Roadmap for the development of disease control strategies for coronaviruses

Host-pathogen-environment interactions

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Host-pathogen-environment interactions

Research Question

Improve understanding of host-pathogen-environment interactions in order to implement effective control

There is a need to understand the role and impact different environmental factors play in disease development and emergence. This should consider how different land uses and animal husbandry practices influence the emergence and spread of infections
There is a need to understand different transmission pathways and the circumstances that may led to emergence of infections in wildlife and livestock
It is difficult to identify and prevent interaction [of coronaviruses] with wildlife

Modelling studies and transmission studies in vitro, ex vivo and vivo
Modelling future land-use and agricultural practises scenarios
Targeted field research to better understand potential pathways of transmission amongst wildlife, livestock and humans

Identification of appropriate wildlife hosts
Collecting of data as a resource to facilitate modelling
Citizen education on how to avoid/manage potential high-risk wildlife-humans interactions
Increase understanding of host differences in infectivity, immune responses, and pathogenesis. In particular, in bats and other animal species that are known to host CoVs

In CoV infections is usually the S protein component that binds host cell receptors. SARS-CoV, HCoV-NL63, and SARS-CoV-2 seems to use ACE2 for cell entry, while MERS-CoV seems to use DPP4 as the receptor for host cell infection. Petrosillo et al. 2020. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1198743X20301713?via%3Dihub