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Hemnani M, da Silva PG, Thompson G, Poeta P, Rebelo H, Mesquita JR. Presence of Alphacoronavirus in Tree- and Crevice-Dwelling Bats from Portugal. Viruses 2024; 16:434. [PMID: 38543799 PMCID: PMC10976264 DOI: 10.3390/v16030434] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2024] [Revised: 03/04/2024] [Accepted: 03/06/2024] [Indexed: 05/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Coronaviruses (CoVs) are RNA viruses capable of infecting a wide range of hosts, including mammals and birds, and have caused significant epidemics such as the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Bats, the second most diverse mammalian order, are hosts for various CoVs due to their unique immune responses and ecological traits. This study investigates CoV prevalence in crevice- and tree-dwelling bats in Portugal, a country with limited prior research on bat CoVs. Using nested RT-PCR and sequencing, we screened 87 stool samples from bats, identifying one sample (1.15%) that was positive for Alphacoronavirus, belonging to Pipistrellus pipistrellus. Phylogenetic analysis revealed close genetic relationships with Alphacoronavirus strains from the same bat species in Europe. The low prevalence suggests habitat-specific differences in viral transmission, with cave-dwelling bats exhibiting higher CoV prevalence due to population density and behaviour. These findings underscore the necessity for sustained surveillance efforts aimed at comprehending CoV dynamics within bat populations, especially concerning the risk of spillover events and viral evolution. Vital to this understanding is the monitoring of bat migration patterns, which serves as a crucial tool for elucidating CoV ecology and epidemiology. Such efforts are essential for ongoing research endeavours aimed at mitigating the potential for future zoonotic disease outbreaks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mahima Hemnani
- School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Porto University, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal; (M.H.); (P.G.d.S.); (G.T.)
| | - Priscilla Gomes da Silva
- School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Porto University, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal; (M.H.); (P.G.d.S.); (G.T.)
- Epidemiology Research Unit (EPIunit), Institute of Public Health, University of Porto, 4099-002 Porto, Portugal
- Laboratório Para a Investigação Integrativa e Translacional em Saúde Populacional (ITR), 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
- LEPABE—Laboratory for Process Engineering, Environment, Biotechnology and Energy, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, 4099-002 Porto, Portugal
- ALiCE—Associate Laboratory in Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, 4099-002 Porto, Portugal
| | - Gertrude Thompson
- School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Porto University, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal; (M.H.); (P.G.d.S.); (G.T.)
- Biopolis-CIBIO/InBIO Laboratório Associado, Campus de Vairão, 4485-661 Vairão, Portugal;
| | - Patrícia Poeta
- Microbiology and Antibiotic Resistance Team (MicroART), Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Trás-os Montes e Alto Douro, 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal;
- Associated Laboratory for Green Chemistry (LAQV), Chemistry Department, Faculty of Science and Technology, University NOVA of Lisbon, 2829-516 Caparica, Portugal
- Associate Laboratory for Animal and Veterinary Science (AL4AnimalS), University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro (UTAD), 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal
- Veterinary and Animal Research Centre (CECAV), University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro (UTAD), 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal
| | - Hugo Rebelo
- Biopolis-CIBIO/InBIO Laboratório Associado, Campus de Vairão, 4485-661 Vairão, Portugal;
- cE3c—Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes & CHANGE—Global Change and Sustainability Institute, Faculty of Sciences, University of Lisbon, 1749-016 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - João R. Mesquita
- School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Porto University, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal; (M.H.); (P.G.d.S.); (G.T.)
- Epidemiology Research Unit (EPIunit), Institute of Public Health, University of Porto, 4099-002 Porto, Portugal
- Laboratório Para a Investigação Integrativa e Translacional em Saúde Populacional (ITR), 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
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Clayton E, Atasoy MO, Naggar RFE, Franco AC, Rohaim MA, Munir M. Interferon-induced protein with tetratricopeptide repeats 5 of black fruit bat ( Pteropus alecto) displays a broad inhibition of RNA viruses. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1284056. [PMID: 38440728 PMCID: PMC10909918 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1284056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2023] [Accepted: 01/24/2024] [Indexed: 03/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Bats are natural host reservoirs and have adapted a unique innate immune system that permits them to host many viruses without exhibiting symptoms. Notably, bat interferon stimulated genes (ISGs) have been shown to play antiviral roles. Interferon induced protein with tetratricopeptide repeats 5 (IFIT5) is a well-characterised ISG in humans with antiviral activities against negative-sense RNA viruses via inhibiting viral transcription. Here, we aim to investigate if Pteropus alecto (pa) IFIT5 (paIFIT5) possess the ability to inhibit negative-sense RNA viruses. Initially, gene syntenic and comparative structural analyses of multiple animals highlighted a high level of similarity between Pteropus alecto and human IFIT5 proteins. Our results showed that paIFIT5 was significantly inducible by viral and dsRNA stimulation. Transient overexpression of paIFIT5 inhibited the replication of vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV). Using minireplicon and transcription reporter assays, we demonstrated the ability of paIFIT5 specifically to inhibit H17N10 polymerase activity. Mechanistically, we noticed that the antiviral potential of paIFIT5 against negative sense RNA viruses was retributed to its interaction with 5'ppp containing RNA. Taken together, these findings highlight the genetic and functional conservation of IFIT5 among mammals.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Muhammad Munir
- Division of Biomedical and Life Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medicine, Lancaster University, Lancaster, United Kingdom
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3
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Dhivahar J, Parthasarathy A, Krishnan K, Kovi BS, Pandian GN. Bat-associated microbes: Opportunities and perils, an overview. Heliyon 2023; 9:e22351. [PMID: 38125540 PMCID: PMC10730444 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e22351] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2022] [Revised: 09/21/2023] [Accepted: 11/09/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
The potential biotechnological uses of bat-associated bacteria are discussed briefly, indicating avenues for biotechnological applications of bat-associated microbes. The uniqueness of bats in terms of their lifestyle, genomes and molecular immunology may predispose bats to act as disease reservoirs. Molecular phylogenetic analysis has shown several instances of bats harbouring the ancestral lineages of bacterial (Bartonella), protozoal (Plasmodium, Trypanosoma cruzi) and viral (SARS-CoV2) pathogens infecting humans. Along with the transmission of viruses from bats, we also discuss the potential roles of bat-associated bacteria, fungi, and protozoan parasites in emerging diseases. Current evidence suggests that environmental changes and interactions between wildlife, livestock, and humans contribute to the spill-over of infectious agents from bats to other hosts. Domestic animals including livestock may act as intermediate amplifying hosts for bat-origin pathogens to transmit to humans. An increasing number of studies investigating bat pathogen diversity and infection dynamics have been published. However, whether or how these infectious agents are transmitted both within bat populations and to other hosts, including humans, often remains unknown. Metagenomic approaches are uncovering the dynamics and distribution of potential pathogens in bat microbiomes, which might improve the understanding of disease emergence and transmission. Here, we summarize the current knowledge on bat zoonoses of public health concern and flag the gaps in the knowledge to enable further research and allocation of resources for tackling future outbreaks.
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Affiliation(s)
- J. Dhivahar
- Research Department of Zoology, St. Johns College, Palayamkottai, 627002, India
- Department of Plant Biology and Biotechnology, Laboratory of Microbial Ecology, Loyola College, Chennai, 600034, India
- Department of Biotechnology, Laboratory of Virology, University of Madras, Chennai, 600025, India
| | - Anutthaman Parthasarathy
- Department of Chemistry and Biosciences, Richmond Building, University of Bradford, Bradford, West Yorkshire, BD7 1DP, United Kingdom
| | - Kathiravan Krishnan
- Department of Biotechnology, Laboratory of Virology, University of Madras, Chennai, 600025, India
| | - Basavaraj S. Kovi
- Institute for Integrated Cell-Material Sciences (WPI-iCeMS), Yoshida Ushinomiyacho, 69, Sakyo Ward, 606-8501, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Ganesh N. Pandian
- Institute for Integrated Cell-Material Sciences (WPI-iCeMS), Yoshida Ushinomiyacho, 69, Sakyo Ward, 606-8501, Kyoto, Japan
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Lawrence P, Heung M, Nave J, Henkel C, Escudero-Pérez B. The natural virome and pandemic potential: Disease X. Curr Opin Virol 2023; 63:101377. [PMID: 37995425 DOI: 10.1016/j.coviro.2023.101377] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2023] [Revised: 10/20/2023] [Accepted: 10/25/2023] [Indexed: 11/25/2023]
Abstract
Over the last decade, the emergence of several zoonotic viruses has demonstrated that previously unknown or neglected pathogens have the potential to cause epidemics and therefore to pose a threat to global public health. Even more concerning are the estimated 1.7 million still-undiscovered viruses present in the natural environment or 'global virome', with many of these as-yet uncharacterized viruses predicted to be pathogenic for humans. Thus, in order to mitigate disease emergence and prevent future pandemics, it is crucial to identify the global extent of viral threats to which humans may become exposed. This requires cataloguing the viruses that exist in the environment within their various and diverse host species, and also understanding the viral, host, and environmental factors that dictate the circumstances that result in viral spillover into humans. We also address here which strategies can be implemented as countermeasure initiatives to reduce the risk of emergence of new diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philip Lawrence
- UCLy (Lyon Catholic University), ESTBB, Lyon, France; UCLy (Lyon Catholic University), UR CONFLUENCE: Sciences et Humanités (EA1598), Lyon, France
| | - Michelle Heung
- WHO Collaborating Centre for Arbovirus and Haemorrhagic Fever Reference and Research, Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Julia Nave
- WHO Collaborating Centre for Arbovirus and Haemorrhagic Fever Reference and Research, Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Christoph Henkel
- WHO Collaborating Centre for Arbovirus and Haemorrhagic Fever Reference and Research, Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Beatriz Escudero-Pérez
- WHO Collaborating Centre for Arbovirus and Haemorrhagic Fever Reference and Research, Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg, Germany; German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Hamburg-Luebeck-Borstel-Reims, Braunschweig, Germany.
