1
|
Korhonen EM, Truong Nguyen PT, Faolotto G, Suvanto MT, Nicosia AM, Crobu MG, Grasso I, Vapalahti O, Smura T, Ravanini P, Huhtamo E. Complete coding sequence of an Aedes flavivirus strain isolated from Aedes albopictus collected in Northern Italy. Microbiol Resour Announc 2024; 13:e0014624. [PMID: 38917449 PMCID: PMC11256834 DOI: 10.1128/mra.00146-24] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2024] [Accepted: 06/07/2024] [Indexed: 06/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Complete genome data for the globally distributed Aedes flavivirus (AEFV) is scarce. We analyzed a new Italian AEFV strain isolated from Aedes albopictus. The results demonstrated genetic diversity among Italian AEFVs. The high similarity between AEFV genomes across geographically distant regions suggests long distance spreading via invasive host mosquito species.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Essi M. Korhonen
- Department of Virology, Medicum, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | | | - Giulia Faolotto
- Laboratory of Microbiology and Virology, University Hospital Maggiore Della Carità Di Novara, Italy, Piemonte, Novara
| | - Maija T. Suvanto
- Department of Virology, Medicum, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Anna Maria Nicosia
- Laboratory of Microbiology and Virology, University Hospital Maggiore Della Carità Di Novara, Italy, Piemonte, Novara
| | - Maria Grazia Crobu
- Laboratory of Microbiology and Virology, University Hospital Maggiore Della Carità Di Novara, Italy, Piemonte, Novara
| | - Ivan Grasso
- Laboratory of Microbiology and Virology, University Hospital Maggiore Della Carità Di Novara, Italy, Piemonte, Novara
| | - Olli Vapalahti
- Department of Virology, Medicum, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Department of Virology and Immunology, Helsinki University Hospital Diagnostic Center, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Teemu Smura
- Department of Virology, Medicum, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Paolo Ravanini
- Laboratory of Microbiology and Virology, University Hospital Maggiore Della Carità Di Novara, Italy, Piemonte, Novara
| | - Eili Huhtamo
- Department of Virology, Medicum, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
M’ghirbi Y, Mousson L, Moutailler S, Lecollinet S, Amaral R, Beck C, Aounallah H, Amara M, Chabchoub A, Rhim A, Failloux AB, Bouattour A. West Nile, Sindbis and Usutu Viruses: Evidence of Circulation in Mosquitoes and Horses in Tunisia. Pathogens 2023; 12:pathogens12030360. [PMID: 36986282 PMCID: PMC10056592 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12030360] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2022] [Revised: 02/11/2023] [Accepted: 02/16/2023] [Indexed: 02/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Mosquito-borne diseases have a significant impact on humans and animals and this impact is exacerbated by environmental changes. However, in Tunisia, surveillance of the West Nile virus (WNV) is based solely on the surveillance of human neuroinvasive infections and no study has reported mosquito-borne viruses (MBVs), nor has there been any thorough serological investigation of anti-MBV antibodies in horses. This study therefore sought to investigate the presence of MBVs in Tunisia. Among tested mosquito pools, infections by WNV, Usutu virus (USUV), and Sindbis virus (SINV) were identified in Cx. perexiguus. The serosurvey showed that 146 of 369 surveyed horses were positive for flavivirus antibodies using the cELISA test. The microsphere immunoassay (MIA) showed that 74 of 104 flavivirus cELISA-positive horses were positive for WNV, 8 were positive for USUV, 7 were positive for undetermined flaviviruses, and 2 were positive for tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV). Virus neutralization tests and MIA results correlated well. This study is the first to report the detection of WNV, USUV and SINV in Cx. perexiguus in Tunisia. Besides, it has shown that there is a significant circulation of WNV and USUV among horses, which is likely to cause future sporadic outbreaks. An integrated arbovirus surveillance system that includes entomological surveillance as an early alert system is of major epidemiological importance.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Youmna M’ghirbi
