18 results on '"MILHANO, N."'
Search Results
2. The role of Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato saliva in the dissemination of Rickettsia conorii in C3H/HeJ mice
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MILHANO, N., SAITO, T. B., BECHELLI, J., FANG, R., VILHENA, M., DE SOUSA, R., and WALKER, D. H.
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- 2015
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3. Management strategies of enterovirus D68 outbreaks: current perspectives
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Milhano N, Borge KS, Bragstad K, and Dudman SG
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treatment ,outbreak ,AFP ,diagnostics ,surveillance ,lcsh:QR1-502 ,Enterovirus D68 ,lcsh:Microbiology - Abstract
Natacha Milhano,Kaja Sverdrup Borge,Karoline Bragstad,Susanne G Dudman Domain for Environmental Health and Infectious Disease Control, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway Abstract: Following its discovery in California in 1962, enterovirus D68 (EV-D68) was reported only sporadically around the world. In August 2014, a marked increase of EV-D68 cases in young children with severe respiratory infections was reported in the USA and Canada and later in Europe and Asia. Some of these cases were also found to be associated with acute flaccid paralysis, which exacerbated public health concern, and has since triggered international efforts to strengthen both EV-D68 and acute flaccid paralysis surveillance systems. This review summarizes the current knowledge on EV-D68, offering an overview of EV-D68 epidemiology, clinical presentations, diagnostic methodologies, and treatment strategies, as well as surveillance and outbreak management. Keywords: enterovirus D68, AFP, diagnostics, treatment, surveillance, outbreak 
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- 2018
4. Distribution, abundance and ecology of ticks in Portugal mainland: data from five years of a surveillance program REVIVE
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Santos-Silva, M.M., Santos, A., Lopes de Carvalho, I., Sousa, R., Luz, T., Parreira, L., Chainho, L., Gomes, M.S., Milhano, N., Osório, H., Alves, M.J., Núncio, M.S., and REVIVE Workgroup
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Infecções Sistémicas e Zoonoses ,Ticks ,Ecology ,Portugal ,REVIVE ,Distribution - Abstract
in: 20th European Society for Vector Ecology Conference 2016: book of abstracts, p. 120. doi:10.3920/978-90-8686-837-7 REVIVE (National Network for Vector Surveillance) aims to: i) Monitor the activity of hematophagous arthropods; ii) Characterize the species and its seasonal occurrence; iii) Identify important pathogens in Public Health, depending on the density of the vectors, the level of infection or the introduction of exotic species to alert for control measures. info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion
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- 2016
5. REVIVE, a surveillance program on vectors and vector-borne pathogens in Portugal - four year experience on ticks
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Santos, A.S., Santos Silva, M., Lopes de Carvalho, I., Milhano, N., Chaínho, L., Luz, T., Parreira, P., Gomes, S., De Sousa, R., Núncio, M.S., and REVIVE Workgrup
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Infecções Sistémicas e Zoonoses ,Ticks ,Portugal ,Vector-Borne Pathogens ,REVIVE - Abstract
REVIVE is a national wide surveillance program on vector and vector-borne agents implement and coordinate by the National Institute of Health (CEVDI/INSA) in collaboration with other institutions of the Health Ministry. The programme started in 2008 with the surveillance of mosquitoes and later in 2011 was extended to ticks. The main goals of this project are to collect and identify vectors, updating our knowledge in the distribution, hostassociations, seasonality and abundance of the Portuguese species. Additionally this project contributes for monitoring the introduction of exotic vector species. This work regards the 4-year REVIVE studies on ticks and Borrelia/Rickettsia surveillance, among other tick-borne agents, discussing the established circuits, obtained results and practical interventions. Over 29.000 ticks were collected on hosts or by flagging vegetation from 168 (60.4%) municipalities of mainland Portugal. Collection in humans reached the 583 specimens. In total, 13 autochthonous tick species were identified, including Dermacentor marginatus; D. reticulatus; Haemaphysalis punctata; Hyalomma lusitanicum; H. marginatum; Ixodes canisuga; I. hexagonus; I. ricinus; I. ventalloi; Rhipicephalus annulatus; R. bursa; R. pusillus; R. sanguineus. Of note is the identification of an exotic species, Amblyomma sp., attached to a Portuguese emigrant arriving from USA. The top three species collected during this surveillance program were R. sanguineus (69%), followed by R. pusillus (16.4%) and H. marginatum (9.7%). However regarding antropofilic