Food-borne Zoonosis Research Articles

Parasitic pneumonia caused by Paragonimus spp. in a wild Royal Bengal Tiger, Mysuru, South India.

Parasitic pneumonia induced by genus Paragonimus involves many species, which affects both humans and animals and it is a food borne zoonotic disease. In this report, we have described the gross and histopathological findings of Paragonimus fluke infection in lungs of tiger. The postmortem examination of sub adult male wild tiger (Panthera tigris tigris) died in captivity was conducted, earlier which was rescued by Forest Department, Mysuru, Karnataka, India. External examination of carcass revealed pale oral and conjunctival mucous membranes with sunken eye balls. During necropsy, moderate congestion, consolidation and numerous transparent to dark encysted lesions were found in the parenchyma of all lobes of lungs visible grossly on pleural surface. Lungs were hemorrhagic with necrotic foci around the cysts. The incision of encysted lesions revealed the presence of flukes (2-3 in numbers) in each cyst with brownish exudate. The lung tissues with lesions were collected in 10% formalin and haematoxylin and eosin staining was done for histopathological evaluation. The flukes were identified as Paragonimus spp. based on the morphology and micrometry. The histopathological examination revealed presence of longitudinal sections of flukes in bronchial lumen (in pair) with tegument and tegumental spines surrounded by connective tissue capsule as cystic encapsulation and numerous eggs in adjacent lung parenchyma. Necrosis and moderate fibrosis of lung parenchyma with infiltration of polymorphonuclear and mononuclear inflammatory cells were observed around fluke as well as eggs. The squamous cell metaplasia of lining bronchial epithelium and atelectasis of alveoli were also prominently seen.

The in vitro antibacterial activity of Morinda lucida and Acalypha wilkesiana leaf extracts against Campylobacter and Escherichia coli relevant in poultry infections

The most common cause of bacterial diarrhea in humans worldwide is infection with Campylobacter species, particularly Campylobacter jejuni and C. coli. The disease is zoonotic and domestic animals such as poultry, pigs and cattle may act as reservoirs. Colibacillosis is caused by Escherichia coli which is both a food and water borne zoonotic disease from poultry, calves and pigs. The development of resistant strains against the conventional antibiotics has reduced the efficacy of the antibiotics. Therefore, there is urgency to develop drug leads or templates with good activity against these pathogens. The antibacterial activity and safety of acetone, methanol, hot and cold aqueous leaf extracts of Morinda lucida and Acalypha wilkesiana on Campylobacter coli and selected clinical isolates of Escherichia coli was investigated in vitro using serial microdilution and cytotoxicity assays. The MIC values of selected plant extracts against the test organisms generally ranged from 0.03 to 2.50 mg/ml. MIC values of the acetone extracts ranged from 0.03 to 0.46 mg/ml, methanolic extract MICs ranged from 0.15 to 0.78 mg/ml, cold aqueous extract MICs ranged from 0.03 to 2.50 mg/ml while MICs of the hot aqueous extracts ranged from 0.03 to 1.25 mg/ml. The MIC of the positive control, gentamicin, against Campylobacter species ranged from 0.001 to 0.62 mg/ml while those of Escherichia isolates were extremely promising, ranging from 0.0002 to 0.001 mg/ml. The LC50 values of the acetone and cold aqueous extracts of Morinda lucida against the intestinal CaCo‐2 cell line were 0.46 and 0.58 mg/ml respectively while those of acetone, methanolic and hot aqueous extracts of Acalypha wilkesiana were 1.56, 0.11 and 0.19 mg/ml respectively. The selectivity index (SI) values of the acetone extract of Morinda lucida ranged from 2.55 to 9.20 while those of the cold aqueous extracts ranged from 0.23 to 19.33 with the acetone extract having better SI than the cold aqueous extract. The SI values of the acetone extract of Acalypha wilkesiana ranged from 2.22 to 52, methanolic extract ranged from 0.14 to 0.73 and hot aqueous extract ranged from 0.15 to 6.33 with the acetone extract having the best SI relative to cold aqueous, methanolic and hot aqueous extracts of both plant extracts, indicating that the observed antimicrobial activity was not due to toxicity to mammalian cells. These results highlight the potential of Morinda lucida and Acalypha wilkesiana as an alternative for treatment of campylobacteriosis and colibacillosis in poultry. However, in vivo data is necessary to determine the potential usefulness of these plant speciesThis abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2019 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal.

