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Alinaitwe L, Aturinda CJ, Lubega A, Kivali V, Bugeza J, Wainaina M, Richter MH, Hoona JJ, Roesel K, Mayer-Scholl A, Cook EAJ, Kankya C, Dürr S. Cross-sectional serosurvey of Leptospira species among slaughter pigs, goats, and sheep in Uganda. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2024; 18:e0012055. [PMID: 38489377 PMCID: PMC10971767 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0012055] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2023] [Revised: 03/27/2024] [Accepted: 03/07/2024] [Indexed: 03/17/2024] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Leptospira are a group of bacteria, including pathogenic types that cause leptospirosis. In Uganda, Leptospira exposure has been reported in humans, with domesticated animals being speculated as the source. However, comparable evidence of Leptospira prevalence and circulating serovars/serogroups in animals is only documented for cattle, and dogs. Our study determined Leptospira seroprevalence, associated risk factors and serogroups circulating among slaughtered pigs, goats, and sheep in Uganda. METHODS During an 11-month cross-sectional survey in selected slaughter facilities in three regions of Uganda, we collected blood from 926 pigs, 347 goats, and 116 sheep. The age, sex, breed, and origin of each sampled animal were noted. The samples were tested for anti-Leptospira antibodies using the microscopic agglutination test, based on a panel of 12 serovars belonging to 12 serogroups. RESULTS Leptospira seroprevalence was 26.67% (247/926, 95%CI 23.92-29.61) among pigs, and 21.81% (101/463, 95%CI 18.29-25.80) in goats and sheep (small ruminants). L. interrogans Australis and L. kirschneri Grippotyphosa were the commonest serovars among pigs, as was L. borgpetersenii Tarassovi in small ruminants. Pigs sourced from the Eastern (Odds Ratio [OR] = 2.82, 95%CI 1.84-4.30) and Northern (OR = 3.56, 95%CI 2.52-5.02) regions were more likely to be seropositive, compared to those from the Central region. For small ruminants, being female (OR 2.74, 95% CI 1.69-4.57) and adult (OR 4.47, 95% CI 1.57-18.80) was significantly more associated with Leptospira seropositivity. Conclusion/significance: Detection of a moderate seroprevalence, and several Leptospira serogroups among pigs, sheep, and goats from all regions of Uganda, supports existing reports in cattle and dogs, and implies widespread Leptospira exposure in domestic animals in Uganda. These findings may inform future programs for the control of leptospirosis in livestock in Uganda.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lordrick Alinaitwe
- Human and Animal Health Program, International Livestock Research Institute, Nairobi, Kenya
- Veterinary Public Health Institute, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
- Graduate School for Cellular and Biomedical Sciences, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Biosecurity (COVAB), Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Christopher Joshua Aturinda
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Biosecurity (COVAB), Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Ashiraf Lubega
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Biosecurity (COVAB), Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Velma Kivali
- Human and Animal Health Program, International Livestock Research Institute, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - James Bugeza
- Human and Animal Health Program, International Livestock Research Institute, Nairobi, Kenya
- Vaccinology Research Program, National Livestock Resources Research Institute, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Martin Wainaina
- Department of Biological Safety, Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, Berlin, Germany
| | - Martin H. Richter
- Department of Biological Safety, Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, Berlin, Germany
| | - Jolly Justine Hoona
- Department of Animal Production, Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF), Entebbe, Uganda
| | - Kristina Roesel
- Human and Animal Health Program, International Livestock Research Institute, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Anne Mayer-Scholl
- Department of Biological Safety, Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, Berlin, Germany
| | | | - Clovice Kankya
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Biosecurity (COVAB), Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Salome Dürr
- Veterinary Public Health Institute, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
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Uakhit R, Mayer-Scholl A, Shin C, Smagulova A, Lider L, Leontyev S, Kiyan V. Genetic identification of Trichinella species found in wild carnivores from the territory of Kazakhstan. Front Vet Sci 2023; 10:1266561. [PMID: 37781287 PMCID: PMC10538997 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2023.1266561] [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] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2023] [Accepted: 08/29/2023] [Indexed: 10/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Trichinellosis, also called trichinosis, is a foodborne parasitic disease caused by eating raw or undercooked meat from animals infected with Trichinella spp. larvae and affects both animals and humans. Although on the territory of Kazakhstan, the species characteristics and prevalence of this helminth were studied back in the 90s, the data have not been updated since then. Given the above, our study was aimed at identifying Trichinella spp. using parasitological and molecular genetics methods. In our work, we studied 160 samples of muscle tissue of wild animals living in the natural zones of steppes and semi-deserts. Of the animals examined, 32 were positive for Trichinella spp., including 1 lynx (Lynx lynx), 17 wolves (Canis lupus), 11 foxes (Vulpes vulpes), 1 jackal (Canis aureus) and 2 corsac foxes (Vulpes corsac). Helminths were extracted using the digestion method. DNA was extracted using a Gene Jet commercial kit (Thermo Fisher Scientific, United Kingdom). For species identification a multiplex PCR, amplification of ESV, ITS1, and ITS2 genes regions was performed. After that, uniplex PCR was performed on the 5S rDNA and ITS1 genes region for sequencing analysis. The resulting sequences were subsequently used to construct a phylogenetic tree and the studied samples were identified as Trichinella nativa and Trichinella britovi. Thus, we can conclude that there is a circulation of two species of Trichinella in Kazakhstan, highlighting that constant control and monitoring of wild animals are necessary to prevent transmission and protect the health of people.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rabiga Uakhit
- Laboratory of Parasitology, Department of Veterinary Medicine, S. Seifullin Kazakh Agrotechnical University, Astana, Kazakhstan
- Laboratory of Biodiversity and Genetic Resources, National Center for Biotechnology, Astana, Kazakhstan
| | - Anne Mayer-Scholl
- Department of Biological Safety, German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, Berlin, Germany
| | - Chincher Shin
- Laboratory of Biodiversity and Genetic Resources, National Center for Biotechnology, Astana, Kazakhstan
| | - Ainura Smagulova
- Laboratory of Biodiversity and Genetic Resources, National Center for Biotechnology, Astana, Kazakhstan
| | - Lyudmila Lider
- Laboratory of Parasitology, Department of Veterinary Medicine, S. Seifullin Kazakh Agrotechnical University, Astana, Kazakhstan
- Laboratory of Biodiversity and Genetic Resources, National Center for Biotechnology, Astana, Kazakhstan
| | - Sergey Leontyev
- Laboratory of Biodiversity and Genetic Resources, National Center for Biotechnology, Astana, Kazakhstan
| | - Vladimir Kiyan
- Laboratory of Biodiversity and Genetic Resources, National Center for Biotechnology, Astana, Kazakhstan
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Dreesman J, Toikkanen S, Runge M, Hamschmidt L, Lüsse B, Freise JF, Ehlers J, Nöckler K, Knorr C, Keller B, Mayer-Scholl A. Investigation and response to a large outbreak of leptospirosis in field workers in Lower Saxony, Germany. Zoonoses Public Health 2023; 70:315-326. [PMID: 36692076 DOI: 10.1111/zph.13027] [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] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2022] [Revised: 09/21/2022] [Accepted: 01/11/2023] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Between June and August 2014, 45 cases of leptospirosis were notified among workers on two strawberry farms in North-West Germany. We describe the characteristics of the outbreak and the actions taken to prevent further cases. The activities of the local, federal and national public health and veterinary authorities included collection of case data, laboratory testing of human specimens and of small mammals trapped on the fields, investigation of weather data, as well as information provided to farmers, field workers, physicians and to the authorities in Poland and Romania. Of the 45 identified cases (median age 22, 60% male), 47% were hospitalized. Characteristic symptoms were fever ≥38.5°C, generalized muscle pain and an increase in renal or liver enzymes. Thirteen cases were laboratory confirmed by serological and/or molecular methods. ELISA tests for Leptospira IgG and IgM-antibodies were positive in those samples taken >5 days after hospitalization. The probable causative agent was identified as Leptospira kirschneri serovar Grippotyphosa. Leptospira-specific DNA was found in kidneys of 67% of 64 trapped small mammals and was further identified as Leptospira kirschneri multi locus sequence type 110. During the estimated time period of human infections, the affected region faced warm weather with heavy rainfalls. The results of this investigation are in accordance with the theory of a chain of infection from mice to field workers during warm and humid weather. In 2015, a campaign was initiated to inform physicians, farmers and workers to enhance prevention measures, such as the use of personal protective equipment and early consultation of physicians in case of illness. Since then, no further outbreak occurred.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Martin Runge
- Lower Saxony State Office for Consumer Protection and Food Safety, Oldenburg/Hanover, Germany
| | | | - Berthold Lüsse
- Landkreis Oldenburg Public Health Department, Wildeshausen, Germany
| | - Jona F Freise
- Lower Saxony State Office for Consumer Protection and Food Safety, Oldenburg/Hanover, Germany
| | - Joachim Ehlers
- Lower Saxony State Office for Consumer Protection and Food Safety, Oldenburg/Hanover, Germany
| | | | - Carolin Knorr
- Lower Saxony State Office for Consumer Protection and Food Safety, Oldenburg/Hanover, Germany
| | - Barbara Keller
- Lower Saxony State Office for Consumer Protection and Food Safety, Oldenburg/Hanover, Germany
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Wilking H, Beermann S, Boone I, Dreesman J, Fingerle V, Gethmann J, Lachmann R, Lamparter M, Mayer-Scholl A, Meinen A, Schöl M, Suwono B. [Bacterial zoonoses of public health importance in Germany-incidence, distribution, and modes of transmission]. Bundesgesundheitsblatt Gesundheitsforschung Gesundheitsschutz 2023:10.1007/s00103-023-03703-6. [PMID: 37221263 DOI: 10.1007/s00103-023-03703-6] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2022] [Accepted: 04/17/2023] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
Bacterial zoonotic pathogens are often the cause of diseases, sometimes with severe outcomes. They are mutually transferable between animals (both wild and domestic) and humans. The transmission paths are very variable and include oral intake via food, respiratory infection via droplets and aerosols, or infections via vectors such as tick bites or rodent contact. Furthermore, the emergence and spread of antibiotic-resistant bacterial pathogens is of paramount public health concern.The likelihood of further spread is influenced by various factors. These include the increase in international trade, the endangerment of animal habitats, and the increasingly closer contact between humans and wild animals. Additionally, changes in livestock and climate change may also contribute. Therefore, research into zoonoses serves to protect human and animal health and is of particular social, political, and economic importance.The aim of this review article is to present the range of infectious diseases caused by bacterial zoonotic pathogens in order to provide a better understanding of the important work in public health services, animal health services, and food safety control. The different transmission routes, epidemic potentials, and epidemiological measures of the exemplary selected diseases show the challenges for the public health system to monitor and control the spread of these bacterial pathogens in order to protect the population from disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hendrik Wilking
- Fachgebiet Gastrointestinale Infektionen, Zoonosen und tropische Infektionen, Abteilung für Infektionsepidemiologie, Robert Koch-Institut, Seestr. 10, 13353, Berlin, Deutschland.
| | - Sandra Beermann
- Abteilung Öffentliche Gesundheit, Bundesministerium für Gesundheit, Berlin, Deutschland
| | - Ides Boone
- Fachgebiet Nosokomiale Infektionen, Surveillance von Antibiotikaresistenz und -verbrauch, Abteilung für Infektionsepidemiologie, Robert Koch-Institut, Berlin, Deutschland
| | | | - Volker Fingerle
- Bayerisches Landesamt für Gesundheit und Lebensmittelsicherheit, Nationales Referenzzentrum für Borrelien, Oberschleißheim, Deutschland
| | - Jörn Gethmann
- Institut für Epidemiologie, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut - Bundesforschungsinstitut für Tiergesundheit, Greifswald - Insel Riems, Deutschland
| | - Raskit Lachmann
- Fachgebiet Gastrointestinale Infektionen, Zoonosen und tropische Infektionen, Abteilung für Infektionsepidemiologie, Robert Koch-Institut, Seestr. 10, 13353, Berlin, Deutschland
| | - Marina Lamparter
- Nationales Referenzlabor (NRL) für Salmonella, Bundesinstitut für Risikobewertung, Berlin, Deutschland
| | - Anne Mayer-Scholl
- Konsiliarlabor für Leptospiren, Bundesinstitut für Risikobewertung, Berlin, Deutschland
| | - Anika Meinen
- Fachgebiet Gastrointestinale Infektionen, Zoonosen und tropische Infektionen, Abteilung für Infektionsepidemiologie, Robert Koch-Institut, Seestr. 10, 13353, Berlin, Deutschland
| | - Meike Schöl
- ÖGD-Kontaktstelle | Krisenmanagement, Ausbruchsuntersuchungen und Trainingsprogramme, Abteilung für Infektionsepidemiologie, Robert Koch-Institut, Berlin, Deutschland
| | - Beneditta Suwono
- Fachgebiet Nosokomiale Infektionen, Surveillance von Antibiotikaresistenz und -verbrauch, Abteilung für Infektionsepidemiologie, Robert Koch-Institut, Berlin, Deutschland
- Fachgebiet Surveillance und elektronisches Melde- und Informationssystem (DEMIS) | ÖGD Kontaktstelle, Abteilung für Infektionsepidemiologie, Robert Koch-Institut, Berlin, Deutschland
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Brosseau NE, Vallée I, Mayer-Scholl A, Ndao M, Karadjian G. Aptamer-Based Technologies for Parasite Detection. Sensors (Basel) 2023; 23:s23020562. [PMID: 36679358 PMCID: PMC9867382 DOI: 10.3390/s23020562] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2022] [Revised: 12/26/2022] [Accepted: 12/27/2022] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
Centuries of scientific breakthroughs have brought us closer to understanding and managing the spread of parasitic diseases. Despite ongoing technological advancements in the detection, treatment, and control of parasitic illnesses, their effects on animal and human health remain a major concern worldwide. Aptamers are single-stranded oligonucleotides whose unique three-dimensional structures enable them to interact with high specificity and affinity to a wide range of targets. In recent decades, aptamers have emerged as attractive alternatives to antibodies as therapeutic and diagnostic agents. Due to their superior stability, reusability, and modifiability, aptamers have proven to be effective bioreceptors for the detection of toxins, contaminants, biomarkers, whole cells, pathogens, and others. As such, they have been integrated into a variety of electrochemical, fluorescence, and optical biosensors to effectively detect whole parasites and their proteins. This review offers a summary of the various types of parasite-specific aptamer-based biosensors, their general mechanisms and their performance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noah Emerson Brosseau
- UMR BIPAR, Anses, Laboratoire de Santé Animale, INRAE, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d’Alfort, 94700 Maisons-Alfort, France
- Infectious Diseases and Immunity in Global Health (IDIGH) Program, Research Institute of McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC H4A 3J1, Canada
| | - Isabelle Vallée
- UMR BIPAR, Anses, Laboratoire de Santé Animale, INRAE, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d’Alfort, 94700 Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Anne Mayer-Scholl
- Department of Biological Safety, German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, 10589 Berlin, Germany
| | - Momar Ndao
- Infectious Diseases and Immunity in Global Health (IDIGH) Program, Research Institute of McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC H4A 3J1, Canada
| | - Grégory Karadjian
- UMR BIPAR, Anses, Laboratoire de Santé Animale, INRAE, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d’Alfort, 94700 Maisons-Alfort, France
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Langner T, Hamedy A, Wellner H, Johne A, Mayer-Scholl A, Birka S. First detection of Trichinella spiralis in raccoon (Procyon lotor) in Germany. Vet Parasitol Reg Stud Reports 2022; 36:100800. [PMID: 36436907 DOI: 10.1016/j.vprsr.2022.100800] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2022] [Revised: 10/05/2022] [Accepted: 10/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Trichinella spp. are foodborne parasites that can cause severe and potentially fatal disease in humans. Infections occur through consumption of meat containing the infectious stage (L1). In Germany the domestic cycle has been eradicated. In wild animals sporadic occurrence is observed in species such as wild boar, red foxes and raccoon dogs. The omnivore raccoon which is an invasive species in Europe is known as a potential host but has not been studied intensely regarding this parasite in Germany until now, thus resulting in a lack of knowledge about its role in the sylvatic cycle. Raccoons from the urban area of Leipzig were investigated for several pathogens including Trichinella spp. in a cooperative project. Muscle samples of 88 individuals were examined using the artificial digestion method (ADM). One animal was found positive, which is the first detection of this parasite in a raccoon in Germany.
