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Strasburg M, Christensen S. Evaluating the Interaction of Emerging Diseases on White-Tailed Deer Populations Using an Agent-Based Modeling Approach. Pathogens 2024; 13:545. [PMID: 39057772 PMCID: PMC11279658 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens13070545] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2024] [Revised: 06/04/2024] [Accepted: 06/21/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Disease co-occurrence in wildlife populations is common yet understudied. In the case of disease-caused mortality, the mortality attributed to one disease has the potential to buffer populations against subsequent alternative disease outbreaks by reducing populations and thus contacts needed to sustain disease transmission. However, substantial disease-driven population declines may also prevent populations from recovering, leading to localized extinctions. Hemorrhagic disease (HD), a vector-transmitted, viral disease in white-tailed deer (WTD), similar to chronic wasting disease (CWD), a prion disease, has increased in frequency and distribution in the United States. However, unlike CWD, which progresses slowly, HD can cause mortality only days after infection. Hemorrhagic disease outbreaks can result in substantial localized mortality events in WTD near vector habitats such as wetlands and may reduce local deer densities and consequent CWD transmission. The objective of our study was to evaluate the potential for HD outbreaks to buffer CWD risk where the diseases co-occur. Using an agent-based modeling approach, we found that frequent, intense HD outbreaks have the potential to mitigate CWD risk, especially if those outbreaks occur shortly after CWD introduction. However, HD outbreaks that do not result in substantial WTD mortality are unlikely to impact CWD or WTD population dynamics. Severe HD outbreaks may reduce CWD cases and could present an opportunity for managers to boost CWD control initiatives in a post-HD outbreak year.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sonja Christensen
- Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA;
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2
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Ash LV, Campião KM, Teixeira CP, Gotelli NJ. Ranavirus and helminth parasite co-infection in invasive American bullfrogs in the Atlantic forest, Brazil. Int J Parasitol Parasites Wildl 2024; 23:100924. [PMID: 38586581 PMCID: PMC10997893 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijppaw.2024.100924] [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: 10/13/2023] [Revised: 03/10/2024] [Accepted: 03/10/2024] [Indexed: 04/09/2024]
Abstract
Emerging infectious diseases threaten amphibian species across the globe. In Brazil, the American bullfrog (Aquarana catesbeiana) is a highly invasive species that can potentially transmit parasites and pathogens to native amphibians. This is the first assessment of co-infection of Ranavirus and helminth macroparasites in invasive populations of bullfrogs in South America. We collected, measured, and euthanized 65 specimens of A. catesbeiana sampled from 9 sites across three states of Brazil in the Atlantic Forest biome. We collected and identified helminth macroparasites and sampled host liver tissue to test for the presence and load of Ranavirus with quantitative PCR. We documented patterns of prevalence, parasite load, and co-infection with generalized linear mixed models, generalized logistic regressions, and randomization tests. Most individual bullfrogs did not exhibit clinical signs of infection, but the overall Ranavirus prevalence was 27% (95% confidence interval, [CI 17-38]). Bullfrogs were infected with helminth macroparasites from 5 taxa. Co-infection of helminth macroparasites and Ranavirus was also common (21% CI [12-31]). Bullfrog size was positively correlated with total macroparasite abundance and richness, and the best-fitting model included a significant interaction between bullfrog size and Ranavirus infection status. We observed a negative correlation between Ranavirus viral load and nematode abundance (slope = -0.22, P = 0.03). Invasive bullfrogs (A. catesbeiana) in Brazil were frequently infected with both Ranavirus and helminth macroparasites, so adult bullfrogs could serve as reservoir hosts for both pathogens and parasites. However, many macroparasites collected were encysted and not developing. Coinfection patterns suggest a potential interaction between Ranavirus and macroparasites because helminth abundance increased with bullfrog size but was lower in Ranavirus infected individuals. Future studies of bullfrogs in the Atlantic Forest should investigate their potential role in pathogen and parasite transmission to native anurans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren V. Ash
- University of Vermont, Department of Biology, 109 Carrigan Drive, Burlington, VT, 05403, USA
| | - Karla Magalhães Campião
- Laboratório de Interações Biológicas, Departamento de Zoologia, Universidade Federal do Paraná, UFPR, Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil
| | - Cauê Pinheiro Teixeira
- Laboratório de Interações Biológicas, Departamento de Zoologia, Universidade Federal do Paraná, UFPR, Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil
| | - Nicholas J. Gotelli
- University of Vermont, Department of Biology, 109 Carrigan Drive, Burlington, VT, 05403, USA
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3
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De Jesús Andino F, Davydenko A, Webb RJ, Robert J. The Binding, Infection, and Promoted Growth of Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis by the Ranavirus FV3. Viruses 2024; 16:154. [PMID: 38275964 PMCID: PMC10818972 DOI: 10.3390/v16010154] [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: 12/21/2023] [Revised: 01/12/2024] [Accepted: 01/18/2024] [Indexed: 01/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Increasing reports suggest the occurrence of co-infection between Ranaviruses such as Frog Virus 3 (FV3) and the chytrid fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd) in various amphibian species. However, the potential direct interaction of these two pathogens has not been examined to date. In this study, we investigated whether FV3 can interact with Bd in vitro using qPCR, conventional microscopy, and immunofluorescent microscopy. Our results reveal the unexpected ability of FV3 to bind, promote aggregation, productively infect, and significantly increase Bd growth in vitro. To extend these results in vivo, we assessed the impact of FV3 on Xenopus tropicalis frogs previously infected with Bd. Consistent with in vitro results, FV3 exposure to previously Bd-infected X. tropicalis significantly increased Bd loads and decreased the host's survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francisco De Jesús Andino
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY 14642, USA; (F.D.J.A.); (A.D.)
| | - Anton Davydenko
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY 14642, USA; (F.D.J.A.); (A.D.)
| | - Rebecca J. Webb
- Veterinary Biosciences, Faculty of Science, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia;
| | - Jacques Robert
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY 14642, USA; (F.D.J.A.); (A.D.)
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Carvalho T, Medina D, P Ribeiro L, Rodriguez D, Jenkinson TS, Becker CG, Toledo LF, Hite JL. Coinfection with chytrid genotypes drives divergent infection dynamics reflecting regional distribution patterns. Commun Biol 2023; 6:941. [PMID: 37709833 PMCID: PMC10502024 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-023-05314-y] [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: 09/02/2022] [Accepted: 09/01/2023] [Indexed: 09/16/2023] Open
Abstract
By altering the abundance, diversity, and distribution of species-and their pathogens-globalization may inadvertently select for more virulent pathogens. In Brazil's Atlantic Forest, a hotspot of amphibian biodiversity, the global amphibian trade has facilitated the co-occurrence of previously isolated enzootic and panzootic lineages of the pathogenic amphibian-chytrid (Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis, 'Bd') and generated new virulent recombinant genotypes ('hybrids'). Epidemiological data indicate that amphibian declines are most severe in hybrid zones, suggesting that coinfections are causing more severe infections or selecting for higher virulence. We investigated how coinfections involving these genotypes shapes virulence and transmission. Overall, coinfection favored the more virulent and competitively superior panzootic genotype, despite dampening its transmission potential and overall virulence. However, for the least virulent and least competitive genotype, coinfection increased both overall virulence and transmission. Thus, by integrating experimental and epidemiological data, our results provide mechanistic insight into how globalization can select for, and propel, the emergence of introduced hypervirulent lineages, such as the globally distributed panzootic lineage of Bd.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tamilie Carvalho
- Laboratório de História Natural de Anfíbios Brasileiros (LaHNAB), Departamento de Biologia Animal, Instituto de Biologia, Unicamp, Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil.
