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Anisakijaza je zoonotsko oboljenje ljudi, uzrokovano trećim larvalnim stadijem nematoda iz familije Anisakidae. Najznačajnije vrste koje uzrokuju zoonozu i zdravstvene probleme kod ljudi su Anisakis simplex, A. pegreffii i Pseudoterranova decipiens. Ove parazitske vrste su prisutne i raširene u morima cijeloga svijeta. U životnom ciklusu nematoda iz familije Anisakidae čovjek je slučajni domaćin. U posljednjih deset godina u BiH, ispitivanja na prisustvo L3 infektivnih larvi većinom su obavljena na Odjeljenju za akvakulturu Veterinarskog instituta, Veterinarskog fakulteta Univerziteta u Sarajevu. U odnosu na tržište BiH, broj analiziranih uzoraka nije velik, ali je trend pozitivnih uzoraka kontinuiran. Od ukupno 707 pregledanih uzoraka, 153 uzorka su bila pozitivna na prisustvo Anisakis spp. U istraživanjima je po prvi put registrirano prisustvo Anisakis simplex u morskoj ribi porijeklom iz uzgoja i iz otvorenog mora u Neumskom zaljevu u BiH. S javnozdravstvenog aspekta takva riba predstavlja zoonotski rizik od anisakijaze i smatra se zdravstveno neispravnom i štetnom po zdravlje ljudi, te se nikako ne bi smjela pronaći na tržištu i biti dostupna konzumentima., Anisakiasis is a zoonotic disease of humans, caused by the third larval stage of nematodes from the Anisakidae family. The most important species causing zoonosis and health problems in humans are Anisakis simplex, A. pegreffii and Pseudoterranova decipiens. These parasitic species are present and widespread in the seas of the whole world. In the life cycle of nematodes from the family Anisakidae, human is an accidental host. In the last ten years in Bosnia and Herzegovina, analysis for the presence of L3 infective larvae were mostly carried out at the Aquaculture Department of the Veterinary Institute, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Sarajevo. The analyzed samples are not numerous in relation to the B&H market, but the trend of positive samples is continuous. Out of a total of 707 examined samples, 153 samples were positive for the presence of Anisakis spp. The presence of Anisakis simplex in farmed and open-sea marine fish was registered for the first time in the Bay of Neum in B&H. From the public health aspect, such fish represent a zoonotic risk of anisakiasis and are considered unhealthy and harmful to human health, and should never be found on the market or available to consumers. Key words: zoonosis, anisakiasis, fish, Anisakiasis ist eine Zoonose des Menschen, die durch das dritte Larvenstadium von Nematoden aus der Familie der Anisakidae verursacht wird. Die wichtigsten Arten, die Zoonosen und Gesundheitsprobleme beim Menschen verursachen, sind Anisakis simplex, A. pegreffii und Pseudoterranova decipiens. Diese parasitären Arten sind in den Meeren der ganzen Welt vertreten und weit verbreitet. Im Lebenszyklus der Nematoden aus der Familie der Anisakidae ist der Mensch ein zufälliger Wirt. In den letzten zehn Jahren wurden in Bosnien und Herzegowina Analysen auf das Vorhandensein von infektiösen L3-Larven hauptsächlich in der Aquakulturabteilung des Veterinärinstituts der Veterinärmedizinischen Fakultät der Universität Sarajevo durchgeführt. Die untersuchten Proben sind im Vergleich zum Markt von Bosnien und Herzegowina nicht sehr zahlreich, aber der Trend zu positiven Proben ist kontinuierlich. Von den insgesamt 707 untersuchten Proben waren 153 Proben positiv auf das Vorhandensein von Anisakis spp. Das Vorkommen von Anisakis simplex bei gezüchteten Fischen und Fischen aus dem offenen Meer wurde zum ersten Mal in der Bucht von Neum in Bosnien und Herzegowina registriert. Aus Sicht der öffentlichen Gesundheit stellen solche Fische ein Zoonoserisiko für Anisakiasis dar und gelten als ungesund und schädlich für die menschliche Gesundheit und sollten daher niemals auf den Markt kommen oder den Verbrauchern angeboten werden., La anisakiasis es una enfermedad zoonótica, causada por el tercer estadio larvario de nematodos de la familia Anisakidae. Las especies más importantes que causan zoonosis y problemas de salud en humanos son Anisakis simplex, A. pegreffii y Pseudoterranova decipiens. Estas especies parásitas están presentes y esparcidas en los mares de todo el mundo. En el ciclo de vida de los nematodos de la familia Anisakidae, el ser humano es un huésped accidental. En los últimos diez años en Bosnia y Herzegovina, los análisis de la presencia de larvas infectivas L3 se llevaron a cabo principalmente en el Departamento de Acuicultura del Instituto Veterinario de la Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria de la Universidad de Sarajevo. Las muestras analizadas no son numerosas en relación al mercado de Bosnia y Herzegovina, pero la tendencia de muestras positivas es continua. De un total de 707 