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Diaz EA, Sáenz C, Cabrera F, Rodríguez J, Carvajal M, Barragán V. COVID-19 in a common woolly monkey (Lagothrix lagothricha): First evidence of fatal outcome in a nonhuman primate after natural SARS-CoV-2 infection. Am J Primatol 2024; 86:e23654. [PMID: 38922738 DOI: 10.1002/ajp.23654] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2022] [Revised: 05/09/2024] [Accepted: 05/29/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024]
Abstract
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), was declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization in March 2020. Since then, viral spread from humans to animals has occurred worldwide. Nonhuman primates (NHPs) have been found to be susceptible to reverse-zoonosis transmission of SARS-CoV-2, but initial research suggested that platyrrhine primates are less susceptible than catarrhine primates. Here we report the natural SARS-CoV-2 infection of a common woolly monkey (Lagothrix lagothricha) from a wildlife rehabilitation center in Ecuador. The course of the disease, the eventual death of the specimen, and the pathological findings are described. Our results show the susceptibility of a new platyrrhine species to SARS-CoV-2 and provide evidence for the first time of a COVID-19-associated death in a naturally infected NHP. The putative route of transmission from humans, and implications for captive NHPs management, are also discussed. Given that common woolly monkeys are at risk of extinction in Ecuador, further understanding of the potential threat of SARS-CoV-2 to their health should be a conservation priority. A One Health approach is the best way to protect NHPs from a new virus in the same way that we would protect the human population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eduardo A Diaz
- Universidad San Francisco de Quito USFQ, Colegio de Ciencias de la Salud, Escuela de Medicina Veterinaria, Quito, Ecuador
- Universidad San Francisco de Quito USFQ, Instituto de Biodiversidad Tropical IBIOTROP, Hospital de Fauna Silvestre TUERI, Quito, Ecuador
| | - Carolina Sáenz
- Universidad San Francisco de Quito USFQ, Instituto de Biodiversidad Tropical IBIOTROP, Hospital de Fauna Silvestre TUERI, Quito, Ecuador
| | - Francisco Cabrera
- Universidad San Francisco de Quito USFQ, Colegio de Ciencias de la Salud, Escuela de Medicina Veterinaria, Quito, Ecuador
| | - Javier Rodríguez
- Universidad San Francisco de Quito USFQ, Hospital Docente de Especialidades Veterinarias HOSVET, Quito, Ecuador
| | - Mateo Carvajal
- Universidad San Francisco de Quito USFQ, Colegio de Ciencias Biológicas y Ambientales, Instituto de Microbiología, Quito, Ecuador
| | - Verónica Barragán
- Universidad San Francisco de Quito USFQ, Colegio de Ciencias Biológicas y Ambientales, Instituto de Microbiología, Quito, Ecuador
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2
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Jack KM, Kulick NK. Primate field research during a pandemic: Lessons learned from the SARS-CoV-2 outbreak. Am J Primatol 2023; 85:e23551. [PMID: 37706674 DOI: 10.1002/ajp.23551] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2023] [Revised: 08/22/2023] [Accepted: 09/04/2023] [Indexed: 09/15/2023]
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic abruptly halted most primate field research in early 2020. While international travel bans and regional travel restrictions made continuing primate field research impossible early on in the pandemic, ethical concerns of transmitting the virus from researchers to primates and surrounding human communities informed decisions regarding the timing of resuming research. Between June and September 2020, we surveyed field primatologists regarding the impacts of the pandemic on their research. We received 90 completed surveys from respondents residing in 21 countries, though most were from the United States and Canada. These data provide a valuable window into the perspectives and actions taken by researchers during the early stages of the pandemic as events were still unfolding. Only 2.4% of projects reported continuing research as usual, 33.7% continued with some decrease in productivity, 42.2% reported postponing research projects, and 21.7% reported canceling projects or postponing research indefinitely. Respondents most severely impacted by the pandemic were those establishing new field sites and graduate students whose projects were postponed or canceled due to pandemic-related shutdowns. Fears about increased poaching, the inability to pay local assistants, frozen research funds, declining habituation, disruptions to data collection, and delays in student projects were among the top concerns of respondents. Nearly all the projects able to continue research in any capacity during the early months of the pandemic were run by or employed primate habitat country primatologists. This finding is a major lesson learned from the pandemic; without habitat country scientists, primate research is not sustainable.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katharine M Jack
- Department of Anthropology, Tulane University, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA
| | - Nelle K Kulick
- Department of Anthropology, Tulane University, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA
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3
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Andrade MCR, Lemos BRP, Silva LM, Pecotte JK. Eliminating Potential Effects of Other Infections During Selection of Nonhuman Primates for COVID-19 Research. Comp Med 2023; 73:45-57. [PMID: 36744555 PMCID: PMC9948906 DOI: 10.30802/aalas-cm-21-000086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
