Biomedical subjects

T Lehmann

Publications and source records attributed to T Lehmann.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

PubMed2004

Molecular and biologic characteristics of Toxoplasma gondii isolates from wildlife in the United States.

Toxoplasma gondii isolates can be grouped into 3 genetic lineages. Type I isolates are considered more virulent in outbred mice and have been isolated predominantly from clinical cases of human toxoplasmosis, whereas types II and III isolates are considered less virulent for mice and are found in humans and food animals. Little is known of genotypes of T. gondii isolates from wild animals. In the present report, genotypes of isolates of T. gondii from wildlife in the United States are described. Sera from wildlife were tested for antibodies to T. gondii with the modified agglutination test, and tissues from animals with titers of 1:25 (seropositive) were bioassayed in mice. Toxoplasma gondii was isolated from the hearts of 21 of 34 seropositive white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) from Mississippi and from 7 of 29 raccoons (Procyon lotor); 5 of 6 bobcats (Lynx rufus); and the gray fox (Urocyon cinereoargenteus), red fox (Vulpes vulpes), and coyote (Canis latrans) from Georgia. Toxoplasma gondii was also isolated from 7 of 10 seropositive black bears (Ursus americanus) from Pennsylvania by bioassay in cats. All 3 genotypes of T. gondii based on the SAG2 locus were circulating among wildlife.

Animals↗

PubMed2004

Isolation and genotyping of Toxoplasma gondii from free-ranging chickens from Mexico.

The prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in free-ranging chickens is a good indicator of the presence of T. gondii oocysts in the environment because chickens feed from the soil. In the present study, prevalence of T. gondii in 208 free-range chickens (Gallus domesticus) from Mexico was investigated. Blood, heart, and brain from each animal were obtained to test for T. gondii infection. Antibodies to T. gondii, assayed with the modified agglutination test (1:10 or higher), were found in 13 (6.2%) chickens. Hearts and brains of 13 seropositive chickens were bioassayed in mice, and T. gondii was isolated from 6 chickens. All 6 isolates were avirulent for mice. Genotyping of chicken isolates of T. gondii using the SAG2 locus indicated that 5 were type III and 1 was type I. This is the first report of isolation of T. gondii from chickens from Mexico.

Agglutination Tests↗

PubMed2004

Tissue distribution and molecular characterization of chicken isolates of Toxoplasma gondii from Peru.

The prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in free-ranging chickens is a good indicator of the prevalence of T. gondii oocysts in the soil because chickens feed from the ground. The prevalence of T. gondii antibodies in sera of 50 free-range chickens (Gallus domesticus) from Peru was 26% on the basis of the modified agglutination test (MAT). Hearts, pectoral muscles, and brains of seropositive (MAT > or =1:5) chickens were bioassayed individually in mice. Tissues from the remaining 37 seronegative chickens were pooled and fed to 2 T. gondii-free cats. Feces of cats were examined for oocysts; they did not shed oocysts. Toxoplasma gondii was isolated from the hearts of 10 seropositive chickens but not from their brains and pectoral muscles. Genotyping of these isolates using the SAG2 locus indicated that 7 isolates were type I and 3 were type III. Six of the 7 type-I isolates were avirulent for mice, which was unusual because type-I isolates are considered virulent for mice. The T. gondii isolates were from chickens from different properties that were at least 200 m apart. Thus, each isolate is likely to be different. This is the first report of isolation of T. gondii from chickens from Peru.

Agglutination Tests↗

PubMed2004

Biologic and molecular characteristics of Toxoplasma gondii isolates from striped skunk (Mephitis mephitis), Canada goose (Branta canadensis), black-winged lory (Eos cyanogenia), and cats (Felis catus).