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5
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Hemnani M, Silva PGD, Thompson G, Poeta P, Rebelo H, Mesquita JR. First Report of Alphacoronavirus Circulating in Cavernicolous Bats from Portugal. Viruses 2023; 15:1521. [PMID: 37515207 PMCID: PMC10384150 DOI: 10.3390/v15071521] [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: 05/24/2023] [Revised: 07/03/2023] [Accepted: 07/06/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
The emergence of novel coronaviruses (CoVs) has emphasized the need to understand their diversity and distribution in animal populations. Bats have been identified as crucial reservoirs for CoVs, and they are found in various bat species worldwide. In this study, we investigated the presence of CoVs of four cavernicolous bats in six locations in the centre and south of Portugal. We collected faeces, anal, and buccal swab samples, as well as air samples from the locations using a Coriolis air sampler. Our results indicate that CoVs were more readily detected in faecal samples compared to anal and buccal swab samples. No CoVs were detected in the air samples. Phylogenetic analysis showed that the detected viruses belong to the Alphacoronavirus genus. This study represents the first report of Alphacoronaviruses circulating in bats in Portugal and highlights the importance of continuous surveillance for novel CoVs in bat populations globally. Ongoing surveillance for CoVs in bat populations is essential as they are a vital source of these viruses. It is crucial to understand the ecological relationships between animals, humans, and the environment to prevent and control the emergence and transmission of infectious diseases. Further ecological studies are needed to investigate the factors contributing to the emergence and transmission of zoonotic viruses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mahima Hemnani
- School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Porto University, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
| | - Priscilla Gomes da Silva
- School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Porto University, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
- Epidemiology Research Unit (EPIunit), Institute of Public Health, University of Porto, 4099-002 Porto, Portugal
- Laboratório Para a Investigação Integrativa e Translacional em Saúde Populacional (ITR), 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
- LEPABE-Laboratory for Process Engineering, Environment, Biotechnotlogy and Energy, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, 4099-002 Porto, Portugal
- ALiCE-Associate Laboratory in Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, 4099-002 Porto, Portugal
| | - Gertrude Thompson
- School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Porto University, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
- Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos, InBIO Laboratório Associado, Universidade do Porto, 4485-661 Vairão, Portugal
| | - Patricia Poeta
- Microbiology and Antibiotic Resistance Team (MicroART), Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Trás-os Montes e Alto Douro, 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal
- Associated Laboratory for Green Chemistry (LAQV-REQUIMTE), University NOVA of Lisbon, 1099-085 Caparica, Portugal
- Veterinary and Animal Research Centre (CECAV), University of Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro, 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal
- Veterinary and Animal Research Centre, Associate Laboratory for Animal and Veterinary Science (AL4AnimalS), 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal
| | - Hugo Rebelo
- Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos, InBIO Laboratório Associado, Universidade do Porto, 4485-661 Vairão, Portugal
- ESS, Instituto Politécnico de Setúbal, 2910-761 Setúbal, Portugal
| | - João R Mesquita
- School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Porto University, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
- Epidemiology Research Unit (EPIunit), Institute of Public Health, University of Porto, 4099-002 Porto, Portugal
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6
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Chothe SK, Jakka P, Boorla VS, Ramasamy S, Gontu A, Nissly RH, Brown J, Turner G, Sewall BJ, Reeder DM, Field KA, Engiles JB, Amirthalingam S, Ravichandran A, LaBella L, Nair MS, Maranas CD, Kuchipudi SV. Little Brown Bats ( Myotis lucifugus) Support the Binding of SARS-CoV-2 Spike and Are Likely Susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 Infection. Viruses 2023; 15:v15051103. [PMID: 37243189 DOI: 10.3390/v15051103] [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: 04/04/2023] [Revised: 04/25/2023] [Accepted: 04/28/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), believed to have originated from a bat species, can infect a wide range of non-human hosts. Bats are known to harbor hundreds of coronaviruses capable of spillover into human populations. Recent studies have shown a significant variation in the susceptibility among bat species to SARS-CoV-2 infection. We show that little brown bats (LBB) express angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 receptor and the transmembrane serine protease 2, which are accessible to and support SARS-CoV-2 binding. All-atom molecular dynamics (MD) simulations revealed that LBB ACE2 formed strong electrostatic interactions with the RBD similar to human and cat ACE2 proteins. In summary, LBBs, a widely distributed North American bat species, could be at risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection and potentially serve as a natural reservoir. Finally, our framework, combining in vitro and in silico methods, is a useful tool to assess the SARS-CoV-2 susceptibility of bats and other animal species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shubhada K Chothe
- Animal Diagnostic Laboratory, Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
- Center for Infectious Disease Dynamics, Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
| | - Padmaja Jakka
- Animal Diagnostic Laboratory, Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
- Center for Infectious Disease Dynamics, Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
| | - Veda Sheersh Boorla
- Department of Chemical Engineering, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
| | - Santhamani Ramasamy
- Animal Diagnostic Laboratory, Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
- Center for Infectious Disease Dynamics, Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
| | - Abhinay Gontu
- Animal Diagnostic Laboratory, Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
- Center for Infectious Disease Dynamics, Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
| | - Ruth H Nissly
- Animal Diagnostic Laboratory, Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
- Center for Infectious Disease Dynamics, Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
| | - Justin Brown
- Animal Diagnostic Laboratory, Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
- Pennsylvania Game Commission, 2001 Elmerton Ave, Harrisburg, PA 17110, USA
| | - Gregory Turner
- Pennsylvania Game Commission, 2001 Elmerton Ave, Harrisburg, PA 17110, USA
| | - Brent J Sewall
- Department of Biology, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA 19122, USA
| | - DeeAnn M Reeder
- Department of Biology, Bucknell University, Lewisburg, PA 17837, USA
| | - Kenneth A Field
- Department of Biology, Bucknell University, Lewisburg, PA 17837, USA
| | - Julie B Engiles
- Departments of Pathobiology and Clinical Studies, New Bolton Center, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Kennett Square, PA 19348, USA
| | - Saranya Amirthalingam
- Animal Diagnostic Laboratory, Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
| | - Abirami Ravichandran
- Animal Diagnostic Laboratory, Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
| | - Lindsey LaBella
- Animal Diagnostic Laboratory, Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
- Center for Infectious Disease Dynamics, Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
| | - Meera Surendran Nair
- Animal Diagnostic Laboratory, Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
- Center for Infectious Disease Dynamics, Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
| | - Costas D Maranas
- Department of Chemical Engineering, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
| | - Suresh V Kuchipudi
- Animal Diagnostic Laboratory, Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
- Center for Infectious Disease Dynamics, Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
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7
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Viola MF, Gerardo Herrera M L, da Cruz-Neto AP. The acute phase response in bats (Carollia perspicillata) varies with time and dose of the immune challenge. J Exp Biol 2022; 225:286160. [PMID: 36448935 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.244583] [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: 05/24/2022] [Accepted: 11/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/05/2022]
Abstract
The acute phase response (APR) is a core component of the innate immune response and represents the first line of immune defense used in response to infections. Although several studies with vertebrates reported fever, a decrease in food intake and body mass, and an increase in neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio and total white blood cell count after lipopolysaccharide (LPS) inoculation, there was great variability in the magnitude of these responses. Some of these differences might reflect, to some extent, differences in the time of endotoxin inoculation (during active or rest periods) and dose. Therefore, our study tested the interplay between LPS dose and time of injection on selected physiological (fever and increase in total white blood cell count and neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio) and behavioral (food intake) components of the APR using a Neotropical fruit-eating bat (Carollia perspicillata) as a model organism. We predicted that LPS would trigger a dose- and time-dependent response in APR components. APR components were assessed in rest and active periods after injection of three doses of LPS (5, 10 and 15 mg kg-1 LPS). The results indicate a more robust decrease in food intake at higher doses during the active period, while increased neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio was more robust during the active period regardless of dose. Furthermore, the skin temperature increase lasted longer at higher doses regardless of the timing of injections. Our study offers important insights into the dependence of time as well as the LPS dosage effect in the APR of bats, and how they deal with the magnitude of infections at different times of day.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matheus F Viola
- Laboratório de Fisiologia Animal (LaFA), Departamento de Biodiversidade, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade Estadual Paulista Júlio de Mesquita Filho, 13506-900 Rio Claro, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - L Gerardo Herrera M
- Estación de Biología Chamela, Instituto de Biología, Universidad Nacional, Autónoma de México, 48980 San Patricio, Jalisco, México
| | - Ariovaldo P da Cruz-Neto
- Laboratório de Fisiologia Animal (LaFA), Departamento de Biodiversidade, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade Estadual Paulista Júlio de Mesquita Filho, 13506-900 Rio Claro, São Paulo, Brazil
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Opportunities and Limitations of Molecular Methods for Studying Bat-Associated Pathogens. Microorganisms 2022; 10:microorganisms10091875. [PMID: 36144476 PMCID: PMC9502413 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms10091875] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2022] [Revised: 09/15/2022] [Accepted: 09/16/2022] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Bats have been identified as reservoirs of zoonotic and potentially zoonotic pathogens. Significant progress was made in the field of molecular biology with regard to infectious diseases, especially those that infect more than one species. Molecular methods, sequencing and bioinformatics have recently become irreplaceable tools in emerging infectious diseases research and even outbreak prediction. Modern methods in the molecular biology field have shed more light on the unique relationship between bats and viruses. Here we provide readers with a concise summary of the potential and limitations of molecular methods for studying the ecology of bats and bat-related pathogens and microorganisms.
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9
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Kabantiyok D, Ninyio N, Shittu I, Meseko C, Emeto TI, Adegboye OA. Human Respiratory Infections in Nigeria: Influenza and the Emergence of SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic. Vaccines (Basel) 2022; 10:vaccines10091551. [PMID: 36146628 PMCID: PMC9506385 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines10091551] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2022] [Revised: 09/09/2022] [Accepted: 09/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The increasing outbreak of zoonotic diseases presents challenging times for nations and calls for a renewed effort to disrupt the chain of events that precede it. Nigeria's response to the 2006 bird flu provided a platform for outbreak response, yet it was not its first experience with Influenza. This study describes the impact of SARS-CoV-2 on Influenza surveillance and, conversely, while the 1918 Influenza pandemic remains the most devastating (500,000 deaths in 18 million population) in Nigeria, the emergence of SARS CoV-2 presented renewed opportunities for the development of vaccines with novel technology, co-infection studies outcome, and challenges globally. Although the public health Intervention and strategies left some positive outcomes for other viruses, Nigeria and Africa's preparation against the next pandemic may involve prioritizing a combination of technology, socioeconomic growth, and active surveillance in the spirit of One Health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dennis Kabantiyok
- Laboratory Diagnostic Services Division, National Veterinary Research Institute, PMB 01, Vom 930001, Nigeria
| | - Nathaniel Ninyio
- School of Medical Sciences, Örebro University, 70182 Örebro, Sweden
| | - Ismaila Shittu
- Department of Avian Influenza and Transboundary Animal Diseases, National Veterinary Research Institute, PMB 01, Vom 930010, Nigeria
| | - Clement Meseko
- Department of Avian Influenza and Transboundary Animal Diseases, National Veterinary Research Institute, PMB 01, Vom 930010, Nigeria
| | - Theophilus I. Emeto
- Public Health & Tropical Medicine, College of Public Health, Medical and Veterinary Sciences, Department, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD 4811, Australia
- World Health Organization Collaborating Center for Vector-Borne, Neglected Tropical Diseases Department, College of Public Health, Medical and Veterinary Sciences, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD 4811, Australia
- Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD 4811, Australia
| | - Oyelola A. Adegboye
- Public Health & Tropical Medicine, College of Public Health, Medical and Veterinary Sciences, Department, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD 4811, Australia
- World Health Organization Collaborating Center for Vector-Borne, Neglected Tropical Diseases Department, College of Public Health, Medical and Veterinary Sciences, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD 4811, Australia
- Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD 4811, Australia
- Correspondence:
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10
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Otieno JR, Cherry JL, Spiro DJ, Nelson MI, Trovão NS. Origins and Evolution of Seasonal Human Coronaviruses. Viruses 2022; 14:1551. [PMID: 35891531 PMCID: PMC9320361 DOI: 10.3390/v14071551] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2022] [Revised: 07/11/2022] [Accepted: 07/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Four seasonal human coronaviruses (sHCoVs) are endemic globally (229E, NL63, OC43, and HKU1), accounting for 5-30% of human respiratory infections. However, the epidemiology and evolution of these CoVs remain understudied due to their association with mild symptomatology. Using a multigene and complete genome analysis approach, we find the evolutionary histories of sHCoVs to be highly complex, owing to frequent recombination of CoVs including within and between sHCoVs, and uncertain, due to the under sampling of non-human viruses. The recombination rate was highest for 229E and OC43 whereas substitutions per recombination event were highest in NL63 and HKU1. Depending on the gene studied, OC43 may have ungulate, canine, or rabbit CoV ancestors. 229E may have origins in a bat, camel, or an unsampled intermediate host. HKU1 had the earliest common ancestor (1809-1899) but fell into two distinct clades (genotypes A and B), possibly representing two independent transmission events from murine-origin CoVs that appear to be a single introduction due to large gaps in the sampling of CoVs in animals. In fact, genotype B was genetically more diverse than all the other sHCoVs. Finally, we found shared amino acid substitutions in multiple proteins along the non-human to sHCoV host-jump branches. The complex evolution of CoVs and their frequent host switches could benefit from continued surveillance of CoVs across non-human hosts.
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Affiliation(s)
- James R. Otieno
- Division of International Epidemiology and Population Studies, Fogarty International Center, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA; (J.L.C.); (D.J.S.); (M.I.N.)
| | - Joshua L. Cherry
- Division of International Epidemiology and Population Studies, Fogarty International Center, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA; (J.L.C.); (D.J.S.); (M.I.N.)
- National Center for Biotechnology Information, National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20894, USA
| | - David J. Spiro
- Division of International Epidemiology and Population Studies, Fogarty International Center, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA; (J.L.C.); (D.J.S.); (M.I.N.)
| | - Martha I. Nelson
- Division of International Epidemiology and Population Studies, Fogarty International Center, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA; (J.L.C.); (D.J.S.); (M.I.N.)
| | - Nídia S. Trovão
- Division of International Epidemiology and Population Studies, Fogarty International Center, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA; (J.L.C.); (D.J.S.); (M.I.N.)
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11
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Ramanantsalama RV, Goodman SM, Dietrich M, Lebarbenchon C. Interaction between Old World fruit bats and humans: From large scale ecosystem services to zoonotic diseases. Acta Trop 2022; 231:106462. [PMID: 35421381 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2022.106462] [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: 12/29/2021] [Revised: 04/07/2022] [Accepted: 04/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/01/2022]
Abstract
The Old World tropical and subtropical frugivorous bat genus Rousettus (Pteropodidae) contains species with broad distributions, as well as those occurring in restricted geographical areas, particularly islands. Herein we review the role of Rousettus as a keystone species from a global "One Health" approach and related to ecosystem functioning, zoonotic disease and public health. Rousettus are efficient at dispersing seeds and pollinating flowers; their role in forest regeneration is related to their ability to fly considerable distances during nightly foraging bouts and their relatively small body size, which allows them to access fruits in forested areas with closed vegetation. Rousettus are also reservoirs for various groups of pathogens (viruses, bacteria, fungi, protozoa), which, by definition, are infectious agents causing disease. The study of day roosts of different species of Rousettus and the successful establishment of captive breeding colonies have provided important details related to the infection dynamics of their associated pathogens. Large-scale conversion of forested areas into agricultural landscapes has increased contact between humans and Rousettus, therefore augmenting the chances of infectious agent spillover. Many crucial scientific details are still lacking related to members of this genus, which have direct bearing on the prevention of emerging disease outbreaks, as well as the conservation of these bats. The public should be better informed on the capacity of fruit bats as keystone species for large scale forest regeneration and in spreading pathogens. Precise details on the transmission of zoonotic diseases of public health importance associated with Rousettus should be given high priority.
