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Viljoen N, Ismail A, Weyer J, Markotter W. A rabies-related lyssavirus from a Nycticeinops schlieffeni bat with neurological signs, South Africa. Microbiol Resour Announc 2023; 12:e0062123. [PMID: 37800932 PMCID: PMC10652934 DOI: 10.1128/mra.00621-23] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2023] [Accepted: 08/30/2023] [Indexed: 10/07/2023] Open
Abstract
We report the coding-complete sequence of a lyssavirus, provisionally designated Phala bat lyssavirus (PBLV), characterized using a metagenomics approach. PBLV was identified in a Nycticeinops schlieffeni bat that exhibited neurological signs and died within 24 hours of admission to a wildlife rehabilitation center in Phalaborwa, South Africa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalie Viljoen
- Centre for Viral Zoonoses, Department of Medical Virology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
- Centre for Emerging Zoonotic and Parasitic Diseases, National Institute for Communicable Disease of the National Health Laboratory Service, Sandringham, South Africa
| | - Arshad Ismail
- Sequencing Core Facility, National Institute for Communicable Diseases of the National Health Laboratory Service, Sandringham, South Africa
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Engineering and Agriculture, University of Venda, Thohoyandou, South Africa
- Institute for Water and Wastewater Technology, Durban University of Technology, Durban, South Africa
| | - Jacqueline Weyer
- Centre for Viral Zoonoses, Department of Medical Virology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
- Centre for Emerging Zoonotic and Parasitic Diseases, National Institute for Communicable Disease of the National Health Laboratory Service, Sandringham, South Africa
- Department of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Wanda Markotter
- Centre for Viral Zoonoses, Department of Medical Virology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
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Viljoen N, Burt F, Weyer J. Coding-complete genome of human alphaherpesvirus 1 isolated from a case of fulminant hepatitis. Microbiol Resour Announc 2023; 12:e0035523. [PMID: 37747240 PMCID: PMC10586135 DOI: 10.1128/mra.00355-23] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2023] [Accepted: 08/03/2023] [Indexed: 09/26/2023] Open
Abstract
We report the coding-complete genome sequence of human alphaherpesvirus 1 (HHV1) isolated from a previously healthy 64-year-old male with fulminant hepatitis, a rare presentation of a common viral agent. The sequence is highly similar to previously described HHV1 sequences. Additional sequence data for fulminant hepatitis cases are required.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalie Viljoen
- Center for Emerging Zoonotic and Parasitic Diseases, National Institute for Communicable Disease of the National Health Laboratory Service, Sandringham, South Africa
- Division of Virology, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa
- Centre for Viral Zoonoses, Department of Medical Virology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Felicity Burt
- Division of Virology, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa
- Division of Virology, National Health Laboratory Service, Universitas, Bloemfontein, South Africa
| | - Jacqueline Weyer
- Center for Emerging Zoonotic and Parasitic Diseases, National Institute for Communicable Disease of the National Health Laboratory Service, Sandringham, South Africa
- Centre for Viral Zoonoses, Department of Medical Virology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
- Department of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
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Viljoen N, Weyer J, Coertse J, Markotter W. Evaluation of Taxonomic Characteristics of Matlo and Phala Bat Rabies-Related Lyssaviruses Identified in South Africa. Viruses 2023; 15:2047. [PMID: 37896824 PMCID: PMC10611238 DOI: 10.3390/v15102047] [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] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2023] [Revised: 09/26/2023] [Accepted: 09/28/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
We report the genetic characterization of two potentially novel rabies-related lyssaviruses identified from bats in Limpopo province, South Africa. Matlo bat lyssavirus (MBLV) was identified in two Miniopterus natalensis (Natal long-fingered) bats in 2015 and 2016, and Phala bat lyssavirus (PBLV) was identified in a Nycticeinops schlieffeni (Schlieffen's) bat in 2021. The distribution of both of these bat species is largely confined to parts of Africa, with limited reports from the Arabian Peninsula. MBLV and PBLV were demonstrated to group with the unassigned and phylogroup I lyssaviruses, respectively. MBLV was most closely related to Lyssavirus caucasicus (WCBV), whereas PBLV was most closely related to Lyssavirus formosa (TWBLV-1) and Taiwan bat lyssavirus 2 (TWBLV-2), based on analysis of the N and G genes, the concatenated N + P + M + G + L coding sequence, and the complete genome sequence. Based on our analysis, MBLV and WCBV appeared to constitute a phylogroup separate from Lyssavirus lleida (LLEBV) and Lyssavirus ikoma (IKOV). Analysis of the antigenic sites suggests that PBLV will likely be serologically distinguishable from established lyssaviruses in virus-neutralization tests, whereas MBLV appeared to be antigenically highly similar to WCBV. Taken together, the findings suggested that, while PBLV is likely a new lyssavirus species, MBLV is likely related to WCBV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalie Viljoen
