Linking animal and human health burden: challenges and opportunities.

Quantifying the impact of poor animal health outcomes on human health represents a complex challenge. Using the disability-adjusted life year (DALY) metric as an endpoint, this article discusses how animal health outcomes can impact humans through three key processes: directly through zoonotic disease, indirectly via changes in yields and their impacts on nutrition and wealth, and finally, through indirect features associated with the agricultural industry, such as pharmaceuticals and climate change. For each process, the current state of the art and feasibility of global DALY-associated estimates are discussed. Existing frameworks for zoonoses already consider some key pathogens; ensuring completeness in the pathogens considered and consistency in methodological decisions is an important next step. For diet, risk factor frameworks enable a calculation of attributable DALYs; however, significant economic methodological developments are needed to ensure that local production changes are appropriately mapped to both local and global changes in dietary habits. Concerning wealth-related impacts, much work needs to be done on method development. Industry-related impacts require a focus on key research topics, such as attribution studies for animal antimicrobial resistance contributing to human outcomes. For climate change, a critical next step is identifying to what extent associated industry emissions are amenable to change should animal health outcomes improve. Allocation of finite funds to improve animal health must also consider the downstream impact on humans. Leveraging DALYs enables comparisons with other human health-related decisions and would represent a transformative way of approaching animal health decision-making should the obstacles in this article be addressed and new methods be developed.

La quantification de l'impact des problèmes de santé animale sur la santé humaine constitue un défi d'une grande complexité. En se servant de l'indicateur des années de vie ajustées sur l'incapacité (DALY) comme critère d'évaluation, les auteurs examinent trois processus essentiels illustrant l'impact que la situation zoosanitaire peut avoir sur la santé humaine : impact direct résultant des maladies zoonotiques, impact indirect résultant des mauvaises performances des animaux et de leurs conséquences sur la nutrition et la création de richesses, et enfin, effets indirects résultant de facteurs en lien avec le secteur agricole, par exemple l'utilisation de produits pharmaceutiques et le changement climatique. Pour chacun de ces processus, les auteurs font le point sur l'état actuel des connaissances et sur l'applicabilité des évaluations mondiales basées sur l'indicateur DALY. Les cadres existants relatifs aux zoonoses recouvrent déjà certains agents pathogènes majeurs ; la prochaine étape importante consistera à assurer une couverture complète des agents pathogènes et à veiller à la cohérence des décisions méthodologiques. S'agissant de l'alimentation, les cadres basés sur l'analyse des facteurs de risque permettent de calculer les DALY imputables à l'alimentation ; toutefois, d'importantes avancées méthodologiques sur les aspects économiques de cette corrélation seront nécessaires pour s'assurer que tout changement intervenant localement en matière de production animale est correctement mis en correspondance avec les modifications des habitudes alimentaires dans ce même contexte local mais aussi à l'échelle mondiale. S'agissant des impacts liés à la création de richesses, il reste beaucoup à faire dans le domaine méthodologique. La détermination des impacts liés aux filières d'élevage requiert des travaux axés sur des sujets précis, par exemple des études visant à déceler les sources de la résistance aux agents antimicrobiens qui contribuent à l'apparition d'antibiorésistances chez l'être humain. Enfin, pour ce qui concerne le changement climatique, une étape cruciale consistera à déterminer dans quelle mesure les émissions associées à l'élevage sont susceptibles de changer en cas d'amélioration de la situation zoosanitaire. Dans un contexte de ressources limitées, l'affectation de fonds à l'amélioration de la santé animale doit également prendre en compte l'impact en aval sur la santé humaine. L'utilisation de l'indicateur DALY permet des comparaisons avec d'autres décisions de santé publique et représenterait une approche transformative de la prise de décision en santé animale, dès lors que les obstacles mentionnés dans cet article sont surmontés et que de nouvelles méthodes sont mises au point.

