43 research outputs found

    Two distinct STLV-1 subtypes infecting Mandrillus sphinx follow the geographic distribution of their hosts

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    The mandrill (Mandrillus sphinx) has been shown to be infected with an STLV-1 closely related to HTLV-1. Two distinct STLV-1 subtypes (D and F) infect wild mandrills with high overall prevalence (27.0%) but are different with respect to their phylogenetic relationship and parallel to the mandrills' geographic range. The clustering of these new STLV-1mnd sequences with HTLV-1 subtype D and F suggests first, past simian-tohuman transmissions in Central Africa and second, that species barriers are easier to cross over than geographic barriers

    Dead or alive: animal sampling during Ebola hemorrhagic fever outbreaks in humans

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    There are currently no widely accepted animal surveillance guidelines for human Ebola hemorrhagic fever (EHF) outbreak investigations to identify potential sources of Ebolavirus (EBOV) spillover into humans and other animals. Animal field surveillance during and following an outbreak has several purposes, from helping identify the specific animal source of a human case to guiding control activities by describing the spatial and temporal distribution of wild circulating EBOV, informing public health efforts, and contributing to broader EHF research questions. Since 1976, researchers have sampled over 10,000 individual vertebrates from areas associated with human EHF outbreaks and tested for EBOV or antibodies. Using field surveillance data associated with EHF outbreaks, this review provides guidance on animal sampling for resource-limited outbreak situations, target species, and in some cases which diagnostics should be prioritized to rapidly assess the presence of EBOV in animal reservoirs. In brief, EBOV detection was 32.7% (18/55) for carcasses (animals found dead) and 0.2% (13/5309) for live captured animals. Our review indicates that for the purposes of identifying potential sources of transmission from animals to humans and isolating suspected virus in an animal in outbreak situations, (1) surveillance of free-ranging non-human primate mortality and morbidity should be a priority, (2) any wildlife morbidity or mortality events should be investigated and may hold the most promise for locating virus or viral genome sequences, (3) surveillance of some bat species is worthwhile to isolate and detect evidence of exposure, and (4) morbidity, mortality, and serology studies of domestic animals should prioritize dogs and pigs and include testing for virus and previous exposure

    Haematology of a semi-free-ranging colony of mandrills (Mandrillus sphinx).

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    We examined hematological parameters for a semifree-ranging population of mandrills to investigate the influence of age and sex, and to establish normative values for age-sex classes. We also investigated the influence of the reproductive cycle on hematological parameters in females and the influence of seasonality on both sexes. We examined hemoglobin concentration, platelet count, white cell count, red cell count, hematocrit, mean cell volume (MCV), mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH), mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC), and differential white cell counts, with a total of 459 observations. Red cell counts, hemoglobin, and hematocrit are significantly lower in females than in males, while female white cell counts are significantly higher. Platelet and white cell counts both decreased with age, while MCV and MCHC (males only) increased with age. Absolute lymphocyte counts also decreased with age. Female reproductive status had little effect on hematology, but melengestrol acetate contraceptive implants resulted in significant increases in hemoglobin, white cell count, red cell count, and hematocrit. Finally, lymphocyte counts increased significantly during the wet season in comparison with dry months, which may be related to increased parasite infection during the wet season. We compare our findings to those for other species, and discuss age-sex patterns in light of mandrill life history. Our results demonstrate the importance of including age-sex class, female reproductive status, and season in studies of hematology and will be useful in further studies of the colony

    Transient elastography accurately predicts presence of significant portal hypertension in patients with chronic liver disease.

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    International audienceBACKGROUND: Hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG) is a prognostic marker in patients with cirrhosis. Transient elastography measures liver stiffness (LS). AIM: To assess the correlation between LS and HVPG and to investigate the performance of transient elastography for the diagnosis of significant portal hypertension (PHT). METHODS: Liver stiffness was measured by Fibroscan in 150 consecutive patients who underwent a liver biopsy with haemodynamic measurements. Usual clinical and biological data were collected. Significant PHT was defined as a HVPG > or = 10 mmHg. RESULTS: Hepatic venous pressure gradient was found to be > or = 10 mmHg in 76 patients. Cirrhosis was diagnosed in 89 patients. HVPG was found to be correlated with: LS (rho = 0.858; P < 0.001) and inversely correlated with prothrombin index (rho = -0.718; P < 0.001). Regarding significant PHT, AUROC for LS and prothrombin index were 0.945 [0.904-0.987] and 0.892 [0.837-0.947] respectively. The cut-off value of 21 kPa accurately predicted significant PHT in 92% of the 144 patients for whom LS was successful. CONCLUSION: Liver stiffness measurement is correlated with HVPG and transient elastography identifies patients with significant PHT

    Regio- and stereospecific synthesis of C-3 functionalized proline derivatives by palladium catalyzed ddirected C(sp3)–H Arylation

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    Functionalization of C(sp3)−H bonds at the unactivated 3-position of proline derivatives has been achieved using aryl iodides and palladium catalysis. This directly affords cis-2,3-disubstituted pyrrolidines as single stereoisomers. 3- Arylation occurs in high yield under solvent-free conditions with aminoquinoline and methoxyaminoquinoline directing groups. The latter was readily removed to give primary amide derivatives with physicochemical properties appropriate for use as fragments in drug discovery
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