| 1. |
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| 2. |
- Adami, Rebecca, 1982-, et al.
(författare)
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The Rights of the Child : Legal, Political and Ethical Challenges
- 2023
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Bok (refereegranskat)abstract
- How can human rights for children born outside their national jurisdiction with parents deemed as terrorists be safeguarded? In what ways do children risk being discriminated in their welfare rights in Sweden when treated as invisible part of a family? How can we do research on children’s rights in not just ethically sensitive ways but also with respect for children as rights subjects? And what could be a theory on social justice for children? These are questions discussed in studies from different disciplines concerning children’s international human rights, with a special focus on the realization of the CRC in Sweden.
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| 3. |
- Aspán, Anna, et al.
(författare)
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Environmental sampling for evaluating verotoxogenic Escherichia coli O157:H7 status in dairy cattle herds
- 2013
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Ingår i: Journal of Veterinary Diagnostic Investigation. - : SAGE Publications. - 1040-6387 .- 1943-4936. ; 25, s. 189-198
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Verotoxigenic Escherichia coli O157:H7 is a zoonotic bacterial pathogen capable of causing severe disease in human beings. Cattle are considered to be the main reservoir of the bacterium. The objective of the current study was to compare environmental sampling (consisting of dust, overshoe, and pooled pat samples) with pooled, individual fecal sampling for determining the cattle herd status under field conditions in naturally infected dairy herds. Thirty-one dairy cattle farms in Sweden, where verotoxigenic E. coli O157:H7 had been previously detected, were visited. On each farm, dust, overshoe, and pooled pat sampling were performed in each of 3 different age categories: calves, young stock, and adults. In addition, up to 140 individual fecal samples were collected and analyzed as pooled samples. In total, 3,763 individual fecal and 270 environmental samples were collected and analyzed for the presence of verotoxigenic E. coli O157:H7. Overshoe sampling, alone or in combination with dust and pooled pat sampling, correctly classified 20 of the 24 (0.83, 95% CI: 0.63-0.95) herds detected with at least 1 positive pool. On 1 farm, a dust sample was positive although all other samples were negative. In 6 of the 31 farms, the bacteria could not be detected in any of the individual fecal samples or in the environmental samples. The results establish that environmental sampling is a reliable method for identifying cattle herds with animals shedding verotoxigenic E. coli O157:H7.
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| 4. |
- Aspán, Anna, et al.
(författare)
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Genotypic variation among Staphylococcus aureus isolates from cases of clinical mastitis in Swedish dairy cows
- 2010
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Ingår i: Veterinary Journal. - : Elsevier BV. - 1090-0233 .- 1532-2971. ; 185, s. 188-192
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The main aim of this study was to examine genotypic diversity of 82 Staphylococcus aureus isolates from cases of acute clinical mastitis in cattle using pulsed-field gel electrophoresis, and to investigate pulso-type differences between geographical regions of Sweden. The work also investigated haemolysis type (alpha, alpha beta), beta-lactamase production, and the association between S. aureus pulsotypes and breed, parity and presence of teat lesions. All isolates came from different farms.In total, 25 pulsotypes were found, but most only once or twice. The most common pulsotype accounted for 26% of the isolates and was found in all regions. The distribution of pulsotypes in the southern region of the country differed from the northern and middle regions. alpha beta- or alpha-Haemolysis was found in 66% and 34% of the isolates, respectively, and beta-lactamase production was found in 9% of the isolates. Variation in haemolysis type or beta-lactamase production was found within some pulsotypes. The results indicate that some pulsotypes have spread widely between herds within the country. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
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| 5. |
- Aspán, Anna, et al.
(författare)
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Longitudinal observational study over 38 months of verotoxigenic Escherichia coli O157: H7 status in 126 cattle herds
- 2015
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Ingår i: Preventive Veterinary Medicine. - : Elsevier BV. - 0167-5877 .- 1873-1716. ; 121, s. 343-352
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Verotoxigenic Escherichia coli O157:H7 (VTEC O157:H7) is an important zoonotic pathogen capable of causing infections in humans, sometimes with severe symptoms such as hemorrhagic colitis and hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). It has been reported that a subgroup of VTEC O157:H7, referred to as clade 8, is overrepresented among HUS cases. Cattle are considered to be the main reservoir of VTEC O157:H7 and infected animals shed the bacteria in feces without showing clinical signs of disease. The aims of the present study were: (1) to better understand how the presence of VTEC O157:H7 in the farm environment changes over an extended period of time, (2) to investigate potential risk factors for the presence of the bacteria, and (3) describe the distribution of MLVA types and specifically the occurrence of the hypervirulent strains (clade 8 strains) of VTEC O157:H7. The farm environment of 126 cattle herds in Sweden were sampled from October 2009 to December 2012 (38 months) using pooled pat and overshoe sampling. Each herd was sampled, on average, on 17 occasions (range = 1-20; median = 19), at intervals of 64 days (range = 7-205; median = 58). Verotoxigenic E. coli O157:H7 were detected on one or more occasions in 53% of the herds (n= 67). In these herds, the percentage of positive sampling occasions ranged from 6% to 72% (mean = 19%; median = 17%). Multi-locus variable number tandem repeat analysis (MLVA) typing was performed on isolates from infected herds to identify hypervirulent strains (clade 8). Clustering of MLVA profiles yielded 35 clusters and hypervirulent strains were found in 18 herds; the same cluster was often identified on consecutive samplings and in nearby farms. Using generalized estimating equations, an association was found between the probability of detecting VTEC O157:H7 and status at the preceding sampling, season, herd size, infected neighboring farms and recent introduction of animals. This study showed that the bacteria VTEC O157:H7 were spontaneously cleared from the farm environment in most infected herds over time, and key factors were identified to prevent the spread of VTEC O157:H7 between cattle herds.
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| 6. |
- Aspán, Anna, et al.
(författare)
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Microarray-based detection of virulence genes in verotoxigenic Escherichia coli O157:H7 strains from Swedish cattle
- 2011
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Ingår i: Epidemiology and Infection. - 0950-2688 .- 1469-4409. ; 139, s. 1088-1096
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Verotoxigenic Escherichia coli (VTEC) serotype O157:H7 strains from a Swedish cattle prevalence study (n=32), and livestock-derived strains linked to human disease (n=13), were characterized by microarray and PCR detection of virulence genes. The overall aim of the study was to investigate the distribution of known virulence determinants and determine which genes are linked to increased pathogenicity in humans. A core set of 18 genes or gene variants were found in all strains, while seven genes were variably present. This suggests that the majority of VTEC O157:H7 found in Swedish cattle carry a broad repertoire of virulence genes and should be considered potentially harmful to humans. A single virulence gene type was significantly associated with strains linked to human disease cases (P=0.012), but no genetic trait to explain the increased virulence of this genotype could be found.
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| 7. |
- Aspán, Anna, et al.
(författare)
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Molecular Evidence for Persistence of Anaplasma phagocytophilum in the Absence of Clinical Abnormalities in Horses after Recovery from Acute Experimental Infection
- 2009
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Ingår i: Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine. - : Wiley. - 0891-6640 .- 1939-1676. ; 23, s. 636-642
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Anaplasma phagocytophilum infects several mammalian species, and can persist in sheep, dogs, and calves. However, whether this organism persists in horses or induces long-term clinical abnormalities is not known.To evaluate whether A. phagocytophilum can persist in horses and to document clinical findings for 3 months after complete recovery from acute disease.Five clinically normal adult horses that had recovered spontaneously from experimentally induced acute disease caused by a Swedish equine isolate of A. phagocytophilum.Horses were monitored for up to 129 days post inoculation (PI) by daily clinical examination and at least alternate day blood sampling for evidence of A. phagocytophilum on polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and blood smears. All horses were euthanized and underwent postmortem examination.All horses were periodically PCR positive after recovery from acute infection. Before day 66 PI 2 horses were persistently PCR negative whereas 3 horses were intermittently PCR positive. Subsequently, 4 of 5 horses were intermittently PCR positive, particularly after stress mimicking interventions. One animal was positive immediately before postmortem examination. Clinical abnormalities related to persistence of anaplasma were not observed. No specific changes were found at postmortem examination, and all sampled tissues from all horses were negative on PCR for A. phagocytophilum.Infection with A. phagocytophilum can persist in the horse for at least 129 days. However, the continued presence of the organism is not associated with detectable clinical or pathological abnormalities.