Cuantificar el impacto de una mala sanidad animal en la salud humana es un desafío complejo. Utilizando el parámetro de años de vida ajustados en función de la discapacidad (AVAD o DALY) como criterio de valoración, en este artículo se examina cómo la sanidad animal puede repercutir en los seres humanos a través de tres procesos clave: directamente, a través de las zoonosis; indirectamente, a través de cambios en los rendimientos y sus repercusiones en la nutrición y la riqueza; y, por último, a través de factores indirectos asociados a la industria agropecuaria, como los fármacos y el cambio climático. Para cada uno de estos procesos, se examinan el estado actual y la viabilidad de estimar AVAD a escala mundial. Los marcos existentes para la zoonosis ya tienen en cuenta algunos patógenos claves; garantizar la exhaustividad de los patógenos considerados y la coherencia en las decisiones metodológicas es un próximo paso importante. En lo que respecta a la alimentación, aunque los marcos de factores de riesgo permiten calcular los AVAD atribuibles, se necesitan importantes avances metodológicos en el ámbito económico para asegurar que los cambios en la producción local se correspondan adecuadamente con los cambios locales y mundiales en los hábitos alimentarios. En cuanto a las repercusiones en la riqueza, queda mucho trabajo por hacer en el desarrollo de métodos. Para abordar las repercusiones relacionadas con la industria, es necesario centrarse en temas clave de investigación, como los estudios de atribución relativos al impacto en la salud humana de la resistencia a los antimicrobianos en los animales. En lo que se refiere al cambio climático, un próximo paso crucial es determinar en qué medida las emisiones de la industria podrían cambiar, en función de la mejora de los resultados en materia de sanidad animal. Al asignar fondos limitados para la mejora de la sanidad animal también se deben tener en cuenta las repercusiones correspondientes en los seres humanos. Utilizar los AVAD permite hacer comparaciones con otras decisiones importantes relacionadas con la salud humana y representaría una forma transformadora de enfocar la toma de decisiones en materia de sanidad animal, en caso de que se aborden los obstáculos presentados en ese artículo y se desarrollen nuevos métodos.

Control strategies for emerging infectious diseases: Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever management.

Background and Aims: Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever (CCHF) is a significant public health concern transmitted by ticks. This study seeks to thoroughly grasp the epidemiology and transmission patterns of CCHF, which is caused by the CCHF virus (CCHFV), a member of the Nairovirus genus in the Bunyaviridae family. Methods: The study investigates the global distribution and endemicity of CCHF, its mortality rates, modes of transmission (including tick bites, contact with infected animal blood, and limited person-to-person transmission), and factors influencing its prevalence across different regions. Genetic diversity within CCHFV and its impact on transmission dynamics are explored, along with efforts to control the disease through tick prevention, antiviral treatment, and the development of vaccines and diagnostics. Results: CCHFV exhibits widespread distribution, particularly in the Middle East, Africa, Asia, and Eastern Europe, with an overall mortality rate of approximately 30% and a case fatality rate ranging from 10% to 40%. Transmission occurs primarily through tick bites and contact with infected animal blood, with limited person-to-person transmission. Livestock workers, slaughterhouse employees, and animal herders in endemic areas are most affected by their frequent interaction with sick animals and ticks. Genetic diversity within CCHFV contributes to variations in transmission dynamics, complicating control efforts. Antiviral ribavirin shows efficacy in treating CCHF infection. Conclusion: This study underscores the importance of further research to understand the enzootic environment, transmission routes, and genetic diversity of CCHFV for effective control measures, including the development of vaccines, treatment options, and diagnostics.

Prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites in domestic pigs from family farms in northeastern Argentina.

