Characterisation of small ruminant production in Crete

Subproject 2 of the LowInputBreeds project aims to improve performance, animal health & welfare, and product quality in organic and low input breed sheep production systems. One focus is breeding under Mediterranean condition

Abundance, zoonotic potential and risk factors of intestinal parasitism amongst dog and cat populations: The scenario of Crete, Greece

Background: The objectives of this study were to evaluate the prevalence and infection intensity of intestinal parasites in different dog and cat populations in Crete, Greece, estimate the zoonotic risk and identify risk factors. Methods: Faecal samples from shelter, household and shepherd dogs and shelter and household cats were analyzed using sedimentation/flotation techniques. Giardia and Cryptosporidium were detected by a quantitative direct immunofluorescence assay (IFA). PCR and sequencing was performed to evaluate the zoonotic potential of Giardia and Cryptosporidium positive samples. Results: Totals of 879 dog and 264 cat faecal samples were examined. In dogs, the overall prevalence was 25.2% (CI: 22.4-28.1) for Giardia spp.; 9.2% (CI: 7.3-11.1) for Ancylostoma/Uncinaria spp.; 7.6% (CI: 5.9-9.4) for Toxocara spp.; 5.9% (CI: 4.4-7.5) for Cryptosporidium spp.; 4.6% (CI: 3.2-5.9) for Cystoisospora spp.; 2.7% (CI: 1.7-3.8) for Toxascaris leonina; 1.7% (CI: 0.9-2.6) for Capillaria spp.; 0.8% (CI: 0.2-1.4) for taeniid eggs; 0.2% (CI: 0-0.5) for Dipylidium caninum; and 0.1% (CI: 0-0.3) for Strongyloides stercoralis. In cats, the prevalence was 20.5% (CI: 15.6-25.3) for Giardia spp.; 9.5% (CI: 5.9-13.0) for Cystoisospora spp.; 8.3% (CI: 5.0-11.7) for Toxocara spp.; 7.6% (CI: 4.4-10.8) for Ancylostoma/Uncinaria spp.; 6.8% (CI: 3.8-9.9) for Cryptosporidium spp.; 4.2% (CI: 1.8-6.6) for Capillaria spp.; 0.8% (CI: 0-1.8) for taeniid eggs; and 0.4% (CI: 0-1.1) for Hammondia/Toxoplasma. Concerning the risk factors evaluated, there was a negative association between age and Giardia infection and between age and T. leonina infection intensity for dogs. Sequencing results revealed the presence of mainly animal-specific G. duodenalis assemblages C and D in dogs and assemblages F, C and BIV-like in cats, with only a limited number of (co-) infections with assemblage A. As for Cryptosporidium, the dog-specific C. canis and the pig-specific C. scrofarum were detected in dogs and the cat-specific C. felis was detected in cats. Conclusions: High levels of parasitism in both dogs and cats were recorded. Giardia was the most prevalent parasite in all dog and cat populations except for shepherd dogs. Genotyping results suggest a limited zoonotic risk of Giardia and Cryptosporidium infections from dogs and cats in Crete. Taeniid eggs were more prevalent in shepherd dogs suggesting access to carcasses and posing a threat for cystic echinococcosis transmission. Infection rates of Toxocara spp. in both dogs and cats show that companion animals could be a significant source of infection to humans

Implementation of harmonised epidemiological indicators (HEIs) for pigs – A Europe-wide online survey

In 2011, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) introduced harmonised epidemiological indicators (HEIs) for pigs to be utilised as part of the risk-based meat inspection within the meat safety assurance framework. However, the application of HEIs is not regulated by law. HEIs enable risk categorisation of farms regarding the main foodborne biological hazards associated with pigs and pork in Europe: Salmonella, Yersinia enterocolitica, Toxoplasma gondii, Trichinella and Cysticercus cellulosae. A questionnaire was developed to evaluate the current implementation of HEIs for pigs in Europe and was targeted at official veterinarians and food business operators experienced or involved in the official monitoring and surveillance at abattoirs. The study examined which of the HEIs for pigs were applied by asking for i) the corresponding private and/or official monitoring and surveillance systems (MoSSs) in place, ii) the stages at which the testing was conducted, iii) the diagnostic methods and iv) the sample materials used. In general, 88% of the respondents stated monitoring for Salmonella, 10% for Yersinia enterocolitica, 2% for Toxoplasma gondii, 90% for Trichinella and 31% for Cysticercus cellulosae was in place. In most cases, MoSSs for Salmonella, Trichinella and Cysticercus cellulosae were in place at abattoir level. Monitoring for these pathogens at abattoir level is already regulated by EU legislation. When corresponding HEIs for a regulated pathogen existed, they largely overlapped with the testing regime of the MoSSs. HEIs for the same pathogens that focus on a different stage of the food chain were mostly declared by respondents to not have been implemented; the same situation was found with HEIs for the other pig-associated hazards, Yersinia enterocolitica and Toxoplasma gondii. The results also revealed some alarming inconsistencies in the mandatory monitoring prescribed by EU regulations. Some respondents demonstrated a lack of understanding regarding diagnostic procedures, failing to correctly match diagnostic methods with the appropriate sample materials or vice versa. While HEIs provide valuable data, especially in terms of a novel risk-based meat safety assurance system, this survey showed that they are currently underutilised for pigs in Europe

