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Hamele CE, Spurrier MA, Leonard RA, Heaton NS. Segmented, Negative-Sense RNA Viruses of Humans: Genetic Systems and Experimental Uses of Reporter Strains. Annu Rev Virol 2023; 10:261-282. [PMID: 37774125 PMCID: PMC10795101 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-virology-111821-120445] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/01/2023]
Abstract
Negative-stranded RNA viruses are a large group of viruses that encode their genomes in RNA across multiple segments in an orientation antisense to messenger RNA. Their members infect broad ranges of hosts, and there are a number of notable human pathogens. Here, we examine the development of reverse genetic systems as applied to these virus families, emphasizing conserved approaches illustrated by some of the prominent members that cause significant human disease. We also describe the utility of their genetic systems in the development of reporter strains of the viruses and some biological insights made possible by their use. To conclude the review, we highlight some possible future uses of reporter viruses that not only will increase our basic understanding of how these viruses replicate and cause disease but also could inform the development of new approaches to therapeutically intervene.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cait E Hamele
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina, USA;
| | - M Ariel Spurrier
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina, USA;
| | - Rebecca A Leonard
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina, USA;
| | - Nicholas S Heaton
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina, USA;
- Duke Human Vaccine Institute, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina, USA
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2
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Wichgers Schreur PJ, Bird BH, Ikegami T, Bermúdez-Méndez E, Kortekaas J. Perspectives of Next-Generation Live-Attenuated Rift Valley Fever Vaccines for Animal and Human Use. Vaccines (Basel) 2023; 11:vaccines11030707. [PMID: 36992291 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines11030707] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2023] [Revised: 03/10/2023] [Accepted: 03/14/2023] [Indexed: 03/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Live-attenuated Rift Valley fever (RVF) vaccines transiently replicate in the vaccinated host, thereby effectively initiating an innate and adaptive immune response. Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV)-specific neutralizing antibodies are considered the main correlate of protection. Vaccination with classical live-attenuated RVF vaccines during gestation in livestock has been associated with fetal malformations, stillbirths, and fetal demise. Facilitated by an increased understanding of the RVFV infection and replication cycle and availability of reverse genetics systems, novel rationally-designed live-attenuated candidate RVF vaccines with improved safety profiles have been developed. Several of these experimental vaccines are currently advancing beyond the proof-of-concept phase and are being evaluated for application in both animals and humans. We here provide perspectives on some of these next-generation live-attenuated RVF vaccines and highlight the opportunities and challenges of these approaches to improve global health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul J Wichgers Schreur
- Department of Virology and Molecular Biology, Wageningen Bioveterinary Research, Wageningen University & Research, 8221 RA Lelystad, The Netherlands
- BunyaVax B.V., 8221 RA Lelystad, The Netherlands
| | - Brian H Bird
- One Health Institute, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Tetsuro Ikegami
- Department of Pathology, The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
- The Sealy Institute for Vaccine Sciences, The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
- The Center for Biodefense and Emerging Infectious Diseases, The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
| | - Erick Bermúdez-Méndez
- Department of Virology and Molecular Biology, Wageningen Bioveterinary Research, Wageningen University & Research, 8221 RA Lelystad, The Netherlands
- Laboratory of Virology, Wageningen University & Research, 6708 PB Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Jeroen Kortekaas
- Department of Virology and Molecular Biology, Wageningen Bioveterinary Research, Wageningen University & Research, 8221 RA Lelystad, The Netherlands
- Laboratory of Virology, Wageningen University & Research, 6708 PB Wageningen, The Netherlands
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3
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Hao M, Bian T, Fu G, Chen Y, Fang T, Zhao C, Liu S, Yu C, Li J, Chen W. An adenovirus-vectored RVF vaccine confers complete protection against lethal RVFV challenge in A129 mice. Front Microbiol 2023; 14:1114226. [PMID: 36925463 PMCID: PMC10011166 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1114226] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2022] [Accepted: 02/10/2023] [Indexed: 03/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Instruction: Rift valley fever virus (RVFV) is a mosquito-transmitted bunyavirus that causes severe disease in animals and humans. Nevertheless, there are no vaccines applied to prevent RVFV infection for human at present. Therefore, it is necessary to develop a safe and effective RVFV vaccine. Methods: We generated Ad5-GnGcopt, a replication-deficient recombinant Ad5 vector (human adenovirus serotype 5) expressing codon-optimized RVFV glycoproteins Gn and Gc, and evaluated its immunogenicity and protective efficacy in mice. Results and Discussion: Intramuscular immunization of Ad5-GnGcopt in mice induces strong and durable antibody production and robust cellular immune responses. Additionally, a single vaccination with Ad5-GnGcopt vaccination can completely protect interferon-α/β receptor-deficient A129 mice from lethal RVFV infection. Our work indicates that Ad5-GnGcopt might represent a potential vaccine candidate against RVFV. However, further research is needed, first to confirm its efficacy in a natural animal host, and ultimately escalate as a potential vaccine candidate for humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meng Hao
