Discovery of a novel Tymoviridae-like virus in mosquitoes from Mexico

Arch Virol. 2019 Feb;164(2):649-652. doi: 10.1007/s00705-018-4098-x. Epub 2018 Nov 13.

Abstract

A novel Tymoviridae-like virus, designated Ek Balam virus, was isolated from male Culex quinquefasciatus mosquitoes collected in Yucatan, Mexico. The genome was fully sequenced and shown to have no more than 69% nt sequence identity to its closest known relative. Mosquito cells were permissive to Ek Balam virus replication, but mammalian and avian cells were refractory, suggesting that vertebrates are not involved in the maintenance of the virus in nature.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Base Sequence
  • Culex / virology*
  • Genome, Viral
  • Male
  • Mexico
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Open Reading Frames
  • Phylogeny
  • Tymoviridae / classification
  • Tymoviridae / genetics
  • Tymoviridae / isolation & purification*