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PubMed2003

Biochemical and biophysical analysis of heptad repeat regions from the fusion protein of Menangle virus, a newly emergent paramyxovirus.

Menangle virus is a novel paramyxovirus isolated in Australia in 1997, but its classification position has not yet been finally settled. Here by using a computational program, LearnCoil-VMF, we determined the heptad repeat (HR) regions (HR1 and HR2) of Menangle virus F protein. Subsequently the HR1 and HR2 peptides were expressed as a single chain (named 2-Helix) connected by a six amino-acid linker as a GST fusion protein with an E. coli in vitro expression system. The GST-removed purified 2-Helix protein could form a stable trimer in vitro judging by gel-filtration and chemical cross-linking. CD spectra showed that the 2-Helix protein had a high percentage of alpha-helix and was very thermo-stable. Crystals of the 2-Helix protein preparations have been obtained in many conditions with hanging-drop diffusion method. These results indicated that Menangle virus has the common features of the fusion protein for other paramyxoviruses and should adopt a similar fusion mechanism to other members. As the HR regions of Menangle virus F protein could form stable six-helix bundle coiled coil structure, they should be used as drug target for the design of fusion inhibitors, as successfully used for other parmyxoviruses. This is especially relevant to such a newly emergent virus with zoonotic potentials.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1991

Critical comparison of Giardia duodenalis from Australia and Switzerland using isoenzyme electrophoresis.

Isoenzyme electrophoresis using 13 enzyme systems was applied to 31 Australian and 7 Swiss isolates of Giardia of human, cat, cattle, dog, sheep and rat origin. The Portland (ATCC No. 30888) reference strain was also included. The 39 isolates were divided into 22 different zymodemes. These consisted of 19 zymodemes containing the P1 and Australian isolates and three zymodemes containing Swiss isolates only. Differences in enzyme profiles between zymodemes was measured by euclidean distance and it was found that Australian isolates of Giardia exhibited more variation than the Swiss isolates. Relationships between zymodemes determined by clustering analysis are discussed with particular reference to the zoonotic potential of Giardia.

Animals↗
PubMed1993

Molecular variation in Giardia.

Molecular characterisation of species within the genus Giardia has revealed that much of the phenotypic heterogeneity, particularly within the species G. duodenalis, has a genetic basis. The source of this genetic variation appears to arise from predominantly asexual, clonal reproduction, although occasional bouts of sexual reproduction cannot be ruled out. Genetic variation is extensive with some clones widely distributed and others seemingly unique and localised to a particular endemic focus. Little attention has been given to the molecular epidemiology of Giardia infections. Future studies should be directed at studying the ecology and dynamics of transmission of Giardia clones, particularly in localised areas, and to evaluating the factors that serve to maintain genetic diversity between clones, especially the role of inter-clonal competition. Future research using molecular techniques should aim to identify and follow Giardia clones in nature and correlate genetic typing with important clinical and epidemiological characteristics such as virulence, drug sensitivity and zoonotic potential.

Animals↗
PubMed1985

The prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii antibodies in man in Plateau State and meat animals in Nigeria.

Toxoplasma gondii antibodies were found in the sera of 22.86% of people in the Jos area of Plateau State, Nigeria. The incidence of antibodies in Nigerian food animals was 17.40%, the highest being in sheep (21.92%) and lowest in goats (13.88%). Cattle and horses were roughly equally infected--about 17.0%. The zoonotic potential of T. gondii in food animals is stressed and epidemiological factors are reviewed.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1988

A critical look at the importance, prevalence and control of toxocariasis and the possibilities of immunological control.

