scholarly journals In vitro screening of anti-viral and virucidal effects against SARS-CoV-2 by Hypericum perforatum and Echinacea

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leena Hussein Bajrai ◽  
Sherif Ali El-Kafrawy ◽  
Rabie Saleh Alnahas ◽  
Esam Ibraheem Azhar
Keyword(s):  
Saudi Arabia ◽  
Rift Valley Fever ◽  
Hypericum Perforatum ◽  
Hemorrhagic Fever ◽  
Infectious Agents ◽  
Valley Fever ◽  
Level 3 ◽  
Infectious Cycle ◽  
Biosafety Level

AbstractSpecial Infectious Agent Unit in King Fahd Medical Research Center at King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, has pursed the anti-viral project field to optimize the group of medicinal plants for human-infectious diseases. We have begun virtually in this field since COVID-19 pandemic, besides our divergence in the infectious agents’. In this study and based on the previous review, Hypericum perforatum (St. John’s Wort) and Echinacea (gaia HERBS®) were tested in vitro using Vero E6 cells for their anti-viral effects against the newly identified Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) through its infectious cycle from 0 to 48 hours post infection. The hypericin (0.9 mg) of H. perforatum and the different parts (roots, seeds, aerial) of two types of Echinacea species (Echinacea purpurea and Echinacea angustifolia) were examined their efficacy in certain concentration and under light-dependent anti-viral activities to measure the inhibition of the SARS-CoV-2 mRNA expression of RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRP) gene and the viral load with quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), and to assess the neutralization of the SARS-CoV-2 spike receptor binding on cell culture assay. Interestingly, the mixture (H.E.) of 100 mg/mL of H. perforatum and Echinacea was tested too on SARS-CoV-2 and showed crucial anti-viral activity competing H. perforatum then Echinacea effects as anti-viral treatment. Therefore, the results of gaia HERBS® products, H. perforatum and Echinacea species, applied in this study showed significant anti-viral and virucidal effects in the following order of potency: H. perforatum, H.E., and Echinacea on SARS-CoV-2 infectious cycle; and will definitely required a set up of clinical trial with specific therapeutic protocol based on the outcome of this study.Author SummaryAfter an outbreak of Rift Valley Fever in the Southern region of Saudi Arabia, particularly in May 2003, Special Infectious Agents Unit (SIAU) was established and founded by Prof. Esam Ibraheem Azhar. This unit contains a full range of facilities including Biosafety Level 3, allows him and his research groups to ambulate and culture risk group 3 viruses in Saudi Arabia & Gulf States for the first time. Since that time, SIAU and our international collaboration have been extended to implement a standard protocols in the infectious agents diagnostics procedure through different mode of collaboration including exchange of expertise, joint research program and more recently a technology transfer agreements with number of international institute sharing same interests. Furthermore, we have been engaged in number of researches related to Hajj & Umrah plus number of national services with the Ministry of Health (MOH) through which, we utilize our Mobile biosafety level 3 Lab to enhance the diagnostics of MERS CoV in the Holly sites during Hajj since 2014.In our SIAU and with a powerful team, we have excellent researches made valuable contributions through in vivo and in vitro animal and human studies, and several human viral pathogens which are a threat to global health security due to millions of pilgrims visiting Saudi Arabia every year from 182 countries: with particular areas of interests in: Alkhurma Viral Hemorrhagic Fever, Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever Viruses, Rift Valley Fever Virus, MERS-CoV and more recently the new global infectious diseases threat, Sever Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2).

scholarly journals High-Throughput Screening of a Diversity Collection Using Biodefense Category A and B Priority Pathogens

2012 ◽  
Vol 17 (7) ◽  
pp. 946-956 ◽  
Author(s):  
Esther W. Barrow ◽  
Patricia A. Clinkenbeard ◽  
Rebecca A. Duncan-Decocq ◽  
Rachel F. Perteet ◽  
Kimberly D. Hill ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
High Throughput ◽  
Broad Spectrum ◽  
High Throughput Screening ◽  
Inhibitory Concentration ◽  
Infectious Agents ◽  
Chemical Databases ◽  
Level 3 ◽  
Effective Use ◽  
Biosafety Level

One of the objectives of the National Institutes of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) Biodefense Program is to identify or develop broad-spectrum antimicrobials for use against bioterrorism pathogens and emerging infectious agents. As a part of that program, our institution has screened the 10 000-compound MyriaScreen Diversity Collection of high-purity druglike compounds against three NIAID category A and one category B priority pathogens in an effort to identify potential compound classes for further drug development. The effective use of a Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute–based high-throughput screening (HTS) 96-well–based format allowed for the identification of 49 compounds that had in vitro activity against all four pathogens with minimum inhibitory concentration values of ≤16 µg/mL. Adaptation of the HTS process was necessary to conduct the work in higher-level containment, in this case, biosafety level 3. Examination of chemical scaffolds shared by some of the 49 compounds and assessment of available chemical databases indicates that several may represent broad-spectrum antimicrobials whose activity is based on novel mechanisms of action.

scholarly journals Reanalysis of the 2000 Rift Valley fever outbreak in Southwestern Arabia

PLoS ONE ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (12) ◽  
pp. e0233279
Author(s):  
Compton J. Tucker ◽  
Katherine A. Melocik ◽  
Assaf Anyamba ◽  
Kenneth J. Linthicum ◽  
Shamsudeen F. Fagbo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Saudi Arabia ◽  
Satellite Data ◽  
Rift Valley ◽  
Rift Valley Fever ◽  
Mosquito Control ◽  
Mosquito Species ◽  
Hemorrhagic Fever ◽  
Valley Fever ◽  
Inspection And Quarantine ◽  
Favorable Conditions

The first documented Rift Valley hemorrhagic fever outbreak in the Arabian Peninsula occurred in northwestern Yemen and southwestern Saudi Arabia from August 2000 to September 2001. This Rift Valley fever outbreak is unique because the virus was introduced into Arabia during or after the 1997–1998 East African outbreak and before August 2000, either by wind-blown infected mosquitos or by infected animals, both from East Africa. A wet period from August 2000 into 2001 resulted in a large number of amplification vector mosquitoes, these mosquitos fed on infected animals, and the outbreak occurred. More than 1,500 people were diagnosed with the disease, at least 215 died, and widespread losses of domestic animals were reported. Using a combination of satellite data products, including 2 x 2 m digital elevation images derived from commercial satellite data, we show rainfall and potential areas of inundation or water impoundment were favorable for the 2000 outbreak. However, favorable conditions for subsequent outbreaks were present in 2007 and 2013, and very favorable conditions were also present in 2016–2018. The lack of subsequent Rift Valley fever outbreaks in this area suggests that Rift Valley fever has not been established in mosquito species in Southwest Arabia, or that strict animal import inspection and quarantine procedures, medical and veterinary surveillance, and mosquito control efforts put in place in Saudi Arabia following the 2000 outbreak have been successful. Any area with Rift Valley fever amplification vector mosquitos present is a potential outbreak area unless strict animal import inspection and quarantine proceedures are in place.

scholarly journals Detection of the Northeastern African Rift Valley Fever Virus Lineage During the 2015 Outbreak in Mauritania

2017 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ndeye Sakha Bob ◽  
Hampâté Bâ ◽  
Gamou Fall ◽  
Elkhalil Ishagh ◽  
Mamadou Y. Diallo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Rift Valley ◽  
Rift Valley Fever ◽  
Rift Valley Fever Virus ◽  
Hemorrhagic Fever ◽  
Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽  
Rt Pcr ◽  
West Nile ◽  
Valley Fever ◽  
Blood Samples ◽  
Crimean Congo Hemorrhagic Fever

Abstract Background Rift Valley fever (RVF) is an acute viral anthropozoonosis that causes epizootics and epidemics among livestock population and humans. Multiple emergences and reemergences of the virus have occurred in Mauritania over the last decade. This article describes the outbreak that occurred in 2015 in Mauritania and reports the results of serological and molecular investigations of blood samples collected from suspected RVF patients. Methods An RVF outbreak was reported from 14 September to 26 November 2015 in Mauritania. Overall, 184 suspected cases from different localities were identified by 26 health facilities. Blood samples were collected and tested by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and real-time reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) at the Institut Pasteur de Dakar (IPD). Sequencing of partial genomes and phylogenetic analyses were performed on RT-PCR–positive samples. As part of routine surveillance at IPD, samples were also screened for dengue, yellow fever, West Nile, Crimean Congo hemorrhagic fever, Zika, and Chikungunya viruses by ELISA and RT-PCR. Results Of the 184 suspected cases, there were 57 confirmed cases and 12 deaths. Phylogenetic analysis of the sequences indicated an emergence of a virus that originated from Northeastern Africa. Our results show co-circulation of other arboviruses in Mauritania—dengue, Crimean Congo hemorrhagic fever, and West Nile viruses. Conclusion The Northeastern Africa lineage of RVF was responsible for the outbreak in Mauritania in 2015. Co-circulation of multiples arboviruses was detected. This calls for systematic differential diagnosis and highlights the need to strengthen arbovirus surveillance in Africa.

scholarly journals Rift Valley Fever: Important Considerations for Risk Mitigation and Future Outbreaks

2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 89 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elysse N. Grossi-Soyster ◽  
A. Desiree LaBeaud
Keyword(s):  
Rift Valley ◽  
Rift Valley Fever ◽  
Risk Mitigation ◽  
Rift Valley Fever Virus ◽  
Severe Disease ◽  
Hemorrhagic Fever ◽  
Valley Fever ◽  
Great Opportunity ◽  
Exposure Risks ◽  
Psychological Impairment

Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV) is a zoonotic phlebovirus of the Phenuiviridae family with great opportunity for emergence in previously unaffected regions, despite its current geographical limits. Outbreaks of RVFV often infect humans or domesticated animals, such as livestock, concurrently and occur sporadically, ranging from localized outbreaks in villages to multi-country events that spread rapidly. The true burden of Rift Valley fever (RVF) is not well defined due to underreporting, misdiagnosis caused by the broad spectrum of disease presentation, and minimal access for rapid and accurate laboratory confirmation. Severe symptoms may include hemorrhagic fever, loss of vision, psychological impairment or disturbances, and organ failure. Those living in endemic areas and travelers should be aware of the potential for exposure to ongoing outbreaks or interepidemic transmission, and engage in behaviors to minimize exposure risks, as vaccinations in humans are currently unavailable and animal vaccinations are not used routinely or ubiquitously. The lack of vaccines approved for use in humans is concerning, as RVFV has proven to be highly pathogenic in naïve populations, causing severe disease in a large percent of confirmed cases, which could have considerable impact on human health.

scholarly journals MVA Vectored Vaccines Encoding Rift Valley Fever Virus Glycoproteins Protect Mice against Lethal Challenge in the Absence of Neutralizing Antibody Responses

Vaccines ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 82 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elena López-Gil ◽  
Sandra Moreno ◽  
Javier Ortego ◽  
Belén Borrego ◽  
Gema Lorenzo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Immune Response ◽  
Immune Responses ◽  
Cellular Immunity ◽  
Rift Valley ◽  
Neutralizing Antibodies ◽  
Rift Valley Fever ◽  
Rift Valley Fever Virus ◽  
Fever Virus ◽  
Valley Fever

In vitro neutralizing antibodies have been often correlated with protection against Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV) infection. We have reported previously that a single inoculation of sucrose-purified modified vaccinia Ankara (MVA) encoding RVFV glycoproteins (rMVAGnGc) was sufficient to induce a protective immune response in mice after a lethal RVFV challenge. Protection was related to the presence of glycoprotein specific CD8+ cells, with a low-level detection of in vitro neutralizing antibodies. In this work we extended those observations aimed to explore the role of humoral responses after MVA vaccination and to study the contribution of each glycoprotein antigen to the protective efficacy. Thus, we tested the efficacy and immune responses in BALB/c mice of recombinant MVA viruses expressing either glycoprotein Gn (rMVAGn) or Gc (rMVAGc). In the absence of serum neutralizing antibodies, our data strongly suggest that protection of vaccinated mice upon the RVFV challenge can be achieved by the activation of cellular responses mainly directed against Gc epitopes. The involvement of cellular immunity was stressed by the fact that protection of mice was strain dependent. Furthermore, our data suggest that the rMVA based single dose vaccination elicits suboptimal humoral immune responses against Gn antigen since disease in mice was exacerbated upon virus challenge in the presence of rMVAGnGc or rMVAGn immune serum. Thus, Gc-specific cellular immunity could be an important component in the protection after the challenge observed in BALB/c mice, contributing to the elimination of infected cells reducing morbidity and mortality and counteracting the deleterious effect of a subneutralizing antibody immune response.

scholarly journals Preliminary Evaluation of a Bunyavirus Vector for Cancer Immunotherapy

2015 ◽  
Vol 89 (17) ◽  
pp. 9124-9127 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. Oreshkova ◽  
L. Spel ◽  
R. P. M. Vloet ◽  
P. J. Wichgers Schreur ◽  
R. J. M. Moormann ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cancer Immunotherapy ◽  
Rift Valley ◽  
Rift Valley Fever ◽  
Rift Valley Fever Virus ◽  
Fever Virus ◽  
Preliminary Evaluation ◽  
Valley Fever ◽  
Human Dendritic Cells

Replicon particles of Rift Valley fever virus, referred to as nonspreading Rift Valley fever virus (NSR), are intrinsically safe and highly immunogenic. Here, we demonstrate that NSR-infected human dendritic cells can activate CD8+T cellsin vitroand that prophylactic and therapeutic vaccinations of mice with NSR encoding a tumor-associated CD8 peptide can control the outgrowth of lymphoma cellsin vivo. These results suggest that the NSR system holds promise for cancer immunotherapy.

Certification of Biosafety Level 3 (BSL3) Facilities

1996 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 26-51 ◽  
Author(s):  
Esmeralda Party ◽  
James Reiman ◽  
Edward L. Gershey
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Protection ◽  
Review Process ◽  
Infectious Agents ◽  
Level 3 ◽  
Work Done ◽  
Biosafety Level

The increasing need to work with airborne infectious agents places greater reliance upon the personnel and environmental protection that biocontainment facilities provide. Ensuring that these facilities function properly depends on carefully reviewing post-construction performance and establishing operating protocols that take advantage of a facility's attributes while recognizing its individual limitations. Our review process expands on the work done by others and provides a foundation for developing standard certification procedures for biocontainment facilities.

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