Eastern Equine Encephalitis Virus: The Importance of Metabolism and Aging

Eastern equine encephalitis virus (EEEV) is a mosquito-transmitted alphavirus that, among humans, can cause a severe and often fatal illness. The zoonotic EEEV enzootic cycle involves a cycle of transmission between Culiseta melanura and avian hosts, frequently resulting in spillover to dead-end vertebrate hosts such as humans and horses. Interestingly, it has been described that the W132G mutation of the very low-density lipoprotein receptor (VLDLR), the receptor of EEEV, significantly enhanced the VLDLR-mediated cell attachment of EEEV. The patient's metabolism plays a pivotal role in shaping the complex landscape of viral zoonosis. EEEV represents a significant public health concern due to its severe clinical outcomes, challenging epidemiological characteristics, and certain risk factors that heighten susceptibility among specific populations or age groups. Age is one of several predictors that can impact the outcome of EEEV infection; juvenile animals appear to be particularly vulnerable to severe disease. This has also been observed in natural infections, as children are often the most severely impacted humans. The aim of this piece is to shed light on the intricate relationship between human metabolism and the Eastern equine encephalitis virus.