1
|
Goldberg AR, Langwig KE, Brown KL, Marano JM, Rai P, King KM, Sharp AK, Ceci A, Kailing CD, Kailing MJ, Briggs R, Urbano MG, Roby C, Brown AM, Weger-Lucarelli J, Finkielstein CV, Hoyt JR. Widespread exposure to SARS-CoV-2 in wildlife communities. Nat Commun 2024; 15:6210. [PMID: 39075057 PMCID: PMC11286844 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-49891-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2023] [Accepted: 06/20/2024] [Indexed: 07/31/2024] Open
Abstract
Pervasive SARS-CoV-2 infections in humans have led to multiple transmission events to animals. While SARS-CoV-2 has a potential broad wildlife host range, most documented infections have been in captive animals and a single wildlife species, the white-tailed deer. The full extent of SARS-CoV-2 exposure among wildlife communities and the factors that influence wildlife transmission risk remain unknown. We sampled 23 species of wildlife for SARS-CoV-2 and examined the effects of urbanization and human use on seropositivity. Here, we document positive detections of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in six species, including the deer mouse, Virginia opossum, raccoon, groundhog, Eastern cottontail, and Eastern red bat between May 2022-September 2023 across Virginia and Washington, D.C., USA. In addition, we found that sites with high human activity had three times higher seroprevalence than low human-use areas. We obtained SARS-CoV-2 genomic sequences from nine individuals of six species which were assigned to seven Pango lineages of the Omicron variant. The close match to variants circulating in humans at the time suggests at least seven recent human-to-animal transmission events. Our data support that exposure to SARS-CoV-2 has been widespread in wildlife communities and suggests that areas with high human activity may serve as points of contact for cross-species transmission.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Amanda R Goldberg
- Department of Biological Sciences, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, USA
| | - Kate E Langwig
- Department of Biological Sciences, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, USA
| | - Katherine L Brown
- Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine, Virginia Tech, Roanoke, VA, USA
- Center for Emerging, Zoonotic, and Arthropod-borne Pathogens, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, USA
- Molecular Diagnostics Laboratory, Fralin Biomedical Research Institute, Virginia Tech, Roanoke, VA, USA
| | - Jeffrey M Marano
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, USA
- Translational Biology, Medicine, and Health Graduate Program, Virginia Tech, Roanoke, VA, USA
| | - Pallavi Rai
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, USA
| | - Kelsie M King
- Program in Genetics, Bioinformatics, and Computational Biology, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, USA
| | - Amanda K Sharp
- Program in Genetics, Bioinformatics, and Computational Biology, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, USA
| | - Alessandro Ceci
- Molecular Diagnostics Laboratory, Fralin Biomedical Research Institute, Virginia Tech, Roanoke, VA, USA
| | | | - Macy J Kailing
- Department of Biological Sciences, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, USA
| | - Russell Briggs
- Molecular Diagnostics Laboratory, Fralin Biomedical Research Institute, Virginia Tech, Roanoke, VA, USA
| | - Matthew G Urbano
- Molecular Diagnostics Laboratory, Fralin Biomedical Research Institute, Virginia Tech, Roanoke, VA, USA
| | - Clinton Roby
- Molecular Diagnostics Laboratory, Fralin Biomedical Research Institute, Virginia Tech, Roanoke, VA, USA
| | - Anne M Brown
- Program in Genetics, Bioinformatics, and Computational Biology, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, USA
- Department of Biochemistry, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, USA
- Data Services, University Libraries, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, USA
- Virginia Tech Center for Drug Discovery, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, USA
- Academy of Integrated Science, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, USA
| | - James Weger-Lucarelli
- Center for Emerging, Zoonotic, and Arthropod-borne Pathogens, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, USA
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, USA
| | - Carla V Finkielstein
- Department of Biological Sciences, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, USA.
- Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine, Virginia Tech, Roanoke, VA, USA.
- Center for Emerging, Zoonotic, and Arthropod-borne Pathogens, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, USA.
- Molecular Diagnostics Laboratory, Fralin Biomedical Research Institute, Virginia Tech, Roanoke, VA, USA.
- Virginia Tech Center for Drug Discovery, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, USA.
