The Figure of the Staggering Rat: Reading Colonial Outbreak Narratives Against the Grain of "Virus Hunting"
This article examines the historical roots of this image and its emergence in French missionary narratives about plague outbreaks in the Chinese province of Yunnan in the 1870s on the eve of the Third Plague Pandemic. Showing that accounts of the "staggering rat" were not meant as naturalist observations of a zoonotic disease, as is generally assumed by historians, but as a cosmological, end-of-the-world narrative with a colonial agenda, the article argues for an approach to historical accounts of epidemics that does not succumb to the current trend of "virus hunting" in the archive, but rather takes colonial outbreak narr...
Source: Medical History - May 3, 2024 Category: History of Medicine Authors: Christos Lynteris Source Type: research
Development and evaluation of a multi-target droplet digital PCR assay for highly sensitive and specific detection of < i > Yersinia pestis < /i >
ConclusionThe ddPCR assay presented good performance for detectingY.pestis DNA from soil and mouse tissue samples, showing great potential for improving the detection rate of low concentrations ofY.pestis in plague surveillance and facilitating the early diagnosis of plague cases. (Source: PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases)
Source: PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases - May 3, 2024 Category: Tropical Medicine Authors: Yanting Zhao Source Type: research
Comparative proteomics analysis of samples from hepatic cystic echinococcosis patients using data-independent acquisition approach
This study aimed to assess the specific proteins that are potential candidates for the development of a vaccine against E. granulosus. The data-independent acquisition approach was employed to identify differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) in E. granulosus samples. The Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis was employed to identify several noteworthy proteins. Results: The DEPs in E. granulosus samples were identified (245 pericystic wall vs. parasite-free yellowish granuloma (PYG, 1725 PY vs. PYG, 2274 PN vs. PYG). Further examination of these distinct proteins...
Source: Journal of Proteomics - May 2, 2024 Category: Biochemistry Authors: Kahaer Tuerxun Rong-Hua Tang Aabudouxikuer Abudoumijiti Zainuer Yusupu Aizemaiti Aikebaier Salamu Mijiti Irshat Ibrahim Yan-Long Cao Abudoukeyimu Yasheng Yuan-Quan Wu Source Type: research
Eliminate all risks: A call to reexamine the link between canine scabies and rheumatic heart disease
by Victoria J. Brookes, Caitlin E. Henning, Kate A. Worthing, Chris Degeling
Rheumatic heart disease (RHD) and acute rheumatic fever (ARF) disproportionately affect individuals in low-resource settings. ARF is attributed to an immune response to Group AStreptococcus (GAS) following GAS pharyngitis and potentially GAS impetigo in which infection can be initiated by scabies infestation. The burden of ARF and RHD in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in Australia is among the highest globally. Following recent calls to include dog management programs in ARF and RHD prevention programs, we believe it is timely to as...
Source: PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases - May 2, 2024 Category: Tropical Medicine Authors: Victoria J. Brookes Source Type: research
Raw meat-based diet for pets: a neglected source of human exposure to Salmonella and pathogenic Escherichia coli clones carrying mcr, Portugal, September 2019 to January 2020
ConclusionSome RMBDs from European brands available in Portugal can be a vehicle for clinically relevant MDRSalmonella and pathogenicE. coli clones carrying genes encoding resistance to the last-line antibiotic colistin. Proactive actions within the One Health context, spanning regulatory, pet-food industry and consumer levels, are needed to mitigate these public health risks. (Source: Eurosurveillance)
Source: Eurosurveillance - May 2, 2024 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Marisa Ribeiro-Almeida, Joana Mour ão, Mafalda Magalhães, Ana R Freitas, Carla Novais, Luísa Peixe and Patrícia Antunes Source Type: research
Evidence of SARS-CoV-2 Antibody in Mississippi White-Tailed Deer
Vector-Borne and Zoonotic Diseases, Ahead of Print. (Source: Vector-Borne and Zoonotic Diseases)
Source: Vector-Borne and Zoonotic Diseases - May 2, 2024 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Scoty Hearst Pedro M. Palermo Douglas M. Watts Kamen Campbell Ryan Ivey Caleb Young William Yarbrough Edward Facundus Jack Spears Stephen Mills Kaitlin A. McNeely Priya Ray Grace C. Burnett George T. Bates John T. Bates Source Type: research
First report on prevalence, molecular characterization and phylogenetic study of Toxoplasma gondii infecting sheep of the Malakand Division of Pakistan
Comp Immunol Microbiol Infect Dis. 2024 Apr 18;109:102184. doi: 10.1016/j.cimid.2024.102184. Online ahead of print.ABSTRACTBACKGROUND: Toxoplasma gondii is an apicomplexan protozoan parasite that infects one-third of the population of the world, including humans, animals, birds, and other vertebrates. The present investigation is the first molecular attempt in the Malakand Division of Pakistan to determine the epidemiology and phylogenetic study of Toxoplasma gondii infecting small ruminants.METHODOLOGY: A total of (N = 450) blood samples of sheep were randomly collected during the study period (December 2020 to November 2...