Molecular identification and genetic diversity of Gnathostoma spinigerum larvae in freshwater fishes in southern Lao PDR, Cambodia, and Myanmar.

Gnathostomiasis, an emerging food-borne parasitic zoonosis in Asia, is mainly caused by Gnathostoma spinigerum (Nematoda: Gnathostomatidae). Consumption of raw meat or freshwater fishes in endemic areas is the major risk factor. Throughout Southeast Asia, including Thailand, Lao PDR, Cambodia, and Myanmar, freshwater fish are often consumed raw or undercooked. The risk of this practice for gnathostomiasis infection in Lao PDR, Cambodia, and Myanmar has never been evaluated. Here, we identified larvae of Gnathostoma species contaminating freshwater fishes sold at local markets in these three countries. Public health authorities should advise people living in, or travelling to, these areas to avoid eating raw or undercooked freshwater fishes. Identification of larvae was done using molecular methods: DNA was sequenced from Gnathostoma advanced third-stage larvae recovered from snakehead fishes (Channa striata) and freshwater swamp eels (Monopterus albus). Phylogenetic analysis of a portion of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I gene showed that the G. spinigerum sequences recovered from southern Lao PDR, Cambodia, and Myanmar samples had high similarity to those of G. spinigerum from China. Sequences of the nuclear ribosomal DNA internal transcribed spacer 2 region closely resembled sequences of G. spinigerum from Thailand, Indonesia, the USA, and central Lao PDR. This is the first molecular evidence of G. spinigerum from freshwater fishes in southern Lao PDR, Cambodia, and Myanmar.

Multidrug Resistant Salmonella Isolated from Street Foods in Chittagong, Bangladesh

Aim: The oodles raising of zoonotic multi-drug resistance (MDR) Salmonella spp. during the last decade, especially in developing countries by repeated challenges resulting from increased and indiscriminate use of antimicrobials in food animals, fish and crop production, and human treatments is one of the dismal issues and might have a dire consequence in near future. The nascent MDR Salmonella may also find their way to commonly available street foods in Bangladesh. Therefore, it is imperative to find out the existence of MDR Salmonella in street foods of Bangladesh.
 Study Design: We conducted a cross-sectional study to interrogate the prevalence of Salmonella spp. in street food items and the antimicrobial resistance pattern of isolated Salmonella spp.
 Place and duration of Study: The study was conducted from January to June 2016 in 5 street side markets (Agrabad, Colnel Hat, Alonkar Bazar, Bohderhat Bazar and Riazuddin Bazar) of Chittagong City Corporation (CCC) area of Bangladesh.
 Methodology: Standard microbiological methods were used for isolation and identification of Salmonella spp. from selected street foods. The antibiotic susceptibility tests were conducted by using disc diffusion method with commercially available 11 antimicrobials which are frequently used for medical and veterinary practices in Bangladesh.
 Results: Prevalence of Salmonella spp. were varied from 60% to 78% among the street food items. The study revealed MDR Salmonella (resistance up to 6 of 11 tested antimicrobials) from each of the food items tested. Concerning the degree of resistance, among the isolated Salmonella, the highest resistances (100%) were detected for Ampicillin and Amoxicillin and lowest for Pefloxacin (around 13%). Moreover, the degree of resistance of Salmonella to antimicrobials also varied among the various street food items. 
 Conclusion: The existence of MDR Salmonella notably a high rate in the street foods cues poor hygiene in street food production and it is a major threat for the advent of foodborne zoonoses.

