35 results on '"Hume E. Field"'
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2. Extreme mobility of the world’s largest flying mammals creates key challenges for management and conservation
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Justin A. Welbergen, Jessica Meade, Hume E. Field, Daniel Edson, Lee McMichael, Luke P. Shoo, Jenny Praszczalek, Craig Smith, and John M. Martin
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Bats ,Ecosystem services ,Human-wildlife conflict ,Movement ecology ,Nomadic ,Zoonosis ,Biology (General) ,QH301-705.5 - Abstract
Abstract Background Effective conservation management of highly mobile species depends upon detailed knowledge of movements of individuals across their range; yet, data are rarely available at appropriate spatiotemporal scales. Flying-foxes (Pteropus spp.) are large bats that forage by night on floral resources and rest by day in arboreal roosts that may contain colonies of many thousands of individuals. They are the largest mammals capable of powered flight, and are highly mobile, which makes them key seed and pollen dispersers in forest ecosystems. However, their mobility also facilitates transmission of zoonotic diseases and brings them in conflict with humans, and so they require a precarious balancing of conservation and management concerns throughout their Old World range. Here, we analyze the Australia-wide movements of 201 satellite-tracked individuals, providing unprecedented detail on the inter-roost movements of three flying-fox species: Pteropus alecto, P. poliocephalus, and P. scapulatus across jurisdictions over up to 5 years. Results Individuals were estimated to travel long distances annually among a network of 755 roosts (P. alecto, 1427–1887 km; P. poliocephalus, 2268–2564 km; and P. scapulatus, 3782–6073 km), but with little uniformity among their directions of travel. This indicates that flying-fox populations are composed of extremely mobile individuals that move nomadically and at species-specific rates. Individuals of all three species exhibited very low fidelity to roosts locally, resulting in very high estimated daily colony turnover rates (P. alecto, 11.9 ± 1.3%; P. poliocephalus, 17.5 ± 1.3%; and P. scapulatus, 36.4 ± 6.5%). This indicates that flying-fox roosts form nodes in a vast continental network of highly dynamic “staging posts” through which extremely mobile individuals travel far and wide across their species ranges. Conclusions The extreme inter-roost mobility reported here demonstrates the extent of the ecological linkages that nomadic flying-foxes provide across Australia’s contemporary fragmented landscape, with profound implications for the ecosystem services and zoonotic dynamics of flying-fox populations. In addition, the extreme mobility means that impacts from local management actions can readily reverberate across jurisdictions throughout the species ranges; therefore, local management actions need to be assessed with reference to actions elsewhere and hence require national coordination. These findings underscore the need for sound understanding of animal movement dynamics to support evidence-based, transboundary conservation and management policy, tailored to the unique movement ecologies of species.
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- 2020
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3. Flying-foxes in the Australian urban environment—community attitudes and opinions
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Nina Y. Kung, Hume E. Field, Amanda McLaughlin, Daniel Edson, and Melanie Taylor
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Bat ,Flying-fox ,Hendra virus ,Urban ,Wildlife ,Management ,Medicine (General) ,R5-920 - Abstract
The urban presence of flying-foxes (pteropid bats) in eastern Australia has increased in the last 20 years, putatively reflecting broader landscape change. The influx of large numbers often precipitates community angst, typically stemming from concerns about loss of social amenity, economic loss or negative health impacts from recently emerged bat-mediated zoonotic diseases such as Hendra virus and Australian bat lyssavirus. Local authorities and state wildlife authorities are increasingly asked to approve the dispersal or modification of flying-fox roosts to address expressed concerns, yet the scale of this concern within the community, and the veracity of the basis for concern are often unclear. We conducted an on-line survey to capture community attitudes and opinions on flying-foxes in the urban environment to inform management policy and decision-making. Analysis focused on awareness, concerns, and management options, and primarily compared responses from communities where flying-fox management was and was not topical at the time of the survey. While a majority of respondents indicated a moderate to high level of knowledge of both flying-foxes and Hendra virus, a substantial minority mistakenly believed that flying-foxes pose a direct infection risk to humans, suggesting miscommunication or misinformation, and the need for additional risk communication strategies. Secondly, a minority of community members indicated they were directly impacted by urban roosts, most plausibly those living in close proximity to the roost, suggesting that targeted management options are warranted. Thirdly, neither dispersal nor culling was seen as an appropriate management strategy by the majority of respondents, including those from postcodes where flying-fox management was topical. These findings usefully inform community debate and policy development and demonstrate the value of social analysis in defining the issues and options in this complex human–wildlife interaction. The mobile nature of flying-foxes underlines the need for a management strategy at a regional or larger scale, and independent of state borders.
