1
|
Sereme Y, Zarza SM, Medkour H, Mezouar S, Dotras L, Barciela A, Hernandez-Aguilar RA, Vitte J, Šmajs D, Louni M, Mulot B, Leclerc A, Guéry JP, Orain N, Diatta G, Sokhna C, Raoult D, Davoust B, Fenollar F, Mediannikov O. Treponematosis in critically endangered Western chimpanzees ( Pan troglodytes verus) in Senegal. One Health 2024; 18:100694. [PMID: 39010964 PMCID: PMC11247300 DOI: 10.1016/j.onehlt.2024.100694] [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: 09/26/2023] [Accepted: 02/10/2024] [Indexed: 07/17/2024] Open
Abstract
Treponematoses encompass a group of chronic and debilitating bacterial diseases transmitted sexually or by direct contact and attributed to Treponema pallidum. Despite being documented since as far back as 1963, the epidemiology of treponematoses in wild primates has remained an uninvestigated territory due to the inherent challenges associated with conducting examinations and obtaining invasive biological samples from wild animals. The primary aim of this study was to investigate the presence of treponemal infections in the critically endangered Western chimpanzees in Senegal, utilizing an innovative non-invasive stool serology method. We provide compelling evidence of the existence of anti-Treponema-specific antibodies in 13 out of 29 individual chimpanzees. Our study also underscores the significant potential of stool serology as a valuable non-invasive tool for monitoring and surveilling crucial emerging diseases in wild animals. We recognize two major implications: (1) the imperative need to assess the risks of treponematosis in Western chimpanzee populations and (2) the necessity to monitor and manage this disease following a holistic One Health approach.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Youssouf Sereme
- IHU-Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France
- Aix-Marseille Univ., IRD, AP-HM, MEPHI, Marseille, France
- Université Paris Cité, CNRS, INSERM, Institut Necker Enfants Malades, Paris, France
| | - Sandra Madariaga Zarza
- IHU-Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France
- Aix-Marseille Univ., IRD, AP-HM, MEPHI, Marseille, France
| | - Hacène Medkour
- IHU-Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France
- Aix-Marseille Univ., IRD, AP-HM, MEPHI, Marseille, France
| | - Soraya Mezouar
- IHU-Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France
- Aix-Marseille Univ., IRD, AP-HM, MEPHI, Marseille, France
| | - Laia Dotras
- Jane Goodall Institute Spain and Senegal, Dindefelo Biological Station, Dindefelo, Kedougou, Senegal
- Department of Social Psychology and Quantitative Psychology, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Amanda Barciela
- Jane Goodall Institute Spain and Senegal, Dindefelo Biological Station, Dindefelo, Kedougou, Senegal
| | - R. Adriana Hernandez-Aguilar
- Jane Goodall Institute Spain and Senegal, Dindefelo Biological Station, Dindefelo, Kedougou, Senegal
- Department of Social Psychology and Quantitative Psychology, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Serra Hunter Programme, Generalitat de Catalunya, Spain
| | - Joana Vitte
- IHU-Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France
- Aix-Marseille Univ., IRD, AP-HM, MEPHI, Marseille, France
| | - David Šmajs
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Kamenice, Czech Republic
| | - Meriem Louni
- IHU-Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France
- Aix-Marseille Univ., IRD, AP-HM, MEPHI, Marseille, France
| | | | | | | | - Nicolas Orain
- IHU-Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France
- Aix-Marseille Univ., IRD, AP-HM, MEPHI, Marseille, France
| | - Georges Diatta
- Aix-Marseille Univ., IRD, AP-HM, SSA, VITROME, Marseille, France
- VITROME, Campus International UCAD-IRD, Dakar, Senegal
| | - Cheikh Sokhna
- IHU-Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France
- Aix-Marseille Univ., IRD, AP-HM, SSA, VITROME, Marseille, France
- VITROME, Campus International UCAD-IRD, Dakar, Senegal
| | - Didier Raoult
- IHU-Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France
- Aix-Marseille Univ., IRD, AP-HM, MEPHI, Marseille, France
| | - Bernard Davoust
- IHU-Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France
- Aix-Marseille Univ., IRD, AP-HM, MEPHI, Marseille, France
| | - Florence Fenollar
- IHU-Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France
- Aix-Marseille Univ., IRD, AP-HM, SSA, VITROME, Marseille, France
| | - Oleg Mediannikov
- IHU-Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France
- Aix-Marseille Univ., IRD, AP-HM, MEPHI, Marseille, France
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Zhou Y, Gao G, Zhang X, Gao B, Duan C, Zhu H, Barbera AR, Halcrow S, Pechenkina K. Identifying treponemal disease in early East Asia. AMERICAN JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL ANTHROPOLOGY 2022. [PMCID: PMC9545539 DOI: 10.1002/ajpa.24526] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Objectives Historic records suggest that a virulent form of treponematosis, sexually transmitted syphilis was introduced to Asia from Europe by the da Gama crew, who landed in India in 1498. Our objective is to assess the gross pathology of human skeletal remains from the Tang dynasty of China to test the presence of treponemal infection in East Asia before 1498. We interpret this paleopathological evidence in the context of site ecology and sociocultural changes during the Tang dynasty. Materials and methods We examined the gross pathology of 1598 human skeletons from Xingfulindai (AD 618 to AD 1279) archeological site located on the Central Plain of China. Using the modified diagnostic criteria defined by Hackett's classical work, we classify the pathology as consistent, strongly suggestive, or pathognomonic for treponemal infection. Results Twelve adult individuals from Xingfulindai had bone lesions suggestive of systemic pathology. Two of these individuals displayed a combination of lesion patterns pathognomonic of treponemal disease and one had lesions consistent with treponematosis. The radiocarbon dates for the bone samples from these skeletons place them before AD 1200. Conclusions The location of Xingfulindai in a continental climatic zone is not typical for yaws and bejel ecology, because these strains occur in the tropics, or in hot, dry environments, respectively. The urban setting, where there is documented evidence for increased interaction between multiple ethnic groups and a developed institution of courtesans during the Tang dynasty, favors sexually transmitted syphilis as the more likely diagnosis. This study supports an earlier spread of syphilis to China than 1498.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yawei Zhou
- College of History Zhengzhou University Zhengzhou Henan China
| | - Guoshuai Gao
- School of Archaeology Jilin University Changchun Jilin China
| | - Xiangyu Zhang
- Xi'an Institute of Cultural Relics Protection and Archaeology Xian Shanxi China
| | - Bo Gao
- Xi'an Institute of Cultural Relics Protection and Archaeology Xian Shanxi China
| | - Chenggang Duan
- Xi'an Institute of Cultural Relics Protection and Archaeology Xian Shanxi China
| | - Hong Zhu
- School of Archaeology Jilin University Changchun Jilin China
| | - Aida R. Barbera
- Université Laval Québec Quebec Canada
- Department of Anthropology Queens College of the City University of New York Queens New York USA
| | | | - Kate Pechenkina
- Department of Anthropology Queens College of the City University of New York Queens New York USA
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
An ancient cranium from Dmanisi: Evidence for interpersonal violence, disease, and possible predation by carnivores on Early Pleistocene Homo. J Hum Evol 2022; 166:103180. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jhevol.2022.103180] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2021] [Revised: 02/22/2022] [Accepted: 02/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
|
4
|
