1
|
Zhang P, Jiang H, Liu X. Diversity inhibits foliar fungal diseases in grasslands: Potential mechanisms and temperature dependence. Ecol Lett 2024; 27:e14435. [PMID: 38735857 DOI: 10.1111/ele.14435] [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: 01/15/2024] [Revised: 03/18/2024] [Accepted: 04/22/2024] [Indexed: 05/14/2024]
Abstract
A long-standing debate exists among ecologists as to how diversity regulates infectious diseases (i.e., the nature of diversity-disease relationships); a dilution effect refers to when increasing host diversity inhibits infectious diseases (i.e., negative diversity-disease relationships). However, the generality, strength, and potential mechanisms underlying negative diversity-disease relationships in natural ecosystems remain unclear. To this end, we conducted a large-scale survey of 63 grassland sites across China to explore diversity-disease relationships. We found widespread negative diversity-disease relationships that were temperature-dependent; non-random diversity loss played a fundamental role in driving these patterns. Our study provides field evidence for the generality and temperature dependence of negative diversity-disease relationships in grasslands, becoming stronger in colder regions, while also highlighting the role of non-random diversity loss as a mechanism. These findings have important implications for community ecology, disease ecology, and epidemic control.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Peng Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Herbage Improvement and Grassland Agro-Ecosystems, College of Ecology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, P. R. China
| | - Hongying Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Herbage Improvement and Grassland Agro-Ecosystems, College of Ecology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, P. R. China
| | - Xiang Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Herbage Improvement and Grassland Agro-Ecosystems, College of Ecology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, P. R. China
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Wang G, Burrill HM, Podzikowski LY, Eppinga MB, Zhang F, Zhang J, Schultz PA, Bever JD. Dilution of specialist pathogens drives productivity benefits from diversity in plant mixtures. Nat Commun 2023; 14:8417. [PMID: 38110413 PMCID: PMC10728191 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-44253-4] [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: 03/07/2023] [Accepted: 12/05/2023] [Indexed: 12/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Productivity benefits from diversity can arise when compatible pathogen hosts are buffered by unrelated neighbors, diluting pathogen impacts. However, the generality of pathogen dilution has been controversial and rarely tested within biodiversity manipulations. Here, we test whether soil pathogen dilution generates diversity- productivity relationships using a field biodiversity-manipulation experiment, greenhouse assays, and feedback modeling. We find that the accumulation of specialist pathogens in monocultures decreases host plant yields and that pathogen dilution predicts plant productivity gains derived from diversity. Pathogen specialization predicts the strength of the negative feedback between plant species in greenhouse assays. These feedbacks significantly predict the overyielding measured in the field the following year. This relationship strengthens when accounting for the expected dilution of pathogens in mixtures. Using a feedback model, we corroborate that pathogen dilution drives overyielding. Combined empirical and theoretical evidence indicate that specialist pathogen dilution generates overyielding and suggests that the risk of losing productivity benefits from diversity may be highest where environmental change decouples plant-microbe interactions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Guangzhou Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Nutrient Use and Management (SKL-NUM), College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, National Academy of Agriculture Green Development, China Agricultural University, 100193, Beijing, People's Republic of China.
- Kansas Biological Survey and Center for Ecological Research, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, 66045, USA.
| | - Haley M Burrill
- Kansas Biological Survey and Center for Ecological Research, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, 66045, USA
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, 66045, USA
- The Institute of Ecology and Evolution, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR, 97403, USA
| | - Laura Y Podzikowski
- Kansas Biological Survey and Center for Ecological Research, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, 66045, USA
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, 66045, USA
| | - Maarten B Eppinga
- Department of Geography, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Fusuo Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Nutrient Use and Management (SKL-NUM), College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, National Academy of Agriculture Green Development, China Agricultural University, 100193, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Junling Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Nutrient Use and Management (SKL-NUM), College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, National Academy of Agriculture Green Development, China Agricultural University, 100193, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Peggy A Schultz
- Kansas Biological Survey and Center for Ecological Research, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, 66045, USA
- Environmental Studies Program, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, 66045, USA
| | - James D Bever
- Kansas Biological Survey and Center for Ecological Research, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, 66045, USA.
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, 66045, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Penna A, Marini M, Ferrarin C, Guicciardi S, Grilli F, Baldrighi E, Ricci F, Casabianca S, Capellacci S, Marinchel N, Penna P, Moro F, Campanelli A, Bolognini L, Ordulj M, Krzelj M, Špada V, Bilić J, Sikoronja M, Bujas N, Manini E. Fecal bacteria contamination in the Adriatic Sea: Investigating environmental factors and modeling to manage recreational coastal waters. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2023; 338:122700. [PMID: 37804906 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2023.122700] [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: 07/27/2023] [Revised: 09/28/2023] [Accepted: 10/04/2023] [Indexed: 10/09/2023]
Abstract
This study is based on assessing fecal indicator bacteria contamination along meteorological, hydrological and physical-chemical variables after high rainy events during the summer period. The study focused on four different coastal sites in the western and eastern Adriatic coast characterized by various geomorphological and hydrological features, levels of urbanization and anthropogenic pressures, with the aim of finding appropriate and effective solutions to ensure the safety and sustainability of tourism and public health. Detailed in-situ survey revealed a wide range of fecal indicator bacterial (FIB) across the different river mouths with concentrations of E. coli ranging from 165 to 6700 CFU 100 mL-1. It was found that nitrogen compounds track microbial load and acted as tracers for fecal contaminants. Further, a modelling tool was also used to analyze the spatial and temporal distribution of fecal pollution at these coastal sites. The integrated monitoring through high frequent survey in river waters and modeling framework allowed for the estimation of fecal indicator bacterial load at the river mouth and examination of fecal pollutant dispersion in recreational waters, considering different scenarios of fecal dispersion along the coast. This study formed the basis of a robust decision support system aimed at improving the management of recreational areas and ensuring the protection of water bodies through efficient management of bathing areas.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Antonella Penna
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, University of Urbino, 61029, Urbino, Italy; Inter-Institute Center for Research on Marine Biodiversity, Resources and Biotechnologies, 61032, Fano, Italy.
| | - Mauro Marini
- Inter-Institute Center for Research on Marine Biodiversity, Resources and Biotechnologies, 61032, Fano, Italy; Institute of Marine Biological Resources and Biotechnologies - CNR IRBIM, 60125, Ancona, Italy
| | - Christian Ferrarin
- Institute of Marine Sciences - ISMAR, National Research Council - CNR, 30122, Venice, Italy
| | - Stefano Guicciardi
- Institute of Marine Biological Resources and Biotechnologies - CNR IRBIM, 60125, Ancona, Italy
| | - Federica Grilli
- Institute of Marine Biological Resources and Biotechnologies - CNR IRBIM, 60125, Ancona, Italy
| | - Elisa Baldrighi
- Department of Biology, University of Nevada-Reno, 89557, Reno, Nevada, USA
| | - Fabio Ricci
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, University of Urbino, 61029, Urbino, Italy; Inter-Institute Center for Research on Marine Biodiversity, Resources and Biotechnologies, 61032, Fano, Italy
| | - Silvia Casabianca
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, University of Urbino, 61029, Urbino, Italy; Inter-Institute Center for Research on Marine Biodiversity, Resources and Biotechnologies, 61032, Fano, Italy
| | - Samuela Capellacci
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, University of Urbino, 61029, Urbino, Italy; Inter-Institute Center for Research on Marine Biodiversity, Resources and Biotechnologies, 61032, Fano, Italy
| | - Nadia Marinchel
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, University of Urbino, 61029, Urbino, Italy
| | - Pierluigi Penna
- Institute of Marine Biological Resources and Biotechnologies - CNR IRBIM, 60125, Ancona, Italy
| | - Fabrizio Moro
- Institute of Marine Biological Resources and Biotechnologies - CNR IRBIM, 60125, Ancona, Italy
| | - Alessandra Campanelli
- Institute of Marine Biological Resources and Biotechnologies - CNR IRBIM, 60125, Ancona, Italy
| | - Luigi Bolognini
- Department Territory and Environment, Marche Region, 60125, Ancona, Italy
| | - Marin Ordulj
- Department of Marine Studies, University of Split, 21000, Split, Croatia
| | - Maja Krzelj
- Department of Marine Studies, University of Split, 21000, Split, Croatia
| | - Vedrana Špada
- Istrian University of Applied Sciences, 52100, Pula, Croatia
| | - Josipa Bilić
- Istrian University of Applied Sciences, 52100, Pula, Croatia
| | - Marija Sikoronja
- Water Management Institute, Croatian Waters, 10000, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Neven Bujas
- Water Management Institute, Croatian Waters, 10000, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Elena Manini
- Institute of Marine Biological Resources and Biotechnologies - CNR IRBIM, 60125, Ancona, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Esposito MM, Turku S, Lehrfield L, Shoman A. The Impact of Human Activities on Zoonotic Infection Transmissions. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:ani13101646. [PMID: 37238075 DOI: 10.3390/ani13101646] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2023] [Revised: 05/04/2023] [Accepted: 05/11/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
As humans expand their territories across more and more regions of the planet, activities such as deforestation, urbanization, tourism, wildlife exploitation, and climate change can have drastic consequences for animal movements and animal-human interactions. These events, especially climate change, can also affect the arthropod vectors that are associated with the animals in these scenarios. As the COVID-19 pandemic and other various significant outbreaks throughout the centuries have demonstrated, when animal patterns and human interactions change, so does the exposure of humans to zoonotic pathogens potentially carried by wildlife. With approximately 60% of emerging human pathogens and around 75% of all emerging infectious diseases being categorized as zoonotic, it is of great importance to examine the impact of human activities on the prevalence and transmission of these infectious agents. A better understanding of the impact of human-related factors on zoonotic disease transmission and prevalence can help drive the preventative measures and containment policies necessary to improve public health.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Michelle Marie Esposito
- Department of Biology, College of Staten Island, City University of New York, Staten Island, New York, NY 10314, USA
- Ph.D. Program in Biology, The Graduate Center, City University of New York, New York, NY 10314, USA
- Macaulay Honors College, City University of New York, New York, NY 10314, USA
| | - Sara Turku
- Department of Biology, College of Staten Island, City University of New York, Staten Island, New York, NY 10314, USA
- Macaulay Honors College, City University of New York, New York, NY 10314, USA
| | - Leora Lehrfield
- Department of Biology, College of Staten Island, City University of New York, Staten Island, New York, NY 10314, USA
- Macaulay Honors College, City University of New York, New York, NY 10314, USA
| | - Ayat Shoman
- Department of Biology, College of Staten Island, City University of New York, Staten Island, New York, NY 10314, USA
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Liu X, Xiao Y, Lin Z, Wang X, Hu K, Liu M, Zhao Y, Qi Y, Zhou S. Spatial scale-dependent dilution effects of biodiversity on plant diseases in grasslands. Ecology 2023; 104:e3944. [PMID: 36477908 DOI: 10.1002/ecy.3944] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2022] [Revised: 11/03/2022] [Accepted: 11/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The rapid biodiversity losses of the Anthropocene have motivated ecologists to understand how biodiversity affects infectious diseases. Spatial scale is thought to moderate negative biodiversity-disease relationships (i.e., dilution effects) in zoonotic diseases, whereas evidence from plant communities for an effect of scale remains limited, especially at local scales where the mechanisms (e.g., encounter reduction) underlying dilution effects actually work. Here, we tested how spatial scale affects the direction and magnitude of biodiversity-disease relationships. We utilized a 10-year-old nitrogen addition experiment in a Tibetan alpine meadow, with 0, 5, 10, and 15 g/m2 nitrogen addition treatments. Within the treatment plots, we arranged a total of 216 quadrats (of either 0.125 × 0.125 m, 0.25 × 0.25 m or 0.5 × 0.5 m size) to test how the sample area affects the relationship between plant species richness and foliar fungal disease severity. We found that the dilution effects were stronger in the 0.125 × 0.125 m and 0.25 × 0.25 m quadrats, compared with 0.5 × 0.5 m quadrats. There was a significant interaction between species richness and nitrogen addition in the 0.125 × 0.125 m and 0.25 × 0.25 m quadrats, indicating that a dilution effect was more easily observed under higher levels of nitrogen addition. Based on multigroup structural equation models, we found that even accounting for the direct impact of nitrogen addition (i.e., "nitrogen-disease hypothesis"), the dilution effect still worked at the 0.125 × 0.125 m scale. Overall, these findings suggest that spatial scale directly determines the occurrence of dilution effects, and can partly explain the observed variation in biodiversity-disease relationships in grasslands. Next-generation frameworks for predicting infectious diseases under rapid biodiversity loss scenarios need to incorporate spatial information.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiang Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Herbage Improvement and Grassland Agro-Ecosystems, College of Ecology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Yao Xiao
- State Key Laboratory of Herbage Improvement and Grassland Agro-Ecosystems, College of Ecology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Ziyuan Lin
