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Kodori M, Amani J, Ahmadi A. Unveiling promising immunogenic targets in Coxiella burnetii through in silico analysis: paving the way for novel vaccine strategies. BMC Infect Dis 2023; 23:902. [PMID: 38129801 PMCID: PMC10740251 DOI: 10.1186/s12879-023-08904-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2023] [Accepted: 12/13/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Coxiella burnetii, an intracellular pathogen, serves as the causative agent of zoonotic Q fever. This pathogen presents a significant threat due to its potential for airborne transmission, environmental persistence, and pathogenicity. The current whole-cell vaccine (WCV) utilized in Australia to combat Q fever exhibits notable limitations, including severe adverse reactions and limited regulatory approval for human use. This research employed the reverse vaccinology (RV) approach to uncover antigenic proteins and epitopes of C. burnetii, facilitating the development of more potent vaccine candidates. METHODS The potential immunogenic proteins derived from C. burnetii RSA493/Nine Mile phase I (NMI) were extracted through manual, automated RV, and virulence factor database (VFDB) methods. Web tools and bioinformatics were used to evaluate physiochemical attributes, subcellular localization, antigenicity, allergenicity, human homology, B-cell epitopes, MHC I and II binding ratios, functional class scores, adhesion probabilities, protein-protein interactions, and molecular docking. RESULTS Out of the 1850 proteins encoded by RSA493/NMI, a subset of 178 demonstrated the potential for surface or membrane localization. Following a series of analytical iterations, 14 putative immunogenic proteins emerged. This collection included nine proteins (57.1%) intricately involved in cell wall/membrane/envelope biogenesis processes (CBU_0197 (Q83EW1), CBU_0311 (Q83EK8), CBU_0489 (Q83E43), CBU_0939 (Q83D08), CBU_1190 (P39917), CBU_1829 (Q83AQ2), CBU_1412 (Q83BU0), CBU_1414 (Q83BT8), and CBU_1600 (Q83BB2)). The CBU_1627 (Q83B86 ) (7.1%) implicated in intracellular trafficking, secretion, and vesicular transport, and CBU_0092 (Q83F57) (7.1%) contributing to cell division. Additionally, three proteins (21.4%) displayed uncharacterized functions (CBU_0736 (Q83DJ4), CBU_1095 (Q83CL9), and CBU_2079 (Q83A32)). The congruent results obtained from molecular docking and immune response stimulation lend support to the inclusion of all 14 putative proteins as potential vaccine candidates. Notably, seven proteins with well-defined functions stand out among these candidates. CONCLUSIONS The outcomes of this study introduce promising proteins and epitopes for the forthcoming formulation of subunit vaccines against Q fever, with a primary emphasis on cellular processes and the virulence factors of C. burnetii.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mansoor Kodori
- Molecular Biology Research Center, Systems Biology and Poisonings Institute, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Non Communicable Diseases Research Center, Bam University of Medical Sciences, Bam, Iran
| | - Jafar Amani
- Applied Microbiology Research Center, Systems Biology and Poisonings Institute, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ali Ahmadi
- Molecular Biology Research Center, Systems Biology and Poisonings Institute, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
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Cho YS, Park JH, Kim JW, Lee JJ, Youn SY, Byeon HS, Jeong HW, Kim DM, Yu SN, Yoon JW, Kwak D, Yoo HS, Lee JY, Kwon JR, Hwang KW, Heo JY. Current Status of Q Fever and the Challenge of Outbreak Preparedness in Korea: One Health Approach to Zoonoses. J Korean Med Sci 2023; 38:e197. [PMID: 37337811 DOI: 10.3346/jkms.2023.38.e197] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [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] [Received: 03/23/2023] [Accepted: 05/09/2023] [Indexed: 06/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Human Q fever, a zoonosis caused by Coxiella burnetii, presents with diverse clinical manifestations ranging from mild self-limited febrile illnesses to life-threatening complications such as endocarditis or vascular infection. Although acute Q fever is a benign illness with a low mortality rate, a large-scale outbreak of Q fever in the Netherlands led to concerns about the possibility of blood transfusion-related transmission or obstetric complications in pregnant women. Furthermore, a small minority (< 5%) of patients with asymptomatic or symptomatic infection progress to chronic Q fever. Chronic Q fever is fatal in 5-50% of patients if left untreated. In South Korea, Q fever in humans was designated as a notifiable infectious disease in 2006, and the number of Q fever cases has increased sharply since 2015. Nonetheless, it is still considered a neglected and under-recognized infectious disease. In this review, recent trends of human and animal Q fever in South Korea, and public health concerns regarding Q fever outbreaks are reviewed, and we consider how a One Health approach could be applied as a preventive measure to prepare for zoonotic Q fever outbreaks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yun Sang Cho
