A survey investigating the current practice of French health professionals regarding infection risk after monkey bites

International tourism is steadily increasing, with 15% of travellers reporting health problems when they come back. Animal bites represent 2% of consulting causes, of which 20% are due to monkey bites. The Monkey B virus (Macacine alphaherpesvirus 1) is an alphaherpesvirus (Herpesviridae, genus Simplexvirus) enzootic in macaques (Genus Macaca). Zoonotic infections with the Monkey B virus following exposure to macaques are exceptionally rare, but can cause fatal encephalomyelitis in humans. An observational survey was undertaken in 2018 to assess the practice of French health professionals regarding infection risk after monkey bites. French health professionals practicing in vaccination and rabies centres were specifically targeted for this study. Standardized questionnaires were sent by email to a sample of French health professionals. They were asked to participate on a voluntary and anonymous basis. The questionnaires requested epidemiological details and included multiple‐choice questions about the infection management of monkey bites. The response rate was 33.5%. The frequency of monkey bites in 2017 was variable with a minority of centres managing more than 6 per year (12%), 46% managing 1–5 monkey bites and 42% none. Most of the monkey bites were described as occurring in South Asia at tourist sites, on naked upper limbs, shortly after the travellers arrived at their destination. Tetanus status verification, rabies post‐exposure prophylaxis and antibiotic therapy were said to be prescribed in most cases. Knowledge about the Monkey B virus was reported as scarce for 38% of the participants. The number of monkey bites managed per year per centre varied greatly but practices regarding infectious risk after monkey bites were generally homogeneous. The risk of Monkey B virus transmission did not readily come to mind in the differential diagnosis of infection risk for many French health professionals.     

Coiled-coil irregularities and instabilities in group A Streptococcus M1 are required for virulence

Antigenically variable M proteins are major virulence factors and immunogens of the human pathogen group A Streptococcus (GAS). Here, we report the approximately 3 angstrom resolution structure of a GAS M1 fragment containing the regions responsible for eliciting type-specific, protective immunity and for binding fibrinogen, which promotes M1 proinflammatory and antiphagocytic functions. The structure revealed substantial irregularities and instabilities throughout the coiled coil of the M1 fragment. Similar structural irregularities occur in myosin and tropomyosin, explaining the patterns of cross-reactivity seen in autoimmune sequelae of GAS infection. Sequence idealization of a large segment of the M1 coiled coil enhanced stability but diminished fibrinogen binding, proinflammatory effects, and antibody cross-reactivity, whereas it left protective immunogenicity undiminished. Idealized M proteins appear to have promise as vaccine immunogens.     

Intragenic vectors for gene transfer without foreign DNA

The intragenic vector system involves identifying functional equivalents of vector components from the genome of a specific crop species (or related species to which it can be hybridised) and using these DNA sequences to assemble vectors for transformation of that plant species. This system offers an attractive alternative to current genetic engineering strategies where vectors are based on DNA sequences that usually originate from bacteria. The construction of intragenic vectors enables the well-defined genetic improvement of plants with all transferred DNA originating from within the gene pool already available to plant breeders. In this manner genes can be introgressed into elite cultivars in a single step without linkage drag and without the incorporation of foreign DNA. The resulting plants are non-transgenic, although they are derived using the tools of molecular biology and plant transformation. The use of intragenic vectors for the transfer of genes from within the gene pools of crops may help to alleviate some of the major public concerns over the deployment of GM crops in agriculture, notably the ethical issue associated with the transfer of DNA across wide taxonomic boundaries. This paper reviews the progress toward the development and use of intragenic vectors and the implications of their use for the genetic improvement of crops. Dedicated to the late Hans Sandbrink for his enthusiasm in helping to develop intragenic vectors     

Long‐term successful treatment of a donkey with cutaneous lupus erythematous with methotrexate

Cutaneous lupus erythematosus (CLE) is a rare immune‐mediated dermatitis. To the best of the authors’ knowledge it has not been described in donkeys. A 5‐year‐old male neutered donkey, living in south‐east France, was diagnosed with CLE. Clinical signs included generalized symmetrical areas of alopecia, erythema, crusting and scales. Diagnostic tests included examination of skin biopsy samples by histopathological and immunohistochemical analysis which demonstrated an interface dermatitis with CD8+ T cells. The skin condition was successfully treated initially with glucocorticoids and methotrexate; successful long‐term maintenance was associated with administration of methotrexate.     

