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Pathogens
Special Issues
Zoonotic Disease Threats and Interventions
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Zoonotic Disease Threats and Interventions

A special issue of Pathogens (ISSN 2076-0817).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (28 February 2023) | Viewed by 15759

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Sally Jane Cutler

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Bioscience, School of Health, Sport and Bioscience, University of East London, London, UK
Interests: zoonoses; vector-borne infections; tick-borne diseases
Dr. Katja Mertens-Scholz

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Institute of Bacterial Infections and Zoonoses, Naumburger Str. 96a, 07743 Jena, Germany
Interests: zoonoses; q fever; intracellular bacteria; tick-borne diseases; bacterial stress response
Dr. Dimitrios Frangoulidis

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Bundeswehr Medical Service Headquarters VI-2, Munich, Germany
Interests: q fever; zoonoses; medical B-defense; molecular epidemiology; public health

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

We are preparing a Special Issue titled ´Zoonotic Disease Threats and Interventions´ within the journal Pathogens to showcase current knowledge, recommendations and strategies and to highlight controversies and knowledge gaps concerning various zoonotic diseases. Surveillance, prediction and intervention strategies are notoriously complex given the way that these pathogens are intertwined with their ecological transmission cycles. Infection risks vary as a result of both intrinsic and extrinsic forces but are certainly altered by direct or indirect anthropogenic influences from human activities such as climate change, high mobility and global trade. Indeed, this has been a driving force that has catapulted zoonotic infections to the forefront of infections of concern, accounting for epidemics and even pandemics of newly emerging or re-emerging diseases. Despite the high profile of emerging and re-emerging infections, these must not over-shadow the more insidious endemic zoonoses that account for considerable morbidity and mortality in both developed and developing nations. Delivery of several of the Millennium Goals is underpinned by control of zoonotic infections that impact upon health, wellbeing and poverty.

Within this Special Issue, we highlight ‘the state of the art’ regarding zoonotic infections, their prediction and intervention. We welcome original research papers, commentaries, reviews, guidelines and perspectives that present new insights in epidemiology, diagnostics, pathogen–vector interaction, host–pathogen interaction, animal–human interface, prediction and intervention of zoonotic diseases under the One Health approach to reduce risks of infectious diseases.

Prof. Dr. Sally Jane Cutler
Dr. Katja Mertens-Scholz
Dr. Dimitrios Frangoulidis
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Pathogens is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • one health
  • epidemiology
  • zoonoses
  • public health
  • veterinary health
  • vector-borne disease
  • surveillance

Published Papers (9 papers)