Wilson TM, Ritter JM, Martines RB, Gonçalves AAB, Fair P, Galloway R, Weiner Z, Romano APM, Costa GRT, Melo CB, Zaki SR, Castro MB. Pathology and One Health implications of fatal Leptospira interrogans infection in an urbanized, free-ranging, black-tufted marmoset (Callithrix penicillata) in Brazil. Transbound Emerg Dis 2021; 68:3207-3216. [PMID: 34387927 DOI: 10.1111/tbed.14287] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2021] [Revised: 08/04/2021] [Accepted: 08/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Leptospirosis is a zoonotic neglected disease of worldwide public health concern. Leptospira species can infect a wide range of wild and domestic mammals and lead to a spectrum of disease, including severe and fatal forms. Herein, we report for the first time a fatal Leptospira interrogans infection in a free-ranging nonhuman primate (NHP), a black-tufted marmoset. Icterus, pulmonary haemorrhage, interstitial nephritis, and hepatocellular dissociation were the main findings raising the suspicion of leptospirosis. Diagnostic confirmation was based on specific immunohistochemical and PCR assays for Leptospira species. Immunolocalization of leptospiral antigens and identification of pathogenic species (L. interrogans species) were important for better understanding the pathogenesis of the disease. One Health-related implications of free-ranging NHPs in anthropized areas and transmission dynamics of human and animal leptospirosis are discussed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tais M Wilson
- Veterinary Pathology Laboratory, University of Brasília, Brasília, Brazil.,Infectious Diseases Pathology Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Division of High-Consequence Pathogens and Pathology, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.,Graduate Program in Animal Science, University of Brasília, Brasilia, Brazil
| | - Jana M Ritter
- Infectious Diseases Pathology Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Division of High-Consequence Pathogens and Pathology, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Roosecelis B Martines
- Infectious Diseases Pathology Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Division of High-Consequence Pathogens and Pathology, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Alexandra A B Gonçalves
- Veterinary Pathology Laboratory, University of Brasília, Brasília, Brazil.,Graduate Program in Animal Science, University of Brasília, Brasilia, Brazil
| | - Pamela Fair
- Infectious Diseases Pathology Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Division of High-Consequence Pathogens and Pathology, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Renee Galloway
- Bacterial Special Pathogens Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Division of High-Consequence Pathogens and Pathology, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Zachary Weiner
- Bacterial Special Pathogens Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Division of High-Consequence Pathogens and Pathology, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Alessandro P M Romano
- Technical Group on Arbovirus Surveillance, General Coordination of Communicable Diseases, Department of Communicable Disease Surveillance, Secretariat of Health Surveillance, Brazilian Ministry of Health, Brasilia, Brazil
| | - Gabriela R T Costa
- Environmental Health Surveillance Directorate of the Federal District, Brasilia, Brazil
| | - Cristiano B Melo
- Graduate Program in Animal Science, University of Brasília, Brasilia, Brazil
| | - Sherif R Zaki
- Infectious Diseases Pathology Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Division of High-Consequence Pathogens and Pathology, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Marcio B Castro
- Veterinary Pathology Laboratory, University of Brasília, Brasília, Brazil.,Graduate Program in Animal Science, University of Brasília, Brasilia, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Treponema pallidum macrolide resistance and molecular epidemiology in southern Africa, 2008-2018. J Clin Microbiol 2021; 59:e0238520. [PMID: 34346717 DOI: 10.1128/jcm.02385-20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Treponema pallidum macrolide resistance and clinical treatment failure have emerged rapidly within communities where macrolides have been used as convenient, oral therapeutic alternatives to benzathine penicillin G for syphilis, or for other clinical indications. Macrolides are not included in the South African syndromic management guidelines for genital ulcer disease; however, in 2015, a 1 gram dose of azithromycin was incorporated into treatment algorithms for genital discharge. We determined the prevalence of 23S rRNA macrolide resistance-associated point mutations in 135 T. pallidum-positive surveillance specimens from Botswana, Zimbabwe and South Africa between 2008 and 2018. Additionally, we investigated the association between macrolide resistance, T. pallidum strain type and HIV co-infection. A significant increase in the prevalence of the A2058G macrolide resistance-associated point mutation was observed in specimens collected after 2015. There was a high level of molecular heterogeneity among T. pallidum strains circulating in the study communities, with strain type 14d/f being the most predominant in South Africa. Fourteen novel strain types, derived from three new tpr-gene restriction fragment length polymorphism patterns and seven new tp0548-gene sequence types, were identified. There was an association between A2058G-associated macrolide resistance and T. pallidum strain types 14d/f and 14d/g, but no association between T. pallidum macrolide resistance and HIV co-infection. The majority of T. pallidum strains, as well as strains containing the A2058G mutation, belonged to the SS14-like clade. This is the first study to extensively detail the molecular epidemiology and emergence of macrolide resistance in T. pallidum in southern Africa.
Collapse
|
6
|
Medkour H, Amona I, Akiana J, Laidoudi Y, Davoust B, Bitam I, Lafri I, Levasseur A, Diatta G, Sokhna C, Hernandez-Aguilar RA, Barciela A, Gorsane S, Banga-Mboko H, Raoult D, Fenollar F, Mediannikov O. Bacterial Infections in Humans and Nonhuman Primates from Africa: Expanding the Knowledge. THE YALE JOURNAL OF BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE 2021; 94:227-248. [PMID: 34211344 PMCID: PMC8223552] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
The close phylogenetic relationship between humans and other primates creates exceptionally high potential for pathogen exchange. The surveillance of pathogens in primates plays an important role in anticipating possible outbreaks. In this study, we conducted a molecular investigation of pathogenic bacteria in feces from African nonhuman primates (NHPs). We also investigated the pathogens shared by the human population and gorillas living in the same territory in the Republic of Congo. In total, 93% of NHPs (n=176) and 95% (n=38) of humans were found to carry at least one bacterium. Non-pallidum Treponema spp. (including T. succinifaciens, T. berlinense, and several potential new species) were recovered from stools of 70% of great apes, 88% of monkeys, and 79% of humans. Non-tuberculosis Mycobacterium spp. were also common in almost all NHP species as well as in humans. In addition, Acinetobacter spp., members of the primate gut microbiota, were mainly prevalent in human and gorilla. Pathogenic Leptospira spp. were highly present in humans (82%) and gorillas (66%) stool samples in Congo, but were absent in the other NHPs, therefore suggesting a possible gorillas-humans exchange. Particular attention will be necessary for enteropathogenic bacteria detected in humans such as Helicobacter pylori, Salmonella spp. (including S. typhi/paratyphi), Staphyloccocus aureus, and Tropheryma whipplei, some of which were also present in gorillas in the same territory (S. aureus and T. whipplei). This study enhances our knowledge of pathogenic bacteria that threaten African NHPs and humans by using a non-invasive sampling technique. Contact between humans and NHPs results in an exchange of pathogens. Ongoing surveillance, prevention, and treatment strategies alone will limit the spread of these infectious agents.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hacène Medkour
- IHU Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France,Aix Marseille Université, IRD, AP-HM, Microbes, MEPHI,
Marseille, France,PADESCA Laboratory, Veterinary Science Institute,
