19 results on '"Smiley Evans, Tierra"'
Search Results
2. Beyond COVID-19: Conserving nature to prevent the next pandemic
- Author
-
Smiley Evans, Tierra, Grange, Zoë, Belkhiria, Jaber, Lane, Jennifer, Genovese, Brooke, Togami, Eri, and Mazet, Jonna
- Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has unimaginably changed our lives with long-lasting consequences for our society, environment and the global economy. Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the virus responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic, is just one of the many pathogens that have already emerged in humans as a result of interactions with wildlife and is only one of the many to come if we do not reduce our impacts on natural systems. While the immediate priority is to tackle the COVID-19 public health emergency, our parallel and long-lasting response must focus on addressing the root causes of pandemics. Human and animal health are inextricably linked with the pathogens they carry and the ecosystems that are shared. The degradation of nature disturbs this delicate balance between microbes, their natural hosts, and environments—driving the emergence of disease.
- Published
- 2021
3. Synergistic China–US Ecological Research is Essential for Global Emerging Infectious Disease Preparedness
- Author
-
Smiley Evans, Tierra, Shi, Zhengli, Boots, Michael, Liu, Wenjun, Olival, Kevin J, Xiao, Xiangming, Vandewoude, Sue, Brown, Heidi, Chen, Ji-Long, Civitello, David J, Escobar, Luis, Grohn, Yrjo, Li, Hongying, Lips, Karen, Liu, Qiyoung, Lu, Jiahai, Martínez-López, Beatriz, Shi, Jishu, Shi, Xiaolu, Xu, Biao, Yuan, Lihong, Zhu, Guoqiang, and Getz, Wayne M
- Subjects
Veterinary Sciences ,Agricultural ,Veterinary and Food Sciences ,Biological Sciences ,Ecology ,Prevention ,Emerging Infectious Diseases ,Clinical Research ,Infectious Diseases ,Infection ,Good Health and Well Being ,Animals ,Animals ,Wild ,China ,Communicable Diseases ,Communicable Diseases ,Emerging ,Global Health ,Humans ,International Cooperation ,Pandemics ,Zoonoses ,USA ,Emerging infectious diseases ,Pandemic ,Preparedness ,Training ,Public Health and Health Services ,Veterinary sciences - Abstract
The risk of a zoonotic pandemic disease threatens hundreds of millions of people. Emerging infectious diseases also threaten livestock and wildlife populations around the world and can lead to devastating economic damages. China and the USA-due to their unparalleled resources, widespread engagement in activities driving emerging infectious diseases and national as well as geopolitical imperatives to contribute to global health security-play an essential role in our understanding of pandemic threats. Critical to efforts to mitigate risk is building upon existing investments in global capacity to develop training and research focused on the ecological factors driving infectious disease spillover from animals to humans. International cooperation, particularly between China and the USA, is essential to fully engage the resources and scientific strengths necessary to add this ecological emphasis to the pandemic preparedness strategy. Here, we review the world's current state of emerging infectious disease preparedness, the ecological and evolutionary knowledge needed to anticipate disease emergence, the roles that China and the USA currently play as sources and solutions to mitigating risk, and the next steps needed to better protect the global community from zoonotic disease.
