Viruses

Research

11 pages, 1375 KiB

Open AccessCommunication

Clinical Tick-Borne Encephalitis in a Roe Deer (Capreolus capreolus L.)

by Graziana Da Rold, Federica Obber, Isabella Monne, Adelaide Milani, Silvia Ravagnan, Federica Toniolo, Sofia Sgubin, Gianpiero Zamperin, Greta Foiani, Marta Vascellari, Petra Drzewniokova, Martina Castellan, Paola De Benedictis and Carlo Vittorio Citterio

Viruses 2022, 14(2), 300; https://doi.org/10.3390/v14020300 - 31 Jan 2022

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 4029

Abstract

Tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) is the causative agent of tick-borne encephalitis (TBE), a severe zoonosis occurring in the Palearctic region mainly transmitted through Ixodes ticks. In Italy, TBEV is restricted to the north-eastern part of the country. This report describes for the first [...] Read more.

Tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) is the causative agent of tick-borne encephalitis (TBE), a severe zoonosis occurring in the Palearctic region mainly transmitted through Ixodes ticks. In Italy, TBEV is restricted to the north-eastern part of the country. This report describes for the first time a case of clinical TBE in a roe deer (Capreolus capreolus L.). The case occurred in the Belluno province, Veneto region, an area endemic for TBEV. The affected roe deer showed ataxia, staggering movements, muscle tremors, wide-base stance of the front limbs, repetitive movements of the head, persistent teeth grinding, hypersalivation and prolonged recumbency. An autopsy revealed no significant lesions to explain the neurological signs. TBEV RNA was detected in the brain by real-time RT-PCR, and the nearly complete viral genome (10,897 nucleotides) was sequenced. Phylogenetic analysis of the gene encoding the envelope protein revealed a close relationship to TBEV of the European subtype, and 100% similarity with a partial sequence (520 nucleotides) of a TBEV found in ticks in the bordering Trento province. The histological examination of the midbrain revealed lymphohistiocytic encephalitis, satellitosis and microgliosis, consistent with a viral etiology. Other viral etiologies were ruled out by metagenomic analysis of the brain. This report underlines, for the first time, the occurrence of clinical encephalitic manifestations due to TBEV in a roe deer, suggesting that this pathogen should be included in the frame of differential diagnoses in roe deer with neurologic disease. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Ecology of Virus Emergence from Wildlife)

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16 pages, 3148 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Cross Sectional Sampling Reveals Novel Coronaviruses in Bat Populations of Georgia

by Lela Urushadze, George Babuadze, Mang Shi, Luis E. Escobar, Matthew R. Mauldin, Ioseb Natradeze, Ann Machablishvili, Tamar Kutateladze, Paata Imnadze, Yoshinori Nakazawa and Andres Velasco-Villa

Viruses 2022, 14(1), 72; https://doi.org/10.3390/v14010072 - 31 Dec 2021

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 3038

Abstract

Mammal-associated coronaviruses have a long evolutionary history across global bat populations, which makes them prone to be the most likely ancestral origins of coronavirus-associated epidemics and pandemics globally. Limited coronavirus research has occurred at the junction of Europe and Asia, thereby investigations in [...] Read more.

Mammal-associated coronaviruses have a long evolutionary history across global bat populations, which makes them prone to be the most likely ancestral origins of coronavirus-associated epidemics and pandemics globally. Limited coronavirus research has occurred at the junction of Europe and Asia, thereby investigations in Georgia are critical to complete the coronavirus diversity map in the region. We conducted a cross-sectional coronavirus survey in bat populations at eight locations of Georgia, from July to October of 2014. We tested 188 anal swab samples, remains of previous pathogen discovery studies, for the presence of coronaviruses using end-point pan-coronavirus RT-PCR assays. Samples positive for a 440 bp amplicon were Sanger sequenced to infer coronavirus subgenus or species through phylogenetic reconstructions. Overall, we found a 24.5% positive rate, with 10.1% for Alphacoronavirus and 14.4% for Betacoronavirus. Albeit R. euryale, R. ferrumequinum, M. blythii and M. emarginatus were found infected with both CoV genera, we could not rule out CoV co-infection due to limitation of the sequencing method used and sample availability. Based on phylogenetic inferences and genetic distances at nucleotide and amino acid levels, we found one putative new subgenus and three new species of Alphacoronavirus, and two new species of Betacoronavirus. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Ecology of Virus Emergence from Wildlife)

