Sympatric Occurrence of 3 Arenaviruses, Tanzania

EID Journal Home > Volume 16, Number 4–April 2010

Volume 16, Number 4–April 2010
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Sympatric Occurrence of 3 Arenaviruses, Tanzania
Joëlle Goüy de Bellocq, Benny Borremans, Abdul Katakweba, Rhodes Makundi, Stuart J.E. Baird, Beate Becker-Ziaja, Stephan Günther, and Herwig Leirs
Author affiliations: University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium (J. Goüy de Bellocq, B. Borremans, H. Leirs); Sokoine University of Agriculture, Morogoro, Tanzania (A. Katakweba, R. Makundi); Research Center in Biodiversity and Genetic Resources, Vairão, Portugal (J. Goüy de Bellocq, S.J.E. Baird); Bernhard-Nocht-Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg, Germany (B. Becker-Ziaja, S. Günther); and University of Aarhus, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark (H. Leirs)

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Abstract
To determine the specificity of Morogoro virus for its reservoir host, we studied its host range and genetic diversity in Tanzania. We found that 2 rodent species other than Mastomys natalensis mice carry arenaviruses. Analysis of 340 nt of the viral RNA polymerase gene showed sympatric occurrence of 3 distinct arenaviruses.

Arenaviruses are RNA viruses, primarily rodent borne, that include the etiologic agents of lymphocytic choriomeningitis and hemorrhagic fevers in humans. On the basis of their antigenic properties, arenaviruses have been divided in 2 groups: New World and Old World (1). In Africa, 2 arenaviruses are known to be highly pathogenic to humans: Lassa virus in West Africa and the recently described Lujo virus from southern Africa (2). Rodents from the subfamily Murinae are the principal hosts of the Old World arenaviruses. The multimammate mouse, Mastomys natalensis, is the reservoir host of Lassa virus in western Africa (3) and Mopeia virus, for which human pathogenicity has not been reported, in eastern Africa (4,5).

Previously, a serosurvey of small mammals from Tanzania identified a hot spot of arenavirus circulation in Morogoro (6). Molecular screening detected a new arenavirus in M. natalensis mice: Morogoro virus, closely related to Mopeia virus (6). This virus seems a promising model for studying virus–host dynamics and testing rodent control measures for arenaviruses for which M. natalensis mice are host. However, before being used as a model, the degree of specificity of Morogoro virus for its reservoir host must be assessed because secondary reservoir species may play a role in the transmission and maintenance of the virus in natural habitats. Our objective, therefore, was to determine the limit of specificity of the Morogoro virus.

Suggested Citation for this Article
Goüy de Bellocq J, Borremans B, Katakweba A, Makundi R, Baird SJE, Becker-Ziaja B, et al. Sympatric occurrence of 3 arenaviruses, Tanzania. Emerg Infect Dis [serial on the Internet]. 2010 Apr [date cited]. http://www.cdc.gov/EID/content/16/4/692.htm

DOI: 10.3201/eid1604.091721

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