Article
Microbiology
Nicole Barp, Cinzia Cappi, Marianna Meschiari, Marzia Battistel, Maria Vittoria Libbra, Maria Alice Ferri, Stefano Ballestri, Altea Gallerani, Filippo Ferrari, Marisa Meacci, Mario Sarti, Mariano Capitelli, Cristina Mussini, Erica Franceschini
Summary: The first human case of tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) infection in central Italy has been reported, indicating endemic transmission and a possible hot spot in the Serramazzoni region of the Emilian Apennines.
Article
Microbiology
Lidia Chitimia-Dobler, Alexander Lindau, Rainer Oehme, Malena Bestehorn-Willmann, Markus Antwerpen, Marco Drehmann, Thomas Hierl, Ute Mackenstedt, Gerhard Dobler
Summary: In May 2017, the first known TBE outbreak occurred in Tubingen, Germany, linked to raw milk from a goat farm. Investigation revealed that among the confirmed cases, 12 were unvaccinated, 4 were overdue for a booster vaccine, and 5 were vaccinated and remained disease-free. This outbreak demonstrated the protective effect of TBE vaccination against alimentary infection.
Article
Immunology
Laura Wiesner, Carla Schmutte, Imke Steffen
Summary: Tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) is a serious pathogen that requires heightened biosafety measures in the laboratory. Different inactivation procedures, such as heat, acidic pH, alcohol, formaldehyde, detergents, and UV irradiation, show varying effectiveness against TBEV, depending on sample size and composition.
JOURNAL OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Ludek Eyer, Katherine Seley-Radtke, Daniel Ruzek
Summary: Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) is a potentially fatal disease common in much of Europe and Asia. Currently, there is no specific therapy for TBE patients, but there are ongoing efforts to develop small molecules and monoclonal antibodies that can interfere with the TBE virus life cycle and potentially be used for post-exposure prophylaxis or early therapy. This review summarizes the latest directions and experimental approaches for combating TBE in humans.
ANTIVIRAL RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Ewa Bojkiewicz, Kacper Toczylowski, Sambor Grygorczuk, Beata Zelazowska-Rutkowska, Justyna Dunaj, Agnieszka Zebrowska, Piotr Czupryna, Anna Moniuszko-Malinowska, Artur Sulik
Summary: In Poland, the vaccination rate for tick-borne encephalitis is low, despite a high incidence of severe infections. A study found that many people have asymptomatic infections and have different attitudes towards the vaccine.
Review
Virology
E. Taylor Stone, Amelia K. Pinto
Summary: The Flaviviridae family consists of diverse arthropod-borne viruses that cause globally relevant diseases in humans. Infection with certain flaviviruses, like West Nile virus, Zika virus, Japanese encephalitis virus, tick-borne encephalitis virus, and Powassan virus, can lead to neuroinvasive diseases such as meningitis or encephalitis. T cells have been identified as a contributor to neuroinflammation, but their role in tick-borne flavivirus encephalitis requires further study. Understanding the involvement of T cells in tick-borne flavivirus encephalitis is crucial for improving vaccine safety and efficacy, as well as developing treatments for human disease.
Article
Virology
Xiaohui Li, Hongwei Ji, Di Wang, Lihe Che, Li Zhang, Liang Li, Qing Yin, Quan Liu, Feng Wei, Zedong Wang
Summary: This study identified the presence of Far Eastern subtype of TBEV in Ixodes persulcatus ticks in northeastern China, with genetic variations observed among viruses from different natural foci in the region.
JOURNAL OF MEDICAL VIROLOGY
(2022)
Review
Virology
Martina Lickova, Sabina Fumacova Havlikova, Monika Slavikova, Boris Klempa
Summary: Tick-borne encephalitis virus can be transmitted to humans through ticks and the alimentary route, which involves consuming raw milk products from infected ruminants. The alimentary route of TBEV infection is recognized as a contributing factor to the increase in TBE incidence in Europe.
Letter
Immunology
Jana Kerlik, Maria Avdicova, Monika Musilova, Jana Beresova, Roman Mezencev
Summary: This is a case of probable transmission of Tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) from an unvaccinated mother to an infant through breast-feeding. It highlights the importance of being cautious when exposed to infected animals or consuming raw food products, especially for individuals who are not vaccinated.
