Wellcome Open Research最新文献

{"title":"A systematic review of interventions targeting <i>Anopheles stephensi</i>.","authors":"Patricia Doumbe Belisse, Alison M Reynolds, David Weetman, Anne L Wilson, Martin J Donnelly","doi":"10.12688/wellcomeopenres.23480.1","DOIUrl":"10.12688/wellcomeopenres.23480.1","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong><i>Anopheles stephensi</i>, a malaria mosquito originally from South Asia and the Middle East, has been expanding across both Asia and Africa in recent decades. The invasion of this species into sub-Saharan Africa is of particular concern given its potential to increase malaria burden, especially in urban environments where <i>An. stephensi</i> thrives. Whilst surveillance of this vector in Africa has recently increased markedly there is a need to review the existing methods of <i>An. stephensi</i> control so that we can stop, rather than simply monitor, its spread in Africa.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We searched published papers in PubMed using <i>An. stephensi</i> and intervention-specific search terms. Forty-five full-text articles were screened for eligibility and all those that reported the use of interventions against <i>An. stephensi</i>, and the effect on malaria incidence, malaria prevalence or vector densities were included in the analysis. All data retrieved from the literature were from the native range of <i>An. stephensi</i> and from the period 1995 to 2018.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Fourteen studies which met the inclusion criteria were included in the final analysis. The vector control interventions discussed were bio larvicides (n=3), repellents (n=1), Indoor Residual Spraying (n=2), Insecticide Treated Nets (n=3), insecticide-treated materials other than nets (n=3), the combined use of repellents and mosquito nets (n=1), and combination of biolarvicide and fish (n=1). Outcomes of the studies were primarily vector density (n=10) although some reported malaria incidence and/or prevalence (n=4).</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Long-lasting insecticidal nets and indoor residual spraying are effective in controlling, <i>An. stephensi-</i>transmitted malaria and reducing vector density, with repellents offering a complementary approach, especially in urban areas where this vector thrives. The private sector can help scale up affordable repellent production in Africa. There is a need to address gaps in cost-effectiveness analysis and gather more epidemiological evidence to better assess the impact of malaria control strategies.</p>","PeriodicalId":23677,"journal":{"name":"Wellcome Open Research","volume":"9 ","pages":"724"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-12-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11751610/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143024899","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Migration policies versus public health - the ethics of Covid-19 related movement restrictions for asylum seekers in reception centers in Greece in 2020.","authors":"George Makris","doi":"10.12688/wellcomeopenres.20547.2","DOIUrl":"10.12688/wellcomeopenres.20547.2","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>The emergency context of the Covid-19 pandemic necessitated the use of national and international public health measures of unprecedented scale to minimize mortality and morbidity, often in conflict with other principles and rights, such as the autonomy of individuals. Concerns have been voiced that for populations facing precarity, such as migrants, a disproportionate and unfair application of restrictive measures, deficient application of protective measures, and even enforcement of restrictive migration policies under the pretext of the pandemic has occurred.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Experts have proposed various principles as possible moral foundations of public health interventions. The author used two public health ethics frameworks to examine the ethical acceptability of movement restrictions on asylum seekers residing in refugee camps in Greece from March 2020 to October 2020.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Most of the principles described in the frameworks for the ethical application of movement restrictions were not adhered to. Main concerns include that, measures were prolonged despite lack of evidence about their effectiveness to reduce morbidity and mortality, while posing severe and disproportionate burdens for this population.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>An ethically acceptable public health response to Covid-19 is incompatible with certain living conditions of refugees, asylum seekers, and migrants. Moral and political determinants of health, such as social inequalities and criteria for health resources allocation, can shape the form and effectiveness of public health interventions during emergencies. The role of the discipline of public health to address these underlying determinants, that influence health-related outcomes, is an important moral question in itself. It is essential for public health professionals to be aware of the moral theorizations that underpin their work, so as to ensure that their policies align with them and to contribute to the debate that shapes these determinants.