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Virology Journal May 2020Tick-borne phenuivirus (TBPVs) comprise human and animal viruses that can cause a variety of clinical syndromes ranging from self-limiting febrile illness to fatal...
BACKGROUND
Tick-borne phenuivirus (TBPVs) comprise human and animal viruses that can cause a variety of clinical syndromes ranging from self-limiting febrile illness to fatal haemorrhagic fevers.
OBJECTIVE
Detect Phlebovirus (Family Phenuiviridae) in ticks collected from domestic animals in Córdoba, Colombia.
METHODS
We collected 2365 ticks from domestic animals in three municipalities of the Department of Cordoba, Colombia in 2016. Ticks were identified and pooled by species for RNA extraction. A nested real-time PCR with specific primers for Phlebovirus and a specific probe for Heartland virus (HRTV) formerly a Phlebovirus, now a Banyangvirus were performed. Also, a conventional nested PCR, with the same specific primers was used to detect other Phleboviruses, with positive reactions indicated by an amplified cDNA fragment of approximately 244 bp determined by gel electrophoresis. These bands were gel-purified and sequenced by the Sanger method.
RESULTS
Using real-time RT-PCR, no positive results for HRTV were found. However, using conventional nested PCR 2.2% (5/229 pools) yielded a product of 244 bp. One positive sample was detected in a pool of Dermacentor nitens ticks collected from a horse, and the four remaining positive pools were from Rhipicephalus microplus collected from cattle. The five positive nucleotide sequences had identities of 93 to 96% compared to a section of the L-segment of Lihan Tick virus, a Phlebovirus originally detected in R. microplus ticks in China. The strongest identity (96-99%) was with Lihan Tick virus detected in R. microplus ticks from Brazil.
CONCLUSIONS
This is the first report of viral detection in ticks in Colombia. We detected a Colombian strain of Lihan Tick virus. We recommend expanding the sampling area and carrying out more eco-epidemiological studies related to epidemiological surveillance of viruses on ticks in Colombia.
Topics: Animals; Animals, Domestic; Cattle; Colombia; Cross-Sectional Studies; Dermacentor; Dogs; Horses; Phlebovirus; Phylogeny; Prospective Studies; RNA Viruses; Rhipicephalus; Sequence Analysis, DNA; Ticks
PubMed: 32370779
DOI: 10.1186/s12985-020-01327-9 -
Traffic (Copenhagen, Denmark) Jun 2016Bunyaviruses represent a growing threat to humans and livestock globally. The receptors, cellular factors and endocytic pathways used by these emerging pathogens to...
Bunyaviruses represent a growing threat to humans and livestock globally. The receptors, cellular factors and endocytic pathways used by these emerging pathogens to infect cells remain largely unidentified and poorly characterized. DC-SIGN is a C-type lectin highly expressed on dermal dendritic cells that has been found to act as an authentic entry receptor for many phleboviruses (Bunyaviridae), including Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV), Toscana virus (TOSV) and Uukuniemi virus (UUKV). We found that these phleboviruses can exploit another C-type lectin, L-SIGN, for infection. L-SIGN shares 77% sequence homology with DC-SIGN and is expressed on liver sinusoidal endothelial cells. L-SIGN is required for UUKV binding but not for virus internalization. An endocytosis-defective mutant of L-SIGN was still able to mediate virus uptake and infection, indicating that L-SIGN acts as an attachment receptor for phleboviruses rather than an endocytic receptor. Our results point out a fundamental difference in the use of the C-type lectins L-SIGN and DC-SIGN by UUKV to enter cells, although both proteins are closely related in terms of molecular structure and biological function. This study sheds new light on the molecular mechanisms by which phleboviruses target the liver and also highlights the added complexity in virus-receptor interactions beyond attachment.
Topics: Cell Adhesion Molecules; Endocytosis; Endothelial Cells; HeLa Cells; Humans; Lectins, C-Type; Liver; Phlebovirus; Protein Binding; Receptors, Cell Surface; Virus Internalization
PubMed: 26990254
DOI: 10.1111/tra.12393 -
Uirusu 2013Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) is characterized by sudden onset of fever, leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, and gastrointestinal tract symptoms and... (Review)
Review
Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) is characterized by sudden onset of fever, leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, and gastrointestinal tract symptoms and approximately 12% of patients die from disseminated intravascular coagulation and/or multiple organ failures. Agent of the disease is a novel bunyavirus SFTS virus, and is transmitted by bite of a possible vector tick, Haemaphysalis longicornis, and through direct contact with virus-containing patient body fluids, or through unknown routes. SFTS case reports have been limited in China, and more than two thousand cases were reported in 2011 and 2012. In late 2012, a woman living in Yamaguchi prefecture in Japan showed symptoms reminiscent of those of SFTS and died 6 days after the onset of symptoms. Virus was isolated from her acute serum in Vero cells and a next generation-sequencing identified it as SFTS virus. SFTS viral genome and proteins were detected in the patient's serum. Based on the first demonstration of SFTS in Japan, a retrospective study started. Until March of 2013, totally 8 patients were diagnosed as having SFTS and the most early case was in 2005. Phylogenetic analysis of virus sequences revealed that Japanese isolates form an independent branch distinct from Chinese isolates, indicating that SFTS has been present not only in China but also in Japan.
