Search

9 páginas, 1 figura, 4 tablas., Little information is currently available on the occurrence and molecular diversity of the enteric protozoan parasites Cryptosporidium spp., Giardia duodenalis, and Balantioides coli in wild ungulates and the role of these host species as potential sources of environmental contamination and consequent human infections. The presence of these three pathogens was investigated in eight wild ungulate species present in Spain (genera Ammotragus, Capra, Capreolus, Cervus, Dama, Ovis, Rupicapra, and Sus) by molecular methods. Faecal samples were retrospectively collected from free-ranging (n = 1058) and farmed (n = 324) wild ungulates from the five Spanish bioregions. Overall infection rates were 3.0% (42/1382; 95% CI: 2.1–3.9%) for Cryptosporidium spp., 5.4% (74/1382; 95% CI: 4.2–6.5%) for G. duodenalis, and 0.7% (9/1382; 95% CI: 0.3–1.2%) for B. coli. Cryptosporidium infection was detected in roe deer (7.5%), wild boar (7.0%) and red deer (1.5%), and G. duodenalis in southern chamois (12.9%), mouflon (10.0%), Iberian wild goat (9.0%), roe deer (7.5%), wild boar (5.6%), fallow deer (5.2%) and red deer (3.8%). Balantioides coli was only detected in wild boar (2.5%, 9/359). Sequence analyses revealed the presence of six distinct Cryptosporidium species: C. ryanae in red deer, roe deer, and wild boar; C. parvum in red deer and wild boar; C. ubiquitum in roe deer; C. scrofarum in wild boar; C. canis in roe deer; and C. suis in red deer. Zoonotic assemblages A and B were detected in wild boar and red deer, respectively. Ungulateadapted assemblage E was identified in mouflon, red deer, and southern chamois. Attempts to genotype samples positive for B. coli failed. Sporadic infections by canine- or swine-adapted species may be indicative of potential cross-species transmission, although spurious infections cannot be ruled out. Molecular evidence gathered is consistent with parasite mild infections and limited environmental contamination with (oo)cysts. Free-ranging wild ungulate species would not presumably play a significant role as source of human infections by these pathogens. Wild ruminants do not seem to be susceptible hosts for B. coli., This study was funded by Health Institute Carlos III (ISCIII), Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness, under project PI19CIII/ 00029. Sample collection in Catalonia was supported by the Council of Barcelona through contracts 13/051, 15/0174, 16/0243 and 16/0243- 00-PR/01, from the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness under research grants CGL2012- 40043-C02-01, CGL2012-40043-C02- 02, and from the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation under research grant CGL2016-80543-P PID2020-115046GB-I00. Sampling in the Basque Country was conducted by members of the Association for the Defence of the Game Natural Heritage of the Basque Country (ARTIO). We thank the Direccion ´ General del Medio Natural y Planificacion ´ Rural del Principado de Asturias (Oviedo, Spain). Antonio Rivero-Juarez ´ is the recipient of a Miguel Servet Research Contract by the Ministerio de Ciencia, Promocion ´ y Universidades of Spain (CP18/ 00111). David Gonz´ alez-Barrio is the recipient of a Sara Borrell Research Contract funded by the Spanish Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities (CD19CIII/00011). AJC is supported by ‘Juan de la Cierva’ contract (IJC2020-042629-I) funded by MCIN/AEI/ 10.13039/501100011033 and by the European Union Next Generation EU/ PRTR. Alejandro Dashti is the recipient of a PFIS contract (FI20CIII/ 00002) funded by the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation and Universities. Emmanuel Serrano was funded by the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (MINECO) through a Ramon y Cajal contract (RYC-2016-2020). The funders did not play any role in the design, conclusions, or interpretation of the study.

Cystic hydatid disease or cystic echinococcosis (CE) is a globally endemic zoonosis caused by the larval cyst stage of the tapeworm Echinococcus granulosus. Concomitant presence of CE and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a rare clinical scenario. A 70-year-old male patient presented with acute abdominal pain to the surgical outpatient department. On evaluation, a cystic lesion with solid components and free fluid in the abdomen was observed, which led to multiple differentials in the working diagnosis. A CT showed the mass to have a delayed enhancement. Surgical exploration revealed a partially ruptured hydatid cyst with daughter cysts in the abdominal cavity and a solid-component mass lesion. We proceeded with a right partial hepatectomy. Pathological evaluation revealed a pale mass lesion with a large collapsed cyst. HCC with unusual dense fibrillar fibrosis and cystic interface with normal parenchyma was observed. This case connects the multimodal assessment of radiology, surgery and pathology.

Monkeypox is a zoonotic disease, presenting with fever, lymphadenopathy and vesicular-pustular skin lesions, that historically has rarely been reported outside the endemic regions of Central and West Africa. It was previously thought that human-to-human transmission was too low to sustain spread. During 2022, the number of cases of monkeypox, caused by clade II, rose rapidly globally, predominantly among men who have sex with men. In previous outbreaks with monkeypox clade 1 in endemic areas, children were disproportionately more affected with higher morbidity and mortality. It is unclear whether children are at similarly higher risk from monkeypox clade II. Nonetheless, children and pregnant women are considered high-risk groups and antiviral treatment should be considered for those affected. While smallpox vaccination offers good protection against monkeypox, the duration of protection is unknown, and infection occurs in vaccinated individuals. Should the current outbreak spread to children, authorities should be prepared to rapidly implement vaccination for children. In this review, we summarize epidemiological and clinical features, as well as the pathogenesis, treatment, and prevention options for monkeypox with a focus on considerations for children.

Leptospirosis is a quintessential one health disease of humans and animals caused by pathogenic spirochetes of the genus Leptospira. Intra- and interspecies transmission is dependent on 1) reservoir host animals in which organisms replicate and are shed in urine over long periods of time, 2) the persistence of spirochetes in the environment, and 3) subsequent human-animal-environmental interactions. The combination of increased flooding events due to climate change, changes in human-animal-environmental interactions as a result of the pandemic that favor a rise in the incidence of leptospirosis, and under-recognition of leptospirosis because of nonspecific clinical signs and severe signs that resemble COVID-19 represents a “perfect storm” for resurgence of leptospirosis in people and domestic animals. Although often considered a disease that occurs in warm, humid climates with high annual rainfall, pathogenic Leptospira spp have recently been associated with disease in animals and humans that reside in semiarid regions like the southwestern US and have impacted humans that have a wide spectrum of socioeconomic backgrounds. Therefore, it is critical that physicians, veterinarians, and public health experts maintain a high index of suspicion for the disease regardless of geographic and socioeconomic circumstances and work together to understand outbreaks and implement appropriate control measures. Over the last decade, major strides have been made in our understanding of the disease because of improvements in diagnostic tests, molecular epidemiologic tools, educational efforts on preventive measures, and vaccines. These novel approaches are highlighted in the companion Currents in One Health by Sykes et al, AJVR, September 2022.