behaviour, from the 11 species found in humans the most prevalent were I. ricinus (35%), followed by R. sanguineus (34%), and H. marginatum (14%). The abundance, distribution, host association and other relevant patterns are compared with previous existing records. Regarding the tick-borne agents, all ticks collected from humans and about 10% of the questing/host-attached ticks were tested for Borrelia and Rickettsia spp., among other agents. Ten bacteria were identified so far in single or multiple infection, including Borrelia afzelii, B. garinii, B. lusitaniae, Rickettsia aeschlimannii, R. conorii, R. helvetica, R. massiliae, R. monacensis, R. raoulti, and R. slovaca. The importance of including other tick-borne agents in routine screening is also discussed. The presented data reinforces the importance of the REVIVE. The program has contributed to call attention to tick-borne diseases not only among healthcare providers but also in the populations. The workflow established, has also enabled timely screeningof ticks removed from humans, animals or in a given environment, allowing the implementation of informed prevention/control strategies and directly contributing to improve Public Health in Portugal. Coxiella and Anaplasma testing was performed on behalf of the FCT project PTDC/SAUSAP/115266/2009
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- 2015
6. Acute flaccid paralysis surveillance system in Norway detected two cases of enterovirus D68 infection
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Milhano, N., primary, Bragstad, K., additional, Pfeiffer, H.C., additional, Vainio, K., additional, Bjørnholt, J., additional, Kran, A.M.B., additional, and Dudman, S., additional
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- 2015
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7. The role ofRhipicephalus sanguineus sensu latosaliva in the dissemination ofRickettsia conoriiin C3H/HeJ mice
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MILHANO, N., primary, SAITO, T. B., additional, BECHELLI, J., additional, FANG, R., additional, VILHENA, M., additional, DE SOUSA, R., additional, and WALKER, D. H., additional
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- 2015
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8. Role of the Lizard Teira dugesii as a Potential Host for Ixodes ricinus Tick-Borne Pathogens
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De Sousa, R., primary, de Carvalho, I. Lopes, additional, Santos, A. S., additional, Bernardes, C., additional, Milhano, N., additional, Jesus, J., additional, Menezes, D., additional, and Núncio, M. S., additional
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- 2012
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9. The role of Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato saliva in the dissemination of Rickettsia conorii in C3H/ HeJ mice.
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MILHANO, N., SAITO, T. B., BECHELLI, J., FANG, R., VILHENA, M., DE SOUSA, R., and WALKER, D. H.
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BROWN dog tick , *RICKETTSIA conorii , *POLYMERASE chain reaction , *MESSENGER RNA , *LABORATORY mice , *ANIMAL models in research - Abstract
Animal models have been developed for the study of rickettsial pathogenesis. However, to understand what occurs during the natural route of rickettsial transmission via the tick bite, the role of tick saliva should be considered in these models. To address this, we analysed the role of tick saliva in the transmission of Rickettsia conorii ( Rickettsiales: Rickettsiaceae) in a murine host by intradermally (i.d.) inoculating two groups of susceptible C3H/ HeJ mice with this Rickettsia, and infesting one group with nymphal Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato ( Ixodida: Ixodidae) ticks. Quantification of bacterial loads and mRNA levels of interleukin-1β ( IL-1β), IL-10 and NF-κB was performed in C3H/ HeJ lung samples by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction ( PCR) and real-time reverse transcriptase PCR, respectively. Lung histology was examined to evaluate the pathological manifestations of infection. No statistically significant difference in bacterial load in the lungs of mice was observed between these two groups; however, a statistically significant difference was observed in levels of IL-1β and NF-κB, both of which were higher in the group inoculated with rickettsiae but not infected with ticks. Lung histology in both groups of animals revealed infiltration of inflammatory cells. Overall, this study showed that i.d. inoculation of R. conorii caused infection in the lungs of C3H/ HeJ mice and tick saliva inhibited proinflammatory effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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- 2015
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10. Circulation and diagnostics of Puumala virus in Norway: nephropatia epidemica incidence and rodent population dynamics.
