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As the world still vividly recalls the previous monkeypox (mpox) outbreak that impacted over 120 countries worldwide with more than 99,000 cases in 2022, we are now facing a second wave of infections from the monkeypox virus (MPXV), characterized by an exponential increase in cases. The current 2024 outbreak has already recorded more than 20,000 cases in Africa, marking a dramatic escalation compared to previous outbreaks. The predominance of the newly identified clade Ib variant, first detected in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and now identified across multiple African nations and beyond, underscores its enhanced transmissibility and potential for international spread, evidenced by cases in Sweden and Thailand. The World Health Organization (WHO) declared on August 14, 2024, the current mpox outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC), calling for heightened global public health measures. The ongoing pattern of unusual, frequent, and extensive outbreaks of mpox with potential global implications poses significant questions. This review addresses, in the format of 50 questions and answers, the 2024 mpox outbreak, detailing its characteristics, epidemiological data, and impact compared to previous outbreaks. It comprehensively explores critical questions related to MPXV virological characteristics, immunological response, clinical manifestations, epidemiology, diagnostics, and available treatments. The review also documents the significant and evolving challenges posed by the current mpox outbreak, highlighting its scale, spread, and public health response. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Human hydatidosis, being caused by the larvae of Echinococcus granulosus, rarely presents as disseminated peritoneal disease which can be either primary or secondary. Iatrogenic secondary peritoneal echinococcosis is more common while primary form of infection is found occasionally. Radiological imaging including ultrasonography or computed tomography (CT) scan is considered the most essential diagnostic modality. The mainstay of treatment for localized hydatid cysts or infected cysts and multiple septations is the surgical management in the form of excision. Disseminated hydatid disease presents with varied manifestations involving multiple organs. However, primary peritoneal hydatidosis is being rare entity, accounting for only 2% of cases of abdominal hydatidosis. The dissemination to multiple organs usually occurs through either lymphatic or systemic circulation. Case Report: In this case report, we present an uncommon presentation of primary disseminated peritoneal hydatidosis. On further evaluation, the patient was diagnosed to have peritoneal hydatidosis with hepatic and lung hydatid cyst involvement on contrast-enhanced CT abdomen. The patient was managed conservatively with oral tablet albendazole 400 mg twice a day during his 1st admission and later presented again with acute abdomen, and then, radical surgery in the form of pericystectomy was carried out but patient developed large gastric perforation, for which again surgery was attempted, but patient succumbed to his illness. In this case, the rare presentation of primary disseminated peritoneal hydatidosis as acute abdomen was observed. Conclusion: Primary disseminated peritoneal hydatidosis as the presentation of acute pain abdomen is rare entity. This case emphasizes an atypical presentation of hydatidosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: An extensive countrywide investigation was carried out in Greece to study gastrointestinal zoonotic pathogens in horses. Faecal samples were collected and tested. Gastrointestinal pathogens were detected in the faecal samples obtained from 43% of horses examined. They were detected more frequently in samples from horses in courtyard housing. The most frequently detected zoonotic pathogens were enteropathogenic Escherichia coli and Shiga-like toxin-producing E. coli stx1/stx2. The decreasing age of horses and the presence of livestock at the same premises as the horses emerged to be significantly associated with the detection of pathogens. The findings have indicated the presence of pathogens with zoonotic potential in horses and have suggested factors that may play some role in this. The objectives of this study were (a) to detect zoonotic gastrointestinal pathogens in faecal samples of horses using the FilmArray® GI Panel and (b) to identify variables potentially associated with their presence. Faecal samples collected from 224 horses obtained during a countrywide study in Greece were tested by means of the BioFire® FilmArray® Gastrointestinal (GI) Panel, which uses multiplex-PCR technology for the detection of 22 pathogens. Gastrointestinal pathogens were detected in the faecal samples obtained from 97 horses (43.3%). Zoonotic pathogens were detected more frequently in samples from horses in courtyard housing (56.0%) than in samples from horses in other housing types (39.7%) (p = 0.040). The most frequently detected zoonotic pathogens were enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (19.2% of horses) and Shiga-like toxin-producing E. coli stx1/stx2 (13.8%). During multivariable analysis, two variables emerged as significant predictors for the outcome 'detection of at least one zoonotic pathogen in the faecal sample from an animal': (a) the decreasing age of horses (p = 0.0001) and (b) the presence of livestock at the same premises as the horses (p = 0.013). As a significant predictor for the outcome 'detection of two zoonotic pathogens concurrently in the faecal sample from an animal', only the season of sampling of animals (autumn) emerged as significant in the multivariable analysis (p = 0.049). The results indicated a diversity of gastrointestinal pathogens with zoonotic potential in horses and provided evidence for predictors for the infections; also, they can serve to inform horse owners and handlers regarding the possible risk of transmission of pathogens with zoonotic potential. In addition, our findings highlight the importance of continuous surveillance for zoonotic pathogens in domestic animals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Dogs in close contact with humans can serve as a source of potentially dangerous reassortant influenza viruses with zoonotic potential. The dog's body can serve as a vessel for the emergence of new influenza viruses. These new viruses can become a source of infection for other animals and humans. The potential for zoonotic transmission of influenza viruses from dogs to humans poses a public health risk. Aim: Study of the circulation of influenza viruses in the dog population in Almaty, Kazakhstan. Methods: Biosamples (oropharyngeal swabs, blood serum) from dogs were collected from veterinary clinics in Almaty in 2023-2024. Samples were screened using RT-PCR, HI assay and ELISA. Results: RT-PCR analysis of 355 nasopharyngeal swabs showed the presence of influenza A virus in 32 samples (9.01% of the total number of samples analyzed). When subtyping IAV H1N1 RNA was detected in 19 swabs (5.35%). IAV subtype could not be determined in 13 PCR-positive samples (3.66%). The genetic material of IAV H3N2, H5, H7, H9, as well as coronavirus, bocavirus and adenovirus has not been identified. In a serological analysis of 180 blood sera using ELISA, antibodies to IAV were detected in 5.56% (n=10). The results of the HI assay showed the presence of antihemagglutinins to A/H1N1pdm in 6.11% (11 samples), to A/H3N2 in 9.44% (17 samples), and no antibodies to IAV H5, H7 and type B were detected. Conclusion: There is no information about human infection with any canine influenza virus. However, many cases of infection of dogs with human IAVs H1N1, H1N1pdm09 and H3N2 have been described. When dogs are co-infected with different IAVs, new recombinant IAVs may emerge that can infect humans and other animals. Therefore, ongoing global surveillance of animal populations is necessary to monitor the evolution and circulation of viruses dangerous to public health. This is also important for timely preparation for the emergence of a new zoonotic influenza virus that has pandemic potential for humans. [Open Vet J 2024; 14(8.000): 1896-1904]

