4.5 Article

Experimental Lagos bat virus infection in straw-colored fruit bats: A suitable model for bat rabies in a natural reservoir species

Journal

PLOS NEGLECTED TROPICAL DISEASES
Volume 14, Issue 12, Pages -

Publisher

PUBLIC LIBRARY SCIENCE
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0008898

Keywords

-

Funding

  1. European Union FP7 [278978]
  2. UK Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), Scottish and Welsh Government [SE0426]
  3. Royal Society Wolfson Research Merit award

Ask authors/readers for more resources

Rabies is a fatal neurologic disease caused by lyssavirus infection. Bats are important natural reservoir hosts of various lyssaviruses that can be transmitted to people. The epidemiology and pathogenesis of rabies in bats are poorly understood, making it difficult to prevent zoonotic transmission. To further our understanding of lyssavirus pathogenesis in a natural bat host, an experimental model using straw-colored fruit bats (Eidolon helvum) and Lagos bat virus, an endemic lyssavirus in this species, was developed. To determine the lowest viral dose resulting in 100% productive infection, bats in five groups (four bats per group) were inoculated intramuscularly with one of five doses, ranging from 10(0.1) to 10(4.1) median tissue culture infectious dose (TCID50). More bats died due to the development of rabies after the middle dose (10(2.1) TCID50, 4/4 bats) than after lower (10(1.1), 2/4; 10(1.1), 2/4) or higher (10(3.1), 2/4; 10(4.1), 2/4) doses of virus. In the two highest dose groups, 4/8 bats developed rabies. Of those bats that remained healthy 3/4 bats seroconverted, suggesting that high antigen loads can trigger a strong immune response that abrogates a productive infection. In contrast, in the two lowest dose groups, 3/8 bats developed rabies, 1/8 remained healthy and seroconverted and 4/8 bats remained healthy and did not seroconvert, suggesting these doses are too low to reliably induce infection. The main lesion in all clinically affected bats was meningoencephalitis associated with lyssavirus-positive neurons. Lyssavirus antigen was detected in tongue epithelium (5/11 infected bats) rather than in salivary gland epithelium (0/11), suggesting viral excretion via the tongue. Thus, intramuscular inoculation of 10(2.1) TCID50 of Lagos bat virus into straw-colored fruit bats is a suitable model for lyssavirus associated bat rabies in a natural reservoir host, and can help with the investigation of lyssavirus infection dynamics in bats. Author summary Rabies is a fatal neurologic disease affecting people and animals. Rabies is caused by infection with a virus of the genus Lyssavirus. People usually get infected from dog bites, but bats are an increasingly important source of the disease. To better understand the biology of rabies in bats, we developed a laboratory model to study the disease in bats under controlled circumstances. For this model we used Lagos bat virus in straw-colored fruit bats and, as part of its development, we wanted to know the best virus dose to use to cause rabies. Therefore, we compared the outcomes of five different virus doses injected into the muscle of the bats. The best dose for our model was the middle dose, which caused rabies more frequently than either the highest or the lowest doses. The higher doses more frequently resulted in the development of an anti-viral immune response which appeared to protect against disease, while bats with low doses also often failed to develop disease. The virus dose thus followed the Goldilocks principle, with the middle dose being just right.

Authors

I am an author on this paper
Click your name to claim this paper and add it to your profile.

Reviews

Primary Rating

4.5
Not enough ratings

Secondary Ratings

Novelty
-
Significance
-
Scientific rigor
-
Rate this paper

Recommended

Article Public, Environmental & Occupational Health

The Amazonian Tropical Bites Research Initiative, a hope for resolving zoonotic neglected tropical diseases in the One Health era

Emma Taylor, Elsa Gladys Aguilar-Ancori, Ashley C. Banyard, Isis Abel, Clara Mantini-Briggs, Charles L. Briggs, Carolina Carrillo, Cesar M. Gavidia, Ricardo Castillo-Neyra, Alejandro D. Parola, Fredy E. Villena, Joaquin M. Prada, Brett W. Petersen, Nestor Falcon Perez, Cesar Cabezas Sanchez, Moises Sihuincha, Daniel G. Streicker, Ciro Maguina Vargas, Ana Maria Navarro Vela, Marco A. N. Vigilato, Hui Wen Fan, Rodney Willoughby, Daniel L. Horton, Sergio E. Recuenco

Summary: The Amazonian Tropical Bites Research Initiative (ATBRI) has been established to unify the control methods for neglected zoonotic diseases related to animal bites across Latin America, and provide evidence for policy-making.