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14 pages, 6172 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Molecular Epidemiology of Rabies in Wild Canidae in Tunisia

by Zied Bouslama, Habib Kharmachi, Nourhene Basdouri, Jihen Ben Salem, Samia Ben Maiez, Mariem Handous, Mohamed Saadi, Abdeljalil Ghram and Imed Turki

Viruses 2021, 13(12), 2473; https://doi.org/10.3390/v13122473 - 10 Dec 2021

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 3262

Abstract

Rabies is a viral zoonosis that is transmissible to humans via domestic and wild animals. There are two epidemiological cycles for rabies, the urban and the sylvatic cycles. In an attempt to study the epidemiological role of wild canidae in rabies transmission, the [...] Read more.

Rabies is a viral zoonosis that is transmissible to humans via domestic and wild animals. There are two epidemiological cycles for rabies, the urban and the sylvatic cycles. In an attempt to study the epidemiological role of wild canidae in rabies transmission, the present study aimed to analyze the genetic characteristics of virus isolates and confirm prior suggestions that rabies is maintained through a dog reservoir in Tunisia. Virus strains isolated from wild canidae were subject to viral sequencing, and Bayesian phylogenetic analysis was performed using Beast2 software. Essentially, the virus strains isolated from wild canidae belonged to the Africa-1 clade, which clearly diverges from fox-related strains. Our study also demonstrated that genetic characteristics of the virus isolates were not as distinct as could be expected if a wild reservoir had already existed. On the contrary, the geographic landscape is responsible for the genetic diversity of the virus. The landscape itself could have also acted as a natural barrier to the spread of the virus. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Ecology of Virus Emergence from Wildlife)

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28 pages, 6037 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Systematic Determination of Herpesvirus in Free-Ranging Cetaceans Stranded in the Western Mediterranean: Tissue Tropism and Associated Lesions

by Ignacio Vargas-Castro, Mar Melero, José Luis Crespo-Picazo, María de los Ángeles Jiménez, Eva Sierra, Consuelo Rubio-Guerri, Manuel Arbelo, Antonio Fernández, Daniel García-Párraga and José Manuel Sánchez-Vizcaíno

Viruses 2021, 13(11), 2180; https://doi.org/10.3390/v13112180 - 28 Oct 2021

Cited by 17 | Viewed by 3886

Abstract

The monitoring of herpesvirus infection provides useful information when assessing marine mammals’ health. This paper shows the prevalence of herpesvirus infection (80.85%) in 47 cetaceans stranded on the coast of the Valencian Community, Spain. Of the 966 tissues evaluated, 121 tested positive when [...] Read more.

The monitoring of herpesvirus infection provides useful information when assessing marine mammals’ health. This paper shows the prevalence of herpesvirus infection (80.85%) in 47 cetaceans stranded on the coast of the Valencian Community, Spain. Of the 966 tissues evaluated, 121 tested positive when employing nested-PCR (12.53%). The largest proportion of herpesvirus-positive tissue samples was in the reproductive system, nervous system, and tegument. Herpesvirus was more prevalent in females, juveniles, and calves. More than half the DNA PCR positive tissues contained herpesvirus RNA, indicating the presence of actively replicating virus. This RNA was most frequently found in neonates. Fourteen unique sequences were identified. Most amplified sequences belonged to the Gammaherpesvirinae subfamily, but a greater variation was found in Alphaherpesvirinae sequences. This is the first report of systematic herpesvirus DNA and RNA determination in free-ranging cetaceans. Nine (19.14%) were infected with cetacean morbillivirus and all of them (100%) were coinfected with herpesvirus. Lesions similar to those caused by herpesvirus in other species were observed, mainly in the skin, upper digestive tract, genitalia, and central nervous system. Other lesions were also attributable to concomitant etiologies or were nonspecific. It is necessary to investigate the possible role of herpesvirus infection in those cases. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Ecology of Virus Emergence from Wildlife)