The study of nonhuman primates (NHP) can provide significant insights into our understanding numerous infectious agents. The etiological agent of COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2 virus, first emerged in 2019 and has so far been responsible for the deaths of over 4 million people globally. In the frenzied search to understand its pathogenesis and immunology and to find measures for prevention and control of this pandemic disease, NHP, particularly macaques, are the preferred model because they manifest similar clinical signs and immunologic features as humans. However, possible latent, subclinical, and opportunistic infections not previously detected in animals participating in a study may obscure experimental results and confound data interpretations in testing treatments and vaccine studies for COVID-19. Certain pathophysiologic changes that occur with SARS-CoV-2 virus infection are similar to those of simian pathogens. The current review discusses numerous coinfections of COVID-19 with other diseases and describes possible outcomes and mechanisms in COVID-19 studies of NHP that have coinfections. Due to the urgency triggered by the pandemic, screening that is more rigorous than usual is necessary to limit background noise and maximize the reliability of data from NHP COVID-19 studies. Screening for influenza virus, selected respiratory bacteria, and regional endemic pathogens such as vector-borne agents, together with the animal's individual exposure history, should be the main considerations in selecting a NHP for a COVID-19 study. In addition, because NHP are susceptible to the SARS-CoV-2 virus, management and surveillance measures should be established to prevent transmission to healthy animals from infected colony animals and husbandry staff. This review presents compiled data on the use of NHP in COVID-19 studies, emphasizing the need to create the most reliable NHP model for those studies by extensive screening for other pathogens.
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Key Words
- absl, animal biosafety level
- ace-2, angiotensin-converting enzyme
- ards, acute respiratory distress syndrome
- cnprc, california national primate research center
- e, envelope
- esr, erythrocyte sedimentation rate
- hav, hepatitis a virus
- hbv, hepatitis b virus
- hgf hepatocyte growth factor
- htlv, human t-cell lymphotropic virus
- ifn, interferon
- il, interleukin
- ip, inducible protein
- m, matrix
- mcp, monocyte chemotactic proteins
- mcsf, macrophage colony-stimulating factor
- mip, macrophage inflammatory protein
- n, nucleocapsid
- nsp, non-structural proteins
- rdrp, rna-dependent rna polymerase
- s, spike
- sars-cov-2, severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2
- sfv, simian foamy virus
- sop, standard operating procedures
- srv/d, simian retrovirus type d
- stlv, simian t-lymphotropic virus
- tb, tuberculosis
- tgf, transforming growth factor
- tmprss2 transmembrane serine protease 2
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcia C R Andrade
- Institute of Science and Technology on Biomodels, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil;,
| | - Bárbara R P Lemos
- Institute of Science and Technology on Biomodels, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Larissa M Silva
- Institute of Science and Technology on Biomodels, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; University of Grande Rio, Duque de Caxias, Brazil
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Clayton E, Ackerley J, Aelmans M, Ali N, Ashcroft Z, Ashton C, Barker R, Budryte V, Burrows C, Cai S, Callaghan A, Carberry J, Chatwin R, Davies I, Farlow C, Gamblin S, Iacobut A, Lambe A, Lynch F, Mihalache D, Mokbel A, Potamsetty S, Qadir Z, Soden J, Sun X, Vasile A, Wheeler O, Rohaim MA, Munir M. Structural Bases of Zoonotic and Zooanthroponotic Transmission of SARS-CoV-2. Viruses 2022; 14:418. [PMID: 35216011 PMCID: PMC8875863 DOI: 10.3390/v14020418] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2021] [Revised: 01/25/2022] [Accepted: 02/07/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
The emergence of multiple variants of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) highlights the importance of possible animal-to-human (zoonotic) and human-to-animal (zooanthroponotic) transmission and potential spread within animal species. A range of animal species have been verified for SARS-CoV-2 susceptibility, either in vitro or in vivo. However, the molecular bases of such a broad host spectrum for the SARS-CoV-2 remains elusive. Here, we structurally and genetically analysed the interaction between the spike protein, with a particular focus on receptor binding domains (RBDs), of SARS-CoV-2 and its receptor angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) for all conceivably susceptible groups of animals to gauge the structural bases of the SARS-CoV-2 host spectrum. We describe our findings in the context of existing animal infection-based models to provide a foundation on the possible virus persistence in animals and their implications in the future eradication of COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Muhammad Munir
- Division of Biomedical and Life Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medicine, Lancaster University, Lancaster LA1 4YG, UK; (E.C.); (J.A.); (M.A.); (N.A.); (Z.A.); (C.A.); (R.B.); (V.B.); (C.B.); (S.C.); (A.C.); (J.C.); (R.C.); (I.D.); (C.F.); (S.G.); (A.I.); (A.L.); (F.L.); (D.M.); (A.M.); (S.P.); (Z.Q.); (J.S.); (X.S.); (A.V.); (O.W.); (M.A.R.)