Use of harmonised epidemiological indicators (HEIs) for broilers in Europe

In 2012, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) proposed harmonised epidemiological indicators (HEIs) for poultry at different production stages: Salmonella, Campylobacter, extended-spectrum β-lactamase/AmpC β-lactamase (ESBL/AmpC) producing Enterobacteriaceae and generic Escherichia (E.) coli. The HEIs are based on existing monitoring systems or the sampling strategies provided by EFSA. To realise the full benefit of HEIs, risk managers should use them for farm and abattoir categorisation and for adapting the existing meat inspection systems. As HEIs are not legal requirements within the European Union (EU), it is unclear which HEIs are used in which country, to date. Therefore, an online survey was conducted in Europe to gather knowledge about the implementation, application and consequences following on from the HEIs in existing official and private monitoring and surveillance systems (MOSS). A total of 34 answer sets from participants working in the framework of official surveillance or as food business operators in broiler abattoirs were collected from eleven EU member states (EU-MS) and four non-EU countries. While all participants stated that testing for Salmonella is performed, HEI 4-Salmonella, which corresponds to the process hygiene criterion (PHC) for Salmonella was applied by 62% of the participants. In total, 94% of the participants reported that they test for Campylobacter. Among them, 71% stated that testing is performed for HEI 5-Campylobacter, which corresponds to PHC for Campylobacter. Although testing neck skin samples for Salmonella and Campylobacter after chilling are official and mandatory MOSS in the EU, not all participants from EU-MS (Salmonella: 6/11 EU-MS; Campylobacter: 8/11 EU-MS) confirmed to comply with. Altogether, 56% of the participants (from 6 EU-MS and 2 non-EU countries) stated that they test for E. coli. Ten of them reported that the testing is performed at the abattoir after chilling according to the suggested HEI for generic E. coli as a hygiene indicator. Consequences that result from the existing MOSS for the three examined pathogens (Salmonella, Campylobacter and E. coli) were mainly rising awareness, farm risk categorisation and feedback to the farmer. According to the answers from the participants, the HEIs suggested by EFSA for broilers are currently implemented in most EU-MS. One reason could be that some of the according MOSS are required by EU law. As intended by EFSA, the participants stated that they use HEIs for farm risk categorisation as one of the three top consequences following from MOSS for the three mentioned pathogens. For improving the knowledge and application of HEIs in the context of risk-based meat safety assurance systems, specific training could be helpful

Spatial epidemiology of Toxoplasma gondii infection in goats in Serbia

A major risk factor for Toxoplasma gondii infection is consumption of undercooked meat. Increasing demand for goat meat is likely to promote the role of this animal for human toxoplasmosis. As there are virtually no data on toxoplasmosis in goats in Serbia, we undertook a cross-sectional serological study, including prediction modelling using geographical information systems (GIS). Sera from 431 goats reared in 143 households/farms throughout Serbia, sampled between January 2010 and September 2011, were examined for T. gondii antibodies by a modified agglutination test. Seroprevalence was 73.3% at the individual level and 84.6% at the farm level. Risk factor analysis showed above two-fold higher risk of infection for goats used for all purposes compared to dairy goats (P = 0.012), almost seven-fold higher risk for goats kept as sole species versus those kept with other animals (P = 0.001) and a two-fold lower risk for goats introduced from outside the farm compared to those raised on the farm (P = 0.027). Moreover, households/farms located in centre-eastern Serbia were found to be less often infected than those in northern Serbia (P = 0.004). The risk factor analysis was fully supported by spatial analysis based on a GIS database containing data on origin, serology, land cover, elevation, meteorology and a spatial prediction map based on kriging analysis, which showed western Serbia as the area most likely for finding goats positive for T. gondii and centre-eastern Serbia as the least likely. In addition, rainfall favoured seropositivity, whereas temperature, humidity and elevation did not

Food chain information for broilers: Results of a Europe-wide survey on status quo, usability and suggestions for improvement