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12 pages, 769 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Sero-Epidemiological Survey of Orthopoxvirus in Stray Cats and in Different Domestic, Wild and Exotic Animal Species of Central Italy

by Francesca Rosone, Marcello Giovanni Sala, Giusy Cardeti, Pasquale Rombolà, Marina Cittadini, Azzurra Carnio, Roberta Giordani and Maria Teresa Scicluna

Viruses 2021, 13(10), 2105; https://doi.org/10.3390/v13102105 - 19 Oct 2021

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2307

Abstract

Orthpoxvirus infection can spread more easily in a population with a waning immunity with the subsequent emergence/re-emergence of the viruses pertaining to this genus. In the last two decades, several cases of Orthopoxvirus, and in particular Cowpoxvirus infections in humans were reported in [...] Read more.

Orthpoxvirus infection can spread more easily in a population with a waning immunity with the subsequent emergence/re-emergence of the viruses pertaining to this genus. In the last two decades, several cases of Orthopoxvirus, and in particular Cowpoxvirus infections in humans were reported in different parts of the world, possibly due to the suspension of smallpox vaccinations. To date, in Italy, few investigations were conducted on the presence of these infections, and because of this a serosurvey was carried out to evaluate Cowpoxvirus infection in feline colonies situated in the province of Rome, since these are also susceptible to other zoonotic viruses belonging to Orthopoxvirus, and from which humans may contract the infection. The sample design was set at an expected minimum seroprevalence of 7.5%, a 5% standard error and 95% confidence level. In parallel, a serological investigation was conducted using convenience sampling in domestic, exotic and wild susceptible animals of the Latium and Tuscany Regions, which are areas in the jurisdiction of the Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Lazio e della Toscana, coordinating this study. The serological methods employed were indirect immunofluorescence for 36 sera of nonhuman primate and virus neutralization for 1198 sera of different species. All the 1234 sera examined were negative for the presence of antibodies against Cowpoxvirus, indicating its limited circulation in the areas of investigation. The methodology applied for the serosurveillance could be adopted in the case of outbreaks of this infection and for the evaluation of the spread of this infection in the area of interest, to obtain essential information crucial for animal and public health policies according to the One Health concept. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Ecology of Virus Emergence from Wildlife)

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17 pages, 19539 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Spillover of West Caucasian Bat Lyssavirus (WCBV) in a Domestic Cat and Westward Expansion in the Palearctic Region

by Stefania Leopardi, Ettore Barneschi, Giuseppe Manna, Barbara Zecchin, Pamela Priori, Petra Drzewnioková, Francesca Festa, Andrea Lombardo, Fabio Parca, Dino Scaravelli, Andrea Maroni Ponti and Paola De Benedictis

Viruses 2021, 13(10), 2064; https://doi.org/10.3390/v13102064 - 14 Oct 2021

Cited by 19 | Viewed by 5398

Abstract

In June 2020, a cat from Arezzo (Italy) that died from a neurological disease was diagnosed with West Caucasian Bat Lyssavirus (WCBV). The virus retained high identity across the whole-genome with the reference isolate found in 2002 from a Russian bent-winged bat. We [...] Read more.

In June 2020, a cat from Arezzo (Italy) that died from a neurological disease was diagnosed with West Caucasian Bat Lyssavirus (WCBV). The virus retained high identity across the whole-genome with the reference isolate found in 2002 from a Russian bent-winged bat. We applied control measures recommended by national regulations, investigated a possible interface between cats and bats using visual inspections, bioacoustics analyses and camera trapping and performed active and passive surveillance in bats to trace the source of infection. People that were exposed to the cat received full post-exposure prophylaxis while animals underwent six months of quarantine. One year later, they are all healthy. In a tunnel located near the cat’s house, we identified a group of bent-winged bats that showed virus-neutralizing antibodies to WCBV across four sampling occasions, but no virus in salivary swabs. Carcasses from other bat species were all negative. This description of WCBV in a non-flying mammal confirms that this virus can cause clinical rabies in the absence of preventive and therapeutic measures, and highlights the lack of international guidelines against divergent lyssaviruses. We detected bent-winged bats as the most probable source of infection, testifying the encroachment between these bats and pets/human in urban areas and confirming free-ranging cats as potential hazard for public health and conservation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Ecology of Virus Emergence from Wildlife)