- Vaccine and Antibody Engineer Laboratory, Beijing Institute of Biotechnology, Beijing, China
| | - Ting Bian
- Vaccine and Antibody Engineer Laboratory, Beijing Institute of Biotechnology, Beijing, China
| | - Guangcheng Fu
- Vaccine and Antibody Engineer Laboratory, Beijing Institute of Biotechnology, Beijing, China
| | - Yi Chen
- Vaccine and Antibody Engineer Laboratory, Beijing Institute of Biotechnology, Beijing, China
| | - Ting Fang
- Vaccine and Antibody Engineer Laboratory, Beijing Institute of Biotechnology, Beijing, China
| | - Chuanyi Zhao
- Vaccine and Antibody Engineer Laboratory, Beijing Institute of Biotechnology, Beijing, China
| | - Shuling Liu
- Vaccine and Antibody Engineer Laboratory, Beijing Institute of Biotechnology, Beijing, China
| | - Changming Yu
- Vaccine and Antibody Engineer Laboratory, Beijing Institute of Biotechnology, Beijing, China
| | - Jianmin Li
- Vaccine and Antibody Engineer Laboratory, Beijing Institute of Biotechnology, Beijing, China.,Frontier Biotechnology Laboratory, Zhejiang University-Hangzhou Global Scientific and Technological Innovation Center, Hangzhou, China
| | - Wei Chen
- Vaccine and Antibody Engineer Laboratory, Beijing Institute of Biotechnology, Beijing, China
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4
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Bian T, Wang B, Fu G, Hao M, Chen Y, Fang T, Liu S, Yu C, Li J, Chen W. Single-dose of a replication-competent adenovirus-vectored vaccine provides sterilizing protection against Rift Valley fever virus challenge. Front Immunol 2022; 13:907675. [PMID: 36439179 PMCID: PMC9691644 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.907675] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2022] [Accepted: 10/28/2022] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV) is one of the most important virulent pathogens causing severe disease in animals and humans. However, there is currently no approved vaccine to prevent RVFV infection in humans. The use of human adenovirus serotype 4 (Ad4) as a vector for an RVFV vaccine has not been reported. Here, we report the generation of a replication-competent recombinant Ad4 vector expressing codon-optimized forms of the RVFV glycoproteins Gn and Gc (named Ad4-GnGc). Intramuscular immunization with Ad4-GnGc elicited robust neutralizing antibodies against RVFV and cellular immune responses in mice. A single low-dose vaccination with Ad4-GnGc completely protected interferon-α/β receptor-deficient A129 mice from lethal RVFV infection. More importantly, Ad4-GnGc efficacy was not affected by pre-existing immunity to adenovirus serotype 5, which currently exists widely in populations. These results suggest that Ad4-GnGc is a promising vaccine candidate against RVFV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ting Bian
- Beijing Institute of Biotechnology, Academy of Military Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Busen Wang
- Beijing Institute of Biotechnology, Academy of Military Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Guangcheng Fu
- Beijing Institute of Biotechnology, Academy of Military Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Meng Hao
- Beijing Institute of Biotechnology, Academy of Military Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yi Chen
- Beijing Institute of Biotechnology, Academy of Military Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Ting Fang
- Beijing Institute of Biotechnology, Academy of Military Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Shuling Liu
- Beijing Institute of Biotechnology, Academy of Military Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Changming Yu
- Beijing Institute of Biotechnology, Academy of Military Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Jianmin Li
- Beijing Institute of Biotechnology, Academy of Military Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
- Frontier Biotechnology Laboratory, Zhejiang University-Hangzhou Global Scientific and Technological Innovation Center, Hangzhou, China
| | - Wei Chen
- Beijing Institute of Biotechnology, Academy of Military Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
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5
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Safety and immunogenicity of four-segmented Rift Valley fever virus in the common marmoset. NPJ Vaccines 2022; 7:54. [PMID: 35585071 PMCID: PMC9117246 DOI: 10.1038/s41541-022-00476-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2021] [Accepted: 04/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV) is an emerging mosquito-borne bunyavirus that is highly pathogenic to wild and domesticated ruminants, camelids, and humans. While animals are exclusively infected via mosquito bites, humans can also be infected via contact with contaminated tissues or blood. No human vaccine is available and commercialized veterinary vaccines do not optimally combine efficacy with safety. We previously reported the development of two novel live-attenuated RVF vaccines, created by splitting the M genome segment and deleting the major virulence determinant NSs. The vaccine candidates, referred to as the veterinary vaccine vRVFV-4s and the human vaccine hRVFV-4s, were shown to induce protective immunity in multiple species after a single vaccination. Anticipating accidental exposure of humans to the veterinary vaccine and the application of hRVFV-4s to humans, the safety of each vaccine was evaluated in the most susceptible nonhuman primate model, the common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus). Marmosets were inoculated with high doses of each vaccine and were monitored for clinical signs as well as for vaccine virus dissemination, shedding, and spreading to the environment. To accurately assess the attenuation of both vaccine viruses, separate groups of marmosets were inoculated with the parent wild-type RVFV strains. Both wild-type strains induced high viremia and disseminated to primary target organs, associated with mild-to-severe morbidity. In contrast, both vaccines were well tolerated with no evidence of dissemination and shedding while inducing potent neutralizing antibody responses. The results of the studies support the unprecedented safety profile of both vaccines for animals and humans.
