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[h=1]Diet May Drive Influenza A Virus Exposure in African Mammals[/h] Eirini-Sanatana Soilemetzidou Erwin De Bruin Mathias Franz Ortwin H K Aschenborn Guus F Rimmelzwaan Ruud Van Beek Marion Koopmans Alex D Greenwood G?bor ? Czirj?k Author Notes
The Journal of Infectious Diseases, jiz032, https://doi.org/10.1093/infdis/jiz032
Published:
06 March 2019
Article history
[h=2]Abstract[/h] Background
Influenza A viruses (IAVs) represent repeatedly emerging pathogens with near worldwide distribution and an unclear nonavian-host spectrum. While the natural hosts for IAV are among waterfowl species, certain mammals can be productively infected. Southern Africa is home to diverse avian and mammalian fauna for which almost no information exists on IAV dynamics.
Methods
We evaluated 111 serum samples from 14 mammalian species from Namibia for the presence of IAV-specific antibodies and tested whether host phylogeny, sociality, or diet influence viral prevalence and diversity.
Results
Free-ranging African mammals are exposed to diverse IAV subtypes. Herbivores developed antibodies against 3 different hemagglutinin (HA) subtypes, at low prevalence, while carnivores showed a higher prevalence and diversity of HA-specific antibody responses against 11 different subtypes. Host phylogeny and sociality were not significantly associated with HA antibody prevalence or subtype diversity. Both seroprevalence and HA diversity were significantly increased in carnivores regularly feeding on birds.
Conclusions
The risk of infection and transmission may be driven by diet and ecological factors that increase contact with migratory and resident waterfowl. Consequently, wild mammals, particularly those that specialize on hunting and scavenging birds, could play an important but overlooked role in influenza epizootics.
https://academic.oup.com/jid/advance-article/doi/10.1093/infdis/jiz032/5369376?searchresult=1
The Journal of Infectious Diseases, jiz032, https://doi.org/10.1093/infdis/jiz032
Published:
06 March 2019
Article history
[h=2]Abstract[/h] Background
Influenza A viruses (IAVs) represent repeatedly emerging pathogens with near worldwide distribution and an unclear nonavian-host spectrum. While the natural hosts for IAV are among waterfowl species, certain mammals can be productively infected. Southern Africa is home to diverse avian and mammalian fauna for which almost no information exists on IAV dynamics.
Methods
We evaluated 111 serum samples from 14 mammalian species from Namibia for the presence of IAV-specific antibodies and tested whether host phylogeny, sociality, or diet influence viral prevalence and diversity.
Results
Free-ranging African mammals are exposed to diverse IAV subtypes. Herbivores developed antibodies against 3 different hemagglutinin (HA) subtypes, at low prevalence, while carnivores showed a higher prevalence and diversity of HA-specific antibody responses against 11 different subtypes. Host phylogeny and sociality were not significantly associated with HA antibody prevalence or subtype diversity. Both seroprevalence and HA diversity were significantly increased in carnivores regularly feeding on birds.
Conclusions
The risk of infection and transmission may be driven by diet and ecological factors that increase contact with migratory and resident waterfowl. Consequently, wild mammals, particularly those that specialize on hunting and scavenging birds, could play an important but overlooked role in influenza epizootics.
https://academic.oup.com/jid/advance-article/doi/10.1093/infdis/jiz032/5369376?searchresult=1