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Current Opinion in Virology Feb 2019Hepatitis E virus (HEV) infects both humans and other animal species. Recently, we have seen a steady increase in autochthonous cases of human HEV infection in certain... (Review)
Review
Hepatitis E virus (HEV) infects both humans and other animal species. Recently, we have seen a steady increase in autochthonous cases of human HEV infection in certain areas especially in Europe, and large outbreaks in several African countries among the displaced population. This mini-review critically analyzes potential host, environmental, and viral factors that may be associated with the emergence of hepatitis E in humans. The existence of numerous HEV reservoir animals such as pig, deer and rabbit results in human exposure to infected animals via direct contact or through animal meat consumption. Contamination of drinking, irrigation and coastal water by animal and human wastes lead to emergence of endemic cases in industrialized countries and outbreaks in displaced communities especially in war-torn countries.
Topics: Animals; Communicable Diseases, Emerging; Disease Outbreaks; Disease Reservoirs; Hepatitis E; Hepatitis E virus; Humans; Meat; Point Mutation; Recombination, Genetic; Swine; Zoonoses
PubMed: 30497051
DOI: 10.1016/j.coviro.2018.11.006 -
Current Opinion in Virology Feb 2019In the last two decades, several high impact zoonotic disease outbreaks have been linked to bat-borne viruses. These include SARS coronavirus, Hendra virus and Nipah... (Review)
Review
In the last two decades, several high impact zoonotic disease outbreaks have been linked to bat-borne viruses. These include SARS coronavirus, Hendra virus and Nipah virus. In addition, it has been suspected that ebolaviruses and MERS coronavirus are also linked to bats. It is being increasingly accepted that bats are potential reservoirs of a large number of known and unknown viruses, many of which could spillover into animal and human populations. However, our knowledge into basic bat biology and immunology is very limited and we have little understanding of major factors contributing to the risk of bat virus spillover events. Here we provide a brief review of the latest findings in bat viruses and their potential risk of cross-species transmission.
Topics: Animals; Chiroptera; Communicable Diseases, Emerging; Coronavirus; Disease Outbreaks; Disease Reservoirs; Hendra Virus; Humans; Severe acute respiratory syndrome-related coronavirus; Virus Diseases; Viruses; Zoonoses
PubMed: 30665189
DOI: 10.1016/j.coviro.2018.12.007 -
PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases Oct 2016As a zoonosis, Plague is also an ecological entity, a complex system of ecological interactions between the pathogen, the hosts, and the spatiotemporal variations of its... (Review)
Review
As a zoonosis, Plague is also an ecological entity, a complex system of ecological interactions between the pathogen, the hosts, and the spatiotemporal variations of its ecosystems. Five reservoir system models have been proposed: (i) assemblages of small mammals with different levels of susceptibility and roles in the maintenance and amplification of the cycle; (ii) species-specific chronic infection models; (ii) flea vectors as the true reservoirs; (iii) Telluric Plague, and (iv) a metapopulation arrangement for species with a discrete spatial organization, following a source-sink dynamic of extinction and recolonization with naïve potential hosts. The diversity of the community that harbors the reservoir system affects the transmission cycle by predation, competition, and dilution effect. Plague has notable environmental constraints, depending on altitude (500+ meters), warm and dry climates, and conditions for high productivity events for expansion of the transmission cycle. Human impacts are altering Plague dynamics by altering landscape and the faunal composition of the foci and adjacent areas, usually increasing the presence and number of human cases and outbreaks. Climatic change is also affecting the range of its occurrence. In the current transitional state of zoonosis as a whole, Plague is at risk of becoming a public health problem in poor countries where ecosystem erosion, anthropic invasion of new areas, and climate change increase the contact of the population with reservoir systems, giving new urgency for ecologic research that further details its maintenance in the wild, the spillover events, and how it links to human cases.
Topics: Animals; Climate Change; Disease Outbreaks; Disease Reservoirs; Ecological and Environmental Phenomena; Humans; Models, Biological; Plague; Public Health; Seasons; Siphonaptera; Species Specificity; Yersinia pestis; Zoonoses
PubMed: 27711205
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0004949 -
Viruses Oct 2021SARS-CoV-2 is the etiological agent responsible for the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, which continues to spread with devastating effects on global health and... (Review)
Review
SARS-CoV-2 is the etiological agent responsible for the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, which continues to spread with devastating effects on global health and socioeconomics. The susceptibility of domestic and wild animal species to infection is a critical facet of SARS-CoV-2 ecology, since reverse zoonotic spillover events resulting in SARS-CoV-2 outbreaks in animal populations could result in the establishment of new virus reservoirs. Adaptive mutations in the virus to new animal species could also complicate ongoing mitigation strategies to combat SARS-CoV-2. In addition, animal species susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 infection are essential as standardized preclinical models for the development and efficacy testing of vaccines and therapeutics. In this review, we summarize the current findings regarding the susceptibility of different domestic and wild animal species to experimental SARS-CoV-2 infection and provide detailed descriptions of the clinical disease and transmissibility in these animals. In addition, we outline the documented natural infections in animals that have occurred at the human-animal interface. A comprehensive understanding of animal susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 is crucial to inform public health, veterinary, and agricultural systems, and to guide environmental policies.
