Genomic comparison between Mycobacterium bovis and Mycobacterium microti and in silico analysis of peptide-based biomarkers for serodiagnosis.

In recent years, there has been an increase in the number of reported cases of Mycobacterium microti infection in various animals, which can interfere with the ante-mortem diagnosis of animal tuberculosis caused by Mycobacterium bovis. In this study, whole genome sequencing (WGS) was used to search for protein-coding genes to distinguish M. microti from M. bovis. In addition, the population structure of the available M. microti genomic WGS datasets is described, including three novel Belgian isolates from infections in alpacas. Candidate genes were identified by examining the presence of the regions of difference and by a pan-genome analysis of the available WGS data. A total of 80 genes showed presence-absence variation between the two species, including genes encoding Proline-Glutamate (PE), Proline-Proline-Glutamate (PPE), and Polymorphic GC-Rich Sequence (PE-PGRS) proteins involved in virulence and host interaction. Filtering based on predicted subcellular localization, sequence homology and predicted antigenicity resulted in 28 proteins out of 80 that were predicted to be potential antigens. As synthetic peptides are less costly and variable than recombinant proteins, an in silico approach was performed to identify linear and discontinuous B-cell epitopes in the selected proteins. From the 28 proteins, 157 B-cell epitope-based peptides were identified that discriminated between M. bovis and M. microti species. Although confirmation by in vitro testing is still required, these candidate synthetic peptides containing B-cell epitopes could potentially be used in serological tests to differentiate cases of M. bovis from M. microti infection, thus reducing misdiagnosis in animal tuberculosis surveillance.

Identification of New Mycobacterium bovis antigens and development of a multiplexed serological bead-immunoassay for the diagnosis of bovine tuberculosis in cattle.

Serological assays for bovine tuberculosis diagnosis require the use of multiple Mycobacterium bovis specific antigens to ensure the detection of infected animals. In the present study, identification and selection process of antigens, based on data from published proteomic studies and involving the use of bioinformatics tools and an immuno-screening step, was firstly performed for identifying novel antigens that elicit an antibody response in M. bovis infection. Based on this approach, a panel of 10 M. bovis antigens [with known relevance (MPB70, MPB83, MPB70/83, and ESAT6/CFP10) and novel (Mb1961c, Mb1301c, Mb3871, Mb1403, Mb0592, and PE25/PPE41)] were constructed and thenused to develop a new multiplexed serological assay based on Luminex technology. The performance of the Luminex-bTB immunoassay was evaluated using sera from cattle with known tuberculosis status. Among the proteins whose ability to detect bovine tuberculosis was evaluated for the first time, PE25/PPE41 and Mb1403, but not Mb3871, showed good detection capacity. Following multiple antigen combination, the final Luminex-bTB immunoassay included seven antigens (MPB70, MPB83, MPB70/83, ESAT6/CFP10, PE25/PPE41, Mb1403, and Mb0592) and showed better global performance than the immunoassay using the four usual antigens (MPB70, MPB70/83, MPB83 and ESAT6/CFP10). The specificity and sensitivity values were, respectively, of 97.6% and 42.8% when the cut-off of two-positive antigens was used to classify samples as positive. With the use of the more-restrictive criterion of three-positive antigens, the specificity increased to 99.2% but the sensitivity decreased to 23.9%. The analysis of antigen profiles generated with the Luminex-bTB immunoassay showed that mainly serodominant proteins were recognized in samples from infected cattle. The detection of Mb1961c and Mb1301c appeared to be associated with presumed false-positive results. Moreover, sera from cattle originating from bTB-outbreaks but having inconclusive or negative skin test results were identified as positive by the Luminex-bTB immunoassay and showed an antigen pattern associated with M. bovis infection. The Luminex-bTB immunoassay including seven antigens may be useful as adjunct test for the detection of M. bovis-infected herds, and different cut-offs could be applied according to the bovine tuberculosis epidemiological context.

Performance of two commercial serological assays for bovine tuberculosis using plasma samples.

