| 1. |
- Baudin, Maria, 1982-, et al.
(författare)
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Association of Rift Valley fever virus infection with miscarriage in Sudanese women : a cross-sectional study
- 2016
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Ingår i: The Lancet Global Health. - 2214-109X. ; 4:11, s. e864-e871
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- BACKGROUND: Rift Valley fever virus is an emerging mosquito-borne virus that causes infections in animals and human beings in Africa and the Arabian Peninsula. Outbreaks of Rift Valley fever lead to mass abortions in livestock, but such abortions have not been identified in human bezings. Our aim was to investigate the cause of miscarriages in febrile pregnant women in an area endemic for Rift Valley fever.METHODS: Pregnant women with fever of unknown origin who attended the governmental hospital of Port Sudan, Sudan, between June 30, 2011, and Nov 17, 2012, were sampled at admission and included in this cross-sectional study. Medical records were retrieved and haematological tests were done on patient samples. Presence of viral RNA as well as antibodies against a variety of viruses were analysed. Any association of viral infections, symptoms, and laboratory parameters to pregnancy outcome was investigated using Pearson's χ(2) test.FINDINGS: Of 130 pregnant women with febrile disease, 28 were infected with Rift Valley fever virus and 31 with chikungunya virus, with typical clinical and laboratory findings for the infection in question. 15 (54%) of 28 women with an acute Rift Valley fever virus infection had miscarriages compared with 12 (12%) of 102 women negative for Rift Valley fever virus (p<0·0001). In a multiple logistic regression analysis, adjusting for age, haemorrhagic disease, and chikungunya virus infection, an acute Rift Valley fever virus infection was an independent predictor of having a miscarriage (odds ratio 7·4, 95% CI 2·7-20·1; p<0·0001).INTERPRETATION: This study is the first to show an association between infection with Rift Valley fever virus and miscarriage in pregnant women. Further studies are warranted to investigate the possible mechanisms. Our findings have implications for implementation of preventive measures, and evidence-based information to the public in endemic countries should be strongly recommended during Rift Valley fever outbreaks.FUNDING: Schlumberger Faculty for the Future, CRDF Global (31141), the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency, the County Council of Västerbotten, and the Faculty of Medicine, Umeå University.
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| 2. |
- Baudin, Maria, 1982-
(författare)
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Rift Valley fever : consequences of virus-host interactions
- 2016
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV) is a mosquito-borne virus which has the ability to infect a large variety of animals including humans in Africa and Arabian Peninsula. The abortion rate among these animals are close to 100%, and young animals develop severe disease which often are lethal.In humans, Rift Valley fever (RVF) presents in most cases as a mild illness with influenza-like symptoms. However, in about 8% of the cases it progresses into a more severe disease with a high case fatality rate. Since there is such a high abortion rate among infected animals, a link between human miscarriage and RVFV has been suggested, but never proven.We could in paper I for the first time show an association between acute RVFV infection and miscarriage in humans. We observed an increase in pregnant women arriving at the Port Sudan Hospital with fever of unknown origin, and several of the patients experienced miscarriage. When we analysed their blood samples for several viral diseases we found that many had an acute RVFV infection and of these, 54% experienced a miscarriage. The odds of having a miscarriage was 7 times higher for RVFV patients compared to the RVFV negative women of which only 12% miscarried. These results indicated that RVFV infection could be a contributing factor to miscarriage.RVFV is an enveloped virus containing the viral glycoproteins n and c (Gn and Gc respectively), where Gn most likely is responsible for the initial cellular contact. The protein DC-SIGN on dendritic cells and the glycosaminoglycan heparan sulfate has been suggested as cellular receptors for RVFV, however other mechanisms are probably also involved in binding and entry. Charge is a driving force for molecular interaction and has been shown to be important for cellular attachment of several viruses, and in paper II we could show that when the charge around the cells was altered, the infection was affected. We also showed that Gn most likely has a positive charge at a physiological pH.When we added negatively charged molecules to the viral particles before infection, we observed a decreased infection efficiency, which we also observed after removal of carbohydrate structures from the cell surface.Our results suggested that the cellular interaction partner for initial attachment is a negatively charged carbohydrate. Further investigations into the mechanisms of RVFV cellular interactions has to be undertaken in order to understand, and ultimately prevent, infection and disease.There is currently no vaccine approved for human use and no specific treatments for RVF, so there is a great need for developing safe effective drugs targeting this virus. We designed a whole-cell based high-throughput screen (HTS) assay which we used to screen libraries of small molecular compounds for anti-RVFV properties. After dose-response and toxicity analysis of the initial hits, we identified six safe and effective inhibitors of RVFV infection that with further testing could become drug candidates for treatment of RVF. This study demonstrated the application of HTS using a whole-cell virus replication reporter gene assay as an effective method to identify novel compounds with potential antiviral activity against RVFV.
