Molecular detection of hepatitis E virus in wild boars from Botoșani County

Hepatitis E virus (HEV) infections occur in both humans and animals worldwide. The domestic swine and wild boars (Sus scrofa) are known as important reservoirs of HEV, zoonotic hepatitis E infections of foodborne origin being linked to consumption of pig, wild boar and deer raw or undercooked meat or undercooked products. The aim of the study was to highlight the presence of HEV in wild boars using molecular biology methods. During hunting season 2015-2016 were collected blood and faecal samples from 22 wild boars from Suharău hunting fund in Botoșani County. Using degenerate primers, HEV RNA was detected by nested reverse transcriptase PCR in all wild boar faecal samples. The blood (EDTA whole blood) samples tested were negative for hepatitis E virus RNA. Our results indicate that wild boars are a possible source of infection for pigs and human population in Botoșani County

West Nile virus infections in Romania after the 2010 outbreak - a retrospective study in human and animal population

In this study the authors have made a retrospective analysis of West Nile virus infection in human and animals after 2010. Few studies have dealt with this arbovirosis in the last years and there is no analysis to correlate the evolution in animals and humans. To date it is considered that the largest outbreak of West Nile virus (WNV) encephalitis from Europe was registered in 1996 in Romania. Cases of encephalitis with WNV have been reported in our country before first in 1955 in Transylvania, followed by an outbreak in 1964 in Banat. The outbreak from 1996, ended with over 390 confirmed cases of encephalitis in humans the majority being registered in Bucharest and in the southern area of Romania. The epidemiological situation, after the implementation of a surveillance system for WNV in humans until 2010, was characterized by sporadic cases, WNV being reported yearly, except 2002. The infections were reported mostly in the south and south eastern area of the country. The age distribution in human cases recorded a majority in the group age over 65 years due to the senescence of the immune system and the associated diseases. The gender ratio was dominant for men, considering the occupational factor. In 2010 the second large outbreak of WNV was recorded and 47 confirmed cases of WNV infection were registered. After 2010, WNV encephalitis was recorded yearly and the area of detection was confined to eastern area and slowly to the to the whole country. Human cases were registered yearly in areas where the virus was detected in animals by serological screening. Considering the analyzed data, we can state that the main feature of WNV infection is the continuous virus spreading over the territory both in humans and animals. This can be determined by the climatic changes, that allow the surviving and multiplication of the competent vectors in new areas and maybe of the changes in the migratory routes of the birds- main amplifying hosts. Unfortunately, no statistical correlation between human and animal cases could be made. We can state that WNV is continuing to represent a threat for public health and more in depth research has to be made in order to characterize the evolution of the infection in our country and the causes of its endemisation

First Record of West Nile Virus Specific Seroconversion in Dogs From Eastern Romania

West Nile virus (WNV) infection causes diseases that vary in intensity from asymptomatic to fatal encephalitis in humans and animals. The etiological agent is a Flavivirus belonging to Japanesse Encephalitis complex. This zoonotic virus is maintained in nature in an enzootic cycle between mosquitoes and birds as amplifying hosts. Except birds, a wide variety of animals develop seroconversion caused by infection, and previous studies indicated that dogs may be considered as sentinel for WNV. The importance of studying this virus is caused by its zoonotic character, limited possibilities of active surveillance and real-time alertness of the infection’s presence in the human and animal populations. The aim of the study was to demonstrate and estimate the seroconversion in dogs within an area with confirmed cases in humans and animals. A total number of 76 serum samples were evaluated for the presence of specific anti WNV antibodies using a commercial competitive ELISA kit, for the detection of anti-pr-E antibodies (ID Screen® West Nile Competition Multi-species). The results indicated specific antibodies in 32 (42.1%) out of 76 samples tested. Positive results were recorded in all four counties from which samples were collected. Our preliminary results proved the circulation of WNV in dogs in areas where the infection was previously reported in animals and humans

Diversity of nontuberculous mycobacteria isolated from animal samples

Limited data is available regarding the epidemiology of the nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) in Romania, in both human and veterinary medicine. The objective of the present study was the identification and characterization of the Mycobacterium avium complex species isolated from backyard poultry and ruminant samples. The molecular identification and genotyping was performed in ANSES, Laboratory for Animal Health, Maisons-Alfort, France, by real time PCR, with a wide range of targets: hsp65, IS6110, IS1081, IS1245, IS901 and MIRU-VNTR. M. avium avium and M. avium paratuberculosis were the two species identified. Five different profiles were obtained through genotyping, four of which had corresponding INMV (INRA Nouzilly MIRU-VNTR) profiles: INMV 2, INMV 67, INMV 99 and INMV 100. The technique differentiated between the M. avium paratuberculosis isolated from sheep and cattle and expressed a high discriminatory power, proving to be extremely useful for assessing the genetic diversity of the tested animal origin samples and providing comparable information on the general structure and main pathogens belonging to MAC

Preliminary Data Regarding the Nontuberculous Mycobacteria Isolation from Clinical Specimens, from Human PatienTS, in Iași County

The nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) represents a large group ofubiquitous environmental mycobacterial species, with more than 160 members that can pose a threat for human health, especially for the immunocompromised hosts. The aim of the current study was the collection of data regarding the frequency of NTM isolation from human clinical specimens, thus providing preliminary data regarding the infection prevalence in Iași County, Romania.Between May 2015 and March 2017 epidemiological data regarding NTM isolatesin the Bacteriology Laboratory at the Clinical Hospital of Pneumology in Iasi were analyzed. A total of 63 mycobacteria strains were isolated and identified as nontuberculous (by smear microscopy, culture on solid and liquid media and immunochromatographic assay). Out of the total number of samples that were submitted in the laboratory for the diagnosis of tuberculosis, during the studied period, 0.25% of them were identified as NTM. The prevalence for 2015 was estimated at 0.18%, and 0.34% for 2016. Given the challenging diagnostic procedures and the absence of notifiable status of NTM in most European Union countries, the epidemiological situation is broadlyunknown. This emphases the need of regular recording and reporting of NTM isolation frequency for awareness of the risk of associated mycobacterial infections