</p>","PeriodicalId":23677,"journal":{"name":"Wellcome Open Research","volume":"9 ","pages":"115"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-12-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11409434/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142296675","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Awake prone positioning effectiveness in moderate to severe COVID-19 a randomized controlled trial.","authors":"Nguyen Thanh Phong, Du Hong Duc, Ho Bich Hai, Nguyen Thanh Nguyen, Le Dinh Van Khoa, Le Thuy Thuy Khanh, Luu Hoai Bao Tran, Nguyen Thi My Linh, Cao Thi Cam Van, Dang Phuong Thao, Nguyen Thi Diem Trinh, Pham Tieu Kieu, Nguyen Thanh Truong, Vo Tan Hoang, Nguyen Thanh Ngoc, Tran Thi Dong Vien, Vo Trieu Ly, Tran Dang Khoa, Abigail Beane, James Anibal, Guy E Thwaites, Ronald Geskus, David Clifton, Nguyen Thi Phuong Dung, Evelyne Kestelyn, Guy Glover, Le Van Tan, Lam Minh Yen, Nguyen Le Nhu Tung, Nguyen Thanh Dung, C Louise Thwaites","doi":"10.12688/wellcomeopenres.22792.2","DOIUrl":"10.12688/wellcomeopenres.22792.2","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Awake prone positioning (APP) may be beneficial in patients with respiratory failure who are not receiving mechanical ventilation. Randomized controlled trials of APP have been performed during peak COVID-19 periods in unvaccinated populations, with limited data on compliance or patient acceptability. We aimed to evaluate the efficacy and acceptability of APP in a lower-middle income country in an open-label randomized controlled trial using a dedicated APP implementation team and wearable continuous-monitoring devices.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>The trial was performed at a tertiary level hospital in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, recruiting adults (≥18 years) hospitalized with moderate or severe COVID-19 and receiving supplemental oxygen therapy via nasal/facemask systems or high-flow nasal cannula (HFNC). Patients were allocated by a computer-generated random number sequence in a 1:1 ratio to standard care or APP, where a dedicated team provided bedside support. Wearable devices continuously recorded pulse oximetry and body position continuously. Our primary outcome was escalation of respiratory support within 28 days of randomization.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Ninety-three patients were enrolled in this study between March 2022 and March 2023. Eighty (86%) patients had received ≥2 doses of SARS-CoV2 vaccine. The study was terminated early because of a reduction in the number of eligible patients. Data from 46 patients allocated to APP and 47 to standard care were available for analysis. At baseline, 19/47 (40%) patients allocated to the standard care group and 14/46 (30%) patients allocated to the APP group received HFNC. Continuous monitoring data were available for all patients monitored with wearable devices. Significantly greater mean daily APP times were achieved in those allocated to APP, however, most achieved less than the target 8 h/day. We did not detect clear differences in the primary outcome (relative risk,RR, 0.85, 95% CI 0.40-1.78, p=0.67) or secondary outcomes, including intubation rate and 28-day mortality. Patients reported prone positioning was comfortable, although almost all patients preferred supine positioning. No adverse events associated with the intervention were observed.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>APP was not associated with benefit, but there was no sign of harm. Continuous monitoring with wearable devices is both feasible and acceptable for patients. In our population, achieving prolonged APP time was challenging despite a dedicated support team, and patients preferred supine positioning.</p><p><strong>Clinical trials registration: </strong>NCT05083130.</p>","PeriodicalId":23677,"journal":{"name":"Wellcome Open Research","volume":"9 ","pages":"543"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-12-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11626102/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142801577","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Exome sequencing of UK birth cohorts.","authors":"Mahmoud Koko, Laurie Fabian, Iaroslav Popov, Ruth Y Eberhardt, Gennadii Zakharov, Qin Qin Huang, Emma E Wade, Rafaq Azad, Petr Danecek, Karen Ho, Amy Hough, Wei Huang, Sarah J Lindsay, Daniel S Malawsky, Davide Bonfanti, Dan Mason, Deborah Plowman, Michael A Quail, Susan M Ring, Gemma Shireby, Sara Widaa, Emla Fitzsimons, Vivek Iyer, David Bann, Nicholas J Timpson, John Wright, Matthew E Hurles, Hilary C Martin","doi":"10.12688/wellcomeopenres.22697.2","DOIUrl":"10.12688/wellcomeopenres.22697.2","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Birth cohort studies involve repeated surveys of large numbers of individuals from birth and throughout their lives. They collect information useful for a wide range of life course research domains, and biological samples which can be used to derive data from an increasing collection of omic technologies. This rich source of longitudinal data, when combined with genomic data, offers the scientific community valuable insights ranging from population genetics to applications across the social sciences. Here we present quality-controlled whole exome sequencing data from three UK birth cohorts: the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (8,436 