Molecular Identification of Mycobacterium Strains Responsible of Bovine Tuberculosis Cases in Bobo-Dioulasso Slaughterhouse, Burkina Faso

Bovine tuberculosis (bTB) is an endemic zoonosis significantly affects animal health in Burkina Faso. The primary causative agent is Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M. tuberculosis) complex, mainly M. bovis. Cattle are considered as natural reservoir of M. bovis. However, in Burkina Faso, the circulation of these strains remains poorly understood and documented. This study aimed to identify and characterize Mycobacterium strains from suspected carcasses during routine meat inspection at Bobo-Dioulasso refrigerated slaughterhouse. A prospective cross-sectional study was conducted from January 2021 to December 2022 on cases of seizures linked to suspected bovine tuberculosis. Microbiological and molecular analyzes were used for mycobacterial strain isolation and characterization. Out of 50 samples, 24% tested positive by microscopy and 12% by culture. Molecular analysis identified 6 strains of Mycobacteria, exclusively Mycobacterium bovis specifically the subspecies bovis (Mycobacterium bovis subsp bovis). In conclusion, M. bovis subsp bovis is the primary agent responsible for bovine tuberculosis in Bobo-Dioulasso. Continuous monitoring of mycobacterial strains is therefore necessary for the effective control of this pathology in the local cattle population.

Role of toll like-receptor 2 in inflammatory activity of macrophage infected with a recombinant BCG expressing the C-terminus of merozoite surface protein-1 of Plasmodium falciparum

Objective: To investigate the role of toll-like receptor 2(TLR2) in inflammatory activity of macrophage infected with the recombinant Mycobacterium bovis bacillus Calmette-Guerin(rBCG). Methods: Mouse macrophage cell line J774 A.1 was infected with Mycobacterium bovis bacillus Calmette-Guerin(BCG) and rBCG cultures for 48 h in the presence or absence of 10 μg/mL of TLR2 inhibitor. Untreated macrophages were used as a negative control while lipopolysaccharide-stimulated macrophages were used as a positive control. The ability of the macrophage to engulf the BCG and rBCG in the absence or presence of TLR2 inhibitor was assessed using a phagocytic assay, while the production of inflammatory cytokines and nitric oxide by the infected macrophages was evaluated using ELISA and Griess reagent method, while the expression of the inducible nitric oxide synthase was determined using Western blot analysis. Results: The results showed that blocking TLR2 function reduced the phagocytic activity, nitric oxide production and proinflammatory cytokine secretion such as TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-12 p40 as well as inducible nitric oxide synthase expression in the infected macrophages. These data showed the importance of TLR2 in the activation of macrophages following BCG and r BCG infections. Conclusions: Through exploring the immunological mechanism which underlies the protection conferred by the candidate vaccine, this study will improve our understanding of the vaccine candidate's mechanism to protect the host from malaria infection.

Genitourinary Bacillus Calmette-Guerin Infection after BCG Intravesical Administration in a Patient under Hemodialysis—What Can We Do Better?

A 74-year-old man with terminal chronic kidney disease, under hemodialysis and with residual diuresis, was admitted due to myalgia, arthralgia, fever and pyuria in the previous 10 days. The patient had a recent diagnosis of high-grade non-invasive bladder cancer and was doing weekly BCG intravesical administrations. The symptoms started three days before the fifth administration. He had done cefixime as an outpatient and started piperacillin-tazobactam on hospital admission, but the fever persisted, and there was no bacterial isolation in urine or blood culture. On the tenth and seventeenth day after the last BCG intravesical administration Mycobacterium bovis was still isolated in the urine culture. The diagnosis of BCGitis was made and treatment was started, with a good response. Forty days after the last administration and under treatment, the culture remained positive for Mycobacterium bovis in the urine. We raise the question about the safety of BCG administration in patients with residual diuresis.

Theories behind Bacillus Calmette-Guerin failure in high-risk non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer and update on current management

Bladder cancer encapsulates a wide spectrum of disease severities,with non-muscle invasive bladder cancer(NMIBC)representing an entirely different entity from muscle-invasive disease.Bacillus Calmette-Guerin(BCG)is one of the most successful intravesical treatment methods for patients diagnosed.However,a considerable pro-portion of patients fail to respond to BCG treatment.Given the propensity for recurrence in patients with high-risk bladder cancer,these patients present with surgical dilemmas.There is currently no gold standard for salvage treatment post-BCG failure or unified definition as to what that means.In this review,we discuss the mechanisms of action and pathophysiology of BCG,potential theories behind BCG failure,and the scope of novel treatments forthis surgical conundrum.

Mesoporous SiO_(2) Sphere-Based Electrochemical Impedance Immunosensor for Ultrasensitive Detection of Bovine Interferon-γ

Interferon-γis a kind of protein with a wide range of biological activities,which can regulate the immune function of the body,and can be used as an important marker to detect and treat bovine tuberculosis diseases.Here,a picogram-level bovine interferon-γ(BoIFN-γ)electrochemical impedance immunosensor was constructed for the first time using mesoporous silica nanospheres(MS Ns)to immobilize specific monoclonal BoIFN-y antibodies.The MS Ns and BoIFN-γimmuno sensors were characterized using scanning electron microscopy,transmission electron microscope,nitrogen adsorption experiment,X-ray photoelectron spectra,and contact angle measurements.MSNs possess a substantial specific surface area and significant hydrophilicity,and can immobilize many antibody molecules,thereby improving detection sensitivity.The immunosensor has a linear detection range from 0.001 to 10.0 ng/mL with an exceptionally low detection limit of 0.62 pg/mL.Compared to the traditional BoIFN-γanalysis method,BoIFN-γimmunosensor presents superiorities in sensitivity,wide linear range as well as short processing time.More importantly,the BoIFN-γsensor exhibits high selectivity,reliable repeatability as well as stability,providing a promising application prospect for the early diagnosis of Mycobacterium bovis infection.