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Bakker JW, Münger E, Esser HJ, Sikkema RS, de Boer WF, Sprong H, Reusken CBEM, de Vries A, Kohl R, van der Linden A, Stroo A, van der Jeugd H, Pijlman GP, Koopmans MPG, Munnink BBO, Koenraadt CJM. Ixodes ricinus as potential vector for Usutu virus. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2024; 18:e0012172. [PMID: 38985837 PMCID: PMC11236205 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0012172] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2023] [Accepted: 04/25/2024] [Indexed: 07/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Usutu virus (USUV) is an emerging flavivirus that is maintained in an enzootic cycle with mosquitoes as vectors and birds as amplifying hosts. In Europe, the virus has caused mass mortality of wild birds, mainly among Common Blackbird (Turdus merula) populations. While mosquitoes are the primary vectors for USUV, Common Blackbirds and other avian species are exposed to other arthropod ectoparasites, such as ticks. It is unknown, however, if ticks can maintain and transmit USUV. We addressed this question using in vitro and in vivo experiments and field collected data. USUV replicated in IRE/CTVM19 Ixodes ricinus tick cells and in injected ticks. Moreover, I. ricinus nymphs acquired the virus via artificial membrane blood-feeding and maintained the virus for at least 70 days. Transstadial transmission of USUV from nymphs to adults was confirmed in 4.9% of the ticks. USUV disseminated from the midgut to the haemocoel, and was transmitted via the saliva of the tick during artificial membrane blood-feeding. We further explored the role of ticks by monitoring USUV in questing ticks and in ticks feeding on wild birds in the Netherlands between 2016 and 2019. In total, 622 wild birds and the Ixodes ticks they carried were tested for USUV RNA. Of these birds, 48 (7.7%) carried USUV-positive ticks. The presence of negative-sense USUV RNA in ticks, as confirmed via small RNA-sequencing, showed active virus replication. In contrast, we did not detect USUV in 15,381 questing ticks collected in 2017 and 2019. We conclude that I. ricinus can be infected with USUV and can transstadially and horizontally transmit USUV. However, in comparison to mosquito-borne transmission, the role of I. ricinus ticks in the epidemiology of USUV is expected to be minor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julian W Bakker
- Laboratory of Entomology, Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | | | - Helen J Esser
- Wildlife Ecology and Conservation Group, Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - Reina S Sikkema
- Department of Viroscience, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
- Vogeltrekstation, Dutch Centre for Avian Migration and Demography, NIOO-KNAW, Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - Willem F de Boer
- Wildlife Ecology and Conservation Group, Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - Hein Sprong
- National Institute of Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Chantal B E M Reusken
- Department of Viroscience, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
- National Institute of Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Ankje de Vries
- National Institute of Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Robert Kohl
- Department of Viroscience, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | | | - Arjan Stroo
- Centre for Monitoring of Vectors, Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA), Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - Henk van der Jeugd
- Vogeltrekstation, Dutch Centre for Avian Migration and Demography, NIOO-KNAW, Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - Gorben P Pijlman
- Laboratory of Virology, Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen, the Netherlands
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Dimas Martins A, Roberts M, Ten Bosch Q, Heesterbeek H. Indirect interaction between an endemic and an invading pathogen: A case study of Plasmodium and Usutu virus dynamics in a shared bird host population. Theor Popul Biol 2024; 157:118-128. [PMID: 38626854 DOI: 10.1016/j.tpb.2024.04.002] [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: 03/08/2023] [Revised: 03/28/2024] [Accepted: 04/05/2024] [Indexed: 04/21/2024]
Abstract
Infectious disease agents can influence each other's dynamics in shared host populations. We consider such influence for two mosquito-borne infections where one pathogen is endemic at the time that a second pathogen invades. We regard a setting where the vector has a bias towards biting host individuals infected with the endemic pathogen and where there is a cost to co-infected hosts. As a motivating case study, we regard Plasmodium spp., that cause avian malaria, as the endemic pathogen, and Usutu virus (USUV) as the invading pathogen. Hosts with malaria attract more mosquitoes compared to susceptible hosts, a phenomenon named vector bias. The possible trade-off between the vector-bias effect and the co-infection mortality is studied using a compartmental epidemic model. We focus first on the basic reproduction number R0 for Usutu virus invading into a malaria-endemic population, and then explore the long-term dynamics of both pathogens once Usutu virus has become established. We find that the vector bias facilitates the introduction of malaria into a susceptible population, as well as the introduction of Usutu in a malaria-endemic population. In the long term, however, both a vector bias and co-infection mortality lead to a decrease in the number of individuals infected with either pathogen, suggesting that avian malaria is unlikely to be a promoter of Usutu invasion. This proposed approach is general and allows for new insights into other negative associations between endemic and invading vector-borne pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Afonso Dimas Martins
- Department of Population Health Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
| | - Mick Roberts
- New Zealand Institute for Advanced Study and the Infectious Disease Research Centre, Massey University, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Quirine Ten Bosch
- Quantitative Veterinary Epidemiology, Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Hans Heesterbeek
- Department of Population Health Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
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Girl P, Euringer K, Coroian M, Mihalca AD, Borde JP, Dobler G. Comparison of Five Serological Methods for the Detection of West Nile Virus Antibodies. Viruses 2024; 16:788. [PMID: 38793670 PMCID: PMC11126072 DOI: 10.3390/v16050788] [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: 04/06/2024] [Revised: 05/09/2024] [Accepted: 05/14/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
The West Nile Virus (WNV), a member of the family Flaviviridae, is an emerging mosquito-borne flavivirus causing potentially severe infections in humans and animals involving the central nervous system (CNS). Due to its emerging tendency, WNV now occurs in many areas where other flaviviruses are co-occurring. Cross-reactive antibodies with flavivirus infections or vaccination (e.g., tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV), Usutu virus (USUV), yellow fever virus (YFV), dengue virus (DENV), Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV)) therefore remain a major challenge in diagnosing flavivirus infections. Virus neutralization tests are considered as reference tests for the detection of specific flavivirus antibodies, but are elaborate, time-consuming and need biosafety level 3 facilities. A simple and straightforward assay for the differentiation and detection of specific WNV IgG antibodies for the routine laboratory is urgently needed. In this study, we compared two commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (anti-IgG WNV ELISA and anti-NS1-IgG WNV), a commercially available indirect immunofluorescence assay, and a newly developed in-house ELISA for the detection of WNV-NS1-IgG antibodies. All four tests were compared to an in-house NT to determine both the sensitivity and specificity of the four test systems. None of the assays could match the specificity of the NT, although the two NS1-IgG based ELISAs were very close to the specificity of the NT at 97.3% and 94.6%. The in-house WNV-NS1-IgG ELISA had the best performance regarding sensitivity and specificity. The specificities of the ELISA assays and the indirect immunofluorescence assays could not meet the necessary specificity and/or sensitivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philipp Girl
- Bundeswehr Institute of Microbiology, 80937 Munich, Germany; (P.G.); (K.E.); (G.D.)
- Central Institute of the Bundeswehr Medical Service Munich, 85748 Garching, Germany
- Institute for Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Department of Veterinary Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, LMU Munich, 80539 Munich, Germany
| | - Kathrin Euringer
- Bundeswehr Institute of Microbiology, 80937 Munich, Germany; (P.G.); (K.E.); (G.D.)
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine II, University Medical Centre Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, 79106 Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany
| | - Mircea Coroian
- Department of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Cluj-Napoca, 400372 Cluj-Napoca, Romania; (M.C.); (A.D.M.)
| | - Andrei Daniel Mihalca
- Department of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Cluj-Napoca, 400372 Cluj-Napoca, Romania; (M.C.); (A.D.M.)
| | - Johannes P. Borde
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine II, University Medical Centre Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, 79106 Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany
- Praxis Prof. Borde and Kollegen, 77704 Oberkirch, Germany
| | - Gerhard Dobler
- Bundeswehr Institute of Microbiology, 80937 Munich, Germany; (P.G.); (K.E.); (G.D.)
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine, LMU Center of Medicine, 80336 Munich, Germany
- Department of Parasitology, University of Hohenheim, 70599 Stuttgart, Germany
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Wang ZJ, Zhang RR, Wu M, Zhao H, Li XF, Ye Q, Qin CF. Development of a live-attenuated chimeric vaccine against the emerging Usutu virus. Vaccine 2024; 42:1363-1371. [PMID: 38310016 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2024.01.077] [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: 08/25/2023] [Revised: 11/30/2023] [Accepted: 01/23/2024] [Indexed: 02/05/2024]
Abstract
Usutu virus (USUV) is an emerging arthropod-borne flavivirus that has expanded into multiple European countries during the past several decades. USUV infection in human has been linked to severe neurological complications, and no vaccine is now available against USUV. In this work, we develop a live-attenuated chimeric USUV vaccine (termed ChinUSUV) based on the full-length infectious cDNA clone of the licensed Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) vaccine strain SA14-14-2. In vitro studies demonstrate that ChinUSUV replicates efficiently and maintains its genetic stability. Remarkably, ChinUSUV exhibits a significant attenuation phenotype in multiple mouse models even compared with the licensed JEV vaccine. A single immunization with ChinUSUV elicits potent IgG and neutralizing antibody responses as well as T cell response. Passive transfer of sera from ChinUSUV-immunized mice confers significant protection against lethal homologous challenge in suckling mice. Taken together, our results suggest that ChinUSUV represents a potential USUV vaccine candidate that merits further development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zheng-Jian Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing 100071, China
| | - Rong-Rong Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing 100071, China
| | - Mei Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing 100071, China
| | - Hui Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing 100071, China
| | - Xiao-Feng Li
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing 100071, China
| | - Qing Ye
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing 100071, China.
| | - Cheng-Feng Qin
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing 100071, China; Research Unit of Discovery and Tracing of Natural Focus Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100071, China.
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5
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Seechurn N, Herdman MT, Hernandez-Colina A, Vaux AGC, Johnston C, Berrell M, Lopez J, Eckley L, Gonzalez-Olvera M, Gillespie L, Kelly PP, Baylis M, Medlock JM. Field-based assessments of the seasonality of Culex pipiens sensu lato in England: an important enzootic vector of Usutu and West Nile viruses. Parasit Vectors 2024; 17:61. [PMID: 38342888 PMCID: PMC10859028 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-024-06143-6] [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: 08/08/2023] [Accepted: 01/17/2024] [Indexed: 02/13/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Usutu virus (USUV), which is closely related to West Nile virus (WNV), sharing a similar ecology and transmission cycle, was first reported in the UK in the southeast of England in 2020. Both USUV and WNV are emerging zoonotic viruses hosted by wild birds. The 2020 finding of USUV in England raised awareness of this virus and highlighted the importance of understanding the seasonality of Culex pipiens sensu lato (Cx. pipiens s.l.), the main enzootic vector of these viruses. Zoos are prime locations for trapping mosquitoes because of their infrastructure, security, and range of vertebrate hosts and aquatic habitats. METHODS Three independent zoo-based case studies at four locations that cover the seasonality of Cx. pipiens s.l. in England were undertaken: (i) London Zoo (Zoological Society London [ZSL]) and surrounding areas, London; (ii) Chester Zoo (Cheshire); (ii) Twycross Zoo (Leicestershire); and (iv) Flamingo Land (zoo; North Yorkshire). Various adult mosquito traps were used to catch adult Cx. pipiens s.l. across seasons. RESULTS High yields of Cx. pipiens s.l./Culex torrentium were observed in Biogents-Mosquitaire and Center for Disease Control and Prevention Gravid traps in all studies where these traps were used. Mosquito counts varied between sites and between years. Observations of adult Cx. pipiens s.l./Cx. torrentium abundance and modelling studies demonstrated peak adult abundance between late July and early August, with active adult female Cx. pipiens s.l./Cx. torrentium populations between May and September. CONCLUSIONS The information collated in this study illustrates the value of multiple mosquito monitoring approaches in zoos to describe the seasonality of this UK vector across multiple sites in England and provides a framework that can be used for ongoing and future surveillance programmes and disease risk management strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicola Seechurn
- Institute of Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK.
| | - M Trent Herdman
- Medical Entomology and Zoonoses Ecology Group, UK Health Security Agency, Porton Down, Salisbury, SP4 0JG, UK
- UK Field Epidemiology Training Programme Field Service, South East and London, UK Health Security Agency, London, UK
| | - Arturo Hernandez-Colina
- Institute of Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
- North of England Zoological Society (Chester Zoo), Caughall Road, Chester, CH2 1LH, UK
| | - Alexander G C Vaux
- Medical Entomology and Zoonoses Ecology Group, UK Health Security Agency, Porton Down, Salisbury, SP4 0JG, UK
| | - Colin Johnston
- Medical Entomology and Zoonoses Ecology Group, UK Health Security Agency, Porton Down, Salisbury, SP4 0JG, UK
| | - Morgan Berrell
- Medical Entomology and Zoonoses Ecology Group, UK Health Security Agency, Porton Down, Salisbury, SP4 0JG, UK
| | - Javier Lopez
- North of England Zoological Society (Chester Zoo), Caughall Road, Chester, CH2 1LH, UK
| | - Lindsay Eckley
- North of England Zoological Society (Chester Zoo), Caughall Road, Chester, CH2 1LH, UK
| | - Merit Gonzalez-Olvera
- Institute of Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
- North of England Zoological Society (Chester Zoo), Caughall Road, Chester, CH2 1LH, UK
| | - Lisa Gillespie
- Twycross Zoo, East Midland Zoological Society, Burton Road, Atherstone, CV9 3PX, UK
| | - Paul Pearce Kelly
- Zoological Society of London, Outer Circle, Regent's Park, London, NW1 4RY, UK
| | - Matthew Baylis
- Institute of Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Jolyon M Medlock
- Medical Entomology and Zoonoses Ecology Group, UK Health Security Agency, Porton Down, Salisbury, SP4 0JG, UK
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Khedhiri M, Chaouch M, Ayouni K, Chouikha A, Gdoura M, Touzi H, Hogga N, Benkahla A, Fares W, Triki H. Development and evaluation of an easy to use real-time reverse-transcription loop-mediated isothermal amplification assay for clinical diagnosis of West Nile virus. J Clin Virol 2024; 170:105633. [PMID: 38103483 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcv.2023.105633] [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: 06/17/2023] [Revised: 11/09/2023] [Accepted: 12/06/2023] [Indexed: 12/19/2023]
Abstract
West Nile Virus (WNV) causes a serious public health concern in many countries around the world. Virus detection in pathological samples is a key component of WNV infection diagnostic, classically performed by real-time PCR. In outbreak situation, rapid detection of the virus, in peripheral laboratories or at point of care, is crucial to guide decision makers and for the establishment of adequate action plans to prevent virus dissemination. Here, we evaluate a Loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) tool for WNV detection. Amplifications were performed comparatively on extracted viral RNA and on crude samples using a classical thermal cycler and a portable device (pebble device). qRT-PCR was used as gold standard and two sets of urine samples (n = 62 and n = 74) were used to evaluate the retained amplification protocols and assess their sensitivity and specificity. RT-LAMP on RNA extracts and crude samples showed a sensitivity of 90 % and 87 %, respectively. The specificity was 100 % for extracts and 97 % for crude samples. Using the device, the RT-LAMP on extracted RNA was comparable to the gold standard results (100 % sensitivity and specificity) and it was a bit lower on crude samples (65 % sensitivity and 94 % specificity). These results show that RT-LAMP is an efficient technique to detect WNV. RT-LAMP provides a rapid, sensitive, high-throughput and portable tool for accurate WNV detection and has potentials to facilitate diagnostic and surveillance efforts both in the laboratory and in the field, especially in developing countries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marwa Khedhiri
- Laboratory of Clinical Virology, WHO Reference Laboratory for Poliomyelitis and Measles in the Eastern Mediterranean Region, Pasteur Institute of Tunis, University Tunis El Manar (UTM), Tunis 1002, Tunisia; Research Laboratory: "Virus, Vector and Host" (LR20IPT02), Pasteur Institute of Tunis, Tunis 1002, Tunisia; Clinical Investigation Center (CIC), Pasteur Institute of Tunis, University of Tunis El Manar (UTM), Tunis 1002, Tunisia.
