1
|
Apoorva, Singh SK. A tale of endurance: bats, viruses and immune dynamics. Future Microbiol 2024; 19:841-856. [PMID: 38648093 PMCID: PMC11382704 DOI: 10.2217/fmb-2023-0233] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2023] [Accepted: 02/09/2024] [Indexed: 04/25/2024] Open
Abstract
The emergence of highly zoonotic viral infections has propelled bat research forward. The viral outbreaks including Hendra virus, Nipah virus, Marburg virus, Ebola virus, Rabies virus, Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus, SARS-CoV and the latest SARS-CoV-2 have been epidemiologically linked to various bat species. Bats possess unique immunological characteristics that allow them to serve as a potential viral reservoir. Bats are also known to protect themselves against viruses and maintain their immunity. Therefore, there is a need for in-depth understanding into bat-virus biology to unravel the major factors contributing to the coexistence and spread of viruses.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Apoorva
- Molecular Biology Unit, Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, 221005, India
| | - Sunit Kumar Singh
- Molecular Biology Unit, Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, 221005, India
- Dr. B R Ambedkar Center for Biomedical Research, University of Delhi (North Campus), New Delhi, 110007, India
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Duprex WP, Dutch RE. Paramyxoviruses: Pathogenesis, Vaccines, Antivirals, and Prototypes for Pandemic Preparedness. J Infect Dis 2023; 228:S390-S397. [PMID: 37849400 PMCID: PMC11009463 DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jiad123] [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] [Indexed: 10/19/2023] Open
Abstract
The Paramyxoviridae family includes established human pathogens such as measles virus, mumps virus, and the human parainfluenza viruses; highly lethal zoonotic pathogens such as Nipah virus; and a number of recently identified agents, such as Sosuga virus, which remain poorly understood. The high human-to-human transmission rate of paramyxoviruses such as measles virus, high case fatality rate associated with other family members such as Nipah virus, and the existence of poorly characterized zoonotic pathogens raise concern that known and unknown paramyxoviruses have significant pandemic potential. In this review, the general life cycle, taxonomic relationships, and viral pathogenesis are described for paramyxoviruses that cause both systemic and respiratory system-restricted infections. Next, key gaps in critical areas are presented, following detailed conversations with subject matter experts and based on the current literature. Finally, we present an assessment of potential prototype pathogen candidates that could be used as models to study this important virus family, including assessment of the strengths and weaknesses of each potential prototype.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- W Paul Duprex
- Center for Vaccine Research
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Rebecca Ellis Dutch
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Lexington
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Latinne A, Nga NTT, Long NV, Ngoc PTB, Thuy HB, Long NV, Long PT, Phuong NT, Quang LTV, Tung N, Nam VS, Duoc VT, Thinh ND, Schoepp R, Ricks K, Inui K, Padungtod P, Johnson CK, Mazet JAK, Walzer C, Olson SH, Fine AE. One Health Surveillance Highlights Circulation of Viruses with Zoonotic Potential in Bats, Pigs, and Humans in Viet Nam. Viruses 2023; 15:v15030790. [PMID: 36992498 PMCID: PMC10053906 DOI: 10.3390/v15030790] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2023] [Revised: 03/12/2023] [Accepted: 03/15/2023] [Indexed: 03/31/2023] Open
Abstract
A One Health cross-sectoral surveillance approach was implemented to screen biological samples from bats, pigs, and humans at high-risk interfaces for zoonotic viral spillover for five viral families with zoonotic potential in Viet Nam. Over 1600 animal and human samples from bat guano harvesting sites, natural bat roosts, and pig farming operations were tested for coronaviruses (CoVs), paramyxoviruses, influenza viruses, filoviruses and flaviviruses using consensus PCR assays. Human samples were also tested using immunoassays to detect antibodies against eight virus groups. Significant viral diversity, including CoVs closely related to ancestors of pig pathogens, was detected in bats roosting at the human-animal interfaces, illustrating the high risk for CoV spillover from bats to pigs in Viet Nam, where pig density is very high. Season and reproductive period were significantly associated with the detection of bat CoVs, with site-specific effects. Phylogeographic analysis indicated localized viral transmission among pig farms. Our limited human sampling did not detect any known zoonotic bat viruses in human communities living close to the bat cave and harvesting bat guano, but our serological assays showed possible previous exposure to Marburg virus-like (Filoviridae), Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus-like (Bunyaviridae) viruses and flaviviruses. Targeted and coordinated One Health surveillance helped uncover this viral pathogen emergence hotspot.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alice Latinne
- Wildlife Conservation Society, Viet Nam Country Program, Hanoi 11111, Viet Nam
- Wildlife Conservation Society, Health Program, Bronx, NY 10460, USA
| | | | - Nguyen Van Long
- Wildlife Conservation Society, Viet Nam Country Program, Hanoi 11111, Viet Nam
| | - Pham Thi Bich Ngoc
- Wildlife Conservation Society, Viet Nam Country Program, Hanoi 11111, Viet Nam
| | - Hoang Bich Thuy
- Wildlife Conservation Society, Viet Nam Country Program, Hanoi 11111, Viet Nam
| | - Nguyen Van Long
- Department of Animal Health, Ministry of Agricultural and Rural Development of Viet Nam, Hanoi 11519, Viet Nam
| | - Pham Thanh Long
- Department of Animal Health, Ministry of Agricultural and Rural Development of Viet Nam, Hanoi 11519, Viet Nam
| | | | - Le Tin Vinh Quang
- Regional Animal Health Office No. 6, Ho Chi Minh City 72106, Viet Nam
| | - Nguyen Tung
- Department of Animal Health, Ministry of Agricultural and Rural Development of Viet Nam, Hanoi 11519, Viet Nam
| | - Vu Sinh Nam
- National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Ministry of Health, Hanoi 11611, Viet Nam
| | - Vu Trong Duoc
- National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Ministry of Health, Hanoi 11611, Viet Nam
| | - Nguyen Duc Thinh
- National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Ministry of Health, Hanoi 11611, Viet Nam
| | - Randal Schoepp
- Diagnostic Systems Division, U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, Frederick, MD 21702, USA
| | - Keersten Ricks
- Diagnostic Systems Division, U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, Frederick, MD 21702, USA
| | - Ken Inui
- Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), Country Office for Viet Nam, Hanoi 11112, Viet Nam
| | - Pawin Padungtod
- Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), Country Office for Viet Nam, Hanoi 11112, Viet Nam
| | - Christine K Johnson
- One Health Institute, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Jonna A K Mazet
- One Health Institute, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Chris Walzer
- Wildlife Conservation Society, Health Program, Bronx, NY 10460, USA
- Research Institute of Wildlife Ecology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, 1210 Vienna, Austria
| | - Sarah H Olson
- Wildlife Conservation Society, Health Program, Bronx, NY 10460, USA
| | - Amanda E Fine
- Wildlife Conservation Society, Viet Nam Country Program, Hanoi 11111, Viet Nam
- Wildlife Conservation Society, Health Program, Bronx, NY 10460, USA
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Haas GD, Lee B. Paramyxoviruses from bats: changes in receptor specificity and their role in host adaptation. Curr Opin Virol 2023; 58:101292. [PMID: 36508860 PMCID: PMC9974588 DOI: 10.1016/j.coviro.2022.101292] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2022] [Revised: 11/20/2022] [Accepted: 11/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Global metagenomic surveys have revealed that bats host a diverse array of paramyxoviruses, including species from at least five major genera. An essential determinant of successful spillover is the entry of a virus into a new host. We evaluate the role of receptor usage in the zoonotic potential of bat-borne henipaviruses, morbilliviruses, pararubulaviruses, orthorubulaviruses, and jeilongviruses; successful spillover into humans depends upon compatibility of a respective viral attachment protein with its cognate receptor. We also emphasize the importance of postentry restrictions in preventing spillover. Metagenomics and characterization of newly identified paramyxoviruses have greatly improved our understanding of spillover determinants, allowing for better forecasts of which bat-borne viruses may pose the greatest risk for cross-species transmission into humans.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Griffin D Haas
- Department of Microbiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029 USA
| | - Benhur Lee
- Department of Microbiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029 USA.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Hansen D, Hunt BE, Falvo CA, Ruiz-Aravena M, Kessler MK, Hall J, Thompson P, Rose K, Jones DN, Lunn TJ, Dale AS, Peel AJ, Plowright RK. Morphological and quantitative analysis of leukocytes in free-living Australian black flying foxes (Pteropus alecto). PLoS One 2022; 17:e0268549. [PMID: 35613104 PMCID: PMC9132326 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0268549] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2021] [Accepted: 05/02/2022] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
The black flying fox (Pteropus alecto) is a natural reservoir for Hendra virus, a paramyxovirus that causes fatal infections in humans and horses in Australia. Increased excretion of Hendra virus by flying foxes has been hypothesized to be associated with physiological or energetic stress in the reservoir hosts. The objective of this study was to explore the leukocyte profiles of wild-caught P. alecto, with a focus on describing the morphology of each cell type to facilitate identification for clinical purposes and future virus spillover research. To this end, we have created an atlas of images displaying the commonly observed morphological variations across each cell type. We provide quantitative and morphological information regarding the leukocyte profiles in bats captured at two roost sites located in Redcliffe and Toowoomba, Queensland, Australia, over the course of two years. We examined the morphology of leukocytes, platelets, and erythrocytes of P. alecto using cytochemical staining and characterization of blood films through light microscopy. Leukocyte profiles were broadly consistent with previous studies of P. alecto and other Pteropus species. A small proportion of individual samples presented evidence of hemoparasitic infection or leukocyte morphological traits that are relevant for future research on bat health, including unique large granular lymphocytes. Considering hematology is done by visual inspection of blood smears, examples of the varied cell morphologies are included as a visual guide. To the best of our knowledge, this study provides the first qualitative assessment of P. alecto leukocytes, as well as the first set of published hematology reference images for this species.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dale Hansen
- Department of Microbiology and Cell Biology, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Brooklin E. Hunt
