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Hunt EA, Schwartz S, Chinnici N. Passive Surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 in Adult Blacklegged Ticks ( Ixodes scapularis) from Northeast Pennsylvania. Life (Basel) 2023; 13:1857. [PMID: 37763261 PMCID: PMC10532621 DOI: 10.3390/life13091857] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2023] [Revised: 08/25/2023] [Accepted: 08/28/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Monitoring the spread of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in wildlife is vital to public health. White-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) in the United States have tested positive for SARS-CoV-2, and their interactions with blacklegged ticks (Ixodes scapularis) raise the question of whether or not these ticks also carry SARS-CoV-2. In this study, 449 blacklegged ticks from Northeast Pennsylvania were collected in the fall of 2022 and tested via RT-qPCR for the presence of SARS-CoV-2. Fourteen ticks were amplified with late quantification cycles (Cq) using primers from two nucleocapsid genes (N1 and N2) via TaqMan assays. Three of these samples were amplified on a SYBR green assay during secondary testing. However, melt curve and gel electrophoresis analysis verified negative results for these three samples. Genetic sequencing was performed on one of the three samples to look for potential cross-reactions causing the amplification observed. However, no significant match was found in the NCBI database. Although all 449 blacklegged ticks were negative for SARS-CoV-2, I. scapularis should continue to be tested for COVID-19. If blacklegged ticks test positive for COVID-19 in the future, research should focus on determining the stability of SARS-CoV-2 with the tick vector and the potential for transmission through tick bites.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Nicole Chinnici
- Dr. Jane Huffman Wildlife Genetics Institute, East Stroudsburg University, East Stroudsburg, PA 18301, USA; (E.A.H.); (S.S.)
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de la Fuente J. Art-science multidisciplinary collaborations to address the scientific challenges posed by COVID-19. Ann Med 2022; 54:2535-2548. [PMID: 36111779 PMCID: PMC9487962 DOI: 10.1080/07853890.2022.2123557] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
The ongoing coronavirus pandemic COVID-19 constitutes a scientific and social challenge. The application of mixed-methods research with multidisciplinary collaborations increases the success of experimental design and interpretation of results to approach scientific challenges. The objective is to develop and implement protean art algorithms with interactions between artists and scientists for scientific research in areas of molecular biology, immunology, ecology and biomedicine. In this perspective, artists were invited to contribute pieces related to the pandemic, and scientists were then challenged to contribute their view and proposed research inspired by artist contribution to face COVID-19 scientific challenges. Proposed research objectives inspired by artist contributions contribute to approach COVID-19 scientific and social challenges with results that may translate into new diagnosis and control interventions. The proposed research objectives approach vaccine protective mechanisms and the development of nutritional interventions with possible impact on boosting protective response to vaccination, the impact of fuel pollutants on host immunity and virus transmission, the possible role of ectoparasite vectors in the appearance of SARS-CoV-2 variants and virus transmission, collaboration between different sectors to contribute to virus surveillance and reduce risks of contagion, characterization of the incidence of zoonotic diseases during and after the COVID-19 pandemic in relation to modifications in the interactions between humans and reservoir animal species, evaluation of the risks associated with sexual or congenital transmission of SARS-CoV-2, development of new methods for the easy and rapid detection of very low SARS-CoV-2 virus amounts in infected but asymptomatic individuals, and understanding society perceptions about the socio-ecological relationships between decoupled environments and the risks and effects of pandemics. This approach may be used to promote social participation in science through combined scientific and artistic perspectives with impact on science and society.KEY MESSAGEMixed-methods research with multidisciplinary collaborations increases the success of experimental design and interpretation of results.Implementation of protean art algorithms through interactions between artists and scientists advances scientific research.Proposed research objectives inspired by artist contributions contribute to approach COVID-19 scientific and social challenges with results that may translate into new diagnosis and control interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- José de la Fuente
- Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos IREC-CSIC-UCLM-JCCM, SaBio, Ciudad Real, Spain.,Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, Center for Veterinary Health Sciences, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK, USA
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Bakshi CS, Centone AJ, Wormser GP. SARS-CoV-2 is Emerging in White-Tailed Deer and Can Infect and Spread Among Deer Mice Experimentally: What About Deer Ticks? Am J Med 2022; 135:1395-1396. [PMID: 36067807 PMCID: PMC9441444 DOI: 10.1016/j.amjmed.2022.08.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2022] [Accepted: 08/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Gary P Wormser
- Division of Infectious Diseases, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY.
