Virus Disease (virus + disease)

Distribution by Scientific Domains


Selected Abstracts


Effects of Brown Streak Virus Disease on Yield and Quality of Cassava in Tanzania

JOURNAL OF PHYTOPATHOLOGY, Issue 7-8 2001
R. J. Hillocks
Abstract Brown streak virus disease is the most important biotic constraint to cassava production in the coastal areas of southern Tanzania. Symptoms include foliar chlorosis and sometimes stem lesions. The disease also affects the tuberous roots which develop a yellow/brown, dry, corky necrosis within the starch-bearing tissues, sometimes accompanied by pitting and distortion, that is visible externally. The foliar symptoms of the disease often do not greatly affect plant growth, although the most sensitive cultivars may be stunted and defoliated. The main impact of the disease on the crop is by causing root necrosis. Field experiments were conducted at two sites in Tanzania to determine the effect of the disease on yield and quality of the roots. Cassava brown streak disease (CBSD) decreased root weight and patches of root necrosis made roots unmarketable, although the unaffected parts might still have been suitable for home consumption. The disease therefore has two effects, one on total root yield and one on root quality, which affects marketability. The field trials showed that CBSD can decrease root weight in the most sensitive cultivars by up to 70%. The length of time between the appearance of foliar symptoms and the development of root necrosis is a varietal characteristic. In the most susceptible cultivars, root necrosis may appear within 6 months of planting cuttings derived from symptomatic mother plants. A local cultivar known as cv. Nachinyaya exhibited a form of tolerance to CBSD in which foliar symptoms appeared but the development of root necrosis was delayed allowing the full yield potential to be realized. [source]


Unravelling the genetic diversity of the three main viruses involved in Sweet Potato Virus Disease (SPVD), and its practical implications

MOLECULAR PLANT PATHOLOGY, Issue 2 2005
FRED TAIRO
SUMMARY Sweetpotato (Ipomoea batatas) is a widely grown food crop, in which the most important diseases are caused by viruses. Genetic variability of three widely distributed sweetpotato viruses was analysed using data from 46 isolates of Sweet potato feathery mottle virus (SPFMV), 16 isolates of Sweet potato mild mottle virus (SPMMV) and 25 isolates of Sweet potato chlorotic stunt virus (SPCSV), of which 19, seven and six isolates, respectively, are newly characterized. Division of SPFMV into four genetic groups (strains) according to phylogenetic analysis of coat protein (CP) encoding sequences revealed that strain EA contained the East African isolates of SPFMV but none from elsewhere. In contrast, strain RC contained ten isolates from Australia, Africa, Asia and North America. Strain O contained six heterogeneous isolates from Africa, Asia and South America. The seven strain C isolates from Australia, Africa, Asia, and North and South America formed a group that was genetically distant from the other SPFMV strains. SPMMV isolates showed a high level of variability with no discrete strain groupings. SPCSV isolates from East Africa were phylogenetically distant to SPCSV isolates from elsewhere. Only from East Africa were adequate data available for different isolates of the three viruses to estimate the genetic variability of their local populations. The implications of the current sequence information and the need for more such information from most sweetpotato-growing regions of the world are discussed in relation to virus diagnostics and breeding for virus resistance. [source]


Is There a Genetic Basis for Health Disparities in Human Immunodeficiency Virus Disease?

