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Kulberg JL, Becker AAMJ, Malik YS, Ghosh S. First Report on Detection and Molecular Characterization of Astroviruses in Mongooses. Viruses 2024; 16:1269. [PMID: 39205243 PMCID: PMC11358933 DOI: 10.3390/v16081269] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2024] [Revised: 08/06/2024] [Accepted: 08/07/2024] [Indexed: 09/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Applying a pan-astrovirus (AstV) RT-hemi-nested PCR assay, we report here high detection rates (28.3%, 15/53) of AstVs in the small Indian mongoose (Urva auropunctata) on the Caribbean Island of St. Kitts. Based on deduced amino acid (aa) identities and phylogenetic analysis of long RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) sequences (~315 aa, partial RdRp), the AstVs detected in the mongooses (designated as Mon-AstVs) were classified into two distinct groups (deduced aa identities of 66.45-67.30% between the groups). The putative RdRps of the Mon-AstVs shared low deduced aa identities with those of AstVs from other host species (<69%, <54%, and <50% identities with reptilian/amphibian AstVs, avastroviruses, and mamastroviruses, respectively). Phylogenetically, the group-I and group-II Mon-AstVs formed two distinct clusters, near the cluster of reptilian/amphibian AstVs, and were distantly related to avastroviruses and mamastroviruses. Since the mongooses were apparently healthy during sampling, we could not establish if the Mon-AstVs infected the animal or were of dietary origin. Although we could not ascertain the true host of the Mon-AstVs, phylogenetic analysis indicated that these viruses might have originated from lower vertebrates. To our knowledge, this is the first report on the detection and molecular characterization of AstVs in mongooses, highlighting the wide host range and significant genetic diversity within the family Astroviridae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica L. Kulberg
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, Basseterre P.O. Box 334, Saint Kitts and Nevis; (J.L.K.); (A.A.M.J.B.)
| | - Anne A. M. J. Becker
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, Basseterre P.O. Box 334, Saint Kitts and Nevis; (J.L.K.); (A.A.M.J.B.)
| | - Yashpal S. Malik
- ICAR-Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Mukteswar 263168, Uttarakhand, India;
| | - Souvik Ghosh
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, Basseterre P.O. Box 334, Saint Kitts and Nevis; (J.L.K.); (A.A.M.J.B.)
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Rupprecht CE, Buchanan T, Cliquet F, King R, Müller T, Yakobson B, Yang DK. A Global Perspective on Oral Vaccination of Wildlife against Rabies. J Wildl Dis 2024; 60:241-284. [PMID: 38381612 DOI: 10.7589/jwd-d-23-00078] [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: 04/26/2023] [Accepted: 01/03/2024] [Indexed: 02/23/2024]
Abstract
The long-term mitigation of human-domestic animal-wildlife conflicts is complex and difficult. Over the last 50 yr, the primary biomedical concepts and actualized collaborative global field applications of oral rabies vaccination to wildlife serve as one dramatic example that revolutionized the field of infectious disease management of free-ranging animals. Oral vaccination of wildlife occurred in diverse locales within Africa, Eurasia, the Middle East, and North America. Although rabies is not a candidate for eradication, over a billion doses of vaccine-laden baits distributed strategically by hand, at baiting stations, or via aircraft, resulted in widespread disease prevention, control, or local disease elimination among mesocarnivores. Pure, potent, safe, and efficacious vaccines consisted of either modified-live, highly attenuated, or recombinant viruses contained within attractive, edible baits. Since the late 1970s, major free-ranging target species have included coyotes (Canis latrans), foxes (Urocyon cinereoargenteus; Vulpes vulpes), jackals (Canis aureus; Lupulella mesomelas), raccoons (Procyon lotor), raccoon dogs (Nyctereutes procyonoides), and skunks (Mephitis mephitis). Operational progress has occurred in all but the latter species. Programmatic evaluations of oral rabies vaccination success have included: demonstration of biomarkers incorporated within vaccine-laden baits in target species as representative of bait contact; serological measurement of the induction of specific rabies virus neutralizing antibodies, indicative of an immune response to vaccine; and most importantly, the decreasing detection of rabies virus antigens in the brains of collected animals via enhanced laboratory-based surveillance, as evidence of management impact. Although often conceived mistakenly as a panacea, such cost-effective technology applied to free-ranging wildlife represents a real-world, One Health application benefiting agriculture, conservation biology, and public health. Based upon lessons learned with oral rabies vaccination of mesocarnivores, opportunities for future extension to other taxa and additional diseases will have far-reaching, transdisciplinary benefits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charles E Rupprecht
