Use of wild bird surveillance, human case data and GIS spatial analysis for predicting spatial distributions of West Nile Virus in Greece

West Nile Virus (WNV) is the causative agent of a vector-borne, zoonotic disease with a worldwide distribution. Recent expansion and introduction of WNV into new areas, including southern Europe, has been associated with severe disease in humans and equids, and has increased concerns regarding the need to prevent and control future WNV outbreaks. Since 2010, 524 confirmed human cases of the disease have been reported in Greece with greater than 10% mortality. Infected mosquitoes, wild birds, equids, and chickens have been detected and associated with human disease. The aim of our study was to establish a monitoring system with wild birds and reported human cases data using Geographical Information System (GIS). Potential distribution of WNV was modelled by combining wild bird serological surveillance data with environmental factors (e.g. elevation, slope, land use, vegetation density, temperature, precipitation indices, and population density). Local factors including areas of low altitude and proximity to water were important predictors of appearance of both human and wild bird cases (Odds Ratio = 1,001 95%CI = 0,723–1,386). Using GIS analysis, the identified risk factors were applied across Greece identifying the northern part of Greece (Macedonia, Thrace) western Greece and a number of Greek islands as being at highest risk of future outbreaks. The results of the analysis were evaluated and confirmed using the 161 reported human cases of the 2012 outbreak predicting correctly (Odds = 130/31 = 4,194 95%CI = 2,841–6,189) and more areas were identified for potential dispersion in the following years. Our approach verified that WNV risk can be modelled in a fast cost-effective way indicating high risk areas where prevention measures should be implemented in order to reduce the disease incidence

Rabies outbreak in Greece during 2012-2014: use of Geographical Information System for analysis, risk assessment and control

The objectives of this work were (i) geographical analysis of the 2012–2014 outbreak of rabies in Greece using GIS and (ii) comparative analysis of animal cases with data of potential human exposure to rabies together with environmental data, in order to provide information for risk assessment, effective monitoring and control. Most animal cases (40/48) involved red foxes, while domestic animals were also diagnosed with rabies. Overall, 80% of the cases were diagnosed in central northern Greece; 75% of the cases were diagnosed in low altitudes (<343·5 m), within a distance of 1 km from human settlements. Median distance from livestock farms was 201·25 m. Most people potentially exposed to rabies (889/1060) presented with dog bite injuries. Maximum entropy analysis revealed that distance from farms contributed the highest percentage in defining environmental niche profiles for rabid foxes. Oral vaccination programmes were implemented in 24 administrative units of the country during 2013 and 2014, covering a total surface area of ~60 000 km2. Rabies re-occurrence in Greece emphasizes the need for ongoing surveillance in cross-border areas and in areas with intense human activity

Colistin resistant mcr genes prevalence in livestock animals (Swine, bovine, poultry) from a multinational perspective. a systematic review

The objective of this review is to collect and present the results of relevant studies on an international level, on the subject of colistin resistance due to mcr genes prevalence in livestock animals. After a literature search, and using PRISMA guidelines principles, a total of 40 swine, 16 bovine and 31 poultry studies were collected concerning mcr-1 gene; five swine, three bovine and three poultry studies referred to mcr-2 gene; eight swine, one bovine, two poultry studies were about mcr-3 gene; six swine, one bovine and one poultry manuscript studied mcr-4 gene; five swine manuscripts studied mcr-5 gene; one swine manuscript was about mcr-6, mcr-7, mcr-8, mcr-9 genes and one poultry study about mcr-10 gene was found. Information about colistin resistance in bacteria derived from animals and animal product foods is still considered limited and that should be continually enhanced; most of the information about clinical isolates are relative to enteropathogens Escherichia coli and Salmonella spp. This review demonstrates the widespread dispersion of mcr genes to livestock animals, indicating the need to further increase measures to control this important threat for public health issue. © 2021 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (https:// creativecommons.org/licenses/by/ 4.0/)

Interspecies transmission of Rotaviruses among ruminants, dogs and humans: Current facts and remarks

