Bunyavirus biology, immunity, and countermeasure development

National Institute Of Allergy And Infectious Diseases

Investigators

Abstract

The orthobunyavirus (OBV) genus includes multiple arboviruses that cause disease in humans. La Crosse virus (LACV) causes pediatric neurologic disease in the US and Canada. Severe neurologic manifestations of LACV infection may occur in children, resulting in long-term neurologic sequelae and cognitive deficits. Oropouche virus (OROV) infections result in a dengue-like febrile illness in South America, Central America, and the Caribbean. OROV is now being studied as a cause of adverse pregnancy outcomes. Bunyamwera virus (BUNV) circulates in Africa and typically causes a mild febrile illness, but reassortants of BUNV have resulted in more severe hemorrhagic fever outbreaks. There are no vaccines or therapeutics available for OBV prevention or treatment, and little is known about the immune response to this group of viruses. We aim to characterize the humoral immune response to OBVs and dissect which components contribute to protection. We further aim to develop OBV vaccines and compare immune responses to infection and vaccination across the OBV genus.