Background: Dogs in close contact with humans can serve as a source of potentially dangerous reassortant influenza viruses (IVs) with zoonotic potential. The dog’s body can serve as a vessel for the emergence of new IVs. These new viruses can become a source of infection for other animals and humans. The potential for zoonotic transmission of IVs from dogs to humans poses a public health risk. Aim: Study of the circulation of IVs in the dog population in Almaty, Kazakhstan. Methods: Biosamples (oropharyngeal swabs and blood serum) from dogs were collected from veterinary clinics in Almaty in 2023–2024. Samples were screened using RT-PCR, HI assay, and ELISA. Results: RT-PCR analysis of 355 nasopharyngeal swabs showed the presence of influenza A virus (IAV) in 32 samples (9.01% of the total number of samples analyzed). When subtyping IAV H1N1 RNA was detected in 19 swabs (5.35%). IAV subtype could not be determined in 13 PCR-positive samples (3.66%). The genetic material of IAV H3N2, H5, H7, and H9, as well as coronavirus, bocavirus, and adenovirus has not been identified. In a serological analysis of 180 blood sera using ELISA, antibodies to IAV were detected in 5.56% (n = 10). The results of the HI assay showed the presence of antihemagglutinins to A/H1N1pdm in 6.11% (11 samples), to A/H3N2 in 9.44% (17 samples), and no antibodies to IAV H5, H7, and type B were detected. Conclusion: There is no information about human infection with any canine influenza virus. However, many cases of infection in dogs with human IAVs H1N1, H1N1pdm09, and H3N2 have been described. When dogs are co-infected with different IAVs, new recombinant IAVs may emerge that can infect humans and other animals. Therefore, ongoing global surveillance of animal populations is necessary to monitor the evolution and circulation of viruses dangerous to public health. This is also important for timely preparation for the emergence of a new zoonotic influenza virus that has pandemic potential for humans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Leptospirosis is a widespread and potentially fatal zoonosis that is endemic in many tropical regions. It is the most common zoonotic infection in the world, but a rare disease in Latvia. The clinical manifestations and the severity of leptospirosis are highly variable. This case report describes a 64-year-old male without comorbidities, who was admitted to Rīga East University Hospital in the Gastroenterology Department due to expressed jaundice, weakness, and acute kidney injury. The initial inpatient clinical diagnosis was initially acute alcoholic hepatitis, as the patient had consumed alcohol a month before hospitalisation. The clinical and laboratory picture of the patient was dominated by significant hyperbilirubinemia, a relatively small increase in liver transaminases, preserved synthetic liver function, acute kidney failure in the polyuria phase, and severe thrombocytopenia. During hospitalisation, the study of anamnesis and the results of laboratory tests gave grounds for suspecting the diagnosis of leptospirosis, which was subsequently serologically confirmed. Routine laboratory tests are not specific for diagnosing leptospirosis. Diagnosis is made on the basis of the doctor's request and clinical examination, as well as on the basis of blood and urine culture and serological tests. Early initiation of antibiotic therapy plays an important role in controlling infection and reducing mortality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pasteurellosis is a common zoonotic infection that occurs after an animal bite or scratch (B/S). We compared the clinical features of six patients with non-B/S pasteurellosis with those of 14 patients with B/S infections. Pasteurella multocida was identified with matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry in all six non-B/S infections, whereas 13 of the 14 B/S infections were identified with diagnostic kits. The non-B/S infections were pneumonia (n = 3), skin and soft tissue infections (n = 2), and bacteremia (n = 1). Pneumonia occurred in two patients with underlying pulmonary disease, whereas ventilator-associated pneumonia developed in one patient with cerebral infarction. Pasteurella multocida was isolated from a blood specimen and nasal swab from a patient with liver cirrhosis (Child−Pugh class C) and diabetes. Cellulitis developed in one patient with diabetes and normal-pressure hydrocephalus, who had an open wound following a fall, and in one patient with diabetes and a foot ulcer. Three patients with non-B/S infections had no pet and no episode of recent animal contact. The rate of moderate-to-severe comorbidities was significantly higher in patients with non-B/S infections than in those with B/S infections (100% and 14.3%, respectively, p < 0.001). In conclusion, non-B/S infections can develop in patients with chronic pulmonary disease, invasive mechanical ventilation, or open wounds, or who are immunocompromised, irrespective of obvious animal exposure. In contrast to B/S infections, non-B/S pasteurellosis should be considered opportunistic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Brucellosis is a bacterial zoonotic infection that is endemic in Saudi Arabia and associated with clinical and economic impacts. Several studies from countries endemic for brucellosis evaluated the knowledge and attitude of livestock farmers regarding brucellosis. However, no such study was conducted in Saudi Arabia. This study aimed to evaluate the knowledge, attitude, and practice of livestock farmers and meat handlers in Saudi Arabia. Methods: This was a cross-sectional questionnaire-based study, where participants were interviewed in-person in Arabic in livestock markets between September-December 2023. Convenient sampling was utilized. The questionnaire included basic demographics and questions to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practice toward personal protection and protection of the animals from brucellosis. The questionnaire was adapted from a previously validated survey and included 59 questions. Providing at least one correct answer to a certain question indicated a good knowledge about this item or a safe practice. The participants were divided into: farmers (shepherds working for the animal owners), commercial animal owners (those who rent a stockyard in the livestock market and employ farmers to sell their animals), and private animal owners (owners of private farms from which they sell their animals). Results: 545 participants were interviewed (n = 291 farmers, n = 118 commercial animal owners, n = 113 private animal owners, and n = 23 animal slaughterhouse workers). >90% have heard of brucellosis. Lack of education and short experience (<5 years) of working with livestock were negatively associated with good knowledge of brucellosis symptoms and transmission (OR, 0.30; 95%CI, 0.10-0.94; p = 0.038 and OR, 0.23; 95%CI, 0.08-0.62; p = 0.004, respectively). Taking sick animals to the veterinarian was reported by 61.2%, whereas 36.4% follow safe practices when disposing of aborted fetuses. While 34% consume raw milk, only 10% consume rare/medium-rare meat. 51.2% acknowledged the need for more information on brucellosis. Conclusion: This study revealed the need to augment the knowledge of people working with animals, particularly those with no school education and those with short work experience, via providing educational visits or materials or through veterinarians. This should help them identify human and animal brucellosis symptoms and increase the knowledge on how to protect oneself and animals from this disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tick‐borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) is a significant cause of flaviviral infections affecting the human central nervous system, primarily transmitted through tick bites and the consumption of unpasteurized milk. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of TBEV and identify new natural foci of TBEV in livestock milk. In this cross‐sectional study, unpasteurized milk samples were collected from livestock reared on farms and analysed for the presence and subtyping of TBEV using nested reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction , alongside the detection of anti‐TBEV total IgG antibodies using ELISA. The findings revealed that the highest prevalence of TBEV was observed in goat and sheep milk combined, whereas no TBEV was detected in cow milk samples. All identified strains were of the Siberian subtype. Moreover, the highest prevalence of anti‐TBEV antibodies was detected in sheep milk. These results uncover new foci of TBEV in Iran, underscoring the importance of thermal processing (pasteurization) of milk prior to consumption to mitigate the risk of TBEV infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Influenza viruses can cause zoonotic infections that pose public health risks. Surveillance of influenza A and B viruses is conducted globally; however, information on influenza C and D viruses is limited. Longitudinal monitoring of influenza C virus in humans has been conducted in several countries, but there has been no long‐term monitoring of influenza D virus in humans. The public health risks associated with the influenza D virus therefore remain unknown. Methods: We established a duplex real‐time RT‐PCR to detect influenza C and D viruses and analyzed respiratory specimens collected from 2144 patients in Japan with respiratory diseases between January 2018 and March 2023. We isolated viruses and conducted hemagglutination inhibition tests to examine antigenicity and focus reduction assays to determine susceptibility to the cap‐dependent endonuclease inhibitor baloxavir marboxil. Results: We detected three influenza C viruses belonging to the C/Kanagawa‐ or C/Sao Paulo‐lineages, which recently circulated globally. None of the specimens was positive for the influenza D virus. The C/Yokohama/1/2022 strain, isolated from the specimen with the highest viral RNA load and belonging to the C/Kanagawa‐lineage, showed similar antigenicity to the reference C/Kanagawa‐lineage strain and was susceptible to baloxavir. Conclusions: Our duplex real‐time RT‐PCR is useful for the simultaneous detection of influenza C and D viruses from the same specimen. Adding the influenza D virus to the monitoring of the influenza C virus would help in assessing the public health risks posed by this virus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Hepatitis E virus (HEV) genotype 3 is the major cause of acute viral hepatitis in several European countries. It is acquired mainly by ingesting contaminated pork, but has also been reported to be transmitted through blood transfusion. Although most HEV infections, including those via blood products, are usually self-limiting, they may become chronic in immunocompromised persons. It is thus essential to identify HEV-infected blood donations to prevent transmission to vulnerable recipients. Aims: Prior to the decision whether to introduce HEV RNA screening for all Swiss blood donations, a 2-year nationwide prevalence study was conducted. Methods: All blood donations were screened in pools of 12–24 samples at five regional blood donation services, and HEV RNA-positive pools were subsequently resolved to the individual donation index donation (X). The viral load, HEV IgG and IgM serology, and HEV genotype were determined. Follow-up investigations were conducted on future control donations (X + 1) and previous archived donations of the donor (X − 1) where available. Results: Between October 2018 and September 2020, 541,349 blood donations were screened and 125 confirmed positive donations were identified (prevalence 1:4331 donations). At the time of blood donation, the HEV RNA-positive individuals were symptom-free. The median viral load was 554 IU/mL (range: 2.01–2,500,000 IU/mL). Men (88; 70%) were more frequently infected than women (37; 30%), as compared with the sex distribution in the Swiss donor population (57% male/43% female, p < 0.01). Of the 106 genotyped cases (85%), all belonged to genotype 3. Two HEV sub-genotypes predominated; 3h3 (formerly 3s) and 3c. The remaining sub-genotypes are all known to circulate in Europe. Five 3ra genotypes were identified, this being a variant associated with rabbits. In total, 85 (68%) X donations were negative for HEV IgM and IgG. The remaining 40 (32%) were positive for HEV IgG and/or IgM, and consistent with an active infection. We found no markers of previous HEV in 87 of the 89 available and analyzed archive samples (X − 1). Two donors were HEV IgG-positive in the X − 1 donation suggesting insufficient immunity to prevent HEV reinfection. Time of collection of the 90 (72%) analyzed X + 1 donations varied between 2.9 and 101.9 weeks (median of 35 weeks) after X donation. As expected, none of those tested were positive for HEV RNA. Most donors (89; 99%) were positive for anti-HEV lgG/lgM (i.e., seroconversion). HEV lgM-positivity (23; 26%) indicates an often-long persistence of lgM antibodies post-HEV infection. Conclusion: The data collected during the first year of the study provided the basis for the decision to establish mandatory HEV RNA universal screening of all Swiss blood donations in minipools, a vital step in providing safer blood for all recipients, especially those who are immunosuppressed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chagas disease (CD) is a vector-borne Neglected Zoonotic Disease (NZD) caused by a flagellate protozoan, Trypanosoma cruzi, that affects various mammalian species across America, including humans and domestic animals. However, due to an increase in population movements and new routes of transmission, T. cruzi infection is presently considered a worldwide health concern, no longer restricted to endemic countries. Dogs play a major role in the domestic cycle by acting very efficiently as reservoirs and allowing the perpetuation of parasite transmission in endemic areas. Despite the significant progress made in recent years, still there is no vaccine against human and animal disease, there are few drugs available for the treatment of human CD, and there is no standard protocol for the treatment of canine CD. In this review, we highlight human and canine Chagas Disease in its different dimensions and interconnections. Dogs, which are considered to be the most important peridomestic reservoir and sentinel for the transmission of T. cruzi infection in a community, develop CD that is clinically similar to human CD. Therefore, an integrative approach, based on the One Health concept, bringing together the advances in genomics, immunology, and epidemiology can lead to the effective development of vaccines, new treatments, and innovative control strategies to tackle CD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Tick‐borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) is a significant cause of flaviviral infections affecting the human central nervous system, primarily transmitted through tick bites and the consumption of unpasteurized milk. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of TBEV and identify new natural foci of TBEV in livestock milk. In this cross‐sectional study, unpasteurized milk samples were collected from livestock reared on farms and analysed for the presence and subtyping of TBEV using nested reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction , alongside the detection of anti‐TBEV total IgG antibodies using ELISA. The findings revealed that the highest prevalence of TBEV was observed in goat and sheep milk combined, whereas no TBEV was detected in cow milk samples. All identified strains were of the Siberian subtype. Moreover, the highest prevalence of anti‐TBEV antibodies was detected in sheep milk. These results uncover new foci of TBEV in Iran, underscoring the importance of thermal processing (pasteurization) of milk prior to consumption to mitigate the risk of TBEV infection.

