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- Author or Editor: Nóra Takács x
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A long-legged tick was collected from a hibernating greater mouse-eared bat (Myotis myotis) in Baden-Württemberg, Germany. Based on morphological characteristics as well as on partial COI and 16S rDNA gene sequences the tick was identified as an engorged female of Ixodes ariadnae. The greater mouseeared bat is a new host record for this tick species. Taking into account the geographical position of the collection site and the known migration distance of the greater mouse-eared bat, the present data suggest the autochthonous occurrence of I. ariadnae in Germany. This is the first record of I. ariadnae in Germany, and in any country other than Hungary, where this species has been recently discovered.
During clinical trials, samples from Hungarian patients of different age groups were tested for antibodies against all 3 serotypes of poliovirus, a member of Picornaviridae family. During the virus neutralization serological test, blood samples were titrated using permanent virus concentration. Based on the cythopathic effect observed under a light microscope, the antibody level of the patient was assessed. The 100 people examined were classified into 5 groups based on age and type of original vaccine: I. Newborns, no vaccination given; II. Immunosuppressed patients; III. Born before 1986, received only OPV vaccine; IV. Born between 1992–2005, received a combination of OPV and IPV vaccines; V. Born after 2006, received only IPV vaccine. Results show that vaccination coverage meets all the criteria. None of the immunized persons was seronegative to all three polioviruses. Both IPV and OPV vaccines are effective against poliovirus. Blood samples from newborn babies with no immunization were also examined. Results show that most newborns have maternal antibodies in their blood. Results of group II show that immunosuppression does not have a negative influence on blood antibody levels against polioviruses. In spite of the low number of samples, our results show that seroconversion after immunization in the Hungarian population is adequate. For more accurate results about vaccination coverage in the population, further trials would be necessary.
Reports of Sarcocystis rileyi-like protozoa (‘rice breast disease’) from anseriform birds had been rare in Europe until the last two decades, when S. rileyi was identified in northern Europe and the UK. However, despite the economic losses resulting from S. rileyi infection, no recent accounts are available on its presence (which can be suspected) in most parts of central, western, southern and eastern Europe. Between 2014 and 2019, twelve mallards (Anas platyrhynchos) were observed to have rice breast disease in Hungary, and the last one of these 12 cases allowed molecular identification of S. rileyi, as reported here. In addition, S. rileyi was molecularly identified in the faeces of one red fox (Vulpes vulpes). The hunting season for mallards in Hungary lasts from mid-August to January, which in Europe coincides with the wintering migration of anseriform birds towards the south. Based on this, as well as bird ringing data, it is reasonable to suppose that the first S. rileyi-infected mallards arrived in Hungary from the north. on the other hand, red foxes (Vulpes vulpes), which are final hosts of S. rileyi, are ubiquitous in Hungary, and our molecular finding confirms an already established autochthonous life cycle of S. rileyi in the region. Taken together, this is the first evidence for the occurrence of S. rileyi in Hungary and its region.
Abstract
In this study, faecal samples of four American Staffordshire terrier dogs (used for illegal fighting) were analysed by DNA extraction, molecular-phylogenetic and parasitological methods, in order to examine the occurrence of protozoan, apicomplexan parasites. In one sample, the DNA of Sarcocystis morae was shown to be present. This species was identified based on 100% identity with already reported sequences of S. morae from cervids in Lithuania and Spain. The result was also confirmed by phylogenetic analysis. The sporocysts of the canine S. morae isolate measured 14.95 × 9.75 μm on average. This is the first molecular evidence in support of the final host role of domestic dogs in the life cycle of S. morae. The most likely source of the infection was raw meat given to the examined dog to increase its physical achievement. In conclusion, under similar circumstances dogs may participate in the life cycle of S. morae in a ‘natural way’, shedding sporocysts/oocysts when used for hunting or taken to walks in forested areas.
Abstract
Anaplasma phagocytophilum is the causative agent of granulocytic anaplasmosis in humans, dogs, cats, horses and tick-borne fever in ruminants. In Europe, its main vector is the tick species Ixodes ricinus. In this study, spleen and liver samples, as well as ticks from 18 wild-living mammals (belonging to seven species) were analysed for the presence of A. phagocytophilum with molecular methods. The zoonotic ecotype-I of A. phagocytophilum was identified in a European wildcat (Felis silvestris) and its tick, a European pine marten (Martes martes) and a Eurasian red squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris). All PCR-positive samples were collected in 2019 and originated in the same geographic area. These results indicate that taxonomically diverse mammalian species can maintain the local enzootic cycle of the same genotype of A. phagocytophilum. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of the zoonotic variant of A. phagocytophilum in the wildcat and in the European pine marten in a broad geographical context, as well as in the red squirrel in Hungary. Since all these host species are well known for their urban and peri-urban presence, the results of this study verify their role in the synanthropic enzootic cycle of granulocytic anaplasmosis and tick-borne fever.
Hypercalcaemia és veseelégtelenség – merre induljunk?
Hypercalcemia and renal insufficiency – where can we start?
