Epidemiologic Features of Human Rabies in China from 2015-2021

Na, Zhang; Song, Chengqian; Tao, Xiaoyan; Zhu, Wuyang

doi:10.15212/zoonoses-2023-0012

Cited by 4 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 7 publications

(10 reference statements)

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“…According to the published data, the number of rabies cases declines signi cantly in China year by year. But the regional distribution of rabies did not shrink at district and county level [5]. In China, dog population was about 136,109 per thousand people in 2022 [21].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…A total of 3,302 rabies cases were reported from 2015 to 2021 in China [5]. Anhui province is divided into medium epidemic regions of rabies.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In 2017, there were 28,243 persons obtaining postexposure prophylaxis treatment from clinics, and 39 rabies cases were reported in Anhui province. Furthermore, 12 rabies cases were reported in Anhui province in 2021 [5]. Though the number of rabies cases is declining in China from 2015, RABV is still a fatal factor for human life.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Metagenomic next-generation sequencing for etiological diagnosis of an unexpected rabies case with unclear exposure history

Wu,

QI,

Zhang

et al. 2024

Preprint

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Background Rabies is an acute and lethal zoonotic disease caused by the rabies virus (RABV). After onset, there are no effective drugs or treatment methods. We reported a fatal rabies case with no clear history of animal bites and atypical early clinical symptoms. And unexpectedly, we discovered that unique RABV sequences were detected in the patient's saliva by metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS). The patient was diagnosed with rabies based on the results of saliva mNGS, real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) conducted by local Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the detection of human rabies virus IgG antibodies performed in our laboratory, as well as the clinical symptoms of pruritus, agitation, paralysis, and excessive salivation at disease onset. Case presentation A 49-year-old female from Hefei, Anhui Province, China, presented to a local hospital with fever, pruritus, chest distress, and shortness of breath. During the consultation, the patient exhibited agitation and was later admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) for endotracheal intubation and mechanical ventilation due to worsened agitation and dyspnea. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and blood samples were collected and pathogenic microorganism identification was performed by culture and mNGS. However, all results were negative. In addition, the patient did not display typical rabies-specific symptoms such as aerophobia, hydrophobia or photophobia from onset to admission. Subsequently, saliva samples were collected for mNGS detection following consultation with experts at our hospital. Nucleic acid sequences uniquely aligned to the rabies virus (RABV) were identified in these samples. The result was further confirmed by local CDC through RT-PCR which detected part of the N gene of RABV in the saliva sample. Then the patient was transferred to our hospital's ICU for isolation. Unfortunately, she died on the 10th day of admission due to multiple organ failure. The patient remained in a comatose state during symptomatic supportive medical care in ICU, and the progression of the disease was accompanied by intermittent elevated body temperature, excessive salivation, and limb weakness. The detection of human rabies virus IgG antibodies reported positive during the advanced stage of the disease. We consistently verified with the patient's family member that there was no clear history of animal bites and no history of RABV vaccination. Furthermore, we performed phylogenetic analysis of partial L and G gene sequences of RABV obtained by mNGS (designated HFG23-L and HFG23-G, respectively), the results showed that both HFG23-L and HFG23-G belonged to the China I lineage, and shared 99.7% similarity with the Fengtai strain isolated from dogs in Beijing. The results suggested that the origin of RABV in this case may be a dog from the northern China. Conclusions The patient's non-specific prodromal symptom, along with negative culture and mNGS results of blood and CSF, impose challenges on promptly and definitively diagnosing rabies in this case. The identification of unique RABV sequence through mNGS in the patient's saliva sample suggested that mNGS could serve as a valuable screening tool for the etiological diagnosis of rabies, especially when timely laboratory testing was unavailable or when patients lacked a clear exposure history.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…A total of 3,302 rabies cases were reported from 2015 to 2021 in China [5]. Anhui province is divided into medium epidemic regions of rabies.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Metagenomic next-generation sequencing for etiological diagnosis of an unexpected rabies case with unclear exposure history

Wu,

QI,

Zhang

et al. 2024

Preprint

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“…However, living with companion animals might increase the risk of bidirectional transmission of some infectious diseases. Indeed, cats and dogs have been identified as potential sources of zoonoses of varying severity in humans, including viral pathogens (such as rabies virus and norovirus) 8-12 , bacteria (such as Bordetella , Campylobacter and Salmonella ) 13-16 , fungi (such as dermatophytes) 17 , as well as parasites (such as Toxoplasma gondii ) 18 , causing human illnesses ranging from mild rashes to severe nerve damage 8 . Additionally, companion animals may become infected with some human respiratory viruses, such as influenza viruses 19 , as well as multidrug-resistant bacteria, such as extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-resistant Escherichia coli and Clostridium difficile 12,20-26 , posing potential risks to human and animal health.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Meta-transcriptomic analysis of companion animal infectomes reveals their diversity and potential roles in animal and human disease

