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Bridgemohan R, Deitch MJ, Harmon E, Whiles MR, Wilson PC, Bean E, Bridgemohan P, Bisesi JH, Nicholas J, Redhead A, Bachoon DS. Spatiotemporal assessment of pathogenic Leptospira in subtropical coastal watersheds. JOURNAL OF WATER AND HEALTH 2024; 22:923-938. [PMID: 38822470 DOI: 10.2166/wh.2024.038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2024] [Accepted: 03/20/2024] [Indexed: 06/03/2024]
Abstract
The World Health Organization classifies leptospirosis as a significant public health concern, predominantly affecting impoverished and unsanitary regions. By using the Pensacola Bay System as a case study, this study examines the underappreciated susceptibility of developed subtropical coastal ecosystems such as the Pensacola Bay System to neglected zoonotic pathogens such as Leptospira. We analyzed 132 water samples collected over 12 months from 44 distinct locations with high levels of Escherichia coli (>410 most probable number/100 mL). Fecal indicator bacteria (FIB) concentrations were assessed using IDEXX Colilert-18 and Enterolert-18, and an analysis of water physiochemical characteristics and rainfall intensity was conducted. The LipL32 gene was used as a quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) indicator to identify the distribution of Leptospira interrogans. The results revealed 12 instances of the presence of L. interrogans at sites with high FIB over various land cover and aquatic ecosystem types. Independent of specific rainfall events, a seasonal relationship between precipitation and elevated rates of fecal bacteria and leptospirosis was found. These findings highlight qPCR's utility in identifying pathogens in aquatic environments and the widespread conditions where it can be found in natural and developed areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ronell Bridgemohan
- Soil, Water, and Ecosystem Sciences Department, University of Florida IFAS West Florida Research and Education Center, Milton, FL, USA E-mail:
| | - Matthew J Deitch
- Soil, Water, and Ecosystem Sciences Department, University of Florida IFAS West Florida Research and Education Center, Milton, FL, USA
| | - Emily Harmon
- Soil, Water, and Ecosystem Sciences Department, University of Florida IFAS West Florida Research and Education Center, Milton, FL, USA
| | - Matt R Whiles
- Soil, Water, and Ecosystem Sciences Department 2181 McCarty Hall, University of Florida, P.O. Box 110290, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA
| | - P Christopher Wilson
- Soil, Water, and Ecosystem Sciences Department 2181 McCarty Hall, University of Florida, P.O. Box 110290, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA
| | - Eban Bean
- Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, University of Florida Main Office, Room 120 Frazier Rogers Hall1741 Museum Road, Building. 474, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA
| | - Puran Bridgemohan
- Tropical Research and Education Center, IFAS Research, University of Florida, Homestead, FL 33031, USA
| | - Joseph H Bisesi
- Department of Environmental and Global Health and Center for Environmental and Human Toxicology, College of Public Health and Health Professions, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Jodel Nicholas
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, Georgia College and State University, Campus Box 81, Milledgeville, GA 31061, USA
| | - Aaden Redhead
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, Georgia College and State University, Campus Box 81, Milledgeville, GA 31061, USA
| | - Dave S Bachoon
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, Georgia College and State University, Campus Box 81, Milledgeville, GA 31061, USA
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Altissimi C, Noé-Nordberg C, Ranucci D, Paulsen P. Presence of Foodborne Bacteria in Wild Boar and Wild Boar Meat-A Literature Survey for the Period 2012-2022. Foods 2023; 12:foods12081689. [PMID: 37107481 PMCID: PMC10137515 DOI: 10.3390/foods12081689] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2023] [Revised: 04/12/2023] [Accepted: 04/15/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The wild boar is an abundant game species with high reproduction rates. The management of the wild boar population by hunting contributes to the meat supply and can help to avoid a spillover of transmissible animal diseases to domestic pigs, thus compromising food security. By the same token, wild boar can carry foodborne zoonotic pathogens, impacting food safety. We reviewed literature from 2012-2022 on biological hazards, which are considered in European Union legislation and in international standards on animal health. We identified 15 viral, 10 bacterial, and 5 parasitic agents and selected those nine bacteria that are zoonotic and can be transmitted to humans via food. The prevalence of Campylobacter, Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella, Shiga toxin-producing E. coli, and Yersinia enterocolitica on muscle surfaces or in muscle tissues of wild boar varied from 0 to ca. 70%. One experimental study reported the transmission and survival of Mycobacterium on wild boar meat. Brucella, Coxiella burnetii, Listeria monocytogenes, and Mycobacteria have been isolated from the liver and spleen. For Brucella, studies stressed the occupational exposure risk, but no indication of meat-borne transmission was evident. Furthermore, the transmission of C. burnetii is most likely via vectors (i.e., ticks). In the absence of more detailed data for the European Union, it is advisable to focus on the efficacy of current game meat inspection and food safety management systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caterina Altissimi
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Perugia, Via San Costanzo 4, 06121 Perugia, Italy
| | | | - David Ranucci
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Perugia, Via San Costanzo 4, 06121 Perugia, Italy
| | - Peter Paulsen
- Unit of Food Hygiene and Technology, Institute of Food Safety, Food Technology and Veterinary Public Health, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Veterinärplatz 1, 1210 Vienna, Austria
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The role of invasive alien species in the emergence and spread of zoonoses. Biol Invasions 2022; 25:1249-1264. [PMID: 36570096 PMCID: PMC9763809 DOI: 10.1007/s10530-022-02978-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2022] [Accepted: 12/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
The role of invasive alien species in the transmission dynamics of zoonotic pathogens is often overlooked, despite the rapid escalation in biological invasions globally. Here we synthesise available information on the influence of invasive alien species on zoonotic pathogen dynamics in invaded ranges, focussing on Europe, and identify key associated knowledge gaps. We identified 272 documented interactions between alien species and zoonotic pathogens within invaded ranges. The majority of these involved invasive alien mammals followed by birds with only a few occurrences of other taxa documented. A wide range of potential interactions between invasive alien species and zoonotic pathogens were identified but few studies considered transmission to humans and so there was limited evidence of actual impacts on human health. However, there is an urgent need to raise awareness of the potential risks posed to human health by the transmission of zoonotic diseases by invasive alien species; the role of invasive alien species in zoonotic disease transmission may exceed that of native wildlife and occur in a relatively short period following the arrival of an invasive alien species within a new region. Ecological and social mechanisms govern the dynamics of zoonotic disease transmission but wildlife diseases are not consistently included within animal, plant and human policies. Rapid advances in the development of systems frameworks that integrate the ecological, economic and social processes promoting spillover in rapidly changing environments will increase understanding to inform decision-making. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s10530-022-02978-1.
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MALDI-TOF MS and genomic analysis can make the difference in the clarification of canine brucellosis outbreaks. Sci Rep 2020; 10:19246. [PMID: 33159111 PMCID: PMC7648634 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-75960-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2020] [Accepted: 10/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Brucellosis is one of the most common bacterial zoonoses worldwide affecting not only livestock and wildlife but also pets. Canine brucellosis is characterized by reproductive failure in dogs. Human Brucella canis infections are rarely reported but probably underestimated due to insufficient diagnostic surveillance. To improve diagnostics, we investigated dogs in a breeding kennel that showed clinical manifestations of brucellosis and revealed positive blood cultures. As an alternative to the time-consuming and hazardous classical identification procedures, a newly developed species-specific intact-cell matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization–time of flight mass spectrometry analysis was applied, which allowed for rapid identification of B. canis and differentiation from closely related B. suis biovar 1. High-throughput sequencing and comparative genomics using single nucleotide polymorphism analysis clustered our isolates together with canine and human strains from various Central and South American countries in a distinct sub-lineage. Hence, molecular epidemiology clearly defined the outbreak cluster and demonstrated the endemic situation in South America. Our study illustrates that MALDI-TOF MS analysis using a validated in-house reference database facilitates rapid B. canis identification at species level. Additional whole genome sequencing provides more detailed outbreak information and leads to a deeper understanding of the epidemiology of canine brucellosis.