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12
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Weinberg M, Yovel Y. Revising the paradigm: Are bats really pathogen reservoirs or do they possess an efficient immune system? iScience 2022; 25:104782. [PMID: 35982789 PMCID: PMC9379578 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2022.104782] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
While bats are often referred to as reservoirs of viral pathogens, a meta-analysis of the literature reveals many cases in which there is not enough evidence to claim so. In many cases, bats are able to confront viruses, recover, and remain immune by developing a potent titer of antibodies, often without becoming a reservoir. In other cases, bats might have carried an ancestral virus that at some time point might have mutated into a human pathogen. Moreover, bats exhibit a balanced immune response against viruses that have evolved over millions of years. Using genomic tools, it is now possible to obtain a deeper understanding of that unique immune system and its variability across the order Chiroptera. We conclude, that with the exception of a few viruses, bats pose little zoonotic danger to humans and that they operate a highly efficient anti-inflammatory response that we should strive to understand.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maya Weinberg
- School of Zoology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 6997801, Israel
- Corresponding author
| | - Yossi Yovel
- School of Zoology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 6997801, Israel
- Sagol School of Neuroscience, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 6997801, Israel
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13
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Carpouron JE, de Hoog S, Gentekaki E, Hyde KD. Emerging Animal-Associated Fungal Diseases. J Fungi (Basel) 2022; 8:611. [PMID: 35736094 PMCID: PMC9225262 DOI: 10.3390/jof8060611] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2022] [Revised: 05/09/2022] [Accepted: 05/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The Global Action Fund for Fungal Infections (GAFFI) estimates that fungal diseases kill around 150 people each hour, and yet they are globally overlooked and neglected. Histoplasma and Talaromyces, which are associated with wildlife, cause systemic infections that are often lethal in patients with impaired cellular immunity. Dermatophytes that cause outbreaks in human hosts are often associated with domesticated animals. Changes in human behavior have been identified as a main cause of the emergence of animal-associated fungal diseases in humans, sometimes caused by the disturbance of natural habitats. An understanding of ecology and the transmission modes of causative agents is therefore essential. Here, we focus on fungal diseases contracted from wildlife and domesticated animals, their habitats, feces and carcasses. We discuss some basic fungal lifestyles and the risk of transmission to humans and illustrate these with examples from emerging and established diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Eva Carpouron
- Center of Excellence in Fungal Research, Mae Fah Luang University, Chiang Rai 57100, Thailand; (J.E.C.); (E.G.)
- School of Science, Mae Fah Luang University, Chiang Rai 57100, Thailand
| | - Sybren de Hoog
- Centre of Expertise in Mycology, Radboud University Medical Centre/Canisius Wilhelmina Hospital, 6525 GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands;
| | - Eleni Gentekaki
- Center of Excellence in Fungal Research, Mae Fah Luang University, Chiang Rai 57100, Thailand; (J.E.C.); (E.G.)
- School of Science, Mae Fah Luang University, Chiang Rai 57100, Thailand
| | - Kevin David Hyde
- Center of Excellence in Fungal Research, Mae Fah Luang University, Chiang Rai 57100, Thailand; (J.E.C.); (E.G.)
- Institute of Plant Health, Zhongkai University of Agriculture and Engineering, Haizhu District, Guangzhou 510225, China
- Mushroom Research Foundation, 128 M.3 Ban Pa Deng T. Pa Pae, A. Mae Taeng, Chiang Mai 50150, Thailand
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14
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Rabies as a Potential Cause of Mass Mortality Events in North American Bat Species. J Wildl Dis 2022; 58:465-468. [PMID: 35255121 DOI: 10.7589/jwd-d-21-00159] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2021] [Accepted: 12/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Rabies-association bat mortality events are rarely reported, suggesting that rabies is not a significant cause of bat mass mortality. Three bat die-offs in National Park Service units were attributed to rabies, highlighting the value of including rabies, and rabies virus strain spillover events, as a differential in mass mortality events.
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15
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Kok KH, Wong SC, Chan WM, Lei W, Chu AWH, Ip JD, Lee LK, Wong ITF, Lo HWH, Cheng VCC, Ho AYM, Lam BHS, Tse H, Lung D, Ng KHL, Au AKW, Siu GKH, Yuen KY. Cocirculation of two SARS-CoV-2 variant strains within imported pet hamsters in Hong Kong. Emerg Microbes Infect 2022; 11:689-698. [PMID: 35135441 PMCID: PMC8890519 DOI: 10.1080/22221751.2022.2040922] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
During the investigation of a pet shop outbreak of severe acute respiratory coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) with probable hamster-to-human transmission, the environmental and hamster samples in epidemiologically linked pet shops were found positive for SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant AY.127 strains which are phylogenetically closely related to patient and reported European strains. This interspecies spill-over has triggered transmission chains involving 58 patients epidemiologically linked to three pet shops. Incidentally, three dwarf hamsters imported from Netherlands and centralized in a warehouse distributing animals to pet shops were positive for SARS-CoV-2 spike variant phylogenetically related to European B.1.258 strains since March 2020. This B.1.258 strain has almost disappeared since July 2021. While no hamster-to-human transmission of B.1.258-like strain was found in this outbreak, molecular docking showed that its spike receptor binding domain (RBD) has similar binding energy to human ACE2 when compared with that of Delta variant AY.127. Therefore, the potential of this B.1.258-related spike variant for interspecies jumping cannot be ignored. The co-circulation of both B.1.258-related spike variants with Delta AY.127 which originated in Europe and was not previously found in Hong Kong suggested that hamsters in our wholesale warehouse and retail pet shops more likely have acquired these viruses in Netherlands or stopovers during delivery by aviation than locally. The risk of human-to-hamster reverse zoonosis by multiple SARS-CoV-2 variants leading to further adaptive spike mutations with subsequent transmission back to human cannot be underestimated as outbreak source of COVID-19. Testing of imported pet animals susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 is warranted to prevent future outbreaks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kin-Hang Kok
- State Key Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Carol Yu Centre for Infection, Department of Microbiology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China.,Centre for Virology, Vaccinology and Therapeutics, Hong Kong Science and Technology Park, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China
| | - Shuk-Ching Wong
- Infection Control Team, Queen Mary Hospital, Hong Kong West Cluster, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China
| | - Wan-Mui Chan
- State Key Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Carol Yu Centre for Infection, Department of Microbiology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China
| | - Wen Lei
- State Key Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Carol Yu Centre for Infection, Department of Microbiology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China
| | - Allen Wing-Ho Chu
- State Key Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Carol Yu Centre for Infection, Department of Microbiology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China
| | - Jonathan Daniel Ip
- State Key Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Carol Yu Centre for Infection, Department of Microbiology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China
| | - Lam-Kwong Lee
- Department of Health Technology and Informatics, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China
| | - Ivan Tak-Fai Wong
- Department of Health Technology and Informatics, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China
| | - Hazel Wing-Hei Lo
- Department of Health Technology and Informatics, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China
| | - Vincent Chi-Chung Cheng
- State Key Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Carol Yu Centre for Infection, Department of Microbiology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China.,Infection Control Team, Queen Mary Hospital, Hong Kong West Cluster, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China.,Department of Microbiology, Queen Mary Hospital, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China
| | - Alex Yat-Man Ho
- Department of Pathology, Princess Margaret Hospital, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China
| | - Bosco Hoi-Shiu Lam
- Department of Pathology, Princess Margaret Hospital, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China
| | - Herman Tse
- Department of Pathology, Hong Kong Children's Hospital, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China
| | - David Lung
- Department of Pathology, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China
| | - Kenneth Ho-Leung Ng
- Centre for Health Protection, Department of Health, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China
| | - Albert Ka-Wing Au
- Centre for Health Protection, Department of Health, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China
| | - Gilman Kit-Hang Siu
- Department of Health Technology and Informatics, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China
| | - Kwok-Yung Yuen
- State Key Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Carol Yu Centre for Infection, Department of Microbiology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China.,Centre for Virology, Vaccinology and Therapeutics, Hong Kong Science and Technology Park, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China.,Department of Microbiology, Queen Mary Hospital, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China
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16
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Sánchez-García FJ, Aguilar-Setien JA, Pérez-Hernández CA, Kolstoe SE, Coker A, Rendon-Franco E, Moreno-Altamirano MMB. The mitochondrial activity of leukocytes from Artibeus jamaicensis bats remains unaltered after several weeks of flying restriction. DEVELOPMENTAL AND COMPARATIVE IMMUNOLOGY 2022; 127:104303. [PMID: 34728275 DOI: 10.1016/j.dci.2021.104303] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2021] [Revised: 10/23/2021] [Accepted: 10/24/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Bats are the only flying mammals known. They have longer lifespan than other mammals of similar size and weight and can resist high loads of many pathogens, mostly viruses, with no signs of disease. These distinctive characteristics have been attributed to their metabolic rate that is thought to be the result of their flying lifestyle. Compared with non-flying mammals, bats have lower production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and high levels of antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase. This anti-oxidative vs. oxidative profile may help to explain bat's longer than expected lifespans. The aim of this study was to assess the effect that a significant reduction in flying has on bats leukocytes mitochondrial activity. This was assessed using samples of lymphoid and myeloid cells from peripheral blood from Artibeus jamaicensis bats shortly after capture and up to six weeks after flying deprivation. Mitochondrial membrane potential (Δψm), mitochondrial calcium (mCa2+), and mitochondrial ROS (mROS) were used as key indicators of mitochondrial activity, while total ROS and glucose uptake were used as additional indicators of cell metabolism. Results showed that total ROS and glucose uptake were statistically significantly lower at six weeks of flying deprivation (p < 0.05), in both lymphoid and myeloid cells, however no significant changes in mitochondrial activity associated with flying deprivation was observed (p > 0.05). These results suggest that bat mitochondria are stable to sudden changes in physical activity, at least up to six weeks of flying deprivation. However, decrease in total ROS and glucose uptake in myeloid cells after six weeks of captivity suggest a compensatory mechanism due to the lack of the highly metabolic demands associated with flying.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Javier Sánchez-García
- Laboratorio de Inmunorregulación, Departamento de Inmunología, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | | | - C Angélica Pérez-Hernández
- Laboratorio de Inmunorregulación, Departamento de Inmunología, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - Simon E Kolstoe
- School of Health Sciences, University of Portsmouth, Portsmouth, UK
| | | | - Emilio Rendon-Franco
- Departamento de Producción Agrícola y Animal, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana Unidad Xochimilco, Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - María Maximina Bertha Moreno-Altamirano
- Laboratorio de Inmunorregulación, Departamento de Inmunología, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Ciudad de México, Mexico.
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17
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Mazur FG, Morinisi LM, Martins JO, Guerra PPB, Freire CCM. Exploring Virome Diversity in Public Data in South America as an Approach for Detecting Viral Sources From Potentially Emerging Viruses. Front Genet 2022; 12:722857. [PMID: 35126446 PMCID: PMC8814814 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2021.722857] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2021] [Accepted: 11/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The South American continent presents a great diversity of biomes, whose ecosystems are constantly threatened by the expansion of human activity. The emergence and re-emergence of viral populations with impact on the human population and ecosystem have shown increases in the last decades. In deference to the growing accumulation of genomic data, we explore the potential of South American-related public databases to detect signals that contribute to virosphere research. Therefore, our study aims to investigate public databases with emphasis on the surveillance of viruses with medical and ecological relevance. Herein, we profiled 120 "sequence read archives" metagenomes from 19 independent projects from the last decade. In a coarse view, our analyses identified only 0.38% of the total number of sequences from viruses, showing a higher proportion of RNA viruses. The metagenomes with the most important viral sequences in the analyzed environmental models were 1) aquatic samples from the Amazon River, 2) sewage from Brasilia, and 3) soil from the state of São Paulo, while the models of animal transmission were detected in mosquitoes from Rio Janeiro and Bats from Amazonia. Also, the classification of viral signals into operational taxonomic units (OTUs) (family) allowed us to infer from metadata a probable host range in the virome detected in each sample analyzed. Further, several motifs and viral sequences are related to specific viruses with emergence potential from Togaviridae, Arenaviridae, and Flaviviridae families. In this context, the exploration of public databases allowed us to evaluate the scope and informative capacity of sequences from third-party public databases and to detect signals related to viruses of clinical or environmental importance, which allowed us to infer traits associated with probable transmission routes or signals of ecological disequilibrium. The evaluation of our results showed that in most cases the size and type of the reference database, the percentage of guanine-cytosine (GC), and the length of the query sequences greatly influence the taxonomic classification of the sequences. In sum, our findings describe how the exploration of public genomic data can be exploited as an approach for epidemiological surveillance and the understanding of the virosphere.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Caio C. M. Freire
- Department Genetics and Evolution, UFSCar—Federal University of São Carlos, São Carlos, Brazil
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18
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Evolution of CCR5 and CCR2 Genes in Bats Showed Multiple Independent Gene Conversion Events. Viruses 2022; 14:v14020169. [PMID: 35215768 PMCID: PMC8877049 DOI: 10.3390/v14020169] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2021] [Revised: 01/12/2022] [Accepted: 01/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Chemokine receptors are an important determinant for the infectiousness of different pathogens, which are able to target the host cells by binding to the extracellular domains of these proteins. This is the mechanism of infection of HIV-1, among other concerning human diseases. Over the past years, it has been shown that two chemokine receptors, CCR2 and CCR5, have been shaped by events of gene conversion in different mammalian lineages, which has been linked to a possible selective advantage against pathogens. Here, by taking advantage of available bat genomes, we present the first insight of CCR2 and CCR5 evolution within the Chiroptera order. In total, four independent events of recombination between CCR2 and CCR5 were detected: two in a single species, Miniopterus natalensis; one in two species from the Rhinolophoidea superfamily; and one in four species from the Pteropodidae family. The regions affected by the gene conversions were generally extensive and always encompassed extracellular domains. Overall, we demonstrate that CCR2 and CCR5 have been subject to extensive gene conversion in multiple species of bats. Considering that bats are known to be large reservoirs of virus in nature, these results might indicate that chimeric CCR2-CCR5 genes might grant some bat species a selective advantage against viruses that rely in the extracellular portions of either CCR2 or CCR5 as gateways into the cell.
