Project description:To test the hypothesis that Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCPyV) can infect cells of the lymphoid system, we analyzed 353 specimens, including 152 non-Hodgkin lymphomas, 44 Hodgkin lymphomas, 110 benign lymph nodes, 27 lymph nodes with metastasis, and 20 extranodal tissue samples. MCPyV DNA was detected by quantitative PCR in 13 (6.6%) of 196 lymphomas, including 5 (20.8%) of 24 chronic lymphocytic leukemia specimens, and in 11 (10%) of 110 benign lymph nodes, including 8 (13.1%) of 61 samples of reactive hyperplasia and 3 (10.3%) of 29 normal lymph nodes. Other samples were MCPyV negative. Sequence analysis of 9 virus-positive samples confirmed the identity of MCPyV; 3 viral strains were represented. Immunohistochemical testing showed that 1 T-cell lymphoma expressed MCPyV T-antigen. These findings suggest that the lymphoid system plays a role in MCPyV infection and may be a site for MCPyV persistence.
Project description:BackgroundAleutian mink disease virus (AMDV) is widespread among ranched and free-ranging American mink in Canada, but there is no information on its prevalence in other wild animal species. This paper describes the prevalence of AMDV of 12 furbearing species in Nova Scotia (NS), Canada.MethodsSamples were collected from carcasses of 462 wild animals of 12 furbearing species, trapped in 10 NS counties between November 2009 and February 2011. Viral DNA was tested by PCR using two primer pairs, and anti-viral antibodies were tested by counterimmunoelectrophoresis (CIEP) on spleen homogenates.ResultsPositive PCR or CIEP samples were detected in 56 of 60 (93.3%) American mink, 43 of 61 (70.5%) short-tailed weasels, 2 of 8 (25.0%) striped skunks, 2 of 11 (18.2%) North American river otters, 9 of 85 (10.6%) raccoons, and 2 of 20 (10.0%) bobcats. Samples from six fishers, 24 coyotes, 25 red foxes, 58 beavers, 45 red-squirrels and 59 muskrats were negative. Antibodies to AMDV were detected by CIEP in 16 of 56 (28.6%) mink and one of the 8 skunks (12.5%). Thirteen of the mink were positive for PCR and CIEP, but three mink and one skunk were CIEP positive and PCR negative. Positive CIEP or PCR animals were present in all nine counties from which mink or weasel samples were collected.ConclusionsThe presence of AMDV in so many species across the province has important epidemiological ramifications and could pose a serious health problem for the captive mink, as well as for susceptible wildlife. The mechanism of virus transmission between wildlife and captive mink and the effects of AMDV exposure on the viability of the susceptible species deserve further investigation.
Project description:Wildlife reservoirs of broad-host-range viruses have the potential to enable evolution of viral variants that can emerge to infect humans. In North America, there is phylogenomic evidence of continual transmission of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) from humans to white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) through unknown means, but no evidence of transmission from deer to humans. We carried out an observational surveillance study in Ontario, Canada during November and December 2021 (n = 300 deer) and identified a highly divergent lineage of SARS-CoV-2 in white-tailed deer (B.1.641). This lineage is one of the most divergent SARS-CoV-2 lineages identified so far, with 76 mutations (including 37 previously associated with non-human mammalian hosts). From a set of five complete and two partial deer-derived viral genomes we applied phylogenomic, recombination, selection and mutation spectrum analyses, which provided evidence for evolution and transmission in deer and a shared ancestry with mink-derived virus. Our analysis also revealed an epidemiologically linked human infection. Taken together, our findings provide evidence for sustained evolution of SARS-CoV-2 in white-tailed deer and of deer-to-human transmission.
Project description:Hybridization of mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) and white-tailed deer (O. virginianus) appears to be a semi-regular occurrence in western North America. Previous studies confirmed the presence of hybrids in a variety of sympatric habitats, but their developing molecular resources limited identification to the earliest, most admixed generations. For this reason, estimates of hybrid production in wild populations often rely on anecdotal reports. As well, white-tailed deer populations' continued encroachment into historically mule deer-occupied habitats due to changes in land use, habitat homogenization, and a warming climate may increase opportunities for interspecific encounters. We sought to quantify the prevalence and extent of hybrid deer in the prairies of western Canada using a SNP assay with enhanced discriminating power. By updating the available molecular resources, we sought to identify and characterize previously cryptic introgression. We also investigated the influence of various parameters on hybridity by way of logistic regression. We observed overall hybridization rates of ~1.0%, slightly lower than that reported by previous studies, and found white-tailed-like hybrids to be more common than their mule deer-like counterparts. Here, we build upon past studies of hybridization in North American deer by increasing hybrid detection power, expanding sample sizes, demonstrating a new molecular resource applicable to future research and observing asymmetrical directionality of introgression.
