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Touloudi A, McGiven J, Cawthraw S, Valiakos G, Kostoulas P, Duncombe L, Gortázar C, Boadella M, Sofia M, Athanasakopoulou Z, Chatzopoulos DC, Spyrou V, Petrovska L, Billinis C. Development of a Multiplex Bead Assay to Detect Serological Responses to Brucella Species in Domestic Pigs and Wild Boar with the Potential to Overcome Cross-Reactivity with Yersinia enterocolitica O:9. Microorganisms 2022; 10:microorganisms10071362. [PMID: 35889081 PMCID: PMC9324436 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms10071362] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2022] [Revised: 07/01/2022] [Accepted: 07/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The aim of this study was to develop a multiplex bead assay using a Brucella rLPS antigen, a Brucella suis smooth antigen, and a Yersinia enterocolitica O:9 antigen that not only discriminates Brucella-infected from Brucella-uninfected pigs and wild boar, but also overcomes the cross reactivity with Y. enterocolitica O:9. Sera from 126 domestic pigs were tested: 29 pigs were Brucella infected, 80 were non-infected and 17 were confirmed to be false positive serological reactors (FPSR). Sera from 49 wild boar were tested: 18 were positive and 31 were negative. Using the rLPS antigen, 26/29 Brucella-infected domestic pigs and 15/18 seropositive wild boar were positive, while 75/80 non-Brucella infected domestic pigs, all FPSR, and all seronegative wild boar were negative. Using the smooth B. suis 1330 antigen, all Brucella-infected domestic pigs, 9/17 FPSR and all seropositive wild boar were positive, while all non-infected pigs and 30/31 seronegative wild boar were negative. The ratio of the readouts from the smooth B. suis antigen and Y. enterocolitica O:9 antigen enabled discriminating all Brucella infected individuals from the FPSR domestic pigs. These results demonstrate the potential of this assay for use in the surveillance of brucellosis, overcoming the cross-reactivity with Y. enterocolitica.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonia Touloudi
- Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Thessaly, 431 00 Karditsa, Greece; (A.T.); (G.V.); (M.S.); (Z.A.)
| | - John McGiven
- Department of Bacteriology, Animal and Plant Health Agency, OIE/FAO Brucellosis Reference Laboratory, Woodham Lane, Addlestone, Surrey KT15 3NB, UK; (J.M.); (S.C.); (L.D.)
| | - Shaun Cawthraw
- Department of Bacteriology, Animal and Plant Health Agency, OIE/FAO Brucellosis Reference Laboratory, Woodham Lane, Addlestone, Surrey KT15 3NB, UK; (J.M.); (S.C.); (L.D.)
| | - George Valiakos
- Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Thessaly, 431 00 Karditsa, Greece; (A.T.); (G.V.); (M.S.); (Z.A.)
| | - Polychronis Kostoulas
- Faculty of Public and One Health, University of Thessaly, 431 00 Karditsa, Greece; (P.K.); (D.C.C.)
| | - Lucy Duncombe
- Department of Bacteriology, Animal and Plant Health Agency, OIE/FAO Brucellosis Reference Laboratory, Woodham Lane, Addlestone, Surrey KT15 3NB, UK; (J.M.); (S.C.); (L.D.)
| | - Christian Gortázar
- SaBio, Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos IREC, 13005 Ciudad Real, Spain;
| | | | - Marina Sofia
- Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Thessaly, 431 00 Karditsa, Greece; (A.T.); (G.V.); (M.S.); (Z.A.)
| | - Zoi Athanasakopoulou
- Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Thessaly, 431 00 Karditsa, Greece; (A.T.); (G.V.); (M.S.); (Z.A.)
| | - Dimitris C. Chatzopoulos
- Faculty of Public and One Health, University of Thessaly, 431 00 Karditsa, Greece; (P.K.); (D.C.C.)
| | - Vassiliki Spyrou
- Faculty of Animal Science, University of Thessaly, 412 22 Larissa, Greece;
| | - Liljana Petrovska
- Department of Bacteriology, Animal and Plant Health Agency, OIE/FAO Brucellosis Reference Laboratory, Woodham Lane, Addlestone, Surrey KT15 3NB, UK; (J.M.); (S.C.); (L.D.)
- Correspondence: (L.P.); (C.B.)
| | - Charalambos Billinis
- Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Thessaly, 431 00 Karditsa, Greece; (A.T.); (G.V.); (M.S.); (Z.A.)
- Faculty of Public and One Health, University of Thessaly, 431 00 Karditsa, Greece; (P.K.); (D.C.C.)
- Correspondence: (L.P.); (C.B.)