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- 2015
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4. The equine Hendra virus vaccine remains a highly effective preventative measure against infection in horses and humans: ‘The imperative to develop a human vaccine for the Hendra virus in Australia’
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Alison J. Peel, Hume E. Field, Peter A. Reid, Raina K. Plowright, Christopher C. Broder, Lee F. Skerratt, David T. S. Hayman, Olivier Restif, Melanie Taylor, Gerardo Martin, Gary Crameri, Ina Smith, Michelle Baker, Glenn A. Marsh, Jennifer Barr, Andrew C. Breed, James L. N. Wood, Navneet Dhand, Jenny-Ann Toribio, Andrew A. Cunningham, Ian Fulton, Wayne L. Bryden, Cristy Secombe, and Lin-Fa Wang
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Infectious and parasitic diseases ,RC109-216 - Published
- 2016
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5. Risk Factors for Nipah Virus Infection among Pteropid Bats, Peninsular Malaysia
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Sohayati A. Rahman, Latiffah Hassan, Jonathan H. Epstein, Zaini C. Mamat, Aziz M. Yatim, Sharifah S. Hassan, Hume E. Field, Tom Hughes, Justin Westrum, M.S. Naim, Arshad S. Suri, A. Aziz Jamaluddin, and Peter Daszak
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Nipah virus ,viruses ,risk factors ,seroprevalence ,infection ,distribution ,Medicine ,Infectious and parasitic diseases ,RC109-216 - Abstract
We conducted cross-sectional and longitudinal studies to determine the distribution of and risk factors for seropositivity to Nipah virus (NiV) among Pteropus vampyrus and P. hypomelanus bats in Peninsular Malaysia. Neutralizing antibodies against NiV were detected at most locations surveyed. We observed a consistently higher NiV risk (odds ratio 3.9) and seroprevalence (32.8%) for P. vampyrus than P. hypomelanus (11.1%) bats. A 3-year longitudinal study of P. hypomelanus bats indicated nonseasonal temporal variation in seroprevalence, evidence for viral circulation within the study period, and an overall NiV seroprevalence of 9.8%. The seroprevalence fluctuated over the study duration between 1% and 20% and generally decreased during 2004–2006. Adult bats, particularly pregnant, with dependent pup and lactating bats, had a higher prevalence of NiV antibodies than juveniles. Antibodies in juveniles 6 months–2 years of age suggested viral circulation within the study period.
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- 2013
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6. Experimental Infection of Horses with Hendra Virus/Australia/Horse/2008/Redlands
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Glenn A. Marsh, Jessica Haining, Timothy J. Hancock, Rachel Robinson, Adam Foord, Jennifer A. Barr, Shane Riddell, Hans G. Heine, John R. White, Gary Crameri, Hume E. Field, Lin-Fa Wang, and Deborah Middleton
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Hendra virus ,infection ,horses ,viruses ,zoonoses ,Australia ,Medicine ,Infectious and parasitic diseases ,RC109-216 - Abstract
Hendra virus (HeV) is a highly pathogenic zoonotic paramyxovirus harbored by Australian flying foxes with sporadic spillovers directly to horses. Although the mode and critical control points of HeV spillover to horses from flying foxes, and the risk for transmission from infected horses to other horses and humans, are poorly understood, we successfully established systemic HeV disease in 3 horses exposed to Hendra virus/Australia/Horse/2008/Redlands by the oronasal route, a plausible route for natural infection. In 2 of the 3 animals, HeV RNA was detected continually in nasal swabs from as early as 2 days postexposure, indicating that systemic spread of the virus may be preceded by local viral replication in the nasal cavity or nasopharynx. Our data suggest that a critical factor for reducing HeV exposure risk to humans includes early consideration of HeV in the differential diagnosis and institution of appropriate infection control procedures.
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- 2011
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7. Characterization of Nipah Virus from Naturally Infected Pteropus vampyrus Bats, Malaysia
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Sohayati A. Rahman, Sharifah S. Hassan, Kevin J. Olival, Maizan Mohamed, Li-Yen Chang, Latiffah Hassan, Norsharina M. Saad, Syamsiah A. Shohaimi, Zaini C. Mamat, M.S. Naim, Jonathan H. Epstein, Arshad S. Suri, Hume E. Field, and Peter Daszak
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Nipah virus ,viruses ,isolation ,characterization ,Pteropus vampyrus ,fruit bat ,Medicine ,Infectious and parasitic diseases ,RC109-216 - Abstract
We isolated and characterized Nipah virus (NiV) from Pteropus vampyrus bats, the putative reservoir for the 1998 outbreak in Malaysia, and provide evidence of viral recrudescence. This isolate is monophyletic with previous NiVs in combined analysis, and the nucleocapsid gene phylogeny suggests that similar strains of NiV are co-circulating in sympatric reservoir species.
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- 2010
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8. Human Hendra Virus Encephalitis Associated with Equine Outbreak, Australia, 2008
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Elliott G. Playford, Brad McCall, Greg Smith, Vicki Slinko, George Allen, Ina Smith, Frederick Moore, Carmel Taylor, Yu-Hsin Kung, and Hume E. Field
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Hendra virus ,Henipavirus ,Paramyxoviridae ,ribavirin ,Australia ,encephalitis ,Medicine ,Infectious and parasitic diseases ,RC109-216 - Abstract
A recent Hendra virus outbreak at a veterinary clinic in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia, involved 5 equine and 2 human infections. In contrast to previous outbreaks, infected horses had predominantly encephalitic, rather than respiratory, signs. After an incubation period of 9–16 days, influenza-like illnesses developed in the 2 persons before progressing to encephalitis; 1 died. Both patients were given ribavirin. Basal serum and cerebrospinal fluid levels were 10–13 mg/L after intravenous administration and 6 mg/L after oral administration (isolate 90% inhibitory concentration 64 mg/L). Both patients were exposed to infected horses, 1 during the late incubation period in a horse. The attack rate for veterinary clinic staff exposed to infected horses was 10%. An isolate from this outbreak showed genetic heterogeneity with isolates from a concurrent, but geographically remote, outbreak and from previous outbreaks. Emergence of Hendra virus is a serious medical, veterinary, and public health challenge.
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- 2010
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9. Evolutionary Relationships between Bat Coronaviruses and Their Hosts
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Jie Cui, Naijian Han, Daniel Streicker, Gang Li, Xianchun Tang, Zhengli Shi, Zhihong Hu, Guoping Zhao, Arnaud Fontanet, Yi Guan, Linfa Wang, Gareth Jones, Hume E. Field, Shuyi Zhang, and Peter Daszak
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Phylogeny ,coronaviruses ,bats ,SARS ,phylogeography ,evolution ,Medicine ,Infectious and parasitic diseases ,RC109-216 - Abstract
Recent studies have suggested that bats are the natural reservoir of a range of coronaviruses (CoVs), and that rhinolophid bats harbor viruses closely related to the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) CoV, which caused an outbreak of respiratory illness in humans during 2002–2003. We examined the evolutionary relationships between bat CoVs and their hosts by using sequence data of the virus RNA-dependent RNA polymerase gene and the bat cytochrome b gene. Phylogenetic analyses showed multiple incongruent associations between the phylogenies of rhinolophid bats and their CoVs, which suggested that host shifts have occurred in the recent evolutionary history of this group. These shifts may be due to either virus biologic traits or host behavioral traits. This finding has implications for the emergence of SARS and for the potential future emergence of SARS-CoVs or related viruses.
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- 2007
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10. Review of Bats and SARS
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Lin-Fa Wang, Zhengli Shi, Shuyi Zhang, Hume E. Field, Peter Daszak, and Bryan T. Eaton
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emerging zoonoses ,SARS ,coronavirus ,bats ,animal reservoir ,spillover ,Medicine ,Infectious and parasitic diseases ,RC109-216 - Abstract
Bats have been identified as a natural reservoir for an increasing number of emerging zoonotic viruses, including henipaviruses and variants of rabies viruses. Recently, we and another group independently identified several horseshoe bat species (genus Rhinolophus) as the reservoir host for a large number of viruses that have a close genetic relationship with the coronavirus associated with severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS). Our current research focused on the identification of the reservoir species for the progenitor virus of the SARS coronaviruses responsible for outbreaks during 2002–2003 and 2003–2004. In addition to SARS-like coronaviruses, many other novel bat coronaviruses, which belong to groups 1 and 2 of the 3 existing coronavirus groups, have been detected by PCR. The discovery of bat SARS-like coronaviruses and the great genetic diversity of coronaviruses in bats have shed new light on the origin and transmission of SARS coronaviruses.
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- 2006
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11. Genome Sequence Conservation of Hendra Virus Isolates during Spillover to Horses, Australia
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Glenn A. Marsh, Shawn Todd, Adam Foord, Eric Hansson, Kelly R. Davies, Lynda Wright, Chris Morrissy, Kim Halpin, Deborah Middleton, Hume E. Field, Peter Daniels, and Lin-Fa Wang
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Viruses ,paramyxovirus ,henipavirus ,genome sequence ,bat virus ,horses ,Medicine ,Infectious and parasitic diseases ,RC109-216 - Abstract
Bat-to-horse transmission of Hendra virus has occurred at least 14 times. Although clinical signs in horses have differed, genome sequencing has demonstrated little variation among the isolates. Our sequencing of 5 isolates from recent Hendra virus outbreaks in horses found no correlation between sequences and time or geographic location of outbreaks.
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- 2010
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12. Hendra Virus Outbreak with Novel Clinical Features, Australia
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Hume E. Field, Kylie Schaaf, Nina Kung, Craig Simon, David Waltisbuhl, Heather Hobert, Frederick Moore, Deborah Middleton, Allison Crook, Greg Smith, Peter Daniels, Ron Glanville, and David Lovell
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Hendra virus ,horse ,henipavirus ,bats ,viruses ,zoonoses ,Medicine ,Infectious and parasitic diseases ,RC109-216 - Abstract
To determine the epidemiologic and clinical features of a 2008 outbreak of Hendra virus infection in a veterinary clinic in Australia, we investigated the equine case-series. Four of 5 infected horses died, as did 1 of 2 infected staff members. Clinical manifestation in horses was predominantly neurologic. Preclinical transmission appears likely.
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- 2010
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13. Potential Human Exposure to Australian Bat Lyssavirus, Queensland, 1996-1999
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Bradley J. McCall, Jonathan H. Epstein, Annette S. Neill, Karen Heel, Hume E. Field, Janine Barrett, Greg A. Smith, Linda A. Selvey, Barry Rodwell, and Ross Lunt
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ABL ,Australia ,Australian bat lyssavirus ,Medicine ,Infectious and parasitic diseases ,RC109-216 - Abstract
Two human deaths caused by Australian bat lyssavirus (ABL) infection have been reported since 1996. Information was obtained from 205 persons (mostly adults from south Brisbane and the South Coast of Queensland), who reported potential ABL exposure to the Brisbane Southside Public Health Unit from November 1,1996, to January 31, 1999. Volunteer animal handlers accounted for 39% of potential exposures, their family members for 12%, professional animal handlers for 14%, community members who intentionally handled bats for 31%, and community members with contacts initiated by bats for 4%. The prevalence of Lyssavirus detected by fluorescent antibody test in 366 sick, injured, or orphaned bats from the area was 6%. Sequelae of exposure, including the requirement for expensive postexposure prophylaxis, may be reduced by educating bat handlers and the public of the risks involved in handling Australian bats.
