Project description:We report 2 cases of babesiosis in immunocompetent patients in France. A severe influenza-like disease developed in both patients 2 weeks after they had been bitten by ticks. Diagnosis was obtained from blood smears, and Babesia divergens was identified by PCR in 1 case. Babesiosis in Europe occurs in healthy patients, not only in splenectomized patients.
Project description:We report an unusual case of human babesiosis in Finland in a 53-year-old man with no history of splenectomy. He had a rudimentary spleen, coexisting Lyme borreliosis, exceptional dark streaks on his extremities, and subsequent disseminated aspergillosis. He was infected with Babesia divergens, which usually causes bovine babesiosis in Finland.
Project description:We observed an increase in the ratio of pathogenic Babesia microti to B. odocoilei in adult Ixodes scapularis ticks in Maine. Risk for babesiosis was associated with adult tick abundance, Borrelia burgdorferi infection prevalence, and Lyme disease incidence. Our findings may help track risk and increase the focus on blood supply screening.
Project description:Babesiosis is an emerging zoonosis now found in several areas of the world. Using PCR and indirect immunofluorescence assay, we have diagnosed the first case of human babesiosis caused by Babesia microti in Spain. Diagnosis was delayed because of the nonspecific clinical symptoms that occurred in an immunocompetent patient.
Project description:The Cryptosporidium hedgehog genotype, which has been reported previously in hedgehogs and horses, was identified as the cause of the diarrheal disease cryptosporidiosis in an immunocompetent man in the Czech Republic. This is the first report of human illness caused by the Cryptosporidium hedgehog genotype.
Project description:Cryptococcus (C) neoformans infection mainly occurs in immunocompromised hosts, especially those with AIDS, and skeletal infection is a rare presentation of cryptococcosis. We report a rare case of disseminated cryptococcal infection of the lumbar spine in an immunocompetent man caused by Cryptococcus neoformans var. grubii. The lesion position first appeared on upper right lung and then spread to the fourth lumbar vertebra. The result of periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) and Gomori's methenamine silver (GMS) staining of the tissue sample matched cryptococcal infection, but multiple culture was negative. Eventually, C. neoformans var. grubii was confirmed using next-generation sequencing (NGS). Current follow-up of 12 months indicated a stable condition after antifungal therapy (fluconazole 400 mg/day) combined with surgery. Our case reminds that physicians must consider the possibility of skeletal cryptococcosis in patients with bone lesions, and NGS might be an excellent option to obtain the most accurate diagnosis in clinical practice.
Project description:We report a novel Globicatella species causing extensive soft tissue infection in a man bitten by a stray domestic cat in the United Kingdom. We identified this bacterium by 16S rRNA gene sequencing, whole-genome sequencing, and biochemical profiling and determined antimicrobial drug susceptibility.
Project description:Although louping ill affects mainly sheep, a 2011 outbreak in northern Spain occurred among goats. Histopathologic lesions and molecular genetics identified a new strain of louping ill virus, 94% identical to the strain from Britain. Surveillance is needed to minimize risk to domestic and wildlife species and humans.