- Published
- 2020
4. Suspected Exposure to Filoviruses Among People Contacting Wildlife in Southwestern Uganda.
- Author
-
Smiley Evans, Tierra, Tutaryebwa, Leonard, Gilardi, Kirsten V, Barry, Peter A, Marzi, Andrea, Eberhardt, Meghan, Ssebide, Benard, Cranfield, Michael R, Mugisha, Obed, Mugisha, Emmanuel, Kellermann, Scott, Mazet, Jonna AK, and Johnson, Christine K
- Subjects
Animals ,Animals ,Wild ,Humans ,Filoviridae ,Filoviridae Infections ,Glycoproteins ,Antigens ,Viral ,Adolescent ,Adult ,Aged ,Middle Aged ,Child ,Child ,Preschool ,Infant ,Infant ,Newborn ,Uganda ,Female ,Male ,Young Adult ,Infectious Diseases ,Vaccine Related ,Emerging Infectious Diseases ,Biotechnology ,Prevention ,Biodefense ,Aetiology ,2.1 Biological and endogenous factors ,2.2 Factors relating to the physical environment ,Infection ,Good Health and Well Being ,Filovirus ,Ebola virus ,Marburg virus ,zoonoses ,bushmeat ,wildlife ,Biological Sciences ,Medical and Health Sciences ,Microbiology - Abstract
BackgroundHuman and filovirus host interactions remain poorly understood in areas where Ebola hemorrhagic fever outbreaks are likely to occur. In the Bwindi region of Uganda, a hot spot of mammalian biodiversity in Africa, human livelihoods are intimately connected with wildlife, creating potential for exposure to filoviruses.MethodsWe tested samples from 331 febrile patients presenting to healthcare facilities near Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, Uganda, by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis and Western blot, using recombinant glycoprotein antigens for Ebola virus (EBOV), Sudan virus (SUDV), Bundibugyo virus (BDBV), and Marburg virus. Behavioral data on contact with wildlife were collected to examine risk factors for filovirus seropositivity.ResultsAll patients were negative for active filovirus infection, by PCR analysis. However, patients were seroreactive to SUDV (4.7%), EBOV (5.3%), and BDBV (8.9%), indicating previous exposure. Touching duikers was the most significant risk factor associated with EBOV seropositivity, while hunting primates and touching and/or eating cane rats were significant risk factors for SUDV seropositivity.ConclusionsPeople in southwestern Uganda have suspected previous exposure to filoviruses, particularly those with a history of wildlife contact. Circulation of filoviruses in wild animals and subsequent spillover into humans could be more common than previously reported.
- Published
- 2018
5. Mountain gorilla lymphocryptovirus has Epstein-Barr virus-like epidemiology and pathology in infants.
- Author
-
Smiley Evans, Tierra, Lowenstine, Linda J, Gilardi, Kirsten V, Barry, Peter A, Ssebide, Benard J, Kinani, Jean Felix, Nizeyimana, Fred, Noheri, Jean Bosco, Cranfield, Michael R, Mudakikwa, Antoine, Goldstein, Tracey, Mazet, Jonna AK, and Johnson, Christine Kreuder
- Subjects
Mouth ,Lung ,Animals ,Animals ,Newborn ,Gorilla gorilla ,Lymphocryptovirus ,Herpesviridae Infections ,Tumor Virus Infections ,Ape Diseases ,Histocytochemistry ,Virus Shedding ,Infectious Diseases ,Rare Diseases ,Clinical Research ,HIV/AIDS ,Pediatric ,2.2 Factors relating to the physical environment ,2.1 Biological and endogenous factors ,Infection - Abstract
Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infects greater than 90% of humans, is recognized as a significant comorbidity with HIV/AIDS, and is an etiologic agent for some human cancers. The critically endangered mountain gorilla population was suspected of infection with an EBV-like virus based on serology and infant histopathology similar to pulmonary reactive lymphoid hyperplasia (PRLH), a condition associated with EBV in HIV-infected children. To further examine the presence of EBV or an EBV-like virus in mountain gorillas, we conducted the first population-wide survey of oral samples for an EBV-like virus in a nonhuman great ape. We discovered that mountain gorillas are widely infected (n = 143/332) with a specific strain of lymphocryptovirus 1 (GbbLCV-1). Fifty-two percent of infant mountain gorillas were orally shedding GbbLCV-1, suggesting primary infection during this stage of life, similar to what is seen in humans in less developed countries. We then identified GbbLCV-1 in post-mortem infant lung tissues demonstrating histopathological lesions consistent with PRLH, suggesting primary infection with GbbLCV-1 is associated with PRLH in infants. Together, our findings demonstrate that mountain gorilla's infection with GbbLCV-1 could provide valuable information for human disease in a natural great ape setting and have potential conservation implications in this critically endangered species.
