scholarly journals Co-infection does not predict disease signs in Gopherus tortoises

2017 ◽  
Vol 4 (10) ◽  
pp. 171003 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chava L. Weitzman ◽  
Ryan Gov ◽  
Franziska C. Sandmeier ◽  
Sarah J. Snyder ◽  
C. Richard Tracy
Keyword(s):  
Dna Sequences ◽  
Host Species ◽  
Disease Ecology ◽  
Clinical Signs ◽  
Infection Intensity ◽  
The United States ◽  
Host Immune System ◽  
Disease Dynamics ◽  
Upper Respiratory Tract ◽  
The Impact

In disease ecology, the host immune system interacts with environmental conditions and pathogen properties to affect the impact of disease on the host. Within the host, pathogens may interact to facilitate or inhibit each other's growth, and pathogens interact with different hosts differently. We investigated co-infection of two Mycoplasma and the association of infection with clinical signs of upper respiratory tract disease in four congeneric tortoise host species ( Gopherus ) in the United States to detect differences in infection risk and disease dynamics in these hosts. Mojave Desert tortoises had greater prevalence of Mycoplasma agassizii than Texas tortoises and gopher tortoises, while there were no differences in Mycoplasma testudineum prevalence among host species. In some host species, the presence of each pathogen influenced the infection intensity of the other; hence, these two mycoplasmas interact differently within different hosts, and our results may indicate facilitation of these bacteria. Neither infection nor co-infection was associated with clinical signs of disease, which tend to fluctuate across time. From M. agassizii DNA sequences, we detected no meaningful differentiation of haplotypes among hosts. Experimental inoculation studies and recurrent resampling of wild individuals could help to decipher the underlying mechanisms of disease dynamics in this system.

scholarly journals Comparison of Adjuvanted-Whole Inactivated Virus and Live-Attenuated Virus Vaccines against Challenge with Contemporary, Antigenically Distinct H3N2 Influenza A Viruses

2018 ◽  
Vol 92 (22) ◽  
Author(s):  
Eugenio J. Abente ◽  
Daniela S. Rajao ◽  
Jefferson Santos ◽  
Bryan S. Kaplan ◽  
Tracy L. Nicholson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Influenza A Virus ◽  
Vaccine Efficacy ◽  
Influenza A ◽  
Rapid Evolution ◽  
The United States ◽  
Upper Respiratory Tract ◽  
Influenza A Viruses ◽  
Partial Protection ◽  
Attenuated Virus ◽  
The Impact

ABSTRACTInfluenza A viruses in swine (IAV-S) circulating in the United States of America are phylogenetically and antigenically distinct. A human H3 hemagglutinin (HA) was introduced into the IAV-S gene pool in the late 1990s, sustained continued circulation, and evolved into five monophyletic genetic clades, H3 clades IV-A to -E, after 2009. Across these phylogenetic clades, distinct antigenic clusters were identified, with three clusters (cyan, red, and green antigenic cluster) among the most frequently detected antigenic phenotypes (Abente EJ, Santos J, Lewis NS, Gauger PC, Stratton J, et al. J Virol 90:8266–8280, 2016,https://doi.org/10.1128/JVI.01002-16). Although it was demonstrated that antigenic diversity of H3N2 IAV-S was associated with changes at a few amino acid positions in the head of the HA, the implications of this diversity for vaccine efficacy were not tested. Using antigenically representative H3N2 viruses, we compared whole inactivated virus (WIV) and live-attenuated influenza virus (LAIV) vaccines for protection against challenge with antigenically distinct H3N2 viruses in pigs. WIV provided partial protection against antigenically distinct viruses but did not prevent virus replication in the upper respiratory tract. In contrast, LAIV provided complete protection from disease and virus was not detected after challenge with antigenically distinct viruses.IMPORTANCEDue to the rapid evolution of the influenza A virus, vaccines require continuous strain updates. Additionally, the platform used to deliver the vaccine can have an impact on the breadth of protection. Currently, there are various vaccine platforms available to prevent influenza A virus infection in swine, and we experimentally tested two: adjuvanted-whole inactivated virus and live-attenuated virus. When challenged with an antigenically distinct virus, adjuvanted-whole inactivated virus provided partial protection, while live-attenuated virus provided effective protection. Additional strategies are required to broaden the protective properties of inactivated virus vaccines, given the dynamic antigenic landscape of cocirculating strains in North America, whereas live-attenuated vaccines may require less frequent strain updates, based on demonstrated cross-protection. Enhancing vaccine efficacy to control influenza infections in swine will help reduce the impact they have on swine production and reduce the risk of swine-to-human transmission.

