Browsing by Author "Ejotre, Imran"

Now showing 1 - 6 of 6
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    Ecological countermeasures to prevent pathogen spillover and subsequent pandemics
    (Springer Nature, 2024-03-26) Plowright, Raina K.; Ahmed, Aliyu N.; Coulson, Tim; Crowther, Thomas W.; Ejotre, Imran; Faust, Christina L.; Frick, Winifred F.; Hudson, Peter J.; Kingston, Tigga; Nameer, P. O.; O’Mara, M. Teague; Peel, AlisonJ.; Possingham, Hugh; Razgour, Orly; Reeder, DeeAnn M.; Ruiz-Aravena, Manuel; Simmons, Nancy B.; Srinivas, Prashanth N.; Tabor, Gary M.; Tanshi, Iroro; Thompson, Ian G.; Vanak, Abi T.; Vora, Neil M.; Willison, Charley E.; Keeley, Annika T. H.
    Substantial global attention is focused on how to reduce the risk of future pandemics. Reducing this risk requires investment in prevention, preparedness, and response. Although preparedness and response have received significant focus, prevention, especially the prevention of zoonotic spillover, remains largely absent from global conversations. This oversight is due in part to the lack of a clear definition of prevention and lack of guidance on how to achieve it. To address this gap, we elucidate the mechanisms linking environmental change and zoonotic spillover using spillover of viruses from bats as a case study. We identify ecological interventions that can disrupt these spillover mechanisms and propose policy frameworks for their implementation. Recognizing that pandemics originate in ecological systems, we advocate for integrating ecological approaches alongside biomedical approaches in a comprehensive and balanced pandemic prevention strategy.
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    Epauletted fruit bats display exceptionally high infections with a Hepatocystis species complex in South Sudan
    (Springer Nature, 2017-01-31) Schaer, Juliane; Perkins, Susan L.; Ejotre, Imran; Vodzak, Megan E.; Matuschewski, Kai; DeeAnn, M.
    Hepatocystis parasites are closely related to mammalian Plasmodium species, the causative agents of malaria. Despite the close phylogenetic relationship, Hepatocystis parasites lack the intermittent erythrocytic replication cycles, the signature and exclusive cause of malaria-related morbidity and mortality. Hepatocystis population expansion in the mammalian host is thought to be restricted to the pre-erythrocytic liver phase. Complete differentiation of first generation blood stages into sexual stages for subsequent vector transmission indicates alternative parasite/host co-evolution. In this study, we identified a region of exceptionally high prevalence of Hepatocystis infections in Old World fruit bats in South Sudan. Investigations over the course of five consecutive surveys revealed an average of 93 percent prevalence in four genera of African epauletted fruit bats. We observed a clear seasonal pattern and tolerance of high parasite loads in these bats. Phylogenetic analyses revealed several cryptic Hepatocystis parasite species and, in contrast to mammalian Plasmodium parasites, neither host specificity nor strong geographical patterns were evident. Together, our study provides evidence for Pan-African distribution and local high endemicity of a Hepatocystis species complex in Pteropodidae.
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    Hepatocystis
    (Trends in Parasitology, 2020-08-21) Ejotre, Imran; Reeder, DeeAnn M.; Matuschewski, Kai; Schaer, Juliane
    Hepatocystis parasites are the closest relatives of Plasmodium species of mammals. They infect monkeys, bats, squirrels, and ungulates in Africa, Asia, and Australia. A prevalence of up to 100% has been documented in fruit bats and monkeys. Twenty-five morphospecies have been described, and cross-species transmission, divergent Hepatocystis lineages, and species complexes are reported in primate and bat hosts. Biting midges (Culicoides) are the only known vectors. In the vertebrate, merogony occurs exclusively in the liver, resulting in formation of macroscopic merocysts. Merozoites invade erythrocytes and transform directly into sexual gametocytes, thereby omitting asexual replication and associated health conditions. Gametocytes can persist for several weeks and fertilize after a bloodmeal in the Culicoides midgut. The Hepatocystis genome features unique gene families, a low number of Plasmodium interspersed repeat (pir) genes, and an absence of the reticulocyte-binding protein family.
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    Negative perception of bats, exacerbated by the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, may Hhinder bat conservation in Northern Uganda
    (MDPI, 2022-12-16) Ejotre, Imran; Reeder, DeeAnn M; Matuschewski, Kai; Kityo, Robert; Schaer, Juliane
    Bats face diverse challenges that cause global bat population declines, including habitat loss and roost disturbance. Additionally, negative perceptions of bats and their potential role in several zoonotic diseases have led to actions against bats. We documented existing knowledge and perception of bats through interviews with 151 participants of fifteen tribes in Northern Uganda in 2020 and conducted a sensitization campaign that prevented planned actions against bats. The interviews revealed distinct firm beliefs, negative perceptions, limited knowledge on bats, and the influence of media in shaping actions against bats. In addition, modified landscapes and habitat loss increased encounters and subsequent deterioration of relations between humans and bats. Targeted threats towards bats were exacerbated by public misinformation during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. No deliberate conservation efforts exist, and negative perception largely hampers the implementation of bat conservation in Northern Uganda. Importantly, the study also demonstrates that sensitization campaigns can be effective tools to protect bats in the short term. Regular sensitizations and education are recommended for sustainable changes in attitudes to and coexistence with bats.
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    Noteworthy bird records from south-west South Sudan game reserves
    (British Ornithologists' Club, 2023-09-07) Brooks, Daniel M.; Sutton, Jack; Kurchez, Laura A.; Garside, Adrian; Ejotre, Imran; Rice, Matt; Moeller, Michelle L.; Harris, Robert J.; Klee, Ivan De; Reeder, DeeAnn M.
    Avian camera trap image data from two game reserves in southwestern South Sudan produced three new country records, four other range extensions, and one filled a distributional gap between north-west Ethiopia and eastern Central African Republic. The study took place at Bangangai (31 traps, January 2015–February 2016) and Bire Kpatuos Game Reserves (52 traps, September 2015–August 2017). A total of 40 species (18 families) was recorded, including two Near Threatened species of global conservation concern: Crowned Eagle Stephanoaetus coronatus and White-naped Pigeon Columba albinucha. The occurrence of Black Goshawk Accipiter melanoleucus, Grey-throated Rail Canirallus oculeus and Nkulengu Rail Himantornis haematopus represent first records for South Sudan.
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    Robust evidence for bats as reservoir hosts is lacking in most African virus studies: a review and call to optimize sampling and conserve bats
    (Royal Society, 2023-11-15) Weber, Natalie; Nagy, Martina; Markotter, Wanda; Schaer, Juliane; Puechmaille, Sébastien J.; Sutton, Jack; Dávalos, Liliana M.; Dusabe, Marie-Claire; Ejotre, Imran; Fenton, M. Brock; Knörnschild, Mirjam; López-Baucells, Adrià; Medellin, Rodrigo A.; Metz, Markus; Mubareka, Samira; Nsengimana, Olivier; O'Mara, M. Teague; Racey, Paul A.; Tuttle, Merlin; Twizeyimana, Innocent; Vicente-Santos, Amanda; Tschapka, Marco; Voigt, Christian C.; Wikelski, Martin; Dechmann, Dina K.N.; Reeder, DeeAnn M.
    Africa experiences frequent emerging disease outbreaks among humans, with bats often proposed as zoonotic pathogen hosts. We comprehensively reviewed virus–bat findings from papers published between 1978 and 2020 to evaluate the evidence that African bats are reservoir and/or bridging hosts for viruses that cause human disease. We present data from 162 papers (of 1322) with original findings on (1) numbers and species of bats sampled across bat families and the continent, (2) how bats were selected for study inclusion, (3) if bats were terminally sampled, (4) what types of ecological data, if any, were recorded and (5) which viruses were detected and with what methodology. We propose a scheme for evaluating presumed virus–host relationships by evidence type and quality, using the contrasting available evidence for Orthoebolavirus versus Orthomarburgvirus as an example. We review the wording in abstracts and discussions of all 162 papers, identifying key framing terms, how these refer to findings, and how they might contribute to people's beliefs about bats. We discuss the impact of scientific research communication on public perception and emphasize the need for strategies that minimize human–bat conflict and support bat conservation. Finally, we make recommendations for best practices that will improve virological study metadata.