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34 pages, 8357 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Integrating Spatiotemporal Epidemiology, Eco-Phylogenetics, and Distributional Ecology to Assess West Nile Disease Risk in Horses

by John M. Humphreys, Angela M. Pelzel-McCluskey, Lee W. Cohnstaedt, Bethany L. McGregor, Kathryn A. Hanley, Amy R. Hudson, Katherine I. Young, Dannele Peck, Luis L. Rodriguez and Debra P. C. Peters

Viruses 2021, 13(9), 1811; https://doi.org/10.3390/v13091811 - 12 Sep 2021

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 4425

Abstract

Mosquito-borne West Nile virus (WNV) is the causative agent of West Nile disease in humans, horses, and some bird species. Since the initial introduction of WNV to the United States (US), approximately 30,000 horses have been impacted by West Nile neurologic disease and [...] Read more.

Mosquito-borne West Nile virus (WNV) is the causative agent of West Nile disease in humans, horses, and some bird species. Since the initial introduction of WNV to the United States (US), approximately 30,000 horses have been impacted by West Nile neurologic disease and hundreds of additional horses are infected each year. Research describing the drivers of West Nile disease in horses is greatly needed to better anticipate the spatial and temporal extent of disease risk, improve disease surveillance, and alleviate future economic impacts to the equine industry and private horse owners. To help meet this need, we integrated techniques from spatiotemporal epidemiology, eco-phylogenetics, and distributional ecology to assess West Nile disease risk in horses throughout the contiguous US. Our integrated approach considered horse abundance and virus exposure, vector and host distributions, and a variety of extrinsic climatic, socio-economic, and environmental risk factors. Birds are WNV reservoir hosts, and therefore we quantified avian host community dynamics across the continental US to show intra-annual variability in host phylogenetic structure and demonstrate host phylodiversity as a mechanism for virus amplification in time and virus dilution in space. We identified drought as a potential amplifier of virus transmission and demonstrated the importance of accounting for spatial non-stationarity when quantifying interaction between disease risk and meteorological influences such as temperature and precipitation. Our results delineated the timing and location of several areas at high risk of West Nile disease and can be used to prioritize vaccination programs and optimize virus surveillance and monitoring. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Ecology of Virus Emergence from Wildlife)

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12 pages, 2278 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Persistence of Multiple Paramyxoviruses in a Closed Captive Colony of Fruit Bats (Eidolon helvum)

by Louise Gibson, Maria Puig Ribas, James Kemp, Olivier Restif, Richard D. Suu-Ire, James L. N. Wood and Andrew A. Cunningham

Viruses 2021, 13(8), 1659; https://doi.org/10.3390/v13081659 - 20 Aug 2021

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 4134

Abstract

Bats have been identified as the natural hosts of several emerging zoonotic viruses, including paramyxoviruses, such as Hendra and Nipah viruses, that can cause fatal disease in humans. Recently, African fruit bats with populations that roost in or near urban areas have been [...] Read more.

Bats have been identified as the natural hosts of several emerging zoonotic viruses, including paramyxoviruses, such as Hendra and Nipah viruses, that can cause fatal disease in humans. Recently, African fruit bats with populations that roost in or near urban areas have been shown to harbour a great diversity of paramyxoviruses, posing potential spillover risks to public health. Understanding the circulation of these viruses in their reservoir populations is essential to predict and prevent future emerging diseases. Here, we identify a high incidence of multiple paramyxoviruses in urine samples collected from a closed captive colony of circa 115 straw-coloured fruit bats (Eidolon helvum). The sequences detected have high nucleotide identities with those derived from free ranging African fruit bats and form phylogenetic clusters with the Henipavirus genus, Pararubulavirus genus and other unclassified paramyxoviruses. As this colony had been closed for 5 years prior to this study, these results indicate that within-host paramyxoviral persistence underlies the role of bats as reservoirs of these viruses. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Ecology of Virus Emergence from Wildlife)

