Understanding the immunogenetic basis of coronavirus (CoV) susceptibility in major pathogen reservoirs, such as bats, is central to inferring their zoonotic potential. Members of the cryptic ...Hipposideros bat species complex differ in CoV susceptibility, but the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. The genes of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) are the best understood genetic basis of pathogen resistance, and differences in MHC diversity are one possible reason for asymmetrical infection patterns among closely related species. Here, we aimed to link asymmetries in observed CoV (CoV‐229E, CoV‐2B and CoV‐2Bbasal) susceptibility to immunogenetic differences amongst four Hipposideros bat species. From the 2072 bats assigned to their respective species using the mtDNA cytochrome b gene, members of the most numerous and ubiquitous species, Hipposideros caffer D, were most infected with CoV‐229E and SARS‐related CoV‐2B. Using a subset of 569 bats, we determined that much of the existent allelic and functional (i.e. supertype) MHC DRB class II diversity originated from common ancestry. One MHC supertype shared amongst all species, ST12, was consistently linked to susceptibility with CoV‐229E, which is closely related to the common cold agent HCoV‐229E, and infected bats and those carrying ST12 had a lower body condition. The same MHC supertype was connected to resistance to CoV‐2B, and bats with ST12 were less likely be co‐infected with CoV‐229E and CoV‐2B. Our work suggests a role of immunogenetics in determining CoV susceptibility in bats. We advocate for the preservation of functional genetic and species diversity in reservoirs as a means of mitigating the risk of disease spillover.
Anthropogenic disturbances and the subsequent loss of biodiversity are altering species abundances and communities. Since species vary in their pathogen competence, spatio-temporal changes in host ...assemblages may lead to changes in disease dynamics. We explore how longitudinal changes in bat species assemblages affect the disease dynamics of coronaviruses (CoVs) in more than 2300 cave-dwelling bats captured over two years from five caves in Ghana. This reveals uneven CoV infection patterns between closely related species, with the alpha-CoV 229E-like and SARS-related beta-CoV 2b emerging as multi-host pathogens. Prevalence and infection likelihood for both phylogenetically distinct CoVs is influenced by the abundance of competent species and naïve subadults. Broadly, bat species vary in CoV competence, and highly competent species are more common in less diverse communities, leading to increased CoV prevalence in less diverse bat assemblages. In line with the One Health framework, our work supports the notion that biodiversity conservation may be the most proactive measure to prevent the spread of pathogens with zoonotic potential.
Conservation biology relies on understanding how animals are affected by human-induced changes in their environment. We explored the influence of habitat types, seasons, and sexes on the body size ...and condition of Praomys tullbergi, a small mammal species. Using the Scaled Mass Index (SMI), we compared individuals from the Atewa Range Forest Reserves and Bimpong Forest Reserve. We hypothesis that body condition would be superior in closed forests, during the wet season, and among males. We found no sexual dimorphism in body size, although females in Atewa Range Forest Reserves exhibited greater weight than males. Body condition did not significantly differ among P. tullbergi individuals, except for a slight variance between closed and open forests in Atewa Range Forest Reserves. In Bimpong Forest Reserve, P. tullbergi displayed better body condition during the wet season than the dry season. Notably, females generally exhibited better body condition than males in both study areas, indicating sexual variation. We propose that P. tullbergi's ability to adjust body condition in response to resource availability poses a competitive advantage over other small mammal species, potentially impacting their populations. Further research should explore P. tullbergi's adaptation strategies in different habitats, providing insights into successful adaptation and informing conservation efforts. Understanding these mechanisms is vital for effective wildlife conservation and management. This study contributes to the growing body of knowledge on how human-induced environmental changes influence animals, highlighting the importance of considering habitat types, seasons, and sexes in conservation biology. The findings underscore the need for proactive measures to protect vulnerable species and promote overall ecosystem health in the face of ongoing environmental challenges caused by human activities.
This study provides first-hand information on how the changing microhabitat in evergreen forests influences the assemblage of small terrestrial mammals. 30 plots of 100 × 50 metres were randomly ...sampled in the closed forest, open forest and farmlands habitats. Four transects, 100 m in length, spaced at 10 m, were established in each plot. Ten traps spaced at 10 m from each other were placed on each transect. In the dry and wet seasons, small mammals were captured for three consecutive nights twice a year using Sherman collapsible traps baited with oatmeal and groundnut paste. Small mammals were photographed and identified to species level in situ. The multidimensional scaling method was used to identify clusters of sites based on the composition of their communities. Differences in species composition among habitat types were tested using Permutational Multivariate Analysis of Variance. To identify the species contributions to the major differences between habitat types, a SIMPER analysis was performed. Species richness was compared by subjecting the relative abundance data to an individual-based rarefaction technique. Species diversity of the habitat types in the study areas was compared using the Renyi diversity ordering approach. A total of 507 individual small mammals of 22 species were sampled from both study sites. Our analysis revealed that the composition of small mammal species differed significantly between habitat types in the two study areas. Praomys tullbergi, Mastomys natalensis and Mus minutoides contributed 27.5%, 16.8% and 14.4%, respectively to overall community dissimilarity between the habitat types. Together these three species contributed to 54.8% and 62.8% of observed dissimilarities in Atewa and Bimpong study areas respectively. Overall observed species richness in Atewa (16 species) was higher than Bimpong (14 species). Generally, farmlands and open forests were more abundant, species-rich and diverse than the closed forest habitats in both study areas. Our results supported the hypothesis that different habitat types (farmlands, open forest, and closed forest) in the study areas will differ in small mammal assemblage due to different levels of disturbances.
Abstract
Background
Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is among the leading causes of viral hepatitis in most developing countries. Zoonotic acquisition of HEV genotype 3 from swine has come into focus more ...recently. Available studies on HEV in Ghana and other countries in the region do not provide enough information towards understanding the epidemiology of HEV in human and animal populations. Towards this end, we conducted a comparative cross-sectional study to determine the seroprevalence and risk factors associated with HEV exposure, both in swine and humans working on pig farms in typical local settings. The presence of viral RNA in human and swine samples was also evaluated, along with classification of viral sequences from HEV-positive samples.
Methods
Structured questionnaires soliciting information on pigs reared, as well as socio-demographic information including age, sex and educational background of humans was collected. A total of 10 ml and 5 ml of whole blood was collected from pigs and human participants respectively. ELISA and real-time RT-PCR were performed on the sera for the qualitative detection of IgG antibodies to hepatitis E virus and viral RNA, respectively.
Results
Five hundred and forty-four (544) human participants including 264 swine contacts and 280 swine non-contacts were enrolled in the study. Although the proportion of HEV IgG antibodies was higher in contact groups (114; 54.3%) than non-contact groups (96; 45.7%), a multivariate analysis did not show any significant difference. No HEV RNA was detected in human samples. Similarly, 720 pigs were sampled from 18 farms located in five regions in Ghana. Twenty-three (23) of the pigs (3.2, 95%CI = 2.0–4.8) were positive for HEV RNA by real-time RT-PCR testing. Sequences obtained from HEV-positive samples were found to share high sequence identities with each other and clustered with other genotype 3 viruses indicating the existence of circulating zoonotic genotype 3 viruses on farms. Although we did not find evidence of pig to human transmission of HEV genotype 3, the presence of this genotype in pigs shows the potential for possible zoonotic transmission in African farm settings and buttresses the importance of active surveillance for the infection among at risk populations.
Background: Ghana is one of the six bat diversity hotspots on the African continent, yet its caves have not been fully explored for the bats they host. Research Aims: We aimed to assess the species ...composition and diversity of five caves in central Ghana and identified those needing immediate conservation attention. Methods: Using mist-nets, we captured bats over 102 full nights between October 2010 and July 2012 from the Upper Guinean forest and Savannah regions in central Ghana. Results: A total of 10,226 bats belonging to nine species were recorded. PERMANOVA suggested significant variation in species composition among the caves. A SIMPER analysis revealed Coleura afra and Hipposideros jonesi to be the main discriminating species between caves, with a dominance of Hipposideros cf. ruber in all caves. The Bat Cave Vulnerability Index (BCVI) revealed Mframabuom cave from the Upper Guinean forest region as a high priority cave hosting threatened species, yet highly disturbed. The remaining caves were identified as medium priority caves. Conclusion The results of the study suggest the need for further research and an immediate conservation strategy as essential for approaching national conservation goals.
Recent upsurges in the incidence of dam construction over rivers for farming and hydro electric power in the West African sub-region is a known promoter of fluctuating water levels on tropical ...coastal wetlands. Waterbirds, being one of the dominant fauna on wetlands, are key species that can be affected by fluctuating water levels. Waterbird census and water level monitoring at four coastal wetlands in Ghana revealed that different guilds (species assemblages) of waterbirds responded differently to fluctuating water levels. The populations density of birds in guilds 1 (ducks and cormorants), 3 (tactile surface foraging waders), 4 (pelagic foraging waders) and 5 (stalking herons and egrets) significantly (P < 0.05) increased linearly with decreasing water levels. The population density of birds in guilds 2 (visual surface foraging waders) and 7 (fishing terns) responded significantly (P < 0.05) in a second order polynomial function with optimum numbers occurring when water levels were neither too high nor too low. As far as farming and energy requirement are met from these dams, it is important that the ecological needs of waterbirds on wetlands are incorporated into the management of these dams so as to maintain appropriate water levels beneficial to waterbird populations.
