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Saegerman C, Humblet MF, Leandri M, Gonzalez G, Heyman P, Sprong H, L’Hostis M, Moutailler S, Bonnet SI, Haddad N, Boulanger N, Leib SL, Hoch T, Thiry E, Bournez L, Kerlik J, Velay A, Jore S, Jourdain E, Gilot-Fromont E, Brugger K, Geller J, Studahl M, Knap N, Avšič-Županc T, Růžek D, Zomer TP, Bødker R, Berger TFH, Martin-Latil S, De Regge N, Raffetin A, Lacour SA, Klein M, Lernout T, Quillery E, Hubálek Z, Ruiz-Fons F, Estrada-Peña A, Fravalo P, Kooh P, Etore F, Gossner CM, Purse B. First Expert Elicitation of Knowledge on Possible Drivers of Observed Increasing Human Cases of Tick-Borne Encephalitis in Europe. Viruses 2023; 15:v15030791. [PMID: 36992499 PMCID: PMC10054665 DOI: 10.3390/v15030791] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2023] [Revised: 03/11/2023] [Accepted: 03/17/2023] [Indexed: 03/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) is a viral disease endemic in Eurasia. The virus is mainly transmitted to humans via ticks and occasionally via the consumption of unpasteurized milk products. The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control reported an increase in TBE incidence over the past years in Europe as well as the emergence of the disease in new areas. To better understand this phenomenon, we investigated the drivers of TBE emergence and increase in incidence in humans through an expert knowledge elicitation. We listed 59 possible drivers grouped in eight domains and elicited forty European experts to: (i) allocate a score per driver, (ii) weight this score within each domain, and (iii) weight the different domains and attribute an uncertainty level per domain. An overall weighted score per driver was calculated, and drivers with comparable scores were grouped into three terminal nodes using a regression tree analysis. The drivers with the highest scores were: (i) changes in human behavior/activities; (ii) changes in eating habits or consumer demand; (iii) changes in the landscape; (iv) influence of humidity on the survival and transmission of the pathogen; (v) difficulty to control reservoir(s) and/or vector(s); (vi) influence of temperature on virus survival and transmission; (vii) number of wildlife compartments/groups acting as reservoirs or amplifying hosts; (viii) increase of autochthonous wild mammals; and (ix) number of tick species vectors and their distribution. Our results support researchers in prioritizing studies targeting the most relevant drivers of emergence and increasing TBE incidence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claude Saegerman
- Fundamental and Applied Research for Animal and Health (FARAH) Center, University of Liege, 4000 Liege, Belgium
- Correspondence:
| | - Marie-France Humblet
- Department for Occupational Protection and Hygiene, Unit Biosafety, Biosecurity and Environmental Licences, University of Liege, 4000 Liege, Belgium
| | - Marc Leandri
- UMI SOURCE, Université Paris-Saclay—UVSQ, 78000 Versailles, France
| | - Gaëlle Gonzalez
- ANSES, INRAE, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d’Alfort, UMR VIROLOGIE, Laboratoire de Santé Animale, 94700 Maisons-Alfort, France
| | | | - Hein Sprong
- Centre for Infectious Disease Control, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, 3720 MA Bilthoven, The Netherlands
| | - Monique L’Hostis
- Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire Agroalimentaire et de l’Alimentation Nantes-Atlantique, Oniris, 44307 Nantes, France
| | - Sara Moutailler
- ANSES, INRAE, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d’Alfort, UMR BIPAR, Laboratoire de Santé Animale, 94700 Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Sarah I. Bonnet
- UMR 2000 Institut Pasteur-CNRS-Université Paris-Cité, Ecology and Emergence of Arthropod-borne Pathogens, 75015 Paris, France
- Animal Health Department, INRAE, 37380 Nouzilly, France
| | - Nadia Haddad
- ANSES, INRAE, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d’Alfort, UMR BIPAR, Laboratoire de Santé Animale, 94700 Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Nathalie Boulanger
- UR7290: VBP: Borrelia Group, France and French Reference Centre on Lyme Borreliosis, CHRU, Unversity of Strasbourg, 67000 Strasbourg, France
| | - Stephen L. Leib
- Institute for Infectious Diseases, University of Bern, 3001 Bern, Switzerland
| | | | - Etienne Thiry
- Fundamental and Applied Research for Animal and Health (FARAH) Center, University of Liege, 4000 Liege, Belgium
| | - Laure Bournez
- ANSES, Nancy Laboratory for Rabies and Wildlife, 54220 Malzéville, France
| | - Jana Kerlik
- Department of Epidemiology, Regional Authority of Public Health in Banská Bystrica, 497556 Banská Bystrica, Slovakia
| | - Aurélie Velay
- Unité Mixte de Recherché Immunorhumathologie Moléculaire (UMR IRM_S) 1109, Université de Strasbourg, INSERM, 67000 Strasbourg, France
| | - Solveig Jore
- Zoonotic, Water and Foodborne Infections, The Norwegian Institute for Public Health (NIPH), 0213 Oslo, Norway
| | - Elsa Jourdain
- Université Clermont Auvergne, INRAE, VetAgro Sup, UMR EPIA, Route de Theix, 63122 Saint-Genès-Champanelle, France
| | | | - Katharina Brugger
- Competence Center Climate and Health, Austrian National Institute of Public Health, 1010 Vienna, Austria
| | - Julia Geller
- Department of Virology and Immunology, National Institute for Health Development, 11619 Tallinn, Estonia
| | - Marie Studahl
- Institute of Biomedicine, Department of Infectious Diseases, University of Gothenburg, 41685 Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Nataša Knap
- Institute of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Zaloška cesta 4, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Tatjana Avšič-Županc
- Institute of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Zaloška cesta 4, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Daniel Růžek
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, 37005 Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic
- Department of Experimental Biology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, 62500 Brno, Czech Republic
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Preventive Medicine, Veterinary Research Institute, 62100 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Tizza P. Zomer
- Lyme Center Apeldoorn, Gelre Hospital, 7300 DS Apeldoorn, The Netherlands
| | - René Bødker
- Animal Welfare and Disease Control, Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 1870 Frederiksberg, Denmark
| | - Thomas F. H. Berger
- Agroscope, Risk Evaluation and Risk Mitigation, Schwarzenburgstrasse, 3003 Bern-Liebefeld, Switzerland
| | - Sandra Martin-Latil
- Laboratory for Food Safety, ANSES, University of Paris-EST, 94700 Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Nick De Regge
- Operational Direction Infectious Diseases in Animals, Unit of Exotic and Vector-borne Diseases, Sciensano, 1180 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Alice Raffetin
- Reference Centre for Tick-Borne Diseases, Paris and Northern Region, Department of Infectious Diseases, General Hospital of Villeneuve-Saint-Georges, 94100 Villeneuve-Saint-Georges, France
| | - Sandrine A. Lacour
- ANSES, INRAE, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d’Alfort, UMR VIROLOGIE, Laboratoire de Santé Animale, 94700 Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Matthias Klein
- Neurologische Klinik und Poliklinik, Klinikum der Universität München, LMU München, Marchioninistraße 15, 81377 München, Germany
| | - Tinne Lernout
- Scientific Directorate of Epidemiology and Public Health, Sciensano, 1180 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Elsa Quillery
- ANSES, Risk Assessment Department, 94700 Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Zdeněk Hubálek
- Institute of Vertebrate Biology, Czech Academy of Sciences, Květná 8, 60365 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Francisco Ruiz-Fons
- Health & Biotechnology (SaBio) Group, Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos (IREC), CSIC-UCLM-JCCM, 13071 Ciudad Real, Spain
| | - Agustín Estrada-Peña
- Deptartment of Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, 50013 Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Philippe Fravalo
- Pôle Agroalimentaire, Conservatoire National des Arts et Métiers (Cnam), 75003 Paris, France
| | - Pauline Kooh
- ANSES, Risk Assessment Department, 94700 Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Florence Etore
- ANSES, Risk Assessment Department, 94700 Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Céline M. Gossner
- European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), 17183 Solna, Sweden
| | - Bethan Purse
- UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology, Benson Lane, Crowmarsh Gifford, Oxfordshire OX10 8BB, UK
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Lederer S, Lattwein E, Hanke M, Sonnenberg K, Stoecker W, Lundkvist Å, Vaheri A, Vapalahti O, Chan PKS, Feldmann H, Dick D, Schmidt-Chanasit J, Padula P, Vial PA, Panculescu-Gatej R, Ceianu C, Heyman P, Avšič-Županc T, Niedrig M. Correction: Indirect Immunofluorescence Assay for the Simultaneous Detection of Antibodies against Clinically Important Old and New World Hantaviruses. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2020; 14:e0008864. [PMID: 33166285 PMCID: PMC7652290 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0008864] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
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Çelebi G, Öztoprak N, Öktem İMA, Heyman P, Lundkvist Å, Wahlström M, Köktürk F, Pişkin N. Dynamics of Puumala hantavirus outbreak in Black Sea Region, Turkey. Zoonoses Public Health 2019; 66:783-797. [PMID: 31293096 DOI: 10.1111/zph.12625] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2019] [Revised: 05/15/2019] [Accepted: 06/12/2019] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Some of the hantavirus species in Euro-Asia cause haemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) in humans. The first documented human hantavirus infection in Turkey was diagnosed in 2009. This report describes the dynamics of the first hantavirus outbreak that emerged in humans in the Western Black Sea Region of Turkey. METHODS All the suspected cases of hantavirus infection were admitted to the Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology Department at the Zonguldak Bülent Ecevit University Hospital in Zonguldak, Turkey. The patients were carefully interviewed, examined and evaluated using routine laboratory tests and hantavirus diagnostic tools. Hantavirus-reactive antibodies (IgM and IgG) in serum samples were detected via enzyme immune assay (EIA) and immunofluorescence assay (IFA) in the acute and convalescence stages of the disease. The presence of hantavirus ribonucleic acid (RNA) was analysed via reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) in serum and urine samples. A focus reduction neutralization test (FRNT) was performed to confirm specific hantavirus serotypes. In addition, a case-control study was conducted to identify possible risk factors for hantavirus transmission in the outbreak area. A control group was composed of asymptomatic individuals who were seronegative for hantavirus IgM and IgG and living in the outbreak area. RESULTS A total of 55 suspected cases of hantavirus infection were admitted to the inpatient clinic between February and June of 2009. Twenty-four patients were diagnosed with acute HFRS via EIA or IFA. In 22 of the 24 infected patients, Puumala virus (PUUV) was identified as the causative hantavirus type by detecting IgM in the acute stage and an increase in the IgG level in follow-up serum samples. PUUV was also verified as the infecting agent by FRNT in two of the 24 cases. Among the 24 laboratory-confirmed HFRS cases, 21 (87.5%) were males and 3 (12.5%) were females, and the mean age was 45.92 years (standard deviation ± 16.90 years). Almost all these individuals were living in villages or rural areas. The 24 HFRS cases were matched with 26 healthy controls for statistical analyses and according to binary logistic regression analysis, and dealing with rodent control activities in gardens or in annexes of their homes (p = 0.021 and Odds ratio [OR] = 17.11) and being male (p = 0.019 and OR = 22.37) were detected as statistically significant risk factors for hantavirus infection. The most commonly observed clinical complaints were fatigue (95.8%), shivering (91.7%), fever (87.1%), headache (70.8%) and nausea (70.8%). Haemodialysis was required for four patients (16.7%). Except for the first case diagnosed with acute hantavirus infection, no patient died. The mean delay time to hospital admission from initiation of symptoms was 5.3 days, the mean duration of febrile days was 2.6 days, and the mean duration of hospital stay was 8.5 days. CONCLUSION Hantaviruses are circulating in Turkey and causing sporadic or epidemic infection in humans. Additional investigations are needed to better understand the dynamics of hantaviruses in this country.
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Affiliation(s)
- Güven Çelebi
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology, Medical Faculty, Zonguldak Bülent Ecevit University, Zonguldak, Turkey
| | - Nefise Öztoprak
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology, Antalya Educational and Research Hospital, Antalya, Turkey
| | | | - Paul Heyman
- Research Laboratory for Vector-Borne Diseases and Reference Laboratory for Vector-Borne Diseases, Queen Astrid Military Hospital, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Åke Lundkvist
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Microbiology, Zoonosus Science Center, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Maria Wahlström
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Microbiology, Zoonosus Science Center, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Fürüzan Köktürk
- Department of Biostatistics, Medical Faculty, Zonguldak Bülent Ecevit University, Zonguldak, Turkey
| | - Nihal Pişkin
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology, Medical Faculty, Zonguldak Bülent Ecevit University, Zonguldak, Turkey
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Maas M, De Vries A, Reusken C, Buijs J, Goris M, Hartskeerl R, Ahmed A, Van Tulden P, Swart A, Pijnacker R, Koene M, Lundkvist Å, Heyman P, Rockx B, Van Der Giessen J. Prevalence of Leptospira spp. and Seoul hantavirus in brown rats ( Rattus norvegicus) in four regions in the Netherlands, 2011-2015. Infect Ecol Epidemiol 2018; 8:1490135. [PMID: 29963297 PMCID: PMC6022222 DOI: 10.1080/20008686.2018.1490135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2017] [Accepted: 06/13/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Brown rats (Rattus norvegicus) may carry pathogens that can be a risk for public health. Brown rats in the Netherlands were tested for the zoonotic pathogens Leptospira spp. and Seoul hantavirus (SEOV), in order to obtain insight in their prevalence. METHODS AND RESULTS Cross-sectional studies were performed at four locations from 2011 to 2015. The rats were tested for Leptospira spp. using real-time PCR and/or culture resulting in a prevalence ranging between 33-57%. Testing for SEOV was done through an adapted human Seoul hantavirus ELISA and real-time RT-PCR. Although at several locations the ELISA indicated presence of SEOV antibodies, none could be confirmed by focus reduction neutralization testing. CONCLUSION The results indicate a widespread presence of Leptospira spp. in brown rats in the Netherlands, including areas with a low leptospirosis incidence in humans. No evidence for circulation of SEOV was found in this study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miriam Maas
- Centre for Infectious Disease Control, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, the Netherlands
| | - Ankje De Vries
- Centre for Infectious Disease Control, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, the Netherlands
| | - Chantal Reusken
- Centre for Infectious Disease Control, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, the Netherlands
- Department of Viroscience, Erasmus Medical Center, WHO Collaborating Centre for arbovirus and hemorrhagic fever virus reference and research, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Jan Buijs
- Public health service (GGD) Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Marga Goris
- OIE and National Collaborating Centre for Reference and Research on Leptospirosis (NRL), Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Rudy Hartskeerl
- OIE and National Collaborating Centre for Reference and Research on Leptospirosis (NRL), Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Ahmed Ahmed
- OIE and National Collaborating Centre for Reference and Research on Leptospirosis (NRL), Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | | | - Arno Swart
- Centre for Infectious Disease Control, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, the Netherlands
| | - Roan Pijnacker
- Centre for Infectious Disease Control, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, the Netherlands
| | - Miriam Koene
- Wageningen Bioveterinary Research, Lelystad, The Netherlands
| | | | - Paul Heyman
- Research Laboratory for Vector-Borne Diseases, Queen Astrid Military Hospital, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Barry Rockx
- Centre for Infectious Disease Control, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, the Netherlands
- Department of Viroscience, Erasmus Medical Center, WHO Collaborating Centre for arbovirus and hemorrhagic fever virus reference and research, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Joke Van Der Giessen
- Centre for Infectious Disease Control, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, the Netherlands
- Wageningen Bioveterinary Research, Lelystad, The Netherlands
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Heyman P, Cochez C, Hukić M. The English Sweating Sickness: Out of Sight, Out of Mind? Acta Med Acad 2018; 47:102-116. [DOI: 10.5644/ama2006-124.221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2017] [Accepted: 04/05/2018] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
<p>In this paper we aim to add additional knowledge regarding the occurrence, origin and epidemiological features of the English sweating sickness. The English sweating sickness raged in five devastating epidemics with mortality rates between 30 and 50% between 1485 and 1551 throughout England, and on one occasion also affected mainland Europe, in 1529. The Picardy sweat, generally considered as the English sweating sickness’ lesser deadly successor, flared up in France in 1718 and caused 196 localized outbreaks with varying severity all over France and neighboring countries up to 1861. The English sweating sickness has been the subject of numerous attempts to define its origin, but so far all efforts have failed due to lack of material, DNA or RNA, that - using modern techniques and knowledge - could shed light on its cause. Although the time frame in which the English sweating sickness occurred and the geographical spread of the outbreaks is generally known, we will demonstrate here that there was more to it than meets the eye. We found reports of cases of sweating sickness in years before, after and between the 1485, 1508, 1517, 1529 and 1551 epidemics, as well as reports of sweating sickness in Italy and Spain.</p><p><strong>Conclusion. </strong>In spite of the fact that the English sweating sickness apparently has not caused casualties for a more than a century now, we suggest that -given the right circumstances- the possibility of re-emergence might still exist. The fact that up until today we have no indication concerning the causal pathogen of the English sweating sickness is certainly not re-assuring.</p>
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De Keukeleire M, Vanwambeke SO, Cochez C, Heyman P, Fretin D, Deneys V, Luyasu V, Kabamba B, Robert A. Seroprevalence of Borrelia burgdorferi, Anaplasma phagocytophilum, and Francisella tularensis Infections in Belgium: Results of Three Population-Based Samples. Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis 2016; 17:108-115. [PMID: 27828762 DOI: 10.1089/vbz.2016.1954] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
To estimate the seroprevalence of Borrelia burgdorferi (Bb), Anaplasma phagocytophilum (Ap), and Francisella tularensis (Ft) in Belgium, we tested sera from three population-based samples in which exposure to pathogen is assumed to vary: 148 samples from workers professionally exposed, 209 samples from rural blood donors, and 193 samples from urban blood donors. Sera were tested using ELISA or the immunofluorescence assay test. The seroprevalence of Bb was 5.4% in workers professionally exposed, 2.9% in rural blood donors, and 2.6% in urban blood donors, which is similar to other studies. The fraction of negative results decreases significantly from urban blood donors and rural blood donors to workers. Regarding the seroprevalence of Ap, the cutoff titer of 1:64 recommended by the manufacturer may be set too low and produces artificially high seroprevalence rates. Using a cutoff titer of 1:128, the seroprevalence of Ap was estimated at 8.1% for workers professionally exposed, 6.2% for rural blood donors, and 5.7% for urban blood donors. Tularemia sera confirmed the presence of the pathogen in Belgium at 2.0% for workers and 0.5% for rural and urban blood donors. Our study is one of the few providing an estimation of the seroprevalences of Bb, Ap, and Ft in three different populations in Belgium, filling the gap in seroprevalence data among those groups. Our findings provide evidence that the entire Belgian population is exposed to Bb, Ap, and Ft infections, but a higher exposure is noticed for professionals at risk. Education on the risk factors for tick bites and preventive measures for both professionals exposed and the general population is needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mathilde De Keukeleire
- 1 Earth and Life Institute (ELI) , Georges Lemaitre Center for Earth and Climate Research, Université catholique de Louvain (UCL), Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium .,2 Pôle Epidémiologie et Biostatistique, Institut de Recherche Expérimentale et Clinique (IREC), Faculté de Santé Publique (FSP), Université catholique de Louvain (UCL) , Brussels, Belgium
| | - Sophie O Vanwambeke
- 1 Earth and Life Institute (ELI) , Georges Lemaitre Center for Earth and Climate Research, Université catholique de Louvain (UCL), Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium
| | - Christel Cochez
- 3 Research Laboratory for Vector-Borne Diseases, Queen Astrid Military Hospital , Brussels, Belgium
| | - Paul Heyman
- 3 Research Laboratory for Vector-Borne Diseases, Queen Astrid Military Hospital , Brussels, Belgium
| | - David Fretin
- 4 Veterinary and Agrochemical Research Center (CERVA) , Direction opérationnelle des maladies bactériennes, Zoonoses bactériennes des animaux de rente, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Véronique Deneys
- 5 Blood Transfusion Service of Mont-Godinne and CHU UCL Namur, Yvoir, Belgium
| | - Victor Luyasu
- 2 Pôle Epidémiologie et Biostatistique, Institut de Recherche Expérimentale et Clinique (IREC), Faculté de Santé Publique (FSP), Université catholique de Louvain (UCL) , Brussels, Belgium
| | - Benoît Kabamba
- 6 Division of Clinical Biology, Cliniques Universitaires Saint-Luc, Université Catholique de Louvain (UCL) , Brussels, Belgium
| | - Annie Robert
- 2 Pôle Epidémiologie et Biostatistique, Institut de Recherche Expérimentale et Clinique (IREC), Faculté de Santé Publique (FSP), Université catholique de Louvain (UCL) , Brussels, Belgium
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Aerssens A, Cochez C, Niedrig M, Heyman P, Kühlmann-Rabens I, Soentjens P. Analysis of delayed TBE-vaccine booster after primary vaccination. J Travel Med 2016; 23:tav020. [PMID: 26858269 DOI: 10.1093/jtm/tav020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/10/2015] [Indexed: 11/14/2022]
Abstract
An open, uncontrolled single centre study was conducted in the Travel Clinic at the Military Hospital, Brussels. Eighty-eight subjects were recruited who had a primary series of tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) vaccine more than 5 years ago and who never received a booster dose afterwards. Response rate after booster vaccination was very high: 84 out of 88 subjects (95.5%) had neutralizing antibodies on plaque reduction neutralization test and all (100%) had IgG antibodies on ELISA, on Day 21-28 after booster vaccination. This study adds valuable information to the common situation of delayed booster interval. The results of our study indicate that in young healthy travellers (<50 years), one booster vaccination after a primary series of TBE vaccine in the past is sufficient to obtain protective antibodies, even if primary vaccination is much longer than the recommended booster interval of 5 years.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annelies Aerssens
- Centre for Vaccinology, Ghent University Hospital and Travel Clinic, Department of Internal Medicine, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium,
| | - Christel Cochez
- Research Laboratory for Vector-Borne Diseases, Military Hospital, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Matthias Niedrig
- Centre for Biological Safety, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
| | - Paul Heyman
- Research Laboratory for Vector-Borne Diseases, Military Hospital, Brussels, Belgium
| | | | - Patrick Soentjens
- Centre For Infectious Diseases, Military Hospital, Brussels, Belgium and Department of Clinical Sciences, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, 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] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [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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Braks M, Medlock JM, Hubalek Z, Hjertqvist M, Perrin Y, Lancelot R, Duchyene E, Hendrickx G, Stroo A, Heyman P, Sprong H. Vector-borne disease intelligence: strategies to deal with disease burden and threats. Front Public Health 2014; 2:280. [PMID: 25566522 PMCID: PMC4273637 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2014.00280] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2014] [Accepted: 12/01/2014] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Owing to the complex nature of vector-borne diseases (VBDs), whereby monitoring of human case patients does not suffice, public health authorities experience challenges in surveillance and control of VBDs. Knowledge on the presence and distribution of vectors and the pathogens that they transmit is vital to the risk assessment process to permit effective early warning, surveillance, and control of VBDs. Upon accepting this reality, public health authorities face an ever-increasing range of possible surveillance targets and an associated prioritization process. Here, we propose a comprehensive approach that integrates three surveillance strategies: population-based surveillance, disease-based surveillance, and context-based surveillance for EU member states to tailor the best surveillance strategy for control of VBDs in their geographic region. By classifying the surveillance structure into five different contexts, we hope to provide guidance in optimizing surveillance efforts. Contextual surveillance strategies for VBDs entail combining organization and data collection approaches that result in disease intelligence rather than a preset static structure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marieta Braks
- Centre for Zoonoses and Environmental Microbiology, Netherlands National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, Netherlands
| | - Jolyon M. Medlock
- Medical Entomology Group, MRA, Emergency Response Department, Public Health England, Salisbury, UK
| | - Zdenek Hubalek
- Medical Zoology Laboratory, Institute of Vertebrate Biology, Academy of Sciences, v.v.i., Brno, Czech Republic
- Faculty of Science, Department of Experimental Biology, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Marika Hjertqvist
- Public Health Agency of Sweden (Folkhälsomyndigheten), Solna, Sweden
| | - Yvon Perrin
- Centre National d’Expertise sur les Vecteurs, Centre IRD de Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Renaud Lancelot
- CIRAD, UMR CMAEE, Montpellier, France
- INRA, UMR CMAEE 1309, Montpellier, France
| | | | | | - Arjan Stroo
- Centre for Monitoring of Vectors, Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NWVA), Wageningen, Netherlands
| | - Paul Heyman
- Research Laboratory for Vector-Borne Diseases, Queen Astrid Military Hospital, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Hein Sprong
- Centre for Zoonoses and Environmental Microbiology, Netherlands National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, Netherlands
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10
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Hing M, Woestyn S, Van Bosterhaut B, Desbonnet Y, Heyman P, Cochez C, Silaghi C, Sprong H, Fournier PE, Raoult D, Neirinckx P, Heuninckx W. Diagnosis of human granulocytic anaplasmosis in Belgium by combining molecular and serological methods. New Microbes New Infect 2014; 2:177-8. [PMID: 25566398 PMCID: PMC4265051 DOI: 10.1002/nmi2.65] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2014] [Revised: 08/14/2014] [Accepted: 09/12/2014] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
We report here one new, hospitalized case of Anaplasma phagocytophilum in Belgium. The clinical presentation of anaplasmosis, its treatment and the molecular and serological relevant laboratory methods are briefly developed.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Hing
- Clinical Laboratory, National Reference Centre Anaplasma,
Military Hospital Queen AstridBrussels, Belgium
| | - S Woestyn
- Laboratoire d'analyses médicales J.
WoestynMouscron, Belgium
| | - B Van Bosterhaut
- Laboratoire de Biologie clinique, Centre Hospitalier de
MouscronMouscron, Belgium
| | | | - P Heyman
- Research Laboratory for Vector-borne Diseases, Military
Hospital Queen AstridBrussels, Belgium
| | - C Cochez
- Research Laboratory for Vector-borne Diseases, Military
Hospital Queen AstridBrussels, Belgium
| | - C Silaghi
- Comparative Tropical Medicine and Parasitology,
Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität MünchenMunich, Germany
| | - H Sprong
- Laboratory for Zoonoses and Environmental Microbiology,
National Institute for Public Health and Environment (RIVM)Bilthoven, the Netherlands
| | - P E Fournier
- URMITE, UM63, CNRS 7278, IRD 198, INSERM 1095,
Faculté de Médecine, Aix-Marseille UniversitéMarseille, France
| | - D Raoult
- URMITE, UM63, CNRS 7278, IRD 198, INSERM 1095,
Faculté de Médecine, Aix-Marseille UniversitéMarseille, France
| | - P Neirinckx
- Military Hospital Queen AstridBrussels, Belgium
| | - W Heuninckx
- Clinical Laboratory, National Reference Centre Anaplasma,
Military Hospital Queen AstridBrussels, Belgium
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11
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Lempereur L, Shiels B, Heyman P, Moreau E, Saegerman C, Losson B, Malandrin L. A retrospective serological survey on human babesiosis in Belgium. Clin Microbiol Infect 2014; 21:96.e1-7. [PMID: 25636942 DOI: 10.1016/j.cmi.2014.07.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2014] [Revised: 07/17/2014] [Accepted: 07/25/2014] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
In Europe, most clinical babesiosis cases in humans have been attributed to Babesia divergens and Babesia sp. EU1. Babesia microti infection of humans occurs mainly in the United States; although a case of autochthonous B. microti infection and serological evidence of infection have been reported in Europe. The Indirect Fluorescent Antibody Test was used to screen sera from 199 anonymous Belgian patients with history of tick bite and clinical symptoms compatible with a tick-borne disease. The serological screen detected positive reactivity in 9% (n = 18), 33.2% (n = 66), and 39.7% (n = 79) of the samples against B. microti, B. divergens, and Babesia sp. EU1, respectively. Thus, evidence of contact among three potentially zoonotic species of Babesia and humans has been confirmed in Belgium. Preventive action and development of better diagnostic tools should help in prevention of clinical cases and to clarify the true burden of such infection for individuals and public health.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Lempereur
- Laboratory of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, Department of Infectious and Parasitic Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium; Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, College of Medical, Veterinary & Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, Scotland, UK.
| | - B Shiels
- Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, College of Medical, Veterinary & Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, Scotland, UK
| | - P Heyman
- Research Laboratory for Vector-borne Diseases, Queen Astrid Military Hospital, Brussels, Belgium
| | - E Moreau
- INRA, UMR1300 BioEpAR, Biology, Epidemiology and Risk Analysis in Animal Health, Nantes, France; LUNAM Université, Oniris, UMR1300 BioEpAR, Nantes, France
| | - C Saegerman
- Research Unit in Epidemiology and Risk Analysis Applied to the Veterinary Sciences (UREAR-ULg), Fundamental and Applied Research for Animals & Health (FARAH), Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium
| | - B Losson
- Laboratory of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, Department of Infectious and Parasitic Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium
| | - L Malandrin
- INRA, UMR1300 BioEpAR, Biology, Epidemiology and Risk Analysis in Animal Health, Nantes, France; LUNAM Université, Oniris, UMR1300 BioEpAR, Nantes, France
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12
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Cochez C, Heyman P, Heylen D, Fonville M, Hengeveld P, Takken W, Simons L, Sprong H. The Presence of Borrelia miyamotoi, A Relapsing Fever Spirochaete, in Questing Ixodes ricinus in Belgium and in The Netherlands. Zoonoses Public Health 2014; 62:331-3. [PMID: 25212814 DOI: 10.1111/zph.12154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2013] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Borrelia miyamotoi is a tick-borne bacterium that may cause relapsing fever in humans. As this pathogen has been discovered in Europe only recently, only little is known about its local impact on human health and its spatial distribution. In this study, we show the results of PCR screenings for B. miyamotoi in flagged Ixodes ricinus from Belgium and the Netherlands. B. miyamotoi was detected in nine of thirteen, and three of five locations from the Netherlands and Belgium, respectively. These outcomes indicate that B. miyamotoi is more spread than previously thought. The mean infection rate B. miyamotoi was 1.14% for Belgium and 3.84% for the Netherlands.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Cochez
- Research Laboratory for Vector-Borne Diseases, Queen Astrid Military Hospital, Brussels, Belgium
| | - P Heyman
- Research Laboratory for Vector-Borne Diseases, Queen Astrid Military Hospital, Brussels, Belgium
| | - D Heylen
- Evolutionary Ecology Group, Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - M Fonville
- Laboratory for Zoonoses and Environmental Microbiology, National Institute for Public Health and Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, The Netherlands
| | - P Hengeveld
- Laboratory for Zoonoses and Environmental Microbiology, National Institute for Public Health and Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, The Netherlands
| | - W Takken
- Laboratory of Entomology, Wageningen University, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - L Simons
- Research Laboratory for Vector-Borne Diseases, Queen Astrid Military Hospital, Brussels, Belgium
| | - H Sprong
- Laboratory for Zoonoses and Environmental Microbiology, National Institute for Public Health and Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, The Netherlands
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13
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Jahfari S, Coipan EC, Fonville M, van Leeuwen AD, Hengeveld P, Heylen D, Heyman P, van Maanen C, Butler CM, Földvári G, Szekeres S, van Duijvendijk G, Tack W, Rijks JM, van der Giessen J, Takken W, van Wieren SE, Takumi K, Sprong H. Circulation of four Anaplasma phagocytophilum ecotypes in Europe. Parasit Vectors 2014; 7:365. [PMID: 25127547 PMCID: PMC4153903 DOI: 10.1186/1756-3305-7-365] [Citation(s) in RCA: 162] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2014] [Accepted: 07/27/2014] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Anaplasma phagocytophilum is the etiological agent of granulocytic anaplasmosis in humans and animals. Wild animals and ticks play key roles in the enzootic cycles of the pathogen. Potential ecotypes of A. phagocytophilum have been characterized genetically, but their host range, zoonotic potential and transmission dynamics has only incompletely been resolved. METHODS The presence of A. phagocytophilum DNA was determined in more than 6000 ixodid ticks collected from the vegetation and wildlife, in 289 tissue samples from wild and domestic animals, and 69 keds collected from deer, originating from various geographic locations in The Netherlands and Belgium. From the qPCR-positive lysates, a fragment of the groEL-gene was amplified and sequenced. Additional groEL sequences from ticks and animals from Europe were obtained from GenBank, and sequences from human cases were obtained through literature searches. Statistical analyses were performed to identify A. phagocytophilum ecotypes, to assess their host range and their zoonotic potential. The population dynamics of A. phagocytophilum ecotypes was investigated using population genetic analyses. RESULTS DNA of A. phagocytophilum was present in all stages of questing and feeding Ixodes ricinus, feeding I. hexagonus, I. frontalis, I. trianguliceps, and deer keds, but was absent in questing I. arboricola and Dermacentor reticulatus. DNA of A. phagocytophilum was present in feeding ticks and tissues from many vertebrates, including roe deer, mouflon, red foxes, wild boar, sheep and hedgehogs but was rarely found in rodents and birds and was absent in badgers and lizards. Four geographically dispersed A. phagocytophilum ecotypes were identified, that had significantly different host ranges. All sequences from human cases belonged to only one of these ecotypes. Based on population genetic parameters, the potentially zoonotic ecotype showed significant expansion. CONCLUSION Four ecotypes of A. phagocytophilum with differential enzootic cycles were identified. So far, all human cases clustered in only one of these ecotypes. The zoonotic ecotype has the broadest range of wildlife hosts. The expansion of the zoonotic A. phagocytophilum ecotype indicates a recent increase of the acarological risk of exposure of humans and animals.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Hein Sprong
- Laboratory for Zoonoses and Environmental Microbiology, National Institute for Public Health and Environment (RIVM), Antonie van Leeuwenhoeklaan 9, P,O, Box 1, Bilthoven, The Netherlands.
