Article
Immunology
Ankur Sharma, Bethany Jenkins, Adovi Akue, Lynn E. Lambert, Sachy Orr-Gonzalez, Marvin L. Thomas, Almahamoudou Mahamar, Bacary S. Diarra, Alassane Dicko, Michal Fried, Patrick E. Duffy
Summary: Infection of pregnant Aotus monkeys with P. falciparum parasites can replicate the key features of placental malaria in pregnant women, including parasitemia, placental sequestration, and antibody response to VAR2CSA.
JOURNAL OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Virology
D. Katterine Bonilla-Aldana, Christian David Bonilla Carvajal, Emilly Moreno-Ramos, Joshuan J. J. Barboza, Alfonso J. J. Rodriguez-Morales
Summary: This study used geographic information systems and maps to describe the temporal-spatial distribution of EEEV and VEEV viruses in Colombia between 2008 and 2019. The results showed that EEE cases were concentrated in municipalities of the Casanare department, such as Yopal, Aguazul, and Tauramena. This study is important for the prevention and control of the spread of these viruses.
Article
Immunology
Adam T. Ladzinski, Aisha Tai, Matthew T. Rumschlag, Christopher S. Smith, Aditya Mehta, Pimpawan Boapimp, Eric J. Edewaard, Richard W. Douce, Larry F. Morgan, Michael S. Wang, Amanda O. Fisher-Hubbard, Matthew J. Cummings, Brett W. Jagger
Summary: Eastern equine encephalitis virus is a mosquito-borne virus that causes severe neurological disease in animals and humans. The mortality rate of encephalitic disease caused by this virus is over 30%. In 2019, there was a significant increase in the number of cases in the United States, including 10 in Michigan. Limited diagnostic methods and lack of effective treatments pose significant challenges in managing this condition.
OPEN FORUM INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Jean-Paul Carrera, Dimelza Arauz, Alejandra Rojas, Fatima Cardozo, Victoria Stittleburg, Ingra Morales Claro, Josefrancisco Galue, Carlos Lezcano-Coba, Filipe Romero Rebello Moreira, Luis Felipe-Rivera, Maria Chen-German, Brechla Moreno, Zeuz Capitan-Barrios, Sandra Lopez-Verges, Juan Miguel Pascale, Ester C. Sabino, Anayansi Valderrama, Kathryn A. Hanley, Christl A. Donnelly, Nikos Vasilakis, Nuno R. Faria, Jesse J. Waggoner
Summary: Real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (rRT-PCR) assays were designed and clinically assessed for detecting Eastern equine encephalitis virus (EEEV), Madariaga virus (MADV), and Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus complex (VEEV). The assays successfully detected the presence of VEEV complex RNA in outbreak samples, suspected dengue cases, and mosquito pools, demonstrating the potential application of this method in encephalitic alphavirus surveillance programs.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Benjamin C. Pierson, Anthony P. Cardile, Arthur C. Okwesili, Isaac L. Downs, Ronald B. Reisler, Ellen F. Boudreau, Mark G. Kortepeter, Craig D. Koca, Manmohan Ranadive, Patricia L. Petitt, Niranjan Kanesa-thasan, Robert G. Rivard, Dani L. Liggett, Jeannine M. Haller, Sarah L. Norris, Bret K. Purcell, Phillip R. Pittman, David L. Saunders, Maryam Keshtkar Jahromi
Summary: The study showed that an inactivated EEEV vaccine is safe and immunogenic in at-risk laboratory personnel. Prolonging the primary vaccination series with a dose at month 6 significantly improved vaccine immunogenicity.
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Justin Doritchamou, Morten A. Nielsen, Arnaud Chene, Nicola K. Viebig, Lynn E. Lambert, Adam F. Sander, Jean-Philippe Semblat, Sophia Hundt, Sachy Orr-Gonzalez, Christoph Mikkel Janitzek, Alicia J. Spiegel, Stine B. Clemmensen, Marvin L. Thomas, Martha C. Nason, Maryonne Snow-Smith, Emma K. Barnafo, Joseph Shiloach, Beth B. Chen, Steven Nadakal, Kendrick Highsmith, Tarik Ouahes, Solomon Conteh, Ankur Sharma, Holly Torano, Brandi Butler, Karine Reiter, Kelly M. Rausch, Puthupparampil V. Scaria, Charles Anderson, David L. Narum, Ali Salanti, Michal Fried, Thor G. Theander, Benoit Gamain, Patrick E. Duffy
Summary: This study investigated the functional antibody response and antibody boosting during PM episodes in Aotus monkeys immunized with placental malaria vaccine (PMV) candidates. The results showed that PMV candidates induced functional antibodies with limited heterologous activity in the monkeys, similar to human responses. The Aotus model appears to be suitable for preclinical downselection of PMV candidates and assessment of antibody boosting.
