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Thompson JM, Spencer K, Maass M, Rollo S, Beesley CA, Marston CK, Hoffmaster AR, Bower WA, Candela MG, Barr JR, Boyer AE, Weiner ZP, Negrón ME, Swaney E, O’Sullivan B. Notes from the Field: Anthrax on a Sheep Farm in Winter - Texas, December 2023-January 2024. MMWR. MORBIDITY AND MORTALITY WEEKLY REPORT 2024; 73:517-520. [PMID: 38843093 PMCID: PMC11166257 DOI: 10.15585/mmwr.mm7322a2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2024]
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Maxson T, Overholt WA, Chivukula V, Caban-Figueroa V, Kongphet-Tran T, Medina Cordoba LK, Cherney B, Rishishwar L, Conley A, Sue D. Genetic basis of clarithromycin resistance in Bacillus anthracis. Microbiol Spectr 2024; 12:e0418023. [PMID: 38666793 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.04180-23] [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: 12/11/2023] [Accepted: 03/26/2024] [Indexed: 06/06/2024] Open
Abstract
The high-consequence pathogen Bacillus anthracis causes human anthrax and often results in lethal infections without the rapid administration of effective antimicrobial treatment. Antimicrobial resistance profiling is therefore critical to inform post-exposure prophylaxis and treatment decisions, especially during emergencies such as outbreaks or where intentional release is suspected. Whole-genome sequencing using a rapid long-read sequencer can uncover antimicrobial resistance patterns if genetic markers of resistance are known. To identify genomic markers associated with antimicrobial resistance, we isolated B. anthracis derived from the avirulent Sterne strain with elevated minimal inhibitory concentrations to clarithromycin. Mutants were characterized both phenotypically through broth microdilution susceptibility testing and observations during culturing, as well as genotypically with whole-genome sequencing. We identified two different in-frame insertions in the L22 ribosomal protein-encoding gene rplV, which were subsequently confirmed to be involved in clarithromycin resistance through the reversion of the mutant gene to the parent (drug-susceptible) sequence. Detection of the rplV insertions was possible with rapid long-read sequencing, with a time-to-answer within 3 h. The mutations associated with clarithromycin resistance described here will be used in conjunction with known genetic markers of resistance for other antimicrobials to strengthen the prediction of antimicrobial resistance in B. anthracis.IMPORTANCEThe disease anthrax, caused by the pathogen Bacillus anthracis, is extremely deadly if not treated quickly and appropriately. Clarithromycin is an antibiotic recommended for the treatment and post-exposure prophylaxis of anthrax by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; however, little is known about the ability of B. anthracis to develop resistance to clarithromycin or the mechanism of that resistance. The characterization of clarithromycin-resistant isolates presented here provides valuable information for researchers and clinicians in the event of a release of the resistant strain. Additionally, knowledge of the genetic basis of resistance provides a foundation for susceptibility prediction through rapid genome sequencing to inform timely treatment decisions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tucker Maxson
- Division of High-Consequence Pathogens and Pathology, National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Will A Overholt
- Applied Bioinformatics Laboratory (ASRT, Inc.; IHRC, Inc.), Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Vasanta Chivukula
- Applied Bioinformatics Laboratory (ASRT, Inc.; IHRC, Inc.), Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | | | - Thiphasone Kongphet-Tran
- Division of High-Consequence Pathogens and Pathology, National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Luz K Medina Cordoba
- Division of High-Consequence Pathogens and Pathology, National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Blake Cherney
- Division of High-Consequence Pathogens and Pathology, National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Lavanya Rishishwar
- Applied Bioinformatics Laboratory (ASRT, Inc.; IHRC, Inc.), Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Andrew Conley
- Applied Bioinformatics Laboratory (ASRT, Inc.; IHRC, Inc.), Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - David Sue
- Division of High-Consequence Pathogens and Pathology, National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
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Bower WA, Yu Y, Person MK, Parker CM, Kennedy JL, Sue D, Hesse EM, Cook R, Bradley J, Bulitta JB, Karchmer AW, Ward RM, Cato SG, Stephens KC, Hendricks KA. CDC Guidelines for the Prevention and Treatment of Anthrax, 2023. MMWR Recomm Rep 2023; 72:1-47. [PMID: 37963097 PMCID: PMC10651316 DOI: 10.15585/mmwr.rr7206a1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2023] Open
Abstract
This report updates previous CDC guidelines and recommendations on preferred prevention and treatment regimens regarding naturally occurring anthrax. Also provided are a wide range of alternative regimens to first-line antimicrobial drugs for use if patients have contraindications or intolerances or after a wide-area aerosol release of Bacillus anthracis spores if resources become limited or a multidrug-resistant B. anthracis strain is used (Hendricks KA, Wright ME, Shadomy SV, et al.; Workgroup on Anthrax Clinical Guidelines. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention expert panel meetings on prevention and treatment of anthrax in adults. Emerg Infect Dis 2014;20:e130687; Meaney-Delman D, Rasmussen SA, Beigi RH, et al. Prophylaxis and treatment of anthrax in pregnant women. Obstet Gynecol 2013;122:885-900; Bradley JS, Peacock G, Krug SE, et al. Pediatric anthrax clinical management. Pediatrics 2014;133:e1411-36). Specifically, this report updates antimicrobial drug and antitoxin use for both postexposure prophylaxis (PEP) and treatment from these previous guidelines best practices and is based on systematic reviews of the literature regarding 1) in vitro antimicrobial drug activity against B. anthracis; 2) in vivo antimicrobial drug efficacy for PEP and treatment; 3) in vivo and human antitoxin efficacy for PEP, treatment, or both; and 4) human survival after antimicrobial drug PEP and treatment of localized anthrax, systemic anthrax, and anthrax meningitis. Changes from previous CDC guidelines and recommendations include an expanded list of alternative antimicrobial drugs to use when first-line antimicrobial drugs are contraindicated or not tolerated or after a bioterrorism event when first-line antimicrobial drugs are depleted or ineffective against a genetically engineered resistant B. anthracis strain. In addition, these updated guidelines include new recommendations regarding special considerations for the diagnosis and treatment of anthrax meningitis, including comorbid, social, and clinical predictors of anthrax meningitis. The previously published CDC guidelines and recommendations described potentially beneficial critical care measures and clinical assessment tools and procedures for persons with anthrax, which have not changed and are not addressed in this update. In addition, no changes were made to the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommendations for use of anthrax vaccine (Bower WA, Schiffer J, Atmar RL, et al. Use of anthrax vaccine in the United States: recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, 2019. MMWR Recomm Rep 2019;68[No. RR-4]:1-14). The updated guidelines in this report can be used by health care providers to prevent and treat anthrax and guide emergency preparedness officials and planners as they develop and update plans for a wide-area aerosol release of B. anthracis.
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Wales A, Mackintosh A. JMM Profile: Bacillus anthracis. J Med Microbiol 2023; 72. [PMID: 37602808 DOI: 10.1099/jmm.0.001747] [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] [Indexed: 08/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Graphical abstract
Principal routes of
Bacillus anthracis
infection and stages of anthrax pathogenesis, consistent with current understandings. Depending on the route of infection, germination of spores may happen in extracellular tissue fluid, or following phagocytosis (a). Successful infection of host cells leads to toxin-associated cell death and release of vegetative cells and toxin (b). Toxin binds and enters other host cells (c), including those of the immune system, disrupting function. In some cases this leads to systemic disease, which typically is fatal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew Wales
- Department of Comparative Biomedical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Surrey, Guildford, Surrey, GU2 7AL, UK
| | - Adrienne Mackintosh
- Department of Bacteriology, Animal and Plant Health Agency, Woodham Lane, New Haw, Addlestone Surrey, KT15 3LJ, UK
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Elevation determines the spatial risk of Anthrax outbreaks in Karnataka, India. Acta Trop 2023; 240:106848. [PMID: 36773849 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2023.106848] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2022] [Revised: 12/04/2022] [Accepted: 01/28/2023] [Indexed: 02/12/2023]
Abstract
Anthrax is an economically important livestock disease affecting subsistence farmers and it is of zoonotic importance. Anthrax is endemic in many states of India including Karnataka. Identification of spatial risk factors for occurrence of anthrax and development of predictive risk maps are required for planning adequate vaccination in high-risk areas as well as targeted surveillance activities in animals, humans and environment. In this study, village level anthrax outbreak locations from Karnataka (1997-2016) were geo-referenced and predictive risk map was developed using temporally Fourier Processed remotely sensed variables. A non-linear discriminant analysis approach was used to develop the risk map for Karnataka. Elevation was identified as top predictor variable in the 10 variables selected. The predicted risk map showed good accuracy and validation statistics when evaluated using different metrics (Kappa, sensitivity, specificity, AUC). The predicted risk map also showed good correspondence with past outbreaks. Further, we used Bayesian Penalised spline method to estimate species response curves for top 10 variables selected. The validated risk map can be used in planning vaccination strategy and surveillance in high-risk areas.
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Disease Occurrence in- and the Transferal of Zoonotic Agents by North American Feedlot Cattle. Foods 2023; 12:foods12040904. [PMID: 36832978 PMCID: PMC9956193 DOI: 10.3390/foods12040904] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2022] [Revised: 02/13/2023] [Accepted: 02/15/2023] [Indexed: 02/22/2023] Open
Abstract
North America is a large producer of beef and contains approximately 12% of the world's cattle inventory. Feedlots are an integral part of modern cattle production in North America, producing a high-quality, wholesome protein food for humans. Cattle, during their final stage, are fed readily digestible high-energy density rations in feedlots. Cattle in feedlots are susceptible to certain zoonotic diseases that impact cattle health, growth performance, and carcass characteristics, as well as human health. Diseases are often transferred amongst pen-mates, but they can also originate from the environment and be spread by vectors or fomites. Pathogen carriage in the gastrointestinal tract of cattle often leads to direct or indirect contamination of foods and the feedlot environment. This leads to the recirculation of these pathogens that have fecal-oral transmission within a feedlot cattle population for an extended time. Salmonella, Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli, and Campylobacter are commonly associated with animal-derived foods and can be transferred to humans through several routes such as contact with infected cattle and the consumption of contaminated meat. Brucellosis, anthrax, and leptospirosis, significant but neglected zoonotic diseases with debilitating impacts on human and animal health, are also discussed.
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Maxson T, Kongphet-Tran T, Mongkolrattanothai T, Travis T, Hendricks K, Parker C, McLaughlin HP, Bugrysheva J, Ambrosio F, Michel P, Cherney B, Lascols C, Sue D. Systematic Review of In Vitro Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing for Bacillus anthracis, 1947-2019. Clin Infect Dis 2022; 75:S373-S378. [PMID: 36251548 PMCID: PMC9649422 DOI: 10.1093/cid/ciac520] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Bacillus anthracis, the causative agent of anthrax, is a high-consequence bacterial pathogen that occurs naturally in many parts of the world and is considered an agent of biowarfare or bioterrorism. Understanding antimicrobial susceptibility profiles of B. anthracis isolates is foundational to treating naturally occurring outbreaks and to public health preparedness in the event of an intentional release. In this systematic review, we searched the peer-reviewed literature for all publications detailing antimicrobial susceptibility testing of B. anthracis. Within the set of discovered articles, we collated a subset of publications detailing susceptibility testing that followed standardized protocols for Food and Drug Administration-approved, commercially available antimicrobials. We analyzed the findings from the discovered articles, including the reported minimal inhibitory concentrations. Across the literature, most B. anthracis isolates were reported as susceptible to current first-line antimicrobials recommended for postexposure prophylaxis and treatment. The data presented for potential alternative antimicrobials will be of use if significant resistance to first-line antimicrobials arises, the strain is bioengineered, or first-line antimicrobials are not tolerated or available.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tucker Maxson
- Division of Preparedness and Emerging Infections, National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Thiphasone Kongphet-Tran
- Division of Preparedness and Emerging Infections, National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Thitipong Mongkolrattanothai
- Division of High Consequence Pathogens and Pathology, National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Tatiana Travis
- Division of High Consequence Pathogens and Pathology, National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Katherine Hendricks
- Division of High Consequence Pathogens and Pathology, National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Corinne Parker
- Division of Preparedness and Emerging Infections, National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Heather P McLaughlin
- Division of Preparedness and Emerging Infections, National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Julia Bugrysheva
- Division of Preparedness and Emerging Infections, National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Frank Ambrosio
- Division of Preparedness and Emerging Infections, National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Pierre Michel
- Division of Preparedness and Emerging Infections, National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Blake Cherney
- Division of Preparedness and Emerging Infections, National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Christine Lascols
- Division of Preparedness and Emerging Infections, National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - David Sue
- Division of Preparedness and Emerging Infections, National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
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Deka MA, Vieira AR, Bower WA. Modelling the ecological niche of naturally occurring anthrax at global and circumpolar extents using an ensemble modelling framework. Transbound Emerg Dis 2022; 69:e2563-e2577. [PMID: 35590480 PMCID: PMC10961590 DOI: 10.1111/tbed.14602] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2022] [Revised: 04/25/2022] [Accepted: 05/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Bacillus anthracis, the causative agent of anthrax, is a spore-forming bacterium that primarily affects herbivorous livestock, wildlife and humans exposed to direct contact with infected animal carcasses or products. To date, there are a limited number of studies that have delineated the potential global distribution of anthrax, despite the importance of the disease from both an economic and public health standpoint. This study compiled occurrence data (n = 874) of confirmed human and animal cases from 1954 to 2021 in 94 countries. Using an ensemble ecological niche model framework, we developed updated maps of the global predicted ecological suitability of anthrax to measure relative risk at multiple scales of analysis, including a model for circumpolar regions. Additionally, we produced maps quantifying the disease transmission risk associated with anthrax to cattle, sheep and goat populations. Environmental suitability for B. anthracis globally is concentred throughout Eurasia, sub-Saharan Africa, the Americas, Southeast Asia, Australia and Oceania. Suitable environments for B. anthracis at the circumpolar scale extend above the Arctic Circle into portions of Russia, Canada, Alaska and northern Scandinavia. Environmental factors driving B. anthracis suitability globally include vegetation, land surface temperature, soil characteristics, primary climate conditions and topography. At the circumpolar scale, suitability is influenced by soil factors, topography and the derived climate characteristics. The greatest risk to livestock is concentrated within the Indian subcontinent, Australia, Anatolia, the Caucasus region, Central Asia, the European Union, Argentina, Uruguay, China, the United States, Canada and East Africa. This study expands on previous work by providing enhanced knowledge of the potential spatial distribution of anthrax in the Southern Hemisphere, sub-Saharan Africa, Asia and circumpolar regions of the Northern Hemisphere. We conclude that these updated maps will provide pertinent information to guide disease control programs, inform policymakers and raise awareness at the global level to lessen morbidity and mortality among animals and humans located in environmentally suitable areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark A Deka
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Antonio R Vieira
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - William A Bower
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
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Walker MA, Uribasterra M, Asher V, Getz WM, Ryan SJ, Ponciano JM, Blackburn JK. Anthrax Surveillance and the Limited Overlap Between Obligate Scavengers and Endemic Anthrax Zones in the United States. Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis 2021; 21:675-684. [PMID: 34077293 PMCID: PMC8563459 DOI: 10.1089/vbz.2020.2747] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Anthrax is a zoonosis caused by the spore-forming bacterium Bacillus anthracis, with potential for high fatality rate, especially in herbivores. Upon host death, spores can enter the soil surrounding the carcass and be ingested by other animals feeding in the same location. Accordingly, surveillance to quickly identify and decontaminate anthrax carcasses is crucial to outbreak prevention. In endemic anthrax areas such as Texas and Africa, vultures are used as a surveillance tool for identifying presence and location of dead animals. However, many anthrax outbreaks in the United States have occurred in areas outside the ranges of both black and turkey vultures. Here, we used a longitudinal camera trap survey at carcass sites in southwestern Montana to investigate the utility of facultative avian scavengers on disease and carcass surveillance in a reemerging anthrax risk zone. From August 2016 to September 2018, camera traps at 11 carcass sites were triggered 1996 times by avian scavengers. While the majority were facultative avian scavengers such as corvids and eagles, our results suggest that facultative scavengers cannot replace vultures as a surveillance tool in this ecosystem due to their absence during the anthrax risk period (June to August), reduced search efficiency, or low flight patterns. We found that the conditions in Montana likely parallel systems elsewhere in the continental United States. Using ecological niche models of B. anthracis distribution overlaid with relative abundance maps of turkey vultures, we found that much of North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Wyoming, Nebraska, and Iowa have areas of anthrax risk, but low or absent turkey vulture populations. Without vultures in these areas, surveillance capacity is reduced, and it becomes more difficult to identify anthrax cases, meaning fewer carcasses are decontaminated, and consequently, outbreaks could become more frequent or severe.