Toxoplasma gondii isolates can be grouped into 3 genetic lineages. Type I isolates are considered virulent to outbred mice, whereas Type II and III isolates are not. In the present report, viable T. gondii was isolated for the first time from striped skunk (Mephitis mephitis), Canada goose (Branta canadensis), and black-winged lory (Eos cyanogenia). For the isolation of T. gondii, tissues were bioassayed in mice, and genotyping was based on the SAG2 locus. Toxoplasma gondii was isolated from 3 of 6 skunks, 1 of 4 Canada geese, and 2 of 2 feral cats (Felis catus) from Mississippi. All donor animals were asymptomatic. Viable T. gondii was also isolated from 5 of 5 lories that had died of acute toxoplasmosis in an aviary in South Carolina. Genotypes of T. gondii isolates were Type III (all skunks, lories, and the goose) and Type II (both cats). All 5 Type III isolates from birds and 2 of the 3 isolates from skunks were mouse virulent.

Animals↗

PubMed2004

Toxoplasma gondii infections in cats from Paraná, Brazil: seroprevalence, tissue distribution, and biologic and genetic characterization of isolates.

Cats are important in the epidemiology of Toxoplasma gondii because they are the only hosts that can excrete environmentally resistant oocysts. The prevalence of T. gondii was determined in 58 domestic cats from 51 homes from Santa Isabel do Ivai, Parana State, Brazil where a water-associated outbreak of acute toxoplasmosis had occurred in humans. Antibodies to T. gondii were found with the modified agglutination test in 49 of 58 (84.4%) cats at a serum dilution of 1:20. Tissues (brain, heart, and skeletal muscle) of 54 of these cats were bioassayed in T. gondii-free, laboratory-reared cats; T. gondii oocysts were excreted by 33 cats that were fed feline tissues. Brains from these 54 cats were bioassayed in mice; T. gondii was isolated from 7. Skeletal muscles and hearts of 15 cats were also bioassayed in mice; T. gondii was isolated from skeletal muscles of 9 and hearts of 13. The results indicate that T. gondii localizes in muscle tissue more than the brains of cats. In total there were 37 T. gondii isolates from 54 cats. Most isolates of T. gondii were virulent for mice. Genotyping of the 37 isolates of T. gondii, using the SAG2 locus, revealed that 15 isolates were type I and 22 were type III. The absence of type II genotype in cats in this study is consistent with the previous studies on T. gondii isolates from Brazil and is noteworthy because most T. gondii isolates from the United States are type II. These findings support the view that Brazilian and North American T. gondii isolates are genetically distinct. This is the first report of genotyping of T. gondii isolates from the domestic cat.

Agglutination Tests↗

PubMed2003

Genotyping of Toxoplasma gondii isolates from chickens from India.

The present study was undertaken to isolate and genotype Toxoplasma gondii from free-range chickens (Gallus domesticus) from villages in Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu states of central and south India, respectively. Blood, heart, and brain from a total of 741 chickens were examined for T. gondii infection. Antibodies to T. gondii, as assayed with the modified agglutination test (MAT >or = 1:5) were found in 133 (17.9%) chickens. Hearts and brains of 186 chickens were bioassayed in mice. Additionally, hearts and/or brains of most of the seronegative (MAT < 1:5) chickens were fed to 20 T. gondii-free cats, while 32 seropositive chickens (MAT 1:5) were fed to 3 cats. T. gondii was not isolated from any of the chickens by mouse bioassay. Five of the cats that were fed seronegative chickens shed oocysts, while isolates were not obtained from any of the other cats fed seropositive chickens. These five isolates, along with the two that were previously isolated in India through cat bioassay, were genetically analyzed. Genotyping using the SAG 2 locus indicated that two isolates were type II and five were type III. Microsatellite analysis revealed allelic differences between and within the lineages. This is the first report of genetic characterization of any T. gondii isolate from India.

Agglutination Tests↗

PubMed2003

Characterization of Toxoplasma gondii isolates from free range chickens from Paraná, Brazil.

The prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in free range chickens is a good indicator of the prevalence of T. gondii oocysts in the environment because chickens feed from the ground. In the present study, prevalence of T. gondii in 40 free range chickens (Gallus domesticus) from a rural area surrounding Paraná, Brazil was assessed. Blood, heart, and brain from each chicken were examined for T. gondii infection. Antibodies to T. gondii, assayed with the modified agglutination test (MAT> or =1:5) were found in 16 chickens. Hearts and brains of seropositive (MAT> or =1:5) chickens were bioassayed in mice. Additionally, hearts and brains of seronegative (MAT<1:5) chickens were bioassayed in two T. gondii-free cats (12 chickens per cat). T. gondii was isolated from 13 of 16 (81%) seropositive chickens. Of the two cats fed tissues pooled form seronegative chickens, one shed T. gondii oocysts. Nine of the 13 T. gondii isolates killed 100% of infected mice. The T. gondii isolate from the cat was also virulent for mice. Genotyping of 13 chicken isolates of T. gondii using the SAG2 locus indicated that seven isolates were type I and six were type III; three of these type III isolates killed all infected mice suggesting that all strains virulent for mice are not type I. The isolate from the feces of the cat fed chicken tissues was type I.

Agglutination Tests↗

PubMed2003

Semipermeable species boundaries between Anopheles gambiae and Anopheles arabiensis: evidence from multilocus DNA sequence variation.

Attempts to reconstruct the phylogenetic history of the Anopheles gambiae cryptic species complex have yielded strongly conflicting results. In particular, An. gambiae, the primary African malaria vector, is variously placed as a sister taxon to either Anopheles arabiensis or Anopheles merus. The recent divergence times for members of this complex complicate phylogenetic analysis, making it difficult to unambiguously implicate interspecific gene flow, versus retained ancestral polymorphism, as the source of conflict. Using sequences at four unlinked loci, which were determined from multiple specimens within each of five species in the complex, we found contrasting patterns of sequence divergence between the X chromosome and the autosomes. The isolation model of speciation assumes a lack of gene flow between species since their separation. This model could not be rejected for An. gambiae and An. arabiensis, although the data fit the model poorly. On the other hand, evidence from gene trees supports genetic introgression of chromosome 2 inversions between An. gambiae and An. arabiensis, and also points to more broad scale genetic exchange of autosomal sequences between this species pair. That such exchange has been relatively recent is suggested not only by the lack of fixed differences at three autosomal loci but also by the sharing of full haplotypes at two of the three loci, which is in contrast to several fixed differences and considerably deeper divergence on the X. The proposed acquisition by An. gambiae of sequences from the more arid-adapted An. arabiensis may have contributed to the spread and ecological dominance of this malaria vector.

Animals↗

PubMed2003

Isolation and molecular characterization of Toxoplasma gondii from chickens and ducks from Egypt.

The prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in free range chickens is a good indicator of the prevalence of T. gondii oocysts in the environment because chickens feed from the ground. In the present study, prevalence of T. gondii in 121 free range chickens (Gallus domesticus) and 19 ducks (Anas sp.) from a rural area surrounding Giza, Egypt was assessed. Blood, heart, and brain from each animal were examined for T. gondii infection. Antibodies to T. gondii, assayed with the modified agglutination test (MAT), were found in 49 (40.4%) chickens in titers of 1:5 in 11, 1:10 in four, 1:20 in four, 1:40 in eight, 1:80 in 10, and 1:160 or more in 12 chickens. Antibodies were found in three ducks each with a titer of 1:80. Hearts and brains of seropositive (MAT > or = 1:5) chickens and ducks were bioassayed in mice. Additionally, hearts and brains of seronegative (MAT<1:5) animals were bioassayed in T. gondii-free cats. T. gondii was isolated from 19 of 49 seropositive chickens (one with a titer of 1:5, two with a titer of 1:20, one with a titer of 1:40, five with a titer of 1:80, three with a titer of 1:160, and seven with a titer of > or = 1:360). One cat fed tissues pooled from 15 seronegative chickens shed T. gondii oocysts, while two cats fed tissues of 34 seronegative chickens did not shed oocysts. T. gondii was isolated from one of the seropositive ducks by bioassay in mice. The two cats fed tissues from 16 seronegative ducks did not shed oocysts. Genotyping of 20 chicken isolates of T. gondii using the SAG 2 locus indicated that 17 isolates were type III and three were type II. The duck isolate of T. gondii was type III. The mice inoculated with tissue stages of all 21 isolates of T. gondii from chickens and ducks remained asymptomatic, indicating that phenotypically they were not type I because type I strains are lethal for mice. Infections with mixed genotypes were not found.