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Rodriguez-Conde S, Inman S, Lindo V, Amery L, Tang A, Okorji-Obike U, Du W, Bosch BJ, Wichgers Schreur PJ, Kortekaas J, Sola I, Enjuanes L, Kerry L, Mahal K, Hulley M, Daramola O. Suitability of transiently expressed antibodies for clinical studies: product quality consistency at different production scales. MAbs 2022; 14:2052228. [PMID: 35323099 PMCID: PMC8959507 DOI: 10.1080/19420862.2022.2052228] [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] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Transgenic human monoclonal antibodies derived from humanized mice against different epitopes of the Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV), and chimeric llama-human bispecific heavy chain-only antibodies targeting the Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV), were produced using a CHO-based transient expression system. Two lead candidates were assessed for each model virus before selecting and progressing one lead molecule. MERS-7.7G6 was used as the model antibody to demonstrate batch-to-batch process consistency and, together with RVFV-107-104, were scaled up to 200 L. Consistent expression titers were obtained in different batches at a 5 L scale for MERS-7.7G6. Although lower expression levels were observed for MERS-7.7G6 and RVFV-107-104 during scale up to 200 L, product quality attributes were consistent at different scales and in different batches. In addition to this, peptide mapping data suggested no detectable sequence variants for any of these candidates. Functional assays demonstrated comparable neutralizing activity for MERS-7.7G6 and RVFV-107-104 generated at different production scales. Similarly, MERS-7.7G6 batches generated at different scales were shown to provide comparable protection in mouse models. Our study demonstrates that a CHO-based transient expression process is capable of generating consistent product quality at different production scales and thereby supports the potential of using transient gene expression to accelerate the manufacturing of early clinical material.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Rodriguez-Conde
- Cell Culture & Fermentation Sciences, BioPharmaceutical Development, BioPharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca, Cambridge, UK
| | - Sophie Inman
- Analytical Sciences, BioPharmaceutical Development, BioPharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca, Cambridge, UK
| | - Viv Lindo
- Analytical Sciences, BioPharmaceutical Development, BioPharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca, Cambridge, UK
| | - Leanne Amery
- Late-Stage Formulation Sciences, BioPharmaceutical Development, BioPharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca, Cambridge, UK
| | - Alison Tang
- Purification Process Sciences, BioPharmaceutical Development, BioPharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca, Cambridge, UK
| | - Uche Okorji-Obike
- Analytical Sciences, Bioassay Biosafety and Impurities, BioPharmaceutical Development, BioPharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca, Cambridge, UK
| | - Wenjuan Du
- Virology Section, Infectious Diseases and Immunology Division, Department of Biomolecular Health Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Berend-Jan Bosch
- Virology Section, Infectious Diseases and Immunology Division, Department of Biomolecular Health Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Paul J Wichgers Schreur
- Department of Virology and Molecular Biology, Wageningen Bioveterinary Research, Lelystad, The Netherlands
| | | | - Isabel Sola
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, National Center of Biotechnology (CNB-CSIC), Campus Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Spain
| | - Luis Enjuanes
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, National Center of Biotechnology (CNB-CSIC), Campus Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Spain
| | - Laura Kerry
- Analytical Sciences, Bioassay Biosafety and Impurities, BioPharmaceutical Development, BioPharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca, Cambridge, UK
| | - Katharina Mahal
- Analytical Sciences, Bioassay Biosafety and Impurities, BioPharmaceutical Development, BioPharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca, Cambridge, UK
| | - Martyn Hulley
- Purification Process Sciences, BioPharmaceutical Development, BioPharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca, Cambridge, UK
| | - Olalekan Daramola
- Cell Culture & Fermentation Sciences, BioPharmaceutical Development, BioPharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca, Cambridge, UK
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7
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Gerken KN, LaBeaud AD, Mandi H, L’Azou Jackson M, Breugelmans JG, King CH. Paving the way for human vaccination against Rift Valley fever virus: A systematic literature review of RVFV epidemiology from 1999 to 2021. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2022; 16:e0009852. [PMID: 35073355 PMCID: PMC8812886 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0009852] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2021] [Revised: 02/03/2022] [Accepted: 12/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV) is a lethal threat to humans and livestock in many parts of Africa, the Arabian Peninsula, and the Indian Ocean. This systematic review's objective was to consolidate understanding of RVFV epidemiology during 1999-2021 and highlight knowledge gaps relevant to plans for human vaccine trials. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS The review is registered with PROSPERO (CRD42020221622). Reports of RVFV infection or exposure among humans, animals, and/or vectors in Africa, the Arabian Peninsula, and the Indian Ocean during the period January 1999 to June 2021 were eligible for inclusion. Online databases were searched for publications, and supplemental materials were recovered from official reports and research colleagues. Exposures were classified into five groups: 1) acute human RVF cases, 2) acute animal cases, 3) human RVFV sero-surveys, 4) animal sero-surveys, and 5) arthropod infections. Human risk factors, circulating RVFV lineages, and surveillance methods were also tabulated. In meta-analysis of risks, summary odds ratios were computed using random-effects modeling. 1104 unique human or animal RVFV transmission events were reported in 39 countries during 1999-2021. Outbreaks among humans or animals occurred at rates of 5.8/year and 12.4/year, respectively, with Mauritania, Madagascar, Kenya, South Africa, and Sudan having the most human outbreak years. Men had greater odds of RVFV infection than women, and animal contact, butchering, milking, and handling aborted material were significantly associated with greater odds of exposure. Animal infection risk was linked to location, proximity to water, and exposure to other herds or wildlife. RVFV was detected in a variety of mosquito vectors during interepidemic periods, confirming ongoing transmission. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE With broad variability in surveillance, case finding, survey design, and RVFV case confirmation, combined with uncertainty about populations-at-risk, there were inconsistent results from location to location. However, it was evident that RVFV transmission is expanding its range and frequency. Gaps assessment indicated the need to harmonize human and animal surveillance and improve diagnostics and genotyping. Given the frequency of RVFV outbreaks, human vaccination has strong potential to mitigate the impact of this now widely endemic disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keli N. Gerken
- Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, United States of America
| | - A. Desirée LaBeaud
- Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, United States of America
| | - Henshaw Mandi
- Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI), Oslo, Norway
| | | | | | - Charles H. King
- Center for Global Health and Diseases, Department of Pathology, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, Ohio, United States of America
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Pawęska JT, Jansen van Vuren P, Msimang V, Lô MM, Thiongane Y, Mulumba-Mfumu LK, Mansoor A, Fafetine JM, Magona JW, Boussini H, Bażanow B, Wilson WC, Pepin M, Unger H, Viljoen G. Large-Scale International Validation of an Indirect ELISA Based on Recombinant Nucleocapsid Protein of Rift Valley Fever Virus for the Detection of IgG Antibody in Domestic Ruminants. Viruses 2021; 13:1651. [PMID: 34452515 PMCID: PMC8402881 DOI: 10.3390/v13081651] [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: 07/18/2021] [Revised: 08/06/2021] [Accepted: 08/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Diagnostic performance of an indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (I-ELISA) based on a recombinant nucleocapsid protein (rNP) of the Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV) was validated for the detection of the IgG antibody in sheep (n = 3367), goat (n = 2632), and cattle (n = 3819) sera. Validation data sets were dichotomized according to the results of a virus neutralization test in sera obtained from RVF-endemic (Burkina Faso, Democratic Republic of Congo, Mozambique, Senegal, Uganda, and Yemen) and RVF-free countries (France, Poland, and the USA). Cut-off values were defined using the two-graph receiver operating characteristic analysis. Estimates of the diagnostic specificity of the RVFV rNP I-ELISA in animals from RVF-endemic countries ranged from 98.6% (cattle) to 99.5% (sheep) while in those originating from RVF-free countries, they ranged from 97.7% (sheep) to 98.1% (goats). Estimates of the diagnostic sensitivity in ruminants from RVF-endemic countries ranged from 90.7% (cattle) to 100% (goats). The results of this large-scale international validation study demonstrate the high diagnostic accuracy of the RVFV rNP I-ELISA. Standard incubation and inactivation procedures evaluated did not have an adverse effect on the detectable levels of the anti-RVFV IgG in ruminant sera and thus, together with recombinant antigen-based I-ELISA, provide a simple, safe, and robust diagnostic platform that can be automated and carried out outside expensive bio-containment facilities. These advantages are particularly important for less-resourced countries where there is a need to accelerate and improve RVF surveillance and research on epidemiology as well as to advance disease control measures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janusz T. Pawęska
- Centre for Emerging Zoonotic and Parasitic Diseases, National Institute for Communicable Diseases of the National Health Laboratory Service, Sandringham 2131, South Africa;
- Centre for Viral Zoonoses, Department of Medical Virology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Pretoria, Pretoria 0001, South Africa
- Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Pathology, University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg 2050, South Africa
| | - Petrus Jansen van Vuren
- Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness, CSIRO Health & Biosecurity, Geelong, VIC 3220, Australia;
| | - Veerle Msimang
- Centre for Emerging Zoonotic and Parasitic Diseases, National Institute for Communicable Diseases of the National Health Laboratory Service, Sandringham 2131, South Africa;
| | - Modu Moustapha Lô
- Laboratoire National de l’Elevage et de Recherches Vétérinaires, Route de Front de Terre, Dakar Hann 2057, BP, Senegal; (M.M.L.); (Y.T.)
| | - Yaya Thiongane
- Laboratoire National de l’Elevage et de Recherches Vétérinaires, Route de Front de Terre, Dakar Hann 2057, BP, Senegal; (M.M.L.); (Y.T.)
| | - Leopold K. Mulumba-Mfumu
- Ministry of Agriculture, Democratic Republic of Congo, Kinshasa 7948, Democratic Republic of the Congo;
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Kinshasa, P.O. Box 127, Kinshasa XI, Democratic Republic of the Congo
| | - Alqadasi Mansoor
- Central Veterinary Laboratory, General Directorate of Animal Health & Veterinary Quarantine, Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation, Sana’a 31220, Yemen;
- Food and Agriculture Organization Office, Sana’a 31220, Yemen
| | - José M. Fafetine
- Veterinary Faculty, Eduardo Mondlane University, Maputo 1103, Mozambique;
| | - Joseph W. Magona
- National Livestock Resources Research Institute, Tororo P.O. Box 96, Uganda;
- Food and Agriculture Organization, Gaborone P.O. Box 54, Botswana
| | - Hiver Boussini
- Direction Generale Des Services Veterinaires, Ministère des Ressources Animales, Ouagadougou 09 BP 907, Burkina Faso;
- African Union Interafrican Bureau for Animal Resources, Nairobi P.O. Box 30786-00100, Kenya
| | - Barbara Bażanow
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Environmental and Life Sciences, 50-375 Wroclaw, Poland;
| | - William C. Wilson
- United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Foreign Arthropod Borne Animal Diseases Research Unit, National Bio- and Agro-Defense Facility, Manhattan, KS 66502, USA;
| | - Michel Pepin
- Agence Française de Sécurité Sanitaire des Aliments, F-69364 Lyon, France;
- VetAgro Sup, Campus Vétérinaire de Lyon, F-69364 Lyon, France
| | - Hermann Unger
- Joint FAO/IAEA Centre for Nuclear Techniques in Food and Agriculture, International Atomic Energy Agency, 1400 Vienna, Austria; (H.U.); (G.V.)
| | - Gerrit Viljoen
- Joint FAO/IAEA Centre for Nuclear Techniques in Food and Agriculture, International Atomic Energy Agency, 1400 Vienna, Austria; (H.U.); (G.V.)
