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Demurtas OC, Massa S, Illiano E, De Martinis D, Chan PKS, Di Bonito P, Franconi R. Antigen Production in Plant to Tackle Infectious Diseases Flare Up: The Case of SARS. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2016; 7:54. [PMID: 26904039 PMCID: PMC4742786 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2016.00054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2015] [Accepted: 01/13/2016] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) is a dangerous infection with pandemic potential. It emerged in 2002 and its aetiological agent, the SARS Coronavirus (SARS-CoV), crossed the species barrier to infect humans, showing high morbidity and mortality rates. No vaccines are currently licensed for SARS-CoV and important efforts have been performed during the first outbreak to develop diagnostic tools. Here we demonstrate the transient expression in Nicotiana benthamiana of two important antigenic determinants of the SARS-CoV, the nucleocapsid protein (N) and the membrane protein (M) using a virus-derived vector or agro-infiltration, respectively. For the M protein, this is the first description of production in plants, while for plant-derived N protein we demonstrate that it is recognized by sera of patients from the SARS outbreak in Hong Kong in 2003. The availability of recombinant N and M proteins from plants opens the way to further evaluation of their potential utility for the development of diagnostic and protection/therapy tools to be quickly manufactured, at low cost and with minimal risk, to face potential new highly infectious SARS-CoV outbreaks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olivia C. Demurtas
- Department of Sustainability, Biotechnology Laboratory, Italian National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Sustainable Economic DevelopmentRome, Italy
| | - Silvia Massa
- Department of Sustainability, Biotechnology Laboratory, Italian National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Sustainable Economic DevelopmentRome, Italy
| | - Elena Illiano
- Department of Sustainability, Biomedical Technology Laboratory, Italian National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Sustainable Economic DevelopmentRome, Italy
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, Università degli Studi di MilanoMilan, Italy
| | - Domenico De Martinis
- International Relations Office, Italian National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Sustainable Economic DevelopmentRome, Italy
| | - Paul K. S. Chan
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales HospitalHong Kong, China
- Centre for Emerging Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales HospitalHong Kong, China
| | - Paola Di Bonito
- Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Department of Infectious, Parasitic and Immune-Mediated DiseasesRome, Italy
- *Correspondence: Rosella Franconi, ; Paola Di Bonito,
| | - Rosella Franconi
- Department of Sustainability, Biomedical Technology Laboratory, Italian National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Sustainable Economic DevelopmentRome, Italy
- *Correspondence: Rosella Franconi, ; Paola Di Bonito,
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Fezaa O, Bahri O, Alaya Bouafif NB, Triki H, Bouattour A. Seroprevalence of Toscana virus infection in Tunisia. Int J Infect Dis 2013; 17:e1172-5. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijid.2013.08.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2013] [Revised: 08/02/2013] [Accepted: 08/13/2013] [Indexed: 10/26/2022] Open
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Dowall S, Richards K, Graham V, Chamberlain J, Hewson R. Development of an indirect ELISA method for the parallel measurement of IgG and IgM antibodies against Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever (CCHF) virus using recombinant nucleoprotein as antigen. J Virol Methods 2012; 179:335-41. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jviromet.2011.11.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2011] [Revised: 11/18/2011] [Accepted: 11/23/2011] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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Cusi MG, Savellini GG. Diagnostic tools for Toscana virus infection. Expert Rev Anti Infect Ther 2012; 9:799-805. [PMID: 21810052 DOI: 10.1586/eri.11.54] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Toscana virus (TOSV; Phlebovirus, Bunyaviridae) is an important etiological agent of acute meningitis and meningoencephalitis in Mediterranean countries. Laboratory diagnosis has been carried out in serological studies using ELISA, immunofluorescence and/or neutralization tests that are not influenced by the virus viability; however, in the acute phase of the infection, nucleic acid amplification techniques are the methods of choice to diagnose viral meningitis from cerebrospinal fluid samples. Molecular methods are rapid and sensitive and, unlike traditional methods, such as virus isolation by cell culture, they are not influenced by the viability of the virus in the clinical specimen; however, the RNA integrity is crucial for the success of these methods. Real-time PCR is the most important molecular method used in laboratories worldwide, since it is less time-consuming and it reduces the risk of contamination. Therefore, a sensitive real-time PCR has been developed for diagnosis of suspected cases of TOSV infection either autochthonous and/or imported, since a new lineage of TOSV, divergent from the Italian prototype, has recently been reported in Spain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Grazia Cusi
- Department of Biotechology, University of Siena, Policlinico 'S. Maria delle Scotte', V.le Bracci 1, 53100 Siena, Italy.