Agglutination Tests↗

PubMed2003

Interest of pronostic score for optimal clinical management of obese patients.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this retrospective study was to identify key factors favoring weight regain. METHODS: Therefore, prognostic factors for weight loss and regain have been retrieved and identified among 186 obese patients (40 +/- 2 y and 34 +/- 0.3 kg/m(2)) through the use of a simple questionnaire which considered psychological issues such as depression, anxiety and the patient's individual capacity to follow a diet. All patients have been prescribed a low-calorie diet (1200 kcal/day) being either balanced, food-combining or low-CHO. Follow-up averaged 6.4 +/- 0.3 months of which weight loss accounted for 4.4 +/- 0.1 months. RESULTS: Weight loss was similar in all 3 groups and averaged 6.0 +/- 0.2 kg. The final weight loss and weight regain results have been identical for the 3 groups. A high/bad prognostic score rating is associated with weight regain (P<0.02). Weight regain is significantly influenced by the initial weight loss speed (P<0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: The proposed prognostic score is likely to be helpful for clinicians better to profile the therapeutic approach to individualized obesity management and follow-up. Diet composition does not influence either weight loss or weight regain.

Adaptation, Psychological↗

PubMed2003

Toxoplasma gondii isolates from free-ranging chickens from the United States.

Prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii infection in chickens is a good indicator of the strains prevalent in their environment because they feed from ground. The prevalence of T. gondii was determined in 118 free-range chickens from 14 counties in Ohio and in 11 chickens from a pig farm in Massachusetts. Toxoplasma gondii antibodies (> or = 1: 5) were found using the modified agglutination test (MAT) in 20 of 118 chickens from Ohio. Viable T. gondii was recovered from 11 of 20 seropositive chickens by bioassay of their hearts and brains into mice. The parasite was not isolated from tissues of 63 seronegative (< or = 1:5) chickens by bioassay in cats. Hearts, brains, and muscles from legs and breast of the 11 chickens from the pig farm in Massachusetts were fed each to a T. gondii-negative cat. Eight cats fed chicken tissues shed oocysts; the 3 cats that did not shed oocysts were fed tissues of chickens with MAT titers of 1:5 or less. Tachyzoites of 19 isolates of T. gondii from Ohio and Massachusetts were considered avirulent for mice. Of 19 isolates genotyped, 5 isolates were type II and 14 were type III; mixed types and type I isolates were not found.

Agglutination Tests↗

PubMed2003

Isolation and genotyping of Toxoplasma gondii from free-ranging chickens from Argentina.

The prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in free-ranging chickens can be considered a good indicator of the prevalence of T. gondii oocysts in the environment because chickens feed from the ground. In the present study, prevalence of T. gondii in 29 free-range chickens (Gallus domesticus) from Argentina was investigated. Blood, heart, and brain from each chicken were examined for T. gondii infection. Antibodies to T. gondii, assayed with the modified agglutination test (MAT), were found in 19 of 29 (65.5%) chickens. Hearts and brains of seropositive (MAT > or = 1:5) chickens were bioassayed in mice. Toxoplasma gondii was isolated from 9 of 19 seropositive chickens. Genotyping of chicken isolates of T. gondii using the SAG2 locus indicated that 1 was type I, 1 was type II, and 7 were type III. This is the first report of isolation of T. gondii from chickens from Argentina.

Agglutination Tests↗

PubMed2003

Toxoplasma gondii isolates of free-ranging chickens from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil: mouse mortality, genotype, and oocyst shedding by cats.

Most isolates of Toxoplasma gondii can be grouped into 3 genetic lineages. In the present study, 67 isolates of T. gondii were obtained by bioassay in mice inoculated with brains and hearts of 96 asymptomatic chickens from an area highly endemic to human infection in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Of the 48 isolates genotyped using the SAG2 locus, 34 (70%) were of type I and 13 (27%) were of type III. No isolate of type II was recovered. Isolates from 1 chicken contained a type I and type III mixed infection, indicating natural multiparasite infection in the same animal. Cats fed mice infected with 11 type I strains shed 19-535 million oocysts in their feces, indicating that type I isolates can circulate in the environment.

