Quantification of Leptospira interrogans Survival in Soil and Water Microcosms

Leptospira interrogans is the etiological agent of leptospirosis, a globally distributed zoonotic disease. Human infection usually occurs through skin exposure with water and soil contaminated with the urine of chronically infected animals. In this study, we aimed to quantitatively characterize the survival of Leptospira interrogans serovar Copenhageni in environmental matrices. We constructed laboratory microcosms to simulate natural conditions and determined the persistence of DNA markers in soil, mud, spring water and sewage using a quantitative PCR (qPCR) and a propidium monoazide (PMA)-qPCR assay. We found that L. interrogans does not survive at high concentrations in the tested matrices. No net growth was detected in any of the experimental conditions and in all cases the concentration of the DNA markers targeted decreased from the beginning of the experiment following an exponential decay with a decreasing decay rate over time. After 12 and 21 days of incubation the spiked concentration of 106L. interrogans cells/ml or g decreased to approximately 100 cells/ml or g in soil and spring water microcosms, respectively. Furthermore, culturable L. interrogans persisted at concentrations under the limit of detection by PMA-qPCR or qPCR for at least 16 days in soil and 28 days in spring water. Altogether, our findings suggest that the environment is not a multiplication reservoir but a temporary carrier of L. interrogans Copenhageni, although the observed prolonged persistence at low concentrations may still enable the transmission of the disease.IMPORTANCE Leptospirosis is a zoonotic disease caused by spirochetes of the genus Leptospira that primarily affects impoverished populations worldwide. Although leptospirosis is transmitted by contact with water and soil, little is known about the ability of the pathogen to survive in the environment. In this study, we quantitatively characterized the survival of L. interrogans in environmental microcosms and found that although it cannot multiply in water, soil or sewage, it survives for extended time periods (days to weeks depending on the matrix). The survival parameters obtained here may help to better understand the distribution of pathogenic Leptospira in the environment and improve the predictions of human infection risks in areas where such infections are endemic

Correction to: The LUCID study: living with ulcerative colitis; identifying the socioeconomic burden in Europe.

From Europe PMC via Jisc Publications RouterHistory: ppub 2021-12-01, epub 2021-12-15Publication status: Publishe

The LUCID study: living with ulcerative colitis; identifying the socioeconomic burden in Europe

From Springer Nature via Jisc Publications RouterHistory: received 2020-08-21, accepted 2021-11-15, registration 2021-11-16, collection 2021-12, pub-electronic 2021-12-04, online 2021-12-04Publication status: PublishedFunder: Pfizer UK; doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/100009032Funder: Eli Lilly and Company; doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/100004312Funder: Celgene; doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/100006436Abstract: Background: Ulcerative colitis (UC) is an inflammatory bowel disease with increasing prevalence worldwide. Current treatment strategies place considerable economic and humanistic burdens on patients. The aim of this study was to determine the socioeconomic burden of UC in adult patients in European countries in a real-world setting. Methods: In this retrospective, cross-sectional and observational pan-European study, patients with moderate or severe UC were assigned to ARM 1 and patients who had moderate or severe UC but achieved mild or remission status 12 months before index date (or clinical consultation date), were assigned to ARM 2. Clinical and medical resource use data were collected via electronic case report forms, and data on non-medical and indirect costs, and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) were collected via patient and public involvement and engagement (PPIE) questionnaires. Per-patient annual total costs per ARM and per country were calculated using the collated resource use in the last 12 months (between the start of the documentation period and patient consultation or index date) and country specific unit costs. Quality of life was described by arm and by country. Results: In the physician-reported eCRF population (n = 2966), the mean annual direct medical cost was €4065 in ARM 1 (n = 1835) and €2935 in ARM 2 (n = 1131). In the PPIE population (ARM 1, n = 1001; ARM 2, n = 647), mean annual direct cost was €4526 in ARM 1 and €3057 in ARM 2, mean annual direct non-medical cost was €1162 in ARM 1 and €1002 in ARM 2, mean annual indirect cost was €3098 in ARM 1 and €2309 ARM 2, and mean annual total cost was in €8787 in ARM 1 and €6368 in ARM 2. HRQoL scores showed moderate to high burden of UC in both groups. Conclusions: The cost and HRQoL burden were high in patients in both ARM 1 and ARM 2 indicating unmet needs in the UC active population

