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Astorga F, Groom Q, Shimabukuro PHF, Manguin S, Noesgaard D, Orrell T, Sinka M, Hirsch T, Schigel D. Biodiversity data supports research on human infectious diseases: Global trends, challenges, and opportunities. One Health 2023; 16:100484. [PMID: 36714536 PMCID: PMC9880238 DOI: 10.1016/j.onehlt.2023.100484] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2022] [Revised: 12/06/2022] [Accepted: 01/05/2023] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
The unprecedented generation of large volumes of biodiversity data is consistently contributing to a wide range of disciplines, including disease ecology. Emerging infectious diseases are usually zoonoses caused by multi-host pathogens. Therefore, their understanding may require the access to biodiversity data related to the ecology and the occurrence of the species involved. Nevertheless, despite several data-mobilization initiatives, the usage of biodiversity data for research into disease dynamics has not yet been fully leveraged. To explore current contribution, trends, and to identify limitations, we characterized biodiversity data usage in scientific publications related to human health, contrasting patterns of studies citing the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) with those obtaining data from other sources. We found that the studies mainly obtained data from scientific literature and other not aggregated or standardized sources. Most of the studies explored pathogen species and, particularly those with GBIF-mediated data, tended to explore and reuse data of multiple species (>2). Data sources varied according to the taxa and epidemiological roles of the species involved. Biodiversity data repositories were mainly used for species related to hosts, reservoirs, and vectors, and barely used as a source of pathogens data, which was usually obtained from human and animal-health related institutions. While both GBIF- and not GBIF-mediated data studies explored similar diseases and topics, they presented discipline biases and different analytical approaches. Research on emerging infectious diseases may require the access to geographical and ecological data of multiple species. The One Health challenge requires interdisciplinary collaboration and data sharing, which is facilitated by aggregated repositories and platforms. The contribution of biodiversity data to understand infectious disease dynamics should be acknowledged, strengthened, and promoted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francisca Astorga
- Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Mayor, Chile,Corresponding author.
| | - Quentin Groom
- Biodiversity Informatics, Meise Botanic Garden, Belgium Nieuwelaan 38, 1860, Meise, Belgium
| | | | - Sylvie Manguin
- HSM, University Montpellier, CNRS, IRD, 911 Av. Agropolis, 34394 Montpellier, France
| | - Daniel Noesgaard
- Global Biodiversity Information Facility, Universitetsparken 15, DK-2100 Copenhagen Ø, Denmark
| | - Thomas Orrell
- Smithsonian Institution, National Museum of Natural History, 10th St. & Constitution Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20560, USA
| | | | - Tim Hirsch
- Global Biodiversity Information Facility, Universitetsparken 15, DK-2100 Copenhagen Ø, Denmark
| | - Dmitry Schigel
- Global Biodiversity Information Facility, Universitetsparken 15, DK-2100 Copenhagen Ø, Denmark
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Escobar LE, Carver S, Cross PC, Rossi L, Almberg ES, Yabsley MJ, Niedringhaus KD, Van Wick P, Dominguez-Villegas E, Gakuya F, Xie Y, Angelone S, Gortázar C, Astorga F. Sarcoptic mange: An emerging panzootic in wildlife. Transbound Emerg Dis 2021; 69:927-942. [PMID: 33756055 DOI: 10.1111/tbed.14082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Revised: 03/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Sarcoptic mange, a skin infestation caused by the mite Sarcoptes scabiei, is an emerging disease for some species of wildlife, potentially jeopardizing their welfare and conservation. Sarcoptes scabiei has a near-global distribution facilitated by its forms of transmission and use of a large diversity of host species (many of those with broad geographic distribution). In this review, we synthesize the current knowledge concerning the geographic and host taxonomic distribution of mange in wildlife, the epidemiological connections between species, and the potential threat of sarcoptic mange for wildlife conservation. Recent sarcoptic mange outbreaks in wildlife appear to demonstrate ongoing geographic spread, increase in the number of hosts and increased virulence. Sarcoptic mange has been reported in at least 12 orders, 39 families and 148 species of domestic and wild mammals, making it one of the most generalist ectoparasites of mammals. Taxonomically, the orders with most species found infested so far include Perissodactyla (67% species from the entire order), Artiodactyla (47%), and Diprotodontia (67% from this order). This suggests that new species from these mammal orders are likely to suffer cross-species transmission and be reported positive to sarcoptic mange as surveillance improves. We propose a new agenda for the study of sarcoptic mange in wildlife, including the study of the global phylogeography of S. scabiei, linkages between ecological host traits and sarcoptic mange susceptibility, immunology of individuals and species, development of control strategies in wildlife outbreaks and the effects of global environmental change in the sarcoptic mange system. The ongoing transmission globally and sustained spread among areas and wildlife species make sarcoptic mange an emerging panzootic in wildlife. A better understanding of sarcoptic mange could illuminate the aspects of ecological and evolutionary drivers in cross-species transmission for many emerging diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luis E Escobar
- Department of Fish and Wildlife Conservation, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, USA
| | - Scott Carver
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Australia
| | - Paul C Cross
