6^th Euro Virology Congress and Expo March 10-12, 2016 Madrid, Spain

Biography:

Shen Kunling is the Professor, Doctoral Supervisor and Physician Director. She has studied as a Visiting Scholar in Switzerland Infectious Disease Control Center, Australia Sydney Alexander Children's Hospital and Medical College of Wisconsin. She has been serving as the current Chinese Medical Association Pediatrics Chairman, Committee Member of the International Academy of Pediatrics, Committee Member of the Asian Academy of Pediatrics, Vice President of Pediatricians Branch of the Chinese Medical Association, Leader of Chinese Medical Association breathing professional team, Committee Member of the tenth Pharmacopoeia and Committee Member of Chinese Medical Association breathing surgeon branch.

Abstract:

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the most common pathogeny of bronchiolitis and 90% children are infected with RSV in their first 2 years. Interferon-α1b is the main subtype of alpha interferon in Chinese and has been widely used in viral disease treatment. A series of preclinical and clinical studies were carried out to evaluate efficacy and safety of IFN-α1b against RSV by aerosol inhalation. Animal PK and tissue distribution study demonstrates that after administration via aerosol inhalation, large amount of 125I-IFN-α1b concentrates in airway and stays longer than intramuscular injection. In a PD study, RSV infected mice which receiving inhaled IFN-α1b treatment show less tissue damage and lower RSV load in lung and increased CD3+CD8+ lymphocyte level in peripheral blood compared with control group. Both anti-RSV and immunoregulation effects of IFN-α1b are in a dose-effect manner. In a multicenter RCT study recruiting 330 acute bronchiolitis children, the total improvement rates of nebulized IFN-α1b 2 μg/kg and 4 μg/kg were 92.3% and 95.0% respectively and significantly higher than control group (85.3%, P<0.05). The effect on symptoms improvement of higher dose group is better than lower dose. The efficacy of IFN-α1b is better when used in early stage of disease and for RSV positive children. Irritation symptoms and serious adverse reactions were not observed. In summary, inhaled IFN-α1b is effective and safe for anti-RSV bronchiolitis in children.

Biography:

Keivan Zandi has completed his PhD in Medical Virology from Tarbiat Modarres University, Iran. He is currently working as an Associate Professor in Department of Medical Microbiology, University Malaya. He has published more than 60 research papers in various scientific journals and has several Patents to his credit. He is actively severing as an Editorial Board Member for Scientific Reports with Nature publishing group as well as several other journals such as International Journal of Virology, SM tropical Medicine Journal, International Journal of Pharmacology, American journal of Drug Discovery and development and International Journal of Drug Discovery and Biotechnology journal.

Abstract:

The mosquito-borne Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) causes Chikungunya fever with clinical presentations such as severe back and small joint pain and debilitating arthritis associated with crippling pains that persist for weeks and even years. Although there are several studies to evaluate the efficacy of drugs against CHIKV, the treatment for Chikungunya fever is mainly symptom-based and no effective licensed vaccine or antiviral are available. Here, we investigated the antiviral activity of three types of flavonoids against CHIKV in vitro replication. Three compounds: Silymarin, quercetin and kaempferol were evaluated for their in vitro antiviral activities against CHIKV using a CHIKV replicon cell line and a clinical isolate of CHIKV of the Central/East African genotype. A cytopathic effect inhibition assay was used to determine their activities on CHIKV viral replication and quantitative reverse transcription PCR was used to calculate virus yield. Antiviral activity of the compounds was further investigated by evaluation of CHIKV protein expression using western blotting for CHIKV nsP1, nsP3, E1 proteins. Silymarin exhibited significant antiviral activity against CHIKV reducing both replication efficiency and down-regulating production of viral proteins involved in replication. This study may have important consequence for broaden the chance of getting the effective antiviral for CHIKV infection.

Biography:

Jelena Prpic has completed her PhD from University of Zagreb, Faculty of Science. She is a Senior Assistant at Department of Virology, Laboratory for Classical Swine Fever, Molecular Virology and Genetics at Croatian Veterinary Institute, Zagreb. She has published more than 21 papers in reputed journals.

