Patterns of Mycobacterium tuberculosis-complex excretion and characterization of super-shedders in naturally-infected wild boar and red deer

Wild boar (Sus scrofa) and red deer (Cervus elaphus) are the main maintenance hosts for bovine tuberculosis (bTB) in continental Europe. Understanding Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTC) excretion routes is crucial to define strategies to control bTB in free-ranging populations, nevertheless available information is scarce. Aiming at filling this gap, four different MTC excretion routes (oronasal, bronchial-alveolar, fecal and urinary) were investigated by molecular methods in naturally infected hunter-harvested wild boar and red deer. In addition MTC concentrations were estimated by the Most Probable Number method. MTC DNA was amplified in all types of excretion routes. MTC DNA was amplified in at least one excretion route from 83.0% (CI95 70.8-90.8) of wild ungulates with bTB-like lesions. Oronasal or bronchial-alveolar shedding were detected with higher frequency than fecal shedding (p 10(3) CFU/g or mL (referred here as super-shedders). Red deer have a significantly higher risk of being super-shedders compared to wild boar (OR = 11.8, CI95 2.3-60.2). The existence of super-shedders among the naturally infected population of wild boar and red deer is thus reported here for the first time and MTC DNA concentrations greater than the minimum infective doses were estimated in excretion samples from both species.We are grateful to all owners, hunters and hunting organizations that helped us to collect samples. Thanks are also due to Monica Cunha (INIAV, Portugal) for her advice during the setup of the laboratorial diagnosis techniques. Nuno Santos was supported by the Fundacao para a Ciencia e a Tecnologia (Ph.D. Grant SFRH/BD/69390/2010). This is also a contribution to MINECO Plan Nacional grant AGL2014-56305 and FEDER, and to the EU FP7 grant ANTIGONE # 278976

Assessment of virulence factors characteristic of human Escherichia coli pathotypes and antimicrobial resistance in O157:H7 and non-O157:H7 isolates from Livestock in Spain

The distribution of virulence factors (VFs) typical of diarrheagenic Escherichia coli and the antimicrobial resistance (AMR) profiles were assessed in 780 isolates from healthy pigs, broilers, and cattle from Spain. VF distribution was broader than expected, although at low prevalence for most genes, with AMR being linked mainly to host species

Seroprevalence and Risk Factors Associated to Mycobacterium bovis in Wild Artiodactyl Species from Southern Spain, 2006–2010

The control of bovine tuberculosis (bTB) is at a critical point in the last stage of eradication in livestock. Wildlife species recently have emerged infected with TB in Europe, particularly ungulates in the Iberian Peninsula. Epidemiological information regarding TB in wild ungulates including affected species, prevalence, associated risk factors and appropriate diagnostic methods need to be obtained in these countries

Risk factors for African swine fever incursion in Romanian domestic farms during 2019

African swine fever (ASF) entered Georgia in 2007 and the EU in 2014. In the EU, the virus primarily spread in wild boar (Sus scrofa) in the period from 2014–2018. However, from the summer 2018, numerous domestic pig farms in Romania were affected by ASF. In contrast to the existing knowledge on ASF transmission routes, the understanding of risk factors and the importance of different transmission routes is still limited. In the period from May to September 2019, 655 Romanian pig farms were included in a matched case-control study investigating possible risk factors for ASF incursion in commercial and backyard pig farms. The results showed that close proximity to outbreaks in domestic farms was a risk factor in commercial as well as backyard farms. Furthermore, in backyard farms, herd size, wild boar abundance around the farm, number of domestic outbreaks within 2 km around farms, short distance to wild boar cases and visits of professionals working on farms were statistically significant risk factors. Additionally, growing crops around the farm, which could potentially attract wild boar, and feeding forage from ASF affected areas to the pigs were risk factors for ASF incursion in backyard farms.We acknowledge financial support from EFSA, ANSVSA and from the Danish Veterinary and Food Administration (FVST) as part of the agreement of commissioned work between the Danish Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Fisheries and the University of Copenhagen.Peer reviewe

Widespread environmental contamination with Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex revealed by a molecular detection protocol

Environmental contamination with Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTC) has been considered crucial for bovine tuberculosis persistence in multi-host-pathogen systems. However, MTC contamination has been difficult to detect due to methodological issues. In an attempt to overcome this limitation we developed an improved protocol for the detection of MTC DNA. MTC DNA concentration was estimated by the Most Probable Number (MPN) method. Making use of this protocol we showed that MTC contamination is widespread in different types of environmental samples from the Iberian Peninsula, which supports indirect transmission as a contributing mechanism for the maintenance of bovine tuberculosis in this multi-host-pathogen system. The proportion of MTC DNA positive samples was higher in the bovine tuberculosis-infected than in presumed negative area (0.32 and 0.18, respectively). Detection varied with the type of environmental sample and was more frequent in sediment from dams and less frequent in water also from dams (0.22 and 0.05, respectively). The proportion of MTC-positive samples was significantly higher in spring (p<0.001), but MTC DNA concentration per sample was higher in autumn and lower in summer. The average MTC DNA concentration in positive samples was 0.82 MPN/g (CI95 0.70-0.98 MPN/g). We were further able to amplify a DNA sequence specific of Mycobacterium bovis/caprae in 4 environmental samples from the bTB-infected area

