The Experts below are selected from a list of 4419 Experts worldwide ranked by ideXlab platform

Linfa Wang - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • bats and their virome an important source of Emerging Viruses capable of infecting humans
    Current Opinion in Virology, 2013
    Co-Authors: Ina Smith, Linfa Wang
    Abstract:

    Bats are being increasingly recognized as an important reservoir of zoonotic Viruses of different families, including SARS coronavirus, Nipah virus, Hendra virus and Ebola virus. Several recent studies hypothesized that bats, an ancient group of flying mammals, are the major reservoir of several important RNA virus families from which other mammalian Viruses of livestock and humans were derived. Although this hypothesis needs further investigation, the premise that bats carry a large number of Viruses is commonly accepted. The question of whether bats have unique biological features making them ideal reservoir hosts has been the subject of several recent reviews. In this review, we will focus on the public health implications of bat derived zoonotic viral disease outbreaks, examine the drivers and risk factors of past disease outbreaks and outline research directions for better control of future disease events.

  • mass extinctions biodiversity and mitochondrial function are bats special as reservoirs for Emerging Viruses
    Current Opinion in Virology, 2011
    Co-Authors: Linfa Wang, Peter J Walker, Leo L M Poon
    Abstract:

    For the past 10–15 years, bats have attracted growing attention as reservoirs of Emerging zoonotic Viruses. This has been due to a combination of factors including the emergence of highly virulent zoonotic pathogens, such as Hendra, Nipah, SARS and Ebola Viruses, and the high rate of detection of a large number of previously unknown viral sequences in bat specimens. As bats have ancient evolutionary origins and are the only flying mammals, it has been hypothesized that some of their unique biological features may have made them especially suitable hosts for different Viruses. So the question ‘Are bats different, special or exceptional?’ has become a focal point in the field of virology, bat biology and virus-host co-evolution. In this brief review, we examine the topic in a relatively unconventional way, that is, our discussion will be based on both scientific discoveries and theoretical predictions. This approach was chosen partially because the data in this field are so limited that it is impossible to conduct a useful review based on published results only and also because we believe it is important to provoke original, speculative or even controversial ideas or theories in this important field of research.

  • Emerging Viruses coming in on a wrinkled wing and a prayer
    Clinical Infectious Diseases, 2007
    Co-Authors: Kim Halpin, Hume Field, Peter Daszak, A D Hyatt, Raina K Plowright, Jonathan H Epstein, Linfa Wang, Peter Daniels
    Abstract:

    The role that bats have played in the emergence of several new infectious diseases has been under review. Bats have been identified as the reservoir hosts of newly emergent Viruses such as Nipah virus, Hendra virus, and severe acute respiratory syndrome–like coronaViruses. This article expands on recent findings about bats and Viruses and their relevance to human infections. It briefly reviews the history of chiropteran Viruses and discusses their emergence in the context of geography, phylogeny, and ecology. The public health and trade impacts of several outbreaks are also discussed. Finally, we attempt to predict where, when, and why we may see the emergence of new chiropteran Viruses.

Manmohan Parida - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • rapid and real time detection technologies for Emerging Viruses of biomedical importance
    Journal of Biosciences, 2008
    Co-Authors: Manmohan Parida
    Abstract:

    The development of technologies with rapid and sensitive detection capabilities and increased throughput have become crucial for responding to greater number threats posed by Emerging and re-Emerging Viruses in the recent past. The conventional identification methods require time-consuming culturing, and/ or detection of antibodies, which are not very sensitive and specific. The recent advances in molecular biology techniques in the field of genomics and proteomics greatly facilitate the rapid identification with more accuracy. We have developed two real-time assays ie., SYBR green I based real time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and RT-loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assay for rapid detection as well as typing of some of the Emerging Viruses of biomedical importance viz. dengue, Japanese encephalitis, chikungunya, west Nile, severe acute respiratory syndrome virus (SARS) etc. Both these techniques are capable of detection and differentiation as well as quantifying viral load with higher sensitivity, rapidity, specificity. One of the most important advantages of LAMP is its field applicability, without requirement of any sophisticated equipments. Both these assays have been extensively evaluated and validated with clinical samples of recent epidemics from different parts of India. The establishment of these real time molecular assays will certainly facilitate the rapid detection of Viruses with high degree of precision and accuracy in future.

