Infectious diseases are influenced by interactions between host and pathogen, and the number of infected hosts is rarely homogenous across the landscape. Areas with elevated pathogen prevalence can maintain a high force of infection and may indicate areas with disease impacts on host populations. However, isolating the ecological processes that result in increases in infection prevalence and intensity remains a challenge. Here we elucidate the contribution of pathogen clade and host species in disease hotspots caused by Ophidiomyces ophidiicola, the pathogen responsible for snake fungal disease, in 21 species of snakes infected with multiple pathogen strains across 10 countries in Europe. We found isolated areas of disease hotspots in a landscape where infections were otherwise low. O. ophidiicola clade had important effects on transmission, and areas with multiple pathogen clades had higher host infection prevalence. Snake species further influenced infection, with most positive detections coming from species within the Natrix genus. Our results suggest that both host and pathogen identity are essential components contributing to increased pathogen prevalence.

• MeSH
• dermatomykózy * epidemiologie   mikrobiologie   MeSH
• hadi mikrobiologie   MeSH
• ohnisko nemoci MeSH
• prevalence MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Evropa epidemiologie   MeSH

BACKGROUND: Spatiotemporal distribution patterns are important infectious disease epidemiological characteristics that improve our understanding of wild animal population health. The skin infection caused by the fungus Pseudogymnoascus destructans emerged as a panzootic disease in bats of the northern hemisphere. However, the infection status of bats over an extensive geographic area of the Russian Federation has remained understudied. RESULTS: We examined bats at the geographic limits of bat hibernation in the Palearctic temperate zone and found bats with white-nose syndrome (WNS) on the European slopes of the Ural Mountains through the Western Siberian Plain, Central Siberia and on to the Far East. We identified the diagnostic symptoms of WNS based on histopathology in the Northern Ural region at 11° (about 1200 km) higher latitude than the current northern limit in the Nearctic. While body surface temperature differed between regions, bats at all study sites hibernated in very cold conditions averaging 3.6 °C. Each region also differed in P. destructans fungal load and the number of UV fluorescent skin lesions indicating skin damage intensity. Myotis bombinus, M. gracilis and Murina hilgendorfi were newly confirmed with histopathological symptoms of WNS. Prevalence of UV-documented WNS ranged between 16 and 76% in species of relevant sample size. CONCLUSIONS: To conclude, the bat pathogen P. destructans is widely present in Russian hibernacula but infection remains at low intensity, despite the high exposure rate.

• Klíčová slova
• Chiroptera, Distribution, Hibernation, Prevalence, Pseudogymnoascus destructans,
• MeSH
• Ascomycota * MeSH
• Chiroptera * klasifikace   genetika   MeSH
• dermatomykózy epidemiologie   veterinární   MeSH
• divoká zvířata MeSH
• druhová specificita MeSH
• hibernace MeSH
• molekulární typizace MeSH
• nos * MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Rusko epidemiologie   MeSH

BACKGROUND: Formerly only referred to as a subspecies (T. mentagrophytes var. quinckeanum), T. quinckeanum once again constitutes a distinct species according to the updated taxonomy of dermatophytes. PATIENTS AND METHODS: During routine diagnostic tests conducted at the Mycology Laboratory, Mölbis, Germany, between 11/2013 to 1/2017 (three years and three months), all specimens sent in were examined for T. quinckeanum. Molecular biology methods employed included: 1) DNA hybridization (PCR ELISA), 2) gene sequencing of the ITS region and TEF-1α, and 3) in some cases, MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry. RESULTS: Overall, 62 strains of T. quinckeanum were found. Sixty-eight percent of patients were female; 43 % were children and adolescents (≤ 19 years of age). Cats were a frequent source of infection. Sequencing of all 62 strains revealed a concordance of 100 % with T. quinckeanum sequences contained in the NCBI database. Isolates analyzed by MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry showed specific spectra. CONCLUSIONS: In Germany, the zoophilic dermatophyte T. quinckeanum currently appears to be more prevalent than expected. T. quinckeanum strains were isolated from children and adults with dermatomycosis and tinea capitis. Sources of infection with T. quinckeanum include small rodents (mice), horses, and - remarkably commonly - cats. Given that unequivocal morphological identification of this dermatophyte is not always possible, molecular methods have to be employed in the diagnosis.