children and 3,215 parents), the Millenium Cohort Study (7,667 children and 6,925 parents) and Born in Bradford (8,784 children and 2,875 parents). The overall objective of this coordinated effort is to make the resulting high-quality data widely accessible to the global research community in a timely manner. We describe how the datasets were generated and subjected to quality control at the sample, variant and genotype level. We then present some preliminary analyses to illustrate the quality of the datasets and probe potential sources of bias. We introduce measures of ultra-rare variant burden to the variables available for researchers working on these cohorts, and show that the exome-wide burden of deleterious protein-truncating variants, <i>S</i> _het burden, is associated with educational attainment and cognitive test scores. The whole exome sequence data from these birth cohorts (CRAM & VCF files) are available through the European Genome-Phenome Archive, and here we provide guidance for their use.</p>","PeriodicalId":23677,"journal":{"name":"Wellcome Open Research","volume":"9 ","pages":"390"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-12-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11747307/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143012583","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Daily life in the Open Biologist's second job, as a Data Curator.","authors":"Livia C T Scorza, Tomasz Zieliński, Irina Kalita, Alessia Lepore, Meriem El Karoui, Andrew J Millar","doi":"10.12688/wellcomeopenres.22899.1","DOIUrl":"10.12688/wellcomeopenres.22899.1","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Data reusability is the driving force of the research data life cycle. However, implementing strategies to generate reusable data from the data creation to the sharing stages is still a significant challenge. Even when datasets supporting a study are publicly shared, the outputs are often incomplete and/or not reusable. The FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable) principles were published as a general guidance to promote data reusability in research, but the practical implementation of FAIR principles in research groups is still falling behind. In biology, the lack of standard practices for a large diversity of data types, data storage and preservation issues, and the lack of familiarity among researchers are some of the main impeding factors to achieve FAIR data. Past literature describes biological curation from the perspective of data resources that aggregate data, often from publications.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Our team works alongside data-generating, experimental researchers so our perspective aligns with publication authors rather than aggregators. We detail the processes for organizing datasets for publication, showcasing practical examples from data curation to data sharing. We also recommend strategies, tools and web resources to maximize data reusability, while maintaining research productivity.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>We propose a simple approach to address research data management challenges for experimentalists, designed to promote FAIR data sharing. This strategy not only simplifies data management, but also enhances data visibility, recognition and impact, ultimately benefiting the entire scientific community.</p>","PeriodicalId":23677,"journal":{"name":"Wellcome Open Research","volume":"9 ","pages":"523"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-12-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11445645/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142366724","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Ethics of Procuring and Using Organs or Tissue from Infants and Newborns for Transplantation, Research, or Commercial Purposes: Protocol for a Bioethics Scoping Review.","authors":"Maide Barış, Xiu Lim, Melanie T Almonte, David Shaw, Joe Brierley, Sebastian Porsdam Mann, Trung Nguyen, Jerry Menikoff, Dominic Wilkinson, Julian Savulescu, Brian D Earp","doi":"10.12688/wellcomeopenres.23235.1","DOIUrl":"10.12688/wellcomeopenres.23235.1","url":null,"abstract":"&lt;p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Since the inception of transplantation, it has been crucial to ensure that organ or tissue donations are made with valid informed consent to avoid concerns about coercion or exploitation. This issue is particularly challenging when it comes to infants and younger children, insofar as they are unable to provide consent. Despite their vulnerability, infants' organs and tissues are considered valuable for biomedical purposes due to their size and unique properties. This raises questions about the conditions under which it is permissible to remove and use these body parts for transplantation, research, or commercial purposes. The aim of this protocol is to establish a foundation for a scoping review that will identify, clarify, and categorise the main ethical arguments regarding the permissibility of removing and using organs or tissues from infants. The scoping review will follow the methodology outlined by the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI), consisting of five stages: (1) identifying the research question, (2) developing the search strategy, (3) setting inclusion criteria, (4) extracting data, and (5) presenting and analysing the results. We will include both published and unpublished materials that explicitly discuss the ethical arguments related to the procurement and use of infant organs or tissues in the biomedical context. The search will cover various databases, including the National Library of Medicine, Web of Science, EBSCO, and others, as well as grey literature sources. Two raters will independently assess the eligibility of articles, and data from eligible studies will be extracted using a standardised form. The extracted data will then be analysed descriptively through qualitative content analysis.