- Centre for Viral Zoonoses, Department of Medical Virology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria 0001, South Africa
- Centre for Emerging Zoonotic and Parasitic Diseases, National Institute for Communicable Disease of the National Health Laboratory Service, Johannesburg 2131, South Africa
| | - Jacqueline Weyer
- Centre for Viral Zoonoses, Department of Medical Virology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria 0001, South Africa
- Centre for Emerging Zoonotic and Parasitic Diseases, National Institute for Communicable Disease of the National Health Laboratory Service, Johannesburg 2131, South Africa
- Department of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg 2000, South Africa
| | - Jessica Coertse
- Centre for Viral Zoonoses, Department of Medical Virology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria 0001, South Africa
- Centre for Emerging Zoonotic and Parasitic Diseases, National Institute for Communicable Disease of the National Health Laboratory Service, Johannesburg 2131, South Africa
| | - Wanda Markotter
- Centre for Viral Zoonoses, Department of Medical Virology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria 0001, South Africa
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Coertse J, Viljoen N, Weyer J, Markotter W. Comparative Neutralization Activity of Commercial Rabies Immunoglobulin against Diverse Lyssaviruses. Vaccines (Basel) 2023; 11:1255. [PMID: 37515070 PMCID: PMC10383743 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines11071255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2023] [Revised: 07/15/2023] [Accepted: 07/17/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Novel lyssaviruses, the causative agents of rabies, continue to be described mostly due to increased surveillance in bat hosts. Biologicals for the prevention of rabies in humans have, however, remained largely unchanged for decades. This study aimed to determine if commercial rabies immunoglobulin (RIG) could neutralize diverse lyssaviruses. Two commercial preparations, of human or equine origin, were evaluated against a panel consisting of 13 lyssavirus species. Reduced neutralization was observed for the majority of lyssaviruses compared to rabies virus and was more evident for lyssaviruses outside of phylogroup I. Neutralization of more diverse lyssaviruses only occurred at very high doses, except for Ikoma lyssavirus, which could not be neutralized by the RIG evaluated in this study. The use of RIG is a crucial component of rabies post-exposure prophylaxis and the data generated here indicate that RIG, in its current form, will not protect against all lyssaviruses. In addition, higher doses of RIG may be required for neutralization as the genetic distance from vaccine strains increases. Given the limitations of current RIG preparations, alternative passive immunization options should be investigated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica Coertse
- Centre for Emerging Zoonotic and Parasitic Diseases, National Institute for Communicable Diseases, A Division of the National Health Laboratory Service, Johannesburg 2131, South Africa
- Centre for Viral Zoonoses, Department of Medical Virology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Pretoria, Pretoria 0001, South Africa
| | - Natalie Viljoen
- Centre for Emerging Zoonotic and Parasitic Diseases, National Institute for Communicable Diseases, A Division of the National Health Laboratory Service, Johannesburg 2131, South Africa
- Centre for Viral Zoonoses, Department of Medical Virology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Pretoria, Pretoria 0001, South Africa
| | - Jacqueline Weyer
- Centre for Emerging Zoonotic and Parasitic Diseases, National Institute for Communicable Diseases, A Division of the National Health Laboratory Service, Johannesburg 2131, South Africa
- Centre for Viral Zoonoses, Department of Medical Virology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Pretoria, Pretoria 0001, South Africa
- Department of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, School of Pathology, University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg 2131, South Africa
| | - Wanda Markotter
- Centre for Viral Zoonoses, Department of Medical Virology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Pretoria, Pretoria 0001, South Africa
