Characterization of Francisella tularensis Strains,Comparing Their Carbon Source Utilization

Thirteen Francisella tularensis strains were isolated from 22 seropositive brown hares (Lepus europaeus) originating from different parts of Hungary, and further two from a patas monkey (Erythrocebus patas) and vervet monkey (Chlorocebus aethiops). The isolates were identified as F. tularensis ssp. holarctica on the basis of culture, morphological and biochemical characteristics. The identification was verified by polymerase chain reaction and the sequencing of the partial 16S rRNA gene. Utilization of carbon sources of the 15 F. tularensis strains was characterized with the Biolog system. The system was able to identify the strains already after 4 h of incubation, not only after the standard 24 h. After the analysis and comparison of the metabolic profiles of our strains with the Biolog database, it was concluded that not all carbon sources indicated in the database were utilized by our isolates. The Biolog software fails to distinguish the highly virulent F. tularensis ssp. tularensis and the moderately virulent F. tularensis ssp. holarctica but the Biolog microplates can be manually read to differentiate the two subspecies based on glycerol source utilization. As all the studied strains were unable to use glycerol, they could be identified as F. tularensis ssp. holarctica. The dendrogram based on the metabolic relationship of the strains shows that the isolates are very similar to each other, which correlates with the conservative genetic character of F. tularensis ssp. holarctica.     

Hepatitis E virus in wild rabbits and European brown hares in Germany

Recently, a change of hepatitis E from being a typical travel‐associated disease to an autochthonous zoonosis in Germany was observed. An increasing number of autochthonous infections with the hepatitis E Virus (HEV) have been recognized in developed countries. Venison from wild boar is already known to be a potential source of infection, if not prepared properly by the consumer. In Germany, certain wild animals are known to be a reservoir for HEV. However, current information is missing about European brown hares (Lepus europaeus) and wild rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus). Thus, a total of 833 hunting‐harvested animals (European brown hares n = 669; wild rabbits n = 164) were tested for the occurrence of HEV RNA and HEV antibodies. For this, liver and blood specimens were taken after hunts in six German federal states. HEV antibodies were found by ELISA in 2.2% (624/14) of European brown hares, but no HEV RNA was detectable by nested real‐time RT‐PCR. In contrast, a seroprevalence of 37.3% (126/47) was observed for wild rabbits, and 17.1% (164/28) of the samples were HEV RNA positive. Genomic analysis revealed that these partial sequences clustered within the rabbit clade of HEV‐3 genotype. In addition, one rabbit sequence segregated into subtype 3g of HEV‐3. Highest seroprevalences for hares and rabbits were detected in the federal states of Bavaria and of Schleswig‐Holstein, respectively. Comparing urban, rural and insular areas, the highest seroprevalence was shown for wild rabbits in rural areas and for European brown hares on the northern island Fehmarn. This study provides evidence that European brown hares and wild rabbits from Germany can be infected with HEV. The different prevalences indicate that wild rabbits are a potential reservoir for HEV in Germany, whereas European brown hares seem to be only of minor importance for the epidemiology of HEV.     

Seroprevalence of Hepatitis E Virus in Domestic Pigs and Wild Boars in Switzerland

Hepatitis E is considered an emerging human viral disease in industrialized countries. Studies from Switzerland report a human seroprevalence of hepatitis E virus (HEV) of 2.6–21%, a range lower than in adjacent European countries. The aim of this study was to determine whether HEV seroprevalence in domestic pigs and wild boars is also lower in Switzerland and whether it is increasing and thus indicating that this zoonotic viral infection is emerging. Serum samples collected from 2,001 pigs in 2006 and 2011 and from 303 wild boars from 2008 to 2012 were analysed by ELISA for the presence of HEV‐specific antibodies. Overall HEV seroprevalence was 58.1% in domestic pigs and 12.5% in wild boars. Prevalence in domestic pigs was significantly higher in 2006 than in 2011. In conclusion, HEV seroprevalence in domestic pigs and wild boars in Switzerland is comparable with the seroprevalence in other countries and not increasing. Therefore, prevalence of HEV in humans must be related to other factors than prevalence in pigs or wild boars.     

