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Ye XL, Dai K, Lu QB, Huang YQ, Lv SM, Zhang PH, Li JC, Zhang HY, Yang ZD, Cui N, Yuan C, Liu K, Zhang XA, Zhang JS, Li H, Yang Y, Fang LQ, Liu W. Infection with severe fever with thrombocytopenia virus in healthy population: a cohort study in a high endemic region, China. Infect Dis Poverty 2021; 10:133. [PMID: 34794512 PMCID: PMC8600349 DOI: 10.1186/s40249-021-00918-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2021] [Accepted: 11/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Severe fever with thrombocytopenia (SFTS) caused by SFTS virus (SFTSV) was a tick-borne hemorrhagic fever that posed significant threat to human health in Eastern Asia. The study was designed to measure the seroprevalence of SFTSV antibody in healthy population residing in a high endemic region. Methods A cohort study was performed on healthy residents in Shangcheng County in Xinyang City from April to December in 2018, where the highest SFTS incidence in China was reported. Anti-SFTSV IgG was measured by indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and neutralizing antibody (NAb) was detected by using PRNT50. The logistic regression models were performed to analyze the variables that were associated with seropositive rates. Results Totally 886 individuals were recruited. The baseline seroprevalence that was tested before the epidemic season was 11.9% (70/587) for IgG and 6.8% (40/587) for NAb, which was increased to 13.4% (47/350) and 7.7% (27/350) during the epidemic season, and further to 15.8% (80/508) and 9.8% (50/508) post epidemic. The IgG antibody-based seropositivity was significantly related to the patients aged ≥ 70 years old [adjusted odds ratio (OR) = 2.440, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.334–4.461 compared to the group of < 50 years old, P = 0.004], recent contact with cats (adjusted OR = 2.195, 95% CI: 1.261–3.818, P = 0.005), and working in tea garden (adjusted OR = 1.698, 95% CI: 1.002–2.880, P = 0.049) by applying multivariate logistic regression model. The NAb based seropositivity was similarly related to the patients aged ≥ 70 years old (adjusted OR = 2.691, 95% CI: 1.271–5.695 compared to the group of < 50 years old, P = 0.010), and recent contact with cats (OR = 2.648, 95% CI: 1.419–4.941, P = 0.002). For a cohort of individuals continually sampled with 1-year apart, the anti-SFTSV IgG were maintained at a stable level, while the NAb level reduced. Conclusions Subclinical infection might not provide adequate immunity to protect reinfection of SFTSV, thus highlighting the ongoing threats of SFTS in endemic regions, which called for an imperative need for vaccine development. Identification of risk factors might help to target high-risk population for public health education and vaccination in the future. Graphical Abstract ![]()
Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s40249-021-00918-0.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao-Lei Ye
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, 20 Dong-Da Street, Fengtai District, Beijing, 100071, People's Republic of China
| | - Ke Dai
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, 20 Dong-Da Street, Fengtai District, Beijing, 100071, People's Republic of China
| | - Qing-Bin Lu
- Department of Laboratorial Science and Technology, School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing, 100191, People's Republic of China
| | - Yan-Qin Huang
- Shangcheng Center for Diseases Control and Prevention, Xinyang, 464000, People's Republic of China
| | - Shou-Ming Lv
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, 20 Dong-Da Street, Fengtai District, Beijing, 100071, People's Republic of China
| | - Pan-He Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, 20 Dong-Da Street, Fengtai District, Beijing, 100071, People's Republic of China
| | - Jia-Chen Li
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, 20 Dong-Da Street, Fengtai District, Beijing, 100071, People's Republic of China
| | - Hai-Yang Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, 20 Dong-Da Street, Fengtai District, Beijing, 100071, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhen-Dong Yang
- The 990 Hospital of Chinese People's Liberation Army Joint Logistic Support Force, Xinyang, 464000, People's Republic of China
| | - Ning Cui
- The 990 Hospital of Chinese People's Liberation Army Joint Logistic Support Force, Xinyang, 464000, People's Republic of China
| | - Chun Yuan
- The 990 Hospital of Chinese People's Liberation Army Joint Logistic Support Force, Xinyang, 464000, People's Republic of China
| | - Kun Liu
- Department of Epidemiology, Ministry of Education Key Lab of Hazard Assessment and Control in Special Operational Environment, School of Public Health, Air Force Medical University, Xi'an, 710032, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiao-Ai Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, 20 Dong-Da Street, Fengtai District, Beijing, 100071, People's Republic of China
| | - Jiu-Song Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, 20 Dong-Da Street, Fengtai District, Beijing, 100071, People's Republic of China
| | - Hao Li
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, 20 Dong-Da Street, Fengtai District, Beijing, 100071, People's Republic of China
| | - Yang Yang
- Department of Biostatistics, College of Public Health and Health Professions, and Emerging Pathogens Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32611, USA.
| | - Li-Qun Fang
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, 20 Dong-Da Street, Fengtai District, Beijing, 100071, People's Republic of China.
| | - Wei Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, 20 Dong-Da Street, Fengtai District, Beijing, 100071, People's Republic of China. .,Department of Laboratorial Science and Technology, School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing, 100191, People's Republic of China.
