The next chapter of human–plague science

McLean, Bryan S.; Cook, Joseph A.; Durden, Lance A.; Hoberg, Eric P.; Guralnick, Robert

doi:10.1073/pnas.1908836116

Cited by 5 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 9 publications

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“…However, rigorous and successful prevention strategies require knowledge of historic and contemporary distributions, occurrence, and ecology and evolutionary history of host species in host-pathogen systems. Those critical assessments rely on information that largely resides in natural history collections (78,83). Below, we highlight three examples of successful integration of host-pathogen research and natural history collections in collaborative research programs focused on pathogens (i.e., yellow fever, hantaviruses, and helminths), as well as provide an example of a failed integration (i.e., ebolaviruses).…”

Section: Role Of Natural History Collections In Host-pathogen Researchmentioning

confidence: 99%

Preserve a Voucher Specimen! The Critical Need for Integrating Natural History Collections in Infectious Disease Studies

Thompson

Phelps

Allard

et al. 2021

mBio

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Despite being nearly 10 months into the COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) pandemic, the definitive animal host for SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2), the causal agent of COVID-19, remains unknown. Unfortunately, similar problems exist for other betacoronaviruses, and no vouchered specimens exist to corroborate host species identification for most of these pathogens. This most basic information is critical to the full understanding and mitigation of emerging zoonotic diseases. To overcome this hurdle, we recommend that host-pathogen researchers adopt vouchering practices and collaborate with natural history collections to permanently archive microbiological samples and host specimens. Vouchered specimens and associated samples provide both repeatability and extension to host-pathogen studies, and using them mobilizes a large workforce (i.e., biodiversity scientists) to assist in pandemic preparedness. We review several well-known examples that successfully integrate host-pathogen research with natural history collections (e.g., yellow fever, hantaviruses, helminths). However, vouchering remains an underutilized practice in such studies. Using an online survey, we assessed vouchering practices used by microbiologists (e.g., bacteriologists, parasitologists, virologists) in host-pathogen research. A much greater number of respondents permanently archive microbiological samples than archive host specimens, and less than half of respondents voucher host specimens from which microbiological samples were lethally collected. To foster collaborations between microbiologists and natural history collections, we provide recommendations for integrating vouchering techniques and archiving of microbiological samples into host-pathogen studies. This integrative approach exemplifies the premise underlying One Health initiatives, providing critical infrastructure for addressing related issues ranging from public health to global climate change and the biodiversity crisis.

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Section: Role Of Natural History Collections In Host-pathogen Researchmentioning

confidence: 99%

Preserve a Voucher Specimen! The Critical Need for Integrating Natural History Collections in Infectious Disease Studies

Thompson

Phelps

Allard

et al. 2021

mBio

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“…Implementing the DAMA protocol will be expensive, but projected costs of the interminable cycles of emergence, reaction and response are unsustainable (McLean et al., 2019; Schindel & Cook, 2018). Not implementing the DAMA protocol, however, will be catastrophic.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Participating scientists need to expend significant time and energy talking with people at the grassroots, obtaining their trust and cooperation. Discovery is effective only in the context of archival repositories for specimens and information that are the cumulative historical baselines describing pathogen distribution (McLean et al., 2019; Schindel & Cook, 2018).…”

Section: Proactive Policy: the Dama Protocolmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Emerging infectious disease: An underappreciated area of strategic concern for food security

Brooks

Hoberg

Boeger

et al. 2021

Transbounding Emerging Dis

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Emerging infectious diseases (EIDs) increasingly threaten global food security and public health. Despite technological breakthroughs, we are losing the battle with (re)emerging diseases as treatment costs and production losses rise. A horizon scan of diseases of crops, livestock, seafood and food‐borne illness suggests these costs are unsustainable. The paradigm of coevolution between pathogens and particular hosts teaches that emerging diseases occur only when pathogens evolve specific capacities that allow them to move to new hosts. EIDs ought to be rare and unpredictable, so crisis response is the best we can do. Alternatively, the Stockholm Paradigm suggests that the world is full of susceptible but unexposed hosts that pathogens could infect, given the opportunity. Global climate change, globalized trade and travel, urbanization and land‐use changes (often associated with biodiversity loss) increase those opportunities, making EID frequent. We can, however, anticipate their arrival in new locations and their behaviour once they have arrived. We can ‘find them before they find us’, mitigating their impacts. The DAMA (Document, Assess, Monitor, Act) protocol alters the current reactive stance and embodies proactive solutions to anticipate and mitigate the impacts of EID, extending human and material resources and buying time for development of new vaccinations, medications and control measures.

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“…McLean et al (1) point to biorepositories as important sources of historical information that can successfully inform disease control by identifying potential novel pathogens. They highlight "modern biospecimen infrastructure," such as museums and independent collections.…”

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confidence: 99%