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| 8. |
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| 9. |
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| 10. |
- Backhans, Annette, et al.
(författare)
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Typing of Brachyspira spp. from rodents, pigs and chickens on Swedish farms
- 2011
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Ingår i: Veterinary Microbiology. - : Elsevier BV. - 0378-1135 .- 1873-2542. ; 153, s. 156-162
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The aim of the current study was to look for evidence of possible cross-species transmission of Brachyspira species between rodents and farm animals. To do this, previously collected and characterised Brachyspira isolates from rodents, pigs and chickens on the same farms were analysed by random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD). Isolates with similar RAPD banding patterns were further typed by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE). Identical isolates of Brachyspira pilosicoli, Brachyspira intermedia, Brachyspira murdochii and Brachyspira innocens from pigs and rodents and of B. murdochii from laying hens and rodents were found, indicating cross-species transmission at farm level. PFGE data from rodent isolates of Brachyspira hyodysenteriae were compared with PFGE data from previously typed field isolates of B. hyodysenteriae from pigs with swine dysentery and isolates from mallards (Anas platyrhynchos). Three of four isolates of B. hyodysenteriae from rodents were similar to porcine field isolates by PFGE. PCR analyses of the plasmid-encoded and potential virulence determinants rib genes B, A, D and C showed that they were present in isolates of B. hyodysenteriae of porcine, mallard and rodent origin. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
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| 11. |
- Bergström, Karin, et al.
(författare)
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The first nosocomial outbreak of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in horses in Sweden
- 2012
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Ingår i: Acta Veterinaria Scandinavica. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 0044-605X .- 1751-0147. ; 54, s. 1-9
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Conclusions: Association in time and space of six horses infected with an identical MRSA strain of spa-type t011 confirmed an outbreak. Two isolates found in 2009 and 2010 in the outbreak hospital were closely related to the outbreak strain, indicating one circulating strain. Both spa-type t011 and t064 have been reported in horses in Europe prior to these findings. The observation that the infections cleared although antimicrobials were not used is encouraging for future prudent use of antimicrobials. The time from surgery to bacteriological diagnosis was not acceptable in most cases, as contagious spread was a risk. Sampling when symptoms of infection are noticed and accurate analysis are thus important.
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| 12. |
- Bongcam Rudloff, Erik, et al.
(författare)
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Molecular Typing of Escherichia coli O157:H7 Isolates from Swedish Cattle and Human Cases: Population Dynamics and Virulence
- 2014
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Ingår i: Journal of Clinical Microbiology. - 0095-1137 .- 1098-660X. ; 52, s. 3906-3912
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- While all verotoxin-producing Escherichia coli O157:H7 bacteria are considered potential pathogens, their genetic subtypes appear to differ in their levels of virulence. The aim of this study was to compare the distribution of subtypes of E. coli O157:H7 in the cattle reservoir and in human cases with and without severe complications in order to gain clues about the relationship between subtype and relative virulence. A lineage-specific polymorphism assay (LSPA-6), multilocus variable-number tandem-repeat analysis (MLVA), and a novel real-time PCR assay to identify clade 8 were applied to a large and representative set of isolates from cattle from 1996 to 2009 (n = 381) and human cases from 2008 to 2011 (n = 197) in Sweden. Draft genome sequences were produced for four selected isolates. The E. coli O157:H7 isolates in Swedish cattle generally belonged to four groups with the LSPA-6 profiles 211111 (clade 8/non-clade 8), 213111, and 223323. The subtype composition of the cattle isolates changed dramatically during the study period with the introduction and rapid spread of the low-virulence 223323 subtype. The human cases presumed to have been infected within the country predominantly carried isolates with the profiles 211111 (clade 8) and 213111. Cases progressing to hemolytic-uremic syndrome (HUS) were mostly caused by clade 8, with MLVA profiles consistent with Swedish cattle as the source. In contrast, infections contracted abroad were caused by diverse subtypes, some of which were associated with a particular region. The work presented here confirms the high risk posed by the clade 8 variant of E. coli O157:H7. It also highlights the dynamic nature of the E. coli O157:H7 subtype composition in animal reservoirs and the importance of this composition for the human burden of disease.
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| 13. |
- Boqvist, Sofia, et al.
(författare)
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Experimental infection in calves with a specific subtype of verocytotoxin-producing Escherichia coli O157:H7 of bovine origin
- 2009
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Ingår i: Acta Veterinaria Scandinavica. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 0044-605X .- 1751-0147. ; 51
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Conclusion: This study contributes with information concerning the dynamics of a specific subtype of VTEC O157:H7 colonisation in dairy calves. This subtype, VTEC O157:H7 (PT4;vtx(2);vtx(2c)), is frequently isolated from Swedish cattle and has also been found to cause the majority of reported human infections in Sweden during the past 15 years. In most calves, inoculated with a representative strain of this specific subtype, the numbers of shed bacteria declined over the first two weeks. One calf could possibly be classified as a high-shedder, excreting high levels of the bacterium for a prolonged period.
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| 14. |
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| 15. |
- Boqvist, Sofia, et al.
(författare)
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Prevalence of Verotoxigenic Escherichia coli O157:H7 in Fecal and Ear Samples from Slaughtered Cattle in Sweden
- 2009
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Ingår i: Journal of Food Protection. - 0362-028X. ; 72, s. 1709-1712
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- A national verotoxigenic Escherichia coli (VTEC) O157:H7 monitoring study was carried out among cattle at slaughter in Sweden during 2005 and 2006. Sixty (3.4%; 95% confidence interval, 3.3 to 3.5%) of 1,758 fecal samples collected and 54 (12% 95% confidence interval, 11.9 to 12.4 %) of 446 ear samples tested positive for VTEC O157:H7. Ear samples were included to evaluate whether they could be used to assess general VTEC O157:H7 contamination at slaughter. The respective prevalences of positive fecal and ear samples were 16 and 21% for older calves, 3.5 and 10% for young stock, and 1.6 and 12% for adult cattle. There were significant differences between the age groups for the fecal samples, but not for the ear samples. It could be that ear samples are less subject to age variations due to environmental factors, or perhaps this observation was due to fewer ear samples being collected in this study. Within the age groups, the prevalence of VTEC O157:H7-positive ear samples was significantly higher than that of fecal samples for young stock and adult cattle. Furthermore, the prevalence of positive ear samples fluctuated more widely throughout the year than that of positive fecal samples. The fecal prevalence data can be used as baseline data against which future intervention strategies can be evaluated, and the ear samples can be used as an indicator of environmental contamination. The results of the ear samples are too limited to determine if they can be used to detect hide contamination and risk of carcass contamination.
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| 16. |
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Estetiska uttryck och barns rättigheter i utbildning
- 2017
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Samlingsverk (redaktörskap) (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Hur kan skolans demokratiska idéer och dess värdegrund förverkligas och bli en självklar del av förskolan och skolan, samt av barns och elevers lärande och utveckling? Att ha bestämda mål för undervisningen – mål som kan uppnås och där uppnåendegraden kan mätas – är en given del av skolans utbildning. Men utbildning kan även omfatta andra dimensioner, där kreativiteten inte alltid söker givna eller ens befintliga svar, utbildning som rymmer undran och till och med förundran över världen.I den här boken medverkar ett antal forskare och lärare som har ett engagemang i barns rättigheter och estetik. Texterna i boken är av olika slag: några är längre och teoretiskt förankrade, andra är korta beskrivningar av eller reflektioner över pågående arbete i skolan.Det som förenar bokens olika kapitel är vissheten om att estetiken har stor betydelse för både kunskaps- och identitetsutveckling samt för ett förverkligande av mänskliga rättigheter, solidaritet och gemenskap. De medverkande författarna delar alla en övertygelse om att estetik och estetiska uttryck kan vara vägen till självinsikt hos både lärare och elever, och öppna diskussioner om rättigheter och gemensamma värden.