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA.
| | - Daniel Medina
- Laboratório de História Natural de Anfíbios Brasileiros (LaHNAB), Departamento de Biologia Animal, Instituto de Biologia, Unicamp, Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
- Sistema Nacional de Investigación, SENACYT, Building 205, City of Knowledge, Clayton, Panama, Republic of Panama
- Department of Biology, and Center for Infectious Disease Dynamics, One Health Microbiome Center, The Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, 16802, USA
| | - Luisa P Ribeiro
- Laboratório de História Natural de Anfíbios Brasileiros (LaHNAB), Departamento de Biologia Animal, Instituto de Biologia, Unicamp, Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - David Rodriguez
- Department of Biology, Texas State University, San Marcos, TX, 78666, USA
| | - Thomas S Jenkinson
- Department of Biological Sciences, California State University-East Bay, Hayward, CA, 94542, USA
| | - C Guilherme Becker
- Department of Biology, and Center for Infectious Disease Dynamics, One Health Microbiome Center, The Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, 16802, USA
| | - Luís Felipe Toledo
- Laboratório de História Natural de Anfíbios Brasileiros (LaHNAB), Departamento de Biologia Animal, Instituto de Biologia, Unicamp, Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Jessica L Hite
- School of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Pathobiological Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, 53706, USA
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Atkinson MS, Savage AE. Widespread amphibian Perkinsea infections associated with Ranidae hosts, cooler months and Ranavirus co-infection. J Anim Ecol 2023; 92:1856-1868. [PMID: 37409362 DOI: 10.1111/1365-2656.13977] [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: 04/29/2022] [Accepted: 05/26/2023] [Indexed: 07/07/2023]
Abstract
Amphibians suffer from large-scale population declines globally, and emerging infectious diseases contribute heavily to these declines. Amphibian Perkinsea (Pr) is a worldwide anuran pathogen associated with mass mortality events, yet little is known about its epidemiological patterns, especially in comparison to the body of literature on amphibian chytridiomycosis and ranavirosis. Here, we establish Pr infection patterns in natural anuran populations and identify important covariates including climate, host attributes and co-infection with Ranavirus (Rv). We used quantitative (q)PCR to determine the presence and intensity of Pr and Rv across 1234 individuals sampled throughout central Florida in 2017-2019. We then implemented random forest ensemble learning models to predict infection with both pathogens based on physiological and environmental characteristics. Perkinsea infected 32% of all sampled anurans, and Pr prevalence was significantly elevated in Ranidae frogs, cooler months, metamorphosed individuals and frogs co-infected with Rv, while Pr intensity was significantly higher in ranid frogs and individuals collected dead. Ranavirus prevalence was 17% overall and was significantly higher in Ranidae frogs, metamorphosed individuals, locations with higher average temperatures, and individuals co-infected with Pr. Perkinsea prevalence was significantly higher than Rv prevalence across months, regions, life stages and species. Among locations, Pr prevalence was negatively associated with crayfish prevalence and positively associated with relative abundance of microhylids, but Rv prevalence did not associate with any tested co-variates. Co-infections were significantly more common than single infections for both pathogens, and we propose that Pr infections may propel Rv infections because seasonal Rv infection peaks followed Pr infection peaks and random forest models found Pr intensity was a leading factor explaining Rv infections. Our study elucidates epidemiological patterns of Pr in Florida and suggests that Pr may be under-recognized as a cause of anuran declines, especially in the context of pathogen co-infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew S Atkinson
- Department of Biology, University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida, USA
| | - Anna E Savage
- Department of Biology, University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida, USA
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Scott ME. Helminth-host-environment interactions: Looking down from the tip of the iceberg. J Helminthol 2023; 97:e59. [PMID: 37486085 DOI: 10.1017/s0022149x23000433] [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: 07/25/2023]
Abstract
In 1978, the theory behind helminth parasites having the potential to regulate the abundance of their host populations was formalized based on the understanding that those helminth macroparasites that reduce survival or fecundity of the infected host population would be among the forces limiting unregulated host population growth. Now, 45 years later, a phenomenal breadth of factors that directly or indirectly affect the host-helminth interaction has emerged. Based largely on publications from the past 5 years, this review explores the host-helminth interaction from three lenses: the perspective of the helminth, the host, and the environment. What biotic and abiotic as well as social and intrinsic host factors affect helminths? What are the negative, and positive, implications for host populations and communities? What are the larger-scale implications of the host-helminth dynamic on the environment, and what evidence do we have that human-induced environmental change will modify this dynamic? The overwhelming message is that context is everything. Our understanding of second-, third-, and fourth-level interactions is extremely limited, and we are far from drawing generalizations about the myriad of microbe-helminth-host interactions.Yet the intricate, co-evolved balance and complexity of these interactions may provide a level of resilience in the face of global environmental change. Hopefully, this albeit limited compilation of recent research will spark new interdisciplinary studies, and application of the One Health approach to all helminth systems will generate new and testable conceptual frameworks that encompass our understanding of the host-helminth-environment triad.
