Prophylactic Administration of Gut Microbiome Metabolites Abrogated Microglial Activation and Subsequent Neuroinflammation in an Experimental Model of Japanese Encephalitis

Short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) are gut microbial metabolic derivatives produced during the fermentation of ingested complex carbohydrates. SCFAs have been widely regarded to have a potent anti-inflammatory and neuro-protective role and have implications in several disease conditions, such as, inflammatory bowel disease, type-2 diabetes, and neurodegenerative disorders. Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV), a neurotropic flavivirus, is associated with life threatening neuro-inflammation and neurological sequelae in infected hosts. In this study, we hypothesize that SCFAs have potential in mitigating JEV pathogenesis. Postnatal day 10 BALB/c mice were intraperitoneally injected with either a SCFA mixture (acetate, propionate, and butyrate) or PBS for a period of 7 days, followed by JEV infection. All mice were observed for onset and progression of symptoms. The brain tissue was collected upon reaching terminal illness for further analysis. SCFA-supplemented JEV-infected mice (SCFA + JEV) showed a delayed onset of symptoms, lower hindlimb clasping score, and decreased weight loss and increased survival by 3 days (p < 0.0001) upon infection as opposed to the PBS-treated JEV-infected animals (JEV). Significant downregulation of inflammatory cytokines TNF-α, MCP-1, IL-6, and IFN-Υ in the SCFA + JEV group relative to the JEV-infected control group was observed. Inflammatory mediators, phospho-NF-kB (P-NF-kB) and iba1, showed 2.08 ± 0.1 and 3.132 ± 0.43-fold upregulation in JEV versus 1.19 ± 0.11 and 1.31 ± 0.11-fold in the SCFA + JEV group, respectively. Tissue section analysis exhibited reduced glial activation (JEV group─42 ± 2.15 microglia/ROI; SCFA + JEV group─27.07 ± 1.8 microglia/ROI) in animals that received SCFA supplementation prior to infection as seen from the astrocytic and microglial morphometric analysis. Caspase-3 immunoblotting showed 4.08 ± 1.3-fold upregulation in JEV as compared to 1.03 ± 0.14-fold in the SCFA + JEV group and TUNEL assay showed a reduced cellular death post-JEV infection (JEV-6.4 ± 1.5 cells/ROI and SCFA + JEV-3.7 ± 0.73 cells/ROI). Our study critically contributes to the increasing evidence in support of SCFAs as an anti-inflammatory and neuro-protective agent, we further expand its scope as a potential supplementary intervention in JEV-mediated neuroinflammation.

Characterization of two Japanese encephalitis virus strains isolated in Thailand

Two strains of Japanese encephalitis (JE) virus were isolated from a pool of Culex tritaeniorhynchus captured in 1992 and another pool of Cx. vishnui captured in 1993, in Chiang Mai Area, Northern Thailand. These two strains, ThCMAr44/92 and ThCMAr67/93, could not be identified either as Nakayama or JaGAr01 subtype by the hemagglutination-inhibition (HI) and the neutralization (N) tests using immune sera raised against these standard JE virus strains. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction showed the presence of JE-specific conserved sequences in these strains. Sequencing of 240 nucleotides in their PrM gene region identified that these two strains belong to the genotype 1 of JE virus. Nucleotide and encoded amino acid sequences of their envelope glycoprotein gene revealed 98.8 and 99.8% identity, respectively. These two strains shared 77.8 to 87.7% homology in the nucleotide sequence and 90.0 to 98.8% homology in the amino acid sequence with other reported JE strains. Five strain-specific amino acid changes were noted in ThCMAr44/92 strain, while one in ThCMAr67/93. In addition, four common amino acid changes were found in both strains. Thus, the findings indicated that these two strains were structurally different from each other as well as different from all the reported strains which was in agreement with the serological tests by hemagglutination-inhibition and neutralization.

Virus-neuron interactions in the mouse brain infected with Japanese encephalitis virus

The virus-host interactions between Japanese encephalitis (JE) virus and mouse brain neurons were analyzed by electron microscopy. JE virus replicated exclusively in the rough endoplasmic reticulum (RER) of neurons. In the early phase of infection, the perikaryon of infected neurons had relatively normal-looking lamellar RER whose cisternae showed focal dilations containing progeny virions and characteristic endoplasmic reticulum (ER) vesicles. The reticular RER, consisted of rows of ribosomes surrounding irregular-shaped, membrane-unbounded cisternae and resembled that observed in JE-virus-infected PC12 cells, were also seen adjacent to the lamellar RER. The appearance of the reticular RER indicated that RER morphogenesis occurred in infected neurons in association with the viral replication. The fine network of Golgi apparatus was extensively obliterated by fragmentation and dissolution of the Golgi membranes and their replacement by the electron-lucent material. As the infection progressed, the lamellar RER was increasingly replaced by the hypertrophic RER which had diffusely dilated cisternae containing multiple progeny virions and ER vesicles. The Golgi apparatus, at this stage, was seen as coarse, localized Golgi complexes near the hypertrophic RER. In the later phase of infection, RER of infected neurons showed a degenerative change, with the cystically dilated cisternae being filled with ER vesicles and virions. Small, localized Golgi complexes frequently showed vesiculation, vacuolation, and dispersion. The present study, therefore, indicated that during the viral replication the normal lamellar RER which synthesized neuronal secretory and membrane proteins was replaced by the hypertrophic RER which synthesized the viral proteins. The hypertrophic RER eventually degenerated into cystic RER whose cisternae were filled with viral products. The constant degenerative change which occurred in the Golgi apparatus during the viral replication suggested that some of the viral proteins transported from RER to the Golgi apparatus were harmful to the Golgi apparatus and that increasing damage to the Golgi apparatus during the viral replication played the principal role in the pathogenesis of JE-virus-infected neurons in the central nervous system.

