Rodent-borne zoonoses in Qatar: A possible One-Health framework for the intervention of future epidemic.

The increasing frequency of spillover of zoonotic pathogens from animals to humans in recent years highlights a need to develop a more comprehensive framework to investigate and prevent pathogens of animal origin, including rodents. Despite the presence of several species of rodents, there is a certain knowledge gap regarding rodent-borne zoonoses in Qatar. The current review provides an update on rodent-borne zoonoses in Qatar, its possible drivers and transmission dynamics, and proposed a One Health framework for intervention. Following an extensive literature review, we conducted a field investigation. Then the qualitative information and knowledge gaps were addressed with a virtual discussion with national, regional, and international experts in the relevant field. Overall, Rattus norvegicus population was found to be more prevalent, followed by Rattus rattus, and M. musculus, which are mainly found in animal farms, followed by agricultural farms, residential areas, and other facilities. Over 50% of rodents carry at least one pathogen of public health importance. Several pathogens were identified at the human, animal, and ecosystem interface, which can be mediated in transmission by rodents. E. coli, Salmonella spp., and Campylobacter spp. are the frequently reported bacteria. Hymenolepis spp., Cryptosporidium spp., Giardia spp., Entamoeba spp., and Toxoplasma spp. are the major parasites. In addition, many vectors, including Ornithonyssus bacoti and Xenopsylla astia were reported in this country. Based on the changes over the past 70 years in Qatar, seven drivers have been identified, which could be important in rodent-borne disease emergences, such as the Oil and gas revolution, fast population growth, rapid urbanization, importation of food and agricultural products, agricultural and livestock development, farm biosecurity, and stray animals. The experts emphasized that mixed-species animal farming with poor biosecurity and management can be associated to increase the risk of zoonoses. Moreover, rapid urbanization and global climate change together can alter the ecosystem of the country and impact on vectors and vector-borne diseases. Finally, the One Health framework has been proposed for the surveillance, and mitigation of any future spillover or epidemic of rodent-borne zoonoses.

A new One Health Framework in Qatar for future emerging and re-emerging zoonotic diseases preparedness and response.

One Health is increasingly recognized as an optimal approach to address the global risk of health threats originating at the human, animal, and ecosystem interface, and their impact. Qatar has successfully practiced One Health approach for investigation and surveillance of zoonotic diseases such as MERS-CoV, and other health threats. However, the current gaps at institution and policy level hinder the sustainment of One Health. In this paper, we have assessed the potential for implementation of One Health Framework to reinforce and sustain One Health capacities in Qatar for 2022-2027. To implement One Health Framework in the country, Qatar Joint External Evaluation (JEE) report, lessons learnt during One Health experiences on zoonotic, vector-borne, and food borne diseases were used to present an outline for multisectoral coordination. In addition, technical capacities of One Health and factors that are required to operationalize it in the country were also assessed in series of meetings and workshops held at Ministry of Public Health on March 2022. Present health care infrastructure and resources were found to be conducive for effective management and response to shared health threats as evident during MERS-CoV, despite being more event based. Regardless, the need for more sustainable capacity development was unanimously emphasized. The consensus between all relevant stakeholders and partners was that there is a need for better communication channels, policies and protocols for data sharing, and the need to invest more resources for better sustainability. The proposed framework is expected to strengthen and facilitate multilateral coordination, enhanced laboratory capacity and network, improve active surveillance and response, risk communication, community engagement, maximize applied research, and build One Health technical work force. This would enable advancement and sustainment of One Health activities to prevent and control health threats shared between humans-animals-ecosystem interface.

Prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii infection in animals of the Arabian Peninsula between 2000-2020: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) is a zoonotic parasite that can be transmitted from animals to humans, with felids acting as its definitive host. Thus, understanding the epidemiology of this parasite in animal populations is vital to controlling its transmission to humans as well as to other animal groups. OBJECTIVES: This systematic review and meta-analysis aims to summarise and analyse reports of T. gondii infection in animal species residing in the Arabian Peninsula. METHODS: It was conducted in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA), with relevant studies being retrieved from MEDLINE/PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane Library, Google Scholar and ScienceDirect. All articles published in Arabic or English languages between January 2000 and December 2020 were screened for eligibility. Random effects model was used to calculate the pooled prevalence of T. gondii infection in different animal populations which were found to harbour this infection. The critical appraisal tool for prevalence studies designed by the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) was used to assess the risk of bias in all included studies. RESULTS: A total of 15 studies were retrieved, reporting prevalence estimates from 4 countries in this region and in 13 animal species. Quantitative meta-analysis estimated a pooled prevalence of 43% in felids [95% confidence interval (CI) = 23-64%, I2 index = 100%], 48% in sheep (95% CI = 27-70%, I2 = 99%) and 21% in camels (95% CI = 7-35%, I2 = 99%). Evidence of possible publication bias was found in both felids and sheep. CONCLUSIONS: This meta-analysis estimates a high prevalence of T. gondii infection in animal species which are of high economic and cultural importance to countries of this region. Hence, these findings provide valuable insight to public health authorities as well as economic and animal resources advisors in countries of the Arabian Peninsula.

Diversity of bacterial pathogens and their antimicrobial resistance profile among commensal rodents in Qatar.

Rodents are sources of many zoonotic pathogens that are of public health concern. This study investigated bacterial pathogens and assessed their antimicrobial resistance (AMR) patterns in commensal rodents in Qatar. A total of 148 rodents were captured between August 2019 and February 2020, and blood, ectoparasites, and visceral samples were collected. Gram-negative bacteria were isolated from the intestines, and blood plasma samples were used to detect antibodies against Brucella spp., Chlamydophila abortus, and Coxiella burnetii. PCR assays were performed to detect C. burnetii, Leptospira spp., Rickettsia spp., and Yersinia pestis in rodent tissues and ectoparasite samples. Antimicrobial resistance by the isolated intestinal bacteria was performed using an automated VITEK analyzer. A total of 13 bacterial species were isolated from the intestine samples, namely Acinetobacter baumannii, Aeromonas salmonicida, Citrobacter freundii, Citrobacter koseri, Enterobacter aerogenes, Enterobacter cloacae, Escherichia coli, Hafnia alvei, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Providencia stuartii, Proteus mirabilis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Salmonella enterica. The majority of them were E. coli (54.63%), followed by P. mirabilis (17.59%) and K. pneumoniae (8.33%). Most of the pathogens were isolated from rodents obtained from livestock farms (50.46%), followed by agricultural farms (26.61%) and other sources (22.94%). No antibodies (0/148) were detected against Brucella spp., C. abortus, or C. burnetii. In addition, 31.58% (6/19) of the flea pools and one (1/1) mite pool was positive for Rickettsia spp., and no sample was positive for C. burnetii, Leptospira spp., and Y. pestis by PCR. A total of 43 (38%) bacterial isolates were identified as multidrug resistant (MDR), whereas A. salmonicida (n = 1) did not show resistance to any tested antimicrobials. Over 50% of bacterial MDR isolates were resistant to ampicillin, cefalotin, doxycycline, nitrofurantoin, and tetracycline. The presence of MDR pathogens was not correlated with rodent species or the location of rodent trapping. Seven (11.86%) E. coli and 2 (22.2%) K. pneumoniae were extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBL) producers. These findings suggest that rodents can be a source of opportunistic bacteria for human and animal transmission in Qatar. Further studies are needed for the molecular characterization of the identified bacteria in this study.

Multidrug resistance, biofilm formation, and virulence genes of Escherichia coli from backyard poultry farms.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Backyard chicken flocks have traditionally been regarded as an essential food source in developed countries; however, they may act as reservoirs and spread various zoonotic bacterial pathogens. This study was designed to investigate the prevalence, phenotypic resistance, biofilm formation (BF), and pathotypes of Escherichia coli isolates from backyard poultry farms. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Cloacal swabs (n=150) and internal organs (n=150) were collected from 30 backyard chicken flocks; 20 of them were experiencing systemic infection, and the other ten were apparently healthy. Samples were bacteriologically examined for E. coli isolation. Isolates were identified biochemically by the VITEK® 2 COMPACT system (BioMérieux, France). For molecular identification, 16S rRNA was amplified and sequenced. Ten antimicrobials were selected for E. coli antimicrobial susceptibility testing. The minimum inhibitory concentration for each antimicrobial was determined. The extended-spectrum ß-lactamase activity in isolates was investigated using cephalosporin/clavulanate combination disks. The ability of isolates for BF was determined by the microtiter plate method. Thirteen virulence genes linked to different E. coli pathotypes and two serotype-related genes were investigated by real-time polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: Eighty-six E. coli strains were isolated from 30 backyard chicken flocks. The isolates were biochemically identified to the species level. Genetically, sequences of the 16S rRNA gene showed >98% identity with E. coli in the National Center for Biological Information database. The frequency of isolation from diseased flocks was significantly higher (p<0.05) than apparently healthy flocks; 63.9% of the isolates were recovered from cloacal swabs and 36.04% were recovered from internal organs. E. coli isolates showed high resistance to ampicillin (AMP; 75.6%), gentamicin (39.5%), and tetracycline (29.1%). However, none of the isolates were resistant to imipenem. A variable drug resistance profile for E. coli isolates was reported. Twenty-one (24.4%) isolates were sensitive to all ten antimicrobials. Seven (8.1%) isolates were resistant only to AMP, and 28 (32.6%) were resistant to two antimicrobials, whereas the remaining 30 (34.9%) isolates showed multidrug resistance (MDR). Of the 86 isolates, 8 (9.3%) were confirmed as extended-spectrum ß-lactamase (ESBL)-producing E. coli by the combination disk diffusion method. All ESBL isolates were MDR with an MDR index of 0.5-0.6. Fifty-seven (66.3%) isolates were capable of forming biofilms; 22 (25.6%) of them were strong biofilm producers, 24 (27.9%) moderate producers, and 11 (12.8%) weak producers. A statistically significant pairwise correlation was obtained for MDR versus BF (r=0.512) and MDR index versus BF (r=0.556). Based on virulence gene profiles, five pathotypes were identified, including enteropathogenic E. coli (39.5%), avian pathogenic E. coli (32.53%), enterohemorrhagic E. coli (EHEC; 9.3%), enterotoxigenic E. coli (ETEC; 5.8%), and enteroaggregative E. coli (EAEC; 1.2%). The lower frequency of EAEC and ETEC was statistically significant than other pathotypes. Three isolates were identified as O157 based on the detection of the rbfO157 gene. CONCLUSION: This study reported a high prevalence of MDR, suggesting the misuse of antimicrobials in backyard chicken farms. The emergence of ESBL and EHEC isolates in backyard chickens is a public health concern. Furthermore, the backyard flocks environment may harbor different pathogenic bacteria that may enhance the persistence of infection and the transmission to in-contact humans. Regular monitoring for the occurrence of MDR and the zoonotic pathotypes among E. coli in backyard chicken flocks is recommended, as these bacteria can transmit to humans through food products or contaminated environments.