Source: Comparative immunology, microbiology and infectious diseases. - May 1, 2024 Category: Allergy & Immunology Authors: Ahmad Irshad Shumaila Noreen Faisal Nouroz Akhtar Rasool Mingkun Zhu Mohamed Mohany Source Type: research
First report on prevalence, molecular characterization and phylogenetic study of Toxoplasma gondii infecting sheep of the Malakand Division of Pakistan
Comp Immunol Microbiol Infect Dis. 2024 Apr 18;109:102184. doi: 10.1016/j.cimid.2024.102184. Online ahead of print.ABSTRACTBACKGROUND: Toxoplasma gondii is an apicomplexan protozoan parasite that infects one-third of the population of the world, including humans, animals, birds, and other vertebrates. The present investigation is the first molecular attempt in the Malakand Division of Pakistan to determine the epidemiology and phylogenetic study of Toxoplasma gondii infecting small ruminants.METHODOLOGY: A total of (N = 450) blood samples of sheep were randomly collected during the study period (December 2020 to November 2...
Source: Comparative immunology, microbiology and infectious diseases. - May 1, 2024 Category: Allergy & Immunology Authors: Ahmad Irshad Shumaila Noreen Faisal Nouroz Akhtar Rasool Mingkun Zhu Mohamed Mohany Source Type: research
Ocular Brugia pahangi Filariasis Complicated by Severe Macular Damage in Thailand: Case Report and Literature Review
Am J Trop Med Hyg. 2024 Apr 30:tpmd240047. doi: 10.4269/ajtmh.24-0047. Online ahead of print.ABSTRACTExtralymphatic filariasis caused by filaria of zoonotic origins has been frequently reported in Thailand over recent years. Here, we report the first case of ocular filariasis in a 7.5-year-old Thai boy who initially presented with progressive conjunctival redness and blurred vision in his right eye. A small, slender, coiled worm was found and surgically removed from the right anterior chamber. Histopathological examination illustrated predominant eosinophilic inflammation surrounding the parasite, which showed smooth and t...
Source: Am J Trop Med Hyg - April 30, 2024 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Narut Suphap Thanapong Somkijrungroj Wijak Kongwattananon Wajamon Supawatjariyakul Thanapat Pataradool Kanyarat Kraivichian Watsamon Jantarabenjakul Wasee Tulvatana Kanok Preativatanyou Source Type: research
Estimating Prevalence and Infection Intensity of Soil-Transmitted Helminths Using Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction and Kato-Katz in School-Age Children in Angola
Am J Trop Med Hyg. 2024 Apr 30:tpmd230821. doi: 10.4269/ajtmh.23-0821. Online ahead of print.ABSTRACTQuantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) is gaining recognition in soil-transmitted helminth (STH) diagnostics, especially for Strongyloides stercoralis and differentiating hookworm species. However, sample preservation and DNA extraction may influence qPCR performance. We estimated STH prevalence and infection intensity by using qPCR in schoolchildren from Huambo, Uige, and Zaire, Angola, and compared its performance with that of the Kato-Katz technique (here termed Kato-Katz). Stool samples from 3,063 children (219 s...
Source: Am J Trop Med Hyg - April 30, 2024 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Muzhgan Soultani Adam W Bartlett Elsa P Mendes Sze Fui Hii Rebecca Traub Marta S Palmeirim Luis M M Lufunda Vito Colella Sergio Lopes Susana Vaz Nery Source Type: research
Some Zoonotic Antigens May Help Combat Unknown Pathogens: Forming the Puzzle from the Evidences in the COVID Era
Infect Disord Drug Targets. 2024 Apr 29. doi: 10.2174/0118715265301701240416055502. Online ahead of print.NO ABSTRACTPMID:38685779 | DOI:10.2174/0118715265301701240416055502 (Source: Infectious Disorders Drug Targets)
Source: Infectious Disorders Drug Targets - April 30, 2024 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Anwesha Sahu Tuhin Mukherjee Satyajit Mohanty Source Type: research
Occurrence of coxiellosis in ruminants and its associated risk factors
Acta Trop. 2024 Apr 28:107235. doi: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2024.107235. Online ahead of print.ABSTRACTCoxiellosis in animals is caused by the zoonotic pathogen, Coxiella burnetii. Although the disease is of public health importance it remains underdiagnosed and underreported. The cross- sectional study was aimed to estimate the occurrence of the disease in livestock of study area and also to identify the risk factors associated with the disease in animals. Blood, serum, and vaginal swabs samples were collected from 200 ruminants (cattle, sheep, and goats), across various farms in Karnataka, India. These samples were then sc...
Source: Acta Tropica - April 30, 2024 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: S Brindha Shilpshri V Shinde Mahaling Bhure Sandeep P Chaudhari Wiqar A Khan Nitin V Kurkure Deepak B Rawool Sukhadeo B Barbuddhe Source Type: research
Ocular Brugia pahangi Filariasis Complicated by Severe Macular Damage in Thailand: Case Report and Literature Review
Am J Trop Med Hyg. 2024 Apr 30:tpmd240047. doi: 10.4269/ajtmh.24-0047. Online ahead of print.ABSTRACTExtralymphatic filariasis caused by filaria of zoonotic origins has been frequently reported in Thailand over recent years. Here, we report the first case of ocular filariasis in a 7.5-year-old Thai boy who initially presented with progressive conjunctival redness and blurred vision in his right eye. A small, slender, coiled worm was found and surgically removed from the right anterior chamber. Histopathological examination illustrated predominant eosinophilic inflammation surrounding the parasite, which showed smooth and t...
Source: The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene - April 30, 2024 Category: Tropical Medicine Authors: Narut Suphap Thanapong Somkijrungroj Wijak Kongwattananon Wajamon Supawatjariyakul Thanapat Pataradool Kanyarat Kraivichian Watsamon Jantarabenjakul Wasee Tulvatana Kanok Preativatanyou Source Type: research
Estimating Prevalence and Infection Intensity of Soil-Transmitted Helminths Using Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction and Kato-Katz in School-Age Children in Angola
Am J Trop Med Hyg. 2024 Apr 30:tpmd230821. doi: 10.4269/ajtmh.23-0821. Online ahead of print.ABSTRACTQuantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) is gaining recognition in soil-transmitted helminth (STH) diagnostics, especially for Strongyloides stercoralis and differentiating hookworm species. However, sample preservation and DNA extraction may influence qPCR performance. We estimated STH prevalence and infection intensity by using qPCR in schoolchildren from Huambo, Uige, and Zaire, Angola, and compared its performance with that of the Kato-Katz technique (here termed Kato-Katz). Stool samples from 3,063 children (219 s...
Source: The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene - April 30, 2024 Category: Tropical Medicine Authors: Muzhgan Soultani Adam W Bartlett Elsa P Mendes Sze Fui Hii Rebecca Traub Marta S Palmeirim Luis M M Lufunda Vito Colella Sergio Lopes Susana Vaz Nery Source Type: research
Ocular Brugia pahangi Filariasis Complicated by Severe Macular Damage in Thailand: Case Report and Literature Review
Am J Trop Med Hyg. 2024 Apr 30:tpmd240047. doi: 10.4269/ajtmh.24-0047. Online ahead of print.ABSTRACTExtralymphatic filariasis caused by filaria of zoonotic origins has been frequently reported in Thailand over recent years. Here, we report the first case of ocular filariasis in a 7.5-year-old Thai boy who initially presented with progressive conjunctival redness and blurred vision in his right eye. A small, slender, coiled worm was found and surgically removed from the right anterior chamber. Histopathological examination illustrated predominant eosinophilic inflammation surrounding the parasite, which showed smooth and t...
Source: Am J Trop Med Hyg - April 30, 2024 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Narut Suphap Thanapong Somkijrungroj Wijak Kongwattananon Wajamon Supawatjariyakul Thanapat Pataradool Kanyarat Kraivichian Watsamon Jantarabenjakul Wasee Tulvatana Kanok Preativatanyou Source Type: research
