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Liu Z, Gao L, Wang M, Yuan M, Li Z. Long ignored but making a comeback: a worldwide epidemiological evolution of human brucellosis. Emerg Microbes Infect 2024; 13:2290839. [PMID: 38039063 PMCID: PMC10878345 DOI: 10.1080/22221751.2023.2290839] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2023] [Accepted: 11/29/2023] [Indexed: 12/02/2023]
Abstract
Brucellosis is a commonly neglected zoonosis that remains a serious global public health concern. The epidemiological evolution of human brucellosis has considerably changed over the past few decades, and epidemic geography is continuously expanding. Human brucellosis is emerging and re-emerging, and is imported from areas where it is endemic due to travel, immigration, and international trade. The disease continues to be prevalent in Asia and Africa, including West Asia, Central Asia, North Africa, and East Africa, with the highest incidence in Syria, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Iran, Algeria, and Kenya. Re-emerging cases are frequently recorded in places where brucellosis has been controlled, such as Bosnia, Herzegovina, Azerbaijan, and the USA. In countries with a high disease burden, disease control and eradication have been extremely difficult because of livestock farming being the only source of livelihood, unique religious beliefs regarding animals, nomadic lifestyle, and low socioeconomic levels. Interventions focused on protecting livestock keepers are needed, particularly for those assisting with goat and sheep births and the consumption of raw dairy products. Notably, in most countries with a high disease burden, each period of several years with a low incidence rate was followed by a subsequent increase in cases, highlighting the necessity of continuous investment and surveillance. In addition, advocacy for the inclusion of brucellosis as a globally mandated reported disease, strict restrictions on animal movement, mandated consumption of pasteurized milk, and health education are needed. This study will help form an evidence-based strategy for international organizations to curb the future spread of brucellosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhiguo Liu
- National Key Laboratory of Intelligent Tracking and Forecasting for Infectious Diseases, National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Liping Gao
- National Key Laboratory of Intelligent Tracking and Forecasting for Infectious Diseases, National Institute for Viral Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Miao Wang
- Ulanqab Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Jining (Inner Mongolia), People’s Republic of China
| | - Min Yuan
- National Key Laboratory of Intelligent Tracking and Forecasting for Infectious Diseases, National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Zhenjun Li
- National Key Laboratory of Intelligent Tracking and Forecasting for Infectious Diseases, National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, People’s Republic of China
- Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, People’s Republic of China
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El Hallak D, Al Habbal M, Zorkot WH. Hepatobiliary Brucellosis: Brucella Bacteremia Presenting with Refractory Hepatobiliary Infection. Case Rep Crit Care 2023; 2023:5513052. [PMID: 38028724 PMCID: PMC10657239 DOI: 10.1155/2023/5513052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2023] [Revised: 10/23/2023] [Accepted: 11/03/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Brucellosis often presents with common and nonspecific symptoms such as fever, malaise, and arthralgia but can also involve primary organs. Intra-abdominal involvement is rare. We report a case of hepatobiliary brucellosis presenting as a refractory hepatobiliary infection in a healthy young adult with no underlying rheumatologic disease or history of exposure to risk factors. Detection of Brucella in the blood led to a shift in the patient's management and consequently her recovery.
