FREE SHIPPING over $40
OVER 10000 FIVE-STAR REVIEWS
5% OFF ALL SUBSCRIPTIONS
100% HAPPINESS GUARANTEE
Analyze Diet
0
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.
Get Full Text
Publication Date: 2023-05-16 PubMed ID: 37317268PubMed Central: PMC10222104DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11051294Google Scholar: Lookup
The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
LinkedInCopy
  • Journal Article
  • Review

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.

References

This article includes 45 references
  1. Bower WA, Hendricks KA, Vieira AR, Traxler RM, Weiner Z, Lynfield R, Hoffmaster A. What Is Anthrax?. Pathogens 2022;11:690.
    doi: 10.3390/pathogens11060690pmc: PMC9231248pubmed: 35745544google scholar: lookup
  2. Beale SL, Zolnikov TR, Firebaugh CM. A Scoping Review on Category A Agents as Bioweapons. Prehosp. Disaster Med. 2021;36:767–773.
    doi: 10.1017/S1049023X21001072pubmed: 34615562google scholar: lookup
  3. Bush LM, Perez MT. The anthrax attacks 10 years later. Ann. Intern. Med. 2012;156:41–44.
    doi: 10.7326/0003-4819-155-12-201112200-00373pubmed: 21969275google scholar: lookup
  4. Cymet TC, Kerkvliet GJ. What is the true number of victims of the postal anthrax attack of 2001?. J. Am. Osteopath. Assoc. 2004;104:452.
    pubmed: 15602039
  5. Schwartz M. Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde: A short history of anthrax. Mol. Aspects Med. 2009;30:347–355.
    doi: 10.1016/j.mam.2009.06.004pubmed: 19577591google scholar: lookup
  6. Muturi M, Gachohi J, Mwatondo A, Lekolool I, Gakuya F, Bett A, Osoro E, Bitek A, Thumbi SM, Munyua P. Recurrent Anthrax Outbreaks in Humans, Livestock, and Wildlife in the Same Locality, Kenya, 2014–2017. Am. J. Trop. Med. Hyg. 2018;99:833–839.
    doi: 10.4269/ajtmh.18-0224pmc: PMC6159598pubmed: 30105965google scholar: lookup
  7. Carlson CJ, Kracalik IT, Ross N, Alexander KA, Hugh-Jones ME, Fegan M, Elkin BT, Epp T, Shury TK, Zhang W. The global distribution of Bacillus anthracis and associated anthrax risk to humans, livestock and wildlife. Nat. Microbiol. 2019;4:1337–1343.
    doi: 10.1038/s41564-019-0435-4pubmed: 31086311google scholar: lookup
  8. Simonsen KA, Chatterjee K. Anthrax. StatPearls 2022.
  9. Grunow R, Verbeek L, Jacob D, Holzmann T, Birkenfeld G, Wiens D, von Eichel-Streiber L, Grass G, Reischl U. Injection anthrax—A new outbreak in heroin users. Dtsch. Arztebl. Int. 2012;109:843–848.
    doi: 10.3238/arztebl.2012.0843pmc: PMC3528063pubmed: 23267409google scholar: lookup
  10. Meghji S, Judd O, Carr E. Fatal cutaneous anthrax in a heroin user. J. Laryngol. Otol. 2013;127:423–425.
    doi: 10.1017/S0022215112003210pubmed: 23374534google scholar: lookup
  11. Chambers J, Yarrarapu SNS, Mathai JK. Anthrax Infection. StatPearls 2022.
    pubmed: 30571000
  12. WHO. Anthrax in Humans and Animals. World Health Organization 2008.
  13. Sterne M. The effect of different carbon dioxide concentrations on the growth of virulent anthrax strains. Onderstepoort J. Vet. Sci. Anim. Ind. 1937;9:49–67.
  14. Rondinone V, Serrecchia L, Parisi A, Fasanella A, Manzulli V, Cipolletta D, Galante D. Genetic characterization of Bacillus anthracis strains circulating in Italy from 1972 to 2018. PLoS ONE 2020;15:e0227875.
    doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0227875pmc: PMC6957342pubmed: 31931511google scholar: lookup
  15. Fasanella A, Garofolo G, Galante D, Quaranta V, Palazzo L, Lista F, Adone R, Jones MH. Severe anthrax outbreaks in Italy in 2004: Considerations on factors involved in the spread of infection. New Microbiol. 2010;33:83–86.
    pubmed: 20402418
  16. Braun P, Beyer W, Hanczaruk M, Riehm JM, Antwerpen M, Otterbein C, Oesterheld J, Grass G. Reoccurring Bovine Anthrax in Germany on the Same Pasture after 12 Years. J. Clin. Microbiol. 2022;60:e0229121.
