1
|
Seroprevalence and Risk Factors of Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever in Cattle of Smallholder Farmers in Central Malawi. Pathogens 2021; 10:pathogens10121613. [PMID: 34959568 PMCID: PMC8709441 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10121613] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2021] [Revised: 12/07/2021] [Accepted: 12/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus (CCHFV) is endemic in Africa, Asia, and Eastern Europe where it circulates among animals and ticks causing sporadic outbreaks in humans. Although CCHF is endemic in sub-Saharan Africa, epidemiological information is lacking in many countries, including Malawi. To assess the risk of CCHF in Malawi, we conducted an epidemiological study in cattle reared by smallholder livestock farmers in central Malawi. A cross-sectional study was conducted in April 2020 involving seven districts, four from Kasungu and three from Lilongwe Agriculture Development Divisions. A structured questionnaire was administered to farmers to obtain demographic, animal management, and ecological risk factors data. Sera were collected from randomly selected cattle and screened for CCHF virus (CCHFV) specific antibodies using a commercial ELISA kit. Ticks were collected from cattle and classified morphologically to species level. An overall CCHFV seropositivity rate of 46.9% (n = 416; 95% CI: 42.0–51.8%) was observed. The seropositivity was significantly associated with the age of cattle (p < 0.001), sex (p < 0.001), presence of ticks in herds (p = 0.01), district (p = 0.025), and type of grazing lands (p = 0.013). Five species of ticks were identified, including Hyalomma truncatum, a known vector of CCHFV. Ticks of the species Hyalomma truncatum were not detected in two districts with the highest seroprevalence for CCHF and vector competency must be further explored in the study area. To our knowledge, this is the first report of serologic evidence of the presence of CCHV among smallholder cattle in central Malawi. This study emphasizes the need for continued monitoring of CCHFV infection among livestock, ticks, and humans for the development of data-based risk mitigation strategies.
Collapse
|
2
|
Tripathi S, Bhati R, Gopalakrishnan M, Bohra GK, Tiwari S, Panda S, Sahay RR, Yadav PD, Nag VL, Garg MK. Clinical profile and outcome of patients with Crimean Congo haemorrhagic fever: a hospital based observational study from Rajasthan, India. Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg 2021; 114:643-649. [PMID: 32286662 DOI: 10.1093/trstmh/traa014] [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: 12/10/2019] [Revised: 02/05/2020] [Accepted: 02/07/2020] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Crimean Congo haemorrhagic fever (CCHF) is an emerging zoonotic infection with high mortality. Nosocomial spread is described secondary to body fluid contact. METHODS Patients meeting the case definition for viral haemorrhagic fever (VHF) from August to November 2019 were tested for CCHF after ruling out dengue, malaria, scrub typhus and leptospirosis in a tertiary teaching hospital in western Rajasthan, India. Diagnosis was confirmed using both quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and immunoglobulin M/immunoglobulin G enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for all patients. All hospital contacts were line listed and tested and symptomatic high-risk contacts received ribavirin post-exposure prophylaxis. Cohorting, personal protective equipment use and hand washing were employed to prevent nosocomial spread. RESULTS Four patients tested positive for CCHF. We encountered uncommon initial presentations involving motor weakness and supraventricular tachycardia. Elevated serum lactate dehydrogenase and creatinine kinase were useful in clinical diagnosis. Only one patient survived despite ribavirin therapy. There was zero nosocomial transmission. A partial segment of nucleocapsid of amplified CCHF virus was 99.62% identical to the Afghanistan and Oman strains. CONCLUSIONS The distribution of CCHF appears to be expanding, with CCHF emerging as endemic in Rajasthan, India. In this setting of high mortality, hand washing and PPE use prevented nosocomial transmission.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Swapnil Tripathi
- Department of Internal Medicine, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Jodhpur, Basni Industrial estate, Jodhpur, 342005, India
| | - Rajendra Bhati
- Department of Internal Medicine, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Jodhpur, Basni Industrial estate, Jodhpur, 342005, India
| | - Maya Gopalakrishnan
- Department of Internal Medicine, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Jodhpur, Basni Industrial estate, Jodhpur, 342005, India
| | - Gopal Krishna Bohra
- Department of Internal Medicine, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Jodhpur, Basni Industrial estate, Jodhpur, 342005, India
| | - Sarika Tiwari
- Department of Microbiology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Jodhpur, Basni Industrial estate, Jodhpur, 342005, India
| | - Samhita Panda
