1
|
Mladinich MC, Himmler GE, Conde JN, Gorbunova EE, Schutt WR, Sarkar S, Tsirka SAE, Kim HK, Mackow ER. Age-dependent Powassan virus lethality is linked to glial cell activation and divergent neuroinflammatory cytokine responses in a murine model. J Virol 2024; 98:e0056024. [PMID: 39087762 PMCID: PMC11334436 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.00560-24] [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] [Accepted: 05/27/2024] [Indexed: 08/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Powassan virus (POWV) is an emergent tick-borne flavivirus that causes fatal encephalitis in the elderly and long-term neurologic sequelae in survivors. How age contributes to severe POWV encephalitis remains an enigma, and no animal models have assessed age-dependent POWV neuropathology. Inoculating C57BL/6 mice with a POWV strain (LI9) currently circulating in Ixodes ticks resulted in age-dependent POWV lethality 10-20 dpi. POWV infection of 50-week-old mice was 82% fatal with lethality sequentially reduced by age to 7.1% in 10-week-old mice. POWV LI9 was neuroinvasive in mice of all ages, causing acute spongiform CNS pathology and reactive gliosis 5-15 dpi that persisted in survivors 30 dpi. High CNS viral loads were found in all mice 10 dpi. However, by 15 dpi, viral loads decreased by 2-4 logs in 10- to 40-week-old mice, while remaining at high levels in 50-week-old mice. Age-dependent differences in CNS viral loads 15 dpi occurred concomitantly with striking changes in CNS cytokine responses. In the CNS of 50-week-old mice, POWV induced Th1-type cytokines (IFNγ, IL-2, IL-12, IL-4, TNFα, IL-6), suggesting a neurodegenerative pro-inflammatory M1 microglial program. By contrast, in 10-week-old mice, POWV-induced Th2-type cytokines (IL-10, TGFβ, IL-4) were consistent with a neuroprotective M2 microglial phenotype. These findings correlate age-dependent CNS cytokine responses and viral loads with POWV lethality and suggest potential neuroinflammatory therapeutic targets. Our results establish the age-dependent lethality of POWV in a murine model that mirrors human POWV severity and long-term CNS pathology in the elderly. IMPORTANCE Powassan virus is an emerging tick-borne flavivirus causing lethal encephalitis in aged individuals. We reveal an age-dependent POWV murine model that mirrors human POWV encephalitis and long-term CNS damage in the elderly. We found that POWV is neuroinvasive and directs reactive gliosis in all age mice, but at acute stages selectively induces pro-inflammatory Th1 cytokine responses in 50-week-old mice and neuroprotective Th2 cytokine responses in 10-week-old mice. Our findings associate CNS viral loads and divergent cytokine responses with age-dependent POWV lethality and survival outcomes. Responses of young mice suggest potential therapeutic targets and approaches for preventing severe POWV encephalitis that may be broadly applicable to other neurodegenerative diseases. Our age-dependent murine POWV model permits analysis of vaccines that prevent POWV lethality, and therapeutics that resolve severe POWV encephalitis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Megan C. Mladinich
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Center for Infectious Disease, Stony Brook, New York, USA
| | - Grace E. Himmler
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Center for Infectious Disease, Stony Brook, New York, USA
| | - Jonas N. Conde
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Center for Infectious Disease, Stony Brook, New York, USA
| | - Elena E. Gorbunova
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Center for Infectious Disease, Stony Brook, New York, USA
| | - William R. Schutt
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Center for Infectious Disease, Stony Brook, New York, USA
| | - Shayan Sarkar
- Department of Pathology, Renaissance School of Medicine, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, USA
| | - Styliani-Anna E. Tsirka
- Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Renaissance School of Medicine, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, USA
| | - Hwan Keun Kim
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Center for Infectious Disease, Stony Brook, New York, USA
| | - Erich R. Mackow
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Center for Infectious Disease, Stony Brook, New York, USA
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Kapoor T, Murray L, Kuvaldina M, Jiang CS, Peace AA, Agudelo M, Jurado A, Robbiani DF, Klemens O, Lattwein E, Sabalza M, Fallon BA, MacDonald MR. Prevalence of Powassan Virus Seropositivity Among People with History of Lyme Disease and Non-Lyme Community Controls in the Northeastern United States. Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis 2024; 24:226-236. [PMID: 38436222 PMCID: PMC11035843 DOI: 10.1089/vbz.2022.0030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Lyme disease (LD) affects ∼476,000 people each year in the United States. Symptoms are variable and include rash and flu-like symptoms. Reasons for the wide variation in disease outcomes are unknown. Powassan virus (POWV) is a tick-borne flavivirus that causes disease ranging from asymptomatic infection to encephalitis, neurologic damage, and death. POWV and LD geographic case distributions overlap, with Ixodes species ticks as the common vectors. Clinical ramifications of coinfection or sequential infection are unknown. Objectives: This study's primary objective was to determine the prevalence of POWV-reactive antibodies in sera samples collected from previously studied cohorts of individuals with self-reported LD history residing in the Northeastern United States. As a secondary objective, we studied clinical differences between people with self-reported LD history and low versus high POWV antibody levels. Methods: We used an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to quantify IgG directed at the POWV envelope (E) protein domain III in 538 samples from individuals with self-reported LD history and 16 community controls. The samples were also tested with an ELISA assay to quantify IgG directed at the POWV NS1 protein. Results: The percentage of individuals with LD history and possible evidence of POWV exposure varied depending on the assay utilized. We found no significant difference in clinical symptoms between those with low or high POWV IgG levels in the in-house assay. Congruence of the EDIII and NS1 assays was low with only 12% of those positive in the in-house EDIII ELISA testing positive in the POWV NS1 ELISA. Conclusions: The results highlight the difficulty in flavivirus diagnostic testing, particularly in the retrospective detection of flavivirus exposure. The findings suggest that a prospective study with symptomatic patients using approved clinical testing is necessary to address the incidence and clinical implications of LD and POWV co-infection or sequential infection.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tania Kapoor
- Laboratory of Molecular Immunology, The Rockefeller University, New York, New York, USA
| | - Lilly Murray
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University, and New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, New York, USA
| | - Maria Kuvaldina
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University, and New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, New York, USA
| | - Caroline S. Jiang
- Department of Hospital Biostatistics, The Rockefeller University, New York, New York, USA
| | - Avery A. Peace
- Laboratory of Virology and Infectious Disease, The Rockefeller University, New York, New York, USA
| | - Marianna Agudelo
- Laboratory of Molecular Immunology, The Rockefeller University, New York, New York, USA
| | - Andrea Jurado
- Laboratory of Virology and Infectious Disease, The Rockefeller University, New York, New York, USA
| | - Davide F. Robbiani
- Laboratory of Molecular Immunology, The Rockefeller University, New York, New York, USA
| | - Oliver Klemens
- Institute for Experimental Immunology, affiliated to EUROIMMUN Medizinische Labordiagnostika AG, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Erik Lattwein
- Institute for Experimental Immunology, affiliated to EUROIMMUN Medizinische Labordiagnostika AG, Lübeck, Germany
| | | | - Brian A. Fallon
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University, and New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, New York, USA
| | - Margaret R. MacDonald
- Laboratory of Virology and Infectious Disease, The Rockefeller University, New York, New York, USA
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Quek ZBR, Ng SH. Hybrid-Capture Target Enrichment in Human Pathogens: Identification, Evolution, Biosurveillance, and Genomic Epidemiology. Pathogens 2024; 13:275. [PMID: 38668230 PMCID: PMC11054155 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens13040275] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2024] [Revised: 03/11/2024] [Accepted: 03/18/2024] [Indexed: 04/29/2024] Open
Abstract
High-throughput sequencing (HTS) has revolutionised the field of pathogen genomics, enabling the direct recovery of pathogen genomes from clinical and environmental samples. However, pathogen nucleic acids are often overwhelmed by those of the host, requiring deep metagenomic sequencing to recover sufficient sequences for downstream analyses (e.g., identification and genome characterisation). To circumvent this, hybrid-capture target enrichment (HC) is able to enrich pathogen nucleic acids across multiple scales of divergences and taxa, depending on the panel used. In this review, we outline the applications of HC in human pathogens-bacteria, fungi, parasites and viruses-including identification, genomic epidemiology, antimicrobial resistance genotyping, and evolution. Importantly, we explored the applicability of HC to clinical metagenomics, which ultimately requires more work before it is a reliable and accurate tool for clinical diagnosis. Relatedly, the utility of HC was exemplified by COVID-19, which was used as a case study to illustrate the maturity of HC for recovering pathogen sequences. As we unravel the origins of COVID-19, zoonoses remain more relevant than ever. Therefore, the role of HC in biosurveillance studies is also highlighted in this review, which is critical in preparing us for the next pandemic. We also found that while HC is a popular tool to study viruses, it remains underutilised in parasites and fungi and, to a lesser extent, bacteria. Finally, weevaluated the future of HC with respect to bait design in the eukaryotic groups and the prospect of combining HC with long-read HTS.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Z. B. Randolph Quek
- Defence Medical & Environmental Research Institute, DSO National Laboratories, Singapore 117510, Singapore
| | | |
Collapse
|
4
|
Finelli PF. MR Imaging Patterns and Prognosis in Powassan Virus Encephalitis. Neurologist 2024; 29:103-105. [PMID: 37839084 DOI: 10.1097/nrl.0000000000000533] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/17/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Powassan virus (POWV) encephalitis is an arbovirus infection and the only tick-borne encephalitis serogroup which is present in mainland North America. The magnetic resonance (MR) imaging described with POWV encephalitis is varied, nonspecific, and limited in number, and as such, imaging patterns and outcomes with this arbovirus infection are not well appreciated. METHODS A case report and literature review of the MR imaging associated with POWV encephalitis and correlate of the MR pattern with outcome is considered. RESULTS The cerebellar dominant MR imaging pattern was identified in 50% of POWV encephalitis cases and was associated with a 60% fatality rate. POWV encephalitis with prominent cerebellar involvement on MR imaging responded to intravenous steroid. CONCLUSIONS A cerebellar dominant MR pattern in POWV encephalitis was common, associated with a poor prognosis, and recognition could change management from supportive to life-saving.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Pasquale F Finelli
- Department of Neurology, Hartford Hospital and University of Connecticut School of Medicine, Hartford, CT
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Zubair AS, McAlpine LS, Gobeske KT. Virology, ecology, epidemiology, pathology, and treatment of eastern equine encephalitis. J Neurol Sci 2024; 457:122886. [PMID: 38278094 DOI: 10.1016/j.jns.2024.122886] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2023] [Revised: 12/27/2023] [Accepted: 01/11/2024] [Indexed: 01/28/2024]
Abstract
Eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) was one of the first-recognized neuroinvasive arboviral diseases in North America, and it remains the most lethal. Although EEE is known to have periodic spikes in infection rates, there is increasing evidence that it may be undergoing a change in its prevalence and its public health burden. Numerous factors shape the scope of EEE in humans, and there are important similarities with other emergent viral diseases that have surfaced or strengthened in recent years. Because environmental and ecological conditions that broadly influence the epidemiology of arboviral diseases also are changing, and the frequency, severity, and scope of outbreaks are expected to worsen, an expanded understanding of EEE will have untold importance in coming years. Here we review the factors shaping EEE transmission cycles and the conditions leading to outbreaks in humans from an updated, multidomain perspective. We also provide special consideration of factors shaping the virology, host-vector-environment relationships, and mechanisms of pathology and treatment as a reference for broadening audiences.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Adeel S Zubair
- Department of Neurology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | | | - Kevin T Gobeske
- Department of Neurology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Xu G, Siegel E, Fernandez N, Bechtold E, Daly T, Dupuis AP, Ciota A, Rich SM. Active Surveillance of Powassan Virus in Massachusetts Ixodes scapularis Ticks, Comparing Detection Using a New Triplex Real-Time PCR Assay with a Luminex Vector-Borne Panel. Viruses 2024; 16:250. [PMID: 38400026 PMCID: PMC10892230 DOI: 10.3390/v16020250] [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: 01/15/2024] [Revised: 01/30/2024] [Accepted: 02/02/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Powassan virus is an emerging tick-borne pathogen capable of causing severe neuroinvasive disease. As the incidence of human Powassan virus grows both in magnitude and geographical range, the development of sensitive detection methods for diagnostics and surveillance is critical. In this study, a Taqman-based triplex real-time PCR assay was developed for the simultaneous and quantitative detection of Powassan virus and Powassan virus lineage II (deer tick virus) in Ixodes scapularis ticks. An exon-exon junction internal control was built-in to allow for accurate detection of RNA quality and the failure of RNA extraction. The newly developed assay was also applied to survey deer tick virus in tick populations at 13 sites on Cape Cod and Martha's Vineyard Island in Massachusetts. The assay's performance was compared with the Luminex xMAP MultiFLEX Vector-borne Panel 2. The results suggested that the real-time PCR method was more sensitive. Powassan virus infection rates among ticks collected from these highly endemic tick areas ranged from 0.0 to 10.4%, highlighting the fine-scale geographic variations in deer tick virus presence in this region. Looking forward, our PCR assay could be adopted in other Powassan virus surveillance systems.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Guang Xu
- Department of Microbiology, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003, USA; (G.X.); (N.F.); (E.B.); (T.D.)