- Laboratory of Parasitic and Honeybee Diseases, Bacterial Disease Division, Department of Animal and Plant Health Research, Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency, Gimcheon, Korea
| | - Ji-Hyuk Park
- Department of Preventive Medicine, College of Medicine, Dongguk University, Gyeongju, Korea
| | - Jong Wan Kim
- Research Planning Division, Department of Animal and Plant Health Research, Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency, Gimcheon, Korea
| | - Jin-Ju Lee
- World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH) Reference Laboratory for Brucellosis, Bacterial Disease Division, Department of Animal and Plant Health Research, Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency, Gimcheon, Korea
| | - So Youn Youn
- Laboratory of Parasitic and Honeybee Diseases, Bacterial Disease Division, Department of Animal and Plant Health Research, Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency, Gimcheon, Korea
| | - Hyeon Seop Byeon
- Chungcheongbuk-do Institute of Veterinary Service and Research, Cheongju, Korea
| | - Hye Won Jeong
- Department of Internal Medicine, Chungbuk National University College of Medicine, Cheongju, Korea
- Department of Internal Medicine, Chungbuk National University Hospital, Cheongju, Korea
| | - Dong-Min Kim
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Chosun University College of Medicine, Gwangju, Korea
| | - Shi Nae Yu
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Soonchunhyang University Cheonan Hospital, Cheonan, Korea
| | - Jang Won Yoon
- College of Veterinary Medicine & Institute of Veterinary Science, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon, Gangwon, Korea
| | - Dongmi Kwak
- Division of Veterinary Parasitology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, Korea
| | - Han Sang Yoo
- Department of Infectious Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Ji-Yeon Lee
- Division of Zoonotic and Vector Borne Disease Control, Bureau of Infectious Disease Policy, Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, Cheongju, Korea
| | - Jeong-Ran Kwon
- Division of Zoonotic and Vector Borne Disease Control, Bureau of Infectious Disease Policy, Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, Cheongju, Korea
| | - Kyung-Won Hwang
- Division of Zoonotic and Vector Borne Disease Control, Bureau of Infectious Disease Policy, Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, Cheongju, Korea
| | - Jung Yeon Heo
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, Korea.
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Yoo JR, Heo ST, Kim M, Kim M, Kang MJ, Kim ET, Kang SY, Lee KH. Coinfection of Severe Fever With Thrombocytopenia Syndrome Virus and Coxiella burnetii in Developmental Stage of Hard Ticks in Subtropical Region of Korea. J Korean Med Sci 2023; 38:e156. [PMID: 37218355 DOI: 10.3346/jkms.2023.38.e156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2022] [Accepted: 02/02/2023] [Indexed: 05/24/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus (SFTSV) is transmitted through tick bites. Ticks are potential vectors for the bacterium Coxiella burnetii that causes Query fever. Here, we analyzed SFTSV and C. burnetii co-infection rates in ticks in rural areas of Jeju Island, South Korea. METHODS Free ticks were collected from the natural environment of the island between 2016 and 2019, and SFTSV RNA was extracted. Additionally, ribosomal RNA gene sequencing was used to identify Coxiella species. RESULTS Haemaphysalis longicornis was the most common tick species followed by H. flava. Tick number gradually increased from April, peaked in August, and was lowest in March. Of all the collected ticks, 82.6% (2,851/3,458) were nymphs, 17.9% (639/3,458) adults, and 0.1% (4/3,458) larvae. SFTSV-infected ticks comprised 12.6% of all ticks; their numbers were the lowest in November-December, increased from January, and were mostly identified in the adult stage during June-August. C. burnetii infections were detected in 4.4% of the SFTSV-infected H. longicornis ticks. C. burnetii co-infection was mainly observed in the nymph stage of H. longicornis, with the highest infection rate in January, followed by December and November. CONCLUSION Our findings suggest that Jeju Island has a high SFTSV and potential C. burnetii infection in ticks. This study provides important insights regarding SFTS and Q fever risk to humans in South Korea.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeong Rae Yoo
- Department of Internal Medicine, Jeju National University, College of Medicine, Jeju, Korea
- Department of Internal Medicine, Jeju National University Hospital, Jeju, Korea
| | - Sang Taek Heo
- Department of Internal Medicine, Jeju National University, College of Medicine, Jeju, Korea
- Department of Internal Medicine, Jeju National University Hospital, Jeju, Korea
| | - Misun Kim
- Department of Internal Medicine, Jeju National University Hospital, Jeju, Korea
| | - Miyeon Kim
- Department of Internal Medicine, Jeju National University, College of Medicine, Jeju, Korea
- Department of Internal Medicine, Jeju National University Hospital, Jeju, Korea
| | - Myeong Jin Kang
- Department of Internal Medicine, Jeju National University Hospital, Jeju, Korea
| | - Eui Tae Kim
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Jeju National University, College of Medicine, Jeju, Korea
| | - Su Yeon Kang
- Department of Microbiology, Hanyang University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Keun Hwa Lee
- Department of Microbiology, Hanyang University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
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Reigota CP, Cunha F, Lopes C, Gaspar E. [A Case of Atypical Pneumonia Due to Severe COVID-19 and Cross Reaction with Coxiella burnetii]. ACTA MEDICA PORT 2022; 35:930-931. [PMID: 36469942 DOI: 10.20344/amp.18668] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 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] [Received: 06/03/2022] [Accepted: 11/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Catarina Peliz Reigota
- Departamento de Medicina Interna. Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Coimbra. Coimbra. Portugal
| | - Flávia Cunha
- Departamento de Doenças Infeciosas. Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Coimbra. Coimbra. Portugal
| | - Cristiana Lopes
- Departamento de Patologia Clínica. Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Coimbra. Coimbra. Portugal
| | - Elsa Gaspar
- Departamento de Medicina Interna. Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Coimbra. Coimbra. Portugal
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Al-Kindi N, Al-Yaaqoubi M, Al-Rashdi Y, Al-Rashdi A, Al-Ajmi A, Al-Maani A. The First Confirmed Pediatric Chronic Osteomyelitis due to Coxiella Burnetii in Oman. Oman Med J 2022; 37:e449. [PMID: 36458245 PMCID: PMC9644042 DOI: 10.5001/omj.2023.03] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [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: 02/10/2021] [Accepted: 07/26/2021] [Indexed: 07/29/2023] Open
Abstract
We describe here the first confirmed case in Oman of chronic osteomyelitis due to Coxiella burnetii, in a previously healthy four-year-old Omani girl. After laboratory confirmation of C. burnetii infection using molecular and qualitative and quantitative serological assays, the case was successfully managed with a combination of oral ciprofloxacin and cotrimoxazole and thereafter followed up for a long period without remission.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Azza Al-Rashdi
- Central Public Health Laboratories, Ministry of Health, Muscat, Oman
| | | | - Amal Al-Maani
- Pediatric Infection Disease Department, Royal Hospital, Muscat, Oman
- Directorate General for Diseases Surveillance and Control, Ministry of Health, Muscat, Oman
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Ullah Q, El-Adawy H, Jamil T, Jamil H, Qureshi ZI, Saqib M, Ullah S, Shah MK, Khan AZ, Zubair M, Khan I, Mertens-Scholz K, Henning K, Neubauer H. Serological and Molecular Investigation of Coxiella burnetii in Small Ruminants and Ticks in Punjab, Pakistan. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2019; 16:ijerph16214271. [PMID: 31689887 PMCID: PMC6861879 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph16214271] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2019] [Revised: 10/29/2019] [Accepted: 10/31/2019] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Coxiellosis is a zoonotic disease caused by the obligate intracellular bacterium Coxiella burnetii affecting the productive and reproductive capabilities of animals. This study was conducted to gain insight into the seroprevalence of coxiellosis in small ruminants in seven farms of the Punjab, Pakistan. Potential risk factors were assessed. In total, 1000 serum samples (500 from sheep and 500 from goats) and 163 ticks were collected from the ruminants. All these 163 ticks were merged into 55 pools (29 pools for ticks from sheep and 26 pools for ticks from goat). Serum samples were investigated using an indirect ELISA and PCR. Coxiella burnetii DNA was detected in 29 pooled seropositive samples and 11 pooled ticks by real-time qPCR. Serological analysis revealed a prevalence of 15.6% and 15.0% in sheep and goats, respectively. A significant association was found between seropositivity and different variables like district, lactational status, reproductive status, body condition and reproductive disorders. Univariate analysis showed that detection of C. burnetii DNA in tick pools was significantly associated with the presence of ticks on sheep and goats. However, a non-significant association was found for the prevalence of C. burnetii DNA in serum pools. Hence, C. burnetii infection is prevalent in small ruminants and ticks maintained at livestock farms in Punjab, Pakistan.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qudrat Ullah
- Faculty of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Gomal University, Dera Ismail Khan 29050, Pakistan.
- Department of Theriogenology, University of Agriculture Faisalabad, Faisalabad 38000, Pakistan.
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Institute of Bacterial Infections and Zoonoses, 07743 Jena, Germany.
| | - Hosny El-Adawy
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Institute of Bacterial Infections and Zoonoses, 07743 Jena, Germany.
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kafrelsheik University, Kafr El-Sheik 35516, Egypt.
| | - Tariq Jamil
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Institute of Bacterial Infections and Zoonoses, 07743 Jena, Germany.
| | - Huma Jamil
- Department of Theriogenology, University of Agriculture Faisalabad, Faisalabad 38000, Pakistan.
| | - Zafar Iqbal Qureshi
- Department of Theriogenology, University of Agriculture Faisalabad, Faisalabad 38000, Pakistan.
| | - Muhammad Saqib
- Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University of Agriculture Faisalabad, Faisalabad 38000, Pakistan.
| | - Shakeeb Ullah
- Faculty of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Gomal University, Dera Ismail Khan 29050, Pakistan.
| | - Muhammad Kamal Shah
- Faculty of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Gomal University, Dera Ismail Khan 29050, Pakistan.
| | - Alam Zeb Khan
- Faculty of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Gomal University, Dera Ismail Khan 29050, Pakistan.
| | - Muhammad Zubair
- Faculty of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Poonch Rawalakot, Azad Kashmir 12350, Pakistan.
| | - Iahtasham Khan
- Section of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore, sub-campus Jhang, Jhang 35200, Pakistan.
| | - Katja Mertens-Scholz
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Institute of Bacterial Infections and Zoonoses, 07743 Jena, Germany.
| | - Klaus Henning
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Institute of Bacterial Infections and Zoonoses, 07743 Jena, Germany.
| | - Heinrich Neubauer
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Institute of Bacterial Infections and Zoonoses, 07743 Jena, Germany.
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Kanouté YB, Gragnon BG, Schindler C, Bonfoh B, Schelling E. Reprint of "Epidemiology of brucellosis, Q Fever and Rift Valley Fever at the human and livestock interface in northern Côte d'Ivoire". Acta Trop 2017; 175:121-129. [PMID: 28867393 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2017.08.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Northern Côte d'Ivoire is the main livestock breeding zone and has the highest livestock cross-border movements in Côte d'Ivoire. The aim of this study was to provide updated epidemiological data on three neglected zoonotic diseases, namely brucellosis, Q Fever and Rift Valley Fever (RVF). We conducted three-stage cross-sectional cluster surveys in livestock and humans between 2012 and 2014 in a random selection of 63 villages and a sample of 633 cattle, 622 small ruminants and 88 people. We administered questionnaires to capture risk factors and performed serological tests including the Rose Bengal Plate Test (RBPT), Brucella spp. indirect and competitive ELISAs, Coxiella burnetii indirect ELISA and RVF competitive ELISA. The human seroprevalence for Brucella spp. was 5.3%. RBPT-positive small ruminants tested negative by the indirect ELISA. The seroprevalence of Brucella spp. in cattle adjusted for clustering was 4.6%. Cattle aged 5-8 years had higher odds of seropositivity (OR=3.5) than those aged ≤4years. The seropositivity in cattle was associated with having joint hygromas (OR=9), sharing the pastures with small ruminants (OR=5.8) and contact with pastoralist herds (OR=11.3). The seroprevalence of Q Fever was 13.9% in cattle, 9.4% in sheep and 12.4% in goats. The seroprevalence of RVF was 3.9% in cattle, 2.4% in sheep and 0% in goats. Seropositive ewes had greater odds (OR=4.7) of abortion than seronegative ones. In cattle, a shorter distance between the night pens and nearest permanent water bodies was a protective factor (OR=0.1). The study showed that the exposure to the three zoonoses is rather low in northern Côte d'Ivoire. Within a One Health approach, cost-benefit and cost-effectiveness of control measures should be assessed for an integrated control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Youssouf B Kanouté
- Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland; University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.
| | - Biégo G Gragnon
- Laboratoire National d'Appui au Développement Agricole, Lanada, Korhogo, Côte d'Ivoire, Côte d'Ivoire
| | - Christian Schindler
- Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland; University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Bassirou Bonfoh
- Centre Suisse de Recherches Scientifiques en Côte d'Ivoire, Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire, Côte d'Ivoire
| | - Esther Schelling
- Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland; University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
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Lee SH, Heo JY, Lee HK, Lee YS, Jeong HW, Hwang SD. Clinical and Genetic Features of Coxiella burnetii in a Patient with an Acute Febrile Illness in Korea. J Korean Med Sci 2017; 32:1038-1041. [PMID: 28480664 PMCID: PMC5426248 DOI: 10.3346/jkms.2017.32.6.1038] [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] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2016] [Accepted: 02/25/2017] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Although Q fever is an important zoonotic infection with a worldwide distribution, no human isolates of Coxiella burnetii have been identified in Korea. For the first time, we identified the nucleotide sequence of C. burnetii from a 32-year-old man with an acute febrile illness in Korea. Diagnosis of acute Q fever was confirmed by seroconversion using indirect immunofluorescence antibody assays. Phylogenetic analysis demonstrated high sequence similarity (99.6%-100%) with C. burnetii 16S rRNA sequences identified from the reservoir. These results are the first genetic analysis of C. burnetii in a human case of Q fever in Korea.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seung Hun Lee
- Division of Zoonoses, Center for Immunology & Pathology, Korea National Institute of Health, Korea Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, Cheongju, Korea
| | - Jung Yeon Heo
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Chungbuk National University College of Medicine, Cheongju, Korea
| | - Hae Kyung Lee
- Division of Zoonoses, Center for Immunology & Pathology, Korea National Institute of Health, Korea Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, Cheongju, Korea
| | - Yeong Seon Lee
- Division of Zoonoses, Center for Immunology & Pathology, Korea National Institute of Health, Korea Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, Cheongju, Korea
| | - Hye Won Jeong
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Chungbuk National University College of Medicine, Cheongju, Korea
| | - Seon Do Hwang
- Division of Zoonoses, Center for Immunology & Pathology, Korea National Institute of Health, Korea Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, Cheongju, Korea.
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Kanouté YB, Gragnon BG, Schindler C, Bonfoh B, Schelling E. Epidemiology of brucellosis, Q Fever and Rift Valley Fever at the human and livestock interface in northern Côte d'Ivoire. Acta Trop 2017; 165:66-75. [PMID: 26899680 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2016.02.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2015] [Revised: 02/10/2016] [Accepted: 02/14/2016] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Northern Côte d'Ivoire is the main livestock breeding zone and has the highest livestock cross-border movements in Côte d'Ivoire. The aim of this study was to provide updated epidemiological data on three neglected zoonotic diseases, namely brucellosis, Q Fever and Rift Valley Fever (RVF). We conducted three-stage cross-sectional cluster surveys in livestock and humans between 2012 and 2014 in a random selection of 63 villages and a sample of 633 cattle, 622 small ruminants and 88 people. We administered questionnaires to capture risk factors and performed serological tests including the Rose Bengal Plate Test (RBPT), Brucella spp. indirect and competitive ELISAs, Coxiella burnetii indirect ELISA and RVF competitive ELISA. The human seroprevalence for Brucella spp. was 5.3%. RBPT-positive small ruminants tested negative by the indirect ELISA. The seroprevalence of Brucella spp. in cattle adjusted for clustering was 4.6%. Cattle aged 5-8 years had higher odds of seropositivity (OR=3.5) than those aged ≤4years. The seropositivity in cattle was associated with having joint hygromas (OR=9), sharing the pastures with small ruminants (OR=5.8) and contact with pastoralist herds (OR=11.3). The seroprevalence of Q Fever was 13.9% in cattle, 9.4% in sheep and 12.4% in goats. The seroprevalence of RVF was 3.9% in cattle, 2.4% in sheep and 0% in goats. Seropositive ewes had greater odds (OR=4.7) of abortion than seronegative ones. In cattle, a shorter distance between the night pens and nearest permanent water bodies was a protective factor (OR=0.1). The study showed that the exposure to the three zoonoses is rather low in northern Côte d'Ivoire. Within a One Health approach, cost-benefit and cost-effectiveness of control measures should be assessed for an integrated control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Youssouf B Kanouté
- Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland; University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.