muestras examinadas, 153 muestras resultaron positivas a la presencia de Anisakis spp. La presencia de Anisakis simplex en peces marinos de cultivo y de mar abierto fue registrada por primera vez en la Bahía de Neum en Bosnia y Herzegovina. Desde el punto de vista de la salud pública, dichos pescados representan un riesgo zoonótico de anisakiasis y se consideran insalubres y perjudiciales para la salud humana, y nunca deben encontrarse en el mercado o disponibles para los consumidores., L’anisakiasi è una malattia zoonotica dell’uomo, causata dal terzo stadio larvale dei nematodi della famiglia degli Anisakidae. Le specie più importanti che causano zoonosi e problemi di salute nell’uomo sono l’Anisakis simplex, l’A. pegreffii e la Pseudoterranova decipiens. Queste specie parassitarie sono presenti e diffuse nei mari di tutto il mondo. Nel ciclo vitale dei nematodi della famiglia Anisakidae, l’uomo è un ospite accidentale. Negli ultimi dieci anni in Bosnia ed Erzegovina, i test volti ad accertare la presenza di larve infettive L3 sono stati per lo più effettuati presso il Dipartimento di Acquacoltura dell’Istituto di Veterinaria della Facoltà di Medicina Veterinaria presso l’Università degli studi di Sarajevo. Rispetto al mercato della Bosnia ed Erzegovina, il numero di campioni analizzati non è elevato, ma l’andamento dei campioni positivi è continuo. Su un totale di 707 campioni esaminati, 153 campioni sono risultati positivi alla presenza di Anisakis spp. La ricerca ha registrato per la prima volta la presenza di Anisakis simplex nei pesci di allevamento e di mare aperto provenienti dalla baia di Neum, in Bosnia ed Erzegovina. Dal punto di vista della salute pubblica, tale pesce rappresenta un rischio zoonotico (rischio di anisakiasi). Poiché è considerato nocivo e dannoso per la salute umana, non dovrebbe mai trovarsi sul mercato ed essere accessibile ai consumatori.

Bartonellae are emerging vector‐borne pathogens infecting humans, domestic mammals and wildlife. Ninety‐seven red foxes (Vulpes vulpes), 8 European badgers (Meles meles), 6 Eurasian wolves (Canis lupus), 6 European hedgehogs (Erinaceus europaeus), 3 beech martens (Martes foina) and 2 roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) from Italian Nature Conservatory Parks were investigated for Bartonella infection. Several Bartonella species (9.84%; 95% CI: 4.55–15.12), including zoonotic ones, were molecularly detected among wolves (83.3%; 95% CI: 51–100.00), foxes (4.12%; 95% CI: 0.17–8.08), hedgehogs (33.33%; 95% CI: 0.00–71.05) and a roe deer. Bartonella rochalimae was the most common Bartonella species (i.e. in 4 foxes and 2 wolves) detected. Candidatus B. merieuxii and B. vinsonii subsp. berkhoffii were identified for the first time in wolves. Furthermore, Bartonella schoenbuchensis was identified in a roe deer and a new clone with phylogenetic proximity to B. clarridgeiae was detected in European hedgehogs. Zoonotic and other Bartonella species were significantly more frequent in Eurasian wolves (p

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The research was focused on the surveillance of the exposure of buffalo milkers in contact with both animals and potentially contaminated equipment, pointing attention on the diffusion of antibiotic-resistant Staphylococcus spp. The monitoring was performed for 12 months, allowing the collection of 600 raw milk and buffalo udder surface samples, 192 milking lanes, 400 milking clusters, 160 personal protective equipment (PPEs) and electronic devices surface samples in contact with the workers of four milking parlors located in Southern Italy. The analysis of the milk samples evidenced the highest exposure to the bacteria considered (and mainly to S. aureus) from late winter–spring seasons onward. The possible risk arising from buffalo udder, milking clusters, and lines were instead considered rather stable along the entire period of sampling. The PPEs turned out to be a source of contamination for milkers mainly during the spring and summer periods. The analysis for oxacillin/methicillin resistance revealed in all the farms enrolled an overall amount of 37.5% of Staphylococci strains (belonging to S. aureus, S. haemolyticus, S. pseudintermedius, S. chromogenes species) resistant both to methicillin and oxacillin. The investigation demonstrated that the potential transfer of pathogenic bacteria to humans would have a better chance to occur at milk resumption time (since late winter–spring onward) when the number of animals to be milked is greater and the activity in the milking parlor is more challenging. At the same time, the findings seem to point out that the potential risk may be worsened by a significant presence of oxacillin/methicillin-resistant Staphylococci, potentially resulting from irrational use of antibiotics.