- Department of Neurology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Jodhpur, Basni Industrial estate, Jodhpur, 342005, India
| | - Rima R Sahay
- Indian Council of Medical Research, National Institute of Virology, 20/ A, Dr. Ambedkar Road, Pune, 411001, India
| | - Pragya D Yadav
- Indian Council of Medical Research, National Institute of Virology, 20/ A, Dr. Ambedkar Road, Pune, 411001, India
| | - Vijaya Lakshmi Nag
- Department of Microbiology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Jodhpur, Basni Industrial estate, Jodhpur, 342005, India
| | - Mahendra Kumar Garg
- Department of Internal Medicine, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Jodhpur, Basni Industrial estate, Jodhpur, 342005, India
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Gilbride C, Saunders J, Sharpe H, Maze EA, Limon G, Ludi AB, Lambe T, Belij-Rammerstorfer S. The Integration of Human and Veterinary Studies for Better Understanding and Management of Crimean-Congo Haemorrhagic Fever. Front Immunol 2021; 12:629636. [PMID: 33815379 PMCID: PMC8012513 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.629636] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2020] [Accepted: 03/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Outbreaks that occur as a result of zoonotic spillover from an animal reservoir continue to highlight the importance of studying the disease interface between species. One Health approaches recognise the interdependence of human and animal health and the environmental interplay. Improving the understanding and prevention of zoonotic diseases may be achieved through greater consideration of these relationships, potentially leading to better health outcomes across species. In this review, special emphasis is given on the emerging and outbreak pathogen Crimean-Congo Haemorrhagic Fever virus (CCHFV) that can cause severe disease in humans. We discuss the efforts undertaken to better understand CCHF and the importance of integrating veterinary and human research for this pathogen. Furthermore, we consider the use of closely related nairoviruses to model human disease caused by CCHFV. We discuss intervention approaches with potential application for managing CCHFV spread, and how this concept may benefit both animal and human health.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ciaran Gilbride
- The Jenner Institute, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Jack Saunders
- The Jenner Institute, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Hannah Sharpe
- The Jenner Institute, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | | | | | | | - Teresa Lambe
- The Jenner Institute, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | | |
Collapse
|
4
|
Ahmed A, Saqlain M, Tanveer M, Tahir AH, Ud-Din F, Shinwari MI, Khan GM, Anwer N. Knowledge, attitude and perceptions about Crimean Congo Haemorrhagic Fever (CCHF) among occupationally high-risk healthcare professionals of Pakistan. BMC Infect Dis 2021; 21:35. [PMID: 33413164 PMCID: PMC7792042 DOI: 10.1186/s12879-020-05714-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2020] [Accepted: 12/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Crimean Congo Haemorrhagic Fever (CCHF), a tropically neglected infectious disease caused by Nairovirus, is endemic in low middle-income countries like Pakistan. Emergency health care professionals (HCPs) are at risk of contracting nosocomial transmission of CCHF. We, therefore, aim to analyze the knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions (KAP) of at-risk physicians, nurses, and pharmacists in Pakistan and the factors associated with good KAP. Method A validated questionnaire (Cronbach’s alpha 0.71) was used to collect data from HCPs in two CCHF endemic metropolitan cities of Pakistan by employing a cross-sectional study design. For data analysis percentages, chi-square test and Spearman correlation were applied by using SPSS version 22. Results Of the 478 participants, 56% (n = 268) were physicians, 37.4% (n = 179) were nurses, and 6.5% (n = 31) were pharmacists. The proportion of HCPs with good knowledge, attitude, and perception scores was 54.3%, 81, and 69%, respectively. Being a physician, having more work experience, having a higher age, working in tertiary care settings, were key factors for higher knowledge (p < 0.001). The correlation coefficient showed significant positive correlation between attitude- perception (r = 0.560, p < 0.001). Conclusion We have observed average knowledge of HCPs. Therefore, we recommend time to time education campaigns and workshops in highly endemic CCHF regions to be launched by health ministries and HCPs, in particular nurses, encouraged to follow authentic academic sources of information to prevent nosocomial transmission. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12879-020-05714-z.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ali Ahmed
- School of Pharmacy, Monash University, Jalan Lagoon Selatan, Bandar Sunway, 47500, Subang Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia. .,Department of Pharmacy, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad, 45320, Pakistan.
