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Xu L, Wang Q, Yang R, Ganbold D, Tsogbadrakh N, Dong K, Liu M, Altantogtokh D, Liu Q, Undrakhbold S, Boldgiv B, Liang W, Stenseth NC. Climate-driven marmot-plague dynamics in Mongolia and China. Sci Rep 2023; 13:11906. [PMID: 37488160 PMCID: PMC10366125 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-38966-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2023] [Accepted: 07/18/2023] [Indexed: 07/26/2023] Open
Abstract
The incidence of plague has rebounded in the Americas, Asia, and Africa alongside rapid globalization and climate change. Previous studies have shown local climate to have significant nonlinear effects on plague dynamics among rodent communities. We analyzed an 18-year database of plague, spanning 1998 to 2015, in the foci of Mongolia and China to trace the associations between marmot plague and climate factors. Our results suggested a density-dependent effect of precipitation and a geographic location-dependent effect of temperature on marmot plague. That is, a significantly positive relationship was evident between risk of plague and precipitation only when the marmot density exceeded a certain threshold. The geographical heterogeneity of the temperature effect and the contrasting slopes of influence for the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau (QTP) and other regions in the study (nQTP) were primarily related to diversity of climate and landscape types.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Xu
- Vanke School of Public Health, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
| | - Qian Wang
- Vanke School of Public Health, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
| | - Ruifu Yang
- Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing, 100071, China
| | - Dalantai Ganbold
- National Center for Zoonotic Diseases, Ulaanbaatar, 211137, Mongolia
| | | | - Kaixing Dong
- Vanke School of Public Health, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
| | - Min Liu
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing, 100191, China
| | | | - Qiyong Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Changping, Beijing, 102206, China
| | - Sainbileg Undrakhbold
- Professional Biological Society of Mongolia, Ulaanbaatar, 14201, Mongolia
- Department of Biology, National University of Mongolia, Ulaanbaatar, 14201, Mongolia
| | - Bazartseren Boldgiv
- Department of Biology, National University of Mongolia, Ulaanbaatar, 14201, Mongolia.
| | - Wannian Liang
- Vanke School of Public Health, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China.
| | - Nils Chr Stenseth
- Vanke School of Public Health, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China.
- The Centre for Pandemics and One-Health Research, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway.
- Centre for Ecological and Evolutionary Synthesis, Department of Biosciences, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway.
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2
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Li H, Liang Y, Dong L, Li C, Zhang L, Wang B, Ma D, Mu Q, Wang J, Hou H, Liu Q. Predicting global potential distribution of Peromyscopsylla hesperomys and Orchopeas sexdentatus and risk assessment for invading China under climate change. Front Public Health 2023; 10:1018327. [PMID: 36684875 PMCID: PMC9850084 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2022.1018327] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2022] [Accepted: 11/28/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Peromyscopsylla hesperomys and Orchopeas sexdentatus are regarded to be representative plague vectors in the United States. The incidence of plague is rising globally, possibly due to climate change and environmental damage. Environmental factors such as temperature and precipitation have a significant impact on the temporal and spatial distribution of plague vectors. Methods Maximum entropy models (MaxEnt) were utilized to predict the distributions of these two fleas and their trends into the future. The main environmental factors influencing the distribution of these two fleas were analyzed. A risk assessment system was constructed to calculate the invasion risk values of the species. Results Temperature has a significant effect on the distribution of the potentially suitable areas for P. hesperomys and O. sexdentatus. They have the potential to survive in suitable areas of China in the future. The risk assessment system indicated that the risk level for the invasion of these two species into China was moderate. Conclusion In order to achieve early detection, early interception, and early management, China should perfect its monitoring infrastructure and develop scientific prevention and control strategies to prevent the invasion of foreign flea vectors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongyun Li
- School of Public Health, Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, China
- State Key Laboratory of Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China
| | - Ying Liang
- State Key Laboratory of Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China
| | - Li Dong
- State Key Laboratory of Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China
- School of Public Health, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Cancan Li
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Clinical Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Lu Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China
| | - Bin Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China
- School of Public Health, Jiamusi University, Jiamusi, China
| | - Delong Ma
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Shizhong Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Jinan, China
| | - Qunzheng Mu
- State Key Laboratory of Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China
| | - Jun Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China
| | - Haifeng Hou
- School of Public Health and The Second Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University, Taian, China
| | - Qiyong Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China
- Shandong University Climate Change and Health Center, School of Public Health, Shandong University, Jinan, China
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Yang X, Han L, Wang Y, Guo C, Zhang Z. Revealing the real-time diversity and abundance of small mammals by using an Intelligent Animal Monitoring System (IAMS). Integr Zool 2022; 17:1121-1135. [PMID: 35636745 DOI: 10.1111/1749-4877.12664] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
It is challenging to reveal the real-time spatio-temporal change of diversity and abundance of animals in natural systems by using traditional methods. The rapid advancement of new technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT), artificial intelligence (AI), and big-data processing, provide opportunities for developing novel technologies for monitoring biodiversity and population abundance of animals with high efficacy and accuracy. In this study, by using a recently developed Intelligent Animal Monitoring System (IAMS), named "Vector Intelligent Monitoring System (VIMS)", we investigated the real-time diversity and abundance of small mammals in the Banruosi forest, Dujiangyan region, southwest China. To make a comparison of the VIMS with traditional methods, we also surveyed the diversity and abundance of small mammals using wired live traps. Compared to live traps, the VIMS has several advantages such as automatic data collection, intelligent identification of species, data visualization, whole-day and all-weather operation, little disturbance to animals, real-time monitoring, and is capable of revealing more small mammal species. However, the VIMS also has several disadvantages over live traps such as lower trapping efficiency and being more expensive than live traps. Our results suggest that the VIMS can be a complementary method to traditional ones in monitoring the real-time spatio-temporal change of diversity and abundance of small mammals (especially rare species). In addition, the VIMS is useful in monitoring other small animals like small carnivores, birds, amphibians, and reptiles. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xifu Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents in Agriculture, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Liliang Han