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13 pages, 1584 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Longitudinal Secretion of Paramyxovirus RNA in the Urine of Straw-Coloured Fruit Bats (Eidolon helvum)

by Elli Rosa Jolma, Louise Gibson, Richard D. Suu-Ire, Grace Fleischer, Samuel Asumah, Sylvester Languon, Olivier Restif, James L. N. Wood and Andrew A. Cunningham

Viruses 2021, 13(8), 1654; https://doi.org/10.3390/v13081654 - 20 Aug 2021

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 3704

Abstract

The straw-coloured fruit bat (Eidolon helvum) is widespread in sub-Saharan Africa and is widely hunted for bushmeat. It is known to harbour a range of paramyxoviruses, including rubuloviruses and henipaviruses, but the zoonotic potential of these is unknown. We previously found [...] Read more.

The straw-coloured fruit bat (Eidolon helvum) is widespread in sub-Saharan Africa and is widely hunted for bushmeat. It is known to harbour a range of paramyxoviruses, including rubuloviruses and henipaviruses, but the zoonotic potential of these is unknown. We previously found a diversity of paramyxoviruses within a small, captive colony of E. helvum after it had been closed to contact with other bats for 5 years. In this study, we used under-roost urine collection to further investigate the paramyxovirus diversity and ecology in this colony, which had been closed to the outside for 10 years at the time of sampling. By sampling urine weekly throughout an entire year, we investigated possible seasonal patterns of shedding of virus or viral RNA. Using a generic paramyxovirus L-gene PCR, we detected eight distinct paramyxovirus RNA sequences. Six distinct sequences were detected using a Henipavirus-specific PCR that targeted a different region of the L-gene. Sequence detection had a bi-annual pattern, with the greatest peak in July, although different RNA sequences appeared to have different shedding patterns. No significant associations were detected between sequence detection and birthing season, environmental temperature or humidity, and no signs of illness were detected in any of the bats in the colony during the period of sample collection. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Ecology of Virus Emergence from Wildlife)

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13 pages, 1303 KiB

Open AccessCommunication

Retrospective Enhanced Bat Lyssavirus Surveillance in Germany between 2018–2020

by Antonia Klein, Sten Calvelage, Kore Schlottau, Bernd Hoffmann, Elisa Eggerbauer, Thomas Müller and Conrad M. Freuling

Viruses 2021, 13(8), 1538; https://doi.org/10.3390/v13081538 - 3 Aug 2021

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 3224

Abstract

Lyssaviruses are the causative agents for rabies, a zoonotic and fatal disease. Bats are the ancestral reservoir host for lyssaviruses, and at least three different lyssaviruses have been found in bats from Germany. Across Europe, novel lyssaviruses were identified in bats recently and [...] Read more.

Lyssaviruses are the causative agents for rabies, a zoonotic and fatal disease. Bats are the ancestral reservoir host for lyssaviruses, and at least three different lyssaviruses have been found in bats from Germany. Across Europe, novel lyssaviruses were identified in bats recently and occasional spillover infections in other mammals and human cases highlight their public health relevance. Here, we report the results from an enhanced passive bat rabies surveillance that encompasses samples without human contact that would not be tested under routine conditions. To this end, 1236 bat brain samples obtained between 2018 and 2020 were screened for lyssaviruses via several RT-qPCR assays. European bat lyssavirus type 1 (EBLV-1) was dominant, with 15 positives exclusively found in serotine bats (Eptesicus serotinus) from northern Germany. Additionally, when an archived set of bat samples that had tested negative for rabies by the FAT were screened in the process of assay validation, four samples tested EBLV-1 positive, including two detected in Pipistrellus pipistrellus. Subsequent phylogenetic analysis of 17 full genomes assigned all except one of these viruses to the A1 cluster of the EBLV-1a sub-lineage. Furthermore, we report here another Bokeloh bat lyssavirus (BBLV) infection in a Natterer’s bat (Myotis nattereri) found in Lower Saxony, the tenth reported case of this novel bat lyssavirus. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Ecology of Virus Emergence from Wildlife)

