Hemorrhagic Fever Viruses

A special issue of Pathogens (ISSN 2076-0817). This special issue belongs to the section "Viral Pathogens".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 December 2020) | Viewed by 24371

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Viral Special Pathogens Branch, Division of High Consequence Pathogens and Pathology, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA 30333, USA
Interests: virus–host interactions; immune activation and evasion; therapeutic interventions
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Guest Editor
National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Atlanta, GA, USA
Interests: innate Immunity; pathogenesis; bunyavirus
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

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Guest Editor
Viral Special Pathogens Branch, Division of High Consequence Pathogens and Pathology, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA 30333, USA
Interests: viral pathogenesis; reverse genetics; animal models; vaccines and antivirals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Viral hemorrhagic fever (VHF) refers to a severe multisystem syndrome, which can be caused by a wide range of viruses, including arenaviruses, bunyaviruses, filoviruses, and flaviviruses. Examples of high-consequence hemorrhagic fever viruses include Ebola virus, Lassa virus, Hantavirus, and Crimean–Congo Hemorrhagic fever virus, but also Alkhurma virus, Chapare virus, Guanarito virus, Kyasanur Forest disease virus, Lujo virus, Omsk hemorrhagic fever virus, and Sabiá virus. These viruses are found across multiple continents and continue to put large portions of the global population at risk. Despite recent strides in fundamental research and the development of medical countermeasures for some VHFs, much remains to be learned about many of these agents to aid in our understanding of viral pathogenesis and for identification and development of therapeutics and vaccines. 

This Special Issue will cover a wide range of topics focusing on viral hemorrhagic fevers and aims to help to enhance current knowledge of these viruses and their respective diseases. All types of articles will be considered for publication, including short reports, primary research articles, and reviews.

We look forward to your contribution.

Dr. Florine E.M. Scholte
Dr. Jessica R. Spengler
Dr. Stephen R. Welch
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • VHF
  • Viral hemorrhagic fever virus
  • Virus–host interactions
  • Virulence factors
  • Viral pathogenesis
  • Viral pathophysiology
  • Transmission
  • Immune activation and evasion
  • Adaptive immunity
  • Therapeutics
  • Vaccines
  • Animal models

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Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

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15 pages, 2640 KiB  
Article
Distribution and Genetic Diversity of Aedes aegypti Subspecies across the Sahelian Belt in Sudan
by Sara Abdelrahman Abuelmaali, Jamsari Amirul Firdaus Jamaluddin, Kheder Noaman, Mushal Allam, Hind Mohammad Abushama, Dia Eldin Elnaiem, Intan Haslina Ishak, Mustafa Fadzil Farid Wajidi, Zairi Jaal and Nur Faeza Abu Kassim
Pathogens 2021, 10(1), 78; https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens10010078 - 17 Jan 2021
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 3917
Abstract
Aedes aegypti is the most important arboviral disease vector worldwide. In Africa, it exists as two morphologically distinct forms, often referred to as subspecies, Aaa and Aaf. There is a dearth of information on the distribution and genetic diversity of these two [...] Read more.
Aedes aegypti is the most important arboviral disease vector worldwide. In Africa, it exists as two morphologically distinct forms, often referred to as subspecies, Aaa and Aaf. There is a dearth of information on the distribution and genetic diversity of these two forms in Sudan and other African Sahelian region countries. This study aimed to explore the distribution and genetic diversity of Aedes aegypti subspecies using morphology and Cytochrome oxidase-1 mitochondrial marker in a large Sahelian zone in Sudan. An extensive cross-sectional survey of Aedes aegypti in Sudan was performed. Samples collected from eight locations were morphologically identified, subjected to DNA extraction, amplification, sequencing, and analyses. We classified four populations as Aaa and the other four as Aaf. Out of 140 sequence samples, forty-six distinct haplotypes were characterized. The haplotype and nucleotide diversity of the collected samples were 0.377–0.947 and 0.002–0.01, respectively. Isolation by distance was significantly evident (r = 0.586, p = 0.005). The SAMOVA test indicated that all Aaf populations are structured in one group, while the Aaa clustered into two groups. AMOVA showed 53.53% genetic differences within populations and 39.22% among groups. Phylogenetic relationships indicated two clusters in which the two subspecies were structured. Thus, the haplotype network consisted of three clusters. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Hemorrhagic Fever Viruses)
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17 pages, 2677 KiB  
Article
Detection and Genetic Characterization of Puumala Orthohantavirus S-Segment in Areas of France Non-Endemic for Nephropathia Epidemica
by Séverine Murri, Sarah Madrières, Caroline Tatard, Sylvain Piry, Laure Benoit, Anne Loiseau, Julien Pradel, Emmanuelle Artige, Philippe Audiot, Nicolas Leménager, Sandra Lacôte, Johann Vulin, Nathalie Charbonnel, Philippe Marianneau and Guillaume Castel
Pathogens 2020, 9(9), 721; https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens9090721 - 1 Sep 2020
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 3271
Abstract
Puumala virus (PUUV) in Europe causes nephropathia epidemica (NE), a mild form of hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS). The incidence of NE is highly heterogeneous spatially, whereas the geographic distribution of the wild reservoir of PUUV, the bank vole, is essentially homogeneous. [...] Read more.
Puumala virus (PUUV) in Europe causes nephropathia epidemica (NE), a mild form of hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS). The incidence of NE is highly heterogeneous spatially, whereas the geographic distribution of the wild reservoir of PUUV, the bank vole, is essentially homogeneous. Our understanding of the processes driving this heterogeneity remains incomplete due to gaps in knowledge. Little is known about the current distribution and genetic variation of PUUV in the areas outside the well-identified zones of NE endemicity. We trapped bank voles in four forests in French regions in which NE is considered non-endemic, but sporadic NE cases have been reported recently. We tested bank voles for anti-PUUV IgG and characterized the S segment sequences of PUUV from seropositive animals. Phylogenetic analyses revealed specific amino-acid signatures and genetic differences between PUUV circulating in non-endemic and nearby NE-endemic areas. We also showed, in temporal surveys, that the amino-acid sequences of PUUV had undergone fewer recent changes in areas non-endemic for NE than in endemic areas. The evolutionary history of the current French PUUV clusters was investigated by phylogeographic approaches, and the results were considered in the context of the history of French forests. Our findings highlight the need to monitor the circulation and genetics of PUUV in a larger array of bank vole populations, to improve our understanding of the risk of NE. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Hemorrhagic Fever Viruses)
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7 pages, 647 KiB  
Article
Survival of Lassa Virus in Blood and Tissue Culture Media and in a Small Particle Aerosol
by Sophie J Smither, Lin S Eastaugh, James S Findlay, Lyn M O’Brien and Mark S Lever
Pathogens 2020, 9(9), 680; https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens9090680 - 21 Aug 2020
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2586
Abstract
Knowledge of the survival and stability of a pathogen is important for understanding its risk, reducing its transmission, and establishing control measures. Lassa virus is endemic in West Africa, causes severe disease, and is an emerging pathogen of concern. Our study examined the [...] Read more.
Knowledge of the survival and stability of a pathogen is important for understanding its risk, reducing its transmission, and establishing control measures. Lassa virus is endemic in West Africa, causes severe disease, and is an emerging pathogen of concern. Our study examined the survival of Lassa virus in blood and tissue culture media at two different temperatures. The stability of Lassa virus held within a small particle aerosol was also measured. In liquids, Lassa virus was found to decay more quickly at 30 °C compared to room temperature. Sealed samples protected from environmental desiccation were more stable than samples open to the environment. In a small particle aerosol, the decay rate of Lassa virus was determined at 2.69% per minute. This information can contribute to risk assessments and inform mitigation strategies in the event of an outbreak of Lassa virus. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Hemorrhagic Fever Viruses)
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14 pages, 933 KiB  
Article
Cystatin C and α-1-Microglobulin Predict Severe Acute Kidney Injury in Patients with Hemorrhagic Fever with Renal Syndrome
by Magnus Hansson, Rasmus Gustafsson, Chloé Jacquet, Nedia Chebaane, Simon Satchell, Therese Thunberg, Clas Ahlm and Anne-Marie Fors Connolly
Pathogens 2020, 9(8), 666; https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens9080666 - 18 Aug 2020
Cited by 19 | Viewed by 3920
Abstract
Puumala orthohantavirus causes hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) characterized by acute kidney injury (AKI), an abrupt decrease in renal function. Creatinine is routinely used to detect and quantify AKI; however, early AKI may not be reflected in increased creatinine levels. Therefore, kidney [...] Read more.
Puumala orthohantavirus causes hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) characterized by acute kidney injury (AKI), an abrupt decrease in renal function. Creatinine is routinely used to detect and quantify AKI; however, early AKI may not be reflected in increased creatinine levels. Therefore, kidney injury markers that can predict AKI are needed. The potential of the kidney injury markers urea, cystatin C, α1-microglobulin (A1M) and neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) to detect early AKI during HFRS was studied by quantifying the levels of these markers in consecutively obtained plasma (P) and urine samples (U) for 44 HFRS patients. P-cystatin C and U-A1M levels were significantly increased during early HFRS compared to follow-up. In a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis, P-cystatin C, U-A1M and P-urea predicted severe AKI with area under the curve 0.72, 0.73 and 0.71, respectively, whereas the traditional kidney injury biomarkers creatinine and U-albumin did not predict AKI. Nearly half of the HFRS patients (41%) fulfilled the criteria for shrunken pore syndrome, which was associated with the level of inflammation as measured by P-CRP. P-cystatin C and U-A1M are more sensitive and earlier markers compared to creatinine in predicting kidney injury during HFRS. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Hemorrhagic Fever Viruses)
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Review

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20 pages, 2911 KiB  
Review
Orthohantaviruses, Emerging Zoonotic Pathogens
by Emmanuel Kabwe, Yuriy Davidyuk, Anton Shamsutdinov, Ekaterina Garanina, Ekaterina Martynova, Kristina Kitaeva, Moffat Malisheni, Guzel Isaeva, Tatiana Savitskaya, Richard A. Urbanowicz, Sergey Morzunov, Cyprian Katongo, Albert Rizvanov and Svetlana Khaiboullina
Pathogens 2020, 9(9), 775; https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens9090775 - 22 Sep 2020
Cited by 30 | Viewed by 5952
Abstract
Orthohantaviruses give rise to the emerging infections such as of hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) and hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS) in Eurasia and the Americas, respectively. In this review we will provide a comprehensive analysis of orthohantaviruses distribution and circulation in Eurasia [...] Read more.
Orthohantaviruses give rise to the emerging infections such as of hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) and hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS) in Eurasia and the Americas, respectively. In this review we will provide a comprehensive analysis of orthohantaviruses distribution and circulation in Eurasia and address the genetic diversity and evolution of Puumala orthohantavirus (PUUV), which causes HFRS in this region. Current data indicate that the geographical location and migration of the natural hosts can lead to the orthohantaviruses genetic diversity as the rodents adapt to the new environmental conditions. The data shows that a high level of diversity characterizes the genome of orthohantaviruses, and the PUUV genome is the most divergent. The reasons for the high genome diversity are mainly caused by point mutations and reassortment, which occur in the genome segments. However, it still remains unclear whether this diversity is linked to the disease’s severity. We anticipate that the information provided in this review will be useful for optimizing and developing preventive strategies of HFRS, an emerging zoonosis with potentially very high mortality rates. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Hemorrhagic Fever Viruses)
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Other

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5 pages, 867 KiB  
Case Report
Bacillus paranthracis Isolate from Blood of Fatal Ebola Virus Disease Case
by M. Jeremiah Matson, Sarah L. Anzick, Friederike Feldmann, Craig A. Martens, Steven K. Drake, Heinz Feldmann, Moses Massaquoi, Daniel S. Chertow and Vincent J. Munster
Pathogens 2020, 9(6), 475; https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens9060475 - 16 Jun 2020
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 3647
Abstract
A Bacillus paranthracis isolate was cultured from the blood of a fatal Ebola virus disease (EVD) case in Liberia and was identified by whole genome sequencing. Although B. paranthracis has only recently been described and is poorly characterized, this case may represent the [...] Read more.
A Bacillus paranthracis isolate was cultured from the blood of a fatal Ebola virus disease (EVD) case in Liberia and was identified by whole genome sequencing. Although B. paranthracis has only recently been described and is poorly characterized, this case may represent the bacterial co-infection of an EVD patient. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Hemorrhagic Fever Viruses)
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