Morphological identification of the agent of Korean haemorrhagic fever (Hantaan virus)as a member of the Bunyaviridae

Antigenic differences between two viruses, isolated in Japan and Korea, that cause hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome

Hantaan virus (HV) 76-118, isolated from Apodemus agrarius coreae in Korea, and hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) virus B-1, isolated from a rat in Japan, were examined for polypeptide compositions and for differences in immune responses in rats. In immunoprecipitation experiments, a major polypeptide of ca. 50 kilodaltons (K) was detected with antisera against HV 76-118 in cell extracts from Vero E6 cells infected with HFRS virus B-1, whereas three major polypeptides of 74 K (glycosylated), 57 K (glycosylated), and 50 K were detected with antisera against HFRS virus B-1. On the other hand, two polypeptides with molecular weights of 55,000 (glycosylated) and 50,000 were detected with either antiserum in cell extracts infected with HV 76-118. In neutralizing antibody tests with antisera prepared in rats, a remarkable difference in antibody titer (5 to 30 times higher to the homologous virus than to the heterologous virus) was observed between the two viruses. However, this difference was not so marked (1 to 4 times higher to the homologous virus) in the immunofluorescent antibody test. Twenty hybrid cell lines producing mouse monoclonal antibodies against HV 76-118 were isolated by fusion of spleen cells from BALB/c mice immunized against HV (strain 76-118) with mouse myeloma cells. The specificity of these monoclonal antibodies was established by immunofluorescent antibody, neutralizing antibody, and fluorescent antibody to membrane antigen tests and by analysis with sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. These hybrid cell lines were classified into three groups based principally on the IF staining pattern of the HV-infected cells: (i) antibodies which showed a discrete patch pattern in the cytoplasm by the immunofluorescent antibody test, reacting with the membrane antigen of infected cells and immunoprecipitating a 55-K glycoprotein from HV 76-118-infected cell lysates and a 57-K glycoprotein from the heterologous (strain B-1) HFRS virus-infected cell lysates. Among these, depending on the neutralizing antibody activity and the reaction with the heterologous antigen, three subgroups designated I-A, I-B, and I-C were established; (ii) antibodies which showed large granular dots in the cytoplasm, neither having neutralizing antibody activity nor immunoprecipitating any antigen; (iii) antibodies which showed defined granular dots throughout the cytoplasm, reacting with a 50-K polypeptide of both virus strains. These antibodies also classified into two subgroups based on the reactivity with the B-1 strain.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Infectivity titration of hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome virus: use of immune adherence hemagglutination for detection of virus growth

Serial dilutions of hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome viruses were inoculated into Vero-E6 cells in microplates. After 2 weeks of incubation, infected cells were disrupted by freezing and thawing, and virus antigens were detected by immune adherence hemagglutination. The infectivity titers of the virus as determined by this method were in close agreement with those obtained by the immunofluorescent antigen endpoint method. Then, a neutralization method was established. Japanese hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome isolates, strains SR-11 and TR-352, were found to be distinct from Hantaan virus, strain 76-118, by the neutralization test.

Nephropathia epidemica in Norway: antigen and antibodies in rodent reservoirs and antibodies in selected human populations

Nephropathia epidemica (NE) antigen was detected by IFAT (indirect fluorescent antibody technique) in the lungs of 14 of 97 bank voles (Clethrionomys glareolus) collected in three endemic areas. The distribution of antigen positive voles within an endemic location was scattered. Antibodies to Korean hemorrhagic fever (KHF) virus antigens were detected by IFAT in 12 of 14 NE antigen positive bank voles and in 15 of 83 that were antigen negative. NE antigen positive voles exhibited higher antibody titres. Antibodies to KHF were demonstrated in sera from C. rutilus and C. rufocanus collected more than 200 km north of the distribution area for C. glareolus. It appears likely that these vole species can serve as virus vectors for NE cases occurring north of the bank vole area. NE antibodies cross-reacting with KHF virus seem to diminish with time after infection in some NE patients, while for others such cross-reacting antibodies were detected up to 12 years after the disease. Antibodies to KHF were detected in eight of 106 healthy forestry workers with no clinical history of NE. No serological cross-reactions were detected between NE/KHF antigens and representative Bunyaviridae present in Norway. NE/KHF-like viruses appear widespread in Norway, both within and outside of the distribution area of the bank vole.

Analysis of Hantaan virus RNA: evidence for a new genus of bunyaviridae

Hantaan virus, the prototype virus of hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome, was examined for nucleic acid characteristics which would support its previously proposed inclusion in the virus family Bunyaviridae. Nucleocapsid RNA from Hantaan virions and a control bunyavirus were examined for ribonuclease A (RNase A) sensitivity. Both viruses exhibited a similar accessibility of RNA within nucleocapsids to digestion by RNase A. Complete digestion of the RNA of both viruses was affected with high concentrations of ribonuclease. Evidence for negative strand RNA polarity was obtained by an in vitro transcriptase assay. RNA dependent RNA polymerase activity was associated with Hantaan virions. Polymerase activity required manganese and nucleoside triphosphates and was enhanced by magnesium, 2-mercaptoethanol, and sodium chloride. Oligonucleotide map analysis of the large (L), medium (M), and small (S) genome segments of Hantaan virus demonstrated that each RNA species was unique with respect to each other and was different from host cell ribosomal RNA. A common 3' terminal sequence of the three genome segments was determined to be 3' AUCAUCAUCUG. This sequence is different from those reported for viruses within the four recognized genera of the Bunyaviridae. Because all other data were consistent with nucleic acid characteristics of the Bunyaviridae, we propose a separate genus within the Bunyaviridae with Hantaan as its prototype virs.

