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Viruses Apr 2023Sever fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) is a new infectious disease that has emerged in recent years and is widely distributed, highly contagious, and lethal,... (Review)
Review
Sever fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) is a new infectious disease that has emerged in recent years and is widely distributed, highly contagious, and lethal, with a mortality rate of up to 30%, especially in people with immune system deficiencies and elderly patients. SFTS is an insidious, negative-stranded RNA virus that has a major public health impact worldwide. The development of a vaccine and the hunt for potent therapeutic drugs are crucial to the prevention and treatment of Bunyavirus infection because there is no particular treatment for SFTS. In this respect, investigating the mechanics of SFTS-host cell interactions is crucial for creating antiviral medications. In the present paper, we summarized the mechanism of interaction between SFTS and pattern recognition receptors, endogenous antiviral factors, inflammatory factors, and immune cells. Furthermore, we summarized the current therapeutic drugs used for SFTS treatment, aiming to provide a theoretical basis for the development of targets and drugs against SFTS.
Topics: Humans; Aged; Phlebovirus; Severe Fever with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome; Bunyaviridae Infections; Thrombocytopenia; Antiviral Agents
PubMed: 37112920
DOI: 10.3390/v15040940 -
Viruses Aug 2022According to ICTV, there are currently 66 known phlebovirus species. More than 40 of these viruses were isolated or detected in phlebotomine sandflies and some of them... (Review)
Review
According to ICTV, there are currently 66 known phlebovirus species. More than 40 of these viruses were isolated or detected in phlebotomine sandflies and some of them are known pathogens. In Portugal, information about sandfly-borne phleboviruses is scarce and scattered sandfly-borne diseases are neglected and often not considered in differential diagnoses. The main objective of this work was to gather the existing information and to raise awareness about the circulating phleboviruses in this country. To date, Massilia and Alcube phleboviruses have been isolated from sandflies in southern Portugal. Human infections with Toscana and Sicilian phleboviruses have been reported, as well as seroprevalence in cats and dogs. More studies are needed in order to understand if the viruses isolated during the entomological surveys have an impact on human health and to fully understand the real importance of the already recognized pathogens in our country.
Topics: Animals; Cats; Dogs; Humans; Phlebotomus Fever; Phlebovirus; Portugal; Psychodidae; Seroepidemiologic Studies
PubMed: 36016390
DOI: 10.3390/v14081768 -
Veterinary Research Communications Feb 2022Tick-borne viruses and bacteria that can cause diseases of animals and humans have high impact and are of concern as significant threats to human health worldwide. In...
Tick-borne viruses and bacteria that can cause diseases of animals and humans have high impact and are of concern as significant threats to human health worldwide. In this research, we screened microorganisms related to those pathogens in ticks from dogs, a cat, and a cow. The techniques used were PCR, DNA sequencing and phylogenetic analysis to detect and classify the microorganisms [Flavivirus, severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus (SFTSV), Phlebovirus, Coronavirus, Canine Parvovirus, eubacteria, Coxiella and Rickettsia]. A novel virus named Phlebovirus-like-AYUT and Stenotrophomonas maltophilia bacteria were found in one individual tick (Rhipicephalus sanguineus s.l.) from a dog. All tick samples were negative for Rickettsia, while 9/21 (42.9 %) were positive for Coxiella bacteria. The novel virus "Phlebovirus-like-AYUT" (the name derives from Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Province in Thailand) was resolved by phylogenetic analysis of the partial L segment by maximum likelihood (ML) method using MEGA X. The phylogenetic tree also indicated that the virus was related to Phlebovirus in brown dog ticks reported in Trinidad and Tobago. In contrast, Phlebovirus-like-AYUT was in a distinct clade from Lihan tick Phlebovirus-Thailand (LTPV), which was previously found in cow ticks, Rhipicephalus microplus, in Nan Province, Thailand. This study reports the Stenotrophomonas maltophilia bacterium with a novel Phlebovirus-like-AYUT in a brown dog tick. The roles of this bacterium in a virus-positive tick or in viral transmission from animal host requires further investigation.