- Academy of Integrated Science, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, USA.
| | - Joseph R Hoyt
- Department of Biological Sciences, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Selleck MR, Johnson SR, Gilbert AT. SEROLOGICAL RESPONSE TO CANINE DISTEMPER VACCINATION IN WILD CAUGHT RACCOONS ( PROCYON LOTOR). J Zoo Wildl Med 2024; 55:462-465. [PMID: 38875203 DOI: 10.1638/2023-0078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/22/2024] [Indexed: 06/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Canine distemper virus (CDV) is a well-known RNA virus that affects domestic dogs and all families of wild terrestrial carnivores. Spillover infections from wildlife to domestic animals are mitigated by preventive vaccination, but there is limited information on the off-label use of veterinary vaccines for wildlife like raccoons (Procyon lotor). Twenty wild-caught raccoons were inoculated with a commercial recombinant DNA canarypox-vectored CDV vaccine, applying a regimen of two serial doses by SC route with an interval of 25-28 days between doses. The CDV serum virus neutralizing antibody (VNA) baseline titers and the postvaccination titers were measured at fixed time points. Forty percent (8/20) of the wild-caught raccoons had CDV VNA titers of 1:8 or greater upon intake, and all but a single individual were juvenile animals. Approximately one month following the first vaccine dose, 8% (1/12) of raccoons seronegative at baseline had serum CDV VNA titers of 1:24 or greater. Approximately one month following the booster vaccine dose, 67% (8/12) of raccoons seronegative at baseline had serum CDV VNA titers of 1:24 or greater. Among raccoons with CDV VNA titers greater than or equal to 1:8 at baseline, 13% (1/8) demonstrated a fourfold or greater rise in titer one month after the first vaccine dose, whereas 38% (3/8) reached the same threshold one month after the booster dose. The presence of naturally acquired CDV VNA in juvenile raccoons at the time of vaccination may have interfered with the humoral VNA response. A regimen of at least two serially administered SC vaccine doses may be immunogenic for raccoons, but further investigation of alternative routes, regimens, and CDV vaccine products is also warranted for this species.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Molly R Selleck
- United States Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Wildlife Services, National Wildlife Research Center, Fort Collins, CO 80521-2154, USA,
| | - Shylo R Johnson
- United States Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Wildlife Services, National Wildlife Research Center, Fort Collins, CO 80521-2154, USA
| | - Amy T Gilbert
- United States Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Wildlife Services, National Wildlife Research Center, Fort Collins, CO 80521-2154, USA
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Freeman SM, Catrow JL, Cox JE, Turano A, Rich MA, Ihrig HP, Poudyal N, Chang CWT, Gese EM, Young JK, Olsen AL. Binding Affinity, Selectivity, and Pharmacokinetics of the Oxytocin Receptor Antagonist L-368,899 in the Coyote ( Canis latrans). Comp Med 2024; 74:3-11. [PMID: 38532262 PMCID: PMC10938559 DOI: 10.30802/aalas-cm-23-000044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2023] [Revised: 10/18/2023] [Accepted: 01/27/2024] [Indexed: 03/28/2024]
Abstract
L-368,899 is a selective small-molecule oxytocin receptor (OXTR) antagonist originally developed in the 1990s to prevent preterm labor. Although its utility for that purpose was limited, L-368,899 is now one of the most commonly used drugs in animal research for the selective blockade of neural OXTR after peripheral delivery. A growing number of rodent and primate studies have used L-368,899 to evaluate whether certain behaviors are oxytocin dependent. These studies have improved our understanding of oxytocin's function in the brains of rodents and monkeys, but very little work has been done in other mammals, and only a single paper in macaques has provided any evidence that L-368,899 can be detected in the CNS after peripheral delivery. The current study sought to extend those findings in a novel species: coyotes ( Canis latrans ). Coyotes are ubiquitous North American canids that form long-term monogamous pair-bonds. Although monogamy is rare in rodents and primates, all wild canid species studied to date exhibit social monogamy. Coyotes are therefore an excellent model organism for the study of oxytocin and social bonds. Our goal was to determine whether L-368,899 is a viable candidate for future use in behavioral studies in coyotes. We used captive coyotes at the USDA National Wildlife Research Center's Predator Research Facility to evaluate the pharmacokinetics of L-368,899 in blood and CSF during a 90-min time course after intramuscular injection. We then characterized the binding affinity and selectivity of L-368,899 to coyote OXTR and the structurally similar vasopressin 1a receptor. We found that L-368,899 peaked in CSF at 15 to 30 min after intramuscular injection and slowly accumulated in blood. L-368,899 was 40 times more selective for OXTR than vasopressin 1a receptors and bound to the coyote OXTR with an affinity of 12 nM. These features of L-368,899 support its utility in future studies to probe the oxytocin system of coyotes.
