Intense human-animal interaction and limited capacity for the surveillance of zoonoses as drivers for Hepatitis E virus infections among animals and humans in Lao PDR

Purpose: In Lao People's Democratic Republic (PDR), overlapping habitats of the population and livestock create a propitious environment for zoonoses. Insufficient hygienic measures in slaughterhouses and in rural settings further increase the risk for zoonotic transmission. Limited laboratory capacity as well as lack of background knowledge prevent timely control of disease oubreaks. Here, we assess the occurrence and transmission of Hepatits E virus (HEV), as well as public awareness of zoonoses. Methods & Materials: In 2015 and 2016, samples were collected from ruminants in rural areas (n=211), as well as from slaughterhouse workers (n=129) and slaughter pigs (n=290) in Lao PDR. Using commercial ELISAs, presence of antibodies (IgG, IgM and IgA) against HEV was assessed. Fecal shedding of HEV by animals was investigated using a generic real-time PCR. Detected viruses were characterized by Sanger sequencing if feasible. Using a standardized questionnaire, data on risk factors for zoonotic pathogen transmission and awareness on zoonoses were captured. Much emphasis was placed on collaborating with local actors and on strengthening laboratory capacities. Results: Anti-HEV antibodies were detected in 13% of ruminants in rural settings and in 46% of slaughter pigs. 7% of the ruminants and 2% of the pigs shed HEV that were thus far not characterizable. While anti-HEV antibody seroprevalence was of 33% in people exposed to pigs, only 15% of the non-exposed control group were seropositive (p= 0.001). Awareness of zoonoses among farmers and slaughterhouse workers was low. Wearing protective equipment was associated with a decrease in anti-HEV antibody detection (p=0.024). Limiting the consumption and use of groundwater and cooking of meat further reduced the risk for HEV infection in a domestic context. Conclusion: We could show that people who are exposed to livestock and pigs are at higher risk for contracting HEV than the general population. Although shedding rates were relatively low, animals may represent an infection source that can be controlled by applying personal protective equipment. Building the capacity for the detection and prevention of infectious diseases and increasing awareness about zoonoses in developing countries is a prerequisite for combating infectious disease outbreaks in future

Livestock diseases threatening smallholder farmers in Lao people's Democratic Republic

Purpose: In Lao People's Democratic Republic, uncontrolled animal trade, lack of animal containment and limited access to veterinary services are a growing-ground for virus spread. Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) and several avian viruses are enzootic and threaten subsistence farmers. We assessed the (sero-)prevalence of several livestock viruses, and evaluated the knowledge, attitude, and practice of smallholder farmers towards FMD. Methods & Materials: In 2018, sera were collected from 394 domestic ruminants and screened using an ELISA that differentiates between infected and vaccinated animals. Questionnaires (n = 101) were statistically explored to identify knowledge gaps and risk factors related to FMD. In addition, oral and cloacal swabs, collected from 619 backyard poultry in 2011, 2014 and 2015, were tested by PCR for Newcastle disease (NDV), Influenza A, Coronavirus (CoV) and Chicken Anemia Virus (CAV). 206 poultry sera were screened by ELISA for the presence of anti-NDV and –Influenza A antibodies. Statistical and phylogenetic analyses revealed the viral infection patterns. Results: Although most farmers had very limited knowledge about FMD, many could correctly enumerate the symptoms and observed outbreaks recently. This was confirmed by our laboratory analysis: overall 37.1% of the animals were seropositive and 72.3% of the farms had at least one seropositive animal. Approx. 90% of the farmers reported that FMD negatively affects livestock trade and health. Moreover, we found high positivity rates of CoV and CAV RNA in cloacal and oral swabs (CoV: 38.3% and 6.2%; CAV: 16.1% and 1.7%). Younger animals were more likely to shed both, CoV and CAV, and similar virus strains co-circulated in chickens and ducks. Despite serological evidence of NDV and influenza A circulation (86.9% and 1.9%), viral RNA was detected in none of the swabs. Conclusion: A large proportion of the Lao population relies on subsistence livestock production which is, as shown here, severely compromised by the circulating viruses. To secure their livelihoods, vaccination programmes should target all susceptible hosts and achieve a high coverage throughout the country. These campaigns should be complemented by community-based sensitization to raise the awareness about prevention strategies, such as quarantine and trade restrictions