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Milhano N, Korslund L, Evander M, Ahlm C, Vainio K, Dudman SG, and Andreassen Å
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- Adolescent, Adult, Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Animals, Child, Child, Preschool, Cluster Analysis, Female, Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome diagnosis, Hemorrhagic Fever with Renal Syndrome diagnosis, Humans, Incidence, Infant, Infant, Newborn, Male, Middle Aged, Norway epidemiology, Phylogeny, Polymerase Chain Reaction, Population Dynamics, Puumala virus classification, Puumala virus genetics, Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction, Seasons, Sequence Analysis, DNA, Sequence Homology, Serum virology, Topography, Medical, Young Adult, Arvicolinae growth & development, Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome epidemiology, Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome virology, Hemorrhagic Fever with Renal Syndrome epidemiology, Hemorrhagic Fever with Renal Syndrome virology, Puumala virus isolation & purification
- Abstract
Hantaviruses pose a public health concern worldwide causing haemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) and hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS). Puumala virus (PUUV) is the most prevalent hantavirus in Central and Northern Europe, and causes a mild form of HFRS, also known as nephropathia epidemica (NE). In nature, the main host of PUUV is the bank vole (Myodes glareolus), and transmission to humans occurs through inhalation of aerosols from rodent excreta. Nephropathia epidemica is particularly prevalent in Nordic countries, however, few studies of PUUV have been performed in Norway. The aim of this study was to analyse the dynamics of PUUV in Norway and compare with bank vole population dynamics, and also to complement the current diagnostic methodology of NE in Norway. Our results showed a significant seasonal and geographical variation of NE, and a general parallel peak trend between bank vole population densities and human NE incidence. A real-time and a nested PCR were successfully established as an invaluable diagnostic tool, with detection and sequencing of PUUV in a human serum sample for the first time in Norway. Phylogenetic analysis showed clustering of the obtained human sample with previous Norwegian bank vole isolates., (© 2017 APMIS. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)
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- 2017
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11. PCR screening of tick-borne agents in sensitive conservation areas, Southeast Portugal.
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Santos-Silva MM, Melo P, Santos N, Antunes S, Duarte LR, Ferrolho J, Milhano N, Santos PT, Domingos A, and Santos AS
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- Animals, Geography, Lynx parasitology, Portugal, Polymerase Chain Reaction methods, Ticks genetics
- Abstract
The Southeast region of Portugal, particularly the Guadiana valley, is currently the reintroduction territory of Lynx pardinus (Iberian lynx), one of the most endangered felids in the world that is only found in the Iberian Peninsula. Over the last century, populations have declined, placing L. pardinus at extremely high risk of extinction in the wild and relying on reintroduction projects. Among the aspects taken into account in the establishment of new populations is the sanitary status of the selected habitats, especially concerning infectious diseases, including tick-borne pathogens (TBPs). This study presents the results of TBPs survey on ticks collected at sensitive conservation areas of Southeast Portugal. From 2012 to 2014, 231 ticks obtained from vegetation, sympatric domestic and wild animals were submitted for analysis. The presence of Babesia spp., Cytauxzoon spp., Theileria spp., Hepatozoon spp., Anaplasma spp., Ehrlichia spp., Candidatus Neoehrlichia mikurensis, among other Anaplasmataceae, and Coxiella burnetii were investigated by PCR. Six tick species were recorded, Dermacentor marginatus (n = 13/5.6%), Hyalomma lusitanicum (n = 175/75.8%), Ixodes ricinus (n = 4/1.7%), Rhipicephalus bursa (n = 7/3.0%), R. pusillus (n = 21/9.1%) and R. sanguineus sensu lato (n = 11/4.8%). The molecular screening confirmed the presence of two tick-borne pathogens, C. burnetii (N = 34) and Anaplasma platys (N = 1), and one tick-endosymbiont, Candidatus Midichloria mitochondrii (N = 45). The results obtained provide new information on the circulation of ticks and TBPs with potential veterinary importance in Iberian lynx habitat., (Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)
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- 2017
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12. In vitro and in vivo comparison of transport media for detecting nasopharyngeal carriage of Streptococcus pneumoniae.
