| 1. |
- Ayhan, Nazli, et al.
(author)
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Field surveys in Croatia and North Macedonia reveal two novel phleboviruses circulating in sandflies
- 2021
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In: Journal of General Virology. - : Microbiology Society. - 0022-1317 .- 1465-2099. ; 102:11
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Sandfly-borne phleboviruses are distributed widely throughout the Mediterranean Basin, presenting a threat to public health in areas where they circulate. However, the true diversity and distribution of pathogenic and apathogenic sandfly-borne phleboviruses remains a key issue to be studied. In the Balkans, most published data rely on serology-based studies although virus isolation has occasionally been reported. Here, we report the discovery of two novel sandfly-borne phleboviruses, provisionally named Zaba virus (ZABAV) and Bregalaka virus (BREV), which were isolated in Croatia and North Macedonia, respectively. This constitutes the first isolation of phleboviruses in both countries. Genetic analysis based on complete coding sequences indicated that ZABAV and BREV are distinct from each other and belong to the genus Phlebovirus, family Phenuiviridae. Phylogenetic and amino acid modelling of viral polymerase shows that ZABAV and BREV are new members of the Salehabad phlebovirus species and the Adana phlebovirus species, respectively. Moreover, sequence-based vector identification suggests that ZABAV is mainly transmitted by Phlebotomus neglectus and BREV is mainly transmitted by Phlebotomus perfiliewi. BREV neutralizing antibodies were detected in 3.3% of human sera with rates up to 16.7% in certain districts, demonstrating that BREV frequently infects humans in North Macedonia. In vitro viral growth kinetics experiments demonstrated viral replication of both viruses in mammalian and mosquito cells. In vivo experimental studies in mice suggest that ZABAV and BREV exhibit characteristics making them possible human pathogens.
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| 2. |
- Gould, Ernest, et al.
(author)
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Emerging arboviruses : Why today?
- 2017
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In: ONE HEALTH. - : Elsevier. - 2352-7714. ; 4, s. 1-13
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Research review (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The recent global (re)emergence of arthropod-borne viruses (arboviruses), such as chikungunya and Zika virus, was widely reported in the media as though it was a new phenomenon. This is not the case. Arboviruses and other human microbial pathogens have been (re)emerging for centuries. The major difference today is that arbovirus emergence and dispersion are more rapid and geographically extensive, largely due to intensive growth of global transportation systems, arthropod adaptation to increasing urbanisation, our failure to contain mosquito population density increases and land perturbation. Here we select examples of (re)emerging pathogenic arboviruses and explain the reasons for their emergence and different patterns of dispersal, focusing particularly on the mosquito vectors which are important determinants of arbovirus emergence. We also attempt to identify arboviruses likely to (re)emerge in the future.
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| 3. |
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| 4. |
- Leparc-Goffart, Isabelle, et al.
(author)
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Development and validation of real-time one-step reverse transcription-PCR for the detection and typing of dengue viruses
- 2009
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In: Journal of Clinical Virology. - : Elsevier BV. - 1386-6532 .- 1873-5967. ; 45:1, s. 61-66
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background:Dengue virus, transmitted by mosquitoes, causes every year 50 million cases of dengue fever. A standardize method for early diagnosis is still needed for clinical diagnosis and epidemiological studies.Objective: To develop and validate for sensitivity, specificity, linearity and precision real-time one-step RT-PCR for the detection of dengue viruses.Study design: Multiple alignments of dengue virus sequence for each serotype were done and used to develop five systems of real-time RT-PCR to detect all dengue virus strains and then identify the serotype. These systems were validated on synthetic RNA transcripts for specificity, sensitivity, precision and linearity and then applied on series of human samples.Results: The specificity of each system was determined by sequence alignments and experimentally tested on different flaviviruses. Methods precision and linearity were statistically validated. Each of these systems allowed the detection of less than one infectious particle and was able to detect and serotype quickly dengue virus in human samples where infectious virus cannot be isolated anymore.Conclusions: These systems are valuable tools for dengue virus diagnosis and epidemiological studies. Standardization and validation of these methods allow an easy transfer to diagnostic laboratories.
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| 5. |
- Pettersson, John H. -O., et al.
(author)
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How Did Zika Virus Emerge in the Pacific Islands and Latin America?
- 2016
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In: mBio. - 2161-2129 .- 2150-7511. ; 7:5
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The unexpected emergence of Zika virus (ZIKV) in the Pacific Islands and Latin America and its association with congenital Zika virus syndrome (CZVS) (which includes microcephaly) and Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS) have stimulated wide-ranging research. High densities of susceptible Aedes spp., immunologically naive human populations, global population growth with increased urbanization, and escalation of global transportation of humans and commercial goods carrying vectors and ZIKV undoubtedly enhanced the emergence of ZIKV. However, flavivirus mutations accumulate with time, increasing the likelihood that genetic viral differences are determinants of change in viral phenotype. Based on comparative ZIKV complete genome phylogenetic analyses and temporal estimates, we identify amino acid substitutions that may be associated with increased viral epidemicity, CZVS, and GBS. Reverse genetics, vector competence, and seroepidemiological studies will test our hypothesis that these amino acid substitutions are determinants of epidemic and neurotropic ZIKV emergence.
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