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| 17. |
- Fellström, Claes, et al.
(författare)
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Identification and genetic fingerprinting of Brachyspira species
- 2008
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Ingår i: Journal of Microbiological Methods. - : Elsevier BV. - 1872-8359 .- 0167-7012. ; 72:2, s. 133-140
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Six Brachyspira type and reference strains, and 14 well characterized porcine field isolates representing all recognised porcine Brachyspira spp. were compared by different molecular methods. Sequence analysis of the 16S rRNA and the nox genes, pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) and randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) were used in the study. In addition the isolates were analysed by five species-specific PCR systems. The topologies of the dendrograms obtained from each of the four typing systems were different. The B. pilosicoli isolates formed monophyletic clusters in all dendrograms, but with different sister lines. All five porcine Brachyspira species formed monophyletic clusters in the nox gene-based dendrogram only. All five PCR systems accurately identified their targets, except for the nox gene-based B. intermedia-specific system, by which it was not possible to identify one of the presumed B. intermedia isolates, and the other B. intermedia-specific system, based on the 23S rRNA gene, gave a positive reaction for one B. innocens isolate. In an extended study, 46 additional isolates and the original eight isolates with the phenotypes of B. hyodysenteriae or B. intermedia were compared by PFGE and PCR. The PFGE results indicated a high genetic diversity of isolates with the phenotype of B. intermedia. Thirty-three of 34 tested isolates could be identified by one or both of the two B. intennedia-specific PCR systems used, however, only 19 of the 34 isolates were positive in both systems.
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| 18. |
- Frosth, Sara, et al.
(författare)
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Characterisation of Dichelobacter nodosus and detection of Fusobacterium necrophorum and Treponema spp. in sheep with different clinical manifestations of footrot
- 2015
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Ingår i: Veterinary Microbiology. - : Elsevier BV. - 0378-1135 .- 1873-2542. ; 179, s. 82-90
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The aim of this study was to determine the proportion of Dichelobacter nodosus, Fusobacterium necrophorum and Treponema spp. in sheep with different clinical manifestations of footrot compared to healthy sheep both at flock and individual level. The second aim was to characterise D. nodosus with respect to virulence, presence of intA gene and the serogroups.Swab samples (n = 1000) from footrot-affected (n = 10) and healthy flocks (n = 10) were analysed for the presence of D. nodosus, F. necrophorum and Treponema spp. by real-time PCR and culturing (D. nodosus only). Dichelobacter nodosus isolates (n = 78) and positive swabs (n = 474) were analysed by real-time PCR for the aprV2/B2 and the intA genes and by PCR for the fimA gene (isolates only).D. nodosus was more commonly found in flocks affected with footrot than in clinically healthy flocks. A significant association was found between feet with severe footrot lesions and the aprV2 gene and between feet with moderate or no lesions and the aprB2 gene, respectively. F. necrophorum was more commonly found in flocks with footrot lesions than in flocks without lesions. No significant association was found between sheep flocks affected with footrot and findings of Treponema spp. or the intA gene. Benign D. nodosus of six different serogroups was detected in twelve flocks and virulent D. nodosus of serogroup G in one.In conclusion, D. nodosus and F. necrophorum were more commonly found in feet with footrot than in healthy feet. The majority of D. nodosus detected was benign, while virulent D. nodosus was only detected in a single flock. (C) 2015 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V.
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| 19. |
- Frosth, Sara, et al.
(författare)
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Ovine footrot: new insights into bacterial colonisation
- 2016
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Ingår i: Veterinary Record. - : Wiley. - 0042-4900 .- 2042-7670. ; 179
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Ovine footrot is characterised by interdigital dermatitis (ID) and by the separation of the skin and hoof horn (under-running footrot). Dichelobacter nodosus is the essential pathogen causing footrot; the role of other microorganisms in this disease remains unclear. The aims of this study were (i) to investigate the colonisation of D nodosus, Fusobacterium necrophorum and Treponema species in biopsies from the ovine interdigital skin of healthy, ID and footrot-affected feet and (ii) to characterise the virulence of D nodosus strains in those biopsies. Postslaughter biopsy samples (n= 241) were collected and analysed by real-time PCR to determine prevalence and load of the different bacterial species. The highest prevalence and load of D nodosus were found on feet with ID. The vast majority of samples contained virulent D nodosus and some samples contained both virulent and benign D nodosus. Notably, the more pathogenic subspecies of F necrophorum was found in samples from UK sheep. Our findings provide further insights into the role bacterial colonisation may play in the early stage of ID and in the progression towards footrot.
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| 20. |
- Frosth, Sara, et al.
(författare)
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Sample pooling for real-time PCR detection and virulence determination of the footrot pathogen Dichelobacter nodosus
- 2017
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Ingår i: Veterinary Research Communications. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 0165-7380 .- 1573-7446. ; 41, s. 189-193
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Dichelobacter nodosus is the principal cause of ovine footrot and strain virulence is an important factor in disease severity. Therefore, detection and virulence determination of D. nodosus is important for proper diagnosis of the disease. Today this is possible by real-time PCR analysis. Analysis of large numbers of samples is costly and laborious; therefore, pooling of individual samples is common in surveillance programs. However, pooling can reduce the sensitivity of the method. The aim of this study was to develop a pooling method for real-time PCR analysis that would allow sensitive detection and simultaneous virulence determination of D. nodosus. A total of 225 sheep from 17 flocks were sampled using ESwabs within the Swedish Footrot Control Program in 2014. Samples were first analysed individually and then in pools of five by real-time PCR assays targeting the 16S rRNA and aprV2/B2 genes of D. nodosus. Each pool consisted of four negative and one positive D. nodosus samples with varying amounts of the bacterium. In the individual analysis, 61 (27.1%) samples were positive in the 16S rRNA and the aprV2/B2 PCR assays and 164 (72.9%) samples were negative. All samples positive in the aprV2/B2 PCR-assay were of aprB2 variant. The pooled analysis showed that all 41 pools were also positive for D. nodosus 16S rRNA and the aprB2 variant. The diagnostic sensitivity for pooled and individual samples was therefore similar. Our method includes concentration of the bacteria before DNA-extraction. This may account for the maintenance of diagnostic sensitivity. Diagnostic sensitivity in the real-time PCR assays of the pooled samples were comparable to the sensitivity obtained for individually analysed samples. Even sub-clinical infections were able to be detected in the pooled PCR samples which is important for control of the disease. This method may therefore be implemented in footrot control programs where it can replace analysis of individual samples.
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| 21. |
- Grandi, Giulio, et al.
