GERMS: October 2016

Monday, October 31, 2016

Ahead of Print -New Hepatitis E Virus Genotype in Bactrian Camels, Xinjiang, China, 2013 - Volume 22, Number 12—December 2016 - Emerging Infectious Disease journal - CDC

Ahead of Print -Human Infection with Novel Spotted Fever Group Rickettsia Genotype, China, 2015 - Volume 22, Number 12—December 2016 - Emerging Infectious Disease journal - CDC

Only 4 species of spotted fever group rickettsiae have been detected in humans in China. However, phylogenetic analysis of samples from 5 ill patients in China indicated infection with a novel spotted fever group Rickettsia, designated Rickettsia sp. XY99. Clinical signs resembled those of severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome.

Ahead of Print -Human Infection with Novel Spotted Fever Group Rickettsia Genotype, China, 2015 - Volume 22, Number 12—December 2016 - Emerging Infectious Disease journal - CDC

Ahead of Print -Cutaneous Granulomas in Dolphins Caused by Novel Uncultivated Paracoccidioides brasiliensis - Volume 22, Number 12—December 2016 - Emerging Infectious Disease journal - CDC

Cutaneous granulomas in dolphins were believed to be caused by Lacazia loboi, which also causes a similar disease in humans. This hypothesis was recently challenged by reports that fungal DNA sequences from dolphins grouped this pathogen with Paracoccidioides brasiliensis. We conducted phylogenetic analysis of fungi from 6 bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) with cutaneous granulomas and chains of yeast cells in infected tissues. Kex gene sequences of P. brasiliensis from dolphins showed 100% homology with sequences from cultivated P. brasiliensis, 73% with those of L. loboi, and 93% with those of P. lutzii.Parsimony analysis placed DNA sequences from dolphins within a cluster with human P. brasiliensis strains. This cluster was the sister taxon to P. lutzii and L. loboi. Our molecular data support previous findings and suggest that a novel uncultivated strain of P. brasiliensis restricted to cutaneous lesions in dolphins is probably the cause of lacaziosis/lobomycosis, herein referred to as paracoccidioidomycosis ceti.

Ahead of Print -Cutaneous Granulomas in Dolphins Caused by Novel Uncultivated Paracoccidioides brasiliensis - Volume 22, Number 12—December 2016 - Emerging Infectious Disease journal - CDC

Ahead of Print -Detection and Genotyping of Coxiella burnetii in Pigs, South Korea, 2014–2015 - Volume 22, Number 12—December 2016 - Emerging Infectious Disease journal - CDC

We assessed Coxiella burnetii prevalence and genotypes in pigs in South Korea during 2014–2015. Prevalence was low among 1,030 samples tested by ELISA and immunofluorescent assay and 1,124 samples tested by PCR. Despite this finding, possible transmission of C. burnetii from pigs to humans cannot be excluded.

Ahead of Print -Detection and Genotyping of Coxiella burnetii in Pigs, South Korea, 2014–2015 - Volume 22, Number 12—December 2016 - Emerging Infectious Disease journal - CDC

Ahead of Print -Etymologia: Usutu Virus - Volume 22, Number 12—December 2016 - Emerging Infectious Disease journal - CDC

Sunday, October 30, 2016

Ahead of Print -Pathogenic Lineage of mcr-Negative Colistin-Resistant Escherichia coli, Japan, 2008–2015 - Volume 22, Number 12—December 2016 - Emerging Infectious Disease journal - CDC

Ahead of Print -Unusual Ebola Virus Chain of Transmission, Conakry, Guinea, 2014–2015 - Volume 22, Number 12—December 2016 - Emerging Infectious Disease journal - CDC

In October 2015, a new case of Ebola virus disease in Guinea was detected. Case investigation, serology, and whole-genome sequencing indicated possible transmission of the virus from an Ebola virus disease survivor to another person and then to the case-patient reported here. This transmission chain over 11 months suggests slow Ebola virus evolution.