In the bovine tuberculosis diagnosis, the use of plasma samples (already available for IFNÉ£ assays) in serological tests might facilitate the work in the field. Here, the performance of two commercial serological tests (ELISA IDEXX M. bovis Ab test and Enferplex Bovine TB antibody test) were evaluated using plasma samples from cattle in Belgium. Specificity values estimated from 567 plasma samples collected from bTB-free cattle were 98.4% when using the ELISA IDEXX M. bovis Ab test, and were 96.5% and 93.3% when using the high specificity and high sensitivity settings of the Enferplex Bovine TB antibody test, respectively. Sensitivity values were calculated relative to SICCT-positive (N = 117) and IFNÉ£-positive (N = 132) animals originating from M. bovis-infected herds. Overall, the multiplexed Enferplex Bovine TB antibody test had better sensitivity (mean: 32.5% and 43.4% for the high specificity and sensitivity settings, respectively) compared to the ELISA IDEXX M. bovis Ab test (mean: 12%). Data obtained from plasma samples in the current study were compared to a previous study using both serological tests with sera. In conclusion, both serological tests showed comparable performance with both matrix; although overall specificity values with the Enferplex Bovine TB antibody test were lower when using plasma samples than sera.

Field evaluation of two commercial serological assays for detecting bovine tuberculosis.

Diagnosis of bovine tuberculosis in cattle is challenging due to complex immune host response to infection that limit the performance of available diagnostic tests. In this study, performance of two commercial serological assays developed to detect bovine tuberculosis were evaluated: Enferplex Bovine TB antibody kit including 11 antigens (EnferGroup, Ireland) and IDEXX M. bovis Ab kit (IDEXX, USA). The specificity value obtained with the ELISA IDEXX M. bovis Ab test was 97.1%, whereas it was 97.1% and 95.1% for the high specificity and sensitivity settings, respectively, with the Enferplex Bovine TB antibody kit. The sensitivity of the multiplexed Enferplex Bovine TB antibody test for SICCT-positive animals was higher (N = 172; 51.7% and 58.7% with high specificity and sensitivity settings, respectively) compared to the ELISA IDEXX M. bovis Ab test (sensitivity of 36.6%). "Antigen profiles" generated by the multiplexed Enferplex method showed that five out of 11 antigens present in the test were mostly identified as positive sera in cattle originating from bTB-outbreaks. In comparison, unique profiles appeared to be correlated with false positive results. However additional studies are needed to confirm the observed antigen profiles, and their potential use as an additional diagnostic tool. Serial interpretation of the two serological tests produced higher diagnostic specificity (>99%), reducing false positive results, which is essential for a screening test when the prevalence of bovine tuberculosis is low.

An in-house 45-plex array for the detection of antimicrobial resistance genes in Gram-positive bacteria.

Identifying antimicrobial resistance (AMR) genes and determining their occurrence in Gram-positive bacteria provide useful data to understand how resistance can be acquired and maintained in these bacteria. We describe an in-house bead array targeting AMR genes of Gram-positive bacteria and allowing their rapid detection all at once at a reduced cost. A total of 41 AMR probes were designed to target genes frequently associated with resistance to tetracycline, macrolides, lincosamides, streptogramins, pleuromutilins, phenicols, glycopeptides, aminoglycosides, diaminopyrimidines, oxazolidinones and particularly shared among Enterococcus and Staphylococcus spp. A collection of 124 enterococci and 62 staphylococci isolated from healthy livestock animals through the official Belgian AMR monitoring (2018-2020) was studied with this array from which a subsample was further investigated by whole-genome sequencing. The array detected AMR genes associated with phenotypic resistance for 93.0% and 89.2% of the individual resistant phenotypes in enterococci and staphylococci, respectively. Although linezolid is not used in veterinary medicine, linezolid-resistant isolates were detected. These were characterized by the presence of optrA and poxtA, providing cross-resistance to other antibiotics. Rarer, vancomycin resistance was conferred by the vanA or by the vanL cluster. Numerous resistance genes circulating among Enterococcus and Staphylococcus spp. were detected by this array allowing rapid screening of a large strain collection at an affordable cost. Our data stress the importance of interpreting AMR with caution and the complementarity of both phenotyping and genotyping methods. This array is now available to assess other One-Health AMR reservoirs.