- Tsinghua -Qingdao Big Data Engineering Research Center, Qingdao, China.,Key Laboratory of Agro-ecological Processes in Subtropical Region, Institute of Subtropical Agriculture, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changsha, China
| | - Yong Wang
- Key Laboratory of Agro-ecological Processes in Subtropical Region, Institute of Subtropical Agriculture, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changsha, China
| | - Cong Guo
- College of Life Science, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Zhibin Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents in Agriculture, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,CAS Center for Excellence in Biotic Interactions, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
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Bezerra MF, Xavier CC, de Almeida AMP, Reis CRDS. Evaluation of a multi-species Protein A-ELISA assay for plague serologic diagnosis in humans and other mammal hosts. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2022; 16:e0009805. [PMID: 35551520 PMCID: PMC9129028 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0009805] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2021] [Revised: 05/24/2022] [Accepted: 04/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The Hemagglutination assay (HA) is widely used in plague diagnosis, however, it has a subjective interpretation and demands high amounts of antigen and other immunobiological supplies. On the other hand, the conventional Anti-IgG ELISA is limited by the need of specific conjugates for multiple plague hosts, which leaves a gap for new diagnostic methods able to cover both the diagnosis of human cases and the epidemiological surveillance of multiple sentinel species. Methods We developed an ELISA Protein A-peroxidase method to detect anti-F1 antibodies across several species, including humans. To determine the cut-off and performance rates, HA results from 288 samples (81 rabbits, 64 humans, 66 rodents and 77 dogs) were used as reference. Next, we evaluated the agreement between Protein A-ELISA and Anti-IgG ELISA in an expanded sample set (n = 487). Results Optimal conditions were found with 250ng/well of F1 and 1:500 serum dilution. Protein A-ELISA showed high repeatability and reproducibility. We observed good correlation rates between the Protein A and IgG ELISAs optical densities and a higher positive/negative OD ratio for the Protein A-ELISA method. The overall sensitivity, specificity and area under the curve for Protein A-ELISA were 94%, 99% and 0.99, respectively. Similar results were observed for each species separately. In the analysis of the expanded sample set, there was a strong agreement between Protein A and IgG assays (kappa = 0.97). Furthermore, there was no cross-reaction with other common infectious diseases, such as dengue, Zika, Chagas disease, tuberculosis (humans) and ehrlichiosis, anaplasmosis and leishmaniasis (dogs). Conclusions Altogether, the Protein A-ELISA showed high performance when compared both to HA and Anti-IgG ELISA, with a polyvalent single protocol that requires reduced amounts of antigen and can be employed to any plague hosts. Here, we developed and evaluated an ELISA diagnostic test based on the Protein A-peroxidase conjugate that allows the test to be used for plague laboratorial diagnosis not only in humans, but also in a wide range of mammalian species. This particularity is specifically important for plague epidemiological surveillance, given that Yersinia pestis, the causative agent of plague, have a long list of animal reservoirs across distinct ecosystems. Briefly, we first evaluated the best reaction parameters, such as antigen concentration, serum and protein A-conjugate dilutions. Next, we used serum samples from humans, dogs, rodents and rabbits (n = 288) with known results for plague serology by a conventional method, to evaluate the performance of the new Protein A-ELISA test. We observed a good performance of the novel Protein A-ELISA test, with high sensitivity and specificity rates. Evaluation of the coefficient of variation revealed that the test measurements suffer little variation, and therefore, has high repeatability and reproducibility. Next, by evaluating 487 samples, we observed a high degree of concordance between the Protein A-ELISA with a conventional IgG-based ELISA. Furthermore, this test showed no significant cross-reaction with other common infectious diseases. Altogether, the Protein A-ELISA showed high performance when compared both to HA and Anti-IgG ELISA, with a single protocol that requires reduced amounts of antigen and can be employed to several plague hosts.
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Khan N, Sasmal A, Khedri Z, Secrest P, Verhagen A, Srivastava S, Varki N, Chen X, Yu H, Beddoe T, Paton AW, Paton JC, Varki A. Sialoglycan binding patterns of bacterial AB5 toxin B subunits correlate with host range and toxicity, indicating evolution independent of A subunits. J Biol Chem 2022; 298:101900. [PMID: 35398357 PMCID: PMC9120245 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2022.101900] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2022] [Accepted: 03/31/2022] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Many pathogenic bacteria secrete AB5 toxins that can be virulence factors. Cytotoxic A subunits are delivered to the cytosol following B subunit binding to specific host cell surface glycans. Some B subunits are not associated with A subunits, for example, YpeB of Yersinia pestis, the etiologic agent of plague. Plague cannot be eradicated because of Y. pestis' adaptability to numerous hosts. We previously showed selective binding of other B5 pentamers to a sialoglycan microarray, with sialic acid (Sia) preferences corresponding to those prominently expressed by various hosts, for example, N-acetylneuraminic acid (Neu5Ac; prominent in humans) or N-glycolylneuraminic acid (Neu5Gc; prominent in ruminant mammals and rodents). Here, we report that A subunit phylogeny evolved independently of B subunits and suggest a future B subunit nomenclature based on bacterial species names. We also found via phylogenetic analysis of B subunits, which bind Sias, that homologous molecules show poor correlation with species phylogeny. These data indicate ongoing lateral gene transfers between species, including mixing of A and B subunits. Consistent with much broader host range of Y. pestis, we show that YpeB recognizes all mammalian Sia types, except for 4-O-acetylated ones. Notably, YpeB alone causes dose-dependent cytotoxicity, which is abolished by a mutation (Y77F) eliminating Sia recognition, suggesting that cell proliferation and death are promoted via lectin-like crosslinking of cell surface sialoglycoconjugates. These findings help explain the host range of Y. pestis and could be important for pathogenesis. Overall, our data indicate ongoing rapid evolution of both host Sias and pathogen toxin-binding properties.
