Biology subjects

Gallogly, S.

Publications and source records attributed to Gallogly, S..

5 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2023

A bivalent Adenovirus-Vectored Vaccine induces a measurable humoral response, but does not protect cynomolgus macaques against a lethal challenge with Sudan virus

The most recent Sudan virus (SUDV) outbreak in Uganda was first detected in September 2022 and resulted in 164 laboratory-confirmed cases and 77 deaths. Currently, there are no approved vaccines or therapeutics against SUDV. In the current study, we investigated the protective efficacy of ChAdOx1-biEBOV in cynomolgus macaques using a prime or a prime-boost regimen. ChAdOx1-biEBOV is a replication-deficient simian adenovirus vector encoding SUDV and Ebola virus (EBOV) glycoproteins (GPs) at the E1 and E4 loci, respectively. Intramuscular vaccination induced SUDV and EBOV GP-specific IgG responses and neutralizing antibodies. Upon challenge with SUDV, vaccinated animals, regardless of vaccination scheme, showed signs of disease like those observed in control animals, and no difference in survival outcomes were measured among all three groups. Viral load in blood samples and in tissue samples obtained after necropsy were not significantly different between groups. Overall, this study highlights the importance of evaluating vaccines in multiple animal models, including nonhuman primates, and demonstrates the importance of understanding protective efficacy in both animal models and human hosts.

microbiology↗

bioRxiv2023

Environmental Persistence and Disinfection of Lassa Virus

Lassa Fever, caused by Lassa virus (LASV), is endemic to West Africa, where approximately 300,000 illnesses and 5,000 deaths occur annually. LASV is primarily spread by infected multimammate rats via urine and fomites, highlighting the importance of understanding the environmental fate of LASV. This study evaluated the persistence of LASV strains on surfaces in aqueous solutions and with sodium hypochlorite disinfection. LASV strains (Josiah and Sauerwald) were more stable in DI water (k = 0.23 and 0.34 days-1) than primary influent wastewater (k = 1.3 and 1.9 days-1). The decay rates of LASV on HDPE (k = 4.3 and 2.3 days-1) and Stainless Steel (k = 5.3 and 2.7 days-1) were not significantly different for either strain. Sodium hypochlorite was highly effective at inactivating both strains of LASV. This work presents data for the environmental persistence of LASV to inform future risk assessment and management efforts.

microbiology↗

bioRxiv2023

Stability of mpox (monkeypox) virus in bodily fluids and wastewater

ImportanceSince May 2022, human monkeypox (mpox) infections have spread rapidly outside endemic countries. On July 23, 2023, WHO declared a Public Health Emergency of international Concern because of the unprecedented global spread of mpox. Whereas there is an incomplete understanding of transmission routes, the spread of monkeypox virus (MPXV) through sexual contact networks of men who have sex with men (MSM) highlights the potential of transmission during sexual activity, either via bodily fluids or via direct contact. This research assesses the potential for MPXV to remain infectious in the environment on surfaces and in fluids under different environmental conditions. ObjectiveTo investigate the stability of MPXV on various surfaces, at different environmental conditions and in different bodily fluids (human blood, semen, serum, saliva, urine, and feces), and to assess decontamination of MPXV-contaminated wastewater via chlorination. Design, Setting, and ExposuresAll experiments involving viable MPXV were performed at the Rocky Mountains Laboratory under high containment conditions using MPXV strain hMPXV/USA/MA001. Infectious MPXV was quantified via plaque assay. Environmental decay rates were estimated using a Bayesian statistical model, with a Poisson likelihood for plaque counts. ResultsMPXV showed surface dependent stability, with faster decay at higher temperatures. Decay rates varied considerably depending on the medium in which virus was suspended, both overall MPXV displayed considerable environmental stability in bodily fluids and in particular proteinaceous fluids, such as blood and semen, lead to greater persistence. Wastewater chlorination was an effective decontamination technique. Conclusions and RelevanceMPXV retains its infectivity in the environment when it is deposited in blood, semen, and serum; environmental decay is more rapid in less proteinaceous fluids, particularly once residual liquid has evaporated. The observed persistence of MPXV implies environmental contamination in healthcare setting, could serve as vehicles of transmission and dissemination in these environments. Chlorination was effective in decontamination of wastewater. Key findings and public health implications; these results suggest that MPXV can have prolonged stability in the environment and are therefore directly relevant for hospital hygiene practices to prevent nosocomial transmission.

microbiology↗

bioRxiv2023

Rectal and vaginal challenge with mpox virus increases virus dissemination and contact transmission compared to skin challenge in the multimammate rat (Mastomys natalensis)

The 2022 mpox virus outbreak was sustained by efficient human-to-human transmission and spread predominantly through sexual networks of men who have sex with men (MSM). It is currently unclear what combination of factors resulted in the enhanced transmission. To investigate this, we established the peridomestic African rodent Mastomys natalensis as a new rodent model susceptible to infection after intraperitoneal, rectal, vaginal, and transdermal inoculation with an early 2022 human outbreak isolate (Clade IIb). Route-dependent shedding and tissue replication occurred in the presence of self-resolving localized skin, reproductive tract, or rectal lesions. Mucosal inoculation via both the rectal and vaginal route led to increased shedding compared to skin inoculation, and increased replication and a proinflammatory T-cell profile. Contact transmission was higher in rectally inoculated animals. This suggests that the spread in MSM communities may have been enhanced by increased susceptibility of the anal and genital mucosae for infection and subsequent virus release.

microbiology↗

bioRxiv2022

SARS-CoV-2 Omicron BA.1 and BA.2 are attenuated in rhesus macaques as compared to Delta

Since the emergence of SARS-CoV-2, five different variants of concern (VOCs) have been identified: Alpha, Beta, Gamma, Delta, and Omicron. Due to confounding factors in the human population, such as pre-existing immunity, comparing severity of disease caused by different VOCs is challenging. Here, we investigate disease progression in the rhesus macaque model upon inoculation with the Delta, Omicron BA.1, and Omicron BA.2 VOCs. Disease severity in rhesus macaques inoculated with Omicron BA.1 or BA.2 was lower than those inoculated with Delta and resulted in significantly lower viral loads in nasal swabs, bronchial cytology brush samples, and lung tissue in rhesus macaques. Cytokines and chemokines were upregulated in nasosorption samples of Delta animals compared to Omicron BA.1 and BA.2 animals. Overall, these data suggests that in rhesus macaques, Omicron replicates to lower levels than the Delta VOC, resulting in reduced clinical disease.

microbiology↗