- Department of Microbiology and Cell Biology, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT, United States of America
| | - Caylee A. Falvo
- Department of Microbiology and Cell Biology, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT, United States of America
| | - Manuel Ruiz-Aravena
- Department of Microbiology and Cell Biology, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT, United States of America
| | - Maureen K. Kessler
- Department of Ecology, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT, United States of America
| | - Jane Hall
- Australian Registry of Wildlife Health, Taronga Conservation Society Australia, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Centre for Planetary Health and Food Security, Griffith University, Nathan, QLD, Australia
| | - Paul Thompson
- Taronga Wildlife Hospital, Taronga Conservation Society Australia, Taronga Zoo, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Karrie Rose
- Australian Registry of Wildlife Health, Taronga Conservation Society Australia, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Devin N. Jones
- Department of Microbiology and Cell Biology, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT, United States of America
| | - Tamika J. Lunn
- Centre for Planetary Health and Food Security, Griffith University, Nathan, QLD, Australia
| | - Adrienne S. Dale
- Department of Biological Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX, United States of America
| | - Alison J. Peel
- Centre for Planetary Health and Food Security, Griffith University, Nathan, QLD, Australia
| | - Raina K. Plowright
- Department of Microbiology and Cell Biology, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT, United States of America
| | | |
Collapse
|
6
|
Eptesicus fuscus Orthorubulavirus, a Close Relative of Human Parainfluenza Virus 4, Discovered in a Bat in South Dakota. Microbiol Spectr 2021; 9:e0093021. [PMID: 34668744 PMCID: PMC8528096 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.00930-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Bats are a reservoir for many zoonotic viruses and host large numbers of genetically diverse species in the families Rhabdoviridae, Coronaviridae, and Paramyxoviridae. Viruses from these families have repeatedly spilled over to humans in recent decades, causing significant clinical disease and deaths. Here, metagenomic sequencing of a big brown bat (Eptesicus fuscus) submitted for rabies testing due to human exposure identified a novel paramyxovirus, Eptesicus fuscus orthorubulavirus (EfORV), in South Dakota, United States. The nearly complete 15,814-nucleotide genome shared 72% identity with that of human parainfluenza virus 4 (HPIV4), a virus that causes significant clinical disease, typically bronchiolitis and pneumonia, in children less than 2 years of age. Phylogenetic analysis confirmed a close evolutionary history between EfORV and HPIV4, reminiscent of other orthorubulaviruses with highly similar bat and mammalian species, including conspecific human and bat mumps virus, mammalian parainfluenza virus 5 and bat Alston virus, and porcine La Piedad Michoacán virus and bat Mapuera virus. These results support the idea that bats are a reservoir for diverse paramyxoviruses with closely shared evolutionary histories, compared with a number of significant human pathogens, and expand the range of bat paramyxoviruses to North America. Given the propensity of paramyxoviruses to overcome species barriers, additional surveillance and characterization of EfORV are warranted. IMPORTANCE Bats are a reservoir of large numbers of viruses. Among bat-borne zoonotic viruses, members of Coronaviridae and Paramyxoviridae have had the largest impact on human health. The repeated spillover of bat viruses to humans, often with devastating results, has led to increased surveillance and virus discovery efforts in hot spots for virus emergence, largely Asia and Africa. Apart from rabies virus, little surveillance of viruses in bats is performed in North America. Here, viral metagenomic sequencing identified a close relative to HPIV4 in a big brown bat found in a motel room in South Dakota. The virus, EfORV, was 72% identical to HPIV4, which causes clinically significant respiratory disease, mainly in children; it represents the first bat paramyxovirus identified in North America. Close genetic relationships between bat and mammalian orthorubulaviruses underscore the importance of bats as a reservoir for zoonotic viruses.
Collapse
|
7
|
Glud HA, George S, Skovgaard K, Larsen LE. Zoonotic and reverse zoonotic transmission of viruses between humans and pigs. APMIS 2021; 129:675-693. [PMID: 34586648 PMCID: PMC9297979 DOI: 10.1111/apm.13178] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2021] [Accepted: 08/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Humans and pigs share a close contact relationship, similar biological traits, and one of the highest estimated number of viruses compared to other mammalian species. The contribution and directionality of viral exchange between humans and pigs remain unclear for some of these viruses, but their transmission routes are important to characterize in order to prevent outbreaks of disease in both host species. This review collects and assesses the evidence to determine the likely transmission route of 27 viruses between humans and pigs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Helena Aagaard Glud
- Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Sophie George
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Kerstin Skovgaard
- Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Lars Erik Larsen
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Structural Analysis of the Menangle Virus P Protein Reveals a Soft Boundary between Ordered and Disordered Regions. Viruses 2021; 13:v13091737. [PMID: 34578318 PMCID: PMC8472933 DOI: 10.3390/v13091737] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2021] [Revised: 08/27/2021] [Accepted: 08/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The paramyxoviral phosphoprotein (P protein) is the non-catalytic subunit of the viral RNA polymerase, and coordinates many of the molecular interactions required for RNA synthesis. All paramyxoviral P proteins oligomerize via a centrally located coiled-coil that is connected to a downstream binding domain by a dynamic linker. The C-terminal region of the P protein coordinates interactions between the catalytic subunit of the polymerase, and the viral nucleocapsid housing the genomic RNA. The inherent flexibility of the linker is believed to facilitate polymerase translocation. Here we report biophysical and structural characterization of the C-terminal region of the P protein from Menangle virus (MenV), a bat-borne paramyxovirus with zoonotic potential. The MenV P protein is tetrameric but can dissociate into dimers at sub-micromolar protein concentrations. The linker is globally disordered and can be modeled effectively as a worm-like chain. However, NMR analysis suggests very weak local preferences for alpha-helical and extended beta conformation exist within the linker. At the interface between the disordered linker and the structured C-terminal binding domain, a gradual disorder-to-order transition occurs, with X-ray crystallographic analysis revealing a dynamic interfacial structure that wraps the surface of the binding domain.
Collapse
|
9
|
Anstey SI, Kasimov V, Jenkins C, Legione A, Devlin J, Amery-Gale J, Gilkerson J, Hair S, Perkins N, Peel AJ, Borel N, Pannekoek Y, Chaber AL, Woolford L, Timms P, Jelocnik M. Chlamydia Psittaci ST24: Clonal Strains of One Health Importance Dominate in Australian Horse, Bird and Human Infections. Pathogens 2021; 10:pathogens10081015. [PMID: 34451478 PMCID: PMC8401489 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10081015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2021] [Revised: 08/07/2021] [Accepted: 08/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Chlamydia psittaci is traditionally regarded as a globally distributed avian pathogen that can cause zoonotic spill-over. Molecular research has identified an extended global host range and significant genetic diversity. However, Australia has reported a reduced host range (avian, horse, and human) with a dominance of clonal strains, denoted ST24. To better understand the widespread of this strain type in Australia, multilocus sequence typing (MLST) and ompA genotyping were applied on samples from a range of hosts (avian, equine, marsupial, and bovine) from Australia. MLST confirms that clonal ST24 strains dominate infections of Australian psittacine and equine hosts (82/88; 93.18%). However, this study also found novel hosts (Australian white ibis, King parrots, racing pigeon, bovine, and a wallaby) and demonstrated that strain diversity does exist in Australia. The discovery of a C. psittaci novel strain (ST306) in a novel host, the Western brush wallaby, is the first detection in a marsupial. Analysis of the results of this study applied a multidisciplinary approach regarding Chlamydia infections, equine infectious disease, ecology, and One Health. Recommendations include an update for the descriptive framework of C. psittaci disease and cell biology work to inform pathogenicity and complement molecular epidemiology.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Susan I. Anstey
- Genecology Research Centre, University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs, QLD 4557, Australia; (S.I.A.); (V.K.); (P.T.)
| | - Vasilli Kasimov
- Genecology Research Centre, University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs, QLD 4557, Australia; (S.I.A.); (V.K.); (P.T.)
| | - Cheryl Jenkins
- NSW Department of Primary Industries, Elizabeth Macarthur Agricultural Institute, Menangle, NSW 2568, Australia;
| | - Alistair Legione
- Asia Pacific Centre for Animal Health, Melbourne Veterinary School, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia; (A.L.); (J.D.); (J.A.-G.); (J.G.)
| | - Joanne Devlin
- Asia Pacific Centre for Animal Health, Melbourne Veterinary School, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia; (A.L.); (J.D.); (J.A.-G.); (J.G.)
| | - Jemima Amery-Gale
- Asia Pacific Centre for Animal Health, Melbourne Veterinary School, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia; (A.L.); (J.D.); (J.A.-G.); (J.G.)
| | - James Gilkerson
- Asia Pacific Centre for Animal Health, Melbourne Veterinary School, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia; (A.L.); (J.D.); (J.A.-G.); (J.G.)
| | - Sam Hair
- WA Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, South Perth, WA 6151, Australia;
| | - Nigel Perkins
- School of Veterinary Science, The University of Queensland, Gatton, QLD 4343, Australia;
| | - Alison J. Peel
- Centre for Planetary Health and Food Security, Griffith University, Nathan, QLD 4111, Australia;
| | - Nicole Borel
- Institute of Veterinary Pathology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, 8066 Zurich, Switzerland;
| | - Yvonne Pannekoek
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, 3508 Amsterdam, The Netherlands;
| | - Anne-Lise Chaber
- School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Roseworthy, SA 5371, Australia; (A.-L.C.); (L.W.)
| | - Lucy Woolford
- School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Roseworthy, SA 5371, Australia; (A.-L.C.); (L.W.)
| | - Peter Timms
- Genecology Research Centre, University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs, QLD 4557, Australia; (S.I.A.); (V.K.); (P.T.)
| | - Martina Jelocnik
- Genecology Research Centre, University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs, QLD 4557, Australia; (S.I.A.); (V.K.); (P.T.)
