Coronaviruses have caused three major epidemics since 2003, including the ongoing SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. In each case, the emergence of coronavirus in our species has been associated with zoonotic transmissions from animal reservoirs1,2, underscoring how prone such pathogens are to spill over and adapt to new species. Among the four recognized genera of the family Coronaviridae, human infections reported so far have been limited to alphacoronaviruses and betacoronaviruses3,4,5. Here we identify porcine deltacoronavirus strains in plasma samples of three Haitian children with acute undifferentiated febrile illness. Genomic and evolutionary analyses reveal that human infections were the result of at least two independent zoonoses of distinct viral lineages that acquired the same mutational signature in the genes encoding Nsp15 and the spike glycoprotein. In particular, structural analysis predicts that one of the changes in the spike S1 subunit, which contains the receptor-binding domain, may affect the flexibility of the protein and its binding to the host cell receptor. Our findings highlight the potential for evolutionary change and adaptation leading to human infections by coronaviruses outside of the previously recognized human-associated coronavirus groups, particularly in settings where there may be close human-animal contact. Lednicky J, Tagliamonte M, White S, Elbadry M, Alam M, Stephenson C, Bonny T, Loeb J, Telisma T, Chavannes S, Ostrov D, Mavia C, Beau De Rochars V, Salemi M, Morris J. Independent infections of porcine deltacoronavirus among Haitian children. Nature. 2021 Nov. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-021-04111-z
Monthly Archives: December 2021
Missing Your E-Letter?
We’ve recently learned that several e-mail domains are blocking the AASV e-Letter. We are working hard to find a solution and make sure every member receives the weekly e-Letter with important information from AASV. If you would ask your tech people and/or email provider to trust our mail server again, that could help a lot. They will need to know that our mail server’s address is 192.53.171.18 (mail.aasv.org) and we’re getting bounces from *.mail.protection.outlook.com with the error message â550 5.7.511 Access denied, banned sender[192.53.171.18]â. In the meantime, you can access the news articles distributed each week at aasv.org/news/, or view the news feed on the AASV homepage at aasv.org.
Externship – Carthage Veterinary Service, LTD
Carthage Veterinary Service, Ltd offers opportunities to veterinary students to participate in a veterinary externship program.
OFFLU Statement on Outbreak of H5N1 High Pathogenicity Avian Influenza in Newfoundland, Canada
The recent detection of an H5N1 high pathogenicity avian influenza (HPAI) virus in Newfoundland, Canada represents the first identification of goose/Guangdong/1/96-lineage (Gs/GD/96) H5 HPAI virus in the Americas since June 2015. This is cause for concern for wild birds, zoological collections, and poultry in the Americas. Some east coast states of the United States of America (USA) are home to very large poultry populations that could be at risk of exposure and outbreaks in the next few months. This finding raises concerns about the potential of this virus becoming established in the Americas within migratory and resident birds. [Source: OFFLU 23 December 2021]
Position Announcement: SHIC Invites Applications for Associate Director
The Swine Health Information Center (SHIC) is responsible for developing and maintaining a global swine disease information network for the purpose of protecting and enhancing the health of the United States swine herd. This includes coordinated global disease monitoring, targeted research investments that minimize the impact of future disease threats, and analysis of swine health data. SHIC is inviting applications for the position of Associate Director.
IDALS: Foreign Animal Disease Stakeholder Focus Groups
The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship (IDALS) wants to hear from YOU!
AASV Committees to Meet Virtually During Winter Months
The AASV’s issue-based committees will meet virtually prior to the AASV Annual Meeting in addition to the in-person meetings to be held Saturday morning, February 26, 2022, in Indianapolis. Meeting dates have been posted on the AASV Committee webpage. Agendas will be posted on each committee page as they become available.
Holiday Hours
In observance of New Year’s, the office will be closed December 31 – January 3. It will reopen January 4. All of us at AASV wish you and yours a happy holiday season!
Position Announcement: Clinical Veterinarian
AMVC is seeking a clinical veterinarian in Ames, Iowa to work within the contract research group VRI. VRI is based in Ames, Iowa and is an industry leader in the conduct of innovative research in the support of the animal health industry. Most projects are focused on swine and involve advancing vaccine and pharmaceutical technologies and tools.
Sophomore and Junior Vet Students: Apply for $5000 Scholarship by December 31
In an effort to assist future swine veterinarians with their educational expenses, the AASV Foundation and Merck Animal Health are pleased to offer the AASVF-Merck Animal Health Veterinary Student Scholarships. Ten $5000 scholarships will be awarded to sophomore and junior veterinary students in 2022. Applications are due December 31, 2021 for scholarships that will be announced during the 2022 AASV Annual Meeting.