Vector borne and zoonotic diseases最新文献

{"title":"Uracil-DNA Glycosylase-Enhanced Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification Assays for Detection of Zoonotic Malaria <i>Plasmodium</i> Parasites.","authors":"Meng Yee Lai, Mohd Lutfi Abdullah, Yee Ling Lau","doi":"10.1177/15303667261484456","DOIUrl":"10.1177/15303667261484456","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Zoonotic malaria caused by simian <i>Plasmodium</i> species presents increasing diagnostic challenges in endemic regions.</p><p><strong>Method: </strong>This study developed and evaluated malachite green-based loop-mediated isothermal amplification (MG-LAMP) assays for detecting five zoonotic malaria parasites (<i>P. knowlesi, P. cynomolgi, P. inui, P. coatneyi</i>, and <i>P. fieldi</i>). The assays enable rapid visual detection through a colorimetric change without requiring specialized equipment. To reduce carryover contamination, deoxyuridine triphosphate (dUTP) and uracil-DNA glycosylase (UDG) were incorporated into the reaction.</p><p><strong>Result: </strong>All five UDG MG-LAMP assays demonstrated high analytical sensitivity, with limits of detection of 1 copy/µL <i>for P. cynomolgi, P. coatneyi</i>, and <i>P. fieldi</i>, and 10 copies/µL for <i>P. knowlesi</i> and <i>P. inui</i>. The assays showed 100% specificity, with no cross-reactivity among target species. Malachite green enabled clear visual discrimination between positive and negative reactions.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>A simplified direct blood lysis method requiring less than 20 min was also developed to enable rapid DNA preparation without column-based purification. Overall, the MG-LAMP assays combined with UDG and rapid lysis provide a sensitive, specific, and practical approach for diagnosing zoonotic malaria, particularly in resource-limited endemic settings.</p>","PeriodicalId":23683,"journal":{"name":"Vector borne and zoonotic diseases","volume":" ","pages":"780-785"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2026-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148867262","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Prevalence of West Nile Virus in Children Being Evaluated for Lyme Disease.","authors":"Christopher J Woll, Stephanie Hadley, Amy B Dean, William Lee, Desiree D Neville, Laura Chapman, Anupam B Kharbanda, Megan Ladell, Rebecca S Green, Michael Waxman, Lindsey Jones, Kelly Howard, Mark A Meola, Lise E Nigrovic","doi":"10.1177/15303667261479477","DOIUrl":"10.1177/15303667261479477","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>West Nile virus (WNV) is a flavivirus typically transmitted between mosquitoes and birds with occasional spill-over into other animals, including humans. Children evaluated for suspected Lyme disease may share environmental risk factors for WNV and present with overlapping symptoms. Our goal was to determine the prevalence of WNV infection in children with suspected Lyme disease.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We performed a nested case-control study within a prospective cohort study of children with suspected Lyme disease aged 1-21 years enrolled at 1 of 8 Pedi Lyme Net emergency departments. Lyme disease was defined by either an erythema migrans (EM) lesion or positive two-tier serology. Cases with Lyme disease (<i>n</i> = 305) were matched by age, symptoms, and enrolling center to symptomatic controls without Lyme disease (<i>n</i> = 295). We performed indirect (Luminex microbead immunoassay MIA] with reflex IgM enzyme immunoassay [EIA]) and direct (polymerase chain reaction [PCR]) WNV testing. Acute WNV infection was defined with either a positive MIA and EIA or a positive PCR test result.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Of the 600 included patients, 15 (2.5%) had a positive and 53 (8.8%) had an equivocal WNV MIA result. Of these, only 1 had a positive EIA result. Another child had a positive WNV PCR test. The two children with active WNV infections also had acute Lyme disease (0.3%, 95% confidence interval 0.1%, 1.2%) with neurological symptoms.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Acute WNV infection is uncommon in pediatric patients being evaluated for suspected Lyme disease. Routine WNV testing is not indicated when evaluating for suspected Lyme disease.</p>","PeriodicalId":23683,"journal":{"name":"Vector borne and zoonotic diseases","volume":" ","pages":"794-797"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2026-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148759433","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Application Value of Fluorescence Polarization Measurement in the Diagnosis of Brucellosis.","authors":"Huimei Bi, Lei Zou, Jingyao Liu, Qingfeng Gao, Ci Wang, Liping Hou, Gang Wang, Jinxia Gao","doi":"10.1177/15303667261481635","DOIUrl":"10.1177/15303667261481635","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>To evaluate the diagnostic efficacy of the fluorescence polarization assay (FPA) for detection of brucellosis.