Comparative Transcriptomics Reveals Clues for Differences in Pathogenicity between Hysterothylacium aduncum, Anisakis simplex sensu stricto and Anisakis pegreffii.

Ascaridoid nematodes are widespread in marine fishes. Despite their major socioeconomic importance, mechanisms associated to the fish-borne zoonotic disease anisakiasis are still obscure. RNA-Seq and de-novo assembly were herein applied to RNA extracted from larvae and dissected pharynx of Hysterothylacium aduncum (HA), a non-pathogenic nematode. Assembled transcripts in HA were annotated and compared to the transcriptomes of the zoonotic species Anisakis simplex sensu stricto (AS) and Anisakis pegreffii (AP). Approximately 60,000,000 single-end reads were generated for HA, AS and AP. Transcripts in HA encoded for 30,254 putative peptides while AS and AP encoded for 20,574 and 20,840 putative peptides, respectively. Differential gene expression analyses yielded 471, 612 and 526 transcripts up regulated in the pharynx of HA, AS and AP. The transcriptomes of larvae and pharynx of HA were enriched in transcripts encoding collagen, peptidases, ribosomal proteins and in heat-shock motifs. Transcripts encoding proteolytic enzymes, anesthetics, inhibitors of primary hemostasis and virulence factors, anticoagulants and immunomodulatory peptides were up-regulated in AS and AP pharynx. This study represents the first transcriptomic characterization of a marine parasitic nematode commonly recovered in fish and probably of negligible concern for public health

First molecular evidence on the puzzling origin of beavers in Central Italy

The Eurasian beaver (Castor fiber) represents an extraordinary example of demographic recovery after centuries of severe hunting and extirpation. Reintroduction programs and legal protection have triggered the recolonisation of Europe, with rapid expansion of beaver populations in the last 25 years. In northern Italy, the species reappeared in 2018 after a 450-years absence, due to natural spreading of individuals from neighbouring countries. Since 2021, the presence of beavers has been reported in several areas of central Italy, probably following unofficial releases. Here, we employed mitochondrial DNA markers, mainly from non-invasive samples, to rule out the presence of the North American beaver (C. canadensis) and to characterise both the beavers from northern Italy and the new population from central Italy, assessing their genetic relationships with other European beavers. The analysis of 35 samples from Italy and other countries provided no evidence of the North American sister taxon and revealed four widely distributed mitochondrial haplo types, which are discussed in the current framework of genetically mixed populations in Europe. In addition, this note reports genetic data from beavers in the Balkans, where no information has been available so far

Associations between depressive symptoms and disease progression in older patients with chronic kidney disease: results of the EQUAL study

Background Depressive symptoms are associated with adverse clinical outcomes in patients with end-stage kidney disease; however, few small studies have examined this association in patients with earlier phases of chronic kidney disease (CKD). We studied associations between baseline depressive symptoms and clinical outcomes in older patients with advanced CKD and examined whether these associations differed depending on sex. Methods CKD patients (>= 65 years; estimated glomerular filtration rate <= 20 mL/min/1.73 m(2)) were included from a European multicentre prospective cohort between 2012 and 2019. Depressive symptoms were measured by the five-item Mental Health Inventory (cut-off <= 70; 0-100 scale). Cox proportional hazard analysis was used to study associations between depressive symptoms and time to dialysis initiation, all-cause mortality and these outcomes combined. A joint model was used to study the association between depressive symptoms and kidney function over time. Analyses were adjusted for potential baseline confounders. Results Overall kidney function decline in 1326 patients was -0.12 mL/min/1.73 m(2)/month. A total of 515 patients showed depressive symptoms. No significant association was found between depressive symptoms and kidney function over time (P = 0.08). Unlike women, men with depressive symptoms had an increased mortality rate compared with those without symptoms [adjusted hazard ratio 1.41 (95% confidence interval 1.03-1.93)]. Depressive symptoms were not significantly associated with a higher hazard of dialysis initiation, or with the combined outcome (i.e. dialysis initiation and all-cause mortality). Conclusions There was no significant association between depressive symptoms at baseline and decline in kidney function over time in older patients with advanced CKD. Depressive symptoms at baseline were associated with a higher mortality rate in men

Comparative Transcriptomics Reveals Clues for Differences in Pathogenicity between Hysterothylacium aduncum, Anisakis simplex sensu stricto and Anisakis pegreffii.