Role of the monocarboxylate transporter MCT1 in the uptake of lactate during active recovery

Purpose We assessed the role of monocarboxylate transporter 1 (MCT1) on lactate clearance during an active recovery after high-intensity exercise, by comparing genetic groups based on the T1470A (rs1049434) MCT1 polymorphism, whose influence on lactate transport has been proven. Methods Sixteen young male elite field hockey players participated in this study. All of them completed two 400 m maximal run tests performed on different days, followed by 40 min of active or passive recovery. Lactate samples were measured immediately after the tests, and at min 10, 20, 30 and 40 of the recoveries. Blood lactate decreases were calculated for each 10-min period. Participants were distributed into three groups according to the T1470A polymorphism (TT, TA and AA). Results TT group had a lower blood lactate decrease than AA group during the 10?20 min period of the active recovery (p = 0.018). This period had the highest blood lactate for the whole sample, significantly differing from the other periods (p ? 0.003). During the passive recovery, lactate declines were constant except for the 0?10-min period (p ? 0.003), suggesting that liver uptake is similar in all the genetic groups, and that the difference seen during the active recovery is mainly due to muscle lactate uptake. Conclusions These differences according to the polymorphic variant T1470A suggest that MCT1 affects the plasma lactate decrease during a crucial period of active recovery, where the maximal lactate amount is cleared (i.e. 10?20 min period)

Protection against Tuberculosis in Eurasian Wild Boar Vaccinated with Heat-Inactivated Mycobacterium bovis

Tuberculosis (TB) caused by Mycobacterium bovis and closely related members of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex continues to affect humans and animals worldwide and its control requires vaccination of wildlife reservoir species such as Eurasian wild boar (Sus scrofa). Vaccination efforts for TB control in wildlife have been based primarily on oral live BCG formulations. However, this is the first report of the use of oral inactivated vaccines for controlling TB in wildlife. In this study, four groups of 5 wild boar each were vaccinated with inactivated M. bovis by the oral and intramuscular routes, vaccinated with oral BCG or left unvaccinated as controls. All groups were later challenged with a field strain of M. bovis. The results of the IFN-gamma response, serum antibody levels, M. bovis culture, TB lesion scores, and the expression of C3 and MUT genes were compared between these four groups. The results suggested that vaccination with heat-inactivated M. bovis or BCG protect wild boar from TB. These results also encouraged testing combinations of BCG and inactivated M. bovis to vaccinate wild boar against TB. Vaccine formulations using heat-inactivated M. bovis for TB control in wildlife would have the advantage of being environmentally safe and more stable under field conditions when compared to live BCG vaccines. The antibody response and MUT expression levels can help differentiating between vaccinated and infected wild boar and as correlates of protective response in vaccinated animals. These results suggest that vaccine studies in free-living wild boar are now possible to reveal the full potential of protecting against TB using oral M. bovis inactivated and BCG vaccines

18 years of the European Journal of Wildlife Research: profile and prospects

Expanding on the foundation of Zeitschrift für Jagdwissenschaft in 1955, the European Journal of Wildlife Research (EJWR) continues to publish original research and reviews on all aspects of wildlife science regardless of the geographic region. Eighteen years after publication of the first issue of EJWR, we briefly reflect on the journal’s profile and prospects. Our target audience includes researchers, wildlife biologists, forestry and game management professionals, wildlife veterinarians, and other specialists, but we also aim at providing a resource of relevant information and scientific debate for practitioners and every person interested in wildlife science. With ecosystems being at the highest level of pressure due to land use change and other effects of the global crisis, the journal is in a key position to communicate relevant research to the scientific community around the world.Peer reviewe

Tendance temporelle de la tuberculose dans la communauté d’ongulés du Parc National de Doñana

