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Scientific Reports May 2024Hard ticks are known vectors of various pathogens, including the severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus, Rickettsia spp., Coxiella burnetii, Borrelia spp.,...
Hard ticks are known vectors of various pathogens, including the severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus, Rickettsia spp., Coxiella burnetii, Borrelia spp., Anaplasma phagocytophilum, and Ehrlichia spp. This study aims to investigate the distribution and prevalence of tick-borne pathogens in southwestern Korea from 2019 to 2022. A total of 13,280 ticks were collected during the study period, with H. longicornis accounting for 86.1% of the collected ticks. H. flava, I. nipponensis and A. testudinarium comprised 9.4%, 3.6%, and 0.8% of the ticks, respectively. Among 983 pools tested, Rickettsia spp. (216 pools, 1.6% MIR) were the most prevalent pathogens across all tick species, with R. japonica and R. monacensis frequently detected in I. nipponensis and Haemaphysalis spp., respectively. Borrelia spp. (28 pools, 0.2% MIR) were predominantly detected in I. nipponensis (27 pools, 13.8% MIR, P < 0.001). Co-infections, mainly involving Rickettsia monacensis and Borrelia afzelii, were detected in I. nipponensis. Notably, this study identified R. monacensis for the first time in A. testudinarium in South Korea. These findings offer valuable insights into the tick population and associated pathogens in the region, underscoring the importance of tick-borne disease surveillance and prevention measures.
Topics: Animals; Republic of Korea; Rickettsia; Ticks; Tick-Borne Diseases; Prevalence; Borrelia; Anaplasma phagocytophilum; Ehrlichia; Coxiella burnetii; Phlebovirus
PubMed: 38811622
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-61126-y -
Nature Communications May 2024The Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus (CCHFV) is an emerging pathogen of the Orthonairovirus genus that can cause severe and often lethal hemorrhagic diseases in...
The Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus (CCHFV) is an emerging pathogen of the Orthonairovirus genus that can cause severe and often lethal hemorrhagic diseases in humans. CCHFV has a broad tropism and can infect a variety of species and tissues. Here, by using gene silencing, blocking antibodies or soluble receptor fragments, we identify the low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDL-R) as a CCHFV entry factor. The LDL-R facilitates binding of CCHFV particles but does not allow entry of Hazara virus (HAZV), another member of the genus. In addition, we show that apolipoprotein E (apoE), an exchangeable protein that mediates LDL/LDL-R interaction, is incorporated on CCHFV particles, though not on HAZV particles, and enhances their specific infectivity by promoting an LDL-R dependent entry. Finally, we show that molecules that decrease LDL-R from the surface of target cells could inhibit CCHFV infection. Our study highlights that CCHFV takes advantage of a lipoprotein receptor and recruits its natural ligand to promote entry into cells.
Topics: Humans; Receptors, LDL; Virus Internalization; Apolipoproteins E; Hemorrhagic Fever Virus, Crimean-Congo; Animals; HEK293 Cells; Chlorocebus aethiops; Hemorrhagic Fever, Crimean; Virion; Vero Cells
PubMed: 38806525
DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-48989-5 -
Frontiers in Cellular and Infection... 2024The mosquito-borne Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV) from the family is a single-stranded RNA virus that causes the re-emerging zoonotic disease Rift Valley fever (RVF)....
HSP90 is part of a protein complex with the L polymerase of Rift Valley fever phlebovirus and prevents its degradation by the proteasome during the viral genome replication/transcription stage.
The mosquito-borne Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV) from the family is a single-stranded RNA virus that causes the re-emerging zoonotic disease Rift Valley fever (RVF). Classified as a Category A agent by the NIH, RVFV infection can cause debilitating disease or death in humans and lead to devastating economic impacts by causing abortion storms in pregnant cattle. In a previous study, we showed that the host chaperone protein HSP90 is an RVFV-associated host factor that plays a critical role post viral entry, during the active phase of viral genome replication/transcription. In this study, we have elucidated the molecular mechanisms behind the regulatory effect of HSP90 during infection with RVFV. Our results demonstrate that during the early infection phase, host HSP90 associates with the viral RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (L protein) and prevents its degradation through the proteasome, resulting in increased viral replication.
Topics: Virus Replication; HSP90 Heat-Shock Proteins; Rift Valley fever virus; Proteasome Endopeptidase Complex; Animals; Proteolysis; Genome, Viral; Humans; RNA-Dependent RNA Polymerase; Host-Pathogen Interactions; Viral Proteins; Transcription, Genetic; Rift Valley Fever; Cell Line
PubMed: 38800833
DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2024.1331755 -
Viruses Apr 2024This study aimed to analyze the correlation between the cycle threshold (Ct) values of severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) virus small (S) and middle (M)...
Correlation between the Cycle Threshold Values in Detection of Severe Fever with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome Virus Using PowerChek SFTSV Real-Time PCR Kit and Viral Load: Prognostic Implications.
BACKGROUND
This study aimed to analyze the correlation between the cycle threshold (Ct) values of severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) virus small (S) and middle (M) segments and the SFTS viral load, aiming to estimate the initial viral load and predict prognosis in the early clinical course.
METHOD
A retrospective study was conducted with confirmed SFTS patients at Jeju National University Hospital (2016-2022). Patients were categorized into non-fatal and fatal groups.
RESULTS
This study included 49 patients with confirmed SFTS (non-fatal group, = 42; fatal group, = 7). A significant negative correlation (-0.783) was observed between the log SFTS viral load and Ct values ( < 0.001). This negative correlation was notably stronger in the fatal group (correlation coefficient -0.940) than in the non-fatal group (correlation coefficient -0.345).
CONCLUSION
In this study, we established a correlation between SFTS viral load and Ct values for estimating the initial viral load and early predicting prognosis. These results are expected to offer valuable insights for SFTS patient treatment and prognosis prediction.
Topics: Humans; Viral Load; Phlebovirus; Severe Fever with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome; Male; Female; Prognosis; Retrospective Studies; Aged; Middle Aged; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction; Aged, 80 and over; Adult; RNA, Viral
PubMed: 38793582
DOI: 10.3390/v16050700 -
Sheng Wu Gong Cheng Xue Bao = Chinese... May 2024In order to generate monoclonal antibodies against the akabane virus (AKAV) N protein, this study employed a prokaryotic expression system to express the AKAV N protein....
In order to generate monoclonal antibodies against the akabane virus (AKAV) N protein, this study employed a prokaryotic expression system to express the AKAV N protein. Following purification, BALB/c mice were immunized, and their splenocytes were fused with mouse myeloma cells (SP2/0) to produce hybridoma cells. The indirect ELISA method was used to screen for positive hybridoma cells. Two specific hybridoma cell lines targeting AKAV N protein, designated as 2C9 and 5E9, were isolated after three rounds of subcloning. Further characterization was conducted through ELISA, Western blotting, and indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA). The results confirmed that the monoclonal antibodies specifically target AKAV N protein, exhibiting strong reactivity in IFA. Subtype analysis identified the heavy chain of the 2C9 mAb's as IgG2b and its light chain as κ-type; the 5E9 mAb's heavy chain was determined to be IgG1, with a κ-type light chain. Their ELISA titers reached 1:4 096 000. This study successfully developed two monoclonal antibodies targeting AKAV N protein, which lays a crucial foundation for advancing diagnostic methods for akabane disease prevention and control, as well as for studying the function of the AKAV N protein.
Topics: Animals; Antibodies, Monoclonal; Mice, Inbred BALB C; Mice; Nucleocapsid Proteins; Hybridomas; Orthobunyavirus; Recombinant Proteins; Escherichia coli; Antibodies, Viral; Female
PubMed: 38783815
DOI: 10.13345/j.cjb.230731 -
JPMA. the Journal of the Pakistan... May 2024
Topics: Humans; Pakistan; Hemorrhagic Fever, Crimean; Endemic Diseases; Hemorrhagic Fever Virus, Crimean-Congo
PubMed: 38783476
DOI: 10.47391/JPMA.10296 -
Emerging Infectious Diseases Jun 2024We investigated a cohort of 370 patients in Austria with hantavirus infections (7.8% ICU admission rate) and detected 2 cases (cumulative incidence 7%) of invasive...
We investigated a cohort of 370 patients in Austria with hantavirus infections (7.8% ICU admission rate) and detected 2 cases (cumulative incidence 7%) of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis; 1 patient died. Hantavirus-associated pulmonary aspergillosis may complicate the course of critically ill patients who have hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome.
