Serosurvey of Nonhuman Primates in Costa Rica at the Human–Wildlife Interface Reveals High Exposure to Flaviviruses

Arthropod-borne viruses belonging to the flavivirus genus possess an enormous relevance in public health. Neotropical non-human primates (NPs) have been proposed to be susceptible to flavivirus infections due to their arboreal and diurnal habits, their genetic similarity to humans, and their relative closeness to humans. However, the only known flavivirus in the American continent maintained by sylvatic cycles involving NPs is yellow fever virus (YFV), and NPs’ role as potential hosts of other flaviviruses is still unknown. Here, we examined flavivirus exposure in 86 serum samples including 83.7% samples from free-range and 16.3% from captive NPs living in flavivirus-endemic regions of Costa Rica. Serum samples were opportunistically collected throughout Costa Rica in 2000–2015. We used a highly specific micro-plaque reduction neutralization test (micro-PRNT) to determine the presence of antibodies against YFV, dengue virus 1–4 (DENV), Zika virus, West Nile virus (WNV), and Saint Louis encephalitis virus (SLEV). We found evidence of seropositive NPs with homotypic reactivity to SLEV 11.6% (10/86), DENV 10.5% (9/86), and WNV 2.3% (2/86). Heterotypic reactivity was determined in 3.5% (3/86) of individuals against DENV, 1.2% (1/86) against SLEV, and 1.2% (1/86) against WNV. We found that 13.9% (12/86) of NPs were positive for an undetermined flavivirus species. No antibodies against DENV-3, DENV-4, YFV, or ZIKV were found. This work provides compelling serological evidence of flavivirus exposure in Costa Rican NPs, in particular to DENV, SLEV, and WNV. The range of years of sampling and the region from where positives were detected coincide with those in which peaks of DENV in human populations were registered, suggesting bidirectional exposure due to human–wildlife contact or bridging vectors. Our work suggests the continuous exposure of wildlife populations to various flaviviruses of public health importance and underscores the necessity of further surveillance of flaviviruses at the human–wildlife interface in Central America.

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Sero - Prevalence and Risk Factors of Cattle and Human Brucellosis at Seka Chokorsa and Shebe Sonbo Jimma Zone Districts, South West Ethiopia

10.21203/rs.2.17190/v1 ◽

2019 ◽

Author(s):

Ftsum Assefa Tokon ◽

Benti Deresa Gelalcha ◽

Teferi Benti Moti ◽

Redeat Belaneh Alemu ◽

Hailu Degefu Awash

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Risk Factors ◽

Brucella Abortus ◽

Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽

Human Brucellosis ◽

Bacterial Disease ◽

Serum Samples ◽

Public Health Importance ◽

Herd Level ◽

Jimma Zone

Abstract Background: Brucellosis is contagious bacterial disease of major socio-economic and public health importance globally and it is also one of the priority zoonotic diseases in Ethiopia. Across-sectional epidemiological study was carried out from April 2017 to April 2018 to estimate the sero prevalence of bovine and human brucellosis and to assess the associated risk factors of brucellosis in Seka Chokorsa and Shebe Sonbo districts of Jimma zone. Results: The overall prevalence of cattle brucella infection at individual and herd level were 5.9% (95%CI: 4.1%-8.1%) and 26.6 (95%CI: 19.1%-35.3%) based on diagnosis using commercial kits of the competitive enzyme-linked Immunosorbent assay (CELISA) from Brucella abortus antibodies. Univariate logistic regression analysis at individual animal level showed that animals from large herd size and households which had a practice of introduction of new animals in their herds were 3.7 and 2.3 times more likely to be seropositive, respectively. The same scenario has been observed at herd level. Molecularly, five Brucella abortus was identified as the species affecting cattle in the study areas. From the total human serum samples tested only one serum was found to be positive for CFT and thus the prevalence is 0.42 %,( 95%CI: 0.01%-2.38%). From 238 respondents, 90% of them drink raw milk and milk products, and 70% of them also eat raw meat. Furthermore, slaughtering, assisting during delivery and poor management of aborted material is a common practice that favor transmission of the pathogen in the area. Conclusions: In conclusion, the results of this study showed that brucellosis is an important and widely distributed disease in cattle in the study areas. The finding of the infection in human indicates the public health importance of brucellosis in the area. The risk behaviors and practices observed suggests the need to design all-inclusive health programmes, such one-health approach aimed at controlling brucellosis spread in the study area.

