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Habarugira G, Harrison JJ, Moran J, Suen WW, Colmant AMG, Hobson-Peters J, Isberg SR, Bielefeldt-Ohmann H, Hall RA. A chimeric vaccine protects farmed saltwater crocodiles from West Nile virus-induced skin lesions. NPJ Vaccines 2023; 8:93. [PMID: 37369653 DOI: 10.1038/s41541-023-00688-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2023] [Accepted: 05/30/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
West Nile virus (WNV) causes skin lesions in farmed crocodiles leading to the depreciation of the value of their hides and significant economic losses. However, there is no commercially available vaccine designed for use in crocodilians against WNV. We tested chimeric virus vaccines composed of the non-structural genes of the insect-specific flavivirus Binjari virus (BinJV) and genes encoding the structural proteins of WNV. The BinJV/WNV chimera, is antigenically similar to wild-type WNV but replication-defective in vertebrates. Intramuscular injection of two doses of BinJV/WNV in hatchling saltwater crocodiles (Crocodylus porosus) elicited a robust neutralising antibody response and conferred protection against viremia and skin lesions after challenge with WNV. In contrast, mock-vaccinated crocodiles became viraemic and 22.2% exhibited WNV-induced lesions. This suggests that the BinJV/WNV chimera is a safe and efficacious vaccine for preventing WNV-induced skin lesions in farmed crocodilians.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gervais Habarugira
- School of Veterinary Science, The University of Queensland, Gatton, QLD, Australia
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Australia
| | - Jessica J Harrison
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Australia
| | - Jasmin Moran
- Centre for Crocodile Research, Noonamah, NT, Australia
| | - Willy W Suen
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Australia
- Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness, The Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Geelong, VIC, 3219, Australia
| | - Agathe M G Colmant
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Australia
- Australian Infectious Diseases Research Centre, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, Australia
- Unité des Virus Émergents (UVE) Aix-Marseille Univ-IRD 190-Inserm 1207, Marseille, France
| | - Jody Hobson-Peters
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Australia
- Australian Infectious Diseases Research Centre, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, Australia
| | | | - Helle Bielefeldt-Ohmann
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Australia.
- Australian Infectious Diseases Research Centre, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, Australia.
| | - Roy A Hall
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Australia.
- Australian Infectious Diseases Research Centre, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, Australia.
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Charles van Zanten T, Craig Simpson S. Managing the Health of Captive Groups of Reptiles and Amphibians. Vet Clin North Am Exot Anim Pract 2021; 24:609-645. [PMID: 34366012 DOI: 10.1016/j.cvex.2021.05.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Managing the health of reptile and amphibian collections is centered on providing appropriate environmental parameters, husbandry conditions, and nutrition as well as maintaining good welfare and careful collection planning. Disease transmission is reduced through quarantine, appropriate diagnostic testing, and annual veterinary health assessment."
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Affiliation(s)
- Trent Charles van Zanten
- Conservation, Research and Veterinary Services, Wildlife Reserves Singapore, Jurong Bird Park, 2 Jurong Hill, Singapore 628925.
| | - Shane Craig Simpson
- The Unusual Pet Vets, 210 Karingal Drive, Frankston, Victoria 3199, Australia
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West Nile Virus: An Update on Pathobiology, Epidemiology, Diagnostics, Control and "One Health" Implications. Pathogens 2020; 9:pathogens9070589. [PMID: 32707644 PMCID: PMC7400489 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens9070589] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2020] [Revised: 07/16/2020] [Accepted: 07/16/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
West Nile virus (WNV) is an important zoonotic flavivirus responsible for mild fever to severe, lethal neuroinvasive disease in humans, horses, birds, and other wildlife species. Since its discovery, WNV has caused multiple human and animal disease outbreaks in all continents, except Antarctica. Infections are associated with economic losses, mainly due to the cost of treatment of infected patients, control programmes, and loss of animals and animal products. The pathogenesis of WNV has been extensively investigated in natural hosts as well as in several animal models, including rodents, lagomorphs, birds, and reptiles. However, most of the proposed pathogenesis hypotheses remain contentious, and much remains to be elucidated. At the same time, the unavailability of specific antiviral treatment or effective and safe vaccines contribute to the perpetuation of the disease and regular occurrence of outbreaks in both endemic and non-endemic areas. Moreover, globalisation and climate change are also important drivers of the emergence and re-emergence of the virus and disease. Here, we give an update of the pathobiology, epidemiology, diagnostics, control, and “One Health” implications of WNV infection and disease.
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