INTERNATIONAL HEALTH (2023)

Article Veterinary Sciences

Comparative pathogenesis of two genotype VI.2 avian paramyxovirus type-1 viruses (APMV-1) in pheasants, partridges and chickens

Craig S. Ross, David Sutton, Paul Skinner, Sahar Mahmood, Felicity Wynne, Brandon Londt, Chad M. Fuller, Jo Mayers, Alejandro Nunez, Daniel J. Hicks, Sharon M. Brookes, Ashley C. Banyard, Ian H. Brown

Summary: Newcastle disease (ND) is a significant disease of poultry caused by virulent forms of avian paramyxovirus-1 (APMV-1). Pigeon paramyxovirus 1 (PPMV-1) can also cause infections. A study investigated the pathogenesis and transmission of a specific APMV-1 strain in game birds and compared it to a contemporary PPMV-1 strain. The study suggested that game birds may play a role in the transmission and epidemiology of APMV-1 viruses.

AVIAN PATHOLOGY (2023)

Article Virology

Emergence of High Pathogenicity Avian Influenza Virus H5N1 Clade 2.3.4.4b in Wild Birds and Poultry in Botswana

Samantha L. Letsholo, Joe James, Stephanie M. Meyer, Alexander M. P. Byrne, Scott M. Reid, Tirumala B. K. Settypalli, Sneha Datta, Letlhogile Oarabile, Obakeng Kemolatlhe, Kgakgamatso T. Pebe, Bruce R. Mafonko, Tebogo J. Kgotlele, Kago Kumile, Boitumelo Modise, Carter Thanda, John F. C. Nyange, Chandapiwa Marobela-Raborokgwe, Giovanni Cattoli, Charles E. Lamien, Ian H. Brown, William G. Dundon, Ashley C. Banyard

Summary: Numerous outbreaks of high-pathogenicity avian influenza (HPAI) occurred in Africa, including in Benin, Burkina Faso, Nigeria, Senegal, Lesotho, Namibia, South Africa, and Botswana. The detection of H5N1 virus in Botswana has significant implications for disease management, wildlife conservation, tourism, public health, vulnerable communities empowerment, and food security in the region.

VIRUSES-BASEL (2022)

Article Virology

Taiwan Bat Lyssavirus: In Vitro and In Vivo Assessment of the Ability of Rabies Vaccine-Derived Antibodies to Neutralise a Novel Lyssavirus

Rebecca Shipley, Edward Wright, Samuel P. Smith, David Selden, Anthony R. Fooks, Ashley C. Banyard

Summary: Rabies is a neglected tropical disease, with the rabies virus causing tens of thousands of human fatalities each year. It belongs to the genus Lyssavirus, but the burden of other lyssaviruses is unclear. The emergence of novel lyssaviruses emphasizes the need to assess vaccine efficacy against these viruses, as standard rabies vaccines may not be effective against all lyssaviruses.

VIRUSES-BASEL (2022)

Article Microbiology

Inflammatory Responses Induced by the Monophasic Variant of Salmonella Typhimurium in Pigs Play a Role in the High Shedder Phenotype and Fecal Microbiota Composition

Florent Kempf, Guido Cordoni, Anne-Marie Chausse, Rosanna Drumo, Helen Brown, Daniel L. Horton, Frederic Paboeuf, Martine Denis, Philippe Velge, Roberto La Ragione, Annaelle Kerouanton

Summary: By analyzing immune-associated markers and gut microbiota composition in pigs infected with Salmonella, we found that identifying high shedder pigs can help mitigate the risk of pathogen spread in the food chain.

