-
Emerging Infectious Diseases Dec 2019Dogs are the main reservoir of Leishmania infantum and in some countries have been regularly culled as part of government policy to control visceral leishmaniasis. At...
Dogs are the main reservoir of Leishmania infantum and in some countries have been regularly culled as part of government policy to control visceral leishmaniasis. At the 13th Symposium of the Companion Vector-Borne Diseases World Forum in Windsor, UK, March 19-22, 2018, we consolidated a consensus statement regarding the usefulness of dog culling as a means of controlling visceral leishmaniasis. The statement highlighted the futility of culling infected dogs, whether healthy or sick, as a measure to control the domestic reservoir of L. infantum and reduce the risk for visceral leishmaniasis.
Topics: Animals; Disease Reservoirs; Dog Diseases; Dogs; Leishmaniasis; Leishmaniasis, Visceral
PubMed: 31742505
DOI: 10.3201/eid2512.190164 -
The Veterinary Clinics of North... Nov 2022Cytauxzoon felis is a hematoprotozoan parasite with a complex life cycle involving a tick-vector and a mammalian host. The mammalian hosts are all felidae but in the... (Review)
Review
Cytauxzoon felis is a hematoprotozoan parasite with a complex life cycle involving a tick-vector and a mammalian host. The mammalian hosts are all felidae but in the bobcat reservoir host, the parasite typically causes only a brief, self-resolving illness followed by a prolonged subclinical infection. In domestic cats, however, infection often leads to an acute febrile illness characterized by severe morbidity and mortality. Diagnosis is based on microscopic identification of parasites or molecular testing. Treatment for ill cats is expensive, difficult, and often unsuccessful. Prevention is quite possible and depends on avoidance of feeding by vector ticks.
Topics: Animals; Cats; Protozoan Infections, Animal; Disease Reservoirs; Piroplasmida; Lynx; Ticks; Cat Diseases
PubMed: 36336418
DOI: 10.1016/j.cvsm.2022.06.007 -
Current Opinion in Virology Oct 2020Influenza D is the only type of influenza virus that mainly affects cattle with frequent spillover to other species. Since the initial description of influenza D virus... (Review)
Review
Influenza D is the only type of influenza virus that mainly affects cattle with frequent spillover to other species. Since the initial description of influenza D virus (IDV) in 2011, the virus has been found to circulate among cattle and swine populations worldwide. Research conducted during the past several years has led to an increased understanding of this novel influenza virus with bovines as a reservoir. In this review, we describe the current knowledge of epidemiology and host range of IDV followed by discussion of infection biology and animal model development for IDV. Finally, we review progress towards understanding of the pathogenesis and host response of IDV as well as developing preventive vaccines for IDV.
Topics: Animals; Antibodies, Viral; Cattle; Disease Models, Animal; Disease Reservoirs; Genome, Viral; Host Specificity; Host-Pathogen Interactions; Mice; Orthomyxoviridae Infections; Respiratory Tract Infections; Swine; Thogotovirus; Virus Replication
PubMed: 32932215
DOI: 10.1016/j.coviro.2020.08.004 -
Retrovirology Aug 2021HIV-1 persists in infected individuals despite years of antiretroviral therapy (ART), due to the formation of a stable and long-lived latent viral reservoir. Early ART... (Review)
Review
HIV-1 persists in infected individuals despite years of antiretroviral therapy (ART), due to the formation of a stable and long-lived latent viral reservoir. Early ART can reduce the latent reservoir and is associated with post-treatment control in people living with HIV (PLWH). However, even in post-treatment controllers, ART cessation after a period of time inevitably results in rebound of plasma viraemia, thus lifelong treatment for viral suppression is indicated. Due to the difficulties of sustained life-long treatment in the millions of PLWH worldwide, a cure is undeniably necessary. This requires an in-depth understanding of reservoir formation and dynamics. Differences exist in treatment guidelines and accessibility to treatment as well as social stigma between low- and-middle income countries (LMICs) and high-income countries. In addition, demographic differences exist in PLWH from different geographical regions such as infecting viral subtype and host genetics, which can contribute to differences in the viral reservoir between different populations. Here, we review topics relevant to HIV-1 cure research in LMICs, with a focus on sub-Saharan Africa, the region of the world bearing the greatest burden of HIV-1. We present a summary of ART in LMICs, highlighting challenges that may be experienced in implementing a HIV-1 cure therapeutic. Furthermore, we discuss current research on the HIV-1 latent reservoir in different populations, highlighting research in LMIC and gaps in the research that may facilitate a global cure. Finally, we discuss current experimental cure strategies in the context of their potential application in LMICs.