| | - Melek Chaouch
- Laboratory of Medical Parasitology, Biotechnology and Biomolecules (LR16IPT06), Pasteur Institute of Tunis, Tunis 1002, Tunisia; Laboratory of BioInformatics, BioMathematics and BioStatistics Laboratory (LR16IPT09), Pasteur Institute of Tunis, Tunis 1002, Tunisia
| | - Kaouther Ayouni
- Laboratory of Clinical Virology, WHO Reference Laboratory for Poliomyelitis and Measles in the Eastern Mediterranean Region, Pasteur Institute of Tunis, University Tunis El Manar (UTM), Tunis 1002, Tunisia; Research Laboratory: "Virus, Vector and Host" (LR20IPT02), Pasteur Institute of Tunis, Tunis 1002, Tunisia; Clinical Investigation Center (CIC), Pasteur Institute of Tunis, University of Tunis El Manar (UTM), Tunis 1002, Tunisia
| | - Anissa Chouikha
- Laboratory of Clinical Virology, WHO Reference Laboratory for Poliomyelitis and Measles in the Eastern Mediterranean Region, Pasteur Institute of Tunis, University Tunis El Manar (UTM), Tunis 1002, Tunisia; Research Laboratory: "Virus, Vector and Host" (LR20IPT02), Pasteur Institute of Tunis, Tunis 1002, Tunisia; Clinical Investigation Center (CIC), Pasteur Institute of Tunis, University of Tunis El Manar (UTM), Tunis 1002, Tunisia
| | - Mariem Gdoura
- Laboratory of Clinical Virology, WHO Reference Laboratory for Poliomyelitis and Measles in the Eastern Mediterranean Region, Pasteur Institute of Tunis, University Tunis El Manar (UTM), Tunis 1002, Tunisia; Research Laboratory: "Virus, Vector and Host" (LR20IPT02), Pasteur Institute of Tunis, Tunis 1002, Tunisia; Clinical Investigation Center (CIC), Pasteur Institute of Tunis, University of Tunis El Manar (UTM), Tunis 1002, Tunisia
| | - Henda Touzi
- Laboratory of Clinical Virology, WHO Reference Laboratory for Poliomyelitis and Measles in the Eastern Mediterranean Region, Pasteur Institute of Tunis, University Tunis El Manar (UTM), Tunis 1002, Tunisia; Research Laboratory: "Virus, Vector and Host" (LR20IPT02), Pasteur Institute of Tunis, Tunis 1002, Tunisia; Clinical Investigation Center (CIC), Pasteur Institute of Tunis, University of Tunis El Manar (UTM), Tunis 1002, Tunisia
| | - Nahed Hogga
- Laboratory of Clinical Virology, WHO Reference Laboratory for Poliomyelitis and Measles in the Eastern Mediterranean Region, Pasteur Institute of Tunis, University Tunis El Manar (UTM), Tunis 1002, Tunisia; Research Laboratory: "Virus, Vector and Host" (LR20IPT02), Pasteur Institute of Tunis, Tunis 1002, Tunisia; Clinical Investigation Center (CIC), Pasteur Institute of Tunis, University of Tunis El Manar (UTM), Tunis 1002, Tunisia
| | - Alia Benkahla
- Laboratory of Medical Parasitology, Biotechnology and Biomolecules (LR16IPT06), Pasteur Institute of Tunis, Tunis 1002, Tunisia
| | - Wasfi Fares
- Laboratory of Clinical Virology, WHO Reference Laboratory for Poliomyelitis and Measles in the Eastern Mediterranean Region, Pasteur Institute of Tunis, University Tunis El Manar (UTM), Tunis 1002, Tunisia; Research Laboratory: "Virus, Vector and Host" (LR20IPT02), Pasteur Institute of Tunis, Tunis 1002, Tunisia; Clinical Investigation Center (CIC), Pasteur Institute of Tunis, University of Tunis El Manar (UTM), Tunis 1002, Tunisia
| | - Henda Triki
- Laboratory of Clinical Virology, WHO Reference Laboratory for Poliomyelitis and Measles in the Eastern Mediterranean Region, Pasteur Institute of Tunis, University Tunis El Manar (UTM), Tunis 1002, Tunisia; Research Laboratory: "Virus, Vector and Host" (LR20IPT02), Pasteur Institute of Tunis, Tunis 1002, Tunisia; Clinical Investigation Center (CIC), Pasteur Institute of Tunis, University of Tunis El Manar (UTM), Tunis 1002, Tunisia
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Gaibani P, Barp N, Massari M, Negri EA, Rossini G, Vocale C, Trenti C, Gallerani A, Cantergiani S, Romani F, Simion M, Mussini C, Lazzarotto T. Case report of Usutu virus infection in an immunocompromised patient in Italy, 2022. J Neurovirol 2023; 29:364-366. [PMID: 37227671 PMCID: PMC10211289 DOI: 10.1007/s13365-023-01148-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2023] [Revised: 04/26/2023] [Accepted: 05/03/2023] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
Usutu virus (USUV) is an arthropod-borne flavivirus emerged in Africa in 1950s and in Eruope in 1990s causing a massive number of birds' deaths. The role of USUV as human pathogen has been only recently hypothesized and cases of USUV infection in humans remain limited and often related to immunocompromised subjects. Herein, we report a case of USUV meningoencephalitis infection in an immunocompromised patient with no history of previous flavivirus infection. The infection due to USUV evolved rapidly since hospital admission thus resulting fatal in few days after symptoms onset and, although not proven, a suspected bacteria co-infection has been hypothesized. Based on these findings, we suggested that when USUV meningoencephalitis is suspected in countries endemic, careful attention should be applied to neurological syndromes during summer months especially among immunocompromised patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paolo Gaibani
- Operative Unit of Clinical Microbiology, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Di Bologna, Bologna, Italy.
| | - Nicole Barp
- Operative Unit of Infectious Diseases, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Marco Massari
- Operative Unit of Infectious Diseases, Azienda USL-IRCCS Di Reggio Emilia, Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | - Emanuele Alberto Negri
- Operative Unit of High Intensity Care, Azienda USL-IRCCS Di Reggio Emilia, Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | - Giada Rossini
- Operative Unit of Clinical Microbiology, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Caterina Vocale
- Operative Unit of Clinical Microbiology, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Chiara Trenti
- Operative Unit of High Intensity Care, Azienda USL-IRCCS Di Reggio Emilia, Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | - Altea Gallerani
- Operative Unit of Infectious Diseases, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Samuele Cantergiani
- Operative Unit of Infectious Diseases, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Federico Romani
- Operative Unit of Infectious Diseases, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Mattia Simion
- Operative Unit of Infectious Diseases, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Cristina Mussini
- Operative Unit of Infectious Diseases, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Tiziana Lazzarotto
- Operative Unit of Clinical Microbiology, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
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Veilleux C, Eugenin EA. Mechanisms of Zika astrocyte infection and neuronal toxicity. NEUROIMMUNE PHARMACOLOGY AND THERAPEUTICS 2023; 2:5-18. [PMID: 37027343 PMCID: PMC10070016 DOI: 10.1515/nipt-2022-0014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2022] [Accepted: 10/02/2022] [Indexed: 04/08/2023]
Abstract
Objectives Zika virus (ZIKV) has become an epidemic in several countries and was declared a major public health issue by the WHO. Although ZIKV infection is asymptomatic or shows mild fever-related symptoms in most people, the virus can be transmitted from a pregnant mother to the fetus, resulting in severe brain developmental abnormalities, including microcephaly. Multiple groups have identified developmental neuronal and neuronal progenitor compromise during ZIKV infection within the fetal brain, but little is known about whether ZIKV could infect human astrocytes and its effect on the developing brain. Thus, our objective was to determine astrocyte ZiKV infection in a developmental-dependent manner. Methods We analyze infection of pure cultures of astrocytes and mixed cultures of neurons and astrocytes in response to ZIKV using plaque assays, confocal, and electron microscopy to identify infectivity, ZIKV accumulation and intracellular distribution as well as apoptosis and interorganelle dysfunction. Results Here, we demonstrated that ZIKV enters, infects, replicates, and accumulates in large quantities in human fetal astrocytes in a developmental-dependent manner. Astrocyte infection and intracellular viral accumulation resulted in neuronal apoptosis, and we propose astrocytes are a ZIKV reservoir during brain development. Conclusions Our data identify astrocytes in different stages of development as major contributors to the devastating effects of ZIKV in the developing brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Courtney Veilleux
- Public Health Research Institute (PHRI), New York, USA
- Deparment of Microbiology, Biochemistry, and Molecular Genetics, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Rutgers the State University of New Jersey, Newark, NJ, USA
| | - Eliseo A. Eugenin
- Public Health Research Institute (PHRI), New York, USA
- Deparment of Microbiology, Biochemistry, and Molecular Genetics, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Rutgers the State University of New Jersey, Newark, NJ, USA
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB), Galveston, TX, USA
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Identification of Usutu Virus Africa 3 Lineage in a Survey of Mosquitoes and Birds from Urban Areas of Western Spain. Transbound Emerg Dis 2023. [DOI: 10.1155/2023/6893677] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/24/2023]
Abstract
Usutu virus (USUV) is an emerging zoonotic arbovirus that has caused an increasing number of animal and human cases in Europe in recent years. Understanding the vector species and avian hosts involved in the USUV enzootic cycle in an area of active circulation is vital to anticipate potential outbreaks. Mosquitoes were captured in 2020, while wild birds were sampled in both 2020 and 2021 in Extremadura, southwestern Spain. The presence of USUV in the mosquito vectors was assessed by a real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (rRT-PCR) assay and confirmed by sequencing amplicons from two generic RT-PCR sets for flaviviruses. Sequences were analysed phylogenetically. Bird sera were screened for flavivirus antibodies with a blocking ELISA kit and subsequently tested for virus-specific antibodies with a micro-virus-neutralization test. Overall, 6,004 mosquitoes belonging to 13 species were captured, including some well-known flavivirus vectors (Culex pipiens, Cx. perexiguus, and Cx. univittatus). Of the 438 pools tested, USUV was detected in two pools of Cx. pipiens. Phylogenetic analysis using a fragment of the NS5 gene assigned the USUV detected the Africa 3 lineage. Out of 1,413 wild birds tested, USUV-specific antibodies were detected in 17 birds (1.2%, 10 males and 7 females) from eight species. The first detection of USUV Africa 3 lineage in mosquitoes from Spain, together with serologically positive resident wild birds in urban and rural areas, indicates active circulation and a possible risk of exposure for the human population, with necessity to establish specific surveillance plans.
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Chen R, Francese R, Wang N, Li F, Sun X, Xu B, Liu J, Liu Z, Donalisio M, Lembo D, Zhou GC. Exploration of novel hexahydropyrrolo[1,2-e]imidazol-1-one derivatives as antiviral agents against ZIKV and USUV. Eur J Med Chem 2023; 248:115081. [PMID: 36623328 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2022.115081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2022] [Revised: 12/28/2022] [Accepted: 12/29/2022] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Zika virus (ZIKV) and Usutu virus (USUV) are two emerging flaviviruses mostly transmitted by mosquitos. ZIKV is associated with microcephaly in newborns and the less-known USUV, with its reported neurotropism and its extensive spread in Europe, represents a growing concern for human health. There is still no approved vaccine or specific antiviral against ZIKV and USUV infections. The main goal of this study is to investigate the anti-ZIKV and anti-USUV activity of a new library of compounds and to preliminarily investigate the mechanism of action of the selected hit compounds in vitro. Two potent anti-ZIKV and anti-USUV agents, namely ZDL-115 and ZDL-116, were discovered, both presenting low cytotoxicity, cell-line independent antiviral activity in the low micromolar range and ability of reducing viral progeny production. The analysis of the structure-activity relationship (SAR) revealed that introduction of 2-deoxyribose to 3-arene was fundamental to enhance the solubility and improve the antiviral action. Additionally, we demonstrated that ZDL-115 and ZDL-116 are significantly active against both viruses when added on cells for at least 24 h prior to viral inoculation or immediately post-infection. The docking analysis showed that ZDL-116 could target the host vitamin D receptor (VDR) and viral proteins. Future experiments will be focused on compound modification to discover analogues that are more potent and on the clarification of the mechanism of action and the specific drug target. The discovery and the development of a novel anti-flavivirus drug will have a significant impact in a context where there are no fully effective antiviral drugs or vaccines for most flaviviruses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ran Chen
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing, 211816, Jiangsu, China; Xitaihu Lake Industrial College, Nanjing Tech University, Changzhou, 213149, Jiangsu, China
| | - Rachele Francese
- Laboratory of Molecular Virology and Antiviral Research, Department of Clinical and Biological Sciences, University of Turin, S. Luigi Gonzaga Hospital, 10043 Orbassano, Turin, Italy
| | - Na Wang
- Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, 510530, China
| | - Feng Li
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing, 211816, Jiangsu, China
| | - Xia Sun
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing, 211816, Jiangsu, China
| | - Bin Xu
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing, 211816, Jiangsu, China
| | - Jinsong Liu
- Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, 510530, China
| | - Zhuyun Liu
- School of Pharmacy, Taizhou Polytechnic College, Taizhou, 225300, Jiangsu, China
| | - Manuela Donalisio
- Laboratory of Molecular Virology and Antiviral Research, Department of Clinical and Biological Sciences, University of Turin, S. Luigi Gonzaga Hospital, 10043 Orbassano, Turin, Italy
| | - David Lembo
- Laboratory of Molecular Virology and Antiviral Research, Department of Clinical and Biological Sciences, University of Turin, S. Luigi Gonzaga Hospital, 10043 Orbassano, Turin, Italy.
| | - Guo-Chun Zhou
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing, 211816, Jiangsu, China; Xitaihu Lake Industrial College, Nanjing Tech University, Changzhou, 213149, Jiangsu, China.
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11
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Naciuk FF, Nascimento AFZ, Rocha RPF, Rustiguel JK, Coimbra LD, Marques RE, Bruder M. Competing interests during the key N-glycosylation of 6-chloro-7-deaza-7-iodopurine for the synthesis of 7-deaza-2'-methyladenosine using Vorbrüggen conditions. Front Chem 2023; 11:1163486. [PMID: 37035111 PMCID: PMC10076608 DOI: 10.3389/fchem.2023.1163486] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2023] [Accepted: 03/07/2023] [Indexed: 04/11/2023] Open
Abstract
A short 3-step synthesis of the antiviral agent 7DMA is described herein. The nature of a major by-product formed during the key N-glycosylation of 6-chloro-7-deaza-7-iodopurine with perbenzoylated 2-methyl-ribose under Vorbrüggen conditions was also investigated. Spectroscopic analyses support that the solvent itself is converted into a nucleophilic species competing with the nucleobase and further reacting with the activated riboside in an unanticipated fashion. These findings call for a revision of reaction conditions when working with weakly reactive nucleobases in the presence of Lewis acids. 7DMA thus obtained was evaluated for its efficacy against an emerging flavivirus in vitro.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabrício Fredo Naciuk
- Brazilian Biosciences National Laboratory, Brazilian Center for Research in Energy and Materials, Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - Rebeca Paiva Froes Rocha
- Brazilian Biosciences National Laboratory, Brazilian Center for Research in Energy and Materials, Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Joane Kathelen Rustiguel
- Brazilian Biosciences National Laboratory, Brazilian Center for Research in Energy and Materials, Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Lais Durço Coimbra
- Brazilian Biosciences National Laboratory, Brazilian Center for Research in Energy and Materials, Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Rafael Elias Marques
- Brazilian Biosciences National Laboratory, Brazilian Center for Research in Energy and Materials, Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Marjorie Bruder
- Brazilian Biosciences National Laboratory, Brazilian Center for Research in Energy and Materials, Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
- *Correspondence: Marjorie Bruder,
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Siljic M, Sehovic R, Jankovic M, Stamenkovic G, Loncar A, Todorovic M, Stanojevic M, Cirkovic V. Evolutionary dynamics of Usutu virus: Worldwide dispersal patterns and transmission dynamics in Europe. Front Microbiol 2023; 14:1145981. [PMID: 37032910 PMCID: PMC10076808 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1145981] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2023] [Accepted: 02/27/2023] [Indexed: 04/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Usutu virus (USUV) is an emerging mosquito-borne Flavivirus, with birds as the main zoonotic reservoir. Humans are accidental hosts and mostly develop mild or even asymptomatic infections, although severe complications such as encephalitis can also arise. Detailed characterization of the pathogen's phylogenetics may offer valuable insights into the prediction and prevention of potential epidemics; however, lack of uniformity and the number of available USUV sequences worldwide hamper comprehensive investigation. Aim The study aimed to investigate USUV spatio-temporal dispersal inter- and intracontinentally and to estimate the dynamics of viral spread within Europe. Methods Phylogeographic and phylodynamic analyses were done using advanced phylogenetic methods implemented in Beast 1.10.4 and Beast 2.6.4 software packages. Results Herein, we report on a new USUV isolate from Culex pipiens collected in 2019 from Serbia. The results of this research revealed two newly described intercontinental migration events of USUV from Africa to Germany in the 1970s and from Africa to the Middle East (Israel) in the late 90s. Finally, phylodynamic analysis substantiated the ongoing active expansion of USUV in Europe. Conclusion The data would imply a high potential for further USUV expansion in Europe. Detailed phylogenetic characterization of the pathogen may offer valuable insights into prediction and prevention of potential epidemics; however, lack of uniformity and number of available USUV sequences worldwide hampers comprehensive investigation. This study draws attention to the need for upscaling USUV surveillance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marina Siljic
- Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Rastko Sehovic
- Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Marko Jankovic
- Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Gorana Stamenkovic
- Department for Genetic Research, Institute for Biological Research “Sinisa Stankovic”, National Institute of Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Ana Loncar
- Institute for Biocides and Medical Ecology, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Marija Todorovic
- Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Maja Stanojevic
- Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Valentina Cirkovic
- Group for Medical Entomology, Centre of Excellence for Food- and Vector-Borne Zoonoses, National Institute of Republic of Serbia, Institute for Medical Research, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
- *Correspondence: Valentina Cirkovic
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SARS-CoV-2 and West Nile Virus Prevalence Studies in Raccoons and Raccoon Dogs from Germany. Viruses 2022; 14:v14112559. [PMID: 36423168 PMCID: PMC9698735 DOI: 10.3390/v14112559] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2022] [Revised: 11/10/2022] [Accepted: 11/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Unlike farm animals, wild animals are not subject to continuous health surveillance. Individual projects designed to screen wildlife populations for specific pathogens are, therefore, also of great importance for human health. In this context, the possible formation of a reservoir for highly pathogenic zoonotic pathogens is a focus of research. Two of these pathogens that have received particular attention during the last years are the novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus type 2 (SARS-CoV-2), due to its fast global spread and high impact to the human health, and, since its introduction into Germany, the flavivirus West Nile virus (WNV). Especially in combination with invasive vertebrate species (e.g., raccoons (Procyon lotor) and raccoon dogs (Nyctereutes procyonoides) in Germany), risk analysis must be done to enable health authorities to assess the potential for the establishment of new wild life reservoirs for pathogens. Therefore, samples were collected from raccoons and raccoon dogs and analyzed for the presence of SARS-CoV-2 and WNV infections in these populations. Molecular biological and serological data obtained imply that no SARS-CoV-2 nor WNV reservoir has been established in these two wild life species yet. Future investigations need to keep an eye on these invasive carnivore populations, especially since the close contact of these animals to humans, mainly in urban areas, would make animal-human transmission a challenge for human health.