| | - Eric Siegel
- Department of Microbiology, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003, USA; (G.X.); (N.F.); (E.B.); (T.D.)
| | - Nolan Fernandez
- Department of Microbiology, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003, USA; (G.X.); (N.F.); (E.B.); (T.D.)
| | - Emily Bechtold
- Department of Microbiology, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003, USA; (G.X.); (N.F.); (E.B.); (T.D.)
| | - Timothy Daly
- Department of Microbiology, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003, USA; (G.X.); (N.F.); (E.B.); (T.D.)
| | - Alan P. Dupuis
- New York State Department of Health, Wadsworth Center, Slingerlands, NY 12159, USA; (A.P.D.II); (A.C.)
| | - Alexander Ciota
- New York State Department of Health, Wadsworth Center, Slingerlands, NY 12159, USA; (A.P.D.II); (A.C.)
| | - Stephen M. Rich
- Department of Microbiology, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003, USA; (G.X.); (N.F.); (E.B.); (T.D.)
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Viral agents (2nd section). Transfusion 2024; 64 Suppl 1:S19-S207. [PMID: 38394038 DOI: 10.1111/trf.17630] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2023] [Accepted: 12/02/2023] [Indexed: 02/25/2024]
|
8
|
Fareed A, Rohail S, Zameer U, Wahid A, Akhtar SMM, Masood W. A comprehensive neurological perspective on tick-borne flaviviruses, with emphasis on Powassan virus. Ther Adv Infect Dis 2024; 11:20499361241247470. [PMID: 38693969 PMCID: PMC11062229 DOI: 10.1177/20499361241247470] [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: 09/06/2023] [Accepted: 03/28/2024] [Indexed: 05/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Powassan virus (POWV), a tick-borne flavivirus transmitted primarily by Ixodes ticks, poses a significant threat as it can lead to severe neuroinvasive illness. This review delves into the nuanced clinical presentation of Powassan infection, a challenge in diagnosis exacerbated by the absence of an available vaccine. Over the past decade, the prevalence of POWV has surged in North America, necessitating a thorough examination of its neurological manifestations alongside tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV). A comprehensive literature search conducted up to January 2024 revealed 135 cases of neurological symptoms associated with either Powassan or TBEV infection. Notably, severe occipital headache emerged as the most prevalent symptom (22.75%), followed by meningoencephalitis (10.34%), seizures (8.27%), and flaccid paresis (6.8%). Additional manifestations included poor balance, wide gait, dysarthria, facial nerve palsy, seizure, slurred speech, and absent deep tendon reflexes. Tragically, nine cases resulted in fatal outcomes attributed to POWV infection. This analysis highlights the intricate spectrum of neurological symptoms associated with Powassan infection and underscores the necessity for heightened awareness among medical practitioners, particularly in regions with a higher prevalence of the virus. The complexity of symptoms emphasizes the need for further research to unravel the factors contributing to this diversity. Additionally, exploring potential treatment avenues and vaccine development is crucial in addressing the rising threat posed by POWV, ultimately enhancing our ability to manage and prevent severe neurological outcomes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Areeba Fareed
- Department of Medicine, Karachi Medical and Dental College, Block M, North Nazimabad, Karachi 74600, Pakistan
| | - Samia Rohail
- Department of Medicine, Karachi Medical and Dental College, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Ushna Zameer
- Department of Medicine, Karachi Medical and Dental College, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Abdul Wahid
- Department of Medicine, Karachi Medical and Dental College, Karachi, Pakistan
| | | | - Waniyah Masood
- Department of Medicine, Dow Medical College, Karachi, Pakistan
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Siegel EL, Xu G, Li AY, Pearson P, D’hers S, Elman N, Mather TN, Rich SM. Ixodes scapularis Is the Most Susceptible of the Three Canonical Human-Biting Tick Species of North America to Repellent and Acaricidal Effects of the Natural Sesquiterpene, (+)-Nootkatone. INSECTS 2023; 15:8. [PMID: 38249014 PMCID: PMC10816182 DOI: 10.3390/insects15010008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2023] [Revised: 12/18/2023] [Accepted: 12/20/2023] [Indexed: 01/23/2024]
Abstract
Ticks are vectors of many human and animal zoonotic disease-causing agents causing significant global health and economic strain. Repellents and acaricides are integral to the human capacity for personal protection from tick bites. Nootkatone, a naturally occurring sesquiterpene found in the Alaskan cedar tree, grapefruit, and other sources, has been documented to be a potent acaricide. Research has also noted repellent effects against some tick species. In this study, our aim was to investigate the effect of synthetic, high-purity (+)-nootkatone on adult Ixodes scapularis, Dermacentor variabilis, and Amblyomma americanum ticks in an in vitro, vertical filter paper bioassay. (+)-nootkatone showed compelling tick repellency, but median effective concentrations (EC50) significantly differed among species. Ixodes scapularis were repelled at very low concentrations (EC50 = 0.87 ± 0.05 µg/cm2). Higher concentrations were required to repel D. variabilis (EC50 = 252 ± 12 µg/cm2) and A. americanum (EC50 = 2313 ± 179 µg/cm2). Significant post-exposure mortality, assessed 24 h after repellency trials, was also observed in I. scapularis but was absent entirely in D. variabilis and A. americanum. These tests demonstrate that nootkatone has a promising dual-action personal protection capacity against adult I. scapularis ticks, warranting further investigation in more natural environments and in the presence of host cues.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Eric L. Siegel
- Laboratory of Medical Zoology, Department of Microbiology, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003, USA; (E.L.S.); (P.P.)
| | - Guang Xu
- Laboratory of Medical Zoology, Department of Microbiology, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003, USA; (E.L.S.); (P.P.)
| | - Andrew Y. Li
- United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Invasive Insect Biocontrol and Behavior Laboratory, Beltsville, MD 20704, USA;
| | - Patrick Pearson
- Laboratory of Medical Zoology, Department of Microbiology, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003, USA; (E.L.S.); (P.P.)
| | - Sebastián D’hers
- Computational Mechanics Center, Instituto Tecnológico de Buenos Aires (ITBA), Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires C1106ACD, Argentina;
| | - Noel Elman
- GearJump Technologies, Limited Liability Company, Brookline, MA 02446, USA;
| | - Thomas N. Mather
- Center for Vector-Borne Disease, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI 02881, USA;
| | - Stephen M. Rich
- Laboratory of Medical Zoology, Department of Microbiology, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003, USA; (E.L.S.); (P.P.)
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Shah JS, Burrascano JJ, Ramasamy R. Recombinant protein immunoblots for differential diagnosis of tick-borne relapsing fever and Lyme disease. J Vector Borne Dis 2023; 60:353-364. [PMID: 38174512 DOI: 10.4103/0972-9062.383641] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Lyme disease (LD) is caused by a group of tick-borne bacteria of the genus Borrelia termed Lyme disease Borreliae (LDB). The detection of serum antibodies to specific LDB antigens is widely used to support diagnosis of LD. Recent findings highlight a need for serological tests that can differentiate LD from tick-borne relapsing fever (TBRF) caused by a separate group of Borrelia species termed relapsing fever Borreliae. This is because LD and TBRF share some clinical symptoms and can occur in overlapping locations. The development of serological tests for TBRF is at an early stage compared with LD. This article reviews the application of line immunoblots (IBs), where recombinant proteins applied as lines on nitrocellulose membrane strips are used to detect antibodies in patient sera, for the diagnosis and differentiation of LD and TBRF.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jyotsna S Shah
- IGeneX Inc. Milpitas; ID-FISH Technology Inc., California, USA
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
11
|
Conde JN, Himmler GE, Mladinich MC, Setoh YX, Amarilla AA, Schutt WR, Saladino N, Gorbunova EE, Salamango DJ, Benach J, Kim HK, Mackow ER. Establishment of a CPER reverse genetics system for Powassan virus defines attenuating NS1 glycosylation sites and an infectious NS1-GFP11 reporter virus. mBio 2023; 14:e0138823. [PMID: 37489888 PMCID: PMC10470542 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.01388-23] [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: 06/02/2023] [Accepted: 06/06/2023] [Indexed: 07/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Powassan virus (POWV) is an emerging tick-borne Flavivirus that causes lethal encephalitis and long-term neurologic damage. Currently, there are no POWV therapeutics, licensed vaccines, or reverse genetics systems for producing infectious POWVs from recombinant DNA. Using a circular polymerase extension reaction (CPER), we generated recombinant LI9 (recLI9) POWVs with attenuating NS1 protein mutations and a recLI9-split-eGFP reporter virus. NS1 proteins are highly conserved glycoproteins that regulate replication, spread, and neurovirulence. POWV NS1 contains three putative N-linked glycosylation sites that we modified individually in infectious recLI9 mutants (N85Q, N208Q, and N224Q). NS1 glycosylation site mutations reduced replication kinetics and were attenuated, with 1-2 log decreases in titer. Severely attenuated recLI9-N224Q exhibited a 2- to 3-day delay in focal cell-to-cell spread and reduced NS1 secretion but was lethal when intracranially inoculated into suckling mice. However, footpad inoculation of recLI9-N224Q resulted in the survival of 80% of mice and demonstrated that NS1-N224Q mutations reduce POWV neuroinvasion in vivo. To monitor NS1 trafficking, we CPER fused a split GFP11-tag to the NS1 C-terminus and generated an infectious reporter virus, recLI9-NS1-GFP11. Cells infected with recLI9-NS1-GFP11 revealed NS1 trafficking in live cells and the novel formation of large NS1-lined intracellular vesicles. An infectious recLI9-NS1-GFP11 reporter virus permits real-time analysis of NS1 functions in POWV replication, assembly, and secretion and provides a platform for evaluating antiviral compounds. Collectively, our robust POWV reverse genetics system permits analysis of viral spread and neurovirulence determinants in vitro and in vivo and enables the rational genetic design of live attenuated POWV vaccines. IMPORTANCE Our findings newly establish a mechanism for genetically modifying Powassan viruses (POWVs), systematically defining pathogenic determinants and rationally designing live attenuated POWV vaccines. This initial study demonstrates that mutating POWV NS1 glycosylation sites attenuates POWV spread and neurovirulence in vitro and in vivo. Our findings validate a robust circular polymerase extension reaction approach as a mechanism for developing, and evaluating, attenuated genetically modified POWVs. We further designed an infectious GFP-tagged reporter POWV that permits us to monitor secretory trafficking of POWV in live cells, which can be applied to screen potential POWV replication inhibitors. This robust system for modifying POWVs provides the ability to define attenuating POWV mutations and create genetically attenuated recPOWV vaccines.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jonas N. Conde
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, USA
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland, Australia
| | - Grace E. Himmler
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, USA
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland, Australia
- Molecular and Cell Biology Program, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, USA
| | - Megan C. Mladinich
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, USA
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland, Australia
| | - Yin Xiang Setoh
- Microbiology and Molecular Epidemiology Division, Environmental Health Institute, National Environmental Agency, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Alberto A. Amarilla
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland, Australia
| | - William R. Schutt
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, USA
- Center for Infectious Disease, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, USA
| | - Nicholas Saladino
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, USA
| | - Elena E. Gorbunova
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, USA
- Center for Infectious Disease, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, USA
| | - Daniel J. Salamango
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, USA
| | - Jorge Benach
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, USA
- Center for Infectious Disease, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, USA
| | - Hwan Keun Kim
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, USA
- Molecular and Cell Biology Program, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, USA
- Center for Infectious Disease, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, USA
| | - Erich R. Mackow
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, USA
- Molecular and Cell Biology Program, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, USA
- Center for Infectious Disease, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, USA
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Shah T, Li Q, Wang B, Baloch Z, Xia X. Geographical distribution and pathogenesis of ticks and tick-borne viral diseases. Front Microbiol 2023; 14:1185829. [PMID: 37293222 PMCID: PMC10244671 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1185829] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2023] [Accepted: 05/04/2023] [Indexed: 06/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Ticks are obligatory hematophagous arthropods that harbor and transmit infectious pathogens to humans and animals. Tick species belonging to Amblyomma, Ixodes, Dermacentor, and Hyalomma genera may transmit certain viruses such as Bourbon virus (BRBV), Dhori virus (DHOV), Powassan virus (POWV), Omsk hemorrhagic fever virus (OHFV), Colorado tick fever virus (CTFV), Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus (CCHFV), Heartland virus (HRTV), Kyasanur forest disease virus (KFDV), etc. that affect humans and certain wildlife. The tick vectors may become infected through feeding on viraemic hosts before transmitting the pathogen to humans and animals. Therefore, it is vital to understand the eco-epidemiology of tick-borne viruses and their pathogenesis to optimize preventive measures. Thus this review summarizes knowledge on some medically important ticks and tick-borne viruses, including BRBV, POWV, OHFV, CTFV, CCHFV, HRTV, and KFDV. Further, we discuss these viruses' epidemiology, pathogenesis, and disease manifestations during infection.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Taif Shah
- Faculty of Life Science and Technology, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, Yunnan, China
- Provincial Center for Molecular Medicine, Kunming, China
| | - Qian Li
- Faculty of Life Science and Technology, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, Yunnan, China
- Provincial Center for Molecular Medicine, Kunming, China
| | - Binghui Wang
- Faculty of Life Science and Technology, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, Yunnan, China
- Provincial Center for Molecular Medicine, Kunming, China
| | - Zulqarnain Baloch
- Faculty of Life Science and Technology, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, Yunnan, China
- Provincial Center for Molecular Medicine, Kunming, China
| | - Xueshan Xia
- Faculty of Life Science and Technology, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, Yunnan, China
- Provincial Center for Molecular Medicine, Kunming, China
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Gottschalk CG, Peterson D, Armstrong J, Knox K, Roy A. Potential molecular mechanisms of chronic fatigue in long haul COVID and other viral diseases. Infect Agent Cancer 2023; 18:7. [PMID: 36750846 PMCID: PMC9902840 DOI: 10.1186/s13027-023-00485-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2022] [Accepted: 02/01/2023] [Indexed: 02/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Historically, COVID-19 emerges as one of the most devastating diseases of humankind, which creates an unmanageable health crisis worldwide. Until now, this disease costs millions of lives and continues to paralyze human civilization's economy and social growth, leaving an enduring damage that will take an exceptionally long time to repair. While a majority of infected patients survive after mild to moderate reactions after two to six weeks, a growing population of patients suffers for months with severe and prolonged symptoms of fatigue, depression, and anxiety. These patients are no less than 10% of total COVID-19 infected individuals with distinctive chronic clinical symptomatology, collectively termed post-acute sequelae of COVID-19 (PASC) or more commonly long-haul COVID. Interestingly, Long-haul COVID and many debilitating viral diseases display a similar range of clinical symptoms of muscle fatigue, dizziness, depression, and chronic inflammation. In our current hypothesis-driven review article, we attempt to discuss the molecular mechanism of muscle fatigue in long-haul COVID, and other viral diseases as caused by HHV6, Powassan, Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), and HIV. We also discuss the pathological resemblance of virus-triggered muscle fatigue with myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS).
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Carl Gunnar Gottschalk
- Simmaron Research INC, 948 Incline Way, Incline Village, NV 89451 USA ,grid.267468.90000 0001 0695 7223Research and Development Laboratory, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Milwaukee, WI 53211 USA ,Coppe Laboratories, W229N1870 Westwood Dr, Waukesha, WI 53186 USA
| | - Daniel Peterson
- Simmaron Research INC, 948 Incline Way, Incline Village, NV 89451 USA ,Coppe Laboratories, W229N1870 Westwood Dr, Waukesha, WI 53186 USA
| | - Jan Armstrong
- Simmaron Research INC, 948 Incline Way, Incline Village, NV 89451 USA ,Coppe Laboratories, W229N1870 Westwood Dr, Waukesha, WI 53186 USA
| | - Konstance Knox
- grid.267468.90000 0001 0695 7223Research and Development Laboratory, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Milwaukee, WI 53211 USA ,Coppe Laboratories, W229N1870 Westwood Dr, Waukesha, WI 53186 USA
| | - Avik Roy
- Simmaron Research INC, 948 Incline Way, Incline Village, NV, 89451, USA. .,Research and Development Laboratory, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Milwaukee, WI, 53211, USA. .,Coppe Laboratories, W229N1870 Westwood Dr, Waukesha, WI, 53186, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
de Puig H, Bosch I, Salcedo N, Collins JJ, Hamad-Schifferli K, Gehrke L. Multiplexed rapid antigen tests developed using multicolored nanoparticles and cross-reactive antibody pairs: Implications for pandemic preparedness. NANO TODAY 2022; 47:101669. [PMID: 36348742 PMCID: PMC9632299 DOI: 10.1016/j.nantod.2022.101669] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2022] [Revised: 10/09/2022] [Accepted: 10/27/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Global public health infrastructure is unprepared for emerging pathogen epidemics, in part because diagnostic tests are not developed in advance. The recent Zika, Ebola, and SARS-CoV-2 virus epidemics are cases in point. We demonstrate here that multicolored gold nanoparticles, when coupled to cross-reactive monoclonal antibody pairs generated from a single immunization regimen, can be used to create multiple diagnostics that specifically detect and distinguish related viruses. The multiplex approach for specific detection centers on immunochromatography with pairs of antibody-conjugated red and blue gold nanoparticles, coupled with clustering algorithms to detect and distinguish related pathogens. Cross-reactive antibodies were used to develop rapid tests for i) Dengue virus serotypes 1-4, ii) Zika virus, iii) Ebola and Marburg viruses, and iv) SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2 viruses. Multiplexed rapid antigen tests based on multicolored nanoparticles and cross-reactive antibodies and can be developed prospectively at low cost to improve preparedness for epidemic outbreaks.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Helena de Puig
- Institute for Medical Engineering and Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge MA, United States
- Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Boston MA, United States
| | - Irene Bosch
- Institute for Medical Engineering and Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge MA, United States
- IDx20, Newton, MA, United States
| | | | - James J Collins
- Institute for Medical Engineering and Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge MA, United States
- Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Boston MA, United States
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge MA, United States
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge MA, United States
| | - Kimberly Hamad-Schifferli
- Department of Engineering, University of Massachusetts Boston, Boston, MA, United States
- School for the Environment, University of Massachusetts Boston, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Lee Gehrke
- Institute for Medical Engineering and Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge MA, United States
- Department of Microbiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Nord JM, Goldberg NR. Novel Case of Multifocal Choroiditis following Powassan Virus Infection. Ocul Immunol Inflamm 2022; 30:1651-1653. [PMID: 34283672 DOI: 10.1080/09273948.2021.1929335] [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: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE To present a case study that describes novel ocular manifestations of Powassan virus encephalitis using fundus imaging. STUDY DESIGN Case Report. RESULTS In this case study, fundus photographs, fundus autofluorescence, and fluorescein angiography were used to highlight Powassan virus-induced multifocal choroiditis with linear streaks. CONCLUSIONS Our case study demonstrates novel retinal findings of Powassan virus, a pattern which is commonly described in eyes infected with West Nile Virus, another type of flavivirus.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jamie M Nord
- Department of Ophthalmology, Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell, Great Neck, New York, U.S.A
| | - Naomi R Goldberg
- Department of Ophthalmology, Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell, Great Neck, New York, U.S.A
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Malonis RJ, Georgiev GI, Haslwanter D, VanBlargan LA, Fallon G, Vergnolle O, Cahill SM, Harris R, Cowburn D, Chandran K, Diamond MS, Lai JR. A Powassan virus domain III nanoparticle immunogen elicits neutralizing and protective antibodies in mice. PLoS Pathog 2022; 18:e1010573. [PMID: 35679349 PMCID: PMC9216602 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1010573] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2021] [Revised: 06/22/2022] [Accepted: 05/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Powassan virus (POWV) is an emerging tick borne flavivirus (TBFV) that causes severe neuroinvasive disease. Currently, there are no approved treatments or vaccines to combat POWV infection. Here, we generated and characterized a nanoparticle immunogen displaying domain III (EDIII) of the POWV E glycoprotein. Immunization with POWV EDIII presented on nanoparticles resulted in significantly higher serum neutralizing titers against POWV than immunization with monomeric POWV EDIII. Furthermore, passive transfer of EDIII-reactive sera protected against POWV challenge in vivo. We isolated and characterized a panel of EDIII-specific monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) and identified several that potently inhibit POWV infection and engage distinct epitopes within the lateral ridge and C-C' loop of the EDIII. By creating a subunit-based nanoparticle immunogen with vaccine potential that elicits antibodies with protective activity against POWV infection, our findings enhance our understanding of the molecular determinants of antibody-mediated neutralization of TBFVs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ryan J. Malonis
- Department of Biochemistry, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York, United States of America
| | - George I. Georgiev
- Department of Biochemistry, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York, United States of America
| | - Denise Haslwanter
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York, United States of America
| | - Laura A. VanBlargan
- Department of Medicine, Washington University in St. Louis, School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, United States of America
| | - Georgia Fallon
- Department of Biochemistry, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York, United States of America
| | - Olivia Vergnolle
- Department of Biochemistry, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York, United States of America
| | - Sean M. Cahill
- Department of Biochemistry, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York, United States of America
| | - Richard Harris
- Department of Biochemistry, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York, United States of America
| | - David Cowburn
- Department of Biochemistry, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York, United States of America
| | - Kartik Chandran
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York, United States of America
| | - Michael S. Diamond
- Department of Medicine, Washington University in St. Louis, School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, United States of America
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University in St. Louis, School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, United States of America
- Department of Pathology & Immunology, Washington University in St. Louis, School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, United States of America
| | - Jonathan R. Lai
- Department of Biochemistry, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York, United States of America
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Jia W, Chen S, Chi S, He Y, Ren L, Wang X. Recent Progress on Tick-Borne Animal Diseases of Veterinary and Public Health Significance in China. Viruses 2022; 14:v14020355. [PMID: 35215952 PMCID: PMC8875255 DOI: 10.3390/v14020355] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2021] [Revised: 01/31/2022] [Accepted: 02/03/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Ticks and tick-borne diseases pose a growing threat to human and animal health, which has brought great losses to livestock production. With the continuous expansion of human activities and the development of natural resources, there are more and more opportunities for humans to contract ticks and tick-borne pathogens. Therefore, research on ticks and tick-borne diseases is of great significance. This paper reviews recent progress on tick-borne bacterial diseases, viral diseases, and parasitic diseases in China, which provides a theoretical foundation for the research of tick-borne diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Weijuan Jia
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Inner Mongolia Minzu University, Tongliao 028000, China; (W.J.); (S.C.); (Y.H.)