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- 2000
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14. Henipavirus Infection in Fruit Bats (Pteropus giganteus), India
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Jonathan H. Epstein, Vibhu Prakash, Craig S. Smith, Peter Daszak, Amanda B. McLaughlin, Greer Meehan, Hume E. Field, and Andrew A. Cunningham
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Henipavirus ,Nipah virus ,Hendra virus ,Pteropus giganteus ,fruit bat ,India ,Medicine ,Infectious and parasitic diseases ,RC109-216 - Abstract
We tested 41 bats for antibodies against Nipah and Hendra viruses to determine whether henipaviruses circulate in pteropid fruit bats (Pteropus giganteus) in northern India. Twenty bats were seropositive for Nipah virus, which suggests circulation in this species, thereby extending the known distribution of henipaviruses in Asia westward by >1,000 km.
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- 2008
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15. Public Health Surveillance for Australian bat lyssavirus in Queensland, Australia, 2000–2001
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David Warrilow, Bruce Harrower, Ina L. Smith, Hume E. Field, Roscoe Taylor, G. Craig Walker, and Greg A. Smith
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Lyssavirus ,Rhabdoviridae ,public health surveillance ,dispatch ,Australia ,Medicine ,Infectious and parasitic diseases ,RC109-216 - Abstract
From February 1, 2000, to December 4, 2001, a total of 119 bats (85 Megachiroptera and 34 Microchiroptera) were tested for Australian bat lyssavirus (ABLV) infection. Eight Megachiroptera were positive by immunofluorescence assay that used cross-reactive antibodies to rabies nucleocapsid protein. A case study of cross-species transmission of ABLV supports the conclusion that a bat reservoir exists for ABLV in which the virus circulates across Megachiroptera species within mixed communities.
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- 2003
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16. Australian Bat Lyssavirus Infection in a Captive Juvenile Black Flying Fox
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Hume E. Field, Brad McCall, and Janine Barrett
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Australia ,Medicine ,Infectious and parasitic diseases ,RC109-216 - Abstract
The newly emerging Australian bat lyssavirus causes rabieslike disease in bats and humans. A captive juvenile black flying fox exhibited progressive neurologic signs, including sudden aggression, vocalization, dysphagia, and paresis over 9 days and then died. At necropsy, lyssavirus infection was diagnosed by fluorescent antibody test, immunoperoxidase staining, polymerase chain reaction, and virus isolation. Eight human contacts received postexposure vaccination.
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- 1999
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17. Feral Cats and Risk for Nipah Virus Transmission
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Jonathan H. Epstein, Sohayati Abdul Rahman, Jennifer A. Zambriski, Kim Halpin, Greer Meehan, Abdul Aziz Jamaluddin, Sharifah Syed Hassan, Hume E. Field, Alex. D. Hyatt, and Peter Daszak
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Nipah virus ,Henipavirus ,Cat ,Felis Catus ,Pteropus ,Bats ,Medicine ,Infectious and parasitic diseases ,RC109-216 - Published
- 2006
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18. Nipah Virus Strain Variation
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Sazaly AbuBakar, Juliet R.C. Pulliam, Hume E. Field, and Kevin J. Olival
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Nipah virus ,strain variation ,domestic pigs ,letter ,Malaysia ,Medicine ,Infectious and parasitic diseases ,RC109-216 - Published
- 2005
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19. Serologic Evidence for the Presence in Pteropus Bats of a Paramyxovirus Related to Equine Morbillivirus
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Peter L. Young, Kim Halpin, Paul W. Selleck, Hume E. Field, Jenny L. Gravel, Mark A. Kelly, and John S. MacKenzie
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Australia ,Medicine ,Infectious and parasitic diseases ,RC109-216 - Published
- 1996
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20. Climate Change Enhances the Potential Impact of Infectious Disease and Harvest on Tropical Waterfowl
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Barry W. Brook, Lochran W. Traill, Corey J. A. Bradshaw, and Hume E. Field
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education.field_of_study ,biology ,Ecology ,Global warming ,Population ,Climate change ,Outbreak ,Metapopulation ,biology.organism_classification ,Population viability analysis ,Infectious disease (medical specialty) ,Waterfowl ,education ,Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics - Abstract
Global warming exacerbates threats to biodiversity as ecological systems shift in response to altered climatic conditions. Yet the long-term survival of populations at direct risk from climate change may also be undermined by local factors such as infectious disease or anthropogenic harvest, which leave smaller and more isolated populations increasingly vulnerable to the rapid pace of global change. We review current and future threats to an exemplar tropical waterfowl species, magpie geese Anseranas semipalmata, and focus on the potential synergies between infectious diseases, harvest, and climate change. We outline viral, bacterial, and fungal pathogens likely to cause disease in geese, and give mention to parasites. Further, we elaborate on a previously developed, spatially explicit population viability model to simulate demographic responses to hunting and novel or enhanced disease outbreaks due to climate change. With no harvest, the simulated disease epizootics only threatened metapopulation viability when both mortality rate was high and outbreaks were regular (a threshold response). However, when contemporary site-specific harvest is included as an additive impact, the response to disease severity and probability was linear. We recommend field research to test these hypotheses linking drivers of waterfowl population decline to disease–climate change interactions.