En aquest treball de final de grau es fa una recerca bibliogràfica sobre els aspectes generals del Virus del Nil Occidental (VNO) en mamífers i aus, centrant el focus en els èquids, així com la prevenció i control de la malaltia en aquests. El VNO és una zoonosi emergent i de declaració obligatòria, causada per un arbovirus de la família Flaviviridae i gènere Flavivirus. La transmissió és vectorial, a través de mosquits principalment del gènere Culex o Aedes, així que la presentació de la malaltia està relacionada amb l’activitat del mosquit vector. El principal reservori natural són les aus, sobretot passeriformes, mentre que els mamífers en son hostes finals. Els cavalls i els humans són els hostes més susceptibles; tot i que la majoria cursen la malaltia de forma asimptomàtica, poden arribar a presentar signes neurològics greus i, fins i tot, la mort. La detecció del VNO en èquids indica una elevada taxa d’amplificació vírica en una zona i, per tant, un potencial perill per la salut pública i animal. Així doncs, la forma més eficient de tenir controlada aquesta malaltia és sota el concepte de “One health” o “una sola salut”.

Campylobacteriosis is a significant public health concern with Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter coli as main causative agents. Moreover, there is an increasing recognition of other pathogenic Campylobacter species and Campylobacter-like organisms as Arcobacter. However, current knowledge on presence of Arcobacter species in wild boars (Sus scrofa) is lacking, and knowledge on Campylobacter species is based on methods favoring growth of thermotolerant species. In this study, fecal samples originating from 76 wild boars hunted in Campania region (Italy) were examined for the presence of Campylobacter(-like) organisms by a culture dependent approach. Three isolation protocols were performed in parallel: Arcobacter-selective agar plates, mCCDA plates and isolation by passive filtration onto non-selective blood agar plates were used as quantitative isolation methods. Enrichment broths, i.e. Arcobacter selective enrichment broth, Preston broth and CAT broth were used for qualitative detection of low levels or stressed Campylobacter(-like) organisms. The Arcobacter and Campylobacter isolates were identified at species level using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) and 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) sequence analysis. Overall, 41 (53.9%) of the animals excreted Arcobacter or Campylobacter while 38 (50.0%) shed Campylobacter and 8 (10.5%) Arcobacter. Campylobacter lanienae predominated and was isolated from 31 (40.8%) animals. No statistical difference between the age groups or gender with regard to the fecal excretion of Campylobacter(-like) organisms was observed. Thirty animals (39.5%) shed Campylobacter spp. exceeding levels of 10 ³ CFU g−1 feces. As samples were obtained from hunted wild boars intended for consumption, a potential contamination of meat with these bacterial pathogens must be considered.

El coronavirus de la síndrome respiratòria de l'Orient Mitjà (MERS-CoV) continua causant brots a la península aràbiga. Els pacients greus pateixen una pneumònia que pot ser fatal, caracteritzada per una infiltració massiva de cèl·lules immunitàries als pulmons que agreugen la malaltia. Els ratpenats i els camèlids són els reservoris naturals del MERS-CoV, mentre que els dromedaris són la principal font d'infecció d'humans. Es creu que els camèlids generen una resposta immunitària oportuna per contrarestar la infecció eficaçment i prevenir el desenvolupament de malaltia respiratòria. L'epiteli nasal infectat per MERS-CoV indueix IFNs tipus I i III durant el pic de la infecció, els quals activen respostes immunitàries antivirals al llarg del tracte respiratori. Aquest treball evidencia que els macròfags alveolars dels camèlids poden ser importants per l'eliminació del MERS-CoV sense desencadenar respostes pro-inflamatòries. Fora el tracte respiratori, el MERS-CoV és transportat cap a òrgans limfoides secundaris, on no hi ha replicació viral in vitro. Els nodes limfàtics cervicals produeixen respostes immunitàries cel·lulars innates i adaptatives (p. ex., IFNs, ISGs o respostes tipus Th1) en l'exposició secundaria al MERS-CoV, però no respostes inflamatòries. Com els ratpenats, els camèlids inhibeixen la inflamació en diferents compartiments anatòmics que permeten la replicació transitòria, excreció i transmissió del MERS-CoV. A més, els dromedaris desenvolupen una immunitat adaptativa minvant que ràpidament permet la re-infecció viral. Per tant, la endemicitat del MERS-CoV en dromedaris guia l'evolució viral, mentre que els humans només són hostes terminals que pateixen la malaltia zoonòtica. Actualment, les soques del clade B circulen per Aràbia i són introduïdes a la població humana contínuament, mentre que les del clade C són àmpliament detectades en dromedaris africans. Tot i evidències serològiques i moleculars de la infecció d'humans exposats a dromedaris africans, mai s'han descrit casos de MERS zoonòtica a l'Àfrica. Hi ha un flux comercial de dromedaris