University Constantine, El Khroub, Algeria,To whom all correspondence should be addressed:
DVM Hacène Medkour, IHU Méditerranée Infection, 19-21, Bd Jean Moulin, 13385
Marseille Cedex 05, France; , ORCID
iD: 0000-0002-5208-2576; Dr. Oleg Mediannikov, IHU Méditerranée Infection,
19-21, Bd Jean Moulin, 13385 Marseille Cedex 05, France;
, ORCID iD: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6039-2008
| | - Inestin Amona
- IHU Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France,Aix-Marseille Université, IRD, AP-HM, SSA, VITROME,
Marseille, France,Faculté des Sciences et Techniques, Université Marien
NGOUABI, Brazzaville, Republic of the Congo
| | - Jean Akiana
- Laboratoire National de Santé Publique, Brazzaville,
Republic of the Congo
| | - Younes Laidoudi
- IHU Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France,Aix Marseille Université, IRD, AP-HM, Microbes, MEPHI,
Marseille, France,PADESCA Laboratory, Veterinary Science Institute,
University Constantine, El Khroub, Algeria
| | - Bernard Davoust
- IHU Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France,Aix Marseille Université, IRD, AP-HM, Microbes, MEPHI,
Marseille, France
| | - Idir Bitam
- Aix-Marseille Université, IRD, AP-HM, SSA, VITROME,
Marseille, France,Superior School of Food Sciences and Food Industries,
Algiers, Algeria
| | - Ismail Lafri
- Aix-Marseille Université, IRD, AP-HM, SSA, VITROME,
Marseille, France,Institute of Veterinary Sciences, University of Blida
1, Blida, Algeria,Laboratory of Biotechnology related to Animal
Reproduction (LBRA), University of Blida 1, Blida, Algeria
| | - Anthony Levasseur
- IHU Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France,Aix Marseille Université, IRD, AP-HM, Microbes, MEPHI,
Marseille, France
| | - Georges Diatta
- Aix-Marseille Université, IRD, AP-HM, SSA, VITROME,
Marseille, France,IRD VITROME, Dakar, Senegal
| | - Cheikh Sokhna
- IHU Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France,Aix-Marseille Université, IRD, AP-HM, SSA, VITROME,
Marseille, France,IRD VITROME, Dakar, Senegal
| | - R. Adriana Hernandez-Aguilar
- IRD VITROME, Dakar, Senegal,Department of Social Psychology and Quantitative
Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, University of Barcelona, Barcelona,
Spain
| | - Amanda Barciela
- Jane Goodall Institute Spain and Senegal, Dindefelo
Biological Station, Dindefelo, Kedougou, Senegal
| | - Slim Gorsane
- Direction interarmées du Service de santé des armées
des Forces Françaises stationnées à Djibouti
| | - Henri Banga-Mboko
- Ecole Nationale d’Agronomie et de Foresterie,
Université Marien Ngouabi, Brazzaville, Republic of the Congo
| | - Didier Raoult
- IHU Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France,Aix Marseille Université, IRD, AP-HM, Microbes, MEPHI,
Marseille, France
| | - Florence Fenollar
- IHU Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France,Aix-Marseille Université, IRD, AP-HM, SSA, VITROME,
Marseille, France
| | - Oleg Mediannikov
- IHU Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France,Aix Marseille Université, IRD, AP-HM, Microbes, MEPHI,
Marseille, France,To whom all correspondence should be addressed:
DVM Hacène Medkour, IHU Méditerranée Infection, 19-21, Bd Jean Moulin, 13385
Marseille Cedex 05, France; , ORCID
iD: 0000-0002-5208-2576; Dr. Oleg Mediannikov, IHU Méditerranée Infection,
19-21, Bd Jean Moulin, 13385 Marseille Cedex 05, France;
, ORCID iD: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6039-2008
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Mubemba B, Chanove E, Mätz-Rensing K, Gogarten JF, Düx A, Merkel K, Röthemeier C, Sachse A, Rase H, Humle T, Banville G, Tchoubar M, Calvignac-Spencer S, Colin C, Leendertz FH. Yaws Disease Caused by Treponema pallidum subspecies pertenue in Wild Chimpanzee, Guinea, 2019. Emerg Infect Dis 2021; 26:1283-1286. [PMID: 32441635 PMCID: PMC7258472 DOI: 10.3201/eid2606.191713] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Yaws-like lesions are widely reported in wild African great apes, yet the causative agent has not been confirmed in affected animals. We describe yaws-like lesions in a wild chimpanzee in Guinea for which we demonstrate infection with Treponema pallidum subsp. pertenue. Assessing the conservation implications of this pathogen requires further research.
Collapse
|
8
|
Mediannikov O, Fenollar F, Davoust B, Amanzougaghene N, Lepidi H, Arzouni JP, Diatta G, Sokhna C, Delerce J, Levasseur A, Raoult D. Epidemic of venereal treponematosis in wild monkeys: a paradigm for syphilis origin. New Microbes New Infect 2020; 35:100670. [PMID: 32368345 PMCID: PMC7184178 DOI: 10.1016/j.nmni.2020.100670] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2019] [Revised: 03/19/2020] [Accepted: 03/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Treponema pallidum infections have been primarily known as slightly contagious mucocutaneous infections called yaws (tropical Africa and America) and bejel (subtropical North Africa). T. pallidum emerged as a highly infectious venereal syphilis agent in South America, probably about 500 years ago, and because of its venereal transmission, it quickly caused a worldwide pandemic. The disease manifests as lesions, including a chancre; then antibodies become detectable when or slightly after the chancre appears, and before the development of a rash and other systemic manifestations. Venereal diseases are poorly known in monkeys. During fieldwork in Senegal, we discovered an epizootic outbreak of venereal disease that we explored. We detected a venereal form of T. pallidum subsp. pertenue infection in green monkeys (Chlorocebus sabaeus), then observed an epizootic outbreak in Senegal and its spread among baboons a year later. Comparative analysis of T. pallidum genomes from the monkeys' chancres and other Treponema genomes showed an acceleration of the number of single nucleotide polymorphisms, comparable to that observed in syphilis. Identified T. pallidum clones seem to be epizootic through the acceleration of their mutation rate, which is linked to their larger diffusion.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- O. Mediannikov
- Aix Marseille Univ, IRD, AP-HM, MEФI, Marseille, France
- IHU-Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France
| | - F. Fenollar
- IHU-Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France
- Aix Marseille Univ, IRD, AP-HM, SSA, VITROME, Marseille, France
| | - B. Davoust
- Aix Marseille Univ, IRD, AP-HM, MEФI, Marseille, France
- IHU-Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France
| | - N. Amanzougaghene
- Aix Marseille Univ, IRD, AP-HM, MEФI, Marseille, France
- IHU-Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France
| | - H. Lepidi
- Aix Marseille Univ, IRD, AP-HM, MEФI, Marseille, France
- IHU-Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France
| | - J.-P. Arzouni
- Aix Marseille Univ, IRD, AP-HM, MEФI, Marseille, France
- IHU-Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France
| | - G. Diatta
- VITROME, Campus International UCAD-IRD, Dakar, Senegal
| | - C. Sokhna
- IHU-Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France
- Aix Marseille Univ, IRD, AP-HM, SSA, VITROME, Marseille, France
| | - J. Delerce
- Aix Marseille Univ, IRD, AP-HM, MEФI, Marseille, France
- IHU-Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France
| | - A. Levasseur
- Aix Marseille Univ, IRD, AP-HM, MEФI, Marseille, France
- IHU-Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France
| | - D. Raoult
- Aix Marseille Univ, IRD, AP-HM, MEФI, Marseille, France
