Molecular Diagnosis of Phlebovirus riftense Infection Using an L-Segment-Based Real-Time RT-PCR Method.

Rift Valley fever (RVF) is one of the main vector-borne zoonotic diseases that affects a wide range of ruminants and humans in Africa and the Arabian Peninsula.Several techniques involving cell culture and molecular biology methods have been developed to diagnose RVF infection. Success partly relies on sending samples to a national or reference laboratory in good conditions and having the capacity to perform the appropriate diagnostic test in the matrix of interest during the period of viremia where high loads of viral particles are present.

Comparative study of two Rift Valley fever virus field strains originating from Mauritania.

Rift Valley fever (RVF) is one of the major viral arthropod-borne diseases in Africa. In recent decades, RVF virus (RVFV), the causative agent of RVF, has been responsible for multiple outbreaks in West Africa with important consequences on human and animal health. In particular, an outbreak occurred in 2010 after heavy rains in the desertic region of Adrar, Mauritania.

Rift Valley fever virus is able to cross the human blood-brain barrier by direct infection with no deleterious effects.

Rift Valley fever (RVF) is a zoonotic arboviral disease that causes recurrent epidemics in Africa that may trigger fatal neurological disorders. However, the mechanisms of neuroinvasion by which the RVF virus (RVFV) reaches the human central nervous system (CNS) remain poorly characterized. In particular, it is not clear how RVFV is able to cross the human blood-brain barrier (hBBB), which is a neurovascular endothelium that protects the brain by regulating brain and blood exchanges.

Isolation of Rift Valley Fever Virus from Field Specimens Using Cell Culture Approaches.

Several techniques have been developed to diagnose Rift Valley fever infection. Viral isolation is one of the most difficult techniques to apply but offers great opportunities for further research. It is useful, for example, for the development of an accurate diagnostic test suitable for screening for Rift Valley fever virus infection, specific treatments by testing known antiviral molecules that act on the replication cycle to assess their therapeutic or even prophylactic potential, therapeutic applications, and vaccine candidates.