Immunology and Infectious Disease Commons^™

Genetic Characterisation Of Echinocephalus Spp. (Nematoda: Gnathostomatidae) From Marine Hosts In Australia, Christina Karagiorgis, Richard J. Ploeg, Abdul Ghafar, Charles G. Gauci, Tanapan Sukee, Scott C. Cutmore, Jorja Claybrook, Neil R. Loneragan, Nicholas Q-X. Wee, Amber K. Gillett, Ian Beveridge, Abdul Jabbar

Harold W. Manter Laboratory of Parasitology: Library Materials

We genetically characterised larval and adult specimens of species of Echinocephalus Molin, 1858 (Gnathostomatidae) collected from various hosts found within Australian waters. Adult specimens of Echinocephalus were collected from a dasyatid stingray [Pastinachus ater (Macleay); n = 2] from Moreton Bay, Queensland and larvae from a hydrophiine sea snake [Hydrophis peronii (Dum´eril); n = 3] from Cape York Peninsula, Queensland, from an octopus (Octopus djinda Amor & Hart; n = 3) from Fremantle, Western Australia and from a lucinid bivalve [Codakia paytenorum (Iredale); n = 5] from Heron Island, Queensland Australia. All nematode samples were identified …

Ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) Parasitizing Migrating And Local Breeding Birds In Finland, Jani J. Sormunen, Tero Klemola, Eero J. Vesterinen

Harold W. Manter Laboratory of Parasitology: Library Materials

Ticks are globally renowned vectors for numerous zoonoses, and birds have been identified as important hosts for several species of hard ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) and tick-borne pathogens. Many European bird species overwinter in Africa and Western Asia, consequently migrating back to breeding grounds in Europe in the spring. During these spring migrations, birds may transport exotic tick species (and associated pathogens) to areas outside their typical distribution ranges. In Finland, very few studies have been conducted regarding ticks parasitizing migrating or local birds, and existing data are outdated, likely not reflecting the current situation. Consequently, in 2018, we asked volunteer …

Chemical And Biological Characterization Of The Anticancer Potency Of Salvia Fruticosa In A Model Of Human Malignant Melanoma, Sotiris Kyriakou, Venetia Tragkola, Michael Plioukas, Ioannis Anestopoulos, Paschalina S. Chatzopoulou, Eirini Sarrou, Dimitrios T. Trafalis, Maria V. Deligiorgi, Rodrigo Franco, Aglaia Pappa, Mihalis I. Panayiotidi

School of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences: Faculty Publications

Malignant melanoma is one of the most aggressive types of skin cancer with an increasing incidence worldwide. Thus, the development of innovative therapeutic approaches is of great importance. Salvia fruticosa (SF) is known for its anticancer properties and in this context, we aimed to investigate its potential anti-melanoma activity in an in vitro model of human malignant melanoma. Cytotoxicity was assessed through a colorimetric-based sulforhodamine-B (SRB) assay in primary malignant melanoma (A375), non-malignant melanoma epidermoid carcinoma (A431) and non-tumorigenic melanocyte neighbouring keratinocyte (HaCaT) cells. Among eight (8) different fractions of S. fruticosa extracts (SF1-SF8) tested, SF3 was found to possess …

Mt10-Cvb3 Vaccine Virus Protects Against Cvb4 Infection By Inducing Cross-Reactive, Antigen-Specific Immune Responses, Ninaad Lasrado, Rajkumar Arumugam, Mahima T. Rasquinha, Meghna Sur, David Steffen, Jay Reddy

School of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences: Faculty Publications

Group B coxsackieviruses (CVB) containing six serotypes, B1–B6, affect various organs, and multiple serotypes can induce similar diseases such as myocarditis and pancreatitis. Yet, no vaccines are currently available to prevent these infections. Translationally, the derivation of vaccines that offer protection against multiple serotypes is highly desired. In that direction, we recently reported the generation of an attenuated strain of CVB3, termed Mt10, which completely protects against both myocarditis and pancreatitis induced by the homologous wild-type CVB3 strain. Here, we report that the Mt10 vaccine can induce cross-protection against multiple CVB serotypes as demonstrated with CVB4. We note that the …

Moraxella Species Associated With Infectious Bovine Keratoconjunctivitis: Detection, Characterization, And Immunity, Matthew M. Hille

