Heartland virus disease (HVD), a potentially severe tick-borne illness, has garnered significant attention in the scientific community due to its increasing prevalence and the lack of established therapeutics. At our company, we are committed to advancing the field of infectious disease through innovative vaccine and therapy development services specifically tailored for Heartland virus disease.
Overview of Heartland Virus Disease
Heartland virus disease (HVD) is a tick-borne illness caused by the Heartland virus (HRTV), a member of the bandavirus genus in the Phenuiviridae family. First identified in Missouri in 2009, HVD has emerged as a significant public health concern, particularly in southern and midwestern states of the United States. Transmission occurs primarily through bites from the lone star tick (Amblyomma americanum). The manifestations of the disease may include symptoms such as fever, fatigue, headaches, myalgia, and gastrointestinal disturbances, which can escalate to severe conditions such as leukopenia and thrombocytopenia.
Fig.1 Maximum-likelihood tree showing genetic relationships among the tick-borne, mosquito-borne, and sand-fly-borne phleboviruses. (Brault A. C., et al., 2018)
Vaccine Development for Heartland Virus Disease
The development of vaccines for HVD may take several forms:
- Recombinant Protein Vaccines: By utilizing specific proteins from HRTV, such as glycoproteins, researchers can create a vaccine that stimulates an immune response without introducing live virus particles.
- Viral Vector Vaccines: Employing harmless viruses to deliver HRTV genes into host cells can promote the production of viral proteins, thus training the immune system to recognize and respond to HRTV.
- mRNA Vaccines: Following the success of mRNA vaccines for COVID-19, this approach could be adapted for HVD, allowing for rapid development and deployment in response to emerging outbreaks.
Therapeutics Development for Heartland Virus Disease
Originally developed for influenza therapeutics, this antiviral has shown promise in animal studies against various viral infections, including HRTV.
These compounds, derived from traditional Chinese medicine, exhibit antiviral properties and are being evaluated for their effectiveness against HRTV.
While primarily an antifungal, this agent may offer off-label therapeutic options for severe HVD cases based on its immunomodulatory effects.
This NF-κB inhibitor has potential antiviral properties and warrants further investigation in the context of HRTV therapeutics.
Our Services
Through innovative research and dedicated services, we aim to provide one-stop solutions. Our commitment to excellence in vaccine and therapeutic development is unwavering, and we strive to improve drug development efficiency for global pharmaceutical companies.
- Interferon-α/β/γ Receptor–Deficient (Ag129) Mice
- CD-1 Mice
- New Zealand White Rabbit Infection HRTV Models
- Chickens (Leghorn) Infection HRTV Models
- Boer Goats Infection HRTV Models
Our commitment to advancing HVD research is exemplified by our comprehensive preclinical research services. We employ a range of methodologies to explore the safety, immunogenicity, and efficacy of potential vaccine candidates and antiviral therapies. If you are interested in our services, please feel free to contact us.
References
- Brault, Aaron C., et al. "Heartland virus epidemiology, vector association, and disease potential." Viruses 10.9 (2018): 498.
- Dembek, Zygmunt F., et al. "Heartland Virus Disease—An Underreported Emerging Infection." Microorganisms 12.2 (2024): 286.
All of our services and products are intended for preclinical research use
only and cannot be used to diagnose, treat or manage patients.
