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Devarapalli P, Kumari P, Soni S, Mishra V, Yadav S. Patent intelligence of RNA viruses: Implications for combating emerging and re-emerging RNA virus based infectious diseases. Int J Biol Macromol 2022; 219:1208-1215. [PMID: 36058387 PMCID: PMC9434957 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2022.08.169] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2022] [Revised: 08/24/2022] [Accepted: 08/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
The recent outbreak of one of the RNA viruses (2019-nCoV) has affected most of the population and the fatalities reported may label it as a modern-day scourge. Active research on RNA virus infections and vaccine development had more commercial impact which leads to an increase in patent filings. Patents are a goldmine of information whose mining yields crucial technological inputs for further research. In this research article, we have investigated both the patent applications and granted patents, to identify the technological trends and their impact on 2019-nCoV infection using biotechnology-related keywords such as genes, proteins, nucleic acid etc. related to the RNA virus infection. In our research, patent analysis was majorly focused on prospecting for patent data related to the RNA virus infections. Our patent analysis specifically identified spike protein (S protein) and nucleocapsid proteins (N proteins) as the most actively researched macromolecules for vaccine and/or drug development for diagnosis and treatment of RNA virus based infectious diseases. The outcomes of this patent intelligence study will be useful for the researchers who are actively working in the area of vaccine or drug development for RNA virus-based infections including 2019-nCoV and other emerging and re-emerging viral infections in the near future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pratap Devarapalli
- University of Tasmania, Centre for Law and Genetics, Faculty of Law, Hobart, Australia
| | - Pragati Kumari
- S-02, Scientist Hostel, Chauras campus, Srinagar Garhwal, Uttarakhand 246174, India
| | - Seema Soni
- Queensland University of Technology, Faculty of Law, Brisbane, Australia
| | | | - Saurabh Yadav
- Department of Biotechnology, H.N.B. Garhwal University (A Central University), Srinagar (Garhwal) 246174, Uttarakhand, India.
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Dos Santos Nascimento IJ, da Silva-Júnior EF, de Aquino TM. Molecular Modeling Targeting Transmembrane Serine Protease 2 (TMPRSS2) as an Alternative Drug Target Against Coronaviruses. Curr Drug Targets 2021; 23:240-259. [PMID: 34370633 DOI: 10.2174/1389450122666210809090909] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2021] [Revised: 06/03/2021] [Accepted: 06/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Since November 2019, the new Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) caused by the etiological agent SARS-CoV-2 has been responsible for several cases worldwide, becoming pandemic in March 2020. Pharmaceutical industries and academics have joined their efforts to discover new therapies to control the disease, since there are no specific drugs to combat this emerging virus. Thus, several targets have been explored, among them the transmembrane protease serine 2 (TMPRSS2) has gained greater interest in the scientific community. In this context, this review will describe the importance of TMPRSS2 protease and the significant advances in virtual screening focused on discovering new inhibitors. In this review, it was observed that molecular modeling methods could be powerful tools in identifying new molecules against SARS-CoV-2. Thus, this review could be used to guide researchers worldwide to explore the biological and clinical potential of compounds that could be promising drug candidates against SARS-CoV-2, acting by inhibition of TMPRSS2 protein.
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Affiliation(s)
- Igor José Dos Santos Nascimento
- Laboratory of Synthesis and Research in Medicinal Chemistry (LSRMEC), Institute of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Federal University of Alagoas, Maceió, Brazil
| | - Edeildo Ferreira da Silva-Júnior
- Laboratory of Synthesis and Research in Medicinal Chemistry (LSRMEC), Institute of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Federal University of Alagoas, Maceió, Brazil
| | - Thiago Mendonça de Aquino
- Laboratory of Synthesis and Research in Medicinal Chemistry (LSRMEC), Institute of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Federal University of Alagoas, Maceió, Brazil
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Zhao J, Huang H, Lee S, Ragupathy V, Biswas S, Mbondji-wonje C, Wang X, Jiang A, Hewlett I. Identification, Genetic Characterization and Validation of Highly Diverse HIV-1 Viruses for Reference Panel Development. Viruses 2021; 13:v13071417. [PMID: 34372623 PMCID: PMC8310377 DOI: 10.3390/v13071417] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2021] [Revised: 07/02/2021] [Accepted: 07/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The continued diversification of HIV poses potentially significant challenges to HIV diagnostics and therapeutics. The dynamic evolution of emerging variants is highlighted in countries such as Cameroon in West Central Africa, where all known subtypes and circulating recombinant forms (CRFs) have been shown to be prevalent. We obtained several hundred HIV-positive plasma and viruses from this region for characterization and identification of highly divergent HIV strains. A total of 163 viral strains were cultured to high titers and high volumes using donor peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). Initially, 101 viruses representing 59 strains were well characterized and categorized. Results showed that the viral load (VL) range was 0.36–398.9 × 107 copies/mL, p24 values was 0.2–1134 ng/mL. Phylogenetic analysis of thirty-six near full-length HIV-1 genomic sequences demonstrated that most recombinants were highly diverse CRF02 containing unique recombinant forms (URFs). There were seven viral isolates identified as pure subtype/sub-subtypes (F2, A1, G, and D), six as CRFs (CRF06, CRF18, and CRF22), and ten as URFs. These extensively characterized reagents reflect the current dynamic and complex HIV epidemic in Cameroon and provide valuable insights into the potential phylogenetic evolutionary trend of global HIV molecular epidemiology in the future. These materials may be useful for development of HIV validation and reference panels to evaluate the performance of serologic antigen and nucleic acid assays for their ability to detect and quantitate highly divergent HIV strains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiangqin Zhao
- Correspondence: (J.Z.); (I.H.); Tel.: +1-240-402-6746 (J.Z.); +1-240-402-9587 (I.H.)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Indira Hewlett
- Correspondence: (J.Z.); (I.H.); Tel.: +1-240-402-6746 (J.Z.); +1-240-402-9587 (I.H.)
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Dos Santos Nascimento IJ, de Aquino TM, da Silva-Júnior EF. Drug Repurposing: A Strategy for Discovering Inhibitors against Emerging Viral Infections. Curr Med Chem 2021; 28:2887-2942. [PMID: 32787752 DOI: 10.2174/0929867327666200812215852] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2020] [Revised: 07/21/2020] [Accepted: 07/22/2020] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Viral diseases are responsible for several deaths around the world. Over the past few years, the world has seen several outbreaks caused by viral diseases that, for a long time, seemed to possess no risk. These are diseases that have been forgotten for a long time and, until nowadays, there are no approved drugs or vaccines, leading the pharmaceutical industry and several research groups to run out of time in the search for new pharmacological treatments or prevention methods. In this context, drug repurposing proves to be a fast and economically viable technique, considering the fact that it uses drugs that have a well-established safety profile. Thus, in this review, we present the main advances in drug repurposing and their benefit for searching new treatments against emerging viral diseases. METHODS We conducted a search in the bibliographic databases (Science Direct, Bentham Science, PubMed, Springer, ACS Publisher, Wiley, and NIH's COVID-19 Portfolio) using the keywords "drug repurposing", "emerging viral infections" and each of the diseases reported here (CoV; ZIKV; DENV; CHIKV; EBOV and MARV) as an inclusion/exclusion criterion. A subjective analysis was performed regarding the quality of the works for inclusion in this manuscript. Thus, the selected works were those that presented drugs repositioned against the emerging viral diseases presented here by means of computational, high-throughput screening or phenotype-based strategies, with no time limit and of relevant scientific value. RESULTS 291 papers were selected, 24 of which were CHIKV; 52 for ZIKV; 43 for DENV; 35 for EBOV; 10 for MARV; and 56 for CoV and the rest (72 papers) related to the drugs repurposing and emerging viral diseases. Among CoV-related articles, most were published in 2020 (31 papers), updating the current topic. Besides, between the years 2003 - 2005, 10 articles were created, and from 2011 - 2015, there were 7 articles, portraying the outbreaks that occurred at that time. For ZIKV, similar to CoV, most publications were during the period of outbreaks between the years 2016 - 2017 (23 articles). Similarly, most CHIKV (13 papers) and DENV (14 papers) publications occur at the same time interval. For EBOV (13 papers) and MARV (4 papers), they were between the years 2015 - 2016. Through this review, several drugs were highlighted that can be evolved in vivo and clinical trials as possible used against these pathogens showed that remdesivir represent potential treatments against CoV. Furthermore, ribavirin may also be a potential treatment against CHIKV; sofosbuvir against ZIKV; celgosivir against DENV, and favipiravir against EBOV and MARV, representing new hopes against these pathogens. CONCLUSION The conclusions of this review manuscript show the potential of the drug repurposing strategy in the discovery of new pharmaceutical products, as from this approach, drugs could be used against emerging viral diseases. Thus, this strategy deserves more attention among research groups and is a promising approach to the discovery of new drugs against emerging viral diseases and also other diseases.