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Research

20 pages, 1465 KiB  
Article
Genetic Diversity and Population Structure of Mycobacterium bovis at the Human-Animal-Ecosystem Interface in France: “A One Health Approach”
by Anaïs Appegren, Maria Laura Boschiroli, Krystel De Cruz, Lorraine Michelet, Geneviève Héry-Arnaud, Marie Kempf, Philippe Lanotte, Pascale Bemer, Olivia Peuchant, Martine Pestel-Caron, Soumaya Skalli, Lucien Brasme, Christian Martin, Cecilia Enault, Anne Carricajo, Hélène Guet-Revillet, Michaël Ponsoda, Véronique Jacomo, Anne Bourgoin, Sabine Trombert-Paolantoni, Christian Carrière, Chloé Dupont, Guilhem Conquet, Lokman Galal, Anne-Laure Banuls and Sylvain Godreuiladd Show full author list remove Hide full author list
Pathogens 2023, 12(4), 548; https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens12040548 - 01 Apr 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1289
Abstract
Mycobacterium bovis infects cattle and wildlife, and also causes a small proportion of tuberculosis cases in humans. In most European countries, M. bovis infections in cattle have been drastically reduced, but not eradicated. Here, to determine the M. bovis circulation within and between [...] Read more.
Mycobacterium bovis infects cattle and wildlife, and also causes a small proportion of tuberculosis cases in humans. In most European countries, M. bovis infections in cattle have been drastically reduced, but not eradicated. Here, to determine the M. bovis circulation within and between the human, cattle, and wildlife compartments, we characterized by spoligotyping and mycobacterial interspersed repetitive unit-variable number tandem repeat (MIRU-VNTR) typing the genetic diversity of M. bovis isolates collected from humans, cattle, and wildlife in France from 2000 to 2010. We also assessed their genetic structure within and among the different host groups, and across time and space. The M. bovis genetic structure and its spatiotemporal variations showed different dynamics in the human and animal compartments. Most genotypes detected in human isolates were absent in cattle and wildlife isolates, possibly because in patients, M. bovis infection was contracted abroad or was the reactivation of an old lesion. Therefore, they did not match the genetic pool present in France during the study period. However, some human-cattle exchanges occurred because some genotypes were common to both compartments. This study provides new elements for understanding M. bovis epidemiology in France, and calls for increased efforts to control this pathogen worldwide. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Zoonotic Disease Threats and Interventions)
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6 pages, 224 KiB  
Communication
One Health—Key to Adequate Intervention Measures against Zoonotic Risks
by Dana A. Thal and Thomas C. Mettenleiter
Pathogens 2023, 12(3), 415; https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens12030415 - 06 Mar 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1517
Abstract
Zoonotic diseases are a heterogenous group of infections transmittable between humans and vertebrate animal species. Globally, endemic and emerging zoonoses are responsible for high social and economic costs. Due to the particular positioning of zoonoses at the human-animal-environment interface, zoonotic disease control is [...] Read more.
Zoonotic diseases are a heterogenous group of infections transmittable between humans and vertebrate animal species. Globally, endemic and emerging zoonoses are responsible for high social and economic costs. Due to the particular positioning of zoonoses at the human-animal-environment interface, zoonotic disease control is an integral part of One Health, which recognizes the close link between human, animal and ecosystem health. During recent years, the validity of the One Health approach has been recognized by academia and policy makers. However, gaps are still evident, particularly in the implementation of the concept as a unifying, integrated approach for different sectors and disciplines for the control of zoonoses. For example, while cooperation between human and veterinary medicine has made significant progress, networking with environmental sciences leaves room for improvement. Examination of individual intervention measures can help to gain valuable insights for future projects, and help to identify existing gaps. This is also a task for the One Health High-Level Expert Panel, which was established by WHO, OIE, FAO and UNEP to give science-based strategic advice on One Health measures. Overall, we should aim to learn from current situations, and to identify the best practice examples available, to continuously develop and improve One Health concepts for the control of zoonoses. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Zoonotic Disease Threats and Interventions)
19 pages, 11867 KiB  
Article
In Vitro Investigation of the Antibacterial Activity of Nine Commercial Water Disinfectants, Acidifiers, and Glyceride Blends against the Most Important Poultry Zoonotic Bacteria
by Tilemachos Mantzios, Vasilios Tsiouris, Konstantinos Kiskinis, Vangelis Economou, Evanthia Petridou, Anestis Tsitsos, Apostolos Patsias, Ioanna Apostolou, Georgios A. Papadopoulos, Ilias Giannenas and Paschalis Fortomaris
Pathogens 2023, 12(3), 381; https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens12030381 - 27 Feb 2023
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1943
Abstract
