Sunday, September 30, 2012

New pathogen epidemic identified in sub-Saharan Africa

ScienceDaily (Sep. 27, 2012) ? Researchers have found that the spread of a dangerous bacteria that can be fatal in up to 45% of people infected in sub-Sahara Africa may have been instigated by the emergence and spread of HIV in Africa. The study also found that one of the major contributing factors for the successful spread of the disease -- non-Typhoidal Salmonella (iNTS) -- was the acquisition of genes that afford resistance to several front line drugs used to treat blood-borne infection such as iNTS.

A new study out September 30 reveals that the emergence and spread of a rapidly evolving invasive intestinal disease, that has a significant mortality rate (up to 45%) in infected people in sub-Saharan Africa, seems to have been potentiated by the HIV epidemic in Africa.

The team found that invasive non-Typhoidal Salmonella (iNTS) disease is caused by a new form of the bacteria Salmonella Typhimurium that has spread from two different focal hubs in Southern and Central Africa beginning 52 and 35 years ago, respectively. They also found that one of the major contributing factors for the successful spread of iNTS was the acquisition of genes that afford resistance to several front line drugs used to treat blood-borne infection such as iNTS.

iNTS is a blood-borne infection that kills approximately one of four people in sub-Saharan Africa who catch it. Yet, in the rest of the world, NTS is a leading cause of acute inflammatory diarrhea that is self-limiting and tends to be fatal in less than 1 per cent of people infected. The disease is more severe in sub-Saharan Africa than the rest of the world because of factors such as malnutrition, co-infection with malaria or HIV and potentially the novel genotype of the Salmonella bacteria.

"The immune system susceptibility provided by HIV, malaria and malnutrition at a young age, may provide a population in sub-Saharan Africa that is large enough for this detrimental pathogen to enter, adapt, circulate and thrive," says Chinyere Okoro, joint first author from the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute. "We used whole genome sequencing to define a novel lineage of Salmonella Typhimurium that is causing a previously unrecognised epidemic across the region. Its genetic makeup is evolving into a more typhoid like bacteria, able to efficiently spread around the human body"

From sequenced samples, the team created a phylogenetic or 'family tree', depicting the pathogen's evolution, dating when each sample first emerged and overlaying this with geographical information about where these samples came from. They found that this invasive disease comprises of two very closely related waves; the first wave originated from a possible south-eastern hub, about 52 years ago and the second originated about 35 years ago, possibly from the Congo Basin.

"The HIV epidemic in sub-Saharan Africa is thought to have begun in a central region and underwent expansion eastwards, a strikingly similar dynamic to that observed for second iNTS wave," says Dr Robert Kingsley, joint first author from the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute. "Our findings suggest the current epidemic of iNTS and its transmission across sub-Saharan Africa may have been potentiated by an increase in the critical population of susceptible, immune-compromised people."

The team identified that the vast majority of samples from the second wave of iNTS contains a gene that makes them resistant to chloramphenicol, a frontline antibiotic in the treatment of Salmonella. This gene was not present in the samples from the first wave of iNTS. This observation suggests that iNTS acquired this gene early on in the evolution of the second wave, probably around the time of its spread from the Congo basin.

"Because it acquired resistance to chloramphenicol, this pathogen has much greater opportunity to survive and spread across the region," says Professor Gordon Dougan, lead author from the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute. "This is the first time that the power of whole-genome sequencing has been used to track the spread of iNTS. Our research highlights the power this approach has to monitor the emergence and spread of dangerous pathogens both locally and globally over time."

"There has been some evidence that this disease can be passed from human to human. Now the race is on to discover how NTS is actually transmitted in sub-Saharan Africa so that effective intervention strategies can be implemented."

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Story Source:

The above story is reprinted from materials provided by Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute.

Note: Materials may be edited for content and length. For further information, please contact the source cited above.


Journal Reference:

  1. Chinyere K Okoro, Robert A Kingsley, Thomas R Connor, Simon R Harris, Christopher M Parry, Manar N Al-Mashhadani, Samuel Kariuki, Chisomo L Msefula, Melita A Gordon, Elizabeth de Pinna, John Wain, Robert S Heyderman, Stephen Obaro, Pedro L Alonso, Inacio Mandomando, Calman A MacLennan, Milagritos D Tapia, Myron M Levine, Sharon M Tennant, Julian Parkhill, Gordon Dougan. Intracontinental spread of human invasive Salmonella Typhimurium pathovariants in sub-Saharan Africa. Nature Genetics, 2012; DOI: 10.1038/ng.2423

Note: If no author is given, the source is cited instead.

Disclaimer: This article is not intended to provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Views expressed here do not necessarily reflect those of ScienceDaily or its staff.

Source: http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/health_medicine/genes/~3/SuSCC8XrBPo/120930141545.htm

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NCAA RUNDOWN: Del Val pounds Albright; Muhlenberg, Moravian fall

NCAA RUNDOWN: Del Val rolls; Muhlenberg, Moravian fall

Kutztown won another barnburner on Saturday, outgunning Slippery Rock 56-49 in a rematch of last year's PSAC Championship game.

The road win helps the Golden Bears improve to 3-2 on the season.

East Stroudsburg dropped a 31-27 decision to Clarion on the road.

West Chester, which won at Kutztown last week, earned a 37-34 upset win at No. 6 California (Pa).

In Division III, Delaware Valley doubled up Albright on Saturday in Doylestown.

The Aggies raced out to a 35-0 lead on Albright and cruised from there to a 42-21 win.

Aaron Wilmer set a new school record with six touchdown passes, while Lewis Vincent racked up over 200 receiving yards for Delaware Valley.

Muhlenberg and Moravian each struggled offensively in road losses.

The Mules failed to score in a 17-0 loss at Susquehanna.?

The Greyhounds managed less than 100 total yards in a 24-7 loss at Ursinus.

  • Copyright 2012 WFMZ. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Source: http://www.wfmz.com/sports/NCAA-RUNDOWN-Del-Val-pounds-Albright-Muhlenberg-Moravian-fall/-/121402/16791412/-/ehxx24/-/index.html

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Find out more about auto insurance ? New Car Japan Design

September 30th, 2012 by admin Leave a reply ?

A good idea to understand what?s going above auto insurance policies, to make a comparison from all auto insurance quotes do you get so you could get to decide what?s best for your car. If you plan to take out insurance for your car you need to consider a variety of coverage options available before you bid. Also find out whether there is a discount that could be given to you. Consider all options before going on duty also for car insurance. You may be able to find some areas where you can get to reduce coverage to a certain extent. You also need to cross check your deductible before you can finish them. Also make sure that you do not have more than a lap policy when you go for car insurance. There are many factors that determine the cost of the premium you pay for car insurance.

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If you want to be safe while driving then you should have the right insurance for your car. Accidents can happen to anyone, which is why many car insurance companies to meet the demands of the people. So, visit us to find the best and right for your car and choose affordable car insurance.

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Source: http://www.sns-japan.org/find-out-more-about-auto-insurance.html

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Saturday, September 29, 2012

CBCNews: 11 key issues in the Omar Khadr case: What's ahead after his transfer to Canada http://t.co/DwujWFOU #gitmo