A need for null models in understanding disease transmission: the example of Mycobacterium ulcerans (Buruli ulcer disease)
2022
Receveur, Joseph | Bauer, Alexandra | Pechal, Jennifer | Picq, Sophie | Dogbe, Magdalene | Jordan, Heather | Rakestraw, Alex | Fast, Kayla | Sandel, Michael | Chevillon, Christine | Guégan, Jean-François | Wallace, John | Benbow, M Eric | Michigan State University [East Lansing] ; Michigan State University System | Mississippi State University [Mississippi] | University of West Alabama | Maladies infectieuses et vecteurs : écologie, génétique, évolution et contrôle (MIVEGEC) ; Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD [Occitanie])-Université de Montpellier (UM) | Animal, Santé, Territoires, Risques et Ecosystèmes (UMR ASTRE) ; Centre de Coopération Internationale en Recherche Agronomique pour le Développement (Cirad)-Institut National de Recherche pour l’Agriculture, l’Alimentation et l’Environnement (INRAE) | Millersville University ; Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE) | his work was supported by the joint NSF-NIH-NIFA Ecology and Evolution of Infectious Disease program (DEB 1911457) to MEB, JFG, JLP, HRJ and MWS; and by Michigan State University AgBioResearch, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Department of Entomology and Department of Osteopathic Medical Specialties. MEB received an award from an `Investissement d'Avenir' grant managed by Agence Nationale de la Recherche (LABEX CEMEB: ANR-10-LABX-04-01). CC and JFG were supported by an `Investissement d'Avenir' grant managed by Agence Nationale de la Recherche (LABEX CEBA: ANR-10LABX-25-01). CC was supported by Institut de recherche pour le d ' eveloppement, Centre National pour la Recherche Scientifique and Universite de Montpellier. JFG was supported by Institut de recherche pour le developpement, Institut national de la recherche pour l'agriculture, l'alimentation et l'environnement (INRAE), Universite de Montpellier and Ecole des Hautes Etudes en Sante Pubsique (EHESP). | ANR-10-LABX-0004,CeMEB,Mediterranean Center for Environment and Biodiversity(2010) | ANR-10-LABX-0025,CEBA,CEnter of the study of Biodiversity in Amazonia(2010) | European Project:
International audience
Show more [+] Less [-]English. Understanding the interactions of ecosystems, humans and pathogens is important for disease risk estimation. This is particularly true for neglected and newly emerging diseases where modes and efficiencies of transmission leading to epidemics are not well understood. Using a model for other emerging diseases, the neglected tropical skin disease Buruli ulcer (BU), we systematically review the literature on transmission of the etiologic agent, Mycobacterium ulcerans (MU), within a One Health/EcoHealth framework and against Hill's nine criteria and Koch's postulates for making strong inference in disease systems. Using this strong inference approach, we advocate a null hypothesis for MU transmission and other understudied disease systems. The null should be tested against alternative vector or host roles in pathogen transmission to better inform disease management. We propose a re-evaluation of what is necessary to identify and confirm hosts, reservoirs and vectors associated with environmental pathogen replication, dispersal and transmission; critically review alternative environmental sources of MU that may be important for transmission, including invertebrate and vertebrate species, plants and biofilms on aquatic substrates; and conclude with placing BU within the context of other neglected and emerging infectious diseases with intricate ecological relationships that lead to disease in humans, wildlife and domestic animals.
Show more [+] Less [-]Bibliographic information
This bibliographic record has been provided by Institut national de la recherche agronomique
