Tularaemia

Author(s):  
Andrew Pearson

Tularaemia is a plague-like bacterial disease of animals (particularly rodents, hares, and rabbits) and man caused by five subspecies of Francisella. Two subspecies predominate: F. tularensis tularensis in North America and F. tularensis holarctica throughout the northern hemisphere. F. tularensis occurs in persistent natural foci causing localized epidemics and sporadic cases in man.Francisella tularensis subspecies tularensis was described originally as causing a more virulent form of tularaemia than was seen in Europe. More recently recognized are subpopulations of Francisella tularensis subspecies tularensis which have markedly different virulence for man. These have been designated A1a, A1b and A2. Infections resulting from type A1b have been shown to have an attributable mortality of 24% as compared to 4% for tularaemia caused by A1a types.F. tularensis is one of the most potent bacterial pathogens affecting humans with an infective dose from 1 to 10 organisms. The incubation period is usually 3–5 days (range from 1–21 days). Onset of disease is abrupt, with fever, chills, fatigue, general body aches, and headache. When the bacteria are acquired through skin or mucous membranes, tender regional node enlargement may become conspicuous. When bacteria are inhaled, the infection will result in deep lymph node enlargement.The clinical epidemiology of human infection is complex since it relates to one of four modes of transmission of the agent harboured in multiple hosts from diverse ecosystems. Clinical presentation of the human disease is indicative of both the mode of transmission and often the source of infection in a specific ecosystem. Tularaemia presenting as ulceroglandular disease results from either vector-borne infection from mosquito or tick bites or occurs as a result of animal contact from bites, hunting or from skinning hares or muskrats. Oropharyhgeal and typhoidal infections predominate in waterborne outbreaks of F. tularensis holarctica. Pulmonary or influenza disease results from airborne transmission associated with either farmers moving rodent contaminated hay or laboratory acquired infection. An intentional aerosol release of F. tularensis tularensis would be expected to result in clinical manifestations similar to those recognized in natural respiratory tularaemia. Both vector-borne and airborne transmission of F. tularensis may both be associated with florid skin manifestations as a presenting symptom of tularaemia. Pulmonary or typhoidal forms of the tularaemia may occur as a complication of localized infection.

2017 ◽  
Vol 145 (16) ◽  
pp. 3449-3454 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. HESTVIK ◽  
H. UHLHORN ◽  
T. JINNEROT ◽  
S. ÅKERSTRÖM ◽  
F. SÖDERSTEN ◽  
...  

SUMMARYTularemia caused by the bacterium Francisella tularensis is a zoonotic disease. Tularemia is a common disease in the hare, and as a game species can be an important source of infection for humans. In this study, hares diagnosed with tularemia were examined with the aim to investigate whether the muscle (meat) had any pathological changes and/or contained F. tularensis. Real-time PCR and/or immunohistochemistry (IHC) detected the bacteria in muscle samples from 40 out of 43 investigated hares. IHC showed that bacteria were few and most commonly located in the peri- and endomysium. Histopathology showed occasional perimysial necroses and mild inflammation in association to the bacteria. Attempts to culture from 14 muscle samples were successful in two cases, both stored in the freezer <1 year. The result of this study shows that since F. tularensis is present in the muscle of infected hares, there is a risk for human infection when consuming undercooked hare meat. The risk is enhanced by the fact that some hares do not have easily detected gross lesions. The study contributes to a better understanding of sources of infection and risk factors for humans to contract tularemia.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
yibin yang ◽  
xia zhu ◽  
yuhua chen ◽  
yongtao liu ◽  
yi song ◽  
...  

Bullfrog is one of the most important economic aquatic animals in China. It is widely cultured in southern China, and is a key breed recommended as an industry of poverty alleviation in China. During recent years, a fatal bacterial disease has often been found in cultured bullfrogs. The clinical manifestations of the diseased bullfrogs were severe intestinal inflammation and even anal prolapse. A bacterial pathogen was isolated from the diseased bullfrog intestines. The bacterium was identified as Vibrio cholerae using morphological, biochemical and 16S rRNA phylogenetic analysis. In this study, V. cholerae was isolated and identified from diseased bullfrogs for the first time, providing a basis for the diagnosis and control of the disease. At the same time, it was also found that V. cholerae may be transmitted to humans from bullfrogs through bullfrog food and aquaculture water, creating a serious threat for human health. Therefore, society should pay attention to the modes of transmission of Vibrio cholerae from bullfrog and formulate reasonable safety measures to avoid disasters.