des d'Àfrica cap a l'Orient Mitjà, però els virus del clade C no es troben en la darrera regió. Aquesta tesi doctoral aporta evidències experimentals de l'excreció perllongada de virus aràbics (clade B) en camèlids, en comparació amb soques africanes (clade C). La replicació i transmissió diferencial entre soques del MERS-CoV podrien explicar la dominància del clade B a l'Orient Mitjà. Remarcablement, aquest treball recomana evitar la introducció de soques del clade B a l'Àfrica, ja que podrien desplaçar les soques del clade C i incrementar l'amenaça zoonòtica en aquest continent. La vacunació del bestiar és l'estratègia recomanada per impedir la propagació del MERS-CoV entre animals reservori i la potencial transmissió a humans. Avui en dia no existeixen vacunes contra el MERS-CoV, encara que alguns prototips per ús humà s'estan avaluant en afers regulatoris. En aquest treball hem explorat la capacitat de dos prototips de vaccí per reduir la transmissió viral entre camèlids, utilitzant un escenari de contacte directe entre llames per simular la infecció natural per MERS-CoV. Els candidats vacunals s'han basat en la subunitat S1 o el domini d'unió a receptor (RBD) de la proteïna S, combinats amb un adjuvant registrat per ús animal. Ambdós prototips indueixen nivells alts d'anticossos neutralitzants contra MERS-CoV. L'RBD només va protegir una llama de tres vacunades. Contràriament, la vacunació S1 va proporcionar immunitat sistèmica i a la mucosa respiratòria, va protegir els animals contra la infecció per MERS-CoV i va impedir l'excreció de virus infecciós. Els nostres estudis evidencien que la vacunació de l'espècie reservori pot ser una solució econòmica per prevenir la transmissió zoonòtica del MERS-CoV a humans. La present tesi doctoral proporciona coneixement sobre la resistència a la malaltia causada pel MERS-CoV en camèlids reservori i proposa estratègies per prevenir la infecció zoonotica. El coronavirus del síndrome respiratorio del Oriente Medio (MERS-CoV) continúa causando brotes en la península arábiga. Los pacientes graves sufren una neumonía que puede resultar fatal, caracterizada por una infiltración masiva de células inmunes en los pulmones que agravan la enfermedad. Los murciélagos y los camélidos son los reservorios naturales del MERS-CoV, mientras que los dromedarios son la principal fuente de infección en humanos. Se cree que los camélidos generan una respuesta inmune oportuna para contrarrestar la infección eficazmente y prevenir el desarrollo de enfermedad respiratoria. El epitelio nasal infectado por MERS-CoV induce IFNs tipo I y III durante el pico de la infección, los cuales activan respuestas inmunes antivirales a lo largo del tracto respiratorio. Este trabajo evidencia que los macrófagos alveolares de los camélidos pueden ser importantes para la eliminación del MERS-CoV sin desencadenar respuestas proinflamatorias. Fuera del tracto respiratorio, el MERS-CoV es transportado hacia órganos linfoides secundarios, dónde no hay replicación viral in vitro. Los linfonódos cervicales producen respuestas inmunes celulares innatas y adaptativas (p.ej., IFNs, ISGs o respuestas tipo Th1) ante la exposición secundaria al MERS-CoV, pero no respuestas inflamatorias. Como los murciélagos, los camélidos inhiben la inflamación en diferentes compartimentos anatómicos que permiten la replicación viral transitoria, excreción y transmisión del MERS-CoV. Además, los dromedarios desarrollan una inmunidad adaptativa menguante que permite la reinfección viral rápidamente. Por lo tanto, la endemicidad del MERS-CoV en dromedarios guía la evolución viral, mientras que los humanos solamente son huéspedes terminales que sufren enfermedad zoonótica. Actualmente, las cepas del clado B circulan por Arabia y son introducidas continuamente en la población humana, mientras que las del clado C se detectan ampliamente en dromedarios africanos. A pesar de evidencias serológicas y moleculares de la infección de humanos expuestos a dromedarios infectados, nunca se han descrito casos de MERS zoonótico en África. Existe un flujo comercial de dromedarios desde África hacía el Oriente Medio, pero los viruses del clado C no se encuentran en esta última región. La presente tesis aporta evidencias experimentales de la excreción prolongada de viruses arábigos (clado B) en comparación con cepas africanas (clado C). La replicación y transmisión diferencial entre cepas de MERS-CoV podrían explicar la dominancia del clado B en el Oriente Medio. Remarcablemente, este trabajo recomienda evitar la introducción de cepas del clado B en África, ya que podrían desplazar las cepas del e incrementar la amenaza zoonótica en el continente. La vacunación del ganado es la estrategia recomendada para impedir la propagación del MERS-CoV entre animales reservorio y la potencial transmisión a humanos. Hoy en día no existen vacunas contra el MERS-CoV, aunque algunos prototipos para uso humanos se están evaluando en vías regulatorias. En este trabajo hemos explorado la capacidad de dos prototipos vacunales para reducir la transmisión viral entre camélidos, utilizando un escenario