1
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Pedersen J, Koumakpayi IH, Babuadze G, Baz M, Ndiaye O, Faye O, Diagne CT, Dia N, Naghibosadat M, McGeer A, Muberaka S, Moukandja IP, Ndidi S, Tauil CB, Lekana-Douki JB, Loucoubar C, Faye O, Sall A, Magalhães KG, Weis N, Kozak R, Kobinger GP, Fausther-Bovendo H. Cross-reactive immunity against SARS-CoV-2 N protein in Central and West Africa precedes the COVID-19 pandemic. Sci Rep 2022; 12:12962. [PMID: 35902675 PMCID: PMC9333058 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-17241-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2021] [Accepted: 07/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Early predictions forecasted large numbers of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) cases and associated deaths in Africa. To date, Africa has been relatively spared. Various hypotheses were postulated to explain the lower than anticipated impact on public health in Africa. However, the contribution of pre-existing immunity is yet to be investigated. In this study, the presence of antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 spike (S) and nucleocapsid (N) proteins in pre-pandemic samples from Africa, Europe, South and North America was examined by ELISA. The protective efficacy of N specific antibodies isolated from Central African donors was tested by in vitro neutralization and in a mouse model of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 S and N proteins were rare in all populations except in Gabon and Senegal where N specific antibodies were prevalent. However, these antibodies failed to neutralize the virus either in vitro or in vivo. Overall, this study indicates that cross-reactive immunity against SARS-CoV-2 N protein was present in Africa prior to the pandemic. However, this pre-existing humoral immunity does not impact viral fitness in rodents suggesting that other human immune defense mechanisms could be involved. In Africa, seroprevalence studies using the N protein are over-estimating SARS-CoV-2 circulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jannie Pedersen
- Département de Microbiologie-Infectiologie et Immunologie, Université Laval, Quebec City, Canada
| | | | - Giorgi Babuadze
- Biological Sciences Platform, University of Toronto, Sunnybrook Research Institute at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, Canada
| | - Mariana Baz
- Département de Microbiologie-Infectiologie et Immunologie, Université Laval, Quebec City, Canada
| | | | - Oumar Faye
- Institut Pasteur de Dakar, Dakar, Senegal
| | | | - Ndongo Dia
- Institut Pasteur de Dakar, Dakar, Senegal
| | - Maedeh Naghibosadat
- Biological Sciences Platform, University of Toronto, Sunnybrook Research Institute at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, Canada
| | - Allison McGeer
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.,Department of Microbiology, Sinai Health System/University Health Network, Toronto, Canada
| | - Samira Muberaka
- Biological Sciences Platform, University of Toronto, Sunnybrook Research Institute at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, Canada.,Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.,Department of Laboratory Medicine and Molecular Diagnostics, Division of Microbiology, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, Canada
| | | | - Stella Ndidi
- Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Libreville, Libreville, Gabon
| | - Carlos B Tauil
- Laboratory of Immunology and Inflammation, University of Brasilia, Brasilia, Brazil
| | - Jean-Bernard Lekana-Douki
- Unité d'Evolution Epidémiologie et Résistances Parasitaires, Centre Interdisciplinaire de Recherches Médicales de Franceville, Franceville, Gabon
| | | | | | | | - Kelly G Magalhães
- Laboratory of Immunology and Inflammation, University of Brasilia, Brasilia, Brazil
| | - Nina Weis
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Copenhagen University Hospital, Hvidovre, Denmark.,Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Robert Kozak
- Biological Sciences Platform, University of Toronto, Sunnybrook Research Institute at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, Canada.,Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.,Department of Laboratory Medicine and Molecular Diagnostics, Division of Microbiology, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, Canada
| | - Gary P Kobinger
- Galveston National Laboratory, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Hugues Fausther-Bovendo
- Département de Microbiologie-Infectiologie et Immunologie, Université Laval, Quebec City, Canada. .,Global Urgent and Advanced Research and Development, 911 Rue Principale, Unit 100, Batiscan, QC, G0X 1A0, Canada.
