Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
B. Joseph Hinnebusch, Clayton O. Jarrett, David M. Bland
Summary: This study explores the life cycle of Yersinia pestis in mammals and fleas, focusing on its colonization and transmission in fleas, as well as metabolic adaptations in the flea gut. Additionally, it highlights the importance of biofilm development in promoting regurgitative transmission by disrupting normal blood feeding dynamics.
Article
Virology
Fuka Kikuchi, Kae Senoo, Satoru Arai, Kimiyuki Tsuchiya, Nguyen Truong Son, Masaharu Motokawa, Marie Ranorosoa, Saw Bawm, Kyaw Lin, Hitoshi Suzuki, Akira Unno, Keisuke Nakata, Masashi Harada, Keiko Tanaka-Taya, Shigeru Morikawa, Motoi Suzuki, Tetsuya Mizutani, Richard Yanagihara
Summary: Hantaviruses harbored by various small mammal species in Japan, Vietnam, Myanmar, and Madagascar were analyzed for virus-host relationships and geographic distribution, revealing the presence of different strains in different rodent species and evidence of host-switching through co-phylogeny mapping.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Da Di, Jeanne Simon Thomas, Mathias Currat, Jose Manuel Nunes, Alicia Sanchez-Mazas
Summary: In this study, DNA was extracted from medieval plague victims and compared to modern populations to investigate changes in human leukocyte antigen (HLA) genotypes. The authors found significant differences in HLA frequencies between ancient and modern populations, suggesting a long-term effect of Yersinia pestis on human immunity genes. However, further analyses and simulations did not support these conclusions, indicating that ancient DNA may not provide sufficient evidence for HLA protection or susceptibility to plague.
MOLECULAR BIOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2022)
Article
Zoology
Minoarisoa Rajerison, Voahangy Andrianaivoarimanana, Maherisoa Ratsitorahina, Soanandrasana Rahelinirina, Suzanne Chanteau, Sandra Telfer, Lila Rahalison
Summary: The study found that domestic dogs can serve as sentinel animals for plague surveillance in Madagascar, with potential value in identifying plague circulation in new or quiescent areas. Canine antibody detection may help determine areas at greatest risk of human outbreaks within active endemic regions.
INTEGRATIVE ZOOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Jennifer Klunk, Tauras P. Vilgalys, Christian E. Demeure, Xiaoheng Cheng, Mari Shiratori, Julien Madej, Remi Beau, Derek Elli, Maria Patino, Rebecca Redfern, Sharon N. DeWitte, Julia A. Gamble, Jesper L. Boldsen, Ann Carmichael, Nukhet Varlik, Katherine Eaton, Jean-Christophe Grenier, G. Brian Golding, Alison Devault, Jean-Marie Rouillard, Vania Yotova, Renata Sindeaux, Chun Jimmie Ye, Matin Bikaran, Anne Dumaine, Jessica F. Brinkworth, Dominique Missiakas, Guy A. Rouleau, Matthias Steinrucken, Javier Pizarro-Cerda, Hendrik N. Poinar, Luis B. Barreiro
Summary: Infectious diseases have been a significant driving force in human evolution. The second pandemic of plague, known as the Black Death, caused by the bacterium Yersinia pestis, resulted in a devastating mortality event in Afro-Eurasia. By studying genetic variation in immune-related genes, researchers found evidence of positive selection during the Black Death. Several variants associated with immune response and control of Yersinia pestis were identified. Furthermore, protective variants overlapped with alleles associated with increased susceptibility to autoimmune diseases.
Article
Microbiology
Moshe Aftalion, Ronit Aloni-Grinstein, Voahangy Andrianaivoarimanana, Alice Lantoniaina Iharisoa, Shlomo Shmaya, David Gur, Orly Laskar, Minoarisoa Rajerison, Emanuelle Mamroud
Summary: According to the WHO, Madagascar accounts for 75% of the world's plague cases, with a significant outbreak of pneumonic plague in 2017. A new, improved BIN medium was developed for isolating Y. pestis from clinical specimens with better performance than commercially available selective media, offering more accurate diagnosis for plague patients and improving surveillance and treatment efforts.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Ritik Agrawal, Jogesh Murmu, Sweta Pattnaik, Srikanta Kanungo, Sanghamitra Pati
Summary: Plague cases have been surging in Africa, particularly in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Madagascar, and Peru. The disease is transmitted through fleas that bite humans and is caused by the bacteria Yersinia pestis. The mortality rate for the bubonic plague can be as high as 40-70% without treatment, making it a major concern in countries like Madagascar. It is crucial to implement effective disease control measures, including training healthcare providers, reducing human-rodent interactions, and improving diagnostic capabilities. Raising awareness among the general population and ensuring proper protection for healthcare professionals are also important steps to prevent the spread of the disease. The importance of addressing this issue is rated at 8 out of 10.
