1
|
Mohl BP, Diederich S, Fischer K, Balkema-Buschmann A. Rousettus aegyptiacus Fruit Bats Do Not Support Productive Replication of Cedar Virus upon Experimental Challenge. Viruses 2024; 16:1359. [PMID: 39339836 PMCID: PMC11435843 DOI: 10.3390/v16091359] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2024] [Revised: 08/21/2024] [Accepted: 08/23/2024] [Indexed: 09/30/2024] Open
Abstract
Cedar henipavirus (CedV), which was isolated from the urine of pteropodid bats in Australia, belongs to the genus Henipavirus in the family of Paramyxoviridae. It is closely related to the Hendra virus (HeV) and Nipah virus (NiV), which have been classified at the highest biosafety level (BSL4) due to their high pathogenicity for humans. Meanwhile, CedV is apathogenic for humans and animals. As such, it is often used as a model virus for the highly pathogenic henipaviruses HeV and NiV. In this study, we challenged eight Rousettus aegyptiacus fruit bats of different age groups with CedV in order to assess their age-dependent susceptibility to a CedV infection. Upon intranasal inoculation, none of the animals developed clinical signs, and only trace amounts of viral RNA were detectable at 2 days post-inoculation in the upper respiratory tract and the kidney as well as in oral and anal swab samples. Continuous monitoring of the body temperature and locomotion activity of four animals, however, indicated minor alterations in the challenged animals, which would have remained unnoticed otherwise.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Björn-Patrick Mohl
- Institute of Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Suedufer 10, 17493 Greifswald, Germany
| | - Sandra Diederich
- Institute of Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Suedufer 10, 17493 Greifswald, Germany
| | - Kerstin Fischer
- Institute of Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Suedufer 10, 17493 Greifswald, Germany
| | - Anne Balkema-Buschmann
- Institute of Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Suedufer 10, 17493 Greifswald, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Zhou L, Kang H, Xu S, Chen J, Wang X, Long H, Li G, Xu P, He B. Tailam paramyxovirus C protein inhibits viral replication. J Virol 2024; 98:e0165423. [PMID: 38169290 PMCID: PMC10804977 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.01654-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2023] [Accepted: 11/03/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Jeilongviruses are emerging single-stranded negative-sense RNA viruses in the Paramyxoviridae family. Tailam paramyxovirus (TlmPV) is a Jeilongvirus that was identified in 2011. Very little is known about the mechanisms that regulate viral replication in these newly emerging viruses. Among the non-structural viral proteins of TlmPV, the C protein is predicted to be translated from an open reading frame within the phosphoprotein gene through alternative translation initiation. Though the regulatory roles of C proteins in virus replication of other paramyxoviruses have been reported before, the function of the TlmPV C protein and the relevant molecular mechanisms have not been reported. Here, we show that the C protein is expressed in TlmPV-infected cells and negatively modulates viral RNA replication. The TlmPV C protein interacts with the P protein, negatively impacting the interaction between N and P, resulting in inhibition of viral RNA replication. Deletion mutagenesis studies indicate that the 50 amino-terminal amino acid residues of the C protein are dispensable for its inhibition of virus RNA replication and interaction with the P protein.IMPORTANCETailam paramyxovirus (TlmPV) is a newly identified paramyxovirus belonging to the Jeilongvirus genus, of which little is known. In this work, we confirmed the expression of the C protein in TlmPV-infected cells, assessed its function, and defined a potential mechanism of action. This is the first time that the existence of a Jeilongvirus C protein has been confirmed and its role in viral replication has been reported.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lu Zhou
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Virology, Institute of Medical Microbiology, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
- Guangzhou CyanVaccine Biotechnology Company Ltd., Guangzhou, China
| | - Haixian Kang
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Virology, Institute of Medical Microbiology, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
- Guangzhou CyanVaccine Biotechnology Company Ltd., Guangzhou, China
| | - Shuya Xu
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Virology, Institute of Medical Microbiology, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
- Guangzhou CyanVaccine Biotechnology Company Ltd., Guangzhou, China
| | - Jinbi Chen
- Guangzhou CyanVaccine Biotechnology Company Ltd., Guangzhou, China
| | - Xianyang Wang
- School of Chinese Pharmaceutical Science, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Haishang Long
- School of Chinese Pharmaceutical Science, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Geng Li
- School of Chinese Pharmaceutical Science, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Pei Xu
- Centre for Infection and Immunity Studies, School of Medicine, Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Biao He
- Guangzhou CyanVaccine Biotechnology Company Ltd., Guangzhou, China
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Wrobel ER, Jackson J, Abraham M, He B. Regulation of host gene expression by J paramyxovirus. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0294173. [PMID: 37963152 PMCID: PMC10645344 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0294173] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2023] [Accepted: 10/26/2023] [Indexed: 11/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Paramyxoviruses are negative-sense, single-stranded RNA viruses that are associated with numerous diseases in humans and animals. J paramyxovirus (JPV) was first isolated from moribund mice (Mus musculus) with hemorrhagic lung lesions in Australia in 1972. In 2016, JPV was classified into the newly established genus Jeilongvirus. Novel jeilongviruses are being discovered worldwide in wildlife populations. However, the effects of jeilongvirus infection on host gene expression remains uncharacterized. To address this, cellular RNA from JPV-infected mouse fibroblasts was collected at 2, 4, 8, 12, 16, 24, and 48 hours post-infection (hpi) and were sequenced using single-end 75 base pairs (SE75) sequencing chemistry on an Illumina NextSeq platform. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between the virus-infected replicates and mock replicates at each timepoint were identified using the Tophat2-Cufflinks-Cuffdiff protocol. At 2 hpi, 11 DEGs were identified in JPV-infected cells, while 1,837 DEGs were detected at 48 hpi. A GO analysis determined that the genes at the earlier timepoints were involved in interferon responses, while there was a shift towards genes that are involved in antigen processing and presentation processes at the later timepoints. At 48 hpi, a KEGG analysis revealed that many of the DEGs detected were involved in pathways that are important for immune responses. qRT-PCR verified that Rtp4, Ifit3, Mx2, and Stat2 were all upregulated during JPV infection, while G0s2 was downregulated. After JPV infection, the expression of inflammatory and antiviral factors in mouse fibroblasts changes significantly. This study provides crucial insight into the different arms of host immunity that mediate Jeilongvirus infection. Understanding the pathogenic mechanisms of Jeilongvirus will lead to better strategies for the prevention and control of potential diseases that may arise from this group of viruses.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth R. Wrobel