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| 3. |
- Bergqvist, Joakim, et al.
(författare)
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Detection and Isolation of Sindbis Virus from Mosquitoes Captured During an Outbreak in Sweden, 2013
- 2015
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Ingår i: Vector Borne and Zoonotic Diseases. - : Mary Ann Liebert Inc. - 1530-3667 .- 1557-7759. ; 15:2, s. 133-140
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Mosquito-borne alphaviruses have the potential to cause large outbreaks throughout the world. Here we investigated the causative agent of an unexpected Sindbis virus (SINV) outbreak during August-September, 2013, in a previously nonendemic region of Sweden. Mosquitoes were collected using carbon dioxide-baited CDC traps at locations close to human cases. The mosquitoes were initially screened as large pools by SINV-specific quantitative RT-PCR, and the SINV-positive mosquitoes were species determined by single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) analysis, followed by sequencing the barcoding region of the cytochrome oxidase I gene. The proportion of the collected mosquitoes was determined by a metabarcoding strategy. By using novel strategies for PCR screening and genetic typing, a new SINV strain, Lovanger, was isolated from a pool of 1600 mosquitoes composed of Culex, Culiseta, and Aedes mosquitoes as determined by metabarcoding. The SINV-positive mosquito Culiseta morsitans was identified by SNP analysis and sequencing. After whole-genome sequencing and phylogenetic analysis, the SINV Lovanger isolate was shown to be most closely similar to recent Finnish SINV isolates. In conclusion, within a few weeks, we were able to detect and isolate a novel SINV strain and identify the mosquito vector during a sudden SINV outbreak.
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| 4. |
- Bucht, Curry, et al.
(författare)
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A model for corneal endothelial morphometry by diffraction
- 2006
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Ingår i: Progr. Biomed. Opt. Imaging Proc. SPIE. - San José, CA : SPIE. - 0819461814 - 9780819461810
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Konferensbidrag (refereegranskat)abstract
- As a part of an ongoing project on corneal endothelium morphometry by diffraction, a model for corneal endothelium simulation has been developed. The model has been developed in the mathematical programming language Matlab™. Images of corneal endothelium were simulated and the diffraction pattern of the image was calculated. The diffraction pattern was calculated for a series of endothelial images while varying important variables in the simulated image. This rendered the theoretical relationships between values of variables in the diffraction pattern and values of morphometric variables in the image. At this stage, the analysis focused on the expression of endothelial mean cell size and coefficient of variation in the diffraction pattern, respectively. As expected from diffraction theory, it was found that there is a direct linear relationship between mean cell size and distance between periodic variations in the diffraction pattern. We further found that the ratio between the intensity in the central maximum and the intensity in the first harmonic of the diffraction pattern was functionally depending on the variation in cell size. The current findings demonstrate that it is possible to theoretically determine average cell size and coefficient of variation of cell size in the diffraction pattern.
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| 5. |
- Bucht, C., et al.
(författare)
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Fully automated corneal endothelial morphometry of images captured by clinical specular microscopy
- 2009
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Ingår i: Ophthalmic Technologies XIX. - San José, CA : SPIE - International Society for Optical Engineering. - 9780819474094 ; , s. 716315-
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Konferensbidrag (refereegranskat)abstract
- The corneal endothelium serves as the posterior barrier of the cornea. Factors such as clarity and refractive properties of the cornea are in direct relationship to the quality of the endothelium. The endothelial cell density is considered the most important morphological factor. Morphometry of the corneal endothelium is presently done by semi-automated analysis of pictures captured by a Clinical Specular Microscope (CSM). Because of the occasional need of operator involvement, this process can be tedious, having a negative impact on sampling size. This study was dedicated to the development of fully automated analysis of images of the corneal endothelium, captured by CSM, using Fourier analysis. Software was developed in the mathematical programming language Matlab. Pictures of the corneal endothelium, captured by CSM, were read into the analysis software. The software automatically performed digital enhancement of the images. The digitally enhanced images of the corneal endothelium were transformed, using the fast Fourier transform (FFT). Tools were developed and applied for identification and analysis of relevant characteristics of the Fourier transformed images. The data obtained from each Fourier transformed image was used to calculate the mean cell density of its corresponding corneal endothelium. The calculation was based on well known diffraction theory. Results in form of estimated cell density of the corneal endothelium were obtained, using fully automated analysis software on images captured by CSM. The cell density obtained by the fully automated analysis was compared to the cell density obtained from classical, semiautomated analysis and a relatively large correlation was found.