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5
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The Habituation Process in Two Groups of Wild Moor Macaques ( Macaca maura). INT J PRIMATOL 2022; 43:291-316. [PMID: 35043025 PMCID: PMC8758468 DOI: 10.1007/s10764-021-00275-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2021] [Accepted: 12/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
When studying animal behavior in the wild, some behaviors may require observation from a relatively short distance. In these cases, habituation is commonly used to ensure that animals do not perceive researchers as a direct threat and do not alter their behavior in their presence. However, habituation can have significant effects on the welfare and conservation of the animals. Studying how nonhuman primates react to the process of habituation can help to identify the factors that affect habituation and implement habituation protocols that allow other researchers to speed up the process while maintaining high standards of health and safety for both animals and researchers. In this study, we systematically described the habituation of two groups of wild moor macaques (Macaca maura), an Endangered endemic species of Sulawesi Island (Indonesia), to assess the factors that facilitate habituation and reduce impact on animal behavior during this process. During 7 months, we conducted behavioral observations for more than 7,872 encounters and an average of 120 days to monitor how macaque behavior toward researchers changed through time in the two groups under different conditions. We found that both study groups (N = 56, N = 41) became more tolerant to the presence of researchers during the course of the habituation, with occurrence of neutral group responses increasing, and minimum distance to researchers and occurrence of fearful group responses decreasing through time. These changes in behavior were predominant when macaques were in trees, with better visibility conditions, when researchers maintained a longer minimum distance to macaques and, unexpectedly, by the presence of more than one researcher. By identifying these factors, we contribute to designing habituation protocols that decrease the likelihood of fearful responses and might reduce the stress experienced during this process.
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HEALTH ASSESSMENT OF BLACK-AND-WHITE RUFFED LEMURS ( VARECIA VARIEGATA) IN RANOMAFANA NATIONAL PARK, MADAGASCAR. J Zoo Wildl Med 2022; 52:1095-1104. [PMID: 34998278 DOI: 10.1638/2020-0163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The Anthropocene is a major threat to biodiversity worldwide. Human pressures including climate change and emerging infectious diseases are presenting new challenges to wildlife, requiring vigilance and monitoring of wild populations to ensure their persistence. In order to monitor fluctuations in health, baseline data from long-term studies are required. Clinical laboratory data on 80 black-and-white ruffed lemurs (Varecia variegata), derived from the capture of 98 individuals spanning six field seasons are presented. Serum biochemical profiles showed variation between years that remained within published reference intervals for the species, with the exception of total bilirubin in 2008, and creatine kinase and chloride in 2019. Serum trace minerals and fat-soluble vitamin values also fluctuated between years and are within ranges seen in other lemur species. These results, combined with previously published data on ectoparasite load and population genetic diversity, suggest that the Mangevo ruffed lemur population is healthy and can provide important and valuable baseline data for comparisons moving forward.