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19
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Peng O, Wei X, Ashraf U, Hu F, Xia Y, Xu Q, Hu G, Xue C, Cao Y, Zhang H. Genome-wide transcriptome analysis of porcine epidemic diarrhea virus virulent or avirulent strain-infected porcine small intestinal epithelial cells. Virol Sin 2022; 37:70-81. [PMID: 35234615 PMCID: PMC8922430 DOI: 10.1016/j.virs.2022.01.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2021] [Accepted: 01/07/2022] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) is the main cause of diarrhea, vomiting, and mortality in pigs, which results in devastating economic loss to the pig industry around the globe. In recent years, the advent of RNA-sequencing technologies has led to delineate host responses at late stages of PEDV infection; however, the comparative analysis of host responses to early-stage infection of virulent and avirulent PEDV strains is currently unknown. Here, using the BGI DNBSEQ RNA-sequencing, we performed global gene expression profiles of pig intestinal epithelial cells infected with virulent (GDS01) or avirulent (HX) PEDV strains for 3, 6, and 12 h. It was observed that over half of all significantly dysregulated genes in both infection groups exhibited a down-regulated expression pattern. Functional enrichment analyses indicated that the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in the GDS01 group were predominantly related to autophagy and apoptosis, whereas the genes showing the differential expression in the HX group were strongly enriched in immune responses/inflammation. Among the DEGs, the functional association of TLR3 and IFIT2 genes with the HX and GDS01 strains replication was experimentally validated by TLR3 inhibition and IFIT2 overexpression systems in cultured cells. TLR3 expression was found to inhibit HX strain, but not GDS01 strain, replication by enhancing the IFIT2 expression in infected cells. In conclusion, our study highlights similarities and differences in gene expression patterns and cellular processes/pathways altered at the early-stage infection of PEDV virulent and avirulent strains. These findings may provide a foundation for establishing novel therapies to control PEDV infection. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in the GDS01 group were predominantly related to autophagy and apoptosis. DEGs in the HX group were strongly enriched in immune responses/inflammation. TLR3 inhibits HX strain replication, but not GDS01 strain, by enhancing the IFIT2 expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ouyang Peng
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, Life Sciences School, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Xiaona Wei
- Wen's Group Academy, Wen's Foodstuffs Group Co, Ltd, Xinxing, Guangdong, 527400, China
| | - Usama Ashraf
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
| | - Fangyu Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, Life Sciences School, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Yongbo Xia
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, Life Sciences School, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Qiuping Xu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510120, China
| | - Guangli Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, Life Sciences School, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Chunyi Xue
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, Life Sciences School, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Yongchang Cao
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, Life Sciences School, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Hao Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, Life Sciences School, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510006, China.
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20
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Darras KFA, Yusti E, Huang JC, Zemp D, Kartono AP, Wanger TC. Bat point counts: A novel sampling method shines light on flying bat communities. Ecol Evol 2021; 11:17179-17190. [PMID: 34938501 PMCID: PMC8668732 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.8356] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2021] [Revised: 09/14/2021] [Accepted: 10/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Emerging technologies based on the detection of electro-magnetic energy offer promising opportunities for sampling biodiversity. We exploit their potential by showing here how they can be used in bat point counts-a novel method to sample flying bats-to overcome shortcomings of traditional sampling methods, and to maximize sampling coverage and taxonomic resolution of this elusive taxon with minimal sampling bias. We conducted bat point counts with a sampling rig combining a thermal scope to detect bats, an ultrasound recorder to obtain echolocation calls, and a near-infrared camera to capture bat morphology. We identified bats with a dedicated identification key combining acoustic and morphological features, and compared bat point counts with the standard bat sampling methods of mist-netting and automated ultrasound recording in three oil palm plantation sites in Indonesia, over nine survey nights. Based on rarefaction and extrapolation sampling curves, bat point counts were similarly effective but more time-efficient than the established methods for sampling the oil palm species pool in our study. Point counts sampled species that tend to avoid nets and those that are not echolocating, and thus cannot be detected acoustically. We identified some bat sonotypes with near-infrared imagery, and bat point counts revealed strong sampling biases in previous studies using capture-based methods, suggesting similar biases in other regions might exist. Our method should be tested in a wider range of habitats and regions to assess its performance. However, while capture-based methods allow to identify bats with absolute and internal morphometry, and unattended ultrasound recorders can effectively sample echolocating bats, bat point counts are a promising, non-invasive, and potentially competitive new tool for sampling all flying bats without bias and observing their behavior in the wild.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin Felix Arno Darras
- AgroecologyDepartment of Crop SciencesUniversity of GöttingenGöttingenGermany
- Sustainable Agriculture & Technology LabSchool of EngineeringWestlake UniversityHangzhouChina
| | | | | | - Delphine‐Clara Zemp
- Biodiversity, Macroecology and BiogeographyUniversity of GöttingenGöttingenGermany
- Laboratory of Conservation BiologyInstitute of BiologyUniversity of NeuchâtelNeuchâtelSwitzerland
| | - Agus Priyono Kartono
- Department of Forest Resources Conservation and EcotourismFaculty of ForestryIPB UniversityBogorIndonesia
| | - Thomas Cherico Wanger
- Sustainable Agriculture & Technology LabSchool of EngineeringWestlake UniversityHangzhouChina
- Key Laboratory of Coastal Environment and Resources of Zhejiang ProvinceWestlake UniversityHangzhouChina
- GlobalAgroforestryNetwork.orgChina
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21
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Bondet V, Le Baut M, Le Poder S, Lécu A, Petit T, Wedlarski R, Duffy D, Le Roux D. Constitutive IFNα Protein Production in Bats. Front Immunol 2021; 12:735866. [PMID: 34790193 PMCID: PMC8591296 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.735866] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2021] [Accepted: 10/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Bats are the only mammals with self-powered flight and account for 20% of all extant mammalian diversity. In addition, they harbor many emerging and reemerging viruses, including multiple coronaviruses, several of which are highly pathogenic in other mammals, but cause no disease in bats. How this symbiotic relationship between bats and viruses exists is not yet fully understood. Existing evidence supports a specific role for the innate immune system, in particular type I interferon (IFN) responses, a major component of antiviral immunity. Previous studies in bats have shown that components of the IFN pathway are constitutively activated at the transcriptional level. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that the type I IFN response in bats is also constitutively activated at the protein level. For this, we utilized highly sensitive Single Molecule (Simoa) digital ELISA assays, previously developed for humans that we adapted to bat samples. We prospectively sampled four non-native chiroptera species from French zoos. We identified a constitutive expression of IFNα protein in the circulation of healthy bats, and concentrations that are physiologically active in humans. Expression levels differed according to the species examined, but were not associated with age, sex, or health status suggesting constitutive IFNα protein expression independent of disease. These results confirm a unique IFN response in bat species that may explain their ability to coexist with multiple viruses in the absence of pathology. These results may help to manage potential zoonotic viral reservoirs and potentially identify new anti-viral strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vincent Bondet
- Translational Immunology Lab, Institut Pasteur, Université de Paris, Paris, France
| | - Maxime Le Baut
- BioPôle Alfort, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Sophie Le Poder
- BioPôle Alfort, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, Maisons-Alfort, France.,Anses, INRAE, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, UMR VIROLOGIE, Laboratoire de Santé Animale, Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Alexis Lécu
- Parc Zoologique de Paris, Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, Paris, France
| | | | - Rudy Wedlarski
- Bioparc Zoo de Doué La Fontaine, Doué-la-Fontaine, France
| | - Darragh Duffy
- Translational Immunology Lab, Institut Pasteur, Université de Paris, Paris, France
| | - Delphine Le Roux
- BioPôle Alfort, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, Maisons-Alfort, France.,Anses, INRAE, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, UMR BIPAR, Laboratoire de Santé Animale, Maisons-Alfort, France
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22
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Persistence of Multiple Paramyxoviruses in a Closed Captive Colony of Fruit Bats ( Eidolon helvum). Viruses 2021; 13:v13081659. [PMID: 34452523 PMCID: PMC8402880 DOI: 10.3390/v13081659] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2021] [Revised: 08/16/2021] [Accepted: 08/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Bats have been identified as the natural hosts of several emerging zoonotic viruses, including paramyxoviruses, such as Hendra and Nipah viruses, that can cause fatal disease in humans. Recently, African fruit bats with populations that roost in or near urban areas have been shown to harbour a great diversity of paramyxoviruses, posing potential spillover risks to public health. Understanding the circulation of these viruses in their reservoir populations is essential to predict and prevent future emerging diseases. Here, we identify a high incidence of multiple paramyxoviruses in urine samples collected from a closed captive colony of circa 115 straw-coloured fruit bats (Eidolon helvum). The sequences detected have high nucleotide identities with those derived from free ranging African fruit bats and form phylogenetic clusters with the Henipavirus genus, Pararubulavirus genus and other unclassified paramyxoviruses. As this colony had been closed for 5 years prior to this study, these results indicate that within-host paramyxoviral persistence underlies the role of bats as reservoirs of these viruses.
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Mesquita JR. Emerging and Re-Emerging Diseases: Novel Challenges in Today's World or More of the Same? Animals (Basel) 2021; 11:2382. [PMID: 34438840 PMCID: PMC8388704 DOI: 10.3390/ani11082382] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2021] [Accepted: 08/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
More than 61% of all human pathogens are zoonotic, representing 75% of all emerging pathogens during the past decade. Albeit significant technological leaps in diagnostics development and disease surveillance, zoonotic emerging infectious diseases are evermore a matter of concern, particularly in modern days where global warming keeps providing ideal climatic conditions to the introduction of exotic infectious agents or disease vectors in new territories. Worryingly, the 2019 novel coronavirus epidemic acts as an extreme reminder of the role animal reservoirs play in public health, accounting for over 4,200,000 deaths worldwide until today. In this Special Issue, we approach a myriad of zoonotic infectious diseases and their complex mechanisms. This Special Issue is composed of three reviews on zoonotic diseases of African Lions, hemogregarine classification, and hepatitis E virus in Brazil, followed by one letter and one opinion piece that broadens the spectrum of disease emergence to mechanistic aspects of emerging non-communicable diseases. The Special Issue is completed by six research papers covering a wide array of emerging and re-emerging diseases of poultry, bovine, poultry and tortoises, of various nature such as parasitic, bacterial, and viral. This is a brief but assertive collection that showcases the need to address health at the animal-human-environment interface, in a One Health perspective.
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Affiliation(s)
- João R. Mesquita
- Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salar (ICBAS), Universidade do Porto, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal; ; Tel.: +351-220-428-000
- Epidemiology Research Unit (EPIUnit), Instituto de Saúde Pública da Universidade do Porto (ISPUP), 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
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Lazov CM, Belsham GJ, Bøtner A, Rasmussen TB. Full-Genome Sequences of Alphacoronaviruses and Astroviruses from Myotis and Pipistrelle Bats in Denmark. Viruses 2021; 13:1073. [PMID: 34199948 PMCID: PMC8229204 DOI: 10.3390/v13061073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2021] [Revised: 05/28/2021] [Accepted: 06/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Bat species worldwide are receiving increased attention for the discovery of emerging viruses, cross-species transmission, and zoonoses, as well as for characterizing virus infections specific to bats. In a previous study, we investigated the presence of coronaviruses in faecal samples from bats at different locations in Denmark, and made phylogenies based on short, partial ORF1b sequences. In this study, selected samples containing bat coronaviruses from three different bat species were analysed, using a non-targeted approach of next-generation sequencing. From the resulting metagenomics data, we assembled full-genome sequences of seven distinct alphacoronaviruses, three astroviruses, and a polyomavirus, as well as partial genome sequences of rotavirus H and caliciviruses, from the different bat species. Comparisons to published sequences indicate that the bat alphacoronaviruses belong to three different subgenera-i.e., Pedacovirus, Nyctacovirus, and Myotacovirus-that the astroviruses may be new species in the genus Mamastrovirus, and that the polyomavirus could also be a new species, but unassigned to a genus. Furthermore, several viruses of invertebrates-including two Rhopalosiphum padi (aphid) viruses and a Kadipiro virus-present in the faecal material were assembled. Interestingly, this is the first detection in Europe of a Kadipiro virus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christina M. Lazov
- Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark, 2800 Kongens Lyngby, Denmark;
| | - Graham J. Belsham
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 1870 Frederiksberg, Denmark; (G.J.B.); (A.B.)
| | - Anette Bøtner
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 1870 Frederiksberg, Denmark; (G.J.B.); (A.B.)
| | - Thomas Bruun Rasmussen
- Department of Virus and Microbiological Special Diagnostics, Statens Serum Institut, 2300 Copenhagen, Denmark
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25
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Jelinek HF, Mousa M, Alefishat E, Osman W, Spence I, Bu D, Feng SF, Byrd J, Magni PA, Sahibzada S, Tay GK, Alsafar HS. Evolution, Ecology, and Zoonotic Transmission of Betacoronaviruses: A Review. Front Vet Sci 2021; 8:644414. [PMID: 34095271 PMCID: PMC8173069 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2021.644414] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2020] [Accepted: 03/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Coronavirus infections have been a part of the animal kingdom for millennia. The difference emerging in the twenty-first century is that a greater number of novel coronaviruses are being discovered primarily due to more advanced technology and that a greater number can be transmitted to humans, either directly or via an intermediate host. This has a range of effects from annual infections that are mild to full-blown pandemics. This review compares the zoonotic potential and relationship between MERS, SARS-CoV, and SARS-CoV-2. The role of bats as possible host species and possible intermediate hosts including pangolins, civets, mink, birds, and other mammals are discussed with reference to mutations of the viral genome affecting zoonosis. Ecological, social, cultural, and environmental factors that may play a role in zoonotic transmission are considered with reference to SARS-CoV, MERS, and SARS-CoV-2 and possible future zoonotic events.