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2
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Liu J, Budylowski P, Samson R, Griffin BD, Babuadze G, Rathod B, Colwill K, Abioye JA, Schwartz JA, Law R, Yip L, Ahn SK, Chau S, Naghibosadat M, Arita Y, Hu Q, Yue FY, Banerjee A, Hardy WR, Mossman K, Mubareka S, Kozak RA, Pollanen MS, Martin Orozco N, Gingras AC, Marcusson EG, Ostrowski MA. Preclinical evaluation of a SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccine PTX-COVID19-B. Sci Adv 2022; 8:eabj9815. [PMID: 35044832 PMCID: PMC8769538 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abj9815] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2021] [Accepted: 11/24/2021] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
Safe and effective vaccines are needed to end the COVID-19 pandemic. Here, we report the preclinical development of a lipid nanoparticle–formulated SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccine, PTX-COVID19-B. PTX-COVID19-B was chosen among three candidates after the initial mouse vaccination results showed that it elicited the strongest neutralizing antibody response against SARS-CoV-2. Further tests in mice and hamsters indicated that PTX-COVID19-B induced robust humoral and cellular immune responses and completely protected the vaccinated animals from SARS-CoV-2 infection in the lung. Studies in hamsters also showed that PTX-COVID19-B protected the upper respiratory tract from SARS-CoV-2 infection. Mouse immune sera elicited by PTX-COVID19-B vaccination were able to neutralize SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern, including the Alpha, Beta, Gamma, and Delta lineages. No adverse effects were induced by PTX-COVID19-B in either mice or hamsters. Based on these results, PTX-COVID19-B was authorized by Health Canada to enter clinical trials in December 2020 with a phase 2 clinical trial ongoing.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Antibodies, Neutralizing/blood
- Antibodies, Viral/blood
- CD4 Lymphocyte Count
- CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes/immunology
- COVID-19/immunology
- COVID-19/prevention & control
- COVID-19 Vaccines/adverse effects
- COVID-19 Vaccines/immunology
- Canada
- Cell Line
- Cricetinae
- Drug Evaluation, Preclinical
- Female
- HEK293 Cells
- Humans
- Immunity, Cellular/immunology
- Immunity, Humoral/immunology
- Liposomes/pharmacology
- Male
- Mice
- Mice, Inbred BALB C
- Mice, Inbred C57BL
- Nanoparticles
- SARS-CoV-2/immunology
- Spike Glycoprotein, Coronavirus/genetics
- Spike Glycoprotein, Coronavirus/immunology
- Th1 Cells/immunology
- Vaccines, Synthetic/immunology
- mRNA Vaccines/immunology
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Liu
- Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Patrick Budylowski
- Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Reuben Samson
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute at Mount Sinai Hospital, Sinai Health System, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | | | | | - Bhavisha Rathod
- Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute at Mount Sinai Hospital, Sinai Health System, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Karen Colwill
- Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute at Mount Sinai Hospital, Sinai Health System, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | | | | | - Ryan Law
- Department of Immunology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Lily Yip
- Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Sang Kyun Ahn
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Serena Chau
- Department of Immunology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | | | - Yuko Arita
- Providence Therapeutics Holdings Inc., Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Queenie Hu
- Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute at Mount Sinai Hospital, Sinai Health System, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Feng Yun Yue
- Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Arinjay Banerjee
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada
- Department of Veterinary Microbiology, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada
- Department of Biology, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, Canada
| | - W. Rod Hardy
- Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute at Mount Sinai Hospital, Sinai Health System, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Karen Mossman
- Department of Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Samira Mubareka
- Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | | | - Michael S. Pollanen
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | | | - Anne-Claude Gingras
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute at Mount Sinai Hospital, Sinai Health System, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Eric G. Marcusson
- Providence Therapeutics Holdings Inc., Calgary, AB, Canada
- Marcusson Consulting, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Mario A. Ostrowski
- Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Immunology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Keenan Research Centre for Biomedical Science of St. Michael’s Hospital, Unity Health Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
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3