- Published
- 2017
6. Detection of viruses using discarded plants from wild mountain gorillas and golden monkeys.
- Author
-
Smiley Evans, Tierra, Gilardi, Kirsten VK, Barry, Peter A, Ssebide, Benard Jasper, Kinani, Jean Felix, Nizeyimana, Fred, Noheri, Jean Bosco, Byarugaba, Denis K, Mudakikwa, Antoine, Cranfield, Michael R, Mazet, Jonna AK, and Johnson, Christine K
- Subjects
Feces ,Animals ,Haplorhini ,Gorilla gorilla ,Humans ,Viruses ,Plants ,Epidemiological Monitoring ,golden monkey ,mountain gorilla ,non-invasive ,pathogen ,sampling ,Genetics ,Infectious Diseases ,Infection ,Behavioral Science & Comparative Psychology ,Zoology ,Anthropology - Abstract
Infectious diseases pose one of the most significant threats to the survival of great apes in the wild. The critically endangered mountain gorilla (Gorilla beringei beringei) is at high risk for contracting human pathogens because approximately 60% of the population is habituated to humans to support a thriving ecotourism program. Disease surveillance for human and non-human primate pathogens is important for population health and management of protected primate species. Here, we evaluate discarded plants from mountain gorillas and sympatric golden monkeys (Cercopithecus mitis kandti), as a novel biological sample to detect viruses that are shed orally. Discarded plant samples were tested for the presence of mammalian-specific genetic material and two ubiquitous DNA and RNA primate viruses, herpesviruses, and simian foamy virus. We collected discarded plant samples from 383 wild human-habituated mountain gorillas and from 18 habituated golden monkeys. Mammalian-specific genetic material was recovered from all plant species and portions of plant bitten or chewed by gorillas and golden monkeys. Gorilla herpesviral DNA was most consistently recovered from plants in which leafy portions were eaten by gorillas. Simian foamy virus nucleic acid was recovered from plants discarded by golden monkeys, indicating that it is also possible to detect RNA viruses from bitten or chewed plants. Our findings show that discarded plants are a useful non-invasive sampling method for detection of viruses that are shed orally in mountain gorillas, sympatric golden monkeys, and potentially other species. This method of collecting specimens from discarded plants is a new non-invasive sampling protocol that can be combined with collection of feces and urine to evaluate the most common routes of viral shedding in wild primates. Am. J. Primatol. 78:1222-1234, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
- Published
- 2016
7. Spillover and pandemic properties of zoonotic viruses with high host plasticity.
- Author
-
Kreuder Johnson, Christine, Hitchens, Peta L, Smiley Evans, Tierra, Goldstein, Tracey, Thomas, Kate, Clements, Andrew, Joly, Damien O, Wolfe, Nathan D, Daszak, Peter, Karesh, William B, and Mazet, Jonna K
- Subjects
Animals ,Humans ,Viruses ,Communicable Diseases ,Emerging ,Zoonoses ,Virus Diseases ,Multivariate Analysis ,Genome ,Viral ,Human Activities ,Africa ,Americas ,Asia ,Host Specificity ,Pandemics ,Epidemiological Monitoring ,Biodefense ,Prevention ,Vaccine Related ,Emerging Infectious Diseases ,Infectious Diseases ,2.2 Factors relating to the physical environment ,Infection - Abstract
Most human infectious diseases, especially recently emerging pathogens, originate from animals, and ongoing disease transmission from animals to people presents a significant global health burden. Recognition of the epidemiologic circumstances involved in zoonotic spillover, amplification, and spread of diseases is essential for prioritizing surveillance and predicting future disease emergence risk. We examine the animal hosts and transmission mechanisms involved in spillover of zoonotic viruses to date, and discover that viruses with high host plasticity (i.e. taxonomically and ecologically diverse host range) were more likely to amplify viral spillover by secondary human-to-human transmission and have broader geographic spread. Viruses transmitted to humans during practices that facilitate mixing of diverse animal species had significantly higher host plasticity. Our findings suggest that animal-to-human spillover of new viruses that are capable of infecting diverse host species signal emerging disease events with higher pandemic potential in that these viruses are more likely to amplify by human-to-human transmission with spread on a global scale.