INFECTIOUS DISEASES OF POVERTY
(2023)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Beza Ramasindrazana, Mamionah N. J. Parany, Fanohinjanaharinirina Rasoamalala, Mercia Rasoanoro, Soloandry Rahajandraibe, Amy J. Vogler, Jason W. Sahl, Voahangy Andrianaivoarimanana, Minoarisoa Rajerison, David M. Wagner
Summary: Plague is a re-emerging zoonotic disease of public health concern in Madagascar, where different subtypes of Y. pestis co-occur. High seroprevalence of Y. pestis in local rodent populations suggests potential resistance development. Further research on genomic characterization of Y. pestis strains in endemic regions is needed for better understanding of its phylogeography.
ZOONOSES AND PUBLIC HEALTH
(2022)
Article
Fisheries
Richard S. Taylor, Roberto Carvalheiro, Amanda L. Patchett, Klara L. Verbyla, Jeremy Carson, James W. Wynne, Brad S. Evans, Curtis E. Lind, Harry King
Summary: This study found that resistance to yersiniosis is a heritable trait and that two consecutive year classes of salmon were highly correlated in terms of disease resistance. Genomic prediction was more accurate than traditional pedigree-based selective breeding, with an improvement of 9-14%. GWAS analysis confirmed that resistance to yersiniosis is a polygenic trait with no major QTL. Candidate genes identified suggest altered host interactions, inflammatory responses, and clearance of Y. ruckeri infection.
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Joa Braithe Mangombi-Pambou, Laurent Granjon, Fabien Flirden, Mamadou Kane, Youssoupha Niang, Bernard Davoust, Florence Fenollar, Oleg Mediannikov
Summary: This study investigated the prevalence of infectious agents in outdoor rodents in Senegal and identified a new bacterium species. The study highlights the diversity of infectious agents circulating in rodent populations and the importance of describing potential new species and evaluating their pathogenicity and zoonotic potential.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Quirine Ten Bosch, Voahangy Andrianaivoarimanana, Beza Ramasindrazana, Guillain Mikaty, Rado J. L. Rakotonanahary, Birgit Nikolay, Soloandry Rahajandraibe, Maxence Feher, Quentin Grassin, Juliette Paireau, Soanandrasana Rahelinirina, Rindra Randremanana, Feno Rakotoarimanana, Marie Melocco, Voahangy Rasolofo, Javier Pizarro-Cerda, Anne-Sophie Le Guern, Eric Bertherat, Maherisoa Ratsitorahina, Andre Spiegel, Laurence Baril, Minoarisoa Rajerison, Simon Cauchemez
Summary: During outbreaks, the lack of a diagnostic gold standard can hinder resource allocation and mask the true burden of infection. This study presents an analytical framework to evaluate and optimize the use of diagnostics when multiple imperfect tests are available. By analyzing laboratory results from the 2017 pneumonic and bubonic plague outbreak in Madagascar, the study found that the extent of the outbreaks had been unclear due to nonoptimal assays. Molecular biology methods offered the best compromise between sensitivity and specificity.
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Frank S. Fan
Summary: Factor V Leiden, a mutant gene defect, exists mainly in Caucasians but is almost absent in Asians. This distribution imbalance may be linked to the Black Death pandemic in fourteenth-century Europe, which exerted selective pressure on the factor V Leiden mutation, providing an evolutionary advantage.
MEDICAL HYPOTHESES
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Amanda R. Goldberg, Courtney J. Conway, Dean E. Biggins
Summary: The study indicates that plague is negatively impacting the survival of northern Idaho ground squirrels and two coexisting species. The experiment results suggest that vaccination and flea control can improve survival, potentially mitigating the pressure of enzootic plague.
GLOBAL ECOLOGY AND CONSERVATION
(2021)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Sarah N. Bevins, Jeffrey C. Chandler, Nicole Barrett, Brandon S. Schmit, Gerald W. Wiscomb, Susan A. Shriner
Summary: Plague caused by Yersinia pestis is prevalent in wildlife, with seropositive animals found in every western state in the contiguous United States. Establishing long-term and large-scale pathogen monitoring systems in wildlife can help reveal potential shifts in distribution due to climate or land use changes.
VECTOR-BORNE AND ZOONOTIC DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Alexander Immel, Felix M. Key, Andras Szolek, Rodrigo Barquera, Madeline K. Robinson, Genelle F. Harrison, William H. Palmer, Maria A. Spyrou, Julian Susat, Ben Krause-Kyora, Kirsten Bos, Stephen Forrest, Diana Hernandez-Zaragoza, Juergen Sauter, Ute Solloch, Alexander H. Schmidt, Verena J. Schuenemann, Ella Reiter, Madita S. Kairies, Rainer Weiss, Susanne Arnold, Joachim Wahl, Jill A. Hollenbach, Oliver Kohlbacher, Alexander Herbig, Paul J. Norman, Johannes Krause
Summary: The study extracted DNA from plague victims in Germany from the 16th century and found potential impact of historical plagues on allele frequencies of human immunity genes. The research revealed differences in allele frequencies for immune-related genes between historical plague victims and modern population, suggesting the influence of past epidemics on human immune response genes.
