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Habarugira G, Moran J, Harrison JJ, Isberg SR, Hobson-Peters J, Hall RA, Bielefeldt-Ohmann H. Evidence of Infection with Zoonotic Mosquito-Borne Flaviviruses in Saltwater Crocodiles (Crocodylus porosus) in Northern Australia. Viruses 2022; 14:v14051106. [PMID: 35632847 PMCID: PMC9144604 DOI: 10.3390/v14051106] [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: 04/28/2022] [Revised: 05/18/2022] [Accepted: 05/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The risk of flavivirus infections among the crocodilian species was not recognised until West Nile virus (WNV) was introduced into the Americas. The first outbreaks caused death and substantial economic losses in the alligator farming industry. Several other WNV disease episodes have been reported in crocodilians in other parts of the world, including Australia and Africa. Considering that WNV shares vectors with other flaviviruses, crocodilians are highly likely to also be exposed to flaviviruses other than WNV. A serological survey for flaviviral infections was conducted on saltwater crocodiles (Crocodylus porosus) at farms in the Northern Territory, Australia. Five hundred serum samples, collected from three crocodile farms, were screened using a pan-flavivirus-specific blocking ELISA. The screening revealed that 26% (n = 130/500) of the animals had antibodies to flaviviruses. Of these, 31.5% had neutralising antibodies to WNVKUN (Kunjin strain), while 1.5% had neutralising antibodies to another important flavivirus pathogen, Murray Valley encephalitis virus (MVEV). Of the other flaviviruses tested for, Fitzroy River virus (FRV) was the most frequent (58.5%) in which virus neutralising antibodies were detected. Our data indicate that farmed crocodiles in the Northern Territory are exposed to a range of potentially zoonotic flaviviruses, in addition to WNVKUN. While these flaviviruses do not cause any known diseases in crocodiles, there is a need to investigate whether infected saltwater crocodiles can develop a viremia to sustain the transmission cycle or farmed crocodilians can be used as sentinels to monitor the dynamics of arboviral infections in tropical areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gervais Habarugira
- School of Veterinary Science, The University of Queensland, Gatton, QLD 4343, Australia;
| | - Jasmin Moran
- Centre for Crocodile Research, Noonamah, NT 0837, Australia; (J.M.); (S.R.I.)
| | - Jessica J. Harrison
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia; (J.J.H.); (J.H.-P.); (R.A.H.)
- Australian Infectious Diseases Research Centre, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Sally R. Isberg
- Centre for Crocodile Research, Noonamah, NT 0837, Australia; (J.M.); (S.R.I.)
| | - Jody Hobson-Peters
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia; (J.J.H.); (J.H.-P.); (R.A.H.)
- Australian Infectious Diseases Research Centre, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Roy A. Hall
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia; (J.J.H.); (J.H.-P.); (R.A.H.)
- Australian Infectious Diseases Research Centre, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Helle Bielefeldt-Ohmann
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia; (J.J.H.); (J.H.-P.); (R.A.H.)
- Australian Infectious Diseases Research Centre, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
- Correspondence:
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Mishra B, Aduri R. The RNA Secondary Structure Analysis Reveals Potential for Emergence of Pathogenic Flaviviruses. FOOD AND ENVIRONMENTAL VIROLOGY 2022; 14:10-29. [PMID: 34694573 DOI: 10.1007/s12560-021-09502-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2021] [Accepted: 10/12/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
The Flavivirus genus is divided into four groups: Mosquito-borne flaviviruses, Tick-borne flaviviruses, no-known vector flaviviruses, and Insect specific flaviviruses. Millions of people are affected worldwide every year due to the flaviviral infections. The 5' UTR of the RNA genome plays a critical role in the biology of flaviviruses. To explore any correlation between the topology of the 5' UTR and pathogenesis, a global scale study of the RNA secondary structure of different groups of flaviviruses has been conducted. We found that most of the pathogenic flaviviruses, irrespective of their mode of transmission, tend to form a Y shaped topology in the Stem loop A of the 5' UTR. Some of the current non-pathogenic flaviviruses were also observed to form Y shaped structure. Based on this study, it has been proposed that the flaviviruses having the Y shaped topology in their 5' UTR regions may have the potential to become pathogenic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bibhudutta Mishra
- Department of Biological Sciences, Birla Institute of Technology and Science Pilani, K K Birla Goa campus, Zuarinagar, South Goa, 403726, India
- Department of Zoology, Centurion University of Technology and Management, Bhubaneswar Campus, Khurda, Jatni, 752050, Odisha, India
| | - Raviprasad Aduri
- Department of Biological Sciences, Birla Institute of Technology and Science Pilani, K K Birla Goa campus, Zuarinagar, South Goa, 403726, India.
