Clonal Spread of Streptococcus pyogenes emm44 among Homeless Persons, Rennes, France

International audienc

Challenges of monitoring reintroduction outcomes: Insights from the conservation breeding program of an endangered turtle in Italy

Captive breeding and reintroduction programs remain a powerful but divisive tool for management of threatened species, with a proven potential to avoid extinction, but low long-term success rates and high resource requirements. Monitoring the results of reintroductions is critical to be able to assess short- and long-term success, adjusting management decisions as new information becomes available. In this study, we assessed the first 15 years of the captive breeding and restocking program for the European pond turtle Emys orbicularis in Liguria, northern Italy. We estimated survival of released turtles by modelling mark-recapture monitoring data. We then used those estimates to update our prior expectations about long-term outcomes, and to adjust management decisions about the age of individuals to release. Modelling results suggest released turtles had sufficiently high survival, matching prior expectations, such that local extinction has been averted in the short-term. Survival was similar among carididate age classes for releases, suggesting the release of younger individuals can provide positive outcomes while reducing management costs. On the other hand, survival varied among sites, indicating the need for ongoing in-situ habitat management to ensure long-term persistence. Moreover, the late onset of sexual maturity in the species means reproduction of released animals cannot yet be determined with certainty. Captive breeding and reintroduction programs normally require long-term efforts; therefore, focused monitoring that is clearly linked to decision-making is necessary to continually refine and adjust management strategies. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved

Analysis of monitoring data from the captive breeding and restocking program for Emys orbicularis in Liguria

ince 2000, a captive breeding and restocking program for the european pond turtle Emys orbicularis has been ongoing in liguria, northern Italy, with the aim of preventing the extinction of the species in that region. In a previous study, we used a population model to predict the growth of a restocked population and to assess whether it would be better to release turtles of three, four or five years of age. However, that initial model was based on limited information, leading to uncertainty of our predictions. Here, we validate that initial study by analyzing the results of post-release monitoring for the first seven years of releases. We used a Cormack-Jolly- seber (CJs) model to estimate survival of released individuals. We then updated the uncertain estimates of survival in the original model and assessed whether the best decision had changed and the benefits of having obtained empirical data from monitoring. Modelling results suggests that released turtles have sufficiently high survival, matching prior expectations, such that local extinction has been averted in the short-term. survival was similar among candidate age classes for releases, suggesting the release of younger individuals can provide positive outcomes while reducing management costs. on the other hand, survival varied among sites, indicating the need for ongoing in-situ habitat management. In sites with less than ideal conditions, updated models of population viability suggest that long-term persistence depends on site conditions. Moreover, the late onset of sexual maturity in the species means reproduction of released animals cannot yet be determined with certainty. Captive breeding and reintroduction programs normally require long-term efforts; therefore, focused monitoring that is clearly linked to decision-making is necessary to continually refine and adjust management strategies

Epidemiology of Severe Streptococcus pyogenes Disease in Europe▿

The past 2 decades have brought worrying increases in severe Streptococcus pyogenes diseases globally. To investigate and compare the epidemiological patterns of these diseases within Europe, data were collected through a European Union FP-5-funded program (Strep-EURO). Prospective population-based surveillance of severe S. pyogenes infection diagnosed during 2003 and 2004 was undertaken in 11 countries across Europe (Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Romania, Sweden, and the United Kingdom) using a standardized case definition. A total of 5,522 cases were identified across the 11 countries during this period. Rates of reported infection varied, reaching 3/100,000 population in the northern European countries. Seasonal patterns of infection showed remarkable congruence between countries. The risk of infection was highest among the elderly, and rates were higher in males than in females in most countries. Skin lesions/wounds were the most common predisposing factor, reported in 25% of cases; 21% had no predisposing factors reported. Skin and soft tissue were the most common foci of infection, with 32% of patients having cellulitis and 8% necrotizing fasciitis. The overall 7-day case fatality rate was 19%; it was 44% among patients who developed streptococcal toxic shock syndrome. The findings from Strep-EURO confirm a high incidence of severe S. pyogenes disease in Europe. Furthermore, these results have identified targets for public health intervention, as well as raising awareness of severe S. pyogenes disease across Europe

Group A Streptococcus Meningitis in Children.

OBJECTIVE: To characterize the epidemiologic burden and the molecular determinants of group A streptococcal (GAS) meningitis among the pediatric population of the state of Paraná, Brazil. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Clinical and epidemiologic data were gathered by a compulsory notification system during the period 2003-2011. Bacterial identification, antibiotic resistance profile, emm-typing, pulsed field gel electrophoresis typing and virulence profile were analyzed by a central reference laboratory. A review of published pediatric cases of GAS meningitis from the last 45 years was undertaken and compared with the Brazilian series. RESULTS: The incidence of GAS meningitis among the pediatric population was 0.06 cases per 100,000 children per year and was associated with a case fatality rate of 43%. Neonatal age and the presence of an associated toxic shock syndrome were identified as risk factors for death. A distant focus of infection was present in more than half of the patients in the literature and in 36% in the Brazilian case series. A high diversity of emm-types was associated with GAS meningitis in Brazil. No single virulence determinant could be associated with death. CONCLUSIONS: Group A streptococcal meningitis is associated with high mortality and with a high diversity of GAS emm-types and virulence determinants in Brazil.JOURNAL ARTICLESCOPUS: ar.jinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishe

Assessing the status of amphibian breeding sites in Italy: a national survey

The ecological status of 203 amphibian aquatic breeding sites, selected from the national database of the Societas Herpetologica Italica (SHI), was surveyed in the period 2008-2009 to assess their ecological status. Sites were randomly extracted, after stratification by the three biogeographical regions present in Italy, besides Sardinia and Sicily. The field surveys, conducted by professionals, amateurs and volunteers, showed that since 1979 about 11\% of the sites were destroyed or no more suitable for the reproduction of amphibians that bred in the same site in the past. The percentage of destroyed or altered sites was 8\%, both in the Mediterranean and Alpine biogeographical regions, and 15\% in the Continental one. However, there were no statistical significant differences among the regions, suggesting that the rate of amphibian site loss was similar in different parts of Italy. This nation-wide monitoring project demonstrated that in Italy, during the last thirty years, a relevant proportion of amphibian breeding habitats has been destroyed or altered. The main cause of site alteration were land reclamation and water extraction