scholarly journals Monitoring Natural SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Lions (Panthera leo) at the Barcelona Zoo: Viral Dynamics and Host Responses

Viruses ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (9) ◽  
pp. 1683 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hugo Fernández-Bellon ◽  
Jordi Rodon ◽  
Leira Fernández-Bastit ◽  
Vanessa Almagro ◽  
Pilar Padilla-Solé ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Neutralizing Antibodies ◽  
Animal Species ◽  
Early Time ◽  
Farm Animals ◽  
Host Responses ◽  
Panthera Leo ◽  
Viral Dynamics ◽  
Early Time Point ◽  
Animal Caretaker ◽  
Second Wave

To date, no evidence supports the fact that animals play a role in the epidemiology of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the causative agent of the coronavirus infectious disease 2019 (COVID-19). However, several animal species are naturally susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 infection. Besides pets (cats, dogs, Syrian hamsters, and ferrets) and farm animals (minks), different zoo animal species have tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 (large felids and non-human primates). After the summer of 2020, a second wave of SARS-CoV-2 infection occurred in Barcelona (Spain), reaching a peak of positive cases in November. During that period, four lions (Panthera leo) at the Barcelona Zoo and three caretakers developed respiratory signs and tested positive for the SARS-CoV-2 antigen. Lion infection was monitored for several weeks and nasal, fecal, saliva, and blood samples were taken at different time-points. SARS-CoV-2 RNA was detected in nasal samples from all studied lions and the viral RNA was detected up to two weeks after the initial viral positive test in three out of four animals. The SARS-CoV-2 genome was also detected in the feces of animals at different times. Virus isolation was successful only from respiratory samples of two lions at an early time-point. The four animals developed neutralizing antibodies after the infection that were detectable four months after the initial diagnosis. The partial SARS-CoV-2 genome sequence from one animal caretaker was identical to the sequences obtained from lions. Chronology of the events, the viral dynamics, and the genomic data support human-to-lion transmission as the origin of infection.

Registration of animal rabies in Krasnodar region

2020 ◽  
pp. 3-4
Author(s):  
Oleg Yu. Chernykh ◽  
◽  
Vadim A. Bobrov ◽  
Sergey N. Zabashta ◽  
Roman A. Krivonos ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Urban Form ◽  
Animal Species ◽  
Farm Animals ◽  
Natural Focus ◽  
Dead End ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Epizootic Process ◽  
Krasnodar Region ◽  
Spread Of Infection ◽  
Reporting Data

Rabies remains a constant threat to humanity in many parts of the world. At the same time, scientifically grounded antiepizootic measures should be based on the peculiarities of the regional epizootology of this zooanthroponosis. The authors studied the epizootological and statistical reporting data of the Kropotkin Regional Veterinary Laboratory, presented an analysis of the registration of rabies in animals in Krasnodar region. From the obtained data, it should be noted that despite the wide range of animals involved in the epizootic process of rabies infection in Krasnodar region, dogs, cats and foxes play a major role in the reservation and spread of infection, which account for 78.6. Of the total number of registered cases, 15.5% falls on foxes, that indicates the natural focus of the disease, along with the manifestation of the disease in an urban form. At the same time, stray and neglected dogs and cats, which occupy a significant place among the total number of sick animals, are also sources and spread of the infection. Thus farm animals (8.3% of the total number of infected animals) are a biological dead end for the infection. Isolated cases of the disease were noted in muskrat, donkey, raccoon, raccoon dog, marten, ferret and jackal. The authors also established the specific morbidity of various animal species with rabies infection, that is an important aspect in the development and implementation of antiepizootic measures complex

scholarly journals Chronic mild and acute severe glaucomatous neurodegeneration derived from silicone oil-induced ocular hypertension

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Fang Fang ◽  
Jie Zhang ◽  
Pei Zhuang ◽  
Pingting Liu ◽  
Liang Li ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ocular Hypertension ◽  
High Frequency ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Silicone Oil ◽  
Early Time ◽  
Similar Degree ◽  
Pupillary Dilation ◽  
Early Time Point ◽  
Chronic Model ◽  
Iop Elevation

