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Dr. Helle Bielefeldt-Ohmann
1. Infectious Diseases Research Centre, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia

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0 flaviviruses
0 Influenza viruses
0 Co-infections
0 viral persistence
0 Infectious diseases pathobiology

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Influenza viruses
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Review
Published: 17 March 2021 in Pathogens
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Ross River virus (RRV) has recently been suggested to be a potential emerging infectious disease worldwide. RRV infection remains the most common human arboviral disease in Australia, with a yearly estimated economic cost of $4.3 billion. Infection in humans and horses can cause chronic, long-term debilitating arthritogenic illnesses. However, current knowledge of immunopathogenesis remains to be elucidated and is mainly inferred from a murine model that only partially resembles clinical signs and pathology in human and horses. The epidemiology of RRV transmission is complex and multifactorial and is further complicated by climate change, making predictive models difficult to design. Establishing an equine model for RRV may allow better characterization of RRV disease pathogenesis and immunology in humans and horses, and could potentially be used for other infectious diseases. While there are no approved therapeutics or registered vaccines to treat or prevent RRV infection, clinical trials of various potential drugs and vaccines are currently underway. In the future, the RRV disease dynamic is likely to shift into temperate areas of Australia with longer active months of infection. Here, we (1) review the current knowledge of RRV infection, epidemiology, diagnostics, and therapeutics in both humans and horses; (2) identify and discuss major research gaps that warrant further research.

ACS Style

Ka Yuen; Helle Bielefeldt-Ohmann. Ross River Virus Infection: A Cross-Disciplinary Review with a Veterinary Perspective. Pathogens 2021, 10, 357 .

AMA Style

Ka Yuen, Helle Bielefeldt-Ohmann. Ross River Virus Infection: A Cross-Disciplinary Review with a Veterinary Perspective. Pathogens. 2021; 10 (3):357.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Ka Yuen; Helle Bielefeldt-Ohmann. 2021. "Ross River Virus Infection: A Cross-Disciplinary Review with a Veterinary Perspective." Pathogens 10, no. 3: 357.

Journal article
Published: 27 February 2021 in Veterinary Sciences
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Visceral hemangiosarcoma (HSA) is one of the more frequent cancers in dogs and has a high metastatic rate and poor prognosis, as clinical signs only become apparent in advanced stages of tumor development. In order to improve early and differential diagnostic capabilities and hence, prognosis for dogs with HSA, two types of biomarker are needed: a point-of-care diagnostic biomarker and a prognostic biomarker—preferentially based on samples obtained with minimally invasive methods. In this study, we applied a lectin magnetic bead array-coupled tandem mass spectrometry (LeMBA-MS/MS) workflow through discovery and validation phases to discover serum glycoprotein biomarker candidates for canine HSA. By this approach, we found that Datura stramonium (DSA), wheat germ agglutinin (WGA), Sambucus nigra (SNA), and Pisum sativum (PSA) lectins captured the highest number of validated candidate glycoproteins. Secondly, we independently validated serum LeMBA-MS/MS results by demonstrating the in situ relationship of lectin-binding with tumor cells. Using lectin-histochemistry and immunohistochemistry (IHC) for key proteins on tissues with HSA and semi-quantitation of the signals, we demonstrate that a combination of DSA histochemistry and IHC for complement C7 greatly increases the prospect of a more specific diagnosis of canine HSA.

ACS Style

Patharee Oungsakul; Eunju Choi; Alok Shah; Ahmed Mohamed; Caroline O’Leary; David Duffy; Michelle Hill; Helle Bielefeldt-Ohmann. Candidate Glycoprotein Biomarkers for Canine Visceral Hemangiosarcoma and Validation Using Semi-Quantitative Lectin/Immunohistochemical Assays. Veterinary Sciences 2021, 8, 38 .

AMA Style

Patharee Oungsakul, Eunju Choi, Alok Shah, Ahmed Mohamed, Caroline O’Leary, David Duffy, Michelle Hill, Helle Bielefeldt-Ohmann. Candidate Glycoprotein Biomarkers for Canine Visceral Hemangiosarcoma and Validation Using Semi-Quantitative Lectin/Immunohistochemical Assays. Veterinary Sciences. 2021; 8 (3):38.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Patharee Oungsakul; Eunju Choi; Alok Shah; Ahmed Mohamed; Caroline O’Leary; David Duffy; Michelle Hill; Helle Bielefeldt-Ohmann. 2021. "Candidate Glycoprotein Biomarkers for Canine Visceral Hemangiosarcoma and Validation Using Semi-Quantitative Lectin/Immunohistochemical Assays." Veterinary Sciences 8, no. 3: 38.

Journal article
Published: 31 January 2021 in Viruses
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Emerging viral disease is a significant concern, with potential consequences for human, animal and environmental health. Over the past several decades, multiple novel viruses have been found in wildlife species, including reptiles, and often pose a major threat to vulnerable species. However, whilst a large number of viruses have been described in turtles, information on poxvirus in cheloniids remains scarce, with no molecular sequence data available to date. This study characterizes, for the first time, a novel poxvirus, here tentatively designated cheloniid poxvirus 1 (ChePV-1). The affected cutaneous tissue, recovered from a green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas) captured off the Central Queensland coast of Australia, underwent histological examination, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), DNA extraction and genomic sequencing. The novel ChePV-1 was shown to be significantly divergent from other known poxviruses and showed the highest sequence similarity (89.3%) to avipoxviruses (shearwater poxvirus 2 (SWPV2)). This suggests the novel ChePV-1 may have originated from a common ancestor that diverged from an avipoxvirus-like progenitor. The genome contained three predicted unique genes and a further 15 genes being truncated/fragmented compared to SWPV2. This is the first comprehensive study that demonstrates evidence of poxvirus infection in a marine turtle species, as well as a rare example of an avipoxvirus crossing the avian-host barrier. This finding warrants further investigations into poxvirus infections between species in close physical proximity, as well as in vitro and in vivo studies of pathogenesis and disease.

ACS Style

Subir Sarker; Christabel Hannon; Ajani Athukorala; Helle Bielefeldt-Ohmann. Emergence of a Novel Pathogenic Poxvirus Infection in the Endangered Green Sea Turtle (Chelonia mydas) Highlights a Key Threatening Process. Viruses 2021, 13, 219 .

