Seroprevalence of Coxiella burnetii in an Indigenous Population from the Sierra Nevada De Santa Marta, Colombia

ABSTRACT. Coxiella burnetii is an underreported zoonotic pathogen in many rural regions globally. We investigated C. burnetii exposure in a remote indigenous tribe residing in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, Colombia. The high seroprevalence of 35% (95% CI, 27–43%) demonstrates the need for One Health studies to identify risk factors, clinical impact, and potential medical, veterinary, and environmental interventions

Bovine leptospirosis in abattoirs in Uganda: molecular detection and risk of exposure among workers

Leptospirosis is a zoonotic bacterial disease reported worldwide. In Uganda, seropositivity has been reported in both humans and domesticated animals, including cattle. However, it remains unknown whether cattle are shedding leptospires and thus acting as potential source for human leptospirosis. We conducted this cross‐sectional study in two cattle abattoirs in Kampala, Uganda between June and July 2017. Kidney and urine samples from 500 cattle sourced from across the country were analysed by real‐time PCR to establish the prevalence of Leptospira‐positive cattle and risk of exposure to abattoir workers. The species of infecting Leptospira was determined by amplification of secY gene and compared to reference sequences published in GenBank. Of 500 cattle tested, 36 (7.2%) had Leptospira DNA in their kidneys (carriers), 29 (5.8%) in their urine (shedders); with an overall prevalence (kidney and/or urine) of 8.8%. Leptospira borgpetersenii was confirmed as the infecting species in three cattle and Leptospira kirschneri in one animal. Male versus female cattle (OR = 3, p‐value 0.003), exotic versus local breeds (OR = 21.3, p‐value 0.002) or cattle from Western Uganda (OR = 4.4, p‐value 0.001) and from regions across the border (OR = 3.3, p‐value 0.032) versus from the central region were more likely to be Leptospira‐positive. The daily risk of exposure of abattoir workers to ≥1 (kidney and/or urine) positive carcass ranged from 27% (95% credibility interval 18.6–52.3) to 100% (95% CI 91.0–100.0), with halal butchers and pluck inspectors being at highest risk. In conclusion, cattle slaughtered at abattoirs in Uganda carry and shed pathogenic Leptospira species; and this may pose occupation‐related risk of exposure among workers in these abattoirs, with workers who handle larger numbers of animals being at higher risk

Molecular and serological prevalence of Leptospira spp. among slaughtered cattle and associated risk factors in the Bahr El Ghazal region of South Sudan

Introduction Leptospirosis is a neglected emerging and zoonotic disease reported worldwide. This study sought to determine the molecular and serological prevalence of Leptospira spp. and the associated risk factors in slaughtered cattle from the Bahr El Ghazal region of South Sudan. Materials and methods Between January 16th and February 25th, 2023, blood and urine samples were collected from 402 cattle at the Lokoloko Municipal Slaughterhouse in Western Bahr El-Ghazal State. Serum samples were tested using the microscopic agglutination test (MAT), with a panel of 12 serovars (sv) from 12 serogroups (sg) and 4 species (spp) of Leptospira spp. These serovars had been previously identified in Sudan and the East African region. Simultaneously, 400 corresponding urine samples were screened using qualitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to detect the shedding of Leptospira spp. in urine. To identify the associated risk factors, the age, sex, breed and body condition score of each sampled cattle was noted at the time of sampling and subsequently analysed using logistic regression models. Results Among the 402 serum samples screened, a substantial 81.8% (329/402, 95% CI 77.9–85.3) displayed seropositivity for Leptospira spp. with a MAT titre ≥ 100. The prevalence of urine shedding determined by PCR was 6% (23/400, 95% CI 3.8–8.4), while probable recent leptospirosis with a MAT ≥ 1:800 was observed in 33.1% (133/402, 95% CI 28.6–37.8) of the cattle. Multiple reactions were detected in 34.8% (140/402, 95% CI 30.6–39.5) serum samples. The seropositivity was against L. borgpetersenii sg. Tarassovi (78.6%; 316/402, 95% CI 74.4–82.3), followed by L. borgpetersenii sg. Ballum at 20.4% (82/402, 95% CI, 16.7–24.4%), L. kirschneri sg. Autumnalis At 8.7% (35/402, 95% CI 5.7–11.7), L. interrogans sg. of Pomona at 7.0% (28/402, 95% CI 4.5–9.5), and L. interrogans sg. Hebdomadis was 5.0% (20/402, 95% CI 2.8–7.2). Several risk factors are associated with seropositivity. Older animals (≥ 2 years) had 2.0 times greater odds (95% CI 1.14–3.5) of being seropositive than younger animals (< 2 years), P-value = 0.016. Female animals demonstrated 2.1 times greater odds (95% CI 1.2–3.6) of seropositivity than males did (P-value = 0.008). Additionally, Felata/Mbororo cattle exhibited 2.4 times greater odds (95% CI 1.3–4.5) of being seropositive than did local Nilotic cattle (P-value = 0.005). The agreement between the MAT and PCR results was poor, as indicated by a kappa statistic value of 0.001 and a P-value of 0.913. But there was a moderate agreement between MAT high titres ≥ 800 and PCR positivity with a kappa statistic value = 0.501 and a P-value < 0.001. Conclusion In addition to the high seroprevalence, Leptospira spp. were found in the urine of slaughtered cattle, suggesting that leptospirosis is endemic to the study area. This finding underscores the significance of cattle as potential sources of infection for slaughterhouse workers, the general public, and other animal species. To address this issue effectively in the Bahr El Ghazal Region and South Sudan, a comprehensive strategy involving a multidisciplinary approach is essential to minimize disease among animals, hence reducing potential zoonotic risks to humans