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Affiliation(s)
- Torsten Langner
- Institut für Lebensmittelhygiene; An den Tierkliniken 1; 04103 Leipzig, Germany.
| | - Ahmad Hamedy
- Institut für Lebensmittelhygiene; An den Tierkliniken 1; 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Heiko Wellner
- Institut für Lebensmittelhygiene; An den Tierkliniken 1; 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Annette Johne
- Bundesinstitut für Risikobewertung; FGr 45 - NRL für Trichinella; Max-Dohrn-Str. 8-10; 10589 Berlin, Germany
| | - Anne Mayer-Scholl
- Bundesinstitut für Risikobewertung; FGr 45 - NRL für Trichinella; Max-Dohrn-Str. 8-10; 10589 Berlin, Germany
| | - Stefan Birka
- Institut für Lebensmittelhygiene; An den Tierkliniken 1; 04103 Leipzig, Germany
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Sluydts V, Sarathchandra SR, Piscitelli AP, Van Houtte N, Gryseels S, Mayer-Scholl A, Bier NS, Htwe NM, Jacob J. Ecology and distribution of Leptospira spp., reservoir hosts and environmental interaction in Sri Lanka, with identification of a new strain. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2022; 16:e0010757. [PMID: 36112668 PMCID: PMC9518908 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0010757] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2021] [Revised: 09/28/2022] [Accepted: 08/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Leptospirosis is a neglected zoonotic disease and one of the leading causes of zoonotic morbidity and mortality, particularly in resource-poor settings. Sri Lanka has one of the highest disease burdens worldwide, with occasional endemic leptospirosis outbreaks (2008, 2011). Rodents are considered the main wildlife reservoir, but due to a scarcity of studies it is unclear which particular species contributes to bacterial transmission and reservoir maintenance in this multi-host multi-parasite system. Several rodent species act as agricultural pests both in rice fields and in food storage facilities. To unravel the interactions among the small mammal communities, pathogenic Leptospira spp. and human transmission pathways, we collected animals from smallholder food storage facilities, where contact between humans and small mammals is most likely, and screened kidney tissue samples for Leptospira spp. using PCR. Samples were collected in three climatic zones along a rainfall gradient. Pathogenic Leptospira spp. were detected in small mammal communities in 37 (74%) out of 50 sampled farms and 61 (12%) out of 500 collected individuals were infected. The small mammal community was comprised of Rattus rattus (87.6%), Suncus shrews (8.8%), Bandicota spp. (2.8%) and Mus booduga (0.8%). Three pathogenic Leptospira spp. were identified, L. borgpetersenii (n = 34), L. interrogans (n = 15), and L. kirschneri (n = 1). Suncus shrews were commonly infected (32%), followed by B. indica (23%) and R. rattus (10%). L. borgpetersenii strains similar to strains previously extracted from human clinal samples in Sri Lanka were detected in R. rattus and Suncus shrews. L. interrogans was observed in R. rattus only. A single L. kirschneri infection was found in M. booduga. The presence of human pathogenic Leptospira species in an agricultural pest rodent (R. rattus) and in commensal shrews (Suncus) calls for management of these species in commensal settings. Further investigation of the interplay between pathogen and reservoir population dynamics, overlap in geographic range and the extent of spill-over to humans in and around rural settlements is required to identify optimal management approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vincent Sluydts
- Julius Kühn-Institute, Federal Research Institute for Cultivated Plants, Institute for Plant Protection in Horticulture and Forests, Vertebrate Research, Münster, Germany
- University of Antwerp, Department of Biology, Evolutionary Ecology Group, University of Antwerp, Wilrijk, Belgium
| | | | - Anna Pia Piscitelli
- University of Antwerp, Department of Biology, Evolutionary Ecology Group, University of Antwerp, Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Natalie Van Houtte
- University of Antwerp, Department of Biology, Evolutionary Ecology Group, University of Antwerp, Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Sophie Gryseels
- University of Antwerp, Department of Biology, Evolutionary Ecology Group, University of Antwerp, Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Anne Mayer-Scholl
- Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, Department of Biological Safety, Berlin, Germany
| | - Nadja Seyhan Bier
- Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, Department of Biological Safety, Berlin, Germany
| | - Nyo Me Htwe
- University of Antwerp, Department of Biology, Evolutionary Ecology Group, University of Antwerp, Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Jens Jacob
- Julius Kühn-Institute, Federal Research Institute for Cultivated Plants, Institute for Plant Protection in Horticulture and Forests, Vertebrate Research, Münster, Germany
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Jeske K, Schulz J, Tekemen D, Balčiauskas L, Balčiauskienė L, Hiltbrunner M, Drewes S, Mayer-Scholl A, Heckel G, Ulrich RG. Cocirculation of Leptospira spp. and multiple orthohantaviruses in rodents, Lithuania, Northern Europe. Transbound Emerg Dis 2022; 69:e3196-e3201. [PMID: 35119222 DOI: 10.1111/tbed.14470] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2021] [Revised: 01/21/2022] [Accepted: 01/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
In Europe, zoonotic Leptospira spp. and orthohantaviruses are mainly associated with specific rodent hosts. These pathogens cause febrile human diseases with similar symptoms and disease progression. In Lithuania, the presence of Dobrava-Belgrade orthohantavirus (DOBV), Tula orthohantavirus (TULV) and Leptospira spp. in rodent reservoirs is still unknown, and Puumala orthohantavirus (PUUV) was detected in bank voles (Clethrionomys glareolus) at only one site. Therefore, we collected and screened 1617 rodents and insectivores from Lithuania for zoonotic (re-)emerging Leptospira and orthohantaviruses. We detected Leptospira DNA in six rodent species, namely striped field mouse (Apodemus agrarius), yellow-necked mouse (Apodemus flavicollis), bank vole, common vole (Microtus arvalis), field vole (Microtus agrestis) and root vole (Microtus oeconomus). Leptospira DNA was detected with an overall mean prevalence of 4.4% (range 3.7%-7.9% per rodent species). We detected DOBV RNA in 5.6% of the striped field mice, PUUV RNA in 1% of bank voles and TULV RNA in 4.6% of common voles, but no Leptospira DNA in shrews and no hantavirus-Leptospira coinfections in rodents. Based on the complete coding sequences of the three genome segments, two distant DOBV phylogenetic lineages in striped field mice, one PUUV strain in bank voles and two TULV strains in common voles were identified. The Leptospira prevalence for striped field mice and yellow-necked mice indicated a significant negative effect of the distance to water points. The detection of (re-)emerging human pathogenic Leptospira and three orthohantaviruses in rodent reservoirs in Lithuania calls for increased awareness of public health institutions and allows the improvement of molecular diagnostics for pathogen identification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathrin Jeske
- Institute of Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Jana Schulz
- Institute of Epidemiology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Duygu Tekemen
- Department for Biological Safety, German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, Berlin, Germany
| | | | | | | | - Stephan Drewes
- Institute of Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Anne Mayer-Scholl
- Department for Biological Safety, German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, Berlin, Germany
| | - Gerald Heckel
- Institute of Ecology and Evolution, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
- Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, Genopode, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Rainer G Ulrich
- Institute of Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
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Wainaina M, Lindahl JF, Dohoo I, Mayer-Scholl A, Roesel K, Mbotha D, Roesler U, Grace D, Bett B, Al Dahouk S. Longitudinal Study of Selected Bacterial Zoonoses in Small Ruminants in Tana River County, Kenya. Microorganisms 2022; 10:microorganisms10081546. [PMID: 36013964 PMCID: PMC9414833 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms10081546] [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: 07/20/2022] [Accepted: 07/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Brucellosis, Q fever, and leptospirosis are priority zoonoses worldwide, yet their epidemiology is understudied, and studies investigating multiple pathogens are scarce. Therefore, we selected 316 small ruminants in irrigated, pastoral, and riverine settings in Tana River County and conducted repeated sampling for animals that were initially seronegative between September 2014 and June 2015. We carried out serological and polymerase chain reaction tests and determined risk factors for exposure. The survey-weighted serological incidence rates were 1.8 (95% confidence intervals [CI]: 1.3–2.5) and 1.3 (95% CI: 0.7–2.3) cases per 100 animal-months at risk for Leptospira spp. and C. burnetii, respectively. We observed no seroconversions for Brucella spp. Animals from the irrigated setting had 6.83 (95% CI: 2.58–18.06, p-value = 0.01) higher odds of seropositivity to C. burnetii than those from riverine settings. Considerable co-exposure of animals to more than one zoonosis was also observed, with animals exposed to one zoonosis generally having 2.5 times higher odds of exposure to a second zoonosis. The higher incidence of C. burnetii and Leptospira spp. infections, which are understudied zoonoses in Kenya compared to Brucella spp., demonstrate the need for systematic prioritization of animal diseases to enable the appropriate allocation of resources.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin Wainaina
- Department of Biological Safety, German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, 12277 Berlin, Germany; (A.M.-S.); (S.A.D.)
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Freie Universität Berlin, 14163 Berlin, Germany; (K.R.); (D.M.)
- Animal & Human Health Program, International Livestock Research Institute, Nairobi 00100, Kenya; (J.F.L.); (D.G.); (B.B.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Johanna F. Lindahl
- Animal & Human Health Program, International Livestock Research Institute, Nairobi 00100, Kenya; (J.F.L.); (D.G.); (B.B.)
- Zoonosis Science Center, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Microbiology, Uppsala University, 75237 Uppsala, Sweden
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, 75007 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Ian Dohoo
- Centre for Veterinary Epidemiologic Research, University of Prince Edward Island, Charlottetown, PE C1A 4P3, Canada;
| | - Anne Mayer-Scholl
- Department of Biological Safety, German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, 12277 Berlin, Germany; (A.M.-S.); (S.A.D.)
| | - Kristina Roesel
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Freie Universität Berlin, 14163 Berlin, Germany; (K.R.); (D.M.)
- Animal & Human Health Program, International Livestock Research Institute, Nairobi 00100, Kenya; (J.F.L.); (D.G.); (B.B.)
| | - Deborah Mbotha
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Freie Universität Berlin, 14163 Berlin, Germany; (K.R.); (D.M.)
- Animal & Human Health Program, International Livestock Research Institute, Nairobi 00100, Kenya; (J.F.L.); (D.G.); (B.B.)
| | - Uwe Roesler
- Institute for Animal Hygiene and Environmental Health, Freie Universität Berlin, 14163 Berlin, Germany;
| | - Delia Grace
- Animal & Human Health Program, International Livestock Research Institute, Nairobi 00100, Kenya; (J.F.L.); (D.G.); (B.B.)
- Natural Resources Institute, University of Greenwich, Kent ME4 4TB, UK
| | - Bernard Bett
- Animal & Human Health Program, International Livestock Research Institute, Nairobi 00100, Kenya; (J.F.L.); (D.G.); (B.B.)
| | - Sascha Al Dahouk
- Department of Biological Safety, German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, 12277 Berlin, Germany; (A.M.-S.); (S.A.D.)
- Department of Internal Medicine, RWTH Aachen University Hospital, 52074 Aachen, Germany
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10
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Le TTH, Vu-Thi N, Dang-Xuan S, Nguyen-Viet H, Pham-Duc P, Nguyen-Thanh L, Pham-Thi N, Noh J, Mayer-Scholl A, Baumann M, Meemken D, Unger F. Seroprevalence and Associated Risk Factors of Trichinellosis and T. Solium Cysticercosis in Indigenous Pigs in Hoa Binh Province, Vietnam. Trop Med Infect Dis 2022; 7:tropicalmed7040057. [PMID: 35448832 PMCID: PMC9026120 DOI: 10.3390/tropicalmed7040057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [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: 02/28/2022] [Revised: 03/22/2022] [Accepted: 03/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Trichinellosis and cysticercosis remain challenges to human health and animal productivity worldwide, especially in developing countries. While information on the occurrence of both diseases is infrequent, they are endemic in parts of Vietnam and mainly related to indigenous pigs kept by ethnic minorities. This study aimed to determine the seroprevalence and risk factors of both diseases in indigenous pigs and explore the perception and awareness of both human and pig trichinellosis and cysticercosis of pig farmers. A total of 352 pig sera samples from 131 holdings were collected and analyzed using ELISA antibody tests in six communes in the Da Bac districts of Hoa Binh province, Vietnam. A survey was conducted with representatives from these households to understand the knowledge and perspective on food-borne parasitic diseases. Overall, the seroprevalence of trichinellosis and T. solium cysticercosis was 13.6% (95% CI 10.2–17.7) and 1.7% (95% CI 0.6–3.7), respectively. The seroprevalence of trichinellosis was significantly higher in female and older pigs. Risk perception and knowledge of interviewed people on both human and pig trichinellosis and cysticercosis of pig farmers was poor. Risky practices, including free roaming of pigs and eating undercooked or fermented pork, were observed. Educational and awareness campaigns aligned with further research on feasible practice changes are critical to addressing these issues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Trang Thi-Huyen Le
- International Livestock Research Institute, Hanoi 100000, Vietnam; (T.T.-H.L.); (H.N.-V.); (F.U.)
| | - Nga Vu-Thi
- National Institute of Veterinary Research, Hanoi 100000, Vietnam; (N.V.-T.); (N.P.-T.)
| | - Sinh Dang-Xuan
- International Livestock Research Institute, Hanoi 100000, Vietnam; (T.T.-H.L.); (H.N.-V.); (F.U.)
