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Trends in Microbiology Mar 2015The ongoing West African Ebola epidemic highlights a recurring trend in the zoonotic emergence of virulent pathogens likely to come from bat reservoirs that has caused... (Review)
Review
The ongoing West African Ebola epidemic highlights a recurring trend in the zoonotic emergence of virulent pathogens likely to come from bat reservoirs that has caused epidemiologists to ask 'Are bats special reservoirs for emerging zoonotic pathogens?' We collate evidence from the past decade to delineate mitochondrial mechanisms of bat physiology that have evolved to mitigate oxidative stress incurred during metabolically costly activities such as flight. We further describe how such mechanisms might have generated pleiotropic effects responsible for tumor mitigation and pathogen control in bat hosts. These synergisms may enable 'special' tolerance of intracellular pathogens in bat hosts; paradoxically, this may leave them more susceptible to immunopathological morbidity when attempting to clear extracellular infections such as 'white-nose syndrome' (WNS).
Topics: Animals; Chiroptera; Disease Reservoirs; Hemorrhagic Fever, Ebola; Mitochondria; Zoonoses
PubMed: 25572882
DOI: 10.1016/j.tim.2014.12.004 -
Emerging Infectious Diseases Jun 2017We tested the suitability of the domestic pig as a model for Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) infection. Inoculation did not cause disease, but a...
We tested the suitability of the domestic pig as a model for Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) infection. Inoculation did not cause disease, but a low level of virus replication, shedding, and seroconversion were observed. Pigs do not recapitulate human MERS-CoV and are unlikely to constitute a reservoir in nature.
Topics: Animals; Coronavirus Infections; Disease Reservoirs; Host Specificity; Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus; Swine; Swine Diseases
PubMed: 28318484
DOI: 10.3201/eid2306.170096 -
Parasites & Vectors Jan 2022Leishmaniasis is endemic in Tunisia and presents with different clinical forms, caused by the species Leishmania infantum, Leishmania major, and Leishmania tropica. The...
BACKGROUND
Leishmaniasis is endemic in Tunisia and presents with different clinical forms, caused by the species Leishmania infantum, Leishmania major, and Leishmania tropica. The life cycle of Leishmania is complex and involves several phlebotomine sand fly vectors and mammalian reservoir hosts. The aim of this work is the development and evaluation of a high-resolution melting PCR (PCR-HRM) tool to detect and identify Leishmania parasites in wild and domestic hosts, constituting confirmed (dogs and Meriones rodents) or potential (hedgehogs) reservoirs in Tunisia.
METHODS
Using in vitro-cultured Leishmania isolates, PCR-HRM reactions were developed targeting the 7SL RNA and HSP70 genes. Animals were captured or sampled in El Kef Governorate, North West Tunisia. DNA was extracted from the liver, spleen, kidney, and heart from hedgehogs (Atelerix algirus) (n = 3) and rodents (Meriones shawi) (n = 7) and from whole blood of dogs (n = 12) that did not present any symptoms of canine leishmaniasis. In total, 52 DNA samples were processed by PCR-HRM using both pairs of primers.
RESULTS
The results showed melting curves enabling discrimination of the three Leishmania species present in Tunisia, and were further confirmed by Sanger sequencing. Application of PCR-HRM assays on reservoir host samples showed that overall among the examined samples, 45 were positive, while seven were negative, with no Leishmania infection. Meriones shawi were found infected with L. major, while dogs were infected with L. infantum. However, co-infections with L. major/L. infantum species were detected in four Meriones specimens and in all tested hedgehogs. In addition, multiple infections with the three Leishmania species were found in one hedgehog specimen. Sequence analyses of PCR-HRM products corroborated the Leishmania species found in analyzed samples.
CONCLUSIONS
The results of PCR-HRM assays applied to field specimens further support the possibility of hedgehogs as reservoir hosts of Leishmania. In addition, we showed their usefulness in the diagnosis of canine leishmaniasis, specifically in asymptomatic dogs, which will ensure a better evaluation of infection extent, thus improving elaboration of control programs. This PCR-HRM method is a robust and reliable tool for molecular detection and identification of Leishmania and can be easily implemented in epidemiological surveys in endemic regions.
Topics: Animals; Disease Reservoirs; Dogs; Endemic Diseases; Gerbillinae; Hedgehogs; Humans; Leishmania; Leishmaniasis; Polymerase Chain Reaction; Rodentia; Transition Temperature; Tunisia
PubMed: 34996507
DOI: 10.1186/s13071-021-05138-x -
The Lancet. Infectious Diseases Jun 2019
Topics: Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Carbapenem-Resistant Enterobacteriaceae; Disease Reservoirs; Female; Hospitals; Humans; Infection Control; Male; Toilet Facilities; United States
PubMed: 31122775
DOI: 10.1016/S1473-3099(19)30230-0 -
The Veterinary Record Jan 2011
Topics: Animal Welfare; Animals; Animals, Domestic; Animals, Wild; Cattle; Disease Reservoirs; Global Health; Rinderpest
PubMed: 21493467
DOI: 10.1136/vr.d546 -
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 -
Critical Reviews in Microbiology 2007A systematic literature survey suggests that there are 1399 species of human pathogen. Of these, 87 were first reported in humans in the years since 1980. The new... (Review)
Review
A systematic literature survey suggests that there are 1399 species of human pathogen. Of these, 87 were first reported in humans in the years since 1980. The new species are disproportionately viruses, have a global distribution, and are mostly associated with animal reservoirs. Their emergence is often driven by ecological changes, especially with how human populations interact with animal reservoirs. Here, we review the process of pathogen emergence over both ecological and evolutionary time scales by reference to the "pathogen pyramid." We also consider the public health implications of the continuing emergence of new pathogens, focusing on the importance of international surveillance.
Topics: Animals; Communicable Diseases, Emerging; Disease Reservoirs; Geography; Host-Pathogen Interactions; Humans
PubMed: 18033594
DOI: 10.1080/10408410701647560 -
Nature May 2007Many of the major human infectious diseases, including some now confined to humans and absent from animals, are 'new' ones that arose only after the origins of... (Review)
Review
Many of the major human infectious diseases, including some now confined to humans and absent from animals, are 'new' ones that arose only after the origins of agriculture. Where did they come from? Why are they overwhelmingly of Old World origins? Here we show that answers to these questions are different for tropical and temperate diseases; for instance, in the relative importance of domestic animals and wild primates as sources. We identify five intermediate stages through which a pathogen exclusively infecting animals may become transformed into a pathogen exclusively infecting humans. We propose an initiative to resolve disputed origins of major diseases, and a global early warning system to monitor pathogens infecting individuals exposed to wild animals.
Topics: Animals; Biological Evolution; Climate; Communicable Diseases; Disease Reservoirs; Geography; Humans; Zoonoses
PubMed: 17507975
DOI: 10.1038/nature05775 -
Archives of Virology 2009
Review
Topics: Animals; Disease Reservoirs; Disease Transmission, Infectious; Female; Orthohantavirus; Hantavirus Infections; Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical; Male; Rodent Diseases; Rodentia
PubMed: 19568690
DOI: 10.1007/s00705-009-0434-5