Molecular and antigenic characterization of group C orthobunyaviruses isolated in Peru

PLoS One. 2018 Jul 19;13(7):e0200576. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0200576. eCollection 2018.

Abstract

Group C orthobunyaviruses (GRCVs) are a complex of viruses in the genus Orthobunyavirus and are associated with human febrile disease in tropical and subtropical areas of South and Central America. While numerous GRCVs have been isolated from mosquitoes, animals, and humans, genetic analysis of these viruses is limited. In this study, we characterized 65 GRCV isolates from febrile patients identified through clinic-based surveillance in the northern and southern Peruvian Amazon. A 500 base pair region of the S segment and 750 base pair regions of the M and L segments were sequenced. Pairwise sequence analysis of the clinical isolates showed nucleotide identities ranging from 68% to 100% and deduced amino acid sequence identities ranging from 72% to 100%. Sequences were compared with reference strains of the following GRCVs: Caraparu virus (CARV), Murutucu virus (MURV), Oriboca virus (ORIV), Marituba virus (MTBV), Itaqui virus (ITQV), Apeu virus (APEUV), and Madrid virus (MADV). Sequence comparison of clinical isolates with the prototype strains based on the S and L segments identified two clades; clade I included isolates with high genetic association with CARV-MADV, and clade II included isolates with high genetic association with MURV, ORIV, APEUV, and MTBV. Genetic relationships based on the M segment were at time inconsistent with those based on the S and L segments. However, clade groupings based on the M segment were highly consistent with relationships based on microneutralization assays. These results advance our understanding of the genetic and serologic relationships of GRCVs circulating in the Peruvian Amazon.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Bunyaviridae Infections / virology
  • Child
  • Female
  • Genome, Viral / genetics*
  • Genome, Viral / immunology
  • Geography
  • High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing / methods*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Neutralization Tests
  • Orthobunyavirus / classification
  • Orthobunyavirus / genetics*
  • Orthobunyavirus / physiology
  • Peru
  • Phylogeny
  • RNA, Viral / genetics*
  • RNA, Viral / immunology
  • Species Specificity
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • RNA, Viral

Grants and funding

The study was supported by the United States Department of Defense Global Emerging Infections Surveillance and Response System, a Division of the Armed Forces Health Surveillance Center Work Unit Number: 847705.82000.25GB.B0016.