Article
Immunology
Sean M. Bialosuknia, Alan P. Dupuis Ii, Steven D. Zink, Cheri A. Koetzner, Joseph G. Maffei, Jennifer C. Owen, Hannah Landwerlen, Laura D. Kramer, Alexander T. Ciota
Summary: This study presents updated surveillance and sequencing data for West Nile virus (WNV) in New York State (NYS) and investigates the association between NY10 genotype strains and phenotypic changes indicative of adaptive advantage. The results show a significant increase in prevalence of NY10 in mosquitoes and demonstrate that the NY10 genotype is associated with increased infectivity and transmissibility. Experimental infections show higher viremia kinetics for the NY10 genotype compared to WN02. These findings suggest that the adaptive advantage of the NY10 genotype has likely contributed to the increased prevalence of WNV in NYS.
EMERGING MICROBES & INFECTIONS
(2022)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Soha R. Dargham, Duaa W. Al-Sadeq, Hadi M. Yassine, Muna Ahmed, Hasna Kunhipurayil, John M. Humphrey, Laith J. Abu-Raddad, Gheyath K. Nasrallah
Summary: The study estimated the WNV seroprevalence in different MENA populations residing in Qatar, with Sudanese and Egyptians having the highest prevalence, while Qataris and nationals of the Levant had the lowest. It suggests further research on the prevalence of viral RNA in blood donors and the epidemiology of WNV in the region.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Parasitology
Johnny A. A. Uelmen Jr, Bennett Lamcyzk, Patrick Irwin, Dan Bartlett, Chris Stone, Andrew Mackay, Arielle Arsenault-Benoit, Sadie J. Ryan, John-Paul Mutebi, Gabriel L. Hamer, Megan Fritz, Rebecca L. Smith
Summary: This study compares traditional trapping methods with the less commonly used human landing catch (HLC) method for sampling potential West Nile virus vectors. The results show that the HLC method provides important insight into the species of mosquitoes biting humans in the region, but alternative approaches must be explored to incorporate this method safely into control programs due to the risk to collectors.
PARASITES & VECTORS
(2023)
Article
Entomology
James S. Adelman, Ryan E. Tokarz, Alec E. Euken, Eleanor N. Field, Marie C. Russell, Ryan C. Smith
Summary: The characteristics of mosquito communities have a greater impact on the transmission of West Nile virus (WNV), while the characteristics of bird communities have little influence. These results provide new information on the ecological and host factors that heavily influence WNV transmission.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Giovanni Marini, Andrea Pugliese, William Wint, Neil S. Alexander, Annapaola Rizzoli, Roberto Rosa
Summary: This study developed a relatively simple technique to model the force of infection of West Nile virus (WNV) in the human population in Europe. The results showed that temperature plays a key role in WNV transmission and provided insights into how human presence and demography affect the burden of WNV. The findings of this study could be used for early warning and epidemiological investigations of other vector-borne diseases, especially where eco-epidemiological data are limited.
Article
Virology
Caitlin MacIntyre, Carla Lourens, Adriano Mendes, Maryke de Villiers, Theunis Avenant, Nicolette M. du Plessis, Fabian H. Leendertz, Marietjie Venter
Summary: This study examined the prevalence of West Nile virus (WNV) among hospitalized patients in South Africa. The results showed that WNV was detected in 3.65% of patients with acute neurological disease and 9.07% of patients with acute febrile or neurological disease. Most of the cases occurred in children. This highlights the underestimated disease burden of WNV in South Africa and calls for further research and public awareness.
Article
Immunology
Francisco Llorente, Rafael Gutierrez-Lopez, Elisa Perez-Ramirez, Maria Paz Sanchez-Seco, Laura Herrero, Miguel angel Jimenez-Clavero, Ana Vazquez
Summary: This study aims to characterize the pathogenicity and course of infection of two viral strains (WNV/08 and USUV/09) in red-legged partridges in Southern Spain and compare them with the reference strain WNV/NY99. The results show that red-legged partridges are susceptible to WNV with similar pathogenicity as the prototype strain, while they are not competent hosts for the transmission of USUV.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Entomology
Sarah E. Rothman, Jennifer A. Jones, Shannon L. LaDeau, Paul T. Leisnham
Summary: The study found a negative relationship between the abundance of Aedes albopictus and Culex mosquitoes and mean neighborhood income level, with infection rates higher in Culex than in Aedes albopictus. While previous research suggested a positive association between block-level abandonment and mosquito abundance, this study did not find such a correlation. The research demonstrates that viral infection rates in mosquito pools can vary significantly across adjacent urban neighborhoods with different income levels.
