Tibor Farkas
Associate Professor Department of Veterinary PathobiologyResearch and Scholarly Interests
Enteric viral diseases represent a significant burden for both human and animal health and foodborne illness remains a major public health concern in both developing and developed countries. Despite significant improvement in detection techniques in the past decade over 20% of gastroenteritis cases still cannot be linked to a causative agent. In addition, several enteric viral pathogens are difficult to study because they do not or only poorly replicate in cell culture. Our laboratory is involved in the study of human and animal enteric viral diseases, mainly enteric RNA viruses. We are interested in pathogen discovery and characterization, diagnostic assay development, epidemiological studies, interspecies transmission/zoonosis, cell culture/animal model development, pathogenicity, host virus interactions and host and viral determinants of susceptibility. Currently, the focus is on using the rhesus enteric calicivirus model developed in our laboratory to address relevant questions of enteric calicivirus biology and apply our findings to human noroviruses.
Education
MBA: College of Business, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, USA, 2008
PhD: United Graduate School of Veterinary Medical Sciences, Yamaguchi University, Yamaguchi, Japan 1998
DVM: University of Veterinary Medicine, Budapest, Hungary, 1988
Infectious Diseases, Viral diseases, enteric viruses.
Farkas T, Kui Y, Le Pendu J, Baines J, Cardin R. (2019) The coxsackie virus and adenovirus receptor (CAR) is a required host factor for recovirus infection: a putative enteric calicivirus receptor. J Virol. 2019 Sep 4. pii: JVI.00869-19. doi: 10.1128/JVI.00869-19. PMID:31484750
Strtak AC, Perry JL, Chang-Graham A, Farkas T, Hyser JM. (2019) Tulane Virus NS1-2 is an endoplasmic reticulum-targeted viroporin that disrupts host calcium signaling during infection. mSphere. 2019 Sep-Oct; 4(5): e00506-19.
Farkas T. (2016) Natural norovirus infections in non-human primates. Emerg Infect Dis. 22(7):1272-1274.
Farkas T, Singh A, Le Guyader F.S, La Rosa G, Saif L, McNeal M. (2015) Multiplex real-time RT-PCR for the simultaneous detection and quantification of GI, GII and GIV noroviruses. J Virol Methods. 223:109-14.
Drouaz N, Schaeffer J, Farkas T, Le Pendu J, Le Guyader F.S. (2015). The Tulane virus: a surrogate to mimic norovirus behavior in oysters. Appl Environ Microbiol. 81(15):5249-56. doi: 10.1128/AEM.01067-15. Epub 2015 May 29.
Esseili M.A., Saif L, Farkas T, Wang Q. (2015). Cell culture lysates affect the stability of HuNoV calicivirus surrogates and survival on postharvest lettuce Appl Environ Microbiol.;81(15):5085-92. doi: 10.1128/AEM.00558-15. Epub 2015 May 22.
Farkas T. (2015) Rhesus enteric calicivirus surrogate model for human norovirus gastroenteritis. J General Virology. 96: 1504-1514.
Farkas T, Wong Ping Lun C. (2014) Recovirus neutralizing antibody prevalence in human serum samples. J Clin Microbiol. 52(8):3088-90.
Cromeans T, Park GW, Costantini V, Lee D, Wang QH, Farkas T, Lee A, Vinje J. (2014) Comparison of Five Cultivable Norovirus Surrogates in Response to Five Different Inactivation Methods. Appl Environ Microbiol. 80(18):5743-51.
Martella V, Pinto P, Tummolo F, De Grazia S, Giammanco GM, Medici MC, Ganesh B, L’Homme Y, Farkas T, Jakab F, Bányai K. (2014) Analysis of the ORF2 of human astroviruses reveals lineage diversification, recombination and rearrangement and provides the basis for a novel sub-classification system. Arch Virol. 159(12):3185-96.
Farkas T, Wong Ping Lun C, Fey B. (2014). Relationship between genotypes and serotypes of genogroup 1 recoviruses: A model for human norovirus antigenic diversity. J Gen Virol. 95(Pt 7):1469-78.
