Sosuga pararubulavirus explained

Sosuga pararubulavirus is a species of Paramyxovirus which is transmissible to humans.^[1] The Egyptian fruit bat is thought to be a natural reservoir species for the virus.^[2]

History

In August 2012, following a six-week field trip to South Sudan and Uganda to collect bats and rodents, an American wildlife biologist became ill with symptoms including fever, malaise, headache, pain, stiffness in the neck, and a sore throat. Upon her return to the US, she was admitted to hospital, where she soon developed a maculopapular rash and oropharyngeal ulceration. Several suspect infections, including Ebola and Marburg, were ruled out through standard diagnostic testing. Genetic sequencing identified a novel virus. To determine the source, tissue samples collected during the three-week period prior to the illness were tested for this new Sosuga virus, and several Egyptian fruit bats were found to be positive. Analysis of historical samples of these bats from sites in Uganda found additional positive individuals, suggesting that this species may be a natural reservoir for Sosuga.

Treatment

Research has identified several compounds which inhibit replication of the Sosuga virus.^[3]

Notes and References

1. Albariño CG, Foltzer M, Towner JS, Rowe LA, Campbell S, Jaramillo CM, Bird BH, Reeder DM, Vodzak ME, Rota P, Metcalfe MG, Spiropoulou CF, Knust B, Vincent JP, Frace MA, Nichol ST, Rollin PE, Ströher U . 6 . Novel paramyxovirus associated with severe acute febrile disease, South Sudan and Uganda, 2012 . Emerging Infectious Diseases . 20 . 2 . 211–6 . February 2014 . 24447466 . 3901491 . 10.3201/eid2002.131620 .
2. Amman BR, Albariño CG, Bird BH, Nyakarahuka L, Sealy TK, Balinandi S, Schuh AJ, Campbell SM, Ströher U, Jones ME, Vodzack ME, Reeder DM, Kaboyo W, Nichol ST, Towner JS . 6 . A Recently Discovered Pathogenic Paramyxovirus, Sosuga Virus, is Present in Rousettus aegyptiacus Fruit Bats at Multiple Locations in Uganda . Journal of Wildlife Diseases . 51 . 3 . 774–9 . July 2015 . 25919464 . 5022529 . 10.7589/2015-02-044 .
3. Welch SR, Chakrabarti AK, Wiggleton Guerrero L, Jenks HM, Lo MK, Nichol ST, Spiropoulou CF, Albariño CG . 6 . Development of a reverse genetics system for Sosuga virus allows rapid screening of antiviral compounds . PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases . 12 . 3 . e0006326 . March 2018 . 29522528 . 5862516 . 10.1371/journal.pntd.0006326 . free .