Title:

Genetic detection and characterization of Lujo virus, a new hemorrhagic fever-associated arenavirus from Southern Africa

Author(s):

Briese, Thomas
Paweska, Janusz T.
McMullan, Laura K.
Hutchison, Stephen K.
Street, Craig
Palacios, Gustavo F.
Khristova, Marina L.
Weyer, Jacqueline
Swanepoel, Robert
Egholm, Michael
Nichol, Stuart T.
Lipkin, W. Ian

Date:

2009

Type:

Articles

Department:

Center for Infection and Immunity

Volume:

4

Permanent URL:

http://hdl.handle.net/10022/AC:P:9972

Book/Journal Title:

PLoS pathogens

Abstract:

Lujo virus (LUJV), a new member of the family Arenaviridae and the first hemorrhagic fever-associated arenavirus from the Old World discovered in three decades, was isolated in South Africa during an outbreak of human disease characterized by nosocomial transmission and an unprecedented high case fatality rate of 80% (4/5 cases). Unbiased pyrosequencing of RNA extracts from serum and tissues of outbreak victims enabled identification and detailed phylogenetic characterization within 72 hours of sample receipt. Full genome analyses of LUJV showed it to be unique and branching off the ancestral node of the Old World arenaviruses. The virus G1 glycoprotein sequence was highly diverse and almost equidistant from that of other Old World and New World arenaviruses, consistent with a potential distinctive receptor tropism. LUJV is a novel, genetically distinct, highly pathogenic arenavirus.

Subject(s):

Epidemiology
Virology

DOI:

10.1371/journal.ppat.1000455

Item views:

177

Metadata:

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