scholarly journals Linking community and disease ecology: the impact of biodiversity on pathogen transmission

2012 ◽  
Vol 367 (1604) ◽  
pp. 2807-2813 ◽  
Author(s):  
Benjamin Roche ◽  
Andrew P. Dobson ◽  
Jean-François Guégan ◽  
Pejman Rohani
Keyword(s):  
Host Species ◽  
Disease Ecology ◽  
Biodiversity Loss ◽  
Pathogen Transmission ◽  
Community Diversity ◽  
Ecological Interactions ◽  
Disease Emergence ◽  
Pathogen Dynamics ◽  
Wildlife Pathogens ◽  
The Impact

The increasing number of zoonotic diseases spilling over from a range of wild animal species represents a particular concern for public health, especially in light of the current dramatic trend of biodiversity loss. To understand the ecology of these multi-host pathogens and their response to environmental degradation and species extinctions, it is necessary to develop a theoretical framework that takes into account realistic community assemblages. Here, we present a multi-host species epidemiological model that includes empirically determined patterns of diversity and composition derived from community ecology studies. We use this framework to study the interaction between wildlife diversity and directly transmitted pathogen dynamics. First, we demonstrate that variability in community composition does not affect significantly the intensity of pathogen transmission. We also show that the consequences of community diversity can differentially impact the prevalence of pathogens and the number of infectious individuals. Finally, we show that ecological interactions among host species have a weaker influence on pathogen circulation than inter-species transmission rates. We conclude that integration of a community perspective to study wildlife pathogens is crucial, especially in the context of understanding and predicting infectious disease emergence events.

scholarly journals 444. Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Among Healthcare Workers in Southeast Michigan

2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S289-S290
Author(s):  
Amit T Vahia ◽  
Zohra Sarfraz Chaudhry ◽  
Allison J Weinmann ◽  
Linoj Samuel ◽  
Robert Tibbetts ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Health Care Organization ◽  
High Volume ◽  
The United States ◽  
Care Organization ◽  
Patient Contact ◽  
Upper Respiratory Tract ◽  
Positive Polymerase Chain Reaction ◽  
Job Category ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by SARS-CoV-2, has significantly impacted Michigan, with over 60,000 cases and 5,700 deaths to date. During the surge, Metropolitan Detroit was the epicenter of the outbreak, accounting for 80% of cases and 86% of deaths statewide. Healthcare workers (HCW) are particularly at risk; however, rates of infection based on job category has not been described previously in the United States. We describe the impact of the outbreak on our workforce. Background Michigan COVID Figure 1 Methods This was a retrospective review of employees with COVID-19 at Henry Ford Health System (HFHS), a comprehensive, integrated, health care organization in Southeast Michigan includes 5 hospitals and 9 emergency departments from 3/10/2020–6/10/2020. Employees exhibiting symptoms and/or signs consistent with COVID-19 infection were referred to employee health and tested for SARS-CoV-2. All employees with positive polymerase chain reaction (PCR) of upper respiratory tract were included. Data were obtained from a dedicated analytics dashboard that tracked all testing and results for employees. Rate (number positives/total tested) of infection for each job category was determined. Results A total 5352 (16%) of 33538 employees were tested, of whom 1036 (19%) tested positive. The number of infected workers represents approximately 3.1 % of the workforce. The sharp increase of COVID-19 admissions correlated with the rise in HCW COVID-19 positivity (Figure 1). The number of HCW tested largely correlated with the disease burden at each hospital (Figure2). Table 1 shows total population of symptomatic HCW tested and demonstrates volume of testing and positivity were higher among HCW with close patient contact. The positivity rates in specific clinical support staff are shown in Table 2. Notably, there were high rates of positivity among non-clinical business and management employees tested suggesting community-transmission. Table 1 Table 2 Figure 2 Conclusion COVID-19 risk is highest among HCW in high volume settings with close patient contact. Community exposure may be an important factor that contributes to this risk. Strategies to minimize transmission in healthcare settings should be combined with HCW education emphasizing measures to avoid exposure within the community. Disclosures All Authors: No reported disclosures

scholarly journals The slow dynamics of mycoplasma infections in a tortoise host reveal heterogeneity pertinent to pathogen transmission and monitoring

