Thesis (M.S.) -- Mississippi State University. Department of Geosciences. / Title from title screen. Includes bibliographical references.

Upon viral infection, host cells produce type I interferon (IFN), which activates the JAK-STAT signaling pathway and induces the expression of hundreds of interferon-stimulated genes (ISGs) to establish an antiviral state. In West Nile virus (WNV)-infected cells, the JAK-STAT signaling pathway is blocked by viral proteins. However, the expression of a subset of ISGs, which includes 2¢-5¢-oligoadenylate synthetase 1a (Oas1a), Oas1b, interferon regulatory factor 7 (Irf7), Mx1, and interferon-induced proteins with tetratricopeptide repeats 1 (Ifit1), is still upregulated by an IFN-independent mechanism in WNV-infected mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs). Studies in cells with one or more components of RNA-sensing pathway knocked out showed that the alternative ISG upregulation is activated through RIG-I or MDA5, and the downstream adaptor IPS-1. In cells with IRF3, 5 and 7 knocked out, the alternative ISG upregulation by WNV infection is reduced but not eliminated. As an initial means of discovering the transcription factors involved in this non-canonical ISG upregulation, the critical regulatory regions in the promoters of two representative ISGs, Oas1b and Ifit1, were mapped using a dual luciferase assay system with a NanoLuc luciferase promoter reporter in WNV-infected Ifnar1-/- MEFs. The region from -299 to -28 in the Oas1b promoter, and the region from -192 to -50 in the Ifit1 promoter were identified as being important for upregulating non-canonical gene expression after WNV infection. Fine mapping identified enhancer and repressor sub-regions as well as transcription factor binding sites (TFBSs) putatively involved in the IFN-independent antiviral mechanism. Mutation of one identified TFBS in the ISG promoters reduced Oas1b and Ifit1 promoter activities. In electrophoretic mobility shift assays (EMSAs), a unique band, which was detected in WNV-infected but not in mock-infected Ifnar1-/- MEF nuclear extracts, was not observed when a probe with the identified TFBS mutated was used, suggesting that a unique complex forms at the identified TFBS when it is in the context of the adjacent flanking regions. The unique complex appears to contain NF-κB components and IRF3, IRF5 or IRF7. Our findings provide new insights into the mechanism involved in non-canonical upregulation of ISGs after WNV infection.

West Nile virus (WNV) is a widespread emerging zoonotic neurotropic flavivirus cycling naturally between mosquitos and birds. WNV causes disease in 20% of infections in the most susceptible incidental hosts which are horses and humans. Up to 40% of affected horses and 1- to approximately 50% of affected humans develop neurological signs and/or flaccid paralysis, in some cases fatal or severely debilitating, due to variable encephalitis, meningitis and poliomyelitis. Two predominant genetic lineages exist, 1 and 2, with neurovirulent lineage 1 strains recorded in the northern and western hemispheres, the milder lineage 1 Kunjin strain in Australia, and the lineage 2 strain endemic to southern Africa and Madagascar and considered, until recently, to have mainly mildly pathogenic strains. Since 2002 investigations into South African lineage 2 WNV strains showed that they resulted in severe neurological disease in horses and humans. From 2004 lineage 2 strains were recorded for the first time in southern Europe as a cause of neurological signs and death in birds, and increasingly, in horses and humans. In 2011 the mild lineage 1 Kunjin strain mutated to an equine neurovirulent strain in New South Wales, Australia, and in 2010 the first South African case of lineage 1 WNV was reported from the western Cape in a mare which showed severe neurological signs, abortion and death. Laboratory strains of mice are extremely susceptible to WNV and have been mostly used in experimental studies since the 1937 discovery of the virus in Uganda. In the early 2000s studies in mice showed that field strains of lineage 1 and 2 WNV ranged from mildly pathogenic to highly neurovirulent, however, the associated pathology of the lineage 2 infections was not studied. In the current study, the macroscopic and microscopic pathology of a South African human-neurovirulent field strain of lineage 2 WNV (SPU93/01) and the neurovirulent lineage 1 (NY99/385) strain were investigated and compared in mice used as controls in 2 WNV vaccine studies. The clinical signs, CNS and extra-CNS pathology were indistinguishable between the lineages and some lesions were comparable to those previously reported. Lineage 1 WNV equine pathology has been well described but that of lineage 2 only briefly previously described. The pathology in 6 naturally-occurring fatal lineage 2 WNV-infected horses with severe neurological signs, was investigated and compared with that of the single South African lineage 1 WNV field infection. Diagnoses were confirmed by real-time RT-PCR. Similarities and some slight differences in lesions were found in both mouse and horse studies when compared with lineage 1 pathology cases and with previous reports, and the neurovirulence of the lineage 2 field strains was confirmed. WNV immunohistochemistry (IHC) of all mouse tissues allowed speculation as to pathogenesis of intestinal lesions, but in equine CNS lesions was mostly negative. Ultrastructure of IHC positive cells showed rare WNV particles. In the horse cases rabies, equine herpes virus, and other arboviral co-infections were excluded and similarities and implications of gross lesions of African horsesickness to those often seen in WNV infections were discussed. / Dissertation (MSc)--University of Pretoria, 2014. / gm2014 / Medical Virology / unrestricted

