Abortion outbreak caused by Campylobacter fetus subspecies venerealis and Neospora caninum in a bovine dairy herd

In November 2015, an abortion outbreak occurred in a commercial dairy herd of 650 Holstein cows in Florida department, Uruguay. Forty-five (45) cows aborted within 3 wk. Five fetuses were subjected to gross and microscopic pathologic examination, and microbiological testing. One fetus had fibrinous epicarditis and peritonitis, and neutrophilic bronchopneumonia. Campylobacter fetus subsp. venerealis was detected by direct immunofluorescence, isolated and identified by PCR and sequencing of the 16S rDNA in the abomasal fluid and/or lung. Histologic examination of two other fetuses revealed nonsuppurative necrotizing encephalitis, lymphohistiocytic myositis and myocarditis, and lymphocytic interstitial nephritis. In these fetuses, N. caninum antigen was detected intralesionally by immunohistochemistry, and N. caninum DNA was amplified by PCR on formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded brain. Antibodies against N. caninum were detected by indirect immunofluorescence in 10 of 27 cows, with titers ranging from 1/200 to 1/3200. The results indicate that two abortigenic microorganisms may coexist and cause contemporaneous abortion in a herd. It is relevant to highlight the importance of performing multiple diagnostic tests in various aborted dams and fetuses from the same herd for the etiologic confirmation of bovine abortion syndromeEn noviembre de 2015 ocurrió un brote de abortos en un hato lechero comercial de 650 vacas Holstein en el departamento de Florida, Uruguay. Cuarenta y cinco (45) vacas abortaron en un lapso de 3 semanas. Cinco fetos fueron sometidos a un examen patológico macro y microscópico y a pruebas microbiológicas. Un feto tenía epicarditis fibrinosa y peritonitis, así como bronconeumonía neutrofílica. Se detectó Campylobacter fetus subesp. venerealis utilizando inmunofluorescencia directa; se lo aisló e identificó mediante PCR y secuenciación del 16S rDNA en el líquido abomasal y en el pulmón. El examen histológico de otros dos fetos reveló encefalitis necrotizante no supurativa, miositis linfohistiocítica y miocarditis, y nefritis linfocítica intersticial. En estos fetos se detectó intralesionalmente el antígeno de N. caninum mediante análisis inmunohistoquímico, y se amplificó el ADN de N. caninum mediante PCR en tejido cerebral fijado con formalina y embebido en parafina. Se detectaron anticuerpos contra N. caninum mediante inmunofluorescencia indirecta en 10 de 27 vacas, con títulos de entre 1/200 y 1/3200. Los resultados indican que dos microorganismos abortígenos pueden coexistir y provocar abortos contemporáneos en un hato. Subrayamos la importancia de realizar pruebas diagnósticas múltiples en diversas madres abortadas y fetos del mismo hato para obtener una confirmación etiológica del síndrome de aborto bovino.EEA BalcarceFil: Macías-Rioseco, Melissa. Instituto Nacional de Investigación Agropecuaria; UruguayFil: Caffarena, Rubén D. Instituto Nacional de Investigación Agropecuaria; Uruguay. Universidad de la República, Facultad de Veterinaria; UruguayFil: Fraga, Martín. Instituto Nacional de Investigación Agropecuaria; UruguayFil: Silveira, Caroline. Instituto Nacional de Investigación Agropecuaria; UruguayFil: Giannitti, Federico. Instituto Nacional de Investigación Agropecuaria; Uruguay. University of Minnesota, Veterinary Population Medicine Departament; UsaFil: Cantón, Germán. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Balcarce; ArgentinaFil: Hecker, Yanina. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Balcarce; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET); ArgentinaFil: Suanes, Alejandra. Ministerio de Ganadería Agricultura y Pesca. Montevideo. Dirección de Laboratorios Veterinarios; Uruguay.Fil: Riet-Correa, Franklin. Instituto Nacional de Investigación Agropecuaria; Urugua

Variation of Hg concentration and accumulation in the soil of maritime pine plantations along a coast-inland transect in SW Europe