The AMR-ARRAY: A modular bead array detecting ß-lactam, (fluoro) quinolone, colistin, aminoglycoside and macrolide resistance determinants in Gram-negative bacteria.

The aim of this study was to develop a highly multiplexed bead array to detect genes and/or mutations frequently associated with resistance to antimicrobials of the ß-lactam, (fluoro)quinolone, colistin, macrolide and aminoglycoside families in Enterobacteriaceae such as Escherichia coli, Shigella spp. and Salmonella spp. Ligase Chain Reaction and the Luminex® technology were combined in a 53-plex assay designed to target selected genetic markers with 3 internal controls. The AMR-ARRAY consistently detected resistance determinants as compared to phenotypically expressed resistance for 94.7% (856/904) of the assessed resistances. When compared to resistance profiles inferred from whole genome sequencing results, the AMR-ARRAY showed a selectivity and specificity of 99.3% and 100%, respectively. The strong features of the AMR-ARRAY are (i) its competitive cost, currently 18€/sample (ii) its wide analytical scope, currently 50 markers covering 5 antimicrobial families, (iii) its robust and user-friendly design consisting in a single-tube assay conducted in 4 successive steps (iv) its relatively short turnaround time, less than 8 h (v) its ability to detect allelic variability at critical SNPs (vi) its open access and easily upgradable design, with probes sequences, procedure and software source code freely available. The use of the AMR-ARRAY as a screening method in official antimicrobial resistance monitoring could improve the granularity of the collected data and pinpoint remarkable isolates harbouring unusual resistance determinants thereby enabling fit-for-purpose selection of isolates for Whole Genome analysis.

Identification and molecular characterization of Brucella abortus and Brucella melitensis isolated from milk in cattle in Azerbaijan.

BACKGROUND: Azerbaijan currently ranks thirteenth in global incidence of human brucellosis, with an estimated annual incidence through 2000 at over 50 cases per million. Brucella melitensis has been isolated from patients and is thought to have been acquired through contact with small ruminants or as a foodborne infection. To reduce the burden of human brucellosis, the Azerbaijani government began in 2002, a nationwide vaccination control campaign in small ruminants. There is serological evidence of bovine brucellosis (presumably due to Brucella abortus) in Azerbaijan, but no prevalence estimates were available when this study started in March 2017. The aim of this study was to isolate and identify Brucella spp. from cow milk in the Ganja region, where brucellosis takes a heavy toll on humans and livestock. RESULTS: Blood and milk samples were collected from cows (n = 1075) in early lactation (up to 90-days) in farms that had a history of previous positive serological results and abortions. Twenty-two out of 57 milk samples collected from seropositive cows, showed growth on Farrell's media, when incubated with 5% CO2. Eight additional milk samples showed growth in the absence of CO2. The classical biotyping classified them as Brucella abortus (22) and Brucella melitensis (8). RT-PCR confirmed that strains belonged to the genus Brucella. MLVA profiles were obtained for DNA extracted from two B. abortus and six B. melitensis strains. While the B. abortus genetic profile was described in the MLVA database, matching the profile of B. abortus strains isolated in East Europe, Central Asia and China, we found a new genotype for the B. melitensis strains isolated in Azerbaijan, clustering with strains belonging to the American clade, rarely identified in the region. CONCLUSION: Despite the implementation of the vaccination program in small ruminants, our results suggest that spill-over events of B. melitensis from small ruminants to cattle have occurred. However, cattle are likely to be primarily infected with B. abortus, which warranted the implementation of a bovine brucellosis program. Such a program started in fall 2017. In the Ganja region, cattle should be considered as a potential source of B. abortus and B. melitensis for humans.

Brucella melitensis biovar 1 isolation in a captive wildlife population in the United Arab Emirates. First isolation in the scimitar-horned Oryx (Oryx dammah).

