A new tick-borne virus, Heartland virus (HLV), associated with severe febrile illness has recently been reported in the US. HLV is closely related to the severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus (SFTSV), a tick transmitted virus, with a case fatality rate as high as 30%, putting it on par with yellow fever, Lassa fever, hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever, and untreated Rocky Mountain spotted fever. As HLV is a newly described virus in the US, its the incidence of infection, range of disease severity and pathogenesis are currently unknown. So far, 6 human cases have been reported with one fatal case. Lack of an animal model is a critical barrier to understand the pathogenesis and host immune response to HLV infection, and also impedes development of tools for prevention and control of HLV infection. The proposed study is innovative in that it is the first to develop an animal model for HLV infection by infected tick bites, and also in its rapid response to a newly identified human pathogen. This study will have an impact on US public health, and will further advance our current understanding of HLV infection and probably SFTSV infection as well.

Public Health Relevance

Lack of an animal model is a critical barrier to understand the pathogenesis and host immune response to HLV infection, and also impedes development of tools for prevention and control of HLV infection. This study will have an impact on US public health, and will further advance our current understanding of HLV infection and probably SFTSV infection as well.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
Type
Exploratory/Developmental Grants (R21)
Project #
5R21AI113128-02
Application #
9086217
Study Section
Vector Biology Study Section (VB)
Program Officer
Repik, Patricia M
Project Start
2015-06-15
Project End
2017-05-31
Budget Start
2016-06-01
Budget End
2017-05-31
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
2016
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Texas Medical Br Galveston
Department
Pathology
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
800771149
City
Galveston
State
TX
Country
United States
Zip Code
77555
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