Ahead of Print -Unusual Ebola Virus Chain of Transmission, Conakry, Guinea, 2014–2015 - Volume 22, Number 12—December 2016 - Emerging Infectious Disease journal - CDC

Ahead of Print -Dual Emergence of Usutu Virus in Common Blackbirds, Eastern France, 2015 - Volume 22, Number 12—December 2016 - Emerging Infectious Disease journal - CDC

Saturday, October 29, 2016

Ahead of Print -Introgressed Animal Schistosomes Schistosoma curassoni and S. bovis Naturally Infecting Humans - Volume 22, Number 12—December 2016 - Emerging Infectious Disease journal - CDC

Ahead of Print -Tuberculosis-Associated Death among Adult Wild Boars, Spain, 2009–2014 - Volume 22, Number 12—December 2016 - Emerging Infectious Disease journal - CDC

We investigated adult Eurasian wild boar (Sus scrofa) survival and death in 2 tuberculosis-endemic populations with different harvest pressure in Spain. Overall, tuberculosis accounted for 30% of total deaths. Increased survival in protected areas has direct implications for wild boar management and tuberculosis control.

Ahead of Print -Tuberculosis-Associated Death among Adult Wild Boars, Spain, 2009–2014 - Volume 22, Number 12—December 2016 - Emerging Infectious Disease journal - CDC

Ahead of Print -Highly Divergent Dengue Virus Type 2 in Traveler Returning from Borneo to Australia - Volume 22, Number 12—December 2016 - Emerging Infectious Disease journal - CDC

Dengue virus type 2 was isolated from a tourist who returned from Borneo to Australia. Phylogenetic analysis identified this virus as highly divergent and occupying a basal phylogenetic position relative to all known human and sylvatic dengue virus type 2 strains and the most divergent lineage not assigned to a new serotype.

Ahead of Print -Highly Divergent Dengue Virus Type 2 in Traveler Returning from Borneo to Australia - Volume 22, Number 12—December 2016 - Emerging Infectious Disease journal - CDC

Ahead of Print -Reemergence of St. Louis Encephalitis Virus, California, 2015 - Volume 22, Number 12—December 2016 - Emerging Infectious Disease journal - CDC

St. Louis encephalitis virus infection was detected in summer 2015 in southern California after a 12-year absence, concomitant with an Arizona outbreak. Sequence comparisons showed close identity of California and Arizona isolates and a relationship with 2005 Argentine isolates, suggesting virus introduction from South America and underscoring the value of continued arbovirus surveillance.

Ahead of Print -Reemergence of St. Louis Encephalitis Virus, California, 2015 - Volume 22, Number 12—December 2016 - Emerging Infectious Disease journal - CDC

Ahead of Print -Digital PCR for Quantifying Norovirus in Oysters Implicated in Outbreaks, France - Volume 22, Number 12—December 2016 - Emerging Infectious Disease journal - CDC

Using samples from oysters clearly implicated in human disease, we quantified norovirus levels by using digital PCR. Concentrations varied from 43 to 1,170 RNA copies/oyster. The analysis of frozen samples from the production area showed the presence of norovirus 2 weeks before consumption.

Ahead of Print -Digital PCR for Quantifying Norovirus in Oysters Implicated in Outbreaks, France - Volume 22, Number 12—December 2016 - Emerging Infectious Disease journal - CDC

Thursday, October 27, 2016

Ahead of Print -Detection of Vaccinia Virus in Dairy Cattle Serum Samples from 2009, Uruguay - Volume 22, Number 12—December 2016 - Emerging Infectious Disease journal - CDC

We detected orthopoxvirus in 28 of 125 serum samples collected during 2009 from cattle in Uruguay. Two samples were PCR-positive for vaccinia virus and had sequences similar to those for vaccinia virus associated with outbreaks in Brazil. Autochthonous circulation of vaccinia virus in Uruguay and other South American countries cannot be ruled out.

Ahead of Print -Detection of Vaccinia Virus in Dairy Cattle Serum Samples from 2009, Uruguay - Volume 22, Number 12—December 2016 - Emerging Infectious Disease journal - CDC

Ahead of Print -Effect of Live Poultry Market Interventions on Influenza A(H7N9) Virus, Guangdong, China - Volume 22, Number 12—December 2016 - Emerging Infectious Disease journal - CDC

Since March 2013, three waves of human infection with avian influenza A(H7N9) virus have been detected in China. To investigate virus transmission within and across epidemic waves, we used surveillance data and whole-genome analysis of viruses sampled in Guangdong during 2013–2015. We observed a geographic shift of human A(H7N9) infections from the second to the third waves. Live poultry market interventions were undertaken in epicenter cities; however, spatial phylogenetic analysis indicated that the third-wave outbreaks in central Guangdong most likely resulted from local virus persistence rather than introduction from elsewhere. Although the number of clinical cases in humans declined by 35% from the second to the third waves, the genetic diversity of third-wave viruses in Guangdong increased. Our results highlight the epidemic risk to a region reporting comparatively few A(H7N9) cases. Moreover, our results suggest that live-poultry market interventions cannot completely halt A(H7N9) virus persistence and dissemination.

Ahead of Print -Effect of Live Poultry Market Interventions on Influenza A(H7N9) Virus, Guangdong, China - Volume 22, Number 12—December 2016 - Emerging Infectious Disease journal - CDC

Ahead of Print -Baylisascaris procyonis Roundworm Seroprevalence among Wildlife Rehabilitators, United States and Canada, 2012–2015 - Volume 22, Number 12—December 2016 - Emerging Infectious Disease journal - CDC

Baylisascaris procyonis roundworms can cause potentially fatal neural larva migrans in many species, including humans. However, the clinical spectrum of baylisascariasis is not completely understood. We tested 347 asymptomatic adult wildlife rehabilitators for B. procyonis antibodies; 24 were positive, suggesting that subclinical baylisascariasis is occurring among this population.

Ahead of Print -Baylisascaris procyonis Roundworm Seroprevalence among Wildlife Rehabilitators, United States and Canada, 2012–2015 - Volume 22, Number 12—December 2016 - Emerging Infectious Disease journal - CDC

Ahead of Print -Enhancement of Ebola Preparedness across Africa - Volume 22, Number 12—December 2016 - Emerging Infectious Disease journal - CDC

Ahead of Print -Assessing the Epidemic Potential of RNA and DNA Viruses - Volume 22, Number 12—December 2016 - Emerging Infectious Disease journal - CDC

Many new and emerging RNA and DNA viruses are zoonotic or have zoonotic origins in an animal reservoir that is usually mammalian and sometimes avian. Not all zoonotic viruses are transmissible (directly or by an arthropod vector) between human hosts. Virus genome sequence data provide the best evidence of transmission. Of human transmissible virus, 37 species have so far been restricted to self-limiting outbreaks. These viruses are priorities for surveillance because relatively minor changes in their epidemiologies can potentially lead to major changes in the threat they pose to public health. On the basis of comparisons across all recognized human viruses, we consider the characteristics of these priority viruses and assess the likelihood that they will further emerge in human populations. We also assess the likelihood that a virus that can infect humans but is not capable of transmission (directly or by a vector) between human hosts can acquire that capability.

Ahead of Print -Assessing the Epidemic Potential of RNA and DNA Viruses - Volume 22, Number 12—December 2016 - Emerging Infectious Disease journal - CDC

Ahead of Print -Horizontal Transmission of Chronic Wasting Disease in Reindeer - Volume 22, Number 12—December 2016 - Emerging Infectious Disease journal - CDC

We challenged reindeer by the intracranial route with the agent of chronic wasting disease sourced from white-tailed deer, mule deer, or elk and tested for horizontal transmission to naive reindeer. Reindeer were susceptible to chronic wasting disease regardless of source species. Horizontal transmission occurred through direct contact or indirectly through the environment.

Ahead of Print -Horizontal Transmission of Chronic Wasting Disease in Reindeer - Volume 22, Number 12—December 2016 - Emerging Infectious Disease journal - CDC

Ahead of Print -Evaluating Healthcare Claims for Neurocysticercosis by Using All-Payer All-Claims Data, Oregon, 2010–2013 - Volume 22, Number 12—December 2016 - Emerging Infectious Disease journal - CDC

To characterize the frequency of neurocysticercosis, associated diagnostic codes, and place of infection, we searched Oregon’s All Payer All-Claims dataset for 2010–2013. Twice as many cases were found by searching inpatient and outpatient data than by inpatient data alone. Studies relying exclusively on inpatient data underestimate frequency and miss less severe disease.

Ahead of Print -Evaluating Healthcare Claims for Neurocysticercosis by Using All-Payer All-Claims Data, Oregon, 2010–2013 - Volume 22, Number 12—December 2016 - Emerging Infectious Disease journal - CDC

Ahead of Print -Hepatitis E Virus in Yellow Cattle, Shandong, Eastern China - Volume 22, Number 12—December 2016 - Emerging Infectious Disease journal - CDC

Ahead of Print -Rift Valley Fever Outbreak in Livestock, Mozambique, 2014 - Volume 22, Number 12—December 2016 - Emerging Infectious Disease journal - CDC

In early 2014, abortions and death of ruminants were reported on farms in Maputo and Gaza Provinces, Mozambique. Serologic analysis and quantitative and conventional reverse transcription PCR confirmed the presence of Rift Valley fever virus. The viruses belonged to lineage C, which is prevalent among Rift Valley fever viruses in southern Africa.

Ahead of Print -Rift Valley Fever Outbreak in Livestock, Mozambique, 2014 - Volume 22, Number 12—December 2016 - Emerging Infectious Disease journal - CDC

Ahead of Print -Schmallenberg Virus in Zoo Ruminants, France and the Netherlands - Volume 22, Number 12—December 2016 - Emerging Infectious Disease journal - CDC

Ahead of Print -Streptococcus agalactiae Serotype IV in Humans and Cattle, Northern Europe - Volume 22, Number 12—December 2016 - Emerging Infectious Disease journal - CDC

Streptococcus agalactiae is an emerging pathogen of nonpregnant human adults worldwide and a reemerging pathogen of dairy cattle in parts of Europe. To learn more about interspecies transmission of this bacterium, we compared contemporaneously collected isolates from humans and cattle in Finland and Sweden. Multilocus sequence typing identified 5 sequence types (STs) (ST1, 8, 12, 23, and 196) shared across the 2 host species, suggesting possible interspecies transmission. More than 54% of the isolates belonged to those STs. Molecular serotyping and pilus island typing of those isolates did not differentiate between populations isolated from different host species. Isolates from humans and cattle differed in lactose fermentation, which is encoded on the accessory genome and represents an adaptation to the bovine mammary gland. Serotype IV-ST196 isolates were obtained from multiple dairy herds in both countries. Cattle may constitute a previously unknown reservoir of this strain.

Ahead of Print -Streptococcus agalactiae Serotype IV in Humans and Cattle, Northern Europe - Volume 22, Number 12—December 2016 - Emerging Infectious Disease journal - CDC

Ahead of Print -Chlamydia-Related Bacteria in Free-Living and Captive Great Apes, Gabon - Volume 22, Number 12—December 2016 - Emerging Infectious Disease journal - CDC

Tuesday, October 25, 2016

Ahead of Print -Guillain-Barré Syndrome and Healthcare Needs during Zika Virus Transmission, Puerto Rico, 2016 - Volume 23, Number 1—January 2017 - Emerging Infectious Disease journal - CDC

To assist with public health preparedness activities, we estimated the number of expected cases of Zika virus in Puerto Rico and associated healthcare needs. Estimated annual incidence is 3.2–5.1 times the baseline, and long-term care needs are predicted to be 3–5 times greater than in years with no Zika virus.

Ahead of Print -Guillain-Barré Syndrome and Healthcare Needs during Zika Virus Transmission, Puerto Rico, 2016 - Volume 23, Number 1—January 2017 - Emerging Infectious Disease journal - CDC

Ahead of Print -Travel-Related Tick-Borne Encephalitis, Israel, 2006–2014 - Volume 23, Number 1—January 2017 - Emerging Infectious Disease journal - CDC

During 2006–2014, four tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) cases occurred among Israeli travelers. We calculated TBE incidence at 321.0, 45.0, 13.2, and 7.5 cases/100,000 travelers/year of travel to Sweden, Switzerland, Austria, and Germany, respectively. TBE incidence among travelers to these destinations appears to justify TBE vaccination in accordance with World Health Organization recommendations.

Ahead of Print -Travel-Related Tick-Borne Encephalitis, Israel, 2006–2014 - Volume 23, Number 1—January 2017 - Emerging Infectious Disease journal - CDC