In 2013, Brucella melitensis biovar 1 was recovered from the stomach contents of a scimitar-horned Oryx - SHO (Oryx dammah) aborted foetus, and from the articular fluid of a sand gazelle (Gazella marica) in a captive wildlife collection near Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Other evidence of exposure to the pathogen was collected through serological testing (Rose Bengal test) and B. melitensis-specific PCR of samples from captive wildlife kept in six different enclosures. A Multiple Locus Variable Number of Tandem Repeats (VNTR) Analysis (MLVA) using 15 markers showed that the two strains isolated in animals kept in enclosures, located 1300 m apart from each other, shared an identical genotype. The phylogenetic analysis of MLVA-15 profiles retrieved from the public database suggested that these strains belong to the African clade, clustering regionally in the UAE, Oman and Qatar. This is the first confirmed case of B. melitensis in a SHO, an African antelope extinct in the wild and warrants further investigation.

Belgian bulk tank milk surveillance program reveals the impact of a continuous vaccination protocol for small ruminants against Coxiella burnetii.

Endemic Q fever in small ruminants remains an ongoing challenge for veterinary and human public health agencies. Though surveillance programs are implemented in Belgium, infection patterns and vaccination profiles, driving variables, as well as geographical clustering were not presented until now. Based on data from a decade of bulk tank milk analysis between 2009 and 2019, shedding in dairy goat herds declined from 16% (8/50) to 6% (10/162), whereas seroprevalence remained between 32% and 40%. Merely up to two shedding dairy sheep flocks were detected until 2019; seroprevalence peaked in 2017 (43%, 12/28) and declined thereafter. The number of animals in the holding influenced significantly (p = .048) the likelihood of shedding, whereas other established risk factors such as uncovered manure, high abortion rates and diversified farm structure could not be confirmed to significantly affect infection on Belgian herd level. Intermittent, incomplete and unsynchronized vaccinated herds shed Coxiella burnetii significantly more often and longer (p < .001) than continuously, complete and synchronized vaccinated herds. Spatial analyses revealed restricted but matching, homogenous clusters with ≤35 km diameter, concentrated in the coastal region close to the border to the Netherlands from 2009 to 2012, and broadened, heterogeneous clusters with ≥45 km diameter between 2014 and 2016 spreading south-west. Though the majority of human cases was notified in this region, the animal clusters could not be allied with Q fever cases. The impact of environmental factors as well as the role of wildlife, rodents and ticks on the transmission between flocks and to humans remains to be elucidated to harness additional epidemiological drivers of Q fever in Belgium. In conclusion, attempts to reduce the burden of Q fever in Belgium should particularly focus on the timely, complete and synchronized vaccination of flocks, including the breeding sire, and particularity in high-risk areas.

Large diversity of linezolid-resistant isolates discovered in food-producing animals through linezolid selective monitoring in Belgium in 2019.

BACKGROUND: Linezolid is a critically important antibiotic used to treat human infections caused by MRSA and VRE. While linezolid is not licensed for food-producing animals, linezolid-resistant (LR) isolates have been reported in European countries, including Belgium. OBJECTIVES: To: (i) assess LR occurrence in staphylococci and enterococci isolated from different Belgian food-producing animals in 2019 through selective monitoring; and (ii) investigate the genomes and relatedness of these isolates. METHODS: Faecal samples (n = 1325) and nasal swab samples (n = 148) were analysed with a protocol designed to select LR bacteria, including a 44-48 h incubation period. The presence of LR chromosomal mutations, transferable LR genes and their genetic organizations and other resistance genes, as well as LR isolate relatedness (from this study and the NCBI database) were assessed through WGS. RESULTS: The LR rate differed widely between animal host species, with the highest rates occurring in nasal samples from pigs and sows (25.7% and 20.5%, respectively) and faecal samples from veal calves (16.4%). WGS results showed that LR determinants are present in a large diversity of isolates circulating in the agricultural sector, with some isolates closely related to human isolates, posing a human health risk. CONCLUSIONS: LR dedicated monitoring with WGS analysis could help to better understand the spread of LR. Cross-selection of LR transferable genes through other antibiotic use should be considered in future action plans aimed at combatting antimicrobial resistance and in future objectives for the rational use of antibiotics in a One Health perspective.

Laboratory Diagnosis of Bovine Abortions Caused by Non-Maintenance Pathogenic Leptospira spp.: Necropsy, Serology and Molecular Study Out of a Belgian Experience.