- Department of Infectious Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Jared Jackson
- Department of Infectious Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Mathew Abraham
- Department of Infectious Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Biao He
- Department of Infectious Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, United States of America
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Jones BD, Kaufman EJ, Peel AJ. Viral Co-Infection in Bats: A Systematic Review. Viruses 2023; 15:1860. [PMID: 37766267 PMCID: PMC10535902 DOI: 10.3390/v15091860] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2023] [Revised: 08/28/2023] [Accepted: 08/29/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Co-infection is an underappreciated phenomenon in contemporary disease ecology despite its ubiquity and importance in nature. Viruses, and other co-infecting agents, can interact in ways that shape host and agent communities, influence infection dynamics, and drive evolutionary selective pressures. Bats are host to many viruses of zoonotic potential and have drawn increasing attention in their role as wildlife reservoirs for human spillover. However, the role of co-infection in driving viral transmission dynamics within bats is unknown. Here, we systematically review peer-reviewed literature reporting viral co-infections in bats. We show that viral co-infection is common in bats but is often only reported as an incidental finding. Biases identified in our study database related to virus and host species were pre-existing in virus studies of bats generally. Studies largely speculated on the role co-infection plays in viral recombination and few investigated potential drivers or impacts of co-infection. Our results demonstrate that current knowledge of co-infection in bats is an ad hoc by-product of viral discovery efforts, and that future targeted co-infection studies will improve our understanding of the role it plays. Adding to the broader context of co-infection studies in other wildlife species, we anticipate our review will inform future co-infection study design and reporting in bats. Consideration of detection strategy, including potential viral targets, and appropriate analysis methodology will provide more robust results and facilitate further investigation of the role of viral co-infection in bat reservoirs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Brent D. Jones
- Centre for Planetary Health and Food Security, Griffith University, Nathan, QLD 4111, Australia
- School of Environment and Science, Griffith University, Nathan, QLD 4111, Australia
| | | | - Alison J. Peel
- Centre for Planetary Health and Food Security, Griffith University, Nathan, QLD 4111, Australia
- School of Environment and Science, Griffith University, Nathan, QLD 4111, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Dutuze MF, Byukusenge M, Shyaka A, Christofferson RC. A systematic review to describe patterns of animal and human viral research in Rwanda. Int Health 2023; 15:113-122. [PMID: 35650601 PMCID: PMC9384174 DOI: 10.1093/inthealth/ihac031] [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: 12/02/2021] [Revised: 03/22/2022] [Accepted: 05/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Rwanda is located in the Central East African region where several viral pathogens with global importance were originally described, including human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), Ebola, Zika, Rift Valley Fever (RVF), dengue and a long list of other neglected tropical viral pathogens. Due to many factors, this region has the potential to become a global hotspot for viral emergence. In Rwanda, viral diseases are underreported and the question is whether this is due to the absence of these viruses or a lack of investigation. Like many developing countries, capabilities in Rwanda need improvement despite research efforts throughout the years. This review describes the status of human and animal virus research in Rwanda and identifies relevant research and operational gaps. A comprehensive search was conducted in PubMed for virus research in Rwanda: 233 primary studies on viruses/viral diseases are indexed with connection to Rwanda. From 1958 to 2020, yearly publications generally increased and HIV/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome is the most studied virus. Compared with human viruses, few studies focus on animal and/or zoonotic viruses. The occurrence of the current severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 pandemic shows strengthening warning and surveillance systems is critical to efficient preparedness and response. We recommend investment in human capacity, laboratory facilities and research to inform policy for viral surveillance in Rwanda.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- M Fausta Dutuze
- Rwanda Institute for Conservation Agriculture, Gashora, Bugesera, Rwanda
| | - Maurice Byukusenge
- Animal Diagnostic Laboratory, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
| | - Anselme Shyaka
- College of Agriculture and Animal Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, University of Rwanda, Kigali, Rwanda.,Center for One Health, University of Global Health Equity, 23WV + R53, Kigali, Rwanda
| | - Rebecca C Christofferson
- Department of Pathobiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, USA