- Correspondence:
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Tan CW, Yang X, Anderson DE, Wang LF. Bat virome research: the past, the present and the future. Curr Opin Virol 2021; 49:68-80. [PMID: 34052731 DOI: 10.1016/j.coviro.2021.04.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2021] [Accepted: 04/30/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Bats have been increasingly recognised as an exceptional reservoir for emerging zoonotic viruses for the past few decades. Recent studies indicate that the unique bat immune system may be partially responsible for their ability to co-exist with viruses with minimal or no clinical diseases. In this review, we discuss the history and importance of bat virome studies and contrast the vast difference between such studies before and after the introduction of next generation sequencing (NGS) in this area of research. We also discuss the role of discovery serology and high-throughput single cell RNA-seq in future bat virome research.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chee Wah Tan
- Programme in Emerging Infectious Diseases, Duke-NUS Medical School, 169857, Singapore
| | - Xinglou Yang
- Programme in Emerging Infectious Diseases, Duke-NUS Medical School, 169857, Singapore; Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China
| | - Danielle E Anderson
- Programme in Emerging Infectious Diseases, Duke-NUS Medical School, 169857, Singapore
| | - Lin-Fa Wang
- Programme in Emerging Infectious Diseases, Duke-NUS Medical School, 169857, Singapore; SingHealth Duke-NUS Global Health Institute, 169857, Singapore.
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Schulz JE, Seifert SN, Thompson JT, Avanzato V, Sterling SL, Yan L, Letko MC, Matson MJ, Fischer RJ, Tremeau-Bravard A, Seetahal JFR, Ramkissoon V, Foster J, Goldstein T, Anthony SJ, Epstein JH, Laing ED, Broder CC, Carrington CVF, Schountz T, Munster VJ. Serological Evidence for Henipa-like and Filo-like Viruses in Trinidad Bats. J Infect Dis 2021; 221:S375-S382. [PMID: 32034942 DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jiz648] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Bat-borne zoonotic pathogens belonging to the family Paramxyoviridae, including Nipah and Hendra viruses, and the family Filoviridae, including Ebola and Marburg viruses, can cause severe disease and high mortality rates on spillover into human populations. Surveillance efforts for henipaviruses and filoviruses have been largely restricted to the Old World; however, recent studies suggest a potentially broader distribution for henipaviruses and filoviruses than previously recognized. In the current study, we screened for henipaviruses and filoviruses in New World bats collected across 4 locations in Trinidad near the coast of Venezuela. Bat tissue samples were screened using previously established reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction assays. Serum were screened using a multiplex immunoassay to detect antibodies reactive with the envelope glycoprotein of viruses in the genus Henipavirus and the family Filoviridae. Serum samples were also screened by means of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for antibodies reactive with Nipah G and F glycoproteins. Of 84 serum samples, 28 were reactive with ≥1 henipavirus glycoprotein by ≥1 serological method, and 6 serum samples were reactive against ≥1 filovirus glycoproteins. These data provide evidence of potential circulation of viruses related to the henipaviruses and filoviruses in New World bats.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan E Schulz
- Virus Ecology Unit, Rocky Mountain Laboratories, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Hamilton, Montana, USA
| | - Stephanie N Seifert
- Virus Ecology Unit, Rocky Mountain Laboratories, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Hamilton, Montana, USA
| | - John T Thompson
- Virus Ecology Unit, Rocky Mountain Laboratories, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Hamilton, Montana, USA
| | - Victoria Avanzato
- Virus Ecology Unit, Rocky Mountain Laboratories, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Hamilton, Montana, USA
| | | | - Lianying Yan
- Uniformed Services University, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Michael C Letko
- Virus Ecology Unit, Rocky Mountain Laboratories, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Hamilton, Montana, USA
| | - M Jeremiah Matson
- Virus Ecology Unit, Rocky Mountain Laboratories, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Hamilton, Montana, USA.,Marshall University Joan C Edwards School of Medicine, Huntington West Virginia, USA
| | - Robert J Fischer
- Virus Ecology Unit, Rocky Mountain Laboratories, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Hamilton, Montana, USA
| | - Alexandre Tremeau-Bravard
- One Health Institute, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, California, USA
| | - Janine F R Seetahal
- Department of Preclinical Sciences, Faculty of Medical Sciences, The University of the West Indies, St Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago
| | - Vernie Ramkissoon
- Department of Preclinical Sciences, Faculty of Medical Sciences, The University of the West Indies, St Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago
| | - Jerome Foster
- Department of Preclinical Sciences, Faculty of Medical Sciences, The University of the West Indies, St Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago
| | - Tracey Goldstein
- One Health Institute, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, California, USA
| | - Simon J Anthony
- Center for Infection and Immunity, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, New York, USA
| | | | - Eric D Laing
- Uniformed Services University, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | | | - Christine V F Carrington
- Department of Preclinical Sciences, Faculty of Medical Sciences, The University of the West Indies, St Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago
| | - Tony Schountz
- Arthropod-borne and Infectious Disease Laboratory, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, USA
| | - Vincent J Munster
- Virus Ecology Unit, Rocky Mountain Laboratories, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Hamilton, Montana, USA
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Achimota Pararubulavirus 3: A New Bat-Derived Paramyxovirus of the Genus Pararubulavirus. Viruses 2020; 12:v12111236. [PMID: 33143230 PMCID: PMC7692193 DOI: 10.3390/v12111236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2020] [Revised: 10/26/2020] [Accepted: 10/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Bats are an important source of viral zoonoses, including paramyxoviruses. The paramyxoviral Pararubulavirus genus contains viruses mostly derived from bats that are common, diverse, distributed throughout the Old World, and known to be zoonotic. Here, we describe a new member of the genus Achimota pararubulavirus 3 (AchPV3) and its isolation from the urine of African straw-coloured fruit bats on primary bat kidneys cells. We sequenced and analysed the genome of AchPV3 relative to other Paramyxoviridae, revealing it to be similar to known pararubulaviruses. Phylogenetic analysis of AchPV3 revealed the failure of molecular detection in the urine sample from which AchPV3 was derived and an attachment protein most closely related with AchPV2—a pararubulavirus known to cause cross-species transmission. Together these findings add to the picture of pararubulaviruses, their sources, and variable zoonotic potential, which is key to our understanding of host restriction and spillover of bat-derived paramyxoviruses. AchPV3 represents a novel candidate zoonosis and an important tool for further study.
Collapse
|
13
|
Seroprevalence of three paramyxoviruses; Hendra virus, Tioman virus, Cedar virus and a rhabdovirus, Australian bat lyssavirus, in a range expanding fruit bat, the Grey-headed flying fox (Pteropus poliocephalus). PLoS One 2020; 15:e0232339. [PMID: 32374743 PMCID: PMC7202650 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0232339] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2019] [Accepted: 04/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Habitat-mediated global change is driving shifts in species’ distributions which can alter the spatial risks associated with emerging zoonotic pathogens. Many emerging infectious pathogens are transmitted by highly mobile species, including bats, which can act as spill-over hosts for pathogenic viruses. Over three years, we investigated the seroepidemiology of paramyxoviruses and Australian bat lyssavirus in a range-expanding fruit bat, the Grey-headed flying fox (Pteropus poliocephalus), in a new camp in Adelaide, South Australia. Over six, biannual, sampling sessions, we quantified median florescent intensity (MFI) antibody levels for four viruses for a total of 297 individual bats using a multiplex Luminex binding assay. Where appropriate, florescence thresholds were determined using finite mixture modelling to classify bats’ serological status. Overall, apparent seroprevalence of antibodies directed at Hendra, Cedar and Tioman virus antigens was 43.2%, 26.6% and 95.7%, respectively. We used hurdle models to explore correlates of seropositivity and antibody levels when seropositive. Increased body condition was significantly associated with Hendra seropositivity (Odds ratio = 3.67; p = 0.002) and Hendra virus levels were significantly higher in pregnant females (p = 0.002). While most bats were seropositive for Tioman virus, antibody levels for this virus were significantly higher in adults (p < 0.001). Unexpectedly, all sera were negative for Australian bat lyssavirus. Temporal variation in antibody levels suggests that antibodies to Hendra virus and Tioman virus may wax and wane on a seasonal basis. These findings suggest a common exposure to Hendra virus and other paramyxoviruses in this flying fox camp in South Australia.
Collapse
|
14
|
A structure-based rationale for sialic acid independent host-cell entry of Sosuga virus. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2019; 116:21514-21520. [PMID: 31591233 PMCID: PMC6815108 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1906717116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The bat-borne paramyxovirus, Sosuga virus (SosV), is one of many paramyxoviruses recently identified and classified within the newly established genus Pararubulavirus, family Paramyxoviridae The envelope surface of SosV presents a receptor-binding protein (RBP), SosV-RBP, which facilitates host-cell attachment and entry. Unlike closely related hemagglutinin neuraminidase RBPs from other genera of the Paramyxoviridae, SosV-RBP and other pararubulavirus RBPs lack many of the stringently conserved residues required for sialic acid recognition and hydrolysis. We determined the crystal structure of the globular head region of SosV-RBP, revealing that while the glycoprotein presents a classical paramyxoviral six-bladed β-propeller fold and structurally classifies in close proximity to paramyxoviral RBPs with hemagglutinin-neuraminidase (HN) functionality, it presents a receptor-binding face incongruent with sialic acid recognition. Hemadsorption and neuraminidase activity analysis confirms the limited capacity of SosV-RBP to interact with sialic acid in vitro and indicates that SosV-RBP undergoes a nonclassical route of host-cell entry. The close overall structural conservation of SosV-RBP with other classical HN RBPs supports a model by which pararubulaviruses only recently diverged from sialic acid binding functionality.
Collapse
|
15
|
Vasilakis N, Tesh RB, Popov VL, Widen SG, Wood TG, Forrester NL, Gonzalez JP, Saluzzo JF, Alkhovsky S, Lam SK, Mackenzie JS, Walker PJ. Exploiting the Legacy of the Arbovirus Hunters. Viruses 2019; 11:E471. [PMID: 31126128 PMCID: PMC6563318 DOI: 10.3390/v11050471] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2019] [Revised: 05/15/2019] [Accepted: 05/21/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
In recent years, it has become evident that a generational gap has developed in the community of arbovirus research. This apparent gap is due to the dis-investment of training for the next generation of arbovirologists, which threatens to derail the rich history of virus discovery, field epidemiology, and understanding of the richness of diversity that surrounds us. On the other hand, new technologies have resulted in an explosion of virus discovery that is constantly redefining the virosphere and the evolutionary relationships between viruses. This paradox presents new challenges that may have immediate and disastrous consequences for public health when yet to be discovered arboviruses emerge. In this review we endeavor to bridge this gap by providing a historical context for the work being conducted today and provide continuity between the generations. To this end, we will provide a narrative of the thrill of scientific discovery and excitement and the challenges lying ahead.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nikos Vasilakis
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, 301 University Blvd, Galveston, TX 77555, USA.