: Bovine leptospirosis is a bacterial zoonotic disease caused by pathogenic Leptospira spp.. The pathology and epidemiology of this infection are influenced by the numerous existing serovars and their adaptation to specific hosts. Infections by host-maintained serovars such as Hardjo are well documented, unlike those from the incidental ones. In July 2014, an emerging phenomenon of an increased incidence of icteric abortions associated with leptospiral infection occurred in southern Belgium. First-line serological analyses targeting cattle-adapted serovars failed at initial diagnosis. This study provides a comprehensive description of laboratory findings-at the level of necropsy, serology and molecular diagnosis-regarding icteric and non-icteric abortions (n = 116) recorded during this time (years 2014-2015) and associated with incidental infection by serovars such as Grippotyphosa, Australis and Icterohaemorrhagiae. Based on these tests, a diagnostic pathway is proposed for these types of infection in cattle to establish an affordable but accurate diagnosis in the future. These investigations add insights into the understanding of the pathogenesis of bovine leptospirosis associated with serovars classically described as non-maintenance.

Overview of spatio-temporal distribution inferred by multi-locus sequence typing of Taylorella equigenitalis isolated worldwide from 1977 to 2018 in equidae.

The accurate identification of Taylorella equigenitalis strains is essential to improve worldwide prevention and control strategies for contagious equine metritis (CEM). This study compared 367 worldwide equine strains using multilocus sequence typing according to the geographical origin, isolation year and equine breed. The strains were divided into 49 sequence types (STs), including 10 described for the first time. Three major and three minor clonal complexes (CCs), and 11 singletons, were identified. The genetic heterogeneity was low (0.13 STs/strain) despite the wide diversity of geographical origins (n = 16), isolation years (1977-2018) and equine breeds (n = 18). It was highest outside Europe and in the 1977-1997 period; current major STs and CCs already existed before 1998. Previous data associated the major CC1 with the first CEM outbreaks in 1977-1978 in the United Kingdom, Australia and the United States, and revealed its circulation in France. Our study confirms its circulation in France over a longer period of time (1992-2018) and its distribution in Spain and Germany but not throughout Europe. In addition to CC1, relationships between non-European and European countries were observed only through ST4, ST17 and ST30. Within Europe, several STs emerged with cross-border circulation, in particular ST16 and ST46 from the major complexes CC2 and CC8. These results constitute a baseline for monitoring the spread of CEM outbreaks. A retrospective analysis of a higher number of strains isolated worldwide between 1977 and the early 2000s would be helpful to obtain an exhaustive picture of the original CEM situation.

Phylogeography of Human and Animal Coxiella burnetii Strains: Genetic Fingerprinting of Q Fever in Belgium.

Q fever is a zoonotic disease caused by the bacteria Coxiella burnetii. Domestic ruminants are the primary source for human infection, and the identification of likely contamination routes from the reservoir animals the critical point to implement control programs. This study shows that Q fever is detected in Belgium in abortion of cattle, goat and sheep at a different degree of apparent prevalence (1.93%, 9.19%, and 5.50%, respectively). In addition, and for the first time, it is detected in abortion of alpaca (Vicugna pacos), raising questions on the role of these animals as reservoirs. To determine the relationship between animal and human strains, Multiple Locus Variable-number Tandem Repeat Analysis (MLVA) (n=146), Single-Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP) (n=92) and Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) (n=4) methods were used to characterize samples/strains during 2009-2019. Three MLVA clusters (A, B, C) subdivided in 23 subclusters (A1-A12, B1-B8, C1-C3) and 3 SNP types (SNP1, SNP2, SNP6) were identified. The SNP2 type/MLVA cluster A was the most abundant and dispersed genotype over the entire territory, but it seemed not responsible for human cases, as it was only present in animal samples. The SNP1/MLVA B and SNP6/MLVA C clusters were mostly found in small ruminant and human samples, with the rare possibility of spillovers in cattle. SNP1/MLVA B cluster was present in all Belgian areas, while the SNP6/MLVA C cluster appeared more concentrated in the Western provinces. A broad analysis of European MLVA profiles confirmed the host-species distribution described for Belgian samples. In silico genotyping (WGS) further identified the spacer types and the genomic groups of C. burnetii Belgian strains: cattle and goat SNP2/MLVA A isolates belonged to ST61 and genomic group III, while the goat SNP1/MLVA B strain was classified as ST33 and genomic group II. In conclusion, Q fever is widespread in all Belgian domestic ruminants and in alpaca. We determined that the public health risk in Belgium is likely linked to specific genomic groups (SNP1/MLVA B and SNP6/MLVA C) mostly found in small ruminant strains. Considering the concordance between Belgian and European results, these considerations could be extended to other European countries.