Carcass Salmonella and Its Drug Resistance

Salmonella are the major pathogenic bacteria in humans as well as in animals. Salmonella species are leading causes of acute gastroenteritis in several countries and salmonellosis remains an important public health problem worldwide, particularly in the developing countries. Isolation of Salmonella from a wide range of sources suggests that Salmonella is widespread in food animals and meat products and underlines the necessity for a joint and coordinated surveillance and monitoring programs for salmonellosis and other major food borne zoonotic diseases. Food animals harbor a wide range of Salmonella and so act as sources of contamination, which is of paramount epidemiological importance in non-typhoid human salmonellosis. Salmonellosis is more aggravated by the ever increasing rate of antimicrobial resistance strains in food animals. The high prevalence and dissemination of multidrug resistant (MDR) Salmonella have become a growing public health concern. Multidrug resistant (MDR) strains of Salmonella are now encountered frequently and the rates of multidrug resistance have increased considerably in recent years. Food animal consumption is a potential cause for antimicrobial resistant Salmonella illnesses besides, the common factors such as overcrowding, poverty, inadequate sanitary conditions, and poor personal hygiene. Practicing good sanitary measures, extensive education programs for proper hygiene and improvement of managements are solutions to eliminate the high bacteriological load as well as prevalence of Salmonella in cattle carcass. Furthermore, restricting the use of antimicrobial agents in food animals, designation of multidrug-resistant Salmonella as an adulterant in ground beef, improving the mechanisms for product trace-back investigations and wise and discriminate use of antimicrobials should be practiced to combat the ever increasing situation of antimicrobial resistance. So, this review used for updating information on their prevalence and resistance patterns is very important to suggest the acceptance of the carcass in relation to the standards and for proper selection and use of antimicrobial agents in a setting.

Salmonella Surveillance Systems in Swine and Humans in Spain: A Review.

Non-typhoid salmonellosis is a common and problematic foodborne zoonotic disease in which pork and pork products can be an important potential source of infection. To prevent this disease, important efforts to monitor the situation in the main source, livestock, are conducted in most developed countries. In the European Union, European Food Safety Agency (EFSA) and European Center for Disease Control (ECDC) compile information at the member-state level, even though important differences in production systems and surveillance systems exist. Here, Salmonella surveillance systems in one of the main sources of foodborne salmonellosis, swine, and humans in Spain were reviewed to identify potential gaps and discuss potential ways of integration under a “One-Health” approach. Despite the extensive information generated through the surveillance activities, source attribution can be only routinely performed through ad-hoc outbreak investigations, and national reports on human outbreaks do not provide sufficiently detailed information to gain a better understanding of the epidemiology of the pathogen. Human and animal monitoring of Salmonella would benefit from a better exchange of information and collaboration. Analysis of spatio-temporal trends in livestock and humans could help to identify likely sources of infection and to target surveillance efforts in areas with higher prevalence or where specific strains are found.

Case Report: Sparganosis in Domestic Cat

Sparganosis is one of the food borne zoonotic diseases caused by the plerocercoid larvae (spargana) of the Spirometric genus. Sparganosis cases in five-month-old female cats in Denpasar, Bali were reported by us. Clinical sign of a Spirometric tapeworm infection in the case cat of the fecal consistency is grade 3.5. These findings are reported from animal’s owners who found worms when defecate. Eggs per gram (EPG) 16,900 it shows the intensity of spirometra infection in cat high enough. The Animal were treated with praziquantel 0.5 tablets, given twice with a seven-day interval. Evaluation of the cat after two times treatments for clinical signs of significant changes only from the fecal effusion from grade 3.5 to grade 2 was well formed, does not leave a mark when picked up.

Non-typhoidal Salmonella in the Pig Production Chain: A Comprehensive Analysis of Its Impact on Human Health.