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Coroian M, Silaghi C, Tews BA, Baltag EȘ, Marinov M, Alexe V, Kalmár Z, Cintia H, Lupșe MS, Mihalca AD. Serological Survey of Mosquito-Borne Arboviruses in Wild Birds from Important Migratory Hotspots in Romania. Pathogens 2022; 11:1270. [PMID: 36365021 PMCID: PMC9699478 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens11111270] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2022] [Revised: 10/24/2022] [Accepted: 10/25/2022] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
In the context of climate change, globalization, and enhanced human traveling, arboviruses continue to represent a threat to public health. West Nile and Usutu viruses are mosquito-borne viruses belonging to the Flaviviridae family (Flavivirus genus) and members of the Japanese encephalitis virus serocomplex. Included in the Togaviridae family (Alphavirus genus), the Sindbis virus is also vectored by mosquitoes. In the present study, we aimed to analyze the presence of antibodies concerning the abovementioned viruses in migratory and resident birds in the South-Eastern region of Romania, as avian hosts represent the main reservoir for human infection. Blood samples were collected from wild birds between May 2018 and October 2019 in nine locations from three counties. All the samples were serologically tested by ELISA and a serum neutralization test. Overall, a seroprevalence of 8.72% was registered for the West Nile virus, 2.71% for the Usutu virus, and 0% for the Sindbis virus. To our best knowledge, this is the first large-scale comprehensive study to assess the West Nile virus seropositivity in wild birds and the first serological confirmation of the Usutu virus in wild birds in Romania. Moreover, this is the only follow-up study reviewing the current seroprevalence of the Sindbis virus in Romania since 1975.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mircea Coroian
- Department of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Cluj-Napoca, 400372 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
- Department of Infectious Diseases, “Iuliu Hatieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400000 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Cornelia Silaghi
- Institute of Infectology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, D-17493 Greifswald, Germany
| | - Birke Andrea Tews
- Institute of Infectology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, D-17493 Greifswald, Germany
| | - Emanuel Ștefan Baltag
- Marine Biological Stationof Agigea, University “Alexandru Ioan Cuza” of Iași, 907018 Iași, Romania
| | - Mihai Marinov
- Danube Delta National Institute for Research and Development, 820112 Tulcea, Romania
| | - Vasile Alexe
- Danube Delta National Institute for Research and Development, 820112 Tulcea, Romania
| | - Zsuzsa Kalmár
- Department of Infectious Diseases, “Iuliu Hatieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400000 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Epidemiology, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Cluj-Napoca, 400372 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
- Clinical Hospital of Infectious Diseases, 400337 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
- ELKH-ÁTE Climate Change: New Blood-Sucking Parasites and Vector-Borne Pathogens Research Group, 1078 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Horváth Cintia
- Department of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Cluj-Napoca, 400372 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Mihaela Sorina Lupșe
- Department of Infectious Diseases, “Iuliu Hatieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400000 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
- Clinical Hospital of Infectious Diseases, 400337 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Andrei Daniel Mihalca
- Department of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Cluj-Napoca, 400372 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
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15
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Seroprevalence Rates against West Nile, Usutu, and Tick-Borne Encephalitis Viruses in Blood-Donors from North-Western Romania. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19138182. [PMID: 35805850 PMCID: PMC9266370 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19138182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2022] [Revised: 06/30/2022] [Accepted: 07/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Introduction: West Nile virus (WNV), Usutu virus (USUV), and the tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) are all arboviruses belonging to Flaviviridae family. All are characterized by vectorial transmission and sometimes associated with neuroinvasive infections. The circulation of these viruses is considered endemic in parts of Europe, with human cases reported in many countries. Among hosts, the viruses are vectored by hematophagous arthropods, such as mosquitoes (WNV, USUV) and ticks (TBEV). Considering the currently outdated knowledge regarding the epidemiology of these viruses in Romania, the aim of our study was to assess the seroprevalence rates of WNV, USUV, and TBEV among healthy blood donors in north-western Romania. Methods: Human blood samples from healthy donors were collected between November 2019 and February 2020 in six counties from the north-western region of Romania. The samples were serologically tested by ELISA and serum neutralization test. Results: Overall, we obtained a seroprevalence of 3.17% for WNV, 0.08% for TBEV, and 0% for USUV. Conclusion: Despite the low seroprevalence of WNV, USUV, and TBEV in our study, we highlight the need for continuous nationwide vector and disease surveillance and implementation of control measures. Further research is required for an optimal overview of the epidemiological status of the Romanian population regarding these flaviviruses together with countrywide awareness campaigns.
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Nagy A, Csonka N, Takács M, Mezei E, Barabás É. West Nile and Usutu virus seroprevalence in Hungary: A nationwide serosurvey among blood donors in 2019. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0266840. [PMID: 35395048 PMCID: PMC8992992 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0266840] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2021] [Accepted: 03/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
In Hungary, West Nile virus (WNV) has been responsible for 459 laboratory confirmed human cases between 2004 and 2019, while the first human Usutu virus (USUV) infection was confirmed only in 2018. A comprehensive serosurvey was conducted among blood donors to assess the WNV and USUV seroprevalence in 2019, one year after the largest European WNV epidemic. Altogether, 3005 plasma samples were collected and screened for WNV and USUV specific Immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies by Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA). All reactive samples were further tested for tick-borne encephalitis virus IgG antibodies by ELISA. Indirect immunofluorescence test and microneutralization assay were used as confirmatory methods. Overall, the WNV seroprevalence was 4.32%, and in five blood donors USUV seropositivity was confirmed. The highest seroprevalence was measured in Central, Eastern and Southern Hungary, while the Western part of the country proved to be less affected. There was a statistically strong association between the WNV seroprevalence of 2019 and the cumulative incidence in the period of 2004 and 2019 calculated for every NUTS 3 region. The last WNV serological screening was performed in 2016 and the prevalence of anti-WNV IgG proved to be 2.19%. One year after the 2018 WNV outbreak, a significant increase in seroprevalence was observed in the Hungarian population and evidence for USUV seropositivity was also obtained. The spatial pattern of seroprevalence can support the identification of high-risk areas raising awareness of the need for increased surveillance, such as screening vector, equine, and avian populations. The communication with general practitioners and other professionals in primary health care services can support the early identification of acute human cases. Education and awareness-raising on the importance of protection against mosquito vectors amongst residents are also important parts of preventive measures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Nagy
- National Reference Laboratory for Viral Zoonoses, Division of Microbiological Reference Laboratories, National Public Health Center, Budapest, Hungary
- * E-mail:
| | - Nikolett Csonka
- National Reference Laboratory for Viral Zoonoses, Division of Microbiological Reference Laboratories, National Public Health Center, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Mária Takács
- National Reference Laboratory for Viral Zoonoses, Division of Microbiological Reference Laboratories, National Public Health Center, Budapest, Hungary
- Institute of Medical Microbiology, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Eszter Mezei
- Department of Communicable Diseases Epidemiology and Infection Control, National Public Health Center, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Éva Barabás
- Confirmatory Laboratory, Hungarian National Blood Transfusion Service, Budapest, Hungary
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Lesage S, Chazal M, Beauclair G, Batalie D, Cerboni S, Couderc E, Lescure A, Del Nery E, Tangy F, Martin A, Manel N, Jouvenet N. Discovery of Genes that Modulate Flavivirus Replication in an Interferon-Dependent Manner. J Mol Biol 2022; 434:167277. [PMID: 34599939 PMCID: PMC8480147 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2021.167277] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2021] [Revised: 09/21/2021] [Accepted: 09/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
Abstract
Establishment of the interferon (IFN)-mediated antiviral state provides a crucial initial line of defense against viral infection. Numerous genes that contribute to this antiviral state remain to be identified. Using a loss-of-function strategy, we screened an original library of 1156 siRNAs targeting 386 individual curated human genes in stimulated microglial cells infected with Zika virus (ZIKV), an emerging RNA virus that belongs to the flavivirus genus. The screen recovered twenty-one potential host proteins that modulate ZIKV replication in an IFN-dependent manner, including the previously known IFITM3 and LY6E. Further characterization contributed to delineate the spectrum of action of these genes towards other pathogenic RNA viruses, including Hepatitis C virus and SARS-CoV-2. Our data revealed that APOL3 acts as a proviral factor for ZIKV and several other related and unrelated RNA viruses. In addition, we showed that MTA2, a chromatin remodeling factor, possesses potent flavivirus-specific antiviral functions induced by IFN. Our work identified previously unrecognized genes that modulate the replication of RNA viruses in an IFN-dependent manner, opening new perspectives to target weakness points in the life cycle of these viruses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Lesage
- Institut Pasteur, Université de Paris, CNRS UMR 3569, Virus Sensing and Signaling Unit, F-75015 Paris, France
| | - Maxime Chazal
- Institut Pasteur, Université de Paris, CNRS UMR 3569, Virus Sensing and Signaling Unit, F-75015 Paris, France
| | - Guillaume Beauclair
- Institut Pasteur, Université de Paris, CNRS UMR 3569, Virus Sensing and Signaling Unit, F-75015 Paris, France; Université Paris-Saclay, CEA, CNRS, Institute for Integrative Biology of the Cell (I2BC), Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Damien Batalie
- Institut Pasteur, Université de Paris, CNRS UMR 3569, Molecular Genetics of RNA Viruses Unit, F-75015 Paris, France
| | - Silvia Cerboni
- Institut Curie, PSL Research University, INSERM U932, Paris, France
| | - Elodie Couderc
- Institut Pasteur, Université de Paris, CNRS UMR 3569, Virus Sensing and Signaling Unit, F-75015 Paris, France; Institut Pasteur, Université de Paris, CNRS UMR 2000, Insect-Virus Interactions Unit, F-75015 Paris, France
| | - Aurianne Lescure
- Institut Curie, PSL Research University, Department of Translational Research-Biophenics High-Content Screening Laboratory, Cell and Tissue Imaging Facility (PICT-IBiSA), Paris, France
| | - Elaine Del Nery
- Institut Curie, PSL Research University, Department of Translational Research-Biophenics High-Content Screening Laboratory, Cell and Tissue Imaging Facility (PICT-IBiSA), Paris, France
| | - Frédéric Tangy
- Institut Pasteur, Université de Paris, CNRS UMR 3569, Viral Genomics and Vaccination Unit, F-75015 Paris, France
| | - Annette Martin
- Institut Pasteur, Université de Paris, CNRS UMR 3569, Molecular Genetics of RNA Viruses Unit, F-75015 Paris, France
| | - Nicolas Manel
- Institut Curie, PSL Research University, INSERM U932, Paris, France. https://twitter.com/NicolasManellab
| | - Nolwenn Jouvenet
- Institut Pasteur, Université de Paris, CNRS UMR 3569, Virus Sensing and Signaling Unit, F-75015 Paris, France.
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Berneck BS, Rockstroh A, Barzon L, Sinigaglia A, Vocale C, Landini MP, Rabenau HF, Schmidt-Chanasit J, Ulbert S. Serological differentiation of West Nile virus and Usutu virus induced antibodies by envelope proteins with modified cross-reactive epitopes. Transbound Emerg Dis 2021; 69:2779-2787. [PMID: 34919790 DOI: 10.1111/tbed.14429] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2021] [Revised: 11/01/2021] [Accepted: 12/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
West Nile virus (WNV) and Usutu virus (USUV) are mosquito-borne viruses belonging to the Japanese encephalitis virus serocomplex within the genus Flavivirus. Due to climate change and the expansion of mosquito vectors, flaviviruses are becoming endemic in increasing numbers of countries. WNV infections are reported with symptoms ranging from mild fever to severe neuro invasive disease. Until now, only a few USUV infections have been reported in humans, mostly with mild symptoms. The serological diagnosis and differentiation between flavivirus infections in general and between WNV and USUV in particular are challenging due the high degree of cross-reacting antibodies, especially of those directed against the conserved fusion loop (FL) domain of the envelope (E) protein. We have previously shown that E proteins containing four amino acid mutations in and near the FL strongly reduce the binding of cross-reactive antibodies leading to diagnostic technologies with improved specificities. Here, we expanded the technology to USUV and analyzed the differentiation of USUV and WNV induced antibodies in humans. IgG ELISAs modified by an additional competition step with the heterologous antigen resulted in overall specificities of 93.94% for WNV Equad and 92.75% for USUV Equad. IgM antibodies against WNV could be differentiated from USUV IgM in a direct comparison using both antigens. The data indicate the potential of the system to diagnose antigenically closely related flavivirus infections. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beatrice Sarah Berneck
- Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology, Perlickstr. 1, Leipzig, 04103, Germany
| | - Alexandra Rockstroh
- Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology, Perlickstr. 1, Leipzig, 04103, Germany
| | - Luisa Barzon
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Padova, via A. Gabelli 63, Padova, 35121, Italy
| | - Alessandro Sinigaglia
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Padova, via A. Gabelli 63, Padova, 35121, Italy
| | - Caterina Vocale
- CRREM. Unità Operativa di Microbiologia, IRCCS Policlinico di S. Orsola, Via Massarenti 9, Bologna, 40138, Italy
| | - Maria Paola Landini
- Clinical Microbiology Unit, Regional Reference Centre for Microbiological Emergencies-CRREM, St. Orsola-Malpighi University Hospital, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Holger F Rabenau
- Institute of Medical Virology, University Hospital Frankfurt, Paul-Ehrlich-Str. 40, Frankfurt, 60596, Germany
| | - Jonas Schmidt-Chanasit
- Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Bernhard-Nocht-Strasse 74, Hamburg, 20359, Germany
| | - Sebastian Ulbert
- Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology, Perlickstr. 1, Leipzig, 04103, Germany
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Seasonal Phenological Patterns and Flavivirus Vectorial Capacity of Medically Important Mosquito Species in a Wetland and an Urban Area of Attica, Greece. Trop Med Infect Dis 2021; 6:tropicalmed6040176. [PMID: 34698285 PMCID: PMC8544675 DOI: 10.3390/tropicalmed6040176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2021] [Revised: 09/16/2021] [Accepted: 09/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Seasonal patterns of mosquito population density and their vectorial capacity constitute major elements to understand the epidemiology of mosquito-borne diseases. Using adult mosquito traps, we compared the population dynamics of major mosquito species (Culex pipiens, Aedes albopictus, Anopheles spp.) in an urban and a wetland rural area of Attica Greece. Pools of the captured Cx. pipiens were analyzed to determine infection rates of the West Nile virus (WNV) and the Usutu virus (USUV). The data provided were collected under the frame of the surveillance program carried out in two regional units (RUs) of the Attica region (East Attica and South Sector of Attica), during the period 2017-2018. The entomological surveillance of adult mosquitoes was performed on a weekly basis using a network of BG-sentinel traps (BGs), baited with CO2 and BG-Lure, in selected, fixed sampling sites. A total of 46,726 adult mosquitoes were collected, with larger variety and number of species in East Attica (n = 37,810), followed by the South Sector of Attica (n = 8916). The collected mosquitoes were morphologically identified to species level and evaluated for their public health importance. Collected Cx. pipiens adults were pooled and tested for West Nile virus (WNV) and Usutu virus (USUV) presence by implementation of a targeted molecular methodology (real-time PCR). A total of 366 mosquito pools were analyzed for WNV and USUV, respectively, and 38 (10.4%) positive samples were recorded for WNV, while no positive pool was detected for USUV. The majority of positive samples for WNV were detected in the East Attica region, followed by the South Sector of Attica, respectively. The findings of the current study highlight the WNV circulation in the region of Attica and the concomitant risk for the country, rendering mosquito surveillance actions and integrated mosquito management programs as imperative public health interventions.
