1,144 results match your criteria: "Western Equine Encephalitis"
[Western equine encephalitis: Brainstem involvement and clinical manifestations].
Medicina (B Aires)
December 2024
Clínica La Pequeña Familia, Junín, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Western equine encephalitis is a zoonotic viral disease transmitted by the bite of an infected mosquito. Humans are terminal hosts and since they develop a very low and short lasting viremia, they are incapable of transmitting the disease. Most cases are asymptomatic, but it can present with high fever, myalgia and encephalitis or meningitis.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFWe report the genomic analysis from early equine cases of the Western equine encephalitis virus outbreak during 2023-2024 in Uruguay. Sequences are related to a viral isolate from an outbreak in 1958 in Argentina. A viral origin from South America or continuous enzootic circulation with infrequent spillover is possible.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFOutbreak of Western Equine Encephalitis Virus Infection Associated with Neurological Disease in Horses Following a Nearly 40-Year Intermission Period in Argentina.
Viruses
October 2024
Department of Pathobiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, USA.
Western equine encephalitis virus (WEEV) is a mosquito-borne arbovirus (genus , family ) that has re-emerged in South America in late 2023, causing severe disease in both horses and humans after a nearly 40-year intermission period. We here describe the virological, serological, pathological, and molecular features of WEEV infection in horses during the 2023-2024 outbreak in Argentina. WEEV-infected horses developed neurological signs with mild to severe encephalitis associated with minimal to abundant WEEV-infected cells, as demonstrated by WEEV-specific in situ hybridization.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFEquine Herpesvirus Type 1 ORF76 Encoding US9 as a Neurovirulence Factor in the Mouse Infection Model.
Pathogens
October 2024
Department of Applied Veterinary Sciences, United Graduate School of Veterinary Sciences, Gifu University, 1-1 Yanagido, Gifu 501-1193, Japan.
Equine herpesvirus type 1 (EHV-1) causes rhinopneumonitis, abortion, and neurological outbreaks (equine herpesvirus myeloencephalopathy, EHM) in horses. EHV-1 also causes lethal encephalitis in small laboratory animals such as mice and hamsters experimentally. EHV-1 ORF76 is a homolog of HSV-1 US9, which is a herpesvirus kinase.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFUnveiling the Threat: Battling the Resurgence of Western Equine Encephalitis (WEE).
Infect Disord Drug Targets
October 2024
School of Pharmacy, LNCT University, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, 462042, India.
The VLDLR entry receptor is required for the pathogenesis of multiple encephalitic alphaviruses.
Cell Rep
October 2024
Department of Pathology & Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA; Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA; Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA; Andrew M. and Jane M. Bursky Center for Human Immunology and Immunotherapy Programs, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA; Center for Vaccines and Immunity to Microbial Pathogens, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO 63110, USA. Electronic address:
Article Synopsis
- VLDLR has been identified as a receptor for several alphaviruses, including Western equine encephalitis virus (WEEV), and may play a role in their infection process.
- Research shows that mice lacking VLDLR have reduced susceptibility to WEEV, EEEV, and Semliki Forest virus (SFV), indicating its importance in alphavirus pathogenesis.
- The findings suggest that targeting VLDLR could be a potential strategy for developing treatments against various alphavirus infections.
PCDH10 is a neuronal receptor for western equine encephalitis virus.
Cell Res
November 2024
Key Laboratory of Virology and Biosafety, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, Hubei, China.
Western equine encephalitis: a pediatric case report.
Arch Argent Pediatr
September 2024
Department of Infectious Diseases; Hospital General de Niños Pedro de Elizalde, City of Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Article Synopsis
- Western equine encephalitis (WEE) is a virus that primarily affects animals but can accidentally infect humans, particularly children who face a higher risk of serious symptoms.
- A 13-year-old boy from Buenos Aires became severely ill with meningoencephalitis, and despite initial tests showing no common microorganisms, he tested positive for WEE virus antibodies in both his blood and cerebrospinal fluid.
- This case highlights that WEE is often overlooked as a potential cause of encephalitis, making it important to consider even in urban settings.
Article Synopsis
- Western equine encephalitis virus (WEEV) caused a significant outbreak in Argentina and Uruguay from December 2023 to April 2024, with 217 human cases and 2,548 equine cases reported.
- The investigation focused on the Rio Grande do Sul state border area between Argentina and Uruguay, utilizing epidemiologic, entomological, and genomic methods to analyze the outbreak.
- A novel lineage of the virus, proposed as lineage C, was identified in three fatal equine cases, emphasizing the need for ongoing monitoring and equine vaccination to prevent future outbreaks.