- U.S. Geological Survey, Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center, Bozeman, MT, USA
| | - Luca Rossi
- Dipartimento di Scienze Veterinarie, Università degli Studi di Torino, Torino, Italy
| | | | - Michael J Yabsley
- Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA.,Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
| | - Kevin D Niedringhaus
- Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
| | | | | | | | - Yue Xie
- Department of Parasitology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
| | | | | | - Francisca Astorga
- Núcleo de Investigaciones Aplicadas en Ciencias Veterinarias y Agronómicas, Universidad de las Américas, Santiago, Chile
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Astorga F, Poo-Muñoz DA, Organ J, Medina-Vogel G. Why Let the Dogs Out? Exploring Variables Associated with Dog Confinement and General Characteristics of the Free-ranging Owned-Dog Population in a Peri-urban Area. J APPL ANIM WELF SCI 2020; 25:311-325. [PMID: 32985259 DOI: 10.1080/10888705.2020.1820334] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Free-ranging dogs (FRDs), are a problem in several countries, with impacts on humans, domestic animals, and wildlife, although increasing evidence suggests that most FRDs are owned. Therefore, understanding dog ownership on a fine scale is critical. The main objectives of this study were to explore dog management in rural localities from central Chile focusing on modeling owner-related variables associated with dog confinement and characterize confined and FRDs populations. Interviews (170) were carried out in Paine municipality, reporting a human:dog ratio of 1.5:1, and dogs in most households (85.9%, 146/170). Thirty-seven percent (54/146) of those households did not confine their dog(s) to some degree, and 41% (196/472) of surveyed dogs were FRD. Based on multivariable logistic regression models, non-confinement was decreased by (i) negative opinion of owners toward roaming behavior of their dogs, (ii) negative opinion toward FRDs, among others. Dog confinement increased along with owners' concerns about the impacts of their dogs on others. Owned-FRDs tended to have poorer general care than confined dogs. Our findings represent a contribution to the understanding of the human dimensions behind FRDs and provide critical quantitative elements to consider when planning effective control strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francisca Astorga
- Núcleo de Investigaciones Aplicadas en Ciencias Veterinarias y Agronómicas, Universidad de las Américas, Santiago, Chile
| | | | - John Organ
- U.S. Geological Survey, Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Units, Reston, VA, USA
| | - Gonzalo Medina-Vogel
- Centro de Investigación para la Sustentabilidad, Universidad Andres Bello, Santiago, Chile
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Astorga F, Carver S, Almberg ES, Sousa GR, Wingfield K, Niedringhaus KD, Van Wick P, Rossi L, Xie Y, Cross P, Angelone S, Gortázar C, Escobar LE. International meeting on sarcoptic mange in wildlife, June 2018, Blacksburg, Virginia, USA. Parasit Vectors 2018; 11:449. [PMID: 30075742 PMCID: PMC6090813 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-018-3015-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2018] [Accepted: 07/13/2018] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Sarcoptic mange is a globally distributed disease caused by the burrowing mite Sarcoptes scabiei, which also causes scabies in humans. A wide and increasing number of wild mammal species are reported to be susceptible to mange; however, the impacts of the disease in wildlife populations, mechanisms involved in its eco-epidemiological dynamics, and risks to public and ecosystem health are still unclear. Major gaps exist concerning S. scabiei host specificity and the mechanisms involved in the different presentations of the disease, which change between individuals and species. Immunological responses to the mite may have a relevant role explaining these different susceptibilities, as these affect the clinical signs, and consequently, the severity of the disease. Recently, some studies have suggested sarcoptic mange as an emerging threat for wildlife, based on several outbreaks with increased severity, geographical expansions, and novel wild hosts affected. Disease ecology experts convened for the “International Meeting on Sarcoptic Mange in Wildlife” on 4–5 June 2018, hosted by the Department of Fish and Wildlife Conservation at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, Virginia, USA. The meeting had a structure of (i) pre-workshop review; (ii) presentation and discussions; and (iii) identification of priority research questions to understand sarcoptic mange in wildlife. The workgroup concluded that research priorities should be on determining the variation in modes of transmission for S. scabiei in wildlife, factors associated with the variation of disease severity among species, and long-terms effects of the mange in wildlife populations. In this note we summarize the main discussions and research gaps identified by the experts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francisca Astorga
- Department of Fish and Wildlife Conservation, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, USA.,Universidad Mayor, Santiago, Chile
| | - Scott Carver
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Australia
| | | | - Giovane R Sousa
- Division of Immunology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Kimberly Wingfield
- Department of Fish and Wildlife Conservation, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, USA.,Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, USA
| | - Kevin D Niedringhaus
- Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
| | | | - Luca Rossi
- Università degli Studi di Torino, Torino, Italy
| | - Yue Xie
- Department of Parasitology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Paul Cross
- U.S. Geological Survey, Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center, Bozeman, MT, USA
| | | | | | - Luis E Escobar
- Department of Fish and Wildlife Conservation, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, USA.
