scholarly journals The distribution of lagomorph syphilis caused by Treponema paraluisleporidarum in Europe

2021 ◽  
Vol 67 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Linda Hisgen ◽  
Lena Abel ◽  
Luisa Hallmaier-Wacker ◽  
Simone Lüert ◽  
Antonio Lavazza ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Oryctolagus Cuniculus ◽  
Treponema Pallidum ◽  
Cross Reactivity ◽  
Lepus Europaeus ◽  
Brown Hare ◽  
Serum Samples ◽  
European Brown Hare ◽  
Antibody Absorption ◽  
European Rabbits ◽  
Domestic Rabbits

AbstractTreponema paraluisleporidarum infects both rabbits (ecovar Cuniculus) and hares (ecovar Lepus). While the occurrence of the bacterium has previously been reported for European brown hares (Lepus europaeus) and domestic rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus f. domestica), there are no data available that report infection in the European context. We tested a total of 1,995 serum samples and 287 genital swabs from opportunistically sampled European brown hares (Lepus europaeus; n = 2135), Mountain hares (Lepus timidus; n = 4), European rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus; n = 138), and pet rabbits (O. cuniculus f. domestica; n = 5). The samples originated from eight European countries. In case only serum was available, we tested the samples for the presence of anti-treponemal antibodies. For this, we utilized the Treponema pallidum-particle agglutination test (TP-PA), which is suited for the use in lagomorphs due to the antigenic cross-reactivity of anti-T. pallidum and anti-T. paraluisleporidarum antibodies. In addition, the results of 380 sera were confirmed using the fluorescent-Treponema antibody absorption test (FTA-ABS). In all cases where swab samples were available, DNA was extracted and tested using quantitative PCR to test for the presence of the lagomorph syphilis-bacterium. We were able to detect antibodies in 825 of 1,995 lagomorph sera (41.4%; brown hare: 825/1,868; rabbit: 0/127) and obtained positive qPCR results from 182 of 287 swab samples (63.4%; European brown hare: 167/267; mountain hare: 4/4; rabbit: 11/16). While all rabbit sera (n = 127) tested negative for anti-treponemal antibodies, the presence of the bacterium was confirmed in eight wild (n = 8/11) and three domestic rabbits (n = 3/5) from Germany using qPCR.

scholarly journals First report of hare treponematosis seroprevalence of European brown hares (Lepus europaeus) in the Czech Republic: seroprevalence negatively correlates with altitude of sampling areas

2019 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Markéta Nováková ◽  
David Najt ◽  
Lenka Mikalová ◽  
Marcela Kostková ◽  
Eliška Vrbová ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Czech Republic ◽  
Treponema Pallidum ◽  
Significant Negative Correlation ◽  
Lepus Europaeus ◽  
Serum Samples ◽  
European Brown Hare ◽  
Serological Tests ◽  
The Czech Republic ◽  
Apparent Prevalence ◽  
Prevalence Estimates

Abstract Background The aim of this study was to quantify the seroprevalence of hare treponematosis in European brown hare (Lepus europaeus) populations in the Czech Republic and to test for an association between treponematosis prevalence and the altitude of the areas in which hares were sampled. We tested 289 serum samples of brown hares collected between 2015 and 2017. The sampling areas included 12 districts (73 villages) distributed throughout the Czech Republic. Serum samples were tested for the presence of antibodies against the causative agent of hare treponematosis (Treponema paraluisleporidarum ecovar Lepus, TPeL) using two serological tests for human syphilis that cross-react with TPeL: the Treponema pallidum hemagglutination assay (TPHA) and the fluorescent treponemal antibody absorption (FTA-ABS) test. To account for the imperfect diagnostic sensitivity and specificity of each test, apparent prevalence estimates of TPeL were converted to true prevalence estimates using the Rogan Gladen estimator. The correlation between TPeL true seroprevalence and altitude of sampling areas was analyzed using Pearson’s correlation coefficient at three levels of spatial resolution: (1) four groups, each composed of two merged districts, with ≥20 samples collected, differing in their altitude median (206, 348, 495, and 522 m above sea level); (2) separately tested eight districts, where ≥20 samples were collected per district; and (3) 27 groups composed of villages of the same altitude level distributed across the whole dataset. Results One hundred and seven of the 289 samples were seropositive to both tests, the FTA-ABS test was positive for an additional 47 samples. Seropositive samples were found in all 12 districts. True seroprevalence of TPeL in the sampled hares was 52% (95% confidence interval 46 to 58%). A statistically significant negative correlation between TPeL seroprevalence and altitude was identified at the district level (Pearson’s r = − 0.722, p = 0.043). Conclusions Between 2015 and 2017 hare treponematosis was present at a relatively high prevalence in brown hares in all 12 districts in the Czech Republic where sampling was carried out. The seroprevalence of TPeL in brown hares was negatively correlated with the altitude of the areas in which hares were sampled.