Salmonellosis remains one of the most frequent foodborne zoonosis, constituting a worldwide major public health concern. The most frequent sources of human infections are food products of animal origin, being pork meat one of the most relevant. Currently, particular pig food production well-adapted and persistent Salmonella enterica serotypes (e.g., Salmonella Typhimurium, Salmonella 1,4,[5],12:i:-, Salmonella Derby and Salmonella Rissen) are frequently reported associated with human infections in diverse industrialized countries. The dissemination of those clinically-relevant Salmonella serotypes/clones has been related to the intensification of pig production chain and to an increase in the international trade of pigs and pork meat. Those changes that occurred over the years along the food chain may act as food chain drivers leading to new problems and challenges, compromising the successful control of Salmonella. Among those, the emergence of antibiotic resistance in non-typhoidal Salmonella associated with antimicrobials use in the pig production chain is of special concern for public health. The transmission of pig-related multidrug-resistant Salmonella serotypes, clones and/or genetic elements carrying clinically-relevant antibiotic resistance genes, frequently associated with metal tolerance genes, from pigs and pork meat to humans, has been reported and highlights the contribution of different drivers to the antibiotic resistance burden. Gathered data strengthen the need for global mandatory interventions and strategies for effective Salmonella control and surveillance across the pig production chain. The purpose of this review was to provide an overview of the role of pig and pork meat in human salmonellosis at a global scale, highlighting the main factors contributing to the persistence and dissemination of clinically-relevant pig-related Salmonella serotypes and clones.

Incidence of hepatitis E virus infection among blood donors in a high endemic area of Central Italy.

In Europe, autochthonous hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection is mainly a foodborne zoonosis, but it is also transmitted by blood transfusion. Despite the numerous prevalence surveys, only a few studies have investigated HEV incidence. We aimed to determine HEV incidence and risk factors among blood donors in a hyperendemic area in Central Italy. Of 296 blood donors who had tested HEV negative in two previous seroprevalence surveys in L'Aquila, 198 agreed to undergo at least another blood sampling for estimating HEV incidence nearly 2years after the prevalence surveys. Ten newly acquired infections were detected, yielding an overall incidence of 2.1/100 person-years (95%CI: 1.0-3.9), with an estimated participant's cumulative probability of becoming HEV infected of 6.5% (95%CI: 3.5-12.0) at 4years after enrolment. Seven newly infected blood donors were IgG positive only, two were IgM positive (one also IgG positive) and one was HEV RNA positive only, harbouring subtype 3c. Incident infection was most strongly associated with eating game meat, raw-dried pork liver sausage and raw-dried wild boar sausage. None of these exposures was statistically significant, even if eating raw-dried wild boar sausage approached significance (P=0.06). The HEV incidence we found was considerable compared with other similar studies. The nearly significant association of incident infection with wild boar and other game meat consumption was in agreement with the 3c subtype isolation in the viremic donor. However, beyond eating habits, also other exposure sources are likely important in hyperendemic areas, where incidence and risk exposure studies need to be undertaken for effectively preventing HEV transmission.

Campylobacteriosis: Emphasis on its Status as Foodborne Zoonosis in Ethiopia

Campylobacter is one of the major causes of gastroenteritis in humans. The bacteria is a common component of the intestinal microbiota of numerous wild bird and mammals�?? species, and cause disease in human typically due to ingestion of contaminated food like that of chicken, drinking untreated water or unpasteurized milk and contact with farm animals. Most cases are sporadic with a seasonal peak during the summer. Usually, the disease manifested by fever, abdominal pain, and diarrhea, which usually diagnosed based on the patient�??s history and the symptoms. The case campylobacteriosis was rarely investigated and under-reported in Ethiopia. Therefore, the aims of this paper are to review the nature of Campylobacter spp. and overview its status as a foodborne zoonosis in Ethiopia. Based on the published report from different parts of Ethiopia, thermophilic Campylobacter spp. were isolated from raw meats and feces samples of different domestic animals and human. The highest prevalence reported from chicken meats, and C. jejuni and C. coli were the most prevalence Campylobacter spp. isolated from both the foods of animal origin and human beings. The disease has significantly reported from different parts of the country, though researches do not seem to cover wider geographic areas. Campylobacteriosis control and prevention strategies should focus on prevention of transmission to human beings by implementing strict hygienic control measures along the food chain to improve the hygienic conditions during handling, slaughtering, storage and commercialization of foods.

