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From Sporadic Cases of Bird Flu to Global Pandemic of SARS-CoV-2: The Science Behind and Battle against Zoonotic Viruses

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A special issue of Pathogens (ISSN 2076-0817). This special issue belongs to the section "Viral Pathogens".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 May 2024 | Viewed by 17711

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Special Issue Editors

Dr. Klaudia Chrzastek

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor

DNAe, London, UK
Interests: RNA viruses; host microbiome–virus interactions; avian immunology; metagenomics and comparative genomic analysis of viral pathogens; sequencing

Dr. Dagmara Bialy

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor

The Pirbright Institute, Surrey, UK
Interests: respiratory viruses; zoonoses; viral co infections; influenza viruses; antiviral resistance

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

In the light of current COVID-19 pandemic, animal viruses with zoonotic potential have become major concern of the public health sector. The spillover of a virus from an animal reservoir to a human population could be an isolated event (sporadic human cases of avian influenza or rabies), could lead to a localized/limited outbreak (Ebola virus epidemic in West Africa in 2014–2016; Dengue fever epidemic in 2019–2020 in Southeast Asia) or could result in a global pandemic (H1N1 swine flu in 2009–2010 and the ongoing battle against SARS-CoV-2 with more than 250 million confirmed cases worldwide). Some viruses originated from animal hosts and became prevalent in the human population, leading to transmission occurring exclusively between humans (HIV-1, measles virus).

Avian influenza viruses are one of the top risk zoonotic agents due to the size of avian species reservoir, bird seasonal migrations and the scale of interaction with humans (poultry farms, wet markets, nature reserves, parks, etc.). This zoonotic potential is best evidenced by the previous pandemics (e.g., H2N2 in 1957 and H3N2 in 1968) which had their origins in avian species. The prevalence of multiple influenza virus subtypes and their constant genetic reassortment as a sustained evolution of these viruses in a race to adapt to the new host account for the additional risk of new pathogen emergence.

In this Special Issue we would like to invite our colleagues working on a broad range of aspects related to zoonotic viruses to submit manuscripts in the form of original research articles or reviews. We encourage articles within the fields of general virology, immunology, host-pathogen interactions, evolutionary biology and ecology, virus transmission, and disease control and prevention. We also welcome articles focused on case studies and the One Health approach.

We believe that a broad overview of zoonotic viruses and their origins, mechanisms and factors facilitating adaptation to a human host and current preventative measures summarized in this Special Issue will help us to understand where we are in this battle against viral zoonoses, but also lay the foundation for implementing future strategies in preparation for the arrival of the next Disease X pandemic.

Dr. Klaudia Chrzastek
Dr. Dagmara Bialy
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Pathogens is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

emerging viruses
zoonoses
epidemiology
pathogenesis
immune response
host-virus interactions
clinical aspect
diagnosis
surveillance
sequencing
metagenomics

Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

Jump to: Review

14 pages, 2152 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Alteration of the Chicken Upper Respiratory Microbiota, Following H9N2 Avian Influenza Virus Infection

by Tara Davis, Dagmara Bialy, Joy Leng, Roberto La Ragione, Holly Shelton and Klaudia Chrzastek

Pathogens 2023, 12(9), 1168; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/pathogens12091168 - 16 Sep 2023

Viewed by 1142

Abstract

Several studies have highlighted the importance of the gut microbiota in developing immunity against viral infections in chickens. We have previously shown that H9N2 avian influenza A virus (AIV) infection retards the diversity of the natural colon-associated microbiota, which may further influence chicken health following recovery from infection. The effects of influenza infection on the upper respiratory tract (URT) microbiota are largely unknown. Here, we showed that H9N2 AIV infection lowers alpha diversity indices in the acute phase of infection in the URT, largely due to the family Lactobacillaceae being highly enriched during this time in the respiratory microbiota. Interestingly, microbiota diversity did not return to levels similar to control chickens in the recovery phase after viral shedding had ceased. Beta diversity followed a similar trend following the challenge. Lactobacillus associate statistically with the disturbed microbiota of infected chickens at the acute and recovery phases of infection. Additionally, we studied age-related changes in the respiratory microbiota during maturation in chickens. From 7 to 28 days of age, species richness and evenness were observed to advance over time as the microbial composition evolved. Maintaining microbiota homeostasis might be considered as a potential therapeutic target to prevent or aid recovery from H9N2 AIV infection. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue From Sporadic Cases of Bird Flu to Global Pandemic of SARS-CoV-2: The Science Behind and Battle against Zoonotic Viruses)

