scholarly journals Transmission of Ebola Viruses: What We Know and What We Do Not Know

mBio ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael T. Osterholm ◽  
Kristine A. Moore ◽  
Nicholas S. Kelley ◽  
Lisa M. Brosseau ◽  
Gary Wong ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ebola Virus ◽  
Virus Transmission ◽  
Strain Differences ◽  
Serial Passage ◽  
Domestic Animals ◽  
Respiratory Pathogens ◽  
Patient Contact ◽  
Small Particles ◽  
Direct Patient Contact

ABSTRACT Available evidence demonstrates that direct patient contact and contact with infectious body fluids are the primary modes for Ebola virus transmission, but this is based on a limited number of studies. Key areas requiring further study include (i) the role of aerosol transmission (either via large droplets or small particles in the vicinity of source patients), (ii) the role of environmental contamination and fomite transmission, (iii) the degree to which minimally or mildly ill persons transmit infection, (iv) how long clinically relevant infectiousness persists, (v) the role that “superspreading events” may play in driving transmission dynamics, (vi) whether strain differences or repeated serial passage in outbreak settings can impact virus transmission, and (vii) what role sylvatic or domestic animals could play in outbreak propagation, particularly during major epidemics such as the 2013–2015 West Africa situation. In this review, we address what we know and what we do not know about Ebola virus transmission. We also hypothesize that Ebola viruses have the potential to be respiratory pathogens with primary respiratory spread.

scholarly journals Historical Discoveries on Viruses in the Environment and Their Impact on Public Health

Intervirology ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 63 (1-6) ◽  
pp. 17-32
Author(s):  
Thomas Labadie ◽  
Christophe Batéjat ◽  
India Leclercq ◽  
Jean-Claude Manuguerra
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Influenza Virus ◽  
Ebola Virus ◽  
Close Contact ◽  
Abiotic Factors ◽  
Virus Transmission ◽  
Human Coronavirus ◽  
Indirect Transmission ◽  
Droplet Sizes

<b><i>Background:</i></b> Transmission of many viruses occurs by direct transmission during a close contact between two hosts, or by an indirect transmission through the environment. Several and often interconnected factors, both abiotic and biotic, determine the persistence of these viruses released in the environment, which can last from a few seconds to several years. Moreover, viruses in the environment are able to travel short to very long distances, especially in the air or in water. <b><i>Summary:</i></b> Although well described now, the role of these environments as intermediaries or as reservoirs in virus transmission has been extensively studied and debated in the last century. The majority of these discoveries, such as the pioneer work on bacteria transmission, the progressive discoveries of viruses, as well as the persistence of the influenza virus in the air varying along with droplet sizes, or the role of water in the transmission of poliovirus, have contributed to the improvement of public health. Recent outbreaks of human coronavirus, influenza virus, and Ebola virus have also demonstrated the contemporaneity of these research studies and the need to study virus persistence in the environment. <b><i>Key Messages:</i></b> In this review, we discuss historical discoveries that contributed to describe biotic and abiotic factors determining viral persistence in the environment.

scholarly journals Factors Influencing US Allopathic Medical Students to Choose Pathology as a Specialty

2020 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
pp. 237428952095192
Author(s):  
Cindy B. McCloskey ◽  
Kristen Johnson ◽  
Mark Brissette ◽  
Richard Conran ◽  
John Childs ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Medical Students ◽  
Specialty Choice ◽  
Good Work ◽  
Patient Contact ◽  
Job Market ◽  
Life Balance ◽  
Knowledge And Attitudes ◽  
Direct Patient Contact ◽  
Intellectual Challenge

The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has highlighted the crucial role of pathologists in the health care system at a time of significant decline in the number of US medical students matching to pathology residency positions. To understand this decline, a national survey of fourth-year US allopathic medical students was conducted to assess experiences, knowledge, and attitudes of pathology and factors that impact specialty choice. Participating in a separate pathology course did not increase the probability of choosing pathology. Experiences significantly associated with choosing pathology included clinical or research opportunities in pathology during the last 2 years of medical school, autopsy observation/participation, and participation in pathology interest groups. Many respondents felt they were not sufficiently exposed to pathology to consider it as a specialty. Those who considered pathology but did not choose it were less likely to report understanding the activities of pathologists and being recruited by pathology faculty and more likely to express a preference for more direct patient contact as compared to those entering pathology. In general, respondents agreed that pathology has a good work–life balance and a satisfying degree of intellectual challenge. On the other hand, respondents generally agreed that information on social media and perception of the pathology job market do not seem to be positive and few agreed that pathology is a highly regarded specialty. We identify steps to address these issues and increase the number of US medical students choosing pathology as a specialty crucial to the future of medicine and public health.

scholarly journals Do Dogs and Cats Passively Carry SARS-CoV-2 on Hair and Pads?

