1
|
Tamiru Y, Ayelign A, Mulugeta A, Gebremedhin S. Microbiological safety assessment of ready-to-eat cooked foods in the Addis Ababa School Feeding Program, Ethiopia. Heliyon 2024; 10:e38110. [PMID: 39347429 PMCID: PMC11437842 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e38110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2024] [Revised: 08/10/2024] [Accepted: 09/18/2024] [Indexed: 10/01/2024] Open
Abstract
This investigation assessed microbial contamination indicators in RTE school meals and drinking water in the Addis Ababa SFP, Ethiopia. Samples were collected from 18 primary school kitchens in March and April 2024. Microbiological analysis was performed on 37 cooked food samples and 18 drinking water samples using ISO and NMKL guidelines. The microbiological investigation of RTE prepared meal samples revealed an overall acceptable level of quality and safety. However, concerns were identified. Yeasts and molds surpassed reference standards in 78.4 % of samples (>102 cfu/ml), E. coli exceeded standards in 10.8 % of samples (>102 cfu/ml), and S. aureus counts exceeded limits in 5.4 % of samples (103 -104). Cooked rice the highest microbiological counts, especially of E. coli and S. aureus. Approximately 14.4 % of food samples were unsatisfactory, showing contamination from E. coli, S. aureus, and yeasts and molds. Regarding drinking water, the non-potable percentage in drinking water was 23.4 %, raising concerns about APC microbial count, TC, and FC. In particular, 72 % of the drinking water samples surpassed the APC criteria (>100 cfu/ml), 16 % exceeded the TC standard (>1 cfu/ml), and 5.5 % exceeded the FC threshold. The microbiological quality of meals served through the Addis Ababa SFP generally met established standards. However, some food samples exceeded the permitted limits, indicating hygiene difficulties. Therefore, stringent premises and personal hygiene measures must be implemented to safeguard their safety and well-being of the school children.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yihalem Tamiru
- Center for Food Science and Nutrition, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Abebe Ayelign
- Center for Food Science and Nutrition, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Afework Mulugeta
- Department of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, Mekelle University, Mekelle, Ethiopia
| | - Samson Gebremedhin
- School of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Nadreen YM, Vrouwenvelder JS, Saikaly PE, Gonzalez-Gil G. The unique chemical and microbiological signatures of an array of bottled drinking water. Front Microbiol 2024; 15:1441142. [PMID: 39351306 PMCID: PMC11439718 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2024.1441142] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2024] [Accepted: 08/30/2024] [Indexed: 10/04/2024] Open
Abstract
The bottled drinking water market has seen significant growth and diversification, yet the selection criteria lack scientific basis, as all must adhere to stringent health standards. Prior studies predominantly focused on chemical quality, with limited assessments of microbial quality using methods prone to underestimation. Moreover, insufficient research explores the impact of packaging materials and temperatures optimal for mesophilic growth on microbial quality. To understand the unique characteristics and justify the distinction among different types of bottled waters, a comprehensive analysis encompassing both chemical and microbiological aspects is imperative. Addressing these gaps, our study examines 19 diverse bottled water brands comprising purified, mineral, artesian, and sparkling water types from Saudi Arabia and abroad. Our findings reveal distinct chemical compositions among bottled waters, with notable variations across types. Flow cytometry analysis reveals significant differences in bacterial content among water types, with natural mineral waters having the highest concentrations and treated purified waters the lowest. Bacterial content in plastic-bottled mineral water suggests it may be higher than in glass-bottled water. Flow cytometry fingerprints highlight separate microbial communities for purified and mineral waters. Additionally, temperatures favorable for mesophilic growth reveal varying microbial responses among different types of bottled waters. Some variation is also observed in mineral water bottled in plastic versus glass, suggesting potential differences that warrant further investigation. 16S rRNA gene sequencing identifies unique microbial taxa among different mineral waters. Overall, our study underscores that all bottled waters meet health regulations. Furthermore, the combined chemical and microbial profiles may serve as authenticity indicators for distinct bottled water types. This study can serve as a basis for future research on the environmental impact of bottled water transportation, suggesting that locally produced water may offer a more sustainable option.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yasmeen M Nadreen
- Water Desalination and Reuse Center, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
| | - Johannes S Vrouwenvelder
- Water Desalination and Reuse Center, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
- Environmental Science and Engineering Program, Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering Division, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
| | - Pascal E Saikaly
- Water Desalination and Reuse Center, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
- Environmental Science and Engineering Program, Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering Division, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
| | - Graciela Gonzalez-Gil
- Water Desalination and Reuse Center, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Polat C, Erdin M, Kalkan ŞO, Irmak S, Çetintaş O, Çolak F, Kalkan KK, Çoğal M, Ölgen K, Sözen M, Matur F, Öktem İMA. Evaluating climate-dependent distribution of orthohantaviruses with monitoring wild rodents: One Health Perspective †. Braz J Microbiol 2024; 55:2739-2751. [PMID: 39012426 PMCID: PMC11405598 DOI: 10.1007/s42770-024-01447-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2024] [Accepted: 06/29/2024] [Indexed: 07/17/2024] Open
Abstract
Orthohantaviruses, cause hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome, nephropathia epidemica, and hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, are major public health problems all over the world. Wild rodent surveillance for orthohantaviruses is of great importance for the preparedness against these human infections and the prediction of possible outbreak regions. Thus, we aimed to screen orthohantaviruses in wild rodents in Southern Anatolia, where the area has some of the glacial period refugia in the Mediterranean Basin, and interpret their current epidemiology with climatic biovariables in comparison with previously positive regions.We trapped muroid rodents between 2015 and 2017, and screened for orthohantaviruses. Then, we evaluated the relationship between orthohantavirus infections and bioclimatic variables. In spite of the long-term and seasonal sampling, we found no evidence for Orthohantavirus infections. The probable absence of orthohantaviruses in the sampling area was further evaluated from the climatic perspective, and results led us suggest that Orthohantavirus epidemiology might be relatively dependent on precipitation levels in driest and warmest quarters, and temperature fluctuations.These initial data might provide necessary perspective on wild rodent surveillance for orthohantaviruses in other regions, and help to collect lacking data for a such habitat suitability study in a bigger scale in the future.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ceylan Polat
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Institute of Health Sciences, Dokuz Eylul University, Izmir, Türkiye.
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Türkiye.
| | - Mert Erdin
- Department of Virology, Medicum, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Şaban Orçun Kalkan
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Acıbadem Mehmet Ali Aydınlar University, Istanbul, Türkiye
| | - Sercan Irmak
- Science and Technology Application and Research Center, Balıkesir University, Balıkesir, Türkiye
| | - Ortaç Çetintaş
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Zonguldak Bulent Ecevit University, Zonguldak, Türkiye
| | - Faruk Çolak
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Zonguldak Bulent Ecevit University, Zonguldak, Türkiye
| | - Kürşat Kenan Kalkan
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Zonguldak Bulent Ecevit University, Zonguldak, Türkiye
| | - Muhsin Çoğal
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Zonguldak Bulent Ecevit University, Zonguldak, Türkiye
| | - Kirami Ölgen
- Department of Geography, Faculty of Letters, Ege University, Izmir, Türkiye
| | - Mustafa Sözen
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Zonguldak Bulent Ecevit University, Zonguldak, Türkiye
| | - Ferhat Matur
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Dokuz Eylul University, Izmir, Türkiye
| | - İbrahim Mehmet Ali Öktem
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Institute of Health Sciences, Dokuz Eylul University, Izmir, Türkiye.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Mesic A, Damsere-Derry J, Feldacker C, Larley J, Opoku I, Wuaku DH, Afram MO, Ekuban E, Mooney SJ, Gyedu A, Mock CN, Kitali AE, Wagenaar BH, Osei-Ampofo M, Stewart BT. Geospatial analysis of injury severity on major roads in Ghana (2017-2020): implications for targeted injury prevention and control initiatives. Inj Prev 2024:ip-2024-045270. [PMID: 39209737 DOI: 10.1136/ip-2024-045270] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2024] [Accepted: 07/18/2024] [Indexed: 09/04/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Road safety authorities in high-income countries use geospatial motor vehicle collision data for planning hazard reduction and intervention targeting. However, low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs) rarely conduct such geospatial analyses due to a lack of data. Since 1991, Ghana has maintained a database of all collisions and is uniquely positioned to lead data-informed road injury prevention and control initiatives. METHODS We identified and mapped geospatial patterns of hotspots of collisions, injuries, severe injuries and deaths using a well-known injury severity index with geographic information systems statistical methods (Getis-Ord Gi*). RESULTS We identified specific areas (4.66% of major roads in urban areas and 6.16% of major roads in rural areas) to target injury control. Key roads, including National Road 1 (from the border of Cote D'Ivoire to the border of Togo) and National Road 6 (from Accra to Kumasi), have a significant concentration of high-risk roads. CONCLUSIONS A few key road sections are critical to target for injury prevention. We conduct a collaborative geospatial study to demonstrate the importance of addressing data and research gaps in LMICs and call for similar future research on targeting injury control and prevention efforts.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Aldina Mesic
- Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
- Primary Care and Public Health, Imperial College London, London, UK
- Global Injury Control Section, Harborview Injury Prevention & Research Center, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | | | - Caryl Feldacker
- Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | | | - Irene Opoku
- Building and Road Research Institute, Kumasi, Ghana
| | | | | | | | - Stephen J Mooney
- Epidemiology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Adam Gyedu
- Surgery, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
- Directorate of Surgery, Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Charles N Mock
- Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
- Global Injury Control Section, Harborview Injury Prevention & Research Center, Seattle, Washington, USA
- Epidemiology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
- Surgery, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Angela E Kitali
- Civil Engineering, University of Washington, Tacoma, Washington, USA
| | - Brad H Wagenaar
- Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | | | - Barclay T Stewart
- Global Injury Control Section, Harborview Injury Prevention & Research Center, Seattle, Washington, USA
- Surgery, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Tomljenovic M, Lakoseljac D, Knezevic L, Batista M, Vilibic-Cavlek T, Kaic B, Hansen L, Rode OĐ. Spread of Puumala Hantavirus to New Areas in a Large Croatian Outbreak of Hemorrhagic Fever with Renal Syndrome, 2021. Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis 2024. [PMID: 38989602 DOI: 10.1089/vbz.2024.0032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Background: The largest documented outbreak of hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome occurred in Primorje-Gorski Kotar County, Croatia, in 2021, marking the first-time cases of hantavirus infection recorded outside of the known endemic region in the north of the county. Aim: To identify the factors contributing to the spread of the outbreak and to compare risk factors for acquiring hantavirus infection in the endemic and newly affected regions. Methods and Results: A total of 189 cases were confirmed by positive Puumala IgM/IgG antibodies (93.6%), and 13 probable cases were identified by clinical and epidemiological data (6.4%) using a structured questionnaire. Of the 179 cases with available clinical data, 59 (33.0%) were hospitalized. Three cases received hemodialysis, and no deaths were reported. Among 170 cases with information on exposures, 66 (38.8%) reported occupational risk. Cases in the northern part of county were more likely to have been infected in early spring (OR 27.1, 95% CI 2.93-250.7), to report seeing a rodent (OR 6.5; 95%CI 2.3-18.4), and to know someone with hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) (OR 3.0; 95%CI 1.2-8.0) than cases from the southern part of the county. Data from Croatian Forests Ltd. suggested that an unusually good production of beech seeds in 2020 may have contributed to an increased rodent population in 2021. However, average temperature, rainfall, and humidity data from 2021 did not illustrate a significant difference from previous years (Kruskal-Wallis p = 0.837, p = 0.999, p = 0.108). Conclusion: The 2021 HFRS outbreak was likely fueled by an abundant rodent population and virus transmission in rodent hosts. Human activity, environmental factors, and the ensuing animal-human interactions have spread hantavirus infection from Croatia's mountainous region to a previously nonendemic coastal area with a Mediterranean climate.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Morana Tomljenovic
- Department of Social Medicine and Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine University of Rijeka, Rijeka, Croatia, Faculty of Medicine, Rijeka, Croatia
- Department of Epidemiology, Teaching Institute of Public Health of the Primorje-Gorski Kotar County, Rijeka, Croatia
| | - Danijela Lakoseljac
- Department of Epidemiology, Teaching Institute of Public Health of the Primorje-Gorski Kotar County, Rijeka, Croatia
- Department of Public Health, Faculty of Health Studies, University of Rijeka, Rijeka, Croatia
| | - Lucija Knezevic
- Department of Epidemiology, Teaching Institute of Public Health of the Primorje-Gorski Kotar County, Rijeka, Croatia
| | - Marko Batista
- Department of Epidemiology, Teaching Institute of Public Health of the Primorje-Gorski Kotar County, Rijeka, Croatia
| | - Tatjana Vilibic-Cavlek
- Department of Virology, Croatian Institute of Public Health, Zagreb, Croatia
- School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Bernad Kaic
- Department of Epidemiology, Croatian Institute of Public Health, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Lisa Hansen
- Office of the Chief Science Officer, Office of the President, Public Health Agency of Canada, Ottawa, Canada
| | - Oktavija Đakovic Rode
- Department of Virology, University Hospital for Infectious Diseases "Dr. Fran Mihaljević", Zagreb, Croatia
- School of Dental Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Zheng L, Gao Q, Yu S, Chen Y, Shi Y, Sun M, Liu Y, Wang Z, Li X. Using empirical dynamic modeling to identify the impact of meteorological factors on hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome in Weifang, Northeastern China, from 2011 to 2020. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2024; 18:e0012151. [PMID: 38843297 PMCID: PMC11185475 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0012151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2023] [Revised: 06/18/2024] [Accepted: 04/16/2024] [Indexed: 06/19/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hemorrhagic Fever with Renal Syndrome (HFRS) continues to pose a significant public health threat to the well-being of the population. Given that the spread of HFRS is susceptible to meteorological factors, we aim to probe into the meteorological drivers of HFRS. Thus, novel techniques that can discern time-delayed non-linear relationships from nonlinear dynamical systems are compulsory. METHODS We analyze the epidemiological features of HFRS in Weifang City, 2011-2020, via the employment of the Empirical Dynamic Modeling (EDM) method. Our analysis delves into the intricate web of time-delayed non-linear associations between meteorological factors and HFRS. Additionally, we investigate the repercussions of minor perturbations in meteorological variables on future HFRS incidence. RESULTS A total of 2515 HFRS cases were reported in Weifang from 2011 to 2020. The number of cases per week was 4.81, and the average weekly incidence was 0.52 per 1,000,000. The propagation of HFRS is significantly impacted by the mean weekly temperature, relative humidity, cumulative rainfall, and wind speed, and the ρCCM converges to 0.55,0.48,0.38 and 0.39, respectively. The graphical representation of the relationship between temperature (lagged by 2 weeks) and the incidence of HFRS exhibits an inverted U-shaped curve, whereby the incidence of HFRS culminates as the temperature reaches 10 °C. Moreover, temperature, relative humidity, cumulative rainfall, and wind speed exhibit a positive correlation with HFRS incidence, with a time lag of 4-6 months. CONCLUSIONS Our discoveries suggest that meteorological factors can drive the transmission of HFRS both at a macroscopic and microscopic scale. Prospective alterations in meteorological conditions, for instance, elevations in temperature, relative humidity, and precipitation will instigate an upsurge in the incidence of HFRS after 4-6 months, and thus, timely public health measures should be taken to mitigate these changes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Liang Zheng
- Department of Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Qi Gao
- Department of Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Shengnan Yu
- Department of Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Yijin Chen
- Department of Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Yuan Shi
- Department of Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Minghao Sun
- Department of Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Ying Liu
- School of International Business, Xiamen University Tan Kah Kee College, Zhangzhou, Fujian, China
| | - Zhiqiang Wang
- Institute of Infectious Disease Control and Prevention, Shandong Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Xiujun Li
- Department of Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Kazasidis O, Geduhn A, Jacob J. High-resolution early warning system for human Puumala hantavirus infection risk in Germany. Sci Rep 2024; 14:9602. [PMID: 38671000 PMCID: PMC11053085 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-60144-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2023] [Accepted: 04/19/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
The fluctuation of human infections by the Puumala orthohantavirus (PUUV) in Germany has been linked to weather and phenology parameters that drive the population growth of its host species. We quantified the annual PUUV-outbreaks at the district level by binarizing the reported infections in the period 2006-2021. With these labels we trained a model based on a support vector machine classifier for predicting local outbreaks and incidence well in advance. The feature selection for the optimal model was performed by a heuristic method and identified five monthly weather variables from the previous two years plus the beech flowering intensity of the previous year. The predictive power of the optimal model was assessed by a leave-one-out cross-validation in 16 years that led to an 82.8% accuracy for the outbreak and a 0.457 coefficient of determination for the incidence. Prediction risk maps for the entire endemic area in Germany will be annually available on a freely-accessible permanent online platform of the German Environment Agency. The model correctly identified 2022 as a year with low outbreak risk, whereas its prediction for large-scale high outbreak risk in 2023 was not confirmed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Orestis Kazasidis
- Institute for Epidemiology and Pathogen Diagnostics, Rodent Research, Julius Kühn Institute (JKI) - Federal Research Centre for Cultivated Plants, Toppheideweg 88, 48161, Münster, Germany.
| | - Anke Geduhn
- Laboratory for Health Pests and Their Control, German Environment Agency, Corrensplatz 1, 14195, Berlin, Germany
| | - Jens Jacob
- Institute for Epidemiology and Pathogen Diagnostics, Rodent Research, Julius Kühn Institute (JKI) - Federal Research Centre for Cultivated Plants, Toppheideweg 88, 48161, Münster, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Zhu K, Yin L, Liu K, Liu J, Shi Y, Li X, Zou H, Du H. Generating synthetic population for simulating the spatiotemporal dynamics of epidemics. PLoS Comput Biol 2024; 20:e1011810. [PMID: 38346079 PMCID: PMC10890746 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1011810] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2023] [Revised: 02/23/2024] [Accepted: 01/08/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Agent-based models have gained traction in exploring the intricate processes governing the spread of infectious diseases, particularly due to their proficiency in capturing nonlinear interaction dynamics. The fidelity of agent-based models in replicating real-world epidemic scenarios hinges on the accurate portrayal of both population-wide and individual-level interactions. In situations where comprehensive population data are lacking, synthetic populations serve as a vital input to agent-based models, approximating real-world demographic structures. While some current population synthesizers consider the structural relationships among agents from the same household, there remains room for refinement in this domain, which could potentially introduce biases in subsequent disease transmission simulations. In response, this study unveils a novel methodology for generating synthetic populations tailored for infectious disease transmission simulations. By integrating insights from microsample-derived household structures, we employ a heuristic combinatorial optimizer to recalibrate these structures, subsequently yielding synthetic populations that faithfully represent agent structural relationships. Implementing this technique, we successfully generated a spatially-explicit synthetic population encompassing over 17 million agents for Shenzhen, China. The findings affirm the method's efficacy in delineating the inherent statistical structural relationship patterns, aligning well with demographic benchmarks at both city and subzone tiers. Moreover, when assessed against a stochastic agent-based Susceptible-Exposed-Infectious-Recovered model, our results pinpointed that variations in population synthesizers can notably alter epidemic projections, influencing both the peak incidence rate and its onset.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kemin Zhu
- Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, China
| | - Ling Yin
- Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, China
| | - Kang Liu
- Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, China
| | - Junli Liu
- Hangzhou Institute of Technology, Xidian University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yepeng Shi
- Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, China
| | - Xuan Li
- Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, China
| | - Hongyang Zou
- College of Management and Economics, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China
- National Industry-Education Platform of Energy Storage, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China
| | - Huibin Du
- College of Management and Economics, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China
- National Industry-Education Platform of Energy Storage, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Castel G, Alburkat H, Tatard C, Dutra L, Criado M, Bouilloud M, Pradel J, Sironen T, Charbonnel N. Puumala orthohantavirus circulation in its wild reservoir, the bank vole, during the 2021 outbreak of hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome in Jura, France. Infect Dis Now 2023; 53:104767. [PMID: 37562571 DOI: 10.1016/j.idnow.2023.104767] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2023] [Revised: 07/31/2023] [Accepted: 08/01/2023] [Indexed: 08/12/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE A large and unprecedented outbreak of an attenuated form of hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome called nephropathia epidemica (NE) and caused by Puumala virus (PUUV) occurred in 2021 in the southern Jura Mountains (France) leading to numerous hospitalizations. The aim of this study was to investigate the circulation of PUUV in its animal reservoir at the time of this outbreak. METHODS We conjointly surveyed bank vole relative abundance, small mammal community composition, and PUUV circulation in bank voles (seroprevalence and genetic diversity) in the Jura NE epidemic area, between 2020 and 2022. RESULTS Trapping results showed a higher relative abundance of bank voles in 2021 compared to 2020 and 2022. Extremely high levels of PUUV seroprevalence in bank voles were found at the time of the human NE epidemic with seropositive animals trapped in almost all trap lines as of spring 2021. Genetic analyses of PUUV (S segment) gathered in 2021 at two sampling sites revealed a strong clustering of these strains within the "Jura" clade. No significant genetic variation was detected compared to what was already known to be circulating in the Jura region. CONCLUSION These results underline a need for enhanced monitoring of PUUV circulation in host reservoir populations in NE endemic areas. This would enable the relevant actors to better inform and sensitize the public on this zoonotic risk, and to implement prevention strategies in collaboration with physicians.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Guillaume Castel
- CBGP, INRAE, CIRAD, IRD, Institut Agro, Université de Montpellier, France.
| | - Hussein Alburkat
- Department of Virology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland; Department of Veterinary Biosciences, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Caroline Tatard
- CBGP, INRAE, CIRAD, IRD, Institut Agro, Université de Montpellier, France
| | - Lara Dutra
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Mathilde Criado
- CBGP, INRAE, CIRAD, IRD, Institut Agro, Université de Montpellier, France
| | - Marie Bouilloud
- CBGP, IRD, INRAE, CIRAD, Institut Agro, Université de Montpellier, France
| | - Julien Pradel
- CBGP, INRAE, CIRAD, IRD, Institut Agro, Université de Montpellier, France
| | - Tarja Sironen
- Department of Virology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland; Department of Veterinary Biosciences, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | | |
Collapse
|
10
|
Demsash AW, Emanu MD, Walle AD. Exploring spatial patterns, and identifying factors associated with insufficient cash or food received from a productive safety net program among eligible households in Ethiopia: a spatial and multilevel analysis as an input for international food aid programmers. BMC Public Health 2023; 23:1141. [PMID: 37312083 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-023-16001-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2022] [Accepted: 05/27/2023] [Indexed: 06/15/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In low-income countries, households' food insecurity and the undernutrition of children are the main health problems. Ethiopia is vulnerable to food insecurity and undernutrition among children because its agricultural production system is traditional. Hence, the productive safety net program (PSNP) is implemented as a social protection system to combat food insecurity and enhance agricultural productivity by providing cash or food assistance to eligible households. So, this study aimed to explore spatial patterns of households' insufficient cash or food receiving from PSNP, and identify its associated factors in Ethiopia. METHODS The 2019 Ethiopian Mini Demographic and Health Survey dataset was used. A total of 8595 households were included in this study. Data management and descriptive analysis were done using STATA version 15 software and Microsoft Office Excel. ArcMap version 10.7 software was used for spatial exploration and visualization. SaTScan version 9.5 software was used for spatial scan statistics reports. In the multilevel mixed effect logistic regression analysis, explanatory variables with a p-value of less than 0.05 were considered significant factors. RESULTS Overall, 13.5% (95% CI: 12.81-14.27%) of the households' level beneficiaries received cash or food from PSNP. The spatial distribution of households' benficiaries received cash or food from PSNP was not random, and good access to cash or food from PSNP was detected in Addis Ababa, SNNPR, Amhara, and Oromia regions. Households' heads aged 25-34 (AOR:1.43, 95% CI: 1.02, 2.00), 35-44 (AOR: 2.41, 95% CI: 1.72, 3.37), and > 34 (AOR: 2.54, 95% CI: 1.83, 3.51) years, being female (AOR: 1.51, 95% CI: 1.27,1.79), poor households (AOR: 1.91, 95% CI:1.52, 2.39), Amhara (AOR:.14, 95% CI: .06, .39) and Oromia (AOR:.36, 95% CI:.12, 0.91) regions, being rural residents (AOR:2.18, 95% CI: 1.21,3.94), and enrollment in CBHS (AOR: 3.34, 95% CI:2.69,4.16) are statistically significant factors. CONCLUSIONS Households have limited access to cash or food from the PSNP. Households in Addis Ababa, SNNPR, Amhara, and Oromia regions are more likely to receive benefits from PSNP. Encouraging poor and rural households to receive benefits from the PSNP and raise awareness among beneficiaries to use the benefits they received for productivity purposes. Stakeholders would ensure the eligibility criteria and pay close attention to the hotspot areas.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Agmasie Damtew Walle
- Mattu University, College of Health Science, Health Informatics Department, Mettu, Ethiopia
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Marini G, Tagliapietra V, Cristofolini F, Cristofori A, Dagostin F, Zuccali MG, Molinaro S, Gottardini E, Rizzoli A. Correlation between airborne pollen data and the risk of tick-borne encephalitis in northern Italy. Sci Rep 2023; 13:8262. [PMID: 37217780 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-35478-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2022] [Accepted: 05/18/2023] [Indexed: 05/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) is caused by a flavivirus that infects animals including humans. In Europe, the TBE virus circulates enzootically in natural foci among ticks and rodent hosts. The abundance of ticks depends on the abundance of rodent hosts, which in turn depends on the availability of food resources, such as tree seeds. Trees can exhibit large inter-annual fluctuations in seed production (masting), which influences the abundance of rodents the following year, and the abundance of nymphal ticks two years later. Thus, the biology of this system predicts a 2-year time lag between masting and the incidence of tick-borne diseases such as TBE. As airborne pollen abundance is related to masting, we investigated whether inter-annual variation in pollen load could be directly correlated with inter-annual variation in the incidence of TBE in human populations with a 2-year time lag. We focused our study on the province of Trento (northern Italy), where 206 TBE cases were notified between 1992 and 2020. We tested the relationship between TBE incidence and pollen load collected from 1989 to 2020 for 7 different tree species common in our study area. Through univariate analysis we found that the pollen quantities recorded two years prior for two tree species, hop-hornbeam (Ostrya carpinifolia) and downy oak (Quercus pubescens), were positively correlated with TBE emergence (R2 = 0.2) while a multivariate model with both tree species better explained the variation in annual TBE incidence (R2 = 0.34). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first attempt at quantifying the correlation between pollen quantities and the incidence of TBE in human populations. As pollen loads are collected by widespread aerobiological networks using standardized procedures, our study could be easily replicated to test their potential as early warning system for TBE and other tick-borne diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Giovanni Marini
- Research and Innovation Centre, Fondazione Edmund Mach, San Michele All'Adige, TN, Italy.
| | - Valentina Tagliapietra
- Research and Innovation Centre, Fondazione Edmund Mach, San Michele All'Adige, TN, Italy
| | - Fabiana Cristofolini
- Research and Innovation Centre, Fondazione Edmund Mach, San Michele All'Adige, TN, Italy
| | - Antonella Cristofori
- Research and Innovation Centre, Fondazione Edmund Mach, San Michele All'Adige, TN, Italy
| | - Francesca Dagostin
- Research and Innovation Centre, Fondazione Edmund Mach, San Michele All'Adige, TN, Italy
| | | | | | - Elena Gottardini
- Research and Innovation Centre, Fondazione Edmund Mach, San Michele All'Adige, TN, Italy
| | - Annapaola Rizzoli
- Research and Innovation Centre, Fondazione Edmund Mach, San Michele All'Adige, TN, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Marini G, Arnoldi D, Rizzoli A, Tagliapietra V. Estimating rodent population abundance using early climatic predictors. EUR J WILDLIFE RES 2023. [DOI: 10.1007/s10344-023-01666-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/19/2023]
|
13
|
Kazasidis O, Jacob J. Machine learning identifies straightforward early warning rules for human Puumala hantavirus outbreaks. Sci Rep 2023; 13:3585. [PMID: 36869118 PMCID: PMC9984366 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-30596-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2022] [Accepted: 02/27/2023] [Indexed: 03/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Human Puumala virus (PUUV) infections in Germany fluctuate multi-annually, following fluctuations of the bank vole population size. We applied a transformation to the annual incidence values and established a heuristic method to develop a straightforward robust model for the binary human infection risk at the district level. The classification model was powered by a machine-learning algorithm and achieved 85% sensitivity and 71% precision, despite using only three weather parameters from the previous years as inputs, namely the soil temperature in April of two years before and in September of the previous year, and the sunshine duration in September of two years before. Moreover, we introduced the PUUV Outbreak Index that quantifies the spatial synchrony of local PUUV-outbreaks, and applied it to the seven reported outbreaks in the period 2006-2021. Finally, we used the classification model to estimate the PUUV Outbreak Index, achieving 20% maximum uncertainty.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Orestis Kazasidis
- Julius Kühn Institute (JKI) - Federal Research Centre for Cultivated Plants, Institute for Plant Protection in Horticulture and Forests / Institute for Epidemiology and Pathogen Diagnostics, Rodent Research, Toppheideweg 88, 48161, Münster, Germany.
| | - Jens Jacob
- Julius Kühn Institute (JKI) - Federal Research Centre for Cultivated Plants, Institute for Plant Protection in Horticulture and Forests / Institute for Epidemiology and Pathogen Diagnostics, Rodent Research, Toppheideweg 88, 48161, Münster, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Fleurot E, Lobry JR, Boulanger V, Debias F, Mermet-Bouvier C, Caignard T, Delzon S, Bel-Venner MC, Venner S. Oak masting drivers vary between populations depending on their climatic environments. Curr Biol 2023; 33:1117-1124.e4. [PMID: 36764300 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2023.01.034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2022] [Revised: 11/15/2022] [Accepted: 01/17/2023] [Indexed: 02/11/2023]
Abstract
Large interannual variation in seed production, called masting, is very common in wind-pollinated tree populations and has profound implications for the dynamics of forest ecosystems and the epidemiology of certain human diseases.1,2,3,4,5 Comparing the reproductive characteristics of populations established in climatically contrasting environments would provide powerful insight into masting mechanisms, but the required data are extremely scarce. We built a database from an unprecedented fine-scale 8-year survey of 150 sessile oak trees (Quercus petraea) from 15 populations distributed over a broad climatic gradient, including individual recordings of annual flowering effort, fruiting rate, and fruit production. Although oak masting was previously considered to depend mainly on fruiting rate variations,6,7 we show that the female flowering effort is highly variable from year to year and explains most of the fruiting dynamics in two-thirds of the populations. What drives masting was found to differ among populations living under various climates. In soft-climate populations, the fruiting rate increases initially strongly with the flowering effort, and the intensity of masting results mainly from the flowering synchrony level between individuals. By contrast, the fruiting rate of harsh-climate populations depends mainly on spring weather, which ensures intense masting regardless of the flowering synchronization level. Our work highlights the need for jointly measuring flowering effort and fruit production to decipher the diversity of masting mechanisms among populations. Accounting for such diversity will be decisive in proposing accurate, and possibly contrasted, scenarios about future reproductive patterns of perennial plants with ongoing climate change and their numerous cascading effects.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Emilie Fleurot
- Laboratoire de Biométrie et Biologie Evolutive, UMR 5558, Université de Lyon, Université Lyon 1, CNRS, 69622 Villeurbanne, France
| | - Jean R Lobry
- Laboratoire de Biométrie et Biologie Evolutive, UMR 5558, Université de Lyon, Université Lyon 1, CNRS, 69622 Villeurbanne, France
| | - Vincent Boulanger
- Département Recherche, Développement et Innovation, Office National des Forêts, 77300 Fontainebleau, France
| | - François Debias
- Laboratoire de Biométrie et Biologie Evolutive, UMR 5558, Université de Lyon, Université Lyon 1, CNRS, 69622 Villeurbanne, France
| | - Camille Mermet-Bouvier
- Laboratoire de Biométrie et Biologie Evolutive, UMR 5558, Université de Lyon, Université Lyon 1, CNRS, 69622 Villeurbanne, France
| | - Thomas Caignard
- UMR 1202, BIOGECO, Université de Bordeaux, 33615 Pessac, France
| | - Sylvain Delzon
- UMR 1202, BIOGECO, Université de Bordeaux, 33615 Pessac, France
| | - Marie-Claude Bel-Venner
- Laboratoire de Biométrie et Biologie Evolutive, UMR 5558, Université de Lyon, Université Lyon 1, CNRS, 69622 Villeurbanne, France
| | - Samuel Venner
- Laboratoire de Biométrie et Biologie Evolutive, UMR 5558, Université de Lyon, Université Lyon 1, CNRS, 69622 Villeurbanne, France.
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Meteorological change and hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome epidemic in China, 2004-2018. Sci Rep 2022; 12:20037. [PMID: 36414682 PMCID: PMC9681842 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-23945-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2022] [Accepted: 11/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS), caused by hantavirus, is a serious public health problem in China. Despite intensive countermeasures including Patriotic Health Campaign, rodent control and vaccination in affected areas, HFRS is still a potential public health threat in China, with more than 10,000 new cases per year. Previous epidemiological evidence suggested that meteorological factors could influence HFRS incidence, but the studies were mainly limited to a specific city or region in China. This study aims to evaluate the association between monthly HFRS cases and meteorological change at the country level using a multivariate distributed lag nonlinear model (DLNM) from 2004 to 2018. The results from both univariate and multivariate models showed a non-linear cumulative relative risk relationship between meteorological factors (with a lag of 0-6 months) such as mean temperature (Tmean), precipitation, relative humidity (RH), sunshine hour (SH), wind speed (WS) and HFRS incidence. The risk for HFRS cases increased steeply as the Tmean between - 23 and 14.79 °C, SH between 179.4 and 278.4 h and RH remaining above 69% with 50-95 mm precipitation and 1.70-2.00 m/s WS. In conclusion, meteorological factors such as Tmean and RH showed delayed-effects on the increased risk of HFRS in the study and the lag varies across climate factors. Temperature with a lag of 6 months (RR = 3.05) and precipitation with a lag of 0 months (RR = 2.08) had the greatest impact on the incidence of HFRS.
Collapse
|
16
|
Demsash AW, Chereka AA, Kassie SY, Donacho DO, Ngusie HS, Tegegne MD, Melaku MS, Wubante SM, Hunde MK. Spatial distribution of vitamin A rich foods intake and associated factors among children aged 6-23 months in Ethiopia: spatial and multilevel analysis of 2019 Ethiopian mini demographic and health survey. BMC Nutr 2022; 8:77. [PMID: 35953835 PMCID: PMC9367059 DOI: 10.1186/s40795-022-00573-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2022] [Accepted: 07/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Inadequate micronutrients in the diet and vitamin A deficiency are worldwide public health problems. In developing regions, many preschool children are undernourished, become blind every year and died before the age of 23 months. This study was aimed to explore the spatial distribution of vitamin A rich foods intake among children aged 6–23 months and identify associated factors in Ethiopia. Methods Ethiopian Mini Demographic and Health Survey 2019 dataset with a total 1407 children aged 6–23 months was used. Data management and processing were done using STATA version 15 software and Microsoft Office Excel. ArcMap version 10.7 software was used for mapping and spatial visualization of the distribution. Spatial scan statistics was performed using SaTScan version 9.5 software for Bernoulli-based model. Multilevel mixed effect logistic regression model was employed to identify associated factors. Results Overall, 38.99% (95% CI: 36.46–41.62) of children aged 6– 23 months took vitamin A rich foods. Poor intake of vitamin A rich foods was significantly clustered Dire Dawa city, Somali and Harari regions of Ethiopia. Children aged 6–23 months lived in the primary cluster were 70% (RR = 1.70, P-value < 0.001) more likely to intake vitamin A rich foods than children lived outside the window. In the multilevel mixed effect logistic regression analysis, Primary educational status (AOR:1.42, 95% CI: 1.05, 1.93) and higher educational status (AOR:3.0, 95% CI: 1.59, 5.65) of mother, Dire Dawa (AOR:0.49, 95% CI: 0.22, 1.12) city, Afar (AOR: 0.16, 95% CI: 0.07, 0.36), Amhara (AOR: 0.37, 95% CI: 0.19, 0.71) and Somali (AOR: 0.02, 95% CI: 0.003, 0.08) regions of Ethiopia, children aged 13–23 months (AOR: 1.80, 95% CI: 1.28, 2.36), Mothers’ exposure to media (AOR: 1.41, 95% CI: 1.04, 1.92) were statistically significant factors for vitamin A rich foods intake among children aged 6–23 months. Conclusions Only 4 out of ten children took vitamin A rich foods which is too low compared to the national target and significantly clustered in Ethiopia. Mother’s educational status, Region, Child age and Mother’s media exposure are significant factors vitamin A rich foods intake. Stakeholders should strengthen mothers’ education status, creating awareness for mothers on child feeding and using locally available natural resource to produce vitamin A rich foods.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Alex Ayenew Chereka
- Health Informatics Department, College of Health Science, Mattu University, Mettu, Ethiopia
| | - Sisay Yitayih Kassie
- Health Informatics Department, College of Health Science, Mattu University, Mettu, Ethiopia
| | - Dereje Oljira Donacho
- Health Informatics Department, College of Health Science, Mattu University, Mettu, Ethiopia
| | - Habtamu Setegn Ngusie
- Health Informatics Department, College of Health Science, Mattu University, Mettu, Ethiopia
| | - Masresha Derese Tegegne
- Health Informatics Department, Institute of Public Health, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia
| | - Mequannent Sharew Melaku
- Health Informatics Department, Institute of Public Health, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia
| | - Sisay Maru Wubante
- Health Informatics Department, Institute of Public Health, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia
| | - Mekonnen Kenate Hunde
- Lifelong Learning and Community Development Department, College of Education and Behavioral Scieence , Mattu University, Mettu, Ethiopia
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Mohanty A, Sharma S. COVID-19 regulations, culture, and the environment. ECONOMIC MODELLING 2022; 113:105874. [PMID: 35527789 PMCID: PMC9065757 DOI: 10.1016/j.econmod.2022.105874] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2021] [Revised: 03/20/2022] [Accepted: 04/22/2022] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
The economic and social disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic are immense. Unexpectedly, a positive outcome of the stringent Covid restrictions has come in the form of air pollution reduction. Pollution reduction, however, has not happened everywhere at equal rates. Why are lockdown measures not producing this positive externality in all countries? Using satellite-based Aerosol Optical Depth data and panel analysis conducted at the country-day level, we find that the countries that have adopted stringent COVID-19 containment policies have experienced better air quality. Nonetheless, this relationship depends on the cultural orientation of a society. Our estimates indicate that the effect of policy stringency is lower in societies imbued with a collectivistic culture. The findings highlight the role of cultural differences in the successful implementation of policies and the realization of their intended outcomes. It implies that pollution mitigation policies are less likely to yield emission reduction in collectivist societies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Aatishya Mohanty
- Department of Economics, School of Social Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, 48 Nanyang Avenue, 639818, Singapore
| | - Swati Sharma
- Department of Economics, School of Social Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, 48 Nanyang Avenue, 639818, Singapore
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Princk C, Drewes S, Meyer‐Schlinkmann KM, Saathoff M, Binder F, Freise J, Tenner B, Weiss S, Hofmann J, Esser J, Runge M, Jacob J, Ulrich RG, Dreesman J. Cluster of human Puumala orthohantavirus infections due to indoor exposure?-An interdisciplinary outbreak investigation. Zoonoses Public Health 2022; 69:579-586. [PMID: 35312223 PMCID: PMC9539979 DOI: 10.1111/zph.12940] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2021] [Revised: 03/01/2022] [Accepted: 03/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
Abstract
Puumala orthohantavirus (PUUV) is the most important hantavirus species in Europe, causing the majority of human hantavirus disease cases. In central and western Europe, the occurrence of human infections is mainly driven by bank vole population dynamics influenced by beech mast. In Germany, hantavirus epidemic years are observed in 2- to 5-year intervals. Many of the human infections are recorded in summer and early autumn, coinciding with peaks in bank vole populations. Here, we describe a molecular epidemiological investigation in a small company with eight employees of whom five contracted hantavirus infections in late 2017. Standardized interviews with employees were conducted to assess the circumstances under which the disease cluster occurred, how the employees were exposed and which counteractive measures were taken. Initially, two employees were admitted to hospital and serologically diagnosed with hantavirus infection. Subsequently, further investigations were conducted. By means of a self-administered questionnaire, three additional symptomatic cases could be identified. The hospital patients' sera were investigated and revealed in one patient a partial PUUV L segment sequence, which was identical to PUUV sequences from several bank voles collected in close proximity to company buildings. This investigation highlights the importance of a One Health approach that combines efforts from human and veterinary medicine, ecology and public health to reveal the origin of hantavirus disease clusters.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Christina Princk
- Public Health Agency of Lower SaxonyHannoverGermany
- Present address:
Department of Clinical EpidemiologyLeibniz Institute for Prevention Research and Epidemiology—BIPSBremenGermany
| | - Stephan Drewes
- Friedrich‐Loeffler‐InstitutFederal Research Institute for Animal HealthInstitute of Novel and Emerging Infectious DiseasesGreifswald‐Insel RiemsGermany
| | | | - Marion Saathoff
- Lower Saxony State Office for Consumer Protection and Food SafetyOldenburg/HannoverGermany
| | - Florian Binder
- Friedrich‐Loeffler‐InstitutFederal Research Institute for Animal HealthInstitute of Novel and Emerging Infectious DiseasesGreifswald‐Insel RiemsGermany
| | - Jona Freise
- Lower Saxony State Office for Consumer Protection and Food SafetyOldenburg/HannoverGermany
| | - Beate Tenner
- Institute of VirologyCharité ‐ Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt‐Universität zu BerlinBerlinGermany
| | - Sabrina Weiss
- Institute of VirologyCharité ‐ Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt‐Universität zu BerlinBerlinGermany
- Present address:
Centre for International Health Protection – Public Health Laboratory SupportRobert Koch‐InstituteBerlinGermany
| | - Jörg Hofmann
- Institute of VirologyCharité ‐ Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt‐Universität zu BerlinBerlinGermany
| | - Jutta Esser
- Practice of Laboratory MedicineDepartment of Dermatology, Environmental Medicine, Health TheoryUniversity OsnabrückOsnabrückGermany
| | - Martin Runge
- Lower Saxony State Office for Consumer Protection and Food SafetyOldenburg/HannoverGermany
| | - Jens Jacob
- Julius Kühn‐Institute (JKI),Federal Research Centre for Cultivated PlantsInstitute for Plant Protection in Horticulture and Forests, Vertebrate ResearchMünsterGermany
| | - Rainer G. Ulrich
- Friedrich‐Loeffler‐InstitutFederal Research Institute for Animal HealthInstitute of Novel and Emerging Infectious DiseasesGreifswald‐Insel RiemsGermany
| | | |
Collapse
|
19
|
Monchatre-Leroy E, Sauvage F, Boué F, Augot D, Marianneau P, Hénaux V, Crespin L. Prevalence and Incidence of Puumala Orthohantavirus in its Bank Vole (Myodes glareolus) Host Population in Northeastern France: Between-site and Seasonal Variability. Epidemics 2022; 40:100600. [DOI: 10.1016/j.epidem.2022.100600] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2021] [Revised: 05/02/2022] [Accepted: 06/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/03/2022] Open
|
20
|
Sipari S, Khalil H, Magnusson M, Evander M, Hörnfeldt B, Ecke F. Climate change accelerates winter transmission of a zoonotic pathogen. AMBIO 2022; 51:508-517. [PMID: 34228253 PMCID: PMC8800963 DOI: 10.1007/s13280-021-01594-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2021] [Revised: 05/25/2021] [Accepted: 06/15/2021] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
Many zoonotic diseases are weather sensitive, raising concern how their distribution and outbreaks will be affected by climate change. At northern high latitudes, the effect of global warming on especially winter conditions is strong. By using long term monitoring data (1980-1986 and 2003-2013) from Northern Europe on temperature, precipitation, an endemic zoonotic pathogen (Puumala orthohantavirus, PUUV) and its reservoir host (the bank vole, Myodes glareolus), we show that early winters have become increasingly wet, with a knock-on effect on pathogen transmission in its reservoir host population. Further, our study is the first to show a climate change effect on an endemic northern zoonosis, that is not induced by increased host abundance or distribution, demonstrating that climate change can also alter transmission intensity within host populations. Our results suggest that rainy early winters accelerate PUUV transmission in bank voles in winter, likely increasing the human zoonotic risk in the North.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Saana Sipari
- Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Skogsmarksgränd, 901 83 Umeå, Sweden
| | - Hussein Khalil
- Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Skogsmarksgränd, 901 83 Umeå, Sweden
| | - Magnus Magnusson
- Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Skogsmarksgränd, 901 83 Umeå, Sweden
| | - Magnus Evander
- Umeå University, Department of Clinical Microbiology, 901 85 Umeå, Sweden
| | - Birger Hörnfeldt
- Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Skogsmarksgränd, 901 83 Umeå, Sweden
| | - Frauke Ecke
- Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Skogsmarksgränd, 901 83 Umeå, Sweden
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Jiang W, Chen H, Liao J, Yang X, Yang B, Zhang Y, Pan X, Lian L, Yang L. The short-term effects and burden of particle air pollution on hospitalization for coronary heart disease: a time-stratified case-crossover study in Sichuan, China. Environ Health 2022; 21:19. [PMID: 35045878 PMCID: PMC8767695 DOI: 10.1186/s12940-022-00832-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2021] [Accepted: 01/11/2022] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Coronary heart disease (CHD), the leading cause of death globally, might be developed or exacerbated by air pollution, resulting high burden to patients. To date, limited studies have estimated the relations between short-term exposure to air pollution and CHD disease burden in China, with inconsistent results. Hence, we aimed to estimate the short-term impact and burden of ambient PM pollutants on hospitalizations of CHD and specific CHD. METHODS PM10 and PM2.5 were measured at 82 monitoring stations in 9 cities in Sichuan Province, China during 2017-2018. Based on the time-stratified case-crossover design, the effects of short-term exposure to particle matter (PM) pollution on coronary heart disease (CHD) hospital admissions were estimated. Meanwhile, the linked burden of CHD owing to ambient PM pollution were estimated. RESULTS A total of 104,779 CHD records were derived from 153 hospitals from these 9 cities. There were significant effects of PM pollution on hospital admissions (HAs) for CHD and specific CHD in Sichuan Province. A 10 μg/m3 increase of PM10 and PM2.5 was linked with a 0.46% (95% CI: 0.08, 0.84%), and 0.57% (95% CI: 0.05, 1.09%) increments in HAs for CHD at lag7, respectively. The health effects of air pollutants were comparable modified by age, season and gender, showing old (≥ 65 years) and in cold season being more vulnerable to the effects of ambient air pollution, while gender-specific effects is positive but not conclusive. Involving the WHO's air quality guidelines as the reference, 1784 and 2847 total cases of HAs for CHD could be attributable to PM10 and PM2.5, separately. The total medical cost that could be attributable to exceeding PM10 and PM2.5 were 42.04 and 67.25 million CNY from 2017 to 2018, respectively. CONCLUSIONS This study suggested that the short-term exposure to air pollutants were associated with increased HAs for CHD in Sichuan Province, which could be implications for local environment improvement and policy reference.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wanyanhan Jiang
- School of Public Health, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 610075, Sichuan, China
| | - Han Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Grassland and Agro-ecosystem, School of Life Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000, Gansu, China
| | - Jiaqiang Liao
- West China School of Public Health, Sichuan University, No. 17 People's South Road, Wuhou District, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, China
| | - Xi Yang
- School of Public Health, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 610075, Sichuan, China
| | - Biao Yang
- School of Public Health, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 610075, Sichuan, China
| | - Yuqin Zhang
- School of Public Health, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 610075, Sichuan, China
| | - Xiaoqi Pan
- School of Public Health, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 610075, Sichuan, China
| | - Lulu Lian
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Western Ecological Safety, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000, Gansu, China
| | - Lian Yang
- School of Public Health, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 610075, Sichuan, China.
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Štrbac M, Vuković V, Patić A, Medić S, Pustahija T, Petrović V, Lendak D, Ličina MK, Bakić M, Protić J, Pranjić N, Jandrić L, Sokolovska N, Ristić M. Epidemiological study on the incidence of haemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome in five Western Balkan countries for a 10-year period: 2006-2015. Zoonoses Public Health 2022; 69:195-206. [PMID: 34989483 DOI: 10.1111/zph.12908] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2021] [Revised: 12/20/2021] [Accepted: 12/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Large-scale epidemics of haemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) have been reported mostly in Asia and Europe, with around 100,000 people affected each year. In the Southeast Europe, Balkan region, HFRS is endemic disease with approximately 100 cases per year. Our aim was to describe epidemiological characteristics of HFRS in five Western Balkan (WB) countries and to describe correlation between HFRS incidence and major meteorological event that hit the area in May 2014. METHODS National surveillance data of HFRS from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia obtained from 1 January 2006 to 31 December 2015 were collected and analysed. RESULTS In a 10-year period, a total of 1,065 HFRS patients were reported in five WB countries. Cumulative incidence rate ranged from 0.05 to 15.80 per 100.000 inhabitants (in North Macedonia and Montenegro respectively). Increasing number of HFRS cases was reported with a peak incidence in three specific years (2008, 2012, and 2014). Average incidence for the entire area was higher in males than females (5.63 and 1.90 per 100.000 inhabitants respectively). Summer was the season with the highest number of cases and an average incidence rate of 1.74/100.000 inhabitants across 10-year period. Haemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome incidence was significantly increased (7.91/100.000 inhabitants) in 2014, when a few months earlier, severe floods affected several WB countries. A strong significant negative correlation (r = -.84, p < .01) between the monthly incidence of HFRS and the number of months after May's floods was demonstrated for the total area of WB. CONCLUSION Our findings demonstrate that the HFRS incidence had similar distribution (general, age, sex and seasonality) across majority of the included countries. Summer was the season with the highest recorded incidence. Common epidemic years were detected in all observed countries as well as a negative correlation between the monthly incidence of HFRS and the number of months after May's cyclone.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mirjana Štrbac
- Institute of Public Health of Vojvodina, Novi Sad, Serbia
| | - Vladimir Vuković
- Institute of Public Health of Vojvodina, Novi Sad, Serbia.,Faculty of Medicine, University of Novi Sad, Novi Sad, Serbia
| | - Aleksandra Patić
- Institute of Public Health of Vojvodina, Novi Sad, Serbia.,Faculty of Medicine, University of Novi Sad, Novi Sad, Serbia
| | - Snežana Medić
- Institute of Public Health of Vojvodina, Novi Sad, Serbia.,Faculty of Medicine, University of Novi Sad, Novi Sad, Serbia
| | | | - Vladimir Petrović
- Institute of Public Health of Vojvodina, Novi Sad, Serbia.,Faculty of Medicine, University of Novi Sad, Novi Sad, Serbia
| | - Dajana Lendak
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Novi Sad, Novi Sad, Serbia.,Clinic for Infectious Diseases Clinical Centre of Vojvodina, Novi Sad, Serbia
| | | | - Marijan Bakić
- Institute of Public Health of Montenegro, Podgorica, Montenegro
| | - Jelena Protić
- Institute of Virology, Vaccines, and Serums 'Torlak', Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Nurka Pranjić
- Medical School, University of Tuzla, Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina
| | - Ljubica Jandrić
- Public Health Institute of the Republic of Srpska, Banja Luka, Bosnia and Herzegovina
| | - Nikolina Sokolovska
- Laboratory of Entomology, Department of Epidemiology, PHO Center for Public Health, Skopje, North Macedonia
| | - Mioljub Ristić
- Institute of Public Health of Vojvodina, Novi Sad, Serbia.,Faculty of Medicine, University of Novi Sad, Novi Sad, Serbia
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Pearse IS, Wion AP, Gonzalez AD, Pesendorfer MB. Understanding mast seeding for conservation and land management. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2021; 376:20200383. [PMID: 34657466 PMCID: PMC8520776 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2020.0383] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Masting, the intermittent and synchronous production of large seed crops, can have profound consequences for plant populations and the food webs that are built on their seeds. For centuries, people have recorded mast crops because of their importance in managing wildlife populations. In the past 30 years, we have begun to recognize the importance of masting in conserving and managing many other aspects of the environment: promoting the regeneration of forests following fire or other disturbance, conserving rare plants, conscientiously developing the use of edible seeds as non-timber forest products, coping with the consequences of extinctions on seed dispersal, reducing the impacts of plant invasions with biological control, suppressing zoonotic diseases and preventing depredation of endemic fauna. We summarize current instances and future possibilities of a broad set of applications of masting. By exploring in detail several case studies, we develop new perspectives on how solutions to pressing conservation and land management problems may benefit by better understanding the dynamics of seed production. A lesson common to these examples is that masting can be used to time management, and often, to do this effectively, we need models that explicitly forecast masting and the dynamics of seed-eating animals into the near-term future. This article is part of the theme issue 'The ecology and evolution of synchronized seed production in plants'.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ian S. Pearse
- U.S. Geological Survey, Fort Collins Science Center, Fort Collins, CO 80526, USA
| | - Andreas P. Wion
- Department of Forest and Rangeland Stewardship, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523-1177, USA
- Graduate Degree Program in Ecology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523-1177, USA
| | - Angela D. Gonzalez
- Department of Forest and Rangeland Stewardship, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523-1177, USA
| | - Mario B. Pesendorfer
- Institute of Forest Ecology, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna 1190, Austria
- Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute, Migratory Bird Center, Washington, DC 20013, USA
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Spruill-Harrell B, Pérez-Umphrey A, Valdivieso-Torres L, Cao X, Owen RD, Jonsson CB. Impact of Predator Exclusion and Habitat on Seroprevalence of New World Orthohantavirus Harbored by Two Sympatric Rodents within the Interior Atlantic Forest. Viruses 2021; 13:1963. [PMID: 34696393 PMCID: PMC8538774 DOI: 10.3390/v13101963] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2021] [Revised: 09/19/2021] [Accepted: 09/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Understanding how perturbations to trophic interactions influence virus-host dynamics is essential in the face of ongoing biodiversity loss and the continued emergence of RNA viruses and their associated zoonoses. Herein, we investigated the role of predator exclusion on rodent communities and the seroprevalence of hantaviruses within the Reserva Natural del Bosque Mbaracayú (RNBM), which is a protected area of the Interior Atlantic Forest (IAF). In the IAF, two sympatric rodent reservoirs, Akodon montensis and Oligoryzomys nigripes, harbor Jaborá and Juquitiba hantavirus (JABV, JUQV), respectively. In this study, we employed two complementary methods for predator exclusion: comprehensive fencing and trapping/removal. The goal of exclusion was to preclude the influence of predation on small mammals on the sampling grids and thereby potentially reduce rodent mortality. Following baseline sampling on three grid pairs with different habitats, we closed the grids and began predator removal. By sampling three habitat types, we controlled for habitat-specific effects, which is important for hantavirus-reservoir dynamics in neotropical ecosystems. Our six-month predator exclusion experiment revealed that the exclusion of terrestrial mammalian predators had little influence on the rodent community or the population dynamics of A. montensis and O. nigripes. Instead, fluctuations in species diversity and species abundances were influenced by sampling session and forest degradation. These results suggest that seasonality and landscape composition play dominant roles in the prevalence of hantaviruses in rodent reservoirs in the IAF ecosystem.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Briana Spruill-Harrell
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Biochemistry, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN 38163, USA;
| | - Anna Pérez-Umphrey
- School of Renewable Natural Resources, Louisiana State University and AgCenter, 227 RNR Building, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, USA;
| | | | - Xueyuan Cao
- Department of Nursing-Acute/Tert Care, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN 38163, USA;
| | - Robert D. Owen
- Centro para el Desarrollo de la Investigación Científica, Asunción C.P. 1371, Paraguay;
- Department of Biological Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX 79409, USA
| | - Colleen B. Jonsson
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Biochemistry, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN 38163, USA;
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Tan Y, Iii DC, Ndeffo-Mbah M, Braga-Neto U. A stochastic metapopulation state-space approach to modeling and estimating COVID-19 spread. MATHEMATICAL BIOSCIENCES AND ENGINEERING : MBE 2021; 18:7685-7710. [PMID: 34814270 DOI: 10.3934/mbe.2021381] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Mathematical models are widely recognized as an important tool for analyzing and understanding the dynamics of infectious disease outbreaks, predict their future trends, and evaluate public health intervention measures for disease control and elimination. We propose a novel stochastic metapopulation state-space model for COVID-19 transmission, which is based on a discrete-time spatio-temporal susceptible, exposed, infected, recovered, and deceased (SEIRD) model. The proposed framework allows the hidden SEIRD states and unknown transmission parameters to be estimated from noisy, incomplete time series of reported epidemiological data, by application of unscented Kalman filtering (UKF), maximum-likelihood adaptive filtering, and metaheuristic optimization. Experiments using both synthetic data and real data from the Fall 2020 COVID-19 wave in the state of Texas demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed model.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yukun Tan
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Texas A & M University, College Station, TX, 77843, USA
| | - Durward Cator Iii
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Texas A & M University, College Station, TX, 77843, USA
| | - Martial Ndeffo-Mbah
- Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, Texas A & M University, College Station, TX, 77843, USA
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Texas A & M University, College Station, TX, 77843, USA
| | - Ulisses Braga-Neto
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Texas A & M University, College Station, TX, 77843, USA
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Vaheri A, Henttonen H, Mustonen J. Hantavirus Research in Finland: Highlights and Perspectives. Viruses 2021; 13:v13081452. [PMID: 34452318 PMCID: PMC8402838 DOI: 10.3390/v13081452] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2021] [Revised: 07/20/2021] [Accepted: 07/23/2021] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Finland has the highest incidence of hantavirus infections globally, with a significant impact on public health. The large coverage of boreal forests and the cyclic dynamics of the dominant forest rodent species, the bank vole Myodes glareolus, explain most of this. We review the relationships between Puumala hantavirus (PUUV), its host rodent, and the hantavirus disease, nephropathia epidemica (NE), in Finland. We describe the history of NE and its diagnostic research in Finland, the seasonal and multiannual cyclic dynamics of PUUV in bank voles impacting human epidemiology, and we compare our northern epidemiological patterns with those in temperate Europe. The long survival of PUUV outside the host and the life-long shedding of PUUV by the bank voles are highlighted. In humans, the infection has unique features in pathobiology but rarely long-term consequences. NE is affected by specific host genetics and risk behavior (smoking), and certain biomarkers can predict the outcome. Unlike many other hantaviruses, PUUV causes a relatively mild disease and is rarely fatal. Reinfections do not exist. Antiviral therapy is complicated by the fact that when symptoms appear, the patient already has a generalized infection. Blocking vascular leakage measures counteracting pathobiology, offer a real therapeutic approach.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Antti Vaheri
- Department of Virology, Medicum, University of Helsinki, 00290 Helsinki, Finland
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +358-505552884
| | - Heikki Henttonen
- Wildlife Ecology, Natural Resources Institute Finland, 00790 Helsinki, Finland;
| | - Jukka Mustonen
- Department of Internal Medicine, Tampere University Hospital, 33520 Tampere, Finland;
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University, 33014 Tampere, Finland
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Vilibic-Cavlek T, Barbic L, Mrzljak A, Brnic D, Klobucar A, Ilic M, Janev-Holcer N, Bogdanic M, Jemersic L, Stevanovic V, Tabain I, Krcmar S, Vucelja M, Prpic J, Boljfetic M, Jelicic P, Madic J, Ferencak I, Savic V. Emerging and Neglected Viruses of Zoonotic Importance in Croatia. Pathogens 2021; 10:pathogens10010073. [PMID: 33467617 PMCID: PMC7829938 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10010073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2020] [Revised: 01/08/2021] [Accepted: 01/11/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Several arboviruses have emerged in Croatia in recent years. Tick-borne encephalitis is endemic in continental counties; however, new natural micro-foci have been detected. Two autochthonous dengue cases were reported in 2010. West Nile virus emerged in 2012, followed by emergence of Usutu virus in 2013. Although high seroprevalence rates of Toscana virus have been detected among residents of Croatian littoral, the virus remains neglected, with only a few clinical cases of neuroinvasive infections reported. Lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus is a neglected neuroinvasive rodent-borne virus. So far, there are no reports on human clinical cases; however, the seroprevalence studies indicate the virus presence in the Croatian mainland. Puumala and Dobrava hantaviruses are widely distributing rodent-borne viruses with sporadic and epidemic occurrence. Hepatitis E virus is an emerging food-borne virus in Croatia. After the emergence in 2012, cases were regularly recorded. Seropositivity varies greatly by region and population group. Rotaviruses represent a significant healthcare burden since rotavirus vaccination is not included in the Croatian national immunization program. Additionally, rotaviruses are widely distributed in the Croatian ecosystem. A novel coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, emerged in February 2020 and spread rapidly throughout the country. This review focuses on emerging and neglected viruses of zoonotic importance detected in Croatia.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tatjana Vilibic-Cavlek
- Department of Virology, Croatian Institute of Public Health, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (M.B.); (I.T.); (I.F.)
- School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia;
- Correspondence:
| | - Ljubo Barbic
- Department of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases with Clinic, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (L.B.); (V.S.); (J.M.)
| | - Anna Mrzljak
- School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia;
- Department of Medicine, Merkur University Hospital, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Dragan Brnic
- Department of Virology, Croatian Veterinary Institute, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (D.B.); (L.J.); (J.P.)
| | - Ana Klobucar
- Department of Epidemiology, Andrija Stampar Institute of Public Health, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia;
| | - Maja Ilic
- Department of Epidemiology, Croatian Institute of Public Health, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia;
| | - Natasa Janev-Holcer
- Environmental Health Department, Croatian Institute of Public Health, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (N.J.-H.); (P.J.)
| | - Maja Bogdanic
- Department of Virology, Croatian Institute of Public Health, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (M.B.); (I.T.); (I.F.)
| | - Lorena Jemersic
- Department of Virology, Croatian Veterinary Institute, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (D.B.); (L.J.); (J.P.)
| | - Vladimir Stevanovic
- Department of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases with Clinic, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (L.B.); (V.S.); (J.M.)
| | - Irena Tabain
- Department of Virology, Croatian Institute of Public Health, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (M.B.); (I.T.); (I.F.)
| | - Stjepan Krcmar
- Department of Biology, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, 31000 Osijek, Croatia;
| | - Marko Vucelja
- Faculty of Forestry, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (M.V.); (M.B.)
| | - Jelena Prpic
- Department of Virology, Croatian Veterinary Institute, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (D.B.); (L.J.); (J.P.)
| | - Marko Boljfetic
- Faculty of Forestry, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (M.V.); (M.B.)
| | - Pavle Jelicic
- Environmental Health Department, Croatian Institute of Public Health, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (N.J.-H.); (P.J.)
| | - Josip Madic
- Department of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases with Clinic, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (L.B.); (V.S.); (J.M.)
| | - Ivana Ferencak
- Department of Virology, Croatian Institute of Public Health, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (M.B.); (I.T.); (I.F.)
| | - Vladimir Savic
- Poultry Center, Croatian Veterinary Institute, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia;
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Camp JV, Spruill-Harrell B, Owen RD, Solà-Riera C, Williams EP, Eastwood G, Sawyer AM, Jonsson CB. Mixed Effects of Habitat Degradation and Resources on Hantaviruses in Sympatric Wild Rodent Reservoirs within a Neotropical Forest. Viruses 2021; 13:85. [PMID: 33435494 PMCID: PMC7827808 DOI: 10.3390/v13010085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2020] [Revised: 01/06/2021] [Accepted: 01/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Understanding the ecology of rodent-borne hantaviruses is critical to assessing the risk of spillover to humans. Longitudinal surveys have suggested that hantaviral prevalence in a given host population is tightly linked to rodent ecology and correlates with changes in the species composition of a rodent community over time and/or habitat composition. We tested two hypotheses to identify whether resource addition and/or habitat composition may affect hantavirus prevalence among two sympatric reservoir hosts in a neotropical forest: (i) increased food resources will alter the rodent community and thus hantaviral prevalence; and (ii) host abundance and viral seroprevalence will be associated with habitat composition. We established a baseline of rodent-virus prevalence in three grid pairs of distinct habitat compositions and subjected one grid of each pair to resource augmentation. Increased rodent species diversity was observed on grids where food was added versus untreated control grids during the first post-treatment sampling session. Resource augmentation changed species community composition, yet it did not affect the prevalence of hantavirus in the host population over time, nor was there evidence of a dilution effect. Secondly, we show that the prevalence of the virus in the respective reservoir hosts was associated with habitat composition at two spatial levels, independent of resource addition, supporting previous findings that habitat composition is a primary driver of the prevalence of hantaviruses in the neotropics.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jeremy V. Camp
- Institute of Virology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, 1210 Vienna, Austria;
| | - Briana Spruill-Harrell
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Biochemistry, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN 38163, USA; (B.S.-H.); (E.P.W.)
| | - Robert D. Owen
- Centro para el Desarrollo de la Investigación Científica, Asunción C.P. 1371, Paraguay;
- Department of Biological Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX 79409, USA
| | - Carles Solà-Riera
- Center for Infectious Medicine, Department of Medicine Huddinge, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital, 141 86 Stockholm, Sweden;
| | - Evan P. Williams
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Biochemistry, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN 38163, USA; (B.S.-H.); (E.P.W.)
| | - Gillian Eastwood
- Department of Microbiology, University of Tennessee-Knoxville, Knoxville, TN 37996, USA; (G.E.); (A.M.S.)
| | - Aubrey M. Sawyer
- Department of Microbiology, University of Tennessee-Knoxville, Knoxville, TN 37996, USA; (G.E.); (A.M.S.)
| | - Colleen B. Jonsson
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Biochemistry, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN 38163, USA; (B.S.-H.); (E.P.W.)
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Reijniers J, Tersago K, Borremans B, Hartemink N, Voutilainen L, Henttonen H, Leirs H. Why Hantavirus Prevalence Does Not Always Increase With Host Density: Modeling the Role of Host Spatial Behavior and Maternal Antibodies. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2020; 10:536660. [PMID: 33134187 PMCID: PMC7550670 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2020.536660] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2020] [Accepted: 08/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
For wildlife diseases, one often relies on host density to predict host infection prevalence and the subsequent force of infection to humans in the case of zoonoses. Indeed, if transmission is mainly indirect, i.e., by way of the environment, the force of infection is expected to increase with host density, yet the laborious field data supporting this theoretical claim are often absent. Hantaviruses are among those zoonoses that have been studied extensively over the past decades, as they pose a significant threat to humans. In Europe, the most widespread hantavirus is the Puumala virus (PUUV), which is carried by the bank vole and causes nephropathia epidemica (NE) in humans. Extensive field campaigns have been carried out in Central Finland to shed light on this supposed relationship between bank vole density and PUUV prevalence and to identify other drivers for the infection dynamics. This resulted in the surprising observation that the relationship between bank vole density and PUUV prevalence is not purely monotonic on an annual basis, contrary to what previous models predicted: a higher vole density does not necessary result in a higher infection prevalence, nor in an increased number of humans reported having NE. Here, we advance a novel individual-based spatially-explicit model which takes into account the immunity provided by maternal antibodies and which simulates the spatial behavior of the host, both possible causes for this discrepancy that were not accounted for in previous models. We show that the reduced prevalence in peak years can be attributed to transient immunity, and that the density-dependent spatial vole behavior, i.e., the fact that home ranges are smaller in high density years, plays only a minor role. The applicability of the model is not limited to the study and prediction of PUUV (and NE) occurrence in Europe, as it could be easily adapted to model other rodent-borne diseases, either with indirect or direct transmission.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jonas Reijniers
- Evolutionary Ecology Group, Biology Department, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium.,Active Perception Lab, Department of Engineering Management, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Katrien Tersago
- Agentschap Zorg en Gezondheid, Government Administration, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Benny Borremans
- Evolutionary Ecology Group, Biology Department, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium.,Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United States.,Interuniversity Institute for Biostatistics and Statistical Bioinformatics, Hasselt University, Hasselt, Belgium
| | - Nienke Hartemink
- Theoretical Ecology, Institute for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands.,Biometris, Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen, Netherlands
| | | | - Heikki Henttonen
- Terrestrial Population Dynamics, Natural Resources Institute Finland, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Herwig Leirs
- Evolutionary Ecology Group, Biology Department, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
Li N, Li A, Liu Y, Wu W, Li C, Yu D, Zhu Y, Li J, Li D, Wang S, Liang M. Genetic diversity and evolution of Hantaan virus in China and its neighbors. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2020; 14:e0008090. [PMID: 32817670 PMCID: PMC7462299 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0008090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2020] [Revised: 09/01/2020] [Accepted: 07/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hantaan virus (HTNV; family Hantaviridae, order Bunyavirales) causes hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS), which has raised serious concerns in Eurasia, especially in China, Russia, and South Korea. Previous studies reported genetic diversity and phylogenetic features of HTNV in different parts of China, but the analyses from the holistic perspective are rare. METHODOLOGY AND PRINCIPAL FINDINGS To better understand HTNV genetic diversity and gene evolution, we analyzed all available complete sequences derived from the small (S) and medium (M) segments with bioinformatic tools. Eleven phylogenetic groups were defined and showed geographic clustering; 42 significant amino acid variant sites were found, and 19 of them were located in immune epitopes; nine recombinant events and eight reassortments with highly divergent sequences were found and analyzed. We found that sequences from Guizhou showed high genetic divergence, contributing to multiple lineages of the phylogenetic tree and also to the recombination and reassortment events. Bayesian stochastic search variable selection analysis revealed that Heilongjiang, Shaanxi, and Guizhou played important roles in HTNV evolution and migration; the virus may originate from Zhejiang Province in the eastern part of China; and the virus population size expanded from the 1980s to 1990s. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE These findings revealed the original and evolutionary features of HTNV, which will help to illustrate hantavirus epidemic trends, thus aiding in disease control and prevention.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Naizhe Li
- Key Laboratory of Medical Virology and Viral Diseases, Ministry of Health of People's Republic of China, National Institute for Viral Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China
| | - Aqian Li
- Key Laboratory of Medical Virology and Viral Diseases, Ministry of Health of People's Republic of China, National Institute for Viral Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China
| | - Yang Liu
- Key Laboratory of Medical Virology and Viral Diseases, Ministry of Health of People's Republic of China, National Institute for Viral Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China
| | - Wei Wu
- Key Laboratory of Medical Virology and Viral Diseases, Ministry of Health of People's Republic of China, National Institute for Viral Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China
| | - Chuan Li
- Key Laboratory of Medical Virology and Viral Diseases, Ministry of Health of People's Republic of China, National Institute for Viral Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China
| | - Dongyang Yu
- Department of Microbiology, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Yu Zhu
- Department of Microbiology, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Jiandong Li
- Key Laboratory of Medical Virology and Viral Diseases, Ministry of Health of People's Republic of China, National Institute for Viral Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China
| | - Dexin Li
- Key Laboratory of Medical Virology and Viral Diseases, Ministry of Health of People's Republic of China, National Institute for Viral Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China
| | - Shiwen Wang
- Key Laboratory of Medical Virology and Viral Diseases, Ministry of Health of People's Republic of China, National Institute for Viral Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China
- China CDC-WIV Joint Research Center for Emerging Diseases and Biosafety, Center for Biosafety Mega-Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, P. R. China
- * E-mail: (SW); (ML)
| | - Mifang Liang
- Key Laboratory of Medical Virology and Viral Diseases, Ministry of Health of People's Republic of China, National Institute for Viral Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China
- China CDC-WIV Joint Research Center for Emerging Diseases and Biosafety, Center for Biosafety Mega-Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, P. R. China
- * E-mail: (SW); (ML)
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
Bregnard C, Rais O, Voordouw MJ. Climate and tree seed production predict the abundance of the European Lyme disease vector over a 15-year period. Parasit Vectors 2020; 13:408. [PMID: 32778177 PMCID: PMC7418309 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-020-04291-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2020] [Accepted: 08/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND To predict the risk of tick-borne disease, it is critical to understand the ecological factors that determine the abundance of ticks. In Europe, the sheep tick (Ixodes ricinus) transmits a number of important diseases including Lyme borreliosis. The aim of this long-term study was to determine the abiotic and biotic factors driving the annual abundance of I. ricinus at a location in Switzerland where Lyme borreliosis is endemic. METHODS Over a 15-year period (2004 to 2018), we monitored the abundance of I. ricinus ticks on a monthly basis at three different elevations on Chaumont Mountain in Neuchâtel, Switzerland. We collected climate variables in the field and from nearby weather stations. We obtained data on beech tree seed production from the literature, as the abundance of Ixodes nymphs can increase dramatically two years after a masting event. We used AIC-based model selection to determine which ecological variables drive annual variation in tick density. RESULTS We found that elevation site, year, seed production by beech trees two years prior, and mean annual relative humidity together explained 73.2% of the variation in our annual estimates of nymph density. According to the parameter estimates of our models, (i) the annual density of nymphs almost doubled over the 15-year study period, (ii) changing the beech tree seed production index from very poor mast (1) to full mast (5) increased the abundance of nymphs by 86.2% two years later, and (iii) increasing the field-collected mean annual relative humidity from 50.0 to 75.0% decreased the abundance of nymphs by 46.4% in the same year. Climate variables collected in the field were better predictors of tick abundance than those from nearby weather stations indicating the importance of the microhabitat. CONCLUSIONS From a public health perspective, the increase in nymph abundance is likely to have increased the risk of tick-borne disease in this region of Switzerland. Public health officials in Europe should be aware that seed production by deciduous trees is a critical driver of the abundance of I. ricinus, and hence the risk of tick-borne disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Cindy Bregnard
- Laboratory of Ecology and Evolution of Parasites, Institute of Biology, University of Neuchâtel, Neuchâtel, Switzerland
| | - Olivier Rais
- Laboratory of Ecology and Epidemiology of Parasites, Institute of Biology, University of Neuchâtel, Neuchâtel, Switzerland
| | - Maarten Jeroen Voordouw
- Laboratory of Ecology and Evolution of Parasites, Institute of Biology, University of Neuchâtel, Neuchâtel, Switzerland
- Department of Veterinary Microbiology, Western College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
32
|
Faber M, Krüger DH, Auste B, Stark K, Hofmann J, Weiss S. Molecular and epidemiological characteristics of human Puumala and Dobrava-Belgrade hantavirus infections, Germany, 2001 to 2017. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2020; 24. [PMID: 31411134 PMCID: PMC6693291 DOI: 10.2807/1560-7917.es.2019.24.32.1800675] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Introduction Two hantavirus species, Puumala (PUUV) and Dobrava-Belgrade (DOBV) virus (genotype Kurkino), are endemic in Germany. Recent PUUV outbreaks raised questions concerning increasing frequency of outbreaks and expansion of PUUV endemic areas. Aims To describe the epidemiology of human PUUV and DOBV infections in Germany. Methods We conducted an observational retrospective study analysing national hantavirus surveillance data notified to the national public health institute and hantavirus nucleotide sequences from patients collected at the national consultation laboratory between 2001 and 2017. Matching molecular sequences with surveillance data, we conducted epidemiological, phylogenetic and phylogeographic analyses. Results In total, 12,148 cases of symptomatic hantavirus infection were notified 2001–17 (mean annual incidence: 0.87/100,000; range: 0.09–3.51). PUUV infections showed a highly variable space-time disease incidence pattern, causing large outbreaks every 2–3 years with peaks in early summer and up to 3,000 annually reported cases. Sex-specific differences in disease presentation were observed. Of 202 PUUV nucleotide sequences obtained from cases, 189 (93.6%) fall into well-supported phylogenetic clusters corresponding to different endemic areas in Germany. DOBV infections caused few, mostly sporadic cases in autumn and winter in the north and east of Germany. Conclusions The frequency of PUUV outbreaks increased between 2001 and 2017 but our data does not support the suggested expansion of endemic areas. The epidemiology of PUUV and DOBV-Kurkino infections differs in several aspects. Moreover, the latter are relatively rare and combining efforts and data of several countries to identify risk factors and develop specific recommendations for prevention could be worthwhile.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mirko Faber
- Department for Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
| | - Detlev H Krüger
- Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Institute of Virology, Berlin, Germany
| | - Brita Auste
- Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Institute of Virology, Berlin, Germany
| | - Klaus Stark
- Department for Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
| | - Jörg Hofmann
- These authors contributed equally and share last authorship.,Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Institute of Virology, Berlin, Germany
| | - Sabrina Weiss
- These authors contributed equally and share last authorship.,Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Institute of Virology, Berlin, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
33
|
Rubel F, Walter M, Vogelgesang JR, Brugger K. Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) cases are not random: explaining trend, low- and high-frequency oscillations based on the Austrian TBE time series. BMC Infect Dis 2020; 20:448. [PMID: 32586360 PMCID: PMC7316636 DOI: 10.1186/s12879-020-05156-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2019] [Accepted: 06/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Why human tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) cases differ from year to year, in some years more 100%, has not been clarified, yet. The cause of the increasing or decreasing trends is also controversial. Austria is the only country in Europe where a 40-year TBE time series and an official vaccine coverage time series are available to investigate these open questions. METHODS A series of generalized linear models (GLMs) has been developed to identify demographic and environmental factors associated with the trend and the oscillations of the TBE time series. Both the observed and the predicted TBE time series were subjected to spectral analysis. The resulting power spectra indicate which predictors are responsible for the trend, the high-frequency and the low-frequency oscillations, and with which explained variance they contribute to the TBE oscillations. RESULTS The increasing trend can be associated with the demography of the increasing human population. The responsible GLM explains 12% of the variance of the TBE time series. The low-frequency oscillations (10 years) are associated with the decadal changes of the large-scale climate in Central Europe. These are well described by the so-called Scandinavian index. This 10-year oscillation cycle is reinforced by the socio-economic predictor net migration. Considering the net migration and the Scandinavian index increases the explained variance of the GLM to 44%. The high-frequency oscillations (2-3 years) are associated with fluctuations of the natural TBE transmission cycle between small mammals and ticks, which are driven by beech fructification. Considering also fructification 2 years prior explains 64% of the variance of the TBE time series. Additionally, annual sunshine duration as predictor for the human outdoor activity increases the explained variance to 70%. CONCLUSIONS The GLMs presented here provide the basis for annual TBE forecasts, which were mainly determined by beech fructification. A total of 3 of the 5 years with full fructification, resulting in high TBE case numbers 2 years later, occurred after 2010. The effects of climate change are therefore not visible through a direct correlation of the TBE cases with rising temperatures, but indirectly via the increased frequency of mast seeding.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Franz Rubel
- Unit for Veterinary Public Health and Epidemiology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Austria, Veterinaerplatz 1, Vienna, 1210, Austria.
| | - Melanie Walter
- Unit for Veterinary Public Health and Epidemiology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Austria, Veterinaerplatz 1, Vienna, 1210, Austria
| | - Janna R Vogelgesang
- Unit for Veterinary Public Health and Epidemiology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Austria, Veterinaerplatz 1, Vienna, 1210, Austria
| | - Katharina Brugger
- Unit for Veterinary Public Health and Epidemiology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Austria, Veterinaerplatz 1, Vienna, 1210, Austria
| |
Collapse
|
34
|
Bogdziewicz M, Kelly D, Thomas PA, Lageard JGA, Hacket-Pain A. Climate warming disrupts mast seeding and its fitness benefits in European beech. NATURE PLANTS 2020; 6:88-94. [PMID: 32042155 DOI: 10.1038/s41477-020-0592-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2019] [Accepted: 12/28/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Many plants benefit from synchronous year-to-year variation in seed production, called masting. Masting benefits plants because it increases the efficiency of pollination and satiates predators, which reduces seed loss. Here, using a 39-year-long dataset, we show that climate warming over recent decades has increased seed production of European beech but decreased the year-to-year variability of seed production and the reproductive synchrony among individuals. Consequently, the benefit that the plants gained from masting has declined. While climate warming was associated with increased reproductive effort, we demonstrate that less effective pollination and greater losses of seeds to predators offset any benefits to the plants. This shows that an apparently simple benefit of climate warming unravels because of complex ecological interactions. Our results indicate that in masting systems, the main beneficiaries of climate-driven increases in seed production are seed predators, not plants.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Michał Bogdziewicz
- Department of Systematic Zoology, Faculty of Biology, Adam Mickiewicz University, Poznan, Poland.
| | - Dave Kelly
- Centre for Integrative Ecology, School of Biological Sciences, University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand
| | - Peter A Thomas
- School of Life Sciences, Keele University, Staffordshire, UK
| | - Jonathan G A Lageard
- Department of Natural Sciences, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester, UK
| | - Andrew Hacket-Pain
- Department of Geography and Planning, School of Environmental Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| |
Collapse
|
35
|
Binder F, Drewes S, Imholt C, Saathoff M, Below DA, Bendl E, Conraths FJ, Tenhaken P, Mylius M, Brockmann S, Oehme R, Freise J, Jacob J, Ulrich RG. Heterogeneous Puumala orthohantavirus situation in endemic regions in Germany in summer 2019. Transbound Emerg Dis 2019; 67:502-509. [PMID: 31674714 DOI: 10.1111/tbed.13408] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2019] [Revised: 10/10/2019] [Accepted: 10/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Puumala orthohantavirus (PUUV) causes most human hantavirus disease cases in Europe. PUUV disease outbreaks are usually synchronized Germany-wide driven by beech mast-induced irruptions of its host (bank vole, Myodes glareolus). Recent data indicate high vole abundance, high PUUV prevalence and high human incidence in summer 2019 for some regions, but elsewhere values were low to moderate. This significant lack of synchrony among regions in Germany is in contrast to previous studies. Health institutions need to be informed about the heterogeneous distribution of human PUUV infection risk to initiate appropriate actions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Florian Binder
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Institute of Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Stephan Drewes
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Institute of Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Christian Imholt
- Julius Kühn-Institut, Federal Research Centre for Cultivated Plants, Institute for Plant Protection in Horticulture and Forests, Vertebrate Research, Münster, Germany
| | - Marion Saathoff
- Lower Saxony State Office for Consumer Protection and Food Safety, Veterinary Task-Force, Department of Pest Control, Oldenburg, Germany
| | - Diana Alexandra Below
- Julius Kühn-Institut, Federal Research Centre for Cultivated Plants, Institute for Plant Protection in Horticulture and Forests, Vertebrate Research, Münster, Germany
| | - Elias Bendl
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Institute of Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Franz J Conraths
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Institute of Epidemiology, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | | | - Maren Mylius
- The Governmental Institute of Public Health of Lower Saxony, Hannover, Germany
| | | | - Rainer Oehme
- State Health Office Baden-Württemberg, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Jona Freise
- Lower Saxony State Office for Consumer Protection and Food Safety, Veterinary Task-Force, Department of Pest Control, Oldenburg, Germany
| | - Jens Jacob
- Julius Kühn-Institut, Federal Research Centre for Cultivated Plants, Institute for Plant Protection in Horticulture and Forests, Vertebrate Research, Münster, Germany
| | - Rainer G Ulrich
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Institute of Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
36
|
Li Y, Cazelles B, Yang G, Laine M, Huang ZXY, Cai J, Tan H, Stenseth NC, Tian H. Intrinsic and extrinsic drivers of transmission dynamics of hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome caused by Seoul hantavirus. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2019; 13:e0007757. [PMID: 31545808 PMCID: PMC6776365 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0007757] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2019] [Revised: 10/03/2019] [Accepted: 09/06/2019] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Seoul hantavirus (SEOV) has recently raised concern by causing geographic range expansion of hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS). SEOV infections in humans are significantly underestimated worldwide and epidemic dynamics of SEOV-related HFRS are poorly understood because of a lack of field data and empirically validated models. Here, we use mathematical models to examine both intrinsic and extrinsic drivers of disease transmission from animal (the Norway rat) to humans in a SEOV-endemic area in China. We found that rat eradication schemes and vaccination campaigns, but below the local elimination threshold, could diminish the amplitude of the HFRS epidemic but did not modify its seasonality. Models demonstrate population dynamics of the rodent host were insensitive to climate variations in urban settings, while relative humidity had a negative effect on the seasonality in transmission. Our study contributes to a better understanding of the epidemiology of SEOV-related HFRS, demonstrates asynchronies between rodent population dynamics and transmission rate, and identifies potential drivers of the SEOV seasonality. Seoul hantavirus (SEOV) infections are common in Europe and Asia where a considerably high seroprevalence among the population is found. However, only relatively few hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) cases are reported. Comprehensive epidemiological data is necessary to study the patterns and drivers of this underestimated disease. Here, we analyzed rodent host surveillance and seroprevalence data from 1998 to 2015 for disease outbreaks in Huludao City, one of the typical SEOV-endemic areas for HFRS in China. Our mathematical models quantified the drivers on HFRS transmission and estimated the epidemiological parameters. Our study provides an understanding of its ecological process between intrinsic and extrinsic factors, human-rodent interface and disease dynamics.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yidan Li
- State Key Laboratory of Remote Sensing Science, College of Global Change and Earth System Science, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
| | - Bernard Cazelles
- IBENS, UMR 8197 CNRS-ENS Ecole Normale Supérieure, Paris, France
- International Center for Mathematical and Computational Modeling of Complex Systems (UMMISCO), IRD-Sorbonne Université, Bondy, France
| | - Guoqing Yang
- Huludao Municipal Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Huludao, Liaoning, China
| | - Marko Laine
- Finnish Meteorological Institute, Helsinki, Finland
| | | | - Jun Cai
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Earth System Modelling, Department of Earth System Science, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Hua Tan
- School of Biomedical Informatics, the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Nils Chr. Stenseth
- Centre for Ecological and Evolutionary Synthesis (CEES), Department of Biosciences, University of Oslo, Blindern, Oslo, Norway
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Earth System Modeling, Department of Earth System Science, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
- * E-mail: (NCS); (HT)
| | - Huaiyu Tian
- State Key Laboratory of Remote Sensing Science, College of Global Change and Earth System Science, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
- * E-mail: (NCS); (HT)
| |
Collapse
|
37
|
Ng V, Rees EE, Lindsay LR, Drebot MA, Brownstone T, Sadeghieh T, Khan SU. Could exotic mosquito-borne diseases emerge in Canada with climate change? CANADA COMMUNICABLE DISEASE REPORT = RELEVE DES MALADIES TRANSMISSIBLES AU CANADA 2019; 45:98-107. [PMID: 31285699 PMCID: PMC6587696 DOI: 10.14745/ccdr.v45i04a04] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Of the 3,500 species of mosquitoes worldwide, only a small portion carry and transmit the mosquito-borne diseases (MBDs) that cause approximately half a million deaths annually worldwide. The most common exotic MBDs, such as malaria and dengue, are not currently established in Canada, in part because of our relatively harsh climate; however, this situation could evolve with climate change. Mosquitoes native to Canada may become infected with new pathogens and move into new regions within Canada. In addition, new mosquito species may move into Canada from other countries, and these exotic species may bring exotic MBDs as well. With high levels of international travel, including to locations with exotic MBDs, there will be more travel-acquired cases of MBDs. With climate change, there is the potential for exotic mosquito populations to become established in Canada. There is already a small area of Canada where exotic Aedes mosquitoes have become established although, to date, there is no evidence that these carry any exotic (or already endemic) MBDs. The increased risks of spreading MBDs, or introducing exotic MBDs, will need a careful clinical and public health response. Clinicians will need to maintain a high level of awareness of current trends, to promote mosquito bite prevention strategies, and to know the laboratory tests needed for early detection and when to report laboratory results to public health. Public health efforts will need to focus on ongoing active surveillance, public and professional awareness and mosquito control. Canadians need to be aware of the risks of acquiring exotic MBDs while travelling abroad as well as the risk that they could serve as a potential route of introduction for exotic MBDs into Canada when they return home.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- V Ng
- National Microbiology Laboratory, Public Health Agency of Canada, Guelph, ON, St. Hyacinthe, QC and Winnipeg, MB
| | - EE Rees
- National Microbiology Laboratory, Public Health Agency of Canada, Guelph, ON, St. Hyacinthe, QC and Winnipeg, MB
| | - LR Lindsay
- National Microbiology Laboratory, Public Health Agency of Canada, Guelph, ON, St. Hyacinthe, QC and Winnipeg, MB
| | - MA Drebot
- National Microbiology Laboratory, Public Health Agency of Canada, Guelph, ON, St. Hyacinthe, QC and Winnipeg, MB
| | - T Brownstone
- National Microbiology Laboratory, Public Health Agency of Canada, Guelph, ON, St. Hyacinthe, QC and Winnipeg, MB
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON
| | - T Sadeghieh
- National Microbiology Laboratory, Public Health Agency of Canada, Guelph, ON, St. Hyacinthe, QC and Winnipeg, MB
- Department of Population Medicine, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON
| | - SU Khan
- National Microbiology Laboratory, Public Health Agency of Canada, Guelph, ON, St. Hyacinthe, QC and Winnipeg, MB
- Department of Population Medicine, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON
| |
Collapse
|
38
|
Hartemink N, van Vliet A, Sprong H, Jacobs F, Garcia-Martí I, Zurita-Milla R, Takken W. Temporal-Spatial Variation in Questing Tick Activity in the Netherlands: The Effect of Climatic and Habitat Factors. Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis 2019; 19:494-505. [PMID: 30810501 DOI: 10.1089/vbz.2018.2369] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Longitudinal studies are fundamental in the assessment of the effect of environmental factors on tick population dynamics. In this study, we use data from a 10-year study in 11 different locations in the Netherlands to gauge the effects of climatic and habitat factors on the temporal and spatial variation in questing tick activity. Marked differences in the total number of ticks were found between locations and between years. We investigated which climatic and habitat factors might explain this variation. No effects of climatic factors on the total number of ticks per year were observed, but we found a clear effect of temperature on the onset of tick activity. In addition, we found positive associations between (1) humus layer thickness and densities of all three stages, (2) moss and blackberry abundance and larval densities, and (3) blueberry abundance and densities of larva and nymphs. We conclude that climatic variables do not have a straightforward association with tick density in the Netherlands, but that winter and spring temperatures influence the onset of tick activity. Habitats with apparently similar vegetation types can still differ in tick population densities, indicating that local composition of vegetation and especially of wildlife is likely to contribute considerably to the spatial variation in tick densities.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nienke Hartemink
- 1 Biometris, Wageningen University and Research Centre, Wageningen, the Netherlands.,2 Laboratory of Entomology, Wageningen University and Research Centre, Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - Arnold van Vliet
- 3 Environmental Systems Analysis Group, Wageningen University and Research Centre, Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - Hein Sprong
- 2 Laboratory of Entomology, Wageningen University and Research Centre, Wageningen, the Netherlands.,4 Centre for Infectious Disease Control, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, Bilthoven, the Netherlands
| | - Frans Jacobs
- 2 Laboratory of Entomology, Wageningen University and Research Centre, Wageningen, the Netherlands.,5 Centre for Vector Surveillance, Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - Irene Garcia-Martí
- 6 Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute, De Bilt, the Netherlands.,7 Faculty of Geo-Information Science and Earth Observation, University of Twente, Enschede, the Netherlands
| | - Raul Zurita-Milla
- 7 Faculty of Geo-Information Science and Earth Observation, University of Twente, Enschede, the Netherlands
| | - Willem Takken
- 2 Laboratory of Entomology, Wageningen University and Research Centre, Wageningen, the Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
39
|
Warner BM, Stein DR, Griffin BD, Tierney K, Leung A, Sloan A, Kobasa D, Poliquin G, Kobinger GP, Safronetz D. Development and Characterization of a Sin Nombre Virus Transmission Model in Peromyscus maniculatus. Viruses 2019; 11:v11020183. [PMID: 30795592 PMCID: PMC6409794 DOI: 10.3390/v11020183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2019] [Revised: 02/12/2019] [Accepted: 02/19/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
In North America, Sin Nombre virus (SNV) is the main cause of hantavirus cardiopulmonary syndrome (HCPS), a severe respiratory disease with a fatality rate of 35–40%. SNV is a zoonotic pathogen carried by deer mice (Peromyscus maniculatus), and few studies have been performed examining its transmission in deer mouse populations. Studying SNV and other hantaviruses can be difficult due to the need to propagate the virus in vivo for subsequent experiments. We show that when compared with standard intramuscular infection, the intraperitoneal infection of deer mice can be as effective in producing SNV stocks with a high viral RNA copy number, and this method of infection provides a more reproducible infection model. Furthermore, the age and sex of the infected deer mice have little effect on viral replication and shedding. We also describe a reliable model of direct experimental SNV transmission. We examined the transmission of SNV between deer mice and found that direct contact between deer mice is the main driver of SNV transmission rather than exposure to contaminated excreta/secreta, which is thought to be the main driver of transmission of the virus to humans. Furthermore, increases in heat shock responses or testosterone levels in SNV-infected deer mice do not increase the replication, shedding, or rate of transmission. Here, we have demonstrated a model for the transmission of SNV between deer mice, the natural rodent reservoir for the virus. The use of this model will have important implications for further examining SNV transmission and in developing strategies for the prevention of SNV infection in deer mouse populations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bryce M Warner
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R3E 0J9, Canada.
| | - Derek R Stein
- Zoonotic Diseases and Special Pathogens, National Microbiology Laboratory, Public Health Agency of Canada, Winnipeg, MB R3E3R2, Canada.
| | - Bryan D Griffin
- Zoonotic Diseases and Special Pathogens, National Microbiology Laboratory, Public Health Agency of Canada, Winnipeg, MB R3E3R2, Canada.
| | - Kevin Tierney
- Zoonotic Diseases and Special Pathogens, National Microbiology Laboratory, Public Health Agency of Canada, Winnipeg, MB R3E3R2, Canada.
| | - Anders Leung
- Zoonotic Diseases and Special Pathogens, National Microbiology Laboratory, Public Health Agency of Canada, Winnipeg, MB R3E3R2, Canada.
| | - Angela Sloan
- Zoonotic Diseases and Special Pathogens, National Microbiology Laboratory, Public Health Agency of Canada, Winnipeg, MB R3E3R2, Canada.
| | - Darwyn Kobasa
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R3E 0J9, Canada.
- Zoonotic Diseases and Special Pathogens, National Microbiology Laboratory, Public Health Agency of Canada, Winnipeg, MB R3E3R2, Canada.
| | - Guillaume Poliquin
- Zoonotic Diseases and Special Pathogens, National Microbiology Laboratory, Public Health Agency of Canada, Winnipeg, MB R3E3R2, Canada.
| | - Gary P Kobinger
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R3E 0J9, Canada.
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
- Centre de Recherche en Infectiologie, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Québec, Université Laval, Quebec City, QC G1V 0A6 Canada.
| | - David Safronetz
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R3E 0J9, Canada.
- Zoonotic Diseases and Special Pathogens, National Microbiology Laboratory, Public Health Agency of Canada, Winnipeg, MB R3E3R2, Canada.
| |
Collapse
|
40
|
Tian H, Stenseth NC. The ecological dynamics of hantavirus diseases: From environmental variability to disease prevention largely based on data from China. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2019; 13:e0006901. [PMID: 30789905 PMCID: PMC6383869 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0006901] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Hantaviruses can cause hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS) in the Americas and hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) in Eurasia. In recent decades, repeated outbreaks of hantavirus disease have led to public concern and have created a global public health burden. Hantavirus spillover from natural hosts into human populations could be considered an ecological process, in which environmental forces, behavioral determinants of exposure, and dynamics at the human–animal interface affect human susceptibility and the epidemiology of the disease. In this review, we summarize the progress made in understanding hantavirus epidemiology and rodent reservoir population biology. We mainly focus on three species of rodent hosts with longitudinal studies of sufficient scale: the striped field mouse (Apodemus agrarius, the main reservoir host for Hantaan virus [HTNV], which causes HFRS) in Asia, the deer mouse (Peromyscus maniculatus, the main reservoir host for Sin Nombre virus [SNV], which causes HPS) in North America, and the bank vole (Myodes glareolus, the main reservoir host for Puumala virus [PUUV], which causes HFRS) in Europe. Moreover, we discuss the influence of ecological factors on human hantavirus disease outbreaks and provide an overview of research perspectives.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Huaiyu Tian
- State Key Laboratory of Remote Sensing Science, College of Global Change and Earth System Science, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
- * E-mail: (HT); (NCS)
| | - Nils Chr. Stenseth
- Centre for Ecological and Evolutionary Synthesis (CEES), Department of Biosciences, University of Oslo, Blindern, Oslo, Norway
- Department of Earth System Science, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
- * E-mail: (HT); (NCS)
| |
Collapse
|
41
|
Two Point Mutations in Old World Hantavirus Glycoproteins Afford the Generation of Highly Infectious Recombinant Vesicular Stomatitis Virus Vectors. mBio 2019; 10:mBio.02372-18. [PMID: 30622188 PMCID: PMC6325249 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.02372-18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Human hantavirus infections cause hantavirus pulmonary syndrome in the Americas and hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) in Eurasia. No FDA-approved vaccines and therapeutics exist for these deadly viruses, and their development is limited by the requirement for high biocontainment. In this study, we identified and characterized key amino acid changes in the surface glycoproteins of HFRS-causing Hantaan virus that enhance their incorporation into recombinant vesicular stomatitis virus (rVSV) particles. The replication-competent rVSVs encoding Hantaan virus and Dobrava-Belgrade virus glycoproteins described in this work provide a powerful and facile system to study hantavirus entry under lower biocontainment and may have utility as hantavirus vaccines. Rodent-to-human transmission of hantaviruses is associated with severe disease. Currently, no FDA-approved, specific antivirals or vaccines are available, and the requirement for high biocontainment (biosafety level 3 [BSL-3]) laboratories limits hantavirus research. To study hantavirus entry in a BSL-2 laboratory, we set out to generate replication-competent, recombinant vesicular stomatitis viruses (rVSVs) bearing the Gn and Gc (Gn/Gc) entry glycoproteins. As previously reported, rVSVs bearing New World hantavirus Gn/Gc were readily rescued from cDNAs, but their counterparts bearing Gn/Gc from the Old World hantaviruses, Hantaan virus (HTNV) or Dobrava-Belgrade virus (DOBV), were refractory to rescue. However, serial passage of the rescued rVSV-HTNV Gn/Gc virus markedly increased its infectivity and capacity for cell-to-cell spread. This gain in viral fitness was associated with the acquisition of two point mutations: I532K in the cytoplasmic tail of Gn and S1094L in the membrane-proximal stem of Gc. Follow-up experiments with rVSVs and single-cycle VSV pseudotypes confirmed these results. Mechanistic studies revealed that both mutations were determinative and contributed to viral infectivity in a synergistic manner. Our findings indicate that the primary mode of action of these mutations is to relocalize HTNV Gn/Gc from the Golgi complex to the cell surface, thereby affording significantly enhanced Gn/Gc incorporation into budding VSV particles. Finally, I532K/S1094L mutations in DOBV Gn/Gc permitted the rescue of rVSV-DOBV Gn/Gc, demonstrating that incorporation of cognate mutations into other hantaviral Gn/Gc proteins could afford the generation of rVSVs that are otherwise challenging to rescue. The robust replication-competent rVSVs, bearing HTNV and DOBV Gn/Gc, reported herein may also have utility as vaccines.
Collapse
|
42
|
Tagliapietra V, Rosà R, Rossi C, Rosso F, Hauffe HC, Tommasini M, Versini W, Cristallo AF, Rizzoli A. Emerging Rodent-Borne Viral Zoonoses in Trento, Italy. ECOHEALTH 2018; 15:695-704. [PMID: 29796719 DOI: 10.1007/s10393-018-1335-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2017] [Revised: 02/27/2018] [Accepted: 04/03/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Rodent-borne hanta- and arenaviruses are an emerging public health threat in Europe; however, their circulation in human populations is usually underestimated since most infections are asymptomatic. Compared to other European countries, Italy is considered 'low risk' for these viruses, yet in the Province of Trento, two pathogenic hantaviruses (Puumala and Dobrava-Belgrade virus) and one arenavirus (Lymphocytic Choriomeningitis Virus) are known to circulate in rodent reservoirs. In this paper, we performed a follow-up serological screening in humans to detect variation in the prevalence of these three viruses compared to previous analyses carried out in 2002. We also used a statistical model to link seropositivity to risk factors such as occupational exposure, cutting firewood, hunting, collecting mushrooms, having a garden and owning a woodshed, a dog or a companion rodent. We demonstrate a significant increase in the seroprevalence of all three target viruses between 2002 and 2015, but no risk factors that we considered were significantly correlated with this increase. We conclude that the general exposure of residents in the Alps to these viruses has probably increased during the last decade. These results provide an early warning to public health authorities, and we suggest more detailed diagnostic and clinical investigations on suspected cases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Tagliapietra
- Department of Biodiversity and Molecular Ecology, Research and Innovation Center, Fondazione Edmund Mach, Via E. Mach, 1, 38010, San Michele all'Adige, TN, Italy.
| | - Roberto Rosà
- Department of Biodiversity and Molecular Ecology, Research and Innovation Center, Fondazione Edmund Mach, Via E. Mach, 1, 38010, San Michele all'Adige, TN, Italy
| | - Chiara Rossi
- Department of Biodiversity and Molecular Ecology, Research and Innovation Center, Fondazione Edmund Mach, Via E. Mach, 1, 38010, San Michele all'Adige, TN, Italy
| | - Fausta Rosso
- Department of Biodiversity and Molecular Ecology, Research and Innovation Center, Fondazione Edmund Mach, Via E. Mach, 1, 38010, San Michele all'Adige, TN, Italy
| | - Heidi Christine Hauffe
- Department of Biodiversity and Molecular Ecology, Research and Innovation Center, Fondazione Edmund Mach, Via E. Mach, 1, 38010, San Michele all'Adige, TN, Italy
| | | | - Walter Versini
- Azienda Provinciale per i Servizi Sanitari di Trento, Trento, Italy
| | | | - Annapaola Rizzoli
- Department of Biodiversity and Molecular Ecology, Research and Innovation Center, Fondazione Edmund Mach, Via E. Mach, 1, 38010, San Michele all'Adige, TN, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
43
|
Brugger K, Walter M, Chitimia-Dobler L, Dobler G, Rubel F. Forecasting next season's Ixodes ricinus nymphal density: the example of southern Germany 2018. EXPERIMENTAL & APPLIED ACAROLOGY 2018; 75:281-288. [PMID: 29846854 PMCID: PMC6097749 DOI: 10.1007/s10493-018-0267-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2018] [Accepted: 05/18/2018] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
The castor bean tick, Ixodes ricinus (L.) (Ixodida: Ixodidae), is the principal vector of pathogens causing tick-borne encephalitis or Lyme borreliosis in Europe. It is therefore of general interest to make an estimate of the density of I. ricinus for the whole year at the beginning of the tick season. There are two necessary conditions for making a successful prediction: a long homogeneous time series of observed tick density and a clear biological relationship between environmental predictors and tick density. A 9-year time series covering the period 2009-2017 of nymphal I. ricinus flagged at monthly intervals in southern Germany has been used. With the hypothesis that I. ricinus density is triggered by the fructification of the European beech 2 years before, the mean annual temperature of the previous year, and the current mean winter temperature (December-February), a forecast of the annual nymphal tick density has been made. Therefore, a Poisson regression model was generated resulting in an explained variance of 93.4% and an error of [Formula: see text] ticks per [Formula: see text] (annual [Formula: see text] collected ticks/[Formula: see text]). An independent verification of the forecast for the year 2017 resulted in 187 predicted versus 180 observed nymphs per [Formula: see text]. For the year 2018 a relatively high number of 443 questing I. ricinus nymphs per [Formula: see text] is forecasted, i.e., a "good" tick year.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Katharina Brugger
- Institute for Veterinary Public Health, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Veterinärplatz 1, 1210, Vienna, Austria.
| | - Melanie Walter
- Institute for Veterinary Public Health, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Veterinärplatz 1, 1210, Vienna, Austria
| | - Lidia Chitimia-Dobler
- Bundeswehr Institute of Microbiology, Neuherbergstraße 11, 80937, Munich, Germany
- German Center of Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Gerhard Dobler
- Bundeswehr Institute of Microbiology, Neuherbergstraße 11, 80937, Munich, Germany
- German Center of Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Munich, Munich, Germany
- Parasitology Unit, University of Hohenheim, Emil-Wolff-Straße 34, 70593, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Franz Rubel
- Institute for Veterinary Public Health, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Veterinärplatz 1, 1210, Vienna, Austria
| |
Collapse
|
44
|
Brugger K, Walter M, Chitimia-Dobler L, Dobler G, Rubel F. Seasonal cycles of the TBE and Lyme borreliosis vector Ixodes ricinus modelled with time-lagged and interval-averaged predictors. EXPERIMENTAL & APPLIED ACAROLOGY 2017; 73:439-450. [PMID: 29181672 PMCID: PMC5727152 DOI: 10.1007/s10493-017-0197-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2017] [Accepted: 11/17/2017] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
Ticks of the species Ixodes ricinus (L.) are the major vectors for tick-borne diseases in Europe. The aim of this study was to quantify the influence of environmental variables on the seasonal cycle of questing I. ricinus. Therefore, an 8-year time series of nymphal I. ricinus flagged at monthly intervals in Haselmühl (Germany) was compiled. For the first time, cross correlation maps were applied to identify optimal associations between observed nymphal I. ricinus densities and time-lagged as well as temporal averaged explanatory variables. To prove the explanatory power of these associations, two Poisson regression models were generated. The first model simulates the ticks of the entire time series flagged per 100 m[Formula: see text], the second model the mean seasonal cycle. Explanatory variables comprise the temperature of the flagging month, the relative humidity averaged from the flagging month and 1 month prior to flagging, the temperature averaged over 4-6 months prior to the flagging event and the hunting statistics of the European hare from the preceding year. The first model explains 65% of the monthly tick variance and results in a root mean square error (RMSE) of 17 ticks per 100 m[Formula: see text]. The second model explains 96% of the tick variance. Again, the accuracy is expressed by the RMSE, which is 5 ticks per 100 m[Formula: see text]. As a major result, this study demonstrates that tick densities are higher correlated with time-lagged and temporal averaged variables than with contemporaneous explanatory variables, resulting in a better model performance.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Katharina Brugger
- Institute for Veterinary Public Health, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Veterinärplatz 1, 1210, Vienna, Austria.
| | - Melanie Walter
- Institute for Veterinary Public Health, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Veterinärplatz 1, 1210, Vienna, Austria
| | - Lidia Chitimia-Dobler
- Bundeswehr Institute of Microbiology, Neuherbergstraße 11, 80937, Munich, Germany
- German Center of Infection Research (DZIF) Partner Site Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Gerhard Dobler
- Bundeswehr Institute of Microbiology, Neuherbergstraße 11, 80937, Munich, Germany
- German Center of Infection Research (DZIF) Partner Site Munich, Munich, Germany
- Parasitology Unit, University of Hohenheim, Emil-Wolff-Straße 34, 70593, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Franz Rubel
- Institute for Veterinary Public Health, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Veterinärplatz 1, 1210, Vienna, Austria
| |
Collapse
|
45
|
Chen X, Wang Y, Schoenfeld E, Saltz M, Saltz J, Wang F. Spatio-temporal Analysis for New York State SPARCS Data. AMIA JOINT SUMMITS ON TRANSLATIONAL SCIENCE PROCEEDINGS. AMIA JOINT SUMMITS ON TRANSLATIONAL SCIENCE 2017; 2017:483-492. [PMID: 28815148 PMCID: PMC5543354] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Increased accessibility of health data provides unique opportunities to discover spatio-temporal patterns of diseases. For example, New York State SPARCS (Statewide Planning and Research Cooperative System) data collects patient level detail on patient demographics, diagnoses, services, and charges for each hospital inpatient stay and outpatient visit. Such data also provides home addresses for each patient. This paper presents our preliminary work on spatial, temporal, and spatial-temporal analysis of disease patterns for New York State using SPARCS data. We analyzed spatial distribution patterns of typical diseases at ZIP code level. We performed temporal analysis of common diseases based on 12 years' historical data. We then compared the spatial variations for diseases with different levels of clustering tendency, and studied the evolution history of such spatial patterns. Case studies based on asthma demonstrated that the discovered spatial clusters are consistent with prior studies. We visualized our spatial-temporal patterns as animations through videos.
Collapse
|
46
|
Prist PR, Uriarte M, Fernandes K, Metzger JP. Climate change and sugarcane expansion increase Hantavirus infection risk. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2017; 11:e0005705. [PMID: 28727744 PMCID: PMC5519001 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0005705] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2017] [Accepted: 06/12/2017] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Hantavirus Cardiopulmonary Syndrome (HCPS) is a disease caused by Hantavirus, which is highly virulent for humans. High temperatures and conversion of native vegetation to agriculture, particularly sugarcane cultivation can alter abundance of rodent generalist species that serve as the principal reservoir host for HCPS, but our understanding of the compound effects of land use and climate on HCPS incidence remains limited, particularly in tropical regions. Here we rely on a Bayesian model to fill this research gap and to predict the effects of sugarcane expansion and expected changes in temperature on Hantavirus infection risk in the state of São Paulo, Brazil. The sugarcane expansion scenario was based on historical data between 2000 and 2010 combined with an agro-environment zoning guideline for the sugar and ethanol industry. Future evolution of temperature anomalies was derived using 32 general circulation models from scenarios RCP4.5 and RCP8.5 (Representative greenhouse gases Concentration Pathways adopted by IPCC). Currently, the state of São Paulo has an average Hantavirus risk of 1.3%, with 6% of the 645 municipalities of the state being classified as high risk (HCPS risk ≥ 5%). Our results indicate that sugarcane expansion alone will increase average HCPS risk to 1.5%, placing 20% more people at HCPS risk. Temperature anomalies alone increase HCPS risk even more (1.6% for RCP4.5 and 1.7%, for RCP8.5), and place 31% and 34% more people at risk. Combined sugarcane and temperature increases led to the same predictions as scenarios that only included temperature. Our results demonstrate that climate change effects are likely to be more severe than those from sugarcane expansion. Forecasting disease is critical for the timely and efficient planning of operational control programs that can address the expected effects of sugarcane expansion and climate change on HCPS infection risk. The predicted spatial location of HCPS infection risks obtained here can be used to prioritize management actions and develop educational campaigns.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Paula Ribeiro Prist
- Department of Ecology, Bioscience Institute, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
- * E-mail:
| | - María Uriarte
- Department of Ecology, Evolution & Environmental Biology, Columbia University, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - Katia Fernandes
- International Research Institute for Climate and Society; Earth Institute; Columbia University, Palisades, New York, United States of America
| | - Jean Paul Metzger
- Department of Ecology, Bioscience Institute, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
47
|
A seroprevalence study to determine the frequency of hantavirus infection in people exposed to wild and pet fancy rats in England. Epidemiol Infect 2017; 145:2458-2465. [DOI: 10.1017/s0950268817001480] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
SummaryRecent cases of acute kidney injury due to Seoul hantavirus infection from exposure to wild or pet fancy rats suggest this infection is increasing in prevalence in the UK. We conducted a seroprevalence study in England to estimate cumulative exposure in at-risk groups with contact with domesticated and wild rats to assess risk and inform public health advice. From October 2013 to June 2014, 844 individual blood samples were collected. Hantavirus seroprevalence amongst the pet fancy rat owner group was 34.1% (95% CI 23·9–45·7%) compared with 3·3% (95% CI 1·6–6·0) in a baseline control group, 2·4% in those with occupational exposure to pet fancy rats (95% CI 0·6–5·9) and 1·7% with occupational exposure to wild rats (95% CI 0·2–5·9). Variation in seroprevalence across groups with different exposure suggests that occupational exposure to pet and wild rats carries a very low risk, if any. However incidence of hantavirus infection among pet fancy rat owners/breeders, whether asymptomatic, undiagnosed mild viral illness or more severe disease may be very common and public health advice needs to be targeted to this at-risk group.
Collapse
|
48
|
Interannual cycles of Hantaan virus outbreaks at the human-animal interface in Central China are controlled by temperature and rainfall. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2017; 114:8041-8046. [PMID: 28696305 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1701777114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Hantavirus, a rodent-borne zoonotic pathogen, has a global distribution with 200,000 human infections diagnosed annually. In recent decades, repeated outbreaks of hantavirus infections have been reported in Eurasia and America. These outbreaks have led to public concern and an interest in understanding the underlying biological mechanisms. Here, we propose a climate-animal-Hantaan virus (HTNV) infection model to address this issue, using a unique dataset spanning a 54-y period (1960-2013). This dataset comes from Central China, a focal point for natural HTNV infection, and includes both field surveillance and an epidemiological record. We reveal that the 8-y cycle of HTNV outbreaks is driven by the confluence of the cyclic dynamics of striped field mouse (Apodemus agrarius) populations and climate variability, at both seasonal and interannual cycles. Two climatic variables play key roles in the ecology of the HTNV system: temperature and rainfall. These variables account for the dynamics in the host reservoir system and markedly affect both the rate of transmission and the potential risk of outbreaks. Our results suggest that outbreaks of HTNV infection occur only when climatic conditions are favorable for both rodent population growth and virus transmission. These findings improve our understanding of how climate drives the periodic reemergence of zoonotic disease outbreaks over long timescales.
Collapse
|
49
|
Swart A, Bekker DL, Maas M, de Vries A, Pijnacker R, Reusken CBEM, van der Giessen JWB. Modelling human Puumala hantavirus infection in relation to bank vole abundance and masting intensity in the Netherlands. Infect Ecol Epidemiol 2017; 7:1287986. [PMID: 28567209 PMCID: PMC5443058 DOI: 10.1080/20008686.2017.1287986] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2016] [Revised: 12/12/2016] [Accepted: 12/18/2016] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
This paper deals with modelling the relationship between human Puumala hantavirus (PUUV) infection, the abundance and prevalence of infection of the host (the bank vole), mast, and temperature. These data were used to build and parametrise generalised regression models, and parametrise them using datasets on these factors pertaining to the Netherlands. The performance of the models was assessed by considering their predictive power. Models including mast and monthly temperature performed well, and showed that mast intensity influences vole abundance and hence human exposure for the following year. Thus, the model can aid in forecasting of human illness cases, since (1) mast intensity influences the vole abundance and hence human exposure for the following year and (2) monitoring of mast is much more feasible than determining bank vole abundance.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Arno Swart
- Centre for Infectious Disease Control, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, Bilthoven, The Netherlands
| | - Dick L Bekker
- Dutch Mammal Society, Nijmegen, the Netherlands.,Detail 2.0 - Faunistical Research, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Miriam Maas
- Centre for Infectious Disease Control, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, Bilthoven, The Netherlands
| | - Ankje de Vries
- Centre for Infectious Disease Control, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, Bilthoven, The Netherlands
| | - Roan Pijnacker
- Centre for Infectious Disease Control, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, Bilthoven, The Netherlands
| | - Chantal B E M Reusken
- Department of Viroscience, Erasmus University Medical Centre, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Joke W B van der Giessen
- Centre for Infectious Disease Control, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, Bilthoven, The Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
50
|
Reil D, Rosenfeld UM, Imholt C, Schmidt S, Ulrich RG, Eccard JA, Jacob J. Puumala hantavirus infections in bank vole populations: host and virus dynamics in Central Europe. BMC Ecol 2017; 17:9. [PMID: 28245831 PMCID: PMC5331674 DOI: 10.1186/s12898-017-0118-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2016] [Accepted: 02/08/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In Europe, bank voles (Myodes glareolus) are widely distributed and can transmit Puumala virus (PUUV) to humans, which causes a mild to moderate form of haemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome, called nephropathia epidemica. Uncovering the link between host and virus dynamics can help to prevent human PUUV infections in the future. Bank voles were live trapped three times a year in 2010-2013 in three woodland plots in each of four regions in Germany. Bank vole population density was estimated and blood samples collected to detect PUUV specific antibodies. RESULTS We demonstrated that fluctuation of PUUV seroprevalence is dependent not only on multi-annual but also on seasonal dynamics of rodent host abundance. Moreover, PUUV infection might affect host fitness, because seropositive individuals survived better from spring to summer than uninfected bank voles. Individual space use was independent of PUUV infections. CONCLUSIONS Our study provides robust estimations of relevant patterns and processes of the dynamics of PUUV and its rodent host in Central Europe, which are highly important for the future development of predictive models for human hantavirus infection risk.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Reil
- Institute for Plant Protection in Horticulture and Forests, Vertebrate Research, Julius Kühn-Institute, Toppheideweg 88, 48161 Muenster, Germany
- Institute of Biochemistry and Biology, Animal Ecology, University of Potsdam, Maulbeerallee 1, 14469 Potsdam, Germany
| | - Ulrike M. Rosenfeld
- Institute for Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Südufer 10, 17493 Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Christian Imholt
- Institute for Plant Protection in Horticulture and Forests, Vertebrate Research, Julius Kühn-Institute, Toppheideweg 88, 48161 Muenster, Germany
| | - Sabrina Schmidt
- Institute for Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Südufer 10, 17493 Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Rainer G. Ulrich
- Institute for Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Südufer 10, 17493 Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Jana A. Eccard
- Institute of Biochemistry and Biology, Animal Ecology, University of Potsdam, Maulbeerallee 1, 14469 Potsdam, Germany
| | - Jens Jacob
- Institute for Plant Protection in Horticulture and Forests, Vertebrate Research, Julius Kühn-Institute, Toppheideweg 88, 48161 Muenster, Germany
| |
Collapse
|