Dynamics of Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus in two wild ungulate hosts during a disease-induced population collapse
Carrera Faja, Laura (Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona. Departament de Medicina i Cirurgia Animals)
Espunyes, Johan (Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona. Departament de Medicina i Cirurgia Animals)
Cardells-Peris, Jesús (Universidad CEU Cardenal Herrera. Servicio de Análisis, Investigación, Gestión de Animales Silvestres)
Fernández Aguilar, Xavier (Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona. Departament de Medicina i Cirurgia Animals)
Pailler-García, Lola (Institut de Recerca i Tecnologia Agroalimentàries. Centre de Recerca en Sanitat Animal)
Napp Avelli, Sebastián (Institut de Recerca i Tecnologia Agroalimentàries. Centre de Recerca en Sanitat Animal)
Cabezón Ponsoda, Óscar (Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona. Departament de Medicina i Cirurgia Animals)

Date:	2023
Abstract:	Identifying the role that host species play in pathogen transmission and maintenance is crucial for disease control, but it is a difficult task, in particular for vector-borne and multi-host pathogens, and especially when wildlife species are involved. This is the case for a Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus (CCHFV) hotspot in north-eastern Spain, where Iberian ibex (Capra pyrenaica) and wild boar (Sus scrofa) are involved, but their roles in disease transmission are unclear. In this context, we studied the dynamics of CCHFV transmission in these two species during the collapse of an Iberian ibex population due to a sarcoptic mange outbreak. We carried out a repeated cross-sectional study measuring the trends of CCHFV seroprevalence in Iberian ibex and wild boar and their abundances. In addition, we identified the tick species present in this area on the vegetation and on wild boars, and evaluated relevant meteorological factors. Results show that while the trends in CCHFV seroprevalence in Iberian Ibex and density of wild boars remained constant (p = 1. 0 and p = 0. 8, respectively), both the trends in Iberian ibex census and CCHFV seroprevalence in wild boars decreased significantly (p = 0. 003 and p = 0. 0001, respectively), and were correlated (Spearman's rank, 0. 02 < p -adjusted<0. 05). The correlation between the patterns of reduction of Iberian ibex abundance and the decrease of seroprevalence in wild boars suggests some sort of shared transmission cycle between the two species. Data from tick species in the area suggest a possible role of Rhipicephalus bursa in CCHFV transmission. The dynamics of CCHFV were unlikely caused by changes in meteorological variables such as temperature or water vapor pressure deficit. Further studies will be needed to confirm these hypotheses.
Grants:	Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación 2021-2023PID2021-126996OA-I00
Rights:	Aquest document està subjecte a una llicència d'ús Creative Commons. Es permet la reproducció total o parcial, la distribució, la comunicació pública de l'obra i la creació d'obres derivades, fins i tot amb finalitats comercials, sempre i quan es reconegui l'autoria de l'obra original.
Language:	Anglès
Document:	Article ; recerca ; Versió publicada
Subject:	Vector-borne disease ; Sarcoptic mange ; Mediterranean basin ; Iberian ibex ; Wild boar ; Hyalomma spp ; Rhipicephalus bursa
Published in:	One Health, Vol. 17 (august 2023) , ISSN 2352-7714

DOI: 10.1016/j.onehlt.2023.100622
PMID: 38024274

7 p, 1.1 MB

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Research literature > UAB research groups literature > Research Centres and Groups (research output) > Health sciences and biosciences > Centre de Recerca en Sanitat Animal (CReSA-IRTA)
Articles > Research articles
Articles > Published articles