Farkas T , Fey B, Keller G, Martella V, Egyed L. (2012) Molecular detection of novel astroviruses in wild and laboratory mice. Virus Genes. 2012 Dec;45(3):518-25. PMID:22899339
Premasuthan A, Kanthaswamy S, Satkoski Trask J, Houghton P, Farkas T, Sestak K and Smith DG. (2012) SNP-based phenotyping in cynomolgus macaques using real time quantitative PCR (QPCR). Tissue Antigens. 2012 Oct;80(4):363-7. PMCID:PMC3470802
Farkas T, Falkenstein KP, Bohm RP, Pecotte J, Sestak K. (2012) High incidence of rhesus enteric calicivirus infections and diarrhea in captive juvenile macaques: A likely association. J Med Primatol. 41 (5):325-8. PMCID:PMC3442125
Farkas T , Fey B, Keller G, Martella V, Egyed L. (2012) Molecular detection of murine noroviruses in laboratory and wild mice. Vet Microbiol.7;160(3-4):463-7. PMCID:PMC3469783
Sestak K, Feely S, Fey B, Dufour J, Hargitt E, Alvarez X, Pahar B, Gregoricus N, Vinjé J, Farkas T. (2012) Experimental Inoculation of Juvenile Rhesus Macaques with Primate Enteric Caliciviruses. PLoS One. 2012;7(5):e37973. Epub 2012 May 30
Farkas T, Fey B, Hargitt E III, Parcells M, Ladman B, Murgia M, Saif M. (2011) Detection of novel picornaviruses in chickens and turkeys. Virus Genes. 2012 Apr;44(2):262-72. Epub 2011 Dec 13
Burián Z, Szabó H, Székely G, Gyurkovits K, Pankovics P, Farkas T, Reuter G. (2011) Detection and follow-up of torque teno midi virus ("small anelloviruses") in nasopharyngeal aspirates and three other human body fluids in children. Arch Virol. 156(9): 1537-41.
Farkas T, Cross RW, Hargitt III E, Lerche NW, Morrow AL, and Sestak K. (2010) Genetic diversity and histo-blood group antigen interactions of rhesus enteric caliciviruses. J Virol. 84, No. 17, 8617-8625.
Farkas T, Dufour J, Jiang X, Sestak K.(2010) Detection of norovirus-, sapovirus- and rhesus enteric calicivirus-specific antibodies in captive juvenile macaques. J Gen Virol. 91(Pt 3):734-8.
Dai YC, Xia M, Zhan HC, Liu Y, Li JD, Chen Q, Yu SY, Nie J, Farkas T, Jiang X. (2010) Surveillance and risk factors of norovirus gastroenteritis among children in a southern city of China in the fall-winter seasons of 2003-2006. J Pediatr Child Health. 46(1-2):45-50.
Wei C, Farkas T, Sestak K, Jiang X. (2008) Recovery of Infectious Virus by Transfection of in vitro Generated RNA from Tulane Virus cDNA. J Virol. 82 (22):11429-36.
Tan M, Xia M, Cao S, Huang PW, Farkas T, Meller J, Hegde RS, Li X, Rao Z, Jiang X. (2008) Elucidation of strain-specific interaction of a GII-4 norovirus with HBGA receptors by site directed mutagenesis study. Virology. 379 (2):324-34.
Farkas T, Sestak K, Wei C, Jiang X. (2008) Characterization of a rhesus monkey calicivirus representing a new genus of Caliciviridae. J Virol. 82(11):5408-16.
Xia M, Farkas T, Jiang X. (2007) Norovirus capsid protein expressed in yeast forms virus-like particles and stimulates systemic and mucosal immunity in mice following an oral administration of raw yeast extracts. J Med Virol. 79(1):74-83.
Farkas T, Deng X, Ruiz-Palacios G, Morrow A, and Jiang X. (2006) Development of an antibody detection enzyme immunoassay for Sapovirus and its application in a seroprevalence study in children. J Clin Microbiol. 44(10):3674-9.
Huang PW, Farkas T, Zhong W, Tan M, Thornton SA, Jiang X. (2005) Norovirus and histo-blood group antigens: demonstration of a wide spectrum of strain specificity and classification of two binding groups among multiple binding patterns. J Virol. 79(11): 6714-22.
Thornton SA, Sherman SS, Farkas T, Zhong W, Torres P, Jiang X. (2005) Gastroenteritis in Unites States Marines during Operation Freedom. Clin Infect Dis. 40(4):519-25.
