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Wei HL, Liao YS, Chen BH, Teng RH, Wang YW, Chang JH, Chiou CS. Antimicrobial resistance and genetic relatedness among Campylobacter coli and Campylobacter jejuni from humans and retail chicken meat in Taiwan. J Glob Antimicrob Resist 2024; 38:27-34. [PMID: 38821444 DOI: 10.1016/j.jgar.2024.05.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2023] [Revised: 04/19/2024] [Accepted: 05/17/2024] [Indexed: 06/02/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Campylobacter is a significant zoonotic pathogen primarily transmitted through poultry. Our study aimed to assess antimicrobial resistance and genetic relationships among Campylobacter isolates from retail chicken meat and humans in Taiwan. METHODS Campylobacter isolates were analysed using whole-genome sequencing to investigate their antimicrobial resistance, genetic determinants of resistance, and genotypes. RESULTS Campylobacter coli and Campylobacter jejuni accounted for 44.9% and 55.1% of chicken meat isolates, and 11.4% and 88.6% of human isolates, respectively. C. coli displayed significantly higher resistance levels. Furthermore, isolates from chicken meat exhibited higher levels of resistance to most tested antimicrobials compared to isolates from humans. Multidrug resistance was observed in 96.3% of C. coli and 43.3% of C. jejuni isolates from chicken meat and 80.6% of C. coli and 15.8% of C. jejuni isolates from humans. Macrolide resistance was observed in 85.5% of C. coli isolates, primarily attributed to the erm(B) rather than the A2075G mutation in 23S rRNA. Among the 511 genomes, we identified 133 conventional MLST sequence types, indicating significant diversity among Campylobacter strains. Notably, hierarchical Core-genome multilocus sequence typing clustering, including HC0, HC5, and HC10, revealed a significant proportion of closely related isolates from chicken meat and humans. CONCLUSIONS Our research highlights significant associations in antimicrobial resistance and genetic relatedness between Campylobacter isolates from chicken meat and humans in Taiwan. The genetic analysis data suggest that campylobacteriosis outbreaks may occur more frequently in Taiwan than previously assumed. Our study emphasizes the need for strategies to control multidrug-resistant strains and enhance outbreak prevention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hsiao-Lun Wei
- Center for Diagnostics and Vaccine Development, Centers for Disease Control, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Ying-Shu Liao
- Center for Diagnostics and Vaccine Development, Centers for Disease Control, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Bo-Han Chen
- Center for Diagnostics and Vaccine Development, Centers for Disease Control, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Ru-Hsiou Teng
- Center for Diagnostics and Vaccine Development, Centers for Disease Control, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - You-Wun Wang
- Center for Diagnostics and Vaccine Development, Centers for Disease Control, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Jui-Hsien Chang
- Center for Diagnostics and Vaccine Development, Centers for Disease Control, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chien-Shun Chiou
- Center for Diagnostics and Vaccine Development, Centers for Disease Control, Taipei, Taiwan.