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Affiliation(s)
- Herbert F. Jelinek
- Center for Biotechnology, Khalifa University of Science and Technology, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering, Khalifa University of Science and Technology, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
- Center of Heath Engineering Innovation, Khalifa University of Science and Technology, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Mira Mousa
- Nuffield Department of Women's and Reproduction Health, Oxford University, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Eman Alefishat
- Center for Biotechnology, Khalifa University of Science and Technology, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Khalifa University of Science and Technology, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
- Department of Biopharmaceutics and Clinical Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, The University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan
| | - Wael Osman
- Department of Chemistry, College of Arts and Sciences, Khalifa University of Science and Technology, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Ian Spence
- Discipline of Pharmacology, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Dengpan Bu
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition, Institute of Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Science, Beijing, China
| | - Samuel F. Feng
- Center for Biotechnology, Khalifa University of Science and Technology, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
- Department of Mathematics, Khalifa University of Science and Technology, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Jason Byrd
- Department of Pathology, Immunology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - Paola A. Magni
- Discipline of Medical, Molecular and Forensic Sciences, Murdoch University, Murdoch, WA, Australia
- Murdoch University Singapore, King's Centre, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Shafi Sahibzada
- Antimicrobial Resistance and Infectious Diseases Laboratory, College of Science, Health, Engineering and Education, Murdoch University, Murdoch, WA, Australia
| | - Guan K. Tay
- Center for Biotechnology, Khalifa University of Science and Technology, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
- Division of Psychiatry, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, Australia
- School of Medical and Health Sciences, Edith Cowan University, Joondalup, WA, Australia
| | - Habiba S. Alsafar
- Center for Biotechnology, Khalifa University of Science and Technology, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering, Khalifa University of Science and Technology, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
- Department of Genetics and Molecular Biology, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Khalifa University of Science and Technology, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
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Shapiro HG, Willcox AS, Ader DR, Willcox EV. Attitudes towards and Relationships with Cave-Roosting Bats in Northwest Cambodia. J ETHNOBIOL 2021. [DOI: 10.2993/0278-0771-41.1.87] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Hannah G. Shapiro
- Department of Forestry, Wildlife and Fisheries, 274 Ellington Plant Sciences, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN 37996
| | - Adam S. Willcox
- Department of Forestry, Wildlife and Fisheries, 274 Ellington Plant Sciences, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN 37996
| | - David R. Ader
- Smith Center for International Sustainable Agriculture, 101 McCord Hall, Knoxville, TN 37996
| | - Emma V. Willcox
- Department of Forestry, Wildlife and Fisheries, 274 Ellington Plant Sciences, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN 37996
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27
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Ong OTW, Skinner EB, Johnson BJ, Old JM. Mosquito-Borne Viruses and Non-Human Vertebrates in Australia: A Review. Viruses 2021; 13:265. [PMID: 33572234 PMCID: PMC7915788 DOI: 10.3390/v13020265] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2020] [Revised: 02/02/2021] [Accepted: 02/03/2021] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Mosquito-borne viruses are well recognized as a global public health burden amongst humans, but the effects on non-human vertebrates is rarely reported. Australia, houses a number of endemic mosquito-borne viruses, such as Ross River virus, Barmah Forest virus, and Murray Valley encephalitis virus. In this review, we synthesize the current state of mosquito-borne viruses impacting non-human vertebrates in Australia, including diseases that could be introduced due to local mosquito distribution. Given the unique island biogeography of Australia and the endemism of vertebrate species (including macropods and monotremes), Australia is highly susceptible to foreign mosquito species becoming established, and mosquito-borne viruses becoming endemic alongside novel reservoirs. For each virus, we summarize the known geographic distribution, mosquito vectors, vertebrate hosts, clinical signs and treatments, and highlight the importance of including non-human vertebrates in the assessment of future disease outbreaks. The mosquito-borne viruses discussed can impact wildlife, livestock, and companion animals, causing significant changes to Australian ecology and economy. The complex nature of mosquito-borne disease, and challenges in assessing the impacts to non-human vertebrate species, makes this an important topic to periodically review.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oselyne T. W. Ong
- Children’s Medical Research Institute, Westmead, NSW 2145, Australia;
- Mosquito Control Laboratory, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Herston, QLD 4006, Australia;
| | - Eloise B. Skinner
- Environmental Futures Research Institute, Griffith University, Gold Coast, QLD 4222, Australia;
- Biology Department, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Brian J. Johnson
- Mosquito Control Laboratory, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Herston, QLD 4006, Australia;
| | - Julie M. Old
- School of Science, Western Sydney University, Hawkesbury, Locked bag 1797, Penrith, NSW 2751, Australia
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28
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Biodiversity loss and COVID-19 pandemic: The role of bats in the origin and the spreading of the disease. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2021; 538:2-13. [PMID: 33092787 PMCID: PMC7566801 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2020.10.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2020] [Accepted: 10/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The loss of biodiversity in the ecosystems has created the general conditions that have favored and, in fact, made possible, the insurgence of the COVID-19 pandemic. A lot of factors have contributed to it: deforestation, changes in forest habitats, poorly regulated agricultural surfaces, mismanaged urban growth. They have altered the composition of wildlife communities, greatly increased the contacts of humans with wildlife, and altered niches that harbor pathogens, increasing their chances to come in contact with humans. Among the wildlife, bats have adapted easily to anthropized environments such as houses, barns, cultivated fields, orchards, where they found the suitable ecosystem to prosper. Bats are major hosts for αCoV and βCoV: evolution has shaped their peculiar physiology and their immune system in a way that makes them resistant to viral pathogens that would instead successfully attack other species, including humans. In time, the coronaviruses that bats host as reservoirs have undergone recombination and other modifications that have increased their ability for inter-species transmission: one modification of particular importance has been the development of the ability to use ACE2 as a receptor in host cells. This particular development in CoVs has been responsible for the serious outbreaks in the last two decades, and for the present COVID-19 pandemic.
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29
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Kangabam R, Sahoo S, Ghosh A, Roy R, Silla Y, Misra N, Suar M. Next-generation computational tools and resources for coronavirus research: From detection to vaccine discovery. Comput Biol Med 2021; 128:104158. [PMID: 33301953 PMCID: PMC7705366 DOI: 10.1016/j.compbiomed.2020.104158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2020] [Revised: 11/25/2020] [Accepted: 11/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has affected 215 countries and territories around the world with 60,187,347 coronavirus cases and 17,125,719 currently infected patients confirmed as of the November 25, 2020. Currently, many countries are working on developing new vaccines and therapeutic drugs for this novel virus strain, and a few of them are in different phases of clinical trials. The advancement in high-throughput sequence technologies, along with the application of bioinformatics, offers invaluable knowledge on genomic characterization and molecular pathogenesis of coronaviruses. Recent multi-disciplinary studies using bioinformatics methods like sequence-similarity, phylogenomic, and computational structural biology have provided an in-depth understanding of the molecular and biochemical basis of infection, atomic-level recognition of the viral-host receptor interaction, functional annotation of important viral proteins, and evolutionary divergence across different strains. Additionally, various modern immunoinformatic approaches are also being used to target the most promiscuous antigenic epitopes from the SARS-CoV-2 proteome for accelerating the vaccine development process. In this review, we summarize various important computational tools and databases available for systematic sequence-structural study on coronaviruses. The features of these public resources have been comprehensively discussed, which may help experimental biologists with predictive insights useful for ongoing research efforts to find therapeutics against the infectious COVID-19 disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rajiv Kangabam
- KIIT-Technology Business Incubator (KIIT-TBI), Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT), Deemed to Be University, Bhubaneswar, 751024, India
| | - Susrita Sahoo
- School of Biotechnology, Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT), Deemed to Be University, Bhubaneswar, 751024, India
| | - Arpan Ghosh
- KIIT-Technology Business Incubator (KIIT-TBI), Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT), Deemed to Be University, Bhubaneswar, 751024, India; School of Biotechnology, Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT), Deemed to Be University, Bhubaneswar, 751024, India
| | - Riya Roy
- KIIT-Technology Business Incubator (KIIT-TBI), Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT), Deemed to Be University, Bhubaneswar, 751024, India
| | - Yumnam Silla
- Advanced Computation and Data Sciences Division, CSIR-North East Institute of Science and Technology (CSIR-NEIST), Jorhat, 785006, India
| | - Namrata Misra
- KIIT-Technology Business Incubator (KIIT-TBI), Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT), Deemed to Be University, Bhubaneswar, 751024, India; School of Biotechnology, Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT), Deemed to Be University, Bhubaneswar, 751024, India
| | - Mrutyunjay Suar
- KIIT-Technology Business Incubator (KIIT-TBI), Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT), Deemed to Be University, Bhubaneswar, 751024, India; School of Biotechnology, Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT), Deemed to Be University, Bhubaneswar, 751024, India.
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30
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da Silva PG, Mesquita JR, de São José Nascimento M, Ferreira VAM. Viral, host and environmental factors that favor anthropozoonotic spillover of coronaviruses: An opinionated review, focusing on SARS-CoV, MERS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 750:141483. [PMID: 32829257 PMCID: PMC7405882 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.141483] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2020] [Revised: 07/31/2020] [Accepted: 08/03/2020] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
Environmental factors play a key role in the zoonotic transmission of emerging pathogenic viruses as mankind is constantly disturbing wildlife's ecosystems usually by cutting down forests to build human settlements or by catching wild animals for food, which deprives the viruses of their natural hosts and gives them opportunity to infect humans. In December 2019, a new coronavirus emerged from bats and was named SARS-CoV-2 by the International Committee for Taxonomy of Viruses, and the disease it causes named COVID-19 by the World Health Organization. Disease outbreaks such as SARS in 2002-2003, MERS in 2012 and the current COVID-19 pandemic are the result of higher mutation rates of coronaviruses and their unique capacity for genetic recombination, resulting in adaptations that make them more suitable to cross the species barriers and infect other species. This ability for host switching and interspecies infection is often attributed to the great diversity of these viruses, which is a result of viral and host factors such as the low fidelity of their RNA-dependent RNA polymerase, the high frequency of their homologous RNA recombination, and the adaptation of the S protein to bind host receptors like the angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) in the case of SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2, and dipeptidyl peptidase 4 (DDP4) in MERS-CoV. This review presents an overview of the zoonotic transmission of SARS, MERS and COVID-19, focusing on the viral, host and environmental factors that favor the spillover of these viruses into humans, as well as the biological and ecological factors that make bats the perfect animal reservoir of infection for these viruses.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - João Rodrigo Mesquita
- Abel Salazar Institute of Biomedical Sciences (ICBAS), University of Porto, Porto, Portugal; Epidemiology Research Unit (EPIUnit), Institute of Public Health, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Maria de São José Nascimento
- Epidemiology Research Unit (EPIUnit), Institute of Public Health, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal; Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto (FFUP), Porto, Portugal
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31
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Louis-Jean J, Cenat K, Njoku CV, Angelo J, Sanon D. Coronavirus (COVID-19) and Racial Disparities: a Perspective Analysis. J Racial Ethn Health Disparities 2020; 7:1039-1045. [PMID: 33025419 PMCID: PMC7537778 DOI: 10.1007/s40615-020-00879-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2020] [Revised: 09/15/2020] [Accepted: 09/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Health disparity refers to systematic differences in health outcomes between groups and communities based on socioeconomic isolation. In the USA, health disparities among minority groups, especially African Americans, limit their access to quality medical care and other beneficial resources and services. Presently, the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) highlights the extreme healthcare challenges that exist in the African American and other minority communities in the USA. African Americans are dying at a rate nearly four times higher than the national average. With inadequate access to quality healthcare, viable resources, and information, COVID-19 will continue to have a disastrous effect on African American communities. This communication provides a brief overview of the health inequalities resulting in African Americans dying disproportionately during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Chidinma V Njoku
- Nevada Division of Public and Behavioral Health, Carson City, NV, USA
| | - James Angelo
- Florida International University, Miami, FL, USA
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32
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Shen Z, Zhang G, Yang Y, Li M, Yang S, Peng G. Lysine 164 is critical for SARS-CoV-2 Nsp1 inhibition of host gene expression. J Gen Virol 2020; 102. [PMID: 33151142 PMCID: PMC8116783 DOI: 10.1099/jgv.0.001513] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The emerging pathogen severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has caused social and economic disruption worldwide, infecting over 9.0 million people and killing over 469 000 by 24 June 2020. Unfortunately, no vaccine or antiviral drug that completely eliminates the transmissible disease coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has been developed to date. Given that coronavirus nonstructural protein 1 (nsp1) is a good target for attenuated vaccines, it is of great significance to explore the detailed characteristics of SARS-CoV-2 nsp1. Here, we first confirmed that SARS-CoV-2 nsp1 had a conserved function similar to that of SARS-CoV nsp1 in inhibiting host-protein synthesis and showed greater inhibition efficiency, as revealed by ribopuromycylation and Renilla luciferase (Rluc) reporter assays. Specifically, bioinformatics and biochemical experiments showed that by interacting with 40S ribosomal subunit, the lysine located at amino acid 164 (K164) was the key residue that enabled SARS-CoV-2 nsp1 to suppress host gene expression. Furthermore, as an inhibitor of host-protein expression, SARS-CoV-2 nsp1 contributed to cell-cycle arrest in G0/G1 phase, which might provide a favourable environment for virus production. Taken together, this research uncovered the detailed mechanism by which SARS-CoV-2 nsp1 K164 inhibited host gene expression, laying the foundation for the development of attenuated vaccines based on nsp1 modification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhou Shen
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, PR China
- Key Laboratory of Preventive Veterinary Medicine in Hubei Province, The Cooperative Innovation Center for Sustainable Pig Production, PR China
| | - Guangxu Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, PR China
| | - Yilin Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, PR China
- Key Laboratory of Preventive Veterinary Medicine in Hubei Province, The Cooperative Innovation Center for Sustainable Pig Production, PR China
| | - Mengxia Li
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, PR China
- Key Laboratory of Preventive Veterinary Medicine in Hubei Province, The Cooperative Innovation Center for Sustainable Pig Production, PR China
| | - Siqi Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, PR China
| | - Guiqing Peng
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, PR China
- Key Laboratory of Preventive Veterinary Medicine in Hubei Province, The Cooperative Innovation Center for Sustainable Pig Production, PR China
- *Correspondence: Guiqing Peng,
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33
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Povolyaeva O, Chalenko Y, Kalinin E, Kolbasova O, Pivova E, Kolbasov D, Yurkov S, Ermolaeva S. Listeria monocytogenes Infection of Bat Pipistrellus nathusii Epithelial cells Depends on the Invasion Factors InlA and InlB. Pathogens 2020; 9:pathogens9110867. [PMID: 33105852 PMCID: PMC7690591 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens9110867] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2020] [Revised: 10/20/2020] [Accepted: 10/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
L. monocytogenes is a widespread facultative intracellular pathogen. The range of natural hosts that supporting L. monocytogenes persistence in the environment has not been fully established yet. In this study, we were interested in the potential of L. monocytogenes to infect cells of bats, which are being increasingly recognized as a reservoir for microorganisms that are pathogenic to humans and domestic animals. A stable epithelial cell line was developed from the kidneys of Pipistrellus nathusii, a small bat widely distributed across Europe. The wild-type L. monocytogenes strain EGDe infected this cell line with an invasion efficiency of 0.0078 ± 0.0009%. Once it entered bat cells, L. monocytogenes doubled within about 70 min. When L. monocytogenes lacked either of the major invasion factors, InlA and InlB, invasion efficiency decreased by a factor of 10 and 25 respectively (p < 0.000001). The obtained results suggest that bat epithelial cells are susceptible to L. monocytogenes infection and that L. monocytogenes invasion of bat cells depends on the major invasion factors InlA and InlB. These results constitute the first report on in vitro studies of L. monocytogenes infection in bats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olga Povolyaeva
- Federal Research Center for Virology and Microbiology (FRCVM), 601125 Volginsky, Russia; (O.P.); (O.K.); (E.P.); (D.K.); (S.Y.)
