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Gardner BR, Bachmann NL, Polkinghorne A, Hufschmid J, Tadepalli M, Marenda M, Graves S, Arnould JPY, Stenos J. A Novel Marine Mammal Coxiella burnetii-Genome Sequencing Identifies a New Genotype with Potential Virulence. Pathogens 2023; 12:893. [PMID: 37513739 PMCID: PMC10386718 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12070893] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2023] [Revised: 06/23/2023] [Accepted: 06/26/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
The obligate intracellular bacterial pathogen Coxiella burnetii has been identified in a few species of marine mammals, some of which are showing population declines. It has been hypothesized that C. burnetii in marine mammals is a distinct genotype that varies significantly from the typical terrestrial genotypes. It appears to lack an IS1111. Isolates originating from Australian marine animals have a distinctly non-Australian profile of multiple-locus variable-number tandem-repeat analysis (MLVA). Extracted Coxiella DNA of Australian fur seal placental origin was sequenced using the Novaseq platform. Illumina 150 bp paired-end reads were filtered and trimmed with Trimgalore. The microbial community present in the sequenced genome was evaluated with Kraken and Bracken software using the NCBI database. A phylogenetic analysis was performed using 1131 core genes. Core genes were identified using Panaroo and inputted into Iqtree to determine the maximum-likelihood tree. A second phylogenetic tree was created using Rickettsiella grylii and using seven housekeeping genes. Results were compared with the C. burnetii Nine Mile RSA439 virulent genome. This new Australian marine mammal isolate of Coxiella (PG457) appears to be a novel genotype that lacks IS1111 and has a distinct MLVA signature (ms26, ms27, ms28, ms30, and ms31). The presence of genes for multiple virulence factors appears to give this genotype sufficient pathogenicity for it to be considered a possible causative agent of abortion in Australian fur seals as well as a potential zoonotic risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brett R Gardner
- Melbourne Veterinary School, The University of Melbourne, Werribee, VIC 3030, Australia
| | | | | | - Jasmin Hufschmid
- Melbourne Veterinary School, The University of Melbourne, Werribee, VIC 3030, Australia
| | - Mythili Tadepalli
- Australian Rickettsial Reference Laboratory, University Hospital Geelong, Geelong, VIC 3220, Australia
| | - Marc Marenda
- Melbourne Veterinary School, The University of Melbourne, Werribee, VIC 3030, Australia
| | - Stephen Graves
- Australian Rickettsial Reference Laboratory, University Hospital Geelong, Geelong, VIC 3220, Australia
| | - John P Y Arnould
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Deakin University, Burwood, VIC 3125, Australia
| | - John Stenos
- Australian Rickettsial Reference Laboratory, University Hospital Geelong, Geelong, VIC 3220, Australia
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Voss L, Huaman J, Pacioni C, Tolpinrud A, Helbig K, Carvalho TG, Firestone SM. Seroprevalence of Coxiella burnetii antibodies in wild deer populations in eastern Australia. Aust Vet J 2023; 101:106-114. [PMID: 36544232 DOI: 10.1111/avj.13223] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2022] [Revised: 11/18/2022] [Accepted: 11/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Coxiella burnetii causes significant reproduction losses in livestock and the disease Q fever in humans. Transmission of C. burnetii is facilitated by the stability of the bacterium in the environment and the susceptibility of a variety of host species to infection. Consequently, inter-species transmission occurs frequently through either direct or indirect contact. Wildlife may represent reservoirs of C. burnetii and could therefore be a source of infection for domestic animals. Understanding the prevalence of C. burnetii infections at the wildlife-livestock interface is important for disease control. This study aimed to investigate the extent of C. burnetii exposure in wild deer in eastern Australia. Serum samples were obtained from 413 wild deer from seven regions in four eastern Australian states from 2017 to 2020. Antibodies were detected using a commercial Q fever antibody kit validated for ruminants. Seroprevalence of C. burnetii antibodies in deer was determined and true prevalence estimated, for each region. The overall seroprevalence of C. burnetii antibodies in wild deer was 3.4% (14 seropositive of 413 deer sampled) with true prevalence estimated to be 4.3% (95% credible interval: 0.6%, 10.9%). Seropositive deer were identified only in Queensland (7/108 seropositive) and northern New South Wales (7/120 seropositive). This geospatial distribution is consistent with seropositivity in other animal species and indicative of the level of C. burnetii in the environment. The low seroprevalence suggests that wild deer are unlikely to be a major reservoir species for C. burnetii in eastern Australia but may still be implicated in inter-species transmission cycles.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Voss
