-
Pathogens (Basel, Switzerland) Dec 2021spp. are Gram-negative, non-motile, non-spore-forming, slow-growing, facultative intracellular bacteria causing brucellosis. Brucellosis is an endemic of specific... (Review)
Review
spp. are Gram-negative, non-motile, non-spore-forming, slow-growing, facultative intracellular bacteria causing brucellosis. Brucellosis is an endemic of specific geographic areas and, although underreported, represents the most common zoonotic infection, with an annual global incidence of 500,000 cases among humans. Humans represent an occasional host where the infection is mainly caused by , which is the most virulent; ; ; and . A microbiological analysis is crucial to identifying human cases because clinical symptoms of human brucellosis are variable and aspecific. The laboratory diagnosis is based on three different microbiological approaches: (i) direct diagnosis by culture, (ii) indirect diagnosis by serological tests, and (iii) direct rapid diagnosis by molecular PCR-based methods. Despite the established experience with serological tests and highly sensitive nucleic acid amplification tests (NAATs), a culture is still considered the "gold standard" in the laboratory diagnosis of brucellosis due to its clinical and epidemiological relevance. Moreover, the automated BC systems now available have increased the sensitivity of BCs and shortened the time to detection of species. The main limitations of serological tests are the lack of common interpretative criteria, the suboptimal specificity due to interspecies cross-reactivity, and the low sensitivity during the early stage of disease. Despite that, serological tests remain the main diagnostic tool, especially in endemic areas because they are inexpensive, user friendly, and have high negative predictive value. Promising serological tests based on new synthetic antigens have been recently developed together with novel point-of-care tests without the need for dedicated equipment and expertise. NAATs are rapid tests that can help diagnose brucellosis in a few hours with high sensitivity and specificity. Nevertheless, the interpretation of NAAT-positive results requires attention because it may not necessarily indicate an active infection but rather a low bacterial inoculum, DNA from dead bacteria, or a patient that has recovered. Refined NAATs should be developed, and their performances should be compared with those of commercial and home-made molecular tests before being commercialized for the diagnosis of brucellosis. Here, we review and report the most common and updated microbiological diagnostic methods currently available for the laboratory diagnosis of brucellosis.
PubMed: 34959578
DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10121623 -
The Journal of Small Animal Practice Jun 2019There is a recent trend to feed pet dogs and cats in Britain and other developed countries on raw meat and animal by-products using either commercial preparations or... (Review)
Review
There is a recent trend to feed pet dogs and cats in Britain and other developed countries on raw meat and animal by-products using either commercial preparations or home recipes. This shift from heat-treated processed food has been driven by perceived health benefits to pets and a suspicion of industrially produced pet food. The diets of wild-living related species have been used as a rationale for raw feeding, but differences in biology and lifestyle impose limitations on such comparisons. Formal evidence does exist for claims by raw-feeding proponents of an altered intestinal microbiome and (subjectively) improved stool quality. However, there is currently neither robust evidence nor identified plausible mechanisms for many of the wide range of other claimed benefits. There are documented risks associated with raw feeding, principally malnutrition (inexpert formulation and testing of diets) and infection affecting pets and/or household members. Surveys in Europe and North America have consistently found Salmonella species in a proportion of samples, typically of fresh-frozen commercial diets. Another emerging issue concerns the risk of introducing antimicrobial-resistant bacteria. Raw pet food commonly exceeds hygiene thresholds for counts of Enterobacteriaceae. These bacteria often encode resistance to critically important antibiotics such as extended-spectrum cephalosporins, and raw-fed pets create an elevated risk of shedding such resistant bacteria. Other infectious organisms that may be of concern include Listeria, shiga toxigenic E scherichia coli , parasites such as Toxoplasma gondii and exotic agents such as the zoonotic livestock pathogen Brucella suis, recently identified in European Union and UK raw pet meat imported from Argentina.