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Steens A, Milhano N, Aaberge IS, and Vestrheim DF
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Background: As a standard method for pneumococcal carriage studies, the World Health Organization recommends nasopharyngeal swabs be transported and stored at cool temperatures in a medium containing skim-milk, tryptone, glucose and glycerol (STGG). An enrichment broth used for transport at room temperature in three carriage studies performed in Norway may have a higher sensitivity than STGG. We therefore compared the media in vitro and in vivo., Methods: For the in vitro component, three strains (serotype 4, 19F and 3) were suspended in STGG and enrichment broth. Recovery was compared using latex agglutination, quantification of bacterial loads by real-time PCR of the lytA gene, and counting colonies from incubated plates. For the in vivo comparison, paired swabs were obtained from 100 children and transported in STGG at cool temperatures or in enrichment broth at room temperature. Carriage was identified by latex agglutination and confirmed by Quellung reaction., Results: In vitro, the cycle threshold values obtained by PCR did not differ between the two media (p = 0.853) and no clear difference in colony counts was apparent after incubation (p = 0.593). In vivo, pneumococci were recovered in 46% of swabs transported in STGG and 51% of those transported in enrichment broth (Kappa statistic 0.90, p = 0.063)., Discussion: Overall, no statistical differences in sensitivity were found between STGG and enrichment broth. Nevertheless, some serotype differences were observed and STGG appeared slightly less sensitive than enrichment broth for detection of nasopharyngeal carriage of pneumococci by culturing. We recommend the continued use of STGG for transport and storage of nasopharyngeal swabs in pneumococcal carriage studies for the benefit of comparability between studies and settings, including more resource-limited settings., Competing Interests: The authors declare there are no competing interests.
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- 2016
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13. Real-time, portable genome sequencing for Ebola surveillance.
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Quick J, Loman NJ, Duraffour S, Simpson JT, Severi E, Cowley L, Bore JA, Koundouno R, Dudas G, Mikhail A, Ouédraogo N, Afrough B, Bah A, Baum JH, Becker-Ziaja B, Boettcher JP, Cabeza-Cabrerizo M, Camino-Sanchez A, Carter LL, Doerrbecker J, Enkirch T, Dorival IGG, Hetzelt N, Hinzmann J, Holm T, Kafetzopoulou LE, Koropogui M, Kosgey A, Kuisma E, Logue CH, Mazzarelli A, Meisel S, Mertens M, Michel J, Ngabo D, Nitzsche K, Pallash E, Patrono LV, Portmann J, Repits JG, Rickett NY, Sachse A, Singethan K, Vitoriano I, Yemanaberhan RL, Zekeng EG, Trina R, Bello A, Sall AA, Faye O, Faye O, Magassouba N, Williams CV, Amburgey V, Winona L, Davis E, Gerlach J, Washington F, Monteil V, Jourdain M, Bererd M, Camara A, Somlare H, Camara A, Gerard M, Bado G, Baillet B, Delaune D, Nebie KY, Diarra A, Savane Y, Pallawo RB, Gutierrez GJ, Milhano N, Roger I, Williams CJ, Yattara F, Lewandowski K, Taylor J, Rachwal P, Turner D, Pollakis G, Hiscox JA, Matthews DA, O'Shea MK, Johnston AM, Wilson D, Hutley E, Smit E, Di Caro A, Woelfel R, Stoecker K, Fleischmann E, Gabriel M, Weller SA, Koivogui L, Diallo B, Keita S, Rambaut A, Formenty P, Gunther S, and Carroll MW
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- Aircraft, Disease Outbreaks statistics & numerical data, Ebolavirus classification, Ebolavirus pathogenicity, Guinea epidemiology, Humans, Mutagenesis genetics, Mutation Rate, Time Factors, Ebolavirus genetics, Epidemiological Monitoring, Genome, Viral genetics, Hemorrhagic Fever, Ebola epidemiology, Hemorrhagic Fever, Ebola virology, Sequence Analysis, DNA instrumentation, Sequence Analysis, DNA methods
- Abstract