Domestic pigs serve as significant hosts and reservoirs for multiple parasite species, some specific to pigs and many others of zoonotic importance. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of intestinal parasites in pigs within a rural area in northeastern Argentina. We also examined demographic information, breeding conditions, and exposure factors associated with parasite presence. Pig feces were subjected to coprological examination through flotation and sedimentation techniques. Modified Ziehl-Neelsen technique was employed to examine oocysts of Cryptosporidium spp. In total, 29 family farms with pig pens were analyzed, and 42 stool samples were collected from pigs on these farms. At the farm level, the presence of at least one parasite species was recorded in 27 rural houses (93.1%). We found that 90.4% of pigs were parasitized, with a specific parasitoses of 10 species, with a maximum of six species in a single host. The most prevalent protozoa were Entamoeba spp. (57.1%) and Blastocystis sp. (45.2%), followed by Iodamoeba butschlii (33.3%), Neobalantidium coli (21.4%), coccidia (14.2%), Cryptosporidium spp. (9.5%) and Giardia spp. (2.3%). The most prevalent helminths were Strongylidae eggs (52.3%), Ascaris spp. (14.2%) and Trichuris spp. (2.3%). We advocate for an urgent need to implement a comprehensive prophylaxis program prioritizing general hygiene practices such as regular cleaning, removal of fecal material and renewal of drinking water. Additionally, vaccination and deworming protocols should be implemented. Furthermore, this study highlights the necessity for molecular-level evaluations to detect potential zoonotic genotypes of the identified protozoa.

Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae bacteremia treated with linezolid.

Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae is a common zoonotic pathogen that rarely causes diseases in humans. It has three main disease manifestations: a localized cutaneous, a disseminated cutaneous, and a systemic form of infection, typically characterized as bacteremia with or without endocarditis. Human infections are often associated with occupational exposure to animals, animal products, or their excreta. We present a case of a 60-year-old woman found to have E. rhusiopathiae bacteremia associated with a leg laceration sustained after she fell into a sewer drain. Germane animal exposures were not identified; thus, the source of bacterium was attributed to sewage or sewage-contaminated water. She was initially treated with intravenous penicillin with clinical improvement. However, given the patient's social factors, prolonged oral antimicrobial therapy was considered. E. rhusiopathiae is routinely susceptible to penicillin, cephalosporins, and fluoroquinolones but resistant to vancomycin. The data on alternatives to beta-lactam therapy are limited. We report a case of E. rhusiopathiae bacteremia successfully treated with oral linezolid.

Zoonotic potential of urban wildlife faeces, assessed through metabarcoding.

Monitoring zoonoses in urban environments is of great relevance, where the incidence of certain pathogens may be higher and where population density makes the spread of any contagious disease more likely. In this study we applied a metabarcoding approach to study potentially zoonotic pathogens in faecal samples of 9 urban vertebrate species. We applied this methodology with two objectives. Firstly, to obtain information on potential pathogens present in the urban fauna of a large European city (Madrid, Spain) and to determine which are their main reservoirs. In addition, we tested for differences in the prevalence of these potential pathogens between urban and rural European rabbits, used as ubiquitous species. Additionally, based on the results obtained, we evaluated the effectiveness of metabarcoding as a tool for monitoring potential pathogen. Our results revealed the presence of potentially zoonotic bacterial genera in all studied host species, 10 of these genera with zoonotic species of mandatory monitoring in the European Union. Based on these results, urban birds (especially house sparrows and pigeons) and bats are the species posing the greatest potential risk, with Campylobacter and Listeria genera in birds and of Chlamydia and Vibrio cholerae in bats as most relevant pathogens. This information highlights the risk associated with fresh faeces from urban wildlife. In addition, we detected Campylobacter in >50 % of the urban rabbit samples, while we only detected it in 11 % of the rural rabbit samples. We found that urban rabbits have a higher prevalence of some pathogens relative to rural rabbits, which could indicate increased risk of pathogen transmission to humans. Finally, our results showed that metabarcoding can be an useful tool to quickly obtain a first screening of potentially zoonotic organisms, necessary information to target the monitoring efforts on the most relevant pathogens and host species.

Hydatid Cyst or Echinococcosis: A Comprehensive Review of Transmission, Clinical Manifestations, Diagnosis, and Multidisciplinary Treatment.

