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Sharma R, Cozens DW, Armstrong PM, Brackney DE. Vector competence of human-biting ticks Ixodes scapularis, Amblyomma americanum and Dermacentor variabilis for Powassan virus. Parasit Vectors 2021; 14:466. [PMID: 34503550 PMCID: PMC8427896 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-021-04974-1] [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] [Received: 04/23/2021] [Accepted: 08/22/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Powassan virus (POWV; genus Flavivirus) is the sole North American member of the tick-borne encephalitis sero-complex and an increasing public health threat in the USA. Maintained in nature by Ixodes spp. ticks, POWV has also been isolated from species of other hard tick genera, yet it is unclear if these species can serve as vectors. Dermacentor variabilis and Amblyomma americanum share geographic and ecologic overlap with Ixodes spp. ticks and POWV transmission foci, raising the possibility that POWV could become established in these tick species and leading to range expansion and increased human risk. Therefore, we assessed the competency of Ixodes scapularis, D. variabilis and A. americanum for POWV lineage II (POWV II). Methods Larvae from all three species were co-infested on POWV-infected Balb/c mice. The engorged larvae were allowed to molt to nymphs and screened for the presence of POWV II RNA by reverse transcription-qPCR. Eight infected nymphs from each species were allowed to individually feed on a naïve mouse. Mice were screened for the presence of POWV II RNA to determine infection status. Results The results demonstrated that larvae from all three tick species were able to efficiently acquire POWV II via feeding on viremic mice, maintain infection through molting and successively transmit POWV to naïve mice at the nymphal stage at comparable rates across all three species. Conclusions Our findings reveal that non-Ixodes tick species can serve as competent vectors for POWV and highlight the potential role of these species in the ecology and epidemiology of POWV. Future studies examining the possible implications of these findings on POWV epidemiology and the adaptability of POWV in these new vectors are warranted. Graphical abstract ![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- Rohit Sharma
- Center for Vector Biology & Zoonotic Diseases, The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, 123 Huntington St, New Haven, CT, 06511, USA.,Deptartment of Environmental Sciences, The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, 123 Huntington St, New Haven, CT, 06511, USA
| | - Duncan W Cozens
- Center for Vector Biology & Zoonotic Diseases, The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, 123 Huntington St, New Haven, CT, 06511, USA.,Deptartment of Environmental Sciences, The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, 123 Huntington St, New Haven, CT, 06511, USA
| | - Philip M Armstrong
- Center for Vector Biology & Zoonotic Diseases, The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, 123 Huntington St, New Haven, CT, 06511, USA.,Deptartment of Environmental Sciences, The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, 123 Huntington St, New Haven, CT, 06511, USA
| | - Douglas E Brackney
- Center for Vector Biology & Zoonotic Diseases, The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, 123 Huntington St, New Haven, CT, 06511, USA. .,Deptartment of Environmental Sciences, The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, 123 Huntington St, New Haven, CT, 06511, USA.