BackgroundBrucellosis is a bacterial zoonotic infection that is endemic in Saudi Arabia and associated with clinical and economic impacts. Several studies from countries endemic for brucellosis evaluated the knowledge and attitude of livestock farmers regarding brucellosis. However, no such study was conducted in Saudi Arabia. This study aimed to evaluate the knowledge, attitude, and practice of livestock farmers and meat handlers in Saudi Arabia.MethodsThis was a cross-sectional questionnaire-based study, where participants were interviewed in-person in Arabic in livestock markets between September–December 2023. Convenient sampling was utilized. The questionnaire included basic demographics and questions to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practice toward personal protection and protection of the animals from brucellosis. The questionnaire was adapted from a previously validated survey and included 59 questions. Providing at least one correct answer to a certain question indicated a good knowledge about this item or a safe practice. The participants were divided into: farmers (shepherds working for the animal owners), commercial animal owners (those who rent a stockyard in the livestock market and employ farmers to sell their animals), and private animal owners (owners of private farms from which they sell their animals).Results545 participants were interviewed (n = 291 farmers, n = 118 commercial animal owners, n = 113 private animal owners, and n = 23 animal slaughterhouse workers). >90% have heard of brucellosis. Lack of education and short experience (

Staphylococcus pseudintermedius is a commensal and an opportunistic pathogen in dogs, and is also an opportunistic pathogen in humans. Here we report about a case of bacteraemia with a fatal outcome in a 77-year-old co-morbid male likely caused by a S. pseudintermedius and the investigation into the possible transmission from the two dogs in the patient's household. The two dogs carried the same S. pseudintermedius strain, but this dog strain was unrelated to the strain from the patient. In contrast to the patient strain, the dog strain showed reduced susceptibility to several antibiotics and both dogs had received antibiotic treatment prior to sampling. So, it is conceivable that these treatments can have eliminated the patient's strain between the transmission event and the dog sampling. It is also worth noting that the patient strain was positive for the expA gene, which encodes an exfoliative toxin closely related to the S. aureus exfoliative toxin B. This toxin has been linked to canine pyoderma, but its effect on humans remains unknown. Transmission of S. pseudintermedius was confirmed in the household between the dogs. However, we could not verify that the dogs were the source for the S. pseudintermedius in the patient. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Psittacosis is a zoonotic infectious disease caused by the transmission of Chlamydia psittaci; it often presents as a pulmonary infection but rarely as disseminated disease. Because diagnoses of psittacosis are often underreported due to infrequent pathogen-specific testing, clinical metagenomic next-generation sequencing may be helpful to diagnose such an uncommon syndrome.