2018 ◽  
Vol 147 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. M. Aiello ◽  
T. C. Esque ◽  
K. E. Nussear ◽  
P. G. Emblidge ◽  
P. J. Hudson
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Signs ◽  
Infection Intensity ◽  
Pathogen Transmission ◽  
Diagnostic Tools ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Upper Respiratory Tract ◽  
Initial Exposure ◽  
Persistent Infections ◽  
Species Of Conservation Concern ◽  
Tract Disease

AbstractThe epidemiology of infectious diseases depends on many characteristics of disease progression, as well as the consistency of these processes across hosts. Longitudinal studies of infection can thus inform disease monitoring and management, but can be challenging in wildlife, particularly for long-lived hosts and persistent infections. Numerous tortoise species of conservation concern can be infected by pathogenic mycoplasmas that cause a chronic upper respiratory tract disease (URTD). Yet, a lack of detailed data describing tortoise responses to mycoplasma infections obscures our understanding of URTDs role in host ecology. We therefore monitoredMycoplasma agassiziiinfections in 14 captive desert tortoises and characterised clinical signs of disease, infection intensity, pathogen shedding and antibody production for nearly 4 years after initial exposure to donor hosts. Persistent infections established in all exposed tortoises within 10 weeks, but hosts appeared to vary in resistance, which affected the patterns of pathogen shedding and apparent disease. Delays in host immune response and changes to clinical signs and infection intensity over time resulted in inconsistencies between diagnostic tools and changes in diagnostic accuracy throughout the study. We discuss the implications these results have for URTD epidemiology and past and future research assessing disease prevalence and dynamics in tortoise populations.

scholarly journals The impact of news exposure on collective attention in the United States during the 2016 Zika epidemic

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michele Tizzoni ◽  
André Panisson ◽  
Daniela Paolotti ◽  
Ciro Cattuto
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Disease Transmission ◽  
Information Seeking ◽  
Media Coverage ◽  
Public Awareness ◽  
News Coverage ◽  
The United States ◽  
Human Behaviour ◽  
Disease Dynamics ◽  
The Impact

AbstractIn recent years, many studies have drawn attention to the important role of collective awareness and human behaviour during epidemic outbreaks. A number of modelling efforts have investigated the interaction between the disease transmission dynamics and human behaviour change mediated by news coverage and by information spreading in the population. Yet, given the scarcity of data on public awareness during an epidemic, few studies have relied on empirical data. Here, we use fine-grained, geo-referenced data from three online sources – Wikipedia, the GDELT Project and the Internet Archive – to quantify population-scale information seeking about the 2016 Zika virus epidemic in the U.S., explicitly linking such behavioural signal to epidemiological data. Geolocalized Wikipedia pageview data reveal that visiting patterns of Zika-related pages in Wikipedia were highly synchronized across the United States and largely explained by exposure to national television broadcast. Contrary to the assumption of some theoretical models, news volume and Wikipedia visiting patterns were not significantly correlated with the magnitude or the extent of the epidemic. Attention to Zika, in terms of Zika-related Wikipedia pageviews, was high at the beginning of the outbreak, when public health agencies raised an international alert and triggered media coverage, but subsequently exhibited an activity profile that suggests nonlinear dependencies and memory effects in the relation between information seeking, media pressure, and disease dynamics. This calls for a new and more general modelling framework to describe the interaction between media exposure, public awareness and disease dynamics during epidemic outbreaks.

scholarly journals Genetic diversity and population structure of Alternaria species from tomato and potato in North Carolina and Wisconsin

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Tika B. Adhikari ◽  
Norman Muzhinji ◽  
Dennis Halterman ◽  
Frank J. Louws
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Diversity ◽  
North Carolina ◽  
Population Structure ◽  
Genetic Variation ◽  
Dna Sequences ◽  
Random Mating ◽  
Population Expansion ◽  
The United States ◽  
Population Subdivision ◽  
The Impact