JOURNAL OF MEDICAL ENTOMOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Matthew J. Ward, Meytar Sorek-Hamer, Jennifer A. Henke, Eliza Little, Aman Patel, Jeffery Shaman, Krishna Vemuri, Nicholas B. DeFelice
Summary: This study aims to predict the seasonal West Nile virus (WNV) infection rates in the Coachella Valley by evaluating the hydrological and meteorological drivers associated with mosquito biology and viral development. The results show that a cooler and dryer winter, followed by a wetter and warmer spring, and a cooler than normal summer are the most predictive factors for the prevalence of West Nile positive mosquitoes. Accurate early season predictions of WNV risk can assist in implementing interventions to mitigate the risk to humans.
Article
Virology
Roman B. Bayandin, Marat T. Makenov, Sanaba Boumbaly, Olga A. Stukolova, Anastasia V. Gladysheva, Andrey V. Shipovalov, Maksim O. Skarnovich, Ousmane Camara, Aboubacar Hady Toure, Victor A. Svyatchenko, Alexander N. Shvalov, Vladimir A. Ternovoi, Mamadou Y. Boiro, Alexander P. Agafonov, Lyudmila S. Karan
Summary: This article presents a case report of Zika fever in a pregnant woman from Guinea in 2018. The Zika virus isolated from the patient belonged to the African lineage, specifically the Nigerian sublineage. In addition, serological screening revealed a varying seroprevalence of Zika virus infection among febrile patients in Faranah, ranging from 5.6% to 17.1%.
Article
Virology
Marie Henriette Dior Ndione, El Hadji Ndiaye, Martin Faye, Moussa Moise Diagne, Diawo Diallo, Amadou Diallo, Amadou Alpha Sall, Cheikh Loucoubar, Oumar Faye, Mawlouth Diallo, Ousmane Faye, Mamadou Aliou Barry, Gamou Fall
Summary: The study aimed to understand the transmission dynamics of West Nile virus (WNV) in Senegal. By monitoring mosquito, human, and animal samples, the research found the presence of WNV in humans and mosquitoes, as well as the exchange of WNV strains between Senegal and Europe. This highlights the importance of expanding surveillance systems to include animals in order to prepare for global health threats.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Alexander C. Keyel, Ajay Raghavendra, Alexander T. Ciota, Oliver Elison Timm
Summary: The study used a WRF model to analyze the risk of WNV under climate change at the county level, and trained two Random Forest models with observational data for scenario predictions. Results showed that the Analog Model made more realistic and accurate predictions on future changes in WNV cases.
GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Virology
Rachel Milomba Velu, Geoffrey Kwenda, Samuel Bosomprah, Moses Ngongo Chisola, Michelo Simunyandi, Caroline Cleopatra Chisenga, Flavien Nsoni Bumbangi, Nicholus Chintu Sande, Limonty Simubali, Monicah Mirai Mburu, John Tembo, Matthew Bates, Martin Chitolongo Simuunza, Roma Chilengi, Yasuko Orba, Hirofumi Sawa, Edgar Simulundu
Summary: This study aims to predict and evaluate the potential risk areas for West Nile Virus (WNV) and Chikungunya Virus (CHIKV) transmission in Zambia based on climate and mosquito species data. The findings identified Lake Kariba, the Kafue River, and the Luangwa Rivers, as well as the Mumbwa, Chibombo, Kapiri Mposhi, and Mpika districts as suitable habitats for the mosquito species that can transmit the viruses. Rainfall and temperature extremes were identified as the most influential variables in the predictive models.
Article
Virology
Helge Kampen, Birke Andrea Tews, Doreen Werner
Summary: Mosquitoes collected from hibernacula in northeastern Germany during the winter of 2020-2021 revealed the presence of West Nile virus, specifically in a pool of Culex pipiens mosquitoes. Although the virus was not successfully cultured in cell lines, genetic sequencing showed high similarity to previous German strains, confirming local overwintering and posing a persistent public health issue. The low infection prevalence suggests a slow epidemic progression, reflecting the still-hypoendemic situation in Germany.
