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"Bergman, David"
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Lyssa excreta: Defining parameters for fecal samples as a rabies virus surveillance method
It is not possible to systematically screen the environment for rabies virus (RABV) using current approaches. We sought to determine under what conditions RABV is detectable from feces and other accessible samples from infected wildlife to broaden the number of biological samples that could be used to test for RABV. We employed a recently-developed quantitative RT-PCR assay called the “LN34 panlyssavirus real-time RT-PCR assay”, which is highly sensitive and specific for all variants of RABV. We harvested and tested brain tissue, fecal, and/or mouth swab samples from 25 confirmed RABV positive bats of six species. To determine if rabies RNA lasts in feces sufficiently long post-defecation to use it as a surveillance tool, we tested fecal samples from 10 bats at the time of sample collection and after 24 hours of exposure to ambient conditions, with an additional test on six bats out to 72 hours. To assess whether we could pool fecal pellets and still detect a positive, we generated dilutions of known positives at 1:1, 1:10, 1:50, and 1:200. For six individuals for which matched brain, mouth swab, and fecal samples were tested, results were positive for 100%, 67%, and 67%, respectively. For the first time test to 24 hours, 63% of feces that were positive at time 0 were still positive after 24 hours, and 50% of samples at 72 hours were positive across all three replicates. Pooling tests revealed that fecal positives were detected at 1:10 dilution, but not at 1:50 or 1:200. Our preliminary results suggest that fecal samples hold promise for a rapid and non-invasive environmental screening system.
Journal Article
Computational Acoustics
Covers the theory and practice of innovative new approaches to modelling acoustic propagation
There are as many types of acoustic phenomena as there are media, from longitudinal pressure waves in a fluid to S and P waves in seismology. This text focuses on the application of computational methods to the fields of linear acoustics. Techniques for solving the linear wave equation in homogeneous medium are explored in depth, as are techniques for modelling wave propagation in inhomogeneous and anisotropic fluid medium from a source and scattering from objects.
Written for both students and working engineers, this book features a unique pedagogical approach to acquainting readers with innovative numerical methods for developing computational procedures for solving problems in acoustics and for understanding linear acoustic propagation and scattering. Chapters follow a consistent format, beginning with a presentation of modelling paradigms, followed by descriptions of numerical methods appropriate to each paradigm. Along the way important implementation issues are discussed and examples are provided, as are exercises and references to suggested readings. Classic methods and approaches are explored throughout, along with comments on modern advances and novel modeling approaches.
* Bridges the gap between theory and implementation, and features examples illustrating the use of the methods described
* Provides complete derivations and explanations of recent research trends in order to provide readers with a deep understanding of novel techniques and methods
* Features a systematic presentation appropriate for advanced students as well as working professionals
* References, suggested reading and fully worked problems are provided throughout
An indispensable learning tool/reference that readers will find useful throughout their academic and professional careers, this book is both a supplemental text for graduate students in physics and engineering interested in acoustics and a valuable working resource for engineers in an array of industries, including defense, medicine, architecture, civil engineering, aerospace, biotech, and more.
eBook
Molecular Inferences Suggest Multiple Host Shifts of Rabies Viruses from Bats to Mesocarnivores in Arizona during 2001–2009
In nature, rabies virus (RABV; genus Lyssavirus, family Rhabdoviridae) represents an assemblage of phylogenetic lineages, associated with specific mammalian host species. Although it is generally accepted that RABV evolved originally in bats and further shifted to carnivores, mechanisms of such host shifts are poorly understood, and examples are rarely present in surveillance data. Outbreaks in carnivores caused by a RABV variant, associated with big brown bats, occurred repeatedly during 2001-2009 in the Flagstaff area of Arizona. After each outbreak, extensive control campaigns were undertaken, with no reports of further rabies cases in carnivores for the next several years. However, questions remained whether all outbreaks were caused by a single introduction and further perpetuation of bat RABV in carnivore populations, or each outbreak was caused by an independent introduction of a bat virus. Another question of concern was related to adaptive changes in the RABV genome associated with host shifts. To address these questions, we sequenced and analyzed 66 complete and 20 nearly complete RABV genomes, including those from the Flagstaff area and other similar outbreaks in carnivores, caused by bat RABVs, and representatives of the major RABV lineages circulating in North America and worldwide. Phylogenetic analysis demonstrated that each Flagstaff outbreak was caused by an independent introduction of bat RABV into populations of carnivores. Positive selection analysis confirmed the absence of post-shift changes in RABV genes. In contrast, convergent evolution analysis demonstrated several amino acids in the N, P, G and L proteins, which might be significant for pre-adaptation of bat viruses to cause effective infection in carnivores. The substitution S/T₂₄₂ in the viral glycoprotein is of particular merit, as a similar substitution was suggested for pathogenicity of Nishigahara RABV strain. Roles of the amino acid changes, detected in our study, require additional investigations, using reverse genetics and other approaches.
