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Host nutritional status affects alphavirus virulence, transmission, and evolution
James Weger-Lucarelli1,2, Lucia Carrau1, Laura I Levi1,3
1Institut Pasteur, Viral Populations and Pathogenesis Unit, Paris, France.
Plos Pathogens
|November 12, 2019
Summary
Malnourishment impacts viral infections. Obese and undernourished mice showed increased illness and reduced virus transmission to mosquitoes, highlighting nutrition
Area of Science:
- Virology and Immunology
- Nutritional Science
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Over 2.5 billion people are affected by malnourishment (overweight/obesity and undernourishment).
- Emerging viral diseases, especially mosquito-borne ones, are increasing globally.
- Malnourishment impairs immune response, worsening viral disease outcomes and vaccine efficacy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of host nutrition on alphavirus infection, virulence, and transmission.
- To understand how obesity and undernourishment affect arbovirus (arthropod-borne virus) infection dynamics.
Main Methods:
- Mice models (lean, obese, undernourished) were infected with arthritogenic alphaviruses.
- Assessed morbidity, virus replication in blood, and transmission to mosquitoes.
- Analyzed viral genetic diversity and replicative fitness using Mayaro virus (MAYV) as a model.
Main Results:
- Obesity and undernourishment did not consistently affect blood virus replication, with reductions in obese mice late in infection.
- Obese mice exhibited increased morbidity across all conditions.
- Obese and undernourished mice showed reduced transmission of Mayaro virus to mosquitoes.
- Viral genetic diversity and replicative fitness were lower in obese mice compared to lean controls.
Conclusions:
- Host nutrition significantly influences the course of alphavirus infection.
- Obesity and undernourishment can alter viral virulence and transmission dynamics.
- Nutrition is a critical environmental factor to consider during arbovirus outbreaks.
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