Identifying and monitoring the efficiency of alternative biocides that are presently used in livestock is gaining vast attention. The objective of this study was to determine, in vitro, the antibacterial activity of nine commercial water disinfectants, acidifiers, and glyceride blends against clinical isolates [...] Read more.
Identifying and monitoring the efficiency of alternative biocides that are presently used in livestock is gaining vast attention. The objective of this study was to determine, in vitro, the antibacterial activity of nine commercial water disinfectants, acidifiers, and glyceride blends against clinical isolates or reference strains of zoonotic pathogens belonging to the genera Escherichia spp., Salmonella spp., Campylobacter spp., Listeria spp., and Staphylococcus spp. For each product, the antibacterial activity was tested in concentrations ranging from 0.002 to 1.136% v/v and expressed as the minimum concentration of the product that inhibits bacterial growth (MIC). Water disinfectants Cid 2000™ and Aqua-clean® recorded MICs ranging from 0.002 to 0.142% v/v, while the lowest MICs were recorded at two strains of Campylobacter (0.002–0.004% v/v). Virkon® S displayed various MICs (0.013–0.409% w/v) and was highly effective at suppressing the growth of Gram-positive bacteria such as S. aureus (0.013–0.026% w/v). The MICs of water acidifiers (Agrocid Super™Oligo, Premium acid, and Ultimate acid) and glyceride blends (CFC Floramix, FRA®LAC34, and FRA®Gut Balance) ranged from 0.036 to 1.136% v/v, and for most of these products, MICs were closely correlated by their ability to modify the pH of the culture medium close to 5. In conclusion, most of the tested products showed promising antibacterial activity; as a result, they would be good candidates for pathogen control in poultry farms and for reducing the emergence of antimicrobial resistance. However, further in vivo studies are recommended to provide relevant information for the underlying mechanisms, as well as for the establishment of the optimal dosage scheme for each product and their possible synergies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Zoonotic Disease Threats and Interventions)
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14 pages, 1701 KiB  
Article
Ticks and Rickettsiae Associated with Wild Animals Sold in Bush Meat Markets in Cameroon
by Archile Paguem, Kingsley Manchang, Pierre Kamtsap, Alfons Renz, Sabine Schaper, Gerhard Dobler, Deon K. Bakkes and Lidia Chitimia-Dobler
Pathogens 2023, 12(2), 348; https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens12020348 - 19 Feb 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1532
Abstract
Ticks are obligate blood-sucking parasites of wild animals and transmit many zoonotic microorganisms that can spread to domesticated animals and then to humans. In Cameroon, little is known about tick diversity among wildlife, especially for animals which are hunted for human consumption. Therefore, [...] Read more.
Ticks are obligate blood-sucking parasites of wild animals and transmit many zoonotic microorganisms that can spread to domesticated animals and then to humans. In Cameroon, little is known about tick diversity among wildlife, especially for animals which are hunted for human consumption. Therefore, this survey was undertaken to investigate tick and Rickettsia species diversity parasitizing the wild animals sold in bush meat markets in Cameroon. In total, 686 ticks were collected and identified to the species level based on morphology, and some were genetically analyzed using the 16S rRNA gene. Eighteen tick species belonging to five genera were identified: Amblyomma spp. (Amblyomma compressum, Amblyomma flavomaculatum, and Amblyomma variegatum), Haemaphysalis spp. (Haemaphysalis camicasi, Haemaphysalis houyi, Haemaphysalis leachi, and Haemaphysalis parmata), Hyalomma spp. (Hyalomma nitidum, Hyalomma rufipes, and Hyalomma truncatum), Ixodes spp. (Ixodes rasus and Ixodes moreli), and Rhipicephalus spp. (Rhipicephalus guilhoni, Rhipicephalus moucheti, Rhipicephalus muhsamae, Rhipicephalus microplus, Rhipicephalus camicasi, and Rhipicephalus linnaei). In terms of Rickettsia important for public health, two Rickettsia spp., namely Rickettsia aeschlimannii and Rickettsia africae, were detected in Hyalomma spp. and Amblyomma spp., respectively. Distinct tick–pathogen patterns were present for divergent sequences of R. africae associated with exclusively A. variegatum vectors (type strain) versus vectors comprising A. compressum, A. flavomaculatum, and A. variegatum. This suggests possible effects of vector species population dynamics on pathogen population circulation dynamics. Furthermore, Candidatus Rickettsia africaustralis was detected for the first time in Cameroon in I. rasus. This study highlights the high diversity of ticks among wildlife sold in bush meat markets in Cameroon. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Zoonotic Disease Threats and Interventions)
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12 pages, 986 KiB  
Article
Presence of Anaplasma phagocytophilum Ecotype I in UK Ruminants and Associated Zoonotic Risk
by Laura Bianchessi, Mara Silvia Rocchi, Madeleine Maley, Kayleigh Allen, Keith Ballingall and Lauretta Turin
Pathogens 2023, 12(2), 216; https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens12020216 - 30 Jan 2023
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1521
Abstract
Anaplasma phagocytophilum is the causative agent of tick-borne fever in sheep, pasture fever in cattle, and granulocytic anaplasmosis in humans. The increasing prevalence and transboundary spread of A. phagocytophilum in livestock, ticks, and wildlife in the UK poses a potential zoonotic risk that [...] Read more.