Analysis of computer-predicted antibody inducing epitope on Japanese encephalitis virus

Theoretical methods to delineate antibody inducing epitopes have been employed to predict antigenic determinants on envelope glycoprotein (gpE) of Japanese encephalitis (JE), West Nile (WN) and Dengue (DEN) I-IV viruses. A predicted region on JE virus gpE 74CPTTGEAHNEKRAD87 was synthesized, conjugated to KLH (KLH-peptide) and used in immunization of mice. A mouse monoclonal antibody (MoAb IVB4) reactive to the peptide was also found to react with native JE virus gpE. Characterization of the idiotypic (ID) determinants with the help of polyclonal domain-specific anti-ID antibodies revealed that polyclonal anti-KLH-peptide antibodies and MoAb IVB4 are flavivirus-cross-reactive to Hx and NHx domains, respectively. The region 74-87 in JE virus gpE has been mapped as a linking area between Hx and NHx domains. Reactivity of the peptide with sera from JE patients and vaccinees also indicated the feasibility of using predicted peptides for diagnostic and prophylastic purposes.

Persistence of Japanese encephalitis virus in the human nervous system

Immunological and virological evidence for persistence of Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) in the human nervous system is described in 16/323 (5%) laboratory-confirmed cases of Japanese encephalitis. In 9/16 patients, JEV specific IgM antibodies were detected in the CSF even at 50-180 days after the onset of symptoms. Similarly, in 7/16 patients, apart from IgM antibodies, viral antigen was also present in the CSF beyond the third week of illness and in one patient it could be detected even at 117 days. Infectious virus could be isolated from the CSF beyond the third week of illness in 3/16 patients. In one patient, JEV was isolated from the CSF on three consecutive occasions at 90, 110, and 117 days after onset of clinical symptoms. These findings suggest that JEV persists in the nervous system of a small proportion of patients.

Antiviral (RNA) activity of selected Amaryllidaceae isoquinoline constituents and synthesis of related substances

A series of 23 Amaryllidaceae isoquinoline alkaloids and related synthetic analogues were isolated or synthesized and subsequently evaluated in cell culture against the RNA-containing flaviviruses (Japanese encephalitis, yellow fever, and dengue viruses), bunyaviruses (Punta Toro, sandfly fever, and Rift Valley fever viruses), alphavirus (Venezuelan equine encephalomyelitis virus), lentivirus (human immunodeficiency virus-type 1) and the DNA-containing vaccinia virus. Narciclasine [1], lycoricidine [2], pancratistatin [4], 7-deoxypancratistatin [5], and acetates 6-8, isonarciclasine [13a], cis-dihydronarciclasine [14a], trans-dihydronarciclasine [15a], their 7-deoxy analogues 13b-15b, lycorines 16 and 17, and pretazettine [18] exhibited consistent in vitro activity against all three flaviviruses and against the bunyaviruses, Punta Toro and Rift Valley fever virus. Activity against sandfly fever virus was only observed with 7-deoxy analogues. In most cases, however, selectivity of the active compounds was low, with toxicity in uninfected cells (TC50) occurring at concentrations within 10-fold that of the viral inhibitory concentrations (IC50). No activity was observed against human immunodeficiency virus-type 1, Venezuelan equine encephalomyelitis virus, or vaccinia viruses. Pancratistatin [4] and its 7-deoxy analogue 5 were evaluated in two murine Japanese encephalitis mouse models (differing in viral dose challenge, among other factors). In two experiments (low LD50 viral challenge, variant I), prophylactic administration of 4 at 4 and 6 mg/kg/day (2% EtOH/saline, sc, once daily for 7 days, day -1 to +5) increased survival of Japanese-encephalitis-virus-infected mice to 100% and 90%, respectively. In the same model, prophylactic administration of 5 at 40 mg/kg/day in hydroxypropylcellulose (sc, once daily for 7 days, day -1 to +5) increased survival of Japanese-encephalitis-virus-infected mice to 80%. In a second variant (high LD50 viral challenge), administration of 4 at 6 mg/kg/day (ip, twice daily for 9 days, day -1 to +7) resulted in a 50% survival rate. In all cases, there was no survival in the diluent-treated control mice. Thus, 4 and 5 demonstrated activity in mice infected with Japanese encephalitis virus but only at near toxic concentrations. To our knowledge, however, this represents a rare demonstration of chemotherapeutic efficacy (by a substance other than an interferon inducer) in a Japanese-encephalitis-virus-infected mouse model.

