Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Sergio E. Rodriguez, David W. Hawman, Teresa E. Sorvillo, T. Justin O'Neal, Brian H. Bird, Luis L. Rodriguez, Eric Bergeron, Stuart T. Nichol, Joel M. Montgomery, Christina F. Spiropoulou, Jessica R. Spengler
Summary: This article reviews the progress in immunobiology research of Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus (CCHFV), including the relationship between different outcomes and disease severity, and provides recommendations for future research.
ANTIVIRAL RESEARCH
(2022)
Review
Medicine, General & Internal
Aykut Ozdarendeli
Summary: Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus (CCHFV) is a highly infectious virus transmitted to humans through tick bites or contact with infected animal blood, causing severe symptoms and a high mortality rate. The lack of effective medical countermeasures and its potential for global spread have made CCHFV a high-priority pathogen. Recent advances in biotechnology and suitable animal models have accelerated the development of CCHFV vaccines.
Article
Immunology
Johan Espunyes, Oscar Cabezon, Lola Pailler-Garcia, Andrea Dias-Alves, Lourdes Lobato-Bailon, Ignasi Marco, Maria P. Ribas, Pedro E. Encinosa-Guzman, Marta Valldeperes, Sebastian Napp
Summary: A serosurvey in Catalonia, northeastern Spain, found high seroprevalence of Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus antibodies in southern Catalonia, indicating potential presence of competent virus vectors in the region.
EMERGING INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2021)
Review
Virology
Mohammad Fereidouni, Dmitry A. Apanaskevich, David B. Pecor, Natalia Yu. Pshenichnaya, Gulzhan N. Abuova, Farida H. Tishkova, Yekaterina Bumburidi, Xiankun Zeng, Jens H. Kuhn, Maryam Keshtkar-Jahromi
Summary: This study summarizes the status of Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) in Central, Eastern, and South-eastern Asia. The risk and burden of CCHF were assessed based on case reports, antibody prevalence, and vector ticks isolation. The majority of cases were reported in Central Asia, while only China reported cases in Eastern Asia. No cases were reported in South-eastern Asia. Countries were classified into different levels based on evidence of CCHF, guiding the strengthening or establishment of CCHF surveillance systems.
Article
Immunology
Anabel Negredo, Rafael Sanchez-Arroyo, Francisco Diez-Fuertes, Fernando de Ory, Marco Antonio Budino, Ana Vazquez, Angeles Garcinuno, Lourdes Hernandez, Cesar de la Hoz Gonzalez, Almudena Gutierrez-Arroyo, Carmen Grande, Paz Sanchez-Seco
Summary: In August 2018, a fatal autochthonous case of Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever was confirmed in western Spain, with a new virus circulating as the genotype differs from a previous case in 2016. Practitioners must remain alert to the possibility of new cases.
EMERGING INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Anoop T. Ambikan, Nazif Elaldi, Sara Svensson- Akusjaervi, Binnur Bagci, Ayse Nur Pektas, Roger Hewson, Gokhan Bagci, Mehmet Arasli, Sofia Appelberg, Adil Mardinoglu, Vikas Sood, Akos Vegvari, Rui Benfeitas, Soham Gupta, Ilhan Cetin, Ali Mirazimi, Ujjwal Neogi
Summary: This study analyzed the trajectory of host response and metabolic changes following CCHFV infection, revealing that antiviral immune responses are regulated by genes and signaling pathways. The reorganization of metabolism during the acute phase contributes to pathogenicity, while downregulated metabolic processes during the convalescent phase may lead to metabolic rewiring.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2023)
Article
Virology
Massab Umair, Zaira Rehman, Syed A. A. Haider, Qasim Ali, Rabia Hakim, Shaheen Bibi, Muhammad Salman, Aamer Ikram
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the genomic diversity of the CCHF virus circulating in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces of Pakistan. Out of the 46 tested samples from suspected CCHF patients, 6 showed positive RT-PCR results. Whole-genome sequencing of four positive samples revealed the presence of a reassorted virus with a unique segment pattern. Mutational analysis showed several mutations in different domains of the virus. These findings emphasize the importance of whole-genome sequencing in understanding the evolution of CCHFV in Pakistan.
