The History of Enterovirus A71 Outbreaks and Molecular Epidemiology in the Asia-Pacific Region

Targeting Ser78 phosphorylation of Hsp27 achieves potent antiviral effects against enterovirus A71 infection

A positive-sense (+) single-stranded RNA (ssRNA) virus (e.g. enterovirus A71, EV-A71) depends on viral polypeptide translation for initiation of virus replication after entry. We reported that EV-A71 hijacks Hsp27 to induce hnRNP A1 cytosol redistribution to initiate viral protein translation, but the underlying mechanism is still elusive. Here, we show that phosphorylation-deficient Hsp27-3A (Hsp27S15/78/82A) and Hsp27S78A fail to translocate into the nucleus and induce hnRNP A1 cytosol redistribution, while Hsp27S15A and Hsp27S82A display similar effects to the wild type Hsp27. Furthermore, we demonstrate that the viral 2A protease (2Apro) activity is a key factor in regulating Hsp27/hnRNP A1 relocalization. Hsp27S78A dramatically decreases the IRES activity and viral replication, which are partially reduced by Hsp27S82A. However, Hsp27S15A displays the same activity as the wild-type Hsp27. Peptide S78 potently suppresses EV-A71 protein translation and reproduction through blockage of EV-A71-induced Hsp27 phosphorylation and Hsp27/hnRNP A1 relocalization. A point mutation (S78A) on S78 impairs its inhibitory functions on Hsp27/hnRNP A1 relocalization and viral replication. Taken together, we demonstrate the importance of Ser78 phosphorylation of Hsp27 regulated by virus infection in nuclear translocation, hnRNP A1 cytosol relocation, and viral replication, suggesting a new path (such as peptide S78) for target-based antiviral strategy.

Development and validation of a potential risk area identification model for hand, foot, and mouth disease in metropolitan China

Maximum Entropy model (MaxEnt), as a machine learning algorithm, is widely used to identify potential risk areas for emerging infectious diseases. However, MaxEnt usually overlooks the influence of the optimal selection of spatial grid scale and the optimal combination of factor information on identification accuracy. Furthermore, the internal level information of factors is closely related to the potential risk of disease occurrence but is rarely applied to enhance MaxEnt's accuracy. In this study, the Optimal Parameters-based Geographical Detectors-Information Value-MaxEnt (OPGD-IV-MaxEnt) was first proposed to identify the potential risk areas of hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) in Shenzhen and compared its identification accuracy with that of OPGD-MaxEnt and MaxEnt. Firstly, the optimal grid scale and optimal combination of factor information were determined by OPGD. Secondly, the contributions of factors' internal level information to the potential risk of HFMD occurrence were quantified and incorporated by IV. Lastly, the spatial patterns of potential risk areas and their main driving factors were elucidated. Results showed that: (i) Area under the curve (AUC) of single MaxEnt were 0.638, 0.688, 0.763, 0.796, and 0.757 at 100 m, 250 m, 500 m, 750 m, and 1000 m scale, respectively, and 750 m were deemed the optimal scale. (ii) At the optimal scale, OPGD-IV-MaxEnt (AUC = 0.868) identified potential risk areas more accurately than MaxEnt (AUC = 0.796) and OPGD-MaxEnt (AUC = 0.827). (iii) Resident (r = 0.61, q = 0.39) and Market (r = 0.61, q = 0.36) were the primary factors affecting the identification of potential risk areas. (iv) Potential high-risk areas of HFMD were mainly distributed in northwestern, southwestern, and central Shenzhen, with dense resident and market distribution. Such insights are instrumental in devising targeted infection prevention and control measures for emerging infectious diseases and provide references for improving the identification accuracy of similar machine learning algorithms.

The class III phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase VPS34 supports EV71 replication by promoting viral replication organelle formation

Enterovirus 71 (EV71) belongs to the family of Picornaviridae; it could cause a variety of illnesses and pose a great threat to public health worldwide. Currently, there is no specific drug treatment for this virus, and a better understanding of virus-host interaction is crucial for novel antiviral development. Here, we find that the class III phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase, VPS34, is an essential host factor for EV71 infection. VPS34 inhibition with either shRNA or specific chemical inhibitor significantly reduces EV71 infection. Meanwhile, EV71 infection upregulates phosphatidylinositol 3-phosphate (PI3P) production in viral replication organelles (ROs), while the depletion of PI3P by phosphatase overexpression inhibits EV71 infection. In addition, the PI3P-binding protein, double FYVE-containing protein 1 (DFCP1), is also required for an efficient replication of EV71. DFCP1 could interact with viral 2C protein and facilitate viral association with lipid droplets (LDs), which are important lipid sources for viral RO biogenesis. Taken together, these results indicate that EV71 virus exploits the VPS34-PI3P-DFCP1-LDs pathway to promote viral RO formation and viral infection, and they also illuminate novel targets for antiviral development.IMPORTANCEEnterovirus 71 (EV71) is a major pathogen that causes hand-foot-and-mouth disease (HFMD) and other serious complications, which are big threats to children under 5 years old. Unravelling the interactions between virus and the host cells will open new avenues in antiviral research. Here, we found the class III phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase, VPS34, and its effector, double FYVE-containing protein 1 (DFCP1), were essential for EV71 infection, both of which could support EV71 viral replication by enhancing the biogenesis of viral replication organelles (ROs). As DFCP1 localizes to lipid droplets, hijacking of these host factors will enable viral utilization of lipids from LDs for the generation of membrane structures during RO biogenesis. In addition, the VPS34 kinase inhibitor was found to be potent against EV71 infection; therefore, this study also brings up a novel target for future anti-EV71 drug development.

Exploring the Birthday Week Effect on Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease in Yunnan Province, China, From 2008 to 2022: Surveillance Data Analysis

Background

Hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) is a notable infectious disease predominantly affecting infants and children worldwide. Previous studies on HFMD have primarily focused on natural patterns, such as seasonality, but research on the influence of important social time points is lacking. Several studies have indicated correlations between birthdays and certain disease outcomes.

Objective

This study aimed to explore the association between birthdays and HFMD.

Methods

Surveillance data on HFMD from 2008 to 2022 in Yunnan Province, China, were collected. We defined the period from 6 days before the birthday to the exact birthday as the "birthday week." The effect of the birthday week was measured by the proportion of cases occurring during this period, termed the "birthday week proportion." We conducted subgroup analyses to present the birthday week proportions across sexes, age groups, months of birth, and reporting years. Additionally, we used a modified Poisson regression model to identify conditional subgroups more likely to contract HFMD during the birthday week.

Results

Among the 973,410 cases in total, 116,976 (12.02%) occurred during the birthday week, which is 6.27 times the average weekly proportion (7/365, 1.92%). While the birthday week proportions were similar between male and female individuals (68,849/564,725, 12.19% vs 48,127/408,685, 11.78%; χ21=153.25, P<.001), significant differences were observed among different age groups (χ23=47,145, P<.001) and months of birth (χ211=16,942, P<.001). Compared to other age groups, infants aged 0-1 year had the highest birthday week proportion (30,539/90,709, 33.67%), which is 17.57 times the average weekly proportion. Compared to other months, patients born from April to July and from October to December, the peak months of the HFMD epidemic, had higher birthday week proportions. Additionally, a decreasing trend in birthday week proportions from 2008 to 2022 was observed, dropping from 33.74% (3914/11,600) to 2.77% (2254/81,372; Cochran-Armitage trend test: Z=-102.53, P<.001). The results of the modified Poisson regression model further supported the subgroup analyses findings. Compared with children aged >7 years, infants aged 0-1 year were more likely to contract HFMD during the birthday week (relative risk 1.182, 95% CI 1.177-1.185; P<.001). Those born during peak epidemic months exhibited a higher propensity for contracting HFMD during their birthday week. Compared with January, the highest relative risk was observed in May (1.087, 95% CI 1.084-1.090; P<.001).

Conclusions

This study identified a novel "birthday week effect" of HFMD, particularly notable for infants approaching their first birthday and those born during peak epidemic months. Improvements in surveillance quality may explain the declining trend of the birthday week effect over the years. Higher exposure risk during the birthday period and potential biological mechanisms might also account for this phenomenon. Raising public awareness of the heightened risk during the birthday week could benefit HFMD prevention and control.

Tanomastat exerts multi-targeted inhibitory effects on viral capsid dissociation and RNA replication in human enteroviruses

BACKGROUND

Global cyclical outbreaks of human enterovirus infections has positioned human enterovirus A71 (EV-A71) as a neurotropic virus of clinical importance. However, there remains a scarcity of internationally approved antivirals and vaccines.

METHODS

In pursuit of repurposing drugs for combating human enteroviruses, we employed a comprehensive pharmacophore- and molecular docking-based virtual screen targeting EV-A71 capsid protein VP1-4, 3C protease, and 3D polymerase proteins. Among 15 shortlisted ligand candidates, we dissected the inhibitory mechanism of Tanomastat in cell-based studies and evaluated its in vivo efficacy in an EV-A71-infected murine model.

FINDINGS

We demonstrated that Tanomastat exerts dose-dependent inhibition on EV-A71 replication, with comparable efficacy profiles in enterovirus species A, B, C, and D in vitro. Time-course studies suggested that Tanomastat predominantly disrupts early process(es) of the EV-A71 replication cycle. Mechanistically, live virus particle tracking and docking predictions revealed that Tanomastat specifically impedes viral capsid dissociation, potentially via VP1 hydrophobic pocket binding. Bypassing its inhibition on entry stages, we utilized EV-A71 replication-competent, 3Dpol replication-defective, and bicistronic IRES reporter replicons to show that Tanomastat also inhibits viral RNA replication, but not viral IRES translation. We further showed that orally administered Tanomastat achieved 85% protective therapeutic effect and alleviated clinical symptoms in EV-A71-infected neonatal mice.

INTERPRETATION

Our study establishes Tanomastat as a broad-spectrum anti-enterovirus candidate with promising pre-clinical efficacy, warranting further testing for potential therapeutic application.

FUNDING

MOE Tier 2 grants (MOE-T2EP30221-0005, R571-000-068-592, R571-000-076-515, R571-000-074-733) and A∗STARBiomedical Research Council (BMRC).

Paper-Based procalcitonin and Interleukin-6 test strip with Spectrum-Based optical reader for enterovirus severity differentiation in children

Infectious diseases significantly impact global health, necessitating prompt diagnosis to mitigate life-threatening sepsis risk. Identifying patients at risk of severe neurological complications from enterovirus infections is challenging due to nonspecific initial presentations. Point-of-care testing (POCT) has emerged as a transformative tool, with low-cost lateral-flow colorimetric assays showing promise in deployable POCT devices. We developed a PCT/IL-6 rapid diagnostic system integrating lateral flow assay (LFA) test strips and a portable optical spectrum reader, allowing simultaneous semi-quantitative measurement of serum PCT and IL-6 within 30 min at the point of care. The system demonstrated a strong correlation with traditional ELISA and effectively differentiated severe pediatric enterovirus cases using serum samples. IL-6 showed superior discriminatory ability over PCT in identifying patients with severe neurological complications. This novel diagnostic platform holds great potential for early sepsis recognition and infectious disease management, especially in resource-limited settings.

Long-Term Immunogenicity Study of an Aluminum Phosphate-Adjuvanted Inactivated Enterovirus A71 Vaccine in Children: An Extension to a Phase 2 Study

Enterovirus A71 (EV-A71) causes hand, foot, and mouth disease in infants and children with potential for fatal complications such as encephalitis and acute flaccid myelitis. This study examined the long-term immunity conferred by EV71vac, an inactivated EV-A71 vaccine adjuvanted with aluminum phosphate, in children from the age of 2 months to <6 years, for up to 5 years after the first immunization. A total of 227 participants between 2 months and <6 years of age who had previously received either EV71vac or placebo in the phase two clinical study were enrolled. Subjects were divided into age groups: 2 years to <6 years (Group 2b), 6 months to <2 years (Group 2c), and 2 months to <6 months (Group 2d). At Year 5, the neutralizing antibody titers against the B4 subgenotype remained high at 621.38 to 978.20, 841.40 to 1159.93, and 477.71 to 745.07 for Groups 2b, 2c, and 2d, respectively. Cross-neutralizing titers at Year 5 remained high against B5 and C4a subgenotypes, respectively. No long-term safety issues were reported. Our study provides novel insights into the long-term immunity conferred by EV71vac in children aged from two months to six years, particularly in those who received EV71vac between two and six months of age.

Immunogenicity of trivalent DNA vaccine candidate encapsulated in Chitosan-TPP nanoparticles against EV-A71 and CV-A16

Aim: To develop a trivalent DNA vaccine candidate encapsulated in Chitosan-TPP nanoparticles against hand foot and mouth disease (HFMD) and assess its immunogenicity in mice.Materials & methods: Trivalent plasmid carrying the VP1 and VP2 genes of EV-A71, VP1 gene of CV-A16 was encapsulated in Chitosan-TPP nanoparticles through ionic gelation. In vitro characterization and in vivo immunization studies of the CS-TPP-NPs (pIRES-VP121) were performed.Results: Mice administered with CS-TPP NPs (pIRES-VP121) intramuscularly were observed to have the highest IFN-γ response. Sera from mice immunized with the naked pDNA and CS-TPP-NPs (pIRES-VP121) demonstrated good viral clearance against wild-type EV-A71 and CV-A16 in RD cells.Conclusion: CS-TPP-NPs (pIRES-VP121) could serve as a prototype for future development of multivalent HFMD DNA vaccine candidates.

In vitro synergistic antiviral activity of repurposed drugs against enterovirus 71

Enteroviruses cause viral diseases that are harmful to children. Hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) with neurological complications is mainly caused by enterovirus 71 (EV71). Despite its clinical importance, there is no effective antiviral drug against EV71. However, several repurposed drugs have been shown to have antiviral activity against related viruses. Treatments with single drugs and two-drug combinations were performed in vitro to assess anti-EV71 activity. Three repurposed drug candidates with broad-spectrum antiviral activity were found to demonstrate potent anti-EV71 activity: prochlorperazine, niclosamide, and itraconazole. To improve antiviral activity, combinations of two drugs were tested. Niclosamide and itraconazole showed synergistic antiviral activity in Vero cells, whereas combinations of niclosamide-prochlorperazine and itraconazole-prochlorperazine showed only additive effects. Furthermore, the combination of itraconazole and prochlorperazine showed an additive effect in neuroblastoma cells. Itraconazole and prochlorperazine exert their antiviral activities by inhibiting Akt phosphorylation. Repurposing of drugs can provide a treatment solution for HFMD, and our data suggest that combining these drugs can enhance that efficacy.

Epidemiology of Enterovirus Genotypes in Association with Human Diseases

Enteroviruses (EVs) are well-known causes of a wide range of infectious diseases in infants and young children, ranging from mild illnesses to severe conditions, depending on the virus genotypes and the host's immunity. Recent advances in molecular surveillance and genotyping tools have identified over 116 different human EV genotypes from various types of clinical samples. However, the current knowledge about most of these genotypes, except for those of well-known genotypes like EV-A71 and EV-D68, is still limited due to a lack of comprehensive EV surveillance systems. This limited information makes it difficult to understand the true burden of EV-related diseases globally. Furthermore, the specific EV genotype associated with diseases varies according to country, population group, and study period. The same genotype can exhibit different epidemiological features in different areas. By integrating the data from established EV surveillance systems in the USA, Europe, Japan, and China, in combination with other EV infection studies, we can elaborate a better understanding of the distribution of prevalent EV genotypes and the diseases associated with EV. This review analyzed the data from various EV surveillance databases and explored the EV seroprevalence and the association of specific EV genotypes with human diseases.

Enteroviruses: epidemic potential, challenges and opportunities with vaccines

Enteroviruses (EVs) are the most prevalent viruses in humans. EVs can cause a range of acute symptoms, from mild common colds to severe systemic infections such as meningitis, myocarditis, and flaccid paralysis. They can also lead to chronic diseases such as cardiomyopathy. Although more than 280 human EV serotypes exist, only four serotypes have licenced vaccines. No antiviral drugs are available to treat EV infections, and global surveillance of EVs has not been effectively coordinated. Therefore, poliovirus still circulates, and there have been alarming epidemics of non-polio enteroviruses. Thus, there is a pressing need for coordinated preparedness efforts against EVs.This review provides a perspective on recent enterovirus outbreaks and global poliovirus eradication efforts with continuous vaccine development initiatives. It also provides insights into the challenges and opportunities in EV vaccine development. Given that traditional whole-virus vaccine technologies are not suitable for many clinically relevant EVs and considering the ongoing risk of enterovirus outbreaks and the potential for new emerging pathogenic strains, the need for new effective and adaptable enterovirus vaccines is emphasized.This review also explores the difficulties in translating promising vaccine candidates for clinical use and summarizes information from published literature and clinical trial databases focusing on existing enterovirus vaccines, ongoing clinical trials, the obstacles faced in vaccine development as well as the emergence of new vaccine technologies. Overall, this review contributes to the understanding of enterovirus vaccines, their role in public health, and their significance as a tool for future preparedness.

Impact of Annexin A2 on virus life cycles

Due to the limited size of viral genomes, hijacking host machinery by the viruses taking place throughout the virus life cycle is inevitable for the survival and proliferation of the virus in the infected hosts. Recent reports indicated that Annexin A2 (AnxA2), a calcium- and lipid-binding cellular protein, plays an important role as a critical regulator in various steps of the virus life cycle. The multifarious AnxA2 functions in cells, such as adhesion, adsorption, endocytosis, exocytosis, cell proliferation and division, inflammation, cancer metastasis, angiogenesis, etc., are intimately related to the various clinical courses of viral infection. Ubiquitous expression of AnxA2 across multiple cell types indicates the broad range of susceptibility of diverse species of the virus to induce disparate viral disease in various tissues, and intracellular expression of AnxA2 in the cytoplasmic membrane, cytosol, and nucleus suggests the involvement of AnxA2 in the regulation of the different stages of various virus life cycles within host cells. However, it is yet unclear as to the molecular processes on how AnxA2 and the infected virus interplay to regulate virus life cycles and thereby the virus-associated disease courses, and hence elucidation of the molecular mechanisms on AnxA2-mediated virus life cycle will provide essential clues to develop therapeutics deterring viral disease.

Enterovirus-A71 exploits RAB11 to recruit chaperones for virus morphogenesis

BACKGROUND

Enterovirus 71 (EV-A71) causes Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease (HFMD) in children and has been associated with neurological complications. The molecular mechanisms involved in EV-A71 pathogenesis have remained elusive.

METHODS

A siRNA screen in EV-A71 infected-motor neurons was performed targeting 112 genes involved in intracellular membrane trafficking, followed by validation of the top four hits using deconvoluted siRNA. Downstream approaches including viral entry by-pass, intracellular viral genome quantification by qPCR, Western blot analyses, and Luciferase reporter assays allowed determine the stage of the infection cycle the top candidate, RAB11A was involved in. Proximity ligation assay, co-immunoprecipitation and multiplex confocal imaging were employed to study interactions between viral components and RAB11A. Dominant negative and constitutively active RAB11A constructs were used to determine the importance of the protein's GTPase activity during EV-A71 infection. Mass spectrometry and protein interaction analyses were employed for the identification of RAB11A's host interacting partners during infection.

RESULTS

Small GTPase RAB11A was identified as a novel pro-viral host factor during EV-A71 infection. RAB11A and RAB11B isoforms were interchangeably exploited by strains from major EV-A71 genogroups and by Coxsackievirus A16, another major causative agent of HFMD. We showed that RAB11A was not involved in viral entry, IRES-mediated protein translation, viral genome replication, and virus exit. RAB11A co-localized with replication organelles where it interacted with structural and non-structural viral components. Over-expression of dominant negative (S25N; GDP-bound) and constitutively active (Q70L; GTP-bound) RAB11A mutants had no effect on EV-A71 infection outcome, ruling out RAB11A's involvement in intracellular trafficking of viral or host components. Instead, decreased ratio of intracellular mature viral particles to viral RNA copies and increased VP0:VP2 ratio in siRAB11-treated cells supported a role in provirion maturation hallmarked by VP0 cleavage into VP2 and VP4. Finally, chaperones, not trafficking and transporter proteins, were found to be RAB11A's top interacting partners during EV-A71 infection. Among which, CCT8 subunit from the chaperone complex TRiC/CCT was further validated and shown to interact with viral structural proteins specifically, representing yet another novel pro-viral host factor during EV-A71 infection.

CONCLUSIONS

This study describes a novel, unconventional role for RAB11A during viral infection where it participates in the complex process of virus morphogenesis by recruiting essential chaperone proteins.

Frontiers and hotspots in hand, foot, and mouth disease research during 2006 to 2023: A bibliometric and visual analysis

BACKGROUND

Enteroviruses-infected hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) seriously threatens human health. This study aimed to analyze the research status, hotspots, and frontiers of HFMD.

METHODS

Publications on HFMD between January 1, 2006, and January 31, 2023, were retrieved from the Web of Science Core database. Bibliometric tools, including CiteSpace, VOSviewer, R package "Bibiometrix," SCImago Graphica, and Charticulator, were utilized to analyze and visualize the data.

RESULTS

A total of 1860 articles from 424 journals, involving 8815 authors from 64 countries and 1797 institutions were analyzed. The number of studies on HFMD has shown an increasing trend over the past 18 years, with an annual increase observed since 2006, which is particularly prominent after 2010. Research in this field has centered on the Asian region. Notably, the research hotspots were mainly focused on vaccines, epidemiology, and pathogenesis of HFMD. Among the researchers in this field, Zhang Yong emerged as the most prolific author, while Xu Wenbo had the most significant influence. The Chinese Academy of Sciences was the most productive institution, and China was the most productive country for HFMD research.

CONCLUSION

By bibliometric analysis, researchers in the HMFD field can efficiently identify and visually represent their research focus and limitations. In the future, it is crucial to maintain ongoing surveillance of HFMD outbreaks and their pathogenic changes. Additionally, future research should extensively explore the molecular mechanisms underlying Enteroviruses-induced HFMD with a focus on developing vaccines and therapies.

Novel Anti-Enterovirus A71 Compounds Discovered by Repositioning Antivirals from the Open-Source MMV Pandemic Response Box

The open-source drug library, namely, MMV Pandemic Response Box, contains 153 antiviral agents, a chemically and pharmacologically diverse mixture of early-stage, emerging anti-infective scaffolds, and mature compounds currently undergoing clinical development. Hence, the Pandemic Response Box might contain compounds that bind and interfere with target molecules or cellular pathways that are conserved or shared among the closely related viruses with enterovirus A71 (EV-A71). This study aimed to screen antiviral agents included in the Pandemic Response Box for repurposing to anti-EV-A71 activity and investigate the inhibitory effects of the compounds on viral replication. The compounds' cytotoxicity and ability to rescue infected cells were determined by % cell survival using an SRB assay. The hit compounds were verified for anti-EV-A71 activity by virus reduction assays for viral RNA copy numbers, viral protein synthesis, and mature particle production using qRT-PCR, Western blot analysis, and CCID50 assay, respectively. It was found that some of the hit compounds could reduce EV-A71 genome replication and protein synthesis. D-D7 (2-pyridone-containing human rhinovirus 3C protease inhibitor) exhibited the highest anti-EV-A71 activity. Even though D-D7 has been originally indicated as a polyprotein processing inhibitor of human rhinovirus 3C protease, it could be repurposed as an anti-EV-A71 agent.

Beyond polio: Exploring non-polio enteroviruses, global health preparedness, and the "Disease X" paradigm

Background and Aims

Disease X represents the possibility that an unidentified infection may spread globally and start a pandemic. This study explored various aspects of emerging non-polio enteroviruses (NPEVs) as a possible source of "Disease X," an enigmatic agent declared by the World Health Organization, and discussed the potential impact of NPEVs on global public health.

Methods

In this perspective article, we collected information from publicly available sources such as Google Scholar, PubMed, and Scopus. We used NPEVs, viral diseases, pandemics, and zoonotic diseases as keywords. We extracted information from the most relevant articles.

Results

Notable outbreaks caused by NPEVs include enterovirus D68 (EV-D68) and enterovirus A71 (EV-A71), among many others. With a focus on therapeutic and preventative components, alternate modes of therapy, and the development of broad-spectrum antivirals, this analysis looks at the origin, epidemiology, genetic alterations, transmission dynamics, and disease pathophysiology of NPEVs. The information presented in the review indicates the current risk assessment of NPEVs, taking into account the following factors: the need for research and therapeutic interventions, the diversity of clinical manifestations, the impact of genetic variability on virulence, the persistence of emergence despite vaccination efforts, recurrent outbreaks, and the global impact of these viruses.

Conclusion

There is a possibility that NPEVs could trigger global pandemics based on their zoonotic origins and urges for complete readiness, continuous research, cooperation, and a comprehensive strategy to combat emerging infectious diseases in a constantly changing global environment. It is peak time to acknowledge how important it is to abide by safety and health laws to prevent these illnesses.

A 3-month-old neonatal rhesus macaque HFMD model caused by coxsackievirus B1 infection and viral tissue tropism

Coxsackievirus B1 (CVB1), an enterovirus with multiple clinical presentations, has been associated with potential long-term consequences, including hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD), in some patients. However, the related animal models, transmission dynamics, and long-term tissue tropism of CVB1 have not been systematically characterized. In this study, we established a model of CVB1 respiratory infection in rhesus macaques and evaluated the clinical symptoms, viral load, and immune levels during the acute phase (0-14 days) and long-term recovery phase (15-30 days). We also investigated the distribution, viral clearance, and pathology during the long-term recovery period using 35 postmortem rhesus macaque tissue samples collected at 30 days postinfection (d.p.i.). The results showed that the infected rhesus macaques were susceptible to CVB1 and exhibited HFMD symptoms, viral clearance, altered cytokine levels, and the presence of neutralizing antibodies. Autopsy revealed positive viral loads in the heart, spleen, pancreas, soft palate, and olfactory bulb tissues. HE staining demonstrated pathological damage to the liver, spleen, lung, soft palate, and tracheal epithelium. At 30 d.p.i., viral antigens were detected in visceral, immune, respiratory, and muscle tissues but not in intestinal or neural tissues. Brain tissue examination revealed viral meningitis-like changes, and CVB1 antigen expression was detected in occipital, pontine, cerebellar, and spinal cord tissues at 30 d.p.i. This study provides the first insights into CVB1 pathogenesis in a nonhuman primate model of HFMD and confirms that CVB1 exhibits tissue tropism following long-term infection.

Epidemiology and etiology of hand, foot, and mouth disease in Zhengzhou, China, from 2009 to 2021

Background

Hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) is a common childhood infectious disease caused by a variety of enteroviruses (EVs). To explore the epidemiological characteristics and etiology of HFMD in Zhengzhou, China, we conducted a systematic analysis of HFMD surveillance data from Zhengzhou Center for Disease Control and Prevention from January 2009 to December 2021 (https://wjw.zhengzhou.gov.cn/).

Methods

Surveillance data were collected from Zhengzhou Center for Disease Control and Prevention from January 2009 to December 2021 (https://wjw.zhengzhou.gov.cn/). Cases were analyzed according to the time of onset, type of diagnosis, characteristics, viral serotype, and epidemiological trends.

Results

We found that the primary causative agent responsible for the HFMD outbreaks in Zhengzhou was Enterovirus A71 (EVA-71) (48.56%) before 2014. After 2015, other EVs gradually became the dominant strains (57.68%). The data revealed that the HFMD epidemics in Zhengzhou displayed marked seasonality, with major peaks occurring from April to June, followed by secondary peaks from October to November, except in 2020. Both the severity and case-fatality ratio of HFMD decreased following the COVID-19 pandemic (severity ‰: 13.46 vs. 0.17; case-fatality ‰: 0.21 vs. 0, respectively). Most severe cases were observed in patients aged 1 year and below, accounting for 45.81%.

Conclusions

Overall, the incidence rate of HFMD decreased in Zhengzhou following the introduction of the EVA-71 vaccine in 2016. However, it is crucial to acknowledge that HFMD prevalence continues to exhibit a distinct seasonal pattern and periodicity, and the occurrence of other EV infections poses a new challenge for children's health.

Scorpion Venom Antimicrobial Peptide Derivative BmKn2-T5 Inhibits Enterovirus 71 in the Early Stages of the Viral Life Cycle In Vitro

Enterovirus 71 (EV71), a typical representative of unenveloped RNA viruses, is the main pathogenic factor responsible for hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) in infants. This disease seriously threatens the health and lives of humans worldwide, especially in the Asia-Pacific region. Numerous animal antimicrobial peptides have been found with protective functions against viruses, bacteria, fungi, parasites, and other pathogens, but there are few studies on the use of scorpion-derived antimicrobial peptides against unenveloped viruses. Here, we investigated the antiviral activities of scorpion venom antimicrobial peptide BmKn2 and five derivatives, finding that BmKn2 and its derivative BmKn2-T5 exhibit a significant inhibitory effect on EV71. Although both peptides exhibit characteristics typical of amphiphilic α-helices in terms of their secondary structure, BmKn2-T5 displayed lower cellular cytotoxicity than BmKn2. BmKn2-T5 was further found to inhibit EV71 in a dose-dependent manner in vitro. Moreover, time-of-drug-addition experiments showed that BmKn2-T5 mainly restricts EV71, but not its virion or replication, at the early stages of the viral cycle. Interestingly, BmKn2-T5 was also found to suppress the replication of the enveloped viruses DENV, ZIKV, and HSV-1 in the early stages of the viral cycle, which suggests they may share a common early infection step with EV71. Together, the results of our study identified that the scorpion-derived antimicrobial peptide BmKn2-T5 showed valuable antiviral properties against EV71 in vitro, but also against other enveloped viruses, making it a potential new candidate therapeutic molecule.

Enterovirus A71 infection-induced dry eye-like symptoms by damaging the lacrimal glands

Purpose

To determine the effects of EV-A71 (Enterovirus A71) infection on ocular surface and its mechanism.

Methods

AG6 mice aged two to three weeks were randomly divided into control and EV-A71 infected groups. Slit-lamp observation, fluorescein staining, and phenol red thread test were used to assess symptoms of ocular surface at 4 dpi (days post infection). The pathological changes of cornea and lacrimal gland were observed by H&E staining, PAS staining, TUNEL assay, IHC staining and qRT-PCR. Corneas and lacrimal glands from mice were obtained and processed for RNA sequencing analysis. Newly diagnosed HFMD patients caused by EV-A71 were recruited and ensured they met the inclusion criteria. Ocular surface parameters (TMH and NIKBUT) were measured using the OCULUS Keratograph 5M. Tear samples were taken to examine Cxcl1 and IL-6 levels through the ELISA method.

Results

Mice studies revealed that EV-A71 infection caused tear film instability, decreased tear secretions, decreased in lacrimal gland size, and distinct goblet cell loss. It also resulted in increased large vacuoles within acinar cells and structural damage in lacrimal gland. Apart from minor damage to the epidermis, there was no obvious inflammatory changes or apoptosis in the cornea. However, there were significant inflammatory injury and apoptosis in the lacrimal gland. RNA-seq analysis showed IL-17 and NF-κB signaling pathways were activated in the lacrimal glands of mice infected with EV-A71. In HFMD patients, the THM was in a low range and NITBUT was significantly shorter than the control group by Oculus Keratograph 5M. ELISA assay showed a higher tear Cxcl1 and IL-6 level in them.

Conclusion

EV-A71 infection affected lacrimal gland structure and function and induced dry eye-like symptoms.

Epidemiological and Clinical Profile of Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease in Children in a Tertiary Care Center in Jammu

Background Hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) is a viral illness commonly seen in children under five years of age, characterized by typical manifestations such as oral lesions and rashes on the hands and feet. Coxsackievirus A-16 (CV-A16) and Enterovirus A-71 (EV-A71) are the major etiological agents of this disease. Over the past two decades, there have been several outbreaks of HFMD all across India. As there is no chemoprophylaxis available for the disease, it becomes even more significant to conduct regular research and surveillance for HFMD. Aim and objective To observe the clinico-epidemiological profile along with constitutional symptoms in HFMD patients attending pediatric OPD. Methods This hospital-based prospective observational study was conducted in the Post Graduate Department of Pediatrics, Acharya Shri Chander College of Medical Sciences and Hospital (ASCOMS & H), Sidra, Jammu and Kashmir, India, over six months from April to September 2023. A total of 132 children with symptoms of HFMD visited the pediatric OPD. After using inclusive and exclusive criteria, we selected a sample size of 112 children with HFMD. The descriptive data were expressed in terms of percentages and proportions, and their graphical representation was done using MS Excel (Microsoft Corporation, Redmond, Washington, United States). Results Among the 112 HFMD patients examined, the highest peak was seen in August, followed by another one in September. Most of the cases were seen in the age group of zero to three years, and it was observed that there was a linear fall in the number of cases with the increase in age. Nearly 61% of cases were male, showing a slight male preponderance. Vesiculopapular rash on the hand and foot was the most common clinical characteristic, whereas painful deglutition was noted to be the most common constitutional symptom in HFMD patients. About 27% had a positive family history, and nail changes post-recovery were present in 1.79% of cases during their regular follow-ups. Conclusions This study reveals that HFMD cases surged in August and September, with a history of contact in one-fourth of cases. Disease is seen more commonly in children under three years of age, and the incidence of cases decreases with the increase in age. The illness is usually contagious and can spread quickly; therefore, more awareness programs should be done to educate parents and promote hygiene to prevent contact cases.

Age-time-specific transmission of hand-foot-and-mouth disease enterovirus serotypes in Vietnam: A catalytic model with maternal immunity

Hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) is highly prevalent in the Asia Pacific region, particularly in Vietnam. To develop effective interventions and efficient vaccination programs, we inferred the age-time-specific transmission patterns of HFMD serotypes enterovirus A71 (EV-A71), coxsackievirus A6 (CV-A6), coxsackievirus A10 (CV-A10), coxsackievirus A16 (CV-A16) in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam from a case data collected during 2013-2018 and a serological survey data collected in 2015 and 2017. We proposed a catalytic model framework with good adaptability to incorporate maternal immunity using various mathematical functions. Our results indicate the high-level transmission of CV-A6 and CV-A10 which is not obvious in the case data, due to the variation of disease severity across serotypes. Our results provide statistical evidence supporting the strong association between severe illness and CV-A6 and EV-A71 infections. The HFMD dynamic pattern presents a cyclical pattern with large outbreaks followed by a decline in subsequent years. Additionally, we identify the age group with highest risk of infection as 1-2 years and emphasise the risk of future outbreaks as over 50% of children aged 6-7 years were estimated to be susceptible to CV-A16 and EV-A71. Our study highlights the importance of multivalent vaccines and active surveillance for different serotypes, supports early vaccination prior to 1 year old, and points out the potential utility for vaccinating children older than 5 years old in Vietnam.

Assessment of the broad-spectrum host targeting antiviral efficacy of halofuginone hydrobromide in human airway, intestinal and brain organotypic models

Halofuginone hydrobromide has shown potent antiviral efficacy against a variety of viruses such as SARS-CoV-2, dengue, or chikungunya virus, and has, therefore, been hypothesized to have broad-spectrum antiviral activity. In this paper, we tested this broad-spectrum antiviral activity of Halofuginone hydrobomide against viruses from different families (Picornaviridae, Herpesviridae, Orthomyxoviridae, Coronaviridae, and Flaviviridae). To this end, we used relevant human models of the airway and intestinal epithelium and regionalized neural organoids. Halofuginone hydrobomide showed antiviral activity against SARS-CoV-2 in the airway epithelium with no toxicity at equivalent concentrations used in human clinical trials but not against any of the other tested viruses.

Enterovirus A71 does not meet the uncoating receptor SCARB2 at the cell surface

Enterovirus A71 (EV-A71) infection involves a variety of receptors. Among them, two transmembrane protein receptors have been investigated in detail and shown to be critical for infection: P-selectin glycoprotein ligand-1 (PSGL-1) in lymphocytes (Jurkat cells), and scavenger receptor class B member 2 (SCARB2) in rhabdomyosarcoma (RD) cells. PSGL-1 and SCARB2 have been reported to be expressed on the surface of Jurkat and RD cells, respectively. In the work reported here, we investigated the roles of PSGL-1 and SCARB2 in the process of EV-A71 entry. We first examined the expression of SCARB2 in Jurkat cells, and detected it within the cytoplasm, but not on the cell surface. Further, using PSGL-1 and SCARB2 knockout cells, we found that although both PSGL-1 and SCARB2 are essential for virus infection of Jurkat cells, virus attachment to these cells requires only PSGL-1. These results led us to evaluate the cell surface expression and the roles of SCARB2 in other EV-A71-susceptible cell lines. Surprisingly, in contrast to the results of previous studies, we found that SCARB2 is absent from the surface of RD cells and other susceptible cell lines we examined, and that although SCARB2 is essential for infection of these cells, it is dispensable for virus attachment. These results indicate that a receptor other than SCARB2 is responsible for virus attachment to the cell and probably for internalization of virions, not only in Jurkat cells but also in RD cells and other EV-A71-susceptible cells. SCARB2 is highly concentrated in lysosomes and late endosomes, where it is likely to trigger acid-dependent uncoating of virions, the critical final step of the entry process. Our results suggest that the essential interactions between EV-A71 and SCARB2 occur, not at the cell surface, but within the cell.

Construction of a novel kinetic model for the production process of a CVA6 VLP vaccine in CHO cells

Bioprocess development benefits from kinetic models in many aspects, including scale-up, optimization, and process understanding. However, current models are unable to simulate the production process of a coxsackievirus A6 (CVA6) virus-like particle (VLP) vaccine using Chinese hamster ovary cell culture. In this study, a novel kinetic model was constructed, correlating (1) cell growth, death, and lysis kinetics, (2) metabolism of major metabolites, and (3) CVA6 VLP production. To construct the model, two batches of a laboratory-scale 2 L bioreactor cell culture were prepared and various pH shift strategies were applied to examine the effect of pH shift. The proposed model described the experimental data under various conditions with high accuracy and quantified the effect of pH shift. Next, cell culture performance with various pH shift timings was predicted by the calibrated model. A trade-off relationship was found between product yield and quality. Consequently, multiple objective optimization was performed by integrating desirability methodology with model simulation. Finally, the optimal operating conditions that balanced product yield and quality were predicted. In general, the proposed model improved the process understanding and enabled in silico process development of a CVA6 VLP vaccine.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s10616-023-00598-8.