Topics: Animals; Cat Diseases; Cats; Diet; Dog Diseases; Dogs; Europe; Zoonoses
PubMed: 31025713
DOI: 10.1111/jsap.13000 -
Microorganisms Aug 2022Brucellosis is one of the most important and widespread bacterial zoonoses worldwide. Cases are reported annually across the range of known infectious species of the... (Review)
Review
Brucellosis is one of the most important and widespread bacterial zoonoses worldwide. Cases are reported annually across the range of known infectious species of the genus Globally, , primarily hosted by domestic sheep and goats, affects large proportions of livestock herds, and frequently spills over into humans. While some species, such as , are well controlled in livestock in areas of North America, the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem supports the species in native wild ungulates with occasional spillover to livestock. Elsewhere in North America, other species still infect domestic dogs and feral swine, with some associated human cases. spp. patterns vary across space globally with and the most important for livestock control. A myriad of other species within the genus infect a wide range of marine mammals, wildlife, rodents, and even frogs. Infection in humans from these others varies with geography and bacterial species. Control in humans is primarily achieved through livestock vaccination and culling and requires accurate and rapid species confirmation; vaccination is spp.-specific and typically targets single livestock species for distribution. Traditional bacteriology methods are slow (some media can take up to 21 days for bacterial growth) and often lack the specificity of molecular techniques. Here, we summarize the molecular techniques for confirming and identifying specific species and provide recommendations for selecting the appropriate methods based on need, sensitivity, and laboratory capabilities/technology. As vaccination/culling approaches are costly and logistically challenging, proper diagnostics and species identification are critical tools for targeting surveillance and control.
PubMed: 36014002
DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms10081584 -
Frontiers in Veterinary Science 2021is a zoonotic disease of feral pigs that also affects pig hunting dogs, pig hunters, veterinarians and veterinary staff. In recent years the incidence of in the...
is a zoonotic disease of feral pigs that also affects pig hunting dogs, pig hunters, veterinarians and veterinary staff. In recent years the incidence of in the eastern Australian states of New South Wales (NSW) and Queensland (QLD) has increased. A cross-sectional study was conducted to document the seroprevalence, geographical extent and risk factors for in dogs at-risk of contracting the disease. Eligible dogs were those that were known to hunt or consume feral pig meat. Dogs were enrolled through private veterinary clinics and/or directly by District Veterinarians in six regions of NSW and QLD. Blood was collected by venepuncture and tested for antibodies using the Rose Bengal Test (RBT) followed by a Complement Fixation Test (CFT) if they returned a positive RBT. Owners were invited to complete a questionnaire on the dogs' signalment, husbandry including hunting practices and locations, and any clinical signs referable to brucellosis. Of the 317 dogs included in the prevalence survey, 21 were seropositive returning a survey-adjusted true seroprevalence of 9.3 (95% CI 0.45 to 18) positive dogs per 100 dogs at-risk. True seroprevalence ranged from 0 to 24 positive dogs per 100 across eastern Australia, with the highest prevalence in central west NSW and southern QLD. Adjusted for other factors, dogs that shared a household with other seropositive dogs and those that traveled away from their home regions to hunt were more likely to be seropositive. Clinical signs at presentation were not predictive of serostatus, with seropositive and seronegative dogs equally likely to present with signs consistent with brucellosis. The results obtained from this study show that exposure is relatively common in dogs that have contact with feral pigs, with one in 10 testing seropositive. Further studies are needed to understand the progression and risk of transmission from seropositive dogs.
PubMed: 34621810
DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2021.727641 -
Journal of the American Veterinary... May 2022To evaluate the Brucella suis exposure status of pigs raised with outdoor access on farms in New York State and assess biosecurity and management practices of those...
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the Brucella suis exposure status of pigs raised with outdoor access on farms in New York State and assess biosecurity and management practices of those farms.