- Published
- 2015
8. Optimization of a Novel Non-invasive Oral Sampling Technique for Zoonotic Pathogen Surveillance in Nonhuman Primates.
- Author
-
Smiley Evans, Tierra, Barry, Peter A, Gilardi, Kirsten V, Goldstein, Tracey, Deere, Jesse D, Fike, Joseph, Yee, JoAnn, Ssebide, Benard J, Karmacharya, Dibesh, Cranfield, Michael R, Wolking, David, Smith, Brett, Mazet, Jonna AK, and Johnson, Christine K
- Subjects
Mouth ,Animals ,Zoonoses ,Virus Diseases ,Primate Diseases ,Specimen Handling ,Virology ,Virus Shedding ,Uganda ,Nepal ,Epidemiological Monitoring ,Emerging Infectious Diseases ,Dental/Oral and Craniofacial Disease ,Infectious Diseases ,Infection ,Good Health and Well Being ,Biological Sciences ,Medical and Health Sciences ,Tropical Medicine - Abstract
Free-ranging nonhuman primates are frequent sources of zoonotic pathogens due to their physiologic similarity and in many tropical regions, close contact with humans. Many high-risk disease transmission interfaces have not been monitored for zoonotic pathogens due to difficulties inherent to invasive sampling of free-ranging wildlife. Non-invasive surveillance of nonhuman primates for pathogens with high potential for spillover into humans is therefore critical for understanding disease ecology of existing zoonotic pathogen burdens and identifying communities where zoonotic diseases are likely to emerge in the future. We developed a non-invasive oral sampling technique using ropes distributed to nonhuman primates to target viruses shed in the oral cavity, which through bite wounds and discarded food, could be transmitted to people. Optimization was performed by testing paired rope and oral swabs from laboratory colony rhesus macaques for rhesus cytomegalovirus (RhCMV) and simian foamy virus (SFV) and implementing the technique with free-ranging terrestrial and arboreal nonhuman primate species in Uganda and Nepal. Both ubiquitous DNA and RNA viruses, RhCMV and SFV, were detected in oral samples collected from ropes distributed to laboratory colony macaques and SFV was detected in free-ranging macaques and olive baboons. Our study describes a technique that can be used for disease surveillance in free-ranging nonhuman primates and, potentially, other wildlife species when invasive sampling techniques may not be feasible.
- Published
- 2015
9. Investigating the epidemiology of elephant endotheliotropic herpesvirus in Myanmar
- Author
-
Tierra Smiley Evans, Tierra Smiley Evans, primary
- Published
- 2019
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
10. Simian homologues of human herpesviruses and implications for novel viral introduction to free‐living mountain gorillas
- Author
-
Smiley Evans, Tierra, primary, Lowenstine, Linda J., additional, Ssebide, Benard, additional, Barry, Peter A., additional, Kinani, Jean Felix, additional, Nizeyimana, Fred, additional, Noheli, Jean Bosco, additional, Okello, Ricky, additional, Mudakikwa, Antoine, additional, Cranfield, Michael R., additional, Mazet, Jonna A. K., additional, Johnson, Christine K., additional, and Gilardi, Kirsten V., additional
- Published
- 2022
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
11. Simian homologues of human herpesviruses and implications for novel viral introduction to free‐living mountain gorillas.
- Author
-
Smiley Evans, Tierra, Lowenstine, Linda J., Ssebide, Benard, Barry, Peter A., Kinani, Jean Felix, Nizeyimana, Fred, Noheli, Jean Bosco, Okello, Ricky, Mudakikwa, Antoine, Cranfield, Michael R., Mazet, Jonna A. K., Johnson, Christine K., and Gilardi, Kirsten V.
- Subjects
- *
HERPESVIRUSES , *HUMAN herpesvirus 1 , *KAPOSI'S sarcoma-associated herpesvirus , *GORILLA (Genus) - Abstract
The endangered mountain gorilla (Gorilla beringei beringei) in Rwanda, Uganda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo is frequently in contact with humans through tourism, research activities, and illegal entry of people into protected gorilla habitat. Herpesviruses, which are ubiquitous in primates, have the potential to be shared in any setting where humans and gorillas share habitat. Based on serological findings and clinical observations of orofacial ulcerated lesions resembling herpetic lesions, an alpha‐herpesvirus resembling human herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV‐1) has long been suspected to be present in human‐habituated mountain gorillas in the wild. While the etiology of orofacial lesions in the wild has not been confirmed, HSV‐1 has been suspected in captively‐housed mountain gorillas and confirmed in a co‐housed confiscated Grauer's gorilla (Gorilla beringei graueri). To better characterize herpesviruses infecting mountain gorillas and to determine the presence/absence of HSV‐1 in the free‐living population, we conducted a population‐wide survey to test for the presence of orally shed herpesviruses. DNA was extracted from discarded chewed plants collected from 294 individuals from 26 groups, and samples were screened by polymerase chain reaction using pan‐herpesvirus and HSV‐1‐specific assays. We found no evidence that human herpesviruses had infected free‐ranging mountain gorillas. However, we found gorilla‐specific homologs to human herpesviruses, including cytomegaloviruses (GbbCMV‐1 and 2), a lymphocryptovirus (GbbLCV‐1), and a new rhadinovirus (GbbRHV‐1) with similar characteristics (i.e., timing of primary infection, shedding in multiple age groups, and potential modes of transmission) to their human counterparts, human cytomegalovirus, Epstein‐Barr virus and Kaposi's sarcoma‐associated herpesvirus, respectively. Research highlights: Discovery of mountain gorilla‐specific homologs to human herpesviruses, including cytomegaloviruses, a lymphocryptovirus, and a rhadinovirus with similar characteristics to their human counterparts.Human herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV‐1) has not entered the wild mountain gorilla population despite frequent contact with humans.Any potential future consideration of reintroduction of captive mountain gorillas should carefully consider the possibiliy of introducing HSV‐1 and other human pathogens to the wild population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2023