Das West-Nil-Virus (WNV) ist eine Zoonose mit weltweit zunehmender Verbreitung. Natürliches Reservoir dieses Flavivirus sind Vögel, aber auch Säugetiere wie z.B. Menschen können infiziert werden. In einigen Fällen führt eine WNV-Infektion zu schweren neurologischen Erkrankungen. Infolgedessen werden effektive und biologisch sichere Impfstrategien gegen dieses Virus benötigt. Eine Alternative zu herkömmlichen Impfmethoden beschreibt die DNA-Immunisierung. In dieser Arbeit wurde ein potentieller DNA-Impfstoff gegen das WNV hergestellt. Die Immunisierung des DNA-Vektors induzierte starke zelluläre und humorale Immunantworten in Mäusen. Zudem waren die Tiere gegen eine WNV-Infektion geschützt. Zusätzliche Impfungen mit rekombinantem WNV-Protein führten zu einer weiteren Steigerung der Immunogenität des DNA-Impfstoffkandidaten. Des Weiteren sollte der nicht-virale Gentransfer im Allgemeinen optimiert werden. Ein neu entwickeltes Transportsystem für Plasmid-DNA, bestehend aus natürlichen Histonextrakten und Polyethylenimin, resultierte in einer verbesserten Proteinexpression in in vitro transfizierten Zellen und wurde von diesen sehr gut toleriert. Daher wäre diese Strategie auch für zukünftige DNA-Impftechniken denkbar. Der Einfluss von WNV auf die Expression zellulärer miRNAs in Wirtszellen wurde bisher noch nicht untersucht. Dennoch könnten auf diese Weise potentielle molekulare Biomarker für eine frühe WNV-Diagnose identifiziert werden. Mittels Microarray-Technik wurde die Expression zellulärer miRNAs analysiert. Verschiedene miRNA-Spezies waren infolge einer WNV-Infektion leicht herunter- bzw. hochreguliert und stellen mögliche diagnostische Biomarker für das Virus dar.

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See front file / Health Studies / DLITT ET PHIL (HEALTH ST)

A population survey was conducted from April through September 2002 on mosquito species occurring on the Ray Roberts Greenbelt, a riparian corridor used for public recreation on the Elm Fork of the Trinity River, in Denton County, Texas. ArcGIS software was used to set up a stratified random sampling design based on habitat parameters. Multivariate analyses of sampling data and climatic variables were used to describe spatial and temporal patterns of mosquito species. A total of 33 species were collected during this study belonging to the following genera: Aedes, Anopheles, Coquillettidia, Culex, Mansonia, Ochlerotatus, Orthopodomyia, Psorophora, Toxorhynchites, and Uranotaenia. Seasonal distributions of the dominant species revealed population fluctuations. Aedes vexans was the primary species collected in April and May, occurring in low numbers throughout the rest of the sampling period. Psorophora columbiae reached its highest population density in June, with a smaller peak occurring in late July. Present from May through the end of September, Culex erraticus was the most abundant species collected with major peaks in mid-June and the end of July. Abundance of Culex salinarius followed the same general trend as that for Cx. erraticus, but with smaller numbers. The specimens were tested for a variety of arboviruses by the Texas Department of Health. One pool of Cx. erraticus and Cx. salinarius, collected in August 2002, tested positive for West Nile virus. Variables that were important factors for determining dominant species abundance were temperature, wind speed, rain accumulation occurring one-week and two-weeks prior to sampling, number of day since last rain event, dew point, and average canopy coverage.