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Athanasakopoulou Z, Diezel C, Braun SD, Sofia M, Giannakopoulos A, Monecke S, Gary D, Krähmer D, Chatzopoulos DC, Touloudi A, Birtsas P, Palli M, Georgakopoulos G, Spyrou V, Petinaki E, Ehricht R, Billinis C. Occurrence and Characteristics of ESBL- and Carbapenemase- Producing Escherichia coli from Wild and Feral Birds in Greece. Microorganisms 2022; 10:1217. [PMID: 35744734 PMCID: PMC9227375 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms10061217] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2022] [Revised: 06/04/2022] [Accepted: 06/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Wild and feral birds are known to be involved in the maintenance and dissemination of clinically-important antimicrobial-resistant pathogens, such as extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL) and carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae. The aim of our study was to evaluate the presence of ESBL- and carbapenemase-producing Escherichia coli among wild and feral birds from Greece and to describe their antimicrobial resistance characteristics. In this context, fecal samples of 362 birds were collected and cultured. Subsequently, the antimicrobial resistance pheno- and geno-type of all the obtained E. coli isolates were determined. A total of 12 multidrug-resistant (MDR), ESBL-producing E. coli were recovered from eight different wild bird species. Eleven of these isolates carried a blaCTX-M-1 group gene alone or in combination with blaTEM and one carried only blaTEM. AmpC, fluoroquinolone, trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole, aminoglycoside and macrolide resistance genes were also detected. Additionally, one carbapenemase-producing E. coli was identified, harboring blaNDM along with a combination of additional resistance genes. This report describes the occurrence of ESBL- and carbapenemase-producing E. coli among wild avian species in Greece, emphasizing the importance of incorporating wild birds in the assessment of AMR circulation in non-clinical settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zoi Athanasakopoulou
- Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Thessaly, 43100 Karditsa, Greece; (Z.A.); (M.S.); (A.G.); (A.T.)
| | - Celia Diezel
- Leibniz Institute of Photonic Technology (IPHT), 07745 Jena, Germany; (C.D.); (S.D.B.); (S.M.); (R.E.)
- InfectoGnostics Research Campus, 07745 Jena, Germany
| | - Sascha D. Braun
- Leibniz Institute of Photonic Technology (IPHT), 07745 Jena, Germany; (C.D.); (S.D.B.); (S.M.); (R.E.)
- InfectoGnostics Research Campus, 07745 Jena, Germany
| | - Marina Sofia
- Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Thessaly, 43100 Karditsa, Greece; (Z.A.); (M.S.); (A.G.); (A.T.)
| | - Alexios Giannakopoulos
- Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Thessaly, 43100 Karditsa, Greece; (Z.A.); (M.S.); (A.G.); (A.T.)
| | - Stefan Monecke
- Leibniz Institute of Photonic Technology (IPHT), 07745 Jena, Germany; (C.D.); (S.D.B.); (S.M.); (R.E.)
- InfectoGnostics Research Campus, 07745 Jena, Germany
| | - Dominik Gary
- fzmb GmbH, Forschungszentrum für Medizintechnik und Biotechnologie, 99947 Bad Langensalza, Germany; (D.G.); (D.K.)
| | - Domenique Krähmer
- fzmb GmbH, Forschungszentrum für Medizintechnik und Biotechnologie, 99947 Bad Langensalza, Germany; (D.G.); (D.K.)
| | | | - Antonia Touloudi
- Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Thessaly, 43100 Karditsa, Greece; (Z.A.); (M.S.); (A.G.); (A.T.)
| | - Periklis Birtsas
- Faculty of Forestry, Wood Science and Design, 43100 Karditsa, Greece;
| | - Matina Palli
- Wildlife Protection & Rehabilitation Center, 24400 Gargalianoi, Greece; (M.P.); (G.G.)
| | | | - Vassiliki Spyrou
- Faculty of Animal Science, University of Thessaly, 41110 Larissa, Greece;
| | | | - Ralf Ehricht
- Leibniz Institute of Photonic Technology (IPHT), 07745 Jena, Germany; (C.D.); (S.D.B.); (S.M.); (R.E.)
- InfectoGnostics Research Campus, 07745 Jena, Germany
- Institute of Physical Chemistry, Friedrich-Schiller-University, 07745 Jena, Germany
| | - Charalambos Billinis
- Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Thessaly, 43100 Karditsa, Greece; (Z.A.); (M.S.); (A.G.); (A.T.)
- Faculty of Public and One Health, University of Thessaly, 43100 Karditsa, Greece;
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Touloudi A, Valiakos G, Cawthraw S, Kostoulas P, Gortázar C, Boadella M, Giannakopoulos A, Birtsas P, Sofia M, Athanasiou LV, Satra M, Athanasakopoulou Z, Kantere M, Spyrou V, Petrovska L, Billinis C. Development of a Multiplex Bead Assay for Simultaneous Serodiagnosis of Antibodies against Mycobacterium bovis, Brucella suis, and Trichinella spiralis in Wild Boar. Microorganisms 2021; 9:microorganisms9050904. [PMID: 33922494 PMCID: PMC8144985 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms9050904] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2021] [Revised: 04/16/2021] [Accepted: 04/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic performance of a multiplex bead assay for the simultaneous detection of antibodies against Mycobacterium bovis, Brucella suis, and Trichinella spiralis. Sera from Eurasian wild boar of known serological status for TB (64 seropositive, 106 seronegative), Brucella (30 seropositive, 39 seronegative), and Trichinella (21 seropositive, 97 seronegative) were used for the development and evaluation of the assay. Magnetic beads coated with recombinant MPB83 antigen (TB), a whole-cell B. suis 1330 antigen, and an E/S T. spiralis antigen were used for the detection of specific antibodies using Bio-Rad Bio-Plex technology. The sensitivities (Se) and specificities (Sp) of the multiplex assay were, for M. bovis, 0.98 and 0.86; for B. suis, 1.00 and 0.97; and for T. spiralis, 0.90 and 0.99 (Se and Sp, respectively). The results show the diagnostic potential of this assay for the simultaneous detection of antibodies against M. bovis, B. suis, and T. spiralis in wild boar.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonia Touloudi
- Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Thessaly, 431 00 Karditsa, Greece; (A.T.); (G.V.); (P.K.); (A.G.); (M.S.); (L.V.A.); (Z.A.); (M.K.)
| | - George Valiakos
- Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Thessaly, 431 00 Karditsa, Greece; (A.T.); (G.V.); (P.K.); (A.G.); (M.S.); (L.V.A.); (Z.A.); (M.K.)
| | - Shaun Cawthraw
- Animal and Plant Health Agency, Addlestone KT15 3NB, UK; (S.C.); (L.P.)
| | - Polychronis Kostoulas
- Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Thessaly, 431 00 Karditsa, Greece; (A.T.); (G.V.); (P.K.); (A.G.); (M.S.); (L.V.A.); (Z.A.); (M.K.)
- Faculty of Public and Integrated Health, University of Thessaly, 431 00 Karditsa, Greece;
| | - Christian Gortázar
- SaBio, Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos IREC, 13005 Ciudad Real, Spain;
| | | | - Alexios Giannakopoulos
- Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Thessaly, 431 00 Karditsa, Greece; (A.T.); (G.V.); (P.K.); (A.G.); (M.S.); (L.V.A.); (Z.A.); (M.K.)
| | - Periklis Birtsas
- Faculty of Forestry, Wood Science and Design, 431 00 Karditsa, Greece;
| | - Marina Sofia
- Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Thessaly, 431 00 Karditsa, Greece; (A.T.); (G.V.); (P.K.); (A.G.); (M.S.); (L.V.A.); (Z.A.); (M.K.)
| | - Labrini V. Athanasiou
- Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Thessaly, 431 00 Karditsa, Greece; (A.T.); (G.V.); (P.K.); (A.G.); (M.S.); (L.V.A.); (Z.A.); (M.K.)
| | - Maria Satra
- Faculty of Public and Integrated Health, University of Thessaly, 431 00 Karditsa, Greece;
| | - Zoi Athanasakopoulou
- Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Thessaly, 431 00 Karditsa, Greece; (A.T.); (G.V.); (P.K.); (A.G.); (M.S.); (L.V.A.); (Z.A.); (M.K.)
| | - Maria Kantere
- Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Thessaly, 431 00 Karditsa, Greece; (A.T.); (G.V.); (P.K.); (A.G.); (M.S.); (L.V.A.); (Z.A.); (M.K.)
| | - Vassiliki Spyrou
- Faculty of Animal Science, University of Thessaly, 412 22 Larissa, Greece;
| | - Liljana Petrovska
- Animal and Plant Health Agency, Addlestone KT15 3NB, UK; (S.C.); (L.P.)
| | - Charalambos Billinis
- Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Thessaly, 431 00 Karditsa, Greece; (A.T.); (G.V.); (P.K.); (A.G.); (M.S.); (L.V.A.); (Z.A.); (M.K.)
- Faculty of Public and Integrated Health, University of Thessaly, 431 00 Karditsa, Greece;
- Correspondence:
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Athanasakopoulou Z, Tsilipounidaki K, Sofia M, Chatzopoulos DC, Giannakopoulos A, Karakousis I, Giannakis V, Spyrou V, Touloudi A, Satra M, Galamatis D, Diamantopoulos V, Mpellou S, Petinaki E, Billinis C. Poultry and Wild Birds as a Reservoir of CMY-2 Producing Escherichia coli: The First Large-Scale Study in Greece. Antibiotics (Basel) 2021; 10:antibiotics10030235. [PMID: 33652621 PMCID: PMC7996950 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics10030235] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2021] [Revised: 02/22/2021] [Accepted: 02/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Resistance mediated by β-lactamases is a globally spread menace. The aim of the present study was to determine the occurrence of Escherichia coli producing plasmid-encoded AmpC β-lactamases (pAmpC) in animals. Fecal samples from chickens (n = 159), cattle (n = 104), pigs (n = 214), and various wild bird species (n = 168), collected from different Greek regions during 2018-2020, were screened for the presence of pAmpC-encoding genes. Thirteen E. coli displaying resistance to third-generation cephalosporins and a positive AmpC confirmation test were detected. blaCMY-2 was the sole pAmpC gene identified in 12 chickens' and 1 wild bird (Eurasian magpie) isolates and was in all cases linked to an upstream ISEcp1-like element. The isolates were classified into five different sequence types: ST131, ST117, ST155, ST429, and ST1415. Four chickens' stains were assigned to ST131, while five chickens' strains and the one from the Eurasian magpie belonged to ST117. Seven pAmpC isolates co-harbored genes conferring resistance to tetracyclines (tetM, tetB, tetC, tetD), 3 carried sulfonamide resistance genes (sulI and sulII), and 10 displayed mutations in the quinolone resistance-determining regions of gyrA (S83L+D87N) and parC (S80I+E84V). This report provides evidence of pAmpC dissemination, describing for the first time the presence of CMY-2 in chickens and wild birds from Greece.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zoi Athanasakopoulou
- Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Thessaly, 43100 Karditsa, Greece; (Z.A.); (M.S.); (D.C.C.); (A.G.); (A.T.)
| | | | - Marina Sofia
- Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Thessaly, 43100 Karditsa, Greece; (Z.A.); (M.S.); (D.C.C.); (A.G.); (A.T.)
| | - Dimitris C. Chatzopoulos
- Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Thessaly, 43100 Karditsa, Greece; (Z.A.); (M.S.); (D.C.C.); (A.G.); (A.T.)
| | - Alexios Giannakopoulos
- Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Thessaly, 43100 Karditsa, Greece; (Z.A.); (M.S.); (D.C.C.); (A.G.); (A.T.)
| | | | | | - Vassiliki Spyrou
- Faculty of Animal Science, University of Thessaly, 41110 Larissa, Greece;
| | - Antonia Touloudi
- Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Thessaly, 43100 Karditsa, Greece; (Z.A.); (M.S.); (D.C.C.); (A.G.); (A.T.)
| | - Maria Satra
- Faculty of Public and Integrated Health, University of Thessaly, 43100 Karditsa, Greece;
| | - Dimitrios Galamatis
- Hellenic Agricultural Organization DIMITRA (ELGO DIMITRA), 57001 Thessaloniki, Greece;
| | | | - Spyridoula Mpellou
- Bioefarmoges Eleftheriou LP-Integrated Mosquito Control, 19007 Marathon, Greece;
| | - Efthymia Petinaki
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Thessaly, 41500 Larissa, Greece; (K.T.); (E.P.)
| | - Charalambos Billinis
- Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Thessaly, 43100 Karditsa, Greece; (Z.A.); (M.S.); (D.C.C.); (A.G.); (A.T.)
- Faculty of Public and Integrated Health, University of Thessaly, 43100 Karditsa, Greece;
- Correspondence:
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Sokos C, Giannakopoulos A, Papaspyropoulos K, Touloudi A, Birtsas P, Spyrou V, Valiakos G, Tsokana C, Sfougaris A, Billinis C. Hare harvest and EBHS virus prevalence in differently populated Mediterranean ecotopes. EUR J WILDLIFE RES 2016. [DOI: 10.1007/s10344-016-1047-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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Sokos C, Touloudi A, Iakovakis C, Papaspyropoulos K, Giannakopoulos A, Birtsas P, Spyrou V, Theodosiadou E, Valasi I, Sfougaris A, Billinis C. Hare demography, physiology and European Brown Hare Syndrome virus infection: is there an association? J Zool (1987) 2015. [DOI: 10.1111/jzo.12299] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- C. Sokos
- Laboratory of Microbiology and Parasitology Faculty of Veterinary Medicine University of Thessaly Karditsa Greece
- Department of Biomedicine Institute for Research and Technology of Thessaly Centre for Research and Technology Hellas (CERTH) Larissa Greece
- Research Division Hunting Federation of Macedonia and Thrace Thessaloniki Greece
| | - A. Touloudi
- Laboratory of Microbiology and Parasitology Faculty of Veterinary Medicine University of Thessaly Karditsa Greece
| | - C. Iakovakis
- Laboratory of Microbiology and Parasitology Faculty of Veterinary Medicine University of Thessaly Karditsa Greece
| | - K. Papaspyropoulos
- Research Division Hunting Federation of Macedonia and Thrace Thessaloniki Greece
| | - A. Giannakopoulos
- Laboratory of Microbiology and Parasitology Faculty of Veterinary Medicine University of Thessaly Karditsa Greece
| | - P. Birtsas
- Laboratory of Wildlife Department of Forestry and Management of Natural Environment Technological Institute of Thessaly Karditsa Greece
| | - V. Spyrou
- Department of Animal Production Technological Institute of Thessaly Larissa Greece
| | - E. Theodosiadou
- Laboratory of Physiology Faculty of Veterinary Medicine University of Thessaly Karditsa Greece
| | - I. Valasi
- Laboratory of Physiology Faculty of Veterinary Medicine University of Thessaly Karditsa Greece
| | - A. Sfougaris
- Laboratory of Ecosystem and Biodiversity Management Department of Agriculture, Crop Production and Rural Environment University of Thessaly Volos Greece
| | - C. Billinis
- Laboratory of Microbiology and Parasitology Faculty of Veterinary Medicine University of Thessaly Karditsa Greece
- Department of Biomedicine Institute for Research and Technology of Thessaly Centre for Research and Technology Hellas (CERTH) Larissa Greece
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Tsokana CN, Sokos C, Giannakopoulos A, Mamuris Z, Birtsas P, Papaspyropoulos K, Valiakos G, Spyrou V, Lefkaditis M, Chatzopoulos DC, Kantere M, Manolakou K, Touloudi A, Burriel AR, Ferroglio E, Hadjichristodoulou C, Billinis C. First evidence of Leishmania infection in European brown hare (Lepus europaeus) in Greece: GIS analysis and phylogenetic position within the Leishmania spp. Parasitol Res 2015; 115:313-21. [PMID: 26386969 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-015-4749-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2015] [Accepted: 09/11/2015] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Although the existence of a sylvatic transmission cycle of Leishmania spp., independent from the domestic cycle, has been proposed, data are scarce on Leishmania infection in wild mammals in Greece. In this study, we aimed to investigate the presence of Leishmania infection in the European brown hare in Greece, to infer the phylogenetic position of the Leishmania parasites detected in hares in Greece, and to identify any possible correlation between Leishmania infection in hares with environmental parameters, using the geographical information system (GIS). Spleen samples from 166 hares were tested by internal transcribed spacer-1 (ITS-1)-nested PCR for the detection of Leishmania DNA. Phylogenetic analysis was performed on Leishmania sequences from hares in Greece in conjunction with Leishmania sequences from dogs in Greece and 46 Leishmania sequences retrieved from GenBank. The Leishmania DNA prevalence in hares was found to be 23.49 % (95 % confidence interval (CI) 17.27-30.69). The phylogenetic analysis confirmed that the Leishmania sequences from hares in Greece belong in the Leishmania donovani complex. The widespread Leishmania infection in hares should be taken into consideration because under specific circumstances, this species can act as a reservoir host. This study suggests that the role of wild animals, including hares, in the epidemiology of Leishmania spp. in Greece deserves further elucidation.
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Affiliation(s)
- C N Tsokana
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Thessaly, Karditsa, Greece
| | - C Sokos
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Thessaly, Karditsa, Greece.,Research Division, Hunting Federation of Macedonia and Thrace, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - A Giannakopoulos
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Thessaly, Karditsa, Greece
| | - Z Mamuris
- Department of Biochemistry & Biotechnology, University of Thessaly, Larissa, Greece
| | - P Birtsas
- Department of Forestry and Natural Environment Administration, Technological Institute of Thessaly, Karditsa, Greece
| | - K Papaspyropoulos
- Research Division, Hunting Federation of Macedonia and Thrace, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - G Valiakos
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Thessaly, Karditsa, Greece
| | - V Spyrou
- Department of Animal Production, Technological Education Institute of Thessaly, Larissa, Greece
| | - M Lefkaditis
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Thessaly, Karditsa, Greece
| | - D C Chatzopoulos
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Thessaly, Karditsa, Greece
| | - M Kantere
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Thessaly, Karditsa, Greece
| | - K Manolakou
- Department of Animal Husbandry and Nutrition, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Thessaly, Karditsa, Greece
| | - A Touloudi
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Thessaly, Karditsa, Greece
| | - A Rodi Burriel
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Thessaly, Karditsa, Greece
| | - E Ferroglio
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - C Hadjichristodoulou
- Department of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Thessaly, Larissa, Greece.,Hellenic Center for Disease Control and Prevention (HCDCP), Ministry of Health, Athens, Greece
| | - C Billinis
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Thessaly, Karditsa, Greece.
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Touloudi A, Valiakos G, Athanasiou LV, Birtsas P, Giannakopoulos A, Papaspyropoulos K, Kalaitzis C, Sokos C, Tsokana CN, Spyrou V, Petrovska L, Billinis C. A serosurvey for selected pathogens in Greek European wild boar. Vet Rec Open 2015; 2:e000077. [PMID: 26392908 PMCID: PMC4567164 DOI: 10.1136/vetreco-2014-000077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2014] [Revised: 05/27/2015] [Accepted: 07/07/2015] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Serum samples, collected from 94 European wild boar (Sus scrofa) during the hunting seasons 2006 -2010 from different regions of Greece, were examined in order to estimate the role of these wildlife species as reservoir of pathogens important for livestock and/or public health. MATERIALS AND METHODS The assays used for this purpose were commercial indirect ELISA for the detection of antibodies against porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV-2), porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (virus) (PRRSV), Aujeszky's disease virus (ADV), influenza A (IA) virus, Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae, Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae, Salmonella species, Trichinella species and indirect immunofluorescence antibody test for the detection of antibodies against Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum. RESULTS Antibodies against PCV-2, PRRSV, ADV, IA virus,A. pleuropneumoniae, M. hyopneumoniae, Salmonella species, Trichinella species, T. gondii and N. caninum were detected in 19.1 per cent, 12.8 per cent, 35.1 per cent, 1.1 per cent, 57.4 per cent, 0 per cent, 4.3 per cent, 6.4 per cent, 5.2 per cent and 1.1 per cent of the samples, respectively. Cluster analysis revealed a hot spot of seropositivity near Bulgarian border; seropositivity to ADV was more common among female animals. CONCLUSIONS These results indicate exposure of wild boar to most of the above-mentioned pathogens, raising concern about the possibility that these species may pose a significant health risk for livestock and/or humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Touloudi
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine , University of Thessaly , Karditsa , Greece ; Department of Biomedicine , Institute for Research and Technology Thessaly , Larissa , Greece
| | - G Valiakos
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine , University of Thessaly , Karditsa , Greece ; Department of Biomedicine , Institute for Research and Technology Thessaly , Larissa , Greece
| | - L V Athanasiou
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine , University of Thessaly , Karditsa , Greece
| | - P Birtsas
- Department of Forestry and Management of Natural Environment , Technological Education Institute of Thessaly , Karditsa , Greece ; Hunting Federation of Macedonia and Thrace , Thessaloniki , Greece
| | - A Giannakopoulos
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine , University of Thessaly , Karditsa , Greece
| | | | - C Kalaitzis
- Hunting Federation of Macedonia and Thrace , Thessaloniki , Greece
| | - C Sokos
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine , University of Thessaly , Karditsa , Greece ; Hunting Federation of Macedonia and Thrace , Thessaloniki , Greece
| | - C N Tsokana
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine , University of Thessaly , Karditsa , Greece
| | - V Spyrou
- Department of Animal Production , Technological Education Institution of Thessaly , Larissa , Greece
| | - L Petrovska
- Department of Microbiology , Veterinary Laboratories Agency , Weybridge , UK
| | - C Billinis
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine , University of Thessaly , Karditsa , Greece ; Department of Biomedicine , Institute for Research and Technology Thessaly , Larissa , Greece
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Iacovakis C, Mamuris Z, Moutou KA, Touloudi A, Hammer AS, Valiakos G, Giannoulis T, Stamatis C, Spyrou V, Athanasiou LV, Kantere M, Asferg T, Giannakopoulos A, Salomonsen CM, Bogdanos D, Birtsas P, Petrovska L, Hannant D, Billinis C. Polarisation of major histocompatibility complex II host genotype with pathogenesis of European Brown Hare syndrome virus. PLoS One 2013; 8:e74360. [PMID: 24069299 PMCID: PMC3778001 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0074360] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2013] [Accepted: 07/31/2013] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
A study was conducted in order to determine the occurrence of European Brown Hare Syndrome virus (EBHSV) in Denmark and possible relation between disease pathogenesis and Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) host genotype. Liver samples were examined from 170 brown hares (hunted, found sick or dead), collected between 2004 and 2009. Macroscopical and histopathological findings consistent with EBHS were detected in 24 (14.1%) hares; 35 (20.6%) had liver lesions not typical of the syndrome, 50 (29.4%) had lesions in other tissues and 61 (35.9%) had no lesions. Sixty five (38.2%) of 170 samples were found to be EBHSV-positive (RT-PCR, VP60 gene). In order to investigate associations between viral pathogenesis and host genotype, variation within the exon 2 DQA gene of MHC was assessed. DQA exon 2 analysis revealed the occurrence of seven different alleles in Denmark. Consistent with other populations examined so far in Europe, observed heterozygosity of DQA (Ho = 0.1180) was lower than expected (He = 0.5835). The overall variation for both nucleotide and amino acid differences (2.9% and 14.9%, respectively) were lower in Denmark than those assessed in other European countries (8.3% and 16.9%, respectively). Within the peptide binding region codons the number of nonsynonymous substitutions (dN) was much higher than synonymous substitutions (dS), which would be expected for MHC alleles under balancing selection. Allele frequencies did not significantly differ between EBHSV-positive and -negative hares. However, allele Leeu-DQA*30 was detected in significantly higher (P = 0.000006) frequency among the positive hares found dead with severe histopathological lesions than among those found sick or apparently healthy. In contrast, the latter group was characterized by a higher frequency of the allele Leeu-DQA*14 as well as the proportion of heterozygous individuals (P = 0.000006 and P = 0.027). These data reveal a polarisation between EBHSV pathogenesis and MHC class II genotype within the European brown hare in Denmark.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christos Iacovakis
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Thessaly, Karditsa, Greece
- Institute for Research & Technology-Thessaly, Larissa, Greece
| | - Zissis Mamuris
- Department of Biochemistry & Biotechnology, University of Thessaly, Larissa, Greece
| | - Katerina A. Moutou
- Department of Biochemistry & Biotechnology, University of Thessaly, Larissa, Greece
| | - Antonia Touloudi
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Thessaly, Karditsa, Greece
- Institute for Research & Technology-Thessaly, Larissa, Greece
| | - Anne Sofie Hammer
- Department of Veterinary Disease Biology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - George Valiakos
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Thessaly, Karditsa, Greece
- Institute for Research & Technology-Thessaly, Larissa, Greece
| | - Themis Giannoulis
- Department of Biochemistry & Biotechnology, University of Thessaly, Larissa, Greece
| | - Costas Stamatis
- Department of Biochemistry & Biotechnology, University of Thessaly, Larissa, Greece
| | - Vassiliki Spyrou
- Department of Animal Production, Technological Education Institute of Larissa, Larissa, Greece
| | - Labrini V. Athanasiou
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Thessaly, Karditsa, Greece
- Institute for Research & Technology-Thessaly, Larissa, Greece
| | - Maria Kantere
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Thessaly, Karditsa, Greece
| | - Tommy Asferg
- Institute for Bioscience, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | | | - Charlotte M. Salomonsen
- Section for Fur Animal and Wildlife Diseases, National Veterinary Institute, Technical University of Denmark, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Dimitrios Bogdanos
- Department of Medicine, University of Thessaly, Larissa, Greece
- Institute of Liver Studies, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Periklis Birtsas
- Department of Forestry and Natural Environment Administration, Technological Education Institute of Larissa, Karditsa, Greece
| | - Liljana Petrovska
- Department of Bacteriology, Veterinary Laboratories Agency, Weybridge, United Kingdom
| | - Duncan Hannant
- School of Veterinary Medicine & Science, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Charalambos Billinis
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Thessaly, Karditsa, Greece
- Institute for Research & Technology-Thessaly, Larissa, Greece
- * E-mail:
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Valiakos G, Touloudi A, Athanasiou LV, Giannakopoulos A, Iacovakis C, Birtsas P, Spyrou V, Dalabiras Z, Petrovska L, Billinis C. Serological and molecular investigation into the role of wild birds in the epidemiology of West Nile virus in Greece. Virol J 2012; 9:266. [PMID: 23140247 PMCID: PMC3546012 DOI: 10.1186/1743-422x-9-266] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2012] [Accepted: 10/17/2012] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Background A West Nile virus (WNV) disease outbreak occurred in 2010 in northern Greece with a total of 262 laboratory-confirmed human cases and 35 deaths. A serological and molecular surveillance was conducted on samples of hunter-harvested wild birds prior to and during the outbreak. Findings Serum and tissue samples from 295 