AMA Style

Subir Sarker, Christabel Hannon, Ajani Athukorala, Helle Bielefeldt-Ohmann. Emergence of a Novel Pathogenic Poxvirus Infection in the Endangered Green Sea Turtle (Chelonia mydas) Highlights a Key Threatening Process. Viruses. 2021; 13 (2):219.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Subir Sarker; Christabel Hannon; Ajani Athukorala; Helle Bielefeldt-Ohmann. 2021. "Emergence of a Novel Pathogenic Poxvirus Infection in the Endangered Green Sea Turtle (Chelonia mydas) Highlights a Key Threatening Process." Viruses 13, no. 2: 219.

Journal article
Published: 20 January 2021 in Viruses
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Alfuy (ALFV) is an attenuated flavivirus related to the Murray Valley encephalitis virus (MVEV). We previously identified markers of attenuation in the envelope (E) protein of the prototype strain (ALFV3929), including the hinge region (E273–277) and lack of glycosylation at E154-156. To further determine the mechanisms of attenuation we assessed ALFV3929 binding to glycosaminoglycans (GAG), a known mechanism of flaviviruses attenuation. Indeed, ALFV3929 exhibited reduced binding to GAG-rich cells in the presence of heparin; however, low-passage ALFV isolates were relatively unaffected. Sequence comparisons between ALFV strains and structural modelling incriminated a positively-charged residue (K327) in ALFV3929 as a GAG-binding motif. Substitution of this residue to the corresponding uncharged residue in MVEV (L), using a previously described chimeric virus containing the prM & E genes of ALFV3929 in the backbone of MVEV (MVEV/ALFV-prME), confirmed a role for K327 in enhanced GAG binding. When the wild type residues at E327, E273–277 and E154–156 of ALFV3929 were replaced with the corresponding residues from virulent MVEV, it revealed each motif contributed to attenuation of ALFV3929, with the E327/E273–277 combination most dominant. These data demonstrate that attenuation of ALFV3929 is multifactorial and provide new insights for the rational design of attenuated flavivirus vaccines.

ACS Style

Daniel Westlake; Helle Bielefeldt-Ohmann; Natalie A. Prow; Roy A. Hall. Novel Flavivirus Attenuation Markers Identified in the Envelope Protein of Alfuy Virus. Viruses 2021, 13, 147 .

AMA Style

Daniel Westlake, Helle Bielefeldt-Ohmann, Natalie A. Prow, Roy A. Hall. Novel Flavivirus Attenuation Markers Identified in the Envelope Protein of Alfuy Virus. Viruses. 2021; 13 (2):147.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Daniel Westlake; Helle Bielefeldt-Ohmann; Natalie A. Prow; Roy A. Hall. 2021. "Novel Flavivirus Attenuation Markers Identified in the Envelope Protein of Alfuy Virus." Viruses 13, no. 2: 147.

Editorial
Published: 19 October 2020 in Viruses
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The genus Pestivirus, encompassing small positive-strand RNA viruses in the family Flaviviridae, comprises four viruses of very significant economic impact to the cattle, swine and sheep industries worldwide: bovine viral diarrhoea virus (BVDV) type 1 and type 2, classical swine fever virus (CSFV) and border disease virus (BDV). Both BVDV- and CSFV-related disease syndromes have been recognised for over 70 years and major progress has been made in elucidating the pathogenesis of these important infections of ruminants and pigs

ACS Style

Helle Bielefeldt-Ohmann. Special Issue: Bovine Viral Diarrhea Virus and Related Pestiviruses. Viruses 2020, 12, 1181 .

AMA Style

Helle Bielefeldt-Ohmann. Special Issue: Bovine Viral Diarrhea Virus and Related Pestiviruses. Viruses. 2020; 12 (10):1181.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Helle Bielefeldt-Ohmann. 2020. "Special Issue: Bovine Viral Diarrhea Virus and Related Pestiviruses." Viruses 12, no. 10: 1181.

Journal article
Published: 13 October 2020 in Viruses
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The Mesoniviridae are a newly assigned family of viruses in the order Nidovirales. Unlike other nidoviruses, which include the Coronaviridae, mesoniviruses are restricted to mosquito hosts and do not infect vertebrate cells. To date there is little information on the morphological and antigenic characteristics of this new group of viruses and a dearth of mesonivirus-specific research tools. In this study we determined the genetic relationships of recent Australian isolates of Alphamesonivirus 4 (Casuarina virus—CASV) and Alphamesonivirus 1 (Nam Dinh virus—NDiV), obtained from multiple mosquito species. Australian isolates of NDiV showed high-level similarity to the prototype NDiV isolate from Vietnam (99% nucleotide (nt) and amino acid (aa) identity). Isolates of CASV from Central Queensland were genetically very similar to the prototype virus from Darwin (95–96% nt and 91–92% aa identity). Electron microscopy studies demonstrated that virion diameter (≈80 nm) and spike length (≈10 nm) were similar for both viruses. Monoclonal antibodies specific to CASV and NDiV revealed a close antigenic relationship between the two viruses with 13/34 mAbs recognising both viruses. We also detected NDiV RNA on honey-soaked nucleic acid preservation cards fed on by wild mosquitoes supporting a possible mechanism of horizontal transmission between insects in nature.

ACS Style

Natalee D. Newton; Agathe M. G. Colmant; Caitlin A. O’Brien; Emma Ledger; Devina Paramitha; Helle Bielefeldt-Ohmann; Daniel Watterson; Breeanna J. McLean; Sonja Hall-Mendelin; David Warrilow; Andrew F. Van Den Hurk; Wenjun Liu; Christina Hoare; Joanne R. Kizu; Penelope J. Gauci; John Haniotis; Stephen L. Doggett; Babak Shaban; Cheryl A. Johansen; Roy A. Hall; Jody Hobson-Peters. Genetic, Morphological and Antigenic Relationships between Mesonivirus Isolates from Australian Mosquitoes and Evidence for Their Horizontal Transmission. Viruses 2020, 12, 1159 .