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- 2009
21. The application of one health approaches to henipavirus research
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David T S, Hayman, Emily S, Gurley, Juliet R C, Pulliam, and Hume E, Field
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Henipavirus Infections ,Ecology ,Animals ,Humans ,Animals, Wild ,Disease Reservoirs - Abstract
Henipaviruses cause fatal infection in humans and domestic animals. Transmission from fruit bats, the wildlife reservoirs of henipaviruses, is putatively driven (at least in part) by anthropogenic changes that alter host ecology. Human and domestic animal fatalities occur regularly in Asia and Australia, but recent findings suggest henipaviruses are present in bats across the Old World tropics. We review the application of the One Health approach to henipavirus research in three locations: Australia, Malaysia and Bangladesh. We propose that by recognising and addressing the complex interaction among human, domestic animal and wildlife systems, research within the One Health paradigm will be more successful in mitigating future human and domestic animal deaths from henipavirus infection than alternative single-discipline approaches.
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- 2012
22. The Application of One Health Approaches to Henipavirus Research
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David T. S. Hayman, Emily S. Gurley, Juliet R. C. Pulliam, and Hume E. Field
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- 2012
23. Transmission of Japanese Encephalitis virus from the black flying fox, Pteropus alecto, to Culex annulirostris mosquitoes, despite the absence of detectable viremia
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Andrew F, van den Hurk, Craig S, Smith, Hume E, Field, Ina L, Smith, Judith A, Northill, Carmel T, Taylor, Cassie C, Jansen, Greg A, Smith, and John S, Mackenzie
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Encephalitis Virus, Japanese ,Male ,Culex ,Chiroptera ,Immunoglobulin G ,Host-Pathogen Interactions ,Animals ,Female ,Viremia ,Antibodies, Viral ,Encephalitis, Japanese ,Insect Vectors - Abstract
To determine the potential role of flying foxes in transmission cycles of Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) in Australia, we exposed Pteropus alecto (Megachiroptera: Pteropididae) to JEV via infected Culex annulirostris mosquitoes or inoculation. No flying foxes developed symptoms consistent with JEV infection. Anti-JEV IgG antibodies developed in 6/10 flying foxes exposed to infected Cx. annulirostris and in 5/5 inoculated flying foxes. Low-level viremia was detected by real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction in 1/5 inoculated flying foxes and this animal was able to infect recipient mosquitoes. Although viremia was not detected in any of the 10 flying foxes that were exposed to JEV by mosquito bite, two animals infected recipient mosquitoes. Likewise, an inoculated flying fox without detectable viremia infected recipient mosquitoes. Although infection rates in recipient mosquitoes were low, the high population densities in roosting camps, coupled with migratory behavior indicate that flying foxes could play a role in the dispersal of JEV.
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- 2009
24. The role of bats as reservoir hosts of emerging neurological viruses
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John S. MacKenzie, James E. Childs, Hume E. Field, Lin-Fa Wang, and Andrew C. Breed
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Ebola virus ,Old World ,viruses ,Wildlife ,Zoology ,Human pathogen ,Biology ,medicine.disease ,medicine.disease_cause ,people.cause_of_death ,medicine ,Rabies ,medicine.vector_of_disease ,Species richness ,Menangle virus ,people ,Microchiroptera - Abstract
Introduction It is now well-recognized that more than 75% of emerging diseases over the past 2 decades have been zoonoses. Many of these zoonotic viruses have caused neurological disease, especially those emerging during this period in the South-East Asian and Western Pacific regions [1, 2]. Most of the diseases emerging from wildlife have been from bats and rodents. Bats are only second to rodents in terms of mammalian species richness [3] and constitute about 20% of all mammalian species. Thus, with their wide distribution and abundance, it is not surprising that there is growing awareness that bats are the reservoir hosts for a number of these emerging viruses [4, 5, 6, 7] and suspected of being associated with many others on serological grounds. Not only have they been shown to be the reservoir hosts for rabies and related lyssaviruses but also for other human pathogens, or potential pathogens, such as SARS-coronavirus-like viruses [8, 9, 10], Ebola virus [11, 12], Menangle virus [13], and Hendra and Nipah viruses [14, 15, 16]. This brief review looks at the biological features that make bats good reservoir hosts, and the more important neurological viruses associated with bats that are, or have the potential to be, transmitted to humans. Bats as reservoir hosts: Implications for virus transmission The order chiroptera, their diversity, evolution, abundance, and social behavior The mammalian Order Chiroptera is divided into two suborders, the Megachiroptera, or Old World fruit- and nectar-feeding bats, including flying foxes, and the Microchiroptera, or echolocating bats [17].
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- 2008
25. Defining the risk of human exposure to Australian bat lyssavirus through potential non-bat animal infection
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Bradley J, McCall, Hume E, Field, Greg A, Smith, Greg J, Storie, and Bruce J, Harrower
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Adult ,Dogs ,Species Specificity ,Chiroptera ,Rhabdoviridae Infections ,Zoonoses ,Animals ,Humans ,Infant ,Lyssavirus ,Bites and Stings ,Dog Diseases ,Queensland - Published
- 2005
26. Reproduction and nutritional stress are risk factors for Hendra virus infection in little red flying foxes (Pteropus scapulatus).
