TBFVnet
A network of laboratories that study and survey Tick-Borne FlaviViruses
Research, health and social priorities require a multidisciplinary and cross-border approach. Our aim is to develop tools and protocols and to transfer this know-how to neighboring countries.
Ticks
Tick-borne flaviviruses (TBFVs) are viruses transmitted by ticks that cause severe disease in humans and animals. This project focuses on four TBFVs: Tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV), Powassan virus (POWV), Louping-ill virus (LIV) and Omsk hemorrhagic fever virus (OHFV). There are currently no antivirals for TBFV infections. The only available vaccine is for TBEV.
Research
Research within TBFVnet is at the clinical and veterinary level aiming to (i) share expertise, protocols, and tools for the diagnosis and surveillance of TBFVs; (ii) investigate the molecular correlates of pathogenesis of TBFVs, and (iii) develop new antivirals.
Cooperation
Within this network, researchers work together across countries to study the biology and pathogenesis of TBFV disease. This will lead to new tools and procedures to increase prevention and treatment capacities. The integration of research and surveillance will create an international alliance to tackle TBFVs.
Spread of Tick-borne diseases
Tick-borne diseases are widely spread in Europe and include a large number of human and animal pathogens causing severe disease. TBEV, for example, is considered to be the most relevant arbovirus endemic in Central and Eastern Europe spreading from north to west.
TBFVnet aims to raise awareness of tick-borne diseases. To this end, it seeks new partners and collaborators in neighbouring countries affected by tick-borne diseases and targeted by the Fund.
Bringing specific and complementary expertise from surveillance to research in flavivirus biology, the original partners are located in strategic geographic regions to monitor tick-borne diseases across Europe: Czech Republic, Italy, Norway, Russia, Slovakia, and Sweden.
Note: Chumakov FSC R&D IBP RAS is no longer a partner in the project.
The biology of TBFVs
TBEV is considered the most relevant arbovirus in Central and Eastern Europe and in Russia, with about 13,000 estimated human cases annually causing severe diseases. Over the last decade there has been a 300% increase in the number of TBEV cases in Europe.
Infection of the vector begins when a tick takes a blood meal from an infected host: usually a wild mammal of the forest. TBEV in the blood of the host infects the tick. Through its salivary glands the tick passes the virus to the next host. Humans can be infected either by a tick bite or by consuming unpasteurised dairy products, and can further transmit the virus by blood transfusion.
Implemented by
Veterinary Research Institute
Czech Republic
The Veterinary Research Institute has long-standing expertise in TBEV pathogenesis and antiviral discovery. Its research focuses on the pathogenesis of TBE, development and testing of vaccines and antivirals, and national and international surveillance and diagnostic programs.
Daniel Ruzek
PhD, Associate Professor, PI
ruzekd@paru.cas.cz
Norwegian Institute of Public Health
Norway
The Norwegian Institute of Public Health has wide knowledge of surveillance of TBFVs and LIV. NIPH will sequence and analyze the genome of TBE isolated viruses in relation to their inflammation potential to the central nervous system.
Ashild Kristine Andreassen
Senior Scientist, PI
ashildkristine.andreassen@fhi.no
Biomedical Research Center of the Slovak Academy of Sciences
Slovakia
Topics of research at the BRC include TBEV research in pathogenesis as well as the characterisation of wild viral strains. The BRC has long-standing expertise in the TBEV-tick-mouse animal model.
Boris Klempa
PhD, Head of Virus Ecology Group, PI
boris.klempa@savba.sk
International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB)
Italy
The ICGEB is an intergovernmental organisation with strong expertise in TBEV biology and diagnosis. The Molecular Virology Laboratory in Trieste is involved in virus diagnosis and studies the host cell response to TBEV infection.
Alessandro Marcello
PhD, Group Leader, PI
marcello@icgeb.org
Tea Carletti
PhD, Researcher
carletti@icgeb.org
Chumakov FSC R&D IBP RAS
Russia
The Chumakov Institute in Moscow holds a large collection of flavivirus strains. It has long-standing expertise in virology, vaccine development, molecular biology, immunology, medicinal chemistry, and bioinformatics.
Galina Karganova
PhD, PI
karganova@bk.ru
Dmitry Osolodkin
PhD, Researcher
dmitry_o@qsar.chem.msu.ru
Former partners Umea University
Sweden
Umea University in Sweden is specialized in the molecular biology of TBEV infection. The Overby lab develops a broad approach combining proteomics, molecular virology, and advanced imaging, applied both in vitro and in vivo.
Anna K. Overby
PhD, Associate Professor, PI
anna.overby@umu.se
News
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Diagnostics, Communication and Networking – The Best of the TBFVnet Project
A network of labs that study and survey Tick-Borne Flaviviruses
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Are we more exposed to new viral outbreaks? Addressing the risk with a one-health approach.
Recent outbreaks of viruses such as Chikungunya, Zika, Yellow Fever, West Nile Fever, or Dengue, as well as the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, have found us unprepared and vulnerable.
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Meet Our Partners
In a series of short videos, we hear directly from our partners and the roles of their institutes and research teams on the TBFVnet project.