AMA Style

Natalee D. Newton, Agathe M. G. Colmant, Caitlin A. O’Brien, Emma Ledger, Devina Paramitha, Helle Bielefeldt-Ohmann, Daniel Watterson, Breeanna J. McLean, Sonja Hall-Mendelin, David Warrilow, Andrew F. Van Den Hurk, Wenjun Liu, Christina Hoare, Joanne R. Kizu, Penelope J. Gauci, John Haniotis, Stephen L. Doggett, Babak Shaban, Cheryl A. Johansen, Roy A. Hall, Jody Hobson-Peters. Genetic, Morphological and Antigenic Relationships between Mesonivirus Isolates from Australian Mosquitoes and Evidence for Their Horizontal Transmission. Viruses. 2020; 12 (10):1159.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Natalee D. Newton; Agathe M. G. Colmant; Caitlin A. O’Brien; Emma Ledger; Devina Paramitha; Helle Bielefeldt-Ohmann; Daniel Watterson; Breeanna J. McLean; Sonja Hall-Mendelin; David Warrilow; Andrew F. Van Den Hurk; Wenjun Liu; Christina Hoare; Joanne R. Kizu; Penelope J. Gauci; John Haniotis; Stephen L. Doggett; Babak Shaban; Cheryl A. Johansen; Roy A. Hall; Jody Hobson-Peters. 2020. "Genetic, Morphological and Antigenic Relationships between Mesonivirus Isolates from Australian Mosquitoes and Evidence for Their Horizontal Transmission." Viruses 12, no. 10: 1159.

Journal article
Published: 22 September 2020 in Viruses
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The family Birnaviridae are a group of non-enveloped double-stranded RNA viruses which infect poultry, aquatic animals and insects. This family includes agriculturally important pathogens of poultry and fish. Recently, next-generation sequencing technologies have identified closely related birnaviruses in Culex, Aedes and Anopheles mosquitoes. Using a broad-spectrum system based on detection of long double-stranded RNA, we have discovered and isolated a birnavirus from Aedes notoscriptus mosquitoes collected in northern New South Wales, Australia. Phylogenetic analysis of Aedes birnavirus (ABV) showed that it is related to Rotifer birnavirus, a pathogen of microscopic aquatic animals. In vitro cell infection assays revealed that while ABV can replicate in Aedes-derived cell lines, the virus does not replicate in vertebrate cells and displays only limited replication in Culex- and Anopheles-derived cells. A combination of SDS-PAGE and mass spectrometry analysis suggested that the ABV capsid precursor protein (pVP2) is larger than that of other birnaviruses and is partially resistant to trypsin digestion. Reactivity patterns of ABV-specific polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies indicate that the neutralizing epitopes of ABV are SDS sensitive. Our characterization shows that ABV displays a number of properties making it a unique member of the Birnaviridae and represents the first birnavirus to be isolated from Australian mosquitoes.

ACS Style

Caitlin A. O’Brien; Cassandra L. Pegg; Amanda S. Nouwens; Helle Bielefeldt-Ohmann; Bixing Huang; David Warrilow; Jessica J. Harrison; John Haniotis; Benjamin L. Schulz; Devina Paramitha; Agathe M. G. Colmant; Natalee D. Newton; Stephen L. Doggett; Daniel Watterson; Jody Hobson-Peters; Roy A. Hall. A Unique Relative of Rotifer Birnavirus Isolated from Australian Mosquitoes. Viruses 2020, 12, 1056 .

AMA Style

Caitlin A. O’Brien, Cassandra L. Pegg, Amanda S. Nouwens, Helle Bielefeldt-Ohmann, Bixing Huang, David Warrilow, Jessica J. Harrison, John Haniotis, Benjamin L. Schulz, Devina Paramitha, Agathe M. G. Colmant, Natalee D. Newton, Stephen L. Doggett, Daniel Watterson, Jody Hobson-Peters, Roy A. Hall. A Unique Relative of Rotifer Birnavirus Isolated from Australian Mosquitoes. Viruses. 2020; 12 (9):1056.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Caitlin A. O’Brien; Cassandra L. Pegg; Amanda S. Nouwens; Helle Bielefeldt-Ohmann; Bixing Huang; David Warrilow; Jessica J. Harrison; John Haniotis; Benjamin L. Schulz; Devina Paramitha; Agathe M. G. Colmant; Natalee D. Newton; Stephen L. Doggett; Daniel Watterson; Jody Hobson-Peters; Roy A. Hall. 2020. "A Unique Relative of Rotifer Birnavirus Isolated from Australian Mosquitoes." Viruses 12, no. 9: 1056.

Journal article
Published: 08 September 2020 in Viruses
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Maternal influenza A viral infections in humans are associated with low birth weight, increased risk of pre-term birth, stillbirth and congenital defects. To examine the effect of maternal influenza virus infection on placental and fetal growth, pregnant C57BL/6 mice were inoculated intranasally with influenza A virus A/CA/07/2009 pandemic H1N1 or phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) at E3.5, E7.5 or E12.5, and the placentae and fetuses collected and weighed at E18.5. Fetal thymuses were pooled from each litter. Placentae were examined histologically, stained by immunohistochemistry (IHC) for CD34 (hematopoietic progenitor cell antigen) and vascular channels quantified. RNA from E7.5 and E12.5 placentae and E7.5 fetal thymuses was subjected to RNA sequencing and pathway analysis. Placental weights were decreased in litters inoculated with influenza at E3.5 and E7.5. Placentae from E7.5 and E12.5 inoculated litters exhibited decreased labyrinth development and the transmembrane protein 150A gene was upregulated in E7.5 placentae. Fetal weights were decreased in litters inoculated at E7.5 and E12.5 compared to controls. RNA sequencing of E7.5 thymuses indicated that 957 genes were downregulated 2-fold including Mal, which is associated with Toll-like receptor signaling and T cell differentiation. There were 28 upregulated genes. It is concluded that maternal influenza A virus infection impairs fetal thymic gene expression as well as restricting placental and fetal growth.

ACS Style

Hana Van Campen; Jeanette V. Bishop; Vikki M. Abrahams; Helle Bielefeldt-Ohmann; Candace K. Mathiason; Gerrit J. Bouma; Quinton A. Winger; Christie E. Mayo; Richard A. Bowen; Thomas R. Hansen. Maternal Influenza A Virus Infection Restricts Fetal and Placental Growth and Adversely Affects the Fetal Thymic Transcriptome. Viruses 2020, 12, 1003 .

AMA Style

Hana Van Campen, Jeanette V. Bishop, Vikki M. Abrahams, Helle Bielefeldt-Ohmann, Candace K. Mathiason, Gerrit J. Bouma, Quinton A. Winger, Christie E. Mayo, Richard A. Bowen, Thomas R. Hansen. Maternal Influenza A Virus Infection Restricts Fetal and Placental Growth and Adversely Affects the Fetal Thymic Transcriptome. Viruses. 2020; 12 (9):1003.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Hana Van Campen; Jeanette V. Bishop; Vikki M. Abrahams; Helle Bielefeldt-Ohmann; Candace K. Mathiason; Gerrit J. Bouma; Quinton A. Winger; Christie E. Mayo; Richard A. Bowen; Thomas R. Hansen. 2020. "Maternal Influenza A Virus Infection Restricts Fetal and Placental Growth and Adversely Affects the Fetal Thymic Transcriptome." Viruses 12, no. 9: 1003.