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20
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Pérot P, Bielle F, Bigot T, Foulongne V, Bolloré K, Chrétien D, Gil P, Gutiérrez S, L'Ambert G, Mokhtari K, Hellert J, Flamand M, Tamietti C, Coulpier M, Huard de Verneuil A, Temmam S, Couderc T, De Sousa Cunha E, Boluda S, Plu I, Delisle MB, Bonneville F, Brassat D, Fieschi C, Malphettes M, Duyckaerts C, Mathon B, Demeret S, Seilhean D, Eloit M. Identification of Umbre Orthobunyavirus as a Novel Zoonotic Virus Responsible for Lethal Encephalitis in 2 French Patients with Hypogammaglobulinemia. Clin Infect Dis 2021; 72:1701-1708. [PMID: 32516409 DOI: 10.1093/cid/ciaa308] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2020] [Accepted: 03/18/2020] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Human encephalitis represents a medical challenge from a diagnostic and therapeutic point of view. We investigated the cause of 2 fatal cases of encephalitis of unknown origin in immunocompromised patients. METHODS Untargeted metatranscriptomics was applied on the brain tissue of 2 patients to search for pathogens (viruses, bacteria, fungi, or protozoans) without a prior hypothesis. RESULTS Umbre arbovirus, an orthobunyavirus never previously identified in humans, was found in 2 patients. In situ hybridization and reverse transcriptase-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) showed that Umbre virus infected neurons and replicated at high titers. The virus was not detected in cerebrospinal fluid by RT-qPCR. Viral sequences related to Koongol virus, another orthobunyavirus close to Umbre virus, were found in Culex pipiens mosquitoes captured in the south of France where the patients had spent some time before the onset of symptoms, demonstrating the presence of the same clade of arboviruses in Europe and their potential public health impact. A serological survey conducted in the same area did not identify individuals positive for Umbre virus. The absence of seropositivity in the population may not reflect the actual risk of disease transmission in immunocompromised individuals. CONCLUSIONS Umbre arbovirus can cause encephalitis in immunocompromised humans and is present in Europe.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philippe Pérot
- Pathogen Discovery Laboratory, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France
| | - Franck Bielle
- Département de Neuropathologie Raymond Escourolle, Assistance Publique - Hôpitaux de Paris (AP-HP)-Sorbonne, Groupe Hospitalier Pitié-Salpêtrière, Paris, France.,Sorbonne Université, Brain Institute (Institut du Cerveau et de la Moelle épinière; Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale [INSERM], Unité Mixte de Recherche Santé 1127; Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique [CNRS], Unité Mixte de Recherche [UMR] 7225), Paris, France
| | - Thomas Bigot
- Hub de Bioinformatique et Biostatistique - Département Biologie Computationnelle, Institut Pasteur, Unité de Service et de Recherche 3756 CNRS, Paris, France
| | - Vincent Foulongne
- Pathogenesis and Control of Chronic Infections, INSERM, University of Montpellier, Etablissement Français du Sang, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire (CHU) Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Karine Bolloré
- Pathogenesis and Control of Chronic Infections, INSERM, University of Montpellier, Etablissement Français du Sang, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire (CHU) Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | | | - Patricia Gil
- Centre de Coopération Internationale en Recherche Agronomique Pour le Développement (CIRAD), UMR ASTRE, Montpellier, France.,ASTRE, CIRAD, Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique, University of Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Serafín Gutiérrez
- Centre de Coopération Internationale en Recherche Agronomique Pour le Développement (CIRAD), UMR ASTRE, Montpellier, France.,ASTRE, CIRAD, Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique, University of Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Grégory L'Ambert
- Entente Interdépartementale Pour la Démoustication Méditerranée, Montpellier, France
| | - Karima Mokhtari
- Département de Neuropathologie Raymond Escourolle, Assistance Publique - Hôpitaux de Paris (AP-HP)-Sorbonne, Groupe Hospitalier Pitié-Salpêtrière, Paris, France.,Sorbonne Université, Brain Institute (Institut du Cerveau et de la Moelle épinière; Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale [INSERM], Unité Mixte de Recherche Santé 1127; Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique [CNRS], Unité Mixte de Recherche [UMR] 7225), Paris, France
| | - Jan Hellert
- Structural Virology Unit, Institut Pasteur, CNRS UMR 3569, Paris, France
| | - Marie Flamand
- Structural Virology Unit, Institut Pasteur, CNRS UMR 3569, Paris, France
| | - Carole Tamietti
- Structural Virology Unit, Institut Pasteur, CNRS UMR 3569, Paris, France
| | - Muriel Coulpier
- UMR Virologie, Agence Nationale de Sécurité Sanitaire de l'Alimentation, de l'Environnement et du Travail, École Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, Institut National de Recherche Pour l'Agriculture, l'Alimentation et l'Environnement, Université Paris Est, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Anne Huard de Verneuil
- UMR Virologie, Agence Nationale de Sécurité Sanitaire de l'Alimentation, de l'Environnement et du Travail, École Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, Institut National de Recherche Pour l'Agriculture, l'Alimentation et l'Environnement, Université Paris Est, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Sarah Temmam
- Pathogen Discovery Laboratory, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France
| | - Thérèse Couderc
- Biology of Infection Unit, Institut Pasteur, INSERM U1117, Paris, France
| | - Edouard De Sousa Cunha
- Département de Neuropathologie Raymond Escourolle, Assistance Publique - Hôpitaux de Paris (AP-HP)-Sorbonne, Groupe Hospitalier Pitié-Salpêtrière, Paris, France
| | - Susana Boluda
- Département de Neuropathologie Raymond Escourolle, Assistance Publique - Hôpitaux de Paris (AP-HP)-Sorbonne, Groupe Hospitalier Pitié-Salpêtrière, Paris, France.,Sorbonne Université, Brain Institute (Institut du Cerveau et de la Moelle épinière; Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale [INSERM], Unité Mixte de Recherche Santé 1127; Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique [CNRS], Unité Mixte de Recherche [UMR] 7225), Paris, France.,Centre National de Référence des Agents Transmissibles Non Conventionnels (Reference Center for Nonconventional Transmissible Agents), Laboratory and Neuropathology Network for the Surveillance of Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease, Santé Publique France, AP-HP, Paris, France
| | - Isabelle Plu
- Département de Neuropathologie Raymond Escourolle, Assistance Publique - Hôpitaux de Paris (AP-HP)-Sorbonne, Groupe Hospitalier Pitié-Salpêtrière, Paris, France.,Sorbonne Université, Brain Institute (Institut du Cerveau et de la Moelle épinière; Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale [INSERM], Unité Mixte de Recherche Santé 1127; Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique [CNRS], Unité Mixte de Recherche [UMR] 7225), Paris, France.,Centre National de Référence des Agents Transmissibles Non Conventionnels (Reference Center for Nonconventional Transmissible Agents), Laboratory and Neuropathology Network for the Surveillance of Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease, Santé Publique France, AP-HP, Paris, France
| | - Marie Bernadette Delisle
- Laboratoire de Neuropathologie, Laboratoire Universitaire d'Anatomie et Cytologie Pathologiques, CHU de Toulouse, Université Toulouse III-Paul Sabatier, Toulouse, France
| | - Fabrice Bonneville
- Department of Neuroradiology, CHU de Toulouse and UMR 1214 Toulouse NeuroImaging Center, Université de Toulouse, INSERM, Toulouse, France
| | - David Brassat
- Centre de Ressources et de Compétences Sclérose en Plaques, Pole des Neurosciences CHU Toulouse and UMR 1043, Université de Toulouse III, Toulouse, France
| | - Claire Fieschi
- Service d'Immunologie Clinique, Hôpital Saint-Louis, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Université de Paris, Paris, France
| | - Marion Malphettes
- Service d'Immunologie Clinique, Hôpital Saint-Louis, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Université de Paris, Paris, France
| | - Charles Duyckaerts
- Département de Neuropathologie Raymond Escourolle, Assistance Publique - Hôpitaux de Paris (AP-HP)-Sorbonne, Groupe Hospitalier Pitié-Salpêtrière, Paris, France.,Sorbonne Université, Brain Institute (Institut du Cerveau et de la Moelle épinière; Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale [INSERM], Unité Mixte de Recherche Santé 1127; Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique [CNRS], Unité Mixte de Recherche [UMR] 7225), Paris, France
| | - Bertrand Mathon
- Sorbonne Université, Brain Institute (Institut du Cerveau et de la Moelle épinière; Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale [INSERM], Unité Mixte de Recherche Santé 1127; Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique [CNRS], Unité Mixte de Recherche [UMR] 7225), Paris, France.,AP-HP, Hôpitaux Universitaires Pitié-Salpêtrière Charles-Foix, Department of Neurosurgery, Paris, France
| | - Sophie Demeret
- Department of Neurology, Neuro ICU, Groupe Hospitalier Pitié-Salpêtrière, AP-HP, Paris, France
| | - Danielle Seilhean
- Département de Neuropathologie Raymond Escourolle, Assistance Publique - Hôpitaux de Paris (AP-HP)-Sorbonne, Groupe Hospitalier Pitié-Salpêtrière, Paris, France.,Sorbonne Université, Brain Institute (Institut du Cerveau et de la Moelle épinière; Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale [INSERM], Unité Mixte de Recherche Santé 1127; Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique [CNRS], Unité Mixte de Recherche [UMR] 7225), Paris, France.,Centre National de Référence des Agents Transmissibles Non Conventionnels (Reference Center for Nonconventional Transmissible Agents), Laboratory and Neuropathology Network for the Surveillance of Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease, Santé Publique France, AP-HP, Paris, France
| | - Marc Eloit
- Pathogen Discovery Laboratory, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France.,Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, Maisons-Alfort, France
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21
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Meurens F, Dunoyer C, Fourichon C, Gerdts V, Haddad N, Kortekaas J, Lewandowska M, Monchatre-Leroy E, Summerfield A, Wichgers Schreur PJ, van der Poel WHM, Zhu J. Animal board invited review: Risks of zoonotic disease emergence at the interface of wildlife and livestock systems. Animal 2021; 15:100241. [PMID: 34091225 PMCID: PMC8172357 DOI: 10.1016/j.animal.2021.100241] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2021] [Revised: 03/25/2021] [Accepted: 03/29/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The ongoing coronavirus disease 19s pandemic has yet again demonstrated the importance of the human-animal interface in the emergence of zoonotic diseases, and in particular the role of wildlife and livestock species as potential hosts and virus reservoirs. As most diseases emerge out of the human-animal interface, a better understanding of the specific drivers and mechanisms involved is crucial to prepare for future disease outbreaks. Interactions between wildlife and livestock systems contribute to the emergence of zoonotic diseases, especially in the face of globalization, habitat fragmentation and destruction and climate change. As several groups of viruses and bacteria are more likely to emerge, we focus on pathogenic viruses of the Bunyavirales, Coronaviridae, Flaviviridae, Orthomyxoviridae, and Paramyxoviridae, as well as bacterial species including Mycobacterium sp., Brucella sp., Bacillus anthracis and Coxiella burnetii. Noteworthy, it was difficult to predict the drivers of disease emergence in the past, even for well-known pathogens. Thus, an improved surveillance in hotspot areas and the availability of fast, effective, and adaptable control measures would definitely contribute to preparedness. We here propose strategies to mitigate the risk of emergence and/or re-emergence of prioritized pathogens to prevent future epidemics.
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Affiliation(s)
- François Meurens
- INRAE, Oniris, BIOEPAR, 44307 Nantes, France; Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Immunology, Western College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon S7N5E3, Canada.
| | - Charlotte Dunoyer
- Direction de l'évaluation des risques, Anses, 94700 Maisons-Alfort, France
| | | | - Volker Gerdts
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization (VIDO)-International Vaccine Centre (InterVac), University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7N 5E3, Canada
| | - Nadia Haddad
- Anses, INRAE, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, Laboratoire de Santé Animale, BIPAR, 94700 Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Jeroen Kortekaas
- Wageningen Bioveterinary Research, Wageningen University and Research, Houtribweg 39, 8221 RA Lelystad, the Netherlands
| | - Marta Lewandowska
- Institute of Virology and Immunology (IVI), Sensemattstrasse 293, 3147 Mittelhäusern, Switzerland; Graduate School for Cellular and Biomedical Sciences, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | | | - Artur Summerfield
- Institute of Virology and Immunology (IVI), Sensemattstrasse 293, 3147 Mittelhäusern, Switzerland
| | - Paul J Wichgers Schreur
- Wageningen Bioveterinary Research, Wageningen University and Research, Houtribweg 39, 8221 RA Lelystad, the Netherlands
| | - Wim H M van der Poel
- Wageningen Bioveterinary Research, Wageningen University and Research, Houtribweg 39, 8221 RA Lelystad, the Netherlands
| | - Jianzhong Zhu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Comparative Medicine Research Institute, Yangzhou University, 225009 Yangzhou, China; Joint International Research Laboratory of Agriculture and Agri-Product Safety, 225009 Yangzhou, China
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22
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Böszörményi K, Hirsch J, Kiemenyi Kayere G, Fagrouch Z, Heijmans N, Rodriguez Garcia R, Dwarka S, van Dijke A, Aaldijk B, Limpens R, Barcena M, Koster B, Verstrepen B, Bogers W, Kocken C, Cornellissen G, Verschoor E, Faber B. A Bacterially-Expressed Recombinant Envelope Protein from Usutu Virus Induces Neutralizing Antibodies in Rabbits. Vaccines (Basel) 2021; 9:vaccines9020157. [PMID: 33669414 PMCID: PMC7920429 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines9020157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2021] [Revised: 02/13/2021] [Accepted: 02/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Recently, an emerging flavivirus, Usutu virus (USUV), has caused an epidemic among birds in Europe, resulting in a massive die-off in Eurasian blackbirds. Currently found only in Europe and Africa, it can be envisioned that Usutu virus will follow the path of other flaviviruses, like West Nile virus and Zika virus, and will spread via its mosquito vectors and bird hosts to other parts of the world. Several cases of human infections by Usutu virus have already been published. Anticipating this spread, development of an efficacious vaccine would be highly desirable. Method: This study describes the production in E. coli, purification, and refolding of a partial USUV envelope protein. Prior to immunization, the protein was characterized using size exclusion chromatography, transmission electron microscopy and dynamic light scattering, showing the limited presence of virus-like structures, indicating that the protein solution is probably a mixture of mono and multimeric envelope proteins. Results: Immunizations of two rabbits with the refolded E-protein fraction, mixed with a strong adjuvant, resulted in the generation of neutralizing antibodies, as evidenced in an in vitro assay. Discussion: The way forward towards a subunit vaccine against Usutu virus infection is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kinga Böszörményi
- Department of Virology, Biomedical Primate Research Centre, Lange Kleiweg 161, 2288 GJ Rijswijk, The Netherlands; (G.K.K.); (Z.F.); (B.V.); (W.B.); (E.V.)
