The Amazonian Tropical Bites Research Initiative, a hope for resolving zoonotic neglected tropical diseases in the One Health era

Taylor, E. et al. (2023) The Amazonian Tropical Bites Research Initiative, a hope for resolving zoonotic neglected tropical diseases in the One Health era. International Health, 15(2), pp. 216-223. (doi: 10.1093/inthealth/ihac048) (PMID:35896028) (PMCID:PMC9384559)

Abstract

Background: Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) disproportionately affect populations living in resource-limited settings. In the Amazon basin, substantial numbers of NTDs are zoonotic, transmitted by vertebrate (dogs, bats, snakes) and invertebrate species (sand flies and triatomine insects). However, no dedicated consortia exist to find commonalities in the risk factors for or mitigations against bite-associated NTDs such as rabies, snake envenoming, Chagas disease and leishmaniasis in the region. The rapid expansion of COVID-19 has further reduced resources for NTDs, exacerbated health inequality and reiterated the need to raise awareness of NTDs related to bites. Methods: The nine countries that make up the Amazon basin have been considered (Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Peru, Surinam and Venezuela) in the formation of a new network. Results: The Amazonian Tropical Bites Research Initiative (ATBRI) has been created, with the aim of creating transdisciplinary solutions to the problem of animal bites leading to disease in Amazonian communities. The ATBRI seeks to unify the currently disjointed approach to the control of bite-related neglected zoonoses across Latin America. Conclusions: The coordination of different sectors and inclusion of all stakeholders will advance this field and generate evidence for policy-making, promoting governance and linkage across a One Health arena.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Streicker, Professor Daniel
• Authors: Taylor, E., Aguilar-Ancori, E. G., Banyard, A. C., Abel, I., Mantini-Briggs, C., Briggs, C. L., Carrillo, C., Gavidia, C. M., Castillo-Neyra, R., Parola, A. D., Villena, F. E., Prada, J. M., Petersen, B. W., Falcon Perez, N., Cabezas Sanchez, C., Sihuincha, M., Streicker, D. G., Maguina Vargas, C., Navarro Vela, A. M., Vigilato, M. A.N., Wen Fan, H., Willoughby, R., Horton, D. L., and Recuenco, S. E.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Biodiversity, One Health & Veterinary Medicine; College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Infection & Immunity > Centre for Virus Research
• Journal Name: International Health
• Publisher: Oxford University Press
• ISSN: 1876-3413
• ISSN (Online): 1876-3405
• Published Online: 27 July 2022
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2022 The Authors
• First Published: First published in International Health 15(2): 215-223
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced under a Creative Commons License

Project Code	Award No	Project Name	Principal Investigator	Funder's Name	Funder Ref	Lead Dept
307106		Epidemiology meets biotechnology: preventing viral emergence from bats	Daniel Streicker	Wellcome Trust (WELLCOTR)	217221/Z/19/Z	Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine