Geographic distribution and genetic diversity of Whitewater Arroyo virus in the southwestern United States.

C. F. Fulhorst, R. N. Charrel, S. C. Weaver, T. G. Ksiazek, R. D. Bradley, M. L. Milazzo, R. B. Tesh, M. D. Bowen

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

45 Scopus citations

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to extend our knowledge of the geographic distribution and genetic diversity of the arenavirus(es) associated with Neotoma species (woodrats) in the southwestern United States. Infectious arenavirus was recovered from 14 (3.3%) of 425 woodrats. The virus-positive species included N. albigula in New Mexico and Oklahoma, N. cinerea in Utah, N. mexicana in New Mexico and Utah, and N. micropus in Texas. Analyses of viral nucleocapsid protein gene sequence data indicated that all the isolates were strains of the Whitewater Arroyo virus, an arenavirus previously known only from northwestern New Mexico. Analyses of the sequence data also indicated that there can be substantial genetic diversity among strains of Whitewater Arroyo virus from conspecific woodrats collected from different localities and substantial genetic diversity among strains from different woodrat species collected from the same locality.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)403-407
Number of pages5
JournalEmerging infectious diseases
Volume7
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - 2001

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Epidemiology
  • Microbiology (medical)
  • Infectious Diseases

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Geographic distribution and genetic diversity of Whitewater Arroyo virus in the southwestern United States.'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this