Search

Introduction: In Brazil, various isolates of rabies virus (RABV) show antigenic profiles distinct from those established by the reduced panel of eight monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) determined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), utilized for the antigenic characterization of RABV in the Americas. The objective of this study was to produce MAbs from RABV isolates from insectivorous bats with an antigenic profile incompatible with the pre-established one. Methodology: An isolate of RABV from the species Eptesicus furinalis that showed an antigenic profile incompatible with the panel utilized was selected. Hybridomas were produced utilizing the popliteal lymph nodes of mice immunized with ribonucleoproteins purified from the isolate. Results: Two MAbs-producing clones were obtained, BR/IP1-3A7 and BR/IP2-4E10. Fifty-seven isolates of RABV from different species of animals and different regions of Brazil were analyzed utilizing the MAbs obtained. In the analysis of 23 RABV isolates from nonhematophagous bats, the MAbs cross-reacted with ten isolates, of which four were of the species Nyctinomops laticaudatus, one of the species Eptesicus furinalis, and five of the genus Artibeus. Of the nine isolates of non-hematophagous isolates that displayed an incompatible profile analyzed, characteristic of insectivorous bats, BR/IP1-3A7 reacted with five (55.55%) and BR/IP2-4E10 with four (44.44%). Conclusions: The MAbs obtained were able to recognize epitopes common between the three genera, Artibeus, Eptesicus, and Nyctinomops, thereby allowing the antigenic characterization of RABV isolates in Brazil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Rabies is an incurable neglected zoonosis with worldwide distribution characterized as a lethal progressive acute encephalitis caused by a lyssavirus. Animal venoms and secretions have long been studied as new bioactive molecular sources, presenting a wide spectrum of biological effects, including new antiviral agents. Bufotenine, for instance, is an alkaloid isolated from the skin secretion of the anuran Rhinella jimi that inhibits cellular penetration by the rabies virus. Antimicrobial peptides, such as ocellatin-P1 and ocellatin-F1, are present in the skin secretion of anurans from the genus Leptodactylus and provide chemical defense against predators and microorganisms., Methods: Skin secretion from captive Leptodactylus labyrinthicus was collected by mechanical stimulation, analyzed by liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry, and assayed for antiviral and cytotoxic activities. Synthetic peptides were obtained using solid phase peptide synthesis, purified by liquid chromatography and structurally characterized by mass spectrometry, and assayed in the same models. Cytotoxicity assays based on changes in cellular morphology were performed using baby hamster kidney (BHK-21) cells. Fixed Rabies virus (Pasteur Virus - PV) strain was used for virological assays based on rapid fluorescent focus inhibition test., Results: Herein, we describe a synergic effect between ocellatin-F1 and bufotenine. This synergism was observed when screening the L. labyrinthicus skin secretion for antiviral activities. The active fraction major component was the antimicrobial peptide ocellatin-F1. Nevertheless, when the pure synthetic peptide was assayed, little antiviral activity was detectable. In-depth analyses of the active fraction revealed the presence of residual alkaloids together with ocellatin-F1. By adding sub-effective doses (e.g. < IC50) of pure bufotenine to synthetic ocellatin-F1, the antiviral effect was regained. Moreover, a tetrapetide derived from ocellatin-F1, based on alignment with the virus's glycoprotein region inferred as a possible cell ligand, was able to maintain the synergic antiviral activity displayed by the full peptide., Conclusions: This novel antiviral synergic effect between a peptide and an alkaloid may present an innovative lead for the study of new antiviral drugs.

Objective: To evaluate the humoral immune response to the pre-exposure schedule of human rabies vaccination through intradermal and intramuscular routes, as well as the need for serological monitoring., Methods: A randomized and controlled intervention study was carried out in São Paulo, Southeastern Brazil, from 2004-2005. There were 149 volunteers, of which 127 completed the vaccination schedule (65 intradermal and 62 intramuscular) and underwent humoral immune response evaluation at ten, 90 and 180 days post-vaccination. Two outcomes were considered for comparing the two routes of administration: the geometric average of neutralizing antibody titers and the proportion of individuals with satisfactory titers (> 0.5 IU/mL) at each evaluation point. The association of the humoral immune response with anthropometric and demographic data was analyzed through a normal distribution test and a chi-square test with a Yates correction. After completion of the vaccination schedule, the proportion of seropositive results was compared by the Kruskall Wallis test, and the average titers were compared by variance analysis., Results: the average antibody titers were higher in patients who were vaccinated intramuscularly. The percentage of volunteers with satisfactory titers (> 0.5% IU/mL) decreased over time in both groups. However, in the group vaccinated intradermally the rate of satisfactory titers on day 180 ranged from 20% to 25%, while the intramuscular route varied from 63% to 65%. An association between the humoral immune response and the demographic and anthropometric variables was not observed., Conclusions: Serology after the third dose can be considered unnecessary in unexposed patients, since 97% and 100% of volunteers respectively vaccinated by the intradermal and intramuscular route presented satisfactory antibody levels (> 0.5% IU/mL).