    doi: 10.1128/jcm.02291-21pmc: PMC8925895pubmed: 35195442google scholar: lookup
  17. Elvander M, Persson B, Sternberg Lewerin S. Historical cases of anthrax in Sweden 1916–1961. Transbound. Emerg. Dis. 2017;64:892–898.
    doi: 10.1111/tbed.12456pubmed: 26671241google scholar: lookup
  18. Ezhova E, Orlov D, Suhonen E, Kaverin D, Mahura A, Gennadinik V, Kukkonen I, Drozdov D, Lappalainen HK, Melnikov V. Climatic Factors Influencing the Anthrax Outbreak of 2016 in Siberia, Russia. Ecohealth 2021;18:217–228.
    doi: 10.1007/s10393-021-01549-5pmc: PMC8463397pubmed: 34453636google scholar: lookup
  19. Dumitrescu F, Georgescu EF, Giubelan L, Pădureanu V, Stoian AC, Dincă V, Georgescu M, Dragonu L, Marinescu D. Human Anthrax in Dolj County, Romania-A Series of Three Cases. Pathogens 2021;10:644.
    doi: 10.3390/pathogens10060644pmc: PMC8224695pubmed: 34071062google scholar: lookup
  20. Brangsch H, Golovko A, Pinchuk N, Deriabin O, Kyselova T, Linde J, Melzer F, Elschner MC. Molecular Typing of Ukrainian Bacillus anthracis Strains by Combining Whole-Genome Sequencing Techniques. Microorganisms 2022;10:461.
    doi: 10.3390/microorganisms10020461pmc: PMC8875922pubmed: 35208915google scholar: lookup
  21. Sinitsyn VA, Yanenko UM, Zaviryukha GA, Vasileva TB, Tarasov OA, Kosyanchuk NI, Muzykina LM. The situation of anthrax which is on the territory of Ukraine. Ukr. J. Ecol. 2019;9:113–119.
    doi: 10.15421/2019_717google scholar: lookup
  22. Coburn J. Albania: Free, privatised anthrax. Lancet 1993;341:168.
    doi: 10.1016/0140-6736(93)90025-Cgoogle scholar: lookup
  23. Peculi A, Campese E, Serrecchia L, Marino L, Boci J, Bijo B, Affuso A, Mercurio V, Giangrossi L, Fasanella A. Genotyping of Bacillus anthracis Strains Circulating in Albania. J. Bioterror. Biodef. 2015;6:1000131.
    doi: 10.4172/2157-2526.1000131google scholar: lookup
  24. Koleci X, Lilo A, Papa S, Margariti K, van Roon A, Santman-Berends I, van Schaik G, Hodnik JJ, Strain S, Guelbenzu-Gonzalo M. An Overview of Current Approaches and Challenges to the Control of Endemic Infectious Cattle Diseases in Albania. Front. Vet. Sci. 2021;8:671873.
    doi: 10.3389/fvets.2021.671873pmc: PMC8317491pubmed: 34336970google scholar: lookup
  25. Chiaverini A, Abdel-Glil MY, Linde J, Galante D, Rondinone V, Fasanella A, Cammà C, D’Alterio N, Garofolo G, Tomaso H. Whole Genome Sequencing for Studying Bacillus anthracis from an Outbreak in the Abruzzo Region of Italy. Microorganisms 2020;8:87.
    doi: 10.3390/microorganisms8010087pmc: PMC7022239pubmed: 31936409google scholar: lookup
  26. Nicastri E, Vairo F, Mencarini P, Battisti A, Agrati C, Cimini E, Carrara S, D’Arezzo S, Adone R, Vulcano A. Unexpected human cases of cutaneous anthrax in Latium region, Italy, August 2017: Integrated human-animal investigation of epidemiological, clinical, microbiological and ecological factors. Euro Surveill. 2019;24:1800685.
    doi: 10.2807/1560-7917.ES.2019.24.24.1800685pmc: PMC6582513pubmed: 31213220google scholar: lookup
  27. Fasanella A, Garofolo G, Galella M, Troiano P, De Stefano C, Pace L, Aceti A, Serrecchia L, Adone R. Suspect vector transmission of human cutaneous anthrax during an animal outbreak in Southern Italy. Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis. 2013;13:769–771.