School of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Infectious bovine keratoconjunctivitis (IBK) represents the most common ocular disease of cattle. Moraxella bovis (M. bovis) is the only bacteria proven to cause IBK under experimental conditions. A closely related bacteria, Moraxella bovoculi (M. bovoculi) is cultured from IBK lesions more frequently than M. bovis, and is suspected to cause IBK, although a causal relationship between M. bovoculi and IBK has not been confirmed experimentally. Two distinct genotypes were recently characterized in M. bovoculi based on whole genome sequencing. Genotype 1 M. bovoculi appears to represent a potential pathogen …

Inheritance Of A Mutation Causing Neuropathy With Splayed Forelimbs In Jersey Cattle, A. Al-Khudhair, D. J. Null, J. B. Cole, C. W. Wolfe, David J. Steffen, P. M. Vanraden

School of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences: Faculty Publications

A new undesirable genetic factor, neuropathy with splayed forelimbs (JNS), has been identified recently in the Jersey breed. Calves affected with JNS are unable to stand on splayed forelimbs that exhibit significant extensor rigidity and excessive lateral abduction at birth. Affected calves generally are alert at birth but exhibit neurologic symptoms, including spasticity of head and neck and convulsive behavior. Other symptoms reported include dislocated shoulders, congenital craniofacial anomalies, and degenerative myelopathy. Inheritance of an undesirable genetic factor was determined from a study of 16 affected calves reported by Jersey breeders across the United States. All of their pedigrees traced …

Natterer In Neotropical Nematoda: Species Described By Rudolphi, Diesing, And Molin, Ricardo Guerrero

MANTER: Journal of Parasite Biodiversity

Between 1817 and 1835 Johann Natterer collected 1,729 samples of endoparasitic helminths in Brazil and southern Venezuela. Of the 323 names that were assigned to the collected nematode specimens, 163 are still valid and accepted species, 84 are still doubtful, and 76 must be rejected. In this work, each name is analyzed and correlated to the literature to clarify its taxonomic status.

The purpose of this review of the material collected by Natterer is to establish a complete list of all described species; their current status; and whether they are valid species, synonyms, or nomen nudum as well as to …

Assemblages Of Acari In Shallow Burials: Mites As Markers Of The Burial Environment, Of The Stage Of Decay And Of Body‑Cadaver Regions, Jas K. Rai, Brian J. Pickles, M. Alejandra Perotti

Harold W. Manter Laboratory of Parasitology: Library Materials

The burial of a cadaver results in reduced arthropod activity and disruptions in colonisation patterns. Here, the distribution and diversity of mite taxa was studied across decomposition stages of shallowly buried pig carcasses (Sus scrofa domesticus). In total 300 mites (88 species) were collected from three pig shallow graves compared to 129 mites (46 species) from control (bare) soil samples at the same depth. A successional pattern of Acari higher taxa and families was observed, and species richness and biodiversity fluctuated throughout decomposition, whereas active decay showed the greatest biodiversity. Mesostigmata mites were the most abundant in ‘cadaver …

Diversity Of Tetrabothriidae (Eucestoda) Among Holarctic Alcidae (Charadriiformes): Resolution Of The Tetrabothrius Jagerskioeldi Cryptic Species Complex: Cestodes Of Alcinae—Provides Insights On The Dynamic Nature Of Tapeworm And Marine Bird Faunas Under The Stockholm Paradigm, Eric P. Hoberg, Kaylen Marie Soudachanh

MANTER: Journal of Parasite Biodiversity

We begin resolution of the Tetrabothrius jagerskioeldi–species complex with descriptions of Tetrabothrius alcae n. sp. based on numerous specimens, primarily in murres (species of Uria), from the greater North Pacific basin and Tetrabothrius sinistralis n. sp. based on cestodes in guillemots (species of Cepphus) from the central Bering Sea and West Greenland. These tetrabothriids are characterized, among 44 species of Tetrabothrius in avian hosts, by attributes of the scolex, male and female organ systems, structure and dimensions of the vitelline gland, numbers of testes, configuration of the genital atrium, genital papillae and the male and female atrial …

The Novel Orfv Protein Orfv113 Activates Lpa-P38 Signaling, Sushil Khatiwad, Gustavo Delho, Sabal Chaulagai, Daniel L. Rock

School of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences: Faculty Publications

Viruses have evolved mechanisms to subvert critical cellular signaling pathways that regulate a wide range of cellular functions, including cell differentiation, proliferation and chemotaxis, and innate immune responses. Here, we describe a novel ORFV protein, ORFV113, that interacts with the G protein-coupled receptor Lysophosphatidic acid receptor 1 (LPA₁). Consistent with its interaction with LPA₁, ORFV113 enhances p38 kinase phosphorylation in ORFV infected cells in vitro and in vivo, and in cells transiently expressing ORFV113 or treated with soluble ORFV113. Infection of cells with virus lacking ORFV113 (OVIA82Δ113) significantly decreased p38 phosphorylation and viral plaque size. …