Trabajo presentado al 35º Encuentro GEEFSM (Groupe d’Etudes sur l’Eco-pathologie de la Faune Sauvage de Montagne), celebrado en Cofrentes, Muela de Cortes (España) del 1 al 4 de junio de 2017.[ES]: El control de las enfermedades infecciosas compartidas entre la fauna silvestre y el ganado es complejo debido al escaso conocimiento de los procesos epidemiológicos que determinan la transmisión y persistencia de patógenos en la comunidad de hospedadores. La tuberculosis animal (TB) causada por la infección crónica del Complejo Mycobacterium tuberculosis (CMT) es endémica en jabalí (Sus scrofa), ciervo (Cervus elaphus) y gamo (Dama dama) en el centro-sur de España. En este contexto es clave conocer la dinámica temporal de la infección y los factores que modulan el mantenimiento de la TB en el medio natural y, consecuentemente, en el ganado en extensivo. Así, en este estudio utilizamos datos de seguimiento sanitario de ungulados silvestres y de bovino del Parque Nacional de Doñana (PND) para evaluar la tendencia temporal en la prevalencia de TB e identificar sus determinantes. Entre 2006 y 2016 se ha realizado la necropsia, el diagnóstico clínico- lesional y confirmación por cultivo microbiológico en un total de 852 jabalíes, 356 ciervos y 338 gamos dentro del plan de vigilancia sanitaria del PND. Por otro lado, la información sanitaria de 1139 cabezas de ganado bovino ha sido facilitada por los servicios veterinarios oficiales. El análisis espacio-temporal de la infección y sus principales factores de riesgo se ha realizado usando sistemas de información geográfica y modelos lineales generalizados. Los resultados muestran prevalencias de TB más elevadas en jabalí (69,44%), seguido de ciervo (43,38%) y gamo (19,88%); mientras que la incidencia en bovino es del 9%. La tendencia temporal de la infección durante el período estudiado es creciente en ungulados silvestres y se mantiene estable en el ganado bovino, a pesar de los intensos esfuerzos de erradicación en esta especie. En general, varios factores individuales, poblacionales, climatológicos y geográficos están involucrados en la dinámica de la enfermedad. Los individuos adultos muestran una prevalencia elevada respecto a los jóvenes en todas las especies, como se ha sugerido previamente en enfermedades de carácter crónico. En cuanto a la distribución espacial de la infección, se mantiene un marcado gradiente Norte- Sur descrito previamente en 2008, observándose valores superiores de prevalencia en aquellas áreas situadas al norte del PND. Esta situación podría estar mediada por las diferencias en la densidad de hospedadores y en el uso de los recursos. Por ejemplo, se aprecia un mayor riesgo relativo de TB en la cercanía a zonas de elevada agregación de individuos, como es el húmedo borde de la marisma. Estos resultados sobre la dinámica de la TB son fundamentales para comprender la epidemiología de la enfermedad en la comunidad de hospedadores y permitirán ayudar en el diseño de futuras estrategias de control.[IT]: Il controllo delle malattie infettive condivise tra la fauna selvatica e il bestiame è complesso a causa della scarsa conoscenza dei processi epidemiologici che determinano la trasmissione e la persistenza dei patogeni nella comunità di animali ospiti. La tubercolosi animale (TB) causata dall’infezione cronica da parte del Complesso Mycobacterium tuberculosis (CMT) è endemica nel cinghiale (Sus scrofa), cervo (Cervus elaphus) e daino (Dama dama) nel centro- sud della Spagna. In questo contesto è essenziale conoscere la dinamica temporale dell’infezione e i fattori che modulano il mantenimento della TB nell’ambiente naturale e, di conseguenza, nell’allevamento estensivo. In questo studio vengono utilizzati dati di controllo sanitario di ungulati silvestri e bovini nel Parco Nazionale della Dognana (PND), per valutare l’evoluzione temporale nella prevalenza della TB e identificarne i fattori determinanti. Tra il 2006 e il 2016 sono stati realizzati necroscopia, diagnosi clinico-lesionale e conferma tramite coltura microbiologica su un totale di 852 cinghiali, 356 cervi e 338 daini nell’ambito del piano di vigilanza sanitaria del PND. Le informazioni relative a 1139 teste di bestiame (bovino) sono state fornite invece dai servizi sanitari veterinari ufficiali. L’analisi spazio-temporale dell’infezione e dei suoi principali fattori di rischio è stata realizzata utilizzando sistemi di informazione geografica e modelli lineari generalizzati. I risultati mostrano prevalenza di TB più alta nelcinghiale (69,44%), seguito da cervo (43,38%) e daino (19,88%), mentre l’incidenza nel bestiame è del 9%. Durante il periodo studiato l’infezione è andata aumentando negli ungulati selvatici e si è mantenuta stabile nel bestiame, nonostante gli intensi sforzi di eradicazione in questa specie. In generale, vari fattori individuali, demografici, climatologici e geografici sono coinvolti nella dinamica della malattia. Gli individui adulti mostrano una prevalenza più elevata rispetto ai giovani in tutte le specie, come si era già visto precedentemente in altre malattie a carattere cronico. In quanto alla distribuzione spaziale dell’infezione, si mantiene una marcata prevalenza a nord rispetto al sud, già descritta prima nel risultando valori superiori nelle aree situate al nord del PND. Questa situazione potrebbe essere dovuta alle differenze di densità demografica degli ospiti e nell’uso condiviso delle risorse. Per esempio, è stato riscontrato un maggiore rischio relativo di TB nella vicinanza di zone con un alto indice di aggregazione degli individui, come ad esempio i terreni paludosi. Questi risultati sulla dinamica della TB sono fondamentali per comprendere l’epidemiologia della malattia nella comunità degli animali che ne sono ospiti e permetteranno lo sviluppo di future strategie di controllo.[FR]: Le contrôle des maladies infectieuses communes à la faune sauvage et à l’élevage est complexe dû aux faibles connaissances des processus épidémiologiques qui déterminent la transmission et la persistance des pathogènes dans la population d’hôtes. La tuberculose animale (TB) causée par l’infection chronique du Complejo Mycobacterium tuberculosis (CMT) est endémique chez le sanglier (Sus scrofa), le cerf (Cervus elaphus) et le daim (Dama dama) dans le centre-sud de l’Espagne. Dans ce contexte, il est primordial de connaître la dynamique temporelle de l’infection et les facteurs qui modulent le maintien de la TB dans le milieu naturel et, par conséquent, dans l’élevage extensif. Ainsi, dans cette étude, nous utilisons des données de suivi sanitaire des ongulés sauvages et des bovins du Parc National de Doñana (PND) pour évaluer la tendance temporelle dans la prévalence de TB et identifier ses déterminants. Entre 2006 et 2016, il a été réalisé l’autopsie, le diagnostic clinique et la confirmation par culture microbiologique sur un total de 852 sangliers, 356 cerfs et 338 daims dans le plan de vigilance sanitaire du PND. D’autre part, l’information sanitaire de 1139 têtes de bovins a été apportée par les services vétérinaires officiels. L’analyse spatio-temporelle de l’infection et ses principaux facteurs de risque a été réalisée en utilisant ses systèmes d’information géographique et des modèles linéaux généraux. Les résultats indiquent des prévalences de TB plus élevées chez le sanglier (69,44%), suivi du cerf (43,38%) et du daim (19,88%) ; alors que l’incidence chez les bovins es de 9%. La tendance temporelle de l’infection durant la période étudiée est croissante chez les ongulés sauvages et reste stable chez les bovins domestiques, malgré les efforts intenses d’éradication dans cette espèce. En général, plusieurs facteurs individuels, de groupes, climatologiques et géographiques sont impliqués dans la dynamique de la maladie. Les individus adultes présentent une prévalence élevée par rapport aux jeunes et ce dans toutes les espèces, ce qui est généralement le cas pour beaucoup de maladies chroniques. Par rapport à la distribution spatiale de l’infection, elle est surtout située dans le Nord-Sud, comme il a été décrit précédemment en 2008, où des valeurs supérieures de prévalence ont été observées dans les aires situées au nord du PND. Cette situation pourrait être due aux différences dans la densité des hôtes et dans l’utilisation des ressources. Par exemple, on observe un risque plus grand de TB à proximité des zones de densité élevée d’individus, comme le bord humide des marais. Ces résultats sur la dynamique de la TB sont fondamentaux pour comprendre l’épidémiologie de la maladie dans la communauté d’hôte et permettent d’aider pour le développement de futures stratégies de contrôle.Peer reviewe