EMERGING INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Kseniya N. Sedenkova, Victoria I. Uvarova, Anna A. Nazarova, Aleksandra V. Peisikova, Evgeny V. Khvatov, Maksim V. Sukhorukov, Vasilisa S. Frolenko, Alexander S. Goryashchenko, Ivan S. Kholodilov, Yuri K. Grishin, Viktor B. Rybakov, Marat T. Makenov, Evgeny S. Morozkin, Lyudmila S. Karan, Liubov I. Kozlovskaya, Aydar A. Ishmukhametov, Dmitry I. Osolodkin, Elena B. Averina
Summary: A series of tetrahydroquinazoline N-oxides were synthesized and their antiviral activity against flaviviruses such as TBEV, YFV, and WNV was assessed. Most of the compounds showed activity against TBEV and WNV, and a few also demonstrated inhibitory activity against YFV. The mechanism of action of these compounds appears to affect the early stages of viral replication cycle after cell entry.
ARCHIV DER PHARMAZIE
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Julia Finkensieper, Leila Issmail, Jasmin Fertey, Alexandra Rockstroh, Simone Schopf, Bastian Standfest, Martin Thoma, Thomas Grunwald, Sebastian Ulbert
Summary: Tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) is a zoonotic flavivirus that can cause severe neurological complications in humans. Traditional methods of producing TBEV vaccines using formaldehyde have drawbacks, and this study suggests that low-energy electron irradiation (LEEI) could be an alternative method. Immunizing mice with LEEI-inactivated TBEV resulted in higher levels of antibodies and complete protection against viral challenge.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Virology
Zuzana Berankova, Jan Kopecky, Shintaro Kobayashi, Jaroslava Lieskovska
Summary: This study investigated the relationship between autophagy and tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) in mouse macrophage cells. The findings showed that autophagy promotes virus entry and replication in the early stage of TBEV infection, but later on, it plays an antiviral role by restricting virus titers and enhancing IFN-beta production.
Review
Microbiology
Mulugeta A. Wondim, Piotr Czupryna, Slawomir Pancewicz, Ewelina Kruszewska, Monika Groth, Anna Moniuszko-Malinowska
Summary: Tick-borne encephalitis is a neuroinfection widely distributed in the Euro-Asia region, primarily transmitted by infected ticks. The total number of confirmed cases reported in Europe from 2000 to 2019 was 51,519, with a decrease in cases in 2014 and 2015 but an increasing trend since 2015.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Eirini Mylonaki, Michael Seiberl, Neil Jones, Heike Bernhard, Ferdinand Otto, Georg Pilz, Eugen Trinka, Peter Wipfler
Summary: Tick-borne encephalitis is a common viral disease transmitted by ticks in Middle-East Europe and North Asia. This case report from Austria highlights the importance of considering tick-borne encephalitis in the differential diagnosis of febrile diseases and the potential transmission through unpasteurized dairy products.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Parasitology
Emily L. Pascoe, Ankje de Vries, Helen J. Esser, Constantianus J. M. Koenraadt, Hein Sprong
Summary: In this study, it was demonstrated that tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) RNA can be detected in non-destructive samples obtained from naturally infected wild rodents, providing a practical alternative for long-term surveillance of the virus.
PARASITES & VECTORS
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Nirmitee Mulgaonkar, Haoqi Wang, Samavath Mallawarachchi, Daniel Ruzek, Byron Martina, Sandun Fernando
Summary: This study identified potential molecules with antiviral activity against SARS-CoV-2 through virtual screening and investigated the interaction between imatinib and the spike glycoprotein. These findings are significant for the development of novel drugs targeting SARS-CoV-2.
JOURNAL OF BIOMOLECULAR STRUCTURE & DYNAMICS
(2023)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Ludek Eyer, Katherine Seley-Radtke, Daniel Ruzek
Summary: Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) is a potentially fatal disease common in much of Europe and Asia. Currently, there is no specific therapy for TBE patients, but there are ongoing efforts to develop small molecules and monoclonal antibodies that can interfere with the TBE virus life cycle and potentially be used for post-exposure prophylaxis or early therapy. This review summarizes the latest directions and experimental approaches for combating TBE in humans.
ANTIVIRAL RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Marta Zimna, Gabriela Brzuska, Jiri Salat, Pavel Svoboda, Klaudia Baranska, Boguslaw Szewczyk, Daniel Ruzek, Ewelina Krol
Summary: Tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) causes severe neurological infections. Dairy products from infected animals are a common cause. Vaccination of livestock could help reduce human infections. Researchers developed a potential TBEV vaccine based on virus-like particles (VLPs) produced in Leishmania tarentolae cells, which proved to be highly immunogenic and provided full protection from lethal TBE in mice.
