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Plagues and adaptation: Lessons from the Felidae models for SARS and AIDS
Stephen J O'Brien1, Jennifer L Troyer2, Melody Roelke2
1Laboratory of Genomic Diversity, National Cancer Institute, Building 560, Room 21-105, Frederick, MD 21702, USA.
Biological Conservation
|April 1, 2020
Summary
Wild felid infectious diseases, like feline coronavirus and feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV), reveal insights into population survival and genetic resistance. Understanding host-pathogen interactions is crucial for wildlife conservation and human health.
Area of Science:
- Comparative genomics
- Epidemiology
- Population biology
Background:
- Infectious diseases significantly impact wild felid populations, influencing survival and genetic resistance.
- Feline coronavirus in cheetahs serves as a model for human SARS, highlighting ancestral genetic variation's role.
- Feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) shows minimal pathogenesis in most wild felids, suggesting widespread immunological adaptation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of host and pathogen genomes in wildlife disease outbreaks.
- To explore the impact of infectious diseases on endangered felid populations.
- To advocate for integrating molecular genetic tools in conservation management.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of infectious disease outbreaks in wild cat species (Felidae).
- Comparative genomic studies of host-pathogen interactions.
- Leveraging molecular genetic tools from human biomedical research.
Main Results:
- Feline coronavirus epidemics in cheetahs demonstrate the importance of ancestral genetic variation for survival.
- Endemic FIV in felids, except domestic cats, indicates significant immunological adaptation.
- Limited opportunities to monitor natural outbreaks hinder understanding disease impact on endangered species.
Conclusions:
- Resolving host-pathogen genome interactions offers new perspectives on disease outbreaks in wildlife and humans.
- Advances in molecular genetics can aid conservation by assessing host and pathogen biodiversity.
- Integrating comparative genomics, infectious disease, epidemiology, and population biology is vital for proactive conservation.
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