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Affiliation(s)
- Morgan A. Walker
- Spatial Epidemiology and Ecology Research Laboratory, Department of Geography, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
- Emerging Pathogens Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | - Maria Uribasterra
- Spatial Epidemiology and Ecology Research Laboratory, Department of Geography, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
- Emerging Pathogens Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | - Valpa Asher
- Turner Enterprises, Inc., Bozeman, Montana, USA
| | - Wayne M. Getz
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Policy, and Management, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, California, USA
- School of Mathematical Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
| | - Sadie J. Ryan
- Emerging Pathogens Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
- Quantitative Disease Ecology and Conservation Laboratory, Department of Geography, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
- College of Agriculture, Engineering, and Science, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
| | | | - Jason K. Blackburn
- Spatial Epidemiology and Ecology Research Laboratory, Department of Geography, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
- Emerging Pathogens Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
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Spatial clustering of livestock Anthrax events associated with agro-ecological zones in Kenya, 1957-2017. BMC Infect Dis 2021; 21:191. [PMID: 33602160 PMCID: PMC7890876 DOI: 10.1186/s12879-021-05871-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2020] [Accepted: 02/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Developing disease risk maps for priority endemic and episodic diseases is becoming increasingly important for more effective disease management, particularly in resource limited countries. For endemic and easily diagnosed diseases such as anthrax, using historical data to identify hotspots and start to define ecological risk factors of its occurrence is a plausible approach. Using 666 livestock anthrax events reported in Kenya over 60 years (1957–2017), we determined the temporal and spatial patterns of the disease as a step towards identifying and characterizing anthrax hotspots in the region. Methods Data were initially aggregated by administrative unit and later analyzed by agro-ecological zones (AEZ) to reveal anthrax spatio-temporal trends and patterns. Variations in the occurrence of anthrax events were estimated by fitting Poisson generalized linear mixed-effects models to the data with AEZs and calendar months as fixed effects and sub-counties as random effects. Results The country reported approximately 10 anthrax events annually, with the number increasing to as many as 50 annually by the year 2005. Spatial classification of the events in eight counties that reported the highest numbers revealed spatial clustering in certain administrative sub-counties, with 12% of the sub-counties responsible for over 30% of anthrax events, whereas 36% did not report any anthrax disease over the 60-year period. When segregated by AEZs, there was significantly greater risk of anthrax disease occurring in agro-alpine, high, and medium potential AEZs when compared to the agriculturally low potential arid and semi-arid AEZs of the country (p < 0.05). Interestingly, cattle were > 10 times more likely to be infected by B. anthracis than sheep, goats, or camels. There was lower risk of anthrax events in August (P = 0.034) and December (P = 0.061), months that follow long and short rain periods, respectively. Conclusion Taken together, these findings suggest existence of certain geographic, ecological, and demographic risk factors that promote B. anthracis persistence and trasmission in the disease hotspots.
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Sidwa T, Salzer JS, Traxler R, Swaney E, Sims ML, Bradshaw P, O'Sullivan BJ, Parker K, Waldrup KA, Bower WA, Hendricks K. Control and Prevention of Anthrax, Texas, USA, 2019. Emerg Infect Dis 2020; 26:2815-2824. [PMID: 33219643 PMCID: PMC7706973 DOI: 10.3201/eid2612.200470] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The zoonotic disease anthrax is endemic to most continents. It is a disease of herbivores that incidentally infects humans through contact with animals that are ill or have died from anthrax or through contact with Bacillus anthracis-contaminated byproducts. In the United States, human risk is primarily associated with handling carcasses of hoofstock that have died of anthrax; the primary risk for herbivores is ingestion of B. anthracis spores, which can persist in suitable alkaline soils in a corridor from Texas through Montana. The last known naturally occurring human case of cutaneous anthrax associated with livestock exposure in the United States was reported from South Dakota in 2002. Texas experienced an increase of animal cases in 2019 and consequently higher than usual human risk. We describe the animal outbreak that occurred in southwest Texas beginning in June 2019 and an associated human case. Primary prevention in humans is achieved through control of animal anthrax.
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Walker MA, Uribasterra M, Asher V, Ponciano JM, Getz WM, Ryan SJ, Blackburn JK. Ungulate use of locally infectious zones in a re-emerging anthrax risk area. ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE 2020; 7:200246. [PMID: 33204443 PMCID: PMC7657905 DOI: 10.1098/rsos.200246] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2020] [Accepted: 09/18/2020] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
Environmentally mediated indirect pathogen transmission is linked to host movement and foraging in areas where pathogens are maintained in the environment. In the case of anthrax, spores of the causative bacterium Bacillus anthracis are released into the environment following host death and create locally infectious zones (LIZs) around carcass sites; by grazing at LIZs, herbivores are potentially exposed to spores. Here, we used camera traps to assess how ungulate species use carcass sites in southwestern Montana and evaluated how these behaviours may promote indirect anthrax transmission, thus providing, to our knowledge, the first detailed documentation and study of the fine-scale mechanisms underlying foraging-based disease transmission in this ecosystem. We found that carcasses at LIZs significantly increased aboveground biomass of vegetation and concentrations of sodium and phosphorus, potentially making these sites more appealing to grazers. Host behavioural responses to LIZs varied depending on species, sex, season and carcass age; but, overall, our results demonstrated that carcasses or carcass sites serve as an attractant to herbivores in this system. Attraction to LIZs probably represents an increased risk of exposure to B. anthracis and, consequently, increased anthrax transmission rates. Accordingly, continued anthrax surveillance and control strategies are critical in this system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Morgan A. Walker
- Spatial Epidemiology and Ecology Research Laboratory, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
- Emerging Pathogens Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Maria Uribasterra
- Spatial Epidemiology and Ecology Research Laboratory, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
- Emerging Pathogens Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Valpa Asher
- Turner Enterprises Inc., 1123 Research Drive, Bozeman, MT, USA
| | | | - Wayne M. Getz
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Policy, and Management, University of California, Berkeley, 130 Mulford Hall, Berkeley, CA, USA
- School of Mathematical Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
| | - Sadie J. Ryan
- Emerging Pathogens Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
- Quantitative Disease Ecology and Conservation Laboratory, Department of Geography, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Jason K. Blackburn
- Spatial Epidemiology and Ecology Research Laboratory, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
- Emerging Pathogens Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
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Knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to anthrax and animal care: A case-control study in Georgia. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0224176. [PMID: 31626684 PMCID: PMC6799907 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0224176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2019] [Accepted: 10/07/2019] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Anthrax is endemic in Georgia and recent outbreaks prompted a livestock-handler case-control study with a component to evaluate anthrax knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) among livestock handlers or owners. Methods Cases were handlers of livestock with confirmed animal anthrax from June 2013-May 2015. Handlers of four matched unaffected animals were selected as controls, two from the same village as the case animal (“village control”) and two from 3–10 km away (“area control”). Descriptive statistics were reported and conditional logistic regression was performed to estimate the magnitude of the association of cases with specific study KAP factors. Results Cases were more likely male, had lower level college education, less animal care experience, and provided more animal care to their cattle. Cases had lower odds of burying a suddenly dead animal compared to all controls (Odds Ratio [OR]: 0.32, 95% Confidence interval [CI]:0.12, 0.88) and area controls (OR: 0.32, 95% CI: 0.11, 0.91). On an 8-point knowledge scale, cases having an animal with anthrax had a 1.31 times greater knowledge score compared to all controls (95% CI: 1.03, 1.67). Cases had higher odds of ever having human anthrax or knowing another person who had anthrax compared to all controls (OR: 4.56, 95% CI: 1.45, 14.30) and area controls (OR: 7.16, 95% CI: 1.52, 33.80). Discussion Cases were more knowledgeable of anthrax and had better anthrax prevention practices, but these are likely a result of the case investigation and ring vaccination following the death of their animal. Conclusions The findings reveal a low level of knowledge and practices related to anthrax control and prevention, and will guide educational material development to fill these gaps.
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Rao S, Traxler R, Napetavaridze T, Asanishvili Z, Rukhadze K, Maghlakelidze G, Geleishvili M, Broladze M, Kokhreidze M, Reynolds D, Shadomy S, Salman M. Risk factors associated with the occurrence of anthrax outbreaks in livestock in the country of Georgia: A case-control investigation 2013-2015. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0215228. [PMID: 31048838 PMCID: PMC6497231 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0215228] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2018] [Accepted: 03/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Anthrax is considered endemic in livestock in Georgia. In 2007, the annual vaccination became the responsibility of livestock owners, while contracting of private veterinarians was not officially required. Six years later, due to increase in human outbreaks associated with livestock handling, there is a need to find out the risk factors of livestock anthrax in Georgia. Objective To identify exposures and risk factors associated with livestock anthrax. Methods A matched case-control study design was used to recruit the owners of individual livestock anthrax cases that occurred between June 2013 and May 2015, and owners of unaffected livestock from within (“village control”) and outside the village (“area control”). We collected data about the case and control livestock animals’ exposure and risk factors within the one-month prior to the disease onset of the case livestock (or matched case for the controls). We used logistic regression analysis (univariate and multivariable) to calculate the odds ratios of exposures and risk factors. Results During the study period, 36 anthrax cases met the case definition and were enrolled in the study; 67 matched village control livestock and 71 matched area control livestock were also enrolled. The findings from multivariable logistic regression analysis demonstrate that vaccination within the last two years significantly reduced the odds of anthrax in cattle (OR = 0.014; 95% Confidence interval = <0.001, 0.99). The other factors that were significantly protective against anthrax were ‘animals being in covered fence area/barn’ (OR = 0.065; p-value = 0.036), and ‘female animal being pregnant or milking compared to heifer’ (OR = 0.006; p-value = 0.037). Conclusions The information obtained from this study has involved and been presented to decision makers, used to build technical capacity of veterinary staff, and to foster a One Health approach to the control of zoonotic diseases which will optimize prevention and control strategies. Georgia has embedded the knowledge and specific evidence that vaccination is a highly protective measure to prevent anthrax deaths among livestock, to which primary emphasis of the anthrax control program will be given. Education of livestock keepers in Georgia is an overriding priority.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sangeeta Rao