Review
Microbiology
S. Saif Hasan, Debajit Dey, Suruchi Singh, Matthew Martin
Summary: Alphaviruses, including EEEV, cause encephalitis and arthritis in humans. Recent advances in the structural biology of EEEV, mainly based on cryoEM structures, provide insights into the interactions with host proteins, which may lead to therapeutic developments.
Article
Immunology
Lisa Henning, Kathrin Endt, Robin Steigerwald, Michael Anderson, Ariane Volkmann
Summary: This study evaluated the immunogenicity and efficacy of EEV vaccines based on the MVA-BN(R) platform in mice, finding that monovalent and trivalent EEV vaccines induced neutralizing antibodies and T cell responses effectively, demonstrating complete protective efficacy against both homologous and heterologous EEV exposures.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Entomology
Ann M. Powers
Summary: Eastern equine encephalitis virus (EEEV) is an endemic pathogen primarily found in the eastern US and Canada, causing periodic outbreaks in humans and horses. Concerns have been raised due to the largest outbreak in 2019, leading to renewed interest in developing vaccines.
JOURNAL OF MEDICAL ENTOMOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Virology
Crystal W. Burke, Rebecca A. Erwin-Cohen, Aimee Goodson, Catherine Wilhelmsen, Jennifer A. Edmundson, Charles E. White, Pamela J. Glass
Summary: The study evaluated the effects of route of administration on the immunogenicity and efficacy of the WEVEE vaccine in cynomolgus macaques. The vaccine was found to be immunogenic and provided neutralizing antibody responses against VEEV, EEEV and WEEV. The vaccinated animals showed significant protection against a WEEV challenge compared to the control group.
Article
Zoology
Rachel Breitenbach, Samantha Ambros, Gabrielle Risko, Isabel Arcusa, Allison Durland Donahou, Christy K. Wolovich
Summary: Nocturnal owl monkeys rely on acoustic, chemical and visual cues for intraspecific communication and insect foraging. Male owl monkeys show less neophobia and approach sensory boxes quicker than females. The monkeys exhibit olfactory and foraging-related behaviors when multimodal cues or only olfactory cues are present. However, they rely more on visual cues when only visual or auditory cues are present. This different use of sensory cues during insect foraging compared to nocturnal strepsirrhines may be due to phylogenetic constraints.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PRIMATOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Virology
Stefanie Ganzenberg, Michael Sieg, Ute Ziegler, Martin Pfeffer, Thomas W. Vahlenkamp, Uwe Hoeruegel, Martin H. Groschup, Katharina L. Lohmann
Summary: This study determined the seroprevalence of West Nile virus (WNV) in horses in nine counties in Eastern Germany and estimated the risk factors for seropositivity. The results showed that the seroprevalence of WNV infection was significantly higher in counties with previously registered equine WNV infections. Breed type (pony), housing in counties with previously registered infections, housing type (24 h turn-out), and presence of outdoor shelter were identified as the main significant risk factors for seropositivity.
Article
Zoology
Malique Bowen, Carly Miles, Ryan Hegseth, Clayton M. Anderson, Christopher S. Brandon, Melanie L. Langford, Christy K. Wolovich
Summary: The research suggests that scent marking behavior in owl monkeys may be linked to bacterial transmission and glandular microbiomes, potentially playing a role in strengthening pair bonds, signaling pair status, and/or in mate guarding.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PRIMATOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Immunology
A. Ramakrishnan, S. S. Joseph, N. D. Reynolds, D. Poncet, M. Maciel, G. Nunez, N. Espinoza, M. Nieto, R. Castillo, J. M. Royal, S. Poole, A. McVeigh, J. E. Rollenhagen, J. Heinrichs, M. G. Prouty, M. P. Simons, G. Renauld-Mongenie, S. J. Savarino
Summary: This study evaluated the immunogenicity and protective efficacy of a recombinant CS6-based subunit vaccine in a non-human primate ETEC challenge model, demonstrating its ability to provide protection against CS6 + ETEC mediated diarrhea. Vaccination with the recombinant antigen resulted in 100% protection against diarrheal disease induced by the homologous ETEC strain, suggesting its potential for further clinical development.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Janice A. Williams, Simon Y. Long, Xiankun Zeng, Kathleen Kuehl, April M. Babka, Neil M. Davis, Jun Liu, John C. Trefry, Sharon Daye, Paul R. Facemire, Patrick L. Iversen, Sina Bavari, Margaret L. Pitt, Farooq Nasar
Summary: The study provides insights into the pathology of EEEV in a non-human primate (NHP) model. The virus is present in various regions of the brain and spinal cord, with minimal or no pathological lesions and active virus replication observed. Neurons are the predominant target of EEEV infection, and the virus spreads throughout the brain and spinal cord via the axonal transport system. Neuronal dysfunction rather than neuronal death is believed to be the underlying mechanism of severe disease.
PLOS NEGLECTED TROPICAL DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Marciela M. DeGrace, Elodie Ghedin, Matthew B. Frieman, Florian Krammer, Alba Grifoni, Arghavan Alisoltani, Galit Alter, Rama R. Amara, Ralph S. Baric, Dan H. Barouch, Jesse D. Bloom, Louis-Marie Bloyet, Gaston Bonenfant, Adrianus C. M. Boon, Eli A. Boritz, Debbie L. Bratt, Traci L. Bricker, Liliana Brown, William J. Buchser, Juan Manuel Carreno, Liel Cohen-Lavi, Tamarand L. Darling, Meredith E. Davis-Gardner, Bethany L. Dearlove, Han Di, Meike Dittmann, Nicole A. Doria-Rose, Daniel C. Douek, Christian Drosten, Venkata-Viswanadh Edara, Ali Ellebedy, Thomas P. Fabrizio, Guido Ferrari, Will M. Fischer, William C. Florence, Ron A. M. Fouchier, John Franks, Adolfo Garcia-Sastre, Adam Godzik, Ana Silvia Gonzalez-Reiche, Aubree Gordon, Bart L. Haagmans, Peter J. Halfmann, David D. Ho, Michael R. Holbrook, Yaoxing Huang, Sarah L. James, Lukasz Jaroszewski, Trushar Jeevan, Robert M. Johnson, Terry C. Jones, Astha Joshi, Yoshihiro Kawaoka, Lisa Kercher, Marion P. G. Koopmans, Bette Korber, Eilay Koren, Richard A. Koup, Eric B. LeGresley, Jacob E. Lemieux, Mariel J. Liebeskind, Zhuoming Liu, Brandi Livingston, James P. Logue, Yang Luo, Adrian B. McDermott, Margaret J. McElrath, Victoria A. Meliopoulos, Vineet D. Menachery, David C. Montefiori, Barbara Muehlemann, Vincent J. Munster, Jenny E. Munt, Manoj S. Nair, Antonia Netzl, Anna M. Niewiadomska, Sijy O'Dell, Andrew Pekosz, Stanley Perlman, Marjorie C. Pontelli, Barry Rockx, Morgane Rolland, Paul W. Rothlauf, Sinai Sacharen, Richard H. Scheuermann, Stephen D. Schmidt, Michael Schotsaert, Stacey Schultz-Cherry, Robert A. Seder, Mayya Sedova, Alessandro Sette, Reed S. Shabman, Xiaoying Shen, Pei-Yong Shi, Maulik Shukla, Viviana Simon, Spencer Stumpf, Nancy J. Sullivan, Larissa B. Thackray, James Theiler, Paul G. Thomas, Sanja Trifkovic, Sina Tureli, Samuel A. Turner, Maria A. Vakaki, Harm van Bakel, Laura A. VanBlargan, Leah R. Vincent, Zachary S. Wallace, Li Wang, Maple Wang, Pengfei Wang, Wei Wang, Scott C. Weaver, Richard J. Webby, Carol D. Weiss, David E. Wentworth, Stuart M. Weston, Sean P. J. Whelan, Bradley M. Whitener, Samuel H. Wilks, Xuping Xie, Baoling Ying, Hyejin Yoon, Bin Zhou, Tomer Hertz, Derek J. Smith, Michael S. Diamond, Diane J. Post, Mehul S. Suthar
Summary: The SAVE program is a real-time risk assessment initiative established by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases to address the public health threat posed by the emergence of SARS-CoV-2 variants. Its goal is to evaluate the potential impact of these variants on transmission, virulence, and immunity induced through infection or vaccination.