Farkas T, Nakajima S, Sugieda M, Deng X, Zhong W, Jiang X. (2005) Seroprevalence of noroviruses in swine. J Clin Microbiol. Vol.43, (2): 657-661.
Jiang X, Huang P, Zhong W, Tan M, Farkas T, Morrow AL, Newburg DS, Ruiz-Palacios GM, Pickering LK. (2004) Human milk contains elements that block binding of noroviruses to human histo-blood group antigens in saliva. J Infect Dis. 15; 190(10):1850-59.
Moreno-Espinosa S, Farkas T, Jiang X. (2004) Human caliciviruses and pediatric gastroenteritis. Semin Pediatr Infect Dis. Oct; 15(4):237-45.
Dai YC, Nie J, Zhang XF, Li ZF, Bai Y, Zeng ZR, Yu SY, Farkas T, Jiang X. (2004) Seroprevalence of Antibodies against Noroviruses among Students in a Chinese Military Medical University. J Clin Microbiol. 42(10):4615-19.
Morrow AL, Ruiz-Palacios GM, Altaye M, Jiang X, Guerrero ML, Meinzen-Derr JK, Farkas T, Chaturvedi P, Pickering LK, Newburg DS. (2004) Human milk oligosaccharide blood group epitopes and innate immune protection against campylobacter and calicivirus diarrhea in breastfed infants. Adv Exp Med Biol. 554:443-446.
Morow AL, Ruiz-Palacios GM, Altaye M, Jiang X, Guerrero ML, Meinzen-Derr JK, Farkas T, Chaturvedi P, Pickering LK, Newburg DS. (2004) Human milk oligosaccharides are associated with protection against diarrhea in brest-fed infants. Journal of Pediatrics, 145: 297-303.
Farkas T, Zhong W, Jing Y, Huang PW, Moreno Espinosa S, Martinez N, Morrow AL, Ruiz-Palacios GM, Pickering LK and Jiang X. (2004) Genetic diversity among Sapoviruses. Archives of Virology, 149 (7):1309-23.
Tan M, Huang P, Meller J, Zhong W, Farkas T, Jiang X. (2003) Mutations within the P2 domain of norovirus capsid affect binding to human histo-blood group antigens: evidence for a binding pocket. Journal of Virology, 77 (23):12562-71.
Huang PW, Farkas T, Marionneau S, Zhong W, Ruvoën-Clouet N,. Morrow AL, Altaye M, Pickering LK, Newburg DS, LePendu J, Jiang X, (2003) Noroviruses bind to human ABO, Lewis and secretor histo-blood group antigens: Identification of four distinct strain-specific patterns. Journal of Infectious Diseases, 188 (1): 19-31.
T. Farkas, S. A. Thornton, N. Wilton, W. Zhong, M. Altaye and X. Jiang (2003) Homologous vs. heterologous immune responses to Norwalk-like viruses among crewmembers following acute gastroenteritis outbreaks on two US Navy vessels. Journal of Infectious Diseases, 187 (2): 187-193.
Reuter G., Farkas T., Berke T., Jiang X., Matson D.O., Szucs G. (2002) Molecular epidemiology of human calicivirus gastroenteritis outbreaks in Hungary, 1998-2000. Journal of Medical Virology, 68 (3): 390-8.
Thornton S., Davies D., Chapman F., Farkas T., Wilton N., Doggett D., Jiang X. (2002) Detection of Norwalk-like Virus Infection Aboard Two U.S. Navy Ships. Military Medicine 167: 826-830.
Love SS., Jiang X., Barrett E., Farkas T., Kelly S. (2002) A large hotel outbreak of Norwalk-like virus gastroenteritis among three groups of guests and hotel employees in Virginia. Epidemiol Infect 129(1): 127-132.
Farkas T, Berke T, Reuter G, Szucs G, Matson DO, Jiang X. (2002) Molecular detection and sequence analysis of human caliciviruses from acute gastroenteritis outbreaks in Hungary. Journal of Medical Virology, 67 (4): 567-573.
