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Omoga DCA, Tchouassi DP, Venter M, Ogola EO, Osalla J, Kopp A, Slothouwer I, Torto B, Junglen S, Sang R. Transmission Dynamics of Crimean-Congo Haemorrhagic Fever Virus (CCHFV): Evidence of Circulation in Humans, Livestock, and Rodents in Diverse Ecologies in Kenya. Viruses 2023; 15:1891. [PMID: 37766297 PMCID: PMC10535211 DOI: 10.3390/v15091891] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2023] [Revised: 08/22/2023] [Accepted: 08/23/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever virus (CCHFV) is the causative agent of CCHF, a fatal viral haemorrhagic fever disease in humans. The maintenance of CCHFV in the ecosystem remains poorly understood. Certain tick species are considered as vectors and reservoirs of the virus. Diverse animals are suspected as amplifiers, with only scarce knowledge regarding rodents in virus epidemiology. In this study, serum samples from febrile patients, asymptomatic livestock (cattle, donkeys, sheep, and goats), and peridomestic rodents from Baringo (Marigat) and Kajiado (Nguruman) counties within the Kenyan Rift Valley were screened for acute CCHFV infection by RT-PCR and for CCHFV exposure by ELISA. RT-PCR was performed on all livestock samples in pools (5-7/pool by species and site) and in humans and rodents individually. CCHFV seropositivity was significantly higher in livestock (11.9%, 113/951) compared to rodents (6.5%, 6/93) and humans (5.9%, 29/493) (p = 0.001). Among the livestock, seropositivity was the highest in donkeys (31.4%, 16/51), followed by cattle (14.1%, 44/310), sheep (9.8%, 29/295) and goats (8.1%, 24/295). The presence of IgM antibodies against CCHFV was found in febrile patients suggesting acute or recent infection. CCHFV RNA was detected in four pooled sera samples from sheep (1.4%, 4/280) and four rodent tissues (0.83%, 4/480) showing up to 99% pairwise nucleotide identities among each other. Phylogenetic analyses of partial S segment sequences generated from these samples revealed a close relationship of 96-98% nucleotide identity to strains in the CCHFV Africa 3 lineage. The findings of this study suggest active unnoticed circulation of CCHFV in the study area and the involvement of livestock, rodents, and humans in the circulation of CCHFV in Kenya. The detection of CCHF viral RNA and antibodies against CCHFV in rodents suggests that they may participate in the viral transmission cycle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dorcus C. A. Omoga
- International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology, Nairobi P.O. Box 30772-00100, Kenya; (D.C.A.O.); (D.P.T.); (E.O.O.); (J.O.); (B.T.)
- Zoonotic Arbo and Respiratory Virus Research Program, Centre for Viral Zoonoses, Department of Medical Virology, Faculty of Health, University of Pretoria, Private Bag X 323, Gezina 0031, South Africa;
| | - David P. Tchouassi
- International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology, Nairobi P.O. Box 30772-00100, Kenya; (D.C.A.O.); (D.P.T.); (E.O.O.); (J.O.); (B.T.)
| | - Marietjie Venter
- Zoonotic Arbo and Respiratory Virus Research Program, Centre for Viral Zoonoses, Department of Medical Virology, Faculty of Health, University of Pretoria, Private Bag X 323, Gezina 0031, South Africa;
| | - Edwin O. Ogola
- International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology, Nairobi P.O. Box 30772-00100, Kenya; (D.C.A.O.); (D.P.T.); (E.O.O.); (J.O.); (B.T.)
| | - Josephine Osalla
- International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology, Nairobi P.O. Box 30772-00100, Kenya; (D.C.A.O.); (D.P.T.); (E.O.O.); (J.O.); (B.T.)
| | - Anne Kopp
- Institute of Virology, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Free University Berlin, Humboldt-University Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Chariteplatz 1, 10117 Berlin, Germany; (A.K.); (I.S.)
| | - Inga Slothouwer
- Institute of Virology, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Free University Berlin, Humboldt-University Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Chariteplatz 1, 10117 Berlin, Germany; (A.K.); (I.S.)
| | - Baldwyn Torto
- International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology, Nairobi P.O. Box 30772-00100, Kenya; (D.C.A.O.); (D.P.T.); (E.O.O.); (J.O.); (B.T.)
| | - Sandra Junglen
- Institute of Virology, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Free University Berlin, Humboldt-University Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Chariteplatz 1, 10117 Berlin, Germany; (A.K.); (I.S.)
| | - Rosemary Sang
- International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology, Nairobi P.O. Box 30772-00100, Kenya; (D.C.A.O.); (D.P.T.); (E.O.O.); (J.O.); (B.T.)