Collapse
Key Words
- avp, arginine vasopressin
- avpr1a, vasopressin 1a receptor
- lva, linearized vasopressin antagonist
- mrm, multiple reaction monitoring
- nwrc, national wildlife research center
- obd, optical binding values
- ovta, ornithine vasotocin analog
- oxt, oxytocin
- oxtr, oxytocin receptor
- ptfe, polytetrafluoroethylene
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sara M Freeman
- Department of Biology, Utah State University, Logan, Utah
| | - J Leon Catrow
- Metabolomics, Proteomics, and Mass Spectrometry Cores, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah
| | - James Eric Cox
- Metabolomics, Proteomics, and Mass Spectrometry Cores, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah
| | | | - McKenna A Rich
- Department of Biology, Utah State University, Logan, Utah
| | | | - Naveena Poudyal
- Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, Utah State University, Logan, Utah
| | | | - Eric M Gese
- Department of Wildland Resources, Utah State University, Logan, Utah
- Ecology Center, Utah State University, Logan, Utah
- US Department of Agriculture, Wildlife Services, National Wildlife Research Center, Predator Research Facility, Millville, Utah; and
| | - Julie K Young
- Department of Wildland Resources, Utah State University, Logan, Utah
- Ecology Center, Utah State University, Logan, Utah
- US Department of Agriculture, Wildlife Services, National Wildlife Research Center, Predator Research Facility, Millville, Utah; and
| | - Aaron L Olsen
- Animal Dairy and Veterinary Sciences Department, Utah State University, Logan, Utah
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Efficacy of Ontario Rabies Vaccine Baits (ONRAB) against rabies infection in raccoons. Vaccine 2018; 36:4919-4926. [PMID: 30037482 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2018.06.052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2018] [Revised: 06/21/2018] [Accepted: 06/23/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
In the US, rabies lyssavirus (RABV) only circulates in wildlife species and the most significant reservoir from a public and animal health perspective is the raccoon (Procyon lotor). Management of wildlife rabies relies principally on oral rabies vaccination (ORV) strategies using vaccine-laden bait delivery to free-ranging target hosts, in order to reduce the susceptible population to prevent the spread of and eliminate RABV circulation. Our objective was to evaluate efficacy of the Ontario Rabies Vaccine Bait (ONRAB) against a lethal RABV challenge in captive raccoons. Sham or live vaccine baits were offered to 50 raccoons and efficacy was evaluated in 46, split into two trials of 17 and 29 raccoons. Raccoons were challenged with a lethal dose of RABV 180 days post-vaccination and observed for 90 days post-infection. Raccoon bait interactions were assigned increasing integer scores for approach, oral manipulation, puncture, and consumption behaviors. Higher bait interaction scores were observed in the fall compared to the spring trial, indicating that more raccoons consumed baits in the fall. Although animal age did not explain variation in bait interaction scores, the geometric mean rabies virus antibody titers among juvenile vaccinates were higher than adults at all pre-challenge time points. The prevented fraction associated with ONRAB delivery was 0.73 (8/11, 95% CI 0.39-0.94) in the spring trial and 0.91 (21/23, 95% CI 0.72-0.99) in the fall trial. All sham-vaccinated raccoons (12/12) succumbed to rabies infection, in contrast to 15% (5/34) mortality among vaccinated raccoons. Our results indicate a high efficacy of ONRAB bait vaccination in protecting adult and juvenile raccoons against RABV infection for a minimum of six months. These data complement experimental field trials that have also demonstrated the potential of ONRAB for the control and prevention of RABV circulation in free-ranging raccoon populations in the US.