- College of Forestry, Wildlife and Environment, College of Veterinary Medicine, Auburn University, 602 Duncan Drive, Auburn, Alabama 36849, USA
| | - Tore Buchanan
- Wildlife Research and Monitoring Section, Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry, Trent University, 2140 East Bank Drive, Peterborough, Ontario K9L1Z8, Canada
| | - Florence Cliquet
- ANSES, Nancy Laboratory for Rabies and Wildlife, European Union Reference Laboratory for Rabies Serology, European Union Reference Laboratory for Rabies, WHO Collaborating Centre for Research and Management in Zoonoses Control, WOAH Reference Laboratory for Rabies, Technopôle Agricole et Vétérinaire, Domaine de Pixérécourt, CS 40009 Malzeville, France
| | - Roni King
- Israel Nature and Parks Authority, Am V'Olamo 3, Jerusalem 95463, Israel
| | - Thomas Müller
- Institute of Molecular Virology and Cell Biology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, WHO Collaborating Centre for Rabies Surveillance and Research, WOAH Reference Laboratory for Rabies, Südufer 10, 17493 Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Boris Yakobson
- WOAH Reference Laboratory for Rabies, Kimron Veterinary Institute, Ministry of Agriculture, Derech HaMaccabim 62, Rishon Lezion, 50250, Israel
| | - Dong-Kun Yang
- Viral Disease Division, Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency, Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, 177, Hyeoksin 8-ro, Gimcheon-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do, 39660, Republic of Korea
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Sauvé CC, Berentsen AR, Llanos SF, Gilbert AT, Leighton PA. Home range overlap between small Indian mongooses and free roaming domestic dogs in Puerto Rico: implications for rabies management. Sci Rep 2023; 13:22944. [PMID: 38135706 PMCID: PMC10746706 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-50261-7] [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: 07/22/2023] [Accepted: 12/18/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
The small Indian mongoose (Urva auropunctata) is the primary terrestrial wildlife rabies reservoir on at least four Caribbean islands, including Puerto Rico. In Puerto Rico, mongooses represent a risk to public health, based on direct human exposure and indirectly through the transmission of rabies virus to domestic animals. To date, the fundamental ecological relationships of space use among mongooses and between mongooses and domestic animals remain poorly understood. This study is the first to report mongoose home range estimates based on GPS telemetry, as well as concurrent space use among mongooses and free roaming domestic dogs (FRDD; Canis lupus familiaris). Mean (± SE) home range estimates from 19 mongooses in this study (145 ± 21 ha and 60 ± 14 ha for males and females, respectively) were greater than those reported in prior radiotelemetry studies in Puerto Rico. At the scale of their home range, mongooses preferentially used dry forest and shrubland areas, but tended to avoid brackish water vegetation, salt marshes, barren lands and developed areas. Home ranges from five FRDDs were highly variable in size (range 13-285 ha) and may be influenced by availability of reliable anthropogenic resources. Mongooses displayed high home range overlap (general overlap index, GOI = 82%). Home range overlap among mongooses and FRDDs was intermediate (GOI = 50%) and greater than home range overlap by FRDDs (GOI = 10%). Our results provide evidence that space use by both species presents opportunities for interspecific interaction and contact and suggests that human provisioning of dogs may play a role in limiting interactions between stray dogs and mongooses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline C Sauvé
- Faculté de Médecine Vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, 3200 Rue Sicotte, Saint-Hyacinthe, QC, J2S 2M2, Canada.