Project description:White-tailed deer ( Odocoileus virginianus ) are highly susceptible to infection by SARS-CoV-2, with multiple reports of widespread spillover of virus from humans to free-living deer. While the recently emerged SARS-CoV-2 B.1.1.529 Omicron variant of concern (VoC) has been shown to be notably more transmissible amongst humans, its ability to cause infection and spillover to non-human animals remains a challenge of concern. We found that 19 of the 131 (14.5%; 95% CI: 0.10-0.22) white-tailed deer opportunistically sampled on Staten Island, New York, between December 12, 2021, and January 31, 2022, were positive for SARS-CoV-2 specific serum antibodies using a surrogate virus neutralization assay, indicating prior exposure. The results also revealed strong evidence of age-dependence in antibody prevalence. A significantly (χ 2 , p < 0.001) greater proportion of yearling deer possessed neutralizing antibodies as compared with fawns (OR=12.7; 95% CI 4-37.5). Importantly, SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acid was detected in nasal swabs from seven of 68 (10.29%; 95% CI: 0.0-0.20) of the sampled deer, and whole-genome sequencing identified the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron VoC (B.1.1.529) is circulating amongst the white-tailed deer on Staten Island. Phylogenetic analyses revealed the deer Omicron sequences clustered closely with other, recently reported Omicron sequences recovered from infected humans in New York City and elsewhere, consistent with human to deer spillover. Interestingly, one individual deer was positive for viral RNA and had a high level of neutralizing antibodies, suggesting either rapid serological conversion during an ongoing infection or a "breakthrough" infection in a previously exposed animal. Together, our findings show that the SARS-CoV-2 B.1.1.529 Omicron VoC can infect white-tailed deer and highlights an urgent need for comprehensive surveillance of susceptible animal species to identify ecological transmission networks and better assess the potential risks of spillback to humans.Key findingsThese studies provide strong evidence of infection of free-living white-tailed deer with the SARS-CoV-2 B.1.1.529 Omicron variant of concern on Staten Island, New York, and highlight an urgent need for investigations on human-to-animal-to-human spillovers/spillbacks as well as on better defining the expanding host-range of SARS-CoV-2 in non-human animals and the environment.
Project description:Echinococcus spp. tapeworms can cause serious diseases in mammals, including humans. Within the E. granulosus species complex, metacestodes produce unilocular cysts that are responsible for cystic echinococcosis in animal intermediate hosts. Canids are definitive hosts, harbouring adult cestodes in their intestines. Adult E. canadensis were recovered from the small intestine of 1 of 262 coyotes (Canis latrans) from Nova Scotia, Canada. Subsequently, we found unilocular cysts in lungs and livers of 4 of 8 sympatric moose (Alces alces) from Cape Breton Island. DNA was extracted from three cysts using the Qiagen DNeasy Blood and Tissue kit and assayed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with primers (cest4 and cest5) for a 117-bp region of the small subunit of ribosomal RNA of E. granulosus sensu lato, and further validated as E. canadensis G8 using primers targeting nicotinamide adenosine dinucleotide dehydrogenase subunit 1 (ND1) and cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (CO1) mitochondrial genes. These are the first records of E. canadensis in any of the three Maritime provinces, which include Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Prince Edward Island. The parasite was thought to be absent in this region due to extirpation of wolves (Canis spp.) in the 1800s. These findings suggest that further wildlife surveillance and risk assessment is warranted.
Project description:In Canada, adherence to the national 'Nutrition for Healthy Term Infants' recommendations of infant and young child feeding (IYCF; 0-24 months) is suboptimal. While maternal knowledge of IYCF is commonly assessed, that of the general public has rarely been explored. Our objective was to assess the knowledge of, and confidence in answers to, Canadian IYCF recommendations among a diverse sample of adults in Nova Scotia, Canada. Between March and May 2018, a self-administered questionnaire examining IYCF knowledge, self-rated confidence, and sociodemographic information was conducted among Nova Scotians (?19 years) in public locations. We surveyed 229 adults; 60% (n=134) were women. Mean (95% CI) age was 44 (41,46) years, 73% self-identified as white, 77% were born in Canada, and 69% were parents. Knowledge deficits were: age to terminate breastfeeding (18.3 (16.7,19.9) months; recommendation: ?24 months), age to introduce solids (9.2 (8.2,10.2) months; recommendation: 6 months), vitamin D supplementation (10% correct), and optimal complementary foods (only 37% indicated iron-rich foods). Correct IYCF knowledge was lower among men, non-parents, young adults (19-29 years) and low-income adults (<$50,000/year). Mean self-rated confidence (out of 10) was high (7.2 (6.9,7.5)), and not different (p>0.05) between correct and incorrect responses for: best food for a newborn, age to terminate any breastfeeding, and age to start family meal foods. We found low knowledge of IYCF guidelines, yet high confidence in responses regardless of accuracy, among adults in Nova Scotia. General public knowledge deficits may contribute to an unsupportive culture around IYCF practices and low adherence to current recommendations.
Project description:Health Promoting Schools (HPS) is a whole-school approach that shapes the conditions necessary to support student health and well-being. Youth engagement is recognized as key to HPS implementation, yet research related to the involvement of youth voice in school health promotion initiatives is limited. The purpose of this study was to understand youth perspectives on HPS and school youth engagement. Ten youth (grades 9-10, ages 14-16) were trained as peer researchers using a Youth Participatory Action Research approach. The peer researchers interviewed 23 of their peers (grades 7-10, ages 12-16) on perspectives related to HPS and school youth engagement. All interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed and data were analysed using inductive 'codebook' thematic analysis. Themes related to a healthy school community were mapped onto the pillars of HPS: (i) Social and Physical Environment, (ii) Teaching and Learning, (iii) Partnerships and Services and (iv) School Policies. Participants placed more importance on the social and physical environment of the school including respect, inclusivity, supportive relationships and the design of spaces. Key factors for youth engagement were: (i) safe and supportive spaces, (ii) passion and interest, (iii) using their voice, (iv) power dynamics, (v) accessibility and (vi) awareness. With recognition that youth engagement is a crucial part of HPS, this work provides relevant and applicable information on areas of the healthy school community that are important to youth, and if/how they are meaningfully engaged in school decision-making.