Last data update: Jun 11, 2024. (Total: 46992 publications since 2009)
Records 1-19 (of 19 Records) |
Query Trace: Swanepoel R [original query] |
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Human-pathogenic Kasokero virus in field-collected ticks
Schuh AJ , Amman BR , Patel K , Sealy TK , Swanepoel R , Towner JS . Emerg Infect Dis 2020 26 (12) 2944-2950 Kasokero virus (KASV; genus Orthonairovirus) was first isolated in 1977 at Uganda Virus Research Institute from serum collected from Rousettus aegyptiacus bats captured at Kasokero Cave, Uganda. During virus characterization studies at the institute, 4 laboratory-associated infections resulted in mild to severe disease. Although orthonairoviruses are typically associated with vertebrate and tick hosts, a tick vector of KASV never has been reported. We tested 786 Ornithodoros (Reticulinasus) faini tick pools (3,930 ticks) for KASV. The ticks were collected from a large R. aegyptiacus bat roosting site in western Uganda. We detected KASV RNA in 43 tick pools and recovered 2 infectious isolates, 1 of which was derived from host blood-depleted ticks. Our findings suggest that KASV is maintained in an enzootic transmission cycle involving O. (R.) faini ticks and R. aegyptiacus bats and has the potential for incidental virus spillover to humans. |
Dracunculus Species in Meso-mammals from Georgia, United States, and Implications for the Guinea Worm Eradication Program in Chad, Africa.
Cleveland Christopher A, Eberhard Mark L, Garrett Kayla B, Thompson Alec T, Swanepoel Liandrie, Miller Elizabeth A, Stephens Odin L, Yabsley Michael J. The Journal of parasitology 2020 Oct 106(5) 616-622 . The Journal of parasitology 2020 Oct 106(5) 616-622 Cleveland Christopher A, Eberhard Mark L, Garrett Kayla B, Thompson Alec T, Swanepoel Liandrie, Miller Elizabeth A, Stephens Odin L, Yabsley Michael J. The Journal of parasitology 2020 Oct 106(5) 616-622 |
Theoretical risk of genetic reassortment should not impede development of live, attenuated Rift Valley fever (RVF) vaccines commentary on the draft WHO RVF Target Product Profile.
Monath TP , Kortekaas J , Watts DM , Christofferson RC , Desiree LaBeaud A , Gowen B , Peters CJ , Smith DR , Swanepoel R , Morrill JC , Ksiazek TG , Pittman PR , Bird BH , Bettinger G . Vaccine X 2020 5 100060 In November 2019, The World Health Organization (WHO) issued a draft set of Target Product Profiles (TPPs) describing optimal and minimally acceptable targets for vaccines against Rift Valley fever (RVF), a Phlebovirus with a three segmented genome, in both humans and ruminants. The TPPs contained rigid requirements to protect against genomic reassortment of live, attenuated vaccines (LAVs) with wild-type RVF virus (RVFV), which place undue constraints on development and regulatory approval of LAVs. We review the current LAVs in use and in development, and conclude that there is no evidence that reassortment between LAVs and wild-type RVFV has occurred during field use, that such a reassortment event if it occurred would have no untoward consequence, and that the TPPs should be revised to provide a more balanced assessment of the benefits versus the theoretical risks of reassortment. |
New filovirus disease classification and nomenclature.
