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Riccò M, Zaniboni A, Satta E, Ranzieri S, Cerviere MP, Marchesi F, Peruzzi S. West Nile Virus Infection: A Cross-Sectional Study on Italian Medical Professionals during Summer Season 2022. Trop Med Infect Dis 2022; 7:tropicalmed7120404. [PMID: 36548659 PMCID: PMC9786547 DOI: 10.3390/tropicalmed7120404] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2022] [Revised: 11/23/2022] [Accepted: 11/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
West Nile virus (WNV) has progressively endemized in large areas of continental Europe, and particularly in Northern Italy, in the Po River Valley. During summer season 2022, Italy experienced an unprecedented surge in incidence cases of WNV infections, including its main complications (West Nile fever (WNF) and West Nile neuroinvasive disease (WNND)). As knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of medical professionals may be instrumental in guaranteeing a prompt diagnosis and an accurate management of incident cases, we performed a cross-sectional study specifically on a sample of Italian medical professionals (1 August 2022-10 September 2022; around 8800 potential recipients). From a total of 332 questionnaires (response rate of 3.8%), 254 participating medical professionals were eventually included in the analyses. Knowledge status of participants was unsatisfying, as most of them exhibited knowledge gaps on the actual epidemiology of WNV, with similar uncertainties on the clinical features of WNF and WNND. Moreover, most of participants substantially overlooked WNV as a human pathogen when compared to SARS-CoV-2, TB, and even HIV. Interestingly, only 65.4% of respondents were either favorable or highly favorable towards a hypothetical WNV vaccine. Overall, acknowledging a higher risk perception on WNV was associated with individual factors such as reporting a seniority ≥ 10 years (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 2.39, 95% Confidence interval [95%CI] 1.34 to 4.28), reporting a better knowledge score (aOR 2.92, 95%CI 1.60 to 5.30), having previously managed cases of WNV infections (aOR 3.65, 95%CI 1.14 to 14.20), being favorable towards a hypothetic vaccine (aOR 2.16, 95%CI 1.15 to 4.04), and perceiving WNV infections as potentially affecting daily activities (aOR 2.57, 95%CI 1.22 to 5.42). In summary, substantial knowledge gaps and the erratic risk perception collectively enlighten the importance and the urgency for appropriate information campaigns among medical professionals, and particularly among frontline personnel.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matteo Riccò
- Occupational Health and Safety Service on the Workplace/Servizio di Prevenzione e Sicurezza Ambienti di Lavoro (SPSAL), Department of Public Health, AUSL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, 42122 Reggio Emilia, Italy
- Correspondence: or ; Tel.: +39-339-2994343 or +39-522-837587
| | | | - Elia Satta
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, 43126 Parma, Italy
| | - Silvia Ranzieri
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, 43126 Parma, Italy
| | | | - Federico Marchesi
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, 43126 Parma, Italy
| | - Simona Peruzzi
- Laboratorio Analisi Chimico Cliniche e Microbiologiche, Ospedale Civile di Guastalla, AUSL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, 42016 Guastalla, Italy
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Krett JD, Beckham JD, Tyler KL, Piquet AL, Chauhan L, Wallace CJ, Pastula DM, Kapadia RK. Neurology of Acute Viral Infections. Neurohospitalist 2022; 12:632-646. [PMID: 36147750 PMCID: PMC9485684 DOI: 10.1177/19418744221104778] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
As specialists in acute neurology, neurohospitalists are often called upon to diagnose and manage acute viral infections affecting the nervous system. In this broad review covering the neurology of several acute viral infections, our aim is to provide key diagnostic and therapeutic pearls of practical use to the busy neurohospitalist. We will review acute presentations, diagnosis, and treatment of human herpesviruses, arboviruses, enteroviruses, and some vaccine-preventable viruses. The neurological effects of coronaviruses, including COVID-19, are not covered in this review.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan D Krett
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - J David Beckham
- Department of Neurology and Division of Infectious Diseases, Anschutz Medical Campus, University of Colorado Neurosciences Center, Aurora, CO, USA
- Departments of Immunology & Microbiology, Anschutz Medical Campus, University of Colorado, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Kenneth L Tyler
- Department of Neurology and Division of Infectious Diseases, Anschutz Medical Campus, University of Colorado Neurosciences Center, Aurora, CO, USA
- Departments of Immunology & Microbiology, Anschutz Medical Campus, University of Colorado, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Amanda L Piquet
- Department of Neurology and Division of Infectious Diseases, Anschutz Medical Campus, University of Colorado Neurosciences Center, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Lakshmi Chauhan
- Department of Neurology and Division of Infectious Diseases, Anschutz Medical Campus, University of Colorado Neurosciences Center, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Carla J Wallace
