Seroprevalence of Severe Fever with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome Phlebovirus in Domesticated Deer in South Korea

Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome phlebovirus(SFTSV) has a wide host range. Not only has it been found in humans, but also in many wild and domesticated animals. The infection of breeding deer on farms is a particularly worrisome public health concern due to the large amount of human contact and the diverse use of deer products, including raw blood. To investigate the prevalence of breeding domesticated deer, we examined the SFTSV infection rate on deer farms in South Korea from 2015 to 2017. Of the 215 collected blood samples, 0.9%(2/215) were found to be positive for viral RNA by PCR, and sequence analysis showed the highest homology with the KADGH human isolate. Both SFTSVspecific recombinant N and Gn protein-based ELISAs revealed that 14.0%(30/215) and 7.9%(17/215) of collected blood specimens were positive for SFTSV antibody. These results demonstrate that the breeding farm deer are exposed to SFTSV and could be a potential infection source for humans through direct contact or consumption of byproducts.     

Establishment of a Reverse Genetic System of Severe Fever with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome Virus Based on a C4 Strain

Virologica Sinica - Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus (SFTSV) is an emerging tick-borne bunyavirus that causes hemorrhagic fever-like disease (SFTS) in humans with a case fatality...     

发热伴血小板减少综合征患者血清中核蛋白抗体的动态变化

目的:观察新发传染病发热伴血小板减少综合征(SFTS)的病原体新型布尼亚病毒(SFTSV)核蛋白(NP)IgM和IgG型抗体在SFTS患者外周血中的变化规律,为疾病的早期诊断和发病机制的认识提供依据.方法:用ELISA方法检测28例SFTS患者不同病程阶段血清中NP特异性IgM、IgG抗体.结果:①28例SFTS患者中,IgM阳性检出率为89.3 ％(25/28),IgG阳性检出率为85.7 ％(24/28).②IgM和IgG均在发病5天后开始出现,随着病程延长血清中抗体水平逐渐上升,其峰值出现在发病2周左右.③死亡组患者的抗体检出时间迟于痊愈组患者,且抗体水平低下.结论:①在SFTSV感染早期,SFTS患者血清中NP特异性抗体IgG和IgM的变化趋势一致,NP特异性抗体IgG和IgM一样是SFTS早期诊断的重要指标.②因疾病严重而死亡的患者,抗体出现延迟、抗体水平低下可能与患者细胞免疫系统严重受损及多脏器功能障碍有关,致使机体体液免疫应答减退或应答无能.③抗体出现延迟且抗体水平低下可能是病情严重患者预后不良的预测指标.     

发热伴血小板减少综合征患者血清内抗体IgG中和活性及其影响因素分析

发热伴血小板减少综合征(SFTS)的病原体为发热伴血小板减少综合征布尼亚病毒,目前尚无特异性防治措施。本研究旨在明确SFTS患者不同时期血清内抗体的中和活性,为将来开发单克隆中和抗体药物和疫苗设计提供可靠的血源。7名患者15份血清收集后采用protein A亲和纯化抗体,SDS-PAGE分析抗体的纯度和分子量大小,中和实验评估抗体的中和能力,结果发现7个患者15份血清中4个恢复期患者血清内抗体具有广谱中和能力,其余3个患者未产生中和抗体,所有患者急性期均未产生IgG中和抗体,产生中和抗体的个体内抗体的中和能力随病毒消长而发生改变。因此,机体感染后部分康复者建立了特异性体液免疫力。此外,SFTS患者年龄亦影响中和抗体的产生,高龄并不预示着免疫力逐渐丧失,推测个体差异决定了免疫力强弱。具有广谱中和能力的血源将为开发治疗SFTS的候选抗体药物以及疫苗设计提供可能。     

SNX11 Identified as an Essential Host Factor for SFTS Virus Infection by CRISPR Knockout Screening

Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus(SFTSV) is a highly pathogenic tick-borne bunyavirus that causes lethal infectious disease and severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome(SFTS) in humans. The molecular mechanisms and host cellular factors required for SFTSV infection remain uncharacterized. Using a genome-wide CRISPR-based screening strategy, we identified a host cellular protein, sorting nexin 11(SNX11) which is involved in the intracellular endosomal trafficking pathway, as an essential cell factor for SFTSV infection. An SNX11-KO HeLa cell line was established, and SFTSV replication was significantly reduced. The glycoproteins of SFTSV were detected and remained in later endosomal compartments but were not detectable in the endoplasmic reticulum(ER) or Golgi apparatus. pH values in the endosomal compartments of the SNX11-KO cells increased compared with the pH of normal HeLa cells, and lysosomal-associated membrane protein 1(LAMP1) expression was significantly elevated in the SNX11-KO cells. Overall,these results indicated that penetration of SFTSV from the endolysosomes into the cytoplasm of host cells was blocked in the cells lacking SNX11. Our study for the first time provides insight into the important role of the SNX11 as an essential host factor in the intracellular trafficking and penetrating process of SFTSV infection via potential regulation of viral protein sorting, membrane fusion, and other endocytic machinery.     