First report of <i>Paragonimus skrjabini miyazakii</i> metacercariae in <i>Geothelphusa dehaani</i> (Sawagani) occurring in Iwate Prefecture, Japan

Paragonimiasis is an important food-borne zoonosis caused by Paragonimus flukes and is endemic to western Japan. However, there have been few epidemiological studies in the Tohoku district of northeastern Japan. In this study, Paragonimus metacercariae (mc) was detected in Geothelphusa dehaani (Japanese freshwater crab or Sawagani) in Iwate Prefecture. Out of the 207 Sawagani collected from 35 localities, 12 individuals from six localities were infected with Paragonimus mc. The mc were identified as P. skrjabini miyazakii based on the sequences of nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer 2 and mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase I. This is the first report of P. s. miyazakii mc infection in Sawagani in Iwate Prefecture.

Large-scale serological screening of slaughter pigs for Toxoplasma gondii infections in The Netherlands during five years (2012–2016): Trends in seroprevalence over years, seasons, regions and farming systems

Toxoplasma gondii is the causative agent of the parasitic disease toxoplasmosis, which is an important foodborne zoonosis. Eating undercooked meat of infected animals, including pigs, has been considered the major transmission route of T. gondii to humans. Therefore, it is urgent to develop and implement intervention measures in the pork meat chain to reduce risks of acquiring a T. gondii infection. Proposed measures for control of T. gondii in pigs include serological testing of pigs and audits of pig farms on risk factors for T. gondii infection. So far, these ideas have not been tested in practice. In order to generate knowledge about the epidemiology and seroprevalence of T. gondii, as a basis for developing a surveillance system, we studied the long term seroprevalence over years, farming systems and regions, and seasonal patterns of T. gondii seroprevalence in Dutch slaughter pigs. During a five year study period from 2012 to 2016, serum samples were routinely collected in five Dutch pig slaughterhouses. The sera were tested in an ELISA for the presence of antibodies against Toxoplasma. In total 226,340 serum samples were collected and tested during the study period. The observed seroprevalence varied over years, with the highest overall seroprevalence in 2014 (2.8%) and the lowest in 2016 (1.4%). A higher seroprevalence was observed in pigs from organic farms compared to pigs from conventional farms. The overall risk of infection was on average 2.63 times significantly (p < 0.001) higher for organically raised pigs than for conventionally raised pigs. A seasonal pattern in seroprevalence was observed: the results showed a dominant annual periodicity with a seroprevalence peak in winter around week 1 and a minimum seroprevalence in summer around week 27.To our knowledge, this is the first large scale study on the seroprevalence of T. gondii in slaughter pigs. In comparison to other European serological studies, the observed seroprevalence seems to be relatively low. However, care is needed when comparing the results with other studies because of differences in test setup, the number of samples and time period of sampling. The results can be used as a starting point for developing a surveillance system for T. gondii, and for implementation of intervention measures.

Yeni ve Yeniden Önem Kazanan Gıda Kaynaklı Bazı Viral ve Paraziter Zoonozların Epidemiyolojisi

Yeni ve Yeniden Önem Kazanan Gıda Kaynaklı Bazı Viral ve Paraziter Zoonozların Epidemiyolojisi

Epidemiology of taeniosis, cysticercosis and trichinellosis in Iran: A systematic review.