Kuhn JH , Adachi T , Adhikari NKJ , Arribas JR , Bah IE , Bausch DG , Bhadelia N , Borchert M , Brantsaeter AB , Brett-Major DM , Burgess TH , Chertow DS , Chute CG , Cieslak TJ , Colebunders R , Crozier I , Davey RT , de Clerck H , Delgado R , Evans L , Fallah M , Fischer WA 2nd , Fletcher TE , Fowler RA , Grunewald T , Hall A , Hewlett A , Hoepelman AIM , Houlihan CF , Ippolito G , Jacob ST , Jacobs M , Jakob R , Jacquerioz FA , Kaiser L , Kalil AC , Kamara RF , Kapetshi J , Klenk HD , Kobinger G , Kortepeter MG , Kraft CS , Kratz T , Bosa HSK , Lado M , Lamontagne F , Lane HC , Lobel L , Lutwama J , Lyon GM 3rd , Massaquoi MBF , Massaquoi TA , Mehta AK , Makuma VM , Murthy S , Musoke TS , Muyembe-Tamfum JJ , Nakyeyune P , Nanclares C , Nanyunja M , Nsio-Mbeta J , O'Dempsey T , Paweska JT , Peters CJ , Piot P , Rapp C , Renaud B , Ribner B , Sabeti PC , Schieffelin JS , Slenczka W , Soka MJ , Sprecher A , Strong J , Swanepoel R , Uyeki TM , van Herp M , Vetter P , Wohl DA , Wolf T , Wolz A , Wurie AH , Yoti Z . Nat Rev Microbiol 2019 17 (5) 261-263 The recent large outbreak of Ebola virus disease (EVD) in Western Africa resulted in greatly increased accumulation of human genotypic, phenotypic and clinical data, and improved our understanding of the spectrum of clinical manifestations. As a result, the WHO disease classification of EVD underwent major revision. |
Genome Sequences of Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever Virus Strains Isolated in South Africa, Namibia, and Turkey.
Zivcec M , Albarino CG , Guerrero LIW , Ksiazek TG , Nichol ST , Swanepoel R , Rollin PE , Spiropoulou CF . Genome Announc 2017 5 (42) We report here the full-length sequences of 16 historical isolates of Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever orthonairovirus (CCHFV) obtained in Turkey, Namibia, and South Africa. The strains may be useful for future work to develop molecular diagnostics or viral evolution studies. |
Ecology of filoviruses
Amman BR , Swanepoel R , Nichol ST , Towner JS . Curr Top Microbiol Immunol 2017 411 23-61 Filoviruses can cause severe and often fatal disease in humans. To date, there have been 47 outbreaks resulting in more than 31,500 cases of human illness and over 13,200 reported deaths. Since their discovery, researchers from many scientific disciplines have worked to better understand the natural history of these deadly viruses. Citing original research wherever possible, this chapter reviews laboratory and field-based studies on filovirus ecology and summarizes efforts to identify where filoviruses persist in nature, how virus is transmitted to other animals and ultimately, what drivers cause spillover to human beings. Furthermore, this chapter discusses concepts on what constitutes a reservoir host and highlights challenges encountered while conducting research on filovirus ecology, particularly field-based investigations. |
Sindbis and Middelburg Old World alphaviruses associated with neurologic disease in horses, South Africa
van Niekerk S , Human S , Williams J , van Wilpe E , Pretorius M , Swanepoel R , Venter M . Emerg Infect Dis 2015 21 (12) 2225-9 Old World alphaviruses were identified in 52 of 623 horses with febrile or neurologic disease in South Africa. Five of 8 Sindbis virus infections were mild; 2 of 3 fatal cases involved co-infections. Of 44 Middelburg virus infections, 28 caused neurologic disease; 12 were fatal. Middelburg virus likely has zoonotic potential. |
Orthobunyavirus antibodies among humans in selected parts of the Rift Valley and northeastern Kenya
Odhiambo C , Venter M , Swanepoel R , Sang R . Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis 2015 15 (5) 329-32 Ngari, Bunyamwera, Ilesha, and Germiston viruses are among the mosquito-borne human pathogens in the Orthobunyavirus genus, family Bunyaviridae, associated with febrile illness. Although the four orthobunyaviruses have been isolated from mosquito and/or tick vectors sampled from different geographic regions in Kenya, little is known of human exposure in such areas. We conducted a serologic investigation to determine whether orthobunyaviruses commonly infect humans in Kenya. Orthobunyavirus-specific antibodies were detected by plaque reduction neutralization tests in 89 (25.8%) of 345 persons tested. Multivariable analysis revealed age and residence in northeastern Kenya as risk factors. Implementation of acute febrile illness surveillance in northeastern Kenya will help to detect such infections. |