Genome-enabled insights into the biology of thrips as crop pests

Background The western flower thrips,Frankliniella occidentalis(Pergande), is a globally invasive pest and plant virus vector on a wide array of food, fiber, and ornamental crops. The underlying genetic mechanisms of the processes governing thrips pest and vector biology, feeding behaviors, ecology, and insecticide resistance are largely unknown. To address this gap, we present theF. occidentalisdraft genome assembly and official gene set.Results We report on the first genome sequence for any member of the insect order Thysanoptera. Benchmarking Universal Single-Copy Ortholog (BUSCO) assessments of the genome assembly (size = 415.8 Mb, scaffold N50 = 948.9 kb) revealed a relatively complete and well-annotated assembly in comparison to other insect genomes. The genome is unusually GC-rich (50%) compared to other insect genomes to date. The official gene set (OGS v1.0) contains 16,859 genes, of which similar to 10% were manually verified and corrected by our consortium. We focused on manual annotation, phylogenetic, and expression evidence analyses for gene sets centered on primary themes in the life histories and activities of plant-colonizing insects. Highlights include the following: (1) divergent clades and large expansions in genes associated with environmental sensing (chemosensory receptors) and detoxification (CYP4, CYP6, and CCE enzymes) of substances encountered in agricultural environments; (2) a comprehensive set of salivary gland genes supported by enriched expression; (3) apparent absence of members of the IMD innate immune defense pathway; and (4) developmental- and sex-specific expression analyses of genes associated with progression from larvae to adulthood through neometaboly, a distinct form of maturation differing from either incomplete or complete metamorphosis in the Insecta.Conclusions Analysis of theF. occidentalisgenome offers insights into the polyphagous behavior of this insect pest that finds, colonizes, and survives on a widely diverse array of plants. The genomic resources presented here enable a more complete analysis of insect evolution and biology, providing a missing taxon for contemporary insect genomics-based analyses. Our study also offers a genomic benchmark for molecular and evolutionary investigations of other Thysanoptera species.Animal science

Antiviral activity of HPMPC (cidofovir) against orf virus infected lambs

none10(S)-9-[3-hydroxy-2-(phosphonomethoxy)propyl]-2,6-diaminopurine (HPMPC, cidofovir, CDV, Vistide®) is an acyclic nucleoside analogue with a potent and selective activity against a broad spectrum of DNA viruses including the poxviruses. In this study we present the results of different treatment regimens in lambs experimentally infected with orf virus with different cidofovir formulations prepared in Beeler basis and Unguentum M. Our results show that choice of excipient, concentration of cidofovir and treatment regimen were all important to the clinical outcome of the therapy. Whilst one particular regimen appeared to exacerbate the lesion, treatment with 1% w/v cidofovir cream, prepared in Beeler Basis, for 4 consecutive days did result in milder lesions that resolved more quickly than untreated lesions. Furthermore the scabs of the treated animals contained significantly lower amounts of viable virus meaning there should be less contamination of the environment with virus than would normally occur.mixedA. Scagliarini; CJ. McInnes; L. Gallina; F. Dal Pozzo; L. Scagliarini; R. Snoeck; S. Prosperi; J. Sales; JA. Gilray; PF. Nettleton;A. Scagliarini; CJ. McInnes; L. Gallina; F. Dal Pozzo; L. Scagliarini; R. Snoeck; S. Prosperi; J. Sales; JA. Gilray; PF. Nettleton