Genomic Characterization of the Genus Nairovirus (Family Bunyaviridae)

• Published in: Viruses
• Main Authors: Jens Kuhn, Michael Wiley, Sergio Rodriguez, Yīmíng Bào, Karla Prieto, Amelia Travassos da Rosa, Hilda Guzman, Nazir Savji, Jason Ladner, Robert Tesh, Jiro Wada, Peter Jahrling, Dennis Bente, Gustavo Palacios
• Format: Text
• Language: English
• Published: Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute 2016
• Subjects: Bunyaviridae; bunyavirus; nairovirus; Dera Ghazi Khan virus; Erve virus; Ganjam virus; Hughes virus; Qalyub virus; Sakhalin virus; Tunis virus; virus classification; virus taxonomy; South Bay; Sakhalin
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.3390/v8060164

Nairovirus, one of five bunyaviral genera, includes seven species. Genomic sequence information is limited for members of the Dera Ghazi Khan, Hughes, Qalyub, Sakhalin, and Thiafora nairovirus species. We used next-generation sequencing and historical virus-culture samples to determine 14 complete and nine coding-complete nairoviral genome sequences to further characterize these species. Previously unsequenced viruses include Abu Mina, Clo Mor, Great Saltee, Hughes, Raza, Sakhalin, Soldado, and Tillamook viruses. In addition, we present genomic sequence information on additional isolates of previously sequenced Avalon, Dugbe, Sapphire II, and Zirqa viruses. Finally, we identify Tunis virus, previously thought to be a phlebovirus, as an isolate of Abu Hammad virus. Phylogenetic analyses indicate the need for reassignment of Sapphire II virus to Dera Ghazi Khan nairovirus and reassignment of Hazara, Tofla, and Nairobi sheep disease viruses to novel species. We also propose new species for the Kasokero group (Kasokero, Leopards Hill, Yogue viruses), the Ketarah group (Gossas, Issyk-kul, Keterah/soft tick viruses) and the Burana group (Wēnzhōu tick virus, Huángpí tick virus 1, Tǎchéng tick virus 1). Our analyses emphasize the sister relationship of nairoviruses and arenaviruses, and indicate that several nairo-like viruses (Shāyáng spider virus 1, Xīnzhōu spider virus, Sānxiá water strider virus 1, South Bay virus, Wǔhàn millipede virus 2) require establishment of novel genera in a larger nairovirus-arenavirus supergroup.