Antibodies against the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex and Brucella spp. in captive and free-living European bison (Bison bonasus) in Poland

Background: The European bison (Bison bonasus), a symbol of Polish nature, is a protected species that requires active health monitoring. However, conservation efforts are made difficult by the zoonotic diseases such as brucellosis and tuberculosis. Objective: The aim of this study was to screen the Polish European bison population for exposure to the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTC) and Brucella spp. Methods: A total of 323 free-living and captive European bison from 13 localities were tested serologically for antibodies against the M. bovis P22 multi-protein complex (in-house ELISA) and against Brucella spp. (commercial ELISA). Results: Antibodies against the MTC (P22) were detected in 7% (22/323) of the tested European bison. Anti-MTC antibody positivity was not significantly different by sex, age, and captive/free range status. Anti-MTC antibodies were found in six of 13 populations sampled, always in populations with larger sample sizes including the four free-living ones. Antibodies against Brucella spp. were detected in 36% (116/323) of the tested bison. While Brucella spp. antibody prevalence was not different by sex, it was significantly different by age (lower in adults) and captive/free-living status. Brucella spp. seroprevalence decreased with sample size and seropositive bison were found in 12 of 13 sampling populations. Conclusions: Our findings identify potential emerging threats to the European bison population and confirm the first serological response to P22 in European bison. As Poland is currently officially free of brucellosis and bovine tuberculosis, our results require careful interpretation. Further studies are needed to establish the presence of cross-reactions with atypical mycobacteria in the case of MTC and other bacteria (e.g. Yersinia enterocolitica O:9) in the case of Brucella spp.Complex project of European bison conservation by State Forests, Forest Fund (Poland), Grant/Award Number: contract no OR.271.3.10.2017.S

Molecular Characterization of <em>Mycobacterium</em> spp. Isolated from Cattle and Wildlife in Poland

Although Poland is officially tuberculosis (TB) free, meaning that less than 0.1% of her cattle herd is TB-positive, the problem of bovine TB in Poland may be re-emerging: its presence has recently been confirmed in domestic and companion animals, wildlife such as the European bison, and even humans. The aim of this chapter was to review all reports of bovine TB in Poland described to date, with particular emphasis on molecular studies, and determine further research directions. These studies include a range of molecular methods for diagnosis, including genotyping, spoligotyping and MIRU- VNTR; such methods successfully identifies a tuberculosis-positive European bison as the source of wild boar infection in the Bieszczady Mountains based on its spoligotype. This chapter argues that identified trains should be better archived, as such records would allow detailed epidemiological investigations and shed greater light on the activity of Mycobacterium spp. The current epidemiological situation in Poland highlights the need for further studies to determine epidemiological links and confirm possible routes of transmission based on whole genome sequencing; this need is accentuated by the zoonotic potential of such infections and the endangered species at risk

Nlrp3 Inflammasome Signaling Regulates the Homing and Engraftment of Hematopoietic Stem Cells (HSPCs) by Enhancing Incorporation of CXCR4 Receptor into Membrane Lipid Rafts

Fast and efficient homing and engraftment of hematopoietic stem progenitor cells (HSPCs) is crucial for positive clinical outcomes from transplantation. We found that this process depends on activation of the Nlrp3 inflammasome, both in the HSPCs to be transplanted and in the cells in the recipient bone marrow (BM) microenvironment. For the first time we provide evidence that functional deficiency in the Nlrp3 inflammasome in transplanted cells or in the host microenvironment leads to defective homing and engraftment. At the molecular level, functional deficiency of the Nlrp3 inflammasome in HSPCs leads to their defective migration in response to the major BM homing chemoattractant stromal-derived factor 1 (SDF-1) and to other supportive chemoattractants, including sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) and extracellular adenosine triphosphate (eATP). We report that activation of the Nlrp3 inflammasome increases autocrine release of eATP, which promotes incorporation of the CXCR4 receptor into membrane lipid rafts at the leading surface of migrating cells. On the other hand, a lack of Nlrp3 inflammasome expression in BM conditioned for transplantation leads to a decrease in expression of SDF-1 and danger-associated molecular pattern molecules (DAMPs), which are responsible for activation of the complement cascade (ComC), which in turn facilitates the homing and engraftment of HSPCs

Distribution of large lungworms (Nematoda: Dictyocaulidae) in free-roaming populations of red deer Cervus elaphus (L.) with the description of Dictyocaulus skrjabini n. sp.

