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Waap H, Bärwald A, Nunes T, Schares G. Seroprevalence and Risk Factors for Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum in Cattle in Portugal. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12162080. [PMID: 36009670 PMCID: PMC9404837 DOI: 10.3390/ani12162080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2022] [Revised: 08/04/2022] [Accepted: 08/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Neospora caninum and Toxoplasma gondii are apicomplexan parasites with a worldwide distribution and both infect cattle. While the importance of N. caninum is mainly linked to reproductive losses, concern has been raised about the role of beef as a source of food-borne toxoplasmosis in humans. Little is known about the prevalence of these parasites in cattle in Portugal. This study aimed to evaluate the seroprevalence and risk factors for N. caninum and T. gondii in naturally exposed cattle from different geographical areas in the country. Results point to a low but widespread seroprevalence of T. gondii, while that of N. caninum was found to be in the same range as reported in other Mediterranean countries. Distribution of both parasites may be explained by common climate factors and management practices identified as significant predictors of infection in the study. Abstract Neospora caninum has a worldwide economic impact as an important cause of abortion in cattle, while Toxoplasma gondii, another abortifacient pathogen, is globally a major foodborne zoonotic threat. The study aimed to evaluate the seroprevalence and risk factors for the two parasites in cattle in Portugal. A total of 612 sera from 35 farms were tested by an in-house p30 ELISA for T. gondii and p38 ELISA for N. caninum. T. gondii positive and suspicious sera were confirmed by p30 Western blot or IFAT. T. gondii and N. caninum animal seroprevalence was 9.2% (95%CI 7.1–11.7) and 17.2% (95% CI 14.4–20.4) and herd seroprevalence was 51.4% (95% CI 35.6–67.0) and 68.6% (95% CI 52.0–81.5), respectively. At the univariable level, climate area and precipitation of wettest month, driest month, driest quarter, and warmest quarter were significant predictors of seropositivity for both. N. caninum seropositivity was more likely in the region Norte, densely populated areas, and intensive production, and the probability of T. gondii seropositivity decreased with herd size. Results confirm the need to consider neosporosis in the differential diagnosis of cattle reproductive disorders in Portugal and may be valuable to inform source attribution models for human toxoplasmosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helga Waap
- Laboratório de Parasitologia, Instituto Nacional de Investigação Agrária e Veterinária, Av. da República, Quinta do Marquês, 2780-157 Oeiras, Portugal
- Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Animal Health (CIISA), Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Lisbon, 1300-477 Lisboa, Portugal
- Associate Laboratory for Animal and Veterinary Sciences (AL4AnimalS), 1300-477 Lisbon, Portugal
- Correspondence:
| | - Andrea Bärwald
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institute, Institute of Epidemiology, 17493 Greifswald, Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Telmo Nunes
- Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Animal Health (CIISA), Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Lisbon, 1300-477 Lisboa, Portugal
- Associate Laboratory for Animal and Veterinary Sciences (AL4AnimalS), 1300-477 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Gereon Schares
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institute, Institute of Epidemiology, 17493 Greifswald, Insel Riems, Germany
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Kemel C, Salamone M, Van Loo H, Latour C, Vandeputte S, Callens J, Hostens M, Opsomer G. Unaffected semen quality parameters in Neospora caninum seropositive Belgian Blue bulls. Theriogenology 2022; 191:10-15. [DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2022.07.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2021] [Revised: 07/11/2022] [Accepted: 07/20/2022] [Indexed: 10/16/2022]
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3
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Van Loo H, Pascottini OB, Ribbens S, Hooyberghs J, Pardon B, Opsomer G. Retrospective study of factors associated with bovine infectious abortion and perinatal mortality. Prev Vet Med 2021; 191:105366. [PMID: 33930623 DOI: 10.1016/j.prevetmed.2021.105366] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2020] [Revised: 04/09/2021] [Accepted: 04/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Abortion and perinatal mortality, leading causes of economic loss in cattle industry, are the consequence of both non-infectious and a wide range of infectious causes. However, the relative contribution of pathogens to bovine abortion and perinatal mortality is poorly documented, since available studies involved only a limited number of pathogens. Therefore, the objectives of the present monitoring study were to determine the prevalence of infectious agents associated with bovine abortion and perinatal mortality, and to identify differences in production type, gestation length, parity and seasonality by using mixed effect models (logistic regression). A pre-established sampling protocol based on the collection of the aborted fetus/calf and a corresponding maternal blood sample, involving diagnostic testing for 10 pathogens, was performed. At least one potential causal agent of the abortion or perinatal mortality was detected in 39 % of cases. In these diagnosed cases, Neospora caninum was the most detected pathogen, followed by Trueperella pyogenes, BVDv, Escherichia coli, and Aspergillus fumigatus. Neospora caninum [odds ratio (OR): 0.4; 95 % confidence interval (CI): 0.3-0.7] and Aspergillus fumigatus (OR: 0.1; 95 % CI: 0.1-0.3) were detected less in late versus early gestation. Aspergillus fumigatus was less common in dairy in comparison to beef abortion cases (OR: 0.2; 95 % CI: 0.1-0.6). Winter was associated with a lower positivity for Neospora caninum and BVDv in comparison to warmer seasons. Despite extensive diagnostic testing, an etiological diagnosis was not reached in 61 % of cases, highlighting the need for even more extensive (non-)infectious disease testing or more accurate tests.
