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Kompes G, Duvnjak S, Reil I, Mihaljević Ž, Habrun B, Benić M, Cvetnić L, Špičić S, Bagarić A. Antimicrobial Resistance Profile, Whole-Genome Sequencing and Core Genome Multilocus Sequence Typing of B. anthracis Isolates in Croatia from 2001 to 2022. Antibiotics (Basel) 2024; 13:639. [PMID: 39061321 PMCID: PMC11274125 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics13070639] [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: 06/17/2024] [Revised: 07/07/2024] [Accepted: 07/09/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Bacillus anthracis, the causative agent of anthrax disease, is a worldwide threat to livestock, wildlife and public health. It is also considered one of the most important pathogens of bioterrorism. Rapid and reliable diagnosis and administration of antimicrobials are essential for effective anthrax treatment. In this study, we determined the in vitro susceptibilities of 40 isolates of B. anthracis isolated in Croatia over the recent two decades to 18 antimicrobials. Whole-genome sequencing was performed, and bioinformatics tools were used to determine virulence factors and antimicrobial resistance genes. Core genome-based multilocus sequence typing was used for isolate comparison and phylogenetic analysis. All isolates were susceptible to all antimicrobials recommended for post-exposure prophylaxis or anthrax therapy. Susceptibility was found to all other tested antimicrobials that are an alternative for primary therapy. We found two beta-lactamase genes, but their expression is not sufficient to confer resistance. In all isolates used in this study, we found 21 virulence genes, 8 of which are responsible for toxin and capsule production. As far as phylogenetic analysis is concerned, the B. anthracis isolates from Croatia are categorised into two clades. The first is clade A, subclade Trans Eurasia, and the other is clade B, subclade B2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gordan Kompes
- Laboratory for General Bacteriology and Mycology, Department for Bacteriology and Parasitology, Croatian Veterinary Institute, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (G.K.); (B.H.); (A.B.)
| | - Sanja Duvnjak
- Laboratory for Bacterial Zoonoses and Molecular Diagnostics of Bacterial Diseases, Department for Bacteriology and Parasitology, Croatian Veterinary Institute, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia;
| | - Irena Reil
- Laboratory for Bacterial Zoonoses and Molecular Diagnostics of Bacterial Diseases, Department for Bacteriology and Parasitology, Croatian Veterinary Institute, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia;
| | - Željko Mihaljević
- Laboratory for Pathology, Department for Pathology, Croatian Veterinary Institute, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia;
| | - Boris Habrun
- Laboratory for General Bacteriology and Mycology, Department for Bacteriology and Parasitology, Croatian Veterinary Institute, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (G.K.); (B.H.); (A.B.)
| | - Miroslav Benić
- Laboratory for Mastitis and Raw Milk Quality, Department for Bacteriology and Parasitology, Croatian Veterinary Institute, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (M.B.); (L.C.)
| | - Luka Cvetnić
- Laboratory for Mastitis and Raw Milk Quality, Department for Bacteriology and Parasitology, Croatian Veterinary Institute, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (M.B.); (L.C.)
| | - Silvio Špičić
- Laboratory for Bacterial Zoonoses and Molecular Diagnostics of Bacterial Diseases, Department for Bacteriology and Parasitology, Croatian Veterinary Institute, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia;
| | - Antonela Bagarić
- Laboratory for General Bacteriology and Mycology, Department for Bacteriology and Parasitology, Croatian Veterinary Institute, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (G.K.); (B.H.); (A.B.)
