Coronaviruses: Troubling Crown of the Animal Kingdom

The existence of coronaviruses has been known for many years. These viruses cause significant disease that primarily seems to affect agricultural species. Human coronavirus disease due to the 2002 outbreak of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome and the 2012 outbreak of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome made headlines; however, these outbreaks were controlled, and public concern quickly faded. This complacency ended in late 2019 when alarms were raised about a mysterious virus responsible for numerous illnesses and deaths in China. As we now know, this novel disease called Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) was caused by Severe acute respiratory syndrome-related-coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) and rapidly became a worldwide pandemic. Luckily, decades of research into animal coronaviruses hastened our understanding of the genetics, structure, transmission, and pathogenesis of these viruses. Coronaviruses infect a wide range of wild and domestic animals, with significant economic impact in several agricultural species. Their large genome, low dependency on host cellular proteins, and frequent recombination allow coronaviruses to successfully cross species barriers and adapt to different hosts including humans. The study of the animal diseases provides an understanding of the virus biology and pathogenesis and has assisted in the rapid development of the SARS-CoV-2 vaccines. Here, we briefly review the classification, origin, etiology, transmission mechanisms, pathogenesis, clinical signs, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention strategies, including available vaccines, for coronaviruses that affect domestic, farm, laboratory, and wild animal species. We also briefly describe the coronaviruses that affect humans. Expanding our knowledge of this complex group of viruses will better prepare us to design strategies to prevent and/or minimize the impact of future coronavirus outbreaks.

Phenotype assessment for neurodegenerative murine models with ataxia and application to Niemann-Pick disease, type C1

Identifying meaningful predictors of therapeutic efficacy from preclinical studies is challenging. However, clinical manifestations occurring in both patients and mammalian models offer significant translational value. Many neurological disorders, including inherited, metabolic Niemann-Pick disease, type C (NPC), exhibit ataxia. Both individuals with NPC and murine models manifest ataxia, and investigational therapies impacting this phenotype in mice have been reported to slow disease progression in patients (e.g. miglustat, intrathecal 2-hydroxypropyl-beta-cyclodextrin, and acetyl-L-leucine). Reproducible phenotypic scoring of animal models can facilitate comparisons between genotypes, sexes, disease course, and therapies. Previously, other groups have developed a composite phenotypic scoring system (CPSS), which was subsequently used to distinguish strain-dependent phenotypes and, with modifications, to evaluate potential therapies. However, high inter-rater reliability is paramount to widespread use. We have created a comprehensive, easy-to-follow phenotypic assessment based on the CPSS and have verified its reproducibility using murine models of NPC disease. Application of this scoring system is not limited to NPC disease and may be applicable to other models of neurodegeneration exhibiting motor incoordination, thereby increasing its utility in translational studies.

Specific Pathogen Free - A review of strategies in agriculture, aquaculture, and laboratory mammals and how they inform new recommendations for laboratory zebrafish

Specific pathogen-free (SPF) animals are bred and managed to exclude pathogens associated with significant morbidity or mortality that may secondarily pose a risk to public health, food safety and food security, and research replicability. Generating and maintaining SPF animals requires detailed biosecurity planning for control of housing, environmental, and husbandry factors and a history of regimented pathogen testing. Successful programs involve comprehensive risk analysis and exclusion protocols that are rooted in a thorough understanding of pathogen lifecycle and modes of transmission. In this manuscript we review the current state of SPF in domestic agriculture (pigs and poultry), aquaculture (salmonids and shrimp), and small laboratory mammals. As the use of laboratory fish, especially zebrafish (Danio rerio), as models of human disease is expanding exponentially, it is prudent to define standards for SPF in this field. We use the guiding principles from other SPF industries and evaluate zebrafish pathogens against criteria to be on an SPF list, to propose recommendations for establishing and maintaining SPF laboratory zebrafish.