| | - Are R Berentsen
- United States Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Wildlife Services, National Wildlife Research Center, 4101 LaPorte Avenue, Fort Collins, CO, 80521, USA
| | - Steven F Llanos
- United States Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Wildlife Services, National Wildlife Research Center, PO Box 38, Lajas, PR, 00667, USA
| | - Amy T Gilbert
- United States Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Wildlife Services, National Wildlife Research Center, 4101 LaPorte Avenue, Fort Collins, CO, 80521, USA
| | - Patrick A Leighton
- Faculté de Médecine Vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, 3200 Rue Sicotte, Saint-Hyacinthe, QC, J2S 2M2, Canada
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Hill JE, Miller ML, Helton JL, Chipman RB, Gilbert AT, Beasley JC, Dharmarajan G, Rhodes OE. Raccoon spatial ecology in the rural southeastern United States. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0293133. [PMID: 37943745 PMCID: PMC10635488 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0293133] [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: 06/26/2023] [Accepted: 10/06/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023] Open
Abstract
The movement ecology of raccoons varies widely across habitats with important implications for the management of zoonotic diseases such as rabies. However, the spatial ecology of raccoons remains poorly understood in many regions of the United States, particularly in the southeast. To better understand the spatial ecology of raccoons in the southeastern US, we investigated the role of sex, season, and habitat on monthly raccoon home range and core area sizes in three common rural habitats (bottomland hardwood, upland pine, and riparian forest) in South Carolina, USA. From 2018-2022, we obtained 264 monthly home ranges from 46 raccoons. Mean monthly 95% utilization distribution (UD) sizes ranged from 1.05 ± 0.48 km2 (breeding bottomland females) to 5.69 ± 3.37 km2 (fall riparian males) and mean monthly 60% UD sizes ranged from 0.25 ± 0.15 km2 (breeding bottomland females) to 1.59 ± 1.02 km2 (summer riparian males). Males maintained home range and core areas ~2-5 times larger than females in upland pine and riparian habitat throughout the year, whereas those of bottomland males were only larger than females during the breeding season. Home ranges and core areas of females did not vary across habitats, whereas male raccoons had home ranges and core areas ~2-3 times larger in upland pine and riparian compared to bottomland hardwood throughout much of the year. The home ranges of males in upland pine and riparian are among the largest recorded for raccoons in the United States. Such large and variable home ranges likely contribute to elevated risk of zoonotic disease spread by males in these habitats. These results can be used to inform disease mitigation strategies in the southeastern United States.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacob E. Hill
- Savannah River Ecology Laboratory, University of Georgia, Aiken, SC, United States of America
| | - Madison L. Miller
- Savannah River Ecology Laboratory, University of Georgia, Aiken, SC, United States of America
| | - James L. Helton
- Savannah River Ecology Laboratory, University of Georgia, Aiken, SC, United States of America
- Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States of America
| | - Richard B. Chipman
- National Rabies Management Program, USDA, APHIS, Wildlife Services, Concord, NH, United States of America
| | - Amy T. Gilbert
- National Wildlife Research Center, USDA, APHIS, Wildlife Services, Fort Collins, CO, United States of America
| | - James C. Beasley
- Savannah River Ecology Laboratory, University of Georgia, Aiken, SC, United States of America
- Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States of America
| | - Guha Dharmarajan
- Savannah River Ecology Laboratory, University of Georgia, Aiken, SC, United States of America
| | - Olin E. Rhodes
- Savannah River Ecology Laboratory, University of Georgia, Aiken, SC, United States of America
- Odum School of Ecology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States of America
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Berentsen AR, Rivera-Rodriguez MJ, Torres-Toledo FB, Davis AJ, Chipman RB, Gilbert AT. RABIES VIRUS SEROSURVEY OF THE SMALL INDIAN MONGOOSE (URVA AUROPUNCTATA) ACROSS MULTIPLE HABITATS IN PUERTO RICO, 2014-21. J Wildl Dis 2023; 59:577-589. [PMID: 37486871 DOI: 10.7589/jwd-d-22-00148] [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: 06/30/2022] [Accepted: 03/20/2023] [Indexed: 07/26/2023]
Abstract
The small Indian mongoose (Urva auropuncata) is a rabies reservoir in Puerto Rico and accounts for over 70% of reported animal rabies cases annually. The presence of rabies virus-neutralizing antibodies (RVNA) is often used as a tool to measure exposure to rabies virus in wildlife populations. We conducted a serosurvey of mongooses at 11 sites representing six habitat types across Puerto Rico. We collected a serum sample from 464 individual mongooses during 2014-21. Overall, 80/464 (17.0%; 95% confidence interval, 14.1-20.9%; 55 male, 23 female, and two sexes not recorded) of individual mongooses sampled across all habitats were RVNA positive. The geometric mean (SD) RVNA titer for 80 unique seropositive animals was 0.58 (2.92) IU/mL. Our models indicated that the probability of mongooses being RVNA seropositive mostly varied by habitat, with some influence of sex in the individual-level analyses. Population-level RVNA seroprevalence is dynamic in mongoose populations, but these data may shed light on rabies virus transmission across regions to help inform rabies management activities in Puerto Rico.