Financiado para publicación en acceso aberto: Universidade de Vigo/CISUGClimatic conditions have been shown as a major driver of the fate of Hg in forest ecosystems at a global scale, but less is known about climatic effects at shorter scales. This study assesses whether the concentration and pools of Hg in soils collected from seventeen Pinus pinaster stands describing a coastal-inland transect in SW Europe vary along a regional climatic gradient. In each stand, samples of the organic subhorizons (OL, OF + OH) and the mineral soil (up to 40 cm) were collected and some general physico-chemical properties and total Hg (THg) were analyzed. Total Hg was significantly higher in the OF + OH than in the OL subhorizons (98 and 38 μg kg−1, respectively), favored by a greater organic matter humification in the former. In the mineral soil, mean THg values decreased with depth, ranging from 96 μg kg−1 in the 0–5 cm layers to 54 μg kg−1 in the deepest layers (30–40 cm), respectively. The average Hg pool (PHg) was 0.30 mg m−2 in the organic horizons (92% accumulated in the OF + OH subhorizons), and 27.4 mg m−2 in the mineral soil. Changes in climatic factors, mainly precipitation, along the coast-inland transect resulted in a remarkable variation of THg in the OL subhorizons, consistent with their role as the first receiver of atmospheric Hg inputs. The high precipitation rate and the occurrence of fogs in coastal areas characterized by the oceanic influence would explain the higher THg found in the uppermost soil layers of pine stands located close to the coastline. The regional climate is key to the fate of mercury in forest ecosystems by influencing the plant growth and subsequent atmospheric Hg uptake, the atmospheric Hg transference to the soil surface (wet and dry deposition and litterfall) and the dynamics that determine net Hg accumulation in the forest floor.Ministerio de Educación y Formación Profesional | Ref. FPU17/05484Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación | Ref. PID 2021-125114OB-I00Consellería de Cultura, Educación e Universidade (Xunta de Galicia) | Ref. ED431C2021/46- GRCUniversidad de Vigo/CISU

Ocular changes due to the treatment of juvenile systemic lupus erythematosus

OBJECTIVE: To assess retrospectively the ocular changes in children and adolescents with juvenile systemic lupus erythematosus (JSLE) in a tertiary pediatric rheumatology service. METHODS: This study assessed 117 JSLE patients (85.5% female, 60.7% non-Caucasian), who met at least four criteria of the 1997 SLE classification of the American College of Rheumatology. Their mean age was 10.4 years, and their mean time of disease progression was 5.4 years. A protocol containing clinical and demographic data, ophthalmologic complaints and changes, age of onset, duration of medication use, and cumulative medication dose was applied. RESULTS: Of the 117 patients, 24 (20.5%) had ocular changes. Sixteen of them had abnormal fundoscopy associated with systemic hypertension and/or use of chloroquine; four had cataract; two had glaucoma; and two had cataract and glaucoma. The mean age of ocular change onset was 14.1 years. Patients with ocular changes received statistically higher and longer doses of glucocorticoid pulse therapy as compared with patients without ocular changes [1.5 (0.4 to 1.6) versus 1 (0.2 to 1.6) mg/kg, P = 0.003; 25.7 (2-99) versus 17.8 (1-114) months, P = 0.0001, respectively]. CONCLUSION: A high prevalence of ocular changes relating mainly to the treatment of JSLE was observed. This demonstrates the need for regular ophthalmologic examinations even in asymptomatic patients, aiming at the early diagnosis and intervention, and at decreasing the ocular morbidity related to that disease.OBJETIVO: Avaliar retrospectivamente as alterações oftalmológicas de crianças e adolescentes com lúpus eritematoso sistêmico juvenil (LESJ) em um serviço de reumatologia pediátrica terciário. MÉTODOS: Avaliamos 117 pacientes com LESJ (85,5% do gênero feminino, 60,7% não caucasoides) com média de idade de 10,4 anos e média de tempo de evolução da doença de 5,4 anos que preenchiam no mínimo quatro critérios de classificação do LES de acordo com o American College of Rheumatology de 1997. Aplicamos um protocolo que continha dados clínicos e demográficos, queixas e alterações oftalmológicas, idade do início, tempo de uso e dose cumulativa das medicações. RESULTADOS: Dos 117 pacientes, 24 (20,5%) apresentaram alterações oftalmológicas. Destes, 16 apresentaram alteração de fundo de olho associada a hipertensão arterial sistêmica e/ou uso de cloroquina, quatro apresentaram catarata, dois apresentaram glaucoma e dois apresentaram catarata e glaucoma. A média de idade do aparecimento das alterações oftalmológicas foi de 14,1 anos. Os pacientes com alterações oftalmológicas receberam, estatisticamente, maiores doses e tempos de pulsoterapia de glicocorticoide em relação aos pacientes sem alterações oftalmológicas [1,5 (0,4-1,6) versus 1 (0,2-1,6) mg/kg, P = 0,003; 25,7 (2-99) versus 17,8 (1-114) meses, P = 0,0001; respectivamente]. CONCLUSÃO: Verificamos alta prevalência de alterações oftalmológicas relacionadas principalmente ao tratamento do LESJ, o que demonstra a necessidade de avaliações regulares mesmo em pacientes assintomáticos, visando ao diagnóstico e intervenção precoces e à diminuição da morbidade ocular relacionada a essa doença.Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP) Departamento de Pediatria setor de Reumatologia PediátricaUNIFESPUNIFESP, Depto. de Pediatria setor de Reumatologia PediátricaUNIFESPSciEL