- IHU-Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Jaiswal AK, Tiwari S, Jamal SB, de Castro Oliveira L, Alves LG, Azevedo V, Ghosh P, Oliveira CJF, Soares SC. The pan-genome of Treponema pallidum reveals differences in genome plasticity between subspecies related to venereal and non-venereal syphilis. BMC Genomics 2020; 21:33. [PMID: 31924165 PMCID: PMC6953169 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-019-6430-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2019] [Accepted: 12/24/2019] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Spirochetal organisms of the Treponema genus are responsible for causing Treponematoses. Pathogenic treponemes is a Gram-negative, motile, spirochete pathogen that causes syphilis in human. Treponema pallidum subsp. endemicum (TEN) causes endemic syphilis (bejel); T. pallidum subsp. pallidum (TPA) causes venereal syphilis; T. pallidum subsp. pertenue (TPE) causes yaws; and T. pallidum subsp. Ccarateum causes pinta. Out of these four high morbidity diseases, venereal syphilis is mediated by sexual contact; the other three diseases are transmitted by close personal contact. The global distribution of syphilis is alarming and there is an increasing need of proper treatment and preventive measures. Unfortunately, effective measures are limited. RESULTS Here, the genome sequences of 53 T. pallidum strains isolated from different parts of the world and a diverse range of hosts were comparatively analysed using pan-genomic strategy. Phylogenomic, pan-genomic, core genomic and singleton analysis disclosed the close connection among all strains of the pathogen T. pallidum, its clonal behaviour and showed increases in the sizes of the pan-genome. Based on the genome plasticity analysis of the subsets containing the subspecies T pallidum subsp. pallidum, T. pallidum subsp. endemicum and T. pallidum subsp. pertenue, we found differences in the presence/absence of pathogenicity islands (PAIs) and genomic islands (GIs) on subsp.-based study. CONCLUSIONS In summary, we identified four pathogenicity islands (PAIs), eight genomic islands (GIs) in subsp. pallidum, whereas subsp. endemicum has three PAIs and seven GIs and subsp. pertenue harbours three PAIs and eight GIs. Concerning the presence of genes in PAIs and GIs, we found some genes related to lipid and amino acid biosynthesis that were only present in the subsp. of T. pallidum, compared to T. pallidum subsp. endemicum and T. pallidum subsp. pertenue.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Arun Kumar Jaiswal
- PG Program in Bioinformatics, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil.,Department of Immunology, Microbiology and Parasitology, Institute of Biological Sciences and Natural Sciences, Federal University of Triângulo Mineiro (UFTM), Uberaba, MG, Brazil
| | - Sandeep Tiwari
- PG Program in Bioinformatics, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil.
| | - Syed Babar Jamal
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Medical Sciences, Abid Majeed Road, Rawalpindi, Punjab, 46000, Pakistan
| | - Letícia de Castro Oliveira
- PG Program in Bioinformatics, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil.,Department of Immunology, Microbiology and Parasitology, Institute of Biological Sciences and Natural Sciences, Federal University of Triângulo Mineiro (UFTM), Uberaba, MG, Brazil
| | - Leandro Gomes Alves
- Department of Immunology, Microbiology and Parasitology, Institute of Biological Sciences and Natural Sciences, Federal University of Triângulo Mineiro (UFTM), Uberaba, MG, Brazil
| | - Vasco Azevedo
- PG Program in Bioinformatics, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Preetam Ghosh
- Department of Computer Science, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA-23284, USA
| | - Carlo Jose Freira Oliveira
- Department of Immunology, Microbiology and Parasitology, Institute of Biological Sciences and Natural Sciences, Federal University of Triângulo Mineiro (UFTM), Uberaba, MG, Brazil
| | - Siomar C Soares
- Department of Immunology, Microbiology and Parasitology, Institute of Biological Sciences and Natural Sciences, Federal University of Triângulo Mineiro (UFTM), Uberaba, MG, Brazil.
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Devaux CA, Mediannikov O, Medkour H, Raoult D. Infectious Disease Risk Across the Growing Human-Non Human Primate Interface: A Review of the Evidence. Front Public Health 2019; 7:305. [PMID: 31828053 PMCID: PMC6849485 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2019.00305] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2019] [Accepted: 10/07/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Most of the human pandemics reported to date can be classified as zoonoses. Among these, there is a long history of infectious diseases that have spread from non-human primates (NHP) to humans. For millennia, indigenous groups that depend on wildlife for their survival were exposed to the risk of NHP pathogens' transmission through animal hunting and wild meat consumption. Usually, exposure is of no consequence or is limited to mild infections. In rare situations, it can be more severe or even become a real public health concern. Since the emergence of acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS), nobody can ignore that an emerging infectious diseases (EID) might spread from NHP into the human population. In large parts of Central Africa and Asia, wildlife remains the primary source of meat and income for millions of people living in rural areas. However, in the past few decades the risk of exposure to an NHP pathogen has taken on a new dimension. Unprecedented breaking down of natural barriers between NHP and humans has increased exposure to health risks for a much larger population, including people living in urban areas. There are several reasons for this: (i) due to road development and massive destruction of ecosystems for agricultural needs, wildlife and humans come into contact more frequently; (ii) due to ecological awareness, many long distance travelers are in search of wildlife discovery, with a particular fascination for African great apes; (iii) due to the attraction for ancient temples and mystical practices, others travelers visit Asian places colonized by NHP. In each case, there is a risk of pathogen transmission through a bite or another route of infection. Beside the individual risk of contracting a pathogen, there is also the possibility of starting a new pandemic. This article reviews the known cases of NHP pathogens' transmission to humans whether they are hunters, travelers, ecotourists, veterinarians, or scientists working on NHP. Although pathogen transmission is supposed to be a rare outcome, Rabies virus, Herpes B virus, Monkeypox virus, Ebola virus, or Yellow fever virus infections are of greater concern and require quick countermeasures from public health professionals.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Christian A. Devaux
- Aix-Marseille Univ, IRD, APHM, MEPHI, IHU-Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France
- CNRS, Marseille, France
| | - Oleg Mediannikov
- Aix-Marseille Univ, IRD, APHM, MEPHI, IHU-Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France
| | - Hacene Medkour
- Aix-Marseille Univ, IRD, APHM, MEPHI, IHU-Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France
| | - Didier Raoult
- Aix-Marseille Univ, IRD, APHM, MEPHI, IHU-Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Strain diversity of Treponema pallidum subsp. pertenue suggests rare interspecies transmission in African nonhuman primates. Sci Rep 2019; 9:14243. [PMID: 31578447 PMCID: PMC6775232 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-50779-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2019] [Accepted: 09/19/2019] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
In our most recent study, we found that in Tanzania infection with Treponema pallidum (TP) subsp. pertenue (TPE) is present in four different monkey species. In order to gain information on the diversity and epidemiological spread of the infection in Tanzanian nonhuman primates (NHP), we identified two suitable candidate genes for multi-locus sequence typing (MLST). We demonstrate the functionality of the MLST system in invasively and non-invasively collected samples. While we were not able to demonstrate frequent interspecies transmission of TPE in Tanzanian monkeys, our results show a clustering of TPE strains according to geography and not host species, which is suggestive for rare transmission events between different NHP species. In addition to the geographic stability, we describe the relative temporal stability of the strains infecting NHPs and identified multi-strain infection. Differences between TPE strains of NHP and human origin are highlighted. Our results show that antibiotic resistance does not occur in Tanzanian TPE strains of NHP origin.