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Meta Djomsi D, Lacroix A, Soumah AK, Kinganda Lusamaki E, Mesdour A, Raulino R, Esteban A, Ndong Bass I, Mba Djonzo FA, Goumou S, Ndimbo-Kimugu SP, Lempu G, Mbala Kingebeni P, Bamuleka DM, Likofata J, Muyembe Tamfum JJ, Toure A, Mpoudi Ngole E, Kouanfack C, Delaporte E, Keita AK, Ahuka-Mundeke S, Ayouba A, Peeters M. Coronaviruses Are Abundant and Genetically Diverse in West and Central African Bats, including Viruses Closely Related to Human Coronaviruses. Viruses 2023; 15:337. [PMID: 36851551 PMCID: PMC9967053 DOI: 10.3390/v15020337] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2022] [Revised: 01/19/2023] [Accepted: 01/23/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Bats are at the origin of human coronaviruses, either directly or via an intermediate host. We tested swabs from 4597 bats (897 from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), 2191 from Cameroon and 1509 from Guinea) with a broadly reactive PCR in the RdRp region. Coronaviruses were detected in 903 (19.6%) bats and in all species, with more than 25 individuals tested. The highest prevalence was observed in Eidolon helvum (239/733; 39.9%) and Rhinolophus sp. (306/899; 34.1%), followed by Hipposideros sp. (61/291; 20.9%). Frugivorous bats were predominantly infected with beta coronaviruses from the Nobecovirus subgenus (93.8%), in which at least 6 species/genus-specific subclades were observed. In contrast, insectivorous bats were infected with beta-coronaviruses from different subgenera (Nobecovirus (8.5%), Hibecovirus (32.8%), Merbecovirus (0.5%) and Sarbecovirus (57.6%)) and with a high diversity of alpha-coronaviruses. Overall, our study shows a high prevalence and genetic diversity of coronaviruses in bats and illustrates that Rhinolophus bats in Africa are infected at high levels with the Sarbecovirus subgenus, to which SARS-CoV-2 belongs. It is important to characterize in more detail the different coronavirus lineages from bats for their potential to infect human cells, their evolution and to study frequency and modes of contact between humans and bats in Africa.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dowbiss Meta Djomsi
- Centre de Recherche sur les Maladies Emergentes et Réémergentes (CREMER), Yaounde P.O. Box 1857, Cameroon
| | - Audrey Lacroix
- TransVIHMI, University of Montpellier, Institut de Recherche pour le Développement, INSERM, 34394 Montpellier, France
| | - Abdoul Karim Soumah
- Centre de Recherche et de Formation en Infectiologie de Guinée (CERFIG), Gamal Abdel Nasser University (UGANC), Conakry BP6629, Guinea
| | - Eddy Kinganda Lusamaki
- National Institute of Biomedical Research (INRB), Kinshasa P.O. Box 1197, Democratic Republic of Congo
| | - Asma Mesdour
- TransVIHMI, University of Montpellier, Institut de Recherche pour le Développement, INSERM, 34394 Montpellier, France
| | - Raisa Raulino
- TransVIHMI, University of Montpellier, Institut de Recherche pour le Développement, INSERM, 34394 Montpellier, France
| | - Amandine Esteban
- TransVIHMI, University of Montpellier, Institut de Recherche pour le Développement, INSERM, 34394 Montpellier, France
| | - Innocent Ndong Bass
- Centre de Recherche sur les Maladies Emergentes et Réémergentes (CREMER), Yaounde P.O. Box 1857, Cameroon
| | | | - Souana Goumou
- Centre de Recherche et de Formation en Infectiologie de Guinée (CERFIG), Gamal Abdel Nasser University (UGANC), Conakry BP6629, Guinea
| | | | - Guy Lempu
- National Institute of Biomedical Research (INRB), Kinshasa P.O. Box 1197, Democratic Republic of Congo
| | - Placide Mbala Kingebeni
- National Institute of Biomedical Research (INRB), Kinshasa P.O. Box 1197, Democratic Republic of Congo
- Service de Microbiologie, Cliniques Universitaires de Kinshasa, Kinshasa P.O. Box 1197, Democratic Republic of Congo
| | - Daniel Mukadi Bamuleka
- Service de Microbiologie, Cliniques Universitaires de Kinshasa, Kinshasa P.O. Box 1197, Democratic Republic of Congo
- Institut National de Recherche Biomédicale (INRB), Kinshasa P.O. Box 1197, Democratic Republic of Congo
| | - Jacques Likofata
- Laboratoire Provincial de Mbandaka, Mbandaka, Democratic Republic of Congo
| | - Jean-Jacques Muyembe Tamfum
- National Institute of Biomedical Research (INRB), Kinshasa P.O. Box 1197, Democratic Republic of Congo
- Service de Microbiologie, Cliniques Universitaires de Kinshasa, Kinshasa P.O. Box 1197, Democratic Republic of Congo
| | - Abdoulaye Toure
- Centre de Recherche et de Formation en Infectiologie de Guinée (CERFIG), Gamal Abdel Nasser University (UGANC), Conakry BP6629, Guinea
- Department of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences and Techniques, Gamal Abdel Nasser University (UGANC), Conakry P.O. Box 1147, Guinea
| | - Eitel Mpoudi Ngole
- Centre de Recherche sur les Maladies Emergentes et Réémergentes (CREMER), Yaounde P.O. Box 1857, Cameroon
| | - Charles Kouanfack
- Centre de Recherche sur les Maladies Emergentes et Réémergentes (CREMER), Yaounde P.O. Box 1857, Cameroon
| | - Eric Delaporte
- TransVIHMI, University of Montpellier, Institut de Recherche pour le Développement, INSERM, 34394 Montpellier, France
| | - Alpha Kabinet Keita
- TransVIHMI, University of Montpellier, Institut de Recherche pour le Développement, INSERM, 34394 Montpellier, France
- Centre de Recherche et de Formation en Infectiologie de Guinée (CERFIG), Gamal Abdel Nasser University (UGANC), Conakry BP6629, Guinea
- Department of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences and Techniques, Gamal Abdel Nasser University (UGANC), Conakry P.O. Box 1147, Guinea
| | - Steve Ahuka-Mundeke
- National Institute of Biomedical Research (INRB), Kinshasa P.O. Box 1197, Democratic Republic of Congo
- Service de Microbiologie, Cliniques Universitaires de Kinshasa, Kinshasa P.O. Box 1197, Democratic Republic of Congo
| | - Ahidjo Ayouba
- TransVIHMI, University of Montpellier, Institut de Recherche pour le Développement, INSERM, 34394 Montpellier, France
| | - Martine Peeters
- TransVIHMI, University of Montpellier, Institut de Recherche pour le Développement, INSERM, 34394 Montpellier, France
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Chinunga TT, Titanji BK, Chahroudi A. Breaking barriers: Scientific contributions in virology from women in low- and middle-income countries. FRONTIERS IN VIROLOGY 2023. [DOI: 10.3389/fviro.2022.1078953] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
The advancement of science has been a collective effort and benefits from a diversity of views and gender representation. However, support for and recognition of women in science is often insufficient. Despite historically being marginalized by the scientific community, research by women has advanced the field of virology, from the discovery of rotavirus and isolation of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) to a vaccine for polio and the initial description of a virus’ ability to cause cancer. Although women in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields are continuing to share their diverse wealth of knowledge and innovation, even today many are under-recognized and under-supported in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). This review will highlight women in virology from LMICs in Africa, Asia, and Latin America where the barriers to scientific education and achievement for women can be far greater than in high income countries. Despite these barriers, the women we profile below have made important contributions to translational virology. We hope this review will contribute to the global expansion of efforts to provide improved access to and retention in scientific careers for women.
Collapse
|
8
|
Kuchinski KS, Loos KD, Suchan DM, Russell JN, Sies AN, Kumakamba C, Muyembe F, Mbala Kingebeni P, Ngay Lukusa I, N’Kawa F, Atibu Losoma J, Makuwa M, Gillis A, LeBreton M, Ayukekbong JA, Lerminiaux NA, Monagin C, Joly DO, Saylors K, Wolfe ND, Rubin EM, Muyembe Tamfum JJ, Prystajecky NA, McIver DJ, Lange CE, Cameron ADS. Targeted genomic sequencing with probe capture for discovery and surveillance of coronaviruses in bats. eLife 2022; 11:e79777. [PMID: 36346652 PMCID: PMC9643004 DOI: 10.7554/elife.79777] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2022] [Accepted: 10/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Public health emergencies like SARS, MERS, and COVID-19 have prioritized surveillance of zoonotic coronaviruses, resulting in extensive genomic characterization of coronavirus diversity in bats. Sequencing viral genomes directly from animal specimens remains a laboratory challenge, however, and most bat coronaviruses have been characterized solely by PCR amplification of small regions from the best-conserved gene. This has resulted in limited phylogenetic resolution and left viral genetic factors relevant to threat assessment undescribed. In this study, we evaluated whether a technique called hybridization probe capture can achieve more extensive genome recovery from surveillance specimens. Using a custom panel of 20,000 probes, we captured and sequenced coronavirus genomic material in 21 swab specimens collected from bats in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. For 15 of these specimens, probe capture recovered more genome sequence than had been previously generated with standard amplicon sequencing protocols, providing a median 6.1-fold improvement (ranging up to 69.1-fold). Probe capture data also identified five novel alpha- and betacoronaviruses in these specimens, and their full genomes were recovered with additional deep sequencing. Based on these experiences, we discuss how probe capture could be effectively operationalized alongside other sequencing technologies for high-throughput, genomics-based discovery and surveillance of bat coronaviruses.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kevin S Kuchinski
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of British ColumbiaVancouverCanada
- Public Health Laboratory, British Columbia Centre for Disease ControlVancouverCanada
| | - Kara D Loos
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, University of ReginaReginaCanada
- Institute for Microbial Systems and Society, Faculty of Science, University of ReginaReginaCanada
| | - Danae M Suchan
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, University of ReginaReginaCanada
- Institute for Microbial Systems and Society, Faculty of Science, University of ReginaReginaCanada
| | - Jennifer N Russell
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, University of ReginaReginaCanada
- Institute for Microbial Systems and Society, Faculty of Science, University of ReginaReginaCanada
| | - Ashton N Sies
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, University of ReginaReginaCanada
- Institute for Microbial Systems and Society, Faculty of Science, University of ReginaReginaCanada
| | | | | | - Placide Mbala Kingebeni
- Metabiota IncKinshasaDemocratic Republic of the Congo
- Institut National de Recherche BiomédicaleKinshasaDemocratic Republic of the Congo
| | | | - Frida N’Kawa
- Metabiota IncKinshasaDemocratic Republic of the Congo
| | | | - Maria Makuwa
- Metabiota IncKinshasaDemocratic Republic of the Congo
- Labyrinth Global Health IncSt. PetersburgUnited States
| | - Amethyst Gillis
- Metabiota IncSan FranciscoUnited States
- Development AlternativesWashingtonUnited States
| | | | | | - Nicole A Lerminiaux
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, University of ReginaReginaCanada
- Institute for Microbial Systems and Society, Faculty of Science, University of ReginaReginaCanada
| | - Corina Monagin
- Metabiota IncSan FranciscoUnited States
- One Health Institute, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, DavisDavisUnited States
| | - Damien O Joly
- MetabiotaNanaimoCanada
- Nyati Health ConsultingNanaimoCanada
| | - Karen Saylors
- Labyrinth Global Health IncSt. PetersburgUnited States
- Metabiota IncSan FranciscoUnited States
| | | | | | | | - Natalie A Prystajecky
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of British ColumbiaVancouverCanada
- Public Health Laboratory, British Columbia Centre for Disease ControlVancouverCanada
| | - David J McIver
- MetabiotaNanaimoCanada
- Institute for Global Health Sciences, University of California, San FranciscoSan FranciscoUnited States
| | - Christian E Lange
- Labyrinth Global Health IncSt. PetersburgUnited States
- MetabiotaNanaimoCanada
| | - Andrew DS Cameron
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, University of ReginaReginaCanada
- Institute for Microbial Systems and Society, Faculty of Science, University of ReginaReginaCanada
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Rissmann M, Friedrichs V, Kley N, Straube M, Sadeghi B, Balkema-Buschmann A. Baseline of Physiological Body Temperature and Hematological Parameters in Captive Rousettus aegyptiacus and Eidolon helvum Fruit Bats. Front Physiol 2022; 13:910157. [PMID: 36105294 PMCID: PMC9465388 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2022.910157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2022] [Accepted: 06/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The discovery of bats as reservoir hosts for a number of highly pathogenic zoonotic agents has led to an increasing interest of infectious disease research in experimental studies with bats. Therefore, we established breeding colonies of Rousettus aegyptiacus and Eidolon helvum fruit bats, which both have been identified as reservoir hosts for relevant zoonotic disease agents, such as Marburg virus and Lagos bat virus. Since 2013, individuals of both species have been recruited to the Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut (FLI) from zoological gardens in Europe, to where these species had been introduced from the wild several decades ago. The aviaries have been designed according to national recommendations published by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture. Under these conditions, both species have been reproducing for years. To better understand the physiology of these animals, and to generate baseline knowledge for infection experiments, we monitored the body core temperatures of R. aegyptiacus bats in the aviaries, and found a circadian variation between 34°C and 41.5°C. We also determined the hematological parameters of both species, and detected specific differences between both bat species. For values of clinical chemistry, no correlation to age or sex was observed. However, species-specific differences were detected since ALT, BUN and CREA were found to be significantly higher in R. aegyptiacus and GLU and TP were significantly higher in E. helvum bats. A higher hematocrit, hemoglobin and red blood cell level was observed in subadult R. aegyptiacus, with hemoglobin and red blood cells also being significantly increased compared to E. helvum. Lymphocytes were found to be the dominant white blood cells in both species and are higher in female E. helvum. Neutrophil granulocytes were significantly higher in E. helvum bats. This underlines the necessity to define baseline profiles for each bat species prior to their use in experimental challenge.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Melanie Rissmann
- Institute of Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Greifswald, Germany
- Department of Viroscience, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | | | - Nils Kley
- Institute of Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Martin Straube
- Landratsamt Ortenaukreis, Amt für Veterinärwesen und Lebensmittelüberwachung, Offenburg, Germany
| | - Balal Sadeghi
- Institute of Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Anne Balkema-Buschmann
- Institute of Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Greifswald, Germany
- *Correspondence: Anne Balkema-Buschmann,
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Vanmechelen B, Meurs S, Horemans M, Loosen A, Joly Maes T, Laenen L, Vergote V, Koundouno FR, Magassouba N, Konde MK, Condé IS, Carroll MW, Maes P. The Characterization of Multiple Novel Paramyxoviruses Highlights the Diverse Nature of the Subfamily Orthoparamyxovirinae. Virus Evol 2022; 8:veac061. [PMID: 35854826 PMCID: PMC9290864 DOI: 10.1093/ve/veac061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2022] [Revised: 05/14/2022] [Accepted: 06/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
The subfamily Orthoparamyxovirinae is a group of single-stranded, negative-sense RNA viruses that contains many human, animal, and zoonotic pathogens. While there are currently only forty-two recognized species in this subfamily, recent research has revealed that much of its diversity remains to be characterized. Using a newly developed nested PCR-based screening assay, we report here the discovery of fifteen orthoparamyxoviruses in rodents and shrews from Belgium and Guinea, thirteen of which are believed to represent new species. Using a combination of nanopore and sanger sequencing, complete genomes could be determined for almost all these viruses, enabling a detailed evaluation of their genome characteristics. While most viruses are thought to belong to the rapidly expanding genus Jeilongvirus, we also identify novel members of the genera Narmovirus, Henipavirus, and Morbillivirus. Together with other recently discovered orthoparamyxoviruses, both henipaviruses and the morbillivirus discovered here appear to form distinct rodent-/shrew-borne clades within their respective genera, clustering separately from all currently classified viruses. In the case of the henipaviruses, a comparison of the different members of this clade revealed the presence of a secondary conserved open reading frame, encoding for a transmembrane protein, within the F gene, the biological relevance of which remains to be established. While the characteristics of the viruses described here shed further light on the complex evolutionary origin of paramyxoviruses, they also illustrate that the diversity of this group of viruses in terms of genome organization appears to be much larger than previously assumed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bert Vanmechelen