O vírus do Oeste do Nilo (VON) é um Flavivírus capaz de infectar muitas espécies de vertebrados, incluindo o homem. Embora reconhecida desde 1940, esta virose nunca havia sido descrita nas Américas, onde emergiu nos Estados Unidos ao final da década de 1990, com numerosos casos de meningoencefalite em humanos. Posteriormente, sua transmissão por transfusão de sangue e órgãos foi comprovada, levando à implantação de testes moleculares (NAT) para a triagem de doadores nos EUA e Canadá a partir de 2003. Nos anos seguintes, o VON foi sendo progressivamente detectado em países como México, Panamá e áreas do Caribe, sugerindo sua iminente introdução na América do Sul. De fato, evidências sorológicas foram reveladas em cavalos e aves na Colômbia, Venezuela, Argentina e muito recentemente no pantanal mato-grossense (em cavalos). A vigilância epidemiológica para este agente é de grande importância para a saúde pública, visto o potencial de morbimortalidade deste vírus para humanos. Sendo assim este trabalho tem o objetivo de investigar a presença do RNA do VON em amostras de doadores de sangue, pacientes com meningoencefalite ou febre de origem indeterminada e soros e amostras cerebrais de equinos. Foram analisadas 2.202 doações de sangue do Amazonas (HEMOAM), 3.144 do Mato Grosso do Sul (HEMOSUL); líquido cefalorraquidiano de 51 pacientes com suspeita de meningoencefalite viral (Hospital das Clínicas/FMUSP, São Paulo) e soro de 198 pacientes com síndrome febril aguda, negativos para Dengue e Malária (Fundação de Medicina Tropical de Manaus). Além disto, 293 amostras de soros de equinos da região do Pantanal e 63 biópsias de tecido cerebral de cavalos que foram a óbito por encefalite de etiologia desconhecida. Estas amostras foram submetidas ao teste automatizado cobas TaqScreen WNV (Roche) na plataforma cobas s201 em sistema de pool de 6 unidades (doações de sangue) ou individualmente (pacientes). Todas as amostras apresentaram amplificação satisfatória do controle da reação, porém nenhuma apresentou resultado positivo para a presença do RNA do VON. Embora já exista evidência da exposição de equinos no Brasil ao VON, não parece haver até o momento, disseminação importante deste agente entre humanos e equinos, uma vez que o RNA viral não foi detectado nem em doadores de sangue e nem em equinos, incluindo os de cidades próximas aos locais onde cavalos soropositivos foram encontrados (Corumbá MS). / The West Nile Virus (WNV) is a Flavivirus able to infect many species of vertebrates, including man. Recognized since 1940, this virus had never been described in the Americas, which emerged in the United States at the end of the 1990s, with numerous cases of meningoencephalitis in humans. Later, transmission by transfusion of blood and organs was confirmed, leading to the deployment of molecular testing (NAT) for screening of donors in the U.S. and Canada since 2003. In the following years, WNV has been progressively detected in countries like Mexico, Panama and the Caribbean areas, suggesting their imminent introduction in South America In fact, serological evidence was revealed in horses and birds in Colombia, Venezuela and Argentina and most recently in Pantanal, Mato Grosso (horses). Epidemiological surveillance for this agent is of great importance to public health, given the potential morbidity and mortality of this virus to humans. Therefore this study aims to investigate the presence of WNV RNA in samples of blood donors, patients with meningoencephalitis or fever of unknown origin and serum and brain samples from horses. We analyzed 2202 blood donations from Amazon (HEMOAM), 3144 from Mato Grosso do Sul (HEMOSUL); cerebrospinal fluid of 51 patients with suspected viral encephalitis (Hospital das Clínicas / FMUSP, São Paulo) and serum samples from 198 patients with acute febrile syndrome, negative for Dengue and malaria (Foundation for Tropical Medicine in Manaus). In addition, more 293 serum samples from horses of the Pantanal and 63 biopsies of brain tissue from horses that died of encephalitis of unknown etiology. These samples were subjected to automated cobas TaqScreen WNV test (Roche) on the platform in cobas S201with a system of 6 units pool (blood donations) or individually (patients). All samples showed satisfactory control amplification, but none showed as positive for the presence of RNA VON. Although there is already evidence in horses in Brazil of exposure to WNV, there seems to be far that an important spread of this agent between humans and horses, since the viral RNA was not detected either in blood donors or in horses, including cities near the locations where seropositive horses were found (Corumbá - MS).