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Kozytska T, Bassiouny M, Chechet O, Ordynska D, Galante D, Neubauer H, Wareth G. Retrospective Analysis of Official Data on Anthrax in Europe with a Special Reference to Ukraine. Microorganisms 2023; 11:1294. [PMID: 37317268 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11051294] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2023] [Revised: 05/08/2023] [Accepted: 05/11/2023] [Indexed: 06/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Anthrax is an acute infectious zoonotic disease caused by Bacillus anthracis that mostly affects grazing livestock and wildlife. Furthermore, B. anthracis is considered one of the most important biological agents of bioterrorism that could also be potentially misused in biological weapons. The distribution of anthrax in domestic animals and wildlife in Europe with a particular focus on Ukraine as a country of war was analyzed. Between 2005 and 2022, 267 anthrax cases were registered at the World Organization of Animal Health (WOAH) in animals in Europe, including 251 cases in domestic animals and 16 in wildlife. The highest numbers of cases were recorded in 2005 and 2016 followed by 2008, and the highest numbers of registered cases were reported from Albania, Russia, and Italy. In Ukraine, anthrax is currently a sporadic infection. Since 2007, 28 notifications were registered, with isolates mainly from soil samples. The highest number of confirmed anthrax cases was registered in 2018, and Odesa, which is close to Moldova, had the highest number of cases, followed by the Cherkasy region. The presence of thousands of biothermal pits and burial grounds of fallen cattle nationwide favors the re-emergence of new foci. Most confirmed cases were in cattle; however, single cases were confirmed in dogs, horses, and pigs. Further investigation of the disease in wildlife and in environmental samples is needed. The genetic analysis of isolates, investigation of susceptibility to antimicrobial compounds, and determination of virulence and pathogenicity factors are required in this volatile region of the world for awareness raising and preparedness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tamara Kozytska
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Institute of Bacterial Infections and Zoonoses, Naumburger Str. 96a, 07743 Jena, Germany
- State Research Institute for Laboratory Diagnostics and Veterinary and Sanitary Expertise, State Service of Ukraine for Food Safety and Consumer Protection, 30, Donetska St., 03151 Kyiv, Ukraine
| | - Marwa Bassiouny
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Institute of Bacterial Infections and Zoonoses, Naumburger Str. 96a, 07743 Jena, Germany
| | - Olha Chechet
- State Research Institute for Laboratory Diagnostics and Veterinary and Sanitary Expertise, State Service of Ukraine for Food Safety and Consumer Protection, 30, Donetska St., 03151 Kyiv, Ukraine
| | - Diana Ordynska
- State Research Institute for Laboratory Diagnostics and Veterinary and Sanitary Expertise, State Service of Ukraine for Food Safety and Consumer Protection, 30, Donetska St., 03151 Kyiv, Ukraine
| | - Domenico Galante
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Puglia e della Basilicata, Anthrax Reference Institute of Italy, Via Manfredonia 20, 71121 Foggia, Italy
| | - Heinrich Neubauer
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Institute of Bacterial Infections and Zoonoses, Naumburger Str. 96a, 07743 Jena, Germany
| | - Gamal Wareth
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Institute of Bacterial Infections and Zoonoses, Naumburger Str. 96a, 07743 Jena, Germany
- Institute of Infectious Diseases and Infection Control, Jena University Hospital, Am Klinikum 1, 07747 Jena, Germany
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Guastalegname M, Rondinone V, Lucifora G, Vallone A, D’Argenio L, Petracca G, Giordano A, Serrecchia L, Manzulli V, Pace L, Fasanella A, Simone D, Cipolletta D, Galante D. An Outbreak of Human Systemic Anthrax, including One Case of Anthrax Meningitis, Occurred in Calabria Region (Italy): A Description of a Successful One Health Approach. Life (Basel) 2022; 12:909. [PMID: 35743940 PMCID: PMC9225246 DOI: 10.3390/life12060909] [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: 05/31/2022] [Revised: 06/13/2022] [Accepted: 06/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
In this report, three cases of human cutaneous anthrax are described, one complicated by meningitis, and all were linked to a single infected bullock. A 41-year-old male truck driver, along with two male slaughterhouse workers, 45 and 42, were hospitalized for necrotic lesions of the arm associated with edema of the limb and high fever. All three patients were involved in transporting a bullock to the slaughterhouse. Microbiological examination on the prescapular lymph node and a piece of muscle from the bullock carcass showed the presence of Bacillus anthracis. The three patients underwent a biopsy of the affected tissues, and all samples tested positive for B. anthracis DNA using PCR. Furthermore, the truck driver also complained of an intense headache, and a CSF sampling was performed, showing him positive for B. anthracis by PCR, confirming the presumptive diagnosis of meningitis. Fast diagnosis and appropriate treatment are crucial for the management of human anthrax. Cooperation between human and veterinary medicine proved successful in diagnosing and resolving three human anthrax cases, confirming the reliability of the One Health approach for the surveillance of zoonoses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maurizio Guastalegname
- Infectious Diseases Unit, Jazzolino Hospital, 89900 Vibo Valentia, Italy; (M.G.); (A.V.); (L.D.)
| | - Valeria Rondinone
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Puglia e della Basilicata, 71121 Foggia, Italy; (L.S.); (V.M.); (L.P.); (A.F.); (D.S.); (D.C.); (D.G.)
| | - Giuseppe Lucifora
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, 80055 Portici, Italy;
| | - Alfredo Vallone
- Infectious Diseases Unit, Jazzolino Hospital, 89900 Vibo Valentia, Italy; (M.G.); (A.V.); (L.D.)
| | - Laura D’Argenio
- Infectious Diseases Unit, Jazzolino Hospital, 89900 Vibo Valentia, Italy; (M.G.); (A.V.); (L.D.)