Topics: Africa South of the Sahara; Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active; Cost of Illness; Developing Countries; Disease Reservoirs; HIV Infections; HIV-1; Humans; Virus Latency
PubMed: 34344423
DOI: 10.1186/s12977-021-00565-1 -
Current Opinion in Virology Feb 2022The emergence of zoonotic viral diseases in humans commonly reflects exposure to mammalian wildlife. Bats (order Chiroptera) are arguably the most important mammalian... (Review)
Review
The emergence of zoonotic viral diseases in humans commonly reflects exposure to mammalian wildlife. Bats (order Chiroptera) are arguably the most important mammalian reservoir for zoonotic viruses, with notable examples including Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome coronaviruses 1 and 2, Middle East Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus, henipaviruses and lyssaviruses. Herein, we outline our current knowledge on the diversity of bat viromes, particularly through the lens of metagenomic next-generation sequencing and in the context of disease emergence. A key conclusion is that although bats harbour abundant virus diversity, the vast majority of bat viruses have not emerged to cause disease in new hosts such that bats are better regarded as critical but endangered components of global ecosystems.
Topics: Animals; Chiroptera; Disease Reservoirs; Ecosystem; Humans; Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus; Phylogeny; Virome; Zoonoses
PubMed: 34954661
DOI: 10.1016/j.coviro.2021.12.008 -
Vaccine Feb 2020The environmental reservoir of Vibrio cholerae, the causative agent of cholera, has been a topic of scientific investigation ever since the discovery of the bacterium... (Review)
Review
The environmental reservoir of Vibrio cholerae, the causative agent of cholera, has been a topic of scientific investigation ever since the discovery of the bacterium itself. While the bacteria can be isolated from both clinical and environmental sources during epidemics, it evades isolation by conventional culture techniques during the period between successive epidemics. The problem is identifying the location and mode of survival and multiplication of V. cholerae during this inter-epidemic period. This information is crucial not only for epidemiological reasons, but also because the seasonality of cholera epidemics is plausibly mediated by the climate-regulated activity of the reservoir. This article focuses on the epidemiological importance of the environmental reservoir of V. cholerae, considering several investigations made on different types of aquatic fauna (zooplanktons, crustaceans, etc.) and flora (macrophytes and microphytes). After evaluating different lines of evidence, we make the case that certain species of cyanobacteria (Anabaena variabilis, Microcystis aeruginosa) can act as inter-epidemic reservoirs of V. cholerae. Physiological and functional aspects of this association are also discussed. We then present a hypothesis, expanding upon a previously published conceptual model, of how the climate-regulated seasonality of cholera epidemics is mediated by the effect of climatic factors on algal bloom and other local abiotic variables in the water, using Bangladesh as a model. Finally, another aspect of the climate-dependence of disease patterns is briefly explored: large-scale environmental signatures associated with cholera, and recent modelling efforts to predict cholera outbreaks based on coastal phytoplankton. The review, therefore, serves not only as a study of the identity of the inter-epidemic reservoir of V. cholerae, but also explores different ways in which the reservoir and the pathogen behaviour is affected by the climate, and the possible consequences it may have on disease pattern.
Topics: Bangladesh; Cholera; Climate; Disease Reservoirs; Epidemics; Eutrophication; Humans; Phytoplankton; Seasons; Vibrio cholerae
PubMed: 31285087
DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2019.06.033 -
International Journal of Biological... 2020Mutation and adaptation have driven the co-evolution of coronaviruses (CoVs) and their hosts, including human beings, for thousands of years. Before 2003, two human CoVs... (Review)
Review
Mutation and adaptation have driven the co-evolution of coronaviruses (CoVs) and their hosts, including human beings, for thousands of years. Before 2003, two human CoVs (HCoVs) were known to cause mild illness, such as common cold. The outbreaks of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and the Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) have flipped the coin to reveal how devastating and life-threatening an HCoV infection could be. The emergence of SARS-CoV-2 in central China at the end of 2019 has thrusted CoVs into the spotlight again and surprised us with its high transmissibility but reduced pathogenicity compared to its sister SARS-CoV. HCoV infection is a zoonosis and understanding the zoonotic origins of HCoVs would serve us well. Most HCoVs originated from bats where they are non-pathogenic. The intermediate reservoir hosts of some HCoVs are also known. Identifying the animal hosts has direct implications in the prevention of human diseases. Investigating CoV-host interactions in animals might also derive important insight on CoV pathogenesis in humans. In this review, we present an overview of the existing knowledge about the seven HCoVs, with a focus on the history of their discovery as well as their zoonotic origins and interspecies transmission. Importantly, we compare and contrast the different HCoVs from a perspective of virus evolution and genome recombination. The current CoV disease 2019 (COVID-19) epidemic is discussed in this context. In addition, the requirements for successful host switches and the implications of virus evolution on disease severity are also highlighted.
