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ARS Home » Plains Area » Manhattan, Kansas » Center for Grain and Animal Health Research » ABADRU » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #317607
Title: Comparison of Rift Valley fever virus replication in North American livestock and wildlife cell lines

Author
item Gaudreault, Natasha
item INDRAN, SABARISH - Kansas State University
item Bryant, Paul
item RICHT, JUERGEN - Kansas State University
item Wilson, William

Submitted to: Frontiers in Microbiology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/17/2015
Publication Date: 6/30/2015
Citation: Gaudreault, N.N., Indran, S.V., Bryant, P.K., Richt, J.S., Wilson, W.C. 2015. Comparison of Rift Valley fever virus replication in North American livestock and wildlife cell lines. Frontiers in Microbiology. 6:664.

Interpretive Summary: Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV) causes outbreaks of endemic disease across Africa and the Arabian Peninsula, resulting in high morbidity and mortality among young domestic livestock, frequent abortions in pregnant animals, and potentially severe or fatal disease in humans. The possibility of RVFV spreading to the US or other countries worldwide is of significant concern to animal and public health, and livestock production and trade. Previous studies have demonstrated that RVFV can infect a wide range of animals, including indigenous wild ruminants of Africa yet no predominant wildlife reservoir has been identified. In North America, domestic goats, sheep and cattle are susceptible hosts for RVFV and several mosquito species have been shown to be capable to transmit the virus. Wild ruminants such as deer have high risk potential given their abundance, wide distribution, and overlap with livestock farms and human populated areas. In this study a variety of cell lines derived from North American livestock and wildlife were evaluated for infectivity and replication of RVFV. The results indicated the potential ability of native deer species such as white-tailed deer to replicate the virus, and possibly a wide range of non-ruminant animals. This work serves to guide and support future animal studies and risk model assessment regarding this high-consequence zoonotic pathogen.

Technical Abstract: Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV) causes outbreaks of endemic disease across Africa and the Arabian Peninsula, resulting in high morbidity and mortality among young domestic livestock, frequent abortions in pregnant animals, and potentially severe or fatal disease in humans. The possibility of RVFV spreading to the US or other countries worldwide is of significant concern to animal and public health, and livestock production and trade. The mechanism for persistence of RVFV during inter-epidemic periods may be through mosquito transovarial transmission and/or by means of a wildlife reservoir. Field investigations in endemic areas and previous in vivo studies have demonstrated that RVFV can infect a wide range of animals, including indigenous wild ruminants of Africa. Yet no predominant wildlife reservoir has been identified, and gaps in our knowledge of RVFV permissive hosts still remain. In North America, domestic goats, sheep and cattle are susceptible hosts for RVFV and several competent vectors exist. Wild ruminants such as deer have high risk potential given their abundance, wide distribution, and overlap with livestock farms and human populated areas. The objective of this study was to assess a variety of cell lines derived from North American livestock and wildlife for susceptibility and permissiveness to RVFV. Results of this study suggest that RVFV could potentially replicate in native deer species such as white-tailed deer, and possibly a wide range of non-ruminant animals. This work serves to guide and support future in vivo studies and risk model assessment regarding this high-consequence zoonotic pathogen.