| | - Yaroslava Chalenko
- Federal Research Center for Virology and Microbiology (FRCVM), Nizhny Novgorod Research Veterinary Institute Branch, Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology, 603022 Nizhny Novgorod, Russia;
- Gamaleya Research Center of Epidemiology and Microbiology, Laboratory of Ecology of Pathogenic Bacteria, 123098 Moscow, Russia;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +7-92-5936-7317
| | - Egor Kalinin
- Gamaleya Research Center of Epidemiology and Microbiology, Laboratory of Ecology of Pathogenic Bacteria, 123098 Moscow, Russia;
| | - Olga Kolbasova
- Federal Research Center for Virology and Microbiology (FRCVM), 601125 Volginsky, Russia; (O.P.); (O.K.); (E.P.); (D.K.); (S.Y.)
| | - Elena Pivova
- Federal Research Center for Virology and Microbiology (FRCVM), 601125 Volginsky, Russia; (O.P.); (O.K.); (E.P.); (D.K.); (S.Y.)
| | - Denis Kolbasov
- Federal Research Center for Virology and Microbiology (FRCVM), 601125 Volginsky, Russia; (O.P.); (O.K.); (E.P.); (D.K.); (S.Y.)
| | - Sergey Yurkov
- Federal Research Center for Virology and Microbiology (FRCVM), 601125 Volginsky, Russia; (O.P.); (O.K.); (E.P.); (D.K.); (S.Y.)
| | - Svetlana Ermolaeva
- Federal Research Center for Virology and Microbiology (FRCVM), Nizhny Novgorod Research Veterinary Institute Branch, Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology, 603022 Nizhny Novgorod, Russia;
- Gamaleya Research Center of Epidemiology and Microbiology, Laboratory of Ecology of Pathogenic Bacteria, 123098 Moscow, Russia;
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Olival KJ, Cryan PM, Amman BR, Baric RS, Blehert DS, Brook CE, Calisher CH, Castle KT, Coleman JTH, Daszak P, Epstein JH, Field H, Frick WF, Gilbert AT, Hayman DTS, Ip HS, Karesh WB, Johnson CK, Kading RC, Kingston T, Lorch JM, Mendenhall IH, Peel AJ, Phelps KL, Plowright RK, Reeder DM, Reichard JD, Sleeman JM, Streicker DG, Towner JS, Wang LF. Possibility for reverse zoonotic transmission of SARS-CoV-2 to free-ranging wildlife: A case study of bats. PLoS Pathog 2020; 16:e1008758. [PMID: 32881980 PMCID: PMC7470399 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1008758] [Citation(s) in RCA: 99] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic highlights the substantial public health, economic, and societal consequences of virus spillover from a wildlife reservoir. Widespread human transmission of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) also presents a new set of challenges when considering viral spillover from people to naïve wildlife and other animal populations. The establishment of new wildlife reservoirs for SARS-CoV-2 would further complicate public health control measures and could lead to wildlife health and conservation impacts. Given the likely bat origin of SARS-CoV-2 and related beta-coronaviruses (β-CoVs), free-ranging bats are a key group of concern for spillover from humans back to wildlife. Here, we review the diversity and natural host range of β-CoVs in bats and examine the risk of humans inadvertently infecting free-ranging bats with SARS-CoV-2. Our review of the global distribution and host range of β-CoV evolutionary lineages suggests that 40+ species of temperate-zone North American bats could be immunologically naïve and susceptible to infection by SARS-CoV-2. We highlight an urgent need to proactively connect the wellbeing of human and wildlife health during the current pandemic and to implement new tools to continue wildlife research while avoiding potentially severe health and conservation impacts of SARS-CoV-2 "spilling back" into free-ranging bat populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin J. Olival
- EcoHealth Alliance, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - Paul M. Cryan
- US Geological Survey, Fort Collins Science Center, Ft. Collins, Colorado, United States of America
| | - Brian R. Amman
- US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Ralph S. Baric
- Department of Epidemiology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - David S. Blehert
- US Geological Survey, National Wildlife Health Center, Madison, Wisconsin, United States of America
| | - Cara E. Brook
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, California, United States of America
| | - Charles H. Calisher
- Arthropod-borne and Infectious Diseases Laboratory, Department of Microbiology, Immunology & Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Ft. Collins, Colorado, United States of America
| | - Kevin T. Castle
- Wildlife Veterinary Consulting, Livermore, Colorado, United States of America
| | | | - Peter Daszak
- EcoHealth Alliance, New York, New York, United States of America
| | | | - Hume Field
- EcoHealth Alliance, New York, New York, United States of America
- Bat Conservation International, Austin, Texas, United States of America
| | - Winifred F. Frick
- School of Veterinary Science, University of Queensland, Gatton, Queensland, Australia
- Department of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology, University of California Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, California, United States of America
| | - Amy T. Gilbert
- US Department of Agriculture, National Wildlife Research Center, Ft. Collins, Colorado, United States of America
| | - David T. S. Hayman
- School of Veterinary Science, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand
| | - Hon S. Ip
- US Geological Survey, National Wildlife Health Center, Madison, Wisconsin, United States of America
| | | | - Christine K. Johnson
- One Health Institute, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California Davis, Davis, California, United States of America
| | - Rebekah C. Kading
- Arthropod-borne and Infectious Diseases Laboratory, Department of Microbiology, Immunology & Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Ft. Collins, Colorado, United States of America
| | - Tigga Kingston
- Department of Biological Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas, United States of America
| | - Jeffrey M. Lorch
- US Geological Survey, National Wildlife Health Center, Madison, Wisconsin, United States of America
| | - Ian H. Mendenhall
- Programme in Emerging Infectious Diseases, Duke-National University of Singapore Medical School, Singapore
| | - Alison J. Peel
- Environmental Futures Research Institute, Griffith University, Nathan, Australia
| | - Kendra L. Phelps
- EcoHealth Alliance, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - Raina K. Plowright
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Montana State University, Bozeman, Montana, United States of America
| | - DeeAnn M. Reeder
- Department of Biology, Bucknell University, Lewisburg, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | | | - Jonathan M. Sleeman
- US Geological Survey, National Wildlife Health Center, Madison, Wisconsin, United States of America
| | - Daniel G. Streicker
- Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health & Comparative Medicine, University of Glasgow, Scotland, United Kingdom
- MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research, Glasgow, Scotland, United Kingdom
| | - Jonathan S. Towner
- US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Lin-Fa Wang
- Programme in Emerging Infectious Diseases, Duke-National University of Singapore Medical School, Singapore
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Low Incidence and Mortality from SARS-CoV-2 in Southern Europe. Proposal of a hypothesis for Arthropod borne Herd immunity. Med Hypotheses 2020; 143:110121. [PMID: 32759006 PMCID: PMC7375308 DOI: 10.1016/j.mehy.2020.110121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2020] [Accepted: 07/16/2020] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2 incidence and mortality in Europe have shown wide variation. Northern Italy in particular the Lombardy region, north-eastern French regions, Switzerland and Belgium were amongst the hardest hit, while the central and southern Italian regions, all the Balkan countries from Slovenia to Greece and the Islands of Malta and Cyprus had much fewer cases and deaths per capita, and deaths per number of cases. Differences in public health measures, and health care delivery, in the author’s opinion, can only partly explain the difference. The geographical distribution of Phlebotomus sand-flies and the relative distribution of arthropod borne diseases Leishmaniasis and Phlebovirus infections especially the Sicilian Sandfly fever group corresponds to most areas of low prevalence of SARS-CoV-2. A hypothesis is proposed whereby repeated arthropod or sandfly vector infection of humans by novel viruses of zoonotic origins carrying bat or mammalian RNA/DNA, such as phleboviruses may have resulted in the development of an effective evolutionary immune response to most novel zoonotic viruses such as SARS-CoV-2 by means of survival of the fittest possibly over many generations. This process probably ran in parallel and concurrent with the progressive evolution of novel coronaviruses which spread from one mammalian species to another. Other possible, but less likely mechanisms for the role of sandfly meals within a much shorter time frame may have led to, (i) previous exposure and infection of humans with the SARS-Cov-2 virus itself, or a closely related corona virus in the previous decades, or (ii) exposure of human populations to parts coronavirus protein namely either S or more likely N protein carried mechanically by arthropods, but without clinical disease causing direct immunity or (iii) by causing infection with other arthropod borne viruses which could carry bat DNA/RNA and have similar functional proteins resulting in an immediate cross-reactive immune response rather than by natural selection. The Evidence possibly supporting or disputing this hypothesis is reviewed, however the major problem with the hypothesis is that to date no coronavirus has ever been isolated from arthropods. Such a hypothesis can only be supported by research investigating the possible biological relationship of arthropods and coronaviruses where paradoxically they may be promoting immunity rather than disease.
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Aftab SO, Ghouri MZ, Masood MU, Haider Z, Khan Z, Ahmad A, Munawar N. Analysis of SARS-CoV-2 RNA-dependent RNA polymerase as a potential therapeutic drug target using a computational approach. J Transl Med 2020; 18:275. [PMID: 32635935 PMCID: PMC7339606 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-020-02439-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 111] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2020] [Accepted: 06/25/2020] [Indexed: 02/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The Severe acute respiratory syndrome-related coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) outbreak originating in Wuhan, China, has raised global health concerns and the pandemic has now been reported on all inhabited continents. Hitherto, no antiviral drug is available to combat this viral outbreak. Methods Keeping in mind the urgency of the situation, the current study was designed to devise new strategies for drug discovery and/or repositioning against SARS-CoV-2. In the current study, RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp), which regulates viral replication, is proposed as a potential therapeutic target to inhibit viral infection. Results Evolutionary studies of whole-genome sequences of SARS-CoV-2 represent high similarity (> 90%) with other SARS viruses. Targeting the RdRp active sites, ASP760 and ASP761, by antiviral drugs could be a potential therapeutic option for inhibition of coronavirus RdRp, and thus viral replication. Target-based virtual screening and molecular docking results show that the antiviral Galidesivir and its structurally similar compounds have shown promise against SARS-CoV-2. Conclusions The anti-polymerase drugs predicted here—CID123624208 and CID11687749—may be considered for in vitro and in vivo clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Syed Ovais Aftab
- Center of Agricultural Biochemistry and Biotechnology (CABB), University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan.,Center for Advanced Studies in Agriculture and Food Security (CAS-AFS), University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Zubair Ghouri
- Center of Agricultural Biochemistry and Biotechnology (CABB), University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan. .,Center for Advanced Studies in Agriculture and Food Security (CAS-AFS), University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan.
| | - Muhammad Umer Masood
- Center of Agricultural Biochemistry and Biotechnology (CABB), University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan
| | - Zeshan Haider
- Center of Agricultural Biochemistry and Biotechnology (CABB), University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan
| | - Zulqurnain Khan
- Institute of Plant Breeding and Biotechnology, MNS University of Agriculture, Multan, Pakistan
| | - Aftab Ahmad
- Center for Advanced Studies in Agriculture and Food Security (CAS-AFS), University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan. .,Department of Biochemistry, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan.
| | - Nayla Munawar
- Department of Chemistry, United Arab Emirates University, Al-Ain, UAE
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Aftab SO, Ghouri MZ, Masood MU, Haider Z, Khan Z, Ahmad A, Munawar N. Analysis of SARS-CoV-2 RNA-dependent RNA polymerase as a potential therapeutic drug target using a computational approach. J Transl Med 2020. [DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12967-020-02439-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
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Aftab SO, Ghouri MZ, Masood MU, Haider Z, Khan Z, Ahmad A, Munawar N. Analysis of SARS-CoV-2 RNA-dependent RNA polymerase as a potential therapeutic drug target using a computational approach. J Transl Med 2020. [PMID: 32635935 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-020-02439-0/figures/9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/10/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The Severe acute respiratory syndrome-related coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) outbreak originating in Wuhan, China, has raised global health concerns and the pandemic has now been reported on all inhabited continents. Hitherto, no antiviral drug is available to combat this viral outbreak. METHODS Keeping in mind the urgency of the situation, the current study was designed to devise new strategies for drug discovery and/or repositioning against SARS-CoV-2. In the current study, RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp), which regulates viral replication, is proposed as a potential therapeutic target to inhibit viral infection. RESULTS Evolutionary studies of whole-genome sequences of SARS-CoV-2 represent high similarity (> 90%) with other SARS viruses. Targeting the RdRp active sites, ASP760 and ASP761, by antiviral drugs could be a potential therapeutic option for inhibition of coronavirus RdRp, and thus viral replication. Target-based virtual screening and molecular docking results show that the antiviral Galidesivir and its structurally similar compounds have shown promise against SARS-CoV-2. CONCLUSIONS The anti-polymerase drugs predicted here-CID123624208 and CID11687749-may be considered for in vitro and in vivo clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Syed Ovais Aftab
- Center of Agricultural Biochemistry and Biotechnology (CABB), University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan
- Center for Advanced Studies in Agriculture and Food Security (CAS-AFS), University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Zubair Ghouri
- Center of Agricultural Biochemistry and Biotechnology (CABB), University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan.