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Ghssein G, Barakat R, Nehme N, Awada R, Hassan HF. Fecal prevalence of Campylobacter spp. in house dogs in Lebanon: A pilot study. Vet World 2023; 16:2250-2255. [PMID: 38152257 PMCID: PMC10750756 DOI: 10.14202/vetworld.2023.2250-2255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2023] [Accepted: 10/12/2023] [Indexed: 12/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Background and Aim Campylobacter spp. are Gram-negative bacilli that are widely recognized as a primary cause of bacterial gastroenteritis worldwide. Campylobacteriosis is the disease caused by this pathogen. Recently, greater attention has been given to the prevalence of campylobacteriosis in different animals, including pets. These animals are considered to be significant reservoirs for this zoonosis. In Lebanon, the occurrence of Campylobacter infection is high. Our first-of-its-kind pilot study in Lebanon aimed to estimate the fecal prevalence of Campylobacter species in house dogs. Materials and Methods Thirty-five rectal swabs were collected from male and female house dogs of different ages, both with or without diarrhea. Samples obtained from the dogs were subjected to qualitative microbiological culture testing and molecular diagnosis by polymerase chain reaction assays after bacterial DNA extraction. Results Fecal prevalence of Campylobacter spp. in house dogs in this study was 17%. There was a relatively higher prevalence among young females and a significant difference between healthy dogs and those suffering from diarrhea. Conclusion Campylobacteriosis was found to be prevalent among house dogs in Lebanon, making them potential carriers of Campylobacter species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ghassan Ghssein
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Lebanese University, Beirut, Lebanon
- Department of Laboratory Sciences, Faculty of Public Health, Islamic University of Lebanon, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Rana Barakat
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Lebanese University, Beirut, Lebanon
- Department of Laboratory Sciences, Faculty of Public Health, Islamic University of Lebanon, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Nada Nehme
- Department of Environmental Sciences and Natural Resources, Faculty of Agricultural Engineering and Veterinary Medicine, Lebanese University, Dekwaneh, Mount Lebanon, Lebanon
| | - Rana Awada
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Lebanese University, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Hussein F. Hassan
- Department of Natural Sciences, School of Arts and Sciences, Lebanese American University, Beirut, Lebanon
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Awada R, Ghssein G, El Roz A, Farhat M, Nehme N, Hassan HF. Prevalence of Campylobacter spp. in broilers in North Lebanon. Vet World 2023; 16:322-328. [PMID: 37041998 PMCID: PMC10082710 DOI: 10.14202/vetworld.2023.322-328] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2022] [Accepted: 01/13/2023] [Indexed: 02/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Background and Aim: Great attention has been given recently to the prevalence of different Campylobacter spp. in poultry since the latter are considered the major contributing reservoir of human campylobacteriosis. In Lebanon, the occurrence of campylobacteriosis in humans is high. The aim of our first-of-its-kind study in the country was to estimate the prevalence of Campylobacter spp. in broilers from a convenient sample of farms in North Lebanon.
Materials and Methods: One hundred twenty-five fecal samples were collected from 25 broiler farms, which were selected, examined, and classified according to their biosecurity level and rearing system. All samples were subjected to qualitative microbiological culture testing and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays to detect Campylobacter spp.
Results: Despite the reported use of antibiotics, cell culture and PCR were positive for 44% and 88%, respectively. This implies that this bacterium is resistant to antibiotics used on the farms. Furthermore, Campylobacter infection rate was higher in open (92%) than in closed (85%) system farms. All farms with poor biosecurity measures, and 82% of farms with good biosecurity measures had Campylobacter infections, and the difference was significant (p < 0.05).
Conclusion: Our results show that campylobacteriosis was found prevalent among broilers in North Lebanon, making them potential carriers of Campylobacter spp. Future studies should include antibiotic susceptibility testing to check the susceptibility pattern of isolates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rana Awada
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Lebanese University, Beirut, Lebanon; Department of Laboratory Sciences, Faculty of Public Health, Islamic University of Lebanon, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Ghassan Ghssein
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Lebanese University, Beirut, Lebanon; Department of Laboratory Sciences, Faculty of Public Health, Islamic University of Lebanon, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Ali El Roz
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Lebanese University, Beirut, Lebanon; Department of Laboratory Sciences, Faculty of Public Health, Islamic University of Lebanon, Beirut, Lebanon; Department of Biological and Chemical Sciences, School of Arts and Sciences, Lebanese International University, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Mona Farhat
- Department of Laboratory Sciences, Faculty of Public Health, Islamic University of Lebanon, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Nada Nehme
- Department of Environmental Sciences and Natural Resources, Faculty of Agricultural Engineering and Veterinary Medicine, Lebanese University, Dekwaneh, Mount Lebanon, Lebanon
| | - Hussein F. Hassan
- Department of Natural Sciences, School of Arts and Sciences, Lebanese American University, Beirut, Lebanon
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Hassan HF, Bou Ghanem H, Abi Kharma J, Abiad MG, Elaridi J, Bassil M. Perfluorooctanoic Acid and Perfluorooctane Sulfonate in Human Milk: First Survey from Lebanon. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:ijerph20010821. [PMID: 36613141 PMCID: PMC9819430 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20010821] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2022] [Revised: 12/10/2022] [Accepted: 12/20/2022] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
Human milk is the primary source of nutrition for infants in their first year of life. Its potential contamination with perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), a group of toxic man-made chemicals, is a health concern that may threatens infants' health. Our study aims to assess the levels of PFOA and PFOS in the breast milk of Lebanese lactating mothers and the maternal factors associated with their presence. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) coupled with a Micromass Quattro micro API triple quadrupole mass spectrometer was used to detect the level of contamination in 57 collected human milk samples. PFOA and PFOS were present in 82.5% and 85.7% of the samples, respectively, while PFOA levels ranged between 120 and 247 pg/mL with a median of 147 pg/mL, and those of PFOS ranged between 12 and 86 pg/mL with a median of 27.5 pg/mL. The median contamination for PFOA exceeded the threshold set by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) (60 pg/mL); however, that of PFOS was below the threshold (73 pg/mL). The consumption of bread, pasta, meat, and chicken more than twice per week and that of white tubers and roots at least once per week was significantly associated with higher levels of PFOA (p < 0.05). No significant association was found between maternal age, BMI, parity, level of education, place of residence, source of water used, and smoking with the levels of PFOA and PFOS in the human milk. Additionally, the consumption of cereals at least twice per week was significantly associated with higher levels of PFOS. These findings call for actions to improve the local environmental and agricultural practices, and the regulations and standards for inspecting imported food. It is important to highlight that the benefits of breastfeeding outweigh the reported contamination with PFOS and PFOA in our study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hussein F. Hassan
- Nutrition Program, Natural Sciences Department, Lebanese American University, Beirut 1102-2801, Lebanon
| | - Haneen Bou Ghanem
- Nutrition Program, Natural Sciences Department, Lebanese American University, Beirut 1102-2801, Lebanon
| | - Joelle Abi Kharma
- Nutrition Program, Natural Sciences Department, Lebanese American University, Beirut 1102-2801, Lebanon
| | - Mohamad G. Abiad
- Department of Nutrition and Food Sciences, Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences, American University of Beirut, Beirut 1107-2020, Lebanon
- LEAF—The Laboratories for the Environment, Agriculture and Food, American University of Beirut, Beirut 1107-2020, Lebanon
| | - Jomana Elaridi
- Chemistry Program, Natural Sciences Department, Lebanese American University, Beirut 1102-2801, Lebanon
| | - Maya Bassil
- Human Nutrition Department, College of Health Sciences, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha 2713, Qatar
- Correspondence:
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Khan AU, Melzer F, Hendam A, Sayour AE, Khan I, Elschner MC, Younus M, Ehtisham-Ul-Haque S, Waheed U, Farooq M, Ali S, Neubauer H, El-Adawy H. Seroprevalence and Molecular Identification of Brucella spp. in Bovines in Pakistan-Investigating Association With Risk Factors Using Machine Learning. Front Vet Sci 2020; 7:594498. [PMID: 33344532 PMCID: PMC7738322 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2020.594498] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2020] [Accepted: 10/29/2020] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Bovine brucellosis is a global zoonosis of public health importance. It is an endemic disease in many developing countries including Pakistan. This study aimed to estimate the seroprevalence and molecular detection of bovine brucellosis and to assess the association of potential risk factors with test results. A total of 176 milk and 402 serum samples were collected from cattle and buffaloes in three districts of upper Punjab, Pakistan. Milk samples were investigated using milk ring test (MRT), while sera were tested by Rose–Bengal plate agglutination test (RBPT) and indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (i-ELISA). Real-time PCR was used for detection of Brucella DNA in investigated samples. Anti-Brucella antibodies were detected in 37 (21.02%) bovine milk samples using MRT and in 66 (16.4%) and 71 (17.7%) bovine sera using RBPT and i-ELISA, respectively. Real-time PCR detected Brucella DNA in 31 (7.71%) from a total of 402 bovine sera and identified as Brucella abortus. Seroprevalence and molecular identification of bovine brucellosis varied in some regions in Pakistan. With the use of machine learning, the association of test results with risk factors including age, animal species/type, herd size, history of abortion, pregnancy status, lactation status, and geographical location was analyzed. Machine learning confirmed a real observation that lactation status was found to be the highest significant factor, while abortion, age, and pregnancy came second in terms of significance. To the authors' best knowledge, this is the first time to use machine learning to assess brucellosis in Pakistan; this is a model that can be applied for other developing countries in the future. The development of control strategies for bovine brucellosis through the implementation of uninterrupted surveillance and interactive extension programs in Pakistan is highly recommended.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aman Ullah Khan