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Park JS, Chu SY, Shin YY, Ryu IK, Tang CL, Choi J, Kim HB, Kim CK. Comparison of clinical severity between single- and coinfections of respiratory syncytial virus and influenza virus with common respiratory viruses. ALLERGY ASTHMA & RESPIRATORY DISEASE 2019. [DOI: 10.4168/aard.2019.7.2.86] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jin-Sung Park
- Department of Pediatrics, Kangwon University Hospital, Chuncheon, Korea
- Department of Pediatrics, Asthma and Allergy Center, Inje University Sanggye Paik Hospital, Seoul, Korea
| | - Shou-Yu Chu
- Department of Pediatrics, Asthma and Allergy Center, Inje University Sanggye Paik Hospital, Seoul, Korea
| | - Yi-Yeon Shin
- Department of Pediatrics, Asthma and Allergy Center, Inje University Sanggye Paik Hospital, Seoul, Korea
| | - In-Kyung Ryu
- Department of Pediatrics, Asthma and Allergy Center, Inje University Sanggye Paik Hospital, Seoul, Korea
| | - Chih-Lung Tang
- Department of Pediatrics, Asthma and Allergy Center, Inje University Sanggye Paik Hospital, Seoul, Korea
| | - Jungi Choi
- Department of Pediatrics, Asthma and Allergy Center, Inje University Sanggye Paik Hospital, Seoul, Korea
- First365 Pediatric Clinic, Daejeon, Korea
| | - Hyo-Bin Kim
- Department of Pediatrics, Asthma and Allergy Center, Inje University Sanggye Paik Hospital, Seoul, Korea
| | - Chang-Keun Kim
- Department of Pediatrics, Asthma and Allergy Center, Inje University Sanggye Paik Hospital, Seoul, Korea
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Troupin C, Dacheux L, Tanguy M, Sabeta C, Blanc H, Bouchier C, Vignuzzi M, Duchene S, Holmes EC, Bourhy H. Large-Scale Phylogenomic Analysis Reveals the Complex Evolutionary History of Rabies Virus in Multiple Carnivore Hosts. PLoS Pathog 2016; 12:e1006041. [PMID: 27977811 PMCID: PMC5158080 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1006041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 117] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2016] [Accepted: 11/03/2016] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The natural evolution of rabies virus (RABV) provides a potent example of multiple host shifts and an important opportunity to determine the mechanisms that underpin viral emergence. Using 321 genome sequences spanning an unprecedented diversity of RABV, we compared evolutionary rates and selection pressures in viruses sampled from multiple primary host shifts that occurred on various continents. Two major phylogenetic groups, bat-related RABV and dog-related RABV, experiencing markedly different evolutionary dynamics were identified. While no correlation between time and genetic divergence was found in bat-related RABV, the evolution of dog-related RABV followed a generally clock-like structure, although with a relatively low evolutionary rate. Subsequent molecular clock dating indicated that dog-related RABV likely underwent a rapid global spread following the intensification of intercontinental trade starting in the 15th century. Strikingly, although dog RABV has jumped to various wildlife species from the order Carnivora, we found no clear evidence that these host-jumping events involved adaptive evolution, with RABV instead characterized by strong purifying selection, suggesting that ecological processes also play an important role in shaping patterns of emergence. However, specific amino acid changes were associated with the parallel emergence of RABV in ferret-badgers in Asia, and some host shifts were associated with increases in evolutionary rate, particularly in the ferret-badger and mongoose, implying that changes in host species can have important impacts on evolutionary dynamics. Zoonoses account for most recently emerged infectious diseases of humans, although little is known about the evolutionary mechanisms involved in cross-species virus transmission. Understanding the evolutionary patterns and processes that underpin such cross-species transmission is of importance for predicting the spread of zoonotic infections, and hence to their ultimate control. We present a large-scale and detailed reconstruction of the evolutionary history of rabies virus (RABV) in domestic and wildlife animal species. RABV is of particular interest as it is capable of infecting many mammals but, paradoxically, is only maintained in distinct epidemiological cycles associated with animal species from the orders Carnivora and Chiroptera. We show that bat-related RABV and dog-related RABV have experienced very different evolutionary dynamics, and that host jumps are sometimes characterized by significant increases in evolutionary rate. Among Carnivora, the association between RABV and particular host species most likely arose from a combination of the historical human-mediated spread of the virus and jumps into new primary host species. In addition, we show that changes in host species are associated with multiple evolutionary pathways including the occurrence of host-specific parallel evolution. Overall, our data indicate that the establishment of dog-related RABV in new carnivore hosts may only require subtle adaptive evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cécile Troupin
- Institut Pasteur, Unit Lyssavirus Dynamics and Host Adaptation, WHO Collaborating Centre for Reference and Research on Rabies, Paris, France
| | - Laurent Dacheux
- Institut Pasteur, Unit Lyssavirus Dynamics and Host Adaptation, WHO Collaborating Centre for Reference and Research on Rabies, Paris, France
| | - Marion Tanguy
- Institut Pasteur, Unit Lyssavirus Dynamics and Host Adaptation, WHO Collaborating Centre for Reference and Research on Rabies, Paris, France
- Institut Pasteur, Genomics Platform, Paris, France
| | - Claude Sabeta
- Agricultural Research Council, Onderstepoort Veterinary Institute, OIE Rabies Reference Laboratory, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Hervé Blanc
- Institut Pasteur, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique UMR 3569, Viral Populations and Pathogenesis Unit, Paris, France
| | | | - Marco Vignuzzi
- Institut Pasteur, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique UMR 3569, Viral Populations and Pathogenesis Unit, Paris, France
| | - Sebastián Duchene
- Marie Bashir Institute for Infectious Diseases and Biosecurity, Charles Perkins Centre, School of Life and Environmental Sciences and Sydney Medical School, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
- Centre for Systems Genomics, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Edward C. Holmes
- Marie Bashir Institute for Infectious Diseases and Biosecurity, Charles Perkins Centre, School of Life and Environmental Sciences and Sydney Medical School, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Hervé Bourhy
- Institut Pasteur, Unit Lyssavirus Dynamics and Host Adaptation, WHO Collaborating Centre for Reference and Research on Rabies, Paris, France
- * E-mail:
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Sikkema RS, Freidl GS, de Bruin E, Koopmans M. Weighing serological evidence of human exposure to animal influenza viruses - a literature review. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2016; 21:30388. [PMID: 27874827 PMCID: PMC5114483 DOI: 10.2807/1560-7917.es.2016.21.44.30388] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2015] [Accepted: 03/30/2016] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
Assessing influenza A virus strains circulating in animals and their potential to cross the species barrier and cause human infections is important to improve human influenza surveillance and preparedness. We reviewed studies describing serological evidence of human exposure to animal influenza viruses. Comparing serological data is difficult due to a lack of standardisation in study designs and in laboratory methods used in published reports. Therefore, we designed a scoring system to assess and weigh specificity of obtained serology results in the selected articles. Many studies report reliable evidence of antibodies to swine influenza viruses among persons occupationally exposed to pigs. Most avian influenza studies target H5, H7 and H9 subtypes and most serological evidence of human exposure to avian influenza viruses is reported for these subtypes. Avian influenza studies receiving a low grade in this review often reported higher seroprevalences in humans compared with studies with a high grade. Official surveillance systems mainly focus on avian H5 and H7 viruses. Swine influenza viruses and avian subtypes other than H5 and H7 (emphasising H9) should be additionally included in official surveillance systems. Surveillance efforts should also be directed towards understudied geographical areas, such as Africa and South America.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reina Saapke Sikkema
- National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Centre for Infectious Diseases Research, Diagnostics and Screening (IDS), Bilthoven, the Netherlands.,Department of Viroscience, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Gudrun Stephanie Freidl
- National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Centre for Infectious Diseases Research, Diagnostics and Screening (IDS), Bilthoven, the Netherlands.,Department of Viroscience, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Erwin de Bruin
- Department of Viroscience, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Marion Koopmans
- National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Centre for Infectious Diseases Research, Diagnostics and Screening (IDS), Bilthoven, the Netherlands.,Department of Viroscience, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
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Evaluation of captive gibbons (Hylobates spp., Nomascus spp., Symphalangus spp.) in North American Zoological Institutions for Gibbon Ape Leukemia Virus (GALV). J Zoo Wildl Med 2015; 46:27-33. [PMID: 25831573 DOI: 10.1638/2014-0034r.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
This study evaluated 79 captive gibbons (Hylobates, Nomascus, and Symphalangus spp.) within 30 North American zoological institutions for evidence of exposure to and possible infection with gibbon ape leukemia virus (GALV). Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) on gibbon serum samples revealed the presence of antibodies against GALV antigens in 28% of animals, indicating previous exposure or possibly protective immunity to GALV. Virus detection in gibbon blood or serum using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) or co-culture of gibbon peripheral blood mononuclear cells with human cells was negative for all samples submitted. The majority (19/27, 70%) of animals with reported health conditions were clinically healthy at the time of sample collection. Historically accrued clinical data were used to assess association of diseases in gibbons antibody positive for GALV. The results suggest captive gibbons could mount an immune response to GALV and show no evidence of infection. There was no association with neoplastic conditions in seropositive animals. The potential role of gibbons as a reservoir for GALV and the role of GALV as an epizoonotic-zoonotic agent or as a contributor to gibbon ape morbidity and mortality are not substantiated by the study findings.