- Correspondence: (K.B.); (B.F.); Tel.: +31-152842500 (K.B. & B.F.)
| | - Janet Hirsch
- Department of Biotechnology, Hamburg University of Applied Sciences, Ulmenliet 20, 21033 Hamburg, Germany; (J.H.); (G.C.)
| | - Gwendoline Kiemenyi Kayere
- Department of Virology, Biomedical Primate Research Centre, Lange Kleiweg 161, 2288 GJ Rijswijk, The Netherlands; (G.K.K.); (Z.F.); (B.V.); (W.B.); (E.V.)
| | - Zahra Fagrouch
- Department of Virology, Biomedical Primate Research Centre, Lange Kleiweg 161, 2288 GJ Rijswijk, The Netherlands; (G.K.K.); (Z.F.); (B.V.); (W.B.); (E.V.)
| | - Nicole Heijmans
- Department of Parasitology, Biomedical Primate Research Centre, Lange Kleiweg 161, 2288 GJ Rijswijk, The Netherlands; (N.H.); (R.R.G.); (S.D.); (A.v.D.); (B.A.); (C.K.)
| | - Roberto Rodriguez Garcia
- Department of Parasitology, Biomedical Primate Research Centre, Lange Kleiweg 161, 2288 GJ Rijswijk, The Netherlands; (N.H.); (R.R.G.); (S.D.); (A.v.D.); (B.A.); (C.K.)
| | - Soesjiel Dwarka
- Department of Parasitology, Biomedical Primate Research Centre, Lange Kleiweg 161, 2288 GJ Rijswijk, The Netherlands; (N.H.); (R.R.G.); (S.D.); (A.v.D.); (B.A.); (C.K.)
| | - Amy van Dijke
- Department of Parasitology, Biomedical Primate Research Centre, Lange Kleiweg 161, 2288 GJ Rijswijk, The Netherlands; (N.H.); (R.R.G.); (S.D.); (A.v.D.); (B.A.); (C.K.)
| | - Boyd Aaldijk
- Department of Parasitology, Biomedical Primate Research Centre, Lange Kleiweg 161, 2288 GJ Rijswijk, The Netherlands; (N.H.); (R.R.G.); (S.D.); (A.v.D.); (B.A.); (C.K.)
| | - Ronald Limpens
- Section Electron Microscopy, Leiden University Medical Center, Einthovenweg 20, 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands; (R.L.); (M.B.); (B.K.)
| | - Montserrat Barcena
- Section Electron Microscopy, Leiden University Medical Center, Einthovenweg 20, 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands; (R.L.); (M.B.); (B.K.)
| | - Bram Koster
- Section Electron Microscopy, Leiden University Medical Center, Einthovenweg 20, 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands; (R.L.); (M.B.); (B.K.)
| | - Babs Verstrepen
- Department of Virology, Biomedical Primate Research Centre, Lange Kleiweg 161, 2288 GJ Rijswijk, The Netherlands; (G.K.K.); (Z.F.); (B.V.); (W.B.); (E.V.)
| | - Willy Bogers
- Department of Virology, Biomedical Primate Research Centre, Lange Kleiweg 161, 2288 GJ Rijswijk, The Netherlands; (G.K.K.); (Z.F.); (B.V.); (W.B.); (E.V.)
| | - Clemens Kocken
- Department of Parasitology, Biomedical Primate Research Centre, Lange Kleiweg 161, 2288 GJ Rijswijk, The Netherlands; (N.H.); (R.R.G.); (S.D.); (A.v.D.); (B.A.); (C.K.)
| | - Gesine Cornellissen
- Department of Biotechnology, Hamburg University of Applied Sciences, Ulmenliet 20, 21033 Hamburg, Germany; (J.H.); (G.C.)
| | - Ernst Verschoor
- Department of Virology, Biomedical Primate Research Centre, Lange Kleiweg 161, 2288 GJ Rijswijk, The Netherlands; (G.K.K.); (Z.F.); (B.V.); (W.B.); (E.V.)
| | - Bart Faber
- Department of Parasitology, Biomedical Primate Research Centre, Lange Kleiweg 161, 2288 GJ Rijswijk, The Netherlands; (N.H.); (R.R.G.); (S.D.); (A.v.D.); (B.A.); (C.K.)
- Correspondence: (K.B.); (B.F.); Tel.: +31-152842500 (K.B. & B.F.)
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23
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Relevance of oxidative stress in inhibition of eIF2 alpha phosphorylation and stress granules formation during Usutu virus infection. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2021; 15:e0009072. [PMID: 33493202 PMCID: PMC7861526 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0009072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2020] [Revised: 02/04/2021] [Accepted: 12/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Usutu virus (USUV) is an African mosquito-borne flavivirus closely related to West Nile, Japanese encephalitis, Zika, and dengue viruses. USUV emerged in 1996 in Europe, where quickly spread across the continent causing a considerable number of bird deaths and varied neurological disorders in humans, including encephalitis, meningoencephalitis, or facial paralysis, thus warning about USUV as a potential health threat. USUV replication takes place on the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) of infected cells, inducing ER stress and resulting in the activation of stress-related cellular pathways collectively known as the integrated stress response (ISR). The alpha subunit of the eukaryotic initiation factor eIF2 (eIF2α), the core factor in this pathway, is phosphorylated by stress activated kinases: protein kinase R (PKR), PKR-like endoplasmic reticulum kinase (PERK), heme-regulated inhibitor kinase (HRI), and general control non-repressed 2 kinase (GCN2). Its phosphorylation results, among others, in the downstream inhibition of translation with accumulation of discrete foci in the cytoplasm termed stress granules (SGs). Our results indicated that USUV infection evades cellular stress response impairing eIF2α phosphorylation and SGs assembly induced by treatment with the HRI activator ArsNa. This protective effect was related with oxidative stress responses in USUV-infected cells. Overall, these results provide new insights into the complex connections between the stress response and flavivirus infection in order to maintain an adequate cellular environment for viral replication. Usutu virus (USUV) infection impairs eIF2α phosphorylation and SGs assembly, in an oxidative stress related manner, as a mechanism to evade cellular stress response. Our results provide new insights into the complex connections between the stress response and USUV infection to maintain a better cellular environment for viral replication.
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24
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Francese R, Civra A, Donalisio M, Volpi N, Capitani F, Sottemano S, Tonetto P, Coscia A, Maiocco G, Moro GE, Bertino E, Lembo D. Anti-Zika virus and anti-Usutu virus activity of human milk and its components. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2020; 14:e0008713. [PMID: 33027261 PMCID: PMC7571670 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0008713] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2020] [Revised: 10/19/2020] [Accepted: 08/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The benefits of human milk are mediated by multiple nutritional, trophic, and immunological components, able to promote infant's growth, maturation of its immature gut, and to confer protection against infections. Despite these widely recognized properties, breast-feeding represents an important mother-to-child transmission route of some viral infections. Different studies show that some flaviviruses can occasionally be detected in breast milk, but their transmission to the newborn is still controversial. The aim of this study is to investigate the antiviral activity of human milk (HM) in its different stages of maturation against two emerging flaviviruses, namely Zika virus (ZIKV) and Usutu virus (USUV) and to verify whether HM-derived extracellular vesicles (EVs) and glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) contribute to the milk protective effect. Colostrum, transitional and mature milk samples were collected from 39 healthy donors. The aqueous fractions were tested in vitro with specific antiviral assays and EVs and GAGs were derived and characterized. HM showed antiviral activity against ZIKV and USUV at all the stages of lactation with no significant differences in the activity of colostrum, transitional or mature milk. Mechanism of action studies demonstrated that colostrum does not inactivate viral particles, but it hampers the binding of both flaviviruses to cells. We also demonstrated that HM-EVs and HM-GAGs contribute, at least in part, to the anti-ZIKV and anti-USUV action of HM. This study discloses the intrinsic antiviral activity of HM against ZIKV and USUV and demonstrates the contribution of two bioactive components in mediating its protective effect. Since the potential infectivity of HM during ZIKV and USUV infection is still unclear, these data support the World Health Organization recommendations about breast-feeding during ZIKV infection and could contribute to producing new guidelines for a possible USUV epidemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachele Francese
- Department of Clinical and Biological Sciences, Laboratory of Molecular Virology and Antiviral Research, University of Turin, Orbassano (TO), Italy
| | - Andrea Civra
- Department of Clinical and Biological Sciences, Laboratory of Molecular Virology and Antiviral Research, University of Turin, Orbassano (TO), Italy
| | - Manuela Donalisio
- Department of Clinical and Biological Sciences, Laboratory of Molecular Virology and Antiviral Research, University of Turin, Orbassano (TO), Italy
| | - Nicola Volpi
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Federica Capitani
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Stefano Sottemano
- Department of Public Health and Pediatrics, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Paola Tonetto
- Department of Public Health and Pediatrics, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Alessandra Coscia
- Department of Public Health and Pediatrics, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Giulia Maiocco
- Department of Public Health and Pediatrics, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Guido E. Moro
- Italian Association of Human Milk Banks (AIBLUD), Milan, Italy
| | - Enrico Bertino
- Department of Public Health and Pediatrics, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - David Lembo
- Department of Clinical and Biological Sciences, Laboratory of Molecular Virology and Antiviral Research, University of Turin, Orbassano (TO), Italy
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25
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Exposure of Horses in Israel to West Nile Virus and Usutu Virus. Viruses 2020; 12:v12101099. [PMID: 32998459 PMCID: PMC7650752 DOI: 10.3390/v12101099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2020] [Revised: 09/15/2020] [Accepted: 09/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
West Nile virus (WNV) and Usutu virus (USUV) are arboviruses transmitted by mosquito vectors. Whereas WNV is endemic in Israel, the Middle East, Europe, and in the Americas, data regarding the prevalence of USUV in the Middle East is limited. While both viruses share similar reservoirs and vectors, exposure of horses in the area to USUV have never been assessed. The aim of this study was to estimate the seroprevalence and co-exposure of WNV and USUV in horses in Israel. A total of 327 serum samples from healthy unvaccinated horses in Israel collected in 2018 were tested for neutralizing antibodies against WNV and USUV. Seroprevalence for neutralizing antibodies against WNV and USUV was 84.1% and 10.8%, respectively. Management and age were significantly associated with WNV and USUV seropositivity. This is the first report describing exposure of horses in Israel to USUV, which indicates that this zoonotic pathogen should be included in the differential diagnosis list of neuroinvasive disease in this country.
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26
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Tang Z, Yamada H, Kraupa C, Canic S, Busquets N, Talavera S, Jiolle D, Vreysen MJB, Bouyer J, Abd-Alla AMM. High sensitivity of one-step real-time reverse transcription quantitative PCR to detect low virus titers in large mosquito pools. Parasit Vectors 2020; 13:460. [PMID: 32907625 PMCID: PMC7488135 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-020-04327-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2020] [Accepted: 08/30/2020] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Mosquitoes are the deadliest animals in the world. Their ability to carry and spread diseases to humans causes millions of deaths every year. Due to the lack of efficient vaccines, the control of mosquito-borne diseases primarily relies on the management of the vector. Traditional control methods are insufficient to control mosquito populations. The sterile insect technique (SIT) is an additional control method that can be combined with other control tactics to suppress specific mosquito populations. The SIT requires the mass-rearing and release of sterile males with the aim to induce sterility in the wild female population. Samples collected from the environment for laboratory colonization, as well as the released males, should be free from mosquito-borne viruses (MBV). Therefore, efficient detection methods with defined detection limits for MBV are required. Although a one-step reverse transcriptase quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) method was developed to detect arboviruses in human and mosquito samples, its detection limit in mosquito samples has yet to be defined. Methods We evaluated the detection sensitivity of one step RT-qPCR for targeted arboviruses in large mosquito pools, using pools of non-infected mosquitoes of various sizes (165, 320 and 1600 mosquitoes) containing one infected mosquito body with defined virus titers of chikungunya virus (CHIKV), usutu virus (USUV), West Nile virus (WNV) and Zika virus (ZIKV). Results CHIK, USUV, ZIKV, and WNV virus were detected in all tested pools using the RT-qPCR assay. Moreover, in the largest mosquito pools (1600 mosquitoes), RT-qPCR was able to detect the targeted viruses using different total RNA quantities (10, 1 and 0.1 ng per reaction) as a template. Correlating the virus titer with the total RNA quantity allowed the prediction of the maximum number of mosquitoes per pool in which the RT-qPCR can theoretically detect the virus infection. Conclusions Mosquito-borne viruses can be reliably detected by RT-qPCR assay in pools of mosquitoes exceeding 1000 specimens. This will represent an important step to expand pathogen-free colonies for mass-rearing sterile males for programmes that have a SIT component by reducing the time and the manpower needed to conduct this quality control process.![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhaoyang Tang
- Insect Pest Control Laboratory, Joint FAO/IAEA Division of Nuclear Techniques in Food and Agriculture, Vienna International Centre, P.O. Box 100, 1400, Vienna, Austria.,Key Laboratory of Vector Biology and Pathogen Control of Zhejiang Province, College of Life Sciences, Huzhou University, Huzhou, 313000, China
| | - Hanano Yamada
- Insect Pest Control Laboratory, Joint FAO/IAEA Division of Nuclear Techniques in Food and Agriculture, Vienna International Centre, P.O. Box 100, 1400, Vienna, Austria
| | - Carina Kraupa
- Insect Pest Control Laboratory, Joint FAO/IAEA Division of Nuclear Techniques in Food and Agriculture, Vienna International Centre, P.O. Box 100, 1400, Vienna, Austria
| | - Sumejja Canic
- Insect Pest Control Laboratory, Joint FAO/IAEA Division of Nuclear Techniques in Food and Agriculture, Vienna International Centre, P.O. Box 100, 1400, Vienna, Austria
| | - Núria Busquets
- IRTA, Centre de Recerca en Sanitat Animal (CReSA, IRTA-UAB), Campus de la Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193, Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Sandra Talavera
- IRTA, Centre de Recerca en Sanitat Animal (CReSA, IRTA-UAB), Campus de la Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193, Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Davy Jiolle
- UMR MIVEGEC (IRD 224-CNRS 5290-UM), Maladies Infectieuses et Vecteurs: Ecologie Génétique, Evolution et Contrôle, Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD), Montpellier, France
| | - Marc J B Vreysen
- Insect Pest Control Laboratory, Joint FAO/IAEA Division of Nuclear Techniques in Food and Agriculture, Vienna International Centre, P.O. Box 100, 1400, Vienna, Austria
| | - Jérémy Bouyer
- Insect Pest Control Laboratory, Joint FAO/IAEA Division of Nuclear Techniques in Food and Agriculture, Vienna International Centre, P.O. Box 100, 1400, Vienna, Austria
| | - Adly M M Abd-Alla
- Insect Pest Control Laboratory, Joint FAO/IAEA Division of Nuclear Techniques in Food and Agriculture, Vienna International Centre, P.O. Box 100, 1400, Vienna, Austria.