ANTIVIRAL RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Cell Biology
Anezka Kafkova, Lisa Tilokani, Filip Trcka, Veronika Sramkova, Marie Vancova, Tomas Bily, Jana Nebesarova, Julien Prudent, Jan Trnka
Summary: Triphenylphosphonium (TPP) derivatives, such as alkyl-TPP, can cause reversible changes in mitochondrial morphology and function, including a selective decrease in mitochondrial inner membrane proteins. These effects are dose and hydrophobicity dependent and involve the cleavage of the regulator Optic atrophy-1. The similar effects were observed with the mitochondria-targeted antioxidant MitoQ.
Article
Virology
Andrea Fortova, Vaclav Honig, Jiri Salat, Martin Palus, Martina Pychova, Lenka Krbkova, Andrey Barkhash, Michal F. Kriha, Ales Chrdle, Marie Lipoldova, Daniel Ruzek
Summary: This study analyzed the levels of 8 different matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of adult patients infected with tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) virus. The results showed that MMP-9 was significantly increased in the CSF of TBE patients. Further analysis revealed elevated serum MMP-9 levels in both pediatric and adult TBE patients, with a correlation to the clinical course, suggesting the potential of serum MMP-9 as a bioindicator for TBE.
Article
Microbiology
Jana Pilatova, Daria Tashyreva, Jiri Tyc, Marie Vancova, Syed Nadeem Hussain Bokhari, Radim Skoupy, Mariana Klementova, Hendrik Kupper, Peter Mojzes, Julius Lukes
Summary: This study reveals that diplonemids, a group of marine planktonic protists, are capable of accumulating large amounts of barite and celestite crystals. These organisms have the potential to impact the cycling of barium and strontium in the ocean and contribute to the formation of sedimentary rocks. These findings provide new insights into the enrichment of barium and strontium proxies used in paleoceanographic reconstructions of global climate.
Article
Immunology
Filippo Bianchini, Virginia Crivelli, Morgan E. Abernathy, Concetta Guerra, Martin Palus, Jonathan Muri, Harold Marcotte, Antonio Piralla, Mattia Pedotti, Raoul De Gasparo, Luca Simonelli, Milos Matkovic, Chiara Toscano, Maira Biggiogero, Veronica Calvaruso, Pavel Svoboda, Tomas Cervantes Rincon, Tommaso Fava, Lucie Podesvova, Akanksha A. Shanbhag, Andrea Celoria, Jacopo Sgrignani, Michal Stefanik, Vaclav Honig, Veronika Pranclova, Tereza Michalcikova, Jan Prochazka, Giuditta Guerrini, Dora Mehn, Annalisa Clabbattini, Hassan Abolhassani, David Jarrossay, Mariagrazia Uguccioni, Donata Medaglini, Qiang Pan-Hammarstroem, Luigi Calzolai, Daniel Fernandez, Fausto Baldanti, Alessandra Franzetti-Pellanda, Christian Garzoni, Radislav Sedlacek, Daniel Ruzek, Luca Varani, Andrea Cavalli, Christopher O. Barnes, Davide F. Robbiani
Summary: Using coldspot-guided antibody discovery, neutralizing antibodies to highly conserved viral epitopes were identified. Antibody fp.006 binds the fusion peptide and cross-reacts against coronaviruses. Antibody hr2.016 targets the stem helix and neutralizes SARS-CoV-2 variants. Antibody sd1.040 binds to subdomain 1 and synergizes with antibody rbd.042 for neutralization.
SCIENCE IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Virology
Claude Saegerman, Marie-France Humblet, Marc Leandri, Gaelle Gonzalez, Paul Heyman, Hein Sprong, Monique L'Hostis, Sara Moutailler, Sarah I. Bonnet, Nadia Haddad, Nathalie Boulanger, Stephen Leib, Thierry Hoch, Etienne Thiry, Laure Bournez, Jana Kerlik, Aurelie Velay, Solveig Jore, Elsa Jourdain, Emmanuelle Gilot-Fromont, Katharina Brugger, Julia Geller, Marie Studahl, Natasa Knap, Tatjana Avsic-Zupanc, Daniel P. Ruzek, Tizza Zomer, Rene Bodker, Thomas F. H. Berger, Sandra Martin-Latil, Nick De Regge, Alice A. Raffetin, Sandrine Lacour, Matthias Klein, Tinne Lernout, Elsa Quillery, Zdenek Hubalek, Francisco Ruiz-Fons, Agustin Estrada-Pena, Philippe Fravalo, Pauline Kooh, Florence Etore, Celine M. Gossner, Bethan Purse
Summary: Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) is an endemic viral disease in Eurasia, primarily transmitted to humans through ticks and occasionally through unpasteurized milk products. The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control has reported an increase in TBE incidence over the years, as well as its emergence in new areas. Through expert knowledge elicitation, we identified nine key drivers for TBE emergence and increased incidence, including changes in human behavior, eating habits, landscape, humidity, difficulty in controlling reservoirs and vectors, temperature, wildlife compartments, increase in autochthonous wild mammals, and distribution of tick species vectors.