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Affiliation(s)
- H Van Loo
- Department of Reproduction, Obstetrics, and Herd Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Salisburylaan 133, 9820, Merelbeke, Belgium.
| | - O Bogado Pascottini
- Department of Reproduction, Obstetrics, and Herd Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Salisburylaan 133, 9820, Merelbeke, Belgium; Department of Veterinary Sciences, Gamete Research Center, Veterinary Physiology and Biochemistry, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610, Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - S Ribbens
- Animal Health Services Flanders (DGZ Vlaanderen), Industrielaan 29, 8820, Torhout, Belgium
| | - J Hooyberghs
- Federal Agency for the Safety of the Food Chain, Kruidtuinlaan 55, 1000, Brussels, Belgium
| | - B Pardon
- Department of Large Animal Internal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Salisburylaan 133, 9820, Merelbeke, Belgium
| | - G Opsomer
- Department of Reproduction, Obstetrics, and Herd Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Salisburylaan 133, 9820, Merelbeke, Belgium
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4
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Volpe R, Fett T, Cassart D, Godfroid J, Linden A. Mixed
Mycobacterium avium
subspecies
avium
and
M avium
subspecies
paratuberculosis
infection in a wild red deer (
Cervus elaphus
) in Belgium. VETERINARY RECORD CASE REPORTS 2020. [DOI: 10.1136/vetreccr-2020-001130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Rosario Volpe
- Department of Infectious and Parasitic DiseasesUniversity of LiegeLiegeBelgium
| | - Thomas Fett
- Department of Infectious and Parasitic DiseasesUniversity of LiegeLiegeBelgium
| | - Dominique Cassart
- Department of Infectious and Parasitic DiseasesUniversity of LiegeLiegeBelgium
| | - Jacques Godfroid
- Biosciences, Fisheries and EconomicsUiT The Arctic University of NorwayTromsøNorway
- Department of Arctic and Marine BiologyThe Arctic University of NorwayTromsøNorway
| | - Annick Linden
- Department of Infectious and Parasitic DiseasesUniversity of LiegeLiegeBelgium
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5
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Ribeiro CM, Soares IR, Mendes RG, de Santis Bastos PA, Katagiri S, Zavilenski RB, de Abreu HFP, Afreixo V. Meta-analysis of the prevalence and risk factors associated with bovine neosporosis. Trop Anim Health Prod 2019; 51:1783-1800. [PMID: 31228088 DOI: 10.1007/s11250-019-01929-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2018] [Accepted: 05/15/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Neospora caninum is one of the main infectious agents that cause reproductive disorders in cattle. However, knowledge about the prevalence and causal factors of bovine neosporosis is needed in order to establish control measures. The purpose of this study was to estimate the pooled prevalence and determine the risk factors of bovine neosporosis using meta-analytic methods. Searches for data on N. caninum seroprevalence and potential risk factors were conducted in the PubMed, LILACS, and SciElo databases. The random effects model was used for the meta-analysis of the included studies. The pooled prevalence of N. caninum in cattle was 24% (95% confidence interval (CI), 19-29) in North and Central America, 24% (95% CI, 20-28) in South America, 18% (95% CI, 14-21) in Asia, 15% (95% CI, 12-18) in Europe, 13% (95% CI, 11-16) in Africa, and 8% (95% CI, 4-14) in Oceania. A significant correlation was found between N. caninum infection and abortion in cows (odds ratio (OR) = 2.66, 95% CI, 1.97-3.59). The following risk factors were signicantly associated with N. caninum seroprevalence: presence of dogs on the farm (OR = 2.84; 95% CI, 1.40-5.80) and the type of cattle production system, with dairy cattle being more susceptible to bovine neosporosis (OR = 1.60; 95% CI, 1.16-2.19) than beef cattle. The adoption of measures to prevent the dissemination of N. caninum in cattle herds is suggested, aiming to reduce the economic losses incurred to the dairy and beef industry.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Paula Andrea de Santis Bastos
- Centro Universitário das Faculdades Metropolitanas Unidas, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.,Universidade Metropolitana de Santos, Santos, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Satie Katagiri
- Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso, Barra do Garças, Mato Grosso, Brazil
| | | | | | - Vera Afreixo
- Department of Mathematics, Universidade de Aveiro, District of Aveiro, Portugal
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Djerbib A, Czaplicki G, Grégoire F, Kirschvink N, Saegerman C, Dal Pozzo F. Exploratory investigation of Q fever in apparently healthy meat sheep flocks in Belgium. Transbound Emerg Dis 2018; 65:1117-1121. [DOI: 10.1111/tbed.12850] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2017] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- A. Djerbib
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine; Research Unit for Epidemiology and Risk Analysis applied to Veterinary Sciences (UREAR-ULiège); Fundamental and Applied Research for Animals & Health (FARAH) Center; University of Liège; Liège Belgium
| | | | - F. Grégoire
- Animal Health Department; ARSIA; Ciney Belgium
| | - N. Kirschvink
- Unit of Integrated Veterinary Research; Department of Veterinary Medicine; University of Namur; Namur Belgium
| | - C. Saegerman
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine; Research Unit for Epidemiology and Risk Analysis applied to Veterinary Sciences (UREAR-ULiège); Fundamental and Applied Research for Animals & Health (FARAH) Center; University of Liège; Liège Belgium
| | - F. Dal Pozzo
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine; Research Unit for Epidemiology and Risk Analysis applied to Veterinary Sciences (UREAR-ULiège); Fundamental and Applied Research for Animals & Health (FARAH) Center; University of Liège; Liège Belgium
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7
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Dal Pozzo F, Martinelle L, Léonard P, Renaville B, Renaville R, Thys C, Smeets F, Czaplicki G, Van Esbroeck M, Saegerman C. Q Fever Serological Survey and Associated Risk Factors in Veterinarians, Southern Belgium, 2013. Transbound Emerg Dis 2016; 64:959-966. [PMID: 26749554 DOI: 10.1111/tbed.12465] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2015] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
A sero-epidemiological survey was organized among veterinarians working in Southern Belgium to estimate the seroprevalence of Q fever and the risk factors associated with exposure. A total of 108 veterinarians took part to this cross-sectional study, with a majority practicing with livestock animals. The overall seroprevalence was 45.4%, but it increased to 58.3% among veterinarians having contact with livestock. Three main serological profiles were detected (relatively recent, past and potentially chronic infections). The contact with manure during the prior month was the risk factor associated with seropositivity after multivariate logistic regression analysis. Classification and regression tree analysis identified the age as the most predictive variable to exclude potentially chronic infection in apparently healthy seropositive veterinarians. In conclusion, livestock veterinarians practicing in Southern Belgium are highly exposed to Q fever, a neglected zoonosis for which serological and medical examinations should be envisaged in at risk groups.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - P Léonard
- Centre Hospitalier Universitaire, Liege, Belgium
| | | | | | - C Thys
- University of Liege, Liege, Belgium
| | - F Smeets
- University of Liege, Liege, Belgium
| | - G Czaplicki
- Association Régionale de Santé et d'Identification Animales (ARSIA), Ciney, Belgium
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Tavernier P, Sys SU, De Clercq K, De Leeuw I, Caij AB, De Baere M, De Regge N, Fretin D, Roupie V, Govaerts M, Heyman P, Vanrompay D, Yin L, Kalmar I, Suin V, Brochier B, Dobly A, De Craeye S, Roelandt S, Goossens E, Roels S. Serologic screening for 13 infectious agents in roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) in Flanders. Infect Ecol Epidemiol 2015; 5:29862. [PMID: 26609692 PMCID: PMC4660936 DOI: 10.3402/iee.v5.29862] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2015] [Revised: 10/23/2015] [Accepted: 10/25/2015] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction In order to investigate the role of roe deer in the maintenance and transmission of infectious animal and human diseases in Flanders, we conducted a serologic screening in 12 hunting areas. Materials and methods Roe deer sera collected between 2008 and 2013 (n=190) were examined for antibodies against 13 infectious agents, using indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, virus neutralisation, immunofluorescence, or microagglutination test, depending on the agent. Results and discussion High numbers of seropositives were found for Anaplasma phagocytophilum (45.8%), Toxoplasma gondii (43.2%) and Schmallenberg virus (27.9%), the latter with a distinct temporal distribution pattern following the outbreak in domestic ruminants. Lower antibody prevalence was found for Chlamydia abortus (6.7%), tick-borne encephalitis virus (5.1%), Neospora caninum (4.8%), and Mycobacterium avium subsp paratuberculosis (4.1%). The lowest prevalences were found for Leptospira (1.7%), bovine viral diarrhoea virus 1 (1.3%), and Coxiella burnetii (1.2%). No antibodies were found against Brucella sp., bovine herpesvirus 1, and bluetongue virus. A significant difference in seroprevalence between ages (higher in adults >1 year) was found for N. caninum. Four doubtful reacting sera accounted for a significant difference in seroprevalence between sexes for C. abortus (higher in females). Conclusions Despite the more intensive landscape use in Flanders, the results are consistent with other European studies. Apart from maintaining C. abortus and MAP, roe deer do not seem to play an important role in the epidemiology of the examined zoonotic and domestic animal pathogens. Nevertheless, their meaning as sentinels should not be neglected in the absence of other wild cervid species.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Stanislas U Sys
