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Sberna G, Mija C, Lalle E, Rozera G, Matusali G, Carletti F, Girardi E, Maggi F. Rapid Determination of SARS-CoV-2 Integrity and Infectivity by Using Propidium Monoazide Coupled with Digital Droplet PCR. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:6156. [PMID: 38892344 PMCID: PMC11172733 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25116156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2024] [Revised: 05/31/2024] [Accepted: 06/02/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024] Open
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2 is a highly infectious virus responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, it is important to assess the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection, especially in persistently positive patients. Rapid discrimination between infectious and non-infectious viruses aids in determining whether prevention, control, and treatment measures are necessary. For this purpose, a method was developed and utilized involving a pre-treatment with 50 µM of propidium monoazide (PMAxx, a DNA intercalant) combined with a digital droplet PCR (ddPCR). The ddPCR method was performed on 40 nasopharyngeal swabs (NPSs) both before and after treatment with PMAxx, revealing a reduction in the viral load at a mean of 0.9 Log copies/mL (SD ± 0.6 Log copies/mL). Furthermore, six samples were stratified based on the Ct values of SARS-CoV-2 RNA (Ct < 20, 20 < Ct < 30, Ct > 30) and analyzed to compare the results obtained via a ddPCR with viral isolation and a negative-chain PCR. Of the five samples found positive via a ddPCR after the PMAxx treatment, two of the samples showed the highest post-treatment SARS-CoV-2 loads. The virus was isolated in vitro from both samples and the negative strand chains were detected. In three NPS samples, SARS CoV-2 was present post-treatment at a low level; it was not isolated in vitro, and, when detected, the strand was negative. Our results indicate that the established method is useful for determining whether the SARS-CoV-2 within positive NPS samples is intact and capable of causing infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppe Sberna
- Laboratory of Virology and Biosafety Laboratories, National Institute for Infectious Diseases “Lazzaro Spallanzani” (IRCCS), 00149 Rome, Italy
| | - Cosmina Mija
- Laboratory of Virology and Biosafety Laboratories, National Institute for Infectious Diseases “Lazzaro Spallanzani” (IRCCS), 00149 Rome, Italy
| | - Eleonora Lalle
- Laboratory of Virology and Biosafety Laboratories, National Institute for Infectious Diseases “Lazzaro Spallanzani” (IRCCS), 00149 Rome, Italy
| | - Gabriella Rozera
- Laboratory of Virology and Biosafety Laboratories, National Institute for Infectious Diseases “Lazzaro Spallanzani” (IRCCS), 00149 Rome, Italy
| | - Giulia Matusali
- Laboratory of Virology and Biosafety Laboratories, National Institute for Infectious Diseases “Lazzaro Spallanzani” (IRCCS), 00149 Rome, Italy
| | - Fabrizio Carletti
- Laboratory of Virology and Biosafety Laboratories, National Institute for Infectious Diseases “Lazzaro Spallanzani” (IRCCS), 00149 Rome, Italy
| | - Enrico Girardi
- Scientific Direction, National Institute for Infectious Diseases “Lazzaro Spallanzani” (IRCCS), 00149 Rome, Italy
| | - Fabrizio Maggi
- Laboratory of Virology and Biosafety Laboratories, National Institute for Infectious Diseases “Lazzaro Spallanzani” (IRCCS), 00149 Rome, Italy
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2
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Biava M, Notari S, Grassi G, Bordi L, Tartaglia E, Agrati C, Cimini E, Sberna G, Nicastri E, Antinori A, Girardi E, Vaia F, Maggi F, Lalle E. In Vitro and In Vivo Crosstalk between Type I IFN and IL-8 Responses in SARS-CoV-2 Infection. Microorganisms 2023; 11:2787. [PMID: 38004798 PMCID: PMC10672883 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11112787] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2023] [Revised: 11/14/2023] [Accepted: 11/15/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
COVID-19 patients show characteristic over-expression of different cytokines that may interfere with the interferon (IFN) response, delaying its production. Within the overexpressed cytokines, IL-8 plays a key role, and it may impede IFN-I activation. PBMC from eight healthy donors were exposed to 2019-nCoV/Italy-INMI1 isolate and supernatants/cells were collected at different time points; the production of either IFN-alpha or IL-8 was assessed. The same analysis was performed on plasma samples obtained from 87 COVID-19 patients. Antagonism between IFN-alpha and IL-8 was observed, since in those PBMC with medium or high IL-8 levels, IFN-α levels were low. The same scenario was observed in SARS-CoV-2-infected patients that were divided into three groups based on IL-8 low, medium and high levels; the correlation between low levels of IFN-α and high levels of IL-8 was statistically significant in both the IL-8 medium and IL-8 high group. Overall, our results showed a crosstalk/antagonism between IL-8 and IFN-alpha in PBMC from healthy donors challenged with SARS-CoV-2 and inversely proportional IFN-alpha levels to IL-8 concentrations detected in plasma samples from COVID-19 patients, suggesting that the impairment of the innate immune response in COVID-19 patients may be linked to a dysregulated cytokine response, namely through IL-8 production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mirella Biava
- Laboratory of Virology and Biosafety Laboratories, National Institute of Infectious Diseases “L. Spallanzani”, IRCCS, 00149 Rome, Italy (G.S.)