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Kozak RA, Fraser RS, Biondi MJ, Majer A, Medina SJ, Griffin BD, Kobasa D, Stapleton PJ, Urfano C, Babuadze G, Antonation K, Fernando L, Booth S, Lillie BN, Kobinger GP. Dual RNA-Seq characterization of host and pathogen gene expression in liver cells infected with Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever Virus. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2020; 14:e0008105. [PMID: 32251473 PMCID: PMC7162549 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0008105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2019] [Revised: 04/16/2020] [Accepted: 01/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus (CCHFV) is a tick-borne virus that can cause a hemorrhagic fever in humans, with a case fatality rate of up to 40%. Cases of CCHFV have been reported in Africa, Asia, and southern Europe; and recently, due to the expanding range of its vector, autochthonous cases have been reported in Spain. Although it was discovered over 70 years ago, our understanding of the pathogenesis of this virus remains limited. We used RNA-Seq in two human liver cell lines (HepG2 and Huh7) infected with CCHFV (strain IbAr10200), to examine kinetic changes in host expression and viral replication simultaneously at 1 and 3 days post infection. Through this, numerous host pathways were identified that were modulated by the virus including: antiviral response and endothelial cell leakage. Notably, the genes encoding DDX60, a cytosolic component of the RIG-I signalling pathway and OAS2 were both shown to be dysregulated. Interestingly, PTPRR was induced in Huh7 cells but not HepG2 cells. This has been associated with the TLR9 signalling cascade, and polymorphisms in TLR9 have been associated with poor outcomes in patients. Additionally, we performed whole-genome sequencing on CCHFV to assess viral diversity over time, and its relationship to the host response. As a result, we have demonstrated that through next-generation mRNA deep-sequencing it is possible to not only examine mRNA gene expression, but also to examine viral quasispecies and typing of the infecting strain. This demonstrates a proof-of-principle that CCHFV specimens can be analyzed to identify both the virus and host biomarkers that may have implications for prognosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert A. Kozak
- Department of Laboratory Medicine & Molecular Diagnostics, Division of Microbiology, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Russell S. Fraser
- Department of Pathology and Microbiology, Atlantic Veterinary College, University of Prince Edward Island, Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, Canada
| | - Mia J. Biondi
- Arthur Labatt Family School of Nursing, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
- Toronto Centre for Liver Disease, Toronto General Hospital, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Anna Majer
- National Microbiology Laboratory, Public Health Agency of Canada, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
| | - Sarah J. Medina
- National Microbiology Laboratory, Public Health Agency of Canada, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
| | - Bryan D. Griffin
- National Microbiology Laboratory, Public Health Agency of Canada, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
| | - Darwyn Kobasa
- National Microbiology Laboratory, Public Health Agency of Canada, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
| | - Patrick J. Stapleton
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Chantel Urfano
- National Microbiology Laboratory, Public Health Agency of Canada, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
| | - Giorgi Babuadze
- Infectious Diseases Research Centre, Université Laval, Quebec City, Quebec, Canada
| | - Kym Antonation
- National Microbiology Laboratory, Public Health Agency of Canada, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
| | - Lisa Fernando
- National Microbiology Laboratory, Public Health Agency of Canada, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
| | - Stephanie Booth
- National Microbiology Laboratory, Public Health Agency of Canada, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
| | - Brandon N. Lillie
- Department of Pathobiology, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
| | - Gary P. Kobinger
- National Microbiology Laboratory, Public Health Agency of Canada, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
- Infectious Diseases Research Centre, Université Laval, Quebec City, Quebec, Canada
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4
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Bai Y, Urushadze L, Osikowicz L, McKee C, Kuzmin I, Kandaurov A, Babuadze G, Natradze I, Imnadze P, Kosoy M. Molecular Survey of Bacterial Zoonotic Agents in Bats from the Country of Georgia (Caucasus). PLoS One 2017; 12:e0171175. [PMID: 28129398 PMCID: PMC5271587 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0171175] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2016] [Accepted: 01/16/2017] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Bats are important reservoirs for many zoonotic pathogens. However, no surveys of bacterial pathogens in bats have been performed in the Caucasus region. To understand the occurrence and distribution of bacterial infections in these mammals, 218 bats belonging to eight species collected from four regions of Georgia were examined for Bartonella, Brucella, Leptospira, and Yersinia using molecular approaches. Bartonella DNA was detected in 77 (35%) bats from all eight species and was distributed in all four regions. The prevalence ranged 6–50% per bat species. The Bartonella DNA represented 25 unique genetic variants that clustered into 21 lineages. Brucella DNA was detected in two Miniopterus schreibersii bats and in two Myotis blythii bats, all of which were from Imereti (west-central region). Leptospira DNA was detected in 25 (13%) bats that included four M. schreibersii bats and 21 M. blythii bats collected from two regions. The Leptospira sequences represented five genetic variants with one of them being closely related to the zoonotic pathogen L. interrogans (98.6% genetic identity). No Yersinia DNA was detected in the bats. Mixed infections were observed in several cases. One M. blythii bat and one M. schreibersii bat were co-infected with Bartonella, Brucella, and Leptospira; one M. blythii bat and one M. schreibersii bat were co-infected with Bartonella and Brucella; 15 M. blythii bats and three M. schreibersii bats were co-infected with Bartonella and Leptospira. Our results suggest that bats in Georgia are exposed to multiple bacterial infections. Further studies are needed to evaluate pathogenicity of these agents to bats and their zoonotic potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Bai
- Division of Vector-Borne Disease, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Fort Collins, Colorado, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Lela Urushadze
- National Center for Disease Control and Public Health, Tbilisi, Republic of Georgia
- Institute of Chemical Biology, Ilia State University, Tbilisi, Republic of Georgia
| | - Lynn Osikowicz
- Division of Vector-Borne Disease, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Fort Collins, Colorado, United States of America
| | - Clifton McKee
- Division of Vector-Borne Disease, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Fort Collins, Colorado, United States of America
- Department of Biology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, United States of America
| | - Ivan Kuzmin
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Andrei Kandaurov
- Institute of Zoology, Ilia State University, Tbilisi, Republic of Georgia
| | - Giorgi Babuadze
- National Center for Disease Control and Public Health, Tbilisi, Republic of Georgia
- Institute of Chemical Biology, Ilia State University, Tbilisi, Republic of Georgia
| | - Ioseb Natradze
- Institute of Zoology, Ilia State University, Tbilisi, Republic of Georgia
| | - Paata Imnadze
- National Center for Disease Control and Public Health, Tbilisi, Republic of Georgia
| | - Michael Kosoy
- Division of Vector-Borne Disease, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Fort Collins, Colorado, United States of America
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5
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Babuadze G, Farlow J, de Koning HP, Carrillo E, Chakhunashvili G, Murskvaladze M, Kekelidze M, Karseladze I, Kokaia N, Kalandadze I, Tsereteli D, Markhvashvili I, Sidamonidze K, Chanturia G, Adeishvili E, Imnadze P. Seroepidemiology and molecular diversity of Leishmania donovani complex in Georgia. Parasit Vectors 2016; 9:279. [PMID: 27177688 PMCID: PMC4866401 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-016-1558-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [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: 02/09/2016] [Accepted: 05/02/2016] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Leishmaniasis includes multiple clinical syndromes, most notably visceral, cutaneous, and mucosal forms. Visceral leishmaniasis (VL), also known as kala-azar, is a potentially fatal disease endemic to large parts of Africa and Asia, and in South-Eastern Europe (Greece, Turkey, Georgia). Visceral leishmaniasis is a parasitic zoonosis caused by species of the L. donovani complex. In the classical epidemiological model the main reservoir for VL are canines. METHODS The study included a cohort of 513 individuals of both genders (190 males and 323 females) from the ages of 1 to 70 years that were screened in ten villages across two districts in Kakheti using the Kalazar Detect™ rK39 rapid diagnostic test. The phylogenetic diversity patterns of local strains, based on the rDNA internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequences, were assessed for samples obtained from patients with suspected L. donovani infection, from canine reservoirs and from Phlebotomus sand flies obtained from different geographical areas of Georgia and from Azerbaijan. RESULTS Out of a total of 600 domestic dog blood samples 95 (15.8 %) were positive by rK39 rapid diagnostic tests. For symptomatic domestic dogs, the testing of conjunctival swabs or bone marrow aspirates revealed a higher VL incidence in Kvareli District (Kvareli; 19.4 %, n = 329) compared with that observed for Sagarejo District (Sagarejo; 11.4 %, n = 271). A total of 231 sand flies of both genders were collected during the 2-month period; of the 114 females, 1.75 % were PCR positive for the presence of Leishmania spp. CONCLUSIONS VL infection rates remain high in both canines and humans in Georgia, with disease in several known natural foci. The genetic relationships derived from rDNA internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequence comparisons identified genetic subgroups, revealing preliminary insights into the genetic structure of L. donovani complex members currently circulating in the South Caucasus and demonstrates the utility of ITS-based genotyping in the resource-limited country of Georgia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giorgi Babuadze
- National Center for Disease Control and Public Health of Georgia, 9 M. Asatiani Str. 0186, Tbilisi, Georgia. .,Ilia State University, Tbilisi, Georgia.
