Genetic Characterization of the Patois Serogroup (Genus Orthobunyavirus; Family Peribunyaviridae) and Evidence That Estero Real Virus is a Member of the Genus Orthonairovirus

Abstract

Estero Real virus (ERV) was isolated in 1980 from ticks collected in El Estero Real, Sancti Spiritus, Cuba. Antigenic characterization of the isolate based on serological methods found a relationship with Abras and Zegla viruses and, consequently, the virus was classified taxonomically within the Patois serogroup. Given the fact that genetic characterization of Patois serogroup viruses has not yet been reported and that ERV is the only virus within the Patois serogroup isolated from ticks, we recently conducted nearly complete genome sequencing in an attempt to gain further insight into the genetic relationship of ERV with other Patois serogroup viruses and members of family ( order). With the exception of ERV, our sequencing and phylogenetic studies revealed the close relationship of the Patois serogroup viruses to each other, forming a clear divergent clade from other members of the genus ( family). Notably, our analysis also revealed that ERV forms a monophyletic clade that is closely related to species of the genus ( family) in all the genome segments. In light of these findings, we believe that the taxonomic classification of ERV should be revised.

Human-Pathogenic Kasokero Virus in Field-Collected Ticks

“…We obtained complete sequence coverage for the N (1,545 nt) for 11 of the KASV-positive tick pools, the GP (4,314 nt) for 4 of the KASV-positive tick pools, and the RdRp (11, (Figure 2). Consistent with previous results (2,23,24), YOGV diverged first followed by LPHV, and finally the KASV lineage. The N phylogeny showed 2 distinct KASV lineages defined by >9.2% interlineage nucleotide divergences, and the RdRp phylogeny showed 2 distinct KASV lineages defined by >12.0% interlineage nucleotide divergences; the first lineage included the prototype Z-52963 sequence plus the 2013 tick sequences and the second lineage included the 2017 tick sequences (Appendix Tables 3, 4).…”

Genetic Characterization of Frijoles and Chilibre Species Complex Viruses (Genus Phlebovirus; Family Phenuiviridae) and Three Unclassified New World Phleboviruses

“…19,30 Reconciling serological and molecular characterizations of rare and underrecognized viruses is a continual challenge to accurate classification. 20,36 Although outside the scope of this study, additional independent serological and molecular testing of varied Chilibre and Cacao virus isolates will aid in correlating and confirming recently derived molecular and historically determined serological data. For diagnosis, neutralization tests have identified Cacao virus antibody in humans and can distinguish between Chilibre and Cacao viruses, suggesting neutralization tests remain the gold standard for serological diagnostic confirmation of suspect phlebovirus infection.…”

“…The polyprotein possesses five transmembrane domains, similar to viruses in the family Peribunyaviridae. 20 The L segments encode for the L protein, ranging in size from 2,083 amino acids (Frijoles) to 2,094 amino acids (Itaporagna and Rio Grande) in length. The Caimito and Chilibre encode for a larger protein, 2,224 and 2,226 amino acids in length, respectively.…”

Taxonomy of the order Bunyavirales: update 2019

“…A summary of the current, ICTV-accepted taxonomy of the order Bunyavirales is presented in Table 1. *type species 1 Due to a formal classification mistake, this species was not correctly renamed to include the genus epithet "orthotospovirus." A proposal to ensure that all species included in the genus Orthotospovirus are named uniformly ending in "orthotospovirus" will be submitted prior to the next taxonomic proposal submission deadline ¶ Please note that viruses are real objects that are assigned to concepts that are called taxa.…”