Arboviruses
Arboviruses are viruses transmitted by insects such as mosquitoes and ticks. They can make both humans and animals sick. Well-known examples include dengue virus, Zika virus, West Nile virus, Rift Valley fever virus, and Usutu virus. These viruses cause symptoms ranging from mild fever to severe neurological disorders or hemorrhagic conditions.
Due to climate change, urbanization, and increased international travel, these viruses are spreading faster. That’s why research and proper monitoring are essential to detect and prevent outbreaks early.
At BPRC, we use primate models to understand how these infections progress and to test vaccines and antiviral drugs.
Ongoing Research
Currently, we have no active studies.
Previous Research
Usutu Virus (USUV)
Usutu virus is a new flavivirus that caused a major bird epidemic in Europe, especially among blackbirds. The virus spreads through mosquitoes and birds and can also infect humans. Human cases have already been reported. To be prepared, we tested a potential vaccine in the laboratory. This vaccine induced neutralizing antibodies, which is an important step toward protection.
European Union’s Marie Skłodowska-Curie Innovative Training Network HONOURs; grant agreement no. 721367.
West Nile Virus (WNV)
West Nile virus is transmitted by mosquitoes and can infect humans and other mammals. In some cases, it leads to severe neurological disorders, especially in older individuals and those with weakened immune systems. Worldwide, we are seeing more outbreaks and new variants of the virus. At BPRC, we developed primate models to mimic WNV infections and tested a potential vaccine.
Partly funded by BPRC and partly by the European Community FP7 project WINGS (grant no. 261426).
Zika Virus (ZIKV)
Zika virus usually causes mild symptoms such as fever, headache, muscle and joint pain, and rash. However, during pregnancy it can lead to severe birth defects, such as microcephaly. We demonstrated that a potential vaccine is safe, induces a strong immune response, and protects primates against high doses of the virus.
Funded by EU-TRANSVAC2 (project number TRANSVAC-TNA-1802-2) and the European Union’s Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation Program under Grant Agreements No. 733176 (RABYD-VAX consortium).
- Ma et al., Polyfunctional immunity and transcriptional imprint associated with protection by chimeric live Zika vaccine in non-human primates.
- Nature Communications, In press.
Dengue Virus (DENV)
Dengue is a major public health problem. The number of symptomatic infections caused by the four dengue serotypes is estimated at 96 million, and about 10,000 people die from it annually. There are still no drugs to treat or prevent dengue. We contributed to the development of a new antiviral drug, which is now being further tested in clinical trials.
Collaboration and funding were provided by Janssen Pharmaceutica NV, Beerse, Belgium.
Rift Valley Fever Virus (RVFV)
Rift Valley fever virus is a dangerous virus that mainly affects livestock, camelids, and humans. While animals are infected exclusively through mosquito bites, humans can also become infected through contact with contaminated tissue or blood. There is no vaccine available for humans yet. Together with Wageningen University, we tested the safety of several vaccines in primate models.
Funded through the LARISSA project supported by the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI).