How Frequently Does out-of Hospital Sudden Unexpected Infants Death Represent the Sudden Infant Death Syndrome?

Background. 19.6 % of all fatal cases among Russian children who died in the first year of life are registered out-of hospital, and they are usually sudden. Out-of-hospital sudden unexpected infant death (OSUID) could be confused with sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) followed by the wide variation in the diagnostic indicators of the syndrome.The aim of the study is to reveal the pathological changes in the tissues and organs of 420 cases of OSUID (group 1) compared with 350 cases of death in the hospital (group 2), to estimate the conformity of the final diagnoses and to identify cases of OSUID, which were SIDS.Methods. From 2009 to 2016 pathoanatomical and virological study of the organs of 420 cases of OSUID (group 1) and 350 babies who died in a hospital were carried out.Results. It was established that the age of infants of the 1st group at the time of death in 71 % of cases corresponded to the age of SIDS. In terms of gestational age and body weight at birth babies of the 1st group turned out to be much more prosperous. Signs of rapid onset of death in this group: plethora of internal organs (83.3 %) and petechial hemorrhages (75.5 %) were present significantly more often than in the 2nd. In the 1st group, predominantly light acute respiratory viral infections (ARVI) with minimal pathologic signs and pneumonia were diagnosed, but pneumonia in 33.3 % not detected at autopsy. Purulent tracheobronchitis (0 and 21.4 %), bacterial pneumonia (6.3 and 26.3 %), a large area of lung damage (3.8 and 56.1 %) were detected much less frequently in the 1st group. In 38 % of the 1st group, pneumonia was the only cause of death, and in no case in the 2nd. Pathology of the cardiovascular system (55.2 and 87.7 %), central nervous system (58.6 and 90.9 %);urogenital system (34.8 and 62.9), inflammation of the membranes and brain tissue (21.9 and 70.0 %), signs of past or current intrauterine viral infection (29.5 and 64.0 %) in the 1st group was diagnosed much less frequently than in the 2nd, but congenital syphilis, HIV infection and hepatitis C — 3 times more often (12.9 and 3.7 %). The more frequent pathology of the adrenal glands in the 1st group (66.7 and 34 %) could cause inadequate responses to minimal exposure to external factors, including mild acute respiratory viral infections. The diagnosis of SIDS was made in 3 cases and in 3 more it was questionable. However, the presence of multisystemic pathology excludes the diagnosis of SIDS. The diagnosis of SIDS could be established in 30 cases in cases of slight ARVI without intoxication, shock liver or disseminated intravascular coagulation syndrome.Conclusion. The most cases of sudden death occurred in not obvious life-threatening conditions in socially disadvantaged families in the absence of adequate observation, diagnosis and treatment

Host Range and Phylogenetic Position of Acipenserobdella volgensis (Zykoff, 1904) (Hirudinea: Piscicolidae) with a Global Checklist of Bivalve-Associated Fish Leeches

The fish leech Acipenserobdella volgensis (Hirudinea: Piscicolidae) is a rare and poorly known freshwater species, which is thought to be an obligate parasite of sturgeons. This leech has a disjunctive range in Europe and Eastern Siberia. Here, we estimate the phylogenetic affinities and host range of A. volgensis using a set of DNA sequences (COI and 18S rRNA gene fragments), field observation data, and a review of the body of literature. Based on a time-calibrated Bayesian phylogeny, we show that the European and Siberian lineages of A. volgensis have been separated since the latest Pliocene (mean age = 2.7 Ma). The analysis of available host records indicates that this leech is characterized by a broader host range as it was collected from fish belonging to four families (Acipenseridae, Cyprinidae, Salmonidae, and Esocidae). Conversely, only a few suitable primary hosts (six sturgeons, one cyprinid, and one salmonid fish) were confirmed by earlier research. Moreover, this leech could be considered a facultative mussel-associated species that uses bivalves (duck mussel Anodonta anatina; Unionidae) as shelter. Globally, three other piscicolid leeches have been recorded from the mantle cavity of bivalve molluscs, that is, the freshwater taxa Caspiobdella fadejewi and Alexandrobdella makhrovi, and the marine species Austrobdella coliumicus