Journal article
Published: 28 July 2020 in Viruses
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Bovine Viral Diarrhea Virus (BVDV) fetal infections occur in two forms; persistent infection (PI) or transient infection (TI), depending on what stage of gestation the fetus is infected. Examination of lymphoid organs from both PI and TI fetuses reveals drastically different fetal responses, dependent upon the developmental stage of the fetal immune system. Total RNA was extracted from the thymuses and spleens of uninfected control, PI, and TI fetuses collected on day 190 of gestation to test the hypothesis that BVDV infection impairs the innate and adaptive immune response in the fetal thymus and spleen of both infection types. Transcripts of genes representing the innate immune response and adaptive immune response genes were assayed by Reverse Transcription quatitative PCR (RT-qPCR) (2−ΔΔCq; fold change). Genes of the innate immune response, interferon (IFN) inducible genes, antigen presentation to lymphocytes, and activation of B cells were downregulated in day 190 fetal PI thymuses compared to controls. In contrast, innate immune response genes were upregulated in TI fetal thymuses compared to controls and tended to be upregulated in TI fetal spleens. Genes associated with the innate immune system were not different in PI fetal spleens; however, adaptive immune system genes were downregulated, indicating that PI fetal BVDV infection has profound inhibitory effects on the expression of genes involved in the innate and adaptive immune response. The downregulation of these genes in lymphocytes and antigen-presenting cells in the developing thymus and spleen may explain the incomplete clearance of BVDV and the persistence of the virus in PI animals while the upregulation of the TI innate immune response indicates a more mature immune system, able to clear the virus.

ACS Style

Katie J. Knapek; Hanah Georges; Hana Van Campen; Jeanette V. Bishop; Helle Bielefeldt-Ohmann; Natalia P. Smirnova; Thomas R. Hansen. Fetal Lymphoid Organ Immune Responses to Transient and Persistent Infection with Bovine Viral Diarrhea Virus. Viruses 2020, 12, 816 .

AMA Style

Katie J. Knapek, Hanah Georges, Hana Van Campen, Jeanette V. Bishop, Helle Bielefeldt-Ohmann, Natalia P. Smirnova, Thomas R. Hansen. Fetal Lymphoid Organ Immune Responses to Transient and Persistent Infection with Bovine Viral Diarrhea Virus. Viruses. 2020; 12 (8):816.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Katie J. Knapek; Hanah Georges; Hana Van Campen; Jeanette V. Bishop; Helle Bielefeldt-Ohmann; Natalia P. Smirnova; Thomas R. Hansen. 2020. "Fetal Lymphoid Organ Immune Responses to Transient and Persistent Infection with Bovine Viral Diarrhea Virus." Viruses 12, no. 8: 816.

Review
Published: 19 July 2020 in Pathogens
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West Nile virus (WNV) is an important zoonotic flavivirus responsible for mild fever to severe, lethal neuroinvasive disease in humans, horses, birds, and other wildlife species. Since its discovery, WNV has caused multiple human and animal disease outbreaks in all continents, except Antarctica. Infections are associated with economic losses, mainly due to the cost of treatment of infected patients, control programmes, and loss of animals and animal products. The pathogenesis of WNV has been extensively investigated in natural hosts as well as in several animal models, including rodents, lagomorphs, birds, and reptiles. However, most of the proposed pathogenesis hypotheses remain contentious, and much remains to be elucidated. At the same time, the unavailability of specific antiviral treatment or effective and safe vaccines contribute to the perpetuation of the disease and regular occurrence of outbreaks in both endemic and non-endemic areas. Moreover, globalisation and climate change are also important drivers of the emergence and re-emergence of the virus and disease. Here, we give an update of the pathobiology, epidemiology, diagnostics, control, and “One Health” implications of WNV infection and disease.

ACS Style

Gervais Habarugira; Willy W. Suen; Jody Hobson-Peters; Roy A. Hall; Helle Bielefeldt-Ohmann. West Nile Virus: An Update on Pathobiology, Epidemiology, Diagnostics, Control and “One Health” Implications. Pathogens 2020, 9, 589 .

AMA Style

Gervais Habarugira, Willy W. Suen, Jody Hobson-Peters, Roy A. Hall, Helle Bielefeldt-Ohmann. West Nile Virus: An Update on Pathobiology, Epidemiology, Diagnostics, Control and “One Health” Implications. Pathogens. 2020; 9 (7):589.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Gervais Habarugira; Willy W. Suen; Jody Hobson-Peters; Roy A. Hall; Helle Bielefeldt-Ohmann. 2020. "West Nile Virus: An Update on Pathobiology, Epidemiology, Diagnostics, Control and “One Health” Implications." Pathogens 9, no. 7: 589.

Preprint content
Published: 15 July 2020
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Oxidized cholesterols have emerged as important signaling molecules of immune function, but little is known about the role of these oxysterols during mycobacterial infections. We found that expression of the oxysterol-receptor GPR183 was reduced in blood from patients with tuberculosis (TB) and type 2 diabetes (T2D) compared to TB patients without T2D and was associated with TB disease severity on chest x-ray. GPR183 activation by 7α,25-hydroxycholesterol (7α,25-OHC) reduced growth of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) and Mycobacterium bovis BCG in primary human monocytes, an effect abrogated by the GPR183 antagonist GSK682753. Growth inhibition was associated with reduced IFN-β and IL-10 expression and enhanced autophagy. Mice lacking GPR183 had significantly increased lung Mtb burden and dysregulated IFNs during early infection. Together, our data demonstrate that GPR183 is an important regulator of intracellular mycobacterial growth and interferons during mycobacterial infection.Graphical Abstract

ACS Style

Stacey Bartlett; Adrian Tandhyka Gemiarto; Minh Dao Ngo; Haressh Sajiir; Semira Hailu; Roma Sinha; Cheng Xiang Foo; Léanie Kleynhans; Happy Tshivhula; Tariq Webber; Helle Bielefeldt-Ohmann; Nicholas P. West; Andriette M. Hiemstra; Candice E. Macdonald; Liv Von Voss Christensen; Larry S. Schlesinger; Gerhard Walzl; Mette Marie Rosenkilde; Thomas Mandrup-Poulsen; Katharina Ronacher. GPR183 regulates interferons and bacterial growth during Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection: interaction with type 2 diabetes and TB disease severity. 2020, 1 .