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3
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Leung C. A lesson learnt from the emergence of Zika virus: What flaviviruses can trigger Guillain-Barré syndrome? J Med Virol 2020; 92:2938-2945. [PMID: 32077499 DOI: 10.1002/jmv.25717] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2019] [Accepted: 02/13/2020] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
While Zika virus outbreaks raised the concern about rare viral infections in human, attention should also be paid to other Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) inducing viruses. This study aims to search for other flaviviruses likely to be associated with GBS. Amino acid (aa) sequence matching analysis was conducted to identify viruses molecularly similar to the Zika virus and human GBS-related proteins. A systematic review of clinical literature was performed to summarize the clinical findings of the GBS-associated flaviviruses identified in the aa sequence matching analysis. It was found that more than 10 pentapeptides were shared between 9 flaviviruses, Zika virus, and human GBS-related proteins. Twenty-six articles totaling 42 clinical cases were eligible for inclusion in the systematic review concerning the nine flaviviruses identified. While some patients showed signs of encephalitis, 5 out of 42 cases demonstrated typical GBS symptoms. Public health professionals should be aware of other GBS-associated flaviviruses and GBS cases with mild symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Char Leung
- Deakin University, Burwood, Victoria, Australia
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4
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Gyawali N, Taylor-Robinson AW, Bradbury RS, Pederick W, Faddy HM, Aaskov JG. Neglected Australian Arboviruses Associated With Undifferentiated Febrile Illnesses. Front Microbiol 2019; 10:2818. [PMID: 31866981 PMCID: PMC6908948 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2019.02818] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2019] [Accepted: 11/20/2019] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Infections with commonly occurring Australian arthropod-borne arboviruses such as Ross River virus (RRV) and Barmah Forest virus (BFV) are diagnosed routinely by pathology laboratories in Australia. Others, such as Murray Valley encephalitis (MVEV) and Kunjin (KUNV) virus infections may be diagnosed by specialist reference laboratories. Although Alfuy (ALFV), Edge Hill (EHV), Kokobera (KOKV), Sindbis (SINV), and Stratford (STRV) viruses are known to infect humans in Australia, all are considered 'neglected.' The aetiologies of approximately half of all cases of undifferentiated febrile illnesses (UFI) in Australia are unknown and it is possible that some of these are caused by the neglected arboviruses. The aims of this study were to determine the seroprevalence of antibodies against several neglected Australian arboviruses among residents of Queensland, north-east Australia, and to ascertain whether any are associated with UFI. One hundred age- and sex-stratified human plasma samples from blood donors in Queensland were tested to determine the prevalence of neutralising antibodies against ALFV, BFV, EHV, KOKV, KUNV, MVEV, RRV, SINV, and STRV. The seroconversion rates for RRV and BFV infections were 1.3 and 0.3% per annum, respectively. The prevalence of antibodies against ALFV was too low to enable estimates of annual infection rates to be determined, but the values obtained for other neglected viruses, EHV (0.1%), KOKV (0.05%), and STRV (0.05%), indicated that the numbers of clinical infections occurring with these agents are likely to be extremely small. This was borne out by the observation that only 5.7% of a panel of 492 acute phase sera from UFI patients contained IgM against any of these arboviruses, as detected by an indirect immunofluorescence assay. While none of these neglected arboviruses appear to be a cause of a significant number of UFIs in Australia at this time, each has the potential to emerge as a significant human pathogen if there are changes to their ecological niches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Narayan Gyawali
- Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
- School of Health, Medical and Applied Sciences, Central Queensland University, Rockhampton, QLD, Australia
- Mosquito Control Laboratory, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Andrew W. Taylor-Robinson
- School of Health, Medical and Applied Sciences, Central Queensland University, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Richard S. Bradbury
- School of Health, Medical and Applied Sciences, Central Queensland University, Rockhampton, QLD, Australia
| | - Wayne Pederick
- School of Health, Medical and Applied Sciences, Central Queensland University, Rockhampton, QLD, Australia
| | - Helen M. Faddy
- Research and Development, Australian Red Cross Blood Service, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - John G. Aaskov
- Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
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5
