Host characteristics and their influence on zoonosis, disease emergence and multi-host pathogenicity

Abstract

The interplay between agent-host-environment characteristics is responsible for the emergence and zoonotic potential of infectious disease pathogens. Many studies have investigated key agent characteristics and environmental factors responsible for these phenomena. However, little is known about the role played by host characteristics in zoonoses, disease emergence and the ability of pathogens to infect multiple hosts. We compiled a dataset of 8114 vertebrate host–agent interactions from published literature. Multiple host characteristics and the pathogen's zoonotic, emergence and multi-host potential were then linked to the dataset. The associations between zoonotic, emerging human pathogen and multi-host pathogenicity and several host characteristics were explored using logistic regression models. The numbers of publications and sequences from the agent–host combinations were used to control for the research effort. Hosts in the class Aves (odds ratio [OR] 20.87, 95% CI 2.66–163.97) and Mammalia (OR 26.09, 95% CI 3.34–203.87) were more likely to host a zoonotic pathogen compared to the class Amphibia. Similarly, hosts having Bursa fabricii (i.e., birds) (OR 1.8, 95% CI 1.4–2.3) were more likely to host an emerging human pathogen. The odds of being a zoonotic pathogen were highest when the host female required a greater number of days for maturity, and the pathogen was able to affect a greater number of host species. In contrast, the hosts from which a higher number of pathogens were reported were less likely (OR 0.39, 95% CI 0.31–0.49) to be associated with an emerging human pathogen. The odds of an emerging human pathogen were highest when the host had a higher adult body mass, and the specific pathogen could affect more host species. The odds of a pathogen infecting multiple hosts were highest when a host had shorter female maturity days (>670–2830 days) and lower birth/hatching weight (>42.2–995 g) compared to longer female maturity days (>2830–6940 days) and greater birth/hatching weight (>3.31–1160 kg). We conclude that several host characteristics – such as mass, maturity, immune system and pathogen permissiveness- are linked with zoonoses, disease emergence or multi-host pathogenicity. These findings can contribute to preparedness for emerging infections and zoonotic diseases.