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Puerto Rico has been heavily impacted by Zika virus, a mosquitoborne flavivirus that emerged in the Americas during 2015. Although most persons with Zika virus show no symptoms, the virus can cause neurologic and other complications, including fetal microcephaly. Local Zika virus transmission in Puerto Rico has been reported since December 2015. To prevent transfusion-associated transmission, local blood collection ceased in March 2016 but resumed in April 2016 after Zika virus screening of blood donations became available. Using data from screening of blood donations collected by the 2 largest blood centers in Puerto Rico during April 3–August 12, 2016, and assuming a 9.9-day duration of viremia, we estimated that 469,321 persons in Puerto Rico were infected during this period, for an estimated cumulative incidence of 12.9%. Results from blood donation screening during arboviral outbreaks can supplement routine clinical and surveillance data for improved targeting of prevention efforts.

This study deals with the structure and ultrastructure of the epithelial cells of the lizard (Lacerta vivipara Jacquin) epididymis as related to secretory activity. The epithelium contains only two types of cells, secretory cells and basal cells. The secretory cells undergo an annual cycle which has been divided into 10 stages. In its most active secretory state, epithelium forms 65.3% of the organ volume. The secretory cell is a tall columnar cell (from 55 ± 3.4 μm to 74.3 ± 2.4 μm height) with a basal nucleus and a supranuclear cytoplasm almost entirely occupied by numerous large secretory granules (5 to 7 μm in diameter). At the ultrastructural level, secretory cells contain rough endoplasmic reticulum (RER), Golgi complex, and secretory granules at various stages of synthesis before being discharged into the lumen. Each granule is membrane-limited and contains a spherical electron dense central core and a peripheral vacuole which varies in density. The secretory cell originates from small cubic cells (13.8 ± 0.7 μm) with few organelles (stage 1). The height of the cell increases gradually and free ribosomes appear first (stage 2), followed by scarce elements of RER (stage 3). The step preceding the secretion period (stage 4) is characterized by a conspicuous increase in volume of RER and Golgi complex. From stage 7 to stage 10, the cell undergoes a dramatic involution. After a transient hypertrophy of the RER, numerous autophagic vacuoles invade the cytoplasm. This degeneration can lead to a complete lysis of the cell and to its rebuilding after elimination of the greatest part of the cytoplasm. The volume of the epithelium falls to 15.6% of the total volume. With antibodies raised against the protein family which constitutes the main part of the secretion (L proteins of 19 kDa), it is shown by immunohistochemistry that these proteins are concentrated into secretory granules which are discharged into the lumen to finally bind to the heads of the spermatozoa.

The karyotypes of 4 european species of Lacertidae were determined in hepatic tissue cultures. The chromosomal formula typical of the Lacertidae (2n = 36M + 2 m) was found in L. muralis, L. sicula campestris and L. viridis; no morphologically differentiated sex chromosomes were identified in these 3 species.A population of L. vivipara caught in the Massif Central (France) shows the following diploid number: 2n~?=32A+Za Z~ W, 2nd=32A+Z~ Z~ Z2Z2. The existence of the submetacentric W in the female karyotype can be explained by centric fusion between two non homologous telocentric chromosomes. It is possible that only some populations show this rearrangement.The finding of two types of heterogamety, XY and ZW, in the same Order contributes to our knowledge of the evolution of sex chromosomes among Vertebrates.

Ensuring availability of safe blood products through recruitment of voluntary, nonremunerated, blood donors (VNRDs) and prevention of transfusion-transmissible infections (TTIs), including human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), and syphilis, is important for public health (1,2). During 2004–2016, the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) provided approximately $468 million in financial support and technical assistance* to 14 sub-Saharan African countries† with high HIV prevalence to strengthen national blood transfusion services (NBTSs)§ and improve blood safety and availability. CDC analyzed these countries’ 2014–2016 blood safety surveillance data to update previous reports (1,2) and summarize achievements and programmatic gaps as some NBTSs begin to transition funding and technical support from PEPFAR to local ministries of health (MOHs) (2,3). Despite a 60% increase in blood supply since 2004 and steady declines in HIV prevalence (to <1% among blood donors in seven of the 14 countries), HIV prevalence among blood donors still remains higher than that recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) (4). PEPFAR support has contributed to significant reductions in HIV prevalence among blood donors in the majority of PEPFAR-supported countries, and linking donors who screen HIV-positive to confirmatory testing and indicated treatment, as well as further reducing TTIs, remains a public health priority (5).

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Ebola virus is one of the most deadly pathogens known to infect humans. The current Ebola outbreak in West Africa is unprecedented in magnitude and duration and, as of November 30, 2014, shows no signs of abating. For the first time, cases of Ebola virus disease have been diagnosed in the US, originating from patients who traveled during the incubation period. The outbreak has generated worldwide concern. It is clear that U.S. physicians need to be aware of this disease, know when to consider Ebola and how to care for the patient as well as protect themselves. Children comprise a small percentage of all cases globally, likely because of their lower risk of exposure given social and cultural practices. Limited evidence is available on pediatric disease course and prognosis. In this article, we present an overview of the pathogen, its epidemiology and transmission, clinical and laboratory manifestations, treatment and infection control procedures, with an emphasis on what is known about Ebola virus disease in the pediatric population.