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Gyawali N, Taylor-Robinson AW, Bradbury RS, Potter A, Aaskov JG. Infection of Western Gray Kangaroos ( Macropus fuliginosus) with Australian Arboviruses Associated with Human Infection. Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis 2019; 20:33-39. [PMID: 31556842 DOI: 10.1089/vbz.2019.2467] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
More than 75 arboviruses (arthropod-borne viruses) have been identified in Australia. While Alfuy virus (ALFV), Barmah Forest virus (BFV), Edge Hill virus (EHV), Kokobera virus (KOKV), Murray Valley encephalitis virus (MVEV), Sindbis virus (SINV), Ross River virus (RRV), Stratford virus (STRV), and West Nile virus strain Kunjin (KUNV) have been associated with human infection, there remains a paucity of data regarding their respective transmission cycles and any potential nonhuman vertebrate hosts. It is likely that these viruses are maintained in zoonotic cycles involving native animals rather than solely by human-to-human transmission. A serosurvey (n = 100) was undertaken to determine the prevalence of neutralizing antibodies against a panel of Australian arboviruses in western gray kangaroos (Macropus fuliginosus) obtained from 11 locations in the midwest to southwest of Western Australia. Neutralizing antibodies against RRV were detected in 25%, against BFV in 14%, and antibodies to both viruses in 34% of serum samples. The prevalence of antibodies against these two viruses was the same in males and females, but higher in adult than in subadult kangaroos (p < 0.05). Twenty-one percent of samples had neutralizing antibodies against any one or more of the flaviviruses ALFV, EHV, KOKV, MVEV, and STRV. No neutralizing antibodies against SINV and KUNV were detected. If this sample of kangaroo sera was representative of the broader Australian population of macropods, it suggests that they are common hosts for RRV and BFV. The absence or low seroprevalence of antibodies against the remaining arboviruses suggests that they are not prevalent in the region or that kangaroos are not commonly infected with them. The detection of neutralizing antibodies to MVEV requires further investigation as this virus has not been identified previously so far south in Western Australia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Narayan Gyawali
- School of Health, Medical & Applied Sciences, Central Queensland University, Rockhampton, Australia.,Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Andrew W Taylor-Robinson
- School of Health, Medical & Applied Sciences, Central Queensland University, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Richard S Bradbury
- School of Health, Medical & Applied Sciences, Central Queensland University, Rockhampton, Australia
| | - Abbey Potter
- Environmental Health Directorate, Public and Aboriginal Health Division, WA Department of Health, Perth, Australia
| | - John G Aaskov
- Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia
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6
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Gyawali N, Bradbury RS, Aaskov JG, Taylor-Robinson AW. Neglected Australian Arboviruses and Undifferentiated Febrile Illness: Addressing Public Health Challenges Arising From the 'Developing Northern Australia' Government Policy. Front Microbiol 2017; 8:2150. [PMID: 29163434 PMCID: PMC5681932 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2017.02150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2017] [Accepted: 10/20/2017] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The Australian Government is currently promoting the development of Northern Australia, with an associated increase in the local population. Consequent to this is the public health threat posed by heightened human exposure to many previously neglected arboviruses that are indigenous to the region. This initiative to support economic activity in the tropical north of the continent is leading to the accelerated expansion of an infection-naïve human population into hitherto un-encountered ecosystems inhabited by reservoir animals and vectors for these arboviruses. Combined with an apparent rise in the number and impact of dramatic climate events, such as tropical cyclones and floods caused by torrential monsoonal rainfall, this heightens the potential for viral transmission to humans. More than 75 arboviruses have been identified in Australia, some of which are associated with human disease but for which routine tests are not available to diagnose infection. Here, we describe briefly the neglected Australian arboviruses that are most likely to emerge as significant agents of human disease in the coming decades. We also advocate the establishment of a thorough surveillance and diagnostic protocol, including developing new pan-viral rapid tests for primary care use to assist in the early diagnosis and correct treatment of affected patients. We propose that the implementation of these activities will enhance our understanding of the geographical range, prevalence, identification and control of neglected Australian arboviruses. This would minimise and limit the possibility of large-scale outbreaks with these agents as population and economic growth expands further into Australia's tropical north.