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Zhao B, Hou H, Gao R, Tian B, Deng B. Mononucleosis-like illnesses due to co-infection with severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus and spotted fever group rickettsia:a case report. BMC Infect Dis 2021; 21:829. [PMID: 34407756 PMCID: PMC8371423 DOI: 10.1186/s12879-021-06434-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2021] [Accepted: 07/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Background We report a mononucleosis-like illnesses case due to co-infection with severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus (SFTSV) and spotted fever group rickettsia (SFGR), which to the best of our knowledge, has never been reported . Case presentation A 64-year-old male with an 11-day history of fever, sore throat, malaise, nausea, and non-pruritic rash was admitted to our emergency department. Prior to admission, he was bitten by ticks. Laboratory tests revealed a white blood cell count of 24,460 cells/μL with 25% atypical lymphocytes and 20% mononucleosis, thrombocytopenia. Test results were positive for SFTSV RNA, SFTSV-specific IgM antibody, and SFGR-specific IgM antibody. He was diagnosed with mononucleosis-like illnesses due to co-infection with SFTSV and SFGR. After administration of doxycycline, he recovered completely. Conclusions The clinical presentation may be atypical in co-infection with SFTSV and SFGR. This finding highlighted the importance of considering SFGR infection, as well as a SFSTV and SFGR co-infection for the differential diagnosis of patients bitten by ticks in SFTSV-endemic areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bin Zhao
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, No. 155 Nanjing North Street, Shenyang, 110001, Liaoning Province, China.,Department of Infectious Diseases, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, 110000, Liaoning Province, China
| | - Haohua Hou
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, No. 155 Nanjing North Street, Shenyang, 110001, Liaoning Province, China
| | - Ran Gao
- Department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, 110001, Liaoning, China
| | - Bing Tian
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, No. 155 Nanjing North Street, Shenyang, 110001, Liaoning Province, China
| | - Baocheng Deng
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, No. 155 Nanjing North Street, Shenyang, 110001, Liaoning Province, China.
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Baseline mapping of severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virology, epidemiology and vaccine research and development. NPJ Vaccines 2020; 5:111. [PMID: 33335100 PMCID: PMC7746727 DOI: 10.1038/s41541-020-00257-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2019] [Accepted: 10/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus (SFTSV) is a newly emergent tick-borne bunyavirus first discovered in 2009 in China. SFTSV is a growing public health problem that may become more prominent owing to multiple competent tick-vectors and the expansion of human populations in areas where the vectors are found. Although tick-vectors of SFTSV are found in a wide geographic area, SFTS cases have only been reported from China, South Korea, Vietnam, and Japan. Patients with SFTS often present with high fever, leukopenia, and thrombocytopenia, and in some cases, symptoms can progress to severe outcomes, including hemorrhagic disease. Reported SFTSV case fatality rates range from ~5 to >30% depending on the region surveyed, with more severe disease reported in older individuals. Currently, treatment options for this viral infection remain mostly supportive as there are no licensed vaccines available and research is in the discovery stage. Animal models for SFTSV appear to recapitulate many facets of human disease, although none of the models mirror all clinical manifestations. There are insufficient data available on basic immunologic responses, the immune correlate(s) of protection, and the determinants of severe disease by SFTSV and related viruses. Many aspects of SFTSV virology and epidemiology are not fully understood, including a detailed understanding of the annual numbers of cases and the vertebrate host of the virus, so additional research on this disease is essential towards the development of vaccines and therapeutics.
