An efficient in vivo method for the isolation of Puumala virus in Syrian hamsters and the characterization of the isolates from Russia

Presence and Persistence of Andes Virus RNA in Human Semen

When infecting humans, Andes orthohantavirus (ANDV) may cause a severe disease called hantavirus cardiopulmonary syndrome (HCPS). Following non-specific symptoms, the infection may progress to a syndrome of hemorrhagic fever combined with hyper-acute cardiopulmonary failure. The case fatality rate ranges between 25-40%, depending on the outbreak. In this study, we present the follow-up of a male patient who recovered from HCPS six years ago. We demonstrate that the ANDV genome persists within the reproductive tract for at least 71 months. Genome sequence analysis early and late after infection reveals a low number of mutations (two single nucleotide variants and one deletion), suggesting limited replication activity. We can exclude the integration of the viral genome into the host genome, since the treatment of the specimen with RNAse led to a loss of signal. We demonstrate a long-lasting, strong neutralizing antibody response using pseudovirions expressing the ANDV glycoprotein. Taken together, our results show that ANDV has the potential for sexual transmission.

Isolation and Genetic Characterization of Puumala Orthohantavirus Strains from France

Puumala orthohantavirus (PUUV) causes a mild form of haemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) called nephropathia epidemica (NE), regularly diagnosed in Europe. France represents the western frontier of the expansion of NE in Europe with two distinct areas: an endemic area (north-eastern France) where PUUV circulates in rodent populations, with the detection of many human NE cases, and a non-endemic area (south-western France) where the virus is not detected, with only a few human cases being reported. In this study, we describe the different stages of the isolation of two PUUV strains from two distinct French geographical areas: Ardennes (endemic area) and Loiret (non-endemic area). To isolate PUUV efficiently, we selected wild bank voles (Myodes glareolus, the specific reservoir of PUUV) captured in these areas and that were seronegative for anti-PUUV IgG (ELISA) but showed a non-negligible viral RNA load in their lung tissue (qRT-PCR). With this study design, we were able to cultivate and maintain these two strains in Vero E6 cells and also propagate both strains in immunologically neutral bank voles efficiently and rapidly. High-throughput and Sanger sequencing results provided a better assessment of the impact of isolation methods on viral diversity.

Biodefense Implications of New-World Hantaviruses

Hantaviruses, part of the Bunyaviridae family, are a genus of negative-sense, single-stranded RNA viruses that cause two major diseases: New-World Hantavirus Cardiopulmonary Syndrome and Old-World Hemorrhagic Fever with Renal Syndrome. Hantaviruses generally are found worldwide with each disease corresponding to their respective hemispheres. New-World Hantaviruses spread by specific rodent-host reservoirs and are categorized as emerging viruses that pose a threat to global health and security due to their high mortality rate and ease of transmission. Incidentally, reports of Hantavirus categorization as a bioweapon are often contradicted as both US National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention refer to them as Category A and C bioagents respectively, each retaining qualitative levels of importance and severity. Concerns of Hantavirus being engineered into a novel bioagent has been thwarted by Hantaviruses being difficult to culture, isolate, and purify limiting its ability to be weaponized. However, the natural properties of Hantaviruses pose a threat that can be exploited by conventional and unconventional forces. This review seeks to clarify the categorization of Hantaviruses as a bioweapon, whilst defining the practicality of employing New-World Hantaviruses and their effect on armies, infrastructure, and civilian targets.

Structural and functional similarities in bunyaviruses: Perspectives for pan-bunya antivirals

The order of Bunyavirales includes numerous (re)emerging viruses that collectively have a major impact on human and animal health worldwide. There are no vaccines for human use or antiviral drugs available to prevent or treat infections with any of these viruses. The development of efficacious and safe drugs and vaccines is a pressing matter. Ideally, such antivirals possess pan‐bunyavirus antiviral activity, allowing the containment of every bunya‐related threat. The fact that many bunyaviruses need to be handled in laboratories with biosafety level 3 or 4, the great variety of species and the frequent emergence of novel species complicate such efforts. We here examined the potential druggable targets of bunyaviruses, together with the level of conservation of their biological functions, structure, and genetic similarity by means of heatmap analysis. In the light of this, we revised the available models and tools currently available, pointing out directions for antiviral drug discovery.

Complete mitochondrial genome of the gray red-backed vole (Myodes rufocanus) and a complete estimate of the phylogenetic relationships in Cricetidae

Myodes rufocanus belongs to the genera Myodes within the subfamily Cricetidae, its complete mitochondrial genome is 16 487 bp in length, containing 12S rRNA gene, 16S rRNA gene, 22 tRNA genes, 13 protein-coding genes and 1 control region as other Cricetidae species. Results of phylogenetic analysis showed that Myodes had close relationship with Eothenomys, and had distant relationship with Microtus, Cricetulus, Wiedomys, Akodon and other genera. This study verifies the evolutionary status of Myodes rufocanus in Myodes at the molecular level. The mitochondrial genome would be a significant supplement for the M. rufocanus genetic background analysis and experimental animalization.

Muju virus, harbored by Myodes regulus in Korea, might represent a genetic variant of Puumala virus, the prototype arvicolid rodent-borne hantavirus

The genome of Muju virus (MUJV), identified originally in the royal vole (Myodes regulus) in Korea, was fully sequenced to ascertain its genetic and phylogenetic relationship with Puumala virus (PUUV), harbored by the bank vole (My. glareolus), and a PUUV-like virus, named Hokkaido virus (HOKV), in the grey red-backed vole (My. rufocanus) in Japan. Whole genome sequence analysis of the 6544-nucleotide large (L), 3652-nucleotide medium (M) and 1831-nucleotide small (S) segments of MUJV, as well as the amino acid sequences of their gene products, indicated that MUJV strains from different capture sites might represent genetic variants of PUUV, the prototype arvicolid rodent-borne hantavirus in Europe. Distinct geographic-specific clustering of MUJV was found in different provinces in Korea, and phylogenetic analyses revealed that MUJV and HOKV share a common ancestry with PUUV. A better understanding of the taxonomic classification and pathogenic potential of MUJV must await its isolation in cell culture.

An efficient method for isolation of Hantaan virus through serial passages in suckling mice

OBJECTIVE

Hantaan virus (HTNV) is one of the main etiologic agents for hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome in China. However, it is very difficult to isolate the virus from its original host, which hampers the viral characterization. This study describes an efficient method for isolating HTNV in suckling mice.

METHODS

Hantavirus-infected Apodemus agrarius were screened by quantitative real-time PCR. The homogenates of one positive rodent lung tissue were inoculated into suckling mice for virus propagation through serial passages.

RESULTS

During the three passages in suckling mice, the number of viral RNA copies/nanogram of GAPDH mRNA increased significantly ranging from 477 to 7,278 and 46 to 4,898 in the tissues of brain and lung, respectively. Hantaviral antigens could be detected by indirect immunofluorescence assay and around 100-nm virion-like structures were also observed in brain tissue by transmission electron microscopy. No nucleotide exchange was found except for one in the 3'-non-coding domain of S segment when comparing the complete genome sequences from hantavirus in the first and the third passages.

CONCLUSION

These results suggest inoculation of suckling mice with suspected hantavirus-infected rodent samples is an efficient method for isolation and maintenance of HTNV.

Isolation of Hokkaido virus, genus Hantavirus, using a newly established cell line derived from the kidney of the grey red-backed vole (Myodes rufocanus bedfordiae)

Hantaviruses belong to the family Bunyaviridae and are maintained in wild rodents. Although Vero E6 cells, which originate from African green monkey kidney, are used widely in hantavirus research, isolation of hantaviruses from this cell line is difficult. To develop an efficient method of propagation and isolation of hantaviruses we established a novel cell line, MRK101, derived from the kidney of the grey red-backed vole (Myodes rufocanus bedfordiae), the natural host of Hokkaido virus (HOKV). The MRK101 cells showed a significantly higher susceptibility to Puumala virus (PUUV) hosted by Myodes glareolus than Vero E6 cells. Viral nucleocapsid protein in PUUV-infected MRK101 cells was detected earlier than in Vero E6 cells, and the viral titre in the culture fluid of MRK101 cells was higher than that of Vero E6 cells during the early phase of infection. In contrast, MRK101 cells showed no susceptibility to Hantaan virus. HOKV, which has not been isolated to date, was isolated successfully using MRK101 cells. Moreover, the newly isolated HOKV was successfully propagated in MRK101, but not Vero E6, cells. Phylogenic analyses of the S (small), M (medium) and L (large) segment sequences revealed that HOKV is related most closely to PUUV, but is distinct from other hantaviruses. These data suggest that the MRK101 cell line is a useful tool for the isolation and propagation of hantaviruses. Moreover, this is (to our knowledge) the first report of hantavirus isolation in a cell line that originated from the natural host.