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Background: &lt;/strong&gt;There has been debate about how to respect the rights and interests of organ and tissue donors since the beginning of transplantation practice, given the moral risks involved in procuring parts of their bodies and using them for transplantation or research. A major concern has been to ensure that, at a minimum, donation of organs or other bodily tissues for transplantation or research is done under conditions of valid informed consent, so as to avoid coercion or exploitation among other moral harms. In the case of infants and younger children, however, this concern poses special difficulties insofar as infants and younger children are deemed incapable of providing valid consent. Due to their diminutive size and other distinctive properties, infants' organs and tissues are seen as valuable for biomedical purposes. Yet, the heightened vulnerability of infants raises questions about when and whether it is ever permissible to remove these body parts or use them in research or for other purposes. The aim of this protocol is to form the basis of a systematic scoping review to identify, clarify, and systematise the main ethical arguments for and against the permissibility of removing and using infant or newbo","PeriodicalId":23677,"journal":{"name":"Wellcome Open Research","volume":"9 ","pages":"717"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-12-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11747302/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143012547","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The genome sequence of Radford's Flame Shoulder, <i>Ochropleura leucogaster</i> (Freyer, 1831).","authors":"Mark J Sterling, David C Lees","doi":"10.12688/wellcomeopenres.23434.1","DOIUrl":"10.12688/wellcomeopenres.23434.1","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>We present a genome assembly from an individual male <i>Ochropleura leucogaster</i> (Freyer, 1831) (Radford's Flame Shoulder; Arthropoda; Insecta; Lepidoptera; Noctuidae). The genome sequence has a total length of 545.70 megabases. Most of the assembly (99.93%) is scaffolded into 31 chromosomal pseudomolecules, including the Z sex chromosome. The mitochondrial genome has also been assembled and is 15.37 kilobases in length. Gene annotation of this assembly on Ensembl identified 12,155 protein-coding genes.</p>","PeriodicalId":23677,"journal":{"name":"Wellcome Open Research","volume":"9 ","pages":"707"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-12-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11757926/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143047758","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Kinetics of naturally induced binding and neutralising anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibody levels and potencies among SARS-CoV-2 infected Kenyans with diverse grades of COVID-19 severity: an observational study.","authors":"John Kimotho, Yiakon Sein, Shahin Sayed, Reena Shah, Kennedy Mwai, Mansoor Saleh, Perpetual Wanjiku, Jedidah Mwacharo, James Nyagwange, Henry Karanja, Bernadette Kutima, John N Gitonga, Daisy Mugo, Ann Karanu, Linda Moranga, Viviane Oluoch, Jasmit Shah, Julius Mutiso, Alfred Mburu, Zaitun Nneka, Peter Betti, Wanzila Usyu Mutinda, Abdirahman Issak Abdi, Philip Bejon, Lynette Isabella Ochola-Oyier, George M Warimwe, Eunice W Nduati, Francis M Ndungu","doi":"10.12688/wellcomeopenres.19414.2","DOIUrl":"10.12688/wellcomeopenres.19414.2","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Given the low levels of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine coverage in sub-Saharan Africa (sSA), despite high levels of natural severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) exposures, strategies for extending the breadth and longevity of naturally acquired immunity are warranted. Designing such strategies will require a good understanding of naturally acquired immunity.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We measured whole-spike immunoglobulin G (IgG) and spike-receptor binding domain (RBD) total immunoglobulins (Igs) on 585 plasma samples collected longitudinally over five successive time points within six months of COVID-19 diagnosis in 309 COVID-19 patients. We measured antibody-neutralising potency against the wild-type (Wuhan) SARS-CoV-2 pseudovirus in a subset of 51 patients over three successive time points. Binding and neutralising antibody levels and potencies were then tested for correlations with COVID-19 severities.