Characterization of a novel Negevirus and a novel Bunyavirus isolated from Culex (Culex) declarator mosquitoes in Trinidad

Albert J. Auguste, Christine V.F. Carrington, Naomi L. Forrester, Vsevolod L. Popov, Hilda Guzman, Steven G. Widen, Thomas G. Wood, Scott C. Weaver, Robert B. Tesh

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

65 Scopus citations

Abstract

Pools of mosquitoes were tested for insect-specific viruses using cytopathic effect (CPE) assays on Aedes albopictus (C6/36) cells. Illumina sequencing of RNA from pool TR7094, which produced extensive CPE 2 days post-infection, yielded the complete genome sequences of a previously unknown Bunyavirus, designated Cumuto virus (CUMV), and a second virus designated Wallerfield virus (WALV). WALV shared highest amino acid identity (60.1%) with Dezidougou virus from Côte d'Ivoire, a positive-sense, single-strand RNA, insect-specific virus belonging to the newly proposed genus Negevirus associated with mosquitoes and phlebotomine sandflies. The S, M and L segments of CUMV were most closely related to those of Gouleako virus, also from Côte d'Ivoire (amino acid identities of 36 %, 38% and 54% respectively). Neither virus produced CPE on vertebrate cells, or illness in newborn mice. Isolation and characterization of these viruses increase our knowledge of the geographical distribution, diversity and host range ofmosquito-specific bunyaviruses and negeviruses.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)481-485
Number of pages5
JournalJournal of General Virology
Volume95
Issue numberPART 2
DOIs
StatePublished - Feb 2014

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Virology

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Characterization of a novel Negevirus and a novel Bunyavirus isolated from Culex (Culex) declarator mosquitoes in Trinidad'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this