ABSTRACTStaphylococcus pseudintermedius is a commensal and an opportunistic pathogen in dogs, and is also an opportunistic pathogen in humans. Here we report about a case of bacteraemia with a fatal outcome in a 77-year-old co-morbid male likely caused by a S. pseudintermedius and the investigation into the possible transmission from the two dogs in the patient’s household. The two dogs carried the same S. pseudintermedius strain, but this dog strain was unrelated to the strain from the patient. In contrast to the patient strain, the dog strain showed reduced susceptibility to several antibiotics and both dogs had received antibiotic treatment prior to sampling. So, it is conceivable that these treatments can have eliminated the patient’s strain between the transmission event and the dog sampling. It is also worth noting that the patient strain was positive for the expA gene, which encodes an exfoliative toxin closely related to the S. aureus exfoliative toxin B. This toxin has been linked to canine pyoderma, but its effect on humans remains unknown. Transmission of S. pseudintermedius was confirmed in the household between the dogs. However, we could not verify that the dogs were the source for the S. pseudintermedius in the patient.

Given the emergence of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), zoonoses have raised in the spotlight of the scientific community. Animals have a pivotal role not only for this infection, but also for many other recent emerging and re-emerging viral diseases, where they may represent both intermediate hosts and/or vectors for zoonoses diffusion. Today, roughly two-thirds of human infections are derived from animal origins; therefore, the search for new broad-spectrum antiviral molecules is mandatory to prevent, control and eradicate future epidemic outbreaks. Host defense peptides, derived from skin secretions of amphibians, appear as the right alternative to common antimicrobial drugs. They are cationic peptides with an amphipathic nature widely described as antibacterial agents, but less is reported about their antiviral potential. In the present study, we evaluated the activity of five amphibian peptides, namely RV-23, AR-23, Hylin-a1, Deserticolin-1 and Hylaseptin-P1, against a wide panel of enveloped animal viruses. A strong virucidal effect was observed for RV-23, AR-23 and Hylin-a1 against bovine and caprine herpesviruses, canine distemper virus, bovine viral diarrhea virus, and Schmallenberg virus. Our results identified these three peptides as potential antiviral-led candidates with a putative therapeutic effect against several animal viruses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Hepatitis E virus (HEV) genotype 3 is the major cause of acute viral hepatitis in several European countries. It is acquired mainly by ingesting contaminated pork, but has also been reported to be transmitted through blood transfusion. Although most HEV infections, including those via blood products, are usually self-limiting, they may become chronic in immunocompromised persons. It is thus essential to identify HEV-infected blood donations to prevent transmission to vulnerable recipients. Aims: Prior to the decision whether to introduce HEV RNA screening for all Swiss blood donations, a 2-year nationwide prevalence study was conducted. Methods: All blood donations were screened in pools of 12–24 samples at five regional blood donation services, and HEV RNA-positive pools were subsequently resolved to the individual donation index donation (X). The viral load, HEV IgG and IgM serology, and HEV genotype were determined. Follow-up investigations were conducted on future control donations (X + 1) and previous archived donations of the donor (X − 1) where available. Results: Between October 2018 and September 2020, 541,349 blood donations were screened and 125 confirmed positive donations were identified (prevalence 1:4331 donations). At the time of blood donation, the HEV RNA-positive individuals were symptom-free. The median viral load was 554 IU/mL (range: 2.01–2,500,000 IU/mL). Men (88; 70%) were more frequently infected than women (37; 30%), as compared with the sex distribution in the Swiss donor population (57% male/43% female, p < 0.01). Of the 106 genotyped cases (85%), all belonged to genotype 3. Two HEV sub-genotypes predominated; 3h3 (formerly 3s) and 3c. The remaining sub-genotypes are all known to circulate in Europe. Five 3ra genotypes were identified, this being a variant associated with rabbits. In total, 85 (68%) X donations were negative for HEV IgM and IgG. The remaining 40 (32%) were positive for HEV IgG and/or IgM, and consistent with an active infection. We found no markers of previous HEV in 87 of the 89 available and analyzed archive samples (X − 1). Two donors were HEV IgG-positive in the X − 1 donation suggesting insufficient immunity to prevent HEV reinfection. Time of collection of the 90 (72%) analyzed X + 1 donations varied between 2.9 and 101.9 weeks (median of 35 weeks) after X donation. As expected, none of those tested were positive for HEV RNA. Most donors (89; 99%) were positive for anti-HEV lgG/lgM (i.e., seroconversion). HEV lgM-positivity (23; 26%) indicates an often-long persistence of lgM antibodies post-HEV infection. Conclusion: The data collected during the first year of the study provided the basis for the decision to establish mandatory HEV RNA universal screening of all Swiss blood donations in minipools, a vital step in providing safer blood for all recipients, especially those who are immunosuppressed.

Chagas disease (CD) is a vector-borne Neglected Zoonotic Disease (NZD) caused by a flagellate protozoan, Trypanosoma cruzi, that affects various mammalian species across America, including humans and domestic animals. However, due to an increase in population movements and new routes of transmission, T. cruzi infection is presently considered a worldwide health concern, no longer restricted to endemic countries. Dogs play a major role in the domestic cycle by acting very efficiently as reservoirs and allowing the perpetuation of parasite transmission in endemic areas. Despite the significant progress made in recent years, still there is no vaccine against human and animal disease, there are few drugs available for the treatment of human CD, and there is no standard protocol for the treatment of canine CD. In this review, we highlight human and canine Chagas Disease in its different dimensions and interconnections. Dogs, which are considered to be the most important peridomestic reservoir and sentinel for the transmission of T. cruzi infection in a community, develop CD that is clinically similar to human CD. Therefore, an integrative approach, based on the One Health concept, bringing together the advances in genomics, immunology, and epidemiology can lead to the effective development of vaccines, new treatments, and innovative control strategies to tackle CD.

Abstract Purpose: To report a 12-year-old patient with a rapid growing orbital mass and imaging findings suggestive of rhabdomyosarcoma that was found to be dirofilariasis after mass resection. Case Report: We describe a 12-year-old patient with a rapid growing orbital mass involving medial part of orbit and medial rectus muscle and imaging findings suggestive of rhabdomyosarcoma. Histopathologic examination showed the mass to be composed of granulomatous inflammation and the thread-like object to be Dirofilaria repens. The patient was well post-operation without morbidity. In this paper, we describe distinct clinical features and imaging findings of this interesting case. Conclusion: Deep orbital lesions due to dirofilariasis, as in our case, is extremely rare. It is important to add dirofilariasis to the differential diagnosis of orbital mass lesions. Attention to the imaging clues, as provided in this report, can be helpful.