Collapse
|
12
|
Chuma IS, Batamuzi EK, Collins DA, Fyumagwa RD, Hallmaier-Wacker LK, Kazwala RR, Keyyu JD, Lejora IA, Lipende IF, Lüert S, Paciência FMD, Piel A, Stewart FA, Zinner D, Roos C, Knauf S. Widespread Treponema pallidum Infection in Nonhuman Primates, Tanzania. Emerg Infect Dis 2019; 24:1002-1009. [PMID: 29774840 PMCID: PMC6004850 DOI: 10.3201/eid2406.180037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [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
We investigated Treponema pallidum infection in 8 nonhuman primate species (289 animals) in Tanzania during 2015-2017. We used a serologic treponemal test to detect antibodies against the bacterium. Infection was further confirmed from tissue samples of skin-ulcerated animals by 3 independent PCRs (polA, tp47, and TP_0619). Our findings indicate that T. pallidum infection is geographically widespread in Tanzania and occurs in several species (olive baboons, yellow baboons, vervet monkeys, and blue monkeys). We found the bacterium at 11 of 14 investigated geographic locations. Anogenital ulceration was the most common clinical manifestation; orofacial lesions also were observed. Molecular data show that nonhuman primates in Tanzania are most likely infected with T. pallidum subsp. pertenue-like strains, which could have implications for human yaws eradication.
Collapse
|
13
|
Facial and genital lesions in baboons (Papio anubis) of Kibale National Park, Uganda. Primates 2019; 60:109-112. [PMID: 30666470 DOI: 10.1007/s10329-019-00715-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2018] [Accepted: 01/05/2019] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
We describe and document with digital images two adult male baboons (Papio anubis) from the Kibale National Park, Uganda who were infected with some kind of disease having clinical signs suggestive of Treponema pallidum. One of these males was missing his premaxilla, part of the maxilla, upper incisors, canines, and possibly the first premolars. The condition of his scrotum was not seen. The other adult male had prominent inflammation of his scrotum and, to a lesser extent, his penis. Otherwise, both males appeared normal and healthy and were apparently well integrated into the same social group. These observations suggest that an earlier report of an adult female baboon living in the same area who was missing her entire premaxilla and nose and most of her maxilla may have been suffering from a similar infection, rather than a congenital disorder, as previously speculated. If these lesions were due to T. pallidum infections, then this disease has a greater geographical distribution among non-human primates than previously known.
Collapse
|
14
|
McRae R, Aronsen GP. Inventory and Assessment of theGorilla gorilla(Savage, 1847) Skeletal Collection Housed at the Yale Peabody Museum of Natural History. BULLETIN OF THE PEABODY MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY 2018. [DOI: 10.3374/014.059.0205] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Ryan McRae
- Department of Anthropology, Yale University, New Haven CT 06520-8277 USA
| | - Gary P. Aronsen
- Biological Anthropology Laboratories, Department of Anthropology, Yale University, New Haven CT 06520-8277 USA
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Advances in the Treatment of Yaws. Trop Med Infect Dis 2018; 3:tropicalmed3030092. [PMID: 30274488 PMCID: PMC6161241 DOI: 10.3390/tropicalmed3030092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2018] [Revised: 08/27/2018] [Accepted: 08/27/2018] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Yaws is one of the three endemic treponematoses and is recognised by the World Health Organization as a neglected tropical disease. Yaws is currently reported in 15 countries in the Pacific, South-East Asia, West and Central Africa, predominantly affects children, and results in destructive lesions of the skin and soft tissues. For most of the twentieth century penicillin-based treatment was the standard of care and resistance to penicillin has still not been described. Recently, oral azithromycin has been shown to be an effective treatment for yaws, facilitating renewed yaws eradication efforts. Resistance to azithromycin is an emerging threat and close surveillance will be required as yaws eradication efforts are scaled up globally.
Collapse
|
16
|
Knauf S, Lüert S, Šmajs D, Strouhal M, Chuma IS, Frischmann S, Bakheit M. Gene target selection for loop-mediated isothermal amplification for rapid discrimination of Treponema pallidum subspecies. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2018; 12:e0006396. [PMID: 29649256 PMCID: PMC5978989 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0006396] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2017] [Revised: 04/24/2018] [Accepted: 03/21/2018] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
We show proof of concept for gene targets (polA, tprL, and TP_0619) that can be used in loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assays to rapidly differentiate infection with any of the three Treponema pallidum subspecies (pallidum (TPA), pertenue (TPE), and endemicum (TEN)) and which are known to infect humans and nonhuman primates (NHPs). Four TPA, six human, and two NHP TPE strains, as well as two human TEN strains were used to establish and validate the LAMP assays. All three LAMP assays were highly specific for the target DNA. Amplification was rapid (5-15 min) and within a range of 10E+6 to 10E+2 of target DNA molecules. Performance in NHP clinical samples was similar to the one seen in human TPE strains. The newly designed LAMP assays provide proof of concept for a diagnostic tool that enhances yaws clinical diagnosis. It is highly specific for the target DNA and does not require expensive laboratory equipment. Test results can potentially be interpreted with the naked eye, which makes it suitable for the use in remote clinical settings.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sascha Knauf
- Work Group Neglected Tropical Diseases, Infection Biology Unit, German Primate Center, Leibniz- Institute for Primate Research, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Simone Lüert
- Work Group Neglected Tropical Diseases, Infection Biology Unit, German Primate Center, Leibniz- Institute for Primate Research, Göttingen, Germany
| | - David Šmajs
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Michal Strouhal
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Idrissa S. Chuma
- Work Group Neglected Tropical Diseases, Infection Biology Unit, German Primate Center, Leibniz- Institute for Primate Research, Göttingen, Germany
- Sokoine University of Agriculture, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Morogoro, Tanzania
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
17
|
Šmajs D, Strouhal M, Knauf S. Genetics of human and animal uncultivable treponemal pathogens. INFECTION GENETICS AND EVOLUTION 2018; 61:92-107. [PMID: 29578082 DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2018.03.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2017] [Revised: 03/16/2018] [Accepted: 03/20/2018] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
Treponema pallidum is an uncultivable bacterium and the causative agent of syphilis (subsp. pallidum [TPA]), human yaws (subsp. pertenue [TPE]), and bejel (subsp. endemicum). Several species of nonhuman primates in Africa are infected by treponemes genetically undistinguishable from known human TPE strains. Besides Treponema pallidum, the equally uncultivable Treponema carateum causes pinta in humans. In lagomorphs, Treponema paraluisleporidarum ecovar Cuniculus and ecovar Lepus are the causative agents of rabbit and hare syphilis, respectively. All uncultivable pathogenic treponemes harbor a relatively small chromosome (1.1334-1.1405 Mbp) and show gene synteny with minimal genetic differences (>98% identity at the DNA level) between subspecies and species. While uncultivable pathogenic treponemes contain a highly conserved core genome, there are a number of highly variable and/or recombinant chromosomal loci. This is also reflected in the occurrence of intrastrain heterogeneity (genetic diversity within an infecting bacterial population). Molecular differences at several different chromosomal loci identified among TPA strains or isolates have been used for molecular typing and the epidemiological characterization of syphilis isolates. This review summarizes genome structure of uncultivable pathogenic treponemes including genetically variable regions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- David Šmajs
- Department of Biology, Masaryk University, Kamenice 5, Building A6, 625 00 Brno, Czech Republic.
| | - Michal Strouhal
- Department of Biology, Masaryk University, Kamenice 5, Building A6, 625 00 Brno, Czech Republic.
| | - Sascha Knauf
- Work Group Neglected Tropical Diseases, Pathology Unit, German Primate Center, Leibniz Institute for Primate Research, Kellnerweg 4, 37077 Göttingen, Germany,.