JOURNAL OF MEDICAL VIROLOGY
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Thomas Tipih, Mark Heise, Felicity Jane Burt
Summary: This study demonstrated the expression of CCHFV nucleoprotein by a Sindbis virus vector and its immunogenicity in mice. The induced immune response, predominantly Th1-type, was shown by the spectrum of cytokine production and antibody profile. Further studies in CCHFV-susceptible animals are needed to evaluate the protective efficacy of the vaccine.
Article
Immunology
Muhammad Tahir Ul Qamar, Saba Ismail, Sajjad Ahmad, Muhammad Usman Mirza, Sumra Wajid Abbasi, Usman Ali Ashfaq, Ling-Ling Chen
Summary: Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) is a severe viral disease with high mortality caused by CCHFV. A study proposed a multi-epitope vaccine (MEV) that covers 99.74% of the world population, showing high antigenic potential and no toxicity. The vaccine exhibited excellent binding affinity with immune receptors TLR2 and TLR3, suggesting potential for specific immune responses.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)
Letter
Immunology
Mohammad M. Obaidat, James C. Graziano, Maria Morales-Betoulle, Shelley M. Brown, Cheng-Feng Chiang, John D. Klena
Summary: The epidemiology of Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV) and Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus (CCHFV) in Jordan is unknown. A study found 3% of tested dairy cattle, sheep, and goats were RVFV seropositive and 14% were CCHFV seropositive. Ongoing surveillance is necessary to evaluate the risk to humans and protect public health.
EMERGING INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2021)
Review
Virology
Shiyu Dai, Fei Deng, Hualin Wang, Yunjia Ning
Summary: Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus is a tick-borne pathogen that causes severe illness and has limited treatment options without FDA-approved vaccines or specific antiviral medications. The risk of transmission has increased due to climate change and globalization, highlighting the need for greater efforts in finding therapeutic approaches.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
David W. Hawman, Kimberly Meade-White, Shanna Leventhal, Sofia Appelberg, Gustaf Ahlen, Negin Nikouyan, Chad Clancy, Brian Smith, Patrick Hanley, Jamie Lovaglio, Ali Mirazimi, Matti Sallberg, Heinz Feldmann
Summary: Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus (CCHFV) is widely distributed and can cause severe disease. Currently, there are no widely approved vaccines for CCHFV. However, a DNA-based vaccine has shown significant efficacy in cynomolgus macaques, providing protection with a two-dose regimen.
Article
Virology
Na Li, Guibo Rao, Zhiqiang Li, Jiayi Yin, Tingting Chong, Kexing Tian, Yan Fu, Sheng Cao
Summary: In this study, the structure of the Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus Gc protein was solved, revealing its critical role in virus-host membrane fusion and providing valuable insights into neutralization mechanisms.
Article
Microbiology
Eddie M. Wampande, Peter Waiswa, David J. Allen, Roger Hewson, Simon D. W. Frost, Samuel C. B. Stubbs
Summary: This study characterized a novel strain of Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus (CCHFV) found in African blue ticks in Uganda, belonging to the African genotype II clade. The S and L genome segments of this strain showed >90% nucleotide similarity to other genotype II strains, while the M segment displayed 80% similarity with strains from Western India and Northern China, along with numerous non-synonymous mutations. This newly sequenced strain adds to our understanding of the natural diversity of CCHFV circulating in ticks and in Africa, providing valuable information for the development of future control strategies.
Article
Virology
Makgotso Golda Maotoana, Felicity Jane Burt, Dominique Goedhals
Summary: This study investigates the specific T cell response to viral proteins in survivors of Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever. The results suggest the presence of a long-lasting T cell memory response, particularly targeting the NSM and GP38 proteins, in survivors of infection.
