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Bourbon virus, a newly discovered zoonotic thogotovirus
Elias Bendl1, Jonas Fuchs1, Georg Kochs1
1Institute of Virology, Medical Center and Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Hermann-Herder-Strasse 11, 79104 Freiburg, Germany.
The Journal of General Virology
|August 29, 2023
Summary
Bourbon virus (BRBV), a tick-borne thogotovirus, causes severe illness in humans but not mice. This review explores BRBV
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Zoonotic Diseases
- Arthropod-borne Viruses
Background:
- Bourbon virus (BRBV) is a recently discovered thogotovirus, an orthomyxovirus transmitted by ticks.
- BRBV has been associated with severe febrile illness in human cases in the Midwestern United States since 2014.
- The virus is found in the Lone Star tick (Amblyomma americanum) and shows high seroprevalence in wild animals, indicating widespread circulation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the molecular biology and pathology of Bourbon virus.
- To understand BRBV's unique position within the thogotovirus genus.
- To discuss the zoonotic threat posed by BRBV.
Main Methods:
- Phylogenetic analysis of the viral RNA genome.
- Review of existing literature on BRBV molecular biology and pathology.
- Comparative analysis of BRBV pathogenicity in different hosts.
Main Results:
- Phylogenetic analysis places BRBV within the Dhori-like thogotovirus subgroup.
- BRBV is apathogenic in mice, a notable contrast to human disease and other thogotoviruses' effects in mice.
- High seroprevalence in wild animals suggests extensive viral circulation.
Conclusions:
- BRBV represents a significant zoonotic pathogen with a unique pathogenic profile.
- Further research is needed to understand the discrepancy in pathogenicity between humans and mice.
- The potential for widespread transmission and severe human disease highlights the zoonotic threat of BRBV.
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