Topics: Animals; Cattle; Cattle Diseases; Coinfection; Dog Diseases; Dogs; Female; Phlebovirus; Phylogeny; Rhipicephalus sanguineus; Stenotrophomonas maltophilia; Thailand
PubMed: 34725749
DOI: 10.1007/s11259-021-09855-7 -
Viruses Apr 2022A novel phlebovirus, Punique virus (PUNV), was discovered and isolated in 2008 from sandflies from Northern Tunisia. PUNV is now classified as a unique member of the...
A novel phlebovirus, Punique virus (PUNV), was discovered and isolated in 2008 from sandflies from Northern Tunisia. PUNV is now classified as a unique member of the Punique phlebovirus species within the Phlebovirus genus in the Phenuiviridae family (order bunyavirales). In this study, we aimed to investigate the transmission dynamics of PUNV in Tunisia. Sandflies were collected during two consecutive years, 2009 and 2010, by CDC light traps. In 2009, a total of 873 sandflies were collected and identified to the species level. Phlebotomus perniciosus was the most abundant species. One pool of P. perniciosus females collected in autumn contained PUNV RNA, yielding an infection rate of 0.11%. The population densities of circulating sandfly species were assessed during May-November 2010 in Northern Tunisia by using sticky traps. Phlebotomus (Larroussius) perniciosus (71.74%) was the most abundant species, followed by Phlebotumus (Larroussius) longicuspis (17.47%), and Phlebotumus (Larroussius) perfiliewi (8.82%). The densities of dominant sandfly species were found to peak in early spring and again in the autumn. In 2010, species identification was not performed, and sandflies were only discriminated on the basis of sex and collection date. Out of 249 pools, three contained PUNV RNA. Each positive pool allowed virus isolation. The three pools of female sandflies containing PUNV RNA were collected in autumn with an infection rate of 0.05%. These findings provide further evidence that P. perniciosus is the main vector of PUNV in Tunisia, and this phlebovirus is endemic in Tunisia. Our findings provided strong evidence of intensive circulation of PUNV in sandflies and hosts through a viral infection buildup process between sandfly vectors and hosts starting at the beginning of the activity of sandflies in spring to reach a maximum during the second main peak in autumn.
Topics: Animals; DNA Viruses; Female; Phlebotomus; Phlebovirus; Psychodidae; RNA, Viral; Tunisia; Viruses, Unclassified
PubMed: 35632646
DOI: 10.3390/v14050904 -
Global Change Biology Dec 2023Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) is an emerging infectious disease with increasing incidence and geographic extent. The extent to which global climate...
Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) is an emerging infectious disease with increasing incidence and geographic extent. The extent to which global climate change affects the incidence of SFTS disease remains obscure. We use an integrated multi-model, multi-scenario framework to assess the impact of global climate change on SFTS disease in China. The spatial distribution of habitat suitability for the tick Haemaphysalis longicornis was predicted by applying a boosted regression tree model under four alternative climate change scenarios (RCP2.6, RCP4.5, RCP6.0, and RCP8.5) for the periods 2030-2039, 2050-2059, and 2080-2089. We incorporate the SFTS cases in the mainland of China from 2010 to 2019 with environmental variables and the projected distribution of H. longicornis into a generalized additive model to explore the current and future spatiotemporal dynamics of SFTS. Our results demonstrate an expanded geographic distribution of H. longicornis toward Northern and Northwestern China, showing a more pronounced change under the RCP8.5 scenario. In contrast, the environmental suitability of H. longicornis is predicted to be reduced in Central and Eastern China. The SFTS incidence in three time periods (2030-2039, 2050-2059, and 2080-2089) is predicted to be increased as compared to the 2010s in the context of various RCPs. A heterogeneous trend across provinces, however, was observed, when an increased incidence in Liaoning and Shandong provinces, while decreased incidence in Henan province is predicted. Notably, we predict possible outbreaks in Xinjiang and Yunnan in the future, where only sporadic cases have been reported previously. These findings highlight the need for tick control and population awareness of SFTS in endemic regions, and enhanced monitoring in potential risk areas.