Influenza A viruses (IAV) cause persistent epidemics and occasional human pandemics, leading to considerable economic losses. The ecology and epidemiology of IAV are very complex and the emergence of novel zoonotic pathogens is one of the greatest challenges in the healthcare. IAV are characterized by genetic and antigenic variability resulting from a combination of high mutation rates and a segmented genome that provides the ability to rapidly change and adapt to new hosts. In this context, available scientific evidence is of great importance for understanding the epidemiology and evolution of influenza viruses. The present review summarizes original research papers and IAV infections reported in dogs all over the world. Reports of interspecies transmission of equine influenza viruses (EIV) H3N2 from birds to dogs, as well as double and triple reassortant strains resulting from reassortment of avian, human and canine strains have amplified the genetic variety of canine influenza viruses. A total of 146 articles were deemed acceptable by PubMed and the Google Scholar database and were therefore included in this review. The largest number of research articles (n=68) were published in Asia, followed by the Americas (n=44), Europe (n=31), Africa (n=2) and Australia (n=1). Publications are conventionally divided into three categories. The first category (largest group) included modern articles published from 2011 to the present (n=93). The second group consisted of publications from 2000 to 2010 (n=46). Single papers of 1919, 1931, 1963, 1972, 1975, and 1992 were also used, which was necessary to emphasize the history of the study of the ecology and evolution of the IAV circulating among various mammalian species. The largest number of publications occurred in 2010 (n=18) and 2015 (n=11), which is associated with IAV outbreaks observed at that time in the dog population in America, Europe and Asia. In general, these findings raise concerns that dogs, may mediate the adaptation of IAVs to zoonotic transmission and therefore serve as alternative hosts for genetic reassortment of these viruses. The global concern and significant threat to public health from the present COVID-19 pandemic confirms the necessity for active surveillance of zoonotic viral diseases with pandemic potential. [Open Vet J 2022; 12(5.000): 676-687]

Human toxocariasis is a highly prevalent zoonosis worldwide but is underreported in most countries. This study was conducted to evaluate Toxocara canis seropositivity in different exposure sub-groups located in the Mardan, Swabi, and Nowshera districts of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province of Northwest Pakistan. A total of 400 blood samples were collected from males 15 years of age and older with no animals, with livestock, with dogs and/or cats living in the house, and from butchers and veterinarians or para-veterinarians. Serum was tested using a commercial ELISA kit for detection of IgG antibodies against T. canis. Proportion seropositive was presented for each group and differences between groups were evaluated using the chi-square or Fisher's exact test as appropriate. Possible risk factors obtained through administration of a questionnaire were also evaluated for each sub-population. Overall T. canis seroprevalence was 14.2%, with a significant difference found between the seroprevalence of individuals with no animals (5.0%; 5/100), individuals with dogs and/or cats living in the household (8.0%; 8/100), individuals with livestock (18.0%; 18/100), veterinarians or para-veterinarians (24.0%; 12/50), and butchers (28.0%; 14/50) (p < 0.001). Significant differences in seropositivity by income bracket, education level, and working in the fields were found for some sub-groups. Study findings demonstrate that certain sub-populations, in Northwest Pakistan, may be at greater risk of T. canis infection. Development and implementation of targeted preventive strategies may, therefore, be needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Monkeypox is a smallpox-like viral infection caused by a virus of common origin between humans and animals, which belongs to the genus Orthopoxvirus, the Poxviridae family, and sub-family Chordopoxvirinae. The virus was first isolated in 1958 from a group of sick Macaca cynomolgus monkeys. Human infection with the monkeypox virus was first described in Central Africa in 1970 in a 9-month-old child from Zaire (1, 2). The disease is more common in the Congo basin countries of Africa and possibly West Africa, as well as the majority of human cases are reported from Congo basin countries (3, 4). Smallpox is a serious, contagious, and sometimes fatal infectious disease, and its name in Latin means "speckled" and refers to bumps that appear on the skin of the affected person's face and body. Smallpox has been prevalent for thousands of years but has now been eradicated after a successful worldwide vaccination program. The last natural case in the world occurred in Somalia in 1977. After removing the disease from the world, routine vaccination against smallpox was stopped among the public because it was no longer necessary to prevent. In 1970, when an infection with smallpox was close to being eradicated, a previously unknown Orthopox virus called monkeypox was detected in humans. The first known human case in the Équateur province of the Democratic Republic of the Congo occurred when a 9-month-old infant contracted a smallpox-like disease that was eventually confirmed by the World Health Organization as monkeypox in humans (3). Other similar cases occurred in Ivory Coast, Libya, Nigeria, and Sierra Leone between 1970 and 1971, which were attributed to monkeypox infection (2). The monkeypox virus was first isolated in 1958 from vesiculopustular lesions among monkeys kept at the Copenhagen State Serum Institute (5). The close resemblance between smallpox and smallpox in captive monkeys focused attention on the monkeypox virus as a potential threat to smallpox eradication. Before 1970, monkeypox was known only in inhumane hosts. Between 1970 and 1986, 10 cases of monkeypox were reported in humans from West African countries (Sierra Leone, Nigeria, Libya, and Ivory Coast) and 394 cases from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Cameroon and Central African Republic (2). Monkeypox was limited to rainforests in central and West Africa until 2003 when the first cases were reported in the Western Hemisphere. In late spring 2003, several people in the U.S. Midwest were identified following exposure to meadow dogs (a rodent of the Cynomys species) infected with the monkeypox virus with a fever, rash, respiratory symptoms, and lymphadenopathy (6). Genomic sequencing of monkeypox clades isolated from the United States, West and Central Africa has determined the presence of two distinct clade clades of the virus. U.S. isolates were identical to west African clades. The clinical course of the disease was milder among people infected with the West African clade with minimal transmission from human to human compared to those infected with clades in the Central African region (7). In 2010, using the animal model of the prairie dogs in a re-independent study, it was confirmed that the Congo Basin monkeypox virus clade was more malignant than the monkeypox virus clades in West Africa (8). Therefore, the aim of this study was to provide general information about virology, clinical, diagnostic, virulence, control, and treatment of this viral infection. The Monkeypox virus belongs to the Poxviridae family, which also includes the bovine smallpox virus, vaccinia, and variola (smallpox). Poxviruses are the largest known vertebrate infecting viruses that infect humans and other vertebrates (subfamily Chondropoxvirinae species) as well as arthropods (subfamily Entemopoxvirinae species). There are about 70 known species of Poxviruses, classified in 28 genera and two subfamilies of Chordopoxvirinae and Entomopoxvirinae. The virions of these viruses contain the linear double-stranded deoxyribonucleic acid genome (dsDNA) and enzymes that synthesize messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA). These viruses multiply in the cytoplasm of host cells (2). The chordopoxvirinae subfamily contains about ten genera that are genetically and antigenic related. The orthopoxvirus genus of the virus includes camelpox, bovine pox, Ectromelia, monkeypox, raccoon pox, Skunkpox, gerbil pox, Uasin Gishu (horsepox virus), vaccinia, variola and Vel pox (a rodent resembling mice). Many smallpox viruses are associated with a particular vertebrate species, suggesting that transmission of these viruses preferably occurs among certain species of vertebrates. Although random transmission to different vertebrate species can occur, no clinical and pathological conditions have been observed in infected hosts leading to the preservation of the virus in these accidentally infected species (9). Orthopoxviruses that can infect humans include variola, vaccinia, bovine smallpox, and monkeypox virus. The variola virus only infects humans, and the Vaccinia virus is a vaccine clade that does not exist in nature and is used to vaccinate smallpox. The Vaccinia virus originated in the 18th century from an unknown vertebrate species. Bovine smallpox can infect cats and cows and transmit the infection to humans as well (2). Monkeypox is also a rodent-infecting virus most seen in West and Central Africa. Unlike smallpox, the monkeypox virus can infect rabbit skin and can be serially transmitted through mouse inoculation. Four viral Orthopoxviruses that can infect humans cause macroscopic lesions on the inoculated chorioallantoic membrane of embryonic eggs (2). These viruses also differ in the ability to replicate in different tissue culture cells. Currently, however, the clearest results for recognizing differences have been obtained by restrictive patterns of viral DNA endonuclease (10). Some genetic differences have been observed between monkeypox viruses isolated from regions in west and central Africa. Genomic studies have shown strong evidence that the monkeypox virus is isolated from the ancestors of the variola virus. This is important because some researchers have been given the possibility that variola may evolve again from the monkeypox virus. Prior to the development of molecular methods, significant efforts were made to detect these four viruses using serological reactions. The results of these studies showed that these viruses share most antigens (11). Results were obtained using absorbed serum in agar diffusion gel test, but were quickly replaced by studies on biological characteristics and DNA limiting patterns. The development of relatively specific antigens has been very efficient for serological studies in humans and animals. For example, this is essential in the possible rapid diagnosis of infection caused by viruses belonging to the orthopox group of viruses, as well as differentiation from chickenpox, as it may cause confusion in adopting clinical measures. For this purpose, it is recommended that the shells of waste be sent to the diagnostic laboratory without a transfer device. Investigation of lesion shells with electron microscopy allows differentiation of orthopox and herpes viruses. Smallpox viruses can be detected in more than 95 percent of lesions, while the varicella-zoster virus can only be detected in half of the material from chickenpox cases. That means negative electron microscopy samples are highly unlikely to be infected with the monkeypox virus (2, 12, 13). Poxviruses are one of the largest and most complex viruses (14). They are brick-shaped particles that vary in width from 220 nm to 450 nm in length and 140 nm to 260 nm in width (15). Therefore, the monkeypox virus is so large that it can be seen by light microscopy and its structure can be solved by electron microscopy. However, a higher-than-limit magnification provided by electron microscopy is required for its ultrastructural separation. The virion consists of four main elements: core, lateral objects, outer membrane, and outer lipoprotein coating. The central core contains double-stranded viral DNA (dsDNA) and core fibers and is surrounded by a solid layer of rod-shaped structures known as the palisade layer. The central nucleus, palisade layer, and lateral objects are enclosed by the outer membrane, which is composed of many surface tubules. Spontaneously released virions often have external lipoprotein coatings, while virions released by cell degradation lack this coating. An adult virion contains at least 80 viral proteins (16). The monkeypox virus genome is a large linear molecule (197,000 open pairs) of dsDNA, ranked among the largest viral genomes (16). Each end of the genome contains identical but opposite-directional endings with a size of about 6,000 bp (17) with a set of short burst iterations (18) and end-series pin rings (19). The genome consists of about 190 non-overlapping open reading frames (ORF) (more than 180 base pairs in length), containing at least 60 amino acid residues. Of these, there are four in reverse terminal replication (17, 20). The content of guanine and cytosine DNA of the monkeypox virus is low and about 31.1% (21). The two distinct genetic categories of the monkeypox virus include the clades of West Africa and Central Africa (16). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Case: This article reports a case of a 72-year-old man with bilateral total hip joint replacements who suffered cuts to his hands while butchering a wild boar. He presented to the emergency department with fevers and unilateral hip pain. Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae (E. rhusiopathiae) was isolated on hip aspirate and blood cultures. E. rhusiopathiae is a well-recognized zoonotic infection in humans, particularly in at-risk hosts, most commonly infecting swine. Infection is spread by ingestion or through skin abrasion. Conclusion: This illustrates an example of successful operative and perioperative management of prosthetic joint infection secondary to E. rhusiopathiae , particularly microbiological identification, within a multispecialty team of physicians and surgeons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hepatitis E Virus (HEV) was initially thought to cause only acute infections, but the discovery of chronic hepatitis E in immunocompromised patients has profoundly changed our understanding of the virus. We describe the physiopathology, diagnosis, and clinical management of chronic HEV infection. The virus can persist in nearly two-thirds of immunosuppressed patients. Reducing immunosuppression is the first immunomodulatory strategy to cure chronic hepatitis E. But this may not always be feasible or effective. Ribavirin monotherapy for 3 months has been recommended as first-line treatment for chronically infected patients. Ribavirin is around 80% effective at eradicating HEV in retrospective studies. Apart from ribavirin, interferon has been successfully used in liver transplants recipients, but if the patient does not respond, no other alternative drug is available. The vaccine available to prevent HEV infection is one available only in China. HEV infection is a major concern in immunocompromised patients. But the therapeutic arsenal is limited to ribavirin and interferon. Both produce several side effects and new drugs are urgently needed. Moreover, preventive strategies to limit HEV transmission and/or evolution to a chronic infection are also required. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Leptospirosis is a common zoonotic infection caused by the spirochete Leptospira. The disease is more prevalent in the tropics, causing subclinical to severe illness leading to high morbidity and mortality. Case presentation A 77-year-old healthy Sri Lankan man presented to the Teaching Hospital Peradeniya with severe leptospirosis complicated with acute kidney injury, pulmonary hemorrhages, myocarditis, and severe thrombocytopenia. He was deteriorating despite treatment with intravenous antibiotics and methylprednisolone boluses. He made a dramatic improvement with two cycles of plasma exchange. Conclusion Therapeutic plasma exchange is a life-saving treatment modality in severe leptospirosis with multiorgan failure.