Prevalence of pulmonary tuberculosis and HIV infections and risk factors associated to tuberculosis in detained persons in Antananarivo, Madagascar

The incidence rate of tuberculosis in prisons is estimated to be 8 times greater than that in the general population in Madagascar. Our objectives were to estimate the prevalence of pulmonary tuberculosis and HIV infection among prisoners and to identify risk factors associated with tuberculosis. We conducted a cross-sectional study at the central prison of Antananarivo from March to July 2021. Individual male and female inmates aged ≥ 13 years who had lived in the prison for at least three months prior to the study period were included as participants. Acid-fast bacilli detection by microscopy and/or culture, an intradermal tuberculin test, a chest X-ray, and a rapid diagnostic orientation test for HIV were performed. Among 748 participants, 4 (0.5%) were confirmed to have pulmonary tuberculosis. Overall, 14 (1.9%) patients had “confirmed” or “probable” tuberculosis [0.90–2.84, 95% CI]. The proportion of participants with latent tuberculosis infection was 69.6% (517/743) based on a positive tuberculin test without clinical symptoms or radiography images indicating tuberculosis. Out of 745 HIV screening tests, three showed reactive results (0.4%). Age (OR = 4.4, 95% CI [1.4–14.0]) and prior tuberculosis treatment (or episodes) were found to be associated with confirmed and probable tuberculosis

Rabies surveillance in Madagascar from 2011 to 2021: can we reach the target?

Rabies is endemic in Madagascar and a neglected disease. The aim of this study was to summarize human and animal rabies surveillance activities in Madagascar from 2011 to 2021. Samples from terrestrial mammals and humans were tested for rabies virus infection using direct fluorescent antibody, RT-PCR and virus isolation by the National Reference Laboratory (NRL) for rabies at the Institut Pasteur de Madagascar. Among 964 animal and 47 human samples tested, 66.7 and 70.2% were positive, respectively. The NRL received these suspect rabies samples from 48 of 114 districts of Madagascar. Most of them were submitted from the district of the capital city Antananarivo (26.3%) and mainly from its region Analamanga (68.9%). Animal samples were mainly from dogs (83%), cats (9.5%) and cattle (5.8%). Pigs, lemurs, goats accounted for less than 1%. During the 11 years of surveillance, 48 human skin and/or brain biopsy samples were received from 20 districts, mainly from Antananarivo and its surroundings (N = 13), Toamasina and its surroundings (N = 8) and Moramanga (N = 6). The high positivity rate for all species and the non-homogeneous spatial distribution of samples suggests substantial underreporting of rabies cases. There is a clear need to better understand the reasons for underreporting and prioritize rabies surveillance, prevention and control in Madagascar, with improvements in budget, education and infrastructure. A joint animal and human health rabies control program including vaccination of at least 70% of the dog population, is needed to achieve the goal of eliminating dog-transmitted human rabies by 2030 from Madagascar

Leptospirosis in humans and pastoral livestock in New Zealand : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the doctoral degree of Doctor of Philosophy at Massey University

