RESUMEN
Bluetongue virus (BTV) and African horse sickness virus (AHSV) are vector-borne viruses belonging to the Orbivirus genus, which are transmitted between hosts primarily by biting midges of the genus Culicoides. With recent BTV and AHSV outbreaks causing epidemics and important economy losses, there is a pressing need for efficacious drugs to treat and control the spread of these infections. The polyanionic aromatic compound aurintricarboxylic acid (ATA) has been shown to have a broad-spectrum antiviral activity. Here, we evaluated ATA as a potential antiviral compound against Orbivirus infections in both mammalian and insect cells. Notably, ATA was able to prevent the replication of BTV and AHSV in both cell types in a time- and concentration-dependent manner. In addition, we evaluated the effect of ATA in vivo using a mouse model of infection. ATA did not protect mice against a lethal challenge with BTV or AHSV, most probably due to the in vivo effect of ATA on immune system regulation. Overall, these results demonstrate that ATA has inhibitory activity against Orbivirus replication in vitro, but further in vivo analysis will be required before considering it as a potential therapy for future clinical evaluation.
Asunto(s)
Virus de la Enfermedad Equina Africana/efectos de los fármacos , Ácido Aurintricarboxílico/farmacocinética , Virus de la Lengua Azul/efectos de los fármacos , Virosis/tratamiento farmacológico , Enfermedad Equina Africana/tratamiento farmacológico , Enfermedad Equina Africana/genética , Enfermedad Equina Africana/virología , Virus de la Enfermedad Equina Africana/genética , Virus de la Enfermedad Equina Africana/patogenicidad , Animales , Virus de la Lengua Azul/genética , Virus de la Lengua Azul/patogenicidad , Ceratopogonidae/patogenicidad , Ceratopogonidae/virología , Caballos/virología , Ovinos/virología , Virosis/genética , Virosis/virología , Replicación Viral/efectos de los fármacosRESUMEN
African horse sickness (AHS) is a reportable, noncontagious, arthropod-borne viral disease that results in severe cardiovascular and pulmonary illness in horses. AHS is caused by the orbivirus African horse sickness virus (AHSV), which is transmitted primarily by Culicoides imicola in Africa; potential vectors outside of Africa include Culicoides variipennis and biting flies in the genera Stomoxys and Tabanus. Infection with AHSV has a high mortality rate. Quick and accurate diagnosis can help prevent the spread of AHS. AHS has not been reported in the Western Hemisphere but could have devastating consequences if introduced into the United States. This article reviews the clinical signs, pathologic changes, diagnostic challenges, and treatment options associated with AHS.
