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Several but not all studies have provided evidence for the association between multiple sclerosis (MS) and the T244I variant of the interleukin-7 receptor-alpha gene ( IL7RA), rs6897932. We performed a new replication case–control study in 599 MS patients and 594 healthy controls, all Caucasians from the south of Spain. The genotype and allele frequencies differed between MS cases and controls. The IL7RA rs6897932 C allele and the CC genotype were found to be factors for disease susceptibility [per allele odds ratio (OR) 1.32, 95% CI 1.1–1.6, P = 0.0031; per CC genotype vs TT + TC genotypes, OR 1.5, 95% CI 1.18–1.87, P = 0.0007]. The combined data analysis included 3324 cases and 5032 controls of Europeans and Americans of European origin resulting in stronger association with similar OR ( P = 1.9 × 10E−9). These findings in our sample support previous reported association studies between IL7RA rs6897932 and MS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Background: Rapid diagnostics are not available for several human pathogens in the genus Phlebovirus of the Bunyaviridae. Objectives: To develop RT-PCR assays for Sandfly Fever Sicilian virus (SFSV), Sandfly Fever Naples virus (SFNV), Toscana virus (TOSV) and Rift Valley Fever virus (RVFV). Study design: RNA standards were generated and used to test the performance of the assays. Results: A detection limit of 10–100 RNA molecules was determined for the SFSV, TOSV and RVFV assays. The sensitivity of the SFNV assay was not determined. The TOSV and the RVFV assays detected recent isolates from Spain and Africa, respectively. Conclusion: The assays should help to improve surveillance of pathogenic Phleboviruses. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Simple Summary: Varroa destructor, a parasitic mite of Apis mellifera, is causing severe damages to honey bee colonies worldwide. There are very few acaricides available to manage the parasite, and so the evolution of the mite's resistance to acaricides poses a serious threat to controlling the mite. Using a combined approach that includes bioassays and genotyping, we estimated the expected efficacy of the treatments with acaricide products based on coumaphos, amitraz, and pyrethroids in apiaries from one of the most important beekeeping regions in Spain. This information was shared with the beekeeping community so that they can take informed and scientific-based decisions in the most convenient way to manage the parasite. Varroa destructor is an ectoparasitic mite causing devastating damages to honey bee colonies around the world. Its impact is considered a major factor contributing to the significant seasonal losses of colonies recorded every year. Beekeepers usually rely on a reduced set of acaricides to manage the parasite, usually the pyrethroids tau-fluvalinate or flumethrin, the organophosphate coumaphos, and the formamidine amitraz. However, the evolution of resistance in the mite populations is leading to an unsustainable scenario with almost no alternatives to reach an adequate control of the mite. Here, we present the results from the first large-scale and extensive monitoring of the susceptibility to acaricides in the Comunitat Valenciana, one of the most prominent apicultural regions in Spain. Our ultimate goal is to provide beekeepers with timely information to help them decide what would be the best alternative for a long-term control of the mites in their apiaries. Our data show that there is a significant variation in the expected efficacy of coumaphos and pyrethroids across the region, indicating the presence of a different ratio of resistant individuals to these acaricides in each population. On the other hand, the expected efficacy of amitraz was more consistent, though slightly below the expected efficacy according to the label. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]