AbstractRecently, we established silicone oil-induced ocular hypertension (SOHU) mouse model with significant glaucomatous neurodegeneration. Here we characterize two additional variations of this model that simulate two distinct glaucoma types. The first is a chronic model produced by high frequency (HF) pupillary dilation after SO-induced pupillary block, which shows sustained moderate IOP elevation and corresponding slow, mild glaucomatous neurodegeneration. We also demonstrate that although SO removal quickly returns IOP to normal, the glaucomatous neurodegeneration continues to advance to a similar degree as in the HF group without SO removal. The second, an acute model created by no pupillary dilation (ND), shows a greatly elevated IOP and severe inner retina degeneration at an early time point. Therefore, by a straightforward dilation scheme, we extend our original SOHU model to recapitulate phenotypes of two major glaucoma forms, which will be invaluable for selecting neuroprotectants and elucidating their molecular mechanisms.

scholarly journals Do Animals Play a Role in the Transmission of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2)? A Commentary

Animals ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 16
Author(s):  
Anna Costagliola ◽  
Giovanna Liguori ◽  
Danila d’Angelo ◽  
Caterina Costa ◽  
Francesca Ciani ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ◽  
Neutralizing Antibodies ◽  
Experimental Studies ◽  
Infectious Agent ◽  
Human Infection ◽  
Farm Animals ◽  
Partial Protection ◽  
Management Measures ◽  
First Case ◽  
And Behavior

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) belongs to the Beta-coronavirus genus. It is 96.2% homologous to bat CoV RaTG13 and 88% homologous to two bat SARS-like coronaviruses. SARS-CoV-2 is the infectious agent responsible for the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), which was first reported in the Hubei province of Wuhan, China, at the beginning of December 2019. Human transmission from COVID-19 patients or incubation carriers occurs via coughing, sneezing, speaking, discharge from the nose, or fecal contamination. Various strains of the virus have been reported around the world, with different virulence and behavior. In addition, SARS-CoV-2 shares certain epitopes with some taxonomically related viruses, with tropism for the most common synanthropic animals. By elucidating the immunological properties of the circulating SARS-CoV-2, a partial protection due to human–animal interactions could be supposed in some situations. In addition, differential epitopes could be used for the differential diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 infection. There have been cases of transmission from people with COVID-19 to pets such as cats and dogs. In addition, wild felines were infected. All These animals were either asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic and recovered spontaneously. Experimental studies showed cats and ferrets to be more susceptible to COVID-19. COVID-19 positive dogs and felines do not transmit the infection to humans. In contrast, minks at farms were severely infected from people with COVID-19. A SARS-Cov-2 variant in the Danish farmed mink that had been previously infected by COVID-19 positive workers, spread to mink workers causing the first case of animal-to-human infection transmission that causes a moderate decreased sensitivity to neutralizing antibodies. Thus, more investigations are necessary. It remains important to understand the risk that people with COVID-19 pose to their pets, as well as wild or farm animals so effective recommendations and risk management measures against COVID-19 can be made. A One Health unit that facilitates collaboration between public health and veterinary services is recommended.

Chromosomal instability in different species of agricultural animals (review)

2021 ◽  
pp. 19-26
Author(s):  
V. A. Andreeva
Keyword(s):  
Chromosomal Instability ◽  
Animal Species ◽  
Western Siberia ◽  
Reproductive Function ◽  
Farm Animals ◽  
Chromosomal Disorders ◽  
Important Indicator ◽  
Karyotypic Analysis ◽  
Different Types ◽  
Almost All