Journal Article
Occurrence of mesocarnivores in montane sky islands: How spatial and temporal overlap informs rabies management in a regional hotspot
Interspecific interactions among mesocarnivores can influence community dynamics and resource partitioning. Insights into these interactions can enhance understanding of local ecological processes that have impacts on pathogen transmission, such as the rabies lyssavirus. Host species ecology can provide an important baseline for disease management strategies especially in biologically diverse ecosystems and heterogeneous landscapes. We used a mesocarnivore guild native to the southwestern United States, a regional rabies hotspot, that are prone to rabies outbreaks as our study system. Gray foxes ( Urocyon cinereoargenteus ), striped skunks ( Mephitis mephitis ), bobcats ( Lynx rufus ), and coyotes ( Canis latrans ) share large portions of their geographic ranges and can compete for resources, occupy similar niches, and influence population dynamics of each other. We deployed 80 cameras across two mountain ranges in Arizona, stratified by vegetation type. We used two-stage modeling to gain insight into species occurrence and co-occurrence patterns. There was strong evidence for the effects of elevation, season, and temperature impacting detection probability of all four species, with understory height and canopy cover also influencing gray foxes and skunks. For all four mesocarnivores, a second stage multi-species co-occurrence model better explained patterns of detection than the single-species occurrence model. These four species are influencing the space use of each other and are likely competing for resources seasonally. We did not observe spatial partitioning between these competitors, likely due to an abundance of cover and food resources in the biologically diverse system we studied. From our results we can draw inferences on community dynamics to inform rabies management in a regional hotspot. Understanding environmental factors in disease hotspots can provide useful information to develop more reliable early-warning systems for viral outbreaks. We recommend that disease management focus on delivering oral vaccine baits onto the landscape when natural food resources are less abundant, specifically during the two drier seasons in Arizona (pre-monsoon spring and autumn) to maximize intake by all mesocarnivores.
Journal Article
Autoimmune disease in offspring of mothers with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD): a nationwide cohort study
Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) in pregnancy may disrupt physiological maternal immune adaptations, thereby altering fetal immune programming and increasing the long-term risk of autoimmune diseases (ADs) in offspring. This is a pressing public health concern, as both maternal MASLD and childhood-onset ADs are rising in prevalence worldwide. This nationwide cohort study included all singleton live-born offspring of mothers with biopsy-proven MASLD diagnosed in Sweden between 1992 and 2017. We matched the 239 identified MASLD offspring with up to 5 reference offspring (
n
= 1,131) of mothers without known MASLD by maternal age at delivery, calendar year of delivery, and parity. We used multivariable Cox proportional hazard models to estimate adjusted hazard ratios (aHRs) for any AD up until 2023. We performed stratified analyses by histological stage of maternal MASLD (simple steatosis versus severe MASLD defined as either steatohepatitis, any stage of liver fibrosis, or cirrhosis). During a median of 18.4 years of follow-up (interquartile range [IQR] 13.2–23.8), 15 exposed offspring (incidence rate [IR] 3.4/1000 person-years) vs. 40 reference offspring (IR 1.9/1000 person-years) were diagnosed with AD. This corresponded to an aHR of 1.20 (95% CI 0.57–2.53). The risk of AD remained unchanged among 175 offspring born to mothers with simple steatosis (aHR 0.84, 95% CI 0.29–2.45), and was higher, but not significant, in 64 offspring of mothers with severe MASLD (aHR 1.98, 95% CI 0.67–5.84). We did not identify an association of maternal MASLD with AD in offspring. Larger studies with follow-up extending beyond early adulthood are, however, needed.
Journal Article
Community-Scale Surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 and Influenza A Viruses in Wild Mammals, United States, 2022–2023
Sampling of mammal communities across the United States during 2022-2023 detected evidence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in 3 new species and 2 previously described species and evidence of influenza A antibodies in 2 previously described species. Our analysis provides surveillance and sampling guidance for detection of rare exposure events.
Journal Article
SARS-CoV-2 occurrence in cervids in the United States and US territories
SARS-CoV-2 was found in multiple cervid species throughout the United States from October 2021 through October 2023 and results reinforce findings of considerable viral spillover from people to cervids. Data demonstrate changes in viral and neutralizing antibody prevalence over time and as well as viral variants that differed from what was circulating in human populations. Continued monitoring can help pinpoint what is driving changes in prevalence and how those changes alter risk to both wildlife and human populations.
Journal Article
Increasing incidence of eosinophilic esophagitis in Sweden: a nationwide population study
Background
Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) is a chronic inflammatory condition of the esophagus associated with dysphagia and esophageal fibrosis. The incidence of EoE is not precisely known, and significant heterogeneity in study design and disease definition have led to widely variable estimates. Through the ESPRESSO (Epidemiology Strengthened by histoPathology Reports in Sweden) study we performed a nationwide population-based study to estimate the incidence and temporal patterns of biopsy-verified EoE.
Methods
Between October 2015 and April 2017, we contacted all pathology departments in Sweden (
n
= 28) to obtain biopsy report data on EoE. To assure a high degree of completeness, we restricted the study to 2004–2015. We then calculated age-specific and age-standardized incidence rates.
Results
We identified 1412 incident EoE cases between 2004–2015. The overall age-standardized incidence rates of EoE in Sweden was 1.22 per 100,000 person-years. During the study period, there was a significant increase of 33% [95%CI = 31–36%] (
P
< 0.001) per year in EoE incidence, and in the last 3 years of follow-up (2013–2015) the incidence was 2.79 per 100,000 person-years. This corresponds to a lifetime risk of biopsy-verified EoE for men of 0.33% (1 in 295 men) and for women 0.12% (1 in 813 women). We observed an early peak of EoE disgnosed at age 15–19 years for both males and females, and a second peak in the late 30 s for males, and early 40 s for females. We noted a 3:1 male-to-female predominance, which did not significantly vary over time.
Conclusions
EoE seems to be increasing in Sweden, with an overall age-standardized incidence of EoE of 1.22 per 100,000 person-years in the last decade.
Journal Article