Nhumirim virus, a novel flavivirus isolated from mosquitoes from the Pantanal, Brazil

Arch Virol. 2015 Jan;160(1):21-7. doi: 10.1007/s00705-014-2219-8. Epub 2014 Sep 25.

Abstract

We describe the isolation of a novel flavivirus, isolated from a pool of mosquitoes identified as Culex (Culex) chidesteri collected in 2010 in the Pantanal region of west-central Brazil. The virus is herein designated Nhumirim virus (NHUV) after the name of the ranch from which the mosquito pool was collected. Flavivirus RNA was detected by real-time RT-PCR of homogenized mosquitoes and from the corresponding C6/36 culture supernatant. Based on full-genome sequencing, the virus isolate was genetically distinct from but most closely related to Barkedji virus (BJV), a newly described flavivirus from Senegal. Phylogenetic analysis demonstrated that NHUV grouped with mosquito-borne flaviviruses forming a clade with BJV. This clade may be genetically intermediate between the Culex-borne flaviviruses amplified by birds and the insect-only flaviviruses.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Brazil
  • Chlorocebus aethiops
  • Culex / virology*
  • Female
  • Flavivirus / classification*
  • Flavivirus / isolation & purification*
  • RNA, Viral / classification
  • RNA, Viral / genetics
  • RNA, Viral / isolation & purification
  • Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Ticks
  • Vero Cells

Substances

  • RNA, Viral