- Center for Biodefense and Emerging Infectious Diseases, University of Texas Medical Branch, 301 University Blvd, Galveston, TX 77555, USA.
- Institute for Human Infection and Immunity, University of Texas Medical Branch, 301 University Blvd, Galveston, TX 77555, USA.
- Center for Tropical Diseases, University of Texas Medical Branch, 301 University Blvd, Galveston, TX 77555, USA.
| | - Robert B Tesh
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, 301 University Blvd, Galveston, TX 77555, USA.
- Center for Biodefense and Emerging Infectious Diseases, University of Texas Medical Branch, 301 University Blvd, Galveston, TX 77555, USA.
- Institute for Human Infection and Immunity, University of Texas Medical Branch, 301 University Blvd, Galveston, TX 77555, USA.
- Center for Tropical Diseases, University of Texas Medical Branch, 301 University Blvd, Galveston, TX 77555, USA.
| | - Vsevolod L Popov
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, 301 University Blvd, Galveston, TX 77555, USA.
- Center for Biodefense and Emerging Infectious Diseases, University of Texas Medical Branch, 301 University Blvd, Galveston, TX 77555, USA.
- Institute for Human Infection and Immunity, University of Texas Medical Branch, 301 University Blvd, Galveston, TX 77555, USA.
- Center for Tropical Diseases, University of Texas Medical Branch, 301 University Blvd, Galveston, TX 77555, USA.
| | - Steve G Widen
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, 301 University Blvd, Galveston TX 77555, USA.
| | - Thomas G Wood
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, 301 University Blvd, Galveston TX 77555, USA.
| | - Naomi L Forrester
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, 301 University Blvd, Galveston, TX 77555, USA.
- Center for Biodefense and Emerging Infectious Diseases, University of Texas Medical Branch, 301 University Blvd, Galveston, TX 77555, USA.
- Institute for Human Infection and Immunity, University of Texas Medical Branch, 301 University Blvd, Galveston, TX 77555, USA.
- Center for Tropical Diseases, University of Texas Medical Branch, 301 University Blvd, Galveston, TX 77555, USA.
| | - Jean Paul Gonzalez
- Center of Excellence for Emerging & Zoonotic Animal Disease, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66502, USA.
| | | | - Sergey Alkhovsky
- Ivanovsky Institute of Virology, N.F. Gamaleya National Research Center for Epidemiology and Microbiology, Ministry of Healthcare of the Russian Federation, 123098, 18 Gamaleya str., Moscow, Russia.
| | - Sai Kit Lam
- Department of Medical Microbiology, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur 50603, Malaysia.
| | - John S Mackenzie
- Faculty of Medical Sciences, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia 6102, Australia.
| | - Peter J Walker
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia.
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Herr N, Webby MN, Bulloch EMM, Schmitz M, Kingston RL. NMR chemical shift assignment of the C-terminal region of the Menangle virus phosphoprotein. BIOMOLECULAR NMR ASSIGNMENTS 2019; 13:195-199. [PMID: 30680534 DOI: 10.1007/s12104-019-09876-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2018] [Accepted: 01/17/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Menangle virus is a bat-borne paramyxovirus with zoonotic potential. The single-stranded RNA genome of the virus is encapsidated in a helical nucleocapsid which is the template for both transcription and genome replication. Each of these operations is performed by the viral RNA polymerase. The phosphoprotein is the non-catalytic subunit of the polymerase, and its C-terminal region enables the polymerase to engage with the nucleocapsid. Here, we report the 1H, 15N, and 13C chemical shift assignments of the C-terminal region (amino acids 267-388) of the Menangle virus phosphoprotein. This region has a bipartite character, with a highly flexible and structurally disordered sequence preceding a structured nucleocapsid-binding domain. NMR chemical shift assignment will enable the detailed characterization of the dynamic behavior of the phosphoprotein, and its functional linkage with polymerase translocation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- N Herr
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - M N Webby
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - E M M Bulloch
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - M Schmitz
- School of Chemical Sciences, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - R L Kingston
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Johnson RI, Tachedjian M, Clayton BA, Layton R, Bergfeld J, Wang LF, Marsh GA. Characterization of Teviot virus, an Australian bat-borne paramyxovirus. J Gen Virol 2019; 100:403-413. [PMID: 30688635 DOI: 10.1099/jgv.0.001214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Bats are the reservoir hosts for multiple viruses with zoonotic potential, including coronaviruses, paramyxoviruses and filoviruses. Urine collected from Australian pteropid bats was assessed for the presence of paramyxoviruses. One of the viruses isolated was Teviot virus (TevPV), a novel rubulavirus previously isolated from pteropid bat urine throughout the east coast of Australia. Here, we further characterize TevPV through analysis of whole-genome sequencing, growth kinetics, antigenic relatedness and the experimental infection of ferrets and mice. TevPV is phylogenetically and antigenically most closely related to Tioman virus (TioPV). Unlike many other rubulaviruses, cell receptor attachment by TevPV does not appear to be sialic acid-dependent, with the receptor for host cell entry being unknown. The infection of ferrets and mice suggested that TevPV has a low pathogenic potential in mammals. Infected ferrets seroconverted by 10 days post-infection without clinical signs of disease. Furthermore, infected ferrets did not shed virus in any respiratory secretions, suggesting a low risk of onward transmission of TevPV. No productive infection was observed in the mouse infection study.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca I Johnson
- 1CSIRO Health and Biosecurity, Australian Animal Health Laboratory, Geelong, Australia
| | - Mary Tachedjian
- 1CSIRO Health and Biosecurity, Australian Animal Health Laboratory, Geelong, Australia
| | - Bronwyn A Clayton
- 1CSIRO Health and Biosecurity, Australian Animal Health Laboratory, Geelong, Australia
| | - Rachel Layton
- 1CSIRO Health and Biosecurity, Australian Animal Health Laboratory, Geelong, Australia
| | - Jemma Bergfeld
- 1CSIRO Health and Biosecurity, Australian Animal Health Laboratory, Geelong, Australia
| | - Lin-Fa Wang
- 2Programme in Emerging Infectious Diseases, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore
| | - Glenn A Marsh
- 1CSIRO Health and Biosecurity, Australian Animal Health Laboratory, Geelong, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Viruses in bats and potential spillover to animals and humans. Curr Opin Virol 2019; 34:79-89. [PMID: 30665189 PMCID: PMC7102861 DOI: 10.1016/j.coviro.2018.12.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 161] [Impact Index Per Article: 32.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2018] [Revised: 12/17/2018] [Accepted: 12/17/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Bats are a very important source of emerging viruses. Bat coronavirus, filovirus, paramyxovirus and reovirus are known zoonotic viruses. Many of the emergent bat viruses are highly lethal in livestock and humans. Past incidents and viral genetic features predict bat coronaviruses as the highest risk.
In the last two decades, several high impact zoonotic disease outbreaks have been linked to bat-borne viruses. These include SARS coronavirus, Hendra virus and Nipah virus. In addition, it has been suspected that ebolaviruses and MERS coronavirus are also linked to bats. It is being increasingly accepted that bats are potential reservoirs of a large number of known and unknown viruses, many of which could spillover into animal and human populations. However, our knowledge into basic bat biology and immunology is very limited and we have little understanding of major factors contributing to the risk of bat virus spillover events. Here we provide a brief review of the latest findings in bat viruses and their potential risk of cross-species transmission.
Collapse
|
19
|
Mortlock M, Dietrich M, Weyer J, Paweska JT, Markotter W. Co-Circulation and Excretion Dynamics of Diverse Rubula- and Related Viruses in Egyptian Rousette Bats from South Africa. Viruses 2019; 11:v11010037. [PMID: 30626055 PMCID: PMC6356502 DOI: 10.3390/v11010037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2018] [Revised: 12/30/2018] [Accepted: 01/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The Egyptian rousette bat (Rousettus aegyptiacus) has previously been implicated as the natural host of a zoonotic rubulavirus; however, its association with rubulaviruses has been studied to a limited extent. Urine, spleen, and other organs collected from the R. aegyptiacus population within South Africa were tested with a hemi-nested RT-PCR assay targeting a partial polymerase gene region of viruses from the Avula- and Rubulavirus genera. Urine was collected over a 14-month period to study the temporal dynamics of viral excretion. Diverse rubulaviruses, including viruses related to human mumps and parainfluenza virus 2, were detected. Active excretion was identified during two peak periods coinciding with the host reproductive cycle. Analysis of additional organs indicated co-infection of individual bats with a number of different putative rubulaviruses, highlighting the limitations of using a single sample type when determining viral presence and diversity. Our findings suggest that R. aegyptiacus can harbor a range of Rubula- and related viruses, some of which are related to known human pathogens. The observed peaks in viral excretion represents potential periods of a higher risk of virus transmission and zoonotic disease spill-over.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marinda Mortlock
- Department of Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology, Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, University of Pretoria, Pretoria 0002, South Africa.
- Centre for Viral Zoonoses, Department of Medical Virology, School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Pretoria, Pretoria 0001, South Africa.
| | - Muriel Dietrich
- UMR Processus Infectieux en Milieu Insulaire Tropical, 97490 Sainte-Clotilde, Reunion Island, France.
| | - Jacqueline Weyer
- Centre for Viral Zoonoses, Department of Medical Virology, School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Pretoria, Pretoria 0001, South Africa.
- Centre for Emerging Zoonotic and Parasitic Diseases, National Institute for Communicable Diseases of the National Health Laboratory Service, Sandringham, Johannesburg 2131, South Africa.
| | - Janusz T Paweska
- Centre for Viral Zoonoses, Department of Medical Virology, School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Pretoria, Pretoria 0001, South Africa.
