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WOS: 000388677600001, PubMed ID: 27667586, In countries from which Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever (CCHF) is absent, the causative virus, CCHF virus (CCHFV), is classified as a hazard group 4 agent and handled in containment level (CL)-4. In contrast, most endemic countries out of necessity have had to perform diagnostic tests under biosafety level (BSL)-2 or -3 conditions. In particular, Turkey and several of the Balkan countries have safely processed more than 100 000 samples over many years in BSL-2 laboratories. It is therefore advocated that biosafety requirements for CCHF diagnostic procedures should be revised, to allow the tests required to be performed under enhanced BSL-2 conditions with appropriate biosafety laboratory equipment and personal protective equipment used according to standardized protocols in the countries affected. Downgrading of CCHFV research work from CL-4, BSL-4 to CL-3, BSL-3 should also be considered., European Commission under Health Cooperation Work Program of 7th Framework Program [260427], Funding was received through CCH Fever Network (Collaborative Project) supported by the European Commission under the Health Cooperation Work Program of the 7th Framework Program (grant agreement no. 260427) (http://www.cch-fever.eu/). The views expressed by state-employed American co-authors are their personal views, and do not necessarily represent the views of the US government agencies they work for. The views expressed by the ECDC coauthor are his personal views, and do not necessarily represent the views of the European agency he is working for.

BACKGROUND: Rhabdoviridae infect a wide range of vertebrates, invertebrates and plants. Their transmission can occur via various arthropod vectors. In recent years, a number of novel rhabdoviruses have been identified from various animal species, but so far only few tick-transmitted rhabdoviruses have been described. METHODS: We isolated a novel rhabdovirus, provisionally named Zahedan rhabdovirus (ZARV), from Hyalomma anatolicum anatolicum ticks collected in Iran. The full-length genome was determined using 454 next-generation sequencing and the phylogenetic relationship to other rhabdoviruses was analyzed. Inoculation experiments in mammalian Vero cells and mice were conducted and a specific PCR assay was developed. RESULTS: The complete genome of ZARV has a size of 11,230 nucleotides (nt) with the typical genomic organization of Rhabdoviridae. Phylogenetic analysis confirms that ZARV is closely related to Moussa virus (MOUV) from West Africa and Long Island tick rhabdovirus (LITRV) from the U.S., all forming a new monophyletic clade, provisionally designated Zamolirhabdovirus, within the Dimarhabdovirus supergroup. The glycoprotein (G) contains 12 conserved cysteins which are specific for animal rhabdoviruses infecting fish and mammals. In addition, ZARV is able to infect mammalian Vero cells and is lethal for mice when inoculated intracerebrally or subcutaneously. The developed PCR assay can be used to specifically detect ZARV. CONCLUSION: The novel tick-transmitted rhabdovirus ZARV is closely related to MOUV and LITRV. All three viruses seem to form a new monophyletic clade. ZARV might be pathogenic for mammals, since it can infect Vero cells, is lethal for mice and its glycoprotein contains 12 conserved cysteins only found in animal rhabdoviruses. The mammalian host of ZARV remains to be identified. peerReviewed

International audience; Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) is caused by Nairovirus, genus Bunyavirus in family of bunyaviridae, and is spread by the tick Hyalomma spp or via blood transfusion and contaminated blood of human and animal. CCHF virus infection was rarely reported in Iran before 1999. From January 1st 1999 to October 1st 2002 nearly 144 confirmed sporadic CCHF cases reported from many provinces of Iran. Seroepidemiological details of three cases of nosocomial CCHF that were seen in three different hospitals throughout Iran are described here. Of the three patients in this study, two died. All three patients initially presented with severe Ebola virus-like or influenza-like symptoms, making the disease difficult to diagnose in the early stage. However, petechiae and signs of bleeding distinguish CCHF from influenza, but not from Ebola which is not related to this disease and has not been reported in Iran. Leukopenia and thrombocytopenia were the most important laboratory findings. Rising IgG and IgM titers made the diagnosis certain in two of the cases. Despite the low mortality rate because of very effective treatment with ribavirin among the general population, two of the three CCHF patients died. This poor prognosis for CCHF signals the importance of early diagnosis and admission of suspicious cases to hospital.

International audience; The main aim of this study was to obtain the Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus (CCHFV) glycoprotein, through either stable transgenic plants or using a transient expression system, and determine the yield, quality and finally the immunogenicity of the plant-made CCHFV glycoprotein in a mouse model. We designed and synthesized a codon-optimized G1/G2 gene from the G1 and G2 parts of the CCHFV glycoprotein by bioinformatic analysis. The synthetic construct was cloned into a plant expression vector and tobacco plants were both transiently and stably transformed. The transgenic plantlets or tobacco-derived hairy roots confirmed by PCR and Southern blot analyses. The intact 98 kDa G1/G2 glycoprotein was produced by a transient expression system at as much as 3.3 mg/kg fresh weight. The recombinant G1/G2 protein was analyzed in stable lines by G1/G2 ELISA and Western blot. The yield in the transgenic hairy root line was significantly higher than that in transgenic tobacco lines. Finally, the immunogenicity of the plant-made G1/G2 glycoprotein was evaluated by its subcutaneous administration in mice when compared with positive and negative controls. This plant-purified G1/G2 protein produced a high titer of anti-CCHFV glycoprotein IgG antibodies in mice.

Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever (CCHF)

Objective To determine the rate of Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus (CCHFV) infection in hard ticks (Ixodidae) in Yazd province of Iran. Methods A molecular survey on hard ticks (Ixodidae) was conducted in Yazd province during 2008–2009. A total of 140 hard ticks (three genera and 7 species) were collected from randomly selected villages and were exanimate for presence of CCHFV reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) method. Results CCHFV genome was found in 5.71% of hard ticks. All positive ticks were from Hyalomma genus. Positive ticks including: Hyalomma dromedarii, Hyalomma marginatum, Hyalomma anatolicum, Hyalomma detritum, Hyalomma asiaticum . We were not able to find virus in in Rhipicephalus sanguineus and Dermacentor marginatus . Results exhibited that Hyalomma is the main vector in the study area. Conclusions Due to the presence of virus in 24 provinces' out of 31, we recommend the use of acaricides and repellent to prevent disease transmission among humans. Greta care should be taken by the people who are working in slaughter houses.