- Melbourne Veterinary School, Faculty of Science, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - J Huaman
- Department of Microbiology, Anatomy, Physiology and Pharmacology, School of Agriculture, Biomedicine and Environment, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - C Pacioni
- Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning, Arthur Rylah Institute for Environmental Research, Heidelberg, Victoria, Australia.,Environmental and Conservation Sciences, Murdoch University, Murdoch, Western Australia, Australia
| | - A Tolpinrud
- Melbourne Veterinary School, Faculty of Science, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - K Helbig
- Department of Microbiology, Anatomy, Physiology and Pharmacology, School of Agriculture, Biomedicine and Environment, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - T G Carvalho
- Department of Microbiology, Anatomy, Physiology and Pharmacology, School of Agriculture, Biomedicine and Environment, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - S M Firestone
- Melbourne Veterinary School, Faculty of Science, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
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Gardner BR, Hufschmid J, Stenos J, Tadepalli M, Sutton G, Fromant A, Eizenberg Y, Geeson JJ, Arnould JPY. Pacific Gulls ( Larus pacificus) as Potential Vectors of Coxiella burnetii in an Australian Fur Seal Breeding Colony. Pathogens 2023; 12:pathogens12010122. [PMID: 36678470 PMCID: PMC9864253 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12010122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2022] [Revised: 12/30/2022] [Accepted: 01/09/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Recently, Coxiella burnetii has been described as a novel pathogen potentially contributing to decreased pup production in Australian fur seals (AusFS, Arctocephalus pusillus doriferus). Pacific gulls (PGs, Larus pacificus) are known to scavenge AusFS placental material during the fur seal breeding season. It is hypothesized that PGs may act as vectors for this pathogen. In the present study, cloacal swabs, oral swabs and serum were collected from PGs on Kanowna Island (KI, an AusFS breeding colony) and a nearby island, Seal Island (SI), not occupied by pinnipeds. All sample sets were evaluated with qPCR for the com1, htpAB and IS1111 markers. Most oral and cloacal swabs from KI tested positive on both the com1 (94.1%; 88.2%) and htpAB targets (76.5%; 76.5%). Amplification was very low from the SI oral swabs and cloacal swabs. Only the KI serum samples had amplification (17.7% for both com1 and htpAB). There was no IS1111 amplification in either colony. The results demonstrate that PGs can potentially act as vectors for the spread of C. burnetii. In some birds, C. burnetii was detectable in the serum, indicating that gulls can experience bacteraemia. It appears that different feeding strategies in the same species within the same ecosystem can have profound effects on the prevalence of pathogens. Further studies are required to better understand the epidemiology and potential risks of this organism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brett R. Gardner
- Melbourne Veterinary School, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3030, Australia
- Correspondence:
| | - Jasmin Hufschmid
- Melbourne Veterinary School, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3030, Australia
| | - John Stenos
- Australian Rickettsial Reference Laboratory, University Hospital Geelong, Bellerine Street, Geelong, VIC 3220, Australia
| | - Mythili Tadepalli
- Australian Rickettsial Reference Laboratory, University Hospital Geelong, Bellerine Street, Geelong, VIC 3220, Australia
| | - Grace Sutton
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC 3125, Australia
| | - Aymeric Fromant
- Centre d’Etudes Biologiques de Chizé (CEBC), UMR 7372 CNRS-La Rochelle Université, 79360 Villiers-en-Bois, France
| | - Yonina Eizenberg
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC 3125, Australia
- Centre d’Etudes Biologiques de Chizé (CEBC), UMR 7372 CNRS-La Rochelle Université, 79360 Villiers-en-Bois, France
| | - Johanna J. Geeson
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC 3125, Australia
| | - John P. Y. Arnould
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC 3125, Australia
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Validation of an Indirect Immunofluorescence Assay and Commercial Q Fever Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay for Use in Macropods. J Clin Microbiol 2022; 60:e0023622. [PMID: 35652310 PMCID: PMC9297833 DOI: 10.1128/jcm.00236-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Kangaroos are considered to be an important reservoir of Q fever in Australia, although there is limited knowledge on the true prevalence and distribution of coxiellosis in Australian macropod populations. Serological tests serve as useful surveillance tools, but formal test validation is needed to be able to estimate true seroprevalence rates, and few tests have been validated to screen wildlife species for Q fever. In this study, we modified and optimized a phase-specific indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA) for the detection of IgG antibodies against Coxiella burnetii in macropod sera. The assay was validated against the commercially available ID Screen Q fever indirect multispecies enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kit (IDVet, Grabels, France) to estimate the diagnostic sensitivity and specificity of each assay, using Bayesian latent class analysis. A direct comparison of the two tests was performed by testing 303 serum samples from 10 macropod populations from the east coast of Australia and New Zealand. The analysis indicated that the IFA had relatively high diagnostic sensitivity (97.6% [95% credible interval [CrI], 88.0 to 99.9]) and diagnostic specificity (98.5% [95% CrI, 94.4 to 99.9]). In comparison, the ELISA had relatively poor diagnostic sensitivity (42.1% [95% CrI, 33.7 to 50.8]) and similar diagnostic specificity (99.2% [95% CrI, 96.4 to 100]) using the cutoff values recommended by the manufacturer. The estimated true seroprevalence of C. burnetii exposure in the macropod populations included in this study ranged from 0% in New Zealand and Victoria, Australia, up to 94.2% in one population from New South Wales, Australia.
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Clune T, Lockwood A, Hancock S, Thompson AN, Beetson S, Bruce M, Campbell AJ, Glanville E, Brookes D, Trengove C, O'Handley R, Jacobson C. Seropositivity to Coxiella burnetii in primiparous and multiparous ewes from southern Australia: A cross-sectional study. Comp Immunol Microbiol Infect Dis 2021; 80:101727. [PMID: 34875542 DOI: 10.1016/j.cimid.2021.101727] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2021] [Revised: 11/23/2021] [Accepted: 11/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
The role of infectious diseases including coxiellosis in causing poorer reproductive performance of primiparous ewes are not well studied. The aims of this study were to determine if natural exposure to Coxiella burnetii is widespread in breeding ewes and whether seropositivity is associated with poor reproductive performance of primiparous ewes. Seropositivity to Coxiella burnetii was 0.08% (CI95% 0.01, 0.36) in primiparous ewes and 0.36% (CI95% 0.07, 1.14) in mature ewes. Coxiella burnetii was not detected in aborted or stillborn lambs using qPCR. These findings suggest C. burnetii infection was unlikely to be an important contributor to abortion and perinatal mortalities observed for primiparous ewe flocks, and exposure to C. burnetii was not widespread in ewes on farms located over wide geographical region of southern Australia. Whilst ewes on these farms were not an important reservoir for C. burnetii, sporadic zoonotic transmission from sheep is reported and has public health implications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tom Clune
- Centre for Animal Production and Health, Food Futures Institute, Murdoch University, South Street, Murdoch, Western Australia 6150, Australia
| | - Amy Lockwood
- Centre for Animal Production and Health, Food Futures Institute, Murdoch University, South Street, Murdoch, Western Australia 6150, Australia
| | - Serina Hancock
- Centre for Animal Production and Health, Food Futures Institute, Murdoch University, South Street, Murdoch, Western Australia 6150, Australia
| | - Andrew N Thompson