Viruses ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (7) ◽  
pp. 1357
Author(s):  
Stefania Lauzi ◽  
Angelica Stranieri ◽  
Alessia Giordano ◽  
Davide Lelli ◽  
Gabriella Elia ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Median Time ◽  
Direct Contact ◽  
Close Contact ◽  
Virus Transmission ◽  
Domestic Animals ◽  
Sample Collection ◽  
Qrt Pcr

The epidemiological role of domestic animals in the spread and transmission of SARS-CoV-2 to humans has been investigated in recent reports, but some aspects need to be further clarified. To date, only in rare cases have dogs and cats living with COVID-19 patients been found to harbour SARS-CoV-2, with no evidence of pet-to-human transmission. The aim of the present study was to verify whether dogs and cats act as passive mechanical carriers of SARS-CoV-2 when they live in close contact with COVID-19 patients. Cutaneous and interdigital swabs collected from 48 dogs and 15 cats owned by COVID-19 patients were tested for SARS-CoV-2 by qRT-PCR. The time elapsed between owner swab positivity and sample collection from pets ranged from 1 to 72 days, with a median time of 23 days for dogs and 39 days for cats. All samples tested negative, suggesting that pets do not passively carry SARS-CoV-2 on their hair and pads, and thus they likely do not play an important role in the virus transmission to humans. This data may contribute to confirming that the direct contact with the hair and pads of pets does not represent a route for the transmission of SARS-CoV-2.

Treatment of ebola and other infectious diseases: melatonin “goes viral”

2020 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 43-57 ◽  
Author(s):  
Russel J Reiter ◽  
Qiang Ma ◽  
Ramaswamy Sharma
Keyword(s):  
Mortality Rate ◽  
Infectious Diseases ◽  
Hemorrhagic Shock ◽  
Safety Profile ◽  
Ebola Virus ◽  
Viral Infections ◽  
Virus Disease ◽  
Attractive Potential ◽  
Potential Treatment

This review summarizes published reports on the utility of melatonin as a treatment for virus-mediated diseases. Of special note are the data related to the role of melatonin in influencing Ebola virus disease. This infection and deadly condition has no effective treatment and the published works documenting the ability of melatonin to attenuate the severity of viral infections generally and Ebola infection specifically are considered. The capacity of melatonin to prevent one of the major complications of an Ebola infection, i.e., the hemorrhagic shock syndrome, which often contributes to the high mortality rate, is noteworthy. Considering the high safety profile of melatonin, the fact that it is easily produced, inexpensive and can be self-administered makes it an attractive potential treatment for Ebola virus pathology.  

PROBLEMS OF STRAY ANIMALS IN NOVOSIBIRSK

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 85-91
Author(s):  
Elena E. Rinchinova ◽  
Diyara A. Takumova ◽  
Irina I. Bochkareva
Keyword(s):  
Urban Population ◽  
Domestic Animals ◽  
Legal Documents ◽  
Quantitative Indicators ◽  
The City

The article discusses main issues of organizing activities for the treatment of stray and street animals in the city of Novosibirsk. The important role of successful solving the problem of stray animals in ensuring environmental comfort and safety of the urban population is noted. Definitions of the concepts “stray animals” and “street animals” are given, the differences between them are emphasized. The main regulatory and legal documents governing the handling of stray and street animals are listed. The ways in which domestic animals get into a stray state are described briefly. The results of the collection and analysis of information on the activities of shelters for stray animals in Novosibirsk are described. The information on the quantitative indicators of the shelters are given. Conclusions on how to solve the problem of stray animals, relying on the latest regulations are drawn.

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