Abstract:

Hepatitis E is caused by a RNA virus mostly transmitted by the fecal-oral route and is the cause of sporadic and epidemic forms of acute hepatitis. The causative agent of hepatitis E is a member of the Hepeviridae family, consisting two genera, Orthohepevirus (A, B, C and D) and Piscihepevirus. Members of species Orthohepevirus A is divided into four genotypes; HEV-1 and HEV-2 are human specific while HEV-3 and HEV-4 are known to have zoonotic potential. Because of the possibility of zoonotic transmission by contact with infected animals or through environmental exposure Hepatitis E is an important public health problem. A comprehensive survey based on viral RNA detection was carried out in Croatia including IgM positive human sera samples and blood, tissue and feces samples originating from swine and wild boars. Molecular characterization of ORF1 genomic region confirmed the phylogenetic clustering of the obtained sequences into genotype 3, previously reported in Europe. Furthermore, our results proved the presence of identical sequence variants in different samples, regardless of their origin, age or habitat of the host, suggesting mutual source of infection or interspecies transmission. Moreover, a close genetic relationship of Croatian animal strains and known human HEV strains from the GenBank opens the question of possible cross species HEV transmission in Croatia.

Biography:

Ahmed Al-Qahtani has completed his PhD in Cellular Biology from the University of Georgia, USA in 1996. He is the currently a Senior Scientist and Head of the Molecular Virology Section at the Research Center of King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. He is a Professor of Microbiology and Immunology at the College of Medicine of Alfaisal University in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia and an Adjunct Associate Professor at College of Medicine of King Saud University in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. He has published nearly 60 papers in reputed journals in the field of molecular and cellular biology of infectious organisms and serves as a Reviewer for several scientific journals.

Abstract:

Objectives: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is one of the most widespread human pathogens causing chronic hepatitis, liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). This study investigated the clinical impact of single and combination mutations in the HBx gene on the pathogenesis of HCC through progressive stages of liver disease and also assessed HBV genotypic variation within the Saudi population. Methods: Four hundred and twenty four Saudi patients infected with HBV were enrolled in this study. The patients were categorized into inactive HBV carriers (IC), Active HBV carriers (AC), liver cirrhosis (LC) and HCC groups based on disease severity. All the samples were analyzed for mutations in HBx using PCR and direct sequencing. Results: Male sex, age>50 years and high serum ALT level were found to be associated with risk of progressive liver disease. HBV genotype D was the predominant genotype present among the study group (93%) with sub genotype D1 being the most abundant (62.5%). 78.5% HCC patients were infected with HBV sub genotype D1. Liver cirrhosis was predominantly present in patients with HBV genotype C (66.7%). Mutations I127T, V131I and F132Y/I/R showed a significantly increasing trend with disease progression to HCC. Mutation V88F was present in all the HCC patients. H94Y and K130M were also significantly associated with severe liver disease. One double mutation (K130M+V131I) and two triple mutations (I127T+K130M+V131L and K130M+V131I+F132Y) were observed with significant rising prevalence through progressive clinical phases of liver disease to HCC. Conclusion: Several single and combinational mutations in the HBx, correlating with severity and progressive clinical phases of HBV infection were identified. The mutational combinations may have a synergistic effect in accelerating progression to HCC. These specific patterns of HBx mutations can prove useful in predicting the clinical outcome of HBV infected patients and may serve as early markers of high risk of developing HCC in the Saudi population.

Biography:

Sharad Kumar Yadav has 25 years of teaching and research experience and has served to various senior positions of the University including Registrar of the DUVASU University. He is currently a Professor and Head of the Department of Veterinary Microbiology, at DUVASU, Mathura, India. He has published number of papers in reputed international & national journals and has a vast experience in the arena of BHV-I virus.

Abstract:

Bovine herpesvirus-1 (BoHV-1) is accountable for infectious bovine rhinotracheitis (IBR), a disease of major economic thrashing in the cattle industry globally. BHV-1 is a member of the genus Varicellovirus in the sub family Alphaherpesvirinae, belonging to the family Herpesviridae. The property of establishing a latent state in ganglionic neurons after infection allocates the BHV-1 virus to persist in the body and spread the disease from a latently infected carrier to a non-infected herd. The first report of BHV-1 infection was recorded as genital form of disease as infectious pustular vulvovaginitis (IPV) in cattle in 1841 in Germany. Viral association with this form of disease was confirmed in 1928; respiratory form (IBR) was observed in 1950s and in 1958 for the first time the virus was isolated successfully and classified in the family Herpesviridae. BHV-1 is currently widespread all over the world and observed in USA, Canada, Zaire, Italy, Belgium, India, Japan, Taiwan and Turkey. The documented prevalence of BHV-1 is 83% in UK, 63-86% in Egypt, 43% in England, 36-48% in Central and South America, 36% in China, 14-60% in Africa and as restricted distribution in India. Among East and South Asian countries in Nepal, Sri Lanka, Korea, Bhutan and Bangladesh disease was not reported. BHV-1 virus has been detected in many states of India like Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Haryana, Kerala, Punjab, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Orissa, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland and Karnataka with maximum prevalence in Uttar Pradesh and minimum in Himachal Pradesh. Considering the emerging nature of virus, latency, unusual rate of spread of the infection with economic aspects, the current scenario of BHV-1 in South and East Asian region is addressed to formulate a comprehensive control strategy involving thorough screening before international trading and restricting animal movements between different parts of world.

Biography:

Jayaraman Shanmugam is the President of Indian Association of Medical Microbiologists (2014-2015) and has worked at Sri Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology (Government of India), Trivandrum for 26 years and later in two private medical colleges for 14 years in UAE and India. He has completed 24 research projects, published 118 papers in various journals, received 18 awards and many honors, edited two journals, organized many workshops, symposia, CME, national and international conferences, guided PhD students and he is an elected fellow of five societies including American College of Epidemiology and a Senior Consultant in Medical Virology/Microbiology in India.

Abstract:

More than 40 human viral agents have emerged in various parts of the world during the past four decades. Most of them are RNA viruses mainly transmitted from animals to humans. Maximum viruses have emerged in the African, Asian and South American continents where enormous species of animals, birds and insects are living with increased possibility of humans coming in close contact with them directly or indirectly. Though more than 550 types of arboviruses have been described in the world, only around 15 types of them have been reported in India. The Kyasanur Forest Virus in India emerged in 1957 in Karnataka state. In 2005-2006 a major Chikungunya outbreak occurred in South India. The arbovirus emerged lately in India is Congo-Crimean Hemorrhagic Fever virus in 2012 in Gujarat. Around 10 new types of viruses have been detected in South East Asia and Western Pacific. In Australia nearly 40 arboviruses have been described. Due to the paucity of laboratory facilities many viral diseases go undiagnosed in developing countries from Africa and Asia. Hence the health authorities should initiate appropriate measures to establish high quality laboratories to diagnose viral diseases without delay, including periodic training of the laboratory personnel.

Biography:

Pedro Brandao dos Santos Pedrosa has obtained his BSc in Microbiology and Immunology. He is Specialist in Biosafety by FIOCRUZ (IPEC) and completed his MSc in Immunology from USP (São Paulo State University). His virology experience comprises work with Dengue virus, Hantavirus, Mayaro virus, some degree of training in BSL3 operation, training and scientific initial work in the Friedrich Loeffler Institute (FLI-INNT). He has 1 article published to his credit.

