1
|
Kapoor T, Murray L, Kuvaldina M, Jiang CS, Peace AA, Agudelo M, Jurado A, Robbiani DF, Klemens O, Lattwein E, Sabalza M, Fallon BA, MacDonald MR. Prevalence of Powassan Virus Seropositivity Among People with History of Lyme Disease and Non-Lyme Community Controls in the Northeastern United States. Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis 2024; 24:226-236. [PMID: 38436222 PMCID: PMC11035843 DOI: 10.1089/vbz.2022.0030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Lyme disease (LD) affects ∼476,000 people each year in the United States. Symptoms are variable and include rash and flu-like symptoms. Reasons for the wide variation in disease outcomes are unknown. Powassan virus (POWV) is a tick-borne flavivirus that causes disease ranging from asymptomatic infection to encephalitis, neurologic damage, and death. POWV and LD geographic case distributions overlap, with Ixodes species ticks as the common vectors. Clinical ramifications of coinfection or sequential infection are unknown. Objectives: This study's primary objective was to determine the prevalence of POWV-reactive antibodies in sera samples collected from previously studied cohorts of individuals with self-reported LD history residing in the Northeastern United States. As a secondary objective, we studied clinical differences between people with self-reported LD history and low versus high POWV antibody levels. Methods: We used an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to quantify IgG directed at the POWV envelope (E) protein domain III in 538 samples from individuals with self-reported LD history and 16 community controls. The samples were also tested with an ELISA assay to quantify IgG directed at the POWV NS1 protein. Results: The percentage of individuals with LD history and possible evidence of POWV exposure varied depending on the assay utilized. We found no significant difference in clinical symptoms between those with low or high POWV IgG levels in the in-house assay. Congruence of the EDIII and NS1 assays was low with only 12% of those positive in the in-house EDIII ELISA testing positive in the POWV NS1 ELISA. Conclusions: The results highlight the difficulty in flavivirus diagnostic testing, particularly in the retrospective detection of flavivirus exposure. The findings suggest that a prospective study with symptomatic patients using approved clinical testing is necessary to address the incidence and clinical implications of LD and POWV co-infection or sequential infection.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tania Kapoor
- Laboratory of Molecular Immunology, The Rockefeller University, New York, New York, USA
| | - Lilly Murray
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University, and New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, New York, USA
| | - Maria Kuvaldina
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University, and New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, New York, USA
| | - Caroline S. Jiang
- Department of Hospital Biostatistics, The Rockefeller University, New York, New York, USA
| | - Avery A. Peace
- Laboratory of Virology and Infectious Disease, The Rockefeller University, New York, New York, USA
| | - Marianna Agudelo
- Laboratory of Molecular Immunology, The Rockefeller University, New York, New York, USA
| | - Andrea Jurado
- Laboratory of Virology and Infectious Disease, The Rockefeller University, New York, New York, USA
| | - Davide F. Robbiani
- Laboratory of Molecular Immunology, The Rockefeller University, New York, New York, USA
| | - Oliver Klemens
- Institute for Experimental Immunology, affiliated to EUROIMMUN Medizinische Labordiagnostika AG, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Erik Lattwein
- Institute for Experimental Immunology, affiliated to EUROIMMUN Medizinische Labordiagnostika AG, Lübeck, Germany
| | | | - Brian A. Fallon
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University, and New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, New York, USA
| | - Margaret R. MacDonald
- Laboratory of Virology and Infectious Disease, The Rockefeller University, New York, New York, USA
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Viral agents (2nd section). Transfusion 2024; 64 Suppl 1:S19-S207. [PMID: 38394038 DOI: 10.1111/trf.17630] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2023] [Accepted: 12/02/2023] [Indexed: 02/25/2024]
|
3
|
Mendoza MA, Hass RM, Vaillant J, Johnson DR, Theel ES, Toledano M, Abu Saleh O. Powassan Virus Encephalitis: A Tertiary Center Experience. Clin Infect Dis 2024; 78:80-89. [PMID: 37540989 PMCID: PMC10810704 DOI: 10.1093/cid/ciad454] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2023] [Revised: 07/25/2023] [Accepted: 08/01/2023] [Indexed: 08/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Powassan virus (POWV) is an emerging arthropod-borne flavivirus, transmitted by Ixodes spp. ticks, which has been associated with neuroinvasive disease and poor outcomes. METHODS A retrospective study was conducted at Mayo Clinic from 2013 to 2022. We included clinical and epidemiologic data of probable and confirmed neuroinvasive POWV cases. RESULTS Sixteen patients with neuroinvasive POWV were identified; their median age was 63.2 years, and 62.5% were male. Six patients presented with rhombencephalitis, 4 with isolated meningitis, 3 with meningoencephalitis, 2 with meningoencephalomyelitis, and 1 with opsoclonus myoclonus syndrome. A median time of 18 days was observed between symptom onset and diagnosis. Cerebrospinal fluid analysis showed lymphocytic pleocytosis with elevated protein and normal glucose in the majority of patients. Death occurred within 90 days in 3 patients (18.8%), and residual neurologic deficits were seen in 8 survivors (72.7%). CONCLUSIONS To our knowledge, this is the largest case series of patients with neuroinvasive POWV infection. We highlight the importance of a high clinical suspicion among patients who live in or travel to high-risk areas during the spring to fall months. Our data show high morbidity and mortality rates among patients with neuroinvasive disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Maria Alejandra Mendoza
- Division of Public Health, Infectious Diseases, and Occupational Medicine News, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | - Reece M Hass
- Departement of Neurology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | - James Vaillant
- Division of Public Health, Infectious Diseases, and Occupational Medicine News, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | - Derek R Johnson
- Departement of Radiology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | - Elitza S Theel
- Division of Clinical Microbiology, Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | - Michel Toledano
- Departement of Neurology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | - Omar Abu Saleh
- Division of Public Health, Infectious Diseases, and Occupational Medicine News, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Shirley JD, Ngo TT, Patel JA, Pritt BS, Gaensbauer JT, Theel ES. The Brief Case: An unexpected cause of meningoencephalitis in an infant. J Clin Microbiol 2023; 61:e0185622. [PMID: 37987733 PMCID: PMC10662336 DOI: 10.1128/jcm.01856-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Joshua D. Shirley
- Division of Clinical Microbiology, Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | - Tiffany T. Ngo
- Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | - Jenny A. Patel
- Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | - Bobbi S. Pritt
- Division of Clinical Microbiology, Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | - James T. Gaensbauer
- Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | - Elitza S. Theel
- Division of Clinical Microbiology, Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Abstract
Powassan virus is an increasingly recognized cause of severe encephalitis that is transmitted by Ixodes ticks. Given the nonspecific clinical, laboratory, and imaging features of Powassan virus disease, providers should consider it in patients with compatible exposures and request appropriate testing.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anne Piantadosi
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA; Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA.
| | - Isaac H Solomon
- Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 75 Francis Street, AL360U.2, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Powassan Encephalitis: A Case Report from New York, USA. Case Rep Neurol Med 2022; 2022:8630349. [PMID: 36035550 PMCID: PMC9402360 DOI: 10.1155/2022/8630349] [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: 03/01/2022] [Accepted: 07/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Powassan is a positive-sense, single-stranded, enveloped RNA virus that is a tick-borne Flavivirus, transmitted by Ixodes species, with groundhogs being the usual mammalian host. The virus is endemic to North America, with peak transmission during the summer and fall. The incubation period is 7–34 days, followed by a prodrome of flu-like symptoms. Although most infected individuals are asymptomatic, the virus can penetrate the CNS to produce a viral encephalitis. The key to the diagnosis is a positive serology. Results The patient is a 62-year-old male with a past history of a right putamen infarct, hepatitis C, hypertension, and substance abuse who presented due to acute onset altered mental status, dysarthria, and left-sided facial droop. He had several tick bites around the time of presentation in December. He was empirically treated for possible meningitis, as CSF revealed WBC 370 (80% mononuclear cells); RBC 10, protein 152 mg/dL, and glucose 59 mg/dL. An MRI scan of the brain showed a subacute left putamen stroke. MRAs of the head and neck were unremarkable. A Mayo Clinic Encephalopathy Panel was unremarkable; however, a New York State Arbovirus panel revealed Powassan IgM ELISA as well as Powassan Polyvalent microsphere immunofluorescence assay reactivity. His hospital course was complicated by critical illness myopathy and respiratory failure requiring tracheostomy. Conclusion The Powassan virus is a known etiology for encephalitis in North America. Although the peak incidence of transmission is in the summer and fall, this does not exclude transmission during other seasons. Due to the increasing prevalence of Powassan virus in Lyme-endemic areas particularly in the Midwest and Northeast, United States, patients with an unexplained altered mental status in these regions should be screened for Powassan virus, regardless of the time of year.
Collapse
|
7
|
Nemeth NM, Root J, Hartwig AE, Bowen RA, Bosco-Lauth AM. Powassan Virus Experimental Infections in Three Wild Mammal Species. Am J Trop Med Hyg 2021; 104:1048-1054. [PMID: 33534764 DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.20-0105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2020] [Accepted: 08/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Powassan virus (POWV) is a tick-borne virus maintained in sylvatic cycles between mammalian wildlife hosts and ticks (primarily Ixodes spp.). There are two currently recognized lineages, POWV-lineage 1 (POWV-L1) and deer tick virus (DTV; lineage 2), both of which can cause fatal neurologic disease in humans. Increased numbers of human case reports in the northeastern and north central United States in recent years have fueled questions into POWV epidemiology. We inoculated three candidate wildlife POWV reservoir hosts, groundhogs (Marmota monax), striped skunks (Mephitis mephitis), and fox squirrels (Sciurus niger), with either POWV-L1 or DTV. Resulting viremia, tissue tropism, and pathology were minimal in most inoculated individuals of all three species, with low (peak titer range, 101.7-103.3 plaque-forming units/mL serum) or undetectable viremia titers, lack of detection in tissues except for low titers in spleen, and seroconversion in most individuals by 21 days postinoculation (DPI). Pathology was limited and most commonly consisted of mild inflammation in the brain of POWV-L1- and DTV-inoculated skunks on four and 21 DPI, respectively. These results reveal variation in virulence and host competence among wild mammalian species, and a likely limited duration of host infectiousness to ticks during enzootic transmission cycles. However, POWV can transmit rapidly from tick to host, and tick co-feeding may be an additional transmission mechanism. The rare and low-level detections of viremia in these three, common, wild mammal species suggest that vector-host dynamics should continue to be explored, along with eco-epidemiological aspects of enzootic POWV transmission in different regions and virus lineages.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nicole M Nemeth
- 1Department of Population Health, Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia.,2Department of Pathology, Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia
| | - Jeffrey Root
- 3United States Department of Agriculture/APHIS, National Wildlife Research Center, Fort Collins, Colorado
| | - Airn E Hartwig
- 4Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado
| | - Richard A Bowen
- 4Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado
| | - Angela M Bosco-Lauth
- 4Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Abstract
Domestic arthropod-borne viruses (arboviruses) are single-stranded RNA viruses, the most common of which include the mosquito-borne West Nile virus, St. Louis encephalitis virus, La Crosse virus, Jamestown Canyon virus, and eastern equine encephalitis virus, as well as the tick-borne Powassan virus. Previously considered rare infections, they have been detected with increasing frequency over the past 2 decades. Here, we present an overview of the domestic arboviruses listed above and describe the modalities employed to diagnose infection. Global arboviruses, including dengue virus, Zika virus, and chikungunya virus, have also been increasingly detected in the United States within the last 5 years but are not a focus of this minireview. Typical manifestations of arbovirus infection range from no symptoms, to meningitis or encephalitis, to death. Serologies are the standard means of diagnosis in the laboratory, since most viruses have a short period of replication, limiting the utility of molecular tests. The interpretation of serologies is confounded by antibody cross-reactivity with viruses belonging to the same serogroup and by long-lasting antibodies from prior infections. Next-generation assays have improved performance by increasing antigen purity, selecting optimal epitopes, and improving interpretive algorithms, but challenges remain. Due to cross-reactivity, a positive first-line serology test requires confirmation by either a plaque reduction neutralization test or detection of seroconversion or a 4-fold rise in virus-specific IgM or IgG antibody titers from acute- and convalescent-phase sera. The use of molecular diagnostics, such as reverse transcription PCR or unbiased metagenomic sequencing, is limited to the minority of patients who present with ongoing viremia or central nervous system replication. With the continued expansion of vector range, the diagnosis of domestic arboviruses will become an increasingly important task for generalists and specialists alike.
Collapse
|
9
|
A novel synthetic DNA vaccine elicits protective immune responses against Powassan virus. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2020; 14:e0008788. [PMID: 33119599 PMCID: PMC7595275 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0008788] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2020] [Accepted: 09/10/2020] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Powassan virus (POWV) infection is a tick-borne emerging infectious disease in the United States and North America. Like Zika virus, POWV is a member of the family Flaviviridae. POWV causes severe neurological sequalae, meningitis, encephalitis, and can cause death. Although the risk of human POWV infection is low, its incidence in the U.S. in the past 16 years has increased over 300%, urging immediate attention. Despite the disease severity and its growing potential for threatening larger populations, currently there are no licensed vaccines which provide protection against POWV. We developed a novel synthetic DNA vaccine termed POWV-SEV by focusing on the conserved portions of POWV pre-membrane and envelope (prMEnv) genes. A single immunization of POWV-SEV elicited broad T and B cell immunity in mice with minimal cross-reactivity against other flaviviruses. Antibody epitope mapping demonstrated a similarity between POWV-SEV-induced immune responses and those elicited naturally in POWV-infected patients. Finally, POWV-SEV induced immunity provided protection against POWV disease in lethal challenge experiments.