Wu,

Pan,

Zhou

et al. 2024

Preprint

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Companion animals such as cats and dogs harbor diverse microbial communities that can potentially impact human health due to close and frequent contact. To better characterize their total infectomes and assess zoonotic risks, we performed meta-transcriptomic profiling on 239 samples from cats and dogs collected across China, comparing the similarities and differences between animal species (cats or dogs), sampling sites (rectal or oropharyngeal), and health status (healthy or diseased). We identified 24 viral species, 270 bacterial genera, and two fungal genera, including many known pathogens such ascanine parvovirus,Clostridium difficile, andCandida albicans,as well as opportunistic pathogens such ascanine vesivirus. Microbial compositions differed mainly according to sampling site (i.e., rectal and oropharyngeal swabs), and less so between host species and health status. Notably, we detected 27 potential zoonotic pathogens, such asalphacoronavirus 1, among all sampling sites, hosts, and health status, underscoring substantial zoonotic risks requiring surveillance. Overall, our meta-transcriptomic analysis reveals a landscape of actively transcribing microorganisms in major companion animals, including key pathogens, those with the potential for cross-species transmission, and possible zoonotic threats.

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Meta-transcriptomic analysis of companion animal infectomes reveals their diversity and potential roles in animal and human disease

Wu,

Pan,

Zhou

et al. 2024

mSphere

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Companion animals such as cats and dogs harbor diverse microbial communities that can potentially impact human health due to close and frequent contact. To better characterize their total infectomes and assess zoonotic risks, we characterized the overall infectomes of companion animals (cats and dogs) and evaluated their potential zoonotic risks. Meta-transcriptomic analyses were performed on 239 samples from cats and dogs collected across China, identifying 24 viral species, 270 bacterial genera, and two fungal genera. Differences in the overall microbiome and infectome composition were compared across different animal species (cats or dogs), sampling sites (rectal or oropharyngeal), and health status (healthy or diseased). Diversity analyses revealed that viral abundance was generally higher in diseased animals compared to healthy ones, while differences in microbial composition were mainly driven by sampling site, followed by animal species and health status. Disease association analyses validated the pathogenicity of known pathogens and suggested potential pathogenic roles of previously undescribed bacteria and newly discovered viruses. Cross-species transmission analyses identified seven pathogens shared between cats and dogs, such as alphacoronavirus 1, which was detected in both oropharyngeal and rectal swabs albeit with differential pathogenicity. Further analyses showed that some viruses, like alphacoronavirus 1, harbored multiple lineages exhibiting distinct pathogenicity, tissue, or host preferences. Ultimately, a systematic evolutionary screening identified 27 potential zoonotic pathogens in this sample set, with far more bacterial than viral species, implying potential health threats to humans. Overall, our meta-transcriptomic analysis reveals a landscape of actively transcribing microorganisms in major companion animals, highlighting key pathogens, those with the potential for cross-species transmission, and possible zoonotic threats. IMPORTANCE This study provides a comprehensive characterization of the entire community of infectious microbes (viruses, bacteria, and fungi) in companion animals like cats and dogs, termed the “infectome.” By analyzing hundreds of samples from across China, the researchers identified numerous known and novel pathogens, including 27 potential zoonotic agents that could pose health risks to both animals and humans. Notably, some of these zoonotic pathogens were detected even in apparently healthy pets, highlighting the importance of surveillance. The study also revealed key microbial factors associated with respiratory and gastrointestinal diseases in pets, as well as potential cross-species transmission events between cats and dogs. Overall, this work sheds light on the complex microbial landscapes of companion animals and their potential impacts on animal and human health, underscoring the need for monitoring and management of these infectious agents.

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Epidemiologic Features of Human Rabies in China from 2015-2021

Cited by 4 publications

References 7 publications

Metagenomic next-generation sequencing for etiological diagnosis of an unexpected rabies case with unclear exposure history

Metagenomic next-generation sequencing for etiological diagnosis of an unexpected rabies case with unclear exposure history

Meta-transcriptomic analysis of companion animal infectomes reveals their diversity and potential roles in animal and human disease

Meta-transcriptomic analysis of companion animal infectomes reveals their diversity and potential roles in animal and human disease

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