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Fritzen A, Risinger C, Korukluoglu G, Christova I, Corli Hitzeroth A, Viljoen N, Burt FJ, Mirazimi A, Blixt O. Epitope-mapping of the glycoprotein from Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus using a microarray approach. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2018; 12:e0006598. [PMID: 29985929 PMCID: PMC6053253 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0006598] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [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: 11/28/2017] [Revised: 07/19/2018] [Accepted: 06/08/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus (CCHFV) causes severe acute human disease with lethal outcome. The knowledge about the immune response for this human health threat is highly limited. In this study, we have screened the glycoprotein of CCHFV for novel linear B-cell epitopic regions using a microarray approach. The peptide library consisted of 168 synthesized 20mer peptides with 10 amino acid overlap covering the entire glycoprotein. Using both pooled and individual human sera from survivors of CCHF disease in Turkey five peptide epitopes situated in the mucin-like region and GP 38 (G15-515) and GN G516-1037 region of the glycoprotein were identified as epitopes for a CCHF immune response. An epitope walk of the five peptides revealed a peptide sequence located in the GN region with high specificity and sensitivity. This peptide sequence, and a sequence downstream, reacted also against sera from survivors of CCHF disease in South Africa. The cross reactivity of these peptides with samples from a geographically distinct region where genetically diverse strains of the virus circulate, enabled the identification of unique peptide epitopes from the CCHF glycoprotein that could have application in development of diagnostic tools. In this study clinical samples from geographically distinct regions were used to identify conserved linear epitopic regions of the glycoprotein of CCHF. Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) is a widespread disease caused by a tick-borne virus belonging to the genus Orthonairovirus of the Nairoviridae family. The virus is responsible for outbreaks of severe viral hemorrhagic fever with a case fatality rate of approximately 30%. The CCHF virus is transmitted to people either by tick bites or through contact with infected animal blood or tissues. A mouse brain-derived vaccine against CCHF has been developed (included in this study) and used on a small scale in eastern Europe. There is no safe and effective vaccine widely available for human use. Currently, there are a limited number of serological assays commercially available for testing for CCHFV specific IgG and IgM. There are enzyme linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) and imunnofluorescent assays (IFA) designed for screening human samples for diagnostic purposes however they are not cost effective for surveillance studies. The limiting factor for the replication of these protocols in other laboratories is the availability of antigens and (where relevant) specified monoclonal antibodies. To contribute to the improvement of the diagnostic methods for CCHFV, we aimed to identify and characterize new synthetic antigens that were more sensitive and specific and could be applied in epidemiologic surveys.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda Fritzen
- Department of Chemistry, University of Copenhagen, Frederiksberg, Denmark
| | - Christian Risinger
- Department of Chemistry, University of Copenhagen, Frederiksberg, Denmark
| | | | - Iva Christova
- National Center of Infectious and Parasitic Diseases, Sofia, Bulgaria
| | - Arina Corli Hitzeroth
- Division of Virology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, Republic of South Africa
| | - Natalie Viljoen
- Division of Virology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, Republic of South Africa
| | - Felicity Jane Burt
- Division of Virology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, Republic of South Africa
- Division of Virology, NHLS Universitas, Bloemfontein, Republic of South Africa
| | - Ali Mirazimi
- Folkhälsomyndigheten, Solna, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department for Laboratory Medicine, Karolinska Institute and Karolinska Hospital University, Solna, Sweden
- National Veterinary Institute, Uppsala, Sweden
- * E-mail: (AM); (OB)
| | - Ola Blixt
- Department of Chemistry, University of Copenhagen, Frederiksberg, Denmark
- Department for Laboratory Medicine, Karolinska Institute and Karolinska Hospital University, Solna, Sweden
- * E-mail: (AM); (OB)
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Viljoen N, Heise M, Burt F. DNA-launched sindbis virus based replicon encoding the yellow fever virus ED-lll protein. Int J Infect Dis 2014. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijid.2014.03.1309] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022] Open
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