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Wiedeman W, Glover AB, Steyl J, O'Dell J, Van Heerden H. Clinical Coxiella burnetii infection in sable and roan antelope in South Africa. Onderstepoort J Vet Res 2024; 91:e1-e6. [PMID: 39099298 PMCID: PMC11304184 DOI: 10.4102/ojvr.v91i1.2151] [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: 11/28/2023] [Revised: 05/10/2024] [Accepted: 05/28/2024] [Indexed: 08/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Various zoonotic microorganisms cause reproductive problems such as abortions and stillbirths, leading to economic losses on farms, particularly within livestock. In South Africa, bovine brucellosis is endemic in cattle, and from 2013-2018, outbreaks of Brucella melitensis occurred in sable. Coxiella burnetii, the agent responsible for the zoonotic disease known as Q-fever and/or coxiellosis, also causes reproductive problems and infects multiple domestic animal species worldwide, including humans. However, little is known of this disease in wildlife. With the expansion of the wildlife industry in South Africa, diseases like brucellosis and coxiellosis can significantly impact herd breeding success because of challenges in identifying, managing and treating diseases in wildlife populations. This study investigated samples obtained from aborted sable and roan antelope, initially suspected to be brucellosis, from game farms in South Africa using serology tests and ruminant VetMAX™ polymerase chain reaction (PCR) abortion kit. The presence of C. burnetii was confirmed with PCR in a sable abortion case, while samples from both sable and roan were seropositive for C. burnetii indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (iELISA). This study represents the initial report of C. burnetii infection in sable and roan antelope in South Africa. Epidemiological investigations are crucial to assess the risk of C. burnetii in sable and roan populations, as well as wildlife and livestock in general, across South Africa. This is important in intensive farming practices, particularly as Q-fever, being a zoonotic disease, poses a particular threat to the health of veterinarians and farm workers as well as domestic animals.Contribution: A report of clinical C. burnetii infection in the wildlife industry contributes towards the limited knowledge of this zoonotic disease in South Africa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wikus Wiedeman
- aculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, Onderstepoort.
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Mazwi KD, Lekota KE, Glover BA, Kolo FB, Hassim A, Rossouw J, Jonker A, Wojno JM, Profiti G, Martelli PL, Casadio R, Zilli K, Janowicz A, Marotta F, Garofolo G, van Heerden H. Whole Genome Sequence Analysis of Brucella spp. from Human, Livestock, and Wildlife in South Africa. J Microbiol 2024:10.1007/s12275-024-00155-8. [PMID: 39037482 DOI: 10.1007/s12275-024-00155-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2024] [Revised: 06/11/2024] [Accepted: 06/18/2024] [Indexed: 07/23/2024]
Abstract
Brucellosis is an economically important zoonotic disease affecting humans, livestock, and wildlife health globally and especially in Africa. Brucella abortus and B. melitensis have been isolated from human, livestock (cattle and goat), and wildlife (sable) in South Africa (SA) but with little knowledge of the population genomic structure of this pathogen in SA. As whole genome sequencing can assist to differentiate and trace the origin of outbreaks of Brucella spp. strains, the whole genomes of retrospective isolates (n = 19) from previous studies were sequenced. Sequences were analysed using average nucleotide identity (ANI), pangenomics, and whole genome single nucleotide polymorphism (wgSNP) to trace the geographical origin of cases of brucellosis circulating in human, cattle, goats, and sable from different provinces in SA. Pangenomics analysis of B. melitensis (n = 69) and B. abortus (n = 56) was conducted with 19 strains that included B. abortus from cattle (n = 3) and B. melitensis from a human (n = 1), cattle (n = 1), goat (n = 1), Rev1 vaccine strain (n = 1), and sable (n = 12). Pangenomics analysis of B. melitensis genomes, highlighted shared genes, that include 10 hypothetical proteins and genes that encodes for acetyl-coenzyme A synthetase (acs), and acylamidase (aam) amongst the sable genomes. The wgSNP analysis confirmed the B. melitensis isolated from human was more closely related to the goat from the Western Cape Province from the same outbreak than the B. melitensis cattle sample from different cases in the Gauteng Province. The B. melitensis sable strains could be distinguished from the African lineage, constituting their own African sub-clade. The sequenced B. abortus strains clustered in the C2 lineage that is closely related to the isolates from Mozambique and Zimbabwe. This study identified genetically diverse Brucella spp. among various hosts in SA. This study expands the limited known knowledge regarding the presence of B. melitensis in livestock and humans in SA, further building a foundation for future research on the distribution of the Brucella spp. worldwide and its evolutionary background.
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Affiliation(s)
- Koketso Desiree Mazwi
- Department of Veterinary Tropical Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, Onderstepoort, 0110, South Africa.
| | - Kgaugelo Edward Lekota
- Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management, North-West University, Potchefstroom, 2531, South Africa.
| | - Barbara Akofo Glover
- Department of Veterinary Tropical Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, Onderstepoort, 0110, South Africa
| | - Francis Babaman Kolo
- Department of Veterinary Tropical Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, Onderstepoort, 0110, South Africa
| | - Ayesha Hassim
- Department of Veterinary Tropical Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, Onderstepoort, 0110, South Africa
| | - Jenny Rossouw
- National Institute for Communicable Diseases, A Division of the National Health Laboratory Services, Johannesburg, 2192, South Africa
| | - Annelize Jonker
- Department of Veterinary Tropical Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, Onderstepoort, 0110, South Africa
| | - Justnya Maria Wojno
- Lancet Laboratories, Microbiology Laboratory, Century City, Cape Town, 7441, South Africa
| | - Giuseppe Profiti
- Bologna Biocomputing Group, University of Bologna, 40126, Bologna, Italy
| | | | - Rita Casadio
- Bologna Biocomputing Group, University of Bologna, 40126, Bologna, Italy
| | - Katiuscia Zilli
- National and OIE Reference Laboratory for Brucellosis, Experimental Zooprophylactic Institute of Abruzzo and Molise Giuseppe Caporale, 64100, Teramo, Italy
| | - Anna Janowicz
- National and OIE Reference Laboratory for Brucellosis, Experimental Zooprophylactic Institute of Abruzzo and Molise Giuseppe Caporale, 64100, Teramo, Italy
| | - Francesca Marotta
- National and OIE Reference Laboratory for Brucellosis, Experimental Zooprophylactic Institute of Abruzzo and Molise Giuseppe Caporale, 64100, Teramo, Italy
| | - Giuliano Garofolo
- National and OIE Reference Laboratory for Brucellosis, Experimental Zooprophylactic Institute of Abruzzo and Molise Giuseppe Caporale, 64100, Teramo, Italy
| | - Henriette van Heerden
- Department of Veterinary Tropical Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, Onderstepoort, 0110, South Africa
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Chen J, Wang S, Wang D, Chiu Y, Yang N, Lian X, Zhao Z, Wei Q. Uncovering rearrangements in the Tibetan antelope via population-derived genome refinement and comparative analysis with homologous species. Front Genet 2024; 15:1302554. [PMID: 38425715 PMCID: PMC10902437 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2024.1302554] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2023] [Accepted: 01/24/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction: The Tibetan antelope (Pantholops hodgsonii) is a remarkable mammal thriving in the extreme Qinghai-Tibet Plateau conditions. Despite the availability of its genome sequence, limitations in the scaffold-level assembly have hindered a comprehensive understanding of its genomics. Moreover, comparative analyses with other Bovidae species are lacking, along with insights into genome rearrangements in the Tibetan antelope. Methods: Addressing these gaps, we present a multifaceted approach by refining the Tibetan Antelope genome through linkage disequilibrium analysis with data from 15 newly sequenced samples. Results: The scaffold N50 of the refined reference is 3.2 Mbp, surpassing the previous version by 1.15-fold. Our annotation analysis resulted in 50,750 genes, encompassing 29,324 novel genes not previously study. Comparative analyses reveal 182 unique rearrangements within the scaffolds, contributing to our understanding of evolutionary dynamics and species-specific adaptations. Furthermore, by conducting detailed genomic comparisons and reconstructing rearrangements, we have successfully pioneered the reconstruction of the X-chromosome in the Tibetan antelope. Discussion: This effort enhances our comprehension of the genomic landscape of this species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiarui Chen
- College of Eco‐Environmental Engineering, Qinghai University, Xining, Qinghai, China
- State Key Laboratory of Plateau Ecology and Agriculture, Qinghai University, Xining, Qinghai, China
| | - Shuwen Wang
- College of Eco‐Environmental Engineering, Qinghai University, Xining, Qinghai, China
| | - Dong Wang
- Key Laboratory of Adaptation and Evolution of Plateau Biota, Northwest Institute of Plateau Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xining, Qinghai, China
- School of Geographical Science, Qinghai Normal University, Xining, Qinghai, China
| | - Yunkang Chiu
