Recent Discoveries of Novel Mammarenaviruses Infecting Humans and Other Mammals in Asia and Southeast Asia

Abstract

Mammarenaviruses, a genus of the family Arenaviridae, are capable of infecting mammals and are primarily found in rodent reservoirs worldwide. Mammarenaviruses can be transmitted to humans through contact with infected rodents, and though infection is often asymptomatic, some members of this genus can cause viral haemorrhagic fever which has mortality rates ranging from 1% to 50%. These viruses are typically restricted geographically, based on the geographical range of their host reservoirs. Lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) was previously thought to be the only mammarenavirus found across the globe. However, recent discoveries of two novel human mammarenaviruses, Wenzhou Virus (WENV) and Plateau Pika Virus (PPV), in Asia and Southeast Asia show that mammarenaviruses are more widespread than previously thought. This editorial article aims to raise awareness about these emerging viruses, their genetic and ecological diversities, and clinical significance, and to encourage further study of these emerging viruses.

Keywords: Junin virus; Lassa virus; Mammarenavirus; Plateau pika virus; Wenzhou virus; arenavirus.

Figure 1.

Representative phylogenetic tree indicating relatedness between Old World (OW), New World (NW), and novel mammarenaviruses (WENV and PPV), which are noted with asterisks (*). Phylogenetic tree was built using sequences of the viral large (L) genomic segment of the different mammarenaviruses. Mammarenaviruses included in the phylogenetic tree are Chapare virus (CHPV), Junin virus (JUNV), Sabia virus (SABV), Machupo virus (MACV), Guanarito virus (GTOV), Lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV), Wenzhou virus (WENV), Lujo virus (LUJV), Lassa virus (LASV), and Plateau Pika Virus (PPV).