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2
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Phu DH, Wongtawan T, Wintachai P, Nhung NT, Yen NTP, Carrique-Mas J, Turni C, Omaleki L, Blackall PJ, Thomrongsuwannakij T. Molecular characterization of Campylobacter spp. isolates obtained from commercial broilers and native chickens in Southern Thailand using whole genome sequencing. Poult Sci 2024; 103:103485. [PMID: 38335668 PMCID: PMC10869288 DOI: 10.1016/j.psj.2024.103485] [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: 11/05/2023] [Revised: 01/12/2024] [Accepted: 01/17/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Chickens are the primary reservoirs of Campylobacter spp., mainly C. jejuni and C. coli, that cause human bacterial gastrointestinal infections. However, genomic characteristics and antimicrobial resistance of Campylobacter spp. in low- to middle-income countries need more comprehensive exploration. This study aimed to characterize 21 C. jejuni and 5 C. coli isolates from commercial broilers and native chickens using whole genome sequencing and compare them to 28 reference Campylobacter sequences. Among the 26 isolates, 13 sequence types (ST) were identified in C. jejuni and 5 ST in C. coli. The prominent ST was ST 2274 (5 isolates, 19.2%), followed by ST 51, 460, 2409, and 6455 (2 isolates in each ST, 7.7%), while all remaining ST (464, 536, 595, 2083, 6736, 6964, 8096, 10437, 828, 872, 900, 8237, and 13540) had 1 isolate per ST (3.8%). Six types of antimicrobial resistance genes (ant(6)-Ia, aph(3')-III, blaOXA, cat, erm(B), and tet(O)) and one point mutations in the gyrA gene (Threonine-86-Isoleucine) and another in the rpsL gene (Lysine-43-Arginine) were detected. The blaOXA resistance gene was present in all isolates, the gyrA mutations was in 95.2% of C. jejuni and 80.0% of C. coli, and the tet(O) resistance gene in 76.2% of C. jejuni and 80.0% of C. coli. Additionally, 203 virulence-associated genes linked to 16 virulence factors were identified. In terms of phenotypic resistance, the C. jejuni isolates were all resistant to ciprofloxacin, enrofloxacin, and nalidixic acid, with lower levels of resistance to tetracycline (76.2%), tylosin (52.3%), erythromycin (23.8%), azithromycin (22.2%), and gentamicin (11.1%). Most C. coli isolates were resistant to all tested antimicrobials, while 1 C. coli was pan-susceptible except for tylosin. Single-nucleotide polymorphisms concordance varied widely, with differences of up to 13,375 single-nucleotide polymorphisms compared to the reference Campylobacter isolates, highlighting genetic divergence among comparative genomes. This study contributes to a deeper understanding of the molecular epidemiology of Campylobacter spp. in Thai chicken production systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Doan Hoang Phu
- Akkhraratchakumari Veterinary College, Walailak University, Nakhon Si Thammarat 80160, Thailand; Doctoral Program in Health Sciences, College of Graduate Studies, Walailak University, Nakhon Si Thammarat 80160, Thailand; Faculty of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Nong Lam University, Ho Chi Minh City 70000, Vietnam
| | - Tuempong Wongtawan
- Akkhraratchakumari Veterinary College, Walailak University, Nakhon Si Thammarat 80160, Thailand; Centre for One Health, Walailak University, Nakhon Si Thammarat 80160, Thailand
| | | | - Nguyen Thi Nhung
- Oxford University Clinical Research Unit, Ho Chi Minh City 70000, Vietnam
| | | | - Juan Carrique-Mas
- Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Ha Noi 10000, Vietnam
| | - Conny Turni
- Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Queensland 4067, Australia
| | - Lida Omaleki
- Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Queensland 4067, Australia
| | - Patrick J Blackall
- Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Queensland 4067, Australia
| | - Thotsapol Thomrongsuwannakij
- Akkhraratchakumari Veterinary College, Walailak University, Nakhon Si Thammarat 80160, Thailand; Centre for One Health, Walailak University, Nakhon Si Thammarat 80160, Thailand.
