Glycosphingolipids as Receptors for Non-Enveloped Viruses

Glycosphingolipids are ubiquitous molecules composed of a lipid and a carbohydrate moiety. Their main functions are as antigen/toxin receptors, in cell adhesion/recognition processes, or initiation/modulation of signal transduction pathways. Microbes take advantage of the different carbohydrate structures displayed on a specific cell surface for attachment during infection. For some viruses, such as the polyomaviruses, binding to gangliosides determines the internalization pathway into cells. For others, the interaction between microbe and carbohydrate can be a critical determinant for host susceptibility. In this review, we summarize the role of glycosphingolipids as receptors for members of the non-enveloped calici-, rota-, polyoma- and parvovirus families

Efficacy of a Baiting System for Vaccinating Foxes against Rabies with Vaccinia-Rabies Recombinant Virus

The efficacy of a vaccinia-rabies recombinant virus (10(8) TCID50) contained in a machine-made baiting system has been tested in 22 captive young foxes which were divided into three experimental groups of six and a control group of four foxes. Each fox in groups 1, 2 and 3 were fed one, two and three vaccine-baits, respectively, on successive days. The four unvaccinated foxes were housed separately. As shown by the incorporation of a tetracycline biomarker into their bones, all the baited foxes ingested at least one bait. Thirty days after baiting seroconversion to rabies was observed in 15 (83 per cent) of the foxes and seroconversion to vaccinia in 14 (78 per cent). Sixteen of the 18 (89 per cent) baited foxes resisted a rabies challenge 30 days after baiting. One cub was protected against rabies despite the absence of detectable anti-rabies antibody. The results demonstrate that the bait-sachet system permits a good release of the virus suspension into the mouth