- Centre for Emerging Zoonotic and Parasitic Diseases, National Institute for Communicable Diseases of the National Health Laboratory Service, Sandringham, Johannesburg 2131, South Africa.
| | - Wanda Markotter
- Centre for Viral Zoonoses, Department of Medical Virology, School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Pretoria, Pretoria 0001, South Africa.
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Peel AJ, Field HE, Aravena MR, Edson D, McCallum H, Plowright RK, Prada D. Coronaviruses and Australian bats: a review in the midst of a pandemic. AUST J ZOOL 2019. [DOI: 10.1071/zo20046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Australia’s 81 bat species play vital ecological and economic roles via suppression of insect pests and maintenance of native forests through pollination and seed dispersal. Bats also host a wide diversity of coronaviruses globally, including several viral species that are closely related to SARS-CoV-2 and other emergent human respiratory coronaviruses. Although there are hundreds of studies of bat coronaviruses globally, there are only three studies of bat coronaviruses in Australian bat species, and no systematic studies of drivers of shedding. These limited studies have identified two betacoronaviruses and seven alphacoronaviruses, but less than half of Australian species are included in these studies and further research is therefore needed. There is no current evidence of spillover of coronaviruses from bats to humans in Australia, either directly or indirectly via intermediate hosts. The limited available data are inadequate to determine whether this lack of evidence indicates that spillover does not occur or occurs but is undetected. Conversely, multiple international agencies have flagged the potential transmission of human coronaviruses (including SARS CoV-2) from humans to bats, and the consequent threat to bat conservation and human health. Australia has a long history of bat research across a broad range of ecological and associated disciplines, as well as expertise in viral spillover from bats. This strong foundation is an ideal platform for developing integrative approaches to understanding bat health and sustainable protection of human health.
Collapse
|
21
|
Alston Virus, a Novel Paramyxovirus Isolated from Bats Causes Upper Respiratory Tract Infection in Experimentally Challenged Ferrets. Viruses 2018; 10:v10120675. [PMID: 30487438 PMCID: PMC6315912 DOI: 10.3390/v10120675] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2018] [Revised: 11/14/2018] [Accepted: 11/15/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Multiple viruses with zoonotic potential have been isolated from bats globally. Here we describe the isolation and characterization of a novel paramyxovirus, Alston virus (AlsPV), isolated from urine collected from an Australian pteropid bat colony in Alstonville, New South Wales. Characterization of AlsPV by whole-genome sequencing and analyzing antigenic relatedness revealed it is a rubulavirus that is closely related to parainfluenza virus 5 (PIV5). Intranasal exposure of mice to AlsPV resulted in no clinical signs of disease, although viral RNA was detected in the olfactory bulbs of two mice at 21 days post exposure. Oronasal challenge of ferrets resulted in subclinical upper respiratory tract infection, viral shedding in respiratory secretions, and detection of viral antigen in the olfactory bulb of the brain. These results imply that AlsPV may be similar to PIV5 in its ability to infect multiple mammalian host species. This isolation of a novel paramyxovirus with the potential to transmit from bats to other mammalian species reinforces the importance of continued surveillance of bats as a source of emerging viruses.
Collapse
|
22
|
Barr J, Todd S, Crameri G, Foord A, Marsh G, Frazer L, Payne J, Harper J, Baker KS, Cunningham AA, Wood JLN, Middleton D, Wang LF. Animal infection studies of two recently discovered African bat paramyxoviruses, Achimota 1 and Achimota 2. Sci Rep 2018; 8:12744. [PMID: 30143747 PMCID: PMC6109078 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-31193-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2018] [Accepted: 08/13/2018] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Bats are implicated as the natural reservoirs for several highly pathogenic viruses that can infect other animal species, including man. Here, we investigate the potential for two recently discovered bat rubulaviruses, Achimota virus 1 (AchPV1) and Achimota virus 2 (AchPV2), isolated from urine collected under urban bat (Eidolon helvum) roosts in Ghana, West Africa, to infect small laboratory animals. AchPV1 and AchPV2 are classified in the family Paramyxoviridae and cluster with other bat derived zoonotic rubulaviruses (i.e. Sosuga, Menangle and Tioman viruses). To assess the susceptibility of AchPV1 and AchPV2 in animals, infection studies were conducted in ferrets, guinea pigs and mice. Seroconversion, immunohistological evidence of infection, and viral shedding were identified in ferrets and guinea pigs, but not in mice. Infection was associated with respiratory disease in ferrets. Viral genome was detected in a range of tissues from ferrets and guinea pigs, however virus isolation was only achieved from ferret tissues. The results from this study indicate Achimota viruses (AchPVs) are able to cross the species barrier. Consequently, vigilance for infection with and disease caused by these viruses in people and domesticated animals is warranted in sub-Saharan Africa and the Arabian Peninsula where the reservoir hosts are present.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer Barr
- CSIRO Australian Animal Health Laboratory, Geelong, Australia.
| | - Shawn Todd
- CSIRO Australian Animal Health Laboratory, Geelong, Australia
| | - Gary Crameri
- CSIRO Australian Animal Health Laboratory, Geelong, Australia
| | - Adam Foord
- CSIRO Australian Animal Health Laboratory, Geelong, Australia
| | - Glenn Marsh
- CSIRO Australian Animal Health Laboratory, Geelong, Australia
| | - Leah Frazer
- CSIRO Australian Animal Health Laboratory, Geelong, Australia
| | - Jean Payne
- CSIRO Australian Animal Health Laboratory, Geelong, Australia
| | - Jenni Harper
- CSIRO Australian Animal Health Laboratory, Geelong, Australia
| | - Kate S Baker
- Institute of Zoology, Zoological Society of London, London, NW1 4RY, United Kingdom
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB3 0ES, United Kingdom
- Institute for Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, L69 7ZB, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Andrew A Cunningham
- Institute of Zoology, Zoological Society of London, London, NW1 4RY, United Kingdom
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB3 0ES, United Kingdom
| | - James L N Wood
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB3 0ES, United Kingdom
| | | | - Lin-Fa Wang
- CSIRO Australian Animal Health Laboratory, Geelong, Australia
- Programme in Emerging Infectious Diseases, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore, 169857, Singapore
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Banerjee A, Misra V, Schountz T, Baker ML. Tools to study pathogen-host interactions in bats. Virus Res 2018; 248:5-12. [PMID: 29454637 PMCID: PMC7114677 DOI: 10.1016/j.virusres.2018.02.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2017] [Revised: 02/01/2018] [Accepted: 02/12/2018] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Bats are important reservoir hosts for emerging zoonotic viruses. Viruses detected in bats are difficult to isolate using traditional cell lines. Bat cell lines provide critical tools to dissect host pathogen interactions. Little is known about immune cell populations and their responses in bats. Sharing reagents and cell lines will accelerate research and virus discovery.
Bats are natural reservoirs for a variety of emerging viruses that cause significant disease in humans and domestic animals yet rarely cause clinical disease in bats. The co-evolutionary history of bats with viruses has been hypothesized to have shaped the bat-virus relationship, allowing both to exist in equilibrium. Progress in understanding bat-virus interactions and the isolation of bat-borne viruses has been accelerated in recent years by the development of susceptible bat cell lines. Viral sequences similar to severe acute respiratory syndrome corona virus (SARS-CoV) have been detected in bats, and filoviruses such as Marburg virus have been isolated from bats, providing definitive evidence for the role of bats as the natural host reservoir. Although viruses can be readily detected in bats using molecular approaches, virus isolation is far more challenging. One of the limitations in using traditional culture systems from non-reservoir species is that cell types and culture conditions may not be compatible for isolation of bat-borne viruses. There is, therefore, a need to develop additional bat cell lines that correspond to different cell types, including less represented cell types such as immune cells, and culture them under more physiologically relevant conditions to study virus host interactions and for virus isolation. In this review, we highlight the current progress in understanding bat-virus interactions in bat cell line systems and some of the challenges and limitations associated with cell lines. Future directions to address some of these challenges to better understand host-pathogen interactions in these intriguing mammals are also discussed, not only in relation to viruses but also other pathogens carried by bats including bacteria and fungi.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Arinjay Banerjee
- Department of Veterinary Microbiology, Western College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Canada
| | - Vikram Misra
- Department of Veterinary Microbiology, Western College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Canada
| | - Tony Schountz
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, Arthropod-borne and Infectious Diseases laboratory, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, USA
| | - Michelle L Baker
- CSIRO, Health and Biosecurity Business Unit, Australian Animal Health Laboratory, Geelong, Australia.
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Abstract
With over 1200 species identified, bats represent almost one quarter of the world’s mammals. Bats provide crucial environmental services, such as insect control and pollination, and inhabit a wide variety of ecological niches on all continents except Antarctica. Despite their ubiquity and ecological importance, relatively little has been published on diseases of bats, while much has been written on bats’ role as reservoirs in disease transmission. This chapter will focus on diseases and pathologic processes most commonly reported in captive and free-ranging bats. Unique anatomical and histological features and common infectious and non-infectious diseases will be discussed. As recognition of both the importance and vulnerability of bats grows, particularly following population declines in North America due to the introduction of the fungal disease white-nose syndrome, efforts should be made to better understand threats to the health of this unique group of mammals.