The visceral infection of humans with Toxocara canis is particularly prevalent in children and may cause a variety of symptoms that commonly persist for 6-24 months. The ocular infection usually causes permanent loss of visual acuity. Human infection is acquired by ingestion of embryonated T. canis eggs with contaminated dirt. Review of recent reports indicates that patent T. canis infection is widely prevalent in the general population of dogs all over the world (3-81%) and results in a substantial contamination of the ground (0.3-87%). The results of sensitive and specific serological tests suggest that about 7% of the clinically healthy human population of the United States, about 5% of that of Canada, and about 4% of that in Great Britain is infected with the parasite. Control of transmission of the parasite to man is often attempted by eliminating the infection in dogs, reducing the population of dogs and the environmental contamination with their feces, and educating the public about the zoonotic potential of toxocariasis. The evidence reviewed indicates that these methods are only marginally effective. Because T. canis relies on congenital and lactogenic transmission to persist in nature, only a procedure that effects the sustained killing of the reservoir larvae in the tissues of the bitch, or of newly-acquired parasites, is expected to be successful. Research with mice, rabbits and dogs demonstrated that prior infections of the host induce the development of protective immunity to reinfections. This procedure, however, leaves remnant populations of larvae from the immunizing infections that are resistant to anthelmintics and to the effect of prior irradiation. Hyperimmunization with partially-purified extracts of T. canis larvae induced 37% resistance to a challenge in mice when the extract was administered alone, and 76% resistance when administered with lipopolysaccharide adjuvant. Production of complete resistance, however, will probably require the prior control of the immunosuppression induced by the parasite. T. canis infections inhibit the production of homologous protective immunity and antibody responses to heterologous antigens, probably by interfering with the activity of helper T-cells, competing with protective antigens, and suppressing antibody synthesis. The evidence indicates, however, that an anti-T. canis vaccine to eliminate the parasite in dogs is feasible.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

Giardiasis and cryptosporidiosis in ruminants.

Although they differ considerably with respect to their biology, both Giardia duodenalis and Cryptosporidium parvum are common in ruminants, whereas Cryptosporidium andersoni is not. G. duodenalis infections are acquired during the first few months of life, tend to be chronic, and may be a production-limiting disease of ruminants. C. parvum infections remain an important cause of diarrhea in neonatal ruminants. Abomasal cryptosporidiosis, caused by C. andersoni, is an emerging disease of cattle that may affect both beef and dairy herds. This article reviews the life cycles, production impacts, treatments, controls, and zoonotic potentials of these important ruminant parasites.

Animals↗
PubMed2004

Detection of Helicobacter pylori in bile of cats.

Lymphocytic cholangitis (LC) in cats is a biliary disease of unknown etiology. Helicobacter spp. were recently implicated in human primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) and primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC). Because of the similarities between PSC/PBC with LC, we hypothesized that Helicobacter spp. are involved in feline LC. A PCR with Helicobacter genus-specific 16S rRNA primers was performed on DNA isolated from feline bile samples. Four of the 15 (26%) LC samples were positive, whereas only 8/51 (16%) of non-LC samples were PCR positive (p=0.44). Sequence analysis of the amplicons revealed a 100% identity with the Helicobacter pylori specific DNA fragments. Our data suggest an etiological role of H. pylori in feline LC and that cats are a potential zoonotic reservoir.

Animals↗
PubMed2025

Genomic evidence of active circulation of Orthobunyavirus in Ecuador.

BACKGROUND: Between 2023 and 2025, the largest Oropouche fever epidemic recorded in history unfolded across Brazil seeding cases throughout Latin America. In 2024, three cases of Oropouche fever were reported in Ecuador. METHODS: An Oropouche fever case detected in Bolívar Province in June 2024 was preliminarily diagnosed as Oropouche virus (OROV) through RT-qPCR and was further processed using next-generation sequencing. RESULTS: Segments L and S of this virus forms a monophyly with another sequence circulating in Ecuador in April 2024 (i.e. PQ863772.1 isolate Ecuador traveler), with an uncertain province origin. Both sequences differ from previous OROV Ecuadorian sequences detected in 2016 and from the OROV strain driving the 2023-2025 epidemic in Brazil. CONCLUSIONS: Orthobunyavirus oropoucheense has an endemic circulation in Ecuador. Genomic surveillance of Orthobunyavirus in Ecuador and other regions should be actively pursued-independent of epidemics-to anticipate potential zoonotic outbreaks.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Genotyping of Giardia in Dutch patients and animals: a phylogenetic analysis of human and animal isolates.

