Zoonoses and Public Health最新文献

Introduction

Black flies (Simuliidae) are globally distributed blood-feeding arthropods and vectors of viral, bacterial, and parasitic pathogens to many animal species, including humans. We investigated the occurrence of selected vector-borne pathogens in black flies in South Moravia, Czech Republic, and evaluated their possible role in the circulation of vector-borne pathogens.

Methods

A total of 11,600 black flies comprising four species of the genus Simulium, namely Simulium (Boophthora) erythrocephalum (De Geer, 1776), Simulium (Wilhelmia) lineatum (Meigen, 1804), Simulium (Wilhelmia) balcanicum (Enderlein, 1924), and Simulium (Wilhelmia) turgaicum (Rubtsov, 1940) were pooled and screened for the following arthropod-borne pathogens and parasites endemic in Central Europe: viruses (alphaviruses, bunyaviruses and flaviviruses), bacteria (Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato, Borrelia miyamotoi, Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Neoehrlichia mikurensis, Bartonella spp., Rickettsia spp., Francisella tularensis, Coxiella burnetii, and Brucella spp.), protista (Babesia spp., Encephalitozoon spp. and Enterocytozoon spp.) and filaria (Dirofilaria spp., Setaria spp., and Onchocerca spp.).

Results

Almost all pools were negative for known arthropod-borne pathogens and parasites. However, four new Bartonella spp. variants were found that share similarity with other bartonellae reported from diverse arthropods and humans. The phylogenetic analysis of Bartonella sequences from Czech black flies provides further evidence about an expanding diversity of Bartonella lineages in arthropods globally, including hematophagous species (e.g., ticks, mosquitoes, and biting flies) and non-hematophagous species (e.g., bees and ants). These bartonellae have the potential to cause pathogenic infections in humans who are exposed to arthropods carrying these bacteria.

Conclusions

Summing up, this study provides for the very first time valuable data for characterising the risk to public and veterinary health from black flies and the infections they may carry in Europe. Further testing, however, should include a wider geographic, seasonal, and taxonomic range of black flies.

Introduction

Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is a major public health concern in Iran and particularly in Isfahan Province. Although numerous studies have determined the phlebotomine sand-fly fauna and CL occurrence in this region, no dedicated investigation of sand fly spatial distribution and Risk mapping has been conducted in recent years. Furthermore, no previous study has systematically assessed leishmaniasis vectors across 19 distinct sites in this province over a continuous five-year period from 2019 to 2023. Therefore, this study conducted comprehensive entomological surveillance to determine sand fly species composition, seasonal activity, and high-risk transmission zones for C in this endemic area.

Methods

This retrospective study conducted on sand fly entomological surveillance in 10 counties of Isfahan Province from 2019 to 2023, utilising sticky traps for sand fly collection. Collected specimens were identified morphologically, and species distribution, seasonal activity, and abundance trends were analysed using statistical methods. Spatiotemporal maps were created using GIS tools to assess the geographic patterns of sand fly populations.

Results

A total of 17,453 specimens were collected, with Sergentomyia sintoni (48.0%) and Phlebotomus papatasi (30.0%) being the most abundant species. The highest sand fly abundance was recorded in 2022. Seasonal activity patterns varied by species, with S. sintoni and Ph. Papatasi exhibiting bimodal peaks in June and August. The majority of specimens (96.5%) were collected from outdoors, which indicates the exophilic behaviour of sand flies.

Conclusions

Our findings establish an essential basis for public health decision-making and support the formulation of targeted, cost-effective, and ecologically responsible interventions to reduce sand fly populations and mitigate the spread of sand fly-borne diseases.

Introduction

The introduction of PCR testing for leptospirosis in Aotearoa New Zealand has reduced the availability of serotyping data, and current diagnostic PCRs do not routinely genotype Leptospira. This study genotyped Leptospira from PCR-confirmed human cases between 2016 and 2023 and compared them with genotypes found in animals to identify potential sources of infection in a 2023 human leptospirosis outbreak.

Methods

Human samples were genotyped using glmU amplicon sequencing and compared to animal genotypes from previous studies. In addition, human national surveillance data were analysed to provide broader epidemiological context including regional distribution to reveal outbreak areas; diagnostic test usage to assess trends; serotyping results to evaluate consistency across methods; and demographic information to evaluate the representativeness of the genotyped dataset. Chi-squared and Poisson regression were used to assess host-genotype associations, and phylogenetics evaluated genetic relatedness.