Topics: Animals; Arachnid Vectors; China; Fatal Outcome; Female; Humans; Japan; Male; Middle Aged; Phlebotomus Fever; Phlebovirus; Phylogeny; Retrospective Studies; Ticks
PubMed: 24769572
DOI: 10.2222/jsv.63.7 -
The Journal of Biological Chemistry Mar 2016Many phleboviruses (family Bunyaviridae) are emerging as medically important viruses. These viruses enter target cells by endocytosis and low pH-dependent membrane...
Many phleboviruses (family Bunyaviridae) are emerging as medically important viruses. These viruses enter target cells by endocytosis and low pH-dependent membrane fusion in late endosomes. However, the necessary and sufficient factors for fusion have not been fully characterized. We have studied the minimal fusion requirements of a prototypic phlebovirus, Uukuniemi virus, in an in vitro virus-liposome assay. We show that efficient lipid mixing between viral and liposome membranes requires close to physiological temperatures and phospholipids with negatively charged headgroups, such as the late endosomal phospholipid bis(monoacylglycero)phosphate. We further demonstrate that bis(monoacylglycero)phosphate increases Uukuniemi virus fusion beyond the lipid mixing stage. By using electron cryotomography of viral particles in the presence or absence of liposomes, we observed that the conformation of phlebovirus glycoprotein capsomers changes from the native conformation toward a more elongated conformation at a fusion permissive pH. Our results suggest a rationale for phlebovirus entry in late endosomes.
Topics: Animals; Cell Line; Cricetinae; Glycoproteins; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; Liposomes; Lysophospholipids; Monoglycerides; Phlebovirus; Viral Proteins; Virus Internalization
PubMed: 26811337
DOI: 10.1074/jbc.M115.691113 -
Ticks and Tick-borne Diseases Jan 2023Phleboviruses are emerging pathogens of public health importance. However, their association with ticks is poorly described, particularly in Africa. Here, adult ticks...
Phleboviruses are emerging pathogens of public health importance. However, their association with ticks is poorly described, particularly in Africa. Here, adult ticks infesting cattle, goats and sheep were collected in two dryland pastoralist ecosystems of Kenya (Baringo and Kajiado counties) and were screened for infection with phleboviruses. Ticks mainly belonged to the species Rhipicephalus appendiculatus, Hyalomma impeltatum, and Hyalomma rufipes. A fragment of the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) gene was identified in thirty of 671 tick pools, of which twenty-nine were from livestock sampled in Baringo county. Phylogenetic analyses revealed that twenty-five sequences were falling in three clades within the group of tick-associated phleboviruses. The sequences of the three clades showed nucleotide distances 8%, 19% and 22%, respectively, to previously known viruses suggesting that these sequence fragments may belong to three distinct viruses. Viruses of the group of tick-associated phleboviruses have been found in several countries and continents but so far have not been associated with disease in humans or animals. In addition, five sequences were found to group with the sandfly-associated phleboviruses Bogoria virus, Perkerra virus and Ntepes virus recently detected in the same region. Further studies are needed to investigate the transmission and maintenance cycles of these viruses, as well as to assess their potential to infect vertebrates.
Topics: Humans; Sheep; Animals; Cattle; Phlebovirus; Ticks; Livestock; Kenya; Ecosystem; Phylogeny
PubMed: 36459866
DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2022.102087 -
Virology Journal Oct 2015In Portugal, entomological surveys to detect phleboviruses in their natural vectors have not been performed so far. Thus, the aims of the present study were to detect,...
BACKGROUND
In Portugal, entomological surveys to detect phleboviruses in their natural vectors have not been performed so far. Thus, the aims of the present study were to detect, isolate and characterize phleboviruses in sandfly populations of Portugal.