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6
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Carlson CJ, Bevins SN, Schmid BV. Plague risk in the western United States over seven decades of environmental change. GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY 2022; 28:753-769. [PMID: 34796590 PMCID: PMC9299200 DOI: 10.1111/gcb.15966] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2021] [Accepted: 09/04/2021] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
Abstract
After several pandemics over the last two millennia, the wildlife reservoirs of plague (Yersinia pestis) now persist around the world, including in the western United States. Routine surveillance in this region has generated comprehensive records of human cases and animal seroprevalence, creating a unique opportunity to test how plague reservoirs are responding to environmental change. Here, we test whether animal and human data suggest that plague reservoirs and spillover risk have shifted since 1950. To do so, we develop a new method for detecting the impact of climate change on infectious disease distributions, capable of disentangling long-term trends (signal) and interannual variation in both weather and sampling (noise). We find that plague foci are associated with high-elevation rodent communities, and soil biochemistry may play a key role in the geography of long-term persistence. In addition, we find that human cases are concentrated only in a small subset of endemic areas, and that spillover events are driven by higher rodent species richness (the amplification hypothesis) and climatic anomalies (the trophic cascade hypothesis). Using our detection model, we find that due to the changing climate, rodent communities at high elevations have become more conducive to the establishment of plague reservoirs-with suitability increasing up to 40% in some places-and that spillover risk to humans at mid-elevations has increased as well, although more gradually. These results highlight opportunities for deeper investigation of plague ecology, the value of integrative surveillance for infectious disease geography, and the need for further research into ongoing climate change impacts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Colin J. Carlson
- Center for Global Health Science and SecurityGeorgetown University Medical CenterWashingtonDistrict of ColumbiaUSA
| | - Sarah N. Bevins
- US Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service–Wildlife Services National Wildlife Research CenterFort CollinsColoradoUSA
| | - Boris V. Schmid
- Centre for Ecological and Evolutionary SynthesisDepartment of BiosciencesUniversity of OsloOsloNorway
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Rosario-Acevedo R, Biryukov SS, Bozue JA, Cote CK. Plague Prevention and Therapy: Perspectives on Current and Future Strategies. Biomedicines 2021; 9:1421. [PMID: 34680537 PMCID: PMC8533540 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines9101421] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2021] [Revised: 09/27/2021] [Accepted: 10/04/2021] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Plague, caused by the bacterial pathogen Yersinia pestis, is a vector-borne disease that has caused millions of human deaths over several centuries. Presently, human plague infections continue throughout the world. Transmission from one host to another relies mainly on infected flea bites, which can cause enlarged lymph nodes called buboes, followed by septicemic dissemination of the pathogen. Additionally, droplet inhalation after close contact with infected mammals can result in primary pneumonic plague. Here, we review research advances in the areas of vaccines and therapeutics for plague in context of Y. pestis virulence factors and disease pathogenesis. Plague continues to be both a public health threat and a biodefense concern and we highlight research that is important for infection mitigation and disease treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Christopher K. Cote
- Bacteriology Division, United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases (USAMRIID), Fort Detrick, MD 21702, USA; (R.R.-A.); (S.S.B.); (J.A.B.)
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8
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Barbieri R, Signoli M, Chevé D, Costedoat C, Tzortzis S, Aboudharam G, Raoult D, Drancourt M. Yersinia pestis: the Natural History of Plague. Clin Microbiol Rev 2020; 34:e00044-19. [PMID: 33298527 PMCID: PMC7920731 DOI: 10.1128/cmr.00044-19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The Gram-negative bacterium Yersinia pestis is responsible for deadly plague, a zoonotic disease established in stable foci in the Americas, Africa, and Eurasia. Its persistence in the environment relies on the subtle balance between Y. pestis-contaminated soils, burrowing and nonburrowing mammals exhibiting variable degrees of plague susceptibility, and their associated fleas. Transmission from one host to another relies mainly on infected flea bites, inducing typical painful, enlarged lymph nodes referred to as buboes, followed by septicemic dissemination of the pathogen. In contrast, droplet inhalation after close contact with infected mammals induces primary pneumonic plague. Finally, the rarely reported consumption of contaminated raw meat causes pharyngeal and gastrointestinal plague. Point-of-care diagnosis, early antibiotic treatment, and confinement measures contribute to outbreak control despite residual mortality. Mandatory primary prevention relies on the active surveillance of established plague foci and ectoparasite control. Plague is acknowledged to have infected human populations for at least 5,000 years in Eurasia. Y. pestis genomes recovered from affected archaeological sites have suggested clonal evolution from a common ancestor shared with the closely related enteric pathogen Yersinia pseudotuberculosis and have indicated that ymt gene acquisition during the Bronze Age conferred Y. pestis with ectoparasite transmissibility while maintaining its enteric transmissibility. Three historic pandemics, starting in 541 AD and continuing until today, have been described. At present, the third pandemic has become largely quiescent, with hundreds of human cases being reported mainly in a few impoverished African countries, where zoonotic plague is mostly transmitted to people by rodent-associated flea bites.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Barbieri
- Aix-Marseille University, IRD, MEPHI, IHU Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France