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Affiliation(s)
- Are R Berentsen
- United Sates Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Wildlife Services, National Wildlife Research Center, 4101 LaPorte Avenue, Fort Collins, Colorado 80521, USA
| | - Mel J Rivera-Rodriguez
- United States Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Wildlife Services, 602 Duncan Drive, Auburn, Alabama 36849, USA
| | - Fabiola B Torres-Toledo
- United Sates Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Wildlife Services, National Wildlife Research Center, 4101 LaPorte Avenue, Fort Collins, Colorado 80521, USA
| | - Amy J Davis
- United Sates Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Wildlife Services, National Wildlife Research Center, 4101 LaPorte Avenue, Fort Collins, Colorado 80521, USA
| | - Richard B Chipman
- United States Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Wildlife Services, National Rabies Management Program, 59 Chenell Drive, Suite 2, Concord, New Hampshire 03301, USA
| | - Amy T Gilbert
- United Sates Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Wildlife Services, National Wildlife Research Center, 4101 LaPorte Avenue, Fort Collins, Colorado 80521, USA
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Sauvé CC, Berentsen AR, Gilbert AT, Conan A, Cruz-Martinez L, Leighton PA. Capture-Recapture Reveals Heterogeneity in Habitat-Specific Mongoose Densities and Spatiotemporal Variability in Trapping Success in St. Kitts, West Indies. CARIBB J SCI 2022. [DOI: 10.18475/cjos.v52i1.a6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Caroline C. Sauvé
- Epidemiology of Zoonoses and Public Health Research Group (GREZOSP), Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Canada
| | - Are R. Berentsen
- National Wildlife Research Center, Wildlife Services, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, United States Department of Agriculture, Fort Collins, Colorado, U.S.A
| | - Amy T. Gilbert
- National Wildlife Research Center, Wildlife Services, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, United States Department of Agriculture, Fort Collins, Colorado, U.S.A
| | - Anne Conan
- Center for Applied One Health Research and Policy Advice, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong S.A.R
| | - Luis Cruz-Martinez
- Center for Conservation Medicine and Ecosystem Health, Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, Basseterre, St. Kitts, West Indies
| | - Patrick A. Leighton
- Epidemiology of Zoonoses and Public Health Research Group (GREZOSP), Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Canada
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Special Issue “Innovative Techniques and Approaches in the Control and Prevention of Rabies Virus”. Viruses 2022; 14:v14050845. [PMID: 35632587 PMCID: PMC9144731 DOI: 10.3390/v14050845] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2022] [Accepted: 04/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
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Gainor K, Becker AAMJ, Malik YS, Ghosh S. First Report on Detection and Molecular Characterization of Adenoviruses in the Small Indian Mongoose ( Urva auropunctata). Viruses 2021; 13:v13112194. [PMID: 34835000 PMCID: PMC8622525 DOI: 10.3390/v13112194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2021] [Revised: 10/28/2021] [Accepted: 10/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Using a broad-range nested PCR assay targeting the DNA-dependent DNA polymerase (pol) gene, we detected adenoviruses in 17 (20.48%) out of 83 fecal samples from small Indian mongooses (Urva auropunctata) on the Caribbean island of St. Kitts. All 17 PCR amplicons were sequenced for the partial pol gene (~300 bp, hereafter referred to as Mon sequences). Fourteen of the 17 Mon sequences shared maximum homology (98.3-99.6% and 97-98.9% nucleotide (nt) and deduced amino acid (aa) sequence identities, respectively) with that of bovine adenovirus-6 (species Bovine atadenovirus E). Mongoose-associated adenovirus Mon-39 was most closely related (absolute nt and deduced aa identities) to an atadenovirus from a tropical screech owl. Mon-66 shared maximum nt and deduced aa identities of 69% and 71.4% with those of atadenoviruses from a spur-thighed tortoise and a brown anole lizard, respectively. Phylogenetically, Mon-39 and Mon-66 clustered within clades that were predominated by atadenoviruses from reptiles, indicating a reptilian origin of these viruses. Only a single mongoose-associated adenovirus, Mon-34, was related to the genus Mastadenovirus. However, phylogenetically, Mon-34 formed an isolated branch, distinct from other mastadenoviruses. Since the fecal samples were collected from apparently healthy mongooses, we could not determine whether the mongoose-associated adenoviruses infected the host. On the other hand, the phylogenetic clustering patterns of the mongoose-associated atadenoviruses pointed more towards a dietary origin of these viruses. Although the present study was based on partial pol sequences (~90 aa), sequence identities and phylogenetic analysis suggested that Mon-34, Mon-39, and Mon-66 might represent novel adenoviruses. To our knowledge, this is the first report on the detection and molecular characterization of adenoviruses from the mongoose.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kerry Gainor
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, P.O. Box 334, 00265 Basseterre, St. Kitts and Nevis, West Indies; (K.G.); (A.A.M.J.B.)