MOUNT SINAI JOURNAL OF MEDICINE: A JOURNAL OF PERSONALIZED AND TRANSLATIONAL MEDICINE, Issue 2 2010
Cheryl Winkler PhD
Abstract The highest global prevalence rates for human immunodeficiency virus and acquired immune deficiency syndrome have been recorded in southern Africa; in the United States, individuals of African descent are disproportionately affected by human immunodeficiency virus infection. Human immunodeficiency virus,infected individuals with African ancestry are also estimated to have a 17-fold or greater risk for developing human immunodeficiency virus,associated nephropathy in comparison with their counterparts of non-African descent. Several recent studies have implicated genetic alleles that are more frequent in populations of African descent and increase the risk of human immunodeficiency virus infection and the risk of human immunodeficiency virus,associated neuropathy (HIVAN). The supposition that persons of African descent are more susceptible to human immunodeficiency virus infection because of an underlying genetic predisposition is not supported by available evidence. However, strong, replicated data show that the increased risk for human immunodeficiency virus,associated nephropathy, as well as other major forms of kidney disease in individuals of African descent, is due in part to MYH9 (myosin, heavy chain 9, non-muscle) renal disease susceptibility alleles that are very frequent throughout sub-Saharan Africa but are infrequent or absent in non-Africans. Selection, drift, and demographic events shape the allelic architecture of the human genome: it is expected that these events will be reflected in geographic-specific differentiation in allele frequencies for a small subset of alleles that may be associated with either increased or reduced risk for complex and infectious diseases. Mt Sinai J Med 77:149,159, 2010. © 2010 Mount Sinai School of Medicine [source]


Transmissible Virus Diseases in Porcine Reproduction

REPRODUCTION IN DOMESTIC ANIMALS, Issue 6 2000
A Bouma
Contents This paper describes the risk of transmission and possible consequences of viral diseases in pigs (as CSFV, PRRSV and SVD), transmitted via AI and embryo transfer. Transmission via A1 is, however, more unlikely for CSF and SVD than for PRRS. The likelihood of disease transmission is greater with the introduction of a boar into a herd than through the use of fresh or frozen semen. The probability that an infection with CSF or SVD virus starts within an AI centre is very small, because of the high hygienic measurements and quarantine period, although the viruses can be transmitted if these centra are located within a protection zone. Therefore, during an outbreak, it should be recommended to stop semen distribution within this zone. [source]


The clinical pharmacology of therapeutic monoclonal antibodies

DRUG DEVELOPMENT RESEARCH, Issue 3 2004
Lorin K. Roskos
Abstract Seventeen monoclonal antibodies are currently approved in the United States for therapeutic use in organ transplantation, percutaneous coronary intervention, prophylaxis of respiratory syncytial virus disease, rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn's disease, asthma, chronic lymphocytic leukemia, acute myeloid leukemia, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, breast cancer, and colorectal cancer. All approved antibodies are of the IgG class. Thirteen are unconjugated intact antibodies, three are intact immunoconjugates, and one is a Fab fragment. Three of the antibodies are murine, five are chimeric, eight are humanized, and one is a fully human antibody generated by phage display technology. The antigen target and the structural and binding characteristics of the antibody determine the antibody's mechanism of action, pharmacokinetics, safety, and immunogenicity. Antibodies act through multiple mechanisms that include functional modulation of the antigen, recruitment of ADCC and CDC, and delivery of radionuclide or toxin payloads to target cells. Antibody half-life is usually governed by interaction with the FcRn receptor. In some cases, the antigen may act as a sink for antibody elimination. Safety profiles are determined by the pharmacology and tissue distribution of the target antigen, antibody isotype, the antibody payload, cytokine release, hypersensitivity reactions to xenogeneic protein, and immunogenicity. Fully human antibody technology may allow development of antibodies that have reduced risks of hypersensitivity reactions and immunogenicity, thereby enhancing safety and efficacy. The exquisite target specificity of antibodies, improvements in antibody engineering technology, and the wide availability of novel and validated therapeutic targets provide many current and future opportunities for the clinical development of therapeutic antibodies. Drug Dev. Res. 61:108,120, 2004. © 2004 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source]


Mating compatibility, life-history traits, and RAPD-PCR variation in Bemisia tabaci associated with the cassava mosaic disease pandemic in East Africa