MSYSTEMS (2023)

Article Virology

The Role of Airborne Particles in the Epidemiology of Clade 2.3.4.4b H5N1 High Pathogenicity Avian Influenza Virus in Commercial Poultry Production Units

Joe James, Caroline J. Warren, Dilhani De Silva, Thomas Lewis, Katherine Grace, Scott M. Reid, Marco Falchieri, Ian H. Brown, Ashley C. Banyard

Summary: Since October 2021, Europe has experienced a large-scale avian influenza (AIV) outbreak caused by the clade 2.3.4.4b H5N1 high pathogenicity AIV. The virus has infected numerous poultry premises and led to the detection of H5N1-positive wild birds in Great Britain. It has been found that airborne particles carrying infectious HPAIV can be transmitted over short distances (<10 m) through the air, while macroscopic particles containing viral RNA may travel further (<= 80 m). However, the potential for airborne transmission between premises is considered low compared to other factors such as indirect contact with wild birds and biosecurity efficiency.

VIRUSES-BASEL (2023)

Article Virology

Game Birds Can Act as Intermediaries of Virulent Genotype VII Avian Orthoavulavirus-1 between Wild Birds and Domestic Poultry

Craig S. Ross, Paul Skinner, David Sutton, Jo Mayers, Alex Nunez, Sharon M. Brookes, Ashley C. Banyard, Ian H. Brown

Summary: Newcastle Disease (ND), caused by virulent forms of Avian orthoavulavirus serotype-1 (AOAV-1), is a globally significant avian disease. The study investigated the risk of AOAV-1-infected game birds to the UK poultry industry. It demonstrated that both chickens and pheasants are susceptible to infection, leading to high mortality and onward transmission, while partridges serve as intermediate hosts with reduced mortality and transmission.

VIRUSES-BASEL (2023)

Article Virology

Efficient and Informative Laboratory Testing for Rapid Confirmation of H5N1 (Clade 2.3.4.4) High-Pathogenicity Avian Influenza Outbreaks in the United Kingdom

Marek J. Slomka, Scott M. Reid, Alexander M. P. Byrne, Vivien J. Coward, James Seekings, Jayne L. Cooper, Jacob Peers-Dent, Eric Agyeman-Dua, Dilhani de Silva, Rowena D. E. Hansen, Ashley C. Banyard, Ian H. Brown

Summary: During the early stages of the H5N1 avian influenza virus outbreak in commercial poultry in the UK, real-time reverse-transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RRT-PCR) was used to confirm infected premises and identify the viral subtype and pathotype. Statistical analysis supported a three-test approach using M-gene, H5-HP, and N1 RRT-PCRs for swab testing, which proved to be effective in subsequent assessments. The sensitivity of the M-gene and H5-HP RRT-PCR was high, while the N1 RRT-PCR remained effective at flock level. Successful surveillance testing and epidemiological information were also obtained using serological testing and quantitative comparisons of shedding.

VIRUSES-BASEL (2023)

Article Infectious Diseases

Quantifying the interconnectedness between poverty, health access, and rabies mortality

Emma Taylor, Katy George, Emily Johnson, Hannah Whitelegg, Joaquin M. Prada, Daniel L. Horton

Summary: This study investigates whether rabies incidence is an inevitable consequence of poverty and the relationship between economic development and rabies control. The findings suggest that economic growth alone may not be sufficient to achieve the 2030 goal, and other strategies such as targeting vulnerable populations and responsible pet ownership are needed in addition to economic investment.

PLOS NEGLECTED TROPICAL DISEASES (2023)

Article Microbiology

Environmental Samples Test Negative for Avian Influenza Virus H5N1 Four Months after Mass Mortality at A Seabird Colony

Robert W. Furness, Sheila C. Gear, Kees C. J. Camphuysen, Glen Tyler, Dilhani de Silva, Caroline J. Warren, Joe James, Scott M. Reid, Ashley C. Banyard

Summary: During the summers of 2021 and 2022, high pathogenicity avian influenza had a significant impact on seabird populations, causing unprecedented mortality. In one specific case at Foula, Shetland, 1500 adult great skuas died, leaving decomposing virus-laden material. The risk of further spread of infection was investigated through water sampling, and although no viral genetic material was detected after four months, limitations to the study need to be considered for future environmental monitoring.