- Department of Radiology, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Daniel M Pastula
- Department of Neurology and Division of Infectious Diseases, Anschutz Medical Campus, University of Colorado Neurosciences Center, Aurora, CO, USA
- Department of Epidemiology, Colorado School of Public Health, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Ronak K Kapadia
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW This review provides an overview of arthropod-borne virus (arbovirus) infections that are important causes of human neurological infections world-wide. As many of the individual viruses in a specific genus or family cause overlapping clinical syndromes, this review discusses important viruses in groups to highlight some of the similarities and differences in groups of neuroinvasive arbovirus infections. RECENT FINDINGS Arboviruses that cause neurological infections in humans continue to emerge and distribute to new regions. The geographic range of the vectors, the hosts and subsequent arbovirus infections in humans continues to expand and evolve. As emerging arboviruses move into new geographic regions, it is important to examine the associated epidemiological and clinical impacts of these infections as they enter new populations. SUMMARY Arboviruses from the Flaviviridae, Togaviridae and Bunyaviridae families continue to emerge and spread into new regions. The arboviruses within these virus families cause characteristic neuroinvasive diseases in human populations. A complete understanding of the epidemiological and clinical features of the neuroinvasive arboviruses is important such that these pathogens can be recognized and diagnosed in humans as they emerge. Ongoing research to develop rapid, accurate diagnostics, therapeutic options and vaccines for these pathogens is needed to address future outbreaks of disease in human populations.
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Khan MT, Islam R, Jerin TJ, Mahmud A, Khatun S, Kobir A, Islam MN, Akter A, Mondal SI. Immunoinformatics and molecular dynamics approaches: Next generation vaccine design against West Nile virus. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0253393. [PMID: 34138958 PMCID: PMC8211291 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0253393] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2020] [Accepted: 06/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
West Nile Virus (WNV) is a life threatening flavivirus that causes significant morbidity and mortality worldwide. No preventive therapeutics including vaccines against WNV are available for human use. In this study, immunoinformatics approach was performed to design a multi epitope-based subunit vaccine against this deadly pathogen. Human (HLA) and Mice (H-2) allele specific potential T-cell and B-cell epitopes were shortlisted through a stringent procedure. Molecular docking showed selected epitopes that have stronger binding affinity with human TLR-4. Molecular dynamics simulation confirmed the stable nature of the docked complex. Furthermore, in silico cloning analysis ensures efficient expression of desired gene in the microbial system. Interestingly, previous studies showed that two of our selected epitopes have strong immune response against WNV. Therefore, selected epitopes could be strong vaccine candidates to prevent WNV infections in human. However, further in vitro and in vivo investigations could be strengthening the validation of the vaccine candidate against WNV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Md Tahsin Khan
- Department of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Shahjalal University of Science and Technology, Sylhet, Bangladesh
| | - Rahatul Islam
- Department of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Shahjalal University of Science and Technology, Sylhet, Bangladesh
| | - Tarhima Jahan Jerin
- Department of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering, Mawlana Bhashani Science and Technology University, Tangail, Bangladesh
| | - Araf Mahmud
- Department of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Shahjalal University of Science and Technology, Sylhet, Bangladesh
| | - Sahara Khatun
- Department of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Shahjalal University of Science and Technology, Sylhet, Bangladesh
| | - Ahasanul Kobir
- UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Md Nahidul Islam
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Natural Sciences, National University of Ireland Galway, Galway, Ireland
| | - Arzuba Akter
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Shahjalal University of Science and Technology, Sylhet, Bangladesh
- * E-mail: (SIM); (AA)
| | - Shakhinur Islam Mondal
- Department of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Shahjalal University of Science and Technology, Sylhet, Bangladesh
- * E-mail: (SIM); (AA)
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Riccò M, Peruzzi S, Balzarini F. Epidemiology of West Nile Virus Infections in Humans, Italy, 2012-2020: A Summary of Available Evidences. Trop Med Infect Dis 2021; 6:61. [PMID: 33923347 PMCID: PMC8167603 DOI: 10.3390/tropicalmed6020061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2021] [Revised: 04/18/2021] [Accepted: 04/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
