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Martin LB, Hopkins WA, Mydlarz LD, Rohr JR. (2010). The effects of anthropogenic global changes on immune functions and disease resistance. Ann NY Acad Sci 1195, 129-148.

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Article

Effects of Anthropogenic Events and Viral Persistence on Rodent Reservoirs of Hantavirus Infection: Understanding Host-Pathogen Interactions Facilitates Novel Approaches to Intervention Strategies

1Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering Discipline, Khulna University, Khulna, Bangladesh

2Research and Development Department (R&D), Incepta Vaccine Limited. Dewan Idris Road, Jirabo, Savar Dhaka, Bangladesh

3School of Medical & Applied Sciences, Central Queensland University, Rockhampton, Australia


American Journal of Infectious Diseases and Microbiology. 2015, Vol. 3 No. 2, 77-86
DOI: 10.12691/ajidm-3-2-4
Copyright © 2015 Science and Education Publishing

Cite this paper:
Abdullah Mahmud-Al-Rafat, Mahbub -E-Sobhani, Andrew W. Taylor-Robinson. Effects of Anthropogenic Events and Viral Persistence on Rodent Reservoirs of Hantavirus Infection: Understanding Host-Pathogen Interactions Facilitates Novel Approaches to Intervention Strategies. American Journal of Infectious Diseases and Microbiology. 2015; 3(2):77-86. doi: 10.12691/ajidm-3-2-4.

Correspondence to: Andrew  W. Taylor-Robinson, School of Medical & Applied Sciences, Central Queensland University, Rockhampton, Australia. Email: a.taylor-robinson@cqu.edu.au

Abstract

Hantaviruses are primarily rodent-borne pathogens which have received considerable attention recently due to their high mortality rates in humans. In order to find the causes of rapid transmission and emergence of hantavirus-associated diseases anthropogenic changes are a priority. These include deforestation, urbanization, noise pollution, light pollution and electromagnetic fields, all of which have been shown to profoundly affect rodent physiology and immunology. Moreover, anthropogenic events promote human-rodent co-habitation and thereby provide a driver to increase rates of transmission and, by extrapolation, levels of infection in humans. Such environmental disruption acts as a chronic stressor to rodents and causes elevated concentrations of glucocorticoids, which are a major class of immunosuppressive hormone. Glucocorticoids are responsible for altering the immune tolerance of rodents, thereby rendering them susceptible to infection. Glucocorticoids induce regulatory T lymphocytes to reduce inflammatory and antiviral responses and to activate regulatory responses, principally through production of the cytokines interleukin-10 and transforming growth factor-β to support viral persistence. In order to develop a low-cost intervention strategy for hantavirus infection consideration should be given to a systemic approach to therapy. This would both aim to achieve a reduction of anthropogenic stressors and to gain a greater understanding of host-pathogen interactions.

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