The purpose of the work was to analyze the frequency of chromosomal instability in different species of agricultural animals in Western Siberia on the basis of literature data. The analysis of the literature on the topic of somatic chromosomal instability in agricultural animals has been carried out. Despite the stability of the chromosome set, deviations from it are quite common. It is noteworthy that chromosomal instability is characteristic of almost all individuals in the population and serves as an important indicator for assessing the natural mutability of chromosomes. It has been found if an aberration appeared in one tissue, it is very likely to occur in others. It has been noted that somatic chromosomal instability occurs in animals with reduced reproductive function, as well as those suffering from any pathology. For example, in calves with parakeratosis the increase in the frequency of chromatid and isochromatid breaks has been found. Analysis of the frequency of aberrations in sires, which differ in the level of perinatal mortality of offspring revealed the increased percentage of offspring mortality in fathers with the large number of chromosomal disorders. Therefore, low fertilization, spontaneous abortions and stillbirths may be indications for karyotypic analysis. It has been revealed that the lability of the karyotype is inherent in all animal species, regardless of the species, sex and age, as well as the morphofunctional state. The data on some types of somatic chromosomal instability in different types of farm animals in Western Siberia has been presented. Such indicators as the frequency of polyploidy, the number of cells with fragments of chromosomes, as well as single and paired fragments of chromosomes has been given. Different types of chromosomal instability varied depending on the animal species and climate zone. The presented data can be accepted as a physiological norm and used in veterinary medicine and animal science.

scholarly journals Relevance of animal infections in SARS-Cov-2 spread: an update after 1 year of pandemic.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Frazzini Sara ◽  
Amadori Massimo ◽  
Lauretta Turin ◽  
Federica Riva
Keyword(s):  
Animal Species ◽  
Natural Infection ◽  
Farm Animals ◽  
World Health ◽  
Chinese City ◽  
Experimental Infections ◽  
Novel Coronavirus ◽  
Health Organization ◽  
Therapy Studies

In December 2019, several cases of pneumonia caused by a novel Coronavirus, later identified as SARS-CoV-2, were detected in the Chinese city of Wuhan. Due to its rapid, worldwide spread, on 11 March 2020 the World Health Organization declared a pandemic state. Since this new virus is genetically similar to the coronaviruses of bats, it was thought to have a zoonotic origin. Within a year of the appearance of SARS-CoV-2, several cases of infection were also reported in animals, suggesting animal-to-human and animal-to-animal transmission within mammals. Natural infection has been found in both companion and captive animals such as lions, tigers and gorillas. Among farm animals, the only ones found to be susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 infection so far are minks. Experimental infections have documented the susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 of several animal species, such as humanized mice, hamsters, cats, dogs, ferrets, racoon dogs, cattle and non-human primates. Experimental infections are crucial for both elucidation of the role of animals in transmission and development of appropriate animal models for pathogenesis and therapy studies. This review aims to update the knowledge on natural and experimental SARS-CoV-2 infections in animals.

Cranioplasty Reverses Dysfunction of the Solutes Distribution in the Brain Parenchyma After Decompressive Craniectomy

Neurosurgery ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 87 (5) ◽  
pp. 1064-1069 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alin Borha ◽  
Audrey Chagnot ◽  
Romain Goulay ◽  
Evelyne Emery ◽  
Denis Vivien ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Decompressive Craniectomy ◽  
Early Time ◽  
Brain Parenchyma ◽  
Late Time ◽  
Perivascular Spaces ◽  
Early Time Point ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The Brain ◽  
Brain Homeostasis ◽  
Time Point

Abstract Background Solutes distribution by the intracranial cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) fluxes along perivascular spaces and through interstitial fluid (ISF) play a key role in the clearance of brain metabolites, with essential functions in maintaining brain homeostasis. Objective To investigate the impact of decompressive craniectomy (DC) and cranioplasty (CP) on the efficacy of solutes distribution by the intracranial CSF and ISF flux. Methods Mice were allocated in 3 groups: sham surgery, DC, and DC followed by CP. The solutes distribution in the brain parenchyma was assessed using T1 magnetic resonance imaging after injection of DOTA-Gadolinium in the cisterna magna. This evaluation was performed at an early time point following DC (after 2 d) and at a later time point (after 15 d). We evaluated the solutes distribution in the whole brain and in the region underneath the DC area. Results Our results demonstrate that the global solutes distribution in the brain parenchyma is impaired after DC in mice, both at early and late time-points. However, there was no impact of DC on the solutes distribution just under the craniectomy. We then provide evidence that this impairment was reversed by CP. Conclusion The solute distribution in the brain parenchyma by the CSF and ISF is impaired by DC, a phenomenon reversed by CP.

