Elephant Endotheliotropic Herpesvirus Is Omnipresent in Elephants in European Zoos and an Asian Elephant Range Country.

Elephant endotheliotropic herpesviruses (EEHVs) may cause acute, often lethal, hemorrhagic disease (EEHV-HD) in young elephants. Prevalence of EEHV in different elephant populations is still largely unknown. In order to improve diagnostic tools for the detection of EEHV infections and to obtain insight into its spread among elephants, we developed novel ELISAs based on EEHV1A gB and gH/gL. Performance of the ELISAs was assessed using sera from 41 European zoo elephants and 69 semi-captive elephants from Laos, one of the Asian elephant range countries. Sera from all (sub)adult animals tested (≥5 years of age) showed high reactivity with both gB and gH/gL, indicating that EEHV prevalence has been highly underestimated so far. Reactivity towards the antigens was generally lower for sera of juvenile animals (1 > 5 years). Only one (juvenile) animal, which was sampled directly after succumbing to EEHV-HD, was found to be seronegative for EEHV. The two other EEHV-HD cases tested showed low antibody levels, suggesting that all three cases died upon a primary EEHV infection. In conclusion, our study suggests that essentially all (semi-)captive (sub)adult elephants in European zoos and in Laos carry EEHV, and that young elephants with low antibody levels are at risk of dying from EEHV-HD.

Evolution and lineage dynamics of a transmissible cancer in Tasmanian devils.

Devil facial tumour 1 (DFT1) is a transmissible cancer clone endangering the Tasmanian devil. The expansion of DFT1 across Tasmania has been documented, but little is known of its evolutionary history. We analysed genomes of 648 DFT1 tumours collected throughout the disease range between 2003 and 2018. DFT1 diverged early into five clades, three spreading widely and two failing to persist. One clade has replaced others at several sites, and rates of DFT1 coinfection are high. DFT1 gradually accumulates copy number variants (CNVs), and its telomere lengths are short but constant. Recurrent CNVs reveal genes under positive selection, sites of genome instability, and repeated loss of a small derived chromosome. Cultured DFT1 cell lines have increased CNV frequency and undergo highly reproducible convergent evolution. Overall, DFT1 is a remarkably stable lineage whose genome illustrates how cancer cells adapt to diverse environments and persist in a parasitic niche.

Genetic diversity and lack of molecular evidence for hemoplasma cross-species transmission between wild and synanthropic mammals from Central-Western Brazil.

Globally, hemotropic mycoplasmas (hemoplasmas) comprise an emerging or remerging bacteria group that attaches to red blood cells of several mammal's species and in some cases, causing hemolytic anemia. Herein, we assessed the occurrence, genetic diversity, the factors coupled to mammals infection, and the phylogeographic distribution of hemoplasmas in sylvatic and synanthropic mammals and their associated ectoparasites from Brazil. We collected spleen and/or blood samples from synanthropic rodents (Rattus rattus [N = 39] and Mus musculus [N = 9]), sylvatic rodents (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris [N = 14]) and opossums (Didelphis albiventris [N = 43]). In addition, ticks (Amblyomma spp. [N = 270] and lice (Polyplax spinulosa [N = 6]) specimens were also sampled. Using a PCR targeting the 16S rRNA region, out of 48 small rodents, 14 capybaras and 43 opossums DNA samples, hemoplasma DNA was found in 25%, 50%, and 32.5% animals, respectively. Besides, we reported hemoplasma DNA in Amblyomma sp. (22.2% [2/9]) and lice (100% [2/2]) pools samples from rats, and one female A. sculptum DNA sample (3% [1/33]) obtained from a capybara. Additionally, and in agreement with ML analysis, the network analyses showed a clear phylogenetic separation among the hemoplasmas genotypes found in the different host species sampled, thus, suggesting the absence of cross-species hemoplasmas transmission between the mammals trapped. Finally, using the NTC network analysis, we reported the same 16S rRNA Mycoplasma genotype circulating in Rattus sampled in Brazil, Hungary, and Japan.

Cystic echinococcosis in animals and humans of Maharashtra State, India.

