Pathogens

Rift Valley fever (RVF) transmission has intensified in southwestern Uganda since 2016. To quantify human and livestock exposure and associated risks, we conducted a cross-sectional serosurvey in Isingiro, Kabale and Rubanda districts between October and November 2023. A total of 766 humans and 2383 livestock were sampled and tested for RVF antibodies using ELISA, with structured questionnaires capturing demographic, behavioral and environmental data. Human seroprevalence was 11.5% (88/766), varying by district (13.8% Isingiro, 11.8% Rubanda, 6.8% Kabale; p = 0.04). Independent predictors from the multivariate model included raw-meat consumption (aOR 6.11; 95% CI 1.16–27.80), cattle ownership (aOR 2.33; 95% CI 1.27–4.36), male sex (aOR 1.64; 95% CI 1.02–2.66) and younger age compared with ≥50 years (31–49 years: aOR 2.02; 95% CI 1.20–3.48; 18–30 years: aOR 2.37; 95% CI 1.04–5.14). Herd-level seroprevalence was 42.5% (204/480), associated with cattle presence (aOR 6.48; 95% CI 4.10–10.40), lack of carcass burial (aOR 15.70; 95% CI 4.23–63.60), on-farm slaughter (aOR 2.14; 95% CI 1.21–3.89) and increased mosquito activity (aOR 1.75; 95% CI 1.13–2.73). Animal-level seroprevalence was 14.6% (347/2383), highest in cattle (33.8%), with cattle having markedly higher odds than goats (aOR 6.73; 95% CI 4.96–9.14). These findings demonstrate substantial transmission and highlight cattle-centered interfaces as primary targets for control to humans.

Bats are hosts to many diseases that emerge in humans and livestock. Knowledge about the diversity and circulation of paramyxoviruses in European bat populations, despite their recognized importance, remains limited. Here, we present data on the first detection of paramyxoviruses in Poland in the new bat species of Cnephaeus serotinus and Cnephaeus nilsonii, which have never been previously recognized as paramyxovirus hosts, as well as in Myotis daubentonii and two unknown bat species. Viral RNA was detected in fecal and intestinal samples using the semi-nested RT-PCR protocol followed by Sanger sequencing. A widespread comprehensive phylogenetic study supported by haplotype network analyses of 376 nt sequences of paramyxoviruses detected in bats worldwide revealed that paramyxoviruses are closely related to the host and strongly correlate to the area of origin.

Early and rapid diagnosis of drug resistance in tuberculosis (TB) plays a key role in reducing the spread of resistance and enabling effective treatment. The aim of this study was to investigate mutations in drug resistance-associated gene regions of Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTBC) isolates resistant to at least two first-line anti-tuberculosis drugs through sequence analysis, in order to characterize the core molecular features of these strains in the region and to identify previously unreported, geographically distinct novel mutation sites. The drug susceptibility of 23 clinical isolates was assessed using the BACTEC MGIT 960 system, and resistance-associated point mutations were identified through DNA sequence analysis and comparison with GenBank reference sequences. AAG → AGG mutation was detected in the rpsL gene region at codon 43 (n = 7) and codon 88 (n = 1). Additionally, GAG → GCG point mutation was identified at codon 70 (n = 2), representing a new region not previously reported in the literature. The most frequent mutation was AGC → ACC at katG codon 315 (n = 10), followed by a C → T substitution at position −15 of the inhA promoter region (n = 4). Additionally, TCG → TTG at rpoB codon 531 (n = 4) and ATG → GTG at embB codon 306 (n = 1) were detected. The detection of resistance-associated mutations is essential for controlling drug-resistant tuberculosis. In this study, a novel rpsL mutation (GAG → GCG) at codon 70 and a previously unreported codon 88 mutation in our country were identified, contributing to the understanding of molecular resistance mechanisms and epidemiology.