MOLECULAR BIOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2021)
Review
Plant Sciences
Charlotte Tollenaere, Hanna Susi, Anna-Liisa Laine
TRENDS IN PLANT SCIENCE
(2016)
Article
Parasitology
Rado J. L. Rakotonanahary, Alan Harrison, Alice N. Maina, Ju Jiang, Allen L. Richards, Minoarisoa Rajerison, Sandra Telfer
PARASITES & VECTORS
(2017)
Article
Parasitology
Mireille Harimalala, Sandra Telfer, Helene Delatte, Phillip C. Watts, Adelaide Miarinjara, Tojo Rindra Ramihangihajason, Soanandrasana Rahelinirina, Minoarisoa Rajerison, Sebastien Boyer
PARASITES & VECTORS
(2017)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Soanandrasana Rahelinirina, Minoarisoa Rajerison, Sandra Telfer, Cyril Savin, Elisabeth Carniel, Jean-Marc Duplantier
PLOS NEGLECTED TROPICAL DISEASES
(2017)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Amy J. Vogler, Voahangy Andrianaivoarimanana, Sandra Telfer, Carina M. Hall, Jason W. Sahl, Crystal M. Hepp, Heather Centner, Genevieve Andersen, Dawn N. Birdsell, Lila Rahalison, Roxanne Nottingham, Paul Keim, David M. Wagner, Minoarisoa Rajerison
PLOS NEGLECTED TROPICAL DISEASES
(2017)
Article
Plant Sciences
Charlotte Tollenaere, Severine Lacombe, Issa Wonni, Mariam Barro, Cyrielle Ndougonna, Fatoumata Gnacko, Drissa Sereme, Jonathan M. Jacobs, Eugenie Hebrard, Sebastien Cunnac, Christophe Brugidou
FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE
(2017)
Article
Virology
Vololoniaina Raharinosy, Marie-Marie Olive, Fehivola Mandanirina Andriamiarimanana, Soa Fy Andriamandimby, Jean-Pierre Ravalohery, Seta Andriamamonjy, Claudia Filippone, Danielle Aurore Doll Rakoto, Sandra Telfer, Jean-Michel Heraud
Article
Parasitology
Soanandrasana Rahelinirina, Mark H. Moseley, Kathryn J. Allan, Emmanuel Ramanohizakandrainy, Sati Ravaoarinoro, Minoarisoa Rajerison, Vincent Rakotoharinome, Sandra Telfer
Article
Virology
Vololoniaina Raharinosy, Jean-Michel Heraud, Harinirina Aina Rabemananjara, Sandra Telfer, Danielle Aurore Doll Rakoto, Claudia Filippone, Jean-Marc Reynes
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Martine Bangratz, Issa Wonni, Kossi Kini, Moussa Sondo, Christophe Brugidou, Gilles Bena, Fatoumata Gnacko, Mariam Barro, Ralf Koebnik, Drissa Silue, Charlotte Tollenaere
Article
Plant Sciences
Mariam Barro, Abalo Itolou Kassankogno, Issa Wonni, Drissa Sereme, Irenee Somda, Hilaire Kouka Kabore, Gilles Bena, Christophe Brugidou, Didier Tharreau, Charlotte Tollenaere
Summary: This study in West Africa found that different irrigation and rainfed lowland rice growing systems exhibit distinct spatial and temporal patterns of rice disease occurrence and incidence, influenced by cultivation practices and pathogen types. Infection rates were significantly higher in irrigated areas compared to rainfed lowlands, with various diseases sometimes co-occurring in the same field or even on the same plant.
Article
Microbiology
Mariam Barro, Issa Wonni, Marie Simonin, Abalo Itolou Kassankogno, Agnieszka Klonowska, Lionel Moulin, Gilles Bena, Irenee Somda, Caroline Brunel, Charlotte Tollenaere
Summary: This study compared the root-associated microbial communities of rice in irrigated and rainfed lowlands in 19 small farmer's fields in Burkina Faso. It found that the rice production system is a major driver of microbiome structure, with higher diversity of prokaryotic communities in irrigated systems and higher richness of fungal communities in rainfed lowlands.
FEMS MICROBIOLOGY ECOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Kouka Hilaire Kabore, Abalo Itolou Kassankogno, Henri Adreit, Joelle Milazzo, Sonia Guillou, Laurence Blondin, Laurie Chopin, Sebastien Ravel, Florian Charriat, Mariam Barro, Charlottte Tollenaere, Marc-Henri Lebrun, Didier Tharreau
Summary: This study provides important information on the biology and genetics of the two major fungi causing brown spot disease of rice in Burkina Faso.
FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Kathryn Scobie, Xavier Lambin, Sandra Telfer, Mendrika Fenohasina Rasahivelo, Rova Nandrianina Raheliarison, Minoarisoa Rajerison, Juliette Young
Summary: Rodent pests can have significant impacts on society, economy, and the environment. In order to effectively manage these pests, it is important to consider the interests of stakeholders from different sectors. Participatory approaches, such as using stakeholder maps and frameworks, can help decision-makers understand stakeholder needs and ensure that these needs are addressed in control programs.
Article
Immunology
Mark Moseley, Soanandrasana Rahelinirina, Minoarisoa Rajerison, Benoit Garin, Stuart Piertney, Sandra Telfer
EMERGING INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2018)