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Raina K. Plowright, Hume E. Field, Craig Smith, Anja Divljan, Carol Palmer, Gary Tabor, Peter Daszak, and Janet E. Foley
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DISEASE risk factors , *VIRUS diseases , *PARAMYXOVIRUSES , *FLYING foxes - Abstract
Hendra virus (HeV) is a lethal paramyxovirus which emerged in humans in 1994. Poor understanding of HeV dynamics in Pteropus spp. (flying fox or fruit bat) reservoir hosts has limited our ability to determine factors driving its emergence. We initiated a longitudinal field study of HeV in little red flying foxes (LRFF; Pteropus scapulatus) and examined individual and population risk factors for infection, to determine probable modes of intraspecific transmission. We also investigated whether seasonal changes in host behaviour, physiology and demography affect hostâpathogen dynamics. Data showed that pregnant and lactating females had significantly higher risk of infection, which may explain previously observed temporal associations between HeV outbreaks and flying fox birthing periods. Age-specific seroprevalence curves generated from field data imply that HeV is transmitted horizontally via faeces, urine or saliva. Rapidly declining seroprevalence between two field seasons suggests that immunity wanes faster in LRFF than in other flying fox species, and highlights the potentially critical role of this species in interspecific viral persistence. The highest seroprevalence was observed when animals showed evidence of nutritional stress, suggesting that environmental processes that alter flying fox food sources, such as habitat loss and climate change, may increase HeV infection and transmission. These insights into the ecology of HeV in flying fox populations suggest causal links between anthropogenic environmental change and HeV emergence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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- 2008
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27. Natural Hendra Virus Infection in Flying-Foxes - Tissue Tropism and Risk Factors.
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Lauren K Goldspink, Daniel W Edson, Miranda E Vidgen, John Bingham, Hume E Field, and Craig S Smith
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Medicine ,Science - Abstract
Hendra virus (HeV) is a lethal zoonotic agent that emerged in 1994 in Australia. Pteropid bats (flying-foxes) are the natural reservoir. To date, HeV has spilled over from flying-foxes to horses on 51 known occasions, and from infected horses to close-contact humans on seven occasions. We undertook screening of archived bat tissues for HeV by reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). Tissues were tested from 310 bats including 295 Pteropodiformes and 15 Vespertilioniformes. HeV was detected in 20 individual flying-foxes (6.4%) from various tissues including spleen, kidney, liver, lung, placenta and blood components. Detection was significantly higher in Pteropus Alecto and P. conspicillatus, identifying species as a risk factor for infection. Further, our findings indicate that HeV has a predilection for the spleen, suggesting this organ plays an important role in HeV infection. The lack of detections in the foetal tissues of HeV-positive females suggests that vertical transmission is not a regular mode of transmission in naturally infected flying-foxes, and that placental and foetal tissues are not a major source of infection for horses. A better understanding of HeV tissue tropism will strengthen management of the risk of spillover from flying-foxes to horses and ultimately humans.
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- 2015
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28. Epidemiologic Clues to SARS Origin in China
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Rui-Heng Xu, Jian-Feng He, Meirion R. Evans, Guo-Wen Peng, Hume E Field, De-Wen Yu, Chin-Kei Lee, Hui-Min Luo, Wei-Sheng Lin, Peng Lin, Ling-Hui Li, Wen-Jia Liang, Jin-Yan Lin, and Alan Schnur
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SARS ,pneumonia, community-acquired infections, disease outbreaks, zoonoses, China ,communicable diseases, emerging, child, aged ,China ,Medicine ,Infectious and parasitic diseases ,RC109-216 - Abstract
An epidemic of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) began in Foshan municipality, Guangdong Province, China, in November 2002. We studied SARS case reports through April 30, 2003, including data from case investigations and a case series analysis of index cases. A total of 1,454 clinically confirmed cases (and 55 deaths) occurred; the epidemic peak was in the first week of February 2003. Healthcare workers accounted for 24% of cases. Clinical signs and symptoms differed between children (65 years). Several observations support the hypothesis of a wild animal origin for SARS. Cases apparently occurred independently in at least five different municipalities; early case-patients were more likely than later patients to report living near a produce market (odds ratio undefined; lower 95% confidence interval 2.39) but not near a farm; and 9 (39%) of 23 early patients, including 6 who lived or worked in Foshan, were food handlers with probable animal contact.
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- 2004
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29. The distribution of henipaviruses in Southeast Asia and Australasia: is Wallace's line a barrier to Nipah virus?
