Displaying publications 401 - 420 of 456 in total

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  1. Fulltext Changes in the EV-A71 Genome through Recombination and Spontaneous Mutations: Impact on Virulence
    Mandary MB, Poh CL
    Viruses, 2018 06 12;10(6).
    PMID: 29895721 DOI: 10.3390/v10060320
    Enterovirus 71 (EV-A71) is a major etiological agent of hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) that mainly affects young children less than five years old. The onset of severe HFMD is due to neurological complications bringing about acute flaccid paralysis and pulmonary oedema. In this review, we address how genetic events such as recombination and spontaneous mutations could change the genomic organization of EV-A71, leading to an impact on viral virulence. An understanding of the recombination mechanism of the poliovirus and non-polio enteroviruses will provide further evidence of the emergence of novel strains responsible for fatal HFMD outbreaks. We aim to see if the virulence of EV-A71 is contributed solely by the presence of fatal strains or is due to the co-operation of quasispecies within a viral population. The phenomenon of quasispecies within the poliovirus is discussed to reflect viral fitness, virulence and its implications for EV-A71. Ultimately, this review gives an insight into the evolution patterns of EV-A71 by looking into its recombination history and how spontaneous mutations would affect its virulence.
    Matched MeSH terms: Virulence
  2. Study on Streptococcus agalactiae infection in Javanese medaka (Oryzias javanicus Bleeker, 1854) model
    Amal MNA, Ismail A, Saad MZ, Md Yasin IS, Nasruddin NS, Mastor SS, et al.
    Microb Pathog, 2019 Jun;131:47-52.
    PMID: 30940607 DOI: 10.1016/j.micpath.2019.03.034
    This study determines the median lethal dose, and describes the clinico-pathological changes and disease development following Streptococcus agalactiae infection in Javanese medaka model. Javanese medakas were infected with S. agalactiae via intraperitoneal (IP) from 104 to 108 CFU/mL, and immersion (IM) route from 103 to 107 CFU/mL. The LD50-240h and clinico-pathological changes of the fish was determined until 240 h post infection (hpi). Next, the disease development was determined for 96 hpi in the fish following IP and IM infection at 103 CFU/mL and 104 CFU/mL, respectively. The LD50-240h of S. agalactiae in Javanese medaka was lower following IP injection (4.5 × 102 CFU/mL), compared to IM route (3.5 × 103 CFU/mL). The clinical signs included separating from the schooling group, swimming at the surface of water column, lethargy, erratic swimming pattern, corneal opacity and exophthalmia. Histopathological examinations revealed generalized congestion in almost all internal organs, particularly in liver and brain, while the kidney displayed tubular necrosis. Both IP and IM routes showed significant positive correlation (p 
    Matched MeSH terms: Virulence
  3. In vitro study of Pasteurella multocida adhesion to trachea, lung and aorta of rabbits
    Al-Haddawi MH, Jasni S, Zamri-Saad M, Mutalib AR, Zulkifli I, Son R, et al.
    Vet J, 2000 May;159(3):274-81.
    PMID: 10775473
    In vitro experiments were undertaken to study the adhesion and colonization to tracheal mucosa, lung and aorta explants from freshly killed rabbits of two different strains of Pasteurella multocida. Serotype A:3 (capsulated, fimbriae +, haemagglutination -, dermonecrotic toxin -) isolated from a rabbit with rhinitis, and serotype D:1 (non-capsulated, fimbriae +, haemagglutination +, dermonecrotic toxin +) isolated from a dead rabbit with septicaemia, were used. When the explants were observed under the scanning electron microscope, the type D strain was highly adherent to trachea and aorta explants compared to the type A strain. Adhesion to lung explants was best achieved by the type A strain after 45 min incubation, but after 2 h incubation no significant difference was observed between the strains. Our data indicate that the presence of fimbriae and the absence of capsule seem to enhance the adherence of P. multocida type D strain to tracheal tissue. The capsular material of P. multocida type A strain and the toxin of the type D strain seem to influence the adherence to lung tissue in rabbit. Adhesion of strain D to aorta may indicate the expression of receptors on the endothelium to that strain and may also explain the ability of certain strains to cause septicaemia.