- Laboratoire Des Virus, Vecteurs et Hôtes (LR20IPT02), Institut Pasteur de Tunis, Université Tunis El Manar, Tunis 1002, Tunisia
- Correspondence: or
| | - Laurence Mousson
- Institut Pasteur, Department of Virology, Arboviruses and Insect Vectors, 25-28 Rue du Docteur Roux, 75724 Paris, France
| | - Sara Moutailler
- UMR BIPAR, Animal Health Laboratory, INRAE, ANSES, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d’Alfort, Université Paris-Est, 94704 Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Sylvie Lecollinet
- ANSES, INRAE, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d’Alfort, UMR VIROLOGIE, Laboratoire de Santé Animale, 94700 Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Rayane Amaral
- ANSES, INRAE, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d’Alfort, UMR VIROLOGIE, Laboratoire de Santé Animale, 94700 Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Cécile Beck
- ANSES, INRAE, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d’Alfort, UMR VIROLOGIE, Laboratoire de Santé Animale, 94700 Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Hajer Aounallah
- Laboratoire Des Virus, Vecteurs et Hôtes (LR20IPT02), Institut Pasteur de Tunis, Université Tunis El Manar, Tunis 1002, Tunisia
| | - Meriem Amara
- Laboratoire Des Virus, Vecteurs et Hôtes (LR20IPT02), Institut Pasteur de Tunis, Université Tunis El Manar, Tunis 1002, Tunisia
| | - Ahmed Chabchoub
- Laboratoire Des Virus, Vecteurs et Hôtes (LR20IPT02), Institut Pasteur de Tunis, Université Tunis El Manar, Tunis 1002, Tunisia
- National School of Veterinary Medicine, Sidi Thabet, University of Manouba, La Manouba 2010, Tunisia
| | - Adel Rhim
- Laboratoire Des Virus, Vecteurs et Hôtes (LR20IPT02), Institut Pasteur de Tunis, Université Tunis El Manar, Tunis 1002, Tunisia
| | - Anna-Bella Failloux
- Institut Pasteur, Department of Virology, Arboviruses and Insect Vectors, 25-28 Rue du Docteur Roux, 75724 Paris, France
| | - Ali Bouattour
- Laboratoire Des Virus, Vecteurs et Hôtes (LR20IPT02), Institut Pasteur de Tunis, Université Tunis El Manar, Tunis 1002, Tunisia
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Jansen S, Heitmann A, Uusitalo R, Korhonen EM, Lühken R, Kliemke K, Lange U, Helms M, Kirjalainen L, Nykänen R, Gregow H, Pirinen P, Rossini G, Vapalahti O, Schmidt-Chanasit J, Huhtamo E. Vector Competence of Northern European Culex pipiens Biotype pipiens and Culex torrentium to West Nile Virus and Sindbis Virus. Viruses 2023; 15:v15030592. [PMID: 36992301 PMCID: PMC10056470 DOI: 10.3390/v15030592] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2022] [Revised: 02/02/2023] [Accepted: 02/16/2023] [Indexed: 02/24/2023] Open
Abstract
The West Nile Virus (WNV) and Sindbis virus (SINV) are avian-hosted mosquito-borne zoonotic viruses that co-circulate in some geographical areas and share vector species such as Culex pipiens and Culex torrentium. These are widespread in Europe, including northern parts and Finland, where SINV is endemic, but WNV is currently not. As WNV is spreading northwards in Europe, we wanted to assess the experimental vector competence of Finnish Culex pipiens and Culex torrentium mosquitoes to WNV and SINV in different temperature profiles. Both mosquito species were found susceptible to both viruses and got infected via infectious blood meal at a mean temperature of 18 °C. WNV-positive saliva was detected at a mean temperature of 24 °C, whereas SINV-positive saliva was detected already at a mean temperature of 18 °C. Cx. torrentium was found to be a more efficient vector for WNV and SINV over Cx. pipiens. Overall, the results were in line with the previous studies performed with more southern vector populations. The current climate does not seem optimal for WNV circulation in Finland, but temporary summertime transmission could occur in the future if all other essential factors are in place. More field data would be needed for monitoring and understanding the northward spreading of WNV in Europe.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie Jansen
- Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, 20359 Hamburg, Germany
- Faculty of Mathematics, Informatics and Natural Sciences, University of Hamburg, 20146 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Anna Heitmann
- Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, 20359 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Ruut Uusitalo
- Department of Virology, Medicum, University of Helsinki, 00100 Helsinki, Finland
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, University of Helsinki, 00100 Helsinki, Finland
- Department of Geosciences and Geography, University of Helsinki, 00100 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Essi M. Korhonen
- Department of Virology, Medicum, University of Helsinki, 00100 Helsinki, Finland
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, University of Helsinki, 00100 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Renke Lühken
- Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, 20359 Hamburg, Germany
| | | | - Unchana Lange
- Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, 20359 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Michelle Helms
- Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, 20359 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Lauri Kirjalainen
- Department of Virology, Medicum, University of Helsinki, 00100 Helsinki, Finland
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, University of Helsinki, 00100 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Roope Nykänen
- Department of Virology, Medicum, University of Helsinki, 00100 Helsinki, Finland
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, University of Helsinki, 00100 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Hilppa Gregow
- Finnish Meteorological Institute, 00101 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Pentti Pirinen
- Finnish Meteorological Institute, 00101 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Giada Rossini
- Unit of Microbiology, Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine, University of Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy
| | - Olli Vapalahti
- Department of Virology, Medicum, University of Helsinki, 00100 Helsinki, Finland
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, University of Helsinki, 00100 Helsinki, Finland
- Virology and Immunology, Diagnostic Center, Helsinki University Hospital (HUSLAB), 00290 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Jonas Schmidt-Chanasit
- Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, 20359 Hamburg, Germany
- Faculty of Mathematics, Informatics and Natural Sciences, University of Hamburg, 20146 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Eili Huhtamo
- Department of Virology, Medicum, University of Helsinki, 00100 Helsinki, Finland
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, University of Helsinki, 00100 Helsinki, Finland
- Correspondence:
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Vector Competence of Mosquitoes from Germany for Sindbis Virus. Viruses 2022; 14:v14122644. [PMID: 36560650 PMCID: PMC9785343 DOI: 10.3390/v14122644] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2022] [Revised: 11/21/2022] [Accepted: 11/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Transmission of arthropod-borne viruses (arboviruses) are an emerging global health threat in the last few decades. One important arbovirus family is the Togaviridae, including the species Sindbis virus within the genus Alphavirus. Sindbis virus (SINV) is transmitted by mosquitoes, but available data about the role of different mosquito species as potent vectors for SINV are scarce. Therefore, we investigated seven mosquito species, collected from the field in Germany (Ae. koreicus, Ae. geniculatus, Ae. sticticus, Cx. torrentium, Cx. pipiens biotype pipiens) as well as lab strains (Ae. albopictus, Cx. pipiens biotype molestus, Cx. quinquefasciatus), for their vector competence for SINV. Analysis was performed via salivation assay and saliva was titrated to calculate the amount of infectious virus particles per saliva sample. All Culex and Aedes species were able to transmit SINV. Transmission could be detected at all four investigated temperature profiles (of 18 ± 5 °C, 21 ± 5 °C, 24 ± 5 °C or 27 ± 5 °C), and no temperature dependency could be observed. The concentration of infectious virus particles per saliva sample was in the same range for all species, which may suggest that all investigated mosquito species are able to transmit SINV in Germany.
