Editorial Material
Medicine, General & Internal
Carolyn V. Gould, J. Erin Staples, Claire Y. -H. Huang, Aaron C. Brault, Randall J. Nett
Summary: "Revisiting the need for human West Nile virus vaccines is crucial. Since its detection in the United States in 1999, WNV has emerged as the leading cause of domestic arthropod-borne diseases."
NEW ENGLAND JOURNAL OF MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Gili Schvartz, Sharon Tirosh-Levy, Shahar Bider, Avishai Lublin, Yigal Farnoushi, Oran Erster, Amir Steinman
Summary: This study evaluated the contribution of different wild bird species to the circulation of West Nile virus (WNV) in Israel. Through testing 136 carcasses of wild birds, it was found that 11.03% of the tissue pools were positive for WNV. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that these positive samples were closely related to the isolates from the previously reported outbreak in birds in Israel, and most infected birds were of local species.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Beatrice Sarah Berneck, Alexandra Rockstroh, Luisa Barzon, Alessandro Sinigaglia, Caterina Vocale, Maria Paola Landini, Holger F. Rabenau, Jonas Schmidt-Chanasit, Sebastian Ulbert
Summary: Due to climate change and the expansion of mosquito vectors, flaviviruses such as West Nile virus (WNV) and Usutu virus (USUV) are becoming endemic in more countries. The serological diagnosis and differentiation between WNV and USUV infections have been challenging due to cross-reacting antibodies. This study developed an improved diagnostic technology that can differentiate antibodies produced during WNV and USUV infections, potentially aiding in the diagnosis of closely related flavivirus infections.
TRANSBOUNDARY AND EMERGING DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Felicitas Bergmann, Dominik Fischer, Luisa Fischer, Heike Maisch, Tina Risch, Saskia Dreyer, Balal Sadeghi, Dietmar Geelhaar, Lisa Grund, Sabine Merz, Martin H. Groschup, Ute Ziegler
Summary: A field study on WNV vaccination was conducted in a zoo in Germany, and the results showed that vaccinated birds did not die and developed neutralizing antibodies against WNV. The vaccine with a dose of 1.0 mL showed the best effect.
Article
Immunology
Junyun He, Huafang Lai, Adrian Esqueda, Qiang Chen
Summary: The study developed a VLP vaccine based on HBcAg displaying WNV Envelope protein wDIII, which showed high immunogenicity and potential as an effective, safe, and low-cost option for WNV vaccines.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Saan Voss, Christoph Nitsche
Summary: West Nile virus infections can cause severe neurological symptoms, but there are currently no vaccines or specific antiviral therapies available. The viral protease NS2B-NS3 is considered a promising target, but protease inhibitors have not yet reached clinical trials. Substrate-derived peptidomimetics have aided in understanding the protease's active state, while new compounds aim to expand drug discovery efforts.
RSC MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY
(2021)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Thunyamas Guntawang, Tidaratt Sittisak, Pallop Tankaew, Chatchote Thitaram, Varangkana Langkapin, Taweepoke Angkawanish, Tawatchai Singhla, Nattawooti Sthitmatee, Wei-Li Hsu, Roongroje Thanawongnuwech, Kidsadagon Pringproa
Summary: Disease caused by elephant endotheliotropic herpesvirus (EEHV) infection is the most highly fatal hemorrhagic disease in Asian elephant calves worldwide. In this study, an EEHV-DNApol ELISA test was used for monitoring Asian elephants, showing certain sensitivity and specificity. Elephants without clinical signs of EEHV infection also exhibited a positive rate.
Article
Plant Sciences
Jennifer Stander, Aleyo Chabeda, Edward P. Rybicki, Ann E. Meyers
Summary: The West Nile virus is a globally disseminated Flavivirus that causes encephalitis outbreaks in human and horse populations, posing a major public health threat. Utilizing plants as biofactories for vaccine production may offer a cost-effective and safer alternative to current vaccine manufacturing methods.
FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Virology
Rebecca Salgado, Seth A. Hawks, Francesca Frere, Ana Vazquez, Claire Y. -H. Huang, Nisha K. Duggal
Summary: The study showed that exposure to an attenuated form of WNV protects against severe USUV disease in mice, providing critical insight into immune mechanisms and potential vaccine development for both USUV and WNV.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Julieta S. Roldan, Alejandro Cassola, Daniela S. Castillo
Summary: This study aimed to develop monoclonal antibodies against denatured monomeric ZIKV Nonstructural protein 1 (ZNS1) in order to establish a highly specific and sensitive ZNS1 indirect competitive ELISA (icELISA) for the early detection of flavivirus infections.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Keisuke Maezono, Shintaro Kobayashi, Koshiro Tabata, Kentaro Yoshii, Hiroaki Kariwa
Summary: Deletion of the C-terminal region of E protein suppressed the formation of subviral particles (SPs) without affecting E protein production. The sensitivity of ELISA using full-length E protein was higher than that of truncated E proteins. ELISA using full-length E protein showed little cross-reactivity with anti-JEV antibodies and had similar sensitivity to the neutralization test.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Pham-Tue-Hung Tran, Urban Hoglund, Olivia Larsson, Sofia Appelberg, Ali Mirazimi, Magnus Johansson, Wessam Melik
Summary: In this study, the use of RVPs based on the Kunjin strain of WNV (WNVKUN) as a potential WNV vaccine candidate was characterized. It was found that the inclusion of CCHFV Gn and Gc proteins in WNVKUN RVPs enhanced the immunogenicity, providing a possibility for the development of a future WNV vaccine.
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Mohammed Nma Mohammed, Abd Rahaman Yasmin, Siti Zubaidah Ramanoon, Mohd Adzahan Noraniza, Peck Toung Ooi, Mohd Yuseri Ain-Najwa, Jafar Ali Natasha, Saulol Hamid Nur-Fazila, Siti Suri Arshad, Hussni Omar Mohammed
Summary: This study reports the first detection of West Nile virus (WNV) in domesticated mammals in Malaysia, confirming the transmission of WNV from vectors to susceptible hosts. The seroprevalence of WNV antibodies in cattle, goats, and horses was 32.53%, 48.27%, and 53.84%, respectively. Some cattle and horses also tested positive for Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) antibodies.
FRONTIERS IN VETERINARY SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Dylan A. Hendy, Brandi T. Johnson-Weaver, Cole J. Batty, Eric M. Bachelder, Soman N. Abraham, Herman F. Staats, Kristy M. Ainslie
Summary: Recently, there has been increasing interest in the activation of mast cells to enhance vaccine efficacy. However, the translatability of existing mast cell activating (MCA) compounds is limited. In this study, high throughput screening was performed to identify small molecule MCAs, and these compounds were encapsulated in acetalated dextran (Ace-DEX) microparticles (MPs) to improve their delivery. The Ace-DEX MPs loaded with the MCA ST101036 showed the highest vaccine adjuvant activity and antibody response against the target antigen. This study highlights the benefits of using Ace-DEX MPs as a delivery platform for poorly soluble MCAs.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PHARMACEUTICS
(2023)
Article
Virology
Carmela Musto, Marco Tamba, Mattia Calzolari, Arianna Rossi, Annalisa Grisendi, Katia Marzani, Paolo Bonilauri, Mauro Delogu
Summary: This study reports the detection of West Nile Virus (WNV) and Usutu Virus (USUV) RNA in wild birds in Northern Italy during the off-season monitoring period. The results indicate that these viruses still circulate in wild birds outside of the usual monitoring period, highlighting the need to reconsider the epidemiological monitoring periods based on individual climate zones and the potential impact of global warming on vector-borne diseases.