PATHOGENS (2023)

Article Virology

Characterisation of a Live-Attenuated Rabies Virus Expressing a Secreted scFv for the Treatment of Rabies

Samuel P. Smith, Rebecca Shipley, Pascal Drake, Anthony R. Fooks, Julian Ma, Ashley C. Banyard

Summary: The rabies virus is responsible for over 59,000 human deaths per year and is difficult to treat in endemic areas. To overcome this, researchers developed a live-attenuated recombinant rabies virus expressing a highly neutralizing antibody linked to a fluorescent marker. This approach shows promise for the development of a therapeutic live-attenuated virus-based treatment for rabies infection.

VIRUSES-BASEL (2023)

Article Virology

Different Outcomes of Chicken Infection with UK-Origin H5N1-2020 and H5N8-2020 High-Pathogenicity Avian Influenza Viruses (Clade 2.3.4.4b)

Amanda H. Seekings, Caroline J. Warren, Saumya S. Thomas, Fabian Z. X. Lean, David Selden, Benjamin C. Mollett, Pauline M. van Diemen, Ashley C. Banyard, Marek J. Slomka

Summary: Clade 2.3.4.4 H5Nx highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses (HPAIVs) of the goose/Guangdong lineage have caused a series of European epizootics since 2014. During autumn/winter 2020-2021, H5Nx subtypes, with H5N8 being the dominant subtype, were detected in the UK. The study shows that H5N8-2020 had higher infectivity while H5N1-2020 had faster transmission and greater virulence.

VIRUSES-BASEL (2023)

Article Virology

Recurring Trans-Atlantic Incursion of Clade 2.3.4.4b H5N1 Viruses by Long Distance Migratory Birds from Northern Europe to Canada in 2022/2023

Tamiru N. Alkie, Alexander M. P. Byrne, Megan E. B. Jones, Benjamin C. Mollett, Laura Bourque, Oliver Lung, Joe James, Carmencita Yason, Ashley C. Banyard, Daniel Sullivan, Anthony V. Signore, Andrew S. Lang, Meghan Baker, Beverly Dawe, Ian H. Brown, Yohannes Berhane

Summary: In December 2022 and January 2023, clade 2.3.4.4b H5N1 avian influenza viruses were isolated from six American crows and a red fox in Canada. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that these viruses belonged to two different clusters, indicating the continued transcontinental dissemination of the virus through migratory birds.

VIRUSES-BASEL (2023)

Article Biochemistry & Molecular Biology

VIDIIA Hunter diagnostic platform: a low-cost, smartphone connected, artificial intelligence-assisted COVID-19 rapid diagnostics approved for medical use in the UK

Aurore C. Poirier, Ruben D. Riano Moreno, Leona Takaindisa, Jessie Carpenter, Jai W. Mehat, Abi Haddon, Mohammed A. Rohaim, Craig Williams, Peter Burkhart, Chris Conlon, Matthew Wilson, Matthew Mcclumpha, Anna Stedman, Guido Cordoni, Manoharanehru Branavan, Mukunthan Tharmakulasingam, Nouman S. Chaudhry, Nicolas Locker, Anil Fernando, Wamadeva Balachandran, Mark Bullen, Nadine Collins, David Rimer, Daniel L. Horton, Muhammad Munir, Roberto M. La Ragione

Summary: This study presents a rapid and inexpensive diagnostic platform for SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) using the RT-LAMP assay and a portable smart diagnostic device. The platform utilizes automated image acquisition and an AI deep learning model to eliminate subjectivity in result interpretation. The AI-assisted diagnostics platform showed high specificity and sensitivity compared to the gold standard RT-qPCR test.

FRONTIERS IN MOLECULAR BIOSCIENCES (2023)

No Data Available