Nomenclature- and database-compatible names for the two Ebola virus variants that emerged in Guinea and the Democratic Republic of the Congo in 2014
Kuhn JH , Andersen KG , Baize S , Bao Y , Bavari S , Berthet N , Blinkova O , Brister JR , Clawson AN , Fair J , Gabriel M , Garry RF , Gire SK , Goba A , Gonzalez JP , Gunther S , Happi CT , Jahrling PB , Kapetshi J , Kobinger G , Kugelman JR , Leroy EM , Maganga GD , Mbala PK , Moses LM , Muyembe-Tamfum JJ , N'Faly M , Nichol ST , Omilabu SA , Palacios G , Park DJ , Paweska JT , Radoshitzky SR , Rossi CA , Sabeti PC , Schieffelin JS , Schoepp RJ , Sealfon R , Swanepoel R , Towner JS , Wada J , Wauquier N , Yozwiak NL , Formenty P . Viruses 2014 6 (11) 4760-99 In 2014, Ebola virus (EBOV) was identified as the etiological agent of a large and still expanding outbreak of Ebola virus disease (EVD) in West Africa and a much more confined EVD outbreak in Middle Africa. Epidemiological and evolutionary analyses confirmed that all cases of both outbreaks are connected to a single introduction each of EBOV into human populations and that both outbreaks are not directly connected. Coding-complete genomic sequence analyses of isolates revealed that the two outbreaks were caused by two novel EBOV variants, and initial clinical observations suggest that neither of them should be considered strains. Here we present consensus decisions on naming for both variants (West Africa: "Makona", Middle Africa: "Lomela") and provide database-compatible full, shortened, and abbreviated names that are in line with recently established filovirus sub-species nomenclatures. |
Clinical features and patient management of Lujo hemorrhagic fever
Sewlall NH , Richards G , Duse A , Swanepoel R , Paweska J , Blumberg L , Dinh TH , Bausch D . PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2014 8 (11) e3233 BACKGROUND: In 2008 a nosocomial outbreak of five cases of viral hemorrhagic fever due to a novel arenavirus, Lujo virus, occurred in Johannesburg, South Africa. Lujo virus is only the second pathogenic arenavirus, after Lassa virus, to be recognized in Africa and the first in over 40 years. Because of the remote, resource-poor, and often politically unstable regions where Lassa fever and other viral hemorrhagic fevers typically occur, there have been few opportunities to undertake in-depth study of their clinical manifestations, transmission dynamics, pathogenesis, or response to treatment options typically available in industrialized countries. METHODS AND FINDINGS: We describe the clinical features of five cases of Lujo hemorrhagic fever and summarize their clinical management, as well as providing additional epidemiologic detail regarding the 2008 outbreak. Illness typically began with the abrupt onset of fever, malaise, headache, and myalgias followed successively by sore throat, chest pain, gastrointestinal symptoms, rash, minor hemorrhage, subconjunctival injection, and neck and facial swelling over the first week of illness. No major hemorrhage was noted. Neurological signs were sometimes seen in the late stages. Shock and multi-organ system failure, often with evidence of disseminated intravascular coagulopathy, ensued in the second week, with death in four of the five cases. Distinctive treatment components of the one surviving patient included rapid commencement of the antiviral drug ribavirin and administration of HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (statins), N-acetylcysteine, and recombinant factor VIIa. CONCLUSIONS: Lujo virus causes a clinical syndrome remarkably similar to Lassa fever. Considering the high case-fatality and significant logistical impediments to controlled treatment efficacy trials for viral hemorrhagic fever, it is both logical and ethical to explore the use of the various compounds used in the treatment of the surviving case reported here in future outbreaks. Clinical observations should be systematically recorded to facilitate objective evaluation of treatment efficacy. Due to the risk of secondary transmission, viral hemorrhagic fever precautions should be implemented for all cases of Lujo virus infection, with specialized precautions to protect against aerosols when performing enhanced-risk procedures such as endotracheal intubation. |
Filovirus RefSeq entries: evaluation and selection of filovirus type variants, type sequences, and names.