First Detection Of Colletotrichum Fructicola (Ascomycota) On Horsehair Worms (Nematomorpha), Mattia De Vivo, Wen-Hong Wang, Ko-Hsuan Chen, Jen-Pan Huang

Harold W. Manter Laboratory of Parasitology: Library Materials

Fungal members of Colletotrichum (Ascomycota) were found to be associated with Chordodes formosanus, one of the three currently known horsehair worm (Nematomorpha) species in Taiwan. The fungi were identified as Colletotrichum fructicola, which is mostly known as a plant pathogen, through the use of the nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer and partial large subunit (nrITS + nrLSU) and glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) DNA sequences. To our knowledge, this report represents both the first records for Colletotrichum associated with hairworms and for fungi on Nematomorpha. These findings expand the knowledge on the ecological relationships of both clades.

Nematode Biodiversity In Lincoln, Nebraska's Tallgrass Prairie Corridor, Abigail Borgmeier

Department of Plant Pathology: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

The tallgrass prairie was once one of the most diverse grasslands on the planet, however over 95% has been converted to agriculture in the past 150 years. The remaining prairie is still host to a wide variety of plants, insects, mammals, and soil-dwelling microorganisms, creating an incredibly complex ecosystem. The first aim of this study is to compare three approaches for the measurement of nematode diversity within a 10-mile-long protected prairie habitat corridor near Lincoln, Nebraska. The methods are 1) a traditional morphological analysis of 150 nematodes per study site, 2) a metabarcoding analysis using the 18S genetic marker of …

Host Cell Responses To Zika Virus Infection, Bikash Ranjan Sahoo

School of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

The re-emergence of Zika virus (ZIKV) in 2015 as a significant human pathogen causing neurological diseases in infants as well as adults is a serious global health concern. A clear understanding of the mechanisms involved in ZIKV replication in infected host cells as well as the host responses to virus infection are keys to the development of therapeutic strategies against ZIKV. Studies conducted in this dissertation demonstrate that ZIKV infection induces the activation of mTOR signaling cascade that promotes viral protein accumulation and infectious progeny production. While both mTORC1 and mTORC2 are essential for ZIKV replication, the observation that depletion …

African Swine Fever Virus Cd2v Protein Induces Β-Interferon Expression And Apoptosis In Swine Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells, Sabal Chaulangain, Gustavo A. Delhon, Sushil Khatiwada, Daniel L. Rock

School of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences: Faculty Publications

African swine fever (ASF) is a hemorrhagic disease of swine characterized by massive lymphocyte depletion in lymphoid tissues due to the apoptosis of B and T cells, a process likely triggered by factors released or secreted by infected macrophages. ASFV CD2v (EP402R) has been implicated in viral virulence and immunomodulation in vitro; however, its actual function(s) remains unknown. We found that CD2v expression in swine PK15 cells induces NF-κB-dependent IFN-β and ISGs transcription and an antiviral state. Similar results were observed for CD2v protein treated swine PBMCs and macrophages, the major ASFV target cell. Notably, treatment of swine PBMCs and …

Parasites: The Inside Scoop, Scott Lyell Gardner, Judy Diamond, Gábor R. Rácz, Brenda Lee

Zea E-Books Collection

Parasites are organisms that live inside or on another species, called the host. Parasites depend on their hosts for food and a place to live. They may harm the host in small or large ways. Parasitism is the most common mode of life on Earth. Humans, other animals, and all plants have parasites, usually two or more kinds. Even parasites can have parasites. There are millions of species of parasites, and scientists discover new ones every day. Parasite specimens are stored in museums all around the world. One of the world’s largest collections is in the H. W. Manter Laboratory …

Development Of Vaccines And Antivirals Against Zika Virus, Aryamav Pattnaik

School of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

The re-emergence of Zika virus (ZIKV), an arbovirus, poses a major global human health concern because of its ability to cause congenital abnormalities and neurological diseases. While many candidate vaccines and antiviral drugs are in the developmental pipeline, none have been approved for use against ZIKV infection. This dissertation describes the characterization of one vaccine and two antiviral drug candidates against ZIKV infection. A bacterial ferritin-based nanoparticle vaccine, termed zDIII-F, is designed to display multiple copies of ZIKV E protein domain III on its surface. These stable nanoparticles are shown to induce robust antibody-mediated protection against lethal ZIKV infection in …