- Center for Public Health and Ecosystem Research, Hanoi University of Public Health, Hanoi 10000, Vietnam; (P.P.-D.); (L.N.-T.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +84-09-6981-3048
| | - Hung Nguyen-Viet
- International Livestock Research Institute, Hanoi 100000, Vietnam; (T.T.-H.L.); (H.N.-V.); (F.U.)
| | - Phuc Pham-Duc
- Center for Public Health and Ecosystem Research, Hanoi University of Public Health, Hanoi 10000, Vietnam; (P.P.-D.); (L.N.-T.)
| | - Luong Nguyen-Thanh
- Center for Public Health and Ecosystem Research, Hanoi University of Public Health, Hanoi 10000, Vietnam; (P.P.-D.); (L.N.-T.)
| | - Ngoc Pham-Thi
- National Institute of Veterinary Research, Hanoi 100000, Vietnam; (N.V.-T.); (N.P.-T.)
| | - John Noh
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA 30333, USA;
| | - Anne Mayer-Scholl
- Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, National Laboratory for Trichinella, 10589 Berlin, Germany;
| | - Maximilian Baumann
- Working Group Meat Hygiene, Institute of Food Safety and Food Hygiene, Freie Universität Berlin, 14163 Berlin, Germany; (M.B.); (D.M.)
| | - Diana Meemken
- Working Group Meat Hygiene, Institute of Food Safety and Food Hygiene, Freie Universität Berlin, 14163 Berlin, Germany; (M.B.); (D.M.)
| | - Fred Unger
- International Livestock Research Institute, Hanoi 100000, Vietnam; (T.T.-H.L.); (H.N.-V.); (F.U.)
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11
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Chalmers RM, Katzer F, La Carbona S, Lalle M, Razakandrainibe R, Robertson LJ, Robinson G, Šoba B, Temesgen T, Mayer-Scholl A. A guide to standardise artificial contamination procedures with protozoan parasite oocysts or cysts during method evaluation, using Cryptosporidium and leafy greens as models. Food Control 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.foodcont.2021.108678] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
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12
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Wainaina M, Vey da Silva DA, Dohoo I, Mayer-Scholl A, Roesel K, Hofreuter D, Roesler U, Lindahl J, Bett B, Al Dahouk S. A systematic review and meta-analysis of the aetiological agents of non-malarial febrile illnesses in Africa. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2022; 16:e0010144. [PMID: 35073309 PMCID: PMC8812962 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0010144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2021] [Revised: 02/03/2022] [Accepted: 01/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The awareness of non-malarial febrile illnesses (NMFIs) has been on the rise over the last decades. Therefore, we undertook a systematic literature review and meta-analysis of causative agents of non-malarial fevers on the African continent. Methodology We searched for literature in African Journals Online, EMBASE, PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases to identify aetiologic agents that had been reported and to determine summary estimates of the proportional morbidity rates (PMr) associated with these pathogens among fever patients. Findings A total of 133 studies comprising 391,835 patients from 25 of the 54 African countries were eligible. A wide array of aetiologic agents were described with considerable regional differences among the leading agents. Overall, bacterial pathogens tested from blood samples accounted for the largest proportion. The summary estimates from the meta-analysis were low for most of the agents. This may have resulted from a true low prevalence of the agents, the failure to test for many agents or the low sensitivity of the diagnostic methods applied. Our meta-regression analysis of study and population variables showed that diagnostic methods determined the PMr estimates of typhoidal Salmonella and Dengue virus. An increase in the PMr of Klebsiella spp. infections was observed over time. Furthermore, the status of patients as either inpatient or outpatient predicted the PMr of Haemophilus spp. infections. Conclusion The small number of epidemiological studies and the variety of NMFI agents on the African continent emphasizes the need for harmonized studies with larger sample sizes. In particular, diagnostic procedures for NMFIs should be standardized to facilitate comparability of study results and to improve future meta-analyses. Reliable NMFI burden estimates will inform regional public health strategies. Previous systematic reviews have highlighted the research priorities of causative agents for non-malarial febrile illnesses by counting the number of publications attributed to an agent. However, proportional morbidity rates are calculated by dividing the number of cases with a specific disease (numerator) by the total number of diagnosed fever cases (denominator) and are better indicators of the relative importance of aetiological agents in a population. Therefore, we present the leading causes of non-malarial febrile illnesses in African patients in both healthcare and community settings. Preference is given to HIV-negative patients when data could be found. We also determined summary estimates of Brucella spp., Chikungunya virus, Dengue virus, Haemophilus spp., Klebsiella spp., Leptospira spp., non-typhoidal Salmonella spp., typhoidal Salmonella spp., Staphylococcus spp., and Streptococcus spp. The wide array of aetiological agents causing febrile illnesses on the African continent does not only complicate malaria control programs but may also hamper response to epidemic and pandemic illnesses such as Ebola and COVID-19. The harmonisation of diagnostics and study designs will reduce between-study differences, which may result in better estimates of disease burden on the continent and in the different African regions. This information is important for Pan-African surveillance and control efforts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin Wainaina
- Department of Biological Safety, German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, Berlin, Germany
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- International Livestock Research Institute, Nairobi, Kenya
- * E-mail:
| | - David Attuy Vey da Silva
- Department of Biological Safety, German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, Berlin, Germany
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Ian Dohoo
- University of Prince Edward Island, Charlottetown, Canada
| | - Anne Mayer-Scholl
- Department of Biological Safety, German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, Berlin, Germany
| | - Kristina Roesel
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- International Livestock Research Institute, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Dirk Hofreuter
- Department of Biological Safety, German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, Berlin, Germany
| | - Uwe Roesler
- Institute for Animal Hygiene and Environmental Health, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Johanna Lindahl
- International Livestock Research Institute, Nairobi, Kenya
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Microbiology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Bernard Bett
- International Livestock Research Institute, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Sascha Al Dahouk
- Department of Biological Safety, German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, Berlin, Germany
- Department of Internal Medicine, RWTH Aachen University Hospital, Aachen, Germany
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13
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Stollberg KC, Schares G, Mayer-Scholl A, Hrushetska I, Diescher S, Johne A, Richter MH, Bier NS. Comparison of Direct and Indirect Toxoplasma gondii Detection and Genotyping in Game: Relationship and Challenges. Microorganisms 2021; 9:microorganisms9081663. [PMID: 34442742 PMCID: PMC8399173 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms9081663] [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] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2021] [Revised: 07/28/2021] [Accepted: 07/31/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The importance of game as a source of Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) infection in humans is largely unknown. New data on the presence of T. gondii in game hunted in the Federal State of Brandenburg, Germany, were obtained by direct and indirect detection (ELISA). DNA extracted either directly (5 g heart or foreleg muscle, DE) or after acid pepsin digestion (50 g heart, PD) or enriched by magnetic capture (50 g heart, MC) was examined by real-time PCR (qPCR). ELISA revealed seroprevalences of 20% in wild boar (Sus scrofa), 11% in roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) and 6% in red deer (Cervus elaphus). T. gondii DNA was detected by at least one direct detection method in 12% of wild boar, 6% of roe deer, 2% of fallow deer (Dama dama) and 2% of red deer. In both, positive wild boar and roe deer, T. gondii type II specific alleles were the most prevalent, as assessed by PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism. The highest proportion of positive animals was detected by MC qPCR, followed by PD qPCR with a similar proportion of positive findings. Investigation of 50 g of heart muscle revealed a significantly higher proportion of positive qPCR results than analysis of 5 g (p = 0.048). An association between seropositivity and direct detection was evident in wild boar and roe deer (p < 0.001). Infectivity of T. gondii DNA–positive samples was confirmed by bioassay (4/4), providing evidence that game could represent a relevant source of viable T. gondii posing a risk for human infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaya C. Stollberg
- German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR), Department for Safety in the Food Chain, 10589 Berlin, Germany;
| | - Gereon Schares
- National Reference Laboratory for Toxoplasmosis, Institute of Epidemiology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut (FLI), Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, 17493 Greifswald, Insel Riems, Germany;
| | - Anne Mayer-Scholl
- German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR), Department for Biological Safety, 12277 Berlin, Germany; (A.M.-S.); (I.H.); (S.D.); (A.J.); (M.H.R.)
| | - Iryna Hrushetska
- German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR), Department for Biological Safety, 12277 Berlin, Germany; (A.M.-S.); (I.H.); (S.D.); (A.J.); (M.H.R.)
| | - Susanne Diescher
- German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR), Department for Biological Safety, 12277 Berlin, Germany; (A.M.-S.); (I.H.); (S.D.); (A.J.); (M.H.R.)
| | - Annette Johne
- German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR), Department for Biological Safety, 12277 Berlin, Germany; (A.M.-S.); (I.H.); (S.D.); (A.J.); (M.H.R.)
| | - Martin H. Richter
- German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR), Department for Biological Safety, 12277 Berlin, Germany; (A.M.-S.); (I.H.); (S.D.); (A.J.); (M.H.R.)
| | - Nadja S. Bier
- German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR), Department for Biological Safety, 12277 Berlin, Germany; (A.M.-S.); (I.H.); (S.D.); (A.J.); (M.H.R.)
- Correspondence:
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14
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Kästner C, Bahn P, Schönfelder R, Ozoliņa Z, Alksne L, Richter MH, Deksne G, Mayer-Scholl A, Johne A. Development of a Novel Method for Identification of Alaria alata Mesocercariae by Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry. Microorganisms 2021; 9:microorganisms9081664. [PMID: 34442743 PMCID: PMC8398292 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms9081664] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [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: 06/24/2021] [Revised: 07/28/2021] [Accepted: 07/29/2021] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Alaria (A.) alata mesocercariae (AM) have increasingly appeared as incidental findings during the mandatory inspection of wild boars for Trichinella in many European countries. An Alaria spp.-specific PCR is available for the identification of AM; however, it is time- and cost-intensive. Therefore, we propose a rapid and cost-efficient MALDI-TOF assay for the identification of AM in wild boar meat that can be applied in routine diagnostics. In this study, a fast and methodologically simple protocol for the protein extraction of AM from different host species in different countries was established, and an AM-specific reference spectra database was created as part of the ongoing development of an existing Trichinella spp. database. A formic acid protein extraction was performed after pooling 10 AM from the same host individual. In total, 61 main spectra profiles (MSPs) from different host individuals were stored in an AM-specific MSP library. The cluster analysis of these 61 MSPs indicated a possible variation within the A. alata species with a tentative association with the geographical origin of the host, but not the host species. This MALDI-TOF assay allows for a fast verification of the AM isolates, which is the next step in the development of a universal database for the identification of several parasites isolated from meat.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolyn Kästner
- Department for Biological Safety, German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR), 12277 Berlin, Germany; (C.K.); (P.B.); (M.H.R.); (A.M.-S.)
| | - Peter Bahn
- Department for Biological Safety, German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR), 12277 Berlin, Germany; (C.K.); (P.B.); (M.H.R.); (A.M.-S.)
| | - Ralph Schönfelder
- Food Inspection and Veterinary Department, Administrative District Görlitz, 02708 Löbau, Germany;
| | - Zanda Ozoliņa
- Institute of Food Safety, Animal Health and Environment (BIOR), LV-1076 Riga, Latvia; (Z.O.); (L.A.); (G.D.)
| | - Laura Alksne
- Institute of Food Safety, Animal Health and Environment (BIOR), LV-1076 Riga, Latvia; (Z.O.); (L.A.); (G.D.)
| | - Martin Heinrich Richter
- Department for Biological Safety, German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR), 12277 Berlin, Germany; (C.K.); (P.B.); (M.H.R.); (A.M.-S.)
| | - Gunita Deksne
- Institute of Food Safety, Animal Health and Environment (BIOR), LV-1076 Riga, Latvia; (Z.O.); (L.A.); (G.D.)
- Faculty of Biology, University of Latvia, LV-1004 Riga, Latvia
| | - Anne Mayer-Scholl
- Department for Biological Safety, German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR), 12277 Berlin, Germany; (C.K.); (P.B.); (M.H.R.); (A.M.-S.)
| | - Annette Johne
- Department for Biological Safety, German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR), 12277 Berlin, Germany; (C.K.); (P.B.); (M.H.R.); (A.M.-S.)
- Correspondence:
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15
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Dreyfus A, Ruf MT, Mayer-Scholl A, Zitzl T, Loosli N, Bier NS, Hiereth S, Ulrich S, Poppert S, Straubinger RK, Stenos J, Tshokey T. Exposure to Leptospira spp. and Associated Risk Factors in the Human, Cattle and Dog Populations in Bhutan. Pathogens 2021; 10:pathogens10030308. [PMID: 33800914 PMCID: PMC8000015 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10030308] [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] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2021] [Revised: 02/22/2021] [Accepted: 02/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Leptospirosis is a neglected worldwide zoonotic bacterial disease with a high prevalence in subtropical and tropical countries. The prevalence of Leptospira spp. in humans, cattle and dogs is unknown in Bhutan. Therefore, we sought to find out whether humans, cattle or dogs had been infected in the past with leptospires by measuring antibodies in the serum. We therefore collected blood from 864 humans ≥13 years of age, 130 bovines and 84 dogs from different rural and urban areas in Bhutan and tested the serum for antibodies specific for leptospires with a screening of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) and a confirmatory microscopic agglutination test (MAT). In humans, 17.6% were seropositive by ELISA and 1.6% by MAT. The seropositivity was stronger in bovines (36.9%) and dogs (47.6%). "Having had a fever recently" (OR 5.2, p = 0.004), "working for the military" (OR 26.6, p = 0.028) and "being unemployed" (OR 12.9, p = 0.041) (reference category = housemaker) were statistically significantly associated with seropositivity when controlled for the effects of other risk factors. However, due to the small number of positive test results, the findings on risk factors should be interpreted with caution. Based on the serogroups found in the three species, dogs could be a source of infection for humans, or dogs and humans are exposed to the same environmental risk factors Clinical leptospirosis in humans and domestic animals should be investigated by testing blood and urine for the presence of leptospires by molecular methods (qPCR).