Qualitative behaviour assessment as an indicator of animal emotional welfare in farm assurance

Livestock ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 25 (4) ◽  
pp. 180-183
Author(s):  
Richard Cooper ◽  
Françoise Wemelsfelder
Keyword(s):  
Physical Health ◽  
Outcome Measures ◽  
Animal Species ◽  
Good Life ◽  
Farm Animals ◽  
Emotional Wellbeing ◽  
Qualitative Behaviour ◽  
Assessment Techniques ◽  
Potential Benefits ◽  
Sentient Beings

Acknowledgement of animals as sentient beings (including farm animal species), capable of experiencing positive and negative emotions, has highlighted the need for suitable ‘welfare outcome’ measures in farm assurance schemes. Current schemes tend to focus on measures of physical health and productivity, but there is as yet a lack of indicators addressing farmed animals' emotional wellbeing. A number of assessment techniques exist that may help us develop such indicators, and better understand the extent to which farm animals do, or do not, experience ‘a good life’. This article focuses on one such technique, ‘qualitative behaviour assessment’ (QBA), and reviews the potential benefits of, and challenges to, its practical deployment in the field.

scholarly journals Evaluation of HBV-Like Circulation in Wild and Farm Animals from Brazil and Uruguay

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (15) ◽  
pp. 2679
Author(s):  
Yasmine R. Vieira ◽  
Moyra M. Portilho ◽  
Flávia F. Oliveira ◽  
Alexandro Guterres ◽  
Débora Regina L dos Santos ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hepatitis B Virus ◽  
Hepatitis B ◽  
Animal Species ◽  
Farm Animals ◽  
Core Antigen ◽  
Qualitative Polymerase Chain Reaction ◽  
Health Response ◽  
B Virus ◽  
Polymerase Chain ◽  
Partial Genome

The origin of the hepatitis B virus is a subject of wide deliberation among researchers. As a result, increasing academic interest has focused on the spread of the virus in different animal species. However, the sources of viral infection for many of these animals are unknown since transmission may occur from animal to animal, human to human, animal to human, and human to animal. The aim of this study was to evaluate hepadnavirus circulation in wild and farm animals (including animals raised under wild or free conditions) from different sites in Brazil and Uruguay using serological and molecular tools. A total of 487 domestic wild and farm animals were screened for hepatitis B virus (HBV) serological markers and tested via quantitative and qualitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to detect viral DNA. We report evidence of HBsAg (surface antigen of HBV) and total anti-HBc (HBV core antigen) markers as well as low-copy hepadnavirus DNA among domestic and wild animals. According to our results, which were confirmed by partial genome sequencing, as the proximity between humans and animals increases, the potential for pathogen dispersal also increases. A wider knowledge and understanding of reverse zoonoses should be sought for an effective One Health response.

Host–parasite interactions in rodent nematode infections

2003 ◽  
Vol 77 (2) ◽  
pp. 125-131 ◽  
Author(s):  
Y.R. Mahida
Keyword(s):  
Neutralizing Antibodies ◽  
Host Response ◽  
Trichinella Spiralis ◽  
Host Responses ◽  
Nippostrongylus Brasiliensis ◽  
Trichuris Muris ◽  
Epithelial Phenotype ◽  
Worm Expulsion ◽  
Genetically Manipulated ◽  
Host Parasite

AbstractIn rodents,Trichinella spiralisandNippostrongylus brasiliensisinfect the small intestine andTrichuris murisresides in the colon. The intestinal host response in these animals is characterized by changes in mucosal architecture and inflammation and is associated with worm expulsion. The requirement of T cell-mediated host response in worm expulsion has been demonstrated over many years. Subsequent studies have shown that Th2-type, but not Th1-type, responses mediate resistance to the nematodes. Investigations using neutralizing antibodies and genetically manipulated mice have characterized the contribution of individual Th2-type cytokines in not only worm expulsion, but also specific cellular changes that occur in the mucosa, such as alterations in epithelial phenotype and smooth muscle. There is also increasing appreciation of the contribution of non-bone marrow-derived cells in innate and adaptive host responses in these models.

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