- State Key Laboratory of Herbage Improvement and Grassland Agro-Ecosystems, College of Ecology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Xingxing Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Herbage Improvement and Grassland Agro-Ecosystems, College of Ecology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Kui Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Herbage Improvement and Grassland Agro-Ecosystems, College of Ecology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Mu Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Herbage Improvement and Grassland Agro-Ecosystems, College of Ecology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Yimin Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Genetics and Germplasm Innovation of Tropical Special Forest Trees and Ornamental Plants, Ministry of Education, College of Forestry, Hainan University, Haikou, China
| | - Yanwen Qi
- Key Laboratory of Genetics and Germplasm Innovation of Tropical Special Forest Trees and Ornamental Plants, Ministry of Education, College of Forestry, Hainan University, Haikou, China
| | - Shurong Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Genetics and Germplasm Innovation of Tropical Special Forest Trees and Ornamental Plants, Ministry of Education, College of Forestry, Hainan University, Haikou, China
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Fearon ML, Wood CL, Tibbetts EA. Habitat quality influences pollinator pathogen prevalence through both habitat-disease and biodiversity-disease pathways. Ecology 2023; 104:e3933. [PMID: 36448518 PMCID: PMC10078577 DOI: 10.1002/ecy.3933] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2022] [Revised: 09/29/2022] [Accepted: 10/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
Abstract
The dilution effect hypothesis posits that increasing biodiversity reduces infectious disease transmission. Here, we propose that habitat quality might modulate this negative biodiversity-disease relationship. Habitat may influence pathogen prevalence directly by affecting host traits like nutrition and immune response (we coined the term "habitat-disease relationship" to describe this phenomenon) or indirectly by changing host biodiversity (biodiversity-disease relationship). We used a path model to test the relative strength of links between habitat, biodiversity, and pathogen prevalence in a pollinator-virus system. High-quality habitat metrics were directly associated with viral prevalence, providing evidence for a habitat-disease relationship. However, the strength and direction of specific habitat effects on viral prevalence varied based on the characteristics of the habitat, host, and pathogen. In general, more natural area and richness of land-cover types were directly associated with increased viral prevalence, whereas greater floral density was associated with reduced viral prevalence. More natural habitat was also indirectly associated with reduced prevalence of two key viruses (black queen cell virus and deformed wing virus) via increased pollinator species richness, providing evidence for a habitat-mediated dilution effect on viral prevalence. Biodiversity-disease relationships varied across viruses, with the prevalence of sacbrood virus not being associated with any habitat quality or pollinator community metrics. Across all viruses and hosts, habitat-disease and biodiversity-disease paths had effects of similar magnitude on viral prevalence. Therefore, habitat quality is a key driver of variation in pathogen prevalence among communities via both direct habitat-disease and indirect biodiversity-disease pathways, though the specific patterns varied among different viruses and host species. Critically, habitat-disease relationships could either contribute to or obscure dilution effects in natural systems depending on the relative strength and direction of the habitat-disease and biodiversity-disease pathways in that host-pathogen system. Therefore, habitat may be an important driver in the complex interactions between hosts and pathogens.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Michelle L Fearon
- Department of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Chelsea L Wood
- School of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Elizabeth A Tibbetts
- Department of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Shulman LM. Infectious Diseases: Introduction. Infect Dis (Lond) 2023. [DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-2463-0_1104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/10/2023] Open
|
8
|
Sokolow SH, Nova N, Jones IJ, Wood CL, Lafferty KD, Garchitorena A, Hopkins SR, Lund AJ, MacDonald AJ, LeBoa C, Peel AJ, Mordecai EA, Howard ME, Buck JC, Lopez-Carr D, Barry M, Bonds MH, De Leo GA. Ecological and socioeconomic factors associated with the human burden of environmentally mediated pathogens: a global analysis. Lancet Planet Health 2022; 6:e870-e879. [PMID: 36370725 PMCID: PMC9669458 DOI: 10.1016/s2542-5196(22)00248-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2021] [Revised: 08/22/2022] [Accepted: 10/04/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Billions of people living in poverty are at risk of environmentally mediated infectious diseases-that is, pathogens with environmental reservoirs that affect disease persistence and control and where environmental control of pathogens can reduce human risk. The complex ecology of these diseases creates a global health problem not easily solved with medical treatment alone. METHODS We quantified the current global disease burden caused by environmentally mediated infectious diseases and used a structural equation model to explore environmental and socioeconomic factors associated with the human burden of environmentally mediated pathogens across all countries. FINDINGS We found that around 80% (455 of 560) of WHO-tracked pathogen species known to infect humans are environmentally mediated, causing about 40% (129 488 of 359 341 disability-adjusted life years) of contemporary infectious disease burden (global loss of 130 million years of healthy life annually). The majority of this environmentally mediated disease burden occurs in tropical countries, and the poorest countries carry the highest burdens across all latitudes. We found weak associations between disease burden and biodiversity or agricultural land use at the global scale. In contrast, the proportion of people with rural poor livelihoods in a country was a strong proximate indicator of environmentally mediated infectious disease burden. Political stability and wealth were associated with improved sanitation, better health care, and lower proportions of rural poverty, indirectly resulting in lower burdens of environmentally mediated infections. Rarely, environmentally mediated pathogens can evolve into global pandemics (eg, HIV, COVID-19) affecting even the wealthiest communities. INTERPRETATION The high and uneven burden of environmentally mediated infections highlights the need for innovative social and ecological interventions to complement biomedical advances in the pursuit of global health and sustainability goals. FUNDING Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, National Institutes of Health, National Science Foundation, Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, National Institute for Mathematical and Biological Synthesis, Stanford University, and the US Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Susanne H Sokolow
- Woods Institute for the Environment, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA; Marine Science Institute, University of California Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA, USA
| | - Nicole Nova
- Department of Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA; High Meadows Environmental Institute, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, USA.
| | - Isabel J Jones
- Hopkins Marine Station, Stanford University, Pacific Grove, CA, USA
| | - Chelsea L Wood
- School of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Kevin D Lafferty
- US Geological Survey, Western Ecological Research Center, c/o Marine Science Institute, University of California Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA, USA
| | - Andres Garchitorena
- MIVEGEC, Université Montpellier, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Institut de Recherche pour le Développement, Montpellier, France; PIVOT, Division of Global Health Equity, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | | | - Andrea J Lund
- Emmett Interdisciplinary Program in Environment and Resources (E-IPER), Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Andrew J MacDonald
- Department of Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA; Earth Research Institute, University of California Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA, USA
| | | | - Alison J Peel
- Centre for Planetary Health and Food Security, Griffith University, Nathan, QLD, Australia
| | - Erin A Mordecai
- Department of Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Meghan E Howard
- Department of Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Julia C Buck
- Department of Biology and Marine Biology, University of North Carolina Wilmington, Wilmington, NC, USA
| | - David Lopez-Carr
- Department of Geography, University of California Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA, USA
| | - Michele Barry
- Woods Institute for the Environment, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA; Center for Innovation in Global Health, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Matthew H Bonds
- PIVOT, Division of Global Health Equity, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Global Health and Social Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Giulio A De Leo
- Woods Institute for the Environment, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA; Department of Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA; Hopkins Marine Station, Stanford University, Pacific Grove, CA, USA
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Okamoto KW, Ong V, Wallace R, Wallace R, Chaves LF. When might host heterogeneity drive the evolution of asymptomatic, pandemic coronaviruses? NONLINEAR DYNAMICS 2022; 111:927-949. [PMID: 35757097 PMCID: PMC9207439 DOI: 10.1007/s11071-022-07548-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2021] [Accepted: 02/05/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Controlling many infectious diseases, including SARS-Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), requires surveillance followed by isolation, contact-tracing and quarantining. These interventions often begin by identifying symptomatic individuals. However, actively removing pathogen strains causing symptomatic infections may inadvertently select for strains less likely to cause symptomatic infections. Moreover, a pathogen's fitness landscape is structured around a heterogeneous host pool; uneven surveillance efforts and distinct transmission risks across host classes can meaningfully alter selection pressures. Here, we explore this interplay between evolution caused by disease control efforts and the evolutionary consequences of host heterogeneity. Using an evolutionary epidemiology model parameterized for coronaviruses, we show that intense symptoms-driven disease control selects for asymptomatic strains, particularly when these efforts are applied unevenly across host groups. Under these conditions, increasing quarantine efforts have diverging effects. If isolation alone cannot eradicate, intensive quarantine efforts combined with uneven detections of asymptomatic infections (e.g., via neglect of some host classes) can favor the evolution of asymptomatic strains. We further show how, when intervention intensity depends on the prevalence of symptomatic infections, higher removal efforts (and isolating symptomatic cases in particular) more readily select for asymptomatic strains than when these efforts do not depend on prevalence. The selection pressures on pathogens caused by isolation and quarantining likely lie between the extremes of no intervention and thoroughly successful eradication. Thus, analyzing how different public health responses can select for asymptomatic pathogen strains is critical for identifying disease suppression efforts that can effectively manage emerging infectious diseases. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s11071-022-07548-7.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kenichi W. Okamoto
- Department of Biology, University of St. Thomas, St. Paul, MN 55105 USA
- Agroecology and Rural Economics Research Corps, St. Paul, MN USA
| | - Virakbott Ong
- Department of Biology, University of St. Thomas, St. Paul, MN 55105 USA
| | - Robert Wallace
- Agroecology and Rural Economics Research Corps, St. Paul, MN USA
| | | | - Luis Fernando Chaves
- Instituto Conmemorativo Gorgas de Estudios de la Salud (ICGES), Avenida Justo Arosemena, Panama, Panama
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Gandy M. THE ZOONOTIC CITY: Urban Political Ecology and the Pandemic Imaginary. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF URBAN AND REGIONAL RESEARCH 2022; 46:202-219. [PMID: 35874453 PMCID: PMC9299822 DOI: 10.1111/1468-2427.13080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2021] [Revised: 08/29/2021] [Accepted: 09/17/2021] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
In the context of the Covid-19 pandemic this article takes a longer view of the evolving relationship between urbanization and the range of zoonotic diseases that have spread from animals to humans. I suggest that the existing interpretation of epidemiological transitions remains overly Eurocentric and requires a more nuanced conception of global environmental history. Similarly, the conceptualization of urban space within these teleological schemas has relied on a narrow range of examples and has failed to fully engage with networked dimensions to urbanization. At an analytical level I consider the potential for extending the conceptual framework offered by urban political ecology to take greater account of the epidemiological dimensions to contemporary urbanization and its associated pandemic imaginary. I examine how contemporary health threats intersect with complex patterns of environmental change, including the destruction of biodiversity (and trade in live animals), the co-evolutionary dynamics of viruses and other pathogens, and wider dimensions to the global technosphere, including food production, infrastructure networks, and the shifting topographies of peri- or ex-urban contact zones.
Collapse
|
11
|
Examining the paradox of urban disease ecology by linking the perspectives of Urban One Health and Ecology with Cities. Urban Ecosyst 2022; 25:1735-1744. [PMID: 35855439 PMCID: PMC9283848 DOI: 10.1007/s11252-022-01260-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The ecology of zoonotic, including vector-borne, diseases in urban social-ecological systems is influenced by complex interactions among human and environmental factors. Several characteristics contribute to the emergence and spread of infectious diseases in urban places, such as high human population densities, favorable habitat for vectors, and humans' close proximity to animals and their pathogens. On the other hand, urban living can contribute to the improvement of public health through better access to health services and creation of ecological and technological infrastructure that reduces disease burdens. Therefore, urbanization creates a disease ecology paradox through the interplay of urban health penalties and advantages for individual and community outcomes. To address this contradiction, we advocate a holistic Urban One Health perspective for managing urban systems, especially their green spaces and animal populations, in ways that more effectively control the spread of zoonotic diseases. This view should be coupled with an Ecology with Cities approach which emphasizes actionable science needed for urban planning, management and policymaking; developing disease and vector surveillance programs using citizen and community science methods; and improving education and communication actions that help diverse stakeholders understand the complexities of urban disease ecology. Such measures will enable scholars from many disciplines to collaborate with professionals, government officials, and others to tackle challenges of the urban disease paradox and create more sustainable, health-promoting environments.