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Dorrah M, Bensaoud C, Mohamed AA, Sojka D, Bassal TTM, Kotsyfakis M. Comparison of the hemolysis machinery in two evolutionarily distant blood-feeding arthropod vectors of human diseases. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2021; 15:e0009151. [PMID: 33539385 PMCID: PMC7888641 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0009151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2020] [Revised: 02/17/2021] [Accepted: 01/15/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Host blood protein digestion plays a pivotal role in the ontogeny and reproduction of hematophagous vectors. The gut of hematophagous arthropods stores and slowly digests host blood and represents the primary gateway for transmitted pathogens. The initial step in blood degradation is induced lysis of host red blood cells (hemolysis), which releases hemoglobin for subsequent processing by digestive proteolytic enzymes. The activity cycles and characteristics of hemolysis in vectors are poorly understood. Hence, we investigated hemolysis in two evolutionarily distant blood-feeding arthropods: The mosquito Culex pipiens and the soft tick Argas persicus, both of which are important human and veterinary disease vectors. Hemolysis in both species was cyclical after blood meal ingestion. Maximum digestion occurs under slightly alkaline conditions in females. Hemolytic activity appears to be of lipoid origin in C. pipiens and enzymatic activity (proteolytic) in A. persicus. We have assessed the effect of pH, incubation time, and temperature on hemolytic activity and the hemolysin. The susceptibility of red blood cells from different hosts to the hemolysin and the effect of metabolic inhibition of hemolytic activity were assessed. We conclude that in C. pipiens and A. persicus midgut hemolysins control the amplitude of blood lysis step to guarantee an efficient blood digestion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Moataza Dorrah
- Department of Entomology, Faculty of Science, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt
| | - Chaima Bensaoud
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre, Czech Academy of Sciences, Ceske Budejovice (Budweis), Czech Republic
| | - Amr A. Mohamed
- Department of Entomology, Faculty of Science, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt
| | - Daniel Sojka
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre, Czech Academy of Sciences, Ceske Budejovice (Budweis), Czech Republic
| | - Taha T. M. Bassal
- Department of Entomology, Faculty of Science, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt
| | - Michail Kotsyfakis
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre, Czech Academy of Sciences, Ceske Budejovice (Budweis), Czech Republic
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3
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Ranadheera C, Valcourt EJ, Warner BM, Poliquin G, Rosenke K, Frost K, Tierney K, Saturday G, Miao J, Westover JB, Gowen BB, Booth S, Feldmann H, Wang Z, Safronetz D. Characterization of a novel STAT 2 knock-out hamster model of Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus pathogenesis. Sci Rep 2020; 10:12378. [PMID: 32704046 PMCID: PMC7378551 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-69054-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2020] [Accepted: 06/30/2020] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus (CCHFV) is a tick-borne pathogen causing a febrile illness in humans, which can progress to hemorrhagic manifestations, multi-organ failure, and death. Current mouse models of CCHFV infection reliably succumb to virus challenge but vary in their ability to reflect signs of disease similar to humans. In this study, we established a signal transducer and activator of transcription 2 (STAT2) knockout hamster model to expand the repertoire of animal models of CCHFV pathogenesis that can be used for therapeutic development. These hamsters demonstrated a systemic and lethal disease in response to infection. Hallmarks of human disease were observed including petechial rash, blood coagulation dysfunction, and various biochemistry and blood cell count abnormalities. Furthermore, we also demonstrated the utility of this model for anti-CCHFV therapeutic evaluation. The STAT2 knock-out hamster model of CCHFV infection may provide some further insights into clinical disease, viral pathogenesis, and pave the way for testing of potential drug and vaccine candidates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charlene Ranadheera
- Zoonotic Diseases and Special Pathogens, National Microbiology Laboratories, Public Health Agency of Canada, Winnipeg, MB, Canada.,Bioforensics Assay Development and Diagnostics, National Microbiology Laboratory, Public Health Agency of Canada, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
| | - Emelissa J Valcourt
- Zoonotic Diseases and Special Pathogens, National Microbiology Laboratories, Public Health Agency of Canada, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
| | - Bryce M Warner
- Zoonotic Diseases and Special Pathogens, National Microbiology Laboratories, Public Health Agency of Canada, Winnipeg, MB, Canada.,Department of Medical Microbiology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
| | - Guillaume Poliquin
- Office of the Scientific Director, National Microbiology Laboratories, Public Health Agency of Canada, Winnipeg, MB, Canada.,Department of Pediatrics and Child Health, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
| | - Kyle Rosenke
- Laboratory of Virology, Division of Intramural Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rocky Mountain Laboratories, Hamilton, MT, USA
| | - Kathy Frost
- Zoonotic Diseases and Special Pathogens, National Microbiology Laboratories, Public Health Agency of Canada, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
| | - Kevin Tierney
- Zoonotic Diseases and Special Pathogens, National Microbiology Laboratories, Public Health Agency of Canada, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
| | - Greg Saturday
- Rocky Mountain Veterinary Branch, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rocky Mountain Laboratories, Hamilton, MT, USA
| | - Jinxin Miao
- Department of Animal, Dairy, and Veterinary Sciences, Utah State University, Logan, UT, USA.,Department of Pathology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450066, People's Republic of China
| | - Jonna B Westover
- Department of Animal, Dairy, and Veterinary Sciences, Utah State University, Logan, UT, USA
| | - Brian B Gowen
- Department of Animal, Dairy, and Veterinary Sciences, Utah State University, Logan, UT, USA
| | - Stephanie Booth
- Zoonotic Diseases and Special Pathogens, National Microbiology Laboratories, Public Health Agency of Canada, Winnipeg, MB, Canada.,Department of Medical Microbiology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
| | - Heinz Feldmann
- Laboratory of Virology, Division of Intramural Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rocky Mountain Laboratories, Hamilton, MT, USA
| | - Zhongde Wang
- Department of Animal, Dairy, and Veterinary Sciences, Utah State University, Logan, UT, USA
| | - David Safronetz
- Zoonotic Diseases and Special Pathogens, National Microbiology Laboratories, Public Health Agency of Canada, Winnipeg, MB, Canada. .,Department of Medical Microbiology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada.
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4
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Takayama-Ito M, Saijo M. Antiviral Drugs Against Severe Fever With Thrombocytopenia Syndrome Virus Infection. Front Microbiol 2020; 11:150. [PMID: 32117168 PMCID: PMC7026129 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2020.00150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2019] [Accepted: 01/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) is an emerging tick-borne infectious disease caused by SFTS virus (SFTSV), which is a novel bunyavirus. SFTSV was first isolated from patients who presented with fever, thrombocytopenia, leukocytopenia, and multiorgan dysfunction in China. Subsequently, it was found to be widely distributed in Southeast Asia (Korea, Japan, and Vietnam). SFTSV can be transmitted not only from ticks but also from domestic animals, companion animals, and humans. Because the case fatality rate of SFTS is high (6–30%), development of specific and effective treatment for SFTS is required. Studies of potential antiviral drugs for SFTS-specific therapy have been conducted on existing or newly discovered agents in vitro and in vivo, with ribavirin and favipiravir being the most promising candidates. While animal experiments and retrospective studies have demonstrated the limited efficacy of ribavirin, it was also speculated that ribavirin would be effective in patients with a viral load <1 × 106 copies/mL. Favipiravir showed higher efficacy than ribavirin against SFTSV in in vitro assays and greater efficacy in animal models, even administrated 3 days after the virus inoculation. Although clinical trials evaluating the efficacy of favipiravir in SFTS patients in Japan are underway, this has yet to be confirmed. Other drugs, including hexachlorophene, calcium channel blockers, 2′-fluoro-2′-deoxycytidine, caffeic acid, amodiaquine, and interferons, have also been evaluated for their inhibitory efficacy against SFTSV. Among them, calcium channel blockers are promising because in addition to their efficacy in vitro and in vivo, retrospective clinical data have indicated that nifedipine, one of the calcium channel blockers, reduced the case fatality rate by >5-fold. Although further research is necessary to develop SFTS-specific therapy, considerable progress has been achieved in this area. Here we summarize and discuss recent advances in antiviral drugs against SFTSV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mutsuyo Takayama-Ito
- Department of Virology I, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Masayuki Saijo
- Department of Virology I, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Tokyo, Japan
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Shapshak P, Balaji S, Kangueane P, Chiappelli F, Somboonwit C, Menezes LJ, Sinnott JT. Innovative Technologies for Advancement of WHO Risk Group 4 Pathogens Research. GLOBAL VIROLOGY III: VIROLOGY IN THE 21ST CENTURY 2019. [PMCID: PMC7122670 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-29022-1_15] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Paul Shapshak
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL USA
| | - Seetharaman Balaji
- Department of Biotechnology, Manipal Institute of Technology, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka India
| | | | - Francesco Chiappelli
- Oral Biology and Medicine, CHS 63-090, UCLA School of Dentistry Oral Biology and Medicine, CHS 63-090, Los Angeles, CA USA
| | | | - Lynette J. Menezes
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL USA
| | - John T. Sinnott
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL USA
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Kyasanur Forest disease virus infection activates human vascular endothelial cells and monocyte-derived dendritic cells. Emerg Microbes Infect 2018; 7:175. [PMID: 30401896 PMCID: PMC6220120 DOI: 10.1038/s41426-018-0177-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2018] [Accepted: 09/17/2018] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Kyasanur Forest disease virus (KFDV) is a highly pathogenic tick-borne flavivirus enzootic to India. In humans, KFDV causes a severe febrile disease. In some infected individuals, hemorrhagic manifestations, such as bleeding from the nose and gums and gastrointestinal bleeding with hematemesis and/or blood in the stool, have been reported. However, the mechanisms underlying these hemorrhagic complications remain unknown, and there is no information about the specific target cells for KFDV. We investigated the interaction of KFDV with vascular endothelial cells (ECs) and monocyte-derived dendritic cells (moDCs), which are key targets for several other hemorrhagic viruses. Here, we report that ECs are permissive to KFDV infection, which leads to their activation, as demonstrated by the upregulation of E-selectin, intercellular adhesion molecule 1, and vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 at the mRNA and protein levels. Increased expression of these adhesive molecules correlated with increased leukocyte adhesion. Infected ECs upregulated the expression of interleukin (IL)-6 but not IL-8. Additionally, moDCs were permissive to KFDV infection, leading to increased release of IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor-α. Supernatants from KFDV-infected moDCs caused EC activation, as measured by leukocyte adhesion. The results indicate that ECs and moDCs can be targets for KFDV and that both direct and indirect mechanisms can contribute to EC activation.
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Grabowski JM, Offerdahl DK, Bloom ME. The Use of Ex Vivo Organ Cultures in Tick-Borne Virus Research. ACS Infect Dis 2018; 4:247-256. [PMID: 29473735 DOI: 10.1021/acsinfecdis.7b00274] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Each year there are more than 15 000 cases of human disease caused by infections with tick-borne viruses (TBVs). These illnesses occur worldwide and can range from very mild illness to severe encephalitis and hemorrhagic fever. Although TBVs are currently identified as neglected vector-borne pathogens and receive less attention than mosquito-borne viruses, TBVs are expanding into new regions, and infection rates are increasing. Furthermore, effective vaccines, diagnostic tools, and other countermeasures are limited. The application of contemporary technologies to TBV infections presents an excellent opportunity to develop improved, effective countermeasures. Experimental tick and mammal models of infection can be used to characterize determinants of infection, transmission, and virulence and to test candidate countermeasures. The use of ex vivo tick cultures in TBV research provides a unique way to look at infection in specific tick organs. Mammal ex vivo organ slice and, more recently, organoid cultures are additional models that can be used to elucidate direct tissue-specific responses to infection. These ex vivo model systems are convenient for testing methods involving transcript knockdown and small molecules under tightly controlled conditions. They can also be combined with in vitro and in vivo studies to tease out possible host factors and potential vaccine or therapeutic candidates. In this brief perspective, we describe how ex vivo cultures can be combined with modern technologies to advance research on TBV infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeffrey M. Grabowski
- Biology of Vector-Borne Viruses Section, Laboratory of Virology, Rocky Mountain Laboratories, NIAID/NIH, 903 South Fourth Street, Hamilton, Montana 59840, United States
| | - Danielle K. Offerdahl
- Biology of Vector-Borne Viruses Section, Laboratory of Virology, Rocky Mountain Laboratories, NIAID/NIH, 903 South Fourth Street, Hamilton, Montana 59840, United States
| | - Marshall E. Bloom
- Biology of Vector-Borne Viruses Section, Laboratory of Virology, Rocky Mountain Laboratories, NIAID/NIH, 903 South Fourth Street, Hamilton, Montana 59840, United States
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Alkhurma hemorrhagic fever virus. Microbes Infect 2017; 19:305-310. [PMID: 28456648 DOI: 10.1016/j.micinf.2017.04.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2017] [Revised: 04/15/2017] [Accepted: 04/16/2017] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Alkhurma hemorrhagic fever virus (AHFV) was first isolated in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, in the 1990s from the blood of a butcher. Subsequently, the virus was recognized in many patients in Saudi Arabia and rarely from Egypt and Djibouti. In this review, we summarize the current literature on AHFV globally with special focus on Saudi Arabia.
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Mohd Shukri M, Ling Kho K, Ghane Kisomi M, Lani R, Marlina S, Muhd Radzi SF, Tee Tay S, Ping Wong L, Awang Mahmud AB, Hassan Nizam QN, Abu Bakar S, Zandi K. Seroprevalence report on tick-borne encephalitis virus and Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus among Malaysian's farm workers. BMC Public Health 2015. [PMID: 26205588 PMCID: PMC4513429 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-015-1901-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) and Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever virus (CCHFV) are important tick-borne viruses. Despite their wide geographical distribution and ease of acquisition, the prevalence of both viruses in Malaysia is still unknown. This study was conducted to determine the seroprevalence for TBEV and CCHFV among Malaysian farm workers as a high-risk group within the population. Methods We gave questionnaires to 209 farm workers and invited them to participate in the study. Eighty-five agreed to do so. We then collected and tested sera for the presence of anti-TBEV IgG (immunoglobulin G) and anti-CCHFV IgG using a commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kit. We also tested seroreactive samples against three other related flaviviruses: dengue virus (DENV), West Nile virus (WNV) and Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) using the ELISA method. Results The preliminary results showed the presence of anti-TBEV IgG in 31 (36.5 %) of 85 sera. However, when testing all the anti-TBEV IgG positive sera against the other three antigenically related flaviviruses to exclude possible cross reactivity, only five (4.2 %) sera did not show any cross reactivity. Interestingly, most (70.97 %) seropositives subjects mentioned tick-bite experience. However, there was no seroreactive sample for CCHFV. Conclusions These viruses migrate to neighbouring countries so they should be considered threats for the future, despite the low seroprevalence for TBEV and no serological evidence for CCHFV in this study. Therefore, further investigation involving a large number of human, animal and tick samples that might reveal the viruses’ true prevalence is highly recommended.
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Affiliation(s)
- Munirah Mohd Shukri
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
| | - Kai Ling Kho
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
| | - Masoumeh Ghane Kisomi
- Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
| | - Rafidah Lani
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
| | - Suria Marlina
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
| | - Siti Fatimah Muhd Radzi
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
| | - Sun Tee Tay
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
| | - Li Ping Wong
- Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
| | - Awang Bulgiba Awang Mahmud
- Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
| | | | - Sazaly Abu Bakar
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
| | - Keivan Zandi
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
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Kyasanur Forest disease virus infection in mice is associated with higher morbidity and mortality than infection with the closely related Alkhurma hemorrhagic fever virus. PLoS One 2014; 9:e100301. [PMID: 24950196 PMCID: PMC4065072 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0100301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2014] [Accepted: 05/23/2014] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Kyasanur Forest disease virus (KFDV) and Alkhurma hemorrhagic fever virus (AHFV) are closely related members of the Flavivirus genus and are important causes of human disease in India and the Arabian Peninsula, respectively. Despite high genetic similarity, the viruses have distinctly different host ranges and ecologies. Human cases of KFDV or AHFV develop a spectrum of disease syndromes ranging from liver pathology to neurologic disease. Case reports suggest KFDV is more commonly associated with hepatic and gastrointestinal manifestations whereas AHFV is more commonly associated with neurologic disease. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS Inoculation of three immunocompetent laboratory mouse strains revealed that KFDV was consistently more lethal than AHFV. In subsequent studies utilizing C57BL/6J mice, we demonstrated that KFDV infection was associated with higher viral loads and significantly higher mortality. KFDV-infected mice rapidly developed more severe disease than AHFV-infected mice, as evidenced by significant abnormalities on clinical chemistry panels and more severe pathology in the brain and gastrointestinal tract. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE Infections of C57BL/6J mice with KFDV or AHFV resulted in clinical disease syndromes that closely approximate the diseases seen in human cases. Despite high genetic similarity, there were clear differences in survival, viral kinetics, clinical chemistry data and histology. These results suggest that distinct mouse models for AHFV and KFDV are necessary in order to gain a better understanding of the unique pathogenesis of each virus, as well as to provide platforms for testing promising vaccines and therapeutics.
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