Serological evidence of exposure to some zoonotic microorganisms in cattle and humans with occupational exposure to livestock in Antioquia, Colombia

Seroprevalence of Rickettsia Spp. and Orientia tsutsugamushi in Indigenous Populations from the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, Colombia

Background: Rickettsia spp. are vector-borne zoonotic pathogens that cause febrile illness in humans. Rickettsioses is not included in the Colombian national surveillance system and is subsequently expected to be underreported. This cross-sectional study aimed to determine the seroprevalence of Rickettsia spp. and the closely related Orientia tsutsugamushi in two indigenous populations residing in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, Colombia. Materials and Methods: Serum samples (n = 539) were collected from the Wiwa and Koguis people between 2021 and 2022. Serum samples were screened for spotted fever group (SFG) and typhus group (TG) Rickettsia spp. using the Fuller laboratories Rickettsia IgG IFA kit and for O. tsutsugamushi with the Scrub Typhus Detect™ IgG ELISA. Results: We observed an overall seroprevalence of 26.2% (95% confidence interval [CI] 22.5-30.1] for Rickettsia spp. of the SFG, 5.4% (95% CI 3.6-7.6) for Rickettsia spp. of the TG and 4.3% (95% CI 2.7-6.3) for O. tsutsugamushi. Common risk factors for zoonotic disease infections were assessed for 147 of the Wiwa participants. Increased odds of seropositivity for SFG Rickettsia spp. were observed for Wiwa participants who cared for livestock, including assisting with the birth of cattle (odds ratio [OR] = 8.85; 95% CI 1.54-50.90; p = 0.015) and goats (OR = 7.60; 95% CI 1.70-33.90; p = 0.008). Conclusions: These results highlight a notable exposure to Rickettsia spp., especially the SFG, in rural Colombia. Together with recent reports of high mortality for Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever in nearby regions of South America, more detailed investigations focusing on improving knowledge and awareness as well as "One Health" and "causes-of-fever" studies are needed. The characterization of Rickettsia spp. infections in humans, livestock, and tick vectors with their potential transmission routes could make a high impact on these easily treatable diseases.

Molecular characterization of Ehrlichia canis and Babesia vogeli reveals multiple genogroups associated with clinical traits in dogs from urban areas of Colombia

Ehrlichia canis and Babesia vogeli are vector-borne pathogens that infect blood cells and produce the diseases Canine Monocytic Ehrlichiosis (CME) and Babesiosis in dogs. Considering the lack of studies on these pathogens in Colombia, this study aims to determine the molecular prevalence and genetic characterization of E. canis and Babesia spp., in dogs from the Metropolitan Area of Bucaramanga (MAB), Santander, a region with one of the greatest pet densities in Colombia. One hundred eighty-five dogs were surveyed and analyzed through molecular, clinical, and hematological approaches. The molecular detection of E. canis and Babesia spp., was performed by conventional PCR targeting the dsb and 18S rRNA genes, respectively. To identify genogroups, E. canis positive samples underwent a hemi-nested PCR of the trp36 gene, and the PCR products were subsequently sequenced. Molecular analyses showed a prevalence of 13% (24/185; CI 95%, 8.1 - 18.0%) and 1.09% (2/185; CI 95,% -0.43 - 2.6%) for E. canis and B. vogeli respectively, as well as the presence of the genogroups US (USA), BR (Brazil), and CR (Costa Rica), in 62.5, 16.6, and 16.6% of E. canis positive samples, respectively. Values of hematocrit, hemoglobin, platelets, erythrocytes, white blood cell (WBC) count, lymphocytes, and eosinophils showed significant differences between animals infected with the different genogroups of E. canis (p< 0.05). In contrast, hematocrit values, hemoglobin, platelets, red blood cells, and creatine kinase MB isoenzyme (CK-MB) were lower in B. vogeli positive animals. Statistical analysis indicated that E. canis infection was associated with specific socioeconomic sectors as well as with some household features (p< 0.05). In conclusion, our results present evidence of the circulation of multiple genogroups of E. canis in the MAB, which is associated with different geographical origins and clinical traits. Epidemiological analyses suggest a need to increase molecular surveillance and prevention campaigns especially in lower socioeconomic sectors.

