Belgrade Virus: A New Hantavirus Causing Severe Hemorrhagic Fever with Renal Syndrome in Yugoslavia

Abstract

Two biologically and genetically distinct hantaviruses were isolated from blood and urine specimens collected from four Yugoslavian patients with clinically severe hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS). Viral isolates from three patients, designated strains Belgrade 1-3, were distinct from Hantaan, Seoul, Puumala, and Prospect Hill viruses as determined by plaque-reduction neutralization tests and restriction analysis of enzymatically amplified M-segment fragments. The fourth isolate, called Kraljevo, was indistinguishable from Hantaan virus. Strains Belgrade 1 and 2, like the Kraljevo strain, caused a fatal meningoencephalitis in newborn mice inoculated with 100 pfu of virus intracerebrally and intraperitoneally. Strain Belgrade 3 was much less neurovirulent, requiring 30,000 pfu of virus to cause fatal disease in mice. These data indicate that two distinct hantaviruses, one of which constitutes a new serotype, cause clinically severe HFRS in Yugoslavia.

Molecular Diagnostics of Hemorrhagic Fever with Renal Syndrome during a Dobrava Virus Infection Outbreak in the European Part of Russia

“…However, during the period from 1991 to 2006, three large DOBVassociated HFRS outbreaks were registered in the central regions of European Russia (34). A detailed investigation of the 2001-2002 outbreak revealed that the striped field mouse (Apodemus agrarius) was the virus reservoir and that the A. agrarius-borne DOBV lineage (DOBV-Aa) was the causative infectious agent (15,33).Three DOBV genetic lineages, 11,15,33), 2,3,7,9,22,23),33), have so far been demonstrated by molecular methods to cause HFRS in humans. The Saaremaa virus can be considered a fourth DOBV genetic lineage (21); however, it has not been detected in HFRS patients.…”

“…Three DOBV genetic lineages, 11,15,33), 2,3,7,9,22,23),33), have so far been demonstrated by molecular methods to cause HFRS in humans. The Saaremaa virus can be considered a fourth DOBV genetic lineage (21); however, it has not been detected in HFRS patients.…”

Zoonoses: Proceedings of the third Liverpool Tropical School Bayer Symposium on Microbial Diseases held on 3 February 1996

“…Infection is normally transmitted to man by inhalation of dried excreta (urine or faeces) of the reservoir host. Hantavirus is subdivided into at least 18 ( Belgrade [72]. In addition to.…”

“…In addition to. HFRS, Belgrade also appears to cause hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS) [72]. Two 'new' Hantaan-like viruses have been isolated from the lungs of bats (Rhinolophus ferrum-equinum and Eptesicus serotinus) but their role in human disease is unknown [73].…”

“…Most deaths occur in the oliguric phase but the high mortality (10-20%) seen in the Korean War has been decreased to 5% with appropriate management. In some instances, for example with Belgrade virus, pneumonic signs also occur [72]. Moderate HFRS due to Seoul may progress through phases but most often they are blurred.…”