ORCID Profile
0000-0001-5807-3737
Current Organisation
CSIRO Black Mountain Laboratories
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Publisher: Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory
Date: 11-01-2022
DOI: 10.1101/2022.01.10.22269030
Abstract: In recent years reported cases of Buruli ulcer (BU), caused by Mycobacterium ulcerans (MU), have increased substantially in Victoria, Australia, with the epidemic also expanding geographically. To develop an understanding of how MU circulates in the environment and transmits to humans we analyzed environmental s les collected from 115 properties of recent BU cases and from 115 postcode-matched control properties, for the presence of MU. Environmental factors associated with increased odds of MU presence at a property included certain native plant species and native vegetation in general, more alkaline soil, lower altitude, the presence of common ringtail possums ( Pseudocheirus peregrinus ) and overhead powerlines. However, only powerlines and the absence of the native plant Melaleuca lanceolata were associated with BU case properties. S les positive for MU were more likely to be found at case properties and were associated with detections of MU in ringtail possum feces, supporting the hypothesis that MU is zoonotic, with ringtail possums the strongest reservoir host candidate. However, the disparity in environmental risk factors associated with MU positive properties versus case properties indicates a strong human behavioral component or the influence of other environmental factors in disease acquisition that requires further study. Possums, powerlines, and native vegetation are associated with the presence of Mycobacterium ulcerans in residential properties in Victoria, Australia.
Publisher: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences
Date: 02-11-2020
Abstract: Nipah virus (NiV) is a zoonotic virus and World Health Organization (WHO) priority pathogen that causes near-annual outbreaks in Bangladesh and India with % mortality. This work advances our understanding of transmission of NiV in its natural bat reservoir by analyzing data from a 6-y multidisciplinary study of serology, viral phylogenetics, bat ecology, and immunology. We show that outbreaks in Pteropus bats are driven by increased population density, loss of immunity over time, and viral recrudescence, resulting in multiyear interepizootic periods. Incidence is low, but bats carry NiV across Bangladesh and can shed virus at any time of year, highlighting the importance of routes of transmission to the timing and location of human NiV outbreaks.
Publisher: Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory
Date: 08-09-2023
Publisher: Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory
Date: 17-07-2021
DOI: 10.1101/2021.07.16.452724
Abstract: A novel Hendra virus (HeV) variant, not detected by routine testing, was identified and isolated from a Queensland horse that suffered acute, fatal disease consistent with HeV infection. Whole genome sequencing and phylogenetic analysis demonstrated the variant to have ~83% nucleotide identity to the prototype HeV strain. An updated RT-qPCR assay was designed for routine HeV surveillance. In silico and in vitro comparison of the receptor-binding protein with prototypic HeV showed that the human monoclonal antibody m102.4 used for post-exposure prophylaxis, as well as the current equine vaccine, should be effective against this variant. Genetic similarity of this virus to sequences detected from grey-headed flying-foxes suggests the variant circulates at-least in this species. Studies determining infection kinetics, pathogenicity, reservoir-species associations, viral–host co-evolution and spillover dynamics for this virus are urgently needed. Surveillance and biosecurity practices should be updated to appreciate HeV spillover risk across all regions frequented by flying foxes.
Publisher: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences
Date: 13-04-2020
Abstract: Bats are reservoirs of emerging viruses that are highly pathogenic to other mammals, including humans. Despite the ersity and abundance of bat viruses, to date they have not been shown to harbor exogenous retroviruses. Here we report the discovery and characterization of a group of koala retrovirus-related (KoRV-related) gammaretroviruses in Australian and Asian bats. These include the Hervey pteropid gammaretrovirus (HPG), identified in the scat of the Australian black flying fox ( Pteropus alecto ), which is the first reproduction-competent retrovirus found in bats. HPG is a close relative of KoRV and the gibbon ape leukemia virus (GALV), with virion morphology and Mn 2+ -dependent virion-associated reverse transcriptase activity typical of a gammaretrovirus. In vitro, HPG is capable of infecting bat and human cells, but not mouse cells, and displays a similar pattern of cell tropism as KoRV-A and GALV. Population studies reveal the presence of HPG and KoRV-related sequences in several locations across northeast Australia, as well as serologic evidence for HPG in multiple pteropid bat species, while phylogenetic analysis places these bat viruses as the basal group within the KoRV-related retroviruses. Taken together, these results reveal bats to be important reservoirs of exogenous KoRV-related gammaretroviruses.