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Heartland Virus Epidemiology, Vector Association, and Disease Potential. Viruses 2018; 10:v10090498. [PMID: 30223439 PMCID: PMC6164824 DOI: 10.3390/v10090498] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2018] [Revised: 09/08/2018] [Accepted: 09/11/2018] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
First identified in two Missouri farmers exhibiting low white-blood-cell and platelet counts in 2009, Heartland virus (HRTV) is genetically closely related to severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus (SFTSV), a tick-borne phlebovirus producing similar symptoms in China, Korea, and Japan. Field isolations of HRTV from several life stages of unfed, host-seeking Amblyomma americanum, the lone star tick, implicated it as a putative vector capable of transstadial transmission. Laboratory vector competence assessments confirmed transstadial transmission of HRTV, demonstrated vertical infection, and showed co-feeding infection between A. americanum. A vertical infection rate of 33% from adult females to larvae in the laboratory was observed, while only one of 386 pools of molted nymphs (1930) reared from co-feeding larvae was positive for HRTV (maximum-likelihood estimate of infection rate = 0.52/1000). Over 35 human HRTV cases, all within the distribution range of A. americanum, have been documented. Serological testing of wildlife in areas near the index human cases, as well as in widely separated regions of the eastern United States where A. americanum occur, indicated many potential hosts such as raccoons and white-tailed deer. Attempts, however, to experimentally infect mice, rabbits, hamsters, chickens, raccoons, goats, and deer failed to produce detectable viremia. Immune-compromised mice and hamsters are the only susceptible models. Vertical infection augmented by co-feeding transmission could play a role in maintaining the virus in nature. A more complete assessment of the natural transmission cycle of HRTV coupled with serosurveys and enhanced HRTV disease surveillance are needed to better understand transmission dynamics and human health risks.
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The Unique Phylogenetic Position of a Novel Tick-Borne Phlebovirus Ensures an Ixodid Origin of the Genus Phlebovirus. mSphere 2018; 3:3/3/e00239-18. [PMID: 29898985 PMCID: PMC6001614 DOI: 10.1128/msphere.00239-18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2018] [Accepted: 05/22/2018] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The emergence of novel tick-borne RNA viruses causing severe illness in humans has complicated the epidemiological landscape of tick-borne diseases, requiring further investigation to safeguard public health. In the present study, we discovered a novel tick-borne phlebovirus from Ixodes persulcatus ticks in Japan. While its viral RNA genome sequences were similar to those of mosquito/sandfly-borne viruses, molecular and biological footprints confirmed that this is a tick-borne virus. The unique evolutionary position of the virus allowed us to estimate the ancestral phlebovirus vector, which was likely a hard tick. Our findings may provide a better understanding of the evolution and emergence of phleboviruses associated with emerging infectious diseases, such as severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) and Heartland virus disease. The recent emergence of novel tick-borne RNA viruses has complicated the epidemiological landscape of tick-borne infectious diseases, posing a significant challenge to public health systems that seek to counteract tick-borne diseases. The identification of two novel tick-borne phleboviruses (TBPVs), severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus (SFTSV) and Heartland virus (HRTV), as causative agents of severe illness in humans has accelerated the investigation and discoveries of novel TBPVs. In the present study, we isolated a novel TBPV designated Mukawa virus (MKWV) from host-questing Ixodes persulcatus females captured in Japan. Genetic characterization revealed that MKWV is a member of the genus Phlebovirus in the family Phenuiviridae. Interestingly, MKWV is genetically distinct from other known TBPVs and shares a most recent common ancestor with mosquito/sandfly-borne (insect-borne) phleboviruses. Despite its genetic similarity to insect-borne phleboviruses, the molecular footprints of its viral proteins and its biological characteristics define MKWV as a tick-borne virus that can be transmitted to mammals. A phylogenetic ancestral-state reconstruction for arthropod vectors of phleboviruses including MKWV based on viral L segment sequences indicated that ticks likely harbored ancestral phleboviruses that evolved into both the tick-borne and MKWV/insect-borne phlebovirus lineages. Overall, our findings suggest that most of the phlebovirus evolution has occurred in hard ticks to generate divergent viruses, which may provide a seminal foundation for understanding the mechanisms underlying the evolution and emergence of pathogenic phleboviruses, such as Rift Valley fever virus and SFTSV/HRTV. IMPORTANCE The emergence of novel tick-borne RNA viruses causing severe illness in humans has complicated the epidemiological landscape of tick-borne diseases, requiring further investigation to safeguard public health. In the present study, we discovered a novel tick-borne phlebovirus from Ixodes persulcatus ticks in Japan. While its viral RNA genome sequences were similar to those of mosquito/sandfly-borne viruses, molecular and biological footprints confirmed that this is a tick-borne virus. The unique evolutionary position of the virus allowed us to estimate the ancestral phlebovirus vector, which was likely a hard tick. Our findings may provide a better understanding of the evolution and emergence of phleboviruses associated with emerging infectious diseases, such as severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) and Heartland virus disease.
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Shen S, Duan X, Wang B, Zhu L, Zhang Y, Zhang J, Wang J, Luo T, Kou C, Liu D, Lv C, Zhang L, Chang C, Su Z, Tang S, Qiao J, Moming A, Wang C, Abudurexiti A, Wang H, Hu Z, Zhang Y, Sun S, Deng F. A novel tick-borne phlebovirus, closely related to severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus and Heartland virus, is a potential pathogen. Emerg Microbes Infect 2018; 7:95. [PMID: 29802259 PMCID: PMC5970217 DOI: 10.1038/s41426-018-0093-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2017] [Revised: 03/30/2018] [Accepted: 04/03/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Tick-borne viral diseases have attracted much attention in recent years because of their increasing incidence and threat to human health. Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome phlebovirus (SFTSV) and Heartland virus (HRTV) were recently identified as tick-borne phleboviruses (TBPVs) in Asia and the United States, respectively, and are associated with severe human diseases with similar clinical manifestations. In this study, we report the first identification and isolation of a novel TBPV named Guertu virus (GTV) from Dermacentor nuttalli ticks in Xinjiang Province, China, where TBPVs had not been previously discovered. Genome sequence and phylogenetic analyses showed that GTV is closely related to SFTSV and HRTV and was classified as a member of the genus Phlebovirus, family Phenuiviridae, order Bunyavirales. In vitro and in vivo investigations of the properties of GTV demonstrated that it was able to infect animal and human cell lines and can suppress type I interferon signaling, similar to SFTSV, that GTV nucleoprotein (NP) can rescue SFTSV replication by replacing SFTSV NP, and that GTV infection can cause pathological lesions in mice. Moreover, a serological survey identified antibodies against GTV from serum samples of individuals living in Guertu County, three of which contained neutralizing antibodies, suggesting that GTV can infect humans. Our findings suggested that this virus is a potential pathogen that poses a threat to animals and humans. Further studies and surveillance of GTV are recommended to be carried out in Xinjiang Province as well as in other locations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shu Shen
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Xiaomei Duan
- Xinjiang Key Laboratory of Biological Resources and Genetic Engineering, College of Life Science and Technology, Xinjiang University, Urumqi, 830046, China
| | - Bo Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Liying Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Yanfang Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Jingyuan Zhang
- Xinjiang Key Laboratory of Biological Resources and Genetic Engineering, College of Life Science and Technology, Xinjiang University, Urumqi, 830046, China
| | - Jun Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Tao Luo
- Center for Disease Control and Prevention of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Urumqi, 830001, China
| | - Chun Kou
- Xinjiang Key Laboratory of Biological Resources and Genetic Engineering, College of Life Science and Technology, Xinjiang University, Urumqi, 830046, China
| | - Dan Liu
- School of Medicine, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430065, China
| | - Chuanwei Lv
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Lei Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Chenchen Chang
- Xinjiang Key Laboratory of Biological Resources and Genetic Engineering, College of Life Science and Technology, Xinjiang University, Urumqi, 830046, China
| | - Zhengyuan Su
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Shuang Tang
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Jie Qiao
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430071, China.,Hubei Collaborative Innovation Center for Green Transformation of Bio-resources, Hubei Key Laboratory of Industrial Biotechnology, College of Life Science, Hubei University, Wuhan, 430061, China
| | - Abulimiti Moming
- Xinjiang Key Laboratory of Biological Resources and Genetic Engineering, College of Life Science and Technology, Xinjiang University, Urumqi, 830046, China
| | - Cheng Wang
- Center for Disease Control and Prevention of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Urumqi, 830001, China
| | - Abulikemu Abudurexiti
- Center for Disease Control and Prevention of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Urumqi, 830001, China
| | - Hualin Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Zhihong Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Yujiang Zhang
- Center for Disease Control and Prevention of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Urumqi, 830001, China.
| | - Surong Sun
- Xinjiang Key Laboratory of Biological Resources and Genetic Engineering, College of Life Science and Technology, Xinjiang University, Urumqi, 830046, China.
| | - Fei Deng
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430071, China.