Topics: Humans; Austria; Critical Illness; Male; Invasive Pulmonary Aspergillosis; Female; Middle Aged; Hantavirus Infections; Adult; Aged; Orthohantavirus
PubMed: 38782377
DOI: 10.3201/eid3006.231720 -
Emerging Infectious Diseases Jun 2024We isolated severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus (SFTSV) from farmed minks in China, providing evidence of natural SFTSV infection in farmed minks. Our...
We isolated severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus (SFTSV) from farmed minks in China, providing evidence of natural SFTSV infection in farmed minks. Our findings support the potential role of farmed minks in maintaining SFTSV and are helpful for the development of public health interventions to reduce human infection.
Topics: Phlebovirus; China; Disease Outbreaks; Severe Fever with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome; Animals; Mink; Phylogeny; Humans; Farms
PubMed: 38781980
DOI: 10.3201/eid3006.240283 -
Virology Journal May 2024Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) is an emerging infectious disease. SFTS virus (SFTSV) is transmitted by tick bites and contact with the blood or body...
BACKGROUND
Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) is an emerging infectious disease. SFTS virus (SFTSV) is transmitted by tick bites and contact with the blood or body fluids of SFTS patients. Animal-to-human transmission of SFTS has been reported in Japan, but not in China. In this study, the possible transmission route of two patients who fed and cared for farm-raised fur animals in a mink farm was explored.
METHOD
An epidemiological investigation and a genetic analysis of patients, animals and working environment were carried out.
RESULTS
It was found that two patients had not been bitten by ticks and had no contact with patients infected with SFTS virus, but both of them had skinned the dying animals. 54.55% (12/22) of the farm workers were positive for SFTS virus antibody. By analyzing the large, medium and small segments sequences, the viral sequences from the two patients, animals and environments showed 99.9% homology.
CONCLUSION
It is suspected that the two patients may be directly infected by farm-raised animals, and that the virus may have been transmitted by aerosols when skinning dying animals. Transmission by direct blood contacts or animal bites cannot be ignored.
Topics: Animals; Phlebovirus; China; Severe Fever with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome; Humans; Male; Antibodies, Viral; Phylogeny; Female; Middle Aged; Mink; Farms; Adult; Farmers; RNA, Viral
PubMed: 38760812
DOI: 10.1186/s12985-024-02387-x -
Virus Research Jul 2024Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus (CCHFV) is a tick-borne nairovirus with a wide geographic spread that can cause severe and lethal disease. No specific medical...
Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus (CCHFV) is a tick-borne nairovirus with a wide geographic spread that can cause severe and lethal disease. No specific medical countermeasures are approved to combat this illness. The CCHFV L protein contains an ovarian tumor (OTU) domain with a cysteine protease thought to modulate cellular immune responses by removing ubiquitin and ISG15 post-translational modifications from host and viral proteins. Viral deubiquitinases like CCHFV OTU are attractive drug targets, as blocking their activity may enhance cellular immune responses to infection, and potentially inhibit viral replication itself. We previously demonstrated that the engineered ubiquitin variant CC4 is a potent inhibitor of CCHFV replication in vitro. A major challenge of the therapeutic use of small protein inhibitors such as CC4 is their requirement for intracellular delivery, e.g., by viral vectors. In this study, we examined the feasibility of in vivo CC4 delivery by a replication-deficient recombinant adenovirus (Ad-CC4) in a lethal CCHFV mouse model. Since the liver is a primary target of CCHFV infection, we aimed to optimize delivery to this organ by comparing intravenous (tail vein) and intraperitoneal injection of Ad-CC4. While tail vein injection is a traditional route for adenovirus delivery, in our hands intraperitoneal injection resulted in higher and more widespread levels of adenovirus genome in tissues, including, as intended, the liver. However, despite promising in vitro results, neither route of in vivo CC4 treatment resulted in protection from a lethal CCHFV infection.
Topics: Animals; Hemorrhagic Fever Virus, Crimean-Congo; Hemorrhagic Fever, Crimean; Mice; Disease Models, Animal; Adenoviridae; Virus Replication; Viral Proteins; Genetic Vectors; Antiviral Agents; Female; Liver; Humans
PubMed: 38754786
DOI: 10.1016/j.virusres.2024.199398