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Haiyan Xu ◽  
Weibing Zhang ◽  
Kai Zhang ◽  
Yue Zhang ◽  
Zhenyu Wang ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Infection with Salmonella enterica usually results in diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps, but some people become asymptomatic or chronic carrier as a source of infection for others. This study aimed to analyze the difference in serotype, antimicrobial resistance, and genetic profiles between Salmonella strains isolated from patients and those from asymptomatic people in Nantong city, China. Methods A total of 88 Salmonella strains were collected from patients and asymptomatic people from 2017 to 2018. Serotyping, antimicrobial susceptibility testing, and PFGE analysis were performed to analyze the characteristics of these strains. Results Twenty serotypes belonging to 8 serogroups were identified in the 88 Salmonella strains. S. Typhimurium remained to be the predominant serotype in strains from both patients and asymptomatic people. Among the 27 strains from patients, S. Enteritidis and S. Rissen were shown as the other two major serotypes, while S. London, S. Derby, and S. Meleagridis were demonstrated as the other significant serotypes among the 61 strains from asymptomatic people. Antimicrobial resistance testing revealed that 84.1% of strains from both resources were multi-drug resistant. PFGE displayed a highly discriminative ability to differentiate strains belonging to S. Derby, S. Typhimurium, etc., but could not efficiently differentiate serotypes like S. Enteritidis. Conclusions This study’s results demonstrated that S. Typhimurium could cause human infection in both symptomatic and asymptomatic state; S. London, S. Derby, and S. Meleagridis usually cause asymptomatic infection, while S. Enteritidis infection mainly results in human diseases. The high multi-drug resistance rate detected in the antimicrobial resistance and diverse PFGE profiles of these strains implied that the strains were isolated from different sources, and the increased surveillance of Salmonella from both patients and asymptomatic people should be taken to control the disease.


2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 26
Author(s):  
Zakaria Abdellahoum ◽  
Max Maurin ◽  
Idir Bitam

Francisella tularensis (Ft) is the etiological agent of tularemia, a disease known for over 100 years in the northern hemisphere. Ft includes four subspecies, of which two are the etiologic agents of tularemia: Ft subsp. tularensis (Ftt) and Ft subsp. holarctica (Fth), mainly distributed in North America and the whole northern hemisphere, respectively. Several routes of human infection with these bacteria exist, notably through bites of Ixodidae ticks. However, mosquitoes represent the main vectors of Fth in Scandinavia, where large tularemia outbreaks have occurred, usually during the warm season. The mechanisms making mosquitoes vectors of Fth are still unclear. This review covers the inventory of research work and epidemiological data linking tularemia to mosquitoes in Scandinavia and highlights the gaps in understanding mosquitoes and Ft interactions.


2021 ◽  
Vol 45 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kingsley Uchenna Ozioko ◽  
Chris Ikem Okoye ◽  
Patience Obiageli Ubachukwu ◽  
Raymond Awudu Agbu ◽  
Bede Izuchukwu Ezewudo ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Wildlife reservoirs not only act as a source of infection for vectors but also serve as hosts for the vectors themselves, supporting their populations. Their public health significance in developing countries is of growing importance as a result of zoonotic and enzootic diseases associated with the pathogens they transmit. Therefore, a study was carried out to determine the prevalence of ectoparasites of wild game in Nsukka, southeast Nigeria. Physical examinations were carried out on 143 wildlife, and laboratory identification was employed on the ectoparasites. The collected ectoparasites were identified in the laboratory using literature and with the help of a taxonomist. Results Out of the 143 game examined, 114 was infected with at least one parasite representing about 98.6% of an infestation. Among the parasites identified, Amblyomma spp. showed the highest prevalence of 24.5% at 95% confidential intervals of CI (1.45–3.19)–24.5% (p ≤ 0.05). No difference was observed in the prevalence of the ectoparasites according to sex, except for Ixodes holocyclus. Similarly, no difference was observed in prevalence with reference to age except for Rhipicephalus spp. and Polyplax spinulosa which showed differences. Conclusions The present study provides basic data about the most prevalent ectoparasitic arthropod among game in Nsukka, southeast Nigeria, which requires an evaluation of its zoonotic control measures. This work can elicit the risk of possible transmission of some zoonotic and enzootic diseases via game. Improving awareness among local people and bushmeat dealers about the risk of contracting a vector-borne disease through wildlife is crucial.


Author(s):  
O. B. Zlenko ◽  
O. S. Ignatenkov ◽  
K. V. Vinokurova ◽  
A. P. Gerilovych

The work aims to provide a study and report the case with a 47-year-old white man from urban-type settlement Oleksandrivka (Voznesensk District, Mykolaiv Region) diagnosed with pharyngitis, amygdalitis, polylymphoadenopathy, and buboadenitis caused by Francisella tularensis. The tularemia diagnosis in the patient was confirmed with agglutination test and western blot of patient’s blood serum in dilutions 1:100 and 1:200 respectively. The additional surveillance study (rodents, ticks, and water samples) in the surrounding area of the patient’s house showed positive results for F. tularensis in ticks in dilution 1:160++++


2021 ◽  
Vol 15 (10) ◽  
pp. e0009819
Author(s):  
Danya A. Dean ◽  
Gautham Gautham ◽  
Jair L. Siqueira-Neto ◽  
James H. McKerrow ◽  
Pieter C. Dorrestein ◽  
...  