    Matched MeSH terms: Virulence
  4. The Detection of Hypermucoviscous Carbapenem-Resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae from a Tertiary Teaching Hospital in Malaysia and Assessment of Hypermucoviscous as Marker of Hypervirulence
    Kong ZX, Karunakaran R, Abdul Jabar K, Ponnampalavanar S, Chong CW, Teh CSJ
    Microb Drug Resist, 2021 Oct;27(10):1319-1327.
    PMID: 33877888 DOI: 10.1089/mdr.2020.0096
    Background: Hypermucoviscous carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae (hmCRKp) is emerging globally and approaching the worst-case scenario in health care system. Aims: The main objective in this study was to determine the hypermucoviscous characteristics among the carbapenem-resistant K. pneumoniae (CRKp) isolated from a teaching hospital in Malaysia. The association of hypermucoviscous phenotype with the virulence traits and clinical presentations were also investigated. Methods: A retrospective study was conducted in University Malaya Medical Centre (UMMC). The presence of hypermucoviscous K. pneumoniae was identified among a collection of CRKp clinical isolates (first isolate per patient) from 2014 to 2015 using string test. Correlation between clinical and microbial characteristics of the hmCRKp was investigated. Results: A total of nine (7.5%) hmCRKp were detected among 120 CRKp isolates. Majority of the isolates were hospital acquired or health care-associated infections. None of the patients had typical pyogenic liver abscess. All of the hmCRKp isolates harbored carbapenemase genes and were multidrug resistant. K1/K serotype, peg-344, allS, and magA were not identified among hmCRKp isolates, whereas aerobactin siderophore receptor gene (iutA), iroB, rmpA, and rmpA2 were detected. Only three hmCRKp isolates were resistant to serum bactericidal. Conclusions: All the isolates presented inconclusive evidence for the interpretation of hypervirulence. Therefore, more study should be performed in the future to have a better understanding of the virulence mechanisms in correlation with the clinical and microbial determinants.
    Matched MeSH terms: Virulence
  5. Fulltext Escherichia coli K1 utilizes host macropinocytic pathways for invasion of brain microvascular endothelial cells
    Loh LN, McCarthy EMC, Narang P, Khan NA, Ward TH
    Traffic, 2017 11;18(11):733-746.
    PMID: 28799243 DOI: 10.1111/tra.12508
    Eukaryotic cells utilize multiple endocytic pathways for specific uptake of ligands or molecules, and these pathways are commonly hijacked by pathogens to enable host cell invasion. Escherichia coli K1, a pathogenic bacterium that causes neonatal meningitis, invades the endothelium of the blood-brain barrier, but the entry route remains unclear. Here, we demonstrate that the bacteria trigger an actin-mediated uptake route, stimulating fluid phase uptake, membrane ruffling and macropinocytosis. The route of uptake requires intact lipid rafts as shown by cholesterol depletion. Using a variety of perturbants we demonstrate that small Rho GTPases and their downstream effectors have a significant effect on bacterial invasion. Furthermore, clathrin-mediated endocytosis appears to play an indirect role in E. coli K1 uptake. The data suggest that the bacteria effect a complex interplay between the Rho GTPases to increase their chances of uptake by macropinocytosis into human brain microvascular endothelial cells.
    Matched MeSH terms: Virulence
  6. Fulltext Multilocus sequence types of clinical Burkholderia pseudomallei isolates from peninsular Malaysia and their associations with disease outcomes
    Zueter AR, Rahman ZA, Abumarzouq M, Harun A
    BMC Infect Dis, 2018 01 02;18(1):5.
    PMID: 29291714 DOI: 10.1186/s12879-017-2912-9
    BACKGROUND: Previous studies on the Burkholderia pseudomallei genetic diversity among clinical isolates from melioidosis-endemic areas have identified genetic factors contributing to differential virulence. Although it has been ruled out in Australian and Thai B. pseudomallei populations, it remains unclear whether B. pseudomallei sequence types (STs) correlate with disease in Malaysian patients with melioidosis.

    METHODS: In this study, multi-locus sequence typing (MLST) was performed on clinical B. pseudomallei isolates collected from Kelantan state of Malaysia, patients' clinical data were reviewed and then genotype-risk correlations were investigated.

    RESULTS: Genotyping of 83 B. pseudomallei isolates revealed 32 different STs, of which 13(40%) were novel. The frequencies of the STs among the 83 isolates ranged from 1 to 12 observations, and ST54, ST371 and ST289 were predominant. All non-novel STs reported in this study have also been identified in other Asian countries. Based on the MLST data analysis, the phylogenetic tree showed clustering of the STs with each other, as well as with the STs from Southeast Asia and China. No evidence for associations between any of B. pseudomallei STs and clinical melioidosis presentation was detected. In addition, the bacterial genotype clusters in relation with each clinical outcome were statistically insignificant, and no risk estimate was reported. This study has expanded the data for B. pseudomallei on MLST database map and provided insights into the molecular epidemiology of melioidosis in Peninsular Malaysia.

    CONCLUSION: This study concurs with previous reports concluding that infecting strain type plays no role in determining disease presentation.

    Matched MeSH terms: Virulence
  7. Fulltext Glyoxylate cycle gene ICL1 is essential for the metabolic flexibility and virulence of Candida glabrata
    Chew SY, Ho KL, Cheah YK, Ng TS, Sandai D, Brown AJP, et al.
    Sci Rep, 2019 02 26;9(1):2843.
    PMID: 30808979 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-39117-1
    The human fungal pathogen Candida glabrata appears to utilise unique stealth, evasion and persistence strategies in subverting the onslaught of host immune response during systemic infection. However, macrophages actively deprive the intracellular fungal pathogen of glucose, and therefore alternative carbon sources probably support the growth and survival of engulfed C. glabrata. The present study aimed to investigate the role of the glyoxylate cycle gene ICL1 in alternative carbon utilisation and its importance for the virulence of C. glabrata. The data showed that disruption of ICL1 rendered C. glabrata unable to utilise acetate, ethanol or oleic acid. In addition, C. glabrata icl1∆ cells displayed significantly reduced biofilm growth in the presence of several alternative carbon sources. It was also found that ICL1 is crucial for the survival of C. glabrata in response to macrophage engulfment. Disruption of ICL1 also conferred a severe attenuation in the virulence of C. glabrata in the mouse model of invasive candidiasis. In conclusion, a functional glyoxylate cycle is essential for C. glabrata to utilise certain alternative carbon sources in vitro and to display full virulence in vivo. This reinforces the view that antifungal drugs that target fungal Icl1 have potential for future therapeutic intervention.
    Matched MeSH terms: Virulence
  8. Misidentification of toxigenic Corynebacterium diphtheriae as a Corynebacterium species with low virulence in a child with endocarditis
    Pennie RA, Malik AS, Wilcox L
    J Clin Microbiol, 1996 May;34(5):1275-6.
    PMID: 8727917
    A 6-year-old boy presented to a university hospital in Malaysia with infective endocarditis complicating cyanotic congenital heart disease. Blood cultures showed a gram-positive, aerobic, coryneform-like bacillus identified by the hospital laboratory as Corynebacterium xerosis, but a reference laboratory identified the organism as a toxigenic strain of Corynebacterium diphtheriae. The two laboratories concurred on all biochemical test results except for sucrose fermentation.
    Matched MeSH terms: Virulence
  9. Molecular analysis of isolates of Salmonella typhi obtained from patients with fatal and nonfatal typhoid fever
    Thong KL, Passey M, Clegg A, Combs BG, Yassin RM, Pang T
    J Clin Microbiol, 1996 Apr;34(4):1029-33.
