Genotypes of <i>Coxiella burnetii</i> in wildlife: disentangling the molecular epidemiology of a multi‐host pathogen

González‐Barrio, David; Jado, Isabel; Fernández-de-Mera, Isabel G.; Fernández-Santos, M.R.; Rodríguez-Vargas, Manuela; García-Amil, Cristina; Beltrán‐Beck, Beatriz; Anda, Pedro; Ruiz‐Fons, Francisco

doi:10.1111/1758-2229.12431

Cited by 12 publications

(15 citation statements)

References 43 publications

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“…The acute disease antigen A (adaA) gene-present in some C. burnetii strains causing acute Q fever in humans [21]-was present in this genotype II+ strain. Genotype II+ has been previously reported in ticks (Slovak Republic), sheep (Germany, Spain) and humans (Italy) and it appears to be the most widely distributed (RLB) genotype in Europe [19]; nevertheless, the absence of molecular epidemiology studies in wildlife and in particular in micromammals makes the understanding of potential cross-species transmission difficult. Typing pathogens circulating in healthy wildlife could be partly constrained by pathogen burden in tissues [18,19].…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Genotype II+ has been previously reported in ticks (Slovak Republic), sheep (Germany, Spain) and humans (Italy) and it appears to be the most widely distributed (RLB) genotype in Europe [19]; nevertheless, the absence of molecular epidemiology studies in wildlife and in particular in micromammals makes the understanding of potential cross-species transmission difficult. Typing pathogens circulating in healthy wildlife could be partly constrained by pathogen burden in tissues [18,19]. This may occur more frequently in enzootic pathogens that have a large history of co-evolution with their hosts and replicate at a lower ratio in hosts than epidemic pathogens [22].…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…A screening assay was selected for the detection of C. burnetii DNA in samples based on the IS1111-based PCR. Positive samples were further analysed by coupling the PCR with hybridization with a specific probe by reverse line blotting (RLB) [19,20]. The resulting genotypes were further analyzed with InfoQuest™FP 4.50 (BioRad, Hercules, CA, USA).…”

Section: Location Referencementioning

confidence: 99%

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Investigating the Role of Micromammals in the Ecology of Coxiella burnetii in Spain

González‐Barrio

Jado

Viñuela

et al. 2021

Animals

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Coxiella burnetii, the causal agent of human Q fever and animal Coxiellosis, is a zoonotic infectious bacterium with a complex ecology that results from its ability to replicate in multiple (in)vertebrate host species. Spain notifies the highest number of Q fever cases to the ECDC annually and wildlife plays a relevant role in C. burnetii ecology in the country. However, the whole picture of C. burnetii hosts is incomplete, so this study seeks to better understand the role of micromammals in C. burnetii ecology in the country. Spleen samples from 816 micromammals of 10 species and 130 vaginal swabs from Microtus arvalis were analysed by qPCR to detect C. burnetii infection and shedding, respectively. The 9.7% of the spleen samples were qPCR positive. The highest infection prevalence (10.8%) was found in Microtus arvalis, in which C. burnetii DNA was also detected in 1 of the 130 vaginal swabs (0.8%) analysed. Positive samples were also found in Apodemus sylvaticus (8.7%), Crocidura russula (7.7%) and Rattus rattus (6.4%). Positive samples were genotyped by coupling PCR with reverse line blotting and a genotype II+ strain was identified for the first time in one of the positive samples from M. arvalis, whereas only partial results could be obtained for the rest of the samples. Acute Q fever was diagnosed in one of the researchers that participated in the study, and it was presumably linked to M. arvalis handling. The results of the study are consistent with previous findings suggesting that micromammals can be infected by C. burnetii. Our findings additionally suggest that micromammals may be potential sources to trace back the origin of human Q fever and animal Coxiellosis cases in Europe.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Location Referencementioning

confidence: 99%

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Investigating the Role of Micromammals in the Ecology of Coxiella burnetii in Spain

González‐Barrio

Jado

Viñuela

et al. 2021

Animals

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“…Rabbits are also true C. burnetii reservoirs ( 27 ). However, the interference of rabbits in the dynamics of C. burnetii infection in deer is expected to be low because distinct C. burnetii genotypes infect the deer and rabbits on the study site ( 17 , 28 ).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Estimating the Efficacy of a Commercial Phase I Inactivated Vaccine in Decreasing the Prevalence of Coxiella burnetii Infection and Shedding in Red Deer (Cervus elaphus)

González‐Barrio

Ortíz²,

Ruiz‐Fons

2017

Front. Vet. Sci.

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The red deer (Cervus elaphus) is a relevant reservoir for Coxiella burnetii in Iberia. C. burnetii genotypes that infect red deer also infect humans and domestic animals. Integrated control approaches that target both domestic and wild ruminants are, therefore, required to reduce C. burnetii infection risks in Iberia, especially in wildlife–livestock–human interaction scenarios. The aim of this field experiment was to test the efficacy of an inactivated phase I vaccine [Inactivated phase I vaccine (IPIV); Coxevac®] when used to control C. burnetii shedding prevalence and burden in red deer as a tool to prevent transmission to livestock and humans. A semi-extensively bred red deer population in which C. burnetii is endemic was used as a model of the Iberian context. Around 75% of the reproductive hinds (>1 year old; N = 441) in the population were first vaccinated early in 2012 and were then revaccinated 3 weeks later; they were subsequently revaccinated biannually until January 2014. 75% of the yearling females left as replacement in 2012 and 2013 were vaccinated in June and revaccinated thereafter following the same protocol. 25% of the population, including the replacement females, was kept as a control group throughout the study. Changes in the humoral immune response after vaccination were estimated by analyzing sera collected at 10 different times between January 2011 and January 2015. The vaccinated and control hinds were surveyed at 2.5, 3.5, and 4.5 months after calving in 2012, 2013, and 2014 to collect vaginal swabs, milk, and feces. The presence and burden of C. burnetii DNA in swabs, milk, and feces was evaluated by means of real-time PCR. Vaccination induced high antibody prevalence and levels. The proportion of animals shedding C. burnetii in vaginal secretions and milk did not change over time in the vaccination group with respect to the control group. In contrast, there was a significant reduction in the proportion of deer shedding C. burnetii in feces in both the vaccinated and control groups. The decrease in the proportion of fecal shedders coincided with a significant reduction in the incidence of infection of non-vaccinated yearling females in the population. This finding suggests that long-term vaccination with IPIV could reduce environmental contamination with C. burnetii and control transmission, perhaps making this a promising tool with which to control C. burnetii in red deer in the future.

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“…In 2006, two novel genetic groups, GG VII and GG VIII, were identified (Beare et al, 2006). The GG VII consisted of wild animal strains, and the GG VIII included strains that originated from small ruminant and human samples (Jado et al, 2012;Gonzaĺez-Barrio et al, 2016b).…”

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Phylogeography of Human and Animal Coxiella burnetii Strains: Genetic Fingerprinting of Q Fever in Belgium

Tomaiuolo

Boarbi

Fancello

et al. 2021

Front. Cell. Infect. Microbiol.

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Q fever is a zoonotic disease caused by the bacteria Coxiella burnetii. Domestic ruminants are the primary source for human infection, and the identification of likely contamination routes from the reservoir animals the critical point to implement control programs. This study shows that Q fever is detected in Belgium in abortion of cattle, goat and sheep at a different degree of apparent prevalence (1.93%, 9.19%, and 5.50%, respectively). In addition, and for the first time, it is detected in abortion of alpaca (Vicugna pacos), raising questions on the role of these animals as reservoirs. To determine the relationship between animal and human strains, Multiple Locus Variable-number Tandem Repeat Analysis (MLVA) (n=146), Single-Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP) (n=92) and Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) (n=4) methods were used to characterize samples/strains during 2009-2019. Three MLVA clusters (A, B, C) subdivided in 23 subclusters (A1-A12, B1-B8, C1-C3) and 3 SNP types (SNP1, SNP2, SNP6) were identified. The SNP2 type/MLVA cluster A was the most abundant and dispersed genotype over the entire territory, but it seemed not responsible for human cases, as it was only present in animal samples. The SNP1/MLVA B and SNP6/MLVA C clusters were mostly found in small ruminant and human samples, with the rare possibility of spillovers in cattle. SNP1/MLVA B cluster was present in all Belgian areas, while the SNP6/MLVA C cluster appeared more concentrated in the Western provinces. A broad analysis of European MLVA profiles confirmed the host-species distribution described for Belgian samples. In silico genotyping (WGS) further identified the spacer types and the genomic groups of C. burnetii Belgian strains: cattle and goat SNP2/MLVA A isolates belonged to ST61 and genomic group III, while the goat SNP1/MLVA B strain was classified as ST33 and genomic group II. In conclusion, Q fever is widespread in all Belgian domestic ruminants and in alpaca. We determined that the public health risk in Belgium is likely linked to specific genomic groups (SNP1/MLVA B and SNP6/MLVA C) mostly found in small ruminant strains. Considering the concordance between Belgian and European results, these considerations could be extended to other European countries.

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Genotypes of Coxiella burnetii in wildlife: disentangling the molecular epidemiology of a multi‐host pathogen

Cited by 12 publications

References 43 publications

Investigating the Role of Micromammals in the Ecology of Coxiella burnetii in Spain

Investigating the Role of Micromammals in the Ecology of Coxiella burnetii in Spain

Estimating the Efficacy of a Commercial Phase I Inactivated Vaccine in Decreasing the Prevalence of Coxiella burnetii Infection and Shedding in Red Deer (Cervus elaphus)

Phylogeography of Human and Animal Coxiella burnetii Strains: Genetic Fingerprinting of Q Fever in Belgium

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