Broad-spectrum antiviral activity of 2-beta-D-ribofuranosylselenazole-4-carboxamide, a new antiviral agent

The relative in vitro antiviral activities of three related nucleoside carboxamides, ribavirin (1-beta-D-ribofuranosyl-1,2,4-triazole-3-carboxamide), tiazofurin (2-beta-D-ribofuranosylthiazole-4-carboxamide), and selenazole (2-beta-D-ribofuranosylselenazole-4-carboxamide), were studied against selected DNA and RNA viruses. Although the activity of selenazole against different viruses varied, it was significantly more potent than ribavirin and tiazofurin against all tested representatives of the families Paramyxoviridae (parainfluenza virus type 3, mumps virus, measles virus), Reoviridae (reovirus type 3), Poxviridae (vaccinia virus), Herpes-viridae (herpes simplex virus types 1 and 2), Togaviridae (Venezuelan equine encephalomyelitis virus, yellow fever virus, Japanese encephalitis virus), Bunyaviridae (Rift Valley fever virus, sandfly fever virus [strain Sicilian], Korean hemorrhagic fever virus), Arenaviridae (Pichinde virus), Picornaviridae (coxsackieviruses B1 and B4, echovirus type 6, encephalomyocarditis virus), Adenoviridae (adenovirus type 2), and Rhabdoviridae (vesicular stomatitis virus). The antiviral activity of selenazole was also cell line dependent, being greatest in HeLa, Vero-76, and Vero E6 cells. Selenazole was relatively nontoxic for Vero, Vero-76, Vero E6, and HeLa cells at concentrations of up to 1,000 micrograms/ml. The relative plating efficiency at that concentration was over 90%. The effects of selenazole on viral replication were greatest when this agent was present at the time of viral infection. The removal of selenazole from the medium of infected cells did not reverse the antiviral effect against vaccinia virus, but there was a gradual resumption of viral replication in cells infected with parainfluenza type 3 or herpes simplex virus type 1 (strain KOS). However, the antiviral activity of ribavirin against the same viruses was reversible when the drug was removed.

Monoclonal antibodies specific for Hantaan virus

Six hybridoma cell line producing monoclonal antibodies to Hantaan virus were established by fusion of NS-1 mouse myeloma cells with spleen cells of mice immunized with Hantaan virus strain 76-118. The specificity of these monoclonal antibodies was established by immunoblotting analysis and immunofluorescence. Five of the clones reacted with antigens on the cell surface and in the cytoplasm, and one clone reacted with a determinant expressed only in the cytoplasm of the infected cells. Two of the clones produced antibodies that reacted with a Mr 50,000 polypeptide in virus-infected cellular extracts and purified virus preparations. The monoclonal antibodies were used to examine the antigenic relationship among Hantaan virus strains and between Hantaan virus and Prospect Hill virus and the virus of nephropathia epidemica. Three antibodies were capable of distinguishing between the Lee strain and the 760-118 strain of Hantaan virus and three additional antibodies reacted with determinants shared by both virus strains. None of the six reacted with Prospect Hill virus or the virus of nephropathia epidemica.

Morphological evidence for identifying the viruses of hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome as candidate members of the Bunyaviridae family. Brief report

Thin section immuno-electron microscopy has been successfully applied to investigate and identify the classical and mild form of HFRS viruses isolated in the People's Republic of China. The results showed that all the 8 strains studied (derived from different parts of China, adapted in different cell lines) share a common morphology and morphogenesis. Essentially, the viruses possess characteristics of members of the Bunyaviridae Family, however, differing by a larger size and size variation and formation of cytoplasmic viral inclusions.

Isolation of virus causing hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) through a cell culture system

Twenty-three rat lung specimens collected in outbreaks of hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) in three medical institutions were inoculated onto the VERO-E6 cell monolayers. After several blind passages, an agent growing serially in the cell cultures and reacting specifically with known HFRS-positive sera was isolated from two of these specimens. The two isolates were antigenically identical each other. The agent, named strain SR-11, was identified as the causative virus of HFRS by its antigenic identity with E6 cell-adapted HFRS virus, Hantaan 76-118 strain, and the specific reactions with sera from various HFRS cases.

Hantaan virus, aetiological agent of Korean haemorrhagic fever, has Bunyaviridae-like morphology

Spherical to oval particles with a unit membrane and subunit surface structure were demonstrated by negative-contrast staining of supernatant fluids of A-549 cell cultures infected with strain 76-118 of Hantaan virus. The particles had an average diameter of about 95 nm, with a range of 80 to 110 nm. Similar particles were isolated by buoyant density fractionation in sucrose gradients. In four separate experiments, infectivity cosedimented with 95 nm particles at buoyant densities from 1.15 to 1.18 g/ml. Immunoaggregation of the virions was specifically produced by antisera obtained after Hantaan virus infection of man and rabbit. The known physicochemical and morphological properties of these particles are compatible with those generally reported for the Bunyaviridae family of viruses.