Bayesian Evaluation of Three Serological Tests for Detecting Antibodies against Brucella spp. among Humans in the Northwestern Part of Ecuador.

Brucellosis is an important but neglected zoonosis that causes serious economic losses both in livestock and human populations. The aim of the present study was to estimate the true prevalence of brucellosis together with diagnostic sensitivity and specificity of three serological tests in humans of the northwestern part of Ecuador using a Bayesian approach adjusted for the dependencies among the multiple tests to avoid any misinterpretation. In addition, the causal agent responsible for human brucellosis was also identified. Using a total of 3,733 samples collected from humans in this area between 2006 and 2008, the prevalence of human brucellosis and the diagnostic test characteristics of the Rose Bengal fast agglutination test (RBT), Wright's slow agglutination test with ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid disodium salt dehydrate (EDTA) (SAT-EDTA), and indirect ELISA (iELISA) were estimated using a Bayesian approach. The estimated true prevalence of human brucellosis was 1% (credibility interval: 0.4-1.6). The sensitivities of iELISA and RBT were higher than and similar (95.1% and 95.0%, respectively) to those of SAT-EDTA (60.8%). Even though all tests indicated a high specificity (> 99.0%), the specificity of SAT-EDTA was highest (99.9%). The circulating strain in this study area was identified to be Brucella abortus biotype 4 based on culture and microbiological characterization. The RBT and the iELISA are recommended for estimating the true prevalence of human brucellosis and/or for surveillance programs following their high sensitivities and specificities. The proposed strategy supports evidence-based medicine for clinicians and policy-makers to ensure appropriate preventive and control program of brucellosis worldwide.

Evaluation of mycobacteria-specific gamma interferon and antibody responses before and after a single intradermal skin test in cattle naturally exposed to M. avium subsp. paratuberculosis and experimentally infected with M. bovis.

This study reports on the diagnostic potential of IFN-γ release assays and serology for Mycobacterium bovis in six naturally M. avium subsp. paratuberculosis (Map) exposed bulls of which four were intratracheally infected with a Belgian field strain of M. bovis. Heparinized blood, serum and fecal samples were collected at regular time intervals for mycobacteria-specific IFN-γ release assays, antibody analysis and for Map culture respectively. Single intradermal skin test (SIT) with bovine tuberculin (PPD-B) was performed on day 115 and animals were sacrificed on day 133 after M. bovis infection. Organs were collected and stored for histopathological examination, modified Ziehl-Neelsen staining and bacteriological analysis of M. bovis and Map by culture and RT-PCR. Prior to infection five animals showed positive IFN-γ responses to avian PPD (PPD-A) and four were positive in Map PCR (IS900) on faeces. Three M. bovis infected animals reacted as early as day 14 with sustained higher PPD-B than PPD-A specific IFN-γ responses, whereas the fourth animal (with the strongest PPD-A response prior to infection) showed sustained higher PPD-B specific IFN-γ levels only a day 56 after infection. Two of the infected animals had a sustained positive IFN-γ response to the ESAT-6/CFP-10/TB7.7 (QuantiFERON®-TB Gold) peptide cocktail as early as day 14, among which the animal with the initial high PPD-A response. Later during infection, positive responses were found to ESAT-6 peptides in three infected bulls and to CFP-10 peptides in all four infected bulls. One of the control animals reacted intermittently to the ESAT-6/CFP10/TB7.7 cocktail. Prior to SIT, weak but positive MPB83/MBP70 specific antibody responses were detected in two of the infected bulls. All four M. bovis infected bulls reacted with a positive skin test and showed, as reported by others, increased mycobacteria specific IFN-γ production and increased positive responses in MPB83/MBP70 specific serology after SIT. At autopsy, M. bovis lesions were detected in all four experimentally infected bulls. Our results indicate that in Map exposed cattle, M. bovis diagnosis using IFN-γ assays needs a combination of PPD-B/A and ESAT-6/CFP10 for early and optimal sensitivity and that sensitivity of MPB83/MBP70 serodiagnosis is dramatically increased by prior skin testing. Map exposure did not interfere with the development of SIT in M. bovis infected animals, but resulted in a false positive M. bovis specific IFN-γ and antibody response after SIT in one of the two control animals (which remained negative in skin-test).