AbstractEarly blight (EB) caused by Alternaria linariae or Alternaria solani and leaf blight (LB) caused by A. alternata are economically important diseases of tomato and potato. Little is known about the genetic diversity and population structure of these pathogens in the United States. A total of 214 isolates of A. alternata (n = 61), A. linariae (n = 96), and A. solani (n = 57) were collected from tomato and potato in North Carolina and Wisconsin and grouped into populations based on geographic locations and tomato varieties. We exploited 220 single nucleotide polymorphisms derived from DNA sequences of 10 microsatellite loci to analyse the population genetic structure between species and between populations within species and infer the mode of reproduction. High genetic variation and genotypic diversity were observed in all the populations analysed. The null hypothesis of the clonality test based on the index of association $$\left( {\overline{r}_{d} } \right)$$ r ¯ d was rejected, and equal frequencies of mating types under random mating were detected in some studied populations of Alternaria spp., suggesting that recombination can play an important role in the evolution of these pathogens. Most genetic differences were found between species, and the results showed three distinct genetic clusters corresponding to the three Alternaria spp. We found no evidence for clustering of geographic location populations or tomato variety populations. Analyses of molecular variance revealed high (> 85%) genetic variation within individuals in a population, confirming a lack of population subdivision within species. Alternaria linariae populations harboured more multilocus genotypes (MLGs) than A. alternata and A. solani populations and shared the same MLG between populations within a species, which was suggestive of gene flow and population expansion. Although both A. linariae and A. solani can cause EB on tomatoes and potatoes, these two species are genetically differentiated. Our results provide new insights into the evolution and structure of Alternaria spp. and can lead to new directions in optimizing management strategies to mitigate the impact of these pathogens on tomato and potato production in North Carolina and Wisconsin.

scholarly journals Murine Model for the Study of Influenza D Virus

2019 ◽  
Vol 94 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Oliva ◽  
J. Mettier ◽  
L. Sedano ◽  
M. Delverdier ◽  
N. Bourgès-Abella ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Immune Response ◽  
Mouse Model ◽  
Respiratory Tract ◽  
Influenza A ◽  
Clinical Signs ◽  
The United States ◽  
Interferon Response ◽  
Type I ◽  
Upper Respiratory Tract ◽  
Primary Host

ABSTRACT A novel genus within the Orthomyxoviridae family was identified in the United States and named influenza D virus (IDV). Bovines have been proposed to be the primary host, and three main viral lineages (D/OK-like, D/660-like, and D/Japan-like) have been described. Experimental infections had previously been performed in swine, ferrets, calves, and guinea pigs in order to study IDV pathogenesis. We developed a murine experimental model to facilitate the study of IDV pathogenesis and the immune response. DBA/2 mice were inoculated with 105 50% tissue culture infective dose (TCID50) of D/bovine/France/5920/2014 (D/OK-like). No clinical signs or weight loss were observed. Viral replication was observed mainly in the upper respiratory tract (nasal turbinates) but also in the lower respiratory tract of infected mice, with a peak at 4 days postinfection. Moreover, the virus was also detected in the intestines. All infected mice seroconverted by 14 days postinfection. Transcriptomic analyses demonstrated that IDV induced the activation of proinflammatory genes, such as gamma interferon (IFN-γ) and CCL2. Inoculation of NF-κB-luciferase and Ifnar1−/− mice demonstrated that IDV induced mild inflammation and that a type I interferon response was not necessary in IDV clearance. Adaptation of IDV by serial passages in mice was not sufficient to induce disease or increased pathogenesis. Taken together, present data and comparisons with the calf model show that our mouse model allows for the study of IDV replication and fitness (before selected viruses may be inoculated on calves) and also of the immune response. IMPORTANCE Influenza D virus (IDV), a new genus of Orthomyxoviridae family, presents a large host range and a worldwide circulation. The pathogenicity of this virus has been studied in the calf model. The mouse model is frequently used to enable a first assessment of a pathogen’s fitness, replication, and pathogenesis for influenza A and B viruses. We showed that DBA/2 mice are a relevant in vivo model for the study of IDV replication. This model will allow for rapid IDV fitness and replication evaluation and will enable phenotypic comparisons between isolated viruses. It will also allow for a better understanding of the immune response induced after IDV infection.

scholarly journals A Wild Goose Metapneumovirus Containing a Large Attachment Glycoprotein Is Avirulent but Immunoprotective in Domestic Turkeys