Topics: Animals; Severe Fever with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome; Phlebovirus; China; Ecosystem; Ixodidae
PubMed: 37846616
DOI: 10.1111/gcb.16969 -
The Journal of General Virology Apr 2023Sand flies (Diptera: Phlebotominae) are proven vectors of various pathogens of medical and veterinary importance. Although mostly known for their pivotal role in the... (Review)
Review
Sand flies (Diptera: Phlebotominae) are proven vectors of various pathogens of medical and veterinary importance. Although mostly known for their pivotal role in the transmission of parasitic protists of the genus that cause leishmaniases, they are also proven or suspected vectors of many arboviruses, some of which threaten human and animal health, causing disorders such as human encephalitis (Chandipura virus) or serious diseases of domestic animals (vesicular stomatitis viruses). We reviewed the literature to summarize the current published information on viruses detected in or isolated from phlebotomine sand flies, excluding the family with the genus , as these have been well investigated and up-to-date reviews are available. Sand fly-borne viruses from four other families (, , and ) and one unclassified group () are reviewed for the first time regarding their distribution in nature, host and vector specificity, and potential natural transmission cycles.
Topics: Animals; Humans; Psychodidae; Phlebovirus; Animals, Domestic; Arboviruses; Rhabdoviridae
PubMed: 37018120
DOI: 10.1099/jgv.0.001837 -
PLoS Pathogens Mar 2023Toscana virus (TOSV) (Bunyavirales, Phenuiviridae, Phlebovirus, Toscana phlebovirus) and other related human pathogenic arboviruses are transmitted by phlebotomine sand...
Toscana virus (TOSV) (Bunyavirales, Phenuiviridae, Phlebovirus, Toscana phlebovirus) and other related human pathogenic arboviruses are transmitted by phlebotomine sand flies. TOSV has been reported in nations bordering the Mediterranean Sea among other regions. Infection can result in febrile illness as well as meningitis and encephalitis. Understanding vector-arbovirus interactions is crucial to improving our knowledge of how arboviruses spread, and in this context, immune responses that control viral replication play a significant role. Extensive research has been conducted on mosquito vector immunity against arboviruses, with RNA interference (RNAi) and specifically the exogenous siRNA (exo-siRNA) pathway playing a critical role. However, the antiviral immunity of phlebotomine sand flies is less well understood. Here we were able to show that the exo-siRNA pathway is active in a Phlebotomus papatasi-derived cell line. Following TOSV infection, distinctive 21 nucleotide virus-derived small interfering RNAs (vsiRNAs) were detected. We also identified the exo-siRNA effector Ago2 in this cell line, and silencing its expression rendered the exo-siRNA pathway largely inactive. Thus, our data show that this pathway is active as an antiviral response against a sand fly transmitted bunyavirus, TOSV.
Topics: Animals; Humans; Sandfly fever Naples virus; Phlebotomus; Psychodidae; RNA Interference; Phlebovirus; Arboviruses; RNA, Small Interfering
PubMed: 36996243
DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1011283 -
Frontiers in Cellular and Infection... 2022Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) is an emerging arboviral infectious disease with a high rate of lethality in susceptible humans and caused by severe... (Review)
Review
Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) is an emerging arboviral infectious disease with a high rate of lethality in susceptible humans and caused by severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome bunyavirus (SFTSV). Currently, neither vaccine nor specific antiviral drugs are available. In recent years, given the fact that both the number of SFTS cases and epidemic regions are increasing year by year, SFTS has become a public health problem. SFTSV can be internalized into host cells through the interaction between SFTSV glycoproteins and cell receptors and can activate the host immune system to trigger antiviral immune response. However, SFTSV has evolved multiple strategies to manipulate host factors to create an optimal environment for itself. Not to be discounted, host genetic factors may be operative also in the never-ending winning or losing wars. Therefore, the identifications of SFTSV, host immune and genetic factors, and their interactions are critical for understanding the pathogenic mechanisms of SFTSV infection. This review summarizes the updated pathogenesis of SFTS with regard to virus, host immune response, and host genetic factors to provide some novel perspectives of the prevention, treatment, as well as drug and vaccine developments.
