Abstract
The purpose of this study was to extend our knowledge of the geographic distribution and genetic diversity of the arenavirus(es) associated with Neotoma species (woodrats) in the southwestern United States. Infectious arenavirus was recovered from 14 (3.3%) of 425 woodrats. The virus-positive species included N. albigula in New Mexico and Oklahoma, N. cinerea in Utah, N. mexicana in New Mexico and Utah, and N. micropus in Texas. Analyses of viral nucleocapsid protein gene sequence data indicated that all the isolates were strains of the Whitewater Arroyo virus, an arenavirus previously known only from northwestern New Mexico. Analyses of the sequence data also indicated that there can be substantial genetic diversity among strains of Whitewater Arroyo virus from conspecific woodrats collected from different localities and substantial genetic diversity among strains from different woodrat species collected from the same locality.
Highlights
The virus family Arenaviridae comprises two serocomplexes
The present work provides unequivocal evidence that the virus is naturally associated with N. cinerea, N. mexicana, and N. micropus, and that it occurs in Utah, central New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas
The recovery of Whitewater Arroyo (WWA) virus strains AV 98490013 and TVP-6083 from N. albigula is the first evidence that a Tacaribe complex virus occurs in Oklahoma
Summary
The virus family Arenaviridae comprises two serocomplexes. The lymphocytic choriomeningitis-Lassa (Old World) complex includes lymphocytic choriomeningitis (LCM), Lassa, Mopeia, Mobala, and Ippy viruses. The Tacaribe (New World) complex includes Tamiami (TAM), Whitewater Arroyo (WWA), Pichindé (PIC), Amapari, Flexal, Guanarito, Junin, Latino, Machupo, Oliveros, Parana, Pirital, Sabiá, and Tacaribe viruses. The large (L) genomic segment encodes the viral RNA-dependent RNA polymerase and a zinc-binding protein. The small (S) genomic segment encodes the nucleocapsid (N) protein and glycoprotein precursor. LCM virus is an agent of acute central nervous system disease [5] and congenital malformations [6]. The arenaviruses known to occur in North America are LCM, TAM, and WWA. WWA virus was originally recovered from Neotoma albigula (whitethroated woodrat) collected from northwestern New Mexico [12]. The purpose of the present study was to extend our knowledge of the geographic distribution and genetic diversity of the arenavirus(es) associated with Neotoma rodents in the southwestern United States
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