Results

Surveillance data showed flood-associated outbreaks in several regions and a significant shift in diagnostic practice (p ≤ 0.001), with increased use of PCR. Genotyping of PCR-confirmed cases revealed a rise in Pomona infections in 2023 across rural flood-associated regions (Gisborne, Hawke's Bay, Manawatū-Whanganui, Waikato and Wairarapa). In contrast, the Auckland region—including Aotearoa's largest city which also experienced flooding—had infections linked to Ballum, Copenhageni and Balcanica NZ. In animals, Pomona was primarily detected in sheep (Ovis aries), followed by cattle, while Ballum, Copenhageni and Balcanica NZ were primarily detected in mice (Mus musculus), Norway rats (Rattus norvegicus) and brushtail possums (Trichosurus vulpecula), respectively.

Conclusions

Flooding-driven outbreaks in rural areas with pastoral livestock were predominantly linked to livestock-associated strains, while urban cases were associated with rodents and small wildlife. These findings highlight the need for tailored mitigation strategies addressing distinct epidemiological risks in rural and urban settings. Surveillance strategies should be adapted to preserve typing capabilities to better inform public health responses in future outbreaks.

Introduction

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is defined by the World Health Organization as one of the most important health threats, that needs a One Health approach. Monitoring AMR in livestock is an important element, which has been done in the Netherlands in a monitoring program since 1998. The aim was to analyse AMR trends during the periods 2010–2018 and 2019–2023.

Methods

A dataset containing the antimicrobial resistance data of > 12,000 indicator E. coli isolates collected from faecal samples from broilers, fattening pigs and veal calves at slaughter houses, as part of the Dutch AMR monitoring program, was built to analyze AMR trends. ECOFF values were used to distinguish wild-type (WT) and non-wild-type (non-WT, phenotypically resistant) isolates.

Results

In the period 2010–2018 decreasing resistance patterns to most antibiotics were seen in broilers, fattening pigs and veal calves. However, in the period 2019–2023 flattening resistance patterns were observed in broilers and fattening pigs for antibiotics amoxicillin/ampicillin, sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim, at relatively high levels of resistance, despite a reduction in antibiotic usage during this period.

Conclusions

Following a significant decreasing trend in the prevalence of AMR between 2010 and 2018, no significant changes in the prevalence of AMR were observed between 2019 and 2023 for most antibiotics. To get more insight into the limited correlation between usage and resistance in recent years, further studies are needed to analyse the relation, and underlying factors, between antibiotic usage and AMR more in depth.

Introduction

Leishmaniosis is a sand fly-borne zoonosis mainly caused by Leishmania infantum in Europe. Exposure to this protozoan has been widely reported in many domestic and wild species. However, epidemiological surveys evaluating the circulation of L. infantum in zoo-kept animals remain limited.

This large-scale study aims to evaluate the seroprevalence of L. infantum in zoo-kept species in Spain as well as alterations in serum protein levels in L. infantum-seropositive individuals, to identify potential risk factors associated with L. infantum exposure, and to assess the dynamics of seropositivity in animals longitudinally sampled during the study period.

Methods

Between 2007 and 2023, serum samples from 429 zoo-kept animals belonging to 72 species were collected in nine zoos in Spain using convenience sampling. Additionally, 29 of these individuals from six of the tested zoos were also longitudinally sampled.

Results

Anti-L. infantum antibodies were detected in 22 (5.1%; 95% CI: 3.0–7.2) of the 429 animals using an in-house ELISA, as well as in 13.9% (10/72) and 66.7% (6/9) of the species and zoos tested, respectively. Serum protein electrophoresis analyses revealed that polyclonal gammopathy was the most common alteration in L. infantum-seropositive individuals. Three animals longitudinally surveyed seroconverted throughout the study period. The multivariate analysis identified the family Canidae as a risk factor for L. infantum exposure.

Conclusions

Our results indicate a moderate, widespread and endemic circulation of L. infantum in zoo-kept animals from Spain, which may be of animal health, conservation, and public health concern. Surveillance programs and control measures should be implemented in zoos to minimise the exposure of these species to Leishmania spp., particularly in hotspot areas.

Introduction

Hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome is a zoonotic disease caused by hantavirus and transmitted through rodent vectors. China accounts for approximately 90% of global hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome cases.

Methods

In this study, data of cases were obtained from the Chinese Information System for Disease Control and Prevention. Surveillance data of rodent hosts was derived from the designated surveillance sites across the country.

