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Cultivation and serological characterization of a human Theiler's-like cardiovirus associated with diarrheal disease

C Y Chiu1, A L Greninger, E C Chen

  • 1Department of Laboratory Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, 185 Berry Street, Box 0134, San Francisco, CA 94143-0134, USA. charles.chiu@ucsf.edu

Journal of Virology
|February 19, 2010
PubMed

Insights

Researchers isolated and characterized a common human cardiovirus (genotype 2). This work advances understanding of cardiovirus infection, which is widespread and linked to diarrheal disease.

Area of Science:

  • Virology
  • Immunology
  • Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • Cardioviruses, including Theiler's murine encephalomyelitis virus (TMEV), are picornaviruses known to cause disease in rodents.
  • Human cardioviruses, such as Saffold virus (SAFV) and human TMEV-like cardiovirus (HTCV), have been identified, with genotype 2 strains being most prevalent.
  • Previous difficulties in in vitro propagation of genotype 1 and 2 cardioviruses have limited research into their prevalence and pathogenicity.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To isolate and characterize a genotype 2 human cardiovirus (HTCV-UC6).
  • To investigate methods for successful in vitro cultivation of difficult-to-propagate cardioviruses.
  • To assess the seroprevalence of genotype 2 cardioviruses in the human population and explore potential clinical associations.

Main Methods:

  • Isolation and characterization of a genotype 2 human cardiovirus (HTCV-UC6) from stool samples.
  • Utilized cytokine-blocking antibodies to facilitate viral cultivation by interrupting antiviral pathways.
  • Conducted serologic assays to determine antibody prevalence and neutralizing antibody responses in U.S. adults.
  • Documented a case of acute cardiovirus seroconversion in a child presenting with gastrointestinal symptoms.

Main Results:

  • Successfully isolated and cultivated the genotype 2 human cardiovirus HTCV-UC6, requiring cytokine-blocking antibodies for propagation.
  • HTCV-UC6 exhibited slower replication kinetics and a moderate cytopathic effect compared to other cardioviruses.
  • Serologic data indicated high seroprevalence (91%) of genotype 2 cardioviruses in U.S. adults, with 80% having neutralizing antibodies.
  • Observed and reported the first evidence of cardiovirus infection associated with diarrheal disease in a child.

Conclusions:

  • The successful cultivation of HTCV-UC6 provides a valuable tool for studying genotype 2 human cardioviruses.
  • Widespread human cardiovirus infection is confirmed, with a high prevalence of neutralizing antibodies against genotype 2 strains.
  • This study presents the first direct evidence linking human cardiovirus infection to diarrheal illness, opening new avenues for research.

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