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Ergünay K, Litzba N, Lo MM, Aydoğan S, Saygan MB, Us D, Weidmann M, Niedrig M. Performance of various commercial assays for the detection of Toscana virus antibodies. Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis 2011; 11:781-7. [PMID: 21395410 DOI: 10.1089/vbz.2010.0224] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Sandfly fever virus (SFV) serotypes sandfly fever Naples virus, sandfly fever Sicilian virus, and sandfly fever Cyprus virus cause febrile diseases, whereas Toscana virus (TOSV) is responsible for aseptic meningoencephalitis. Diagnosis and surveillance of TOSV depend heavily on virus serology, and various commercial assays utilizing various antigen sources and formats have been available. The aim of this study was to perform comparative evaluation of commercially available serological assays for anti-TOSV immunoglobulins. MATERIALS AND METHODS A collection of 120 sera from healthy blood donors from an endemic region, previously identified to be reactive for antibodies against various SFV serotypes by indirect immunofluorescence test (IIFT), was reevaluated for IgG/IgM via IIFT, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and an immunoblot assay manufactured by Euroimmun, Diesse, and Mikrogen, respectively. Virus neutralization test (VNT) was performed for 99 sera using standard TOSV, sandfly fever Sicilian virus, and sandfly fever Naples virus strains. RESULTS A total of 89 samples (74.2%) were reactive for TOSV IgG in at least one of the commercial assays, and 31 samples (31.3%) were reactive in VNT for various SFV serotypes. Average percentage agreements among commercial assays and between VNT and the commercial assays were noted as 57.8% and 62.6%, respectively. No significant correlation between assay results and VNT titers was observed. SFV IgM antibodies were detected in a total of eight samples (6.7%) via IIFT, which were nonreactive in enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and VNT. DISCUSSION Commercial diagnostic immunoassays displayed slight to fair agreement for TOSV IgG as assessed via kappa and percentage agreement values. The results could only be confirmed via virus neutralization in a portion of the samples, and overall agreement between the commercial assays and VNT was slight. Commercial assays such as immunoblot can be used in addition to VNT for confirmation of TOSV exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Koray Ergünay
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Virology Unit, Faculty of Medicine, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey.
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D'Ovidio MC, Venturi G, Fiorentini C, Barbati G, Di Renzi S, Vonesch N, Ciufolini MG, Tomao P. Occupational risk associated with Toscana virus infection in Tuscany, Italy. Occup Med (Lond) 2008; 58:540-4. [DOI: 10.1093/occmed/kqn131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
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Fafetine JM, Tijhaar E, Paweska JT, Neves LCBG, Hendriks J, Swanepoel R, Coetzer JAW, Egberink HF, Rutten VPMG. Cloning and expression of Rift Valley fever virus nucleocapsid (N) protein and evaluation of a N-protein based indirect ELISA for the detection of specific IgG and IgM antibodies in domestic ruminants. Vet Microbiol 2007; 121:29-38. [PMID: 17187944 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetmic.2006.11.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2006] [Revised: 11/13/2006] [Accepted: 11/15/2006] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Serodiagnosis of Rift Valley fever (RVF) currently relies on the use of live or inactivated whole virus as antigens. The recombinant nucleocapsid (N) protein of RVF virus was tested for diagnostic applicability in an indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (I-ELISA), using sera from experimentally infected sheep (n=128), vaccinated sheep (n=240), and field-collected sera from sheep (n=251), goats (n=362) and cattle (n=100). The N-protein based I-ELISA performed at least as good as VN and HI tests. In goat the diagnostic sensitivity (D-Sn) and specificity (D-Sp) of the I-ELISA was 100% when using the anti-species IgG conjugate. Using protein G as a detection system, the D-Sn and D-Sp in goats were 99.4% and 99.5%, in sheep field sera both 100%, in cattle 100% and 98.3%, respectively. The I-ELISA based on recombinant N-protein has the potential to complement the traditional assays for serodiagnosis of RVF. Advantages of the N-protein are its safety, stability and cost-effectiveness in use and production.