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
12. Development of non-invasive diagnostics for endotheliotropic herpesvirus in free-ranging Asian elephants
- Author
-
Tierra Smiley Evans, Tierra Smiley Evans, primary
- Published
- 2018
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
13. Sylvatic Transmission of Chikungunya Virus among Nonhuman Primates in Myanmar.
- Author
-
Smiley Evans, Tierra, Aung, Ohnmar, Cords, Olivia, Coffey, Lark L., Wong, Talia, Weiss, Christopher M., Min Thein Maw, Yee, JoAnn, Venkateswaran, Kodumudi, Venkateswaran, Neeraja, Nham, Peter, Van Rompay, Koen K. A., Morris, Mary Kate, Oceguera, Leo, Werthimer, William, Hanson, Carl, Valitutto, Marc, Kyaw Yan Naing Tun, Ye Tun Win, and Wai Zin Thein
- Abstract
Nonhuman primates living in proximity to humans increase risks for sylvatic arbovirus transmission. We collected serum samples from nonhuman primates in Hlawga National Park near Yangon, Myanmar, and detected antibodies against chikungunya (33%) and Japanese encephalitis (4%) viruses. Buffer zones between primate and human communities might reduce cross-species arbovirus transmission. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2022
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
14. EcoHealth
- Author
-
Smiley Evans, Tierra, Shi, Zhengli, Boots, Michael, Liu, Wenjun, Olival, Kevin J., Xiao, Xiangming, VandeWoude, Sue, Brown, Heidi E., Chen, Ji-Long, Civitello, David J., Escobar, Luis E., Grohn, Yrjo, Li, Hongying, Lips, Karen, Liu, Qiyoung, Lu, Jiahai, Martinez-Lopez, Beatriz, Shi, Jishu, Shi, Xiaolu, Xu, Biao, Yuan, Lihong, Zhu, Guoqiang, Getz, Wayne M., and Fish and Wildlife Conservation
- Subjects
Emerging infectious diseases ,China ,Preparedness ,International Cooperation ,Biodiversity & Conservation ,Environmental Sciences & Ecology ,Animals, Wild ,CORONAVIRUS ,Global Health ,Communicable Diseases ,Communicable Diseases, Emerging ,1117 Public Health and Health Services ,EMERGENCE ,Zoonoses ,Training ,Animals ,Humans ,Pandemics ,USA ,CLIMATE-CHANGE ,Ecology ,Pandemic ,0602 Ecology ,ORIGIN ,0707 Veterinary Sciences ,ANTIBIOTIC-RESISTANCE ,WILDLIFE TRADE ,GENOMIC CHARACTERIZATION ,HEMORRHAGIC-FEVER ,BATS ,BIODIVERSITY LOSS ,Biodiversity Conservation ,Life Sciences & Biomedicine ,Environmental Sciences - Abstract
The risk of a zoonotic pandemic disease threatens hundreds of millions of people. Emerging infectious diseases also threaten livestock and wildlife populations around the world and can lead to devastating economic damages. China and the USA—due to their unparalleled resources, widespread engagement in activities driving emerging infectious diseases and national as well as geopolitical imperatives to contribute to global health security—play an essential role in our understanding of pandemic threats. Critical to efforts to mitigate risk is building upon existing investments in global capacity to develop training and research focused on the ecological factors driving infectious disease spillover from animals to humans. International cooperation, particularly between China and the USA, is essential to fully engage the resources and scientific strengths necessary to add this ecological emphasis to the pandemic preparedness strategy. Here, we review the world’s current state of emerging infectious disease preparedness, the ecological and evolutionary knowledge needed to anticipate disease emergence, the roles that China and the USA currently play as sources and solutions to mitigating risk, and the next steps needed to better protect the global community from zoonotic disease. Published version
- Published
- 2020
15. Investigating the epidemiology of elephant endotheliotropic herpesvirus in Myanmar
- Author
-
Tierra Smiley Evans Tierra Smiley Evans
- Published