Topics: Animals; Betacoronavirus; COVID-19; China; Chiroptera; Coronavirus; Coronavirus Infections; Disease Reservoirs; Evolution, Molecular; Host-Pathogen Interactions; Humans; Pandemics; Pneumonia, Viral; Rodentia; Severe acute respiratory syndrome-related coronavirus; SARS-CoV-2; Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome; Zoonoses
PubMed: 32226286
DOI: 10.7150/ijbs.45472 -
Translational Research : the Journal of... Sep 2020Despite the success of anti-retroviral therapy (ART) in transforming HIV into a manageable disease, it has become evident that long-term ART will not eliminate the HIV... (Review)
Review
Despite the success of anti-retroviral therapy (ART) in transforming HIV into a manageable disease, it has become evident that long-term ART will not eliminate the HIV reservoir and cure the infection. Alternative strategies to eradicate HIV infection, or at least induce a state of viral control and drug-free remission are therefore needed. Therapeutic vaccination aims to induce or enhance immunity to alter the course of a disease. In this review we provide an overview of the current state of therapeutic HIV vaccine research and summarize the obstacles that the field faces while highlighting potential ways forward for a strategy to cure HIV infection.
Topics: AIDS Vaccines; Cytotoxicity, Immunologic; Disease Reservoirs; HIV Infections; Humans; T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic
PubMed: 32438074
DOI: 10.1016/j.trsl.2020.04.008 -
Journal of Leukocyte Biology Nov 2022The HIV-1 often evades a robust antiretroviral-mediated immune response, leading to persistent infection within anatomically privileged sites including the CNS.... (Review)
Review
The HIV-1 often evades a robust antiretroviral-mediated immune response, leading to persistent infection within anatomically privileged sites including the CNS. Continuous low-level infection occurs in the presence of effective antiretroviral therapy (ART) in CD4+ T cells and mononuclear phagocytes (MP; monocytes, macrophages, microglia, and dendritic cells). Within the CNS, productive viral infection is found exclusively in microglia and meningeal, perivascular, and choroidal macrophages. MPs serve as the principal viral CNS reservoir. Animal models have been developed to recapitulate natural human HIV-1 infection. These include nonhuman primates, humanized mice, EcoHIV, and transgenic rodent models. These models have been used to study disease pathobiology, antiretroviral and immune modulatory agents, viral reservoirs, and eradication strategies. However, each of these models are limited to specific component(s) of human disease. Indeed, HIV-1 species specificity must drive therapeutic and cure studies. These have been studied in several model systems reflective of latent infections, specifically in MP (myeloid, monocyte, macrophages, microglia, and histiocyte cell) populations. Therefore, additional small animal models that allow productive viral replication to enable viral carriage into the brain and the virus-susceptible MPs are needed. To this end, this review serves to outline animal models currently available to study myeloid brain reservoirs and highlight areas that are lacking and require future research to more effectively study disease-specific events that could be useful for viral eradication studies both in and outside the CNS.
Topics: Animals; Mice; Humans; HIV-1; Simian Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome; Simian Immunodeficiency Virus; Anti-Retroviral Agents; HIV Infections; Brain; Disease Models, Animal; Disease Reservoirs
PubMed: 36044375
DOI: 10.1002/JLB.5VMR0322-161R -
Medical Anthropology May 2023
Topics: Humans; COVID-19; Anthropology, Medical; Disease Reservoirs
PubMed: 37093610
DOI: 10.1080/01459740.2023.2196721