Hedgehogs in Contact with Humans: Zoonotic and Reverse Zoonotic Transmission of Pathogens
Round 1
Reviewer 1 Report
Comments and Suggestions for AuthorsThank you for this interesting overview of hedgehog zoonotic diseases, which is definitely an interesting and in many aspects a very practical, valid topic.
A few comments/recommendations according to the line numbers in the manuscript:
Line 12 - minor re-phrasing is recommended: close contact is especially posing risks if biosecurity is not properly kept
Line 14 - for a long time in many areas it is not human intrusion any more to hedgehog habitats, but more of a co-existence, habitat share, with possible consequences
Line 30 - the same remark, what mentioned in Line 14: this co-existence is the reality for a very long time in certain places (not everywhere, but hundreds of years in rural areas)
Line 58-59 - also consider to wear protective gloves, especially when handling individuals from the wild
Line 127 -143 - the hedgehogs'role regarding Lyme-disease is rather important; there are more studies investigating this (eg. prevalence of Borrelia in ticks found on hedgehogs), so I would suggest to put more emphasize on this disease and and discuss it in more details
Line 166 - viral zoonoses: mention rabies, as there is a single reported case in the species
Line 206-210 - I suggest to exclude this part or completely re-phrase it. Streptococcus pyogenes is an ubiquitous organism, so mention it as a zoonoses in this case (gingivitis and tooth root abscess) is not correct. In general, you can not exclude a human source of course, but this was a single case report and the exact origin of the infection was not identified.
Author Response
Comment 1: Line 12 - minor re-phrasing is recommended: close contact is especially posing risks if biosecurity is not properly kept
Response 1: Thank you for pointing this out. We agree with this comment. Therefore we have made a change as follows: Close contact poses a risk, especially if biosecurity is not properly maintained. (Abstract, page 1, lines 13-14)
Comment 2: Line 14 - for a long time in many areas it is not human intrusion any more to hedgehog habitats, but more of a co-existence, habitat share, with possible consequences
Response 2: Thank you for pointing this out. We agree with this comment. Therefore we have made a change as follows: The anthropological effects of coexistence, habitat sharing and frequent human intrusion into hedgehog habitats have disrupted the natural relationship between humans and animals, and led to an increase in the prevalence of various pathogens. (Abstract, page 1, lines 14-15)
Comments 3: Line 30 - the same remark, what mentioned in Line 14: this co-existence is the reality for a very long time in certain places (not everywhere, but hundreds of years in rural areas)
Response 3: Thank you for pointing this out. We agree with this comment. Therefore we have made a change as follows: In certain rural, urban and suburban areas, the coexistence of hedgehogs and humans has increased the prevalence of various pathogens with zoonotic potential. (Introduction, page 1, line 32)
Comment 4: Line 58-59 - also consider to wear protective gloves, especially when handling individuals from the wild
Response 4: Thank you for pointing this out. We agree with this comment. Therefore we have made a change as follows: It is also mandatory to wear protective gloves (particularly in contacts with individuals from the wild), and to wash hands after any manipulation of pet hedgehogs or hedgehogs from nature [2,12]. (Introduction, page 2, lines 60-62)
Comment 5: Line 127 -143 - the hedgehogs'role regarding Lyme-disease is rather important; there are more studies investigating this (eg. prevalence of Borrelia in ticks found on hedgehogs), so I would suggest to put more emphasize on this disease and and discuss it in more details
Response 5: Thank you for pointing this out. We agree with this comment. Therefore we have made a change as follows: Gene sequencing determined three different genospecies of B. burgdorferi in E. europaeus (most often B. afzelii, followed by B. bavariensis and B. spielmanii,. The latter species was discovered for the first time in Germany (Hamburg), while B. afzelii and B. bavariensis were also found in E. roumanicus. The prevalence of B. burgdorferi in E. europaeus reaches from 0 to 37.5% (i.e. Czech Republic), and for species E. roumanicus from 0 to 50.0% (i.e. Austria) [34]. (Bacterial zoonotic pathoens, pages 2-3, lines 148-153)
Comment 6: Line 166 - viral zoonoses: mention rabies, as there is a single reported case in the species
Response 6: Thank you for pointing this out. We agree with this comment. Therefore we have made a change as follows: The only recorded case of rabies in a hedgehog was in Hungary, when a family found a hedgehog in the city, which later died [53]. (Viral zoonotic pathogens, page 3, lines 196-197)
New citation is added under the number 53
Comment 7: Line 206-210 - I suggest to exclude this part or completely re-phrase it. Streptococcus pyogenes is an ubiquitous organism, so mention it as a zoonoses in this case (gingivitis and tooth root abscess) is not correct. In general, you can not exclude a human source of course, but this was a single case report and the exact origin of the infection was not identified.
Response 7: Thank you for pointing this out. We agree with this comment. Therefore we have made a change as follows: Only one case of death of a European hedgehog that suffered from streptococcal gingivitis and tooth root abscess has been reported [55], with the assumption that the hedgehog was infected by its owner.(Reverse zoonotic potential, page 5, lines 217-220)
Reviewer 2 Report
Comments and Suggestions for AuthorsWell written, comprehensive work with significant value in the field of wildlife diseases in regard to hedgehog zoonotic risks!
The question addressed by this paper are the various pathogens that have zoonotic in hedgehogs, and they are outlined in detail based on information available in the literature (bacteria, fungi, viruses and parasites systematically).
This subject, though not original research but a review, is certainly relevant in this field and is especially useful and applicable to those working with wildlife that ends up in human hands (i.e. wildlife rescue facilities). This article is something that colleagues working in this field should be made aware of to ensure human safety and enhance biosecurity measures.
Compared to other similar publications, this particular review incorporates numerous zoonotic pathogens and the available information about them, including the most recent publications in this field
As the aims of the review was the identify and summarize the potential zoonotic pathogens in hedgehogs, it can be said that the article absolutely addresses this question.
References are numerous, diverse and include recent publications.
Author Response
Thank you very much for your comments.
Sincerely,
authors
Reviewer 3 Report
Comments and Suggestions for Authorsthe review was well-written and informative. However, they have highlighted that the language requires editing by a native English speaker or a professional editing service to enhance clarity and readability. Additionally, there are a few comments and suggestions that need to be addressed to further refine it
Abstract
Line 8, which disease transmit from human to hedgehogs
Introduction
Line 23, scientific name must be italic
Line 33, please clarify which disease can be transmit from human to hedgehogs
Line 107 add reference for this statement
Comments on the Quality of English Language
the review was well-written and informative. However, they have highlighted that the language requires editing by a native English speaker or a professional editing service to enhance clarity and readability. Additionally, there are a few comments and suggestions that need to be addressed to further refine it
Author Response
Comment 1: Line 8, which disease transmit from human to hedgehogs
Response 1: Thank you for pointing this out. We agree with this comment. Therefore we have made a change as follows: At the same time, humans can also transmit various pathogens to hedgehogs (e.g. human herpesvirus 1). (abstract, page 1, lines 9-10)
Comment 2: Line 23, scientific name must be italic
Response 2: Thank you for pointing this out. If we should correct Eulipotyphla (which is an order name, not a species name) we will also correct the family or subfamily name.
Comment 3: Line 33, please clarify which disease can be transmit from human to hedgehogs
Response 3: Thank you for pointing this out. We agree with this comment. Therefore we have made a change as follows: The clarification on the diseases that can be transmitted from humans to hedgehogs are added within the section „Reverse zoonotic potential“ at the end of the review (page 5, lines 217-225).
Comment 4: Line 107 add reference for this statement
Response 4: This reference is already added: Lugton, I.W.; Johnstone, A.C.; Morris, R.S. Mycobacterium bovis infection in New Zealand hedgehogs (Erinaceus europaeus). N. Z. Vet. J. 1995, 43, 342–345.
English language is edited by the professional editing service