JOURNAL OF MEDICAL VIROLOGY
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Edmilson F. de Oliveira-Filho, Otavio V. de Carvalho, Ianei O. Carneiro, Fagner D'ambroso Fernandes, Sara Nunes Vaz, Celia Pedroso, Lilian Gonzalez-Auza, Victor Carvalho Urbieta, Arne Kuehne, Rafaela Mayoral, Wendy K. Jo, Andres Moreira-Soto, Chantal B. E. M. Reusken, Christian Drosten, Carlos Brites, Klaus Osterrieder, Eduardo Martins Netto, Luiz Eduardo Ristow, Rita de Cassia Maia, Fernanda S. Flores Vogel, Nadia Rossi de Almeida, Carlos Roberto Franke, Jan Felix Drexler
Summary: Carnivores such as cats are highly susceptible to SARS-CoV-2, and cases of human-to-cat transmission have been documented in Brazil. A study in Brazil found that the overall seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 in domestic cats was 7.3%, with similar infection levels across different states. The study also showed that pre-existing immunity against other coronaviruses in cats did not affect their susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Andres Moreira-Soto, Christian Walzer, Gabor A. Czirjak, Martin H. Richter, Stephen F. Marino, Annika Posautz, Pau De Yebra Rodo, Gayle K. McEwen, Jan Felix Drexler, Alex D. Greenwood
Summary: In contrast to North American white-tailed deer, there is no evidence of SARS-CoV-2 exposure in German and Austrian deer species, based on the pseudoneutralization assay.
Review
Parasitology
Vyacheslav Yurchenko, Daniil S. Chistyakov, Lyudmila Akhmadishina, Alexander N. Lukashev, Jovana Sadlova, Margarita Strelkova
Summary: In this study, we reviewed historical and recent data on Leishmaniaspp. infection in several countries including Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Iran, China, and Mongolia. We focused on a complex of co-existing species and their shared reservoirs and vectors. Additionally, we analyzed the presence of dsRNA viruses in these species and discussed future research directions to understand the susceptibility of different Leishmaniaspp. to viral infection.
Article
Virology
Yulia A. Vakulenko, Artem V. Orlov, Alexander N. Lukashev
Summary: Noroviruses infect a wide range of mammals and are the major cause of gastroenteritis in humans. Recombination events between nonstructural (ORF1) and structural genomic regions (ORF2 and ORF3) were found in all analyzed genogroups of noroviruses, although recombination was most prominent between members of GII. The half-life times of recombinant forms of human GI and GII noroviruses were 10.4 and 8.4-11.3 years, respectively, and there was evidence of many recent recombination events.
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Dmitry Kostyushev, Anastasiya Kostyusheva, Sergey Brezgin, Natalia Ponomareva, Natalia F. Zakirova, Aleksandra Egorshina, Dmitry V. Yanvarev, Ekaterina Bayurova, Anna Sudina, Irina Goptar, Anastasiya Nikiforova, Elena Dunaeva, Tatiana Lisitsa, Ivan Abramov, Anastasiia Frolova, Alexander Lukashev, Ilya Gordeychuk, Andrey A. Zamyatnin Jr, Alexander Ivanov, Vladimir Chulanov
Summary: CRISPR-Cas9 systems show remarkable anti-HBV activity by targeting the hepatitis B virus major genomic form, cccDNA. However, inactivating cccDNA alone is not enough to cure the infection, as HBV replication rebounds due to the de novo formation of cccDNA from its precursor, rcDNA. Depleting rcDNA before delivering CRISPR-Cas9 RNPs can prevent viral rebound and promote resolution of HBV infection. These findings lay the groundwork for developing a virological cure of HBV infection using a single dose of short-lived CRISPR-Cas9 RNPs, with the help of widely used reverse transcriptase inhibitors to block cccDNA replenishment.
