Towner Jonathan S. author Sealy Tara K. author Khristova Marina L. author Albariñ César G. author Conlan Sean author Reeder Serena A. author Quan Phuong-Lan author Lipkin W. Ian author Downing Robert author Tappero Jordan W. author Okware Samuel author Lutwama Julius author Bakamutumaho Barnabas author Kayiwa John author Comer James A. author Rollin Pierre E. author Ksiazek Thomas G. author Nichol Stuart T. author Columbia University. Center for Infection and Immunity originator text Articles 2008 English In this report we describe a newly discovered ebolavirus species which caused a large hemorrhagic fever outbreak in western Uganda. The virus is genetically distinct, differing by more than 30% at the genome level from all other known ebolavirus species. The unique nature of this virus created challenges for traditional filovirus molecular based diagnostic assays and genome sequencing approaches. Instead, we quickly determined over 70% of the virus genome using a recently developed random-primed pyrosequencing approach that allowed the rapid development of a molecular detection assay that was deployed in the disease outbreak response. This draft sequence allowed easy completion of the whole genome sequence using a traditional primer walking approach and prompt confirmation that this virus represented a new ebolavirus species. Current efforts to design effective diagnostics, antivirals and vaccines will need to take into account the distinct nature of this important new member of the filovirus family. Epidemiology Virology 4 1 e1000212 2008 1553-7366 10.1371/journal.ppat.1000212 http://hdl.handle.net/10022/AC:P:9970 NNC This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Public Domain declaration which stipulates that, once placed in the public domain, this work may be freely reproduced, distributed, transmitted, modified, built upon, or otherwise used by anyone for any lawful purpose. NNC 2011-03-15 15:23:16 UTC 2011-03-15 15:32:08 UTC 3096 eng