| | - Biégo G Gragnon
- Laboratoire National d'Appui au Développement Agricole, Lanada, Korhogo, Côte d'Ivoire, Côte d'Ivoire
| | - Christian Schindler
- Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland; University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Bassirou Bonfoh
- Centre Suisse de Recherches Scientifiques en Côte d'Ivoire, Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire, Côte d'Ivoire
| | - Esther Schelling
- Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland; University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
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Fernández-Aguilar X, Cabezón Ó, Colom-Cadena A, Lavín S, López-Olvera JR. Serological survey of Coxiella burnetii at the wildlife-livestock interface in the Eastern Pyrenees, Spain. Acta Vet Scand 2016; 58:26. [PMID: 27121001 PMCID: PMC4848809 DOI: 10.1186/s13028-016-0209-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2016] [Accepted: 04/21/2016] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Coxiella burnetii is a zoonotic bacterium that infects a wide range of animal species and causes the disease Q fever. Both wild and domestic ruminants may be relevant in the epidemiology of C. burnetii infection. In order to investigate the significance of the ruminant host community in the alpine and subalpine ecosystems of the Eastern Pyrenees, Northeastern Spain, in the epidemiology of Q fever, a serological survey was performed on samples from 599 wild and 353 sympatric domestic ruminants. RESULTS Specific antibodies against C. burnetii were detected with a commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Domestic sheep showed the highest prevalence (12.7 %, CI 95 % 8.6-16.9), followed by European mouflon (Ovis orientalis musimon) with a 6.8 % prevalence (CI 95 % 1.6-12.1), red deer (Cervus elaphus) with 2.4 % (CI 95 % 0-5.6), and cattle with a prevalence of 1.1 % (CI 95 % 0-3.2). No positive domestic goats, fallow deer (Dama dama), roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) and Southern chamois (Rupicapra pyrenaica) were detected. Sheep flock prevalence was 75 % (nine of the 12 sheep flocks sampled were positive, within-flock prevalence ranging from 11.1 to 25.0 %), whereas cattle herd prevalence was 11.1 % (one out of the nine cattle herds sampled was positive, within-herd prevalence of 10.0 %. CONCLUSIONS Both domestic and wild ruminants from the alpine and subalpine ecosystems of the Eastern Pyrenees were exposed to C. burnetii. The higher seroprevalence in sheep and its relative abundance suggest that this species may have a major contribution to the ecology of C. burnetii. Conversely, wild ruminants do not seem to represent a relevant host community for C. burnetii maintenance in the Eastern Pyrenees.
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Sukocheva OA, Manavis J, Kok TW, Turra M, Izzo A, Blumbergs P, Marmion BP. Coxiella burnetii dormancy in a fatal ten-year multisystem dysfunctional illness: case report. BMC Infect Dis 2016; 16:165. [PMID: 27091026 PMCID: PMC4835832 DOI: 10.1186/s12879-016-1497-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2015] [Accepted: 04/06/2016] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In a previous study of a Q fever outbreak in Birmingham, our group identified a non-infective complex of Coxiella burnetii (C.b.) antigens able to survive in the host and provoked aberrant humoral and cell-mediated immunity responses. The study led to recognition of a possible pathogenic link between C.b. infection and subsequent long-term post Q fever fatigue syndrome (QFS). This report presents an unusually severe case of C.b. antigen and DNA detection in post-mortem specimens from a patient with QFS. CASE PRESENTATION We report a 19-year old female patient who became ill with an acute unexplained febrile encephalitis-like illness, followed by increasingly severe multisystem dysfunction and death 10 years later. During life, extensive clinical and laboratory investigations from different disciplinary stand points failed to deliver a definitive identification of a cause. Given the history of susceptibility to infection from birth, acute fever and the diagnosis of "post viral syndrome", tests for infective agents were done starting with C.b. and Legionella pneumophila. The patient had previously visited farms a number of times. Comprehensive neuropathological assessment at the time of autopsy had not revealed gross or microscopic abnormalities. The aim was to extend detailed studies with the post-mortem samples and identify possible factors driving severe disturbance of homeostasis and organ dysfunction exhibited by the course of the patient's ten-year illness. Immunohistochemistry for C.b. antigen and PCR for DNA were tested on paraffin embedded blocks of autopsy tissues from brain, spleen, liver, lymph nodes (LN), bone marrow (BM), heart and lung. Standard H&E staining of brain sections was unrevealing. Immuno-staining analysis for astrocyte cytoskeleton proteins using glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) antibodies showed a reactive morphology. Coxiella antigens were demonstrated in GFAP immuno-positive grey and white matter astrocytes, spleen, liver, heart, BM and LN. PCR analysis (COM1/IS1111 genes) confirmed the presence of C.b. DNA in heart, lung, spleen, liver & LN, but not in brain or BM. CONCLUSION The study revealed the persistence of C. b. cell components in various organs, including astrocytes of the brain, in a post-infection QFS. The possible mechanisms and molecular adaptations for this alternative C.b. life style are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olga A Sukocheva
- Q Fever Research Group (1993-2009), Hanson Institute, Adelaide, South Australia
- School of Health Sciences, Flinders University, Bedford Park, South Australia
| | - Jim Manavis
- Centre for Neurological Diseases, SA Pathology, Adelaide, South Australia
| | - Tuck-Weng Kok
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia.
| | - Mark Turra
- Microbiology and Infectious Diseases Laboratory, SA Pathology, Adelaide, South Australia
| | | | - Peter Blumbergs
- Centre for Neurological Diseases, SA Pathology, Adelaide, South Australia
| | - Barrie P Marmion
- Q Fever Research Group (1993-2009), Hanson Institute, Adelaide, South Australia
- Microbiology and Infectious Diseases Laboratory, SA Pathology, Adelaide, South Australia
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Cumbassá A, Barahona MJ, Cunha MV, Azórin B, Fonseca C, Rosalino LM, Tilburg J, Hagen F, Santos AS, Botelho A. Coxiella burnetii DNA detected in domestic ruminants and wildlife from Portugal. Vet Microbiol 2015; 180:136-41. [PMID: 26345258 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetmic.2015.07.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [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: 04/29/2015] [Revised: 07/20/2015] [Accepted: 07/22/2015] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Coxiella burnetii is the etiological agent of Q fever or Coxiellosis, a zoonosis mainly affecting domestic ruminants. Information on the population structure and epidemiology of C. burnetii in animals is scarce in Portugal. Evidence of C. burnetti infection was sought in domestic, wild and captive animals based on the detection of bacterial DNA. Tissue samples from 152 domestic animals (cattle=24, goats=51, sheep=76 and swine=1), 55 wild carnivores (Egyptian mongoose=45, red fox=4, common genet=3, weasel=2 and European badger=1) and 22 zoo animals (antelopes=15, impala=1; rhinoceros=1, deer=2, zebras=2 and giraffe=1) were screened by nested-touchdown PCR. Cloacae swabs from 19 griffon vultures were also analysed. Among the domestic ruminants, goats presented the highest prevalence of infection (23.53%), followed by cattle, (20.83%) and sheep (10.53%). C. burnetii DNA was also detected in five Egyptian mongooses and two antelopes and one giraffe. Using a 6-locus multiple-locus variable-number tandem repeat analysis (MLVA-6) six complete genotypes, T, I and CM and the first reported CN, CO and CP, were identified, respectively, in small ruminants and Egyptian mongooses. Clustering analysis of genotypes exposed four distinct groups, according to detection source, enlightening an apparent association between C. burnetii genotype and host.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aminata Cumbassá
- Instituto Nacional de Investigação Agrária e Veterinária (INIAV, IP), Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Maria J Barahona
- Instituto Nacional de Investigação Agrária e Veterinária (INIAV, IP), Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Mónica V Cunha
- Instituto Nacional de Investigação Agrária e Veterinária (INIAV, IP), Lisboa, Portugal; Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes (CE3C), Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Campo Grande, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Beatriz Azórin
- Centro de Estudos e Recuperação de Animais Selvagens (CERAS)/Quercus ANCN, Castelo Branco, Portugal
| | - Carlos Fonseca
- 4Departamento de Biologia & CESAM, Universidade de Aveiro, Campus de Santiago, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Luís Miguel Rosalino
- Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes (CE3C), Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Campo Grande, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Jeroen Tilburg
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Canisius-Wilhelmina Hospital, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Ferry Hagen
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Canisius-Wilhelmina Hospital, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Ana S Santos
- Centro de Estudos de Vectores e Doenças Infecciosas (CEVDI), Instituto Nacional de Saúde Dr Ricardo Jorge (INSARJ), Águas de Moura, Portugal
| | - Ana Botelho
- Instituto Nacional de Investigação Agrária e Veterinária (INIAV, IP), Lisboa, Portugal.
