Enhanced Error Suppression for Accurate Detection of Low-Frequency Variants.

The identification of low-frequency variants remains challenging due to the inevitable high error rates of next-generation sequencing (NGS). Numerous promising strategies employ unique molecular identifiers (UMIs) for error suppression. However, their efficiency depends highly on redundant sequencing and quality control, leading to tremendous read waste and cost inefficiency.

Antimicrobial resistance, virulence genes profiles and molecular epidemiology of carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae strains from captive giant pandas (Ailuropoda melanoleuca).

Background: Carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae (CRKP) increases the difficulty of clinical treatment of giant pandas. This study aimed to investigate the antibiotic susceptibility, antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs), mobile genetic elements (MGEs), virulence genes, and molecular epidemiology of CRKP strains isolated from giant pandas. A total of 187 nonduplicated Klebsiella pneumoniae (KP) isolates were collected from fresh feces of captive giant pandas at the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding.

High-throughput sequencing and characterization of potentially pathogenic fungi from the vaginal mycobiome of giant panda () in estrus and non-estrus.

Introduction: The giant panda () reproduction is of worldwide attention, and the vaginal microbiome is one of the most important factors affecting the reproductive rate of giant pandas. The aim of this study is to investigate the diversity of vaginal mycobiota structure, and potential pathogenic fungi in female giant pandas during estrus and non-estrus.

Methods: This study combined with high-throughput sequencing and laboratory testing to compare the diversity of the vaginal mycobiota in giant pandas during estrus and non-estrus, and to investigate the presence of potentially pathogenic fungi.

Single-cell mRNA sequencing of giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) seminoma reveals the cellular and molecular characteristics of tumour cells.

Testicular tumours are zoonoses that can occur in not only human, but other animals, include giant pandas. A middle-aged male giant panda named Fufu was diagnosed with a testicular tumour and underwent surgery to remove the entire left testis. The testis was mainly composed of three substantive parts: normal tissue on the outside, tumour tissue in the middle, and necrosis in the centre.

Occurrence and Molecular Characteristics of Microsporidia in Captive Red Pandas () in China.

and spp. are microsporidian pathogens with zoonotic potential that pose significant public health concerns. To ascertain the occurrence and genotypes of and spp.

Gut phageome of the giant panda () reveals greater diversity than relative species.

The gut flora is a treasure house of diverse bacteriophages maintaining a harmonious and coexistent relationship with their hosts. The giant panda (), as a vulnerable endemic species in China, has existed for millions of years and is regarded as a flagship species for biodiversity conservation. And yet, limited studies have analyzed the phage communities in the gut of giant pandas.

A snapshot of climate drivers and temporal variation of abundance from a giant panda living in the wild.

Ticks and tick-borne diseases have negative impacts on the health of wild animals including endangered and vulnerable species. The giant panda (), a vulnerable and iconic flagship species, is threatened by tick infestation as well. Not only can ticks cause anemia and immunosuppression in the giant panda, but also bacterial and viral diseases.

Seroprevalence and risk factors of infection in captive giant panda ().

Introduction: Toxoplasma gondii, a globally zoonotic protozoan parasite, infects most warm-blooded animals including the giant panda, and poses a serious threat to the giant panda conservation. However, the seroprevalence and the risk factors for toxoplasmosis in giant pandas are unknown. Here we aimed to determine the seroprevalence of in the captive population of giant pandas and analyze the factors associated with the increased risk of infection.

Virome of Giant Panda-Infesting Ticks Reveals Novel Bunyaviruses and Other Viruses That Are Genetically Close to Those from Giant Pandas.

Tick infestations have been reported as one of the factors threatening the health of giant pandas, but studies of viral pathogens carried by ticks feeding on the blood of giant pandas are limited. To assess whether blood-sucking ticks of giant pandas can carry viral pathogens and if so, whether the viruses in ticks are associated with those previously detected in giant panda hosts, we determined the viromes of ticks detached from giant pandas in a field stocking area in Sichuan Province, southwest China. Using viral metagenomics we identified 32 viral species in ticks, half of which (including anellovirus [ = 9], circovirus [ = 3], and gemycircularvirus [ = 4]) showed homology to viruses carried by giant pandas and their associated host species (such as red pandas and mosquitoes) in the same living domain.

Comparison of a commercial ELISA and indirect hemagglutination assay with the modified agglutination test for detection of antibodies in giant panda ().

is a worldwide-distributed zoonotic protozoan parasite which causes toxoplasmosis and has a significant effect on public health. In the giant panda (), toxoplasmosis can cause asymptomatic infections, reproductive disorder and even death, which poses a serious threat to the conservation of this rare protected species. Therefore, serological investigation of is essential to understanding its risk to giant pandas, however, there are no specific testing kits for giant pandas.