- Shenzhen Byoryn Technology Co., Ltd., Shenzhen, China
| | - Nan Yang
- National Genomics Data Center & CAS Key Laboratory of Genome Sciences and Information, Beijing Institute of Genomics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Xinming Lian
- Key Laboratory of Adaptation and Evolution of Plateau Biota, Northwest Institute of Plateau Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xining, Qinghai, China
- Qinghai Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Ecological Genomics, Xining, Qinghai, China
| | - Zicheng Zhao
- Shenzhen Byoryn Technology Co., Ltd., Shenzhen, China
| | - Qing Wei
- College of Eco‐Environmental Engineering, Qinghai University, Xining, Qinghai, China
- State Key Laboratory of Plateau Ecology and Agriculture, Qinghai University, Xining, Qinghai, China
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Phukuntsi MA, Dalton DL, Mwale M, Selier J, Cebekhulu T, Sethusa MT. Genetic patterns in three South African specialist antelope species: Threats, conservation management and their implications. CONSERVATION SCIENCE AND PRACTICE 2022. [DOI: 10.1111/csp2.12767] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Metlholo Andries Phukuntsi
- South African National Biodiversity Institute Pretoria South Africa
- Department of Environment, Water and Earth Sciences Tshwane University of Technology Pretoria South Africa
| | - Desire Lee Dalton
- South African National Biodiversity Institute Pretoria South Africa
- School of Health and Life Sciences Teesside University Middlesbrough UK
| | - Monica Mwale
- South African National Biodiversity Institute Pretoria South Africa
| | - Jeanetta Selier
- South African National Biodiversity Institute Pretoria South Africa
- School of Life Sciences University of KwaZulu‐Natal Durban South Africa
| | - Thando Cebekhulu
- South African National Biodiversity Institute Pretoria South Africa
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Matle I, Ledwaba B, Madiba K, Makhado L, Jambwa K, Ntushelo N. Characterisation of Brucella species and biovars in South Africa between 2008 and 2018 using laboratory diagnostic data. Vet Med Sci 2021; 7:1245-1253. [PMID: 33974356 PMCID: PMC8294379 DOI: 10.1002/vms3.483] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2020] [Revised: 02/22/2021] [Accepted: 03/09/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Brucellosis is an infectious zoonotic bacterial disease of humans and other animals. In the Republic of South Africa (RSA), animal brucellosis is widespread and the current available data on the prevalence of this disease rely solely on serological testing. The primary limitation of brucellosis serology is the lack of discriminatory powers to differentiate between Brucella species and biovars as well as the cross-reactivity observed with other Gram-negative bacteria. AIM The aim of this study was to conduct a retrospective laboratory-based survey on Brucella species and biovars isolated from various animal species in SA between 2008 and 2018. MATERIAL AND METHODS The isolation of Brucella species and biovar typing was performed using conventional microbiological techniques. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION A total of 963 strains of Brucella species were included in this study with a frequency of detection for B. abortus (n = 883; 91.6%) followed by B. melitensis (n = 42; 4.4%), B. ovis (n = 29; 3.0%) and B. canis (n = 9; 0.9%). Of the 883 strains of B. abortus, 90.1% were typed as B. abortus biovar-1 while 5.7% as B. abortus biovar-2, and 3.3% and 0.5% were B. abortus S19 and B. abortus RB51 vaccine strains, respectively. Among the 42 B. melitensis strains, 71.4% were reported as B. melitensis biovar-1 and 26.2% as B. melitensis biovar-3 while 2.4% was B. melitensis biovar-2. CONCLUSION A retrospective study, such as this one, provides useful information that can be critical in formulating policies and strategies for the control and eradication of brucellosis in animal populations in RSA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Itumeleng Matle
- Bacteriology DivisionARC‐Onderstepoort Veterinary ResearchPretoriaSouth Africa
| | - Betty Ledwaba
- Department of Veterinary Tropical DiseasesUniversity of PretoriaPretoriaSouth Africa
| | - Karabelo Madiba
- Biotechnology DivisionARC‐Onderstepoort Veterinary ResearchPretoriaSouth Africa
| | - Lavhelesani Makhado
- Bacteriology DivisionARC‐Onderstepoort Veterinary ResearchPretoriaSouth Africa
| | - Kudakwashe Jambwa
- Bacteriology DivisionARC‐Onderstepoort Veterinary ResearchPretoriaSouth Africa
| | - Nombasa Ntushelo
- Biometry DivisionAgriculture Research CouncilStellenboschSouth Africa
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