| | - Si Chen
- College of Animal Sciences, Key Lab for Zoonoses Research, Ministry of Education, Jilin University, Changchun 130062, China;
| | - Shanshan Chi
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Inner Mongolia Minzu University, Tongliao 028000, China; (W.J.); (S.C.); (Y.H.)
| | - Yunjiang He
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Inner Mongolia Minzu University, Tongliao 028000, China; (W.J.); (S.C.); (Y.H.)
| | - Linzhu Ren
- College of Animal Sciences, Key Lab for Zoonoses Research, Ministry of Education, Jilin University, Changchun 130062, China;
- Correspondence: (L.R.); (X.W.); Tel.: +86-15924529577 (X.W.)
| | - Xueli Wang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Inner Mongolia Minzu University, Tongliao 028000, China; (W.J.); (S.C.); (Y.H.)
- Correspondence: (L.R.); (X.W.); Tel.: +86-15924529577 (X.W.)
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Conde JN, Sanchez-Vicente S, Saladino N, Gorbunova EE, Schutt WR, Mladinich MC, Himmler GE, Benach J, Kim HK, Mackow ER. Powassan Viruses Spread Cell to Cell during Direct Isolation from Ixodes Ticks and Persistently Infect Human Brain Endothelial Cells and Pericytes. J Virol 2022; 96:e0168221. [PMID: 34643436 PMCID: PMC8754205 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.01682-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2021] [Accepted: 10/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Powassan viruses (POWVs) are neurovirulent tick-borne flaviviruses emerging in the northeastern United States, with a 2% prevalence in Long Island (LI) deer ticks (Ixodes scapularis). POWVs are transmitted within as little as 15 min of a tick bite and enter the central nervous system (CNS) to cause encephalitis (10% of cases are fatal) and long-term neuronal damage. POWV-LI9 and POWV-LI41 present in LI Ixodes ticks were isolated by directly inoculating VeroE6 cells with tick homogenates and detecting POWV-infected cells by immunoperoxidase staining. Inoculated POWV-LI9 and LI41 were exclusively present in infected cell foci, indicative of cell to cell spread, despite growth in liquid culture without an overlay. Cloning and sequencing establish POWV-LI9 as a phylogenetically distinct lineage II POWV strain circulating in LI deer ticks. Primary human brain microvascular endothelial cells (hBMECs) and pericytes form a neurovascular complex that restricts entry into the CNS. We found that POWV-LI9 and -LI41 and lineage I POWV-LB productively infect hBMECs and pericytes and that POWVs were basolaterally transmitted from hBMECs to lower-chamber pericytes without permeabilizing polarized hBMECs. Synchronous POWV-LI9 infection of hBMECs and pericytes induced proinflammatory chemokines, interferon-β (IFN-β) and proteins of the IFN-stimulated gene family (ISGs), with delayed IFN-β secretion by infected pericytes. IFN inhibited POWV infection, but despite IFN secretion, a subset of POWV-infected hBMECs and pericytes remained persistently infected. These findings suggest a potential mechanism for POWVs (LI9/LI41 and LB) to infect hBMECs, spread basolaterally to pericytes, and enter the CNS. hBMEC and pericyte responses to POWV infection suggest a role for immunopathology in POWV neurovirulence and potential therapeutic targets for preventing POWV spread to neuronal compartments. IMPORTANCE We isolated POWVs from LI deer ticks (I. scapularis) directly in VeroE6 cells, and sequencing revealed POWV-LI9 as a distinct lineage II POWV strain. Remarkably, inoculation of VeroE6 cells with POWV-containing tick homogenates resulted in infected cell foci in liquid culture, consistent with cell-to-cell spread. POWV-LI9 and -LI41 and lineage I POWV-LB strains infected hBMECs and pericytes that comprise neurovascular complexes. POWVs were nonlytically transmitted basolaterally from infected hBMECs to lower-chamber pericytes, suggesting a mechanism for POWV transmission across the blood-brain barrier (BBB). POWV-LI9 elicited inflammatory responses from infected hBMEC and pericytes that may contribute to immune cell recruitment and neuropathogenesis. This study reveals a potential mechanism for POWVs to enter the CNS by infecting hBMECs and spreading basolaterally to abluminal pericytes. Our findings reveal that POWV-LI9 persists in cells that form a neurovascular complex spanning the BBB and suggest potential therapeutic targets for preventing POWV spread to neuronal compartments.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jonas N. Conde
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, USA
- Center for Infectious Disease, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, USA
| | - Santiago Sanchez-Vicente
- Center for Infection and Immunity, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University New York, New York, USA
| | - Nicholas Saladino
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, USA
- Center for Infectious Disease, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, USA
| | - Elena E. Gorbunova
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, USA
- Center for Infectious Disease, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, USA
| | - William R. Schutt
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, USA
- Center for Infectious Disease, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, USA
| | - Megan C. Mladinich
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, USA
- Molecular and Cellular Biology Program, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, USA
- Center for Infectious Disease, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, USA
| | - Grace E. Himmler
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, USA
- Molecular and Cellular Biology Program, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, USA
- Center for Infectious Disease, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, USA
| | - Jorge Benach
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, USA
- Center for Infectious Disease, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, USA
| | - Hwan Keun Kim
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, USA
- Molecular and Cellular Biology Program, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, USA
- Center for Infectious Disease, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, USA
| | - Erich R. Mackow
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, USA
- Molecular and Cellular Biology Program, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, USA
- Center for Infectious Disease, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, USA
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Hart CE, Bhaskar JR, Reynolds E, Hermance M, Earl M, Mahoney M, Martinez A, Petzlova I, Esterly AT, Thangamani S. Community engaged tick surveillance and tickMAP as a public health tool to track the emergence of ticks and tick-borne diseases in New York. PLOS GLOBAL PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 2:e0000215. [PMID: 36962313 PMCID: PMC10022224 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgph.0000215] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2021] [Accepted: 05/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
A community engaged passive surveillance program was utilized to acquire ticks and associated information throughout New York state. Ticks were speciated and screened for several tick-borne pathogens. Of these ticks, only I. scapularis was commonly infected with pathogens of human relevance, including B. burgdorferi, B. miyamotoi, A. phagocytophilum, B. microti, and Powassan virus. In addition, the geographic and temporal distribution of tick species and pathogens was determined. This enabled the construction of a powerful visual analytical mapping tool, tickMAP to track the emergence of ticks and tick-borne pathogens in real-time. The public can use this tool to identify hot-spots of disease emergence, clinicians for supportive evidence during differential diagnosis, and researchers to better understand factors influencing the emergence of ticks and tick-borne diseases in New York. Overall, we have created a community-engaged tick surveillance program and an interactive visual analytical tickMAP that other regions could emulate to provide real-time tracking and an early warning for the emergence of tick-borne diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Charles E Hart
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, New York, United States of America
- SUNY Center for Vector-Borne Diseases, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, New York, United States of America
- Institute for Global Health and Translational Science, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, New York, United States of America
| | - Jahnavi Reddy Bhaskar
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, New York, United States of America
- SUNY Center for Vector-Borne Diseases, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, New York, United States of America
- Institute for Global Health and Translational Science, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, New York, United States of America
| | - Erin Reynolds
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, New York, United States of America
- SUNY Center for Vector-Borne Diseases, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, New York, United States of America
- Institute for Global Health and Translational Science, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, New York, United States of America
| | - Meghan Hermance
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of South Alabama College of Medicine, Mobile, Alabama, United States of America
| | - Martin Earl
- Moonshot Team, Information Management and Technology, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, New York, United States of America
| | - Matthew Mahoney
- Moonshot Team, Information Management and Technology, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, New York, United States of America
| | - Ana Martinez
- Moonshot Team, Information Management and Technology, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, New York, United States of America
| | - Ivona Petzlova
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, New York, United States of America
- SUNY Center for Vector-Borne Diseases, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, New York, United States of America
- Institute for Global Health and Translational Science, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, New York, United States of America
| | - Allen T Esterly
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, New York, United States of America
- SUNY Center for Vector-Borne Diseases, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, New York, United States of America
- Institute for Global Health and Translational Science, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, New York, United States of America
| | - Saravanan Thangamani
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, New York, United States of America
- SUNY Center for Vector-Borne Diseases, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, New York, United States of America
- Institute for Global Health and Translational Science, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, New York, United States of America
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Lippi CA, Ryan SJ, White AL, Gaff HD, Carlson CJ. Trends and Opportunities in Tick-Borne Disease Geography. JOURNAL OF MEDICAL ENTOMOLOGY 2021; 58:2021-2029. [PMID: 34027972 PMCID: PMC8577696 DOI: 10.1093/jme/tjab086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2021] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
Tick-borne diseases are a growing problem in many parts of the world, and their surveillance and control touch on challenging issues in medical entomology, agricultural health, veterinary medicine, and biosecurity. Spatial approaches can be used to synthesize the data generated by integrative One Health surveillance systems, and help stakeholders, managers, and medical geographers understand the current and future distribution of risk. Here, we performed a systematic review of over 8,000 studies and identified a total of 303 scientific publications that map tick-borne diseases using data on vectors, pathogens, and hosts (including wildlife, livestock, and human cases). We find that the field is growing rapidly, with the major Ixodes-borne diseases (Lyme disease and tick-borne encephalitis in particular) giving way to monitoring efforts that encompass a broader range of threats. We find a tremendous diversity of methods used to map tick-borne disease, but also find major gaps: data on the enzootic cycle of tick-borne pathogens is severely underutilized, and mapping efforts are mostly limited to Europe and North America. We suggest that future work can readily apply available methods to track the distributions of tick-borne diseases in Africa and Asia, following a One Health approach that combines medical and veterinary surveillance for maximum impact.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Catherine A Lippi
- Quantitative Disease Ecology and Conservation (QDEC) Lab, Department of Geography, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
- Emerging Pathogens Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Sadie J Ryan
- Quantitative Disease Ecology and Conservation (QDEC) Lab, Department of Geography, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
- Emerging Pathogens Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
- College of Life Sciences, University of KwaZulu Natal, Durban, South Africa
| | - Alexis L White
- Quantitative Disease Ecology and Conservation (QDEC) Lab, Department of Geography, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
- Emerging Pathogens Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Holly D Gaff
- Department of Biology, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA, USA
- School of Mathematics, Statistics and Computer Science, University of Kwa-Zulu Natal, Durban, South Africa
| | - Colin J Carlson
- Center for Global Health Science and Security, Georgetown University Medical Center, Georgetown University, Washington, DC, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Georgetown University Medical Center, Georgetown University, Washington, DC, USA
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Blahove MR, Carter JR. Flavivirus Persistence in Wildlife Populations. Viruses 2021; 13:v13102099. [PMID: 34696529 PMCID: PMC8541186 DOI: 10.3390/v13102099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2021] [Revised: 10/01/2021] [Accepted: 10/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
A substantial number of humans are at risk for infection by vector-borne flaviviruses, resulting in considerable morbidity and mortality worldwide. These viruses also infect wildlife at a considerable rate, persistently cycling between ticks/mosquitoes and small mammals and reptiles and non-human primates and humans. Substantially increasing evidence of viral persistence in wildlife continues to be reported. In addition to in humans, viral persistence has been shown to establish in mammalian, reptile, arachnid, and mosquito systems, as well as insect cell lines. Although a considerable amount of research has centered on the potential roles of defective virus particles, autophagy and/or apoptosis-induced evasion of the immune response, and the precise mechanism of these features in flavivirus persistence have yet to be elucidated. In this review, we present findings that aid in understanding how vector-borne flavivirus persistence is established in wildlife. Research studies to be discussed include determining the critical roles universal flavivirus non-structural proteins played in flaviviral persistence, the advancement of animal models of viral persistence, and studying host factors that allow vector-borne flavivirus replication without destructive effects on infected cells. These findings underscore the viral–host relationships in wildlife animals and could be used to elucidate the underlying mechanisms responsible for the establishment of viral persistence in these animals.
Collapse
|
22
|
Pach JJ, Zubair AS, Traner C, Falcone GJ, Dewey JJ. Powassan Meningoencephalitis: A Case Report Highlighting Diagnosis and Management. Cureus 2021; 13:e16592. [PMID: 34430178 PMCID: PMC8378285 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.16592] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/23/2021] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Powassan virus (POWV), a rare flavivirus that may be transmitted by a tick bite, causes rare but severe cases of encephalitis, meningitis, and meningoencephalitis in humans. We present the case of a 62-year-old man with prior Lyme disease and reactive arthritis who presented to the hospital with symptoms of fever, headache, and fatigue. The patient developed rapid deterioration of mental status including profound expressive aphasia and required intubation and high-dose steroids. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) serologies were found to be positive for the POWV.
Collapse
|
23
|
VanBlargan LA, Errico JM, Kafai NM, Burgomaster KE, Jethva PN, Broeckel RM, Meade-White K, Nelson CA, Himansu S, Wang D, Handley SA, Gross ML, Best SM, Pierson TC, Fremont DH, Diamond MS. Broadly neutralizing monoclonal antibodies protect against multiple tick-borne flaviviruses. J Exp Med 2021; 218:e20210174. [PMID: 33831142 PMCID: PMC8040518 DOI: 10.1084/jem.20210174] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2021] [Revised: 02/26/2021] [Accepted: 03/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Although Powassan virus (POWV) is an emerging tick-transmitted flavivirus that causes severe or fatal neuroinvasive disease in humans, medical countermeasures have not yet been developed. Here, we developed a panel of neutralizing anti-POWV mAbs recognizing six distinct antigenic sites. The most potent of these mAbs bind sites within domain II or III of the envelope (E) protein and inhibit postattachment viral entry steps. A subset of these mAbs cross-react with other flaviviruses. Both POWV type-specific and cross-reactive neutralizing mAbs confer protection in mice against POWV infection when given as prophylaxis or postexposure therapy. Several cross-reactive mAbs mapping to either domain II or III also protect in vivo against heterologous tick-transmitted flaviviruses including Langat and tick-borne encephalitis virus. Our experiments define structural and functional correlates of antibody protection against POWV infection and identify epitopes targeted by broadly neutralizing antibodies with therapeutic potential against multiple tick-borne flaviviruses.
Collapse
MESH Headings
- Animals
- Antibodies, Monoclonal/administration & dosage
- Antibodies, Monoclonal/immunology
- Antibodies, Neutralizing/administration & dosage
- Antibodies, Neutralizing/immunology
- Cell Line
- Chlorocebus aethiops
- Cross Reactions/immunology
- Encephalitis Viruses, Tick-Borne/drug effects
- Encephalitis Viruses, Tick-Borne/genetics
- Encephalitis Viruses, Tick-Borne/immunology
- Encephalitis Viruses, Tick-Borne/physiology
- Encephalitis, Tick-Borne/immunology
- Encephalitis, Tick-Borne/prevention & control
- Encephalitis, Tick-Borne/virology
- Epitopes/immunology
- HEK293 Cells
- Humans
- Immunoglobulin G/administration & dosage
- Immunoglobulin G/immunology
- Mice, Inbred C57BL
- Mutation
- Vero Cells
- Viral Envelope Proteins/immunology
- Viral Vaccines/administration & dosage
- Viral Vaccines/immunology
- Mice
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Laura A. VanBlargan
- Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO
| | - John M. Errico
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO
| | - Natasha M. Kafai
- Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO
| | - Katherine E. Burgomaster
- Laboratory of Viral Diseases, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD
| | | | - Rebecca M. Broeckel
- Laboratory of Virology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Hamilton, MT
| | - Kimberly Meade-White
- Laboratory of Virology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Hamilton, MT
| | - Christopher A. Nelson
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO
| | | | - David Wang
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO
| | - Scott A. Handley
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO
| | | | - Sonja M. Best
- Laboratory of Virology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Hamilton, MT
| | - Theodore C. Pierson
- Laboratory of Viral Diseases, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD
| | - Daved H. Fremont
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO
- Andrew M. and Jane M. Bursky Center for Human Immunology and Immunotherapy Programs, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO
| | - Michael S. Diamond
- Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO
- Andrew M. and Jane M. Bursky Center for Human Immunology and Immunotherapy Programs, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Boulanger N, Wikel S. Induced Transient Immune Tolerance in Ticks and Vertebrate Host: A Keystone of Tick-Borne Diseases? Front Immunol 2021; 12:625993. [PMID: 33643313 PMCID: PMC7907174 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.625993] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2020] [Accepted: 01/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Ticks and tick transmitted infectious agents are increasing global public health threats due to increasing abundance, expanding geographic ranges of vectors and pathogens, and emerging tick-borne infectious agents. Greater understanding of tick, host, and pathogen interactions will contribute to development of novel tick control and disease prevention strategies. Tick-borne pathogens adapt in multiple ways to very different tick and vertebrate host environments and defenses. Ticks effectively pharmacomodulate by its saliva host innate and adaptive immune defenses. In this review, we examine the idea that successful synergy between tick and tick-borne pathogen results in host immune tolerance that facilitates successful tick infection and feeding, creates a favorable site for pathogen introduction, modulates cutaneous and systemic immune defenses to establish infection, and contributes to successful long-term infection. Tick, host, and pathogen elements examined here include interaction of tick innate immunity and microbiome with tick-borne pathogens; tick modulation of host cutaneous defenses prior to pathogen transmission; how tick and pathogen target vertebrate host defenses that lead to different modes of interaction and host infection status (reservoir, incompetent, resistant, clinically ill); tick saliva bioactive molecules as important factors in determining those pathogens for which the tick is a competent vector; and, the need for translational studies to advance this field of study. Gaps in our understanding of these relationships are identified, that if successfully addressed, can advance the development of strategies to successfully disrupt both tick feeding and pathogen transmission.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nathalie Boulanger
- Fédération de Médecine Translationnelle - UR7290, Early Bacterial Virulence, Group Borrelia, Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France.,Centre National de Référence Borrelia, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire, Strasbourg, France
| | - Stephen Wikel
- Department of Medical Sciences, Frank H. Netter, M.D., School of Medicine, Quinnipiac University, Hamden, CT, United States
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Nemeth NM, Root J, Hartwig AE, Bowen RA, Bosco-Lauth AM. Powassan Virus Experimental Infections in Three Wild Mammal Species. Am J Trop Med Hyg 2021; 104:1048-1054. [PMID: 33534764 DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.20-0105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2020] [Accepted: 08/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Powassan virus (POWV) is a tick-borne virus maintained in sylvatic cycles between mammalian wildlife hosts and ticks (primarily Ixodes spp.). There are two currently recognized lineages, POWV-lineage 1 (POWV-L1) and deer tick virus (DTV; lineage 2), both of which can cause fatal neurologic disease in humans. Increased numbers of human case reports in the northeastern and north central United States in recent years have fueled questions into POWV epidemiology. We inoculated three candidate wildlife POWV reservoir hosts, groundhogs (Marmota monax), striped skunks (Mephitis mephitis), and fox squirrels (Sciurus niger), with either POWV-L1 or DTV. Resulting viremia, tissue tropism, and pathology were minimal in most inoculated individuals of all three species, with low (peak titer range, 101.7-103.3 plaque-forming units/mL serum) or undetectable viremia titers, lack of detection in tissues except for low titers in spleen, and seroconversion in most individuals by 21 days postinoculation (DPI). Pathology was limited and most commonly consisted of mild inflammation in the brain of POWV-L1- and DTV-inoculated skunks on four and 21 DPI, respectively. These results reveal variation in virulence and host competence among wild mammalian species, and a likely limited duration of host infectiousness to ticks during enzootic transmission cycles. However, POWV can transmit rapidly from tick to host, and tick co-feeding may be an additional transmission mechanism. The rare and low-level detections of viremia in these three, common, wild mammal species suggest that vector-host dynamics should continue to be explored, along with eco-epidemiological aspects of enzootic POWV transmission in different regions and virus lineages.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nicole M Nemeth
- 1Department of Population Health, Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia.,2Department of Pathology, Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia
| | - Jeffrey Root
- 3United States Department of Agriculture/APHIS, National Wildlife Research Center, Fort Collins, Colorado
| | - Airn E Hartwig
- 4Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado
| | - Richard A Bowen
- 4Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado
| | - Angela M Bosco-Lauth
- 4Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Vaccine approaches applied to controlling dog ticks. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2021; 12:101631. [PMID: 33494026 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2020.101631] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2020] [Revised: 11/17/2020] [Accepted: 11/18/2020] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Ticks are considered the most important vectors in veterinary medicine with a profound impact on animal health worldwide, as well as being key vectors of diseases affecting household pets. The leading strategy applied to dog tick control is the continued use of acaricides. However, this approach is not sustainable due to surging tick resistance, growing public concern over pesticide residues in food and in the environment, and the rising costs associated with their development. In contrast, tick vaccines are a cost-effective and environmentally friendly alternative against tick-borne diseases by controlling vector infestations and reducing pathogen transmission. These premises have encouraged researchers to develop an effective vaccine against ticks, with several proteins having been characterized and used in native, synthetic, and recombinant forms as antigens in immunizations. The growing interaction between domestic pets and people underscores the importance of developing new tick control measures that require effective screening platforms applied to vaccine development. However, as reviewed in this paper, very little progress has been made in controlling ectoparasite infestations in pets using the vaccine approach. The control of tick infestations and pathogen transmission could be obtained through immunization programs aimed at reducing the tick population and interfering in the pathogenic transmission that affects human and animal health on a global scale.