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Affiliation(s)
- Narayan Gyawali
- Infectious Diseases Research Group, School of Health, Medical and Applied Sciences, Central Queensland University, Rockhampton, QLD, Australia
- Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Richard S. Bradbury
- Infectious Diseases Research Group, School of Health, Medical and Applied Sciences, Central Queensland University, Rockhampton, QLD, Australia
| | - John G. Aaskov
- Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Andrew W. Taylor-Robinson
- Infectious Diseases Research Group, School of Health, Medical and Applied Sciences, Central Queensland University, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
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7
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Gyawali N, Taylor-Robinson AW. Confronting the Emerging Threat to Public Health in Northern Australia of Neglected Indigenous Arboviruses. Trop Med Infect Dis 2017; 2:E55. [PMID: 30270912 PMCID: PMC6082055 DOI: 10.3390/tropicalmed2040055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2017] [Revised: 10/06/2017] [Accepted: 10/12/2017] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
In excess of 75 arboviruses have been identified in Australia, some of which are now well established as causative agents of debilitating diseases. These include Ross River virus, Barmah Forest virus, and Murray Valley encephalitis virus, each of which may be detected by both antibody-based recognition and molecular typing. However, for most of the remaining arboviruses that may be associated with pathology in humans, routine tests are not available to diagnose infection. A number of these so-called 'neglected' or 'orphan' arboviruses that are indigenous to Australia might have been infecting humans at a regular rate for decades. Some of them may be associated with undifferentiated febrile illness-fever, the cause of which is not obvious-for which around half of all cases each year remain undiagnosed. This is of particular relevance to Northern Australia, given the Commonwealth Government's transformative vision for the midterm future of massive infrastructure investment in this region. An expansion of the industrial and business development of this previously underpopulated region is predicted. This is set to bring into intimate proximity infection-naïve human hosts, native reservoir animals, and vector mosquitoes, thereby creating a perfect storm for increased prevalence of infection with neglected Australian arboviruses. Moreover, the escalating rate and effects of climate change that are increasingly observed in the tropical north of the country are likely to lead to elevated numbers of arbovirus-transmitting mosquitoes. As a commensurate response, continuing assiduous attention to vector monitoring and control is required. In this overall context, improved epidemiological surveillance and diagnostic screening, including establishing novel, rapid pan-viral tests to facilitate early diagnosis and appropriate treatment of febrile primary care patients, should be considered a public health priority. Investment in a rigorous identification program would reduce the possibility of significant outbreaks of these indigenous arboviruses at a time when population growth accelerates in Northern Australia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Narayan Gyawali
- School of Health, Medical & Applied Sciences, Central Queensland University, Rockhampton, QLD 4702, Australia.
- Institute of Health & Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD 4059, Australia.
| | - Andrew W Taylor-Robinson
- School of Health, Medical & Applied Sciences, Central Queensland University, Brisbane, QLD 4000, Australia.
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8
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Neglected Australian arboviruses: quam gravis? Microbes Infect 2017; 19:388-401. [PMID: 28552411 DOI: 10.1016/j.micinf.2017.05.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2017] [Revised: 05/15/2017] [Accepted: 05/16/2017] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
At least 75 arboviruses have been identified from Australia. Most have a zoonotic transmission cycle, maintained in the environment by cycling between arthropod vectors and susceptible mammalian or avian hosts. The primary arboviruses that cause human disease in Australia are Ross River, Barmah Forest, Murray Valley encephalitis, Kunjin and dengue. Several other arboviruses are associated with human disease but little is known about their clinical course and diagnostic testing is not routinely available. Given the significant prevalence of undifferentiated febrile illness in Australia, investigation of the potential threat to public health presented by these viruses is required.
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9
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Smith DR. Waiting in the wings: The potential of mosquito transmitted flaviviruses to emerge. Crit Rev Microbiol 2016; 43:405-422. [PMID: 27800692 DOI: 10.1080/1040841x.2016.1230974] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
The sudden dramatic emergence of the mosquito transmitted flavivirus Zika virus has bought to the world's attention a relatively obscure virus that was previously only known to specialist researchers. The genus Flavivirus of the family Flaviviridae contains a number of well-known mosquito transmitted human pathogenic viruses including the dengue, yellow fever, Japanese encephalitis and West Nile viruses. However, the genus also contains a number of lesser known human pathogenic viruses transmitted by mosquitoes including Wesselsbron virus, Ilheus virus, St. Louis encephalitis virus and Usutu virus. This review summarizes our knowledge of these lesser known mosquito transmitted flaviviruses and highlights their potential to emerge.
