Archives of virology
-
Archives of virology · Sep 2012
The simian varicella virus ORF A is expressed in infected cells but is non-essential for replication in cell culture.
The simian varicella virus (SVV) genome encodes ORF A, a truncated homolog of SVV ORF 4. The SVV ORF A was expressed as a 1.0-kb transcript in SVV-infected Vero cells. ⋯ The SVV ORF A did not transactivate SVV IE, early, or late gene promoters in transfected Vero cells and was unable to augment IE62-mediated transactivation of SVV promoters. A SVV mutant lacking ORF A replicated as efficiently as wild-type SVV in infected Vero cells, indicating that ORF A expression is not essential for in vitro replication.
-
Archives of virology · Jan 2012
Inhibition of Lassa virus and Ebola virus infection in host cells treated with the kinase inhibitors genistein and tyrphostin.
Arenaviruses and filoviruses are capable of causing hemorrhagic fever syndrome in humans. Limited therapeutic and/or prophylactic options are available for humans suffering from viral hemorrhagic fever. In this report, we demonstrate that pre-treatment of host cells with the kinase inhibitors genistein and tyrphostin AG1478 leads to inhibition of infection or transduction in cells infected with Ebola virus, Marburg virus, and Lassa virus. In all, the results demonstrate that a kinase inhibitor cocktail consisting of genistein and tyrphostin AG1478 is a broad-spectrum antiviral that may be used as a therapeutic or prophylactic against arenavirus and filovirus hemorrhagic fever.
-
Archives of virology · Jan 2009
Genetic analysis of avian influenza A viruses isolated from domestic waterfowl in live-bird markets of Hanoi, Vietnam, preceding fatal H5N1 human infections in 2004.
The first known cases of human infection with highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 viruses in Vietnam occurred in late 2003. However, HPAI H5N1 and low-pathogenic avian influenza (LPAI) H5N2 and H9N3 viruses were isolated from domestic waterfowl during live-bird market (LBM) surveillance in Vietnam in 2001 and 2003. To understand the possible role of these early viruses in the genesis of H5N1 strains infecting people, we performed sequencing and molecular characterization. ⋯ Based on the molecular characterization of specific amino acid residues in the surface and relevant internal protein-coding genes, the Vietnamese H5N1 and H9N3 virus isolates indicated specificity to avian cell surface receptor and susceptibility for currently licensed anti-influenza A virus chemotherapeutics. Our findings suggest that the H5N1 and H5N2 viruses that circulated among geese and ducks in LBMs in Hanoi, Vietnam, during 2001 and 2003 were not the immediate ancestors of the clade-1 viruses associated with fatal human infections in Vietnam. The clade-1 HPAI H5N1 viruses were independently introduced into Vietnam.
-
Archives of virology · Jul 2005
Characterization of a vaccinia virus strain used to produce smallpox vaccine in Argentina between 1937 and 1970.
Due to recent political developments, smallpox has re-emerged as a serious threat. We recovered and characterized an old batch of smallpox vaccine, Malbrán strain, produced between 1945 and 1949. The virus was re-isolated and characterized by sequence analysis and biological activity in animals. ⋯ In animals, the Malbrán strain exhibited low pathogenicity, confirming historical records. Mice immunized with the Malbrán strain survived a lethal challenge with cowpox virus. Thus, this strain of vaccinia virus remains a viable candidate as a smallpox vaccine.
-
Archives of virology · Aug 2003
Serological analysis of hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) patients in Far Eastern Russia and identification of the causative hantavirus genotype.
Hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) is endemic in East Asia and Europe. The disease is caused by several viruses belonging to the genus Hantavirus, including the Hantaan virus (HTNV), Seoul virus (SEOV), Dobrava Belgrade virus (DOBV), and Puumala virus (PUUV). Recently, HTNV-related viruses, Amur (AMR) and Far East (FE) genotypes were identified as causative agents of HFRS in Far Eastern Russia. ⋯ A phylogenetic analysis found that the virus sequences from the patients clustered with the FE type, and were distinct from the AMR type. Thirty-one of 32 convalescent patient sera had antibodies to HTNV-specific antigen. These data suggest that our ELISA system can detect HTNV-specific antibodies to the FE type, which may be responsible for most of the HFRS in Khabarovsk.