Rotaviruses are considered to be a major cause of diarrhoea to humans as well as a wide variety of animals and may cause serious economic losses in livestock animals, especially swine and ruminants. This fact, along with the genetic diversity that characterizes members of the Rotavirus group, raised concerns regarding the potential of virus interspecies transmission among various species of animals and humans. Regarding the presence and the epidemiology of Rotaviruses in ruminants in association with closely related humans and dogs, research is limited and few data have been presented in recent years. In this review we present all the latest information regarding the distribution of genotypes of Rotavirus strains in ruminants, dogs and humans. © 2018 G Valiakos, DC Chatzopoulos, CN Tsokana

Current Data on Rickettsia felis Occurrence in Vectors, Human and Animal Hosts in Europe: A Scoping Review

Rickettsia felis is an emerging pathogen with increasing reports of human cases and detection in arthropod and animal host species worldwide. In this scoping review we record the newest data reported for R. felis in Europe: the vector and host species found to be infected, and the geographical distribution and prevalence of R. felis infection in vectors and hosts. A total of 15 European countries reported the occurrence of R. felis in hosts and vectors during 2017–2022. The vectors found to be infected by R. felis were flea, tick and mite species; Ctenocephalides felis and Ixodes ricinus were the dominant ones. The hosts found to be infected and/or exposed to R. felis were humans, cats and small mammals. Physicians should be aware of the epidemiology and include illness caused by R. felis in the differential diagnosis of febrile disease. Veterinarians should keep training pet owners on the need for effective year-round arthropod control on their pets, especially for fleas. © 2022 by the authors

Chemical, Microbiological, and Sensory Analysis Benefits Leading to Shelf-Life Extension of Minced Beef Meat Using Essential Oil of Oregano Contained in Xanthan Gum and Guar Gum Edible Coating

In the present study, the effect of oregano essential oil, which is contained in xanthan gum and guar gum edible coating, was investigated in regard to its ability to assist with the preservation and the extension of the shelf life of minced beef meat when stored at 4 °C. Minced beef meat samples were coated with a mixture of xanthan gum and guar gum containing oregano essential oil at various levels (1–3%). The coated samples were compared with the control sample (uncoated) for bacteriological (i.e., total viable count, coliforms, and Enterobacteriaceae), physicochemical (pH), and sensorial properties (color and odor) on specific storage days (0, 3, 6, 9, and 12). There was greater microbial growth noted in the uncoated minced beef meat in comparison to the coated ones. Odor, color, and overall acceptability were significantly improved in the coated samples (p < 0.05). The chemical, bacteriological, and sensory analyses that were performed, evidenced the benefits that edible coating with oregano essential oil may have on the shelf life and quality of minced beef meat. © 2022 by the authors

Miraculous renal healing in the church of the life-giving spring in constantinople compendium (1812) from the original by nikiphoros kallistos xanthopoulos (1256–1335)

Nikiphoros Kallistos Xanthopoulos (1256–1335) was a priest in Hagia Sofia and a scholar considered as the last Greek ecclesiastical historian. Apart from “Ecclesiasticae Historiae”, dedicated to the emperor Andronikos-II Palaeologos (1282–1328), he wrote poems, liturgical hymns and “synaxaria” of the Orthodox Church. His book of the miracles in the church of the Life-Giving Spring in Constantinople was published in a compendium translation in vulgar Greek (1812). Initiated by the ex-Bishop of Stages (Meteora) Paisios (1784–1808), this translation aimed to offer contemporary Greeks a book more comprehensible and thus more beneficial than the original. Our aim was to analyse the forms of miraculous healing applied and the renal ailments healed in this compendium. Miraculous healings (54 among 63 miracles) included prayers, visions and the spring-water. Drinking was applied in 43, washes in 11 and mud compresses in 8 cases. Renal ailments were present in 11 cases: bladder stones with dysuria, hematuria, pyuria or urine retention in 9 and hydrops in 2. Emperor Justinian (527-565) was healed from an obstructive bladder stone. Help was sought after doctors’ treatments failed. In two cases, water drinking was applied despite medical advice and side effects of drugtherapy were healed in two other. In the compendium edition of the book of Nikiphoros Kallistos Xanthopoulos on the miracles of the Life-Giving Spring in Constantinople, healing of renal disorders was very frequent (20%). This publication implies a close relationship of Greek scholars, during the Hellenic Enlightenment (1750–1821), with Palaeologian Byzantine Humanism. © Athens Medical Society