The LUCID study: living with ulcerative colitis; identifying the socioeconomic burden in Europe

From Springer Nature via Jisc Publications RouterHistory: received 2020-08-21, accepted 2021-11-15, registration 2021-11-16, collection 2021-12, pub-electronic 2021-12-04, online 2021-12-04Publication status: PublishedFunder: Pfizer UK; doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/100009032Funder: Eli Lilly and Company; doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/100004312Funder: Celgene; doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/100006436Abstract: Background: Ulcerative colitis (UC) is an inflammatory bowel disease with increasing prevalence worldwide. Current treatment strategies place considerable economic and humanistic burdens on patients. The aim of this study was to determine the socioeconomic burden of UC in adult patients in European countries in a real-world setting. Methods: In this retrospective, cross-sectional and observational pan-European study, patients with moderate or severe UC were assigned to ARM 1 and patients who had moderate or severe UC but achieved mild or remission status 12 months before index date (or clinical consultation date), were assigned to ARM 2. Clinical and medical resource use data were collected via electronic case report forms, and data on non-medical and indirect costs, and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) were collected via patient and public involvement and engagement (PPIE) questionnaires. Per-patient annual total costs per ARM and per country were calculated using the collated resource use in the last 12 months (between the start of the documentation period and patient consultation or index date) and country specific unit costs. Quality of life was described by arm and by country. Results: In the physician-reported eCRF population (n = 2966), the mean annual direct medical cost was €4065 in ARM 1 (n = 1835) and €2935 in ARM 2 (n = 1131). In the PPIE population (ARM 1, n = 1001; ARM 2, n = 647), mean annual direct cost was €4526 in ARM 1 and €3057 in ARM 2, mean annual direct non-medical cost was €1162 in ARM 1 and €1002 in ARM 2, mean annual indirect cost was €3098 in ARM 1 and €2309 ARM 2, and mean annual total cost was in €8787 in ARM 1 and €6368 in ARM 2. HRQoL scores showed moderate to high burden of UC in both groups. Conclusions: The cost and HRQoL burden were high in patients in both ARM 1 and ARM 2 indicating unmet needs in the UC active population

Correction to: The LUCID study: living with ulcerative colitis; identifying the socioeconomic burden in Europe

From Springer Nature via Jisc Publications RouterHistory: collection 2021-12, registration 2021-12-08, pub-electronic 2021-12-15, online 2021-12-15Publication status: Publishe

The LUCID study: living with ulcerative colitis; identifying the socioeconomic burden in Europe

From Springer Nature via Jisc Publications RouterHistory: received 2020-08-21, accepted 2021-11-15, registration 2021-11-16, collection 2021-12, pub-electronic 2021-12-04, online 2021-12-04Publication status: PublishedFunder: Pfizer UK; doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/100009032Funder: Eli Lilly and Company; doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/100004312Funder: Celgene; doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/100006436Abstract: Background: Ulcerative colitis (UC) is an inflammatory bowel disease with increasing prevalence worldwide. Current treatment strategies place considerable economic and humanistic burdens on patients. The aim of this study was to determine the socioeconomic burden of UC in adult patients in European countries in a real-world setting. Methods: In this retrospective, cross-sectional and observational pan-European study, patients with moderate or severe UC were assigned to ARM 1 and patients who had moderate or severe UC but achieved mild or remission status 12 months before index date (or clinical consultation date), were assigned to ARM 2. Clinical and medical resource use data were collected via electronic case report forms, and data on non-medical and indirect costs, and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) were collected via patient and public involvement and engagement (PPIE) questionnaires. Per-patient annual total costs per ARM and per country were calculated using the collated resource use in the last 12 months (between the start of the documentation period and patient consultation or index date) and country specific unit costs. Quality of life was described by arm and by country. Results: In the physician-reported eCRF population (n = 2966), the mean annual direct medical cost was €4065 in ARM 1 (n = 1835) and €2935 in ARM 2 (n = 1131). In the PPIE population (ARM 1, n = 1001; ARM 2, n = 647), mean annual direct cost was €4526 in ARM 1 and €3057 in ARM 2, mean annual direct non-medical cost was €1162 in ARM 1 and €1002 in ARM 2, mean annual indirect cost was €3098 in ARM 1 and €2309 ARM 2, and mean annual total cost was in €8787 in ARM 1 and €6368 in ARM 2. HRQoL scores showed moderate to high burden of UC in both groups. Conclusions: The cost and HRQoL burden were high in patients in both ARM 1 and ARM 2 indicating unmet needs in the UC active population

The LUCID study: living with ulcerative colitis; identifying the socioeconomic burden in Europe

From Springer Nature via Jisc Publications RouterHistory: received 2020-08-21, accepted 2021-11-15, registration 2021-11-16, collection 2021-12, pub-electronic 2021-12-04, online 2021-12-04Publication status: PublishedFunder: Pfizer UK; doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/100009032Funder: Eli Lilly and Company; doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/100004312Funder: Celgene; doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/100006436Abstract: Background: Ulcerative colitis (UC) is an inflammatory bowel disease with increasing prevalence worldwide. Current treatment strategies place considerable economic and humanistic burdens on patients. The aim of this study was to determine the socioeconomic burden of UC in adult patients in European countries in a real-world setting. Methods: In this retrospective, cross-sectional and observational pan-European study, patients with moderate or severe UC were assigned to ARM 1 and patients who had moderate or severe UC but achieved mild or remission status 12 months before index date (or clinical consultation date), were assigned to ARM 2. Clinical and medical resource use data were collected via electronic case report forms, and data on non-medical and indirect costs, and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) were collected via patient and public involvement and engagement (PPIE) questionnaires. Per-patient annual total costs per ARM and per country were calculated using the collated resource use in the last 12 months (between the start of the documentation period and patient consultation or index date) and country specific unit costs. Quality of life was described by arm and by country. Results: In the physician-reported eCRF population (n = 2966), the mean annual direct medical cost was €4065 in ARM 1 (n = 1835) and €2935 in ARM 2 (n = 1131). In the PPIE population (ARM 1, n = 1001; ARM 2, n = 647), mean annual direct cost was €4526 in ARM 1 and €3057 in ARM 2, mean annual direct non-medical cost was €1162 in ARM 1 and €1002 in ARM 2, mean annual indirect cost was €3098 in ARM 1 and €2309 ARM 2, and mean annual total cost was in €8787 in ARM 1 and €6368 in ARM 2. HRQoL scores showed moderate to high burden of UC in both groups. Conclusions: The cost and HRQoL burden were high in patients in both ARM 1 and ARM 2 indicating unmet needs in the UC active population

Niche variation of fig trees and the role of the disperser and the host on maintaining populations of Ficus obtusifolia in the Pantanal

