Virological characterization of a new isolated strain of #Andes virus involved in recent person-to-person #transmission #outbreak reported in #Argentina

Abstract

On November 2, 2018, a person-to-person transmission outbreak of Andes virus (Orthohantavirus andesense) began in the small town of Epuyén, Argentina. The strain demonstrated a high capacity for sustained transmission among the human population requiring the implementation of quarantine measures, rigorous contact tracing, isolation of close contacts, and active clinical monitoring to prevent further spread. In this study, we report the isolation of this strain, which we name the ARG-Epuyén strain, directly from a clinical sample after just three passages in cell culture. Complete sequencing revealed only a single amino acid change post-isolation, suggesting that this strain can be considered a non-adapted wild-type Andes virus, marking a critical step toward the development of medical countermeasures against this emerging pathogen. The pathogenicity and transmissibility potential of ARG-Epuyén were evaluated in hamsters, the only animal model for Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome. Additionally, this strain was compared with Andes/ARG, an ANDV strain previously isolated from the same geographical area in the Argentinian Patagonia, from a rodent specimen. Our findings revealed high infectiousness and efficient hamster-to-hamster transmission through direct contact experiments, although ARG-Epuyén appeared to be less pathogenic than Andes/ARG.

Source: PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases, https://journals.plos.org/plosntds/article?id=10.1371/journal.pntd.0013205

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#Lanka virus, a #Mus booduga-borne #orthohantavirus #infection-associated febrile illness in #SriLanka

Abstract

Background

In Sri Lanka, a high seroprevalence of antibodies against hantaviruses was reported in communities affected by chronic kidney disease of unknown etiology (CKDu). Recently, two rodent-borne hantaviruses, Lanka virus and Anjozorobe virus, were identified in these areas. However, it is unclear which virus is the source of infection in humans, and its pathogenicity is unknown.

Methodology/principal findings

A total of 181 sera from febrile patients from two CKDu-endemic regions, Girandurukotte and Polonnaruwa, were examined and Lanka virus genome was detected in two IgM-positive febrile patients. Of 76 serum samples from patients with fever of unknown etiology collected during 2016 examined to identify hantavirus genomes, antibodies, and serotypes, 10 were IgG-positive with five of them having IgM also. They were all without clinical features of hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome, but three patients required treatment in the intensive care unit. A serotyping strategy was established based on the antigenic difference of the glycoprotein Gn of Lanka and Anjozorobe viruses. Using this method, febrile patients were found to be infected with the Lanka virus and none of the patient sera showed Anjozorobe virus infection pattern. Additionally, a total of 373 previously diagnosed seropositive serum samples from CKDu patients and healthy residents were serotyped to categorize 87% of seropositives as Lanka virus infection.

Conclusions/significance

Lanka virus carried by little Indian field mouse (Mus booduga) is transmitted to humans, likely causing febrile illness occasionally while leading to severe disease in some of the febrile patients.

Author summary

Hantaviruses are known to be transmitted by rodents and cause severe diseases such as hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) in humans. Although there have been few reports of typical HFRS in Sri Lanka, there are many antibody-positive individuals. The antibody positivity rate is particularly high in patients with chronic kidney disease by unknown etiology (CKDu), and the relationship between hantavirus infection and CKDu is being discussed. Meanwhile, rodent surveys have identified Lanka virus in little Indian field mouse (Mus booduga) and Anjozorobe virus in black rat (Rattus rattus) in Sri Lanka. However, it was unclear which virus was infecting the humans and its pathogenicity. This study showed that hantavirus infections in Sri Lanka could be asymptomatic or cause common fever-like symptoms and rarely require treatment in an ICU. It was also shown that the main source of infection is Lanka virus. This study leads us to the starting line of clarifying the Lanka virus-related health risks, such as its association with CKDu.

Source: PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases, https://journals.plos.org/plosntds/article?id=10.1371/journal.pntd.0013169

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Novel #Orthohantavirus Associated with #Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome in Northern #Argentina

Abstract

In this work, we performed the genetic characterization of a new variant of orthohantavirus associated with a fatal case of hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, outside the known endemic region, in northwestern Argentina. We first confirmed an orthohantavirus infection by ELISA, testing for the detection of IgM and IgG antibodies. Then, we extracted RNA from 100 microliters of serum, the only sample available, followed by RT-PCR. The amplicons were sequenced using Sanger and next-generation sequencing technology. We obtained partial sequences of 1253 bp, 799 bp and 1675 bp from the S-, M- and L-segments, respectively, showing low sequence identities with all the previously characterized hantaviruses (10.9%, 13.5% and 15.1% of the divergence, respectively). The phylogenetic analysis showed that this virus belongs to the Orthohantavirus andesense species (ANDV), and among the ANDV-like variants, it is more closely related to the Lechiguanas clade. Similar percentages of divergence were considered sufficient to distinguish AND-like variants in previous works. As the patient had no travel history before the onset of disease was reported, we conducted rodent surveys to confirm the presence of reservoirs. The rodent assemblage was compatible with the transitional zone among different ecoregions (Yungas, Chaco and Monte). Moreover, one of the species captured, Oligoryzomys flavescens, was previously described as a reservoir of hantavirus. This species may either host several variants across its range or encompass a species complex, as proposed by some authors.

Source: Viruses, https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4915/17/5/717

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