| | - Stefania Notari
- Cellular Immunology Laboratory, National Institute of Infectious Diseases “L. Spallanzani”, IRCCS, 00149 Rome, Italy
| | - Germana Grassi
- Cellular Immunology Laboratory, National Institute of Infectious Diseases “L. Spallanzani”, IRCCS, 00149 Rome, Italy
| | - Licia Bordi
- Laboratory of Virology and Biosafety Laboratories, National Institute of Infectious Diseases “L. Spallanzani”, IRCCS, 00149 Rome, Italy (G.S.)
| | - Eleonora Tartaglia
- Cellular Immunology Laboratory, National Institute of Infectious Diseases “L. Spallanzani”, IRCCS, 00149 Rome, Italy
| | - Chiara Agrati
- Unit of Pathogen Specific Immunity, Ospedale Bambino Gesù, IRCCS, 00146 Rome, Italy
| | - Eleonora Cimini
- Cellular Immunology Laboratory, National Institute of Infectious Diseases “L. Spallanzani”, IRCCS, 00149 Rome, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Sberna
- Laboratory of Virology and Biosafety Laboratories, National Institute of Infectious Diseases “L. Spallanzani”, IRCCS, 00149 Rome, Italy (G.S.)
| | - Emanuele Nicastri
- Clinical and Research Department, National Institute of Infectious Diseases “L. Spallanzani”, IRCCS, 00149 Rome, Italy
| | - Andrea Antinori
- Clinical and Research Department, National Institute of Infectious Diseases “L. Spallanzani”, IRCCS, 00149 Rome, Italy
| | - Enrico Girardi
- Scientific Direction, National Institute of Infectious Diseases “L. Spallanzani”, IRCCS, 00149 Rome, Italy
| | - Francesco Vaia
- General and Health Management Direction, National Institute of Infectious Diseases “L. Spallanzani”, IRCCS, 00149 Rome, Italy
| | - Fabrizio Maggi
- Laboratory of Virology and Biosafety Laboratories, National Institute of Infectious Diseases “L. Spallanzani”, IRCCS, 00149 Rome, Italy (G.S.)
| | - Eleonora Lalle
- Laboratory of Virology and Biosafety Laboratories, National Institute of Infectious Diseases “L. Spallanzani”, IRCCS, 00149 Rome, Italy (G.S.)
