Exploring viral diversity in diarrheic porcine feces: a metagenomic analysis from an Indian swine farm

BackgroundPig husbandry is a vital sector in India, providing nutritional security and employment for marginalized communities. Pigs are advantageous due to high reproduction rates and fecundity, shorter generation intervals, and efficient feed conversion, requiring minimal housing. However, the swine industry encounters significant disease challenges, particularly viral gastroenteritis, which poses serious public health risks, especially in developing countries. Pigs serve as natural reservoirs and amplifiers for numerous viruses with zoonotic potential, making disease surveillance essential.MaterialsIn this study, we conducted a metagenomic analysis of 15 fecal samples from diarrheic pigs on a farm in India, marking the first exploration of the fecal virome diversity in this region. Our next-generation sequencing approach has enabled the unbiased detection of multiple viral agents in the porcine fecal samples, detecting both known and novel viral agents without prior target knowledge.ResultsThe key and novel viruses obtained in our study were porcine circovirus, porcine parvovirus 7, porcine mamastrovirus 3, porcine sapelovirus A, and porcine enterovirus G. This work resulted in the generation of full genomes for multiple porcine viruses, including Circovirus, Enterovirus, Sapelovirus, and Mamastrovirus, along with partial genomes of Parvovirus, Picobirnavirus, Porcine stool-associated RNA virus (Porcine Posavirus), Kobuvirus, and Rotavirus, all subjected to phylogenetic analysis.ConclusionOur survey indicates frequent co-infections with diverse viruses, creating conducive environments for viral recombination and reassortment. Continuous surveillance of viral pathogens in animal populations is essential for understanding the dynamics of both known and novel viruses and for detecting emerging pathogens, along with their zoonotic and pathogenic potential

Report of a rare case and review of adult intestinal duplication at the opposite side of mesenteric margin

ABSTRACT CONTEXT: To study the previously discovered clinical entity of adult intestinal duplication and its treatment, and propose an extension to its existing classification. CASE REPORT: We report the case of an adult male with abdominal pain, constipation and vomiting. This patient underwent surgical separation of adhesions, reduction of torsion and intestinal decompression. Postoperative pathological findings confirmed the rare diagnosis of intestinal duplication. CONCLUSION: Adult intestinal duplication is quite rare. Its clinical manifestations are nonspecific. From this finding of intestinal duplication originating at the opposite side of the mesenteric margin, a further extension of the existing anatomical classification is proposed

Report of a rare case and review of adult intestinal duplication at the opposite side of mesenteric margin

ABSTRACT CONTEXT: To study the previously discovered clinical entity of adult intestinal duplication and its treatment, and propose an extension to its existing classification. CASE REPORT: We report the case of an adult male with abdominal pain, constipation and vomiting. This patient underwent surgical separation of adhesions, reduction of torsion and intestinal decompression. Postoperative pathological findings confirmed the rare diagnosis of intestinal duplication. CONCLUSION: Adult intestinal duplication is quite rare. Its clinical manifestations are nonspecific. From this finding of intestinal duplication originating at the opposite side of the mesenteric margin, a further extension of the existing anatomical classification is proposed.</div

Malignant portal vein tumor thrombosis (PVTT) in patients with hepatocellular (HCC) carcinoma: Insights from a Western single-institutional cohort.

