Lack of evidence for the presence of leprosy bacilli in red squirrels from North-West Europe

Maria Tió-Coma; Hein Sprong; Marja Kik; Jaap T. van Dissel; Xiang Yang Han; Toine Pieters; Annemieke Geluk

doi:10.1111/tbed.13423

Lack of evidence for the presence of leprosy bacilli in red squirrels from North-West Europe

Maria Tió-Coma, Hein Sprong, Marja Kik, Jaap T. van Dissel, Xiang Yang Han, Toine Pieters, Annemieke Geluk

Laboratory Medicine

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

13 Scopus citations

Abstract

Leprosy is a human infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium leprae or Mycobacterium lepromatosis that can also occur in animals and even manifest as zoonosis. Recently, both mycobacteria were detected in red squirrels (Sciurus vulgaris) from the British Isles. To further explore the presence of leprosy bacilli in North-West Europe, we screened Belgian and Dutch squirrels. Tissue samples from 115 animals tested by qPCR were negative for both pathogens. No molecular or pathological evidence was found of the presence of these zoonotic pathogens in North-West Europe.

Original language	English (US)
Pages (from-to)	1032-1034
Number of pages	3
Journal	Transboundary and Emerging Diseases
Volume	67
Issue number	2
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1111/tbed.13423
State	Published - Mar 1 2020

Keywords

Mycobacterium leprae
Mycobacterium lepromatosis
OneHealth
leprosy
red squirrel
zoonosis

ASJC Scopus subject areas

General Immunology and Microbiology
General Veterinary

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10.1111/tbed.13423

Cite this

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abstract = "Leprosy is a human infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium leprae or Mycobacterium lepromatosis that can also occur in animals and even manifest as zoonosis. Recently, both mycobacteria were detected in red squirrels (Sciurus vulgaris) from the British Isles. To further explore the presence of leprosy bacilli in North-West Europe, we screened Belgian and Dutch squirrels. Tissue samples from 115 animals tested by qPCR were negative for both pathogens. No molecular or pathological evidence was found of the presence of these zoonotic pathogens in North-West Europe.",

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T1 - Lack of evidence for the presence of leprosy bacilli in red squirrels from North-West Europe

AU - Tió-Coma, Maria

AU - Sprong, Hein

AU - Kik, Marja

AU - van Dissel, Jaap T.

AU - Han, Xiang Yang

AU - Pieters, Toine

AU - Geluk, Annemieke

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AB - Leprosy is a human infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium leprae or Mycobacterium lepromatosis that can also occur in animals and even manifest as zoonosis. Recently, both mycobacteria were detected in red squirrels (Sciurus vulgaris) from the British Isles. To further explore the presence of leprosy bacilli in North-West Europe, we screened Belgian and Dutch squirrels. Tissue samples from 115 animals tested by qPCR were negative for both pathogens. No molecular or pathological evidence was found of the presence of these zoonotic pathogens in North-West Europe.

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Lack of evidence for the presence of leprosy bacilli in red squirrels from North-West Europe

Abstract

Keywords

ASJC Scopus subject areas

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