ENTOMOLOGIA EXPERIMENTALIS ET APPLICATA, Issue 1 2001
M.N. Maruthi
Abstract The pandemic of a severe form of cassava mosaic virus disease (CMVD) in East Africa is associated with abnormally high numbers of its whitefly vector, Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae). To determine whether a novel B. tabaci biotype was associated with the CMVD pandemic, reproductive compatibility, fecundity, nymphal development, and random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) variability were examined in, and between, B. tabaci colonies collected from within the CMVD pandemic and non-pandemic zone in Uganda. In a series of reciprocal crosses carried out over two generations among the six CMVD pandemic and four non-pandemic zone cassava B. tabaci colonies, there was no evidence of mating incompatibility. All the crosses produced both female and male progeny in the F1 and F2 generations, which in a haplo-diploid species such as B. tabaci indicates successful mating. There also were no significant differences between the sex ratios for the pooled data of experimental crosses, between individuals from two different colonies and control crosses between individuals from the same colony. Only one instance of mating incompatibility occurred in a control cross between cassava B. tabaci from Uganda and cotton B. tabaci from India. Measures of fecundity of the pandemic and non-pandemic zone B. tabaci on four cassava varieties showed no significant differences in their fecundity, nymphal development or numbers surviving to adult eclosion. Cluster analysis of 26 RAPD bands using six 10-mer primers was concordant with the mating results, grouping the pandemic and non-pandemic zone colonies into a single large group, also including a B. tabaci colony collected from cassava in Tanzania. These results suggest that it is unlikely that the severe CMVD pandemic in East Africa is associated with a novel and reproductively isolated B. tabaci biotype. [source]


Identification and characterization of Pepino mosaic potexvirus in tomato

EPPO BULLETIN, Issue 3 2002
R. A. A. Van Der Vlugt
At the beginning of 1999, a new virus disease occurred in protected tomato crops in The Netherlands. Initial diagnostic tests revealed the presence of a potexvirus but serological tests ruled out the presence of Potato X potexvirus (PVX). Tests for other potexviruses reported from solanaceous crops provisionally identified the virus as Pepino mosaic potexvirus (PepMV). The virus was purified, and an antiserum was produced, which showed strong reactions with both the type isolate of PepMV from pepino and two other isolates from tomato. Host range and symptomatology of the pepino and tomato isolates of PepMV revealed clear differences from PVX. However, differences were also observed between the pepino and tomato isolates of PepMV. Sequence alignment of DNA fragments of 584 bp derived from the RNA polymerase cistron showed almost 95% identity with the pepino isolate, whereas the identity with PVX appeared to be < 60%. Together, these results identified PepMV as the causal agent of the new virus disease in tomato. Based on the differences from the type isolate from pepino (Solanum muricatum), the isolates from tomato should be considered as a distinct strain of PepMV for which the name tomato strain is proposed. [source]


Screening of Water Yam (Dioscorea alata L.) Genotypes for Reactions to Viruses in Nigeria

JOURNAL OF PHYTOPATHOLOGY, Issue 11-12 2006
B. O. Odu
Abstract Studies were made to identify sources of resistance to yam viruses in Dioscorea alata. Forty genotypes of D. alata were evaluated in both the field and in the screenhouse for reactions to the yam viruses: Yam mosaic virus (YMV), genus Potyvirus; Dioscorea alata virus (DAV), genus Potyvirus; Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV), genus Cucumovirus; and Dioscorea alata bacilliform virus (DaBV), genus Badnavirus. The D. alata genotypes were planted in the field and subsequently scored for virus symptom severity. All the genotypes were also planted in an insect-proofed screenhouse, and challenged mechanically and by vectors for susceptibility to each of the viruses. Analysis of variance (anova) of the symptom severity scores showed that the genotypes responded differently (P < 0.01) to virus disease in the field. Field evaluation also showed that TDa 291 (a landrace genotype from Puerto Rico), TDa 87/01091, TDa 96-4, TDa 95-163 and TDa 289 from Nigeria, and TDa 95-25 (a landrace genotype from Ghana), had a low virus disease symptom rating. Overall screening results showed that two D. alata genotypes (TDa 289 and TDa 291) are good sources of resistance to YMV, DAV and CMV, and that they are tolerant to DaBV. [source]


Viruses Associated with Cassava Mosaic Disease in Senegal and Guinea Conakry

JOURNAL OF PHYTOPATHOLOGY, Issue 2 2004
G. Okao-Okuja
Abstract A survey in Senegal and Guinea Conakry established the presence and incidence of cassava mosaic virus disease (CMD) in both countries. CMD occurred in all the fields surveyed, although its incidence was higher in Senegal (83%) than in Guinea (64%). Populations of the whitefly vector, Bemisia tabaci, were low in both countries averaging 1.7 adults per shoot in Guinea and 3.2 in Senegal. Most infections were attributed to the use of infected cuttings, 86 and 83% in Senegal and Guinea, respectively, and there was no evidence of rapid current-season, whitefly-borne infection at any of the sampled locations. Disease severity was generally low in the two countries and averaged 2.5 in Guinea and 2.3 in Senegal. No plants with unusually severe CMD symptoms characteristic of the CMD pandemic in East and Central Africa were observed. Restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP)-based diagnostics revealed that African cassava mosaic virus (ACMV) is exclusively associated with CMD in both the countries. Neither East African cassava mosaic virus (EACMV), nor the recombinant Uganda variant (EACMV-UG2) was detected in any sample. These survey data indicate that CMD could be effectively controlled in both countries by phytosanitation, involving the use of CMD-free planting material and the removal of diseased plants. [source]


Effects of Brown Streak Virus Disease on Yield and Quality of Cassava in Tanzania

JOURNAL OF PHYTOPATHOLOGY, Issue 7-8 2001
R. J. Hillocks
Abstract Brown streak virus disease is the most important biotic constraint to cassava production in the coastal areas of southern Tanzania. Symptoms include foliar chlorosis and sometimes stem lesions. The disease also affects the tuberous roots which develop a yellow/brown, dry, corky necrosis within the starch-bearing tissues, sometimes accompanied by pitting and distortion, that is visible externally. The foliar symptoms of the disease often do not greatly affect plant growth, although the most sensitive cultivars may be stunted and defoliated. The main impact of the disease on the crop is by causing root necrosis. Field experiments were conducted at two sites in Tanzania to determine the effect of the disease on yield and quality of the roots. Cassava brown streak disease (CBSD) decreased root weight and patches of root necrosis made roots unmarketable, although the unaffected parts might still have been suitable for home consumption. The disease therefore has two effects, one on total root yield and one on root quality, which affects marketability. The field trials showed that CBSD can decrease root weight in the most sensitive cultivars by up to 70%. The length of time between the appearance of foliar symptoms and the development of root necrosis is a varietal characteristic. In the most susceptible cultivars, root necrosis may appear within 6 months of planting cuttings derived from symptomatic mother plants. A local cultivar known as cv. Nachinyaya exhibited a form of tolerance to CBSD in which foliar symptoms appeared but the development of root necrosis was delayed allowing the full yield potential to be realized. [source]


Determinants of acquiring hepatitis A virus disease in a large Italian region in endemic and epidemic periods

JOURNAL OF VIRAL HEPATITIS, Issue 3 2005
P. L. Lopalco
Summary., Viral hepatitis A is endemic in Puglia region (southeast Italy). Over the last 13 years, annual incidence rates have ranged from 4 to 138 per 100 000 inhabitants and periodical regional epidemics have been described. Between 1 January 1996 and 31 December 1997 over 11 000 cases of hepatitis A were reported accounting for an annual incidence rate over 130/100 000. To identify exposures during the epidemics, a case,control study was performed in two different rounds and since 1997, an enhanced surveillance system has permitted the monitoring of exposures of subsequent cases. Raw seafood consumption was identified as the major risk factor for hepatitis A. Adjusted odds ratio and 95% confidence intervals for this exposure from the first round of the case,control study was 38.6 (12.2,122.4) and for the second round for consumption of raw mussels it was 30.7 (16.0,52.0). Hepatitis A epidemiology in Puglia is consistent with an endemic situation sustained by locally contaminated seafood consumed raw and by the recurrence of large epidemics, where size is influenced by the accumulation of susceptible subjects in the population. [source]