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Tsai WH, Chang WT. Construction of simple and efficient siRNA validation systems for screening and identification of effective RNAi-targeted sequences from mammalian genes. Methods Mol Biol 2014; 1101:321-38. [PMID: 24233788 PMCID: PMC7121774 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-62703-721-1_15] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
RNA interference (RNAi) is an evolutionarily conserved mechanism of gene silencing induced by double-stranded RNAs (dsRNAs). Among the widely used dsRNAs, small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) and short hairpin RNAs have evolved as extremely powerful and the most popular gene silencing reagents. The key challenge to achieving efficient gene silencing especially for the purpose of therapeutics is mainly dependent on the effectiveness and specificity of the selected RNAi-targeted sequences. Practically, only a small number of dsRNAs are capable of inducing highly effective and sequence-specific gene silencing via RNAi mechanism. In addition, the efficiency of gene silencing induced by dsRNAs can only be experimentally examined based on inhibition of the target gene expression. Therefore, it is essential to develop a fully robust and comparative validation system for measuring the efficacy of designed dsRNAs. In this chapter, we focus our discussion on a reliable and quantitative reporter-based siRNA validation system that has been previously established in our laboratory. The system consists of a short synthetic DNA fragment containing an RNAi-targeted sequence of interest and two expression vectors for targeting reporter and triggering siRNA expressions. The efficiency of siRNAs is determined by their abilities to inhibit expression of the targeting reporters with easily quantified readouts including enhanced green fluorescence protein and firefly luciferase. Since only a readily available short synthetic DNA fragment is needed for constructing this reliable and efficient reporter-based siRNA validation system, this system not only provides a powerful strategy for screening highly effective RNAi-targeted sequences from mammalian genes but also implicates the use of RNAi-based dsRNA reagents for reverse functional genomics and molecular therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen-Hui Tsai
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, National Cheng Kung University Medical College, Taiwan, P.R. China
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Mirzaei N, Mokhtari Azad T, Nategh R, Soleimanjahi H, Amirmozafari N. Construction of recombinant bacmid containing m2e-ctxb and producing the fusion protein in insect cell lines. IRANIAN RED CRESCENT MEDICAL JOURNAL 2014; 16:e13176. [PMID: 24719728 PMCID: PMC3965861 DOI: 10.5812/ircmj.13176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2013] [Revised: 07/27/2013] [Accepted: 11/18/2013] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Sequence variations in glycoproteins of influenza virus surface impel us to design new candidate vaccines yearly. Ectodomain of influenza M2 protein is a surface and highly conserved protein. M2e in influenza vaccines may eliminate the need for changing vaccine formulation every year. OBJECTIVES In this study, a recombinant baculovirus containing M2e and cholera toxin subunit B fusion gene was generated with transposition process to express in large amounts in insect cell lines. MATERIALS AND METHODS M2e-ctxB fusion gene was created and cloned into pFastBac HT. The recombinant vector was transformed into DH10Bac cells to introduce the fusion gene into the bacmid DNA via a site-specific transposition process. The recombinant bacmid was then extracted from white colonies and further analyzed using PCR, DNA sequence analyzing, and indirect immunofluorescence assay. RESULTS PCR and DNA sequence analyzing results showed that the fusion gene was constructed as a single open reading frame and was successfully inserted into bacmid DNA. Moreover, indirect immunofluorescence results showed that the fusion gene was successfully expressed. CONCLUSIONS Baculovirus expression vector system is valuable to produce M2e based influenza vaccines due to its simple utilization and ease of target gene manipulation. The expressed protein in such systems can improve the evaluating process of new vaccination strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nima Mirzaei
- Department of Biology, Science and Research branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, IR Iran
- Corresponding Author: Nima Mirzaei, Department of Biology, Science and Research branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, IR Iran. Tel: +98-2188962343, E-mail:
| | - Talat Mokhtari Azad
- Department of Virology, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IR Iran
| | - Rakhshandeh Nategh
- Department of Virology, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IR Iran
| | | | - Nour Amirmozafari
- Department of Microbiology, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IR Iran
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Bioactive metabolites from macrofungi: ethnopharmacology, biological activities and chemistry. FUNGAL DIVERS 2013. [DOI: 10.1007/s13225-013-0265-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
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Abstract
Efficient responses to viral threats require a integrated multidisciplinary approach. Several relatively newly formed initiatives focus on effective response management.
Recent advances in the metagenomics field have had huge effects on the identification and characterization of newly emerging viral pathogens. To allow timely and efficient responses to future viral threats, an integrated multidisciplinary approach utilizing expertises in several areas, including clinical assessment, virus surveillance, virus discovery, pathogenesis, and the molecular basis of the host response to infection, is required. It requires the scientific community involved in virus discovery to go one step beyond.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saskia L Smits
- ViroClinics Biosciences B.V., Marconistraat 16, 3029 AK Rotterdam, The Netherlands; Department of Virology, Erasmus Medical Center, P.O. Box 2040, 3000 CA Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Albert Dme Osterhaus
- ViroClinics Biosciences B.V., Marconistraat 16, 3029 AK Rotterdam, The Netherlands; Department of Virology, Erasmus Medical Center, P.O. Box 2040, 3000 CA Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
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Gardinassi LG, Marques Simas PV, Salomão JB, Durigon EL, Zanetta Trevisan DM, Cordeiro JA, Lacerda MN, Rahal P, de Souz FP. Seasonality of viral respiratory infections in southeast of Brazil: the influence of temperature and air humidity. Braz J Microbiol 2012; 43:98-108. [PMID: 24031808 PMCID: PMC3768995 DOI: 10.1590/s1517-838220120001000011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2010] [Revised: 12/12/2010] [Accepted: 08/30/2011] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Viruses are the major cause of lower respiratory tract infections in childhood and the main viruses involved are Human Respiratory Syncytial Virus (HRSV), Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV), Influenzavirus A and B (FLUA and FLUB), Human Parainfluenza Virus 1, 2 and 3 (HPIV1, 2 and 3) and Human Rhinovirus (HRV). The purposes of this study were to detect respiratory viruses in hospitalized children younger than six years and identify the influence of temperature and relative air humidity on the detected viruses. Samples of nasopharyngeal washes were collected from hospitalized children between May/2004 and September/2005. Methods of viral detection were RT-PCR, PCR and HRV amplicons were confirmed by hybridization. Results showed 54% (148/272) of viral positivity. HRSV was detected in 29% (79/272) of the samples; HRV in 23.1% (63/272); HPIV3 in 5.1% (14/272); HMPV in 3.3% (9/272); HPIV1 in 2.9% (8/272); FLUB in 1.4% (4/272), FLUA in 1.1% (3/272), and HPIV2 in 0.3% (1/272). The highest detection rates occurred mainly in the spring 2004 and in the autumn 2005. It was observed that viral respiratory infections tend to increase as the relative air humidity decreases, showing significant association with monthly averages of minimal temperature and minimal relative air humidity. In conclusion, viral respiratory infections vary according to temperature and relative air humidity and viral respiratory infections present major incidences it coldest and driest periods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luiz Gustavo Gardinassi
- Universidade Estadual Paulista, Instituto de Biociências, Letras e Ciências Exatas, Departamento de Biologia , Ribeirão Preto , Brasil
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Reperant LA, Kuiken T, Osterhaus ADME. Adaptive pathways of zoonotic influenza viruses: from exposure to establishment in humans. Vaccine 2012; 30:4419-34. [PMID: 22537992 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2012.04.049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 91] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2012] [Revised: 04/06/2012] [Accepted: 04/12/2012] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Human influenza viruses have their ultimate origin in avian reservoirs and may adapt, either directly or after passage through another mammalian species, to circulate independently in the human population. Three sets of barriers must be crossed by a zoonotic influenza virus before it can become a human virus: animal-to-human transmission barriers; virus-cell interaction barriers; and human-to-human transmission barriers. Adaptive changes allowing zoonotic influenza viruses to cross these barriers have been studied extensively, generating key knowledge for improved pandemic preparedness. Most of these adaptive changes link acquired genetic alterations of the virus to specific adaptation mechanisms that can be screened for, both genetically and phenotypically, as part of zoonotic influenza virus surveillance programs. Human-to-human transmission barriers are only sporadically crossed by zoonotic influenza viruses, eventually triggering a worldwide influenza outbreak or pandemic. This is the most devastating consequence of influenza virus cross-species transmission. Progress has been made in identifying some of the determinants of influenza virus transmissibility. However, interdisciplinary research is needed to further characterize these ultimate barriers to the development of influenza pandemics, at both the level of the individual host and that of the population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leslie A Reperant
- Department of Virology, Erasmus Medical Centre, PO Box 2040, 3000 CA Rotterdam, The Netherlands
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Co-circulation of four human coronaviruses (HCoVs) in Queensland children with acute respiratory tract illnesses in 2004. Viruses 2012; 4:637-53. [PMID: 22590689 PMCID: PMC3347326 DOI: 10.3390/v4040637] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2012] [Revised: 04/11/2012] [Accepted: 04/11/2012] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Acute respiratory illnesses (ARIs) with unconfirmed infectious aetiologies peak at different times of the year. Molecular diagnostic assays reduce the number of unconfirmed ARIs compared to serology- or culture-based techniques. Screening of 888 inpatient and outpatient respiratory specimens spanning late autumn through to early spring, 2004, identified the presence of a human coronavirus (HCoV) on 74 occasions (8.3% of all specimens and 26.3% of all respiratory virus detections). Prevalence peaked in August (late winter in the southern hemisphere) when they were detected in 21.9% of specimens tested. HCoV-HKU1 and HCoV-OC43 comprised 82.4% of all HCoVs detected. Positive specimens were used to develop novel reverse transcriptase real-time PCRs (RT-rtPCRs) for HCoV detection. An objective clinical severity score was assigned to each positive HCoV patient. Severity scores were similar to those from a random selection of young children who were positive for respiratory syncytial virus at a different time but from the same specimen population. During the cooler months of 2004, sensitive and specific RT-rtPCRs identified the concurrent circulation of all four HCoVs, a quarter of which co-occurred with another virus and most of which were from children under the age of two years.
