Immunization with Usutu virus and with a chimeric West Nile virus (WNV) harboring Usutu-E protein protects immunocompetent adult mice against lethal challenges with different WNV lineage 1 and 2 strains

Jurisic, Lucija; Malatesta, Daniela; Zaccaria, Guendalina; Teodoro, Giovanni Di; Bonfini, Barbara; Valleriani, Fabrizia; Teodori, Liana; Bencivenga, Francesco; Leone, Alessandra; Ripà, Paola; D’Innocenzo, Vincenzo; Rossi, Emanuela; Lorusso, Alessio

doi:10.1016/j.vetmic.2022.109636

Cited by 2 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 53 publications

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“…Several studies have investigated the effect of cross-immunity between theses two viruses. Notably, the protective role played by USUV immunization before challenge with a lethal WNV strain has been demonstrated [ 91 , 92 ]. Moreover, a chimeric virus carrying the E protein of USUV in the WNV genome has shown an attenuated profile in mice compared to wild-type WNV [ 93 ].…”

Section: Main Challenges To Overcomementioning

confidence: 99%

Circulation of West Nile Virus and Usutu Virus in Europe: Overview and Challenges

Simonin

2024

Viruses

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West Nile Virus (WNV) and Usutu Virus (USUV) are both neurotropic mosquito-borne viruses belonging to the Flaviviridae family. These closely related viruses mainly follow an enzootic cycle involving mosquitoes as vectors and birds as amplifying hosts, but humans and other mammals can also be infected through mosquito bites. WNV was first identified in Uganda in 1937 and has since spread globally, notably in Europe, causing periodic outbreaks associated with severe cases of neuroinvasive diseases such as meningitis and encephalitis. USUV was initially isolated in 1959 in Swaziland and has also spread to Europe, primarily affecting birds and having a limited impact on human health. There has been a recent expansion of these viruses’ geographic range in Europe, facilitated by factors such as climate change, leading to increased human exposure. While sharing similar biological traits, ecology, and epidemiology, there are significant distinctions in their pathogenicity and their impact on both human and animal health. While WNV has been more extensively studied and is a significant public health concern in many regions, USUV has recently been gaining attention due to its emergence in Europe and the diversity of its circulating lineages. Understanding the pathophysiology, ecology, and transmission dynamics of these viruses is important to the implementation of effective surveillance and control measures. This perspective provides a brief overview of the current situation of these two viruses in Europe and outlines the significant challenges that need to be addressed in the coming years.

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Section: Main Challenges To Overcomementioning

confidence: 99%

Circulation of West Nile Virus and Usutu Virus in Europe: Overview and Challenges

Simonin

2024

Viruses

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“…As is well known for mice, a prior infection with a less pathogenic flavivirus (e.g., Zika virus [ 39 ] or USUV [ 40 , 41 , 42 ]) can protect the mice from a lethal WNV infection. In these studies, most of the mice pre-infected with USUV or Zika virus possessed antibodies against the administered flavivirus within 15 days, and these levels rose after the sequential WNV infection.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In addition, the pre-infected mice produced detectable WNV specific antibodies very soon (4–5 days) after the WNV infection. However, neither the pre-infection with Zika virus nor that with USUV protected the mice from WNV infection, even though they were protected from severe clinical disease and death [ 40 , 41 , 42 ]. In magpies, there was a protective effect against a subsequent WNV infection even though neither the USUV genome nor USUV antibodies were found to be present upon WNV infection [ 43 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Prior Usutu Virus Infection Can Protect Geese from Severe West Nile Disease

et al. 2023

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Usutu virus (USUV) and West Nile virus (WNV) are closely related pathogens circulating between mosquitoes and birds, but also infecting mammals as dead-end hosts. Both viruses share the same susceptible hosts, vectors, and even distribution areas in Central Europe. The aim of the study was, therefore, to understand their amplification potential and interference upon a successive infection. Two-week old geese were initially infected with an USUV isolate from Germany and with a German WNV isolate17 days later. The geese were susceptible to the USUV and the WNV infections, as evidenced by specific flavivirus antibodies in all of the birds. Furthermore, in half of the USUV-inoculated geese, USUV genomes were detected in the blood and swab samples 2–4 days post-infection. Additionally, most of the examined organs contained USUV genomes and showed signs of encephalitis and ganglioneuritis. Interestingly, upon a sequential infection with WNV, the genome copy numbers in all of the examined samples were significantly lower and less frequent than after a WNV mono-infection. Similarly, the histopathological lesions were less severe. Therefore, it can be concluded that a previous USUV infection can protect birds from clinical disease in a subsequent WNV infection.

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Immunization with Usutu virus and with a chimeric West Nile virus (WNV) harboring Usutu-E protein protects immunocompetent adult mice against lethal challenges with different WNV lineage 1 and 2 strains

Cited by 2 publications

References 53 publications

Circulation of West Nile Virus and Usutu Virus in Europe: Overview and Challenges

Circulation of West Nile Virus and Usutu Virus in Europe: Overview and Challenges

A Prior Usutu Virus Infection Can Protect Geese from Severe West Nile Disease

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