Genomic and phylogenetic characterization of Merino Walk virus, a novel arenavirus isolated in South Africa

J Gen Virol. 2010 May;91(Pt 5):1315-24. doi: 10.1099/vir.0.017798-0. Epub 2010 Jan 13.

Abstract

Merino Walk virus (MWV), a proposed novel tentative species of the family Arenaviridae, was isolated from a rodent, Myotomys unisulcatus, collected at Merino Walk, Eastern Cape, South Africa, in 1985. Full-length genomic sequence confirmed MWV as an arenavirus related distantly to Mobala, Mopeia and Ippy viruses, all members of the Old World arenavirus complex. We propose MWV as a tentative novel species in the Lassa-lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus complex, based on its isolation from a novel rodent species and its genetic and serological characteristics.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Animals, Newborn
  • Arenaviridae Infections / veterinary*
  • Arenaviridae Infections / virology
  • Arenaviruses, Old World / classification*
  • Arenaviruses, Old World / isolation & purification
  • Arenaviruses, Old World / pathogenicity*
  • Base Sequence
  • Chlorocebus aethiops
  • Cluster Analysis
  • Genome, Viral*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred ICR
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Murinae / virology*
  • Nucleic Acid Conformation
  • Phylogeny
  • RNA, Viral / genetics*
  • Sequence Analysis, DNA
  • Sequence Homology
  • South Africa
  • Vero Cells

Substances

  • RNA, Viral

Associated data

  • GENBANK/GU078660
  • GENBANK/GU078661