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Affiliation(s)
- José Manuel Fafetine
- Veterinary Faculty, Eduardo Mondlane University, Maputo, Mozambique, C. Postal 257, Mozambique.
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Jansen van Vuren P, Potgieter AC, Paweska JT, van Dijk AA. Preparation and evaluation of a recombinant Rift Valley fever virus N protein for the detection of IgG and IgM antibodies in humans and animals by indirect ELISA. J Virol Methods 2006; 140:106-14. [PMID: 17174410 DOI: 10.1016/j.jviromet.2006.11.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2006] [Revised: 11/02/2006] [Accepted: 11/08/2006] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
This paper describes the cloning, sequencing and bacterial expression of the N protein of the Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV) ZIM688/78 isolate and its evaluation in indirect ELISAs (I-ELISA) for the detection of IgM and IgG antibodies in human and sheep sera. Sera used for the evaluation were from 106 laboratory workers immunised with an inactivated RVF vaccine, 16 RVF patients, 168 serial bleeds from 8 sheep experimentally infected with wild type RVFV and 210 serial bleeds from 10 sheep vaccinated with the live attenuated Smithburn RVFV strain. All human and animal sera that tested positive in the virus neutralisation test were also positive in the IgG I-ELISA. There was a high correlation (R2=0.8571) between virus neutralising titres and IgG I-ELISA readings in human vaccinees. In experimentally infected sheep IgG antibodies were detected from day 4 to 5 post-infection onwards and IgM antibodies from day 3 to 4. The IgG I-ELISA was more sensitive than virus neutralisation and haemagglutination-inhibition tests in detecting the early immune response in experimentally infected sheep. The I-ELISAs demonstrated that the IgG and IgM response to the Smithburn vaccine strain was slower and the levels of antibodies induced markedly lower than to wild type RVFV infection.
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Di Bonito P, Grasso F, Mochi S, Accardi L, Donà MG, Branca M, Costa S, Mariani L, Agarossi A, Ciotti M, Syrjänen K, Giorgi C. Serum antibody response to Human papillomavirus (HPV) infections detected by a novel ELISA technique based on denatured recombinant HPV16 L1, L2, E4, E6 and E7 proteins. Infect Agent Cancer 2006; 1:6. [PMID: 17150135 PMCID: PMC1660559 DOI: 10.1186/1750-9378-1-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2006] [Accepted: 11/08/2006] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Human papillomaviruses (HPVs) are the primary etiological agents of cervical cancer and are also involved in the development of other tumours (skin, head and neck). Serological survey of the HPV infections is important to better elucidate their natural history and to disclose antigen determinants useful for vaccine development. At present, the analysis of the HPV-specific antibodies has not diagnostic value for the viral infections, and new approaches are needed to correlate the antibody response to the disease outcome. The aim of this study is to develop a novel ELISA, based on five denatured recombinant HPV16 proteins, to be used for detection HPV-specific antibodies. Methods The HPV16 L1, L2, E4, E6 and E7 genes were cloned in a prokaryotic expression vector and expressed as histidine-tagged proteins. These proteins, in a denatured form, were used in ELISA as coating antigens. Human sera were collected from women with abnormal PAP smear enrolled during an ongoing multicenter HPV-PathogenISS study in Italy, assessing the HPV-related pathogenetic mechanisms of progression of cervical cancer precursor lesions. Negative human sera were collected from patients affected by other infectious agents. All the HPV-positive sera were also subjected to an avidity test to assess the binding strength in the antigen-antibody complexes. Results Most of the sera showed a positive reactivity to the denatured HPV16 proteins: 82% of the sera from HPV16 infected women and 89% of the sera from women infected by other HPV genotypes recognised at least one of the HPV16 proteins. The percentages of samples showing reactivity to L1, L2 and E7 were similar, but only a few serum samples reacted to E6 and E4. Most sera bound the antigens with medium and high avidity index, suggesting specific antigen-antibody reactions. Conclusion This novel ELISA, based on multiple denatured HPV16 antigens, is able to detect antibodies in women infected by HPV16 and it is not genotype-specific, as it detects antibodies also in women infected by other genital HPVs. The assay is easy to perform and has low cost, making it suitable for monitoring the natural history of HPV infections as well as for detecting pre-existing HPV antibodies in women who receive VLP-based HPV vaccination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paola Di Bonito
- Department of Infectious, Parasitic and Immunomediated Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità. (ISS), Rome, Italy
- on behalf of the HPV-PathogenISS group #
| | - Felicia Grasso
- Department of Infectious, Parasitic and Immunomediated Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità. (ISS), Rome, Italy
- on behalf of the HPV-PathogenISS group #
| | - Stefania Mochi
- Department of Infectious, Parasitic and Immunomediated Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità. (ISS), Rome, Italy
- on behalf of the HPV-PathogenISS group #
| | - Luisa Accardi
- Department of Infectious, Parasitic and Immunomediated Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità. (ISS), Rome, Italy
- on behalf of the HPV-PathogenISS group #
| | - Maria Gabriella Donà
- Department of Infectious, Parasitic and Immunomediated Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità. (ISS), Rome, Italy
- on behalf of the HPV-PathogenISS group #
| | - Margherita Branca
- Unità Citoistopatologica, Centro Nazionale di Epidemiologia, Sorveglianza e Promozione della Salute, ISS, Rome, Italy
- on behalf of the HPV-PathogenISS group #
| | - Silvano Costa
- Dipartimento di Ginecologia e Ostetricia, Azienda Ospedaliera S. Orsola Malpighi, Bologna, Italy
- on behalf of the HPV-PathogenISS group #
| | - Luciano Mariani
- Ginecologia e Ostetricia, IFO, Istituto Regina Elena, Rome, Italy
- on behalf of the HPV-PathogenISS group #
| | - Alberto Agarossi
- Clinica Ostetrica e Ginecologica, Istituto Scienze Biomediche, Ospedale Luigi Sacco, Milano, Italy
- on behalf of the HPV-PathogenISS group #
| | - Marco Ciotti
- Laboratory of Clinical Microbiology and Virology, University Hospital "Policlinico Tor Vergata", Rome, Italy
- on behalf of the HPV-PathogenISS group #
| | - Kari Syrjänen
- Department of Oncology and Radiotherapy, Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland
- on behalf of the HPV-PathogenISS group #
| | - Colomba Giorgi
- Department of Infectious, Parasitic and Immunomediated Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità. (ISS), Rome, Italy
- on behalf of the HPV-PathogenISS group #
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Sánchez-Seco MP, Navarro JM. Infecciones por el virus de Toscana, el virus del Nilo occidental y otros arbovirus de interés en Europa. Enferm Infecc Microbiol Clin 2005; 23:560-8. [PMID: 16324569 DOI: 10.1157/13080267] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
Arbovirosis, viral infection transmitted by arthropods, is a widespread health problem. Recurrent outbreaks caused by some of these viruses such as dengue or West Nile strains in regions where they do not appear frequently, justify the establishment of global control measures. Tick-borne encephalitis viruses, sand fly fever viruses (Toscana, Naples and Sicily) and occasionally West Nile and Crimean-Congo fever viruses are the most frequent causes of arbovirosis in Europe, although circulation of other potentially pathogenetic viruses such as Chikungunya has also been detected. The only native arbovirosis described in Spain is infection produced by Toscana virus, which causes aseptic, usually benign meningitis. Nevertheless, some West Nile virus-associated meningo-encephalitis cases have been described in France, Portugal and countries in the Magreb region, increasing the risk of sporadic occurrence of these processes in our country. To achieve an accurate diagnosis, high clinical suspicion is required as well as highly specific laboratory techniques, mainly based on IgM detection, RT-PCR and viral culture of CSF and/or serum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mari Paz Sánchez-Seco
- Laboratorio de Arbovirus y Enfermedades Víricas Importadas, Centro Nacional de Microbiología, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain.