    doi: 10.1089/vbz.2013.1302pubmed: 23808978google scholar: lookup
  28. Guastalegname M, Rondinone V, Lucifora G, Vallone A, D’Argenio L, Petracca G, Giordano A, Serrecchia L, Manzulli V, Pace L. An Outbreak of Human Systemic Anthrax, including One Case of Anthrax Meningitis, Occurred in Calabria Region (Italy): A Description of a Successful One Health Approach. Life 2022;12:909.
    doi: 10.3390/life12060909pmc: PMC9225246pubmed: 35743940google scholar: lookup
  29. Cherkasskiy BL. A national register of historic and contemporary anthrax foci. J. Appl. Microbiol. 1999;87:192–195.
    doi: 10.1046/j.1365-2672.1999.00868.xpubmed: 10475946google scholar: lookup
  30. Meselson M, Guillemin J, Hugh-Jones M, Langmuir A, Popova I, Shelokov A, Yampolskaya O. The Sverdlovsk anthrax outbreak of 1979. Science 1994;266:1202–1208.
    doi: 10.1126/science.7973702pubmed: 7973702google scholar: lookup
  31. Eremenko EI, Ryazanova AG, Buravtseva NP. The current situation on anthrax in Russia and in the world. Main trends and features. Probl. Part. Danger. Infect. 2017;1:65–71.
    doi: 10.21055/0370-1069-2017-1-65-71google scholar: lookup
  32. Pisarenko SV, Eremenko EI, Ryazanova AG, Kovalev DA, Buravtseva NP, Aksenova LY, Evchenko AY, Semenova OV, Bobrisheva OV, Kuznetsova IV. Genotyping and phylogenetic location of one clinical isolate of Bacillus anthracis isolated from a human in Russia. BMC Microbiol. 2019;19:165.
    doi: 10.1186/s12866-019-1542-3pmc: PMC6637652pubmed: 31315564google scholar: lookup
  33. Logvin FV, Kondratenko TA, Vodyanitskya SY. Anthrax in the world, CIS and Russian Federation (Literature Review). Med. Her. South Russ. 2017;8:17–22.
    doi: 10.21886/2219-8075-2017-8-3-17-22google scholar: lookup
  34. Willis EA. Landscape with dead sheep: What they did to Gruinard Island. 2002.. Med. Confl. Surviv. 2009;25:320–331.
    doi: 10.1080/13623690903417382pubmed: 20178200google scholar: lookup
  35. Prokopova LL. Soil foci of anthrax in Kiev Province and their sanitation. Gig. Sanit. 1978;6:94–96.
    pubmed: 97175
  36. Bagamian KH, Skrypnyk A, Rodina Y, Bezymennyi M, Nevolko O, Skrypnyk V, Blackburn JK. Serological anthrax surveillance in wild boar (Sus scrofa) in Ukraine. Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis. 2014;14:618–620.
    doi: 10.1089/vbz.2013.1521pubmed: 25072994google scholar: lookup
  37. Blackburn JK, Skrypnyk A, Bagamian KH, Nikolich MP, Bezymennyi M, Skrypnyk V. Anthrax in a backyard domestic dog in Ukraine: A case report. Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis. 2014;14:615–617.
    doi: 10.1089/vbz.2013.1519pubmed: 25072993google scholar: lookup
  38. Caplan DM, Ivana S, Caplan ME. Susceptibility to antibiotics of Bacillus anthracis strains isolated in Romania. Roum. Arch. Microbiol. Immunol. 2009;68:106–110.
    pubmed: 20361530
  39. Popescu R, Pistol A, Miltaru L, Caplan D, Cucuiu R, Popovici F. Two cases of infection with Bacillus anthracis, Romania, October 2011. Euro Surveill. 2011;16:20008.
    doi: 10.2807/ese.16.45.20008-enpubmed: 22114977google scholar: lookup
  40. Shliakhov EN, Prisakar VI. Prevention of anthrax in Moldavia. Zhurnal Mikrobiol. Epidemiol. Immunobiol. 1973;50:121–125.
    pubmed: 4275080
  41. Shliakhov EN, Prisakar VI. Epidemiological characteristics of anthrax in Moldavia in the past 25 years (1946–1970). Zhurnal Mikrobiol. Epidemiol. Immunobiol. 1973;50:15–19.
    pubmed: 4274103
  42. Shliakhov EN, Prisakar VI. History of anthrax in Moldavia. Zhurnal Mikrobiol. Epidemiol. Immunobiol. 1973;50:149–151.
    pubmed: 4272989
  43. Ryazanova AG, Skudareva ON, Gerasimenko DK, Logvin FV, Chmerenko DK, Semenova OV, Aksenova LY, Eremenko EI, Buravtseva NP, Golovinskaya TM. Epidemiological and Epizootiological Situation on Anthrax around the World in 2021, the Forecast for 2022 in the Russian Federation. Probl. Part. Danger. Infect. 2022;1:64–70.