Kuhn JH , Andersen KG , Bao Y , Bavari S , Becker S , Bennett RS , Bergman NH , Blinkova O , Bradfute S , Brister JR , Bukreyev A , Chandran K , Chepurnov AA , Davey RA , Dietzgen RG , Doggett NA , Dolnik O , Dye JM , Enterlein S , Fenimore PW , Formenty P , Freiberg AN , Garry RF , Garza NL , Gire SK , Gonzalez JP , Griffiths A , Happi CT , Hensley LE , Herbert AS , Hevey MC , Hoenen T , Honko AN , Ignatyev GM , Jahrling PB , Johnson JC , Johnson KM , Kindrachuk J , Klenk HD , Kobinger G , Kochel TJ , Lackemeyer MG , Leroy EM , Lever MS , Muhlberger E , Netesov SV , Olinger GG , Omilabu SA , Palacios G , Panchal RG , Park DJ , Patterson JL , Paweska JT , Peters CJ , Pettitt J , Pitt L , Radoshitzky SR , Ryabchikova EI , Saphire EO , Sabeti PC , Sealfon R , Smither SJ , Sullivan NJ , Swanepoel R , Takada A , Towner JS , van der Groen G , Volchkov VE , Volchkova VA , Wahl-Jensen V , Warren TK , Warfield KL , Weidmann M , Nichol ST . Viruses 2014 6 (9) 3663-82 Sequence determination of complete or coding-complete genomes of viruses is becoming common practice for supporting the work of epidemiologists, ecologists, virologists, and taxonomists. Sequencing duration and costs are rapidly decreasing, sequencing hardware is under modification for use by non-experts, and software is constantly being improved to simplify sequence data management and analysis. Thus, analysis of virus disease outbreaks on the molecular level is now feasible, including characterization of the evolution of individual virus populations in single patients over time. The increasing accumulation of sequencing data creates a management problem for the curators of commonly used sequence databases and an entry retrieval problem for end users. Therefore, utilizing the data to their fullest potential will require setting nomenclature and annotation standards for virus isolates and associated genomic sequences. The National Center for Biotechnology Information's (NCBI's) RefSeq is a non-redundant, curated database for reference (or type) nucleotide sequence records that supplies source data to numerous other databases. Building on recently proposed templates for filovirus variant naming [<virus name> (<strain>)/<isolation host-suffix>/<country of sampling>/<year of sampling>/<genetic variant designation>-<isolate designation>], we report consensus decisions from a majority of past and currently active filovirus experts on the eight filovirus type variants and isolates to be represented in RefSeq, their final designations, and their associated sequences. |
Genome sequence analysis of in vitro and in vivo phenotypes of Bunyamwera and Ngari virus isolates from northern Kenya
Odhiambo C , Venter M , Limbaso K , Swanepoel R , Sang R . PLoS One 2014 9 (8) e105446 Biological phenotypes of tri-segmented arboviruses display characteristics that map to mutation/s in the S, M or L segments of the genome. Plaque variants have been characterized for other viruses displaying varied phenotypes including attenuation in growth and/or pathogenesis. In order to characterize variants of Bunyamwera and Ngari viruses, we isolated individual plaque size variants; small plaque (SP) and large plaque (LP) and determined in vitro growth properties and in vivo pathogenesis in suckling mice. We performed gene sequencing to identify mutations that may be responsible for the observed phenotype. The LP generally replicated faster than the SP and the difference in growth rate was more pronounced in Bunyamwera virus isolates. Ngari virus isolates were more conserved with few point mutations compared to Bunyamwera virus isolates which displayed mutations in all three genome segments but majority were silent mutations. Contrary to expectation, the SP of Bunyamwera virus killed suckling mice significantly earlier than the LP. The LP attenuation may probably be due to a non-synonymous substitution (T858I) that mapped within the active site of the L protein. In this study, we identify natural mutations whose exact role in growth and pathogenesis need to be determined through site directed mutagenesis studies. |
Molecular evolution of viruses of the family Filoviridae based on 97 whole-genome sequences.
Carroll SA , Towner JS , Sealy TK , McMullan LK , Khristova ML , Burt FJ , Swanepoel R , Rollin PE , Nichol ST . J Virol 2013 87 (5) 2608-16 Viruses in the Ebolavirus and Marburgvirus genera (family Filoviridae) have been associated with large outbreaks of hemorrhagic fever in human and nonhuman primates. The first documented cases occurred in primates over 45 years ago, but the amount of virus genetic diversity detected within bat populations, which have recently been identified as potential reservoir hosts, suggests that the filoviruses are much older. Here, detailed Bayesian coalescent phylogenetic analyses are performed on 97 whole-genome sequences, 55 of which are newly reported, to comprehensively examine molecular evolutionary rates and estimate dates of common ancestry for viruses within the family Filoviridae. Molecular evolutionary rates for viruses belonging to different species range from 0.46 x 10(-4) nucleotide substitutions/site/year for Sudan ebolavirus to 8.21 x 10(-4) nucleotide substitutions/site/year for Reston ebolavirus. Most recent common ancestry can be traced back only within the last 50 years for Reston ebolavirus and Zaire ebolavirus species and suggests that viruses within these species may have undergone recent genetic bottlenecks. Viruses within Marburg marburgvirus and Sudan ebolavirus species can be traced back further and share most recent common ancestors approximately 700 and 850 years before the present, respectively. Examination of the whole family suggests that members of the Filoviridae, including the recently described Lloviu virus, shared a most recent common ancestor approximately 10,000 years ago. These data will be valuable for understanding the evolution of filoviruses in the context of natural history as new reservoir hosts are identified and, further, for determining mechanisms of emergence, pathogenicity, and the ongoing threat to public health. |
Virus nomenclature below the species level: a standardized nomenclature for laboratory animal-adapted strains and variants of viruses assigned to the family Filoviridae
Kuhn JH , Bao Y , Bavari S , Becker S , Bradfute S , Brister JR , Bukreyev AA , Cai Y , Chandran K , Davey RA , Dolnik O , Dye JM , Enterlein S , Gonzalez JP , Formenty P , Freiberg AN , Hensley LE , Honko AN , Ignatyev GM , Jahrling PB , Johnson KM , Klenk HD , Kobinger G , Lackemeyer MG , Leroy EM , Lever MS , Lofts LL , Muhlberger E , Netesov SV , Olinger GG , Palacios G , Patterson JL , Paweska JT , Pitt L , Radoshitzky SR , Ryabchikova EI , Saphire EO , Shestopalov AM , Smither SJ , Sullivan NJ , Swanepoel R , Takada A , Towner JS , van der Groen G , Volchkov VE , Wahl-Jensen V , Warren TK , Warfield KL , Weidmann M , Nichol ST . Arch Virol 2013 158 (6) 1425-32 The International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses (ICTV) organizes the classification of viruses into taxa, but is not responsible for the nomenclature for taxa members. International experts groups, such as the ICTV Study Groups, recommend the classification and naming of viruses and their strains, variants, and isolates. The ICTV Filoviridae Study Group has recently introduced an updated classification and nomenclature for filoviruses. Subsequently, and together with numerous other filovirus experts, a consistent nomenclature for their natural genetic variants and isolates was developed that aims at simplifying the retrieval of sequence data from electronic databases. This is a first important step toward a viral genome annotation standard as sought by the US National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI). Here, this work is extended to include filoviruses obtained in the laboratory by artificial selection through passage in laboratory hosts. The previously developed template for natural filovirus genetic variant naming (<virus name> <isolation host-suffix>/<country of sampling>/<year of sampling>/<genetic variant designation>-<isolate designation>) is retained, but it is proposed to adapt the type of information added to each field for laboratory animal-adapted variants. For instance, the full-length designation of an Ebola virus Mayinga variant adapted at the State Research Center for Virology and Biotechnology "Vector" to cause disease in guinea pigs after seven passages would be akin to "Ebola virus VECTOR/C.porcellus-lab/COD/1976/Mayinga-GPA-P7". As was proposed for the names of natural filovirus variants, we suggest using the full-length designation in databases, as well as in the method section of publications. Shortened designations (such as "EBOV VECTOR/C.por/COD/76/May-GPA-P7") and abbreviations (such as "EBOV/May-GPA-P7") could be used in the remainder of the text depending on how critical it is to convey information contained in the full-length name. "EBOV" would suffice if only one EBOV strain/variant/isolate is addressed. |