Collapse
|
12
|
Haahtela T, Alenius H, Lehtimäki J, Sinkkonen A, Fyhrquist N, Hyöty H, Ruokolainen L, Mäkelä MJ. Immunological resilience and biodiversity for prevention of allergic diseases and asthma. Allergy 2021; 76:3613-3626. [PMID: 33959980 DOI: 10.1111/all.14895] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2021] [Revised: 04/27/2021] [Accepted: 04/29/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Increase of allergic conditions has occurred at the same pace with the Great Acceleration, which stands for the rapid growth rate of human activities upon earth from 1950s. Changes of environment and lifestyle along with escalating urbanization are acknowledged as the main underlying causes. Secondary (tertiary) prevention for better disease control has advanced considerably with innovations for oral immunotherapy and effective treatment of inflammation with corticosteroids, calcineurin inhibitors, and biological medications. Patients are less disabled than before. However, primary prevention has remained a dilemma. Factors predicting allergy and asthma risk have proven complex: Risk factors increase the risk, while protective factors counteract them. Interaction of human body with environmental biodiversity with micro-organisms and biogenic compounds as well as the central role of epigenetic adaptation in immune homeostasis have given new insight. Allergic diseases are good indicators of the twisted relation to environment. In various non-communicable diseases, the protective mode of the immune system indicates low-grade inflammation without apparent cause. Giving microbes, pro- and prebiotics, has shown some promise in prevention and treatment. The real-world public health programme in Finland (2008-2018) emphasized nature relatedness and protective factors for immunological resilience, instead of avoidance. The nationwide action mitigated the allergy burden, but in the lack of controls, primary preventive effect remains to be proven. The first results of controlled biodiversity interventions are promising. In the fast urbanizing world, new approaches are called for allergy prevention, which also has a major cost saving potential.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tari Haahtela
- Skin and Allergy Hospital Helsinki University HospitalUniversity of Helsinki Helsinki Finland
| | - Harri Alenius
- Institute of Environmental Medicine Karolinska Institutet Stockholm Sweden
- Department of Bacteriology and Immunology Medicum University of Helsinki Helsinki Finland
| | | | - Aki Sinkkonen
- Natural Resources Institute Finland, Horticulture Technologies Turku Finland
| | - Nanna Fyhrquist
- Institute of Environmental Medicine Karolinska Institutet Stockholm Sweden
- Department of Bacteriology and Immunology Medicum University of Helsinki Helsinki Finland
| | - Heikki Hyöty
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology Tampere University Tampere Finland
- Fimlab Laboratories Pirkanmaa Hospital District Tampere Finland
| | - Lasse Ruokolainen
- Lasse Ruokolainen Department of Biosciences University of Helsinki Helsinki Finland
| | - Mika J. Mäkelä
- Skin and Allergy Hospital Helsinki University HospitalUniversity of Helsinki Helsinki Finland
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Yu D, Li X, Yu J, Shi X, Liu P, Tian P. Whether Urbanization Has Intensified the Spread of Infectious Diseases-Renewed Question by the COVID-19 Pandemic. Front Public Health 2021; 9:699710. [PMID: 34900884 PMCID: PMC8652246 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2021.699710] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2021] [Accepted: 10/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The outbreak of the COVID-19 epidemic has triggered adiscussion of the relationship between urbanization and the spread of infectious diseases. Namely, whether urbanization will exacerbate the spread of infectious diseases. Based on 31 provincial data from 2002 to 2018 in China, the impact of urbanization on the spread of infectious diseases from the dimensions of "population" and "land" is analyzed in this paper by using the GMM (generalized method of moments) model. The empirical study shows that the population increase brought by urbanization does not aggravate the spread of infectious diseases. On the contrary, urban education, employment and entrepreneurship, housing, medical and health care, and other basic public services brought by population urbanization can help reduce the risk of the spread of infectious diseases. The increasing density of buildings caused by land urbanization increases the risk of the spread of infectious diseases. Moreover, the impact of urbanization on the spread of infectious diseases has regional heterogeneity. Therefore, the prevention and control of disease play a crucial role.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dongsheng Yu
- School of Economics, Zhongnan University of Economics and Law, Wuhan, China
| | - Xiaoping Li
- School of Economics, Zhongnan University of Economics and Law, Wuhan, China
| | - Juanjuan Yu
- School of Economics, Zhongnan University of Economics and Law, Wuhan, China
| | - Xunpeng Shi
- Australia-China Relations Institute, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Pei Liu
- School of Economics, Zhengzhou University of Aeronautics, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Pu Tian
- School of Economics, Zhongnan University of Economics and Law, Wuhan, China
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Simon LM, Rangel TF. Are Temperature Suitability and Socioeconomic Factors Reliable Predictors of Dengue Transmission in Brazil? FRONTIERS IN TROPICAL DISEASES 2021. [DOI: 10.3389/fitd.2021.758393] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Dengue is an ongoing problem, especially in tropical countries. Like many other vector-borne diseases, the spread of dengue is driven by a myriad of climate and socioeconomic factors. Within developing countries, heterogeneities on socioeconomic factors are expected to create variable conditions for dengue transmission. However, the relative role of socioeconomic characteristics and their association with climate in determining dengue prevalence are poorly understood. Here we assembled essential socioeconomic factors over 5570 municipalities across Brazil and assessed their effect on dengue prevalence jointly with a previously predicted temperature suitability for transmission. Using a simultaneous autoregressive approach (SAR), we showed that the variability in the prevalence of dengue cases across Brazil is primarily explained by the combined effect of climate and socioeconomic factors. At some dengue seasons, the effect of temperature on transmission potential showed to be a more significant proxy of dengue cases. Still, socioeconomic factors explained the later increase in dengue prevalence over Brazil. In a heterogeneous country such as Brazil, recognizing the transmission drivers by vectors is a fundamental issue in effectively predicting and combating tropical diseases like dengue. Ultimately, it indicates that not considering socioeconomic factors in disease transmission predictions might compromise efficient surveillance strategies. Our study shows that sanitation, urbanization, and GDP are regional indicators that should be considered along with temperature suitability on dengue transmission, setting effective directions to mosquito-borne disease control.
Collapse
|
15
|
Glidden CK, Nova N, Kain MP, Lagerstrom KM, Skinner EB, Mandle L, Sokolow SH, Plowright RK, Dirzo R, De Leo GA, Mordecai EA. Human-mediated impacts on biodiversity and the consequences for zoonotic disease spillover. Curr Biol 2021; 31:R1342-R1361. [PMID: 34637744 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2021.08.070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Human-mediated changes to natural ecosystems have consequences for both ecosystem and human health. Historically, efforts to preserve or restore 'biodiversity' can seem to be in opposition to human interests. However, the integration of biodiversity conservation and public health has gained significant traction in recent years, and new efforts to identify solutions that benefit both environmental and human health are ongoing. At the forefront of these efforts is an attempt to clarify ways in which biodiversity conservation can help reduce the risk of zoonotic spillover of pathogens from wild animals, sparking epidemics and pandemics in humans and livestock. However, our understanding of the mechanisms by which biodiversity change influences the spillover process is incomplete, limiting the application of integrated strategies aimed at achieving positive outcomes for both conservation and disease management. Here, we review the literature, considering a broad scope of biodiversity dimensions, to identify cases where zoonotic pathogen spillover is mechanistically linked to changes in biodiversity. By reframing the discussion around biodiversity and disease using mechanistic evidence - while encompassing multiple aspects of biodiversity including functional diversity, landscape diversity, phenological diversity, and interaction diversity - we work toward general principles that can guide future research and more effectively integrate the related goals of biodiversity conservation and spillover prevention. We conclude by summarizing how these principles could be used to integrate the goal of spillover prevention into ongoing biodiversity conservation initiatives.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Nicole Nova
- Department of Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA.
| | - Morgan P Kain
- Department of Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA; Natural Capital Project, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | | | - Eloise B Skinner
- Department of Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA; Centre for Planetary Health and Food Security, Griffith University, Gold Coast, QLD 4222, Australia
| | - Lisa Mandle
- Department of Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA; Natural Capital Project, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA; Woods Institute for the Environment, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Susanne H Sokolow
- Woods Institute for the Environment, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA; Marine Science Institute, University of California Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA 93106, USA
| | - Raina K Plowright
- Department of Microbiology and Cell Biology, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT 59717, USA
| | - Rodolfo Dirzo
- Department of Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA; Woods Institute for the Environment, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Giulio A De Leo
- Department of Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA; Woods Institute for the Environment, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA; Hopkins Marine Station, Stanford University, Pacific Grove, CA 93950, USA
| | - Erin A Mordecai
- Department of Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Balmford A. Concentrating vs. spreading our footprint: how to meet humanity's needs at least cost to nature. J Zool (1987) 2021. [DOI: 10.1111/jzo.12920] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- A. Balmford
- Conservation Science Group Department of Zoology University of Cambridge Cambridge UK
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Thurstan RH, Hockings KJ, Hedlund JSU, Bersacola E, Collins C, Early R, Ermiasi Y, Fleischer‐Dogley F, Gilkes G, Harrison ME, Imron MA, Kaiser‐Bunbury CN, Refly Katoppo D, Marriott C, Muzungaile M, Nuno A, Regalla de Barros A, van Veen F, Wijesundara I, Dogley D, Bunbury N. Envisioning a resilient future for biodiversity conservation in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. PEOPLE AND NATURE 2021; 3:990-1013. [PMID: 34909607 PMCID: PMC8661774 DOI: 10.1002/pan3.10262] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2020] [Accepted: 08/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to affect societies across the world, the ongoing economic and social disruptions are likely to present fundamental challenges for current and future biodiversity conservation.We review the literature for outcomes of past major societal, political, economic and zoonotic perturbations on biodiversity conservation, and demonstrate the complex implications of perturbation events upon conservation efforts. Building on the review findings, we use six in-depth case studies and the emerging literature to identify positive and negative outcomes of the COVID-19 pandemic, known and anticipated, for biodiversity conservation efforts around the world.A number of similarities exist between the current pandemic and past perturbations, with experiences highlighting that the pandemic-induced declines in conservation revenue and capacity, livelihood and trade disruptions are likely to have long-lasting and negative implications for biodiversity and conservation efforts.Yet, the COVID-19 pandemic also brought about a global pause in human movement that is unique in recent history, and may yet foster long-lasting behavioural and societal changes, presenting opportunities to strengthen and advance conservation efforts in the wake of the pandemic. Enhanced collaborations and partnerships at the local level, cross-sectoral engagement, local investment and leadership will all enhance the resilience of conservation efforts in the face of future perturbations. Other actions aimed at enhancing resilience will require fundamental institutional change and extensive government and public engagement and support if they are to be realised.The pandemic has highlighted the inherent vulnerabilities in the social and economic models upon which many conservation efforts are based. In so doing, it presents an opportunity to reconsider the status quo for conservation, and promotes behaviours and actions that are resilient to future perturbation. A free Plain Language Summary can be found within the Supporting Information of this article.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ruth H. Thurstan
- Centre for Ecology and ConservationCollege of Life and Environmental SciencesUniversity of ExeterPenrynUK
| | - Kimberley J. Hockings
- Centre for Ecology and ConservationCollege of Life and Environmental SciencesUniversity of ExeterPenrynUK
| | - Johanna S. U. Hedlund
- Centre for Ecology and ConservationCollege of Life and Environmental SciencesUniversity of ExeterPenrynUK
- Department of BiologyLund UniversityLundSweden
| | - Elena Bersacola
- Centre for Ecology and ConservationCollege of Life and Environmental SciencesUniversity of ExeterPenrynUK
| | - Claire Collins
- Centre for Ecology and ConservationCollege of Life and Environmental SciencesUniversity of ExeterPenrynUK
- Institute of ZoologyZoological Society of LondonLondonUK
| | - Regan Early
- Centre for Ecology and ConservationCollege of Life and Environmental SciencesUniversity of ExeterPenrynUK
| | - Yunsiska Ermiasi
- Yayasan Borneo Nature IndonesiaCentral KalimantanPalangka RayaIndonesia
| | | | | | - Mark E. Harrison
- Centre for Ecology and ConservationCollege of Life and Environmental SciencesUniversity of ExeterPenrynUK
- Borneo Nature Foundation InternationalTremough Innovation CentrePenrynUK
- School of Geography, Geology and the EnvironmentUniversity of LeicesterLeicesterUK
| | | | | | | | | | - Marie‐May Muzungaile
- Biodiversity Conservation and Management DivisionMinistry of Environment, Energy and Climate ChangeVictoriaRepublic of Seychelles
| | - Ana Nuno
- Centre for Ecology and ConservationCollege of Life and Environmental SciencesUniversity of ExeterPenrynUK
- Interdisciplinary Centre of Social Sciences (CICS.NOVA)School of Social Sciences and Humanities (NOVA FCSH)NOVA University LisbonLisboaPortugal
| | - Aissa Regalla de Barros
- Instituto da Biodiversidade e das Áreas ProtegidasDr. Alfredo Simão da Silva (IBAP)BissauGuiné‐Bissau
| | - Frank van Veen
- Centre for Ecology and ConservationCollege of Life and Environmental SciencesUniversity of ExeterPenrynUK
| | | | | | - Nancy Bunbury
- Centre for Ecology and ConservationCollege of Life and Environmental SciencesUniversity of ExeterPenrynUK
- Seychelles Islands FoundationVictoriaRepublic of Seychelles
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Differential mortality of infectious disease in Italian polities: COVID-19, past plague epidemics, and currently endemic respiratory disease. INFECTION GENETICS AND EVOLUTION 2021; 95:105081. [PMID: 34520873 PMCID: PMC8434887 DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2021.105081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2021] [Revised: 09/05/2021] [Accepted: 09/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has harshly impacted Italy since its arrival in February 2020. In particular, provinces in Italy's Central and Northern macroregions have dealt with disproportionately greater case prevalence and mortality rates than those in the South. In this paper, we compare the morbidity and mortality dynamics of 16th and 17th century Plague outbreaks with those of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic across Italian regions. We also include data on infectious respiratory diseases which are presently endemic to Italy in order to analyze the regional differences between epidemic and endemic disease. A Growth Curve Analysis allowed for the estimation of time-related intercepts and slopes across the 16th and 17th centuries. Those statistical parameters were later incorporated as criterion variables in multiple General Linear Models. These statistical examinations determined that the Northern macroregion had a higher intercept than the Southern macroregion. This indicated that provinces located in Northern Italy had historically experienced higher plague mortalities than Southern polities. The analyses also revealed that this geographical differential in morbidity and mortality persists to this day, as the Northern macroregion has experienced a substantially higher COVID-19 mortality than the Southern macroregion. These results are consistent with previously published analyses. The only other stable and significant predictor of epidemic disease mortality was foreign urban potential, a measure of the degree of interconnectedness between 16th and 17th century Italian cities. Foreign urban potential was negatively associated with plague slope and positively associated with plague intercept, COVID-19 mortality, GDP per capita, and immigration per capita. Its substantial contribution in predicting both past and present outcomes provides a temporal continuity not seen in any other measure tested here. Overall, this study provides compelling evidence that temporally stable geographical factors, impacting both historical and current foreign pathogen spread above and beyond other hypothesized predictors, underlie the disproportionate impact COVID-19 has had throughout Central and Northern Italian provinces.