Results

During the study period, 204,039 HFRS cases were reported, with 1,801 deaths and a case fatality rate of 0.88%. Average annual reductions of –4.26% (95% CI, –7.13% to –1.78%, p < 0.001) in incidence rate and –5.39% (95% CI, –8.02% to –3.60%, p < 0.001) in case fatality rate were observed. A concerning upward trend was observed in both the proportion and incidence rate among individuals aged 60–69 years. The proportion increased from 7.70% in 2004 to 18.91% in 2020, with incidence rates reaching 10.35/1,000,000 in 2020. The primary disease cluster has shifted from Heilongjiang to Guanzhong Plain. Higher hantavirus carrying rates were observed in Heilongjiang, Yunnan, and Shaanxi provinces.

Conclusions

The incidence rate of HFRS has been steadily decreasing in China, accompanied by changes in demographic and geographic distributions. In light of shifting epidemiological patterns, the current Expanded Programme on Immunisation (EPI) strategy should be reconfigured to encompass individuals aged 10–70 years. Given the observed changes in disease clusters and high hantavirus prevalence, enhanced rodent host surveillance is essential. Surveillance scope and frequency should be dynamically adjusted in response to prevailing epidemiological trends to facilitate early intervention. Prevention strategies should precisely target high-risk populations and hotspots while enhancing the integrated application of the One Health approach.

Introduction

Rabies remains a significant public health concern in Lao People's Democratic Republic (Lao PDR), with domestic dogs serving as the primary reservoir host and transmission vector. Despite the endemic presence of rabies virus (RABV) within Lao PDR, molecular data on the current circulation of this virus within the country are limited.

Methods

In this study, we generated 94 new whole-genome sequences of animal RABV isolates collected between 2017 and 2023 in Lao PDR using the Nanopore technology. We then performed phylogenetic analyses by inferring maximum-likelihood trees on the five concatenated rabies genes and on nucleoprotein and glycoprotein genes.

Results

Phylogenetic analyses revealed that the Lao isolates predominantly cluster in three endemic phylogenetic groups of the Southeast Asian 3 (SEA3) subclade within the Asian clade. Additionally, we report the detection of RABV isolates related to the SEA1b subclade in Lao PDR.

Conclusions

Our findings highlight the complex and dynamic patterns of RABV transmission, likely influenced by transboundary dog movement, and underscore the importance of continuous molecular surveillance at the regional and national levels.

Introduction

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) poses a significant threat to both humans and animals. Zoonotic bacteria, such as Campylobacter, contribute to human infections and the spread of AMR, particularly through livestock, pets and wildlife. We investigated the prevalence, distribution and EUCAST ECOFF-based wild-type (WT) vs. non-wild-type (NWT) phenotypes in Campylobacter spp. isolated from different animal species in northwestern Italy, between 2014 and 2023.

Methods

Stool samples from owned dogs, livestock, wildlife and synanthropic birds were collected for Campylobacter isolation. Preputial lavages were additionally collected from bovines for C. fetus. Samples underwent isolation, identification and antimicrobial susceptibility testing using microdilution. Antimicrobial susceptibility was interpreted based on EUCAST epidemiological cut-off values (ECOFFs).

Results

Campylobacter jejuni was widely spread, accounting for 77.1% of all isolates (n = 384). The occurrence of C. coli and C. upsaliensis was mainly identified in swine and owned dogs, respectively. Overall, 38.0% (95% CI = 32.1–44.2) of the isolates demonstrated NWT susceptibility to at least one antimicrobial, and 23.8% exhibited NWT susceptibility to ≥ 3 antimicrobial classes. Non-wild-type patterns to fluoroquinolones and tetracyclines were the most common observed, especially among livestock isolates. The occurrence of NWT phenotypes varied by Campylobacter species and the animal source. C. coli showed a 2.85-fold increase in the risk of exhibiting an NWT phenotype compared to C. jejuni (95% CI = 2.24–3.62), and isolates from livestock displayed a higher probability of being NWT to fluoroquinolones (prevalence risk ratio = 5.49; 95% CI = 3.44–8.77) and tetracyclines (PR = 2.76; 95% CI = 1.58–4.83).

Conclusions

This study provides evidence of NWT Campylobacter isolates based on EUCAST epidemiological cut-off values (ECOFFs) in both wild and domestic animal hosts in northwestern Italy. The high frequency of NWT isolates, particularly of fluoroquinolones and tetracyclines in livestock-associated isolates, aligns with concerns regarding antimicrobial use in the animal production sector. The detection of NWT isolates in wild animals suggests potential environmental dissemination and interspecies transmission.