Abstract:

The previous theory of the epidemiological transition has been challenged this time by the worst EHF epidemic ever (caused by EBOV), which may pose a real threat of pandemic through the return of unresolved cases to their countries of origin. This instance exemplifies which sort of consequences the virological research community is about to deal with in the case of research of emerging/reemerging viral pathogens presenting a relevant process of evolution of virulence. The process of evolution of virulence of viral pathogens of medical importance can no longer be regarded with outdated paradigms and dogmatic or misconceived views concerning fast evolving viruses presenting an actual and significant evolution of virulence such as DENV and some coronaviruses (i.e., SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV). The lecture will present the evolution of virulence of such viral pathogens as a relevant factor concerning the biosafety of the virological research.

Biography:

Francois Dufrasne is an Assistant Doctorate at AIDS Reference Laboratory, Universite catholique de Louvain. He is a Member of several scientific societies like Belgian Society of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Society of Medicinal Chemistry in France, Member of the American Chemical Society, Member of scientific committees and organization: Eleventh Franco-Belgian Days Pharmacochemistry, Member of the Permanent Organizing Committee for Franco-Belgian days Pharmacochemistry, Committee Member Reading of Tetrahedron Letters, Member of the reading committee of journals Tetrahedron, Tetrahedron Letters, European Journal of Medicinal Chemistry, Synthesis.

Abstract:

Biography:

Beti Ernawati Dewi has completed her PhD at the age of 37 years from University of Tsukuba, Japan and postdoctoral studies from Institute of Tropical Medicine, University of Nagasaki, Japan. She is a teaching staff and senior researcher at Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Indonesia. She has published more than 10 papers in reputed journals.

Abstract:

Dengue virus (DENV) infection is still a serious health problem in Indonesia with no specific antiviral to treat the patients. Due to the lack of a good animal model, the development of antiviral has not been completely elucidated, In this study we develop a mice model of DENV infection for antiviral experiment. DDY mice were injected with 5.5 x 106 DENV-2 New Guinea C infected Huh-7 and Vero cell via intra peritoneal. The presence of DENV in plasma sera were evaluated by focus assay at 6, 24 and 48 hours post infection. In mice with DENV-2 infected Vero cells, the titer of DENV-2 was 1.7x102 FFU/ml at 6 hours post infection. At 24 and 48 post infection no DENV were found in plasma mice with DENV-2 infected Vero cells. The higher titer was found in mice with DENV-2 infected Huh-7 cells with 5.8 X 103FFU/ml and 3,6X103 FFU/ml at 6 hours and 24 hours, respectively. The DENV viremia results demonstrate that DDY mice injected with DENV infected Huh-7 are a promising simple animal model for DENV antiviral trials in future. Keywords: Animal Model, Dengue virus, Vero cell, Huh-7 cells

Biography:

Sharad Kumar Yadav has 25 years of teaching and research experience and has served to various senior positions of the University including Registrar of the Veterinary University, Mathura, India. He is currently the Director at Cow Research Institute and Professor and Head of Department of Veterinary Microbiology at Veterinary University, India. He has published number of papers in reputed international & national journals and has a vast experience in the arena of BHV-I virus research.

Abstract:

Bovine Herpesvirus Type-1 (BHV-1), aetiological agent of a number of diseases including IBR, infectious pustular vulvovaginitis (IPV), infectious balanoposthitis (IBP), conjunctivitis, encephalomyelitis, mastitis, abortion, enteritis and interdigital lesions of domestic and wild cattle. Knowledge of genomic sequence of the virus, virus-specified components and their concerted action are helpful in predicting and defining the chain of events during the lytic and latent phases of the BHV-1 and determining the strategies through which bovine Herpes viral life cycle can be interrupted. Investigating herpes viruses would surely reveal most useful targets for formulating ways of diagnosis, prevention and antiviral treatment against herpes viruses. Following infection, BoHV-1 may persist in infected animals in a latent state in sensory neurons, e.g., in the trigeminal or sacral ganglia. Rapid and precise diagnosis plays a pivotal role in implementing suitable control measures in natural field cases of bovine abortion due to infection with BHV-1. The diagnosis of BoHV-1 associated abortions is commonly made through the observation of gross and histopathological lesions in fetal and placental tissues, by the detection of viral antigen by fluorescent antibody test (FAT), immunohistochemistry (IHC), or viral DNA by nested PCR and real-time PCR, multiplex real-time PCR for differentiation of field and vaccine virus strain. After virus isolation virus can be detected in cell culture by virus isolation, serology, histopathology, immunohistochemistry (IHC) and real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Other diagnostic applications include strain characterization by restriction enzyme fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis, antibody detection by neutralization test and ELISA, differentiating antibody analyses by gB blocking ELISAs, indirect ELISAs and gE-blocking-ELISAs. To deepen the dialogue between the authorities, the health and medical/veterinary care system, the academic sphere and industry must act altogether by establishing a “Task Force” at authority level for well-timed diagnosis and henceforth prevention of herpes viral infections.

Biography:

Raquel Rodrigues has completed her PhD at the age of 28 from the École Normale Supérieure de Lyon in France and is now undergoing postdoctoral studies at the Department of Clinical Microbiology of the Umeå University in Sweden. She has published several papers in virology journals and has presented her findings in virology and infectious diseases conferences.

Abstract:

The tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) is the most important endemic arthropod-borne flavivirus in Europe. It provokes tick-borne encephalitis (TBE), an infection that can cause mild to severe forms of neurological diseases such as meningitis or encephalitis. However, the life-cycle of the virus and in particular the first steps of infection are still poorly understood. To better understand the life-cycle and pathogenesis of TBEV, identification of the virus-host interactions such as attachment to and entry into host cells are of utmost importance. In this study, we used Langat virus (LGTV), the naturally attenuated form of TBEV, as a model to investigate the nature of the cellular receptor(s) used by TBEV for attachment and entry. For that, we treated cells with compounds that cleave or inhibit several receptor types (proteins, N-glycans, O-glycans, glycolipids, sulfated glycans and sialic acids) and measured the attachment of LGTV. Also, we made use of CHO cells lacking N-glycans or sialic acids to quantify the binding of LGTV. According to our results, the cellular receptor for LGTV seems to include a protein component, as shown by the decrease in binding observed after treatment with proteases. Furthermore, no decrease in binding was found after inhibition of the glycans, which suggests that glycans are not involved in the attachment of LGTV to host cells. Our results strongly suggest that the receptor for LGTV is of protein nature. Based on these results, a proteomic approach is currently ongoing in order to identify the specific receptor protein for LGTV.

Biography:

Amal Souiri is currently a PhD Student from the Faculty of Science, University Mohammed V in Morocco. She is a Young Researcher on Virology, Molecular Biology and Immunology. She has contributed in the development of monoclonal antibodies against Pepino mosaic virus infecting tomato crops in Morocco and the genetic characterization of Moroccan PepMV strains. She has published 3 papers in reputed journals and communicated its studies in many international congresses.

Abstract:

Over the past few years, Pepino mosaic virus (PepMV) has become an emerging pathogen that causes significant losses in tomato crops worldwide. Genetic composition of PepMV population in Morocco has not been determined yet. In this study, twelve PepMV isolated from Moroccan areas of tomato production were identified by serological and molecular tools and were characterized by nucleotide sequences analysis of a part of RNA-dependant RNA polymerase gene, triple gene block and coat protein gene. In spite of genetic diversity of PepMV isolates due to high mutation and recombination rate of RNA, the phylogenetic analysis based on comparison with the known genotypes showed that the Moroccan population of PepMV shares a very high sequence identity with CH2 strains. As well, Moroccan isolates reveals a specific single nucleotide polymorphisms that lead to distinct variants and for a subset of isolates, a possible recombination with EU genotypes. This study will contribute in the improvement of control strategies of PepMV disease and in the implementation of phytosanitary requirements for the exported tomato crops.

Biography:

Beti Ernawati Dewi has completed her PhD at the age of 37 years from University of Tsukuba, Japan and postdoctoral studies from Institute of Tropical Medicine, University of Nagasaki, Japan. She is a teaching staff and senior researcher at Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Indonesia. She has published more than 10 papers in reputed journals.