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Clarke LL, Ruder MG, Mead D, Howerth EW. Experimental Infection of White-Tailed Deer ( Odocoileus virginanus) with Heartland Virus. Am J Trop Med Hyg 2018; 98:1194-1196. [PMID: 29488458 PMCID: PMC5928841 DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.17-0963] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
Heartland virus (HRTV) is a phlebovirus suspected to be transmitted by Amblyomma americanum, commonly known as the lone star tick, and reported to cause illness in humans, which is characterized by thrombocytopenia and leukopenia. Heartland virus-reactive antibodies have been detected in a variety of wildlife species including white-tailed deer (WTD). To better understand the potential role of deer in the epidemiology of HRTV, we experimentally inoculated five WTD fawns with HRTV and monitored for clinical disease, viremia, virus shedding, and seroconversion. None of the animals showed signs of clinical disease, and there was no detectable viremia or virus shedding postinoculation. Two wild-caught fawns entered the study with preexisting antibody titers against HRTV. All animals showed minimal immune responses against HRTV after needle inoculation. In conclusion, this study does not indicate that WTD are a likely reservoir for HRTV in natural settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lorelei L Clarke
- Department of Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia
| | - Mark G Ruder
- Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study, Department of Population Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia
| | - Daniel Mead
- Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study, Department of Population Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia
| | - Elizabeth W Howerth
- Department of Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia
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Mansfield KL, Jizhou L, Phipps LP, Johnson N. Emerging Tick-Borne Viruses in the Twenty-First Century. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2017; 7:298. [PMID: 28744449 PMCID: PMC5504652 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2017.00298] [Citation(s) in RCA: 94] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2017] [Accepted: 06/19/2017] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Ticks, as a group, are second only to mosquitoes as vectors of pathogens to humans and are the primary vector for pathogens of livestock, companion animals, and wildlife. The role of ticks in the transmission of viruses has been known for over 100 years and yet new pathogenic viruses are still being detected and known viruses are continually spreading to new geographic locations. Partly as a result of their novelty, tick-virus interactions are at an early stage in understanding. For some viruses, even the principal tick-vector is not known. It is likely that tick-borne viruses will continue to emerge and challenge public and veterinary health long into the twenty-first century. However, studies focusing on tick saliva, a critical component of tick feeding, virus transmission, and a target for control of ticks and tick-borne diseases, point toward solutions to emerging viruses. The aim of this review is to describe some currently emerging tick-borne diseases, their causative viruses, and to discuss research on virus-tick interactions. Through focus on this area, future protein targets for intervention and vaccine development may be identified.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karen L Mansfield
- Animal and Plant Health AgencyAddlestone, United Kingdom.,Institute of Infection and Global Health, University of LiverpoolLiverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Lv Jizhou
- Animal and Plant Health AgencyAddlestone, United Kingdom.,Chinese Academy of Inspection and QuarantineBeijing, China
| | - L Paul Phipps
- Animal and Plant Health AgencyAddlestone, United Kingdom
| | - Nicholas Johnson
- Animal and Plant Health AgencyAddlestone, United Kingdom.,Faculty of Health and Medicine, University of SurreyGuildford, United Kingdom
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Differential Antagonism of Human Innate Immune Responses by Tick-Borne Phlebovirus Nonstructural Proteins. mSphere 2017; 2:mSphere00234-17. [PMID: 28680969 PMCID: PMC5489658 DOI: 10.1128/msphere.00234-17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2017] [Accepted: 06/05/2017] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
In recent years, several newly discovered tick-borne viruses causing a wide spectrum of diseases in humans have been ascribed to the Phlebovirus genus of the Bunyaviridae family. The nonstructural protein (NSs) of bunyaviruses is the main virulence factor and interferon (IFN) antagonist. We studied the molecular mechanisms of IFN antagonism employed by the NSs proteins of human apathogenic Uukuniemi virus (UUKV) and those of Heartland virus (HRTV) and severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus (SFTSV), both of which cause severe disease. Using reporter assays, we found that UUKV NSs weakly inhibited the activation of the beta interferon (IFN-β) promoter and response elements. UUKV NSs weakly antagonized human IFN-β promoter activation through a novel interaction with mitochondrial antiviral-signaling protein (MAVS), confirmed by coimmunoprecipitation and confocal microscopy studies. HRTV NSs efficiently antagonized both IFN-β promoter activation and type I IFN signaling pathways through interactions with TBK1, preventing its phosphorylation. HRTV NSs exhibited diffused cytoplasmic localization. This is in comparison to the inclusion bodies formed by SFTSV NSs. HRTV NSs also efficiently interacted with STAT2 and impaired IFN-β-induced phosphorylation but did not affect STAT1 or its translocation to the nucleus. Our results suggest that a weak interaction between STAT1 and HRTV or SFTSV NSs may explain their inability to block type II IFN signaling efficiently, thus enabling the activation of proinflammatory responses that lead to severe disease. Our findings offer insights into how pathogenicity may be linked to the capacity of NSs proteins to block the innate immune system and illustrate the plethora of viral immune evasion strategies utilized by emerging phleboviruses. IMPORTANCE Since 2011, there has been a large expansion in the number of emerging tick-borne viruses that have been assigned to the Phlebovirus genus. Heartland virus (HRTV) and SFTS virus (SFTSV) were found to cause severe disease in humans, unlike other documented tick-borne phleboviruses such as Uukuniemi virus (UUKV). Phleboviruses encode nonstructural proteins (NSs) that enable them to counteract the human innate antiviral defenses. We assessed how these proteins interacted with the innate immune system. We found that UUKV NSs engaged with innate immune factors only weakly, at one early step. However, the viruses that cause more severe disease efficiently disabled the antiviral response by targeting multiple components at several stages across the innate immune induction and signaling pathways. Our results suggest a correlation between the efficiency of the virus protein/host interaction and severity of disease.
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Characterization of Glycoprotein-Mediated Entry of Severe Fever with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome Virus. J Virol 2016; 90:5292-5301. [PMID: 26984731 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.00110-16] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2016] [Accepted: 03/14/2016] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
UNLABELLED Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) is an emerging hemorrhagic fever with a high case fatality rate caused by SFTS virus (SFTSV). Effective vaccines and specific therapies for SFTS are urgently sought, and investigation into virus-host cell interactions is expected to contribute to the development of antiviral strategies. In this study, we have developed a pseudotype vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) bearing the unmodified Gn/Gc glycoproteins (GPs) of SFTSV (SFTSVpv). We have analyzed the host cell entry of this pseudotype virus and native SFTSV. Both SFTSVpv and SFTSV exhibited high infectivity in various mammalian cell lines. The use of lysosomotropic agents indicated that virus entry occurred via pH-dependent endocytosis. SFTSVpv and SFTSV infectivity was neutralized by serial dilutions of convalescent-phase patient sera. Entry of SFTSVpv and growth of SFTSV were increased in Raji cells expressing not only the C-type lectin dendritic cell-specific intercellular adhesion molecule 3-grabbing nonintegrin (DC-SIGN) but also DC-SIGN-related (DC-SIGNR) and liver and lymph node sinusoidal endothelial cell C-type lectin (LSECtin). 25-Hydroxycholesterol (25HC), a soluble oxysterol metabolite, inhibited the cell entry of SFTSVpv and the membrane fusion of SFTSV. These results indicate that pH-dependent endocytosis of SFTSVpv and SFTSV is enhanced by attachment to certain C-type lectins. SFTSVpv is an appropriate model for the investigation of SFTSV-GP-mediated cell entry and virus neutralization at lower biosafety levels. Furthermore, 25HC may represent a potential antiviral agent against SFTS. IMPORTANCE SFTSV is a recently discovered bunyavirus associated with SFTS, a viral hemorrhagic fever with a high case fatality rate endemic to China, South Korea, and Japan. Because little is known about the characteristics of the envelope protein and entry mechanisms of SFTSV, further studies will be required for the development of a vaccine or effective therapies. In this study, we investigated the mechanism of SFTSV cell entry using SFTSVpv and the native virus. SFTSV can grow in nonsusceptible cell lines in the presence of certain C-type lectins. Moreover, 25HC, an oxysterol metabolite, may represent a potential therapeutic inhibitor of SFTSV infection.
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Riemersma KK, Komar N. Heartland Virus Neutralizing Antibodies in Vertebrate Wildlife, United States, 2009-2014. Emerg Infect Dis 2016; 21:1830-3. [PMID: 26401988 PMCID: PMC4593439 DOI: 10.3201/eid2110.150380] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Since its discovery in 2009, the tickborne Heartland virus (HRTV) has caused human illness in Missouri, Oklahoma, and Tennessee USA. To better assess the geographic distribution of HRTV, we used wildlife serology as an indicator. This retrospective evaluation determined that HRTV is widespread within the central and eastern United States.
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Li Z, Bao C, Hu J, Liu W, Wang X, Zhang L, Ji Z, Feng Z, Li L, Shen A, Liu X, Zhao H, Tan W, Zhou J, Qi X, Zhu Y, Tang F, Cardona CJ, Xing Z. Ecology of the Tick-Borne Phlebovirus Causing Severe Fever with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome in an Endemic Area of China. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2016; 10:e0004574. [PMID: 27035712 PMCID: PMC4818090 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0004574] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2015] [Accepted: 03/03/2016] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) is caused by SFTS virus (SFTSV), a tick-borne phlebovirus in family Bunyaviridae. Studies have found that humans, domestic and wildlife animals can be infected by SFTSV. However, the viral ecology, circulation, and transmission remain largely unknown. Methodology/Principal Findings Sixty seven human SFTS cases were reported and confirmed by virus isolation or immunofluorescence assay between 2011 and 2014. In 2013–2014 we collected 9,984 ticks from either vegetation or small wild mammals in the endemic area in Jiangsu, China, and detected SFTSV-RNA by real-time RT-PCR in both questing and feeding Haemaphysalis longicornis and H. flava. Viral RNA was identified in larvae of H. longicornis prior to a first blood meal, which has never been confirmed previously in nature. SFTSV-RNA and antibodies were also detected by RT-PCR and ELISA, respectively, in wild mammals including Erinaceus europaeus and Sorex araneus. A live SFTSV was isolated from Erinaceus europaeus captured during the off tick-feeding season and with a high SFTSV antibody titer. Furthermore, SFTSV antibodies were detected in the migratory birds Anser cygnoides and Streptopelia chinensis using ELISA. Conclusions/Significance The detection of SFTSV-RNA in non-engorged larvae indicated that vertical transmission of SFTSV in H. longicornis might occur in nature, which suggests that H. longicornis is a putative reservoir host of SFTSV. Small wild mammals such as Erinaceus europaeus and Sorex araneus could be infected by SFTSV and may serve as natural amplifying hosts. Our data unveiled that wild birds could be infected with SFTSV or carry SFTSV-infected ticks and thus might contribute to the long-distance spread of SFTSV via migratory flyways. These findings provide novel insights for understanding SFTSV ecology, reservoir hosts, and transmission in nature and will help develop new measures in preventing its rapid spread both regionally and globally. Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) is an emerging hemorrhagic fever, caused by a tick-borne phlebovirus. Studies have found that a variety of domestic and wildlife animals can be infected by SFTS virus (SFTSV), but the natural reservoir host for the virus remains unclear. Although the SFTSV-RNA was identified in certain species of ticks or their larvae, contamination from their host animals cannot be excluded to be the source. We analyzed 9,984 ticks collected from vegetation or feeding mammals in 2013–2014 in Jiangsu province, an endemic area in China, and detected SFTSV-RNA in both parasitic and questing ticks. Interestingly, SFTSV-RNA was identified in larvae of Haemaphysalis longicornis, collected in vegetation without being blood fed, indicating a possibility of a vertical transmission of SFTSV in H. longicornisis in nature. We also detected SFTSV-RNA in four mammal species which may serve as natural amplifying hosts for SFTSV. In addition, we identified antibodies against the virus in two migratory bird species, suggesting wild birds, exposed to infected ticks, could spread the virus through flyways for long-distance transmission. These findings provide novel insights for understanding SFTSV ecology and transmission mechanism and help develop new measures to halt its rapid spread.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhifeng Li
- Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, China
- Jiangsu Provincial Center for Disease Prevention and Control, Nanjing, China
| | - Changjun Bao
- Jiangsu Provincial Center for Disease Prevention and Control, Nanjing, China
| | - Jianli Hu
- Jiangsu Provincial Center for Disease Prevention and Control, Nanjing, China
| | - Wendong Liu
- Jiangsu Provincial Center for Disease Prevention and Control, Nanjing, China
| | - Xiaochen Wang
- Jiangsu Provincial Center for Disease Prevention and Control, Nanjing, China
| | - Lei Zhang
- Zhejiang Provincial Center for Disease Prevention and Control, Hangzhou, China
| | - Zhengmin Ji
- Jiangning Center for Disease Prevention and Control, Jiangning, China
| | - Zhi Feng
- Jiangning Center for Disease Prevention and Control, Jiangning, China
| | - Luxun Li
- Lishui Center for Disease Prevention and Control, Lishui, China
| | - Aihua Shen
- Lishui Center for Disease Prevention and Control, Lishui, China
| | - Xuejian Liu
- Xuyi Center for Disease Prevention and Control, Xuyi, China
| | - Hongjun Zhao
- Xuyi Center for Disease Prevention and Control, Xuyi, China
| | - Wenwen Tan
- Yixing Center for Disease Prevention and Control, Yixing, China
| | - Jiangang Zhou
- Yixing Center for Disease Prevention and Control, Yixing, China
| | - Xian Qi
- Jiangsu Provincial Center for Disease Prevention and Control, Nanjing, China
| | - Yefei Zhu
- Jiangsu Provincial Center for Disease Prevention and Control, Nanjing, China
| | - Fenyang Tang
- Jiangsu Provincial Center for Disease Prevention and Control, Nanjing, China
| | - Carol J. Cardona
- College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Minnesota at Twin Cities, Saint Paul, Minnesota, United States of America
| | - Zheng Xing
- Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, China
- College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Minnesota at Twin Cities, Saint Paul, Minnesota, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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Generation of mutant Uukuniemi viruses lacking the nonstructural protein NSs by reverse genetics indicates that NSs is a weak interferon antagonist. J Virol 2015; 89:4849-56. [PMID: 25673721 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.03511-14] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2014] [Accepted: 02/04/2015] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
UNLABELLED Uukuniemi virus (UUKV) is a tick-borne member of the Phlebovirus genus (family Bunyaviridae) and has been widely used as a safe laboratory model to study aspects of bunyavirus replication. Recently, a number of new tick-borne phleboviruses have been discovered, some of which, like severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus and Heartland virus, are highly pathogenic in humans. UUKV could now serve as a useful comparator to understand the molecular basis for the different pathogenicities of these related viruses. We established a reverse-genetics system to recover UUKV entirely from cDNA clones. We generated two recombinant viruses, one in which the nonstructural protein NSs open reading frame was deleted from the S segment and one in which the NSs gene was replaced with green fluorescent protein (GFP), allowing convenient visualization of viral infection. We show that the UUKV NSs protein acts as a weak interferon antagonist in human cells but that it is unable to completely counteract the interferon response, which could serve as an explanation for its inability to cause disease in humans. IMPORTANCE Uukuniemi virus (UUKV) is a tick-borne phlebovirus that is apathogenic for humans and has been used as a convenient model to investigate aspects of phlebovirus replication. Recently, new tick-borne phleboviruses have emerged, such as severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus in China and Heartland virus in the United States, that are highly pathogenic, and UUKV will now serve as a comparator to aid in the understanding of the molecular basis for the virulence of these new viruses. To help such investigations, we have developed a reverse-genetics system for UUKV that permits manipulation of the viral genome. We generated viruses lacking the nonstructural protein NSs and show that UUKV NSs is a weak interferon antagonist. In addition, we created a virus that expresses GFP and thus allows convenient monitoring of virus replication. These new tools represent a significant advance in the study of tick-borne phleboviruses.
