Development and characterization of a recombinant Bundibugyo virus expressing a fluorescent reporter protein

Abstract

Bundibugyo virus disease (BVD), caused by Bundibugyo virus (BDBV), is associated with substantial morbidity andmortality, with previous outbreaks reporting case fatality rates of 30%–50%. The ongoing BDBV outbreak in theDemocratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda highlights the urgent need for virus-specific research tools andmedical countermeasures. Unlike Ebola virus disease caused by Zaire ebolavirus, no licensed vaccines or specifictherapeutics are currently available for BVD. The lack of research tools has limited studies with BDBV. To facilitateantiviral testing and neutralization studies, we developed the first recombinant BDBV expressing the fluorescentreporter protein ZsGreen (rBDBV-ZsG). As a proof of concept, we tested a set of previously characterized antiviralcompounds and demonstrated comparable inhibitory profiles between rBDBV-ZsG and the wild-type BDBV parentalstrain. Furthermore, the utility of rBDBV-ZsG was successfully evaluated in neutralization assays, demonstrating robustsensitivity and specificity using monoclonal antibodies and convalescent serum samples.