Current status of severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome in China

Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) is an emerging infectious disease caused by SFTS virus (SFTSV). SFTSV is associated with a high mortality rate and has been reported in China, South Korea and Japan. SFTSV undergoes rapid changes owing to evolution, gene mutations, and reassortment between different strains of SFTSV. In this review, we summarize the recent cases and general properties of SFTS, focusing on the epidemiology, genetic diversity, clinical features, and diagnostics of SFTSV in China. From 2010 to October 2016, SFTS cases were reported in 23 provinces of China, with increased numbers yearly. Infection and death cases are mainly found in central China, where the Haemaphysalis longicornis ticks are spread. The national average mortality rate of SFTS infection was 5.3%, with higher risk to elder people. The main epidemic period was from May to July, with a peak in May. Thus, SFTS reminds a significant public health problem, and development of prophylactic vaccines and effective antiviral drugs will be highly needed.

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A new luciferase immunoprecipitation system assay provided serological evidence for missed diagnosis of severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome

Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS), caused by SFTS virus (SFTSV) infection, was first reported in 2010 in China with an initial fatality of up to 30%. The laboratory confirmation of SFTSV infection in terms of detection of viral RNA or antibody levels is critical for SFTS diagnosis and therapy. In this study, a new luciferase immunoprecipitation system (LIPS) assay based on pREN2 plasmid expressing SFTSV NP gene and tagged with Renilla luciferase (Rluc), was established and used to investigate the levels of antibody responses to SFTSV. Totally 464 serum samples from febrile patients were collected in the hospital of Shaoxing City in Zhejiang Province in 2019. The results showed that 82 of the 464 patients (17.7%) had antibody response to SFTSV, which were further supported by immunofluorescence assays (IFAs). Further, qRT-PCR and microneutralization tests showed that among the 82 positive cases, 15 patients had viremia, 10 patients had neutralizing antibody, and one had both (totally 26 patient). However, none of these patients were diagnosed as SFTS in the hospital probably because of their mild symptoms or subclinical manifestations. All the results indicated that at least the 26 patients having viremia or neutralizing antibody were the missed diagnosis of SFTS cases. The findings suggested the occurrence of SFTS and the SFTS incidence were higher than the reported level in Shaoxing in 2019, and that LIPS may provide an alternative strategy to confirm SFTSV infection in the laboratory.     

Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome and its pathogen SFTSV

Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) is an emerging hemorrhagic fever in East Asia with case fatality up to 50%. SFTS is caused by SFTSV, a tick borne bunyavirus. In endemic area in China 1%–3% population was infected with SFTSV, but age is critical risk factor for hospitalization and death of SFTS patients.     

Entry of severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus

Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus(SFTSV) is a globe-shaped virus covered by a dense icosahedral array of glycoproteins Gn/Gc that mediate the attachment of the virus to host cells and the fusion of viral and cellular membranes. Several membrane factors are involved in virus entry, including C-type lectins and nonmuscle myosin heavy chain ⅡA. The post-fusion crystal structure of the Gc protein suggests that it is a class Ⅱ membrane fusion protein, similar to the E/E1 protein of flaviviruses and alphaviruses. The virus particles are internalized into host cell endosomes through the clathrin-dependent pathway, where the low pH activates the fusion of the virus with the cell membrane. With information from studies on other bunyaviruses, herein we will review our knowledge of the entry process of SFTSV.     

家养动物体表蜱中发热伴血小板减少综合征布尼亚病毒分离及鉴定

为了解发热伴血小板减少综合征布尼亚病毒(SFTSV)的传播机制,采集了山东疫区家养牛、羊和狗等动物体表蜱,分类鉴定后,通过Real-time PCR筛查、病毒分离培养和基因组序列分析等方法分离鉴定蜱中的病毒。所采集的蜱,以长角血蜱为主,占91.4%。其中3头SFTSV核酸检测阳性,阳性率为2.14%,并在其中一份羊体表蜱标本中分离到SFTSV病毒,命名为SDLZTick12。序列分析显示与我国在不同省份患者标本中分离的病毒全基因序列具有高度同源性,且病毒的抗原性和生长特性与人源病毒相同。本研究首次在山东疫区蜱中分离到新型布尼亚病毒,并与人源病毒进行了系统比较研究,提示蜱可能为该新病原体的传播媒介,对疾病的防控具有重要的指导意义。     

Novel SFTSV Phylogeny Reveals New Reassortment Events and Migration Routes

Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus(SFTSV), the causative agent of a febrile human disease, was first identified from central and eastern provinces in China, and later in Japan and South Korea. Hubei Province is one of the major SFTS epidemic areas in the central part of China. This study reported the isolation of 11 new SFTSV strains from patients in Hubei Province collected in 2017. Extensive phylogenetic analyses were conducted based on the complete coding sequences of SFTSV segments including the new strains. It was suggested that five different SFTSV genotypes were circulating in Hubei, and 15 reassortment patterns and migration pathways correlated with each genotype were identified, which was more than previously recognized. Hubei Province was more involved in the evolutionary events of SFTSV than that previously thought in which the evolutionary events of SFTSV were reported to be independent from those in other epidemic regions. Further divergence of SFTSV strains was suggested by pairwise comparison of SFTSV sequences from each genotype and sequence identity normalized to representative strain in genotype C1. Subsequently,amino acid variations specific for genotype(s), strain(s), or cluster(s) were inspected, which may be related to differential biological activity of SFTSV strains/genotypes. In conclusion, we analyzed the current status of SFTSV phylogeny in Hubei Province and discussed the possible events correlated to SFTSV evolution. It provided an in-depth insight into SFTSV evolution, raising concerns for the use of proper SFTSV strains in future studies.     

原位分子杂交法检测恙螨体内肾综合征出血热病毒核酸的研究

为探讨肾综合征出血热病毒（ＨＦＲＳＶ）在恙螨体内的分布和定位,采用原位分子杂交技术检测恙螨体内ＨＦＲＳＶＲＮＡ。结果发现：原位分子杂交技术的检出阳性率较ＩＦＡＴ高;ＨＦＲＳＶ阳性信号颗粒呈弥散分布,多见于恙螨幼虫和若虫的腹部组织细胞内,该部位是恙螨的卵巢细胞、中肠及支囊上皮细胞。前体组织细胞内少见;个别幼虫和若虫的前足和中足细胞内亦可见到ＨＦＲＳＶＲＮＡ阳性信号。在原位分子杂交中,若虫组织细胞内的ＨＦＲＳＶＲＮＡ阳性信号较幼虫密集而且量多,表明ＨＦＲＳＶ在恙螨体内可传递并有增殖现象     

应用病毒感染细胞酶联免疫吸附试验检测肾综合征出血热病毒抗原和抗体

应用病毒感染细胞酶联免疫吸附试验(VIC-ELISA)检测肾综合征出血热病毒(HFRSV)感染性滴度比双抗体间接ELISA和间接免疫荧光法(IFA)分别敏感10倍和100倍。VIC-ELISA检测兔抗HFRSV抗体的滴度比双抗体间接夹心ELISA和IFA分别敏感1.6倍和8倍。VIC-ELISA能敏感、快速、有效地检测HFRSV抗原和抗体。     

Isolation,characterization, and phylogenic analysis of three new severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome bunyavirus strains derived from Hubei Province,China

Hubei Province is a major epidemic area of severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome bunyavirus(SFTSV) in China. However, to date, a few SFTSV strains have been isolated from Hubei Province, preventing effective studies of epidemic outbreaks. Here, we report three confirmed patients(2015–2016) with typical symptoms of severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome disease(SFTS) who were farmers resident in different regions in Hubei Province. Three new SFTSV strains were isolated from the serum samples of each patient. Characterization of viral growth properties showed that there were no significant differences in virus production. All strains were completely sequenced, and phylogenetic analysis showed that unlike the other strains from Hubei province, which belonged to the SFTSV C3 genotype, one of the three strains belonged to the SFTSV C2 genotype. These results suggested that multiple SFTSV genotypes have been circulating in Hubei Province, providing insights into SFTSV evolution and improving our understanding of SFTSV prevalence in Hubei Province.     

肾综合征出血热早期诊断方法的比较

应用免疫-PCR方法和ELISA法对比检测96份肾综合征出血热(HFRS)患者血清标本中特异性IgM抗体,结果免疫-PCR方法的阳性检出率高于ELISA法,表明免疫-PCR方法是一种可用于HFRS早期诊断的高敏感性的血清学检测方法。     