- KU Leuven, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Laboratory of Clinical and Epidemiological Virology, Rega Institute for Medical Research , Herestraat 49/Box 1040, BE3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Sien Meurs
- KU Leuven, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Laboratory of Clinical and Epidemiological Virology, Rega Institute for Medical Research , Herestraat 49/Box 1040, BE3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Marie Horemans
- KU Leuven, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Laboratory of Clinical and Epidemiological Virology, Rega Institute for Medical Research , Herestraat 49/Box 1040, BE3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Arne Loosen
- KU Leuven, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Laboratory of Clinical and Epidemiological Virology, Rega Institute for Medical Research , Herestraat 49/Box 1040, BE3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Tibe Joly Maes
- KU Leuven, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Laboratory of Clinical and Epidemiological Virology, Rega Institute for Medical Research , Herestraat 49/Box 1040, BE3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Lies Laenen
- KU Leuven, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Laboratory of Clinical and Epidemiological Virology, Rega Institute for Medical Research , Herestraat 49/Box 1040, BE3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Valentijn Vergote
- KU Leuven, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Laboratory of Clinical and Epidemiological Virology, Rega Institute for Medical Research , Herestraat 49/Box 1040, BE3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Fara Raymond Koundouno
- Laboratoire des fièvres hémorragiques et virales de Guinée , Conakry Guinea – Direction préfectorale de la santé de Gueckedou
| | - N’Faly Magassouba
- Projet des Fièvres Hémorragiques en Guinée, Laboratoire de Recherche en Virologie , Conakry, Guinea
| | - Mandy Kader Konde
- Center of Excellence for Training, Research on Malaria and Disease Control in Guinea (CEFORPAG) , Quartier Nongo, Ratoma, Conakry, Guinea
| | - Ibrahima Sory Condé
- Center of Excellence for Training, Research on Malaria and Disease Control in Guinea (CEFORPAG) , Quartier Nongo, Ratoma, Conakry, Guinea
| | - Miles W Carroll
- Pandemic Science Centre, Oxford University, Nuffield Department of Medicine, Wellcome Centre for Human Genetics , CCMP1st South, Roosevelt Dr, Headington, Oxford OX3 7BN, United Kingdom
| | - Piet Maes
- KU Leuven, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Laboratory of Clinical and Epidemiological Virology, Rega Institute for Medical Research , Herestraat 49/Box 1040, BE3000 Leuven, Belgium
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Lane JK, Negash Y, Randhawa N, Kebede N, Wells H, Ayalew G, Anthony SJ, Smith B, Goldstein T, Kassa T, Mazet JAK, Consortium P, Smith WA. Coronavirus and Paramyxovirus Shedding by Bats in a Cave and Buildings in Ethiopia. ECOHEALTH 2022; 19:216-232. [PMID: 35771308 PMCID: PMC9243955 DOI: 10.1007/s10393-022-01590-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2021] [Accepted: 04/13/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Bats are important hosts of zoonotic viruses with pandemic potential, including filoviruses, MERS-Coronavirus (CoV), SARS-CoV -1, and likely SARS-CoV-2. Viral infection and transmission among wildlife are dependent on a combination of factors that include host ecology and immunology, life history traits, roosting habitats, biogeography, and external stressors. Between 2016 and 2018, four species of insectivorous bats from a readily accessed roadside cave and buildings in Ethiopia were sampled and tested for viruses using consensus PCR assays for five viral families/genera. Previously identified and novel coronaviruses and paramyxoviruses were identified in 99 of the 589 sampled bats. Bats sampled from the cave site were more likely to test positive for a CoV than bats sampled from buildings; viral shedding was more common in the wet season; and rectal swabs were the most common sample type to test positive. A previously undescribed alphacoronavirus was detected in two bat species from different taxonomic families, sampling interfaces, geographic locations, and years. These findings expand knowledge of the range and diversity of coronaviruses and paramyxoviruses in insectivorous bats in Ethiopia and reinforce that an improved understanding of viral diversity and species-specific shedding dynamics is important for designing informed zoonotic disease surveillance and spillover risk reduction efforts.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer K Lane
- One Health Institute and Karen C. Drayer Wildlife Health Center, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, 1089 Veterinary Medicine Drive, VM3B, Davis, CA, 95616, USA.
| | - Yohannes Negash
- Aklilu Lemma Institute of Pathobiology, Addis Ababa University, P.O. Box 1176, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Nistara Randhawa
- One Health Institute and Karen C. Drayer Wildlife Health Center, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, 1089 Veterinary Medicine Drive, VM3B, Davis, CA, 95616, USA
| | - Nigatu Kebede
- Aklilu Lemma Institute of Pathobiology, Addis Ababa University, P.O. Box 1176, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Heather Wells
- Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Environmental Biology, Columbia University, New York, NY, 10027, USA
| | - Girma Ayalew
- Ethiopian Wildlife Conservation Authority, Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Climate Change, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Simon J Anthony
- School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, 95616, USA
| | - Brett Smith
- Genome Center & Biomedical Engineering, School of Medicine, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, 95616, USA
| | - Tracey Goldstein
- Zoological Pathology Program, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Brookfield, IL, 60513, USA
| | - Tesfu Kassa
- Aklilu Lemma Institute of Pathobiology, Addis Ababa University, P.O. Box 1176, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Jonna A K Mazet
- One Health Institute and Karen C. Drayer Wildlife Health Center, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, 1089 Veterinary Medicine Drive, VM3B, Davis, CA, 95616, USA
| | | | - Woutrina A Smith
- One Health Institute and Karen C. Drayer Wildlife Health Center, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, 1089 Veterinary Medicine Drive, VM3B, Davis, CA, 95616, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Ayolabi CI, Olusola BA, Lawal AA, Chibuike AD, Nzekwue BN. Detection of novel paramyxoviruses in Chaerephon bat species in Nigeria and phylogenetics of paramyxoviruses co-evolution with bats in Africa. Zoonoses Public Health 2021; 69:117-135. [PMID: 34817117 DOI: 10.1111/zph.12900] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2021] [Revised: 09/28/2021] [Accepted: 10/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Bat paramyxoviruses (PmV) are a diverse group of viruses and include zoonotic viruses such as henipaviruses. Members of this group in other continents have been associated with severe respiratory and neurological infections in animals and humans. Furthermore, despite the richness of diverse bat species that can transmit this virus in African countries like Nigeria, there is very scanty information as to the presence and co-evolution of paramyxoviruses in bats. There is a need for continuous surveillance of zoonotic viruses and their biological reservoirs as this will help in the prevention and management of pathogens' spillovers. This study detected novel paramyxoviruses in Chaerephon nigeriae bat species found in Badagry, Lagos. Phylogenetic analyses of paramyxovirus sequences' co-evolution with frugivorous and insectivorous bats circulating in African countries were also performed using sequences of African origin available in the Database of Bat-Associated Viruses (DBatVir: http://www.mgc.ac.cn/DBatVir/). Oral swabs (n = 18) and blood samples (n = 32) were collected from C. nigeriae bats in Badagry, Lagos. The L gene of bat paramyxovirus was detected in all oral swabs using PCR techniques. Six of the amplicons were successfully sequenced. Estimated phylogenies placed the sequences in close relationship with those isolated from insectivorous bats. Phylogenetic analyses of previously sequenced isolates in the African region showed the likelihood of different co-evolution mechanisms of paramyxoviruses with frugivorous bats compared with insectivorous bats. This may be due to codon usage bias of the L gene. Spatial distribution of paramyxoviruses in African countries showed limited ongoing surveillance of this virus in the continent, especially in southern and northern countries. Extensive surveillance of paramyxoviruses with possible zoonotic potentials among bat species in the continent is recommended. This will provide further insights into co-evolution as well as prevent possible spillover into the human population.