| | - Anne A. M. J. Becker
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, P.O. Box 334, 00265 Basseterre, St. Kitts and Nevis, West Indies; (K.G.); (A.A.M.J.B.)
| | - Yashpal S. Malik
- College of Animal Biotechnology, Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Science University, 141004 Ludhiana, India;
| | - Souvik Ghosh
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, P.O. Box 334, 00265 Basseterre, St. Kitts and Nevis, West Indies; (K.G.); (A.A.M.J.B.)
- Correspondence: or ; Tel.: +1-(869)-4654161 (ext. 401-1202)
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Detection and Complete Genome Analysis of Circoviruses and Cycloviruses in the Small Indian Mongoose ( Urva auropunctata): Identification of Novel Species. Viruses 2021; 13:v13091700. [PMID: 34578282 PMCID: PMC8471302 DOI: 10.3390/v13091700] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2021] [Revised: 08/23/2021] [Accepted: 08/24/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Fecal samples from 76 of 83 apparently healthy small Indian mongooses (Urva auropunctata) were PCR positive with circovirus/cyclovirus pan-rep (replicase gene) primers. In this case, 30 samples yielded high quality partial rep sequences (~400 bp), of which 26 sequences shared maximum homology with cycloviruses from an arthropod, bats, humans or a sheep. Three sequences exhibited maximum identities with a bat circovirus, whilst a single sequence could not be assigned to either genus. Using inverse nested PCRs, the complete genomes of mongoose associated circoviruses (Mon-1, -29 and -66) and cycloviruses (Mon-20, -24, -32, -58, -60 and -62) were determined. Mon-1, -20, -24, -29, -32 and -66 shared <80% maximum genome-wide pairwise nucleotide sequence identities with circoviruses/cycloviruses from other animals/sources, and were assigned to novel circovirus, or cyclovirus species. Mon-58, -60 and -62 shared maximum pairwise identities of 79.90–80.20% with human and bat cycloviruses, which were borderline to the cut-off identity value for assigning novel cycloviral species. Despite high genetic diversity, the mongoose associated circoviruses/cycloviruses retained the various features that are conserved among members of the family Circoviridae, such as presence of the putative origin of replication (ori) in the 5′-intergenic region, conserved motifs in the putative replication-associated protein and an arginine rich region in the amino terminus of the putative capsid protein. Since only fecal samples were tested, and mongooses are polyphagous predators, we could not determine whether the mongoose associated circoviruses/cycloviruses were of dietary origin, or actually infected the host. To our knowledge, this is the first report on detection and complete genome analysis of circoviruses/cycloviruses in the small Indian mongoose, warranting further studies in other species of mongooses.