- 2019
16. Bushmeat hunting and trade in Myanmar’s central teak forests: Threats to biodiversity and human livelihoods
- Author
-
Smiley Evans, Tierra, primary, Myat, Theingi Win, additional, Aung, Pyaephyo, additional, Oo, Zaw Min, additional, Maw, Min Thein, additional, Toe, Aung Than, additional, Aung, Tin Htun, additional, Hom, Nang Sarm, additional, Shein, Khin Thawda, additional, Thant, Kyaw Zin, additional, Win, Ye Tun, additional, Thein, Wai Zin, additional, Gilardi, Kirsten, additional, Thu, Hlaing Myat, additional, and Johnson, Christine Kreuder, additional
- Published
- 2020
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
17. Optimizing a Noninvasive Oral Sampling Technique for Semicaptive Neotropical Primates in Peru
- Author
-
McDermott, Darby, primary, Mendoza, A. Patricia, additional, Smiley-Evans, Tierra, additional, Zavaleta, Milagros, additional, Da'Dara, Akram A., additional, Alarcón, Jorge O., additional, Bello, Raul, additional, Vidal, Paola Santa, additional, and Rosenbaum, Marieke, additional
- Published
- 2020
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
18. Development of non-invasive diagnostics for endotheliotropic herpesvirus in free-ranging Asian elephants
- Author
-
Tierra Smiley Evans Tierra Smiley Evans
- Subjects
Free ranging ,Non invasive ,Biology ,Virology - Published
- 2018
19. Suspected Exposure to Filoviruses Among People Contacting Wildlife in Southwestern Uganda.
- Author
-
Evans, Tierra Smiley, Tutaryebwa, Leonard, Gilardi, Kirsten V, Barry, Peter A, Marzi, Andrea, Eberhardt, Meghan, Ssebide, Benard, Cranfield, Michael R, Mugisha, Obed, Mugisha, Emmanuel, Smiley Evans, Tierra, Eberhart, Meghan, Kellermann, Scott, Mazet, Jonna A K, and Johnson, Christine K
- Subjects
FILOVIRIDAE ,HOST-virus relationships ,EBOLA virus disease ,POLYMERASE chain reaction ,DISEASE risk factors ,ANIMAL experimentation ,ANIMAL populations ,COMPARATIVE studies ,GLYCOPROTEINS ,RESEARCH methodology ,MEDICAL cooperation ,RESEARCH ,RNA viruses ,VIRAL antigens ,EVALUATION research ,RNA virus infections - Abstract
Background: Human and filovirus host interactions remain poorly understood in areas where Ebola hemorrhagic fever outbreaks are likely to occur. In the Bwindi region of Uganda, a hot spot of mammalian biodiversity in Africa, human livelihoods are intimately connected with wildlife, creating potential for exposure to filoviruses.Methods: We tested samples from 331 febrile patients presenting to healthcare facilities near Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, Uganda, by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis and Western blot, using recombinant glycoprotein antigens for Ebola virus (EBOV), Sudan virus (SUDV), Bundibugyo virus (BDBV), and Marburg virus. Behavioral data on contact with wildlife were collected to examine risk factors for filovirus seropositivity.Results: All patients were negative for active filovirus infection, by PCR analysis. However, patients were seroreactive to SUDV (4.7%), EBOV (5.3%), and BDBV (8.9%), indicating previous exposure. Touching duikers was the most significant risk factor associated with EBOV seropositivity, while hunting primates and touching and/or eating cane rats were significant risk factors for SUDV seropositivity.Conclusions: People in southwestern Uganda have suspected previous exposure to filoviruses, particularly those with a history of wildlife contact. Circulation of filoviruses in wild animals and subsequent spillover into humans could be more common than previously reported. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]- Published
- 2018
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
Catalog
Discovery Service for Jio Institute Digital Library
For full access to our library's resources, please sign in.