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Andrew C Breed, Joanne Meers, Indrawati Sendow, Katharine N Bossart, Jennifer A Barr, Ina Smith, Supaporn Wacharapluesadee, Linfa Wang, and Hume E Field
- Subjects
Medicine ,Science - Abstract
Nipah virus (NiV) (Genus Henipavirus) is a recently emerged zoonotic virus that causes severe disease in humans and has been found in bats of the genus Pteropus. Whilst NiV has not been detected in Australia, evidence for NiV-infection has been found in pteropid bats in some of Australia's closest neighbours. The aim of this study was to determine the occurrence of henipaviruses in fruit bat (Family Pteropodidae) populations to the north of Australia. In particular we tested the hypothesis that Nipah virus is restricted to west of Wallace's Line. Fruit bats from Australia, Papua New Guinea, East Timor and Indonesia were tested for the presence of antibodies to Hendra virus (HeV) and Nipah virus, and tested for the presence of HeV, NiV or henipavirus RNA by PCR. Evidence was found for the presence of Nipah virus in both Pteropus vampyrus and Rousettus amplexicaudatus populations from East Timor. Serology and PCR also suggested the presence of a henipavirus that was neither HeV nor NiV in Pteropus alecto and Acerodon celebensis. The results demonstrate the presence of NiV in the fruit bat populations on the eastern side of Wallace's Line and within 500 km of Australia. They indicate the presence of non-NiV, non-HeV henipaviruses in fruit bat populations of Sulawesi and Sumba and possibly in Papua New Guinea. It appears that NiV is present where P. vampyrus occurs, such as in the fruit bat populations of Timor, but where this bat species is absent other henipaviruses may be present, as on Sulawesi and Sumba. Evidence was obtained for the presence henipaviruses in the non-Pteropid species R. amplexicaudatus and in A. celebensis. The findings of this work fill some gaps in knowledge in geographical and species distribution of henipaviruses in Australasia which will contribute to planning of risk management and surveillance activities.
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- 2013
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30. Recrudescent infection supports Hendra virus persistence in Australian flying-fox populations.
- Author
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Hsiao-Hsuan Wang, Nina Y Kung, William E Grant, Joe C Scanlan, and Hume E Field
- Subjects
Medicine ,Science - Abstract
Zoonoses from wildlife threaten global public health. Hendra virus is one of several zoonotic viral diseases that have recently emerged from Pteropus species fruit-bats (flying-foxes). Most hypotheses regarding persistence of Hendra virus within flying-fox populations emphasize horizontal transmission within local populations (colonies) via urine and other secretions, and transmission among colonies via migration. As an alternative hypothesis, we explore the role of recrudescence in persistence of Hendra virus in flying-fox populations via computer simulation using a model that integrates published information on the ecology of flying-foxes, and the ecology and epidemiology of Hendra virus. Simulated infection patterns agree with infection patterns observed in the field and suggest that Hendra virus could be maintained in an isolated flying-fox population indefinitely via periodic recrudescence in a manner indistinguishable from maintenance via periodic immigration of infected individuals. Further, post-recrudescence pulses of infectious flying-foxes provide a plausible basis for the observed seasonal clustering of equine cases. Correct understanding of the infection dynamics of Hendra virus in flying-foxes is fundamental to effectively managing risk of infection in horses and humans. Given the lack of clear empirical evidence on how the virus is maintained within populations, the role of recrudescence merits increased attention.
- Published
- 2013
- Full Text
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31. Cedar virus: a novel Henipavirus isolated from Australian bats.
- Author
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Glenn A Marsh, Carol de Jong, Jennifer A Barr, Mary Tachedjian, Craig Smith, Deborah Middleton, Meng Yu, Shawn Todd, Adam J Foord, Volker Haring, Jean Payne, Rachel Robinson, Ivano Broz, Gary Crameri, Hume E Field, and Lin-Fa Wang
- Subjects
Immunologic diseases. Allergy ,RC581-607 ,Biology (General) ,QH301-705.5 - Abstract
The genus Henipavirus in the family Paramyxoviridae contains two viruses, Hendra virus (HeV) and Nipah virus (NiV) for which pteropid bats act as the main natural reservoir. Each virus also causes serious and commonly lethal infection of people as well as various species of domestic animals, however little is known about the associated mechanisms of pathogenesis. Here, we report the isolation and characterization of a new paramyxovirus from pteropid bats, Cedar virus (CedPV), which shares significant features with the known henipaviruses. The genome size (18,162 nt) and organization of CedPV is very similar to that of HeV and NiV; its nucleocapsid protein displays antigenic cross-reactivity with henipaviruses; and it uses the same receptor molecule (ephrin-B2) for entry during infection. Preliminary challenge studies with CedPV in ferrets and guinea pigs, both susceptible to infection and disease with known henipaviruses, confirmed virus replication and production of neutralizing antibodies although clinical disease was not observed. In this context, it is interesting to note that the major genetic difference between CedPV and HeV or NiV lies within the coding strategy of the P gene, which is known to play an important role in evading the host innate immune system. Unlike HeV, NiV, and almost all known paramyxoviruses, the CedPV P gene lacks both RNA editing and also the coding capacity for the highly conserved V protein. Preliminary study indicated that CedPV infection of human cells induces a more robust IFN-β response than HeV.
- Published
- 2012
- Full Text
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32. Qualitative release assessment to estimate the likelihood of henipavirus entering the United Kingdom.
- Author
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Emma L Snary, Vick Ramnial, Andrew C Breed, Ben Stephenson, Hume E Field, and Anthony R Fooks
- Subjects
Medicine ,Science - Abstract
The genus Henipavirus includes Hendra virus (HeV) and Nipah virus (NiV), for which fruit bats (particularly those of the genus Pteropus) are considered to be the wildlife reservoir. The recognition of henipaviruses occurring across a wider geographic and host range suggests the possibility of the virus entering the United Kingdom (UK). To estimate the likelihood of henipaviruses entering the UK, a qualitative release assessment was undertaken. To facilitate the release assessment, the world was divided into four zones according to location of outbreaks of henipaviruses, isolation of henipaviruses, proximity to other countries where incidents of henipaviruses have occurred and the distribution of Pteropus spp. fruit bats. From this release assessment, the key findings are that the importation of fruit from Zone 1 and 2 and bat bushmeat from Zone 1 each have a Low annual probability of release of henipaviruses into the UK. Similarly, the importation of bat meat from Zone 2, horses and companion animals from Zone 1 and people travelling from Zone 1 and entering the UK was estimated to pose a Very Low probability of release. The annual probability of release for all other release routes was assessed to be Negligible. It is recommended that the release assessment be periodically re-assessed to reflect changes in knowledge and circumstances over time.