FINDINGS
From May to October 2007-2008, 896 female sandflies were trapped in Arrábida region, located on the southwest coast of Portugal. Phlebovirus RNA was detected by using a pan-phlebovirus RT-PCR in 4 out of 34 Phlebotomus perniciosus pools. Direct sequencing of the amplicons showed that 2 samples exhibited 72 % nucleotide identity with Arbia virus, and two showed 96 % nucleotide identity with Massilia virus. The Arbia-like virus (named Alcube virus) was isolated in cell culture and complete genomic sequences of one Alcube and two Massila viruses were determined using next-generation sequencing technology. Phylogenetic analysis demonstrated that Alcube virus clustered with members of the Salehabad virus species complex. Within this clade, Alcube virus forms a monophyletic lineage with the Arbia, Salehabad and Adana viruses sharing a common ancestor. Arbia virus has been identified as the most closely related virus with 20-28 % nucleotide and 10-27 % amino acid divergences depending on the analysed segment.
CONCLUSIONS
We have provided genetic evidence for the circulation of a novel phlebovirus species named Alcube virus in Ph. perniciosus and co-circulation of Massilia virus, in Arrábida region, southwest of Portugal. Further epidemiological investigations and surveillance for sandfly-borne phleboviruses in Portugal are needed to elucidate their medical importance.
Topics: Animals; Cluster Analysis; Female; Genome, Viral; Molecular Sequence Data; Phlebovirus; Phylogeny; Portugal; Psychodidae; RNA, Viral; Sequence Analysis, DNA; Sequence Homology
PubMed: 26497645
DOI: 10.1186/s12985-015-0407-0 -
MSphere Jun 2018The recent emergence of novel tick-borne RNA viruses has complicated the epidemiological landscape of tick-borne infectious diseases, posing a significant challenge to...
The recent emergence of novel tick-borne RNA viruses has complicated the epidemiological landscape of tick-borne infectious diseases, posing a significant challenge to public health systems that seek to counteract tick-borne diseases. The identification of two novel tick-borne phleboviruses (TBPVs), severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus (SFTSV) and Heartland virus (HRTV), as causative agents of severe illness in humans has accelerated the investigation and discoveries of novel TBPVs. In the present study, we isolated a novel TBPV designated Mukawa virus (MKWV) from host-questing females captured in Japan. Genetic characterization revealed that MKWV is a member of the genus in the family Interestingly, MKWV is genetically distinct from other known TBPVs and shares a most recent common ancestor with mosquito/sandfly-borne (insect-borne) phleboviruses. Despite its genetic similarity to insect-borne phleboviruses, the molecular footprints of its viral proteins and its biological characteristics define MKWV as a tick-borne virus that can be transmitted to mammals. A phylogenetic ancestral-state reconstruction for arthropod vectors of phleboviruses including MKWV based on viral L segment sequences indicated that ticks likely harbored ancestral phleboviruses that evolved into both the tick-borne and MKWV/insect-borne phlebovirus lineages. Overall, our findings suggest that most of the phlebovirus evolution has occurred in hard ticks to generate divergent viruses, which may provide a seminal foundation for understanding the mechanisms underlying the evolution and emergence of pathogenic phleboviruses, such as Rift Valley fever virus and SFTSV/HRTV. The emergence of novel tick-borne RNA viruses causing severe illness in humans has complicated the epidemiological landscape of tick-borne diseases, requiring further investigation to safeguard public health. In the present study, we discovered a novel tick-borne phlebovirus from ticks in Japan. While its viral RNA genome sequences were similar to those of mosquito/sandfly-borne viruses, molecular and biological footprints confirmed that this is a tick-borne virus. The unique evolutionary position of the virus allowed us to estimate the ancestral phlebovirus vector, which was likely a hard tick. Our findings may provide a better understanding of the evolution and emergence of phleboviruses associated with emerging infectious diseases, such as severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) and Heartland virus disease.
Topics: Animals; Evolution, Molecular; Female; Ixodes; Japan; Phlebovirus; Phylogeny
PubMed: 29898985
DOI: 10.1128/mSphere.00239-18 -
PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases Dec 2017Phlebotomine sandflies are vectors of phleboviruses that cause sandfly fever or meningitis with significant implications for public health. Although several strains of...
Isolation and sequencing of Dashli virus, a novel Sicilian-like virus in sandflies from Iran; genetic and phylogenetic evidence for the creation of one novel species within the Phlebovirus genus in the Phenuiviridae family.
