Changing livestock vaccination policy alters the epidemiology of human anthrax,Georgia, 2000–2013

Anthrax is a widely spread zoonotic disease found on nearly every continent. To control the disease in humans and animals, annual livestock vaccination is recommended. However, in 2007, the country of Georgia ended its policy of compulsory annual livestock anthrax vaccination. Our objective was to assess how the epidemiology of human anthrax has evolved from 2000–2013 in Georgia, in the wake of this cessation. We used passive surveillance data on epidemiological surveys of human anthrax case patients. Risk factors and rates of self-reported sources of infection were compared, before and after the change in livestock vaccination policy. We mapped ethnicity-adjusted incidence during the two periods and assessed changes in the spatial pattern of risk. The overall risk of human anthrax increased >5-fold, from 0.7 cases per 100,000 in 2000 to 3.7 cases per 100,000 by 2013. Ethnic disparities in risk became pronounced; from 2000 to 2013, incidence increased >60-fold in Azerbaijanis from 0.35 to 21.1 cases/100,000 Azerbaijanis compared to 0.61 to 1.9 cases/100,000 among ethnic Georgians. Food-borne exposures from purchasing meat increased from 11% in 2000–2006 to 21% in 2007–2013. Spatial analyses revealed a shift from a random pattern of reporting pre-policy change to clustering among district municipalities following the change in policy. Our findings indicate there were unintended human health consequences associated with changing livestock vaccination policy. Following a reduction in the immunizations administered, there was a major shift in the epidemiology of human anthrax in Georgia. Current infection risk is now highest among ethnic minorities. Increased reporting among individuals uncharacteristically at risk for anthrax from foodborne exposures suggests spillover from modes of agricultural production. Given the importance of human-livestock health linkages, careful evaluations of policy need to be undertaken before changes to animal vaccination are made.     

Development of a methodological approach for the characterization of bioaerosols in exhaust air from pig fattening farms with MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry

In this paper, we evaluated matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) as a cultivation-independent, routinely applicable approach to identify microbial fractions in bioaerosol emission samples. We developed a streamlined protocol in line with the German state-of-the-art impingement sampling guideline. Following isokinetic sampling, a fast and reliable pre-treatment methodology involving a series of cascade filtration steps was implemented, which produced fractions for spectrometric measurement devoid of interfering substances. We sampled the exhaust air from eight pig fattening farms around western Germany, which yielded two sets of samples for both method development and validation. For method development, in total 65 bacterial isolates were produced directly from the exhaust air samples, taxonomically classified by 16S rRNA-Gene sequencing, and subjected to MALDI-TOF analysis. In this way, we could assign fingerprint biomarkers to classified bacterial genera or even species to build up a preliminary reference database. For verification of the novel methodology and application of the reference database, we subjected the second set of exhaust air samples to the developed protocol. Here, 18 out of 21 bacterial species deposited in the database were successfully retrieved, including organisms classified in risk group 2, which might be used to evaluate the pathogenic potential of sampled exhaust air. Overall, this study pursues an entirely new approach to rapidly analyze airborne microbial fractions.     

四川山区家畜血吸虫病疫区的划分及流行病学研究

本文研究结果表明,四川山区家畜日本血吸虫病流行严重,且呈回升趋势,牛是此病流行最主要的传染源,以牛粪为主的野粪是重要的传播因素。并首次根据四川山区家畜日本血吸虫病流行县的不同特点,划分为以芦山为代表的以人为主的半封闭式疫区和以普格为代表的以家畜为主的封闭式疫区两大类。对各种家畜在流行病学上的意义进行了研究。     

New claims in folk veterinary medicines from Uttar Pradesh,India

Background

In remote areas, folk medicines play a significant role in livestock health care management. The aims of this study were to document folk veterinary medicines of the Uttar Pradesh region and identify promising species for pharmacological studies.

Methods

Fieldwork was conducted over a period of two years in Uttar Pradesh, utilizing the “transect walk” method of participatory rural appraisal (PRA). The data were analyzed through the following techniques: use-value, relative frequency of citation and informant consensus factor (Fic).

Results

This research details the use of 83 medicinal plants used to treat 36 livestock ailments. A total of 91 new medicinal claims were discovered. The ailments are categorized into 11 ailment categories based on certain group of ailments (symptoms/similarities, etc). The Fic values indicate that there was a high degree of consensus among informants regarding how to treat burns, coughs, colds and fevers. The most useful medicinal species, ranked according to their perceived usefulness were: Linum usitatissimum, Saccharum officinarum, Brassica napus, Acacia nilotica, Alocasia macrorrhizos, and Calotropis gigantea. For certain medicinal uses, Ferula asafoetida, Linum usitatissimum, Pandanus tectorius, Brassica juncea, Brassica napus, Madhuca longifolia, Alocasia macrorrhizos and Tagetes erecta were also frequently cited for cures with a Fic value of over 3.00. In remedy preparations, the leaves were the most frequently used plant part (22 instances) and most of the preparations were in the form of crushed plant parts, leaves or otherwise. Herbs were the most frequently used source of medicine (43), followed by trees (21) and shrubs (17%).

Conclusions

Those plants which received high relative frequency citation (Fic) values may prove useful for pharmacological studies in new drug development projects, especially Ferula asafoetida (used for flatulence), Linum usitatissimum (a galactagogue), Pandanus tectorius (used for estrus regulation/preparation for breeding), Brassica juncea (to cure infections of the tail), Brassica napus (also to cure infections of the tail), Madhuca longifolia (to cure maggots in the hoof), Alocasia macrorrhizos (for estrus regulation) and Tagetes erecta (for otitis).     

