Isolation of a newly recognized Bunyamwera serogroup virus from a febrile human in Panama
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J A Mangiafico1, J L Sanchez, L T Figueiredo
1Disease Assessment Division, United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, Fort Detrick, Frederick, Maryland 21701.
Abstract:
A virus, strain 86MSP18, was isolated from the acute phase serum of a U.S. soldier with a febrile illness. He was stationed at Fort Sherman in the Republic of Panama when the onset of his illness occurred. A rise in neutralizing antibody to the viral isolate was observed between the patient's acute and convalescent-phase serum samples. Virus strain 86MSP18 has been shown by plaque reduction neutralization to be closely related to but distinct from Cache Valley virus and known subtypes. It appears to be a newly recognized subtype of Cache Valley virus and is believed to be the second isolation of a Cache Valley virus subtype from a human with a febrile illness. The name "Fort Sherman" virus for strain 86MSP18 is proposed.
Insights
A novel virus, Fort Sherman virus (strain 86MSP18), was identified in a U.S. soldier with a febrile illness in Panama. This new Cache Valley virus subtype is the second human isolation, highlighting potential public health concerns.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Infectious Diseases
- Public Health
Background:
- Arboviruses, such as Cache Valley virus, can cause febrile illnesses in humans.
- Surveillance for novel viral agents is crucial for understanding disease transmission and developing countermeasures.
Observation:
- A U.S. soldier stationed in Fort Sherman, Panama, presented with an acute febrile illness.
- Viral strain 86MSP18 was isolated from the soldier's acute-phase serum.
- A significant rise in neutralizing antibodies against strain 86MSP18 was detected between acute and convalescent serum samples.
Findings:
- Plaque reduction neutralization assays revealed strain 86MSP18 is closely related to, yet distinct from, Cache Valley virus.
- Strain 86MSP18 represents a newly recognized subtype of Cache Valley virus.
- This marks the second documented instance of a Cache Valley virus subtype isolated from a febrile human patient.
Implications:
- The identification of Fort Sherman virus (strain 86MSP18) expands the known diversity of Cache Valley virus subtypes.
- This finding underscores the importance of ongoing arbovirus surveillance in military personnel and civilian populations, particularly in tropical regions.
- Further research is warranted to determine the pathogenicity, transmission dynamics, and geographic distribution of this novel viral subtype.