Abstract:

Dengue virus (DENV) infection is still a serious health problem in Indonesia with no specific antiviral to treat the patients. Due to the lack of a good animal model, the development of antiviral has not been completely elucidated, In this study we develop a mice model of DENV infection for antiviral experiment. DDY mice were injected with 5.5 x 106 DENV-2 New Guinea C infected Huh-7 and Vero cell via intra peritoneal. The presence of DENV in plasma sera were evaluated by focus assay at 6, 24 and 48 hours post infection. In mice with DENV-2 infected Vero cells, the titer of DENV-2 was 1.7x102 FFU/ml at 6 hours post infection. At 24 and 48 post infection no DENV were found in plasma mice with DENV-2 infected Vero cells. The higher titer was found in mice with DENV-2 infected Huh-7 cells with 5.8 X 103FFU/ml and 3,6X103 FFU/ml at 6 hours and 24 hours, respectively. The DENV viremia results demonstrate that DDY mice injected with DENV infected Huh-7 are a promising simple animal model for DENV antiviral trials in future. Keywords: Animal Model, Dengue virus, Vero cell, Huh-7 cells

Biography:

Beti Ernawati Dewi has completed her PhD at the age of 37 years from University of Tsukuba, Japan and postdoctoral studies from Institute of Tropical Medicine, University of Nagasaki, Japan. She is a teaching staff and senior researcher at Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Indonesia. She has published more than 10 papers in reputed journals.

Abstract:

Dengue virus (DENV) infection is still a serious health problem in Indonesia with no specific antiviral to treat the patients. Due to the lack of a good animal model, the development of antiviral has not been completely elucidated, In this study we develop a mice model of DENV infection for antiviral experiment. DDY mice were injected with 5.5 x 106 DENV-2 New Guinea C infected Huh-7 and Vero cell via intra peritoneal. The presence of DENV in plasma sera were evaluated by focus assay at 6, 24 and 48 hours post infection. In mice with DENV-2 infected Vero cells, the titer of DENV-2 was 1.7x102 FFU/ml at 6 hours post infection. At 24 and 48 post infection no DENV were found in plasma mice with DENV-2 infected Vero cells. The higher titer was found in mice with DENV-2 infected Huh-7 cells with 5.8 X 103FFU/ml and 3,6X103 FFU/ml at 6 hours and 24 hours, respectively. The DENV viremia results demonstrate that DDY mice injected with DENV infected Huh-7 are a promising simple animal model for DENV antiviral trials in future. Keywords: Animal Model, Dengue virus, Vero cell, Huh-7 cells

Biography:

Beti Ernawati Dewi has completed her PhD at the age of 37 years from University of Tsukuba, Japan and postdoctoral studies from Institute of Tropical Medicine, University of Nagasaki, Japan. She is a teaching staff and senior researcher at Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Indonesia. She has published more than 10 papers in reputed journals.

Abstract:

Dengue virus (DENV) infection is still a serious health problem in Indonesia with no specific antiviral to treat the patients. Due to the lack of a good animal model, the development of antiviral has not been completely elucidated, In this study we develop a mice model of DENV infection for antiviral experiment. DDY mice were injected with 5.5 x 106 DENV-2 New Guinea C infected Huh-7 and Vero cell via intra peritoneal. The presence of DENV in plasma sera were evaluated by focus assay at 6, 24 and 48 hours post infection. In mice with DENV-2 infected Vero cells, the titer of DENV-2 was 1.7x102 FFU/ml at 6 hours post infection. At 24 and 48 post infection no DENV were found in plasma mice with DENV-2 infected Vero cells. The higher titer was found in mice with DENV-2 infected Huh-7 cells with 5.8 X 103FFU/ml and 3,6X103 FFU/ml at 6 hours and 24 hours, respectively. The DENV viremia results demonstrate that DDY mice injected with DENV infected Huh-7 are a promising simple animal model for DENV antiviral trials in future. Keywords: Animal Model, Dengue virus, Vero cell, Huh-7 cells

Biography:

Abstract: