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Microorganisms2023; 11(5); doi: 10.3390/microorganisms11051294

Retrospective Analysis of Official Data on Anthrax in Europe with a Special Reference to Ukraine.

Abstract: Anthrax is an acute infectious zoonotic disease caused by Bacillus anthracis that mostly affects grazing livestock and wildlife. Furthermore, B. anthracis is considered one of the most important biological agents of bioterrorism that could also be potentially misused in biological weapons. The distribution of anthrax in domestic animals and wildlife in Europe with a particular focus on Ukraine as a country of war was analyzed. Between 2005 and 2022, 267 anthrax cases were registered at the World Organization of Animal Health (WOAH) in animals in Europe, including 251 cases in domestic animals and 16 in wildlife. The highest numbers of cases were recorded in 2005 and 2016 followed by 2008, and the highest numbers of registered cases were reported from Albania, Russia, and Italy. In Ukraine, anthrax is currently a sporadic infection. Since 2007, 28 notifications were registered, with isolates mainly from soil samples. The highest number of confirmed anthrax cases was registered in 2018, and Odesa, which is close to Moldova, had the highest number of cases, followed by the Cherkasy region. The presence of thousands of biothermal pits and burial grounds of fallen cattle nationwide favors the re-emergence of new foci. Most confirmed cases were in cattle; however, single cases were confirmed in dogs, horses, and pigs. Further investigation of the disease in wildlife and in environmental samples is needed. The genetic analysis of isolates, investigation of susceptibility to antimicrobial compounds, and determination of virulence and pathogenicity factors are required in this volatile region of the world for awareness raising and preparedness.
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Publication Date: 2023-05-16 PubMed ID: 37317268PubMed Central: PMC10222104DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11051294Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

The research article explores the occurrence of Anthrax, a potentially serious bacterial infection, in Europe, with a key focus on Ukraine. It uses historical data from 2005 to 2022 to identify trends in the disease’s incidents, primarily in wildlife and domestic animals.

Overview of Anthrax Disease in the Study

  • The paper studies anthrax, an acute infectious disease caused by a bacterium. This disease primarily affects grazing livestock and wildlife but can also infect humans. Importantly, anthrax is viewed as a potential agent for bioterrorism and biological warfare.
  • In this study, the authors examine the spread of anthrax across Europe, with a special focus on Ukraine, a country currently experiencing conflict.

Data Based Analysis of Anthrax Incidences

  • The researchers performed a retrospective analysis, using historical data from the World Organization of Animal Health (WOAH) to observe trends in anthrax occurrences.
  • The data reveals that between 2005 and 2022, there were 267 reported anthrax cases in European animals – 251 in domestic animals and 16 in wild animals.
  • The highest numbers of anthrax cases were noted in 2005 and 2016, with Albania, Russia, and Italy reporting the most instances.

Insights on Anthrax Occurrence in Ukraine

  • In Ukraine, anthrax seems to be a sporadic infection, with 28 cases reported since 2007. The disease prevalence varies, with the highest number of confirmed cases reported in 2018 in the Odesa region, closely followed by the Cherkasy region.
  • The bacteria were primarily isolated from soil samples within the Ukraine, indicating that the local environment may have contributed to the disease’s spread.
  • The presence of numerous pits and burial grounds for livestock across the country may contribute to the re-emergence and proliferation of new foci of infection.
  • Similar to the general trend across Europe, most confirmed cases in Ukraine were in cattle. Nonetheless, there are single confirmed cases in other animals, including dogs, pigs, and horses.

Considerations for Further Research

  • The authors urge further study into the disease’s prevalence in wildlife and environment, given the latter’s potential role in disease transmission.
  • From a scientific perspective, the authors advocate for genetic analysis of anthrax isolates, discerning their susceptibility to various antimicrobial compounds, and determining virulence and pathogenicity factors.
  • This knowledge would be instrumental in raising awareness, preparing for potential outbreaks, and setting up mitigation strategies in this politically unstable region.

Cite This Article

APA
Kozytska T, Bassiouny M, Chechet O, Ordynska D, Galante D, Neubauer H, Wareth G. (2023). Retrospective Analysis of Official Data on Anthrax in Europe with a Special Reference to Ukraine. Microorganisms, 11(5). https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms11051294

Publication

Microorganisms
ISSN: 2076-2607
NlmUniqueID: 101625893
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 11
Issue: 5

Researcher Affiliations

Kozytska, Tamara
  • Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Institute of Bacterial Infections and Zoonoses, Naumburger Str. 96a, 07743 Jena, Germany.
  • State Research Institute for Laboratory Diagnostics and Veterinary and Sanitary Expertise, State Service of Ukraine for Food Safety and Consumer Protection, 30, Donetska St., 03151 Kyiv, Ukraine.
Bassiouny, Marwa
  • Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Institute of Bacterial Infections and Zoonoses, Naumburger Str. 96a, 07743 Jena, Germany.
Chechet, Olha
  • State Research Institute for Laboratory Diagnostics and Veterinary and Sanitary Expertise, State Service of Ukraine for Food Safety and Consumer Protection, 30, Donetska St., 03151 Kyiv, Ukraine.
Ordynska, Diana
  • State Research Institute for Laboratory Diagnostics and Veterinary and Sanitary Expertise, State Service of Ukraine for Food Safety and Consumer Protection, 30, Donetska St., 03151 Kyiv, Ukraine.
Galante, Domenico
  • Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Puglia e della Basilicata, Anthrax Reference Institute of Italy, Via Manfredonia 20, 71121 Foggia, Italy.
Neubauer, Heinrich
  • Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Institute of Bacterial Infections and Zoonoses, Naumburger Str. 96a, 07743 Jena, Germany.
Wareth, Gamal
  • Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Institute of Bacterial Infections and Zoonoses, Naumburger Str. 96a, 07743 Jena, Germany.
  • Institute of Infectious Diseases and Infection Control, Jena University Hospital, Am Klinikum 1, 07747 Jena, Germany.

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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