Characterization of the Gamboa Virus Serogroup (Orthobunyavirus Genus, Peribunyaviridae Family)

Abstract

Comprehensive comparative phylogenetic analyses were performed on 17 Gamboa serogroup viruses (GAMSVs) from distinct geographic regions in the Americas and other representative members of the genus (Peribunyaviridae), based on small (S), medium (M), and large (L) open reading frame full-length and partial sequences. Genome characterization showed that the GAMSVs divide into four clades or genotypes. The GAMSVs have a genetic organization similar to other orthobunyaviruses, except that they have a larger NSm protein than other orthobunyaviruses. A serosurvey for Gamboa virus antibodies was performed in plasma from birds, other wild animals, and humans living around the Tucuruí hydroelectric dam in Pará state, northern Brazil, a known focus of GAMSV activity. Newborn chicks () were experimentally infected with a GAMSV, and the pathogenesis is described. Histopathological changes were primarily in the lungs and liver. Also, a review of the ecology of the GAMSVs in the Americas is included. In sum, this study presents the genomic and evolutionary characterization of the Gamboa group and the potential model of pathogenesis, which would be helpful for diagnostic purposes, epidemiology, and immunopathogenesis studies.

Can Bats Serve as Reservoirs for Arboviruses?

“…[24,25]. Bats of undetermined species were involved in a large serosurvey in Brazil that examined antibodies in wildlife against the Gamboa serogroup orthobunyaviruses, though none were found to be positive [26]. Seven and twelve species of Trinidadian bats were examined for antibodies by HI against Caraparu (Group C serogroup) and Maguari (Bunyamwera serogroup) viruses, respectively, and were all found to be negative [25].…”

Detection of Two Highly Diverse Peribunyaviruses in Mosquitoes from Palenque, Mexico

“…Other viruses of the Turlock serogroup (the Lednice and Turlock viruses) seem to be distributed in the Americas, Africa, and Europe, but no sequence information of these viruses is available [42]. Viruses of the Gamboa serogroup were only detected in tropical regions of Central and South America and are transmitted between Aedes squamipennis mosquitoes and birds [29,43,44,45]. In summary, the data on BAKV susceptible cell lines, feeding preferences of mosquito vector species, as well as the maintenance cycles of related viruses suggest that BKAV is maintained in a mosquito–bird transmission cycle.…”

“…The NSm protein is involved in virus assembly and budding and is usually conserved in orthobunyaviruses [3]. The NSm of the KOOV is truncated (9 kDA) whereas that of GAMV is elongated (36 kDA) when compared to that of BKAV (20 kDA) [30,45]. The NSm protein of BUNV was shown to be important for virus assembly and morphogenesis.…”

Continued Need for Comprehensive Genetic and Phenotypic Characterization of Viruses: Benefits of Complementing Sequence Analyses with Functional Determinations

“…In this issue of the American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene , a collaborative group of investigators from Brazil and the United States genetically and phenotypically describe viruses from the Gamboa serocomplex ( Orthobunyavirus ; Peribunyaviridae). 4 The investigators identified four genotypes within the serocomplex, evidence of reassortment events among the three genomic segments, and the existence of more complicated genetic relationships between the viruses that were previously identified by classical serological techniques (complement fixation and neutralization assays). The study demonstrates the power of combining archival and prospective sampling for viruses in concert with new technologies that allow for the rapid genetic characterization of viruses.…”