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Navarro JM, Fernández-Roldán C, Pérez-Ruiz M, Sanbonmatsu S, de la Rosa M, Sánchez-Seco MP. [Meningitis by Toscana virus in Spain: description of 17 cases]. Med Clin (Barc) 2004; 122:420-2. [PMID: 15066251 DOI: 10.1016/s0025-7753(04)74259-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE We aimed to analyze the clinical and epidemiological data from the first series of patients with meningitis by Toscana virus in Spain. PATIENTS AND METHOD We analyzed a total of 724 cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples from patients with suspicion of aseptic meningitis for virus isolation in cell culture. The clinical records of patients in whom Toscana virus was isolated were analyzed. RESULTS Toscana virus was isolated in CSF in 17 patients (7% of all viral isolates). The first case was diagnosed in June 1988 and the last one in August 2002. The mean age was 27 years (range: 10-64 years). Most patients were based in rural area (n = 11, 64.7%). Most common symptoms were headache (holocranial or focal) present in all patients and moderate fever observed in 76.5% of them with a mean duration of 48 h (range: 18 h-5 days). Nuchal rigidity was present in 9 patients (53%). All cases were seen between June and October, and predominantly in August (53%). The outcome was favorable in all cases, and the mean time of duration of the disease was 7 days (range: 3-10 days). CONCLUSIONS Toscana virus must be taken into account among those agents responsible of lymphocytic meningitis in Spain.
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Affiliation(s)
- José María Navarro
- Servicio de Microbiología. Hospital Universitario Virgen de las Nieves. Granada. España.
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Baldelli F, Ciufolini MG, Francisci D, Marchi A, Venturi G, Fiorentini C, Luchetta ML, Bruto L, Pauluzzi S. Unusual presentation of life-threatening Toscana virus meningoencephalitis. Clin Infect Dis 2004; 38:515-20. [PMID: 14765344 DOI: 10.1086/381201] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2003] [Accepted: 10/11/2003] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
This case report describes a brother and a sister with severe meningoencephalitis caused by Toscana virus (TOSv). The clinical presentation was characterized by stiff neck, deep coma, maculopapular rash, diffuse lymphadenopathy, hepatosplenomegaly, renal involvement, tendency to bleeding, and diffuse intravascular coagulation. The boy had epididymo-orchitis. Recovery with neurologic sequelae as hydrocephalus was observed. Microbiological diagnosis was obtained by serological tests and reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction. Sequencing of polymerase chain reaction products from the S and M segments was carried out. TOSv may be a causative agent in severe meningoencephalitis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Franco Baldelli
- Clinica di Malattie Infettive, Dipartimento di Medicina Sperimentale e Scienze Biochimiche, Universita degli Studi di Perugia, Perugia, Italy.
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Abstract
Toscana virus (Bunyaviridae family, Phlebovirus genus) is a sandfly fever virus responsible for human neurological infections. Sandfly viruses are transmitted by insect vectors (Phlebotomus species) and the infection is present in climatic areas that allow the life cycle of the vector. The arthropode-borne Toscana virus is the etiologic agent of meningitis, meningoencephalitis, and encephalitis. The frequency of this neuropathic infection increases in the summer months, peaking in August in the endemic Mediterranean areas (Italy, Portugal, Spain, and Cyprus). Infection diagnosis is carried out by molecular assays and immunoenzymatic tests, which are rapid and sensitive. Recent studies have investigated the antigenic properties of the viral proteins (nucleoprotein N and surface glycoproteins G1 and G2), to better understand their immunogentic role.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcello Valassina
- Department of Molecular Biology, Section of Virology, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
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Dionisio D, Esperti F, Vivarelli A, Valassina M. Epidemiological, clinical and laboratory aspects of sandfly fever. Curr Opin Infect Dis 2003; 16:383-8. [PMID: 14501989 DOI: 10.1097/00001432-200310000-00003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Sandfly fever viruses are still a significant health problem in many regions of the world, such as Africa, the Mediterranean basin, the Middle East, and Central Asia. This review provides an update on the advances in knowledge about epidemiological, clinical, and laboratory aspects of infections caused by Toscana, Sicilian and Naples viruses. RECENT FINDINGS Diagnosis of Toscana virus infection has been facilitated by new molecular methods and by immunoenzymatic tests based on the recombinant nucleoprotein. Gene analysis has allowed identification of circulating Toscana variants possibly involved in the protean pathomorphism and extreme variability of the clinical picture. New attention has been addressed to the antigenic properties of the viral proteins (the nucleoprotein N and the surface glycoproteins G1 and G2), in order to understand their immunogenetic role. High genetic divergence within the serocomplexes belonging to each of the Sicilian and the Naples viruses has suggested that infection with one genotype may not completely immunize against infection with all other genotypes in a given serocomplex. These findings could serve as a basis for vaccine development and may account for reports of multiple episodes of sandfly fever in the same host. Recently, the performance of analysis models based on weather data and reported vector surveys has allowed the prediction of the risk of acquiring sandfly infection in the endemic geographic areas. SUMMARY Recent developments include a better knowledge of the epidemiological, clinical, and laboratory aspects of sandfly infection, while the search for effective drugs and vaccines is still in progress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniele Dionisio
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Il Ceppo Hospital of Pistoia, Pistoia, Italy.