Collapse
|
27
|
Feder HM, Telford S, Goethert HK, Wormser GP. Powassan Virus Encephalitis Following Brief Attachment of Connecticut Deer Ticks. Clin Infect Dis 2020; 73:e2350-e2354. [PMID: 33111953 DOI: 10.1093/cid/ciaa1183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2020] [Accepted: 08/10/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Powassan virus (POWV) is a tick-transmitted pathogen that may cause severe encephalitis; experimentally, it can be transmitted within just 15 minutes following a tick bite. The deer tick virus subtype of POWV (DTV) is transmitted by the deer tick and is the likely cause of the increase in the number of POWV cases reported in the United States. However, DTV has only been definitively documented in 6 patients by molecular analysis of the virus. METHODS Two patients from Connecticut with encephalitis, who had a recent deer tick bite, were evaluated by the relevant serologic tests to determine if they had been infected with POWV. Evaluation also included molecular testing of an adult deer tick that had been removed from one of the patients. RESULTS We documented neuroinvasive POWV infection in 2 children from Connecticut. Based on the results of testing the tick removed from case 2, this patient was infected by DTV, representing the 7th reported case and the first documented case of DTV infection in a child. Of note, the duration of the tick bites in both cases was very short. CONCLUSIONS We provide the first clinical and epidemiologic evidence that POWV/DTV can be rapidly transmitted to a human host, that is, within hours of tick attachment, which is distinctive when compared to other deer tick-transmitted infections such as Lyme disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Henry M Feder
- University of Connecticut Medical Center and Connecticut Children's Medical Center, Farmington and Hartford, Connecticut, USA
| | - Sam Telford
- Tufts University, North Grafton, Massachusetts, USA
| | | | - Gary P Wormser
- Division of Infectious Diseases, New York Medical College, Valhalla, New York, USA
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
White SA, Bevins SN, Ruder MG, Shaw D, Vigil SL, Randall A, Deliberto TJ, Dominguez K, Thompson AT, Mertins JW, Alfred JT, Yabsley MJ. Surveys for ticks on wildlife hosts and in the environment at Asian longhorned tick (Haemaphysalis longicornis)-positive sites in Virginia and New Jersey, 2018. Transbound Emerg Dis 2020; 68:605-614. [PMID: 32639639 DOI: 10.1111/tbed.13722] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2020] [Revised: 04/17/2020] [Accepted: 07/04/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Haemaphysalis longicornis, the Asian longhorned tick (ALT), is native to eastern Asia, but it has become invasive in several countries, including Australia, New Zealand and recently in the eastern United States (US). To identify wild mammal and avian host species in the US, we conducted active wildlife surveillance in two states with known ALT infestations (Virginia and New Jersey). In addition, we conducted environmental surveys in both states. These surveillance efforts resulted in detection of 51 ALT-infested individuals from seven wildlife species, including raccoon (Procyon lotor), Virginia opossum (Didelphis virginiana), red fox (Vulpes vulpes), woodchuck (Marmota monax), eastern cottontail (Sylvilagus floridanus), striped skunk (Mephitis mephitis) and white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus). We found ALT in the environment in both states and also collected three native tick species (Amblyomma americanum, Dermacentor variablis and Ixodes scapularis) that are vectors of pathogens of public health and veterinary importance. This study provides important specific information on the wildlife host range of ALT in the US.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Seth A White
- Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study, Department of Population Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA.,Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
| | - Sarah N Bevins
- US Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Wildlife Services, National Wildlife Disease Program, Fort Collins, CO, USA
| | - Mark G Ruder
- Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study, Department of Population Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
| | - David Shaw
- Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study, Department of Population Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
| | - Stacey L Vigil
- Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study, Department of Population Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
| | - Adam Randall
- US Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Wildlife Services, National Wildlife Research Center, Pittstown, NJ, USA
| | - Thomas J Deliberto
- US Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Wildlife Services, National Wildlife Disease Program, Fort Collins, CO, USA
| | - Kristen Dominguez
- Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study, Department of Population Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
| | - Alec T Thompson
- Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study, Department of Population Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
| | - James W Mertins
- US Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Veterinary Services, Diagnostics and Biologics, National Veterinary Services Laboratories, Ames, IA, USA
| | - Jeffery T Alfred
- US Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Veterinary Services, Diagnostics and Biologics, National Veterinary Services Laboratories, Ames, IA, USA
| | - Michael J Yabsley
- Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study, Department of Population Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA.,Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Yuan Q, Llanos-Soto SG, Gangloff-Kaufmann JL, Lampman JM, Frye MJ, Benedict MC, Tallmadge RL, Mitchell PK, Anderson RR, Cronk BD, Stanhope BJ, Jarvis AR, Lejeune M, Renshaw RW, Laverack M, Lamb EM, Goodman LB. Active surveillance of pathogens from ticks collected in New York State suburban parks and schoolyards. Zoonoses Public Health 2020; 67:684-696. [PMID: 32697888 PMCID: PMC7496946 DOI: 10.1111/zph.12749] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2019] [Revised: 04/29/2020] [Accepted: 05/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Schoolyards and suburban parks are two environments where active tick surveillance may inform local management approaches. Even in a state such as New York with a robust active tick surveillance programme operated by the state Department of Health, these settings are not routinely covered. The goal of this study was to highlight the importance of active surveillance for tick‐borne pathogens by describing their prevalence in ticks collected from schoolyards and suburban parks and to guide the use of integrated pest management in these settings. Tick dragging was performed in three regions of New York State: Long Island, the Lower Hudson Valley and the Capital Region. A total of 19 schoolyards and 32 parks were sampled. The location, habitat and weather at the time of tick collection were recorded. Ticks were speciated and tested for the presence of 17 pathogens with a novel application of nanoscale real‐time PCR. The causative agents of Lyme disease, anaplasmosis, babesiosis and Powassan virus disease were all detected from Ixodes scapularis in various sites throughout the capital region and south‐eastern counties of New York state. The most common agent detected was Borrelia burgdorferi, and coinfection rates were as high as 36%. This surveillance study also captured the first of the invasive Asian longhorned tick species, Haemaphysalis longicornis, in New York state (collected 2 June 2017). Results from this study highlight the importance of collaborative efforts and data sharing for improvement of surveillance for tick‐borne disease agents.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Qin Yuan
- Master of Public Health Program, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - Sebastian G Llanos-Soto
- Department of Population Medicine and Diagnostic Sciences, Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - Jody L Gangloff-Kaufmann
- New York State Integrated Pest Management Program, Cornell University College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Geneva, NY, USA
| | - Joellen M Lampman
- New York State Integrated Pest Management Program, Cornell University College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Geneva, NY, USA
| | - Matthew J Frye
- New York State Integrated Pest Management Program, Cornell University College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Geneva, NY, USA
| | - Meghan C Benedict
- Department of Population Medicine and Diagnostic Sciences, Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - Rebecca L Tallmadge
- Department of Population Medicine and Diagnostic Sciences, Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - Patrick K Mitchell
- Department of Population Medicine and Diagnostic Sciences, Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - Renee R Anderson
- Department of Population Medicine and Diagnostic Sciences, Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - Brittany D Cronk
- Department of Population Medicine and Diagnostic Sciences, Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - Bryce J Stanhope
- Department of Population Medicine and Diagnostic Sciences, Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - Ava R Jarvis
- Department of Population Medicine and Diagnostic Sciences, Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - Manigandan Lejeune
- Department of Population Medicine and Diagnostic Sciences, Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - Randall W Renshaw
- Department of Population Medicine and Diagnostic Sciences, Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - Melissa Laverack
- Department of Population Medicine and Diagnostic Sciences, Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - Elizabeth M Lamb
- New York State Integrated Pest Management Program, Cornell University College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Geneva, NY, USA
| | - Laura B Goodman
- Department of Population Medicine and Diagnostic Sciences, Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, Ithaca, NY, USA
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
El-Sayed A, Kamel M. Climatic changes and their role in emergence and re-emergence of diseases. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2020; 27:22336-22352. [PMID: 32347486 PMCID: PMC7187803 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-020-08896-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 129] [Impact Index Per Article: 32.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2020] [Accepted: 04/14/2020] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
Global warming and the associated climate changes are predictable. They are enhanced by burning of fossil fuels and the emission of huge amounts of CO2 gas which resulted in greenhouse effect. It is expected that the average global temperature will increase with 2-5 °C in the next decades. As a result, the earth will exhibit marked climatic changes characterized by extremer weather events in the coming decades, such as the increase in temperature, rainfall, summertime, droughts, more frequent and stronger tornadoes and hurricanes. Epidemiological disease cycle includes host, pathogen and in certain cases intermediate host/vector. A complex mixture of various environmental conditions (e.g. temperature and humidity) determines the suitable habitat/ecological niche for every vector host. The availability of suitable vectors is a precondition for the emergence of vector-borne pathogens. Climate changes and global warming will have catastrophic effects on human, animal and environmental ecosystems. Pathogens, especially neglected tropical disease agents, are expected to emerge and re-emerge in several countries including Europe and North America. The lives of millions of people especially in developing countries will be at risk in direct and indirect ways. In the present review, the role of climate changes in the spread of infectious agents and their vectors is discussed. Examples of the major emerging viral, bacterial and parasitic diseases are also summarized.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Amr El-Sayed
- Department of Medicine and Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt
| | - Mohamed Kamel
- Department of Medicine and Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt.
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
Mrozowich T, Henrickson A, Demeler B, Patel TR. Nanoscale Structure Determination of Murray Valley Encephalitis and Powassan Virus Non-Coding RNAs. Viruses 2020; 12:E190. [PMID: 32046304 PMCID: PMC7077200 DOI: 10.3390/v12020190] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2020] [Revised: 02/05/2020] [Accepted: 02/06/2020] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Viral infections are responsible for numerous deaths worldwide. Flaviviruses, which contain RNA as their genetic material, are one of the most pathogenic families of viruses. There is an increasing amount of evidence suggesting that their 5' and 3' non-coding terminal regions are critical for their survival. Information on their structural features is essential to gain detailed insights into their functions and interactions with host proteins. In this study, the 5' and 3' terminal regions of Murray Valley encephalitis virus and Powassan virus were examined using biophysical and computational modeling methods. First, we used size exclusion chromatography and analytical ultracentrifuge methods to investigate the purity of in-vitro transcribed RNAs. Next, we employed small-angle X-ray scattering techniques to study solution conformation and low-resolution structures of these RNAs, which suggest that the 3' terminal regions are highly extended as compared to the 5' terminal regions for both viruses. Using computational modeling tools, we reconstructed 3-dimensional structures of each RNA fragment and compared them with derived small-angle X-ray scattering low-resolution structures. This approach allowed us to reinforce that the 5' terminal regions adopt more dynamic structures compared to the mainly double-stranded structures of the 3' terminal regions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tyler Mrozowich
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Alberta RNA Research and Training Institute, University of Lethbridge, 4401 University Drive, Lethbridge, AB T1K 3M4, Canada; (T.M.); (A.H.); (B.D.)
| | - Amy Henrickson
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Alberta RNA Research and Training Institute, University of Lethbridge, 4401 University Drive, Lethbridge, AB T1K 3M4, Canada; (T.M.); (A.H.); (B.D.)
| | - Borries Demeler
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Alberta RNA Research and Training Institute, University of Lethbridge, 4401 University Drive, Lethbridge, AB T1K 3M4, Canada; (T.M.); (A.H.); (B.D.)
- Department of Chemistry And Biochemistry, University of Montana, Missoula, MT 59812, USA
- NorthWest Biophysics Consortium, University of Lethbridge, University of Lethbridge, 4401 University Drive, Lethbridge, AB T1K 3M4, Canada
| | - Trushar R Patel
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Alberta RNA Research and Training Institute, University of Lethbridge, 4401 University Drive, Lethbridge, AB T1K 3M4, Canada; (T.M.); (A.H.); (B.D.)
- NorthWest Biophysics Consortium, University of Lethbridge, University of Lethbridge, 4401 University Drive, Lethbridge, AB T1K 3M4, Canada
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Infectious Disease, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 1N4, Canada
- Li Ka Shing Institute of Virology and Discovery Lab, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2E1, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
32
|
Virus-Like Particle Systems for Vaccine Development against Viruses in the Flaviviridae Family. Vaccines (Basel) 2019; 7:vaccines7040123. [PMID: 31547131 PMCID: PMC6963367 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines7040123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2019] [Revised: 09/07/2019] [Accepted: 09/13/2019] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Viruses in the Flaviviridae family are important human and animal pathogens that impose serious threats to global public health. This family of viruses includes emerging and re-emerging viruses, most of which are transmitted by infected mosquito or tick bites. Currently, there is no protective vaccine or effective antiviral treatment against the majority of these viruses, and due to their growing spread, several strategies have been employed to manufacture prophylactic vaccines against these infectious agents including virus-like particle (VLP) subunit vaccines. VLPs are genomeless viral particles that resemble authentic viruses and contain critical repetitive conformational structures on their surface that can trigger the induction of both humoral and cellular responses, making them safe and ideal vaccine candidates against these viruses. In this review, we focus on the potential of the VLP platform in the current vaccine development against the medically important viruses in the Flaviviridae family.
Collapse
|
33
|
Hermance ME, Widen SG, Wood TG, Thangamani S. Ixodes scapularis salivary gland microRNAs are differentially expressed during Powassan virus transmission. Sci Rep 2019; 9:13110. [PMID: 31511580 PMCID: PMC6739385 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-49572-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2019] [Accepted: 08/28/2019] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Successful tick feeding is facilitated by an assortment of pharmacologically-active factors in tick saliva that create an immunologically privileged micro-environment in the host's skin. Through a process known as saliva-assisted transmission, bioactive tick salivary factors modulate the host environment, promoting transmission and establishment of a tick-borne pathogen. This phenomenon was previously demonstrated for Powassan virus (POWV), a North American tick-borne flavivirus that is the causative agent of a severe neuroinvasive disease in humans. Here, we sought to characterize the Ixodes scapularis salivary gland microRNAs (miRNAs) expressed during the earliest period of POWV transmission to a mammalian host. POWV-infected and uninfected I. scapularis females were fed on naïve mice for 1, 3, and 6 hours, and Illumina next generation sequencing was used to characterize the salivary gland miRNA expression profiles of POWV-infected versus uninfected ticks. 379 salivary miRNAs were detected, of which 338 are reported here as putative novel I. scapularis miRNAs. 35 salivary gland miRNAs were significantly up-regulated and 17 miRNAs were significantly down-regulated in response to POWV infection. To investigate the potential role of salivary gland miRNAs in POWV replication in-vitro, we transfected miRNA inhibitors into VeroE6 cells to profile temporal POWV replication in mammalian cells. Together, the small RNA sequencing data and the in vitro miRNA inhibition assay suggest that the differentially expressed tick salivary miRNAs could act in regulating POWV replication in host tissues.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Meghan E Hermance
- SUNY Center for Environmental Health and Medicine, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY, United States.,Institute for Global Health and Translational Science, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY, United States.,Department of Microbiology and Immunology, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY, United States
| | - Steven G Widen
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, United States
| | - Thomas G Wood
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, United States
| | - Saravanan Thangamani
- SUNY Center for Environmental Health and Medicine, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY, United States. .,Institute for Global Health and Translational Science, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY, United States. .,Department of Microbiology and Immunology, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY, United States.
| |
Collapse
|
34
|
Picheca C, Yogendrakumar V, Brooks JI, Torres C, Pringle E, Zwicker J. Polio-Like Manifestation of Powassan Virus Infection with Anterior Horn Cell Involvement, Canada. Emerg Infect Dis 2019; 25:1609-1611. [PMID: 31158072 PMCID: PMC6649312 DOI: 10.3201/eid2508.190399] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Evidence of spinal cord involvement in Powassan virus infection is largely limited to mouse models. We report a case of a polio-like illness caused by Powassan virus infection in a 62-year-old man in Canada. Magnetic resonance imaging showed T2 hyperintensities in the anterior horns of the cervical spinal cord.
Collapse
|
35
|
Werner SL, Banda BK, Burnsides CL, Stuber AJ. Zoonosis: Update on Existing and Emerging Vector-Borne Illnesses in the USA. CURRENT EMERGENCY AND HOSPITAL MEDICINE REPORTS 2019; 7:91-106. [PMID: 32288973 PMCID: PMC7102350 DOI: 10.1007/s40138-019-00189-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW This review describes mosquito- and tick-borne diseases found in the Western Hemisphere. It focuses on emerging diseases and recent geographic shifts in the presence of disease vectors. RECENT FINDINGS Mosquito and tick vectors have become more widespread as environmental conditions have become more favorable. Zika recently has emerged as a concern for fetal anomalies. West Nile Virus has become widespread. Lyme disease and other tick-borne diseases are more prevalent in areas previously inhospitable to these ticks. SUMMARY Healthcare providers must consider the possibility of mosquito- and tick-borne diseases in broader geographic areas and council patients traveling to endemic areas on precautions against these diseases. Treatment for suspected cases of serious tick-borne illnesses should not be delayed pending culture results.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sandra Lee Werner
- MetroHealth/Cleveland Clinic/CWRU Emergency Medicine Residency Program, Department of Emergency Medicine, MetroHealth Medical Center, 2500 MetroHealth Drive, Cleveland, OH 44109 USA
| | - Bhanu Kirthi Banda
- MetroHealth/Cleveland Clinic/CWRU Emergency Medicine Residency Program, Department of Emergency Medicine, MetroHealth Medical Center, 2500 MetroHealth Drive, Cleveland, OH 44109 USA
| | - Christopher Lee Burnsides
- MetroHealth/Cleveland Clinic/CWRU Emergency Medicine Residency Program, Department of Emergency Medicine, MetroHealth Medical Center, 2500 MetroHealth Drive, Cleveland, OH 44109 USA
| | - Alexander James Stuber
- MetroHealth/Cleveland Clinic/CWRU Emergency Medicine Residency Program, Department of Emergency Medicine, MetroHealth Medical Center, 2500 MetroHealth Drive, Cleveland, OH 44109 USA
| |
Collapse
|
36
|
Michelitsch A, Wernike K, Klaus C, Dobler G, Beer M. Exploring the Reservoir Hosts of Tick-Borne Encephalitis Virus. Viruses 2019; 11:E669. [PMID: 31336624 PMCID: PMC6669706 DOI: 10.3390/v11070669] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2019] [Revised: 07/17/2019] [Accepted: 07/19/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) is an important arbovirus, which is found across large parts of Eurasia and is considered to be a major health risk for humans. Like any other arbovirus, TBEV relies on complex interactions between vectors, reservoir hosts, and the environment for successful virus circulation. Hard ticks are the vectors for TBEV, transmitting the virus to a variety of animals. The importance of these animals in the lifecycle of TBEV is still up for debate. Large woodland animals seem to have a positive influence on virus circulation by providing a food source for adult ticks; birds are suspected to play a role in virus distribution. Bank voles and yellow-necked mice are often referred to as classical virus reservoirs, but this statement lacks strong evidence supporting their highlighted role. Other small mammals (e.g., insectivores) may also play a crucial role in virus transmission, not to mention the absence of any suspected reservoir host for non-European endemic regions. Theories highlighting the importance of the co-feeding transmission route go as far as naming ticks themselves as the true reservoir for TBEV, and mammalian hosts as a mere bridge for transmission. A deeper insight into the virus reservoir could lead to a better understanding of the development of endemic regions. The spatial distribution of TBEV is constricted to certain areas, forming natural foci that can be restricted to sizes of merely 500 square meters. The limiting factors for their occurrence are largely unknown, but a possible influence of reservoir hosts on the distribution pattern of TBE is discussed. This review aims to give an overview of the multiple factors influencing the TBEV transmission cycle, focusing on the role of virus reservoirs, and highlights the questions that are waiting to be further explored.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anna Michelitsch
- Institute of Diagnostic Virology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Südufer 10, 17493 Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Kerstin Wernike
- Institute of Diagnostic Virology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Südufer 10, 17493 Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Christine Klaus
- Institute for Bacterial Infections and Zoonoses, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Naumburger Str. 96a, 07743 Jena, Germany
| | - Gerhard Dobler
- Bundeswehr Institute of Microbiology, German Center of Infection Research (DZIF) partner site Munich, Neuherbergstraße 11, 80937 München, Germany
| | - Martin Beer
- Institute of Diagnostic Virology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Südufer 10, 17493 Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
37
|
Analysis of Synonymous Codon Usage Bias in Flaviviridae Virus. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2019; 2019:5857285. [PMID: 31346520 PMCID: PMC6620835 DOI: 10.1155/2019/5857285] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2019] [Revised: 05/20/2019] [Accepted: 06/03/2019] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Background Flaviviridae viruses are single-stranded, positive-sense RNA viruses, which threat human constantly mediated by mosquitoes, ticks, and sandflies. Considering the recent increase in the prevalence of the family virus and its risk potential, we investigated the codon usage pattern to understand its evolutionary processes and provide some useful data to develop the medications for most of Flaviviridae viruses. Results The overall extent of codon usage bias in 65 Flaviviridae viruses is low with the average value of GC contents being 50.5% and the highest value being 55.9%; the lowest value is 40.2%. ENC values of Flaviviridae virus genes vary from 48.75 to 57.83 with a mean value of 55.56. U- and A-ended codons are preferred in the Flaviviridae virus. Correlation analysis shows that the positive correlation between ENC value and GC content at the third nucleotide positions was significant in this family virus. The result of analysis of ENC, neutrality plot analysis, and correlation analysis revealed that codon usage bias of all the viruses was affected mainly by natural selection. Meanwhile, according to correspondence analysis (CoA) based on RSCU and phylogenetic analysis, the Flaviviridae viruses mainly are made up of two groups, Group I (Yellow fever virus, Apoi virus, Tembusu virus, Dengue virus 1, and others) and Group II (West Nile virus lineage 2, Japanese encephalitis virus, Usutu virus, Kedougou virus, and others). Conclusions All in, the bias of codon usage pattern is affected not only by compositional constraints but also by natural selection. Phylogenetic analysis also illustrates that codon usage bias of virus can serve as an effective means of evolutionary classification in Flaviviridae virus.