(författare)
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Detection of Tick-Borne Pathogens in Lambs Undergoing Prophylactic Treatment Against Ticks on Two Swedish Farms
- 2018
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Ingår i: Frontiers in Veterinary Science. - : Frontiers Media SA. - 2297-1769. ; 5
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Tick-borne pathogens (TBPs), especially Anaplasma phagocytophilum, cause disease in grazing livestock. Tick prophylaxis is, therefore, a routine practice in sheep flocks in Sweden, especially in central, southern, and coastal areas of the country where ixodid ticks (Ixodes ricinus and Haemaphysalis punctata) are present. In the present study, the status of infection by A. phagocytophilum and other TBPs in lambs treated with tick prophylaxis has been assessed serologically and with polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Blood samples (n = 78) from lambs (n = 20) subjected to regular tick prophylactic treatment (flumethrin, Bayticol (R)) at two sites in different regions in Sweden (Ostergotland, Gotland) were collected on four occasions from May until July 2013. The severity of clinical signs in Anaplasma-infected animals is known to differ between these two regions. In total, 20% of blood samples were PCR-positive for A. phagocytophilum. Serological analyses showed that 33% of all collected samples were positive for A. phagocytophilum, while 2.5% were positive for Borrelia burgdorferi s.l. and 13% for tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV). Percentages of lambs positive were 75 and 45% for A. phagocytophilum antibodies and DNA, respectively, while 10 and 45% were serologically positive for B. burgdorferi s.l. and TBEV, respectively. Sequencing of partial 16S rRNA genes from Anaplasma PCR positive samples revealed presence of A. phagocytophilum in all animals in Ostergotland, while sequences consistent with A. phagocytophilum as well as A. capra and A. bovis were found on the island of Gotland. This is the first report of the occurrence of the latter two species in Sweden.
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| 22. |
- Ikwap, Kokas, et al.
(författare)
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Prevalence of adhesin and toxin genes in E-coli strains isolated from diarrheic and non-diarrheic pigs from smallholder herds in northern and eastern Uganda
- 2016
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Ingår i: BMC Microbiology. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1471-2180. ; 16
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: Enterotoxigenic E. coli (ETEC) significantly contribute to diarrhea in piglets and weaners. The smallholder pig producers in Uganda identified diarrhea as one of the major problems especially in piglets. The aim of this study was to; i) characterize the virulence factors of E. coli strains isolated from diarrheic and non-diarrheic suckling piglets and weaners from smallholder herds in northern and eastern Uganda and ii) identify and describe the post-mortem picture of ETEC infection in severely diarrheic piglets. Rectal swab samples were collected from 83 piglets and weaners in 20 herds and isolated E. coli were characterized by PCR, serotyping and hemolysis.Results: The E. coli strains carried genes for the heat stable toxins STa, STb and EAST1 and adhesins F4 and AIDA-I. The genes for the heat labile toxin LT and adhesins F5, F6, F18 and F41 were not detected in any of the E. coli isolates. Where the serogroup could be identified, E. coli isolates from the same diarrheic pig belonged to the same serogroup. The prevalence of EAST1, STb, Stx2e, STa, AIDA-I, and F4 in the E. coli isolates from suckling piglets and weaners (diarrheic and non-diarrheic combined) was 29, 26.5, 2.4, 1.2, 16, and 8.4 %, respectively. However the prevalence of F4 and AIDA-I in E. coli from diarrheic suckling piglets alone was 22.2 and 20 %, respectively. There was no significant difference in the prevalence of the individual virulence factors in E. coli from the diarrheic and non-diarrheic pigs (p > 0.05). The main ETEC strains isolated from diarrheic and non-diarrheic pigs included F4/STb/EAST1 (7.2 %), F4/STb (1.2 %), AIDA/STb/EAST1 (8 %) and AIDA/STb (8 %). At post-mortem, two diarrheic suckling piglets carrying ETEC showed intact intestinal villi, enterocytes and brush border but with a layer of cells attached to the brush border, suggestive of ETEC infections.Conclusion: This study has shown that the F4 fimbriae is the most predominant in E. coli from diarrheic piglets in the study area and therefore an F4-based vaccine should be considered one of the preventive measures for controlling ETEC infections in the piglets in northern and eastern Uganda.
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| 23. |
- Jacobson, Magdalena, et al.
(författare)
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Flotation—A New Method to Circumvent PCR Inhibitors in the Diagnosis of Lawsonia intracellularis
- 2009
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Ingår i: International Journal of Food Microbiology. - : Hindawi Limited. - 0168-1605 .- 1879-3460 .- 1687-918X .- 1687-9198. ; 2009
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The obligate intracellular bacteriumLawsonia intracellulariscauses enteritis and poor growth in weaned pigs. Cultivation is difficult and diagnosisante mortemis mainly based on techniques such as polymerase chain reaction. However, false negative results caused by the presence of PCR-inhibitory factors constitute a problem. This study aimed to develop and evaluate a new technique, flotation, to separateL. intracellularisfrom inhibitors in faeces prior to PCR. The technique was evaluated by comparison to two previously evaluated and commonly used methods, preparation by boiling lysate combined with nested PCR and preparation by a commercial kit combined with conventional PCR. Continuous density centrifugation of faecal samples containingL. intracellularissuggested the buoyant density of the microbe to be between 1.064 and 1.077 g/mL. Several flotation setups were tested to achieve optimal separation of the microbe from inhibitors and faecal particles. The finally selected setup floated wholeL. intracellularisfrom the application site at the bottom to the upper part of the gradient while inhibitory components mainly remained in the bottom. PCR was performed directly on material recovered from the upper interphase. The method was evaluated on 116 clinical samples. As compared to sample preparation by boiling combined with nested PCR, fewer samples were inhibited but also fewer positives were identified. In comparison to preparation by a commercial kit combined with conventional PCR, presently used for routine diagnosis, similar results were obtained. However, the new method was comparably faster to perform. The new method, based on flotation ofLawsonia intracellulariscombined with conventional PCR, was well suited for routine diagnosis.
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| 24. |
- Jacobson, Magdalena, et al.
(författare)
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Monitoring of Lawsonia intracellularis in breeding herd gilts
- 2010
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Ingår i: Veterinary Microbiology. - : Elsevier BV. - 0378-1135 .- 1873-2542. ; 142, s. 317-322
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- In modern pig production, proliferative enteropathy is a common cause of diarrhoea and poor growth in young animals. This study aimed to determine the possible spread of Lawsonia intracellularis through the sale of replacement gilts and the possibility to protect the herds by adequate biosecurity measures. This was achieved by repeated sampling of 50 gilts in an infected multiplying herd, from the last day in the farrowing pen and until sale. Further, 60 gilts sold from this herd were tested during their stay in quarantine in a recipient herd. To confirm freedom from infection, 100 growing pigs in the recipient herd were also tested. Individual faecal (n = 748) and blood (n = 728) samples were analysed by PCR and ELISA, respectively. Transmission of L intracellularis from the sows to their offspring was not demonstrated. However, the possible transmission between herds by replacement gilts was demonstrated. Peak shedding occurred at 12 and 15 weeks of age, and single animals were also PCR-positive at 24-36 weeks of age in the multiplying herd and in the quarantine in the recipient herd. Further, the possible occurrence of chronically infected carrier animals was suggested. Although L intracellularis is widely spread, it appears possible to avoid the transmission between herds by employing adequate biosecurity measures. Thus, it would be advisable to establish herd profiles in breeding herds to avoid the selling of infected animals as well as to establish the health status of the recipient herd. Further, the health status of the recipient herds should be known. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
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| 25. |
- Janzén, Therese, et al.
(författare)
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Equine Granulocytic Anaplasmosis in Southern Sweden : Associations with coniferous forest, water bodies and landscape heterogeneity
- 2019
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Ingår i: Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment. - : Elsevier. - 0167-8809 .- 1873-2305. ; 285
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Landscape characteristics influence both vector and host habitats affecting the spatial and temporal distribution of vector-borne diseases. Anaplasma phagocytophilum is one of the most widespread tick-borne diseases in Europe causing tick-borne fever (TBF) in domestic ruminants, and granulocytic anaplasmosis in humans, horses and companion animals. The aim of this study was to identify landscape factors associated with Equine Granulocytic Anaplasmosis (EGA) cases in a refined temporal and spatial analysis by combining land cover data and presence/absence disease data, using a geographical information system (GIS). This study is a retrospective analysis utilizing 1030 EGA diagnostic test results extracted from the National Veterinary Institute (SVA, Sweden). The association between EGA and different land cover types was analyzed with generalized linear models. To analyze the relation between landscape heterogeneity and EGA, we calculated the Gini-Simpson index. Our results showed a significant increase in the proportion positive EGA cases from 2002 to 2015 and marked differences in the seasonal within year distribution of EGA cases. The association with landscape configuration is shown by the positive relationship between A. phagocytophilum and coniferous forest, water bodies, and landscape heterogeneity, respectively. The information on the eco-epidemiological drivers for EGA can be central for disease control and prevention. Our method of linking land cover to disease risk may be applied to other vector-borne diseases and to other study regions.
