Journal Articles

Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://mro.massey.ac.nz/handle/10179/7915

Browse

Filters

2024 - 20262

Settings

Has files: YesSubject: search.filters.subject.cluster

Search Results

Now showing 1 - 2 of 2
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Exploring geographic differences in IgE response through network and manifold analyses
    (Elsevier Inc. on behalf of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology, 2026-01-01) Cucco A; Pearce N; Simpson A; Pembrey L; Mpairwe H; Figueiredo CA; Cooper PJ; Douwes J; Brooks C; Adcock IM; Kermani NZ; Roberts GDM; Murray CS; Custovic A; Fontanella S; WASP Study Group; STELAR/UNICORN Consortium; U-BIOPRED Consortium
    Background: Component-resolved diagnostics allow detailed assessment of IgE sensitization to multiple allergenic molecules (component-specific IgEs, or c-sIgEs) and may be useful for asthma diagnosis. However, to effectively use component-resolved diagnostics across diverse settings, it is crucial to account for geographic differences. Objective: We investigated spatial determinants of c-sIgE networks to facilitate development of diagnostic algorithms applicable globally. Methods: We used multiplex component-resolved diagnostics array to measure c-sIgE to 112 proteins in an international collaboration of several studies: WASP (World Asthma Phenotypes; United Kingdom, New Zealand, Brazil, Ecuador, and Uganda), U-BIOPRED (Unbiased Biomarkers for the Prediction of Respiratory Disease Outcomes; 7 European countries), and MAAS (Manchester Asthma and Allergy Study, a UK population-based birth cohort). Hierarchical clustering on low-dimensional representation of co-occurrence networks ascertained sensitization and c-sigE clusters across populations. Cross-country comparisons focused on a common subset of 18 c-sIgEs. We investigated sensitization networks across regions in relation to asthma severity. Results: Sensitization profiles shared similarities across regions. For 18 c-sIgEs shared across study populations, the response structure enabled differentiation between different geographic areas and study designs, revealing 3 clusters: (1) Uganda, Ecuador, and Brazil, (2) U-BIOPRED children and adults, and (3) New Zealand, United Kingdom, and MAAS. Spectral clustering identified differences between clusters. We observed constant, almost parallel shifts between severe and nonsevere asthma in each country. Conclusions: Patterns of c-sIgE response reflect geographic location and study design. However, despite geographic differences in c-sIgE networks, there is a remarkably consistent shift between networks of subjects with nonsevere and severe asthma.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Zoonotic transmission of asymptomatic carriage Staphylococcus aureus on dairy farms in Canterbury, New Zealand.
    (Microbiology Society, 2024-12-04) Straub C; Taylor W; French NP; Murdoch DR; Priest P; Anderson T; Scott P
    Zoonotic pathogen transmission is of growing concern globally, with agricultural intensification facilitating interactions between humans, livestock and wild animals. Staphylococcus aureus is a major human pathogen, but it also causes mastitis in dairy cattle, leading to an economic burden on the dairy industry. Here, we investigated transmission within and between cattle and humans, including potential zoonotic transmission of S. aureus isolated from cattle and humans from three dairy farms and an associated primary school in New Zealand. Nasal swabs (N=170) were taken from healthy humans. Inguinal and combined nasal/inguinal swabs were taken from healthy cattle (N=1163). Whole-genome sequencing was performed for 96 S. aureus isolates (44 human and 52 cattle). Multilocus sequence typing and assessments of antimicrobial resistance and virulence were carried out. Potential within- and across-species transmission events were determined based on single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). Thirteen potential transmission clusters were detected, with 12 clusters restricted to within-species and one potential zoonotic transmission cluster (ST5). Potential transmission among cattle was mostly limited to single age groups, likely because different age groups are managed separately on farms. While the prevalence of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) was low among both bovine and human isolates, the discovery of an extended-spectrum beta-lactamase gene (bla TEM-116) in a bovine isolate was concerning. This study provides evidence around frequency and patterns of potential transmission of S. aureus on dairy farms and highlights the AMR and virulence profile of asymptomatic carriage S. aureus isolates.