- Centre for Animal Production and Health, Food Futures Institute, Murdoch University, South Street, Murdoch, Western Australia 6150, Australia
| | - Sue Beetson
- Centre for Animal Production and Health, Food Futures Institute, Murdoch University, South Street, Murdoch, Western Australia 6150, Australia
| | - Mieghan Bruce
- Centre for Animal Production and Health, Food Futures Institute, Murdoch University, South Street, Murdoch, Western Australia 6150, Australia; Centre for Biosecurity and One Health, Harry Butler Institute, Murdoch University, South Street, Murdoch, Western Australia 6150, Australia
| | - Angus J Campbell
- Nossal Institute for Global Health, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne, Victoria 3010, Australia; Mackinnon Project, Faculty of Veterinary & Agricultural Sciences, University of Melbourne, Werribee, Victoria 3030, Australia
| | - Elsa Glanville
- Mackinnon Project, Faculty of Veterinary & Agricultural Sciences, University of Melbourne, Werribee, Victoria 3030, Australia
| | - Daniel Brookes
- Mackinnon Project, Faculty of Veterinary & Agricultural Sciences, University of Melbourne, Werribee, Victoria 3030, Australia
| | - Colin Trengove
- School of Animal and Veterinary Science, Adelaide University, Roseworthy, South Australia 5371, Australia
| | - Ryan O'Handley
- School of Animal and Veterinary Science, Adelaide University, Roseworthy, South Australia 5371, Australia
| | - Caroline Jacobson
- Centre for Animal Production and Health, Food Futures Institute, Murdoch University, South Street, Murdoch, Western Australia 6150, Australia.
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Sabzevari S, Shoraka H, Seyyedin M. Seroepidemiological survey of brucellosis and Q fever among high-risk occupations in northeast of Iran for first time. IRANIAN JOURNAL OF MICROBIOLOGY 2021; 13:325-336. [PMID: 34540171 PMCID: PMC8416582 DOI: 10.18502/ijm.v13i3.6395] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Brucellosis and Q fever are considered as occupational hazards to people in contact with domestic animals or their carcasses. The present cross-sectional study was carried out to determine the seroprevalence of brucellosis and Q fever among professions at risk in the North Khorasan Province, northeastern Iran during 2020. Materials and Methods: In this study, 185 sera samples were collected from butchers, slaughterhouse workers, farmers, and veterinarians in different counties of the province. The collected sera were tested by ELISA test for the detection of IgG antibodies against Coxiella burnetii and Brucella spp. A questionnaire was filled for each participant to investigate demographic characteristics information (i.e., age, gender, educational status, occupation, years of occupational experience, and location), and any exposure to risk factors (animals Keeping, consumption of unpasteurized dairy products, exposure to ill or dead animals, tick bite, splashing animal fluids, travel history, and use of personal protective equipment) that could be associated with these infections. Results: The seroprevalence of antibodies against C. burnetii and Brucella spp. were 17.2% and 19.4%, respectively. Twelve participants also had Q fever and brucellosis co-infection, with a prevalence of 6.4%. Conclusion: Based on the results, it is concluded that brucellosis and Q fever occur among the high-risk populations in this area and it needs more surveillance to control the diseases by public health and veterinary authorities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sadaf Sabzevari
- Vector-Borne Disease Research Center, North Khorasan University of Medical Sciences, Bojnurd, Iran.,Preclinical Core Facility, Infection Preclinical Imaging Group, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Hamidreza Shoraka
- Vector-Borne Disease Research Center, North Khorasan University of Medical Sciences, Bojnurd, Iran
| | - Mohammad Seyyedin
- Department of Quality Control, Razi Vaccine and Serum Research Institute, Agricultural Research Education And Extention Organization, Mashhad Branch, Mashhad, Iran
