Trichinella britovi in wild boar meat from Italy, 2015–2021: A citizen science approach to surveillance

: As a result of the increase of game meat intended for human consumption through Europe, a plethora of food-borne diseases, including trichinellosis, may occur in consumers, posing a relevant public health threat. Thus, this study aims to a citizen science approach to monitor the occurrence of Trichinella spp. in wild boar meat intended for human consumption, evaluating the risk of infection for consumers. Following the European Regulation 2015/1375 (laying down specific rules on official controls for Trichinella in meat), from 2015 to 2021, hunters (n = 478) were involved to collect diaphragm pillar samples of wild boars from mainland southern Italy, which were tested for Trichinella spp. L1 larvae via HCl-pepsin digestion and Multiplex PCR. Overall, 139,160 animals were collected (average of 19,880 per year), being 14 (i.e., 0.01%) tested positive to Trichinella britovi by the combined biochemical and molecular approach. An average larval burden of 28.4 L1 per gram of meat was found (minimum 3.2 - maximum 132.6). A statistically significant difference was found in the prevalence according to hunting seasons (p < 0.01, with higher values in 2016 and 2021) and regions of the study area (p < 0.01). No statistically significant decrease in the prevalence of T. britovi throughout the study period was found (p = 0.51), except in Apulia region (p < 0.01). These findings revealed a stable prevalence of T. britovi in wild boar meat intended for human consumption, suggesting a risk of infection for consumers, especially hunters and local markets users. Citizen science surveillance models could be promoted to improve trichinellosis control and prevention in a One Health perspective

Caseifici ed impatto ambientale nel parco nazionale del Cilento e Vallo di Diano

Scopo della ricerca è la valutazione qualitativa e quantitativa dell'impatto ambientale dei caseifici al fine di agevolare gli operatori che svolgono attività di vigilanza o consulenza alle aziende, nonchè i titolari delle stesse intenzionati a minimizzare gli effetti nocivi delle loro attività produttive

DOGS AS SOURCE OF TRYPANOSOMA CRUZI INFECTION IN RURAL AREAS OF THE CHACO REGION (PLURINATIONAL STATE OF BOLIVIA)

INTRODUCTION: Chagas disease continues to be an important sanitary problem in the Americas, even if the risk of transmission in Latin American endemic countries has been reduced by safer blood transfusions and vector-control measures applied (WHO, 2010, 75-9). Trypanosoma cruzi, the etiological agent of this anthropo-zoonosis, has been detected in more than 100 mammal species (Barretto, 1968, Rev Brasil Biologia, 28:481-94), but the role played by each species in the dispersion/maintenance of the parasite in each area of its occurrence is not completely known (Cortez et al., 2006, Expl Parasitol, 14:305-13). This is true for Bolivia, where only few studies on this topic have been undertaken (Albarracin-Velzaga, 1999, Rev Saude Publica, 3:230-6; Medrano-Mercado, 2008, Mem Inst Oswaldo Cruz, 103:423-30), and where a serosurvey carried out in Chuquisaca and Santa Cruz Dep.s detected antibodies in ≈70% of people (Gabrielli et al., 2008, Parassitologia, 50:85). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Aim of this paper is to evaluate the role of dogs as source of infection for kissing bugs vectors and, indirectly, for humans living in two rural Bolivian communities (Ivamirapinta and Bartolo). By venepuncture, blood samples were drawn from 101 dogs living around people resident in study areas, and used to prepare Giemsa stained thick and thin smears, and to impregnate (300-500μL) filter papers. From these dried blood spots DNAs were extracted and a region of 330bp from kDNA was PCR-amplified (Enriquez et al., 2013, Acta Trop J, 126 (3): 211-217); amplicons were sequenced, and sequences were BLAST compared with available sequences to confirm the species. RESULTS: As expected, smears proved negative to the microscopic analysis whereas 24 blood spots (23.7%) were positive to T. cruzi (8/48 in Ivamirapinta and 16/53 in Bartolo). The presence of the parasite in the bloodstream of ≈24% examined dogs suggests that they can play an important role as source of infection for kissing bugs in endemic rural areas. CONCLUSIONS: This result disagrees with data collected in the city of Cochabamba (Medrano-Mercado et al., 2008, Mem Inst Oswaldo Cruz, 103:423- 30), but it is in total agreement with studies carried out in rural areas of N-W Argentina, where dogs proved to be a source of infection for bugs more important than cats, humans and chicken (Gurtler et al., 2007, Parasitology, 134:69-82). In rural areas, the environment offers more opportunity for kissing bugs to feed on dogs, and general conditions of dogs (as malnutrition) maybe contribute to poorly control the parasite reproduction in the bloodstream. So, this animal may be the main domestic reservoir of T. cruzi and a risk factor for parasite transmission, as demonstrated by the report in this host of all the discrete typing units of T. cruzi identified in humans (Ramírez et al., 2013, Vet Parasitol, 196:216-9). Therefore, improved detection of T. cruzi infections in dogs is relevant for risk assessment. Local veterinaries should pay attention to the problem, and check dogs regularly for this parasite

Hydroxychloroquine for pre-exposure prophylaxis of COVID-19 in health care workers: a randomized, multicenter, placebo-controlled trial Healthcare Worker Exposure Response and Outcomes of Hydroxychloroquine (HERO-HCQ)

ABSTRACT: Objectives: To determine whether hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) is safe and effective at preventing COVID-19 infections among health care workers (HCWs). Methods: In a 1: 1 randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, parallel-group, superiority trial at 34 US clinical centers, 1360 HCWs at risk for COVID-19 infection were enrolled between April and November 2020. Participants were randomized to HCQ or matched placebo. The HCQ dosing included a loading dose of HCQ 600 mg twice on day 1, followed by 400 mg daily for 29 days. The primary outcome was a composite of confirmed or suspected COVID-19 clinical infection by day 30, defined as new-onset fever, cough, or dyspnea and either a positive SARS-CoV-2 polymerase chain reaction test (confirmed) or a lack of confirmatory testing due to local restrictions (suspected). Results: Study enrollment closed before full accrual due to recruitment challenges. The primary end point occurred in 41 (6.0%) participants receiving HCQ and 53 (7.8%) participants receiving placebo. No difference in the proportion of participants experiencing clinical infection (estimated difference of -1.8%, 95% confidence interval -4.6-0.9%, P = 0.20) was identified nor any significant safety issues. Conclusion: Oral HCQ taken as prescribed appeared safe among HCWs. No significant clinical benefits were observed. The study was not powered to detect a small but potentially important reduction in infection. Trial registration: NCT04334148