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| 6. |
- Bucht, C., et al.
(författare)
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Fully automated corneal endothelial morphometry of images captured by clinical specular microscopy
- 2010
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Ingår i: Ophthalmic Technologies XX. - San Francisco, CA : SPIE - International Society for Optical Engineering. - 9780819479464 ; , s. 75501E-
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Konferensbidrag (refereegranskat)abstract
- The corneal endothelium serves as the posterior barrier of the cornea. Factors such as clarity and refractive properties of the cornea are in direct relationship to the quality of the endothelium. The endothelial cell density is considered the most important morphological factor of the corneal endothelium. Pathological conditions and physical trauma may threaten the endothelial cell density to such an extent that the optical property of the cornea and thus clear eyesight is threatened. Diagnosis of the corneal endothelium through morphometry is an important part of several clinical applications. Morphometry of the corneal endothelium is presently carried out by semi automated analysis of pictures captured by a Clinical Specular Microscope (CSM). Because of the occasional need of operator involvement, this process can be tedious, having a negative impact on sampling size. This study was dedicated to the development and use of fully automated analysis of a very large range of images of the corneal endothelium, captured by CSM, using Fourier analysis. Software was developed in the mathematical programming language Matlab. Pictures of the corneal endothelium, captured by CSM, were read into the analysis software. The software automatically performed digital enhancement of the images, normalizing lights and contrasts. The digitally enhanced images of the corneal endothelium were Fourier transformed, using the fast Fourier transform (FFT) and stored as new images. Tools were developed and applied for identification and analysis of relevant characteristics of the Fourier transformed images. The data obtained from each Fourier transformed image was used to calculate the mean cell density of its corresponding corneal endothelium. The calculation was based on well known diffraction theory. Results in form of estimated cell density of the corneal endothelium were obtained, using fully automated analysis software on 292 images captured by CSM. The cell density obtained by the fully automated analysis was compared to the cell density obtained from classical, semiautomated analysis and a relatively large correlation was found.
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| 7. |
- Bucht, Curry, et al.
(författare)
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Recording the diffraction pattern reflected from corneal endothelium
- 2007
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Ingår i: Ophthalmic Technologies XVII. - San José, CA : SPIE - International Society for Optical Engineering. - 0819465399 - 9780819465399 ; , s. 42610-42610
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Konferensbidrag (refereegranskat)abstract
- As a part of an ongoing research project on morphometrical diagnosis of the corneal endothelium, an experimental optical setup has been created. The structure of the corneal endothelial cells could be considered a reflecting periodical aperture. Hence, the diffraction pattern reflected from the endothelium contains valuable morphometrical information. In the present work, focus has been on sampling the posterior surface of explanted corneas. Methods: An optical setup was created, using a 632.8 nm He-Ne laser as the light source. The desired diffraction pattern was produced as a collimated reflection. Hence, because the posterior surface of the cornea is concave, lenses were used to attain the right divergence of the light impingent on the corneal endothelium. These lenses also made it possible to adjust the sampling spot size. A beam splitter (BS) was used to provide an optical path for both the impinging laser beam as well as the reflected diffracted beam. The lens acting as a Fourier lens was then placed after the BS. At the back focal plane of the Fourier lens, a CCD detector was used for recording in the Fourier plane. In the process of creating the setup, explanted corneas were emulated using grated contact lenses. Results: The current optical set up allows identification of a diffraction pattern from a concave spherical surface with a radius of curvature of the same order as a human cornea.
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| 8. |
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| 9. |
- Bucht, Curry, et al.