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Clark NJ, Tozer S, Wood C, Firestone SM, Stevenson M, Caraguel C, Chaber AL, Heller J, Soares Magalhães RJ. Unravelling animal exposure profiles of human Q fever cases in Queensland, Australia, using natural language processing. Transbound Emerg Dis 2020; 67:2133-2145. [PMID: 32259390 DOI: 10.1111/tbed.13565] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2019] [Revised: 02/11/2020] [Accepted: 03/28/2020] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Q fever, caused by the zoonotic bacterium Coxiella burnetii, is a globally distributed emerging infectious disease. Livestock are the most important zoonotic transmission sources, yet infection in people without livestock exposure is common. Identifying potential exposure pathways is necessary to design effective interventions and aid outbreak prevention. We used natural language processing and graphical network methods to provide insights into how Q fever notifications are associated with variation in patient occupations or lifestyles. Using an 18-year time-series of Q fever notifications in Queensland, Australia, we used topic models to test whether compositions of patient answers to follow-up exposure questionnaires varied between demographic groups or across geographical areas. To determine heterogeneity in possible zoonotic exposures, we explored patterns of livestock and game animal co-exposures using Markov Random Fields models. Finally, to identify possible correlates of Q fever case severity, we modelled patient probabilities of being hospitalized as a function of particular exposures. Different demographic groups consistently reported distinct sets of exposure terms and were concentrated in different areas of the state, suggesting the presence of multiple transmission pathways. Macropod exposure was commonly reported among Q fever cases, even when exposure to cattle, sheep or goats was absent. Males, older patients and those that reported macropod exposure were more likely to be hospitalized due to Q fever infection. Our study indicates that follow-up surveillance combined with text modelling is useful for unravelling exposure pathways in the battle to reduce Q fever incidence and associated morbidity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas J Clark
- UQ Spatial Epidemiology Laboratory, School of Veterinary Science, The University of Queensland, Qld, Australia
| | - Sarah Tozer
- Queensland Centre for Gynaecological Cancer, The University of Queensland, Qld, Australia
| | - Caitlin Wood
- UQ Spatial Epidemiology Laboratory, School of Veterinary Science, The University of Queensland, Qld, Australia
| | - Simon M Firestone
- Melbourne Veterinary School, Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Vic., Australia
| | - Mark Stevenson
- Melbourne Veterinary School, Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Vic., Australia
| | - Charles Caraguel
- School of Animal and Veterinary Science, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Anne-Lise Chaber
- School of Animal and Veterinary Science, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Jane Heller
- Graham Centre for Agricultural Innovation, School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Charles Sturt University, Wagga, NSW, Australia
| | - Ricardo J Soares Magalhães
- UQ Spatial Epidemiology Laboratory, School of Veterinary Science, The University of Queensland, Qld, Australia
- Children's Health and Environment Program, Child Health Research Centre, The University of Queensland, Qld, Australia
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Tozer S, Wood C, Si D, Nissen M, Sloots T, Lambert S. The improving state of Q fever surveillance. A review of Queensland notifications, 2003-2017. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2020; 44. [PMID: 32536338 DOI: 10.33321/cdi.2020.44.48] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Q fever is a notifiable zoonotic disease in Australia, caused by infection with Coxiella burnetii. This study has reviewed 2,838 Q fever notifications reported in Queensland between 2003 and 2017 presenting descriptive analyses, with counts, rates, and proportions. For this study period, Queensland accounted for 43% of the Australian national Q fever notifications. Enhanced surveillance follow-up of Q fever cases through Queensland Public Health Units was implemented in 2012, which improved the data collected for occupational risk exposures and animal contacts. For 2013-2017, forty-nine percent (377/774) of cases with an identifiable occupational group would be considered high risk for Q fever. The most common identifiable occupational group was agricultural/farming (31%). For the same period, at-risk environmental exposures were identified in 82% (961/1,170) of notifications; at-risk animal-related exposures were identified in 52% (612/1,170) of notifications; abattoir exposure was identified in 7% of notifications. This study has shown that the improved follow-up of Q fever cases since 2012 has been effective in the identification of possible exposure pathways for Q fever transmission. This improved surveillance has highlighted the need for further education and heightened awareness of Q fever risk for all people living in Queensland, not just those in previously-considered high risk occupations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Tozer