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Affiliation(s)
- Duncan R Smith
- a Institute of Molecular Biosciences and Center for Emerging and Neglected Infectious Diseases, Mahidol University , Thailand
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10
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Macdonald J, Poidinger M, Mackenzie JS, Russell RC, Doggett S, Broom AK, Phillips D, Potamski J, Gard G, Whelan P, Weir R, Young PR, Gendle D, Maher S, Barnard RT, Hall RA. Molecular phylogeny of edge hill virus supports its position in the yellow Fever virus group and identifies a new genetic variant. Evol Bioinform Online 2010; 6:91-6. [PMID: 20938485 PMCID: PMC2901633 DOI: 10.4137/ebo.s4966] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Edge Hill virus (EHV) is a mosquito-borne flavivirus isolated throughout Australia during mosquito surveillance programs. While not posing an immediate threat to the human population, EHV is a taxonomically interesting flavivirus since it remains the only member of the yellow fever virus (YFV) sub-group to be detected within Australia. Here we present both an antigenic and genetic investigation of collected isolates, and confirm taxonomic classification of the virus within the YFV-group. Isolates were not clustered based on geographical origin or time of isolation, suggesting that minimal genetic evolution of EHV has occurred over geographic distance or time within the EHV cluster. However, two isolates showed significant differences in antigenic reactivity patterns, and had a much larger divergence from the EHV prototype (19% nucleotide and 6% amino acid divergence), indicating a distinct subtype or variant within the EHV subgroup.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanne Macdonald
- Centre for Infectious Disease Research, School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Qld. 4072, Australia
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11
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Mackenzie JS, Williams DT. The Zoonotic Flaviviruses of Southern, South-Eastern and Eastern Asia, and Australasia: The Potential for Emergent Viruses. Zoonoses Public Health 2009; 56:338-56. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1863-2378.2008.01208.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 143] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
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12
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Affiliation(s)
- Goro Kuno
- Arbovirus Diseases Branch, Division of Vector-Borne Infectious Diseases, National Center for Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Fort Collins, Colorado 80522, USA
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13
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert E Shope
- Center for Tropical Diseases, University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Galveston, Texas 77555-0609, USA
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14
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van den Hurk AF, Nisbet DJ, Foley PN, Ritchie SA, Mackenzie JS, Beebe NW. Isolation of arboviruses from mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) collected from the Gulf Plains region of northwest Queensland, Australia. JOURNAL OF MEDICAL ENTOMOLOGY 2002; 39:786-792. [PMID: 12349863 DOI: 10.1603/0022-2585-39.5.786] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
As part of investigations into Japanese encephalitis (JE) virus and related flaviviruses in northern Australia, 153,529 mosquitoes were collected and processed for virus isolation from the Gulf Plains region of northwest Queensland. Collections from within 30 km of each of the townships of Croydon, Normanton and Karumba yielded 3,087 (2.0%), 66,009 (43.0%), and 84,433 (55.0%) mosquitoes, respectively, from which 16 viruses were isolated. Four isolates of Murray Valley encephalitis (MVE), two of Kunjin (KUN), three of Ross River (RR), and one of Sindbis (SIN) viruses were obtained from Culex sitiens subgroup mosquitoes. Molecular identification of the mosquito species composition of these virus positive pools revealed that most isolates were from pools containing mainly Culex annulirostris Skuse and low numbers of Culex palpalis (Taylor). Only three pools, one each of MVE, KUN, and RR, were from mosquitoes identified exclusively as Cx. annulirostris. Other viruses isolated include one Edge Hill virus from Ochlerotatus normanensis (Taylor), an isolate of SIN from Anopheles meraukensis Venhuis, two isolates of RR from Anopheles amictus Edwards, and single isolates of RR from Anopheles bancroftii Giles andAedes lineatopennis (Ludlow). The isolate of RR from Ae. lineatopennis was the first reported from this species. The public health implications of these isolations in the Gulf Plains region are discussed briefly.
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Affiliation(s)
- A F van den Hurk
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, School of Molecular and Microbial Sciences, University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Australia.