Attenuated Strain Of Cvb3 With A Mutation In The Car‑Interacting Region Protects Against Both Myocarditis And Pancreatitis, Ninaad Lasrado, Arunakumar Gangaplara, Chandirasegaran Massilamany, Rajkumar Arumugam, Allison Shelbourn, Mahima T. Rasquinha, Rakesh H. Basavalingappa, Gustavo Delhon, Shi-Hua Xiang, Asit K. Pattnaik, David Steffen, Jay Reddy

School of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences: Faculty Publications

Coxsackievirus B3 (CVB3), is commonly implicated in myocarditis, which can lead to dilated cardiomyopathy, in addition to causing acute pancreatitis and meningitis. Yet, no vaccines are currently available to prevent this infection. Here, we describe the derivation of a live attenuated vaccine virus, termed mutant (Mt) 10, encoding a single amino acid substitution H790A within the viral protein 1, that prevents CVB3 infection in mice and protects from both myocarditis and pancreatitis in challenge studies. We noted that animals vaccinated with Mt 10 developed virus neutralizing antibodies, predominantly containing IgG2a and IgG2b, and to a lesser extent IgG3 and IgG1. …

Component Causes Of Infectious Bovine Keratoconjunctivitis—Non-Moraxella Organisms In The Epidemiology Of Infectious Bovine Keratoconjunctivitis, John Dustin Loy, Kristin A. Clothier, Gabriele Maier

School of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences: Faculty Publications

• Non-Moraxella organisms are associated with infectious bovine keratoconjunctivitis (IBK).

• Mycoplasma bovoculi can cause conjunctivitis and has a potential role in IBK pathogenesis.

• Other Non-Mycoplasma agents can cause disease that resembles IBK but is clinically different.

• Genomics and molecular technology are advancing research in this area.

• Classification and determination of pathogenesis potential of these organisms may be better understood through metagenomics and whole genome sequencing.

Complexity Of Malaria Transmission Dynamics In The Brazilian Atlantic Forest, Ana Maria Ribeiro De Castro Duarte, Licia Natal Fernandes, Fabiana Santos Silva, Igor Lucoves Sicchi, Luis Filipe Mucci, Izilda Curado, Aristides Ferrnandes, Antônio Ralph Medeiros-Sousa, Walter Ceretti-Junior, Mauro Toledo Marrelli, Eduardo Evangelista, Renildo Teixeira, Juliana Laurito Summa, Marcello Schiavo Nardi, Margoth Ramos Garnica, Ana Carolina Loss, Julyana Cerqueira Buery, Crispim Cerutti Jr., M. Andreína Pacheco, Ananias A. Escalante, Maria Anice Mureb Sallum, Gabriel Zorello Laporta

Harold W. Manter Laboratory of Parasitology: Library Materials

Plasmodium malariae and Plasmodium vivax are protozoan parasites that can cause malaria in humans. They are genetically indistinguishable from, respectively, Plasmodium brasilianum and Plasmodium simium, that is, parasites infecting New World non-human primates in South America. In the tropical rainforests of the Brazilian Atlantic coast, it has long been hypothesized that P. brasilianum and P. simium in platyrrhine primates originated from P. malariae and P. vivax in humans. A recent hypothesis proposed the inclusion of Plasmodium falciparum into the transmission dynamics between humans and non-human primates in the Brazilian Atlantic tropical rainforest. Herein, we assess the occurrence of human …

Atlas Of Ticks (Acari: Argasidae, Ixodidae) In Germany, Franz Rubel, Katharina Brugger, Lidia Chitimia-Dobler, Hans Dautel, Elisabeth Meyer-Kayser, Olaf Kahl

Harold W. Manter Laboratory of Parasitology: Library Materials

An updated and increased compilation of georeferenced tick locations in Germany is presented here. This data collection extends the dataset published some years ago by another 1448 new tick locations, 900 locations of which were digitized from literature and 548 locations are published here for the first time. This means that a total of 3492 georeferenced tick locations is now available for Germany. The tick fauna of Germany includes two species of Argasidae in the genera Argas and Carios and 19 species of Ixodidae in the genera Dermacentor, Haemaphysalis, and Ixodes, altogether 21 tick species. In addition, three species …

Component Causes Of Infectious Bovine Keratoconjunctivitis - The Role Of Moraxella Species In The Epidemiology Of Infectious Bovine Keratoconjunctivitis, John Dustin Loy, Matthew Hille, Gabriele Maier, Michael L. Clawson

School of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences: Faculty Publications

Moraxella bovis can cause infectious bovine keratoconjunctivitis (IBK).