Echinococcosis, a parasitic infection caused by Echinococcus tapeworms, can cause various symptoms depending on the location and size of the cysts. This article explores the complexities of echinococcosis, including its transmission cycle, clinical manifestations, diagnosis, and treatment approaches. The review highlights the challenges associated with diagnosing the different echinococcosis types, including cystic echinococcosis, alveolar echinococcosis, and polycystic echinococcosis. Each form of the disease necessitates a unique diagnostic approach that often combines serological tests, imaging techniques, and histological analysis. The article explores treatment options for each type of echinococcosis, including surgical resection, medication, and minimally invasive procedures such as puncture-aspiration-injection-reaspiration (PAIR). The article acknowledges current treatment methods' limitations and emphasises the need for further research into improved diagnostics, drug targets, and preventative measures. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of echinococcosis, encompassing its transmission, clinical presentation, diagnosis, and treatment modalities. By outlining the complexities of the disease and highlighting areas for future research, the article hopes to contribute to improved disease management and control. Key findings of the review include the identification of significant diagnostic challenges in differentiating between cystic, alveolar, and polycystic echinococcosis, the varying efficacy of treatment modalities such as surgical resection and PAIR, and the urgent need for further research into enhanced diagnostic methods, novel drug targets, and effective preventative strategies.

Evaluating zoonotic metacestodes: gross and histopathological alterations of beef in north-west Ethiopia one health approach for meat inspection and animal management.

Zoonotic metacestodes present a significant threat to both veterinary and public health. Specifically, the prevalence of metacestodes is often concentrated among consumers of raw meat and underdeveloped countries. The objective of this study was to estimate the prevalence of condemned red offal and examine the gross and histopathology features of zoonotic metacestodes. A cross-sectional study was conducted from November 2022 to July 2023 at the Bahir Dar municipal abattoir. A simple random sampling method employed in the abattoir survey to investigate pathological changes of offal and its rate of condemnation. Following a gross inspection of the red offal, representative tissue samples collected and preserved in 10% neutral buffered formalin. Subsequently, the size and number of cysts determined, and their viability and fertility evaluated. Hematoxylin and eosin staining utilized to analyze various lesions with microscope. A total of 340 cattle examined and 7.5% red offal condemned due to hydatid cysts 4.12% in the lungs, 3% in the liver, 0.6% in the kidneys, and 0.9% in other organs. Red offal condemned due to Cysticercus bovis 0.6% in the liver and 0.3% in the tongue. A statistically significance relationship was found between lung rejection due to hydatidosis (p < 0.05), body condition score, and origin of the animal. Among the detected calcified cysts, 83.34% of C. bovis and 47.62% of hydatid cysts. Histopathological examination revealed hydatid cysts and their oncospheres within the portal circulation, as well as necrotized, calcified daughter cysts observed on Bowman's capsule. The alveoli and bronchiole parenchyma compressed with pressure of protoscolices and it infiltrated by eosinophils. The cyst wall is attached to the thick hepatic capsule of the liver, with the hepatic parenchyma displaying islands of irregular hepatocytes. Cysticercus bovis detected in the deteriorated and necrotized muscle bundles, along with granulomatous lesions characterized by infiltration of mononuclear cells. Gross and histological examinations is invaluable tool for diagnosing hydatidosis and cysticercosis, providing well-organized baseline data to enhance our understanding the burden of zoonotic metacestodes.

Prevalence and molecular analysis of Toxocara cati in Baghdad Province.

Objective: This study aimed to detect Toxocara cati in cats by microscopic and molecular analysis using PCR, sequencing, and phylogenetic analysis. Materials and Methods: Randomly selected 200 cat feces samples were taken from various private veterinarian clinics in Baghdad. To identify eggs of T. cati by the flotation method, DNA from 100 cat feces was extracted, and one pair of ITS2 region-specific primers was used for polymerase chain reaction, followed by sequencing. Results: Toxocara cati infection rate was found to be 23 out of 100 fecal samples using PCR. Ten DNA product sequence data studies showed 98%-100% similarity to the 5.8S ribosomal RNA gene sequences found in the Gene Bank. The study incidence showed that the overall infection rate by microscopic examination was 23%, with no significant difference between stray cats (27%), and domestic cats (19%). After studying the effect of several epidemiological parameters on the infection rate, it was found that the infection rates of stray and domestic cats were higher in kittens under six months of age, at 46.1% and 27%, respectively, whereas rates were lower for the adult than six months was 11.5% of domestic cats and 14.7% of stray cats. The percentage of stray and domestic male cats that were registered was 35.5%, whereas the female cats registered were 20.6% and 17.5%, respectively. Conclusion: Cats are significant clinical reservoirs for zoonotic parasites. In Iraq, Baghdad has a high incidence of T. cati detections. Compared to conventional methods, PCR is thought to be a more sensitive, accurate diagnostic procedure that confirms the species' identity.