AMA Style

Stacey Bartlett, Adrian Tandhyka Gemiarto, Minh Dao Ngo, Haressh Sajiir, Semira Hailu, Roma Sinha, Cheng Xiang Foo, Léanie Kleynhans, Happy Tshivhula, Tariq Webber, Helle Bielefeldt-Ohmann, Nicholas P. West, Andriette M. Hiemstra, Candice E. Macdonald, Liv Von Voss Christensen, Larry S. Schlesinger, Gerhard Walzl, Mette Marie Rosenkilde, Thomas Mandrup-Poulsen, Katharina Ronacher. GPR183 regulates interferons and bacterial growth during Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection: interaction with type 2 diabetes and TB disease severity. . 2020; ():1.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Stacey Bartlett; Adrian Tandhyka Gemiarto; Minh Dao Ngo; Haressh Sajiir; Semira Hailu; Roma Sinha; Cheng Xiang Foo; Léanie Kleynhans; Happy Tshivhula; Tariq Webber; Helle Bielefeldt-Ohmann; Nicholas P. West; Andriette M. Hiemstra; Candice E. Macdonald; Liv Von Voss Christensen; Larry S. Schlesinger; Gerhard Walzl; Mette Marie Rosenkilde; Thomas Mandrup-Poulsen; Katharina Ronacher. 2020. "GPR183 regulates interferons and bacterial growth during Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection: interaction with type 2 diabetes and TB disease severity." , no. : 1.

Journal article
Published: 29 May 2020 in Vaccines
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Virulent strains of West Nile virus (WNV) are highly neuro-invasive and human infection is potentially lethal. However, no vaccine is currently available for human use. Here, we report the immunogenicity and protective efficacy of a vaccine derived from a chimeric virus, which was constructed using the structural proteins (prM and E) of the Kunjin strain of WNV (WNVKUN) and the genome backbone of the insect-specific flavivirus Binjari virus (BinJV). This chimeric virus (BinJ/WNVKUN-prME) exhibits an insect-specific phenotype and does not replicate in vertebrate cells. Importantly, it authentically presents the prM-E proteins of WNVKUN, which is antigenically very similar to other WNV strains and lineages. Therefore BinJ/WNVKUN-prME represents an excellent candidate to assess as a vaccine against virulent WNV strains, including the highly pathogenic WNVNY99. When CD1 mice were immunized with purified BinJ/WNVKUN-prME, they developed robust neutralizing antibody responses after a single unadjuvanted dose of 1 to 5 μg. We further demonstrated complete protection against viremia and mortality after lethal challenge with WNVNY99, with no clinical or subclinical pathology observed in vaccinated animals. These data suggest that BinJ/WNVKUN-prME represents a safe and effective WNV vaccine candidate that warrants further investigation for use in humans or in veterinary applications.

ACS Style

Laura J. Vet; Yin Xiang Setoh; Alberto A. Amarilla; Gervais Habarugira; Willy W. Suen; Natalee D. Newton; Jessica J. Harrison; Jody Hobson-Peters; Roy A. Hall; Helle Bielefeldt-Ohmann. Protective Efficacy of a Chimeric Insect-Specific Flavivirus Vaccine against West Nile Virus. Vaccines 2020, 8, 258 .

AMA Style

Laura J. Vet, Yin Xiang Setoh, Alberto A. Amarilla, Gervais Habarugira, Willy W. Suen, Natalee D. Newton, Jessica J. Harrison, Jody Hobson-Peters, Roy A. Hall, Helle Bielefeldt-Ohmann. Protective Efficacy of a Chimeric Insect-Specific Flavivirus Vaccine against West Nile Virus. Vaccines. 2020; 8 (2):258.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Laura J. Vet; Yin Xiang Setoh; Alberto A. Amarilla; Gervais Habarugira; Willy W. Suen; Natalee D. Newton; Jessica J. Harrison; Jody Hobson-Peters; Roy A. Hall; Helle Bielefeldt-Ohmann. 2020. "Protective Efficacy of a Chimeric Insect-Specific Flavivirus Vaccine against West Nile Virus." Vaccines 8, no. 2: 258.

Journal article
Published: 11 February 2020 in Viruses
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West Nile virus, Kunjin strain (WNVKUN) is endemic in Northern Australia, but rarely causes clinical disease in humans and horses. Recently, WNVKUN genomic material was detected in cutaneous lesions of farmed saltwater crocodiles (Crocodylus porosus), but live virus could not be isolated, begging the question of the pathogenesis of these lesions. Crocodile hatchlings were experimentally infected with either 105 (n = 10) or 104 (n = 11) TCID50-doses of WNVKUN and each group co-housed with six uninfected hatchlings in a mosquito-free facility. Seven hatchlings were mock-infected and housed separately. Each crocodile was rotationally examined and blood-sampled every third day over a 3-week period. Eleven animals, including three crocodiles developing typical skin lesions, were culled and sampled 21 days post-infection (dpi). The remaining hatchlings were blood-sampled fortnightly until experimental endpoint 87 dpi. All hatchlings remained free of overt clinical disease, apart from skin lesions, throughout the experiment. Viremia was detected by qRT-PCR in infected animals during 2–17 dpi and in-contact animals 11–21 dpi, indicating horizontal mosquito-independent transmission. Detection of viral genome in tank-water as well as oral and cloacal swabs, collected on multiple days, suggests that shedding into pen-water and subsequent mucosal infection is the most likely route. All inoculated animals and some in-contact animals developed virus-neutralizing antibodies detectable from 17 dpi. Virus-neutralizing antibody titers continued to increase in exposed animals until the experimental endpoint, suggestive of persisting viral antigen. However, no viral antigen was detected by immunohistochemistry in any tissue sample, including from skin and intestine. While this study confirmed that infection of saltwater crocodiles with WNVKUN was associated with the formation of skin lesions, we were unable to elucidate the pathogenesis of these lesions or the nidus of viral persistence. Our results nevertheless suggest that prevention of WNVKUN infection and induction of skin lesions in farmed crocodiles may require management of both mosquito-borne and water-borne viral transmission in addition to vaccination strategies.

ACS Style

Gervais Habarugira; Jasmin Moran; Agathe M.G. Colmant; Steven S. Davis; Caitlin A. O’Brien; Sonja Hall-Mendelin; Jamie McMahon; Glen Hewitson; Neelima Nair; Jean Barcelon; Willy W. Suen; Lorna Melville; Jody Hobson-Peters; Roy A. Hall; Sally R. Isberg; Helle Bielefeldt-Ohmann. Mosquito-Independent Transmission of West Nile virus in Farmed Saltwater Crocodiles (Crocodylus porosus). Viruses 2020, 12, 198 .

AMA Style

Gervais Habarugira, Jasmin Moran, Agathe M.G. Colmant, Steven S. Davis, Caitlin A. O’Brien, Sonja Hall-Mendelin, Jamie McMahon, Glen Hewitson, Neelima Nair, Jean Barcelon, Willy W. Suen, Lorna Melville, Jody Hobson-Peters, Roy A. Hall, Sally R. Isberg, Helle Bielefeldt-Ohmann. Mosquito-Independent Transmission of West Nile virus in Farmed Saltwater Crocodiles (Crocodylus porosus). Viruses. 2020; 12 (2):198.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Gervais Habarugira; Jasmin Moran; Agathe M.G. Colmant; Steven S. Davis; Caitlin A. O’Brien; Sonja Hall-Mendelin; Jamie McMahon; Glen Hewitson; Neelima Nair; Jean Barcelon; Willy W. Suen; Lorna Melville; Jody Hobson-Peters; Roy A. Hall; Sally R. Isberg; Helle Bielefeldt-Ohmann. 2020. "Mosquito-Independent Transmission of West Nile virus in Farmed Saltwater Crocodiles (Crocodylus porosus)." Viruses 12, no. 2: 198.

Journal article
Published: 18 October 2019 in Pathogens
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The immune competence of an individual is a major determinant of morbidity in West Nile virus (WNV)-infection. Previously, we showed that immunocompetent New Zealand White rabbits (NZWRs; Oryctolagus cuniculus) are phenotypically resistant to WNV-induced disease, thus presenting a suitable model for study of virus-control mechanisms. The current study used corticosteroid-treated NZWRs to model acute “stress”-related immunosuppression. Maximal effects on immune parameters were observed on day 3 post dexamethasone-treatment (pdt). However, contrary to our hypothesis, intradermal WNV challenge at this time pdt produced significantly lower viremia 1 day post-infection (dpi) compared to untreated controls, suggestive of changes to antiviral control mechanisms. To examine this further, RNAseq was performed on RNA extracted from draining lymph node—the first site of virus replication and immune detection. Unaffected by dexamethasone-treatment, an early antiviral response, primarily via interferon (IFN)-I, and induction of a range of known and novel IFN-stimulated genes, was observed. However, treatment was associated with expression of a different repertoire of IFN-α-21-like and IFN-ω-1-like subtypes on 1 dpi, which may have driven the different chemokine response on 3 dpi. Ongoing expression of Toll-like receptor-3 and transmembrane protein-173/STING likely contributed to signaling of the treatment-independent IFN-I response. Two novel genes (putative HERC6 and IFIT1B genes), and the SLC16A5 gene were also highlighted as important component of the transcriptomic response. Therefore, the current study shows that rabbits are capable of restricting WNV replication and dissemination by known and novel robust antiviral mechanisms despite environmental challenges such as stress.

ACS Style

Willy W. Suen; Mitchell Imoda; Albert W. Thomas; Nur N.B.M. Nasir; Nawaporn Tearnsing; Wenqi Wang; Helle Bielefeldt-Ohmann. An Acute Stress Model in New Zealand White Rabbits Exhibits Altered Immune Response to Infection with West Nile Virus. Pathogens 2019, 8, 195 .

AMA Style

Willy W. Suen, Mitchell Imoda, Albert W. Thomas, Nur N.B.M. Nasir, Nawaporn Tearnsing, Wenqi Wang, Helle Bielefeldt-Ohmann. An Acute Stress Model in New Zealand White Rabbits Exhibits Altered Immune Response to Infection with West Nile Virus. Pathogens. 2019; 8 (4):195.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Willy W. Suen; Mitchell Imoda; Albert W. Thomas; Nur N.B.M. Nasir; Nawaporn Tearnsing; Wenqi Wang; Helle Bielefeldt-Ohmann. 2019. "An Acute Stress Model in New Zealand White Rabbits Exhibits Altered Immune Response to Infection with West Nile Virus." Pathogens 8, no. 4: 195.

Other
Published: 01 October 2018
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Macaque RFHV and LCV are close homologs of human KSHV and EBV, respectively. No experimental model of RFHV has been developed due to the lack of a source of culturable infectious virus. Screening of macaques at the Washington National Primate Research Center detected RFHV in saliva of SIV-infected macaques from previous vaccine studies. A pilot experimental infection of two naïve juvenile pig-tailed macaques was initiated by inoculation of saliva from SIV-infected pig-tailed and cynomolgus macaque donors, which contained high levels of DNA of the respective species-specific RFHV strain. Both juvenile recipients developed SIV and RFHV infections with RFHV DNA detected transiently in saliva and/or PBMC around week 16 post-infection. One juvenile macaque was infected with the homologous RFHVMn from whole saliva of a pig-tailed donor, which had been inoculated into the cheek pouch. This animal became immunosuppressed, developing simian AIDS and was euthanized 23 weeks after inoculation. The levels of RFHV DNA in saliva and PBMC remained below the level of detection after week 17, showing no reactivation of the RFHVMn infection during the rapid development of AIDS. The other juvenile macaque was infected with the heterologous RFHVMf from i.v. inoculation of purified virions from saliva of a cynomolgus donor. The juvenile recipient remained immunocompetent, developing high levels of persistent anti-RFHV and -SIV antibodies. After the initial presence of RFHVMf DNA in saliva and PBMC decreased to undetectable levels by week 19, all attempts to reactivate the infection through additional inoculations, experimental infection with purified SRV-2 or SIV, or immunosuppressive treatments with cyclosporine or dexamethasone were unsuccessful. An heterologous LCV transmission was also detected in this recipient, characterized by continual high levels of LCVMf DNA from the cynomolgus donor in both saliva and PBMC, coupled with high levels of anti-LCV antibodies. The macaque was sacrificed 209 weeks after the initial inoculation. Low levels of LCVMf DNA were detected in salivary glands, tonsils and other lymphoid organs, while RFHVMf DNA was below the level of detection. These results show successful co-transmission of RFHV and LCV from saliva and demonstrate differential lytic activation of the different gammaherpesvirus lineages due to presumed differences in biology and tropism and control by the host immune system. Although this initial pilot transmission study utilized only two macaques, it provides the first evidence for experimental transmission of the macaque homolog of KSHV, setting the stage for larger transmission studies to examine the differential activation of rhadinovirus and lymphocryptovirus infections and the pathological effects of immunosuppression.

ACS Style

A. Gregory Bruce; Serge Barcy; Jeannette Staheli; Helle Bielefeldt-Ohmann; Minako Ikoma; Kellie Howard; Timothy M. Rose. Experimental co-transmission of simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) and the macaque homologs of the Kaposi sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). 2018, 432351 .

AMA Style

A. Gregory Bruce, Serge Barcy, Jeannette Staheli, Helle Bielefeldt-Ohmann, Minako Ikoma, Kellie Howard, Timothy M. Rose. Experimental co-transmission of simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) and the macaque homologs of the Kaposi sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). . 2018; ():432351.

Chicago/Turabian Style

A. Gregory Bruce; Serge Barcy; Jeannette Staheli; Helle Bielefeldt-Ohmann; Minako Ikoma; Kellie Howard; Timothy M. Rose. 2018. "Experimental co-transmission of simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) and the macaque homologs of the Kaposi sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)." , no. : 432351.

Journal article
Published: 01 June 2018 in Virology
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We developed a set of rabbit antisera to characterize infections by the macaque RV2 rhadinovirus homologs of KSHV. We analyzed tissues from rhesus and pig-tailed macaques naturally infected with rhesus rhadinovirus (RRV) or Macaca nemestrina rhadinovirus 2 (MneRV2). Our study demonstrates that RV2 rhadinoviruses have a tropism for epithelial cells, lymphocytes and gonadal germ cells in vivo. We observed latent infections in both undifferentiated and differentiated epithelial cells with expression of the latency marker, LANA. Expression of the early (ORF59) and late (glycoprotein B) lytic markers were detected in highly differentiated cells in epithelial ducts in oral, renal, dermal and gastric mucosal tissue as well as differentiated germ cells in male and female gonads. Our data provides evidence that epithelial and germ cell differentiation in vivo induces rhadinovirus reactivation and suggests that infected epithelial and germ cells play a role in transmission and dissemination of RV2 rhadinovirus infections in vivo.

ACS Style

Helle Bielefeldt-Ohmann; A. Gregory Bruce; Kellie Howard; Minako Ikoma; Margaret E. Thouless; Timothy M. Rose. Macaque homologs of Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) infect germinal center lymphoid cells, epithelial cells in skin and gastrointestinal tract and gonadal germ cells in naturally infected macaques. Virology 2018, 519, 106 -120.

AMA Style

Helle Bielefeldt-Ohmann, A. Gregory Bruce, Kellie Howard, Minako Ikoma, Margaret E. Thouless, Timothy M. Rose. Macaque homologs of Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) infect germinal center lymphoid cells, epithelial cells in skin and gastrointestinal tract and gonadal germ cells in naturally infected macaques. Virology. 2018; 519 ():106-120.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Helle Bielefeldt-Ohmann; A. Gregory Bruce; Kellie Howard; Minako Ikoma; Margaret E. Thouless; Timothy M. Rose. 2018. "Macaque homologs of Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) infect germinal center lymphoid cells, epithelial cells in skin and gastrointestinal tract and gonadal germ cells in naturally infected macaques." Virology 519, no. : 106-120.

Short report
Published: 31 August 2016 in Microbiome
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We investigated whether the carriage of Blastocystis in IBS patients was associated with differences in the faecal microbiota. Forty patients with diarrhoea-predominant IBS (26 Blastocystis-positive and 14 Blastocystis-negative) and 57 healthy controls (HC) (42 Blastocystis-positive and 15 Blastocystis-negative) submitted faecal samples for metataxonomic analysis of the 16S ribosomal RNA gene. Differences in the relative abundance of bacteria in these IBS and HC groups were evaluated from phylum to genus level. Significant changes were observed in two dominant phyla in IBS patients, regardless of Blastocystis infection status, namely a rise in Firmicutes and a statistically significant reduction in relative abundance of Bacteroidetes (with a threefold increase in the Firmicutes to Bacteoridetes ratio). Significant differences at genus level in IBS subjects compared to HC were also observed for many bacterial species. However, further clinical subgroup analysis of Blastocystis-positive and Blastocystis-negative subjects, regardless of symptoms, showed no significant differences at the phylum or genus level in IBS-P compared to IBS-N. Significant differences in the faecal microbiota between diarrhoea-predominant IBS patients and healthy controls were confirmed, but the carriage of Blastocystis did not significantly alter the faecal microbiota. If Blastocystis-positive patients represent a separate clinical subtype of IBS, this group is not identified by changes in the microbiota.

ACS Style

Robyn Nagel; Rebecca J. Traub; Richard J. N. Allcock; Marcella M. S. Kwan; Helle Bielefeldt-Ohmann. Comparison of faecal microbiota in Blastocystis-positive and Blastocystis-negative irritable bowel syndrome patients. Microbiome 2016, 4, 1 -9.

AMA Style

Robyn Nagel, Rebecca J. Traub, Richard J. N. Allcock, Marcella M. S. Kwan, Helle Bielefeldt-Ohmann. Comparison of faecal microbiota in Blastocystis-positive and Blastocystis-negative irritable bowel syndrome patients. Microbiome. 2016; 4 (1):1-9.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Robyn Nagel; Rebecca J. Traub; Richard J. N. Allcock; Marcella M. S. Kwan; Helle Bielefeldt-Ohmann. 2016. "Comparison of faecal microbiota in Blastocystis-positive and Blastocystis-negative irritable bowel syndrome patients." Microbiome 4, no. 1: 1-9.

Journal article
Published: 19 August 2016 in Viruses
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The Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) was first recognized in 2012 and can cause severe disease in infected humans. Dromedary camels are the reservoir for the virus, although, other than nasal discharge, these animals do not display any overt clinical disease. Data from in vitro experiments suggest that other livestock such as sheep, goats, and horses might also contribute to viral transmission, although field data has not identified any seropositive animals. In order to understand if these animals could be infected, we challenged young goats and horses and adult sheep with MERS-CoV by intranasal inoculation. Minimal or no virus shedding was detected in all of the animals. During the four weeks following inoculation, neutralizing antibodies were detected in the young goats, but not in sheep or horses.

ACS Style

Danielle R. Adney; Vienna R. Brown; Stephanie M. Porter; Helle Bielefeldt-Ohmann; Airn E. Hartwig; Richard A. Bowen. Inoculation of Goats, Sheep, and Horses with MERS-CoV Does Not Result in Productive Viral Shedding. Viruses 2016, 8, 230 .