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3
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Sberna G, Biagi M, Marafini G, Nardacci R, Biava M, Colavita F, Piselli P, Miraldi E, D'Offizi G, Capobianchi MR, Amendola A. In vitro Evaluation of Antiviral Efficacy of a Standardized Hydroalcoholic Extract of Poplar Type Propolis Against SARS-CoV-2. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:799546. [PMID: 35350622 PMCID: PMC8958028 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.799546] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2021] [Accepted: 01/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Except for specific vaccines and monoclonal antibodies, effective prophylactic or post-exposure therapeutic treatments are currently limited for COVID-19. Propolis, a honeybee’s product, has been suggested as a potential candidate for treatment of COVID-19 for its immunomodulatory properties and for its powerful activity against various types of viruses, including common coronaviruses. However, direct evidence regarding the antiviral activities of this product still remains poorly documented. VERO E6 and CALU3 cell lines were infected with SARS-CoV-2 and cultured in the presence of 12.5 or 25 μg/ml of a standardized Hydroalcoholic Extract acronym (sHEP) of Eurasian poplar type propolis and analyzed for viral RNA transcription, for cell damage by optical and electron microscopy, and for virus infectivity by viral titration at 2, 24, 48, and 72 h post-infection. The three main components of sHEP, caffeic acid phenethyl ester, galangin, and pinocembrin, were tested for the antiviral power, either alone or in combination. On both cell lines, sHEP showed significant effects mainly on CALU3 up to 48 h, i.e., some protection from cytopathic effects and consistent reduction of infected cell number, fewer viral particles inside cellular vesicles, reduction of viral titration in supernatants, dramatic drop of N gene negative sense RNA synthesis, and lower concentration of E gene RNA in cell extracts. Interestingly, pre-treatment of cells with sHEP before virus inoculation induced these same effects described previously and was not able to block virus entry. When used in combination, the three main constituents of sHEP showed antiviral activity at the same levels of sHEP. sHEP has a remarkable ability to hinder the replication of SARS-CoV-2, to limit new cycles of infection, and to protect host cells against the cytopathic effect, albeit with rather variable results. However, sHEP do not block the virus entry into the cells. The antiviral activity observed with the three main components of sHEP used in combination highlights that the mechanism underlying the antiviral activity of sHEP is probably the result of a synergistic effect. These data add further emphasis on the possible therapeutic role of this special honeybee’s product as an adjuvant to official treatments of COVID-19 patients for its direct antiviral activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppe Sberna
- Laboratory of Virology, National Institute for Infectious Diseases INMI, "Lazzaro Spallanzani" Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), Rome, Italy
| | - Marco Biagi
- Department of Physical Sciences, Earth and Environment, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Giovanni Marafini
- Laboratory of Virology, National Institute for Infectious Diseases INMI, "Lazzaro Spallanzani" Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), Rome, Italy
| | - Roberta Nardacci
- Laboratory of Virology, National Institute for Infectious Diseases INMI, "Lazzaro Spallanzani" Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), Rome, Italy.,Clinical Department, National Institute for Infectious Diseases INMI, "Lazzaro Spallanzani" Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), Rome, Italy
| | - Mirella Biava
- Laboratory of Virology, National Institute for Infectious Diseases INMI, "Lazzaro Spallanzani" Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), Rome, Italy
| | - Francesca Colavita
- Laboratory of Virology, National Institute for Infectious Diseases INMI, "Lazzaro Spallanzani" Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), Rome, Italy
| | - Pierluca Piselli
- Epidemiology Department, National Institute for Infectious Diseases INMI, "Lazzaro Spallanzani" Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), Rome, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Miraldi
- Department of Physical Sciences, Earth and Environment, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Gianpiero D'Offizi
- Clinical Department, National Institute for Infectious Diseases INMI, "Lazzaro Spallanzani" Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), Rome, Italy.,Saint Camillus International University of Health Sciences, Rome, Italy
| | - Maria Rosaria Capobianchi
- Laboratory of Virology, National Institute for Infectious Diseases INMI, "Lazzaro Spallanzani" Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), Rome, Italy.,Saint Camillus International University of Health Sciences, Rome, Italy
| | - Alessandra Amendola
- Laboratory of Virology, National Institute for Infectious Diseases INMI, "Lazzaro Spallanzani" Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), Rome, Italy
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4
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Nikiforuk AM, Tierny K, Cutts TA, Kobasa DK, Theriault SS, Cook BWM. Kyasanur Forest disease virus non-mouse animal models: a pilot study. BMC Res Notes 2020; 13:291. [PMID: 32539799 PMCID: PMC7296627 DOI: 10.1186/s13104-020-05137-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2020] [Accepted: 06/10/2020] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives Mouse models have delivered variable recapitulation of Kyasanur Forest disease (KFD) pathology and consistently demonstrated neurological involvement which may be a limited feature of human disease. With the purpose of more accurately modelling human disease progression we infected several small-mammalian models: guinea pigs, hamsters and ferrets with a titered infectious dose of Kyasanur Forest disease virus (KFDV). Clinical indicators of disease severity were observed for seventeen days, on day eighteen a visual post-mortem analysis of visceral organs was conducted. Viral load in selected tissues was measured to infer disease signs and the establishment of viral replication. Data description Daily monitoring did not reveal any observable signs of illness; weight loss was minimal across species and gross pathology did not indicate severe viral infection. Tissue specific tropism and establishment of viral infection was monitored by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). No viral replication was detected in ferrets (n = 0/3), but was present in the spleen of guinea pigs (n = 3/3) and the brain of hamsters (n = 3/3). Low levels of viral RNA were detected in multiple hamster tissues (kidney, liver, lung and spleen) suggesting the possibility of viral tropism and possible adaptation to the host. No serological tests were performed.
