1
|
Nurmukanova V, Matsvay A, Gordukova M, Shipulin G. Square the Circle: Diversity of Viral Pathogens Causing Neuro-Infectious Diseases. Viruses 2024; 16:787. [PMID: 38793668 PMCID: PMC11126052 DOI: 10.3390/v16050787] [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: 03/27/2024] [Revised: 05/08/2024] [Accepted: 05/10/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Neuroinfections rank among the top ten leading causes of child mortality globally, even in high-income countries. The crucial determinants for successful treatment lie in the timing and swiftness of diagnosis. Although viruses constitute the majority of infectious neuropathologies, diagnosing and treating viral neuroinfections remains challenging. Despite technological advancements, the etiology of the disease remains undetermined in over half of cases. The identification of the pathogen becomes more difficult when the infection is caused by atypical pathogens or multiple pathogens simultaneously. Furthermore, the modern surge in global passenger traffic has led to an increase in cases of infections caused by pathogens not endemic to local areas. This review aims to systematize and summarize information on neuroinvasive viral pathogens, encompassing their geographic distribution and transmission routes. Emphasis is placed on rare pathogens and cases involving atypical pathogens, aiming to offer a comprehensive and structured catalog of viral agents with neurovirulence potential.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Varvara Nurmukanova
- Federal State Budgetary Institution “Centre for Strategic Planning and Management of Biomedical Health Risks” of the Federal Medical Biological Agency, 119121 Moscow, Russia
| | - Alina Matsvay
- Federal State Budgetary Institution “Centre for Strategic Planning and Management of Biomedical Health Risks” of the Federal Medical Biological Agency, 119121 Moscow, Russia
| | - Maria Gordukova
- G. Speransky Children’s Hospital No. 9, 123317 Moscow, Russia
| | - German Shipulin
- Federal State Budgetary Institution “Centre for Strategic Planning and Management of Biomedical Health Risks” of the Federal Medical Biological Agency, 119121 Moscow, Russia
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Hungwe FTT, Laycock KM, Ntereke TD, Mabaka R, Paganotti GM. A historical perspective on arboviruses of public health interest in Southern Africa. Pathog Glob Health 2024; 118:131-159. [PMID: 38082563 PMCID: PMC11141323 DOI: 10.1080/20477724.2023.2290375] [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] [Indexed: 05/31/2024] Open
Abstract
Arboviruses are an existing and expanding threat globally, with the potential for causing devastating health and socioeconomic impacts. Mitigating this threat necessitates a One Health approach that integrates vector surveillance, rapid disease detection, and innovative prevention and control measures. In Southern Africa, limited data on the epidemiology of arboviruses, their vectors, and their hosts prevent an effective response. We reviewed the current knowledge on arboviruses in Southern Africa and identified opportunities for further research. A literature search was conducted to identify studies published on arboviruses in 10 tropical and temperate countries of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) from 1900 onward. We identified 280 studies, half (51.1%) originating from South Africa, that described 31 arboviral species, their vectors, and their clinical effects on hosts reported in the region. Arboviral research flourished in the SADC in the mid-20th century but then declined, before reemerging in the last two decades. Recent research consists largely of case reports describing outbreaks. Historical vector surveillance and serosurveys from the mid-20th century suggest that arboviruses are plentiful across Southern Africa, but large gaps remain in the current understanding of arboviral distribution, transmission dynamics, and public health impact.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Faith T. T. Hungwe
- School of Engineering Sciences in Chemistry, Biotechnology and Health, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Katherine M. Laycock
- The Ryan White Center for Pediatric Infectious Disease and Global Health, Department of Pediatrics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | | | - Rorisang Mabaka
- School of Allied Health Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Botswana, Gaborone, Botswana
| | - Giacomo M. Paganotti
- Botswana-University of Pennsylvania Partnership, Gaborone, Botswana
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Botswana, Gaborone, Botswana
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Castellot A, Camacho J, Fernández-García MD, Tarragó D. Shotgun metagenomics to investigate unknown viral etiologies of pediatric meningoencephalitis. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0296036. [PMID: 38127927 PMCID: PMC10734945 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0296036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2023] [Accepted: 12/01/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Meningoencephalitis in children poses a diagnostic challenge, as etiology remains unknown for most of patients. Viral metagenomics by shotgun sequencing represents a powerful tool for investigating unknown viral infections related to these cases. PATIENTS AND METHODS In a two-year, reference-centre, retrospective study, we investigated the usefulness of viral metagenomics of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) for the diagnosis of viral infectious meningoencephalitis in forty seven pediatric patients, forty of them previously tested negative with a routine neurologic panel of viral targets that included herpesvirus 1-3 and enterovirus. We enhanced the detection by targeting viral sequences by hybrid capture. Raw sequence data was analysed using three bioinformatics pipelines. RESULTS Out of forty remaining children with meningoencephalitis of unknown viral etiology, a significant detection of viral nucleic acid by shotgun sequencing was found in twenty one, which was confirmed in ten of them by specific PCR: seven human endogenous retrovirus K113 (HER K113), one parechovirus 3, one human herpesvirus 5 (HHV5); one enterovirus B (Echovirus 9). The remaining eleven CSF were not confirmed by PCR: three rotavirus, one human herpesvirus 7 (HHV7), one influenza A, one mastadenovirus C, one sindbis virus, one torque teno virus, one human immunodeficiency virus 1 (HIV-1), one human alphaherpesvirus 3 (HHV3), one human alphaherpesvirus 2 (HHV2). CONCLUSIONS Underutilization of currently available meningitis-encephalitis diagnostic techniques such as BioFire® FilmArray® is the main cause of undiagnosed cases of meningoencephalitis. However, in this study we detected uncommon viruses that should be considered, including virus, rotavirus, sindbis virus, influenza A virus and HHV7. No other viral sequences that could be readily linked to CNS inflammation were detected. Some findings may stem from reagent or sample contamination, as seen with papillomavirus; for others, the clinical relevance of the virus remains uncertain and should be substantiated by further studies, as is the case with endogenous retrovirus K113 virus. Online bioinformatics pipeline CZID represents a valuable tool for analysing shotgun sequencing data in cases of neurological conditions with unknown etiology. Altogether, this study highlights the potential of shotgun sequencing in identifying previously unknown viral neuropathogens and sheds light on the interpretation issues related to its application in clinical microbiology.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Castellot
- Centro Nacional de Microbiología, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Majadahonda, Spain
| | - Juan Camacho
- Centro Nacional de Microbiología, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Majadahonda, Spain
| | - María Dolores Fernández-García
- Centro Nacional de Microbiología, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Majadahonda, Spain
- CIBER Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain
| | - David Tarragó
- Centro Nacional de Microbiología, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Majadahonda, Spain
- CIBER Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Guarido MM, Fourie I, Meno K, Mendes A, Riddin MA, MacIntyre C, Manyana S, Johnson T, Schrama M, Gorsich EE, Brooke BD, Almeida APG, Venter M. Alphaviruses Detected in Mosquitoes in the North-Eastern Regions of South Africa, 2014 to 2018. Viruses 2023; 15:414. [PMID: 36851627 PMCID: PMC9965626 DOI: 10.3390/v15020414] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2022] [Revised: 01/23/2023] [Accepted: 01/27/2023] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The prevalence and distribution of African alphaviruses such as chikungunya have increased in recent years. Therefore, a better understanding of the local distribution of alphaviruses in vectors across the African continent is important. Here, entomological surveillance was performed from 2014 to 2018 at selected sites in north-eastern parts of South Africa where alphaviruses have been identified during outbreaks in humans and animals in the past. Mosquitoes were collected using a net, CDC-light, and BG-traps. An alphavirus genus-specific nested RT-PCR was used for screening, and positive pools were confirmed by sequencing and phylogenetic analysis. We collected 64,603 mosquitoes from 11 genera, of which 39,035 females were tested. Overall, 1462 mosquito pools were tested, of which 21 were positive for alphaviruses. Sindbis (61.9%, N = 13) and Middelburg (28.6%, N = 6) viruses were the most prevalent. Ndumu virus was detected in two pools (9.5%, N = 2). No chikungunya positive pools were identified. Arboviral activity was concentrated in peri-urban, rural, and conservation areas. A range of Culicidae species, including Culex univittatus, Cx. pipiens s.l., Aedes durbanensis, and the Ae. dentatus group, were identified as potential vectors. These findings confirm the active circulation and distribution of alphaviruses in regions where human or animal infections were identified in South Africa.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Milehna M. Guarido
