Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 2024 Feb 6;16(2):261.
doi: 10.3390/v16020261.

Genomic Characterization of a Bataï Orthobunyavirus, Previously Classified as Ilesha Virus, from Field-Caught Mosquitoes in Senegal, Bandia 1969

Cheikh Talibouya Toure  1   2 , Idrissa Dieng  1 , Safietou Sankhe  1 , Mouhamed Kane  1 , Moussa Dia  1 , Moufid Mhamadi  1   2 , Mignane Ndiaye  1   2 , Ousmane Faye  1 , Amadou Alpha Sall  1 , Moussa Moise Diagne  1 , Oumar Faye  1
Affiliations

Genomic Characterization of a Bataï Orthobunyavirus, Previously Classified as Ilesha Virus, from Field-Caught Mosquitoes in Senegal, Bandia 1969

Cheikh Talibouya Toure et al. Viruses. .

Abstract

Bataï virus (BATV), belonging to the Orthobunyavirus genus, is an emerging mosquito-borne virus with documented cases in Asia, Europe, and Africa. It causes various symptoms in humans and ruminants. Another related virus is Ilesha virus (ILEV), which causes a range of diseases in humans and is mainly found in African countries. This study aimed to genetically identify and characterize a BATV strain previously misclassified as ILEV in Senegal. The strain was reactivated and subjected to whole genome sequencing using an Illumina-based approach. Genetic analyses and phylogeny were performed to assess the evolutionary relationships. Genomic analyses revealed a close similarity between the Senegal strain and the BATV strains UgMP-6830 from Uganda. The genetic distances indicated high homology. Phylogenetic analysis confirmed the Senegal strain's clustering with BATV. This study corrects the misclassification, confirming the presence of BATV in West Africa. This research represents the first evidence of BATV circulation in West Africa, underscoring the importance of genomic approaches in virus classification. Retrospective sequencing is crucial for reevaluating strains and identifying potential public health threats among neglected viruses.

Keywords: Africa; Bataï virus; Orthobunyavirus; Senegal; genome sequencing.

PubMed Disclaimer

Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
L segment phylogenetic tree of Bunyamwera, Bataï, Ilesha, and Ngari viruses. The Kairi virus, colored in orange, was used as an outgroup, and the sequence Ar D 9870, colored in red, was that previously classified as the Ilesha strain.
Figure 2
Figure 2
M segment phylogenetic tree of Bunyamwera, Bataï, Ilesha, and Ngari viruses. The Kairi virus, colored in orange, was used as an outgroup, and the sequence Ar D 9870, colored in red, was that previously classified as the Ilesha strain.
Figure 3
Figure 3
S segment phylogenetic tree of Bunyamwera, Bataï, Ilesha, and Ngari viruses. The Kairi virus, colored in orange, was used as an outgroup, and the sequence Ar D 9870, colored in red, was that previously classified as the Ilesha strain.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

    1. Hughes H.R., Adkins S., Alkhovskiy S., Beer M., Blair C., Calisher C.H., Drebot M., Lambert A.J., de Souza W.M., Marklewitz M., et al. ICTV Virus Taxonomy Profile: Peribunyaviridae. J. Gen. Virol. 2020;101:1–2. doi: 10.1099/jgv.0.001365. - DOI - PMC - PubMed
    1. Hubálek Z. Mosquito-Borne Viruses in Europe. Parasitol. Res. 2008;103:29–43. doi: 10.1007/s00436-008-1064-7. - DOI - PubMed
    1. Dilcher M., Sall A.A., Hufert F.T., Weidmann M. Clarifying Bunyamwera Virus Riddles of the Past. Virus Genes. 2013;47:160–163. doi: 10.1007/s11262-013-0918-y. - DOI - PubMed
    1. Dutuze M.F., Nzayirambaho M., Mores C.N., Christofferson R.C. A Review of Bunyamwera, Batai, and Ngari Viruses: Understudied Orthobunyaviruses With Potential One Health Implications. Front. Vet. Sci. 2018;5:69. doi: 10.3389/fvets.2018.00069. - DOI - PMC - PubMed
    1. Briese T., Bird B., Kapoor V., Nichol S.T., Lipkin W.I. Batai and Ngari Viruses: M Segment Reassortment and Association with Severe Febrile Disease Outbreaks in East Africa. J. Virol. 2006;80:5627–5630. doi: 10.1128/JVI.02448-05. - DOI - PMC - PubMed