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Korajkic A, McMinn BR, Harwood VJ. Relationships between Microbial Indicators and Pathogens in Recreational Water Settings. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2018; 15:E2842. [PMID: 30551597 PMCID: PMC6313479 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph15122842] [Citation(s) in RCA: 80] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2018] [Revised: 12/10/2018] [Accepted: 12/11/2018] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Fecal pollution of recreational waters can cause scenic blight and pose a threat to public health, resulting in beach advisories and closures. Fecal indicator bacteria (total and fecal coliforms, Escherichia coli, and enterococci), and alternative indicators of fecal pollution (Clostridium perfringens and bacteriophages) are routinely used in the assessment of sanitary quality of recreational waters. However, fecal indicator bacteria (FIB), and alternative indicators are found in the gastrointestinal tract of humans, and many other animals and therefore are considered general indicators of fecal pollution. As such, there is room for improvement in terms of their use for informing risk assessment and remediation strategies. Microbial source tracking (MST) genetic markers are closely associated with animal hosts and are used to identify fecal pollution sources. In this review, we examine 73 papers generated over 40 years that reported the relationship between at least one indicator and one pathogen group or species. Nearly half of the reports did not include statistical analysis, while the remainder were almost equally split between those that observed statistically significant relationships and those that did not. Statistical significance was reported less frequently in marine and brackish waters compared to freshwater, and the number of statistically significant relationships was considerably higher in freshwater (p < 0.0001). Overall, significant relationships were more commonly reported between FIB and pathogenic bacteria or protozoa, compared to pathogenic viruses (p: 0.0022⁻0.0005), and this was more pronounced in freshwater compared to marine. Statistically significant relationships were typically noted following wet weather events and at sites known to be impacted by recent fecal pollution. Among the studies that reported frequency of detection, FIB were detected most consistently, followed by alternative indicators. MST markers and the three pathogen groups were detected least frequently. This trend was mirrored by reported concentrations for each group of organisms (FIB > alternative indicators > MST markers > pathogens). Thus, while FIB, alternative indicators, and MST markers continue to be suitable indicators of fecal pollution, their relationship with waterborne pathogens, particularly viruses, is tenuous at best and influenced by many different factors such as frequency of detection, variable shedding rates, differential fate and transport characteristics, as well as a broad range of site-specific factors such as the potential for the presence of a complex mixture of multiple sources of fecal contamination and pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Asja Korajkic
- National Exposure Research Laboratory, Office of Research and Development, United States Environmental Protection Agency, 26 West Martin Luther King Drive, Cincinnati, OH 45268, USA.
| | - Brian R McMinn
- National Exposure Research Laboratory, Office of Research and Development, United States Environmental Protection Agency, 26 West Martin Luther King Drive, Cincinnati, OH 45268, USA.
| | - Valerie J Harwood
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of South Florida, 4202 East Fowler Ave, SCA 110, Tampa, FL 33620, USA.
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Abstract
Wild boar populations around the world have increased dramatically over past decades. Climate change, generating milder winters with less snow, may affect their spread into northern regions. Wild boars can serve as reservoirs for a number of bacteria, viruses, and parasites, which are transmissible to humans and domestic animals through direct interaction with wild boars, through contaminated food or indirectly through contaminated environment. Disease transmission between wild boars, domestic animals, and humans is an increasing threat to human and animal health, especially in areas with high wild boar densities. This article reviews important foodborne zoonoses, including bacterial diseases (brucellosis, salmonellosis, tuberculosis, and yersiniosis), parasitic diseases (toxoplasmosis and trichinellosis), and the viral hepatitis E. The focus is on the prevalence of these diseases and the causative microbes in wild boars. The role of wild boars in transmitting these pathogens to humans and livestock is also briefly discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Fredriksson-Ahomaa
- Department of Food Hygiene and Environmental Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Helsinki , Helsinki, Finland
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