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Viruses Jul 2023Rabies, caused by the rabies virus (RABV), remains a significant public health issue in the Philippines despite efforts to control it. To eliminate rabies by 2030,...
Rabies, caused by the rabies virus (RABV), remains a significant public health issue in the Philippines despite efforts to control it. To eliminate rabies by 2030, effective surveillance strategies are crucial. In this study, we examined RABV evolution and phylodynamics in the Davao Region using genome sequences from Davao City and nearby provinces. We adapted the RABV ARTIC Protocol for Oxford Nanopore High-Throughput Sequencing to optimize workflow efficiency under limited resources. Comparing new virus samples collected from June 2019 to June 2021 ( = 38) with baseline samples from June 2018 to May 2019 ( = 49), new sub-clades were observed in the phylogenetic tree, suggesting divergence from older variants that were previously undetected. Most of the new viruses belonged to the Asian SEA4_A1.1.1 lineage, but new (SEA4_B1 and SEA4_B1.1) and emerging (SEA4_B1.1_E1) lineages that have never been reported in the Philippines were also identified. The baseline study reported phylogeographic clustering of RABV isolates from the same areas. However, this pattern was disrupted in the current biosurveillance, with variants detected in areas outside the original cluster. Furthermore, our findings revealed significant transmission routes between Davao City and neighboring provinces, contrasting with the predominantly intra-city transmission observed in the baseline study. These results underscore the need for ongoing and timely genomic surveillance to monitor genetic diversity changes and the emergence of novel strains, as well as to track alterations in transmission pathways. Implementing cost-effective next-generation sequencing workflows will facilitate the integration of genomic surveillance into rabies control programs, particularly in resource-limited settings. Collaborations between different sectors can empower local laboratories and experts in genomic technologies and analysis.
Topics: Humans; Rabies virus; Rabies; Philippines; Phylogeny; Genomics
PubMed: 37632001
DOI: 10.3390/v15081658 -
Microbial Pathogenesis Dec 2023Rabies, caused by the rabies virus (RABV), is the most fatal zoonotic disease. It is a neglected tropical disease which remains a major public health problem, causing...
Rabies, caused by the rabies virus (RABV), is the most fatal zoonotic disease. It is a neglected tropical disease which remains a major public health problem, causing approximately 59,000 deaths worldwide annually. Despite the existence of effective vaccines, the high incidence of human rabies is mainly linked to tedious vaccine immunisation procedures and the overall high cost of post-exposure prophylaxis. Therefore, it is necessary to develop an effective vaccine that has a simple procedure and is affordable to prevent rabies infection in humans. RABV belongs to the genus Lyssavirus and family Rhabdoviridae. Previous phylogenetic analyses have identified seven major clades of RABV in China (China I-VII), confirmed by analysing nucleotide sequences from both the G and N proteins. This study evaluated the immunogenicity and protective capacity of SYS6008, an mRNA rabies vaccine expressing rabies virus glycoprotein, in mice and cynomolgus macaques. We demonstrated that SYS6008 induced sufficient levels of rabies neutralising antibody (RVNA) in mice. In addition, SYS6008 elicited strong and durable RVNA responses in vaccinated cynomolgus macaques. In the pre-exposure prophylaxis murine model, one or two injections of SYS6008 at 1/10 or 1/30 of dosage provided protection against a challenge with a 30-fold LD of rabies virus (China I and II clades). We also demonstrated that in the post-exposure prophylaxis murine model, which was exposed to lethal rabies virus (China I-VII clades) before vaccination, one or two injections of SYS6008 at both 1/10 and 1/30 dosages provided better protection against rabies virus challenge than the immunization by five injections of commercial vaccines at the same dosage. In addition, we proved that SYS6008-induced RVNAs could neutralise RABV from the China I-VII clades. Finally, 1/10 of the dosage of SYS6008 was able to stimulate significant RABV-G specificity in the T cell response. Furthermore, we found that SYS6008 induced high cellular immunity, including RABV-G-specific T cell responses and memory B cells. Our results imply that the SYS6008 rabies vaccine, with a much simpler vaccination procedure, better immunogenicity, and enhanced protective capacity, could be a candidate vaccine for post-exposure prophylaxis of rabies infections.