Collapse
|
19
|
Keesing F, Ostfeld RS. Dilution effects in disease ecology. Ecol Lett 2021; 24:2490-2505. [PMID: 34482609 PMCID: PMC9291114 DOI: 10.1111/ele.13875] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2021] [Accepted: 08/19/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
For decades, people have reduced the transmission of pathogens by adding low‐quality hosts to managed environments like agricultural fields. More recently, there has been interest in whether similar ‘dilution effects’ occur in natural disease systems, and whether these effects are eroded as diversity declines. For some pathogens of plants, humans and other animals, the highest‐quality hosts persist when diversity is lost, so that high‐quality hosts dominate low‐diversity communities, resulting in greater pathogen transmission. Meta‐analyses reveal that these natural dilution effects are common. However, studying them remains challenging due to limitations on the ability of researchers to manipulate many disease systems experimentally, difficulties of acquiring data on host quality and confusion about what should and should not be considered a dilution effect. Because dilution effects are widely used in managed disease systems and have been documented in a variety of natural disease systems, their existence should not be considered controversial. Important questions remain about how frequently they occur and under what conditions to expect them. There is also ongoing confusion about their relationships to both pathogen spillover and general biogeographical correlations between diversity and disease, which has resulted in an inconsistent and confusing literature. Progress will require rigorous and creative research.
Collapse
|
20
|
Bickley SJ, Torgler B. A systematic approach to public health - Novel application of the human factors analysis and classification system to public health and COVID-19. SAFETY SCIENCE 2021; 140:105312. [PMID: 33897105 PMCID: PMC8053242 DOI: 10.1016/j.ssci.2021.105312] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2020] [Revised: 03/16/2021] [Accepted: 04/12/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
In this article, we argue for a novel adaptation of the Human Factors Analysis and Classification System (HFACS) to proactive incidence prevention in the public health and in particular, during and in response to COVID-19. HFACS is a framework of causal categories of human errors typically applied for systematic retrospective incident analysis in high-risk domains. By leveraging this approach proactively, appropriate, and targeted measures can be quickly identified and established to mitigate potential errors at different levels within the public health system (from tertiary and secondary healthcare workers to primary public health officials, regulators, and policymakers).
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Steve J Bickley
- School of Economics and Finance, Queensland University of Technology, 2 George St, Brisbane, QLD 4000, Australia
- Centre for Behavioural Economics, Society and Technology (BEST), 2 George St, Brisbane, QLD 4000, Australia
| | - Benno Torgler
- School of Economics and Finance, Queensland University of Technology, 2 George St, Brisbane, QLD 4000, Australia
- Centre for Behavioural Economics, Society and Technology (BEST), 2 George St, Brisbane, QLD 4000, Australia
- CREMA - Centre for Research in Economics, Management, and the Arts, Südstrasse 11, CH-8008 Zürich, Switzerland
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Livelihood Improvement through Agroforestry Compared to Conventional Farming System: Evidence from Northern Irrigated Plain, Pakistan. LAND 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/land10060645] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The concept of sustainable livelihood garnered a prominent status in humanitarian and international development organizations that aim to calculate and build a livelihood for agroforestry farmers. However, it is difficult to measure and analyze as well as visualize the data of livelihood improvement from agroforestry (AF). This paper comparatively assessed 400 smallholder farmers’ livelihood through AF and conventional farming (CF) systems in the Northern Irrigated Plain of Pakistan. The findings showed that AF has a mixed impact on farmers’ livelihood capital, including human, physical, natural, financial and social capital. Specifically, AF significantly improved financial capital in terms of timber, non-timber and fuel wood income. Furthermore, the physical capital (buffalo plough, generators and sprinklers), natural capital (the extent of cultivated land and land ownership; the number of households (HHs) growing vegetables, fruit crops and medicinal crops) and social capital (the number of social groups that HHs involved and number of HHs sharing crop seeds) of AF farmer HHs were significantly improved compared to those of CF farmers. However, the results show that financial capital gain through crop income, HHs owning high-value vehicles (tractors) and farmers trust and collective activities were significantly higher in CF farmers than AF ones. Therefore, to enhance the contribution of AF to rural livelihood, advanced extension services and government involvement on research planning and implementing are needed.
Collapse
|
22
|
Garrido M, Halle S, Flatau R, Cohen C, Navarro-Castilla Á, Barja I, Hawlena H. The dilution effect behind the scenes: testing the underlying assumptions of its mechanisms through quantifying the long-term dynamics and effects of a pathogen in multiple host species. Proc Biol Sci 2021; 288:20210773. [PMID: 34102894 PMCID: PMC8187991 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2021.0773] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2021] [Accepted: 05/12/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Disentangling the mechanisms that mediate the relationships between species diversity and disease risk has both theoretical and applied implications. We employed a model system of rodents and their Mycoplasma pathogens, in which an extreme negative diversity-disease relationship was demonstrated, to test the assumptions underlying three mechanisms that may explain this field pattern. Through quantifying the long-term dynamics and effects of the pathogen in its three host species, we estimated the between-host differences in pathogen spreading and transmission potentials, and host recovery potential and vulnerability to infection. The results suggest that one of the hosts is a pathogen amplifier and the other two hosts function as diluters. Considering the similarity in infection success and intensity among hosts, and the failure to detect any pathogen-induced damage, we could not validate the assumption underlying the hypotheses that diluters reduce the overall transmission or increase the mortality of infected hosts in the system. Instead, the results demonstrate that diluters clear the infection faster than amplifiers, supporting the possibility that the addition of diluters to the community may reduce the overall number of infected hosts through this mechanism. This study highlights the contribution of experimental studies that simultaneously explore different aspects of host-pathogen interactions in multiple hosts, in diversity-disease research.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mario Garrido
- Jacob Blaustein Center for Scientific Cooperation, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, 849900 Midreshet Ben-Gurion, Israel
| | - Snir Halle
- Mitrani Department of Desert Ecology, Swiss Institute for Dryland Environmental and Energy Research, The Jacob Blaustein Institutes for Desert Research, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, 849900 Midreshet Ben-Gurion, Israel
| | - Ron Flatau
- Mitrani Department of Desert Ecology, Swiss Institute for Dryland Environmental and Energy Research, The Jacob Blaustein Institutes for Desert Research, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, 849900 Midreshet Ben-Gurion, Israel
| | - Carmit Cohen
- Mitrani Department of Desert Ecology, Swiss Institute for Dryland Environmental and Energy Research, The Jacob Blaustein Institutes for Desert Research, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, 849900 Midreshet Ben-Gurion, Israel
| | - Álvaro Navarro-Castilla
- Etho-Physiology Group. Unit of Zoology. Department of Biology. Faculty of Sciences, the Autonomous University of Madrid, Spain
| | - Isabel Barja
- Etho-Physiology Group. Unit of Zoology. Department of Biology. Faculty of Sciences, the Autonomous University of Madrid, Spain
- Center for Research on Biodiversity and Global Change (CIBC-UAM), the Autonomous University of Madrid, Spain
| | - Hadas Hawlena
- Mitrani Department of Desert Ecology, Swiss Institute for Dryland Environmental and Energy Research, The Jacob Blaustein Institutes for Desert Research, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, 849900 Midreshet Ben-Gurion, Israel
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Tao Y, Hite JL, Lafferty KD, Earn DJD, Bharti N. Transient disease dynamics across ecological scales. THEOR ECOL-NETH 2021; 14:625-640. [PMID: 34075317 PMCID: PMC8156581 DOI: 10.1007/s12080-021-00514-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2020] [Accepted: 05/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Analyses of transient dynamics are critical to understanding infectious disease transmission and persistence. Identifying and predicting transients across scales, from within-host to community-level patterns, plays an important role in combating ongoing epidemics and mitigating the risk of future outbreaks. Moreover, greater emphases on non-asymptotic processes will enable timely evaluations of wildlife and human diseases and lead to improved surveillance efforts, preventive responses, and intervention strategies. Here, we explore the contributions of transient analyses in recent models spanning the fields of epidemiology, movement ecology, and parasitology. In addition to their roles in predicting epidemic patterns and endemic outbreaks, we explore transients in the contexts of pathogen transmission, resistance, and avoidance at various scales of the ecological hierarchy. Examples illustrate how (i) transient movement dynamics at the individual host level can modify opportunities for transmission events over time; (ii) within-host energetic processes often lead to transient dynamics in immunity, pathogen load, and transmission potential; (iii) transient connectivity between discrete populations in response to environmental factors and outbreak dynamics can affect disease spread across spatial networks; and (iv) increasing species richness in a community can provide transient protection to individuals against infection. Ultimately, we suggest that transient analyses offer deeper insights and raise new, interdisciplinary questions for disease research, consequently broadening the applications of dynamical models for outbreak preparedness and management. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12080-021-00514-w.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yun Tao
- Intelligence Community Postdoctoral Research Fellowship Program, Department of Ecology, Evolution and Marine Biology, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA 93106 USA
| | - Jessica L. Hite
- School of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Pathobiological Sciences, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53706 USA
| | - Kevin D. Lafferty
- Western Ecological Research Center at UCSB Marine Science Institute, U.S. Geological Survey, CA 93106 Santa Barbara, USA
| | - David J. D. Earn
- Department of Mathematics and Statistics, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L8S 4K1 Canada
| | - Nita Bharti
- Department of Biology Center for Infectious Disease Dynamics, Penn State University, University Park, PA 16802 USA
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Luo R, Delaunay‐Moisan A, Timmis K, Danchin A. SARS-CoV-2 biology and variants: anticipation of viral evolution and what needs to be done. Environ Microbiol 2021; 23:2339-2363. [PMID: 33769683 PMCID: PMC8251359 DOI: 10.1111/1462-2920.15487] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2021] [Accepted: 03/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The global propagation of SARS-CoV-2 and the detection of a large number of variants, some of which have replaced the original clade to become dominant, underscores the fact that the virus is actively exploring its evolutionary space. The longer high levels of viral multiplication occur - permitted by high levels of transmission -, the more the virus can adapt to the human host and find ways to success. The third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic is starting in different parts of the world, emphasizing that transmission containment measures that are being imposed are not adequate. Part of the consideration in determining containment measures is the rationale that vaccination will soon stop transmission and allow a return to normality. However, vaccines themselves represent a selection pressure for evolution of vaccine-resistant variants, so the coupling of a policy of permitting high levels of transmission/virus multiplication during vaccine roll-out with the expectation that vaccines will deal with the pandemic, is unrealistic. In the absence of effective antivirals, it is not improbable that SARS-CoV-2 infection prophylaxis will involve an annual vaccination campaign against 'dominant' viral variants, similar to influenza prophylaxis. Living with COVID-19 will be an issue of SARS-CoV-2 variants and evolution. It is therefore crucial to understand how SARS-CoV-2 evolves and what constrains its evolution, in order to anticipate the variants that will emerge. Thus far, the focus has been on the receptor-binding spike protein, but the virus is complex, encoding 26 proteins which interact with a large number of host factors, so the possibilities for evolution are manifold and not predictable a priori. However, if we are to mount the best defence against COVID-19, we must mount it against the variants, and to do this, we must have knowledge about the evolutionary possibilities of the virus. In addition to the generic cellular interactions of the virus, there are extensive polymorphisms in humans (e.g. Lewis, HLA, etc.), some distributed within most or all populations, some restricted to specific ethnic populations and these variations pose additional opportunities for/constraints on viral evolution. We now have the wherewithal - viral genome sequencing, protein structure determination/modelling, protein interaction analysis - to functionally characterize viral variants, but access to comprehensive genome data is extremely uneven. Yet, to develop an understanding of the impacts of such evolution on transmission and disease, we must link it to transmission (viral epidemiology) and disease data (patient clinical data), and the population granularities of these. In this editorial, we explore key facets of viral biology and the influence of relevant aspects of human polymorphisms, human behaviour, geography and climate and, based on this, derive a series of recommendations to monitor viral evolution and predict the types of variants that are likely to arise.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ruibang Luo
- Department of Computer ScienceThe University of Hong KongBonham RoadPokfulamHong Kong
| | - Agnès Delaunay‐Moisan
- Université Paris‐Saclay, CEA, CNRS, Institute for Integrative Biology of the Cell (I2BC)Gif‐sur‐Yvette91198France
| | - Kenneth Timmis
- Institute of MicrobiologyTechnical University of BraunschweigBraunschweigGermany
| | - Antoine Danchin
- Kodikos Labs, Institut Cochin, 24 rue du Faubourg Saint‐JacquesParis75014France
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Kashing Faculty of MedicineUniversity of Hong Kong21 Sassoon RoadHong Kong
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Abstract
Zoonotic diseases are infectious diseases of humans caused by pathogens that are shared between humans and other vertebrate animals. Previously, pristine natural areas with high biodiversity were seen as likely sources of new zoonotic pathogens, suggesting that biodiversity could have negative impacts on human health. At the same time, biodiversity has been recognized as potentially benefiting human health by reducing the transmission of some pathogens that have already established themselves in human populations. These apparently opposing effects of biodiversity in human health may now be reconcilable. Recent research demonstrates that some taxa are much more likely to be zoonotic hosts than others are, and that these animals often proliferate in human-dominated landscapes, increasing the likelihood of spillover. In less-disturbed areas, however, these zoonotic reservoir hosts are less abundant and nonreservoirs predominate. Thus, biodiversity loss appears to increase the risk of human exposure to both new and established zoonotic pathogens. This new synthesis of the effects of biodiversity on zoonotic diseases presents an opportunity to articulate the next generation of research questions that can inform management and policy. Future studies should focus on collecting and analyzing data on the diversity, abundance, and capacity to transmit of the taxa that actually share zoonotic pathogens with us. To predict and prevent future epidemics, researchers should also focus on how these metrics change in response to human impacts on the environment, and how human behaviors can mitigate these effects. Restoration of biodiversity is an important frontier in the management of zoonotic disease risk.
Collapse
|
26
|
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.
Collapse
|
27
|
Halliday FW, Rohr JR, Laine AL. Biodiversity loss underlies the dilution effect of biodiversity. Ecol Lett 2020; 23:1611-1622. [PMID: 32808427 PMCID: PMC7693066 DOI: 10.1111/ele.13590] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2020] [Revised: 06/14/2020] [Accepted: 07/16/2020] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
The dilution effect predicts increasing biodiversity to reduce the risk of infection, but the generality of this effect remains unresolved. Because biodiversity loss generates predictable changes in host community competence, we hypothesised that biodiversity loss might drive the dilution effect. We tested this hypothesis by reanalysing four previously published meta‐analyses that came to contradictory conclusions regarding generality of the dilution effect. In the context of biodiversity loss, our analyses revealed a unifying pattern: dilution effects were inconsistently observed for natural biodiversity gradients, but were commonly observed for biodiversity gradients generated by disturbances causing losses of biodiversity. Incorporating biodiversity loss into tests of generality of the dilution effect further indicated that scale‐dependency may strengthen the dilution effect only when biodiversity gradients are driven by biodiversity loss. Together, these results help to resolve one of the most contentious issues in disease ecology: the generality of the dilution effect.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fletcher W Halliday
- Department of Evolutionary Biology and Environmental Studies, University of Zurich, Zurich, 8057, Switzerland
| | - Jason R Rohr
- Department of Biological Sciences, Eck Institute of Global Health, Environmental Change Initiative, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN, USA
| | - Anna-Liisa Laine
- Department of Evolutionary Biology and Environmental Studies, University of Zurich, Zurich, 8057, Switzerland.,Organismal & Evolutionary Biology Research Program, University of Helsinki, PO Box 65, Helsinki, FI-00014, Finland
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Espinosa R, Tago D, Treich N. Infectious Diseases and Meat Production. ENVIRONMENTAL & RESOURCE ECONOMICS 2020; 76:1019-1044. [PMID: 32836843 PMCID: PMC7399585 DOI: 10.1007/s10640-020-00484-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/13/2020] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
Most infectious diseases in humans originate from animals. In this paper, we explore the role of animal farming and meat consumption in the emergence and amplification of infectious diseases. First, we discuss how meat production increases epidemic risks, either directly through increased contact with wild and farmed animals or indirectly through its impact on the environment (e.g., biodiversity loss, water use, climate change). Traditional food systems such as bushmeat and backyard farming increase the risks of disease transmission from wild animals, while intensive farming amplifies the impact of the disease due to the high density, genetic proximity, increased immunodeficiency, and live transport of farmed animals. Second, we describe the various direct and indirect costs of animal-based infectious diseases, and in particular, how these diseases can negatively impact the economy and the environment. Last, we discuss policies to reduce the social costs of infectious diseases. While existing regulatory frameworks such as the "One Health" approach focus on increasing farms' biosecurity and emergency preparedness, we emphasize the need to better align stakeholders' incentives and to reduce meat consumption. We discuss in particular the implementation of a "zoonotic" Pigouvian tax, and innovations such as insect-based food or cultured meat.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Damian Tago
- Emergency Centre for Transboundary Animal Diseases, Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN, Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific, Bangkok, Thailand
| | | |
Collapse
|
29
|
Gildner TE, Cepon-Robins TJ, Liebert MA, Urlacher SS, Schrock JM, Harrington CJ, Madimenos FC, Snodgrass JJ, Sugiyama LS. Market integration and soil-transmitted helminth infection among the Shuar of Amazonian Ecuador. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0236924. [PMID: 32735608 PMCID: PMC7394393 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0236924] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2019] [Accepted: 07/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infections have many negative health outcomes (e.g., diarrhea, nutritional deficiencies) that can also exacerbate poverty. These infections are generally highest among low-income populations, many of which are also undergoing market integration (MI; increased participation in a market-based economy). Yet the direct impact of MI-related social and environmental changes on STH infection patterns is poorly understood, making it unclear which lifestyle factors should be targeted to better control disease spread. This cross-sectional study examines if household infrastructure associated with greater MI is associated with lower STH burdens among Indigenous Ecuadorian Shuar. METHODS Kato-Katz fecal smears were used to determine STH infection status and intensity (n = 620 participants; 308 females, 312 males, aged 6 months-86 years); Ascaris lumbricoides (ascarid) and Trichuris trichiura (whipworm) were the primary infection types detected. Structured interviews assessing lifestyle patterns (e.g., measures of household infrastructure) measured participant MI. Multilevel regression analyses and zero-inflated negative binomial regression models tested associations between MI measures and STH infection status or intensity, controlling for individual and community characteristics. RESULTS Participants residing in more market-integrated households exhibited lower infection rates and intensities than those in less market integrated households. Parasite infection status and T. trichiura infection intensity were lower among participants living in houses with wood floors than those with dirt floors, while individuals using well or piped water from a spring exhibited lower A. lumbricoides infection intensities compared to those using river or stream water. Unexpectedly, latrine type was not significantly related to STH infection status or intensity. These results suggest that sources of exposure differ between the two helminth species. CONCLUSIONS This study documents associations between household measures and STH infection among an Indigenous population undergoing rapid MI. These findings can help healthcare programs better target interventions and reduce STH exposure among at-risk populations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Theresa E. Gildner
- Department of Anthropology, Dartmouth College, Hanover, New Hampshire, United States of America
| | - Tara J. Cepon-Robins
- Department of Anthropology, University of Colorado, Colorado Springs, Colorado, United States of America
| | - Melissa A. Liebert
- Department of Anthropology, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, Arizona, United States of America
| | - Samuel S. Urlacher
- Department of Anthropology, Baylor University, Waco, Texas, United States of America
| | - Joshua M. Schrock
- Department of Anthropology, University of Oregon, Eugene, Oregon, United States of America
| | | | - Felicia C. Madimenos
- Department of Anthropology, Queens College (CUNY), Flushing, New York, United States of America
| | - J. Josh Snodgrass
- Department of Anthropology, University of Oregon, Eugene, Oregon, United States of America
- Center for Global Health, University of Oregon, Eugene, Oregon, United States of America
| | - Lawrence S. Sugiyama
- Department of Anthropology, University of Oregon, Eugene, Oregon, United States of America
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
Skórka P, Grzywacz B, Moroń D, Lenda M. The macroecology of the COVID-19 pandemic in the Anthropocene. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0236856. [PMID: 32730366 PMCID: PMC7392232 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0236856] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2020] [Accepted: 07/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, the virus that causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), has expanded rapidly throughout the world. Thus, it is important to understand how global factors linked with the functioning of the Anthropocene are responsible for the COVID-19 outbreak. We tested hypotheses that the number of COVID-19 cases, number of deaths and growth rate of recorded infections: (1) are positively associated with population density as well as (2) proportion of the human population living in urban areas as a proxies of interpersonal contact rate, (3) age of the population in a given country as an indication of that population's susceptibility to COVID-19; (4) net migration rate and (5) number of tourists as proxies of infection pressure, and negatively associated with (5) gross domestic product which is a proxy of health care quality. Data at the country level were compiled from publicly available databases and analysed with gradient boosting regression trees after controlling for confounding factors (e.g. geographic location). We found a positive association between the number of COVID-19 cases in a given country and gross domestic product, number of tourists, and geographic longitude. The number of deaths was positively associated with gross domestic product, number of tourists in a country, and geographic longitude. The effects of gross domestic product and number of tourists were non-linear, with clear thresholds above which the number of COVID-19 cases and deaths increased rapidly. The growth rate of COVID-19 cases was positively linked to the number of tourists and gross domestic product. The growth rate of COVID-19 cases was negatively associated with the mean age of the population and geographic longitude. Growth was slower in less urbanised countries. This study demonstrates that the characteristics of the human population and high mobility, but not population density, may help explain the global spread of the virus. In addition, geography, possibly via climate, may play a role in the pandemic. The unexpected positive and strong association between gross domestic product and number of cases, deaths, and growth rate suggests that COVID-19 may be a new civilisation disease affecting rich economies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Piotr Skórka
- Institute of Nature Conservation, Polish Academy of Sciences, Kraków, Poland
| | - Beata Grzywacz
- Institute of Systematics and Evolution of Animals, Polish Academy of Sciences, Kraków, Poland
| | - Dawid Moroń
- Institute of Systematics and Evolution of Animals, Polish Academy of Sciences, Kraków, Poland
| | - Magdalena Lenda
- Institute of Nature Conservation, Polish Academy of Sciences, Kraków, Poland
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
Gaythorpe KA, Hamlet A, Cibrelus L, Garske T, Ferguson NM. The effect of climate change on yellow fever disease burden in Africa. eLife 2020; 9:55619. [PMID: 32718436 PMCID: PMC7386919 DOI: 10.7554/elife.55619] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2020] [Accepted: 07/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Yellow Fever (YF) is an arbovirus endemic in tropical regions of South America and Africa and it is estimated to cause 78,000 deaths a year in Africa alone. Climate change may have substantial effects on the transmission of YF and we present the first analysis of the potential impact on disease burden. We extend an existing model of YF transmission to account for rainfall and a temperature suitability index and project transmission intensity across the African endemic region in the context of four climate change scenarios. We use these transmission projections to assess the change in burden in 2050 and 2070. We find disease burden changes heterogeneously across the region. In the least severe scenario, we find a 93.0%[95%CI(92.7, 93.2%)] chance that annual deaths will increase in 2050. This change in epidemiology will complicate future control efforts. Thus, we may need to consider the effect of changing climatic variables on future intervention strategies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Tini Garske
- Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | | |
Collapse
|
32
|
Hoi AG, Gilbert B, Mideo N. Deconstructing the Impact of Malaria Vector Diversity on Disease Risk. Am Nat 2020; 196:E61-E70. [PMID: 32813999 DOI: 10.1086/710005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
AbstractRecent years have seen significant progress in understanding the impact of host community assemblage on disease risk, yet diversity in disease vectors has rarely been investigated. Using published malaria and mosquito surveys from Kenya, we analyzed the relationship between malaria prevalence and multiple axes of mosquito diversity: abundance, species richness, and composition. We found a net amplification of malaria prevalence by vector species richness, a result of a strong direct positive association between richness and prevalence alongside a weak indirect negative association between the two, mediated through mosquito community composition. One plausible explanation of these patterns is species niche complementarity, whereby less competent vector species contribute to disease transmission by filling spatial or temporal gaps in transmission left by dominant vectors. A greater understanding of vector community assemblage and function, as well as any interactions between host and vector biodiversity, could offer insights to both fundamental and applied ecology.