| | - Muhammad Saqlain
- Department of Pharmacy, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad, 45320, Pakistan
| | - Maria Tanveer
- Department of Pharmacy, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad, 45320, Pakistan
| | | | - Fakhar Ud-Din
- Department of Pharmacy, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad, 45320, Pakistan
| | | | - Gul Majid Khan
- Department of Pharmacy, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad, 45320, Pakistan
| | - Naveed Anwer
- Department of Pharmacy, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad, 45320, Pakistan
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Ghafar A, Gasser RB, Rashid I, Ghafoor A, Jabbar A. Exploring the prevalence and diversity of bovine ticks in five agro-ecological zones of Pakistan using phenetic and genetic tools. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2020; 11:101472. [PMID: 32723634 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2020.101472] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2019] [Revised: 03/23/2020] [Accepted: 05/18/2020] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
Tick infestation is a leading cause of tick-worry and tick-borne diseases in livestock and associated economic losses in tropical and subtropical regions of the world. The cattle and buffalo populations in Pakistan are exposed to tick infestation throughout the year, but very little is known about the biology, diversity and distribution of tick species across different agro-ecological zones (AEZ) of the country. The present study aimed to investigate the prevalence (number of bovines infested with ticks out of the investigated population) and diversity of hard ticks infesting bovines in 30 villages located in five distinct AEZs (i.e. Arid, Indus delta, Northern irrigated plain, Sandy desert and Southern irrigated plain). We collected a total of 774 ticks (adult and nymphs) from cattle (n = 116) and water buffaloes (n = 88) on small-holder dairy farms (with <10 bovids per establishment) from September to November 2017. The overall tick prevalence was 46.1% (cattle: 47.9%; buffaloes: 44%), which varied significantly from 22.2% in the Indus delta to 70.5% in the Sandy desert. Tick prevalence was slightly higher in female (46.5%) than male animals (45%), and higher in calves (i.e. ≤ 1 year of age) (55%) than in young animals (i.e. up to 3 years of age) (39%) and adults (48%). Five tick species - Hyalomma anatolicum, Hyalomma hussaini, Hyalomma scupense, Rhipicephalus microplus and Rhipicephalus annulatus - were identified morphologically and then genetically. Genetic identification, achieved using the sequences of two mitochondrial (cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 and 16S) and one nuclear ribosomal (second internal transcribed spacer) regions, was consistent with the morphological findings. Phylogenetic analyses of the DNA sequence data sets showed that the five species of tick identified here were closely related to the same species or closely related species from within and outside of Pakistan. Of five presently recognised taxa within the R. microplus complex, two were identified herein, including the R. microplus clade C and R. annulatus. This investigation provides the first genetic evidence of the occurrence of R. annulatus in Pakistan as well as Hy. hussaini and Hy. scupense in bovines specifically in the provinces of Sindh and Punjab, respectively. The present findings emphasise the importance of combining morphological and molecular approaches to study the diversity of ticks. Further longitudinal studies are required to establish seasonal variations in the prevalence and distribution of bovine ticks in different AEZs of Pakistan.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Abdul Ghafar
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Melbourne Veterinary School, Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Robin B Gasser
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Melbourne Veterinary School, Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Imran Rashid
- Department of Parasitology, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan
| | - Aamir Ghafoor
- University Diagnostic Laboratory, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan
| | - Abdul Jabbar
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Melbourne Veterinary School, Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Li LH, Wang JZ, Zhu D, Li XS, Lu Y, Yin SQ, Li SG, Zhang Y, Zhou XN. Detection of novel piroplasmid species and Babesia microti and Theileria orientalis genotypes in hard ticks from Tengchong County, Southwest China. Parasitol Res 2020; 119:1259-1269. [PMID: 32060726 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-020-06622-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2019] [Accepted: 02/05/2020] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
To reveal the genetic diversity of Babesia microti and Theileria orientalis in Southwest China, we conducted a molecular survey of piroplasms in hard ticks in a China-Myanmar border county. Host infesting and questing ticks were collected from Tengchong County in 2013 and 2014. Piroplasm infection in ticks was detected by PCR, and then, phylogenetic analysis was conducted to study the genetic diversity of the pathogens identified in ticks. All in all, six piroplasm species comprising of B. microti; B. orientalis; a novel Babesia species designated Babesia sp. Tengchong, China; T. orientalis; T. luwenshuni; and an as yet undescribed piroplasmid species referred to as Piroplasmid sp. Tengchong, China, have been identified after screening goat- and cattle-attached ticks. In addition, B. bigemina has been identified by screening questing ticks. Phylogenetic analysis based on the 18S rRNA and partial β-tubulin gene revealed two novel potentially zoonotic genotypes designated B. microti Tengchong-Type A and B. The T. orientalis genotypes identified in the present study represent the seven known genotypes 1-5, 7, and N3 as revealed by phylogenetic analysis of 18S rRNA and MPSP genes. Importantly, an additional genotype designated N4 has also been identified in this study, which brings the number of recognized T. orientalis genotypes to a total of twelve. Thus, besides the two novel species, Babesia sp. Tengchong, China, closely related to Babesia species isolated from yak and Piroplasmid sp. Tengchong, China, our study demonstrates that additional novel B. microti and T. orientalis genotypes exist in Southwest China.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lan-Hua Li
- Health Shandong Collaborative Innovation Center for Major Social Risk Prediction and Management, School of Public Health and Management, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, 261053, People's Republic of China.,Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention; Key Laboratory of Parasite and Vector Biology, Ministry of Health, National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Shanghai, 200025, People's Republic of China
| | - Jia-Zhi Wang
- Tengchong Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Tengchong, 679100, People's Republic of China
| | - Dan Zhu
- Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention; Key Laboratory of Parasite and Vector Biology, Ministry of Health, National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Shanghai, 200025, People's Republic of China
| | - Xi-Shang Li
- Tengchong Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Tengchong, 679100, People's Republic of China
| | - Yan Lu
- Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention; Key Laboratory of Parasite and Vector Biology, Ministry of Health, National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Shanghai, 200025, People's Republic of China
| | - Shou-Qin Yin
- Tengchong Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Tengchong, 679100, People's Republic of China
| | - Sheng-Guo Li
- Tengchong Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Tengchong, 679100, People's Republic of China
| | - Yi Zhang
- Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention; Key Laboratory of Parasite and Vector Biology, Ministry of Health, National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Shanghai, 200025, People's Republic of China.
| | - Xiao-Nong Zhou
- Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention; Key Laboratory of Parasite and Vector Biology, Ministry of Health, National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Shanghai, 200025, People's Republic of China
| |
Collapse
|