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3
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Stevens MJA, Stephan R, Horlbog JA, Cernela N, Nüesch-Inderbinen M. Whole genome sequence-based characterization of Campylobacter isolated from broiler carcasses over a three-year period in a big poultry slaughterhouse reveals high genetic diversity and a recurring genomic lineage of Campylobacter jejuni. INFECTION, GENETICS AND EVOLUTION : JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR EPIDEMIOLOGY AND EVOLUTIONARY GENETICS IN INFECTIOUS DISEASES 2024; 119:105578. [PMID: 38417639 DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2024.105578] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2024] [Revised: 02/23/2024] [Accepted: 02/25/2024] [Indexed: 03/01/2024]
Abstract
Campylobacter is among the most frequent agents of bacterial gastroenteritis in Europe and is primarily linked to the consumption of contaminated food. The aim of this study was to assess genomic diversity and to identify antimicrobial resistance and virulence genes of 155 Campylobacter isolated from broiler carcasses (neck skin samples) in a large-scale Swiss poultry abattoir over a three-year period. Samples originated from broilers from three different types of farming systems (particularly animal-friendly stabling (PAFS), free-range farms, and organic farms). Campylobacter jejuni (n = 127) and Campylobacter coli (n = 28) were analysed using a whole genome sequencing (WGS) approach (MiniSeq; Illumina). Sequence types (STs) were determined in silico from the WGS data and isolates were assigned into complex types (CTs) using the cgMLST SeqSphere+ scheme. Antimicrobial resistance genes were identified using the Resistance Gene Identifier (RGI), and virulence genes were identified using the virulence factor database (VFDB). A high degree of genetic diversity was observed. Many sequence types (C. jejuni ST19, ST21, ST48, ST50, ST122, ST262 and C. coli ST827) occurred more than once and were distributed throughout the study period, irrespective of the year of isolation and of the broiler farming type. Antimicrobial resistance determinants included blaOXA and tet(O) genes, as well as the T86I substitution within GyrA. Virulence genes known to play a role in human Campylobacter infection were identified such as the wlaN, cstIII, neuA1, neuB1, and neuC1. Subtyping of the Campylobacter isolates identified the occurrence of a highly clonal population of C. jejuni ST21 that was isolated throughout the three-year study period from carcasses from farms with geographically different locations and different farming systems. The high rate of genetic diversity observed among broiler carcass isolates is consistent with previous studies. The identification of a persisting highly clonal C. jejuni ST21 subtype suggests that the slaughterhouse may represent an environment in which C. jejuni ST21 may survive, however, the ecological reservoir potentially maintaining this clone remains unknown.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marc J A Stevens
- Institute for Food Safety and Hygiene, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Roger Stephan
- Institute for Food Safety and Hygiene, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
| | - Jule Anna Horlbog
- National Reference Centre for Enteropathogenic Bacteria and Listeria (NENT), Institute for Food Safety and Hygiene, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Nicole Cernela
- Institute for Food Safety and Hygiene, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Magdalena Nüesch-Inderbinen
- National Reference Centre for Enteropathogenic Bacteria and Listeria (NENT), Institute for Food Safety and Hygiene, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
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4
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He Y, Kanrar S, Reed S, Lee J, Capobianco J. Whole Genome Sequences, De Novo Assembly, and Annotation of Antibiotic Resistant Campylobacter jejuni Strains S27, S33, and S36 Newly Isolated from Chicken Meat. Microorganisms 2024; 12:159. [PMID: 38257985 PMCID: PMC10818789 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms12010159] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2023] [Revised: 01/04/2024] [Accepted: 01/12/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Campylobacter is a leading bacterial cause of gastrointestinal infections in humans and has imposed substantial medical and public health burdens worldwide. Among a total of 39 species in the Campylobacter genus, C. jejuni is the most important species responsible for approx. 90% of human Campylobacter illness. Most cases of the infection were acquired by ingesting undercooked poultry meat due to the high prevalence of Campylobacter in the products. Here, we reported the dataset of raw sequences, de novo assembled and annotated genomes of C. jejuni strains S27, S33, and S36 recently isolated from retail chicken by using PacBio highly accurate long-read sequencing technology combined with bioinformatics tools. Our data revealed several virulence and antibiotic resistance genes in each of the chromosomes, a type IV secretion system in the plasmid (pCjS33) of C. jejuni S33, and a type VI secretion system and a phage in the plasmid (pCjS36) of C. jejuni S36. This study not only provides new sequence data but also extends the knowledge pertaining to the genomic and functional aspects of this important foodborne pathogen, including the genetic determinants of virulence and antibiotic resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Joseph Capobianco
- Characterization and Interventions for Foodborne Pathogens Research Unit, Eastern Regional Research Center, Agricultural Research Service (ARS), United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), 600 East Mermaid Lane, Wyndmoor, PA 19038, USA; (Y.H.); (S.K.); (S.R.); (J.L.)
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5
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Benedetti G, Holm Hansen C, Tølbøll Svendsen A, Grimstrup Joensen K, Sørensen G, Engsbro AL, Torpdahl M, Møller Nielsen E, Ethelberg S. The effect of changing diagnostic method from culture to PCR on the number of episodes of human campylobacteriosis in Denmark: a retrospective study (2015-2022). Microbiol Spectr 2024; 12:e0341823. [PMID: 38063356 PMCID: PMC10783023 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.03418-23] [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: 09/22/2023] [Accepted: 11/13/2023] [Indexed: 01/13/2024] Open
Abstract
IMPORTANCE This study is important because it shows the potential epidemiological silence associated with the use of culture as the primary diagnostic method for the laboratory identification of human campylobacteriosis. Also, we show how polymerase chain reaction methods are associated with a systematic increase in the number of human campylobacteriosis episodes as reported by routine disease surveillance. These findings are operationally relevant and have public health implications because they tell how crucial it is to consider changes in diagnostic methods, e.g., in the epidemiological analysis of historical data and in the interpretation of future data in light of the past. We also believe that this study highlights how the synergy between microbiology and epidemiology is essential for disease surveillance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guido Benedetti
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology and Prevention, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Christian Holm Hansen
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology and Prevention, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Anna Tølbøll Svendsen
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology and Prevention, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Medicine, Zealand University Hospital, Køge, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | | | - Gitte Sørensen
- Department of Bacteria, Parasites and Fungi, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Anne Line Engsbro
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Zealand University Hospital, Slagelse, Denmark
- Hvidovre University Hospital, Hvidovre, Denmark
| | - Mia Torpdahl
- Department of Bacteria, Parasites and Fungi, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Eva Møller Nielsen
- Department of Bacteria, Parasites and Fungi, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Steen Ethelberg
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology and Prevention, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Public Health, Global Health Section, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
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6
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Koutsoumanis K, Allende A, Bolton D, Bover‐Cid S, Chemaly M, De Cesare A, Herman L, Hilbert F, Lindqvist R, Nauta M, Nonno R, Peixe L, Ru G, Simmons M, Skandamis P, Suffredini E, Fox E, Gosling R(B, Gil BM, Møretrø T, Stessl B, da Silva Felício MT, Messens W, Simon AC, Alvarez‐Ordóñez A. Persistence of microbiological hazards in food and feed production and processing environments. EFSA J 2024; 22:e8521. [PMID: 38250499 PMCID: PMC10797485 DOI: 10.2903/j.efsa.2024.8521] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Listeria monocytogenes (in the meat, fish and seafood, dairy and fruit and vegetable sectors), Salmonella enterica (in the feed, meat, egg and low moisture food sectors) and Cronobacter sakazakii (in the low moisture food sector) were identified as the bacterial food safety hazards most relevant to public health that are associated with persistence in the food and feed processing environment (FFPE). There is a wide range of subtypes of these hazards involved in persistence in the FFPE. While some specific subtypes are more commonly reported as persistent, it is currently not possible to identify universal markers (i.e. genetic determinants) for this trait. Common risk factors for persistence in the FFPE are inadequate zoning and hygiene barriers; lack of hygienic design of equipment and machines; and inadequate cleaning and disinfection. A well-designed environmental sampling and testing programme is the most effective strategy to identify contamination sources and detect potentially persistent hazards. The establishment of hygienic barriers and measures within the food safety management system, during implementation of hazard analysis and critical control points, is key to prevent and/or control bacterial persistence in the FFPE. Once persistence is suspected in a plant, a 'seek-and-destroy' approach is frequently recommended, including intensified monitoring, the introduction of control measures and the continuation of the intensified monitoring. Successful actions triggered by persistence of L. monocytogenes are described, as well as interventions with direct bactericidal activity. These interventions could be efficient if properly validated, correctly applied and verified under industrial conditions. Perspectives are provided for performing a risk assessment for relevant combinations of hazard and food sector to assess the relative public health risk that can be associated with persistence, based on bottom-up and top-down approaches. Knowledge gaps related to bacterial food safety hazards associated with persistence in the FFPE and priorities for future research are provided.
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7
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Li X, Xu X, Chen X, Li Y, Guo J, Gao J, Jiao X, Tang Y, Huang J. Prevalence and genetic characterization of Campylobacter from clinical poultry cases in China. Microbiol Spectr 2023; 11:e0079723. [PMID: 37847023 PMCID: PMC10714823 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.00797-23] [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: 02/23/2023] [Accepted: 08/22/2023] [Indexed: 10/18/2023] Open
Abstract
IMPORTANCE Campylobacter is a major cause of campylobacteriosis worldwide, and poultry is the main reservoir for its transmission. Campylobacter was generally considered to be a harmless commensal organism in poultry without pathogenic properties. However, it was proposed that a Campylobacter-like organism may be the cause of vibrionic hepatitis, which poses a significant public health risk. The occurrence and epidemiology of Campylobacter in healthy poultry have been studied systematically, but little is known about the epidemiology of Campylobacter isolates from diseased poultry in China. Therefore, this study determined the prevalence and molecular characterization of Campylobacter from diseased chickens, ducks, and geese in Yangzhou Veterinary Hospital between December 2016 and September 2017, which was critical for improving the diagnosis and prevention of Campylobacter infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaofei Li
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Xiangxiang Xu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Xinyi Chen
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, China
- Key Laboratory of Prevention and Control of Biological Hazard Factors (Animal Origin) for Agrifood Safety and Quality, Ministry of Agriculture of China, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yunlu Li
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, China
- Key Laboratory of Prevention and Control of Biological Hazard Factors (Animal Origin) for Agrifood Safety and Quality, Ministry of Agriculture of China, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Jiale Guo
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, China
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Agriculture and Agri-product Safety, Ministry of Education of China, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Jie Gao
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, China
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Agriculture and Agri-product Safety, Ministry of Education of China, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Xinan Jiao
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, China
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Agriculture and Agri-product Safety, Ministry of Education of China, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yuanyue Tang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, China
- Key Laboratory of Prevention and Control of Biological Hazard Factors (Animal Origin) for Agrifood Safety and Quality, Ministry of Agriculture of China, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, China
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Agriculture and Agri-product Safety, Ministry of Education of China, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Jinlin Huang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, China
- Key Laboratory of Prevention and Control of Biological Hazard Factors (Animal Origin) for Agrifood Safety and Quality, Ministry of Agriculture of China, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, China
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Agriculture and Agri-product Safety, Ministry of Education of China, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, China
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8
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Hahné S, Hammer C, Tostmann A, Whelan J, Williams C. Field Epidemiology: Fit for the future. Euro Surveill 2023; 28:2300347. [PMID: 37676144 PMCID: PMC10486192 DOI: 10.2807/1560-7917.es.2023.28.36.2300347] [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: 07/10/2023] [Accepted: 08/29/2023] [Indexed: 09/08/2023] Open
Abstract
In recent years, field epidemiologists have embraced rapidly evolving digital tools, data sources and technologies, and collaborated with an ever-growing field of scientific specialisms. The COVID-19 pandemic put field epidemiology under unprecedented demand and scrutiny. As the COVID-19 emergency recedes, it is timely to reflect on the core values of our profession and the unique challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. In November 2022, alumni of the European Programme for Intervention Epidemiology Training (EPIET) and the European Public Health Microbiology (EUPHEM) training programme celebrated 25 years of EPIET, and the present and future of field epidemiology was discussed. The output was recorded and qualitatively analysed. This Perspective reflects the authors' interpretation of the discussion. We should reaffirm our commitment to field epidemiology's core strengths: competence and rigour in epidemiology, surveillance, outbreak investigation and applied research, leading to timely and actionable evidence for public health. Our future success will be defined by an ability to adapt, collaborate, harness innovation, communicate and, ultimately, by our tangible impact on protecting and improving health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susan Hahné
- National Institute for Public Health and The Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, The Netherlands
- These authors contributed equally
| | - Charlotte Hammer
- University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
- EPIET Alumni Network (EAN) Board
- These authors contributed equally
| | - Alma Tostmann
- EPIET Alumni Network (EAN) Board
- Radboud university medical centre, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- These authors contributed equally
| | - Jane Whelan
- EPIET Alumni Network (EAN) Board
- EpiSmart, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- These authors contributed equally
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9
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Zhang S, Shi J, Sharma E, Li X, Gao S, Zhou X, O'Brien J, Coin L, Liu Y, Sivakumar M, Hai F, Jiang G. In-sewer decay and partitioning of Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter coli and implications for their wastewater surveillance. WATER RESEARCH 2023; 233:119737. [PMID: 36801582 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2023.119737] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2022] [Revised: 02/08/2023] [Accepted: 02/10/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Campylobacter jejuni and coli are two main pathogenic species inducing diarrhoeal diseases in humans, which are responsible for the loss of 33 million lives each year. Current Campylobacter infections are mainly monitored by clinical surveillance which is often limited to individuals seeking treatment, resulting in under-reporting of disease prevalence and untimely indicators of community outbreaks. Wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) has been developed and employed for the wastewater surveillance of pathogenic viruses and bacteria. Monitoring the temporal changes of pathogen concentration in wastewater allows the early detection of disease outbreaks in a community. However, studies investigating the WBE back-estimation of Campylobacter spp. are rare. Essential factors including the analytical recovery efficiency, the decay rate, the effect of in-sewer transport, and the correlation between the wastewater concentration and the infections in communities are lacking to support wastewater surveillance. This study carried out experiments to investigate the recovery of Campylobacter jejuni and coli from wastewater and the decay under different simulated sewer reactor conditions. It was found that the recovery of Campylobacter spp. from wastewater varied with their concentrations in wastewater and depended on the detection limit of quantification methods. The concentration reduction of Campylobacter. jejuni and coli in sewers followed a two-phase reduction model, and the faster concentration reduction during the first phase is mainly due to their partitioning onto sewer biofilms. The total decay of Campylobacter. jejuni and coli varied in different types of sewer reactors, i.e. rising main vs. gravity sewer. In addition, the sensitivity analysis for WBE back-estimation of Campylobacter suggested that the first-phase decay rate constant (k1) and the turning time point (t1) are determining factors and their impacts increased with the hydraulic retention time of wastewater.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuxin Zhang
- School of Civil, Mining and Environmental Engineering, University of Wollongong, Australia
| | - Jiahua Shi
- Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute (IHMRI), University of Wollongong, Wollongong, Australia; School of Medical, Indigenous and Health Sciences, University of Wollongong, Australia
| | - Elipsha Sharma
- School of Civil, Mining and Environmental Engineering, University of Wollongong, Australia
| | - Xuan Li
- Centre for Technology in Water and Wastewater, School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, NSW 2007, Australia
| | - Shuhong Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment, School of Civil & Environmental Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology (Shenzhen), Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Xu Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment, School of Civil & Environmental Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology (Shenzhen), Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Jake O'Brien
- Queensland Alliance for Environmental Health Sciences (QAEHS), The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Lachlan Coin
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Yanchen Liu
- State Key Joint Laboratory of Environment Simulation and Pollution Control, School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Muttucumaru Sivakumar
- School of Civil, Mining and Environmental Engineering, University of Wollongong, Australia
| | - Faisal Hai
- School of Civil, Mining and Environmental Engineering, University of Wollongong, Australia
| | - Guangming Jiang
- School of Civil, Mining and Environmental Engineering, University of Wollongong, Australia; Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute (IHMRI), University of Wollongong, Wollongong, Australia.
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10
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Liu F, Lee SA, Xue J, Riordan SM, Zhang L. Global epidemiology of campylobacteriosis and the impact of COVID-19. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2022; 12:979055. [PMID: 36519137 PMCID: PMC9742372 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2022.979055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2022] [Accepted: 10/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Campylobacteriosis is a gastroenteritis caused by pathogenic Campylobacter species and an important topic in public health. Here we review the global epidemiology of campylobacteriosis in the last eight years between 2014-2021, providing comprehensive and updated information on the reported incidence and outbreaks of Campylobacter infections. The government public health website of each of the 195 countries and publications from 2014 to September 2022 in public databases were searched. The reported incidence of campylobacteriosis in pre-COVID-19 years was compared to that during the COVID-19 pandemic in countries where data were available. Czech Republic had the highest reported incidence of campylobacteriosis worldwide (215 per 100,000 in 2019), followed by Australia (146.8 per 100,000 in 2016) and New Zealand (126.1 per 100,000 in 2019). Campylobacter was one of the most common human enteric pathogens in both developed and developing countries. About 90% of cases of campylobacteriosis were caused by Campylobacter jejuni, whereas less than 10% of cases were caused by Campylobacter coli. Other Campylobacter species were also isolated. The reported incidence and case numbers of campylobacteriosis in developed nations have remained steadily high prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, whilst some countries reported an increasing trend such as France and Japan. While outbreaks were more frequently reported in some countries, Campylobacter infections were mainly sporadic cases in most of the developed countries. Campylobacter infection was more common in summer in some but not all countries. Campylobacter infection was more common in males than females. The COVID-19 pandemic has reduced the reported incidence of campylobacteriosis in most countries where 2020 epidemiology data were available. In conclusion, Campylobacter infection remains a global health concern. Increased research and improved strategies are needed for prevention and reduction of Campylobacter infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fang Liu
- School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Seul A. Lee
- School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Jessica Xue
- Faculty of Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Stephen M. Riordan
- Gastrointestinal and Liver Unit, Prince of Wales Hospital, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Li Zhang
- School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia,*Correspondence: Li Zhang,
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Benedetti G, Jokelainen P, Ethelberg S. Search term “One Health” remains of limited use to identify relevant scientific publications: Denmark as a case study. Front Public Health 2022; 10:938460. [PMID: 35968488 PMCID: PMC9368311 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2022.938460] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2022] [Accepted: 07/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
One Health has become a popular approach, and scientific advancements in the field should be easily findable and accessible to a wide range of relevant audiences, from researchers to policymakers, and across sectors. We conducted a systematic narrative review of available scientific publications concerning One Health in the setting of Denmark that were retrievable using “One Health” as the key search term. Three searches in two databases yielded 30 retrieved publications, 13 of which were included in the review. The included publications had been published between 2015 and 2021. Twelve of the included publications were co-authored in collaboration across institutes from different sectors. Three of the included publications had focus on antimicrobial resistance, three on disease surveillance and/or control, and five were assessments or evaluations. The overall number of publications identified by a search using “One Health” as the key search term was small, and the search identified some publications that were not relevant to One Health. Our work thus highlights a missed scientific and communication opportunity of signposting articles as relevant to One Health. Using the expression “One Health” as keyword could help making One Health research more easily findable and thereby obtaining an overview of research in the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guido Benedetti