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Reperant LA, Kuiken T, Osterhaus ADME. Influenza viruses: from birds to humans. Hum Vaccin Immunother 2012; 8:7-16. [PMID: 22251997 DOI: 10.4161/hv.8.1.18672] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Avian influenza viruses are the precursors of human influenza A viruses. They may be transmitted directly from avian reservoirs, or infect other mammalian species before subsequent transmission to their human host. So far, avian influenza viruses have caused sporadic-yet increasingly more frequently recognized-cases of infection in humans. They have to adapt to and circulate efficiently in human populations, before they may trigger a worldwide human influenza outbreak or pandemic. Cross-species transmission of avian influenza viruses from their reservoir hosts-wild waterbirds-to terrestrial poultry and to humans is based on different modes of transmission and results in distinctive pathogenetic manifestations, which are reviewed in this paper.
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Gouilh MA, Puechmaille SJ, Gonzalez JP, Teeling E, Kittayapong P, Manuguerra JC. SARS-Coronavirus ancestor's foot-prints in South-East Asian bat colonies and the refuge theory. INFECTION, GENETICS AND EVOLUTION : JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR EPIDEMIOLOGY AND EVOLUTIONARY GENETICS IN INFECTIOUS DISEASES 2011; 11:1690-702. [PMID: 21763784 PMCID: PMC7106191 DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2011.06.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2011] [Revised: 06/29/2011] [Accepted: 06/30/2011] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
One of the great challenges in the ecology of infectious diseases is to understand what drives the emergence of new pathogens including the relationship between viruses and their hosts. In the case of the emergence of SevereAcute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (SARS-CoV), several studies have shown coronavirus diversity in bats as well as the existence of SARS-CoV infection in apparently healthy bats, suggesting that bats may be a crucial host in the genesis of this disease. To elucidate the biogeographic origin of SARS-CoV and investigate the role that bats played in its emergence, we amplified coronavirus sequences from bat species captured throughout Thailand and assessed the phylogenetic relationships to each other and to other published coronavirus sequences. To this end, RdRp sequence of Coronavirinae was targeted by RT-PCR in non-invasive samples from bats collected in Thailand. Two new coronaviruses were detected in two bat species: one Betacoronavirus in Hipposideros larvatus and one Alphacoronavirus in Hipposiderosarmiger. Interestingly, these viruses from South-East Asia are related to those previously detected in Africa (Betacoronavirus-b) or in Europe (Alphacoronavirus & Betacoronavirus-b). These findings illuminate the origin and the evolutionary history of the SARS-CoV group found in bats by pushing forward the hypothesis of a Betacoronavirus spill-over from Hipposideridae to Rhinolophidae and then from Rhinolophidae to civets and Human. All reported Betacoronaviruses-b (SARS-CoV group) of Hipposideridae and Rhinolophidae respectively cluster in two groups despite their broad geographic distribution and the sympatry of their hosts, which is in favor of an ancient and genetically independent evolution of Betacoronavirus-b clusters in these families. Moreover, despite its probable pathogenicity, we found that a Betacoronavirus-b can persistently infect a medium-sized hipposiderid bat colony. These findings illustrate the importance of the host phylogeny and the host/pathogen ecological interactions in the description and the understanding of pathogen emergence. The host's phylogeny, biogeography and behaviour, combined with already described roles of pathogen plasticity and anthropic changes are likely to be co-factors of disease emergence. Elucidating the common ancestor of Hipposideridae and Rhinolophidae is key to understanding the evolutionary history of actual betacoronaviruses and therefore to get an insight of the deep origin of SARS-CoV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meriadeg Ar Gouilh
- Institut Pasteur, CIBU, Department Infection and Epidemiology, 75724 Paris, France
- Center of Excellence for Vectors and Vector-Borne Diseases, Mahidol University at Salaya, Nakhon Pathom, Thailand
| | | | | | - Emma Teeling
- School of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Pattamaporn Kittayapong
- Center of Excellence for Vectors and Vector-Borne Diseases, Mahidol University at Salaya, Nakhon Pathom, Thailand
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Lembo T, Attlan M, Bourhy H, Cleaveland S, Costa P, de Balogh K, Dodet B, Fooks AR, Hiby E, Leanes F, Meslin FX, Miranda ME, Müller T, Nel LH, Rupprecht CE, Tordo N, Tumpey A, Wandeler A, Briggs DJ. Renewed global partnerships and redesigned roadmaps for rabies prevention and control. Vet Med Int 2011; 2011:923149. [PMID: 21776359 PMCID: PMC3135331 DOI: 10.4061/2011/923149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2010] [Revised: 02/09/2011] [Accepted: 02/24/2011] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Canine rabies, responsible for most human rabies deaths, is a serious global public health concern. This zoonosis is entirely preventable, but by focusing solely upon rabies prevention in humans, this “incurable wound” persists at high costs. Although preventing human deaths through canine rabies elimination is feasible, dog rabies control is often neglected, because dogs are not considered typical economic commodities by the animal health sector. Here, we demonstrate that the responsibility of managing rabies falls upon multiple sectors, that a truly integrated approach is the key to rabies elimination, and that considerable progress has been made to this effect. Achievements include the construction of global rabies networks and organizational partnerships; development of road maps, operational toolkits, and a blueprint for rabies prevention and control; and opportunities for scaling up and replication of successful programs. Progress must continue towards overcoming the remaining challenges preventing the ultimate goal of rabies elimination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tiziana Lembo
- Global Alliance for Rabies Control, 529 Humboldt Street, Suite 1, Manhattan, KS 66502, USA
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Hartley M, Lysons R. Development of the England Wildlife Health Strategy--a framework for decision makers. Vet Rec 2011; 168:158. [PMID: 21493510 DOI: 10.1136/vr.c4401] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
Diseases in wildlife have been recognised as having the potential to affect human health, livestock health and species conservation. In order to assess and respond to these potential risks in an effective and a proportionate way, the UK Government initiated development of the Wildlife Health Strategy to provide a framework for decision making. The England Wildlife Health Strategy (EWHS) has been developed through extensive consultation. Discussions and negotiations with government departments, agencies, non-governmental public bodies and wildlife organisations were held to obtain advice and input on specific and specialised aspects of wildlife health. A series of workshops to investigate the application of innovative science to wildlife health policy contributed further. A formal public consultation was held that proposed a range of actions to implement the strategy. A summary of responses to this consultation was published in October 2007. The EWHS was published in June 2009 and provides a framework for a generic four-stage approach to wildlife health that can be adopted by decision makers both within and outside government.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Hartley
- Wildlife, Aquatic & Zoological Animal Health, Defra, Nobel House, 17 Smith Square, London SW1P 3JR.
