Whitewater Arroyo virus

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Whitewater Arroyo virus
Virus classification
Group:Group V ((−)ssRNA)
Order:Unassigned
Family: Arenaviridae
Genus: Mammarenavirus
Species:Whitewater Arroyo mammarenavirus

Whitewater Arroyo virus (WWAV) is a zoonotic Arenavirus associated with hemorrhagic fever with liver failure.

Arenavirus genus of viruses

An arenavirus is a negative-sense, single-stranded RNA virus that is a member of the family Arenaviridae. These viruses infect rodents and occasionally humans; arenaviruses have also been discovered which infect snakes. At least eight arenaviruses are known to cause human disease. The diseases derived from arenaviruses range in severity. Aseptic meningitis, a severe human disease that causes inflammation covering the brain and spinal cord, can arise from the Lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) infection. Hemorrhagic fever syndromes, including Lassa Fever, are derived from infections such as Guanarito virus (GTOV), Junin virus (JUNV), Lassa virus (LASV), Lujo virus (LUJV), Machupo virus (MACV), Sabia virus (SABV), or Whitewater Arroyo virus (WWAV). Arenaviruses are divided into two groups: the Old World and the New World viruses. The differences between these groups are distinguished geographically and genetically. Because of the epidemiological association with rodents, some arenaviruses and bunyaviruses are designated as roboviruses.

Contents

Taxonomy

Family: Arenaviridae

Genus: Mammarenavirus

Species: Whitewater Arroyo mammarenavirus [1]

Discovery

WWAV is an emerging virus; previously, it was widely distributed among woodrats (Neotoma spp.), its reservoir, in the American Southwest and was not known to infect humans. However, during June 1999-May 2000, three female patients, aged 14, 30, and 52, developed similar fatal illnesses. The illnesses were associated with nonspecific febrile symptoms including fever, headache, and myalgias and acute respiratory distress syndrome. Two developed liver failure and hemorrhagic fever. All three patients died 1–8 weeks after the onset of symptoms. [2]

Arenavirus-specific RNA was detected in each patient using RT-PCR. The nucleotide sequence of the patients were essentially identical and was 87% similar to the WWA virus prototype strain (obtained from a white-throated woodrat (Neotoma albigula) from New Mexico in the early 1990s). [3]

According to a family member, one patient had cleaned rodent droppings in her home during the two weeks before the onset of illness, while the other patients had no known contact with rodents. None of the patients traveled outside of California within four weeks of illness. [3]

Epidemiology

Previous cases of infection were from California. However, the virus has been found in woodrats in New Mexico and, more recently, in Utah, Oklahoma, and Texas. [4]

Clinical

WWAV infection is associated with hemorrhagic fever with liver failure. It is often associated with a mild febrile illness, with symptoms such as fever, headache, and myalgias. [3]

Transmission and Prevention

Like other arenaviruses, WWAV appears to be transmitted through rodents. Therefore, direct contact with rodents, their feces, and their nesting materials should be avoided. Surfaces contaminated with rodent feces should be disinfected. In addition, control of rodents near homes can help prevent infection. Rodent carcasses and materials should be double-bagged before disposal. Although it is unclear if WWAV can be transmitted nosocomially, other arenaviruses have been transmitted through contact with an infected patient's blood, urine, or pharyngeal secretions. [2] [3]

Related Research Articles

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Bolivian hemorrhagic fever (BHF), also known as black typhus or Ordog Fever, is a hemorrhagic fever and zoonotic infectious disease originating in Bolivia after infection by Machupo mammarenavirus.

Viral hepatitis hepatitis that involves viral infection causing inflammation of the liver

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Lassa virus species of virus

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Viral hemorrhagic fever type of illnesses

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References

  1. ↑ "Viral Taxonomy: 2015 Release". ICTV. International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses. Retrieved 15 December 2016.
  2. 1 2 Knipe, David; Howley, Peter (2013). Fields Virology (6 ed.). pp. 1283–1303.
  3. 1 2 3 4 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. "Fatal Illnesses Associated With a New World Arenavirus --- California, 1999--2000". MMWR Weekly.
  4. ↑ Fulhorst, Charles; Charrel, Remi; Weaver, Scott; Ksiazek, Thomas; Bradley, Robert; Milazzo, Mary; Tesh, Robert; Bowen, Michael (June 2001). "Geographic Distribution and Genetic Diversity of Whitewater Arroyo Virus in the Southwestern United States". Emerging Infectious Diseases. 7 (3): 403–7. doi:10.3201/eid0703.017306.

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