Echinococcosis/hydatidosis which is a neglected parasitic zoonosis in the developing country like India. The study was conducted during April, 2010 to March, 2017 to determine the prevalence among slaughtered food animals, dogs and human. The samples were collected from the various slaughterhouses situated in different regions of Maharashtra state. A total of 9464 cattle (male), 3661 buffalo, 47189 sheep, 33350 goats and 13579 pigs were scientifically examined during PM inspection at different slaughterhouses. The study revealed that the prevalence of disease in cattle (3.00%) was highest followed by buffalo (2.05%), pig (1.28%), sheep (0.09%) and goat (0.01%), by PM examination. The average estimated economic losses (direct and indirect) due to hydatidosis were Rs. 8,65,83,566 in cattle, Rs. 44,33,93,900 in buffalo, Rs. 7,24,50,615 in sheep, Rs. 1,88,29,359 in goat and Rs. 5,20,49,081 in pigs. Dog faecal samples analyzed and showed the prevalence of echinococcosis as 4.34% (19/438) by sedimentation method and positive samples were confirmed by PCR assay, whereas in high risk human, 11.09% sera samples were found to be positive for echinococcosis. However, based on data collection for seven years, 58 patients were found to be surgically operated for hydatid cyst removal. The results of the present study indicated that cystic echinococcosis/hydatidosis is prevalent in both human and animal population in study areas which attracts serious attention from veterinary and public health authority to reduce economic burden and in designing appropriate strategy for prevention and control of disease.

Nível de conhecimento de tutores de cães e gatos sobre zoonoses / Level of knowledge on zoonoses in dog and cat owners / Nivel de conocimiento sobre zoonosis en dueños de perros y gatos

RESUMO Objetivos Avaliar o conhecimento sobre zoonoses por tutores de cães e gatos. Métodos Após aplicação de questionário a 100 tutores, pelos dados analisados por meio de cálculo de médias simples e porcentagem quantificável. Resultados Observou-se que 77% dos tutores possuíam cães e 37%, gatos. Todos afirmaram saber que animais transmitem doenças, porém 74% disseram desconhecer zoonoses e 80% nunca receberam esclarecimentos sobre o tema. Mais de 90% dos entrevistados afirmaram conhecer doenças transmitidas por cães e gatos, e 94% apontaram o cão como transmissor da raiva, sendo que 90% associaram à mordida e 88% reconheceram a vacinação como prevenção. Sobre leishmaniose, 45% associaram a transmissão à picada de mosquito e 22%, a prevenção ao uso de coleiras repelentes. Ratos foram relacionados à transmissão de leptospirose por 57% dos entrevistados, sendo que 22% mencionaram as fezes como fonte de infecção e 19%, o controle de roedores como prevenção. Apenas 59% dos tutores indicou o gato como transmissor de toxoplasmose, as fezes como principal fonte (26%) e a higiene como prevenção (25%). Apenas 9% sabiam sobre esporotricose, 6% reconheceram a arranhadura como forma de transmissão por gatos e 3% indicaram o tratamento dos animais doentes como prevenção. Discussão Isso demonstra o desconhecimento da população alvo sobre as zoonoses citadas. Conclusão Os resultados são importantes para o delineamento de estratégias de educação sanitária preventiva com foco em saúde pública.(AU)

ABSTRACT Objectives To assess knowledge about zoonoses in dog and cat owners. Materials and Methods After applying a questionnaire to 100 owners, data was analyzed by calculating simple means and quantifiable percentage. Results 77% of the sample owned dogs and 37% cats. All of them claimed to know that animals transmit diseases, but 74% said they were unaware of zoonoses and 80% never received information on the subject. Over 90% of respondents said they know of diseases transmitted by dogs and cats, and 94% point dogs as transmitters of rabies, with 90% being associated with bites, and 88% recognizing vaccination as prevention. Regarding leishmaniasis, 45% associated transmission by mosquito bites and 22% knew about prevention with repellent collars. Mice were associated with the transmission of leptospirosis by 57%, and 22% mentioned feces as a source of infection and 19% controlling rodents as a prevention measure. 59% of the sample reported that cats are transmitters of toxoplasmosis, that feces are the main source (26%) and that hygiene is as a prevention measure (25%). Only 9% knew about sporotrichosis, 6% recognized scratching as a form of transmission by cats and 3% indicated the treatment of diseased animals as a prevention measure. Discussion This study demonstrates the lack of awareness among the target population of the aforementioned zoonoses. Conclusion The results are important to design preventive health education strategies focused on public health.(AU)

