Batai and Ngari viruses: M segment reassortment and association with severe febrile disease outbreaks in East Africa

J Virol. 2006 Jun;80(11):5627-30. doi: 10.1128/JVI.02448-05.

Abstract

Ngari virus is an orthobunyavirus recently recognized as a reassortant between Bunyamwera virus and an as yet unidentified M segment donor. Analysis of M segment sequences of Batai and Ilesha viruses revealed 95% deduced amino acid identity between Batai virus and Ngari virus. These findings suggest Batai virus as the donor of Ngari virus M segment sequence. Analysis of Batai virus-related African isolates identified UgMP-6830, isolated from mosquitoes in Uganda, as an isolate of Batai virus. KV-141, isolated during a febrile disease outbreak in Sudan, was identified as another isolate of Ngari virus, emphasizing a role of this reassortant virus in severe human illness throughout East Africa.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Africa, Eastern / epidemiology
  • Bunyamwera virus / genetics*
  • Bunyamwera virus / isolation & purification
  • Bunyaviridae Infections / complications
  • Bunyaviridae Infections / epidemiology*
  • Bunyaviridae Infections / veterinary
  • Bunyaviridae Infections / virology
  • Disease Outbreaks*
  • Fever / etiology
  • Orthobunyavirus / classification
  • Orthobunyavirus / genetics*
  • Orthobunyavirus / isolation & purification
  • RNA, Viral / chemistry
  • Reassortant Viruses / genetics*
  • Reassortant Viruses / isolation & purification

Substances

  • RNA, Viral