| | | | - Antonia Giordano
- Department of Prevention, Azienda Sanitaria Provinciale Vibo Valentia, 89900 Vibo Valentia, Italy;
| | - Luigina Serrecchia
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Puglia e della Basilicata, 71121 Foggia, Italy; (L.S.); (V.M.); (L.P.); (A.F.); (D.S.); (D.C.); (D.G.)
| | - Viviana Manzulli
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Puglia e della Basilicata, 71121 Foggia, Italy; (L.S.); (V.M.); (L.P.); (A.F.); (D.S.); (D.C.); (D.G.)
| | - Lorenzo Pace
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Puglia e della Basilicata, 71121 Foggia, Italy; (L.S.); (V.M.); (L.P.); (A.F.); (D.S.); (D.C.); (D.G.)
| | - Antonio Fasanella
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Puglia e della Basilicata, 71121 Foggia, Italy; (L.S.); (V.M.); (L.P.); (A.F.); (D.S.); (D.C.); (D.G.)
| | - Domenico Simone
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Puglia e della Basilicata, 71121 Foggia, Italy; (L.S.); (V.M.); (L.P.); (A.F.); (D.S.); (D.C.); (D.G.)
| | - Dora Cipolletta
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Puglia e della Basilicata, 71121 Foggia, Italy; (L.S.); (V.M.); (L.P.); (A.F.); (D.S.); (D.C.); (D.G.)
| | - Domenico Galante
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Puglia e della Basilicata, 71121 Foggia, Italy; (L.S.); (V.M.); (L.P.); (A.F.); (D.S.); (D.C.); (D.G.)
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Rondinone V, Serrecchia L, Parisi A, Fasanella A, Manzulli V, Cipolletta D, Galante D. Genetic characterization of Bacillus anthracis strains circulating in Italy from 1972 to 2018. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0227875. [PMID: 31931511 PMCID: PMC6957342 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0227875] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2019] [Accepted: 12/31/2019] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
In Italy anthrax is an endemic disease, with a few outbreaks occurring almost every year. We surveyed 234 B. anthracis strains from animals (n = 196), humans (n = 3) and the environment (n = 35) isolated during Italian outbreaks in the years 1972-2018. Despite the considerable genetic homogeneity of B. anthracis, the strains were effectively differentiated using canonical single nucleotide polymorphisms (CanSNPs) assay and multiple-locus variable-number tandem repeat analysis (MLVA). The phylogenetic identity was determined through the characterization of 14 CanSNPs. In addition, a subsequent 31-loci MLVA assay was also used to further discriminate B. anthracis genotypes into subgroups. The analysis of 14 CanSNPs allowed for the identification of four main lineages: A.Br.011/009, A.Br.008/011 (respectively belonging to A.Br.008/009 sublineage, also known Trans-Eurasian or TEA group), A.Br.005/006 and B.Br.CNEVA. A.Br.011/009, the most common subgroup of lineage A, is the major genotype of B. anthracis in Italy. The MLVA analysis revealed the presence of 55 different genotypes in Italy. Most of the genotypes are genetically very similar, supporting the hypothesis that all strains evolved from a local common ancestral strain, except for two genotypes representing the branch A.Br.005/006 and B.Br.CNEVA. The genotyping analysis applied in this study remains a very valuable tool for studying the diversity, evolution, and molecular epidemiology of B. anthracis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valeria Rondinone
- Anthrax Reference Institute of Italy, Experimental Zooprophylactic Institute of Apulia and Basilicata Regions, Foggia, Italy
| | - Luigina Serrecchia
- Anthrax Reference Institute of Italy, Experimental Zooprophylactic Institute of Apulia and Basilicata Regions, Foggia, Italy
| | - Antonio Parisi
- Anthrax Reference Institute of Italy, Experimental Zooprophylactic Institute of Apulia and Basilicata Regions, Foggia, Italy
| | - Antonio Fasanella
- Anthrax Reference Institute of Italy, Experimental Zooprophylactic Institute of Apulia and Basilicata Regions, Foggia, Italy
| | - Viviana Manzulli
- Anthrax Reference Institute of Italy, Experimental Zooprophylactic Institute of Apulia and Basilicata Regions, Foggia, Italy
| | - Dora Cipolletta
- Anthrax Reference Institute of Italy, Experimental Zooprophylactic Institute of Apulia and Basilicata Regions, Foggia, Italy
| | - Domenico Galante
- Anthrax Reference Institute of Italy, Experimental Zooprophylactic Institute of Apulia and Basilicata Regions, Foggia, Italy
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