• MeSH
• bakteriologické techniky MeSH
• dermatomykózy diagnóza   epidemiologie   přenos   MeSH
• dítě MeSH
• dospělí MeSH
• elongační faktor 1 genetika   MeSH
• kočky mikrobiologie   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mladiství MeSH
• mladý dospělý MeSH
• molekulární epidemiologie * MeSH
• průřezové studie MeSH
• sekvenční analýza DNA MeSH
• tinea diagnóza   epidemiologie   přenos   MeSH
• Trichophyton klasifikace   genetika   patogenita   MeSH
• zoonózy diagnóza   přenos   MeSH
• zuby neživé MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• dítě MeSH
• dospělí MeSH
• kočky mikrobiologie   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mladiství MeSH
• mladý dospělý MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Názvy látek
• elongační faktor 1 MeSH

BACKGROUND: Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a common chronic inflammatory skin disease. Malassezia, the predominant skin microbiota fungus, is considered to exacerbate AD, especially in a subset of patients with head and neck type AD (HNAD). In the present study, the relationship between AD and sensitization to Malassezia antigens was investigated. METHODS: We assessed 173 patients with AD. The severity of eczema was determined with Eczema Area and Severity Index (EASI); the type of AD, namely, head and neck type, was reported as well. The total serum IgE and specific IgE to Malassezia were determined and correlated with clinical picture of AD, sex, age, and the EASI. RESULTS: Total IgE was elevated in 77.7% of patients. Specific IgE to Malassezia was positive (≥0.35 kU/L) in 49.1% of patients. Men were significantly more often sensitized to Malassezia antigen (58% of men vs 42% of women; P value, 0.04). Concurrently, 58% of patients with HNAD versus 42% non-HNAD patients had higher levels of specific IgE to Malassezia, this difference being nearly significant (P value, 0.06). Patients with atopy were also more frequently sensitized to Malassezia. No significant relationship between EASI and the level of total IgE or specific IgE to Malassezia was observed. CONCLUSIONS: In our population, IgE-mediated sensitization was found in up to 49% of all patients with AD, most common in men and in head and neck type.

• MeSH
• atopická dermatitida diagnóza   epidemiologie   imunologie   MeSH
• dermatomykózy epidemiologie   imunologie   MeSH
• dítě MeSH
• dospělí MeSH
• hlava MeSH
• imunoglobulin E analýza   imunologie   MeSH
• krk MeSH
• lidé středního věku MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• Malassezia imunologie   MeSH
• mladiství MeSH
• náplasťové testy metody   MeSH
• prognóza MeSH
• protilátky fungální analýza   imunologie   MeSH
• referenční hodnoty MeSH
• rozložení podle pohlaví MeSH
• senioři nad 80 let MeSH
• senioři MeSH
• sexuální faktory MeSH
• stupeň závažnosti nemoci MeSH
• věkové rozložení MeSH
• Check Tag
• dítě MeSH
• dospělí MeSH
• lidé středního věku MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mladiství MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• senioři nad 80 let MeSH
• senioři MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Německo MeSH
• Názvy látek
• imunoglobulin E MeSH
• protilátky fungální MeSH

White-nose syndrome, associated with the fungal skin infection geomycosis, caused regional population collapse in bats in North America. Our results, based on histopathology, show the presence of white-nose syndrome in Europe. Dermatohistopathology on two bats (Myotis myotis) found dead in March 2010 with geomycosis in the Czech Republic had characteristics resembling Geomyces destructans infection in bats confirmed with white-nose syndrome in US hibernacula. In addition, a live M. myotis, biopsied for histopathology during hibernation in April 2011, had typical fungal infection with cupping erosion and invasion of muzzle skin diagnostic for white-nose syndrome and conidiospores identical to G. destructans that were genetically confirmed as G. destructans.

• MeSH
• Ascomycota klasifikace   izolace a purifikace   MeSH
• Chiroptera mikrobiologie   MeSH
• dermatomykózy epidemiologie   mikrobiologie   patologie   veterinární   MeSH
• epidemický výskyt choroby veterinární   MeSH
• hibernace MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Evropa epidemiologie   MeSH

BACKGROUND: White-nose syndrome is a disease of hibernating insectivorous bats associated with the fungus Geomyces destructans. It first appeared in North America in 2006, where over a million bats died since then. In Europe, G. destructans was first identified in France in 2009. Its distribution, infection dynamics, and effects on hibernating bats in Europe are largely unknown. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: We screened hibernacula in the Czech Republic and Slovakia for the presence of the fungus during the winter seasons of 2008/2009 and 2009/2010. In winter 2009/2010, we found infected bats in 76 out of 98 surveyed sites, in which the majority had been previously negative. A photographic record of over 6000 hibernating bats, taken since 1994, revealed bats with fungal growths since 1995; however, the incidence of such bats increased in Myotis myotis from 2% in 2007 to 14% by 2010. Microscopic, cultivation and molecular genetic evaluations confirmed the identity of the recently sampled fungus as G. destructans, and demonstrated its continuous distribution in the studied area. At the end of the hibernation season we recorded pathologic changes in the skin of the affected bats, from which the fungus was isolated. We registered no mass mortality caused by the fungus, and the recorded population decline in the last two years of the most affected species, M. myotis, is within the population trend prediction interval. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: G. destructans was found to be widespread in the Czech Republic and Slovakia, with an epizootic incidence in bats during the most recent years. Further development of the situation urgently requires a detailed pan-European monitoring scheme.

• MeSH
• Ascomycota klasifikace   genetika   fyziologie   MeSH
• Chiroptera klasifikace   mikrobiologie   MeSH
• dermatomykózy epidemiologie   mikrobiologie   MeSH
• DNA fungální chemie   genetika   MeSH
• druhová specificita MeSH
• hibernace MeSH
• incidence MeSH
• interakce hostitele a patogenu MeSH
• molekulární sekvence - údaje MeSH
• ribozomální DNA chemie   genetika   MeSH
• roční období MeSH
• sekvenční analýza DNA MeSH
• zeměpis MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Česká republika epidemiologie   MeSH
• Slovenská republika epidemiologie   MeSH
• Názvy látek
• DNA fungální MeSH
• ribozomální DNA MeSH

The authors analyze the incidence of dermatomycoses in the Slovak Republic in 1994-1999. They found an increase of these infections in particular epidermophytoses, trichophytoses and candidoses. From 25,762 examined subjects with suspicion of dermatomycosis they isolated in 1990 till 1999 8,237 cultures of dermatophytes. The most frequent causal agent was Trichophyton rubrum (81.61%). In the conclusion the authors draw attention to the inevitability of introduction of effective preventive measures.

• MeSH
• dermatomykózy epidemiologie   přenos   MeSH
• incidence MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• prevalence MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• anglický abstrakt MeSH
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Slovenská republika epidemiologie   MeSH

Over a 12-year period, from 1987 to 1998, the spectrum of aetiological agents isolated from 11208 patients (6265 females and 4943 males) suspected of having dermatomycosis was analysed in the mycological laboratory of the Department of Dermatology, Charles University, Prague. The most frequently examined locations were toenails (34.9%), feet (15.6%), fingernails (12.8%), toe webs (11%), trunk (10%) and hands (8.7%). Dermatophytes were isolated from 5605 (30.2%) of all 18528 samples examined. Among dermatophytes, the most common infectious agent was Trichophyton rubrum (90.2%) followed by Trichophyton mentagrophytes (6.6%), Microsporum canis (1.8%) and Epidermophyton floccosum (1.4%). Trichophyton verrucosum, Microsporum persicolor and Microsporum gypseum were rare. During this 12-year period the pattern of aetiological agents of dermatomycoses in Prague was relatively stable.

• MeSH
• dermatomykózy epidemiologie   mikrobiologie   MeSH
• incidence MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mitosporické houby * izolace a purifikace   MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Česká republika MeSH

• MeSH
• Arthrodermataceae izolace a purifikace   MeSH
• dermatomykózy epidemiologie   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• tinea epidemiologie   MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• anglický abstrakt MeSH
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Československo MeSH

• MeSH
• dermatomykózy epidemiologie   prevence a kontrola   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• surveillance populace MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• anglický abstrakt MeSH
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Československo MeSH