Complex evolution and epidemiology of Dobrava-Belgrade hantavirus: definition of genotypes and their characteristics.

Dobrava-Belgrade virus (DOBV) is a human pathogen that has evolved in, and is hosted by, mice of several species of the genus Apodemus. We propose a subdivision of the species Dobrava-Belgrade virus into four related genotypes – Dobrava, Kurkino, Saaremaa, and Sochi – that show characteristic differences in their phylogeny, specific host reservoirs, geographical distribution, and pathogenicity for humans

Biosafety standards for working with Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever virus

In countries from which Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever (CCHF) is absent, the causative virus CCHF virus (CCHFV) is classified as a hazard group 4 agent and handled in containment level 4. In contrast, most endemic countries out of necessity have had to perform diagnostic tests under biosafety level (BSL) -2 or -3 conditions. In particular, Turkey and several of the Balkan countries have safely processed more than 100000 samples over many years in BSL-2 laboratories. It is therefore advocated that biosafety requirements for CCHF diagnostic procedures should be revised, to allow the required tests to be performed under enhanced BSL-2 conditions with appropriate biosafety laboratory equipment and personal protective equipment used according to standardized protocols in the affected countries. Downgrading of CCHFV research work from Cl-4, BSL-4 to Cl-3, BSL-3 should also be considered.Additional co-authors: Gülay Korukluoglu, Pieter Lyssen, Ali Mirazimi, Johan Neyts, Matthias Niedrig, Aykut Ozkul, Anna Papa, Janusz Paweska, Amadou A Sall, Connie S Schmaljohn, Robert Swanepoel, Yavuz Uyar, Friedemann Weber, Herve Zelle

Eddy diffusivities estimated from observations in the Labrador Sea

Eddy diffusivities in the Labrador Sea (LS) are estimated from deep eddy resolving float trajectories, moored current meter records, and satellite altimetry. A mean residence time of 248 days in the central LS is observed with several floats staying for more than 2 years. By applying a simple random walk diffusion model, the observed distribution of float residence times in the central LS could be explained by a mean eddy diffusivity of about 300 m2 s−1. Estimates from float trajectories themselves and from moored current meter records yield significantly higher eddy diffusivities in the central LS of 950–1100 m2 s−1. This discrepancy can be explained by an inhomogeneity of the eddy diffusivity at middepth with high/low values in the central LS/region between central LS and deep Labrador Current, which could be conjectured from the mean altimetric eddy kinetic energy (EKE) distribution. The different diffusivities explain both (1) a fast lateral homogenization of water masses in the central LS and (2) a weak exchange between central LS and boundary current. The mean Lagrangian length scale of 11.5 ± 0.7 km as estimated from deep float trajectories is only slightly larger than the mean Rossby radius of deformation (8.8 km). Largest eddy diffusivities within the central LS are associated with strong eddy drifts, rather than with large swirl velocities and associated large EKE. between central LS and deep Labrador Current, which could be conjectured from the mean altimetric eddy kinetic energy (EKE) distribution. The different diffusivities explain both (1) a fast lateral homogenization of water masses in the central LS and (2) a weak exchange between central LS and boundary current. The mean Lagrangian length scale of 11.5 ± 0.7 km as estimated from deep float trajectories is only slightly larger than the mean Rossby radius of deformation (8.8 km). Largest eddy diffusivities within the central LS are associated with strong eddy drifts, rather than with large swirl velocities and associated large EKE

The first clinical case due to AP92 like strain of Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever virus and a field survey

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever (CCHF) is a fatal infection, but no clinical case due to AP92 strain was reported. We described the first clinical case due to AP92 like CCHFV.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A case infected by a AP92 like CCHFV was detected in Balkanian part of Turkey. Diagnosis was confirmed by RT-PCR and sequencing. A human serologic and tick survey studies were performed in the region, where the case detected.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Thirty eight individuals out of 741 were found to be anti CCHFV IgM positive. The attack rate for overall CCHFV was calculated as 5.2%. In univariate analyses, CCHFV IgM positivity was found to be associated with the age (p < 0.001), male gender (p = 0.001), agricultural activity (p = 0.036), and history of tick bite (p = 0.014). In multivariate analysis, older age (OR: 1.03, CI:1.01–1.05, p < 0.001), male gender were found to be the risk factors (OR: 2.5, CI:1.15–5.63, p = 0.020) for CCHFV infection.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>This is the first human case with AP92 like CCHFV infection. Furthermore, this is the first report of AP92 like strain in Turkey. In the region, elderly males carry the highest risk for CCHFV infection.</p

Construction and Nonclinical Testing of a Puumala Virus Synthetic M Gene-Based DNA Vaccine

Puumala virus (PUUV) is a causative agent of hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS). Although PUUV-associated HFRS does not result in high case-fatality rates, the social and economic impact is considerable. There is no licensed vaccine or specific therapeutic to prevent or treat HFRS. Here we report the synthesis of a codon-optimized, full-lengthMsegment open reading frame and its cloning into a DNA vaccine vector to produce the plasmid pWRG/PUU-M(s2). pWRG/PUU-M(s2) delivered by gene gun produced high-titer neutralizing antibodies in hamsters and nonhuman primates. Vaccination with pWRG/ PUU-M(s2) protected hamsters against infection with PUUV but not against infection by related HFRS-associated hantaviruses. Unexpectedly, vaccination protected hamsters in a lethal disease model of Andes virus (ANDV) in the absence of ANDV crossneutralizing antibodies. This is the first evidence that an experimental DNA vaccine for HFRS can provide protection in a hantavirus lethal disease model

A five-year perspective on the situation of haemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome and status of the hantavirus reservoirs in Europe, 2005-2010

Hantavirus infections are reported from many countries in Europe and with highly variable annual case numbers. In 2010, more than 2,000 human cases were reported in Germany, and numbers above the baseline have also been registered in other European countries. Depending on the virus type human infections are characterised by mild to severe forms of haemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome. The member laboratories of the European Network for diagnostics of Imported Viral Diseases present here an overview of the progression of human cases in the period from 2005 to 2010. Further we provide an update on the available diagnostic methods and endemic regions in their countries, with an emphasis on occurring virus types and reservoirs

Multiple Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever Virus Strains Are Associated with Disease Outbreaks in Sudan, 2008–2009

The tick-borne virus which causes the disease Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) is known to be widely distributed throughout much of Africa, Southern Europe, the Middle East, Central Asia, and Southern Russia. Humans contract the virus from contact with infected people, infected animals (which do not show symptoms), and from the bite of infected ticks. CCHF was recently recognized in the Sudan when several hospital staff and patients died from the disease in a rural hospital. The genetic analysis of viruses associated with the 2008 and 2009 outbreaks shows that several CCHF viral strains currently circulate and cause human outbreaks in the Sudan, highlighting CCHF virus as an emerging pathogen. The Sudanese strains are similar to others circulating in Africa, indicating movement of virus over large distances with introduction and disease outbreaks in rural areas possible. Understanding the epidemiology of zoonotic diseases such as CCHF is especially important in the Sudan given the large numbers of livestock in the country, and their importance to the economy and rural communities. It is imperative that hospital staff consider CCHF as a possible disease agent, since they are at a high risk of contracting the disease, especially in hospitals with limited medical supplies