552 Background: Macrovascular tumor invasion in the portal vein system is associated with poor survival and response to therapy. The Japanese portal vein invasion (Vp) classification is based on anatomical location of the thrombus and has been reported to predict prognosis in Asian cohorts of patients. Systemic treatment (ST) options have been increasing over the last decade, coupled with a refinement of radiation (RT) delivery and surgical techniques. Modern literature about HCC and PVTT is scarce in the West. Aim of this study was to characterize outcomes of PVTT patients stratified by Vp categories and by treatment strategies in a Western cohort of HCC patients. Methods: A total of 837 patients with HCC, treated at our tertiary referral center between 2010 and 2022, were retrospectively reviewed. 136 (16.3%) patients with PVTT at the time of diagnosis were identified. PVTT was diagnosed by contrast-enhanced computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging. The extent of portal tumor-in-vein burden was characterized according to the Liver Cancer Study Group of Japan classification. Treatment modalities were delineated. Median OS was calculated for each group. Cox proportional hazard was used to compare OS between groups. Results: Etiology of liver disease was chronic hepatitis B in 18 (13%) patients, chronic hepatitis C in 79 (57%), alcohol in 53 (39%) and NASH in 10 (7%). Our group comprised 8 Vp1, 16 Vp2, 53 Vp3 and 59 Vp4 patients. 42% were in class Child-Pugh A, 42% B and 16% C. 14 (10%) patients underwent surgical resection of their tumor, 31 (23%) received radiation therapy, 90 (68%) were treated with systemic therapy, while 27 (23%) only received best supportive care (BSC). Median OS was 7.2 months in all comers; 16.0, 3.6, and 1.9 months when stratified by Child-Pugh class A, B, C respectively. Patients lived longer when they had more limited PVTT extent (Table). There was a trend towards worse OS in patients with Vp4 tumors compared to more peripheral thrombi (median OS 4.7 vs 12.8 mo, p=0.055). Patients treated with both ST and RT had a better OS than those treated with either alone (median OS 17.7 vs 5.7 mo, p=0.022). Median OS by treatment type is shown in Table. Conclusions: This retrospective study confirms an association between the extent of PVTT and OS in a Western HCC cohort. Patients with adequate hepatic reserve may benefit from more aggressive multi-modality treatment approaches. OS by PVTT extent and treatment modality.[Table: see text] </jats:p

Liquid biopsies and minimal residual disease in myeloid malignancies

Minimal residual disease (MRD) assessment through blood component sampling by liquid biopsies (LBs) is increasingly being investigated in myeloid malignancies. Blood components then undergo molecular analysis by flow cytometry or sequencing techniques and can be used as a powerful tool for prognostic and predictive purposes in myeloid malignancies. There is evidence and more is evolving about the quantification and identification of cell-based and gene-based biomarkers in myeloid malignancies to monitor treatment response. MRD based acute myeloid leukemia protocol and clinical trials are currently incorporating LB testing and preliminary results are encouraging for potential widespread use in clinic in the near future. MRD monitoring using LBs are not standard in myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) but this is an area of active investigation. In the future, LBs can replace more invasive techniques such as bone marrow biopsies. However, the routine clinical application of these markers continues to be an issue due to lack of standardization and limited number of studies investigating their specificities. Integrating artificial intelligence (AI) could help simplify the complex interpretation of molecular testing and reduce errors related to operator dependency. Though the field is rapidly evolving, the applicability of MRD testing using LB is mostly limited to research setting at this time due to the need for validation, regulatory approval, payer coverage, and cost issues. This review focuses on the types of biomarkers, most recent research exploring MRD and LB in myeloid malignancies, ongoing clinical trials, and the future of LB in the setting of AI

Liquid biopsies and minimal residual disease in myeloid malignancies.

Minimal residual disease (MRD) assessment through blood component sampling by liquid biopsies (LBs) is increasingly being investigated in myeloid malignancies. Blood components then undergo molecular analysis by flow cytometry or sequencing techniques and can be used as a powerful tool for prognostic and predictive purposes in myeloid malignancies. There is evidence and more is evolving about the quantification and identification of cell-based and gene-based biomarkers in myeloid malignancies to monitor treatment response. MRD based acute myeloid leukemia protocol and clinical trials are currently incorporating LB testing and preliminary results are encouraging for potential widespread use in clinic in the near future. MRD monitoring using LBs are not standard in myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) but this is an area of active investigation. In the future, LBs can replace more invasive techniques such as bone marrow biopsies. However, the routine clinical application of these markers continues to be an issue due to lack of standardization and limited number of studies investigating their specificities. Integrating artificial intelligence (AI) could help simplify the complex interpretation of molecular testing and reduce errors related to operator dependency. Though the field is rapidly evolving, the applicability of MRD testing using LB is mostly limited to research setting at this time due to the need for validation, regulatory approval, payer coverage, and cost issues. This review focuses on the types of biomarkers, most recent research exploring MRD and LB in myeloid malignancies, ongoing clinical trials, and the future of LB in the setting of AI