Needle age and precipitation as drivers of Hg accumulation and deposition in coniferous forests from a southwestern European Atlantic region

Financiado para publicación en acceso aberto: Universidade de Vigo/CISUGVegetation and climate are critical in the biogeochemical cycle of Hg in forest ecosystems. The study assesses the influence of needle age and precipitation on the accumulation of Hg in needle biomass and its deposition by litterfall in thirty-one pine plantations spread throughout two biogeographical regions in SW Europe. Welldeveloped branches of Pinus pinaster were sampled and pine needles were classified according to 4 age classes (y0, y1, y2, y3). The concentration of total Hg (THg) was analyzed in the samples and Hg content in needle biomass and its deposition by litterfall were estimated. The concentration of total Hg (THg) increased with needle age ranging from 9.1 to 32.7 μg Hg kg−1 in the youngest and oldest needles, respectively. The rate of Hg uptake (HgR) three years after needle sprouting was 10.2 ± 2.3 μg Hg kg−1 yr−1, but it decreased with needle age probably due to a diminution in photosynthetic activity as needles get older. The average total Hg stored in needle biomass (HgWt) ranged from 5.6 to 87.8 mg Hg ha−1, with intermediate needle age classes (y1 and y2) accounting for 70% of the total Hg stored in the whole needle biomass. The average deposition flux of Hg through needle litterfall (HgLt) was 1.5 μg Hg m−2 yr−1, with the y2 and y3 needles contributing most to the total Hg flux. The spatial variation of THg, HgWt and HgLt decreased from coastal pine stands, characterized by an oceanic climate, to inland pine stands, a feature closely related to the dominant precipitation regime in the study area. Climatic conditions and needle age are the main factors affecting Hg accumulation in tree foliage, and should be considered for an accurate assessment of forest Hg pools at a regional scale and their potential consequences in the functioning of terrestrial ecosystems.Ministerio de Educación y Formación Profesional | Ref. FPU17/05484Xunta de Galicia | Ref. ED431C 2021/46-GRCXunta de Galicia | Ref. ED431F2018/06-EXCELENCIAXunta de Galicia | Ref. ED431C2018/0

Mercury in a birch forest in SW Europe: Deposition flux by litterfall and pools in aboveground tree biomass and soils

Financiado para publicación en acceso aberto: Universidade de Vigo/CISUGAtmospheric mercury (Hg) is largely assimilated by vegetation and subsequently transferred to the soil by litterfall, which highlights the role of forests as one of the largest global Hg sinks within terrestrial ecosystems. We assessed the pool of Hg in the aboveground biomass (leaves, wood, bark, branches and twigs), the Hg deposition flux through litterfall over two years (by sorting fallen biomass in leaves, twigs, reproductive structures and miscellaneous) and its accumulation in the soil profile in a deciduous forest dominated by Betula alba from SW Europe. The total Hg pool in the aboveground birch biomass was in the range 532–683 mg ha−1, showing the following distribution by plant tissues: well-developed leaves (171 mg ha−1) > twigs (160 mg ha−1) > bark (159 mg ha−1) > bole wood (145 mg ha−1) > fine branches (25 mg ha−1) > thick branches (24 mg ha−1) > newly sprouted leaves (20 mg ha−1). The total Hg deposition fluxes through litterfall were 15.4 and 11.7 μg m−2 yr−1 for the two years studied, with the greatest contribution coming from birch leaves (73 %). In the soil profile, the pool of Hg in the mineral soil (37.0 mg m−2) was an order of magnitude higher than in the organic horizons (1.0 mg m−2), mostly conditioned by parameters such as soil bulk density and thickness, total C andNcontents and the presence of certain Al compounds.Ministerio de Educación y Formación Profesional | Ref. FPU17/05484Xunta de Galicia | Ref. ED431C2021/46-GRCXunta de Galicia | Ref. ED431F2018/06- EXCELENCI

Serological evidence of human infection with Coxiella burnetii after occupational exposure to aborting cattle