    PMID: 8815078
    Molecular characterization of a total of 52 human isolates of Salmonella typhi from Papua New Guinea was performed by using pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) after digestion of chromosomal DNA with three restriction endonucleases, XbaI (5'-TCTAGA-3'), AvrII (5'-CCTAGG-3'), and SpeI (5'-ACTAGT-3'). Of the 52 isolates tested, 11 were obtained from patients with fatal typhoid fever and 41 were obtained from patients with nonfatal disease. The 52 isolates showed limited genetic diversity as evidenced by only three different PFGE patterns detected following digestion with XbaI (patterns X1 to X3; F [coefficient of similarity] = 0.86 to 1.0), four patterns detected following digestion with AvrII (patterns A1 to A4; F =0.78 to 1.0), and two patterns detected following digestion with SpeI (patterns S1 and S2; F = 0.97 to 1.0). Of the 52 isolates, 37 were phage typed, and all belonged to phage type D2. All 11 isolates obtained from patients with fatal typhoid fever were identical (F = 1.0) and possessed the PFGE pattern combination X1S1A1, whereas the 41 isolates from patients with nonfatal typhoid fever had various PFGE pattern combinations, the most common being X2S1A2 (39%), X1S1A1 (24%), and X1S1A2 (15%). Thus, all the isolates from patients with the fatal disease had the X1 and A1 patterns, whereas the majority of the isolates from patients with nonfatal typhoid fever possessed the X2 and A2 patterns. The data suggest that there is an association among strains of S. typhi between genotype, as assessed by PFGE patterns, and the capability to cause fatal illness. Analysis of blood and fecal isolates of S. typhi from the same patient also indicated that some genetic changes occur in vivo during the course of infection.
    Matched MeSH terms: Virulence
  10. Efficacy of intranasal vaccination of field buffaloes against haemorrhagic septicaemia with a live gdhA derivative Pasteurella multocida B:2
    Rafidah O, Zamri-Saad M, Shahirudin S, Nasip E
    Vet Rec, 2012 Aug 18;171(7):175.
    PMID: 22815208 DOI: 10.1136/vr.100403
    The efficacy of an intranasal haemorrhagic septicaemia vaccine containing live gdhA derivative Pasteurella multocida B:2 was tested in buffaloes in Sabah. Sixty buffaloes, kept grazing in the field with minimal human intervention were devided into three groups of 20 buffaloes per group. Buffaloes of group 1 were exposed intranasal to 5 ml vaccine containing 10(6) CFU/ml of live gdhA derivative P multocida B:2. Buffaloes of group 2 were not exposed to the vaccine but exposed to PBS and were allowed to commingle and graze in the same field as the buffaloes of group 1 while buffaloes of group 3 were similarly exposed to PBS and were grazing separately. Booster was on group 1, two weeks later. Twelve months after the first vaccination, three buffaloes from each group were brought into the experimental house and challenged subcutaneously with 10(9) CFU/ml of live wild-type P multocida B:2. All challenged buffaloes of groups 1 and 2 survived with only mild, transient signs while all control unvaccinated buffaloes developed severe signs of haemorrhagic septicaemia and were euthanased between 28 hours and 38 hours postchallenge with signs and lesions typical of haemorrhagic septicaemia. These data showed that the gdhA mutant strain, given intranasally as two doses two weeks apart, successfully induced systemic immunity in exposed buffaloes and also led to spread of vaccine strain to the in-contact animals, where it acted as an effective live vaccine to protect both exposed buffaloes and in-contact buffaloes against challenge with the virulent parent strain.
    Matched MeSH terms: Virulence
  11. Hendra and Nipah viruses: different and dangerous
    Eaton BT, Broder CC, Middleton D, Wang LF
    Nat Rev Microbiol, 2006 Jan;4(1):23-35.
    PMID: 16357858
    Hendra virus and Nipah virus are highly pathogenic paramyxoviruses that have recently emerged from flying foxes to cause serious disease outbreaks in humans and livestock in Australia, Malaysia, Singapore and Bangladesh. Their unique genetic constitution, high virulence and wide host range set them apart from other paramyxoviruses. These features led to their classification into the new genus Henipavirus within the family Paramyxoviridae and to their designation as Biosafety Level 4 pathogens. This review provides an overview of henipaviruses and the types of infection they cause, and describes how studies on the structure and function of henipavirus proteins expressed from cloned genes have provided insights into the unique biological properties of these emerging human pathogens.
    Matched MeSH terms: Virulence
  12. Fulltext An imported case of acute melioidosis caused by ST881 Burkholderia pseudomallei
    Zong Z, Wang X, Deng Y
    Southeast Asian J Trop Med Public Health, 2016 Mar;47(2):219-22.
    PMID: 27244959
    A previously healthy Chinese male working in Malaysia returned to China with high fever. A blood culture showed Burkholderia pseudomallei strain WCBP1. This isolate was sequenced, showing type, ST881, which appears to be present in Malaysia. WCP1 had unusual susceptibility to aminoglycosides and habored the Yersinia-like fimbrial gene cluster for virulence. The patient's condition deteriorated rapidly but he recovered after receiving meropenem and intensive care support. Melioidosis is a potential problem among Chinese imigrant workers with strains new to China being identified.
    Matched MeSH terms: Virulence
  13. Genotypic characterization of Malaysian human isolates of Streptococcus pneumoniae from carriage and clinical sources
    Shakrin NN, Masri SN, Taib NM, Nordin SA, Jamal F, Desa MN
    Comp Immunol Microbiol Infect Dis, 2014 Dec;37(5-6):347-54.
    PMID: 25467035 DOI: 10.1016/j.cimid.2014.10.005
    This study characterized carriage and clinical pneumococcal isolates for serotypes, penicillin susceptibility, virulence genes and restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) pattern of penicillin binding protein (PBP) genes. DNA fingerprint of isolates was generated by BOX-PCR. Majority of serotypes were 23F followed by 19F, 19A and 6A. Twenty-four percent of isolates were penicillin non-susceptible (PNSP). All of the targeted virulence genes were detected in all isolates with the exception of pili; 20.6% (n=22) for PI-1 and 14.0% (n=15) for PI-2. Of the 13 isolates which carried both PI-1 and PI-2, 10 were of clinical origin. Digested pbp-DNA produced three PBP-RFLP profiles for pbp1a (A1 to A3), six profiles for pbp2b (B1 to B6) and seven for pbp2x (X1 to X7) mostly in PNSPs. Based on BOX-PCR analysis, the majority of isolates were genetically diverse with a small number of potentially related isolates carrying pili genes. No obvious genotypic association was observed pertaining to carriage and clinical origin of isolates.
    Matched MeSH terms: Virulence
  14. Fulltext The West Nile virus-like flavivirus Koutango is highly virulent in mice due to delayed viral clearance and the induction of a poor neutralizing antibody response
    Prow NA, Setoh YX, Biron RM, Sester DP, Kim KS, Hobson-Peters J, et al.
    J Virol, 2014 Sep 1;88(17):9947-62.
    PMID: 24942584 DOI: 10.1128/JVI.01304-14
    The mosquito-borne West Nile virus (WNV) is responsible for outbreaks of viral encephalitis in humans, horses, and birds, with particularly virulent strains causing recent outbreaks of disease in eastern Europe, the Middle East, North America, and Australia. Previous studies have phylogenetically separated WNV strains into two main genetic lineages (I and II) containing virulent strains associated with neurological disease. Several WNV-like strains clustering outside these lineages have been identified and form an additional five proposed lineages. However, little is known about whether these strains have the potential to induce disease. In a comparative analysis with the highly virulent lineage I American strain (WNVNY99), the low-pathogenicity lineage II strain (B956), a benign Australian strain, Kunjin (WNVKUN), the African WNV-like Koutango virus (WNVKOU), and a WNV-like isolate from Sarawak, Malaysia (WNVSarawak), were assessed for neuroinvasive properties in a murine model and for their replication kinetics in vitro. While WNVNY99 replicated to the highest levels in vitro, in vivo mouse challenge revealed that WNVKOU was more virulent, with a shorter time to onset of neurological disease and higher morbidity. Histological analysis of WNVKOU- and WNVNY99-infected brain and spinal cords demonstrated more prominent meningoencephalitis and the presence of viral antigen in WNVKOU-infected mice. Enhanced virulence of WNVKOU also was associated with poor viral clearance in the periphery (sera and spleen), a skewed innate immune response, and poor neutralizing antibody development. These data demonstrate, for the first time, potent neuroinvasive and neurovirulent properties of a WNV-like virus outside lineages I and II.
    Matched MeSH terms: Virulence
  15. Fulltext Molecular characterization of clinical isolates of Aeromonas species from Malaysia
    Puthucheary SD, Puah SM, Chua KH
    PLoS One, 2012;7(2):e30205.
    PMID: 22383958 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0030205
    BACKGROUND: Aeromonas species are common inhabitants of aquatic environments giving rise to infections in both fish and humans. Identification of aeromonads to the species level is problematic and complex due to their phenotypic and genotypic heterogeneity.

    METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Aeromonas hydrophila or Aeromonas sp were genetically re-identified using a combination of previously published methods targeting GCAT, 16S rDNA and rpoD genes. Characterization based on the genus specific GCAT-PCR showed that 94 (96%) of the 98 strains belonged to the genus Aeromonas. Considering the patterns obtained for the 94 isolates with the 16S rDNA-RFLP identification method, 3 clusters were recognised, i.e. A. caviae (61%), A. hydrophila (17%) and an unknown group (22%) with atypical RFLP restriction patterns. However, the phylogenetic tree constructed with the obtained rpoD sequences showed that 47 strains (50%) clustered with the sequence of the type strain of A. aquariorum, 18 (19%) with A. caviae, 16 (17%) with A. hydrophila, 12 (13%) with A. veronii and one strain (1%) with the type strain of A. trota. PCR investigation revealed the presence of 10 virulence genes in the 94 isolates as: lip (91%), exu (87%), ela (86%), alt (79%), ser (77%), fla (74%), aer (72%), act (43%), aexT (24%) and ast (23%).

    CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: This study emphasizes the importance of using more than one method for the correct identification of Aeromonas strains. The sequences of the rpoD gene enabled the unambiguous identication of the 94 Aeromonas isolates in accordance with results of other recent studies. Aeromonas aquariorum showed to be the most prevalent species (50%) containing an important subset of virulence genes lip/alt/ser/fla/aer. Different combinations of the virulence genes present in the isolates indicate their probable role in the pathogenesis of Aeromonas infections.

    Matched MeSH terms: Virulence
  16. Fulltext Attenuation of influenza virus infectivity with herbal-marine compound (HESA-A): an in vitro study in MDCK cells
    Mehrbod P, Ideris A, Omar AR, Hair-Bejo M, Tan SW, Kheiri MT, et al.
    Virol J, 2012;9:44.
    PMID: 22340010 DOI: 10.1186/1743-422X-9-44
    The influenza virus is still one of the most important respiratory risks affecting humans which require effective treatments. In this case, traditional medications are of interest. HESA-A is an active natural biological compound from herbal-marine origin. Previous studies have reported that the therapeutic properties of HESA-A are able to treat psoriasis vulgaris and cancers. However, no antiviral properties have been reported.
    Matched MeSH terms: Virulence
  17. Comparative analysis of extracellular enzymes and virulence exhibited by Burkholderia pseudomallei from different sources
    Vellasamy KM, Vasu C, Puthucheary SD, Vadivelu J
    Microb Pathog, 2009 Sep;47(3):111-7.