AMA Style

Danielle R. Adney, Vienna R. Brown, Stephanie M. Porter, Helle Bielefeldt-Ohmann, Airn E. Hartwig, Richard A. Bowen. Inoculation of Goats, Sheep, and Horses with MERS-CoV Does Not Result in Productive Viral Shedding. Viruses. 2016; 8 (8):230.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Danielle R. Adney; Vienna R. Brown; Stephanie M. Porter; Helle Bielefeldt-Ohmann; Airn E. Hartwig; Richard A. Bowen. 2016. "Inoculation of Goats, Sheep, and Horses with MERS-CoV Does Not Result in Productive Viral Shedding." Viruses 8, no. 8: 230.

Journal article
Published: 25 July 2016 in Parasites & Vectors
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Insect-specific viruses do not replicate in vertebrate cells, but persist in mosquito populations and are highly prevalent in nature. These viruses may naturally regulate the transmission of pathogenic vertebrate-infecting arboviruses in co-infected mosquitoes. Following the isolation of the first Australian insect-specific flavivirus (ISF), Palm Creek virus (PCV), we investigated routes of infection and transmission of this virus in key Australian arbovirus vectors and its impact on replication and transmission of West Nile virus (WNV). Culex annulirostris, Aedes aegypti and Aedes vigilax were exposed to PCV, and infection, replication and transmission rates in individual mosquitoes determined. To test whether the virus could be transmitted vertically, progeny reared from eggs oviposited by PCV-inoculated Cx. annulirostris were analysed for the presence of PCV. To assess whether prior infection of mosquitoes with PCV could also suppress the transmission of pathogenic flaviviruses, PCV positive or negative Cx. annulirostris were subsequently exposed to WNV. No PCV-infected Cx. annulirostris were detected 16 days after feeding on an infectious blood meal. However, when intrathoracically inoculated with PCV, Cx. annulirostris infection rates were 100 %. Similar rates of infection were observed in Ae. aegypti (100 %) and Ae. vigilax (95 %). Notably, PCV was not detected in any saliva expectorates collected from any of these species. PCV was not detected in 1038 progeny reared from 59 PCV-infected Cx. annulirostris. After feeding on a blood meal containing 107 infectious units of WNV, significantly fewer PCV-infected Cx. annulirostris were infected or transmitted WNV compared to PCV negative mosquitoes. Immunohistochemistry revealed that PCV localized in the midgut epithelial cells, which are the first site of infection with WNV. Our results indicate that PCV cannot infect Cx. annulirostris via the oral route, nor be transmitted in saliva or vertically to progeny. We also provide further evidence that prior infection with insect-specific viruses can regulate the infection and transmission of pathogenic arboviruses.

ACS Style

Sonja Hall-Mendelin; Breeanna J. McLean; Helle Bielefeldt-Ohmann; Jody Hobson-Peters; Roy A. Hall; Andrew F. Van Den Hurk. The insect-specific Palm Creek virus modulates West Nile virus infection in and transmission by Australian mosquitoes. Parasites & Vectors 2016, 9, 1 -10.

AMA Style

Sonja Hall-Mendelin, Breeanna J. McLean, Helle Bielefeldt-Ohmann, Jody Hobson-Peters, Roy A. Hall, Andrew F. Van Den Hurk. The insect-specific Palm Creek virus modulates West Nile virus infection in and transmission by Australian mosquitoes. Parasites & Vectors. 2016; 9 (1):1-10.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Sonja Hall-Mendelin; Breeanna J. McLean; Helle Bielefeldt-Ohmann; Jody Hobson-Peters; Roy A. Hall; Andrew F. Van Den Hurk. 2016. "The insect-specific Palm Creek virus modulates West Nile virus infection in and transmission by Australian mosquitoes." Parasites & Vectors 9, no. 1: 1-10.

Journal article
Published: 07 June 2016 in Veterinary Research
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West Nile virus (WNV) is one of the most common causes of epidemic viral encephalitis in horses worldwide. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) are amongst the first to encounter the virus following a mosquito bite. This study aimed to elucidate the transcription kinetics of cytokine, Toll-like receptor (TLRs) and TLRs-associated genes following WNV challenge of equine PBMCs. PBMCs were challenged with an Australian strain of WNV (WNVNSW2011) and transcriptomes were quantified at 2, 6, 12 and 24 h post-infection (pi) using qRT-PCR. Type I and II interferons (IFNα, β and γ) mRNA transcription increased following WNV exposure, as did the transcripts for IL1α, IL1β, IL6, IL8, and IL22, but with slightly varying kinetics. TLR1, 3, 5, 7-9 transcripts were also upregulated in equine PBMCsin response to WNV challenge, as were those for MyD88, NF-κB, TRAF3, STAT1 and 2, IRF3 and 7, ISG15, as well as SOCS1 and 3 compared to the control cells. Expression of selected genes in the draining lymph node, spleen and brain (medulla oblongata) of experimentally infected horses was also assessed and transcription of most of these genes was also upregulated here. Although qRT-PCR detected higher viral RNA at 24 h pi compared to 6 h pi, the virus did not replicate productively in equine PBMCs. The up-regulation of gene-transcription for selected cytokines, IFNs, TLRs and TLRs-associated molecules suggests their involvement in virus recognition and control of WNV infection in the horse.

ACS Style

Muhammad Jasim Uddin; Willy W. Suen; Angela Bosco-Lauth; Airn-Elizabeth Hartwig; Roy A. Hall; Richard A. Bowen; Helle Bielefeldt-Ohmann. Kinetics of the West Nile virus induced transcripts of selected cytokines and Toll-like receptors in equine peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Veterinary Research 2016, 47, 61 .

AMA Style

Muhammad Jasim Uddin, Willy W. Suen, Angela Bosco-Lauth, Airn-Elizabeth Hartwig, Roy A. Hall, Richard A. Bowen, Helle Bielefeldt-Ohmann. Kinetics of the West Nile virus induced transcripts of selected cytokines and Toll-like receptors in equine peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Veterinary Research. 2016; 47 (1):61.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Muhammad Jasim Uddin; Willy W. Suen; Angela Bosco-Lauth; Airn-Elizabeth Hartwig; Roy A. Hall; Richard A. Bowen; Helle Bielefeldt-Ohmann. 2016. "Kinetics of the West Nile virus induced transcripts of selected cytokines and Toll-like receptors in equine peripheral blood mononuclear cells." Veterinary Research 47, no. 1: 61.