de contacto directo entre llamas para simular la infección natural por MERS-CoV. Los candidatos vacunales se han basado en la subunidad S1 o el dominio de unión a receptor (RBD) de la proteína S, combinados con un adyuvante registrado para uso animal. Ambos prototipos inducen niveles altos de anticuerpos neutralizantes contra MERS-CoV. El RBD sólo protegió una llama de tres vacunadas. Contrariamente, la vacunación S1 proporcionó inmunidad sistémica y mucosal, protegió los animales contra la infección por MERS-CoV e impidió la excreción de virus infeccioso. Nuestros estudios evidencian que la vacunación del reservorio animal puede ser una solución económica para prevenir la transmisión zoonótica del MERS-CoV a humanos. La presente tesis doctoral proporciona conocimiento sobre la resistencia a la enfermedad causada por el MERS-CoV en camélidos reservorio y propone estrategias para prevenir la infección zoonótica. Outbreaks caused by the Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) are ongoing in the Arabian Peninsula. Patients with severe MERS can experience fatal pulmonary disease due to a massive infiltration of immune cells into the lungs, exacerbating lung injury. Bats and camelid species are the natural reservoirs of MERS-CoV, being dromedary camels the primary source of human infection. Camelids trigger robust and timely innate immune responses thought to resolve MERS-CoV infection and prevent disease development. A high induction of type I and III IFNs by MERS-CoV-infected nasal epithelium during the peak of infection would likely activate downstream antiviral responses along the respiratory tract. Here, we evidenced that alveolar macrophages from camelids could be important mediators of MERS-CoV clearance without eliciting pro-inflammatory responses. Outside the respiratory tract, MERS-CoV is carried to secondary lymphoid organs, but viral replication does not occur in these compartments as we determined in vitro. Cervical lymph nodes induced innate and adaptive cellular immune responses (i.e., IFNs, ISGs, Th1-like responses) to a secondary MERS-CoV exposure, but not inflammatory responses. Like bats, dampened inflammation in key anatomical compartments of camelids allows transient replication, shedding and transmission of MERS-CoV while remaining asymptomatic. Moreover, field data revealed waning adaptive immunity in dromedaries, allowing for rapid MERS-CoV reinfection. Thus, endemicity of MERS-CoV in dromedary camels drives viral evolution, whereas humans are merely terminal hosts suffering from zoonotic disease. Currently, clade B strains are prevalent in the Arabian Peninsula and are being repeatedly introduced into the human population, whereas clade C strains are restricted to African dromedaries. Although MERS-CoV is widespread in the latter ones, human disease of zoonotic origin has only been reported in the Arabian Peninsula. Serological and molecular evidence of MERS-CoV infection have been found in camel handlers, but no zoonotic MERS has been reported across Africa. Despite a continuous dromedary trade from Africa to the Arabian Peninsula, African clade C viruses are not found in this region. This Ph.D. thesis provides experimental evidence for extended Arabian clade B shedding in a camelid model compared to African clade C counterparts. Increased replicative fitness and differential transmission patterns between MERS-CoV clades support the dominance of clade B strains in the Middle east. These results might explain why MERS-CoV clade C strains fail to establish in the Arabian Peninsula. Importantly, our work recommends that the introduction of clade B strains to Africa must be avoided, as they might outcompete African clade C strains and pose a greater zoonotic threat in Africa. Vaccination of livestock reservoir species is a recommended strategy to prevent spread of MERS-CoV among animals and potential spillover to humans. To date, there is a lack of commercial vaccines against MERS-CoV, although some prototypes for human use are being examinated in regulatory pathways. We explored the capacity of two different vaccine candidates to curtail MERS-CoV transmission among camelids, using a llama direct-contact transmission set up to mimic MERS-CoV natural infection. Prototypes were based in the S1 subunit or the receptor-binding domain (RBD) of the Spike protein formulated using a registered adjuvant for animal use. Both vaccine candidates induced high levels of MERS-CoV-neutralizing antibodies. RBD vaccination only provided protection in one out of three vaccinated llamas. In contrast, immunization with the S1 candidate elicited both mucosal and systemic protective immunity, conferring protection against MERS-CoV infection. This vaccine candidate completely prevented infectious viral shedding. Our data provide further evidence that vaccination of the reservoir host may be an economical solution to impede MERS-CoV zoonotic transmission to humans. The present Ph.D. thesis contributes to the understanding of disease resistance mechanisms in camelid reservoir species and propose strategies to prevent MERS-CoV spillover.