Topics: Antiviral Agents; Bunyaviridae Infections; Communicable Diseases, Emerging; Glycoproteins; Humans; Phlebovirus; Severe Fever with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome
PubMed: 35782112
DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2022.808098 -
PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases Sep 2023Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus (SFTSV), an etiological agent causing febrile human disease was identified as an emerging tick-borne bunyavirus. The...
Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus (SFTSV), an etiological agent causing febrile human disease was identified as an emerging tick-borne bunyavirus. The clinical disease characteristics and case fatality rates of SFTSV may vary across distinct regions and among different variant genotypes. From 2018 to 2022, we surveyed and recruited 202 severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) patients in Hubei Province, a high-incidence area of the epidemic, and conducted timely and systematic research on the disease characteristics, SFTSV diversity, and the correlation between virus genome variation and clinical diseases. Our study identified at least 6 genotypes of SFTSV prevalent in Hubei Province based on the analysis of the S, M, and L genome sequences of 88 virus strains. Strikingly, the dominant genotype of SFTSV was found to change during the years, indicating a dynamic shift in viral genetic diversity in the region. Phylogenetic analysis revealed the genetic exchange of Hubei SFTSV strains was relatively frequent, including 3 reassortment strains and 8 recombination strains. Despite the limited sample size, SFTSV C1 genotype may be associated with higher mortality compared to the other four genotypes, and the serum amyloid A (SAA) level, an inflammatory biomarker, was significantly elevated in these patients. Overall, our data summarize the disease characteristics of SFTSV in Hubei Province, highlight the profound changes in viral genetic diversity, and indicate the need for in-depth monitoring and exploration of the relationship between viral mutations and disease severity.
Topics: Humans; Severe Fever with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome; Bunyaviridae Infections; Phylogeny; Phlebovirus; China; Genetic Variation
PubMed: 37721962
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0011654 -
Advances in Experimental Medicine and... 2023The genus Bandavirus, belonging to family Phenuiviridae, order Bunyavirales, consists of eight tick-borne bunyaviruses. The Dabie bandavirus, formerly known as severe...
The genus Bandavirus, belonging to family Phenuiviridae, order Bunyavirales, consists of eight tick-borne bunyaviruses. The Dabie bandavirus, formerly known as severe fever with thrombocytopenia virus (SFTSV), belongs to the genus Bandavirus. This emerging pathogen was first identified in central China in 2009. In recent years, the disease has been reported to cause several outbreaks in eastern Asia areas, including China, Japan, Korea, and Vietnam. Tick-to-human transmission is the main route of infection in humans, and transmission via the contact of body fluids from person-to-person was also reported. Despite its high fatality rate, there is currently no vaccine or antiviral therapy available. The therapeutic efficacies of several antiviral agents against Dabie bandavirus are still being evaluated. However, the virus is a potent pathogen with high biosafety experimental conditions. Therefore, replication-incompetent pseudotyped viruses play an important role. In this chapter, we succinctly summarize the basic features concerning Dabie bandavirus, including virion structure, genome characteristics, especially the characteristics of glycoprotein, and probable pathogenic mechanism. And, we put an important part in expounding the construction of pseudoviruses and its application.
Topics: Humans; Phlebovirus; Viral Pseudotyping; RNA Viruses; Glycoproteins; Antiviral Agents
PubMed: 36920702
DOI: 10.1007/978-981-99-0113-5_14