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Rita Traxler
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Division of High-Consequence Pathogens and Pathology, National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases (NCEZID), Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Tsira Napetavaridze
- National Food Agency (NFA) of Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture of Georgia (MEPA), Tbilisi, Georgia
| | - Zviad Asanishvili
- National Food Agency (NFA) of Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture of Georgia (MEPA), Tbilisi, Georgia
| | - Ketevan Rukhadze
- Department of Rural Development and Vocational Education (DRDVE) of Georgian Institute of Public Affairs (GIPA), Tbilisi, Georgia
| | | | | | - Mariam Broladze
- National Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Tbilisi, Georgia
| | - Maka Kokhreidze
- Laboratory of the Ministry of Agriculture (LMA), Tbilisi, Georgia
| | - Debby Reynolds
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, United States of America
| | - Sean Shadomy
- CDC One Health Office, NCEZID, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Mo Salman
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, United States of America
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Driciru M, Rwego IB, Asiimwe B, Travis DA, Alvarez J, VanderWaal K, Pelican K. Spatio-temporal epidemiology of anthrax in Hippopotamus amphibious in Queen Elizabeth Protected Area, Uganda. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0206922. [PMID: 30485342 PMCID: PMC6261556 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0206922] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2018] [Accepted: 10/22/2018] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Anthrax is a zoonotic disease primarily of herbivores, caused by Bacillus anthracis, a bacterium with diverse geographical and global distribution. Globally, livestock outbreaks have declined but in Africa significant outbreaks continue to occur with most countries still categorized as enzootic, hyper endemic or sporadic. Uganda experiences sporadic human and livestock cases. Severe large-scale outbreaks occur periodically in hippos (Hippopotamus amphibious) at Queen Elizabeth Protected Area, where in 2004/2005 and 2010 anthrax killed 437 hippos. Ecological drivers of these outbreaks and potential of hippos to maintain anthrax in the ecosystem remain unknown. This study aimed to describe spatio-temporal patterns of anthrax among hippos; examine significant trends associated with case distributions; and generate hypotheses for investigation of ecological drivers of anthrax. METHODS Spatio-temporal patterns of 317 hippo cases in 2004/5 and 137 in 2010 were analyzed. QGIS was used to examine case distributions; Spearman's nonparametric tests to determine correlations between cases and at-risk hippo populations; permutation models of the spatial scan statistics to examine spatio-temporal clustering of cases; directional tests to determine directionality in epidemic movements; and standard epidemic curves to determine patterns of epidemic propagation. KEY FINDINGS Results showed hippopotamus cases extensively distributed along water shorelines with strong positive correlations (p<0.01) between cases and at-risk populations. Significant (p<0.001) spatio-temporal clustering of cases occurred throughout the epidemics, pointing towards a defined source. Significant directional epidemic spread was detected along water flow gradient (206.6°) in 2004/5 and against flow gradient (20.4°) in 2010. Temporal distributions showed clustered pulsed epidemic waves. CONCLUSION These findings suggest mixed point-source propagated pattern of epidemic spread amongst hippos and points to likelihood of indirect spread of anthrax spores between hippos mediated by their social behaviour, forces of water flow, and persistent presence of infectious carcasses amidst schools. This information sheds light on the epidemiology of anthrax in highly social wildlife, can help drive insight into disease control, wildlife conservation, and tourism management, but highlights the need for analytical and longitudinal studies aimed at clarifying the hypotheses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margaret Driciru
- Queen Elizabeth National Park, Uganda Wildlife Authority, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Innocent B. Rwego
- Department of Biosecurity, Ecosystems and Veterinary Public Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Biosecurity, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
- Department of Veterinary Population Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, Minneapolis, United States of America
| | - Benon Asiimwe
- Department of Medical Microbiology, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Dominic A. Travis
- Department of Veterinary Population Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, Minneapolis, United States of America
| | - Julio Alvarez
- VISAVET Health Surveillance Center, Universidad Complutense, Madrid, Spain
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad Complutense, Madrid, Spain
| | - Kimberly VanderWaal
- Department of Veterinary Population Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, Minneapolis, United States of America
| | - Katharine Pelican
- Department of Veterinary Population Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, Minneapolis, United States of America
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Vieira AR, Salzer JS, Traxler RM, Hendricks KA, Kadzik ME, Marston CK, Kolton CB, Stoddard RA, Hoffmaster AR, Bower WA, Walke HT. Enhancing Surveillance and Diagnostics in Anthrax-Endemic Countries. Emerg Infect Dis 2018; 23. [PMID: 29155651 PMCID: PMC5711320 DOI: 10.3201/eid2313.170431] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Naturally occurring anthrax disproportionately affects the health and economic welfare of poor, rural communities in anthrax-endemic countries. However, many of these countries have limited anthrax prevention and control programs. Effective prevention of anthrax outbreaks among humans is accomplished through routine livestock vaccination programs and prompt response to animal outbreaks. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention uses a 2-phase framework when providing technical assistance to partners in anthrax-endemic countries. The first phase assesses and identifies areas for improvement in existing human and animal surveillance, laboratory diagnostics, and outbreak response. The second phase provides steps to implement improvements to these areas. We describe examples of implementing this framework in anthrax-endemic countries. These activities are at varying stages of completion; however, the public health impact of these initiatives has been encouraging. The anthrax framework can be extended to other zoonotic diseases to build on these efforts, improve human and animal health, and enhance global health security.