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Affiliation(s)
- A M Nikiforuk
- Applied Biosafety Research Program, National Microbiology Laboratory, Public Health Agency of Canada, 1015 Arlington Street, Winnipeg, MB, R3E 3R2, Canada
| | - K Tierny
- Special Pathogens Program, National Microbiology Laboratory, Public Health Agency of Canada, 1015 Arlington Street, Winnipeg, MB, R3E 3R2, Canada
| | - T A Cutts
- Applied Biosafety Research Program, National Microbiology Laboratory, Public Health Agency of Canada, 1015 Arlington Street, Winnipeg, MB, R3E 3R2, Canada
| | - D K Kobasa
- Special Pathogens Program, National Microbiology Laboratory, Public Health Agency of Canada, 1015 Arlington Street, Winnipeg, MB, R3E 3R2, Canada.,Department of Medical Microbiology, and Infectious Diseases, The University of Manitoba, 745 Bannatyne Avenue, Winnipeg, MB, R3E 0J9, Canada
| | - S S Theriault
- Applied Biosafety Research Program, National Microbiology Laboratory, Public Health Agency of Canada, 1015 Arlington Street, Winnipeg, MB, R3E 3R2, Canada.,Department of Microbiology, The University of Manitoba, 213 Buller Building, Winnipeg, MB, R3T 2N2, Canada
| | - B W M Cook
- Applied Biosafety Research Program, National Microbiology Laboratory, Public Health Agency of Canada, 1015 Arlington Street, Winnipeg, MB, R3E 3R2, Canada. .,Cytophage Technologies Inc, 26 Henlow Bay, Winnipeg, MB, R3Y 1G4, Canada.
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5
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Huits R, De Smet B, Grard G, Eggermont K, Minto-Bain C, Jess N, Leparc-Goffart I, Malvy D, Cnops L. Detection of Zika Virus Replication in Human Semen by Reverse-Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction Targeting of Antisense Ribonucleic Acid. J Infect Dis 2020; 222:319-323. [DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jiaa070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2020] [Accepted: 02/10/2020] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Background
Persistence of Zika virus (ZIKV) ribonucleic acid (RNA) in semen is common after infection.
Methods
We designed a reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction assay that targets antisense ZIKV RNA (asRNA) to assess ZIKV replication competence in ZIKV RNA-positive semen samples.
Results
We detected ZIKV asRNA in semen of 9 of 19 men (47.4%) diagnosed with ZIKV infection. All asRNA-positive samples had high ZIKV loads (cycle threshold values <26) and were obtained within 21 days of symptom onset.
Conclusions
The sensitivity of the asRNA assay for detection of ZIKV replication was higher than that of conventional virus isolation methods (47.4% vs 21.1%, P = .032).
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Affiliation(s)
- Ralph Huits
- Institute of Tropical Medicine, Department of Clinical Sciences, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Birgit De Smet
- Institute of Tropical Medicine, Department of Clinical Sciences, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Gilda Grard
- French National reference Center for Arboviruses, French Armed Forces Biomedical Research Institute, Unité des Virus Emergents, Aix-Marseille Université IRD 190 - Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale (Inserm) 1207 - Institut Hospitalo-Universitaire (IHU) Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France
| | - Kaat Eggermont
- Institute of Tropical Medicine, Department of Clinical Sciences, Antwerp, Belgium
| | | | - Natalie Jess
- Trinidad & Tobago IVF and Fertility Centre, Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago
| | - Isabelle Leparc-Goffart
- French National reference Center for Arboviruses, French Armed Forces Biomedical Research Institute, Unité des Virus Emergents, Aix-Marseille Université IRD 190 - Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale (Inserm) 1207 - Institut Hospitalo-Universitaire (IHU) Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France
| | - Denis Malvy
- Bordeaux University Hospital, Department for Infectious and Tropical Diseases, and Inserm 1219, University of Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France
| | - Lieselotte Cnops
- Institute of Tropical Medicine, Department of Clinical Sciences, Antwerp, Belgium
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6
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Lalle E, Biava M, Nicastri E, Colavita F, Di Caro A, Vairo F, Lanini S, Castilletti C, Langer M, Zumla A, Kobinger G, Capobianchi MR, Ippolito G. Pulmonary Involvement during the Ebola Virus Disease. Viruses 2019; 11:E780. [PMID: 31450596 PMCID: PMC6784166 DOI: 10.3390/v11090780] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2019] [Revised: 08/20/2019] [Accepted: 08/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Filoviruses have become a worldwide public health concern, especially during the 2013-2016 Western Africa Ebola virus disease (EVD) outbreak-the largest outbreak, both by number of cases and geographical extension, recorded so far in medical history. EVD is associated with pathologies in several organs, including the liver, kidney, and lung. During the 2013-2016 Western Africa outbreak, Ebola virus (EBOV) was detected in the lung of infected patients suggesting a role in lung pathogenesis. However, little is known about lung pathogenesis and the controversial issue of aerosol transmission in EVD. This review highlights the pulmonary involvement in EVD, with a special focus on the new data emerging from the 2013-2016 Ebola outbreak.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eleonora Lalle
- National Institute for Infectious Diseases 'Lazzaro Spallanzani' IRCCS, 00149 Rome, Italy
| | - Mirella Biava
- National Institute for Infectious Diseases 'Lazzaro Spallanzani' IRCCS, 00149 Rome, Italy
| | - Emanuele Nicastri
- National Institute for Infectious Diseases 'Lazzaro Spallanzani' IRCCS, 00149 Rome, Italy
| | - Francesca Colavita
- National Institute for Infectious Diseases 'Lazzaro Spallanzani' IRCCS, 00149 Rome, Italy
| | - Antonino Di Caro
- National Institute for Infectious Diseases 'Lazzaro Spallanzani' IRCCS, 00149 Rome, Italy
- International Public Health Crisis Group, 00149 Rome, Italy
| | - Francesco Vairo
- National Institute for Infectious Diseases 'Lazzaro Spallanzani' IRCCS, 00149 Rome, Italy
- International Public Health Crisis Group, 00149 Rome, Italy
| | - Simone Lanini
- National Institute for Infectious Diseases 'Lazzaro Spallanzani' IRCCS, 00149 Rome, Italy
| | - Concetta Castilletti
- National Institute for Infectious Diseases 'Lazzaro Spallanzani' IRCCS, 00149 Rome, Italy
| | - Martin Langer
- EMERGENCY Onlus NGO, Via Santa Croce 19, 20122 Milan, Italy
| | - Alimuddin Zumla
- International Public Health Crisis Group, London WC1E 6BT, UK
- Division of Infection and Immunity, National Institute for Health Research Biomedical Research Centre at University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, London WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - Gary Kobinger
- International Public Health Crisis Group, Quebec City, PQ G1V 0A6, Canada
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R3E 0J9, Canada
- Département de microbiologie-infectiologie et d'immunologie, Université Laval, Québec, PQ G1V 0A6, Canada
| | - Maria R Capobianchi
- National Institute for Infectious Diseases 'Lazzaro Spallanzani' IRCCS, 00149 Rome, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Ippolito
- National Institute for Infectious Diseases 'Lazzaro Spallanzani' IRCCS, 00149 Rome, Italy.
- International Public Health Crisis Group, 00149 Rome, Italy.
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7
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Tetherin Inhibits Nipah Virus but Not Ebola Virus Replication in Fruit Bat Cells. J Virol 2019; 93:JVI.01821-18. [PMID: 30429347 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.01821-18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2018] [Accepted: 11/07/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Ebola virus (EBOV) and Nipah virus (NiV) infection of humans can cause fatal disease and constitutes a public health threat. In contrast, EBOV and NiV infection of fruit bats, the putative (EBOV) or proven (NiV) natural reservoir, is not associated with disease, and it is currently unknown how these animals control the virus. The human interferon (IFN)-stimulated antiviral effector protein tetherin (CD317, BST-2) blocks release of EBOV- and NiV-like particles from cells and is counteracted by the EBOV glycoprotein (GP). In contrast, it is unknown whether fruit bat tetherin restricts virus infection and is susceptible to GP-driven antagonism. Here, we report the sequence of fruit bat tetherin and show that its expression is IFN stimulated and associated with strong antiviral activity. Moreover, we demonstrate that EBOV-GP antagonizes tetherin orthologues of diverse species but fails to efficiently counteract fruit bat tetherin in virus-like particle (VLP) release assays. However, unexpectedly, tetherin was dispensable for robust IFN-mediated inhibition of EBOV spread in fruit bat cells. Thus, the VLP-based model systems mimicking tetherin-mediated inhibition of EBOV release and its counteraction by GP seem not to adequately reflect all aspects of EBOV release from IFN-stimulated fruit bat cells, potentially due to differences in tetherin expression levels that could not be resolved by the present study. In contrast, tetherin expression was essential for IFN-dependent inhibition of NiV infection, demonstrating that IFN-induced fruit bat tetherin exerts antiviral activity and may critically contribute to control of NiV and potentially other highly virulent viruses in infected animals.IMPORTANCE Ebola virus and Nipah virus (EBOV and NiV) can cause fatal disease in humans. In contrast, infected fruit bats do not develop symptoms but can transmit the virus to humans. Why fruit bats but not humans control infection is largely unknown. Tetherin is an antiviral host cell protein and is counteracted by the EBOV glycoprotein in human cells. Here, employing model systems, we show that tetherin of fruit bats displays higher antiviral activity than human tetherin and is largely resistant against counteraction by the Ebola virus glycoprotein. Moreover, we demonstrate that induction of tetherin expression is critical for interferon-mediated inhibition of NiV but, for at present unknown reasons, not EBOV spread in fruit bat cells. Collectively, our findings identify tetherin as an antiviral effector of innate immune responses in fruit bats, which might allow these animals to control infection with NiV and potentially other viruses that cause severe disease in humans.
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8
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Involvement of Surfactant Protein D in Ebola Virus Infection Enhancement via Glycoprotein Interaction. Viruses 2018; 11:v11010015. [PMID: 30587835 PMCID: PMC6356362 DOI: 10.3390/v11010015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2018] [Revised: 12/20/2018] [Accepted: 12/22/2018] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Since the largest 2014⁻2016 Ebola virus disease outbreak in West Africa, understanding of Ebola virus infection has improved, notably the involvement of innate immune mediators. Amongst them, collectins are important players in the antiviral innate immune defense. A screening of Ebola glycoprotein (GP)-collectins interactions revealed the specific interaction of human surfactant protein D (hSP-D), a lectin expressed in lung and liver, two compartments where Ebola was found in vivo. Further analyses have demonstrated an involvement of hSP-D in the enhancement of virus infection in several in vitro models. Similar effects were observed for porcine SP-D (pSP-D). In addition, both hSP-D and pSP-D interacted with Reston virus (RESTV) GP and enhanced pseudoviral infection in pulmonary cells. Thus, our study reveals a novel partner of Ebola GP that may participate to enhance viral spread.
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9
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Lalle E, Colavita F, Iannetta M, Gebremeskel Teklè S, Carletti F, Scorzolini L, Bordi L, Vincenti D, Castilletti C, Ippolito G, Capobianchi MR, Nicastri E. Prolonged detection of dengue virus RNA in the semen of a man returning from Thailand to Italy, January 2018. Euro Surveill 2018; 23:18-00197. [PMID: 29741153 PMCID: PMC6053624 DOI: 10.2807/1560-7917.es.2018.23.18.18-00197] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
This study reports the presence of dengue virus RNA in longitudinally collected semen samples of a previously healthy Caucasian man, returning to Italy from Thailand with primary dengue fever, up to 37 days post-symptom onset, when viraemia and viruria were undetectable. This finding, coupled with the evidence of dengue virus negative-strand RNA, an indirect marker of ongoing viral replication, in the cellular fraction of semen, indicates a need to further investigate possible sexual transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eleonora Lalle