Identification of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (CTX-M)-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae belonging to ST37, ST290, and ST2640 in captive giant pandas.

Background: Extended-spectrum β-lactamases (ESBL)-producing strains of Klebsiella pneumoniae remain a worldwide, critical clinical concern. However, limited information was available concerning ESBL-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae in giant pandas. The objective of this study was to characterize ESBL-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates from captive giant pandas.

Surveillance Study of in the Giant Panda Revealed High Genetic Diversity and Antibiotic Therapy Challenge.

Klebsiella pneumoniae is not only a worldwide human pathogen, it also effects wildlife, such as the giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca), in which it has recently been evidenced to result in diarrhea, organ failure, and even death. A K. pneumoniae investigation was carried out at the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding in 2018.

Feline Panleukopenia Virus With G299E Substitution in the VP2 Protein First Identified From a Captive Giant Panda in China.

A feline panleukopenia virus (FPV), Giant panda/CD/2018, was isolated from a captive giant panda with mild diarrhea in 2018 in Chengdu, China, and further identified indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) observation, and genetic analysis. Phylogenetic analysis based on the complete VP2 nucleotide sequences showed that it shared high homology with Chinese FPV isolates and grouped within FPV cluster 1. One unique substitution Gly(G)299Glu(E) in the capsid protein VP2 was first identified with Giant panda/CD/2018.

High Prevalence of Antimicrobial Resistance and Integron Gene Cassettes in Multi-Drug-Resistant Isolates From Captive Giant Pandas ().

Multi-drug-resistant (MDR ) is increasingly being reported with corresponding increase in morbidity and mortality all over the world. However, limited information is available concerning MDR in giant pandas. The objective of this study was to grasp the drug resistance profile of MDR isolated from giant pandas.

Mortality analysis of captive red panda cubs within Chengdu, China.

Background: The red panda has been classified as an endangered species due to the decreased number in the world and disease is considered as a great threat to the health and survival of the cubs in captivity.

Results: This study analyzed 32 red panda cub mortalities (15 females and 17 males, age less than two months) through gross necropsy, microbiological examination, and histopathological observation at the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, China, during 2014-2020. The results showed that screenings for canine distemper virus, canine parvovirus, rotavirus and parasite infection were all negative, however bacteria such as Klebsiella pneumoniae, Proteus mirabilis, Escherichia coli, Enterococcus faecalis, Pseudomonas were isolated from the tissue samples of some cubs.

Viral metagenomics unveiled extensive communications of viruses within giant pandas and their associated organisms in the same ecosystem.

Cross-species transmission events were commonplace, with numerous cases of host-switching during the viral evolutionary history, but relatively little evidence for onward transmission in different species living in the same ecosystem. For understanding the communications of viruses in giant pandas (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) and their associated organisms, based on a large size of samples (N = 2305) collected between 2015 and 2020 from giant panda (N = 776) and other four giant panda-associated organisms in the same ecosystem, red pandas (N = 700), stray cats (N = 32), wild rats (N = 42), and mosquitoes (N = 755), viromics was used for the virus identification and subsequent virus traceability. The results showed that a feline panleukopenia virus (FPV) was found in giant pandas with clinical signs of vomiting and mild diarrhea.

Is skin pressure in load carriage over-evaluated?

Skin pressure is a biomechanical measure widely used in the assessment of load carriage systems. However, because of the complicated contour of human body, the stiffness of the pressure sensor array, and the large range of measurable pressures, there is much variability in previously reported results. In this paper, a simple mechanical model for load carriage was proposed, and the skin pressures beneath the shoulder and hip straps were predicted from the strap forces based on Laplace's law.

First report of fatal baylisascariasis-induced acute pancreatitis in a giant panda.

A wild adult male giant panda that was rescued from a nature reserve in Sichuan Province, China, has died. The panda had been in poor physical condition: it was wheezing and had increased serum amylase. A pathological examination was performed in order to determine the cause of death.

First detection and molecular identification of Babesia sp. from the giant panda, Ailuropoda melanoleuca, in China.

Background: Parasitic infections are among the important causes of death of giant pandas (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) that hamper their survival in the wild. There are about 35 species of parasites which have been identified in giant pandas, but no information is currently available regarding the infection of Babesia in giant pandas. Babesia spp.

Isolation and characterization of Uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC) from red panda (Ailurus fulgens).

Background: Disease prevention and control is a significant part in the ex-situ conservation of the endangered red panda (Ailurus fulgens), being bacterial infection is one of the most important health threats to the captive population. To date, studies about the infection caused by Escherichia coli in the red panda are scarce. This study was conducted to determine the cause of death of a captive red panda through clinical symptoms, complete blood count, biochemical analysis, pathological diagnosis and bacterial whole genome sequencing.