MOLECULAR THERAPY-NUCLEIC ACIDS
(2023)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Sergey Brezgin, Anastasiya Kostyusheva, Natalia Ponomareva, Ekaterina Bayurova, Alla Kondrashova, Anastasia Frolova, Olga Slatinskaya, Landysh Fatkhutdinova, Georgy Maksimov, Mikhail Zyuzin, Ilya Gordeychuk, Alexander Lukashev, Sergey Makarov, Alexander Ivanov, Andrey A. Zamyatnin Jr, Vladimir Chulanov, Alessandro Parodi, Dmitry Kostyushev
Summary: Biological nanoparticles, such as extracellular vesicles (EVs) and extracellular vesicle-mimetic nanovesicles (EMNVs), have been extensively studied as drug delivery vehicles in medical applications. This study investigated the properties and drug delivery abilities of EVs and EMNVs, and analyzed their use for delivering the chemotherapeutic drug doxorubicin. EMNVs were found to be more effectively internalized, while EVs showed higher intracellular release of doxorubicin.
Review
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Sergey Brezgin, Alessandro Parodi, Anastasiya Kostyusheva, Natalia Ponomareva, Alexander Lukashev, Darina Sokolova, Vadim S. Pokrovsky, Olga Slatinskaya, Georgy Maksimov, Andrey A. Zamyatnin Jr, Vladimir Chulanov, Dmitry Kostyushev
Summary: Extracellular vesicles (EVs), cell-derived biological nanoparticles, have gained significant interest for drug delivery due to their ideal biocompatibility, safety, ability to cross biological barriers, and surface modification potential. However, the translation of EVs into practical applications has been challenging due to issues in up-scaling, synthesis, and quality control methods. Advances in manufacturing technology now allow EVs to carry various therapeutic cargoes, and new technologies have been introduced to improve EV production, isolation, characterization, and standardization.
BIOTECHNOLOGY ADVANCES
(2023)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Tatiana S. Novozhilova, Daniil S. Chistyakov, Lyudmila V. Akhmadishina, Alexander N. Lukashev, Evgeny S. Gerasimov, Vyacheslav Yurchenko
Summary: The evolution of Leishmania is influenced by clonality, sexual reproduction, and geographic isolation. Leishmania turanica populations in Central Asia can be mixed with other species or monospecific and isolated. Genetic analysis revealed no significant differences in the evolution of mixed and monospecific L. turanica populations. However, there were variations in large-scale genomic rearrangements, with genome translocations being the most prominent example. Additionally, L. turanica exhibited a higher level of chromosomal copy number variation compared to its sister species L. major, suggesting active evolutionary adaptation.
PLOS NEGLECTED TROPICAL DISEASES
(2023)
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Dmitry Kostyushev, Sergey Brezgin, Anastasiya Kostyusheva, Natalia Ponomareva, Ekaterina Bayurova, Natalia Zakirova, Alla Kondrashova, Irina Goptar, Anastasiya Nikiforova, Anna Sudina, Yurii Babin, Ilya Gordeychuk, Alexander Lukashev, Andrey A. Zamyatnin Jr, Alexander Ivanov, Vladimir Chulanov
Summary: APOBEC/AID cytidine deaminases play an important role in innate immunity and antiviral defenses. Researchers developed a CRISPR-activation-based approach to induce APOBEC/AID overexpression and control its effects on HBV replication and cellular toxicity. The study highlights the potential for precise control of APOBEC/AID activation as a strategy for suppressing HBV replication without toxicity.