Le Virus du Nil Occidental (VNO) et le Virus de la Fièvre de la Vallée du Rift (VFVR) sont deux arbovirus transmis par le moustique Culex pipiens comprenant deux biotypes: pipiens et molestus. Au cours de ce projet, nous avons évalué la circulation du VNO au Liban dans des populations de moustiques, des humains, des chevaux et des poulets. Nous avons aussi évalué la compétence vectorielle des populations locales de Cx. pipiens à transmettre le VNO et le VFVR.Des moustiques ont été récoltés et testés pour la présence d’un gène spécifique du VNO. En plus, des sérums humains, de chevaux et de poulets ont été analysés pour rechercher des anticorps spécifiques par ELISA puis confirmés par neutralisation. En outre, des spécimens de Cx. pipiens ont été infectés avec la lignée 1 du VNO ou la souche de VFVR Clone 13. Ensuite, les taux d’infection, de dissémination et de transmission ont été déterminés à différents jours après infection des moustiques. La compétence vectorielle a été comparée entre les différents biotypes.Les résultats entomologiques ont révélé que Cx. pipiens est dominant (87.2%). Tous les moustiques analysés étaient négatifs pour le VNO. Les taux de séroprévalence étaient de 1.01% et 1.98% parmi les humains et les chevaux respectivement. De plus, Cx. pipiens s’est révélé bien plus compétent pour transmettre le VNO que le VFVR. Le biotype molestus est capable de transmettre le VNO plus tôt que celui de pipiens. Cette étude présente des preuves sur une faible circulation du VNO au Liban. Cx. pipiens s’est révélé compétent pour assurer cette transmission. Ainsi, il est essentiel d'établir des programmes de surveillance pour prévenir les éventuelles épidémies. / West Nile virus (WNV) and Rift Valley Fever virus (RVFV) are two emerging arboviruses that have never been reported in Lebanon. They can be transmitted by Culex pipiens mosquito species including two biotypes: pipiens and molestus. During this project, we assessed the circulation of WNV among mosquitoes, human, horse and chicken populations in Lebanon. Moreover, we evaluated, under experimental conditions, the capacity of local Cx. pipiens biotypes to transmit both viruses.Adult mosquitoes were collected, identified and tested to detect WNV RNA. Besides, human, horse and chicken blood samples were collected and screened for WNV antibodies using an in-house ELISA and then confirmed by neutralization assay. Moreover, local Cx. pipiens specimens were experimentally infected with WNV lineage 1 or RVFV Clone 13 strain. The viral infection, dissemination and transmission were then estimated at different days post infection.The vector competence was compared between Cx. pipiens biotypes.Entomological results revealed that 87.2% of collected adult mosquitoes were Cx. pipiens. Screened mosquitoes were negative for WNV. Seroprevalence rates were 1.01% and 1.98% among humans and horses respectively. Besides, local Cx. pipiens were highly competent for WNV transmission and to a lesser extent to RVFV. The molestus biotype was able to transmit WNV earlier than pipiens biotype.The present study provides new evidence of a low circulation of WNV among human and horses in Lebanon. Cx. pipiens is the suspected vector and is experimentally competent to ensure transmission. Therefore, there is a need to establish surveillance program to predict and prevent potential outbreaks.

The objectives of this study were to provide a comprehensive review of the risks and benefits of using adulticides to reduce risk of mosquito-borne disease (particularly West Nile Virus) transmission to humans, as well as to decrease annoyance from nuisance mosquitoes. The study was designed with two major research components, including: 1) an extensive literature review to determine the efficacy of adulticide use, the adverse effects of adulticide use, the impact of mosquitoes on community livability, and the risks and benefits of pesticide use in controlling mosquitoes; and 2) interviews with selected vector districts in seven states to determine effective and ineffective practices in mosquito management. This study has demonstrated that an integrated mosquito management program may be beneficial in reducing risk of disease transmission and mosquito annoyance when performed appropriately. The contribution of adulticiding to reducing mosquito-borne disease transmission, however, is unknown. Research is needed to: 1) further assess the ecological and human impacts of adulticides using the dose and exposure rates realistic to an adulticide program; 2) gain an understanding of the human and ecological impacts of aggregate and cumulative exposures to pesticides, especially for special populations, such as children; and 3) determine the contribution of adulticiding in interrupting or reducing the enzootic amplification of arboviruses, as well as the transmission of WNV to humans. / Graduation date: 2004