Hantavirus Cardiopulmonary Syndrome in Canada.

Hantavirus cardiopulmonary syndrome (HCPS) is a severe respiratory disease caused by Sin Nombre virus in North America (SNV). As of January 1, 2020, SNV has caused 143 laboratory-confirmed cases of HCPS in Canada. We review critical aspects of SNV virus epidemiology and the ecology, biology, and genetics of HCPS in Canada.

Correction: Indirect Immunofluorescence Assay for the Simultaneous Detection of Antibodies against Clinically Important Old and New World Hantaviruses.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.

Indirect immunofluorescence assay for the simultaneous detection of antibodies against clinically important old and new world hantaviruses.

In order to detect serum antibodies against clinically important Old and New World hantaviruses simultaneously, multiparametric indirect immunofluorescence assays (IFAs) based on biochip mosaics were developed. Each of the mosaic substrates consisted of cells infected with one of the virus types Hantaan (HTNV), Puumala (PUUV), Seoul (SEOV), Saaremaa (SAAV), Dobrava (DOBV), Sin Nombre (SNV) or Andes (ANDV). For assay evaluation, serum IgG and IgM antibodies were analyzed using 184 laboratory-confirmed hantavirus-positive sera collected at six diagnostic centers from patients actively or previously infected with the following hantavirus serotypes: PUUV (Finland, n=97); SEOV (China, n=5); DOBV (Romania, n=7); SNV (Canada, n=23); ANDV (Argentina and Chile, n=52).

Mucosal immunization of cynomolgus macaques with the VSVDeltaG/ZEBOVGP vaccine stimulates strong ebola GP-specific immune responses.

Background: Zaire ebolavirus (ZEBOV) produces a lethal viral hemorrhagic fever in humans and non-human primates.

Methodology/principal Findings: We demonstrate that the VSVDeltaG/ZEBOVGP vaccine given 28 days pre-challenge either intranasally (IN), orally (OR), or intramuscularly (IM) protects non-human primates against a lethal systemic challenge of ZEBOV, and induces cellular and humoral immune responses. We demonstrated that ZEBOVGP-specific T-cell and humoral responses induced in the IN and OR groups, following an immunization and challenge, produced the most IFN-gamma and IL-2 secreting cells, and long term memory responses.

Cluster of cases of hantavirus pulmonary syndrome in Alberta, Canada.

In May 2005, a cluster of four hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS) cases was confirmed in Alberta, Canada. The cluster is unusual given that three cases were from a single family and involved a 7-year-old child. This is the first family cluster reported in Canada and includes one of the youngest cases of HPS reported in North America.

Seroprevalence of zoonoses in a Cree community (Canada).

Cree trappers and hunters are at risk for contracting infectious diseases conveyed by wildlife. We performed a study in a Cree community (Canada) to determine the seroprevalence of 8 zoonotic infections among hunters and trappers for evidence of exposure to Trichinella sp., Toxoplasma gondii, Toxocara canis, Echinococcus granulosus, Leptospira sp.

Immunization with modified vaccinia virus Ankara-based recombinant vaccine against severe acute respiratory syndrome is associated with enhanced hepatitis in ferrets.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) caused by a newly identified coronavirus (SARS-CoV) is a serious emerging human infectious disease. In this report, we immunized ferrets (Mustela putorius furo) with recombinant modified vaccinia virus Ankara (rMVA) expressing the SARS-CoV spike (S) protein. Immunized ferrets developed a more rapid and vigorous neutralizing antibody response than control animals after challenge with SARS-CoV; however, they also exhibited strong inflammatory responses in liver tissue.

Interpretation of diagnostic laboratory tests for severe acute respiratory syndrome: the Toronto experience.

Background: An outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) began in Canada in February 2003. The initial diagnosis of SARS was based on clinical and epidemiological criteria. During the outbreak, molecular and serologic tests for the SARS-associated coronavirus (SARS-CoV) became available.

Analysis of the complete genome of the tick-borne flavivirus Omsk hemorrhagic fever virus.

Omsk hemorrhagic fever virus (OHF) is a tick-borne flavivirus endemic to Western Siberia. This virus is the only known tick-borne flavivirus to cause hemorrhagic disease in humans in the absence of encephalitis. OHF virus circulates within a small, defined niche in which other tick-borne complex flaviviruses are also present.

Detection and species-level identification of primate herpesviruses with a comprehensive PCR test for human herpesviruses.

A comprehensive assay for the identification of all eight human herpesviruses has been previously reported. This assay was extended to the detection and species-level identification of herpes B virus (Cercopithecine herpesvirus 1) and African green monkey cytomegalovirus (Cercopithecine herpesvirus 5), two herpesviruses of relevance to the clinical virology laboratory.

Emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases.

In human history, numerous infectious diseases have emerged and re-emerged. Aside from many others, the so-called 'exotic' agents in particular are a threat to our public health systems due to limited experience in case management and lack of appropriate resources. Many of these agents are zoonotic in origin and transmitted from animals to man either directly or via vectors.