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11 pages, 1455 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Differential Impact of Specific Amino Acid Residues on the Characteristics of Avian Influenza Viruses in Mammalian Systems

by Dayly Mashaal, Sara H. Mahmoud, Christin Müller, Noura M. Abo Shama, Amal Abo Kamer, Ahmed A. Abdelaziz, Mohamed A. Ali, Stephan Pleschka and Ahmed Mostafa

Pathogens 2022, 11(11), 1385; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/pathogens11111385 - 19 Nov 2022

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1654

Abstract

Avian influenza virus (AIV) H9N2 was declared to be endemic in birds of the Middle East, in particular in Egypt, with multiple cases of human infections. Despite concerns about the pandemic threat posed by H9N2 AIV, due to the fact that its receptor specificity is similar to that of human influenza viruses, its morbidity and mortality rates in humans are so far negligible. However, the acquisition of specific adaptive amino acid (aa) mutations in the viral polymerase can enhance cross-species transmission of the virus itself or of reassortants, which gained these changes. The polymerase basic protein 2 (PB2) is one of the key determinants for AIV adaptation towards mammals. Although mammalian pathogenicity-related mutations (MPMs) in PB2 genes were identified in different AIVs, the specific effect of single or multiple mutations on viral fitness has not been compared so far. Here, we studied the effect of the aa K at position 591, which was frequently reported in the PB2 of Egyptian H9N2 isolates, on the proliferation efficiency and polymerase activity of an H5N1 (clade 2.2.1.2) AIV already carrying the mammalian adaptive mutation 627K. Using reverse genetics, we generated a set of recombinant parental strains and H5N1 variants carrying the avian-like 591Q/627E or mammalian-like adaptive mutations 591K/627K (H5N1_EGY, H9N2_EGY, H5N1_PB2-H9N2EGY, H5N1_{H9N2_PB2_K591Q}, H5N1_{PB2_K627E}, H5N1_{PB2_K627E/591K}, H5N1_{PB2_627K/591K}). Regardless of the avian-like 627E or the mammalian-adaptive 627K, both variants carrying the 591K (H5N1_{PB2_K627E/591K}, H5N1_{PB2_627K/591K}) and the reassortant H5N1_PB2-H9N2EGY replicated to significantly higher levels in mammalian continuous MDCK and Calu-3 cell lines and primary normal human bronchial epithelial cells than the parental H5N1_EGY virus (carrying solely the 627K adaptive mutation). Expectedly, the H5N1 variants carrying avian-like PB2 mutations (H5N1_{H9N2_PB2_K591Q}, H5N1_{PB2_K627E}) replicated to significantly lower levels than the parental H5N1_EGY virus in the predefined primary and continuous mammalian cell line systems. Consistently, the activity of H5N1 subtype AIV polymerase complexes comprising PB2 segments with singular 591K or combined with 627K was significantly enhanced when compared to parental H5N1_EGY and H9N2_EGY. This study emphasizes the significant impact of 591K containing PB2 segments in the background of H5N1 polymerase on viral fitness in addition to the well-known MPM 627K in vitro. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue From Sporadic Cases of Bird Flu to Global Pandemic of SARS-CoV-2: The Science Behind and Battle against Zoonotic Viruses)

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11 pages, 1784 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Regional Analysis of the Progress of Current Dog-Mediated Rabies Control and Prevention

by Koji Kanda, Ananda Jayasinghe, Chandrika Jayasinghe and Takahiko Yoshida

Pathogens 2022, 11(10), 1130; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/pathogens11101130 - 30 Sep 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 3402

Abstract

This study aimed to assess the current progress of dog-mediated rabies control and the level of political commitment among 88 rabies-endemic countries and to provide further recommendations for the elimination of dog-mediated rabies by 2030. A correlational study was conducted using data and relevant regulations from the websites of international organizations and NGOs. In general, rabies was yet to be considered a priority disease and only one out of five countries and territories has prepared a national strategic plan for rabies control and prevention. Likewise, scores of dog-mediated rabies control indicators such as dog vaccination rate and the number of post-exposure prophylaxis per 1000 people remained minimal. There were also regional differences in preparation for dog-mediated rabies control and progress towards elimination. In particular, more efforts are needed for Pan-African Rabies Control Network (PARACON) member countries. In order to meet the goal of global dog-mediated zero rabies by 2030, both dog-mediated rabies control activities such as dog vaccination and strong political commitment should be strengthened and promoted in all rabies-endemic regions of the world. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue From Sporadic Cases of Bird Flu to Global Pandemic of SARS-CoV-2: The Science Behind and Battle against Zoonotic Viruses)