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Rocha Martins LR, Brenzan MA, Nakamura CV, Dias Filho BP, Nakamura TU, Ranieri Cortez LE, Garcia Cortez DA. In vitro antiviral activity from Acanthospermum australe on herpesvirus and poliovirus. PHARMACEUTICAL BIOLOGY 2011; 49:26-31. [PMID: 20819023 DOI: 10.3109/13880209.2010.493177] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
CONTEXT The Asteraceae family has been of interest to researchers due to the presence of polyphenolic compounds, mainly flavonoids, which demonstrated antiviral activity. OBJECTIVE The hydroethanol extract of the aerial parts of Acanthospermum australe (Loefl.) Kuntze (Asteraceae) and its fractions, were evaluated in vitro for their potential cytotoxic and antiviral activity against bovine herpesvirus and human poliovirus. MATERIALS AND METHODS The sulforhodamine B colorimetric assay were used to evaluate the capacity of the hydroethanol extract and fractions to inhibit the lytic activity of herpes and poliovirus in infected cell cultures and their influence on the viability of uninfected cell cultures. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION A progressive increase in the antiviral effect against herpesvirus was observed in the course of the purification process of the extract. The hydroethanol extract had a 50% antiviral effective concentration (EC(50)) at 70 μg/mL and 36 μg/mL for herpes and poliovirus, respectively, and it exhibited no cytotoxicity. The fractions F3 (dichloromethane) and F4 (dichloromethane: ethyl acetate (1:1 v/v)) both showed EC(50) at 6.25 μg/mL against herpesvirus, and these fractions showed cytotoxic concentrations (CC(50)) at 12.7 and 11.7 μg/mL, respectively. These fractions had no effect against poliovirus in the concentrations tested. From the bioactive F3, a diterpene lactone (acanthoaustralide-1-O-acetate) was isolated at a concentration of 0.5% and from F4 two flavonoids (quercetin and chrysosplenol D) were isolated at concentrations of 0.14 and 0.24%, respectively. CONCLUSION The present study reports for the first time the antiviral activity of extracts and fractions from A. australe aerial parts.
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Analysis of viral load in children infected with human metapneumovirus. IRANIAN JOURNAL OF PEDIATRICS 2010; 20:393-400. [PMID: 23056737 PMCID: PMC3446086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2010] [Revised: 05/07/2010] [Accepted: 07/05/2010] [Indexed: 10/31/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Human metapneumovirus (hMPV) is a respiratory pathogen responsible for disease and subsequent hospitalizations in young children around the world. The disease pathology, including how viral load correlates with respiratory disease severity, remains unclear. This study investigated the correlation between viral load and clinical characteristics of hMPV infections. METHODS Nasopharyngeal aspirate (NPA) samples collected from 18 infants hospitalized for lower respiratory tract infections (LRTIs) in winter were tested for hMPV by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and real-time RT-PCR. Their NPA samples were collected every-other-day to monitor changes in hMPV viral load during hospitalization. Also all these 18 patients were monitored to characterize clinically their illness. FINDINGS hMPV load was not correlated with infection severity (P=0.5, 0.9, 0.5). In contrast, the log(10) of hMPV viral load was significantly different between those lasted for 6-11 days and those for less than 5 days (P=0.01), also the significant difference was shown between those of 6-11 days duration and those of more than 11 days (P=0.006), but there was no significant difference between those lasted for less than 5 days and those for more than 11 days (P=0.4). Additionally, high hMPV viral shedding occured between 6 and 11days. CONCLUSION hMPV load was significantly correlated with the course of illness. The association between hMPV viral load and the course of disease suggested that hMPV is an important pathogen in lower respiratory tract infection in children. But hMPV did not always lead to more severe respiratory illness.
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Abstract
Filoviruses are zoonotic and among the deadliest viruses known to mankind, with mortality rates in outbreaks reaching up to 90%. Despite numerous efforts to identify the host reservoir(s), the transmission cycle of filoviruses between the animal host(s) and humans remains unclear. The last decade has witnessed an increase in filovirus outbreaks with a changing epidemiology. The high mortality rates and lack of effective antiviral drugs or preventive vaccines has propagated the fear that filoviruses may become a real pandemic threat. This article discusses the factors that could influence the possible pandemic potential of filoviruses and elaborates on the prerequisites for the containment of future outbreaks, which would help prevent the evolution of filovirus into more virulent and more transmissible viruses.
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Reperant LA. Applying the Theory of Island Biogeography to Emerging Pathogens: Toward Predicting the Sources of Future Emerging Zoonotic and Vector-Borne Diseases. Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis 2010; 10:105-10. [DOI: 10.1089/vbz.2008.0208] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Leslie A. Reperant
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey
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Prevalence and clinical and molecular characterization of human metapneumovirus in children with acute respiratory infection in China. Pediatr Infect Dis J 2010; 29:131-4. [PMID: 20135829 DOI: 10.1097/inf.0b013e3181b56009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Human metapneumovirus (HMPV), a newly discovered paramyxovirus, has been associated with acute respiratory tract infections (ARTIs). However, the prevalence and molecular characteristics of HMPV in China are still unclear. METHODS A total of 661 nasopharyngeal aspirates (NPA) specimens were collected from 661 children with ARTIs between December 2006 and November 2008. Specimens were screened for HMPV by reverse transcription-polymerase reaction. All positive amplification products were confirmed by sequencing. RESULTS HMPV was detected in 45 patients (6.80%) of the 661 children. The HMPV-infected patients were from 29 days to 9 years of age. A high incidence of HMPV infection (84.4%) was observed during the winter-spring season. Of the 45 HMPV-positive patients, 25 (55.6%) were co-infected with other respiratory viruses, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) was the most common additional respiratory virus. The most common clinical diagnosis was bronchopneumonia (57.8%) and cough (88.9%) was the most common clinical symptom. Phylogenetic analysis of the F gene revealed that 80% of the HMPV detected were A2, 2.2% were A1, and 17.8% were B1. Statistical analyses showed that sex, ages, seasons, and severity of the disease did not correlate with HMPV genotype (P = 0.986, 0.347, 0.660, 0.252), but viral coinfection with HMPV increased hospitalization rates (P = 0.005). CONCLUSIONS HMPV was frequently detected in the pediatric patients with ARTI in China. RSV was the most common coinfection virus and coinfection increased hospitalization rates. All HMPV subgroups except B2 cocirculated and there was no association found between HMPV genotypes and severity of disease.
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Lu J, Zhou Y, Lin X, Jiang Y, Tian R, Zhang Y, Wu J, Zhang F, Zhang Y, Wang Y, Bi S. General epidemiological parameters of viral hepatitis A, B, C, and E in six regions of China: a cross-sectional study in 2007. PLoS One 2009; 4:e8467. [PMID: 20041146 PMCID: PMC2794385 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0008467] [Citation(s) in RCA: 89] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2009] [Accepted: 12/03/2009] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Viral hepatitis is a serious health burden worldwide. To date, few reports have addressed the prevalence of hepatitis A, B, C, and E in China. Therefore, the general epidemiological parameters of viral hepatitis remain unknown. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS In this cross-sectional study, we performed a serological prevalence analysis of viral hepatitis A, B, C, and E in 8,762 randomly selected Chinese subjects, which represented six areas of China. The overall prevalence of anti-Hepatitis C virus antibody (anti-HCV) was 0.58%, which was much lower than was estimated by WHO. The prevalences of Hepatitis B virus surface antigen (HBsAg), anti-Hepatitis B virus surface protein antibody (HBsAb), and anti-Hepatitis B virus core protein antibody (HBcAb) were 5.84%, 41.31%, and 35.92%, respectively, whereas in the group of subjects less than 5 years old, these prevalences were 1.16%, 46.77%, and 8.69% respectively, which suggests that the Hepatitis B virus (HBV)-carrier population is decreasing, and the nationwide HBV vaccine program has contributed to the lowered HBV prevalence in the younger generation in China. Meanwhile, a large deficit remains in coverage provided by the national HBV immune program. In addition, our data suggested the possibility that HBsAb may not last long enough to protect people from HBV infection throughout life. The overall prevalence of anti-Hepatitis A virus antibody (anti-HAV) and anti-Hepatitis E virus antibody (anti-HEV) were as high as 72.87% and 17.66%, respectively. The indices increased with age, which suggests that a large proportion of Chinese adults are protected by latent infection. Furthermore, the pattern of HEV infection was significantly different among ethnic groups in China. CONCLUSIONS Our study provided much important information concerning hepatitis A, B, C, and E prevalence in China and will contribute to worldwide oversight of viral hepatitis.
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MESH Headings
- Adolescent
- Adult
- Biomarkers/blood
- Child
- Child, Preschool
- China/epidemiology
- Cross-Sectional Studies
- Female
- Geography
- Hepacivirus/immunology
- Hepatitis A/blood
- Hepatitis A/epidemiology
- Hepatitis A/immunology
- Hepatitis A/virology
- Hepatitis A Antibodies/immunology
- Hepatitis A Virus, Human/immunology
- Hepatitis B/blood
- Hepatitis B/epidemiology
- Hepatitis B/immunology
- Hepatitis B/virology
- Hepatitis B virus/immunology
- Hepatitis C/blood
- Hepatitis C/epidemiology
- Hepatitis C/immunology
- Hepatitis C/virology
- Hepatitis C Antibodies/immunology
- Hepatitis E/blood
- Hepatitis E/epidemiology
- Hepatitis E/immunology
- Hepatitis E/virology
- Hepatitis E virus/immunology
- Hepatitis, Viral, Human/blood
- Hepatitis, Viral, Human/epidemiology
- Hepatitis, Viral, Human/immunology
- Hepatitis, Viral, Human/virology
- Humans
- Male
- Middle Aged
- Prevalence
- Young Adult
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Affiliation(s)
- Jian Lu
- National Institute for Viral Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Xuanwu District, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Yongdong Zhou
- National Institute for Viral Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Xuanwu District, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaojing Lin
- National Institute for Viral Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Xuanwu District, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Yongzhen Jiang
- National Institute for Viral Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Xuanwu District, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Ruiguang Tian
- National Institute for Viral Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Xuanwu District, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Yonghui Zhang
- National Institute for Viral Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Xuanwu District, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Jia Wu
- National Institute for Viral Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Xuanwu District, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Fengwei Zhang
- National Institute for Viral Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Xuanwu District, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Yong Zhang
- National Institute for Viral Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Xuanwu District, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Yue Wang
- National Institute for Viral Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Xuanwu District, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Shengli Bi
- National Institute for Viral Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Xuanwu District, Beijing, People's Republic of China
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Discovery of Anas platyrhynchos avian β-defensin 2 (Apl_AvBD2) with antibacterial and chemotactic functions. Mol Immunol 2009; 46:2029-38. [DOI: 10.1016/j.molimm.2009.03.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2009] [Revised: 02/28/2009] [Accepted: 03/04/2009] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
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Laczka O, Ferraz RM, Ferrer-Miralles N, Villaverde A, Muñoz FX, Campo FJD. Fast electrochemical detection of anti-HIV antibodies: Coupling allosteric enzymes and disk microelectrode arrays. Anal Chim Acta 2009; 641:1-6. [DOI: 10.1016/j.aca.2009.03.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2008] [Revised: 03/04/2009] [Accepted: 03/05/2009] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaonan Yang
- Shanghai-MOST Key Laboratory of Health and Disease Genomics, Chinese National Human Genome Center at Shanghai and National Engineering Center for BioChip at Shanghai, Shanghai 201203, China;
- Laboratory of Microbial Molecular Physiology, Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Shanghai Institute for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Hongliang Yang
- Laboratory of Microbial Molecular Physiology, Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Shanghai Institute for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200032, China
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China
| | - Gangqiao Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Proteomics, Beijing Proteome Research Center, Beijing Institute of Radiation Medicine, Beijing 102206, China
| | - Guo-Ping Zhao
- Shanghai-MOST Key Laboratory of Health and Disease Genomics, Chinese National Human Genome Center at Shanghai and National Engineering Center for BioChip at Shanghai, Shanghai 201203, China;
- Laboratory of Microbial Molecular Physiology, Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Shanghai Institute for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200032, China
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Frischknecht F, Lepper S, Cyrklaff M. Meeting report: How to get wrong things right - a discussion over current and future pandemic infectious diseases. Biotechnol J 2008; 3:995-8. [DOI: 10.1002/biot.200800126] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
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Canducci F, Debiaggi M, Sampaolo M, Marinozzi MC, Berrè S, Terulla C, Gargantini G, Cambieri P, Romero E, Clementi M. Two-year prospective study of single infections and co-infections by respiratory syncytial virus and viruses identified recently in infants with acute respiratory disease. J Med Virol 2008; 80:716-23. [PMID: 18297694 PMCID: PMC7167101 DOI: 10.1002/jmv.21108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 122] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/04/2022]
Abstract
A prospective 2‐year analysis including 322 infant patients with acute respiratory disease (ARD) hospitalized in a pediatric department in northern Italy was carried out to evaluate the role as respiratory pathogens or co‐pathogens of recently identified viruses. The presence of respiratory syncitial virus (RSV), human Metapneumoviruses (hMPVs), human Bocaviruses (hBoVs), and human Coronaviruses (hCoVs) was assayed by molecular detection and clinical symptoms evaluated. Nasopharyngeal aspirates from 150 of the 322 infants (46.6%) tested positive for at least one pathogen. Ninety samples (28.0%) tested positive for RSV RNA (61.5% genotype A and 38.5% genotype B), 46 (14.3%) for hMPV RNA (71.7% subtype A and 28.3% subtype B), 28 (8.7%) for hCoV RNA (39.3% hCoV‐OC43, 35.7% hCoV‐NL63, 21.4% hCoV‐HKU1, and 3.6% hCoV‐229E), and 7 (2.2%) for hBoV DNA (of the 6 typed, 50% subtype 1 and 50% subtype 2); 21/150 samples revealed the presence of 2 or more viruses. Co‐infection rates were higher for hMPVs, hCoVs, and hBoV (38.3%, 46.4%, and 57.1%,) and lower for RSV (23.3%). RSV was associated with the presence of complications (P < 0.001) and hypoxia (P < 0.015). When the presence of RSV alone and the RSV‐hMPV co‐infections were considered, RSV mono‐infected patients resulted to have longer hospitalization and higher hypoxia (P < 0.001). The data highlight that (i) RSV has a central role as a respiratory pathogen of infants, (ii) the wide circulation of recently identified viruses does not reduce the clinical and epidemiological importance of RSV, and that (iii) recently identified agents (hMPVs, hBoVs, and hCoVs) act as primary pathogens or co‐pathogens. J. Med. Virol. 80:716–723, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Filippo Canducci
- Laboratorio di Microbiologia e Virologia, Università Vita-Salute San Raffaele, and Istituto Scientifico San Raffaele, Milan, Italy.
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Chu YK, Ali GD, Jia F, Li Q, Kelvin D, Couch RC, Harrod KS, Hutt JA, Cameron C, Weiss SR, Jonsson CB. The SARS-CoV ferret model in an infection-challenge study. Virology 2008; 374:151-63. [PMID: 18234270 PMCID: PMC2831213 DOI: 10.1016/j.virol.2007.12.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 86] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2007] [Revised: 10/17/2007] [Accepted: 12/16/2007] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Phase I human clinical studies involving therapeutics for emerging and biodefense pathogens with low incidence, such as the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV), requires at a minimum preclinical evaluation of efficacy in two well-characterized and robust animal models. Thus, a ferret SARS-CoV model was evaluated over a period of 58 days following extensive optimization and characterization of the model in order to validate clinical, histopathological, virological and immunological endpoints. Ferrets that were infected intranasally with 103 TCID50 SARS-CoV showed higher body temperature (2–6 d.p.i.), sneezing (5–10 d.p.i.), lesions (5–7 d.p.i.) and decreased WBC/lymphocytes (2–5 d.p.i.). SARS-CoV was detected up to 7 d.p.i. in various tissues and excreta, while neutralizing antibody titers rose at 7 d.p.i. and peaked at 14 d.p.i. At 29 d.p.i., one group was challenged with 103 TCID50 SARS-CoV, and an anamnestic response in neutralizing antibodies was evident with no detectable virus. This study supports the validity of the ferret model for use in evaluating efficacy of potential therapeutics to treat SARS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yong-Kyu Chu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Southern Research Institute, Birmingham, AL, USA
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Gortázar C, Ferroglio E, Höfle U, Frölich K, Vicente J. Diseases shared between wildlife and livestock: a European perspective. EUR J WILDLIFE RES 2007. [DOI: 10.1007/s10344-007-0098-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 156] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
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34
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Leighton FA. Veterinary medicine for a world in crisis. THE CANADIAN VETERINARY JOURNAL = LA REVUE VETERINAIRE CANADIENNE 2007; 48:379-85. [PMID: 17494364 PMCID: PMC1831513] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Frederick A Leighton
- Canadian Cooperative Wildlife Health Centre, Department of Veterinary Pathology, Western College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, 52 Campus Drive, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7N 5B4.
