Nonhuman primate models of pediatric viral diseases

Infectious diseases are the leading cause of death in infants and children under 5 years of age. In utero exposure to viruses can lead to spontaneous abortion, preterm birth, congenital abnormalities or other developmental defects, often resulting in lifelong health sequalae. The underlying biologic...

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Main Authors: Vidya Vijayan K. K., Kristina De Paris
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2024-12-01
Series:Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fcimb.2024.1493885/full
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author Vidya Vijayan K. K.
Kristina De Paris
Kristina De Paris
Kristina De Paris
author_facet Vidya Vijayan K. K.
Kristina De Paris
Kristina De Paris
Kristina De Paris
author_sort Vidya Vijayan K. K.
collection DOAJ
description Infectious diseases are the leading cause of death in infants and children under 5 years of age. In utero exposure to viruses can lead to spontaneous abortion, preterm birth, congenital abnormalities or other developmental defects, often resulting in lifelong health sequalae. The underlying biological mechanisms are difficult to study in humans due to ethical concerns and limited sample access. Nonhuman primates (NHP) are closely related to humans, and pregnancy and immune ontogeny in infants are very similar to humans. Therefore, NHP are a highly relevant model for understanding fetal and postnatal virus-host interactions and to define immune mechanisms associated with increased morbidity and mortality in infants. We will discuss NHP models of viruses causing congenital infections, respiratory diseases in early life, and HIV. Cytomegalovirus (CMV) remains the most common cause of congenital defects worldwide. Measles is a vaccine-preventable disease, yet measles cases are resurging. Zika is an example of an emerging arbovirus with devastating consequences for the developing fetus and the surviving infant. Among the respiratory viruses, we will discuss influenza and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). We will finish with HIV as an example of a lifelong infection without a cure or vaccine. The review will highlight (i) the impact of viral infections on fetal and infant immune development, (ii) how differences in infant and adult immune responses to infection alter disease outcome, and emphasize the invaluable contribution of pediatric NHP infection models to the design of effective treatment and prevention strategies, including vaccines, for human infants.
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spelling doaj-art-cd6252b81a1e4454987c2eba823605392025-08-20T02:38:30ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology2235-29882024-12-011410.3389/fcimb.2024.14938851493885Nonhuman primate models of pediatric viral diseasesVidya Vijayan K. K.0Kristina De Paris1Kristina De Paris2Kristina De Paris3Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, United StatesDepartment of Microbiology and Immunology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, United StatesCenter for AIDS Research, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, United StatesChildren’s Research Institute, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, United StatesInfectious diseases are the leading cause of death in infants and children under 5 years of age. In utero exposure to viruses can lead to spontaneous abortion, preterm birth, congenital abnormalities or other developmental defects, often resulting in lifelong health sequalae. The underlying biological mechanisms are difficult to study in humans due to ethical concerns and limited sample access. Nonhuman primates (NHP) are closely related to humans, and pregnancy and immune ontogeny in infants are very similar to humans. Therefore, NHP are a highly relevant model for understanding fetal and postnatal virus-host interactions and to define immune mechanisms associated with increased morbidity and mortality in infants. We will discuss NHP models of viruses causing congenital infections, respiratory diseases in early life, and HIV. Cytomegalovirus (CMV) remains the most common cause of congenital defects worldwide. Measles is a vaccine-preventable disease, yet measles cases are resurging. Zika is an example of an emerging arbovirus with devastating consequences for the developing fetus and the surviving infant. Among the respiratory viruses, we will discuss influenza and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). We will finish with HIV as an example of a lifelong infection without a cure or vaccine. The review will highlight (i) the impact of viral infections on fetal and infant immune development, (ii) how differences in infant and adult immune responses to infection alter disease outcome, and emphasize the invaluable contribution of pediatric NHP infection models to the design of effective treatment and prevention strategies, including vaccines, for human infants.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fcimb.2024.1493885/fullpediatric diseasenonhuman primate modelsviral pathogensinfant immunityvirus-host interactions
spellingShingle Vidya Vijayan K. K.
Kristina De Paris
Kristina De Paris
Kristina De Paris
Nonhuman primate models of pediatric viral diseases
Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology
pediatric disease
nonhuman primate models
viral pathogens
infant immunity
virus-host interactions
title Nonhuman primate models of pediatric viral diseases
title_full Nonhuman primate models of pediatric viral diseases
title_fullStr Nonhuman primate models of pediatric viral diseases
title_full_unstemmed Nonhuman primate models of pediatric viral diseases
title_short Nonhuman primate models of pediatric viral diseases
title_sort nonhuman primate models of pediatric viral diseases
topic pediatric disease
nonhuman primate models
viral pathogens
infant immunity
virus-host interactions
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fcimb.2024.1493885/full
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AT kristinadeparis nonhumanprimatemodelsofpediatricviraldiseases
AT kristinadeparis nonhumanprimatemodelsofpediatricviraldiseases