Five Emerging Neuroinvasive Arboviral Diseases: Cache Valley, Eastern Equine Encephalitis, Jamestown Canyon, Powassan, and Usutu

Abstract

There are many arthropod-borne viruses (arboviruses) capable of neuroinvasion, with West Nile virus being one of the most well known. In this review, we highlight five rarer emerging or reemerging arboviruses capable of neuroinvasion: Cache Valley, eastern equine encephalitis, Jamestown Canyon, Powassan, and Usutu viruses. Cache Valley and Jamestown Canyon viruses likely circulate throughout most of North America, while eastern equine encephalitis and Powassan viruses typically circulate in the eastern half. Usutu virus is not currently circulating in North America, but has the potential to be introduced in the future given similar climate, vectors, and host species to Europe (where it has been circulating). Health care providers should contact their state or local health departments with any questions regarding arboviral disease surveillance, diagnosis, treatment, or prevention. To prevent neuroinvasive arboviral diseases, use of insect repellent and other mosquito and tick bite prevention strategies are key.

Blood Biomarkers for Detection of Brain Injury in COVID-19 Patients

“…In fact, five neuroinvasive arboviruses have been identified as emerging potential public health threats in the United States. 152 Zika, a flavivirus, is especially likely to cause Guillain-Barre syndrome. Chikungunya, an alphavirus, is more likely to cause inflammation and swelling in the brain (encephalitis) and spinal cord (myelitis).…”

Humanized Mice for Live-Attenuated Vaccine Research: From Unmet Potential to New Promises

“…Over recent years, alarming episodes of pathogen (re-) emergence for which there are no licensed vaccines, such as Ebola, Lassa, or Zika virus, have been witnessed [5][6][7]. Additionally, the emergence potential of currently neglected pathogens such as Powassan virus and Eastern equine Encephalitis Virus [8] strongly highlight the global need for better preparedness against future epidemics.…”

Development and characterization of specific anti‐Usutu virus chicken‐derived single chain variable fragment antibodies

“…[20][21][22] Indeed, WNV and USUV have been misdiagnosed for each other 23 and several infections were falsely attributed to WNV before thorough genetic reevaluation. 24,25 The high cross-reactivity found in antibodies is still a challenge for differential diagnosis of infections by USUV and WNV. 26,27 Further, such crossreactivity has been linked to severe sickness via antibodydependent enhancement in sequential infections of different flaviviruses.…”

“…These circumstances, along with extensive cross‐reactivity among flaviviruses owing to sequence similarity in the envelope (E) protein, might have led to misinterpretation of serological test results 20–22 . Indeed, WNV and USUV have been misdiagnosed for each other 23 and several infections were falsely attributed to WNV before thorough genetic re‐evaluation 24,25 . The high cross‐reactivity found in antibodies is still a challenge for differential diagnosis of infections by USUV and WNV 26,27 .…”