Topics: Humans; Animals; Mice; Rabies; Rabies Vaccines; Rabies virus; Post-Exposure Prophylaxis; Disease Models, Animal; Phylogeny; Antibodies, Viral; Macaca
PubMed: 37923181
DOI: 10.1016/j.micpath.2023.106425 -
BioRxiv : the Preprint Server For... Sep 2023Neural circuits, which constitute the substrate for brain processing, can be traced in the retrograde direction, from postsynaptic to presynaptic cells, using methods...
Neural circuits, which constitute the substrate for brain processing, can be traced in the retrograde direction, from postsynaptic to presynaptic cells, using methods based on introducing modified rabies virus into genetically marked cell types. These methods have revolutionized the field of neuroscience. However, similarly reliable, transsynaptic, and non-toxic methods to trace circuits in the anterograde direction are not available. Here, we describe such a method based on an antibody-like protein selected against the extracellular N-terminus of the AMPA receptor subunit GluA1 (AMPA.FingR). ATLAS (Anterograde Transsynaptic Label based on Antibody-like Sensors) is engineered to release the AMPA.FingR and its payload, which can include Cre recombinase, from presynaptic sites into the synaptic cleft, after which it binds to GluA1, enters postsynaptic cells through endocytosis and subsequently carries its payload to the nucleus. Testing in vivo and in dissociated cultures shows that ATLAS mediates monosynaptic tracing from genetically determined cells that is strictly anterograde, synaptic, and non-toxic. Moreover, ATLAS shows activity dependence, which may make tracing active circuits that underlie specific behaviors possible.
PubMed: 37745471
DOI: 10.1101/2023.09.12.557425 -
The Journal of Biological Chemistry Apr 2024Lipids have been previously implicated in the lifecycle of neuroinvasive viruses. However, the role of lipids in programmed cell death and the relationship between...
Lipids have been previously implicated in the lifecycle of neuroinvasive viruses. However, the role of lipids in programmed cell death and the relationship between programmed cell death and lipid droplets (LDs) in neuroinvasive virus infection remains unclear. Here, we found that the infection of neuroinvasive virus, such as rabies virus and encephalomyocarditis virus could enhance the LD formation in N2a cells, and decreasing LDs production by targeting diacylglycerol acyltransferase could suppress viral replication. The lipidomics analysis revealed that arachidonic acid (AA) was significantly increased after reducing LD formation by restricting diacylglycerol acyltransferase, and AA was further demonstrated to induce ferroptosis to inhibit neuroinvasive virus replication. Moreover, lipid peroxidation and viral replication inhibition could be significantly alleviated by a ferroptosis inhibitor, ferrostatin-1, indicating that AA affected neuroinvasive virus replication mainly through inducing ferroptosis. Furthermore, AA was demonstrated to activate the acyl-CoA synthetase long-chain family member 4-lysophosphatidylcholine acyltransferase 3-cytochrome P450 oxidoreductase axis to induce ferroptosis. Our findings highlight novel cross-talks among viral infection, LDs, and ferroptosis for the first time, providing a potential target for antiviral drug development.
Topics: Ferroptosis; Lipid Droplets; Animals; Virus Replication; Mice; Arachidonic Acid; Encephalomyocarditis virus; Diacylglycerol O-Acyltransferase; Lipid Peroxidation; Coenzyme A Ligases; Cell Line, Tumor; Humans
PubMed: 38490434
DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2024.107168 -
Frontiers in Microbiology 2023TMP269, a small molecular inhibitor of IIa histone deacetylase, plays a vital role in cancer therapeutic. However, the effect of TMP269 on the regulation of viral...