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Affiliation(s)
- Anou Dreyfus
- Department of Medicine, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, 4055 Basel, Switzerland; (M.-T.R.); (N.L.); (S.P.)
- Medical Faculty, University of Basel, 4055 Basel, Switzerland
- Epidemiology and Clinical Research Unit, Institut Pasteur Madagascar, Antananarivo 101, Madagascar
- Correspondence:
| | - Marie-Thérèse Ruf
- Department of Medicine, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, 4055 Basel, Switzerland; (M.-T.R.); (N.L.); (S.P.)
- Medical Faculty, University of Basel, 4055 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Anne Mayer-Scholl
- Department of Biological Safety, German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, 10589 Berlin, Germany; (A.M.-S.); (N.S.B.)
| | - Theresa Zitzl
- Institute of Hygiene and Infectious Diseases of Animals, Justus Liebig University, 35392 Giessen, Germany;
- Chair for Bacteriology and Mycology, Institute for Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilians University Munich, 80539 Munich, Germany; (S.H.); (S.U.); or (R.K.S.)
| | - Nadine Loosli
- Department of Medicine, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, 4055 Basel, Switzerland; (M.-T.R.); (N.L.); (S.P.)
- Medical Faculty, University of Basel, 4055 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Nadja Seyhan Bier
- Department of Biological Safety, German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, 10589 Berlin, Germany; (A.M.-S.); (N.S.B.)
| | - Stephanie Hiereth
- Chair for Bacteriology and Mycology, Institute for Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilians University Munich, 80539 Munich, Germany; (S.H.); (S.U.); or (R.K.S.)
| | - Sebastian Ulrich
- Chair for Bacteriology and Mycology, Institute for Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilians University Munich, 80539 Munich, Germany; (S.H.); (S.U.); or (R.K.S.)
| | - Sven Poppert
- Department of Medicine, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, 4055 Basel, Switzerland; (M.-T.R.); (N.L.); (S.P.)
- Medical Faculty, University of Basel, 4055 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Reinhard K. Straubinger
- Chair for Bacteriology and Mycology, Institute for Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilians University Munich, 80539 Munich, Germany; (S.H.); (S.U.); or (R.K.S.)
| | - John Stenos
- Australian Rickettsial Reference Laboratory, University Hospital Geelong, Geelong, VIC 3220, Australia;
| | - Tshokey Tshokey
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Jigme Dorji Wangchuck National Referral Hospital, Thimphu 11001, Bhutan;
- Faculty of Postgraduate Medicine, Khesar Gyalpo University of Medical Sciences of Bhutan, Thimphu 11001, Bhutan
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16
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Slana I, Bier N, Bartosova B, Marucci G, Possenti A, Mayer-Scholl A, Jokelainen P, Lalle M. Molecular Methods for the Detection of Toxoplasma gondii Oocysts in Fresh Produce: An Extensive Review. Microorganisms 2021; 9:microorganisms9010167. [PMID: 33451081 PMCID: PMC7828537 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms9010167] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [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: 12/17/2020] [Revised: 01/08/2021] [Accepted: 01/11/2021] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Human infection with the important zoonotic foodborne pathogen Toxoplasma gondii has been associated with unwashed raw fresh produce consumption. The lack of a standardised detection method limits the estimation of fresh produce as an infection source. To support method development and standardisation, an extensive literature review and a multi-attribute assessment were performed to analyse the key aspects of published methods for the detection of T. gondii oocyst contamination in fresh produce. Seventy-seven published studies were included, with 14 focusing on fresh produce. Information gathered from expert laboratories via an online questionnaire were also included. Our findings show that procedures for oocyst recovery from fresh produce mostly involved sample washing and pelleting of the washing eluate by centrifugation, although washing procedures and buffers varied. DNA extraction procedures including mechanical or thermal shocks were identified as necessary steps to break the robust oocyst wall. The most suitable DNA detection protocols rely on qPCR, mostly targeting the B1 gene or the 529 bp repetitive element. When reported, validation data for the different detection methods were not comparable and none of the methods were supported by an interlaboratory comparative study. The results of this review will pave the way for an ongoing development of a widely applicable standard operating procedure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iva Slana
- Department of Microbiology and Antimicrobial Resistance, Veterinary Research Institute, Hudcova 296/70, 621 00 Brno, Czech Republic; (I.S.); (B.B.)
| | - Nadja Bier
- Department of Biological Safety, German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR), Max-Dohrn-Str. 8-10, 10589 Berlin, Germany; (N.B.); (A.M.-S.)
| | - Barbora Bartosova
- Department of Microbiology and Antimicrobial Resistance, Veterinary Research Institute, Hudcova 296/70, 621 00 Brno, Czech Republic; (I.S.); (B.B.)
| | - Gianluca Marucci
- Unit of Foodborne and Neglected Parasitic Diseases, European Union Reference Laboratory for Parasites, Department of Infectious Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, viale Regina Elena 299, 00161 Rome, Italy; (G.M.); (A.P.)
| | - Alessia Possenti
- Unit of Foodborne and Neglected Parasitic Diseases, European Union Reference Laboratory for Parasites, Department of Infectious Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, viale Regina Elena 299, 00161 Rome, Italy; (G.M.); (A.P.)
| | - Anne Mayer-Scholl
- Department of Biological Safety, German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR), Max-Dohrn-Str. 8-10, 10589 Berlin, Germany; (N.B.); (A.M.-S.)
| | - Pikka Jokelainen
- Laboratory of Parasitology, Infectious Disease Preparedness, Department of Bacteria, Parasites & Fungi, Statens Serum Institut, Artillerivej 5, DK-2300 Copenhagen S, Denmark;
| | - Marco Lalle
- Unit of Foodborne and Neglected Parasitic Diseases, European Union Reference Laboratory for Parasites, Department of Infectious Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, viale Regina Elena 299, 00161 Rome, Italy; (G.M.); (A.P.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-0649902670
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17
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Johne A, Filter M, Gayda J, Buschulte A, Bandick N, Nöckler K, Mayer-Scholl A. Survival of Trichinella spiralis in cured meat products. Vet Parasitol 2020; 287:109260. [PMID: 33053490 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2020.109260] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [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: 02/27/2020] [Revised: 09/28/2020] [Accepted: 10/01/2020] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Processing of meat is one possible approach to control meat-borne parasites. Processing methods such as freezing, cooking and irradiation are recommended for the control of Trichinella in pork, horse or game meat if specific technical conditions are fulfilled. Curing is a widely used preservation process influencing product characteristics such as shelf life, food safety, and taste. As curing methods are characterized by high parameter variability and predictions about inactivation of parasitic stages in raw meat products are difficult, curing and smoking are not recommended for Trichinella control. The objective of this study was to investigate the survival of T. spiralis in cured raw sausages taking into account water activity (aw-value), pH value, temperature, and time. For this purpose, four different types of sausage (Knackwurst, vacuum packed Knackwurst, short ripened salami, long ripened salami) were produced using T. spiralis infested batter. After production, the sausages were stored at product specific conditions for up to 35 days. During storage, pH value and aw-value of the sausages were monitored over time. Further, sausages of each type were digested using the magnetic stirrer method and the viability of the isolated larvae was assessed using a previously published larval motility test as a proxy for viability and infectivity of Trichinella larvae. In this context, we also introduce a three-level rated infectivity score (RIS) with a clear categorization scheme allowing the assessment of the infectivity of larvae. Based on the RIS, larvae isolated from the salamis were regarded as potentially infective until day 2 (short ripened salami) or day 3 (long ripened salami) post ripening, whereas in Knackwurst, potentially infective larvae were still found by day 8 post ripening. In contrast potentially infective larvae were detected in vacuum-packed Knackwurst until day 24 post ripening. Finally, using the RIS approach, data from previously published studies were collected and subjected to a correlation analysis to identify matrix factors linked to short Trichinella inactivation times.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annette Johne
- German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, Max-Dohrn-Str. 8-10, 10589 Berlin, Germany.
| | - Matthias Filter
- German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, Max-Dohrn-Str. 8-10, 10589 Berlin, Germany
| | - Jennifer Gayda
- German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, Max-Dohrn-Str. 8-10, 10589 Berlin, Germany
| | - Anja Buschulte
- German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, Max-Dohrn-Str. 8-10, 10589 Berlin, Germany
| | - Niels Bandick
- German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, Max-Dohrn-Str. 8-10, 10589 Berlin, Germany
| | - Karsten Nöckler
- German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, Max-Dohrn-Str. 8-10, 10589 Berlin, Germany
| | - Anne Mayer-Scholl
- German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, Max-Dohrn-Str. 8-10, 10589 Berlin, Germany
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18
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Karadjian G, Kaestner C, Laboutière L, Adicéam E, Wagner T, Johne A, Thomas M, Polack B, Mayer-Scholl A, Vallée I. A two-step morphology-PCR strategy for the identification of nematode larvae recovered from muscles after artificial digestion at meat inspection. Parasitol Res 2020; 119:4113-4122. [PMID: 32979104 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-020-06899-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2020] [Accepted: 09/20/2020] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
To ensure that meat from livestock and game is safe for human consumption, European legislation lays down rules for mandatory testing. Helminth larvae are a category of zoonotic foodborne pathogens that can contaminate meat. Among helminths, the only zoonotic nematode regulated in Europe regarding meat inspection is Trichinella spp.. It is precisely during Trichinella testing that other potentially zoonotic larvae can be found. Due to current lack of tools, their identification is often very complicated. Nematode larvae other than Trichinella, recovered from artificial digestions of pig and wild boar muscles from France and Germany, were subjected to a newly developed two-step identification scheme, which includes both morphological examination and molecular assays. The first step is a general orientation towards a broad taxonomic group; the second step consists of targeted identification based on the results of first step. Different parasites were identified, some of which were not zoonotic such as Metastrongylus spp. and Angiostrongylus vasorum, but others are known to be zoonotic such as Toxocara cati, Ascaris suum, and Uncinaria stenocephala. The strategy is efficient for the identification of nematode larvae recovered from muscles but could also be applied for larvae from other sources.
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Affiliation(s)
- Grégory Karadjian
- JRU BIPAR, ANSES, INRAE, Animal Health Laboratory, UMR Bipar, École Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, 14 Rue Pierre et Marie Curie, 94701, Maisons-Alfort Cedex, France.
| | - Carolyn Kaestner
- Department Biological Safety, German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, Berlin, Germany
| | - Lisa Laboutière
- JRU BIPAR, ANSES, INRAE, Animal Health Laboratory, UMR Bipar, École Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, 14 Rue Pierre et Marie Curie, 94701, Maisons-Alfort Cedex, France
| | - Emilie Adicéam
- JRU BIPAR, ANSES, INRAE, Animal Health Laboratory, UMR Bipar, École Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, 14 Rue Pierre et Marie Curie, 94701, Maisons-Alfort Cedex, France
| | - Tom Wagner
- Department Biological Safety, German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, Berlin, Germany
| | - Annette Johne
- Department Biological Safety, German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, Berlin, Germany
| | - Myriam Thomas
- JRU BIPAR, ANSES, INRAE, Animal Health Laboratory, UMR Bipar, École Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, 14 Rue Pierre et Marie Curie, 94701, Maisons-Alfort Cedex, France
| | - Bruno Polack
- JRU BIPAR, ANSES, INRAE, Animal Health Laboratory, UMR Bipar, École Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, 14 Rue Pierre et Marie Curie, 94701, Maisons-Alfort Cedex, France
| | - Anne Mayer-Scholl
- Department Biological Safety, German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, Berlin, Germany
| | - Isabelle Vallée
- JRU BIPAR, ANSES, INRAE, Animal Health Laboratory, UMR Bipar, École Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, 14 Rue Pierre et Marie Curie, 94701, Maisons-Alfort Cedex, France
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19
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Tekemen D, Franz M, Bier NS, Richter M, Nöckler K, Luge E, Mayer-Scholl A. Survival time of Leptospira kirschneri on strawberries. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0237466. [PMID: 32790762 PMCID: PMC7425971 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0237466] [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] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2020] [Accepted: 07/27/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
In the past decade, two leptospirosis outbreaks occurred among strawberry harvesters in Germany, with 13, and 45 reported cases respectively. In both outbreaks, common voles (Microtus arvalis) infected with Leptospira kischneri serovar Grippotyphosa were identified as the most likely outbreak source. In an univariate analysis, eating unwashed strawberries was identified as one of the risk factors associated with Leptospira infection. The aim of this study was to evaluate the survival time of L. kirschneri serovar Grippotyphosa on strawberries under varying conditions. Strawberries were spiked with 5x109 of both a laboratory reference strain (strain Moskva V) and an outbreak field strain (94-6/2007) of L. kirschneri serovar Grippotyphosa sequence type 110. Survival times were investigated in a fully crossed design with three incubation times (2h, 4h, 6h and 8h) and three temperatures (15°C, 21°C and 25°C) with three replicated for each condition. A wash protocol was developed and recovered Leptospira were determined by qPCR, dark field microscopy and culturing. Viable L. kirschneri of both the reference strain and the field strain were identified in all samples at 25°C and an incubation time of 2h, but only 1/9 (11%) and 4/9 (44%) of the samples incubated at 15°C were positive, respectively. Both reference and field strain were viable only in 2/9 (22%) at 25° after 6h. After an 8h incubation, viable Leptospira could not be identified on the surface of the strawberries or within the fruit for any of the tested conditions. Based on these results, the exposure risk of consumers to viable Leptospira spp. through the consumption of strawberries bought at the retail level is most likely very low. However, there is a potential risk of Leptospira infection by consumption of strawberries on pick-your-own farms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Duygu Tekemen
- Department of Biological Safety, German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, Berlin, Germany
| | - Mathias Franz
- Department Exposure, German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, Berlin, Germany
| | - Nadja S. Bier
- Department of Biological Safety, German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, Berlin, Germany
| | - Martin Richter
- Department of Biological Safety, German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, Berlin, Germany
| | - Karsten Nöckler
- Department of Biological Safety, German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, Berlin, Germany
| | - Enno Luge
- Department of Biological Safety, German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, Berlin, Germany
| | - Anne Mayer-Scholl
- Department of Biological Safety, German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, Berlin, Germany
- * E-mail:
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20
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Hirsch N, Kappe E, Gangl A, Schwartz K, Mayer-Scholl A, Hammerl JA, Strauch E. Phenotypic and Genotypic Properties of Vibrio cholerae non-O1, non-O139 Isolates Recovered from Domestic Ducks in Germany. Microorganisms 2020; 8:microorganisms8081104. [PMID: 32717968 PMCID: PMC7463538 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms8081104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [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: 06/25/2020] [Revised: 07/17/2020] [Accepted: 07/21/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Vibrio cholerae non-O1, non-O139 bacteria are natural inhabitants of aquatic ecosystems and have been sporadically associated with human infections. They mostly lack the two major virulence factors of toxigenic V. cholerae serogroups O1 and O139 strains, which are the causative agent of cholera. Non-O1, non-O139 strains are found in water bodies, sediments, and in association with other aquatic organisms. Occurrence of these bacteria in fecal specimens of waterfowl were reported, and migratory birds likely contribute to the long-distance transfer of strains. We investigated four V. cholerae non-O1, non-O139 isolates for phenotypic traits and by whole genome sequencing (WGS). The isolates were recovered from organs of domestic ducks with serious disease symptoms. WGS data revealed only a distant genetic relationship between all isolates. The isolates harbored a number of virulence factors found in most V. cholerae strains. Specific virulence factors of non-O1, non-O139 strains, such as the type III secretion system (TTSS) or cholix toxin, were observed. An interesting observation is that all isolates possess multifunctional autoprocessing repeats-in-toxin toxins (MARTX) closely related to the MARTX of toxigenic El Tor O1 strains. Different primary sequences of the abundant OmpU proteins could indicate a significant role of this virulence factor. Phenotypic characteristics such as hemolysis and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) were studied. Three isolates showed susceptibility to a number of tested antimicrobials, and one strain possessed AMR genes located in an integron. Knowledge of the environmental occurrence of V. cholerae non-O1, non-O139 in Germany is limited. The source of the infection of the ducks is currently unknown. In the context of the ‘One Health’ concept, it is desirable to study the ecology of V. cholerae non-O1, non-O139, as it cannot be excluded that the isolates possess zoonotic potential and could cause infections in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicola Hirsch
- Tiergesundheitsdienst Bayern, Bavarian Animal Health Service, 85586 Poing, Germany; (N.H.); (E.K.); (A.G.)