- Center for Advanced Studies in Agriculture and Food Security (CAS-AFS), University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan.
| | - Muhammad Umer Masood
- Center of Agricultural Biochemistry and Biotechnology (CABB), University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan
| | - Zeshan Haider
- Center of Agricultural Biochemistry and Biotechnology (CABB), University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan
| | - Zulqurnain Khan
- Institute of Plant Breeding and Biotechnology, MNS University of Agriculture, Multan, Pakistan
| | - Aftab Ahmad
- Center for Advanced Studies in Agriculture and Food Security (CAS-AFS), University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan.
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan.
| | - Nayla Munawar
- Department of Chemistry, United Arab Emirates University, Al-Ain, UAE
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The Epidemiological Characteristics of the Korean Bat Paramyxovirus between 2016 and 2019. Microorganisms 2020; 8:microorganisms8060844. [PMID: 32512880 PMCID: PMC7356101 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms8060844] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2020] [Revised: 06/02/2020] [Accepted: 06/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Bats are considered reservoirs of severe emerging human pathogens. Notably, bats host major mammalian paramyxoviruses from the family Paramyxoviridae, order Mononegavirales. In this study, paramyxoviruses were investigated by reverse transcription semi-nested polymerase chain reaction (RT-semi-nested PCR) and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), based on the RT-semi-nested PCR using the consensus paramyxovirus primers targeting the RNA dependent-RNA-polymerase (RdRp) region. In addition, RT-PCR was performed using newly designed primers targeting regions of the fusion protein (F) and hemagglutinin-neuraminidase (HN). The dominant bat species in the collection site of paramyxoviruses were Miniopterus schreibersii, Myotis macrodactylus, Myotis petax, and Rhinolophus ferrumequinum. Paramyxoviruses were detected in four samples in 2016 and six in 2019. Meanwhile, in samples collected in 2017 and 2018, no paramyxoviruses were detected. Phylogenetic analysis based on the partial nucleotide sequences of RdRp, F, and HN proteins suggested that the viruses belonged to the proposed genus Shaanvirus. In conclusion, this study revealed that bat paramyxoviruses in Korea belonged to a single genus and circulated sporadically in several provinces, including Chungbuk, Gangwon, Jeju, and Jeonnam.
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40
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Affiliation(s)
- Bassam Khoury
- Department of Educational and Counselling Psychology, McGill University, Quebec, Canada
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41
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James S, Donato D, de Thoisy B, Lavergne A, Lacoste V. Novel herpesviruses in neotropical bats and their relationship with other members of the Herpesviridae family. INFECTION GENETICS AND EVOLUTION 2020; 84:104367. [PMID: 32450245 PMCID: PMC7244429 DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2020.104367] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2019] [Revised: 05/12/2020] [Accepted: 05/13/2020] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
In the past decade, a large number of studies have detected herpesvirus sequences from many bat species around the world. Nevertheless, the discovery of bat herpesviruses is geographically uneven. Of the various bat species tested to date, only a few were from the New World. Seeking to investigate the distribution and diversity of herpesviruses circulating in neotropical bats, we carried out molecular screening of 195 blood DNA samples from 11 species of three bat families (Phyllostomidae, Mormoopidae, and Molossidae). Using polymerase chain reaction amplification, with degenerate consensus primers targeting highly conserved amino acid motifs of the herpesvirus DNA polymerase and Glycoprotein B genes, we characterized novel viral sequences from all tested species. BLAST searches, pairwise nucleotide and amino acid sequence comparisons, as well as phylogenetic analyses confirmed that they all belonged to the Herpesviridae family, of the Beta- and Gammaherpesvirinae subfamilies. Fourteen partial DNA polymerase gene sequences, of which three beta- and 11 gamma-herpesviruses, were detected. A total of 12 partial Glycoprotein B gene sequences, all gamma-herpesviruses, were characterized. Every sequence was specific to a bat species and in some species (Desmodus rotundus, Carollia perspicillata, and Pteronotus rubiginosus) multiple viruses were found. Phylogenetic analyses of beta- and gammaherpesvirus sequences led to the identification of bat-specific clades. Those composed of sequences obtained from different bat species belonging to distinct subfamilies follow the taxonomy of bats. This study confirms the astonishing diversity of bat herpesviruses and broadens our knowledge of their host range. Nevertheless, it also emphasizes the fact that, to better appreciate the evolutionary history of these viruses, much remains to be done at various taxonomic levels. Molecular screening was carried out on 11 bat species from French Guiana and Martinique (French West Indies). Partial DNA polymerase gene sequences of 14 viruses were characterized as well as 12 Glycoprotein B sequences. Genetic characterization of these sequences reveals a high degree of genetic divergence. Phylogenetically, most of the newly discovered sequences fall within bat-specific clades well correlated with the taxonomy of their hosts. This study is the largest conducted to date in terms of species diversity from the New World.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samantha James
- Laboratoire des Interactions Virus-Hôtes, Institut Pasteur de la Guyane, Cayenne, French Guiana; Université de la Guyane, Ecole doctorale 587 "Diversités, Santé et Développement en Amazonie", Cayenne, French Guiana
| | - Damien Donato
- Laboratoire des Interactions Virus-Hôtes, Institut Pasteur de la Guyane, Cayenne, French Guiana
| | - Benoît de Thoisy
- Laboratoire des Interactions Virus-Hôtes, Institut Pasteur de la Guyane, Cayenne, French Guiana; Université de la Guyane, Ecole doctorale 587 "Diversités, Santé et Développement en Amazonie", Cayenne, French Guiana
| | - Anne Lavergne
- Laboratoire des Interactions Virus-Hôtes, Institut Pasteur de la Guyane, Cayenne, French Guiana; Université de la Guyane, Ecole doctorale 587 "Diversités, Santé et Développement en Amazonie", Cayenne, French Guiana
| | - Vincent Lacoste
- Laboratoire des Interactions Virus-Hôtes, Institut Pasteur de la Guyane, Cayenne, French Guiana; Université de la Guyane, Ecole doctorale 587 "Diversités, Santé et Développement en Amazonie", Cayenne, French Guiana; Département de Virologie, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France; Unité de Biologie des Infections Virales Emergentes, Centre International de Recherche en Infectiologie, Institut Pasteur, Lyon, France.
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Nahar N, Asaduzzaman M, Mandal UK, Rimi NA, Gurley ES, Rahman M, Garcia F, Zimicki S, Sultana R, Luby SP. Hunting Bats for Human Consumption in Bangladesh. ECOHEALTH 2020; 17:139-151. [PMID: 31989365 DOI: 10.1007/s10393-020-01468-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2019] [Revised: 11/01/2019] [Accepted: 12/04/2019] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
Bats are important wildlife to their ecologic system, but they are also a zoonotic disease reservoir. Close bat-human interaction can lead to pathogen spillover. We conducted a qualitative study in two districts of Bangladesh and interviewed 30 bat hunters who hunt bats primarily for consumption, to understand the process and their reasons for hunting bats and their perceptions about bats and bat-borne disease. Most hunters catch bats during winter nights, using a net. Bat meat is used for household consumption, and the surplus is sold to cover household expenditures. They prepare the bat meat at home to sell it in their own and in neighboring communities. They also sell live bats to traditional healers. They report that the bat population has declined compared with 5 or 10 years ago, a decline they attribute to hunting and deforestation. Many have heard of a disease from bat-contaminated date palm sap but do not believe that bats can spread such disease to humans. Close bat-human interaction reported in this study pose a risk of pathogen spillover. Conservation initiatives have the potential to reduce such interaction and so both reduce disease risk and support the ecology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nazmun Nahar
- icddr,b, 68, Shaheed Tajuddin Ahmed Sharani, Mohakhali, Dhaka, 1212, Bangladesh.
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland.
- University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.
| | | | - Utpal Kumar Mandal
- icddr,b, 68, Shaheed Tajuddin Ahmed Sharani, Mohakhali, Dhaka, 1212, Bangladesh
| | - Nadia Ali Rimi
- icddr,b, 68, Shaheed Tajuddin Ahmed Sharani, Mohakhali, Dhaka, 1212, Bangladesh
| | - Emily S Gurley
- icddr,b, 68, Shaheed Tajuddin Ahmed Sharani, Mohakhali, Dhaka, 1212, Bangladesh
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Mahmudur Rahman
- Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research (IEDCR), Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | | | | | - Rebeca Sultana
- icddr,b, 68, Shaheed Tajuddin Ahmed Sharani, Mohakhali, Dhaka, 1212, Bangladesh
- Section for Global Health, Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Institute of Health Economics, University of Dhaka, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Stephen P Luby
- Infectious Diseases and Geographic Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
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Bats. HUNTER'S TROPICAL MEDICINE AND EMERGING INFECTIOUS DISEASES 2020. [PMCID: PMC7152214 DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-323-55512-8.00140-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
The 1100 species of bats constitute 20% of all mammalian species, distributed in all continents except Antarctica. The only mammals capable of self-powered flying, many can catch insects in complete darkness, using sophisticated echolocation. They are ecologically important in controlling insects, pollinating fruit trees, distributing seeds, and are widely eaten. Many viruses, bacteria, fungi, and parasites have been isolated from bats. In some cases, direct bat-to-human transmission has been confirmed. Lyssavirus infections transmissible to humans by bats include classic rabies, Duvenhage, European bat lyssaviruses, and Australian bat lyssavirus. Vampire bats (Desmodontinae) transmit classic rabies to humans and domestic animals in Latin America. Insectivorous and frugivorous bats are vectors or reservoirs of at least five Lyssaviruses species, Filoviruses (Ebola and Marburg), Henipaviruses (Hendra and Nipah), and some other viruses, bacteria, and fungi. Bat-transmitted rabies infections can be prevented by vaccination. Vampire bat rabies can be controlled by vaccinating the bats or killing them with anti-coagulants. Bats are increasingly recognized vectors and reservoirs of zoonotic infections. Lyssavirus infections transmissible to humans by bats include Species 1 (classic rabies), 4 (Duvenhage), 5 and 6 (European bat lyssaviruses), and 7 (Australian bat lyssavirus). Vampire bats (Desmodontinae) transmit classic rabies to humans and domestic animals in Latin America. Insectivorous and frugivorous bats are vectors or reservoirs of Lyssaviruses Species 1, 4, 5, 6, and 7; Filoviruses (Ebola and Marburg); Henipaviruses (Hendra and Nipah); and some other viruses, bacteria, and fungi. Bat-transmitted rabies infections can be prevented by vaccination. Vampire bat rabies can be controlled by vaccinating the bats or killing them with anti-coagulants.
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Prada D, Boyd V, Baker ML, O’Dea M, Jackson B. Viral Diversity of Microbats within the South West Botanical Province of Western Australia. Viruses 2019; 11:E1157. [PMID: 31847282 PMCID: PMC6950384 DOI: 10.3390/v11121157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2019] [Revised: 12/06/2019] [Accepted: 12/06/2019] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Bats are known reservoirs of a wide variety of viruses that rarely result in overt clinical disease in the bat host. However, anthropogenic influences on the landscape and climate can change species assemblages and interactions, as well as undermine host-resilience. The cumulative result is a disturbance of bat-pathogen dynamics, which facilitate spillover events to sympatric species, and may threaten bat communities already facing synergistic stressors through ecological change. Therefore, characterisation of viral pathogens in bat communities provides important basal information to monitor and predict the emergence of diseases relevant to conservation and public health. This study used targeted molecular techniques, serological assays and next generation sequencing to characterise adenoviruses, coronaviruses and paramyxoviruses from 11 species of insectivorous bats within the South West Botanical Province of Western Australia. Phylogenetic analysis indicated complex ecological interactions including virus-host associations, cross-species infections, and multiple viral strains circulating concurrently within selected bat populations. Additionally, we describe the entire coding sequences for five alphacoronaviruses (representing four putative new species), and one novel adenovirus. Results indicate that viral burden (both prevalence and richness) is not homogeneous among species, with Chalinolobus gouldii identified as a key epidemiological element within the studied communities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diana Prada
- School of Veterinary Medicine, Murdoch University, Perth, WA 6150, Australia; (M.O.); (B.J.)
| | - Victoria Boyd
- Health and Biosecurity Business Unit, Australian Animal Health Laboratories, CSIRO, Geelong, VIC 3220, Australia; (V.B.); (M.L.B.)
| | - Michelle L. Baker
- Health and Biosecurity Business Unit, Australian Animal Health Laboratories, CSIRO, Geelong, VIC 3220, Australia; (V.B.); (M.L.B.)
| | - Mark O’Dea
- School of Veterinary Medicine, Murdoch University, Perth, WA 6150, Australia; (M.O.); (B.J.)
| | - Bethany Jackson
- School of Veterinary Medicine, Murdoch University, Perth, WA 6150, Australia; (M.O.); (B.J.)
