Prognostic Role of CSF β-amyloid 1-42/1-40 Ratio in Patients Affected by Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

The involvement of β-amyloid (Aβ) in the pathogenesis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) has been widely discussed and its role in the disease is still a matter of debate. Aβ accumulates in the cortex and the anterior horn neurons of ALS patients and seems to affect their survival. To clarify the role of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) Aβ 1-42 and Aβ 42/40 ratios as a potential prognostic biomarker for ALS, we performed a retrospective observational study on a cohort of ALS patients who underwent a lumbar puncture at the time of the diagnosis. CSF Aβ 1-40 and Aβ 1-42 ratios were detected by chemiluminescence immunoassay and their values were correlated with clinical features. We found a significant correlation of the Aβ 42/40 ratio with age at onset and Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) scores. No significant correlation of Aβ 1-42 or Aβ 42/40 ratios to the rate of progression of the disease were found. Furthermore, when we stratified patients according to Aβ 1-42 concentration and the Aβ 42/40 ratio, we found that patients with a lower Aβ 42/40 ratio showed a shorter survival. Our results support the hypothesis that Aβ 1-42 could be involved in some pathogenic mechanism of ALS and we suggest the Aβ 42/40 ratio as a potential prognostic biomarker

Seroprevalence and Clinical Outcomes of Neospora caninum, Toxoplasma gondii and Besnoitia besnoiti Infections in Water Buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis)

One hundred twenty-four water buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis) originating from 9 farms locatedin southern Italy were tested to investigate simultaneously, for the first time, the seroprevalence ofthe protozoaNeospora caninum, Toxoplasma gondiiandBesnoitia besnoitiby ELISA tests and to evaluatethe clinical findings potentially associated to the presence of these aborting parasitic pathogens.Twenty-five of 124 buffaloes (20.2%) were positive forN. caninum, while 17/124 (13.7%) forT. gondii.No buffalo showed specific antibodies forB. besnoiti.Nineteen of 124 animals (15.3%) were foundseropositive for bothT. gondiiandN. caninum. The univariate statistical analysis showed that theseroprevalence ofN. caninumis significantly associated with abortion and presence of retained foetalmembranes, while the seroprevalence ofT. gondiiis significantly associated with an increase ofdays open. The logistic regression models showed that the co-infection byN. caninumandT. gondiistrengthened the abortive effects (OR=7.330) and showed further negative effects on the parameterembryonic death (OR=2.607). The outcome revealed herein represents a high exposure ofN. caninumandT. gondiiin water buffaloes with reproduction disorders that deserves attention for both economicreasons, animal health and welfare (PDF) Seroprevalence and Clinical Outcomes of Neospora caninum, Toxoplasma gondii and Besnoitia besnoiti Infections in Water Buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis). Available from: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/340129008_Seroprevalence_and_Clinical_Outcomes_of_Neospora_caninum_Toxoplasma_gondii_and_Besnoitia_besnoiti_Infections_in_Water_Buffaloes_Bubalus_bubalis [accessed Mar 24 2020]