNS penetration and permitted characterization of platelet dynamics and selection of phase IIa doses. EUDRACT No. 2015-003721-33, filed 30 October 2015. The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s40263-021-00797-x

    Poultry red mite (Dermanyssus gallinae) infestation:A broad impact parasitological disease that still remains a significant challenge for the egg-laying industry in Europe

    Get PDF
    Abstract The poultry red mite, Dermanyssus gallinae, has been described for decades as a threat to the egg production industry, posing serious animal health and welfare concerns, adversely affecting productivity, and impacting public health. Research activities dedicated to controlling this parasite have increased significantly. Their veterinary and human medical impact, more particularly their role as a disease vector, is better understood. Nevertheless, red mite infestation remains a serious concern, particularly in Europe, where the prevalence of red mites is expected to increase, as a result of recent hen husbandry legislation changes, increased acaricide resistance, climate warming, and the lack of a sustainable approach to control infestations. The main objective of the current work was to review the factors contributing to this growing threat and to discuss their recent development in Europe. We conclude that effective and sustainable treatment approach to control poultry red mite infestation is urgently required, included integrated pest management

    Acaricide Residues in Laying Hens Naturally Infested by Red Mite Dermanyssus gallinae

    Get PDF
    In the poultry industry, control of the red mite D. gallinae primarily relies worldwide on acaricides registered for use in agriculture or for livestock, and those most widely used are carbamates, followed by amidines, pyrethroids and organophosphates. Due to the repeated use of acaricides - sometimes in high concentrations - to control infestation, red mites may become resistant, and acaricides may accumulate in chicken organs and tissues, and also in eggs. To highlight some situations of misuse/abuse of chemicals and of risk to human health, we investigated laying hens, destined to the slaughterhouse, for the presence of acaricide residues in their organs and tissues. We used 45 hens from which we collected a total of 225 samples from the following tissues and organs: skin, fat, liver, muscle, hearth, and kidney. In these samples we analyzed the residual contents of carbaryl and permethrin by LC-MS/MS

    Should the poultry red mite Dermanyssus gallinae be of wider concern for veterinary and medical science?

    Get PDF
    The poultry red mite Dermanyssus gallinae is best known as a threat to the laying-hen industry; adversely affecting production and hen health and welfare throughout the globe, both directly and through its role as a disease vector. Nevertheless, D. gallinae is being increasingly implemented in dermatological complaints in non-avian hosts, suggesting that its significance may extend beyond poultry. The main objective of the current work was to review the potential of D. gallinae as a wider veterinary and medical threat. Results demonstrated that, as an avian mite, D. gallinae is unsurprisingly an occasional pest of pet birds. However, research also supports that these mites will feed from a range of other animals including: cats, dogs, rodents, rabbits, horses and man. We conclude that although reported cases of D. gallinae infesting mammals are relatively rare, when coupled with the reported genetic plasticity of this species and evidence of permanent infestations on non-avian hosts, potential for host-expansion may exist. The impact of, and mechanisms and risk factors for such expansion are discussed, and suggestions for further work made. Given the potential severity of any level of host-expansion in D. gallinae, we conclude that further research should be urgently conducted to confirm the full extent of the threat posed by D. gallinae to (non-avian) veterinary and medical sectors

    Chemical control of Dermanyssus gallinae: animal and human health concern.

    No full text
    The poultry industry still relies widely on chemical acaricides to control the red mite Dermanyssus gallinae. The number of registered products available on the market has remained limited, and farmers continue to use products not specifically labelled for use against red mites on poultry. These include products registered for use in agriculture or on other animals – often in higher concentrations and more frequently - or even, recently, ‘miracle’ products, containing unknown chemical molecules. The use of unregulated, ‘home-made’ treatments and the lack of regulations relating to products for treating red mites causes serious consequences to the poultry industry. In addition, the situation also threatens animal and human health because it favours the widely-attested development of acaricide-resistant D. gallinae populations, and the accumulation of acaricide residues in chickens' organs and tissues, as has already been registered in some specific cases of chemical misuse/abuse in Italy. The authors contribute their scientific experience and data in order to highlight the pressing need for stricter surveillance by the Health Authorities, who are urged to tackle the problem and to establish specific regulations in order to safeguard human and animal health, and to protect the poultry industry

    Survey on the presence of Salmonella gallinarum in Dermanyssus gallinae in intensive poultry farms

    No full text
    Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica ser Gallinarum is the causative agent of fowl typhoid. The disease represents a major concern among industrial poultry farms, causing heavy economic losses due to its detrimental effects on productivity and animal welfare. The pathogen is highly persistent and its eradication from an infected farm is often difficult. A possible cause of its survival may be the association with parasites, such as the poultry red mite Dermanyssus gallinae. The latter is widespread among European poultry farm, with infestation rates raising up to 90%. This study is aimed to evaluate the association among D. gallinae and S. gallinarum in the Italian intensive poultry farms. Seventy-four samples of mites were collected from 62 intensive poultry farms. Up to 100 mites per sample underwent to homogenization and DNA extraction. The extracted DNA was used as template in a seminested-PCR-based protocol, already proved to be sensitive and specific. Four samples out of 74 (5.41%) resulted positive for the presence of S. gallinarum. Three positive samples came from different laying hen farms, while the other came from a broiler parent farm. Such data confirm the association between D. gallinae and S. gallinarum, once again evidencing the potential vectorial role of the mite for the bacterial pathogen. Furthermore, they suggest that D. gallinae may act as a reservoir of S. gallinarum, as it could be hosted by the mite even during the sanitary breaks, which are carried out in order to eradicate fowl typhoid from an infected poultry far
    corecore