World distribution of Trichinella spp. infections in animals and humans

The etiological agents of human trichinellosis show virtually worldwide distribution in domestic and/or wild animals, with the exception of Antarctica, where the presence of the parasite has not been reported. This global distribution of Trichinella and varying cultural eating habits represent the main factors favouring human infections in industrialised and non-industrialised countries. Human trichinellosis has been documented in 55 (27.8%) countries around the world. In several of these countries, however, trichinellosis affects only ethnic minorities and tourists because the native inhabitants do not consume uncooked meat or meat of some animal species. Trichinella sp. infection has been documented in domestic animals (mainly pigs) and in wildlife of 43 (21.9%) and 66 (33.3%) countries, respectively. Of the 198 countries of the world, approximately 40 (20%) are small islands far from the major continents, or city-states where Trichinella sp. cannot circulate among animals for lack of local fauna (both domestic and wild). Finally, information on the occurrence of Trichinella sp. infection in domestic and/or wildlife is still lacking for 92 countries.     

Hepatitis E viruses in humans and animals

Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is an emerging pathogen belonging to a newly recognized family of RNA viruses (Hepeviridae). HEV is an important enterically transmitted human pathogen with a worldwide distribution. It can cause sporadic cases as well as large epidemics of acute hepatitis. Epidemics are primarily waterborne in areas where water supplies are contaminated with HEV of human origin. There is increasing evidence, however, that many animal species are infected with an antigenically similar virus. A recently isolated swine virus is the best candidate for causing a zoonotic form of hepatitis E. The virus is serologically cross-reactive with human HEV and genetically very similar, and the human and swine strains seem to be cross-infective. Very recent evidence has also shown that swine HEV, and possibly a deer strain of HEV, can be transmitted to humans by consumption of contaminated meat. In this review, we discuss the prevalence, pathogenicity, diagnosis and control of human HEV, swine HEV, the related avian HEV and HEV in other hosts and potential reservoirs.     

同一健康:科学评价 科学减负 协同共生

2019年6月22月24日,由易贸医疗主办的三大品牌峰会“第十一届中国人用疫苗行业峰会&第七届中国兽用疫苗行业峰会&第七届中国血液制药行业峰会”在厦门盛大召开。研讨议题涵盖研发、临床、生产、质控、营销等全产业链,让医学、兽医行业交流合作,以期共同打造人与动物和谐共生的健康生态系统,促进行业健康、规范、有序发展。在“一个健康”共同理念下,本届兽用疫苗行业峰会,易贸联合中国兽药协会、中崇信诺生物科技公司等合作伙伴共同策划了“高层闭门圆桌会议”,设置了“政策&战略&市场”“养殖场面对面”“兽医实验室检测&诊断”“研发工艺”四大专场论坛,从疫苗的研发工艺、兽医实验室检测诊断直到终端养殖企业等环节全面交流,深度对话,分享经验,协同创新。     

The significance of mycotoxicoses for humans and animals

The paper gives a survey on the most important mycotoxicoses, the corresponding fungi imperfecti, and the mycotoxins produced by these fungi. Structure/activity relationships are shown.     

Murmur grading in humans and animals: past and present

Cardiac murmurs were first described approximately 200 years ago. Subsequently, various clinicians, starting with Samuel Levine, have proposed grading schemes, depicting intensity, or other murmur characteristics, in an attempt to differentiate pathological and physiological murmurs or different degrees of pathology. In the 1960s, these schemes were adapted by veterinary cardiologists and have been used over the last 50 years. However, the clinical utility of these schemes has only recently been examined in veterinary medicine (and never examined in humans), and these studies suggest that the current, commonly used murmur grading scheme is unnecessarily complex and contains redundant information. A simpler, more intuitive grading scheme might achieve the same desired outcome as the more complex scheme, potentially with less confusion. This review examines the history of murmur grading and proposes a reconsideration of the current grading scheme to improve clinical communication.     

Infections of pigeons as a risk to the health of humans and animals

Both, domestic and feral pigeons may be carriers of hazardous agents for man and animals. Ectoparasites of pigeons can trouble humans. Feces of pigeons can serve as substrate for the agent of cryptococcosis of man and animals. The occurrence of avian tuberculosis, campylobacter infections, pseudotuberculosis and pasteurellosis in pigeons seems to be of less significance. Salmonella infections of man and animals are less likely attributable to pigeons as the source of infection. The agent of ornithosis may be distributed by pigeons, but humans are predominantly infected by psittacines. The role of doves in the epidemiology of German measles is not clear, but there is little evidence that they are involved in other harmful virus infections in Europe. A possible risk for the health of man can not be excluded if rooms are located directly in contact with dovecotes or garrets colonized with wild doves. An increased risk can be supposed for pigeon breeders and persons feeding feral doves.     

West Nile: worldwide current situation in animals and humans

West Nile (WN) virus is a mosquito-borne flavivirus that is native to Africa, Europe, and Western Asia. It mainly circulates among birds, but can infect many species of mammals, as well as amphibians and reptiles. Epidemics can occur in rural as well as urban areas. Transmission of WN virus, sometimes involving significant mortality in humans and horses, has been documented at erratic intervals in many countries, but never in the New World until it appeared in New York City in 1999. During the next four summers it spread with incredible speed to large portions of 46 US states, and to Canada, Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean. In many respects, WN virus is an outstanding example of a zoonotic pathogen that has leaped geographical barriers and can cause severe disease in human and equine. In Europe, in the past two decades there have been a number of significant outbreaks in several countries. However, very little is known of the ecology and natural history of WN virus transmission in Europe and most WN outbreaks in humans and animals remain unpredictable and difficult to control.