Tularaemia: A challenging zoonosis

Abstract

a b s t r a c tIn recent years, several emerging zoonotic vector-borne infections with potential impact on human health have been identified in Europe, including tularaemia, caused by Francisella tularensis. This remarkable pathogen, one of the most virulent microorganisms currently known, has been detected in increasingly new settings and in a wide range of wild species, including lagomorphs, rodents, carnivores, fish and invertebrate arthropods. Also, a renewed concern has arisen with regard to F. tularensis: its potential use by bioterrorists. Based on the information published concerning the latest outbreaks, the aim of this paper is to review the main features of the agent, its biology, immunology and epidemiology. Moreover, special focus will be given to zoonotic aspects of the disease, as tularaemia outbreaks in human populations have been frequently associated with disease in animals.

Bacterial Contamination of Indoor Air in Schools of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

“…During this study, the cases observed of the most common disease in the investigated schools between teachers and students varied between acute disease (sore throat, stomach ache, cold, fever, tonsillitis, flu cough, headache and dizziness) and chronic disease (asthma, anaemia, urinary tract infection, rheumatoid, eczema, chest allergy) ( Table 2). It was observed that the diseases were common when the student›s age was between (11-16) years but, the diseases were fewer when the teacher›s age was between (29)(30)(31)(32)(33)(34)(35)(36)(37)(38)(39)(40). Results of this study confirm the considerable microbial contamination of most investigated school settings.…”

“…During lessons and after lessons the number of microorganisms was much lower. But, Carvalho CL et al [35] evaluating many shopping centres in Hong Kong found different bacteria levels on the weekend when the number of people inside the building increased. However, Stryjakowska-Sekulska et al [9] reported in their investigation just after the short period of high microorganism's concentration in the air of investigated rooms a gradual decrease of microbial contamination.…”

Tularemia — Serious Zoonotic Disease

“…F. tularensis have the ability to intensively multiply within macrophages. The virulent ability of the germ interferes with the resistance of the host organism, resulting in bacterial cell division in the cytoplasm (Carvalho et al 2014). It can trigger off a cell death by apoptosis, releasing the bacteria to infect new cells (Glinski and Kostro 2003).…”

Putting the Jigsaw Together - A Brief Insight Into the Tularemia

“…It is widespread throughout the Old World and North America [79]. On the Eurasian continent, tularemia is traditionally reported from Scandinavian countries, particularly from Sweden [80,81]; from countries of Central Europe, including Germany [82,83], Austria [84,85], the Czech Republic and Slovakia [84,86]; from countries of the former Soviet Union [87][88][89]; from Central Asia [90][91][92], including Mongolia [93]; and from the Japanese islands [94,95].…”