Chromosomal and genetic characterization of four Caribbean Prioninae (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) species with notes on biogeography

Chromosomes of four rare and localized Caribbean Prioninae (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) species were analysed. All have 26, XY karyotypes. Those of Solenoptera canaliculata (Solenopterini) from Guadeloupe nearby islands Les Saintes and Marie-Galante and S. quadrilineata from Martinique look similar. They have a single pair of sub-metacentric autosomes. The karyotype of S. touroulti from St. Lucia has three sub-metacentric pairs. It appears closer to that of Hovorodon maxillosum (Mallodontini) from Marie-Galante which has ten sub-metacentric pairs. The CO1 gene sequence, taking two European species Aegosoma scabricorne (Prioninae: Aegosomatini) and Ergates faber (Prioninae: Ergatini) as external groups was analysed in S. canaliculata and S. quadrilineata. In spite of their karyotype similarity, their CO1 genes differ by a strong accumulation of mutations. Thus, either chromosomal or genetic data confirm the species status of the three closely related Solenoptera species. Ten different CO1 haplotypes are found among the 21 specimens of S. canaliculata studied from les Saintes and Marie-Galante. Both different haplotypes were found in each island and identical haplotypes were found in different islands. Hence, the gene flow was not interrupted. Biogeographical parameters favor the hypothesis that repeated passages between islands were made possible by floating trunks, principally from Les Saintes to Marie-Galante

Prevalence and clinical course of hepatitis delta infection in Greece: A 13-year prospective study

Background & Aims: Hepatitis D virus (HDV) has decreased in Europe, but recent reports indicate a rising trend. We report the epidemiological changes, clinical progress, and effect of treatment on the natural course of HDV infection in Greece during the last 13 years. Methods: Prospective data were extracted from the Hep-Net. Greece Cohort-Study. Results: Since 1997, 4673 chronic HBV (CHB) cases (4527 adults, 146 children) have been followed prospectively. Two thousand one hundred thirty-seven patients were tested for anti-HDV [101 (4.7%) positive]. Anti-HDV testing in Greece decreased significantly (57.0% before 2003, 35.3% thereafter; p < 0.001). Anti-HDV prevalence among HBsAg-positives was 4.2%; lower in native Greeks (2.8%) than in immigrants (7.5%) or in children (15.3%; p < 0.001). Within 2.3 years of follow-up, HDV occurred in 11/2047 HBsAg-positive patients (2.2 new delta-infected adults and 8.7 children per 1000 HBsAg-positive annually). HDV-positive compared to CHB adults were younger (p = 0.035) and had more active and advanced disease at baseline, as indicated by laboratory indices and the higher prevalence of cirrhosis at younger age. During a 4.2-year median observation, significantly more anti-HDV-positive than CHB adults developed a liver-related first event (20.0% vs. 8.5%, p(Log-rank) = 0.014). Treatment was received by 46/90 (51.1%) patients, 40 of them interferon-based. In multivariable analysis, interferon significantly decreased disease progression in HDV-positive patients [HR = 0.14 (95% CI: 0.02-0.86; p = 0.033)]. Conclusions: In Greece, HDV serology is currently tested in only one-third of HBsAg-positive patients. HDV prevalence is lower in native Greeks compared to immigrants, who may contribute >50% of the HDV infection burden in Greece. Data show that HDV infection is a rapidly progressive disease, but interferon-based treatment may alter its course. (C) 2013 European Association for the Study of the Liver. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved