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Söderlund R, Flink C, Aspán A, Eriksson E. Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) and atypical enteropathogenic E. coli (aEPEC) in Swedish retail wheat flour. Access Microbiol 2023; 5:acmi000577.v3. [PMID: 37323947 PMCID: PMC10267659 DOI: 10.1099/acmi.0.000577.v3] [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: 02/02/2023] [Accepted: 03/11/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Wheat flour has been identified as the source of multiple outbreaks of gastrointestinal disease caused by shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC). We have investigated the presence and genomic characteristics of STEC and related atypical enteropathogenic E. coli (aEPEC) in 200 bags of Swedish-produced retail wheat flour, representing 87 products and 25 brands. Samples were enriched in modified tryptone soya broth (mTSB) and screened with real-time PCR targeting stx1, stx2 and eae, and the serogroups O157, O121 and O26. Isolation was performed by immunomagnetic separation (IMS) for suspected STEC/aEPEC O157, O121 and O26, and by screening pools of colonies for other STEC. Real-time PCR after enrichment revealed 12 % of samples to be positive for shiga toxin genes (stx1 and/or stx2) and 11 % to be positive for intimin (eae). Organic production, small-scale production or whole grain did not significantly influence shiga toxin gene presence or absence in a generalized linear mixed model analysis. Eight isolates of STEC were recovered, all of which were intimin-negative. Multiple serotype/sequence type/shiga toxin subtype combinations that have also been found in flour samples in other European countries were recovered. Most STEC types recovered were associated with sporadic cases of STEC among humans in Sweden, but no types known to have caused outbreaks or severe cases of disease (i.e. haemolytic uraemic syndrome) were found. The most common finding was O187:H28 ST200 with stx2g, with possible links to cervid hosts. Wildlife associated with crop damage is a plausible explanation for at least some of the surprisingly high frequency of STEC in wheat flour.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert Söderlund
- Department of Microbiology, Swedish National Veterinary Institute (SVA), Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Catarina Flink
- Department of Biology, Swedish Food Agency, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Anna Aspán
- Department of Microbiology, Swedish National Veterinary Institute (SVA), Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Erik Eriksson
- Department of Microbiology, Swedish National Veterinary Institute (SVA), Uppsala, Sweden
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Tell me what you eat and I’ll tell you…where you live: an updated review of the worldwide distribution and foraging ecology of the fallow deer (Dama dama). Mamm Biol 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s42991-022-00250-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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Rewilding by Wolf Recolonisation, Consequences for Ungulate Populations and Game Hunting. BIOLOGY 2022; 11:biology11020317. [PMID: 35205183 PMCID: PMC8869524 DOI: 10.3390/biology11020317] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2021] [Revised: 02/10/2022] [Accepted: 02/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Simple Summary Humans extirpated the wolf Canis lupus from many regions of Europe. Today, the wolf is returning to many of these areas, and with it, people’s opposition due to its predatory habits on, among others, ungulate game species. Based on existing data on wolf prey selection, kill rates and territory size, we extrapolated the results from central Sweden and Poland to southern Sweden, where wolf recolonization has not yet occurred and conservation conflicts with hunters are expected. Thus, we calculated the proportion of moose Alces alces, roe deer Capreolus capreolus, red deer Cervus elaphus, fallow deer Dama dama and wild boar Sus scrofa that would be killed by wolves in the municipalities of southern Sweden if wolf recolonization occurs. We found that the current system of five ungulate species in southern Sweden could potentially support a wolf density two to four times higher than in the current wolf distribution in central Sweden, which are mainly inhabited by roe deer and moose. With this type of research, we can anticipate and work to ameliorate the social unrest and expected conservation conflicts that may arise once wolves or other large carnivore species recolonize areas of Europe that are returning to the wild. Abstract The ongoing recolonisations of human-transformed environments in Europe by large carnivores like the wolf Canis lupus means that conservation conflicts could re-surface, among other reasons, due to predation on ungulate game species. We estimated the effect of wolves on ungulate species using data on wolf prey selection, kill rates and territory size to build a hypothetical case of future expansion. We extrapolated results on predation from the current wolf distribution in central Sweden and eastern Poland to the eventual wolf recolonisation of southern Sweden. We then calculated the proportion of five ungulate game species killed annually by wolves, and the ratio between the predicted annual predation by wolves given future colonization and the number of ungulates currently harvested by hunters. Results showed that wolf recolonization in southern Sweden would have a minor impact on the estimated population densities of red deer Cervus elaphus, fallow deer Dama dama and wild boar Sus scrofa, but is likely to lead to a significant reduction in human captures of moose Alces alces and roe deer Capreolus capreolus. The current five-ungulate species system in southern Sweden suggests a potential for two to four times higher wolf density than the two-ungulate species system in the northern part of their current distribution. Management and conservation of recolonizing large carnivores require a better understanding of the observed impact on game populations under similar ecological conditions to ameliorate conservation conflicts and achieve a paradigm of coexistence. Integrating these predictions into management is paramount to the current rewilding trend occurring in many areas of Europe or North America.
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Skoták V, Kamler J, Klein V. Estimation of Wild Herbivore Damage to Field Crops in the Czech Republic in 2019. ACTA UNIVERSITATIS AGRICULTURAE ET SILVICULTURAE MENDELIANAE BRUNENSIS 2021. [DOI: 10.11118/actaun.2021.041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
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Spatio-Temporal Characteristics and Obstacle Factors of Cultivated Land Resources Security. SUSTAINABILITY 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/su13158498] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The security of cultivated land resources is closely related to a country’s food security, economic security and social security, and as such is always the top priority of those responsible for the governance and administration of state affairs. The study area is 13 prefecture-level cities in Hubei Province. An entropy weight method, comprehensive index method, spatial analysis and obstacle degree model are employed to explore the spatio-temporal characteristics and obstacle factors of cultivated land resources in quantity, quality and ecological security. The study shows that (1) the security level of cultivated land resources in Hubei Province showed an upward trend between 2010 and 2019. The land resources’ quality and ecological security showed an upward trend, while quantity security showed a downward trend. (2) The security of cultivated land resources presents obvious spatial differences, generally showing a decreasing trend from west to east. Among them, quantity security presents a spatial pattern of being high in the central, low in the east and lower in the west of Hubei Province. Quality security presents a spatial pattern of being high in the central region and low in the east and west. Ecological security presents a spatial pattern of being high in the west and low in the east. (3) The main obstacles to its security in quantity, in quality and in ecology are obviously different. Finally, some countermeasures are put forward to ensure the security of cultivated land resources from the perspectives of quantity, quality and ecological security, and to assist with the implementation of different protection policies in the western, central and eastern areas of Hubei. This study expands the content and perspective of cultivated land resources security and has a certain novelty in the selection of the index of water resources per unit of land area, and the application of the obstacle degree model expands the research on the influencing factors of cultivated land resource security.
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Rewilding Lite: Using Traditional Domestic Livestock to Achieve Rewilding Outcomes. SUSTAINABILITY 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/su13063347] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
The vision of rewilding is to return ecosystems to a “natural” or “self-willed” state with trophic complexity, dispersal (and connectivity) and stochastic disturbance in place. The concept is gaining traction, particularly in Europe where significant land abandonment has taken place in recent years. However, in reality, the purest form of rewilding (Rewilding Max) is constrained by a number of context-specific factors whereby it may not be possible to restore the native species that form part of the trophic structure of the ecosystem if they are extinct (for example, mammoths, Mammuthus spp., aurochs, Bos taurus primigenius). In addition, populations/communities of native herbivores/predators may not be able to survive or be acceptable to the public in small scale rewilding projects close to areas of high human density or agricultural land. Therefore, the restoration of natural trophic complexity and disturbance regimes within rewilding projects requires careful consideration if the broader conservation needs of society are to be met. Here we highlight the importance of herbivory as a key factor in rewilding. We argue that the use of the suite of livestock species, and in particular traditional breeds, offers the opportunity, under both land sharing/sparing strategies, to reinstate a more “natural” form of herbivory but still retain the option for management interventions (Rewilding Lite). It will even be possible to gain economic returns (ecotourism, sale of livestock products) from these systems, which will make them more acceptable to state and private landowners. We develop our case based on the advantages of using landraces versus de-domestication strategies, and on the implementation of eco-shepherding herbivory as a restoration tool in fine mosaics of agriculture/natural patches. If this approach is adopted, then larger areas can be given over to conservation, because of the potential broader benefits to society from these spaces and the engagement of farmers in practices that are closer to their traditions.
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Carpio AJ, Apollonio M, Acevedo P. Wild ungulate overabundance in Europe: contexts, causes, monitoring and management recommendations. Mamm Rev 2020. [DOI: 10.1111/mam.12221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Antonio J. Carpio
- Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos IREC (UCLM‐CSIC‐JCCM) Ronda Toledo 12 Ciudad Real13071 Spain
- Department of Zoology University of Cordoba Campus of Rabanales Córdoba14071 Spain
| | - Marco Apollonio
- Department of Veterinary Medicine University of Sassari Via Vienna 2 Sassari07100 Italy
| | - Pelayo Acevedo
- Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos IREC (UCLM‐CSIC‐JCCM) Ronda Toledo 12 Ciudad Real13071 Spain
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Cukor J, Linda R, Václavek P, Šatrán P, Mahlerová K, Vacek Z, Kunca T, Havránek F. Wild boar deathbed choice in relation to ASF: Are there any differences between positive and negative carcasses? Prev Vet Med 2020; 177:104943. [PMID: 32172021 DOI: 10.1016/j.prevetmed.2020.104943] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2019] [Revised: 02/22/2020] [Accepted: 02/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
African swine fever (ASF) is a fatal, infectious disease affecting wild boars and domestic pigs, mostly resulting in their deaths. Previous studies showed that carcasses of infected wild boars pose a serious threat for ASF virus transmission and leaving of dead bodies in the environment enables persistence of the disease in the given affected area. Therefore, the prompt finding and removal of the carcasses is crucial for effective ASF control. This study reveals habitat preferences of ASF-positive wild boars for their deathbeds, which could greatly improve the effectivity in the search for infected carcasses. The vast majority (71%) of carcasses were found in forests (although forests occupy only 26.6% of the high-risk area - Zlin region, Czech Republic), especially in young forest stands; 91.3% of infected wild boar carcasses, which were found in forests, were in stands of up to 40 years of age, where infected individuals search for calm and quiet places. The preference of younger forest stands is significantly higher for infected individuals (p < 0.001). On meadows, infected individuals preferred a higher herb layer (p = 0.002) compared to non-infected individuals. A higher preference of places more distant from roads and forest edges was observed for the infected individuals as well (p < 0.001 in both cases). No differences in deathbed habitat preference were observed between selected sex-age categories. The distance between carcasses and water source was observed to be dependent on current mean temperature. Carcasses were found closer to the water sources at higher mean temperature. Because of the comparable character of the landscape, presented models are applicable across Central Europe and have the potential to greatly facilitate the search for infected carcasses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan Cukor
- Forestry and Game Management Research Institute, v.v.i., Strnady 136, 252 02, Jíloviště, Czech Republic; Faculty of Forestry and Wood Sciences, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Kamýcká 129, 165 00, Prague 6 Suchdol, Czech Republic
| | - Rostislav Linda
- Forestry and Game Management Research Institute, v.v.i., Strnady 136, 252 02, Jíloviště, Czech Republic; Faculty of Forestry and Wood Sciences, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Kamýcká 129, 165 00, Prague 6 Suchdol, Czech Republic
| | - Petr Václavek
- State Veterinary Institute Jihlava, Rantířovská 93/20, 586 01, Jihlava, Czech Republic
| | - Petr Šatrán
- State Veterinary Administration, Slezská 7/100, 120 56, Prague 2, Czech Republic
| | - Karolina Mahlerová
- Faculty of Environmental Sciences, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Kamýcká 129, 165 00, Prague 6 Suchdol, Czech Republic
| | - Zdeněk Vacek
- Faculty of Forestry and Wood Sciences, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Kamýcká 129, 165 00, Prague 6 Suchdol, Czech Republic.
| | - Tomáš Kunca
- Ministry of Agriculture of the Czech Republic, Department of Game Management, Těšnov 65/17, 11000, Praha 1, Czech Republic
| | - František Havránek
- Forestry and Game Management Research Institute, v.v.i., Strnady 136, 252 02, Jíloviště, Czech Republic
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