An economic analysis of antiviral therapy in patients with advanced hepatitis C virus disease: still not there!,,

LIVER TRANSPLANTATION, Issue 6 2010
Angel Rubin
First page of article [source]


Black currant reversion virus, a mite-transmitted nepovirus

MOLECULAR PLANT PATHOLOGY, Issue 3 2004
Petri Susi
SUMMARY Taxonomy: Black currant reversion virus (BRV) is the first identified mite-transmitted member of the genus Nepovirus (family Comoviridae). A few systematic studies have been performed to compare virus isolates from different geographical locations. Physical properties: Purified preparations contain two closely sedimenting centrifugal components (B and M for RNA1 and RNA2, respectively) at varying ratios, and occasionally a T component (for satellite RNA). The BRV capsids have a diameter of 27 nm and they are putatively composed of 60 copies of a single species of capsid (coat) protein assembled in an icosahedral lattice. Diluted plant sap loses its infectivity within 1 day at 20 °C and in 4,8 days at 4 °C. Hosts: The natural host range of BRV is limited; it infects black currant (Ribes nigrum L.) and some related Ribes species. The transmission of the virus is by the eriophyid gall mite of black currant (Cecidophyopsis ribis). A number of herbaceous plants can be infected experimentally. BRV is the agent of black currant reversion disease (BRD), which is economically the most significant virus disease in Ribes species. BRV and BRD occur widely in locations where black currant is cultivated commercially. [source]


Optimal treatment for chronic active Epstein,Barr virus disease

PEDIATRIC TRANSPLANTATION, Issue 4 2009
Jeffrey I. Cohen
First page of article [source]


Strategies for controlling cassava mosaic virus disease in Africa

PLANT PATHOLOGY, Issue 5 2005
J. M. Thresh
Cassava mosaic disease (CMD) is caused by whiteflyborne viruses of the genus Begomovirus (family Geminiviridae). The disease has long been regarded as the most important of those affecting cassava in sub-Saharan Africa, and has been the subject of much research, especially since the onset of the current very damaging pandemic in eastern and central Africa. This review considers the main features of CMD and the various possible means of control. The main emphasis to date has been on the development and deployment of virus-resistant varieties. These are widely adopted in countries where CMD has caused serious problems, and provided a powerful incentive for farmers to abandon some of the most susceptible of their traditional varieties. Only limited use has been made of phytosanitation involving CMD-free planting material and the removal (roguing) of diseased plants. Cultural methods of control using varietal mixtures, intercrops or other cropping practices have also been neglected, and there is a need for much additional research before they can be deployed effectively. Nevertheless, the severe losses now being caused by CMD in many parts of sub-Saharan Africa could be greatly decreased through the application of existing knowledge. [source]


A climate-based early warning system to predict outbreaks of Ross River virus disease in the Broome region of Western Australia

AUSTRALIAN AND NEW ZEALAND JOURNAL OF PUBLIC HEALTH, Issue 1 2010
Lachlan McIver
No abstract is available for this article. [source]


Recurrent hepatitis C virus disease after liver transplantation and concurrent biliary tract complications: poor outcome