Mutations in the envelope protein of Japanese encephalitis virus affect entry into cultured cells and virulence in mice

The nucleotide sequences of the envelope protein of the Kamiyama 1 strain of Japanese encephalitis (JE) virus and a passaged mutant (Kamiyama 2 strain) were determined. Two amino acid differences, Ser-Phe at residue 364 and Asn-Ile at residue 367, distinguished Kamiyama 2 from Kamiyama 1. Six neutralization-resistant variants were selected from these two strains using a JE species-specific monoclonal antibody with neutralization and hemagglutination-inhibition reactivities. All variants had a single amino acid substitution at residue 52 and significantly reduced reactivity with other JE species-specific monoclonal antibodies. The variants derived from Kamiyama 2 strain showed reduced virulence in 3-week-old mice after peripheral inoculation but were as virulent as the parent virus when inoculated intracranially. These variants also showed altered early virus-cell interaction but not replication and reproduction in Vero cells. These findings indicate that the mutations at residues 52, 364, and 367 affect early virus-cell interaction in Vero cells and virulence in mice.

Serological and virological studies of Japanese encephalitis in the Terai region of Nepal

In 1987 and 1990, serum samples were collected from people living in the two districts (Itahari and Chitwan) of the Terai region of Nepal. Antibodies against Japanese encephalitis (JE) virus in these sera were detected by the hemagglutination inhibition (HI) and neutralization (N) tests. By the HI test, 26 out of 172 (15.1%) sera from Chitwan and 15 out of 137 (10.9%) sera from Itahari showed positive titers. Higher positive rates were shown by the N test, where 46 out of 172 (26.7%) sera from Chitwan and 22 out of 137 (16.1%) sera from Itahari had antibodies against JE virus. A JE strain was isolated from a blood specimen of a pig raised in Kathmandu. When the nucleotide sequence of the pre-M region of the strain was compared to the same region of the other JE virus strains reported, the highest similarity was observed to the strains isolated in Nepal in 1985. These results suggest that the Terai region has been an epidemic area of JE.

Differences in fusogenicity and mouse neurovirulence of Japanese encephalitis viruses

The fusogenic capacity in AP-61 cell monolayers of 10 strains of Japanese encephalitis (JE) virus from different geographic locations was compared. One strain, isolated from Beijing (JE-Bei), did not fuse AP-61 cells after replication (fusion from within; FFWI), whereas all other strains fused these cells by 72 h post-infection. JE-Bei also readily established a non-cytolytic persistent infection in AP-61 cells. Differences in the envelope proteins of fusogenic and non-fusogenic virus were detected by haemagglutination-inhibition tests and by antigenic analysis using monoclonal antibodies. Yields of infectious virus in either AP-61 or Vero cell cultures were similar if JE-Bei was compared with the fusogenic strain (JE-Sar) but yields of haemagglutinin were 50-100 fold higher with the non-fusogenic virus, implying excessive generation of non-infectious particles. When added directly to AP-61 cell monolayers at pH6, only JE-Bei produced significant fusion from without (FFWO) presumably reflecting the larger quantity of antigen. Cell monolayers persistently infected with JE-Bei or monolayers treated with UV-inactivated JE-Bei, were resistant to superinfection with JE, West Nile and dengue 2 viruses but were susceptible to infection with the alphavirus Sindbis. When administered intracerebrally (I/C) to newborn and weanling mice, the viruses were equally neurovirulent. However, fusogenic JE-Sar was significantly more neurovirulent than JE-Bei for weanling mice after intraperitoneal (I/P) or subcutaneous (S/C) inoculation. Mice given non-fusogenic JE-Bei, resisted the peritoneal challenge with fusogenic JE-Sar, and West Nile but not Semliki Forest virus when given 6 h after the first virus. The potential significance of cell fusion by JE virus and interference through over production of non-infectious virus, is discussed in the context of JE virus virulence.

Surveillance for Japanese encephalitis in villages near Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India

A simple dusk index was developed to monitor the density of recognized vectors of Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) based on hand catches around cattlesheds at dusk and parous rates. When used routinely in combination with sentinel animal studies for surveillance in villages with a high prevalence (46.2%) of neutralizing antibodies against JEV in children under 16 years, there was a peak in vector density and virus activity during the north-east monsoon period, October-December. The reasons for an unusual outbreak of cases of encephalitis during the summer months of 1984 are discussed.

[Dependency of Japanese encephalitis virus neurotropism on neuronal immaturity of rat cerebral cortex]

It is generally accepted that, the younger an animal is, the more susceptible it is to Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) infection. A time-kinetic study of JEV antigen in the developing rat brain after infection disclosed that in the motor cortex, neurons were diffusely infected with JEV until the age of 5 days. However, on exposure from the 6th to 7th day, only the neurons of the upper layers were infected; those of the deeper layers remained uninfected. On the 8th day, the infection was limited to the superficial neurons, and from the 9th day onward, no neurons were infected. Since neuronal maturation in the motor cortex begins in the deeper layers and extends to the upper layers, it seems that JEV targets immature neurons. Fifteen-day-old rats, which were resistant to JEV infection, received intracerebral transplants of neurons taken from 19th-day embryos. When these animals were infected with JEV at 3 days after transplantation, viral antigen was detected only in the transplanted neurons; the host neurons were negative. However, when animals were infected with JEV at 9 days after transplantation, neither host neurons nor donor neurons became infected. This showed that JEV attacked embryonal neurons only early after transplantation into young-adult brains. JEV infectivity limited to the immature neurons was also confirmed by in vitro explant culture experiments. It can be concluded from these experiments that the susceptibility to JEV infection in the rat brain is closely associated with neuronal immaturity.

