Author
Gaudreault, Natasha | |
INDRAN, SABARISH - Kansas State University | |
Bryant, Paul | |
RICHT, JUERGEN - Kansas State University | |
Wilson, William - Bill |
Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only Publication Acceptance Date: 6/13/2015 Publication Date: N/A Citation: N/A Interpretive Summary: Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV) is a mosquito-transmitted pathogen that primarily affects livestock, but can also cause mild to fatal disease in humans. Currently, there is no approved vaccine for use in the United States (US). Domestic goats, sheep and cattle are susceptible hosts for RVFV and several competent vectors exist in North America. However, it remains unknown whether native wildlife could play a role in potentiating this disease if it were introduced to the US. This study evaluates the ability of a variety of cell lines from wildlife found throughout North America to support RVFV infection. The results suggest that RVFV could potentially replicate not only in domestic livestock, but native deer species and possibly a wide range of non-ruminant animals. This work serves as a model system to guide and support future animal studies for risk assessment of this foreign zoonotic disease. Technical Abstract: Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV) is a mosquito-transmitted pathogen that primarily affects livestock, but can also cause mild to fatal disease in humans. Currently, there is no approved vaccine for use in the United States if it were introduced. Domestic goats, sheep and cattle are susceptible hosts for RVFV and several competent vectors exist in North America. However, it remains unknown whether native wildlife could act as potential amplifying hosts or reservoirs for this disease. In this study, the susceptibility and permissiveness of a variety of cell lines from wildlife found throughout North America to RVFV were evaluated. The results suggest that RVFV could potentially replicate not only in domestic livestock, but native deer species and possibly a wide range of non-ruminant animals. This work serves as a model system to guide and support future in vivo studies for risk assessment of this foreign zoonotic disease. |