We report a case of a 60-year-old asymptomatic male with history of consumption of uncooked snake meat while living in the Congo basin and prior imaging showing multiple abdominal calcifications. Patient had multiple subepithelial colonic lesions identified during screening colonoscopy and microscopic examination of the lesions demonstrated a calcified nodule in the submucosa with overlying normal mucosa. However, no parasite was identified within the calcified nodule. Given the history of consumption of uncooked snake meat and the typical radiographic feature of multiple abdominal calcifications, it is very likely that the patient's radiographic abnormalities are due to prior Armillifer armillatus infection, a parasitic infection acquired from consumption of uncooked snake meat. Patient was asymptomatic at the time of evaluation and was not given anti-parasitic treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Influenza A viruses (IAV) cause persistent epidemics and occasional human pandemics, leading to considerable economic losses. The ecology and epidemiology of IAV are very complex and the emergence of novel zoonotic pathogens is one of the greatest challenges in the healthcare. IAV are characterized by genetic and antigenic variability resulting from a combination of high mutation rates and a segmented genome that provides the ability to rapidly change and adapt to new hosts. In this context, available scientific evidence is of great importance for understanding the epidemiology and evolution of influenza viruses. The present review summarizes original research papers and IAV infections reported in dogs all over the world. Reports of interspecies transmission of equine influenza viruses H3N2 from birds to dogs, as well as double and triple reassortant strains resulting from reassortment of avian, human, and canine strains have amplified the genetic variety of canine influenza viruses. A total of 146 articles were deemed acceptable by PubMed and the Google Scholar database and were therefore included in this review. The largest number of research articles (n = 68) were published in Asia, followed by the Americas (n = 44), Europe (n = 31), Africa (n = 2), and Australia (n = 1). Publications are conventionally divided into three categories. The first category (largest group) included modern articles published from 2011 to the present (n = 93). The second group consisted of publications from 2000 to 2010 (n = 46). Single papers of 1919, 1931, 1963, 1972, 1975, and 1992 were also used, which was necessary to emphasize the history of the study of the ecology and evolution of the IAV circulating among various mammalian species. The largest number of publications occurred in 2010 (n = 18) and 2015 (n = 11), which is associated with IAV outbreaks observed at that time in the dog population in America, Europe, and Asia. In general, these findings raise concerns that dogs may mediate the adaptation of IAVs to zoonotic transmission and therefore serve as alternative hosts for genetic reassortment of these viruses. The global concern and significant threat to public health from the present coronavirus diseases 2019 pandemic confirms the necessity for active surveillance of zoonotic viral diseases with pandemic potential. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Poxviruses have caused the most important diseases for humanity for a long time. An important triumph was achieved with the eradication of smallpox, defined by the World Health Organization in 1979. Poxviruses include significant agents that cause important animal diseases that are non-zoonotic and zoonotic. While humanity has been battling COVID-19, a new battle against monkeypox has recently emerged due to an increase in case numbers and the outbreak's global spread. The other points of the 2022 monkeypox outbreak that make it more serious than previous outbreaks are severe clinical outcomes such as encephalitis and death, and also the higher transmission rate, which occurs at approximately 99% in men, especially those who have sex with men. The 2022 monkeypox virus outbreak has focused public and scientific attention on poxviruses and potential bioterrorism risks posed by poxviruses. Therefore, it is aimed at writing a review that compiles information about monkeypox, cowpox, vaccinia, bovine papular stomatitis, orf, pseudocowpox, gray seal pox, and red deerpox viruses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To report a 12-year-old patient with a rapid growing orbital mass and imaging findings suggestive of rhabdomyosarcoma that was found to be dirofilariasis after mass resection. Case Report: We describe a 12-year-old patient with a rapid growing orbital mass involving medial part of orbit and medial rectus muscle and imaging findings suggestive of rhabdomyosarcoma. Histopathologic examination showed the mass to be composed of granulomatous inflammation and the thread-like object to be Dirofilaria repens. The patient was well post-operation without morbidity. In this paper, we describe distinct clinical features and imaging findings of this interesting case. Conclusion: Deep orbital lesions due to dirofilariasis, as in our case, is extremely rare. It is important to add dirofilariasis to the differential diagnosis of orbital mass lesions. Attention to the imaging clues, as provided in this report, can be helpful. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is distinct from other hepatotropic viruses because it is zoonotic. HEV-1 and HEV-2 exclusively infect humans, whereas HEV-3 and HEV-4 are zoonotic. However, the viral and/or host factors responsible for cross-species HEV transmission remain elusive. The hypervariable region (HVR) in HEV is extremely heterogenetic and is implicated in HEV adaptation. Here, we investigated the potential role of Serine phosphorylation in the HVR in HEV replication. We first analyzed HVR sequences across different HEV genotypes and identified a unique region at the N-terminus of the HVR, which is variable in the human-exclusive HEV genotypes but relatively conserved in zoonotic HEV genotypes. Using predictive tools, we identified four potential phosphorylation sites that are highly conserved in zoonotic HEV-3 and HEV-4 genomes but absent in human-exclusive HEV-1 strains. To explore the functional significance of these putative phosphorylation sites, we introduced mutations into the HEV-3 infectious clone and indicator replicon, replacing each Serine residue individually with alanine or aspartic acid, and assessed the impact of these substitutions on HEV-3 replication. We found that the phospho-blatant S711A mutant significantly reduced virus replication, whereas the phospho-mimetic S711D mutant modestly reduced virus replication. Conversely, mutations in the other three Serine residues did not significantly affect HEV-3 replication. Furthermore, we demonstrated that Ser711 phosphorylation did not alter host cell tropism of zoonotic HEV-3. In conclusion, our results showed that potential phosphorylation of the Ser711 residue significantly affects HEV-3 replication in vitro , providing new insights into the potential mechanisms of zoonotic HEV transmission.IMPORTANCEHEV is an important zoonotic pathogen, causing both acute and chronic hepatitis E and extrahepatic manifestation of diseases, such as neurological sequelae. The zoonotic HEV-3 is linked to chronic infection and neurological diseases. The specific viral and/or host factors facilitating cross-species HEV infection are unknown. The intrinsically disordered HVR in ORF1 is crucial for viral fitness and adaptation, both in vitro and in vivo . We hypothesized that phosphorylation of Serine residues in the HVR of zoonotic HEV by unknown host cellular kinases is associated with cross-species HEV transmission. In this study, we identified a conserved region within the HVR of zoonotic HEV strains but absent in the human-exclusive HEV-1 and HEV-2. We elucidated the important role of phosphorylation at the Ser711 residue in zoonotic HEV-3 replication, without altering the host cell tropism. These findings contribute to our understanding the mechanisms of cross-species HEV transmission.

