Inquilinus limosus in Patients with Cystic Fibrosis, Germany

We identified Inquilinus limosus, a recently described α-proteobacterium, in sputum of 2 patients with cystic fibrosis whose respiratory tracts were persistently colonized for >9 months. We present data on the epidemiology, antimicrobial susceptibility, and molecular characteristics of I. limosus

High Local Diversity of Trypanosoma in a Common Bat Species, and Implications for the Biogeography and Taxonomy of the T. cruzi Clade

The Trypanosoma cruzi clade is a group of parasites that comprises T. cruzi sensu lato and its closest relatives. Although several species have been confirmed phylogenetically to belong to this clade, it is uncertain how many more species can be expected to belong into this group. Here, we present the results of a survey of trypanosome parasites of the bat Artibeus jamaicensis from the Panama´ Canal Zone, an important seed disperser. Using a genealogical species delimitation approach, the Poisson tree processes (PTP), we tentatively identified five species of trypanosomes – all belonging to the T. cruzi clade. A small monophyletic group of three putative Trypanosoma species places at the base of the clade phylogeny, providing evidence for at least five independent colonization events of these parasites into the New World. Artibeus jamaicensis presents a high diversity of these blood parasites and is the vertebrate with the highest number of putative trypanosome species reported from a single locality. Our results emphasize the need for continued efforts to survey mammalian trypanosomes

Two Novel Parvoviruses in Frugivorous New and Old World Bats

Bats, a globally distributed group of mammals with high ecological importance, are increasingly recognized as natural reservoir hosts for viral agents of significance to human and animal health. In the present study, we evaluated pools of blood samples obtained from two phylogenetically distant bat families, in particular from flying foxes (Pteropodidae), Eidolon helvum in West Africa, and from two species of New World leaf-nosed fruit bats (Phyllostomidae), Artibeus jamaicensis and Artibeus lituratus in Central America. A sequence-independent virus discovery technique (VIDISCA) was used in combination with high throughput sequencing to detect two novel parvoviruses: a PARV4-like virus named Eh-BtPV-1 in Eidolon helvum from Ghana and the first member of a putative new genus in Artibeus jamaicensis from Panama (Aj-BtPV-1). Those viruses were circulating in the corresponding bat colony at rates of 7–8%. Aj-BtPV-1 was also found in Artibeus lituratus (5.5%). Both viruses were detected in the blood of infected animals at high concentrations: up to 10E8 and to 10E10 copies/ml for Aj-BtPV-1 and Eh-BtPV-1 respectively. Eh-BtPV-1 was additionally detected in all organs collected from bats (brain, lungs, liver, spleen, kidneys and intestine) and spleen and kidneys were identified as the most likely sites where viral replication takes place. Our study shows that bat parvoviruses share common ancestors with known parvoviruses of humans and livestock. We also provide evidence that a variety of Parvovirinae are able to cause active infection in bats and that they are widely distributed in these animals with different geographic origin, ecologies and climatic ranges

Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization for Rapid Identification of Achromobacter xylosoxidans and Alcaligenes faecalis Recovered from Cystic Fibrosis Patients

Achromobacter xylosoxidans is frequently isolated from the respiratory secretions of cystic fibrosis (CF) patients, but identification with biochemical tests is unreliable. We describe fluorescence in situ hybridization assays for the rapid identification of Achromobacter xylosoxidans and Alcaligenes faecalis. Both assays showed high sensitivities and high specificities with a collection of 155 nonfermenters from CF patients

Comparison of Treponema-specific immunoglobulin G (IgG) index with Treponema pallidum particle agglutination (TPPA) index for detection of intrathecal Treponema-specific antibody synthesis for serological diagnosis of neurosyphilis

The determination of -specific intrathecal immunoglobulin synthesis with the particle agglutination (TPPA) index is a well-established method recommended in German guidelines for the diagnosis of neurosyphilis. However, the TPPA test is no longer available. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether the determination of a -specific immunoglobulin G (IgG) index can substitute the TPPA index. Serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples from patients with confirmed (n=6) and probable (n=3) neurosyphilis as well as patients with adequately treated syphilis without neurosyphilis (n=4) were investigated. In addition to index calculation further CSF parameters were determined. The results of the IgG and the TPPA index were consistent in all patients with confirmed neurosyphilis and non-neurosyphilis patients. In two patients with probable neurosyphilis the IgG index appeared more plausible than the TPPA index when taking into account all available laboratory and clinical data of the conclusion, the determination of -specific intrathecal immunoglobulin synthesis with the IgG index appears to be a suitable alternative to the TPPA index