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Browne AS, Cranford HM, Morgan CN, Ellison JA, Berentsen A, Wiese N, Medley A, Rossow J, Jankelunas L, McKinley AS, Lombard CD, Angeli NF, Kelley T, Valiulus J, Bradford B, Burke-France VJ, Harrison CJ, Guendel I, Taylor M, Blanchard GL, Doty JB, Worthington DJ, Horner D, Garcia KR, Roth J, Ellis BR, Bisgard KM, Wallace R, Ellis EM. Determination of freedom-from-rabies for small Indian mongoose populations in the United States Virgin Islands, 2019-2020. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2021; 15:e0009536. [PMID: 34264951 PMCID: PMC8282080 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0009536] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2021] [Accepted: 06/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Mongooses, a nonnative species, are a known reservoir of rabies virus in the Caribbean region. A cross-sectional study of mongooses at 41 field sites on the US Virgin Islands of St. Croix, St. John, and St. Thomas captured 312 mongooses (32% capture rate). We determined the absence of rabies virus by antigen testing and rabies virus exposure by antibody testing in mongoose populations on all three islands. USVI is the first Caribbean state to determine freedom-from-rabies for its mongoose populations with a scientifically-led robust cross-sectional study. Ongoing surveillance activities will determine if other domestic and wildlife populations in USVI are rabies-free. Mongooses in the Caribbean region are known to carry rabies and infect and kill humans with the deadly virus. While many countries in the Caribbean region assume they are rabies-free, there is a lack of scientifically based surveillance. We prospectively designed a statistically valid study to determine that mongoose populations in the US Virgin Islands are rabies-free and pose no risk of transmission to human or animal populations. We are pursuing further surveillance efforts to establish rabies freedom in all wildlife and domestic animal population in the US Virgin Islands.
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Affiliation(s)
- A. Springer Browne
- Epidemic Intelligence Service, Division of Scientific Education and Professional Development, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
- US Virgin Islands Department of Health, Christiansted, US Virgin Islands, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Hannah M. Cranford
- US Virgin Islands Department of Health, Christiansted, US Virgin Islands, United States of America
| | - Clint N. Morgan
- Poxvirus and Rabies Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - James A. Ellison
- Poxvirus and Rabies Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Are Berentsen
- National Wildlife Research Center, APHIS Wildlife Services, United States Department of Agriculture, Fort Collins, Colorado, United States of America
| | - Nicholas Wiese
- Laboratory Leadership Service, Division of Scientific Education and Professional Development, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Alexandra Medley
- Epidemic Intelligence Service, Division of Scientific Education and Professional Development, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - John Rossow
- Epidemic Intelligence Service, Division of Scientific Education and Professional Development, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Leanne Jankelunas
- Epidemiology Elective Program, Division of Scientific Education and Professional Development, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Alan S. McKinley
- Carribbean District, APHIS Wildlife Services, United States Department of Agriculture, Auburn, Alabama, United States of America
| | - Claudia D. Lombard
- Sandy Point National Wildlife Refuge, US Fish & Wildlife Service, Fredericksted, US Virgin Islands, United States of America
| | - Nicole F. Angeli
- US Virgin Islands Department of Planning and Natural Resources, Fredericksted, US Virgin Islands, United States of America
| | - Thomas Kelley
- National Park Service, St. John, US Virgin Islands, United States of America
| | - Jennifer Valiulus
- St. Croix Environmental Association, Christiansted, US Virgin Islands, United States of America
| | - Bethany Bradford
- US Virgin Islands Department of Agriculture, Kingshill, US Virgin Islands, United States of America
| | - Valicia J. Burke-France
- US Virgin Islands Department of Health, Christiansted, US Virgin Islands, United States of America
| | - Cosme J. Harrison
- US Virgin Islands Department of Health, Christiansted, US Virgin Islands, United States of America
| | - Irene Guendel
- US Virgin Islands Department of Health, Christiansted, US Virgin Islands, United States of America
| | - Marissa Taylor
- US Virgin Islands Department of Health, Christiansted, US Virgin Islands, United States of America
| | - Gerard L. Blanchard
- Carribbean District, APHIS Wildlife Services, United States Department of Agriculture, Auburn, Alabama, United States of America
| | - Jeffrey B. Doty
- Poxvirus and Rabies Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | | | - David Horner
- National Park Service, St. John, US Virgin Islands, United States of America
| | - Keith R. Garcia
- Carribbean District, APHIS Wildlife Services, United States Department of Agriculture, Auburn, Alabama, United States of America
| | - Joseph Roth
- US Virgin Islands Department of Health, Christiansted, US Virgin Islands, United States of America
| | - Brett R. Ellis
- US Virgin Islands Department of Health, Christiansted, US Virgin Islands, United States of America
| | - Kristine M. Bisgard
- Center for Surveillance, Epidemiology, and Laboratory Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Ryan Wallace
- Poxvirus and Rabies Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Esther M. Ellis
- US Virgin Islands Department of Health, Christiansted, US Virgin Islands, United States of America
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