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Saeed KMI, Ahadi J, Sahak MN, Ghiasi AF, Ashgar RJ. Concurrent Brucellosis and Q Fever Infection: a Case Control Study in Bamyan Province, Afghanistan. Cent Asian J Glob Health 2014; 2:58. [PMID: 29755882 PMCID: PMC5927743 DOI: 10.5195/cajgh.2013.58] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [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] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND More than 500,000 people are affected by brucellosis each year while the incidence of Q fever is poorly recorded. Consistent outbreaks of brucellosis have been reported in Afghanistan, affecting social and economic life. This study aimed to determine the means of propagation of brucellosis and Q-fever and establish appropriate control measures for both. METHODS AND MATERIALS An outbreak of 1,317 cases of brucellosis and Q fever was investigated from May 2011 to the end of 2012 in Bamyan province of Afghanistan. A total of 100 cases were selected by random sampling with equal number of neighbor controls. Data were collected through structured questionnaire. RESULTS The average age was 30 years ±14 years. Of those sampled, 62% were female, 38% were male, and resided in three districts: Punjab, Yakawlang and Waras. Using multivariate analysis, being a housewife (OR=7.36), being within proximity of kitchens to barns (OR= 2.98), drinking un-boiled milk (OR= 5.26), butchering (OR= 3.53) and purchasing new animals in the last six months (OR= 3.53) were significantly associated with contraction of brucellosis and Q fever. CONCLUSION Health educators should focus on families dealing with animals, especially on females. Pasturing, healthy milking, dunging, and slaughtering practices, along with use of safe dairy products should be the focus of preventive measures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Khwaja Mir Islam Saeed
- Afghanistan National Public Health Institute, Ministry of Public Health, Kabul, Afghanistan
| | - Jamalludin Ahadi
- Afghanistan National Public Health Institute, Ministry of Public Health, Kabul, Afghanistan
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Majidzadeh K, Mohseni A, Soleimani M. Construction and Evaluation of a Novel Internal Positive Control (IPC) for Detection of Coxiella burnetii by PCR. Jundishapur J Microbiol 2014; 7:e8849. [PMID: 25147661 PMCID: PMC4138666 DOI: 10.5812/jjm.8849] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [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: 11/04/2012] [Revised: 02/19/2013] [Accepted: 04/23/2013] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Due to the limitations of the classical methods to detect Coxiella burnetii, direct diagnosis of the pathogen using PCR techniques is still the preferable approach. However, false negative results owing to the presence of PCR inhibitors are troublesome. Objectives: In order to identify the inhibitors during PCR assay, an internal positive control (IPC) was designed based on 16SrRNA gene of C. burnetii. Materials and Methods: In the current study, the initial and ending parts of the target gene in an external positive control plasmid (pTZ57R/T-16S) amplified using internal primers which had a BglII restriction site on the 5´ends. Both PCR products (fragments 1 and 2) were cloned into pTZ57R/T vector. Following BglII enzyme digestion, the two obtained linear plasmids were ligated. The ligation product was transformed into Escherichiacoli Top10 Fʹ. Screening of the desired recombinant clone was carried out using colony PCR. Results: The size of the PCR product was equal to the sum of the first and second fragments. Sequencing confirmed the presence of the desire insert (IPC sequence) in recombinant plasmid. Consequently, the IPC fragment was longer than the target gene while both ends had similar attachments to the same primer pair. Conclusions: The results showed that direct fusion of the recombinant plasmids containing the initial and ending parts of the target gene are simple and cost-effective techniques for increasing the length of the fragment and constructing IPC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keivan Majidzadeh
- Tasnim Biotechnology of Research Center (TBRC), Faculty of Medicine, AJA University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IR Iran
- Cancer Genetics Research Group, Breast Cancer Research Center (BCRC), ACECR, Tehran, IR Iran
| | - Amirhossein Mohseni
- Tasnim Biotechnology of Research Center (TBRC), Faculty of Medicine, AJA University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IR Iran
| | - Mohammad Soleimani
- Tasnim Biotechnology of Research Center (TBRC), Faculty of Medicine, AJA University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IR Iran
- Corresponding author: Mohammad Soleimani, Tasnim Biotechnology Research Center (TBRC), AJA University of Medical Sciences, Etemadzadeh Ave, West Fatemi, Tehran, IR Iran. Tel: +98-2188337928, Fax: +98-2188337928, E-mail:
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Goyette M, Bouchard J, Poirier A, Morrier E, Artsob H, Corbeil F. Importance of Q fever in community acquired pneumonia. Can J Infect Dis 1996; 7:370-3. [PMID: 22514465 DOI: 10.1155/1996/458960] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/1995] [Accepted: 05/20/1996] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Coxiella burnetii appears to be endemic in animals in the Mauricie region of Quebec, and causes some human cases of Q fever annually. Unlike in other rural areas, patients in this study experienced few respiratory symptoms. To determine whether C burnetii pneumonia is underdiagnosed, adults admitted to hospital for community acquired pneumonia were included in a one-year serological study. Significant immunofluorescent antibody (IFA) titres in four of 118 patients with pneumonia (fewer than 4%) were studied. Clinical presentation, standard laboratory tests and epidemiological data did not allow identification of these cases; however, Q fever increased during the warm months. There were no detectable complement fixing (CF) antibodies in these four cases. C burnetii causes few cases of pneumonia in Mauricie. IFA seems to be a more sensitive test than CF.
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