Prevention of exposure to zoonoses in rural Latin America: Social ecological factors in a diverse regional context

Zoonotic diseases have serious impacts on human health and well-being, but they are often overlooked in rural Latin America. The design of effective preventive interventions is complex and requires an integrative approach from evidence-based information analyzed through robust theoretical frameworks. We conducted a systematized literature review and qualitative framework-guided thematic analysis to identify social ecological factors affecting the prevention and exposure to zoonotic diseases. Although resources for research are limited in Latin America, we found several studies with relevant results. We extracted and interpreted 8 themes as factors affecting the prevention, transmission, and exposure to zoonosis. These themes included knowledge and misconceptions, low risk perception, gaps in knowledge and communication, psychological effect of diseases, culture and traditions, inequality, disarticulated prevention programs, and organizational responsibility. Alongside this, we compiled and present the recommendations for actions to reduce the impact of zoonoses in these populations. The factors and recommendations here presented can be adapted to inform the design and improvement of preventive programs, focused on One Health and aiming to reduce the impact of zoonotic diseases in rural settings.

•

We identified relevant social and behavioural factors affecting the prevention of Zoonotic diseases in Latin America.

•

Knowledge, risk perceptions, and communication quality were relevant individual factors.

•

Inequity and unarticulated programs were relevant social factors.

•

Characterization of the context-specific social ecology can improve the development of effective interventions.

Detection of Ehrlichia spp. in ticks collected from stray dogs in Central and Southeastern Iran

Ehrlichia is an etiologic agent of ehrlichiosis in humans and some animals. Rhipicephalus sanguineus is the main vector of the Ehrlichia canis and dogs, red foxes and yellow jackals are reservoirs of the bacterium. This tick has a worldwide distribution and is regarded as one of the commonest species of ticks in Iran. This research aimed to detect Ehrlichia spp. in R. sanguineus isolated from stray dogs in Central and Southeast Iran (Isfahan and Zabol), by using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and to evaluate the prevalence of the microorganism in these two areas. Tick samples were collected from stray dogs in Isfahan and Zabol between April and June of 2018. The DNA extraction was performed with commercial kits. PCR was done to determine the 336 bp fragment related to Ehrlichia spp. Overall, 15.21% of pools in both areas were positive for Ehrlichia, 21.42% and 10% of pools were from Isfahan and Zabol respectively. The results confirmed the presence of Ehrlichia spp. in R. sanguineus in stray dogs revealing that dogs and their ticks may have a significant role in the epidemiology of the disease.

Molecular Detection of Coxiella burnetii in Unstandardized Minas Artisanal Cheese Marketed in Southeastern Brazil

Q fever is a zoonotic disease caused by Coxiella burnetii. The causative pathogen has been detected in dairy products, which raises the possibility of consumption of dairy products as a possible route of transmission; however, this has not been adequately described. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to investigate the presence of C. burnetii in 87 samples of artisanal cheeses made from unpasteurized raw milk sold in Minas Gerais, southeastern Brazil. The cheese samples were analyzed using quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR), and the products from positive samples were sequenced. In addition, 150 people were interviewed to outline the profile of consumers and the consumption of non-inspected dairy products. The results showed that 4.6% (4/87) of the samples were positive for C. burnetii, with 99.84% identity with the reference 16S gene. Responses from consumer interviews indicate that 95.3% (143/150) of respondents consume milk and dairy products; 50% (75/150) consume fresh Minas artisanal cheese and milk at least once a day; 64.58% (93/144) do not check the inspection stamps on the packaging at the time of purchase; and 81.56% (122/146) do not know the meaning of these stamps. Thus, the presence of C. burnetii DNA in the analyzed cheeses and the consumption of unstandardized dairy products raise an alert for the risk of transmission of Q fever in the population that consumes them.

Role of microorganisms isolated from cows with mastitis in Moscow region in biofilm formation

Background and Aim

Mastitis is one of the most important diseases of cows and the most expensive pathology for the dairy industry. Therefore, this study was conducted to explore the role of microorganisms isolated from cows with mastitis in the formation of biofilms under the conditions of farm biogeocenosis in the Moscow region.

Materials and Methods

Periodic visits to 12 farms in the Moscow region were conducted to explore the microbial profile of the udder of cows with mastitis. During the visits, 103 milk samples from sick animals were collected and examined. Through microbiological analyses, 486 cultures of microorganisms were identified, which are assigned to 11 genera. Mastitis in cows is caused not only by a single pathogen but also by microbial associations, which included two to seven microbial isolates.

Results

It was observed that 309 isolates (63.6%) from the total number of isolated microorganisms could form a biofilm. The ability to form biofilms was most frequently observed in Staphylococcus aureus (18.8%), Escherichia coli (11.9%), and Staphylococcus uberis (11.7%) cultures from the total number of biofilm-forming microbial cultures. Low biofilm-forming ability among the isolated microorganisms was found in lactobacilli, wherein only 20 (22.5%) Lactobacillus strains had the ability to form biofilms. The isolated microorganisms exhibited different sensitivities to antimicrobial agents, which cause difficulty in selecting an antimicrobial agent that would act on all aspects of the parasitocenosis.

Conclusion

A high proportion of microorganisms isolated from cows with mastitis have the ability to form biofilms. The isolated microorganisms exhibited different and highly heterogeneous sensitivity to the action of antimicrobial drugs. This causes difficulty in using these tools for the effective control of mastitis in cows, which is frequently caused by pathogenic associations of microbial biofilms. Therefore, it is important to explore novel and more effective methods to combat this disease.

Molecular detection of Coxiella burnetii in livestock farmers and cattle from Magdalena Medio in Antioquia, Colombia

Coxiella burnetii causes Q fever in humans and coxiellosis in animals. In humans, it causes acute febrile illnesses like influenza, pneumonia, hepatitis, and chronic illnesses such as endocarditis, vascular infection, and post-infectious fatigue syndrome. It is widely distributed worldwide, and its main reservoirs are sheep, goats, and cattle. This study aimed to determine the frequency of C. burnetii infection using molecular detection and to identify the associated factors in livestock farmers and cattle from the Magdalena Medio region of Antioquia, Colombia. Using real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR), molecular detection was performed for the IS1111 insertion sequence of C. burnetii using genomic DNA collected from the peripheral blood of 143 livestock farmers and 192 cattle from 24 farms located in Puerto Berrío, Puerto Nare, and Puerto Triunfo. To confirm the results, bidirectional amplicon sequencing of 16S rRNA was performed in four of the positive samples. Additionally, factors associated with C. burnetii were identified using a Poisson regression with cluster effect adjustment. Real-time PCR showed positive results in 25.9% and 19.5% of livestock farmer samples and cattle samples, respectively. For livestock farmers, factors associated with C. burnetii were the area where the farm was located [Puerto Berrío, adjusted prevalence ratio (aPR): 2.13, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.10-4.11], presence of hens (aPR: 1.47, 95% CI: 1.21-1.79), horses (aPR: 1.61, 95% CI: 1.54-1.67), and ticks (aPR: 2.36, 95% CI: 1.03-5.42) in the residence, and consumption of raw milk (aPR: 1.47, 95% CI: 1.26-1.72). For cattle, the factors associated with Coxiella genus were municipality (Puerto Nare; aPR: 0.39, 95% CI: 0.37-0.41) and time of residence on the farm (≥49 months; aPR: 2.28, 95% CI: 1.03-5.20). By analyzing sequences of the 16S rRNA molecular marker, C. burnetii infection was confirmed in livestock farmers. However, in cattle, only the presence of Coxiella-type bacteria was identified. Further research is necessary to determine the potential role that these types of bacteria have as etiological agents for disease in livestock farmers and cattle from the study area.

Molecular Detection of Rickettsia Spp. and Coxiella Burnetii in Cattle, Water Buffalo, and Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) Microplus Ticks in Luzon Island of the Philippines

Rickettsia and Coxiella burnetii are zoonotic, tick-borne pathogens that can cause febrile illnesses with or without other symptoms in humans, but may cause subclinical infections in animals. There are only a few reports on the occurrence of these pathogens in cattle and water buffalo in Southeast Asia, including the Philippines. In this study, molecular detection of Rickettsia and C. burnetii in the blood and in the Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus ticks of cattle and water buffalo from five provinces in Luzon Island of the Philippines was done. A total of 620 blood samples of cattle and water buffalo and 206 tick samples were collected and subjected to DNA extraction. After successful amplification of control genes, nested PCR was performed to detect gltA of Rickettsia and com1 of C. burnetii. No samples were positive for Rickettsia, while 10 (cattle = 7, water buffaloes = 3), or 1.6% of blood, and five, or 1.8% of tick samples, were C. burnetii-positive. Sequence analysis of the positive amplicons showed 99-100% similarity to reported C. burnetii isolates. This molecular evidence on the occurrence of C. burnetii in Philippine ruminants and cattle ticks and its zoonotic nature should prompt further investigation and surveillance to facilitate its effective control.