RESUMEN Objetivos Evaluar el conocimiento sobre zoonosis por tutores de perros y gatos. Métodos Después de la aplicación de cuestionario a 100 tutores, los datos analizados por medio de cálculo de medias simples y porcentaje cuantificable. Resultados Se observó que el 77% de los tutores tenían perros y el 37% gatos. Todos afirmaron saber que los animales transmiten enfermedades, pero el 74% dijo desconocer las zoonosis y el 80% nunca recibió aclaraciones sobre el tema. Más del 90% de los encuestados afirmaron conocer enfermedades transmitidas por perros y gatos, y un 94% apunta al perro como transmisor de la rabia, siendo que el 90% se asoció a la mordida y el 88% reconoció la vacunación como prevención. En cuanto a leishmaniasis, el 45% asoció la transmisión por mosquito y el 22%, la prevención al uso de collares repelentes. Los ratones fueron relacionados con la transmisión de leptospirosis por el 57%, siendo que el 22% mencionó las heces como fuente de infección y el 19%, el control de roedores como prevención. Sólo el 59% de los tutores indicó al gato como transmisor de toxoplasmosis, las heces como principal fuente (26%) y la higiene como prevención (25%). Sólo el 9% sabía sobre esporotricosis, el 6% reconoció el rasguño como forma de transmisión por gatos y el 3% indicó el tratamiento como prevención. Discusión Esto demuestra el desconocimiento de la población sobre las zoonosis citadas. Conclusión Los resultados son importantes para el delineamiento de estrategias de educación sanitaria preventiva con foco en salud pública.(AU)

Should we be treating animal schistosomiasis in Africa? The need for a One Health economic evaluation of schistosomiasis control in people and their livestock.

A One Health economic perspective allows informed decisions to be made regarding control priorities and/or implementation strategies for infectious diseases. Schistosomiasis is a major and highly resilient disease of both humans and livestock. The zoonotic component of transmission in sub-Saharan Africa appears to be more significant than previously assumed, and may thereby affect the recently revised WHO vision to eliminate schistosomiasis as a public health problem by 2025. Moreover, animal schistosomiasis is likely to be a significant cost to affected communities due to its direct and indirect impact on livelihoods. We argue here for a comprehensive evaluation of the economic burden of livestock and zoonotic schistosomiasis in sub-Saharan Africa in order to determine if extending treatment to include animal hosts in a One Health approach is economically, as well as epidemiologically, desirable.

Widespread transmission of independent cancer lineages within multiple bivalve species.

Most cancers arise from oncogenic changes in the genomes of somatic cells, and while the cells may migrate by metastasis, they remain within that single individual. Natural transmission of cancer cells from one individual to another has been observed in two distinct cases in mammals (Tasmanian devils and dogs), but these are generally considered to be rare exceptions in nature. The discovery of transmissible cancer in soft-shell clams (Mya arenaria) suggested that this phenomenon might be more widespread. Here we analyse disseminated neoplasia in mussels (Mytilus trossulus), cockles (Cerastoderma edule), and golden carpet shell clams (Polititapes aureus) and find that neoplasias in all three species are attributable to independent transmissible cancer lineages. In mussels and cockles, the cancer lineages are derived from their respective host species; however, unexpectedly, cancer cells in P. aureus are all derived from Venerupis corrugata, a different species living in the same geographical area. No cases of disseminated neoplasia have thus far been found in V. corrugata from the same region. These findings show that transmission of cancer cells in the marine environment is common in multiple species, that it has originated many times, and that while most transmissible cancers are found spreading within the species of origin, cross-species transmission of cancer cells can occur.

[Hydatidosis: epidemiological, clinical, diagnostic and therapeutic aspects]. / Hidatidosis: aspectos epidemiológicos, clínicos, diagnósticos y terapéuticos.

Hydatidosis or cystic echinococcosis (CE) is a parasitic zoonosis caused by Echinococcus granulosus. Its life cycle involves dogs, sheep and sometimes other animals. CE has a worldwide distribution, with greater prevalence in temperate zones. In Spain, Castile and León, La Rioja, Navarre, Aragón, and the Mediterranean coast are the areas where it is most commonly diagnosed, although there have also been published cases in other regions, such as Cantabria. Clinical signs and symptoms of EC may be related to the mass effect of the cyst, its superinfection or anaphylactic reactions secondary to its rupture. Because of its slow growth, diagnosis is usually made in adulthood by combining clinical symptoms with imaging and serological tests. There is no universal consensus on the management of CE. Treatment is based mainly on three pillars: medical treatment (mainly albendazole), surgery, and percutaneous drainage. The choice of the most appropriate approach is based on the patient's symptoms and the characteristics of the cysts.