    PMID: 19524661 DOI: 10.1016/j.micpath.2009.06.003
    To evaluate the potential role of extracellular proteins in the pathogenicity and virulence of Burkholderia pseudomallei, the activities of several enzymes in the culture filtrates of nine clinical and six environmental isolates were investigated in vitro and in vivo in ICR strain of mice. The production of protease, phosphatase, phospholipase C, superoxide dismutase, catalase and peroxidase were detected in the culture filtrates of all the 15 isolates at different time points of growth 4-24h. Over time, activity of each enzyme at each time point varied. Profile of secretion was similar among the 15 isolates irrespective of source, that is clinical or environmental. Catalase, phosphatase and phospholipase C were found to be increased in 60-100% of the isolates post-passage in mice. In vivo inoculation studies in ICR mice demonstrated a wide difference in their ability to cause bacteraemia, splenic or external abscesses and mortality rate ranged from few days to several weeks.
    Matched MeSH terms: Virulence
  18. Monkey malaria kills four humans
    Galinski MR, Barnwell JW
    Trends Parasitol, 2009 May;25(5):200-4.
    PMID: 19345613 DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2009.02.002
    Four human deaths caused by Plasmodium knowlesi, a simian malaria species, are stimulating a surge of public health interest and clinical vigilance in vulnerable areas of Southeast Asia. We, and other colleagues, emphasize that these cases, identified in Malaysia, are a clear warning that health facilities and clinicians must rethink the diagnosis and treatment of malaria cases presumed to be caused by a less virulent human malaria species, Plasmodium malariae.
    Matched MeSH terms: Virulence
  19. Organ- and endotheliotropism of Nipah virus infections in vivo and in vitro
    Maisner A, Neufeld J, Weingartl H
    Thromb. Haemost., 2009 Dec;102(6):1014-23.
    PMID: 19967130 DOI: 10.1160/TH09-05-0310
    Nipah virus (NiV) is a highly pathogenic paramyxovirus that was first isolated in 1999 during an outbreak in Malaysia. In contrast to other paramyxoviruses NiV infects many mammalian species. Because of its zoonotic potential, the high pathogenicity and the lack of therapeutic treatment, NiV was classified as a biosafety level 4 pathogen. In humans NiV causes a severe acute encephalitis whereas in some animal hosts respiratory symptoms are predominantly observed. Despite the differences in the clinical outcome, microvascular endothelial cell damage predominantly underlies the pathological changes in NiV infections in all susceptible host species. NiV generally induces a pronounced vasculitis which is primarily characterised by endothelial cell necrosis and inflammatory cell infiltration. For future developments of specific antiviral therapies or vaccines, a detailed understanding of the molecular basis of NiV pathogenesis is required. This article reviews the current knowledge about natural and experimental infections in different mammals, focusing on the main organ and cell tropism in vivo, and summarises some recent studies in cell culture on the role of ephrin-B2 and -B3 receptors in NiV infection of endothelial cells.
    Matched MeSH terms: Virulence
  20. Antibody neutralization and viral virulence in recurring dengue virus type 2 outbreaks
    Wong SS, Abd-Jamil J, Abubakar S
    Viral Immunol, 2007 Sep;20(3):359-68.
    PMID: 17931106
    Outbreaks involving dengue viruses (DENV) of the same genotype occur in a cyclical pattern in Malaysia. Two cycles of outbreaks involving dengue virus type 2 (DENV-2) of the same genotype occurred in the 1990s in the Klang Valley, Malaysia. Sera of patients from the first outbreak and sera of mice inoculated with virus from the same outbreak had poorer neutralization activity against virus of the second outbreak. Conversely, patient sera from the second outbreak showed higher neutralization titer against virus of the early outbreak. At subneutralizing concentrations, sera of mice immunized with second outbreak virus did not significantly enhance infection with viruses from the earlier outbreak. Amino acid substitution from valine to isoleucine at position 129 of the envelope protein (E), as well as threonine to alanine at position 117 and lysine to arginine at position 272 of the NS1 protein, differentiated viruses of the two outbreaks. These findings highlight the potential influence of specific intragenotypic variations in eliciting varied host immune responses against the different DENV subgenotypes. This could be an important contributing factor in the recurring homogenotypic dengue virus outbreaks seen in dengue-endemic regions.
    Matched MeSH terms: Virulence
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