This PhD investigated leptospirosis in humans and pastoral livestock in New Zealand (NZ). A longitudinal ‘abattoir study’, in which blood from workers (n=592) from sheep (n=4), deer (n=2) and beef (n=2) slaughtering abattoirs was tested by the microscopic agglutination test (MAT), revealed that 10-31%, 17-19% and 5% of workers respectively, had antibodies against Leptospira interrogans sv Pomona (Pomona) and/or L. borgpetersenii sv Hardjobovis (Hardjobovis). While the annual infection risk for meat workers of sheep plants was 11.1%, it was 0% in workers processing deer and 1.2% in those processing beef cattle. Sixty workers had a history of probable leptospirosis while working in abattoirs between 1962 and 2010 and three sheep abattoir workers within the one year study period. In sheep abattoirs, new infection with Hardjobovis or Pomona measured by serology was associated with a two-fold higher risk of ‘flu-like’ illness, and an average of four days absence from work. The average annual risk of experiencing flu-like symptoms due to infection with Leptospira measured by serology was 2.7%. The under-ascertainment of officially notified cases with leptospirosis in the last five years was estimated at between 16 and 56 times. Work position was the strongest risk factor for sero-positivity with Pomona and/or Hardjobovis in sheep and deer abattoir workers. The prevalence and new infection risk was highest in workers at the beginning of the slaughter board and the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) appeared not to reduce the risk of sero-positivity or new infection. The risk factor analysis revealed that the infection risk prevailed in the abattoirs and was not evident for non-work related risk factors, such as hunting, home slaughtering and farming. In a multi-species cross-sectional ‘farm study’ (n=238), 97% of sheep and beef and 76% of deer farms had at least one in 20 animals MAT sero-positive against Hardjobovis and/or Pomona. Overall, 50% of adult sheep, 58% of adult beef and 34% of yearling/adult deer were positive against either serovar. Hardjobovis was more prevalent in all three livestock species than Pomona. The regional prevalence distribution in sheep was different for Hardjobovis and Pomona. Grazing beef with deer reduced the likelihood of positivity against Pomona in beef. Co-grazing with another species did not increase the odds of the within-herd prevalence for deer and sheep of Pomona or Hardjobovis and for beef the within-herd prevalence of Hardjobovis controlling for other farm-level risk factors. The incidence of probable leptospirosis in cattle herds in 2009 was 2.6%, in sheep flocks 0% and in deer herds 1%. Tailing rates of sheep farms were positively correlated with prevalence of Hardjobovis: a 1% increase in prevalence was equivalent to a 0.11 increase in tailing percentages, which is unlikely to be causative since this association lacks biological plausibility. All other reproduction and culling rates of any species were not significantly associated with prevalence

Effects of hydroxyethyl starch 130/0.4 on serum creatinine concentration and development of acute kidney injury in nonazotemic cats

BACKGROUND:: Hydroxyethyl-starch (HES) solutions might have renal adverse effects in humans and dogs. OBJECTIVE: To determine if administration of 6% HES-130/0.4 is associated with an increase in serum creatinine concentration and development of acute kidney injury (AKI) in nonazotemic cats. ANIMALS: A total of 62 critically ill cats; 26 HES exposed and 36 unexposed. METHODS: Retrospective cohort study (2012-2015). Serum creatinine concentrations were recorded and changes in serum creatinine concentrations before exposure (baseline) and 2-10 and 11-90 days, respectively, were determined. Development of AKI was defined as a > 150% increase or >26 μmol/L increase in serum creatinine concentration from baseline. Risk factors, such as HES administration, cumulative volume of HES (mL/kg) and number of days of HES administration leading to development of AKI, and change in serum creatinine were analyzed. RESULTS: Cats in the HES cohort received a mean volume of 98.5 ± 76.2 mL/kg (range, 8-278 mL/kg) HES over a median of 4 (range, 1-11) days, resulting in a median dose of 20.1 (range, 8-40.5) mL/kg per day. Short-term %change in serum creatinine concentration (P = 0.40) and development of AKI (P = 0.32) were not significantly different between cohorts. Multivariable logistic regression did not identify HES dose in mL/kg (P = 0.33) and number of days of HES application (P = 0.49) as a risk factor for development of AKI. CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Hydroxyethyl-starch administration to critically ill nonazotemic cats seems to be safe. A larger prospective study is required to determine the effect of HES administration at higher dosages and for prolonged time periods

Cross-sectional serological survey for leptospira spp. in beef and dairy cattle in two districts in Uganda

Seroprevalence of Leptospira spp. in cattle is unknown in Uganda. The aim of this study was to estimate the seroprevalence of L. interrogans Icterohaemorrhagiae, Pomona, L. kirschneri Butembo, Grippotyphosa, L. borgpetersenii Nigeria, Hardjo, Wolfii, and Kenya and an overall seroprevalence in cattle from Kole and Mbale districts. Two hundred-seventy five bovine sera from 130 small holder farms from Kole (n = 159) and Mbale (n = 116), collected between January and July 2015, were tested for antibodies against eight Leptospira strains by Microscopic Agglutination Test. A titer of ≥100 was considered seropositive, indicating past exposure. Overall, the seroprevalence was 19.27% (95% CI 14.9–24.5%). Pomona seroprevalence was highest with 9.45% (6.4–13.7%), followed by Kenya 5.09% (2.9–8.6%), Nigeria 4.00% (2.1–7.2%), Wolfii 3.27% (1.6–6.3%), Butembo 1.86% (0.7–4.4%), Hardjo 1.45% (0.5–3.9%), and Icterohaemorragiae and Grippotyphosa with less than 1% positive. Seroprevalence did not differ between districts and gender (p ≥ 0.05). Seven animals had titers ≥400. Cross-reactions or exposure to ≥1 serovar was measured in 43% of serum samples. Seroprevalence of 19% implies exposure of cattle to leptospire