Nationwide survey of hepatitis E virus infection among wildlife in Japan

In Japan, hepatitis E virus (HEV) causes hepatitis in humans through the consumption of raw or undercooked meat, including game meat. In the present study, nationwide surveillance of HEV infection among a total of 5,557 wild animals, including 15 species, was conducted in Japan. The prevalence of anti-HEV antibodies in wild boar was 12.4%, with higher positive rates in big boars (over 50 kg, 18.4%) than in small individuals (less than 30 kg, 5.3%). Furthermore, HEV RNA was more frequently detected in piglets than in older boars. Interestingly, the detection of HEV among wildlife by ELISA and RT-PCR suggested that HEV infection in Sika deer was a very rare event, and that there was no HEV infection among wild animals except for wild boar, Sika deer and Japanese monkeys. In conclusion, wild boar, especially piglets, are at high risk of HEV infection, while other wild animals showed less risk or no risk of HEV transmission.     

A telemetric aid in establishing the cause of death in semidomesticated or wild animals.

Calf mortality among wild and semidomesticated animals, especially reindeer, is established to be high. The authors describe a telemetric method with subcutaneously implanted transmitters which are activated by the lowered body temperature in connection with the death of the animal, enabling it to be found and brought in for pathological examination. Frequency selection, implantation technique and design of transmitter, power source, antenna and surveillance methods are discussed, with a background of commercially available equipment.     

野生动物分离菌耐药基因多重PCR检测及序列分析

调查来源于16种四川地区野生动物粪样的24株革兰氏阴性肠杆菌中氨基糖苷类抗生素四种修饰酶基因(am inoglycosides-mod ifying en-zym es,AMEs)的分布情况。应用K-B法进行常规药敏试验,采用多重PCR技术检测分离菌中四种AMEs(aphA3、aacC4、aadA、aacC2)基因并进行序列分析。药敏试验显示分离菌对链霉素的耐药率最高(8/24),对新霉素的耐药率最低(1/24%);多重PCR检测结果显示,aphA3、aa-dA、aacC2基因的检出率分别为:7/24、3/24和2/24,而所有菌株中均未检出aacC4基因;序列分析表明扩增产物与Genbank中的相应序列有很高的同源性(≥97.8%)。     

甘肃省玛曲牦牛衣原体血清流行病学调查

为查明甘肃省甘南玛曲县牦牛衣原体感染情况并分析影响其感染的因素,试验采用间接血凝试验(IHA)方法检测了该地区的610份牦牛血清,并应用流行病学、统计学方法对影响牦牛衣原体的因素进行了分析。结果表明,牦牛衣原体抗体阳性率为25.08%,季节、性别和年龄对牦牛衣原体感染的影响具有显著差异(P<0.05),胎次对母牦牛衣原体感染的影响差异显著(P<0.05)。由此可知,甘肃省甘南玛曲地区牦牛衣原体感染率较高,因此应对本地区的衣原体病采取适当的控制措施,以确保人类的安全。     

Towards informed metrics for examining the role of human‐induced animal responses in tag studies on wild animals

Two prime issues can detrimentally affect animals that have been equipped with tags: (i) the effect of the capture and restraint process; and (ii) the effect of the tag itself. This work examines some of the issues surrounding quantification of tag effects on wild animals for both restrained and free‐living animals. A new method to quantify stress effects based on monitoring ventilation rates in relation to activity is suggested for restrained animals which may help improve the practice of handling animals. It is also suggested that various metrics, many derived from accelerometers, can be examined in tagged wild animals to examine the change in behaviors over time with a view to having a better understanding of welfare issues, assuring the quality of recorded data and informing best practice.     

Salmonella isolated from animals and feedstuffs in Sweden during 1983-1987.