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Földvári G, Szabó É, Tóth GE, Lanszki Z, Zana B, Varga Z, Kemenesi G. Emergence of Hyalomma marginatum and Hyalomma rufipes adults revealed by citizen science tick monitoring in Hungary. Transbound Emerg Dis 2022; 69:e2240-e2248. [PMID: 35436033 PMCID: PMC9790508 DOI: 10.1111/tbed.14563] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2022] [Revised: 04/12/2022] [Accepted: 04/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Hyalomma ticks are important vectors of Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever virus (CCHFV) and other pathogens. They are frequently carried as immatures from Africa, the Middle East and Mediterranean areas to temperate Europe via migratory birds and emergence of adults has been reported in many countries where it has so far been considered non-endemic. This study aimed to implement the first steps of the DAMA (Document, Assess, Monitor, Act) protocol by monitoring the potential arrival of adult Hyalomma ticks in Hungary applying citizen-science methods. Ticks were collected from April to December 2021 by asking volunteer participants through a self-made website to look for large, quickly moving, striped-legged hard ticks on themselves, their pets and livestock. Owing to an intensive media campaign, the project website had more than 31,000 visitors within 7 months; 137 specimens and several hundred photos of hard ticks were submitted by citizen scientists from all over the country. Beside Ixodes ricinus, Dermacentor reticulatus, Dermacentor marginatus and Haemaphysalis inermis, a specimen from a dog was morphologically identified as a male Hyalomma marginatum and another removed from a cow as a male Hyalomma rufipes. The dog and the cow had never been abroad, lived approximately 280 km apart, so the two Hyalomma observations can be considered separate introductions. Amplification of the partial mitochondrial cytochrome C oxidase subunit I gene was successfully run for both specimens. Sequencing confirmed the morphological identification for both ticks. Based on the phylogenetic analyses, the Hy. marginatum individual most likely belongs to the Eurasian population and the Hy. rufipes tick to a clade of mixed sequences from Europe and Africa. We summarize the scattered historical reports about the occurrence of Hyalomma ticks and CCHFV in Hungary. Our data highlight the effectiveness of citizens science programmes in the monitoring and risk assessment of CCHFV emergence and preparedness in the study area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gábor Földvári
- Institute of EvolutionCentre for Ecological ResearchBudapestHungary
| | - Éva Szabó
- Institute of EvolutionCentre for Ecological ResearchBudapestHungary
| | - Gábor Endre Tóth
- National Laboratory of VirologySzentágothai Research CentreUniversity of PécsPécsHungary,Institute of BiologyFaculty of SciencesUniversity of PécsPécsHungary
| | - Zsófia Lanszki
- National Laboratory of VirologySzentágothai Research CentreUniversity of PécsPécsHungary,Institute of BiologyFaculty of SciencesUniversity of PécsPécsHungary
| | - Brigitta Zana
- National Laboratory of VirologySzentágothai Research CentreUniversity of PécsPécsHungary,Institute of BiologyFaculty of SciencesUniversity of PécsPécsHungary
| | - Zsaklin Varga
- National Laboratory of VirologySzentágothai Research CentreUniversity of PécsPécsHungary,Institute of BiologyFaculty of SciencesUniversity of PécsPécsHungary
| | - Gábor Kemenesi
- National Laboratory of VirologySzentágothai Research CentreUniversity of PécsPécsHungary,Institute of BiologyFaculty of SciencesUniversity of PécsPécsHungary
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Bratuleanu B, Anita A, Temmam S, Dascalu A, Crivei L, Cozma A, Pourquier P, Savuta G, Eloit M, Anita D. Seroprevalence of Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever Among Small Ruminants from Southern Romania. Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis 2022; 22:397-401. [PMID: 35772004 DOI: 10.1089/vbz.2021.0091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) is a tick-borne disease that can be contracted by direct contact with viremic animals or humans. Domestic animals are accidental hosts and contribute to the spread and amplification of the virus. The main objective of this study was to provide updated information related to CCHF virus (CCHFV) infection in Southern Romania by assessing the seroprevalence of CCHF in small ruminants (sheep and goats) using a double-antigen sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and by detection of CCHFV in engorged ticks and serum samples using real-time RT-PCR. The overall seroprevalence of CCHF in small ruminants was 37.7% (95% CI 31.7 to 43.7). No statistical seroprevalence difference was observed between the two species of ruminants (p = 0.76), but a significant difference was established between the locations (p < 0.01). No CCHFV RNA was detected in tick pools and small ruminant's sera tested by real-time RT-PCR, although the high seroprevalence to CCHFV among ruminants indicates that CCHV or a closely related virus circulates in Southern Romania.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bianca Bratuleanu