Article
Immunology
Brandon J. Beddingfield, Chie Sugimoto, Eryu Wang, Scott C. Weaver, Kasi E. Russell-Lodrigue, Stephanie Z. Killeen, Marcelo J. Kuroda, Chad J. Roy
Summary: Research has found that Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) influences the proliferation rates and kinetics of myeloid lineage cells early during infection, which may be useful in the development of therapeutics and evaluation of infection-induced pathogenesis.
Article
Virology
Sasha R. Azar, Rafael K. Campos, Ruimei Yun, Taylor Strange, Shannan L. Rossi, Kathryn A. Hanley, Nikos Vasilakis, Scott C. Weaver
Summary: Chronic conditions like type II diabetes may increase the risk and severity of infections by arboviruses such as Zika virus. However, the effects of diabetes on human blood and its impact on mosquito vector infectivity are still not well understood.
Article
Virology
Janine S. Sabino, Mariene R. Amorim, William M. de Souza, Lia F. Marega, Luciana S. Mofatto, Daniel A. Toledo-Teixeira, Julia Forato, Rodrigo G. Stabeli, Maria Laura Costa, Fernando R. Spilki, Ester C. Sabino, Nuno R. Faria, Bruno D. Benites, Marcelo Addas-Carvalho, Raquel S. B. Stucchi, Dewton M. Vasconcelos, Scott C. Weaver, Fabiana Granja, Jose Luiz Proenca-Modena, Maria Marluce dos S. Vilela
Summary: This study retrospectively examined the clinical course of an immunodeficient patient chronically infected with the SARS-CoV-2 Gamma variant who received breast milk as treatment for COVID-19. The patient showed symptom improvement and tested negative for SARS-CoV-2 after the treatment. Therefore, the hypothesis that antibodies secreted in breast milk could be useful in treating persistent SARS-CoV-2 infection in immunodeficient patients is proposed.
Article
Cell Biology
Yang Liu, Jianyin Liu, Bryan A. Johnson, Hongjie Xia, Zhiqiang Ku, Craig Schindewolf, Steven G. Widen, Zhiqiang An, Scott C. Weaver, Vineet D. Menachery, Xuping Xie, Pei-Yong Shi
Summary: This study reports that the P681R mutation in the Delta spike plays a crucial role in the replacement of the Alpha variant by the Delta variant during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Delta variant outcompetes the Alpha variant in human lung cells and airway tissues. The P681R mutation enhances the cleavage of the spike protein, leading to increased replication of the Delta variant.
Article
Immunology
Jianying Liu, Yang Liu, Hongjie Xia, Jing Zou, Scott C. Weaver, Kena A. Swanson, Hui Cai, Mark Cutler, David Cooper, Alexander Muik, Kathrin U. Jansen, Ugur Sahin, Xuping Xie, Philip R. Dormitzer, Pei-Yong Shi
Summary: The study shows that sera from individuals who received two doses of the BNT162b2 vaccine can neutralize the currently dominant Delta variant of SARS-CoV-2, as well as other variants, indicating that the vaccine-induced neutralizing antibodies are effective against these strains.
Article
Immunology
Jacqueline Kyungah Lim, Valery Ridde, Selidji Todagbe Agnandji, Bertrand Lell, Seydou Yaro, Jae Seung Yang, Damien Hoinard, Scott C. Weaver, Jessica Vanhomwegen, Henrik Salje, In Kyu Yoon
Summary: Chikungunya virus serostudies and models were used to identify outbreaks and reconstruct past circulation in Burkina Faso and Gabon. The findings suggest sporadic outbreaks in these settings and underscore the importance of serostudies and models in supporting disease surveillance.
JOURNAL OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2023)
Article
Virology
Craig Schindewolf, Kumari Lokugamage, Michelle N. Vu, Bryan A. Johnson, Dionna Scharton, Jessica A. Plante, Birte Kalveram, Patricia A. Crocquet-Valdes, Stephanea Sotcheff, Elizabeth Jaworski, Rojelio E. Alvarado, Kari Debbink, Matthew D. Daugherty, Scott C. Weaver, Andrew L. Routh, David H. Walker, Kenneth S. Plante, Vineet D. Menachery
Summary: Understanding the role of NSP16 in SARS-CoV-2 infection and pathogenesis, this study demonstrates the attenuation of a NSP16 mutant both in vitro and in vivo, as well as its sensitivity to IFN-I. Silencing IFIT1 or IFIT3 partially restores the mutant's fitness. Furthermore, targeting NSP16 with a MTase inhibitor enhances the virus' sensitivity to IFN-I. Overall, these findings highlight the importance of NSP16 in immune evasion and suggest a potential target for antiviral development.
JOURNAL OF VIROLOGY
(2023)
Review
Virology
Rachel A. Reyna, Scott C. Weaver
Summary: Eastern (EEEV), Venezuelan (VEEV), and western equine encephalitis viruses (WEEV) are mosquito-borne alphaviruses that cause febrile illness and severe encephalitic disease. The lack of vaccines and therapeutics highlights the need for advanced animal models and detailed mechanistic understanding of the neurological sequelae induced by these viruses. This review summarizes the clinical neurologic findings, available animal models, and the importance of developing therapeutics and vaccines.
Article
Virology
Se Hun Gu, Marcos Minarro, Carlos Feliu, Jean-Pierre Hugot, Naomi L. Forrester, Scott C. Weaver, Richard Yanagihara
Summary: Recent detection of NVAV and BRGV in European moles in Belgium and Germany prompted a search for related hantaviruses in the Iberian mole. Analysis of lung tissue from 106 Iberian moles in Spain revealed genetically distinct hantaviruses, including a new hantavirus species designated as ASTV. Next generation sequencing of infected moles confirmed the presence of ASTV. These findings challenge the previous assumption that each hantavirus species is limited to a single host species.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Alioune Gaye, Cheikh Fall, Oumar Faye, Myrielle Dupont-Rouzeyrol, El Hadji Ndiaye, Diawo Diallo, Paolo Marinho de Andrade Zanotto, Ibrahima Dia, Scott C. Weaver, Mawlouth Diallo
Summary: This study assessed the susceptibility of A. aegypti and C. quinquefasciatus to ZIKV strains from Senegal, Brazil, and New Caledonia, and found that the Senegalese strain had a significantly higher infection rate compared to the Brazilian and New Caledonian strains. No infection was recorded for C. quinquefasciatus.
TROPICAL MEDICINE AND INFECTIOUS DISEASE
(2023)
Editorial Material
Cell Biology
Rafael K. Campos, Shannan L. Rossi, Robert B. Tesh, Scott C. Weaver
Summary: Emerging zoonotic mosquito-borne viruses pose increasing health threats and require global preparedness to effectively mitigate the impacts in terms of health, society, and economy.
SCIENCE TRANSLATIONAL MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Virology
Douglas Barker, Xiaobing Han, Eryu Wang, Ashley Dagley, Deborah M. Anderson, Aruni Jha, Scott C. Weaver, Justin Julander, Cory Nykiforuk, Shantha Kodihalli
Summary: The despeciated equine polyclonal antibody (CHIKV-EIG) treatment shows promising efficacy in preventing and improving CHIKV infection in mice, with significant reduction in mortality, viremia, and clinical symptoms. It also proves effective in reducing virus-induced arthritis in a dose-dependent manner.
Article
Immunology
Rachel A. Reyna, Jordyn Walker, Brooke Mitchell, Divya P. Shinde, Jessica A. Plante, Scott C. Weaver, Kenneth S. Plante
Summary: Anosmia, a common consequence of SARS-CoV-2 infection, is correlated with disease severity. Different variants of the virus can cause significant loss of smell, and vaccination does not prevent anosmia but can protect against severe disease.
Meeting Abstract
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Maria I. Giraldo, Maria Gonzalez Orozco, Stephanea Sotcheff, Victoria Morris, Nathan Elrod, Andrew Routh, Scott C. Weaver, Pei-Yong Shi, Ricardo Rajsbaum
JOURNAL OF WOMENS HEALTH
(2022)