Five years of simulated atmospheric nitrogen deposition have only subtle effects on the fate of newly synthesized carbon in Calluna vulgaris and Eriophorum vaginatum

To understand the implications of atmospheric nitrogen deposition on carbon turnover in peatlands, we conducted a ¹³C pulse labeling experiment on Calluna vulgaris and Eriophorum vaginatum already receiving long-term (5 years) amendments of 56 kg N ha⁻¹ y⁻¹ as ammonium or nitrate. We examined shoot tissue retention, net ecosystem respiration returns of the ¹³C pulse, and soil porewater DOC content under the two species. ¹³C fixation in Eriophorum leaves was enhanced with nitrogen addition and doubled with nitrate supply. This newly fixed C appeared to be relocated below-ground faster with nitrogen fertilization as respiration returns were unaffected by N inputs. By contrast, increases in ¹³C fixation were not observed in Calluna. Instead, net ecosystem respiration rates over Calluna increased with N fertilization. There was no significant label incorporation into DOC, suggesting a conservative strategy of peatland vegetation regarding allocation of C through root exudation. Greater concentrations of total DOC were identified with nitrate addition in Calluna. Given the long-term nature of the experiment and the high N inputs, the overall impacts of nitrogen amendments on the fate of recently synthesized C in Eriophorum and Calluna in this ombrotrophic peatland were surprisingly more moderate than originally hypothesized. This may be due to N being effectively retained within the bryophyte layer, thus limiting, and delaying the onset of, below-ground effects.     

Intestinal lymphangiectasia with lipogranulomatous lymphangitis in a dog

Intestinal lymphangiectasia with lipogranulomatous lymphangitis was diagnosed at necropsy in a 6.5-year-old Maltese dog that had a history of bouts of vomiting, abdominal distention, and diarrhea. The condition was attributed to trauma to the pleural and peritoneal cavities received from bite wounds inflicted one year previously.     

Different polyphenolic components of soft fruits inhibit alpha-amylase and alpha-glucosidase

Polyphenol-rich extracts from soft fruits were tested for their ability to inhibit alpha-amylase and alpha-glucosidase. All extracts tested caused some inhibition of alpha-amylase, but there was a 10-fold difference between the least and most effective extracts. Strawberry and raspberry extracts were more effective alpha-amylase inhibitors than blueberry, blackcurrant, or red cabbage. Conversely, alpha-glucosidase was more readily inhibited by blueberry and blackcurrant extracts. The extent of inhibition of alpha-glucosidase was related to their anthocyanin content. For example, blueberry and blackcurrant extracts, which have the highest anthocyanin content, were the most effective inhibitors of alpha-glucosidase. The extracts most effective in inhibiting alpha-amylase (strawberry and raspberry) contain appreciable amounts of soluble tannins. Other tannin-rich extracts (red grape, red wine, and green tea) were also effective inhibitors of alpha-amylase. Indeed, removing tannins from strawberry extracts with gelatin also removed inhibition. Fractionation of raspberry extracts on Sephadex LH-20 produced an unbound fraction enriched in anthocyanins and a bound fraction enriched in tannin-like polyphenols. The unbound anthocyanin-enriched fraction was more effective against alpha-glucosidase than the original extract, whereas the alpha-amylase inhibitors were concentrated in the bound fraction. The LH-20 bound sample was separated by preparative HPLC, and fractions were assayed for inhibition of alpha-amylase. The inhibitory components were identified as ellagitannins using LC-MS-MS. This study suggests that different polyphenolic components of fruits may influence different steps in starch digestion in a synergistic manner.     

A simple treatment for “rye-grass staggers”?

Abstract

Extract

Sir,—A series of happy coincidences (serendipity?) has led us to a simple treatment which seems to have successfully alleviated symptoms of “rye-grass staggers” in a horse, a calf and two badly affected sheep. Although primarily engaged in a search for the causative agent(s) of rye-grass staggers, casual conversations with people having long experience of this disorder revealed many interesting observations. One of these was a racing-stable remedy for rye-grass staggers, which was the administration of “a couple of handfulls” of Epsom salts in a bran mash, with as much puha (Sonchus oleraceus) as the horse would eat. A suggestion that puha may be high in potassium led to the substitution of potassium chloride for puha, and on 9 March 1981, a thoroughbred mare was dosed with 100 g MgS0₄7H₂O and 6g KCl. This animal had marked symptoms of ryegrass staggers, such as swaying and head-weaving when standing, and a very irregular and unsteady gait at the walk. It is doubtful whether the animal could have trotted in this condition. The mare was greatly improved the following day, with no evidence of the above symptoms, and on the 13 March, the mare was able to trot freely around her paddock when chased by a motor bike. On the 16 March the mare again showed symptoms of rye-grass staggers, was treated as before and similarly improved. On 13 March a calf was reported to be staggering, and was drenched with 50 g MgSO₄7H₂O and 3 g K? 1. It too, recovered, and on 20 March showed only very slight symptoms, which had not worsened by 23 March and further treatment was not warranted.