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Rates of seroconversion increased from day 0 (day of PCR testing) to day 180 (six months) (63.6% to 100 %) and (69.3 % to 97%) for anti-spike-IgG and anti-spike-RBD binding Igs, respectively. Levels of these binding antibodies peaked at day 28 (p<0.01) and were subsequently maintained for six months without significant decay (p>0.99). Similarly, antibody-neutralising potencies peaked at day 28 (p<0.01) but declined by three-fold, six months after COVID-19 diagnosis (p<0.01). Binding antibody levels were highly correlated with neutralising antibody potencies at all the time points analysed (r>0.60, p<0.01). Levels and potencies of binding and neutralising antibodies increased with disease severity.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Most COVID-19 patients generated SARS-CoV-2 specific binding antibodies that remained stable in the first six months of infection. However, the respective neutralising antibodies decayed three-fold by month-six of COVID-19 diagnosis suggesting that they are short-lived, consistent with what has been observed elsewhere in the world. Thus, regular vaccination boosters are required to sustain the high levels of anti-SARS-CoV-2 naturally acquired neutralising antibody potencies in our population.</p>","PeriodicalId":23677,"journal":{"name":"Wellcome Open Research","volume":"8 ","pages":"350"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-12-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11617823/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142786923","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Case Report: Soft tissue infection with <i>Burkholderia thailandensis</i> capsular variant: case report from the Lao PDR.","authors":"Souphaphone Vannachone, Manophab Luangraj, David Dance, Narisara Chantratita, Natnaree Saiprom, Rathanin Seng, Sarunporn Tandhavanant, Sayaphet Rattanavong, Andrew Simpson, Tamalee Roberts","doi":"10.12688/wellcomeopenres.22706.1","DOIUrl":"10.12688/wellcomeopenres.22706.1","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong><i>Burkholderia thailandensis</i> is an environmental bacteria closely related to <i>Burkholderia pseudomallei</i> that rarely causes infection in humans. Some environmental isolates have shown to express a capsular polysaccharide known as <i>B. thailandensis</i> capsular variant (BTCV), but human infection has not previously been reported. Although <i>B. thailandenisis</i> has been identified in environmental samples in Laos before, there have not been any human cases reported.</p><p><strong>Case: </strong>A 44-year-old man presented to a district hospital in Laos with a short history of fever and pain in his left foot. Physical examination identified a deep soft-tissue abscess in his left foot and an elevated white blood count. A deep pus sample was taken and melioidosis was suspected from preliminary laboratory tests. The patient was initially started on cloxacillin, ceftriaxone and metronidazole, and was then changed to ceftazidime treatment following local melioidosis treatment guidelines.</p><p><strong>Laboratory methods: </strong>A deep pus sample was sent to Mahosot Hospital microbiology laboratory where a mixed infection was identified including <i>Burkholderia</i> sp. Conventional identification tests and API 20NE were inconclusive, and the <i>B. pseudomallei</i>-specific latex agglutination was positive. The isolate then underwent a <i>Burkholderia</i> species specific PCR which identified the isolate as <i>B. thailandensis.</i> The isolate was sent for sequencing on the Illumina NovaSeq 6000 system and multi-locus sequence typing analysis identified the isolate had the same sequence type (ST696) as <i>B. thailandensis</i> E555, a strain which expresses a <i>B. pseudomallei</i>-like capsular polysaccharide.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>This is the first report of human infection with <i>B. thailandensis</i> in Laos, and the first report of any human infection with the <i>B. thailandensis</i> capsular variant. Due to the potential for laboratory tests to incorrectly identify this bacteria, staff in endemic areas for <i>B. thailandensis</i> and <i>B. pseudomallei</i> should be aware and ensure that appropriate confirmatory methods are used to differentiate between the species.</p>","PeriodicalId":23677,"journal":{"name":"Wellcome Open Research","volume":"9 ","pages":"421"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-11-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11377925/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142156110","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The genome sequence of the harlequin ladybird, <i>Harmonia axyridis</i> (Pallas, 1773).","authors":"Douglas Boyes, Liam M Crowley","doi":"10.12688/wellcomeopenres.17349.2","DOIUrl":"10.12688/wellcomeopenres.17349.2","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>We present a genome assembly from an individual female <i>Harmonia axyridis</i> (the harlequin ladybird; Arthropoda; Insecta; Coleoptera; Coccinellidae). The genome sequence is 426 megabases in span. The majority (99.98%) of the assembly is scaffolded into 8 chromosomal pseudomolecules, with the X sex chromosome assembled.</p>","PeriodicalId":23677,"journal":{"name":"Wellcome Open Research","volume":"6 ","pages":"300"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-11-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11589414/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142733093","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}