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Seroprevalence and associated risk factors of leptospirosis in slaughter pigs; a neglected public health risk, western Kenya

BMC Veterinary Research ◽

10.1186/s12917-019-2159-3 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 15 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Jeremiah N. Ngugi ◽

Eric M. Fèvre ◽

Georgies F. Mgode ◽

Mark Obonyo ◽

Ginethon G. Mhamphi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Risk Factors ◽

Production Systems ◽

Lake Victoria ◽

Risk Groups ◽

Lake Victoria Basin ◽

Serum Samples ◽

Public Health Importance ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Slaughter Pigs

Abstract Background Leptospirosis is a neglected zoonosis of public health importance transmitted through contact with contaminated soil, water or urine of infected animals. In pigs the disease is characterized by abortion, still births and weak piglets. A cross-sectional study was conducted in May to July 2018 to estimate the sero-prevalence of leptospirosis and factors associated with seropositivity in slaughter pigs. A questionnaire was used to collect information on animal demographics. Serum was tested for anti-leptospiral antibodies using microscopic agglutination test (MAT) with a panel of 8 serovars. Sera were considered positive for sero-reactivity at a MAT titre ≥1:40 against at least one serovar. Chi-square tests were used to measure the strength of association between the MAT test result and exploratory variables. Results A total of 252 pig serum samples from seven slaughterhouses were tested for Leptospira antibodies by MAT. Of the 252 pigs sampled, 88.8% (244/252) were indigenous breeds; 55.6% (140/252) were female and 88.7% (220/252) were reared in extensive production systems. Eighty-three (32.9%; 83/252) sera samples tested positive on MAT against at least one serovar. Of the 8 serovars, the highest prevalence was recorded for serovar Lora 21.4% followed by Kenya 5.2%, Sokoine 3.6% and Grippotyphosa at 3.2%. Risk factors for leptospirosis seropositivity in pigs were: originating from farms with other types of livestock (OR 2.3; 95% CI 1.0–4.5) and mature pigs (OR 1.9; 95% CI 1.1–3.3). Conclusion This study demonstrates that there is a high prevalence of leptospirosis positive pigs at slaughter in a small-holder livestock keeping region of the Lake Victoria basin. The potential for cross species transmission of pathogenic serovars is highlighted as well as the potential for occupational exposure to slaughterhouse personnel. Improvements in husbandry practices (confinement and rodent control) and public health education among slaughterhouse workers and other high-risk groups is recommended.

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Fifteen years of human leptospirosis in São Paulo, Brazil

Journal of Epidemiological Research ◽

10.5430/jer.v2n1p56 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 2 (1) ◽

pp. 56 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Roberta M. Blanco ◽

Eliete C. Romero

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Age Groups ◽

Sao Paulo ◽

São Paulo ◽

Serum Samples ◽

Public Health Importance ◽

Pathogenic Leptospira ◽

Human Leptospirosis ◽

Leptospira Spp ◽

Seasonal Analysis

Objective: Leptospirosis is a worldwide zoonosis caused by pathogenic Leptospira spp. The aim of this study was to report theincidence of leptospirosis from 1998 to 2012 in the state of São Paulo, Brazil to show the importance of human leptospirosis andto describe some epidemiological characteristics.Methods: From January 1998 to December 2012, sera from patients with suspected leptospirosis were analyzed. The microscopicagglutination test (MAT) was used for serological investigations and MLST, serotyping and PFGE methods for the identificationof leptospires. The descriptive seasonal analysis was performed with Excel Microsoft version 2007. Pearson’s correlation wasused to assess the association between rainfall and the number of cases.Results: Among 22,795 serum samples, 2,430 cases of leptospirosis were laboratory confirmed, giving an average incidence rateof 1.35/100,000 inhabitants. Of these patients, 2,032 (83.62%) were male with a predominance in the age groups of 21-50 years.The highest incidence and rainfall were from December to April. There was correlation between the rainfall and the number ofcases. Icterohaemorrhagiae was the predominant serogroup.Conclusions: This study shows that leptospirosis is a seasonal disease in São Paulo with most cases occurring during the rainyseason, and thus, will continue to be a disease of public health importance.

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Use of a Surrogate Chimeric Virus To Detect West Nile Virus-Neutralizing Antibodies in Avian and Equine Sera

Clinical and Vaccine Immunology ◽

10.1128/cvi.00220-08 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 16 (1) ◽

pp. 134-135 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

Nicholas Komar ◽

Stanley Langevin ◽

Thomas P. Monath

Keyword(s):

West Nile Virus ◽

Neutralizing Antibodies ◽

Yellow Fever Virus ◽

Neutralizing Antibody ◽

Serum Samples ◽

West Nile ◽

Virus West Nile ◽

Antibody Titers ◽

Level 2 ◽

Biosafety Level

ABSTRACT A chimeric yellow fever virus/West Nile virus (WNV) was compared to WNV alone as a biosafety level 2 reagent in the plaque reduction neutralization test for determining WNV infection histories. Concordance was 96.3% among 188 avian and equine serum samples. Neutralizing antibody titers were frequently more than twofold lower with the chimera.

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Viral Agents of Gastroenteritis Public Health Importance and Outbreak Management

PsycEXTRA Dataset ◽

10.1037/e546112006-001 ◽

1990 ◽

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Public Health Importance ◽

Outbreak Management

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An Overview of Gambling in India

10.25259/gjmpbu_7_2020 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 15 ◽

pp. 4

Author(s):

Sanju George ◽

Jessy Fenn ◽

Kripa Robonderdeep

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Public Health Importance ◽

The World

Gambling is a popular pastime in India, as in most cultures across the world. Although research from India is limited, there is enough evidence to suggest that it should be of public health importance. In this brief paper, we look at the evolution of gambling in India and also discuss potential ways forward to address this issue.