Reproductive Disorders and Leptospirosis: A Case Study in a Mixed-Species Farm (Cattle and Swine).

Animal leptospirosis, exempt in rodents, manifests as peculiar biology where the animal can function, simultaneously or not, as a susceptible host or reservoir. In the first case, clinical symptoms are likely. In the second case, infection is subclinical and manifestations are mild or absent. Mild clinical symptoms encompass reproductive failure in production animals for host-adapted Leptospira sp. serovars. This work presents a study on Leptospira sp. infection in a mixed-species (bovine and swine) farm with documented reproductive disorders in the cattle unit. A long calving interval (above 450 days) was the hallmark observed in cows. Some cows (2/26 tested) presented a high titre of antibodies against Leptospira sp. serogroup Sejroe, but the overall within-herd prevalence was low (11.5% and 7.7% for cut-off titres of 1:30 and 1:100, respectively). The in-herd prevalence of leptospirosis in the sow unit (determined for 113/140 animals) was high when using a lowered cut-off threshold (32.7% vs. 1.8% for cut-off titre of 1:30 and 1:100, respectively). In this unit, the most prevalent serogroup was Autumnalis. The final diagnostic confirmation of Leptospira sp. maintenance within the farm was obtained through detection by PCR of Leptospira sp. DNA in an aborted swine litter. Despite the fact that a common causative infective agent was diagnosed in both species, the direct link between the two animal units was not found. Factors such as drinking from the same water source and the use of manure prepared with the swine slurry might raise suspicion of a possible cross-contamination between the two units. In conclusion, this work suggests that leptospirosis be included in the differential diagnosis of reproductive disorders and spontaneous abortions in production animals and provides data that justify the use of a lowered threshold cut-off for herd diagnosis.

Development of a multilocus sequence typing scheme for Rhodococcus equi.

Rhodococcus equi causes pulmonary and extrapulmonary infections in animals and humans, with endemic situations and significant young foal mortality in stud farms worldwide. Despite its economic impact in the horse-breeding industry, the broad geographic and host distribution, global diversity and population structure of R. equi remain poorly characterised. In this context, we developed a multilocus sequence typing (MLST) scheme using 89 clinical and environmental R. equi of various origins and eight Rhodococcus sp. Data can be accessed at http://pubmlst.org/rhodococcus/. A clonal R. equi population was observed with 16 out of 37 sequence types (STs) grouped into six clonal complexes (CC) based on single-locus variants. One of the six CCs (CC3) is not host-specific, suggesting potential exchanges between different R. equi reservoirs. Most of the virulent equine R. equi CCs/unlinked STs were plasmid-type-specific. Despite this, marked genetic variability with the circulation of multiple R. equi genotypes was generally observed even within the same animal. Focusing on outbreaks, data indicated (i) the potential contagious transmission of R. equi during the 2012-Mayotte equine outbreak because of the poor genotype diversity of clinical strains; (ii) a potential porcine outbreak among the 30 Belgian farms investigated in 2013. This first Rhodococcus equi MLST is a powerful tool for further epidemiological investigations and population biology studies of R. equi isolates.

Exploring the Diversity of Field Strains of Brucella abortus Biovar 3 Isolated in West Africa.