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Review

Jump to: Research, Other

37 pages, 8255 KiB

Open AccessReview

Overview of Bat and Wildlife Coronavirus Surveillance in Africa: A Framework for Global Investigations

by Marike Geldenhuys, Marinda Mortlock, Jonathan H. Epstein, Janusz T. Pawęska, Jacqueline Weyer and Wanda Markotter

Viruses 2021, 13(5), 936; https://doi.org/10.3390/v13050936 - 18 May 2021

Cited by 22 | Viewed by 6800

Abstract

The ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has had devastating health and socio-economic impacts. Human activities, especially at the wildlife interphase, are at the core of forces driving the emergence of new viral agents. Global surveillance activities have identified bats as the natural [...] Read more.

The ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has had devastating health and socio-economic impacts. Human activities, especially at the wildlife interphase, are at the core of forces driving the emergence of new viral agents. Global surveillance activities have identified bats as the natural hosts of diverse coronaviruses, with other domestic and wildlife animal species possibly acting as intermediate or spillover hosts. The African continent is confronted by several factors that challenge prevention and response to novel disease emergences, such as high species diversity, inadequate health systems, and drastic social and ecosystem changes. We reviewed published animal coronavirus surveillance studies conducted in Africa, specifically summarizing surveillance approaches, species numbers tested, and findings. Far more surveillance has been initiated among bat populations than other wildlife and domestic animals, with nearly 26,000 bat individuals tested. Though coronaviruses have been identified from approximately 7% of the total bats tested, surveillance among other animals identified coronaviruses in less than 1%. In addition to a large undescribed diversity, sequences related to four of the seven human coronaviruses have been reported from African bats. The review highlights research gaps and the disparity in surveillance efforts between different animal groups (particularly potential spillover hosts) and concludes with proposed strategies for improved future biosurveillance. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Ecology of Virus Emergence from Wildlife)

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Other

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11 pages, 258 KiB

Open AccessPerspective

The Importance of Accurate Host Species Identification in the Framework of Rabies Surveillance, Control and Elimination

by Paola De Benedictis, Stefania Leopardi, Wanda Markotter and Andres Velasco-Villa

Viruses 2022, 14(3), 492; https://doi.org/10.3390/v14030492 - 28 Feb 2022

Cited by 10 | Viewed by 2655

Abstract

Accurate host identification is paramount to understand disease epidemiology and to apply appropriate control measures. This is especially important for multi-host pathogens such as the rabies virus, a major and almost invariably fatal zoonosis that has mobilized unanimous engagement at an international level [...] Read more.

Accurate host identification is paramount to understand disease epidemiology and to apply appropriate control measures. This is especially important for multi-host pathogens such as the rabies virus, a major and almost invariably fatal zoonosis that has mobilized unanimous engagement at an international level towards the final goal of zero human deaths due to canine rabies. Currently, diagnostic laboratories implement a standardized identification using taxonomic keys. However, this method is challenged by high and undiscovered biodiversity, decomposition of carcasses and subjective misevaluation, as has been attested to by findings from a cohort of 242 archived specimens collected across Sub-Saharan Africa and submitted for rabies diagnosis. We applied two simple and cheap methods targeting the Cytochrome b and Cytochrome c oxidase subunit I to confirm the initial classification. We therefore suggest prioritizing a standardized protocol that includes, as a first step, the implementation of taxonomic keys at a family or subfamily level, followed by the molecular characterization of the host species. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Ecology of Virus Emergence from Wildlife)

16 pages, 4810 KiB

Open AccessPerspective

Best Molecular Tools to Investigate Coronavirus Diversity in Mammals: A Comparison

by Petra Drzewnioková, Francesca Festa, Valentina Panzarin, Davide Lelli, Ana Moreno, Barbara Zecchin, Paola De Benedictis and Stefania Leopardi

Viruses 2021, 13(10), 1975; https://doi.org/10.3390/v13101975 - 1 Oct 2021

Cited by 12 | Viewed by 4097

Abstract

Coronaviruses (CoVs) are widespread and highly diversified in wildlife and domestic mammals and can emerge as zoonotic or epizootic pathogens and consequently host shift from these reservoirs, highlighting the importance of veterinary surveillance. All genera can be found in mammals, with α and [...] Read more.