Altres ajuts: This research was supported by a grant from SENACYT FID 16-201 to J. P. C. and A. V., Secretar ́ıa Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnolog ́ıa from Panama; by the grant for neglected diseases studies in Panama 1.11.1.3.703.01.55.120 from the Ministry of Economy and Finance of Panama to J. P. C. and A. V.; and by ERANet17/HLH-0271. Scott Weaver also supported this study through the World Reference Center for Emerging Viruses and Arboviruses, NIH grant R24AI120942. Dr. Lescano is sponsored by the training grant D43 TW007393 awarded by the Fogarty International Center of the US National Institutes of Health. J. L. M. is a doctoral candidate studying an Epidemiological Research Doctorate at Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia under FONDECYT/CIENCIACTIVA scholarship EF033-235-2015 and also supported by training grant D43 TW007393. A. V. is a member of the Sistema Nacional de Investigación de Panamá (SNI), SENACYT. E. S. was supported by the Spanish Ministerio de Ciencia Innovaci ́on y Universidades (MICINN) through a Ramon y Cajal agreement (RYC-2016-21120). Alphaviruses (Togaviridae, Alphavirus) are arthropod-borne single-stranded RNA pathogens that cause febrile and neurologic disease in much of Latin America. However, many features of Alphavirus epidemiology remain unknown. In 2011, we undertook a cross-sectional study in Nueva Esperanza, an indigenous community in the Peruvian Amazon. Here, we present the first serologic evidence of Mayaro (MAYV), Venezuelan equine encephalitis (VEE) complex alphavirus, Una (UNAV), and Madariaga (MADV) viruses reported in humans (24%, 16%, 13%, and 1.5%, respectively) from an Amazonian indigenous community in Peru. Hunting activity and cohabiting with hunters were the main risk factors for Mayaro seroconversion, but only hunting was associated with UNAV seropositivity. Our results suggest that alphavirus infection in this region is common, but we highlight the high UNAV seroprevalence found and corroborate the low MADV prevalence reported in this region. Furthermore, MAYV-neutralizing antibodies were also detected in stored samples from wild animals (18%) hunted by Nueva Esperanza inhabitants and another mestizo community located close to Iquitos. Further serological surveys of VEE complex alphaviruses, UNAV, and MADV in wild animals and assessing the ability of the MAYV seropositive species to transmit the virus will be relevant.

Background: In this cross-sectional, international study, we aimed to analyze vector-borne and zoonotic infections (VBZI), which are significant global threats. Method: VBZIs’ data between May 20–28, 2018 was collected. The 24 Participatingcountries were classified as lower-middle, upper-middle, and high-income. Results: 382 patients were included. 175(45.8%) were hospitalized, most commonly in Croatia, Egypt, and Romania(P = 0.001). There was a significant difference between distributions of VBZIs according to geographical regions(P < 0.001). Amebiasis, Ancylostomiasis, Blastocystosis, Cryptosporidiosis, Giardiasis, Toxoplasmosis were significantly more common in the Middle-East while Bartonellosis, Borreliosis, Cat Scratch Disease, Hantavirus syndrome, Rickettsiosis, Campylobacteriosis, Salmonellosis in Central/East/South-East Europe; Brucellosis and Echinococcosis in Central/West Asia; Campylobacteriosis, Chikungunya, Tick-borne encephalitis, Visceral Leishmaniasis, Salmonellosis, Toxoplasmosis in the North-Mediterranean; CCHF, Cutaneous Leishmaniasis, Dengue, Malaria, Taeniasis, Salmonellosis in Indian Subcontinent; Lassa Fever in West Africa. There were significant regional differences for viral hemorrhagic fevers(P < 0.001) and tick-borne infections(P < 0.001), and according to economic status for VBZIs(P < 0.001). The prevalences of VBZIs were significantly higher in lower-middle income countries(P = 0.001). The most similar regions were the Indian Subcontinent and the Middle-East, the Indian Subcontinent and the North-Mediterranean, and the Middle-East and North-Mediterranean regions. Conclusions: Regional and socioeconomic heterogeneity still exists for VBZIs. Control and eradication of VBZIs require evidence-based surveillance data, and multidisciplinary efforts.

BackgroundAscaris lumbricoidesandAscaris suumare the most common soil-transmitted helminths of humans and pigs, respectively. The zoonotic potential ofA. suumhas been a matter of debate for decades. This study was aimed to present a case of human ascariasis caused byA. suumin southern Italy.Case presentationA 75-year-old man presented to the department of surgery in Avellino (southern Italy) complaining of abdominal pain and vomiting. Physical examination revealed bloating and abdominal tenderness. A computed tomography scan showed air-fluid levels and small bowel distension. During exploratory laparotomy a small bowel volvulus with mesenteritis was evident and surprisingly an intraluminal worm was detected. The worm was removed with a small enterotomy and identified as an adult female ofA. suumbased on morphological and molecular analysis. Faecal examination revealed the presence of unfertilizedAscariseggs with an intensity of 16 eggs per gram (EPG) of faeces. The patient was treated with mebendanzole 100 mg twice a day for 3 days. The post-operative course was regular with re-alimentation after 3 days and discharge after 12 days.ConclusionsThis report shows asA. suumcan function as a relevant agent of human zoonosis. Therefore, in patients with bowel obstruction with no evident aetiology a helminthic infestation should be considered for an accurate diagnosis, especially in patients living in rural areas.

This study was funded by CERCA Programme/Generalitat de Catalunya. and the European Union's Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation Programme under ZIKAlliance Grant Agreement no. 734548. Background: Aedes caspius (Pallas, 1771) is a floodwater mosquito species widely distributed in the Western Palaearctic. As an anthropophilic species, its role as an arbovirus vector may be the key for understanding the transmission cycle of certain diseases in Europe such as Zika virus (ZIKV). Concerning vector competence for ZIKV, studies related to Ae. caspius are still scarce. ZIKV is an arbovirus that has provoked a widespread epidemic in the Pacific region (2007-2013) and in the Americas (2015-2016). ZIKV is associated with serious neurological injuries (e.g. microcephaly) and Guillain-Barré syndrome. Due to the ZIKV epidemics in the American continent, some viraemic travellers coming from endemic countries have been reported in Europe. More knowledge is therefore required to define the susceptibility of autochthonous mosquito species such as Ae. caspius for ZIKV in order to improve arbovirus surveillance and control programmes. In the present study, the vector competence of a European population of Ae. caspius was evaluated for two ZIKV lineages, the Suriname ZIKV strain (Asian lineage) and the MR766 ZIKV strain (African I lineage). Females were tested at 7, 14 and 21 days post-exposure (dpe) to infectious blood meals. An Ae. aegypti PAEA strain was used as a positive control. Results: Aedes caspius presented low susceptibility to ZIKV infection and the virus was only detected by RT-qPCR in body samples. Low viral loads were detected for the MR766 strain at 7 dpe and for the Suriname strain at 14 and 21 dpe. Aedes caspius was unable to produce a disseminated infection and virus transmission at any of the tested time points. Using Ae. aegypti PAEA strain, infection, dissemination and transmission rates were calculated for the Suriname ZIKV strain (Asian lineage) at each time point. For the MR766 ZIKV strain (African I lineage), while only infection rates were estimated at each time point, no dissemination or transmission were detected in either species. Conclusions: The results of the present study reveal that the tested Ae. caspius population has a strong midgut escape barrier that limits the dissemination or transmission of the virus. As such, it seems unlikely that European Ae. caspius mosquitoes could be involved in ZIKV transmission if ZIKV was introduced into Europe. This information may help in designing a better strategy to European surveillance and control programmes for ZIKV.

The following case report describes the clinical and diagnostic procedure for suspected brucellosis infection in a dog. A 21 month old intact male Border Collie was presented with an enlarged right testicle and epididymis. The dog was imported to Switzerland from Germany at the age of three months, but was never abroad since then. Clinical and laboratory diagnostic investigation included bacteriology and histology. An initial serological evaluation by means of rapid slide agglutination test (RSAT) was negative. Repeated examination of the same serum by a chromatographic immunoassay (ICT) revealed a positive result. Brucella canis infection was confirmed by culture. The present case is intended to underline the importance of the suspected diagnosis of 'brucellosis' in the presence of reproductive tract problems in dogs. In addition, Brucella canis has zoonotic potential and it is imperative to comply with strict hygiene management.Der nachfolgende Fallbericht beschreibt das klinische und diagnostische Vorgehen bei Verdacht auf Brucellose bei einem Hund. Ein 21 Monate alter intakter Border Collie Rüde wurde mit vergrössertem rechten Hoden und Nebenhoden vorgestellt. Der Hund wurde mit drei Monaten aus Deutschland in die Schweiz importiert, war aber ansonsten nie im Ausland. Es erfolgte eine klinische sowie labordiagnostische Untersuchung inklusive Bakteriologie und Histologie. Eine erste serologische Abklärung mittels rapid slide agglutination test (RSAT) war negativ. Eine wiederholte Untersuchung desselben Serums mittels eines chromatographischen Immunoassay (ICT) ergab ein positives Resultat. Mittels kulturellem Nachweis wurde der Verdacht einer Infektion mit Brucella canis bestätigt. Der vorliegende Fall soll die Wichtigkeit der Verdachtsdiagnose ‚Brucellose‘ bei Vorliegen von Problemen des Reproduktionstraktes bei Hunden unterstreichen. Desweitern hat Brucella canis zoonotisches Potential und es ist zwingend ein strenges Hygienemanagement einzuhalten.Le rapport de cas suivant décrit la procédure clinique et diagnostique en cas de suspicion d’infection par la brucellose chez un chien. Un Border Collie mâle intact de 21 mois a été présenté avec un grossissement du testicule et de l’épididyme droits. Le chien avait été importé d’Allemagne en Suisse à l’âge de trois mois, mais n’avait si non jamais été à l’étranger depuis lors. Des examens diagnostiques cliniques et de laboratoire, notamment bactériologie et histologie ont été effectués. Une première évaluation sérologique au moyen du test d’agglutination rapide sur lame (RSAT) était négative. Un examen ultérieur du même sérum par une immunoanalyse chromatographique (ICT) a révélé un résultat positif. L’infection à Brucella canis a été confirmée par culture. Le présent cas souligne l’importance du diagnostic présumé de «brucellose» en présence de problèmes de l›appareil reproducteur chez le chien. De plus, Brucella canis a un potentiel zoonotique et il est impératif d’appliquer des mesures d’hygiène strictes.Il seguente studio descrive la procedura clinica e la diagnosi per una sospetta infezione da brucellosi in un cane. Un Border Collie maschio di 21 mesi intatto è stato presentato con un ingrossato testicolo destro ed epididimo. Il cane è stato importato in Svizzera dalla Germania all’età di tre mesi, e mai trasportato all’estero da quel momento. Sono state effettuate indagini cliniche e di laboratorio, comprese batteriologia e istologia. Un’iniziale valutazione sierologica mediante il rapid slide agglutination test (RSAT) è risultata negativa. ­L’esame ripetuto dello stesso siero mediante immunodosaggio cromatografico (ICT) ha rivelato un risultato positivo. L’infezione da Brucella canis è stata confermata dalla coltura. Il presente caso intende sottolineare l’importanza della sospetta diagnosi di “brucellosi” in presenza di problemi del tratto riproduttivo nei cani. Inoltre, Brucella canis ha un potenziale zoonotico ed è imperativo rispettare una rigorosa gestione dell’igiene.