Összefoglaló. Közleményünkben egy 63 éves férfi esetét ismertetjük, aki fáradékonyság, fogyás miatt végzett laboratóriumi vizsgálatokon igazolódó veseelégtelenség és hypercalcaemia miatt került felvételre Klinikánkra. A területen végzett röntgenvizsgálaton a koponyán frontalisan és a sacrumon csonteltérések (temporofrontalisan 13 mm-es, körülírtabb, mérsékelten intenzív árnyék és az S1-es rés sclerosisa) ábrázolódtak, ultrahangvizsgálat során lépmegnagyobbodás volt látható. Tünetei hátterében endokrin vagy malignus betegség nem igazolódott. A háttérben elsősorban myeloma multiplex merült fel, ugyanakkor azt célzott vizsgálatokkal sem megerősíteni, sem kizárni nem lehetett, így csontvelő-biopszia történt. A vesefunkció-romlás okának tisztázása végett vesebiopsziát végeztünk, melynek előzetes eredménye interstitialis nephritist véleményezett óriássejtekkel. Az angiotenzinkonvertáló enzim szérumszintjének ez okból történő vizsgálata emelkedett szintet mutatott, így esetünket Boeck-sarcoidosis extrapulmonalis manifesztációjának tartottuk. Per os szteroidkezelésre a beteg tünetei egyértelmű regressziót mutattak. A csontvelő- és vesebiopszia eredménye megerősítette a Boeck-sarcoidosis diagnózisát. A sarcoidosis ezen extrapulmonalis formája hypercalcaemiával és veseérintettséggel – de tüdőérintettség nélkül – rendkívül ritka, különös tekintettel a vesét érintő formára. Hypercalcaemia nagyjából 7,9%-ban, veseelégtelenség 1,4%-ban fordul elő. Ezen eset alapján fontos hangsúlyozni, hogy a hypercalcaemia és a veseelégtelenség hátterében a gyakoribb endokrin, malignus, hematológiai okok mellett a Boeck-sarcoidosisnak is fel kell merülnie a differenciáldiagnosztika során. Orv Hetil. 2021; 162(13): 514–518.
Summary. We present the case of a 63-year-old male patient who was admitted to our Clinic with fatigue, weight loss, hypercalcemia, renal insufficiency and anemia. X-ray showed lesions on the frontal skull and sacral region. On abdominal ultrasound, splenomegaly was detected. Based on these, myeloma multiplex was the most likely initial diagnosis; this, however, could not be confirmed with targeted serum tests, therefore bone marrow biopsy was performed. To clarify the underlying cause of decreased kidney function, renal biopsy was performed, the preliminary results of which revealed interstitial nephritis accompanied by giant cells. Serum angiotensin converting enzyme level was elevated, which led to the diagnosis of Boeck sarcoidosis with extrapulmonary manifestations. Oral corticosteroid therapy was commenced that was followed by regression of the patient’s symptoms and laboratory abnormalities. Both the bone marrow and the kidney biopsies supported the diagnosis of Boeck sarcoidosis. Presentation of sarcoidosis with hypercalcemia and renal insufficiency but without the involvement of the lungs is extremely rare. Hypercalcemia occurs in about 7.9% and renal insufficiency in 1.4% of the cases. Based on this case, it is important to highlight that in the background of hypercalcemia and renal failure – beside the more frequent causes such as endocrine and hematological diseases, malignancy – one is to consider the possibility of Boeck sarcoidosis as well. Orv Hetil. 2021; 162(13): 514–518.
Abstract
Recently, the occurrence of Ixodes (Pholeoixodes) kaiseri has been reported for the first time in several European countries, but data on the molecular analysis of this hard tick species are still lacking. Therefore, in this study DNA extracts of 28 I. kaiseri (collected from dogs and red foxes in Germany, Hungary and Romania) were screened with reverse line blot hybridisation (RLB), PCR and sequencing for the presence of 43 tick-borne pathogens or other members of their families from the categories of Anaplasmataceae, piroplasms, rickettsiae and borreliae. Rickettsia helvetica DNA was detected in one I. kaiseri female (from a red fox, Romania), for the first time in this tick species. Six ticks (from red foxes, Romania) contained the DNA of Babesia vulpes, also for the first time in the case of I. kaiseri. Molecular evidence of R. helvetica and B. vulpes in engorged I. kaiseri does not prove that this tick species is a vector of the above two pathogens, because they might have been taken up by the ticks from the blood of foxes. In addition, one I. kaiseri female (from a dog, Hungary) harboured Babesia sp. badger type-B, identified for the first time in Hungary and Central Europe (i.e. it has been reported previously from Western Europe and China). The latter finding can be explained by either the susceptibility of dogs to Babesia sp. badger type-B, or by transstadial survival of this piroplasm in I. kaiseri.
Abstract
Following the introduction of the West Nile virus (WNV) into Hungary in 2004, it has shortly become one of the most important human arbovirus infections, with a gradually increasing number of cases. The study aimed to summarize the current epidemiological situation in Hungary and sequence the WNV PCR-positive clinical specimens and virus isolates by next-generation whole genome sequencing (NGS) to obtain a detailed phylogenetic analysis of the circulating virus strains. Whole blood and urine samples from confirmed WNV-infected patients and WNV isolates were investigated by reverse transcription PCR assays. Genome sequencing was carried out by Sanger-method, followed by NGS on the Illumina MiSeq platform. Altogether 499 human infections were diagnosed between 2004 and 2022. A particularly remarkable increase in human WNV infections was observed in 2018, while the number of reported cases significantly decreased during the COVID-19 pandemic. Between 2015 and 2022, 15 WNV isolates, and 10 PCR-positive clinical specimens were investigated by NGS. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the major European WNV lineage 2 clades, namely the Eastern European (or Russian) and the Central European (or Hungarian) clades, are presented in Hungary. Strains of the Balkan and other European clusters within the Central European clade are co-circulating in the country, following a characteristic geographical distribution. In Hungary, the presence and co-circulation of multiple lineage 2 WNV strains could be identified in the last few years. Therefore, in light of the 2018 WNV outbreak, sequence-based typing of the currently circulating strains could highly support outbreak investigations.
