Epidemiology of Bartonella henselae infection in pet and stray cats in Croatia with risk factors analysis.

BACKGROUND: Cats are the primary reservoirs of the bacterium Bartonella henselae, the main cause of cat-scratch disease in humans. The main vector of the bacterium is the cat flea, Ctenocephalides felis. In southeastern Europe, data are lacking on the prevalence of B. henselae infection in cats, the strains of B. henselae involved and the risk factors associated with the infection. METHODS: Blood samples collected in ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid-containing tubes from 189 domestic cats (156 pet cats and 33 stray cats) from Zagreb, the capital city of Croatia, and 10 counties throughout Croatia were cultured for Bartonella spp. Following culture, bacterial isolates were genotyped at eight loci after using PCR to amplify 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) and the internal transcribed spacer region between the 16S and 23S rRNA sequences. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression were used to identify risk factors for B. henselae infection in cats. RESULTS: Bartonella spp. was detected in 31 cats (16.4%), and subsequent genotyping at the eight loci revealed B. henselae in all cases. Thirty complete multilocus sequence typing profiles were obtained, and the strains were identified as four sequence types that had been previously reported, namely ST5 (56.7%), ST6 (23.3%), ST1 (13.3%) and ST24 (3.3%), as well as a novel sequence type, ST33 (3.3%). The univariate analysis revealed a significantly higher risk of B. henselae infection in cats residing in coastal areas of Croatia (odds ratio [OR] 2.592, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.150-5.838; P = 0.0191) and in cats with intestinal parasites (OR 3.207, 95% CI 1.088-9.457; P = 0.0279); a significantly lower risk was identified in cats aged > 1 year (OR 0.356, 95% CI 0.161-0.787; P = 0.0247) and in cats sampled between April and September (OR 0.325, 95% CI 0.147-0.715; P = 0.005). The multivariate analysis that controlled for age showed a positive association with the presence of intestinal parasites (OR 4.241, 95% CI 1.243-14.470; P = 0.0119) and coastal residence (OR 2.567, 95% CI 1.114-5.915; P = 0.0216) implying increased risk of infection, and a negative association with sampling between April and September (OR 0.379, 95% CI 0.169-0.848; P = 0.018) implying a decreased risk of infection. After controlling for the season, an increased risk of infection remained for the coastal region (OR 2.725, 95% CI 1.200-6.186; P = 0.012). CONCLUSIONS: Bartonella henselae is prevalent throughout Croatia and is a public health threat. Environmental and host factors can significantly affect the risk of infection, and these should be explored in more detail. The presence of intestinal parasites highlights the need to eliminate the flea vector, Ctenocephalides felis, as the most effective approach to control infections in cats and humans.

Malassezia pachydermatis from brown bear: A comprehensive analysis reveals novel genotypes and distribution of all detected variants in domestic and wild animals.

Malassezia pachydermatis (phylum Basidiomycota, class Malasseziomycetes) is a zoophilic opportunistic pathogen with recognized potential for invasive infections in humans. Although this pathogenic yeast is widespread in nature, it has been primarily studied in domestic animals, so available data on its genotypes in the wild are limited. In this study, 80 yeast isolates recovered from 42 brown bears (Ursus arctos) were identified as M. pachydermatis by a culture-based approach. MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry (MS) was used to endorse conventional identification. The majority of samples exhibited a high score fluctuation, with 42.5% of isolates generating the best scores in the range confident only for genus identification. However, the use of young biomass significantly improved the identification of M. pachydermatis at the species confidence level (98.8%). Importantly, the same MALDI-TOF MS efficiency would be achieved regardless of colony age if the cut-off value was lowered to ≥1.7. Genotyping of LSU, ITS1, CHS2, and ß-tubulin markers identified four distinct genotypes in M. pachydermatis isolates. The most prevalent among them was the genotype previously found in dogs, indicating its transmission potential and adaptation to distantly related hosts. The other three genotypes are described for the first time in this study. However, only one of the genotypes consisted of all four loci with bear-specific sequences, indicating the formation of a strain specifically adapted to brown bears. Finally, we evaluated the specificity of the spectral profiles of the detected genotypes. MALDI-TOF MS exhibited great potential to detect subtle differences between all M. pachydermatis isolates and revealed distinct spectral profiles of bear-specific genotypes.

Serological Surveillance of Equine Leptospirosis in Croatia in the Period From 2012 to 2022: A Key Insight Into the Changing Epizootiology.

Leptospirosis is re-emerging zoonotic bacterial disease of global importance that affects domestic and wild animals and humans. Due to the public health importance, control of disease in Croatia is being implemented by monitoring the seroprevalence of equine leptospirosis and it is regulated by the law. In the period from 2012 to 2022, a total of 61,724 serum samples from apparently healthy horses were admitted to the Laboratory for leptospires, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine University of Zagreb. Serum samples were tested for Leptospira spp. antibodies using the microscopic agglutination test (MAT). Samples were considered seropositive with a cut-off titre 1:200 for Bratislava and 1:400 for other Leptospira spp. serovars. Out of 61,724 serum samples tested, 6,665 (10.80%) were found seropositive for at least one Leptospira serovar. In the studied period, seroprevalence varied between 5.00% and 15.94%. The highest seroprevalence was found for serovar Pomona (41.98%) and serovar Grippotyphosa (31.34%), followed by Sejroe (8.03%), Icterohaemorrhagiae (7.05%) and Bratislava (6.47%). Results indicated that horses in Croatia are particularly exposed to Leptospira spp. infections. The most prevalent presumed infective serovar was Pomona increasing each year. Investigated horses were randomly selected and healthy and most seropositive horses have anamnestic titre due to previous infection. This is the first study in Europe reporting such high seropositivity for the serovar Pomona in apparently healthy horses. According to the results of the present study, the question arises of the possible evolutionary adaptation of the pathogenic serovar Pomona as dominant for horses.

The Emergence of SARS-CoV-2 within the Dog Population in Croatia: Host Factors and Clinical Outcome.

Over a year into the COVID-19 pandemic, there is growing evidence that SARS-CoV-2 infections among dogs are more common than previously thought. In this study, the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies was investigated in two dog populations. The first group was comprised of 1069 dogs admitted to the Veterinary Teaching Hospital for any given reason. The second group included dogs that shared households with confirmed COVID-19 cases in humans. This study group numbered 78 dogs. In COVID-19 infected households, 43.9% tested ELISA positive, and neutralising antibodies were detected in 25.64% of dogs. Those data are comparable with the secondary attack rate in the human population. With 14.69% of dogs in the general population testing ELISA positive, there was a surge of SARS-CoV-2 infections within the dog population amid the second wave of the pandemic. Noticeably seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 in the dog and the human population did not differ at the end of the study period. Male sex, breed and age were identified as significant risk factors. This study gives strong evidence that while acute dog infections are mostly asymptomatic, they can pose a significant risk to dog health. Due to the retrospective nature of this study, samples for viral isolation and PCR were unavailable. Still, seropositive dogs had a 1.97 times greater risk for developing central nervous symptoms.

Seroprevalence of Streptococcus equi subspecies equi in Croatia - Short communication.

Clinical cases resembling strangles are regularly seen in some areas of Croatia. However, there are no data on the prevalence of infection and the clinical forms or geographic distribution of the disease. The aim of this study was to determine the seroprevalence of Streptococcus equi subspecies equi in horses resident in Croatia, in order to estimate the geographic distribution of infection. The study included 291 horse sera from the eight counties where the majority of Croatian horses are kept. Sera were tested by indirect ELISA (iELISA) for the presence of serum antibodies against S. equi protein A (SEQ_2190) and protein C (SeM). Positive horses were detected in all counties. Overall seroprevalence was 16.5 per cent (48/291), ranging from 7.1 to 29.6 per cent. A positive association was observed between the population size of the horses in the counties and the seropositivity rates: the larger the population, the higher the seropositivity. The results of this study suggest that S. equi infection is widespread in Croatia. Further investigation of the clinical manifestations, circulating strains and other characteristics of the disease in Croatia and raising awareness of the disease among horse owners are now required.

ECMM CandiReg-A ready to use platform for outbreaks and epidemiological studies.