- Aix-Marseille University, CNRS, EFS, ADES, Marseille, France
- Fondation Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France
| | - M Signoli
- Aix-Marseille University, CNRS, EFS, ADES, Marseille, France
| | - D Chevé
- Aix-Marseille University, CNRS, EFS, ADES, Marseille, France
| | - C Costedoat
- Aix-Marseille University, CNRS, EFS, ADES, Marseille, France
| | - S Tzortzis
- Ministère de la Culture, Direction Régionale des Affaires Culturelles de Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, Service Régional de l'Archéologie, Aix-en-Provence, France
| | - G Aboudharam
- Aix-Marseille University, IRD, MEPHI, IHU Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France
- Aix-Marseille University, Faculty of Odontology, Marseille, France
| | - D Raoult
- Aix-Marseille University, IRD, MEPHI, IHU Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France
- Fondation Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France
| | - M Drancourt
- Aix-Marseille University, IRD, MEPHI, IHU Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France
- Fondation Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France
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9
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Mohammadi A, Sedaghat MM, Abai MR, Darvish J, Mobedi I, Mahmoudi A, Mostafavi E. Wild Rodents and Their Ectoparasites in an Enzootic Plague Focus, Western Iran. Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis 2020; 20:334-347. [PMID: 32077816 DOI: 10.1089/vbz.2019.2524] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Entomological surveys of ectoparasites and their hosts are an essential tool for assessing the risks of rodent-borne diseases transmitted to humans by arthropod vectors. Objectives: This study was carried out to update the epidemiological data of plague with respect to species compositions of the rodents and their ectoparasites at enzootic foci located in Kurdistan Province, Iran. Methods: The rodents' habitats were selected based on past records of plague and subclimates in each study district with especial attention to the vegetation type. The trapped rodents were anesthetized using a chloroform chamber, and the animals were then examined for ectoparasites by brushing their hair over a pan containing water. The ectoparasites were collected with a fine brush and preserved in 70% ethanol in screw cap tubes. Results: A total of 208 rodents were trapped from three districts. Taxonomic ranking of the rodents indicated that the specimens belonged to 2 suborders of Myomorpha and Sciuromorpha, 4 families (Muridae, Muscardinidae, Cricetidae, and Sciuridae), 7 genera, including Meriones, Apodemus, Mus, Sciurus, Microtus, and Dryomys, and 15 species. Out of 208 rodents, only 56 (26.9%) were infested with 22 species of ectoparasites. Totally, 312 ectoparasites were isolated from 56 rodents, including 12 flea species (54.5%), 6 mite species (27.3%), 3 tick species (13.6%), and one louse species (4.6%). Five species of fleas were recorded for the first time in Kurdistan Province, including Ctenophthalmus iranus persicus, Paraceras melis melis, Nosopsyllus iranus iranus, Paraceras sp., and Ctenophyllus spp. Conclusion: The finding revealed new records for rodents and ectoparasites in Kurdistan Province, as well as changes in dominant rodent species and their ectoparasites compared to previous studies. This phenomenon can influence the changes in the incidence of plague and its epidemiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ali Mohammadi
- Department of Medical Entomology and Vector Control, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammad Mehdi Sedaghat
- Department of Medical Entomology and Vector Control, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammad Reza Abai
- Department of Medical Entomology and Vector Control, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Jamshid Darvish
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Iraj Mobedi
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ahmad Mahmoudi
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran
- National Reference Laboratory for Plague, Tularemia and Q Fever, Research Centre for Emerging and Reemerging Infectious Diseases, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Akanlu, Kabudar Ahang, Hamadan, Iran
| | - Ehsan Mostafavi
- National Reference Laboratory for Plague, Tularemia and Q Fever, Research Centre for Emerging and Reemerging Infectious Diseases, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Akanlu, Kabudar Ahang, Hamadan, Iran
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
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10
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Williamson ED, Westlake GE. Vaccines for emerging pathogens: prospects for licensure. Clin Exp Immunol 2019; 198:170-183. [PMID: 30972733 PMCID: PMC6797873 DOI: 10.1111/cei.13284] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Globally, there are a number of emerging pathogens. For most, there are no licensed vaccines available for human use, although there is ongoing research and development. However, given the extensive and increasing list of emerging pathogens and the investment required to bring vaccines into clinical use, the task is huge. Overlaid on this task is the risk of anti‐microbial resistance (AMR) acquisition by micro‐organisms which can endow a relatively harmless organism with pathogenic potential. Furthermore, climate change also introduces a challenge by causing some of the insect vectors and environmental conditions prevalent in tropical regions to begin to spread out from these traditional areas, thus increasing the risk of migration of zoonotic disease. Vaccination provides a defence against these emerging pathogens. However, vaccines for pathogens which cause severe, but occasional, disease outbreaks in endemic pockets have suffered from a lack of commercial incentive for development to a clinical standard, encompassing Phase III clinical trials for efficacy. An alternative is to develop such vaccines to request US Emergency Use Authorization (EUA), or equivalent status in the United States, Canada and the European Union, making use of a considerable number of regulatory mechanisms that are available prior to licensing. This review covers the status of vaccine development for some of the emerging pathogens, the hurdles that need to be overcome to achieve EUA or an equivalent regional or national status and how these considerations may impact vaccine development for the future, such that a more comprehensive stockpile of promising vaccines can be achieved.