2005 ◽  
Vol 79 (23) ◽  
pp. 14834-14842 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard S. Bennett ◽  
Rebecca LaRue ◽  
Daniel Shaw ◽  
Qingzhong Yu ◽  
K. V. Nagaraja ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
G Proteins ◽  
Genomic Structure ◽  
Clinical Signs ◽  
The United States ◽  
Effective Vaccine ◽  
Canada Geese ◽  
Upper Respiratory Tract ◽  
Subtype C ◽  
Upper Respiratory

ABSTRACT The genomic structure and composition of an avian metapneumovirus (aMPV) recently isolated from wild Canada geese (goose 15a/01) in the United States, together with its replication, virulence, and immunogenicity in domestic turkeys, were investigated. The sizes of seven of the eight genes, sequence identity, and genome organization of goose aMPV were similar to those of turkey aMPV subtype C (aMPV/C) strains, indicating that it belonged to the subtype. However, the goose virus contained the largest attachment (G) gene of any pneumovirus or metapneumovirus, with the predicted G protein of 585 amino acids (aa) more than twice the sizes of G proteins from other subtype C viruses and human metapneumovirus and more than 170 aa larger than the G proteins from the other aMPV subtypes (subtypes A, B, and D). The large G gene resulted from a 1,015-nucleotide insertion at 18 nucleotides upstream of the termination signal of the turkey aMPV/C G gene. Three other aMPV isolates from Canada geese had similarly large G genes, whereas analysis of recent aMPV strains circulating in U.S. turkeys did not indicate the presence of the goose virus-like strain. In vitro, the goose virus replicated to levels (2 × 105 to 5 × 105 50% tissue culture infective dose) comparable to those produced by turkey aMPV/C strains. More importantly, the virus replicated efficiently in the upper respiratory tract of domestic turkeys but with no clinical signs in either day-old or 2-week-old turkeys. The virus was also horizontally transmitted to naïve birds, and turkey infections with goose 15a/01 induced production of aMPV-specific antibodies. Challenging day-old or 2-week-old turkeys vaccinated with live goose aMPV resulted in lower clinical scores in 33% of the birds, whereas the rest of the birds had no detectable clinical signs of the upper respiratory disease, suggesting that the mutant virus may be a safe and effective vaccine against aMPV infection outbreaks in commercial turkeys.

Demonstrating Nutrient Cost Gradients: A Brooklyn Case Study

2014 ◽  
Vol 84 (5-6) ◽  
pp. 244-251 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert J. Karp ◽  
Gary Wong ◽  
Marguerite Orsi
Keyword(s):  
Low Income ◽  
Energy Content ◽  
Food Selection ◽  
The United States ◽  
United States Department ◽  
Micronutrient Deficiencies ◽  
Caloric Density ◽  
Low Income Families ◽  
The Cost ◽  
The Impact

Abstract. Introduction: Foods dense in micronutrients are generally more expensive than those with higher energy content. These cost-differentials may put low-income families at risk of diminished micronutrient intake. Objectives: We sought to determine differences in the cost for iron, folate, and choline in foods available for purchase in a low-income community when assessed for energy content and serving size. Methods: Sixty-nine foods listed in the menu plans provided by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) for low-income families were considered, in 10 domains. The cost and micronutrient content for-energy and per-serving of these foods were determined for the three micronutrients. Exact Kruskal-Wallis tests were used for comparisons of energy costs; Spearman rho tests for comparisons of micronutrient content. Ninety families were interviewed in a pediatric clinic to assess the impact of food cost on food selection. Results: Significant differences between domains were shown for energy density with both cost-for-energy (p < 0.001) and cost-per-serving (p < 0.05) comparisons. All three micronutrient contents were significantly correlated with cost-for-energy (p < 0.01). Both iron and choline contents were significantly correlated with cost-per-serving (p < 0.05). Of the 90 families, 38 (42 %) worried about food costs; 40 (44 %) had chosen foods of high caloric density in response to that fear, and 29 of 40 families experiencing both worry and making such food selection. Conclusion: Adjustments to USDA meal plans using cost-for-energy analysis showed differentials for both energy and micronutrients. These differentials were reduced using cost-per-serving analysis, but were not eliminated. A substantial proportion of low-income families are vulnerable to micronutrient deficiencies.

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