Giardia duodenalis (syn. Giardia lamblia, Giardia intestinalis) is a protozoan organism that can infect the intestinal tract of many animal species including mammals. Genetic heterogeneity of G. duodenalis is well described but the zoonotic potential is still not clear. In this study, we analysed 100 Giardia DNA samples directly isolated from human stool specimens, to get more insight in the different G. duodenalis assemblages present in the Dutch human population. Results showed that these human isolates could be divided into two main Assemblages A and B within the G. duodenalis group on the basis of PCR assays specific for the Assemblages A and B and the DNA sequences of 18S ribosomal RNA and the glutamate dehydrogenase (gdh) genes. Genotyping results showed that G. duodenalis isolates originating from Dutch human patients belonged in 35% of the cases to Assemblage A (34/98) and in 65% of the cases to Assemblage B (64/98) whereas two human cases remained negative in all assays tested. In addition, we compared these human samples with animal samples from the Netherlands and human and animal samples from other countries. A phylogenetic analysis was carried out on the DNA sequences obtained from these Giardia and those available in GenBank. Using gdh DNA sequence analysis, human and animal Assemblage A and B Giardia isolates could be identified. However, phylogenetic analysis revealed different sub-clustering for human and animal isolates where host-species-specific assemblages (C, D, E, F and G) could be identified. The geographic origin of the human and animal samples was not a discriminating factor.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

Calodium hepaticum (syn. Capillaria hepatica) in captive rodents in a zoological garden.

Calodium hepaticum infection was diagnosed in the Bristol Zoo Gardens in 13 captive rodents of four species that died or were humanely killed over a 40-month period. Of these infected animals, nine were black-tailed prairie dogs (Cynomus ludovicianus), representing 45% of the members of this species examined during the study. A wild rat (Rattus norvegicus) found dead in an enclosure was also infected. To date few cases of C. hepaticum infection have been reported in the UK. The number of cases diagnosed in this urban zoo may be explained by the potentially high prevalence of infection in urban rat populations and increased risk of exposure of zoo animals kept in enclosures to which rats have access. As C. hepaticum is potentially zoonotic, members of staff in zoos should be careful to avoid soil-to-mouth contact, particularly in prairie dog enclosures.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

In vitro and in vivo replication of seal gammaherpesviruses in cells of multiple species.

Phocid herpesvirus virus type 2 (PhHV-2), a putative gammaherpesvirus of seals, has been isolated from harbor seals (Phoca vitulina) and grey seals (Halichoerus grypus). In the present study, different PhHV-2 isolates were shown to have a broad in vitro tropism for various cell types from several mammalian species. Inbred mice and two species of non-human primates proved to be susceptible to experimental infection with PhHV-2. The development of myoepitheliomas and spleen hyperplasia upon cyclosporin A treatment in some of the PhHV-2-infected animals warrants further investigation of the oncogenic and zoonotic potential of this virus.

Animals↗
PubMed2004

Disseminated lethal Encephalitozoon cuniculi (genotype III) infections in cotton-top tamarins (Oedipomidas oedipus)--a case report.

For the first time, Encephalitozoon (E.) cuniculi genotype III ('dog strain') was verified in two cotton-top tamarins (Oedipomidas oedipus) by light microscopy, immunohistochemistry, electron microscopy, PCR and sequencing. The animals had a disseminated lethal infection with this protist. In earlier reports, genotype III had been found only in domestic dogs, man, emperor tamarins (Saguinus imperator) and golden lion tamarins (Leontopithecus rosalia). This investigation establishes now that the 'dog strain' can occur in cotton-top tamarins too. This is further evidence for the zoonotic potential of E. cuniculi. Furthermore, free E. cuniculi spores were identified also in blood vessels of several tissues. These findings indicate that during a disseminated infection E. cuniculi spores can occur in peripheral blood, too. We propose that blood should also be included in the investigations for the detection of microsporidia, so that a possible disseminated course of an infection can be detected.

Animals↗
PubMed2026

Population structure and antibiotic resistance of Salmonella isolates from diseased poultry in Jiangxi Province, China.

Salmonella poses a significant threat to human and animal health. However, the relationship among population diversity, antibiotic resistance, and infection risk remains largely unexplored. In this study, 69 Salmonella strains were isolated from diseased poultry in Jiangxi Province from 2021 to 2024. Using whole-genome sequencing, serotype prediction, MLST, virulence and resistance gene analysis, antibiotic susceptibility testing, and mobile genetic element annotation, we characterized the diversity, resistance profiles, and transmission mechanisms of these strains. The results showed high diversity, with Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica serovar Typhimurium (>60%) and ST19 (62.31%) as the dominant serovar and sequence type, respectively. Several avian isolates were genomically similar to human isolates, indicating potential zoonotic risk. All strains harbored conserved core virulence modules, whereas accessory modules (e.g., cdtB, astA, pefA) varied and may affect pathogenicity. The multidrug resistance rate was 97.1%, with 100% resistance to erythromycin, tilmicosin and tiamulin, and resistance rates of 91.3%, 84.1%, and 71.0% to sulfonamides, enrofloxacin, and ceftiofur, respectively. Sixty-eight resistance genes were identified. Highly conserved antimicrobial resistance gene (ARG) modules (e.g., sul2-aph(3″)-Ib-aph(6')-Id-tet(A)) were shared between chromosomes and plasmids and were flanked by mobile elements such as Tn3 and IS3. Genomic islands (GIs) and plasmids in some strains carried resistance gene clusters highly homologous to those in pathogens from humans, pigs, and chickens, suggesting active horizontal transfer of resistance genes across hosts. This study revealed high diversity, prevalent multidrug resistance, and active horizontal transfer of resistance genes in avian-derived Salmonella from Jiangxi Province, emphasizing the need for cross-host resistance monitoring and antibiotic management within the 'One Health' framework.

Horizontal gene transfer↗
PubMed2005

Unravelling Cryptosporidium and Giardia epidemiology.

Molecular biology has provided insights into the taxonomy and epidemiology of Cryptosporidium and Giardia, which are major causes of protozoal diarrhoea in humans worldwide. For both genera, previously unrecognized differences in disease, symptomatology, zoonotic potential, risk factors and environmental contamination have been identified using molecular tools that are appropriate for species, genotype and subtype analysis. In this article, to improve understanding of the epidemiology of cryptosporidiosis and giardiasis, we consider specific requirements for the development of more-effective molecular identification and genotyping systems that should be applicable to both clinical and environmental samples.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

Towards improved influenza A virus surveillance in migrating birds.

The last decade has seen a marked increase in highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) outbreaks around the world. This increase and the zoonotic potential of some of the HPAI viruses are of great concern to animal and public health as well as biodiversity. It is now well recognized that global influenza virus surveillance in wild birds can play a key role in the early recognition of and preparation for these threats. Here we summarize the most important results from our wild bird surveillance studies in Northern Europe over the last 8 years and conclude that surveillance studies in wild birds are indeed useful to generate prototypic vaccine candidates and to design and evaluate diagnostic tests, prior to the occurrence of outbreaks in animals and humans. Through this 8-year experience we also identified gaps in our knowledge on influenza A viruses and their natural hosts which may help to assist in the design of improved surveillance studies. This is particularly relevant if wild bird surveillance studies are used as an "early warning system" for the arrival of the H5N1 HPAI virus in a country or region and to assess the risk posed by these viruses in general.