| | - Eva Kappe
- Tiergesundheitsdienst Bayern, Bavarian Animal Health Service, 85586 Poing, Germany; (N.H.); (E.K.); (A.G.)
| | - Armin Gangl
- Tiergesundheitsdienst Bayern, Bavarian Animal Health Service, 85586 Poing, Germany; (N.H.); (E.K.); (A.G.)
| | - Keike Schwartz
- Department of Biological Safety, German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, Max-Dohrn-Str. 8-10, D-10589 Berlin, Germany; (K.S.); (A.M.-S.); (J.A.H.)
| | - Anne Mayer-Scholl
- Department of Biological Safety, German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, Max-Dohrn-Str. 8-10, D-10589 Berlin, Germany; (K.S.); (A.M.-S.); (J.A.H.)
| | - Jens Andre Hammerl
- Department of Biological Safety, German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, Max-Dohrn-Str. 8-10, D-10589 Berlin, Germany; (K.S.); (A.M.-S.); (J.A.H.)
| | - Eckhard Strauch
- Department of Biological Safety, German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, Max-Dohrn-Str. 8-10, D-10589 Berlin, Germany; (K.S.); (A.M.-S.); (J.A.H.)
- Correspondence:
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21
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Nau LH, Obiegala A, Król N, Mayer-Scholl A, Pfeffer M. Survival time of Leptospira kirschneri serovar Grippotyphosa under different environmental conditions. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0236007. [PMID: 32668449 PMCID: PMC7363454 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0236007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2020] [Accepted: 06/26/2020] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Leptospirosis is a re-emerging zoonotic disease of high medical importance that affects humans worldwide. Humans or animals acquire an infection with pathogenic leptospires either by direct contact with infected animals or by indirect contact to contaminated environment. Survival of Leptospira spp. in the environment after having been shed via animal urine is thus a key factor to estimate the risk of infection, but not much is known about the tenacity of pathogenic leptospires. Here, the survival time of both a laboratory strain and a field strain of L. kirschneri serovar Grippotyphosa in animal urine and their tenacity while drying was investigated and compared at different temperatures (15°C-37°C). Leptospira spp. are also often found in rivers and ponds. As the infection risk for humans and animals also depends on the spreading and survival of Leptospira spp. in these environments, the survival of L. kirschneri serovar Grippotyphosa was investigated using a 50-meter-long hose system simulating a water stream. Both strains did not survive in undiluted cattle or dog urine. Comparing different temperatures and dilution media, the laboratory strain survived the longest in diluted cattle urine with a slightly alkaline pH value (3 days), whilst the field strain survived in diluted dog urine with a slightly acid pH value up to a maximum of 24 h. Both strains did not survive drying on a solid surface. In a water stream, leptospires were able to move faster or slower than the average velocity of the water due to their intrinsic mobility but were not able to survive the mechanical damage caused by running water in the hose system. From our results we conclude, that once excreted via animal urine, the leptospires immediately need moisture or a water body to survive and stay infectious.
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Affiliation(s)
- L. H. Nau
- Institute of Animal Hygiene and Veterinary Public Health, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - A. Obiegala
- Institute of Animal Hygiene and Veterinary Public Health, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - N. Król
- Institute of Animal Hygiene and Veterinary Public Health, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - A. Mayer-Scholl
- Department Biological Safety, German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, Berlin, Germany
| | - M. Pfeffer
- Institute of Animal Hygiene and Veterinary Public Health, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
- * E-mail:
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22
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Karadjian G, Bilska-Zając E, Bahn P, Py JS, Johne A, Gassilloud B, Różycki M, Cencek T, Mayer-Scholl A, Vallée I. Species identification of Trichinella originated from various host and different geographical location by MALDI-TOF. Exp Parasitol 2020; 213:107890. [PMID: 32272128 DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2020.107890] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [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: 09/27/2019] [Revised: 03/24/2020] [Accepted: 03/31/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
The foodborne zoonotic nematode Trichinella spp. can cause human trichinellosis when raw or undercooked contaminated meat is ingested. To date, twelve Trichinella species/genotypes have been described. According to EU regulation any Trichinella larvae detected during mandatory routine examinations need to be identified at a species level by a competent laboratory. Currently, Trichinella species identification is performed using molecular biology tools such as multiplex PCR, PCR-sequencing or PCR-RFLP. These techniques require high level of skills for good interpretation of the results. Due to its rapidness and ease of use a matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) protocol was previously developed for the identification of Trichinella species. Using this method, spectra from different Trichinella species and strains were acquired allowing to generate new Main Spectra (MSP). Finally a new MSP database from Trichinella spp. Samples of different countries (France, Germany and Poland), including field samples, was generated. Comparing the different main spectra, Trichinella worms were identified at the species level and differences in the genetic diversities within the different species are discussed. In conclusion, using the previously described method on field samples is a reliable, rapid, easy-to-use and cheap tool for Trichinella species identification. The new Trichinella database could be incremented with new samples. It constitutes a tool, which could be used as an alternative method to replace the actual molecular methods for Trichinella species identification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gregory Karadjian
- JRU BIPAR, ANSES, Alfort National Veterinary School, INRA, Animal Health Laboratory, 14 Rue Pierre et Marie Curie, 94701, Maisons-Alfort Cedex, France.
| | - Ewa Bilska-Zając
- Department of Parasitology and Invasive Diseases, National Veterinary Research Institute in Pulawy, Al. Partyzantow 57, 24-100, Pulawy, Poland.
| | - Peter Bahn
- Department Biological Safety, German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, Berlin, Germany
| | - Jean-Sébastien Py
- ANSES, Nancy Laboratory for Hydrology, Water Microbiology Unit, MALDI-TOF Platform, Nancy, France
| | - Anette Johne
- Department Biological Safety, German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, Berlin, Germany
| | - Benoit Gassilloud
- ANSES, Nancy Laboratory for Hydrology, Water Microbiology Unit, MALDI-TOF Platform, Nancy, France
| | - Mirosław Różycki
- Department of Parasitology and Invasive Diseases, National Veterinary Research Institute in Pulawy, Al. Partyzantow 57, 24-100, Pulawy, Poland
| | - Tomasz Cencek
- Department of Parasitology and Invasive Diseases, National Veterinary Research Institute in Pulawy, Al. Partyzantow 57, 24-100, Pulawy, Poland
| | - Anne Mayer-Scholl
- Department Biological Safety, German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, Berlin, Germany
| | - Isabelle Vallée
- JRU BIPAR, ANSES, Alfort National Veterinary School, INRA, Animal Health Laboratory, 14 Rue Pierre et Marie Curie, 94701, Maisons-Alfort Cedex, France
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23
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Franssen F, Johne A, van der Giessen J, Nöckler K, Mayer-Scholl A. Test sensitivity of a commercial serine protease digestion kit for the detection of Trichinella spiralis and Trichinella pseudospiralis larvae in pig muscle. Food Microbiol 2019; 78:99-103. [PMID: 30497613 DOI: 10.1016/j.fm.2018.10.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2018] [Revised: 09/17/2018] [Accepted: 10/21/2018] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
The reference method for Trichinella detection at meat inspection is the magnetic stirrer method (MSM) utilising HCl-pepsin for pooled sample digestion. Due to availability and quality issues with pepsin, alternative digestion methods are being offered, such as the Priocheck Trichinella AAD kit (T-AAD), based on serine endopeptidase digestion. In this study the T-AAD kit was compared to the reference method. Minced pork samples were spiked with T. spiralis muscle larvae (ML) with- and without capsule or T. pseudospiralis ML, and analysed with both tests. Test results of individually spiked test samples were analysed by generalised linear modelling. The T-AAD test kit was comparable to the reference method for the qualitative detection of T. spiralis in pigs, but not quantitatively. Overall, 94% of spiked T. spiralis were recovered using MSM against 75.2% when using T-AAD (p < 0.0001). Using the MSM 80.0% of spiked T. pseudospiralis were recovered against 20% with the T-AAD (p < 0.0001). Based on our experience with the T-AAD kit, we strongly recommend validating the method on site prior to introduction into routine diagnostic laboratories, but this will not alleviate the poor test sensitivity of the T-AAD for the detection of T. pseudospiralis.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Franssen
- National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, the Netherlands.
| | - A Johne
- German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, Department of Biological Safety, Berlin, Germany.
| | - J van der Giessen
- National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, the Netherlands.
| | - K Nöckler
- German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, Department of Biological Safety, Berlin, Germany.
| | - A Mayer-Scholl
- German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, Department of Biological Safety, Berlin, Germany.