- Centre for Children's Health Research, Queensland Paediatric Infectious Disease Laboratory, Lady Cilento Research Precinct, South Brisbane, Queensland; Children's Health Research Centre, University of Queensland, South Brisbane, Queensland; The University of Queensland, School of Veterinary Science, Gatton, Queensland
| | - Caitlin Wood
- Centre for Children's Health Research, Queensland Paediatric Infectious Disease Laboratory, Lady Cilento Research Precinct, South Brisbane, Queensland; The University of Queensland, School of Veterinary Science, Gatton, Queensland
| | - Damin Si
- Communicable Diseases Branch, Prevention Division, Department of Health, Queensland Government
| | - Michael Nissen
- Children's Health Research Centre, University of Queensland, South Brisbane, Queensland; Director of Scientific Affairs & Public Health, GSK Vaccines Intercontinental, Singapore
| | - Theo Sloots
- Centre for Children's Health Research, Queensland Paediatric Infectious Disease Laboratory, Lady Cilento Research Precinct, South Brisbane, Queensland; Children's Health Research Centre, University of Queensland, South Brisbane, Queensland
| | - Stephen Lambert
- Children's Health Research Centre, University of Queensland, South Brisbane, Queensland
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Rahaman MR, Milazzo A, Marshall H, Bi P. Spatial, temporal, and occupational risks of Q fever infection in South Australia, 2007-2017. J Infect Public Health 2019; 13:544-551. [PMID: 31706842 DOI: 10.1016/j.jiph.2019.10.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2019] [Revised: 09/20/2019] [Accepted: 10/03/2019] [Indexed: 10/25/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The burden of Q fever on at risk population groups in Australia is substantial, despite the availability of a vaccine. Our objectives were to: (a) describe the epidemiology of notified Q fever cases in South Australia (SA), (b) identify if Q fever infection is associated with occupational exposure, and (c) detect the possible spatial and temporal association of Q fever with livestock density. METHODS Laboratory confirmed Q fever notifications from January 2007 to December 2017 were obtained from the SA Health Department. Q fever notification rates and incidence rate ratios were calculated for gender, notification year, age group, occupation category, and primary exposure suburb. Spatial mapping and analysis of Q fever notifications was undertaken using livestock data, and abattoirs and saleyards located in SA. RESULTS During the study period 167 Q fever cases were notified. Males predominated (72%), with higher rates observed in the 21-40year age group (1.52/100,000), and eight cases (5%) reported prior Q fever vaccination. Most frequently listed occupation categories were livestock farmers (35%), and abattoir workers (20%), but in 15% of cases, there was no known occupational risk. Highest notifications (22%) were recorded in the suburb containing an abattoir. The number of goats, cattle and sheep was not associated with Q fever notifications. CONCLUSIONS Q fever predominance among males in their twenties and thirties may indicate vaccination under-coverage among the young workforce possibly due to high turnover of workers. Q fever among those vaccinated raises concerns about vaccine efficacy or potential waning immunity. Our findings are consistent with previous studies highlighting abattoir workers as a high-risk occupational group because of its transient workforce, and low vaccination coverage. Q fever notifications in SA may be unrelated with spatial livestock density. Further One Health research involving veterinary, public health and environmental data is required.
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Affiliation(s)
- Md R Rahaman
- School of Public Health, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia 5005, Australia.
| | - Adriana Milazzo
- School of Public Health, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia 5005, Australia.
| | - Helen Marshall
- Adelaide Medical School and Robinson Research Institute, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia 5005, Australia.
| | - Peng Bi
- School of Public Health, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia 5005, Australia.