The role of M bovoculi in IBK is not fully understood.

M bovis and M bovoculi appear to undergo genetic recombination with each other or other members of the Moraxellaceae.

Recombination complicates their classification and potential role(s) in IBK pathogenesis.

MALDI-TOF MS is used to identify M bovis, 2 major strains or genotypes of M bovoculi, M ovis, and other members of the Moraxellaceae.

Classification and determination of pathogenesis potential within Moraxella species may be better understood through whole genome sequencing.

A High-Androgen Microenvironment Inhibits Granulosa Cell Proliferation And Alters Cell Identity, Renee M. Mcfee, Sarah M. Romereim, Alexandria P. Snider, Adam F. Summers, William E. Pohlmeier, Scott G. Kurz, Robert A. Cushman, John S. Davis, Jennifer R. Wood, Andrea S. Cupp

School of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences: Faculty Publications

A naturally occurring bovine model with excess follicular fluid androstenedione (High A4), reduced fertility, and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)-like characteristics has been identified. We hypothesized High A4 granulosa cells (GCs) would exhibit altered cell proliferation and/or steroidogenesis. Microarrays of Control and High A4 GCs combined with Ingenuity Pathway Analysis indicated that High A4 GCs had cell cycle inhibition and increased expression of microRNAs that inhibit cell cycle genes. Granulosa cell culture confirmed that A4 treatment decreased GC proliferation, increased anti-Müllerian hormone, and increased mRNA for CTNNBIP1. Increased CTNNBIP1 prevents CTNNB1 from interacting with members of the WNT signaling pathway thereby …

A Guide To Helminth Parasites Reported From Shorebirds (Charadriidae) From The Americas, Albert G. Canaris, Sofia Capasso, Gay J. Canaris

MANTER: Journal of Parasite Biodiversity

The shorebird family Charadriidae in the Americas consists of 21 native and 7 vagrant species. Members of the family occupy a diversity of open habitats, ranging from Arctic tundra during nesting, coastal sands, and mudflats to inland prairies, savannas, and wetlands. Some native plovers migrate from nesting grounds in North America to wintering grounds in South America (Hayman et al., 1986; Paulson, 2005; Winkler et al., 2020). Our search of the literature revealed the following: 17 of 28 host species infected with helminth parasites, 153 helminth species, and 199 infections involving 13 geographic areas. The purpose of this guide is …

Maldi-Tof Ms Biomarker Detection Models To Distinguish Rtx Toxin Phenotypes Of Moraxella Bovoculi Strains Are Enhanced Using Calcium Chloride Supplemented Agar, Matthew M. Hille, Michael L. Clawson, Aaron M. Dickey, Justin H. Lowery, John Dustin Loy

School of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences: Faculty Publications

Moraxella bovoculi is the bacterium most often cultured from ocular lesions of cattle with infectious bovine keratoconjunctivitis, also known as bovine pinkeye. Some strains of M. bovoculi contain operons encoding for a repeats-in-toxin (RTX) toxin, which is a known virulence factor of multiple veterinary pathogens. We explored the utility of MALDI-TOF MS and biomarker detection models to classify the presence or absence of an RTX phenotype in M. bovoculi. Ninety strains that had undergone whole genome sequencing were classified by the presence or absence of complete RTX operons and confirmed with a visual assessment of hemolysis on blood agar. Strains …

Multi‐Country Investigation Of The Diversity And Associated Microorganisms Isolated From Tick Species From Domestic Animals, Wildlife And Vegetation In Selected African Countries, Emanuela Olivieri, Edward Kariuki, Anna Maria Floriano, Michele Castelli, Yohannes Mulatu Tafesse, Giulia Magoga, Bersissa Kumsa, Matteo Montagna, Davide Sassera

Harold W. Manter Laboratory of Parasitology: Library Materials

In many areas of Africa, recent studies highlighted the great impact of ticks on animal and human health throughout the continent. On the other hand, very limited information on the bacterial endosymbionts of the African ticks and their pattern of co-infections with other bacteria are found in literature, notwithstanding their pivotal role in tick survival and vector efficiency. Thus, we investigated the distribution of selected pathogenic and symbiotic bacteria in hard ticks collected from wild, domestic animals and from vegetation in various ecological zones in Africa and their co-occurrence in the same tick host. Overall, 339 hard ticks were morphologically …