In Italy, human cases of West Nile virus (WNV) infection have been recorded since 2008, and seasonal outbreaks have occurred almost annually. In this study, we summarize available evidences on the epidemiology of WNV and West Nile neuro-invasive disease (WNND) in humans reported between 2012 and 2020. In total, 1145 WNV infection cases were diagnosed; of them 487 (42.5%) had WNND. A significant circulation of the pathogen was suggested by studies on blood donors, with annual incidence rates ranging from 1.353 (95% confidence intervals (95% CI) 0.279-3.953) to 19.069 cases per 100,000 specimens (95% CI 13.494-26.174). The annual incidence rates of WNND increased during the study period from 0.047 cases per 100,000 (95% CI 0.031-0.068) in 2012, to 0.074 cases per 100,000 (95% CI 0.054-0.099) in 2020, peaking to 0.377 cases per 100,000 (95% CI 0.330-0.429) in 2018. There were 60 deaths. Cases of WNND were clustered in Northern Italy, particularly in the Po River Valley, during the months of August (56.7%) and September (27.5%). Higher risk for WNND was reported in subjects of male sex (risk ratio (RR) 1.545, 95% CI 1.392-1.673 compared to females), and in older age groups (RR 24.46, 95% CI 15.61-38.32 for 65-74 y.o.; RR 43.7, 95% CI 28.33-67.41 for subjects older than 75 years), while main effectors were identified in average air temperatures (incidence rate ratio (IRR) 1.3219, 95% CI 1.0053-1.7383), population density (IRR 1.0004, 95% CI 1.0001-1.0008), and occurrence of cases in the nearby provinces (IRR 1.0442, 95% CI 1.0340-1.0545). In summary, an enhanced surveillance is vital for the early detection of human cases and the prompt implementation of response measures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matteo Riccò
- Servizio di Prevenzione e Sicurezza Negli Ambienti di Lavoro (SPSAL), AUSL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, Via Amendola n.2, I-42122 Reggio Emilia, RE, Italy
| | - Simona Peruzzi
- Laboratorio Analisi Chimico Cliniche e Microbiologiche, Ospedale Civile di Guastalla, AUSL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, I-42016 Guastalla, RE, Italy;
| | - Federica Balzarini
- Dipartimento P.A.A.P.S.S., Servizio Autorizzazione e Accreditamento, Agenzia di Tutela della Salute (ATS) di Bergamo, Via Galliccioli, 4, I-24121 Bergamo, BG, Italy;
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Robertson SN, Cameron AI, Morales PR, Burnside WM. West Nile Virus Seroprevalence in an Outdoor Nonhuman Primate Breeding Colony in South Florida. JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION FOR LABORATORY ANIMAL SCIENCE : JAALAS 2021; 60:168-175. [PMID: 33441221 PMCID: PMC7974820 DOI: 10.30802/aalas-jaalas-20-000029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2020] [Revised: 05/01/2020] [Accepted: 08/11/2020] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
West Nile virus (WNV) was first detected in Florida in July 2001, with 404 human cases reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as of February 2020. The subtropical climate of Florida is ideal for the mosquitoes that transmit WNV. We investigated the WNV seroprevalence in 3 NHP species housed outdoors at The Mannheimer Foundation in South Florida. From January to December 2016, 520 3 to 30 y old NHP were sampled at our 2 closed sites in Homestead and LaBelle: 200 rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta), 212 cynomolgus macaques (Macaca fascicularis), and 108 hamadryas baboons (Papio hamadryas hamadryas). The presence of WNV IgG antibodies in these animals was determined by serum neutralization assays, which found a total seroprevalence of 14%. Seroprevalence was significantly higher in the baboons (29%) than the rhesus (11%) and cynomolgus (9%) macaques. The probability of seropositivity significantly increased with age, but sex and site did not significantly affect seroprevalence. The frequency of WNV seropositivity detected in these outdoor-housed NHP suggests that screening for WNV and other vector-borne diseases may be necessary prior to experimental use, particularly for infectious disease studies in which viremia or viral antibodies could confound results, and especially for populations housed outdoors in warm, wet climates. As no seropositive subjects demonstrated clinical signs of WNV and WNV exposure did not appear to significantly impact colony health, routine testing is likely unnecessary for most NHP colonies. However, WNV infection should still be considered as a differential diagnosis for any NHP presenting with nonspecific neurologic signs. Mosquito abatement plans and vigilant sanitation practices to further decrease mosquito and avian interaction with research NHP should also be considered.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Angus I Cameron
- School of Pure and Applied Sciences, Florida SouthWestern State College, LaBelle, Florida
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Li N, Zhang ZR, Zhang YN, Liu J, Deng CL, Shi PY, Yuan ZM, Ye HQ, Zhang B. A replication-defective Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) vaccine candidate with NS1 deletion confers dual protection against JEV and West Nile virus in mice. NPJ Vaccines 2020; 5:73. [PMID: 32802412 PMCID: PMC7406499 DOI: 10.1038/s41541-020-00220-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2020] [Accepted: 07/14/2020] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
In our previous study, we have demonstrated in the context of WNV-ΔNS1 vaccine (a replication-defective West Nile virus (WNV) lacking NS1) that the NS1 trans-complementation system may offer a promising platform for the development of safe and efficient flavivirus vaccines only requiring one dose. Here, we produced high titer (107 IU/ml) replication-defective Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) with NS1 deletion (JEV-ΔNS1) in the BHK-21 cell line stably expressing NS1 (BHKNS1) using the same strategy. JEV-ΔNS1 appeared safe with a remarkable genetic stability and high degrees of attenuation of in vivo neuroinvasiveness and neurovirulence. Meanwhile, it was demonstrated to be highly immunogenic in mice after a single dose, providing similar degrees of protection to SA14-14-2 vaccine (a most widely used live attenuated JEV vaccine), with healthy condition, undetectable viremia and gradually rising body weight. Importantly, we also found JEV-ΔNS1 induced robust cross-protective immune responses against the challenge of heterologous West Nile virus (WNV), another important member in the same JEV serocomplex, accounting for up to 80% survival rate following a single dose of immunization relative to mock-vaccinated mice. These results not only support the identification of the NS1-deleted flavivirus vaccines with a satisfied balance between safety and efficacy, but also demonstrate the potential of the JEV-ΔNS1 as an alternative vaccine candidate against both JEV and WNV challenge.
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Affiliation(s)
- Na Li
- Key Laboratory of Special Pathogens and Biosafety, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Center for Biosafety Mega-Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100049 Beijing, China
| | - Zhe-Rui Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Special Pathogens and Biosafety, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Center for Biosafety Mega-Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100049 Beijing, China
| | - Ya-Nan Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Special Pathogens and Biosafety, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Center for Biosafety Mega-Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100049 Beijing, China
| | - Jing Liu
- Key Laboratory of Special Pathogens and Biosafety, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Center for Biosafety Mega-Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100049 Beijing, China
| | - Cheng-Lin Deng
- Key Laboratory of Special Pathogens and Biosafety, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Center for Biosafety Mega-Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China
| | - Pei-Yong Shi
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555 USA
| | - Zhi-Ming Yuan
- Key Laboratory of Special Pathogens and Biosafety, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Center for Biosafety Mega-Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China
| | - Han-Qing Ye
- Key Laboratory of Special Pathogens and Biosafety, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Center for Biosafety Mega-Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China
| | - Bo Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Special Pathogens and Biosafety, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Center for Biosafety Mega-Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China.,Drug Discovery Center for Infectious Disease, Nankai University, 300350 Tianjin, China
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West Nile Virus Vaccine Design by T Cell Epitope Selection: In Silico Analysis of Conservation, Functional Cross-Reactivity with the Human Genome, and Population Coverage. J Immunol Res 2020; 2020:7235742. [PMID: 32258174 PMCID: PMC7106935 DOI: 10.1155/2020/7235742] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2019] [Accepted: 12/05/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
West Nile Virus (WNV) causes a debilitating and life-threatening neurological disease in humans. Since its emergence in Africa 50 years ago, new strains of WNV and an expanding geographical distribution have increased public health concerns. There are no licensed therapeutics against WNV, limiting effective infection control. Vaccines represent the most efficacious and efficient medical intervention known. Epitope-based vaccines against WNV remain significantly underexploited. Here, we use a selection protocol to identify a set of conserved prevalidated immunogenic T cell epitopes comprising a putative WNV vaccine. Experimentally validated immunogenic WNV epitopes and WNV sequences were retrieved from the IEDB and West Nile Virus Variation Database. Clustering and multiple sequence alignment identified a smaller subset of representative sequences. Protein variability analysis identified evolutionarily conserved sequences, which were used to select a diverse set of immunogenic candidate T cell epitopes. Cross-reactivity and human leukocyte antigen-binding affinities were assessed to eliminate unsuitable epitope candidates. Population protection coverage (PPC) quantified individual epitopes and epitope combinations against the world population. 3 CD8+ T cell epitopes (ITYTDVLRY, TLARGFPFV, and SYHDRRWCF) and 1 CD4+ epitope (VTVNPFVSVATANAKVLI) were selected as a putative WNV vaccine, with an estimated PPC of 97.14%.
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Replication-Defective West Nile Virus with NS1 Deletion as a New Vaccine Platform for Flavivirus. J Virol 2019; 93:JVI.00720-19. [PMID: 31189715 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.00720-19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2019] [Accepted: 06/10/2019] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
We previously produced a replication-defective West Nile virus (WNV) lacking NS1 (WNV-ΔNS1) that could propagate at low levels (105 infectious units [IU]/ml) in a 293T cell line expressing wild-type (WT) NS1. This finding indicates the potential of developing WNV-ΔNS1 as a noninfectious vaccine. To explore this idea, we developed an NS1-expressing Vero cell line (VeroNS1) that significantly improved the yield of WNV-ΔNS1 (108 IU/ml). We evaluated the safety and efficacy of WNV-ΔNS1 in mice. WNV-ΔNS1 appeared to be safe, as no replicative virus was found in naive Vero cells after continuous culturing of WNV-ΔNS1 in VeroNS1 cells for 15 rounds. WNV-ΔNS1 was noninfectious in mice, even when IFNAR-/- mice were administered a high dose of WNV-ΔNS1. Vaccination with a single dose of WNV-ΔNS1 protected mice from a highly lethal challenge with WT WNV. The antibody response against WNV correlated well with the protection of vaccinated mice. Our study demonstrates the potential of the NS1 trans complementation system as a new platform for flavivirus vaccine development.IMPORTANCE Many flaviviruses are significant human pathogens that frequently cause outbreaks and epidemics around the world. Development of novel vaccine platforms against these pathogens is a public health priority. Using WNV as a model, we developed a new vaccine platform for flaviviruses. WNV containing a NS1 deletion (WNV-ΔNS1) could be efficiently trans complemented in Vero cells that constitutively expressed WT NS1 protein. A single-dose immunization with WNV-ΔNS1 elicited robust immune responses in mice. The immunized animals were fully protected against pathogenic WNV infection. No adverse effects related to the WNV-ΔNS1 vaccination were observed. The results have demonstrated the potential of the NS1 complementation system as an alternative platform for flavivirus vaccine development, especially for highly pathogenic flaviviruses.
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Abstract
Encephalitis has various etiologies, but viral infections and autoimmune disorders are the most commonly identified. Clinical signs, geographical clues, and diagnostic testing-including cerebrospinal fluid abnormalities and magnetic resonance imaging abnormalities-can be helpful in identifying the cause. Certain forms of encephalitis have specific treatments; hence, establishing a diagnosis rapidly and accurately is crucial. Here, we describe the clinical approach to diagnosing several common etiologies of encephalitis as well as treatment strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda L Piquet
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Wang ACC 835, 55 Fruit Street, Boston, MA, 02114, USA.,Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Tracey A Cho
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Wang ACC 835, 55 Fruit Street, Boston, MA, 02114, USA.
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Tang BL. Zika virus as a causative agent for primary microencephaly: the evidence so far. Arch Microbiol 2016; 198:595-601. [PMID: 27412681 DOI: 10.1007/s00203-016-1268-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2016] [Revised: 06/30/2016] [Accepted: 07/08/2016] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Zika virus (ZIKV) infection has been associated with congenital microcephaly and peripheral neuropathy. The ongoing epidemic has triggered swift responses in the scientific community, and a number of recent reports have now confirmed a causal relationship between ZIKV infection and birth defect. In particular, ZIKV has been shown to be capable of compromising and crossing the placental barrier and infect the developing fetal brain, resulting in the demise and functional impairment of neuroprogenitor cells critical for fetal cortex development. Here, the evidence for ZIKV as a teratogenic agent that causes microcephaly is reviewed, and its association with other disorders is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bor Luen Tang
- Department of Biochemistry, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, MD7, 8 Medical Drive, Singapore, 117597, Singapore.
- NUS Graduate School for Integrative Sciences and Engineering, National University of Singapore, 28 Medical Drive, Singapore, 117456, Singapore.
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Bastos Lima A, Behnam MA, El Sherif Y, Nitsche C, Vechi SM, Klein CD. Dual inhibitors of the dengue and West Nile virus NS2B–NS3 proteases: Synthesis, biological evaluation and docking studies of novel peptide-hybrids. Bioorg Med Chem 2015; 23:5748-55. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bmc.2015.07.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2015] [Revised: 07/08/2015] [Accepted: 07/09/2015] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
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13
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