Collapse
|
5
|
Suvanto MT, Uusitalo R, Otte Im Kampe E, Vuorinen T, Kurkela S, Vapalahti O, Dub T, Huhtamo E, Korhonen EM. Sindbis virus outbreak and evidence for geographical expansion in Finland, 2021. EURO SURVEILLANCE : BULLETIN EUROPEEN SUR LES MALADIES TRANSMISSIBLES = EUROPEAN COMMUNICABLE DISEASE BULLETIN 2022; 27. [PMID: 35929430 PMCID: PMC9358406 DOI: 10.2807/1560-7917.es.2022.27.31.2200580] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Sindbis virus (SINV) caused a large outbreak in Finland in 2021 with 566 laboratory-confirmed human cases and a notable geographical expansion. Compared with the last large outbreak in 2002, incidence was higher in several hospital districts but lower in traditionally endemic locations in eastern parts of the country. A high incidence is also expected in 2022. Awareness of SINV should be raised in Finland to increase recognition of the disease and prevent transmission through the promotion of control measures.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Maija T Suvanto
- Department of Virology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.,Department of Veterinary Biosciences, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Ruut Uusitalo
- Department of Virology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.,Department of Veterinary Biosciences, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.,Department of Geosciences and Geography, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Eveline Otte Im Kampe
- Department of Health Security, Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, Helsinki, Finland.,ECDC Fellowship Programme, Field Epidemiology path (EPIET), European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), Solna, Sweden
| | - Tytti Vuorinen
- Institute of Biomedicine, University of Turku, Turku, Finland.,Department of Clinical Microbiology, Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland
| | - Satu Kurkela
- HUS Diagnostic Center, HUSLAB, Clinical Microbiology, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Olli Vapalahti
- Department of Virology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.,Department of Veterinary Biosciences, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.,HUS Diagnostic Center, HUSLAB, Clinical Microbiology, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Timothée Dub
- Department of Health Security, Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Eili Huhtamo
- Department of Virology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.,Department of Veterinary Biosciences, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Essi M Korhonen
- Department of Virology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.,Department of Veterinary Biosciences, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Truong Nguyen PT, Culverwell CL, Suvanto MT, Korhonen EM, Uusitalo R, Vapalahti O, Smura T, Huhtamo E. Characterisation of the RNA Virome of Nine Ochlerotatus Species in Finland. Viruses 2022; 14:1489. [PMID: 35891469 PMCID: PMC9324324 DOI: 10.3390/v14071489] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2022] [Revised: 06/19/2022] [Accepted: 06/19/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
RNA viromes of nine commonly encountered Ochlerotatus mosquito species collected around Finland in 2015 and 2017 were studied using next-generation sequencing. Mosquito homogenates were sequenced from 91 pools comprising 16-60 morphologically identified adult females of Oc. cantans, Oc. caspius, Oc. communis, Oc. diantaeus, Oc. excrucians, Oc. hexodontus, Oc. intrudens, Oc. pullatus and Oc. punctor/punctodes. In total 514 viral Reverse dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) sequences of 159 virus species were recovered, belonging to 25 families or equivalent rank, as follows: Aliusviridae, Aspiviridae, Botybirnavirus, Chrysoviridae, Chuviridae, Endornaviridae, Flaviviridae, Iflaviridae, Negevirus, Partitiviridae, Permutotetraviridae, Phasmaviridae, Phenuiviridae, Picornaviridae, Qinviridae, Quenyavirus, Rhabdoviridae, Sedoreoviridae, Solemoviridae, Spinareoviridae, Togaviridae, Totiviridae, Virgaviridae, Xinmoviridae and Yueviridae. Of these, 147 are tentatively novel viruses. One sequence of Sindbis virus, which causes Pogosta disease in humans, was detected from Oc. communis from Pohjois-Karjala. This study greatly increases the number of mosquito-associated viruses known from Finland and presents the northern-most mosquito-associated viruses in Europe to date.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Phuoc T. Truong Nguyen
- Department of Virology, Medicum, University of Helsinki, Haartmaninkatu 3, FI-00290 Helsinki, Finland; (C.L.C.); (M.T.S.); (E.M.K.); (R.U.); (O.V.); (T.S.); (E.H.)
| | - C. Lorna Culverwell
- Department of Virology, Medicum, University of Helsinki, Haartmaninkatu 3, FI-00290 Helsinki, Finland; (C.L.C.); (M.T.S.); (E.M.K.); (R.U.); (O.V.); (T.S.); (E.H.)
- The Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, South Kensington, London SW5 7BD, UK
| | - Maija T. Suvanto
- Department of Virology, Medicum, University of Helsinki, Haartmaninkatu 3, FI-00290 Helsinki, Finland; (C.L.C.); (M.T.S.); (E.M.K.); (R.U.); (O.V.); (T.S.); (E.H.)
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Helsinki, Agnes Sjöbergin Katu 2, P.O. Box 66, FI-00014 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Essi M. Korhonen
- Department of Virology, Medicum, University of Helsinki, Haartmaninkatu 3, FI-00290 Helsinki, Finland; (C.L.C.); (M.T.S.); (E.M.K.); (R.U.); (O.V.); (T.S.); (E.H.)
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Helsinki, Agnes Sjöbergin Katu 2, P.O. Box 66, FI-00014 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Ruut Uusitalo
- Department of Virology, Medicum, University of Helsinki, Haartmaninkatu 3, FI-00290 Helsinki, Finland; (C.L.C.); (M.T.S.); (E.M.K.); (R.U.); (O.V.); (T.S.); (E.H.)
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Helsinki, Agnes Sjöbergin Katu 2, P.O. Box 66, FI-00014 Helsinki, Finland
- Department of Geosciences and Geography, Faculty of Science, University of Helsinki, Gustaf Hällströmin Katu 2, P.O. Box 64, FI-00014 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Olli Vapalahti
- Department of Virology, Medicum, University of Helsinki, Haartmaninkatu 3, FI-00290 Helsinki, Finland; (C.L.C.); (M.T.S.); (E.M.K.); (R.U.); (O.V.); (T.S.); (E.H.)
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Helsinki, Agnes Sjöbergin Katu 2, P.O. Box 66, FI-00014 Helsinki, Finland
- Virology and Immunology, Diagnostic Center, HUSLAB, Helsinki University Hospital, FI-00029 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Teemu Smura
- Department of Virology, Medicum, University of Helsinki, Haartmaninkatu 3, FI-00290 Helsinki, Finland; (C.L.C.); (M.T.S.); (E.M.K.); (R.U.); (O.V.); (T.S.); (E.H.)
| | - Eili Huhtamo
- Department of Virology, Medicum, University of Helsinki, Haartmaninkatu 3, FI-00290 Helsinki, Finland; (C.L.C.); (M.T.S.); (E.M.K.); (R.U.); (O.V.); (T.S.); (E.H.)
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Helsinki, Agnes Sjöbergin Katu 2, P.O. Box 66, FI-00014 Helsinki, Finland
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Detection and Isolation of Sindbis Virus from Field Collected Mosquitoes in Timimoun, Algeria. Viruses 2022; 14:v14050894. [PMID: 35632636 PMCID: PMC9144192 DOI: 10.3390/v14050894] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2022] [Revised: 04/21/2022] [Accepted: 04/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Sindbis virus (SINV) is a zoonotic alphavirus (family Togaviridae, genus Alphavirus) that causes human diseases in Africa, Europe, Asia, and Australia. Occasionally, SINV outbreaks were reported in South Africa and northern Europe. Birds are the main amplifying hosts of SINV, while mosquitoes play the role of the primary vector. Culex mosquitoes were collected in Algeria and subsequently tested for SINV. SINV RNA was detected in 10 pools out of 40, from a total of 922 mosquitoes tested. A strain of SINV was isolated from a pool displaying high viral load. Whole-genome sequencing and phylogenetic analysis showed that the SINV Algeria isolate was most closely related to a Kenyan strain. This was the first record of SINV in Algeria and more broadly in northwestern Africa, which can be a potential risk for human health in the circulating area. Further studies are needed to measure the impact on public health through seroprevalence studies in Algeria.
Collapse
|
8
|
Predicting Spatial Patterns of Sindbis Virus (SINV) Infection Risk in Finland Using Vector, Host and Environmental Data. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:ijerph18137064. [PMID: 34281003 PMCID: PMC8296873 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18137064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2021] [Revised: 06/27/2021] [Accepted: 06/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Pogosta disease is a mosquito-borne infection, caused by Sindbis virus (SINV), which causes epidemics of febrile rash and arthritis in Northern Europe and South Africa. Resident grouse and migratory birds play a significant role as amplifying hosts and various mosquito species, including Aedes cinereus, Culex pipiens, Cx. torrentium and Culiseta morsitans are documented vectors. As specific treatments are not available for SINV infections, and joint symptoms may persist, the public health burden is considerable in endemic areas. To predict the environmental suitability for SINV infections in Finland, we applied a suite of geospatial and statistical modeling techniques to disease occurrence data. Using an ensemble approach, we first produced environmental suitability maps for potential SINV vectors in Finland. These suitability maps were then combined with grouse densities and environmental data to identify the influential determinants for SINV infections and to predict the risk of Pogosta disease in Finnish municipalities. Our predictions suggest that both the environmental suitability for vectors and the high risk of Pogosta disease are focused in geographically restricted areas. This provides evidence that the presence of both SINV vector species and grouse densities can predict the occurrence of the disease. The results support material for public-health officials when determining area-specific recommendations and deliver information to health care personnel to raise awareness of the disease among physicians.