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Mojahed N, Mohammadkhani MA, Mohamadkhani A. Climate Crises and Developing Vector-Borne Diseases: A Narrative Review. IRANIAN JOURNAL OF PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 51:2664-2673. [PMID: 36742229 PMCID: PMC9874214 DOI: 10.18502/ijph.v51i12.11457] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2022] [Accepted: 08/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Background Climate change based on temperature, humidity and wind can improve many characteristics of the arthropod carrier life cycle, including survival, arthropod population, pathogen communication, and the spread of infectious agents from vectors. This study aimed to find association between content of disease followed climate change we demonstrate in humans. Methods All the articles from 2016 to 2021 associated with global climate change and the effect of vector-borne disease were selected form databases including PubMed and the Global Biodiversity information facility database. All the articles selected for this short review were English. Results Due to the high burden of infectious diseases and the growing evidence of the possible effects of climate change on the incidence of these diseases, these climate changes can potentially be involved with the COVID-19 epidemic. We highlighted the evidence of vector-borne diseases and the possible effects of climate change on these communicable diseases. Conclusion Climate change, specifically in rising temperature system is one of the world's greatest concerns already affected pathogen-vector and host relation. Lice parasitic, fleas, mites, ticks, and mosquitos are the prime public health importance in the transmission of virus to human hosts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nooshin Mojahed
- Liver and Pancreatobiliary Diseases Research Center, Digestive Diseases Research Institute, Shariati Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | | | - Ashraf Mohamadkhani
- Liver and Pancreatobiliary Diseases Research Center, Digestive Diseases Research Institute, Shariati Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran,Corresponding Author:
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Ramanujam H, Palaniyandi K. COVID-19 in animals: A need for One Health approach. Indian J Med Microbiol 2022; 40:485-491. [PMID: 35927142 PMCID: PMC9340561 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijmmb.2022.07.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2022] [Revised: 07/04/2022] [Accepted: 07/08/2022] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
Background SARS-CoV-2 has been identified as the cause of the COVID-19, which caused a global pandemic. It is a pathogen that causes respiratory disease and can easily navigate the interspecies barrier. A significant number of COVID-19 cases in animals have been reported worldwide, including but not limited to animals in farms, captivity, and household pets. Thus, assessing the affected population and anticipating ‘at risk’ population becomes essential. Objectives This article aims to emphasize the zoonotic potential of SARS- CoV-2 and discuss the One Health aspects of the disease. Content This is a narrative review of recently published studies on animals infected with SARS-CoV-2, both experimental and natural. The elucidation of the mechanism of infection by binding SARS-CoV-2 spike protein to the ACE-2 receptor cells in humans has led to bioinformatic analysis that has identified a few other susceptible species in silico. While infections in animals have been extensively reported, no intermediary host has yet been identified for this disease. The articles collected in this review have been grouped into four categories; experimental inoculations, infection in wild animals, infection in farm animals and infection in pet animals, along with a review of literature in each category. The risk of infection transmission between humans and animals and vice versa and the importance of the One Health approach has been discussed at length in this article.
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Affiliation(s)
- Harini Ramanujam
- Department of Immunology, ICMR-National Institute for Research in Tuberculosis, Chetpet, Chennai, India
| | - Kannan Palaniyandi
- Department of Immunology, ICMR-National Institute for Research in Tuberculosis, Chetpet, Chennai, India.
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Hromníková D, Furka D, Furka S, Santana JAD, Ravingerová T, Klöcklerová V, Žitňan D. Prevention of tick-borne diseases: challenge to recent medicine. Biologia (Bratisl) 2022; 77:1533-1554. [PMID: 35283489 PMCID: PMC8905283 DOI: 10.1007/s11756-021-00966-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2021] [Accepted: 11/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Abstract Ticks represent important vectors and reservoirs of pathogens, causing a number of diseases in humans and animals, and significant damage to livestock every year. Modern research into protection against ticks and tick-borne diseases focuses mainly on the feeding stage, i.e. the period when ticks take their blood meal from their hosts during which pathogens are transmitted. Physiological functions in ticks, such as food intake, saliva production, reproduction, development, and others are under control of neuropeptides and peptide hormones which may be involved in pathogen transmission that cause Lyme borreliosis or tick-borne encephalitis. According to current knowledge, ticks are not reservoirs or vectors for the spread of COVID-19 disease. The search for new vaccination methods to protect against ticks and their transmissible pathogens is a challenge for current science in view of global changes, including the increasing migration of the human population. Highlights • Tick-borne diseases have an increasing incidence due to climate change and increased human migration • To date, there is no evidence of transmission of coronavirus COVID-19 by tick as a vector • To date, there are only a few modern, effective, and actively- used vaccines against ticks or tick-borne diseases • Neuropeptides and their receptors expressed in ticks may be potentially used for vaccine design
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Affiliation(s)
- Dominika Hromníková
- Department of Molecular Physiology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Institute of Zoology, Dúbravská cesta 9, 84506 Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Daniel Furka
- Faculty of Natural Sciences, Department of Physical and Theoretical Chemistry, Comenius University, Mlynská dolina, Ilkovičova 6, 84104 Bratislava, SK Slovakia
- Department of Cardiovascular Physiology and Pathophysiology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Institute of Heart Research, Dúbravská cesta 9, SK 84005 Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Samuel Furka
- Faculty of Natural Sciences, Department of Physical and Theoretical Chemistry, Comenius University, Mlynská dolina, Ilkovičova 6, 84104 Bratislava, SK Slovakia
- Department of Cardiovascular Physiology and Pathophysiology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Institute of Heart Research, Dúbravská cesta 9, SK 84005 Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Julio Ariel Dueñas Santana
- Chemical Engineering Department, University of Matanzas, Km 3 Carretera a Varadero, 44740 Matanzas, CU Cuba
| | - Táňa Ravingerová
- Department of Cardiovascular Physiology and Pathophysiology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Institute of Heart Research, Dúbravská cesta 9, SK 84005 Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Vanda Klöcklerová
- Department of Molecular Physiology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Institute of Zoology, Dúbravská cesta 9, 84506 Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Dušan Žitňan
- Department of Molecular Physiology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Institute of Zoology, Dúbravská cesta 9, 84506 Bratislava, Slovakia
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