Collapse
|
13
|
Pawęska JT, Jansen van Vuren P, Storm N, Markotter W, Kemp A. Vector Competence of Eucampsipoda africana (Diptera: Nycteribiidae) for Marburg Virus Transmission in Rousettus aegyptiacus (Chiroptera: Pteropodidae). Viruses 2021; 13:2226. [PMID: 34835032 PMCID: PMC8624361 DOI: 10.3390/v13112226] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2021] [Revised: 10/26/2021] [Accepted: 10/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
This study aimed to determine the vector competence of bat-associated nycteribiid flies (Eucamsipoda africana) for Marburg virus (MARV) in the Egyptian Rousette Bat (ERB), Rousettus aegyptiacus. In flies fed on subcutaneously infected ERBs and tested from 3 to 43 days post infection (dpi), MARV was detected only in those that took blood during the peak of viremia, 5-7 dpi. Seroconversion did not occur in control bats in contact with MARV-infected bats infested with bat flies up to 43 days post exposure. In flies inoculated intra-coelomically with MARV and tested on days 0-29 post inoculation, only those assayed on day 0 and day 7 after inoculation were positive by q-RT-PCR, but the virus concentration was consistent with that of the inoculum. Bats remained MARV-seronegative up to 38 days after infestation and exposure to inoculated flies. The first filial generation pupae and flies collected at different times during the experiments were all negative by q-RT-PCR. Of 1693 nycteribiid flies collected from a wild ERB colony in Mahune Cave, South Africa where the enzootic transmission of MARV occurs, only one (0.06%) tested positive for the presence of MARV RNA. Our findings seem to demonstrate that bat flies do not play a significant role in the transmission and enzootic maintenance of MARV. However, ERBs eat nycteribiid flies; thus, the mechanical transmission of the virus through the exposure of damaged mucous membranes and/or skin to flies engorged with contaminated blood cannot be ruled out.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Janusz T. Pawęska
- Centre for Emerging Zoonotic and Parasitic Diseases, National Institute for Communicable Diseases of the National Health Laboratory Service, Sandringham 2131, South Africa; (P.J.v.V.); (N.S.); (A.K.)
- Centre for Viral Zoonoses, Department of Medical Virology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Pretoria, Pretoria 0001, South Africa;
- School of Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg 2050, South Africa
| | - Petrus Jansen van Vuren
- Centre for Emerging Zoonotic and Parasitic Diseases, National Institute for Communicable Diseases of the National Health Laboratory Service, Sandringham 2131, South Africa; (P.J.v.V.); (N.S.); (A.K.)
- Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness, CSIRO Health & Biosecurity, Geelong, VIC 3220, Australia
| | - Nadia Storm
- Centre for Emerging Zoonotic and Parasitic Diseases, National Institute for Communicable Diseases of the National Health Laboratory Service, Sandringham 2131, South Africa; (P.J.v.V.); (N.S.); (A.K.)
- Department of Microbiology, School of Medicine, Boston University, Boston, MA 02118, USA
| | - Wanda Markotter
- Centre for Viral Zoonoses, Department of Medical Virology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Pretoria, Pretoria 0001, South Africa;
| | - Alan Kemp
- Centre for Emerging Zoonotic and Parasitic Diseases, National Institute for Communicable Diseases of the National Health Laboratory Service, Sandringham 2131, South Africa; (P.J.v.V.); (N.S.); (A.K.)
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Kumakamba C, Niama FR, Muyembe F, Mombouli JV, Kingebeni PM, Nina RA, Lukusa IN, Bounga G, N'Kawa F, Nkoua CG, Atibu Losoma J, Mulembakani P, Makuwa M, Tamufe U, Gillis A, LeBreton M, Olson SH, Cameron K, Reed P, Ondzie A, Tremeau-Bravard A, Smith BR, Pante J, Schneider BS, McIver DJ, Ayukekbong JA, Hoff NA, Rimoin AW, Laudisoit A, Monagin C, Goldstein T, Joly DO, Saylors K, Wolfe ND, Rubin EM, Bagamboula MPassi R, Muyembe Tamfum JJ, Lange CE. Coronavirus surveillance in wildlife from two Congo basin countries detects RNA of multiple species circulating in bats and rodents. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0236971. [PMID: 34106949 PMCID: PMC8189465 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0236971] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2020] [Accepted: 05/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Coronaviruses play an important role as pathogens of humans and animals, and the emergence of epidemics like SARS, MERS and COVID-19 is closely linked to zoonotic transmission events primarily from wild animals. Bats have been found to be an important source of coronaviruses with some of them having the potential to infect humans, with other animals serving as intermediate or alternate hosts or reservoirs. Host diversity may be an important contributor to viral diversity and thus the potential for zoonotic events. To date, limited research has been done in Africa on this topic, in particular in the Congo Basin despite frequent contact between humans and wildlife in this region. We sampled and, using consensus coronavirus PCR-primers, tested 3,561 wild animals for coronavirus RNA. The focus was on bats (38%), rodents (38%), and primates (23%) that posed an elevated risk for contact with people, and we found coronavirus RNA in 121 animals, of which all but two were bats. Depending on the taxonomic family, bats were significantly more likely to be coronavirus RNA-positive when sampled either in the wet (Pteropodidae and Rhinolophidae) or dry season (Hipposideridae, Miniopteridae, Molossidae, and Vespertilionidae). The detected RNA sequences correspond to 15 alpha- and 6 betacoronaviruses, with some of them being very similar (>95% nucleotide identities) to known coronaviruses and others being more unique and potentially representing novel viruses. In seven of the bats, we detected RNA most closely related to sequences of the human common cold coronaviruses 229E or NL63 (>80% nucleotide identities). The findings highlight the potential for coronavirus spillover, especially in regions with a high diversity of bats and close human contact, and reinforces the need for ongoing surveillance.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Fabien R Niama
- National Laboratory of Public Health, Brazzaville, Republic of the Congo
| | | | | | | | - Rock Aime Nina
- Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock, Brazzaville, Republic of the Congo
| | - Ipos Ngay Lukusa
- Metabiota Inc, Kinshasa, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo
| | - Gerard Bounga
- Wildlife Conversation Society, Bronx, New York, United States of America
| | - Frida N'Kawa
- Metabiota Inc, Kinshasa, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo
| | - Cynthia Goma Nkoua
- National Laboratory of Public Health, Brazzaville, Republic of the Congo
| | | | | | - Maria Makuwa
- Metabiota Inc, Kinshasa, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo.,Labyringth Global Health St. Petersburg, Florida, United States of America
| | - Ubald Tamufe
- Metabiota Cameroon Ltd, Yaoundé, Centre, Cameroon
| | - Amethyst Gillis
- Metabiota Inc, San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | | | - Sarah H Olson
- Wildlife Conversation Society, Bronx, New York, United States of America
