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Antiviral research2020; 182; 104875; doi: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2020.104875

Comparative pathology study of Venezuelan, eastern, and western equine encephalitis viruses in non-human primates.

Abstract: Venezuelan, eastern, and western equine encephalitis viruses (VEEV, EEEV, and WEEV) are mosquito-borne viruses in the Americas that cause central nervous system (CNS) disease in humans and equids. In this study, we directly characterized the pathogenesis of VEEV, EEEV, and WEEV in cynomolgus macaques following subcutaneous exposure because this route more closely mimics natural infection via mosquito transmission or by an accidental needle stick. Our results highlight how EEEV is significantly more pathogenic compared to VEEV similarly to what is observed in humans. Interestingly, EEEV appears to be just as neuropathogenic by subcutaneous exposure as it was in previously completed aerosol exposure studies. In contrast, subcutaneous exposure of cynomolgus macaques with WEEV caused limited disease and is contradictory to what has been reported for aerosol exposure. Several differences in viremia, hematology, or tissue tropism were noted when animals were exposed subcutaneously compared to prior aerosol exposure studies. This study provides a more complete picture of the pathogenesis of the encephalitic alphaviruses and highlights how further defining the neuropathology of these viruses could have important implications for the development of medical countermeasures for the neurovirulent alphaviruses.
Published by Elsevier B.V.
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Publication Date: 2020-08-02 PubMed ID: 32755661DOI: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2020.104875Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Comparative Study
  • Journal Article

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

The study examines the pathology of Venezuelan, eastern, and western equine encephalitis viruses in non-human primates, specifically cynomolgus macaques, through a route that closely mimics natural infection. The results show differences in the pathogenic nature of the three encephalitic viruses, with the eastern variety proving significantly more detrimental than the Venezuelan one, a pattern also observed in humans.

Methodology

  • The researchers studied the pathogenesis of Venezuelan, eastern, and western equine encephalitis viruses (VEEV, EEEV, and WEEV) in non-human primates, particularly cynomolgus macaques.
  • The way of exposure to the viruses was made to mimic natural infection, through subcutaneous exposure, imitating a mosquito transmission or needle stick accident closely.

Findings

  • One of the significant findings of the study is that EEEV or Eastern Encephalitis Virus is a lot more pathogenic compared to VEEV (Venezuelan equine encephalitis viruses). This finding mirrors the pattern observed in human infections, thus, validating its accuracy.
  • When the EEEV was transmitted subcutaneously, its neuropathogenic effects were found to be similar to those observed in aerosol exposure studies, i.e., the method of transmission doesn’t alter its pathogenesis.
  • On the other hand, the WEEV or Western Encephalitis Virus presented limited disease symptoms when introduced subcutaneously into the macaques. This contradicts previous findings using aerosol exposure, indicating that the exposure method might influence the pathogenesis of this virus.
  • The researchers observed differences in viremia (the presence of viruses in the blood), hematology (study of blood), and tissue tropism (the cells and tissues of a host which support growth of a particular virus) when animals were exposed subcutaneously compared to prior aerosol exposure studies.

Implications

  • By presenting a more comprehensive understanding of the pathogenesis of the encephalitic alphaviruses, the study aids in the development of medical countermeasures against these neurovirulent viruses.
  • The findings underline the importance of further defining the neuropathology of these viruses to improve treatments and preventative strategies in humans and equids, largely horses, donkeys, and zebras.

Cite This Article

APA
Smith DR, Schmaljohn CS, Badger C, Ostrowski K, Zeng X, Grimes SD, Rayner JO. (2020). Comparative pathology study of Venezuelan, eastern, and western equine encephalitis viruses in non-human primates. Antiviral Res, 182, 104875. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.antiviral.2020.104875

Publication

Antiviral research
ISSN: 1872-9096
NlmUniqueID: 8109699
Country: Netherlands
Language: English
Volume: 182
Pages: 104875
PII: S0166-3542(20)30289-8

Researcher Affiliations

Smith, Darci R
  • United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, Fort Detrick, 21702, MD, USA. Electronic address: darci.r.smith.civ@mail.mil.
Schmaljohn, Connie S
  • United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, Fort Detrick, 21702, MD, USA.
Badger, Catherine
  • United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, Fort Detrick, 21702, MD, USA.
Ostrowski, Kristen
  • United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, Fort Detrick, 21702, MD, USA.
Zeng, Xiankun
  • United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, Fort Detrick, 21702, MD, USA.
Grimes, Sheila D
  • Southern Research, Birmingham, 35255, AL, USA.
Rayner, Jonathan O
  • University of South Alabama, Mobile, 36688, AL, USA.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Neutralizing / blood
  • Antibodies, Viral / blood
  • Encephalitis Virus, Eastern Equine / pathogenicity
  • Encephalitis Virus, Venezuelan Equine / pathogenicity
  • Encephalitis Virus, Western Equine / pathogenicity
  • Encephalomyelitis, Equine / pathology
  • Encephalomyelitis, Venezuelan Equine / pathology
  • Female
  • Macaca fascicularis / virology
  • Male
  • Virus Replication

Citations

This article has been cited 15 times.
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