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Rescue of Hantaan virus minigenomes
Kirsten Flick1, Jay W Hooper, Connie S Schmaljohn
1Special Pathogens Program, National Microbiology Laboratory, Health Canada, Canadian Science Centre for Human and Animal Health, 1015 Arlington Street, R3E 3R2, Winnipeg, Canada. Ramon_Flick@hc-sc.gc.ca
Abstract:
Hantavirus infections are a major public health concern worldwide. Their widespread geographical distribution and their ability to produce serious, often fatal, human disease underline the need for a system that allows manipulation of these viruses. We describe here the first successful establishment of a reverse genetics technology for Hantaan virus, the prototype of the genus Hantavirus. The system offers a unique opportunity to study the biology of hantaviruses, the pathogenesis of the diseases, and the efficacy of antiviral and prophylactic measures against hantavirus infections.