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27
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Bakhshi H, Beck C, Lecollinet S, Monier M, Mousson L, Zakeri S, Raz A, Arzamani K, Nourani L, Dinparast-Djadid N, Failloux AB. Serological evidence of West Nile virus infection among birds and horses in some geographical locations of Iran. Vet Med Sci 2020; 7:204-209. [PMID: 32858762 PMCID: PMC7840194 DOI: 10.1002/vms3.342] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2020] [Revised: 06/25/2020] [Accepted: 08/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent expansion of arboviruses such as West Nile (WNV), Usutu (USUV), and tick‐borne encephalitis (TBEV) over their natural range of distribution needs strengthening their surveillance. As common viral vertebrate hosts, birds and horses deserve special attention with routine serological surveillance. Here, we estimated the seroprevalence of WNV, USUV and TBEV in 160 migrating/resident birds and 60 horses sampled in Mazandaran, Golestan, North Khorasan, Kordestan provinces and Golestan province of Iran respectively. ELISA results showed that of 220 collected samples, 32 samples (14.54%), including 22 birds and 10 horses, were positive. Microsphere immunoassay results showed that 16.7% (10/60) of horse blood samples collected in Golestan province were seropositive against WNV (7; 11.7%), Flavivirus (2; 3.3%) and seropositive for USUV or WNV (1; 1.7%). Furthermore, micro virus neutralization tests revealed that four of seven ELISA‐positive bird blood samples were seropositive against WNV: two Egyptian vultures, and one long‐legged buzzard collected in Golestan province as well as a golden eagle collected in North Khorasan province. No evidence of seropositivity with TBEV was observed in collected samples. We showed that WNV, responsible for neuroinvasive infection in vertebrates, is circulating among birds and horses in Iran, recommending a sustained surveillance of viral infections in animals, and anticipating future infections in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hasan Bakhshi
- Malaria and Vector Research Group, Biotechnology Research Center, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Cécile Beck
- EURL on Equine Diseases, ANSES, Animal Health Laboratory, UMR 1161 Virology, ANSES, INRAE, ENVA, Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Sylvie Lecollinet
- EURL on Equine Diseases, ANSES, Animal Health Laboratory, UMR 1161 Virology, ANSES, INRAE, ENVA, Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Maëlle Monier
- EURL on Equine Diseases, ANSES, Animal Health Laboratory, UMR 1161 Virology, ANSES, INRAE, ENVA, Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Laurence Mousson
- Department of virology, Arboviruses and Insect Vectors, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France
| | - Sedigheh Zakeri
- Malaria and Vector Research Group, Biotechnology Research Center, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Abbasali Raz
- Malaria and Vector Research Group, Biotechnology Research Center, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Kourosh Arzamani
- Vector-borne Diseases Research Center, North Khorasan University of Medical Sciences, Bojnurd, Iran
| | - Leila Nourani
- Malaria and Vector Research Group, Biotechnology Research Center, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Navid Dinparast-Djadid
- Malaria and Vector Research Group, Biotechnology Research Center, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Anna-Bella Failloux
- Department of virology, Arboviruses and Insect Vectors, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France
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Nagy A, Mezei E, Nagy O, Bakonyi T, Csonka N, Kaposi M, Koroknai A, Szomor K, Rigó Z, Molnár Z, Dánielisz Á, Takács M. Extraordinary increase in West Nile virus cases and first confirmed human Usutu virus infection in Hungary, 2018. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2020; 24. [PMID: 31311619 PMCID: PMC6636212 DOI: 10.2807/1560-7917.es.2019.24.28.1900038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
BackgroundDuring the 2018 WNV transmission season, similarly to other endemic areas in Europe, a large number of human West Nile virus (WNV) infections were reported in Hungary.AimsWe summarise the epidemiological and laboratory findings of the 2018 transmission season and expand experiences in flavivirus differential diagnostics.MethodsEvery patient with clinical suspicion of acute WNV infection was in parallel tested for WNV, tick-borne encephalitis virus and Usutu virus (USUV) by serological methods. Sera, whole blood and urine samples were also tested for the presence of viral nucleic acid.ResultsUntil the end of December 2018, 215 locally acquired and 10 imported human WNV infections were notified in Hungary. All reported cases were symptomatic; most of them exhibited neurological symptoms. In a large proportion of tested individuals, whole blood was the most appropriate sample type for viral nucleic acid detection, but because whole blood samples were not always available, testing of urine samples also extended diagnostic possibilities. In addition, the first human USUV infection was confirmed in 2018 in a patient with aseptic meningitis. Serological cross-reactions with WNV in different serological assays were experienced, but subsequent molecular biological testing and sequence analysis identified Europe lineage 2 USUV infection.ConclusionCareful interpretation and simultaneous application of different laboratory methods are necessary to avoid misdiagnosis of human USUV cases. Expansion of the laboratory-confirmed case definition criteria for detection of viral RNA in any clinical specimens to include urine samples could increase diagnostic sensitivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Nagy
- These authors contributed equally to this work.,National Reference Laboratory for Viral Zoonoses; National Public Health Center, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Eszter Mezei
- Department of Communicable Diseases Epidemiology and Infection Control; National Public Health Center, Budapest, Hungary.,These authors contributed equally to this work
| | - Orsolya Nagy
- Institute of Medical Microbiology, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary.,National Reference Laboratory for Viral Zoonoses; National Public Health Center, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Tamás Bakonyi
- Viral Zoonoses, Emerging and Vector-borne Infections Group, Institute of Virology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria.,Department of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, University of Veterinary Medicine, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Nikolett Csonka
- National Reference Laboratory for Viral Zoonoses; National Public Health Center, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Magdolna Kaposi
- National Reference Laboratory for Viral Zoonoses; National Public Health Center, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Anita Koroknai
- National Reference Laboratory for Viral Zoonoses; National Public Health Center, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Katalin Szomor
- National Reference Laboratory for Viral Exanthematous Diseases; National Public Health Center, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Zita Rigó
- National Reference Laboratory for Viral Exanthematous Diseases; National Public Health Center, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Zsuzsanna Molnár
- Department of Communicable Diseases Epidemiology and Infection Control; National Public Health Center, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Ágnes Dánielisz
- Department of Communicable Diseases Epidemiology and Infection Control; National Public Health Center, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Mária Takács
- Institute of Medical Microbiology, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary.,National Reference Laboratory for Viral Zoonoses; National Public Health Center, Budapest, Hungary
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Serum neutralising antibody titres against a lineage 2 neuroinvasive West Nile Virus strain in response to vaccination with an inactivated lineage 1 vaccine in a European endemic area. Vet Immunol Immunopathol 2020; 227:110087. [PMID: 32629300 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetimm.2020.110087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2019] [Revised: 06/11/2020] [Accepted: 06/15/2020] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
In the last decade in Hungary and the neighbouring countries, West Nile Neuroinvasive Disease (WNND) has been caused in dramatically increasing numbers by lineage 2 West Nile Virus (WNV) strains both in horses and in humans. The disease in this geographical region is seasonal, so vaccination of horses should be carefully scheduled to maintain the highest antibody titres during outbreak periods. The objective of this study was to characterise the serum neutralising (SN) antibody titres against a lineage 2 WNV strain in response to vaccination with an inactivated lineage 1 vaccine (Equip® WNV). Thirty-two seronegative horses were enrolled in the study, 22 horses were allocated to the vaccinated group and 10 retained as unvaccinated controls. Horses were vaccinated according to the product's vaccination guidelines. A primary vaccination of two doses administered 28 days apart was initiated approximately 5 months before the WNV outbreak season, followed by a booster vaccination one year later. Blood samples were collected during a 2-year period to monitor production of SN antibodies against lineage 1 and the enzootic lineage 2 WNV strain. Mean antibody titres against lineage 1 WNV were significantly higher (P ≤ 0.05) in the vaccinated group compared to the control group at all-time points after the primary dose of vaccination. Similarly, mean antibody titres against lineage 2 WNV were significantly higher (P ≤ 0.05) in the vaccinated group compared to the control group at all time-points except at 6 months after the primary vaccination. SN antibody titres were significantly higher against lineage 1 than lineage 2 at all-time points. According to the results, vaccination with an inactivated lineage 1 vaccine induces antibodies against both WNV lineages 1 and 2 strains up to 2 years after booster vaccination, but in those geographical regions where lineage 2 strains are responsible for seasonal outbreaks, a booster vaccination should be considered earlier than 12 months after primary vaccination.
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Yen PS, Failloux AB. A Review: Wolbachia-Based Population Replacement for Mosquito Control Shares Common Points with Genetically Modified Control Approaches. Pathogens 2020; 9:E404. [PMID: 32456036 PMCID: PMC7281599 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens9050404] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2020] [Revised: 05/15/2020] [Accepted: 05/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The growing expansion of mosquito vectors has made mosquito-borne arboviral diseases a global threat to public health, and the lack of licensed vaccines and treatments highlight the urgent need for efficient mosquito vector control. Compared to genetically modified control strategies, the intracellular bacterium Wolbachia, endowing a pathogen-blocking phenotype, is considered an environmentally friendly strategy to replace the target population for controlling arboviral diseases. However, the incomplete knowledge regarding the pathogen-blocking mechanism weakens the reliability of a Wolbachia-based population replacement strategy. Wolbachia infections are also vulnerable to environmental factors, temperature, and host diet, affecting their densities in mosquitoes and thus the virus-blocking phenotype. Here, we review the properties of the Wolbachia strategy as an approach to control mosquito populations in comparison with genetically modified control methods. Both strategies tend to limit arbovirus infections but increase the risk of selecting arbovirus escape mutants, rendering these strategies less reliable.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pei-Shi Yen
- Unit Arboviruses and Insect Vectors, Department of Virology, Institut Pasteur, F-75724 Paris, France
| | - Anna-Bella Failloux
- Unit Arboviruses and Insect Vectors, Department of Virology, Institut Pasteur, F-75724 Paris, France
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31
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Abstract
Usutu virus (USUV) is an emerging arbovirus that was first isolated in South Africa in 1959. This Flavivirus is maintained in the environment through a typical enzootic cycle involving mosquitoes and birds. USUV has spread to a large part of the European continent over the two decades mainly leading to substantial avian mortalities with a significant recrudescence of bird infections recorded throughout Europe within the few last years. USUV infection in humans is considered to be most often asymptomatic or to cause mild clinical signs. Nonetheless, a few cases of neurological complications such as encephalitis or meningoencephalitis have been reported. USUV and West Nile virus (WNV) share many features, like a close phylogenetic relatedness and a similar ecology, with co-circulation frequently observed in nature. However, USUV has been much less studied and in-depth comparisons of the biology of these viruses are yet rare. In this review, we discuss the main body of knowledge regarding USUV and compare it with the literature on WNV, addressing in particular virological and clinical aspects, and pointing data gaps.
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32
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Chevalier V, Marsot M, Molia S, Rasamoelina H, Rakotondravao R, Pedrono M, Lowenski S, Durand B, Lecollinet S, Beck C. Serological Evidence of West Nile and Usutu Viruses Circulation in Domestic and Wild Birds in Wetlands of Mali and Madagascar in 2008. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2020; 17:ijerph17061998. [PMID: 32197367 PMCID: PMC7142923 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17061998] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2019] [Revised: 03/13/2020] [Accepted: 03/14/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
The geographical distribution and impact on animal and human health of both West Nile and Usutu viruses, two flaviviruses of the Japanese encephalitis complex, have been increasing during the past two decades. Both viruses circulate in Europe and Africa within a natural cycle between wild birds and mosquitoes, mainly from the Culex genus. We retrospectively analyzed sera from domestic and wild birds sampled in 2008 in two wetlands, namely the Inner Niger Delta, Mali, and the Lake Alaotra area, Madagascar. Sera were first tested using a commercial ID Screen West Nile Competition Multi-species ELISA kit. Then, positive sera and sera with insufficient volume for testing with ELISA were tested with a Microneutralization Test. In Mali, the observed seroprevalence in domestic birds was 28.5% [24.5; 32.8] 95%CI, 3.1 % [1.8; 5.2] 95%CI, 6.2% [3.4; 10.2] 95%CI and 9.8 % [7.3; 12.8] 95%CI, for West Nile virus (WNV), Usutu virus (USUV), undetermined flavivirus, and WNV/USUV respectively. Regarding domestic birds of Madagascar, the observed seroprevalence was 4.4 % [2.1; 7.9]95%CI for WNV, 0.9% [0.1; 3.1] 95%CI for USUV, 1.3% [0.5; 2.8] 95%CI for undetermined flavivirus, and null for WNV/USUV. Among the 150 wild birds sampled in Madagascar, two fulvous whistling-ducks (Dendrocygna bicolor) were positive for WNV and two for an undetermined flavivirus. One white-faced whistling-duck (Dendrocygna viduata) and one Hottentot teal (Spatula hottentota) were tested positive for USUV. African and European wetlands are linked by wild bird migrations. This first detection of USUV—as well as the confirmed circulation of WNV in domestic birds of two wetlands of Mali and Madagascar—emphasizes the need to improve the surveillance, knowledge of epidemiological patterns, and phylogenetic characteristics of flavivirus in Africa, particularly in areas prone to sustained, intense flavivirus transmission such as wetlands.
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Affiliation(s)
- Véronique Chevalier
- CIRAD, UMR ASTRE, F-34090 Montpellier, France
- Université Montpellier, F-34090 Montpellier, France
- Epidemiology and Public Health Unit, Institut Pasteur du Cambodge, Phnom Penh PO Box 983, Cambodia
| | - Maud Marsot
- University Paris Est, ANSES, Laboratory for Animal Health, Epidemiology Unit, 94700 Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Sophie Molia
- CIRAD, UMR ASTRE, F-34090 Montpellier, France
- Université Montpellier, F-34090 Montpellier, France
- Centre Régional de Santé Animale, Parc Sotuba, Bamako, Mali
| | | | | | - Miguel Pedrono
- CIRAD, UMR ASTRE, F-34090 Montpellier, France
- Université Montpellier, F-34090 Montpellier, France
- FOFIFA-DRZV, 101 Antananarivo, Madagascar
| | - Steve Lowenski
- UMR 1161 Virology, ANSES, INRA, ENVA, ANSES Animal Health Laboratory, EURL for Equine Diseases, 94704 Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Benoit Durand
- University Paris Est, ANSES, Laboratory for Animal Health, Epidemiology Unit, 94700 Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Sylvie Lecollinet
- UMR 1161 Virology, ANSES, INRA, ENVA, ANSES Animal Health Laboratory, EURL for Equine Diseases, 94704 Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Cécile Beck
- UMR 1161 Virology, ANSES, INRA, ENVA, ANSES Animal Health Laboratory, EURL for Equine Diseases, 94704 Maisons-Alfort, France
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Folly AJ, Dorey-Robinson D, Hernández-Triana LM, Phipps LP, Johnson N. Emerging Threats to Animals in the United Kingdom by Arthropod-Borne Diseases. Front Vet Sci 2020; 7:20. [PMID: 32118054 PMCID: PMC7010938 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2020.00020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2019] [Accepted: 01/10/2020] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Worldwide, arthropod-borne disease transmission represents one of the greatest threats to public and animal health. For the British Isles, an island group on the north-western coast of continental Europe consisting of the United Kingdom (UK) and the Republic of Ireland, physical separation offers a barrier to the introduction of many of the pathogens that affect animals on the rest of the continent. Added to this are strict biosecurity rules at ports of entry and the depauperate vector biodiversity found on the islands. Nevertheless, there are some indigenous arthropod-borne pathogens that cause sporadic outbreaks, such as the tick-borne louping ill virus, found almost exclusively in the British Isles, and a range of piroplasmid infections that are poorly characterized. These provide an ongoing source of infection whose emergence can be unpredictable. In addition, the risk remains for future introductions of both exotic vectors and the pathogens they harbor, and can transmit. Current factors that are driving the increases of both disease transmission and the risk of emergence include marked changes to the climate in the British Isles that have increased summer and winter temperatures, and extended the period over which arthropods are active. There have also been dramatic increases in the distribution of mosquito-borne diseases, such as West Nile and Usutu viruses in mainland Europe that are making the introduction of these pathogens through bird migration increasingly feasible. In addition, the establishment of midge-borne bluetongue virus in the near continent has increased the risk of wind-borne introduction of infected midges and the inadvertent importation of infected cattle. Arguably the greatest risk is associated with the continual increase in the movement of people, pets and trade into the UK. This, in particular, is driving the introduction of invasive arthropod species that either bring disease-causing pathogens, or are known competent vectors, that increase the risk of disease transmission if introduced. The following review documents the current pathogen threats to animals transmitted by mosquitoes, ticks and midges. This includes both indigenous and exotic pathogens to the UK. In the case of exotic pathogens, the pathway and risk of introduction are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arran J. Folly
- Virology Department, Animal and Plant Health Agency (Weybridge), Addlestone, United Kingdom
| | - Daniel Dorey-Robinson
- Virology Department, Animal and Plant Health Agency (Weybridge), Addlestone, United Kingdom
| | | | - L. Paul Phipps
- Virology Department, Animal and Plant Health Agency (Weybridge), Addlestone, United Kingdom
| | - Nicholas Johnson
- Virology Department, Animal and Plant Health Agency (Weybridge), Addlestone, United Kingdom
- Faculty of Health and Medicine, University of Surrey, Guildford, United Kingdom
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Gill CM, Kapadia RK, Beckham JD, Piquet AL, Tyler KL, Pastula DM. Usutu virus disease: a potential problem for North America? J Neurovirol 2019; 26:149-154. [PMID: 31858483 DOI: 10.1007/s13365-019-00818-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2019] [Revised: 09/07/2019] [Accepted: 11/18/2019] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Usutu virus is an emerging mosquito-borne flavivirus initially identified in South Africa in 1959 that is now circulating throughout parts of Africa, Europe, and the Middle East. It is closely related to West Nile virus, and has similar vectors, amplifying bird hosts, and epidemiology. Usutu virus infection can occur in humans and may be asymptomatic or cause systemic (e.g., fever, rash, and hepatitis) or neuroinvasive (e.g., meningitis and encephalitis) disease. Given few reported cases, the full clinical spectrum is not known. No anti-viral treatment is available, but it can be largely prevented by avoiding mosquito bites. Because of similar mosquitoes, birds, and climate to Europe, the potential for introduction to North America is possible.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christine M Gill
- Neuro-Infectious Diseases Group, Department of Neurology and Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Mail Stop B182, Research Complex 2, 12700 East 19th Ave., Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA
| | - Ronak K Kapadia
- Neuro-Infectious Diseases Group, Department of Neurology and Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Mail Stop B182, Research Complex 2, 12700 East 19th Ave., Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA
| | - J David Beckham
- Neuro-Infectious Diseases Group, Department of Neurology and Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Mail Stop B182, Research Complex 2, 12700 East 19th Ave., Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA
| | - Amanda L Piquet
- Neuro-Infectious Diseases Group, Department of Neurology and Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Mail Stop B182, Research Complex 2, 12700 East 19th Ave., Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA
| | - Kenneth L Tyler
- Neuro-Infectious Diseases Group, Department of Neurology and Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Mail Stop B182, Research Complex 2, 12700 East 19th Ave., Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA
- Department of Immunology-Microbiology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Daniel M Pastula
- Neuro-Infectious Diseases Group, Department of Neurology and Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Mail Stop B182, Research Complex 2, 12700 East 19th Ave., Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA.
- Department of Epidemiology, Colorado School of Public Health, Aurora, CO, USA.