Diversity of bartonellae in mites (Acari: Mesostigmata: Macronyssidae and Spinturnicidae) of boreal forest bats: Association of host specificity of mites and habitat selection of hosts with vector potential.

Research into various bacterial pathogens that can be transmitted between different animals and may have zoonotic potential has led to the discovery of different strains of Bartonella sp. in bats and their associated ectoparasites. Despite their enormous species diversity, only a few studies have focussed on the detection of bacterial pathogens in insectivorous bats of boreal forests and their associated Macronyssidae and Spinturnicidae mites. We collected and molecularly analysed mite samples from forest-dwelling bat species distributed all along the boreal belt of the Palearctic, from Central Europe to Far East. Ectoparasitic mites were pooled for DNA extraction and DNA amplification polymerase chain reaction (PCRs) were conducted to detect the presence of various bacterial (Anaplasmataceae, Bartonella sp., Rickettsia sp., Mycoplasma sp.) and protozoal (Hepatozoon sp.) pathogens. Bartonella sp. DNA was detected in four different mite species (Macronyssidae: Steatonyssus periblepharus and Spinturnicidae: Spinturnix acuminata, Sp. myoti and Sp. mystacinus), with different prevalences of the targeted gene (gltA, 16-23S ribosomal RNA intergenic spacer and ftsZ). Larger pools (>5 samples pooled) were more likely to harbour Bartonella sp. DNA, than smaller ones. In addition, cave-dwelling bat hosts and host generalist mite species are more associated with Bartonella spp. presence. Spinturnicidae mites may transmit several distinct Bartonella strains, which cluster phylogenetically close to Bartonella species known to cause diseases in humans and livestock. Mites with ubiquitous presence may facilitate the long-term maintenance (and even local recurrence) of Bartonella-infestations inside local bat populations, thus acting as continuous reservoirs for Bartonella spp in bats.

The Role of Plasmapheresis in Severe Leptospirosis Refractory to Standard Therapy: A Case Report and a Comprehensive Literature Review.

Leptospirosis, a zoonotic infection prevalent in Pakistan, presents diverse clinical manifestations ranging from mild flu-like symptoms to severe multiorgan failure known as Weil's disease. This case study reports on a 24-year-old woman with leptospirosis complicated by acute kidney injury and hyperbilirubinemia, unresponsive to standard therapies. Despite initial treatment with antibiotics and hemodialysis, her condition deteriorated. Following a single session of plasmapheresis, marked clinical and laboratory improvements were observed. Notably, plasma exchange effectively reduced bilirubin levels, underscoring its potential benefit in severe leptospirosis. This case highlights the role of plasmapheresis as rescue therapy in critically ill patients, demonstrating significant outcomes in cases resistant to conventional management. Further research is warranted to refine guidelines on the optimal timing and frequency of plasma exchange in such settings.

Molecular Detection and Characterization of Cryptosporidium spp. and Giardia duodenalis in Dairy Calves from Ningxia, China.

PURPOSE: Cryptosporidium spp. and Giardia duodenalis are two important foodborne human and animal parasites that can be disseminated through both food and water, leading to diarrheal disease. Nevertheless, available information on the circumstances of Cryptosporidium and Giardia duodenalis from Ningxia is limited. METHODS: A total of 208 stool samples of dairy calves derived from large-scale farms (> 1000 heads) of five cities randomly in Ningxia were gathered randomly, were amplified and analyzed by nested PCR based on the three target genes (18S rRNA, gp60 and tpi)and phylogenetic systematics. RESULTS: The prevalence of cryptosporidiosis and giardiasis in dairy calves in Ningxia were 13.0% (27/208 samples, 95% CI 9.1-18.2%) and 1.9% (4/208, 95% CI 0.8-4.9%) respectively. Three Cryptosporidium species appeared in this study which are Cryptosporidium parvum (C. parvum), Cryptosporidium andersoni (C. andersoni) and Cryptosporidium ryanae (C. ryanae) based on the 18S rRNA gene sequence. IIdA15G1 and IIdA13G1 belonging to the subtypes of Cryptosporidium were detected by the gp60 PCR. The genotypes of Giardia duodenalis were only assemblage E through the amplification of the triosephosphate-isomerase gene (tpi gene). CONCLUSION: There is a risk of transmission to humans in Ningxia because of zoonotic genotypes (C. parvum, C. andersoni, assemblage E) and subtypes (IId) of Cryptosporidium spp. and G. duodenalis in dairy calves, and it is necessary to pay attention to the disease to prevent a widespread epidemic of the disease with the purpose to protect human and livestock health.

Kyasanur Forest Disease: A Comprehensive Review.

Vector-borne microbial diseases are ubiquitous, and their management remains elusive. Such diseases with zoonotic potential result in public health challenges requiring additional control and preventive measures. Despite their cosmopolitan presence, vector-borne infections are neglected due to their endemicity in specified geographical regions. The Kyasanur forest disease (KFD) caused by the Kyasanur forest disease virus (KFDV) is among such diseases transmitted through ticks and localized to India. Despite its prevalence, high transmissibility, and potential to cause fatalities, KFDV has not been given the deserved attention by the governments. Further, KFDV circulates in the rural and wild geographical areas threatening infections to people living in these areas with limited access to medical and healthcare. Therefore, physicians, healthcare workers, and the general population need to understand the KFDV and its ecology, epidemiology, transmission, pathogenesis, laboratory diagnosis, and control and prevention as described comprehensively in this review.

Food security: The ultimate one-health challenge.

Food insecurity is a serious and immediate concern for the world due to challenges including overpopulation; conflicts; animal, plant, and human diseases; climate change; depletion of resources; and environmental degradation. Long-term solutions for food production must consider the impacts on the environment, water and other resources, human and animal health, and sustainable crop production. The fundamental cause of food insecurity is the rapid and unprecedented increase in human population from approximately 2 billion people in 1925 to over 8 billion in 2023. The need for food has led to major expansion of both crop and food animal production including movement into new areas; increased production requires more resources, some of which are being depleted. This paper focuses on food animal production. Humans depend on three major species for most animal-origin food: Chickens (meat and eggs), cattle (meat and milk), and swine (meat). Each species is currently threatened by diseases that can rapidly spread internationally, and some have zoonotic potential. Diversification of animal-based food, such as expanding aquaculture can help to protect against food shortages should an epizootic occur in one or more of the above species. Cutting-edge science is needed to improve food animal production and pathogen control. This requires an interdisciplinary one-world, one-health approach led by international organizations and funded by the developed world. An optimal response will involve scientists and policy experts from government, the private sector, and universities worldwide. Strengthening all nations' public health infrastructure and veterinary services is essential to this aim. Fortunately, concerns about worldwide food security are concurrent with rapid advances in nearly all aspects of science, which can be applied to sustainably increase food production both locally and globally. There must be a collective will to apply science and to implement policies to solve current food security problems and to prepare for future challenges.

Progress and persistence of diseases of high consequence to livestock in the United States.

The USDA/ARS-National Disease Center (NADC) will celebrate its 65th anniversary of existence in November 2026. NADC continues as one of the world's premier animal health research centers conducting basic and applied research on endemic diseases with economic impact on U.S. livestock and wildlife. This research center also supports a program studying important food safety pathogens such as Salmonella, E. coli and Campylobacter. NADC has contributed significantly to the elimination of a few diseases, notably hog cholera and milk fever, and made progress in reducing the impact of many other animal diseases through vaccines, therapies and managerial recommendations. Despite nearly 65 years of targeted research on these diseases and much progress, some of these continue to persist. The reasons for such persistence varies for each disease condition and they are often multifactorial involving host susceptibility, virulence and even environmental conditions. Individually and in aggregate, these disease conditions have a massive economic impact and can be devasting to animal producers, owners and individuals that become infected through zoonotic disease agents such as tuberculosis, leptospirosis and avian influenza. They also diminish the health, well-being and welfare of affected animals, which directly affects the food supply. The NADC is using all available technologies including genomic, biochemical, reverse genetics, and vaccine trials in the target host to combat these significant diseases. We review the progress and reasons for persistence of selected diseases and food safety pathogens as well as the progress and potential outcomes should research and programmatic plans to eliminate these disease conditions cease.