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology and Prevention, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark
- *Correspondence: Guido Benedetti
| | - Pikka Jokelainen
- Infectious Disease Preparedness, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Steen Ethelberg
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology and Prevention, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Public Health, Global Health Section, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
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Antimicrobial resistance in Campylobacter coli and Campylobacter jejuni from human campylobacteriosis in Taiwan, 2016-2019. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2021; 66:e0173621. [PMID: 34748382 DOI: 10.1128/aac.01736-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Campylobacter coli and C. jejuni are highly resistant to most therapeutic antimicrobials in Taiwan, rapid diagnostics of resistance in bacterial isolates is crucial for the treatment of campylobacteriosis. We characterized 219 (40 C. coli and 179 C. jejuni) isolates recovered from humans between 2016 and 2019 using whole-genome sequencing to investigate the genetic diversity among isolates and the genetic resistance determinants associated with antimicrobial resistance. Susceptibility testing with 8 antimicrobials was conducted to assess the concordance between phenotypic resistance and genetic determinants. The conventional and core genome multilocus sequence typing analysis revealed diverse clonality among the isolates. Mutations in gyrA (T86I, D90N), rpsL (K43R, K88R), and 23S rRNA (A2075G) were found in 91.8%, 3.2%, and 6.4% of the isolates, respectively. Horizontally transferable resistance genes ant(6)-I, aad9, aph(3')-IIIa, aph(2"), blaOXA, catA/fexA, cfr(C), erm(B), lnu, sat4, and tet were identified in 24.2%, 21.5%, 33.3%, 11.9%, 96.3%, 10.0%, 0.9%, 6.8%, 3.2%, 13.2%, and 96.3%, respectively. High-level resistance to 8 antimicrobials in isolates was 100% predictable by the known resistance determinants, whereas low-level resistance to azithromycin, clindamycin, nalidixic acid, ciprofloxacin, and florfenicol in isolates was associated with sequence variations in CmeA and CmeB of the CmeABC efflux pump. Resistance-enhancing CmeB variants were identified in 62.1% (136/219) of isolates. In conclusion, an extremely high proportion of C. coli (100%) and C. jejuni (88.3%) were multidrug-resistant and a high proportion (62.5%) of C. coli isolates had been resistant to azithromycin, erythromycin, and clindamycin that would complicate the treatment of invasive campylobacteriosis in this country.
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Investigation of MALDI-TOF Mass Spectrometry for Assessing the Molecular Diversity of Campylobacter jejuni and Comparison with MLST and cgMLST: A Luxembourg One-Health Study. Diagnostics (Basel) 2021; 11:diagnostics11111949. [PMID: 34829296 PMCID: PMC8621691 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics11111949] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2021] [Revised: 10/15/2021] [Accepted: 10/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
There is a need for active molecular surveillance of human and veterinary Campylobacter infections. However, sequencing of all isolates is associated with high costs and a considerable workload. Thus, there is a need for a straightforward complementary tool to prioritize isolates to sequence. In this study, we proposed to investigate the ability of MALDI-TOF MS to pre-screen C. jejuni genetic diversity in comparison to MLST and cgMLST. A panel of 126 isolates, with 10 clonal complexes (CC), 21 sequence types (ST) and 42 different complex types (CT) determined by the SeqSphere+ cgMLST, were analysed by a MALDI Biotyper, resulting into one average spectra per isolate. Concordance and discriminating ability were evaluated based on protein profiles and different cut-offs. A random forest algorithm was trained to predict STs. With a 94% similarity cut-off, an AWC of 1.000, 0.933 and 0.851 was obtained for MLSTCC, MLSTST and cgMLST profile, respectively. The random forest classifier showed a sensitivity and specificity up to 97.5% to predict four different STs. Protein profiles allowed to predict C. jejuni CCs, STs and CTs at 100%, 93% and 85%, respectively. Machine learning and MALDI-TOF MS could be a fast and inexpensive complementary tool to give an early signal of recurrent C. jejuni on a routine basis.
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