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Wipf NC, Guidi V, Tonolla M, Ruinelli M, Müller P, Engler O. Evaluation of honey-baited FTA cards in combination with different mosquito traps in an area of low arbovirus prevalence. Parasit Vectors 2019; 12:554. [PMID: 31753035 PMCID: PMC6873520 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-019-3798-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2019] [Accepted: 11/08/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The threat of mosquito-borne diseases is increasing in continental Europe as demonstrated by several autochthonous chikungunya, dengue and West Nile virus outbreaks. In Switzerland, despite the presence of competent vectors, routine surveillance of arboviruses in mosquitoes is not being carried out, mainly due to the high costs associated with the need of a constant cold chain and laborious processing of thousands of mosquitoes. An alternative approach is using honey-baited nucleic acid preserving cards (FTA cards) to collect mosquito saliva that may be analysed for arboviruses. Here, we evaluate whether FTA cards could be used to detect potentially emerging viruses in an area of low virus prevalence in combination with an effective mosquito trap. Methods In a field trial in southern Switzerland we measured side-by-side the efficacy of the BG-Sentinel 2, the BG-GAT and the Box gravid trap to catch Aedes and Culex mosquitoes in combination with honey-baited FTA cards during 80 trapping sessions of 48 hours. We then screened both the mosquitoes and the FTA cards for the presence of arboviruses using reverse-transcription PCR. The efficacy of the compared trap types was evaluated using generalized linear mixed models. Results The Box gravid trap collected over 11 times more mosquitoes than the BG-GAT and BG-Sentinel 2 trap. On average 75.9% of the specimens fed on the honey-bait with no significant difference in feeding rates between the three trap types. From the total of 1401 collected mosquitoes, we screened 507 Aedes and 500 Culex females for the presence of arboviruses. A pool of six Cx. pipiens/Cx. torrentium mosquitoes and also the FTA card from the same Box gravid trap were positive for Usutu virus. Remarkably, only two of the six Culex mosquitoes fed on the honey-bait, emphasising the high sensitivity of the method. In addition, two Ae. albopictus collections but no FTA cards were positive for mosquito-only flaviviruses. Conclusions Based on our results we conclude that honey-baited FTA cards, in combination with the Box gravid trap, are an effective method for arbovirus surveillance in areas of low prevalence, particularly where resources are limited for preservation and screening of individual mosquitoes.![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadja C Wipf
- Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Socinstrasse 57, P.O. Box, 4002, Basel, Switzerland.,University of Basel, Petersplatz 1, P.O. Box, 4001, Basel, Switzerland.,Laboratory of Applied Microbiology, University of Applied, Sciences and Arts of Southern Switzerland, Via Mirasole 22a, 6501, Bellinzona, Switzerland
| | - Valeria Guidi
- Laboratory of Applied Microbiology, University of Applied, Sciences and Arts of Southern Switzerland, Via Mirasole 22a, 6501, Bellinzona, Switzerland
| | - Mauro Tonolla
- Laboratory of Applied Microbiology, University of Applied, Sciences and Arts of Southern Switzerland, Via Mirasole 22a, 6501, Bellinzona, Switzerland
| | - Michela Ruinelli
- Laboratory of Applied Microbiology, University of Applied, Sciences and Arts of Southern Switzerland, Via Mirasole 22a, 6501, Bellinzona, Switzerland
| | - Pie Müller
- Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Socinstrasse 57, P.O. Box, 4002, Basel, Switzerland. .,University of Basel, Petersplatz 1, P.O. Box, 4001, Basel, Switzerland.
| | - Olivier Engler
- Spiez Laboratory, Federal Office for Civil Protection, Austrasse, 3700, Spiez, Switzerland
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Infectious causes of peripheral facial nerve palsy in children-a retrospective cohort study with long-term follow-up. Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis 2019; 38:2177-2184. [PMID: 31372902 DOI: 10.1007/s10096-019-03660-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2019] [Accepted: 07/23/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to analyze the clinical and laboratory characteristics of children with peripheral facial nerve palsy (pFP) with a focus on identifying infectious etiology and long-term outcome. We conducted an ICD-10-based retrospective chart review on children hospitalized with pFP between January 1, 2006, and December 31, 2016. Furthermore, a telephone-based follow-up survey was performed. A total of 158 patients were identified, with a median age of 10.9 years (interquartile range 6.4-13.7). An infectious disease was associated with pFP in 82 patients (51.9%); 73 cases were classified as idiopathic pFP (46.2%). Three cases occurred postoperatively or due to a peripheral tumor. Among the infectious diseases, we identified 33 cases of neuroborreliosis and 12 viral infections of the central nervous system (CNS), caused by the varicella-zoster virus, human herpesvirus 6, herpes simplex virus, enterovirus, and Epstein-Barr virus. Other infections were mainly respiratory tract infections (RTIs; 37 cases). Children with an associated CNS infection had more often headache and nuchal rigidity, a higher cerebrospinal fluid cell count, and a longer length of hospital stay. Long-term follow-up revealed an associated lower risk of relapse in CNS infection-associated pFP. Among all groups, permanent sequelae were associated with female sex, a shorter length of hospitalization, and a lower white blood cell count at presentation. pFP is frequently caused by an CNS infection or is associated with concurrent RTIs, with a potential impact on the short- and long-term clinical course.
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Surveillance on antibodies against West Nile virus, Usutu virus, tick-borne encephalitis virus and Tribeč virus in wild birds in Drienovská wetland, Slovakia. Biologia (Bratisl) 2019. [DOI: 10.2478/s11756-019-00211-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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Zaaijer HL, Slot E, Molier M, Reusken CBEM, Koppelman MHGM. Usutu virus infection in Dutch blood donors. Transfusion 2019; 59:2931-2937. [PMID: 31270821 DOI: 10.1111/trf.15444] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2019] [Revised: 06/07/2019] [Accepted: 06/08/2019] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The screening of Dutch blood donations for West Nile virus (WNV) may be imminent, as WNV emerges in nearby countries and more donors travel to WNV-affected regions. Since 2016 the related, mosquito-borne Usutu virus (USUV) causes seasonal mortality in Dutch birds. To what extent will human USUV infections affect Dutch WNV donor screening? STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS From April through September 2018, plasma samples from blood donations in blackbird-rich regions were stored. When increased bird mortality was reported in August, samples from July, August, and September were tested for USUV-RNA in pools of eight, using a home-brew combined WNV/USUV-PCR assay. Reactive pools were deconstructed. Original plasma units and samples of previous and follow-up donations of reactive donors were tested for USUV- and WNV-RNA, and for antibody responses. RESULTS The number of USUV RNA-positive, WNV RNA-negative donations was 0 of 2688 donations in July, 6 of 4416 in August (1:736), and 1 of 4936 in September. The seven infected donors tested negative for USUV-RNA in preceding and follow-up donations. For 6 donors, seroconversion for USUV-antibodies was demonstrated. All index donations tested positive in a commonly used PCR-assay for WNV donor screening. Three exposed recipients did not show signs of infection. Screening a random subset of 1092 donations from September for USUV-IgG antibodies showed that 22 donors tested reactive; for three donors retrospective testing identified an USUV PCR-positive pre-seroconversion donation. CONCLUSION Seasonal USUV infection in Dutch blood donors is common. Cross-reactivity in molecular assays for WNV-screening occurs, but can be resolved using USUV- and WNV-specific PCR-primers and sequencing of viral RNA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hans L Zaaijer
- Laboratory of Blood-Borne Infections, Sanquin Blood Supply Foundation, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Ed Slot
- Laboratory of Blood-Borne Infections, Sanquin Blood Supply Foundation, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Michel Molier
- Laboratory of Blood-Borne Infections, Sanquin Blood Supply Foundation, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Chantal B E M Reusken
- National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, Bilthoven, the Netherlands.,Department of Viroscience, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Marco H G M Koppelman
- National Screening Laboratory, Sanquin Blood Supply Foundation, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
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West Nile Virus and Usutu Virus Co-Circulation in Europe: Epidemiology and Implications. Microorganisms 2019; 7:microorganisms7070184. [PMID: 31248051 PMCID: PMC6680635 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms7070184] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2019] [Revised: 06/20/2019] [Accepted: 06/25/2019] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
West Nile virus (WNV) and Usutu virus (USUV) are neurotropic mosquito-borne flaviviruses that may infect humans. Although WNV is much more widespread and plays a much larger role in human health, the two viruses are characterized by similar envelope antigens, clinical manifestations, and present overlapping in terms of geographic range of transmission, host, and vector species. This review highlights some of the most relevant aspects of WNV and USUV human infections in Europe, and the possible implications of their co-circulation.
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Sempere RN, Arias A. Establishment of a Cell Culture Model of Persistent Flaviviral Infection: Usutu Virus Shows Sustained Replication during Passages and Resistance to Extinction by Antiviral Nucleosides. Viruses 2019; 11:E560. [PMID: 31212939 PMCID: PMC6630443 DOI: 10.3390/v11060560] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2019] [Revised: 06/02/2019] [Accepted: 06/15/2019] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Chronic viral disease constitutes a major global health problem, with several hundred million people affected and an associated elevated number of deaths. An increasing number of disorders caused by human flaviviruses are related to their capacity to establish a persistent infection. Here we show that Usutu virus (USUV), an emerging zoonotic flavivirus linked to sporadic neurologic disease in humans, can establish a persistent infection in cell culture. Two independent lineages of Vero cells surviving USUV lytic infection were cultured over 82 days (41 cell transfers) without any apparent cytopathology crisis associated. We found elevated titers in the supernatant of these cells, with modest fluctuations during passages but no overall tendency towards increased or decreased infectivity. In addition to full-length genomes, viral RNA isolated from these cells at passage 40 revealed the presence of defective genomes, containing different deletions at the 5' end. These truncated transcripts were all predicted to encode shorter polyprotein products lacking membrane and envelope structural proteins, and most of non-structural protein 1. Treatment with different broad-range antiviral nucleosides revealed that USUV is sensitive to these compounds in the context of a persistent infection, in agreement with previous observations during lytic infections. The exposure of infected cells to prolonged treatment (10 days) with favipiravir and/or ribavirin resulted in the complete clearance of infectivity in the cellular supernatants (decrease of ~5 log10 in virus titers and RNA levels), although modest changes in intracellular viral RNA levels were recorded (<2 log10 decrease). Drug withdrawal after treatment day 10 resulted in a relapse in virus titers. These results encourage the use of persistently-infected cultures as a surrogate system in the identification of improved antivirals against flaviviral chronic disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raquel Navarro Sempere
- Life Science & Bioengineering Building, Technical University of Denmark, 2800 Kongens Lyngby, Denmark.
- Abiopep Sociedad Limitada, Parque Científico de Murcia, 30100 Murcia, Spain.
| | - Armando Arias
- Life Science & Bioengineering Building, Technical University of Denmark, 2800 Kongens Lyngby, Denmark.
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Dorko E, Bušová A, Csank T, Feketeová E, Rimárová K, Diabelková J, Čellár R, Bereš M, Gyuranecz M, Pistl J, Bakonyi T, Jenča A, Jenčová J, Petrášová A. West Nile virus - a new infection in the Slovak Republic? Cent Eur J Public Health 2019; 26 Suppl:S51-S55. [PMID: 30817874 DOI: 10.21101/cejph.a5287] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2017] [Accepted: 08/20/2018] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The aim of the study was to evaluate the seroprevalence of West Nile virus (WNV) among the variable population of Eastern Slovakia. METHODS A serologic survey was conducted using 464 serum samples. The basic demographic, epidemiologic and clinical information was obtained for each serum sample at the time of specimen collection. The presence of antibodies against WNV was investigated using a commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). All the ELISA positive samples were further analysed by a neutralization test with WNV and Usutu virus. RESULTS Three serum samples (0.65%) from the participants (N = 464) were considered positive for antibodies to WNV. A 29-year-old female was repeatedly exposed to mosquito bites working as a shepherdess and participating in many outdoor activities. Two other females (61 and 76 years old) were treated at the Department of Neurology due to monoparesis of the upper extremity, vertigo; both had a significant epidemiological history with frequent tick and mosquito bites and stay in an endemic region. CONCLUSIONS Although there was no evidence of WNV infection in the Slovak Republic, the epidemiological situation in the neighbouring countries warrants vigilance and appropriate measures, including the introduction of specific diagnostic tools into clinical practice. The constant monitoring of birds and mosquitoes also seems necessary.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erik Dorko
- Department of Public Health and Hygiene, Faculty of Medicine, Pavol Jozef Safarik University in Kosice, Kosice, Slovak Republic
| | - Andrea Bušová
- Department of Public Health and Hygiene, Faculty of Medicine, Pavol Jozef Safarik University in Kosice, Kosice, Slovak Republic
| | - Tomáš Csank
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Veterinary Medicine and Pharmacy, Kosice, Slovak Republic
| | - Eva Feketeová
- Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, Pavol Jozef Safarik University in Kosice and Louis Pasteur University Hospital, Kosice, Slovak Republic
| | - Kvetoslava Rimárová
- Department of Public Health and Hygiene, Faculty of Medicine, Pavol Jozef Safarik University in Kosice, Kosice, Slovak Republic
| | - Jana Diabelková
- Department of Public Health and Hygiene, Faculty of Medicine, Pavol Jozef Safarik University in Kosice, Kosice, Slovak Republic
| | - Róbert Čellár
- Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology of Locomotory Apparatus, Faculty of Medicine, Pavol Jozef Safarik University in Kosice and Louis Pasteur University Hospital, Kosice, Slovak Republic
| | - Matúš Bereš
- Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology of Locomotory Apparatus, Faculty of Medicine, Pavol Jozef Safarik University in Kosice and Louis Pasteur University Hospital, Kosice, Slovak Republic
| | - Miklós Gyuranecz
- Institute for Veterinary Medical Research, Centre for Agricultural Research, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Juraj Pistl
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Veterinary Medicine and Pharmacy, Kosice, Slovak Republic
| | - Tamás Bakonyi
- Department of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, University of Veterinary Medicine, Budapest, Hungary.,Viral Zoonoses, Emerging and Vector-Borne Infectious Group, Institute of Virology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria
| | - Andrej Jenča
- Department of Stomatology and Maxilofacial Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Pavol Jozef Safarik University in Kosice and Louis Pasteur University Hospital, Kosice, Slovak Republic
| | - Janka Jenčová
- Department of Stomatology and Maxilofacial Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Pavol Jozef Safarik University in Kosice and Louis Pasteur University Hospital, Kosice, Slovak Republic
| | - Adriána Petrášová
- Department of Stomatology and Maxilofacial Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Pavol Jozef Safarik University in Kosice and Louis Pasteur University Hospital, Kosice, Slovak Republic
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Ayadi T, Hammouda A, Beck C, Boulinier T, Lecollinet S, Selmi S. Flaviviruses in migratory passerines during spring stopover in a desert oasis. Zoonoses Public Health 2019; 66:495-503. [PMID: 31090178 DOI: 10.1111/zph.12584] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2018] [Revised: 04/10/2019] [Accepted: 04/17/2019] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Bird migration has long been hypothesized as the main mechanism for long-distance dispersal of flaviviruses, but the role of migratory birds in flaviviruses spillover is not well documented. In this study, we investigated the eco-epidemiology of West Nile virus (WNV) and Usutu virus (USUV) in trans-Saharan passerines during their spring stopover in southern Tunisian oases. To do, we combined oral swab analysis and serological tools to assess whether migratory birds could be reaching these stopover sites while infectious or have been previously exposed to viruses. All sampled birds tested negative for oral swab analysis. However, anti-WNV and anti-USUV antibodies were detected in 32% and 1% of tested birds, respectively. Among WNV-seropositive species, the Golden oriole (Oriolus oriolus) showed the highest anti-WNV occurrence probability. In this species, anti-WNV occurrence was twice larger in males than females. Inter-specific and intraspecific morphological, physiological and behavioural differences could explain these results. Although our findings did not show evidence for passerines migrating while infectious, they did not exclude an existing enzootic WNV transmission cycle in Tunisian oases. Further investigations including larger samples of migratory birds are needed for a better understanding of this issue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tasnim Ayadi
- Unité de Recherche 'Ecologie de la Faune Terrestre', UR17ES44, Faculté des Sciences, Université de Gabès, Gabès, Tunisia
| | - Abdesslem Hammouda
- Unité de Recherche 'Ecologie de la Faune Terrestre', UR17ES44, Faculté des Sciences, Université de Gabès, Gabès, Tunisia
| | - Ceclie Beck
- UPE, ANSES, Laboratoire de Santé Animale de Maisons-Alfort, UMR1161 Virologie, INRA, ANSES, ENVA, Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Thierry Boulinier
- Centre d'Ecologie Fonctionnelle et Evolutive, CNRS-Université de Montpellier UMR 5175, Montpellier, France
| | - Sylvie Lecollinet
- UPE, ANSES, Laboratoire de Santé Animale de Maisons-Alfort, UMR1161 Virologie, INRA, ANSES, ENVA, Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Slaheddine Selmi
- Unité de Recherche 'Ecologie de la Faune Terrestre', UR17ES44, Faculté des Sciences, Université de Gabès, Gabès, Tunisia
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Gratton R, Agrelli A, Tricarico PM, Brandão L, Crovella S. Autophagy in Zika Virus Infection: A Possible Therapeutic Target to Counteract Viral Replication. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:ijms20051048. [PMID: 30823365 PMCID: PMC6429311 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20051048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2019] [Revised: 02/21/2019] [Accepted: 02/23/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Zika virus (ZIKV) still constitutes a public health concern, however, no vaccines or therapies are currently approved for treatment. A fundamental process involved in ZIKV infection is autophagy, a cellular catabolic pathway delivering cytoplasmic cargo to the lysosome for degradation—considered as a primordial form of innate immunity against invading microorganisms. ZIKV is thought to inhibit the Akt-mTOR signaling pathway, which causes aberrant activation of autophagy promoting viral replication and propagation. It is therefore appealing to study the role of autophagic molecular effectors during viral infection to identify potential targets for anti-ZIKV therapeutic intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rossella Gratton
- Department of Advanced Diagnostics, IRCCS Burlo Garofolo, Via dell'Istria 65/1, 34137 Trieste, Italy.
| | - Almerinda Agrelli
- Laboratory of Immunopathology Keizo Asami (LIKA), Federal University of Pernambuco, Av. Prof. Moraes Rego, 1235-Cidade Universitária, 50670-901 Recife, Brazil.
| | - Paola Maura Tricarico
- Department of Advanced Diagnostics, IRCCS Burlo Garofolo, Via dell'Istria 65/1, 34137 Trieste, Italy.
| | - Lucas Brandão
- Department of Pathology, Federal University of Pernambuco, Av. Prof. Moraes Rego, 1235-Cidade Universitária, 50670-901 Recife, Brazil.
| | - Sergio Crovella
- Department of Advanced Diagnostics, IRCCS Burlo Garofolo, Via dell'Istria 65/1, 34137 Trieste, Italy.
