Abstract
Orthohantaviruses are RNA viruses that some members are known to cause severe zoonotic diseases in humans. Orthohantaviruses are hosted by rodents, soricomorphs (shrews and moles), and bats. Only two orthohantaviruses associated with murid rodents are known in Africa, Sangassou orthohantavirus (SANGV) in two species of African wood mice (Hylomyscus), and Tigray orthohantavirus (TIGV) in the Ethiopian white-footed rat (Stenocephalemys albipes). In this article, we report evidence that, like SANGV, two strains of TIGV occur in two genetically related rodent species, S. albipes and S. sp. A, occupying different elevational zones in the same mountain. Investigating the other members of the genus Stenocephalemys for TIGV could reveal the real diversity of TIGV in the genus.
Highlights
African orthohantaviruses have received very little attention until recently (Klempa et al 2006, Kang et al 2014, Tes ́ıkovaet al. 2017)
Two orthohantaviruses associated with murid rodents are known in Africa, Sangassou orthohantavirus (SANGV) in two species of African wood mice (Hylomyscus), and Tigray orthohantavirus (TIGV) in the Ethiopian white-footed rat (Stenocephalemys albipes)
The description of the sister lineage to the Sangassou orthohantavirus from Hylomyscus endorobae in Kenya in a rodent host phylogenetically related to the Hylomyscus simus in Guinea represents a case of virus lineage divergence separated by large geographical distance (Tesikova et al 2017)
Summary
African orthohantaviruses have received very little attention until recently (Klempa et al 2006, Kang et al 2014, Tes ́ıkovaet al. 2017). Cases of genetically related orthohantaviruses occurring in genetically related mammalian host species have been well reported (Milholland et al 2018). Such cases are limited to African orthohantaviruses in rodents and shrews. The description of the sister lineage to the Sangassou orthohantavirus from Hylomyscus endorobae in Kenya in a rodent host phylogenetically related to the Hylomyscus simus in Guinea represents a case of virus lineage divergence separated by large geographical distance (Tesikova et al 2017).
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callMore From: Vector borne and zoonotic diseases (Larchmont, N.Y.)
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