| | - Jason Farlow
- Farlow Scientific Consulting Company, Lewiston, UT, USA
| | - Harry P de Koning
- Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G43 2DX, UK
| | - Eugenia Carrillo
- Unit of Leishmaniasis and Chagas Disease, WHO Collaborating Centre for Leishmaniasis, National Center for Microbiology, Institute of Health Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Giorgi Chakhunashvili
- National Center for Disease Control and Public Health of Georgia, 9 M. Asatiani Str. 0186, Tbilisi, Georgia
| | | | - Merab Kekelidze
- National Center for Disease Control and Public Health of Georgia, 9 M. Asatiani Str. 0186, Tbilisi, Georgia
| | - Irakli Karseladze
- National Center for Disease Control and Public Health of Georgia, 9 M. Asatiani Str. 0186, Tbilisi, Georgia
| | - Nora Kokaia
- S. Virsaladze Research Institute of Medical Parasitology and Tropical Medicine, Tbilisi, Georgia
| | - Irine Kalandadze
- National Center for Disease Control and Public Health of Georgia, 9 M. Asatiani Str. 0186, Tbilisi, Georgia
| | - David Tsereteli
- National Center for Disease Control and Public Health of Georgia, 9 M. Asatiani Str. 0186, Tbilisi, Georgia
| | - Ivane Markhvashvili
- National Center for Disease Control and Public Health of Georgia, 9 M. Asatiani Str. 0186, Tbilisi, Georgia
| | - Ketevan Sidamonidze
- National Center for Disease Control and Public Health of Georgia, 9 M. Asatiani Str. 0186, Tbilisi, Georgia
| | - Gvantsa Chanturia
- National Center for Disease Control and Public Health of Georgia, 9 M. Asatiani Str. 0186, Tbilisi, Georgia
| | - Ekaterine Adeishvili
- National Center for Disease Control and Public Health of Georgia, 9 M. Asatiani Str. 0186, Tbilisi, Georgia
| | - Paata Imnadze
- National Center for Disease Control and Public Health of Georgia, 9 M. Asatiani Str. 0186, Tbilisi, Georgia
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6
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Nozadze M, Zhgenti E, Meparishvili M, Tsverava L, Kiguradze T, Chanturia G, Babuadze G, Kekelidze M, Bakanidze L, Shutkova T, Imnadze P, Francesconi SC, Obiso R, Solomonia R. Comparative Proteomic Studies of Yersinia pestis Strains Isolated from Natural Foci in the Republic of Georgia. Front Public Health 2015; 3:239. [PMID: 26528469 PMCID: PMC4607876 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2015.00239] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [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: 06/17/2015] [Accepted: 10/02/2015] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Yersinia pestis, the causative agent of plague, is a highly virulent bacterium responsible for millions of human deaths throughout history. In the last decade, two natural plague foci have been described in the Republic of Georgia from which dozens of Y. pestis strains have been isolated. Analyses indicate that there are genetic differences between these strains, but it is not known if these differences are also reflected in protein expression. We chose four strains of Y. pestis (1390, 1853, 2944, and 8787) from the National Center for Disease Control and Public Health collection for proteomic studies based on neighbor-joining tree genetic analysis and geographical loci of strain origin. Proteomic expression was analyzed using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and mass spectrometry. Select Y. pestis strains were grown under different physiological conditions and their proteomes were compared: (1) 28°C without calcium; (2) 28°C with calcium; (3) 37°C without calcium; and (4) 37°C with calcium. Candidate proteins were identified and the differences in expression of F1 antigen, tellurium-resistance protein, and outer membrane protein C, porin were validated by Western blotting. The in vitro cytotoxicity activity of these strains was also compared. The results indicate that protein expression and cytotoxic activities differ significantly among the studied strains; these differences could contribute to variations in essential physiological functions in these strains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maia Nozadze
- Institute of Chemical Biology, Ilia State University , Tbilisi , Georgia ; I.Beritashvili Center for Experimental Biomedicine , Tbilisi , Georgia
| | - Ekaterine Zhgenti
- Institute of Chemical Biology, Ilia State University , Tbilisi , Georgia ; National Center for Disease Control , Tbilisi , Georgia
| | - Maia Meparishvili
- I.Beritashvili Center for Experimental Biomedicine , Tbilisi , Georgia
| | - Lia Tsverava
- I.Beritashvili Center for Experimental Biomedicine , Tbilisi , Georgia
| | - Tamar Kiguradze
- I.Beritashvili Center for Experimental Biomedicine , Tbilisi , Georgia
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Paata Imnadze
- National Center for Disease Control , Tbilisi , Georgia
| | | | - Richard Obiso
- Attimo Research and Development , Blacksburg, VA , USA
| | - Revaz Solomonia
- Institute of Chemical Biology, Ilia State University , Tbilisi , Georgia ; I.Beritashvili Center for Experimental Biomedicine , Tbilisi , Georgia
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7
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Khmaladze E, Birdsell DN, Naumann AA, Hochhalter CB, Seymour ML, Nottingham R, Beckstrom-Sternberg SM, Beckstrom-Sternberg J, Nikolich MP, Chanturia G, Zhgenti E, Zakalashvili M, Malania L, Babuadze G, Tsertsvadze N, Abazashvili N, Kekelidze M, Tsanava S, Imnadze P, Ganz HH, Getz WM, Pearson O, Gajer P, Eppinger M, Ravel J, Wagner DM, Okinaka RT, Schupp JM, Keim P, Pearson T. Phylogeography of Bacillus anthracis in the country of Georgia shows evidence of population structuring and is dissimilar to other regional genotypes. PLoS One 2014; 9:e102651. [PMID: 25047912 PMCID: PMC4105404 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0102651] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2013] [Accepted: 06/21/2014] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Sequence analyses and subtyping of Bacillus anthracis strains from Georgia reveal a single distinct lineage (Aust94) that is ecologically established. Phylogeographic analysis and comparisons to a global collection reveals a clade that is mostly restricted to Georgia. Within this clade, many groups are found around the country, however at least one subclade is only found in the eastern part. This pattern suggests that dispersal into and out of Georgia has been rare and despite historical dispersion within the country, for at least for one lineage, current spread is limited.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ekaterine Khmaladze
- National Center for Disease Control and Public Health, Tbilisi, Georgia
- Ivane Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University, Tbilisi, Georgia
| | - Dawn N. Birdsell
- Center for Microbial Genetics and Genomics, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, Arizona, United States of America
| | - Amber A. Naumann
- Center for Microbial Genetics and Genomics, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, Arizona, United States of America
| | - Christian B. Hochhalter
- Center for Microbial Genetics and Genomics, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, Arizona, United States of America
| | - Meagan L. Seymour
- Center for Microbial Genetics and Genomics, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, Arizona, United States of America
| | - Roxanne Nottingham
- Center for Microbial Genetics and Genomics, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, Arizona, United States of America
| | | | - James Beckstrom-Sternberg
- Center for Microbial Genetics and Genomics, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, Arizona, United States of America
| | - Mikeljon P. Nikolich
- Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Gvantsa Chanturia
- National Center for Disease Control and Public Health, Tbilisi, Georgia
| | - Ekaterine Zhgenti
- National Center for Disease Control and Public Health, Tbilisi, Georgia
| | | | - Lile Malania
- National Center for Disease Control and Public Health, Tbilisi, Georgia
| | - Giorgi Babuadze
- National Center for Disease Control and Public Health, Tbilisi, Georgia
| | | | | | - Merab Kekelidze
- National Center for Disease Control and Public Health, Tbilisi, Georgia
| | - Shota Tsanava
- National Center for Disease Control and Public Health, Tbilisi, Georgia
- Ivane Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University, Tbilisi, Georgia
| | - Paata Imnadze
- National Center for Disease Control and Public Health, Tbilisi, Georgia
- Ivane Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University, Tbilisi, Georgia
| | - Holly H. Ganz