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Review

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20 pages, 3168 KiB

Open AccessReview

Evolution and Current Status of Influenza A Virus in Chile: A Review

by Marcos Godoy, Marco Montes de Oca, Diego Caro, Juan Pablo Pontigo, Molly Kibenge and Frederick Kibenge

Pathogens 2023, 12(10), 1252; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/pathogens12101252 - 17 Oct 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 3622

Abstract

The influenza A virus (IAV) poses a significant global threat to public health and food security. Particularly concerning is the avian influenza virus (AIV) subtype H5N1, which has spread from Europe to North and Central/South America. This review presents recent developments in IAV evolution in birds, mammals, and humans in Chile. Chile’s encounter with IAV began in 2002, with the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H7N3 virus, derived from a unique South American low pathogenic avian influenza (LPAI) virus. In 2016–2017, LPAI H7N6 caused outbreaks in turkey, linked to wild birds in Chile and Bolivia. The pandemic influenza A (H1N1) 2009 (H1N1pdm09) virus in 2009 decreased egg production in turkeys. Since 2012, diverse IAV subtypes have emerged in backyard poultry and pigs. Reassortant AIVs, incorporating genes from both North and South American isolates, have been found in wild birds since 2007. Notably, from December 2022, HPAI H5N1 was detected in wild birds, sea lions, and a human, along Chile’s north coast. It was introduced through Atlantic migratory flyways from North America. These findings emphasize the need for enhanced biosecurity on poultry farms and ongoing genomic surveillance to understand and manage AIVs in both wild and domestic bird populations in Chile. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue From Sporadic Cases of Bird Flu to Global Pandemic of SARS-CoV-2: The Science Behind and Battle against Zoonotic Viruses)

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26 pages, 3084 KiB

Open AccessReview

An Overview of Anthropogenic Actions as Drivers for Emerging and Re-Emerging Zoonotic Diseases

by Sina Salajegheh Tazerji, Roberto Nardini, Muhammad Safdar, Awad A. Shehata and Phelipe Magalhães Duarte

Pathogens 2022, 11(11), 1376; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/pathogens11111376 - 18 Nov 2022

Cited by 16 | Viewed by 7041

Abstract

Population growth and industrialization have led to a race for greater food and supply productivity. As a result, the occupation and population of forest areas, contact with wildlife and their respective parasites and vectors, the trafficking and consumption of wildlife, the pollution of water sources, and the accumulation of waste occur more frequently. Concurrently, the agricultural and livestock production for human consumption has accelerated, often in a disorderly way, leading to the deforestation of areas that are essential for the planet’s climatic and ecological balance. The effects of human actions on other ecosystems such as the marine ecosystem cause equally serious damage, such as the pollution of this habitat, and the reduction of the supply of fish and other animals, causing the coastal population to move to the continent. The sum of these factors leads to an increase in the demands such as housing, basic sanitation, and medical assistance, making these populations underserved and vulnerable to the effects of global warming and to the emergence of emerging and re-emerging diseases. In this article, we discuss the anthropic actions such as climate changes, urbanization, deforestation, the trafficking and eating of wild animals, as well as unsustainable agricultural intensification which are drivers for emerging and re-emerging of zoonotic pathogens such as viral (Ebola virus, hantaviruses, Hendravirus, Nipah virus, rabies, and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus disease-2), bacterial (leptospirosis, Lyme borreliosis, and tuberculosis), parasitic (leishmaniasis) and fungal pathogens, which pose a substantial threat to the global community. Finally, we shed light on the urgent demand for the implementation of the One Health concept as a collaborative global approach to raise awareness and educate people about the science behind and the battle against zoonotic pathogens to mitigate the threat for both humans and animals. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue From Sporadic Cases of Bird Flu to Global Pandemic of SARS-CoV-2: The Science Behind and Battle against Zoonotic Viruses)

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