Reproductive disorders in female SHR rats infected with sialodacryoadenitis virus

An updated review of the association of host genetic factors with susceptibility and resistance to COVID-19

The emergence of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in human populations sparked a global pandemic of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). According to preliminary data, about 14% of cases are considered severe and 5% of cases result in critical illness and, reported case fatality rates vary from 1% to more than 7%. However, the symptoms of the disease and the clinical outcome are very different in infected people. In view of these differences, it is clearly apparent that to gain insight into the biology of the SARS-CoV-2, it is important to study not just the infectious particle in itself but also to investigate the virus-host cell interactions that occur during infection. This review seeks to consider the various aspects of genetic factors in determining the susceptibility and host resistance to SARS-CoV-2 throughout the recently published literature.

Viral Disease

This chapter discusses infections of rats with viruses in the following 14 virus families: Adenoviridae, Arenaviridae, Coronaviridae, Flaviviridae, Hantaviridae, Hepeviridae, Herpesviridae, Paramyxoviridae, Parvoviridae, Picornaviridae, Pneumoviridae, Polyomaviridae, Poxviridae, and Reoviridae . Serological surveys indicate that parvoviruses, coronaviruses, cardioviruses, and pneumoviruses are the most prevalent in laboratory rats. A new polyomavirus and a new cardiovirus that cause disease in laboratory rats are described. Metagenomic analyses of feces or intestinal contents from wild rats have detected viruses from an additional nine virus families that could potentially cause infections in laboratory rats.

Small mammal virology

Most viral infections in small mammals are transient and rarely produce clinical signs. When clinical signs do appear, they are often of a multifactorial etiology such as respiratory infection with Sendai virus and the bacteria M. pulmonis in rodents. Diagnosis is generally made based on clinical signs, while therapy involves treatment for concurrent bacterial infections and supportive care. Small mammals may carry zoonotic viruses such as LCMV, but natural infections are uncommon. Viral diseases are rare (or largely unknown) for hedgehogs, chinchillas, and prairie dogs, while no known naturally occurring, clinically relevant viral diseases exist for gerbils and sugar gliders. This article is intended to aid the clinician in identifying viral infections in small mammals and to help determine the significance each virus has during clinical disease.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome: public health response and clinical practice update for an emerging disease

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Severe acute respiratory syndrome is an emerging infectious disease with high morbidity and mortality and potential for global spread. This review highlights the salient points of the 2002-2003 outbreak to help clinicians with early recognition, treatment, disease control, and prevention.

RECENT FINDINGS

Severe acute respiratory syndrome is a respiratory illness caused by a novel coronavirus, severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus. The disease was first recognized in Asia in February 2003 and, over the next several months, spread to more than two dozen countries in North and South America, Europe, and Asia. The disease is characterized by fever with symptomatic and radiographic evidence of pneumonia.

SUMMARY

Because diagnosis cannot be established by clinical findings alone, epidemiologic findings (including history of travel to affected areas, close contact with other case patients, or linkage to clusters of unexplained pneumonia) play a critical role in the diagnostic evaluation. Infection control procedures (including droplet and airborne precautions) are critical for preventing transmission.