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24
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Bier NS, Schares G, Johne A, Martin A, Nöckler K, Mayer-Scholl A. Performance of three molecular methods for detection of Toxoplasma gondii in pork. Food Waterborne Parasitol 2019; 14:e00038. [PMID: 32095606 PMCID: PMC7034005 DOI: 10.1016/j.fawpar.2019.e00038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [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: 12/07/2018] [Revised: 01/28/2019] [Accepted: 02/04/2019] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Comparison of epidemiological data on the occurrence of Toxoplasma (T.) gondii tissue cysts in meat is hampered by the lack of standardization and a great variety of methods for molecular detection. Therefore, this study aimed to compare and validate three different polymerase chain reaction (PCR) methods for detection of T. gondii DNA in pork. Analytical performance characteristics of two real time PCRs (qPCRs; Tg-qPCR1, Tg-qPCR2) and one conventional endpoint PCR (cPCR), all targeting the 529 repeated element, were assessed using genomic DNA of three clonal T. gondii types prevailing in Europe and North America. qPCR efficiencies for all three clonal types ranged between 93.8 and 94.4% (Tg-qPCR1) and 94.3–95.6% (Tg-qPCR2). Tg-qPCR1 and Tg-qPCR2 showed an overall PCR performance score of 85% and displayed a similar 95% detection limit of 1.067 and 1.561 genome equivalents per PCR reaction (GE/PCR), respectively. However, T. gondii DNA could be detected at concentrations as low as 0.1 GE/PCR. Reliable quantification is possible over 4 log ranges from 105 to 100 GE/PCR with mean repeatability relative standard deviations of ≤11% and reproducibility relative standard deviations of ≤12.7%. Presumably, both qPCRs are similarly suitable for sensitive and specific detection of T. gondii DNA in pork. In contrast, the cPCR using primer pair TOX5/Tox-8 proved to be highly sensitive with a detection limit of 1.41 GE/PCR, but not suitable for detection of T. gondii DNA in pork as unspecific amplification of porcine DNA was observed resulting in bands with similar size to the desired T. gondii-specific PCR product. Comparison of two real time PCRs and one conventional PCR targeting the 529 RE. Both real time PCRs show comparable performance and can be considered equivalent. qPCRs show 95% detection limits of 1.067 and 1.561 genome equivalents per PCR. Reliable quantification is possible over 4 log ranges from 105 to 100 GE/PCR. cPCR using primer pair TOX5/Tox-8 showed non-specific amplification of porcine DNA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadja S Bier
- German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR), Department for Biological Safety, Berlin, Germany
| | - Gereon Schares
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Greifswald, Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Annette Johne
- German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR), Department for Biological Safety, Berlin, Germany
| | - Annett Martin
- German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR), Department for Exposure, Berlin, Germany
| | - Karsten Nöckler
- German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR), Department for Biological Safety, Berlin, Germany
| | - Anne Mayer-Scholl
- German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR), Department for Biological Safety, Berlin, Germany
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25
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Dreesman J, Schlinkmann KM, Mayer-Scholl A, Jacob J, Freise J, Runge M, Weiss S, Pfeffer M, Dressel K, Jurke A, Ulrich RG. Verbesserung der Öffentlichen Gesundheit durch ein besseres Verständnis der Epidemiologie Nagetier-übertragener Krankheiten. Das Gesundheitswesen 2018. [DOI: 10.1055/s-0038-1639298] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- J Dreesman
- Niedersächsisches Landesgesundheitsamt, Infektionsschutz, Hannover, Germany
| | - KM Schlinkmann
- Niedersächsisches Landesgesundheitsamt, Infektionsschutz, Hannover, Germany
| | - A Mayer-Scholl
- Bundesinstitut für Risikobewertung, Nationales Referenzlabor für Trichinella, Berlin, Germany
| | - J Jacob
- Julius Kühn-Institut, Institut für Pflanzenschutz in Gartenbau und Forst, Münster, Germany
| | - J Freise
- Niedersächsisches Landesamt für Verbraucherschutz und Lebensmittelsicherheit, Task-Force Veterinärwesen, Fachbereich Schädlingsbekämpfung, Wardenburg, Germany
| | - M Runge
- Niedersächsisches Landesamt für Verbraucherschutz und Lebensmittelsicherheit Lebensmittel- und Veterinärinstitut, Braunschweig/Hannover, Hannover, Germany
| | - S Weiss
- Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health Institut für Virologie, Berlin, Germany
| | - M Pfeffer
- Universität Leipzig, Institut für Tierhygiene und Öffentliches Veterinärwesen, Leipzig, Germany
| | - K Dressel
- Sine-Institut gGmbH, Geschäftsführung, München; Germany
| | - A Jurke
- Landeszentrum Gesundheit Nordrhein-Westfalen, Fachgruppe Infektiologie und Hygiene, Münster, Germany
| | - RG Ulrich
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut Institut für neue und neuartige Tierseuchenerreger, Greifswald - Insel Riems, Germany
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Fischer S, Mayer-Scholl A, Imholt C, Spierling NG, Heuser E, Schmidt S, Reil D, Rosenfeld UM, Jacob J, Nöckler K, Ulrich RG. Leptospira Genomospecies and Sequence Type Prevalence in Small Mammal Populations in Germany. Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis 2018; 18:188-199. [PMID: 29470107 DOI: 10.1089/vbz.2017.2140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Leptospirosis is a worldwide emerging infectious disease caused by zoonotic bacteria of the genus Leptospira. Numerous mammals, including domestic and companion animals, can be infected by Leptospira spp., but rodents and other small mammals are considered the main reservoir. The annual number of recorded human leptospirosis cases in Germany (2001-2016) was 25-166. Field fever outbreaks in strawberry pickers, due to infection with Leptospira kirschneri serovar Grippotyphosa, were reported in 2007 and 2014. To identify the most commonly occurring Leptospira genomospecies, sequence types (STs), and their small mammal host specificity, a monitoring study was performed during 2010-2014 in four federal states of Germany. Initial screening of kidney tissues of 3,950 animals by PCR targeting the lipl32 gene revealed 435 rodents of 6 species and 89 shrews of three species positive for leptospiral DNA. PCR-based analyses resulted in the identification of the genomospecies L. kirschneri (62.7%), Leptospira interrogans (28.3%), and Leptospira borgpetersenii (9.0%), which are represented by four, one, and two STs, respectively. The average Leptospira prevalence was highest (∼30%) in common voles (Microtus arvalis) and field voles (Microtus agrestis). Both species were exclusively infected with L. kirschneri. In contrast, in bank voles (Myodes glareolus) and yellow-necked mice (Apodemus flavicollis), DNA of all three genomospecies was detected, and in common shrews (Sorex araneus) DNA of L. kirschneri and L. borgpetersenii was identified. The association between individual infection status and demographic factors varied between species; infection status was always positively correlated to body weight. In conclusion, the study confirmed a broad geographical distribution of Leptospira in small mammals and suggested an important public health relevance of common and field voles as reservoirs of L. kirschneri. Furthermore, the investigations identified seasonal, habitat-related, as well as individual influences on Leptospira prevalence in small mammals that might impact public health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefan Fischer
- 1 Institute of Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases , Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Anne Mayer-Scholl
- 2 Department for Biological Safety, German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment , Berlin, Germany
| | - Christian Imholt
- 3 Vertebrate Research, Institute for Plant Protection in Horticulture and Forests, Federal Research Centre for Cultivated Plants, Julius Kühn-Institute , Münster, Germany
| | - Nastasja G Spierling
- 1 Institute of Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases , Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Elisa Heuser
- 1 Institute of Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases , Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Sabrina Schmidt
- 1 Institute of Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases , Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Daniela Reil
- 3 Vertebrate Research, Institute for Plant Protection in Horticulture and Forests, Federal Research Centre for Cultivated Plants, Julius Kühn-Institute , Münster, Germany
| | - Ulrike M Rosenfeld
- 1 Institute of Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases , Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Jens Jacob
- 3 Vertebrate Research, Institute for Plant Protection in Horticulture and Forests, Federal Research Centre for Cultivated Plants, Julius Kühn-Institute , Münster, Germany
| | - Karsten Nöckler
- 2 Department for Biological Safety, German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment , Berlin, Germany
| | - Rainer G Ulrich
- 1 Institute of Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases , Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
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Knöpfler S, Mayer-Scholl A, Luge E, Klopfleisch R, Gruber AD, Nöckler K, Kohn B. Evaluation of clinical, laboratory, imaging findings and outcome in 99 dogs with leptospirosis. J Small Anim Pract 2017; 58:582-588. [DOI: 10.1111/jsap.12718] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2016] [Revised: 05/01/2017] [Accepted: 05/29/2017] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- S. Knöpfler
- Clinic for Small Animals; Freie Universität Berlin, Oertzenweg 19b; D-14163 Berlin
| | - A. Mayer-Scholl
- Federal Institute for Risk AssessmentDiedersdorfer Weg 1, D-12277 Berlin; Germany
| | - E. Luge
- Federal Institute for Risk AssessmentDiedersdorfer Weg 1, D-12277 Berlin; Germany
| | - R. Klopfleisch
- Institute for Veterinary Pathology; Freie Universität Berlin, Robert-von-Ostertag-Str. 15, D-14163 Berlin; Germany
| | - A. D. Gruber
- Institute for Veterinary Pathology; Freie Universität Berlin, Robert-von-Ostertag-Str. 15, D-14163 Berlin; Germany
| | - K. Nöckler
- Federal Institute for Risk AssessmentDiedersdorfer Weg 1, D-12277 Berlin; Germany
| | - B. Kohn
- Clinic for Small Animals; Freie Universität Berlin, Oertzenweg 19b; D-14163 Berlin
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Abstract
Trichinellosis is a debilitating disease in humans and is caused by the consumption of raw or undercooked meat of animals infected with the nematode larvae of the genus Trichinella. The most important sources of human infections worldwide are game meat and pork or pork products. In many countries, the prevention of human trichinellosis is based on the identification of infected animals by means of the artificial digestion of muscle samples from susceptible animal carcasses. There are several methods based on the digestion of meat but the magnetic stirrer method is considered the gold standard. This method allows the detection of Trichinella larvae by microscopy after the enzymatic digestion of muscle samples and subsequent filtration and sedimentation steps. Although this method does not require special and expensive equipment, internal controls cannot be used. Therefore, stringent quality management should be applied throughout the test. The aim of the present work is to provide detailed handling instructions and critical control points of the method to analysts, based on the experience of the European Union Reference Laboratory for Parasites and the National Reference Laboratory of Germany for Trichinella.
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Heuser E, Fischer S, Ryll R, Mayer-Scholl A, Hoffmann D, Spahr C, Imholt C, Alfa DM, Fröhlich A, Lüschow D, Johne R, Ehlers B, Essbauer S, Nöckler K, Ulrich RG. Survey for zoonotic pathogens in Norway rat populations from Europe. Pest Manag Sci 2017; 73:341-348. [PMID: 27299665 DOI: 10.1002/ps.4339] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2015] [Revised: 06/08/2016] [Accepted: 06/09/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The Norway rat Rattus norvegicus is an important reservoir of various zoonotic pathogens, such as cowpox virus and Leptospira, but also for agents of no or unknown zoonotic potential. We describe a survey of 426 Norway rats originating from five European countries and different habitats for Leptospira spp., rickettsiae, orthopoxvirus (OPV), avian metapneumovirus subtypes A and B (aMPV) and rat polyomavirus (rat PyV). RESULTS Leptospira DNA was detected in 60 out of 420 (14.3%) rats, and Rickettsia DNA was found in three out of 369 (0.8%) rats investigated. PCR-based typing resulted in the identification of L. interrogans sequence type 17, which corresponds to the serogroup Icterohaemorrhagiae, and Rickettsia helvetica respectively. Rat PyV DNA was detected in 103 out of 421 (24.5%) rats. OPV DNA and aMPV RNA were detected in none of the rats, but OPV-specific antibodies were detected in three out of 388 (0.8%) rats. The frequency of single Leptospira and rat PyV infections and coinfections was, independent of sex, greater for adults compared with juveniles/subadults and greater at rural sites compared with urban areas. CONCLUSIONS Study results indicate a broad geographical distribution of Leptospira DNA in rats within Europe, underlining the need to investigate further the potential mechanisms leading to increased prevalence in rural habitats and to assess the relevance to public health. In contrast, rickettsia and OPV infections rarely occurred in wild rat populations. The potential influence of rat PyV on the susceptibility to infections with other pathogens should be investigated in future studies. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisa Heuser
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Institute for Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Stefan Fischer
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Institute for Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - René Ryll
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Institute for Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | | | - Donata Hoffmann
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Institute of Diagnostic Virology, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Carina Spahr
- Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, Berlin, Germany
| | - Christian Imholt
- Julius Kühn-Institute, Federal Research Centre for Cultivated Plants, Institute for Plant Protection in Horticulture and Forestry, Vertebrate Research, Münster, Germany
| | - Dewi Murni Alfa
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Institute for Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Andreas Fröhlich
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Institute of Epidemiology, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Dörte Lüschow
- Freie Universität Berlin, Department of Veterinary Medicine, Institute of Poultry Diseases, Berlin, Germany
| | - Reimar Johne
- Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, Berlin, Germany
| | | | | | | | - Rainer G Ulrich
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Institute for Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
- German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), partner site Hamburg-Luebeck-Borstel-Insel Riems, Germany
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Brockmann SO, Ulrich L, Piechotowski I, Wagner-Wiening C, Nöckler K, Mayer-Scholl A, Eichner M. Risk factors for human Leptospira seropositivity in South Germany. Springerplus 2016; 5:1796. [PMID: 27803844 PMCID: PMC5069215 DOI: 10.1186/s40064-016-3483-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2016] [Accepted: 10/06/2016] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
We analyzed risk factors for Leptospira seropositivity in humans, using data from a population-based cross-sectional zoonosis survey in South Germany (2008/9). Out of 1007 participants 42 (4.2 %) were sero-positive (19/446 men; 23/561 women), indicating that Leptospira exposure and sero-conversion is much more frequent than commonly assumed. Relative risks (RR) for seropositivity with exact 95 % confidence intervals (CI; adjusted for specificity and sensitivity of the ELISA test) were calculated for various exposure factors. Contact with pet rats (RR = 13.9 CI [4.8; 25.3]), guinea pigs (3.0[1.1; 7.4]), cattle (3.7[1.3; 9.6]), poultry (3.6[1.3; 8.6]) or livestock (2.3[1.1; 4.9]) as well as occupation as forestry worker (9.2[2.6; 21.4]) were identified as important exposure factors. None of the participants has ever been diagnosed with leptospirosis, yet 45 had experienced symptoms which may have been caused by Leptospira infection (12 with scleral icterus, 25 dark urine, 8 liver inflammation, 7 kidney failure). Three times as many participants with prior symptoms were seropositive as participants without symptoms (RR = 3.4[1.3; 8.3]), suggesting that sero-positive patients with severe symptoms may frequently not be diagnosed as leptospirosis cases. Physicians should consider leptospirosis as a differential diagnosis. Currently, the vast majority of symptomatic leptospirosis patients may neither be diagnosed nor reported.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Lena Ulrich
- Department of Clinical Epidemiology and Applied Biometry, University of Tübingen, Silcherstr. 5, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | | | | | | | | | - Martin Eichner
- Department of Clinical Epidemiology and Applied Biometry, University of Tübingen, Silcherstr. 5, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
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Agampodi SB, Dahanayaka NJ, Nöckler K, Mayer-Scholl A, Vinetz JM. Redefining Gold Standard Testing for Diagnosing Leptospirosis: Further Evidence from a Well-Characterized, Flood-Related Outbreak in Sri Lanka. Am J Trop Med Hyg 2016; 95:531-536. [PMID: 27402521 DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.16-0033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2016] [Accepted: 02/24/2016] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
A gap in the leptospirosis field remains the lack of well-characterized sample collections that allow for comparison of new methods to standard ones. In the context of a flood-related outbreak of leptospirosis evaluated in Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka, a specimen bank was obtained with detailed metadata accompanied by gold standard diagnostic test results. Blood samples collected on admission and 14 days later from suspected cases of leptospirosis were tested using microscopic agglutination test (MAT) (17 serovars), an in-house enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) using a locally obtained strain of Leptospira kirschneri as sonicated antigen, a commercially available ELISA based on sonicated Leptospira biflexa, and a quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) assay targeting the pathogenic Leptospira-specific 16S rRNA gene. Of 62 patients presenting within the first 2 days of illness, 31 had confirmed leptospirosis based either on paired-sample MAT or qPCR. During the acute phase, qPCR was most sensitive, detecting 74% of definitively diagnosed cases; immunoglobulin G (IgG) ELISA (in-house), IgG ELISA (commercial), and MAT had sensitivities of 35.5%, 12.0%, and 22.6%, respectively, in detecting definitively diagnosed cases using acute phase serum. Of 40 patients with paired sera, 10 were qPCR positive. Of these, five samples were negative by paired-sample MAT. Of the 11 MAT-positive samples, only five were detected using qPCR confirming that both tests are needed for maximal sensitivity. Regional leptospiral serovar-specific IgG ELISA was superior to MAT. Knowing the regionally dominant serovars improves serological sensitivity in the analysis of acute specimens by ELISA, but qPCR was most sensitive in this patient population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suneth B Agampodi
- Tropical Disease Research Unit (TDRU), Rajarata University of Sri Lanka, Sri Lanka.,Department of Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Allied Sciences, Rajarata University of Sri Lanka, Sri Lanka
| | - Niroshan J Dahanayaka
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Allied Sciences, Rajarata University of Sri Lanka, Sri Lanka.,Tropical Disease Research Unit (TDRU), Rajarata University of Sri Lanka, Sri Lanka
| | | | | | - Joseph M Vinetz
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, California
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Dreesman J, Hamschmidt L, Toikkanen S, Runge M, Lüsse B, Freise J, Ehlers J, Nöckler K, Knorr C, Keller B, Mayer-Scholl A. Leptospirose-Ausbruch bei Saisonarbeitern in der Erdbeerernte in Niedersachsen, 2014. Gesundheitswesen 2016. [DOI: 10.1055/s-0036-1578892] [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: 10/22/2022]
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Mayer-Scholl A, Murugaiyan J, Neumann J, Bahn P, Reckinger S, Nöckler K. Rapid Identification of the Foodborne Pathogen Trichinella spp. by Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization Mass Spectrometry. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0152062. [PMID: 26999436 PMCID: PMC4801418 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0152062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [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: 11/27/2015] [Accepted: 03/08/2016] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Human trichinellosis occurs through consumption of raw or inadequately processed meat or meat products containing larvae of the parasitic nematodes of the genus Trichinella. Currently, nine species and three genotypes are recognized, of which T. spiralis, T. britovi and T. pseudospiralis have the highest public health relevance. To date, the differentiation of the larvae to the species and genotype level is based primarily on molecular methods, which can be relatively time consuming and labor intensive. Due to its rapidness and ease of use a matrix assisted laser desorption / ionization time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) reference spectra database using Trichinella strains of all known species and genotypes was created. A formicacid/acetonitrile protein extraction was carried out after pooling 10 larvae of each Trichinella species and genotype. Each sample was spotted 9 times using α-cyano 4-hydoxy cinnamic acid matrix and a MicroFlex LT mass spectrometer was used to acquire 3 spectra (m/z 2000 to 20000 Da) from each spot resulting in 27 spectra/species or genotype. Following the spectra quality assessment, Biotyper software was used to create a main spectra library (MSP) representing nine species and three genotypes of Trichinella. The evaluation of the spectra generated by MALDI-TOF MS revealed a classification which was comparable to the results obtained by molecular methods. Also, each Trichinella species utilized in this study was distinct and distinguishable with a high confidence level. Further, different conservation methods such as freezing and conservation in alcohol and the host species origin of the isolated larvae did not have a significant influence on the generated spectra. Therefore, the described MALDI-TOF MS can successfully be implemented for both genus and species level identification and represents a major step forward in the use of this technique in foodborne parasitology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne Mayer-Scholl
- Department of Biological Safety, Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, Berlin, Germany
- * E-mail:
| | - Jayaseelan Murugaiyan
- Centre for Infectious Medicine, Institute of Animal Hygiene and Environmental Health, Veterinary Faculty, Free University Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Jennifer Neumann
- Department of Biological Safety, Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, Berlin, Germany
| | - Peter Bahn
- Department of Biological Safety, Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, Berlin, Germany
| | - Sabine Reckinger
- Department of Biological Safety, Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, Berlin, Germany
| | - Karsten Nöckler
- Department of Biological Safety, Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, Berlin, Germany
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34
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Beutlich J, Hammerl JA, Appel B, Nöckler K, Helmuth R, Jöst K, Ludwig ML, Hanke C, Bechtold D, Mayer-Scholl A. Characterization of illegal food items and identification of foodborne pathogens brought into the European Union via two major German airports. Int J Food Microbiol 2015; 209:13-9. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijfoodmicro.2014.10.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2014] [Revised: 10/08/2014] [Accepted: 10/13/2014] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
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35
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Schlichting D, Nöckler K, Bahn P, Luge E, Greiner M, Müller-Graf C, Mayer-Scholl A. Estimation of the sensitivity and specificity of a Leptospira spp. in-house ELISA through Bayesian modelling. Int J Med Microbiol 2015; 305:756-61. [PMID: 26358915 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijmm.2015.08.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The microscopic agglutination test (MAT) is still considered the gold standard for the diagnosis of leptospirosis, although studies have shown that the test is an imperfect gold standard for clinical samples and unsuitable for epidemiological studies. Here, test characteristics of an in-house ELISA were identified for both subclinical and clinical populations by Bayesian latent class models. A conditional dependence model for two diagnostic tests and two populations was adapted to analyse a clinical and a subclinical scenario, respectively. These Bayesian models were used to estimate the sensitivity and specificity of the in-house ELISA and the MAT as well as the prevalences. The Bayesian estimates of the in-house ELISA were: clinical sensitivity=83.0%, clinical specificity=98.5%, subclinical sensitivity=85.7% and subclinical specificity=99.1%. In contrast, the estimates of the MAT were: clinical sensitivity=65.6%, clinical specificity=97.7%, subclinical sensitivity 54.9% and subclinical specificity=97.3%. The results show the suitability of the in-house ELISA for both clinical investigations and epidemiological studies in mildly endemic areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Schlichting
- Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR), Consultant Laboratory for Leptospirosis, Max-Dohrn-Str. 8-10, 10589 Berlin, Germany.
| | - Karsten Nöckler
- Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR), Consultant Laboratory for Leptospirosis, Max-Dohrn-Str. 8-10, 10589 Berlin, Germany
| | - Peter Bahn
- Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR), Consultant Laboratory for Leptospirosis, Max-Dohrn-Str. 8-10, 10589 Berlin, Germany
| | - Enno Luge
- Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR), Consultant Laboratory for Leptospirosis, Max-Dohrn-Str. 8-10, 10589 Berlin, Germany
| | - Matthias Greiner
- Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR), Consultant Laboratory for Leptospirosis, Max-Dohrn-Str. 8-10, 10589 Berlin, Germany
| | - Christine Müller-Graf
- Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR), Consultant Laboratory for Leptospirosis, Max-Dohrn-Str. 8-10, 10589 Berlin, Germany
| | - Anne Mayer-Scholl
- Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR), Consultant Laboratory for Leptospirosis, Max-Dohrn-Str. 8-10, 10589 Berlin, Germany
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36
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Jurke A, Bannert N, Brehm K, Fingerle V, Kempf VAJ, Kömpf D, Lunemann M, Mayer-Scholl A, Niedrig M, Nöckler K, Scholz H, Splettstoesser W, Tappe D, Fischer SF. Serological survey of Bartonella spp., Borrelia burgdorferi, Brucella spp., Coxiella burnetii, Francisella tularensis, Leptospira spp., Echinococcus, Hanta-, TBE- and XMR-virus infection in employees of two forestry enterprises in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, 2011-2013. Int J Med Microbiol 2015; 305:652-62. [PMID: 26422407 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijmm.2015.08.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
We initiated a survey to collect basic data on the frequency and regional distribution of various zoonoses in 722 employees of forestry enterprises in the German state of North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW) from 2011 to 2013. Exposures associated with seropositivity were identified to give insight into the possible risk factors for infection with each pathogen. 41.2% of participants were found to be seropositive for anti-Bartonella IgG, 30.6% for anti-Borrelia burgdorferi IgG, 14.2% for anti-Leptospira IgG, 6.5% for anti-Coxiella burnetii IgG, 6.0% for anti-Hantavirus IgG, 4.0% for anti-Francisella tularensis IgG, 3.4% for anti-TBE-virus IgG, 1.7% for anti-Echinococcus IgG, 0.0% for anti-Brucella IgG and anti-XMRV IgG. Participants seropositive for B. burgdorferi were 3.96 times more likely to be professional forestry workers (univariable analysis: OR 3.96; 95% CI 2.60-6.04; p<0.001); and participants seropositive for Hantavirus 3.72 times more likely (univariable analysis: OR 3.72; 95% CI 1.44-9.57; p=0.007). This study found a surprisingly high percentage of participants seropositive for anti-B. henselae IgG and for anti-F. tularensis IgG. The relatively high seroprevalence for anti-Leptospira IgG seen in this study could be related to living conditions rather than to exposure at work. No specific risk for exposure to C. burnetii and Echinococcus was identified, indicating that neither forestry workers nor office workers represent a risk population and that NRW is not a typical endemic area. Forestry workers appear to have higher risk for contact with B. burgdorferi-infected ticks and a regionally diverse risk for acquiring Hantavirus-infection. The regional epidemiology of zoonoses is without question of great importance for public health. Knowledge of the regional risk factors facilitates the development of efficient prevention strategies and the implementation of such prevention measures in a sustainable manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annette Jurke
- Department of Infectiology and Hygiene, NRW Centre for Health, Münster, Germany
| | - N Bannert
- Consultant Laboratory for Diagnostic Electron Microscopy of Infectious Pathogens, Robert Koch-Institute, Berlin, Germany
| | - K Brehm
- Consultant Laboratory for Echinococcus, Institute of Hygiene and Microbiology, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - V Fingerle
- National Reference Centre for Borrelia, Bayerisches Landesamt für Gesundheit und Lebensmittelsicherheit, Oberschleißheim, Germany
| | - V A J Kempf
- Consultant Laboratory for Bartonella, Institute for Medical Microbiology and Infection Control, University Hospital of Goethe, University Frankfurt am Main, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - D Kömpf
- Consultant Laboratory for Coxiella, Baden-Württemberg State Health Office, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - M Lunemann
- Department of Infectiology and Hygiene, NRW Centre for Health, Münster, Germany
| | - A Mayer-Scholl
- Consultant Laboratory for Leptospira, Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, Berlin, Germany
| | - M Niedrig
- Consultant Laboratory for Tick-borne Encephalitis, Robert Koch-Institute, Berlin, Germany
| | - K Nöckler
- Consultant Laboratory for Leptospira, Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, Berlin, Germany
| | - H Scholz
- Consultant Laboratory for Brucella, Bacteriology and Toxicology, Bundeswehr Institute of Microbiology, München, Germany
| | - W Splettstoesser
- Consultant Laboratory for Francisella, Bundeswehr Institute of Microbiology, München, Germany
| | - D Tappe
- Consultant Laboratory for Echinococcus, Institute of Hygiene and Microbiology University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Silke F Fischer
- Consultant Laboratory for Coxiella, Baden-Württemberg State Health Office, Stuttgart, Germany.
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Faber M, Schink S, Mayer-Scholl A, Ziesch C, Schönfelder R, Wichmann-Schauer H, Stark K, Nöckler K. Outbreak of trichinellosis due to wild boar meat and evaluation of the effectiveness of post exposure prophylaxis, Germany, 2013. Clin Infect Dis 2015; 60:e98-e104. [PMID: 25770171 DOI: 10.1093/cid/civ199] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [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: 12/09/2014] [Accepted: 03/04/2015] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Food safety authorities discovered that wild boar meat products contaminated with Trichinella spiralis had entered the food chain in Germany in March 2013. Public health authorities issued guidelines for health professionals including post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) using mebendazole and advised the public to seek medical advice if exposed. Our objective was to identify factors associated with the development of trichinellosis and to evaluate post exposure prophylaxis. METHODS Persons who reported to local public health departments as exposed were interviewed concerning exposure, symptoms, and medication. Serum samples were tested by an in-house Trichinella-specific enzyme-linked innunosorbent assay. Cases were defined as persons presenting with myalgia and/or periorbital edema and Trichinella-specific immunoglobulin M and immunoglobulin G antibodies after exposure to implicated products. RESULTS Of 101 persons interviewed, 71 were exposed and serologically tested. Antibodies were detected in 21/71 (30%) and 14/71 (20%) met the case definition. Attack rates were positively correlated to the amount of implicated product consumed. Among n = 37 persons who received anthelmintics as PEP, 6 persons developed trichinellosis. These cases exclusively occurred among persons starting PEP 6 days or later post-exposure. Exposure to implicated products and delaying PEP were also significantly associated with developing trichinellosis (P < .01) in a multivariable analysis. CONCLUSIONS Concerted efforts by food safety and public health authorities lead to timely outbreak control and facilitated the provision of early PEP. PEP appears to be effective in preventing trichinellosis when given early, preferably within 6 days. We therefore recommend initiating PEP without delay in similar settings and encourage public health professionals to fast-track this intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mirko Faber
- Department for Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
| | - Susanne Schink
- Department for Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany Postgraduate Training for Applied Epidemiology (PAE), affiliated to the European Programme for Intervention Epidemiology Training (EPIET), ECDC, Sweden
| | - Anne Mayer-Scholl
- Department for Biological Safety, Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, Berlin
| | | | - Ralph Schönfelder
- Food Inspection and Veterinary Department, Görlitz Administrative District, Germany
| | | | - Klaus Stark
- Department for Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
| | - Karsten Nöckler
- Department for Biological Safety, Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, Berlin
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Hamidi A, Mayer-Scholl A, Dreshaj S, Robaj A, Sylejmani D, Ramadani N, Al Dahouk S, Nöckler K. Isolation and Identification of Brucella melitensis Biovar 3 from Vaccinated Small Ruminants: A Public Health Threat in Kosovo. Transbound Emerg Dis 2015; 63:e296-e299. [PMID: 25704160 DOI: 10.1111/tbed.12336] [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] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2014] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
In 2011, a human brucellosis case with severe clinical symptoms was reported at the University Clinic for Infectious Diseases in Prishtina, Kosovo. A trace-back investigation was conducted to find the source of human infection. A total of 49 blood samples and 15 corresponding milk samples from sheep and goats raised on the patient's farm were taken for serological and molecular analysis. Serology using RBT and CFT revealed 11 positive animals. Twelve milk samples were PCR positive. A Brucella strain isolated from a goat's milk sample was classified as Brucella melitensis biovar 3, indicating the first ever isolation and report in Kosovo. The use of the Bruce-ladder PCR provided differentiation between the field strain and the vaccine strain. Hence, the accidental transmission of the vaccine strain Rev 1 that was previously used for the vaccination of the farm animals could be excluded. The findings of this study show that brucellosis is still a public health threat in Kosovo despite control measures.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Hamidi
- Department of Veterinary, Faculty of Agriculture and Veterinary, University of Prishtina, Prishtina, Kosovo.
