Emerging viral respiratory tract infections—environmental risk factors and transmission

Abstract

The past decade has seen the emergence of several novel viruses that cause respiratory tract infections in human beings, including Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) in Saudi Arabia, an H7N9 influenza A virus in eastern China, a swine-like influenza H3N2 variant virus in the USA, and a human adenovirus 14p1 also in the USA. MERS-CoV and H7N9 viruses are still a major worldwide public health concern. The pathogenesis and mode of transmission of MERS-CoV and H7N9 influenza A virus are poorly understood, making it more difficult to implement intervention and preventive measures. A united and coordinated global response is needed to tackle emerging viruses that can cause fatal respiratory tract infections and to fill major gaps in the understanding of the epidemiology and transmission dynamics of these viruses.

Giving the Genes a Shuffle: Using Natural Variation to Understand Host Genetic Contributions to Viral Infections

“…Giving the Genes a Shuffle: Using Natural Variation to Understand Host Genetic Contributions to Viral Infections Sarah R. Leist 1, * ,@ and Ralph S. Baric 1,2,3 The laboratory mouse has proved an invaluable model to identify host factors that regulate the progression and outcome of virus-induced disease. The paradigm is to use single-gene knockouts in inbred mouse strains or genetic mapping studies using biparental mouse populations.…”

“…Moreover, the complex interplay between environmental, viral, and host genetic factors drives differences in interindividual disease progression, severity, and outcome. These factors change over the course of a lifetime and some, like individual health status, comorbidities, and environmental factors [1,2], are difficult if not impossible to control. However, perhaps one of the most important key players in the fragile balance of microbial pathogenesis centers around host genetic susceptibility alleles that dramatically influence the course of disease in different individuals.…”

Modeling, analysis and simulations of MERS outbreak in Saudi Arabia

“…Then, definite evidence of camel-to-human transmission of the virus has been reported recently [5], [29]. Moreover, there is clear evidence that the infection is transmitted from person to person upon close contact, including from patients to healthcare workers [4], [12].…”

Automated Real-Time Collection of Pathogen-Specific Diagnostic Data: Syndromic Infectious Disease Epidemiology (Preprint)

“…Pathogen-specific molecular testing permitted rapid a) notification to state epidemiologists; b) tracking of the virus so that health care resources could be managed effectively; and c) evaluation of influenza diagnostics [23,24]. Today, with the threat of emerging pathogens such as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus (MERS CoV), avian influenza, enterovirus D68, and Ebola virus, real-time surveillance programs are critical [1,25,26]. It is not always possible to accurately diagnose the causative agents of most infectious diseases from symptoms alone due to overlapping clinical presentation.…”