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Astorga F, Escobar LE, Poo-Muñoz D, Escobar-Dodero J, Rojas-Hucks S, Alvarado-Rybak M, Duclos M, Romero-Alvarez D, Molina-Burgos BE, Peñafiel-Ricaurte A, Toro F, Peña-Gómez FT, Peterson AT. Distributional ecology of Andes hantavirus: a macroecological approach. Int J Health Geogr 2018; 17:22. [PMID: 29929522 PMCID: PMC6013855 DOI: 10.1186/s12942-018-0142-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2018] [Accepted: 06/13/2018] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS) is an infection endemic in Chile and Argentina, caused by Andes hantavirus (ANDV). The rodent Oligoryzomys longicaudatus is suggested as the main reservoir, although several other species of Sigmodontinae are known hosts of ANDV. Here, we explore potential ANDV transmission risk to humans in southern South America, based on eco-epidemiological associations among: six rodent host species, seropositive rodents, and human HPS cases. METHODS We used ecological niche modeling and macroecological approaches to determine potential geographic distributions and assess environmental similarity among rodents and human HPS cases. RESULTS Highest numbers of rodent species (five) were in Chile between 35° and 41°S latitude. Background similarity tests showed niche similarity in 14 of the 56 possible comparisons: similarity between human HPS cases and the background of all species and seropositive rodents was supported (except for Abrothrix sanborni). Of interest among the results is the likely role of O. longicaudatus, Loxodontomys micropus, Abrothrix olivaceus, and Abrothrix longipilis in HPS transmission to humans. CONCLUSIONS Our results support a role of rodent species' distributions as a risk factor for human HPS at coarse scales, and suggest that the role of the main reservoir (O. longicaudatus) may be supported by the broader rodent host community in some areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francisca Astorga
- Campus Huechuraba, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Mayor, 8580745 Santiago, Chile
| | - Luis E. Escobar
- Department of Fish and Wildlife Conservation, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061 USA
| | - Daniela Poo-Muñoz
- Centro de Investigación para la Sustentabilidad y Programa de Doctorado en Medicina de la Conservación, Facultad de Ciencias de la Vida, Universidad Andres Bello, 8320000 Santiago, Chile
- Escuela de Medicina Veterinaria, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Mayor, Santiago, Chile
| | - Joaquin Escobar-Dodero
- Centro de Investigación para la Sustentabilidad y Programa de Doctorado en Medicina de la Conservación, Facultad de Ciencias de la Vida, Universidad Andres Bello, 8320000 Santiago, Chile
| | - Sylvia Rojas-Hucks
- Centro de Investigación para la Sustentabilidad y Programa de Doctorado en Medicina de la Conservación, Facultad de Ciencias de la Vida, Universidad Andres Bello, 8320000 Santiago, Chile
| | - Mario Alvarado-Rybak
- Centro de Investigación para la Sustentabilidad y Programa de Doctorado en Medicina de la Conservación, Facultad de Ciencias de la Vida, Universidad Andres Bello, 8320000 Santiago, Chile
| | - Melanie Duclos
- Centro de Investigación para la Sustentabilidad y Programa de Doctorado en Medicina de la Conservación, Facultad de Ciencias de la Vida, Universidad Andres Bello, 8320000 Santiago, Chile
| | - Daniel Romero-Alvarez
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Biodiversity Institute, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS 66045 USA
| | - Blanca E. Molina-Burgos
- Centro de Investigación para la Sustentabilidad y Programa de Doctorado en Medicina de la Conservación, Facultad de Ciencias de la Vida, Universidad Andres Bello, 8320000 Santiago, Chile
| | - Alexandra Peñafiel-Ricaurte
- Centro de Investigación para la Sustentabilidad y Programa de Doctorado en Medicina de la Conservación, Facultad de Ciencias de la Vida, Universidad Andres Bello, 8320000 Santiago, Chile
| | - Frederick Toro
- Centro de Investigación para la Sustentabilidad y Programa de Doctorado en Medicina de la Conservación, Facultad de Ciencias de la Vida, Universidad Andres Bello, 8320000 Santiago, Chile
| | - Francisco T. Peña-Gómez
- Departamento de Ciencias Ecológicas, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
- Instituto de Ecología y Biodiversidad, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - A. Townsend Peterson
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Biodiversity Institute, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS 66045 USA