scholarly journals A preliminary study on the detection of potential contaminants in the European brown hare (Lepus europaeus) by suspect and microplastics screening

2021 ◽  
Vol 4 ◽  
pp. 100045
Author(s):  
Romana Hornek-Gausterer ◽  
Herbert Oberacher ◽  
Vera Reinstadler ◽  
Christina Hartmann ◽  
Bettina Liebmann ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Lepus Europaeus ◽  
Brown Hare ◽  
European Brown Hare ◽  
Preliminary Study

Morphologic and Immunohistochemical Characterization of the Hepatic Lesions Associated with European Brown Hare Syndrome

1994 ◽  
Vol 31 (3) ◽  
pp. 327-334 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. Gavier-Widén
Keyword(s):  
Fatty Degeneration ◽  
Lepus Europaeus ◽  
Coagulation Necrosis ◽  
Brown Hare ◽  
Electron Microscopic ◽  
European Brown Hare ◽  
European Brown Hare Syndrome ◽  
Hepatic Lesions ◽  
Living Adult

Liver lesions were studied in 40 free-living adult European brown hares ( Lepus europaeus) and varying hares ( Lepus timidus) of both sexes that had died in Sweden with the viral infection European brown hare syndrome (EBHS). The lesions were characterized by their histopathologic, immunohistochemical, and electron microscopic findings. Periportal to massive coagulation necrosis was a distinctive feature of EBHS. Lytic necrosis, inflammation, fatty degeneration, and cholangitis occurred variably. Accumulation of basophilic granules in the cytoplasm of hepatocytes was commonly observed; these lesions corresponded ultrastructurally to mitochondrial calcification. Viral antigen was revealed in the cytoplasm and nucleus of hepatocytes and in the cytoplasm of macrophages.

The secret of Pianosa island: an Italian native population of European brown hare (Lepus europaeus meridiei Hilzheimer, 1906)

2018 ◽  
Vol 19 (6) ◽  
pp. 1513-1518 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Mengoni ◽  
V. Trocchi ◽  
N. Mucci ◽  
C. Gotti ◽  
F. Giannini ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Lepus Europaeus ◽  
Brown Hare ◽  
Native Population ◽  
European Brown Hare

scholarly journals Liver fluke (Fasciola hepatica) naturally infecting introduced European brown hare (Lepus europaeus) in northern Patagonia: phenotype, prevalence and potential risk

2015 ◽  
Vol 60 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Pablo F. Cuervo ◽  
Sophia Di Cataldo ◽  
M. Cecilia Fantozzi ◽  
Erika Deis ◽  
Gabriela Diaz Isenrath ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Liver Fluke ◽  
Fasciola Hepatica ◽  
Morphological Characteristics ◽  
Lepus Europaeus ◽  
Trematode Species ◽  
Brown Hare ◽  
European Brown Hare ◽  
Transmission Cycle ◽  
Northern Patagonia

AbstractFascioliasis has recently been included in the WHO list of Neglected Zoonotic Diseases. Besides being a major veterinary health problem, fascioliasis has large underdeveloping effects on the human communities affected. Though scarcely considered in fascioliasis epidemiology, it is well recognized that both native and introduced wildlife species may play a significant role as reservoirs of the disease. The objectives are to study the morphological characteristics of Fasciola hepatica adults and eggs in a population of Lepus europaeus, to assess liver fluke prevalence, and to analyze the potential reservoir role of the European brown hare in northern Patagonia, Argentina, where fascioliasis is endemic. Measures of F. hepatica found in L. europaeus from northern Patagonia demonstrate that the liver fluke is able to fully develop in wild hares and to shed normal eggs through their faeces. Egg shedding to the environment is close to the lower limit obtained for pigs, a domestic animal whose epidemiological importance in endemic areas has already been highlighted. The former, combined with the high prevalence found (14.28%), suggest an even more important role in the transmission cycle than previously considered. The results obtained do not only remark the extraordinary plasticity and adaptability of this trematode species to different host species, but also highlight the role of the European brown hare, and other NIS, as reservoirs capable for parasite spillback to domestic and native cycle, representing a potentially important, but hitherto neglected, cause of disease emergence.

scholarly journals NEW VARIANTS OF EUROPEAN BROWN HARE SYNDROME VIRUS STRAINS IN FREE-RANGING EUROPEAN BROWN HARES (LEPUS EUROPAEUS) FROM SLOVAKIA

2007 ◽  
Vol 43 (1) ◽  
pp. 89-96 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kai Frölich ◽  
Jörns Fickel ◽  
Arne Ludwig ◽  
Dietmar Lieckfeldt ◽  
Wolf Jürgen Streich ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Lepus Europaeus ◽  
Brown Hare ◽  
European Brown Hare ◽  
European Brown Hare Syndrome ◽  
Free Ranging ◽  
Virus Strains
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