New Arenavirus Associated With Hemorrhagic Fever Discovered

Science Daily ^ | 5-1-2008 | Public Library of Science

[blam]

New Arenavirus Associated With Hemorrhagic Fever Discovered

ScienceDaily (May 1, 2008) — A team of Bolivian health authorities, U.S. Navy health experts based in Lima, Peru, and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has characterized "Chapare arenavirus," a previously unrecognized arenavirus, discovered in serum samples from a patient in rural Bolivia who eventually died of the infection.

Named after the Chapare River in the eastern foothills of the Andes, the new Chapare arenavirus produces clinical hemorrhagic symptoms similar to those associated with other New World arenaviruses, such as the Junin, Machupo, Guanarito, and Sabia viruses. Genetically, however, Chapare is different from each.

Junin, Machupo and Guanarito viruses have been associated with large outbreaks of hemorrhagic fever. Initial symptoms often include fever, malaise, muscle aches, nausea, vomiting, and anorexia, followed later by hemorrhagic symptoms. Untreated, more severe neurologic and/or hemorrhagic symptoms may develop, and death occurs in up to 30%.

In this study, the authors first tested for yellow fever and dengue hemorrhagic fevers, but results were negative. Tests for Machupo and other related viruses also were negative. Sequence analysis of specific segments of the virus later confirmed it as a unique member of the Clade B New World Arenaviruses.

Due to the remote nature of the region where the case occurred, only a limited description of a possible cluster of cases in the area was determined.

"Further surveillance and ecological investigations should clarify the nature of the health threat posed by the Chapare virus, and give us better information on the source of human infection," says CDC virologist Tom Ksiazek of the Special Pathogens Branch.

"We need to learn more about this virus: how it is related to the other arenaviruses, how it causes disease, where it lives in nature," says Ksiazek. "Together with our colleagues in Bolivia and Peru, we're anticipating a more intensive investigation that improves our understanding of the virus, the disease it causes, and its ecology."

Journal reference: Delgado S, Erickson BR, Agudo R, Blair PJ, Vallejo E, et al. (2008) Chapare Virus, a Newly Discovered Arenavirus Isolated from a Fatal Hemorrhagic Fever Case in Bolivia. PLoS Pathog 4(4): e1000047. doi:10.1371/journal.ppat.1000047

Adapted from materials provided by Public Library of Science, via EurekAlert!, a service of AAAS.

[hinckley buzzard]

"Further surveillance and ecological investigations should clarify the nature of the health threat posed by the Chapare virus, and give us better information on the source of human infection,"

Somebody notify Jeremiah Wright. Those eeevil White gubbermint people have been at it again.

[vetvetdoug]

This is exciting. Another Arenavirus that is lethal as a bullet. I wonder what the vector or source of infection is?

[Ptarmigan]

Interesting and scary find!

[bleach]

At first, I thought this was some sort of sports disease.

[neverdem]

Chapare Virus, a Newly Discovered Arenavirus Isolated from a Fatal Hemorrhagic Fever Case in Bolivia

[Smokin' Joe]

Nasty bug ping....

[iceskater]

The article at the link indicates that rodents are the vector.

[Old Professer]

Not sure but this is from the Santa Clara County California Vector Control board :

[Like hantavirus, which causes a rare, but often fatal respiratory disease, arenaviruses are believed to be transmitted to humans through inhalation of dust contaminated with the urine, feces or saliva of infected rodents. Human infection with arenavirus is also likely to be very uncommon.]

[Smokin' Joe]

But Professor, we're supposed to just panic.

...arenaviruses are believed to be transmitted to humans through inhalation of dust contaminated with the urine, feces or saliva of infected rodents

And the globe is warming and....and... and ... that MEANS MORE DUST!!!! (running in circles waving hands in air and screaming in parody of moonbat dirtworshippers from the cult of Algore)

(with abundant feigned gravitas...)

The messages are many...

Don't mess with the cute, furry little protected rodents, Gaia will get you for that.

One more reason to panic about global warming.

Don't dig up the rain forest.

Gaia is angry....

Try the Kool-Aid at the refreshment stand and don't forget to tip your waitress...

/sarc. (sorry, I just had to do it)

Really, this is just one more reason, since the day when they were greyhound busses for plague-bearing fleas, to keep the little skinny tailed critters outside the domicile.

Do you have any data on the potential for Human to Human transmission?

[Judith Anne]

Things that make you go, “Yikes!”