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Poo-Muñoz DA, Elizondo-Patrone C, Escobar LE, Astorga F, Bermúdez SE, Martínez-Valdebenito C, Abarca K, Medina-Vogel G. Fleas and Ticks in Carnivores From a Domestic-Wildlife Interface: Implications for Public Health and Wildlife. J Med Entomol 2016; 53:1433-1443. [PMID: 27539151 DOI: 10.1093/jme/tjw124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2016] [Accepted: 07/16/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Fleas and ticks are parasites of wild and domestic mammals, and can be vectors of several pathogens. In rural areas, domestic carnivores such as the domestic dog (Canis lupus familiaris L.), may act as a "bridge" between natural areas and human settlements where ectoparasites can be used as a metric of such link. The aim of this study was to identify fleas, ticks, and Rickettsia spp., collected from domestic and wild carnivores in a natural reserve and surrounding human settlements in Central Chile, using morphological keys and molecular analysis. We surveyed 170 households from which 107 dogs and eight cats were sampled. From the natural reserve, we sampled two chilla foxes (Pseudalopex griseus Gray), two lesser grison (Galictis cuja Molina), three kodkods (Leopardus guigna Molina), and four dogs. From dogs, we collected Ctenocephalides felis Bouché, Ctenocephalides canis Curtis, Pulex irritans L., and Rhipicephalus sanguineus s.l. Latreille; C. felis was the most frequent ectoparasite. Cats were infested only by C. felis and Rh. sanguineus s.l. From wild carnivores, we obtained C. canis and P. irritans, the latter being most frequent. Molecular analysis of P. irritans detected 10 haplotypes and two main clades, which tended to separate fleas from wild and domestic hosts. Molecular analysis of ompA and ompB genes confirmed the presence of Rickettsia felis in fleas collected from owned dogs and cats, which could represent a potential risk factor of R. felis transmission in the area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela A Poo-Muñoz
- Facultad de Ecología y Recursos Naturales, Universidad Andres Bello, Av. República 252, Santiago, Chile (; ; ; )
- Escuela de Medicina Veterinaria, Universidad Santo Tomás Sede Temuco, Manuel Rodríguez 060, Temuco, Chile
| | - Claudia Elizondo-Patrone
- Facultad de Ecología y Recursos Naturales, Universidad Andres Bello, Av. República 252, Santiago, Chile (; ; ; )
- Genética de la Conservación-Departamento de Biodiversidad y Genética -IIBCE- MEC, Av. Italia 3318, Montevideo 11600, Uruguay
| | - Luis E Escobar
- Minnesota Aquatic Invasive Species Research Center, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN 55108, USA
- Department of Veterinary Population Medicine, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN 55108, USA
| | - Francisca Astorga
- Facultad de Ecología y Recursos Naturales, Universidad Andres Bello, Av. República 252, Santiago, Chile (; ; ; )
| | - Sergio E Bermúdez
- Departamento de Investigación en Entomología Médica, Instituto Conmemorativo Gorgas de Estudios de la Salud, Panamá
| | - Constanza Martínez-Valdebenito
- Departamento de Enfermedades Infecciosas e Inmunología, Facultad de Medicina, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile (; )
| | - Katia Abarca
- Departamento de Enfermedades Infecciosas e Inmunología, Facultad de Medicina, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile (; )
| | - Gonzalo Medina-Vogel
- Facultad de Ecología y Recursos Naturales, Universidad Andres Bello, Av. República 252, Santiago, Chile (; ; ; )
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Astorga F, Poo-Muñoz DA, Escobar LE, Medina-Vogel G. In response to: "Increased dog population and potential for bat-borne rabies spillover in Chile in response to "Dog management, abundance and potential for bat-borne rabies spillover in Chile" by Astorga et al. [Prev. Vet. Med. 118:397-405]" by Acosta-Jammet, G. Prev Vet Med 2015; 120:248-249. [PMID: 25921250 DOI: 10.1016/j.prevetmed.2015.04.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2015] [Revised: 04/01/2015] [Accepted: 04/02/2015] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Francisca Astorga
- Facultad de Ecología y Recursos Naturales, Universidad Andres Bello, República 252, Santiago, Chile
| | - Daniela A Poo-Muñoz
- Facultad de Ecología y Recursos Naturales, Universidad Andres Bello, República 252, Santiago, Chile
| | - Luis Emilio Escobar
- Center for Global Health and Translational Science, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, State University of New York, Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY, USA
| | - Gonzalo Medina-Vogel
- Facultad de Ecología y Recursos Naturales, Universidad Andres Bello, República 252, Santiago, Chile.
