Protective role of the vulture facial and gut microbiomes aid adaptation to scavenging

The effects that microorganisms (bacteria, viruses and fungi) have on their hosts remain unexplored for most vulture species. This is especially relevant for vultures, as their diet consists of carcasses in various stages of decomposition, which are breeding grounds for potentially pathogenic microorganisms. Here we review current knowledge of bacterial, viral and mycotic microorganisms present in wild vultures. We consider their potential to cause disease in vultures and whether this poses any population‐level threats. Furthermore, we address the question of whether vultures may act as disease spreaders or mitigators. We found 76 articles concerning bacterial, viral and mycotic microorganisms present in 13 vulture species, 57 evaluating bacteria, 13 evaluating viruses and six evaluating mycotic microorganisms. These studies come from all continents where vultures are present, but mainly from Europe and North America, and the most studied species was the Griffon Vulture Gyps fulvus. We found that vultures are colonized by zoonotic pathogens, and even host‐specific human pathogens. Some recorded bacteria showed multi‐antibiotic resistance, especially those that can be associated with anthropogenic food subsides such as supplementary feeding stations. We found evidence that vulture health can be affected by some microorganisms, producing a wide array of clinical alterations that have the potential to influence mortality risk and fitness. We did not find clear scientific evidence that vultures play an epidemiological role spreading microorganisms to humans and other species. However, there is evidence that vultures could prevent the spread of infectious diseases through their removal of decomposing organic material. The evaluation of vulture exposure to microorganisms is of fundamental importance to design better conservation policies for this threatened group, which may serve a key role as ecosystem cleaners.

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“…2014, Mendoza et al . 2018). In the study of the intestinal microbiome, there were common findings between vulture species.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Implications of bacterial, viral and mycotic microorganisms in vultures for wildlife conservation, ecosystem services and public health

Plaza

Blanco

Lambertucci

2020

Ibis

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“…Thus, body parts of Vulture like animals are the best source of anti-microbial action. (Mendoza et al, 2018). Other eleven kalpas are mentioned to feel pleasant, auspicious, to become attractive, healthy (boost growth and development) and to increase prosperity.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Review on Role of Dhoopan in the prevention of airborne infections (COVID-19)

Rathi

Bhutada

et al. 2020

ijrps

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Dhoopan is a procedure in which fumes or smoke produced from defined drug formulations are inhaled/exposed by patients for the therapeutic relief or externally as a cleanser to the environment. There is a significant risk of spread of airborne infections with hospital-acquired infections and to mitigate Dhoopan is safe and effective to prevent such infections. The aim and objectives were to review and re-publicize the efficacy of Dhoopan in the prevention of diseases with the published data and Ayurveda compendium. The literature has been searched from database like Pubmed, Google Scholar, Scopus, Dhara online, other database and Ayurveda compendia from1980 to 2020. Dhoopan is an ancient method of sterilization for Vranitagar (vran/wound healing), Sutikagar, Kumaragar, etc. with preventive as well as curative efficacy. Smoke can be facilitated to expose or inhale in various diseases such as cough, coryza, piles, epilepsy, insanity, Asthma and wounds. The content of Dhoop are herbs, animal products (skin, hair, bones, horn, etc.) and minerals, described in Ayurveda compendia are potent anti-microbial, anti-fungal and antiviral action. Since time immemorial, sages used to clean the environment by Homa-havanadi rituals. However, due to the lacking scientific validation, these Dhoop methods are not popular, which bring attention to research opportunities and understand its safety and efficacy to prevent airborne infections. Dhoopakalpas are beneficial in dealing with airborne infection because of antioxidant and anti-microbial activity with safe, economical and eco-friendly potential. Thus, it can be publicized in the prevention of COVID 19 like a pandemic situation as an adjuvant.

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“…al. identified Psychrobacter cryohalolentis and Psychrobacter arcticus, which whilst commonly found in cold environments are known to be halotolerant [184] potentially explaining their presence on the warm but saline surface. Given similarities in environmental microbiomes between saline and arid environments, it is possible that dehydration might influence animal microbiomes in a similar way to salt stress; favouring the same functions and potentially related taxonomic compositions.…”

Section: Incidental Aridity -Animal Microbiomes Influenced By Abioticmentioning

confidence: 99%

A rather dry subject; investigating the study of arid-associated microbial communities

Osborne

Hall

Kronfeld‐Schor

et al. 2020

Environmental Microbiome

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Almost one third of Earth’s land surface is arid, with deserts alone covering more than 46 million square kilometres. Nearly 2.1 billion people inhabit deserts or drylands and these regions are also home to a great diversity of plant and animal species including many that are unique to them. Aridity is a multifaceted environmental stress combining a lack of water with limited food availability and typically extremes of temperature, impacting animal species across the planet from polar cold valleys, to Andean deserts and the Sahara. These harsh environments are also home to diverse microbial communities, demonstrating the ability of bacteria, fungi and archaea to settle and live in some of the toughest locations known. We now understand that these microbial ecosystems i.e. microbiotas, the sum total of microbial life across and within an environment, interact across both the environment, and the macroscopic organisms residing in these arid environments. Although multiple studies have explored these microbial communities in different arid environments, few studies have examined the microbiota of animals which are themselves arid-adapted. Here we aim to review the interactions between arid environments and the microbial communities which inhabit them, covering hot and cold deserts, the challenges these environments pose and some issues arising from limitations in the field. We also consider the work carried out on arid-adapted animal microbiotas, to investigate if any shared patterns or trends exist, whether between organisms or between the animals and the wider arid environment microbial communities. We determine if there are any patterns across studies potentially demonstrating a general impact of aridity on animal-associated microbiomes or benefits from aridity-adapted microbiomes for animals. In the context of increasing desertification and climate change it is important to understand the connections between the three pillars of microbiome, host genome and environment.

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Protective role of the vulture facial and gut microbiomes aid adaptation to scavenging

Abstract: 25Background: Vultures have adapted the remarkable ability to feed on carcasses that may contain

Cited by 4 publications

References 88 publications

Implications of bacterial, viral and mycotic microorganisms in vultures for wildlife conservation, ecosystem services and public health

Implications of bacterial, viral and mycotic microorganisms in vultures for wildlife conservation, ecosystem services and public health

Review on Role of Dhoopan in the prevention of airborne infections (COVID-19)

A rather dry subject; investigating the study of arid-associated microbial communities

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