Chagas disease (CD), caused by the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi, is one of nineteen neglected tropical diseases. CD is a vector-borne disease transmitted by triatomines, but CD can also be transmitted through blood transfusions, organ transplants, T. cruzi-contaminated food and drinks, and congenital transmission. While endemic to the Americas, T. cruzi infects 7–8 million people worldwide and can induce severe cardiac symptoms including apical aneurysms, thromboembolisms and arrhythmias during the chronic stage of CD. However, these cardiac clinical manifestations and CD pathogenesis are not fully understood. Using spatial metabolomics (chemical cartography), we sought to understand the localized impact of chronic CD on the cardiac metabolome of mice infected with two divergent T. cruzi strains. Our data showed chemical differences in localized cardiac regions upon chronic T. cruzi infection, indicating that parasite infection changes the host metabolome at specific sites in chronic CD. These sites were distinct from the sites of highest parasite burden. In addition, we identified acylcarnitines and glycerophosphocholines as discriminatory chemical families within each heart region, comparing infected and uninfected samples. Overall, our study indicated global and positional metabolic differences common to infection with different T. cruzi strains and identified select infection-modulated pathways. These results provide further insight into CD pathogenesis and demonstrate the advantage of a systematic spatial perspective to understand infectious disease tropism.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
MG Onyango ◽  
AF Payne ◽  
J Stout ◽  
C Dieme ◽  
L Kuo ◽  
...  

AbstractElizabethkingia anophelis has been the cause of four outbreaks with significant morbidity and mortality. Its transmission routes remain unknown and no point source of infection has been identified. Here we show that E. anophelis can be found in the saliva of Aedes mosquitoes, suggesting the novel possibility of vector-borne transmission of this bacterium. We additionally characterized diverse microbial communities in Aedes midguts, salivary glands and saliva. To the best of our knowledge, this represents the first description of the microbiome of Aedes saliva. Further, we demonstrate that increased abundance of E. anophelis is associated with decreased susceptibility and replication of Zika virus (ZIKV) in the midgut of Aedes mosquitoes, suggesting a novel transmission barrier for arboviruses transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes. Together, these results demonstrate the complex relationships between the mosquito, the midgut microbial community and arboviruses and offer insights into the epidemiology and control of emerging bacterial and viral pathogens.Author SummaryElizabethkingia anophelis has in the recent past caused outbreaks different parts of the world resulting both in morbidity and mortality. Until now, to the best of our knowledge, no study has been able to demonstrate that this bacterium can be transmitted by mosquitoes. We have demonstrated for the first time that Elizabethkingia anophelis is present in the saliva of both infected and non-infected Aedes mosquitoes. Further, we have shown that it confers an inhibitory effect on Zika virus establishment in the midguts of Aedes mosquitoes. Together, these results potentially display the potential for vector borne transmission of E. anophelis as well as a novel transmission barrier of ZIKV. Lastly, we have for the first time characterized salivary microbes of Aedes mosquitoes necessitating the investigation of the impact of salivary microbes in severity of disease in vertebrate hosts.


2020 ◽  
Vol 36 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Guilherme Paz Monteiro ◽  
Roberta Torres de Melo ◽  
Eliane Pereira Mendonça ◽  
Priscila Christen Nalevaiko ◽  
Mariela Moura Carreon ◽  
...  

Campylobacter spp. is an emerging pathogen that causes gastroenteritis in humans and the consumption of dairy food can characterize sources of infection. We aimed to verify the viability and a presence of transcripts associated with characteristics of virulence and adaptation of C. jejuni isolated from Minas Frescal cheeses, produced with contaminated milk and stored under refrigeration for up to ten days. The samples were analyzed for bioindicators, Campylobacter spp., pH, acidity, moisture and sodium chloride. Campylobacter spp. recovered were evaluated for the production of transcripts of: ciaB, dnaJ, p19 and sodB. The results were correlated with the viability of C. jejuni and changes in their transcriptome. Storage at low temperatures reduced C. jejuni from the first to the fourth day. The variations in humidity, pH and acidity influenced the decreasing of C. jejuni. There was a reduction in transcripts' production of the four genes, more pronounced on the fourth day, indicating the inability of the microorganism to perform its metabolic activities, due to the conditions of injury. Despite the presence of mechanisms of virulence and adaptation, C. jejuni could not remain viable four days after production. However, consumption of fresh cheese contaminated with Campylobacter jejuni can be a source of infection when consumed up to four days after production.


2018 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 50-57
Author(s):  
K. Lalchhandama

Scrub typhus is one the most important re-emerging infectious disease, and perhaps, the most important bacterial disease. Caused by Orientia tsutsugamushi, it is transmitted through the bite of mites belonging to the genus Leptotrombidium, in which the bacteria are obligate parasites. Though the mites are natural ectoparasites of rodents and other animals, in which there is no disease, opportunistic infection to humans gives rise to a serious disease. Known to Japanese physicians as tsutsugamushi (insect disease), human infection is caused by the larvae of trombiculid mites, the fact established by Mataro Nagayo and co-workers established in 1917. The pathogen was discovered by Naosuke Hayashi in 1920. In Mizoram, the disease has been rampant since 2011. This paper summarises available data on the prevalence of the infection in different districts base on collective information from various sources. Records between 2012 and 2018 show that over a thousand people had been infected and 35 people had died of the disease.


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