Bat-Borne Coronaviruses in Jordan and Saudi Arabia: A Threat to Public Health?

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Bat‐borne viruses have attracted considerable research, especially in relation to the Covid‐19 pandemic. Although bats can carry multiple zoonotic viruses that are lethal to many mammalian species, they appear to be asymptomatic to viral infection despite the high viral loads contained in their bodies. There are several differences between bats and other mammals. One of the major differences between bats and other mammals is the bats' ability to fly, which is believed to have induced evolutionary changes. It may have also favoured them as suitable hosts for viruses. This is related to their tolerance to viral infection. Innate immunity is the first line of defence against viral infection, but bats have metamorphosed the type of responses induced by innate immunity factors such as interferons. The expression patterns of interferons differ, as do those of interferon‐related genes such as interferon regulatory factors and interferon‐stimulated genes that contribute to the antiviral response of infected cells. In addition, the signalling pathways related to viral infection and immune responses have been subject to evolutionary changes, including mutations compared to their homologues in other mammals and gene selection. This article discusses the differences in the interferon‐mediated antiviral response in bats compared to that of other mammals and how these differences are correlated to viral tolerance in bats. The effect of bat interferons related genes on human antiviral response against bat‐borne viruses is also discussed.

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Bats carry a number of RNA viruses: MERS‐CoV, 38 SARS‐CoVs, 39 SARS‐like CoVs, 40 Marburg virus, 6 Nipah virus, 41 Ebola virus, 12 and others 2 . In RNA virus infections, endosomal TLR3 recognises viral genomic RNA which leads to its dimerisation.…”

Section: Viral Genome‐specific Pathways In Innate Immunitymentioning

confidence: 99%

Genomic and biological variation in bat IFNs: An antiviral treatment approach

AL‐Eitan,

Mihyar,

Zhang

et al. 2023

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“…Throughout the Middle East, attempts to control and confine endemic viruses and threats face pivotal obstacles in successfully eradicating some diseases. [116][117][118][119][120][121] Middle Eastern countries are known for their densely populated communities and lack of biosafety education among ordinary citizens. As a hotspot for thousands or millions of tourists and religious pilgrims, 122 countries such as Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and Palestine demonstrated the significance of the disease transmission rates of the avian influenza virus.…”

Section: Biosafety Biosecurity Measures To Control and Counter Back A...mentioning

confidence: 99%

Epidemiology, biosafety, and biosecurity of Avian Influenza: Insights from the East Mediterranean region

AL‐Eitan,

Khair,

Shakhatreh

et al. 2024

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The World Organization for Animal Health defines Avian Influenza Virus as a highly infectious disease caused by diverse subtypes that continue to evolve rapidly, impacting poultry species, pet birds, wild birds, non‐human mammals, and occasionally humans. The effects of Avian influenza viruses have been recognised as a precursor for serious health concerns among affected birds, poultry, and human populations in the Middle East. Furthermore, low and high pathogenic avian influenza viruses lead to respiratory illness with varying severity, depending on the virus subtype (e.g., H5, H7, H9, etc.). Possible future outbreaks and endemics of newly emerging subtypes are expected to occur, as many studies have reported the emergence of novel mutations and viral subtypes. However, proper surveillance programs and biosecurity applications should be developed, and countries with incapacitated defences against such outbreaks should be encouraged to undergo complete reinstation and reinforcement in their health and research sectors. Public education regarding biosafety and virus prevention is necessary to ensure minimal spread of avian influenza endemic.

“…108,109 All these mass influxes and gathering factors in addition to urbanisation, climate change, and lack of developed surveillance systems enabled many infectious diseases from spreading in the region, raising serious global health risks. 110,111 Despite those rodentborne viruses being of biological importance and leading to multiple outbreaks in different parts of the world, 112 they are almost neglected in the Middle East in terms of surveillance or research amount. International travel, importations of infected animals, and the presence of many animal reservoirs for rodent-borne viruses increase the risk of viral spread in the region, especially since some countries are already endemic.…”

Section: Risk Of Rodent-borne Viruses On the Middle East And Future R...mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The Syrian war crisis led to the migration of Syrian refugees to neighbouring countries including Jordan, Turkey, and Lebanon 108,109 . All these mass influxes and gathering factors in addition to urbanisation, climate change, and lack of developed surveillance systems enabled many infectious diseases from spreading in the region, raising serious global health risks 110,111 . Despite those rodent‐borne viruses being of biological importance and leading to multiple outbreaks in different parts of the world, 112 they are almost neglected in the Middle East in terms of surveillance or research amount.…”

Section: Risk Of Rodent‐borne Viruses On the Middle East And Future R...mentioning

confidence: 99%

Rodent‐borne viruses in the region of Middle East

AL-Eitan

Alnemri

Alkhawaldeh

et al. 2023

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Rodents are one of the most abundant mammal species in the world. They form more than two‐fifth of all mammal species and there are approximately 4600 existing rodent species. Rodents are capable of transmitting deadly diseases, especially those that are caused by viruses. Viruses and their consequences have plagued the world for the last two centuries, three pandemics occurred during the last century only. The Middle East is situated at the crossroads of Africa and Asia, along with the Mediterranean Sea and the Indian Ocean, its geographic importance is gained through the diversity of topographies, biosphere, as well as climate aspects that make the region vulnerable to host emerging diseases. Refugee crises also play a major role in expected epidemic outbreaks in the region. Public health has always been the most important priority, and our aim in this review is to raise awareness among public health organisations across the Middle East about the dangers of rodent borne diseases that have been reported or are suspected to be found in the region.