- Published
- 2012
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33. Satellite telemetry and long-range bat movements.
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Craig S Smith, Jonathan H Epstein, Andrew C Breed, Raina K Plowright, Kevin J Olival, Carol de Jong, Peter Daszak, and Hume E Field
- Subjects
Medicine ,Science - Abstract
BackgroundUnderstanding the long-distance movement of bats has direct relevance to studies of population dynamics, ecology, disease emergence, and conservation.Methodology/principal findingsWe developed and trialed several collar and platform terminal transmitter (PTT) combinations on both free-living and captive fruit bats (Family Pteropodidae: Genus Pteropus). We examined transmitter weight, size, profile and comfort as key determinants of maximized transmitter activity. We then tested the importance of bat-related variables (species size/weight, roosting habitat and behavior) and environmental variables (day-length, rainfall pattern) in determining optimal collar/PTT configuration. We compared battery- and solar-powered PTT performance in various field situations, and found the latter more successful in maintaining voltage on species that roosted higher in the tree canopy, and at lower density, than those that roost more densely and lower in trees. Finally, we trialed transmitter accuracy, and found that actual distance errors and Argos location class error estimates were in broad agreement.Conclusions/significanceWe conclude that no single collar or transmitter design is optimal for all bat species, and that species size/weight, species ecology and study objectives are key design considerations. Our study provides a strategy for collar and platform choice that will be applicable to a larger number of bat species as transmitter size and weight continue to decrease in the future.
- Published
- 2011
- Full Text
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34. Evidence of endemic Hendra virus infection in flying-foxes (Pteropus conspicillatus)--implications for disease risk management.
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Andrew C Breed, Martin F Breed, Joanne Meers, and Hume E Field
- Subjects
Medicine ,Science - Abstract
This study investigated the seroepidemiology of Hendra virus in a spectacled flying-fox (Pteropus conspicillatus) population in northern Australia, near the location of an equine and associated human Hendra virus infection in late 2004. The pattern of infection in the population was investigated using a serial cross-sectional serological study over a 25-month period, with blood sampled from 521 individuals over six sampling sessions. Antibody titres to the virus were determined by virus neutralisation test. In contrast to the expected episodic infection pattern, we observed that seroprevalence gradually increased over the two years suggesting infection was endemic in the population over the study period. Our results suggested age, pregnancy and lactation were significant risk factors for a detectable neutralizing antibody response. Antibody titres were significantly higher in females than males, with the highest titres occurring in pregnant animals. Temporal variation in antibody titres suggests that herd immunity to the virus may wax and wane on a seasonal basis. These findings support an endemic infection pattern of henipaviruses in bat populations suggesting their infection dynamics may differ significantly from the acute, self limiting episodic pattern observed with related viruses (e.g. measles virus, phocine distemper virus, rinderpest virus) hence requiring a much smaller critical host population size to sustain the virus. These findings help inform predictive modelling of henipavirus infection in bat populations, and indicate that the life cycle of the reservoir species should be taken into account when developing risk management strategies for henipaviruses.
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- 2011
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35. Establishment, immortalisation and characterisation of pteropid bat cell lines.
- Author
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Gary Crameri, Shawn Todd, Samantha Grimley, Jennifer A McEachern, Glenn A Marsh, Craig Smith, Mary Tachedjian, Carol De Jong, Elena R Virtue, Meng Yu, Dieter Bulach, Jun-Ping Liu, Wojtek P Michalski, Deborah Middleton, Hume E Field, and Lin-Fa Wang
- Subjects
Medicine ,Science - Abstract
BACKGROUND: Bats are the suspected natural reservoir hosts for a number of new and emerging zoonotic viruses including Nipah virus, Hendra virus, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus and Ebola virus. Since the discovery of SARS-like coronaviruses in Chinese horseshoe bats, attempts to isolate a SL-CoV from bats have failed and attempts to isolate other bat-borne viruses in various mammalian cell lines have been similarly unsuccessful. New stable bat cell lines are needed to help with these investigations and as tools to assist in the study of bat immunology and virus-host interactions. METHODOLOGY/FINDINGS: Black flying foxes (Pteropus alecto) were captured from the wild and transported live to the laboratory for primary cell culture preparation using a variety of different methods and culture media. Primary cells were successfully cultured from 20 different organs. Cell immortalisation can occur spontaneously, however we used a retroviral system to immortalise cells via the transfer and stable production of the Simian virus 40 Large T antigen and the human telomerase reverse transcriptase protein. Initial infection experiments with both cloned and uncloned cell lines using Hendra and Nipah viruses demonstrated varying degrees of infection efficiency between the different cell lines, although it was possible to infect cells in all tissue types. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: The approaches developed and optimised in this study should be applicable to bats of other species. We are in the process of generating further cell lines from a number of different bat species using the methodology established in this study.
- Published
- 2009
- Full Text
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