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14
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Panculescu-Gatej RI, Sirbu A, Dinu S, Waldstrom M, Heyman P, Murariu D, Petrescu A, Szmal C, Oprisan G, Lundkvist A, Ceianu CS. Dobrava virus carried by the yellow-necked field mouse Apodemus flavicollis, causing hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome in Romania. Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis 2014; 14:358-64. [PMID: 24746107 DOI: 10.1089/vbz.2013.1400] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) has been confirmed by serological methods during recent years in Romania. In the present study, focus-reduction neutralization tests (FRNT) confirmed Dobrava hantavirus (DOBV) as the causative agent in some HFRS cases, but could not distinguish between DOBV and Saaremaa virus (SAAV) infections in other cases. DOBV was detected by a DOBV-specific TaqMan assay in sera of nine patients out of 22 tested. Partial sequences of the M genomic segment of DOBV were obtained from sera of three patients and revealed the circulation of two DOBV lineages in Romania. Investigation of rodents trapped in Romania found three DOBV-positive Apodemus flavicollis out of 83 rodents tested. Two different DOBV lineages were also detected in A. flavicollis as determined from partial sequences of the M and S genomic segments. Sequences of DOBV in A. flavicollis were either identical or closely related to the sequences obtained from the HFRS patients. The DOBV strains circulating in Romania clustered in two monophyletic groups, together with strains from Slovenia and the north of Greece. This is the first evidence for the circulation of DOBV in wild rodents and for a DOBV etiology of HFRS in Romania.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raluca Ioana Panculescu-Gatej
- 1 Cantacuzino National Institute of Research-Development for Microbiology and Immunology, Laboratory for Vector-Borne Infections and Medical Entomology , National Reference Centre for Vector-Borne Viruses, Bucharest, Romania
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15
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16
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Heyman P, Vaheri A, Lundkvist Å, Avsic-Zupanc T. Hantavirus infections in Europe: from virus carriers to a major public-health problem. Expert Rev Anti Infect Ther 2014; 7:205-17. [DOI: 10.1586/14787210.7.2.205] [Citation(s) in RCA: 85] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
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17
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Heyman P, Simons L, Cochez C. Were the English sweating sickness and the Picardy sweat caused by hantaviruses? Viruses 2014; 6:151-71. [PMID: 24402305 PMCID: PMC3917436 DOI: 10.3390/v6010151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2013] [Revised: 12/04/2013] [Accepted: 12/09/2013] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The English sweating sickness caused five devastating epidemics between 1485 and 1551, England was hit hardest, but on one occasion also mainland Europe, with mortality rates between 30% and 50%. The Picardy sweat emerged about 150 years after the English sweat disappeared, in 1718, in France. It caused 196 localized outbreaks and apparently in its turn disappeared in 1861. Both diseases have been the subject of numerous attempts to define their origin, but so far all efforts were in vain. Although both diseases occurred in different time frames and were geographically not overlapping, a common denominator could be what we know today as hantavirus infections. This review aims to shed light on the characteristics of both diseases from contemporary as well as current knowledge and suggests hantavirus infection as the most likely cause for the English sweating sickness as well as for the Picardy sweat.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul Heyman
- Research Laboratory for Vector-Borne Diseases, Queen Astrid Military Hospital, Brussels B-1120, Belgium.
| | - Leopold Simons
- Research Laboratory for Vector-Borne Diseases, Queen Astrid Military Hospital, Brussels B-1120, Belgium.
| | - Christel Cochez
- Research Laboratory for Vector-Borne Diseases, Queen Astrid Military Hospital, Brussels B-1120, Belgium.
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18
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Obsomer V, Wirtgen M, Linden A, Claerebout E, Heyman P, Heylen D, Madder M, Maris J, Lebrun M, Tack W, Lempereur L, Hance T, Van Impe G. Spatial disaggregation of tick occurrence and ecology at a local scale as a preliminary step for spatial surveillance of tick-borne diseases: general framework and health implications in Belgium. Parasit Vectors 2013; 6:190. [PMID: 23800283 PMCID: PMC3726513 DOI: 10.1186/1756-3305-6-190] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2013] [Accepted: 06/16/2013] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The incidence of tick-borne diseases is increasing in Europe. Sub national information on tick distribution, ecology and vector status is often lacking. However, precise location of infection risk can lead to better targeted prevention measures, surveillance and control. METHODS In this context, the current paper compiled geolocated tick occurrences in Belgium, a country where tick-borne disease has received little attention, in order to highlight the potential value of spatial approaches and draw some recommendations for future research priorities. RESULTS Mapping of 89,289 ticks over 654 sites revealed that ticks such as Ixodes ricinus and Ixodes hexagonus are largely present while Dermacentor reticulatus has a patchy distribution. Suspected hot spots of tick diversity might favor pathogen exchanges and suspected hot spots of I. ricinus abundance might increase human-vector contact locally. This underlines the necessity to map pathogens and ticks in detail. While I. ricinus is the main vector, I. hexagonus is a vector and reservoir of Borrelia burgdorferi s.l., which is active the whole year and is also found in urban settings. This and other nidiculous species bite humans less frequently, but seem to harbour pathogens. Their role in maintaining a pathogenic cycle within the wildlife merits investigation as they might facilitate transmission to humans if co-occurring with I. ricinus. Many micro-organisms are found abroad in tick species present in Belgium. Most have not been recorded locally but have not been searched for. Some are transmitted directly at the time of the bite, suggesting promotion of tick avoidance additionally to tick removal. CONCLUSION This countrywide approach to tick-borne diseases has helped delineate recommendations for future research priorities necessary to design public health policies aimed at spatially integrating the major components of the ecological cycle of tick-borne diseases. A systematic survey of tick species and associated pathogens is called for in Europe, as well as better characterisation of species interaction in the ecology of tick-borne diseases, those being all tick species, pathogens, hosts and other species which might play a role in tick-borne diseases complex ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valerie Obsomer
- Université Catholique de Louvain, Earth and Life Institute, Georges Lemaitre climate and earth research centre, place Louis Pasteur 3, 1348, Louvain la Neuve, Belgium
- Biodiversity department ELIB, Université Catholique de Louvain, Earth and Life Institute, 4 place Croix du sud, 1348, Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium
| | - Marc Wirtgen
- Department of infectious and parasitic diseases, health and pathology of the wildlife, University of Liège, boulevard de Colonster 20, 4000, Liège 1, Belgium
| | - Annick Linden
- Department of infectious and parasitic diseases, health and pathology of the wildlife, University of Liège, boulevard de Colonster 20, 4000, Liège 1, Belgium
| | - Edwin Claerebout
- Laboratory of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Salisburylaan 133 9820, Merelbeke, Belgium
| | - Paul Heyman
- Reference Laboratory for Vector-Borne Diseases, Queen Astrid Military Hospital, Bruynstraat 1, 1120, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Dieter Heylen
- Evolutionary ecology group, Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Groenenborgerlaan, 171-2020, Antwerpen, Belgium
| | - Maxime Madder
- Institute for Tropical Medicine, 155 nationalestraat, B2000, Antwerpen, Belgium
- Department of Veterinary Tropical Diseases, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Jo Maris
- ARSIA, Allée des Artisans, 2 - 5590, Ciney, Belgium
| | - Maude Lebrun
- Dierenarts Gezondheidszorg Herkauwers Veepeiler, DGZ Vlaanderen, l Hagenbroeksesteenweg 167 l, 2500, Lier, Belgium
| | - Wesley Tack
- Laboratory of Forestry, Department of Forest and Water Management, Ghent University, Geraardsbergsesteenweg 267, 9090, Melle-Gontrode, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Laetitia Lempereur
- Laboratory of Parasitology and Pathology of Parasitic Diseases, Department of Infectious and Parasitic Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Liège, Bd de Colonster 20 B43, 4000, Liège, Belgium
| | - Thierry Hance
- Biodiversity department ELIB, Université Catholique de Louvain, Earth and Life Institute, 4 place Croix du sud, 1348, Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium
| | - Georges Van Impe
- Biodiversity department ELIB, Université Catholique de Louvain, Earth and Life Institute, 4 place Croix du sud, 1348, Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium
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Claerebout E, Losson B, Cochez C, Casaert S, Dalemans AC, De Cat A, Madder M, Saegerman C, Heyman P, Lempereur L. Ticks and associated pathogens collected from dogs and cats in Belgium. Parasit Vectors 2013; 6:183. [PMID: 23777784 PMCID: PMC3688525 DOI: 10.1186/1756-3305-6-183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 86] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2012] [Accepted: 06/13/2013] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Although Ixodes spp. are the most common ticks in North-Western Europe, recent reports indicated an expanding geographical distribution of Dermacentor reticulatus in Western Europe. Recently, the establishment of a D. reticulatus population in Belgium was described. D. reticulatus is an important vector of canine and equine babesiosis and can transmit several Rickettsia species, Coxiella burnetii and tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV), whilst Ixodes spp. are vectors of pathogens causing babesiosis, borreliosis, anaplasmosis, rickettsiosis and TBEV. METHODS A survey was conducted in 2008-2009 to investigate the presence of different tick species and associated pathogens on dogs and cats in Belgium. Ticks were collected from dogs and cats in 75 veterinary practices, selected by stratified randomization. All collected ticks were morphologically determined and analysed for the presence of Babesia spp., Borrelia spp., Anaplasma phagocytophilum and Rickettsia DNA. RESULTS In total 2373 ticks were collected from 647 dogs and 506 cats. Ixodes ricinus (76.4%) and I. hexagonus (22.6%) were the predominant species. Rhipicephalus sanguineus (0.3%) and D. reticulatus (0.8%) were found in low numbers on dogs only. All dogs infested with R. sanguineus had a recent travel history, but D. reticulatus were collected from a dog without a history of travelling abroad. Of the collected Ixodes ticks, 19.5% were positive for A. phagocytophilum and 10.1% for Borrelia spp. (B. afzelii, B. garinii, B. burgdorferi s.s., B. lusitaniae, B. valaisiana and B. spielmanii). Rickettsia helvetica was found in 14.1% of Ixodes ticks. All Dermacentor ticks were negative for all the investigated pathogens, but one R. sanguineus tick was positive for Rickettsia massiliae. CONCLUSION D. reticulatus was confirmed to be present as an indigenous parasite in Belgium. B. lusitaniae and R. helvetica were detected in ticks in Belgium for the first time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edwin Claerebout
- Laboratory of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium.
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Lederer S, Lattwein E, Hanke M, Sonnenberg K, Stoecker W, Lundkvist Å, Vaheri A, Vapalahti O, Chan PKS, Feldmann H, Dick D, Schmidt-Chanasit J, Padula P, Vial PA, Panculescu-Gatej R, Ceianu C, Heyman P, Avšič-Županc T, Niedrig M. Indirect immunofluorescence assay for the simultaneous detection of antibodies against clinically important old and new world hantaviruses. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2013; 7:e2157. [PMID: 23593524 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0002157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2012] [Accepted: 02/26/2013] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
In order to detect serum antibodies against clinically important Old and New World hantaviruses simultaneously, multiparametric indirect immunofluorescence assays (IFAs) based on biochip mosaics were developed. Each of the mosaic substrates consisted of cells infected with one of the virus types Hantaan (HTNV), Puumala (PUUV), Seoul (SEOV), Saaremaa (SAAV), Dobrava (DOBV), Sin Nombre (SNV) or Andes (ANDV). For assay evaluation, serum IgG and IgM antibodies were analyzed using 184 laboratory-confirmed hantavirus-positive sera collected at six diagnostic centers from patients actively or previously infected with the following hantavirus serotypes: PUUV (Finland, n=97); SEOV (China, n=5); DOBV (Romania, n=7); SNV (Canada, n=23); ANDV (Argentina and Chile, n=52). The control panel comprised 89 sera from healthy blood donors. According to the reference tests, all 184 patient samples were seropositive for hantavirus-specific IgG (n=177; 96%) and/or IgM (n=131; 72%), while all control samples were tested negative. In the multiparametric IFA applied in this study, 183 (99%) of the patient sera were IgG and 131 (71%) IgM positive (accordance with the reference tests: IgG, 96%; IgM, 93%). Overall IFA sensitivity for combined IgG and IgM analysis amounted to 100% for all serotypes, except for SNV (96%). Of the 89 control sera, 2 (2%) showed IgG reactivity against the HTNV substrate, but not against any other hantavirus. Due to the high cross-reactivity of hantaviral nucleocapsid proteins, endpoint titrations were conducted, allowing serotype determination in >90% of PUUV- and ANDV-infected patients. Thus, multiparametric IFA enables highly sensitive and specific serological diagnosis of hantavirus infections and can be used to differentiate PUUV and ANDV infection from infections with Murinae-borne hantaviruses (e.g. DOBV and SEOV).
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabine Lederer
- EUROIMMUN Medizinische Labordiagnostika AG, Luebeck, Germany
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Reusken C, Heyman P. Factors driving hantavirus emergence in Europe. Curr Opin Virol 2013; 3:92-9. [DOI: 10.1016/j.coviro.2013.01.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2012] [Revised: 01/03/2013] [Accepted: 01/18/2013] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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Affiliation(s)
- P Heyman
- Department of Epidemiology & Biostatistics, Queen Astrid Military Hospital,Brussels 1120, Belgium.
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Gozalan A, Kalaycioglu H, Uyar Y, Sevindi DF, Turkyilmaz B, Çakir V, Cindemir C, Unal B, Yağçi-Çağlayik D, Korukluoglu G, Ertek M, Heyman P, Lundkvist Å. Human puumala and dobrava hantavirus infections in the Black Sea region of Turkey: a cross-sectional study. Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis 2013; 13:111-8. [PMID: 23289396 DOI: 10.1089/vbz.2011.0939] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
This study was carried out to better understand the epidemiology of hantaviruses in a province of Turkey (Giresun) where human hantavirus disease has recently been detected. In this cross-sectional study, a total of 626 blood samples from healthy people aged 15 and 84 years old were collected both in urban and rural areas in 2009. The sera were tested by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), immunoblotting assay, and the focus reduction neutralization test (FRNT). We screened the samples by an ELISA and found that 65/626 samples reacted positively for the presence of hantavirus-reactive immunoglobulin G (IgG). Twenty of the 65 ELISA-positive samples could be confirmed by an immunobloting assay, and the overall seroprevalence was thereby calculated to 3.2% (20/626). The seroprevalence of the people living in wood areas or adobe houses 9/17 (52.9%) was significantly higher than among people living in concrete houses 10/47 (21.3%) (p=0.014). Finally, 3 of the 20 immunoblot-positive sera were confirmed as specific for the Puumala hantavirus serotype by FRNT, 1 serum was confirmed as Dobrava virus-specific, whereas 1 serum was found to be equally reactive to Dobrava and Saaremaa viruses. We will now focus on further investigations of the ecology and epidemiology of hantaviruses in humans and their carrier animals in Turkey, studies that have already been started and will be further intensified.
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Klempa B, Avsic-Zupanc T, Clement J, Dzagurova TK, Henttonen H, Heyman P, Jakab F, Kruger DH, Maes P, Papa A, Tkachenko EA, Ulrich RG, Vapalahti O, Vaheri A. Complex evolution and epidemiology of Dobrava-Belgrade hantavirus: definition of genotypes and their characteristics. Arch Virol 2012; 158:521-9. [PMID: 23090188 PMCID: PMC3586401 DOI: 10.1007/s00705-012-1514-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2012] [Accepted: 09/13/2012] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Dobrava-Belgrade virus (DOBV) is a human pathogen that has evolved in, and is hosted by, mice of several species of the genus Apodemus. We propose a subdivision of the species Dobrava-Belgrade virus into four related genotypes - Dobrava, Kurkino, Saaremaa, and Sochi - that show characteristic differences in their phylogeny, specific host reservoirs, geographical distribution, and pathogenicity for humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Boris Klempa
- Institute of Virology, Helmut-Ruska-Haus, Charité Medical School, Berlin, Germany.
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Cochez C, Lempereur L, Madder M, Claerebout E, Simons L, De Wilde N, Linden A, Saegerman C, Heyman P, Losson B. Foci report on indigenous Dermacentor reticulatus populations in Belgium and a preliminary study of associated babesiosis pathogens. Med Vet Entomol 2012; 26:355-358. [PMID: 22211927 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2915.2011.00998.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
The occurrence of autochthonous clinical cases of canine and equine babesiosis in Belgium during the last two decades suggests that the vector of the pathogens responsible for these diseases, Dermacentor reticulatus (Ixodida: Ixodidae), may be present in this country. Consequently, evidence for the presence of this tick species in different locations within Belgium was investigated. Four different locations were monitored by flagging in 2010; these included the locations at which D. reticulatus was previously found on a dog in 2009 and on two red deer in 2007. Two different species of tick were identified, Ixodes ricinus (Ixodida: Ixodidae) and D. reticulatus. A total of 282 D. reticulatus adult ticks (98 males, 184 females) were collected from the four sites. Ticks were found mainly from early March until the end of May and a peak in activity was apparent in March. A Babesia spp. (Piroplasmida: Babesiidae) genus-specific polymerase chain reaction test based on the amplification of a fragment of the 18S rRNA gene was used to investigate the potential presence of Babesia spp. All DNA extracts isolated from the total tick samples yielded negative results. Additional studies to accurately determine the distribution and vectorial capacity of this important tick species in Belgium are warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Cochez
- Research Laboratory for Vector-borne Diseases, Queen Astrid Military Hospital, Brussels, Belgium.
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Li S, Heyman P, Cochez C, Simons L, Vanwambeke SO. A multi-level analysis of the relationship between environmental factors and questing Ixodes ricinus dynamics in Belgium. Parasit Vectors 2012; 5:149. [PMID: 22830528 PMCID: PMC3419667 DOI: 10.1186/1756-3305-5-149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2012] [Accepted: 07/09/2012] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Ticks are the most important pathogen vectors in Europe. They are known to be influenced by environmental factors, but these links are usually studied at specific temporal or spatial scales. Focusing on Ixodes ricinus in Belgium, we attempt to bridge the gap between current “single-sided” studies that focus on temporal or spatial variation only. Here, spatial and temporal patterns of ticks are modelled together. Methods A multi-level analysis of the Ixodes ricinus patterns in Belgium was performed. Joint effects of weather, habitat quality and hunting on field sampled tick abundance were examined at two levels, namely, sampling level, which is associated with temporal dynamics, and site level, which is related to spatial dynamics. Independent variables were collected from standard weather station records, game management data and remote sensing-based land cover data. Results At sampling level, only a marginally significant effect of daily relative humidity and temperature on the abundance of questing nymphs was identified. Average wind speed of seven days prior to the sampling day was found important to both questing nymphs and adults. At site level, a group of landscape-level forest fragmentation indices were highlighted for both questing nymph and adult abundance, including the nearest-neighbour distance, the shape and the aggregation level of forest patches. No cross-level effects or spatial autocorrelation were found. Conclusions Nymphal and adult ticks responded differently to environmental variables at different spatial and temporal scales. Our results can advise spatio-temporal extents of environment data collection for continuing empirical investigations and potential parameters for biological tick models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sen Li
- Georges Lemaître Centre for Earth and Climate Research, Earth and Life Institute, Université catholique de Louvain, B-1348, Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium.
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Abstract
In Europe, hantaviruses (Bunyaviridae) are small mammal-associated zoonotic and emerging pathogens that can cause hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS). Puumala virus, the main etiological agent carried by the bank vole Myodes glareolus is responsible for a mild form of HFRS while Dobrava virus induces less frequent but more severe cases of HFRS. Since 2000 in Europe, more than 3000 cases of HFRS have been recorded, in average, each year, which is nearly double compared to the previous decade. In addition to this upside long-term trend, significant oscillations occur. Epidemic years appear, usually every 2-4 years, with an increased incidence, generally in localized hot spots. Moreover, the virus has been identified in new areas in the recent years. A great number of surveys have been carried out in order to assess the prevalence of the infection in the reservoir host and to identify links with different biotic and abiotic factors. The factors that drive the infections are related to the density and diversity of bank vole populations, prevalence of infection in the reservoir host, viral excretion in the environment, survival of the virus outside its host, and human behavior, which affect the main transmission virus route through inhalation of infected rodent excreta. At the scale of a rodent population, the prevalence of the infection increases with the age of the individuals but also other parameters, such as sex and genetic variability, interfere. The contamination of the environment may be correlated to the number of newly infected rodents, which heavily excrete the virus. The interactions between these different parameters add to the complexity of the situation and explain the absence of reliable tools to predict epidemics. In this review, the factors that drive the epidemics of hantaviruses in Middle Europe are discussed through a panorama of the epidemiological situation in Belgium, France, and Germany.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul Heyman
- Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Research Laboratory for Vector-Borne Diseases, Queen Astrid Military Hospital Brussels, Belgium
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Plyusnina A, Heyman P, Baert K, Stuyck J, Cochez C, Plyusnin A. Genetic characterization of seoul hantavirus originated from norway rats (Rattus norvegicus) captured in Belgium. J Med Virol 2012; 84:1298-303. [DOI: 10.1002/jmv.23321] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
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Jahfari S, Fonville M, Hengeveld P, Reusken C, Scholte EJ, Takken W, Heyman P, Medlock JM, Heylen D, Kleve J, Sprong H. Prevalence of Neoehrlichia mikurensis in ticks and rodents from North-west Europe. Parasit Vectors 2012; 5:74. [PMID: 22515314 PMCID: PMC3395572 DOI: 10.1186/1756-3305-5-74] [Citation(s) in RCA: 111] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2011] [Accepted: 04/19/2012] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Neoehrlichia mikurensis s an emerging and vector-borne zoonosis: The first human disease cases were reported in 2010. Limited information is available about the prevalence and distribution of Neoehrlichia mikurensis in Europe, its natural life cycle and reservoir hosts. An Ehrlichia-like schotti variant has been described in questing Ixodes ricinus ticks, which could be identical to Neoehrlichia mikurensis. METHODS Three genetic markers, 16S rDNA, gltA and GroEL, of Ehrlichia schotti-positive tick lysates were amplified, sequenced and compared to sequences from Neoehrlichia mikurensis. Based on these DNA sequences, a multiplex real-time PCR was developed to specifically detect Neoehrlichia mikurensis in combination with Anaplasma phagocytophilum in tick lysates. Various tick species from different life-stages, particularly Ixodes ricinus nymphs, were collected from the vegetation or wildlife. Tick lysates and DNA derived from organs of wild rodents were tested by PCR-based methods for the presence of Neoehrlichia mikurensis. Prevalence of Neoehrlichia mikurensis was calculated together with confidence intervals using Fisher's exact test. RESULTS The three genetic markers of Ehrlichia schotti-positive field isolates were similar or identical to Neoehrlichia mikurensis. Neoehrlichia mikurensis was found to be ubiquitously spread in the Netherlands and Belgium, but was not detected in the 401 tick samples from the UK. Neoehrlichia mikurensis was found in nymphs and adult Ixodes ricinus ticks, but neither in their larvae, nor in any other tick species tested. Neoehrlichia mikurensis was detected in diverse organs of some rodent species. Engorging ticks from red deer, European mouflon, wild boar and sheep were found positive for Neoehrlichia mikurensis. CONCLUSIONS Ehrlichia schotti is similar, if not identical, to Neoehrlichia mikurensis. Neoehrlichia mikurensis is present in questing Ixodes ricinus ticks throughout the Netherlands and Belgium. We propose that Ixodes ricinus can transstadially, but not transovarially, transmit this microorganism, and that different rodent species may act as reservoir hosts. These data further imply that wildlife and humans are frequently exposed to Neoehrlichia mikurensis-infected ticks through tick bites. Future studies should aim to investigate to what extent Neoehrlichia mikurensis poses a risk to public health.
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Linden A, Wirtgen M, Nahayo A, Heyman P, Niedrig M, Schulze Y. Tickborne encephalitis virus antibodies in wild cervids in Belgium. Vet Rec 2012; 170:108. [DOI: 10.1136/vr.e646] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Annick Linden
- Network of Wildlife Diseases; Department of Infectious and Parasitic Diseases; Faculty of Veterinary Medicine; University of Liège; Bâtiment B43a, Sart Tilman 4000 Liège Belgium
| | - Marc Wirtgen
- Network of Wildlife Diseases; Department of Infectious and Parasitic Diseases; Faculty of Veterinary Medicine; University of Liège; Bâtiment B43a, Sart Tilman 4000 Liège Belgium
| | - Adrien Nahayo
- Network of Wildlife Diseases; Department of Infectious and Parasitic Diseases; Faculty of Veterinary Medicine; University of Liège; Bâtiment B43a, Sart Tilman 4000 Liège Belgium
| | - Paul Heyman
- Research Laboratory for Vector Borne Diseases; Queen Astrid Military Hospital; Bruynstraat 1 1120 Brussels Belgium
| | - Matthias Niedrig
- Centre for Biological Safety; Robert Koch Institut; Nordufer 20 13353 Berlin Germany
| | - Yesica Schulze
- Centre for Biological Safety; Robert Koch Institut; Nordufer 20 13353 Berlin Germany
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Roelandt S, Heyman P, De Filette M, Vene S, Van der Stede Y, Caij AB, Tavernier P, Dobly A, De Bosschere H, Vyt P, Meersschaert C, Roels S. Tick-borne encephalitis virus seropositive dog detected in Belgium: screening of the canine population as sentinels for public health. Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis 2011; 11:1371-6. [PMID: 21919722 DOI: 10.1089/vbz.2011.0647] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) is an important emerging tick-borne viral infection of humans and dogs in Europe. Currently, TBEV surveillance is virtually nonexistent in Belgium, which is considered nonendemic. A commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was adapted for the detection of TBEV-specific IgG-antibodies in canine sera. Serum samples of Belgian dogs were obtained from three diagnostic laboratories from Northern (n=688) and Southern Belgium (n=192). ELISA-positive and borderline samples were subjected to a TBEV rapid fluorescent focus inhibition confirmation test. One dog was confirmed TBEV seropositive. Several ELISA-positive and borderline sera underwent seroneutralization and hemagglutinin inhibition tests to rule out West Nile and Louping Ill viruses, but tested negative. The clinical history of the seropositive dog could not explain beyond doubt where and when TBEV infection was acquired. Further surveillance is necessary to determine whether this dog remains a single travel-related case or whether it represents an early warning of a possible future emergence of TBEV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sophie Roelandt
- Unit for Coordination of Veterinary Diagnosis, Epidemiology and Risk Assessment, Operational Directorate of Interactions and Surveillance, Veterinary and Agrochemical Research Centre, Groeselenberg 99, Brussels, Belgium.
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Heyman P, Ceianu CS, Christova I, Tordo N, Beersma M, João Alves M, Lundkvist Å, Hukic M, Papa A, Tenorio A, Zelená H, Eßbauer S, Visontai I, Golovljova I, Connell J, Nicoletti L, Van Esbroeck M, Gjeruldsen Dudman S, Aberle SW, Avšić-Županc T, Korukluoglu G, Nowakowska A, Klempa B, Ulrich RG, Bino S, Engler O, Opp M, Vaheri A. A five-year perspective on the situation of haemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome and status of the hantavirus reservoirs in Europe, 2005-2010. Euro Surveill 2011; 16. [DOI: 10.2807/ese.16.36.19961-en] [Citation(s) in RCA: 98] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Hantavirus infections are reported from many countries in Europe and with highly variable annual case numbers. In 2010, more than 2,000 human cases were reported in Germany, and numbers above the baseline have also been registered in other European countries. Depending on the virus type human infections are characterised by mild to severe forms of haemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome. The member laboratories of the European Network for diagnostics of Imported Viral Diseases present here an overview of the progression of human cases in the period from 2005 to 2010. Further we provide an update on the available diagnostic methods and endemic regions in their countries, with an emphasis on occurring virus types and reservoirs.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Heyman
- Research Laboratory for Vector-borne Diseases and National Reference Laboratory for Hantavirus Infections, Brussels, Belgium
| | - C S Ceianu
- Cantacuzino Institute, Vector-Borne Diseases Laboratory, Bucharest, Romania
| | - I Christova
- National Center for Infectious and Parasitic Diseases, Sofia, Bulgaria
| | - N Tordo
- Unit of the Biology of Emerging Viral Infections (UBIVE), Institut Pasteur, Lyon, France
| | - M Beersma
- Department of Virology, Erasmus University Hospital, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - M João Alves
- Centre for Vectors and Infectious Diseases Research (CEVDI), National Institute of Applied Sciences (INSA), National Institute of Health Dr. Ricardo Jorge, Águas de Moura, Portugal
| | - Å Lundkvist
- Swedish Institute for Communicable Disease Control (SMI), Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - M Hukic
- Clinical Centre, University of Sarajevo, Institute of Clinical Microbiology, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
| | - A Papa
- Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, School of Medicine, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - A Tenorio
- Arbovirus and Imported Viral Disease Unit, National Centre for Microbiology, Institute for Health Carlos III, Majadahonda, Spain
| | - H Zelená
- Institute of Public Health, Ostrava, Czech Republic
| | - S Eßbauer
- Department of Virology and Rickettsiology, Bundeswehr Institute for Microbiology, Munich, Germany
| | - I Visontai
- National Centre for Epidemiology, Budapest, Hungary
| | - I Golovljova
- Department of Virology, National Institute for Health Development, Tallinn, Estonia
| | - J Connell
- Department of Medical Microbiology, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - L Nicoletti
- Department of Infectious, Parasitic and Immunomediate Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanitá, Laboratory of Virology, Rome, Italy
| | | | - S Gjeruldsen Dudman
- Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Division of Infectious Disease Control, Oslo, Norway
| | - S W Aberle
- Department of Virology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - T Avšić-Županc
- University of Ljubljana, Medical Faculty, Institute of Microbiology and Immunology, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - G Korukluoglu
- Refik Saydam National Public Health Agency, Sihhiye, Ankara, Turkey
| | - A Nowakowska
- Medical Diagnostic Laboratory, Voivodeship Sanitary-Epidemiological Station, Rzeszów, Poland
| | - B Klempa
- Institute of Virology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - R G Ulrich
- Friedrich-Loeffler Institute, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, World Organisation for Animal Health Collaborating Centre for Zoonoses in Europe, Institute for Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Greifswald - Insel Riems, Germany
| | - S Bino
- Institute of Public Health, Control of Infectious Diseases, Tirana, Albania
| | - O Engler
- Spiez Laboratory, Biology - Virology Group, Spiez, Switzerland
| | - M Opp
- Laboratoire National de Santé, Virologie, Luxembourg
| | - A Vaheri
- Department of Virology, Haartman Institute, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
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Dobly A, Cochez C, Goossens E, De Bosschere H, Hansen P, Roels S, Heyman P. Sero-epidemiological study of the presence of hantaviruses in domestic dogs and cats from Belgium. Res Vet Sci 2011; 92:221-4. [PMID: 21388647 DOI: 10.1016/j.rvsc.2011.02.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2009] [Revised: 04/16/2010] [Accepted: 02/09/2011] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Hantaviruses are worldwide rodent-borne pathogens infecting humans and other animals mainly through inhalation of aerosols contaminated with rodent excreta. Few data are available on hantavirus serology and geographical distribution in dogs and cats. We therefore screened sera from pet dogs (N=410) and cats (N=124) in two regions of Belgium, using IgG ELISA and IFA. We analysed the effect of the owner's address as well as pet gender and age on hantavirus status. Hantavirus antibodies were found in both species with a significantly higher seroprevalence in cats than in dogs (16.9% vs. 4.9%, P=0.001). More dogs were infected in highly forested southern Belgium (harbouring more rodents) than in northern Belgium (10.5% vs. 3.0%, P=0.002). In the south, hantavirus sero-positive cats were found in more densely forested localities than sero-negatives ones were (P=0.033). These results are consistent with the ecological variations of hantavirus risks in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Dobly
- Research Laboratory for Vector-Borne Diseases, Queen Astrid Military Hospital, Bruynstraat, 1120 Brussels, Belgium.
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Wirtgen M, Nahayo A, Linden A, Losson B, Garigliany M, Desmecht D, Heyman P. Correction. Vet Rec 2011. [DOI: 10.1136/vr.d1361] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- M. Wirtgen
- WildScreen Network; Faculty of Veterinary Medicine; University of Liège, B43a; Boulevard de Colonster 20 4000 Liège Belgium
| | - A. Nahayo
- WildScreen Network; Faculty of Veterinary Medicine; University of Liège, B43a; Boulevard de Colonster 20 4000 Liège Belgium
| | - A. Linden
- WildScreen Network; Faculty of Veterinary Medicine; University of Liège, B43a; Boulevard de Colonster 20 4000 Liège Belgium
| | - B. Losson
- Department of Parasitology; Faculty of Veterinary Medicine; University of Liège, B43a; Boulevard de Colonster 20 4000 Liège Belgium
| | - M. Garigliany
- Department of Pathology; Faculty of Veterinary Medicine; University of Liège, B43a; Boulevard de Colonster 20 4000 Liège Belgium
| | - D. Desmecht
- Department of Pathology; Faculty of Veterinary Medicine; University of Liège, B43a; Boulevard de Colonster 20 4000 Liège Belgium
| | - P. Heyman
- Research Laboratory for Vector Borne Diseases; Queen Astrid Military Hospital; Bruynstraat 2 1120 Brussels Belgium
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Heyman P, Cochez C, Hofhuis A, van der Giessen J, Sprong H, Porter SR, Losson B, Saegerman C, Donoso-Mantke O, Niedrig M, Papa A. A clear and present danger: tick-borne diseases in Europe. Expert Rev Anti Infect Ther 2010; 8:33-50. [PMID: 20014900 DOI: 10.1586/eri.09.118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 162] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Ticks can transmit a variety of viruses, bacteria or parasites that can cause serious infections or conditions in humans and animals. While tick-borne diseases are becoming an increasing and serious problem in Europe, tick-borne diseases are also responsible for major depressions in livestock production and mortality in sub-Saharan Africa, Latin America and Asia. This review will focus on the most important circulating tick-transmitted pathogens in Europe (Borrelia spp., Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Babesia spp., tick-borne encephalitis virus, Rickettsia spp. and Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus).
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul Heyman
- Research Laboratory for Vector Borne Diseases, Queen Astrid Military Hospital, Bruynstraat 1, B-1120 Brussels, Belgium.
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Heyman P, Mele RV, Smajlovic L, Dobly A, Cochez C, Vandenvelde C. Association between habitat and prevalence of hantavirus infections in bank voles (Myodes glareolus) and wood mice (Apodemus sylvaticus). Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis 2009; 9:141-6. [PMID: 19271997 DOI: 10.1089/vbz.2007.0155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
In order to determine the habitat preferred by Myodes (before Clethrionomys) glareolus and the corresponding Puumala hantavirus seroprevalence in those habitats, we captured rodents simultaneously in three significantly different habitats. We compared trapping success and presence of virus per habitat during an ongoing epidemic in order to test the hypothesis of a density-dependent seroprevalence. Our study showed that bank vole population density, as well as Puumala virus seroprevalence, were habitat dependent. Apodemus sylvaticus was found more vulnerable for deteriorating habitat conditions than M. glareolus and could play a role as vehicle for Puumala virus and as mediator for inter- and conspecific virus transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul Heyman
- Research Laboratory for Vector-Borne Diseases, Queen Astrid Military Hospital, Brussels, Belgium.
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Heyman P, Baert K, Plyusnina A, Cochez C, Lundkvist A, Esbroeck MV, Goossens E, Vandenvelde C, Plyusnin A, Stuyck J. Serological and genetic evidence for the presence of Seoul hantavirus in Rattus norvegicus in Flanders, Belgium. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2009; 41:51-6. [PMID: 18821445 DOI: 10.1080/00365540802459994] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Seoul hantavirus (SEOV), carried by Rattus rattus (black rat) and R. norvegicus (Norway, brown rat), was reported to circulate as well as cause HFRS cases in Asia. As Rattus sp. are present worldwide, SEOV has the potential to cause human disease worldwide. In Europe however, only SEOV prevalence in rats from France was reported and no confirmed cases of SEOV infection were published. We here report genetic and serological evidence for the presence of SEOV virus in brown rat populations in Belgium. We also serologically screened an at-risk group that was in contact with R. norvegicus on a daily basis and found no evidence for SEOV infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul Heyman
- Research Laboratory for Vector-borne Diseases, Queen Astrid Military Hospital, Bruynstraat, Brussels, Belgium.
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Nowakowska A, Heyman P, Knap JP, Burzyński W, Witas M. The first established focus of hantavirus infection in Poland, 2007. Ann Agric Environ Med 2009; 16:79-85. [PMID: 19572481] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
The first hantavirus infection outbreak in Poland (with different seroetiology) was identified between August-December 2007. Thirteen cases were reported in southeast Poland: 12 cases in the Carpathians bordering with northeast Slovakia, mainly in the forested areas of the Bieszczady mountains, and one case approximately 100-120 kilometres north from the others, in the adjacent Sub-Carpathian region. Four additional cases of past infection were identified retrospectively, based on the presence of the hantavirus specific IgG antibodies. Thus, the total number of infections identified in this area amounts to 17. Most probably, this number does not constitute the real hantavirus participation in the infections in this area. Considerable evidence for the probable participation of Dobrava virus (10 cases out of 17) and Puumala virus (3 cases out of 17) in the hantavirus diseases has been revealed. There were no fatal infections. However, out of 13 symptomatic cases, major HFRS clinical manifestations were observed in 10 cases and a typical nephropathia epidemica in the next 3 cases. Haemorrhagic diathesis was observed in 9 patients. Five patients underwent haemodialysis treatment due to acute renal failure. One, a female patient, haemodialysed in 10th week of gravidity, managed to maintain pregnancy and remains under interdisciplinary care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Nowakowska
- Voivodeship Sanitary-Epidemiological Station, Rzeszów, Poland.
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Reusken C, de Vries A, Adema J, Vos W, van der Giessen J, Bekker D, Heyman P. First genetic detection of Tula hantavirus in wild rodents in the Netherlands. J Infect 2008; 57:500-3. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jinf.2008.09.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2008] [Accepted: 09/19/2008] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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Heyman P, Vaheri A. Situation of hantavirus infections and haemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome in European countries as of December 2006. Euro Surveill 2008; 13:18925. [PMID: 18761927] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Hantavirus infections are widely distributed in Europe with the exception of the far north and the Mediterranean regions. The underlying causes of varying epidemiological patterns differ among regions: in western and central Europe epidemics of haemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) caused by hantavirus infections follow mast years with increased seed production by oak and beech trees followed by increased rodent reproduction. In the northern regions, hantavirus infections and HFRS epidemics occur in three to four year cycles and are thought to be driven by prey - predator interactions. Hantavirus infections and HFRS seem to be on the increase in Europe, partly because of better diagnostics, partly perhaps due to environmental changes. Unfortunately, hantavirus infections are still heavily under-diagnosed in many European countries. Here we report the results of a survey conducted in 2007 amongst the member laboratories of the European Network for diagnostics of Imported Viral Diseases (ENIVD).
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Affiliation(s)
- P Heyman
- Research Laboratory for Vector-Borne Diseases, National Reference Centre for Hantavirus Infections, Queen Astrid Military Hospital, Brussels, Belgium.
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Abstract
Hantavirus infections are widely distributed in Europe with the exception of the far north and the Mediterranean regions. The underlying causes of varying epidemiological patterns differ among regions: in western and central Europe epidemics of haemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) caused by hantavirus infections follow mast years with increased seed production by oak and beech trees followed by increased rodent reproduction. In the northern regions, hantavirus infections and HFRS epidemics occur in three to four year cycles and are thought to be driven by prey - predator interactions. Hantavirus infections and HFRS seem to be on the increase in Europe, partly because of better diagnostics, partly perhaps due to environmental changes. Unfortunately, hantavirus infections are still heavily under-diagnosed in many European countries. Here we report the results of a survey conducted in 2007 amongst the member laboratories of the European Network for diagnostics of Imported Viral Diseases (ENIVD).
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Affiliation(s)
- P Heyman
- Research Laboratory for Vector-Borne Diseases, National Reference Centre for Hantavirus Infections, Queen Astrid Military Hospital, Brussels, Belgium
| | - A Vaheri
- Department of Virology, Haartman Institute, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
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Artois M, Cochez C, Van Mele R, Heyman P. Genetic evidence of Puumala and Tula Hantaviruses in rodents in the Jura region, France--preliminary results. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2007; 12:E070628.3. [PMID: 17868570 DOI: 10.2807/esw.12.26.03226-en] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Hantaviruses are enveloped RNA viruses carried by a specific rodent species in Palearctic areas. They have been identified as etiologic agents of disease in humans: haemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) in the Old World and hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS) in the Americas.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Artois
- Université J. Fourier, Laboratoire TIMC-IMAG, Unité Environnement et Prévision de la Santé des Populations, Grenoble, France.