Lungworms of the genus Dictyocaulus are causative agents of parasitic bronchitis in domestic and wild ungulates. This study investigates the distribution, morphology and genetic diversity of D. cervi and a new lungworm species, Dictyocaulus skrjabini n. sp. infecting red deer Cervus elaphus, fallow deer Dama dama and moose Alces alces in Poland and Sweden. The study was conducted on 167 red deer from Poland and on the DNA of lungworms derived from 7 fallow deer, 4 red deer and 2 moose collected in Sweden. The prevalence of D. cervi and D. skrjabini n. sp. in dissected red deer in Poland was 31.1% and 7.2%, respectively. Moreover, D. skrjabini n. sp. was confirmed molecularly in 7 isolates of fallow deer lungworms and 1 isolate of red deer lungworms from Sweden. Dictyocaulus skrjabini n. sp. was established based on combination of their distinct molecular and morphological features; these included the length of cephalic vesicle, buccal capsule (BC), buccal capsule wall (BCW), distance from anterior extremity to the nerve ring, the width of head, oesophagus, cephalic vesicle, BC and BCW, as well as the dimensions of reproductive organs of male and female. Additionally, molecular analyses revealed 0.9% nucleotide sequence divergence for 1,605 bp SSU rDNA, and 16.5–17.3% nucleotide sequence divergence for 642 bp mitochondrial cytB between D. skrjabini n. sp. and D. cervi, respectively, and 18.7–19% between D. skrjabini n. sp. and D. eckerti, which translates into 18.2–18.7% amino acid sequence divergence between D. skrjabini n. sp. and both lungworms

Biopsy and tracheobronchial aspirates as additional tools for the diagnosis of bovine tuberculosis in living European bison (bison bonasus)

CITATION: Didkowska, Anna et al. 2020. Biopsy and tracheobronchial aspirates as additional tools for the diagnosis of bovine tuberculosis in living European bison (bison bonasus). Animals, 10(11):2017, doi:10.3390/ani10112017.The original publication is available at: https://www.mdpi.comENGLISH ABSTRACT: The diagnosis of bovine tuberculosis (BTB) in living wildlife remains a complex problem, and one of particular importance in endangered species like European bison (Bison bonasus). To identify infection and avoid the unnecessary culling of such valuable individuals, current best practice requires the collection and culture of material from living animals, as mycobacteria isolation remains the gold standard in BTB diagnosis. However, such isolation is challenging due to the need for the immobilization and collection of appropriate clinical material, and because of the sporadic shedding of mycobacteria. In the present study, we evaluated the potential of sampling for the detection of BTB in a group of seven living European bison suspected of being infected with Mycobacterium caprae. The specimens were collected both as swabs from the nasal and pharyngeal cavities, tracheobronchial aspirates (TBA), ultrasound-guided biopsies from lateral retropharyngeal lymph nodes, and post mortem, from mandibular, retropharyngeal and mediastinal lymph nodes. Clinical samples were tested for mycobacterial species via mycobacteriological culture and PCR. M. caprae was isolated from collected material in two out of four living infected individuals (TBA, biopsy) and mycobacterialDNAwas detected in three out of four (TBA, pharyngeal swab) bison. This is the first report of isolation of M. caprae in living European bison. Our findings demonstrate the value of diagnostic tests based on both molecular testing and culture in European bison and confirm the respiratory shedding of viable M. caprae in this host species.Publisher's versio