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Reconciling Epidemiology’s Aspirations and Capabilities

American Journal of Epidemiology ◽

10.1093/aje/kwaa271 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

David A Savitz

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Epidemiologic Studies ◽

Public Health Importance ◽

Public Health Action ◽

Action Current ◽

Current Trends ◽

The Face ◽

Health Action ◽

New Challenges ◽

Health Applications

Abstract Interpreting the results of epidemiologic studies calls for objectivity and rigorous scrutiny, acknowledging the limitations that temper the applicability of the findings to public health action. Current trends have posed new challenges to balancing goal of scientific objectivity and validity with public health applications. The ongoing tension between epidemiology’s aspirations and capability has several sources: the need to overpromise in research proposals, compromising methodologic rigor because of public health importance, defending findings in the face of hostile critics, and appealing to core constituencies who have specific expectations from the research.

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Leptospirosis in Ruminants in Yogyakarta, Indonesia: A Serological Survey with Mixed Methods to Identify Risk Factors

Tropical Medicine and Infectious Disease ◽

10.3390/tropicalmed6020084 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 6 (2) ◽

pp. 84

Author(s):

Dyah Ayu Widiasih ◽

Johanna Frida Lindahl ◽

Wayan T. Artama ◽

Adi Heru Sutomo ◽

Pande Made Kutanegara ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Factor ◽

Management Practices ◽

Small Ruminants ◽

Case Fatality ◽

Open Water ◽

Serum Samples ◽

Public Health Importance ◽

Group Discussions ◽

The Individual ◽

And Behavior

Leptospirosis is a zoonotic disease occurring worldwide with reproductive symptoms and production losses in livestock, while humans can suffer fatal renal failure. In Yogyakarta Special Province, Indonesia, there have been several outbreaks with high case fatality, demonstrating the public health importance, but there is limited understanding of the epidemiology. This study used an EcoHealth approach to ensure transdisciplinarity and community participation. Seroprevalence of Leptospira in animals was studied between October 2011 and May 2013 in 15 villages. Serum samples from 1404 cattle and 60 small ruminants were screened by a Microscopic Agglutination Test (MAT), first in pools, and then the individual positive samples were identified. Focus group discussions including farmers, village officials, and official stakeholders were used to explore knowledge and behavior of zoonotic diseases, particularly leptospirosis. Two small ruminants were seropositive for Leptospira icterohemorrhagiae. From the cattle, 3.7% were seropositive, and the most common serovars were Leptospira hardjo, followed by L. icterohemorrhagiae. Out of all farms, 5.6% had at least one positive cattle. Risk factor analyses showed that the risk of the farm being seropositive increased if the farmer used water from an open source, or if farming was not the main occupation. This study showed the presence of Leptospira spp. in ruminants in Yogyakarta and identified use of open water as a risk factor for the livestock. We also observed that the knowledge related to leptospirosis was low, and risky farm management practices were commonly employed.

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First molecular detection of hepatitis E virus genome in camel and pig faecal samples in Ethiopia

Virology Journal ◽

10.1186/s12985-021-01626-9 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Fufa Dawo Bari ◽

Haimanot Belete Wodaje ◽

Umer Said ◽

Hika Waktole ◽

Melaku Sombo ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Hepatitis E Virus ◽

Addis Ababa ◽

Hepatitis E ◽

Human Infection ◽

Health Concern ◽

Universal Primers ◽

Viral Gene ◽

Public Health Importance ◽

Faecal Samples

Abstract Background Hepatitis E is an enteric and zoonotic disease caused by hepatitis E virus (HEV) that is mainly transmitted via the faecal-oral route through contaminated food or the environment. The virus is an emerging infectious agent causing acute human infection worldwide. A high seroprevalence of the disease was reported in pregnant women in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, raising significant public health concern. The presence of HEV specific antibodies were also reported in dromedary camels in the country; however, the infectious virus and/or the viral genome have not been demonstrated to date in animal samples. Methods To address this gap, a total of 95 faecal samples collected from both apparently healthy pigs of uncharacterised types (50 samples) in Burayu and Addis Ababa areas and camels (Camelus dromedarius, 45 samples) in west Hararghe were screened for the presence of HEV genome using universal primers in a fully nested reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (nRT-PCR). The protocol is capable of detecting HEV in faecal samples from both pigs and camels. Results The nRT-PCR detected HEV genes in six (12%) pig faecal samples and one camel sample (2.2%). Therefore, the results indicate that HEV is circulating in both pigs and camels in Ethiopia and these animals and their products could serve as a potential source of infection for humans. Conclusion The detection of HEV in both animals could raise another concern regarding its public health importance as both animals’ meat and camel milk are consumed in the country. Further studies to determine the prevalence and distribution of the virus in different animals and their products, water bodies, food chain, and vegetables are warranted, along with viral gene sequencing for detailed genetic characterisation of the isolates circulating in the country. This information is critically important to design and institute appropriate control and/or preventive measures.

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