Article
Biology
Jose M. Ribeiro, David Hartmann, Pavla Bartosova-Sojkova, Humberto Debat, Martin Moos, Petr Simek, Jiri Fara, Martin Palus, Matej Kucera, Ondrej Hajdusek, Daniel Sojka, Petr Kopacek, Jan Perner
Summary: Dermanyssus gallinae is a blood-feeding mite that parasitises wild birds and farmed poultry. Through transcriptome analysis, we identified midgut-enriched transcripts and upregulated cysteine protease transcripts in response to blood meals. We also discovered three distinct vitellogenin transcripts related to reproductive capacity and investigated genes associated with blood consumption, iron storage, and the RNA-virome of D. gallinae.
COMMUNICATIONS BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Srishylam Penjarla, Paidi Yella Reddy, Santhosh Penta, Yogesh S. Sanghvi, Ludek Eyer, Michal Stefanik, Daniel Ruzek, Shyamapada Banerjee
Summary: An efficient synthetic approach leading to novel C-nucleosides containing oxadiazole or thiadiazole ring system is reported. This provides an ideal framework for the development of new antiviral and antitumor drugs. Two of the synthesized compounds showed mild anti-SARS-CoV-2 activity, with a decrease in viral titers by <1 log10 PFU/ml compared with controls. Mechanism for the formation of 5-substituted 1,3,4-thiadiazole ring is proposed and a structure-activity relationship is established with these C-nucleosides.
JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR STRUCTURE
(2023)
Article
Neurosciences
Andrea Fortova, Andrey Barkhash, Martina Pychova, Lenka Krbkova, Martin Palus, Jiri Salat, Daniel Ruzek
Summary: This study investigated the association between selected single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in innate immunity genes and susceptibility to tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) in the Czech population. The results showed an association between SNPs in IFIT1 and DDX58 genes and TBE susceptibility, highlighting the role of innate immunity genes in TBE pathogenesis.
JOURNAL OF NEUROVIROLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Kseniya A. Mariewskaya, Daniil A. Gvozdev, Alexey A. Chistov, Petra Strakova, Ivana Huvarova, Pavel Svoboda, Jan Kotoucek, Nikita M. Ivanov, Maxim S. Krasilnikov, Mikhail Y. Zhitlov, Alexandra M. Pak, Igor E. Mikhnovets, Timofei D. Nikitin, Vladimir A. Korshun, Vera A. Alferova, Josef Masek, Daniel Rfzek, Ludek Eyer, Alexey V. Ustinov
Summary: Novel perylenylethynylphenols show promising antiviral activity against SARS-CoV-2 and FIPV by blocking viral entry and generating singlet oxygen under visible light. These compounds possess a unique combination of shape and singlet oxygen production, making them effective against enveloped viruses.
Review
Virology
Gabriele Chiffi, Denis Grandgirard, Stephen L. Leib, Ales Chrdle, Daniel Ruzek
Summary: Tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) is a common flavivirus in Europe and Asia, with increasing cases and an emerging public health problem. It can be transmitted through infected tick bites, as well as through infected milk consumption or aerosols.
REVIEWS IN MEDICAL VIROLOGY
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Jiri Salat, Milan Hunady, Pavel Svoboda, Lucie Strelcova, Petra Strakova, Andrea Fortova, Martin Palus, Daniel Ruzek
Summary: A vaccine candidate for tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) in dogs was developed, which showed good safety, immunogenicity and efficacy in both mice and dogs. The vaccine induced the production of specific anti-TBEV antibodies with virus neutralising activity, providing protection against fatal TBE in mice and preventing viremia after challenge infection in dogs.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Igor E. Mikhnovets, Jiri Holoubek, Irina S. Panina, Jan Kotoucek, Daniil A. Gvozdev, Stepan P. Chumakov, Maxim S. Krasilnikov, Mikhail Y. Zhitlov, Evgeny L. Gulyak, Alexey A. Chistov, Timofei D. Nikitin, Vladimir A. Korshun, Roman G. Efremov, Vera A. Alferova, Daniel Ruzek, Ludek Eyer, Alexey V. Ustinov
Summary: Amphipathic perylene derivatives are effective antiviral compounds that target the viral envelope and act as fusion inhibitors. They damage the viral envelope using lipophilic perylene and singlet oxygen generated by light. Short alkyl chains contribute to strong antiviral activity, while longer alkyl chains reduce activity due to increased lipophilicity and aggregation.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)