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Marks M, Mitjà O, Fitzpatrick C, Asiedu K, Solomon AW, Mabey DCW, Funk S. Mathematical Modeling of Programmatic Requirements for Yaws Eradication. Emerg Infect Dis 2018; 23:22-28. [PMID: 27983500 PMCID: PMC5176210 DOI: 10.3201/eid2301.160487] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Yaws is targeted for eradication by 2020. The mainstay of the eradication strategy is mass treatment followed by case finding. Modeling has been used to inform programmatic requirements for other neglected tropical diseases and could provide insights into yaws eradication. We developed a model of yaws transmission varying the coverage and number of rounds of treatment. The estimated number of cases arising from an index case (basic reproduction number [R0]) ranged from 1.08 to 3.32. To have 80% probability of achieving eradication, 8 rounds of treatment with 80% coverage were required at low estimates of R0 (1.45). This requirement increased to 95% at high estimates of R0 (2.47). Extending the treatment interval to 12 months increased requirements at all estimates of R0. At high estimates of R0 with 12 monthly rounds of treatment, no combination of variables achieved eradication. Models should be used to guide the scale-up of yaws eradication.
Collapse
|
19
|
Wild primates threaten efforts to wipe out skin disease. Nature 2018; 554:286. [DOI: 10.1038/d41586-018-01703-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
|
20
|
Complete genome sequences of two strains of Treponema pallidum subsp. pertenue from Ghana, Africa: Identical genome sequences in samples isolated more than 7 years apart. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2017; 11:e0005894. [PMID: 28886021 PMCID: PMC5607219 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0005894] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2017] [Revised: 09/20/2017] [Accepted: 08/22/2017] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Treponema pallidum subsp. pertenue (TPE) is the causative agent of yaws, a multi-stage disease, endemic in tropical regions of Africa, Asia, Oceania, and South America. To date, four TPE strains have been completely sequenced including three TPE strains of human origin (Samoa D, CDC-2, and Gauthier) and one TPE strain (Fribourg-Blanc) isolated from a baboon. All TPE strains are highly similar to T. pallidum subsp. pallidum (TPA) strains. The mutation rate in syphilis and related treponemes has not been experimentally determined yet. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS Complete genomes of two TPE strains, CDC 2575 and Ghana-051, that infected patients in Ghana and were isolated in 1980 and 1988, respectively, were sequenced and analyzed. Both strains had identical consensus genome nucleotide sequences raising the question whether TPE CDC 2575 and Ghana-051 represent two different strains. Several lines of evidence support the fact that both strains represent independent samples including regions showing intrastrain heterogeneity (13 and 5 intrastrain heterogeneous sites in TPE Ghana-051 and TPE CDC 2575, respectively). Four of these heterogeneous sites were found in both genomes but the frequency of alternative alleles differed. The identical consensus genome sequences were used to estimate the upper limit of the yaws treponeme evolution rate, which was 4.1 x 10-10 nucleotide changes per site per generation. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE The estimated upper limit for the mutation rate of TPE was slightly lower than the mutation rate of E. coli, which was determined during a long-term experiment. Given the known diversity between TPA and TPE genomes and the assumption that both TPA and TPE have a similar mutation rate, the most recent common ancestor of syphilis and yaws treponemes appears to be more than ten thousand years old and likely even older.
Collapse
|
21
|
Klegarth AR, Ezeonwu CA, Rompis A, Lee BPYH, Aggimarangsee N, Chalise M, Cortes J, Feeroz M, Molini BJ, Godornes BC, Marks M, Schillaci M, Engel G, Knauf S, Lukehart SA, Jones-Engel L. Survey of Treponemal Infections in Free-Ranging and Captive Macaques, 1999-2012. Emerg Infect Dis 2017; 23:816-819. [PMID: 28418297 PMCID: PMC5403046 DOI: 10.3201/eid2305.161838] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Survey results showed treponemal infection among pet macaques in Southeast Asia, a region with a high prevalence of human yaws. This finding, along with studies showing treponemal infection in nonhuman primates in Africa, should encourage a One Health approach to yaws eradication and surveillance activities, possibly including monitoring of nonhuman primates in yaws-endemic regions.
Collapse
|
22
|
Richard M, Knauf S, Lawrence P, Mather AE, Munster VJ, Müller MA, Smith D, Kuiken T. Factors determining human-to-human transmissibility of zoonotic pathogens via contact. Curr Opin Virol 2016; 22:7-12. [PMID: 27907884 PMCID: PMC5346033 DOI: 10.1016/j.coviro.2016.11.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2016] [Revised: 11/02/2016] [Accepted: 11/11/2016] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
There are several modes of contact transmission of pathogens amongst humans. Factors promoting contact transmission act at the pathogen, host or environmental levels. Common pathogen factors are immune evasion, high viral load and low infectious dose. Common host factors are crowding, promiscuity and the presence of co-infections.
The pandemic potential of zoonotic pathogens lies in their ability to become efficiently transmissible amongst humans. Here, we focus on contact-transmitted pathogens and discuss the factors, at the pathogen, host and environmental levels that promote or hinder their human-to-human transmissibility via the following modes of contact transmission: skin contact, sexual contact, respiratory contact and multiple route contact. Factors common to several modes of transmission were immune evasion, high viral load, low infectious dose, crowding, promiscuity, and co-infections; other factors were specific for a pathogen or mode of contact transmission. The identification of such factors will lead to a better understanding of the requirements for human-to-human spread of pathogens, as well as improving risk assessment of newly emerging pathogens.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mathilde Richard
- Department of Viroscience, Postgraduate School Molecular Medicine, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Sascha Knauf
- Work Group Neglected Tropical Diseases, German Primate Center, Leibniz-Institute for Primate Research, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Philip Lawrence
- Université de Lyon, UMRS 449, Laboratoire de Biologie Générale, Université Catholique de Lyon - EPHE, Lyon 69288, France; Molecular Basis of Viral Pathogenicity, International Centre for Research in Infectiology (CIRI), INSERM U1111 - CNRS UMR5308, Université Lyon 1, Ecole Normale Supérieure de Lyon, Lyon 69007, France
| | - Alison E Mather
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Vincent J Munster
- Virus Ecology Unit, Laboratory of Virology, Division of Intramural Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rocky Mountain Laboratories, Hamilton, MT, USA
| | - Marcel A Müller
- Institute of Virology, University of Bonn Medical Center, Bonn, Germany
| | - Derek Smith
- Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Thijs Kuiken
- Department of Viroscience, Postgraduate School Molecular Medicine, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Stamm LV. Flies and Yaws: Molecular Studies Provide New Insight. EBioMedicine 2016; 11:9-10. [PMID: 27568221 PMCID: PMC5049984 DOI: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2016.08.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2016] [Accepted: 08/18/2016] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Lola V Stamm
- Department of Epidemiology, Program in Infectious Diseases, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7435, United States.
