Characterization of the antiviral and inflammatory responses against Nipah virus in endothelial cells and neurons

AbstractNipah virus (NiV) is a highly pathogenic paramyxovirus which causes fatal encephalitis in up to 75% of infected humans. Endothelial cells and neurons are important cellular targets in the pathogenesis of this disease. In this study, viral replication and the innate immune responses to NiV in these cell types were measured. NiV infected endothelial cells generated a functionally robust IFN-β response, which correlated with localization of the NiV W protein to the cytoplasm. There was no antiviral response detected in infected neuronal cells. NiV infection of endothelial cells induced a significant increase in secreted inflammatory chemokines, which corresponded with the increased ability of infected cell supernatants to induce monocyte and T-lymphocyte chemotaxis. These results suggest that pro-inflammatory chemokines produced by NiV infected primary endothelial cells in vitro is consistent with the prominent vasculitis observed in infections, and provide initial molecular insights into the pathogenesis of NiV in physiologically relevant cells types

Hantavirus and Arenavirus Antibodies in Persons with Occupational Rodent Exposure, North America

Rodents are the principal hosts of Sin Nombre virus, 4 other hantaviruses known to cause hantavirus pulmonary syndrome in North America, and the 3 North American arenaviruses. Serum samples from 757 persons who had worked with rodents in North America and handled neotomine or sigmodontine rodents were tested for antibodies against Sin Nombre virus, Whitewater Arroyo virus, Guanarito virus, and lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus. Antibodies against Sin Nombre virus were found in 4 persons, against Whitewater Arroyo virus or Guanarito virus in 2 persons, and against lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus in none. These results suggest that risk for infection with hantaviruses or arenaviruses usually is low in persons whose occupations entail close physical contact with neotomine or sigmodontine rodents in North Americ

Marburg hemorrhagic fever in Durba and Watsa, Democratic Republic of the Congo: clinical documentation, features of illness, and treatment

The objective of the present study was to describe day of onset and duration of symptoms of Marburg hemorrhagic fever (MHF), to summarize the treatments applied, and to assess the quality of clinical documentation. Surveillance and clinical records of 77 patients with MHF cases were reviewed. Initial symptoms included fever, headache, general pain, nausea, vomiting, and anorexia (median day of onset, day 1-2), followed by hemorrhagic manifestations (day 5-8+), and terminal symptoms included confusion, agitation, coma, anuria, and shock. Treatment in isolation wards was acceptable, but the quality of clinical documentation was unsatisfactory. Improved clinical documentation is necessary for a basic evaluation of supportive treatment

Chloroquine is a potent inhibitor of SARS coronavirus infection and spread

BACKGROUND: Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) is caused by a newly discovered coronavirus (SARS-CoV). No effective prophylactic or post-exposure therapy is currently available. RESULTS: We report, however, that chloroquine has strong antiviral effects on SARS-CoV infection of primate cells. These inhibitory effects are observed when the cells are treated with the drug either before or after exposure to the virus, suggesting both prophylactic and therapeutic advantage. In addition to the well-known functions of chloroquine such as elevations of endosomal pH, the drug appears to interfere with terminal glycosylation of the cellular receptor, angiotensin-converting enzyme 2. This may negatively influence the virus-receptor binding and abrogate the infection, with further ramifications by the elevation of vesicular pH, resulting in the inhibition of infection and spread of SARS CoV at clinically admissible concentrations. CONCLUSION: Chloroquine is effective in preventing the spread of SARS CoV in cell culture. Favorable inhibition of virus spread was observed when the cells were either treated with chloroquine prior to or after SARS CoV infection. In addition, the indirect immunofluorescence assay described herein represents a simple and rapid method for screening SARS-CoV antiviral compounds

Outbreak of Marburg hemorrhagic fever among miners in Kamwenge and Ibanda Districts, Uganda, 2007

Marburg hemorrhagic fever was detected among 4 miners in Ibanda District, Uganda, from June through September, 2007. Infection was likely acquired through exposure to bats or bat secretions in a mine in Kamwenge District, Uganda, and possibly human-to-human transmission between some patients. We describe the epidemiologic investigation and the health education response

Posibilidades para el control de la fiebre hemorrágica boliviana

La fiebre hemorrágica Boliviana (BHF) fue primero identificada en 1959 como una enfermedad hemorrágica esporádica en áreas rurales del departamento de Beni, Bolivia. Los grupos de pacientes de BHF se notaron el mismo año, y por 1962 la BHF se reconoció como una enfermedad infecciosa epidémica nueva. En 1963, el virus Machupo (un miembro de la familia Arenaviridae) fue primero aislado de pacientes con fiebre hemorrágica aguda en San Joaquin, Bolivia. Las investigaciones ecológicas establecieron al roedor Calomys callosus, que es indígena a la región endémica de la enfermedad en el norte de Bolivia, como el reservorio del virus Machupo. Concurrentemente con la carencia de identificación de los pacientes con BHF durante la década de 1970 y 1980, el énfasis en los programas de control de roedores en las áreas endémicas de BHF también disminuyeron. Además, en años recientes, los funcionarios Bolivianos de salud han encarado otros numerosos problemas de salud pública, incluyendo enfermedades diarreicas, tuberculosis, enfermedad de Chagas, enfermedades de transmisión sexual, y el síndrome de inmunodeficiencia adquirida. Así, las autoridades locales de salud se enfrentan con el desafío de destinar limitados recursos de salud para el control de BHF con demanda de trabajo para otras importantes enfermedades en aumentos.Facultad de Ciencias Veterinaria