    doi: 10.21055/0370-1069-2022-1-64-70google scholar: lookup
  44. Eremenko E, Pechkovskii G, Pisarenko S, Ryazanova A, Kovalev D, Semenova O, Aksenova L, Timchenko L, Golovinskaya T, Bobrisheva O. Phylogenetics of Bacillus anthracis isolates from Russia and bordering countries. Infect. Genet. Evol. 2021;92:104890.
    doi: 10.1016/j.meegid.2021.104890pubmed: 33962043google scholar: lookup
  45. Slupska V., Yanenko U., Kosyanchuk N., Sorokina N. Comparative Evaluation of Anthrax Vaccines. Scientific Reports of the National University of Life and Environmental Sciences of Ukraine. No. 4. [(accessed on 2 January 2023)];2015 Available online: http://nbuv.gov.ua/UJRN/Nd_2015_4_23.

Citations

This article has been cited 9 times.
  1. Sousa ESS, Sousa MES, Pereira MDCA, Negreiros RAM, Eloy LRC, Brasil AWL, Clementino IJ, Azevedo SS, Lucena RB. Data Platform for Animal Mortality Information System (DATASIMA): Monitoring Companion Animal's Euthanasia Causes in City of João Pessoa, Brazil. Vet Sci 2025 Jan 8;12(1).
    doi: 10.3390/vetsci12010028pubmed: 39852902google scholar: lookup
  2. Arede M, Allepuz A, Beltran-Alcrudo D, Casal J, Romero-Alvarez D. Suitability of anthrax (Bacillus anthracis) in the Black Sea basin through the scope of distribution modelling. PLoS One 2024;19(11):e0303413.
    doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0303413pubmed: 39509442google scholar: lookup
  3. Kowalska J, Maćkiw E, Korsak D, Postupolski J. Characterization of the Bacillus cereus Group Isolated from Ready-to-Eat Foods in Poland by Whole-Genome Sequencing. Foods 2024 Oct 14;13(20).
    doi: 10.3390/foods13203266pubmed: 39456328google scholar: lookup
  4. Alhaji NB, Abdullahi H, Aliyu MB, Usman AH, Adeiza AM, Mai HM, Odetokun IA, Fasina FO. Risk perceptions and preventive preparedness toward anthrax re-emergence within the lens of one health in Northcentral Nigeria. Trop Anim Health Prod 2024 Sep 30;56(8):301.
    doi: 10.1007/s11250-024-04173-xpubmed: 39343802google scholar: lookup
  5. Anandakumar J, Suresh KP, Patil AV, Jagadeesh CA, Bylaiah S, Patil SS, Hemadri D. Comprehensive Spatial-Temporal and Risk Factor Insights for Optimizing Livestock Anthrax Vaccination Strategies in Karnataka, India. Vaccines (Basel) 2024 Sep 22;12(9).
    doi: 10.3390/vaccines12091081pubmed: 39340111google scholar: lookup
  6. Pohanka M. Biosensors and Bioassays for the Medical Detection of Bacillus Anthracis and Diagnosis of Anthrax. Curr Med Chem 2025;32(16):3123-3133.
    doi: 10.2174/0109298673310620240704132204pubmed: 39005126google scholar: lookup
  7. Zhang T, Nickerson R, Zhang W, Peng X, Shang Y, Zhou Y, Luo Q, Wen G, Cheng Z. The impacts of animal agriculture on One Health-Bacterial zoonosis, antimicrobial resistance, and beyond. One Health 2024 Jun;18:100748.
    doi: 10.1016/j.onehlt.2024.100748pubmed: 38774301google scholar: lookup
  8. Buyuk F, Dyson H, Laws TR, Celebi O, Doganay M, Sahin M, Baillie L. Human Exposure to Naturally Occurring Bacillus anthracis in the Kars Region of Eastern Türkiye. Microorganisms 2024 Jan 14;12(1).
    doi: 10.3390/microorganisms12010167pubmed: 38257993google scholar: lookup
  9. Railean V, Sobolewski J, Jaśkowski JM. Anthrax in one health in Southern and Southeastern Europe - the effect of climate change?. Vet Res Commun 2024 Apr;48(2):623-632.
    doi: 10.1007/s11259-023-10238-3pubmed: 37863848google scholar: lookup
Subscribe to our newsletter
Join 99,850 horse owners like you who receive our email updates on horse health and nutrition.