Epidemiological Application Of Population Genetics And Behavioral Ecology To Unravel The Dynamics Of Influenza Virus Infections In Equine And Avian Populations

Influenza virus is an infectious pathogen causing significant respiratory signs and its infection has been a constant burden of global public health. Unique characteristics of influenza virus poses a challenge to investigate transmission dynamics using conventional epidemiological approaches on statistical inference on a host scale. First, evolutionary change of influenza virus in key antigenic sites impacts on the effectiveness of preventive and control program. Second, current complexity of hosts' movement addresses a difficulty in tracing transmission of infectious strains and intensified the potential of pandemic influenza outbreaks. Third, dynamics of influenza virus infection in wild host species complicates the identification of novel influenza spillover into other host species such as human and livestock. This epidemiological study implemented multi-scale multidisciplinary approaches to evaluate the transmission dynamics of influenza virus in horse and bird populations. In the first chapter, we evaluated the evolutionary characteristics of equine influenza virus (EIV) H3N8 strains detected in the United States (US) from 2012 to 2017 using phylogenetic and bioinformatic tools. Almost all US strains belonged to currently dominant FC1 clade and accumulated nucleotide substitutions in key antigenic regions of HA gene under heterogenous positive selection by sites. These findings revealed that antigenic drift in the HA gene of field strains in the US likely impacted on the evasion of vaccine-induced immunity and reduced the contemporary vaccine protection in US horse population. The second chapter predicted the pattern of EIV H3N8 spread on a US and global scale by phylodynamic approaches. Global phylogeography found that most novel strains originated EIV lineage in North America and spread to other global regions. US phylogeography predicted that southern and midwestern strains were mostly likely source of novel strains in the US horse population. EIV H3N8 changed approximately three nucleotides per year in HA gene consistently, which likely formed antigenic drift of global EIV strains. In the third chapter of my study, we estimated the habitat use of wild migratory waterfowl over four migration cycles in the Republic of Korea from 2013 to 2016 based on tracking records of fine-scale tracking device. Our study revealed that commercial poultry farms located within the habitat of wild waterfowl showed significantly higher risk for highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) outbreaks compared to poultry farms outside of the habitat. These finding indicated that wildlife-domestic interface likely impacted on the novel HPAI spillover into domestic poultry farms. Overall, the three chapters of my study not only provided valuable insights about influenza virus infection dynamics but also illustrated how integration of multi-scale multidisciplinary epidemiological approaches can be used to address complex epidemiological problems. Ultimately, my research will better support global disease surveillance and more cost-effectively prevent and control influenza pandemics or other emerging and re-emerging diseases at the wildlife-domestic-human interface.

Molecular epidemiology has recently broaden its focuses due to the development of molecular tools but also by incorporating advances of other fields such as mathematical epidemiology, molecular ecology, population genetics and evolution. Facing new risks of emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases that are threats for humans and their livestock, the objectives of molecular epidemiology include: - the development of molecular tools, genotyping and gene expression - the incorporation of concepts and results of population genetics of infectious diseases - the integration of recent advances in theoretical epidemiology and evolutionary ecology of diseases - a better understanding of transmission for the development of risk factors analyses. This book will demonstrate how the latest developments in molecular tools and in epidemiology can be integrated with studies of host-pathogen interactions. Besides a strong theoretical component, there will also be an emphasis on applications in the fields of epidemiology, public health, veterinary medicine, and health ecology. Students and researchers in the fields of epidemiology, animal and human health, evolutionary ecology, parasitology are the main potential readers of the book, as well as a broader audience from veterinary medicine and conservation.

Infectious diseases are a global hazard that puts every nation and every person at risk. The recent SARS outbreak is a prime example. Knowing neither geographic nor political borders, often arriving silently and lethally, microbial pathogens constitute a grave threat to the health of humans. Indeed, a majority of countries recently identified the spread of infectious disease as the greatest global problem they confront. Throughout history, humans have struggled to control both the causes and consequences of infectious diseases and we will continue to do so into the foreseeable future. Following up on a high-profile 1992 report from the Institute of Medicine, Microbial Threats to Health examines the current state of knowledge and policy pertaining to emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases from around the globe. It examines the spectrum of microbial threats, factors in disease emergence, and the ultimate capacity of the United States to meet the challenges posed by microbial threats to human health. From the impact of war or technology on disease emergence to the development of enhanced disease surveillance and vaccine strategies, Microbial Threats to Health contains valuable information for researchers, students, health care providers, policymakers, public health officials. and the interested public.