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9
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Petrova V, Kristiansen P, Norheim G, Yimer SA. Rift valley fever: diagnostic challenges and investment needs for vaccine development. BMJ Glob Health 2021; 5:bmjgh-2020-002694. [PMID: 32816810 PMCID: PMC7437696 DOI: 10.1136/bmjgh-2020-002694] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2020] [Revised: 06/15/2020] [Accepted: 06/24/2020] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Rift valley fever virus (RVFV) is a causative agent of a viral zoonosis that constitutes a major clinical burden in wild and domestic ruminants. The virus causes major outbreaks in livestock (sheep, goats, cattle and camels) and can be transmitted to humans by contaminated animal products or via arthropod vectors. Human-to-human transmission has not been reported to date, but spill-over events from animals have led to outbreaks in humans in Africa and the Arabian Peninsula. Currently, there is no licensed human vaccine against RVFV and the virus is listed as a priority pathogen by the World Health Organisation (WHO) due to the high epidemic potential and the lack of effective countermeasures. Multiple large RVFV outbreaks have been reported since the virus was discovered. During the last two decades, over 4000 cases and ~1000 deaths have been reported. The lack of systematic surveillance to estimate the true burden and incidence of human RVF disease is a challenge for planning future vaccine efficacy evaluation. This creates a need for robust diagnostic methodologies that can be deployed in remote regions to aid case confirmation, assessment of seroprevalence as well as pathogen surveillance required for the different stages of vaccine evaluation. Here, we perform comprehensive landscaping of the available diagnostic solutions for detection of RVFV in humans. Based on the identified gaps in the currently available in-house and commercially available methods, we highlight the specific investment needs for diagnostics that are critical for accelerating the development of effective vaccines against RVFV.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Paul Kristiansen
- Vaccine Research and Development, Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations, Oslo, Norway
| | | | - Solomon A Yimer
- Vaccine Research and Development, Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations, Oslo, Norway
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10
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Wichgers Schreur PJ, Tacken M, Gutjahr B, Keller M, van Keulen L, Kant J, van de Water S, Lin Y, Eiden M, Rissmann M, von Arnim F, König R, Brix A, Charreyre C, Audonnet JC, Groschup MH, Kortekaas J. Vaccine Efficacy of Self-Assembled Multimeric Protein Scaffold Particles Displaying the Glycoprotein Gn Head Domain of Rift Valley Fever Virus. Vaccines (Basel) 2021; 9:vaccines9030301. [PMID: 33806789 PMCID: PMC8005036 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines9030301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2021] [Revised: 03/18/2021] [Accepted: 03/20/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Compared to free antigens, antigens immobilized on scaffolds, such as nanoparticles, generally show improved immunogenicity. Conventionally, antigens are conjugated to scaffolds through genetic fusion or chemical conjugation, which may result in impaired assembly or heterogeneous binding and orientation of the antigens. By combining two emerging technologies-i.e., self-assembling multimeric protein scaffold particles (MPSPs) and bacterial superglue-these shortcomings can be overcome and antigens can be bound on particles in their native conformation. In the present work, we assessed whether this technology could improve the immunogenicity of a candidate subunit vaccine against the zoonotic Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV). For this, the head domain of glycoprotein Gn, a known target of neutralizing antibodies, was coupled on various MPSPs to further assess immunogenicity and efficacy in vivo. The results showed that the Gn head domain, when bound to the lumazine synthase-based MPSP, reduced mortality in a lethal mouse model and protected lambs, the most susceptible RVFV target animals, from viremia and clinical signs after immunization. Furthermore, the same subunit coupled to two other MPSPs (Geobacillus stearothermophilus E2 or a modified KDPG Aldolase) provided full protection in lambs as well.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul J. Wichgers Schreur
- Department of Virology, Wageningen Bioveterinary Research, 8221 RA Lelystad, The Netherlands; (M.T.); (L.v.K.); (J.K.); (S.v.d.W.); (Y.L.); (J.K.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Mirriam Tacken
- Department of Virology, Wageningen Bioveterinary Research, 8221 RA Lelystad, The Netherlands; (M.T.); (L.v.K.); (J.K.); (S.v.d.W.); (Y.L.); (J.K.)
| | - Benjamin Gutjahr
- Institute of Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, 17493 Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany; (B.G.); (M.K.); (M.E.); (M.R.); (F.v.A.); (R.K.); (M.H.G.)
| | - Markus Keller
- Institute of Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, 17493 Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany; (B.G.); (M.K.); (M.E.); (M.R.); (F.v.A.); (R.K.); (M.H.G.)
| | - Lucien van Keulen
- Department of Virology, Wageningen Bioveterinary Research, 8221 RA Lelystad, The Netherlands; (M.T.); (L.v.K.); (J.K.); (S.v.d.W.); (Y.L.); (J.K.)
| | - Jet Kant
- Department of Virology, Wageningen Bioveterinary Research, 8221 RA Lelystad, The Netherlands; (M.T.); (L.v.K.); (J.K.); (S.v.d.W.); (Y.L.); (J.K.)
| | - Sandra van de Water
- Department of Virology, Wageningen Bioveterinary Research, 8221 RA Lelystad, The Netherlands; (M.T.); (L.v.K.); (J.K.); (S.v.d.W.); (Y.L.); (J.K.)
| | - Yanyin Lin
- Department of Virology, Wageningen Bioveterinary Research, 8221 RA Lelystad, The Netherlands; (M.T.); (L.v.K.); (J.K.); (S.v.d.W.); (Y.L.); (J.K.)