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Sánchez-Seco MP, Echevarría JM, Hernández L, Estévez D, Navarro-Marí JM, Tenorio A. Detection and identification of Toscana and other phleboviruses by RT-nested-PCR assays with degenerated primers. J Med Virol 2003; 71:140-9. [PMID: 12858420 DOI: 10.1002/jmv.10465] [Citation(s) in RCA: 133] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Phleboviruses are a large and widespread group of viruses that are transmitted by arthropods. Toscana virus is one of the principal agents that causes meningitis in humans during the summer in Italy and, possibly, in other Mediterranean countries. Rift Valley Fever virus can cause serious illness in both animals and humans, leading to high morbidity and mortality, and is considered to be a potential agent for epizootics and human epidemics. Since information on this group of viruses is still scant, reliable laboratory tools for diagnosis and epidemiological surveillance must be developed, in order to ascertain their real impact on Public Health. Sequence data obtained from Spanish isolates of Toscana virus and other phleboviruses confirmed that natural genome variability may hamper the diagnosis of these agents by molecular methods, so this must be borne in mind when developing reliable assays. In view of the above, a novel and useful protocol has been developed for the detection and specific identification of every member of the phlebovirus genus present in a sample, including Toscana virus, based on a generic RT-nested-PCR, followed by sequencing of the amplified fragment. A change in this method also allowed specific direct detection and identification of wild isolates of Toscana virus of different geographical origin, using newly designed primers. Testing clinical samples with these assays confirmed the role of Toscana virus as an agent that causes acute aseptic meningitis in the central region of Spain.
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Affiliation(s)
- María-Paz Sánchez-Seco
- Laboratory of Arboviruses and Imported Viral Diseases, Diagnostic Microbiology Service, National Center for Microbiology, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain.
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Echevarría JM, de Ory F, Guisasola ME, Sánchez-Seco MP, Tenorio A, Lozano A, Córdoba J, Gobernado M. Acute meningitis due to Toscana virus infection among patients from both the Spanish Mediterranean region and the region of Madrid. J Clin Virol 2003; 26:79-84. [PMID: 12589837 DOI: 10.1016/s1386-6532(02)00041-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Toscana virus (TOSV) is a member of the genus Phlebovirus that is transmitted to humans by two different species of sand fly and causes acute aseptic meningitis (AAM) and meningoencephalitis in Central Italy. Fifteen cases of AAM due to TOSV have been found at the Spanish province of Granada, but no data regarding the presence of TOSV-related disease in other regions of Spain have been still reported. A collection of 88 serum and 53 cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples taken from 81 selected patients with AAM of unknown aetiology, residing at Madrid or at the southern Mediterranean coast of Spain, was retrospectively studied for presence of TOSV-specific antibodies from both IgG and IgM classes. Anti-TOSV IgG was also investigated in 457 serum samples from healthy individuals, aged 2-60 years, residing at the south of the Region of Madrid. Specific IgM in serum and/or intrathecally produced anti-TOSV IgG were detected in seven patients, three residents from the Mediterranean region and the remainder four from the Region of Madrid. The overall prevalence of anti-TOSV among the healthy population studied was 5%. These results confirm the role of TOSV as an agent causing AAM in the Spanish Mediterranean coast, extend these findings to the central region of the country and suggest that TOSV might be producing infection and neurological disease in every area of Spain harbouring significant populations of the viral vectors.