Studies on Japanese encephalitis vectors in Indonesia

Entomologic surveys indicated that JE vectors in Indonesia are Cx. tritaeniorhyncus and Cx. gelidus. In most study areas, the former were predominant among all the culicine mosquitoes. The seasonal abundance of the two JE vector species was correlated significantly with the rainfall. The virus activity was parallel to the seasonal fluctuation of the vectors suggesting that the transmission of the disease would depend on the population dynamics of the vectors.

Vectors of Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV): species complexes of the vectors

The vectors of JEV are Cx. tritaeniorhynchus, Cx. vishnui, Cx. pseudovishnui, Cx. gelidus, Cx. fuscocephala, Cx. quinquefasciatus, Cx. pipiens pallens, Cx. bitaeniorhynchus, Cx. annulirostris, Aedes togoi, Ae. japonicus, Ae. vexans nipponii, Anopheles annularis and An. vagus. Cx. tritaeniorhynchus is in the tritaeniorhynchus complex, breeds in rice fields, ground pools in vast areas. Two types of mating behavior, eurygamy and moderate stenogamy were detected. In the case of the eurygamy type, the mosquitoes were from Southern Thailand and hilly areas near Kanchanaburi, Thailand. Female mosquitoes are usually dark in color, the cibarial armature has rod teeth and the posterior end of the cibarial armature is bowl shaped with a typical rim. The rim of the bowl is everted. The moderate stenogamy type were mosquitoes from the plain areas such as Bangkok, Ayutthaya, Suphan Buri and Saraburi. The posterior end of the cibarial armature is bowl shaped with a stout rim. The larvae were characteristic in their siphon index, antennal index, hair O of prothoracic segment, and comb scale number and arrangement. Cx. tritaeniorhynchus summorosus from Japan, Los Banos and Luzon, Philippines, differed from Cx. tritaeniorhynchus in that on the lateral plate of the phallosome tritaeniorhynchus teeth are somewhat weakly developed and only gently curved whereas in tritaeniorhynchus summorosus they are strongly developed, considerably longer, and sharply recurved. The siphons of larvae are short, the sides parallel and the apex truncate in tritaeniorhynchus whereas in tritaeniorhynchus summorosus they are long and slender. Cx. tritaeniorhynchus var. siamensis is possibly present. Colonies have been maintained in the Department of Medical Entomology for 31 generations. The characteristics are in hair O (short, less than 20 branches, and without secondary branching and the larval siphon (short and broad where the others are long). Cx. vishnui and Cx. pseudovishnui are in the vishnui complex. Cx. quinquefasciatus and Cx. pipiens pallens are in the Cx. pipiens complex comprising: (1) Cx. pipiens; (2) Cx. quinquefasciatus Say; (3) Cx. molestus Forskal; (4) Cx. pipiens pallens; (5) Cx. australicus; (6) Cx. globocoxitus. Anopheles annularis is a species complex evidenced by two types of polytene chromosomes.

Antibody-dependent enhancement of yellow fever and Japanese encephalitis virus neurovirulence

Antibody-dependent enhancement of yellow fever virus neurovirulence, as measured by a reduction in the average survival time of groups of mice, was demonstrated with wild-type or vaccine strains of yellow fever virus and with Japanese encephalitis virus using intraperitoneally administered monoclonal antibodies specific for the viral E glycoprotein of yellow fever virus. Enhancement of virulence could be induced by neutralizing, non-neutralizing or protective antibodies if the virus was allowed to establish a productive infection in the mouse brain before the antibody was administered. The implications of antibody-dependent enhancement in flaviviruses are discussed.

An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay to characterize dengue infections where dengue and Japanese encephalitis co-circulate

The diagnostic sensitivity and specificity of detection of anti-dengue IgM by antibody capture enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was investigated in dengue infections in a variety of clinical settings. Sera from uninfected controls were uniformly negative. Serial specimens from experimental and natural infections showed that viremia and fever terminated as anti-dengue IgM became detectable. Anti-dengue IgM appeared in most cases by the 3rd afebrile day of illness and declined to undetectable levels after 30-60 days. Assay sensitivity was 78% in admission sera (924/1,183; 95% CI = 75-81%) and 97% in paired sera (1,030/1,062; 95% CI = 96-98%) thus exceeding or matching the performance of the hemagglutination-inhibition assay. Measurement of the anti-dengue IgM to anti-Japanese encephalitis IgM ratio correctly identified all sera from 112 patients with strictly defined Japanese encephalitis and 98% (307/312; 95% CI = 96-99%) of sera from patients whose dengue infections were confirmed by virus isolation. Dengue infections could be classified as primary or secondary by determining the ratio of units of dengue IgM to IgG antibody. We propose that measurement of dengue and Japanese encephalitis IgM and IgG antibodies upon admission and discharge from hospital care should replace the hemagglutination inhibition assay as the standard dengue serologic technique in regions where these 2 viruses co-circulate.

Evidence for latency of Japanese encephalitis virus in T lymphocytes

Activation of latent Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) in the spleen has been studied by co-cultivation with allogeneic or syngeneic cells. Activated virus was isolated by co-cultivation from T lymphocytes of spleen, as shown by indirect immunofluorescence or by inoculation into mice. The B lymphocytes and macrophages of latently infected mice did not reactivate the virus. A higher proportion of Lyt 1 cells than Lyt 2 cells were harbouring JEV as shown by indirect immunofluorescence. The spleen cells from latently infected mice elicited the lymphoproliferative response but this was much lower than that observed in the controls. These findings suggest the establishment of latent JEV infection in T lymphocytes.

Absence of viraemia in cattle after experimental infection with Japanese encephalitis virus

Cow calves were infected with Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) by parenteral inoculation. One batch was reinfected with JEV, followed by West Nile virus (WNV), while another batch was reinfected directly with WNV. No viraemia due to either JEV or WNV was demonstrated in any of the calves. Culex tritaeniorhynchus mosquitoes fed on 4 of the calves infected with JEV during the first 10 d had no detectable virus, nor did they transmit the virus by bite to susceptible baby chickens. In another experiment, calves did not develop viraemia after infected C. tritaeniorhynchus mosquitoes were allowed to feed on them. Neutralizing and/or haemagglutination-inhibiting antibodies against JEV were demonstrated in 6 of the 11 calves, which explains the high proportion of JE seropositives among cattle in India. All the 5 calves that were infected with WNV subsequent to JEV developed neutralizing and haemagglutination-inhibiting antibodies against WNV also. The study indicates that cattle do not play a role in the maintenance of JEV in nature.

Immunopathological study of spleen during Japanese encephalitis virus infection in mice

Following intraperitoneal inoculation, Japanese encephalitis virus replicated in peritoneal macrophages, appeared on day 3 in the splenic macrophages of the perifollicular region and later in cells of the periarteriolar lymphoid sheath (PALS) as shown by indirect immunofluorescence. Productive JEV infection was observed both in macrophages and T-cells. Morphological study of spleen during JEV infection revealed proliferative changes, with increased number of macrophages from day 3 p.i. in the perifollicular region followed by accumulation of polymorphonuclear leucocytes which reached a maximum on day 9 p.i. The T dependent areas were considerably enlarged by day 9 and gradually reduced in size by week 3. At later periods germinal centres appeared in the T independent area and were prominent by day 15. The cells containing virus antigen disappeared with the appearance of germinal centres, thus indicating the role of the latter also in virus clearance.

Japanese encephalitis--an important cause of acute childhood encephalopathy in Lucknow, India

Eighty-six randomly selected children between 6 months and 12 years of age admitted with acute unexplained encephalopathy over a one year period were examined for evidence of Japanese encephalitis. One or more indicators of the infection were present in 36 (41.8%). Viral isolation from brain tissue was possible in 2 of 12 patients and from cerebrospinal fluid in 19 out of 62 patients. Serological evidence of probable Japanese encephalitis was found in 21 out of 36 patients. Japanese encephalitis is an important cause of acute childhood encephalopathy in the Lucknow area, where it is probably endemic.

Maturation process of Japanese encephalitis virus in cultured mosquito cells in vitro and mouse brain cells in vivo

The maturation process of Japanese encephalitis (JE) virus in C6/36 cells in vitro and in mouse brain cells in vivo was studied by electron microscopy. In the C6/36 cell infection, 500 to 2250 virions per cell were released into the medium during the period of study; yet, no virus budding process was observed at the host cell membranes. JE virions at various maturation stages appeared within the cisternae of rough endoplasmic reticulum (RER) of infected cells at 24 hours p.i.; and, although C6/36 cells did not show a well-developed Golgi apparatus, the virions appeared to be carried to the cell surface within host-cell secretory vesicles for extracellular release as early as 24 hours p.i. The occurrence of a secretory-type intracellular transport of maturing JE virus particles was well recognizable in brain cells of infected mice, in which JE virus particles were found almost exclusively in the cisternae of RER, in the Golgi apparatus, and in various vesicles, including coated vesicles, in the vicinity of the Golgi apparatus. Our previous study of dengue-2 virus morphogenesis and our present study of JE virus morphogenesis differed substantially at various stages of maturation. Possible mechanisms which explain these differences were discussed.

Isolation of Japanese encephalitis virus from clinical specimens using a continuous mosquito cell line

During the 1983 Japanese encephalitis (JE) epidemic in northern Thailand, we systematically attempted to isolate JE virus (JEV) from clinical specimens collected from 49 consecutive JE patients at 1 provincial hospital. Fresh acute plasma and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples and postmortem brain samples were immediately inoculated onto cultured monolayers of Aedes pseudoscutellaris (LSTM-AP-61) cells which had been shipped to the epidemic site. None of 49 plasma samples yielded virus. None of 30 fresh CSF samples from nonfatal cases yielded virus, but 5 of 15 (33%) CSF samples from fatal cases did. Inoculation of fresh brain specimens obtained at autopsy yielded virus in every case attempted (7 of 7), whereas postmortem needle biopsy specimens of brain yielded virus in only 1 of 4 cases. Isolates were most frequently successful using thalamic tissue (6 of 7 cases), but isolates were also commonly obtained from frontal cortex (4/7), occipital cortex (4/7), cerebellum (4/7), medulla (4/7) and pons (2/7).

Persistence, latency and reactivation of Japanese encephalitis virus infection in mice

Persistent and latent Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) infection was studied in pregnant and non-pregnant mice. Following intraperitoneal inoculation into pregnant mice JEV persisted for 16 weeks in contrast to 4 weeks in non-pregnant mice. This was followed by a higher frequency of latent infection in pregnant mice. The virus could be reactivated during pregnancy or by cyclophosphamide treatment, the latter being more effective.