Thelazia callipaeda , the oriental eyeworm, is a zoonotic parasite that primarily infects the eyes, causing symptoms such as foreign body sensation, tearing, and itching. It is transmitted by fruit flies like Phortica okadai and commonly affects dogs and cats. This case report describes an 18-year-old woman who presented with complaints of "a worm in her left eye." Despite two visits to an ophthalmology clinic, she was initially diagnosed with conjunctivitis. The patient's history of dog ownership raised the possibility of zoonotic transmission; however, the worm was not detected during clinical examinations. Eventually, the patient removed the worm herself, and it was identified as the larval stage of T. callipaeda . This case emphasizes the importance of considering T. callipaeda in patients with nonspecific conjunctivitis symptoms, especially those with a history of contact with animals. It highlights the challenges in diagnosing this rare infection due to its nonspecific presentation and the small size of the larvae. Clinicians should be aware of this possibility and conduct thorough examinations, including double eversion of the eyelids, to avoid misdiagnosis and ensure appropriate treatment., Competing Interests: Human subjects: Consent was obtained or waived by all participants in this study. Conflicts of interest: In compliance with the ICMJE uniform disclosure form, all authors declare the following: Payment/services info: All authors have declared that no financial support was received from any organization for the submitted work. Financial relationships: All authors have declared that they have no financial relationships at present or within the previous three years with any organizations that might have an interest in the submitted work. Other relationships: All authors have declared that there are no other relationships or activities that could appear to have influenced the submitted work., (Copyright © 2024, Uchida et al.)

Given the emergence of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), zoonoses have raised in the spotlight of the scientific community. Animals have a pivotal role not only for this infection, but also for many other recent emerging and re-emerging viral diseases, where they may represent both intermediate hosts and/or vectors for zoonoses diffusion. Today, roughly two-thirds of human infections are derived from animal origins; therefore, the search for new broad-spectrum antiviral molecules is mandatory to prevent, control and eradicate future epidemic outbreaks. Host defense peptides, derived from skin secretions of amphibians, appear as the right alternative to common antimicrobial drugs. They are cationic peptides with an amphipathic nature widely described as antibacterial agents, but less is reported about their antiviral potential. In the present study, we evaluated the activity of five amphibian peptides, namely RV-23, AR-23, Hylin-a1, Deserticolin-1 and Hylaseptin-P1, against a wide panel of enveloped animal viruses. A strong virucidal effect was observed for RV-23, AR-23 and Hylin-a1 against bovine and caprine herpesviruses, canine distemper virus, bovine viral diarrhea virus, and Schmallenberg virus. Our results identified these three peptides as potential antiviral-led candidates with a putative therapeutic effect against several animal viruses.