VP1 codon deoptimization and high-fidelity substitutions in 3D polymerase as potential vaccine strategies for eliciting immune responses against enterovirus A71

Enterovirus A71 (EV-A71) can induce severe neurological complications and even fatal encephalitis in children, and it has caused several large outbreaks in Taiwan since 1998. We previously generated VP1 codon-deoptimized (VP1-CD) reverse genetics (rg) EV-A71 viruses (rgEV-A71s) that harbor a high-fidelity (HF) 3D polymerase. These VP1-CD-HF rgEV-A71s showed lower replication kinetics in vitro and decreased virulence in an Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) mouse model of EV-A71 infection, while still retaining their antigenicity in comparison to the wild-type virus. In this study, we aimed to further investigate the humoral and cellular immune responses elicited by VP1-CD-HF rgEV-A71s to assess the potential efficacy of these EV-A71 vaccine candidates. Following intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of VP1-CD-HF rgEV-A71s in mice, we observed a robust induction of EV-A71-specific neutralizing IgG antibodies in the antisera after 21 days. Splenocytes isolated from VP1-CD-HF rgEV-A71s-immunized mice exhibited enhanced proliferative activities and cytokine production (IL-2, IFN-γ, IL-4, IL-6, and TNF-α) upon re-stimulation with VP1-CD-HF rgEV-A71, as compared to control mice treated with adjuvant only. Importantly, administration of antisera from VP1-CD-HF rgEV-A71s-immunized mice protected against lethal EV-A71 challenge in neonatal mice. These findings highlight that our generated VP1-CD-HF rgEV-A71 viruses are capable of inducing both cellular and humoral immune responses, supporting their potential as next-generation EV-A71 vaccines for combating EV-A71 infection.IMPORTANCEEV-A71 can cause severe neurological diseases and cause death in young children. Here, we report the development of synthetic rgEV-A71s with the combination of codon deoptimization and high-fidelity (HF) substitutions that generate genetically stable reverse genetics (rg) viruses as potential attenuated vaccine candidates. Our work provides insight into the development of low-virulence candidate vaccines through a series of viral genetic editing for maintaining antigenicity and genome stability and suggests a strategy for the development of an innovative next-generation vaccine against EV-A71.

Recurrent Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease in a Saudi Girl

Hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) is a viral illness that predominantly affects infants and children, causing blisters and sores on the hands, feet, and mouth. Recurrence is rare, but a case in a six-year-old girl in Saudi Arabia was reported. A six-year-old girl presented with a rash on her palms and soles, which was preceded by a mild sore throat and low-grade fever. She had been in contact with her two-year-old sister, who had similar symptoms but a different rash pattern.  During clinical examination, multiple erythematous deep-seated vesicles and papules were noted on the patient's palms and soles, with no involvement of mucous membranes or nails. The diagnosis of hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) was made based on the characteristic clinical presentation, and the rash resolved within seven days without treatment or complications.  The patient had experienced a similar presentation six months ago, which was also diagnosed as HFMD, and the rash had resolved spontaneously within one week. In her second episode, the rash was less severe, with milder prodromal symptoms. In both episodes, the lesions were asymptomatic and had no mucosal involvement. The patient had experienced onychomadesis after her first episode, but no nail abnormalities were seen after her second episode. Although HFMD is rare to recur in children, outbreaks can lead to another episode. HFMD prevalence is underestimated in Saudi Arabia due to missed mild cases. Pediatricians and dermatologists should be aware of HFMD incidence and its complications, as early detection is vital in preventing outbreaks and transmission.

A novel mucosal bivalent vaccine of EV-A71/EV-D68 adjuvanted with polysaccharides from Ganoderma lucidum protects mice against EV-A71 and EV-D68 lethal challenge

BACKGROUND

Human enteroviruses A71 (EV-A71) and D68 (EV-D68) are the suspected causative agents of hand-foot-and-mouth disease, aseptic meningitis, encephalitis, acute flaccid myelitis, and acute flaccid paralysis in children. Until now, no cure nor mucosal vaccine existed for EV-A71 and EV-D68. Novel mucosal bivalent vaccines are highly important for preventing EV-A71 and EV-D68 infections.

METHODS

In this study, formalin-inactivated EV-A71 and EV-D68 were used as antigens, while PS-G, a polysaccharide from Ganoderma lucidum, was used as an adjuvant. Natural polysaccharides have the characteristics of intrinsic immunomodulation, biocompatibility, low toxicity, and safety. Mice were immunized intranasally with PBS, EV-A71, EV-D68, or EV-A71 + EV-D68, with or without PS-G as an adjuvant.

RESULTS

The EV-A71 + EV-D68 bivalent vaccine generated considerable EV-A71- and EV-D68-specific IgG and IgA titres in the sera, nasal washes, saliva, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, and feces. These antibodies neutralized EV-D68 and EV-A71 infectivity. They also cross-neutralized infections by different EV-D68 and EV-A71 sub-genotypes. Furthermore, compared with the PBS group, EV-A71 + EV-D68 + PS-G-vaccinated mice exhibited an increased number of EV-D68- and EV-A71-specific IgA- and IgG-producing cells. In addition, T-cell proliferative responses, and IFN-γ and IL-17 secretion in the spleen were substantially induced when PS-G was used as an adjuvant with EV-A71 + EV-D68. Finally, in vivo challenge experiments demonstrated that the immune sera induced by EV-A71 + EV-D68 + PS-G conferred protection in neonate mice against lethal EV-A71 and EV-D68 challenges as indicated by the increased survival rate and decreased clinical score and viral RNA tissue expression. Taken together, all EV-A71/EV-D68 + PS-G-immunized mice developed potent specific humoral, mucosal, and cellular immune responses to EV-D68 and EV-A71 and were protected against them.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings demonstrated that PS-G can be used as a potential adjuvant for EV-A71 and EV-D68 bivalent mucosal vaccines. Our results provide useful information for the further preclinical and clinical development of a mucosal bivalent enterovirus vaccine against both EV-A71 and EV-D68 infections.

Cost-effective complete genome sequencing using the MinION platform for identification of recombinant enteroviruses

IMPORTANCE

By employing a cost-effective approach for complete genome sequencing, the study has enabled the identification of novel enterovirus strains and shed light on the genetic exchange events during outbreaks. The success rate of genome sequencing and the scalability of the protocol demonstrate its practical utility for routine enterovirus surveillance. Moreover, the study's findings of recombinant strains of EVA71 and CVA2 contributing to epidemics in Malaysia and Taiwan emphasize the need for accurate detection and characterization of enteroviruses. The investigation of the whole genome and upstream ORF sequences has provided insights into the evolution and spread of enterovirus subgenogroups. These findings have important implications for the prevention, control, and surveillance of enteroviruses, ultimately contributing to the understanding and management of enterovirus-related illnesses.

Optimization of RT-PCR methods for enterovirus detection in groundwater

Enteroviruses (EVs), which belong to the Picornaviridae family, infect individuals asymptomatically or cause mild symptoms (fever, runny nose, cough, skin rash, sneezing, mouth blister). Severe cases can cause various diseases, such as acute hemorrhagic conjunctivitis, aseptic meningitis, or myocarditis, especially in infants. These viruses can be transmitted via the fecal-oral route via contaminated water. In this study, we established a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method for detecting EVs in water sample using Coxsackievirus B5 (CV-B5) and Echovirus 30 (E-30), which belong to species B of the four species of EVs (EV-A to D). Several methods have been investigated and compared for the detection of EVs, including real-time reverse transcription (RT) polymerase chain reaction and conventional RT-PCR. The most sensitive primer sets were selected, and the PCR conditions were modified to increase sensitivity. We also quantified the detection limits of real-time and conventional RT-PCR. The detection limits of conventional RT-PCR were detected in 105-106 copy/mL for CV-B5 and 106-107 copy/mL for E-30, respectively. This optimized method for detecting EVs is expected to contribute substantially to the investigation of EV outbreaks in water samples.

Characterization of a thermostable Cas12a ortholog

CRISPR-Cas12a has been used for genome editing and molecular diagnosis. The well-studied Cas12a orthologs have a T-rich PAM and are usually categorized as non-thermally stable enzymes. Here, we identified a new Cas12a ortholog from Clostridium thermobutyricum, which survives at 60 °C. This Cas12a ortholog is named as CtCas12a and exhibits low sequence similarity to the known Cas12a family members. CtCas12a is active in a wide temperature range from 17 to 77 °C. Moreover, this ortholog has a relaxed PAM of YYV (Y=C or T, V = A or C or G). We optimized the conditions for trans-cleavage and enabled its detection of nucleic acids. CtCas12a executed genome editing in human cells and generated up to 26% indel formation in the EGFP locus. With the ability to be active at high temperatures as well as having a relaxed PAM sequence, CtCas12a holds potential to be further engineered for pathogen detection and editing a wide range of genomic sequences.

Neutralization of African enterovirus A71 genogroups by antibodies to canonical genogroups

Enterovirus 71 (EV-A71) is a major public health problem, causing a range of illnesses from hand-foot-and-mouth disease to severe neurological manifestations. EV-A71 strains have been phylogenetically classified into eight genogroups (A to H), based on their capsid-coding genomic region. Genogroups B and C have caused large outbreaks worldwide and represent the two canonical circulating EV-A71 subtypes. Little is known about the antigenic diversity of new genogroups as compared to the canonical ones. Here, we compared the antigenic features of EV-A71 strains that belong to the canonical B and C genogroups and to genogroups E and F, which circulate in Africa. Analysis of the peptide sequences of EV-A71 strains belonging to different genogroups revealed a high level of conservation of the capsid residues involved in known linear and conformational neutralization antigenic sites. Using a published crystal structure of the EV-A71 capsid as a model, we found that most of the residues that are seemingly specific to some genogroups were mapped outside known antigenic sites or external loops. These observations suggest a cross-neutralization activity of anti-genogroup B or C antibodies against strains of genogroups E and F. Neutralization assays were performed with diverse rabbit and mouse anti-EV-A71 sera, anti-EV-A71 human standards and a monoclonal neutralizing antibody. All the batches of antibodies that were tested successfully neutralized all available isolates, indicating an overall broad cross-neutralization between the canonical genogroups B and C and genogroups E and F. A panel constituted of more than 80 individual human serum samples from Cambodia with neutralizing antibodies against EV-A71 subgenogroup C4 showed quite similar cross-neutralization activities between isolates of genogroups C4, E and F. Our results thus indicate that the genetic drift underlying the separation of EV-A71 strains into genogroups A, B, C, E and F does not correlate with the emergence of antigenically distinct variants.