Animals↗
PubMed2004

Prevalence of Brucella pinnipediae in healthy hooded seals (Cystophora cristata) from the North Atlantic Ocean and ringed seals (Phoca hispida) from Svalbard.

Investigations for Brucella-infections were conducted in 29 hooded seals (Cystophora cristata) caught between Svalbard and Greenland (North Atlantic Ocean; Greenland Sea) autumn 2002, and from 20 ringed seals (Phoca hispida) caught in Billefjord, Svalbard, spring 2003. All animals were apparently healthy and were caught in their natural habitat. Bacteriology on tissue samples from ringed seals was negative, whereas Brucella sp. were recovered in tissues from 11 of the 29 hooded seals (38%), with the highest tissue prevalence in spleen (9/29) and lung lymph nodes (9/24). Anti-Brucella antibodies were detected in sera from 9 hooded seals (31%) (EDTA-modified Slow Agglutination test of Wright, Rose Bengal test, Complement Fixation Test, and Protein-A ELISA). The bacterial isolates all belonged to the genus Brucella according to classical biotyping and PCR analysis based on Insertion Sequence IS711, and were shown to be typical marine mammal strains, based on the occurrence of an IS711 element downstream of the bp26 gene. Their dependency on CO2 for growth, and the presence of one copy each of the omp2a and omp2b gene finally classified them as Brucella pinnipediae. Furthermore, all the hooded seal isolates showed an A+ M+ agglutination profile, which is different from the profile of reference seal strain 2/94 (harbour seal, Phoca vitulina). Thus, these results indicate that B. pinnipediae may contain different biovars. The present results suggest that infection with B. pinnipediae is enzootic in this population. Since the hooded seal is commercially hunted and consumed in Norway, the pathological impact of such infections and their zoonotic potential should be further addressed.

Agglutination Tests↗
PubMed2004

Light and scanning electron microscopy of the miracidium of Echinostoma paraensei (Trematoda, Echinostomatidae).

Echinostoma paraensei was described 1967 by Lie and Basch. Recently its natural definitive host, the aquatic rodent Nectomys squamipes, endemic in Brazil, was identified. As most of the echinostomatids, this species presents a zoonotic potential. The morphology and topography of the E. paraensei miracidium obtained from adult worms collected from the natural definitive host N. squamipes is described by light and electron microscopy. The arrangement and the dimensions of the epidermal plates are given. The eyespots are composed by two pairs of lenses measuring 6.03 microm. SEM observations shows that the miracidium body is covered by cilia except at the terebratorium region and the presence of alpha-tubulin in the cilia of the larvae is first recorded by immunelabeling. Nineteen papilla-like structures arranged in three axes and four groups were observed at the terebratoriun, this structure is retractable, presenting folds and a corrugated surface with profiles of cytoplasmic expansions, forming network of anatomizing folds.

Animals↗
PubMed2004

Genotype characterisation of Giardia duodenalis isolates from domestic and farm animals by SSU-rRNA gene sequencing.

In order to investigate the genotypes of Giardia duodenalis from domestic and farm animals in Italy, 21 Giardia isolates, 17 from dogs, 1 from cat and 3 from dairy calves, were genetically characterised by SSU-rRNA gene sequencing. Among dogs, 76.5% of isolates showed the dog-specific genotypes (Assemblages C, D and C/D mixed Assemblage) and 23.5% exhibit potential zoonotic genotypes (Assemblage A and A/C mixed Assemblages). The cat isolate belonged to assemblage A, whereas the sequences among the isolates from calves were found to correspond to hoofed-livestock genotype, namely Assemblage E. These findings suggest that infection of humans by zoonotic genotypes from domestic animals could be of low epidemiological significance, although possible. The present study represents the first contribute to the knowledge of G. duodenalis genotypes in domestic and farm animals from Italy.

Animals↗