Reovirus, isolated from SARS patients.

Area of Science:

• Virology
• Infectious Diseases
• Respiratory Illnesses

Background:

• Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) significantly impacted Beijing.
• The SARS-associated coronavirus was identified as the primary cause.
• Potential for co-infections in SARS cases was considered.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the potential co-infection in SARS patients.
• To identify and characterize any co-infecting agents.
• To explore the association between reovirus and the SARS outbreak.

Main Methods:

• Isolation of viruses from throat swabs of SARS patients.
• Electron microscopy for viral identification.
• Serological testing for reovirus antibodies.
• DNA sequencing of viral gene fragments (S2 gene).
• Preliminary animal experiments (mice inoculation).

Main Results:

• Reovirus was isolated from SARS patients, including the index case.
• Electron microscopy confirmed characteristic reovirus morphology.
• Serological evidence of reovirus response in 24 out of 38 SARS cases.
• Sequencing identified a unique reovirus (orthoreovirus).
• Mouse inoculation with reovirus led to atypical pneumonia and death.

Conclusions:

• Reovirus was detected in SARS patients, suggesting a possible co-infection.
• A unique strain of orthoreovirus was identified.
• Reovirus may play a role in atypical pneumonia observed in some SARS cases.
• Further research is required to establish a definitive link between reovirus and the SARS outbreak.