Western equine encephalitis, a report of two cases in pediatric patients.
Arch Argent Pediatr
August 2024
Department of Infectious Diseases; Clínica La Pequeña Familia, Junín, Argentina.
Article Synopsis
- - Western equine encephalitis (WEE) is a viral infection transmitted through mosquitoes, affecting both horses and humans, with recent human cases reported in Argentina after a long absence since 1983.
- - The report discusses two pediatric patients who exhibited brain-related symptoms and were diagnosed with WEE through cerebrospinal fluid analysis and serological testing showing specific antibodies.
- - One patient fully recovered before discharge, while the other had temporary right hemiparesis that improved after two months, but continued to require anticonvulsant medication due to abnormal EEG readings.
Shifts in receptors during submergence of an encephalitic arbovirus.
Nature
August 2024
Department of Microbiology, Blavatnik Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
Article Synopsis
- Western equine encephalitis virus (WEEV) used to cause significant outbreaks in humans and horses but has become less virulent over time, raising questions about the reasons for this change and the potential for re-emergence of deadly strains.
- Researchers identified protocadherin 10 (PCDH10) as a key receptor for WEEV, which ancient strains could bind to, while contemporary strains show reduced binding abilities indicating a shift in the virus’s host adaptation.
- The study suggests that PCDH10 not only facilitates infection in neurons but also that a soluble form can protect against WEEV, offering insights for future medical treatments and risk assessments of the virus.
Article Synopsis
- Molecular surveillance is crucial for tracking arboviruses, using techniques like genus-specific RT-qPCR, but issues like false negatives have hindered effective monitoring.
- The study improved RT-qPCR tests to accurately detect various alphaviruses, including chikungunya, achieving high sensitivity and specificity.
- The improved assay identified three chikungunya cases from a 2019 outbreak in Yunnan, suggesting that imported infections from nearby countries played a role in that outbreak.
Objectives: To measure the effect of routine vaccination on serum amyloid A (SAA) concentration in apparently healthy horses. We hypothesized that routine vaccination would increase SAA in healthy horses.
Animals: 21 apparently healthy client-owned horses and 15 Kansas State University College of Veterinary Medicine-owned horses.
Syrian Hamsters Model Does Not Reflect Human-like Disease after Aerosol Exposure to Encephalitic Alphaviruses.
Methods Protoc
May 2024
Virology Division, U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, Frederick, MD 21702, USA.
Article Synopsis
- Venezuelan, eastern, and western equine encephalitis viruses are dangerous viruses that can cause severe illness in both horses and humans, but there are currently no approved vaccines or antiviral treatments for them.
- Vaccine development requires FDA approval based on animal models that accurately reflect human disease, but existing mouse models do not do so effectively, as they result in different disease outcomes than in humans.
- Recent studies indicate that using hamsters as a model for testing vaccines and therapies against these viruses is also ineffective, as their disease symptoms do not align with those seen in humans or non-human primates.
Molecular epidemiology of Western equine encephalitis virus in Brazil, 2023-2024.
medRxiv
April 2024
Secretaria de Saúde do Estado do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.
Article Synopsis
- A recent outbreak of western equine encephalitis virus (WEEV) has been reported in South America, particularly in Brazil, where three horses have died from the infection.
- Researchers sequenced the WEEV strains and discovered a new lineage responsible for these fatalities.
- To reduce the impact of WEEV, ongoing monitoring and vaccination of horses are essential.
Safety and immunogenicity of a novel trivalent recombinant MVA-based equine encephalitis virus vaccine: A Phase 1 clinical trial.
Vaccine
April 2024
Bavarian Nordic GmbH, Fraunhoferstrasse 13, 82152 Martinsried, Germany. Electronic address:
Article Synopsis
- The study investigates the safety and effectiveness of a new vaccine, MVA-BN-WEV, designed to protect against three encephalitic alphaviruses (WEEV, EEEV, VEEV) in healthy adults.
- Forty-five participants were given two doses of the vaccine at varying strengths, monitored for side effects and immune response over six months.
- Results showed the vaccine was generally safe with mild side effects, and it successfully triggered strong immune responses against all three viruses, especially at higher doses.
MVA-based vaccines are protective against lethal eastern equine encephalitis virus aerosol challenge in cynomolgus macaques.
NPJ Vaccines
February 2024
Division of Microbiology, Tulane National Primate Research Center, Covington, LA, USA.
Article Synopsis
- Researchers tested two vaccines for eastern equine encephalitis virus (EEEV) in cynomolgus macaques using an aerosol infection model.
- Both vaccines, MVA-BN-EEEV (monovalent) and MVA-BN-WEV (multivalent), triggered strong and lasting immune responses that protected the monkeys against lethal EEEV exposure.
- The results showed that the vaccinated macaques had nearly complete protection from viral presence in their bodies and no significant brain damage, suggesting the vaccines are effective against aerosolized EEEV infections.
[Preparation of mouse monoclonal antibodies against the ectodomain of Western equine encephalitis virus E2 (E2ecto) protein].
Xi Bao Yu Fen Zi Mian Yi Xue Za Zhi
January 2024
Department of Microbiology and Pathogenic Biology, Basic Medical Science Academy, Air Force Medical University, Xi'an 710032, China. *Corresponding authors, E-mail:
Objective To prepare mouse monoclonal antibodies against the ectodomain of E2 (E2ecto) glycoprotein of Western equine encephalitis virus (WEEV). Methods A prokaryotic expression plasmid pET-28a-WEEV E2ecto was constructed and transformed into BL21 (DE3) competent cells. E2ecto protein was expressed by IPTG induction and presented mainly as inclusion bodies.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe low-density lipoprotein receptor promotes infection of multiple encephalitic alphaviruses.
Nat Commun
January 2024
Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA.
Article Synopsis
- Researchers investigated the role of LDLR and other LDLR family members as entry factors for alphaviruses, discovering that blocking these receptors does not completely stop infection, indicating more unidentified factors are involved.
- Using CRISPR-Cas9, they identified LDLR in mouse neuronal cells as a candidate receptor that aids in the infection of various alphaviruses like EEEV and Western equine encephalitis virus.
- Their findings suggest that LDLR interacts weakly with virus proteins, and developing inhibitors using decoy proteins could provide a way to reduce alphavirus infections and related diseases.
Severe Neurologic Disease in a Horse Caused by Tick-Borne Encephalitis Virus, Austria, 2021.
Viruses
September 2023
Viral Zoonoses, Emerging and Vector-Borne Infections Group, Institute of Virology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Veterinärplatz 1, 1210 Vienna, Austria.
Article Synopsis
- *The study utilized various tests, including ELISA, RT-qPCR, and Sanger sequencing, to identify and confirm the presence of TBEV in horse brain tissue and serum samples.
- *Findings indicated the Western European subtype of TBEV as the cause, emphasizing the importance of early diagnostic procedures after neurological signs appear to ensure accurate diagnosis and treatment.
Vertebrate-class-specific binding modes of the alphavirus receptor MXRA8.
Cell
October 2023
Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO 63110, USA; Department of Pathology & Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO 63110, USA; Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO 63110, USA; Andrew M. and Jane M. Bursky Center for Human Immunology and Immunotherapy Programs, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO 63110, USA. Electronic address:
MXRA8 is a receptor for chikungunya (CHIKV) and other arthritogenic alphaviruses with mammalian hosts. However, mammalian MXRA8 does not bind to alphaviruses that infect humans and have avian reservoirs. Here, we show that avian, but not mammalian, MXRA8 can act as a receptor for Sindbis, western equine encephalitis (WEEV), and related alphaviruses with avian reservoirs.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFMadariaga and Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus seroprevalence in rodent enzootic hosts in Eastern and Western Panama.
bioRxiv
August 2023
Department of Biology, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom.
While rodents are primary reservoirs of Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus (VEEV), their role in Madariaga virus (MADV) transmission remains uncertain, particularly given their overlapping geographic distribution. This study explores the interplay of alphavirus prevalence, rodent diversity, and land use within Darien and Western Panama provinces. A total of three locations were selected for rodent sampling in Darien province: Los Pavitos, El Real de Santa Maria and Santa Librada.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFA diverse group of RNA viruses including Rabies, Polio, La Crosse, West Nile, Zika, Nipah, Eastern and Western equine encephalitis, Venezuelan equine encephalitis, Japanese encephalitis, and tick-borne encephalitis viruses have the ability to gain access to and replicate in the central nervous system (CNS), causing severe neurological disease. Current treatment for these patients is generally limited to supportive care. To address the need for a generalizable antiviral, we utilized a strategy of mutagenesis to limit virus replication.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFVaccine elicitation and structural basis for antibody protection against alphaviruses.
Cell
June 2023
Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA. Electronic address:
Alphaviruses are RNA viruses that represent emerging public health threats. To identify protective antibodies, we immunized macaques with a mixture of western, eastern, and Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus-like particles (VLPs), a regimen that protects against aerosol challenge with all three viruses. Single- and triple-virus-specific antibodies were isolated, and we identified 21 unique binding groups.
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