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Astorga F, Escobar LE, Poo-Muñoz DA, Medina-Vogel G. Dog ownership, abundance and potential for bat-borne rabies spillover in Chile. Prev Vet Med 2015; 118:397-405. [PMID: 25656549 DOI: 10.1016/j.prevetmed.2015.01.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2014] [Revised: 12/31/2014] [Accepted: 01/03/2015] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
Rabies is a viral infectious disease that affects all mammals, including humans. Factors associated with the incidence of rabies include the presence and density of susceptible hosts and potential reservoirs. Currently, Chile is declared free of canine-related rabies, but there is an overpopulation of dogs within the country and an emergence of rabies in bats. Our objectives are to determine potential areas for bat-borne rabies spillover into dog populations expressed as a risk map, and to explore some key features of dog ownership, abundance, and management in Chile. For the risk map, our variables included a dog density surface (dog/km(2)) and a distribution model of bat-borne rabies presence. From literature review, we obtained dog data from 112 municipalities, which represent 33% of the total municipalities (339). At country level, based on previous studies the median human per dog ratio was 4.8, with 64% of houses containing at least one dog, and a median of 0.9 dog per house. We estimate a national median of 5.3 dog/km(2), and a median of 3680 dogs by municipality, from which we estimate a total population of 3.5×10(6) owned dogs. The antirabies vaccination presented a median of 21% of dogs by municipality, and 29% are unrestricted to some degree. Human per dog ratio have a significant (but weak) negative association with human density. Unrestricted dogs have a negative association with human density and income, and a positive association with the number of dogs per house. Considering dog density by municipality, and areas of potential bat-borne rabies occurrence, we found that 163 (∼48%) of Chilean municipalities are at risk of rabies spillover from bats to dogs. Risk areas are concentrated in urban settlements, including Santiago, Chile's capital. To validate the risk map, we included cases of rabies in dogs from the last 27 years; all fell within high-risk areas of our map, confirming the assertive risk prediction. Our results suggest that the use of dog population parameters may be informative to determine risk areas for bat-rabies spillover events. In addition, we confirm that dog abundance is a neglected and emerging public health concern in Chile, particularly within urban areas, which deserves prompt intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Astorga
- Facultad de Ecología y Recursos Naturales, Universidad Andres Bello, República 252, Santiago, Chile
| | - L E Escobar
- Facultad de Ecología y Recursos Naturales, Universidad Andres Bello, República 252, Santiago, Chile; Center for Global Health and Translational Science, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, State University of New York, Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY, USA
| | - D A Poo-Muñoz
- Facultad de Ecología y Recursos Naturales, Universidad Andres Bello, República 252, Santiago, Chile
| | - G Medina-Vogel
- Facultad de Ecología y Recursos Naturales, Universidad Andres Bello, República 252, Santiago, Chile.
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Poo-Muñoz DA, Escobar LE, Peterson AT, Astorga F, Organ JF, Medina-Vogel G. Galictis cuja (Mammalia): an update of current knowledge and geographic distribution. Iheringia, Sér Zool 2014. [DOI: 10.1590/1678-476620141043341346] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
The lesser grison (Galictis cuja) is one of the least-known mustelids in the Neotropics, despite its broad range across South America. This study aimed to explore current knowledge of the distribution of the species to identify gaps in knowledge and anticipate its full geographic distribution. Eighty-nine articles have mentioned G. cuja since 1969, but only 13 focused on the species. We generated a detailed model of the species' potential distribution that validated previous maps, but with improved detail, supporting previous southernmost records, and providing a means of identifying priority sites for conservation and management of the species.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Luis E. Escobar
- Universidad Andres Bello, Chile; State University of New York; Upstate Medical University, USA
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