The aim of this review was to establish the current epidemiology of taeniosis, cysticercosis and trichinellosis among humans and animals in Iran by carrying out a comprehensive assessment of published articles reporting on these foodborne zoonotic diseases across the country. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guideline was used in the search for relevant published articles reporting on cysticercosis, taeniosis and trichinellosis in Iran using a number of appropriate key words. The search was conducted through PubMed, Web of Science, Google Scholar, SpringerLink, SCOPUS, WHOLIS, FAO and CDC. Published scientific articles including journals, books and book chapters reporting on cysticercosis, taeniosis and trichinellosis in Iran for the period between 1967 and 2018 were selected. A total of 37 articles met the search criteria and were incorporated in this review. Of these, 10 (27%) reported on human taeniosis, 15 (40.5%) on cysticercosis (10 on Taenia saginata and five on Taenia spp. cysticercosis) and 12 (32.5%) on trichinellosis. T.saginata was implicated in all human taeniosis cases. All Taenia spp. cysticercosis cases were reported among domesticated pigs and wild animals. A case of neurocysticercosis was reported in a male patient at Shohada Hospital in Tehran. Eleven (91.7%) of the 12 studies reported on trichinellosis among wild animals, while one (8.3%) study detected anti-Trichinella IgG in 8 (2.2%) of the 364 at-risk human beings tested. Nevertheless, most of these studies were carried out in northern Iran. This review found T.saginata to be the most prevalent and of greater economic and public health significance in Iran. However, T.solium and Trichinella spp. were of little significance to human health. More studies should focus on other regions besides northern Iran.

Wild Boar: A Reservoir of Foodborne Zoonoses.

Wild boar populations around the world have increased dramatically over past decades. Climate change, generating milder winters with less snow, may affect their spread into northern regions. Wild boars can serve as reservoirs for a number of bacteria, viruses, and parasites, which are transmissible to humans and domestic animals through direct interaction with wild boars, through contaminated food or indirectly through contaminated environment. Disease transmission between wild boars, domestic animals, and humans is an increasing threat to human and animal health, especially in areas with high wild boar densities. This article reviews important foodborne zoonoses, including bacterial diseases (brucellosis, salmonellosis, tuberculosis, and yersiniosis), parasitic diseases (toxoplasmosis and trichinellosis), and the viral hepatitis E. The focus is on the prevalence of these diseases and the causative microbes in wild boars. The role of wild boars in transmitting these pathogens to humans and livestock is also briefly discussed.

Emerging global food pathogens and its public health implication: A review.

Abstract The epidemiology of food borne disease is changing. New pathogens have emerged, and some have spread worldwide. The broad spectrum of food borne infections has changed dramatically over time, as well-established pathogens have been controlled or eliminated, and new ones have emerged. Food pathogens have been a cause of a large number of diseases worldwide and more so in developing countries. This has a major economic impact. The burden of food borne disease remains substantial. Most of these illnesses are not accounted for by known pathogens, so must remain to be discovered. Among the known food borne pathogens, those more recently identified predominate, suggesting that as more and more is learned about pathogens, and they come under control. In addition to the emergence or recognition of new pathogens, other trends include global pandemics of some food borne pathogens, the emergence of antimicrobial resistance, the identification of pathogens that are highly opportunistic, affecting only the most high-risk sub populations, and the increasing identification of large and dispersed outbreaks. Outbreak investigations and case-control studies of sporadic cases can identify sources of infection and guide the development of specific prevention strategies. Better understanding of how pathogens persist in animal reservoirs is also critical to successful long-term prevention. In the past, the central challenge of foodborne disease lay in preventing the contamination of human food with sewage or animal manure. In the future, prevention of foodborne disease will increasingly depend on controlling contamination of feed and water consumed by the animals themselves.Key words: Food, Emergence, Foodborne and Waterborne pathogens and Zoonoses.

Multiplex TaqMan qPCR assay for specific identification of encapsulated Trichinella species prevalent in North America.