Animals↗

PubMed2002

Biological and genetic characterisation of Toxoplasma gondii isolates from chickens (Gallus domesticus) from São Paulo, Brazil: unexpected findings.

In spite of a wide host range and a world wide distribution, Toxoplasma gondii has a low genetic diversity. Most isolates of T. gondii can be grouped into two to three lineages. Type I strains are considered highly virulent in outbred laboratory mice, and have been isolated predominantly from clinical cases of human toxoplasmosis whereas types II and III strains are considered avirulent for mice. In the present study, 17 of 25 of the T. gondii isolates obtained from asymptomatic chickens from rural areas surrounding São Paulo, Brazil were type I. Antibodies to T. gondii were measured in 82 chicken sera by the modified agglutination test using whole formalin-preserved tachyzoites and mercaptoethanol and titres of 1:10 or more were found in 32 chickens. Twenty-two isolates of T. gondii were obtained by bioassay in mice inoculated with brains and hearts of 29 seropositive (> or =1:40) chickens and three isolates were obtained from the faeces of cats fed tissues from 52 chickens with no or low levels (<1:40) of antibodies. In total, 25 isolates of T. gondii were obtained by bioassay of 82 chicken tissues into mice and cats. All type I isolates killed all infected mice within 4 weeks whereas type III isolates were less virulent to mice. There were no type II strains. Tissue cysts were found in mice infected with all 25 isolates and all nine type I isolates produced oocysts. Infected chickens were from localities that were 18-200 km apart, indicating no common source for T. gondii isolates. This is the first report of isolation of predominantly type I strains of T. gondii from a food animal. Epidemiological implications of these findings are discussed.

Agglutination Tests↗

PubMed2002

Factors influencing energy intake and body weight loss after gastric bypass.

OBJECTIVE: The gastric bypass-induced quantitative and qualitative modifications of energy intake (En In, kcal/day) and their impact on body weight (bw) loss were evaluated. The factors influencing energy intake and body weight loss were also investigated. DESIGN: Longitudinal study. SETTING: University Hospital of Geneva. SUBJECTS: Fifty obese women undergoing a Roux-en-Y gastric bypass. RESULTS: The reduction of EnIn was significantly related to bw loss expressed either in kg or as percentage correction of excess bw (P<0.01 for both), whereas the post-operative modifications of diet composition did not play a role. Age and initial bw significantly influenced bw loss (P<0.0001 and P<0.001, respectively), as shown by multiple regression analysis. Patients were divided into four sub-groups according to their age (under or over 35 y) and initial bw (under or over 120 kg). ANOVA showed that under 35-y-old subjects reduced their EnIn significantly more than their older counterparts having similar bw (P<0.02 and P<0.05); consequently, bw loss, expressed in kg, was significantly (P<0.0001 and P<0.0005) larger in younger patients. Subjects with an initial bw over 120 kg lost significantly (P<0.001 and P<0.02) more weight as compared to patients with a smaller degree of obesity (under 120 kg) and similar age. CONCLUSIONS: Gastric bypass-induced body weight loss is mainly due to the reduction of EnIn, whereas the qualitative modifications of the diet do not play a role. Younger subjects have a greater capacity to reduce EnIn and, therefore, lose more weight. Pre-operative high degree of obesity leads to a larger weight reduction, probably because of a greater energy deficit.

Adult↗

PubMed2002

Mesenteric inflammatory veno-occlusive disease: a rare cause of intestinal ischemia. The first description of recurrent disease.

BACKGROUND: Mesenteric inflammatory veno-occlusive disease (MIVOD) is a rare cause of intestinal ischemia of unknown etiology. Histologically, MIVOD is characterized by extended thrombophlebitis and fibrous organized thrombosis of multiple veins. The arteries are by definition not involved. Management includes surgery in all cases described. Recurrence has not been described until now. METHODS: We describe the case of a 64-year-old woman operated with the suspicion of intestinal ischemia. Clinical and histopathological characteristics are reported. RESULTS: The patient underwent a right hemicolectomy and segmental resection of the terminal ileum 15 months later for a recurrence. The histological examination of the resected specimen confirmed the diagnosis of MIVOD and a recurrence thereof. CONCLUSION: MIVOD is a rare cause of colonic ischemia. Recurrence of the disease, which is described here for the first time, is unusual after surgical resection.