- Zoonotic Arbo- and Respiratory Virus Program, Centre for Viral Zoonoses, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Pretoria, Pretoria 0031, South Africa
- Department of Production Animal Studies, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, Pretoria 0031, South Africa
| | - Isabel Fourie
- Zoonotic Arbo- and Respiratory Virus Program, Centre for Viral Zoonoses, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Pretoria, Pretoria 0031, South Africa
| | - Kgothatso Meno
- Zoonotic Arbo- and Respiratory Virus Program, Centre for Viral Zoonoses, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Pretoria, Pretoria 0031, South Africa
| | - Adriano Mendes
- Zoonotic Arbo- and Respiratory Virus Program, Centre for Viral Zoonoses, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Pretoria, Pretoria 0031, South Africa
| | - Megan A. Riddin
- Zoonotic Arbo- and Respiratory Virus Program, Centre for Viral Zoonoses, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Pretoria, Pretoria 0031, South Africa
- UP Institute for Sustainable Malaria Control (UP ISMC), Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Pretoria, Pretoria 0007, South Africa
| | - Caitlin MacIntyre
- Zoonotic Arbo- and Respiratory Virus Program, Centre for Viral Zoonoses, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Pretoria, Pretoria 0031, South Africa
| | - Sontaga Manyana
- Zoonotic Arbo- and Respiratory Virus Program, Centre for Viral Zoonoses, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Pretoria, Pretoria 0031, South Africa
- National Health Laboratory Service, Department of Virology, School of Laboratory Medicine and Medical Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban 4041, South Africa
| | - Todd Johnson
- Zoonotic Arbo- and Respiratory Virus Program, Centre for Viral Zoonoses, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Pretoria, Pretoria 0031, South Africa
- Department of Biological Sciences, Copperbelt University, Kitwe 21692, Zambia
| | - Maarten Schrama
- Institute of Environmental Sciences, Leiden University, 2333 CC Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Erin E. Gorsich
- School of Life Sciences, University of Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL, UK
- The Zeeman Institute for Systems Biology & Infectious Disease Epidemiology Research, University of Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL, UK
| | - Basil D. Brooke
- Centre for Emerging Zoonotic & Parasitic Diseases, National Institute for Communicable Diseases/NHLS, Johannesburg 2192, South Africa
- Wits Research Institute for Malaria, School of Pathology, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg 2000, South Africa
| | - Antonio Paulo G. Almeida
- Zoonotic Arbo- and Respiratory Virus Program, Centre for Viral Zoonoses, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Pretoria, Pretoria 0031, South Africa
- Institute of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (IHMTNOVA), Medical Parasitology Unit/GHTM, NOVA University of Lisbon, 1349-008 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Marietjie Venter
- Zoonotic Arbo- and Respiratory Virus Program, Centre for Viral Zoonoses, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Pretoria, Pretoria 0031, South Africa
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Vector Competence of Mosquitoes from Germany for Sindbis Virus. Viruses 2022; 14:v14122644. [PMID: 36560650 PMCID: PMC9785343 DOI: 10.3390/v14122644] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2022] [Revised: 11/21/2022] [Accepted: 11/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Transmission of arthropod-borne viruses (arboviruses) are an emerging global health threat in the last few decades. One important arbovirus family is the Togaviridae, including the species Sindbis virus within the genus Alphavirus. Sindbis virus (SINV) is transmitted by mosquitoes, but available data about the role of different mosquito species as potent vectors for SINV are scarce. Therefore, we investigated seven mosquito species, collected from the field in Germany (Ae. koreicus, Ae. geniculatus, Ae. sticticus, Cx. torrentium, Cx. pipiens biotype pipiens) as well as lab strains (Ae. albopictus, Cx. pipiens biotype molestus, Cx. quinquefasciatus), for their vector competence for SINV. Analysis was performed via salivation assay and saliva was titrated to calculate the amount of infectious virus particles per saliva sample. All Culex and Aedes species were able to transmit SINV. Transmission could be detected at all four investigated temperature profiles (of 18 ± 5 °C, 21 ± 5 °C, 24 ± 5 °C or 27 ± 5 °C), and no temperature dependency could be observed. The concentration of infectious virus particles per saliva sample was in the same range for all species, which may suggest that all investigated mosquito species are able to transmit SINV in Germany.