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Carlson CJ, Getz WM, Kausrud KL, Cizauskas CA, Blackburn JK, Bustos Carrillo FA, Colwell R, Easterday WR, Ganz HH, Kamath PL, Økstad OA, Turner WC, Kolstø AB, Stenseth NC. Spores and soil from six sides: interdisciplinarity and the environmental biology of anthrax (Bacillus anthracis). Biol Rev Camb Philos Soc 2018; 93:1813-1831. [PMID: 29732670 DOI: 10.1111/brv.12420] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2017] [Revised: 03/27/2018] [Accepted: 04/03/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Environmentally transmitted diseases are comparatively poorly understood and managed, and their ecology is particularly understudied. Here we identify challenges of studying environmental transmission and persistence with a six-sided interdisciplinary review of the biology of anthrax (Bacillus anthracis). Anthrax is a zoonotic disease capable of maintaining infectious spore banks in soil for decades (or even potentially centuries), and the mechanisms of its environmental persistence have been the topic of significant research and controversy. Where anthrax is endemic, it plays an important ecological role, shaping the dynamics of entire herbivore communities. The complex eco-epidemiology of anthrax, and the mysterious biology of Bacillus anthracis during its environmental stage, have necessitated an interdisciplinary approach to pathogen research. Here, we illustrate different disciplinary perspectives through key advances made by researchers working in Etosha National Park, a long-term ecological research site in Namibia that has exemplified the complexities of the enzootic process of anthrax over decades of surveillance. In Etosha, the role of scavengers and alternative routes (waterborne transmission and flies) has proved unimportant relative to the long-term persistence of anthrax spores in soil and their infection of herbivore hosts. Carcass deposition facilitates green-ups of vegetation to attract herbivores, potentially facilitated by the role of anthrax spores in the rhizosphere. The underlying seasonal pattern of vegetation, and herbivores' immune and behavioural responses to anthrax risk, interact to produce regular 'anthrax seasons' that appear to be a stable feature of the Etosha ecosystem. Through the lens of microbiologists, geneticists, immunologists, ecologists, epidemiologists, and clinicians, we discuss how anthrax dynamics are shaped at the smallest scale by population genetics and interactions within the bacterial communities up to the broadest scales of ecosystem structure. We illustrate the benefits and challenges of this interdisciplinary approach to disease ecology, and suggest ways anthrax might offer insights into the biology of other important pathogens. Bacillus anthracis, and the more recently emerged Bacillus cereus biovar anthracis, share key features with other environmentally transmitted pathogens, including several zoonoses and panzootics of special interest for global health and conservation efforts. Understanding the dynamics of anthrax, and developing interdisciplinary research programs that explore environmental persistence, is a critical step forward for understanding these emerging threats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Colin J Carlson
- National Socio-Environmental Synthesis Center (SESYNC), University of Maryland, Annapolis, MD 21401, U.S.A.,Department of Biology, Georgetown University, Washington, DC 20057, U.S.A
| | - Wayne M Getz
- Department of Environmental Science, Policy, and Management, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, U.S.A.,School of Mathematical Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, PB X 54001, Durban 4000, South Africa
| | - Kyrre L Kausrud
- Centre for Ecological and Evolutionary Synthesis (CEES), Department of Biosciences, University of Oslo, PO Box 1066 Blindern, N-0316, Oslo, Norway
| | - Carrie A Cizauskas
- Department of Environmental Science, Policy, and Management, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, U.S.A
| | - Jason K Blackburn
- Spatial Epidemiology & Ecology Research Lab, Department of Geography, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, U.S.A.,Emerging Pathogens Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, U.S.A
| | - Fausto A Bustos Carrillo
- Department of Epidemiology & Department of Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720-7360, U.S.A
| | - Rita Colwell
- CosmosID Inc., Rockville, MD 20850, U.S.A.,Center for Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, University of Maryland Institute for Advanced Computer Studies, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, U.S.A.,Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21205, U.S.A
| | - W Ryan Easterday
- Centre for Ecological and Evolutionary Synthesis (CEES), Department of Biosciences, University of Oslo, PO Box 1066 Blindern, N-0316, Oslo, Norway
| | - Holly H Ganz
- UC Davis Genome Center, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, U.S.A
| | - Pauline L Kamath
- School of Food and Agriculture, University of Maine, Orono, ME 04469, U.S.A
| | - Ole A Økstad
- Centre for Integrative Microbial Evolution and Section for Pharmaceutical Biosciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Oslo, PO Box 1068 Blindern, N-0316, Oslo, Norway
| | - Wendy C Turner
- Department of Biological Sciences, University at Albany, State University of New York, Albany, NY 12222, U.S.A
| | - Anne-Brit Kolstø
- Centre for Integrative Microbial Evolution and Section for Pharmaceutical Biosciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Oslo, PO Box 1068 Blindern, N-0316, Oslo, Norway
| | - Nils C Stenseth
- Centre for Ecological and Evolutionary Synthesis (CEES), Department of Biosciences, University of Oslo, PO Box 1066 Blindern, N-0316, Oslo, Norway
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Abstract
Anthrax is a rapidly fatal, infectious disease which occurs in many animal species, particularly herbivore mammals, and is one of the main causes of population decline in several national parks worldwide. As the infected animals face inevitable death and each infected carcass contributes spores to the surrounding environment, infected carcasses and the infected animals are the main sources of new infections. Thus any control measure should focus on vaccinating susceptible animals and the proper disposal of infected carcasses. In this paper, a system of ordinary differential equations modeling an anthrax epizootic in a wildlife reserve is formulated. Two controls representing vaccination of the susceptible animals and disposal of the infected carcasses are investigated in order to minimize the number of infected animals, the number of infected carcasses and the cost of vaccination and carcass disposal. Model parameters are estimated by using outbreak data from Malilangwe Wildlife Reserve, Zimbabwe, and some numerical results for the optimal control problem are presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- BUDDHI PANTHA