Ascaridoid nematodes are widespread in marine fishes. Despite their major socioeconomic importance, mechanisms associated to the fish-borne zoonotic disease anisakiasis are still obscure. RNA-Seq and de-novo assembly were herein applied to RNA extracted from larvae and dissected pharynx of Hysterothylacium aduncum (HA), a non-pathogenic nematode. Assembled transcripts in HA were annotated and compared to the transcriptomes of the zoonotic species Anisakis simplex sensu stricto (AS) and Anisakis pegreffii (AP). Approximately 60,000,000 single-end reads were generated for HA, AS and AP. Transcripts in HA encoded for 30,254 putative peptides while AS and AP encoded for 20,574 and 20,840 putative peptides, respectively. Differential gene expression analyses yielded 471, 612 and 526 transcripts up regulated in the pharynx of HA, AS and AP. The transcriptomes of larvae and pharynx of HA were enriched in transcripts encoding collagen, peptidases, ribosomal proteins and in heat-shock motifs. Transcripts encoding proteolytic enzymes, anesthetics, inhibitors of primary hemostasis and virulence factors, anticoagulants and immunomodulatory peptides were up-regulated in AS and AP pharynx. This study represents the first transcriptomic characterization of a marine parasitic nematode commonly recovered in fish and probably of negligible concern for public health

Comparative Transcriptomics Reveals Clues for Differences in Pathogenicity between Hysterothylacium aduncum, Anisakis simplex sensu stricto and Anisakis pegreffii

Ascaridoid nematodes are widespread in marine fishes. Despite their major socioeconomic importance, mechanisms associated to the fish-borne zoonotic disease anisakiasis are still obscure. RNA-Seq and de-novo assembly were herein applied to RNA extracted from larvae and dissected pharynx of Hysterothylacium aduncum (HA), a non-pathogenic nematode. Assembled transcripts in HA were annotated and compared to the transcriptomes of the zoonotic species Anisakis simplex sensu stricto (AS) and Anisakis pegreffii (AP). Approximately 60,000,000 single-end reads were generated for HA, AS and AP. Transcripts in HA encoded for 30,254 putative peptides while AS and AP encoded for 20,574 and 20,840 putative peptides, respectively. Differential gene expression analyses yielded 471, 612 and 526 transcripts up regulated in the pharynx of HA, AS and AP. The transcriptomes of larvae and pharynx of HA were enriched in transcripts encoding collagen, peptidases, ribosomal proteins and in heat-shock motifs. Transcripts encoding proteolytic enzymes, anesthetics, inhibitors of primary hemostasis and virulence factors, anticoagulants and immunomodulatory peptides were up-regulated in AS and AP pharynx. This study represents the first transcriptomic characterization of a marine parasitic nematode commonly recovered in fish and probably of negligible concern for public health

What Do In Vitro and In Vivo Models Tell Us about Anisakiasis? New Tools Still to Be Explored

Anisakiasis is a zoonosis caused by the ingestion of raw or undercooked seafood infected with third-stage larvae (L3) of the marine nematode Anisakis. Based on L3 localization in human accidental hosts, gastric, intestinal or ectopic (extra-gastrointestinal) anisakiasis can occur, in association with mild to severe symptoms of an allergic nature. Given the increasing consumption of fish worldwide, the European Food Safety Authority declared Anisakis as an emerging pathogen. Despite its importance for public health and economy, the scientific literature is largely characterized by taxonomic, systematic and ecological studies, while investigations on clinical aspects, such as the inflammatory and immune response during anisakiasis, using a proper model that simulates the niche of infection are still very scarce. The aims of this review are to describe the clinical features of anisakiasis, to report the main evidence from the in vivo and in vitro studies carried out to date, highlighting limitations, and to propose future perspectives in the study field of anisakiasis

Anisakis and allergy risk in workers of the fishing industry

ANISAKIS AND ALLERGY RISK IN WORKERS OF THE FISHING INDUSTRY Background. Exposure to biological agents (microorganisms, cell cultures and endoparasites) can cause diseases of infectious, allergic, toxic and carcinogenic nature. The allergy risk of biological origin may be present in many work environments, even if it is often underestimated and undervalued. Among the agents able to create awareness, the parasitic nematodes of the genus Anisakis have been recognized by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). The problem of allergy to Anisakis in the seafood business sector is considered an emerging risk and risk knowledge by operators of potentially exposed business sector is poor, as well as the application of practices / prevention and protection procedures in the workplace for risk management. Objective. This project starts from the lack of knowledge on the Anisakis-driven allergy phenomenon in workers and from the insufficient reliability of the immunological screening methods so far available. The general objective of the project is the use of a multidisciplinary approach, starting from administration of clinical-cognitive-anamnestic questionnaires to the subjects recruited up to the study of potentially allergenic molecules. Expected (or preliminary) results. The study will contribute to improve the identification, knowledge and quantification of occupational allergy of parasitic origin within workers in fisheries; it is aimed to propose an operational protocol of assessment/monitoring and knowledge of the biological hazard that can cause work-related allergic diseases and disorders among workers in the fishing industry; it will improve the knowledge of experts in the risk management and help to develop “best practices” for workplace prevention. The preventive part will be coupled with an experimental content concerning the systematic study of the allergenic potential of the molecules available in the reference database. These will be used to develop ad hoc serological tests to be used on sera from allergic, exposed and unexposed subject. Future perspectives. The results could help to develop health strategies for the protection of workers by policy makers and experts. Furthermore, the screening of potentially useful molecules to highlight exposure to Anisakis antigens could contribute to the development of early-warning innovative methods in order to improve the diagnostic and clinical management of parasitic allergies with the broader and more ambitious aim of providing tools for the differential diagnosis between food-borne and parasitic allergies

Anisakis rischio emergente in medicina del lavoro: stato dell'arte

Anisakis è un parassita presente in ambiente acquatico marino i cui ospiti intermedi sono piccoli crostacei e quelli paratenici sono pesci e cefalopodi, mentre gli ospiti definitivi sono mammiferi marini. L’uomo può accidentalmente infestarsi mangiando pesci e cefalopodi crudi, sviluppando una zoonosi chiamata anisakidosi. Le manifestazioni cliniche, che possono essere aspecifiche e interessare prevalentemente il tratto gastrointestinale, possono comprendere anche reazioni allergiche molto gravi (asma, dermatite, shock anafilattico). Obiettivo del presente lavoro è stato quello di descrivere Anisakis quale possibile rischio emergente in medicina del lavoro attraverso l’analisi dei casi occupazionali pubblicati. Gli studi analizzati mostrano una relazione esistente tra manifestazioni allergiche e sensibilizzazione ad Anisakis nei lavoratori esposti ai prodotti della pesca. I casi professionali di sensibilizzazione sono stati descritti in addetti alle pescherie, pescatori, addetti alla lavorazione del pesce e addetti alla ristorazione

Advances in omic studies drive discoveries in the biology of anisakid nematodes

Advancements in technologies employed in high-throughput next-generation sequencing (NGS) methods are supporting the spread of studies that, combined with advances in computational biology and bioinformatics, have greatly accelerated discoveries within basic and biomedical research for many parasitic diseases. Here, we review the most updated “omic” studies performed on anisakid nematodes, a family of marine parasites that are causative agents of the fish-borne zoonosis known as anisakiasis or anisakidosis. Few deposited data on Anisakis genomes are so far available, and this still hinders the deep and highly accurate characterization of biological aspects of interest, even as several transcriptomic and proteomic studies are becoming available. These have been aimed at discovering and characterizing molecules specific to peculiar developmental parasitic stages or tissues, as well as transcripts with pathogenic potential as toxins and allergens, with a broad relevance for a better understanding of host–pathogen relationships and for the development of reliable diagnostic tools