- National Institute for Infectious Diseases ‘Lazzaro Spallanzani’, IRCCS, Rome, Italy,These authors contributed equally to this work
| | - Francesca Colavita
- National Institute for Infectious Diseases ‘Lazzaro Spallanzani’, IRCCS, Rome, Italy,These authors contributed equally to this work
| | - Marco Iannetta
- National Institute for Infectious Diseases ‘Lazzaro Spallanzani’, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Fabrizio Carletti
- National Institute for Infectious Diseases ‘Lazzaro Spallanzani’, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Laura Scorzolini
- National Institute for Infectious Diseases ‘Lazzaro Spallanzani’, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Licia Bordi
- National Institute for Infectious Diseases ‘Lazzaro Spallanzani’, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Donatella Vincenti
- National Institute for Infectious Diseases ‘Lazzaro Spallanzani’, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Concetta Castilletti
- National Institute for Infectious Diseases ‘Lazzaro Spallanzani’, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Ippolito
- National Institute for Infectious Diseases ‘Lazzaro Spallanzani’, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Emanuele Nicastri
- National Institute for Infectious Diseases ‘Lazzaro Spallanzani’, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
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10
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Robert MA, Nassoury N, Chahal PS, Venne MH, Racine T, Qiu X, Kobinger G, Kamen A, Gilbert R, Gaillet B. Gene Transfer of ZMapp Antibodies Mediated by Recombinant Adeno-Associated Virus Protects Against Ebola Infections. Hum Gene Ther 2018; 29:452-466. [PMID: 29179602 DOI: 10.1089/hum.2017.101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Vectored delivery of the ZMapp antibody cocktail (c2G4, c4G7, and c13C6) by using recombinant adeno-associated viruses (rAAVs) could be useful for preventive immunization against Ebola virus infections because rAAVs can generate long-term antibody expression. Three rAAVs (serotype 9) encoding chimeric ZMapp antibodies were produced by triple-plasmid transfection up to 10 L-scale in WAVE bioreactors using HEK293 cells grown in suspension/serum-free conditions. Efficacy of AAV-c2G4 via intravenous (i.v.), intramuscular (i.m.), and intranasal (i.n.) routes of administration was evaluated in mice with two different doses of 2.7 × 1010 and 13.0 × 1010 vector genomes (vg). The best protective efficacies after Ebola challenge were obtained with the i.v. and i.m. routes. Serum concentrations of ZMapp antibodies positively correlated with survivability. Efficacy of the rAAV-ZMapp cocktail was then evaluated at a higher dose of 30.0 × 1010 vg. It conferred a more robust protection (90% i.v. and 60% i.m.) than rAAV-c4G7 (30%) and rAAV-c13C6 (70%), both administered separately at the same dose. Delivery of rAAV-c2G4 alone achieved up to 100% protection (100% i.v. and 90% i.m.) at the same dose. In conclusion, the preventive treatment was effective in mice. However, no advantage was observed for using the rAAV-ZMapp cocktail in comparison to the utilization of the single rAAV-c2G4.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marc-André Robert
- 1 Department of Chemical Engineering, Université Laval , Quebec, Canada .,2 National Research Council Canada , Montreal, Canada
| | | | | | | | - Trina Racine
- 3 Infectious Disease Research Center, Université Laval , Quebec, Canada .,4 Special Pathogens Program, National Microbiology Laboratory, Public Health Agency of Canada, Winnipeg, Canada
| | - Xiangguo Qiu
- 4 Special Pathogens Program, National Microbiology Laboratory, Public Health Agency of Canada, Winnipeg, Canada .,5 Department of Medical Microbiology, McGill University , Montreal, Canada
| | - Gary Kobinger
- 3 Infectious Disease Research Center, Université Laval , Quebec, Canada .,6 Department of Laboratory Medicine, University of Pennsylvania , Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.,7 Department of Microbiology, University of Manitoba , Winnipeg, Canada
| | - Amine Kamen
- 8 Department of Bioengineering, McGill University , Montreal, Canada
| | | | - Bruno Gaillet
- 1 Department of Chemical Engineering, Université Laval , Quebec, Canada
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Houlihan CF, McGowan CR, Dicks S, Baguelin M, Moore DAJ, Mabey D, Roberts CH, Kumar A, Samuel D, Tedder R, Glynn JR. Ebola exposure, illness experience, and Ebola antibody prevalence in international responders to the West African Ebola epidemic 2014-2016: A cross-sectional study. PLoS Med 2017; 14:e1002300. [PMID: 28510604 PMCID: PMC5433702 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pmed.1002300] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2016] [Accepted: 04/04/2017] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Healthcare and other front-line workers are at particular risk of infection with Ebola virus (EBOV). Despite the large-scale deployment of international responders, few cases of Ebola virus disease have been diagnosed in this group. Since asymptomatic or pauci-symptomatic infection has been described, it is plausible that infections have occurred in healthcare workers but have escaped being diagnosed. We aimed to assess the prevalence of asymptomatic or pauci-symptomatic infection, and of exposure events, among returned responders to the West African Ebola epidemic 2014-2016. METHODS AND FINDINGS