Bunyavirales: scientific gaps and prototype pathogens for a large and diverse group of zoonotic viruses

Abstract

The order Bunyavirales (whose members are colloquially referred to as “bunyaviruses”) includes hundreds of viruses within at least 14 families. For the purposes of this review, four families containing viruses known to cause human disease will be discussed (Phenuiviridae, Peribunyaviridae, Nairoviridae, and Hantaviridae), since the Arenaviridae are covered separately. Historically, phenuiviruses, peribunyaviruses, nairoviruses, and hantaviruses were classified as separate genera within the former Bunyaviridae family, but reclassification in 2017 promoted them to individual families within the Bunyavirales order. Identification of prototype pathogens for the Bunyavirales, and even within each family, presents many challenges due to the breadth and diversity of viral species. In this review, the four families will be examined individually, with a summary of the basic gaps, models of disease, landscape of vaccine and monoclonal antibody (mAb) countermeasures, and proposed prototype pathogens. We conclude with a discussion of future directions and thoughts on using the prototype pathogen approach for pandemic preparedness for emerging bunyaviruses.