BACKGROUND Human trichinellosis is a foodborne parasitic zoonotic disease caused by ingestion of raw or undercooked meat infected with nematode larvae of the genus Trichinella. In the USA, sporadic cases and outbreaks caused by the consumption of wild game meat infected with Trichinella have been reported. The current methods for diagnosis such as serology and microscopy are not specific, may result in false negative results, and cannot differentiate encapsulated Trichinella larvae to species level. The molecular protocols currently available for the differentiation of all encapsulate Trichinella species prevalent in North America have some limitations such as the inability to identify and resolve the presence of several Trichinella species in a single test. OBJECTIVES/METHODS In this study we developed and evaluated a multiplex TaqMan quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) assay, which can simultaneously detect, identify and differentiate all species of encapsulated Trichinella occurring in North America i.e., T. nativa, T. spiralis, T. murrelli and Trichinella T6, even in cases of multiple infection in a single sample. We investigated two human biopsies and 35 wild animal meat samples considered as having a high likelihood of harboring Trichinella larvae obtained from the United States during 2009-2017. FINDINGS Using the multiplex assay describe here, 22 (59%) samples that tested positive contained Trichinella spp., were identified as: T. nativa (n = 7, including a human biopsy), T. spiralis (n = 9, including a human biopsy), T. murrelli (n = 3), Trichinella T6 (n = 1). Results also included two rare mixed infection cases in bears, a T. nativa/T. spiralis from Alaska and a T. spiralis/Trichinella T6 from California. The species identifications were confirmed using a conventional PCR targeting the rRNA ITS1-ITS2 region, followed by DNA sequencing analysis. The estimated limit of detection (LOD) was approximately seven larvae per gram of meat. MAIN CONCLUSIONS Differentiation of Trichinella spp. is needed to improve efforts on identification of case, optimize food safety control and better understand the geographic distribution of Trichinella species. The Trichinella qPCR multiplex proved to be a robust, easy to perform assay and is presented as an improved technique for identification of all known encapsulated species occurring in North America continent.

Novel small molecules affecting cell membrane as potential therapeutics for avian pathogenic Escherichia coli

Avian pathogenic Escherichia coli (APEC), a most common bacterial pathogen of poultry, causes multiple extra-intestinal diseases in poultry which results in significant economic losses to the poultry industry worldwide. In addition, APEC are a subgroup of extra-intestinal pathogenic E. coli (ExPEC), and APEC contaminated poultry products are a potential source of foodborne ExPEC infections to humans and transfer of antimicrobial resistant genes. The emergence of multi-drug resistant APEC strains and the limited efficacy of vaccines necessitate novel APEC control approaches. Here, we screened a small molecule (SM) library and identified 11 SMs bactericidal to APEC. The identified SMs were effective against multiple APEC serotypes, biofilm embedded APEC, antimicrobials resistant APECs, and other pathogenic E. coli strains. Microscopy revealed that these SMs affect the APEC cell membrane. Exposure of SMs to APEC revealed no resistance. Most SMs showed low toxicity towards chicken and human cells and reduced the intracellular APEC load. Treatment with most SMs extended the wax moth larval survival and reduced the intra-larval APEC load. Our studies could facilitate the development of antimicrobial therapeutics for the effective management of APEC infections in poultry as well as other E. coli related foodborne zoonosis, including APEC related ExPEC infections in humans.

