Livestock and Risk Group 4 Pathogens: Researching Zoonotic Threats to Public Health and Agriculture in Maximum Containment

Abstract

Maximum-containment laboratories are a unique and essential component of the bioeconomy of the United States. These facilities play a critical role in the national infrastructure, supporting research on a select set of especially dangerous pathogens, as well as novel, emerging diseases. Understanding the ecology, biology, and pathology at the human-animal interface of zoonotic spillover events is fundamental to efficient control and elimination of disease. The use of animals as human surrogate models or as target-host models in research is an integral part of unraveling the interrelated components involved in these dynamic systems. These models can prove vitally important in determining both viral- and host-factors associated with virus transmission, providing invaluable information that can be developed into better risk mitigation strategies. In this article, we focus on the use of livestock in maximum-containment, biosafety level-4 agriculture (BSL-4Ag) research involving zoonotic, risk group 4 pathogens and we provide an overview of historical associated research and contributions. Livestock are most commonly used as target-host models in high-consequence, maximum-containment research and are routinely used to establish data to assist in risk assessments. This article highlights the importance of animal use, insights gained, and how this type of research is essential for protecting animal health, food security, and the agriculture economy, as well as human public health in the face of emerging zoonotic pathogens. The utilization of animal models in high-consequence pathogen research and continued expansion to include available species of agricultural importance is essential to deciphering the ecology of emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases, as well as for emergency response and mitigation preparedness.

Experimental Infection of Bundibugyo Virus in Domestic Swine Leads to Viral Shedding with Evidence of Intraspecies Transmission

“…Introduction and development of pig production systems in biodiverse landscapes can create new risks for spillover and zoonotic transmission of novel pathogens [17,18]. Therefore, the continued evaluation of the susceptibility of livestock animals to high risk pathogens, such as the ebolaviruses, is critical to properly informing risk assessments and mitigation strategies for vulnerable regions [26].…”

One health and bat-borne henipaviruses

“…Low mortality rates (to 1–5%) have been observed across all age groups except infants (about 40 ​% of the population). Human infections, most likely transmitted through contact with infected pigs' tissues or body fluids, have resulted in severe febrile encephalitis with a CFR of 38 ​% [ 14 ]. The NiV infection is associated with encephalitis and has been linked to mild to severe disease and even death.…”

Henipavirus zoonosis: outbreaks, animal hosts and potential new emergence

“…The mortality was low (less than 1–5%) except in piglets (approximately 40%) ( Mohd Nor et al, 2000 ). Human infections, apparently through direct contact with contaminated tissues/body fluids of infected pigs, were characterized by severe febrile encephalitis with a CFR of 38% (106/276) ( Chua et al, 2000 ; Goh et al, 2000 ; Chong et al, 2002 ; Lewis and Pickering, 2022 ).…”