- Pathogen Discovery Laboratory, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France.,Regional Center of Advanced Research for Emerging Diseases, Zoonoses and Food Safety (ROVETEMERG), "Ion Ionescu de la Brad" University of Life Sciences, Iasi, Romania
| | - Adriana Anita
- Regional Center of Advanced Research for Emerging Diseases, Zoonoses and Food Safety (ROVETEMERG), "Ion Ionescu de la Brad" University of Life Sciences, Iasi, Romania
| | - Sarah Temmam
- Pathogen Discovery Laboratory, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France.,OIE Collaborating Centre for Detection and Identification in Humans of Emerging Animal Pathogens, Institute Pasteur, Paris, France
| | - Anca Dascalu
- Regional Center of Advanced Research for Emerging Diseases, Zoonoses and Food Safety (ROVETEMERG), "Ion Ionescu de la Brad" University of Life Sciences, Iasi, Romania
| | - Luciana Crivei
- Regional Center of Advanced Research for Emerging Diseases, Zoonoses and Food Safety (ROVETEMERG), "Ion Ionescu de la Brad" University of Life Sciences, Iasi, Romania
| | - Andreea Cozma
- Regional Center of Advanced Research for Emerging Diseases, Zoonoses and Food Safety (ROVETEMERG), "Ion Ionescu de la Brad" University of Life Sciences, Iasi, Romania
| | | | - Gheorghe Savuta
- Regional Center of Advanced Research for Emerging Diseases, Zoonoses and Food Safety (ROVETEMERG), "Ion Ionescu de la Brad" University of Life Sciences, Iasi, Romania
| | - Marc Eloit
- Pathogen Discovery Laboratory, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France.,OIE Collaborating Centre for Detection and Identification in Humans of Emerging Animal Pathogens, Institute Pasteur, Paris, France.,Alfort National Veterinary School, Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Dragos Anita
- Regional Center of Advanced Research for Emerging Diseases, Zoonoses and Food Safety (ROVETEMERG), "Ion Ionescu de la Brad" University of Life Sciences, Iasi, Romania
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Földes F, Madai M, Papp H, Kemenesi G, Zana B, Geiger L, Gombos K, Somogyi B, Bock-Marquette I, Jakab F. Small Interfering RNAs Are Highly Effective Inhibitors of Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever Virus Replication In Vitro. Molecules 2020; 25:molecules25235771. [PMID: 33297527 PMCID: PMC7731286 DOI: 10.3390/molecules25235771] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2020] [Revised: 11/26/2020] [Accepted: 12/04/2020] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus (CCHFV) is one of the prioritized diseases of the World Health Organization, considering its potential to create a public health emergency and, more importantly, the absence of efficacious drugs and/or vaccines for treatment. The highly pathogenic characteristic of CCHFV restricts research to BSL-4 laboratories, which complicates effective research and developmental strategies. In consideration of antiviral therapies, RNA interference can be used to suppress viral replication by targeting viral genes. RNA interference uses small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) to silence genes. The aim of our study was to design and test siRNAs in vitro that inhibit CCHFV replication and can serve as a basis for further antiviral therapies. A549 cells were infected with CCHFV after transfection with the siRNAs. Following 72 h, nucleic acid from the supernatant was extracted for RT Droplet Digital PCR analysis. Among the investigated siRNAs we identified effective candidates against all three segments of the CCHF genome. Consequently, blocking any segment of CCHFV leads to changes in the virus copy number that indicates an antiviral effect of the siRNAs. In summary, we demonstrated the ability of specific siRNAs to inhibit CCHFV replication in vitro. This promising result can be integrated into future anti-CCHFV therapy developments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fanni Földes
- National Laboratory of Virology, BSL-4 Laboratory, Szentágothai Research Centre, University of Pécs, 7624 Pécs, Hungary; (F.F.); (M.M.); (H.P.); (G.K.); (B.Z.); (B.S.)
- Institute of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Pécs, 7622 Pécs, Hungary
| | - Mónika Madai
- National Laboratory of Virology, BSL-4 Laboratory, Szentágothai Research Centre, University of Pécs, 7624 Pécs, Hungary; (F.F.); (M.M.); (H.P.); (G.K.); (B.Z.); (B.S.)
- Institute of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Pécs, 7622 Pécs, Hungary
| | - Henrietta Papp
- National Laboratory of Virology, BSL-4 Laboratory, Szentágothai Research Centre, University of Pécs, 7624 Pécs, Hungary; (F.F.); (M.M.); (H.P.); (G.K.); (B.Z.); (B.S.)
- Institute of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Pécs, 7622 Pécs, Hungary
| | - Gábor Kemenesi
- National Laboratory of Virology, BSL-4 Laboratory, Szentágothai Research Centre, University of Pécs, 7624 Pécs, Hungary; (F.F.); (M.M.); (H.P.); (G.K.); (B.Z.); (B.S.)
- Institute of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Pécs, 7622 Pécs, Hungary
| | - Brigitta Zana
- National Laboratory of Virology, BSL-4 Laboratory, Szentágothai Research Centre, University of Pécs, 7624 Pécs, Hungary; (F.F.); (M.M.); (H.P.); (G.K.); (B.Z.); (B.S.)
- Institute of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Pécs, 7622 Pécs, Hungary
| | - Lili Geiger
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Medical School, University of Pécs, 7624 Pécs, Hungary; (L.G.); (K.G.)
| | - Katalin Gombos
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Medical School, University of Pécs, 7624 Pécs, Hungary; (L.G.); (K.G.)
| | - Balázs Somogyi
- National Laboratory of Virology, BSL-4 Laboratory, Szentágothai Research Centre, University of Pécs, 7624 Pécs, Hungary; (F.F.); (M.M.); (H.P.); (G.K.); (B.Z.); (B.S.)
| | - Ildikó Bock-Marquette
- Regenerative Science, Sport and Medicina Research Group, Szentágothai Research Centre, University of Pécs, 7624 Pécs, Hungary;
| | - Ferenc Jakab
- National Laboratory of Virology, BSL-4 Laboratory, Szentágothai Research Centre, University of Pécs, 7624 Pécs, Hungary; (F.F.); (M.M.); (H.P.); (G.K.); (B.Z.); (B.S.)
- Institute of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Pécs, 7622 Pécs, Hungary
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +36-72-501-668 (ext. 29044)
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Kesäniemi J, Lavrinienko A, Tukalenko E, Mappes T, Watts PC, Jurvansuu J. Infection Load and Prevalence of Novel Viruses Identified from the Bank Vole Do Not Associate with Exposure to Environmental Radioactivity. Viruses 2019; 12:E44. [PMID: 31905955 PMCID: PMC7019477 DOI: 10.3390/v12010044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2019] [Revised: 12/27/2019] [Accepted: 12/27/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Bank voles (Myodes glareolus) are host to many zoonotic viruses. As bank voles inhabiting areas contaminated by radionuclides show signs of immunosuppression, resistance to apoptosis, and elevated DNA repair activity, we predicted an association between virome composition and exposure to radionuclides. To test this hypothesis, we studied the bank vole virome in samples of plasma derived from animals inhabiting areas of Ukraine (contaminated areas surrounding the former nuclear power plant at Chernobyl, and uncontaminated areas close to Kyiv) that differed in level of environmental radiation contamination. We discovered four strains of hepacivirus and four new virus sequences: two adeno-associated viruses, an arterivirus, and a mosavirus. However, viral prevalence and viral load, and the ability to cause a systemic infection, was not dependent on the level of environmental radiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jenni Kesäniemi
- Finland Ecology and Genetics Research Unit, University of Oulu, 90014 Oulu, Finland;
| | - Anton Lavrinienko
- Department of Biological and Environmental Science, University of Jyväskylä, 40014 Jyväskylä, Finland; (A.L.); (T.M.); (P.C.W.)
| | - Eugene Tukalenko
- National Research Center for Radiation Medicine of the National Academy of Medical Science, 02000 Kyiv, Ukraine;
| | - Tapio Mappes
- Department of Biological and Environmental Science, University of Jyväskylä, 40014 Jyväskylä, Finland; (A.L.); (T.M.); (P.C.W.)
| | - Phillip C. Watts
- Department of Biological and Environmental Science, University of Jyväskylä, 40014 Jyväskylä, Finland; (A.L.); (T.M.); (P.C.W.)
| | - Jaana Jurvansuu
- Finland Ecology and Genetics Research Unit, University of Oulu, 90014 Oulu, Finland;
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