肾综合征出血热病毒对不同生理状态小鼠的实验感染及在小鼠淋巴细胞亚群中的定位

本文用双标记免疫细胞化学和双标记免疫电镜技术观察了环磷酰胺处理的BALB/c小鼠及乳鼠实验感染肾综合征出血热病毒后的发病和病毒定位情况,结果发现,免疫功能不成熟或有缺陷的小鼠感染后发病并有规律地死亡,而免疫功能正常鼠只呈隐性感染。在发病的和隐性感染的小鼠之间,病毒定位主要差别在于HFRSV是否感染免疫器官,即HFRSV抗原可见于发病鼠外周血,牌和胸腺的单个核细胞中,而在隐性感染小鼠的这些免疫器官中则为阴性,HFRS病毒颗粒及病毒抗原广泛见于发病鼠的T细胞亚群中,在Thy-1,L3T4和Lyt-2亚群中,双标记阳性细胞百分比分别为24.6+—15.3％,7.5％+—6.1％和17.7+—6.1％。对HFRSV在T细胞中分布的差异还作了动态比较。结果提示:细胞免疫可受HFRSV的直接影响,病毒对宿主免疫系统的感染是HFRSV感染发病的一个关键因素。     

用原位分子杂交和免疫组化研究肾综合征出血热肾组织中的病毒感染

应用原位分子杂交和免疫组化技术研究了陕西、沈阳、上海、江西、广州等地收集的３６例肾综合征出血热（ＨＦＲＳ）尸检肾组织中的病毒ＲＮＡ和抗原的定位和分布。病毒ＲＮＡ检测３４例,２８例阳性;抗原检测３４例,３０例阳性,病毒ＲＮＡ及其抗原主要定位于细胞胞浆中。西安及沈阳地区的病例,病毒ＲＮＡ和抗原阳性部位主要是肾小管上皮细胞,较少出现血管阳性。上海、江西和广州地区病例病毒ＲＮＡ主要出现于肾间质血管和少数病例的个别肾小球毛细血管和肾小管上皮细胞;病毒抗原分布于肾间质血管和肾小管上皮中。１例（广州病例）肾血管平滑肌细胞检测到空泡状病毒ＮＰ抗原。另外在３例西安病例和９例上海病例肾远曲小管和集合管上皮中检测到ＮＰ和ＨＡ阳性的病毒包涵体。结果说明ＨＦＲＳ病毒可感染肾脏中肾小管上皮和血管内皮,并在肾小管上皮细胞产生包涵体。不同地区病例肾脏中病毒感染的部位不同,可能与不同地区病例所感染的病毒毒株或血清型不同有关。肾小管上皮细胞和血管内皮的损伤除病毒直接作用外,还可能有免疫因素参与。     

仔猪人工感染猪繁殖与呼吸综合征病毒后宿主细胞凋亡动态变化规律的研究

28日龄长白仔猪滴鼻人工感染猪繁殖与呼吸综合征病毒(PRRSV),于接种后8h、24h、30h、3d、5d、7d、9d、11d、14d、21d、28d、35d和42d各随机剖杀2头,取各组织器官,利用原位末端标记(TdT-mediated dUTP nick end la-beling,TUNEL)法检测PRRSV感染仔猪后所产生的细胞凋亡情况。结果表明,PRRSV在体内可诱导肺脏、淋巴结(肺门淋巴结、肠系膜淋巴结、腹股沟淋巴结)、扁桃体、脾脏、肝脏、胰脏、十二指肠、胸腺、肾脏、子宫、睾丸、附睾、大脑和小脑等组织的细胞发生凋亡,发生凋亡的靶细胞主要是各种巨噬细胞、单核细胞以及生殖细胞。感染后8h即可检测到细胞凋亡,且凋亡细胞数目随着感染时间的延长在感染后第7d达到高峰,以后逐渐减少,至感染后42d时仍能检测到少量凋亡细胞。     

Visualizing the Transport of Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome Virus in Live Cells by Quantum Dots-Based Single Virus Tracking

Quantum dots(QDs)-based single particle analysis technique enables real-time tracking of the viral infection in live cells with great sensitivity over a long period of time. The porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus(PRRSV) is a small virus with the virion size of 40–60 nm which causes great economic losses to the swine industry worldwide. A clear understanding of the viral infection mechanism is essential for the development of effective antiviral strategies. In this study, we labeled the PRRSV with QDs using the streptavidin–biotin labeling system and monitored the viral infection process in live cells. Our results indicated that the labeling method had negligible effect on viral infectivity. We also observed that prior to the entry, PRRSV vibrated on the plasma membrane, and entered the cells via endosome mediated cell entry pathway. Viruses moved in a slow–fast–slow oscillatory movement pattern and finally accumulated in a perinuclear region of the cell. Our results also showed that once inside the cell, PRRSV moved along the microtubule,microfilament and vimentin cytoskeletal elements. During the transport process, virus particles also made contacts with non-muscle myosin heavy chain Ⅱ-A(NMHC Ⅱ-A), visualized as small spheres in cytoplasm. This study can facilitate the application of QDs in virus infection imaging, especially the smaller-sized viruses and provide some novel and important insights into PRRSV infection mechanism.