Virus isolations from mosquitoes collected during the 1982 Japanese encephalitis epidemic in northern Thailand

From 16 June to 15 August, 1982 CDC light traps were used to collect mosquitoes in the province of Kamphaengphet, N. Thailand. 353,042 mosquitoes comprising 59 species were collected and identified, and 345,173 were placed in pools for attempted virus isolation by inoculation of C6/36 Aedes albopictus mosquito cell cultures. Viruses were isolated from 63 mosquito pools. These comprised 56 flaviviruses, identified as 35 isolates of Japanese encephalitis (JE) virus strains, 18 strains of Tembusu (TEM) virus and three untyped flaviviruses (FLA); three alphaviruses, identified as the first isolates of Getah (GET) virus to have been made in Thailand; and four viruses which are still unidentified. Most virus isolates were from Culex tritaeniorhynchus mosquitoes collected in carbon dioxide baited light traps. JE virus was isolated only over a ten-day period and the last isolate was obtained one week before the peak of admission of human encephalitis cases at Kamphaengphet Provincial Hospital. Rapid screening of isolates grown on Ae. pseudoscutellaris (LSTM-AP-61) mosquito cells by indirect immunofluorescence using flavivirus group-specific and JE-specific monoclonal antibodies showed a high degree of correlation with plaque reduction neutralization tests. An antigen capture enzyme immunoassay (EIA) test successfully identified about 50% of the JE virus positive pools, but the method saved considerable processing time.

Fatal outcome in Japanese encephalitis

Forty-nine consecutive patients with laboratory-confirmed acute Japanese encephalitis were studied to identify risk factors present at hospital admission which were associated with a fatal outcome. Sixteen patients (33%) died. The following constellation of findings correlated with a fatal outcome: infectious virus in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), low levels of Japanese encephalitis virus-specific IgG and IgM in both CSF and serum, and a severely depressed sensorium. Age, sex, days ill before admission, distance from home to the hospital, past medical history, CSF protein content, and CSF leukocyte count were not significant risk factors. Among patients hospitalized for acute Japanese encephalitis, a vigorous virus-specific immunoglobulin response, both systemically and locally within the central nervous system, is a good marker for survival, and may be an inherently important factor in recovery from illness.

Virus-specific antibody-producing cells in blood and cerebrospinal fluid in acute Japanese encephalitis

During an epidemic of Japanese encephalitis (JE) in northern Thailand, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leukocytes and blood leukocytes from 28 patients with suspected JE were tested for spontaneous in vitro synthesis of antibodies to JE virus (JEV). Sixteen patients were subsequently proven to be infected with JEV. Supernatant fluids of three-day cultures of unstimulated peripheral blood mononuclear leukocytes or unstimulated unfractionated CSF leukocytes were tested for JEV IgM and IgG antibodies with isotype-specific "antibody capture" radioimmunoassays. Blood-derived leukocytes from all sixteen JEV-infected patients and CSF-derived leukocytes from four JEV-infected patients synthesized JEV antibodies. Blood-derived and CSF-derived leukocytes from all 12 patients with central nervous system infections caused by agents other than JEV uniformly failed to synthesize JEV antibodies. Virus-specific antibody-producing cells can be detected in the blood and CSF early in the clinical course of acute JE.

Beneficial role of a nonpathogenic orbi-like virus: studies on the interfering effect of M14 virus in mice and mosquitoes infected with Japanese encephalitis virus

M14 virus, isolated from Culex tritaeniorhynchus mosquitoes collected in a Beijing suburb, was identified as a noncytopathogenic orbi-like virus. It was found to interfere with the growth of Japanese encephalitis (JE) virus, a mosquito-borne virus which infects humans, pigs, and horses in much of Asia, including China. JE virus is transmitted by C. tritaeniorhynchus mosquitoes and causes encephalitis in humans and horses and abortion in pigs. Because it had potential as an interfering agent for the biological control of JE, the M14 virus was characterized and its interfering effect was studied in mice and in C. tritaeniorhynchus mosquitoes.

[Persistence of the Japanese encephalitis virus in L929 cells. Correlation of viral and cellular factors]

The paper presents the results of the study of the first stage of Japanese encephalitis (JE) virus persistence in cultures of L929 cells. The main parameters of the establishment and development of JE virus persistence in these cells characterizing the system as a chronically infected one. A possible role in the mechanism of persistence of various cellular and viral factors: interferon, ts-mutants, defective particles, was studied. Interferon was shown to be the main factor of virus carrier state perpetuation in the L-JE system. The role of defective particles, ts-mutants, and possible association of JE virus genome with nuclear DNA of L929 cells in the mechanism of persistence is discussed.