Lack of prion transmission barrier in human PrP transgenic Drosophila.

While animal prion diseases are a threat to human health, their zoonotic potential is generally inefficient because of interspecies prion transmission barriers. New animal models are required to provide an understanding of these prion transmission barriers and to assess the zoonotic potential of animal prion diseases. To address this goal, we generated Drosophila transgenic for human or nonhuman primate prion protein (PrP) and determined their susceptibility to known pathogenic prion diseases, namely varient Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (vCJD) and classical bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), and that with unknown pathogenic potential, namely chronic wasting disease (CWD). Adult Drosophila transgenic for M129 or V129 human PrP or nonhuman primate PrP developed a neurotoxic phenotype and showed an accelerated loss of survival after exposure to vCJD, classical BSE, or CWD prions at the larval stage. vCJD prion strain identity was retained after passage in both M129 and V129 human PrP Drosophila. All of the primate PrP fly lines accumulated prion seeding activity and concomitantly developed a neurotoxic phenotype, generally including accelerated loss of survival, after exposure to CWD prions derived from different cervid species, including North American white-tailed deer and muntjac, and European reindeer and moose. These novel studies show that primate PrP transgenic Drosophila lack known prion transmission barriers since, in mammalian hosts, V129 human PrP is associated with severe resistance to classical BSE prions, while both human and cynomolgus macaque PrP are associated with resistance to CWD prions. Significantly, our data suggest that interspecies differences in the amino acid sequence of PrP may not be a principal determinant of the prion transmission barrier.

A cross-sectional survey of Blastocystis sp. and Dientamoeba fragilis in non-human primates and their caregivers in Czech zoos.

Intestinal protists in the gut microbiome are increasingly studied, but their basic epidemiology is not well understood. We explored the prevalence, genetic diversity, and potential zoonotic transmission of two protists colonizing the large intestine - Blastocystis sp. and Dientamoeba fragilis - in 37 species of non-human primates (NHPs) and their caregivers in six zoos in the Czech Republic. We analyzed 179 fecal samples (159 from NHPs, 20 from humans) by qPCR. Blastocystis sp. was detected in 54.7% (98/179) of samples, in 24 NHP species and in 57.2% of NHP samples (prevalence ranged between 36 and 80%), and in 35% of human samples (prevalence ranged between 0 and 67%). Using next generation amplicon sequencing, nine Blastocystis subtypes (ST1-ST5, ST7, ST8, and two novel subtypes) were identified. The two new Blastocystis subtypes (named ST47 and ST48) were described using Nanopore sequencing to produce full-length reference sequences of the small subunit ribosomal RNA gene. Some subtypes were shared between NHPs and their caregivers, suggesting potential zoonotic transmission. Mixed subtype colonization was frequently observed, with 52% of sequenced samples containing two or more subtypes. Dientamoeba was found only in NHPs with a prevalence of 6%. This study emphasizes the critical role of molecular diagnostics in epidemiological and transmission studies of these protists and calls for further research to better understand their impact on public health.

Brown rats (Rattus norvegicus) as potential reservoirs of Enterocytozoon bieneusi in Heilongjiang Province, China: high prevalence, genetic heterogeneity, and potential risk for zoonotic transmission.