Collapse
|
33
|
Boterman WR. Urban-Rural Polarisation in Times of the Corona Outbreak? The Early Demographic and Geographic Patterns of the SARS-CoV-2 Epidemic in the Netherlands. TIJDSCHRIFT VOOR ECONOMISCHE EN SOCIALE GEOGRAFIE = JOURNAL OF ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL GEOGRAPHY = REVUE DE GEOGRAPHIE ECONOMIQUE ET HUMAINE = ZEITSCHRIFT FUR OKONOMISCHE UND SOZIALE GEOGRAPHIE = REVISTA DE GEOGRAFIA ECONOMICA Y SOCIAL 2020; 111:513-529. [PMID: 32834150 PMCID: PMC7361257 DOI: 10.1111/tesg.12437] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2020] [Revised: 05/11/2020] [Accepted: 05/12/2020] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
The global health crisis due to the pandemic of the SARS-CoV-2 is associated with processes of urbanisation and globalisation. Globally well-connected areas with high population densities are hence expected to be disproportionately affected by COVID-19. This paper investigates the role of population density within the Netherlands, comparing hospitalisation and mortality related to COVID-19 across municipalities. The paper finds that infections, hospitalisation and mortality related to COVID-19 are not clearly correlated with the population density or urbanity of the municipality, also when controlling for age and public health factors. The paper concludes that while the public debate stresses the elevated risk of infections in cities, due to transgressive behaviour, the evidence in this paper suggests that the geography of the epidemic in the Netherlands is more complex. It speculates that the variation in urbanisation in most of the country might just be too small to expect significant differences.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Willem R. Boterman
- Department of Geography, Planning and International Development StudiesUniversity of AmsterdamNieuwe Achtergracht 166Amsterdamthe Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
34
|
Santiago-Alarcon D, MacGregor-Fors I. Cities and pandemics: urban areas are ground zero for the transmission of emerging human infectious diseases. JOURNAL OF URBAN ECOLOGY 2020. [DOI: 10.1093/jue/juaa012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
| | - Ian MacGregor-Fors
- Red de Ambiente y Sustentabilidad, Instituto de Ecología, A.C. (INECOL), Carretera antigua a Coatepec 351, El Haya, Xalapa 91073 Veracruz, Mexico
| |
Collapse
|
35
|
Nong S, Chen Z. Whither the roads lead to? Estimating association between urbanization and primary healthcare service use with chinese prefecture-level data in 2014. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0234081. [PMID: 32492048 PMCID: PMC7269333 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0234081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/01/2020] [Accepted: 05/18/2020] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
With the rapid economic development across China over recent decades, examining how urbanization may affect healthcare service use and its implications is more than urgent. This study estimates the association between urbanization and primary healthcare services use in China. We construct a prefecture-level dataset on healthcare services utilization and urbanization. We regress the proportion of residents using healthcare services in primary healthcare centers versus secondary or tertiary hospitals on a set of prefecture-level control variables. Results suggest that use of primary healthcare centers outpatient service is positively associated with being in the proximity of a provincial capital, but negatively correlated with the percentage of the urban population and the availability of public transportation. Higher likelihood of seeking care in major hospitals instead of primary healthcare centers is associated with urbanization, justifying a need for primary care physicians as gatekeepers in China's healthcare delivery system.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sheng Nong
- Youjiang Medical University for Nationalities, Baise, China
- Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Zhuo Chen
- University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States of America
- University of Nottingham Ningbo China, Ningbo, China
| |
Collapse
|
36
|
Claar DC, Wood CL. Pulse Heat Stress and Parasitism in a Warming World. Trends Ecol Evol 2020; 35:704-715. [PMID: 32439076 DOI: 10.1016/j.tree.2020.04.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2019] [Revised: 04/03/2020] [Accepted: 04/06/2020] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Infectious disease outbreaks emerged across the globe during the recent 2015-2016 El Niño event, re-igniting research interest in how climate events influence disease dynamics. While the relationship between long-term warming and the transmission of disease-causing parasites has received substantial attention, we do not yet know how pulse heat events - common phenomena in a warming world - will alter parasite transmission. The effects of pulse warming on ecological and evolutionary processes are complex and context dependent, motivating research to understand how climate oscillations drive host health and disease. Here, we develop a framework for evaluating and predicting the effects of pulse warming on parasitic infection. Specifically, we synthesize how pulse heat stress affects hosts, parasites, and the ecological interactions between them.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Danielle C Claar
- University of Washington School of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences, Seattle, WA 98105, USA; NOAA Climate and Global Change Postdoctoral Scholar, Boulder, CO 80301, USA.
| | - Chelsea L Wood
- University of Washington School of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences, Seattle, WA 98105, USA
| |
Collapse
|
37
|
Johnson PTJ, Calhoun DM, Riepe T, McDevitt-Galles T, Koprivnikar J. Community disassembly and disease: realistic-but not randomized-biodiversity losses enhance parasite transmission. Proc Biol Sci 2020; 286:20190260. [PMID: 31039724 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2019.0260] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Debates over the relationship between biodiversity and disease dynamics underscore the need for a more mechanistic understanding of how changes in host community composition influence parasite transmission. Focusing on interactions between larval amphibians and trematode parasites, we experimentally contrasted the effects of host richness and species composition to identify the individual and joint contributions of both parameters on the infection levels of three trematode species. By combining experimental approaches with field surveys from 147 ponds, we further evaluated how richness effects differed between randomized and realistic patterns of species loss (i.e. community disassembly). Our results indicated that community-level changes in infection levels were owing to host species composition, rather than richness. However, when composition patterns mirrored empirical observations along a natural assembly gradient, each added host species reduced infection success by 12-55%. No such effects occurred when assemblages were randomized. Mechanistically, these patterns were due to non-random host species assembly/disassembly: while highly competent species predominated in low diversity systems, less susceptible hosts became progressively more common as richness increased. These findings highlight the potential for combining information on host traits and assembly patterns to forecast diversity-mediated changes in multi-host disease systems.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Pieter T J Johnson
- 1 Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Colorado , Boulder, CO , USA
| | - Dana M Calhoun
- 1 Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Colorado , Boulder, CO , USA
| | - Tawni Riepe
- 1 Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Colorado , Boulder, CO , USA
| | | | - Janet Koprivnikar
- 2 Department of Chemistry and Biology, Ryerson University , Toronto, Ontario , Canada
| |
Collapse
|
38
|
Connolly C. Extended urbanisation and the spatialities of infectious disease:
Demographic change, infrastructure and governance. URBAN STUDIES (EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND) 2020:0042098020910873. [PMCID: PMC7201199 DOI: 10.1177/0042098020910873] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
Abstract
This paper argues that contemporary processes of extended urbanisation, which
include suburbanisation, post-suburbanisation and peri-urbanisation, may result
in increased vulnerability to infectious disease spread. Through a review of
existing literature at the nexus of urbanisation and infectious disease, we
consider how this (potential) increased vulnerability to infectious diseases in
peri- or suburban areas is in fact dialectically related to socio-material
transformations on the metropolitan edge. In particular, we highlight three key
factors influencing the spread of infectious disease that have been identified
in the literature: demographic change, infrastructure and governance. These have
been chosen given both the prominence of these themes and their role in shaping
the spread of disease on the urban edge. Further, we suggest how a landscape
political ecology framework can be useful for examining the role of
socio-ecological transformations in generating increased risk of infectious
disease in peri- and suburban areas. To illustrate our arguments we will draw
upon examples from various re-emerging infectious disease events and outbreaks
around the world to reveal how extended urbanisation in the broadest sense has
amplified the conditions necessary for the spread of infectious diseases. We
thus call for future research on the spatialities of health and disease to pay
attention to how variegated patterns of extended urbanisation may influence
possible outbreaks and the mechanisms through which such risks can be
alleviated.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Creighton Connolly
- Creighton Connolly, Asia Research Institute,
National University of Singapore, 10 Kent Ridge Crescent, AS8, 07-49, Singapore
126818, Singapore.
| |
Collapse
|
39
|
Mabhala MA, Yohannes A, Massey A, Reid JA. Mind your Language: Discursive Practices Produce Unequal Power and Control Over Infectious Disease: A Critical Discourse Analysis. Int J Prev Med 2020; 11:37. [PMID: 32363024 PMCID: PMC7187553 DOI: 10.4103/ijpvm.ijpvm_431_17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2017] [Accepted: 10/12/2019] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Power, socioeconomic inequalities, and poverty are recognized as some of the fundamental determinants of differences in vulnerability of societies to infectious disease threats. The economic south is carrying a higher burden than those in the economic north. This raises questions about whether social preventions and biomedical preventions for infectious disease are given equal consideration, and about social institutions and structures that frame the debate about infectious disease. This article examines how institutionalized ways of talking about infectious disease reinforces, creates, and sustains health inequalities. METHODS Critical discourse analysis was considered to be epistemologically and ontologically consistent with the aims and context of this study. RESULTS The study examined three types of infectious disease: • Emerging infectious diseases/pathogens • Neglected tropical diseases • Vector-borne infections. Examination revealed that poverty is the most common determinant of all three. CONCLUSIONS A sustainable reduction in infectious disease in the southern countries is most likely to be achieved through tackling socioeconomic determinants. There is a need for a change in the discourse on infectious disease, and adopt a discourse that promotes self-determination, rather than one that reinforces the hero-victim scenario and power inequalities.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mzwandile A. Mabhala
- Faculty of Health and Social Care, Department of Public Health and Wellbeing, University of CHESTER, Riverside Campus, Chester, CH1 1SL, United Kingdom
| | - Asmait Yohannes
- Mount Sinai, Department of Surgery, Ambulatory Surgery Centre, 5 East 98 Street, 14 Floor, Box 1259, New York, NY 10029-6574, USA
| | - Alan Massey
- Faculty of Health and Social Care, Department of Public Health and Wellbeing, University of CHESTER, Riverside Campus, Chester, CH1 1SL, United Kingdom
| | - John A. Reid
- Faculty of Health and Social Care, Department of Public Health and Wellbeing, University of CHESTER, Riverside Campus, Chester, CH1 1SL, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
40
|
Magnusson M, Fischhoff IR, Ecke F, Hörnfeldt B, Ostfeld RS. Effect of spatial scale and latitude on diversity-disease relationships. Ecology 2020; 101:e02955. [PMID: 31840238 PMCID: PMC7078972 DOI: 10.1002/ecy.2955] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2019] [Revised: 10/21/2019] [Accepted: 11/12/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Natural ecosystems provide humans with different types of ecosystem services, often linked to biodiversity. The dilution effect (DE) predicts a negative relationship between biodiversity and risk of infectious diseases of humans, other animals, and plants. We hypothesized that a stronger DE would be observed in studies conducted at smaller spatial scales, where biotic drivers may predominate, compared to studies at larger spatial scales where abiotic drivers may more strongly affect disease patterns. In addition, we hypothesized a stronger DE in studies from temperate regions at mid latitudes than in those from subtropical and tropical regions, due to more diffuse species interactions at low latitudes. To explore these hypotheses, we conducted a meta‐analysis of observational studies of diversity–disease relationships for animals across spatial scales and geographic regions. Negative diversity–disease relationships were significant at small (combined site and local), intermediate (combined landscape and regional), and large (combined continental and global) scales and the effect did not differ depending on size of the study areas. For the geographic region analysis, a strongly negative diversity–disease relationship was found in the temperate region while no effect was found in the subtropical and tropical regions. However, no overall effect of absolute latitude on the strength of the dilution effect was detected. Our results suggest that a negative diversity–disease relationship occurs across scales and latitudes and is especially strong in the temperate region. These findings may help guide future management efforts in lowering disease risk.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Magnus Magnusson
- Department of Wildlife, Fish, and Environmental Studies, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, SE-901 83, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Ilya R Fischhoff
- Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies, Box AB, Millbrook, New York, 12545, USA
| | - Frauke Ecke
- Department of Wildlife, Fish, and Environmental Studies, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, SE-901 83, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Birger Hörnfeldt
- Department of Wildlife, Fish, and Environmental Studies, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, SE-901 83, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Richard S Ostfeld
- Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies, Box AB, Millbrook, New York, 12545, USA
| |
Collapse
|
41
|
Rohr JR, Civitello DJ, Halliday FW, Hudson PJ, Lafferty KD, Wood CL, Mordecai EA. Towards common ground in the biodiversity-disease debate. Nat Ecol Evol 2019; 4:24-33. [PMID: 31819238 PMCID: PMC7224049 DOI: 10.1038/s41559-019-1060-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 122] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2019] [Accepted: 11/13/2019] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
The disease ecology community has struggled to come to consensus on whether biodiversity reduces or increases infectious disease risk, a question that directly affects policy decisions for biodiversity conservation and public health. Here, we summarize the primary points of contention regarding biodiversity–disease relationships and suggest that vector-borne, generalist wildlife and zoonotic pathogens are the types of parasites most likely to be affected by changes to biodiversity. One synthesis on this topic revealed a positive correlation between biodiversity and human disease burden across countries, but as biodiversity changed over time within these countries, this correlation became weaker and more variable. Another synthesis—a meta-analysis of generally smaller-scale experimental and field studies—revealed a negative correlation between biodiversity and infectious diseases (a dilution effect) in various host taxa. These results raise the question of whether biodiversity–disease relationships are more negative at smaller spatial scales. If so, biodiversity conservation at the appropriate scales might prevent wildlife and zoonotic diseases from increasing in prevalence or becoming problematic (general proactive approaches). Further, protecting natural areas from human incursion should reduce zoonotic disease spillover. By contrast, for some infectious diseases, managing particular species or habitats and targeted biomedical approaches (targeted reactive approaches) might outperform biodiversity conservation as a tool for disease control. Importantly, biodiversity conservation and management need to be considered alongside other disease management options. These suggested guiding principles should provide common ground that can enhance scientific and policy clarity for those interested in simultaneously improving wildlife and human health. There has been intense debate as to whether biodiversity increases or reduces the risk of infectious disease. This Review is the result of researchers from both sides of the debate attempting to reach a consensus.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jason R Rohr
- Department of Biological Sciences, Eck Institute of Global Health, Environmental Change Initiative, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN, USA.
| | | | - Fletcher W Halliday
- Department of Evolutionary Biology and Environmental Studies, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Peter J Hudson
- Center for Infectious Disease Dynamics, Biology Department, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
| | - Kevin D Lafferty
- Western Ecological Research Center, US Geological Survey, c/o Marine Science Institute, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA, USA
| | - Chelsea L Wood
- School of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | | |
Collapse
|
42
|
Guo F, Bonebrake TC, Gibson L. Land-Use Change Alters Host and Vector Communities and May Elevate Disease Risk. ECOHEALTH 2019; 16:647-658. [PMID: 29691680 DOI: 10.1007/s10393-018-1336-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2017] [Revised: 02/02/2018] [Accepted: 03/20/2018] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
Land-use change has transformed most of the planet. Concurrently, recent outbreaks of various emerging infectious diseases have raised great attention to the health consequences of anthropogenic environmental degradation. Here, we assessed the global impacts of habitat conversion and other land-use changes on community structures of infectious disease hosts and vectors, using a meta-analysis of 37 studies. From 331 pairwise comparisons of disease hosts/vectors in pristine (undisturbed) and disturbed areas, we found a decrease in species diversity but an increase in body size associated with land-use changes, potentially suggesting higher risk of infectious disease transmission in disturbed habitats. Neither host nor vector abundance, however, changed significantly following disturbance. When grouped by subcategories like disturbance type, taxonomic group, pathogen type and region, changes in host/vector community composition varied considerably. Fragmentation and agriculture in particular benefit host and vector communities and therefore might elevate disease risk. Our results indicate that while habitat disturbance could alter disease host/vector communities in ways that exacerbate pathogen prevalence, the relationship is highly context-dependent and influenced by multiple factors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fengyi Guo
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | | | - Luke Gibson
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, China.
| |
Collapse
|
43
|
Flies EJ, Mavoa S, Zosky GR, Mantzioris E, Williams C, Eri R, Brook BW, Buettel JC. Urban-associated diseases: Candidate diseases, environmental risk factors, and a path forward. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2019; 133:105187. [PMID: 31648161 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2019.105187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2019] [Revised: 09/13/2019] [Accepted: 09/13/2019] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cities are home to over half the global population; that proportion is expected to rise to 70% by mid-century. The urban environment differs greatly from that in which humans evolved, with potentially important consequences for health. Rates for allergic, inflammatory and auto-immune diseases appear to rise with urbanization and be higher in the more urbanized nations of the world which has led some to suggest that cities promote the occurrence of these diseases. However, there are no syntheses outlining what urban-associated diseases are and what characteristics of cities promote their occurrence. OBJECTIVES To synthesize the current understanding of "urban-associated diseases", and discover the common, potentially modifiable features of cities that may be driving these associations. METHODS We focus on any diseases that have been associated with cities or are particularly prominent in today's urban societies. We draw on expertise across diverse health fields to examine the evidence for urban connections and drivers. DISCUSSION We found evidence for urban associations across allergic, auto-immune, inflammatory, lifestyle and infectious disease categories. Some conditions (e.g. obesity and diabetes) have complex relationships with cities that have been insufficiently explored. Other conditions (e.g. allergies and asthma) have more evidence demonstrating their relationship with cities and the mechanisms driving that association. Unsurprisingly, air pollution was the characteristic of cities most frequently associated with disease. Other identified urban risk factors are not as widely known: altered microbial exposure and a disconnect from environmental microbiomes, vitamin D deficiency, noise and light pollution, and a transient, over-crowded, impoverished population. However, many complexities and caveats to these relationships beg clarification; we highlight the current knowledge gaps and outline ways to fill those gaps. Identifying urban-associated diseases and their drivers will allow us to prepare for the urban-disease burden of the future and create healthy cities that mitigate that disease burden.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Emily J Flies
- School of Natural Sciences, College of Science and Engineering, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Australia.
| | - Suzanne Mavoa
- Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Graeme R Zosky
- Menzies Institute for Medical Research, College of Health and Medicine, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Australia; School of Medicine, College of Health and Medicine, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Australia
| | - Evangeline Mantzioris
- School of Pharmacy and Medical Sciences & Alliance for Research in Exercise, Nutrition and Activity (ARENA), University of South Australia, Adelaide, Australia
| | - Craig Williams
- School of Pharmacy and Medical Sciences, University of South Australia, Adelaide, Australia
| | - Rajaraman Eri
- School of Health Sciences, College of Health and Medicine, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Australia
| | - Barry W Brook
- School of Natural Sciences, College of Science and Engineering, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Australia
| | - Jessie C Buettel
- School of Natural Sciences, College of Science and Engineering, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
44
|
Halliday FW, Rohr JR. Measuring the shape of the biodiversity-disease relationship across systems reveals new findings and key gaps. Nat Commun 2019; 10:5032. [PMID: 31695043 PMCID: PMC6834853 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-13049-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2019] [Accepted: 10/17/2019] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Diverse host communities commonly inhibit the spread of parasites at small scales. However, the generality of this effect remains controversial. Here, we present the analysis of 205 biodiversity-disease relationships on 67 parasite species to test whether biodiversity-disease relationships are generally nonlinear, moderated by spatial scale, and sensitive to underrepresentation in the literature. Our analysis of the published literature reveals that biodiversity-disease relationships are generally hump-shaped (i.e., nonlinear) and biodiversity generally inhibits disease at local scales, but this effect weakens as spatial scale increases. Spatial scale is, however, related to study design and parasite type, highlighting the need for additional multiscale research. Few studies are unrepresentative of communities at low diversity, but missing data at low diversity from field studies could result in underreporting of amplification effects. Experiments appear to underrepresent high-diversity communities, which could result in underreporting of dilution effects. Despite context dependence, biodiversity loss at local scales appears to increase disease, suggesting that at local scales, biodiversity loss could negatively impact human and wildlife populations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fletcher W Halliday
- Department of Evolutionary Biology and Environmental Studies, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057, Zurich, Switzerland.
| | - Jason R Rohr
- Department of Biological Sciences, Eck Institute of Global Health, Environmental Change Initiative, 180 Galvin Life Science Center, University of Notre Dame, 46556, Notre Dame, IN, USA
| |
Collapse
|
45
|
Franklinos LHV, Jones KE, Redding DW, Abubakar I. The effect of global change on mosquito-borne disease. THE LANCET. INFECTIOUS DISEASES 2019; 19:e302-e312. [PMID: 31227327 DOI: 10.1016/s1473-3099(19)30161-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 212] [Impact Index Per Article: 42.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2018] [Revised: 02/19/2019] [Accepted: 03/21/2019] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
More than 80% of the global population is at risk of a vector-borne disease, with mosquito-borne diseases being the largest contributor to human vector-borne disease burden. Although many global processes, such as land-use and socioeconomic change, are thought to affect mosquito-borne disease dynamics, research to date has strongly focused on the role of climate change. Here, we show, through a review of contemporary modelling studies, that no consensus on how future changes in climatic conditions will impact mosquito-borne diseases exists, possibly due to interacting effects of other global change processes, which are often excluded from analyses. We conclude that research should not focus solely on the role of climate change but instead consider growing evidence for additional factors that modulate disease risk. Furthermore, future research should adopt new technologies, including developments in remote sensing and system dynamics modelling techniques, to enable a better understanding and mitigation of mosquito-borne diseases in a changing world.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lydia H V Franklinos
- Centre for Biodiversity and Environment Research, Division of Biosciences, University College London, London, UK; Institute for Global Health, University College London, London, UK.
| | - Kate E Jones
- Centre for Biodiversity and Environment Research, Division of Biosciences, University College London, London, UK; Institute of Zoology, Zoological Society of London, London, UK
| | - David W Redding
- Centre for Biodiversity and Environment Research, Division of Biosciences, University College London, London, UK
| | - Ibrahim Abubakar
- Institute for Global Health, University College London, London, UK
| |
Collapse
|
46
|
Milholland MT, Castro-Arellano I, Garcia-Peña GE, Mills JN. The Ecology and Phylogeny of Hosts Drive the Enzootic Infection Cycles of Hantaviruses. Viruses 2019; 11:v11070671. [PMID: 31340455 PMCID: PMC6669546 DOI: 10.3390/v11070671] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2019] [Revised: 07/17/2019] [Accepted: 07/19/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Hantaviruses (Family: Hantaviridae; genus: Orthohantavirus) and their associated human diseases occur globally and differ according to their geographic distribution. The structure of small mammal assemblages and phylogenetic relatedness among host species are suggested as strong drivers for the maintenance and spread of hantavirus infections in small mammals. We developed predictive models for hantavirus infection prevalence in rodent assemblages using defined ecological correlates from our current knowledge of hantavirus-host distributions to provide predictive models at the global and continental scale. We utilized data from published research between 1971–2014 and determined the biological and ecological characteristics of small mammal assemblages to predict the prevalence of hantavirus infections. These models are useful in predicting hantavirus disease outbreaks based on environmental and biological information obtained through the surveillance of rodents.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Matthew T Milholland
- College of Agriculture and Natural Resources-Department of Environmental Sciences and Technology, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 1433, USA.