新疆家畜寄生虫病防治存在问题与对策

本文介绍了新疆家畜寄生虫病的流行情况、危害,以及在家畜寄生虫病防治方面存在的问题和防制对策。     

Comorbidity and coexisting symptoms and infections presented in general practice by COPD patients: Does livestock density in the residential environment play a role?

Objectives

Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) constitute a potentially susceptible group towards environmental exposures such as livestock farm emissions, given their compromised respiratory health status. The primary aim of this study was to examine the association between livestock exposure and comorbidities and coexisting symptoms and infections in COPD patients.

Breaking the chain of zoonoses through biosecurity in livestock

Increases in global travel, trade and urbanisation are leading to greater incidence of zoonotic disease, and livestock are often a key link in the spread of disease to humans. As such, livestock vaccination strategies, as a part of broader biosecurity solutions, are critical to both animal and human health. Importantly, approaches that restrict infectious agents in livestock, not only protects their economic value but should reduce the potential for spill over infections in humans. Biosecurity solutions to livestock health can take a number of different forms and are generally heavily weighted towards prevention of infection rather than treatment. Therefore, vaccination can provide an effective component of a strategic approach, particularly as production economics dictate the use of cost effective solutions. Furthermore, in an evolving global environment there is a need for vaccines that accommodate for lower socioeconomic and rapidly emerging zoonotics.     

Ethnoveterinary Uses of Medicinal Plants Among Traditional Herbal Healers in Alaknanda Catchment of Uttarakhand, India

The people of far-flung rural areas still depend to a large extent upon plants and household remedies for curing veterinary ailments. The folk knowledge of ethnoveterinary medicine and its significance has been identified by the traditional communities through a process of experience over hundreds of years. The paper deals with 34 ailments commonly found in nine different categories of livestock/animals (i e. buffalo, cow, oxen, sheep, goat, horse, mule, dog and cat) and their treatment with 73 medicinal plant species belonging to 70 genera and 45 families that occur in forests as well as close vicinity of the rural settlements. Out of the total population, majority of the people (more than 80%) was found dependent on traditional (herbal) system of treatments practiced by local herbal healers (Pashu Vaidyas), while rest of the people preferred modern (allopathic) system of treatments for curing veterinary ailments. In this study we observed that old aged people have more knowledge and experience particularly in remote areas for curing veterinary ailments. The traditional system of treatment is one of the most important prevailing systems in the area where modern veterinary health care facilities are rare or in very poor conditions.     

Wild type agr-negative livestock-associated MRSA exhibits high adhesive capacity to human and porcine cells

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is one of the leading causes of nosocomial infections and a major public health concern worldwide. During the last decade, MRSA of CC398 have emerged as important colonizers of livestock. These strains also represent an increasing cause of human infections. A recent study reporting a new dominant spa type among MRSA from Finish fattening pigs (CC398/t2741) identified a strain lacking both the global virulence regulator gene locus agr and the adhesion gene fnbB. The aim of this study was to characterize this agr/fnbB-negative livestock-associated MRSA strain in terms of growth, hemolysis and adhesive capacity, and to provide data on its genomic background. To this end, growth curves and hemolysis patterns were generated and adhesion assays on human keratinocyte and porcine nasal mucosa cell lines were performed. Whole genome sequencing was used to determine the nature and extent of the relevant deletions in the livestock strains. For comparison, an agr-positive, fnbB-negative CC398/t2741 strain from the same pig herd, an agr/fnbB- positive CC398/t034 strain from another pig herd and one human MRSA strain and its isogenic Δagr knockout mutant were used. The agr-negative strains adhered significantly better to human and porcine host cells than the agr-positive control strains. For the agr-positive porcine MRSA strains, cytotoxic effects on porcine mucosal cells were observed. The strong adhesive capacity of the naturally agr-negative livestock-associated MRSA, in combination with diminished cytotoxic effects, is likely favorable for inducing persistent colonization in pigs. Independently of the host cell type, similar adhesive capacities of the naturally agr-negative livestock-associated MRSA and the human MRSA strain were shown. Our results indicate that loss of agr in the livestock-associated MRSA strain investigated in this study may have increased its potential to be transmitted to and amongst humans.     

The livestock vaccine supply chain: Why it matters and how it can help eradicate peste des petits Ruminants,based on findings in Karamoja,Uganda

Understanding factors that hinder vaccination, including logistical and social constraints, is critical to finding the most effective approach for the global eradication of peste des petits ruminants (PPR). Vaccination projects should analyze the supply chain and take it into consideration when planning and creating a vaccination strategy. Adequate supply chain management of the PPR vaccine could lead to reduced cost, increased availability, and the construction of a data platform for other livestock vaccines. Integrating the supply chain of PPR vaccine with other veterinary or health commodities could reduce cost, as well as increase uptake. The use of a thermostable vaccine could potentially have a positive impact on the eradication of PPR in remote areas, such as the Karamoja subregion in Uganda, as it did with rinderpest across Sub Saharan Africa. In terms of vaccine delivery, the use of community animal health workers (CAHWs) could be beneficial in certain areas, such as the Karamoja subregion of Uganda, by alleviating supply chain constraints in the last-mile delivery, as well as increasing coverage and uptake. A gendered approach to livestock vaccines should also be considered, as decision-making power regarding livestock vaccination is gendered in many various contexts. The PPR eradication strategy—as well as other livestock vaccination programs—would be more effective and efficient if the supply chain management were considered as a key component in the process and efforts tailored, accordingly.