Introduction: Enterocytozoon bieneusi, an obligatory intracellular fungus, is prevalent among animals and humans. Due to their close interaction with humans and their extensive regional distribution, brown rats (Rattus norvegicus) are important pathogen reservoirs. To assess the zoonotic transmission potential of E. bieneusi, a molecular investigation was conducted on 817 R. norvegicus from four cities in Heilongjiang Province, China. Methods: A total of 817 R. norvegicus were collected from four cities in Heilongjiang Province, China. The genotyping of E. bieneusi was conducted through PCR amplification of the small subunit ribosomal RNA (SSU rRNA)'s internal transcribed spacer (ITS) segments. Phylogenetic and similarity analyses were used to examine zoonotic potential and genetic characteristics of the E. bieneusi-positive specimens. Results: Among the 817 R. norvegicus, the total infection rate was 33.3% (272/817). Seventy-five genotypes were identified, including 14 known genotypes D (n = 167), A (n = 15), HLJ-CP1 (n = 12), WR8 (n = 6), EbpC (n = 2), BEB6 (n = 1), CS-4 (n = 1), CHPM1 (n = 1), Henan-II (n = 1), HNH-22 (n = 1), HNH-25 (n = 1), I (n = 1), JLD-XI (n = 1), SDD5 (n = 1), and 61 novel genotypes designated as SHWR1 (n = 10), SYSWR1 (n = 2), and SHWR2 to SHWR17, SYSWR2 to SYSWR36 and QTHWR1 to QTHWR8 (n = 1, each). Moreover, 10 samples exhibited mixed genotype infections, including D + A (n = 3), D + EbpC (n = 1), D + HLJ-CP1 (n = 1), D + SHWR1 (n = 1), D + SHWR16 (n = 1), D + SHWR17 (n = 1), SDD5 + WR8 (n = 1), and CS-4 + SYSWR36 (n = 1). Phylogenetic analysis grouped the genotypes into three main groups: group 1 (n = 67), group 2 (n = 5), and group 9 (n = 3). Discussion: The high prevalence and genetic diversity of E. bieneusi in Heilongjiang Province's R. norvegicus imply that these animals spread the pathogen. The R. norvegicus that E. bieneusi carries can spread zoonotic disease, making it a serious hazard to the local human population. Therefore, it is imperative to raise awareness about the dangers posed by R. norvegicus and implement measures to reduce their population to prevent environmental contamination.

Zoonotic Bacterial Infections Triggering Cytokine Storm Syndrome.

Zoonotic infections can result in life-threatening complications that can manifest with hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH)/cytokine storm syndrome (CSS). Bacteria constitute the largest group of zoonotic infection-related HLH cases. The growing list of zoonotic bacterial infections associated with HLH/CSS include Brucella spp., Rickettsia spp., Ehrlichia, Coxiella burnetii, Mycobacterium spp., and Bartonella spp. Patients most commonly present with fever, cytopenias, hepatosplenomegaly, myalgias, and less frequently with rash, jaundice, and lymphadenopathy.

A systematic review on global zoonotic virus-associated mortality events in marine mammals.

Marine mammals play a critical role as sentinels for tracking the spread of zoonotic diseases, with viruses being the primary causative factor behind infectious disease induced mortality events. A systematic review was conducted to document marine mammal mortality events attributed to zoonotic viral infections in published literature across the globe. This rigorous search strategy yielded 2883 studies with 88 meeting inclusion criteria. The studies spanned from 1989 to 2023, with a peak in publications observed in 2020. Most of the included studies were retrospective, providing valuable insights into historical trends. The United States (U.S.) reported the highest number of mortality events followed by Spain, Italy, Brazil and the United Kingdom. Harbor seals were the most impacted species, particularly in regions like Anholt, Denmark and the New England Coast, U.S. Analysis revealed six main viruses responsible for mortality events, with Morbillivirus causing the highest proportion of deaths. Notably, the occurrence of these viral events varied geographically, with distinct patterns observed in different regions. Immunohistochemistry emerged as the most employed detection method. This study underscores the importance of global surveillance efforts in understanding and mitigating the impact of viral infections on marine mammal populations, thereby emphasizing the necessity of collaborative One Health approaches to address emerging threats at the human-animal-environment interface. Additionally, the potential transfer of zoonotic viruses to aquatic organisms used in food production, such as fish and shellfish, highlights the broader implications for food safety, food security and public health.