Zoonotic Hantaviridae with Global Public Health Significance

Abstract

Hantaviridae currently encompasses seven genera and 53 species. Multiple hantaviruses such as Hantaan virus, Seoul virus, Dobrava-Belgrade virus, Puumala virus, Andes virus, and Sin Nombre virus are highly pathogenic to humans. They cause hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) and hantavirus cardiopulmonary syndrome or hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HCPS/HPS) in many countries. Some hantaviruses infect wild or domestic animals without causing severe symptoms. Rodents, shrews, and bats are reservoirs of various mammalian hantaviruses. Recent years have witnessed significant advancements in the study of hantaviruses including genomics, taxonomy, evolution, replication, transmission, pathogenicity, control, and patient treatment. Additionally, new hantaviruses infecting bats, rodents, shrews, amphibians, and fish have been identified. This review compiles these advancements to aid researchers and the public in better recognizing this zoonotic virus family with global public health significance.

Keywords: Hantaviridae; evolution; hantavirus cardiopulmonary syndrome; hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome; pathogenicity; taxonomy.

Figure 2

The three genomic RNA segments (L, M, and S) of an Andes virus and their encoding proteins. Their sequence accession numbers in GenBank are NC003468, NC003467, and NC003466 [38]. Brown lines represent the 5′-methylated cap and some nucleotides transferred from the host cell mRNAs to the viral mRNAs. ORF: open reading frame. UTR: untranslated region.

Figure 1

The external (A) and interior (B) structures of hantaviruses with three genomic RNA segments (L, M, and S).

Figure 3

Phylogenetic relationships among the four subfamilies, seven genera, and 53 species in Hantaviridae. The relationships were calculated using the nucleotide sequences of the viral S-genomic segments, the software MEGA 11.0, the maximum likelihood method, and the GTR + G + I model. Bootstrap values were calculated using 1000 replicates. Different genera are shown using different colors, and species names are followed with the relevant GenBank accession numbers and hosts. The species Orthohantavirus robinaense marked with a triangle should be assigned to the Mobatvirus genus rather this phylogenetic tree and its host.

Figure 4

Schematic overview of the replication of some hantaviruses.

Figure 5

Transmission routes of some hantaviruses in animals and humans.