| | - Kenneth Cameron
- Wildlife Conversation Society, Bronx, New York, United States of America
| | - Patricia Reed
- Wildlife Conversation Society, Bronx, New York, United States of America
| | - Alain Ondzie
- Wildlife Conversation Society, Bronx, New York, United States of America
| | - Alex Tremeau-Bravard
- One Health Institute, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, California, United States of America
| | - Brett R Smith
- One Health Institute, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, California, United States of America
| | - Jasmine Pante
- One Health Institute, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, California, United States of America
| | | | | | | | - Nicole A Hoff
- Fielding School of Public Health, University of California, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
| | - Anne W Rimoin
- Fielding School of Public Health, University of California, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
| | - Anne Laudisoit
- EcoHealth Alliance, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - Corina Monagin
- Metabiota Inc, San Francisco, California, United States of America.,One Health Institute, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, California, United States of America
| | - Tracey Goldstein
- One Health Institute, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, California, United States of America
| | - Damien O Joly
- Wildlife Conversation Society, Bronx, New York, United States of America.,Metabiota Inc, Nanaimo, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Karen Saylors
- Labyringth Global Health St. Petersburg, Florida, United States of America.,Metabiota Inc, San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | - Nathan D Wolfe
- Metabiota Inc, San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | - Edward M Rubin
- Metabiota Inc, San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | | | - Jean J Muyembe Tamfum
- Institut National de Recherche Biomédicale, Kinshasa, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo
| | - Christian E Lange
- Labyringth Global Health St. Petersburg, Florida, United States of America.,Metabiota Inc, Nanaimo, British Columbia, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Overview of Bat and Wildlife Coronavirus Surveillance in Africa: A Framework for Global Investigations. Viruses 2021; 13:v13050936. [PMID: 34070175 PMCID: PMC8158508 DOI: 10.3390/v13050936] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2021] [Revised: 04/30/2021] [Accepted: 05/02/2021] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
The ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has had devastating health and socio-economic impacts. Human activities, especially at the wildlife interphase, are at the core of forces driving the emergence of new viral agents. Global surveillance activities have identified bats as the natural hosts of diverse coronaviruses, with other domestic and wildlife animal species possibly acting as intermediate or spillover hosts. The African continent is confronted by several factors that challenge prevention and response to novel disease emergences, such as high species diversity, inadequate health systems, and drastic social and ecosystem changes. We reviewed published animal coronavirus surveillance studies conducted in Africa, specifically summarizing surveillance approaches, species numbers tested, and findings. Far more surveillance has been initiated among bat populations than other wildlife and domestic animals, with nearly 26,000 bat individuals tested. Though coronaviruses have been identified from approximately 7% of the total bats tested, surveillance among other animals identified coronaviruses in less than 1%. In addition to a large undescribed diversity, sequences related to four of the seven human coronaviruses have been reported from African bats. The review highlights research gaps and the disparity in surveillance efforts between different animal groups (particularly potential spillover hosts) and concludes with proposed strategies for improved future biosurveillance.
Collapse
|
16
|
Darcissac E, Donato D, de Thoisy B, Lacoste V, Lavergne A. Paramyxovirus circulation in bat species from French Guiana. INFECTION GENETICS AND EVOLUTION 2021; 90:104769. [PMID: 33588065 DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2021.104769] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2020] [Revised: 02/08/2021] [Accepted: 02/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Bats are recognized as reservoirs of numerous viruses. Among them, paramyxoviruses, for example, Hendra and Nipah viruses, are highly pathogenic to humans. Nothing is known regarding the circulation of this viral family in bats from French Guiana. To search for the presence of paramyxoviruses in this territory, 103 bats of seven different species were sampled and screened using a molecular approach. Four distinct paramyxovirus sequences were detected from three bat species (Desmodus rotundus, Carollia perspicillata, and Pteronotus alitonus) at high prevalence rates. In D. rotundus, two types of paramyxovirus co-circulate, with most of the bats co-infected. The phylogenetic analysis of these sequences revealed that three of them were closely related to previously characterized sequences from D. rotundus, C. perspicillata, and P. parnellii from Brazil and Costa Rica. The fourth sequence, identified in D. rotundus, was closely related to the one detected in P. alitonus in French Guiana and to previously described sequences detected in P. parnellii in Costa Rica. All paramyxovirus sequences detected in this study are close to the Jeilongvirus genus. Altogether, our results and those of previous studies indicate a wide geographical distribution of these paramyxoviruses (from Central to South America) and suggest potential cross-species transmissions of paramyxoviruses between two different bat families: Mormoopidae (P. alitonus) and Phyllostomidae (D. rotundus). In addition, their closeness to paramyxoviruses identified in rodents emphasizes the need to investigate the role of these animals as potential reservoirs or incidental hosts. Finally, the high prevalence rates of some paramyxoviruses in certain bat species, associated with the presence of large bat colonies and, in some cases, their potential proximity with humans are all parameters that can contribute to the risk of cross-species transmission between bat species and to the emergence of new paramyxoviruses in humans, a risk that deserves further investigation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Edith Darcissac
- Laboratoire des Interaction Virus Hôtes, Institut Pasteur de la Guyane, Cayenne, French Guiana.
| | - Damien Donato
- Laboratoire des Interaction Virus Hôtes, Institut Pasteur de la Guyane, Cayenne, French Guiana
| | - Benoît de Thoisy
- Laboratoire des Interaction Virus Hôtes, Institut Pasteur de la Guyane, Cayenne, French Guiana
| | - Vincent Lacoste
- Laboratoire des Interaction Virus Hôtes, Institut Pasteur de la Guyane, Cayenne, French Guiana; Département de Virologie, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France
| | - Anne Lavergne
- Laboratoire des Interaction Virus Hôtes, Institut Pasteur de la Guyane, Cayenne, French Guiana.
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
AL-Eitan LN, Tarkhan AH, Alghamdi MA, Marston DA, Wu G, McElhinney LM, Brown IH, Fooks AR. Bat-Borne Coronaviruses in Jordan and Saudi Arabia: A Threat to Public Health? Viruses 2020; 12:E1413. [PMID: 33316899 PMCID: PMC7764733 DOI: 10.3390/v12121413] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2020] [Revised: 11/30/2020] [Accepted: 12/03/2020] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Emerging infectious diseases are of great concern to public health, as highlighted by the ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Such diseases are of particular danger during mass gathering and mass influx events, as large crowds of people in close proximity to each other creates optimal opportunities for disease transmission. The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia are two countries that have witnessed mass gatherings due to the arrival of Syrian refugees and the annual Hajj season. The mass migration of people not only brings exotic diseases to these regions but also brings new diseases back to their own countries, e.g., the outbreak of MERS in South Korea. Many emerging pathogens originate in bats, and more than 30 bat species have been identified in these two countries. Some of those bat species are known to carry viruses that cause deadly diseases in other parts of the world, such as the rabies virus and coronaviruses. However, little is known about bats and the pathogens they carry in Jordan and Saudi Arabia. Here, the importance of enhanced surveillance of bat-borne infections in Jordan and Saudi Arabia is emphasized, promoting the awareness of bat-borne diseases among the general public and building up infrastructure and capability to fill the gaps in public health preparedness to prevent future pandemics.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Laith N. AL-Eitan
- Department of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid 22110, Jordan;
| | - Amneh H. Tarkhan
- Department of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid 22110, Jordan;
| | - Mansour A. Alghamdi
- Department of Anatomy, College of Medicine, King Khalid University, Abha 61421, Saudi Arabia;
- Genomics and Personalized Medicine Unit, College of Medicine, King Khalid University, Abha 61421, Saudi Arabia
| | - Denise A. Marston
- Department of Virology, Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA, Weybridge), Surrey KT15 3NB, UK; (D.A.M.); (G.W.); (L.M.M.); (I.H.B.); (A.R.F.)
| | - Guanghui Wu
- Department of Virology, Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA, Weybridge), Surrey KT15 3NB, UK; (D.A.M.); (G.W.); (L.M.M.); (I.H.B.); (A.R.F.)
| | - Lorraine M. McElhinney
- Department of Virology, Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA, Weybridge), Surrey KT15 3NB, UK; (D.A.M.); (G.W.); (L.M.M.); (I.H.B.); (A.R.F.)
| | - Ian H. Brown
- Department of Virology, Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA, Weybridge), Surrey KT15 3NB, UK; (D.A.M.); (G.W.); (L.M.M.); (I.H.B.); (A.R.F.)
| | - Anthony R. Fooks
- Department of Virology, Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA, Weybridge), Surrey KT15 3NB, UK; (D.A.M.); (G.W.); (L.M.M.); (I.H.B.); (A.R.F.)
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
On the Coronaviruses and Their Associations with the Aquatic Environment and Wastewater. WATER 2020. [DOI: 10.3390/w12061598] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The outbreak of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), a severe respiratory disease caused by betacoronavirus SARS-CoV-2, in 2019 that further developed into a pandemic has received an unprecedented response from the scientific community and sparked a general research interest into the biology and ecology of Coronaviridae, a family of positive-sense single-stranded RNA viruses. Aquatic environments, lakes, rivers and ponds, are important habitats for bats and birds, which are hosts for various coronavirus species and strains and which shed viral particles in their feces. It is therefore of high interest to fully explore the role that aquatic environments may play in coronavirus spread, including cross-species transmissions. Besides the respiratory tract, coronaviruses pathogenic to humans can also infect the digestive system and be subsequently defecated. Considering this, it is pivotal to understand whether wastewater can play a role in their dissemination, particularly in areas with poor sanitation. This review provides an overview of the taxonomy, molecular biology, natural reservoirs and pathogenicity of coronaviruses; outlines their potential to survive in aquatic environments and wastewater; and demonstrates their association with aquatic biota, mainly waterfowl. It also calls for further, interdisciplinary research in the field of aquatic virology to explore the potential hotspots of coronaviruses in the aquatic environment and the routes through which they may enter it.
Collapse
|
19
|
Markotter W, Coertse J, De Vries L, Geldenhuys M, Mortlock M. Bat-borne viruses in Africa: a critical review. J Zool (1987) 2020; 311:77-98. [PMID: 32427175 PMCID: PMC7228346 DOI: 10.1111/jzo.12769] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2019] [Revised: 12/27/2019] [Accepted: 01/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
In Africa, bat-borne zoonoses emerged in the past few decades resulting in large outbreaks or just sporadic spillovers. In addition, hundreds of more viruses are described without any information on zoonotic potential. We discuss important characteristics of bats including bat biology, evolution, distribution and ecology that not only make them unique among most mammals but also contribute to their potential as viral reservoirs. The detection of a virus in bats does not imply that spillover will occur and several biological, ecological and anthropogenic factors play a role in such an event. We summarize and critically analyse the current knowledge on African bats as reservoirs for corona-, filo-, paramyxo- and lyssaviruses. We highlight that important information on epidemiology, bat biology and ecology is often not available to make informed decisions on zoonotic spillover potential. Even if knowledge gaps exist, it is still important to recognize the role of bats in zoonotic disease outbreaks and implement mitigation strategies to prevent exposure to infectious agents including working safely with bats. Equally important is the crucial role of bats in various ecosystem services. This necessitates a multidisciplinary One Health approach to close knowledge gaps and ensure the development of responsible mitigation strategies to not only minimize risk of infection but also ensure conservation of the species.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- W. Markotter
- Department of Medical VirologyCentre for Viral ZoonosesFaculty of Health SciencesUniversity of PretoriaPretoriaSouth Africa
| | - J. Coertse
- Department of Medical VirologyCentre for Viral ZoonosesFaculty of Health SciencesUniversity of PretoriaPretoriaSouth Africa
| | - L. De Vries
- Department of Medical VirologyCentre for Viral ZoonosesFaculty of Health SciencesUniversity of PretoriaPretoriaSouth Africa
| | - M. Geldenhuys
- Department of Medical VirologyCentre for Viral ZoonosesFaculty of Health SciencesUniversity of PretoriaPretoriaSouth Africa
| | - M. Mortlock
- Department of Medical VirologyCentre for Viral ZoonosesFaculty of Health SciencesUniversity of PretoriaPretoriaSouth Africa
| |
Collapse
|