Too much of a good thing: resource provisioning alters infectious disease dynamics in wildlife.

Provisioning of abundant food resources in human-altered landscapes can have profound effects on wildlife ecology, with important implications for pathogen transmission. While empirical studies have quantified the effects of provisioning on host behaviour and immunology, the net interactive effect of these components on host-pathogen dynamics is unknown. We use simple compartmental models to investigate how provisioning-induced changes to host demography, contact behaviour and immune defence influence pathogen invasion and persistence. We show that pathogen invasion success and equilibrium prevalence depend critically on how provisioning affects host immune defence and that moderate levels of provisioning can lead to drastically different outcomes of pathogen extinction or maximizing prevalence. These results highlight the need for further empirical studies to fully understand how provisioning affects pathogen transmission in urbanized environments.

Genomic restructuring in the Tasmanian devil facial tumour: chromosome painting and gene mapping provide clues to evolution of a transmissible tumour.

Devil facial tumour disease (DFTD) is a fatal, transmissible malignancy that threatens the world's largest marsupial carnivore, the Tasmanian devil, with extinction. First recognised in 1996, DFTD has had a catastrophic effect on wild devil numbers, and intense research efforts to understand and contain the disease have since demonstrated that the tumour is a clonal cell line transmitted by allograft. We used chromosome painting and gene mapping to deconstruct the DFTD karyotype and determine the chromosome and gene rearrangements involved in carcinogenesis. Chromosome painting on three different DFTD tumour strains determined the origins of marker chromosomes and provided a general overview of the rearrangement in DFTD karyotypes. Mapping of 105 BAC clones by fluorescence in situ hybridisation provided a finer level of resolution of genome rearrangements in DFTD strains. Our findings demonstrate that only limited regions of the genome, mainly chromosomes 1 and X, are rearranged in DFTD. Regions rearranged in DFTD are also highly rearranged between different marsupials. Differences between strains are limited, reflecting the unusually stable nature of DFTD. Finally, our detailed maps of both the devil and tumour karyotypes provide a physical framework for future genomic investigations into DFTD.

Contagious cancer.

Although cancer can on occasion be caused by infectious agents such as specific bacteria, parasites, and viruses, it is not generally considered a transmissible disease. In rare circumstances, however, direct communication from one host to another has been documented. The Tasmanian devil is now threatened with extinction in the wild because of a fatal transmissible cancer, devil facial tumor disease (DFTD). Another example is canine transmissible venereal tumor (CTVT or Sticker's sarcoma) in dogs. There is a vast difference in prognosis between these two conditions. DFTD is often fatal within 6 months, whereas most cases of CTVT are eventually rejected by the host dog, who then is conferred lifelong immunity. In man, only scattered case reports exist about such communicable cancers, most often in the setting of organ or hematopoietic stem cell transplants and cancers arising during pregnancy that are transmitted to the fetus. In about one third of cases, transplant recipients develop cancers from donor organs from individuals who were found to harbor malignancies after the transplantation. The fact that two thirds of the time cancer does not develop, along with the fact that cancer very rarely is transmitted from person to person, supports the notion that natural immunity prevents such cancers from taking hold in man. These observations might hold invaluable clues to the immunobiology and possible immunotherapy of cancer.

The role of the Major Histocompatibility Complex in the spread of contagious cancers.

Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) genes play a key role in immune response to infectious diseases, immunosurveillance, and self/nonself recognition. Matching MHC alleles is critical for organ transplantation, while changes in the MHC profile of tumour cells allow effective evasion of the immune response. Two unique cancers have exploited these features to become transmissible. In this review I discuss the functional role of MHC molecules in the emergence and evolution of Devil Facial Tumour Disease (DFTD) and Canine Transmissible Venereal Tumour (CTVT). High levels of genetic diversity at MHC genes play a critical role in protecting populations of vertebrate species from contagious cancer. However, species that have undergone genetic bottlenecks and have lost diversity at MHC genes are at risk of transmissible tumours. Moreover, evolution and selection for tumour variants capable of evading the immune response allow contagious cancers to cross MHC barriers. Transmissible cancers are rare but they can provide unique insights into the genetics and immunology of tumours and organ transplants.