This survey describes the frequency of Salmonella in animals and feedstuffs isolated in Sweden 1983-1987. Since 1949 National Veterinary Institute (NVI) has published such reports every fifth year. During the period of this report 760 outbreaks of Salmonella were reported in animals. This includes both domestic and wild animals. The corresponding figure for the previous period was 1266 outbreaks. 56 different serovariants were reported, 17 of these were new to Sweden. In cattle and swine there were a decrease of outbreaks. In poultry 86 outbreaks were reported, compared with 220 outbreaks during the previous five-year period. Swedish feed producing plants are checked both voluntary and compulsory, for the presence of Salmonella in raw materials, scrape and dust samples and compound feed. During 1983-1987 a total of 236 strains at Salmonella were isolated. This is the lowest incidence found during the last 15 years. All consignments of feedstuffs of animal origin intended for import to Sweden has to be examined for the presence of Salmonella. During 1983-1987 8.6% of the consignments were positive for Salmonella and were thus not allowed to be used in Sweden.     

Seroprevalence of brucellosis, tularemia, and yersiniosis in wild boars (Sus scrofa) from north-eastern Germany

Brucellosis and tularemia are classical zoonotic diseases transmitted from an animal reservoir to humans. Both, wildlife and domestic animals, contribute to the spreading of these zoonoses. The surveillance of the animal health status is strictly regulated for domestic animals, whereas systematic disease monitoring in wildlife does not exist. The aim of the present study was to provide data on the prevalence of anti-Brucella, anti-Francisella and anti-Yersinia antibodies in wild boars from North-Eastern Germany to assess public health risks. A total of 763 sera of wild boars from Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania hunted in 1995/1996 were tested using a commercially available Brucella suis ELISA, an in-house lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-based Francisella ELISA, and commercially available Western blot kits for the detection of anti-Francisella and anti-Yersinia antibodies. The Yersinia enterocolitica O:9 LPS is able to induce serological cross-reactions indistinguishable from brucellosis due to a similar immunodominant epitope in the Brucella O-polysaccharide. The Yersinia Western blot assay was, therefore, based on five recombinant Yersinia outer proteins which have been proved to be specific for the serodiagnosis of yersiniosis. Anti-Brucella, anti-Francisella and anti-Yersinia antibodies were detected in 22.0%, 3.1%, and 62.6% of the wild boars, respectively. The high seroprevalence of tularemia and brucellosis in wild boars indicates that natural foci of these zoonoses are present in wildlife in Germany. However, the impact of transmission of zoonotic pathogens from wildlife to livestock is unknown. Only careful and systematic monitoring will help to prevent the (re)emergence of these zoonotic diseases in domestic animals and consequently human infection.     

猪和野生动物源大肠杆菌及沙门菌中磺胺类药物耐药基因的检测

对从四川省10个规模化猪场和16种野生动物的粪样中分离鉴定出的67株大肠杆菌、57株沙门菌进行了药敏试验。结果，猪源和野生动物源分离菌对磺胺类药物的耐药率分别为72．0％（72／100）和29．2％（7／24）。根据GenBank中登录的序列，设计了3对特异性引物，对磺胺类药物的耐药基因Sul1、Sul2、Sul3进行了三重PCR检测。在这124株细菌中，Sul1基因的检出率最高，为47．6％（59／124），Sul2基因的检出率为17．7％（22／124），Sul3基因的检出率为18．5％（23／124）。药敏试验结果与基因检测结果的符合率为89．9％。     

Seroprevalence of hepatitis E virus in dogs in Switzerland

Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is the causative agent of an acute and in most cases self‐limiting hepatitis. Of the four major HEV genotypes that infect humans, genotype 3 and 4 are zoonotic and have been identified in humans but predominantly in pigs and wild boar, which are considered the main reservoirs. However, the known host range of zoonotic HEV may be increasing to comprise additional species, including companion animals. Several studies have identified contact with dogs as a risk factor for HEV infection in humans, yet information on the occurrence of HEV in Swiss dogs is lacking. To examine a possible risk of exposure, this study was designed to assess the seroprevalence of HEV in 84 Swiss dogs. Serum and plasma samples collected from four veterinary clinics were screened for HEV‐specific antibodies by HEV‐antibody ELISA test kit. In addition, information of 22 dogs regarding the country of origin, the type of dog feed and any history of hunting was recorded. Samples from seropositive animals were also screened for the presence of HEV RNA by quantitative real‐time RT‐PCR (qRT‐PCR). Overall, 38% (32 of 84) of the dogs tested seropositive for anti‐HEV, indicating exposure to HEV. Among the 22 dogs for which information was available, HEV‐specific antibodies were detected in three of five dogs that were born abroad, in one of two dogs that were fed a raw meat‐based diet, and in one hunting dog. No viral RNA could be detected in any of the serum and plasma samples; thus, the genotype of the strains remained undetermined. This study provides further evidence for canine exposure and susceptibility to HEV and highlights the need to further assess the risks of HEV transmission to humans with contact to dogs.     

Seroprevalence and risk factors for bovine brucellosis in Jordan

We investigated the seroprevalence and risk factors for Brucella seropositivity in cattle in Jordan. The sera from 671 cows were randomly collected from 62 herds. The antibodies against Brucella were detected using a Rose Bengal plate test and indirect ELISA. A structured questionnaire was used to collect information on the cattle herds'' health and management. A multiple logistic regression model was constructed to identify the risk factors for Brucella seropositivity. The true prevalence of antibodies against Brucella in individual cows and cattle herds was 6.5% and 23%, respectively. The seroprevalence of brucellosis in cows older than 4 years of age was significantly higher than that in the younger cows. The seroprevalence of brucellosis in cows located in the Mafraq, Zarqa and Ma''an governorates was significantly higher than that of the other studied governorates. The multiple logistic regression model revealed that a larger herd size (odd ratio = 1.3; 95% CI: 1.1, 2.6) and mixed farming (OR = 2.0; 95% CI: 1.7, 3.7) were risk factors for cattle seropositivity to Brucella antigens. On the other hand, the use of disinfectants (OR = 1.9; 95% CI: 1.1, 2.1) and the presence of adequate veterinary services (OR = 1.6; 95% CI: 1.2, 3.2) were identified as protective factors.     

FTN_0109蛋白对土拉弗朗西斯菌致病力的影响

土拉弗朗西斯菌是一种重要的人畜共患性病原菌,目前对该菌的毒力因子及分子致病机制尚不完全清楚。本研究旨在分析未知功能蛋白FTN_0109在土拉弗朗西斯菌中的分布,探讨其对细菌致病力的影响。通过生物信息学软件预测FTN_0109的生物学功能,并利用超速离心法检测其亚细胞定位;利用同源重组技术构建FTN_0109基因缺失株及其反式回补株,分析其对三种来源小鼠巨噬细胞的入侵和细胞内增殖能力,并检测其对BALB/c小鼠的致病力和在其体内的繁殖动态。结果显示,FTN_0109蛋白被预测为一种脂蛋白,主要分布于土拉弗朗西斯菌的内膜;与野毒株相比,FTN_0109缺失株在小鼠巨噬细胞中不能增殖,对BALB/c小鼠的LD₅₀提高10⁴以上,在感染小鼠肝和脾中的载量呈不断下降趋势且均显著低于野毒株（P<0.05）。结果提示,FTN_0109是一种内膜脂蛋白,它的缺失可严重降低土拉弗朗西斯菌在小鼠巨噬细胞和体内的生存能力,降低其对小鼠的致病力。     

我国部分地区牛羊弓形虫血清流行病学调查

为了解我国牛羊弓形虫病流行情况,应用间接血凝试验（IHA）对河南、山东、山西、内蒙古、云南、贵州6省区151份牛血清、50份奶样、490份羊血清进行了弓形虫病血清流行病学调查。结果显示：151份被检牛血清和50份牛奶样品,弓形虫抗体均为阴性。490份羊血清弓形虫抗体总阳性率5.71％,其中母羊、公羊血清阳性率分别为4.03％和9.79％;山羊、绵羊、杂交羊血清阳性率分别为6.58％、4.81％和5.13％;阳性率最高的为公山羊（13.2％）,最低的为母绵羊（2.96％）。28份阳性羊血清中,75％的抗体滴度为1：64,25％的抗体滴度为1：256。1岁后的羊,随年龄增长,血清阳性率升高。     

我国特种养殖业的现状与发展

介绍了特种动物的涵义、濒危野生动物的界定和世界主要特种动物的养殖与疾病防制的现状以及在我国的发展前景。同时 ,对我国特种养殖中长期存在的机制、品种、疫病防制、技术素质、生物安全与生产规模等问题进行了剖析 ,并提出了一些对策