Molecular evolutionary dynamics of enterovirus A71, coxsackievirus A16 and coxsackievirus A6 causing hand, foot and mouth disease in Thailand, 2000-2022

Hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) is a public health threat worldwide, particularly in the Asia-Pacific region. Enterovirus A71 (EV-A71), coxsackievirus A16 (CVA16), and CVA6 are the major pathogens causing HFMD outbreaks in several countries, including Thailand. We retrieved 385 VP1 nucleotide sequences, comprising 228 EV-A71, 33 CVA16, and 124 CVA6, deposited in the databases between 2000 and 2022 for molecular evolutionary characterization using Bayesian phylogeny. All EV-A71 identified belonged to genotype B, subgenotypes B4, and B5, and to genotype C, subgenotypes C1, C2, C4a, C4b, and C5. The analyzes demonstrated these viruses' co-circulation and subgenotypic changes throughout the past two decades. The CVA16 was grouped in genotype B1, predominantly subgenotype B1a, and the CVA6 was grouped in subgenotype D3, clades 1-4. The tMRCA of EV-A71 genotypes B and C, CVA16 B1, and CVA6 D3 dated 1993.79, 1982.62, 1995.86, and 2007.31, respectively, suggesting that the viruses were likely introduced and cryptically circulated in Thailand before the HFMD cases were recognized. We demonstrated these viruses' fluctuation and cyclical pattern throughout the two decades of observation. This study provided insight into evolutionary dynamics concerning molecular epidemiology and supported the selection of current genotype-matched vaccines, vaccine development, and implementation.

Impact of meteorological factors on the incidence of hand-foot-mouth disease in Yangzhou from 2017 to 2022: a time series study

Background

Hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) is a significant public health issue in China, and numerous studies have indicated a close association between HFMD incidence and meteorological factors. This study aims to investigate the relationship between meteorological factors and HFMD in Yangzhou City, Jiangsu Province, China.

Methods

HFMD case reports and meteorological data from Yangzhou City between 2017 and 2022 were extracted from the National Notifiable Infectious Disease Surveillance System and the Meteorological Data Sharing Service System, respectively. A generalized additive model (GAM) was employed to assess the exposure-response relationship between meteorological factors and HFMD. Subsequently, a distributed lag nonlinear model (DLNM) was used to explore the exposure-lag-effect of meteorological factors on HFMD.

Results

HFMD in Yangzhou City exhibits obvious seasonality and periodicity. There is an inverted "U" shaped relationship between average temperature and the risk of HFMD, with the maximum lag effect observed at a temperature of 25°C with lag 0 day (RR = 2.07, 95% CI: 1.74-2.47). As the duration of sunshine and relative humidity increase, the risk of HFMD continuously rises, with the maximum lag effect observed at a sunshine duration of 12.4 h with a lag of 14 days (RR = 2.10, 95% CI: 1.17-3.77), and a relative humidity of 28% with a lag of 14 days (RR = 1.21, 95% CI: 1.01-1.64). There is a "U" shaped relationship between average atmospheric pressure and the risk of HFMD, with the maximum effect observed at an atmospheric pressure of 989 hPa with no lag (RR = 1.45, 95% CI: 1.25-1.69). As precipitation increases, the risk of HFMD decreases, with the maximum effect observed at a precipitation of 151 mm with a lag of 14 days (RR = 1.45, 95% CI: 1.19-2.53).

Conclusion

Meteorological factors including average temperature, average atmospheric pressure, relative humidity, precipitation, and sunshine duration significantly influenced the risk of HFMD in Yangzhou City. Effective prevention measures for HFMD should be implemented, taking into account the local climate conditions.

Insights into enterovirus a-71 antiviral development: from natural sources to synthetic nanoparticles

Enteroviruses are pathogens responsible for several diseases, being enterovirus A71 (EVA71) the second leading cause of hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD), especially in Asia-Pacific countries. HFMD is mostly common in infants and children, with mild symptoms. However, the disease can result in severe nervous system disorders in children as well as in immunosuppressed adults. The virus is highly contagious, and its transmission occurs via fecal-oral, oropharyngeal secretions, and fomites. The EVA71 burdens the healthy systems and economies around the world, however, up to date, there is no antiviral approved to treat infected individuals and the existent vaccines are not available or approved to be used worldwide. In this context, an extensive literature research was conducted to describe and summarize the recent advances in natural and/or synthetic compounds with antiviral activity against EVA71. The summarized data presented here might simply encourage the future studies in EVA71 antiviral development, by encouraging further research encompassing these compounds or even the application of the techniques and technologies to improve or produce new antiviral molecules.

Molecular epidemiology and clinical characteristics of enteroviruses associated HFMD in Chengdu, China, 2013-2022

OBJECTIVES

This study aims to investigate molecular epidemiology and clinical characteristics of enterovirus associated hand-foot-mouth disease (HFMD) in Chengdu, China, 2013-2022. Monitoring the molecular epidemiology and clinical features of HFMD for up to 10 years may provide some ideas for future protection and control measures.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective analysis of the medical records of all patients with laboratory-confirmed HFMD-related enterovirus infection at the West China Second University Hospital from January 2013 to December 2022. We described the characteristics in serotype, age, sex distribution and hospitalization of enterovirus infection cases using data analysis and graphic description.

RESULTS

A total of 29,861 laboratory-confirmed cases of HFMD-related enterovirus infection were reported from 2013 to 2022. There was a significant reduction in the number and proportion of EV-A71 cases after 2016, from 1713 cases (13.60%) in 2013-2015 to 150 cases (1.83%) in 2017-2019. During the COVID-19 pandemic, EV-A71 cases even disappeared. The proportion of CV-A16 cases decreased from 13.96% in 2013-2015 to 10.84% in 2017-2019 and then to 4.54% in 2020-2022. Other (non-EV-A71 and non-CV-A16) serotypes accounted for 95.45% during 2020-2022, with CV-A6 accounting for 50.39% and CV-A10 accounting for 10.81%. Thus, CV-A6 and CV-A10 became the main prevalent serotypes. Furthermore, There was no significant difference in the enterovirus prevalence rate between males and females. The hospitalization rate of EV-A71 patients was higher that of other serotypes. In general, the proportion of HFMD hospitalizations caused by other pathogens except for EV-A71, CV-A16, CV-A10 and CV-A16 was second only to that caused by EV-A71. The proportion of children over 4 years old infected with enterovirus increased.

CONCLUSION

The incidence of HFMD associated with enterovirus infection has decreased significantly and CV-A6 has been the main pathogen of HFMD in Chengdu area in recent years. The potential for additional hospitalizations for other untested enterovirus serotypes suggested that attention should also be paid to the harms of infections with unknown enterovirus serotypes. Children with HFMD were older. The development of new diagnostic reagents and vaccines may play an important role in the prevention and control of enterovirus infection.

Bryum billardieri Schwaegr. against EV71 infection: in vitro and in vivo antiviral effects, identification of molecular mechanisms and active monomers

Enterovirus 71 (EV71) commonly causes symptoms such as hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) in infants and children and may lead to neurological disease and even death in severe cases. Appropriate vaccines for the prevention of HFMD are available in the clinic; however, they present different and serious adverse effects that cannot guarantee compliance and efficacy. The purpose of this study was to analyze the potential mechanism of Bryum billardieri Schwaegr. (BBS) against EV71 and analyze its potential active components. A previous in vitro antiviral assay was used to determine the best extraction method for the active site of BBS against EV71, and the results showed that the antiviral activity of BBS was more pronounced in the fraction that was extracted by aqueous extraction and alcoholic precipitation and then obtained by purification on a silica gel column (dichloromethane:methanol = 0:100). In addition, the therapeutic effects of BBS on EV71-infected mice were further investigated by in vivo pharmacological experiments. BBS reduced the lung index, viral titer, and degree of EV71-induced lung, brain, and skeletal muscle damage. The mechanism of anti-EV71 activity of BBS was also investigated by using ELISA and qRT-PCR, and it was found that BBS exerted its action mainly by regulating the expression of TLR3, TLR4, TNF-α, IL-2, and IFN-γ by modulating the activation of NF-κB and JAK2/STAT1 signaling pathways. Finally, the chemical structures of the active monomers in BBS were determined by using UPLC-MS and NMR techniques. The study revealed that one of the monomers on which BBS exerts its antiviral activity is saponarin. In conclusion, the results of this study suggest that BBS is considered a natural anti-EV71 product with enormous potential, and saponarin would be its non-negligible active monomer.

Enterovirus A71-associated acute flaccid paralysis in a pediatric patient: a case report

BACKGROUND

Enterovirus A71 is one of the causative agents of hand, foot, and mouth disease, which is usually a self-limiting disease. Complications of enterovirus infection are also very rare. However, when such complications occur, they can lead to serious neurological diseases or even death.