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Purpose: To report a case of infectious pediatric retinitis attributed to Rocky Mountain spotted fever which is rarely reported in the United States. Observations: A previously healthy 14-year-old male return traveler from Mexico was admitted to the pediatric ICU with septic shock and a diffuse rash. He subsequently complained of blurry vision and was found to have evidence of retinitis on exam. Infectious workup revealed high titers of rickettsial IgM and IgG antibodies. He was treated successfully with 14 days doxycycline and followed up in clinic with improvement in his visual complaints and retinitis. Conclusions and importance: Rickettsioses are worldwide endemic zoonotic infections caused by Gram negative obligate intracellular bacteria and spread to humans by infected ticks. Rickettsial infections, including Rocky Mountain spotted fever caused by Rickettsia rickettsii, are a cause of infectious retinitis, and atypical and zoonotic infections should remain on the differential diagnosis for patients presenting with rash, systemic illness, and visual complaints, even if the patient's travel or exposure history do not immediately suggest a likely rickettsial infection. In general, the ocular manifestations of rickettsial infection improve with systemic doxycycline treatment of the underlying infection.

Background: Dermatophytosis is one of the most common skin diseases that affects cats and dogs. Geographic factors play an important role in determining prevalence, showing high rates of prevalence in warm and humid environments. Purpose: The aim of this study was to determine the macroscopic and microscopic identification of different types of dermatophytes present on stray dogs. Methods: The design of this study was laboratory-based research. Each sample was collected from an infection site (nail, hair, or skin) that was identified by conducting a physical examination of a stray dog that was infected with fungi. The skin scraping, nail clipping, and fur cutting samples were collected from infected dogs and then cultured on Sabouraud Dextrose Agar (SDA). The cultures were incubated at 26°C for five weeks. The isolates of fungi were then examined macroscopically and microscopically. The Lactophenol Cotton Blue (LPCB) staining technique was used for fungi morphology identification. Results: Overall, the most common type of dermatophytes that affected the dogs were Trichophyton spp. (64.70%), Aspergillus spp. (10.10%), Microsporum spp. (7.20%), and Curvularia spp. (5.60%). Conclusion: This study revealed the most common dermatophyte infections found on stray dogs in Selangor, Malaysia. This study can assist investigators in understanding the prevalence of the dermatophyte burden in stray dogs and help prevent further complication, such as the spread of illness, especially zoonotic infection.

Hepatitis E virus is an important zoonotic food pathogen with natural animal reservoirs and remarkable increases recently. Hepatitis E virus infection is usually asymptomatic in animals, but it can cause both acute and chronic hepatitis in humans and represents an emerging public health problem worldwide. However, there is a lack of scientific reports about the epidemiological characteristics of hepatitis E virus in domestic ruminants in Turkey. This study aimed to investigate hepatitis E virus in cattle and sheep. Data were derived from cattle and sheep using blood sera and liver tissues from slaughterhouses in some provinces in Turkey. The samples were examined for anti-hepatitis E virus IgG by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method and hepatitis E virus RNA by the molecular method. In this study, hepatitis E virus was investigated in 200 liver tissues and 414 blood sera from cattle and sheep. Among all samples, anti-hepatitis E virus IgG seropositivity was present in 16.5% and 5.0% of cattle and sheep, respectively. While the highest hepatitis E virus seroprevalence was determined as 33.3% in cattle in Diyarbakir, it was determined as 6.25% in sheep in Malatya. In the molecular study, hepatitis E virus RNA found in one Elazig cattle blood serum sample shared 97.58% similarity with rat hepatitis E virus. The results showed that sheep and cattle can be a source of hepatitis E virus infection for consumers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The variegated squirrel bornavirus 1 (VSBV-1) is a recently discovered emerging viral pathogen which causes severe and eventually fatal encephalitis in humans after contact to exotic squirrels in private holdings and zoological gardens. Understanding the VSBV-1 epidemiology is crucial to develop, implement, and maintain surveillance strategies for the detection and control of animal and human infections. Based on a newly detected human encephalitis case in a zoological garden, epidemiological squirrel trade investigations and molecular phylogeny analyses of VSBV-1 with temporal and spatial resolution were conducted. Phylogenetic analyses indicated a recent emergence of VSBV-1 in European squirrel holdings and several animal–animal and animal–human spill-over infections. Virus phylogeny linked to squirrel trade analysis showed the introduction of a common ancestor of the known current VSBV-1 isolates into captive exotic squirrels in Germany, most likely by Prevost’s squirrels (Callosciurus prevostii). The links of the animal trade between private breeders and zoos, the likely introduction pathway of VSBV-1 into Germany, and the role of a primary animal distributor were elucidated. In addition, a seroprevalence study was performed among zoo animal caretakers from VSBV-1 affected zoos. No seropositive healthy zoo animal caretakers were found, underlining a probable high-case fatality rate of human VSBV-1 infections. This study illustrates the network and health consequences of uncontrolled wild pet trading as well as the benefits of molecular epidemiology for elucidation and future prevention of infection chains by zoonotic viruses. To respond to emerging zoonotic diseases rapidly, improved regulation and control strategies are urgently needed.

A 36-year-old male patient, who was an agricultural farmer and had a diagnosis of bicuspid aortic valve and coarctation, was admitted with symptoms of fever, fatigue, and shortness of breath that lasted for a month, in March 2017. Examination revealed dyspnea and bilateral rales and rhonchi in lung auscultation. A 3/6 systolic murmur was heard in the mesocardiac focus. The laboratory tests showed a white blood cell count of 15.14×103/µl, erythrocyte sedimentation rate of 36 mm/h, and C-reactive protein of 26 mg/l. An echocardiogram showed mobile vegetation (30×10 mm) on the aortic valve and severe aortic and tricuspid valve insufficiency. All blood cultures that are taken from the patient with the diagnosis of infective endocarditis were negative and C. burnetii phase I IgG antibody was positive at 1/32768 titer. As far as we know, herein, we present a case of endocarditis due to C. burnetii, which is the third case that is reported in Turkey.

A 36-year-old male patient, who was an agricultural farmer and had a diagnosis of bicuspid aortic valve and coarctation, was admitted with symptoms of fever, fatigue, and shortness of breath that lasted for a month, in March 2017. Examination revealed dyspnea and bilateral rales and rhonchi in lung auscultation. A 3/6 systolic murmur was heard in the mesocardiac focus. The laboratory tests showed a white blood cell count of 15.14Ã--103/μl, erythrocyte sedimentation rate of 36 mm/h, and C-reactive protein of 26 mg/l. An echocardiogram showed mobile vegetation (30Ã--10 mm) on the aortic valve and severe aortic and tricuspid valve insufficiency. All blood cultures that are taken from the patient with the diagnosis of infective endocarditis were negative and C. burnetii phase I IgG antibody was positive at 1/32768 titer. As far as we know, herein, we present a case of endocarditis due to C. burnetii, which is the third case that is reported in Turkey. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Leptospirosis is a common zoonotic infection caused by the spirochete Leptospira. The disease is more prevalent in the tropics, causing subclinical to severe illness leading to high morbidity and mortality.Case Presentation: A 77-year-old healthy Sri Lankan man presented to the Teaching Hospital Peradeniya with severe leptospirosis complicated with acute kidney injury, pulmonary hemorrhages, myocarditis, and severe thrombocytopenia. He was deteriorating despite treatment with intravenous antibiotics and methylprednisolone boluses. He made a dramatic improvement with two cycles of plasma exchange.Conclusion: Therapeutic plasma exchange is a life-saving treatment modality in severe leptospirosis with multiorgan failure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]