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35
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Abstract
Emerging viral infections are becoming a serious problem in Europe in the recent years. This is particularly true for severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), West Nile virus (WNV) disease, Toscana virus (TOSV) disease, and potentially for avian influenza virus (H5N1). In contrast, emergence or re-emergence of severe viral infections, including tick borne encephalitis virus, and viral haemorrhagic fever caused by Hantavirus and dengue virus have been frequently reported in several European countries. Laboratory diagnosis of these viral infections based on viral isolation or detection by immune electron microscopy, immunoassay and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) has dramatically improved in the recent years, and SARS represents a good example of a diagnostic approach to emerging viral infections. Finally, old and new promising agents are in the pipeline of pharmaceutical companies to treat emerging viral infections. However only prevention based on large epidemiological studies, and research and development of new vaccines may be able to control and eventually eradicate these deadly viral infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agostino Pugliese
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Section of Clinical Microbiology of Turin University, Amedeo di Savoia Hospital, Turin, Italy.
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36
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37
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Wyszko E, Nowak M, Pospieszny H, Szymanski M, Pas J, Barciszewska MZ, Barciszewski J. Leadzyme formed in vivo interferes with tobacco mosaic virus infection in Nicotiana tabacum. FEBS J 2006; 273:5022-31. [PMID: 17032353 PMCID: PMC7163940 DOI: 10.1111/j.1742-4658.2006.05497.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2006] [Revised: 08/03/2006] [Accepted: 09/12/2006] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
We developed a new method for inhibiting tobacco mosaic virus infection in tobacco plants based on specific RNA hydrolysis induced by a leadzyme. We identified a leadzyme substrate target sequence in genomic tobacco mosaic virus RNA and designed a 16-mer oligoribonucleotide capable of forming a specific leadzyme motif with a five-nucleotide catalytic loop. The synthetic 16-mer RNA was applied with nontoxic, catalytic amount of lead to infected tobacco leaves. We observed inhibition of tobacco mosaic virus infection in tobacco leaves in vivo due to specific tobacco mosaic virus RNA cleavage effected by leadzyme. A significant reduction in tobacco mosaic virus accumulation was observed even when the leadzyme was applied up to 2 h after inoculation of leaves with tobacco mosaic virus. This process, called leadzyme interference, is determined by specific recognition and cleavage of the target site by the RNA catalytic strand in the presence of Pb(2+).
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Affiliation(s)
- Eliza Wyszko
- Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences, Poznan, Poland
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38
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Costa LF, Yokosawa J, Mantese OC, Oliveira TFM, Silveira HL, Nepomuceno LL, Moreira LS, Dyonisio G, Rossi LMG, Oliveira RC, Ribeiro LZG, Queiróz DAO. Respiratory viruses in children younger than five years old with acute respiratory disease from 2001 to 2004 in Uberlândia, MG, Brazil. Mem Inst Oswaldo Cruz 2006; 101:301-6. [PMID: 16862327 DOI: 10.1590/s0074-02762006000300014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2006] [Accepted: 04/27/2006] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The main viruses involved in acute respiratory diseases among children are: respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), influenzavirus (FLU), parainfluenzavirus (PIV), adenovirus (AdV), human rhinovirus (HRV), and the human metapneumovirus (hMPV). The purpose of the present study was to identify respiratory viruses that affected children younger than five years old in Uberlândia, Midwestern Brazil. Nasopharyngeal aspirates from 379 children attended at Hospital de Clínicas (HC/UFU), from 2001 to 2004, with acute respiratory disease, were collected and tested by immunofluorescence assay (IFA) to detect RSV, FLU A and B, PIV 1, 2, and 3 and AdV, and RT-PCR to detect HRV. RSV was detected in 26.4% (100/379) of samples, FLU A and B in 9.5% (36/379), PIV 1, 2 and 3 in 6.3% (24/379) and AdV in 3.7% (14/379). HRV were detected in 29.6% (112/379) of the negative and indeterminate samples tested by IFI. RSV, particularly among children less than six months of life, and HRV cases showed highest incidence. Negative samples by both IFA and RT-PCR might reflect the presence of other pathogens, such as hMPV, coronavirus, and bacteria. Laboratorial diagnosis constituted an essential instrument to determine the incidence of the most common viruses in respiratory infections among children in this region.
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Affiliation(s)
- L F Costa
- Laboratório de Virologia, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Uberlândia, MG, 38400-902, Brasil
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39
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Hung CF, Lu KC, Cheng TL, Wu RH, Huang LY, Teng CF, Chang WT. A novel siRNA validation system for functional screening and identification of effective RNAi probes in mammalian cells. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2006; 346:707-20. [PMID: 16793020 PMCID: PMC7092908 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2006.05.164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2006] [Accepted: 05/23/2006] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) have become the most powerful and widely used gene silencing reagents for reverse functional genomics and molecular therapeutics. The key challenge for achieving effective gene silencing in particular for the purpose of the therapeutics is primarily dependent on the effectiveness and specificity of the RNAi targeting sequence. However, only a limited number of siRNAs is capable of inducing highly effective and sequence-specific gene silencing by RNA interference (RNAi) mechanism. In addition, the efficacy of siRNA-induced gene silencing can only be experimentally measured based on inhibition of the target gene expression. Therefore, it is important to establish a fully robust and comparative validating system for determining the efficacy of designed siRNAs. In this study, we have developed a reliable and quantitative reporter-based siRNA validation system that consists of a short synthetic DNA fragment containing an RNAi targeting sequence of interest and two expression vectors for targeting reporter and triggering siRNA expression. The efficacy of the siRNAs is measured by their abilities to inhibit expression of the targeting reporter gene with easily quantified readouts including enhanced green fluorescence protein (EGFP) and firefly luciferase. Using fully analyzed siRNAs against human hepatitis B virus (HBV) surface antigen (HBsAg) and tumor suppressor protein p53, we have demonstrated that this system could effectively and faithfully report the efficacy of the corresponding siRNAs. In addition, we have further applied this system for screening and identification of the highly effective siRNAs that could specifically inhibit expression of mouse matrix metalloproteinase-7 (MMP-7), Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) latent membrane protein 1 (LMP1), and human serine/threonine kinase AKT1. Since only a readily available short synthetic DNA fragment is needed for constructing this novel reporter-based siRNA validation system, this system not only provides a powerful strategy for screening highly effective siRNAs but also implicates in the use of RNAi for studying novel gene function in mammals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chuan-Fu Hung
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, National Cheng Kung University Medical College, No. 1, University Road, Tainan 701, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Kuang-Chu Lu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, National Cheng Kung University Medical College, No. 1, University Road, Tainan 701, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Tsung-Lin Cheng
- Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, National Cheng Kung University Medical College, No. 1, University Road, Tainan 701, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Ren-Huang Wu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, National Cheng Kung University Medical College, No. 1, University Road, Tainan 701, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Lin-Ya Huang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, National Cheng Kung University Medical College, No. 1, University Road, Tainan 701, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Chiao-Fang Teng
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, National Cheng Kung University Medical College, No. 1, University Road, Tainan 701, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Wen-Tsan Chang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, National Cheng Kung University Medical College, No. 1, University Road, Tainan 701, Taiwan, ROC
- Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, National Cheng Kung University Medical College, No. 1, University Road, Tainan 701, Taiwan, ROC
- Corresponding author. Fax: +886 6 2741694.
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Abstract
Acute respiratory tract infections (ARTIs) are a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in children worldwide, but the aetiology of many ARTIs is still unknown. In 2001, researchers in The Netherlands reported the discovery of a previously unidentified pathogen called human metapneumovirus (hMPV). Since its initial description, hMPV has been associated with ARTI in Europe (Italy, France, Spain, the UK, Germany, Denmark, Finland and Norway), America (the USA, Canada, Argentina and Brazil), Asia (India, Japan, China and Singapore), Australia and South Africa in individuals of all ages. The incidence of infection varies from 1.5% to 25%, indicating that hMPV is a ubiquitous virus with a worldwide distribution. hMPV seems to play an important role as a cause of paediatric upper and lower respiratory tract infection, with similar, but not identical, epidemiological and clinical features to those of respiratory syncytial virus and influenza virus. Moreover, the socio‐economic impact of hMPV‐infected children on their families seems to be considerable, which suggests that, like influenza virus, hMPV infection may be a substantial public health problem for the community. It may be associated with significant morbidity and mortality in pre‐term infants and children with underlying clinical conditions, although more adequately controlled studies are needed to confirm its importance in such patients. Many fundamental questions concerning the pathogenesis of hMPV disease and the host's specific immune response remain to be answered. Further studies are also required to properly define hMPV diagnosis, treatment and prevention strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- N Principi
- Institute of Pediatrics, University of Milan, Fondazione IRCCS Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Mangiagalli e Regina Elena, Milan, Italy.
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41
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Gibbs SEJ, Wimberly MC, Madden M, Masour J, Yabsley MJ, Stallknecht DE. Factors Affecting the Geographic Distribution of West Nile Virus in Georgia, USA: 2002–2004. Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis 2006; 6:73-82. [PMID: 16584329 DOI: 10.1089/vbz.2006.6.73] [Citation(s) in RCA: 106] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The distribution of West Nile virus (WNV) is dependent on the occurrence of both susceptible avian reservoir hosts and competent mosquito vectors. Both factors can be influenced by geographic variables such as land use/landcover, elevation, human population density, physiographic region, and temperature. The current study uses geographic information systems (GIS) and logistic regression analyses to model the distribution of WNV in the state of Georgia based on a wild bird indicator system, and to identify human and environmental predictor variables that are important in the determination of WNV distribution. A database for Georgia was constructed that included (1) location points of all the avian samples tested for WNV, (2) local land use classifications, including temperature, physiographic divisions, land use/landcover, and elevation, (3) human demographic data from the U.S. Census, and (4) statistics summarizing land cover, elevation, and climate within a 1-km-radius landscape around each sample point. Logistic regression analysis was carried out using the serostatus of avian collection sites as the dependent variable. Temperature, housing density, urban/suburban land use, and mountain physiographic region were important variables in predicting the distribution of WNV in the state of Georgia. While weak, the positive correlation between WNV-antibody positive sites and the urban/suburban environment was consistent throughout the study period. The risks associated with WNV endemicity appear to be increased in urban/ suburban areas and decreased in the mountainous region of the state. This information may be used in addressing regional public health needs and mosquito control programs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samantha E J Gibbs
- The Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study, Department of Population Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia 30602, USA.
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42
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Galarza JM, Latham T, Cupo A. Virus-like particle vaccine conferred complete protection against a lethal influenza virus challenge. Viral Immunol 2005; 18:365-72. [PMID: 16035948 DOI: 10.1089/vim.2005.18.365] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
We have previously demonstrated the formation and release of influenza virus-like particles (VLPs) from the surface of Sf9 cells infected with either a quadruple baculovirus recombinant that simultaneously expresses the influenza structural proteins hemagglutinin (HA), neuraminidase (NA), matrix 1 (M1), and matrix 2 (M2), or a combination of single recombinants that include the M1 protein. In this work, we present data on the immunogenicity and protective efficacy afforded by VLPs (formed by M1 and HA) after immunization of mice. VLP vaccine ( approximately 1 microg HA) were formulated with or without IL-12 as adjuvant and administered twice, at 2-week intervals, by either intranasal instillation or intramuscular injection. All VLP-vaccinated and influenza-immunized control mice demonstrated high antibody titers to the HA protein; however, intranasal instillation of VLPs elicited antibody titers that were higher than those induced by either intramuscular inoculation of VLPs or intranasal inoculation with two sub-lethal doses of the challenge influenza virus (control group). Antibody responses were enhanced when VLP vaccine was formulated with IL12 as adjuvant. All mice were challenged with 5 LD50 of a mouse-adapted influenza A/Hong Kong/68 (H3N2) virus. Intramuscular administration of VLP vaccine formulated with or without IL-12 afforded 100% protection against a lethal influenza virus challenge. Similarly, intranasal instillation of VLP vaccine alone protected 100% of the mice, whereas VLP formulated with IL-12 protected 90% of the vaccinated mice. Not only do these results suggest a novel approach to the development of VLP vaccines for diverse influenza virus strains, but also the creation of multivalent vaccines by decoration of the surface of the VLPs with antigens from other pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jose M Galarza
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, New York Medical College, Valhalla, New York 10595, USA.
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43
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Abstract
Surveillance is usually defined as the ongoing and systematic collection, analysis and interpretation of health data essential to the planning, implementation and evaluation of public health practice. During recent years, most of these programmes have been developed in the field of antimicrobial resistance and nosocomial infections, but efforts have also been made in other areas. Recent experiences of emerging microbial threats, including severe acute respiratory syndrome and new influenza variants affecting humans, the re-emergence of infectious disease problems and the possibility of bioterrorism have evidenced the need for implementation of infectious disease surveillance programmes. Clinical microbiology laboratories play a pivotal role in these programmes. They have the first opportunity to detect these problems and should participate in the design of reporting strategies and dissemination of this information. Policies for the flow of data to national and international authorities should be established using passive surveillance strategies. However, active surveillance programmes taking advantage of new methodologies, including virtual tools and mathematical programs, should be the goal for early detection of unusual patterns of microbial pathogens, outbreaks and healthcare-associated infections. In addition, early implementation of response strategies should be designed and performed with the cooperation of microbiology laboratories, and intervention and response protocols should be defined with the participation of clinical microbiologists.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Cantón
- Hospital Universitario Ramón y Cajal, Madrid, Spain.
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44
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Abstract
Early detection and rapid response to bird flu, on a global scale, will drastically cut the costs of dealing with a full-blown human flu pandemic, argue Ron Fouchier, Thijs Kuiken, Guus Rimmelzwaan and Albert Osterhaus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ron Fouchier
- National Influenza Centre and Department of Virology, Erasmus Medical Centre Rotterdam, Dr Molewaterplein 50, 3015 GE Rotterdam, The Netherlands
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45
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Galarza JM, Latham T, Cupo A. Virus-Like Particle (VLP) Vaccine Conferred Complete Protection against a Lethal Influenza Virus Challenge. Viral Immunol 2005; 18:244-51. [PMID: 15802970 DOI: 10.1089/vim.2005.18.244] [Citation(s) in RCA: 111] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
We have previously demonstrated the formation and release of influenza virus-like particles (VLPs) from the surface of Sf9 cells infected with either a quadruple baculovirus recombinant that simultaneously expresses the influenza structural proteins hemagglutinin (HA), neuraminidase (NA), matrix 1 (M1) and M2, or a combination of single recombinants that include the M1 protein. In this work, we present data on the immunogenicity and protective efficacy afforded by VLPs (formed by M1 and HA) following immunization of mice. VLP vaccine (approximately 1 microg HA) were formulated with or without IL-12 as adjuvant and administered twice, at two weeks intervals, by either intranasal instillation or intramuscular injection. All VLP-vaccinated and influenza-immunized control mice demonstrated high antibody titers to the HA protein; however, intranasal instillation of VLPs elicited antibody titers that were higher than those induced by either intramuscular inoculation of VLPs or intranasal inoculation with two sub-lethal doses of the challenge influenza virus (control group). Antibody responses were enhanced when VLP vaccine was formulated with IL12 as adjuvant. All mice were challenged with 5 LD50 of a mouse-adapted influenza A/Hong Kong/68 (H3N2) virus. Intramuscular administration of VLP vaccine formulated with or without IL-12 afforded 100% protection against a lethal influenza virus challenge. Similarly, intranasal instillation of VLP vaccine alone protected 100% of the mice, whereas VLP formulated with IL-12 protected 90% of the vaccinated mice. Not only do these results suggest a novel approach to the development of VLP vaccines for diverse influenza virus strains, but also the creation of multivalent vaccines by decoration of the surface of the VLPs with antigens from other pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jose M Galarza
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY 10595, USA.
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46
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Osterhaus ADME, Fouchier RAM, Kuiken T. The aetiology of SARS: Koch's postulates fulfilled. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2004; 359:1081-2. [PMID: 15306393 PMCID: PMC1693394 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2004.1489] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Proof that a newly identified coronavirus, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV) is the primary cause of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) came from a series of studies on experimentally infected cynomolgus macaques (Macaca fascicularis). SARS-CoV-infected macaques developed a disease comparable to SARS in humans; the virus was re-isolated from these animals and they developed SARS-CoV-specific antibodies. This completed the fulfilment of Koch's postulates, as modified by Rivers for viral diseases, for SARS-CoV as the aetiological agent of SARS. Besides the macaque model, a ferret and a cat model for SARS-CoV were also developed. These animal models allow comparative pathogenesis studies for SARS-CoV infections and testing of different intervention strategies. The first of these studies has shown that pegylated interferon-alpha, a drug approved for human use, limits SARS-CoV replication and lung damage in experimentally infected macaques. Finally, we argue that, given the worldwide nature of the socio-economic changes that have predisposed for the emergence of SARS and avian influenza in Southeast Asia, such changes herald the beginning of a global trend for which we are ill prepared.
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Affiliation(s)
- A D M E Osterhaus
- Institute of Virology, Erasmus University Rotterdam, Dr Molewaterplein 50, 3015 GE Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
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