Collapse
|
10
|
Allgaier J, Quarles R, Skiest D. Possible Prognostic Value of Serial Brain MRIs in Powassan Virus Encephalitis. Emerg Infect Dis 2019; 25:1956-1958. [PMID: 31538917 PMCID: PMC6759273 DOI: 10.3201/eid2510.181262] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Powassan virus (POWV) encephalitis is a rare tickborne illness. We describe the clinical course, laboratory findings, and imaging for a patient with POWV in Massachusetts, USA. Clinical presentation and laboratory findings were nonspecific. Improvement on brain magnetic resonance imaging after 2 weeks preceded clinical improvement by months, suggesting possible prognostic value.
Collapse
|
11
|
Horowitz RI, Freeman PR. Precision medicine: retrospective chart review and data analysis of 200 patients on dapsone combination therapy for chronic Lyme disease/post-treatment Lyme disease syndrome: part 1. Int J Gen Med 2019; 12:101-119. [PMID: 30863136 PMCID: PMC6388746 DOI: 10.2147/ijgm.s193608] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE We collected data from an online survey of 200 of our patients, which evaluated the efficacy of dapsone (diaminodiphenyl sulfone, ie, DDS) combined with other antibiotics and agents that disrupt biofilms for the treatment of chronic Lyme disease/post-treatment Lyme disease syndrome (PTLDS). We also collected aggregate data from direct retrospective chart review, including laboratory testing for Lyme, other infections, and associated tick-borne coinfections. This helped us to determine the frequency of exposure to other infections/coinfections among a cohort of chronically ill Lyme patients, evaluate the efficacy of newer "persister" drug regimens like DDS, and determine how other infections and tick-borne coinfections may be contributing to the burden of chronic illness leading to resistant symptomatology. PATIENTS AND METHODS A total of 200 adult patients recruited from a specialized Lyme disease medical practice had been ill for at least 1 year. We regularly monitored laboratory values and participants' symptom severity, and the patients completed the online symptom questionnaire both before beginning treatment and after 6 months on DDS combination therapy (DDS CT). Paired-samples t-tests and Wilcoxon signed-rank nonparametric test were performed on each of eight major Lyme symptoms, both before DDS CT and after 6 months of therapy. RESULTS DDS CT statistically improved the eight major Lyme symptoms. We found multiple species of intracellular bacteria including rickettsia, Bartonella, Mycoplasma, Chlamydia, Tularemia, and Brucella contributing to the burden of illness and a high prevalence of Babesia complicating management with probable geographic spread of Babesia WA1/duncani to the Northeast. Borrelia, Bartonella, and Mycoplasma species, as well as Babesia microti had variable manifestations and diverse seroreactivity, with evidence of persistence despite commonly prescribed courses of anti-infective therapies. Occasional reactivation of viral infections including human herpes virus 6 was also seen in immunocompromised individuals. CONCLUSION DDS CT decreased eight major Lyme symptoms severity and improved treatment outcomes among patients with chronic Lyme disease/PTLDS and associated coinfections.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Richard I Horowitz
- Health and Human Services, Tick-Borne Disease Working Group, Washington, DC 20201 USA,
- Hudson Valley Healing Arts Center, Hyde Park, NY 12538, USA,
| | | |
Collapse
|
12
|
Abstract
The tick-borne pathogen Powassan virus is a rare cause of encephalitis in North America and the Russian Far East. The number of documented cases described since the discovery of Powassan virus in 1958 may be <150, although detection of cases has increased over the past decade. In the United States, the incidence of Powassan virus infections expanded from the estimated 1 case per year prior to 2005 to 10 cases per year during the subsequent decade. The increased detection rate may be associated with several factors, including enhanced surveillance, the availability of improved laboratory diagnostic methods, the expansion of the vector population, and, perhaps, altered human activities that lead to more exposure. Nonetheless, it remains unclear whether Powassan virus is indeed an emerging threat or if enzootic cycles in nature remain more-or-less stable with periodic fluctuations of host and vector population sizes. Despite the low disease incidence, the approximately 10% to 15% case fatality rate of neuroinvasive Powassan virus infection and the temporary or prolonged sequelae in >50% of survivors make Powassan virus a medical concern requiring the attention of public health authorities and clinicians. The medical importance of Powassan virus justifies more research on developing specific and effective treatments and prevention and control measures.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gábor Kemenesi
- Virological Research Group, Szentágothai Research Centre, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
- Institute of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
| | - Krisztián Bányai
- Institute for Veterinary Medical Research, Centre for Agricultural Research, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Budapest, Hungary
| |
Collapse
|