Prevalence and Molecular Characterization of Cyclospora cayetanensis, Henan, China

To determine prevalence of Cyclospora cayetanensis infection in Henan, China, we conducted a study of 11,554 hospital patients. Prevalence was 0.70% (95% confidence interval 0.70% ± 0.15%), with all age groups infected. Most cases were found in the summer. Minor sequence polymorphisms were observed in the 18S rRNA gene of 35 isolates characterized

Coccidia-Microbiota Interactions and Their Effects on the Host

As a common parasitic disease in animals, coccidiosis substantially affects the health of the host, even in the absence of clinical symptoms and intestinal tract colonization. Gut microbiota is an important part of organisms and is closely related to the parasite and host. Parasitic infections often have adverse effects on the host, and their pathogenic effects are related to the parasite species, parasitic site and host-parasite interactions. Coccidia-microbiota-host interactions represent a complex network in which changes in one link may affect the other two factors. Furthermore, coccidia-microbiota interactions are not well understood and require further research. Here, we discuss the mechanisms by which coccidia interact directly or indirectly with the gut microbiota and the effects on the host. Understanding the mechanisms underlying coccidia-microbiota-host interactions is important to identify new probiotic strategies for the prevention and control of coccidiosis.</jats:p

Novel Anaplasma Variants in Small Ruminants From Central China

Anaplasma capra is an emerging zoonotic pathogen that pose a risk to the health of human and veterinary animal. Numerous variants in a variety of domestic and wild animals had been reported since its discovery and confirmation in humans in 2015 and its first detection from goat blood during 2012–2013. In order to find out more A. capra variants data of A. capra in central China, 16S rRNA, gltA, groEL, and msp4 genes of this pathogen were amplified from sheep and goat samples collected during 2011–2015 and phylogenetic analysis of these sequences were conducted. The results of 16S rRNA and gltA manifested that partial sequences obtained in this study were 100% identical with A. capra isolates, while phylogenetic analysis results of groEL and msp4 showed that the obtained sequences were independent with all other Anaplasmas, formed separate branches on the evolutionary trees. What needed to be emphasized was that the 16S rRNA and gltA gene sequences of X51 (KX505302 and KX450269), a sample from Shandong in 2011, were found to be 100% identical with A. capra. Therefore, we could speculate that the occurrence of A. capra may be earlier than its first discovery and report. And the A. capra isolates in central China were novel variants which were different from known genotypes.</jats:p

Molecular Detection and Phylogenetic Analysis of Anaplasma phagocytophilum and Related Strains in Cattle from Henan, China

Anaplasma phagocytophilum is a zoonotic pathogen transmitted by arthropod vectors. The pathogen infects various vertebrate hosts, causing mild to severe illness. Molecular studies have demonstrated that A. phagocytophilum exhibits a high level of genetic diversity, with two A. phagocytophilum-related variants identified in several countries. This study represents the first application of PCR amplification and restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) in conjunction with DNA sequencing to investigate the frequency and phylogenetic relationships of A. phagocytophilum and its related strains in cattle from China. A total of 662 bovine blood samples were collected from diverse regions within Henan Province, China, and pathogen DNA was detected in 75 samples, comprising 11.33% of the total. PCR-RFLP analysis identified three strains with frequency rates of 2.87% (19/662) for A. phagocytophilum, 11.33% (75/662) for A. phagocytophilum-like 1, and 3.22% (22/662) for A. phagocytophilum-like 2. Additionally, co-infections involving A. phagocytophilum and A. phagocytophilum-like 1 were observed as well as between A. phagocytophilum-like 1 and A. phagocytophilum-like 2. Anaplasma phagocytophilum-like strains 1 and 2 should be considered when diagnosing bovine anaplasmosis. Despite recent molecular studies of A. phagocytophilum-related strains, there remains a shortage of data concerning vector capability, the epidemiology of the disease, clinical signs, and genetic diversity of the pathogens. Thus, large-scale investigations involving animals and tick vectors are necessary to obtain more detailed information concerning the etiology of anaplasmosis

D-O-A based organic phosphors for both aggregation-induced electrophosphorescence and host-free sensitization

AbstractPure organic phosphors capable of room-temperature phosphorescence show a great potential in organic light-emitting diodes, while it is limited by the big challenge to realize efficient electroluminescence under electric excitation. Herein, we develop a class of organic phosphors based on acridine as the electron donor, triazine as the electron acceptor and oxygen as the bridge between them. Benefitting from the characteristic donor-oxygen-acceptor geometry, these compounds are found to behave an exciting aggregation-induced organic room-temperature electrophosphorescence, and achieve a record-high external quantum efficiency of 15.8% for non-doped devices. Furthermore, they can sensitize multi-resonant emitters in the absence of any additional wide bandgap host, leading to an effective narrowband emission with a peak external quantum efficiency of 26.4% and a small full-width at half maximum of 26 nm. The results clearly indicate that donor-oxygen-acceptor geometry is a promising strategy to design organic phosphors suitable for organic light-emitting diodes.</jats:p

Evaluation of the in vitro acaricidal activity of ethanol extracts of seven Chinese medicinal herbs on Ornithonyssus sylviarum (Acari: Macronyssidae)

AbstractOrnithonyssus sylviarum (Acari: Macronyssidae) is a common ectoparasite that feeds on the blood of poultry. Following infestation, this mite will cause symptoms such as weight loss, anemia, and decreased egg production. To explore green and safe drugs for the prevention and treatment of O. sylviarum, this study evaluated the effects of ethanol extracts of seven Chinese medicinal herbs—Leonurus artemisia (motherwort), Illicium verum (star anise), Cinnamomum cassia (cinnamon), Hibiscus syriacus, Artemisia argyi (Chinese mugwort), Taraxacum sp. (dandelion), and Syzygium aromaticum (clove)—on O. sylviarum at different life stages. The results showed that different methods of administration affected the acaricidal efficacy of these plant extracts on O. sylviarum. After 6 h of administration with the fumigation method, the acaricidal efficacy of S. aromaticum on adults, nymphs and larvae of O. sylviarum reached 100%. 30 min after administration with the infiltration method, S. aromaticum, H. syriacus and L. artemisia showed acaricidal effects on adults and nymphs of O. sylviarum reaching 100%. In another experiment evaluating the inhibition of egg hatching of O. sylviarum with alcohol extracts of these seven herbs, at 48 h after treatment, A. argyi and C. cassia showed inhibition rates of 19.4%. The results of this study indicate that S. aromaticum induced mortality at all stages of O. sylviarum, whereas A. argyi was found to be the most effective at inhibiting the mite’s egg hatching among the seven herbs. These herbs can therefore be used as potential substitutes for chemical pesticides to prevent and control O. sylviarum. These results provide practical knowledge for the control of O. sylviarum.</jats:p