- Department of Mathematics, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN 37996, USA
| | - JUDY DAY
- Department of Mathematics and Department of Electrical, Engineering and Computer Science, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN 37996, USA
| | - SUZANNE LENHART
- Department of Mathematics, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN 37996, USA
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D'Amelio E, Gentile B, Lista F, D'Amelio R. Historical evolution of human anthrax from occupational disease to potentially global threat as bioweapon. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2015; 85:133-146. [PMID: 26386727 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2015.09.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2015] [Revised: 09/03/2015] [Accepted: 09/04/2015] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Anthrax is caused by Bacillus anthracis, which can naturally infect livestock, wildlife and occupationally exposed humans. However, for its resistance due to spore formation, ease of dissemination, persistence in the environment and high virulence, B. anthracis has been considered the most serious bioterrorism agent for a long time. During the last century anthrax evolved from limited natural disease to potentially global threat if used as bioweapon. Several factors may mitigate the consequences of an anthrax attack, including 1. the capability to promptly recognize and manage the illness and its public health consequences; 2. the limitation of secondary contamination risk through an appropriate decontamination; and 3. the evolution of genotyping methods (for microbes characterization at high resolution level) that can influence the course and/or focus of investigations, impacting the response of the government to an attack. METHODS A PubMed search has been done using the key words “bioterrorism anthrax”. RESULTS Over one thousand papers have been screened and the most significant examined to present a comprehensive literature review in order to discuss the current knowledge and strategies in preparedness for a possible deliberate release of B. anthracis spores and to indicate the most current and complete documents in which to deepen. CONCLUSIONS The comprehensive analysis of the two most relevant unnatural anthrax release events, Sverdlovsk in the former Soviet Union (1979) and the contaminated letters in the USA (2001), shows that inhalational anthrax may easily and cheaply be spread resulting in serious consequences. The damage caused by an anthrax attack can be limited if public health organization, first responders, researchers and investigators will be able to promptly manage anthrax cases and use new technologies for decontamination methods and in forensic microbiology.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Bernardina Gentile
- Histology and Molecular Biology Section, Army Medical Research Center, Via Santo Stefano Rotondo 4, 00184 Rome, Italy
| | - Florigio Lista
- Histology and Molecular Biology Section, Army Medical Research Center, Via Santo Stefano Rotondo 4, 00184 Rome, Italy
| | - Raffaele D'Amelio
- Sapienza University of Rome, Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, S. Andrea University Hospital, Via di Grottarossa 1039, 00189 Rome, Italy.
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Abstract
Human anthrax cases reported in the country of Georgia increased 75% from 2011 (n = 81) to 2012 (n = 142). This increase prompted a case-control investigation using 67 culture- or PCR-confirmed cases and 134 controls matched by residence and gender to investigate risk factor(s) for infection during the month before case onset. Independent predictors most strongly associated with disease in the multivariable modelling were slaughtering animals [odds ratio (OR) 7·3, 95% confidence interval (CI) 2·9-18·1, P 1 km; 15 (12%) of 125 had sick livestock; and 11 (9%) of 128 respondents reported finding dead livestock. We recommend joint public health and veterinary anthrax case investigations to identify areas of increased risk for livestock anthrax outbreaks, annual anthrax vaccination of livestock in those areas, and public awareness education.
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Hendricks KA, Wright ME, Shadomy SV, Bradley JS, Morrow MG, Pavia AT, Rubinstein E, Holty JEC, Messonnier NE, Smith TL, Pesik N, Treadwell TA, Bower WA. Centers for disease control and prevention expert panel meetings on prevention and treatment of anthrax in adults. Emerg Infect Dis 2014; 20. [PMID: 24447897 PMCID: PMC3901462 DOI: 10.3201/eid2002.130687] [Citation(s) in RCA: 133] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention convened panels of anthrax experts to review and update guidelines for anthrax postexposure prophylaxis and treatment. The panels included civilian and military anthrax experts and clinicians with experience treating anthrax patients. Specialties represented included internal medicine, pediatrics, obstetrics, infectious disease, emergency medicine, critical care, pulmonology, hematology, and nephrology. Panelists discussed recent patients with systemic anthrax; reviews of published, unpublished, and proprietary data regarding antimicrobial drugs and anthrax antitoxins; and critical care measures of potential benefit to patients with anthrax. This article updates antimicrobial postexposure prophylaxis and antimicrobial and antitoxin treatment options and describes potentially beneficial critical care measures for persons with anthrax, including clinical procedures for infected nonpregnant adults. Changes from previous guidelines include an expanded discussion of critical care and clinical procedures and additional antimicrobial choices, including preferred antimicrobial drug treatment for possible anthrax meningitis.
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Griffith J, Blaney D, Shadomy S, Lehman M, Pesik N, Tostenson S, Delaney L, Tiller R, DeVries A, Gomez T, Sullivan M, Blackmore C, Stanek D, Lynfield R. Investigation of inhalation anthrax case, United States. Emerg Infect Dis 2014; 20:280-3. [PMID: 24447835 PMCID: PMC3901464 DOI: 10.3201/eid2002.130021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Inhalation anthrax occurred in a man who vacationed in 4 US states where anthrax is enzootic. Despite an extensive multi-agency investigation, the specific source was not detected, and no additional related human or animal cases were found. Although rare, inhalation anthrax can occur naturally in the United States.
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