Topics: Animals; Animals, Domestic; Animals, Wild; COVID-19; Disease Reservoirs; Host Specificity; SARS-CoV-2; Zoonoses
PubMed: 34696423
DOI: 10.3390/v13101993 -
Journal of Infection and Public Health 2019Rabies is a fatal viral disease that continues to threaten human and animal health in endemic countries. Rabies is endemic in animals in the Arabian Peninsula. Although...
BACKGROUND
Rabies is a fatal viral disease that continues to threaten human and animal health in endemic countries. Rabies is endemic in animals in the Arabian Peninsula. Although Saudi Arabia is the largest country on the Peninsula, little has been reported in the country about rabies situation.
METHODS
A total of 199 animals suspected of rabies from 2010 to 2017, were examined for rabies infection using the Direct Fluorescent Antibody Test (DFAT).
RESULTS
There were 158 (79.4%) positive cases of rabies of the examined animals, Most positive cases were found in Al-Qassim (63), Eastern region (48), Riyadh (25) and Al-Madina (10). Rabies was diagnosed in Procavia capensis and monkeys (Papio hamadryas hamadryas) in Saudi Arabia for the first time. In addition, infected livestock, especially camels, sheep and goat that pose a risk to veterinarians and farmers which increases the risk of potential zoonosis of rabies in Saudi Arabia.
CONCLUSION
These findings indicate that Rabies in Saudi Arabia remain a public health problem and dogs and camels are the main reservoir and continue to present health risks for both human and animals throughout the country, underscoring the importance of applying rabies control measures to animals and humans.
Topics: Animals; Camelus; Disease Reservoirs; Dogs; Endemic Diseases; Goats; Humans; Livestock; Papio; Public Health; Rabies; Saudi Arabia; Sheep; Zoonoses
PubMed: 31079702
DOI: 10.1016/j.jiph.2018.10.005 -
Transboundary and Emerging Diseases Feb 2017Hepatitis E is an acute human liver disease in healthy individuals which may eventually become chronic. It is caused by the hepatitis E virus (HEV) and can have a... (Review)
Review
Hepatitis E is an acute human liver disease in healthy individuals which may eventually become chronic. It is caused by the hepatitis E virus (HEV) and can have a zoonotic origin. Nearly 57,000 people die yearly from hepatitis E-related conditions. The disease is endemic in both developing and developed countries with distinct epidemiologic profiles. In developing countries, the disease is associated with inadequate water treatment, while in developed countries, transmission is associated with animal contact and the ingestion of raw or uncooked meat, especially liver. All human HEV are grouped into at least four genotypes, while HEV or HEV-related viruses have been identified in an increasing number of domestic and wild animal species. Despite a high genetic diversity, only one single HEV serotype has been described to date for HEV genotypes 1-4. The discovery of new HEV or HEV-related viruses leads to a continuing increase in the number of genotypes. In addition, the genome organization of all these viruses is variable with overlapping open reading frames (ORF) and differences in the location of ORF3. In spite of the role of some domestic and wild animals as reservoir, the origin of HEV and HEV-related viruses in humans and animals is still unclear. This review discusses aspects of the detection, molecular virology, zoonotic transmission and origin of HEV and HEV-related viruses in the context of 'One Health' and establishes a link between the previous and the new taxonomy of this growing virus family.
Topics: Animals; Disease Reservoirs; Genotype; Hepatitis E; Hepatitis E virus; Humans; Zoonoses
PubMed: 25919649
DOI: 10.1111/tbed.12351 -
Viruses Dec 2014Bats are reservoir hosts of several high-impact viruses that cause significant human diseases, including Nipah virus, Marburg virus and rabies virus. They also harbor... (Review)
Review
Bats are reservoir hosts of several high-impact viruses that cause significant human diseases, including Nipah virus, Marburg virus and rabies virus. They also harbor many other viruses that are thought to have caused disease in humans after spillover into intermediate hosts, including SARS and MERS coronaviruses. As is usual with reservoir hosts, these viruses apparently cause little or no pathology in bats. Despite the importance of bats as reservoir hosts of zoonotic and potentially zoonotic agents, virtually nothing is known about the host/virus relationships; principally because few colonies of bats are available for experimental infections, a lack of reagents, methods and expertise for studying bat antiviral responses and immunology, and the difficulty of conducting meaningful field work. These challenges can be addressed, in part, with new technologies that are species-independent that can provide insight into the interactions of bats and viruses, which should clarify how the viruses persist in nature, and what risk factors might facilitate transmission to humans and livestock.