- Department Environmental Science Policy and Management, University of California, Berkeley, California, United States of America
| | - Wayne M. Getz
- Department Environmental Science Policy and Management, University of California, Berkeley, California, United States of America
| | - Ofori Pearson
- US Geological Survey, Denver Federal Center, Denver, Colorado, United States of America
| | - Pawel Gajer
- Institute for Genome Sciences, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Mark Eppinger
- Institute for Genome Sciences, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
- University of Texas at San Antonio, Texas, United States of America
| | - Jacques Ravel
- Institute for Genome Sciences, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - David M. Wagner
- Center for Microbial Genetics and Genomics, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, Arizona, United States of America
| | - Richard T. Okinaka
- Center for Microbial Genetics and Genomics, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, Arizona, United States of America
| | - James M. Schupp
- Center for Microbial Genetics and Genomics, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, Arizona, United States of America
| | - Paul Keim
- Center for Microbial Genetics and Genomics, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, Arizona, United States of America
| | - Talima Pearson
- Center for Microbial Genetics and Genomics, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, Arizona, United States of America
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Babuadze G, Alvar J, Argaw D, de Koning HP, Iosava M, Kekelidze M, Tsertsvadze N, Tsereteli D, Chakhunashvili G, Mamatsashvili T, Beria N, Kalandadze I, Ejov M, Imnadze P. Epidemiology of visceral leishmaniasis in Georgia. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2014; 8:e2725. [PMID: 24603768 PMCID: PMC3945224 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0002725] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2013] [Accepted: 01/19/2014] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
This study investigated the transmission and prevalence of Leishmania parasite infection of humans in two foci of Visceral Leishmaniasis (VL) in Georgia, the well known focus in Tbilisi in the East, and in Kutaisi, a new focus in the West of the country. The seroprevalence of canine leishmaniasis was investigated in order to understand the zoonotic transmission. Blood samples of 1575 dogs (stray and pet) and 77 wild canids were tested for VL by Kalazar Detect rK39 rapid diagnostic tests. Three districts were investigated in Tbilisi and one in Kutaisi. The highest proportions of seropositive pet dogs were present in District #2 (28.1%, 82/292) and District #1 (26.9%, 24/89) in Tbilisi, compared to 17.3% (26/150) of pet dogs in Kutaisi. The percentage of seropositive stray dogs was also twice as high in Tbilisi (16.1%, n = 670) than in Kutaisi (8%, n = 50); only 2/58 wild animals screened were seropositive (2. 6%). A total of 873 Phlebotomine sand flies were collected, with 5 different species identified in Tbilisi and 3 species in Kutaisi; 2.3% of the females were positive for Leishmania parasites. The Leishmanin Skin Test (LST) was performed on 981 human subjects in VL foci in urban areas in Tbilisi and Kutaisi. A particularly high prevalence of LST positives was observed in Tbilisi District #1 (22.2%, 37.5% and 19.5% for ages 5-9, 15-24 and 25-59, respectively); lower prevalence was observed in Kutaisi (0%, 3.2% and 5.2%, respectively; P<0.05). This study shows that Tbilisi is an active focus for leishmaniasis and that the infection prevalence is very high in dogs and in humans. Although exposure is as yet not as high in Kutaisi, this is a new VL focus. The overall situation in the country is alarming and new control measures are urgently needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giorgi Babuadze
- National Center for Disease Control and Public Health of Georgia, Tbilisi, Georgia
- Ilia State University, Tbilisi, Georgia
| | - Jorge Alvar
- WHO/NTD/Leishmaniasis Program, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Daniel Argaw
- World Health Organization/NTD, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Harry P. de Koning
- Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Merab Iosava
- National Center for Disease Control and Public Health of Georgia, Tbilisi, Georgia
| | - Merab Kekelidze
- National Center for Disease Control and Public Health of Georgia, Tbilisi, Georgia
| | - Nikoloz Tsertsvadze
- National Center for Disease Control and Public Health of Georgia, Tbilisi, Georgia
| | - David Tsereteli
- National Center for Disease Control and Public Health of Georgia, Tbilisi, Georgia
| | | | - Tamar Mamatsashvili
- National Center for Disease Control and Public Health of Georgia, Tbilisi, Georgia
| | - Nino Beria
- National Center for Disease Control and Public Health of Georgia, Tbilisi, Georgia
| | - Irine Kalandadze
- National Center for Disease Control and Public Health of Georgia, Tbilisi, Georgia
| | - Mikhail Ejov
- World Health Organization, Regional Office for Europe, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Paata Imnadze
- National Center for Disease Control and Public Health of Georgia, Tbilisi, Georgia
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9
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Jiang J, You BJ, Liu E, Apte A, Yarina TR, Myers TE, Lee JS, Francesconi SC, O’Guinn ML, Tsertsvadze N, Vephkhvadze N, Babuadze G, Sidamonidze K, Kokhreidze M, Donduashvili M, Onashvili T, Ismayilov A, Agayev N, Aliyev M, Muttalibov N, Richards AL. Development of three quantitative real-time PCR assays for the detection of Rickettsia raoultii, Rickettsia slovaca, and Rickettsia aeschlimannii and their validation with ticks from the country of Georgia and the Republic of Azerbaijan. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2012. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2012.10.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
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10
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Giorgobiani E, Lawyer PG, Babuadze G, Dolidze N, Jochim RC, Tskhvaradze L, Kikaleishvili K, Kamhawi S. Incrimination of Phlebotomus kandelakii and Phlebotomus balcanicus as vectors of Leishmania infantum in Tbilisi, Georgia. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2012; 6:e1609. [PMID: 22509422 PMCID: PMC3317916 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0001609] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2011] [Accepted: 02/26/2012] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
A survey of potential vector sand flies was conducted in the neighboring suburban communities of Vake and Mtatsminda districts in an active focus of visceral Leishmaniasis (VL) in Tbilisi, Georgia. Using light and sticky-paper traps, 1,266 male and 1,179 female sand flies were collected during 2006-2008. Five Phlebotomus species of three subgenera were collected: Phlebotomus balcanicus Theodor and Phlebotomus halepensis Theodor of the subgenus Adlerius; Phlebotomus kandelakii Shchurenkova and Phlebotomus wenyoni Adler and Theodor of the subgenus Larroussius; Phlebotomus sergenti Perfil'ev of the subgenus Paraphlebotomus. Phlebotomus sergenti (35.1%) predominated in Vake, followed by P. kandelakii (33.5%), P. balcanicus (18.9%), P. halepensis (12.2%), and P. wenyoni (0.3%). In Mtatsminda, P. kandelakii (76.8%) comprised over three fourths of collected sand flies, followed by P. sergenti (12.6%), P. balcanicus (5.8%), P. halepensis (3.7%), and P. wenyoni (1.1%). The sand fly season in Georgia is exceptionally short beginning in early June, peaking in July and August, then declining to zero in early September. Of 659 female sand flies examined for Leishmania, 12 (1.8%) specimens without traces of blood were infected including 10 of 535 P. kandelakii (1.9%) and two of 40 P. balcanicus (5.0%). Six isolates were successfully cultured and characterized as Leishmania by PCR. Three isolates from P. kandelakii (2) and P. balcanicus (1) were further identified as L. infantum using sequence alignment of the 70 kDa heat-shock protein gene. Importantly, the sand fly isolates showed a high percent identity (99.8%-99.9%) to human and dog isolates from the same focus, incriminating the two sand fly species as vectors. Blood meal analysis showed that P. kandelakii preferentially feeds on dogs (76%) but also feeds on humans. The abundance, infection rate and feeding behavior of P. kandelakii and the infection rate in P. balcanicus establish these species as vectors in the Tbilisi VL focus.
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