CASE PRESENTATION

In this report, we describe a case of enterovirus A71-associated acute flaccid paralysis in a 13-month-old Caucasian girl that was managed in our hospital. The patient presented with sudden onset of left arm paresis that could not be attributed to any other cause. Establishing a diagnosis was furthermore complicated by negative virological investigations of cerebrospinal fluid and non-pathological radiological findings. A polymerase chain reaction test of the child's stool sample however tested positive for enterovirus and sequencing results revealed the presence of enterovirus A71. A previous history of febrile gastroenteritis just before the paresis started also supported the suspected diagnosis of enterovirus-associated acute flaccid paralysis. Following this, the child was treated with intravenous immunoglobulin over 5 days and a remarkable improvement was observed in the child's paresis.

CONCLUSION

This case report describes a possible complication of enterovirus A71 infection in a child. It also highlights the prolonged detection of enterovirus in the child's stool sample as compared with cerebrospinal fluid weeks after the primary infection occurred. Finally, it shows the need for increased clinical and diagnostic awareness especially in the management of sudden and unknown causes of paresis or paralysis in children.

Effect of proteins isolated from Brazilian snakes on enterovirus A71 replication cycle: An approach against hand, foot and mouth disease

Enterovirus A71 (EVA71) belongs to the Picornaviridae family and is the main etiological agent of hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD). There is no approved antiviral against EVA71, and therefore the search for novel anti-EVA71 therapeutics is essential. In this context, the antiviral activity of proteins isolated from snake venoms has been reported against a range of viruses. Here, the proteins CM10 and CM14 isolated from Bothrops moojeni, and Crotamin and PLA2CB isolated from Crotalus durissus terrificus were investigated for their antiviral activity against EVA71 infection. CM14 and Crotamin possessed a selective index (SI) of 170.8 and 120.4, respectively, while CM10 and PLA2CB had an SI of 67.4 and 12.5, respectively. CM14 inhibited all steps of viral replication (protective effect: 76 %; virucidal: 99 %; and post-entry: 99 %). Similarly, Crotamin inhibited up to 99 % of three steps. In contrast, CM10 and PLA2CB impaired one or two steps of EVA71 replication, respectively. Further dose-response assays using increasing titres of EVA71 were performed and CM14 and Crotamin retained functionality with high concentrations of EVA71 (up to 1000 TCID50). These data demonstrate that proteins isolated from snake venom are potent inhibitors of EVA71 and could be used as scaffolds for future development of novel antivirals.

Isolation and Characterization of scFv Antibody against Internal Ribosomal Entry Site of Enterovirus A71

Enterovirus A71 (EV-A71) is one of the causative agents of hand-foot-mouth disease, which can be associated with neurocomplications of the central nervous system. A limited understanding of the virus's biology and pathogenesis has led to the unavailability of effective anti-viral treatments. The EV-A71 RNA genome carries type I internal ribosomal entry site (IRES) at 5' UTR that plays an essential role in the viral genomic translation. However, the detailed mechanism of IRES-mediated translation has not been elucidated. In this study, sequence analysis revealed that the domains IV, V, and VI of EV-A71 IRES contained the structurally conserved regions. The selected region was transcribed in vitro and labeled with biotin to use as an antigen for selecting the single-chain variable fragment (scFv) antibody from the naïve phage display library. The so-obtained scFv, namely, scFv #16-3, binds specifically to EV-A71 IRES. The molecular docking showed that the interaction between scFv #16-3 and EV-A71 IRES was mediated by the preferences of amino acid residues, including serine, tyrosine, glycine, lysine, and arginine on the antigen-binding sites contacted the nucleotides on the IRES domains IV and V. The so-produced scFv has the potential to develop as a structural biology tool to study the biology of the EV-A71 RNA genome.

Production of antigenically stable enterovirus A71 virus-like particles in Pichia pastoris as a vaccine candidate

Enterovirus A71 (EVA71) causes widespread disease in young children with occasional fatal consequences. In common with other picornaviruses, both empty capsids (ECs) and infectious virions are produced during the viral lifecycle. While initially antigenically indistinguishable from virions, ECs readily convert to an expanded conformation at moderate temperatures. In the closely related poliovirus, these conformational changes result in loss of antigenic sites required to elicit protective immune responses. Whether this is true for EVA71 remains to be determined and is the subject of this investigation.We previously reported the selection of a thermally resistant EVA71 genogroup B2 population using successive rounds of heating and passage. The mutations found in the structural protein-coding region of the selected population conferred increased thermal stability to both virions and naturally produced ECs. Here, we introduced these mutations into a recombinant expression system to produce stabilized virus-like particles (VLPs) in Pichia pastoris.The stabilized VLPs retain the native virion-like antigenic conformation as determined by reactivity with a specific antibody. Structural studies suggest multiple potential mechanisms of antigenic stabilization, however, unlike poliovirus, both native and expanded EVA71 particles elicited antibodies able to directly neutralize virus in vitro. Therefore, anti-EVA71 neutralizing antibodies are elicited by sites which are not canonically associated with the native conformation, but whether antigenic sites specific to the native conformation provide additional protective responses in vivo remains unclear. VLPs are likely to provide cheaper and safer alternatives for vaccine production and these data show that VLP vaccines are comparable with inactivated virus vaccines at inducing neutralising antibodies.

MAVS-Based Reporter Systems for Real-Time Imaging of EV71 Infection and Antiviral Testing

Enterovirus consists of a variety of viruses that could cause a wide range of illness in human. The pathogenesis of these viruses remains incompletely understood and no specific treatment is available. Better methods to study enterovirus infection in live cells will help us better understand the pathogenesis of these viruses and might contribute to antiviral development. Here in this study, we developed fluorescent cell-based reporter systems that allow sensitive distinction of individual cells infected with enterovirus 71 (EV71). More importantly, these systems could be easily used for live-cell imaging by monitoring viral-induced fluorescence translocation after EV71 infection. We further demonstrated that these reporter systems could be used to study other enterovirus-mediated MAVS cleavage and they are sensitive for antiviral activity testing. Therefore, integration of these reporters with modern image-based analysis has the potential to generate new insights into enterovirus infection and facilitate antiviral development.

Children with severe enterovirus A71 infection

BACKGROUND

There are few reports on the timing of onset and the symptoms of enterovirus A71 (EV-A71) infection, which can easily be misdiagnosed. This study aimed to explore the clinical characteristics of children with severe EV-A71 infection.

METHODS

This retrospective observational study included children with severe EV-A71 infection admitted to Hebei Children's Hospital between January 2016 and January 2018.

RESULTS

A total of 101 patients were included: 57 males (56.4%) and 44 females (43.6%). They were 1-13 years of age. The symptoms were fever in 94 patients (93.1%), rash in 46 (45.5%), irritability in 70 (69.3%), and lethargy in 56 (55.4%). There were 19 (59.3%) patients with abnormal neurological magnetic resonance imaging [pontine tegmentum (n = 14, 43.8%), medulla oblongata (n = 11, 34.4%), midbrain (n = 9, 28.1%), cerebellum and dentate nucleus (n = 8, 25.0%), basal ganglia (n = 4, 12.5%), cortex (n = 4, 12.5%), spinal cord (n = 3, 9.3%), and meninges (n = 1, 3.1%)]. There was a positive correlation between the ratio of neutrophil count and white blood cell count in cerebrospinal fluid in the first 3 days of the disease (r = 0.415, P < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

The clinical symptoms of EV-A71 infection are fever and/or skin rash, irritability, and lethargy. Some patients have abnormal neurological magnetic resonance imaging. The white blood cell count in the cerebrospinal fluid of children with EV-A71 infection may increase alongside neutrophil counts.

Evaluation of 3D Human Intestinal Organoids as a Platform for EV-A71 Antiviral Drug Discovery

Enteroviruses are a leading cause of upper respiratory tract, gastrointestinal, and neurological infections. Management of enterovirus-related diseases has been hindered by the lack of specific antiviral treatment. The pre-clinical and clinical development of such antivirals has been challenging, calling for novel model systems and strategies to identify suitable pre-clinical candidates. Organoids represent a new and outstanding opportunity to test antiviral agents in a more physiologically relevant system. However, dedicated studies addressing the validation and direct comparison of organoids versus commonly used cell lines are lacking. Here, we described the use of human small intestinal organoids (HIOs) as a model to study antiviral treatment against human enterovirus 71 (EV-A71) infection and compared this model to EV-A71-infected RD cells. We used reference antiviral compounds such as enviroxime, rupintrivir, and 2'-C-methylcytidine (2'CMC) to assess their effects on cell viability, virus-induced cytopathic effect, and viral RNA yield in EV-A71-infected HIOs and cell line. The results indicated a difference in the activity of the tested compounds between the two models, with HIOs being more sensitive to infection and drug treatment. In conclusion, the outcome reveals the value added by using the organoid model in virus and antiviral studies.

EV-A71 Mechanism of Entry: Receptors/Co-Receptors, Related Pathways and Inhibitors

Enterovirus A71, a non-enveloped single-stranded (+) RNA virus, enters host cells through three stages: attachment, endocytosis and uncoating. In recent years, receptors/co-receptors anchored on the host cell membrane and involved in this process have been continuously identified. Among these, hSCARB-2 was the first receptor revealed to specifically bind to a definite site of the EV-A71 viral capsid and plays an indispensable role during viral entry. It actually acts as the main receptor due to its ability to recognize all EV-A71 strains. In addition, PSGL-1 is the second EV-A71 receptor discovered. Unlike hSCARB-2, PSGL-1 binding is strain-specific; only 20% of EV-A71 strains isolated to date are able to recognize and bind it. Some other receptors, such as sialylated glycan, Anx 2, HS, HSP90, vimentin, nucleolin and fibronectin, were discovered successively and considered as "co-receptors" because, without hSCARB-2 or PSGL-1, they are not able to mediate entry. For cypA, prohibitin and hWARS, whether they belong to the category of receptors or of co-receptors still needs further investigation. In fact, they have shown to exhibit an hSCARB-2-independent entry. All this information has gradually enriched our knowledge of EV-A71's early stages of infection. In addition to the availability of receptors/co-receptors for EV-A71 on host cells, the complex interaction between the virus and host proteins and various intracellular signaling pathways that are intricately connected to each other is critical for a successful EV-A71 invasion and for escaping the attack of the immune system. However, a lot remains unknown about the EV-A71 entry process. Nevertheless, researchers have been continuously interested in developing EV-A71 entry inhibitors, as this study area offers a large number of targets. To date, important progress has been made toward the development of several inhibitors targeting: receptors/co-receptors, including their soluble forms and chemically designed compounds; virus capsids, such as capsid inhibitors designed on the VP1 capsid; compounds potentially interfering with related signaling pathways, such as MAPK-, IFN- and ATR-inhibitors; and other strategies, such as siRNA and monoclonal antibodies targeting entry. The present review summarizes these latest studies, which are undoubtedly of great significance in developing a novel therapeutic approach against EV-A71.