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| 26. |
- Johansson, Karl-Erik, et al.
(författare)
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Characterization of Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae isolates from poultry, pigs, emus, the poultry red mite and other animals
- 2009
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Ingår i: Veterinary Microbiology. - : Elsevier BV. - 0378-1135 .- 1873-2542. ; 137, s. 98-104
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae is the causative agent of erysipelas in mammals and birds, especially pigs and poultry. In order to investigate the suitability of different subtyping methods for genetic and phenotypic similarities among Swedish isolates of the organism, 45 isolates from poultry (n = 23), pigs (n = 17), emus (n = 2) and the poultry red mite Dermanyssus gallinae (n = 3) were investigated by serotyping, pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) and antimicrobial susceptibility testing. Sequence analysis of the 16S rRNA gene was performed on eleven isolates from nine animal species. The results indicated a random scattering of serotypes throughout the dendrogram based on PFGE banding patterns following Smal digestion. In three cases, isolates with an identical PFGE pattern were of differing serotypes. No differentiation into subgroups by antimicrobial susceptibility testing by broth microdilution was possible as results were similar for all isolates. The Minimum Inhibitory Concentrations for most antimicrobials, including penicillin and oxytetracycline, were low. The 16S rRNA gene sequences (1443 nts) from eight of eleven selected isolates of Erysipelothrix spp. were identical to that of the type strain E. rhusiopathiae ATCC 19414(T). The other three isolates differed from the type strain by two or three nucleotides. While this method may be useful for identification of Erysipelothrix spp., it is unsuitable for epidemiological investigations. Similarities in PFGE banding patterns between isolates from chickens and mites supported the hypothesis that D. gallinae may act as a reservoir and vector for E. rhusiopathiae. Further PFGE studies on E. rhusiopathiae isolates are appropriate to investigate the epidemiology of poultry erysipelas. (C) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
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| 27. |
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| 28. |
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| 29. |
- Larsson, Jenny, et al.
(författare)
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Neonatal Piglet Diarrhoea Associated with Enteroadherent Enterococcus hirae
- 2014
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Ingår i: Journal of Comparative Pathology. - : Elsevier BV. - 0021-9975 .- 1532-3129. ; 151, s. 137-147
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Neonatal porcine diarrhoea of uncertain aetiology is an increasing problem in several countries. The aim of the present study was to investigate the unexpected finding of enteroadherent cocci in the small intestine of piglets selected for necropsy examination from six herds (18 diarrhoeic piglets and 11 healthy controls). Gross and microscopical lesions were characterized and selected intestinal sections were further examined by immunohistochemistry for expression of active caspase-3. The enteroadherent bacterium was characterized in situ by Gram staining, ultrastructural imaging, fluorescence in-situ hybridization (FISH) and 16S rRNA gene analysis. Species identification of enterococci from intestinal cultures was performed by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) for one diarrhoeic and one control animal per herd. Gross changes were mild. Microscopically, small intestinal colonization by gram-positive cocci was observed in diarrhoeic animals only and was accompanied by villus atrophy (4/18) and mild epithelial lesions (10/18), including increased apoptosis of enterocytes. Transmission electron microscopy revealed coccoid bacteria adjacent to the epithelium, but without effacement of microvilli. 16S rRNA gene analysis yielded a sequence identical to Enterococcus hirae and FISH identified the enteroadherent bacteria as Enterococcus spp. in all colonized animals. The proportion of bacterial isolates identified as E. hirae by MALDI-TOF MS analysis was significantly higher (P = 0.0138) in diarrhoeic pigs. Species identification was confirmed by species-specific polymerase chain reaction for one E. hirae isolate per herd. These isolates were further tested for antimicrobial susceptibility, which indicated decreased susceptibility to ciprofloxacin for one isolate (minimum inhibitory concentration >4 mg/l). These findings suggested that neonatal porcine diarrhoea was associated with small intestinal colonization by E. hirae accompanied by mucosal lesions. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
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| 30. |
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| 31. |
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| 32. |
- Larsson, Jenny, et al.
(författare)
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Pathological and bacteriological characterization of neonatal porcine diarrhoea of uncertain aetiology
- 2015
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Ingår i: Journal of Medical Microbiology. - : Microbiology Society. - 0022-2615 .- 1473-5644. ; 64, s. 916-926
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Neonatal porcine diarrhoea of uncertain aetiology has been reported from a number of countries. This study investigated 50 diarrhoeic and 19 healthy piglets from 10 affected Swedish herds. The piglets were blood-sampled for analysis of serum gamma-globulin and necropsied, and the intestines were sampled for histopathology and cultured for Escherichia coli, Clostridium perfringens and Clostridium difficile. Escherichia coli isolates (n=276) were examined by PCR for virulence genes encoding LT, STa, STb, EAST1, VT2e, F4, F5, F6, F18, F41, AIDA-I, intimin, and for the genes aaiC and aggR. Selected isolates were analysed for additional virulence genes by a microarray and subjected to O-typing. Clostridium perfringens isolates (n=152) were examined by PCR for genes encoding major toxins, enterotoxin and beta2-toxin. There was no difference in serum gamma-globulin concentration between diarrhoeic and non-diarrhoeic piglets, and pathological lesions in the intestines were generally mild. Porcine enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli, a common cause of piglet diarrhoea, was only found in two piglets. Further, the virulence gene profiling did not suggest involvement of other diarrhoeogenic pathotypes of Escherichia coli. Growth of Clostridium perfringens did not differ between diarrhoeic and non-diarrhoeic piglets. All isolates were type A, all were negative for enterotoxin, and 151 of 152 isolates were beta2-toxin positive. In pigs >= 2 days old, moderate to profuse growth of Clostridium difficile was more common in the controls. In conclusion, it was not possible to relate Escherichia coli, Clostridium perfringens type A and C or Clostridium difficile to neonatal porcine diarrhoea in any of the investigated herds.
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| 33. |
- Lindahl, Susanne, et al.
(författare)
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Comparison of Sampling Sites and Laboratory Diagnostic Tests for S. equi subsp. equi in Horses from Confirmed Strangles Outbreaks
- 2013
-
Ingår i: Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine. - : Wiley. - 0891-6640 .- 1939-1676. ; 27, s. 542-547
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background Strangles is a contagious equine-specific disease caused by Streptococcus equi subsp. equi. Unfortunately, detection of S. equi can fail in up to 40% of horses with strangles. Whereas recent molecular biologic methods and sampling techniques have improved recovery of S. equi optimal sampling methods and laboratory analyses remain ill-defined. Objectives To determine the yield of S. equi from horses with acute strangles in confirmed outbreaks by field-sampling methods subjected to culture and biochemical identification, and real-time PCR directly and after culture. Animals Fifty-seven horses of varying breeds and ages from 8 strangles outbreaks. Methods Prospective study. Culture with biochemical identification and real-time PCR directly, and from culture, were performed on nasal swabs, nasopharyngeal swabs, and nasopharyngeal lavages. Results Real-time PCR directly from samples identified the highest number of infected horses, with 45/57 nasal swabs, 41/57 nasopharyngeal swabs, and 48/57 nasopharyngeal lavages S. equi positive. Biochemical identification (highest positives 22/57) was inferior to real-time PCR for S. equi recovery regardless of sampling method. Real-time PCR of nasopharyngeal lavage directly and after culture yielded 52/57 positives whereas direct real-time PCR of nasopharyngeal lavage combined with either nasopharyngeal swabs or nasal swabs yielded 53/57 positives. Three horses were negative on all samples. Conclusions and Clinical Importance Nasopharyngeal lavage analyzed by a combination of real-time PCR directly and after culture or, alternatively, real-time PCR directly on a nasopharyngeal lavage and a nasal/nasopharyngeal swab can identify S. equi in over 90% of acute strangles cases.
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| 34. |
- Lindahl, Susanne, et al.
(författare)
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Outbreak of upper respiratory disease in horses caused by Streptococcus equi subsp zooepidemicus ST-24
- 2013
-
Ingår i: Veterinary Microbiology. - : Elsevier BV. - 0378-1135 .- 1873-2542. ; 166, s. 281-285
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Streptococcus equi subsp. zooepidemicus (S. zooepidemicus) is generally considered a commensal and an opportunistic pathogen of the upper airways in horses. Establishing whether certain strains of S. zooepidemicus can cause upper respiratory disease as a host-specific pathogen of horses, and if there are certain genogroups of S. zooepidemicus that are more virulent than others is of major clinical importance. In this study, we describe an outbreak of upper respiratory disease in horses that was associated with S. zooepidemicus. Upper respiratory samples were cultured, analyzed by real-time PCR for S. zooepidemicus and S. equi, and genetically differentiated by sequencing of the SzP protein gene and multilocus sequence typing (MLST). Serum samples were analyzed for antibodies against S. equi and common viral respiratory pathogens. The ST-24 strain of S. zooepidemicus was isolated from all horses with clinical signs of disease, while the healthy horses carried other strains of S. zooepidemicus. Bacteriological, molecular and serological analyses strongly suggest that a single strain (ST-24) was responsible for the disease outbreak, and that certain strains of this presumed commensal may be more virulent than others. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
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| 35. |
- Lindahl, Susanne, et al.
(författare)
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Tracing outbreaks of Streptococcus equi infection (strangles) in horses using sequence variation in the seM gene and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis
- 2011
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Ingår i: Veterinary Microbiology. - : Elsevier BV. - 0378-1135 .- 1873-2542. ; 153, s. 144-149
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Strangles is a serious respiratory disease in horses caused by Streptococcus equi subspecies equi (S. equi). Transmission of the disease occurs by direct contact with an infected horse or contaminated equipment. Genetically, S. equi strains are highly homogenous and differentiation of strains has proven difficult. However, the S. equi M-protein SeM contains a variable N-terminal region and has been proposed as a target gene to distinguish between different strains of S. equi and determine the source of an outbreak. In this study, strains of S. equi (n = 60) from 32 strangles outbreaks in Sweden during 1998-2003 and 2008-2009 were genetically characterized by sequencing the SeM protein gene (seM), and by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE). Swedish strains belonged to 10 different seM types, of which five have not previously been described. Most were identical or highly similar to allele types from strangles outbreaks in the UK. Outbreaks in 2008/2009 sharing the same seM type were associated by geographic location and/or type of usage of the horses (racing stables). Sequencing of the seM gene generally agreed with pulsed-field gel electrophoresis profiles. Our data suggest that seM sequencing as a epidemiological tool is supported by the agreement between seM and PFGE and that sequencing of the SeM protein gene is more sensitive than PFGE in discriminating strains of S. equi. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
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| 36. |
- Loftsdottir, Heidur, et al.
(författare)
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Dynamics of insertion sequence element IS629 inactivation of verotoxin 2 genes in Escherichia coli O157:H7
- 2017
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Ingår i: FEMS Microbiology Letters. - : Oxford University Press. - 0378-1097 .- 1574-6968. ; 364:8
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- There are several anecdotal reports of insertion sequence (IS) element inactivation of verotoxin genes among enterohaemorrhagic Escherichia coli of the serotype O157:H7, a pathogen causing severe gastrointestinal disease in infected humans. These insertions can be expected to drastically reduce the virulence of the bacteria. IS element inactivation has been shown to be reversible in model systems, suggesting the possibility of spontaneous restoration of virulence. In this study, traditional and high-throughput sequencing was used to characterise three patterns of IS629 inactivation of verotoxin 2 genes in EHEC O157:H7, caused by insertion or insertion followed by partial deletion. At least one of the patterns of inactivation appears to have persisted several years among cattle O157:H7, indicating it has no major effect on fitness in the animal reservoir. Digital PCR was used to directly quantify the reversal rates of the insertional inactivation of a selected isolate under laboratory conditions. Inserts were found to be absent from in the order of 1/10(5) of individual genomes, with significantly higher loss frequencies observed in cultures under nutrient-poor conditions. We conclude that strains with this type of inactivation found in food or animal samples should be considered a threat to human health, and may pose a challenge for PCR-based detection methods.
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| 37. |
- Lundberg, Åsa, et al.
(författare)
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Associations between bacterial genotype and outcome of bovine clinical Staphylococcus aureus mastitis
- 2014
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Ingår i: Acta Veterinaria Scandinavica. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 0044-605X .- 1751-0147. ; 56
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background Staphylococcus aureusis an important cause of clinical mastitis in dairy cows worldwide. The cure rate after antimicrobial treatment of clinicalS. aureusmastitis is very variable due to both cow and bacterial factors. Studies have shown that bacterial genotype might affect short-term bacteriological and clinical cure, but the long-term outcome has been less studied. The objectives of this study were to investigate associations between bacterial genotype and long-term outcome of veterinary-treated clinical mastitis (VTCM) caused byS. aureusduring a follow-up period of 120 days and to study genotype variation among SwedishS. aureusisolates.S. aureusisolates from cases of VTCM were genotyped by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis. Long-term outcome measurements used were somatic cell count (SCC), additional diagnoses of VTCM, milk yield and culling. Isolates were classified into clusters (>80% similarity) and pulsotypes (100% similarity). Clusters and pulsotypes were grouped according to occurrence. Multivariable mixed-effect linear regression models including cow and bacterial factors with possible influence on SCC or milk yield were used to calculate differences in SCC or milk yield between groups. Additional outcome measures were calculated using a test of proportions. Results The isolates (n = 185) were divided into 18 clusters and 29 pulsotypes. Two pulsotypes were classified as common, and were found in 64% of the cases of VTCM. Remaining isolates were classified as less common or rare pulsotypes. The distribution was similar at cluster level. Outcome was calculated from follow-up data on 111 cows. Significantly lower SCC during the follow-up period was found in cows infected with common clusters compared to in cows infected with less common/rare clusters. The proportion of cows with SCC <200 000 cells/ml during the whole follow-up period was significantly higher in the group common clusters than in the group less common/rare clusters. Bacterial genotype did not influence the other outcome parameters. Conclusions In Sweden, twoS. aureuspulsotypes, identified in about 64% of clinicalS. aureuscases, were widespread. Cows infected with the common genotypes had significantly lower SCC during 120 days after treatment compared to cows infected with less common or rare genotypes. Conclusions In Sweden, two S. aureus pulsotypes, identified in about 64% of clinical S. aureus cases, were widespread. Cows infected with the common genotypes had significantly lower SCC during 120 days after treatment compared to cows infected with less common or rare genotypes.
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| 38. |
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| 39. |
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| 40. |
- Malmsten, Jonas, et al.