resident and migratory wild birds, hunter-harvested during the 2009–2010 and 2010–2011 hunting seasons at the epicenter of the outbreak in northern Greece, were tested for the presence of WNV-specific antibodies by immunofluorescence assay and virus neutralization test. WNV neutralizing antibodies were detected in 53 avian samples. Fourteen positive sera were obtained from birds hunter-harvested up to 8 months prior to the human outbreak. Specific genetic determinants of virulence (His249Pro NS3 mutation, E-glycosylation motif) were recognized in a WNV lineage 2 strain isolated from a hunter-harvested Eurasian magpie and a nucleotide mismatch was revealed between this strain and a mosquito WNV strain isolated one month earlier in the same area. Conclusions This is the first report regarding exposure of wild birds to WNV prior to the 2010 outbreak, in Greece. Results provide evidence of the implication of wild birds in a local enzootic cycle that could allow maintenance and amplification of the virus before and during the outbreak. Findings of past exposure of migratory birds to WNV upon their arrival in Greece during autumn migration, suggest avian species with similar migration traits as candidates for the introduction of WNV into Greece. The possibility that an endemic circulation of WNV could have caused the outbreak, after an amplification cycle due to favorable conditions cannot be excluded.
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Affiliation(s)
- George Valiakos
- Laboratory of Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Thessaly, 224 str, Trikalon, Karditsa, 43100, Greece
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Valiakos G, Touloudi A, Athanasiou LV, Giannakopoulos A, Iacovakis C, Birtsas P, Spyrou V, Dalabiras Z, Petrovska L, Billinis C. Exposure of Eurasian magpies and turtle doves to West Nile virus during a major human outbreak, Greece, 2011. EUR J WILDLIFE RES 2011. [DOI: 10.1007/s10344-011-0603-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/14/2022]
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Valiakos G, Touloudi A, Iacovakis C, Athanasiou L, Birtsas P, Spyrou V, Billinis C. Molecular detection and phylogenetic analysis of West Nile virus lineage 2 in sedentary wild birds (Eurasian magpie), Greece, 2010. Euro Surveill 2011; 16:19862. [PMID: 21586266] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/30/2023] Open
Abstract
A West Nile virus (WNV) lineage 2 strain was molecularly identified and characterised in a Eurasian magpie hunted in Greece in 2010, during a WNV outbreak in humans. Phylogenetic analysis revealed the highest sequence similarity (>99%) with other WNV lineage 2 strains derived from birds of prey in Austria and Hungary (2004–2009). This first molecular detection of WNV in sedentary wild birds in Greece, which are possible reservoirs of the virus, is a public health concern.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Valiakos
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Thessaly, Karditsa, Greece
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Valiakos G, Touloudi A, Iacovakis C, Athanasiou L, Birtsas P, Spyrou V, Billinis C. Molecular detection and phylogenetic analysis of West Nile virus lineage 2 in sedentary wild birds (Eurasian magpie), Greece, 2010. Euro Surveill 2011. [DOI: 10.2807/ese.16.18.19862-en] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Binary file ES_Abstracts_Final_ECDC.txt matches
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Affiliation(s)
- G Valiakos
- Laboratory of Zoonoses Research, Institute of Biomedical Research and Technology (BIOMED/CERETETH), Larissa, Greece
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Thessaly, Karditsa, Greece
| | - A Touloudi
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Thessaly, Karditsa, Greece
- Laboratory of Zoonoses Research, Institute of Biomedical Research and Technology (BIOMED/CERETETH), Larissa, Greece
| | - C Iacovakis
- Laboratory of Zoonoses Research, Institute of Biomedical Research and Technology (BIOMED/CERETETH), Larissa, Greece
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Thessaly, Karditsa, Greece
| | - L Athanasiou
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Thessaly, Karditsa, Greece
- Laboratory of Zoonoses Research, Institute of Biomedical Research and Technology (BIOMED/CERETETH), Larissa, Greece
| | - P Birtsas
- Hunting Federation of Macedonia and Thrace, Thessaloniki, Greece
- Department of Forestry and Natural Environment Administration, Technological Education Institute of Larissa, Karditsa, Greece
| | - V Spyrou
- Department of Animal Production, Technological Education Institute of Larissa, Larissa, Greece
| | - C Billinis
- Laboratory of Zoonoses Research, Institute of Biomedical Research and Technology (BIOMED/CERETETH), Larissa, Greece
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Thessaly, Karditsa, Greece
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