High toxinogenic potential of Staphylococcus aureus from wild ungulates in Brandenburg, Germany with a low level of antibiotic resistance.

Introduction: Data regarding the occurrence and virulence of Staphylococcus (S.) aureus in wild living animals is rare. However, S. aureus may carry a multitude of virulence factors and express resistance to several antimicrobial substances. Handling game meat may thus lead to serious infections or food poisoning. The aim of this study was to provide insights into the occurrence and characteristics of S. aureus in wild ungulates from Brandenburg, Germany. Methods: Nasal swabs of externally healthy-looking wild boars, roe, fallow and red deer were collected in hunts during season 2021/2022 and analyzed for S. aureus by selective enrichment. Species were determined using matrix assisted laser desorption ionization mass spectrometry and tested for phenotypic antimicrobial resistance. Whole-genome sequencing was conducted for genotyping, determination of virulence associated genes and analysis of phylogenetic relationships. Results: S. aureus were recovered from approximately 8% of nasal swabs. However, the strains were only obtained from the sampled wild ruminants. S. aureus isolates were associated with sequence types (ST) 1, ST30, ST133, ST425, ST582 and ST6238. Isolates of ST1 clustered closely together in the phylogenetic analysis. Genes encoding staphylococcal enterotoxin (SE) or SE-like (SEl) were found in 14/17 isolates. In particular, a seh gene was present in 12/17 isolates. Moreover, two isolates harbored a multiplicity of genes encoding SE or SEl. In addition, the toxic shock syndrome toxin encoding tst gene was detected in one isolate. This isolate was resistant to penicillin and cefoxitin and accordingly harbored the blaZ gene. Discussion: Wild ungulates intended for human consumption may carry potentially virulent S. aureus. In one case, the close phylogenetic relationship of S. aureus isolates indicates a possible intraspecific spread within a common territory. However, for others, the origin or the spread pattern can only be inferred. Handling of animals or their carcasses might contribute to staphylococcal infections in humans. Moreover, food poisoning due to SE producing strains may occur, if recommended hygiene practices are not applied during processing of game meat.

Anti-Leptospira Seroprevalence and Associated Risk Factors among Forestry Workers in Lower Saxony, North-West Germany.

As leptospirosis is re-emerging, a seroprevalence study was conducted, assessing the prevalence of anti-Leptospira IgG antibodies and infection-associated risk factors among forestry workers (FWs) in Lower Saxony, Germany, to develop targeted public health measures. Sera of 877 FWs, sampled in 2016, were tested for anti-Leptospira seropositivity by commercial IgG-ELISA. Data on demographics and Leptospira-specific exposures, knowledge, sources of information, and preventive measures were collected by standardized, self-administered questionnaire. A subset of 244 sera was retested via in-house IgG-ELISA. Risk factors were assessed from the subset using multivariable logistic regression analysis. The commercial IgG-ELISA revealed a seroprevalence of 4.8% (95% confidence interval CI95 = 3.5-6.4). Of the 601 FWs who completed the questionnaire, 67.9% had been informed about leptospirosis and Leptospira spp., mainly by employers (55.2%) and peers (38.9%). Positive associations with seropositivity were observed for canoeing (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 2.35, p = 0.044), touching rodents (aOR = 2.4, p = 0.021), and living close to beech trees (aOR = 2.18, p = 0.075). Frequently cleaning animal stables was negatively associated (aOR = 0.20, p = 0.002). The unexpected positive association with wearing gloves when handling plants and soil (aOR = 2.16, p = 0.011) needs further discussion. Overall, seroprevalence was in the range of other studies in Germany. The identified factors will be used to develop targeted information reaching out to at-risk groups tapping various communication channels.

Cross-sectional serosurvey of Leptospira species among slaughter pigs, goats, and sheep in Uganda.

INTRODUCTION: Leptospira are a group of bacteria, including pathogenic types that cause leptospirosis. In Uganda, Leptospira exposure has been reported in humans, with domesticated animals being speculated as the source. However, comparable evidence of Leptospira prevalence and circulating serovars/serogroups in animals is only documented for cattle, and dogs. Our study determined Leptospira seroprevalence, associated risk factors and serogroups circulating among slaughtered pigs, goats, and sheep in Uganda. METHODS: During an 11-month cross-sectional survey in selected slaughter facilities in three regions of Uganda, we collected blood from 926 pigs, 347 goats, and 116 sheep. The age, sex, breed, and origin of each sampled animal were noted. The samples were tested for anti-Leptospira antibodies using the microscopic agglutination test, based on a panel of 12 serovars belonging to 12 serogroups. RESULTS: Leptospira seroprevalence was 26.67% (247/926, 95%CI 23.92-29.61) among pigs, and 21.81% (101/463, 95%CI 18.29-25.80) in goats and sheep (small ruminants). L. interrogans Australis and L. kirschneri Grippotyphosa were the commonest serovars among pigs, as was L. borgpetersenii Tarassovi in small ruminants. Pigs sourced from the Eastern (Odds Ratio [OR] = 2.82, 95%CI 1.84-4.30) and Northern (OR = 3.56, 95%CI 2.52-5.02) regions were more likely to be seropositive, compared to those from the Central region. For small ruminants, being female (OR 2.74, 95% CI 1.69-4.57) and adult (OR 4.47, 95% CI 1.57-18.80) was significantly more associated with Leptospira seropositivity. Conclusion/significance: Detection of a moderate seroprevalence, and several Leptospira serogroups among pigs, sheep, and goats from all regions of Uganda, supports existing reports in cattle and dogs, and implies widespread Leptospira exposure in domestic animals in Uganda. These findings may inform future programs for the control of leptospirosis in livestock in Uganda.

Impact of climate change on foodborne infections and intoxications.

Background: Temperature, precipitation, and humidity are important factors that can influence the spread, reproduction, and survival of pathogens. Climate change affects these factors, resulting in higher air and water temperatures, increased precipitation, or water scarcity. Climate change may thus have an increasing impact on many infectious diseases. Methods: The present review considers those foodborne pathogens and toxins in animal and plant foods that are most relevant in Germany, on the basis of a selective literature review: the bacterial pathogens of the genera Salmonella, Campylobacter and Vibrio, parasites of the genera Cryptosporidium and Giardia, and marine biotoxins. Results: As climate change continues to progress, all infections and intoxications discussed here can be expected to increase in Germany. Conclusions: The expected increase in foodborne infections and intoxications presents a growing public health risk in Germany.

Standardised Sampling Approach for Investigating Pathogens or Environmental Chemicals in Wild Game at Community Hunts.

Wildlife may host pathogens and chemicals of veterinary and public health relevance, as well as pathogens with significant economic relevance for domestic livestock. In conducting research on the occurrence and distribution of these agents in wildlife, a major challenge is the acquisition of a sufficient number of samples coupled with efficient use of manpower and time. The aim of this article is to present the methodology and output of a sampling approach for game animals, which was implemented from 2017/18 to 2020/21 at drive hunts in Brandenburg, Germany. The central element was a framework agreement with the BImA, whereby federal forest officials and other hunters collected most of the samples during field dressing. Further samples of game carcasses were obtained by scientists during subsequent gathering at a collection point. Altogether, 3185 samples from 938 wild ungulates of four species were obtained for various studies analysing-in this case-food-borne agents in game animals. Sampling was representative and reflected the proportional distribution of ungulate species hunted in Brandenburg. Hunting district and hunting season strongly influenced hunting bag and hence sampling success. This sampling approach was demonstrated to be a suitable basis for monitoring programs, that can be adapted to other regions.

Serological Evidence That SARS-CoV-2 Has Not Emerged in Deer in Germany or Austria during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Spillover of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus type 2 (SARS-CoV-2) to North American white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) has been documented. However, it is unclear if this is a phenomenon specific to North American deer or is a broader problem. We evaluated pre and pandemic exposure of German and Austrian deer species using a SARS-CoV-2 pseudoneutralization assay. In stark contrast to North American white-tailed deer, we found no evidence of SARS-CoV-2 exposure.

Comparison of Direct and Indirect Toxoplasma gondii Detection and Genotyping in Game: Relationship and Challenges.

The importance of game as a source of Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) infection in humans is largely unknown. New data on the presence of T. gondii in game hunted in the Federal State of Brandenburg, Germany, were obtained by direct and indirect detection (ELISA). DNA extracted either directly (5 g heart or foreleg muscle, DE) or after acid pepsin digestion (50 g heart, PD) or enriched by magnetic capture (50 g heart, MC) was examined by real-time PCR (qPCR). ELISA revealed seroprevalences of 20% in wild boar (Sus scrofa), 11% in roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) and 6% in red deer (Cervus elaphus). T. gondii DNA was detected by at least one direct detection method in 12% of wild boar, 6% of roe deer, 2% of fallow deer (Dama dama) and 2% of red deer. In both, positive wild boar and roe deer, T. gondii type II specific alleles were the most prevalent, as assessed by PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism. The highest proportion of positive animals was detected by MC qPCR, followed by PD qPCR with a similar proportion of positive findings. Investigation of 50 g of heart muscle revealed a significantly higher proportion of positive qPCR results than analysis of 5 g (p = 0.048). An association between seropositivity and direct detection was evident in wild boar and roe deer (p < 0.001). Infectivity of T. gondii DNA-positive samples was confirmed by bioassay (4/4), providing evidence that game could represent a relevant source of viable T. gondii posing a risk for human infection.

Muleshoe Virus and Other Hantaviruses Associated with Neotomine or Sigmodontine Rodents in Texas.

The broad objective of this study was to increase our knowledge of Muleshoe virus and other hantaviruses associated with cricetid rodents in Texas. Anti-hantavirus antibody was found in 38 (3.2%) of 1171 neotomine rodents and 6 (1.8%) of 332 sigmodontine rodents from 10 Texas counties; hantaviral RNA was detected in 23 (71.9%) of 32 antibody-positive rodents. Analyses of nucleocapsid protein gene sequences indicated Muleshoe virus infection in four hispid cotton rats (Sigmodon hispidus) from northern Texas; Bayou virus, three Texas marsh oryzomys (Oryzomys texensis) from the Gulf Coast; Limestone Canyon virus, five brush mice (Peromyscus boylii) from western Texas; and Sin Nombre virus-five Texas mice (P. attwateri), one Lacey's white-ankled deer mouse (P. laceianus), four white-footed mice (P. leucopus), and one fulvous harvest mouse (Reithrodontomys fulvescens) from northern, central, or southern Texas. The results of this study together with the results of a previous study revealed that Muleshoe virus, perhaps in association with S. hispidus, is distributed across northern Texas. Finally, the results of Bayesian analyses of glycoprotein precursor (GPC) gene sequences and pairwise comparisons of complete GPC (amino acid) sequences strengthened support for the notion that Muleshoe virus is distinct from Black Creek Canal virus, Bayou virus, and all other species included in the Bunyaviridae, genus Hantavirus.

Natural host relationships of hantaviruses native to western Venezuela.

Strains of Caño Delgadito virus (CADV) and Maporal virus (MAPV) were isolated from 25 (8.9%) of the 280 rodents captured on farms in 1997 in western Venezuela. The results of analyses of laboratory and zoographic data indicated that Alston's cotton rat (Sigmodon alstoni) is the principal host of CADV, horizontal virus transmission is the dominant mode of CADV transmission in Alston's cotton rat in nature, a pygmy rice rat (Oligoryzomys sp.) is the principal host of MAPV, and the natural host relationships of CADV and MAPV are highly specific.

Geographical range of Rio Mamoré virus (family Bunyaviridae, genus Hantavirus) in association with the small-eared pygmy rice rat (Oligoryzomys microtis).

Hantavirus HTN.007 was originally isolated from a small-eared pygmy rice rat (Oligoryzomys microtis) captured in northeastern Peru. The results of analyses of nucleotide and amino acid sequence data in this study indicated that HTN.007 is a strain of Rio Mamoré virus (RIOMV) which is enzootic in small-eared pygmy rice rat populations in Bolivia. As such, the results of this study extend our knowledge of the geographical range of RIOMV and support the notion that the small-eared pygmy rice rat is the principal host of RIOMV.