Reuter G., Farkas T., Berke T., Jiang X., Matson D.O., Szucs Gy. (2002) Sapporo-szeru vírusok ismeretlen kóreredetu, szórványos gastroenteritisekben. (Molecular detection of Sapporo-like viruses in Hungary) Orvosi Hetilap, 143:(7) 351-354.
Jiang X, Zhong WM, Farkas T, Huang P.W., Wilton N, Barrett E, Fulton D, Morrow R, Matson D.O. (2002) Baculovirus expression and antigenic characterization of the capsid proteins of three Norwalk-like viruses. Archives of Virology, 147: (1) 119-130.
Farkas T., Jiang X., Lourdes Guerrero M., Zhong W.M., Wilton N., Berke T., Matson D.O., Pickering L.K., Ruiz-Palacios G. (2000) Prevalence and Genetic Diversity of Human Caliciviruses (HuCVs) in Mexican Children. Journal of Medical Virology, 62 (2) 212-223.
Jiang X., Wilton N., Zhong W.M., Farkas T., Huang P.W., Barrett E., Guerrero M., Ruiz-Palacios G., Green K. Y., Green J., Hale A. D., Estes M. K., Pickering L. K., Matson D.O. (2000) Diagnosis of Human Caliciviruses by use of Enzyme Immunoassays. Journal of Infectious Diseases. 2000. May 181 (S2): S349-S359
Jiang X., Huang P.W., Zhong W.M., Farkas T., Cubitt D.W., Matson D.O. (1999) Design and evaluation of a primer pair that detects both Norwalk- and Sapporo-like caliciviruses by RT-PCR. Journal of Virological Methods. 83. 145-154.
Farkas T., Maeda K., Sugiura H., Kai K., Hirai K., Otsuki K., Hayashi T. (1998) A serological survey of chickens, Japanese quails, pigeons, ducks and crows for antibodies to chicken anaemia virus (CAV) in Japan. Avian Pathology. 27. 316-320.
Nemeth I., Dren Cs., Farkas T. (1996) Szerologiai vizsgalatok a csirkeanaemia-virus elterjedtsegere tyukallomanyainkban. Magyar Allatorvosok Lapja. 51. 389-393.
Dren Cs.N., Farkas T. and Nemeth I. (1996) Serological survey on the prevalence of chicken anemia virus infection in Hungarian chicken flocks. Veterinary Microbiology. 50. 7-16.
Farkas T., Tanaka A., Kai K., Kanoe M. (1996) Cloning and sequencing of the genome of chicken anaemia virus (CAV) TK-5803 strain and comparison with other CAV strains. Journal of Veterinary Medical Science. 58. 681-684.
Dobos-Kovacs M., Varga I., Bekesi L., Dren Cs.N., Nemeth I., Farkas T. (1995) Cryptosporidiosis es csirkeanaemia-virus okozta egyuttes fertozottseg broilercsirkekben. Magyar Allatorvosok Lapja. 50. 149-151.
Dobos-Kovacs M., Varga I., Bekesi L., Dren Cs.N., Nemeth I. and Farkas T. (1994) Concurrent cryptosporidiosis and chicken anaemia virus infection in broiler chickens. Avian Pathology. 23. 365-368.
Farkas T., Dren Cs. N., Nemeth I., Dobos-Kovacs M., Povazsan J., Saghy E. (1992) Isolation of chicken anaemia virus from broiler chickens. Acta Veterinaria Hungarica. 40. 207-223.
Farkas T., Povazsan J., Dobos-Kovacs M., Saghy E., Nemeth I., Dren Cs. (1991) Csirkeanaemia-virus izolalasa broilercsirkekbol Magyarorszagon. Magyar Allatorvosok Lapja. 46. 661-668.
Book chapters
Farkas T and Jiang X. Rotaviruses, Noroviruses and Other Gastroenteritis Viruses. Chapter 94. In: 9th edition of the Manual of Clinical Microbiology. 2007 ASM Press
Farkas T, Tan M, and Jiang X. Norovirus gastroenteritis. Emerging Infections. Editors: Michael Scheld, Scott M. Hammer, and James M. Hughes, 2008 ASM Press.
Farkas T, and Jiang X. Chapter 19: Rotavirus, calicivirus, astrovirus, enteric adenovirus and other viruses causing acute-gastroenteritis. Clinical Virology Manual 4th Edition, 2009 ASM Press