Biology subjects

Grone, A.

Publications and source records attributed to Grone, A..

3 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2024

Emergence and Dynamics of Usutu and West Nile Viruses in the Netherlands, 2016-2022

BackgroundMosquito-borne arboviruses, including Usutu virus (USUV) and West Nile virus (WNV), are emerging threats in Europe, with changes in climate, land use, and increased travel and trade influencing their dynamics. Understanding the emergence and establishment of these viruses in new regions is critical for informing targeted mitigation of drivers of emergence and enhancing public and wildlife health preparedness. MethodsSeven years (2016-2022) of interconnected studies were conducted in the Netherlands. Live birds were sampled by volunteer bird ringers, dead birds were referred for sampling by citizen-scientists and zoological institutions, and mosquitoes were trapped. Samples were tested for USUV and WNV using RT-PCR and screened for Orthoflavivirus antibodies using protein microarray and neutralization assays. Sequencing and phylogenetic analyses were performed. FindingsUSUV was first detected in the Netherlands in 2016, caused large outbreaks in birds until 2018, and resurged in 2022. One dominant, enzootic lineage, co-circulated alongside several limited introductions of a second lineage. A localized WNV lineage 2 outbreak occurred in live birds and mosquitoes in 2020, with another positive bird in 2022 and serological evidence of continued circulation. InterpretationWe provide the first comprehensive, multi-year documentation of two emerging arboviruses in the Netherlands. USUV was enzootically maintained over seven years and was associated with substantial bird mortality. WNV is in an early stage of establishment with no bird mortality observed. Our integrated wildlife sampling was crucial in detecting a human WNV outbreak, bringing this emerging threat to public health attention. FundingZonMw, Dutch Research Council (NWO), European Union, Government of the Netherlands

microbiology↗

bioRxiv2024

The mammary glands of cows abundantly display receptors for circulating avian H5 viruses

Influenza A viruses (IAV) from the H5N1 2.3.4.4b clade are circulating in dairy farms in the United States of America, and goat infections have also been reported. These ruminants were presumed not to be hosts for IAVs. Previously, IAV-positive mammalian species were hunters and scavengers, possibly getting infected while feeding on infected birds. It is now presumed that H5N1 viruses that circulate in US dairy cattle transmit through a mammary gland route, in contrast to transmission by aerosols via the respiratory tract, although the latter cannot be excluded. The receptor display in the mammary and respiratory tract in cows for IAVs is unknown. Here, we used recombinant HA proteins representing current circulating and classical H5 viruses to determine the distribution of IAV receptors in the respiratory and mammary tract tissues of cows and goats. Most of the sialome of the cow and goat respiratory tract is lined with sialic acid modifications such as N-glycolyl and O-acetyl, which are not bound by IAV. Interestingly, the H5 protein representing the cow isolates bound significantly in the mammary gland, whereas classical H5 proteins failed to do so. Furthermore, whereas the 9-O-acetyl modification is prominent in all tissues tested, the 5-N-glycolyl modification is not, resulting in the display of receptors for avian IAV hemagglutinins. This could explain the high levels of virus found in these tissues and milk, adding supporting data to this possible virus transmission route.

microbiology↗

bioRxiv2023

High number of HPAI H5 Virus Infections and Antibodies in Wild Carnivores in the Netherlands, 2020-2022

In October 2020, a new lineage of clade 2.3.4.4b HPAI virus of the H5 subtype emerged in Europe, resulting in the largest global outbreak of HPAI to date, with unprecedented mortality in wild birds and poultry. The virus appears to have become enzootic in birds, continuously yielding novel HPAI virus variants. The recently increased abundance of infected birds worldwide increases the probability of bird-mammal contact, particularly in wild carnivores. Here, we performed molecular and serological screening of over 500 dead wild carnivores for H5 HPAI virus infection and sequencing of positive materials. We show virological evidence for HPAI H5 virus infection in 0.8%, 1.4% and 9.9% of animals tested in 2020, 2021 and 2022 respectively, with the highest proportion of positives in foxes, polecats and stone martens. We obtained near full genome sequences for seven viruses and detected PB2 amino acid substitutions known to play a role in mammalian adaptation in three of these. Infections were also found in animals without associated neurological signs or mortality. Serological evidence for infection was detected in 20% of the study population. These findings suggest that a higher number of wild carnivores are infected but undetected in current surveillance programs. We recommend increased surveillance in susceptible mammals, irrespective of the presence of neurological signs or encephalitis.

microbiology↗