Collapse
|
5
|
FLAVOR PREFERENCE AND EFFICACY OF VARIABLE DOSE ONTARIO RABIES VACCINE BAIT (ONRAB) DELIVERY IN STRIPED SKUNKS (MEPHITIS MEPHITIS). J Wildl Dis 2018; 54:122-132. [DOI: 10.7589/2017-04-073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
|
6
|
Root JJ, Shriner SA, Ellis JW, VanDalen KK, Sullivan HJ. Low viral doses are sufficient to infect cottontail rabbits with avian influenza A virus. Arch Virol 2017; 162:3381-3388. [PMID: 28770344 DOI: 10.1007/s00705-017-3493-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2017] [Accepted: 07/11/2017] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Influenza A viruses (IAVs) have been reported in wild lagomorphs in environments where they share resources with waterfowl. Recent studies have conclusively shown that a North American lagomorph, cottontail rabbits (Sylvilagus sp.), become infected following exposure to IAVs and can shed significant quantities of virus. However, the minimum infectious dose and the efficiency of various routes of infection have not been evaluated. Thirty-six cottontail rabbits were used in a dose response study assessing both the oral and nasal routes of infection. The nasal route of infection proved to be the most efficient, as all cottontail rabbits shed viral RNA following inoculation with doses as low as 102 EID50. The oral route of infection was less efficient, but still produced infection rates of ≥ 50% at relatively low doses (i.e., 103 and 104 EID50). These results suggest that cottontail rabbits are highly susceptible to IAVs at low exposure doses that have been routinely observed in environments contaminated by waterfowl. Furthermore, this study supports earlier observations that cottontail rabbits may pose a biosecurity risk to poultry operations, as a virus-contaminated water source or contaminated environment, even at low viral titers, could be sufficient to initiate viral replication in cottontail rabbits.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- J Jeffrey Root
- United States Department of Agriculture, National Wildlife Research Center, 4101 La Porte Avenue, Fort Collins, CO, 80521, USA.
| | - Susan A Shriner
- United States Department of Agriculture, National Wildlife Research Center, 4101 La Porte Avenue, Fort Collins, CO, 80521, USA
| | - Jeremy W Ellis
- United States Department of Agriculture, National Wildlife Research Center, 4101 La Porte Avenue, Fort Collins, CO, 80521, USA
| | - Kaci K VanDalen
- United States Department of Agriculture, National Wildlife Research Center, 4101 La Porte Avenue, Fort Collins, CO, 80521, USA
| | - Heather J Sullivan
- United States Department of Agriculture, National Wildlife Research Center, 4101 La Porte Avenue, Fort Collins, CO, 80521, USA
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Chaney SB, Marsh AE, Lewis S, Carman M, Howe DK, Saville WJ, Reed SM. Sarcocystis neurona manipulation using culture-derived merozoites for bradyzoite and sporocyst production. Vet Parasitol 2017; 238:35-42. [PMID: 28372843 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2017.03.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2016] [Revised: 03/11/2017] [Accepted: 03/16/2017] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Equine protozoal myeloencephalitis (EPM) remains a significant central nervous system disease of horses in the American continents. Sarcocystis neurona is considered the primary causative agent and its intermediate life stages are carried by a wide host-range including raccoons (Procyon lotor) in North America. S. neurona sarcocysts mature in raccoon skeletal muscle and can produce central nervous system disease in raccoons, mirroring the clinical presentation in horses. The study aimed to develop laboratory tools whereby the life cycle and various life stages of S. neurona could be better studied and manipulated using in vitro and in vivo systems and compare the biology of two independent isolates. This study utilized culture-derived parasites from S. neurona strains derived from a raccoon or from a horse to initiate raccoon infections. Raccoon tissues, including fresh and cryopreserved tissues, were used to establish opossum (Didelphis virginiana) infections, which then shed sporocyts with retained biological activity to cause encephalitis in mice. These results demonstrate that sarcocysts can be generated using in vitro-derived S. neurona merozoites, including an isolate originally derived from a naturally infected horse with clinical EPM. This study indicates the life cycle can be significantly manipulated in the laboratory without affecting subsequent stage development, allowing further purification of strains and artificial maintenance of the life cycle.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sarah B Chaney
- Veterinary Biosciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 43210, United States
| | - Antoinette E Marsh
- Department of Veterinary Preventive Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 43210, United States.
| | - Stephanie Lewis
- Department of Veterinary Preventive Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 43210, United States
| | - Michelle Carman
- Department of Veterinary Preventive Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 43210, United States
| | - Daniel K Howe
- Department of Veterinary Science, University of Kentucky, 108 Gluck Equine Research Center, Lexington, KY, 40546, United States
| | - William J Saville
- Department of Veterinary Preventive Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 43210, United States
| | - Stephen M Reed
- Rood & Riddle, Equine Hospital, Lexington, KY, 40511, United States
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Bosco-Lauth AM, Panella NA, Root JJ, Gidlewski T, Lash RR, Harmon JR, Burkhalter KL, Godsey MS, Savage HM, Nicholson WL, Komar N, Brault AC. Serological investigation of heartland virus (Bunyaviridae: Phlebovirus) exposure in wild and domestic animals adjacent to human case sites in Missouri 2012-2013. Am J Trop Med Hyg 2015; 92:1163-7. [PMID: 25870419 DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.14-0702] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2014] [Accepted: 03/04/2015] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
Heartland virus (HRTV; Bunyaviridae: Phlebovirus) has recently emerged as a causative agent of human disease characterized by thrombocytopenia and leukopenia in the United States. The lone star tick (Amblyomma americanum L.) has been implicated as a vector. To identify candidate vertebrate amplification hosts associated with enzootic maintenance of the virus, sera and ticks were sampled from 160 mammals (8 species) and 139 birds (26 species) captured near 2 human case residences in Andrew and Nodaway Counties in northwest Missouri. HRTV-specific neutralizing antibodies were identified in northern raccoons (42.6%), horses (17.4%), white-tailed deer (14.3%), dogs (7.7%), and Virginia opossums (3.8%), but not in birds. Virus isolation attempts from sera and ticks failed to detect HRTV. The high antibody prevalence coupled with local abundance of white-tailed deer and raccoons identifies these species as candidate amplification hosts.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Angela M Bosco-Lauth
- Division of Vector-Borne Diseases, Arboviral Diseases Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Fort Collins, Colorado; U.S. Department of Agriculture, Wildlife Services, National Wildlife Research Center, Fort Collins, Colorado; Division of Vector-Borne Diseases, Rickettsial Diseases Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Nicholas A Panella
- Division of Vector-Borne Diseases, Arboviral Diseases Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Fort Collins, Colorado; U.S. Department of Agriculture, Wildlife Services, National Wildlife Research Center, Fort Collins, Colorado; Division of Vector-Borne Diseases, Rickettsial Diseases Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - J Jeffrey Root
- Division of Vector-Borne Diseases, Arboviral Diseases Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Fort Collins, Colorado; U.S. Department of Agriculture, Wildlife Services, National Wildlife Research Center, Fort Collins, Colorado; Division of Vector-Borne Diseases, Rickettsial Diseases Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Tom Gidlewski
- Division of Vector-Borne Diseases, Arboviral Diseases Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Fort Collins, Colorado; U.S. Department of Agriculture, Wildlife Services, National Wildlife Research Center, Fort Collins, Colorado; Division of Vector-Borne Diseases, Rickettsial Diseases Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - R Ryan Lash
- Division of Vector-Borne Diseases, Arboviral Diseases Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Fort Collins, Colorado; U.S. Department of Agriculture, Wildlife Services, National Wildlife Research Center, Fort Collins, Colorado; Division of Vector-Borne Diseases, Rickettsial Diseases Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Jessica R Harmon
- Division of Vector-Borne Diseases, Arboviral Diseases Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Fort Collins, Colorado; U.S. Department of Agriculture, Wildlife Services, National Wildlife Research Center, Fort Collins, Colorado; Division of Vector-Borne Diseases, Rickettsial Diseases Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Kristen L Burkhalter
- Division of Vector-Borne Diseases, Arboviral Diseases Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Fort Collins, Colorado; U.S. Department of Agriculture, Wildlife Services, National Wildlife Research Center, Fort Collins, Colorado; Division of Vector-Borne Diseases, Rickettsial Diseases Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Marvin S Godsey
- Division of Vector-Borne Diseases, Arboviral Diseases Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Fort Collins, Colorado; U.S. Department of Agriculture, Wildlife Services, National Wildlife Research Center, Fort Collins, Colorado; Division of Vector-Borne Diseases, Rickettsial Diseases Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Harry M Savage
- Division of Vector-Borne Diseases, Arboviral Diseases Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Fort Collins, Colorado; U.S. Department of Agriculture, Wildlife Services, National Wildlife Research Center, Fort Collins, Colorado; Division of Vector-Borne Diseases, Rickettsial Diseases Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - William L Nicholson
- Division of Vector-Borne Diseases, Arboviral Diseases Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Fort Collins, Colorado; U.S. Department of Agriculture, Wildlife Services, National Wildlife Research Center, Fort Collins, Colorado; Division of Vector-Borne Diseases, Rickettsial Diseases Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Nicholas Komar
- Division of Vector-Borne Diseases, Arboviral Diseases Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Fort Collins, Colorado; U.S. Department of Agriculture, Wildlife Services, National Wildlife Research Center, Fort Collins, Colorado; Division of Vector-Borne Diseases, Rickettsial Diseases Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Aaron C Brault
- Division of Vector-Borne Diseases, Arboviral Diseases Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Fort Collins, Colorado; U.S. Department of Agriculture, Wildlife Services, National Wildlife Research Center, Fort Collins, Colorado; Division of Vector-Borne Diseases, Rickettsial Diseases Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Root JJ, Bentler KT, Shriner SA, Mooers NL, VanDalen KK, Sullivan HJ, Franklin AB. Ecological routes of avian influenza virus transmission to a common mesopredator: an experimental evaluation of alternatives. PLoS One 2014; 9:e102964. [PMID: 25127468 PMCID: PMC4134138 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0102964] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2013] [Accepted: 06/25/2014] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Wild raccoons have been shown to be naturally exposed to avian influenza viruses (AIV). However, the mechanisms associated with these natural exposures are not well-understood. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS We experimentally tested three alternative routes (water, eggs, and scavenged waterfowl carcasses) of AIV transmission that may explain how raccoons in the wild are exposed to AIV. Raccoons were exposed to 1) water and 2) eggs spiked with an AIV (H4N6), as well as 3) mallard carcasses experimentally inoculated with the same virus. Three of four raccoons exposed to the high dose water treatment yielded apparent nasal shedding of >10(2.0) PCR EID50 equivalent/mL. Little to no shedding was observed from the fecal route. The only animals yielding evidence of serologic activity during the study period were three animals associated with the high dose water treatment. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE Overall, our results indicate that virus-laden water could provide a natural exposure route of AIV for raccoons and possibly other mammals associated with aquatic environments. However, this association appears to be related to AIV concentration in the water, which would constitute an infective dose. In addition, strong evidence of infection was only detected in three of four animals exposed to a high dose (e.g., 10(5.0) EID50/mL) of AIV in water. As such, water-borne transmission to raccoons may require repeated exposures to water with high concentrations of virus.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- J. Jeffrey Root
- United States Department of Agriculture, National Wildlife Research Center, Fort Collins, CO, United States of America
| | - Kevin T. Bentler
- United States Department of Agriculture, National Wildlife Research Center, Fort Collins, CO, United States of America
| | - Susan A. Shriner
- United States Department of Agriculture, National Wildlife Research Center, Fort Collins, CO, United States of America
| | - Nicole L. Mooers
- United States Department of Agriculture, National Wildlife Research Center, Fort Collins, CO, United States of America
| | - Kaci K. VanDalen
- United States Department of Agriculture, National Wildlife Research Center, Fort Collins, CO, United States of America
| | - Heather J. Sullivan
- United States Department of Agriculture, National Wildlife Research Center, Fort Collins, CO, United States of America
| | - Alan B. Franklin
- United States Department of Agriculture, National Wildlife Research Center, Fort Collins, CO, United States of America
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
West Nile virus isolated from a Virginia opossum (Didelphis virginiana) in northwestern Missouri, USA, 2012. J Wildl Dis 2014; 50:976-8. [PMID: 25098303 DOI: 10.7589/2013-11-295] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
We describe the isolation of West Nile virus (WNV; Flaviviridae, Flavivirus) from blood of a Virginia opossum (Didelphis virginiana) collected in northwestern Missouri, USA in August 2012. Sequencing determined that the virus was related to lineage 1a WNV02 strains. We discuss the role of wildlife in WNV disease epidemiology.
Collapse
|