Brucellosis is one of the most widespread bacterial zoonotic diseases in the world, affecting both humans and domestic and wild animals. Identification and biotyping of field strains of Brucella are of key importance for a better knowledge of the epidemiology of brucellosis, for identifying appropriate antigens, for managing disease outbreaks and for setting up efficient preventive and control programmes. Such data are required both at national and regional level to assess potential threats for public health. Highly discriminative genotyping methods such as the multiple locus variable number of tandem repeats analysis (MLVA) allow the comparison and assessment of genetic relatedness between field strains of Brucella within the same geographical area. In this study, MLVA biotyping data retrieved from the literature using a systematic review were compared using a clustering analysis and the Hunter-Gaston diversity index (HGDI). Thus, the analysis of the 42 MLVA genotyping results found in the literature on West Africa [i.e., from Ivory Coast (1), Niger (1), Nigeria (34), The Gambia (3), and Togo (3)] did not allow a complete assessment of the actual diversity among field strains of Brucella. However, it provided some preliminary indications on the co-existence of 25 distinct genotypes of Brucella abortus biovar 3 in this region with 19 genotypes from Nigeria, three from Togo and one from Ivory Coast, The Gambia, and Niger. The strong and urgent need for more sustainable molecular data on prevailing strains of Brucella in this sub-region of Africa and also on all susceptible species including humans is therefore highlighted. This remains a necessary stage to allow a comprehensive understanding of the relatedness between field strains of Brucella and the epidemiology of brucellosis within West Africa countries.

Imported human brucellosis in Belgium: Bio and molecular typing of bacterial isolates, 1996-2015.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to characterize by classical biotyping and Multi-Locus variable number tandem repeats (VNTR) Analysis (MLVA) all Brucella spp. derived from human cases in Belgium from 1996 to 2015. Final goals were to determine the species and biovar, to trace-back on genetic grounds the origin of each strain when patient history and risk factors were missing, and to survey for particular trends at the national level. METHODS: A total of 37 Brucella strains, isolated from 37 patients in Belgium, were analyzed by both classical biotyping and MLVA, and the genetic patterns compared to those of human strains isolated worldwide. RESULTS: Classical biotyping revealed that isolates were mainly Brucella melitensis. Most of them belonged to biovar 3, the most abundant biovar in the Mediterranean region. MLVA confirmed that Brucella melitensis is too diverse in VNTRs to be able to make clusters associated to each biovar, but it allowed retrieving precious epidemiological information. The analysis highlighted the imported nature of the strains from all over the world with a dominant part from the Mediterranean countries. Findings of the MLVA11 testing were in line with the travel history of patients coming from Italy, Turkey, Lebanon and Peru. The analysis was particularly useful because it suggested the geographical origin of the infection for 12/16 patients for whom no case history was available. CONCLUSION: Classical biotyping and MLVA analysis are not exclusive but remain complementary tools for Brucella melitensis strain surveillance. MLVA11 is sufficient for Brucella-free countries such as Belgium to trace the geographical origin of infection, but complete MLVA16 is needed to search for links with endemic areas.

Detection and characterization of Brucella spp. in bovine milk in small-scale urban and peri-urban farming in Tajikistan.

Brucellosis is one of the most common zoonoses globally, and Central Asia remains a Brucella hotspot. The World Health Organization classifies brucellosis as a neglected zoonotic disease that is rarely in the spotlight for research and mainly affects poor, marginalized people. Urban and peri-urban farming is a common practice in many low-income countries, and it increases the incomes of families that are often restrained by limited economic resources. However, there is a concern that the growing number of people and livestock living close together in these areas will increase the transmission of zoonotic pathogens such as Brucella. This study investigates the presence of Brucella DNA in bovine milk in the urban and peri-urban area of Dushanbe, Tajikistan. Brucella DNA was detected in 10.3% of 564 cow milk samples by IS711-based real-time PCR. This finding is concerning because consumption of unpasteurized dairy products is common in the region. Furthermore, Brucella DNA was detected in the milk of all seropositive cows, but 8.3% of the seronegative cows also showed the presence of Brucella DNA. In addition, sequence analysis of the rpoB gene suggests that one cow was infected with B. abortus and another cow was most likely infected with B. melitensis. The discrepancies between the serology and real-time PCR results highlight the need to further investigate whether there is a need for implementing complementary diagnostic strategies to detect false serological negative individuals in Brucella surveillance, control, and eradication programmes. Furthermore, vaccination of cattle with S19 in addition to vaccination of small ruminants with Rev 1 might be needed in order to control Brucella infections in the livestock population but further research focusing on the isolation of Brucella is required to obtain a comprehensive understanding of the Brucella spp. circulating among the livestock in this region.