The Ebola virus disease epidemic in West Africa is the largest on record, responsible for over 28,599 cases and more than 11,299 deaths. Genome sequencing in viral outbreaks is desirable to characterize the infectious agent and determine its evolutionary rate. Genome sequencing also allows the identification of signatures of host adaptation, identification and monitoring of diagnostic targets, and characterization of responses to vaccines and treatments. The Ebola virus (EBOV) genome substitution rate in the Makona strain has been estimated at between 0.87 × 10(-3) and 1.42 × 10(-3) mutations per site per year. This is equivalent to 16-27 mutations in each genome, meaning that sequences diverge rapidly enough to identify distinct sub-lineages during a prolonged epidemic. Genome sequencing provides a high-resolution view of pathogen evolution and is increasingly sought after for outbreak surveillance. Sequence data may be used to guide control measures, but only if the results are generated quickly enough to inform interventions. Genomic surveillance during the epidemic has been sporadic owing to a lack of local sequencing capacity coupled with practical difficulties transporting samples to remote sequencing facilities. To address this problem, here we devise a genomic surveillance system that utilizes a novel nanopore DNA sequencing instrument. In April 2015 this system was transported in standard airline luggage to Guinea and used for real-time genomic surveillance of the ongoing epidemic. We present sequence data and analysis of 142 EBOV samples collected during the period March to October 2015. We were able to generate results less than 24 h after receiving an Ebola-positive sample, with the sequencing process taking as little as 15-60 min. We show that real-time genomic surveillance is possible in resource-limited settings and can be established rapidly to monitor outbreaks.
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- 2016
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14. Rickettsia massiliae and Rickettsia conorii Israeli Spotted Fever Strain Differentially Regulate Endothelial Cell Responses.
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Bechelli J, Smalley C, Milhano N, Walker DH, and Fang R
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- Animals, Boutonneuse Fever genetics, Boutonneuse Fever metabolism, Boutonneuse Fever microbiology, Capillary Permeability, Caspase 1 metabolism, Cell Line, Cell Membrane Permeability, Cell Survival, Chlorocebus aethiops, Cytokines metabolism, DNA, Bacterial genetics, Endothelial Cells microbiology, Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay, Gene Expression Regulation, Host-Pathogen Interactions, Humans, Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction, Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction, Rickettsia physiology, Rickettsia Infections genetics, Rickettsia Infections metabolism, Rickettsia Infections microbiology, Rickettsia conorii physiology, Species Specificity, Vero Cells, Cytokines genetics, Endothelial Cells metabolism, Rickettsia genetics, Rickettsia conorii genetics
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Rickettsiae primarily target microvascular endothelial cells. However, it remains elusive how endothelial cell responses to rickettsiae play a role in the pathogenesis of rickettsial diseases. In the present study, we employed two rickettsial species with high sequence homology but differing virulence to investigate the pathological endothelial cell responses. Rickettsia massiliae is a newly documented human pathogen that causes a mild spotted fever rickettsiosis. The "Israeli spotted fever" strain of R. conorii (ISF) causes severe disease with a mortality rate up to 30% in hospitalized patients. At 48 hours post infection (HPI), R. conorii (ISF) induced a significant elevation of IL-8 and IL-6 while R. massiliae induced a statistically significant elevated amount of MCP-1 at both transcriptional and protein synthesis levels. Strikingly, R. conorii (ISF), but not R. massiliae, caused a significant level of cell death or injury in HMEC-1 cells at 72 HPI, demonstrated by live-dead cell staining, annexin V staining and lactate dehydrogenase release. Monolayers of endothelial cells infected with R. conorii (ISF) showed a statistically significant decrease in electrical resistance across the monolayer compared to both R. massiliae-infected and uninfected cells at 72 HPI, suggesting increased endothelial permeability. Interestingly, pharmacological inhibitors of caspase-1 significantly reduced the release of lactate dehydrogenase by R. conorii (ISF)-infected HMEC-1 cells, which suggests the role of caspase-1 in mediating the death of endothelial cells. Taken together, our data illustrated that a distinct proinflammatory cytokine profile and endothelial dysfunction, as evidenced by endothelial cell death/injury and increased permeability, are associated with the severity of rickettsial diseases.