Submitted by Luciana Ferreira ([email protected]) on 2014-11-19T12:41:14Z No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertação - Gabriel Ghizzi Pedra - 2012.pdf: 846283 bytes, checksum: 50d54e15ed4d52a8b35a656c968189e8 (MD5) license_rdf: 23148 bytes, checksum: 9da0b6dfac957114c6a7714714b86306 (MD5)Approved for entry into archive by Luciana Ferreira ([email protected]) on 2014-11-20T14:21:35Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertação - Gabriel Ghizzi Pedra - 2012.pdf: 846283 bytes, checksum: 50d54e15ed4d52a8b35a656c968189e8 (MD5) license_rdf: 23148 bytes, checksum: 9da0b6dfac957114c6a7714714b86306 (MD5)Made available in DSpace on 2014-11-20T14:21:35Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertação - Gabriel Ghizzi Pedra - 2012.pdf: 846283 bytes, checksum: 50d54e15ed4d52a8b35a656c968189e8 (MD5) license_rdf: 23148 bytes, checksum: 9da0b6dfac957114c6a7714714b86306 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2012-08-08Conselho Nacional de Pesquisa e Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico - CNPqThe relationships between fig trees and their hosts, as well as other traits, can be determinated by factors that act in response to the environment (ecological) wich are and the historical factors expressed in filogeny (evolutionary). The occurrence of a species in a habitat is the result of the balance between ecological and niche conservation processes. Thus the aim of this study is to investigate if the differences in the occurrence of the fig trees in the available habitats are determinated by historical or current factors. The work was performed in the forestry remnants (capões) in south Pantanal where a survey of the fig trees found was conducted and identified the habitat (hemiepiphyte or non-hemiepiphyte) as well as the species of the hosts. We find that the niches of the fig species were not phylogenetically conserved within the group (genus Ficus) and that the current processes are determining their niche. There was specialization on the species of hosts. We discuss how the fig species coexists the capões of south Pantanal.A intensidade da relação das figueiras com seus hospedeiros, assim como outros traços, podem ser determinados por fatores que atuam em resposta ao ambiente no qual estão (ecológicos) e fatores históricos que são expressos na filogenia (evolutivos). A ocorrência de uma dada espécie em um habitat é fruto do balanço entre pressões ecológicas e o processo de conservação de nicho. Com isso, o objetivo do nosso estudo é investigar se a diferença na ocorrência das espécies de figueiras entre os habitats disponíveis é determinada por fatores históricos (filogenéticos) ou atuais. O trabalho foi realizado nos capões de mata do Pantanal Sul, onde foi feito o levantamento das figueiras que foram encontradas e identificadas o hábito (hemiepifitico ou não) e a espécie de hospedeiro quando possível. Encontramos que os nichos das espécies não foram conservados filogenéticamente dentro do grupo (gênero Ficus) e que os processos atuais estão determinando seu nicho. Houve uma especialização de todas as espécies por uma única espécie de hospedeiro. Neste trabalho nós discutimos como as espécies de figueiras coexistem nos capões do Pantanal Sul

Evaluation of the impact of chemical control on the ecology of Rattus norvegicus of an urban community in Salvador, Brazil.

BackgroundThe presence of synanthropic rodents, such as Rattus norvegicus, in urban environments generates high costs of prophylaxis and control, in large part due to the environmental transmission of the pathogenic spirochete Leptospira interrogans, which causes leptospirosis. In Salvador, Brazil, The Center for Control of Zoonosis (CCZ) is responsible for planning and implementing Rodent Control Programs (RCP) which are based on chemical rodenticide. However, these strategies have not been standardized for use in developing countries.AimThis study aimed to identify the effect of a chemical control campaign on the demographic variables of urban R. norvegicus, analyzing relative abundance, sex structure, body mass, and age of the population, as well as the characterization of spatial distribution among households, rodent capture campaigns and interventions.MethodsThis study was carried out during 2015 in three valleys of an urban poor community in Salvador. Individuals of R. norvegicus were systematically captured before (Pre-intervention) and three months (1st post-intervention) and six months (2nd post-intervention) after a chemical control intervention conducted by the CCZ in two valleys of the study area while the third valley was not included in the intervention campaign and was used as a non-intervention reference. We used analysis of variance to determine if intervention affected demographic variables and chi-square to compare proportions of infested households (Rodent infestation index-PII).ResultsDuring the chemical intervention, 939 households were visited. In the pre-intervention campaign, an effort of 310 trap nights resulted in 43 rodents captured, and in the 1st and 2nd, post-intervention campaigns resulted in 47 rodents captured over 312 trap nights and 36 rodents captured over 324 traps-nights, respectively. The rodent infestation index (PII) points did not show a reduction between the period before the intervention and the two periods after the chemical intervention (70%, 72%, and 65%, respectively). Regarding relative abundances, there was no difference between valleys and period before and two periods after chemical intervention (trap success valley 1: 0,18; 0,19; 0,18 / Valley 3 0,15; 0,17; 0,13/ P>0,05). Other demographic results showed that there was no difference in demographic characteristics of the rodent population before and after the intervention, as well as there being no influence of the application of rodenticide on the areas of concentration of capture of rodents between the campaigns.ConclusionOur study indicates that the chemical control was not effective in controlling the population of R. norvegicus and provides evidence of the need for re-evaluation of rodent control practices in urban poor community settings