Consumer Safety Awareness – How the Labelling Can Protect Health of Gluten-Intolerant People

Recent years have witnessed a growing number of people who are gluten-intolerant and whose diet cannot contain gluten (celiac disease, allergy to gluten and gluten-intolerance). Consequently, the consumers’ interest in non-gluten diet is progressively increasing. Gluten is a mixture of prolamins and glutelins, present in the cereal grains: wheat (gliadin), rye (secalin) and barley (hordein). Wide use of gluten in the food industry results from its positive influence on products’ consistency, taste and moisture preserving. Since the only effective method of gluten-related diseases treatment is a strict gluten-free diet, this study examines the market of the gluten-free carbohydrate products. A growing desire to avoid gluten is changing the whole food industry. The task was to analyze the labelling correctness of selected nutriments suitable for gluten-intolerant people. The analysis was based on the current EU and national regulations. Besides of common EU regulations and directives dedicated to food production sector and food safety, we can find specified law regulating the composition and labelling of foodstuffs suitable for people intolerant to gluten. In total, 100 food products were subjected to the analysis, divided into 5 groups of gluten-free carbohydrate products (flours, groats and rice, pastas, snacks and sweets, breads). Summarizing our research the correct labelling of analysed products was present in all examined groups. 97% of the items were labelled by a text stating they were gluten-free products. Also, the composition of the assortment did not give rise to objections to their gluten-free characteristics. 86% of the analysed gluten-free food was produced from natural free-gluten ingredients, whereas 14% was made of low-gluten wheat ingredients. 78% of the examined items were gluten-free products, bearing both text and graphic labelling as gluten-free products. 63% out of this group were products with the AOECS (Association of European Celiac Societies) certificate for safe gluten-free foodstuff

The Genetic Diversity and Antimicrobial Resistance of Pyogenic Pathogens Isolated from Porcine Lymph Nodes

According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, pork remains the most consumed meat in the world. Consequently, it is very important to ensure that it is of the highest microbiological quality. Many of the pathogens that cause lymph node lesions in pigs are zoonotic agents, and the most commonly isolated bacteria are Mycobacterium spp., Streptococcus spp., Staphylococcus aureus and Rhodococcus equi (synonymous with Prescottella equi). The prevention and treatment of zoonotic infections caused by these bacteria are mainly based on antimicrobials. However, an overuse of antimicrobials contributes to the emergence and high prevalence of antimicrobial-resistant strains, which are becoming a serious challenge in many countries. The aim of this study was to evaluate the genetic diversity and antimicrobial resistance of the Streptococcus spp. (n = 48), S. aureus (n = 5) and R. equi (n = 17) strains isolated from swine lymph nodes with and without lesions. All isolates of S. dysgalactiae, S. aureus and R. equi were subjected to PFGE analysis, which showed the genetic relatedness of the tested bacteria in the studied pig populations. Additionally, selected tetracycline and macrolide resistance genes in the streptococcal strains were also studied. The results obtained in the present study provide valuable data on the prevalence, diversity, and antimicrobial resistance of the studied bacteria. Numerous isolated bacterial Streptococcus spp. strains presented resistance to doxycycline, and almost half of them carried tetracycline resistance genes. In addition, R. equi and S. aureus bacteria presented a high level of resistance to beta-lactam antibiotics and to cefotaxime, respectively

Parasitological monitoring of European bison (Bison bonasus) from three forests of north-eastern Poland between 2014 and 2016

Common parasites of the European bison include gastro-intestinal and pulmonary nematodes, liver flukes (Fasciola hepatica), tapeworms, and protozoa of the genus Coccidia. This study compared the extensiveness and intensities of European bison parasitic invasions in three north-eastern Polish forests in different seasons and queried the role of parasitological monitoring in sanitary and hygienic control of feeding places