Primary viraemia responses of herons to experimental infection with Murray Valley encephalitis, Kunjin and Japanese encephalitis viruses

Rufous night herons, Pacific herons, little egrets and intermediate egrets were experimentally infected with Murray Valley encephalitis, Kunjin or Japanese encephalitis viruses. Viraemias of at least one day's duration were detected in all birds except two intermediate egrets inoculated with a very low dose of Kunjin virus and one rufous night heron inoculated with Japanese encephalitis virus. there was usually a viraemia of 3 to 5 days' duration commencing on the first or second day and continuing until day 5 or 6 and rarely until day 7. Maximum titres tended to be higher in young birds, up to 2-5 months of age (10(4)-10(5) mouse LD50/ml), than in older birds more than 8 months of age (10(3)-10(4) mouse LD50/ml). Significant differences in maximum viraemia titres were not observed in the different species or between Murray Valley encephalitis and Kunjin viruses. Japanese encephalitis viraemias were significantly lower, but this was probably due to the high mouse brain passage level of the strain used. The onset of viraemia was earlier in intermediate egrets than in rufous night herons inoculated with similar doses of Murray Valley encephalitis virus, but no difference in the susceptibility to infection was observed. With Kunjin virus there was a significant difference in the susceptibility of intermediate egrets and rufous night herons, with rufous night herons being more susceptible to infection with low doses of virus. This difference in threshold of infection, if it extends to other species with both Kunjin and Murray Valley encephalitis viruses, may, in part, be an explanation for the greater incidence of natural infections observed in rufous night herons compared with other species and orders of water birds.

Studies on Japanese encephalitis virus infection of reptiles. I. Experimental infection of snakes and lizards

Experimental infection of four species of snakes, Rhabdophis tigrinus tigrinus, Elaphe quadrivirgata, Elaphe climacophora and Agkistrodon halys, and five species of lizards, Takydromus tachydromoides, Eumeces latiscutatus, Eumeces barbouri, Eumeces marginatus oshimensis and Gekko japonicus, with Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) was carried out. Evidence of JEV multiplication in snakes was not obtained at least under the conditions used in the present study. All lizards except G. japonicus were infected with JEV by ip injection of virus suspension. The minimum infectious dose for a lizard was around 10(3) MLD50/0.05 ml, and this dose was considered to be proportional to the virus dose which is injected into a host by a vector mosquito at a single bite. Temperature dependence of JE virus growth in the lizards was demonstrated. JEV multiplied slower at 20 degrees C than at 26 degrees C, though the peak titers of viremia were equivalent in both groups of lizards kept at 20 degrees C and 26 degrees C. E. latiscutatus developed viremia with ip injection of a partially attenuated strain, Nakayama NIH which could not infect adult mice by peripheral inoculation. T. tachydromoides and E. latiscutatus were also infected by oral feeding of JEV infected mosquitoes. E. latiscutatus was infected by oral feeding of only one infected mosquito.

Studies on Japanese encephalitis virus infection of reptiles. II. Role of lizards on hibernation of Japanese encephalitis virus

A series of experiments on the role of lizards as overwintering hosts of Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) was carried out. Two species of lizards, T. tachydromoides and E. latiscutatus, 2 species of mosquitoes, Cx. p. fatigans and Cx. p. pallens, and 2 strains of JEV, JaGAr#01 and JaGAr 19461, were used in this study. Firstly transmission of JEV from infected mosquitoes to uninfected lizards and from infected lizards to normal mice by the bite of mosquitoes was demonstrated successfully. Cx. pipiens group mosquitoes were found to feed readily on lizards as compared to Cx. tritaeniorhynchus, the primary vector of JEV in Japan. Secondly simulated hibernation of JEV in lizards was carried out under indoor and outdoor conditions. In the outdoor hibernation, lizards were injected with JEV on October 14, 1968, entered in hibernation on October 19 and were recovered from hibernation on April 10, 1969. Viremias were demonstrated in the lizards for a few weeks in late April. Thirdly JEV isolation and HI antibody detection were attempted from blood samples of field-caught reptiles, 7 species of snakes and 3 species of lizards and among amphibians, 2 species of frogs. HI antibody against JEV was found at a rate of 14.3% from E. latiscutatus and 4.0% from T. tachydromoides, though JEV was not isolated from all the blood samples of these cold-blooded animals. The roles of lizards as overwintering hosts of JEV were discussed.

[Persistence of Japanese encephalitis virus clones in continuous HeLa cells]

Some virological and biological properties of the H-N and H-P systems (cells of HeLa line clone persistently infected with the Nakayama and Peking I strains of Japanese encephalitis virus, JE, respectively) were studied. A feature distinguishing these systems from all previously described models of persistent infection (PI) of vertebrate cells with JE virus consisted in the lack of visible signs of virus-specific degeneration of the cultures. Attempts to free PI cells from persisting viruses by changing cultivation conditions or with virus-specific antibodies failed. The "zone" phenomenon frequently observed in PI as well as resistance of the cultures to superinfection with isologous viruses only appeared to indicate the presence of interfering particles in the H-N and H-P systems.

[Modeling of persistent HeLa cell infections caused by different Japanese encephalitis virus clones]

The authors developed two models of persistent infections of a HeLa cell clone with mildly pathogenic clones of the Nakayama and Peking I strains of Japanese encephalitis virus. The distinguishing features of these models included the noncytocidal nature of the infectious process, predominance of the small-plaque phenotype, further decrease of the infectious properties of the persisting viruses. Altogether during the observation period 84 subpassages of each of the two systems were made without any visible signs of cell degeneration.