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Pascual-Iglesias A, Canton J, Ortega-Prieto AM, Jimenez-Guardeño JM, Regla-Nava JA. An Overview of Vaccines against SARS-CoV-2 in the COVID-19 Pandemic Era. Pathogens 2021; 10:1030. [PMID: 34451494 PMCID: PMC8402174 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10081030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2021] [Revised: 08/01/2021] [Accepted: 08/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The emergence of SARS-CoV-2 in late 2019 led to the COVID-19 pandemic all over the world. When the virus was first isolated and its genome was sequenced in the early months of 2020, the efforts to develop a vaccine began. Based on prior well-known knowledge about coronavirus, the SARS-CoV-2 spike (S) protein was selected as the main target. Currently, more than one hundred vaccines are being investigated and several of them are already authorized by medical agencies. This review summarizes and compares the current knowledge about main approaches for vaccine development, focusing on those authorized and specifically their immunogenicity, efficacy preventing severe disease, adverse side effects, protection, and ability to cope with emergent SARS-CoV-2 variants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alejandro Pascual-Iglesias
- The Innate Immune Response Group, IdiPAZ, La Paz University Hospital, 28046 Madrid, Spain;
- Tumor Immunology Laboratory, IdiPAZ, La Paz University Hospital, 28046 Madrid, Spain
| | - Javier Canton
- International Institute for Defense and Security (CISDE), 41007 Sevilla, Spain;
| | - Ana Maria Ortega-Prieto
- Department of Infectious Diseases, School of Immunology & Microbial Sciences, King’s College London, London SE1 9RT, UK;
| | - Jose M. Jimenez-Guardeño
- Department of Infectious Diseases, School of Immunology & Microbial Sciences, King’s College London, London SE1 9RT, UK;
| | - Jose Angel Regla-Nava
- Center for Infectious Disease and Vaccine Research, La Jolla Institute for Immunology, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Pathology, University Center for Health Science (CUCS), University of Guadalajara, Guadalajara 44340, Mexico
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8
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Pandamooz S, Jurek B, Meinung CP, Baharvand Z, Shahem-Abadi AS, Haerteis S, Miyan JA, Downing J, Dianatpour M, Borhani-Haghighi A, Salehi MS. Experimental Models of SARS-CoV-2 Infection: Possible Platforms to Study COVID-19 Pathogenesis and Potential Treatments. Annu Rev Pharmacol Toxicol 2021; 62:25-53. [PMID: 33606962 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-pharmtox-121120-012309] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
In December 2019, a novel coronavirus crossed species barriers to infect humans and was effectively transmitted from person to person, leading including vaccines and antiviral drugs that could prevent or limit the burden or transmission of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), is a global health priority. It is thus of utmost importance to assess possible therapeutic strategies against SARS-CoV-2 using experimental models that recapitulate aspects of the human disease. Here, we review available models currently being developed and used to study SARS-CoV-2 infection and highlight their application to screen potential therapeutic approaches, including repurposed antiviral drugs and vaccines. Each identified model provides a valuable insight into SARS-CoV-2 cellular tropism, replication kinetics, and cell damage that could ultimately enhance understanding of SARS-CoV-2 pathogenesis and protective immunity. Expected final online publication date for the Annual Review of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Volume 62 is January 2022. Please see http://www.annualreviews.org/page/journal/pubdates for revised estimates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sareh Pandamooz
- Stem Cells Technology Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran;
| | - Benjamin Jurek
- Institute for Molecular and Cellular Anatomy, University of Regensburg, Regensburg 93053, Germany
| | - Carl-Philipp Meinung
- Department of Molecular and Behavioural Neurobiology, University of Regensburg, Regensburg 93053, Germany
| | - Zahra Baharvand
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Kharazmi University, Tehran, Iran
| | | | - Silke Haerteis
- Institute for Molecular and Cellular Anatomy, University of Regensburg, Regensburg 93053, Germany
| | - Jaleel A Miyan
- Faculty of Biology, Medicine & Health, Division of Neuroscience & Experimental Psychology, The University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, United Kingdom
| | - James Downing
- School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences, Faculty of Science, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool L2 2QP, United Kingdom
| | - Mehdi Dianatpour
- Stem Cells Technology Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran;
| | | | - Mohammad Saied Salehi
- Clinical Neurology Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran;
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Aldrich BC, Neale D. Pet Macaques in Vietnam: An NGO's Perspective. Animals (Basel) 2020; 11:ani11010060. [PMID: 33396881 PMCID: PMC7823637 DOI: 10.3390/ani11010060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2020] [Revised: 11/18/2020] [Accepted: 12/23/2020] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Macaques are regularly kept as pets in Vietnam, although the practice is illegal. This is substantially damaging to the individuals involved. In this article, we present the available data on the number of confiscations and releases of macaques throughout Vietnam over a five-year period (2015–2019). We examine this information alongside the data provided by Education for Nature Vietnam in a recent report on macaque possession cases. We also present insights from two key Animals Asia (a non-governmental organization) colleagues who work on the front lines of the macaque issue in Vietnam. Abstract In this article, we attempt to characterize the widespread trade in pet macaques in Vietnam. Data on confiscations as well as surrenders, releases, and individuals housed at rescue centers across Vietnam for 2015–2019 were opportunistically recorded. Data comparisons between Education for Nature Vietnam and three government-run wildlife rescue centers show that at least 1254 cases of macaque keeping occurred during the study period, including a minimum of 32 Assamese macaques (Macaca assamensis), 158 long-tailed macaques (Macaca fascicularis), 291 Northern pig-tailed macaques (Macaca leonina), 65 rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta), and 110 stump-tailed macaques (Macaca arctoides). A minimum of 423 individuals were confiscated, and at least 490 individual macaques were released. Three semi-structured interviews were conducted with two key Animals Asia (a non-governmental organization) colleagues and their insights are presented. Although we recognize that the data included are limited and can serve only as a baseline for the scale of the macaque pet trade in Vietnam, we believe that they support our concern that the problem is significant and must be addressed. We stress the need for organizations and authorities to work together to better understand the issue. The keeping of macaques as pets is the cause of serious welfare and conservation issues in Vietnam.