Virus nomenclature below the species level: a standardized nomenclature for natural variants of viruses assigned to the family Filoviridae
Kuhn JH , Bao Y , Bavari S , Becker S , Bradfute S , Brister JR , Bukreyev AA , Chandran K , Davey RA , Dolnik O , Dye JM , Enterlein S , Hensley LE , Honko AN , Jahrling PB , Johnson KM , Kobinger G , Leroy EM , Lever MS , Muhlberger E , Netesov SV , Olinger GG , Palacios G , Patterson JL , Paweska JT , Pitt L , Radoshitzky SR , Saphire EO , Smither SJ , Swanepoel R , Towner JS , van der Groen G , Volchkov VE , Wahl-Jensen V , Warren TK , Weidmann M , Nichol ST . Arch Virol 2013 158 (1) 301-11 The task of international expert groups is to recommend the classification and naming of viruses. The International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses Filoviridae Study Group and other experts have recently established an almost consistent classification and nomenclature for filoviruses. Here, further guidelines are suggested to include their natural genetic variants. First, this term is defined. Second, a template for full-length virus names (such as "Ebola virus H.sapiens-tc/COD/1995/Kikwit-9510621") is proposed. These names contain information on the identity of the virus (e.g., Ebola virus), isolation host (e.g., members of the species Homo sapiens), sampling location (e.g., Democratic Republic of the Congo (COD)), sampling year, genetic variant (e.g., Kikwit), and isolate (e.g., 9510621). Suffixes are proposed for individual names that clarify whether a given genetic variant has been characterized based on passage zero material (-wt), has been passaged in tissue/cell culture (-tc), is known from consensus sequence fragments only (-frag), or does (most likely) not exist anymore (-hist). We suggest that these comprehensive names are to be used specifically in the methods section of publications. Suitable abbreviations, also proposed here, could then be used throughout the text, while the full names could be used again in phylograms, tables, or figures if the contained information aids the interpretation of presented data. The proposed system is very similar to the well-known influenzavirus nomenclature and the nomenclature recently proposed for rotaviruses. If applied consistently, it would considerably simplify retrieval of sequence data from electronic databases and be a first important step toward a viral genome annotation standard as sought by the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI). Furthermore, adoption of this nomenclature would increase the general understanding of filovirus-related publications and presentations and improve figures such as phylograms, alignments, and diagrams. Most importantly, it would counter the increasing confusion in genetic variant naming due to the identification of ever more sequences through technological breakthroughs in high-throughput sequencing and environmental sampling. |
Seasonal pulses of Marburg virus circulation in juvenile Rousettus aegyptiacus bats coincide with periods of increased risk of human infection
Amman BR , Carroll SA , Reed ZD , Sealy TK , Balinandi S , Swanepoel R , Kemp A , Erickson BR , Comer JA , Campbell S , Cannon DL , Khristova ML , Atimnedi P , Paddock CD , Kent Crockett RJ , Flietstra TD , Warfield KL , Unfer R , Katongole-Mbidde E , Downing R , Tappero JW , Zaki SR , Rollin PE , Ksiazek TG , Nichol ST , Towner JS . PLoS Pathog 2012 8 (10) e1002877 Marburg virus (family Filoviridae) causes sporadic outbreaks of severe hemorrhagic disease in sub-Saharan Africa. Bats have been implicated as likely natural reservoir hosts based most recently on an investigation of cases among miners infected in 2007 at the Kitaka mine, Uganda, which contained a large population of Marburg virus-infected Rousettus aegyptiacus fruit bats. Described here is an ecologic investigation of Python Cave, Uganda, where an American and a Dutch tourist acquired Marburg virus infection in December 2007 and July 2008. More than 40,000 R. aegyptiacus were found in the cave and were the sole bat species present. Between August 2008 and November 2009, 1,622 bats were captured and tested for Marburg virus. Q-RT-PCR analysis of bat liver/spleen tissues indicated approximately 2.5% of the bats were actively infected, seven of which yielded Marburg virus isolates. Moreover, Q-RT-PCR-positive lung, kidney, colon and reproductive tissues were found, consistent with potential for oral, urine, fecal or sexual transmission. The combined data for R. aegyptiacus tested from Python Cave and Kitaka mine indicate low level horizontal transmission throughout the year. However, Q-RT-PCR data show distinct pulses of virus infection in older juvenile bats ( approximately six months of age) that temporarily coincide with the peak twice-yearly birthing seasons. Retrospective analysis of historical human infections suspected to have been the result of discrete spillover events directly from nature found 83% (54/65) events occurred during these seasonal pulses in virus circulation, perhaps demonstrating periods of increased risk of human infection. The discovery of two tags at Python Cave from bats marked at Kitaka mine, together with the close genetic linkages evident between viruses detected in geographically distant locations, are consistent with R. aegyptiacus bats existing as a large meta-population with associated virus circulation over broad geographic ranges. These findings provide a basis for developing Marburg hemorrhagic fever risk reduction strategies. |
Prediction, assessment of the Rift Valley fever activity in East and Southern Africa 2006-2008 and possible vector control strategies
Anyamba A , Linthicum KJ , Small J , Britch SC , Pak E , de La Rocque S , Formenty P , Hightower AW , Breiman RF , Chretien JP , Tucker CJ , Schnabel D , Sang R , Haagsma K , Latham M , Lewandowski HB , Magdi SO , Mohamed MA , Nguku PM , Reynes JM , Swanepoel R . Am J Trop Med Hyg 2010 83 43-51 Historical outbreaks of Rift Valley fever (RVF) since the early 1950s have been associated with cyclical patterns of the El Nino/Southern Oscillation (ENSO) phenomenon, which results in elevated and widespread rainfall over the RVF endemic areas of Africa. Using satellite measurements of global and regional elevated sea surface temperatures, elevated rainfall, and satellite derived-normalized difference vegetation index data, we predicted with lead times of 2-4 months areas where outbreaks of RVF in humans and animals were expected and occurred in the Horn of Africa, Sudan, and Southern Africa at different time periods from September 2006 to March 2008. Predictions were confirmed by entomological field investigations of virus activity and by reported cases of RVF in human and livestock populations. This represents the first series of prospective predictions of RVF outbreaks and provides a baseline for improved early warning, control, response planning, and mitigation into the future. |
Nosocomial outbreak of novel arenavirus infection, Southern Africa
Paweska JT , Sewlall NH , Ksiazek TG , Blumberg LH , Hale MJ , Lipkin WI , Weyer J , Nichol ST , Rollin PE , McMullan LK , Paddock CD , Briese T , Mnyaluza J , Dinh TH , Mukonka V , Ching P , Duse A , Richards G , de Jong G , Cohen C , Ikalafeng B , Mugero C , Asomugha C , Malotle MM , Nteo DM , Misiani E , Swanepoel R , Zaki SR , Outbreak Control Team . Emerg Infect Dis 2009 15 (10) 1598-1602 A nosocomial outbreak of disease involving 5 patients, 4 of whom died, occurred in South Africa during September-October 2008. The first patient had been transferred from Zambia to South Africa for medical management. Three cases involved secondary spread of infection from the first patient, and 1 was a tertiary infection. A novel arenavirus was identified. The source of the first patient's infection remains undetermined. |
Isolation of genetically diverse Marburg viruses from Egyptian fruit bats
Towner JS , Amman BR , Sealy TK , Carroll SA , Comer JA , Kemp A , Swanepoel R , Paddock CD , Balinandi S , Khristova ML , Formenty PB , Albarino CG , Miller DM , Reed ZD , Kayiwa JT , Mills JN , Cannon DL , Greer PW , Byaruhanga E , Farnon EC , Atimnedi P , Okware S , Katongole-Mbidde E , Downing R , Tappero JW , Zaki SR , Ksiazek TG , Nichol ST , Rollin PE . PLoS Pathog 2009 5 (7) e1000536 In July and September 2007, miners working in Kitaka Cave, Uganda, were diagnosed with Marburg hemorrhagic fever. The likely source of infection in the cave was Egyptian fruit bats (Rousettus aegyptiacus) based on detection of Marburg virus RNA in 31/611 (5.1%) bats, virus-specific antibody in bat sera, and isolation of genetically diverse virus from bat tissues. The virus isolates were collected nine months apart, demonstrating long-term virus circulation. The bat colony was estimated to be over 100,000 animals using mark and re-capture methods, predicting the presence of over 5,000 virus-infected bats. The genetically diverse virus genome sequences from bats and miners closely matched. These data indicate common Egyptian fruit bats can represent a major natural reservoir and source of Marburg virus with potential for spillover into humans. |
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