The unprecedented emergence of Japanese encephalitis (JE) in mainland Australia represents an outbreak of high clinical and public health significance. JE is a zoonosis spread by mosquitoes and is one of the most important causes of endemic viral encephalitis in South-East Asia and the Indian subcontinent. While occasional cases of human Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) infection have occurred in far north Australia, its detection in pigs and the substantial number of locally acquired human cases across multiple jurisdictions in early 2022 prompted the declaration of this outbreak as a Communicable Disease Incident of National Significance. Laboratory testing for JEV is complex, and most cases are diagnosed by serology, for which interpretation is difficult. This review provides a comprehensive outline of currently available methods for JEV diagnosis including serology, nucleic acid amplification testing, virus isolation, sequencing and metagenomics. The relative advantages and disadvantages of the diagnostic tests are presented, as well as their value in clinical and public health contexts. This review also explores the role of mosquito, veterinary and human surveillance as part of the laboratory response to JEV. As JEV may become endemic in Australia, a collaborative and coordinated One Health approach involving animal, human and environmental health is required for optimal disease response and control.

Echinococcosis is a foodborne parasitic zoonosis caused by the larvae of

Since the eradication of smallpox in 1980, monkeypox has been the most prevalent zoonosis caused by orthopoxviruses. The virus has been largely endemic to the rainforests of Central and West Africa with occasional exportation to other countries. The disease typically runs a self-limited course with case fatality rates ranging from 4 to 11%. Currently, the world is faced with a multi-country outbreak of monkeypox, whose extent and impact remains to be seen.The objective of this article is to discuss the changing epidemiology of the monkeypox virus, with special reference to the current outbreak.Since the beginning of this outbreak which started on May 7th, till 14th of June 2022, a total of 1879 cases of monkeypox have been reported worldwide, spanning across 35 non-endemic, and commonly involving men who have sex with men. The magnitude of this unprecedented outbreak has highlighted the lacunae in our understanding of the viral epidemiology and ecology. What was earlier a rare sporadic zoonotic disease is now an emergent pathogen with documented human-to-human transmission potential, both in household as well as nosocomial settings. Waning immunity due to cessation of smallpox vaccination, wide host range of the virus, undetected circulation in wildlife in pan-geographic areas, emergence of better adapted strains of the virus due to unchecked replication in the HIV positive immunocompromised population along with deforestation and human encroachment of reservoir areas are some of the plausible reasons for an increased incidence of the disease. Unflinching government commitment, healthcare worker training, education of the masses, stockpiling of the available vaccine and drug, intersectoral co-ordination in lines of the One Health approach are simultaneously needed to avert the current spread of monkeypox. There is also a compelling need to strengthen surveillance systems to curb future outbreaks.

Cilj rada bio je utvrđivanje kretanja pojavnosti nekih od zoonoza po županijama u Republici Hrvatskoj u razdoblju od 2013. do 2019. godine, uz prikaz učestalosti bolesti uzrokovanih virusima, bakterijama i parazitima. U radu je opisano osam zoonoza koje su se pojavljivale u Republici Hrvatskoj u razdoblju od 2013. do 2019. godine, a sami rad se bazirao na obradi sekundarnih izvora podataka, odnosno godišnjih izvješća Ministarstva poljoprivrede (Uprava za veterinarstvo i sigurnost hrane) i Hrvatske agencije za poljoprivredu i hranu (HAPIH). U istraživanom razdoblju od 2013. do 2019. godine, prema ukupnom broju zabilježenih slučajeva kod domaćih životinja, najznačajnija godina prema pojavi zaraznih bolesti bila je 2013. Najučestalija bolest prema najvećem broju zabilježenih slučajeva (1 596) kod domaćih životinja bila je kampilobakterioza, a kod divljih životinja bjesnoća sa sveukupno 36 slučajeva zaraze. Najistaknutija županija prema zbroju zabilježenih slučajeva kod domaćih životinja bila je Osječko-baranjska županija sa sveukupno 538 evidentiranih slučajeva zaraze, a kod divljih životinja, Zagrebačka županija sa 17 slučajeva. Županija s najvećim brojem evidentiranih slučajeva parazitarnih bolesti (trihineloze) je Osječko-baranjska županija sa sveukupno 194 slučaja invazije, a najmanje evidentiranih slučajeva zaraznih bolesti, njih sveukupno 14, zabilježeno je u Dubrovačko-neretvanskoj županiji. Nadalje, ovim radom se želi ukazati na važnost praćenja, evidencije i kontrole svih zoonoza (prema Naredbi o praćenju i suzbijanju zaraznih bolesti Uprave za veterinarstvo Ministarstva poljoprivrede), te dijagnostičke potvrde veterinarskih zavoda Veterinarskog instituta o pojavi zoonoze na području Republike Hrvatske. Sve to ima za cilj sprječavanje, odnosno suzbijanje zaraznih bolesti primjenom zakonske regulative i provođenjem propisanih preventivnih mjera od strane nadležnih veterinarskih institucija., The aim of this study was to determine the incidence of zoonoses by counties in the Republic of Croatia in the period from 2013 to 2019 with the treatment of diseases caused by viruses, bacteria and parasites. The paper describes eight zoonoses that appeared in the Republic of Croatia in the period from 2013 to 2019, and the study itself was based on the processing of secondary data sources and annual reports of the Ministry of Agriculture (Veterinary and Food Safety) and the Croatian Agency for Agriculture and Food (HAPIH). In the research period from 2013 to 2019, according to the total number of recorded cases in domestic animals, the most significant year according to the occurrence of infectious diseases was 2013. The most intensive disease according to the largest number of recorded cases (1 596) in domestic animals was campylobacteriosis, and in wild animal rabies with a total of 36 cases of infection. The most prominent county according to the sum of recorded cases in domestic animals was Osijek-Baranja County with a total of 538 recorded cases of infection, and in wild animals Zagreb County with 17. The county with the highest number of recorded cases of parasitic diseases (trichinosis) is Osijek-Baranja County with a total of 194 cases of invasion, and the least recorded cases of infectious diseases, a total of 14, were recorded in the Dubrovnik-Neretva County. Furthermore, this paper should point out the importance of monitoring, recording and controlling all zoonoses, according to the Order on monitoring and supression of infectious diseases of the Veterinary administration of the Ministry of Agriculture and diagnostic certificates from the Veterinary Institute on the occurrence of zoonosis in the territory of the Republic of Croatia. All of this is aimed at preventing or suppressing infectious diseases through the application of legal regulations and the implementation of prescribed preventive measures by competent veterinary institutions.

Background Both zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis (ZCL) and anthroponotic cutaneous leishmaniasis are endemic in different regions of Iran. It is important to know the type of cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) for prevention strategies. On the other hand, Iran is one of the countries that was severely affected by the coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. However, little is known about the causative agents of CL during the COVID-19 pandemic in Iran. Methods In this study, a total of 181 samples were isolated from patients with CL lesions in four different endemic cities of Iran (Jahrom, Juyom, Kashan and Shoushtar) during the COVID-19 pandemic (the summer and autumn of 2021). The nested-PCR targeting kinetoplast DNA (kDNA) minicircles was applied for species identification of the parasite and the internal transcribed spacer-1 (ITS-1) gene was applied for sequencing and phylogenetic analysis. Results Molecular detection of kDNA minicircles revealed that all isolates from the four cities were Leishmania major, indicating the ZCL pattern. Ten isolates were sequenced by the ITS-1 gene and deposited in GenBank [accession numbers: OL627363–72]. Sequencing and phylogenetic analysis displayed a high similarity rate of the isolates with sequences from other parts of Iran and Iraq. Over half of the patients (53.59%) had a single lesion, while 17.12, 14.92, 2.21 and 12.16% of cases had two, three, four and more than four lesions, respectively. About half of the patients (50.27%) had lesions on their hands, while the rest had lesions on multiple locations (19.34%), legs (16.58%), face (9.94%), ears (1.66%) and waist (2.21%). Conclusions This study revealed the occurrence of ZCL during the COVID-19 pandemic in four endemic regions of Iran. Strategies for prevention and control of the disease should be considered to mitigate the occurrence of ZCL.

As a greater number of households have pets, the likelihood of zoonotic infections can rise too. Although in most healthy individuals these infections are self-limiting, they are more serious and can lead to adverse outcomes in the immunocompromised. There is minimal information available for the immunocompromised patient who are pet owners or on pet handling. We report a case of cat scratch disease-related sepsis in an immunocompromised patient. This case illustrates the need for a detailed history, including a pet history, in immunocompromised patients presenting with fever of unknown origin and the need for UK-based information for the immunocompromised on pet care and risks associated with having a pet.

BackgroundSarbecoviruses are a subgenus of Coronaviridae that mostly infect bats with known potential to infect humans (SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2). Populations in Southeast Asia, where these viruses are most likely to emerge, have been undersurveyed to date.MethodsWe surveyed communities engaged in extractive industries and bat guano harvesting from rural areas in Myanmar. Participants were screened for exposure to sarbecoviruses, and their interactions with wildlife were evaluated to determine the factors associated with exposure to sarbecoviruses.ResultsOf 693 people screened between July 2017 and February 2020, 12.1% were seropositive for sarbecoviruses. Individuals were significantly more likely to have been exposed to sarbecoviruses if their main livelihood involved working in extractive industries (logging, hunting, or harvesting of forest products; odds ratio [OR]=2.71, P=0.019) or had been hunting/slaughtering bats (OR=6.09, P=0.020). Exposure to a range of bat and pangolin sarbecoviruses was identified.ConclusionExposure to diverse sarbecoviruses among high-risk human communities provides epidemiologic and immunologic evidence that zoonotic spillover is occurring. These findings inform risk mitigation efforts needed to decrease disease transmission at the bat-human interface, as well as future surveillance efforts warranted to monitor isolated populations for viruses with pandemic potential.

Coxiella burnetii is the etiologic agent of Q fever, a zoonotic infectious disease of worldwide distribution that has a wide clinical spectrum. Transmission of C. burnetii occurs by inhalation of contaminated secretions and excreta of infected animal species, particularly goats, cattle and sheep. Activities associated with livestock contact represent the principal risk factor, however participation of wildlife reservoirs is underestimated. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the presence of C. burnetii DNA in blood from bats. Molecular analyses using a qPCR targeting the IS1111 specific gene to detect DNA of C. burnetii in blood samples from 126 bats captured in the Macaregua cave, Colombia, between 2014, 2015 and 2018 were performed. Molecular evidence of C. burnetii was found in 6.3%. Results obtained in the present study represent the first detection of C. burnetii among bats in Colombia, suggesting that more studies need to be done in order to determine the role of these animals in the eco-epidemiology of Q fever.

We investigated the effects of culling on Bartonella spp. bacteria carriage among urban rats in Canada. We found that the odds of Bartonella spp. carriage increased across city blocks except those in which culling occurred. Removing rats may have prevented an increase in Bartonella spp. prevalence, potentially lowering human health risks.

Background Central Africa is one of the largest areas of high endemicity for human T-cell leukemia virus-1 (HTLV-1). However, no preventive measures are yet implemented to reduce its transmission, which can be sexual, from mother-to-child, or through contaminated blood products. Rare zoonotic transmissions from nonhuman primates (NHPs) have also been reported in this region. Here we investigated the HTLV-1 prevalence and associated risk factors in a rural population in Cameroon. Methods From 2019 to 2021, we performed a cross-sectional survey in the eastern region of Cameroon. HTLV-1 infection was first screened by ELISA, then tested by western blot and envelope gene targeted polymerase chain reaction. Risk factors associated with HTLV-1 infection were identified by logistic regression in univariable and multivariable analyses. Results Among 3400 participants, HTLV-1 prevalence was 1.1% (95% confidence interval [CI], .7–1.5). Factors independently associated with HTLV-1 infection were Pygmy ethnicity (adjusted odd ratio [aOR], 2.9; 95% CI, 1.3–6.2), history of surgery (aOR, 6.3; 95% CI, 2.2–17.8), and NHP bite (aOR, 6.6; 95% CI, 2.2–19.8). Conclusions These results suggest both iatrogenic and zoonotic transmission of HTLV-1 in Cameroon. Further studies are needed to assess the risk of nosocomial transmission of HTLV-1, to guide public health authorities in implementing preventive measures to control HTLV-1 transmission.

The relationship between humans, wildlife and disease transmission can be complex and context-dependent, and disease dynamics may be determined by idiosyncratic species. Therefore, an outstanding question is how general is the finding that species with faster life histories are more probable hosts of zoonoses. Ecological knowledge on species, jointly with public health data, can provide relevant information on species that should be targeted for epidemiological surveillance or management. We investigated whether mammal species traits can be good indicators of zoonotic reservoir status in an intensified agricultural region of Argentina. We find support for a relationship between reservoir status and the pace of life syndrome, confirming that fast life histories can be a factor of zoonotic risk. Nonetheless, we observed that for certain zoonosis, reservoirs may display a slow pace of life, suggesting that idiosyncratic interactions can occur. We conclude that applying knowledge from the life history-disease relationship can contribute significantly to disease risk assessment. Such an approach may be especially valuable in the current context of environmental change and agricultural intensification.