Graham Simmons - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • Inhibitory antibodies targeting Emerging Viruses: advancements and mechanisms
    Clinical and Vaccine Immunology, 2016
    Co-Authors: Graham Simmons
    Abstract:

    ABSTRACT From Ebola virus outbreaks in Western Africa to the introduction of chikungunya and Zika Viruses in the Americas, new and neglected Viruses continue to emerge and spread around the world. Due to a lack of existing vaccines or specific therapeutics, little other than supportive care and attempts to interrupt transmission can be provided during initial outbreaks. This has prompted a shift in vaccine design and development to identify novel epitopes and mechanisms of protection that may offer a broader range of protection against groups or whole families of Viruses. Receptor-binding domains and other motifs within viral envelope proteins represent one excellent opportunity to target communal epitopes shared by related Viruses. Similarly, for Viruses where envelope participates in driving viral egress from infected cells, shared epitopes need to be identified to guide the development of broadly protective antibodies and vaccines. Here, we discuss recent advances in our understanding of broadly protective humoral responses for Emerging Viruses.

  • development of novel entry inhibitors targeting Emerging Viruses
    Expert Review of Anti-infective Therapy, 2012
    Co-Authors: Yanchen Zhou, Graham Simmons
    Abstract:

    Emerging viral diseases pose a unique risk to public health, and thus there is a need to develop therapies. A current focus of funding agencies, and hence research, is the development of broad-spectrum antivirals, and in particular, those targeting common cellular pathways. The scope of this article is to review screening strategies and recent advances in this area, with a particular emphasis on antivirals targeting the step of viral entry for Emerging lipid-enveloped Viruses such as Ebola virus and SARS-coronavirus.

Samuel M. Scheiner - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • Correction to: Phylogenetic Insight into Zika and Emerging Viruses for a Perspective on Potential Hosts
    Ecohealth, 2017
    Co-Authors: Diana S. Weber, Karen A. Alroy, Samuel M. Scheiner
    Abstract:

    The article Phylogenetic Insight into Zika and Emerging Viruses for a Perspective on Potential Hosts, written by Diana S. Weber, Karen A. Alroy, and Samuel M. Scheiner, was originally published Online First without open access.

  • Phylogenetic Insight into Zika and Emerging Viruses for a Perspective on Potential Hosts.
    Ecohealth, 2017
    Co-Authors: Diana S. Weber, Karen A. Alroy, Samuel M. Scheiner
    Abstract:

    Global viral diversity is substantial, but Viruses that contribute little to the public health burden or to agricultural damage receive minimal attention until a seemingly unimportant virus becomes a threat. The Zika virus (ZIKV) illustrated this, as there was limited information and awareness of the virus when it was identified as a public health emergency in February 2016. Predicting which virus may pose a future threat is difficult. This is in part because significant knowledge gaps in the basic biology and ecology of an Emerging virus can impede policy development, delay decision making, and hinder public health action. We suggest using a phylogenetic framework of pathogens and their infected host species for insight into which animals may serve as reservoirs. For example, examining flaviViruses closely related to ZIKV, the phylogenetic framework indicates New World monkeys are the most likely candidates to be potential reservoirs for ZIKV. Secondarily, mammals that are in close proximity to humans should be considered because of the increased opportunity for pathogen exchange. The increase in human-mediated environmental change is accelerating the probability of another previously overlooked virus becoming a significant concern. By investing in basic science research and organizing our knowledge into an evolutionary framework, we will be better prepared to respond to the next Emerging infectious disease.

Deepali Kumar - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • Emerging Viruses in transplantation
    Current Opinion in Infectious Diseases, 2010
    Co-Authors: Deepali Kumar
    Abstract:

    PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Several Viruses have recently gained importance for the transplant recipient. The purpose of this review is to give an update on Emerging Viruses in transplantation. RECENT FINDINGS: BK virus-associated nephropathy (BKVAN) causes graft loss after kidney transplantation. Immunosuppression lowering strategies have now been shown to have benefit in decreasing the incidence of BKVAN. Guidelines for screening, prevention, and therapy have also been developed. Another polyomavirus, JC virus, is a cause of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy and has also gained prominence due to the increasing use of monoclonal antibodies in transplant recipients. The significance of human herpesvirus-6 and -7 continues to be debated in the literature, and new data is available on their association with clinical disease. Finally, newly discovered respiratory Viruses, such as human metapneumovirus, bocavirus, KI and WU Viruses, have also been described in transplant recipients. Human metapneumovirus appears to cause significant respiratory disease whereas the significance of bocavirus, KI and WU Viruses in transplant recipients remains uncertain. SUMMARY: Viral infections, such as polyomaViruses, human herpesvirus-6 and -7 and respiratory Viruses, are Emerging as causes of significant disease in transplantation. Antiviral options for these Viruses are limited, and decreasing immunosuppression is the cornerstone of therapy.