| | - Martin Eiden
- Institute of Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, 17493 Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany; (B.G.); (M.K.); (M.E.); (M.R.); (F.v.A.); (R.K.); (M.H.G.)
| | - Melanie Rissmann
- Institute of Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, 17493 Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany; (B.G.); (M.K.); (M.E.); (M.R.); (F.v.A.); (R.K.); (M.H.G.)
| | - Felicitas von Arnim
- Institute of Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, 17493 Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany; (B.G.); (M.K.); (M.E.); (M.R.); (F.v.A.); (R.K.); (M.H.G.)
| | - Rebecca König
- Institute of Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, 17493 Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany; (B.G.); (M.K.); (M.E.); (M.R.); (F.v.A.); (R.K.); (M.H.G.)
| | - Alexander Brix
- Boehringer Ingelheim Veterinary Research Center GmbH & Co. KG, 30559 Hannover, Germany;
| | | | | | - Martin H. Groschup
- Institute of Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, 17493 Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany; (B.G.); (M.K.); (M.E.); (M.R.); (F.v.A.); (R.K.); (M.H.G.)
| | - Jeroen Kortekaas
- Department of Virology, Wageningen Bioveterinary Research, 8221 RA Lelystad, The Netherlands; (M.T.); (L.v.K.); (J.K.); (S.v.d.W.); (Y.L.); (J.K.)
- Laboratory of Virology, Wageningen University and Research, 6708 PB Wageningen, The Netherlands
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11
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Wichgers Schreur PJ, Vloet RPM, Kant J, van Keulen L, Gonzales JL, Visser TM, Koenraadt CJM, Vogels CBF, Kortekaas J. Reproducing the Rift Valley fever virus mosquito-lamb-mosquito transmission cycle. Sci Rep 2021; 11:1477. [PMID: 33446733 PMCID: PMC7809480 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-79267-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2020] [Accepted: 11/30/2020] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV) is a mosquito-borne bunyavirus that is pathogenic to ruminants and humans. The virus is endemic to Africa and the Arabian Peninsula where outbreaks are characterized by abortion storms and mortality of newborns, particularly in sheep herds. Vector competence experiments in laboratory settings have suggested that over 50 mosquito species are capable of transmitting RVFV. Transmission of mosquito-borne viruses in the field is however influenced by numerous factors, including population densities, blood feeding behavior, extrinsic incubation period, longevity of vectors, and viremia levels in vertebrate hosts. Animal models to study these important aspects of RVFV transmission are currently lacking. In the present work, RVFV was transmitted to European (Texel-swifter cross-breed) lambs by laboratory-reared Aedes aegypti mosquitoes that were infected either by membrane feeding on a virus-spiked blood meal or by feeding on lambs that developed viremia after intravenous inoculation of RVFV. Feeding of mosquitoes on viremic lambs resulted in strikingly higher infection rates as compared to membrane feeding. Subsequent transmission of RVFV from lamb to lamb by infected mosquitoes was highly efficient in both models. The animal models described here can be used to study mosquito-mediated transmission of RVFV among the major natural target species and to evaluate the efficacy of vaccines against mosquito-mediated RVFV infection.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Jet Kant
- Wageningen Bioveterinary Research, Lelystad, The Netherlands
| | | | - Jose L Gonzales
- Wageningen Bioveterinary Research, Lelystad, The Netherlands
| | - Tessa M Visser
- Laboratory of Entomology, Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | | | - Chantal B F Vogels
- Laboratory of Entomology, Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen, The Netherlands.,Department of Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Jeroen Kortekaas
- Wageningen Bioveterinary Research, Lelystad, The Netherlands. .,Laboratory of Virology, Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen, The Netherlands.
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12
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A single vaccination with four-segmented rift valley fever virus prevents vertical transmission of the wild-type virus in pregnant ewes. NPJ Vaccines 2021; 6:8. [PMID: 33420095 PMCID: PMC7794363 DOI: 10.1038/s41541-020-00271-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2020] [Accepted: 12/07/2020] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV) is a mosquito-transmitted bunyavirus that causes severe outbreaks among wild and domesticated ruminants, of which sheep are the most susceptible. Outbreaks are characterised by high mortality rates among new-born lambs and abortion storms, in which all pregnant ewes in a flock may abort their foetuses. In endemic areas, Rift Valley fever (RVF) can be controlled by vaccination with either inactivated or live-attenuated vaccines. Inactivated vaccines are safe for animals during all physiological stages, including pregnancy. However, optimal efficacy of these vaccines depends on multiple vaccinations and yearly re-vaccination. Live-attenuated vaccines are generally highly efficacious after a single vaccination, but currently available live-attenuated vaccines may transmit to the ovine foetus, resulting in stillbirths, congenital malformations or abortion. We have previously reported the development of a novel live-attenuated RVFV vaccine, named RVFV-4s. This vaccine virus was created by splitting the M genome segment and deleting the major virulence determinant NSs, and was shown to be safe even for the most susceptible species, including pregnant ewes. The demonstrated efficacy and safety profile suggests that RVFV-4s holds promise for veterinary and human application. The RVFV-4s vaccine for veterinary application, here referred to as vRVFV-4s, was shown to provide complete protection after a single vaccination of lambs, goats and cattle. In this work, we evaluated the efficacy of the vRVFV-4s vaccine in pregnant ewes. Anticipating on the extremely high susceptibility of pregnant ewes for RVFV, both a single vaccination and double vaccination were evaluated in two independent experiments. The combined results suggest that a single vaccination with vRVFV-4s is sufficient to protect pregnant ewes and to prevent transmission to the ovine foetus.
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13
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Han Q, Zhang S, Liu D, Yan F, Wang H, Huang P, Bi J, Jin H, Feng N, Cao Z, Gao Y, Chi H, Yang S, Zhao Y, Xia X. Development of a Visible Reverse Transcription-Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification Assay for the Detection of Rift Valley Fever Virus. Front Microbiol 2020; 11:590732. [PMID: 33281787 PMCID: PMC7691480 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2020.590732] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2020] [Accepted: 10/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Rift Valley fever (RVF) is a severe infectious disease, which can through mosquito bites, direct contact and aerosol transmission infect sheep, goats, people, camels, cattle, buffaloes, and so on. In this paper, a conserved region of the S RNA segment of Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV) ZH501 strain was used as target sequence. The RVFV RT-LAMP-VF assay was successfully established combined reverse transcription-loop-mediated isothermal amplification with a vertical flow visualization strip. The detection limit is up to 1.94 × 100 copies/μl of synthesized RVFV-RNA. RNA extracted from cell culture of an inactivated RVFV-BJ01 strain was also used as templates, and the detection limit is 1.83 × 103 copies/μl. In addition, there was no cross-reactivity with other viruses that can cause similar fever symptoms. The RVFV-LAMP-VF assay exhibited very high levels of diagnostic sensitivity, which had 100-fold more sensitive than RVFV real-time RT-PCR assay. Accordingly, the RVFV RT-LAMP-VF assay developed in this study is suitable for the rapid and sensitive diagnosis of RVFV without specialized equipment and can rapidly complete detection within 60 min, and the results are visible by vertical flow visualization strip within 5 min.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiuxue Han
- Institute of Laboratory Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (CAMS) and Comparative Medicine Center, Peking Union Medical College (PUMC), Beijing, China.,Key Laboratory of Jilin Province for Zoonosis Prevention and Control, Institute of Military Veterinary Medicine, Academy of Military Medical Sciences, Changchun, China
| | - Shengnan Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Jilin Province for Zoonosis Prevention and Control, Institute of Military Veterinary Medicine, Academy of Military Medical Sciences, Changchun, China
| | - Dongping Liu
- The Nanjing Unicorn Academy of Innovation, Institute Pasteur of Shanghai, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing, China
| | - Feihu Yan
- Key Laboratory of Jilin Province for Zoonosis Prevention and Control, Institute of Military Veterinary Medicine, Academy of Military Medical Sciences, Changchun, China.,Jiangsu Co-innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Disease and Zoonoses, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Hualei Wang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Pei Huang
- Key Laboratory of Jilin Province for Zoonosis Prevention and Control, Institute of Military Veterinary Medicine, Academy of Military Medical Sciences, Changchun, China.,Animal Science and Technology College, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun, China
| | - Jinhao Bi
- Key Laboratory of Jilin Province for Zoonosis Prevention and Control, Institute of Military Veterinary Medicine, Academy of Military Medical Sciences, Changchun, China.,Animal Science and Technology College, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun, China
| | - Hongli Jin
- Key Laboratory of Jilin Province for Zoonosis Prevention and Control, Institute of Military Veterinary Medicine, Academy of Military Medical Sciences, Changchun, China.,College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Na Feng
- Key Laboratory of Jilin Province for Zoonosis Prevention and Control, Institute of Military Veterinary Medicine, Academy of Military Medical Sciences, Changchun, China
| | - Zengguo Cao
- Key Laboratory of Jilin Province for Zoonosis Prevention and Control, Institute of Military Veterinary Medicine, Academy of Military Medical Sciences, Changchun, China.,College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Yuwei Gao
- Key Laboratory of Jilin Province for Zoonosis Prevention and Control, Institute of Military Veterinary Medicine, Academy of Military Medical Sciences, Changchun, China.,Jiangsu Co-innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Disease and Zoonoses, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Hang Chi
- Key Laboratory of Jilin Province for Zoonosis Prevention and Control, Institute of Military Veterinary Medicine, Academy of Military Medical Sciences, Changchun, China.,Jiangsu Co-innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Disease and Zoonoses, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Songtao Yang
- Key Laboratory of Jilin Province for Zoonosis Prevention and Control, Institute of Military Veterinary Medicine, Academy of Military Medical Sciences, Changchun, China.,Jiangsu Co-innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Disease and Zoonoses, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Yongkun Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Jilin Province for Zoonosis Prevention and Control, Institute of Military Veterinary Medicine, Academy of Military Medical Sciences, Changchun, China.,Jiangsu Co-innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Disease and Zoonoses, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Xianzhu Xia
- Institute of Laboratory Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (CAMS) and Comparative Medicine Center, Peking Union Medical College (PUMC), Beijing, China.,Key Laboratory of Jilin Province for Zoonosis Prevention and Control, Institute of Military Veterinary Medicine, Academy of Military Medical Sciences, Changchun, China.,Jiangsu Co-innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Disease and Zoonoses, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
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14
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Wichgers Schreur PJ, van de Water S, Harmsen M, Bermúdez-Méndez E, Drabek D, Grosveld F, Wernike K, Beer M, Aebischer A, Daramola O, Rodriguez Conde S, Brennan K, Kozub D, Søndergaard Kristiansen M, Mistry KK, Deng Z, Hellert J, Guardado-Calvo P, Rey FA, van Keulen L, Kortekaas J. Multimeric single-domain antibody complexes protect against bunyavirus infections. eLife 2020; 9:52716. [PMID: 32314955 PMCID: PMC7173960 DOI: 10.7554/elife.52716] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2019] [Accepted: 04/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The World Health Organization has included three bunyaviruses posing an increasing threat to human health on the Blueprint list of viruses likely to cause major epidemics and for which no, or insufficient countermeasures exist. Here, we describe a broadly applicable strategy, based on llama-derived single-domain antibodies (VHHs), for the development of bunyavirus biotherapeutics. The method was validated using the zoonotic Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV) and Schmallenberg virus (SBV), an emerging pathogen of ruminants, as model pathogens. VHH building blocks were assembled into highly potent neutralizing complexes using bacterial superglue technology. The multimeric complexes were shown to reduce and prevent virus-induced morbidity and mortality in mice upon prophylactic administration. Bispecific molecules engineered to present two different VHHs fused to an Fc domain were further shown to be effective upon therapeutic administration. The presented VHH-based technology holds great promise for the development of bunyavirus antiviral therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sandra van de Water
- Department of Virology, Wageningen Bioveterinary Research, Lelystad, Netherlands
| | - Michiel Harmsen
- Department of Virology, Wageningen Bioveterinary Research, Lelystad, Netherlands
| | - Erick Bermúdez-Méndez
- Department of Virology, Wageningen Bioveterinary Research, Lelystad, Netherlands.,Laboratory of Virology, Wageningen University, Wageningen, Netherlands
| | - Dubravka Drabek
- Department of Cell Biology, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, Netherlands.,Harbour Antibodies B.V, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - Frank Grosveld
- Department of Cell Biology, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, Netherlands.,Harbour Antibodies B.V, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - Kerstin Wernike
- Institute of Diagnostic Virology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Greifswald - Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Martin Beer
- Institute of Diagnostic Virology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Greifswald - Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Andrea Aebischer
- Institute of Diagnostic Virology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Greifswald - Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Olalekan Daramola
- Biopharmaceutical Development, R&D BioPharmaceuticals, AstraZeneca, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Sara Rodriguez Conde
- Biopharmaceutical Development, R&D BioPharmaceuticals, AstraZeneca, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Karen Brennan
- Biopharmaceutical Development, R&D BioPharmaceuticals, AstraZeneca, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Dorota Kozub
- Biopharmaceutical Development, R&D BioPharmaceuticals, AstraZeneca, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | | | - Kieran K Mistry
- Biopharmaceutical Development, R&D BioPharmaceuticals, AstraZeneca, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Ziyan Deng
- Biopharmaceutical Development, R&D BioPharmaceuticals, AstraZeneca, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Jan Hellert
- Structural Virology Unit, Virology Department, CNRS UMR 3569, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France
| | - Pablo Guardado-Calvo
- Structural Virology Unit, Virology Department, CNRS UMR 3569, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France
| | - Félix A Rey
- Structural Virology Unit, Virology Department, CNRS UMR 3569, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France
| | - Lucien van Keulen
- Department of Virology, Wageningen Bioveterinary Research, Lelystad, Netherlands
| | - Jeroen Kortekaas
- Department of Virology, Wageningen Bioveterinary Research, Lelystad, Netherlands.,Laboratory of Virology, Wageningen University, Wageningen, Netherlands
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15
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Nielsen SS, Alvarez J, Bicout DJ, Calistri P, Depner K, Drewe JA, Garin-Bastuji B, Rojas JLG, Schmidt CG, Michel V, Chueca MÁM, Roberts HC, Sihvonen LH, Stahl K, Calvo AV, Viltrop A, Winckler C, Bett B, Cetre-Sossah C, Chevalier V, Devos C, Gubbins S, Monaco F, Sotiria-Eleni A, Broglia A, Abrahantes JC, Dhollander S, Stede YVD, Zancanaro G. Rift Valley Fever - epidemiological update and risk of introduction into Europe. EFSA J 2020; 18:e06041. [PMID: 33020705 PMCID: PMC7527653 DOI: 10.2903/j.efsa.2020.6041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Rift Valley fever (RVF) is a vector-borne disease transmitted by a broad spectrum of mosquito species, especially Aedes and Culex genus, to animals (domestic and wild ruminants and camels) and humans. Rift Valley fever is endemic in sub-Saharan Africa and in the Arabian Peninsula, with periodic epidemics characterised by 5-15 years of inter-epizootic periods. In the last two decades, RVF was notified in new African regions (e.g. Sahel), RVF epidemics occurred more frequently and low-level enzootic virus circulation has been demonstrated in livestock in various areas. Recent outbreaks in a French overseas department and some seropositive cases detected in Turkey, Tunisia and Libya raised the attention of the EU for a possible incursion into neighbouring countries. The movement of live animals is the most important pathway for RVF spread from the African endemic areas to North Africa and the Middle East. The movement of infected animals and infected vectors when shipped by flights, containers or road transport is considered as other plausible pathways of introduction into Europe. The overall risk of introduction of RVF into EU through the movement of infected animals is very low in all the EU regions and in all MSs (less than one epidemic every 500 years), given the strict EU animal import policy. The same level of risk of introduction in all the EU regions was estimated also considering the movement of infected vectors, with the highest level for Belgium, Greece, Malta, the Netherlands (one epidemic every 228-700 years), mainly linked to the number of connections by air and sea transports with African RVF infected countries. Although the EU territory does not seem to be directly exposed to an imminent risk of RVFV introduction, the risk of further spread into countries neighbouring the EU and the risks of possible introduction of infected vectors, suggest that EU authorities need to strengthen their surveillance and response capacities, as well as the collaboration with North African and Middle Eastern countries.
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