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Affiliation(s)
- José-Manuel Echevarría
- Service of Diagnostic Microbiology, National Centre for Microbiology, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Crtra. Majadahonda-Pozuelo, Km 2. 28220 Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain.
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Di Bonito P, Bosco S, Mochi S, Accardi L, Ciufolini MG, Nicoletti L, Giorgi C. Human antibody response to Toscana virus glycoproteins expressed by recombinant baculovirus. J Med Virol 2002; 68:615-9. [PMID: 12376972 DOI: 10.1002/jmv.10227] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
The arthropod-borne Toscana virus has been associated with acute neurological disease in humans. In this study, the viral envelope glycoproteins were expressed in soluble form in a baculovirus system. The recombinant sGN and sGC proteins were used as viral antigens in a Western blot assay to analyze the specific immune response in sera from patients with recognized virus-associated aseptic meningitis. The anti-glycoprotein and the anti-nucleoprotein N IgG responses were compared by an immunoassay based on the recombinant proteins. In this system, all the sera showed a high reactivity to the N protein, but they differed in the response to the glycoproteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paola Di Bonito
- Laboratory of Virology, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
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18
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Saeed MF, Nunes M, Vasconcelos PF, Travassos Da Rosa AP, Watts DM, Russell K, Shope RE, Tesh RB, Barrett AD. Diagnosis of Oropouche virus infection using a recombinant nucleocapsid protein-based enzyme immunoassay. J Clin Microbiol 2001; 39:2445-52. [PMID: 11427552 PMCID: PMC88168 DOI: 10.1128/jcm.39.7.2445-2452.2001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Oropouche (ORO) virus is an emerging infectious agent that has caused numerous outbreaks of an acute febrile (dengue-like) illness among humans in Brazil, Peru, and Panama. Diagnosis of ORO virus infection is based mainly on serology. Two different antigens, hamster serum antigen (HSA) and Vero cell lysate antigen (VCLA), are currently used in enzyme immunoassays (EIAs) in Brazil and Peru, respectively, to investigate the epidemiology of ORO virus infection. Both antigens involve use of infectious virus, and for this reason their use is restricted. Consequently, the frequency and distribution of ORO virus infection are largely unexplored in other countries of South America. This report describes the use of a bacterially expressed recombinant nucleocapsid (rN) protein of ORO virus in EIAs for the diagnosis of ORO virus infection. The data revealed that the purified rN protein is comparable to the authentic viral N protein in its antigenic characteristics and is highly sensitive and specific in EIAs. Among 183 serum samples tested, a high degree of concordance was found between rN protein-based EIA and HSA- and VCLA-based EIAs for the detection of both ORO virus-specific immunoglobulin M (IgM) and IgG antibodies. The high sensitivity, specificity, and safety of the rN protein-based EIA make it a useful diagnostic technique that can be widely used to detect ORO virus infection in South America.
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Affiliation(s)
- M F Saeed
- Departments of Microbiology and Immunology, The University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555-0609, USA.
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Dionisio D, Valassina M, Ciufolini MG, Vivarelli A, Esperti F, Cusi MG, Marchi A, Mazzoli F, Lupi C. Encephalitis without meningitis due to sandfly fever virus serotype toscana. Clin Infect Dis 2001; 32:1241-3. [PMID: 11283818 DOI: 10.1086/319759] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2000] [Revised: 09/20/2000] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The role of Toscana (TOS) virus in producing encephalitis without meningitis is uncertain. We studied 2 cases of TOS virus encephalitis without meningitis by means of nested polymerase chain reaction assay and DNA sequencing. Findings confirm that TOS virus may directly cause encephalitis and suggest the usefulness of DNA sequencing in investigating relationships between TOS virus molecular patterns and the spectrum of neurological involvement.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Dionisio
- Infectious Diseases Unit, Pistoia Hospital, Pistoia, Italy.
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