Collapse
|
25
|
Rizzo F, Edenborough KM, Toffoli R, Culasso P, Zoppi S, Dondo A, Robetto S, Rosati S, Lander A, Kurth A, Orusa R, Bertolotti L, Mandola ML. Coronavirus and paramyxovirus in bats from Northwest Italy. BMC Vet Res 2017; 13:396. [PMID: 29273042 PMCID: PMC5741894 DOI: 10.1186/s12917-017-1307-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2017] [Accepted: 11/28/2017] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Bat-borne virus surveillance is necessary for determining inter-species transmission risks and is important due to the wide-range of bat species which may harbour potential pathogens. This study aimed to monitor coronaviruses (CoVs) and paramyxoviruses (PMVs) in bats roosting in northwest Italian regions. Our investigation was focused on CoVs and PMVs due to their proven ability to switch host and their zoonotic potential. Here we provide the phylogenetic characterization of the highly conserved polymerase gene fragments. Results Family-wide PCR screenings were used to test 302 bats belonging to 19 different bat species. Thirty-eight animals from 12 locations were confirmed as PCR positive, with an overall detection rate of 12.6% [95% CI: 9.3–16.8]. CoV RNA was found in 36 bats belonging to eight species, while PMV RNA in three Pipistrellus spp. Phylogenetic characterization have been obtained for 15 alpha- CoVs, 5 beta-CoVs and three PMVs; moreover one P. pipistrellus resulted co-infected with both CoV and PMV. A divergent alpha-CoV clade from Myotis nattereri SpA is also described. The compact cluster of beta-CoVs from R. ferrumequinum roosts expands the current viral sequence database, specifically for this species in Europe. To our knowledge this is the first report of CoVs in Plecotus auritus and M. oxygnathus, and of PMVs in P. kuhlii. Conclusions This study identified alpha and beta-CoVs in new bat species and in previously unsurveyed Italian regions. To our knowledge this represents the first and unique report of PMVs in Italy. The 23 new bat genetic sequences presented will expand the current molecular bat-borne virus databases. Considering the amount of novel bat-borne PMVs associated with the emergence of zoonotic infections in animals and humans in the last years, the definition of viral diversity within European bat species is needed. Performing surveillance studies within a specific geographic area can provide awareness of viral burden where bats roost in close proximity to spillover hosts, and form the basis for the appropriate control measures against potential threats for public health and optimal management of bats and their habitats.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Rizzo
- Istituto zooprofilattico sperimentale del Piemonte, Liguria e Valle d'Aosta, Via Bologna 148, 10148, Torino, Italy.
| | | | - Roberto Toffoli
- Chirosphera, via Tetti Barbiere 11, 10026, Santena, TO, Italy
| | - Paola Culasso
- Chirosphera, via Tetti Barbiere 11, 10026, Santena, TO, Italy
| | - Simona Zoppi
- Istituto zooprofilattico sperimentale del Piemonte, Liguria e Valle d'Aosta, Via Bologna 148, 10148, Torino, Italy
| | - Alessandro Dondo
- Istituto zooprofilattico sperimentale del Piemonte, Liguria e Valle d'Aosta, Via Bologna 148, 10148, Torino, Italy
| | - Serena Robetto
- Istituto zooprofilattico sperimentale del Piemonte, Liguria e Valle d'Aosta, Via Bologna 148, 10148, Torino, Italy
| | - Sergio Rosati
- Department of Veterinary Science, Largo Paolo Braccini 2, 10095, Grugliasco, TO, Italy
| | | | - Andreas Kurth
- Robert Koch Institute, Seestraße 10, 13353, Berlin, Germany
| | - Riccardo Orusa
- Istituto zooprofilattico sperimentale del Piemonte, Liguria e Valle d'Aosta, Via Bologna 148, 10148, Torino, Italy
| | - Luigi Bertolotti
- Department of Veterinary Science, Largo Paolo Braccini 2, 10095, Grugliasco, TO, Italy
| | - Maria Lucia Mandola
- Istituto zooprofilattico sperimentale del Piemonte, Liguria e Valle d'Aosta, Via Bologna 148, 10148, Torino, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Denner J. The porcine virome and xenotransplantation. Virol J 2017; 14:171. [PMID: 28874166 PMCID: PMC5585927 DOI: 10.1186/s12985-017-0836-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2017] [Accepted: 08/27/2017] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The composition of the porcine virome includes viruses that infect pig cells, ancient virus-derived elements including endogenous retroviruses inserted in the pig chromosomes, and bacteriophages that infect a broad array of bacteria that inhabit pigs. Viruses infecting pigs, among them viruses also infecting human cells, as well as porcine endogenous retroviruses (PERVs) are of importance when evaluating the virus safety of xenotransplantation. Bacteriophages associated with bacteria mainly in the gut are not relevant in this context. Xenotransplantation using pig cells, tissues or organs is under development in order to alleviate the shortage of human transplants. Here for the first time published data describing the viromes in different pigs and their relevance for the virus safety of xenotransplantation is analysed. In conclusion, the analysis of the porcine virome has resulted in numerous new viruses being described, although their impact on xenotransplantation is unclear. Most importantly, viruses with known or suspected zoonotic potential were often not detected by next generation sequencing, but were revealed by more sensitive methods.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Joachim Denner
- Robert Koch Fellow, Robert Koch Institute, Nordufer, 20, Berlin, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Thibault PA, Watkinson RE, Moreira-Soto A, Drexler JF, Lee B. Zoonotic Potential of Emerging Paramyxoviruses: Knowns and Unknowns. Adv Virus Res 2017; 98:1-55. [PMID: 28433050 PMCID: PMC5894875 DOI: 10.1016/bs.aivir.2016.12.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
The risk of spillover of enzootic paramyxoviruses and the susceptibility of recipient human and domestic animal populations are defined by a broad collection of ecological and molecular factors that interact in ways that are not yet fully understood. Nipah and Hendra viruses were the first highly lethal zoonotic paramyxoviruses discovered in modern times, but other paramyxoviruses from multiple genera are present in bats and other reservoirs that have unknown potential to spillover into humans. We outline our current understanding of paramyxovirus reservoir hosts and the ecological factors that may drive spillover, and we explore the molecular barriers to spillover that emergent paramyxoviruses may encounter. By outlining what is known about enzootic paramyxovirus receptor usage, mechanisms of innate immune evasion, and other host-specific interactions, we highlight the breadth of unexplored avenues that may be important in understanding paramyxovirus emergence.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Ruth E Watkinson
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States
| | | | - Jan F Drexler
- Institute of Virology, University of Bonn Medical Centre, Bonn, Germany; German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Bonn-Cologne, Bonn, Germany
| | - Benhur Lee
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States.
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Kirkland PD. Menangle virus: one of the first of the novel viruses from fruit bats. MICROBIOLOGY AUSTRALIA 2017. [DOI: 10.1071/ma17007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
‘Brainless pig disease swoops on Sydney.' This was a media headline that threatened to emerge during the early stages of a disease outbreak in pigs in NSW. However, identification of the viral cause and epidemiological studies that supported a sound management program minimised the impact of this outbreak on animal and human health.
Collapse
|
29
|
Hendra Virus Infection Dynamics in the Grey-Headed Flying Fox (Pteropus poliocephalus) at the Southern-Most Extent of Its Range: Further Evidence This Species Does Not Readily Transmit the Virus to Horses. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0155252. [PMID: 27304985 PMCID: PMC4909227 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0155252] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2016] [Accepted: 04/26/2016] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Hendra virus (HeV) is an important emergent virus in Australia known to infect horses and humans in certain regions of the east coast. Whilst pteropid bats (“flying foxes”) are considered the natural reservoir of HeV, which of the four mainland species is the principal reservoir has been a source of ongoing debate, particularly as shared roosting is common. To help resolve this, we sampled a colony consisting of just one of these species, the grey-headed flying fox, (Pteropus poliocephalus), at the southernmost extent of its range. Using the pooled urine sampling technique at approximately weekly intervals over a two year period, we determined the prevalence of HeV and related paramyxoviruses using a novel multiplex (Luminex) platform. Whilst all the pooled urine samples were negative for HeV nucleic acid, we successfully identified four other paramyxoviruses, including Cedar virus; a henipavirus closely related to HeV. Collection of serum from individually caught bats from the colony showed that antibodies to HeV, as estimated by a serological Luminex assay, were present in between 14.6% and 44.5% of animals. The wide range of the estimate reflects uncertainties in interpreting intermediate results. Interpreting the study in the context of HeV studies from states to the north, we add support for an arising consensus that it is the black flying fox and not the grey-headed flying fox that is the principal source of HeV in spillover events to horses.