- Department of Large Animal Internal Medicine, Veterinary Faculty, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | | | - Ilse De Leeuw
- O.D. Viral Diseases, CODA/CERVA/VAR, Brussels, Belgium
| | | | - Miet De Baere
- O.D. Viral Diseases, CODA/CERVA/VAR, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Nick De Regge
- O.D. Viral Diseases, CODA/CERVA/VAR, Brussels, Belgium
| | - David Fretin
- O.D. Bacterial Diseases, CODA/CERVA/VAR, Brussels, Belgium
| | | | - Marc Govaerts
- O.D. Bacterial Diseases, CODA/CERVA/VAR, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Paul Heyman
- ACOS WB, Ministry of Defence, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Daisy Vanrompay
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Lizi Yin
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Isabelle Kalmar
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Vanessa Suin
- NRC Tick-Borne Encephalitis Virus, WIV-ISP, Brussels, Belgium
| | | | | | | | - Sophie Roelandt
- O.D. Interactions and Surveillance, CODA/CERVA/VAR, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Els Goossens
- O.D. Interactions and Surveillance, CODA/CERVA/VAR, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Stefan Roels
- O.D. Interactions and Surveillance, CODA/CERVA/VAR, Brussels, Belgium
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9
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Single Nucleotide Polymorphism Genotyping and Distribution of Coxiella burnetii Strains from Field Samples in Belgium. Appl Environ Microbiol 2015; 82:81-6. [PMID: 26475104 DOI: 10.1128/aem.02799-15] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2015] [Accepted: 10/07/2015] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The genotypic characterization of Coxiella burnetii provides useful information about the strains circulating at the farm, region, or country level and may be used to identify the source of infection for animals and humans. The aim of the present study was to investigate the strains of C. burnetii circulating in caprine and bovine Belgian farms using a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) technique. Direct genotyping was applied to different samples (bulk tank milk, individual milk, vaginal swab, fetal product, and air sample). Besides the well-known SNP genotypes, unreported ones were found in bovine and caprine samples, increasing the variability of the strains found in the two species in Belgium. Moreover, multiple genotypes were detected contemporarily in caprine farms at different years of sampling and by using different samples. Interestingly, certain SNP genotypes were detected in both bovine and caprine samples, raising the question of interspecies transmission of the pathogen.
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10
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Roelandt S, Van der Stede Y, Czaplicki G, Van Loo H, Van Driessche E, Dewulf J, Hooyberghs J, Faes C. Serological diagnosis of bovine neosporosis: a Bayesian evaluation of two antibody ELISA tests for in vivo diagnosis in purchased and abortion cattle. Vet Rec 2015; 176:598. [DOI: 10.1136/vr.102872] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/06/2015] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- S. Roelandt
- Unit Coordination of Veterinary Diagnosis & Epidemiology and Risk analysis (CDD-ERA); Operational Directorate of Surveillance and Interactions, Veterinary and Agrochemical Research Centre (CODA-CERVA); Groeselenberg, 99 Brussels B-1180 Belgium
| | - Y. Van der Stede
- Unit Coordination of Veterinary Diagnosis & Epidemiology and Risk analysis (CDD-ERA); Operational Directorate of Surveillance and Interactions, Veterinary and Agrochemical Research Centre (CODA-CERVA); Groeselenberg, 99 Brussels B-1180 Belgium
- Laboratory of Veterinary Immunology; Faculty of Veterinary Medicine; Ghent University; Merelbeke Belgium
| | - G. Czaplicki
- Unit of Porcine Production; Association Régionale de Santé & d’ Identification Animales (ARSIA); Loncin Belgium
| | - H. Van Loo
- Unit Health Care (Bovine); Dierengezondheidszorg Vlaanderen (DGZ); Torhout Belgium
| | - E. Van Driessche
- Unit Health Care (Bovine); Dierengezondheidszorg Vlaanderen (DGZ); Torhout Belgium
| | - J. Dewulf
- Veterinary Epidemiology Unit, Department of Reproduction, Obstetrics and Herd Health; Faculty of Veterinary Medicine; Ghent University; Merelbeke Belgium
| | - J. Hooyberghs
- Directorate Control and Policy, Federal Agency for Safety of the Food Chain; Brussels Belgium
| | - C. Faes
- Interuniversity Institute for Biostatistics and statistical Bioinformatics (I-BioStat), Hasselt University; Diepenbeek Belgium
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