Funding: Research activities were supported, in part, by the University of New England Faculty of Medicine and Health Discretionary Funds. Open access publishing facilitated by University of New England, as part of the Wiley ‐ University of New England agreement via the Council of Australian University Librarians. Objective : To assess awareness and risk of Q fever among agricultural show attendees. Setting : University of New England's Farm of the Future Pavilion, 2019, Sydney Royal Agricultural Show. Participants : Participants were ≥18 years, fluent in English, Australian residents, and gave their informed consent. Main Outcome Measures : Participants reported whether they had ever heard of Q fever and then completed the ‘Q Tool’ (www.qfevertool.com), which was used to assess participants' demographics and risk profiles. Cross-tabulations and logistic regression analyses were used to examine the relationship between these factors. Results : A total of 344 participants were recruited who, in general, lived in major NSW cities and were aged 40–59 years. 62% were aware of Q fever. Living in regional/remote areas and regular contact with livestock, farms, abattoirs and/or feedlots increased the likelihood of Q fever awareness. Direct or indirect contact with feral animals was not associated with Q fever awareness after controlling for the latter risk factors. 40% of participants had a high, 21% a medium, and 30% a low risk of exposure. Slightly less than 10% reported a likely existing immunity or vaccination against Q fever. Among those who were not immune, living in a regional or remote area and Q fever awareness were independently associated with increased likelihood of exposure. Conclusions : Awareness of Q fever was relatively high. Although 61% of participants had a moderate to high risk of exposure to Q fever, they had not been vaccinated. This highlights the need to explore barriers to vaccination including accessibility of providers and associated cost. Publisher PDF

The file attached to this record is the author's final peer reviewed version. The Publisher's final version can be found by following the DOI link. Zoonotic pandemics shine uncomfortable light on how human lifeways facilitate the sharing of pathogens across species. Yet our lack of acknowledgement of our shared vulnerability with those non-human animals we raise or hunt to kill and eat, whose habitats we destroy and encroach upon, whose populations we undermine and threaten, has led us to the current human health crisis. The predominant political response to zoonotic pandemic has been bordering practices of surveillance, securitisation and bodily separation. These practices reflect intra-human and species hierarchies and fail to acknowledge the extent to which the boundaries of species are continually breached and are leaky. A posthumanist zoonotic politics seeks not to attempt to border the leaky boundaries of species, but rather to insist on a reordering of species relations towards less exploitative and extractive ways of sharing the planet with the myriad creatures that constitute our world.

Monkeypox was a zoonotic infection, first detected in parts of northern Africa in the 1970s. Monkeypoxvirus, the causative agent of monkeypox, is a species of genus Orthopoxvirus and is closely related to long-eradicated smallpox caused by variola virus. Outbreaks in the West (in USA, UK, and Ireland) along with periodic re-emergence of the disease in parts of Africa have generated concern among global health bodies due to the existent deficiency of guidelines for management of the disease. Genetic variations and altered mechanisms favoring better survival of the virus have made early identification of the disease during screening difficult, particularly in resource-limited settings like rural areas of Africa. Through evidences gathered from experimental studies conducted after these outbreaks, the virus is known to be transmitted from several animal reservoirs along with human-to-human contact of blood, body fluids, or aerosol. Early diagnosis through immunoassays and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests, although not very specific, allows early treatment and subsequently better patient survival and recovery. Presence of lymphadenopathy along with fever, sore throat, and a vesiculopustular rash is diagnostic. The virus affects the gastrointestinal, hematological, ocular, and respiratory systems, in like manner producing afflictions of the specific system. Treatment, through experimental data, has been preferred to be symptomatic, with the aim to prevent superinfections. Antivirals like cidofovir and tecovirimat have been studied upon and used in clinical trials with favorable outcomes. Antiviral immunoglobulins have also been used with success in certain patients for postexposure prophylaxis.

Nipah virus is an acute febrile illness that can cause fatal encephalitis. It is an emerging zoonotic paramyxovirus endemic to south-east Asia and the western Pacific, and can be transmitted by its primary reservoir of fruit bats, through intermediate animal vectors and by human-to-human spread. Outbreaks of Nipah virus encephalitis have occurred in Malaysia, Singapore, Philippines, India and Bangladesh, with the most recent outbreak occurring in Kerala, India in late 2021. Extremely high case fatality rates have been reported from these outbreaks, and to date no vaccines or therapeutic management options are available. Combining this with its propensity to present non-specifically, Nipah virus encephalitis presents a challenging diagnosis that should not be missed in patients returning from endemic regions. Raising awareness of the epidemiology, clinical presentation and risk factors of contracting Nipah virus is vital to recognise and manage potential outbreaks of this disease in the UK.

Fish and aquatic-derived zoonotic diseases have caused considerable problems in the aquaculture industry and fishery worldwide. In particular, zoonotic diseases can pose widespread threats to humans. With the world's growing population and potential global trade of aquaculture and fish, the risk of environmental contamination and development of fish and aquatic-derived zoonoses in humans are increasing. The important causes of zoonoses include bacteria, parasites, viruses, and fungi. The zoonotic bacterial agents are divided into two main groups: Gram-positive (

Human-bat interactions are now the source of the majority of locally acquired human lyssavirus infections in many high-income countries without hematophagous or 'vampire' bat species. This study aims to identify the most common types and circumstances of bat exposures occurring among members of the general public in high-income countries with no hematophagous bats, and to describe the health-seeking behaviours associated with exposures in these settings. We conducted a scoping review of relevant academic and grey literature on bat exposures and confirmed bat lyssavirus infections among members of the general public in Australia, Canada, the United States and high-income European countries from 1996 to 2019. Case studies and population-based studies were included for analysis, and findings were extracted and synthesized by the literature type and geographic region. A total of 63 publications were identified, including: 47 case studies and 16 population-based studies. Overall, most exposures in Australia and Europe were intentionally initiated by humans and involved attempts to handle, touch or help a bat. In North America, however, household exposures were more common and predominantly involved a bat being found in a room or area where a person had slept. Studies also showed that a proportion of bat exposures in high-income countries go unreported in the absence of a public health investigation and are therefore unlikely to receive prompt treatment. The results of this review suggest that the most effective strategies for preventing bat exposures vary between regions and that health-seeking behaviours following bat exposures could be improved in high-income settings.