Cattle are broadly deemed a source of Coxiella burnetii; however, evidence reinforcing their role in human infection is scarce. Most published human Q fever outbreaks relate to exposure to small ruminants, notably goats. Anti-phase II C. burnetii IgG and IgM were measured by indirect fluorescent antibody tests in 27 farm and veterinary diagnostic laboratory workers to ascertain whether occupational exposure to cattle aborting due to C. burnetii was the probable source of exposure. Four serological profiles were identified on the basis of anti-phase II IgG and IgM titres. Profile 1, characterised by high IgM levels and concurrent, lower IgG titres (3/27; 11.1%); Profile 2, with both isotypes with IgG titres higher than IgM (2/27; 7.4%); Profile 3 with only IgG phase II (5/27; 18.5%); and Profile 4, in which neither IgM nor IgG were detected (17/27; 63.0%). Profiles 1 and 2 are suggestive of recent C. burnetii exposure, most likely 2.5–4.5 months before testing and, hence, during the window of exposure to the bovine abortions. Profile 3 suggested C. burnetii exposure that most likely predated the window of exposure to aborting cattle, while Profile 4 represented seronegative individuals and, hence, likely uninfected. This study formally linked human Q fever to exposure to C. burnetii infected cattle as a specific occupational hazard for farm and laboratory workers handling bovine aborted material

Diagnosis of Bovine Genital Campylobacteriosis in South America

Bovine genital campylobacteriosis (BGC) is a venereal infectious disease that affects reproduction. It is caused by the Gram-negative bacillus Campylobacter fetus subspecies venerealis (Cfv), which may include the biotype intermedius. The bull is a lifelong asymptomatic carrier and transmitter of the disease. In females Cfv may cause infertility and sporadic abortion. The objective of this study is to review and discuss methods for the diagnosis of BGC, its prevalence and economic impact in South America. BGC is a worldwide distributed disease and can cause a pregnancy rate decrease of 15–25%. The farm prevalence of BGC in different regions of South American countries shows a variation between 2.3 and 100%. Discrepancies may depend on the differences on sanitary, management, and reproductive practices between farms and regions, but also on the interpretation of different diagnostic tests. Currently known laboratory tests include bacterial culture, direct immunofluorescence, immunoenzymatic assays, vaginal mucus agglutination test, PCR-based methods, histology and immunohistochemistry, which are applied and interpreted in diagnostic laboratories at different scales. Epidemiologic data of BGC in South America should be interpreted with caution. High prevalence has been reported in some studies, although the low specificity of the diagnostic tests used could lead to an overestimation of the results

Diffuse idiopathic musculoskeletal pain in childhood and adolescence

OBJECTIVE: Persistent or intermittent diffuse idiopathic musculoskeletal pain is defined by the presence of pain over three months with no apparent etiology. The diagnosis of this condition in children and adolescents is increasing. The objective of this study was to report the cases of two patients with disabling pain that received multidiscipli-nary treatment and to review the current literature about this subject. CASE DESCRIPTION: The first patient is a nine-year old girl with history of headache, musculoskeletal pain and abdominal pain for two years. During this period she had four episodes of absence of gait with no apparent organic cause. The second patient is a 14-year girl with severe daily low back pain for 14 months, followed by headache and fatigue. Both patients presented a normal physical examina-tion, except for allodynia (case 1) and fibromyalgia tender points (case 2). All tests resulted negative regarding the search for organic reasons for pain complaints. Significant clinical improvement was observed with a multidisciplinary approach offered by pediatricians, psychologists, physical therapists, and nutritionists. Both patients resumed their daily regular activities. COMMENTS: Team integrated performance in a short-term period can provide the attenuation of pain symptoms since emotional, physical and nutritional factors are related to the pain expressed by the patients.OBJETIVO: A dor musculoesquelética difusa idiopática persistente ou intermitente é definida pela presença de dor com duração de três meses ou mais, sem etiologia aparente, e tem acometido cada vez mais crianças e adolescentes. Este estudo objetivou relatar dois pacientes com dor incapacitante submetidos à abordagem e ao tratamento multiprofissional, além de discutir o tratamento conduzido, por meio de revisão da literatura atual. DESCRIÇÃO DO CASO: O primeiro caso é de uma menina com nove anos de idade, com histórico de cefaleia, dor mus-culoesquelética e dor abdominal há dois anos, período no qual apresentou quatro episódios de ausência de marcha, sem causas orgânicas aparentes. O segundo caso refere-se a uma adolescente de 14 anos com lombalgia diária há 14 meses de forte intensidade, com irradiação para membros inferiores, acompanhada de cefaleia, fadiga e adinamia. Ambas apresentavam exame físico normal, exceto pela presença de alodínia (caso 1) e pontos de fibromialgia (caso 2); além de exames subsidiários normais, sem justificativas orgânicas para as queixas dolorosas. Houve melhora clínica significativa após diagnóstico e tratamento diferencial por meio de abordagem multiprofissional (médico, psicólogo, fisioterapeuta e nutricionista), com retomada das atividades regulares pelas pacientes. COMENTÁRIOS: A atuação integrada da equipe em um curto período de tempo proporcionou às pacientes a retomada de suas atividades normais, visto que fatores emocionais, físicos e nutricionais relacionam-se à dor.Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP)Universidade Federal de São Paulo, EPM, São Paulo, BrazilSciEL