Ngari Virus: A Bunyamwera Virus Reassortant Associated with Hemorrhagic Fever Outbreaks in Africa

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Scientists have identified the Ngari virus, a Bunyamwera virus reassortant, as a significant cause of hemorrhagic fever outbreaks in Africa. The virus was isolated from patients in East Africa in 1997 and 1998, and subsequent genetic analysis revealed its unique genetic makeup. The Ngari virus has high sequence identity with Bunyamwera virus, but its M segment shows almost identical sequences with other Orthobunyaviruses. This suggests that the Ngari virus is a Bunyamwera virus reassortant, which should be considered when investigating hemorrhagic fever outbreaks in sub-Saharan Africa.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Ngari virus is a Bunyamwera virus reassortant associated with large outbreaks of hemorrhagic fever in Africa.
  • The virus was isolated from patients in East Africa in 1997 and 1998, and its genetic makeup was identified through sequence analysis.
  • The Ngari virus shows high sequence identity with Bunyamwera virus, but its M segment is identical to those of other Orthobunyaviruses.
  • The virus has a high genetic diversity rate of 52% among members of the genus Orthobunyavirus.
  • The Ngari virus should be considered when investigating hemorrhagic fever outbreaks in sub-Saharan Africa.
  • The study was conducted by scientists from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the University of Texas Medical Branch.
  • The research was published in the Journal of Virology and is available for further study.

Statistics:

  • 52%: The genetic diversity rate among members of the genus Orthobunyavirus.
  • 1997-1998: The time period during which the Ngari virus was isolated from patients in East Africa.
  • 21: The number of members of the genus Orthobunyavirus included in the study to analyze virus M segment nucleotide sequences.
  • 78(16): The volume and issue number of the Journal of Virology where the study was published.
  • 8922-8926: The page numbers of the Journal of Virology where the study was published.

Sources:

  • Ngari virus is a Bunyamwera virus reassortant that can be associated with large outbreaks of hemorrhagic fever in Africa. J Virol, 2004;78(16):8922-8926
  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
  • University of Texas Medical Branch
  • Health & Medicine Week via NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net
  • American Society for Microbiology
  • Stuart T. Nichol, Special Pathogens Branch, Division of Viral and Rickettsial Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Rd. NE, Atlanta, GA 30333, USA. E-mail: snichol@cdc.gov
  • Journal of Virology, American Society for Microbiology, 1752 N Street NW, Washington, DC 20036-2904, USA.