Monozygous twins with Epstein–Barr infection in the nasopharynx

© 2020 National Academy of Pediatric Science and Innovation. All rights reserved. The article describes a clinical case of monozygotic twins with hypertrophy of the organs of the lymphopharyngeal ring. The examination revealed IgG to the Epstein–Barr virus capsid antigen in both patients. One twin had Epstein–Barr virus DNA in the sample from the oropharynx. It was this child who had complaints typical of patients with adenoid vegetation, and he required surgical treatment (endoscopic shaver adenotomy and radio wave bilateral tonsillotomy). At the time of the initial examination and in the absence of complaints the second twin revealed no DNA of Epstein–Barr virus in the oropharynx. This patient was diagnosed with adenoids of 1–2 degree. Due to the complaints of the second twin that appeared during the following year of observation, with previously negative results on active Epstein–Barr virus markers served as the reason for a repeated specific laboratory examination. Epstein-Barr virus DNA was found in a sample from this child’s oropharynx. This case using the twin control method by partner enabled us to demonstrate the significance of Epstein–Barr virus in the pathogenesis and clinic manifestations of chronic diseases of the lymphopharyngeal ring organs in children

Spoligotyping of tuberculous mycobacteria isolated from humans and cattle

© 2020 New Terra Publishing House. All rights reserved. Objective: To analyze the species and genetic families of tuberculous mycobacteria isolated from humans and cattle by spoligotyping. Subjects and methods. Biological materials collected in the cattle, livestock farmers (who underwent annual fluorographic examinations) and tuberculosis patients were studied. To identify mycobacteria, the spoligotyping method was used. Results. The article assesses the variability of sites within direct repeats (spacers), which are used in laboratory diagnostics for spoligotyping of mycobacteria and identification of tuberculosis pathogens. The frequency of combinations of different spacers in the analyzed mycobacteria in the specimens identified as Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex is compared with the spoligotyping profile of known mycobacteria thus establishing their belonging to a specific genetic family. The studied isolates were tested by microscopic, bacteriological, and molecular genetic (PCR) methods. Based on the results of spoligotyping, it was found out that they belonged to genetic families of M. tuberculosis of Beijing, LAM, and Haarlem

Seroprevalence and B1 gene genotyping of Toxoplasma gondii in farmed European mink in the Republic of Tatarstan, Russia

© 2020 Elsevier B.V. Toxoplasma gondii is a protozoan parasite that infects almost all species of mammals and birds, including fur-bearing animals. However, the prevalence of T. gondii among Russian fur-bearing animals is unknown. In this study, the seroprevalence of T. gondii in European mink in Russia was investigated. In total, 100, 119 and 61 serum samples were collected from a fur farm, located in the Republic of Tatarstan, Russia, in autumn 2016, 2017 and 2018, respectively. The seroprevalence of T. gondii in 2016, 2017 and 2018 was 32% (23.2%–42.2%, 95% confidence interval [CI]), 31.1% (23.1%–40.3%, 95% CI) and 41.0% (28.8%–54.3%, 95% CI), respectively. In total, 50 brain samples from 100 animals whose blood was sampled in 2016 were analyzed by PCR to detect T. gondii DNA. T. gondii DNA was detected in 14% (7/50) of the mink brain samples. To examine single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the partial B1 gene, we sequenced an 836-bp fragment, which contains a few SNPs, from the detected T. gondii DNA. The sequences of the fragments were identical to those of two of the major lineages, Type II and Type III, but differed from that of the Type I lineage

Initial multi-target approach shows importance of improved caprine arthritis-encephalitis virus control program in Russia for hobbyist goat farms

Background and Aim: Several reports described the detection of specific caprine arthritis-encephalitis virus (CAEV) antibodies in Russian goat populations, which indicates the circulation of CAEV in Russian goat farms. The aim of this study was to use a multi-target approach to testing with both serological tests and an in-house real-time (RT) molecular test to investigate the prevalence of CAEV in goats from three hobbyist farms in the Republic of Tatarstan, Russia. Materials and Methods: We applied a multi-target approach to testing with both enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and an in-house RT polymerase chain reaction test to investigate the prevalence of CAEV in goats. Animals from the three hobbyist farms were used in this study. The animals from two farms (n=13 for F1 and n=8 for F2) had clinical signs of arthritis and mastitis. In the third farm (n=15 for F3), all goats were home-bred and had no contact with imported animals. Results: CAEV antibodies (ELISA targets TM env and gag genes) were detected in serum samples from two farms (F1 and F2), indicating seroprevalence of 87.50-92.31%. Specific CAEV antibodies were also detected in milk samples. CAEV proviral DNA was detected in 53.85-62.50%. The results from all tests performed in the third farm (F3) were negative, indicating that all tests were 100% specific. Conclusion: The results showed that CAEV is circulating and present in small hobbyist goat farms in Russia. Serological and molecular tests could be important for programs to control and eradicate CAEV in Russia for hobbyist goat farms

Prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii infection among small mammals in Tatarstan, Russian Federation

Toxoplasma gondii is a zoonotic parasite with a wide host range that includes humans, domestic animals and wild animals. Small mammals serve as intermediate hosts for T. gondii and may contribute to the persistence of this parasite in the environment. Mass mortality in wild animals and deaths in rare endemic species make the study of this parasite of growing importance. In this study, T. gondii infection prevalence was evaluated in brain tissues from 474 small mammals captured at 26 trapping points in urban and rural areas of Tatarstan, Russian Federation. Nested PCR was used to detect the T. gondii B1 gene in the samples. Overall, 40/474 samples (8.44%) showed B1 gene positivity. T. gondii infection among the wild small mammals trapped in the rural area was significantly higher as a whole than that of the urban area as a whole. Multivariate logistical regression analysis also showed that the trapping area (rural or urban) significantly contributed to T. gondii positivity. Vegetation in the trapping points, small mammal species, sex, age or distance from the trapping points to the nearest human settlements did not significantly affect T. gondii positivity in the sampled small mammals