ANIMALS
250 pigs that were raised for commercial purposes, had access to the outdoors, and were > 4 months of age on 24 farms in New York State.
PROCEDURES
Farms were randomly selected from a sampling frame generated for the study and contacted to recruit them to participate. Participating farms were provided a questionnaire to complete. Up to 30 pigs per farm were tested for serum anti-Brucella antibodies.
RESULTS
Farm were classified as seasonal and year round. Seasonal farms raised pigs for slaughter, and year-round farms bred pigs, raised them for slaughter, and sold live pigs to others to raise. None of the 250 pigs had antibodies to Brucella spp. Nevertheless, the biosecurity assessment revealed a need for enhanced practices in procurement and management of swine in a wide range of areas.
CLINICAL RELEVANCE
There was no evidence for ongoing B suis infection on these swine farms in New York State, but biosecurity and preventive practices at these facilities could be improved to prevent the introduction and spread of B suis and other pathogens.
Topics: Animal Husbandry; Animals; Biosecurity; Brucella suis; Farms; New York; Swine; Swine Diseases
PubMed: 35290201
DOI: 10.2460/javma.21.08.0399 -
Bovine Brucellosis: Epidemiology, Public Health Implications, and Status of Brucellosis in Ethiopia.Veterinary Medicine (Auckland, N.Z.) 2022Brucellosis is a globally distributed zoonotic disease that causes serious problems in developing countries such as Ethiopia. is the primary cause of brucellosis in... (Review)
Review
Brucellosis is a globally distributed zoonotic disease that causes serious problems in developing countries such as Ethiopia. is the primary cause of brucellosis in cattle, and and also occasionally cause infection in cattle. Abortion and the retained fetal membrane are typical signs in females, whereas orchitis and bursitis are the known signs in male cattle. Brucellosis is typically transmitted to healthy cattle by direct or indirect contact with diseased cattle or their discharges. Humans can acquire brucellosis through the consumption of unpasteurized milk or milk products, and through contact with diseased cattle or their discharges. The occurrence of bovine brucellosis is affected by different factors related to the management system, host, and environmental factors. In Ethiopia, the occurrence of brucellosis is high in pastoral and mixed cattle management systems, wherever humans live closely with cattle and so have a higher probability of picking up the organism. The most suitable technique in the management of infection is the vaccination of young female cattle. can also be eradicated by the isolation of diseased cattle, administration of immunizing agents, and test-and-slaughter methods. Therefore, it is important to implement applicable management techniques and to increase public awareness about the transmission of brucellosis, and further research should be conducted on brucellosis in high-risk groups.
PubMed: 35028300
DOI: 10.2147/VMRR.S347337 -
Frontiers in Veterinary Science 2022Porcine brucellosis, caused by (), is a notifiable disease causing significant economic losses in production systems. Most infected pigs may act as carriers and shed...
Porcine brucellosis, caused by (), is a notifiable disease causing significant economic losses in production systems. Most infected pigs may act as carriers and shed even if asymptomatic. This can contribute to environmental persistence, thus hindering control efforts. Here, the environment and the offspring were investigated during and after a outbreak at a sow breeding farm. The diagnosis of in sows ( = 1,140) was performed by culture and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) from vaginal swabs, indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (I-ELISA) from sera, and brucellin skin test (BST). diagnosis in post-weaning pigs ( = 899) was performed by I-ELISA in sera and BST. The environmental surveillance programme was implemented by placing gauze sponges ( = 175) pre-hydrated in a surfactant and inactivating liquid for DNA detection by PCR in different farm areas. Our results showed that the offspring of infected sows reacted to techniques for . Furthermore, the offspring born during the outbreak displayed higher seropositivity (I-ELISA) and reactivity (BST) than those pigs born after. DNA was detected in pregnant sow areas, boxes, boots, and post-weaning pig areas. In addition, DNA environmental detection was higher during the outbreak than the post outbreak. The environmental approach has proven to be a simple, practical, valuable, and safe method to detect and monitor . These results suggest a role of the environment and the offspring that should be considered in porcine brucellosis surveillance and control programmes.
