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Neuroviral Disease Associated Mammarenaviruses

Introduction

Mammarenaviruses are prevalent pathogens distributed worldwide, and several strains cause severe cases of human infections with high morbidity and significant mortality. The Mammarenaviruses are divided into two groups: New World viruses (NW) and Old World viruses (OW). Their zoonotic transmission can lead to a severe life-threatening hemorrhagic fever (HF) disease. It is important to note that some patients did develop late neurological complications.

Mammarenaviruses do not generally infect mammals other than their natural hosts, in which they induce asymptomatic infections. However, some members can occasionally spill over to humans and can be highly pathogenic causing hemorrhagic fevers such as the Lujo and Lassa mammarenaviruses in Africa.

Virology

Mammarenaviruses are single-stranded RNA viruses from the family Arenaviridae. They have a bi-segmented genome with the ambisense organization: the large segment (L) and the small segment (S). mRNAs are capped, probably by L protein during synthesis. Virions are spherical or pleomorphic, 50-200 nm in diameter, with dense lipid envelopes. The virion is enveloped and contains four types of viral proteins; glycoprotein (GP), nucleoprotein (NP), RdRp (L), the zinc finger matrix protein (Z). GP1 is responsible for binding to the cell receptor, and GP2 is a class I fusion protein.

Mammarenavirus structure and genome composition. Fig.1 Mammarenavirus structure and genome composition. (Stott, 2020)

Epidemiology

  • Mammarenavirus infections contribute significantly to the human disease burden in both Africa and the Americas, but little data exists for Asia.
  • Mammarenavirus species are associated with a specific rodent host species, although an increasing number of the virus has been associated with more than one host.
  • Only 5 cases of Lujo Mammarenavirus have ever been reported; all 5 were identified in September and October 2008, and 4 were fatal. Lassa fever can then develop hemorrhaging and/or neurologic involvement that may be fatal. In Lassa fever survivors, high rates of neurological sequelae have been observed.

Symptoms and Treatment

The virus infection initially presents with flu-like symptoms including fever, malaise, anorexia, and headache. The neurologic stage begins with aseptic meningitis. Headache may be severe and disturbances of consciousness may be seen. Convalescence may last several weeks with asthenia, febrile sensations, memory difficulties, poor cognitive function, headaches, or arthralgia. Survivors present a high rate of neurological sequelae of which sensorineural deafness is the most frequent. For instance, Machupo virus, Junin virus (JUNV), and Lassa virus can cause hemorrhagic fever, as well as neurologic symptoms, can be present.

The only Mammarenavirus vaccine tested in humans is the live-attenuated Candid#1 strain of JUNV with a proven efficacy of 95.5%. Available treatment options for Mammarenavirus infection include administration of convalescent plasma and the off-label use of ribavirin.

Comparison of the disease phenotypes between OW and NW arenaviruses. Fig.2 Comparison of the disease phenotypes between OW and NW arenaviruses. (Brisse, 2019)

What Can We offer

As a leading provider of biotechnology products, services, and solutions, Creative Biolabs focuses on the development of antibodies over the years. Numerous anti-Mammarenaviruses antibodies include anti-JUNV, anti-Lassa virus, and anti-Apore virus antibody targeting NP, G1, Z protein, etc. In addition, we offer custom ViroAntibody development to accelerate your research and development programs. Our team of experts is driven by science and brings expertise along with experience, to help ensure you gain cost and time savings at every stage of your drug development process.

For more detailed information, please feel free to contact us.

References

  1. Stott, R.J.; et al. Distinct molecular mechanisms of host immune response modulation by arenavirus NP and Z proteins. Viruses. 2020, 12(7).
  2. Brisse, M.E.; Ly, H. Hemorrhagic fever-causing Arenaviruses: lethal pathogens and potent immune suppressors. Front Immunol. 2019, 10: 372.

All products and services are intended for Research Use Only, and NOT to be used in diagnostic or therapeutic procedures.

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