Collapse
|
30
|
Harding JC. Genomics, animal models, and emerging diseases: relevance to One Health and food security. Genome 2015; 58:499-502. [DOI: 10.1139/gen-2015-0148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- John C.S. Harding
- Western College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada
- Western College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
Cuevas-Romero JS, Blomström AL, Berg M. Molecular and epidemiological studies of Porcine rubulavirus infection - an overview. Infect Ecol Epidemiol 2015; 5:29602. [PMID: 26584829 PMCID: PMC4653323 DOI: 10.3402/iee.v5.29602] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2015] [Revised: 10/07/2015] [Accepted: 10/21/2015] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Porcine rubulavirus-La Piedad-Michoacan-Mexico virus (PorPV-LPMV) was identified as the causative agent of a viral disease that emerged spontaneously in Mexican swine in the 1980s. Since the report of the initial outbreak of the disease, only one full-length genome from a strain isolated in 1984 (PorPV-LPMV/1984) has been sequenced; sequence data are scarce from other isolates. The genetic variation of this virus that has spread throughout the main endemic region of Mexico is almost a complete mystery. The development of molecular techniques for improved diagnostics and to investigate the persistence, molecular epidemiology, and the possible reservoirs of PorPV are needed. Together, this will provide greater knowledge regarding the molecular genetic changes and useful data to establish new strategies in the control of this virus in Mexico.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Julieta Sandra Cuevas-Romero
- Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Disciplinarias en Microbiología Animal, INIFAP, México City, Mexico.,Section of Virology, Department of Biomedical Sciences and Veterinary Public Health, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden;
| | - Anne-Lie Blomström
- Section of Virology, Department of Biomedical Sciences and Veterinary Public Health, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Mikael Berg
- Section of Virology, Department of Biomedical Sciences and Veterinary Public Health, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden
| |
Collapse
|
32
|
Edson D, Field H, McMichael L, Vidgen M, Goldspink L, Broos A, Melville D, Kristoffersen J, de Jong C, McLaughlin A, Davis R, Kung N, Jordan D, Kirkland P, Smith C. Routes of Hendra Virus Excretion in Naturally-Infected Flying-Foxes: Implications for Viral Transmission and Spillover Risk. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0140670. [PMID: 26469523 PMCID: PMC4607162 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0140670] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2015] [Accepted: 09/29/2015] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Pteropid bats or flying-foxes (Chiroptera: Pteropodidae) are the natural host of Hendra virus (HeV) which sporadically causes fatal disease in horses and humans in eastern Australia. While there is strong evidence that urine is an important infectious medium that likely drives bat to bat transmission and bat to horse transmission, there is uncertainty about the relative importance of alternative routes of excretion such as nasal and oral secretions, and faeces. Identifying the potential routes of HeV excretion in flying-foxes is important to effectively mitigate equine exposure risk at the bat-horse interface, and in determining transmission rates in host-pathogen models. The aim of this study was to identify the major routes of HeV excretion in naturally infected flying-foxes, and secondarily, to identify between-species variation in excretion prevalence. A total of 2840 flying-foxes from three of the four Australian mainland species (Pteropus alecto, P. poliocephalus and P. scapulatus) were captured and sampled at multiple roost locations in the eastern states of Queensland and New South Wales between 2012 and 2014. A range of biological samples (urine and serum, and urogenital, nasal, oral and rectal swabs) were collected from anaesthetized bats, and tested for HeV RNA using a qRT-PCR assay targeting the M gene. Forty-two P. alecto (n = 1410) had HeV RNA detected in at least one sample, and yielded a total of 78 positive samples, at an overall detection rate of 1.76% across all samples tested in this species (78/4436). The rate of detection, and the amount of viral RNA, was highest in urine samples (>serum, packed haemocytes >faecal >nasal >oral), identifying urine as the most plausible source of infection for flying-foxes and for horses. Detection in a urine sample was more efficient than detection in urogenital swabs, identifying the former as the preferred diagnostic sample. The detection of HeV RNA in serum is consistent with haematogenous spread, and with hypothesised latency and recrudesence in flying-foxes. There were no detections in P. poliocephalus (n = 1168 animals; n = 2958 samples) or P. scapulatus (n = 262 animals; n = 985 samples), suggesting (consistent with other recent studies) that these species are epidemiologically less important than P. alecto in HeV infection dynamics. The study is unprecedented in terms of the individual animal approach, the large sample size, and the use of a molecular assay to directly determine infection status. These features provide a high level of confidence in the veracity of our findings, and a sound basis from which to more precisely target equine risk mitigation strategies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Edson
- Queensland Centre for Emerging Infectious Diseases, Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, Coopers Plains, Queensland, Australia
- * E-mail:
| | - Hume Field
- Queensland Centre for Emerging Infectious Diseases, Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, Coopers Plains, Queensland, Australia
- EcoHealth Alliance, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - Lee McMichael
- Queensland Centre for Emerging Infectious Diseases, Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, Coopers Plains, Queensland, Australia
| | - Miranda Vidgen
- Queensland Centre for Emerging Infectious Diseases, Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, Coopers Plains, Queensland, Australia
| | - Lauren Goldspink
- Queensland Centre for Emerging Infectious Diseases, Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, Coopers Plains, Queensland, Australia
| | - Alice Broos
- Queensland Centre for Emerging Infectious Diseases, Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, Coopers Plains, Queensland, Australia
| | - Deb Melville
- Queensland Centre for Emerging Infectious Diseases, Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, Coopers Plains, Queensland, Australia
| | - Joanna Kristoffersen
- Queensland Centre for Emerging Infectious Diseases, Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, Coopers Plains, Queensland, Australia
| | - Carol de Jong
- Queensland Centre for Emerging Infectious Diseases, Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, Coopers Plains, Queensland, Australia
| | - Amanda McLaughlin
- Queensland Centre for Emerging Infectious Diseases, Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, Coopers Plains, Queensland, Australia
| | - Rodney Davis
- Elizabeth Macarthur Agricultural Institute, New South Wales Department of Primary Industries, Menangle, NSW, Australia
| | - Nina Kung
- Queensland Centre for Emerging Infectious Diseases, Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, Coopers Plains, Queensland, Australia
| | - David Jordan
- Wollongbar Primary Industries Institute, New South Wales Department of Primary Industries, Wollongbar, NSW, Australia
| | - Peter Kirkland
- Elizabeth Macarthur Agricultural Institute, New South Wales Department of Primary Industries, Menangle, NSW, Australia
| | - Craig Smith
- Queensland Centre for Emerging Infectious Diseases, Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, Coopers Plains, Queensland, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
33
|
Moratelli R, Calisher CH. Bats and zoonotic viruses: can we confidently link bats with emerging deadly viruses? Mem Inst Oswaldo Cruz 2015; 110:1-22. [PMID: 25742261 PMCID: PMC4371215 DOI: 10.1590/0074-02760150048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 128] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2015] [Accepted: 02/09/2015] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
An increasingly asked question is 'can we confidently link bats with emerging viruses?'. No, or not yet, is the qualified answer based on the evidence available. Although more than 200 viruses - some of them deadly zoonotic viruses - have been isolated from or otherwise detected in bats, the supposed connections between bats, bat viruses and human diseases have been raised more on speculation than on evidence supporting their direct or indirect roles in the epidemiology of diseases (except for rabies). However, we are convinced that the evidence points in that direction and that at some point it will be proved that bats are competent hosts for at least a few zoonotic viruses. In this review, we cover aspects of bat biology, ecology and evolution that might be relevant in medical investigations and we provide a historical synthesis of some disease outbreaks causally linked to bats. We provide evolutionary-based hypotheses to tentatively explain the viral transmission route through mammalian intermediate hosts and to explain the geographic concentration of most outbreaks, but both are no more than speculations that still require formal assessment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Charles H Calisher
- Arthropod-borne and Infectious Diseases Laboratory, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA
| |
Collapse
|
34
|
Voigt CC, Kingston T. Zoonotic Viruses and Conservation of Bats. BATS IN THE ANTHROPOCENE: CONSERVATION OF BATS IN A CHANGING WORLD 2015. [PMCID: PMC7122997 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-25220-9_10] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Many of the recently emerging highly virulent zoonotic diseases have a likely bat origin, for example Hendra, Nipah, Ebola and diseases caused by coronaviruses. Presumably because of their long history of coevolution, most of these viruses remain subclinical in bats, but have the potential to cause severe illnesses in domestic and wildlife animals and also humans. Spillovers from bats to humans either happen directly (via contact with infected bats) or indirectly (via intermediate hosts such as domestic or wildlife animals, by consuming food items contaminated by saliva, faeces or urine of bats, or via other environmental sources). Increasing numbers of breakouts of zoonotic viral diseases among humans and livestock have mainly been accounted to human encroachment into natural habitat, as well as agricultural intensification, deforestation and bushmeat consumption. Persecution of bats, including the destruction of their roosts and culling of whole colonies, has led not only to declines of protected bat species, but also to an increase in virus prevalence in some of these populations. Educational efforts are needed in order to prevent future spillovers of bat-borne viruses to humans and livestock, and to further protect bats from unnecessary and counterproductive culling.
Collapse
|
35
|
McMichael L, Edson D, McLaughlin A, Mayer D, Kopp S, Meers J, Field H. Haematology and Plasma Biochemistry of Wild Black Flying-Foxes, (Pteropus alecto) in Queensland, Australia. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0125741. [PMID: 25938493 PMCID: PMC4418720 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0125741] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2014] [Accepted: 03/25/2015] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
This paper establishes reference ranges for hematologic and plasma biochemistry values in wild Black flying-foxes (Pteropus alecto) captured in South East Queensland, Australia. Values were found to be consistent with those of other Pteropus species. Four hundred and forty-seven animals were sampled over 12 months and significant differences were found between age, sex, reproductive and body condition cohorts in the sample population. Mean values for each cohort fell within the determined normal adult reference range, with the exception of elevated levels of alkaline phosphatase in juvenile animals. Hematologic and biochemistry parameters of injured animals showed little or no deviation from the normal reference values for minor injuries, while two animals with more severe injury or abscessation showed leucocytosis, anaemia, thrombocytosis, hyperglobulinemia and hypoalbuminemia.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lee McMichael
- School of Veterinary Science, The University of Queensland, Gatton, Qld 4343, Australia
- Biosecurity Queensland, Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Brisbane, Qld 4108, Australia
- * E-mail:
| | - Daniel Edson
- Biosecurity Queensland, Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Brisbane, Qld 4108, Australia
| | - Amanda McLaughlin
- Biosecurity Queensland, Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Brisbane, Qld 4108, Australia
| | - David Mayer
- Department of Agriculture Fisheries and Forestry, Brisbane, Qld 4103, Australia
| | - Steven Kopp
- School of Veterinary Science, The University of Queensland, Gatton, Qld 4343, Australia
| | - Joanne Meers
- School of Veterinary Science, The University of Queensland, Gatton, Qld 4343, Australia
| | - Hume Field
- EcoHealth Alliance, New York, NY 10001, United States of America
| |
Collapse
|
36
|
Complete genome sequence of teviot paramyxovirus, a novel rubulavirus isolated from fruit bats in australia. GENOME ANNOUNCEMENTS 2015; 3:3/2/e00177-15. [PMID: 25883275 PMCID: PMC4400418 DOI: 10.1128/genomea.00177-15] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
The causative agents of a number of emerging zoonotic diseases have been identified as paramyxoviruses originating in bats. We report here the complete genome sequence of two Teviot paramyxoviruses, novel rubulaviruses isolated from urine samples collected from pteropid bats in Australia. The zoonotic potential of Teviot paramyxovirus is undetermined.