Collapse
|
6
|
Denes CE, Cole AJ, Tran MTN, Mohd Khalid MKN, Hewitt AW, Hesselson D, Neely GG. The VEGAS Platform Is Unsuitable for Mammalian Directed Evolution. ACS Synth Biol 2022; 11:3544-3549. [PMID: 36219697 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.2c00460] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Directed evolution uses cycles of gene diversification and selection to generate proteins with novel properties. While traditionally directed evolution is performed in prokaryotic systems, recently a mammalian directed evolution system (viral evolution of genetically actuating sequences, or "VEGAS") has been described. Here we report that the VEGAS system has major limitations that preclude its use for directed evolution. The deconstructed Sindbis virus (SINV) genome that comprises the VEGAS system could no longer promote Sindbis structural gene (SSG)-dependent viral replication. Moreover, viral particles generated using the VEGAS system rapidly lost the target directed evolution transgene, and instead, "cheater" particles, primarily containing RNA encoding SINV structural components, arose. By sequencing, we found that this contamination came from RNA provided during initial SINV packaging, not RNA derived from the VEGAS system. Of note, both the structural RNA and target transgenes used in the VEGAS system contain viral packaging sequences. The impact of SINV "cheater" particles could be potentially overcome in the context of a robust VEGAS circuit, but since SSG complementation is also defective in the VEGAS system, selection for authentic evolution products is not currently possible. Similar results have been obtained in independent laboratories. Taken together, these results show that the VEGAS system does not work as described and, without significant redesign, cannot be used for mammalian directed evolution campaigns.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Christopher E Denes
- The Dr. John and Anne Chong Lab for Functional Genomics, Charles Perkins Centre and School of Life & Environmental Sciences, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Alexander J Cole
- Centenary Institute and Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Minh Thuan Nguyen Tran
- Menzies Institute for Medical Research, School of Medicine, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania 7000, Australia
| | | | - Alex W Hewitt
- Menzies Institute for Medical Research, School of Medicine, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania 7000, Australia
| | - Daniel Hesselson
- Centenary Institute and Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - G Gregory Neely
- The Dr. John and Anne Chong Lab for Functional Genomics, Charles Perkins Centre and School of Life & Environmental Sciences, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Yuen KY, Henning J, Eng MD, Wang ASW, Lenz MF, Caldwell KM, Coyle MP, Bielefeldt-Ohmann H. Epidemiological Study of Multiple Zoonotic Mosquito-Borne Alphaviruses in Horses in Queensland, Australia (2018-2020). Viruses 2022; 14:v14091846. [PMID: 36146651 PMCID: PMC9504300 DOI: 10.3390/v14091846] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2022] [Revised: 08/20/2022] [Accepted: 08/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
The increased frequency of extreme weather events due to climate change has complicated the epidemiological pattern of mosquito-borne diseases, as the host and vector dynamics shift to adapt. However, little is known about the seroprevalence of common mosquito-borne virus infections in horses in Australia. In this study, serological surveys for multiple alphaviruses were performed on samples taken from 622 horses across two horse populations (racehorses and horses residing on The University of Queensland (UQ) campus) in Queensland using the gold standard virus neutralization test. As is the case in humans across Australia, Ross River virus (RRV) is the most common arbovirus infection in horses, followed by Barmah Forest virus, with an overall apparent seroprevalence of 48.6% (302/622) and 4.3% (26/607), respectively. Horses aged over 6 years old (OR 1.86, p = 0.01) and residing at UQ (OR 5.8, p < 0.001) were significantly associated with seroconversion to RRV. A significant medium correlation (r = 0.626, p < 0.001) between RRV and Getah virus (GETV) neutralizing antibody titers was identified. Collectively, these results advance the current epidemiological knowledge of arbovirus exposure in a susceptible host in Australia. The potential use of horses as sentinels for arbovirus monitoring should be considered. Furthermore, since GETV is currently exotic to Australia, antibodies cross-reactivity between RRV and GETV should be further investigated for cross-protection, which may also help to inform vaccine developments.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ka Y. Yuen
- School of Veterinary Science, The University of Queensland, Gatton, QLD 4343, Australia
| | - Joerg Henning
- School of Veterinary Science, The University of Queensland, Gatton, QLD 4343, Australia
| | - Melodie D. Eng
- School of Veterinary Science, The University of Queensland, Gatton, QLD 4343, Australia
| | - Althea S. W. Wang
- School of Veterinary Science, The University of Queensland, Gatton, QLD 4343, Australia
| | - Martin F. Lenz
- Queensland Racing Integrity Commission, Brisbane, QLD 4010, Australia
| | - Karen M. Caldwell
- Queensland Racing Integrity Commission, Brisbane, QLD 4010, Australia
| | - Mitchell P. Coyle
- Equine Unit, Office of the Director Gatton Campus, The University of Queensland, Gatton, QLD 4343, Australia
| | - Helle Bielefeldt-Ohmann
- School of Veterinary Science, The University of Queensland, Gatton, QLD 4343, Australia
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
- Australian Infectious Diseases Research Centre, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
- Correspondence:
| |
Collapse
|