Detection of Hepatitis E Virus in Sewage After an Outbreak on a French Island

A hepatitis E outbreak, which occurred on a small isolated island, provided an opportunity to evaluate the association between the number of hepatitis E cases in the community and the concentration of virus detected in sewage. Samples were collected from the different sewage treatment plants from the island and analyzed for the presence of hepatitis E (HEV) virus using real-time RT-PCR. We demonstrated that if 1–4 % of inhabitants connected to a WWTP were infected with HEV, raw sewage contained HEV at detectable levels. The finding that such a small number of infected people can contaminate municipal sewage works raises the potential of the further distribution of the virus. Indeed, investigating the routes of transmission of HEV, including the potential for sewage effluent to contain infectious HEV, may help us to better understand the epidemiology of this pathogen, which is considered to be an emerging concern in Europe.     

Species distribution modelling: Does one size fit all? A phytogeographic analysis of Salix in Ontario

Empirical models for predicting the distribution of organisms from environmental data have often focused on principles of ecological niche theory. However, even at large scales, there is little agreement over how to represent the dimensions of a species’ niche. The performance of such models is greatly affected by the nature of species distributional and environmental data. Regional scale distribution models were developed for 30 willow species in Ontario to examine (i) the predictive ability of logistic regression analysis, and (ii) the effects of using different distributional and environmental data sets. Two original measures of model accuracy and over-prediction were employed and evaluated using independent data. Models based on unique combinations of monthly climate data predicted distributions most accurately for all species. Models based on a fixed set of variables, while generating the highest average probabilities of occurrence for certain species with limited ranges, resulted in the greatest under- and over-estimates of willow distributions. Comparisons of models demonstrated climatic patterns among willows of differing habit and habitat. The distribution of dwarf willow species, present only in the Ontario arctic, followed gradients of summer maximum temperatures. The distribution of the tree species in the southerly portions of the province followed gradients of fall and winter minimum temperatures. Regardless of distributional and environmental data input, no algorithm maximized model performance for all species. Individual species models require individual approaches; i.e., the variable selection technique, the set of environmental factors used as predictors, and the nature of species distributional data must be carefully matched to the intended application. An understanding of evolutionary processes enhances the meaningful interpretation of individual species models. Unless sampling bias and species prevalence can be accounted for, models based on collection point data are best used to guide field surveys. While inferred range data may be better suited to determine potential ecological niches, overestimation of species prevalence and environmental tolerance must be recognized. A combination of available distributional data types is recommended to best determine species niches, an important step in developing conservation strategies.     

Marine habitat mapping in support of Marine Protected Area management in a subarctic fjord: Gilbert Bay, Labrador, Canada

This paper presents an approach that allows production of benthic substrate and habitat maps in fjord environments. This approach is used to support the management of the Gilbert Bay Marine Protected Area (MPA) in southeastern Labrador, Atlantic Canada. Multibeam sonar-derived bathymetry, seabed slope, and acoustic reflectance (backscatter) were combined using supervised classification methods and GIS with ground-truthed benthic sampling in order to derive maps of the substrates and main benthic habitats. Six acoustically distinct substrate types were identified in the fjord, and three additional substrate types without a unique acoustic signature were recognized. Ordination by multidimensional scaling and analysis of similarity generalized these to four acoustically distinct habitat types. Greatest within-habitat (alpha) diversity was found in the coralline-algae encrusted gravel habitat. Greatest between-habitat (beta) diversity was found in the management Zones 1 and 2, which have the highest level of protection. The study confirmed that the zoning plan for the MPA, which was designed to protect spawning and juvenile fish habitat for a local genetically distinct population of Atlantic cod, afforded highest levels of protection to areas with highest habitat diversity.     

Fetal cerebral hemorrhage due to X-linked GATA1 gene mutation

We report a multiplex family with a GATA1 gene mutation responsible for a massive fetal cerebral hemorrhage occurring at 36 weeks. Two other stillbirth cousins presented with fetal hydrops and congenital hemochromatosis' phenotype at 37 and 12 weeks of gestation. Molecular screening revealed the presence of a c.613G>A pathogenic allelic variation in exon 4 of GATA1 gene in the 3 male siblings and their carrier mothers. The diagnosis of a GATA1 gene mutation may be suspected in cases of male fetuses with intracerebral bleeding, particularly if a history of prior fetal loss(es) and mild maternal thrombocytopenia are also present.