title: Rift valley fever: recent insights into pathogenesis and prevention.
abstract: Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV) is a zoonotic pathogen that primarily affects ruminants but can also be lethal in humans. A negative-stranded RNA virus of the family Bunyaviridae, this pathogen is transmitted mainly via mosquito vectors. RVFV has shown the ability to inflict significant damage to livestock and is also a threat to public health. While outbreaks have traditionally occurred in sub-Saharan Africa, recent outbreaks in the Middle East have raised awareness of the potential of this virus to spread to Europe, Asia, and the Americas. Although the virus was initially characterized almost 80 years ago, the only vaccine approved for widespread veterinary use is an attenuated strain that has been associated with significant pathogenic side effects. However, increased understanding of the molecular biology of the virus over the last few years has led to recent advances in vaccine design and has enabled the development of more-potent prophylactic measures to combat infection. In this review, we discuss several aspects of RVFV, with particular emphasis on the molecular components of the virus and their respective roles in pathogenesis and an overview of current vaccine candidates. Progress in understanding the epidemiology of Rift Valley fever has also enabled prediction of potential outbreaks well in advance, thus providing another tool to combat the physical and economic impact of this disease.
authors: Centro de Investigación en Sanidad Animal (CISA-INIA), Carretera de Valdeolmos-El Casar s/n, Valdeolmos, Madrid, Spain 28130. hboshra@yahoo.com
authors: Hani
authors: H
authors: Boshra
authors: Gema
authors: G
authors: Lorenzo
authors: Núria
authors: N
authors: Busquets
authors: Alejandro
authors: A
authors: Brun
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D009033:Culicidae / Q000821:virology; D004196:Disease Outbreaks / Q000517:prevention & control; D014943:Global Health; D006801:Humans; D007303:Insect Vectors; D058751:Livestock; D012295:Rift Valley Fever / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000821:virology; D012296:Rift Valley fever virus / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D014764:Viral Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D014765:Viral Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D014764:Viral Proteins; D014765:Viral Vaccines