Collapse
|
38
|
Usutu Virus Isolated from Rodents in Senegal. Viruses 2019; 11:v11020181. [PMID: 30795524 PMCID: PMC6409855 DOI: 10.3390/v11020181] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2019] [Revised: 01/19/2019] [Accepted: 01/21/2019] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Usutu virus (USUV) is a Culex-associated mosquito-borne flavivirus of the Flaviviridae family. Since its discovery in 1959, the virus has been isolated from birds, arthropods and humans in Europe and Africa. An increasing number of Usutu virus infections in humans with neurological presentations have been reported. Recently, the virus has been detected in bats and horses, which deviates from the currently proposed enzootic cycle of USUV involving several different avian and mosquito species. Despite this increasing number of viral detections in different mammalian hosts, the existence of a non-avian reservoir remains unresolved. In Kedougou, a tropical region in the southeast corner of Senegal, Usutu virus was detected, isolated and sequenced from five asymptomatic small mammals: Two different rodent species and a single species of shrew. Additional molecular characterization and in vivo growth dynamics showed that these rodents/shrew-derived viruses are closely related to the reference strain (accession number: AF013412) and are as pathogenic as other characterized strains associated with neurological invasions in human. This is the first evidence of Usutu virus isolation from rodents or shrews. Our findings emphasize the need to consider a closer monitoring of terrestrial small mammals in future active surveillance, public health, and epidemiological efforts in response to USUV in both Africa and Europe.
Collapse
|
39
|
Dissecting Flavivirus Biology in Salivary Gland Cultures from Fed and Unfed Ixodes scapularis (Black-Legged Tick). mBio 2019; 10:mBio.02628-18. [PMID: 30696737 PMCID: PMC6355982 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.02628-18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Tick-borne flaviviruses (TBFVs) are responsible for more than 15,000 human disease cases each year, and Powassan virus lineage 2 (POWV-L2) deer tick virus has been a reemerging threat in North America over the past 20 years. Rapid transmission of TBFVs in particular emphasizes the importance of preventing tick bites, the difficulty in developing countermeasures to prevent transmission, and the importance of understanding TBFV infection in tick salivary glands (SGs). Tick blood feeding is responsible for phenomenal physiological changes and is associated with changes in TBFV multiplication within the tick and in SGs. Using SG cultures from Ixodes scapularis female ticks, the primary aims of this study were to identify cellular localization of virus-like particles in acini of infected SGs from fed and unfed ticks, localization of TBFV infection in infected SGs from fed ticks, and a tick transcript (with associated metabolic function) involved in POWV-L2 infection in SG cultures. The Ixodes scapularis tick transmits a number of pathogens, including tick-borne flaviviruses (TBFVs). In the United States, confirmed human infections with the Powassan virus (POWV) TBFV have a fatality rate of ∼10% and are increasing in incidence. Tick salivary glands (SGs) serve as an organ barrier to TBFV transmission, and little is known regarding the location of TBFV infection in SGs from fed ticks. Previous studies showed I. scapularis vanin (VNN) involved with TBFV infection of I. scapularis ISE6 embryonic cells, suggesting a potential role for this gene. The overall goal of this study was to use SG cultures to compare data on TBFV biology in SGs from fully engorged, replete (fed) ticks and from unfed ticks. TBFV multiplication was higher in SGs from fed ticks than in those from unfed ticks. Virus-like particles were observed only in granular acini of SGs from unfed ticks. The location of TBFV infection of SGs from fed ticks was observed in cells lining lobular ducts and trachea but not observed in acini. Transcript knockdown of VNN decreased POWV multiplication in infected SG cultures from both fed and unfed ticks. This work was the first to identify localization of TBFV multiplication in SG cultures from a fed tick and a tick transcript important for POWV multiplication in the tick SG, an organ critical for TBFV transmission. This research exemplifies the use of SG cultures in deciphering TBFV biology in the tick and as a translational tool for screening and identifying potential tick genes as potential countermeasure targets.
Collapse
|
40
|
Zachary KC, LaRocque RC, Gonzalez RG, Branda JA. Case 3-2019: A 70-Year-Old Woman with Fever, Headache, and Progressive Encephalopathy. N Engl J Med 2019; 380:380-387. [PMID: 30673553 DOI: 10.1056/nejmcpc1815528] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Kimon C Zachary
- From the Departments of Medicine (K.C.Z., R.C.L.), Radiology (R.G.G.), and Pathology (J.A.B.), Massachusetts General Hospital, and the Departments of Medicine (K.C.Z., R.C.L.), Radiology (R.G.G.), and Pathology (J.A.B.), Harvard Medical School - both in Boston
| | - Regina C LaRocque
- From the Departments of Medicine (K.C.Z., R.C.L.), Radiology (R.G.G.), and Pathology (J.A.B.), Massachusetts General Hospital, and the Departments of Medicine (K.C.Z., R.C.L.), Radiology (R.G.G.), and Pathology (J.A.B.), Harvard Medical School - both in Boston
| | - R Gilberto Gonzalez
- From the Departments of Medicine (K.C.Z., R.C.L.), Radiology (R.G.G.), and Pathology (J.A.B.), Massachusetts General Hospital, and the Departments of Medicine (K.C.Z., R.C.L.), Radiology (R.G.G.), and Pathology (J.A.B.), Harvard Medical School - both in Boston
| | - John A Branda
- From the Departments of Medicine (K.C.Z., R.C.L.), Radiology (R.G.G.), and Pathology (J.A.B.), Massachusetts General Hospital, and the Departments of Medicine (K.C.Z., R.C.L.), Radiology (R.G.G.), and Pathology (J.A.B.), Harvard Medical School - both in Boston
| |
Collapse
|
41
|
Mlera L, Bloom ME. The Role of Mammalian Reservoir Hosts in Tick-Borne Flavivirus Biology. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2018; 8:298. [PMID: 30234026 PMCID: PMC6127651 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2018.00298] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2018] [Accepted: 08/07/2018] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Small-to-medium sized mammals and large animals are lucrative sources of blood meals for ixodid ticks that transmit life-threatening tick-borne flaviviruses (TBFVs). TBFVs have been isolated from various organs obtained from wild-caught Myodes and Apodemus species in Europe and Asia. Thus, these rodents are well-established reservoirs of TBFVs. Wild-caught Peromyscus species have demonstrated seropositivity against Powassan virus, the only TBFV known to circulate in North America, suggesting that they may play an important role in the biology of the virus in this geographic region. However, virus isolation from Peromyscus species is yet to be demonstrated. Wild-caught medium-sized mammals, such as woodchucks (Marmota monax) and skunks (Mephitis mephitis) have also demonstrated seropositivity against POWV, and virus was isolated from apparently healthy animals. Despite the well-established knowledge that small-to-medium sized animals are TBFV reservoirs, specific molecular biology addressing host-pathogen interactions remains poorly understood. Elucidating these interactions will be critical for gaining insight into the mechanism(s) of viral pathogenesis and/or resistance.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Luwanika Mlera
- Biology of Vector-Borne Viruses Section, Laboratory of Virology, Rocky Mountain Laboratories, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Hamilton, MT, United States
| | - Marshall E Bloom
- Biology of Vector-Borne Viruses Section, Laboratory of Virology, Rocky Mountain Laboratories, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Hamilton, MT, United States
| |
Collapse
|
42
|
Ticks and Tick-Borne Infections: Complex Ecology, Agents, and Host Interactions. Vet Sci 2018; 5:vetsci5020060. [PMID: 29925800 PMCID: PMC6024845 DOI: 10.3390/vetsci5020060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 90] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2018] [Revised: 06/11/2018] [Accepted: 06/15/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Ticks transmit the most diverse array of infectious agents of any arthropod vector. Both ticks and the microbes they transmit are recognized as significant threats to human and veterinary public health. This article examines the potential impacts of climate change on the distribution of ticks and the infections they transmit; the emergence of novel tick-borne pathogens, increasing geographic range and incidence of tick-borne infections; and advances in the characterization of tick saliva mediated modulation of host defenses and the implications of those interactions for transmission, establishment, and control of tick infestation and tick-borne infectious agents.
Collapse
|
43
|
Robinson MT, Vongphayloth K, Hertz JC, Brey P, Newton PN. Tick-transmitted human infections in Asia. MICROBIOLOGY AUSTRALIA 2018. [DOI: 10.1071/ma18064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Vector-borne pathogens of human significance cause a predicted 17% of infectious diseases worldwide, of which, ~23% are tick transmitted1. Although second to mosquitoes in terms of impact, ticks are thought to carry a greater diversity of pathogens than other arthropod vectors2. Asia is a key region for tick-borne pathogens, with tick species typically restricted to latitudes below 60–55°N3 where the climate is warmer and wetter – from the steppe regions of Russia to the tropical rainforests of South East Asia.
Collapse
|