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Viral Metagenomics Revealed Sendai Virus and Coronavirus Infection of Malayan Pangolins ( Manis javanica). Viruses 2019; 11:v11110979. [PMID: 31652964 PMCID: PMC6893680 DOI: 10.3390/v11110979] [Citation(s) in RCA: 232] [Impact Index Per Article: 46.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2019] [Revised: 10/21/2019] [Accepted: 10/21/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Pangolins are endangered animals in urgent need of protection. Identifying and cataloguing the viruses carried by pangolins is a logical approach to evaluate the range of potential pathogens and help with conservation. This study provides insight into viral communities of Malayan Pangolins (Manis javanica) as well as the molecular epidemiology of dominant pathogenic viruses between Malayan Pangolin and other hosts. A total of 62,508 de novo assembled contigs were constructed, and a BLAST search revealed 3600 ones (≥300 nt) were related to viral sequences, of which 68 contigs had a high level of sequence similarity to known viruses, while dominant viruses were the Sendai virus and Coronavirus. This is the first report on the viral diversity of pangolins, expanding our understanding of the virome in endangered species, and providing insight into the overall diversity of viruses that may be capable of directly or indirectly crossing over into other mammals.
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Khan W, Nisa NN, Ullah S, Rehbar B, Ahmad S, Siyal GB, Ahmad A, Khalid S, Zada K, Ullah N. Morphology and ectoparasite spectrum of Pteropus vampyrus (the flying fox) in different parts of Malakand Division, Pakistan. BRAZ J BIOL 2019; 80:523-528. [PMID: 31644647 DOI: 10.1590/1519-6984.214614] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2018] [Accepted: 03/28/2019] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Three districts viz. Lower Dir, Swat and Shangla in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, were surveyed for the collection of Pteropus vampyrus (the Indian flying fox) in Malakand division, the north western region of Pakistan from February to November 2018. A total of 35 specimens were captured. Out of the examined specimens 22 were found to be infected with ectoparasites. Three types of ectoparasites were observed including flies 20% (n=7/35), mites 28.5% (n=10/35) and bugs 14.2% (n=5/35). Male bats were more infected 57.1% (n=20/35) as compared to females 42.8% (n=15/35), however, no significant difference (p>0.05) was noted. Flies were recovered from wings membrane and head region, mites were found on wings, ears and around eyes while bugs were found attached on body surface and neck region. Body weight, circumference and wing span of male bats were greater as compared to female bats and were considered a key factor in clear cut identification of male and female Pteropus vampyrus (the Indian flyingfox). It was concluded that Pteropus vampyrus from north western part of Pakistan were parasitized by a varied parasite fauna with high infestation rates. We assume that in male bats the number of parasites is generally higher than in females. Our results revealed new insights into parasite fauna of Pteropus vampyrus.
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Affiliation(s)
- W Khan
- Laboratory of Parasitology, Department of Zoology, University of Malakand, Lower Dir, Pakistan
| | - N N Nisa
- Southern Zone-Agricultural Research Center, Vertebrate Pest Control Institute, University of Karachi, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - S Ullah
- Laboratory of Parasitology, Department of Zoology, University of Malakand, Lower Dir, Pakistan
| | - B Rehbar
- Department of Zoology, University of Hazara, Mansehra, Pakistan
| | - S Ahmad
- Department of Zoology, University of Hazara, Mansehra, Pakistan
| | - G B Siyal
- Department of Zoology, University of Sindh, Jamshoro 76080, Pakistan
| | - A Ahmad
- Department of Molecular Biology, Virtual University of Lahore, Pakistan
| | - S Khalid
- Department of Molecular Biology, Virtual University of Lahore, Pakistan
| | - K Zada
- Laboratory of Parasitology, Department of Zoology, University of Malakand, Lower Dir, Pakistan
| | - N Ullah
- Laboratory of Parasitology, Department of Zoology, University of Malakand, Lower Dir, Pakistan
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Águeda-Pinto A, Castro LFC, Esteves PJ. The evolution of S100A7: an unusual gene expansion in Myotis bats. BMC Evol Biol 2019; 19:102. [PMID: 31088346 PMCID: PMC6518696 DOI: 10.1186/s12862-019-1433-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2019] [Accepted: 05/07/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The S100A7 gene, also called psoriasin, was first described as an upregulated protein in psoriatic skin. For the past years, the importance of this protein as a key effector of innate immunity has been clearly established, not only due to its importance protecting against bacteria skin insult in humans, but also because of its important role in amplifying inflammatory processes. Given the importance of S100A7 in host defense, S100A7 genes have been mostly studied in humans. Here we provide a detailed analysis of the evolution of the gene family encoding for the S100A7 protein in mammals. RESULTS Examination of several mammalian genomes revealed an unexpected variation in the copy number of S100A7. Among the most representative mammalian groups, we report that multiple events of duplication, gene loss and high mutation rates are shaping the evolution of this gene family. An unexpected result comes from Myotis species (order Chiroptera), where we found an outstanding S100A7 gene radiation, resulting in more than 10 copies in M. lucifugus and 5 copies in M. brandtii. These findings suggest a unique adaptive road in these species and are suggestive of special role of this protein in their immune system. CONCLUSIONS We found different evolutionary histories among different mammalian groups. Overall, our results suggest that this gene family is evolving under the birth-and-death model of evolution. To our knowledge, this work represents the first detailed analysis of phylogenetic relationships of S100A7 within mammals and therefore will pave the way to further clarify their unique function in the immune system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Águeda-Pinto
- CIBIO/InBio, Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos genéticos, Universidade do Porto, Rua Padre Armando Quintas, 4485-661 Vairão, Portugal
- Departamento de Biologia, Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade do Porto, Rua do Campo Alegre S/N, 4169-007 Porto, Portugal
| | - L. Filipe C. Castro
- Departamento de Biologia, Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade do Porto, Rua do Campo Alegre S/N, 4169-007 Porto, Portugal
- CIIMAR/CIMAR, Centro Interdisciplinar de Investigação Marinha e Ambiental, Universidade do Porto, Av. general Norton de Matos S/N, 4450-208 Matosinhos, Portugal
| | - Pedro J. Esteves
- CIBIO/InBio, Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos genéticos, Universidade do Porto, Rua Padre Armando Quintas, 4485-661 Vairão, Portugal
- Departamento de Biologia, Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade do Porto, Rua do Campo Alegre S/N, 4169-007 Porto, Portugal
- CESPU, Instituto de Investigação e Formação Avançada em Ciências e Tecnologias da Saúde, Rua Central de Gandra 1317, 4585-116 Gandra, Portugal
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Ecological Factors of Transmission, Persistence and Circulation of Pathogens In Bat Populations. FOLIA VETERINARIA 2019. [DOI: 10.2478/fv-2019-0005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
The existence of bats is crucial for all ecosystem units as they fulfil numerous ecological roles. However, they are also considered to be natural reservoirs of a wide range of zoonotic microorganisms, especially viruses. In this review article we briefly summarize current knowledge about various ecological factors that facilitate bat pathogen dispersal and about the current approaches to monitoring viral communities present within bat populations. On the basis of the cited papers, we suggest that the increased focus on complex viral populations in bats and their interactions with other populations and the environment is necessary to fully comprehend the relationship between emerging infectious diseases, the environment and their toll on human health.
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Yinda CK, Vanhulle E, Conceição-Neto N, Beller L, Deboutte W, Shi C, Ghogomu SM, Maes P, Van Ranst M, Matthijnssens J. Gut Virome Analysis of Cameroonians Reveals High Diversity of Enteric Viruses, Including Potential Interspecies Transmitted Viruses. mSphere 2019; 4:e00585-18. [PMID: 30674646 PMCID: PMC6344602 DOI: 10.1128/msphere.00585-18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2018] [Accepted: 12/17/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Diarrhea remains one of the most common causes of deaths in children. A limited number of studies have investigated the prevalence of enteric pathogens in Cameroon, and as in many other African countries, the cause of many diarrheal episodes remains unexplained. A proportion of these unknown cases of diarrhea are likely caused by yet-unidentified viral agents, some of which could be the result of (recent) interspecies transmission from animal reservoirs, like bats. Using viral metagenomics, we screened fecal samples of 221 humans (almost all with gastroenteritis symptoms) between 0 and 89 years of age with different degrees of bat contact. We identified viruses belonging to families that are known to cause gastroenteritis such as Adenoviridae, Astroviridae, Caliciviridae, Picornaviridae, and Reoviridae Interestingly, a mammalian orthoreovirus, picobirnaviruses, a smacovirus, and a pecovirus were also found. Although there was no evidence of interspecies transmission of the most common human gastroenteritis-related viruses (Astroviridae, Caliciviridae, and Reoviridae), the phylogenies of the identified orthoreovirus, picobirnavirus, and smacovirus indicate a genetic relatedness of these viruses identified in stools of humans and those of bats and/or other animals. These findings points out the possibility of interspecies transmission or simply a shared host of these viruses (bacterial, fungal, parasitic, …) present in both animals (bats) and humans. Further screening of bat viruses in humans or vice versa will elucidate the epidemiological potential threats of animal viruses to human health. Furthermore, this study showed a huge diversity of highly divergent novel phages, thereby expanding the existing phageome considerably.IMPORTANCE Despite the availability of diagnostic tools for different enteric viral pathogens, a large fraction of human cases of gastroenteritis remains unexplained. This could be due to pathogens not tested for or novel divergent viruses of potential animal origin. Fecal virome analyses of Cameroonians showed a very diverse group of viruses, some of which are genetically related to those identified in animals. This is the first attempt to describe the gut virome of humans from Cameroon. Therefore, the data represent a baseline for future studies on enteric viral pathogens in this area and contribute to our knowledge of the world's virome. The studies also highlight the fact that more viruses may be associated with diarrhea than the typical known ones. Hence, it provides meaningful epidemiological information on diarrhea-related viruses in this area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claude Kwe Yinda
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Rega Institute for Medical Research, Laboratory of Viral Metagenomics, KU Leuven-University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Rega Institute for Medical Research, Laboratory for Clinical and Epidemiological Virology, KU Leuven-University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Emiel Vanhulle
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Rega Institute for Medical Research, Laboratory of Viral Metagenomics, KU Leuven-University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Nádia Conceição-Neto
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Rega Institute for Medical Research, Laboratory of Viral Metagenomics, KU Leuven-University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Rega Institute for Medical Research, Laboratory for Clinical and Epidemiological Virology, KU Leuven-University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Leen Beller
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Rega Institute for Medical Research, Laboratory of Viral Metagenomics, KU Leuven-University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Ward Deboutte
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Rega Institute for Medical Research, Laboratory of Viral Metagenomics, KU Leuven-University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Chenyan Shi
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Rega Institute for Medical Research, Laboratory of Viral Metagenomics, KU Leuven-University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Stephen Mbigha Ghogomu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Biotechnology Unit, Molecular and Cell Biology Laboratory, University of Buea, Buea, Cameroon
| | - Piet Maes
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Rega Institute for Medical Research, Laboratory for Clinical and Epidemiological Virology, KU Leuven-University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Marc Van Ranst
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Rega Institute for Medical Research, Laboratory for Clinical and Epidemiological Virology, KU Leuven-University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Jelle Matthijnssens
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Rega Institute for Medical Research, Laboratory of Viral Metagenomics, KU Leuven-University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
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Viruses in bats and potential spillover to animals and humans. Curr Opin Virol 2019; 34:79-89. [PMID: 30665189 PMCID: PMC7102861 DOI: 10.1016/j.coviro.2018.12.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 152] [Impact Index Per Article: 30.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2018] [Revised: 12/17/2018] [Accepted: 12/17/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Bats are a very important source of emerging viruses. Bat coronavirus, filovirus, paramyxovirus and reovirus are known zoonotic viruses. Many of the emergent bat viruses are highly lethal in livestock and humans. Past incidents and viral genetic features predict bat coronaviruses as the highest risk.
In the last two decades, several high impact zoonotic disease outbreaks have been linked to bat-borne viruses. These include SARS coronavirus, Hendra virus and Nipah virus. In addition, it has been suspected that ebolaviruses and MERS coronavirus are also linked to bats. It is being increasingly accepted that bats are potential reservoirs of a large number of known and unknown viruses, many of which could spillover into animal and human populations. However, our knowledge into basic bat biology and immunology is very limited and we have little understanding of major factors contributing to the risk of bat virus spillover events. Here we provide a brief review of the latest findings in bat viruses and their potential risk of cross-species transmission.
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