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Institute of Bacterial Infections and Zoonoses, Jena, Germany.,Department of Pathobiology, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Jhang, Pakistan
| | - Falk Melzer
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Institute of Bacterial Infections and Zoonoses, Jena, Germany
| | - Ashraf Hendam
- Climate Change Information Center, Renewable Energy and Expert Systems (CCICREES), Agricultural Research Center, Giza, Egypt
| | - Ashraf E Sayour
- Department of Brucellosis, Animal Health Research Institute, Agricultural Research Center, Giza, Egypt
| | - Iahtasham Khan
- Section of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore Sub-Campus, Jhang, Pakistan
| | - Mandy C Elschner
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Institute of Bacterial Infections and Zoonoses, Jena, Germany
| | - Muhammad Younus
- Department of Pathobiology, KBCMA College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Narowal, Pakistan
| | | | - Usman Waheed
- Department of Pathobiology, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Jhang, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Farooq
- Section of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore Sub-Campus, Jhang, Pakistan
| | - Shahzad Ali
- Wildlife Epidemiology and Molecular Microbiology Laboratory (One Health Research Group), Discipline of Zoology Department of Wildlife & Ecology, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Heinrich Neubauer
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Institute of Bacterial Infections and Zoonoses, Jena, Germany
| | - Hosny El-Adawy
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Institute of Bacterial Infections and Zoonoses, Jena, Germany.,Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kafrelsheikh University, Kafr El-Sheikh, Egypt
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Hassan H, Salami A, Ghssein G, El-Hage J, Nehme N, Awada R. Seroprevalence of Brucella abortus in cattle in Southern Lebanon using different diagnostic tests. Vet World 2020; 13:2234-2242. [PMID: 33281362 PMCID: PMC7704307 DOI: 10.14202/vetworld.2020.2234-2242] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2020] [Accepted: 10/21/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background and Aim Brucellosis is endemic zoonotic and highly contagious bacterial disease. Recently, several brucellosis cases were reported in Lebanon, causing significant economic losses; however, no study was done so far on farms located in the southern part of the country. Thus, the aim of our study was to estimate the prevalence of Brucella abortus in South Lebanon using three different serological tests in the diagnosis of brucellosis in cattle. Materials and Methods Seventeen farms from 14 locations in Southern Lebanon were selected. Two hundred and three bovine blood samples of different ages, and 121 milk samples collected from older than 2 years cattle were tested using different serological tests: Rose Bengal test (RBT), milk ring test (MRT), indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (I-ELISA), and confirmed with competitive ELISA (C-ELISA). Results Results revealed that approximately 15.3% (confidence interval [CI] 95 10.3-20.2%) and 15.7% (CI 95 9.2-22.2%) of samples were positive using RBT and MRT, respectively. This percentage was significantly higher when using I-ELISA (18.3%) (CI 95 12.9-23.5%) and C-ELISA (18.7%) (CI 95 9.8-27.5%). Among used diagnostic tests, our results showed that ELISA was more accurate for the detection of brucellosis, especially since it detects the late stages of the infection, which is characterized by the presence of immunoglobulin G. The seroprevalence of brucellosis was higher among females. All positive tests were of cattle Holstein breed older than 2 years. Tyre and Jezzine cities had a higher significance in bovine brucellosis than Saida. A positive correlation between human and cattle brucellosis was found. Conclusion Our results showed that bovine brucellosis is prevalent in southern Lebanon. Lack of research, in addition to little feedback of occurring illness or symptoms, creates a gap in helping to control the spread of the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hussein Hassan
- Department of Natural Sciences, School of Arts and Sciences, Lebanese American University, Lebanon
| | - Ali Salami
- Rammal Hassan Rammal Research Laboratory, PhyToxE Research Group, Faculty of Sciences (V), Lebanese University, Nabatieh, Lebanon
| | - Ghassan Ghssein
- Rammal Hassan Rammal Research Laboratory, PhyToxE Research Group, Faculty of Sciences (V), Lebanese University, Nabatieh, Lebanon
| | - Jeanne El-Hage
- Animal Health Laboratory, Lebanese Agricultural Research Institute, Fanar, Lebanon
| | - Nada Nehme
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, Faculty of Agronomy, Lebanese University, Dekwaneh, Lebanon
| | - Rana Awada
- Rammal Hassan Rammal Research Laboratory, PhyToxE Research Group, Faculty of Sciences (V), Lebanese University, Nabatieh, Lebanon.,Department of Veterinary Sciences, Faculty of Agronomy, Lebanese University, Dekwaneh, Lebanon
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