Host Alternation and Rift Valley Fever Virus Stability
Author Information
Author(s): Moutailler Sara, Roche Benjamin, Thiberge Jean-Michel, Caro Valérie, Rougeon François, Failloux Anna-Bella
Primary Institution: Institut Pasteur, Paris, France
Hypothesis
Does alternating replication between arthropod and vertebrate hosts constrain the evolution of Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV)?
Conclusion
Alternating replication is necessary to maintain the virulence factor of the Rift Valley fever virus.
Supporting Evidence
- Single-host adapted viruses showed large deletions in the NSs gene, leading to loss of virulence.
- Viruses passaged alternately maintained the integrity of the NSs gene and remained virulent.
- Mice inoculated with NSs-deleted variants developed protective immunity against virulent RVFV.
Takeaway
The study shows that the Rift Valley fever virus needs to switch between different hosts to stay strong and not lose its ability to make animals sick.
Methodology
The virus was passaged in hamster and mosquito cells, both separately and alternately, to observe changes in virulence and genetic stability.
Limitations
The study was conducted in vitro, which may not fully replicate in vivo conditions.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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