Small-scale spatial analysis of intermediate and definitive hosts of Angiostrongylus cantonensis

BackgroundAngiostrongyliasis is a food-borne parasitic zoonosis. Human infection is caused by infection with the third-stage larvae of Angiostrongylus cantonensis. The life cycle of A. cantonensis involves rodents as definitive hosts and molluscs as intermediate hosts. This study aims to investigate on the infection status and characteristics of spatial distribution of these hosts, which are key components in the strategy for the prevention and control of angiostrongyliasis.MethodsThree villages from Nanao Island, Guangdong Province, China, were chosen as study area by stratified random sampling. The density and natural infection of Pomacea canaliculata and various rat species were surveyed every three months from December 2015 to September 2016, with spatial correlations of the positive P. canaliculata and the infection rates analysed by ArcGIS, scan statistics, ordinary least squares (OLS) and geographically weighted regression (GWR) models.ResultsA total of 2192 P. canaliculata specimens were collected from the field, of which 1190 were randomly chosen to be examined for third-stage larvae of A. cantonensis. Seventy-two Angiostrongylus-infected snails were found, which represents a larval infection rate of 6.1% (72/1190). In total, 110 rats including 85 Rattus norvegicus, 10 R. flavipectus, one R. losea and 14 Suncus murinus were captured, and 32 individuals were positive (for adult worms), representing an infection rate of 29.1% of the definitive hosts (32/110). Worms were only found in R. norvegicus and R. flavipectus, representing a prevalence of 36.5% (31/85) and 10% (1/10), respectively in these species, but none in R. losea and S. murinus, despite testing as many as 32 of the latter species. Statistically, spatial correlation and spatial clusters in the spatial distribution of positive P. canaliculata and positive rats existed. Most of the spatial variability of the host infection rates came from spatial autocorrelation. Nine spatial clusters with respect to positive P. canaliculata were identified, but only two correlated to infection rates. The results show that corrected Akaike information criterion, R2, R2 adjusted and σ2 in the GWR model were superior to those in the OLS model.ConclusionsP. canaliculata and rats were widely distributed in Nanao Island and positive infection has also been found in the hosts, demonstrating that there was a risk of angiostrongyliasis in this region of China. The distribution of positive P. canaliculata and rats exhibited spatial correlation, and the GWR model had advantage over the OLS model in the spatial analysis of hosts of A. cantonensis.

Carriage and antimicrobial resistance of non-typhoidal &lt;i&gt;Salmonella&lt;/i&gt; in cattle slaughtered in Ambo municipality abattoir, West Shewa zone, Oromia, Ethiopia - a point prevalence survey

Cattle are reservoir for non-typhoidal Salmonella (NTS) serovars which are important foodborne zoonosis worldwide. A cross-sectional study was undertaken from October, 2015 to May, 2016 to estimate the prevalence and assess antimicrobial susceptibility profiles of NTS isolated from slaughtered cattle following standard microbiological technique. A total of 300 samples (150 mesenteric lymph nodes and 150 feces) from 150 cattle slaughtered at Ambo municipality abattoir were investigated. Standard disc-diffusion method was usedfor antimicrobial susceptibility testing of the isolates. Chi-square and Fisher’s exact tests were used to assess association between NTS prevalence and potential risk factors. An overall NTS prevalence of 8% (95 % confidence interval [CI]: 4.2-13.6%) was found at animal level. At sample level, NTS prevalence of 5.6% (17/300) (95% CI: 3.3-8.9%) was found. Prevalence of NTS in mesenteric lymph nodes and fecal samples was 6.6% and 4.6%, respectively. There was no significant difference in prevalence of NTS with respect to sex, age groups and body condition (p&gt; 0.05). However, significantly higher prevalence was seen in animals from Guder market (12.5%) than Ambo market (1.6%) (p&lt; 0.05). The highest level of antimicrobial resistance was observed for amoxicillin clavulanic acid (100%) and ampicillin (100%) followed by streptomycin (41.1%). Six of the 17 NTS isolates (35.3%) showed multi-drug resistance (MDR) to three or more antimicrobial classes. In conclusion, high percentage of NTS isolates were MDR posing public health threat to consumers. Improved hygiene, education, prudent use of antimicrobials and further large scale epidemiological studies are suggested.Keywords: Antimicrobial resistance; Cattle; Ethiopia; Non-typhoidal Salmonella;Prevalence