PubMed: 35799841
DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2022.915692 -
Frontiers in Microbiology 2022Brucellosis is a disease of livestock that is commonly asymptomatic until an abortion occurs. Disease in humans results from contact of infected livestock or consumption... (Review)
Review
Brucellosis is a disease of livestock that is commonly asymptomatic until an abortion occurs. Disease in humans results from contact of infected livestock or consumption of contaminated milk or meat. zoonosis is primarily caused by one of three species that infect livestock, in cattle, in goats and sheep, and in pigs. To aid in disease prophylaxis, livestock vaccines are available, but are only 70% effective; hence, improved vaccines are needed to mitigate disease, particularly in countries where disease remains pervasive. The absence of knowing which proteins confer complete protection limits development of subunit vaccines. Instead, efforts are focused on developing new and improved live, attenuated vaccines, since these mimic attributes of wild-type , and stimulate host immune, particularly T helper 1-type responses, required for protection. In considering their development, the new mutants must address 's defense mechanisms normally active to circumvent host immune detection. Vaccination approaches should also consider mode and route of delivery since disease transmission among livestock and humans is believed to occur the naso-oropharyngeal tissues. By arming the host's mucosal immune defenses with resident memory T cells (TRMs) and by expanding the sources of IFN-γ, brucellae dissemination from the site of infection to systemic tissues can be prevented. In this review, points of discussion focus on understanding the various immune mechanisms involved in disease progression and which immune players are important in fighting disease.
PubMed: 36620020
DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.1018165 -
Veterinary Microbiology Jun 2019Swine brucellosis due to Brucella suis biovar 2 (bv2) is enzootic in wild boar and hare in continental Europe and may cause major economic losses to the pig industry,...
Swine brucellosis due to Brucella suis biovar 2 (bv2) is enzootic in wild boar and hare in continental Europe and may cause major economic losses to the pig industry, mainly in free-ranged pig farms. The high nucleotide identity found among the B. suis biovar 2 isolates has long hindered the full understanding of the epidemiology and the phylogeography of the disease. Here, we used multilocus variable-number tandem-repeat (VNTR) analysis (MLVA) and whole-genome analysis to identify single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in order to gain insights from the largest B. suis bv2 dataset analyzed so far composed of domestic pigs and wildlife isolates collected throughout Europe since the 1970s. We found four major clades with a specific phylogeographic pattern. The Iberian clade contains isolates exclusively from the Iberian Peninsula. The Central European clade includes most isolates from France, Northern Italy, Switzerland and an important proportion of those of Northern Spain. The Eastern European clade clustered isolates from Croatia and Hungary mainly but also from areas of France, Germany, Italy and Poland. Finally, a separated Sardinian clade grouped three isolates from this island. At fine scale, MLVA demonstrated an endemic status of the infection in Europe and it allowed tracking a large outbreak formed by different farms from Spain linked to the same infection source. The whole genome SNP analysis showed that the strains form genetically distinct clades, shared between wild boar and pigs, in agreement with the MLVA clades. Interestingly, all hare isolates clustered together within two groups composed exclusively of wildlife isolates. Our results support the hypothesis that maintenance and spread of B. suis bv2 in Europe is a dynamic process linked to the natural expansion of wild boar as the main wild reservoir of the infection, while spread over long distances is found largely dependent on anthropogenic activities.
Topics: Animals; Animals, Wild; Bacterial Typing Techniques; Brucella suis; Brucellosis; Disease Outbreaks; Europe; Genotype; Minisatellite Repeats; Multilocus Sequence Typing; Phylogeny; Phylogeography; Sus scrofa; Swine; Swine Diseases; Whole Genome Sequencing
PubMed: 31176415
DOI: 10.1016/j.vetmic.2019.04.025