Body Condition Scoring for Adult Zebrafish (Danio rerio)

Body condition scoring (BCS) is a simple, rapid, noninvasive tool used to assess body condition in animals. In this study, wedeveloped and validated a diagram-based BCS for adult zebrafish (Danio rerio), a popular research model. After receiving 20min of hands-on training regarding the scoring system, 5 people each rated 95 adult zebrafish. The fish then were euthanizedand measured to establish body condition indices (BMI and the Fulton K factor). Both condition indices were highly correlatedwith fish width. Using correlation data and observed trends in fish width, we established expected BCS definitions. Wevalidated the BCS definitions in 2 ways. First, we calculated the Pearson correlation coefficient between the average observedBCS and expected BCS; this statistic revealed very strong correlation between observed and expected BCS. In addition, weassessed the predictive power of BCS by using multinomial logistic regression and then applied the fitted model to evaluatethe accuracy of the predictions (BCS compared with BMI, 85%; BCS compared with K factor, 61%). Finally, to determine therobustness of BCS to variation among raters, we calculated the intraclass correlation coefficient and demonstrated high interrater reliability. In conclusion, adult zebrafish BCS can be used to quickly identify animals with different body conditionindices (thin to obese). In addition, the diagram-based chart is easy to use and implement accurately, with minimal training.

Pharmacokinetic comparison of sustained-release and standard buprenorphine in mice

Effective pain medication is important for animal stewardship and valid research results. We compared the pharmacokinetic assessments of standard, immediate-release buprenorphine (Bup IR) and a sustained-release buprenorphine formulation (Bup SR Lab) in male C57BL/6J mice, a mouse strain commonly used in biomedical research. We postulated that the administration of Bup SR Lab would achieve a more persistent blood drug concentration (>1 ng/mL) compared with single-dose Bup IR. The study assumed a blood buprenorphine concentration of 1 ng/mL as the minimum that may result in adequate analgesia, as previously reported. The 7 experimental groups included Bup IR (0.03, 0.05, 0.1, and 2 mg/kg), Bup SR Lab (0.3 and 1.2 mg/ kg), and saline placebo (0.7 mL/100 g). Blood sampling occurred at 0.5, 1, 3, 6, 12, 24, 48, and 72 h for evaluation by using a forensic ELISA. Bup IR at 0.03 and 0.05 mg/kg and Bup SR Lab at 0.3 mg/kg failed to obtain maximal blood concentrations (Cmax) above 1 ng/mL. All other doses (0.1 and 2 mg/kg Bup IR and 1.2 mg/kg Bup SR Lab) reached a Cmax above 1 ng/mL within 3 h after injection. In addition, 1.2 mg/kg Bup SR Lab and 2 mg/kg Bup IR provided blood concentrations above 1 ng/mL for up to 12 h, and 0.1 mg/kg Bup IR achieved this criterion for as long as 3 h. In conclusion, Bup SR Lab at 1.2 mg/kg and Bup IR at 0.1 or 2.0 mg/kg achieve or surpass the published threshold for adequate analgesia in mice.

Absorption and disposition of two combination formulations of hydrochlorothiazide and triamterene: influence of age and renal function

In this study we compared the absorption and disposition of two commonly used combination formulations of hydrochlorothiazide and triamterene (Dyazide and Maxzide) in 48 patients with essential hypertension after dosing with each formulation to steady state. Interdose AUC and urinary recovery of hydrochlorothiazide, triamterene, and the major metabolite of triamterene, hydroxytriamterene sulfate (adjusted for dose), documented marked impairment in the absorption of hydrochlorothiazide (approximately two third as bioavailable) and triamterene (about half as bioavailable) from Dyazide in comparison to Maxzide. The study also demonstrated a reduction in the clearance of triamterene, hydrochlorothiazide, and hydroxytriamterene sulfate with increasing age. Linear correlation analyses suggested that this effect was a result of the reduction in renal function that occurs with increasing age.

Aspiration pneumonia: a ten-year review

Aspiration pneumonitis is an important cause of many anesthetic and non-surgical deaths and complication. One hundred and eight cases from 1964 to 1974 were reviewed to study the factors associated with aspiration pneumonia. Forty surgical and 68 non-surgical patients were evaluated and compared. Predisposing factors included impaired consciousness, esophageal and neurological disorders, cardiac resuscitation, debilitation, presence of a nasogastric tube or tracheostomy. The most common findings in both groups were dyspnea, cough, cyanosis, fever, tachycardia, rhonchi, rales and wheezes. Sputa of 64 patients failed to reveal the precise etiologic agent. High mortality (30%) and morbidity were found in both groups even with optimum treatment. The causes of morbidity in both groups of patients were pneumonia, lung abscess, myocardial infarction, gastrointestinal hemorrhage, and pulmonary embolus. Prevention, with particular attention to high-risk patients and to factors influencing aspiration in groups of surgical and non-surgical patients, is the solution to the problem.