Arenavirus
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 Lassa virus virions
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Arenavirus is a genus of virus. The type species is Lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV); it also includes the species responsible for Lassa fever.
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[edit] Etymology
Viewed in cross-section, they show grainy particles that are ribosomes acquired from their host cells. It is from this characteristic gave them their name, Arena comes from the Latin root meaning sand.
[edit] Virology
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Please help improve this section by expanding it. Further information might be found on the talk page. (October 2008) |
[edit] Classification
Arenaviruses can be divided into two serogroups, which differ genetically and by geographical distribution:[1]
- LCMV-Lassa virus (Old World) complex:
- Ippy virus
- Lassa virus
- Lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus
- Mobala virus
- Mopeia virus
- Tacaribe virus (New World) complex:
- Amapari virus
- Flexal virus
- Guanarito virus
- Junin virus
- Latino virus
- Machupo virus
- Oliveros virus
- Paraná virus
- Pichinde virus
- Pirital virus
- Sabiá virus
- Tacaribe virus
- Tamiami virus
- Whitewater Arroyo virus
- Chapare virus
[edit] Structure
The virus particles are spherical and have an average diameter of 110-130 nanometers. All are enveloped in a lipid membrane. Viewed in cross-section, they show grainy particles that are ribosomes acquired from their host cells.
[edit] Genome
Their genome, or genetic material, is composed of RNA only, and while their replication strategy is not completely understood, it is known that new viral particles, called virions, are created by budding from the surface of their hosts’ cells.
[edit] Viral reservoir
Some arenaviruses are zoonotic pathogens and are generally associated with rodent—transmitted disease in humans. Each virus usually is associated with a particular rodent host species in which it is maintained.
[edit] Epidemiology
[edit] Vectors
| Virus | Disease | Vector | Distribution |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus | Lymphocytic choriomeningitis | House mouse | Worldwide |
| Lassa virus | Lassa fever | Rat (Mastomys natalensis) | West Africa |
| Junin virus | Argentine hemorrhagic fever | Corn mouse (Calomys musculinus) | Argentina |
| Machupo virus | Bolivian hemorrhagic fever | Vesper mouse (Calomys callosus) | Bolivia |
| Guanarito virus | Venezuelan hemorrhagic fever | Cane mouse (Zygodontomys brevicauda) | Venezuela |
| Sabiá virus | Brazilian hemorrhagic fever | Unknown | Brazil |
| Tacaribe virus | Bat (Artibeus) | Trinidad | |
| Flexal virus | Influenza-like illness | Rice rat (Oryzomys) | Brazil |
| Whitewater Arroyo virus | Hemorrhagic fever | Woodrat (Neotoma) | Southwestern USA |
[edit] Recent outbreaks
A new strain of arenavirus has been linked to 4 deaths in South Africa. The disease is said to have originated in Zambia. The symptoms match those of Congo Fever. 13 October 2008 -- The results of tests conducted at the Special Pathogens Unit, National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) of the National Health Laboratory Service in Johannesburg, and at the Special Pathogens and Infectious Disease Pathology branches of the Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta, USA, provide preliminary evidence that the causative agent of the disease which has resulted in the recent deaths of 4 people from Zambia and South Africa, is a virus from the Arenaviridae family.
Analysis continues at the NICD and CDC in order to characterize this virus more fully. CDC and NICD are technical partners in the Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network (GOARN).
Meanwhile, a new case has been confirmed by polymerase chain reaction tests in South Africa. A nurse who had close contact with an earlier case has become ill, and has been admitted to hospital. Contacts have been identified and are being followed-up.
WHO and its GOARN partners continue to support the Ministries of Health of the two countries in various facets of the outbreak investigation, including laboratory diagnosis, investigations, active case finding and follow-up of contacts.[2]
An engineer, traveling from South Africa, died in Brazil, on December 2nd 2008, under the suspicion of infection by arenavirus. After investigation, Fiocruz declared Rickettsiosis as actual cause of his death. [3]
[edit] References
[edit] Notes
- ^ "Chapare Virus, a Newly Discovered Arenavirus Isolated from a Fatal Hemorrhagic Fever Case in Bolivia". Public Library of Science Pathogens. Retrieved on 2008-04-17.
- ^ "Virus identified - nurse ill". News24.com. Retrieved on 2008-10-13.
- ^ "Sul-africano foi vítima de febre maculosa, segundo Ministério da Saúde". O Globo. Retrieved on 2008-12-08.
[edit] Bibliography
- "Chapare Virus, a Newly Discovered Arenavirus Isolated from a Fatal Hemorrhagic Fever Case in Bolivia". Public Library of Science Pathogens. Retrieved on 2008-04-17.
[edit] External links
- Viralzone: Arenavirus
- Detailed genomic and bioinformatic information about Arenaviridae at NIH-funded database.
- Arenaviridae Genomes database search results from the Viral Bioinformatics Resource Center.
- Google.Org blog info on recent outbreak.
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