TMP269, a small molecular inhibitor of IIa histone deacetylase, plays a vital role in cancer therapeutic. However, the effect of TMP269 on the regulation of viral replication has not been studied. In the present study, we found that TMP269 treatment significantly inhibited RABV replication at concentrations without significant cytotoxicity in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, TMP269 can reduce the viral titers and protein levels of RABV at an early stage in the viral life cycle. RNA sequencing data revealed that immune-related pathways and autophagy-related genes were significantly downregulated after RABV infection treated with TMP269. Further exploration shows that autophagy enhances RABV replication in HEK-293T cells, while TMP269 can inhibit autophagy to decrease RABV replication. Together, these results provide a novel treatment strategy for rabies.
PubMed: 38107853
DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1284439 -
Zoonoses and Public Health Aug 2024Rabies virus (RABV) is the etiologic agent of rabies, a fatal brain disease in mammals. Rabies circulation has historically involved the dog has the main source of human...
BACKGROUND
Rabies virus (RABV) is the etiologic agent of rabies, a fatal brain disease in mammals. Rabies circulation has historically involved the dog has the main source of human rabies worldwide. Nevertheless, in Colombia, cats (Felis catus) have become a relevant species in the epidemiology of rabies.
AIMS
To characterize rabies cases in humans in Colombia in the last three decades in the context of the epidemiology of the aggressor animal.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
We conducted a retrospective longitudinal epidemiological study of human rabies caused by cats' aggression, collecting primary and secondary information. Variables considered included the demography of the patient, symptoms, information about the aggressor animal as the source of infection and the viral variant identified.
RESULTS
We found that the distribution of rabies incidence over the years has been constant in Colombia. Nevertheless, between 2003 and 2012 a peak of cases occurred in rural Colombia where cats were the most frequent aggressor animal reported. Most cats involved in aggression were unvaccinated against rabies. Cat's clinical signs at the time of the report of the human cases included hypersalivation and changes in behaviour. Human patients were mostly children and female and the exposure primarily corresponded to bite and puncture lacerations in hands. The RABV lineage detected in most cases corresponded to variant 3, linked to the common vampire bat (Desmodus rotundus). The geographical presentation of cat borne RABV in humans occurred along the Andes mountains, epidemiologically known as the rabies red Andean corridor.
DISCUSSION
By finding cats as the primary source of rabies spillover transmission in Colombia, this report highlights the importance of revising national rabies control and prevention protocol in countries in the Andes region.
CONCLUSION
Our results demonstrate that rabies vaccination for outdoor cats needs to prioritize to reduce the number of rabies-related human deaths.
Topics: Rabies; Animals; Cats; Humans; Colombia; Male; Female; Cat Diseases; Retrospective Studies; Rabies virus; Child; Adolescent; Adult; Child, Preschool; Bites and Stings; Young Adult; Middle Aged; Longitudinal Studies; Zoonoses; Incidence
PubMed: 38706119
DOI: 10.1111/zph.13141 -
International Journal of Infectious... Sep 2023To evaluate the immunogenicity and safety of an anti-rabies monoclonal antibody (mAb), ormutivimab, compared with human rabies immunoglobulin (HRIG). (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial
Comparing recombinant human rabies monoclonal antibody (ormutivimab) with human rabies immunoglobulin (HRIG) for postexposure prophylaxis: A phase III, randomized, double-blind, non-inferiority trial.
OBJECTIVES
To evaluate the immunogenicity and safety of an anti-rabies monoclonal antibody (mAb), ormutivimab, compared with human rabies immunoglobulin (HRIG).
METHODS
This phase III trial was designed as a randomized, double-blind, non-inferiority clinical trial in patients aged ≥18 years with suspected World Health Organization category Ⅲ rabies exposure. The participants were randomized 1:1 to ormutivimab and HRIG groups. After thorough wound washing and injection of ormutivimab/HRIG on day 0, the vaccination was administered on days 0, 3, 7, 14, and 28. The primary endpoint was the adjusted geometric mean concentration (GMC) of rabies virus-neutralizing activity (RVNA) on day 7. The endpoint of safety included the occurrence of adverse reactions and serious adverse events.