BACKGROUND: Recent outbreaks of Candida auris further exemplify that invasive Candida infections are a substantial threat to patients and healthcare systems. Even short treatment delays are associated with higher mortality rates. Epidemiological shifts towards more resistant Candida spp. require careful surveillance. OBJECTIVES: Triggered by the emergence of C auris and by increasing antifungal resistance rates the European Confederation of Medical Mycology developed an international Candida Registry (FungiScope™ CandiReg) to allow contemporary multinational surveillance. METHODS: CandiReg serves as platform for international cooperation to enhance research regarding invasive Candida infections. CandiReg uses the General Data Protection Regulation compliant data platform ClinicalSurveys.net that holds the electronic case report forms (eCRF). Data entry is supported via an interactive macro created by the software that can be accessed via any Internet browser. RESULTS: CandiReg provides an eCRF for invasive Candida infections that can be used for a variety of studies from cohort studies on attributable mortality to evaluations of guideline adherence, offering to the investigators of the 28 ECMM member countries the opportunity to document their cases of invasive Candida infection. CandiReg allows the monitoring of epidemiology of invasive Candida infections, including monitoring of multinational outbreaks. Here, we describe the structure and management of the CandiReg platform. CONCLUSION: CandiReg supports the collection of clinical information and isolates to improve the knowledge on epidemiology and eventually to improve management of invasive Candida infections. CandiReg promotes international collaboration, improving the availability and quality of evidence on invasive Candida infection and contributes to improved patient management.

Modification of sample processing for the Limulus amebocyte lysate assay enhances detection of inflammogenic endotoxin in intact bacteria and organic dust.

The pro-inflammatory potency and causal relationship with asthma of inhaled endotoxins have underscored the importance of accurately assessing the endotoxin content of organic dusts. The Limulus amebocyte lysate (LAL) assay has emerged as the preferred assay, but its ability to measure endotoxin in intact bacteria and organic dusts with similar sensitivity as purified endotoxin is unknown. We used metabolically radiolabeled Neisseria meningitidis and both rough and smooth Escherichia coli to compare dose-dependent activation in the LAL with purified endotoxin from these bacteria and shed outer membrane (OM) blebs. Labeled [14C]-3-OH-fatty acids were used to quantify the endotoxin content of the samples. Purified meningococcal and E. coli endotoxins and OM blebs displayed similar specific activity in the LAL assay to the purified LPS standard. In contrast, intact bacteria exhibited fivefold lower specific activity in the LAL assay but showed similar MD-2-dependent potency as purified endotoxin in inducing acute airway inflammation in mice. Pre-treatment of intact bacteria and organic dusts with 0.1 M Tris-HCl/10 mM EDTA increased by fivefold the release of endotoxin. These findings demonstrate that house dust and other organic dusts should be extracted with Tris/EDTA to more accurately assess the endotoxin content and pro-inflammatory potential of these environmental samples.

Phylogenetic characterisation of feline immunodeficiency virus in naturally infected cats in Croatia indicates additional heterogeneity of subtype B in Europe.

This study was performed on 29 domestic cats with a variety of clinical signs, possibly related to FIV infection. Blood samples were tested by a rapid immunochromatographic (ICA) procedure for detection of FIV antibodies. Subsequently, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was performed to amplify a portion of the proviral gag gene. All 11 positive PCR products were sequenced and compared with previously reported FIV sequences. Croatian proviral isolates that could be amplified were clustered within subtype B, and additional heterogeneity was confirmed by the formation of three separate clusters. Phylogenetic analysis of circulating strains in Croatia and in southeast Europe is necessary to improve diagnostic methods and selection of the appropriate vaccinal strains.

Comparison of in vivo bioluminescence imaging and lavage biomarkers to assess pulmonary inflammation.

Gram-negative bacterial endotoxin triggers innate immunity via TLR-4 and NF-kB signal activation. The aim of this study was to evaluate the use of transgenic mice expressing luciferase as a marker of NF-kB activation for exploring innate immune responses to pulmonary endotoxin exposure over time thus obviating the need for serial necropsies. Transgenic rNF-kB-Luc BALB/c mice were exposed to two different types of endotoxin (Neisseria meningitidis lipooligosaccharide, and Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide) at multiple doses by nasal instillation. Bioluminescence was quantified in vivo at five time points in three separate experiments. In the fourth experiment lungs were imaged ex vivo 8h post exposure and tissue was analyzed for luciferase activity. Non-transgenic BALB/c mice were similarly exposed to lipooligosaccharide and bronchoalveolar lavage was assessed for neutrophil recruitment and IL-6. Non-transgenic BALB/c mice exhibited highly significant increases of IL-6 and neutrophils in bronchoalveolar lavage 4h after the exposure to instilled doses as low as 30EU/mouse. In contrast, luciferase imaging of NF-kB signal activation in vivo in transgenic rNF-kB-Luc mice did not show significant changes over time or over doses from 30EU to 300,000EU/mouse of nasally-instilled endotoxin. Ex vivo lung imaging 8h after endotoxin exposure to 3000EU demonstrated a strong signal. An intravenous LPS dose of 300,000EU/mouse produced a measurable luminescence signal in vivo. This non-terminal assessment method is useful only with extremely high doses of endotoxin that induce systemic injury and cannot be applied to research of occupational and environmental exposures at relevant levels of endotoxin.

Prevalence of Candida species in fresh fruit juices.

Fruit juices are popular soft drinks with an important role in human nutrition. Fruit juices are often infested by yeast species that can survive different storage conditions. The aim of this study was to determine the degree of yeast contamination of freshly squeezed juices in three large supermarkets in Zagreb, Croatia. The analysis included 84 juice samples obtained from freshly squeezed orange, lemon, grapefruit, and apples. Their acidity varied between pH 2.1 and pH 4.9. Juice samples were plated directly on Sabouraud 4 % glucose Agar (Merck, 1.05438) and processed according to standardised methods (HRN ISO 7954:2002). Yeasts were isolated in all 84 samples and ranged between 0.005 x 103 and 23 x 103 colony forming units per mL (CFU mL-1). The most common yeasts identified using the API 20C AUX yeast kit included Candida guillermondii, C. krusei, C. famata, C. spherica, C. colliculosa, C. albicans, Trichosporon mucoides, Kloeckera spp. and yeast-like fungus Cryptococcus neoformans. C. guillermondii prevailed in 55.95 % of all samples.

MD-2-dependent pulmonary immune responses to inhaled lipooligosaccharides: effect of acylation state.

Endotoxins represent one of the most potent classes of microbial immunoactive components that can cause pulmonary inflammation. The aim of this study was to compare the inflammatory potency of two types of Neisseria meningitidis endotoxins (lipooligosaccharides) in lungs: wild type (hexaacylated, LOS(wt)) and mutant type (pentaacylated, LOS(msbB)), and to determine the importance of MD-2 in endotoxin responses in lungs in vivo. Endotoxin-normoresponsive mice (BALB/c) were exposed to selected doses of penta- and hexaacylated lipooligosaccharides (LOS) by nasal aspiration. Cellular and cytokine/chemokine inflammatory responses in bronchoalveolar lavage were measured at 1-, 4-, 8-, 16-, 24-, and 48-hour time points. MD-2-null mice were exposed to one dose of hexaacylated LOS and inflammatory responses were measured after 4 and 24 hours. Inhalation of hexaacylated LOS resulted in strong inflammatory responses, while pentaacylated LOS was much less potent in inducing increases of neutrophils, TNF-alpha, macrophage inflammatory protein-1 alpha, IL-6, granulocyte colony-stimulating factor, and IL-1 beta concentration in bronchoalveolar lavage. Similar kinetics of inflammatory responses in lungs were found in both types of endotoxin exposures. Inhalation of hexaacylated LOS in MD-2-null mice resulted in significantly lower numbers of neutrophils in bronchoalveolar lavage than in normoresponsive mice. Markedly lower inflammatory potency of pentaacylated LOS was observed compared with hexaacylated LOS. Hyporesponsiveness in MD-2-null mice after nasal aspiration of wild-type LOS indicate its essential role in airway responsiveness to endotoxin.