The present study aimed to describe clinical signs of cryptosporidiosis in neonatal foals hospitalized in an Equine Perinatology Unit and to compare the clinical signs between Cryptosporidium parvum and Cryptosporidium horse genotype infection. The study was divided into two parts. In the retrospective study, nine foals infected by C. parvum were considered. In the prospective study, 70 foals, less than 15 days old, were prospectively included. Historical and clinical data were recorded, and in the prospective study, multiple fecal samples were collected. C. parvum (n = 13) and Cryptosporidium horse genotype (n = 7) were isolated. In four foals, there was a mixed infection with both the Cryptosporidium. Diarrhea, when present, showed similar duration and characteristics. Sixteen foals showed decreased abdominal sounds and colic pain before evidence of diarrhea. Nineteen foals had hyperthermia at least once. Although survival rates were similar between C. parvum (77%), C. horse genotype (100%), and cryptosporidial mixed infection (100%), foals affected by C. parvum presented anorexia (P

Fasciola hepatica is a trematode infecting ruminants worldwide, occasionally reported in a wide range of animal species, including humans. According to the WHO, fasciolosis is recognized as a re-emerging neglected tropical disease, responsible for endemic and epidemic outbreaks in humans. Although the main hosts of the parasite are represented by cattle, sheep and goats, wildlife may be involved in its circulation. Here we firstly report F. hepatica in a wild boar from Italy (southern area) and characterize it both morphologically and molecularly. The nad1 gene analysis of specimens analyzed, revealed a high genetic similarity with those of humans from Iran and Peru, as well as a close phylogenetic relationship to those in ruminants from Brazil, Ecuador and Egypt. Considering the increase in the wild boar populations in urban and peri-urban areas, a potential role of this ungulate in the circulation of this zoonotic trematode is suggested.

La leptospirosis es la zoonosis bacteriana más frecuente. En Colombia la prevalencia alcanza hasta 35% (1); el Valle del Cauca reporta alrededor del 23% de los casos. Las pruebas de laboratorio no son ampliamente disponibles, lo que lleva al subdiagnóstico y subregistro. El objetivo fue describir las características clínico-demográficas y el cumplimiento del proceso de notificación de los casos, remitidos al laboratorio departamental de salud pública del Valle del Cauca entre 2017 y 2018. Estudio observacional, descriptivo y retrospectivo. Se incluyen los casos con sospecha clínica y/o paraclínica quienes fueron notificados al Sistema Nacional de Vigilancia en Salud Pública (SIVIGILA) y que estuvieran incluidos en la base de datos del Laboratorio Departamental del Valle del Cauca entre 2017 y 2018. Se evaluaron 256 registros, de los cuales 41.4% tuvieron prueba de ELISA positiva. El análisis final se hizo con 105 casos. La mediana de edad fue de 33 años (RIC: 19 – 53), 67.62% de sexo masculino. La mayoría se reportaron en Cali (34.29%). La mediana de días de síntomas fue de 6 (RIC: 4 – 8), siendo más frecuente la fiebre (92.38%). Solo en 51.43% hubo cumplimiento de la prueba de tamizaje en la institución prestadora de salud, sin embargo, 38.89% tenían resultado negativo para leptospirosis a pesar de prueba ELISA del Laboratorio Departamental positiva. Los resultados de esta investigación coinciden con estudios previos. Continúa siendo una entidad frecuente en el departamento con dificultad en el diagnóstico y notificación. Es necesario fortalecer la capacidad diagnóstica y el cumplimiento de la notificación. Palabras clave: Leptospirosis; Leptospira; Colombia; zoonosis; Vigilancia en salud pública.

La triquinosis, atávico peligro alimentario, había sido considerada históricamente como una zoonosis transmisible al hombre por consumo de carne de cerdo o de caza cruda o poco cocida. No obstante, se ha constatado recientemente la implicación de los herbívoros en la epidemiología de Trichinella spp. En sus ciclos, van adquiriendo de forma creciente una mayor complejidad, los modos de transmisión y las especies involucradas.