Article
Virology
Anais Broban, Marie-Marie Olive, Michael Luciano Tantely, Anne-Claire Dorsemans, Fanjasoa Rakotomanana, Jean-Pierre Ravalohery, Christophe Rogier, Jean-Michel Heraud, Soa Fy Andriamandimby
Summary: This study estimated the seroprevalence of three arboviruses (dengue, chikungunya, and West Nile) in Madagascar and identified risk factors associated with seropositivity. The results showed that 6.5% were seropositive for dengue virus, 13.7% for chikungunya virus, and 12.7% for West Nile virus. Dengue and chikungunya viruses were recently introduced, with higher prevalence in the eastern and northern parts of the country, while West Nile virus circulated in all regions. Factors such as vegetation cover, forest work, cultivated areas, and standard of living were associated with seropositivity.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Andrea Gloria-Soria, Anne F. Payne, Sean M. Bialosuknia, Jessica Stout, Nicholas Mathias, Gillian Eastwood, Alexander T. Ciota, Laura D. Kramer, Philip M. Armstrong
Summary: The Asian tiger mosquito has expanded its range in the eastern United States and poses a public health risk by transmitting Zika, dengue, and chikungunya viruses. Research shows that local populations of this mosquito species are susceptible to infection by these viruses, with a particular capability to transmit chikungunya. Maintaining mosquito surveillance and control programs is crucial to suppress populations and limit further range expansion.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF TROPICAL MEDICINE AND HYGIENE
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Sara B. Griesemer, Greta Van Slyke, Dylan Ehrbar, Klemen Strle, Tugba Yildirim, Dominick A. Centurioni, Anne C. Walsh, Andrew K. Chang, Michael J. Waxman, Kirsten St George
Summary: Identifying SARS-CoV-2 infections through aggressive diagnostic testing is crucial in tracking and controlling the spread of COVID-19. Alternative specimen types like nasal swabs and saliva have been investigated for detection sensitivity, with combining the two sample types resulting in improved sensitivity. Additionally, stabilizing solutions did not enhance virus stability in saliva.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Cell Biology
Tri Nguyen, Angelene F. Richards, Durga P. Neupane, J. Ryan Feathers, Yi-An Yang, Ji Hyun Sim, Haewon Byun, Sohyoung Lee, Changhwan Ahn, Greta Van Slyke, J. Christopher Fromme, Nicholas J. Mantis, Jeongmin Song
Summary: When bacterial pathogens secrete toxins, the skewed positioning of toxin A subunits inhibits neutralizing antibodies from completely blocking toxin binding to host cells, leaving some glycan-receptor binding sites available for toxin interaction. This highlights additional features of the toxin-antibody interactions and provides important insights for anti-toxin strategies.
Article
Entomology
Alexander T. Ciota
Summary: EEEV, an arthropod-borne virus with the highest case-fatality rate among arbovirus in the Americas, primarily maintained between Culiseta melanura and passerine birds, is responsible for sporadic outbreaks in the Eastern and Midwest United States. It is associated with severe neurologic disease and mortality in horses, humans, and other vertebrate hosts. This review discusses EEEV taxonomy, functional genomics, evolution, and gaps in knowledge regarding its genetic diversity in transmission and disease.
JOURNAL OF MEDICAL ENTOMOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Hayley Novak, Jennifer Doering, Dylan Ehrbar, Oreola Donini, Nicholas J. Mantis
Summary: This study demonstrates that two doses of RiVax are sufficient to protect mice from lethal dose RT challenge for up to 1 year. The two-dose, 3-mu g regimen was superior to the 1-mu g regimen in terms of survival and morbidity scores.
Article
Microbiology
Patrick Bryant, Tugba Yildirim, Sara B. Griesemer, Kara Shaw, Dylan Ehrbar, Kirsten St. George
Summary: Since the introduction of VZV vaccine in 1995, the number and severity of varicella cases have decreased significantly. Molecular testing revealed a similar clade distribution of VZV in both CNS and non-CNS disease samples. Vaccine strains have the potential to cause CNS disease, but it is rare and usually less severe than wild-type infection.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Sean M. Bialosuknia, Alan P. Dupuis Ii, Steven D. Zink, Cheri A. Koetzner, Joseph G. Maffei, Jennifer C. Owen, Hannah Landwerlen, Laura D. Kramer, Alexander T. Ciota
Summary: This study presents updated surveillance and sequencing data for West Nile virus (WNV) in New York State (NYS) and investigates the association between NY10 genotype strains and phenotypic changes indicative of adaptive advantage. The results show a significant increase in prevalence of NY10 in mosquitoes and demonstrate that the NY10 genotype is associated with increased infectivity and transmissibility. Experimental infections show higher viremia kinetics for the NY10 genotype compared to WN02. These findings suggest that the adaptive advantage of the NY10 genotype has likely contributed to the increased prevalence of WNV in NYS.
EMERGING MICROBES & INFECTIONS
(2022)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Sakshi Bajoria, Kawaljit Kaur, Ozan S. Kumru, Greta Van Slyke, Jennifer Doering, Hayley Novak, Sergio A. Rodriguez Aponte, Neil C. Dalvie, Christopher A. Naranjo, Ryan S. Johnston, Judith Maxwell Silverman, Harry Kleanthous, J. Christopher Love, Nicholas J. Mantis, Sangeeta B. Joshi, David B. Volkin
Summary: Low-cost, refrigerator-stable COVID-19 vaccines are important for global accessibility and vaccine coverage. This study found that aluminum-salt and CpG adjuvants decrease the stability of the RBD-J antigen, but enhance the immune response in mice, with the AH+CpG formulation being the most effective at inducing SARS-CoV-2 pseudovirus neutralizing antibodies.
HUMAN VACCINES & IMMUNOTHERAPEUTICS
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Elaheh Movahed, David J. Vance, Dylan Ehrbar, Greta Van Slyke, Jennifer Yates, Karen Kullas, Michael Rudolph, Nicholas J. Mantis
Summary: This study investigates the antibody reactivity and potential limitations of B. burgdorferi colonization by analyzing human serum samples from individuals with B. burgdorferi infection. The study identifies specific regions on DbpA that elicit strong antibody responses, suggesting that these antibodies may play a role in limiting the attachment and colonization of B. burgdorferi in distal tissues during the early stages of infection.
Review
Medicine, Research & Experimental
May Y. Lee, Stephen Ojeda-Britez, Dylan Ehrbar, Antonia Samwer, Thomas J. Begley, J. Andres Melendez
Summary: Selenium is a naturally occurring trace element that provides multiple benefits, such as antioxidant, anticancer, and antiaging effects, as well as immune system boosting. Selenium is unique in its incorporation as selenocysteine, a rare 21st amino acid, into selenoproteins, which serve as crucial antioxidant enzymes for maintaining redox homeostasis. The deficiency of selenoproteins can lead to increased oxidative stress and cellular senescence.
EXPERIMENTAL BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Amanda Damjanovic, Linda M. Styer, Katherine Nemeth, Erica Yauney, Jean M. Rock, Rachel Bievenue, Rebecca Hoen, Dylan Ehrbar, Denise M. Kay, Michele Caggana, Monica M. Parker
Summary: This study examined the SARS-CoV-2 antibody prevalence in pregnant individuals in New York State and identified associations between antibody status and maternal and infant characteristics. The results demonstrated the utility of using newborn DBS testing to estimate SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence in pregnant individuals.
Article
Immunology
Chad J. Roy, Dylan Ehrbar, Greta Van Slyke, Jennifer Doering, Peter J. Didier, Lara Doyle-Meyers, Oreola Donini, Ellen S. Vitetta, Nicholas J. Mantis
Summary: The study conducted vaccination of rhesus macaques with a RT vaccine and confirmed its protective effect against the biothreat. The study found that serum IgG and toxin-neutralizing activity did not show statistical correlation, while epitope-specific serum IgG levels were correlated with survival.
Editorial Material
Entomology
Alan P. Dupuis II, Rachel E. Lange, Alexander T. Ciota
Summary: This article provides a current review of the newly identified tick-borne viruses Heartland (HRTV) and Bourbon (BRBV), including their virology, epidemiology, and ecology with a focus on the tick vector. The challenges of vector control and surveillance are discussed, and future directions for the study of these emergent pathogens are highlighted.
JOURNAL OF MEDICAL ENTOMOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Cell Biology
Jennifer L. Yates, Dylan J. Ehrbar, Danielle T. Hunt, Roxanne C. Girardin, Alan P. Dupuis II, Anne F. Payne, Mycroft Sowizral, Scott Varney, Karen E. Kulas, Valerie L. Demarest, Kelly M. Howard, Kyle Carson, Margaux Hales, Monir Ejemel, Qi Li, Yang Wang, Ruben Peredo-Wende, Ananthakrishnan Ramani, Gurpreet Singh, Klemen Strle, Nicholas J. Mantis, Kathleen A. McDonough, William T. Lee
Summary: The severity of COVID-19 is associated with elevated levels of SARS-CoV-2-specific antibodies in severe cases, with spike-specific IgG subclass utilization potentially contributing to disease severity through potent Fc-mediated effector functions. These findings may have significant implications for SARS-CoV-2 vaccine design and convalescent plasma therapy.
CELL REPORTS MEDICINE
(2021)