(författare)
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Simulation of specular microscopy images of corneal endothelium, a tool for control of measurement errors
- 2011
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Ingår i: ACTA OPHTHALMOLOGICA. - : Wiley. - 1755-375X .- 1755-3768. ; 89:3, s. e242-e250
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Purpose: We aimed at developing simulation software capable of producing images of corneal endothelium close to identical to images captured by clinical specular microscopy with defined morphometrical characteristics. It was further planned to demonstrate the usefulness of the simulator by analysing measurement errors associated with a trained operator using a commercially available semi-automatic algorithm for analysis of simulated images. Methods: Software was developed that allows creation of unique images of the corneal endothelium expressing morphology close to identical with that seen in images of corneal specular microscopy. Several hundred unique images of the corneal endothelium were generated with randomization, spanning a physiological range of endothelial cell density. As an example of the usefulness of the simulator for analysis of measurement errors in corneal specular microscopy, a total of 12 of all the images generated were randomly selected such that the endothelial cell density expressed was evenly distributed over the physiological range of endothelial cell density. The images were transferred to a personal computer. The imagenet-640 software was used to analyse endothelial cell size variation, percentage of hexagonal endothelial cells, and endothelial cell density. Results: The simulator developed allows randomized generation of corneal specular microscopy images with a preset expected average and variation of cell structure. Calculated morphometric information of each cell is stored in the simulator. The image quality can secondarily be varied with a toolbox of filters to approximate a large spectrum of clinically captured images. As an example of the use of the simulator, measurement errors associated with one trained operator using the imagenet-640 software, and focusing on endothelial cell density, were examined. The functional dependence between morphometric information estimated with the imagenet-640 software algorithm and real morphometric information as provided by the simulator was analysed with regression. It was demonstrated that that the estimations of endothelial cell size variation was associated with a scaling error and that the random error was strongly dependent on the operator. Conclusion: The newly developed simulator for randomized generation of morphometrically defined corneal specular microscopy images for the first time makes it possible to estimate a spatial scaling error of an available semi-automatic algorithm and to determine the random measurement error of important morphometric estimates in a defined reference sample of images. It is anticipated that the simulator will be a valuable tool for the generation of a large set of morphometrically well-characterized corneal specular microscopy images that can be used for calibration among research centres, for minimization of random errors and for measurement of quality control. Simulated images will be useful for the development of fully automatic analysis of corneal endothelial cell morphometry.
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| 10. |
- Bucht, Curry, et al.
(författare)
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The impact of horizontal offset of the cornea during corneal specular microscopy
- 2008
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Ingår i: Progr. Biomed. Opt. Imaging Proc. SPIE. - San José, CA : SPIE. - 9780819470195
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Konferensbidrag (refereegranskat)abstract
- We are developing automated morphometric analysis of the corneal endothelium. Here, the general impact of horizontal offset of the cornea on morphometry was examined. Errors due to perspective during imaging with a Clinical Specular Microscope (CSM) were analyzed considering semi automated analysis software and fully automated Fourier analysis software. Methods: A mathematical model of the cornea was created. Trigonometry was applied to find the relationship between the horizontal offset of the cornea relative to the microscope objective, and the consecutive errors from perspective changes in the image. An experimental setup was created using a cornea made of polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA). The posterior surface of the PMMA cornea was horizontally marked. The PMMA cornea was placed in a holder. Difference in refractive index between real endothelium and aqueous humor was emulated using high refractive index liquid. Images with varying horizontal offset on the PMMA corneal posterior surface, along with their relative offset coordinates were captured, using CSM. Results: Experiments using controlled offset of the cornea in relation to its center estimated that analyzable images can be acquired within an interval of 1.26 mm, using central cornea sampling CSM. Because of refractive indices along with light scattering differences between the corneal tissue and PMMA , the 1.26 mm interval should be considered a first estimate for feasible CSM images. The effect of corneal endothelial offset during imaging with CSM or fully automated Fourier analysis should be considered.
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| 11. |
- Bucht, Göran, et al.
(författare)
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Modifying the cellular transport of DNA-based vaccines alters the immune response to hantavirus nucleocapsid protein
- 2001
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Ingår i: Vaccine. - 0264-410X .- 1873-2518. ; 19:28-29, s. 3820-3829
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Puumala virus is a member of the hantavirus genus (family Bunyaviridae) and is one of the causative agents of hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) in Europe. A genetic vaccination approach was conducted to investigate if the immune response could be modulated using different cellular secretion and/or localisation signals, and the immune responses were analysed in BALB/c mice and in a bank vole infectious model. Rodents vaccinated with DNA constructs encoding the antigen fused to an amino-terminal secretion signal raised significantly higher antibody levels when compared to using constructs lacking secretion signals. Furthermore, the ratios of the IgG subclasses (IgG2a/IgG1) were raised by the use of cellular localisation signals, indicating a more pronounced Th1-type of immune response. The majority of the mice, or bank voles, immunised with DNA encoding a secreted form of the antigen showed a positive lymphoproliferative response and were protected against challenge with Puumala virus (strain Kazan-wt).
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| 12. |
- Engdahl, Cecilia, et al.
(författare)
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Acetylcholinesterases from the Disease Vectors Aedes aegypti and Anopheles gambiae : Functional Characterization and Comparisons with Vertebrate Orthologues
- 2015
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Ingår i: PLOS ONE. - : Public Library of Science (PLoS). - 1932-6203. ; 10:10
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Mosquitoes of the Anopheles (An.) and Aedes (Ae.) genus are principal vectors of human diseases including malaria, dengue and yellow fever. Insecticide-based vector control is an established and important way of preventing transmission of such infections. Currently used insecticides can efficiently control mosquito populations, but there are growing concerns about emerging resistance, off-target toxicity and their ability to alter ecosystems. A potential target for the development of insecticides with reduced off-target toxicity is the cholinergic enzyme acetylcholinesterase (AChE). Herein, we report cloning, baculoviral expression and functional characterization of the wild-type AChE genes (ace-1) from An. gambiae and Ae. aegypti, including a naturally occurring insecticide-resistant (G119S) mutant of An. gambiae. Using enzymatic digestion and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry we found that the secreted proteins were post-translationally modified. The Michaelis-Menten constants and turnover numbers of the mosquito enzymes were lower than those of the orthologous AChEs from Mus musculus and Homo sapiens. We also found that the G119S substitution reduced the turnover rate of substrates and the potency of selected covalent inhibitors. Furthermore, non-covalent inhibitors were less sensitive to the G119S substitution and differentiate the mosquito enzymes from corresponding vertebrate enzymes. Our findings indicate that it may be possible to develop selective non-covalent inhibitors that effectively target both the wild-type and insecticide resistant mutants of mosquito AChE.
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| 13. |
- Engdahl, Cecilia, et al.
(författare)
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The Rift Valley Fever virus protein NSm and putative cellular protein interactions
- 2012
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Ingår i: Virology Journal. - 1743-422X. ; 9, s. 139-
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Rift Valley Fever is an infectious viral disease and an emerging problem in many countries of Africa and on the Arabian Peninsula. The causative virus is predominantly transmitted by mosquitoes and high mortality and abortion rates characterize outbreaks in animals while symptoms ranging from mild to life-threatening encephalitis and hemorrhagic fever are noticed among infected humans. For a better prevention and treatment of the infection, an increased knowledge of the infectious process of the virus is required. The focus of this work was to identify protein-protein interactions between the non-structural protein (NSm), encoded by the M-segment of the virus, and host cell proteins. This study was initiated by screening approximately 26 million cDNA clones of a mouse embryonic cDNA library for interactions with the NSm protein using a yeast two-hybrid system. We have identified nine murine proteins that interact with NSm protein of Rift Valley Fever virus, and the putative protein-protein interactions were confirmed by growth selection procedures and beta-gal activity measurements. Our results suggest that the cleavage and polyadenylation specificity factor subunit 2 (Cpsf2), the peptidyl-prolyl cistrans isomerase (cyclophilin)-like 2 protein (Ppil2), and the synaptosome-associated protein of 25 kDa (SNAP-25) are the most promising targets for the NSm protein of the virus during an infection.
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| 14. |
- Englund, Undis, 1957-, et al.
(författare)
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Physical activity in middle-aged women and hip fracture risk : the UFO study
- 2011
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Ingår i: Osteoporosis International. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 0937-941X .- 1433-2965. ; 22:2, s. 499-505
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Summary: In a population-based case-control study, we demonstrate that middle-aged women who were active with walking or in different physical spare time activities were at lower risk of later sustaining a hip fracture compared to more sedentary women.Introduction: In middle-aged women participating in the Umeå Fracture and Osteoporosis (UFO) study, we investigated whether physical activity is associated with a subsequent decreased risk of sustaining a hip fracture.Methods: The UFO study is a nested case-control study investigating associations between bone markers, lifestyle, and osteoporotic fractures. We identified 81 female hip fracture cases that had reported lifestyle data before they sustained their fracture. Each case was compared with two female controls who were identified from the same cohort and matched for age and week of reporting data, yielding a total cohort of 237 subjects. Mean age at baseline was 57.2 ± 5.0 years, and mean age at fracture was 65.4 ± 6.4 years.Results: Conditional logistic regression analysis with adjustments for height, weight, smoking, and menopausal status showed that subjects who were regularly active with walking or had a moderate or high frequency of physical spare time activities (i.e. berry/mushroom picking and snow shovelling) were at reduced risk of sustaining a hip fracture (OR 0.14; 95% CI; 0.05–0.53 for walking and OR 0.19; 95% CI; 0.08–0.46, OR 0.17, 95% CI; 0.05–0.64 for moderate and high frequency of spare time activities, respectively) compared to more sedentary women.Conclusion: An active lifestyle in middle age seems to reduce the risk of future hip fracture. Possible mechanisms may include improved muscle strength, coordination, and balance resulting in a decreased risk of falling and perhaps also direct skeletal benefits.
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| 15. |
- Evander, Magnus, et al.
(författare)
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Puumala hantavirus viremia diagnosed by real-time reverse transcriptase PCR using samples from patients with hemorrhagic fever and renal syndrome
- 2007
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Ingår i: Journal of Clinical Microbiology. - : American Society for Microbiology. - 0095-1137 .- 1098-660X. ; 45:8, s. 2491-2497
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Puumala virus (PUUV) is the endemic hantavirus in northern Sweden and causes nephropathia epidemica (NE), a milder form of hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome. There is a need for fast and reliable diagnostics to differentiate the disease from other infections. By aligning virus RNA sequences isolated from 11 different bank voles and one human patient, we designed a real-time reverse transcriptase (RT) PCR method for detection of PUUV RNA. The real-time RT-PCR assay showed linearity from 20 to 2 x 10(6) virus copies with a correlation coefficient above 0.98 to 0.99 for all experiments. The detection threshold for PUUV cDNA was two copies per reaction. A two-step qualitative RT-PCR to detect PUUV RNA showed 100% concordance with the real-time RT-PCR assay. PUUV RNA viremia was detected in 33 of 34 PUUV immunoglobulin M (IgM)-positive patients with typical clinical NE disease from the region of endemicity. One PUUV IgM-negative sample had PUUV RNA, and 4 days later, the patient was IgM positive. Of samples with indeterminate IgM, 43% were PUUV RNA positive. The kinetics of antibody titers and PUUV viremia were studied, and five of six NE patients displayed a decrease in PUUV viremia a few days after disease outbreak coupled with an increase in PUUV IgM and IgG. In one patient with continuously high PUUV RNA levels but low IgM and no IgG response, the infection was lethal. These findings demonstrated that real-time RT-PCR is a useful method for diagnosis of PUUV viremia and for detecting PUUV RNA at early time points, before the appearance of IgM antibodies.
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| 16. |
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| 17. |
- Gylfe, Åsa, et al.
(författare)
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Mosquitoborne Sindbis Virus Infection and Long-Term Illness
- 2018
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Ingår i: Emerging Infectious Diseases. - : Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). - 1080-6040 .- 1080-6059. ; 24:6, s. 1141-1142
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- An unexpected human outbreak of the mosquitoborne Sindbis virus occurred in a previously nonendemic area of Sweden. At follow-up, 6-8 months after infection, 39% of patients had chronic arthralgia that affected their daily activities. Vectorborne infections may disseminate rapidly into new areas and cause acute and chronic disease.
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| 18. |
- Johansson, Patrik, et al.
(författare)
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Complete gene sequence of a human Puumala hantavirus isolate, Puumala Umeå/hu : sequence comparison and characterisation of encoded gene products.
- 2004
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Ingår i: Virus Research. - : Elsevier BV. - 0168-1702 .- 1872-7492. ; 105:2, s. 147-155
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Puumala virus is a member of the hantavirus genus in the Bunyaviridae family, and the major causative agent of haemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome in Europe. This study was conducted with a human Puumala virus isolate (PUUV Umeå/hu), and contains the determination of the first complete PUUV sequence from a human source. When the relationship to other Puumala viruses was analysed, a possible RNA segment exchange between two local strains of PUUV was noticed. Furthermore, the coding regions of PUUV Umeå/hu S- and M-segments were cloned, and a large set of gene products were expressed in mammalian cells. In addition, postulated N- and O-linked glycosylation sites in the two envelope proteins (Gn and Gc) were investigated individually by site-directed mutagenesis followed by gel-shift analysis. Our data demonstrate that N-linked glycosylation occurs at three sites in Gn (N142, N357 and N409), and at one site in Gc (N937). Also, one possible O-glycosylation site was identified in Gc (T985). We conclude that the diversity between different Puumala virus isolates is high, and consequently characterization of local PUUV isolates is important for clinical diagnostic work. Finally, the obtained results concerning the encoded gene products are of great importance for the design of new vaccines.