RESULTS
A total of 720 participants were recruited. The adjusted-GMC of RVNA (0.41 IU/ml) on day 7 in ormutivimab group was not inferior to that in the HRIG group (0.41 IU/ml), with ratio of adjusted-GMC of 1.01 (95% confidence interval: 0.91, 1.14). The seroconversion rate of the ormutivimab group was higher than that of the HRIG group on days 7, 14, and 42. Most local injection sites and systemic adverse reactions reported from both groups were mild to moderate in severity.
CONCLUSION
ormutivimab + vaccine can protect victims aged ≥18 years with category Ⅲ suspected rabies exposure as a component of postexposure prophylaxis. ormutivimab has a weaker influence on the immunity response of rabies vaccines.
CLINICAL TRIALS REGISTRATION
ChiCTR1900021478 (the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry of World Health Organization).
Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Humans; Antibodies, Monoclonal; Antibodies, Viral; Immunologic Factors; Post-Exposure Prophylaxis; Rabies; Rabies Vaccines; Rabies virus
PubMed: 37211270
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijid.2023.05.017 -
Systematic Biology Nov 2023Divergence time estimation is crucial to provide temporal signals for dating biologically important events from species divergence to viral transmissions in space and...
Divergence time estimation is crucial to provide temporal signals for dating biologically important events from species divergence to viral transmissions in space and time. With the advent of high-throughput sequencing, recent Bayesian phylogenetic studies have analyzed hundreds to thousands of sequences. Such large-scale analyses challenge divergence time reconstruction by requiring inference on highly correlated internal node heights that often become computationally infeasible. To overcome this limitation, we explore a ratio transformation that maps the original $N-1$ internal node heights into a space of one height parameter and $N-2$ ratio parameters. To make the analyses scalable, we develop a collection of linear-time algorithms to compute the gradient and Jacobian-associated terms of the log-likelihood with respect to these ratios. We then apply Hamiltonian Monte Carlo sampling with the ratio transform in a Bayesian framework to learn the divergence times in 4 pathogenic viruses (West Nile virus, rabies virus, Lassa virus, and Ebola virus) and the coralline red algae. Our method both resolves a mixing issue in the West Nile virus example and improves inference efficiency by at least 5-fold for the Lassa and rabies virus examples as well as for the algae example. Our method now also makes it computationally feasible to incorporate mixed-effects molecular clock models for the Ebola virus example, confirms the findings from the original study, and reveals clearer multimodal distributions of the divergence times of some clades of interest.
Topics: Phylogeny; Bayes Theorem; Algorithms; Time Factors; Monte Carlo Method
PubMed: 37458991
DOI: 10.1093/sysbio/syad039 -
Frontiers in Pharmacology 2023
PubMed: 38186642
DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2023.1346648 -
Veterinary Microbiology Feb 2024Rabies is an ancient zoonotic disease caused by the rabies virus (RABV), and a sharp increase in rabies cases and deaths were observed following the COVID-19 pandemic,...
Rabies is an ancient zoonotic disease caused by the rabies virus (RABV), and a sharp increase in rabies cases and deaths were observed following the COVID-19 pandemic, indicating that it still poses a severe public health threat in most countries in the world. Cholesterol is one of the major lipid components in cells, and the exact role of cholesterol in RABV infection remains unclear. In this study, we initially observed that cellular cholesterol levels were significantly elevated in RABV infected cells, while cholesterol depletion by using methyl-β-cyclodextrin (MβCD) could restrict RABV entry. We further found that decreasing the cholesterol level of the viral envelope could change the bullet-shaped morphology of RABV and dislodge the glycoproteins on its surface to affect RABV entry. Moreover, the depletion of cholesterol could decrease lysosomal cholesterol accumulation to inhibit RABV fusion. Finally, it was found that the depletion of cholesterol by MβCD was due to the increase of oxygen sterol production in RABV-infected cells and the enhancement of cholesterol efflux by activating liver X receptor alpha (LXRα). Together, our study reveals a novel role of cholesterol in RABV infection, providing new insight into explore of effective therapeutics for rabies.
Topics: Animals; Rabies virus; Rabies; Adsorption; Pandemics; Cholesterol
PubMed: 38141399
DOI: 10.1016/j.vetmic.2023.109952