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

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 fa...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:PLoS pathogens 2009-05, Vol.5 (5), p.e1000455-e1000455
Main Authors: Briese, Thomas, Paweska, Janusz T, McMullan, Laura K, Hutchison, Stephen K, Street, Craig, Palacios, Gustavo, Khristova, Marina L, Weyer, Jacqueline, Swanepoel, Robert, Egholm, Michael, Nichol, Stuart T, Lipkin, W Ian
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Africa, Southern - epidemiology
Amino acids
Arenaviridae Infections - mortality
Arenaviridae Infections - transmission
Arenaviridae Infections - virology
Arenaviruses
Arenaviruses, Old World - genetics
Arenaviruses, Old World - isolation & purification
Base Sequence
Causes of
Cross Infection
Fever
Genetic aspects
Genetic Speciation
Genome, Viral
Genomes
Hemorrhagic fever
Humans
Infections
Infectious Diseases/Viral Infections
Life sciences
Phylogenetics
Phylogeny
Properties
Public Health and Epidemiology/Epidemiology
Public Health and Epidemiology/Infectious Diseases
Public Health and Epidemiology/Nosocomial and Healthcare-Associated Infections
RNA, Viral - genetics
Viral genetics
Viral Proteins
Virology/Diagnosis
Virology/Emerging Viral Diseases
Viruses
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Description
Summary: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.
ISSN:1553-7374
1553-7366
1553-7374
DOI:10.1371/journal.ppat.1000455