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- 2015
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15. Quantitative study of Rickettsia massiliae in Rhipicephalus sanguineus organs.
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Milhano N, Popov V, Vilhena M, Bouyer DH, de Sousa R, and Walker DH
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- Animals, Female, Guinea Pigs, Male, Rhipicephalus sanguineus physiology, Rhipicephalus sanguineus ultrastructure, Rickettsia genetics, Salivary Glands microbiology, Rhipicephalus sanguineus microbiology, Rickettsia isolation & purification
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Rickettsia massiliae, belonging to the spotted fever group of Rickettsia, is a human pathogen causing a similar course of disease to that caused by R. conorii, the originally recognized etiologic agent of Mediterranean spotted fever. In view of this similarity, we performed an ultrastructural study of R. massiliae in organs of Rhipicephalus sanguineus ticks, in order to advance knowledge of the complex dynamics at the tick-pathogen interface in rickettsioses. Adult R. massiliae-infected Rh. sanguineus ticks were fed on uninfected Hartley strain guinea pigs, and five females were collected daily throughout their feeding period up to day 6, and analyzed by quantitative real-time PCR and electron microscopy. An increase in rickettsial content was observed in the salivary glands, particularly in the first two days of feeding, and a plateau was observed between days 3 and 6. Rickettsial organisms were observed in all tick organs analyzed, in higher numbers in the fed state, and statistically significant differences were observed in measurements of the periplasmic layer of R. massiliae in salivary glands of fed and unfed Rh. sanguineus ticks, with increased thickness in the former case. This study provides insight into the interface between R. massiliae and Rh. sanguineus ticks, highlighting the need for analysis of R. massiliae to fully ascertain its place as an important pathogenic agent of a spotted fever rickettsiosis., (Copyright © 2014 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.)
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- 2014
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16. Rickettsia lusitaniae sp. nov. isolated from the soft tick Ornithodoros erraticus (Acarina: Argasidae).
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Milhano N, Palma M, Marcili A, Núncio MS, de Carvalho IL, and de Sousa R
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- Animals, Chlorocebus aethiops, Female, Multigene Family, Portugal, Rickettsia classification, Rickettsia isolation & purification, Swine, Vero Cells, Genes, Bacterial, Genetic Speciation, Ornithodoros microbiology, Phylogeny, Rickettsia genetics
- Abstract
In this study a novel Rickettsia from the spotted fever group, isolated from Ornithodoros erraticus soft ticks collected from pigpens in the south of Portugal, is described. After initial screening revealed Rickettsia-positive ticks, isolation attempts were then performed. Successful isolates were achieved by shell-vial technique using Vero E6 cells at 28°C. Molecular characterization of the isolate was performed based on analysis of five rickettsial genes gltA, ompA, ompB, sca1 and htr with their subsequent concatenation along with other rickettsial species resulting in a clustering of the new isolate with Rickettsia felis and Rickettsia hoogstraalii. The degree of nucleotide sequence similarity with other rickettsiae fulfills the criteria for classification of our isolate as a novel species. The name Rickettsia lusitaniae sp. nov. (=CEVDI PoTiRo) is proposed for this new species found in O. erraticus., (Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)
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- 2014
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17. Coinfections of Rickettsia slovaca and Rickettsia helvetica with Borrelia lusitaniae in ticks collected in a Safari Park, Portugal.