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Affiliation(s)
- M E Scott
- Institute of Parasitology, McGill University (Macdonald Campus), 21,111 Lakeshore Road, Ste-Anne de Bellevue, QuebecH9X 3V9, Canada
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Broecke BV, Tafompa PJJ, Mwamundela BE, Bernaerts L, Ribas A, Mnyone LL, Leirs H, Mariën J. Drivers behind co-occurrence patterns between pathogenic bacteria, protozoa, and helminths in populations of the multimammate mouse, Mastomys natalensis. Acta Trop 2023; 243:106939. [PMID: 37156346 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2023.106939] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2022] [Revised: 05/04/2023] [Accepted: 05/05/2023] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
Advances in experimental and theoretical work increasingly suggest that parasite interactions within a single host can affect the spread and severity of wildlife diseases. Yet empirical data to support predicted co-infection patterns are limited due to the practical challenges of gathering convincing data from animal populations and the stochastic nature of parasite transmission. Here, we investigated co-infection patterns between micro- (bacteria and protozoa) and macroparasites (gastro-intestinal helminths) in natural populations of the multimammate mouse (Mastomys natalensis). Fieldwork was performed in Morogoro (Tanzania), where we trapped 211 M. natalensis and tested their behaviour using a modified open-field arena. All animals were checked for the presence of helminths in their gastro-intestinal tract, three bacteria (Anaplasma, Bartonella, and Borrelia) and two protozoan genera (Babesia and Hepatozoon). Besides the presence of eight different helminth genera (reported earlier), we found that 21% of M. natalensis were positive for Anaplasma, 13% for Bartonella, and 2% for Hepatozoon species. Hierarchical modelling of species communities was used to investigate the effect of the different host-related factors on these parasites' infection probability and community structure. Our results show that the infection probability of Bartonella increased with the host's age, while the infection probability of Anaplasma peaked when individuals reached adulthood. We also observed that less explorative and stress-sensitive individuals had a higher infection probability with Bartonella. Finally, we found limited support for within-host interactions between micro-and macroparasites, as most co-infection patterns could be attributed to host exposure time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bram Vanden Broecke
- Evolutionary Ecology Group, Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | | | | | - Lisse Bernaerts
- Evolutionary Ecology Group, Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Alexis Ribas
- Parasitology Section, Department of Biology, Healthcare and Environment, Faculty of Pharmacy and Food Science, Institut de Recerca de la Biodiversitat (IRBio), University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Ladslaus L Mnyone
- Institute of Pest Management, Sokoine University of Agriculture, Morogoro, Tanzania
| | - Herwig Leirs
- Evolutionary Ecology Group, Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Joachim Mariën
- Evolutionary Ecology Group, Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium; Department of Biology, Royal Museum for Central Africa, Tervuren, Belgium.
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Stanicka A, Zając KS, Jefimow M, Wojciechowski MS. Diplotriaena obtusa (Nematoda: Filariidae) infection in first-year Sylvia atricapilla from Poland – molecular evidence. THE EUROPEAN ZOOLOGICAL JOURNAL 2021. [DOI: 10.1080/24750263.2021.1998679] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- A. Stanicka
- Department of Invertebrate Zoology and Parasitology, Faculty of Biological and Veterinary Sciences, Nicolaus Copernicus University, Toruń, Poland
| | - K. S. Zając
- Institute of Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Jagiellonian University, Kraków, Poland
| | - M. Jefimow
- Department of Animal Physiology and Neurobiology, Faculty of Biological and Veterinary Sciences, Nicolaus Copernicus University, Toruń, Poland
| | - M. S. Wojciechowski
- Department of Vertebrate Zoology and Ecology, Faculty of Biological and Veterinary Sciences, Nicolaus Copernicus University, Toruń, Poland
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