Worsley-Tonks, K. E.L., Escobar, L. E., Biek, R. , Castaneda-Guzman, M., Craft, M. E., Streicker, D. G. , White, L. A. and Fountain-Jones, N. M. (2020) Using host traits to predict reservoir host species of rabies virus. PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases, 14(12), e0008940. (doi: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0008940) (PMID:33290391) (PMCID:PMC7748407)
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Abstract
Wildlife are important reservoirs for many pathogens, yet the role that different species play in pathogen maintenance frequently remains unknown. This is the case for rabies, a viral disease of mammals. While Carnivora (carnivores) and Chiroptera (bats) are the canonical mammalian orders known to be responsible for the maintenance and onward transmission of rabies Lyssavirus (RABV), the role of most species within these orders remains unknown and is continually changing as a result of contemporary host shifting. We combined a trait-based analytical approach with gradient boosting machine learning models to identify physiological and ecological host features associated with being a reservoir for RABV. We then used a cooperative game theory approach to determine species-specific traits associated with known RABV reservoirs. Being a carnivore reservoir for RABV was associated with phylogenetic similarity to known RABV reservoirs, along with other traits such as having larger litters and earlier sexual maturity. For bats, location in the Americas and geographic range were the most important predictors of RABV reservoir status, along with having a large litter. Our models identified 44 carnivore and 34 bat species that are currently not recognized as RABV reservoirs, but that have trait profiles suggesting their capacity to be or become reservoirs. Further, our findings suggest that potential reservoir species among bats and carnivores occur both within and outside of areas with current RABV circulation. These results show the ability of a trait-based approach to detect potential reservoirs of infection and could inform rabies control programs and surveillance efforts by identifying the types of species and traits that facilitate RABV maintenance and transmission.
| Item Type: | Articles |
|---|---|
| Status: | Published |
| Refereed: | Yes |
| Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: | Biek, Professor Roman and Craft, Dr Meggan and Streicker, Professor Daniel |
| Creator Roles: | Biek, R.Supervision, Writing – review and editing Craft, M.Writing – review and editing Craft, M. E.Supervision Streicker, D. G.Supervision, Writing – review and editing |
| Authors: | Worsley-Tonks, K. E.L., Escobar, L. E., Biek, R., Castaneda-Guzman, M., Craft, M. E., Streicker, D. G., White, L. A., and Fountain-Jones, N. M. |
| College/School: | College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Life Sciences College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Biodiversity, One Health & Veterinary Medicine |
| Journal Name: | PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases |
| Publisher: | Public Library of Science |
| ISSN: | 1935-2727 |
| ISSN (Online): | 1935-2735 |
| Published Online: | 08 December 2020 |
| Copyright Holders: | Copyright © 2020 Worsley-Tonks et al. |
| First Published: | First published in PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases 14(12): e0008940 |
| Publisher Policy: | Reproduced under a Creative Commons License |
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