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Heyman P, Duh D, Van Der Kuylen B, Cochez C, Van Esbroeck M, Vandenvelde C, Avsic-Zupanc T. Molecular and Serological Evidence for Anaplasma platys and Babesia sp. Infection in a Dog, Imported in Belgium, from Southern Spain. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2007; 54:276-9. [PMID: 17523964 DOI: 10.1111/j.1439-0442.2007.00872.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
This case report describes a dog suffering from a co-infection with Babesia and Anaplasma parasites. Anaplasma platys was found to be responsible for the anaplasmosis by molecular biology techniques, while microscopical and serological evidence was found for a coexistent babesiosis, although this could not be confirmed by polymerase chain reaction. Moreover, the possible risk of import of exotic pathogens is highlighted.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Heyman
- Research Laboratory for Vector-borne Diseases, Queen Astrid Military Hospital, Bruynstraat 1, B-1120 Brussels, Belgium.
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Linard C, Lamarque P, Heyman P, Ducoffre G, Luyasu V, Tersago K, Vanwambeke SO, Lambin EF. Determinants of the geographic distribution of Puumala virus and Lyme borreliosis infections in Belgium. Int J Health Geogr 2007; 6:15. [PMID: 17474974 PMCID: PMC1867807 DOI: 10.1186/1476-072x-6-15] [Citation(s) in RCA: 95] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2007] [Accepted: 05/02/2007] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Vector-borne and zoonotic diseases generally display clear spatial patterns due to different space-dependent factors. Land cover and land use influence disease transmission by controlling both the spatial distribution of vectors or hosts, and the probability of contact with susceptible human populations. The objective of this study was to combine environmental and socio-economic factors to explain the spatial distribution of two emerging human diseases in Belgium, Puumala virus (PUUV) and Lyme borreliosis. Municipalities were taken as units of analysis. RESULTS Negative binomial regressions including a correction for spatial endogeneity show that the spatial distribution of PUUV and Lyme borreliosis infections are associated with a combination of factors linked to the vector and host populations, to human behaviours, and to landscape attributes. Both diseases are associated with the presence of forests, which are the preferred habitat for vector or host populations. The PUUV infection risk is higher in remote forest areas, where the level of urbanisation is low, and among low-income populations. The Lyme borreliosis transmission risk is higher in mixed landscapes with forests and spatially dispersed houses, mostly in wealthy peri-urban areas. The spatial dependence resulting from a combination of endogenous and exogenous processes could be accounted for in the model on PUUV but not for Lyme borreliosis. CONCLUSION A large part of the spatial variation in disease risk can be explained by environmental and socio-economic factors. The two diseases not only are most prevalent in different regions but also affect different groups of people. Combining these two criteria may increase the efficiency of information campaigns through appropriate targeting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catherine Linard
- Department of Geography, Université Catholique de Louvain, Place Pasteur 3, B-1348 Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium
| | - Pénélope Lamarque
- Department of Geography, Université Catholique de Louvain, Place Pasteur 3, B-1348 Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium
| | - Paul Heyman
- Research Laboratory and Reference Laboratory for Vector-borne Diseases, Queen Astrid Military Hospital, B-1120 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Geneviève Ducoffre
- Scientific Institute of Public Health (IPH), Unit of Epidemiology, B-1050 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Victor Luyasu
- Research Group and Information on tick-borne diseases (RILY), Centre de Vaccinations, Clinique St-Pierre, B-1340 Ottignies, Belgium
| | - Katrien Tersago
- Research group of Evolutionary Biology, University of Antwerp, B-2020 Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Sophie O Vanwambeke
- Department of Geography, Université Catholique de Louvain, Place Pasteur 3, B-1348 Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium
| | - Eric F Lambin
- Department of Geography, Université Catholique de Louvain, Place Pasteur 3, B-1348 Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium
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Heyman P, Cochez C, Ducoffre G, Mailles A, Zeller H, Abu Sin M, Koch J, van Doornum G, Koopmans M, Mossong J, Schneider F. Haemorrhagic Fever with Renal Syndrome: an analysis of the outbreaks in Belgium, France, Germany, the Netherlands and Luxembourg in 2005. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2007; 12:E15-6. [PMID: 17991393 DOI: 10.2807/esm.12.05.00712-en] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
This article aims to describe the Haemorrhagic Fever with Renal Syndrome (HFRS) situation in 2005 in five neighbouring countries (Belgium, France, Germany, the Netherlands and Luxembourg) and define the most affected areas. The 2005 HFRS outbreaks in these countries were the most significant in the region since 1990, with a total of 1,114 confirmed cases. The main feature of the epidemic was the extension of the known endemic area in several of the affected countries, with the involvement of urban areas for the first time. A significant increase in the number of cases was noted for the first time in the province of Liège in Belgium and in the Jura department in France.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Heyman
- Research Laboratory for Vector-Borne Diseases, National Reference Laboratory for Hantavirus Infections, Brussels, Belgium
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Mailles A, Sin MA, Ducoffre G, Heyman P, Koch J, Zeller H. Larger than usual increase in cases of hantavirus infections in Belgium, France and Germany, June 2005. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2005; 10:E050721.4. [PMID: 16785666 DOI: 10.2807/esw.10.29.02754-en] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
An exceptionally large increase in hantavirus infections has been detected simultaneously in Belgium, Germany and France since spring 2005
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Donoso Mantke O, Schmitz H, Zeller H, Heyman P, Papa A, Niedrig M. Quality assurance for the diagnostics of viral diseases to enhance the emergency preparedness in Europe. Euro Surveill 2005; 10:102-6. [PMID: 16077216] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/03/2023] Open
Abstract
The threat posed by emerging and re-emerging communicable diseases and, more recently, by the intentional release of infectious agents in a susceptible population, has been receiving considerable attention at the national and international levels. Public health efforts to strengthen disease detection, surveillance and control have been intensified. However, clinicians and clinical microbiology laboratories play an important role in the early detection of disease, the identification of the putative agent, and notification of the appropriate authorities. To be effective in this role, laboratories must be specially prepared to handle viral agents safely, and need, among other things, the appropriate rapid and sensitive diagnostic tests. In 1998 the European Network for Diagnostics of 'Imported' Viral Diseases (ENIVD) was established. ENIVD presently comprises, as permanent members, 44 expert laboratories in 21 European Union (EU) member states and 4 non-EU countries and is one of the networks on infectious diseases funded by the European Commission. ENIVD fulfils many of the important tasks required for the surveillance and control of imported, rare and emerging viral infections such as the exchange of expertise and the organisation of external quality assurance (EQA) programmes, both of which are needed to improve diagnostics. Here, we summarise the data generated by recent EQA activities focussed on the diagnostics of infections with hantavirus, dengue virus, filovirus, Lassa virus, orthopox virus and the SARS-coronavirus (SARS-CoV). These were carried out between 1999 and 2004 and involved 93 laboratories from 41 countries, including laboratories from additional countries outside of Europe. Particularly the EU-candidate countries and Eastern neighbouring countries will be invited to join the network in the near future. A public website is available at http://www.enivd.de.
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Affiliation(s)
- O Donoso Mantke
- Centre for Biological Safety (ZBS-1), Robert Koch-Institut, Berlin, Germany
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Donoso-Mantke O, Schmitz H, Zeller H, Heyman P, Papa A, Niedrig M. Quality assurance for the diagnostics of viral diseases to enhance the emergency preparedness in Europe. Euro Surveill 2005; 10:1-2. [DOI: 10.2807/esm.10.06.00545-en] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The threat posed by emerging and re-emerging communicable diseases and, more recently, by the intentional release of infectious agents in a susceptible population, has been receiving considerable attention at the national and international levels. Public health efforts to strengthen disease detection, surveillance and control have been intensified. However, clinicians and clinical microbiology laboratories play an important role in the early detection of disease, the identification of the putative agent, and notification of the appropriate authorities. To be effective in this role, laboratories must be specially prepared to handle viral agents safely, and need, among other things, the appropriate rapid and sensitive diagnostic tests. In 1998 the European Network for Diagnostics of “Imported” Viral Diseases (ENIVD) was established. ENIVD presently comprises, as permanent members, 44 expert laboratories in 21 European Union (EU) member states and 4 non-EU countries and is one of the networks on infectious diseases funded by the European Commission. ENIVD fulfils many of the important tasks required for the surveillance and control of imported, rare and emerging viral infections such as the exchange of expertise and the organisation of external quality assurance (EQA) programmes, both of which are needed to improve diagnostics. Here, we summarise the data generated by recent EQA activities focussed on the diagnostics of infections with hantavirus, dengue virus, filovirus, Lassa virus, orthopox virus and the SARS-coronavirus (SARS-CoV). These were carried out between 1999 and 2004 and involved 93 laboratories from 41 countries, including laboratories from additional countries outside of Europe. Particularly the EU-candidate countries and Eastern neighbouring countries will be invited to join the network in the near future. A public website is available at http://www.enivd.de.
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Affiliation(s)
- O Donoso-Mantke
- Centre for Biological Safety (ZBS-1), Robert Koch-Institut, Berlin, Germany
| | - H Schmitz
- Department of Virology, Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg, Germany
- Representing the members of the European Network for Diagnostics of 'Imported' Viral Diseases
| | - H Zeller
- Representing the members of the European Network for Diagnostics of 'Imported' Viral Diseases
- Unit Biologie des Infections Virales Emergentes, Institut Pasteur, Lyon, France
| | - P Heyman
- Representing the members of the European Network for Diagnostics of 'Imported' Viral Diseases
- Research Laboratory for Vector-Borne Diseases, Queen Astrid Military Hospital, Brussels, Belgium
| | - A Papa
- Representing the members of the European Network for Diagnostics of 'Imported' Viral Diseases
- Dept. of Microbiology, School of Medicine, Aristotelian University of Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - M Niedrig
- Centre for Biological Safety (ZBS-1), Robert Koch-Institut, Berlin, Germany
- Representing the members of the European Network for Diagnostics of 'Imported' Viral Diseases
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Heyman P, Plyusnina A, Berny P, Cochez C, Artois M, Zizi M, Pirnay JP, Plyusnin A. Seoul hantavirus in Europe: first demonstration of the virus genome in wild Rattus norvegicus captured in France. Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis 2004; 23:711-7. [PMID: 15322934 DOI: 10.1007/s10096-004-1196-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
Although rats (Rattus rattus or Rattus norvegicus) worldwide have been found to carry Seoul hantavirus, there are at present only a very few reports of confirmed human Seoul hantavirus infections outside Asia, where the virus, in certain areas, is responsible for approximately 25% of the human hantavirus infections. In Europe, no confirmed human infections outside laboratories have been described, and although rats occasionally have been found to be antibody positive, the viral genome has not been demonstrated in these animals. The present report describes the first confirmed finding of Seoul hantavirus in R. norvegicus captured in Europe.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Heyman
- Research Laboratory for Vector-Borne Diseases, Queen Astrid Military Hospital, Bruynstraat 1, Brussels, Belgium.
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