Collapse
|
9
|
Rescue of Infectious Sindbis Virus by Yeast Spheroplast-Mammalian Cell Fusion. Viruses 2021; 13:v13040603. [PMID: 33916100 PMCID: PMC8066160 DOI: 10.3390/v13040603] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2021] [Revised: 03/26/2021] [Accepted: 03/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Sindbis virus (SINV), a positive-sense single stranded RNA virus that causes mild symptoms in humans, is transmitted by mosquito bites. SINV reverse genetics have many implications, not only in understanding alphavirus transmission, replication cycle, and virus-host interactions, but also in biotechnology and biomedical applications. The rescue of SINV infectious particles is usually achieved by transfecting susceptible cells (BHK-21) with SINV-infectious mRNA genomes generated from cDNA constructed via in vitro translation (IVT). That procedure is time consuming, costly, and relies heavily on reagent quality. Here, we constructed a novel infectious SINV cDNA construct that expresses its genomic RNA in yeast cells controlled by galactose induction. Using spheroplasts made from this yeast, we established a robust polyethylene glycol-mediated yeast: BHK-21 fusion protocol to rescue infectious SINV particles. Our approach is timesaving and utilizes common lab reagents for SINV rescue. It could be a useful tool for the rescue of large single strand RNA viruses, such as SARS-CoV-2.
Collapse
|
10
|
Suvanto MT, Truong Nguyen P, Uusitalo R, Korhonen EM, Faolotto G, Vapalahti O, Huhtamo E, Smura T. A novel negevirus isolated from Aedes vexans mosquitoes in Finland. Arch Virol 2020; 165:2989-2992. [PMID: 32951134 PMCID: PMC7588393 DOI: 10.1007/s00705-020-04810-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2020] [Accepted: 08/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Negeviruses are insect-specific enveloped RNA viruses that have been detected in mosquitoes and sandflies from various geographical locations. Here, we describe a new negevirus from Northern Europe, isolated from pool of Aedes vexans mosquitoes collected in Finland, designated as Mekrijärvi negevirus (MEJNV). MEJNV had a typical negevirus genome organization, is 9,740 nucleotides in length, and has a GC content of 47.53%. The MEJNV genome contains three ORFs, each containing the following identified conserved domains: ORF1 (7,068 nt) encodes a viral methyltransferase, an FtsJ-like methyltransferase, a viral RNA helicase, and an RNA-dependent RNA polymerase, ORF2 (1,242 nt) encodes a putative virion glycoprotein, and ORF3 (660 nt) encodes a putative virion membrane protein. A distinctive feature relative to other currently known negeviruses is a 7-nucleotide-long overlap between ORF1 and ORF2. MEJNV shares the highest sequence identity with Ying Kou virus from China, with 67.71% nucleotide and 75.19% and 59.00% amino acid sequence identity in ORF 1 and ORF 2, respectively. ORF3 had the highest amino acid sequence similarity to Daeseongdong virus 1 and negevirus Nona 1, both with 77.61% identity, and to Ying Kou virus, with 71.22% identity. MEJNV is currently the northernmost negevirus described. Our report supports the view that negeviruses are a globally distributed, diverse group of viruses that can be found from mosquitoes in a wide range of terrestrial biomes from tropical to boreal forests.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Maija T Suvanto
- Department of Virology, Medicum, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland. .,Department of Veterinary Biosciences, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.
| | | | - Ruut Uusitalo
- Department of Virology, Medicum, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.,Department of Veterinary Biosciences, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.,Department of Geosciences and Geography, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Essi M Korhonen
- Department of Virology, Medicum, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.,Department of Veterinary Biosciences, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Giulia Faolotto
- Laboratory of Microbiology and Virology, University Hospital Maggiore Della Carità Di Novara, Piemonte, Novara, Italy
| | - Olli Vapalahti
- Department of Virology, Medicum, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.,Department of Veterinary Biosciences, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.,Department of Virology and Immunology, Helsinki University Hospital, HUSLAB, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Eili Huhtamo
- Department of Virology, Medicum, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.,Department of Veterinary Biosciences, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Teemu Smura
- Department of Virology, Medicum, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.,Department of Virology and Immunology, Helsinki University Hospital, HUSLAB, Helsinki, Finland
| |
Collapse
|