Coronaviruses (CoVs) are widespread and highly diversified in wildlife and domestic mammals and can emerge as zoonotic or epizootic pathogens and consequently host shift from these reservoirs, highlighting the importance of veterinary surveillance. All genera can be found in mammals, with α and β showing the highest frequency and diversification. The aims of this study were to review the literature for features of CoV surveillance in animals, to test widely used molecular protocols, and to identify the most effective one in terms of spectrum and sensitivity. We combined a literature review with analyses in silico and in vitro using viral strains and archive field samples. We found that most protocols defined as pan-coronavirus are strongly biased towards α- and β-CoVs and show medium-low sensitivity. The best results were observed using our new protocol, showing LoD 100 PFU/mL for SARS-CoV-2, 50 TCID₅₀/mL for CaCoV, 0.39 TCID₅₀/mL for BoCoV, and 9 ± 1 log2 ×10⁻⁵ HA for IBV. The protocol successfully confirmed the positivity for a broad range of CoVs in 30/30 field samples. Our study points out that pan-CoV surveillance in mammals could be strongly improved in sensitivity and spectrum and propose the application of a new RT-PCR assay, which is able to detect CoVs from all four genera, with an optimal sensitivity for α-, β-, and γ-. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Ecology of Virus Emergence from Wildlife)

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28 pages, 1009 KiB

Open AccessPerspective

Setting the Terms for Zoonotic Diseases: Effective Communication for Research, Conservation, and Public Policy

by Julie Teresa Shapiro, Luis Víquez-R, Stefania Leopardi, Amanda Vicente-Santos, Ian H. Mendenhall, Winifred F. Frick, Rebekah C. Kading, Rodrigo A. Medellín, Paul Racey and Tigga Kingston

Viruses 2021, 13(7), 1356; https://doi.org/10.3390/v13071356 - 13 Jul 2021

Cited by 24 | Viewed by 11693

Abstract

Many of the world’s most pressing issues, such as the emergence of zoonotic diseases, can only be addressed through interdisciplinary research. However, the findings of interdisciplinary research are susceptible to miscommunication among both professional and non-professional audiences due to differences in training, language, [...] Read more.

Many of the world’s most pressing issues, such as the emergence of zoonotic diseases, can only be addressed through interdisciplinary research. However, the findings of interdisciplinary research are susceptible to miscommunication among both professional and non-professional audiences due to differences in training, language, experience, and understanding. Such miscommunication contributes to the misunderstanding of key concepts or processes and hinders the development of effective research agendas and public policy. These misunderstandings can also provoke unnecessary fear in the public and have devastating effects for wildlife conservation. For example, inaccurate communication and subsequent misunderstanding of the potential associations between certain bats and zoonoses has led to persecution of diverse bats worldwide and even government calls to cull them. Here, we identify four types of miscommunication driven by the use of terminology regarding bats and the emergence of zoonotic diseases that we have categorized based on their root causes: (1) incorrect or overly broad use of terms; (2) terms that have unstable usage within a discipline, or different usages among disciplines; (3) terms that are used correctly but spark incorrect inferences about biological processes or significance in the audience; (4) incorrect inference drawn from the evidence presented. We illustrate each type of miscommunication with commonly misused or misinterpreted terms, providing a definition, caveats and common misconceptions, and suggest alternatives as appropriate. While we focus on terms specific to bats and disease ecology, we present a more general framework for addressing miscommunication that can be applied to other topics and disciplines to facilitate more effective research, problem-solving, and public policy. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Ecology of Virus Emergence from Wildlife)

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