Objective This study aims to (i) analyse whether speleothems may contain fossil parasitic worm eggs and, if so, (ii) identify the pathogens involved, and (iii) place them in geological, palaeontological, and chronological contexts to know the zoonoses that could affect human and animal populations during the Middle Pleistocene. Materials A sample of calcite dated to the beginning of MIS 9 and MIS 8 from the Bàsura cave (Liguria, Italy) was analysed. Methods The chemical protocol applied is characterised using hydrochloric acid, the reduction of hydrofluoric acid application time, and by the absence of the use of base, dense liquor or acetolysis. Results An embryophore of a taeniid was recovered. Conclusions Endoparasitic worm eggs can be found in speleothems. A taeniid embryophore was found in a calcite level dated to MIS 9. Zoonoses related to the Taeniidae family existed 300,000 years ago in the northern Mediterranean region and may have affected Middle Pleistocene predators, carnivores, or humans. Speleothems are good tools for paleoparasitological studies. Significance This is the oldest taeniid recovered and identified. Limitations A more precise determination of the genus of this taeniid is not possible in the absence of more precise palaeontological data. Suggestions for further research An application of this approach to other Pleistocene speleothems could broaden the spectrum of parasites and their zoonoses over remote Pleistocene periods.

Disease spillover can have dramatic consequences in multispecies systems, potentially leading to the emergence of zoonoses. To better understand disease emergence patterns, an approach encompassing species relatedness metrics is needed. We show that integrating phylogenetic information in disease ecology is still lagging, and we highlight potential solutions to solve this problem.

A singular pathogen has been killing animals, contaminating food and causing an array of human diseases. Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (MAP) is the cause of a fatal enteric infectious disease called Johne’s (Yo’-nees), a disorder mostly studied in ruminant animals. MAP is globally impacting animal health and imparting significant economic burden to animal agriculture. Confounding the management of Johne’s disease is that animals are typically infected as calves and while commonly not manifesting clinical disease for years, they shed MAP in their milk and feces in the interval. This has resulted in a “don’t test, don’t tell” scenario for the industry resulting in greater prevalence of Johne’s disease; furthermore, because MAP survives pasteurization, the contaminated food supply provides a source of exposure to humans. Indeed, greater than 90% of dairy herds in the US have MAP-infected animals within the herd. The same bacterium, MAP, is the putative cause of Crohn’s disease in humans. Countries historically isolated from importing/exporting ruminant animals and free of Johne’s disease subsequently acquired the disease as a consequence of opening trade with what proved to be infected animals. Crohn’s disease in those populations became a lagging indicator of MAP infection. Moreover, MAP is associated with an increasingly long list of human diseases. Despite MAP scientists entreating regulatory agencies to designate MAP a “zoonotic agent,” it has not been forthcoming. One Health is a global endeavor applying an integrative health initiative that includes the environment, animals and humans; One Health asserts that stressors affecting one affects all three. Recognizing the impact MAP has on animal and human health as well as on the environment, it is time for One Health, as well as other global regulatory agencies, to recognize that MAP is causing an insidious slow-motion tsunami of zoonosis and implement public health mitigation.

Livestock value chains constitute a source of livelihood for meat and milk value chain actors in Ethiopia, from dairy farmers to other associated value chain actors such as milk traders, abattoir workers, public health officials, veterinarians, butcheries selling meats, milk cooperatives, artisanal milk processors, and transporters. The development of these livestock value chains, however, is constrained by poor food safety and quality, while consumers are also exposed to public health risks due to milk and meat value chain actors’ food handling and hygiene practices.This study used Photovoice and participant observation to explore meat and milk value chain actors’ food handling and hygiene practices in suburban areas of Addis Ababa and neighbouring Oromia in Ethiopia. The results of this study reveal that milk and meat value chain actors’ food handling practices are not aligned with the recommended Ethiopian food safety and quality standards. Low compliance with food safety and quality standards reflected a combination of factors such as lack of incentives, poor road infrastructure and low enforcement of food safety standards.Participatory and visual research methods enable a researcher to collect context-aware data that can lead to the development of policies and intervention strategies that reflect local needs and priorities. The results of this study affirm the need to identify socially acceptable and economically viable policies and intervention strategies that are acceptable to all chain actors; and suggest there is an imperative to train milk and meat value chain actors on good hygiene handling practices, improve road infrastructure, and facilitate access equipment such as fridges and freezers that can contribute to maintaining food safety and quality.

Hydatid disease is a neglected zoonotic parasitic disease caused by cysts of the tapeworm Echinococcus granulosus. Canids, especially domestic dogs, are definitive hosts of the parasite and are the most pragmatic targets for control programs. A governmental dog deworming campaign was established in 1979 to control hydatidosis in southern Chile, which succeeded in reducing the prevalence of canine echinococcosis in Tierra del Fuego province from 68.4% (in 1978) to 1.2% (in 2002). In 2004, however, the program was dismantled to reduce costs, and since then, no follow-up echinococcosis monitoring has been conducted. We surveyed 356 domestic dogs and interviewed owners or workers at 45 ranches in Chilean Tierra del Fuego during the summer of 2015-2016. Faecal flotation was employed to detect Taeniidae eggs, and PCR was used to test faecal samples for Echinococcus granulosus. Taeniidae eggs and Echinococcus sp. DNA were detected in the faeces of 45.4% (147/324) and 6.9% (23/331) of dogs, respectively. Infrequent dog deworming and the presence of culpeo foxes (Lycalopex culpaeus) were significant predictors of the prevalence of Echinococcus sp. DNA and Taeniidae eggs. Furthermore, the presence of introduced chilla foxes (Lycalopex griseus), the municipality, and several operational characteristics of ranches (number of sheep, frequency of sheep slaughter, number of dogs, frequency of removal of dog faeces, feeding of dogs with sheep viscera) were also predictive of the prevalence of Taeniidae eggs. Our findings reveal an ongoing risk of echinococcosis with pathogen maintenance in ranch dogs in Chilean Tierra del Fuego, and in the absence of adequate control programmes, there is a tangible risk of re-emergence of hydatid disease as a public health concern.

OHEJP Project: BIOPIGEE Foodborne transmission is considered the main way of spreading zoonotic hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection in Europe. In recent years, the human cases of hepatitis E in subjects without history of travel in endemic areas have raised, suggesting that domestic HEV transmission is increasing. Pork products with or without liver, are often indicated as the source of many human foodborne HEV cases as well as small outbreaks. Pigs are recognized as the main reservoir of the zoonotic HEV-3 genotype, the most frequently detected in human cases in the EU. In the absence of a harmonized surveillance of HEV circulation, data on prevalence are heterogeneous but confirm a widespread circulation of HEV-3 in pig herds across EU. HEV-3 can pass through the food chain from farm to fork when infected animals are slaughtered. In Italy, several studies reported the circulation of HEV-3 in pig farms, but results are heterogeneous due to di􀀀erent methodologies applied. In the present study, we performed a survey over 51 pig herds belonging to three main types of farms: breeding, fattening and farrow-to- finish. HEV-RNA was analyzed by broad range Real-time RT-PCR on 20 samples for each farm, obtained by pooling together feces from 10 individuals. Overall, HEV RNA was confirmed on 150 fecal pooled samples out of 1,032 (14.5%). At least one positive pooled sample was detected from 18 farms out of 51 tested (35.3%). By lowering the number of infected pigs at primary production, the risk of HEV-3 entering into the food chain can be reduced. Hence, information on HEV circulation in herds is highly relevant for choosing preventive measures and deserves development of a monitoring program and further investigations.

Complex emergencies are causing unprecedented levels of forced migration, with displacement primarily affecting countries where people are dependent on their animals, with livestock a significant contributor to social and economic output. Animal health is fundamental to human health and wellbeing, including through the provision of food, nutrition and livelihoods. Animal and human health are closely interlinked, as the majority of human infectious pathogens originates in animals. These zoonotic diseases are considered a threat to public health in emergencies and displacement, linked to changes in pathogen and vector environment. Although little is known about the exact disease dynamics due to scarce evidence, the fear of zoonoses has resulted in the exclusion of animals from emergency responses. This doctoral research aims to answer the research question of: how can interdisciplinary theoretical and empirical foundations be enhanced and applied to the problem of the simplified narrative around zoonotic disease dynamics associated with displacement of humans and animals? Adopting a multisite case study methodology, I investigated zoonotic disease dynamics across three displacement contexts: among survivors of the 2010 superfloods in Sindh province in Pakistan; environmentally displaced populations during monsoons and following sea intrusion in Sindh; and Syrian refugees in Mafraq Governorate in Jordan. I adopted qualitative methods, including literature reviews, semi-structured expert key informant and household interviews, supported by observations, to allow for a holistic consideration of the factors and processes impacting zoonotic disease dynamics during displacement. Among the participants were 30 expert key informants and 26 households in Thatta and Sujawal districts in Sindh province in Pakistan, and 14 expert key informants and 14 households across Mafraq Governorate in Jordan. Data was analysed using a thematic analysis, to construct themes describing the complex elements determining zoonotic disease dynamics in displacement. The case studies show that zoonotic disease dynamics in displacement, and forced migration itself, are rooted in complex historical, political and socio-economic processes, leading to social marginalisation and vulnerability to disaster and disease. As a result, conventional applications of epidemiological models may be insufficient. Simultaneously, the anthropocentric view on biosecurity and a failure to understand the importance of animals to human lives and livelihoods, has led to their exclusion in humanitarian responses. This thesis proposes a more holistic analytical framework to investigate and address zoonotic disease dynamics in displacement, enabling the examination of these complex processes. This framework includes the consideration of social and economic capital, environmental inequality and policies and practices of exclusion to zoonotic disease dynamics in displacement. The framework may inform future empirical studies to strengthen evidence-informed policy development and humanitarian responses, enhancing the facilitation and protection of animals in emergencies and displacement, ultimately benefitting displaced communities’ health and welfare. As such, this work contributes to the improvement of strategies for comprehensive emergency and recovery responses, recognising animals as important entry points. Existing local and traditional knowledge, resources, and capacity needs to be strengthened, including disease prevention, veterinary services and institutions during displacement. The framework and its implications need to be further developed and tested for implementation to ensure that displaced populations and their animals are truly integrated in policies and service delivery, for the protection of both human and animal health.

Peer reviewed: True, Acknowledgements: We would like to acknowledge the veterinarians working in Addis Ababa and Oromia regions who participated in this study and who do great animal health work under resource-constrained conditions., Demand for animal-source foods (ASF) is increasing globally, driven by population growth and changing dietary preferences. In global south countries, low compliance with good agricultural practices (GAPs) and food safety standards in the production of ASF is a major public health concern due to the high prevalence of foodborne diseases. This study examines the composition and structure of milk and meat value chains and explores food safety risks and governance in the Addis Ababa and Oromia regions of Ethiopia. Stakeholder discussions, key informant interviews and participant observation were undertaken to collect data on milk and meat value chain actors' perceptions of opportunities and constraints to improving access to safe, high-quality milk and meat products. The results reveal low compliance with rules and standards by milk and meat value chain actors which could compromise food safety and quality and expose consumers to public health risks. There was stricter enforcement of GAPs and food safety standards in the case of milk and meat products destined for export compared to products sold in the local market. The main barriers to compliance with food safety regulations were actors' low knowledge, small profit margins, absence of critical food safety infrastructure such as electricity and road and low access to capital to invest in the recommended equipment such as aluminum containers, coolers and fridges. This paper concludes there is a need for targeted efforts to support the adoption of low-cost technologies that could mitigate food safety risks. Additionally, there is a need for improved communication and tailored training for value chain actors that reflect local social, cultural and economic context to incentivise compliance with rules governing food safety and quality.

Ancylostoma ceylanicum hookworms are recognized agents of human infection in the Asia-Pacific region. We investigated prevalence of zoonotic hookworm infections in dogs in Grenada in 2021; 40.8% were infected by hookworms, including Ancylostoma ceylanicum. Surveillance of this parasite in dogs and humans is needed in tropical/subtropical countries in the Americas.

Ancylostoma ceylanicum hookworms are zoonotic parasites that can infect humans. To detect autochthonous transmission, we analyzed human fecal samples collected in 2000. Multiparallel quantitative PCR detected infection in persons who had never traveled outside Ecuador. These data indicate human transmission of A. ceylanicum in the Americas, although endemicity remains unknown.

Brucellosis is a rare systemic zoonotic disease in kidney transplantation that affects graft survival. Only 7 cases have been reported to date. Herein, we report one case of brucellosis in a kidney transplant donor, which is different from previously reported recipient cases.

Introduction: Rift Valley fever (RVF) is a zoonotic disease caused by RVF virus (RVFV) and transmitted primarily by mosquitoes and contact with fluids and tissues of infected animals. First described in Kenya, it has spread to many African countries and beyond. In humans, it is sometimes misdiagnosed because the symptoms resemble those of influenza and/or malaria. Butchers, abattoir workers, and livestock keepers have the highest risk of infection. Methodology: In this study, serum samples collected between February and September 2019 from 196 individuals comprising of butchers (n = 121), abattoir/slaughterhouse workers (n = 55), and livestock keepers (n = 20) in Benue, Sokoto, and Borno States of northern Nigeria were screened using a commercial ELISA that detected anti-RVFV IgM and IgG alike (i.e., without discrimination). Data from administered questionnaires and the ELISA results were statistically analyzed. Results: Thirty-nine (19.9%) of the 196 samples were positive for RVFV antibodies. The distribution by states showed that 17.4% (8/46), 21.7% (15/69), and 19.8% (16/81) of samples from Benue, Sokoto, and Borno States were seropositive, respectively. Additionally, 21.5% (26/121) butchers, 16.4% (9/55) abattoir workers, and 20% (4/20) livestock keepers were seropositive. Conclusions: These findings provide serological evidence for exposure of occupationally at-risk individuals in northern Nigeria to RVFV. The higher seropositivity obtained in Sokoto and Borno states could be due to contact of these individuals with infected animal blood/tissues, aborted fetuses, and unhindered transboundary movement of animals and animal products into these states which share international borders with Niger, Chad, and Cameroon where evidences of RVFV infections were recently reported.

Management of zoonotic infectious diseases is an urgent global heath imperative. Interdisciplinary approaches for zoonosis management exist in literature, but collaboratively implementing them is a pervasive challenge. The Sri Lanka Wildlife Health Centre (SLWHC) was created in 2011 to coordinate wildlife disease surveillance and response among government agencies. We interviewed SLWHC-affiliated personnel about existing communication and collaboration channels to identify operational needs as well as potential enhancements for the SLWHC's operations. We used the Policy Sciences' analytical framework to identify opportunities and challenges for the SLWHC. Study participants held both human and animal health as the utmost priorities. However, their observations indicate that inter-organizational communication barriers and intra-organizational hierarchies still need to be overcome for the Centre's partnering organizations to collaborate to their fullest potential. Any interventions to enhance the SLWHC's collaborative capacity for detecting and managing zoonotic disease outbreaks could be strengthened by appealing to participants' shared value orientations towards enlightenment and respect. A common interest was the desire to collaborate and combine resources, knowledge and personnel to detect, reduce and prevent the incidence of zoonotic disease outbreaks in Sri Lanka. These lessons about institutionalizing communication have considerable relevance for organizational responses to the current SARS-CoV2 pandemic and other zoonoses.

Enterocytozoon bieneusi is the most common microsporidia in humans worldwide, in addition to infecting a wide range of animals. However, there is limited information about this pathogen in children in Egypt. Here, we carried out a molecular epidemiological study of E. bieneusi in child care centers in three provinces in Egypt. Altogether, 585 fresh fecal samples were collected from children attending 18 child care centers in El-Dakahlia, El-Gharbia, and Damietta provinces in Northeast Egypt during March 2015 to April 2016. PCR and sequence analyses of the ribosomal internal transcribed spacer (ITS) were used to detect and genotype E. bieneusi. Twenty-seven fecal samples (4.6%, 27/585) were positive for E. bieneusi. Five genotypes were identified, including type IV (n = 13), Peru8 (n = 9), Peru6 (n = 2), Peru11 (n = 2), and D (n = 1). Phylogenetic analysis indicated that the five genotypes of E. bieneusi detected in this study were clustered into zoonotic group 1. These data provide important information on the prevalence and genetic diversity of E. bieneusi in children in this country. Further epidemiological studies should be conducted to elucidate the role of zoonotic transmission in human E. bieneusi infections.

The present study aimed to estimate the prevalence and molecular characterization of Cryptosporidium spp. in six different fish species both from marine and freshwater environments.During a period of 2 years (2018-2020), a total of 415 fecal samples and 565 intestinal scrapings were collected in seven provinces from the central and eastern Algeria. From those, 860 fish belonged to six different species, two of which are cultured marine and four are wild freshwater fish. All samples were screened for Cryptosporidium spp. presence using molecular techniques. Nested PCR approach was performed to amplify partial sequences of the small subunit ribosomal RNA (SSU rRNA) and 60-kDa glycoprotein (GP60) genes for Cryptosporidium genotyping and subtyping. Detailed statistical analysis was performed to assess the prevalence variation of Cryptosporidium infection according to different risk factors.Nested PCR analysis of SSU gene revealed 173 Cryptosporidium positive fish, giving an overall prevalence of 20.11% (17.5-23.0). Cryptosporidium spp. was detected in 8.93% (42/470) of cultured marine fish and 33.58% (131/390) of wild freshwater fish. Overall, the prevalence was affected by all studied risk factors, except the gender. Molecular characterization and subtyping of Cryptosporidium isolates showed occurrence of IIaA16G2R1 and IIaA17G2R1 subtypes of C. parvum in the fish species Sparus aurata.The present study provides the first epidemiological data on the prevalence and associated risk factors of Cryptosporidium spp. in farmed marine and wild freshwater fish and the first molecular data on the occurrence of zoonotic C. parvum in fish from North Africa (Algeria).

Scientific barriers that have prevented successful xenotransplantation are being breached, yet many ethical issues remain. Some are broad issues that accompany the adoption of novel and expensive technologies, and some are unique to xenotransplantation. Major ethical questions include areas such as: viral transmission; zoonoses and lifetime surveillance; interfering with nature; efficacy, access, and expense; treatment of animals; regulation and oversight.

We shall define occupational pneumonia as a disease of external origin, closely tied to the workplace setting and caused by biological microorganisms. The main pathogens are bacteria, fungi and viruses. There are a number of occupations specifically prone to the possibility of acquiring pneumonia when performing work duties. In addition to the diagnostic methods and drug treatments current in infectious processes, a good clinical history, with avoidance and protection measures would be the most important tools for the management of occupational pneumonia. Social and demographic changes in the last two decades have made zoonotic infections, and especially viruses, the main cause of new infections. Human health and animal health are closely linked, so collaboration between veterinarians and doctors, together with the necessary environmental respect and conservation, plus the appropriate public policies are essential to avoid these wide negative effects.

Little information is currently available on the occurrence and genetic diversity of pathogenic and commensal protist species in captive and semi-captive non-human primates (NHP) resident in zoological gardens or sanctuaries in low- and medium-income countries. In this molecular-based study, we prospectively collected individual faecal samples from apparently healthy NHP at the Abidjan Zoological Garden (AZG) in Côte d’Ivoire, the Tacugama Sanctuary (TS) in Sierra Leone, and the Quistococha Zoological Garden (QZG) in Peru between November 2018 and February 2020. We evaluated for the presence of pathogenic (Cryptosporidium spp., Entamoeba histolytica, Giardia duodenalis, Blastocystis sp., Enterocytozoon bieneusi, Balantioides coli) and commensal (Entamoeba dispar, Troglodytella abrassarti) protist species using PCR methods and Sanger sequencing. Giardia duodenalis was the most prevalent species found (25.9%, 30/116), followed by Blastocystis sp. (22.4%, 26/116), and E. dispar (18.1%, 21/116). We detected E. bieneusi (4.2%, 1/24) and T. abrassarti (12.5%, 3/24) only on NHP from AZG. Cryptosporidium spp., E. histolytica, and B. coli were undetected at the three sampling sites investigated here. Sequence analyses revealed the presence of zoonotic sub-assemblages BIII (n = 1) in AZG and BIV (n = 1) in TS within G. duodenalis. We identified Blastocystis subtype ST3 (100%, 6/6) in AZG, ST1 (80.0%, 12/15), ST2 (6.7%, 1/15), and ST3 (13.3%, 2/15) in TS, and ST2 (80.0%, 4/5) and ST3 (20.0%, 1/5) in QZG. The only E. bieneusi isolate detected here was identified as zoonotic genotype CAF4. Our PCR-based data indicate that potentially pathogenic protist species including G. duodenalis, Blastocystis sp., E. bieneusi, and B. coli are present at variable rates in the three NHP populations investigated here. The identification of zoonotic genotypes within these species indicates that human-NHP transmission is possible, although the extent and directionality of these events need to be elucidated in future molecular surveys., Graphical abstract Image 1, Highlights • Giardia and Blastocystis are highly prevalent in confined non-human primates. • Diarrhoea-causing Cryptosporidium and Entamoeba histolytica were undetected. • First description of Enterocytozoon bieneusi genotype CAF4 in non-human primates. • Confined non-human primates harbour protist species with zoonotic potential. • Cross-species (including human) transmission is possible in zoos and sanctuaries.

Norway rats (Rattus norvegicus) inhabit cities worldwide and live in close association with humans. Studies of urban rat zoonoses often rely on live-trapping, with fewer studies using rats sourced through lethal pest control interventions. Our objectives were to evaluate the utility of rats collected by pest control professionals for zoonotic pathogen surveillance and determine whether we could detect Leptospira interrogans and Streptobacillus moniliformis in pest control sourced rats. Rat carcasses were submitted from Windsor, Canada by pest control professionals between November 2018 and March 2020. Submissions were categorized by season and land use. Necropsies were performed to classify carcass quality, collect tissue samples, and record demographic data. The association between carcass quality and the ability to collect tissue samples for pathogen surveillance was assessed via an exact logistic regression model. Using PCR, a subset of kidney and spleen samples were tested for L. interrogans and S. moniliformis, respectively. Our sample of pest control sourced rats had similar sex and age distributions to those of live-trapping studies. Rats were primarily submitted from residential and industrial locations during fall, winter, and spring, which may reflect pest control service areas and peak business periods, rather than rat distribution. Of 124 submissions, 98 (79.0%) of rats showed only mild decomposition. The odds of collecting all tissue samples were reduced for fair compared to good-quality carcasses (OR: 0.029; 95% CI: 0-0.25; p = .0009) and for poor compared to fair-quality carcasses (OR: 0.048; 95% CI: 0.00085-0.53; p = .0065). Leptospira interrogans and S. moniliformis were detected in 9.1% (4/44) and 27.3% (15/55) of a subset of rats tested, respectively. Our results suggest that pest control sourced rats are suitable for surveillance for multiple zoonotic pathogens in urban environments. This method of rat collection may provide preliminary information to guide more detailed ecological studies.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) serosurveys can estimate cumulative incidence for monitoring epidemics, requiring assessment of serologic assays to inform testing algorithm development and interpretation of results. We conducted a multilaboratory evaluation of 21 commercial high-throughput SARS-CoV-2 serologic assays using blinded panels of 1,000 highly characterized specimens. Assays demonstrated a range of sensitivities (96%-63%), specificities (99%-96%), and precision (intraclass correlation coefficient 0.55-0.99). Durability of antibody detection was dependent on antigen and immunoglobulin targets; antispike and total Ig assays demonstrated more stable longitudinal reactivity than antinucleocapsid and IgG assays. Assays with high sensitivity, specificity, and durable antibody detection are ideal for serosurveillance, but assays demonstrating waning reactivity are appropriate for other applications, including correlation with neutralizing activity and detection of anamnestic boosting by reinfections. Assay performance must be evaluated in context of intended use, particularly in the context of widespread vaccination and circulation of SARS-CoV-2 variants.

Zoonotic diseases represent a significant health and economic burden in countries that rely on small ruminant milk production, such as Greece. Greece is endemic for many zoonotic diseases, some of which have occupational determinants. Our aim was to evaluate knowledge, attitude, and practices of livestock ruminant farmers concerning zoonoses. This study was performed as a cross-sectional study, using a questionnaire. We interviewed ruminant farmers (n = 204) from 33 settlements of an area with intense agrarian activity. Three index variables, namely knowledge score, attitude score, and practice score, were constructed. The relations between the explanatory variables and the three indexes were assessed based on linear regression analyses. Regarding practices, 23 (11.3%) consume unpasteurized milk or products from unpasteurized milk and no one takes precautionary measures when assisting animals in parturition or during handling birth material. Education level was positively associated with better knowledge and practices, while close veterinary supervision of the farm was associated with better practices regarding the zoonoses prevention. The results indicate the need for continuous awareness and education actions. Close contact with a veterinarian can be utilized as a key tool both with the current brucellosis vaccination program and in the design of awareness campaigns regarding zoonoses in collaboration with other public health personnel.

Mycobacterium bovis and Mycobacterium avium are the most important Mycobacteria isolated from diseased dogs, but Mycobacterium tuberculosis can be isolated as well, especially when close contact with humans exists. Free ranging street dogs may carry zoonotic diseases, being a potential health risk to new owners after adoption. In this study, the clinical case of a dog affected by Mycobacterium tuberculosis is described. A six-year-old bitch that had been living with a homeless man was rescued and put for adoption in dog shelter. After being adopted, her health declined, and abdominal ultrasound and exploratory laparoscopy were performed. A tuberculosis-like lesion in the liver was biopsied and histopathological, bacteriological, and molecular analyses were carried out. Then, the animal was euthanized and necropsied, and disseminated macroscopic tuberculosis-like lesions were observed in abdominal organs. Mycobacterium presence was confirmed by histopathological and bacteriological methods. Genotyping identified a SIT-1228 Mycobacterium tuberculosis strain. Notification to the sanitary authorities was performed and the couple that had contact with the dog were alerted and sent to the hospital for assessment, as Mycobacterium tuberculosis is a primary pathogenic agent for humans. The epidemiology in this clinical case is unclear, but the most likely source of infection might have been consumption of sputum contaminated food during the years that this bitch lived with the homeless man, because this person had died with chronic respiratory symptoms. Veterinarians must consider this disease and perform a complete diagnosis when dogs that used to live on the streets show nonspecific clinical signs.