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Canevari JT, Firestone SM, Vincent G, Campbell A, Tan T, Muleme M, Cameron AWN, Stevenson MA. The prevalence of Coxiella burnetii shedding in dairy goats at the time of parturition in an endemically infected enterprise and associated milk yield losses. BMC Vet Res 2018; 14:353. [PMID: 30453951 PMCID: PMC6245909 DOI: 10.1186/s12917-018-1667-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2018] [Accepted: 10/23/2018] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Background This was a panel study of the prevalence of C. burnetii infection in does in an endemic dairy goat enterprise in Victoria, Australia. Our first objective was to determine the prevalence of does shedding C. burnetii at the time of parturition and to quantify the concentration of genome equivalents (GE) present in each C. burnetii positive sample. Our second objective was to determine the proportion of positive does that were persistent shedders. Our final objective was to quantify the association between C. burnetii qPCR status at the time of kidding and daily milk volumes produced during the subsequent lactation. Results Vaginal swabs (n= 490) were collected from does at the time of kidding and analysed using a quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) assay. Shedding of C. burnetii was detected in 15% (95% CI: 12% to 18%) of the sampled does. Does were classified as qPCR-negative, qPCR-positive low and qPCR-positive high based on the estimated concentration of GE from the qPCR. Persistent shedding at relatively low concentrations was detected in 20% (95% CI: 10% to35%) of shedding does sampled again at their subsequent parturition. After controlling for possible confounders and adjusting for variation in daily milk yields at the individual doe level, daily milk yields for qPCR-positive high does were reduced by 17% (95% CI: 3% to 32%) compared to qPCR-negative does (p= 0.02). Conclusions Shedding concentrations of C. burnetii were highly skewed, with a relatively small group of does shedding relatively high quantities of C. burnetii. Further, high shedding does had reduced milk yields compared to qPCR-negative does. Early detection and culling of high shedding does would result in increased farm profitability and reduce the risk of Q fever transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- José T Canevari
- Asia-Pacific Centre for Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Corner Park Drive and Flemington Road, Parkville Victoria, 3010, Australia. .,Instituto de Investigación Animal del Chaco Semiárido, INTA, Leales, Tucumán, 4113, Argentina.
| | - Simon M Firestone
- Asia-Pacific Centre for Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Corner Park Drive and Flemington Road, Parkville Victoria, 3010, Australia
| | - Gemma Vincent
- Australian Rickettsial Reference Laboratory, Ballerine Street, Geelong Victoria, 3220, Australia
| | - Angus Campbell
- Asia-Pacific Centre for Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Corner Park Drive and Flemington Road, Parkville Victoria, 3010, Australia
| | - Tabita Tan
- Asia-Pacific Centre for Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Corner Park Drive and Flemington Road, Parkville Victoria, 3010, Australia
| | - Michael Muleme
- Asia-Pacific Centre for Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Corner Park Drive and Flemington Road, Parkville Victoria, 3010, Australia
| | | | - Mark A Stevenson
- Asia-Pacific Centre for Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Corner Park Drive and Flemington Road, Parkville Victoria, 3010, Australia
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Jackson AE. In this issue - June 2018: Diversity of Haemophilus parasuis isolates from Australian piggeries · Detection of bovine noroviruses in Australian dairy cattle · Myocardial adenomatoid tumour in a calf · Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in a horse · A history of. Aust Vet J 2018. [DOI: 10.1111/avj.12708] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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Bond KA, Franklin LJ, Sutton B, Firestone SM. Q-Vax Q fever vaccine failures, Victoria, Australia 1994-2013. Vaccine 2017; 35:7084-7087. [PMID: 29132996 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2017.10.088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2017] [Revised: 10/12/2017] [Accepted: 10/30/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Q-Vax®, a whole cell formalin inactivated vaccine, is currently the only licensed Q fever vaccine for humans world-wide. Efficacy is high, although vaccine failures have been described for those vaccinated within the incubation of a naturally acquired infection. In Australia, it is widely used to prevent occupational acquisition of Q fever and is the mainstay for outbreak control. A retrospective review of all notified cases of acute Q fever to the Victorian department of health, 1993-2013, revealed 34 of 659 cases were previously vaccinated and 10 cases were positive on pre-vaccination screening, precluding vaccination. Twenty-one cases described high-risk exposures for C. burnetii prior to and within 15 days post vaccination and are likely to have been vaccinated within the incubation period of a natural infection. Thirteen cases described symptom onset more than 15 days post vaccination and thus may represent the first described series of Q-Vax vaccine failures following appropriate vaccination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine A Bond
- Communicable Disease Section, Health Protection Branch, Department of Health and Human Services, Victoria, Australia; Infectious Diseases Department, Austin Health, Australia.
| | - Lucinda J Franklin
- Communicable Disease Section, Health Protection Branch, Department of Health and Human Services, Victoria, Australia
| | - Brett Sutton
- Communicable Disease Section, Health Protection Branch, Department of Health and Human Services, Victoria, Australia
| | - Simon M Firestone
- Asia-Pacific Centre for Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Australia.
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