(författare)
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Surveys on Coxiella burnetii infections in Swedish cattle, sheep, goats and moose
- 2014
-
Ingår i: Acta Veterinaria Scandinavica. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 0044-605X .- 1751-0147. ; 56
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: Q fever is a zoonotic disease caused by the bacterium Coxiella burnetii. Prevalence data in ruminant species are important to support risk assessments regarding public and animal health. The aim was to investigate the presence of or exposure to C. burnetii in cattle, sheep, goats and moose, and to compare two enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs). National surveys of antibodies against C. burnetii were performed for dairy cattle (n=1537), dairy goats (n=58) and sheep (n=518). Bovine samples consisted of bulk milk, caprine of pooled milk, and ovine of pooled serum. Antibodies were investigated in moose samples (n=99) from three regions. A one-year regional cattle bulk milk survey was performed on the Isle of Gotland (n=119, four occasions). Cattle, sheep and goat samples were analysed with indirect ELISA and moose samples with complement fixation test. For the sheep, goat, and parts of the cattle survey, samples were run in parallel by ELISAs based on antigens from infected ruminants and ticks. Bulk milk samples from the regional cattle survey and vaginal swabs from a subset of the sheep herds (n=80) were analysed for the agent by polymerase chain reaction. Spatial clustering was investigated in the national cattle survey.Results: The prevalence of antibodies in dairy herds was 8.2% with large regional differences. High risk clusters were identified in the southern regions. The prevalence among dairy herds on the Isle of Gotland varied from 55.9% to 64.6% and 46.4% to 58.9.0% for antibodies and agent, respectively, overall agreement between agent and antibodies was 85.2%. The prevalence of antibodies in sheep was 0.6%, the agent was not detected the vaginal swabs. Antibodies were not detected in goats or moose, although parts of the moose samples were collected in an area with high prevalence in cattle. The overall agreement between the two ELISAs was 90.4%.Conclusions: The prevalence of antibodies against C. burnetii in dairy cattle in Sweden shows large regional differences. The results suggest that C. burnetii is a rare pathogen among Swedish moose, dairy goat and sheep. ELISAs based on ruminant and tick antigen performed in a similar manner under Swedish conditions.
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| 41. |
- Malmsten, Jonas, et al.
(författare)
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Temporal and spatial variation in Anaplasma phagocytophilum infection in Swedish moose (Alces alces)
- 2014
-
Ingår i: Epidemiology and Infection. - 0950-2688 .- 1469-4409. ; 142, s. 1205-1213
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The occurrence of Anaplasma phagocytophilum was investigated in spleen and serum samples from Swedish moose (Alces alces) in southern Sweden (island and mainland). Samples were analysed for presence of A. phagocytophilum DNA by real-time PCR (n=263), and for Anaplasma antibodies with ELISA serology (n=234). All serum samples had antibodies against A. phagocytophilum. The mean DNA-based prevalence was 26 center dot 3%, and significant (P<0 center dot 01) temporal, and spatial variation was found. Island moose had significantly (P<0 center dot 001) higher prevalence of A. phagocytophilum DNA than moose from the mainland areas. Two samples were sequenced to determine genetic variation in the 16S rRNA and groESL genes. Genetic sequence similarity with the human granulocytic anaplasmosis agent, equine granulocytic ehrlichiosis agent, and different wildlife-associated A. phagocytophilum variants were observed in the 16S rRNA and groESL genes. Our study shows that moose are exposed to A. phagocytophilum in Sweden, and represent a potential wildlife reservoir of the pathogen.
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| 42. |
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| 43. |
- Palmgren, Helena, 1955-, et al.
(författare)
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Salmonella Aamager, Campylobacter jejuni, and urease-positive thermophilic Campylobacter found in free-flying peregrine falcons (Falco peregrinus) in Sweden
- 2004
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Ingår i: Journal of Wildlife Diseases. - : Wildlife Disease Association. - 0090-3558 .- 1943-3700. ; 40:3, s. 583-587
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Rare species with small population sizes are vulnerable to perturbations such as disease, inbreeding, or random events. The threat arising from microbial pathogens could be large and other species could act as reservoirs for pathogens. We report finding three enteric bacterial species, Salmonella Amager, Campylobacter jejuni, and urease-positive thermophilic Campylobacter, in nestling free-flying peregrine falcons (Falco peregrinus) in Sweden in 2000. Cainpylobacterfied inarked genetic similarities to an isolate froin a human, providing a possible association between a human-associated strain of this bacterinin and peregrine falcons.
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| 44. |
- Palmgren, Helena, 1955-, et al.
(författare)
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Salmonella in Black-headed gulls ( Larus ridibundus); prevalence, genotypes and influence on Salmonella epidemiology.
- 2006
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Ingår i: Epidemiology and Infection. - 0950-2688 .- 1469-4409. ; 134:3, s. 635-644
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- During a period of 3 years, 1998-2000, 1047 faecal swabs from Black-headed gulls were sampled at one location in Southern Sweden. Salmonella spp. was found in 28 individuals (2.7%) and the dominating serotype found was S. Typhimurium (83%). Twenty-five per cent of the Salmonella-infected gulls were later recaptured and re-sampled. We found that Salmonella infection in Black-headed gulls was of short duration, and that infection in this bird species was predominantly expressed as carriage without disease manifestations. All S. Typhimurium isolates were subjected to antibiotic resistance profiling and molecular characterization by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis and IS200 polymerase chain reaction. The S. Typhimurium gull isolates were compared to human and domestic animal isolates of the same serotype and phage type. We found genetic relatedness of S. Typhimurium DT195 isolates from gulls, domestic animals and humans, indicating that Black-headed gulls might play a role in the spread of S. Typhimurium in Sweden.
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| 45. |
- Persson Waller, Karin, et al.
(författare)
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CNS species and antimicrobial resistance in clinical and subclinical bovine mastitis
- 2011
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Ingår i: Veterinary Microbiology. - : Elsevier BV. - 0378-1135 .- 1873-2542. ; 152, s. 112-116
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Coagulase-negative staphylococci (CNS) are often associated with bovine mastitis. Knowledge about the relative importance of specific CNS species in different types of mastitis, and differences in antimicrobial resistance among CNS species is, however, scarce. Therefore, the aims of this study were to compare prevalence and antimicrobial susceptibility of CNS species in clinical and subclinical mastitis using material from two national surveys. Overall, Staphylococcus chromogenes and Staphylococcus epidermidis were the most common CNS species found followed by Staphylococcus simulans and Staphylococcus haemolyticus. S. epidermidis was significantly more prevalent in subclinical than in clinical mastitis, and a similar trend was observed for Staphylococcus saprophyticus, while Staphylococcus hyicus was significantly more common in clinical mastitis. The prevalence of beta-lactamase producing isolates varied markedly between CNS species, and was significantly higher in S. epidermidis and S. haemolyticus (similar to 40%), than in S. simulans and S. chromogenes where none or a few of the isolates produced beta-lactamase. Resistance to more than one antimicrobial substance occurred in 9% and 7% of the clinical and subclinical isolates, respectively. In conclusion, the distribution of CNS species differed between clinical and subclinical mastitis indicating inter-species variation of pathogenicity and epidemiology. Overall, the prevalence of antimicrobial resistance was low, but some variation between CNS species was observed. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
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| 46. |
- Pettersson, John H.-O, et al.
(författare)
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Staphylococcal and Streptococcal zoonoses in wild Bornean and Sumatran orangutans
- 2013
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Konferensbidrag (refereegranskat)abstract
- Objective: Zoonotic pathogens account for more than 60% of all infections known to cause human diseases, of which bacteria represent more than one third of all zoonoses. Furthermore, most zoonoses are shared between closely related species with overlapping geographical ranges. Therefore, humans are likely to be at a high risk of contracting zoonoses from other great apes and vice versa. The orangutans (Pongo sp.) of Borneo and Sumatra are the
only
great apes that
are found
outside
of Africa, known for their unique
ecological
adaptations, close
evolutionary
relationship
and occasional contact with
humans, and their threat of extinction due to habitat destruction and hunting. We conducted a pilot study to test for the potential occurrence and prevalence of human pathogenic Staphylococcus and Streptococcus species in wild orangutans.Methods: DNA was isolated from non-invasively collected feacal samples from wild habituated Bornean and Sumatran orangutans. DNA-isolates were selected based on previous 454-sequencing results [unpublished] indicating the presence ofStaphylococcusandStreptococcusspecies. These samples were screened and sequenced with PCR using genus specific Staphylococcus (tuf gene) and Streptococcus (rnpB gene) primers. All sequences were aligned with published type sequences using MAFFT. Phylogenetic analysis was conducted using Bayesian analyses with MrBayes.Results: Of the 15 faecal samples screened for Staphylococcus spp., five were successfully sequenced. One sequence indicated close relationship with otherS. saprophyticussequences. Two sequences indicated close relationship withS. cohnii ssp. urealyticus, and one clustered with S. arlettae sequences. Of the 25 faecal samples screened for Streptococcus spp., thirteen were successfully sequenced. Ten sequences were indicated to be related toS. gallolyticustype sequences. Three sequences did not cluster with any of the published Streptococcus type sequences.Conclusions:We identified three known human pathogenic bacteria indicated to be present in wild orangutans:Staphylococcus saprophyticusis a common cause of urinary tract infections in women.Staphylococcus cohnii subsp. urealyticus has been implicated to be the cause of bacteremia following community-acquired skin infections. Streptococcus gallolyticus has a strong association with the development of colorectal cancer and endocarditis. Further research is necessary to demonstrate if the orangutans acquired these bacterial infections from human sources and if these infections are pathogenic to orangutans.
