The early response of cell B

Mouse studies have shown that a quick reaction of a specific type of defensive cell is necessary to control the oropouche viral infections and prevent serious neurological damage. Without treatment, “oropouche fever” causes symptoms, including headaches, muscle and joint pain, skin rash and vomiting. In severe cases, this can lead to meningitis and encephalitis. Pregnant women are exposed to complications, including miscarriage.

These discoveries will contribute to future research on developing therapy and disease vaccines. The Oropouche virus is considered a neglected arbovirus, which is transmitted by half when it is infected (OROV). From January to the beginning of June this year, Brazil recorded an increase in the number of cases by over 60% compared to the same period in 2024 – about 11,500 confirmed cases (compared to 7200 last year) and four deaths. This sum in less than six months is similar to the number of cases registered throughout the last year – 13,800 according to the Brazilian Ministry of Health.

Scientists have found that B cells in the marginal zone are the first lymphocytes that worked in the body after infection, quickly producing antibodies that prevent the virus to spread and reaching the middle nervous system and brain. This early production of antibodies depends on the soap88 protein, which activates the answer, helping to neutralize oropouche.

The results of the study are published in the journal with Lancet Group (Great Britain).

This study brought a very important result, developing our understanding of how this virus works in two ways. First of all, from a mechanic perspective, analyzing the end -of -end zone lymphocyte This helps us understand the mechanisms associated with encephalitis and those that protect the body against viral access to the central nervous system. The second point is associated with the possibility of therapy and vaccines, which shows that the antibodies work quickly. This suggests that the therapeutic window may not be so long, which requires quick action in the early stages of infection. “

José Luiz Proença Modena, one of the advisers and professor at the Institute of Biology at the State University of Campinas (IB-Unicamp), Brazil

Modena is a coordinator of the emerging virus laboratory (level) in Unicamp. LEVE is supported by FAPESP, which has also financed research using three other projects (16/00194-8, 17/11931-6 and 14/50938-8).

The main author of the article, researcher Daniel Teixeira, points out that the threat of explosions and epidemic makes understanding of the mechanisms of Oropouche infection is even more urgent. “We managed to shed light on the virus, which is still little known to the general public. By examining it, it is possible to predict processes that can be caused in the body, as a result of which learning can prepare to face the epidemic.”

At the beginning of this year, another study published in the journal – with the participation of scientists from Leve – showed that the oropouche fever, documented in South America since the 1950s, experienced a outbreak of cases between November 2023 and June 2024 in four countries: Brazil, Bolivia, Columbia and Peru.

In Brazil, indigenous infections were recorded in areas that were previously not endemic in all five regions of the country, with cases in 21 states. The incidence rate has increased almost 200 times compared to the last ten years. “Symptoms of the disease are similar to dengi and zika and can be confused. Therefore, tests for Oropouche are also necessary for epidemiological monitoring,” adds Modena.

After the increase in cases, the Ministry of Health updated the principles of supervision and control of the Oropouche virus in Brazil, which is currently subject to mandatory reporting – that is, all suspicious or confirmed cases should be reported within 24 hours.

Cooperation

The work was carried out by a group of 30 researchers from various institutions. In addition to UNICAMP, the group included scientists from the University of São Paulo (USK), the Federal University of Roraima and Fiocruz Amazônia (also in Brazil), Cardiff University (Great Britain), University of Kentucky and Washington University in St. Louis (United States).

“We benefited from the efforts of foreign researchers, but most of the work-factual practical work-she was in Brazil by doctoral students. This shows the importance of investing in the study and training of new scientists,” says Teixeira.

The group conducted immunophenotypical experiments, passive serum transfers and adoption cell transfers in order to determine how early antibodies and cell answers control viral replication and spread to the central nervous system after infection. Mice produced specific antibodies against OROV within six days of infection.