- United States Department of Agriculture-Agriculture Research Service, Invasive Insect Biocontrol and Behavior Laboratory, Beltsville, MD 20705, USA.
| | | | - Gabriel E Garcia-Peña
- Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, México City 04510, México
- Centro de Ciencias de la Complejidad C3, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, México City 04510, México
- UMR MIVEGEC, Maladies Infectieuses et Vecteurs: Ecologie, Génétique, Evolution et Contrôle, UMR 5290, CNRIS-IRD-Université de Montpellier, Centre de Recherche IRD, Montpellier Cedex 5 34192, France
| | - James N Mills
- Population Biology, Ecology, and Evolution Program, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| |
Collapse
|
47
|
Morand S, Blasdell K, Bordes F, Buchy P, Carcy B, Chaisiri K, Chaval Y, Claude J, Cosson JF, Desquesnes M, Jittapalapong S, Jiyipong T, Karnchanabanthoen A, Pornpan P, Rolain JM, Tran A. Changing landscapes of Southeast Asia and rodent-borne diseases: decreased diversity but increased transmission risks. ECOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS : A PUBLICATION OF THE ECOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA 2019; 29:e01886. [PMID: 30986339 DOI: 10.1002/eap.1886] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2018] [Revised: 10/26/2018] [Accepted: 12/04/2018] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
The reduction in biodiversity from land use change due to urbanization and agricultural intensification appears to be linked to major epidemiological changes in many human diseases. Increasing disease risks and the emergence of novel pathogens result from increased contact among wildlife, domesticated animals, and humans. We investigated the relationship between human alteration of the environment and the occurrence of generalist and synanthropic rodent species in relation to the diversity and prevalence of rodent-borne pathogens in Southeast Asia, a hotspot of threatened and endangered species, and a foci of emerging infectious diseases. We used data from an extensive pathogen survey of rodents from seven sites in mainland Southeast Asia in conjunction with past and present land cover analyses. At low spatial resolutions, we found that rodent-borne pathogen richness is negatively associated with increasing urbanization, characterized by increased habitat fragmentation, agriculture cover and deforestation. However, at a finer spatial resolution, we found that some major pathogens are favored by environmental characteristics associated with human alteration including irrigation, habitat fragmentation, and increased agricultural land cover. In addition, synanthropic rodents, many of which are important pathogen reservoirs, were associated with fragmented and human-dominated landscapes, which may ultimately enhance the opportunities for zoonotic transmission and human infection by some pathogens.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Serge Morand
- CNRS - CIRAD, Faculty of Veterinary Technology, Kasetsart University, Bangkok, Thailand
- Department of Helminthology, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, 420/6 Ratchavithi Road, Ratchathevi, Bangkok, 10400, Thailand
| | - Kim Blasdell
- CSIRO Health and Biosecurity Business Unit, Australian Animal Health Laboratory, 5 Portarlington Road, Geelong, Victoria, 3220, Australia
| | - Frédéric Bordes
- Institut des Sciences de l'Evolution, UMR CNRS-IRD-UM2, Université de Montpellier, 35095, Montpellier Cedex, France
| | - Philippe Buchy
- Virology Unit, Institut Pasteur in Cambodia, 5 Monivong Boulevard, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
- GlaxoSmithKline Vaccines, Gateway West, 150 Beach Road, Singapore City, 189720, Singapore
| | - Bernard Carcy
- LBCM/EA4558 VAP, UFR Sciences Pharmaceutiques et Biologiques, Université de Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Kittipong Chaisiri
- Department of Helminthology, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, 420/6 Ratchavithi Road, Ratchathevi, Bangkok, 10400, Thailand
| | - Yannick Chaval
- Comportement et Ecologie de la Faune Sauvage, INRA, Chemin de Borde Rouge, Auzeville, 31326, Castanet-Tolosan Cedex, France
| | - Julien Claude
- Institut des Sciences de l'Evolution, UMR CNRS-IRD-UM2, Université de Montpellier, 35095, Montpellier Cedex, France
| | - Jean-François Cosson
- BIPAR-INRA Biologie Moléculaire et Immunologie Parasitaires et Fongiques, ENVA Maisons Alfort, 7 Avenue du Général de Gaulle, 94704, Maisons-Alfort Cedex, France
| | - Marc Desquesnes
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kasetsart University, Bangkok, Thailand
- CIRAD-Bios, UMR17 InterTryp, Montpellier, F-34000, France
| | | | - Tawisa Jiyipong
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kasetsart University, Bangkok, Thailand
- URMITE CNRS INSERM IRD, IHU Méditerranée Infection, Faculté de Médecine et de Pharmacie, Aix-Marseille Université, 27 Bd Jean Moulin, 13385, Marseille Cedex 5, France
| | - Anamika Karnchanabanthoen
- LBCM/EA4558 VAP, UFR Sciences Pharmaceutiques et Biologiques, Université de Montpellier, Montpellier, France
- Faculty of Veterinary Technology, Kasetsart University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Pumhom Pornpan
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kasetsart University, Bangkok, Thailand
- Center for Agricultural Biotechnology, Kasetsart University, Kamphaeng Saen Campus, Nakhon Pathom, Thailand
| | - Jean-Marc Rolain
- URMITE CNRS INSERM IRD, IHU Méditerranée Infection, Faculté de Médecine et de Pharmacie, Aix-Marseille Université, 27 Bd Jean Moulin, 13385, Marseille Cedex 5, France
| | - Annelise Tran
- CIRAD, UMR TETIS, F-34093, Montpellier, France
- CIRAD, UMR ASTRE, Montpellier, France
| |
Collapse
|
48
|
Wang YXG, Matson KD, Prins HHT, Gort G, Awada L, Huang ZYX, Boer WF. Phylogenetic structure of wildlife assemblages shapes patterns of infectious livestock diseases in Africa. Funct Ecol 2019. [DOI: 10.1111/1365-2435.13311] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Yingying X. G. Wang
- College of Life Sciences Nanjing Normal University Nanjing China
- Resource Ecology Group Wageningen University Wageningen The Netherlands
| | - Kevin D. Matson
- Resource Ecology Group Wageningen University Wageningen The Netherlands
| | | | - Gerrit Gort
- Biometris, Plant Sciences Group Wageningen University Wageningen The Netherlands
| | - Lina Awada
- Animal Health Information Department World Organisation for Animal Health Paris France
| | - Zheng Y. X. Huang
- College of Life Sciences Nanjing Normal University Nanjing China
- Resource Ecology Group Wageningen University Wageningen The Netherlands
| | - Willem F. Boer
- Resource Ecology Group Wageningen University Wageningen The Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
49
|
Craig AT, Joshua CA, Sio AR, Donoghoe M, Betz-Stablein B, Bainivalu N, Dalipanda T, Kaldor J, Rosewell AE, Schierhout G. Epidemic surveillance in a low resource setting: lessons from an evaluation of the Solomon Islands syndromic surveillance system, 2017. BMC Public Health 2018; 18:1395. [PMID: 30572942 PMCID: PMC6302379 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-018-6295-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2018] [Accepted: 12/04/2018] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Solomon Islands is one of the least developed countries in the world. Recognising that timely detection of outbreaks is needed to enable early and effective response to disease outbreaks, the Solomon Islands government introduced a simple syndromic surveillance system in 2011. We conducted the first evaluation of the system and the first exploration of a national experience within the broader multi-country Pacific Syndromic Surveillance System to determine if it is meeting its objectives and to identify opportunities for improvement. Methods We used a multi-method approach involving retrospective data collection and statistical analysis, modelling, qualitative research and observational methods. Results We found that the system was well accepted, highly relied upon and designed to account for contextual limitations. We found the syndromic algorithm used to identify outbreaks was moderately sensitive, detecting 11.8% (IQR: 6.3–25.0%), 21.3% (IQR: 10.3–36.8%), 27.5% (IQR: 12.8–52.3%) and 40.5% (IQR: 13.5–65.7%) of outbreaks that caused small, moderate, large and very large increases in case presentations to health facilities, respectively. The false alert rate was 10.8% (IQR: 4.8–24.5%). Rural coverage of the system was poor. Limited workforce, surveillance resourcing and other ‘upstream’ health system factors constrained performance. Conclusions The system has made a significant contribution to public health security in Solomon Islands, but remains insufficiently sensitive to detect small-moderate sized outbreaks and hence should not be relied upon as a stand-alone surveillance strategy. Rather, the system should sit within a complementary suite of early warning surveillance activities including event-based, in-patient- and laboratory-based surveillance methods. Future investments need to find a balance between actions to address the technical and systems issues that constrain performance while maintaining simplicity and hence sustainability. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12889-018-6295-7) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Adam T Craig
- University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia.
| | - Cynthia A Joshua
- Solomon Islands Ministry of Health and Medical Services, Chinatown, Honiara, Solomon Islands
| | - Alison R Sio
- Solomon Islands Ministry of Health and Medical Services, Chinatown, Honiara, Solomon Islands
| | - Mark Donoghoe
- University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia
| | | | - Nemia Bainivalu
- Solomon Islands Ministry of Health and Medical Services, Chinatown, Honiara, Solomon Islands
| | - Tenneth Dalipanda
- Solomon Islands Ministry of Health and Medical Services, Chinatown, Honiara, Solomon Islands
| | - John Kaldor
- University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
50
|
Aerts R, Honnay O, Van Nieuwenhuyse A. Biodiversity and human health: mechanisms and evidence of the positive health effects of diversity in nature and green spaces. Br Med Bull 2018; 127:5-22. [PMID: 30007287 DOI: 10.1093/bmb/ldy021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 141] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2017] [Accepted: 06/13/2018] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Natural environments and green spaces provide ecosystem services that enhance human health and well-being. They improve mental health, mitigate allergies and reduce all-cause, respiratory, cardiovascular and cancer mortality. The presence, accessibility, proximity and greenness of green spaces determine the magnitude of their positive health effects, but the role of biodiversity (including species and ecosystem diversity) within green spaces remains underexplored. This review describes mechanisms and evidence of effects of biodiversity in nature and green spaces on human health. SOURCES OF DATA We identified studies listed in PubMed and Web of Science using combinations of keywords including 'biodiversity', 'diversity', 'species richness', 'human health', 'mental health' and 'well-being' with no restrictions on the year of publication. Papers were considered for detailed evaluation if they were written in English and reported data on levels of biodiversity and health outcomes. AREAS OF AGREEMENT There is evidence for positive associations between species diversity and well-being (psychological and physical) and between ecosystem diversity and immune system regulation. AREAS OF CONCERN There is a very limited number of studies that relate measured biodiversity to human health. There is more evidence for self-reported psychological well-being than for well-defined clinical outcomes. High species diversity has been associated with both reduced and increased vector-borne disease risk. GROWING POINTS Biodiversity supports ecosystem services mitigating heat, noise and air pollution, which all mediate the positive health effects of green spaces, but direct and long-term health outcomes of species diversity have been insufficiently studied so far. AREAS TIMELY FOR RESEARCH Additional research and newly developed methods are needed to quantify short- and long-term health effects of exposure to perceived and objectively measured species diversity, including health effects of nature-based solutions and exposure to microbiota.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Raf Aerts
- Department of Chemical and Physical Health Risks, Unit Health Impact Assessment, Sciensano (Belgian Institute of Health), Brussels, Belgium.,Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Division Forest, Nature and Landscape, University of Leuven (KU Leuven), Leuven, Belgium.,Department of Biology, Division Ecology, Evolution and Biodiversity Conservation, University of Leuven (KU Leuven), Leuven, Belgium
| | - Olivier Honnay
- Department of Biology, Division Ecology, Evolution and Biodiversity Conservation, University of Leuven (KU Leuven), Leuven, Belgium
| | - An Van Nieuwenhuyse
- Department of Chemical and Physical Health Risks, Unit Health Impact Assessment, Sciensano (Belgian Institute of Health), Brussels, Belgium.,Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Division Environment and Health, University of Leuven (KU Leuven), Leuven, Belgium
| |
Collapse
|