Topics: Animals; Chiroptera; Disease Reservoirs; Humans; Virus Diseases; Virus Physiological Phenomena; Viruses
PubMed: 25494448
DOI: 10.3390/v6124880 -
Annual Review of Animal Biosciences Feb 2023Zoonoses are diseases and infections naturally transmitted between humans and vertebrate animals. Over the years, zoonoses have become increasingly significant threats... (Review)
Review
Zoonoses are diseases and infections naturally transmitted between humans and vertebrate animals. Over the years, zoonoses have become increasingly significant threats to global health. They form the dominant group of diseases among the emerging infectious diseases (EID) and currently account for 73% of EID. Approximately 25% of zoonoses originate in domestic animals. The etiological agents of zoonoses include different pathogens, with viruses accounting for approximately 30% of all zoonotic infections. Zoonotic diseases can be transmitted directly or indirectly, by contact, via aerosols, through a vector, or vertically in utero. Zoonotic diseases are found in every continent except Antarctica. Numerous factors associated with the pathogen, human activities, and the environment play significant roles in the transmission and emergence of zoonotic diseases. Effective response and control of zoonotic diseases call for multiple-sector involvement and collaboration according to the One Health concept.
Topics: Animals; Humans; Animals, Domestic; Disease Reservoirs; Zoonoses; Communicable Diseases, Emerging; Virus Diseases
PubMed: 36790888
DOI: 10.1146/annurev-animal-062922-060125 -
Current Biology : CB Aug 2021Most new infectious diseases emerge when pathogens transfer from animals to humans. The suspected origin of the COVID pandemic in a wildlife wet market has resurfaced...
Most new infectious diseases emerge when pathogens transfer from animals to humans. The suspected origin of the COVID pandemic in a wildlife wet market has resurfaced debates on the role of wildlife trade as a potential source of emerging zoonotic diseases. Yet there are no studies quantitatively assessing zoonotic disease risk associated with wildlife trade. Combining data on mammal species hosting zoonotic viruses and mammals known to be in current and future wildlife trade, we found that one-quarter (26.5%) of the mammals in wildlife trade harbor 75% of known zoonotic viruses, a level much higher than domesticated and non-traded mammals. The traded mammals also harbor distinct compositions of zoonotic viruses and different host reservoirs from non-traded and domesticated mammals. Furthermore, we highlight that primates, ungulates, carnivores, and bats represent significant zoonotic disease risks as they host 132 (58%) of 226 known zoonotic viruses in present wildlife trade, whereas species of bats, rodents, and marsupials represent significant zoonotic disease risks in future wildlife trade. Thus, the risk of carrying zoonotic diseases is not equal for all mammal species in wildlife trade. Overall, our findings strengthen the evidence that wildlife trade and zoonotic disease risks are strongly associated, and that mitigation measures should prioritize species with the highest risk of carrying zoonotic viruses. Curbing the sales of wildlife products and developing principles that support the sustainable and healthy trade of wildlife could be cost-effective investments given the potential risk and consequences of zoonotic outbreaks.
Topics: Animals; Animals, Wild; Commerce; Disease Reservoirs; Humans; Mammals; Pandemics; Sustainable Development; Zoonoses
PubMed: 34237267
DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2021.06.006 -
Revue Scientifique Et Technique... Aug 2018Rabies is an ancient zoonotic disease caused by infection with the rabies virus (RABV). While the circulation of RABV in domestic dogs has been appreciated for...
Rabies is an ancient zoonotic disease caused by infection with the rabies virus (RABV). While the circulation of RABV in domestic dogs has been appreciated for centuries, the recognition of bat and wild carnivore reservoirs began in the early part of the 20th century. Bats are the ancestral reservoir of RABV and a remarkable diversity of species perpetuate distinct lineages of the virus, despite the fact that circulation in bats is geographically limited to the New World fauna. The circulation of RABV in domestic dogs likely represents a historic shift from a bat reservoir, although the timing and details of such an ancient event have been difficult to resolve from the virus genetic evidence. Since becoming established in the domestic dog population, RABV has undergone repeated host shifts to wild carnivores globally. These shifts have most frequently been to species within families of the Caniformia suborder of carnivores. The circulation of RABV in bats has been linked to host shifts to wild carnivore reservoirs in North and South America. It is clear that RABV has been incredibly successful at exploiting diverse chiropteran and carnivore hosts. With improved control of circulation in domestic dogs, surveillance is likely to yield additional discoveries regarding the diversity of wildlife reservoirs and vectors of RABV.
Topics: Animals; Animals, Domestic; Animals, Wild; Chiroptera; Disease Reservoirs; Dogs; North America; Rabies; Rabies virus; South America; Zoonoses
PubMed: 30747141
DOI: 10.20506/rst.37.2.2808