Temporal stability in the genetic structure of Sarcoptes scabiei under the host-taxon law: empirical evidences from wildlife-derived Sarcoptes mite in Asturias, Spain

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Implicitly, parasite molecular studies assume temporal genetic stability. In this study we tested, for the first time to our knowledge, the extent of changes in genetic diversity and structure of <it>Sarcoptes </it>mite populations from Pyrenean chamois (<it>Rupicapra pyrenaica</it>) in Asturias (Spain), using one multiplex of 9 microsatellite markers and <it>Sarcoptes </it>samples from sympatric Pyrenean chamois, red deer (<it>Cervus elaphus</it>), roe deer (<it>Capreolus capreolus</it>) and red fox (<it>Vulpes vulpes</it>).</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The analysis of an 11-years interval period found little change in the genetic diversity (allelic diversity, and observed and expected heterozygosity). The temporal stability in the genetic diversity was confirmed by population structure analysis, which was not significantly variable over time. Population structure analysis revealed temporal stability in the genetic diversity of <it>Sarcoptes </it>mite under the host-taxon law (herbivore derived- and carnivore derived-<it>Sarcoptes </it>mite) among the sympatric wild animals from Asturias.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The confirmation of parasite temporal genetic stability is of vital interest to allow generalizations to be made, which have further implications regarding the genetic structure, epidemiology and monitoring protocols of the ubiquitous <it>Sarcoptes </it>mite. This could eventually be applied to other parasite species.</p