Collapse
|
37
|
Rupprecht CE, Burgess GW. Viral and vector zoonotic exploitation of a homo-sociome memetic complex. Clin Microbiol Infect 2015; 21:394-403. [PMID: 25769428 PMCID: PMC7128523 DOI: 10.1016/j.cmi.2015.02.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2014] [Revised: 02/17/2015] [Accepted: 02/27/2015] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
As most newly characterized emerging infectious diseases are considered to be zoonotic, a modern pre-eminence ascribed within this classification lies clearly within the viral taxonomic realm. In particular, RNA viruses deserve special concern given their documented impact on conservation biology, veterinary medicine and public health, with an unprecedented ability to promote an evolutionary host–pathogen arms race from the ultimate infection and immunity perspective. However, besides the requisite molecular/gross anatomical and physiological bases for infectious diseases to transmit from one host to another, both viral pathogens and their reservoirs/vectors exploit a complex anthropological, cultural, historical, psychological and social suite that specifically defines the phylodynamics within Homo sapiens, unlike any other species. Some of these variables include the ecological benefits of living in groups, decisions on hunting and foraging behaviours and dietary preferences, myths and religious doctrines, health economics, travel destinations, population planning, political decisions on agricultural product bans and many others, in a homo-sociome memetic complex. Taken to an extreme, such complexities elucidate the underpinnings of explanations as to why certain viral zoonoses reside in neglected people, places and things, whereas others are chosen selectively and prioritized for active mitigation. Canine-transmitted rabies serves as one prime example of how a neglected viral zoonosis may transition to greater attention on the basis of renewed advocacy, social media, local champions and vested international community engagement. In contrast, certain bat-associated and arboviral diseases suffer from basic ignorance and perpetuated misunderstanding of fundamental reservoir and vector ecology tenets, translated into failed control policies that only exacerbate the underlying environmental conditions of concern. Beyond applied biomedical knowledge, epidemiological skills and biotechnical abilities alone, if a homo-sociome memetic complex approach is also entertained in a modern transdisciplinary context, neglected viral zoonosis may be better understood, controlled, prevented and possibly eliminated, in a more holistic One Health context.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- C E Rupprecht
- LYSSA LLC, Lawrenceville, GA 30044, USA; The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
| | - G W Burgess
- College of Public Health, Medical and Veterinary Sciences, James Cook University, Townsville, Qld, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
38
|
Barr J, Smith C, Smith I, de Jong C, Todd S, Melville D, Broos A, Crameri S, Haining J, Marsh G, Crameri G, Field H, Wang LF. Isolation of multiple novel paramyxoviruses from pteropid bat urine. J Gen Virol 2014; 96:24-29. [PMID: 25228492 DOI: 10.1099/vir.0.068106-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Bats have been found to harbour a number of new emerging viruses with zoonotic potential, and there has been a great deal of interest in identifying novel bat pathogens to determine the risk to human and animal health. Many groups have identified novel viruses in bats by detection of viral nucleic acid; however, virus isolation is still a challenge, and there are few reports of viral isolates from bats. In recent years, our group has developed optimized procedures for virus isolation from bat urine, including the use of primary bat cells. In previous reports, we have described the isolation of Hendra virus, Menangle virus and Cedar virus in Queensland, Australia. Here, we report the isolation of four additional novel bat paramyxoviruses from urine collected from beneath pteropid bat (flying fox) colonies in Queensland and New South Wales during 2009-2011.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer Barr
- CSIRO Australian Animal Health Laboratory, Geelong, Australia
| | - Craig Smith
- Queensland Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Ina Smith
- CSIRO Australian Animal Health Laboratory, Geelong, Australia
| | - Carol de Jong
- Queensland Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Shawn Todd
- CSIRO Australian Animal Health Laboratory, Geelong, Australia
| | - Debra Melville
- Queensland Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Alice Broos
- Queensland Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Sandra Crameri
- CSIRO Australian Animal Health Laboratory, Geelong, Australia
| | - Jessica Haining
- CSIRO Australian Animal Health Laboratory, Geelong, Australia
| | - Glenn Marsh
- CSIRO Australian Animal Health Laboratory, Geelong, Australia
| | - Gary Crameri
- CSIRO Australian Animal Health Laboratory, Geelong, Australia
| | - Hume Field
- Ecohealth Alliance, New York, NY, USA.,Queensland Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Lin-Fa Wang
- Program in Emerging Infectious Diseases, Duke-NUS Graduate Medical School, Singapore.,CSIRO Australian Animal Health Laboratory, Geelong, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
39
|
Eckerle I, Lenk M, Ulrich RG. More novel hantaviruses and diversifying reservoir hosts--time for development of reservoir-derived cell culture models? Viruses 2014; 6:951-67. [PMID: 24576845 PMCID: PMC3970132 DOI: 10.3390/v6030951] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2013] [Revised: 02/11/2014] [Accepted: 02/15/2014] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Due to novel, improved and high-throughput detection methods, there is a plethora of newly identified viruses within the genus Hantavirus. Furthermore, reservoir host species are increasingly recognized besides representatives of the order Rodentia, now including members of the mammalian orders Soricomorpha/Eulipotyphla and Chiroptera. Despite the great interest created by emerging zoonotic viruses, there is still a gross lack of in vitro models, which reflect the exclusive host adaptation of most zoonotic viruses. The usually narrow host range and genetic diversity of hantaviruses make them an exciting candidate for studying virus-host interactions on a cellular level. To do so, well-characterized reservoir cell lines covering a wide range of bat, insectivore and rodent species are essential. Most currently available cell culture models display a heterologous virus-host relationship and are therefore only of limited value. Here, we review the recently established approaches to generate reservoir-derived cell culture models for the in vitro study of virus-host interactions. These successfully used model systems almost exclusively originate from bats and bat-borne viruses other than hantaviruses. Therefore we propose a parallel approach for research on rodent- and insectivore-borne hantaviruses, taking the generation of novel rodent and insectivore cell lines from wildlife species into account. These cell lines would be also valuable for studies on further rodent-borne viruses, such as orthopox- and arenaviruses.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Isabella Eckerle
- Institute of Virology, University of Bonn Medical Centre, Sigmund-Freud-Strasse 25, 53127 Bonn, Germany.
| | - Matthias Lenk
- Department of Experimental Animal Facilities and Biorisk Management, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Südufer 10, 17493 Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany.
| | - Rainer G Ulrich
- Institute for Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Südufer 10, 17493 Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
40
|
Eckerle I, Ehlen L, Kallies R, Wollny R, Corman VM, Cottontail VM, Tschapka M, Oppong S, Drosten C, Müller MA. Bat airway epithelial cells: a novel tool for the study of zoonotic viruses. PLoS One 2014; 9:e84679. [PMID: 24454736 PMCID: PMC3890267 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0084679] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2013] [Accepted: 11/25/2013] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Bats have been increasingly recognized as reservoir of important zoonotic viruses. However, until now many attempts to isolate bat-borne viruses in cell culture have been unsuccessful. Further, experimental studies on reservoir host species have been limited by the difficulty of rearing these species. The epithelium of the respiratory tract plays a central role during airborne transmission, as it is the first tissue encountered by viral particles. Although several cell lines from bats were established recently, no well-characterized, selectively cultured airway epithelial cells were available so far. Here, primary cells and immortalized cell lines from bats of the two important suborders Yangochiroptera and Yinpterochiroptera, Carollia perspicillata (Seba's short-tailed bat) and Eidolon helvum (Straw-colored fruit bat), were successfully cultured under standardized conditions from both fresh and frozen organ specimens by cell outgrowth of organ explants and by the use of serum-free primary cell culture medium. Cells were immortalized to generate permanent cell lines. Cells were characterized for their epithelial properties such as expression of cytokeratin and tight junctions proteins and permissiveness for viral infection with Rift-Valley fever virus and vesicular stomatitis virus Indiana. These cells can serve as suitable models for the study of bat-borne viruses and complement cell culture models for virus infection in human airway epithelial cells.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Isabella Eckerle
- Institute of Virology, University of Bonn Medical Centre, Bonn, Germany
| | - Lukas Ehlen
- Institute of Virology, University of Bonn Medical Centre, Bonn, Germany
| | - René Kallies
- Institute of Virology, University of Bonn Medical Centre, Bonn, Germany
| | - Robert Wollny
- Institute of Virology, University of Bonn Medical Centre, Bonn, Germany
| | - Victor M. Corman
- Institute of Virology, University of Bonn Medical Centre, Bonn, Germany
| | | | - Marco Tschapka
- Institute of Experimental Ecology, University of Ulm, Ulm, Germany
- Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, Balboa, Panama
| | - Samuel Oppong
- Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Christian Drosten
- Institute of Virology, University of Bonn Medical Centre, Bonn, Germany
| | - Marcel A. Müller
- Institute of Virology, University of Bonn Medical Centre, Bonn, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
41
|
Koopmans M. Surveillance strategy for early detection of unusual infectious disease events. Curr Opin Virol 2013; 3:185-91. [PMID: 23612329 PMCID: PMC7102709 DOI: 10.1016/j.coviro.2013.02.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2012] [Revised: 01/21/2013] [Accepted: 02/14/2013] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
New pathogens continue to emerge, and the increased connectedness of populations across the globe through international travel and trade favors rapid dispersal of any new disease. The ability to respond to such events has increased but the question is what ‘preparedness’ means at the level of the clinician. Clinicians deal with patients with unexplained illness on a daily basis, and even with syndromes highly indicative of infectious diseases, the cause of illness is often not detected, unless extensive and costly diagnostic work-ups are done. This review discusses innovations in diagnostics and surveillance aimed at early detection of unusual disease. Risk based approaches are promising, but optimal preparedness planning requires multidisciplinary partnerships across domains, and a global translational research agenda to develop tools, systems, and evidence for interventions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marion Koopmans
- Laboratory for Infectious Diseases, Center for Infectious Disease Control, National Institute of Public Health and the Environment, P.O. Box 1, 3720 BA Bilthoven, The Netherlands.
| |
Collapse
|
42
|
Abstract
Bats are the second most species rich and abundant group of mammals and display an array of unique characteristics but are also among the most poorly studied mammals. They fill an important ecological niche and have diversified into a wide range of habitats. In recent years, bats have been implicated as reservoirs for some of the most highly pathogenic emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases reported to date, including SARS-like coronavirus, Ebola, Hendra and Nipah viruses. The ability of bats to harbour these viruses in the absence of clinical signs of disease has resulted in a resurgence of interest in bat biology and virus–host interactions. Interest in bats, in Australia in particular, has intensified following the identification of several novel bat-borne viruses from flying-foxes, including Hendra virus, which is capable of spillover from bats to horses and subsequently to humans with potentially fatal consequences. As we continue to encroach on the natural habitats of bats, a better understanding of bat biology, ecology and virus–host interactions has never before been so critical. In this review, we focus on the biology of Australian pteropid bats and the pathogens they harbour, summarising current knowledge of bat-borne diseases, bat ecology, ethology and immunology.
Collapse
|