Anaplasma phagocytophilum is the causative agent of tick-borne fever in sheep, pasture fever in cattle, and granulocytic anaplasmosis in humans. The increasing prevalence and transboundary spread of A. phagocytophilum in livestock, ticks, and wildlife in the UK poses a potential zoonotic risk that has yet to be estimated. Several ecotypes of A. phagocytophilum show variable zoonotic potential. To evaluate the possible risk associated with the transmission of A. phagocytophilum from ruminants to humans, the ecotype was determined by sequencing the groEL gene from 71 positive blood and tissue samples from UK ruminants. Thirty-four groEL sequences were obtained, fourteen of which were identified in multiple samples. Of the 13 nucleotide polymorphisms identified through pairwise comparison, all corresponded to synonymous substitutions. The subsequent phylogenetic estimation of the relationship with other European/world isolates indicated that all the groEL sequences clustered with other ecotype I sequences. The presence of ecotype I closely reflects that observed in ruminants in continental Europe and suggests a lower risk of zoonotic transmission from this reservoir. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Zoonotic Disease Threats and Interventions)
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21 pages, 6165 KiB  
Article
Comparative Analysis of Tick-Borne Relapsing Fever Spirochaetes from Ethiopia and Nigeria
by Adefolake A. Bankole, Bersissa Kumsa, Gezahegne Mamo, Ndudim I. Ogo, Nusirat Elelu, Winston Morgan and Sally J. Cutler
Pathogens 2023, 12(1), 81; https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens12010081 - 03 Jan 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1734
Abstract
Despite increasing reports of tick-borne diseases in Africa, remarkably, reports of tick-borne relapsing fever (TBRF) in Nigeria are lacking. Ornithodoros savignyi from Nigeria have been reported with the relapsing fever Candidatus Borrelia kalaharica. Conversely, in Ethiopia, the agent of relapsing fever is the [...] Read more.
Despite increasing reports of tick-borne diseases in Africa, remarkably, reports of tick-borne relapsing fever (TBRF) in Nigeria are lacking. Ornithodoros savignyi from Nigeria have been reported with the relapsing fever Candidatus Borrelia kalaharica. Conversely, in Ethiopia, the agent of relapsing fever is the louse-borne relapsing fever (LBRF) spirochaete Borrelia recurrentis with no TBRF reported to occur. A total of 389 Ornithodoros ticks, Ethiopia (N = 312) and Nigeria (N = 77), were sampled, together with 350 cattle, and 200 goat sera were collected from Nigeria. Samples were screened for Borrelia spp. by RT-PCR. Reactive samples were confirmed, then sequenced using flagellin B, 16S rRNA, and 16S–23S intergenic spacer region. The prevalence of Borrelia spp. in livestock was 3.8% (21/550) and 14% (3/21) after final molecular confirmation. Of 312 ticks from Ethiopia, 3.5% (11/312) were positive for Borrelia, with 36% (4/11) by conventional PCR. Sequencing revealed that the borreliae in soft ticks was C. B. kalaharica, whilst that found in animals was Borrelia theileri. Soft ticks were confirmed by sequencing 7% (22/312) and 12% (9/77) of the Ethiopian and Nigerian ticks, respectively. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that these were Ornithodoros savignyi. This is the first evidence of C. B. kalaharica in Ethiopia and demonstrates the co-existence of TBRF in a country endemic to LBRF. Important, this might cause a diagnostic challenge given that LBRF is predominantly diagnosed by microscopy, which cannot differentiate these two spirochaetes. Furthermore, we report B. theileri in ruminants in Nigeria, which may also be of veterinary and economic importance. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Zoonotic Disease Threats and Interventions)
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14 pages, 1570 KiB  
Article
Phenotype of Coxiella burnetii Strains of Different Sources and Genotypes in Bovine Mammary Gland Epithelial Cells
by Katharina Sobotta, Katharina Bonkowski, Carsten Heydel, Klaus Henning and Christian Menge
Pathogens 2022, 11(12), 1422; https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens11121422 - 26 Nov 2022
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1293
Abstract
Despite the high prevalence of C. burnetii in dairy herds and continuous shedding via milk by chronically infected cows, bovine milk is not recognized as a relevant source of human Q fever. We hypothesized that the bovine mammary gland epithelial cell line PS [...] Read more.
Despite the high prevalence of C. burnetii in dairy herds and continuous shedding via milk by chronically infected cows, bovine milk is not recognized as a relevant source of human Q fever. We hypothesized that the bovine mammary gland epithelial cell line PS represents a suitable in vitro model for the identification of C. burnetii-strain-specific virulence properties that may account for this discrepancy. Fifteen C. burnetii strains were selected to represent different host species and multiple loci variable number of tandem repeat analysis (MLVA) genotypes (I, II, III and IV). The replication efficiencies of all strains were similar, even though strains of the MLVA-genotype II replicated significantly better than genotype I strains, and bovine and ovine isolates replicated better than caprine ones. Bovine milk isolates replicated with similar efficiencies to isolates from other bovine organs. One sheep isolate (Cb30/14, MLVA type I, isolated from fetal membranes) induced a remarkable up-regulation of IL-1β and TNF-α, whereas prototypic strains and bovine milk isolates tended to suppress pro-inflammatory responses. While infection with strain Nine Mile I rendered the cells partially refractory to re-stimulation with E. coli lipopolysaccharide, Cb30/14 exerted a selective suppressive effect which was restricted to IL-6 and TNF-α and spared IL-1β. PS cells support the replication of different strains of C. burnetii and respond in a strain-specific manner, but isolates from bovine milk did not display a common pattern, which distinguishes them from strains identified as a public health concern. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Zoonotic Disease Threats and Interventions)
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14 pages, 5831 KiB  
Article
Differentially Represented Proteins in Response to Infection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis Identified by Quantitative Serum Proteomics in Asian Elephants
by Margarita Villar, Rajesh Man Rajbhandari, Sara Artigas-Jerónimo, Marinela Contreras, Amir Sadaula, Dibesh Karmacharya, Paulo Célio Alves, Christian Gortázar and José de la Fuente
Pathogens 2022, 11(9), 1010; https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens11091010 - 03 Sep 2022
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2239
Abstract
Tuberculosis is a major global concern. Tuberculosis in wildlife is a risk for zoonotic transmission and becoming one of the challenges for conservation globally. In elephants, the number of cases is likely rising. The aim of this study was to identify proteins related [...] Read more.
Tuberculosis is a major global concern. Tuberculosis in wildlife is a risk for zoonotic transmission and becoming one of the challenges for conservation globally. In elephants, the number of cases is likely rising. The aim of this study was to identify proteins related to tuberculosis infection in elephants, which could then be used for the development of diagnostic tools and/or vaccines. A serum proteomics approach was used to characterize differentially represented proteins in response to Mycobacterium tuberculosis in Asian elephants (Elaphas maximus). Blood samples were collected from eight elephants, four of which were antibody positive for tuberculosis and four were antibody negative. Proteomics analysis identified 26 significantly dysregulated proteins in response to tuberculosis. Of these, 10 (38%) were identified as immunoglobulin and 16 (62%) as non-immunoglobulin proteins. The results provided new information on the antibody response to mycobacterial infection and biomarkers associated with tuberculosis and protective response to mycobacteria in Asian elephants. Protective mechanisms included defense against infection (Alpha-1-B glycoprotein A1BG, Serpin family A member 1 SERPINA1, Transthyretin TTR), neuroprotection (TTR), and reduced risks of inflammation, infections, and cancer (SERPINA1, Keratin 10 KRT10). Using a translational biotechnology approach, the results provided information for the identification of candidate diagnostic, prognostic, and protective antigens for monitoring and control of tuberculosis in Asian elephants. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Zoonotic Disease Threats and Interventions)
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7 pages, 225 KiB  
Article
First Molecular Detection of Zoonotic Chlamydia Species in Vietnamese Goats
by Valentina Chisu, Rosanna Zobba, Giovanna Masala, Thanh Loan Tran, Quynh Tram Ngo Viet, Dinh Binh Tran, Hoang Bach Nguyen, Khanh Toan Tran and Alberto Alberti
Pathogens 2022, 11(8), 903; https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens11080903 - 10 Aug 2022
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1448
Abstract
The genus Chlamydia comprises obligate intracellular bacteria that infect a wide variety of hosts, with infection leading to a range of diseases in humans and animals; they thus constitute a major public health threat. Among the members of the Chlamydiaceae family, Chlamydia suis, [...] Read more.
The genus Chlamydia comprises obligate intracellular bacteria that infect a wide variety of hosts, with infection leading to a range of diseases in humans and animals; they thus constitute a major public health threat. Among the members of the Chlamydiaceae family, Chlamydia suis, C. abortus, C. pecorum, and C. psittaci represent the most important pathogenic species infecting a large range of hosts and are a well-established threat to livestock. Information regarding the circulation of Chlamydia species in ruminants from Vietnam is lacking. In this study, DNA extracted from 60 blood samples collected from goats in Hue province was used for Chlamydia spp. identification by classic PCR and Sanger sequencing. Chlamydia spp. were detected in eleven samples (18.3%) and C. abortus and C. psittaci were molecularly identified by sequencing. Despite the limited sample size in this study, findings point out the relevance of ruminants as hosts of chlamydial species in Central Vietnam and the importance of monitoring chlamydial strains through the activation of surveillance programs in this country. The need for a deeper evaluation of human and animal health risk analysis in terms of chlamydiosis should be also considered. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Zoonotic Disease Threats and Interventions)
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