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| 47. |
- Riihimäki, Miia, et al.
(författare)
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Differences in the genome, methylome, and transcriptome do not differentiate isolates of Streptococcus equi subsp. equi from horses with acute clinical signs from isolates of inapparent carriers
- 2021
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Ingår i: PLoS ONE. - : Public Library of Science (PLoS). - 1932-6203. ; 16
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Streptococcus equi subsp. equi (SEE) is a host-restricted bacterium that causes the common infectious upper respiratory disease known as strangles in horses. Perpetuation of SEE infection appears attributable to inapparent carrier horses because it neither persists long-term in the environment nor infects other host mammals or vectors, and infection results in short-lived immunity. Whether pathogen factors enable SEE to remain in horses without causing clinical signs remains poorly understood. Thus, our objective was to use next-generation sequencing technologies to characterize the genome, methylome, and transcriptome of isolates of SEE from horses with acute clinical strangles and inapparent carrier horses-including isolates recovered from individual horses sampled repeatedly-to assess pathogen-associated changes that might reflect specific adaptions of SEE to the host that contribute to inapparent carriage. The accessory genome elements and methylome of SEE isolates from Sweden and Pennsylvania revealed no significant or consistent differences between acute clinical and inapparent carrier isolates of SEE. RNA sequencing of SEE isolates from Pennsylvania demonstrated no genes that were differentially expressed between acute clinical and inapparent carrier isolates of SEE. The absence of specific, consistent changes in the accessory genomes, methylomes, and transcriptomes of acute clinical and inapparent carrier isolates of SEE indicates that adaptations of SEE to the host are unlikely to explain the carrier state of SEE. Efforts to understand the carrier state of SEE should instead focus on host factors.
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| 48. |
- Riihimäki, Miia, et al.
(författare)
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Long term dynamics of a Streptococcus equi ssp equi outbreak, assessed by qPCR and culture and seM sequencing in silent carriers of strangles
- 2018
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Ingår i: Veterinary Microbiology. - : Elsevier BV. - 0378-1135 .- 1873-2542. ; 223, s. 107-112
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The aim of the study was to use culture, qPCR and seM sequencing to map Streptococcus equi subspec. equi (S.equi) isolates in long term carrier animals. A strangles outbreak affecting 41 Icelandic horses was followed to determine strangles free status using nasal and/or guttural pouch lavages collected serially on eleven separate occasions over 13 months. Ten persistent carriers, of which eight had repeated culture positive samples for S. equi, were selected for the study. Of 115 samples collected, 61 were S. equi positive on qPCR; from which 32 were also culture positive. Amplification of parts of the gene encoding the M-protein seM was performed on isolated colony material (n = 32) or, where only PCR product was obtained, directly on the DNA sample (n = 29) with a nested amplification approach. The seM sequence could be determined for six of the 29 samples that were solely qPCR positive. The outbreak was due to a S. equi strain of seM type 72. Three months after initial sampling isolates from two horses had seM gene sequences with one amino acid change. After six months S. equi with truncated seM genes were found in two horses; one variant in a single horse once, and in the other horse a variant that persisted and that was later identified in two additional horses. Non- mucoid S. equi colonies were found in two horses. Importantly, after acute strangles outbreaks many horses not only remain persistently qPCR positive for S. equi but are also intermittently culture positive.
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| 49. |
- Råsbäck, Therese, et al.
(författare)
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Prevalence of human pathogenic Yersinia enterocolitica in Swedish pig farms
- 2018
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Ingår i: Acta Veterinaria Scandinavica. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 0044-605X .- 1751-0147. ; 60
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: Pigs are the most important reservoir for human pathogenic Yersinia enterocolitica. We investigated the herd prevalence of human pathogenic Y. enterocolitica in Swedish pig farms by analysing pen faecal samples using a cold enrichment of 1 week and thereafter subsequent plating onto chromogenic selective media (CAY agar).Results: Pathogenic Y enterocolitica was found in 32 (30.5%) of the 105 sampled farms with finisher pigs. Bioserotype 4/O:3 was identified at all but one farm, where 2/0:9 was identified. Pen-prevalence within the positive herds varied from 1/4 to 4/4 pens. The calculated intra-class correlation coefficient ICC (0.89) from a model with a random effect for grouping within herd indicated a very high degree of clustering by herd. None of the explored risk factors, including herd size, herd type, pig flow, feed type, access to outdoors, evidence of birds and rodents in the herd, usage of straw, number of pigs in sampled pen and age of pigs in pen were significantly associated with Y enterocolitica status of the pen. The use of high pressure washing with cold water was significantly associated with Y enterocolitica in the pen (OR = 84.77, 4.05-1772). Two culture methods were assessed for detection of Y enterocolitica, one of which included the use of a chromogenic agar (CAY agar) intended for detection of human pathogenic Y. enterocolitica. The chromogenic media was found equal or superior to traditional methods and was used in this study. The isolates obtained were characterised by biotyping, serotyping, mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF) and PCR. Characterisation by MALDI-TOF gave identical results to that of conventional bioserotyping. All porcine isolates were positive for the oil and inv genes by PCR, indicating that the isolates were most likely pathogenic to humans.Conclusions: Human pathogenic Y. enterocolitica was found in nearly one-third of the Swedish pig farms with finisher pigs. The use of high pressure washing with cold water was associated with the presence of Y. enterocolitica in the pen. A modified culturing method using a chromogenic agar was efficient for detection of pathogenic Y. enterocolitica in pig faeces. The use of masspectrometry for identification and subtyping was in agreement with conventional biotyping and serotyping methods.
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| 50. |
- Sahlström, Leena, et al.
(författare)
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Bacterial pathogen incidences in sludge from Swedish sewage treatment plants
- 2004
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Ingår i: Water Research. - Oxford, United Kingdom : Pergamon-Elsevier Science. - 0043-1354 .- 1879-2448. ; 38, s. 1989-1994
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- This study surveyed the presence of bacterial pathogens in eight Swedish sewage treatment plants (STPs), with four different treatment methods, focusing on detection of zoonotic bacteria in rawand treated sludge. Salmonella spp., Listeria monocytogenes, Campylobacter coli and jejuni, Escherichia coli O157 and indicator bacteria were investigated. Samplings were performed from July 2000 to June 2002, resulting in 64 raw sludge samples and 69 treated sludge samples. The samples from rawsludge (67%) and treated sludge (55%) were positive for Salmonella; 49 different serotypes were detected. Restriction enzyme analysis and pulsed field gel electrophoresis of Salmonella serotypes indicated that Salmonella persists in STPs and that there is a continuous supply of newstrains. There are differences in treatment methods concerning the reduction of pathogens and indicator bacteria. If spread on arable land, sludge increases the environmental load of pathogens; this increases the risk for spreading diseases to people and animals.
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