Although pigs are the main reservoir, ruminants have also been shown to be susceptible to hepatitis E virus (HEV). We investigated zoonotic transmission of HEV in rural settings of Lao People's Democratic Republic (Lao PDR) where humans are in close contacts with ruminants and where pigs are rare. Villagers with (n = 171, risk group) and without (n = 155, control group) cattle were recruited in seven villages in Vientiane Capital. Owners of pigs were excluded. Blood, as well as information on socio-demographics, animal contact, dietary habits and awareness of zoonoses were collected to assess risk factors. Blood and rectal swabs were collected from cattle (n = 173) and other ruminants (27 goat, 5 buffaloes) to measure anti-HEV antibody and virus prevalence. A similar anti-HEV antibody seroprevalence was found in cattle (6.8%) and other ruminants (8%). HEV RNA was detected in none of the animal rectal swabs and human sera. Anti-HEV IgG seroprevalence was higher in cattle farmers than in the control group (59.1% vs. 43.9%, p = 0.008) and increased significantly with age. Other risk factors included male gender, close contact with cattle and consumption of undercooked meat. We find that HEV is highly endemic in rural Laos and provide first evidence that HEV circulates in free-roaming ruminants with open access to village water sources. Despite some awareness about hygiene, villagers are likely constantly exposed to zoonotic diseases by dietary and lifestyle habits. Cattle farmers had a higher risk of HEV infection than other villagers. Our study highlights the need to raise the awareness of the rural population about water- and food-borne pathogens, and about the role of cattle as a possible source of infection. The knowledge gained on local risk factors and husbandry conditions should guide future awareness raising campaigns and promote appropriate hygienic measures including handwashing and the consumption of safe food and water.

Foot and mouth disease (FMD) virus remains enzootic in Lao People's Democratic Republic (Lao PDR) due to insufficient control measures, including low vaccination coverage. We assessed virus epidemiology and evaluated knowledge, attitude and practice of Lao farmers and animal health stakeholders towards FMD to support politics in devising evidence-based control measures. Sera were collected from 972 domestic ruminants in three provinces of Lao PDR: Vientiane Capital, Vientiane and Xiengkhouang provinces. Seroprevalence of antibodies directed against non-structural proteins of FMD virus was assessed using a commercial ELISA. Positive sera were further characterized by detecting antibodies directed against the structural proteins of FMD serotypes O, A and Asia 1. Information about farm management, biosecurity practices, livestock trade, and past FMD outbreaks was obtained. Overall 35% (340/972) of the ruminants had antibodies against FMD virus with a similar seroprevalence in each province. Seroprevalence depended significantly on the ruminant species (p < .001): 61% of buffaloes, but only 41% of cattle and 15% of goats were seropositive. While antibodies against FMD serotype Asia 1 were absent, 87% (297/340) of the seropositive animals had antibodies against FMD serotype O and 32% (110/340) against FMD serotype A. Many seropositive animals (31%) had antibodies against both serotypes O and A. The majority of the farmers could name the symptoms of FMD and the susceptible animal species. Although many had likely observed FMD outbreaks in their herd and were aware of FMD vaccines, only few vaccinated their animals. This study confirms that FMD remains enzootic in at least three provinces of Lao PDR where vaccination coverage is low. It also shows the relevance of nationwide active and passive disease surveillance, as well as of vaccination campaigns using bivalent FMD vaccines and targeting all susceptible animal species.

Epidemiological characteristics of hepatitis E Virus (HEV) differ due to the vast spatial heterogeneity in sanitation status, dietary habits and extent of exposure to animals. Although HEV infections are mostly asymptomatic, prognosis is poor for patients with compromised immune systems or pre-existing liver disease and during pregnancy. In developing countries, low hygienic standards and close human-animal interactions at farms and slaughterhouses likely favour zoonotic transmission of the virus. In this cross-sectional study from Lao People's Democratic Republic, anti-HEV IgG was detected by ELISA in 54.0% (136/252) of slaughter pigs, in 41.0% (57/139) of professionals exposed to pigs and in 18.1% of the nonrisk controls (38/210). We show that people occupationally exposed to pigs are at higher risk of infection (p < 0.001). In particular, contact to young piglets as compared to contact to the older slaughter pigs was a major risk factor (p = 0.011). Besides, consumption of bottled water significantly reduced the risk of infection (p = 0.018). In conclusion, we show that in Lao PDR, the high endemicity of HEV, the inadequate implementation of hygiene measures and the limited access to safe water jeopardize the health of professionals exposed to pigs.

In backyard farms of Lao People's Democratic Republic, mixed-species rearing of poultry is a breeding-ground for cross-species transmission. Here, the epidemiology of viruses circulating among backyard poultry in Vientiane Province was assessed to guide future control strategies. Oral/tracheal and cloacal swabs, collected from 605 poultry (308 ducks, 297 chickens) between 2011 and 2015, were screened by PCR for Newcastle disease virus (NDV), coronavirus (CoV) and chicken anaemia virus (CAV). Chicken sera were screened for anti-NDV antibodies by ELISA. Statistical and phylogenetic analyses revealed transmission patterns and relationships. Closely related strains co-circulated in chickens and ducks. While CoV RNA was detected in oral/tracheal swabs of 9.3% of the chickens and 2.4% of the ducks, rates were higher in faecal swabs of both species (27.3% and 48.2%). RNA of infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) and duck CoV was found in faecal swabs of chickens (19.7% and 7.1%) and ducks (4.1% and 44.1%). Moreover, DNA of the generally chicken-specific CAV was detected in oral/tracheal swabs of chickens (18.1%) and, sporadically, of ducks (2.4%). Despite serological evidence of NDV circulation or vaccination (86.9%), NDV RNA was not detected. We found a high prevalence and indication for cross-species transmission of different CoV strains in backyard poultry. Interestingly, ducks served as biological, or at least mechanical, carriers of viral strains closely related not only to IBV, but also to CAV. Bird containment and poultry species separation could be first steps to avoid cross-species transmission and emergence of novel strains with broad host range and enhanced pathogenicity. RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS. High rates of avian viruses were detected by PCR in backyard poultry from Lao PDR.. Diverse coronavirus and chicken anemia virus strains co-circulated.. Phylogenetic analyses suggested virus transmission between chickens and ducks.. Serological evidence of Newcastle disease was found, but viral RNA was not detected.

Abstracts / International Journal of Infectious Diseases 79(S1) (2019) 1-150 71 with S. pseudintermedius in cats (p = 0.02856, OR = 4.93; CI 95% = 1. 84-12.56). The prevalence in healthy cats group was 3.08% (CI 95% 1,62-4,53%) and in sick animals 11.97% (CI 95% 4.48-19.4%). From cats under investigation 26 of S. pseudintermedius strains were isolated: 15 and 10 from healthy and sick animals respectively. Only strains isolated from sick animals shown methicillin resistance on the phenotypic level (18.18% methicillin-resistant S. pseudintermedius (MRSP)) whereas 26.26% and 45.45% strains from healthy and sick cats respectively harboring mecA gene were detected. Also much more often S. pseudintermedius isolates from infected animals were resistance to others chemotherapeutics.Conclusion: Bacterial infection was a significant risk for colonization with S. pseudintermedius in cats. Infections coused by S. pseudintermedius may be a significant therapeutic problem because some strains have been characterized by resistance to the majority of chemotherapeutic drugs commonly used in domestic animals.