Colitis, Ischemic↗

PubMed2002

Acarbose improves indirectly both insulin resistance and secretion in obese type 2 diabetic patients.

BACKGROUND: Acarbose is an oral antidiabetic mainly acting on postprandial blood glucose, inhibiting alphaglucosidase. Through this mechanism, it could improve the peripheral insulin sensitivity and/or increase the insulin secretion. The aim of the present study is to assess the therapeutic efficacy of Acarbose in obese type 2 diabetic patients on both insulin resistance and insulin secretion. METHODS: 17 obese non insulin-dependent diabetic patients, well controlled with diet alone were randomized into 2 groups: acarbose (2 x 50 mg) or placebo during 16 weeks. A glucagon test allowed to evaluate insulin secretion before and after treatment as well as a triple test (glucose-insulin-somatostatin) with indirect calorimetry allowed to evaluate insulin sensitivity. RESULTS: A significant improvement in post-prandial plasma glucose was detected only in the Acarbose group (8.0 +/- 0.5 mmol/l before vs 6.5 0.5 mmol/l after, p<0.05). Basal C-peptide secretion was similar between groups and remained unchanged after treatment. However, stimulated insulin secretion was significantly increased by 30%, p<0.05, in the Acarbose group while no change was detected in the placebo group. Interestingly, the group receiving Acarbose disclosed a 15% reduction in insulin resistance (15.0 +/- 1.8 mmol/l before vs 12.8 +/- 1.4 mmol/l after). CONCLUSIONS: Our results show that a treatment with Acarbose is efficient even in diabetic patients presenting a good glucose control without any other associated treatment. By decreasing post-prandial blood glucose, acarbose improves both insulin sensitivity and secretion.

Acarbose↗

PubMed2001

Toward a novel metal-based chemotherapy against tropical diseases. 6. Synthesis and characterization of new copper(II) and gold(I) clotrimazole and ketoconazole complexes and evaluation of their activity against Trypanosoma cruzi.

The complexes [Cu(CTZ)(4)]Cl(2).2H(2)O (1), [Cu(CTZ)Cl(2)](2) (2), [Cu(KTZ)(3)Cl(2)] (3), and [Cu(KTZ)Cl(2)](2).2H(2)O (4) were prepared by reaction of CuCl(2) with CTZ and KTZ (where CTZ = 1-[[(2-chlorophenyl)diphenyl]methyl]-1H-imidazole and KTZ = cis-1-acetyl-4-[4-[[2-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-2-(1H-imidazol-1-ylmethyl)-1,3-dioxolan-4-yl]methoxy]phenyl]piperazine), respectively, in acetonitrile at different ligand to metal molar ratios. Gold complexes [Au(PPh(3))(CTZ)]PF(6) (5) and [Au(PPh(3))(KTZ)]PF(6).H(2)O (6) were synthesized by reaction of AuClPPh(3), with KPF(6) and CTZ or KTZ in acetonitrile. All the new compounds were characterized by NMR spectroscopy and microanalytical methods, and for the paramagnetic species EPR spectroscopy and DC magnetic susceptibility measurements were also employed. The solid-state structure of 1 has been determined by X-ray crystallography. 1 crystallizes in the triclinic space group P(-)1, with a = 12.773(2) A, b = 15.326(4) A, c = 11.641(2) A, V = 1957.4(7) A(3), Z = 1, and D(calcd) = 1.284 g/cm(3). The structure refinement converged at R1 = 0.0731 and wR2 = 0.1962. Complex 1 displayed a square-planar structure typical for tetrakis(imidazole)copper(II) complexes. The new compounds were tested for in vitro activity against cultures of epimastigotes of Trypanosoma cruzi, the causative agent of Chagas disease. At concentrations equivalent to 10(-6) M of total CTZ or KTZ (in DMSO) all the complexes exhibited significantly higher growth inhibitory activity than their respective parental compounds.

Algorithms↗