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Milhano N, de Carvalho IL, Alves AS, Arroube S, Soares J, Rodriguez P, Carolino M, Núncio MS, Piesman J, and de Sousa R
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- Animals, Borrelia Infections epidemiology, Female, Male, Portugal, Rickettsia Infections epidemiology, Arachnid Vectors microbiology, Borrelia isolation & purification, Coinfection, Rickettsia isolation & purification, Ticks microbiology
- Abstract
Borrelia and Rickettsia bacteria are the most important tick-borne agents causing disease in Portugal. Identification and characterization of these circulating agents, mainly in recreational areas, is crucial for the development of preventive measures in response to the gradually increasing exposure of humans to tick vectors. A total of 677 questing ticks including Dermacentor marginatus, Rhipicephalus sanguineus, Ixodes ricinus, Hyalomma lusitanicum, H. marginatum, and Haemaphysalis punctata were collected in a Safari Park in Alentejo, Portugal, to investigate the prevalences of infection and characterize Borrelia and Rickettsia species. From a total of 371 ticks tested by PCR for Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato (s.l.), of which 247 were tested for Rickettsia, an infection prevalence of 18.3% was found for B. lusitaniae and 55.1% for Rickettsia spp. Sequence analysis of positive amplicons identified the presence of B. lusitaniae (18.3%), R. monacensis strain IRS3 (51.7%), and R. helvetica (48.3%) in I. ricinus. R. slovaca (41.5%), R. raoultii (58.5%), and also B. lusitaniae (21%) were identified in D. marginatus ticks. One (5.9%) H. lusitanicum was infected with B. lusitaniae, and R. massiliae was found in one Rhipicephalus sanguineus. Coinfection was found in 7 (20%) I. ricinus and 34 (23.3%) D. marginatus ticks. We report, for the first time, simultaneous infection with R. helvetica and B. lusitaniae and also R. slovaca, the agent of TIBOLA/DEBONEL, with B. lusitaniae. Additionally, 6 isolates of B. lusitaniae were established, and isolates of Rickettsia were also obtained for the detected species using tick macerates cultured in mammalian and mosquito cell lines. This report describes the detection and isolation of tick-borne agents from a Portuguese Safari Park, highlighting the increased likelihood of infection with multiple agents to potential visitors or staff., (Copyright © 2010 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.)
- Published
- 2010
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18. Detection of Borrelia lusitaniae, Rickettsia sp. IRS3, Rickettsia monacensis, and Anaplasma phagocytophilum in Ixodes ricinus collected in Madeira Island, Portugal.
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de Carvalho IL, Milhano N, Santos AS, Almeida V, Barros SC, De Sousa R, and Núncio MS
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- Animals, Borrelia classification, Portugal, Rickettsia classification, Anaplasma phagocytophilum isolation & purification, Borrelia isolation & purification, Ixodes microbiology, Rickettsia isolation & purification
- Abstract
A total of 300 Ixodes ricinus ticks were tested by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for the presence of Borrelia spp., Rickettsia spp., and Anaplasma phagocytophilum. Sequence analysis demonstrated 8 (2.7%) ticks infected with B. lusitaniae, 60 (20%) with Rickettsia spp., and 1 (0.3%) with A. phagocytophilum. Seven (2.3%) ticks were coinfected with B. lusitaniae and Rickettsia spp., 2 (0.6%) with R. monacensis, and 5 (1.7%) with Rickettsia sp. IRS3. The results of this study suggest simultaneous transmission of multiple tick-borne agents on Madeira Island, Portugal.
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- 2008
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