| | | | - S Dreshaj
- University Clinic for Infectious Diseases, University of Prishtina, Prishtina, Kosovo
| | - A Robaj
- Department of Veterinary, Faculty of Agriculture and Veterinary, University of Prishtina, Prishtina, Kosovo
| | - D Sylejmani
- Department of Veterinary, Faculty of Agriculture and Veterinary, University of Prishtina, Prishtina, Kosovo
| | - N Ramadani
- National Public Health Institute, Prishtina, Kosovo
| | - S Al Dahouk
- Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, Berlin, Germany
| | - K Nöckler
- Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, Berlin, Germany
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Steil D, Quandt A, Mayer-Scholl A, Sie JM, Löhr CV, Teifke JP. [Leptospirosis with necro-haemorrhagic cholecystitis in a Boxer puppy]. Tierarztl Prax Ausg K Kleintiere Heimtiere 2014; 42:399-405. [PMID: 25423604 DOI: 10.15654/tpk-140217] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2013] [Accepted: 06/22/2014] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
A Boxer puppy from the island of Rügen, which was properly vaccinated according to its age, was presented with acute gastrointestinal symptoms. The presumptive diagnosis of leptospirosis with acute renal failure, hepatic damage, and jaundice was confirmed by seroconversion (increased titre to 1 : 800 in a non-vaccine serogroup 4 weeks after disease onset). Cholecystitis was diagnosed based on clinical symptoms and sonographic results. After an initial improvement, the puppy's condition deteriorated and cholecystectomy was performed. Histopathological diagnosis indicated a haemorrhagic necrotizing cholecystitis.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Steil
- Dr. Dorothee Steil, Tierarztpraxis Quandt und Bracke, An den Wurthen 26, 17489 Greifswald, E-Mail:
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Schmidt S, Essbauer SS, Mayer-Scholl A, Poppert S, Schmidt-Chanasit J, Klempa B, Henning K, Schares G, Groschup MH, Spitzenberger F, Richter D, Heckel G, Ulrich RG. Multiple infections of rodents with zoonotic pathogens in Austria. Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis 2014; 14:467-75. [PMID: 24915446 PMCID: PMC4098071 DOI: 10.1089/vbz.2013.1504] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Rodents are important reservoirs for a large number of zoonotic pathogens. We examined the occurrence of 11 viral, bacterial, and parasitic agents in rodent populations in Austria, including three different hantaviruses, lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus, orthopox virus, Leptospira spp., Borrelia spp., Rickettsia spp., Bartonella spp., Coxiella burnetii, and Toxoplasma gondii. In 2008, 110 rodents of four species (40 Clethrionomys glareolus, 29 Apodemus flavicollis, 26 Apodemus sylvaticus, and 15 Microtus arvalis) were trapped at two rural sites in Lower Austria. Chest cavity fluid and samples of lung, spleen, kidney, liver, brain, and ear pinna skin were collected. We screened selected tissue samples for hantaviruses, lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus, orthopox viruses, Leptospira, Borrelia, Rickettsia, Bartonella spp., C. burnetii, and T. gondii by RT-PCR/PCR and detected nucleic acids of Tula hantavirus, Leptospira spp., Borrelia afzelii, Rickettsia spp., and different Bartonella species. Serological investigations were performed for hantaviruses, lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus, orthopox viruses, and Rickettsia spp. Here, Dobrava-Belgrade hantavirus-, Tula hantavirus-, lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus-, orthopox virus-, and rickettsia-specific antibodies were demonstrated. Puumala hantavirus, C. burnetii, and T. gondii were neither detected by RT-PCR/PCR nor by serological methods. In addition, multiple infections with up to three pathogens were shown in nine animals of three rodent species from different trapping sites. In conclusion, these results show that rodents in Austria may host multiple zoonotic pathogens. Our observation raises important questions regarding the interactions of different pathogens in the host, the countermeasures of the host's immune system, the impact of the host-pathogen interaction on the fitness of the host, and the spread of infectious agents among wild rodents and from those to other animals or humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabrina Schmidt
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Institute for Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Greifswald–Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Sandra S. Essbauer
- Bundeswehr Institute of Microbiology, Department of Virology & Rickettsiology, Munich, Germany
| | | | - Sven Poppert
- Institute of Medical Microbiology, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Jonas Schmidt-Chanasit
- Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, WHO Collaborating Centre for Arbovirus and Hemorrhagic Fever Reference and Research, Hamburg, Germany and German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), partner site Hamburg-Luebeck-Borstel, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Boris Klempa
- Institute of Virology, Slovak Academy of Science, Bratislava, Slovakia, and Institute of Virology, Charité Medical School, Berlin, Germany
| | - Klaus Henning
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Institute of Bacterial Infections and Zoonoses, Jena, Germany
| | - Gereon Schares
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Institute of Epidemiology, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Martin H. Groschup
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Institute for Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Greifswald–Insel Riems, Germany
| | | | - Dania Richter
- Environmental Systems Analysis, Institute of Geoecology, Technical University of Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Gerald Heckel
- Computational and Molecular Population Genetics (CMPG), Institute of Ecology and Evolution, University of Bern and Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, Genopode, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Rainer G. Ulrich
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Institute for Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Greifswald–Insel Riems, Germany
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Mayer-Scholl A, Broglia A, Reckinger S, Nöckler K. Polymerase chain reaction – Restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis for the differentiation of Trichinella nativa and Trichinella britovi. Vet Parasitol 2014; 203:247-9. [DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2014.01.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2013] [Revised: 01/15/2014] [Accepted: 01/21/2014] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
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Chmurzyńska E, Różycki M, Bilska-Zając E, Nöckler K, Mayer-Scholl A, Pozio E, Cencek T, Karamon J. Trichinella nativa in red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) of Germany and Poland: Possible different origins. Vet Parasitol 2013; 198:254-7. [DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2013.07.034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2012] [Revised: 07/23/2013] [Accepted: 07/24/2013] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
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Riehn K, Hasenclever D, Petroff D, Nöckler K, Mayer-Scholl A, Makrutzki G, Lücker E. Trichinella detection: identification and statistical evaluation of sources of error in the magnetic stirrer method for pooled sample digestion. Vet Parasitol 2013; 194:106-9. [PMID: 23433988 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2013.01.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Proficiency testing (PT) is the use of inter-laboratory comparisons to determine the performance of individual laboratories for specific tests or measurements, and to monitor a laboratory's performance. Participation in proficiency testing provides laboratories with an objective means of assessing and demonstrating the reliability of the data they are producing. To ensure the reliability of Trichinella detection and meat hygiene within the European Union and afford optimal protection to the consumer, PT is conducted under the direction of the European National Reference Laboratories for Trichinella. Evaluation of data from the national PT showed that lab-internal shortcomings are frequent. These shortcomings are specifically related to: (1) improper sample collection and preparation; (2) incorrect transposition and application of the protocol as laid down in Annex I, Chapter I, Nr. 3 (a-g) of the Commission Regulation (EC) No. 2075/2005; (3) insufficient sedimentation times; and (4) improper equipment.(e.g. Prost and Nowakowski, 1990; Rossi and Pozio, 2008; Forbes and Gajadhar, 1999; Rossi and Pozio, 2008). To test the hypothesis that both method based errors as well as internal lab errors can influence the accuracy and precision of the magnetic stirrer method for pooled sample digestion (MSM), we initiated a study to evaluate the analytical uncertainty of the MSM. Results presented here are based on: (i) data from PT in Germany (2008, 2009, and 2010); (ii) within-lab performance conducting high volumes of MSM; (iii) larval recovery experiments; and (iv) statistical evaluation of data resulting from these procedures. Quantitative data from the PT show that on average only 60% of Trichinella larvae were detected. Even laboratories that showed relatively good performance (>80% larva recovery, no false negative or false positive results), frequently reported samples with an unexpectedly low larval count (loss of >2 larvae). In our own laboratory, high numbers of repeated analyses of standards and re-analyses of residual fluids indicated that these outliers could be described by a binomial distribution based on a laboratory-specific Trichinella-detection probability. Results of recovery experiments indicate that only a part of the total larval losses can be attributed to lab-internal shortcomings inasmuch as a significant number of L1 could be isolated from the residual and washing fluids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katharina Riehn
- Institute of Food Hygiene, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Leipzig, Germany.
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Mayer-Scholl A, Reckinger S, Nöckler K. A study on the suitability of inactivated Trichinella spiralis larvae for proficiency samples. Vet Parasitol 2013; 194:113-6. [DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2013.01.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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Mayer-Scholl A, Luge E, Draeger A, Nöckler K, Kohn B. Distribution of Leptospira serogroups in dogs from Berlin, Germany. Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis 2013; 13:200-2. [PMID: 23428087 DOI: 10.1089/vbz.2012.1121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Leptospirosis is a bacterial zoonosis in which dogs can act as a reservoir for human infection. The annual vaccination of dogs can prevent leptospirosis caused by serovars included in the vaccine. To date, all available vaccines in Germany include only the serovars Icterohaemorrhagiae and Canicola, the most commonly found serovars prior to the introduction of the leptospirosis vaccines. Yet, the involvement of additional serovars in the clinical presentation of leptospirosis in dogs has been described. The objective of this sero-epidemiological study was to examine the different Leptospira serovars currently circulating in a population of dogs suspicious for leptospirosis from Berlin. In 329 dogs presenting at the Small Animal Clinic in Berlin, the predominant serogroup was Australis (24%), followed by Grippotyphosa (20%) and Pomona (9%). A total of 18% of the dogs were diagnosed with clinical leptospirosis; here the most prevalent serogroups were also Australis (28%), Grippotyphosa (18%), and Pomona (14%). The serovar prevalence data presented here confirm that a change of pattern of infecting Leptospira serovars in dogs has taken place in Berlin. This data corresponds to further sero-epidemiological studies from other regions in Germany. To ensure human and canine health, available vaccines should be adapted to include the most important circulating serovars.
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Gross S, Greiner M, Mayer-Scholl A, Käsbohrer A, Ellerbroek L, Nöckler K, Müller-Graf C. [Surveillance systems for status monitoring of Trichinella-free declared pig farms: concepts and their confidence for freedom from disease]. Berl Munch Tierarztl Wochenschr 2012; 125:482-493. [PMID: 23227766] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
Trichinella surveillance data in Germany show for indoor housed pigs hardly any cases. Nevertheless, obligatory testing is in place for each slaughtered pig. According to EU legislation systematic Trichinella testing can be replaced by a risk-based surveillance system if the risk of Trichinella infection in fattening pigs is negligible. The probability to detect a positive herd (herd sensitivity) was taken as an indicator for the effectiveness of the surveillance. Four different diagnostic methods: a) digestion method, b) E/S-ELISA, c) Western Blot, and d) ELISA sequentially combined with Western Blot, were compared regarding herd sensitivity and specificity for different herd and sample sizes and different levels of prevalence. In a further step three potential surveillance systems were compared with regard to their suitability for herd classification: (i) classical Trichinella examination by artificial digestion method, (ii) ELISA screening followed by classical Trichinella examination and (iii) ELISA screening followed by Western Blot. Results show that: 1) testing by the artificial digestion method (i) provides only low sensitivity of detection for positive herds at present levels of prevalence despite perfect specificity. 2) The ELISA alone provides a high sensitivity of detection even at low sample sizes but at the cost of a very low herd specificity, converging towards zero at increasing sample sizes. In surveillance system (ii), a large number of farms would still need to be tested with the classical digestion method, as they would be misclassified as positive by the ELISA. 3) The Western Blot as well as ELISA screening followed by Western Blot offer a high probability of correct herd classification. The latter diagnostic system appears to be the most suitable for a risk based surveillance (iii) and provides--despite reduced sample sizes--a higher probability for a correct herd classification than the traditional Trichinella examination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefan Gross
- Bundesinstitut für Risikobewertung (BfR), Abteilung Wissenschaftliche Querschnittsaufgaben
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Mayer-Scholl A, Reckinger S, Nöckler K. The sylvatic Trichinella cycle and its implications for Trichinella control in Germany. Berl Munch Tierarztl Wochenschr 2011; 124:450-456. [PMID: 22191166] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
Trichinellosis is a food-borne, zoonotic disease caused by a parasitic organism. Pork containing muscle larvae represents the most important source of human trichinellosis. In Germany, each slaughtered domestic swine is systematically sampled and examined for Trichinella spp. European Union legislation (EC (No.) 2075/2005) condones the approach of a risk-oriented meat inspection for Trichinella in pigs which is accompanied by monitoring programmes for pig holdings and reservoir animals. Here we discuss the current epidemiological situation of Trichinella in the sylvatic cycle in Germany and the implications for the implementation of risk-based sampling.
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Klopfleisch R, Kohn B, Plog S, Weingart C, Nöckler K, Mayer-Scholl A, Gruber AD. An emerging pulmonary haemorrhagic syndrome in dogs: similar to the human leptospiral pulmonary haemorrhagic syndrome? Vet Med Int 2010; 2010:928541. [PMID: 21274452 PMCID: PMC3025382 DOI: 10.4061/2010/928541] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [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: 11/24/2010] [Accepted: 12/17/2010] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Severe pulmonary haemorrhage is a rare necropsy finding in dogs but the leptospiral pulmonary haemorrhagic syndrome (LPHS) is a well recognized disease in humans. Here we report a pulmonary haemorrhagic syndrome in dogs that closely resembles the human disease. All 15 dogs had massive, pulmonary haemorrhage affecting all lung lobes while haemorrhage in other organs was minimal. Histologically, pulmonary lesions were characterized by acute, alveolar haemorrhage without identifiable vascular lesions. Seven dogs had mild alveolar wall necrosis with hyaline membranes and minimal intraalveolar fibrin. In addition, eight dogs had acute renal tubular necrosis. Six dogs had a clinical diagnosis of leptospirosis based on renal and hepatic failure, positive microscopic agglutination test (MAT) and/or positive blood/urine Leptospira-specific PCR. Leptospira could not be cultured post mortem from the lungs or kidneys. However, Leptospira-specific PCR was positive in lung, liver or kidneys of three dogs. In summary, a novel pulmonary haemorrhagic syndrome was identified in dogs but the mechanism of the massive pulmonary erythrocyte extravasation remains elusive. The lack of a consistent post mortem identification of Leptospira spp. in dogs with pulmonary haemorrhage raise questions as to whether additional factors besides Leptospira may cause this as yet unrecognized entity in dogs.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Klopfleisch
- Institute of Veterinary Pathology, Department of Veterinary Medicine, Freie Universität Berlin, Robert-von-Ostertag-Straße 15, 14163 Berlin, Germany
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Abstract
Migration of raccoon dogs from Poland may have caused this change. In 2008, a Trichinella spp. outbreak occurred on a small family-owned pig farm in Mecklenburg–Western Pomerania in northeastern Germany. To obtain epidemiologic information on this outbreak, we determined that after 2005 the prevalence of Trichinella spp. in wild boars has increased in this region of Germany. We discuss the potential role of the raccoon dog in the increase in Trichinella spp. prevalence in the sylvatic cycle in this region. We believe that this increase could pose a threat to pigs kept in back yard conditions, and we provide recommendations to ensure public health safety.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gunter Pannwitz
- Veterinär-und Lebensmittelüberwachungsamt Ostvorpommern, Anklam, Germany
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50
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Eilers B, Mayer-Scholl A, Walker T, Tang C, Weinrauch Y, Zychlinsky A. Neutrophil antimicrobial proteins enhance Shigella flexneri adhesion and invasion. Cell Microbiol 2010; 12:1134-43. [PMID: 20331641 DOI: 10.1111/j.1462-5822.2010.01459.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Shigella flexneri is an enteric pathogen that causes massive inflammation and destruction of the human intestinal epithelium. Neutrophils are the first cells of the innate immune system recruited to the site of infection. These cells can attack microbes by phagocytosis, Neutrophil Extracellular Trap (NET) formation and degranulation. Here, we investigated how neutrophil degranulation affects virulence and show that exposure of Shigella to granular proteins enhances infection of epithelial cells. During this process, cationic granular proteins bind to the Shigella surface causing increased adhesion which ultimately leads to hyperinvasion. This effect is mediated by changes in the surface charge, since a lipopolysaccharide (LPS) mutant with a negative surface shows enhanced hyperinvasion compared with wild-type Shigella. We propose that Shigella evolved to use host defence molecules to enhance its virulence and subvert the innate immune system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Björn Eilers
- Department of Cellular Microbiology, Max-Planck-Institute for Infection Biology, Berlin, Germany
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