MOLECULAR THERAPY-NUCLEIC ACIDS
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Alexandra Kegler, Laura Drewitz, Claudia Arndt, Cansu Daglar, Liliana Rodrigues Loureiro, Nicola Mitwasi, Christin Neuber, Karla Elizabeth Gonzalez Soto, Tabea Bartsch, Larysa Baraban, Holger Ziehr, Markus Heine, Annabel Nieter, Andres Moreira-Soto, Arne Kuehne, Jan Felix Drexler, Barbara Seliger, Markus Laube, Domokos Mathe, Bernadett Palyi, Polett Hajdrik, Laszlo Forgach, Zoltan Kis, Krisztian Szigeti, Ralf Bergmann, Anja Feldmann, Michael Bachmann
Summary: The COVID-19 pandemic caused millions of infections and deaths globally, highlighting the urgent need for effective treatment options against new variants. Researchers have developed an innovative immunotherapeutic drug based on the SARS-CoV-2 entry receptor ACE2, which has shown promising results in neutralizing the virus and eliminating infected cells.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
News Item
Virology
Thomas S. Postler, Martin Beer, Bradley J. Blitvich, Jens Bukh, Xavier de Lamballerie, J. Felix Drexler, Allison Imrie, Amit Kapoor, Galina G. Karganova, Philippe Lemey, Volker Lohmann, Peter Simmonds, Donald B. Smith, Jack T. Stapleton, Jens H. Kuhn
Summary: This review provides an overview of the recent changes in genus and species nomenclature within the virus family Flaviviridae. The changes were made to address potential ambiguity and to adhere to binomial format conventions. The genus name Flavivirus was changed to Orthoflavivirus, and all species names were modified accordingly. The revised taxonomy of the Flaviviridae family approved by the ICTV in April 2023 is outlined.
ARCHIVES OF VIROLOGY
(2023)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Cynthia Braga, Celina M. T. Martelli, Wayner Souza, Carlos D. Luna, Maria de Fatima P. M. Albuquerque, Carolline Mariz, Clarice N. L. Morais, Carlos A. A. Brito, Carlos Frederico C. A. Melo, Roberto Lins, Jan Felix Drexler, Thomas Jaenisch, Ernesto T. A. Marques, Isabelle F. T. Viana
Summary: A seroepidemiological study conducted in Recife, Brazil revealed that at least 34.6% of the population had been infected with Zika virus, with age and socioeconomic status influencing the infection rate. The study provides insight into the transmission dynamics of ZIKV and CHIKV in the region, and highlights the presence of a significant proportion of susceptible individuals in the population.
PLOS NEGLECTED TROPICAL DISEASES
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Andres Moreira-Soto, Alfredo Bruno, Domenica de Mora, Michelle Paez, Jimmy Garces, Ben Wulf, Anna-Lena Sander, Maritza Olmedo, Maria Jose Basantes Mantilla, Manuel Gonzalez Gonzalez, Solon Alberto Orlando, Silvia Salgado Cisneros, Juan Carlos Zevallos, Jan Felix Drexler
Summary: Despite the early implementation of non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs), Ecuador experienced a significant number of COVID-19 deaths in 2020. The study suggests that the high proportion of informal labor and human mobility in resource-limited settings like Ecuador may question the effectiveness of NPIs.
EMERGING MICROBES & INFECTIONS
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Gabriela Hernandez-Mora, Carlos Chacon-Diaz, Andres Moreira-Soto, Osvaldo Barrantes-Granados, Marcela Suarez-Esquivel, Eunice Viquez-Ruiz, Elias Barquero-Calvo, Nazareth Ruiz-Villalobos, Daniela Hidalgo-Montealegre, Rocio Gonzalez-Barrientos, Elena A. Demeter, Josimar Estrella-Morales, Ana-Mariel Zuniga-Pereira, Carlos Quesada-Gomez, Esteban Chaves-Olarte, Bruno Lomonte, Caterina Guzman-Verri, Jan Felix Drexler, Edgardo Moreno
Summary: In a tropical rainforest in Costa Rica, 47.89% of vampire bats were found to be infected with dangerous Brucella bacteria, causing placentitis and fetal death. These bats forage on a variety of animals, including humans.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Monica Salas-Rojas, Edmilson Ferreira de Oliveira-Filho, Cenia Almazan-Marin, Alba Zulema Rodas-Martinez, Alvaro Aguilar-Setien, Jan Felix Drexler
Summary: A serologic study in southeastern Mexico detected antibodies against yellow fever virus (YFV) and other flaviviruses in non-human primates, suggesting the circulation of YFV in areas previously considered free of the virus.
ONE HEALTH OUTLOOK
(2023)