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Affiliation(s)
- E D Williamson
- CBR Division, Defence Science and Technology Laboratory, Salisbury, Wiltshire, UK
| | - G E Westlake
- CBR Division, Defence Science and Technology Laboratory, Salisbury, Wiltshire, UK
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11
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Mostafavi E, Ghasemi A, Rohani M, Molaeipoor L, Esmaeili S, Mohammadi Z, Mahmoudi A, Aliabadian M, Johansson A. Molecular Survey of Tularemia and Plague in Small Mammals From Iran. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2018; 8:215. [PMID: 30042927 PMCID: PMC6048195 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2018.00215] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2018] [Accepted: 06/07/2018] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Plague and tularemia are zoonoses and their causative bacteria are circulating in certain regions of Iran. This study was conducted to investigate potential disease reservoirs amongst small wildlife species in different regions of Iran. Methods: Rodents, insectivores and hares from 17 different provinces of the country were collected in 2014 and 2015. Samples were taken from the spleens of the animals and Real-time PCR was applied to detect nucleic acid sequences that are specific to Francisella tularensis and Yersinia pestis, respectively. Results: Among 140 collected rodents, 25 distinct species were identified out of which five were the most common: Microtus paradoxus (21% out of 140 rodents), Apodemus witherbyi (12%), Microtus irani (11%), Mus musculus (11%) and Microtus socialis (10%). Seventeen insectivores were collected and identified as Crocidura suaveolens (82%) and C. leucodon (18%). Fifty-one hares were collected and identified as Lepus europaeus (57%), Lepus tolai (14%) and Lepus sp. (29%). Three out of 140 explored rodents (1.91%) were positive for F. tularensis, an A. witherbyi, a Mus musculus domesticus, and a Chionomys nivalis collected from Golestan, Khuzestan and Razavi Khorasan provinces, respectively. Two hares (3.92%) were F. tularensis-positive, a L. europaeus from Khuzestan and a Lepus sp. from the Sistan and Baluchistan province. None of the tested animals were positive for Y. pestis. Conclusion: This is the first report of direct detection of F. tularensis in mammals of Iran and the first-time observation of the agent in a snow vole, C. nivalis worldwide. The results indicate that tularemia is more widespread in Iran than previously reported including the Northeast and Southwestern parts of the country. Future studies should address genetic characterization of F. tularensis positive DNA samples from Iran to achieve molecular subtyping and rule out assay cross-reactivity with near neighbor Francisella species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ehsan Mostafavi
- National Reference Laboratory for Plague, Tularemia and Q Fever, Research Centre for Emerging and Reemerging Infectious Diseases, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Kabudar Ahang, Iran.,Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Research Centre for Emerging and Reemerging Infectious Diseases, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ahmad Ghasemi
- National Reference Laboratory for Plague, Tularemia and Q Fever, Research Centre for Emerging and Reemerging Infectious Diseases, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Kabudar Ahang, Iran.,Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Research Centre for Emerging and Reemerging Infectious Diseases, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran.,Department of Bacteriology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mahdi Rohani
- National Reference Laboratory for Plague, Tularemia and Q Fever, Research Centre for Emerging and Reemerging Infectious Diseases, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Kabudar Ahang, Iran.,Department of Microbiology, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Leila Molaeipoor
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Research Centre for Emerging and Reemerging Infectious Diseases, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran.,Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.,Student Research Committee, Faculty of Public Health Branch, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Saber Esmaeili
- National Reference Laboratory for Plague, Tularemia and Q Fever, Research Centre for Emerging and Reemerging Infectious Diseases, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Kabudar Ahang, Iran.,Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Research Centre for Emerging and Reemerging Infectious Diseases, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran.,Department of Bacteriology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Zeinolabedin Mohammadi
- Rodentology Research Department, Applied Animal Institute, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran.,Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Ahmad Mahmoudi
- National Reference Laboratory for Plague, Tularemia and Q Fever, Research Centre for Emerging and Reemerging Infectious Diseases, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Kabudar Ahang, Iran.,Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Research Centre for Emerging and Reemerging Infectious Diseases, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran.,Rodentology Research Department, Applied Animal Institute, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran.,Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Mansour Aliabadian
- Rodentology Research Department, Applied Animal Institute, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran.,Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Anders Johansson
- Department of Clinical Microbiology and the Laboratory for Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
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Chandler JC, Baeten LA, Griffin DL, Gidlewski T, DeLiberto TJ, Petersen JM, Pappert R, Young JW, Bevins SN. A Bead-Based Flow Cytometric Assay for Monitoring Yersinia pestis Exposure in Wildlife. J Clin Microbiol 2018; 56:e00273-18. [PMID: 29695520 PMCID: PMC6018325 DOI: 10.1128/jcm.00273-18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2018] [Accepted: 04/19/2018] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Yersinia pestis is the causative agent of plague and is considered a category A priority pathogen due to its potential for high transmissibility and the significant morbidity and mortality it causes in humans. Y. pestis is endemic to the western United States and much of the world, necessitating programs to monitor for this pathogen on the landscape. Elevated human risk of plague infection has been spatially correlated with spikes in seropositive wildlife numbers, particularly rodent-eating carnivores, which are frequently in contact with the enzootic hosts and the associated arthropod vectors of Y. pestis In this study, we describe a semiautomated bead-based flow cytometric assay developed for plague monitoring in wildlife called the F1 Luminex plague assay (F1-LPA). Based upon Luminex/Bio-Plex technology, the F1-LPA targets serological responses to the F1 capsular antigen of Y. pestis and was optimized to analyze antibodies eluted from wildlife blood samples preserved on Nobuto filter paper strips. In comparative evaluations with passive hemagglutination, the gold standard tool for wildlife plague serodiagnosis, the F1-LPA demonstrated as much as 64× improvement in analytical sensitivity for F1-specific IgG detection and allowed for unambiguous classification of IgG status. The functionality of the F1-LPA was demonstrated for coyotes and other canids, which are the primary sentinels in wildlife plague monitoring, as well as felids and raccoons. Additionally, assay formats that do not require species-specific immunological reagents, which are not routinely available for several wildlife species used in plague monitoring, were determined to be functional in the F1-LPA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeffrey C Chandler