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| 19. |
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| 20. |
- Johansson, Patrik, 1967-
(författare)
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Implications of Local Puumala Hantavirus Genetics and Epidemiology for Diagnostics and Vaccine Development
- 2005
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Puumala viruses, a member of the Hantavirus genus in the Bunyaviridae family, are enveloped by a lipid bilayer and possesses a tripartite single stranded RNA genome with negative polarity. The hantaviruses encode four proteins: a nucleocapsid protein (N), two membrane spanning glycoproteins (GN and GC) and a RNA dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp). Hantaviruses cause two forms of diseases, hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) in Europe and Asia, and hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS) in the Americas. The hantaviruses are mainly rodent borne, and humans are mostly infected by inhalation of aerosolized rodent secrete. Human Puumala virus infection results in nephropathia epidemica (NE), a mild haemorrhagic disease. It is of importance to have a good understanding of the epidemiology and genetics of these viruses for the development of new diagnostic methods and for future vaccine development. In this thesis we determined the complete viral genome sequence and characterized the structural proteins based on studies of expression and glycosylation patterns, for a unique human virus isolate; performed a genomic analysis of local Puumala viruses and their individual rodent host, Clethrionomys glareolus, from six different locations was performed. It was seen that the virus genetic variation between different locations could be stable over relatively large distances while there could be large variation over a short distance. For the bank voles no such variation could be seen; developed and evaluated Genetic vaccines, based on PCR-generated linear DNA. We showed that it was important to protect these fragments against nuclease degradation at that attachment of a nuclear localization signal peptide further improved the immune response. We also designed, fabricated and evaluated a 2000 probe cDNA-microarray for identification and differentiation of hantaviruses. The chips was based on 12 different strains of six hantaviruses and could differentiate between both different hantaviruses and strains within one hantavirus serotype.
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| 21. |
- Johansson, Patrik, et al.
(författare)
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PCR-generated linear DNA fragments utilized as a hantavirus DNA vaccine
- 2002
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Ingår i: Vaccine. - 0264-410X .- 1873-2518. ; 20:27-28, s. 3379-3388
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The field of DNA vaccines has grown rapidly, and since most such vaccines involve the inoculation of large circular DNA molecules previously propagated in bacteria, several inconveniences (e.g. the presence of antibiotic resistance genes, impurities from bacterial cultures or inefficient uptake of the large and bulky plasmid DNA molecules to the nucleus) are debated. In this study, we have explored the possibility of using smaller and more flexible PCR-generated linear DNA fragments instead. Phosphorothioate (PTO)-modified primers were used successfully to protect the PCR-generated DNA fragments from exonuclease degradation, and by using a nuclear localization signal-peptide to target the linear DNA to the nucleus the immune response against the encoded antigen was further improved. This approach was tested in cell culture using a sensitive reporter system and in vivo with DNA encoding the amino-terminus of the Puumala hantavirus nucleocapsid protein. Our results indicate that linear DNA fragments have a great potential as a genetic vaccine and phosphorothioate modification in combination with a nuclear localization signal peptide increase the stability and targets the linear DNA molecules to the nucleus resulting in an improved biological response examined both in vitro and in vivo.
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| 22. |
- Johansson, Patrik, et al.
(författare)
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Puumala hantavirus genetic variability in an endemic region (Northern Sweden)
- 2008
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Ingår i: Infection, Genetics and Evolution. - : Elsevier BV. - 1567-1348 .- 1567-7257. ; 8:3, s. 286-296
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Puumala hantavirus (PUUV), naturally harboured and shed by bank voles (Myodes [Clethrionomys] glareolus), is the etiological agent to nephropathia epidemica (NE), a mild haemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome. Both host and virus are found throughout much of the European continent and in northern Sweden NE is the second most prevalent serious febrile viral infection after influenza. The reliability of diagnostics by PCR depends on genetic variability for the detection of viral nucleic acids in unknown samples. In the present study we evaluated the genetic variability of PUUV isolated from bank voles in an area of northern Sweden highly endemic for NE. Genetic variability among bank voles was also investigated to evaluate co-evolutionary patterns. We found that the viral sequence appeared stable across the 80 km study region, with the exception of the southernmost sampling site, which differed from its nearest neighbour by 7%, despite a geographical separation of only 10 km. The southernmost sampling site demonstrated a higher degree of genetic similarity to PUUV previously isolated 100 km south thereof; two locations appear to constitute a separate PUUV phylogenetic branch. In contrast to the viral genome, no phylogenetic variance was observed in the bank vole mtDNA in this study. Previous studies have shown that as a result of terrestrial mammals' postglacial re-colonization routes, bank voles and associated PUUV of a southern and a northern lineage established a dichotomous contact zone across the Scandinavian peninsula approximately 100-150km south of the present study sites. Our observations reveal evolutionary divergence of PUUV that has led to dissimilarities within the restricted geographical scale of the northern host re-colonization route as well. These results suggest either a static situation in which PUUV strains are regionally well adapted, or an ongoing process in which strains of PUUV circulate on a geographical scale not yet reliably described. (c) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
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| 23. |
- Khalil, Hussein, et al.
(författare)
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Population Dynamics of Bank Voles Predicts Human Puumala Hantavirus Risk
- 2019
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Ingår i: EcoHealth. - : Springer. - 1612-9202 .- 1612-9210. ; 16:3, s. 545-557
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Predicting risk of zoonotic diseases, i.e., diseases shared by humans and animals, is often complicated by the population ecology of wildlife host(s). We here demonstrate how ecological knowledge of a disease system can be used for early prediction of human risk using Puumala hantavirus (PUUV) in bank voles (Myodes glareolus), which causes Nephropathia epidemica (NE) in humans, as a model system. Bank vole populations at northern latitudes exhibit multiannual fluctuations in density and spatial distribution, a phenomenon that has been studied extensively. Nevertheless, existing studies predict NE incidence only a few months before an outbreak. We used a time series on cyclic bank vole population density (1972–2013), their PUUV infection rates (1979–1986; 2003–2013), and NE incidence in Sweden (1990–2013). Depending on the relationship between vole density and infection prevalence (proportion of infected animals), either overall density of bank voles or the density of infected bank voles may be used to predict seasonal NE incidence. The density and spatial distribution of voles at density minima of a population cycle contribute to the early warning of NE risk later at its cyclic peak. When bank voles remain relatively widespread in the landscape during cyclic minima, PUUV can spread from a high baseline during a cycle, culminating in high prevalence in bank voles and potentially high NE risk during peak densities.
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| 24. |
- Lagerqvist, Nina, 1979-, et al.
(författare)
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Characterisation of immune responses and protective efficacy in mice after immunisation with Rift Valley Fever virus cDNA constructs
- 2009
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Ingår i: Virology Journal. - 1743-422X. ; 6, s. 6-
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- BACKGROUND: Affecting both livestock and humans, Rift Valley Fever is considered as one of the most important viral zoonoses in Africa. However, no licensed vaccines or effective treatments are yet available for human use. Naked DNA vaccines are an interesting approach since the virus is highly infectious and existing attenuated Rift Valley Fever virus vaccine strains display adverse effects in animal trials. In this study, gene-gun immunisations with cDNA encoding structural proteins of the Rift Valley Fever virus were evaluated in mice. The induced immune responses were analysed for the ability to protect mice against virus challenge. RESULTS: Immunisation with cDNA encoding the nucleocapsid protein induced strong humoral and lymphocyte proliferative immune responses, and virus neutralising antibodies were acquired after vaccination with cDNA encoding the glycoproteins. Even though complete protection was not achieved by genetic immunisation, four out of eight, and five out of eight mice vaccinated with cDNA encoding the nucleocapsid protein or the glycoproteins, respectively, displayed no clinical signs of infection after challenge. In contrast, all fourteen control animals displayed clinical manifestations of Rift Valley Fever after challenge. CONCLUSION: The appearance of Rift Valley Fever associated clinical signs were significantly decreased among the DNA vaccinated mice and further adjustment of this strategy may result in full protection against Rift Valley Fever.
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| 25. |
- Lindgren, Lena, et al.
(författare)
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Regions of importance for interaction of puumala virus nucleocapsid subunits
- 2006
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Ingår i: Virus genes. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 0920-8569 .- 1572-994X. ; 33:2, s. 169-174
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Puumala virus (PUUV) is a hantavirus that causes a mild form of hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome in northern and central Europe, and in large parts of Russia. The nucleocapsid (N) protein encoded by hantaviruses plays an important role in the life-cycle of these viruses, and one important function for the N-protein is to oligomerize, surround and protect the viral RNAs. We have identified amino- and carboxy-terminal regions involved in PUUV N-N interactions, which comprise amino acids 100-120 and 330-405. Our findings strengthen the hypothesis that the amino-terminus of the N-protein of hantaviruses holds a more regulatory function regarding N-N interactions, while conserved residues in the carboxy-terminal region, F335 together with F336 and W392, in concert with Y388 and/or F400 seems to play a more critical role in the PUUV N-N formation. This study provides evidence that the amino-terminal regions involved in the N-N interaction of Puumala virus are similar to those reported for Seoul virus (SEOV) and to some extent Hantaan virus (HTNV), even though the identity between PUUV N and SEOV/HTNV N is markedly lower than between PUUV N and Tula virus (TULV) N or Sin Nombre virus (SNV) N.
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