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Hu C, Guo C, Yang Z, Wang L, Hu J, Qin S, Cui N, Peng W, Liu K, Liu W, Cao W. The severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome bunyavirus (SFTSV) antibody in a highly endemic region from 2011 to 2013: a comparative serological study. Am J Trop Med Hyg 2015; 92:479-81. [PMID: 25624404 DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.14-0447] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
A seropositive rate of 6.59% was determined in the highly endemic region for severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome. A significant correlation was observed between case incidence and seroprevalence on temporal and geographic levels. Seroprevalence was comparable in the last 3 years, indicating a stable and ongoing circulation of the infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chunyan Hu
- Graduate School of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China; State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing, China; The 154 Hospital, Xinyang, Henan, China; The Shangcheng People's Hospital, Xinyang, Henan, China
| | - Chentao Guo
- Graduate School of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China; State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing, China; The 154 Hospital, Xinyang, Henan, China; The Shangcheng People's Hospital, Xinyang, Henan, China
| | - Zhendong Yang
- Graduate School of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China; State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing, China; The 154 Hospital, Xinyang, Henan, China; The Shangcheng People's Hospital, Xinyang, Henan, China
| | - Liyuan Wang
- Graduate School of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China; State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing, China; The 154 Hospital, Xinyang, Henan, China; The Shangcheng People's Hospital, Xinyang, Henan, China
| | - Jiangong Hu
- Graduate School of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China; State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing, China; The 154 Hospital, Xinyang, Henan, China; The Shangcheng People's Hospital, Xinyang, Henan, China
| | - Shuli Qin
- Graduate School of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China; State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing, China; The 154 Hospital, Xinyang, Henan, China; The Shangcheng People's Hospital, Xinyang, Henan, China
| | - Ning Cui
- Graduate School of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China; State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing, China; The 154 Hospital, Xinyang, Henan, China; The Shangcheng People's Hospital, Xinyang, Henan, China
| | - Wei Peng
- Graduate School of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China; State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing, China; The 154 Hospital, Xinyang, Henan, China; The Shangcheng People's Hospital, Xinyang, Henan, China
| | - Kun Liu
- Graduate School of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China; State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing, China; The 154 Hospital, Xinyang, Henan, China; The Shangcheng People's Hospital, Xinyang, Henan, China
| | - Wei Liu
- Graduate School of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China; State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing, China; The 154 Hospital, Xinyang, Henan, China; The Shangcheng People's Hospital, Xinyang, Henan, China
| | - Wuchun Cao
- Graduate School of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China; State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing, China; The 154 Hospital, Xinyang, Henan, China; The Shangcheng People's Hospital, Xinyang, Henan, China
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Abstract
Uukuniemi virus (UUKV) is a model system for investigating the genus Phlebovirus of the Bunyaviridae. We report the UUKV glycome, revealing differential processing of the Gn and Gc virion glycoproteins. Both glycoproteins display poly-N-acetyllactosamines, consistent with virion assembly in the medial Golgi apparatus, whereas oligomannose-type glycans required for DC-SIGN-dependent cellular attachment are predominant on Gc. Local virion structure and the route of viral egress from the cell leave a functional imprint on the phleboviral glycome.
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Xing Z, Murtaugh M. In response. Emerg Infect Dis 2014; 20:337-8. [PMID: 24596956 PMCID: PMC3901469] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/03/2023] Open
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