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Gogarten JF, Düx A, Schuenemann VJ, Nowak K, Boesch C, Wittig RM, Krause J, Calvignac-Spencer S, Leendertz FH. Tools for opening new chapters in the book of Treponema pallidum evolutionary history. Clin Microbiol Infect 2016; 22:916-921. [PMID: 27498082 DOI: 10.1016/j.cmi.2016.07.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2016] [Revised: 07/04/2016] [Accepted: 07/25/2016] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Treponema pallidum infections causing yaws disease and venereal syphilis are globally widespread in human populations, infecting hundreds of thousands and millions annually respectively; endemic syphilis is much less common, and pinta has not been observed in decades. We discuss controversy surrounding the origin, evolution and history of these pathogens in light of available molecular and anthropological evidence. These bacteria (or close relatives) seem to affect many wild African nonhuman primate (NHP) species, though to date only a single NHP Treponema pallidum genome has been published, hindering detection of spillover events and our understanding of potential wildlife reservoirs. Similarly, only ten genomes of Treponema pallidum infecting humans have been published, impeding a full understanding of their diversity and evolutionary history. Research efforts have been hampered by the difficulty of culturing and propagating Treponema pallidum. Here we highlight avenues of research recently opened by the coupling of hybridization capture and next-generation sequencing. We present data generated with such an approach suggesting that asymptomatic bones from NHP occasionally contain enough treponemal DNA to recover large fractions of their genomes. We expect that these methods, which naturally can be applied to modern biopsy samples and ancient human bones, will soon considerably improve our understanding of these enigmatic pathogens and lay rest to old yet unresolved controversies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- J F Gogarten
- Epidemiology of Highly Pathogenic Microorganisms, Germany; Primatology Department, Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Leipzig, Germany; Department of Biology, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - A Düx
- Epidemiology of Highly Pathogenic Microorganisms, Germany; Viral Evolution, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
| | - V J Schuenemann
- Institute for Archeological Sciences, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - K Nowak
- Epidemiology of Highly Pathogenic Microorganisms, Germany
| | - C Boesch
- Primatology Department, Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Leipzig, Germany
| | - R M Wittig
- Primatology Department, Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Leipzig, Germany; Taï Chimpanzee Project, CSRS, Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire
| | - J Krause
- Institute for Archeological Sciences, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany; Max Planck Institute for the Science of Human History, Jena, Germany
| | - S Calvignac-Spencer
- Epidemiology of Highly Pathogenic Microorganisms, Germany; Viral Evolution, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany.
| | - F H Leendertz
- Epidemiology of Highly Pathogenic Microorganisms, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Knauf S, Raphael J, Mitjà O, Lejora IAV, Chuma IS, Batamuzi EK, Keyyu JD, Fyumagwa R, Lüert S, Godornes C, Liu H, Schwarz C, Šmajs D, Grange P, Zinner D, Roos C, Lukehart SA. Isolation of Treponema DNA from Necrophagous Flies in a Natural Ecosystem. EBioMedicine 2016; 11:85-90. [PMID: 27488881 PMCID: PMC5049926 DOI: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2016.07.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2016] [Revised: 07/26/2016] [Accepted: 07/27/2016] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Recently, the World Health Organization launched a campaign to eradicate the tropical disease yaws, caused by the bacterium Treponema pallidum subsp. pertenue; however, for decades researchers have questioned whether flies act as a vector for the pathogen that could facilitate transmission. Methods A total of 207 fly specimens were trapped in areas of Africa in which T. pallidum-induced skin ulcerations are common in wild baboons; 88 flies from Tarangire National Park and 119 from Lake Manyara National Park in Tanzania were analyzed by PCR for the presence of T. pallidum DNA. Findings We report that in the two study areas, T. pallidum DNA was found in 17–24% of wild-caught flies of the order Diptera. Treponemal DNA sequences obtained from many of the flies match sequences derived from nearby baboon T. pallidum strains, and one of the fly species with an especially high prevalence of T. pallidum DNA, Musca sorbens, has previously been shown to transmit yaws in an experimental setting. Interpretation Our results raise the possibility that flies play a role in yaws transmission; further research is warranted, given how important understanding transmission is for the eradication of this disfiguring disease. Treponema pallidum DNA was found in 17–24% of wild-caught flies in the Manyara region of Tanzania. Results further support the possibility that flies play a role in yaws transmission. New theoretic route of inter-species transmission for Treponema
The discovery of Treponema pallidum DNA on necrophagous flies in Africa supports historical reports on possible transmission of the bacterium by flies as a mechanical vector. The bacterium (subsp. pertenue) causes human yaws, which is currently subject to eradication efforts. It has been shown that African nonhuman primates are also found to be infected with T. pallidum strains that are closely related to human yaws causing strains. The ecology of T. pallidum infection in primates is not yet fully understood and intra- and interspecies transmission pathways, apart from skin-to-skin contact in humans, are largely unknown.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sascha Knauf
- Work Group Neglected Tropical Diseases, Pathology Unit, German Primate Center, Leibniz Institute for Primate Research, Kellnerweg 4, 37077 Göttingen, Germany.
| | - Jane Raphael
- Ecology Monitoring Department, Tanzania National Parks, P.O. Box 3134, Arusha, Tanzania
| | - Oriol Mitjà
- ISGlobal, Barcelona Centre for International Health Research, Hospital Clínic, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Inyasi A V Lejora
- Ecology Monitoring Department, Tanzania National Parks, P.O. Box 3134, Arusha, Tanzania
| | - Idrissa S Chuma
- Ecology Monitoring Department, Tanzania National Parks, P.O. Box 3134, Arusha, Tanzania
| | - Emmanuel K Batamuzi
- Department of Surgery and Theriogenology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Sokoine University of Agriculture, P.O. Box 3020, Morogoro, Tanzania
| | - Julius D Keyyu
- Tanzania Wildlife Research Institute, P.O. Box. 661, Arusha, Tanzania
| | - Robert Fyumagwa
- Tanzania Wildlife Research Institute, P.O. Box. 661, Arusha, Tanzania
| | - Simone Lüert
- Work Group Neglected Tropical Diseases, Pathology Unit, German Primate Center, Leibniz Institute for Primate Research, Kellnerweg 4, 37077 Göttingen, Germany; Primate Genetics Laboratory, German Primate Center, Leibniz Institute for Primate Research, Kellnerweg 4, 37077 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Charmie Godornes
- Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Harborview Medical Center, 325 Ninth Avenue, Seattle, WA 98104, USA
| | - Hsi Liu
- National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention, Centers for Diseases Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA 30333, USA
| | - Christiane Schwarz
- Primate Genetics Laboratory, German Primate Center, Leibniz Institute for Primate Research, Kellnerweg 4, 37077 Göttingen, Germany
| | - David Šmajs
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Kamenice 5, Brno 625 00, Czech Republic
| | - Philippe Grange
- Laboratoire de Dermatologie, Centre National de Reference de la Syphilis, 75014 Paris, France
| | - Dietmar Zinner
- Cognitive Ethology Laboratory, German Primate Center, Kellnerweg 4, 37077 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Christian Roos
- Primate Genetics Laboratory, German Primate Center, Leibniz Institute for Primate Research, Kellnerweg 4, 37077 Göttingen, Germany; Gene Bank of Primates, German Primate Center, Leibniz Institute for Primate Research, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Sheila A Lukehart
- Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Harborview Medical Center, 325 Ninth Avenue, Seattle, WA 98104, USA
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Marks M. Yaws: towards the WHO eradication target. Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg 2016; 110:319-20. [PMID: 27268712 PMCID: PMC4926320 DOI: 10.1093/trstmh/trw032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2016] [Accepted: 04/19/2016] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