Aerosol stability and respiratory infectivity of japanese B encephalitis virus

Experiments were conducted to examine the aerosol stability and respiratory infectivity of Japanese B encephalitis virus. At 75 degrees F (about 24 degrees C), survival of the virus as aerosol was inversely related to relative humidity. After correction for physical decay, the mean virus half-lives of the virus were 28, 38, and 62 min at relative humiditis of 80, 55, and 30%, respectively. Virus recoveries as aerosol at 4 min aftr dissemination generally exceeded the theoretical limit of 100%, based on the amount disseminated, to suggest that the process of dissemination operated to deagglomerate or release bound virus from the tissue cells in suspension. Swiss-ICR mice and golden Syrian hamsters were highly susceptible to lethal infections after respiratory challenge. Hartley strain guinea pigs and Fisher-Dunning rats, although infected, based on seroconversion observations, survived the infections. Deaths occurred in squirrel monkeys only after exposure to a high aerosol dose of virus (10(6.0) plaque-forming units). Studies of the virus concentration dynamics and histopathological findings in mouse tissues after aerosol challenge supported a hypothesis for direct transport of virus across the foramina of the cribriform plate to the tissues of the central nervous system to produce primary encephalitis.

Transplacental infection with Japanese encephalitis virus

During a widespread epidemic of Japanese encephalitis, five pregnant women affected by the illness were observed. The diagnosis of Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) infection was established on the basis of clinical presentation, rising titers of hemagglutination-inhibiting antibody, and the presence of specific IgM antibodies. Two women aborted, two were delivered of apparently normal children, and the fate of one case is not known. From brain, liver, and placental tissues of one of the aborted fetuses, JEV was isolated. This appears to be the first report of human transplacental infection with JEV.

Large-scale purification of Japanese encephalitis virus from infected mouse brain for preparation of vaccine

Large volumes of Japanese encephalitis (JE) virus propagated in mouse brain can be easily purified by polyethylene glycol 6,000. By using the polyethylene glycol precipitation method, mouse hemoglobin was almost all separated from the viral suspension, and consequently the total amount of nonviral protein in the viral suspension decreased. The recovery of infectivity was about 100%. The removal of residual polyethylene glycol in the viral suspension was possible without difficulty by means of ethanol precipitation. This method is recommended as an initial step in large-scale purification of Japanese encephalitis virus propagated in mouse brain because it is simple, rapid, and inexpensive.

Japanese encephalitis virus in mosquito salivary glands

Culex tritaeniorhynchus and C. pipiens mosquitoes were infected with Japanese encephalitis virus either by intrathoracic injection or by membrane feeding. The virus maturation sites and the process of virus particle concentration in salivary gland cells were studied by electron microscopy. Occurrence of mature virions was primarily associated with intracytoplasmic viral matrices which were extraordinarily large and had a perinuclear location in C. pipiens mosquitoes. The other sign of virus replication was the proliferation of small spherical vesicles throughout the cytoplasm. It appeared that mature virions were entrapped in intracellular vacuoles and later released into the apical cavity of salivary gland cells through the fusion of these vacuoles with the apical plasma membrane. This process seemed to be associated with primary resynthesis of saliva in mosquitoes following blood feeding activity. Another type of shedding involved virus particles either singly or in mass being released directly through the apical plasma membrane. All of these events occurred only in cells of the lateral lobes of the salivary glands, which fact was confirmed by immunofluorescent staining of infected glands. The median lobe of mosquito salivary glands may have a minor or no role in the transmission of Japanese encephalitis virus.

Epidemiological studies on Japanese encephalitis in Kyoto City area, Japan. III. Seasonal prevalence of virus infections in several pig populations shown by virus recovery from engorged Culex tritaeniorhynchus summorosus

When vector mosquitoes engorged by feeding on pigs are tested for virus recovery after incubation for 7 to 10 days, the results may show mosquito infection itself. Therefore, seasonal prevalence of infection in each pig population can be estimated from course of the infection rate among mosquitoes. Many mosquitoes of the main vector of Japanese encephalitis virus, Culex tritaeniorhynchus summorosus, collected by light traps everyday or every other day in some pig sheds from 1967 to 1970 were tested for virus recovery after incubation. The tests were positive during about a month period each summer, and the peak infection rate was high being over 10%. The course of the mosquito infection showed a certain pattern with one or two peaks between the initial recovery and the highest peak. From the interval of 12 to 13 days after the first recovery to the peak, cyclic infection between the pig and the mosquito may occur at the same interval.

Persistence of virus-specific IgM and clinical recovery after Japanese encephalitis

We have searched for evidence of a chronic Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) infection in six Thai patients convalescing from acute Japanese encephalitis (JE) in whom JEV-specific IgM antibody was last detected 116 to 350 days after their acute illness. These six patients were compared with 94 other JE patients matched for age, sex and serological response and in whom JEV-specific IgM was either short-lived (less than 90 days) or not tested. All patients were evaluated for the presence or absence of seven abnormal neurological signs over a 1- to 2-year period. During the first 30 days of illness the mean numbers (+/- S.E.M.) of abnormal signs per patients for the IgM and control groups were 3.8 +/- 0.3 and 2.3 +/- 0.1, respectively (P less than 0.01). After 1 year the six IgM patients still had significantly more abnormal neurological signs than controls (1.3 +/- 0.3 and 0.6 +/- 0.1, respectively [P less than 0.01]). By 2 years, the IgM group showed no neurological impairment; examination of cerebrospinal fluids revealed no evidence of subclinical viral infections. The recovery of the six IgM patients between 1 and 2 years after their relatively severe acute illness suggests that IgM antibody persistence was related to acute virulence rather than chronicity of the JEV infection.