Publisher: Public Library of Science (PLoS)
Date: 02-2018
Publisher: EMBO
Date: 28-09-2023
Publisher: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences
Date: 26-05-2022
Abstract: A new Hendra virus variant (HeV-g2) has been recently identified in two independent studies, increasing the concern of HeV spillover. Here, we show that HeV-g2 utilizes the same host receptor as HeV and that a panel of previously described HeV neutralizing antibodies cross-neutralizes HeV-g2 potently. Furthermore, we describe a monoclonal antibody (hAH1.3) neutralizing HeV and HeV-g2 and reveal its epitope using X-ray crystallography. We show that targeting four nonoverlapping epitopes on the HeV attachment protein simultaneously leads to potent HeV and HeV-g2 neutralization, supporting the development of a tetravalent monoclonal antibody cocktail. Collectively, our data provide a comprehensive assessment of available countermeasures against this newly described HeV-g2 variant and delineate multiple strategies for pandemic preparedness.
Publisher: Hindawi Limited
Date: 04-2022
DOI: 10.1111/TBED.14530
Abstract: Rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus 2 (RHDV2) is now the dominant calicivirus circulating in wild rabbit populations in Australia. This study compared the infection and case fatality rates of RHDV2 and two RHDVs in wild rabbits, as well as their ability to overcome immunity to the respective other strains. Wild rabbits were allocated to groups either blindly or based on pre-screening for RHDV/RHDV2 antibodies at capture. Rabbits were monitored regularly until their death or humane killing at 7 days post infection. Liver and eyeball s les were collected for lagovirus testing and aging rabbits, respectively. At capture, rabbits showed high seroprevalence to RHDV2 but not to RHDV. In RHDV/RHDV2 seronegative rabbits at capture, infection rates were highest in those inoculated with RHDV2 (81.8%, 18 out of 22), followed by K5 (53.8%, seven out of 13) and CZECH (40.0%, two out of five), but these differences were not statistically significant. In rabbits with previous exposure to RHDV2 at capture, infection rates were highest when inoculated with K5 (59.6%, 31 out of 52) followed by CZECH (46.0%, 23 out of 50), with infection rates higher in younger rabbits for both viruses. In RHDV/RHDV2 seronegative rabbits at capture, case fatality rates were highest for those inoculated with K5 (71.4%), followed by RHDV2 (50.0%) and CZECH (50.0%). In rabbits with previous exposure to RHDV2 at capture, case fatality rates were highest in rabbits inoculated with K5 (12.9%) followed by CZECH (8.7%), with no case fatalities following RHDV2 inoculation. Case fatality rates did not differ significantly between inoculums in either serostatus group at capture. Based on multivariable modelling, time to death post RHDV inoculation increased in rabbits with recent RHDV2 exposure compared with seronegative rabbits and with age. The results suggest that RHDV2 may cause higher mortalities than other variants in seronegative rabbit populations but that K5 may be more effective in reducing rabbit populations in an RHDV2-dominant landscape.
Publisher: Hindawi Limited
Date: 11-2022
DOI: 10.1111/TBED.14762
Abstract: Bats are important reservoirs for alpha- and beta-coronaviruses. Coronaviruses (CoV) have been detected in pteropodid bats from several Southeast Asian countries, but little is known about coronaviruses in the Indonesian archipelago in proportion to its mammalian bio ersity. In this study, we screened pooled faecal s les from the Indonesian colonies of Pteropus v yrus with unbiased next-generation sequencing. Bat CoVs related to Rousettus leschenaultii CoV HKU9 and Eidolon helvum CoV were detected. The 121 faecal s les were further screened using a conventional hemi-nested pan-coronavirus PCR assay. Three positive s les were successfully sequenced, and phylogenetic reconstruction revealed the presence of alpha- and beta-coronaviruses. CoVs belonging to the subgenera Nobecovirus, Decacovirus and Pedacovirus were detected in a single P. v yrus roost. This study expands current knowledge of coronavirus ersity in Indonesian flying foxes, highlighting the need for longitudinal surveillance of colonies as continuing urbanization and deforestation heighten the risk of spillover events.
No related grants have been discovered for Ina Smith.