- National Wildlife Research Center, Wildlife Services, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, United States Department of Agriculture, Fort Collins, Colorado, USA
| | - Laurie A Baeten
- National Wildlife Research Center, Wildlife Services, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, United States Department of Agriculture, Fort Collins, Colorado, USA
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, USA
| | - Doreen L Griffin
- National Wildlife Research Center, Wildlife Services, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, United States Department of Agriculture, Fort Collins, Colorado, USA
| | - Thomas Gidlewski
- National Wildlife Research Center, Wildlife Services, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, United States Department of Agriculture, Fort Collins, Colorado, USA
| | - Thomas J DeLiberto
- National Wildlife Research Center, Wildlife Services, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, United States Department of Agriculture, Fort Collins, Colorado, USA
| | - Jeannine M Petersen
- Division of Vector-Borne Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Fort Collins, Colorado, USA
| | - Ryan Pappert
- Division of Vector-Borne Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Fort Collins, Colorado, USA
| | - John W Young
- Division of Vector-Borne Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Fort Collins, Colorado, USA
| | - Sarah N Bevins
- National Wildlife Research Center, Wildlife Services, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, United States Department of Agriculture, Fort Collins, Colorado, USA
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13
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Eads DA. Swabbing Prairie Dog Burrows for Fleas That Transmit Yersinia pestis: Influences on Efficiency. JOURNAL OF MEDICAL ENTOMOLOGY 2017; 54:1273-1277. [PMID: 28486652 DOI: 10.1093/jme/tjx090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Scientists and health-care professionals sometimes use a swabbing technique to collect fleas from rodent burrows, and later test the fleas for Yersinia pestis, the causative agent of plague. Detection of Y. pestis is enhanced when large pools of fleas are available. The following study investigated factors that might affect the rate at which fleas are collected from burrows in colonies of black-tailed prairie dogs (Cynomys ludovicianus). Data were collected from 13 colonies in New Mexico during 0600-1000 hours, June-August 2010-2011. Fleas were scarce on swabs inserted into burrows that were not actively used by prairie dogs; fleas are presumably suppressed in burrows that are void of hosts and might have begun to collapse due to a lack of maintenance. Fleas were scarce on swabs inserted into burrows with little sunlight entering the tunnel; many species of fleas use changes in light intensity to locate objects, but if light is limited, it might be difficult to locate a swab. Fleas were scarce on swabs inserted to shallow depths underground, especially during hot mornings, and during the hottest portions of mornings; when conditions are hot above ground, ectothermic fleas might migrate into the deep components of burrows, or become less willing to jump onto hosts, making it difficult to collect the fleas with swabs. If the swabbing technique is used to survey for Y. pestis on colonies of black-tailed prairie dogs, investigators might use the results of this study to modify their methods and increase the number of fleas collected.
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Affiliation(s)
- David A Eads
- Department of Biology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523
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14
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Zeppelini CG, de Almeida AMP, Cordeiro-Estrela P. Zoonoses As Ecological Entities: A Case Review of Plague. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2016; 10:e0004949. [PMID: 27711205 PMCID: PMC5053604 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0004949] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
As a zoonosis, Plague is also an ecological entity, a complex system of ecological interactions between the pathogen, the hosts, and the spatiotemporal variations of its ecosystems. Five reservoir system models have been proposed: (i) assemblages of small mammals with different levels of susceptibility and roles in the maintenance and amplification of the cycle; (ii) species-specific chronic infection models; (ii) flea vectors as the true reservoirs; (iii) Telluric Plague, and (iv) a metapopulation arrangement for species with a discrete spatial organization, following a source-sink dynamic of extinction and recolonization with naïve potential hosts. The diversity of the community that harbors the reservoir system affects the transmission cycle by predation, competition, and dilution effect. Plague has notable environmental constraints, depending on altitude (500+ meters), warm and dry climates, and conditions for high productivity events for expansion of the transmission cycle. Human impacts are altering Plague dynamics by altering landscape and the faunal composition of the foci and adjacent areas, usually increasing the presence and number of human cases and outbreaks. Climatic change is also affecting the range of its occurrence. In the current transitional state of zoonosis as a whole, Plague is at risk of becoming a public health problem in poor countries where ecosystem erosion, anthropic invasion of new areas, and climate change increase the contact of the population with reservoir systems, giving new urgency for ecologic research that further details its maintenance in the wild, the spillover events, and how it links to human cases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caio Graco Zeppelini
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Biológicas, Centro de Ciências Exatas e da Natureza, Universidade Federal da Paraíba, Campus I, João Pessoa, Paraíba, Brazil
- Laboratório de Mamíferos, Departamento de Sistemática e Ecologia, Centro de Ciências Exatas e da Natureza, Universidade Federal da Paraíba, Campus I, João Pessoa, Paraíba, Brazil
| | - Alzira Maria Paiva de Almeida
- Centro de Pesquisa Aggeu Magalhães Fiocruz, Campus da Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil
| | - Pedro Cordeiro-Estrela
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Biológicas, Centro de Ciências Exatas e da Natureza, Universidade Federal da Paraíba, Campus I, João Pessoa, Paraíba, Brazil
- Laboratório de Mamíferos, Departamento de Sistemática e Ecologia, Centro de Ciências Exatas e da Natureza, Universidade Federal da Paraíba, Campus I, João Pessoa, Paraíba, Brazil
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15
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Chu K, Hu J, Meng F, Li J, Luo L, Xu J, Yuan Z, Li Z, Chen W, Jiao L, Chang Y, Wang B, Hu Y. Immunogenicity and safety of subunit plague vaccine: A randomized phase 2a clinical trial. Hum Vaccin Immunother 2016; 12:2334-40. [PMID: 27159397 DOI: 10.1080/21645515.2016.1175261] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Although the killed whole-cell and live attenuated plague vaccine have been licensed, they are rarely used today because of toxicities, limited evidence of efficacy against plague, poor immune persistence required booster immunization every year, and limited commercial availability. This study was a randomized phase 2a clinical trial aimed to evaluating the immunogenicity and safety of a novel subunit plague vaccine. METHODS 240 healthy adults aged 18-55 y were enrolled and randomly assigned at a ratio of 1:1 to receive 2 doses of 15 or 30 mcg vaccine at a 28-day interval between doses. Blood samples were collected at day 0, 28 and 56. Adverse events were collected during the first 28 d after each vaccination. Serious Adverse Event was observed throughout the study period. RESULTS 239 participants received the first dose at day 0 and 238 received the second dose at day 28. Antibodies to envelope antigen faction 1 (F1) and recombinant virulence antigen (rV) were increased at day 28, and boosted significantly at day 56. For anti-F1 antibodies, geometric mean titer (GMT) and geometric mean fold increase (GMFI) were significantly higher in 30 mcg group than in the 15 mcg group(each P1< 0.05 at day 28 and each P1< 0.001 at day 56), with similar seroconversion rate of antibodies between 15 and 30 mcg group at both of the 2 time points. For anti-rV antibodies, seroconversion rate at day 28 in 30 mcg group was higher than that in 15 mcg group. However, GMT and GMFI of anti-rV antibodies were increased to approximately the same levels in the 2 groups. Similar booster immune response was also noticed in both groups at day 56. The injections were well tolerated, with mainly mild or moderate local and systemic adverse reactions (lower than grad 3). The proportion of pain at injection site was higher in 30 mcg group. None of SAEs were reported during 56 d. CONCLUSION The plague vaccine comprised of F1 and rV antigens showed good safety and immunogenicity in adults aged 18-55 y old. The data show that the 30 mcg formulation is generally more immunogenic than the 15 mcg formulation, and represents the preferred formulation for further clinical development. It will be important to evaluate the long-term efficacy for appropriate formulations of the plague subunit vaccine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kai Chu
- a Jiangsu Provincial Center for Diseases Control and Prevention , Nanjing , China
| | - Jialei Hu
- a Jiangsu Provincial Center for Diseases Control and Prevention , Nanjing , China
| | - Fanyue Meng
- a Jiangsu Provincial Center for Diseases Control and Prevention , Nanjing , China
| | - Jingxin Li
- a Jiangsu Provincial Center for Diseases Control and Prevention , Nanjing , China
| | - Li Luo
- b Department of Public Health , Southeast University , Nanjing , China
| | - Jianjun Xu
- c Yandu Center for Disease Control and Prevention , Yancheng , China
| | - Zhonghang Yuan
- c Yandu Center for Disease Control and Prevention , Yancheng , China
| | - Zhiyong Li
- c Yandu Center for Disease Control and Prevention , Yancheng , China
| | - Wangeng Chen
- c Yandu Center for Disease Control and Prevention , Yancheng , China
| | - Lei Jiao
- d Lanzhou Institute of Biological Products Co.,Ltd. , Lanzhou , China
| | - Yali Chang
- d Lanzhou Institute of Biological Products Co.,Ltd. , Lanzhou , China
| | - Bingxiang Wang
- d Lanzhou Institute of Biological Products Co.,Ltd. , Lanzhou , China
| | - Yuemei Hu
- a Jiangsu Provincial Center for Diseases Control and Prevention , Nanjing , China
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16
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Makundi RH, Massawe AW, Borremans B, Laudisoit A, Katakweba A. We are connected: flea–host association networks in the plague outbreak focus in the Rift Valley, northern Tanzania. WILDLIFE RESEARCH 2015. [DOI: 10.1071/wr14254] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Context Plague is a serious health problem in northern Tanzania, with outbreaks since 2008 in two districts located in Rift Valley. There is dearth of knowledge on diversity of small mammal and flea fauna occurring in this plague focus. Knowledge on interactions between fleas and rodent species that harbour the plague bacterium, Yersinia pestis, is important for developing strategies for control and prevention of plague. Aims This study aims to show how rodents and fleas are associated with each other in the plague focus. Methods Animals were trapped bimonthly from 2009 to 2012 in different habitats. The fur of animals was brushed to collect fleas, which were identified and quantified. Network analysis methods, randomisation and rarefaction curves were used to show how hosts and fleas are associated. Key results Thirteen species of rodents were associated with 26 species of fleas of which Dinopsyllus lypusus, Xenopsylla brasiliensis and X. cheopis are confirmed efficient vectors of Y. pestis. Randomisation and rarefaction curves established that Lophuromys flavopunctatus had significantly higher flea species richness (n = 9) than did all other hosts, whereas Xenopsylla cheopis and Dinopsyllus spp. showed greater host species richness than did other species of fleas. There was no significant correlation between host sex and flea abundance (χ2 = 0.8, d.f. = 6, P = 0.371), but significant differences between reproductive states (adults had more fleas than did subadults) were observed, which probably reflected typical positive correlation between size and flea abundance (χ2 = 4.1955, d.f. = 1, P = 0.040). Conclusions The plague outbreak focus in northern Tanzania has a diverse fauna of rodents and fleas with multiple patterns of association and connectivity. Implications Existence of diverse populations of rodents associated with a large number of flea species, some of which are efficient plague vectors, increases the potential for persistence and transmission of plague to humans in northern Tanzania.
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Greig J, Rajić A, Young I, Mascarenhas M, Waddell L, LeJeune J. A scoping review of the role of wildlife in the transmission of bacterial pathogens and antimicrobial resistance to the food Chain. Zoonoses Public Health 2014; 62:269-84. [PMID: 25175882 DOI: 10.1111/zph.12147] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2014] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Wildlife can contribute to environmental contamination with bacterial pathogens and their transfer to the human food chain. Global usage and frequent misuse of antimicrobials contribute to emergence of new antimicrobial resistant (AMR) strains of foodborne pathogens. We conducted a scoping review of published research to identify and characterize the evidence on wildlife's role in transmission of AMR and/or bacterial pathogens to the food chain. An advisory group (AG) of 13 North American experts from diverse disciplines was surveyed to solicit insight in the review scope, priority topics and research characteristics. A pre-tested search strategy was implemented in seven bibliographic databases (1990 to January 2013). Citations were relevance screened, and key characteristics on priority topics extracted independently by two reviewers. Analysis identified topic areas with solid evidence and main knowledge gaps. North America reported 30% of 866 relevant articles. The prevalence of five targeted bacterial pathogens and/or AMR in any pathogen in wildlife was reported in 582 articles. Transmission risk factors for selected bacteria or AMR in any bacteria were reported in 300. Interventions to control transmission were discussed in 124 articles and formally evaluated in 50. The majority of primary research investigated birds, cervids, rodents, feral pigs, opossums, E. coli (n = 329), Salmonella (n = 293) and Campylobacter (n = 124). An association between wildlife and transmission of bacterial pathogens and/or AMR to the food chain was supported in 122 studies. The scoping review identified a significant body of research on the role of wild birds in the prevalence and transmission of E. coli, Salmonella and Campylobacter. There was little research employing molecular methods contributing to the evidence concerning the importance and direction of transmission of wildlife/pathogen combinations. Given the advancements of these methods, future research should focus in this area to help prioritize future intervention studies and risk mitigation strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Greig
- Laboratory for Foodborne Zoonoses, Public Health Agency of Canada, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
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18
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Xu L, Stige LC, Kausrud KL, Ben Ari T, Wang S, Fang X, Schmid BV, Liu Q, Stenseth NC, Zhang Z. Wet climate and transportation routes accelerate spread of human plague. Proc Biol Sci 2014; 281:20133159. [PMID: 24523275 PMCID: PMC4027397 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2013.3159] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2013] [Accepted: 01/21/2014] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Currently, large-scale transmissions of infectious diseases are becoming more closely associated with accelerated globalization and climate change, but quantitative analyses are still rare. By using an extensive dataset consisting of date and location of cases for the third plague pandemic from 1772 to 1964 in China and a novel method (nearest neighbour approach) which deals with both short- and long-distance transmissions, we found the presence of major roads, rivers and coastline accelerated the spread of plague and shaped the transmission patterns. We found that plague spread velocity was positively associated with wet conditions (measured by an index of drought and flood events) in China, probably due to flood-driven transmission by people or rodents. Our study provides new insights on transmission patterns and possible mechanisms behind variability in transmission speed, with implications for prevention and control measures. The methodology may also be applicable to studies of disease dynamics or species movement in other systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management on Pest Insects and Rodents in Agriculture, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, People's Republic of China
- Centre for Ecological and Evolutionary Synthesis (CEES), Department of Biosciences, University of Oslo, PO Box 1066, Blindern, Oslo 0316, Norway
| | - Leif Chr. Stige
- Centre for Ecological and Evolutionary Synthesis (CEES), Department of Biosciences, University of Oslo, PO Box 1066, Blindern, Oslo 0316, Norway
| | - Kyrre Linné Kausrud
- Centre for Ecological and Evolutionary Synthesis (CEES), Department of Biosciences, University of Oslo, PO Box 1066, Blindern, Oslo 0316, Norway
| | - Tamara Ben Ari
- Centre for Ecological and Evolutionary Synthesis (CEES), Department of Biosciences, University of Oslo, PO Box 1066, Blindern, Oslo 0316, Norway
| | - Shuchun Wang
- State Key Laboratory for Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 102206, People's Republic ofChina
| | - Xiye Fang
- State Key Laboratory for Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 102206, People's Republic ofChina
| | - Boris V. Schmid
- Centre for Ecological and Evolutionary Synthesis (CEES), Department of Biosciences, University of Oslo, PO Box 1066, Blindern, Oslo 0316, Norway
| | - Qiyong Liu
- State Key Laboratory for Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 102206, People's Republic ofChina
| | - Nils Chr. Stenseth
- Centre for Ecological and Evolutionary Synthesis (CEES), Department of Biosciences, University of Oslo, PO Box 1066, Blindern, Oslo 0316, Norway
| | - Zhibin Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management on Pest Insects and Rodents in Agriculture, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, People's Republic of China
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