- Department of Medical Surgical and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, Strada di Fiume 447, 34149 Trieste, Italy.
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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.
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Schibler M, Eperon G, Kenfak A, Lascano A, Vargas MI, Stahl JP. Diagnostic tools to tackle infectious causes of encephalitis and meningoencephalitis in immunocompetent adults in Europe. Clin Microbiol Infect 2019; 25:408-414. [PMID: 30654044 DOI: 10.1016/j.cmi.2018.12.035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2018] [Revised: 12/19/2018] [Accepted: 12/23/2018] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Encephalitis and meningoencephalitis imply inflammation of the brain parenchyma, and comprise many diagnostic entities, such as various infections and causes of dysimmunity. The cause remains unknown in around 50% of cases. OBJECTIVES To summarize the main infectious causes of encephalitis and meningoencephalitis acquired in Europe, and the diagnostic means to identify them. SOURCES PubMed, ECDC and WHO websites, personal experience. CONTENT The principal infectious causes of encephalitis and meningoencephalitis acquired in Europe in adults are discussed in this review, with special emphasis on the microbiological and imaging diagnostic approaches. The role of electroencephalography in diagnosing encephalitis is also mentioned. Among infections, viruses are more frequent than other pathogen types, and their epidemiology varies according to geographic area. A few bacteria, such as Listeria monocytogenes and Mycobacterium tuberculosis, are also to be considered. In contrast, parasites and fungi are rare encephalitis causes in Europe. IMPLICATIONS Identifying the causative pathogen of infectious encephalitis and meningoencephalitis is complex because of the variety of pathogens, the epidemiology of which is determined by geography and environmental factors. Furthermore, despite extensive microbiological testing, many cases of encephalitis remain of unknown origin. Brain magnetic resonance imaging and electroencephalography are useful complementary diagnostic tools, and newer unbiased sequencing technologies might help to fill in the diagnostic gap.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Schibler
- Infectious Diseases Division and Laboratory of Virology, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland.
| | - G Eperon
- Tropical and Humanitarian Medicine Division, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - A Kenfak
- Internal Medicine Service, Jura Bernois Hospital, Moutier, Switzerland
| | - A Lascano
- Neurology Division, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - M I Vargas
- Diagnostic and Interventional Neuroradiology Division, Geneva University, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - J P Stahl
- Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine, University Hospital, Grenoble, France
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The distribution of important sero-complexes of flaviviruses in Malaysia. Trop Anim Health Prod 2019; 51:495-506. [PMID: 30604332 DOI: 10.1007/s11250-018-01786-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2018] [Accepted: 12/13/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Flaviviruses (FVs) are arthropod-borne viruses of medical and veterinary importance. Numerous species of FVs have been isolated from various host; mainly humans, animals, ticks, and mosquitoes. Certain FVs are extremely host-specific; at the same time, some FVs can infect an extensive range of species. Based on published literatures, 11 species of FVs have been detected from diverse host species in Malaysia. In humans, dengue virus and Japanese encephalitis virus have been reported since 1901 and 1942. In animals, the Batu Cave virus, Sitiawan virus, Carey Island, Tembusu virus, Duck Tembusu virus, and Japanese encephalitis viruses were isolated from various species. In mosquitoes, Japanese encephalitis virus and Kunjin virus were isolated from Culex spp., while Zika virus and Jugra virus were isolated from Aedes spp. In ticks, the Langat virus was isolated from Ixodes spp. One of the major challenges in the diagnosis of FVs is the presence of sero-complexes as a result of cross-reactivity with one or more FV species. Subsequently, the distribution of specific FVs among humans and animals in a specific population is problematic to assess and often require comprehensive and thorough analyses. Molecular assays such as quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and digital droplet RT-PCR (ddRT-PCR) have been used for the differentiation of flavivirus infections to increase the accuracy of epidemiological data for disease surveillance, monitoring, and control. In situations where sero-complexes are common in FVs, even sensitive assays such as qRT-pCR can produce false positive results. In this write up, an overview of the various FV sero-complexes reported in Malaysia to date and the challenges faced in diagnosis of FV infections are presented.
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Ndiaye EH, Diallo D, Fall G, Ba Y, Faye O, Dia I, Diallo M. Arboviruses isolated from the Barkedji mosquito-based surveillance system, 2012-2013. BMC Infect Dis 2018; 18:642. [PMID: 30541472 PMCID: PMC6292156 DOI: 10.1186/s12879-018-3538-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2018] [Accepted: 11/20/2018] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND A mosquito-based arbovirus surveillance system was set up at Barkedji, Senegal after the first outbreak of Rift valley fever in West Africa in 1988. This system was recently updated using more sampling methods and collecting in greater number of ponds and villages sites. METHODS For the current study, mosquitoes were sampled biweekly between July and December 2012 and 2013 using CDC+CO2 light traps set at ground and canopy level, mosquito nets baited with goat, sheep, human or chicken, light traps baited with goat, sheep and chicken; bird-baited traps using pigeons or chickens placed either at the ground or canopy level. Collected mosquitoes were identified, pooled and screened for arboviruses. RESULTS A total of 42,969 mosquitoes in 4,429 pools were processed for virus isolation. Ten virus species were identified among 103 virus isolates. West Nile virus (WNV; 31 isolates), Barkedji virus (BARV; 18), Sindbis virus (SINV; 13), Usutu virus (USUV; 12), Acado virus (ACAV; 8), Ndumu virus (NDUV; 9), Sanar virus (SANV; 7), Bagaza virus (BAGV; 3), Rift valley fever virus (RVFV; 1), and Yaounde virus (YAOV; 1) were isolated from 9 ponds (91 strains) and 7 villages (12 strains). Only 3 virus species (WNV, NDU and SINV) were isolated from villages. The largest numbers of isolates were collected in October (29.1% of total isolates) and November (50.5%). Viruses were isolated from 14 mosquito species including Cx. neavei (69.9% of the strains), Cx. antennatus (9.7%), and Ma. uniformis (4.8%). NDUV, ACAV, and SINV are herein reported for the first time in the Barkedji area. Isolation of ACAV and SANV from a pool of male Ma. uniformis and USUV and BARV from a pool of male Cx. neavei, are reported for the first time to our knowledge. CONCLUSION Our data indicate that the Barkedji area is characterized by a high diversity of viruses of medical, veterinary and unknown importance. Arboviruses were first detected in July at the beginning of the rainy season and peaked in abundance in October and November. The Barkedji area, an enzootic focus of several potentially emerging arboviruses, should be surveilled annually to be prepared to deal with future disease emergence events.
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Affiliation(s)
- El Hadji Ndiaye
- Unité d’Entomologie Médicale, Institut Pasteur de Dakar, 36 Avenue Pasteur, BP 220 Dakar, Senegal
| | - Diawo Diallo
- Unité d’Entomologie Médicale, Institut Pasteur de Dakar, 36 Avenue Pasteur, BP 220 Dakar, Senegal
| | - Gamou Fall
- Unité des Arbovirus et Virus de Fièvres Hémorragiques, Institut Pasteur de Dakar, 36 Avenue Pasteur, BP 220 Dakar, Senegal
| | - Yamar Ba
- Unité d’Entomologie Médicale, Institut Pasteur de Dakar, 36 Avenue Pasteur, BP 220 Dakar, Senegal
| | - Ousmane Faye
- Unité des Arbovirus et Virus de Fièvres Hémorragiques, Institut Pasteur de Dakar, 36 Avenue Pasteur, BP 220 Dakar, Senegal
| | - Ibrahima Dia
- Unité d’Entomologie Médicale, Institut Pasteur de Dakar, 36 Avenue Pasteur, BP 220 Dakar, Senegal
| | - Mawlouth Diallo
- Unité d’Entomologie Médicale, Institut Pasteur de Dakar, 36 Avenue Pasteur, BP 220 Dakar, Senegal
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Stanley J, AuBuchon JP, Erickson Y, Waxman DA, Williamson PC, Bertuzis R, Huynh N, Duncan JR, Dyer N, Pate LL, Galel SA. Evaluation of a new West Nile virus nucleic acid test for screening of blood donations. Transfusion 2018; 59:623-628. [PMID: 30427542 PMCID: PMC7379961 DOI: 10.1111/trf.15022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2018] [Revised: 09/07/2018] [Accepted: 09/22/2018] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND West Nile virus (WNV) is transmitted to humans through mosquito bites and can be further transmitted to humans through transfusion or transplantation. Because most infected individuals are asymptomatic, blood donor screening is important in areas where WNV is endemic. These studies evaluated the performance of a new test for detection of WNV RNA in blood donations. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS Analytical performance evaluation included sensitivity, specificity, inclusivity, and correlation. A clinical specificity study was conducted at four blood donor testing laboratories in parallel with the cobas TaqScreen WNV Test (Roche Molecular Systems, Inc.). RESULTS The 95% and 50% limit of detection for cobas WNV was 12.9 copies/mL (95% confidence interval [CI], 10.8–16.3) and 2.1 copies/mL (95% CI, 1.9–2.4) for WNV lineage 1, respectively, and 6.2 copies/mL (95% CI, 4.8–8.9) and 1.1 copies/mL (95% CI, 0.8–1.3) for WNV lineage 2, respectively. Clinical specificity was 100% in 10,823 donor samples tested individually (95% CI, 99.966%–100%) and 63,243 tested in pools of 6 (95% CI, 99.994%–100%). Samples of other members of the Japanese encephalitis virus serocomplex, including St Louis encephalitis, Japanese encephalitis, Murray Valley encephalitis, Usutu, and Kunjin viruses were detected by cobas WNV. CONCLUSION The cobas WNV test for use on the cobas 6800/8800 System, a fully automated test system, demonstrated high sensitivity and specificity and is suitable for the detection of WNV in blood donors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jean Stanley
- Medical and Scientific Affairs, Roche Molecular Systems, Inc., Pleasanton, California
| | | | | | | | | | - Rasa Bertuzis
- Medical and Scientific Affairs, Roche Molecular Systems, Inc., Pleasanton, California
| | - Nancy Huynh
- Medical and Scientific Affairs, Roche Molecular Systems, Inc., Pleasanton, California
| | - John R Duncan
- Medical and Scientific Affairs, Roche Molecular Systems, Inc., Pleasanton, California
| | - Nicole Dyer
- Medical and Scientific Affairs, Roche Molecular Systems, Inc., Pleasanton, California
| | - Lisa L Pate
- Medical and Scientific Affairs, Roche Molecular Systems, Inc., Pleasanton, California
| | - Susan A Galel
- Medical and Scientific Affairs, Roche Molecular Systems, Inc., Pleasanton, California
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High-throughput neutralization assay for multiple flaviviruses based on single-round infectious particles using dengue virus type 1 reporter replicon. Sci Rep 2018; 8:16624. [PMID: 30413742 PMCID: PMC6226426 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-34865-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2018] [Accepted: 10/27/2018] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Diseases caused by the genus Flavivirus, including dengue virus (DENV) and Zika virus (ZIKV), have a serious impact on public health worldwide. Due to serological cross-reactivity among flaviviruses, current enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for IgM/G cannot reliably distinguish between infection by different flaviviruses. In this study, we developed a reporter-based neutralization assay using single-round infectious particles (SRIPs) derived from representative flaviviruses. SRIPs were generated by transfection of human embryonic kidney 293 T cells with a plasmid encoding premembrane and envelope (prME) proteins from DENV1-4, ZIKV, Japanese encephalitis virus, West Nile virus, yellow fever virus, Usutu virus, and tick-borne encephalitis virus, along with a plasmid carrying DENV1 replicon containing the luciferase gene and plasmid for expression of DENV1 capsid. Luciferase activity of SRIPs-infected cells was well correlated with number of infected cells, and each reporter SRIP was specifically neutralized by sera from mice immunized with each flavivirus antigen. Our high-throughput reporter SRIP-based neutralization assay for multiple flaviviruses is a faster, safer, and less laborious diagnostic method than the conventional plaque reduction neutralization test to screen the cause of primary flavivirus infection. The assay may also contribute to the evaluation of vaccine efficacy and assist in routine surveillance and outbreak response to flaviviruses.
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Cheng Y, Tjaden NB, Jaeschke A, Lühken R, Ziegler U, Thomas SM, Beierkuhnlein C. Evaluating the risk for Usutu virus circulation in Europe: comparison of environmental niche models and epidemiological models. Int J Health Geogr 2018; 17:35. [PMID: 30314528 PMCID: PMC6186058 DOI: 10.1186/s12942-018-0155-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2018] [Accepted: 10/08/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Usutu virus (USUV) is a mosquito-borne flavivirus, reported in many countries of Africa and Europe, with an increasing spatial distribution and host range. Recent outbreaks leading to regional declines of European common blackbird (Turdus merula) populations and a rising number of human cases emphasize the need for increased awareness and spatial risk assessment. Methods Modelling approaches in ecology and epidemiology differ substantially in their algorithms, potentially resulting in diverging model outputs. Therefore, we implemented a parallel approach incorporating two commonly applied modelling techniques: (1) Maxent, a correlation-based environmental niche model and (2) a mechanistic epidemiological susceptible-exposed-infected-removed (SEIR) model. Across Europe, surveillance data of USUV-positive birds from 2003 to 2016 was acquired to train the environmental niche model and to serve as test cases for the SEIR model. The SEIR model is mainly driven by daily mean temperature and calculates the basic reproduction number R0. The environmental niche model was run with long-term bio-climatic variables derived from the same source in order to estimate climatic suitability. Results Large areas across Europe are currently suitable for USUV transmission. Both models show patterns of high risk for USUV in parts of France, in the Pannonian Basin as well as northern Italy. The environmental niche model depicts the current situation better, but with USUV still being in an invasive stage there is a chance for under-estimation of risk. Areas where transmission occurred are mostly predicted correctly by the SEIR model, but it mostly fails to resolve the temporal dynamics of USUV events. High R0 values predicted by the SEIR model in areas without evidence for real-life transmission suggest that it may tend towards over-estimation of risk. Conclusions The results from our parallel-model approach highlight that relying on a single model for assessing vector-borne disease risk may lead to incomplete conclusions. Utilizing different modelling approaches is thus crucial for risk-assessment of under-studied emerging pathogens like USUV. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12942-018-0155-7) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanchao Cheng
- Department of Biogeography, University of Bayreuth, Universitätsstr. 30, 95447, Bayreuth, Germany.
| | - Nils Benjamin Tjaden
- Department of Biogeography, University of Bayreuth, Universitätsstr. 30, 95447, Bayreuth, Germany
| | - Anja Jaeschke
- Department of Biogeography, University of Bayreuth, Universitätsstr. 30, 95447, Bayreuth, Germany
| | - Renke Lühken
- Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, World Health Organization Collaborating Centre for Arbovirus and Hemorrhagic Fever Reference and Research, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Ute Ziegler
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Institute of Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Südufer 10, 17493, Greifswald - Insel Riems, Germany
| | | | - Carl Beierkuhnlein
- Department of Biogeography, University of Bayreuth, Universitätsstr. 30, 95447, Bayreuth, Germany.,BayCEER, Bayreuth Center for Ecology and Environmental Research, Bayreuth, Germany
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