CLINICAL TRANSPLANTATION, Issue 4 2006
Lior H. Katz
Abstract:, Recurrent hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is particularly aggressive in the post-liver transplantation setting, with rapid progression of liver fibrosis. Biliary complications remain a significant cause of morbidity following liver transplantation. Post-cholecystectomy biliary strictures are associated with advanced hepatic fibrosis. The aim of this retrospective study was to determine whether the presence of biliary complications affects survival in liver transplant recipients with recurrent HCV disease. The files of liver transplant recipients (53.7% male; mean age 52.7 ± 10.3 yr) were reviewed for incidence, type and treatment of biliary complications, and findings were compared between those who developed recurrent HCV disease (n = 47, 83.9%) and those who did not (n = 9). Twenty-one biliary complications developed in 12 patients with recurrent HCV (25.5%). Treatment with endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography or percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography with balloon dilatation and stent placement or surgical revision was successful in nine (75%). Three biliary complications developed in three patients with no recurrence (p = NS). There was no statistically significant association between recurrent HCV disease and biliary complications. However, among those with recurrent disease, the recurrence was severe in nine of 12 recipients with biliary complications (75%) but in only nine of 35 without biliary complications (26%) (p = 0.001). Death was documented in eight patients with severe recurrence (44.4%), including three (37.5%) with biliary complications and two (7%) with non-severe recurrence, neither of whom had biliary complications (p = 0.003). Antiviral treatment was successful in nine of 25 patients (36%) who received it. On multivariate analysis, biliary complications were a significant predictor of severe recurrence (OR 27.0, 95% confidence interval 2.07,351.4) (p = 0.012). Fibrosis stage in the second biopsy was significantly correlated with serum alanine aminotransferase (p = 0.01) and with duration of biliary obstruction (p = 0.07). In conclusion, biliary complications of liver transplantation strongly affect outcome in patients with recurrent HCV disease despite attempts to relieve the biliary obstruction and to treat the recurrent HCV disease. [source]


Climate change effects on physiology and population processes of hosts and vectors that influence the spread of hemipteran-borne plant viruses

GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY, Issue 8 2009
TOMÁS CANTO
Abstract Plant virus diseases constitute one of the limiting factors to the productivity of agriculture. Changes in host plants and insect vector populations that might result from climate change (their geographical distribution range, their densities, migration potential and phenology) could affect the spread of plant viruses. At the individual level, alterations in plant physiological processes that are relevant to their molecular interactions with viruses, like changes in metabolism, leaf temperature, and their effects on some processes, like the temperature-sensitive antiviral resistance based in RNA silencing, can also influence the ability of individual plants to control viral infections. In order to assess the impact that climate change may have on the incidence and spread of hemipteran-borne plant viruses, its potential effects on virus/plant interactions and hemipteran insect vectors, as well as other operating processes, which could exacerbate or mitigate them, are identified and analyzed in this review. [source]


Synergism between plant viruses: a mathematical analysis of the epidemiological implications

PLANT PATHOLOGY, Issue 6 2001
X.-S. Zhang
Many virus diseases of plants are caused by a synergistic interaction between viruses within the host plant. Such synergism can induce symptoms more severe than would be caused by additive effects. In a synergistic interaction, the virus titre of both, one, or neither virus may be enhanced and, as a consequence, the rate of disease spread may be affected. An epidemiological model was developed in which transmission and loss rates were attributed to the different virus infection possibilities. Sharing the same host population implies competition, and this imposes an increased constraint on the survival of both viruses. It was shown that, in order to ensure virus survival in a mixed infection, the basic reproductive number should exceed a critical value which is larger than unity (R0 > Rc > 1). Here R0 is used in the same sense as in the absence of superinfection. Increased virulence (equivalent to disease severity) in dually infected plants decreases the opportunities for both viruses to coexist, while increased virus transmission from dually infected plants increases such opportunities. The net effect of increased virulence and increased virus transmission on virus persistence was neutral if synergism caused the same proportional effect on both. Total host abundance was, however, reduced. The opportunity for virus persistence was increased if the enhancement of transmission exceeded that of virulence. Indeed, by this mechanism a virus which was nonviable alone could invade and persist in a chronic epidemic of another virus. Where the effect on virulence is greater than that on transmission, the viruses are likely to exclude each other, especially when the transmission rates of both viruses have intermediate values. In such cases, the final outcome is determined by both the parameter values and the initial state. [source]