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Santos WJ, Guiraldi LM, Lucheis SB. Should we be concerned about COVID-19 with nonhuman primates? Am J Primatol 2020; 82:e23158. [PMID: 32495390 PMCID: PMC7300441 DOI: 10.1002/ajp.23158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2020] [Revised: 05/13/2020] [Accepted: 05/24/2020] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
The coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic has radically changed the human activities worldwide. Although we are still learning about the disease, it is necessary that primatologists, veterinarians, and all that are living with nonhuman primates (NHP) be concerned about the probable health impacts as these animals face this new pandemic. We want to increase discussion with the scientific community that is directly involved with these animals, because preliminary studies report that NHP may become infected and develop symptoms similar to those in human beings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wesley José Santos
- Department of Tropical Diseases, Medical SchoolSao Paulo State University (UNESP)BotucatuBrazil
| | - Lívia Maísa Guiraldi
- Department of Tropical Diseases, Medical SchoolSao Paulo State University (UNESP)BotucatuBrazil
| | - Simone Baldini Lucheis
- Department of Tropical Diseases, Medical SchoolSao Paulo State University (UNESP)BotucatuBrazil
- School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal ScienceSao Paulo State University (UNESP)BotucatuBrazil
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Lappan S, Malaivijitnond S, Radhakrishna S, Riley EP, Ruppert N. The human-primate interface in the New Normal: Challenges and opportunities for primatologists in the COVID-19 era and beyond. Am J Primatol 2020; 82:e23176. [PMID: 32686188 PMCID: PMC7404331 DOI: 10.1002/ajp.23176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2020] [Revised: 06/23/2020] [Accepted: 07/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The emergence of SARS-CoV-2 in late 2019 and human responses to the resulting COVID-19 pandemic in early 2020 have rapidly changed many aspects of human behavior, including our interactions with wildlife. In this commentary, we identify challenges and opportunities at human-primate interfaces in light of COVID-19, focusing on examples from Asia, and make recommendations for researchers working with wild primates to reduce zoonosis risk and leverage research opportunities. First, we briefly review the evidence for zoonotic origins of SARS-CoV-2 and discuss risks of zoonosis at the human-primate interface. We then identify challenges that the pandemic has caused for primates, including reduced nutrition, increased intraspecific competition, and increased poaching risk, as well as challenges facing primatologists, including lost research opportunities. Subsequently, we highlight opportunities arising from pandemic-related lockdowns and public health messaging, including opportunities to reduce the intensity of problematic human-primate interfaces, opportunities to reduce the risk of zoonosis between humans and primates, opportunities to reduce legal and illegal trade in primates, new opportunities for research on human-primate interfaces, and opportunities for community education. Finally, we recommend specific actions that primatologists should take to reduce contact and aggression between humans and primates, to reduce demand for primates as pets, to reduce risks of zoonosis in the context of field research, and to improve understanding of human-primate interfaces. Reducing the risk of zoonosis and promoting the well-being of humans and primates at our interfaces will require substantial changes from "business as usual." We encourage primatologists to help lead the way.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susan Lappan
- Department of AnthropologyAppalachian State UniversityBooneNorth Carolina
- School of Biological SciencesUniversiti Sains MalaysiaPenangMalaysia
| | - Suchinda Malaivijitnond
- National Primate Research Center of ThailandChulalongkorn UniversityKaeng KhoiSaraburiThailand
- Department of Biology, Faculty of ScienceChulalongkorn UniversityBangkokThailand
| | - Sindhu Radhakrishna
- National Institute of Advanced StudiesIndian Institute of ScienceBengaluruIndia
| | - Erin P. Riley
- Department of AnthropologySan Diego State UniversitySan DiegoCalifornia
| | - Nadine Ruppert
- School of Biological SciencesUniversiti Sains MalaysiaPenangMalaysia
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