By joining phylogenetics and evolutionary ecology, this book explores the patterns of parasite diversity while revealing diversification processes.

Globalization of the food supply has created conditions favorable for the emergence, reemergence, and spread of food-borne pathogens-compounding the challenge of anticipating, detecting, and effectively responding to food-borne threats to health. In the United States, food-borne agents affect 1 out of 6 individuals and cause approximately 48 million illnesses, 128,000 hospitalizations, and 3,000 deaths each year. This figure likely represents just the tip of the iceberg, because it fails to account for the broad array of food-borne illnesses or for their wide-ranging repercussions for consumers, government, and the food industry-both domestically and internationally. A One Health approach to food safety may hold the promise of harnessing and integrating the expertise and resources from across the spectrum of multiple health domains including the human and veterinary medical and plant pathology communities with those of the wildlife and aquatic health and ecology communities. The IOM's Forum on Microbial Threats hosted a public workshop on December 13 and 14, 2011 that examined issues critical to the protection of the nation's food supply. The workshop explored existing knowledge and unanswered questions on the nature and extent of food-borne threats to health. Participants discussed the globalization of the U.S. food supply and the burden of illness associated with foodborne threats to health; considered the spectrum of food-borne threats as well as illustrative case studies; reviewed existing research, policies, and practices to prevent and mitigate foodborne threats; and, identified opportunities to reduce future threats to the nation's food supply through the use of a "One Health" approach to food safety. Improving Food Safety Through a One Health Approach: Workshop Summary covers the events of the workshop and explains the recommendations for future related workshops.

Summary: The chapters in this book llustrate aspects of communityy ecology that influence pathogen transmission rates and disease dynamics in a wide variety of study systems.

This groundbreaking book describes the emerging field of theoretical immunology, in particular the use of mathematical models to describe the spread of infectious diseases within patients. It reveals fascinating insights into the dynamics of viral and other infections, and the interactions between infectious agents and immune responses. Structured around the examples of HIV/AIDS and hepatitis B, Nowak and May show how mathematical models can help researchers to understand the detailed dynamics of infection and the effects of antiviral therapy. Models are developed to describe the dynamics of drug resistance, immune responses, viral evolution and mutation, and to optimise the design of therapy and vaccines. - ;We know, down to the tiniest details, the molecular structure of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Yet despite this tremendous accomplishment, and despite other remarkable advances in our understanding of individual viruses and cells of the immune system, we still have no agreed understanding of the ultimate course and variability of the pathogenesis of AIDS. Gaps in our understanding like these impede our efforts towards developing effective therapies and preventive vaccines. Martin Nowak and Robert M May describe the emerging field of theoretical immunology in this accessible and well- written text. Using mathematical modelling techniques, the authors set out their ideas about how populations of viruses and populations of immune system cells may interact in various circumstances, and how infectious diseases spread within patients. They explain how this approach to understanding infectious diseases can reveal insights into the dynamics of viral and other infections, and the interactions between infectious agents and immune responses. The book is structured around the examples of HIV/AIDS and Hepatitis B virus, although the approaches described will be more widely applicable. The authors use mathematical tools to uncover the detailed dynamics of the infection and the effects of antiviral therapy. Models are developed to describe the emergence of drug resistance, and the dynamics of immune responses, viral evolution, and mutation. The practical implications of this work for optimisation of the design of therapy and vaccines are discussed. The book concludes with a glance towards the future of this fascinating, and potentially highly useful, field of study. - ;... an excellent introduction to a field that has the potential to advance substantially our understanding of the complex interplay between virus and host - Nature

Amid ongoing shifts in the world economic and political order, the promise for future public health is tenuous. Will today's economic systems sustain tomorrow's health? Will future generations inherit fair access to health and health care? An important hope for the health of future generations is the establishment of a well-grounded, global public health system. Global Public Health: Ecological Foundations addresses both the challenges and cooperative solutions of contemporary public health, within a framework of social justice, environmental sustainability, and global cooperation. With an emphasis on ecological foundations, this book approaches public health principles-history, foundations, topics, and applications-with a community-oriented perspective. By achieving global reach through cooperative, community-based interventions, this text illustrates that the practical application of public health principles can help maintain the health of the world's people. Blending established wisdom with new perspectives, Global Public Health will stimulate better understanding of how the different streams of public health can work more synergistically to promote global health equity. It is a foundation for future public health measures to be built and to succeed.