This study aimed to determine the effect of cutting intensity on the recovery rate, growth, and biomass production of selected savanna forage shrub species. The study was conducted at the University ...for Development Studies (UDS), Nyankpala Campus in the Tolon District of the Northern Region of Ghana. Cajanus cajan, Stylosanthes mucronata, Tephrosia purpureum and Securinega virosa were cut at 15 cm, 30 cm, and 60 cm above ground level a month after a standardizing cut and number of days to sprout, the number of shoots, plant height, and root collar diameter was recorded. The experiment was a randomized complete block design with four replications. Shrubs cut at 60 cm used less mean number of days (4.25) for sprouting and those cut at 15 cm took a longer period (4.92) to sprout. Plant height, number of shoots, and root collar diameter after cutting were highest for shrubs cut at 60 cm. Securinega virosa used less mean number of days (4.00) to sprout while S. mucronata used the highest mean number of days (5.44) after cutting. Total dry matter yield was significantly highest (123.90 g/plant) for shrubs cut at 60 cm but lowest for those cut at 15 cm (91.20 g/plant). Cajanus cajan recorded a significantly higher total dry matter (116.30 g/plant) while S. virosa had the lowest (93.00 g/plant). Our results suggest that cutting height significantly influences the rate of sprouting of shrubs after cutting, and the response to the cutting effect is species-dependent.
ObjectiveThere is a decline in contraceptive use among sexually active unmarried young women in Ghana. This study assessed the prevalence of contraceptive knowledge and use, and the determinant of ...contraceptive use among sexually active unmarried young women in Ghana.DesignThis was a nationally representative cross-sectional survey, using data from the 2017 Ghana Maternal Health Survey. Weighted logistic regression was used to assess the association between background and obstetric characteristics of young women and contraceptive use.SettingGhana.ParticipantsA total of 809 sexually active unmarried adolescent girls (15–19 years) and young women (20–24 years).Primary and secondary outcome measuresKnowledge and use of both modern and traditional contraceptive methods.ResultsKnowledge of at least one modern and traditional contractive method was 99.8% and 95.0%, respectively. The prevalence of contraceptive use was 43%—with 34% modern and 9% traditional methods. From the unadjusted analyses, age (p=0.002), past pregnancy (p<0.001), abortion in the past 5 years (p=0.007) and history of childbirth (p=0.025) were independently associated with contraceptive use, whereas education (p=0.072), place of residence (p=0.702), household wealth (p=0.836) and age at first sex (p=0.924) were not independently associated with contraceptive use. In the adjusted analysis, contraceptive use was significantly higher among respondents with secondary education compared with those with primary education (OR 2.43, 95% CI 1.31 to 4.49, p=0.017), and was higher among respondents with a history of pregnancy (OR 2.13, 95% CI 1.48 to 3.06, p<0.001).ConclusionThere is a significant gap between knowledge and use of contraceptives among the study population. While intensifying knowledge of adolescents and young women on contraceptives, adolescent-friendly corners should be established at vantage points to increase utilisation and to prevent societal stigma on young women who access contraceptives services.
The rising and continuous pollution of the soil from anthropogenic activities is of great concern. Owing to this concern, the advent of digital soil mapping (DSM) has been a tool that soil scientists ...use in this era to predict the potentially toxic element (PTE) content in the soil. The purpose of this paper was to conduct a review of articles, summarize and analyse the spatial prediction of potentially toxic elements, determine and compare the models' usage as well as their performance over time. Through Scopus, the Web of Science and Google Scholar, we collected papers between the year 2001 and the first quarter of 2019, which were tailored towards the spatial PTE prediction using DSM approaches. The results indicated that soil pollution emanates from diverse sources. However, it provided reasons why the authors investigate a piece of land or area, highlighting the uncertainties in mapping, number of publications per journal and continental efforts to research as well as published on trending issues regarding DSM. This paper reveals the complementary role machine learning algorithms and the geostatistical models play in DSM. Nevertheless, geostatistical approaches remain the most preferred model compared to machine learning algorithms.
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