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15
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Mackenzie JS, Johansen CA, Ritchie SA, van den Hurk AF, Hall RA. Japanese encephalitis as an emerging virus: the emergence and spread of Japanese encephalitis virus in Australasia. Curr Top Microbiol Immunol 2002; 267:49-73. [PMID: 12083000 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-642-59403-8_3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- J S Mackenzie
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
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16
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The Effect of Climate on the Incidence of Vector-Borne Viral Diseases in Australia: The Potential Value of Seasonal Forecasting. APPLICATIONS OF SEASONAL CLIMATE FORECASTING IN AGRICULTURAL AND NATURAL ECOSYSTEMS 2000. [DOI: 10.1007/978-94-015-9351-9_26] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
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17
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Doggett SL, Russell RC, Clancy J, Haniotis J, Cloonan MJ. Barmah Forest virus epidemic on the south coast of New South Wales, Australia, 1994-1995: viruses, vectors, human cases, and environmental factors. JOURNAL OF MEDICAL ENTOMOLOGY 1999; 36:861-868. [PMID: 10593092 DOI: 10.1093/jmedent/36.6.861] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
In 1995, the largest recorded outbreak of human disease resulting from infection with the mosquito transmitted alphavirus Barmah Forest (BF) virus occurred along the south coast of New South Wales, Australia. The virus was first isolated in early January from mosquitoes collected at Batemans Bay and predisposed the recognition of 135 human clinical cases. The cases of BF virus were identified initially from Batemans Bay during late January, and the majority (30%) of all cases came from this town. After 5 wk, all major centers on the south coast had clinical patients. Aedes vigilax (Skuse) were especially abundant at Batemans Bay, with levels up to 8 times greater than normal. This species yielded 111 isolates and appeared to be the major vector of BF virus. Attempts to examine if BF virus was maintained in the field by vertical transmission within Ae. vigilax populations were unsuccessful; no evidence of vertical transmission with BF virus, nor any other arbovirus, was found in > 17,000 adults emerging from field-collected larvae from the region following peak virus activity. In addition to BF virus, other viruses were recovered from field-collected adult mosquitoes, including Ross River (10 isolates), Edge Hill (21), and Stratford (10). Ae. vigilax again yielded the majority of these viral isolates. The BF virus outbreak appeared to be associated with several factors. A lack of recent BF virus activity in the region provided a highly susceptible human population, and unusual weather conditions of above average rainfall coupled with high tides resulted in extraordinarily large populations of Ae. vigilax.
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Affiliation(s)
- S L Doggett
- Department of Medical Entomology, University of Sydney, Australia
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18
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Abstract
The two most common mosquito-borne viruses associated with epidemic polyarthritis and polyarticular disease are Ross River and Barmah Forest viruses, accounting for about 90% and 10%, respectively, of serologically confirmed cases. Occasional cases of polyarticular disease in Australia have been associated with infection by other mosquito-borne arboviruses, but the role of these viruses in human disease remains to be confirmed.
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Affiliation(s)
- J S Mackenzie
- Department of Microbiology, University of Queensland, Brisbane.
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Mackenzie JS, Lindsay MD, Coelen RJ, Broom AK, Hall RA, Smith DW. Arboviruses causing human disease in the Australasian zoogeographic region. Arch Virol 1994; 136:447-67. [PMID: 8031248 DOI: 10.1007/bf01321074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 194] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
Over 65 arboviruses have been reported from countries in the Australasian zoogeographic region, but only a few have been implicated in human disease. These include the flaviviruses Murray Valley encephalitis (MVE), Kunjin (KUN), Kokobera (KOK), and dengue, particularly types 1 and 2; the alphaviruses Ross River (RR), Barmah Forest (BF), and Sindbis (SIN); and the bunyaviruses, Gan Gan and Trubanaman. In this paper recent epidemiological and clinical results pertaining to these viruses are reviewed, with major emphasis on MVE and RR viruses. The extensive early studies of Australian arboviruses have been reviewed by Doherty [49, 50], and their ecology and vectors more recently by Kay and Standfast [87]. In addition, the biology of MVE and KUN [113] and RR [87, 114] viruses have been the subjects of more detailed reviews. The Australasian zoogeographic region is defined as countries east of the Wallace and Weber lines, two hypothetical lines in the Indo-Australian archipelago where the fauna of the Australasian and Oriental regions meet. Seroepidemiological studies of human arboviral infections have suggested that the Japanese encephalitis flavivirus and the chikungunya alphavirus occur only in the Oriental region, whereas the related MVE and RR viruses, respectively, are restricted to the Australasian region [85, 148]. Serological results from Wallacea, the zone between the Wallace and Weber lines, are not so clear-cut [85]. This review is therefore restricted to countries east of Wallacea, specifically New Guinea and Australia.
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Affiliation(s)
- J S Mackenzie
- Department of Microbiology, University of Western Australia, QU II Medical Centre, Nedlands
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