Rift Valley Fever Virus-Infection, Pathogenesis and Host Immune Responses

Rift Valley Fever Virus is a mosquito-borne phlebovirus causing febrile or haemorrhagic illness in ruminants and humans. The virus can prevent the induction of the antiviral interferon response through its NSs proteins. Mutations in the NSs gene may allow the induction of innate proinflammatory immune responses and lead to attenuation of the virus. Upon infection, virus-specific antibodies and T cells are induced that may afford protection against subsequent infections. Thus, all arms of the adaptive immune system contribute to prevention of disease progression. These findings will aid the design of vaccines using the currently available platforms. Vaccine candidates have shown promise in safety and efficacy trials in susceptible animal species and these may contribute to the control of RVFV infections and prevention of disease progression in humans and ruminants.

Automated summary

Rift Valley Fever Virus is a mosquito-borne phlebovirus that causes febrile or haemorrhagic illness in ruminants and humans. The virus can prevent the induction of the antiviral interferon response through its NSs proteins. Mutations in the NSs gene may lead to the induction of innate proinflammatory immune responses and attenuation of the virus. Virus-specific antibodies and T cells are induced upon infection, which may provide protection against subsequent infections. These findings will help in the development of vaccines using existing platforms. Vaccines candidates have shown promise in safety and efficacy trials in susceptible animal species, which may contribute to controlling RVFV infections and preventing disease progression in humans and ruminants.