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Robardet E, Zdravkova A, Ilieva D, Hakmann E, Georgopoulou I, Tasioudi K, Nokireki T, Isomursu M, Jankovic IL, Lojkic I, Serzants M, Zommere Z, Masiulis M, Jaceviciene I, Vuta V, Wasniewski M, Dilaveris D. Retrospective analysis of sero-prevalence and bait uptake estimations in foxes after oral rabies vaccination programmes at European level: Lessons learned and paths forward. Vet Microbiol 2024; 288:109917. [PMID: 38039917 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetmic.2023.109917] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2023] [Revised: 11/09/2023] [Accepted: 11/17/2023] [Indexed: 12/03/2023]
Abstract
Rabies caused by the Classical Rabies Virus (Lyssavirus rabies abbreviated RABV) in the European Union has been close to elimination mainly thanks to Oral Rabies Vaccination (ORV) campaigns targeting wildlife (primarily red foxes). ORV programmes co-financed by the European Commission include a monitoring-component to assess the effectiveness of the ORV campaigns at national level. This assessment is performed by a random collection of red foxes in the vaccinated areas with control of antibodies presence by serological analysis and control of bait uptake by detection of biomarkers (tetracycline incorporated into the baits) in the bones and teeth. ORV programmes aim to a vaccine coverage high enough to immunize (ideally) 70 % of the reservoir population to control the spread of the disease. European Union (EU) programmes that led to almost elimination of rabies on the territory have been traditionally found to have a bait uptake average of 70 % (EU countries; 2010-2020 period) while the seroconversion data showed an average level of 40 % (EU countries; 2010-2020 period). To better understand variations of these indicators, a study was been set up to evaluate the impact of several variables (linked to the vaccination programme itself and linked to environmental conditions) on the bait uptake and the seroconversion rate. Thus, pooling data from several countries provides more powerful statistics and the highest probability of detecting trends. Results of this study advocate the use of a single serological test across the EU since data variation due to the type of test used was higher than variations due to field factors, making the interpretation of monitoring results at EU level challenging. In addition, the results indicates a negative correlation between bait uptake and maximum temperatures reached during ORV campaigns questioning the potential impact of climatic change and associated increase of temperatures on the ORV programmes efficiency. Several hypotheses requesting additional investigation are drawn and discussed in this paper.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emmanuelle Robardet
- Anses, Nancy Laboratory for Rabies and Wildlife, EURL for Rabies, Bâtiment H, Technopôle Agricole et Vétérinaire, CS 40 009, 54220 Malzéville Cedex, France.
| | - Anna Zdravkova
- Bulgarian Food Safety Agency, 15 Pencho Slaveykov Blvd., Sofia 1606, Bulgaria
| | - Darinka Ilieva
- National Diagnostic and Research Veterinary Institute, 15 Pencho Slaveykov Blvd., Sofia 1606, Bulgaria
| | - Enel Hakmann
- Veterinary and Food Board, Teaduse 2, Saku, Harjumaa 7550 Väike-Paala 3, Tallinn 11415, Estonia
| | - Ioanna Georgopoulou
- Department of Zoonoses, Animal Health Directorate, Directorate General of Veterinary Medicine, Ministry of Rural Development and Food, 46, Veranzerou str, PC 104 38 Athens, Greece
| | - Konstantia Tasioudi
- Department of Molecular Diagnostics, FMD, Virological, Ricketsial and Exotic diseases, Athens Veterinary Centre, Ministry of Rural Development and Food, 25, Neapoleos str, PC 15341, Agia Paraskevi, Athens, Greece
| | - Tiina Nokireki
- Finnish Food Authority, Mustialankatu 3, 00790 Helsinki, Finland; Finnish Food Authority, Elektroniikkatie 3, 90590 Oulu, Finland
| | - Marja Isomursu
- Finnish Food Authority, Mustialankatu 3, 00790 Helsinki, Finland; Finnish Food Authority, Elektroniikkatie 3, 90590 Oulu, Finland
| | - Ivana Lohman Jankovic
- Ministry of Agriculture, Veterinary and Food Safety Directorate, Savska cesta 143, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Ivana Lojkic
- Croatian Veterinary Institute, Savska cesta 143, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Martins Serzants
- Food and Veterinary Service, Peldu street 30, Riga LV-1050, Latvia
| | - Zanete Zommere
- Institute of Food Safety, Animal Health and Environment "BIOR", Lejupes iela 3, Riga LV-1076, Latvia
| | - Marius Masiulis
- State Food and Veterinary Service, Siesiku str., 19 07170 Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Ingrida Jaceviciene
- National Food and Veterinary Risk Assessment Institute, J. Kairiukscio str. 10, LT-08409 Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Vlad Vuta
- Institute for Diagnosis and Animal Health, str dr staicovici nr, 63, 050557 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Marine Wasniewski
- Anses, Nancy Laboratory for Rabies and Wildlife, EURL for Rabies, Bâtiment H, Technopôle Agricole et Vétérinaire, CS 40 009, 54220 Malzéville Cedex, France
| | - Dimitrios Dilaveris
- European Commission, Directorate-General for Health and Food Safety, B-1049 Brussels, Belgium
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Vaccine-induced Rabies in a Red Fox in Poland. J Vet Res 2022; 66:473-477. [PMID: 36846029 PMCID: PMC9944997 DOI: 10.2478/jvetres-2022-0065] [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: 06/03/2022] [Accepted: 11/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Rabies as a zoonosis threatens public health worldwide. Several thousand people die each year of infections by the rabies virus (RABV). Oral rabies vaccination (ORV) of wildlife was successfully implemented in many European countries and led to rabies being brought under control there. In Poland, ORV was introduced in 1993 using vaccines containing an attenuated strain of the rabies virus. However, attenuated rabies viruses may have residual pathogenicity and cause the disease in target and non-target animals. Material and Methods A red fox carcass was tested as part of national rabies surveillance, and its brain was screened for RABV infection using two conjugates and a fluorescent antibody test (FAT). The rabies virus was isolated in mouse neuroblastoma cells by rabies tissue culture infection test (RTCIT), and viral RNA was detected by heminested reverse transcriptase PCR (hnRT-PCR) as well as by quantitative real-time RT-PCR (rtRT-qPCR). An amplicon of 600 bp was subjected to Sanger sequencing. To differentiate between vaccine and field RABV strains, PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) using the Dra I, Msp I, Nla IV and Mbo II restriction endonucleases was performed. Results The rabies virus was detected in the fox's brain using FAT, RTCIT and molecular tests. The PCR-RFLP revealed of vaccine-induced rabies, and full-length genome analysis showed 100% nucleotide sequence identity of the isolate with the reference sequences of Street Alabama Dufferin Bern (SAD Bern) vaccine strains and other vaccine-induced rabies virus isolates detected in animals and deposited in GenBank. Conclusion We detected vaccine-induced rabies for the first time in Poland in a fox during routine rabies surveillance.
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Oral Rabies Vaccine Strain SPBN GASGAS: Genetic Stability after Serial In Vitro and In Vivo Passaging. Viruses 2022; 14:v14102136. [PMID: 36298691 PMCID: PMC9609770 DOI: 10.3390/v14102136] [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: 07/27/2022] [Revised: 09/23/2022] [Accepted: 09/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Oral vaccination of wildlife has shown to be a very effective management tool in rabies control. Evaluation of the genetic stability of vaccine viruses before distributing vaccine baits in the environment is essential because all available oral rabies vaccines, including the genetically engineered rabies virus vaccine strain SPBN GASGAS (Rabitec), are based on replication-competent viruses. To evaluate the genetic stability of this vaccine strain, five serial passages of the Master Seed Virus (MSV) in the production cell line BHK21 Cl13 were performed. Furthermore, to test possible reversion to virulence, a back-passage study in suckling mouse brain (SMB) was performed. Subsequently, the pooled 5th SMB passage was inoculated intracerebrally (i.c.) in adult and suckling mice. The full genome sequences of the isolated 5th passage, in vivo and in vitro, were compared at both the consensus and the quasispecies level with the MSV. Additionally, the full genome sequence of the 6th SMB passage from the individual animals was determined and compared. Full-length integration of the double glycoprotein and modified base substitutions at amino acid position 194 and 333 of the glycoprotein could be verified in all 5th and 6th passage samples. Overall, 11 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were detected in the 5th pooled SMB passage, 4 with frequency between 10 and 20%, and 7 with between 2.5 and 10%. SNPs that resulted in amino acid exchange were found in genes: N (one SNP), G (four SNPs), and L (three SNPs). However, none of these SNPs were associated with reversion to virulence since all adult mice inoculated i.c. with this material survived. In the individual samples of the 6th SMB passage 24 additional SNPs (>2.5%) were found, of which only 1 SNP (L-gene, position 6969) had a prevalence of >50% in 3 of 17 samples. The obtained results confirmed the stable expression of genetic modifications and the genetic stability of the consensus strain after serial in vivo and in vitro passaging.
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Zienius D, Mickutė J, Pautienius A, Grigas J, Stankevičius A, Pridotkas G, Jacevičius E, Kemeraitė J, Jacevičienė I. Analysis of seroprevalence in target wildlife during the oral rabies vaccination programme in Lithuania. Acta Vet Scand 2021; 63:12. [PMID: 33743780 PMCID: PMC7981835 DOI: 10.1186/s13028-021-00577-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2020] [Accepted: 03/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Rabies vaccination of wildlife carnivores is a powerful tool to prevent, control and eliminate rabies. The presence of neutralizing rabies antibodies in blood is considered a reliable indicator of adequate vaccination. The main purpose of the present study was to analyze the seroprevalence of specific antibodies in target populations of Lithuanian red fox (RF) and raccoon dog (RD) during the oral rabies vaccination (ORV) campaigns during the 2010-2019 period. RESULTS Over the ten-year period, 7,261 RF and 2,146 RD sera samples were collected post-mortem in field conditions and tested using a commercial standardized enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kit in Lithuania. In the ORV spring and autumn vaccination periods, 31.8% (20.3-43.4 95% CI - 95% confidence interval) and 31.7% (21.2-42.1 95% CI) of RF, and 34.1% (22.5-45.7 95% CI) and 34.7% (22.7-46.7 95% CI) of RD sera samples, respectively, were identified as ELISA-positive (seroconversion ≥ 0.5 EU/mL-Equivalent Units per Millilitre). The seroprevalence analysis in adult/ juvenile animal subpopulations indicated that 34.9% (27.2-42.5 95% CI) and 29.2% (20.3-37.9 95% CI) of RF, and 35.6% (25.2-46.0 95% CI) and 30.6% (20.2-40.9 95% CI) of RD sera samples, respectively, were identified as ELISA-positive (seroconversion ≥ 0.5 EU/mL). Statistically strong determinate correlations (r) between the serological results (pos.%) in RF adult/juvenile animal subpopulations (r = 0.937) and between RF and RD positive seroconvert (pos.%) sera samples during the spring vaccinations (r = 0.864) were demonstrated. In different ORV periods, 14-29% of RF and 7-25% of RD sera samples were identified as ELISA-negative (seroconversion < 0.5 EU/mL), but with low (0.125 < 0.49 EU/mL) antibody (Abs) titres. CONCLUSIONS The 2010-2019 ORV programme has been an effective tool in both RF and RD populations in Lithuania. The rabies-free status of Lithuania was self-declared in 2015 with only three rabies cases identified in buffer zones since then. The percentage of ELISA-positive serum samples (seroconversion ≥ 0.5 EU/mL) during the different periods of vaccination was similar in RF and RD populations-32% and 34% respectively. The identified seroconversion average of 21.5% in RF and 16% in RD sera samples were officially identified as ELISA-negative (seronversion < 0.5 EU/mL), but with low 0.125 < 0.49 EU/mL Abs titres. That low, but positive seroconversion participated in the formation of populations overall immune status and can influence the interpretation of oral vaccination efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dainius Zienius
- Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Institute of Microbiology and Virology, Lithuania, Tilžės str. 18, 47181 Kaunas, Lithuania
| | - Janina Mickutė
- Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Institute of Microbiology and Virology, Lithuania, Tilžės str. 18, 47181 Kaunas, Lithuania
| | - Arnoldas Pautienius
- Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Institute of Microbiology and Virology, Lithuania, Tilžės str. 18, 47181 Kaunas, Lithuania
| | - Juozas Grigas
- Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Institute of Microbiology and Virology, Lithuania, Tilžės str. 18, 47181 Kaunas, Lithuania
| | - Arunas Stankevičius
- Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Institute of Microbiology and Virology, Lithuania, Tilžės str. 18, 47181 Kaunas, Lithuania
| | - Gediminas Pridotkas
- National Food and Veterinary Risk Assessment Institute, National Food and Veterinary Risk Assessment Institute, J. Kairiūkščio str. 10, 08409 Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Eugenijus Jacevičius
- National Food and Veterinary Risk Assessment Institute, National Food and Veterinary Risk Assessment Institute, J. Kairiūkščio str. 10, 08409 Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Jolita Kemeraitė
- National Food and Veterinary Risk Assessment Institute, National Food and Veterinary Risk Assessment Institute, J. Kairiūkščio str. 10, 08409 Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Ingrida Jacevičienė
- National Food and Veterinary Risk Assessment Institute, National Food and Veterinary Risk Assessment Institute, J. Kairiūkščio str. 10, 08409 Vilnius, Lithuania
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Černe D, Hostnik P, Toplak I. The Successful Elimination of Sylvatic Rabies Using Oral Vaccination of Foxes in Slovenia. Viruses 2021; 13:405. [PMID: 33806582 PMCID: PMC8001208 DOI: 10.3390/v13030405] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2021] [Revised: 02/24/2021] [Accepted: 02/26/2021] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Sylvatic rabies was present in Slovenia between 1973 and 2013, with the red fox as the main reservoir of the rabies virus. The first oral rabies vaccination (ORV) control program in foxes started in 1988, using the manual distribution of baits. Significant improvement of fox vaccination was achieved with the aerial distribution of baits, starting in 1995 and successfully finished with the final, fifty-ninth vaccination campaign in 2019. Between 1979 and 2019, a total of 86,471 samples were tested, and 10,975 (12.69%) rabies-positive animals were identified. Within the ORV, two different vaccines were used, containing modified live virus strain Street Alabama Dufferin (SAD) B19 and SAD Bern, while the last ORV campaigns were completed in 2019, with a vaccine containing a genetically modified strain of SPBN GASGAS. Molecular epidemiological studies of 95 rabies-positive samples, originating from red foxes, badgers, cattle, dogs, martens, cats, and horses, revealed a low genetic diversity of circulating strains and high similarity to strains from neighboring countries. During the elimination program, few vaccine-induced rabies cases were detected: three in red foxes and one case in a marten, with no epidemiological relevance. Slovenia has been officially declared a country free of rabies since 2016.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danijela Černe
- Institute of Microbiology and Parasitology, Virology Unit, Veterinary Faculty, University of Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (P.H.); (I.T.)
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Vega S, Lorenzo-Rebenaque L, Marin C, Domingo R, Fariñas F. Tackling the Threat of Rabies Reintroduction in Europe. Front Vet Sci 2021; 7:613712. [PMID: 33521085 PMCID: PMC7843519 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2020.613712] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2020] [Accepted: 12/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Rabies is one of the oldest, most important zoonoses worldwide due to its extreme and inevitably lethal nature, causing one death every 9 min worldwide. Recent reports have demonstrated that the Lyssavirus continues more alive than ever, despite the control carried out against the virus throughout Europe. In this context, this work reviews the main immunological implications, transmission risk factors and current prevention measures for virus control in Europe, and especially in Spain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Santiago Vega
- Facultad de Veterinaria, Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas, Universidad Cardenal Herrera-CEU, CEU Universities, Alfara del Patriarca, Spain
| | - Laura Lorenzo-Rebenaque
- Facultad de Veterinaria, Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas, Universidad Cardenal Herrera-CEU, CEU Universities, Alfara del Patriarca, Spain
| | - Clara Marin
- Facultad de Veterinaria, Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas, Universidad Cardenal Herrera-CEU, CEU Universities, Alfara del Patriarca, Spain
| | - Rosana Domingo
- Facultad de Veterinaria, Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas, Universidad Cardenal Herrera-CEU, CEU Universities, Alfara del Patriarca, Spain
| | - Fernando Fariñas
- Instituto de Inmunología Clínica y Enfermedades Infecciosas. Grupo One Health, Malaga, Spain
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Flis M. Rabies in Europe in 2010-2019. BULGARIAN JOURNAL OF VETERINARY MEDICINE 2021. [DOI: 10.15547/bjvm.2020-0077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The paper presents the epizootic and epidemiological situation of rabies in European countries during the last decade. The presented results indicate that the oral immunisation of fox anti-rabies (ORV), used in many European countries, significantly reduced the number of rabies cases found in ground mammals, but did not eliminate the virus at all. Currently, the largest reservoir of the virus are Eastern European countries where there are no immunisation activities or their effectiveness is low. Due to the absence of geographical barriers, the virus reappears in countries that have been described as free from rabies. As a rule, it is dragged into these areas along with the movement of companion animals and by people travelling to countries where the prevalence of the virus is common. It should be emphasised that due to the significant elimination of the virus in wild and domestic animals, it found quite quickly found a new reservoir in a specific group of mammals, having the ability to fly, like bats. Currently there is no possibility of carrying out any preventive measures in bats, so all the virus strains found in this group of animals are dangerous to humans, raising possibilities of epidemiological threat. It should be noted that despite the significant elimination of rabies in many European countries, given the almost unlimited possibilities of virus transmission to new areas, it still poses a serious threat to public health. Thus, it is necessary to constantly monitor the occurrence of the virus and possibly take preventive actions in terms of its elimination from the environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- M. Flis
- Department of Animal Ethology and Wildlife Management, Faculty of Animal Sciences and Bioeconomy, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Lublin, Poland
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Eschle S, Hartmann K, Rieger A, Fischer S, Klima A, Bergmann M. Canine vaccination in Germany: A survey of owner attitudes and compliance. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0238371. [PMID: 32853287 PMCID: PMC7451643 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0238371] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2020] [Accepted: 08/15/2020] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Vaccination is the most important preventive measure for protection against infectious diseases in humans and companion animals. Nevertheless, scepticism about the safety and importance of vaccines is increasing in human and in veterinary medicine. Although owner attitudes towards vaccination have been investigated in cats, there are no similar studies in dogs. The goals of this study were therefore to investigate the vaccination status of dogs in Germany, to determine owner compliance with vaccination and to identify factors that play a role in owners' decisions to have their dogs vaccinated. METHODS Data were collected from August 2018 to February 2019 using an online survey targeting dog owners in Germany. A total of 3,881 questionnaires were evaluated, and factors associated with the vaccination status of dogs were determined by a linear logistic regression model using Akaike information criterion. Cohen's kappa statistic was used to evaluate agreement between questionnaire and 340 vaccination passports submitted voluntarily by owners. RESULTS A total of 46.8% (n = 1,818/3,881) of dogs were vaccinated with core vaccines according to current guidelines with the lowest vaccination rate for leptospirosis (50.1%; n = 1,941/3,874). Dog's age (16 weeks to 15 months) (odds ratio (OR): 3.08; 95% CI: 2.05-4.68), type (working dog) (OR: 2.06; 95% CI: 1.22-3.53) and travelling abroad within previous 36 months (OR: 1.82; 95% CI: 1.12-2.96) had the strongest 'positive' association with the vaccination status. Recommendation from a veterinarian not to vaccinate against leptospirosis had the strongest 'negative' association (OR: 0.08; 95% CI: 0.04-0.18). CONCLUSION The study revealed a need for improvement in vaccination compliance because of inadequate vaccination coverage, especially for leptospirosis, in dogs. Factors influencing owner compliance were numerous. Vaccination recommendations made by the veterinarian had a strong association with the vaccination status and should be used to increase canine vaccination rates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simone Eschle
- Clinic of Small Animal Medicine, Centre for Clinical Veterinary Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Munich, Bavaria, Germany
- * E-mail:
| | - Katrin Hartmann
- Clinic of Small Animal Medicine, Centre for Clinical Veterinary Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Munich, Bavaria, Germany
| | - Anna Rieger
- Clinic of Small Animal Medicine, Centre for Clinical Veterinary Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Munich, Bavaria, Germany
| | - Sebastian Fischer
- Department of Statistics, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Munich, Bavaria, Germany
| | - André Klima
- Department of Statistics, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Munich, Bavaria, Germany
| | - Michèle Bergmann
- Clinic of Small Animal Medicine, Centre for Clinical Veterinary Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Munich, Bavaria, Germany
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Deksne G, Davidson RK, Buchmann K, Kärssin A, Kirjušina M, Gavarāne I, Miller AL, Pálsdóttir GR, Robertson LJ, Mørk T, Oksanen A, Palinauskas V, Jokelainen P. Parasites in the changing world - Ten timely examples from the Nordic-Baltic region. Parasite Epidemiol Control 2020; 10:e00150. [PMID: 32435705 PMCID: PMC7232095 DOI: 10.1016/j.parepi.2020.e00150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2019] [Revised: 04/11/2020] [Accepted: 04/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The world is changing, and parasites adapt. The Nordic-Baltic region in northern Europe - including the Nordic countries Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden, and the Baltic States Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania - is facing new parasitological challenges due to changes in populations of parasites and their hosts and the spread of new parasites to the region due to climate change. Some changes can also be ascribed to increased awareness and detection. In this paper, we review and discuss a convenience selection of ten timely examples of recent observations that exemplify trends and challenges from different fields of parasitology, with particular focus on climate change and potential changes in epidemiology of pathogens in northern Europe. The examples illustrate how addressing parasitological challenges often requires both intersectoral and international collaboration, and how using both historical baseline data and modern methodologies are needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gunita Deksne
- Institute of Food safety, Animal health and Environment “BIOR”, Lejupes Str. 3, Riga LV-1076, Latvia
- Faculty of Biology, University of Latvia, Jelgavas Str. 1, Riga LV-1004, Latvia
| | | | - Kurt Buchmann
- Laboratory of Aquatic Pathobiology, Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Stigbøjlen 7, DK-1870 Frederiksberg C, Denmark
| | - Age Kärssin
- Veterinary and Food Laboratory, Kreutzwaldi 30, 51006 Tartu, Estonia
- Institute of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, Estonian University of Life Sciences, Kreutzwaldi 62, 51006 Tartu, Estonia
| | - Muza Kirjušina
- Institute of Life Sciences and Technology, Daugavpils University, Parādes Str. 1A, Daugavpils LV-5401, Latvia
| | - Inese Gavarāne
- Institute of Life Sciences and Technology, Daugavpils University, Parādes Str. 1A, Daugavpils LV-5401, Latvia
| | - Andrea L. Miller
- Norwegian Institute for Nature Research, Department for Terrestrial Ecology, Postboks 5685 Sluppen, 7485 Trondheim, Norway
| | - Guðný Rut Pálsdóttir
- Institute for Experimental Pathology at Keldur, University of Iceland, Keldnavegur 3, IS-112 Reykjavík, Iceland
| | - Lucy J. Robertson
- Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Department of Food Safety and Infection Biology, Section for Microbiology, Immunology, and Parasitology, Parasitology Lab, Adamstuen Campus, Ullevålsveien 72, 0454 Oslo, Norway
| | - Torill Mørk
- Norwegian Veterinary Institute, Stakkevollvegen 23b, 9010 Tromsø, Norway
| | - Antti Oksanen
- Finnish Food Authority (FINPAR), Elektroniikkatie 3, 90590 Oulu, Finland
| | | | - Pikka Jokelainen
- Laboratory of Parasitology, Department of Bacteria, Parasites & Fungi, Infectious Disease Preparedness, Statens Serum Institut, Artillerivej 5, 2300 Copenhagen S, Denmark
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Baker L, Matthiopoulos J, Müller T, Freuling C, Hampson K. Local rabies transmission and regional spatial coupling in European foxes. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0220592. [PMID: 32469961 PMCID: PMC7259497 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0220592] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2019] [Accepted: 05/12/2020] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Infectious diseases are often transmitted through local interactions. Yet, both surveillance and control measures are implemented within administrative units. Capturing local transmission processes and spatial coupling between regions from aggregate level data is therefore a technical challenge that can shed light on both theoretical questions and practical decisions. Fox rabies has been eliminated from much of Europe through oral rabies vaccination (ORV) programmes. The European Union (EU) co-finances ORV to maintain rabies freedom in EU member and border states via a cordon sanitaire. Models to capture local transmission dynamics and spatial coupling have immediate application to the planning of these ORV campaigns and to other parts of the world considering oral vaccination. We fitted a hierarchical Bayesian state-space model to data on three decades of fox rabies cases and ORV campaigns from Eastern Germany. Specifically, we find that (i) combining regional spatial coupling and heterogeneous local transmission allows us to capture regional rabies dynamics; (ii) incursions from other regions account for less than 1% of cases, but allow for re-emergence of disease; (iii) herd immunity achieved through bi-annual vaccination campaigns is short-lived due to population turnover. Together, these findings highlight the need for regular and sustained vaccination efforts and our modelling approach can be used to provide strategic guidance for ORV delivery. Moreover, we show that biological understanding can be gained from inference from partially observed data on wildlife disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laurie Baker
- Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health, and Comparative Medicine, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, Scotland
| | - Jason Matthiopoulos
- Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health, and Comparative Medicine, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, Scotland
| | - Thomas Müller
- Institute of Epidemiology, Friedrich Loeffler Institute, Isle of Reims, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Conrad Freuling
- Institute of Epidemiology, Friedrich Loeffler Institute, Isle of Reims, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Katie Hampson
- Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health, and Comparative Medicine, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, Scotland
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Baker L, Matthiopoulos J, Müller T, Freuling C, Hampson K. Optimizing spatial and seasonal deployment of vaccination campaigns to eliminate wildlife rabies. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2020; 374:20180280. [PMID: 31104608 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2018.0280] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Understanding how the spatial deployment of interventions affects elimination time horizons and potential for disease re-emergence has broad application to control programmes targeting human, animal and plant pathogens. We previously developed an epidemiological model that captures the main features of rabies spread and the impacts of vaccination based on detailed records of fox rabies in eastern Germany during the implementation of an oral rabies vaccination (ORV) programme. Here, we use simulations from this fitted model to determine the best vaccination strategy, in terms of spatial placement and timing of ORV efforts, for three epidemiological scenarios representative of current situations in Europe. We found that consecutive and comprehensive twice-yearly vaccinations across all regions rapidly controlled and eliminated rabies and that the autumn campaigns had the greater impact on increasing the probability of elimination. This appears to result from the need to maintain sufficient herd immunity in the face of large birth pulses, as autumn vaccinations reach susceptible juveniles and therefore a larger proportion of the population than spring vaccinations. Incomplete vaccination compromised time to elimination requiring the same or more vaccination effort to meet similar timelines. Our results have important practical implications that could inform policies for rabies containment and elimination in Europe and elsewhere. This article is part of the theme issue 'Modelling infectious disease outbreaks in humans, animals and plants: epidemic forecasting and control'. This theme issue is linked with the earlier issue 'Modelling infectious disease outbreaks in humans, animals and plants: approaches and important themes'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laurie Baker
- 1 Boyd Orr Centre for Population and Ecosystem Health, Institute for Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, University of Glasgow , Glasgow G12 8QQ , UK
| | - Jason Matthiopoulos
- 1 Boyd Orr Centre for Population and Ecosystem Health, Institute for Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, University of Glasgow , Glasgow G12 8QQ , UK
| | - Thomas Müller
- 2 Institute of Molecular Virology and Cell Biology, Friedrich Loeffler Institute, WHO Collaborating Centre for Rabies Surveillance and Research , 17493 Greifswald - Insel Riems , Germany
| | - Conrad Freuling
- 2 Institute of Molecular Virology and Cell Biology, Friedrich Loeffler Institute, WHO Collaborating Centre for Rabies Surveillance and Research , 17493 Greifswald - Insel Riems , Germany
| | - Katie Hampson
- 1 Boyd Orr Centre for Population and Ecosystem Health, Institute for Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, University of Glasgow , Glasgow G12 8QQ , UK
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12
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Dascalu MA, Wasniewski M, Picard-Meyer E, Servat A, Daraban Bocaneti F, Tanase OI, Velescu E, Cliquet F. Detection of rabies antibodies in wild boars in north-east Romania by a rabies ELISA test. BMC Vet Res 2019; 15:466. [PMID: 31864363 PMCID: PMC6925894 DOI: 10.1186/s12917-019-2209-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2019] [Accepted: 12/09/2019] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Background In the last few decades, Romania has been considered one of the European countries most affected by animal rabies, but a combination of oral rabies vaccination (ORV) campaigns in foxes alongside mandatory vaccination of pets has substantially decreased the number of rabies cases in recent years. The objective of this study was to detect rabies antibodies in wild boar serum and thoracic fluid samples collected during the hunting season after ORV campaigns in north-eastern Romania in order to identify if wild boars are substantial competitors to foxes for ORV baits. Results When the 312 wild boar samples were tested by ELISA (BioPro ELISA, Czech Republic), 42.31% (132/312) demonstrated rabies antibodies. In order to compare these wild boar results in terms of the percentage of immunisation, fox samples were also included in the study, and in this case only 28.40% (98/345) demonstrated rabies antibodies by ELISA. To check the diagnostic sensitivity and specificity of this ELISA, those samples with a sufficient volume from both species that had tested either negative or positive with an initial ELISA were then tested with the Fluorescent Antibody Virus Neutralisation (FAVN) assay. The overall concordance between the BioPro ELISA and FAVN test was 74.26% (75/101) in wild boar samples and 65.66% (65/99) in fox samples, 140 out of 200 samples being correlated with the two methods, although no significant statistical difference (p = 0.218) between the two species was registered. We found a good agreement by both tests for the ELISA-positive samples (91.30%), however the situation was different for the ELISA-negative samples, where a low agreement was demonstrated (41.18%). Conclusions This study reports for the first time the presence of rabies antibodies in wild boar samples collected during the hunting season in Romania after ORV campaigns in rabies endemic areas. It is also the first study to demonstrate that ELISA BioPro can be used on wild boar samples with satisfactory results compared to the FAVN test for this species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mihaela Anca Dascalu
- Department of Public Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, "Ion Ionescu de la Brad" University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, Mihail Sadoveanu Alley, No. 8, 700489, Iasi, Romania.
| | - Marine Wasniewski
- ANSES, Nancy Laboratory for Rabies and Wildlife, WHO Collaborating Centre for Research and Management in Zoonoses Control, OIE Reference Laboratory for Rabies, European Union Reference Laboratory for Rabies, European Union Reference Laboratory for Rabies Serology, Technopôle Agricole et Vétérinaire, CS 40009, 54220, Malzéville, France
| | - Evelyne Picard-Meyer
- ANSES, Nancy Laboratory for Rabies and Wildlife, WHO Collaborating Centre for Research and Management in Zoonoses Control, OIE Reference Laboratory for Rabies, European Union Reference Laboratory for Rabies, European Union Reference Laboratory for Rabies Serology, Technopôle Agricole et Vétérinaire, CS 40009, 54220, Malzéville, France
| | - Alexandre Servat
- ANSES, Nancy Laboratory for Rabies and Wildlife, WHO Collaborating Centre for Research and Management in Zoonoses Control, OIE Reference Laboratory for Rabies, European Union Reference Laboratory for Rabies, European Union Reference Laboratory for Rabies Serology, Technopôle Agricole et Vétérinaire, CS 40009, 54220, Malzéville, France
| | - Florentina Daraban Bocaneti
- Department of Public Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, "Ion Ionescu de la Brad" University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, Mihail Sadoveanu Alley, No. 8, 700489, Iasi, Romania
| | - Oana Irina Tanase
- Department of Public Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, "Ion Ionescu de la Brad" University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, Mihail Sadoveanu Alley, No. 8, 700489, Iasi, Romania
| | - Elena Velescu
- Department of Public Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, "Ion Ionescu de la Brad" University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, Mihail Sadoveanu Alley, No. 8, 700489, Iasi, Romania
| | - Florence Cliquet
- ANSES, Nancy Laboratory for Rabies and Wildlife, WHO Collaborating Centre for Research and Management in Zoonoses Control, OIE Reference Laboratory for Rabies, European Union Reference Laboratory for Rabies, European Union Reference Laboratory for Rabies Serology, Technopôle Agricole et Vétérinaire, CS 40009, 54220, Malzéville, France
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13
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Robardet E, Bosnjak D, Englund L, Demetriou P, Martín PR, Cliquet F. Zero Endemic Cases of Wildlife Rabies (Classical Rabies Virus, RABV) in the European Union by 2020: An Achievable Goal. Trop Med Infect Dis 2019; 4:E124. [PMID: 31575054 PMCID: PMC6958318 DOI: 10.3390/tropicalmed4040124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2019] [Revised: 09/05/2019] [Accepted: 09/23/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The elimination of rabies transmitted by Classical Rabies Virus (RABV) in the European Union (EU) is now in sight. Scientific advances have made it possible to develop oral vaccination for wildlife by incorporating rabies vaccines in baits for foxes. At the start of the 1980s, aerial distribution of vaccine baits was tested and found to be a promising tool. The EU identified rabies elimination as a priority, and provided considerable financial and technical resources to the infected EU Member States, allowing regular and large-scale rabies eradication programs based on aerial vaccination. The EU also provides support to non-EU countries in its eastern and south eastern borders. The key elements of the rabies eradication programs are oral rabies vaccination (ORV), quality control of vaccines and control of their distribution, rabies surveillance and monitoring of the vaccination effectiveness. EU Member States and non-EU countries with EU funded eradication programs counted on the technical support of the rabies subgroup of the Task Force for monitoring disease eradication and of the EU Reference Laboratory (EURL) for rabies. In 2018, eight rabies cases induced by classical rabies virus RABV (six in wild animals and two in domestic animals) were detected in three EU Member States, representing a sharp decrease compared to the situation in 2010, where there were more than 1500 cases in nine EU Member States. The goal is to reach zero cases in wildlife and domestic animals in the EU by 2020, a target that now seems achievable.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emmanuelle Robardet
- French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health & Safety (ANSES), Nancy Laboratory for Rabies and Wildlife, European Union Reference Laboratory for Rabies, European Union Reference Laboratory for Rabies Serology, OIE Reference Laboratory for Rabies, WHO Collaborating Centre for Research and Management in Zoonoses Control, Technopôle agricole et vétérinaire de Pixérécourt, CS 40009, 54220 Malzéville, France.
| | - Dean Bosnjak
- European Commission-Directorate-General for Health and Food Safety, B-1049 Brussels, Belgium.
| | - Lena Englund
- European Commission-Directorate-General for Health and Food Safety, B-1049 Brussels, Belgium.
| | - Panayiotis Demetriou
- European Commission-Directorate-General for Health and Food Safety, B-1049 Brussels, Belgium.
| | - Pedro Rosado Martín
- European Commission-Directorate-General for Health and Food Safety, B-1049 Brussels, Belgium.
| | - Florence Cliquet
- French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health & Safety (ANSES), Nancy Laboratory for Rabies and Wildlife, European Union Reference Laboratory for Rabies, European Union Reference Laboratory for Rabies Serology, OIE Reference Laboratory for Rabies, WHO Collaborating Centre for Research and Management in Zoonoses Control, Technopôle agricole et vétérinaire de Pixérécourt, CS 40009, 54220 Malzéville, France.
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14
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Polupan I, Bezymennyi M, Gibaliuk Y, Drozhzhe Z, Rudoi O, Ukhovskyi V, Nedosekov V, De Nardi M. An Analysis of Rabies Incidence and Its Geographic Spread in the Buffer Area Among Orally Vaccinated Wildlife in Ukraine From 2012 to 2016. Front Vet Sci 2019; 6:290. [PMID: 31552281 PMCID: PMC6748165 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2019.00290] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2019] [Accepted: 08/14/2019] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The statistics of rabies cases in Volyn, Lviv, and Zakarpattia oblasts of Ukraine from 2012 to 2016 were analyzed to establish spatial–temporal distribution of rabies endemic outbreaks and to identify causes of widespread infections among wild and domestic animals. The occurrence of rabies outbreaks in wild and domestic animals in Ukraine was also assessed to determine the effectiveness of oral rabies vaccination (ORV) efforts. According to our analysis, parenteral vaccination of domestic animals and ORV campaigns in foxes have proved unsuccessful in providing a sustainable, long-term reduction in endemic rabies outbreaks. ORV campaigns in foxes were deemed ineffective based on our studies of the endemic rabies outbreaks in Volyn, Lviv, and Zakarpattia oblasts in 2012–2016. The current rabies prevention system (parenteral vaccination) failed to offer protection to domestic animals based on our review of the occurrence of endemic rabies outbreaks in dogs and cats. ORV campaign shortcomings and their causes must be identified in order to provide maximum rabies vaccine coverage for dogs and cats. Altogether, the results presented here provide information that can assist public health agencies to devise more effective disease control plans to curtail the spread of rabies in domestic animals and wildlife in Ukraine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ivan Polupan
- Department of Research Virology, State Scientific Research Institute of Laboratory Diagnostics and Veterinary and Sanitary Expertise, Kyiv, Ukraine
| | - Maksym Bezymennyi
- GIS Department, Institute of Veterinary Medicine of the National Academy of Agrarian Sciences of Ukraine, Kyiv, Ukraine
| | - Yurii Gibaliuk
- State Service of Ukraine for Food Safety and Consumer Protection, Kyiv, Ukraine
| | - Zhanna Drozhzhe
- Department of Research Virology, State Scientific Research Institute of Laboratory Diagnostics and Veterinary and Sanitary Expertise, Kyiv, Ukraine
| | - Oleksii Rudoi
- Department of Research Virology, State Scientific Research Institute of Laboratory Diagnostics and Veterinary and Sanitary Expertise, Kyiv, Ukraine
| | - Vitalii Ukhovskyi
- GIS Department, Institute of Veterinary Medicine of the National Academy of Agrarian Sciences of Ukraine, Kyiv, Ukraine
| | - Vitalii Nedosekov
- Department of Epizootology and Veterinary Business Organization, National University of Life and Environmental Sciences of Ukraine, Kyiv, Ukraine
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15
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Forró B, Marton S, Kecskeméti S, Hornyák Á, Bányai K. Vaccine-associated rabies in red fox, Hungary. Vaccine 2019; 37:3535-3538. [PMID: 31109719 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2019.05.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2018] [Revised: 05/02/2019] [Accepted: 05/03/2019] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
Rabies vaccine strain was isolated from a red fox (Vulpes vulpes) with signs of neurological disorder during an oral vaccination campaign in 2015, Hungary. The whole genome sequence of the isolated strain shared >99.9% nucleotide sequence identity to the whole genomes of vaccines strains recently used in Hungarian oral vaccination campaigns. The neuroinvasive potential of rabies vaccines that leads to development of clinical manifestations is rarely seen among wild animals; however, the observed residual pathogenicity needs awareness of field experts and requires close monitoring of rabies cases in areas where elimination programs are implemented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara Forró
- Institute for Veterinary Medical Research, Centre for Agricultural Research, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Szilvia Marton
- Institute for Veterinary Medical Research, Centre for Agricultural Research, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Sándor Kecskeméti
- Veterinary Diagnostic Directorate, National Food Chain Safety Office, Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Ákos Hornyák
- Veterinary Diagnostic Directorate, National Food Chain Safety Office, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Krisztián Bányai
- Institute for Veterinary Medical Research, Centre for Agricultural Research, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Budapest, Hungary.
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16
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Bedeković T, Lohman Janković I, Šimić I, Krešić N, Lojkić I, Sučec I, Robardet E, Cliquet F. Control and elimination of rabies in Croatia. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0204115. [PMID: 30235274 PMCID: PMC6147469 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0204115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2018] [Accepted: 09/04/2018] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite the implementation of control measures (preventive dog vaccination), rabies has become endemic in Croatia, with red foxes being the main reservoir species. Oral rabies vaccination (ORV) campaigns supported by the European Commission have been conducted twice a year since the spring of 2011. The first campaigns were limited to the northern and eastern parts of the country, and from the autumn of 2012, the program was extended to the entire country. The Lysvulpen vaccine containing the SAD Bern strain was used for ORV. Following the vaccination campaigns, the number of rabies cases decreased, and the last positive case was recorded in February 2014. The bait uptake ranged from 24.86% to 84.62% and the immunisation rate from 11.24% to 35.64%.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Ivana Šimić
- Croatian Veterinary Institute, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Nina Krešić
- Croatian Veterinary Institute, Zagreb, Croatia
| | | | | | - Emmanuelle Robardet
- Nancy OIE/WHO/EU Laboratory for Rabies and Wildlife, French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health &Safety, Malzéville, France
| | - Florence Cliquet
- Nancy OIE/WHO/EU Laboratory for Rabies and Wildlife, French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health &Safety, Malzéville, France
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17
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Papatheodorou DP, Tasioudi KE, Korou LM, Georgiou V, Iliadou P, Markantonatos G, Kirtzalidou A, Tzani M, Chondrokouki E, Mangana-Vougiouka O. First four Oral Rabies Vaccination campaigns of the red foxes in Greece: Evaluating factors and assessment. Vet Microbiol 2018. [PMID: 29519504 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetmic.2018.01.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Following the last animal rabies outbreak in Greece in 2012, Oral Rabies Vaccination (ORV) campaigns of red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) were conducted in order to halt the spread of the disease, as widely and effectively have also been implemented in other countries. The present study aims to report the main outcomes following the first Greek ORV campaigns during autumn 2013, 2014, 2015 and spring 2016, to assess their effectiveness and to investigate factors potentially related to their success. Blood samples, mandible bones and teeth, derived by 452 foxes, were tested for rabies antibody titration, animal age determination and tetracycline (TTC) detection. The laboratory results obtained were statistically analyzed. High seroprevalence and TTC detection rates were obtained following the autumn campaigns studied, while these rates were significantly reduced following the spring campaign. The year or the season of the vaccination campaign, the estimated age group of the animal and the geographical Regional Unit (RU), where the animal was hunted, were identified as important factors. On the contrary, no significance could be ascertained for TTC detection based on exclusively previous uptake, use of filter paper, blood sample type and quality, as well as sex of animal. Based on the monitoring results achieved, the first ORV campaigns conducted in the country can be generally considered to be satisfactory. No positives cases were detected since May 2014. Seasonal, geographical parameters and factors related to fox ecology may interfere with monitoring results and should be always considered when planning future ORV programs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dimos P Papatheodorou
- Virology Laboratory-National Reference Laboratory for Rabies in Animals, Department of Molecular Diagnostics, FMD, Virological, Rickettsial & Exotic Diseases, Directorate of Veterinary Center of Athens, Directorate General of Veterinary Services, Ministry of Rural Development and Food, Athens, Greece.
| | - Konstantia E Tasioudi
- Virology Laboratory-National Reference Laboratory for Rabies in Animals, Department of Molecular Diagnostics, FMD, Virological, Rickettsial & Exotic Diseases, Directorate of Veterinary Center of Athens, Directorate General of Veterinary Services, Ministry of Rural Development and Food, Athens, Greece
| | - Laskarina-Maria Korou
- Department of Zoonoses, Animal Health Directorate, Directorate General of Veterinary Services, Ministry of Rural Development and Food, Athens, Greece
| | | | - Peristera Iliadou
- Virology Laboratory-National Reference Laboratory for Rabies in Animals, Department of Molecular Diagnostics, FMD, Virological, Rickettsial & Exotic Diseases, Directorate of Veterinary Center of Athens, Directorate General of Veterinary Services, Ministry of Rural Development and Food, Athens, Greece
| | - Gerasimos Markantonatos
- Virology Laboratory-National Reference Laboratory for Rabies in Animals, Department of Molecular Diagnostics, FMD, Virological, Rickettsial & Exotic Diseases, Directorate of Veterinary Center of Athens, Directorate General of Veterinary Services, Ministry of Rural Development and Food, Athens, Greece
| | - Aikaterini Kirtzalidou
- Virology Laboratory-National Reference Laboratory for Rabies in Animals, Department of Molecular Diagnostics, FMD, Virological, Rickettsial & Exotic Diseases, Directorate of Veterinary Center of Athens, Directorate General of Veterinary Services, Ministry of Rural Development and Food, Athens, Greece
| | - Myrsini Tzani
- Department of Zoonoses, Animal Health Directorate, Directorate General of Veterinary Services, Ministry of Rural Development and Food, Athens, Greece
| | - Eleni Chondrokouki
- Virology Laboratory-National Reference Laboratory for Rabies in Animals, Department of Molecular Diagnostics, FMD, Virological, Rickettsial & Exotic Diseases, Directorate of Veterinary Center of Athens, Directorate General of Veterinary Services, Ministry of Rural Development and Food, Athens, Greece
| | - Olga Mangana-Vougiouka
- Virology Laboratory-National Reference Laboratory for Rabies in Animals, Department of Molecular Diagnostics, FMD, Virological, Rickettsial & Exotic Diseases, Directorate of Veterinary Center of Athens, Directorate General of Veterinary Services, Ministry of Rural Development and Food, Athens, Greece
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18
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Pfaff F, Müller T, Freuling CM, Fehlner-Gardiner C, Nadin-Davis S, Robardet E, Cliquet F, Vuta V, Hostnik P, Mettenleiter TC, Beer M, Höper D. In-depth genome analyses of viruses from vaccine-derived rabies cases and corresponding live-attenuated oral rabies vaccines. Vaccine 2018; 37:4758-4765. [PMID: 29439868 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2018.01.083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2017] [Revised: 01/19/2018] [Accepted: 01/28/2018] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
Live-attenuated rabies virus strains such as those derived from the field isolate Street Alabama Dufferin (SAD) have been used extensively and very effectively as oral rabies vaccines for the control of fox rabies in both Europe and Canada. Although these vaccines are safe, some cases of vaccine-derived rabies have been detected during rabies surveillance accompanying these campaigns. In recent analysis it was shown that some commercial SAD vaccines consist of diverse viral populations, rather than clonal genotypes. For cases of vaccine-derived rabies, only consensus sequence data have been available to date and information concerning their population diversity was thus lacking. In our study, we used high-throughput sequencing to analyze 11 cases of vaccine-derived rabies, and compared their viral population diversity to the related oral rabies vaccines using pairwise Manhattan distances. This extensive deep sequencing analysis of vaccine-derived rabies cases observed during oral vaccination programs provided deeper insights into the effect of accidental in vivo replication of genetically diverse vaccine strains in the central nervous system of target and non-target species under field conditions. The viral population in vaccine-derived cases appeared to be clonal in contrast to their parental vaccines. The change from a state of high population diversity present in the vaccine batches to a clonal genotype in the affected animal may indicate the presence of a strong bottleneck during infection. In conclusion, it is very likely that these few cases are the consequence of host factors and not the result of the selection of a more virulent genotype. Furthermore, this type of vaccine-derived rabies leads to the selection of clonal genotypes and the selected variants were genetically very similar to potent SAD vaccines that have undergone a history of in vitro selection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Florian Pfaff
- Institute of Diagnostic Virology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Greifswald, Germany.
| | - Thomas Müller
- Institute of Molecular Virology and Cell Biology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Greifswald, Germany.
| | - Conrad M Freuling
- Institute of Molecular Virology and Cell Biology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Greifswald, Germany.
| | - Christine Fehlner-Gardiner
- Centre of Expertise for Rabies, Ottawa Laboratory-Fallowfield, Canadian Food Inspection Agency, Ottawa, Canada.
| | - Susan Nadin-Davis
- Centre of Expertise for Rabies, Ottawa Laboratory-Fallowfield, Canadian Food Inspection Agency, Ottawa, Canada.
| | - Emmanuelle Robardet
- Nancy Laboratory for Rabies and Wildlife, French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health & Safety, Malzéville, France.
| | - Florence Cliquet
- Nancy Laboratory for Rabies and Wildlife, French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health & Safety, Malzéville, France.
| | - Vlad Vuta
- Institute for Diagnosis and Animal Health, University of Agronomic Study and Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Bucharest, Romania.
| | - Peter Hostnik
- Virology Unit, Veterinary Faculty, Institute of Microbiology and Parasitology, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia.
| | - Thomas C Mettenleiter
- Institute of Molecular Virology and Cell Biology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Greifswald, Germany.
| | - Martin Beer
- Institute of Diagnostic Virology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Greifswald, Germany.
| | - Dirk Höper
- Institute of Diagnostic Virology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Greifswald, Germany.
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19
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Vaccine-induced rabies case in a cow (Bos taurus): Molecular characterisation of vaccine strain in brain tissue. Vaccine 2016; 34:5021-5025. [PMID: 27576075 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2016.08.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2016] [Revised: 07/28/2016] [Accepted: 08/02/2016] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Rabies is a fatal neuropathogenic zoonosis caused by the rabies virus of the Lyssavirus genus, Rhabdoviridae family. The oral vaccination of foxes - the main reservoir of rabies in Europe - using a live attenuated rabies virus vaccine was successfully conducted in many Western European countries. In July 2015, a rabies vaccine strain was isolated from the brain tissues of a clinically suspect cow (Bos taurus) in Romania. The nucleotide analysis of both N and G gene sequences showed 100% identity between the rabid animal, the GenBank reference SAD B19 strain and five rabies vaccine batches used for the national oral vaccination campaign targeting foxes.
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