In 2012 WHO declared a target to eradicate yaws by 2020. The cornerstone of this strategy is community mass treatment with azithromycin. Initial studies suggest this is a very effective tool that may be capable of interrupting transmission. Alongside this there has been progress in the development and validation of diagnostic tests for yaws. Several new challenges have also emerged, in particular, evidence that Haemophilus ducreyi can cause phenotypically similar ulcers in yaws endemic communities, and evidence for a possible non-human primate reservoir. The 2020 eradication target remains ambitious and more challenges should be expected on the journey.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Michael Marks
- Clinical Research Department, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London, WC1E 7HT, UK; Hospital for Tropical Diseases, University College London Hospitals NHS Trust, London, WC1E 6JB, UK
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Affiliation(s)
- David Mabey
- Clinical Research Department, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London WC1E 7HT, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
High Prevalence of Antibodies against the Bacterium Treponema pallidum in Senegalese Guinea Baboons (Papio papio). PLoS One 2015; 10:e0143100. [PMID: 26588087 PMCID: PMC4654574 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0143100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2015] [Accepted: 10/30/2015] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The bacterium Treponema pallidum is known to cause syphilis (ssp. pallidum), yaws (ssp. pertenue), and endemic syphilis (ssp. endemicum) in humans. Nonhuman primates have also been reported to be infected with the bacterium with equally versatile clinical manifestations, from severe skin ulcerations to asymptomatic. At present all simian strains are closely related to human yaws-causing strains, an important consideration for yaws eradication. We tested clinically healthy Guinea baboons (Papio papio) at Parc National Niokolo Koba in south eastern Senegal for the presence of anti-T. pallidum antibodies. Since T. pallidum infection in this species was identified 50 years ago, and there has been no attempt to treat non-human primates for infection, it was hypothesized that a large number of West African baboons are still infected with simian strains of the yaws-bacterium. All animals were without clinical signs of treponematoses, but 18 of 20 (90%) baboons tested positive for antibodies against T. pallidum based on treponemal tests. Yet, Guinea baboons seem to develop no clinical symptoms, though it must be assumed that infection is chronic or comparable to the latent stage in human yaws infection. The non-active character is supported by the low anti-T. pallidum serum titers in Guinea baboons (median = 1:2,560) versus serum titers that are found in genital-ulcerated olive baboons with active infection in Tanzania (range of medians among the groups of initial, moderate, and severe infected animals = 1:15,360 to 1:2.097e+7). Our findings provide evidence for simian infection with T. pallidum in wild Senegalese baboons. Potentially, Guinea baboons in West Africa serve as a natural reservoir for human infection, as the West African simian strain has been shown to cause sustainable yaws infection when inoculated into humans. The present study pinpoints an area where further research is needed to support the currently on-going second WHO led yaws eradication campaign with its goal to eradicate yaws by 2020.
Collapse
|
29
|
Knauf S, Dahlmann F, Batamuzi EK, Frischmann S, Liu H. Validation of serological tests for the detection of antibodies against Treponema pallidum in nonhuman primates. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2015; 9:e0003637. [PMID: 25803295 PMCID: PMC4372418 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0003637] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2014] [Accepted: 02/22/2015] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
There is evidence to suggest that the yaws bacterium (Treponema pallidum ssp. pertenue) may exist in non-human primate populations residing in regions where yaws is endemic in humans. Especially in light of the fact that the World Health Organizaiton (WHO) recently launched its second yaws eradication campaign, there is a considerable need for reliable tools to identify treponemal infection in our closest relatives, African monkeys and great apes. It was hypothesized that commercially available serological tests detect simian anti-T. pallidum antibody in serum samples of baboons, with comparable sensitivity and specificity to their results on human sera. Test performances of five different treponemal tests (TTs) and two non-treponemal tests (NTTs) were evaluated using serum samples of 57 naturally T. pallidum-infected olive baboons (Papio anubis) from Lake Manyara National Park in Tanzania. The T. pallidum particle agglutination assay (TP-PA) was used as a gold standard for comparison. In addition, the overall infection status of the animals was used to further validate test performances. For most accurate results, only samples that originated from baboons of known infection status, as verified in a previous study by clinical inspection, PCR and immunohistochemistry, were included. All tests, TTs and NTTs, used in this study were able to reliably detect antibodies against T. pallidum in serum samples of infected baboons. The sensitivity of TTs ranged from 97.7-100%, while specificity was between 88.0-100.0%. The two NTTs detected anti-lipoidal antibodies in serum samples of infected baboons with a sensitivity of 83.3% whereas specificity was 100%. For screening purposes, the TT Espline TP provided the highest sensitivity and specificity and at the same time provided the most suitable format for use in the field. The enzyme immune assay Mastblot TP (IgG), however, could be considered as a confirmatory test.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sascha Knauf
- German Primate Center, Pathology Unit, Work Group Neglected Tropical Diseases, Göttingen, Germany
- * E-mail:
| | - Franziska Dahlmann
- German Primate Center, Pathology Unit, Work Group Neglected Tropical Diseases, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Emmanuel K. Batamuzi
- Sokoine University of Agriculture, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Surgery and Theriogenology, Morogoro, Tanzania
| | | | - Hsi Liu
- National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention, Centers for Diseases Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
Abstract
BACKGROUND Yaws, one of the 17 neglected tropical diseases (NTDs), is targeted for eradication by 2020 in resolution WHA66.12 of the World Health Assembly (2013) and the WHO roadmap on NTDs (2012). The disease frequently affects children who live in poor socioeconomic conditions. Between 1952 and 1964, WHO and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) led a global eradication campaign using injectable benzathine penicillin. Recent developments using a single dose of oral azithromycin have renewed optimism that eradication can be achieved through a comprehensive large-scale treatment strategy. We review historical efforts to eradicate yaws and argue that this goal is now technically feasible using new tools and with the favorable environment for control of NTDs. We also summarize the work of WHO's Department of Control of Neglected Tropical Diseases in leading the renewed eradication initiative and call on the international community to support efforts to achieve the 2020 eradication goal. The critical factor remains access to azithromycin. Excluding medicines, the financial cost of yaws eradication could be as little as US$ 100 million. CONCLUSIONS The development of new tools has renewed interest in eradication of yaws; with modest support, the WHO eradication target of 2020 can be achieved.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kingsley Asiedu
- Department of Control of Neglected Tropical Diseases, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Christopher Fitzpatrick
- Department of Control of Neglected Tropical Diseases, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Jean Jannin
- Department of Control of Neglected Tropical Diseases, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
Stamm LV. Progress in treatment and diagnosis of yaws: hope for eradication? THE LANCET GLOBAL HEALTH 2014; 2:e369-70. [DOI: 10.1016/s2214-109x(14)70248-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
|
32
|
Nunn CL, Scully EJ, Kutsukake N, Ostner J, Schülke O, Thrall PH. Mating Competition, Promiscuity, and Life History Traits as Predictors of Sexually Transmitted Disease Risk in Primates. INT J PRIMATOL 2014. [DOI: 10.1007/s10764-014-9781-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
|