Phlebotomine sandflies are vectors of phleboviruses that cause sandfly fever or meningitis with significant implications for public health. Although several strains of these viruses had been isolated in Iran in the late 1970's, there was no recent data about the present situation at the outset of this study. Entomological investigations performed in 2009 and 2011 in Iran collected 4,770 sandflies from 10 different regions. Based on morphological identification, they were sorted into 315 pools according to species, sex, trapping station and date of capture. A phlebovirus, provisionally named Dashli virus (DASHV), was isolated from one pool of Sergentomyia spp, and subsequently DASHV RNA was detected in a second pool of Phlebotomus papatasi. Genetic and phylogenetic analyses based on complete coding genomic sequences indicated that (i) DASHV is most closely related to the Iranian isolates of Sandfly fever Sicilian virus [SFSV], (ii) there is a common ancestor to DASHV, Sandfly fever Sicilian- (SFS) and SFS-like viruses isolated in Italy, India, Turkey, and Cyprus (lineage I), (iii) DASHV is more distantly related with Corfou and Toros viruses (lineage II) although common ancestry is supported with 100% bootstrap, (iii) lineage I can be subdivided into sublineage Ia including all SFSV, SFCV and SFTV except those isolated in Iran which forms sublineage Ib (DASHV). Accordingly, we suggest to approve Sandfly fever Sicilian virus species consisting of the all aforementioned viruses. Owing that most of these viruses have been identified in human patients with febrile illness, DASHV should be considered as a potential human pathogen in Iran.
Topics: Animals; Base Sequence; Female; Genome, Viral; Humans; Insect Vectors; Iran; Male; Phlebotomus Fever; Phlebovirus; Phylogeny; Psychodidae; RNA, Viral; Sequence Analysis, RNA
PubMed: 29281639
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0005978 -
PloS One 2013Quick and accurate identification of microbial pathogens is essential for both diagnosis and response to emerging infectious diseases. The advent of next-generation...
Quick and accurate identification of microbial pathogens is essential for both diagnosis and response to emerging infectious diseases. The advent of next-generation sequencing technology offers an unprecedented platform for rapid sequencing-based identification of novel viruses. We have developed a customized bioinformatics data analysis pipeline, VirusHunter, for the analysis of Roche/454 and other long read Next generation sequencing platform data. To illustrate the utility of VirusHunter, we performed Roche/454 GS FLX titanium sequencing on two unclassified virus isolates from the World Reference Center for Emerging Viruses and Arboviruses (WRCEVA). VirusHunter identified sequences derived from a novel bunyavirus and a novel reovirus in the two samples respectively. Further sequence analysis demonstrated that the viruses were novel members of the Phlebovirus and Orbivirus genera. Both Phlebovirus and Orbivirus genera include many economic important viruses or serious human pathogens.
Topics: Animals; Base Sequence; Bunyaviridae Infections; Computational Biology; High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing; Humans; Molecular Sequence Data; Orbivirus; Phlebovirus; Reoviridae Infections; Sequence Analysis, DNA; Sequence Analysis, RNA
PubMed: 24167629
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0078470 -
PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases Apr 2021Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) was listed as one of the most severe infectious disease by world health organization in 2017. It can mostly be...
BACKGROUND
Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) was listed as one of the most severe infectious disease by world health organization in 2017. It can mostly be transmitted by tick bite, while human-to-human transmission has occurred on multiple occasions. This study aimed to explore the epidemiological and clinical characteristics and make risk analysis of SFTS human-to-human transmission.
METHODS
Descriptive and spatial methods were employed to illustrate the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of SFTS human-to-human transmission. The risk of SFTS human-to-human transmission was accessed through secondary attack rate (SAR) and basic reproductive number (R0). Logistic regression analysis was used to identify the associated risk factors.
RESULTS
A total of 27 clusters of SFTS human-to-human transmission were reported in China and South Korea during 1996-2019. It mainly occurred among elder people in May, June and October in central and eastern China. The secondary cases developed milder clinical manifestation and better outcome than the index cases. The incubation period was 10.0 days (IQR:8.0-12.0), SAR was 1.72%-55.00%, and the average R0 to be 0.13 (95%CI:0.11-0.16). Being blood relatives of the index case, direct blood/bloody secretion contact and bloody droplet contact had more risk of infection (OR = 6.35(95%CI:3.26-12.37), 38.01 (95%CI,19.73-73.23), 2.27 (95%CI,1.01-5.19)).
CONCLUSIONS
SFTS human-to-human transmission in China and South Korea during 1996-2019 had obvious spatio-temporal distinction. Ongoing assessment of this transmission risk is crucial for public health authorities though it continues to be low now.
Topics: Adult; Aged; China; Contact Tracing; Female; Fever; Humans; Incidence; Logistic Models; Male; Middle Aged; Phlebovirus; Republic of Korea; Risk Assessment; Risk Factors; Severe Fever with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome; Spatio-Temporal Analysis
PubMed: 33930022
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0009037