Taxonomic Reassessment of Freshwater Mussels from the Western Balkans Reveals an Overlooked but Critical Refugium and Defines Conservation Priorities

Freshwater mussels are an endangered group of animals, especially in the water bodies of Central and Western Europe. Conservation priorities were established for many endangered freshwater mussel species in the last decade. Here, we present new data on a cryptic refugium of freshwater mussels in the Western Balkans. Two species, Anodonta exulcerata Porro, 1838 and Unio elongatulus Pfeiffer, 1825, were discovered in Montenegro for the first time. The phylogenetic position and taxonomic status of freshwater mussel species from Montenegro were studied by means of an integrative approach, combining morphological data and COI gene sequences. Unio carneus Küster, 1854 stat. rev. represents a species with a restricted range, which is endemic to the Western Balkans. A viable population of Microcondylaea bonellii (Férussac, 1827) was discovered in the Zeta River. This species was not mentioned in Montenegro since the 1900s. A significant level of genetic diversity was revealed for the studied species. In the Skadar Lake basin, freshwater mussels from diverse ecological groups were discovered. Rheophilic species of freshwater mussels may represent ancient lineages, which need special conservation planning. Conservation priorities should be aimed at the protection of freshwater mussel habitats on the Balkan Peninsula

Taxonomic Reassessment of Freshwater Mussels from the Western Balkans Reveals an Overlooked but Critical Refugium and Defines Conservation Priorities

Freshwater mussels are an endangered group of animals, especially in the water bodies of Central and Western Europe. Conservation priorities were established for many endangered freshwater mussel species in the last decade. Here, we present new data on a cryptic refugium of freshwater mussels in the Western Balkans. Two species, Anodonta exulcerata Porro, 1838 and Unio elongatulus Pfeiffer, 1825, were discovered in Montenegro for the first time. The phylogenetic position and taxonomic status of freshwater mussel species from Montenegro were studied by means of an integrative approach, combining morphological data and COI gene sequences. Unio carneus Küster, 1854 stat. rev. represents a species with a restricted range, which is endemic to the Western Balkans. A viable population of Microcondylaea bonellii (Férussac, 1827) was discovered in the Zeta River. This species was not mentioned in Montenegro since the 1900s. A significant level of genetic diversity was revealed for the studied species. In the Skadar Lake basin, freshwater mussels from diverse ecological groups were discovered. Rheophilic species of freshwater mussels may represent ancient lineages, which need special conservation planning. Conservation priorities should be aimed at the protection of freshwater mussel habitats on the Balkan Peninsula

Cryptic taxonomic diversity and high-latitude melanism in the glossiphoniid leech assemblage from the Eurasian Arctic

Abstract The family Glossiphoniidae is a diverse and widespread clade of freshwater leeches, playing a significant role in functioning of aquatic ecosystems. The taxonomy and biogeography of leeches from temperate, subtropical, and tropical regions attracted much attention of zoologists, while their taxonomic richness and distribution in the Arctic are poorly understood. Here, we present an overview of the Eurasian Arctic Glossiphoniidae based on the most comprehensive occurrence and DNA sequence datasets sampled to date. This fauna contains 14 species, belonging to five genera and three subfamilies. One genus and five species are new to science and described here. The world’s northernmost occurrences of glossiphoniids are situated on the Taymyr Peninsula at 72° N, although further records at higher latitudes are expected. Most Arctic leeches are characterized by broad ranges crossing several climatic zones (e.g., Glossiphonia balcanica and G. nebulosa), although the distribution of two new species may be confined to the high-latitude areas. The Taymyr Peninsula with the nearby Putorana Plateau represents the most species-rich area (totally 9 species), while the European Arctic, Iceland, Kolyma Highland, and Chukotka Peninsula house depleted faunas (2–4 species per subregion). Finally, we show that the high-latitude melanism is a common phenomenon in glossiphoniid leeches