Analysis of the epidemiological trends of enterovirus A in Asia and Europe

BACKGROUND

Enteroviruses have been in massive, cyclical epidemics worldwide. An in-depth understanding of the international epidemiological characteristics of Enterovirus A (EVA) is critical to determining its clinical significance and total disease burden. Although much research has been conducted on EVA epidemiology, there is still a lack of a comprehensive overview of EVA epidemiological characteristics and trends.

OBJECTIVE

EVA nucleic acid sequences from the NCBI virus database were used to summarize the epidemic time (based on the time of specimen collection), spatial and serotype distribution of EVA, and to analyze EVA isolated from cerebrospinal fluid specimens.

METHODS

EVA sequences were searched in NCBI Virus by keyword ("Enterovirus A″ or "EVA") to screen sequences released before December 2021 and sort them to analyze EVA by year, geographic region and serotype prevalence.

RESULTS

The results found 23,041 retrieved nucleic acid sequences with precise collection dates and geographical regions as of December 2021, with Asia accounting for 87%, Europe for 11% and Africa and the Americas for only 2%. Overall, EV-A71, CVA6 and CVA16 are a few of the main prevalent serotypes; and the prevalence characteristics of the different serotypes change over time from place to place.

CONCLUSION

The prevalence of different serotypes of EVA varies considerably over time and space, and we focused on analysing the epidemiological characteristics of EVAs in Asia and Europe and EVAs that invade the nervous system. This study will likely provide important clues for prevention, control and future research in virological surveillance, disease management and vaccine development.

Development of Enterovirus Antiviral Agents That Target the Viral 2C Protein

The Enterovirus (EV) genus includes several important human and animal pathogens. EV-A71, EV-D68, poliovirus (PV), and coxsackievirus (CV) outbreaks have affected millions worldwide, causing a range of upper respiratory, skin, and neuromuscular diseases, including acute flaccid myelitis, and hand-foot-and-mouth disease. There are no FDA-approved antiviral therapeutics for these enteroviruses. This study describes novel antiviral compounds targeting the conserved non-structural viral protein 2C with low micromolar to nanomolar IC₅₀ values. The selection of resistant mutants resulted in amino acid substitutions in the viral capsid protein, implying these compounds may play a role in inhibiting the interaction of 2C and the capsid protein. The assembly and encapsidation stages of the viral life cycle still need to be fully understood, and the inhibitors reported here could be useful probes in understanding these processes.

Antiviral properties of verdazyls and leucoverdazyls and their activity against group B enteroviruses

Introduction: Enteroviruses are non-enveloped viruses of the Enterovirus genus of the Picornaviridae family. They cause human diseases ranging from respiratory diseases to more severe cases, including polio, encephalitis, myocarditis, and pancreatitis. To date, there are no approved direct-acting antiviral drugs for the treatment of enterovirus diseases, therefore search for new small molecules - inhibitors of the enterovirus life cycle is important. Objective: to characterize the antiviral properties of new stable free radicals, verdazyls, and their precursors, leucoverdazyls. Leucoverdazyls have previously been shown to have antioxidant potential. Materials and methods: leucoverdazyls and verdazyls were synthesized in the Laboratory of coordination compounds, Postovsky Institute of Organic Synthesis, Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Ekaterinburg, Russian Federation. The following strains and cell cultures were used: influenza A virus (strain A/Puerto Rico/8/1934 H1N1), Coxsackie virus B3 (CVB3, Nancy strain), Coxsackie virus B4 (CVB4, Powers strain), Coxsackie virus B5, herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV1) and human adenovirus 5 (Ad5) obtained from the collection of the Pasteur Research Institute (St. Petersburg). The following cell cultures were used: MDCK (ATCC #CCL-34), Vero (ATCC #CCL-81), A549 (ATCC #CCL-185). Infectious activity of viruses was assessed by end point titration. The cytoprotective activity and cytotoxicity of the compounds were evaluated using MTT test. The antiviral activity of the compounds was evaluated in the viral yield reduction assay. The virucidal activity of the compounds was evaluated after incubation of the compounds in a cell-free system with Coxsackie B4 virus for 1 hour. To investigate the mechanism of action of the leader compound, a time-of-addition assay was performed. Results: Leucoverdazyls, unlike verdazyls, have cytoprotective activity when a permissive culture is infected with the Coxsackie B3 virus. The leading compound was identified: 1a, which demonstrated a high inhibitory ability against a wide panel of influenza B enteroviruses in micromolar range (IC50=5.48 M and 0.72 M for Coxsackie B3 and Coxsackie B4, respectively) and its activity was superior to pleconaril (IC50=15.2 and IC50=1.91). Nevertheless, pleconaril acted as a more powerful inhibitor than 1a towards Coxsackievirus B5. The compound showed only slight activity against influenza A (RNA virus), no activity against Ad5 and HSV1 (DNA viruses). 1a have no virucidal activity. The maximum decrease in the titers of viral progeny with the addition of 1a was observed in the early and middle stages of the life cycle of the Coxsackie virus. Conclusion: Leucoverdazyls are potent inhibitors of group B enteroviruses in vitro. Leucoverdazyl 1a doesnt belong to capsid binder class of inhibitors and has no virucidal activity against coxsackievirus. Further studies are needed to elucidate their precise mechanisms of action including assessment of its direct impact on intracellular ROS generation, resistant clone selection and mapping of resistance mutations. We plan to expand the library of leucoverdazyls through targeted chemical modifications in order to disclose its pharmacophore and improve their virus-inhibiting properties. Nevertheless, the results of the study can serve as a basis for future development of novel antivirals to use in monotherapy or in combinational treatment of enteroviral infections.

Production of antigenically stable enterovirus A71 virus-like particles in Pichia pastoris as a vaccine candidate

Enterovirus A71 (EVA71) causes widespread disease in young children with occasional fatal consequences. In common with other picornaviruses, both empty capsids (ECs) and infectious virions are produced during the viral lifecycle. While initially antigenically indistinguishable from virions, ECs readily convert to an expanded conformation at moderate temperatures. In the closely related poliovirus, these conformational changes result in loss of antigenic sites required to elicit protective immune responses. Whether this is true for EVA71 remains to be determined and is the subject of this investigation. We previously reported the selection of a thermally resistant EVA71 genogroup B2 population using successive rounds of heating and passage. The mutations found in the structural protein-coding region of the selected population conferred increased thermal stability to both virions and naturally produced ECs. Here, we introduced these mutations into a recombinant expression system to produce stabilised virus-like particles (VLPs) in Pichia pastoris . The stabilised VLPs retain the native virion-like antigenic conformation as determined by reactivity with a specific antibody. Structural studies suggest multiple potential mechanisms of antigenic stabilisation, however, unlike poliovirus, both native and expanded EVA71 particles elicited antibodies able to directly neutralise virus in vitro . Therefore, the anti-EVA71 neutralising antibodies are elicited by sites which are not canonically associated with the native conformation, but whether antigenic sites specific to the native conformation provide additional protective responses in vivo remains unclear. VLPs are likely to provide cheaper and safer alternatives for vaccine production and these data show that VLP vaccines are comparable with inactivated virus vaccines at inducing neutralising antibodies.

Exploring the influence of COVID-19 on the spread of hand, foot, and mouth disease with an automatic machine learning prediction model

Hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) is an important public health problem and has received concern worldwide. Moreover, the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) epidemic also increases the difficulty of understanding and predicting the prevalence of HFMD. The purpose is to prove the usability and applicability of the automatic machine learning (Auto-ML) algorithm in predicting the epidemic trend of HFMD and to explore the influence of COVID-19 on the spread of HFMD. The AutoML algorithm and the autoregressive integrated moving average (ARIMA) model were applied to construct and validate models, based on the monthly incidence numbers of HFMD and meteorological factors from May 2008 to December 2019 in Henan province, China. A total of four models were established, among which the Auto-ML model with meteorological factors had minimum RMSE and MAE in both the model constructing phase and forecasting phase (training set: RMSE = 1424.40 and MAE = 812.55; test set: RMSE = 2107.83, MAE = 1494.41), so this model has the best performance. The optimal model was used to further predict the incidence numbers of HFMD in 2020 and then compared with the reported cases. And, for analysis, 2020 was divided into two periods. The predicted incidence numbers followed the same trend as the reported cases of HFMD before the COVID-19 outbreak; while after the COVID-19 outbreak, the reported cases have been greatly reduced than expected, with an average of only about 103 cases per month, and the incidence peak has also been delayed, which has led to significant changes in the seasonality of HFMD. Overall, the AutoML algorithm is an applicable and ideal method to predict the epidemic trend of the HFMD. Furthermore, it was found that the countermeasures of COVID-19 have a certain influence on suppressing the spread of HFMD during the period of COVID-19. The findings are helpful to health administrative departments.