We used snowball sampling to identify responders who had returned to the UK or Ireland, and used an online consent and questionnaire to determine their exposure to EBOV and their experience of illness. Oral fluid collection devices were sent and returned by post, and samples were tested using an EBOV IgG capture assay that detects IgG to Ebola glycoprotein. Blood was collected from returnees with reactive samples for further testing. Unexposed UK controls were also recruited. In all, 300 individuals consented, of whom 268 (89.3%) returned an oral fluid sample (OFS). The majority had worked in Sierra Leone in clinical, laboratory, research, and other roles. Fifty-three UK controls consented and provided samples using the same method. Of the returnees, 47 (17.5%) reported that they had had a possible EBOV exposure. Based on their free-text descriptions, using a published risk assessment method, we classified 43 (16%) as having had incidents with risk of Ebola transmission, including five intermediate-risk and one high-risk exposure. Of the returnees, 57 (21%) reported a febrile or diarrhoeal illness in West Africa or within 1 mo of return, of whom 40 (70%) were not tested at the time for EBOV infection. Of the 268 OFSs, 266 were unreactive. Two returnees, who did not experience an illness in West Africa or on return, had OFSs that were reactive on the EBOV IgG capture assay, with similar results on plasma. One individual had no further positive test results; the other had a positive result on a double-antigen bridging assay but not on a competitive assay or on an indirect EBOV IgG ELISA. All 53 controls had non-reactive OFSs. While the participants were not a random sample of returnees, the number participating was high. CONCLUSIONS This is the first study, to our knowledge, of the prevalence of EBOV infection in international responders. More than 99% had clear negative results. Sera from two individuals had discordant results on the different assays; both were negative on the competitive assay, suggesting that prior infection was unlikely. The finding that a significant proportion experienced "near miss" exposure events, and that most of those who experienced symptoms did not get tested for EBOV at the time, suggests a need to review and standardise protocols for the management of possible exposure to EBOV, and for the management of illness, across organisations that deploy staff to outbreaks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catherine F. Houlihan
- Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
- Faculty of Medical Sciences, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Catherine R. McGowan
- Faculty of Public Health and Policy, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
- Humanitarian Public Health Technical Unit, Save the Children UK, London, United Kingdom
| | - Steve Dicks
- Transfusion Microbiology, National Health Service Blood and Transplant, London, United Kingdom
- NHSBT/PHE Blood Borne Virus Unit, Serology Development Unit, Public Health England, London, United Kingdom
| | - Marc Baguelin
- Centre of Infectious Disease Surveillance and Control, Public Health England, London, United Kingdom
- Faculty of Epidemiology and Population Health, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - David A. J. Moore
- Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - David Mabey
- Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Chrissy h. Roberts
- Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Alex Kumar
- Department of Infection and Tropical Medicine, University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust, Leicester, United Kingdom
| | - Dhan Samuel
- NHSBT/PHE Blood Borne Virus Unit, Serology Development Unit, Public Health England, London, United Kingdom
| | - Richard Tedder
- Transfusion Microbiology, National Health Service Blood and Transplant, London, United Kingdom
- NHSBT/PHE Blood Borne Virus Unit, Serology Development Unit, Public Health England, London, United Kingdom
| | - Judith R. Glynn
- Faculty of Epidemiology and Population Health, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
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12
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW The recent 2014-2016 outbreak of Ebola virus disease (EVD) has led to many discoveries regarding Ebola. Although neurological symptoms during EVD had been previously described, many reports since this outbreak have made clear that EVD can lead to neurological issues. This article will review the various neurological manifestations of EVD. RECENT FINDINGS Recently, many neurological symptoms have been described during acute EVD, including altered mental status, seizures, and meningoencephalitis, among others; survivors of EVD also may develop neurological sequelae, such as persistent headache and memory loss and can exhibit abnormalities on neurological exam. Additionally, it is now evident that in rare cases, survivors may experience relapses of EVD months after recovery, including the central nervous system (CNS). EVD can result in many clinical neurological manifestations, both acutely and after recovery. Research is ongoing to further clarify the nature of Ebola in the CNS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bridgette Jeanne Billioux
- National Institutes of Neurological Diseases and Stroke National Institutes of Health, 10 Center Drive, Room 5C-103, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA.
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