MHC gene copy number variation in Tasmanian devils: implications for the spread of a contagious cancer.

Tasmanian devils face extinction owing to the emergence of a contagious cancer. Devil facial tumour disease (DFTD) is a clonal cancer spread owing to a lack of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) barriers in Tasmanian devil populations. We present a comprehensive screen of MHC diversity in devils and identify 25 MHC types and 53 novel sequences, but conclude that overall levels of MHC diversity at the sequence level are low. The majority of MHC Class I variation can be explained by allelic copy number variation with two to seven sequence variants identified per individual. MHC sequences are divided into two distinct groups based on sequence similarity. DFTD cells and most devils have sequences from both groups. Twenty per cent of individuals have a restricted MHC repertoire and contain only group I or only group II sequences. Counterintuitively, we postulate that the immune system of individuals with a restricted MHC repertoire may recognize foreign MHC antigens on the surface of the DFTD cell. The implication of these results for management of DFTD and this endangered species are discussed.

[Is cancer a transmittable disease?]. / Es el cáncer una enfermedad transmisible?

A direct, horizontal and natural transmission of neoplasic cells has only recently been accepted by the biomedical community. There are three known examples in mammals: the Tasmanian Devil Tumor Disease, the Canine Transmissible Venereal Tumor and a similar disease in Sirian Hamsters. These diseases are not anecdotic cases only, but provide support for the cancer clonal evolution hypothesis.

Transmission of a fatal clonal tumor by biting occurs due to depleted MHC diversity in a threatened carnivorous marsupial.

A fatal transmissible tumor spread between individuals by biting has emerged in the Tasmanian devil (Sarcophilus harrisii), a carnivorous marsupial. Here we provide genetic evidence establishing that the tumor is clonal and therefore foreign to host devils. Thus, the disease is highly unusual because it is not just a tumor but also a tissue graft, passed between individuals without invoking an immune response. The MHC plays a key role in immune responses to both tumors and grafts. The most common mechanism of immune evasion by tumors is down-regulation of classical cell surface MHC molecules. Here we show that this mode of immune escape does not occur. However, because the tumor is a graft, it should still be recognized and rejected by the host's immune system due to foreign cell surface antigens. Mixed lymphocyte responses showed a lack of alloreactivity between lymphocytes of different individuals in the affected population, indicating a paucity of MHC diversity. This result was verified by genotyping, providing a conclusive link between a loss of MHC diversity and spread of a disease through a wild population. This novel disease arose as a direct result of loss of genetic diversity and the aggressive behavior of the host species. The neoplastic clone continues to spread although the population, and, without active disease control by removal of affected animals and the isolation of disease-free animals, the Tasmanian devil faces extinction.

Echinococcus multilocularis in red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) of the Italian Alpine region: is there a focus of autochthonous transmission?

Alveolar echinococcosis, caused by the metacestode of Echinococcus multilocularis, is a zoonosis with a wider distribution area than described in the past. Fox populations living in the Alpine regions of Italy had been considered free from this parasite until 2002, when two infected foxes (Vulpes vulpes) were detected in the Bolzano province (Trentino Alto Adige region) near the Austrian border. The aim of this work was to evaluate the prevalence of infection in red fox populations from five Italian regions. A modified nested PCR analysis was used to detect E. multilocularis DNA in faecal samples. Amplicons were confirmed by sequencing. Of 500 faecal samples from foxes shot in Valle d'Aosta (n=57), Liguria (n=44), Lombardy (n=102), Veneto (n=56), and Trentino Alto Adige (n=241) regions, 24 animals, all from the Trentino Alto Adige region, were found positive. Twenty-two positive animals originated from the Bolzano province and two positive animals from the Trento province. Several localities of the Bolzano province, in which positive foxes were detected, are the same as those where alveolar echinococcosis had been described in humans in the second half of the 19th century, suggesting an old endemicity for the investigated area, which is adjacent to endemic areas of Austria. Therefore, the question arises if we are observing an increase and expansion of foci, or if the new records are due to the more sensitive and specific methods used to detect the worm DNA.