Novel Arenavirus Sequences in Hylomyscus sp. and Mus (Nannomys) setulosus from Côte d'Ivoire: Implications for Evolution of Arenaviruses in Africa

Abstract

This study aimed to identify new arenaviruses and gather insights in the evolution of arenaviruses in Africa. During 2003 through 2005, 1,228 small mammals representing 14 different genera were trapped in 9 villages in south, east, and middle west of Côte d'Ivoire. Specimens were screened by pan-Old World arenavirus RT-PCRs targeting S and L RNA segments as well as immunofluorescence assay. Sequences of two novel tentative species of the family Arenaviridae, Menekre and Gbagroube virus, were detected in Hylomyscus sp. and Mus (Nannomys) setulosus, respectively. Arenavirus infection of Mus (Nannomys) setulosus was also demonstrated by serological testing. Lassa virus was not found, although 60% of the captured animals were Mastomys natalensis. Complete S RNA and partial L RNA sequences of the novel viruses were recovered from the rodent specimens and subjected to phylogenetic analysis. Gbagroube virus is a closely related sister taxon of Lassa virus, while Menekre virus clusters with the Ippy/Mobala/Mopeia virus complex. Reconstruction of possible virus–host co-phylogeny scenarios suggests that, within the African continent, signatures of co-evolution might have been obliterated by multiple host-switching events.

Insights into the Evolutionary History of the X-Linked Sex Reversal Mutation in <b><i>Mus minutoides</i></b>: Clues from Sequence Analyses of the Y-Linked <b><i>Sry</i></b> Gene

“…In order to avoid taxonomic misidentifications, all M. minutoides specimens used in this study were confirmed molecularly based on the sequences of the cytochrome b gene [Veyrunes et al, 2005;Fichet-Calvet et al, 2009Coulibaly-N'Golo et al, 2011;Britton-Davidian et al, 2012;this study]. A total of 72 females and 5 males from various localities distributed in 3 countries (Guinea, Ivory Coast and Ghana) was analyzed.…”

Advanced Vaccine Candidates for Lassa Fever

“…Still, two novel arenavirus sequences were found by advanced RT/PCR; with tentative names Menekre (MENV) and Gbagroube (GBAV) viruses, those sequences were detected in Hylomyscus sp . and Mus (Nannomys) setulosus , respectively [45]. Notably, GBAV sequence was closely related to LASV, while MENV sequence clustered with IPPYV-MOBV-MOPV.…”

Isolation and characterization of a novel arenavirus harbored by Rodents and Shrews in Zhejiang province, China

“…Each rodent-borne arenavirus species appears to be primarily associated with one (or a few closely related) rodent species, compatible with the longterm co-divergence of these viruses with their hosts (Gonzalez et al, 2007). To date, 25 established arenaviruses have been identified worldwide, largely from the New World, as well as several newly discovered viruses whose taxonomic status has not yet been confirmed by the International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses (Salvato et al, 2011;Coulibaly-N'Golo et al, 2011;Kronmann et al, 2013;Stenglein et al, 2012;Bodewes et al, 2013;Hetzel et al, 2013). These viruses form two phylogenetic groups according to their geographic origins -the New World and the Old World arenaviruses -although Lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) is more globally distributed.…”