A modern risk-based meat safety assurance system (RB-MSAS) for poultry includes information systems to better adapt to risks for meat safety. Food Chain Information (FCI) according to Regulation (EC) No 853/2004 includes data on animal health, laboratory test results and further information that is relevant for consumer protection. FCI has to be transferred from the farm to the abattoir where the data analysis leads to adaptations of the slaughter process and/or meat inspection. As the EU regulation describes the required FCI imprecisely and without recommendations for meaningful reactions to specific information, implementation differs between European countries and even between abattoirs within one country. To assess the status quo of transfer, use and the usefulness of FCI in Europe, we conducted a survey on FCI for broilers among European stakeholders. The answers of 32 respondents, working in 14 different European countries as official veterinarians/meat inspection officers, food business operators/quality assurance managers, or in other positions in broiler meat hygiene, were included in the analysis. Overall, 75% (24/32) of the respondents stated they find FCI helpful for decision-making. All respondents (56%, 18/32) with electronic access to FCI find the transmission procedure practical. Most respondents get information about previous ante-mortem (81%, 26/32) and post-mortem (91%, 29/32) inspection results for flocks from the same holding of provenance. Likewise, most respondents receive data on mortality rate (88%, 28/32) and veterinary medications with a withdrawal period that have been administered during the fattening period (84%, 27/32). Overall, 53% of the respondents indicated that the entire fattening period would be the optimal relevant period for recording the administration of veterinary medications with a withdrawal period. In addition to this information, the respondents desired to have more data about further treatment (28%, 9/32) and data from the private veterinarian responsible for the farm (25%, 8/32). Knowledge of these data especially led to various measures being initiated at the abattoir, according to the respondents. In contrast, some specific production data were reported as also an important part of FCI, even though these data have little impact on the measures to protect human health that are taken in the slaughter process or at post-mortem inspection. All respondents transferred information about findings in the abattoir back to the farmers: these data were ante-mortem (72%, 23/32) and post-mortem (100%, 32/32) inspection results as well as further information (28%, 6/32). Our study shows that FCI for broilers is already widely successfully established as part of the RB-MSAS in Europe. Important information, like the ante- and post-mortem inspection results, is mostly available. Recommendations for improvement and for data to be included based on our study and literature are, inter alia: electronic data transfer; on-farm mortality; diseases occurring on-farm, especially those shortly before slaughter; all data on treatment with veterinary medications; EFSA's harmonised epidemiological indicators and; specific production data. Further studies are needed to gain a deeper understanding of correlations between ante-mortem data for the flock and findings at post-mortem inspection. Specific measures to be taken as a result of incoming information need to be stipulated in order that FCI is used more efficiently as a risk assessment tool in RB-MSAS

Surveillance of foodborne parasitic diseases in Europe in a One Health approach

In 2012, WHO/FAO ranked 24 foodborne parasites (FBP) using multicriteria decision analysis (MCDA) to provide risk assessors with a basis for prioritising control of highly ranked FBP on the global level. One conclusion was that ranking may differ substantially per region. In Europe, the same methodology was used to rank FBP of relevance for Europe. Of the 24 FBP, the top-five prioritised FBP were identified for Europe as Echinococcus multilocularis, Toxoplasma gondii, Trichinella spiralis, E. granulosus, and Cryptosporidium spp., all of which are zoonotic. The objective of the present study was to provide an overview of surveillance and reporting systems in Europe for these top five prioritised FBP in the human and animal populations, to identify gaps, and give recommendations for improvement. Information on the surveillance systems was collected from 35 European countries and analysed according to the five different regions. For most FBP, human surveillance is passive in most countries and regions in Europe and notification differs between countries and regions. Adequate surveillance programmes for these FBP are lacking, except for T. spiralis, which is notifiable in 34 countries with active surveillance in susceptible animals under EU directive. Although human and animal surveillance data are available for the five prioritised FBP, we identified a lack of consistency in surveillance and reporting requirements between national experts and European bodies. Recommendations for improved surveillance systems are discussed

Epidemiology of Taenia saginata taeniosis/cysticercosis: a systematic review of the distribution in the Middle East and North Africa

BackgroundThe zoonotic parasite Taenia saginata utilizes bovines as an intermediate host (causing cysticercosis) and humans as the definitive host (causing taeniosis). The public health burden of T. saginata is assumed to be low, but the economic burden is large, due to the resources utilized in the detection and condemnation of infected carcasses and carcass parts. As part of a collaborative effort to synthesize worldwide epidemiological data on this parasite, we present here the results of a systematic review on the distribution of T. saginata taeniosis and bovine cysticercosis in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA).MethodsInformation on the occurrence and prevalence of T. saginata taeniosis and cysticercosis in the MENA region was obtained through a systematic review of published and grey literature, including OIE reports, published between January 1st, 1990 and December 31st, 2017.ResultsA total of 63 publications were retrieved across the 21 MENA countries. Taenia saginata taeniosis was reported in 11 of these countries, whereas unspecified taeniosis was reported for a further seven. Microscopy-based prevalence values ranged between 0.02-8.6%. Bovine cysticercosis prevalence estimates based on meat inspection were only reported for Egypt and Israel, with prevalence data ranging between 0.2-20% and 0.1-9.1% for cattle and buffaloes, respectively. The presence of bovine cysticercosis could be confirmed for 10 additional countries through OIE reports.ConclusionsHuman taeniosis occurrence was confirmed for 86% (18/21) of the countries in the MENA region, although in several of these countries the species responsible was not specified. Religious prohibitions on the consumption of pork and the limited extent of pig farming across much of this region, however, suggest that many reported taeniosis cases are likely to be attributable to T. saginata rather than Taenia solium or Taenia asiatica. There was a paucity of data regarding both the prevalence and economic impact of bovine cysticercosis. More detailed epidemiological data on both T. saginata taeniosis and bovine cysticercosis could be obtained by adopting an integrated One Health approach, considering the characteristics (e.g. ecosystem related and sociopolitical aspects) of the MENA region. Compared with more conventional approaches, this could lead to an enhanced performance and cost-effectiveness of surveillance systems