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A total of 1,080 clinically confirmed brucellosis patients and 1,518 nonbrucellosis controls were enrolled. Participants were classified based on clinical manifestations and laboratory diagnoses. Serum samples were analyzed using the Rose Bengal plate agglutination test (RBPT), serum agglutination test (SAT), FPA, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), followed by comparative analysis. The overall diagnostic sensitivity of the two-stage screening algorithm across the full cohort was further calculated.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Multivariate logistic regression analysis identified FPA as an independent diagnostic predictor for brucellosis (Odds Ratio (OR) = 6.24, 95% Confidence Interval (CI): 5.18-7.51, <i>p</i> < 0.001). The area under the ROC curve (AUC) for FPA was 0.983 (95% CI: 0.978-0.987). At an optimal cutoff value of 81.5 millipolarization units (mP), FPA achieved a sensitivity of 93.80% and a specificity of 93.61%. Agreement analysis demonstrated high to perfect concordance between FPA and SAT (Kappa = 0.788), RBPT (Kappa = 0.875), and ELISA (Kappa = 0.752) (all <i>p</i> < 0.001). Using the 95th percentile of FPA values (P95 = 83 mP) as the mass screening warning threshold, samples were classified as negative (≤83 mP) or suspected positive (>83 mP). Among 976 suspected positive cases in the brucellosis group and 68 in the control group, secondary receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis yielded an AUC of 0.898 (95% CI: 0.861-0.936). The optimal cutoff value was 92.5 mP, with a sensitivity of 82.79% and a specificity of 94.12%. FPA values between 83 mP and 92.5 mP were defined as an equivocal zone; the total sensitivity of this two-step screening strategy was only 74.8%.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>FPA is a highly accurate and independent diagnostic marker for brucellosis and supports its application in large-scale screening programs. However, the subgroup ROC has truncation bias, and the lipid interference inference remains unvalidated.</p>","PeriodicalId":23683,"journal":{"name":"Vector borne and zoonotic diseases","volume":" ","pages":"773-779"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2026-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148814348","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Molecular Detection and Phylogenetic Characterization of Spotted Fever Group Rickettsiae in <i>Amblyomma javanense</i> Ticks from Illegally Traded Malayan Pangolins.","authors":"Liyang Li, Jieling Zhang, Tingting Hu, Kai Wang, Lu Liu, Xitong Su, Min Lei, Hao Liu, Yan Hua","doi":"10.1177/15303667261477658","DOIUrl":"10.1177/15303667261477658","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>The Malayan pangolin (Manis javanica) is a critically endangered species that may harbor diverse zoonotic pathogens. This study aimed to characterize tick species parasitizing confiscated Malayan pangolins and determine the prevalence and genetic diversity of spotted fever group rickettsiae (SFGR) associated with these ticks.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We employed morphological and molecular approaches to identify ticks parasitizing pangolins confiscated in Guangdong Province between 2021 and 2024. A total of 435 adult ticks were collected from 32 pangolins and pooled into 87 groups (5 ticks per pool). Pooled tick samples were screened for SFGR by PCR targeting three rickettsial genes (gltA, ompA, and ompB), followed by Sanger sequencing and phylogenetic analysis.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>All collected ticks were identified as Amblyomma javanense. The pool positivity rate for SFGR was 41.4% (36/87), with a minimum infection rate of 8.3% (36/435; 95% CI: 5.8-11.2%). Molecular characterization identified the detected agent as Candidatus Rickettsia jingxinensis (Ca. Rickettsia jingxinensis), an agent recently confirmed to infect humans.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>These findings provide baseline data for tick-borne pathogen surveillance in the context of pangolin conservation and illegal wildlife trade control, highlighting the potential public health relevance of the pangolin-tick interface.</p>","PeriodicalId":23683,"journal":{"name":"Vector borne and zoonotic diseases","volume":" ","pages":"756-762"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2026-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148725395","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The Role of Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning in Predictive Virology: Forecasting, Tracking, and Combating Viral Threats.","authors":"Mohamed A Farrag","doi":"10.1177/15303667261469037","DOIUrl":"10.1177/15303667261469037","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The escalating threat of viral pandemics, dramatically illustrated by the COVID-19 crisis, has exposed the critical shortcomings of conventional reactive virology in addressing rapidly evolving pathogens. This review introduces predictive virology (PV) as an artificial intelligence (AI)-driven discipline within broader epidemic intelligence and public health surveillance that uses advanced computational tools to forecast viral threats and accelerate countermeasure design. The current review systematically examines how AI-driven approaches (<i>e.g.</i>, machine learning and deep learning) are reshaping virology by integrating vast genomic datasets, multimodal surveillance signals, and advanced computational models to anticipate viral emergence and evolution before widespread transmission occurs. Core pillars of PV discussed include zero-shot mutational fitness and antigenic escape prediction using large protein language models; multimodal early-warning systems that fuse wastewater monitoring, digital epidemiology, mobility data, and social media; neural differential equation-based transmission modeling; generative AI for <i>de novo</i> design of broad-spectrum antivirals and vaccines; and ecological risk assessment of zoonotic spillovers. In retrospective benchmarks against deep mutational scanning experiments and real-world epidemiological outcomes (SARS-CoV-2 variants, influenza, and other outbreaks), several AI-powered tools have demonstrated performance comparable to or exceeding traditional methods, although prospective validation at scale remains limited. Despite remarkable progress, significant challenges persist, including data bias, overfitting to historical patterns, lack of prospective validation, and limited generalizability across settings. In addition, there are concerns about mechanistic interpretability, equitable global data integration, and responsible deployment. This review also critically addresses the ethical, governance, and equity implications of deploying predictive capabilities at a global scale. By consolidating cutting-edge AI methodologies with virological insights and acknowledging current limitations, this work provides a comprehensive framework for transitioning virology from a reactive to a truly predictive discipline, ultimately strengthening global health security and pandemic preparedness.</p>","PeriodicalId":23683,"journal":{"name":"Vector borne and zoonotic diseases","volume":" ","pages":"733-755"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2026-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148473222","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Hesitancy and Perceptions Regarding Dengue Vaccination Among Educated Ecuadorians.","authors":"Matias Panchana-Lascano, Flavio Veintemilla-Burgos, Carlos Vela Velásquez, Rodolfo Kronfle Cordovez, Geovanna Minchalo-Ochoa, Sebastian Balda, Thomas Leone-Berry, Ivo Diaz-Djevoich, Natasha Cedillo Santos","doi":"10.1177/15303667261479462","DOIUrl":"10.1177/15303667261479462","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Global dengue cases have surged in recent years. In Ecuador, reported cases increased from 27,906 in 2023 to 57,712 in 2024. Despite the availability of multiple vaccines in other countries, factors such as socioeconomic disparities, climate change, and vaccine hesitancy continue to hinder prevention efforts. This study aims to analyze the perceptions of the Ecuadorian population and explore possible reasons for hesitancy toward the dengue vaccine.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This cross-sectional observational study was conducted in accordance with the STROBE guidelines. Online surveys, adapted from Kricorian et al., were distributed via the Qualtrics app between June 1st, 2024, and June 25, 2025. Eligible participants were Ecuadorian, at least 18 years old, and had a minimal education level of bachelor. Statistical analysis included descriptive percentages and chi-square tests, with significance set at <i>p</i> < 0.05.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A total of 735 participants were included. Most perceived a dengue vaccine as safe (87.2%, <i>n</i> = 641), while 12.8% (<i>n</i> = 94) considered it unsafe. Overall, 75.9% expressed willingness to be vaccinated. Perceived vaccine safety was significantly associated with vaccination willingness, region of residence, and willingness to vaccinate offspring (all <i>p</i> < 0.001), but not with education level, dengue understanding (<i>p</i> = 0.747), or prior dengue experience (<i>p</i> = 0.111).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Most Ecuadorians perceive dengue vaccines as safe, yet hesitancy persists. Targeted educational efforts are essential to improve acceptance and coverage.</p>","PeriodicalId":23683,"journal":{"name":"Vector borne and zoonotic diseases","volume":" ","pages":"786-793"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2026-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148765572","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Detection and Distribution of Tick-Borne Bacterial Pathogens in Ticks from Different Hosts in the Altun Mountains, China.","authors":"Linxuan Yang, Zhengliang Chai, Dongyue Lyu, Hanyu Sha, Asaiti Bukai, Xiaojin Zheng, Ziyi Bu, Wei Du, Fangfei Ma, Haifu Qu, Aidai Bieke, Shuai Qin, Ran Duan, Zhuowei Li, Fan Li, Zhaokai He, Deming Tang, Peng Zhang, Jia Song, Meng Xiao, Lianxu Xia, Huaiqi Jing, Xin Wang","doi":"10.1177/15303667261477648","DOIUrl":"10.1177/15303667261477648","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Ticks are the main vectors for a variety of tick-borne bacterial pathogens. Systematic studies on the coinfection patterns and differences of pathogens in ticks derived from different hosts are of great significance. Therefore, the present study investigated ticks collected from multiple host species in the Altun Mountains region (China) to preliminarily characterize differences in the carriage of tick-borne bacterial pathogens across host-associated and environmental tick populations and to explore their potential relationships.</p><p><strong>Materials and methods: </strong>A total of 2820 ticks collected from marmots, sheep, camels, and Gobi vegetation were assigned into 562 pooled groups. Polymerase chain reaction assays were performed to detect multiple tick-borne bacterial pathogens, followed by phylogenetic analysis of representative sequences.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Ticks in the Altun Mountains region carried multiple tick-borne bacterial pathogens with distinct host-associated distribution patterns. Moreover, there were significant differences in the pathogen carriage profiles among ticks from different hosts and environmental sources. In particular, the distributions of spotted fever group (SFG)/typhus group (TG) rickettsiae, <i>Anaplasma</i> spp<i>.,</i> and <i>Coxiella burnetii</i> in ticks from different hosts were significantly different (<i>p</i> < 0.05). SFG/TG rickettsiae were the dominant pathogens forming highly conserved phylogenetic clusters and widely distributed in ticks. Furthermore, <i>Anaplasma</i> spp. were distributed across multiple phylogenetic clades.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>These findings indicate that tick-borne pathogens in the Altun Mountains region exhibit distinct host-associated distribution characteristics and complex ecological circulation characteristics.</p>","PeriodicalId":23683,"journal":{"name":"Vector borne and zoonotic diseases","volume":" ","pages":"763-772"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2026-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148765605","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Epidemiological Characteristics of Leptospirosis and Animal Surveillance in a High-Risk Rural Area of Eastern China.","authors":"Shufen Yang, Zhiwei Cheng, Baifu Zheng, Qianqian Liang, Mengtian Zhang, Yihan Lu","doi":"10.1177/15303667261474419","DOIUrl":"10.1177/15303667261474419","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Leptospirosis is a globally distributed zoonotic disease that remains a significant public health concern, yet integrated evidence linking human infection, animal reservoirs, and <i>Leptospira</i> serogroups remains limited. Pan'an County, a rural sentinel site in eastern China, provides a suitable setting for investigating leptospirosis transmission within a One Health framework. This study aimed to characterize epidemiological patterns in humans and associated animal infections, providing evidence for understanding leptospirosis transmission.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A retrospective and field-based surveillance study was conducted from 2007 to 2025. Descriptive methods were used to analyze temporal, spatial, and demographic characteristics of human leptospirosis cases. Animal surveillance was conducted across multiple host species to assess infection status and <i>Leptospira</i> serogroup distribution. Correlation analysis was performed to evaluate associations between rodent density, infection status, and human leptospirosis cases.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A total of 53 human leptospirosis cases were reported, with a marked peak in 2007 and no fatalities. Cases were concentrated in late summer and primarily affected middle-aged farmers, with no significant spatial clustering observed. Animal surveillance identified 5630 samples with an overall positivity rate of 2.58%. Infections were detected in rodents, frogs, and ducks, while pigs and cattle were negative. Rodents and frogs were exclusively associated with Icterohaemorrhagiae, whereas ducks exhibited multiple serogroups. Rodent density was positively correlated with human cases, while no association was observed between infection positivity rates and human incidence.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Leptospirosis in Pan'an is characterized by a stable Icterohaemorrhagiae-dominated transmission system primarily maintained by rodent reservoirs, with human infection occurring through occupational and environmental exposure in agricultural settings. Aquatic-associated animals such as frogs and ducks likely function as environmental interface hosts within a One Health transmission framework. These findings suggest a rodent-associated transmission cycle and support the value of integrated human-animal-environment surveillance for leptospirosis control in rural endemic regions.</p>","PeriodicalId":23683,"journal":{"name":"Vector borne and zoonotic diseases","volume":" ","pages":"685-692"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2026-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148680158","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Prevalence and Genetic Diversity of Zoonotic <i>Leptospira</i> and Hantavirus in Rodents, Lanxi City, 2023-2025.","authors":"Qianqian Xu, Yuanwei Hu, Zhitong Liu, Ting Xu, Qian Yu","doi":"10.1177/15303667261474433","DOIUrl":"10.1177/15303667261474433","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Leptospirosis (caused by <i>Leptospira</i>, a bacterium) and hantavirus disease (caused by hantavirus, a virus) are important zoonoses with rodents as main reservoirs. In this study, we investigated the prevalence and genetic diversity of <i>Leptospira</i> and hantavirus in rodents from rural Lanxi City, Zhejiang Province. Rodents showed a higher <i>Leptospira</i> carriage rate than the national average. All hantavirus isolates were Seoul virus (SEOV) and displayed high genetic divergence from vaccine strains. Notably, a unique local phylogenetic cluster of <i>Leptospira borgpetersenii</i> was identified, indicating potential vaccine mismatch and local evolutionary divergence.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Samples were collected from April 2023 to August 2025, with intensive trapping from April to August annually in 2023-2024 and additional sampling in April 2025. Liver and kidney tissues were collected via aseptic dissection. Real-time fluorescent PCR was used to detect pathogen nucleic acids, and gene sequencing and phylogenetic analysis were performed on positive samples.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A total of 350 rodents were captured, with <i>Rattus norvegicus</i> (brown rat) as the dominant species (80.00%). The overall <i>Leptospira</i> carriage rate was 7.14% (25/350), with the highest rate in <i>R. norvegicus</i> (7.86%). The overall hantavirus carriage rate was 1.43% (5/350), distributed mainly in <i>R. norvegicus</i> and <i>Rattus flavipectus</i> (yellow-breasted rat). No coinfection with both pathogens was detected. Genetic analysis identified 12 <i>Leptospira</i> strains as <i>Leptospira interrogans</i> and 2 as <i>L. borgpetersenii</i>; the latter showed genetic differences from domestic and foreign strains, suggesting a potential evolutionary trend. The two hantavirus strains were both SEOV, closely related to domestic SEOV strains from 2021 but with only 86.08-86.81% nucleotide homology to vaccine strains (<i>e.g.</i>, 80-39, Z37), indicating natural variation.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Rodents in rural Lanxi have a relatively high <i>Leptospira</i> carriage rate, and hantavirus is dominated by the SEOV type. <i>R. norvegicus</i> is the main host of both pathogens. Targeted monitoring and prevention/control measures should be strengthened. Natural genetic variation suggests potential antigenic drift and reduced vaccine matching, which requires further serological validation. Attention should be paid to the impact of pathogen genetic variation on control efforts.</p>","PeriodicalId":23683,"journal":{"name":"Vector borne and zoonotic diseases","volume":" ","pages":"693-700"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2026-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148621556","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Occupational Exposure to <i>Leishmania</i> spp. Among Wildlife Professionals in Endemic and Nonendemic Areas of Southern Brazil.","authors":"Danilo A França, Louise Bach Kmetiuk, Victoria Gamboa Braga, Orlei José Domingues Rodrigues, Giovanni Augusto Kalempa Panazzolo, Giovani Marino Fávero, Helio Langoni, Alexander Welker Biondo","doi":"10.1177/15303667261474716","DOIUrl":"10.1177/15303667261474716","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>This study aimed to assess serological exposure and associated risk factors to <i>Leishmania</i> spp. among wildlife professionals in endemic and nonendemic areas of southern Brazil.</p><p><strong>Materials and methods: </strong>Serum samples were collected from employees of four public institutions involved in wildlife management, including the Iguaçu National Park, City Zoological Garden, City Animal Services, and the State Environmental Institute. Anti-<i>Leishmania</i> spp. antibodies were detected by indirect immunofluorescence assay using <i>Leishmania major</i> promastigotes as antigen. Epidemiological data were analyzed using chi-square tests and odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Overall, 11/309 (3.6%) individuals were seropositive to <i>Leishmania</i> spp., with titers ranging from 1:40 to 1:160. Seropositivity was higher among professionals from the Iguaçu National Park (7.4%) from an endemic area and the City Zoological Garden (6.5%) from a nonendemic area. Male participants had increased odds of exposure (OR = 4.08), and veterinarians presented a significantly higher infection rate compared with other occupational categories (<i>p</i> = 0.0318).</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The findings indicate that wildlife professionals, particularly veterinarians and those working in endemic or wildlife-rich environments, may be at increased risk of <i>Leishmania</i> spp.</p><p><strong>Exposure: </strong>The results highlighted the importance of implementing occupational biosafety measures and including these professionals in national leishmaniasis surveillance programs.</p>","PeriodicalId":23683,"journal":{"name":"Vector borne and zoonotic diseases","volume":" ","pages":"701-706"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2026-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148621500","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}