Thottapalayam virus is genetically distant to the rodent-borne hantaviruses, consistent with its isolation from the Asian house shrew (Suncus murinus)
2007
Thottapalayam Virus: A Unique Hantavirus from the Asian House Shrew
publication
Evidence: high
Author Information
Author(s): Yadav Pragya D, Vincent Martin J, Nichol Stuart T
Primary Institution: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
Hypothesis
Is Thottapalayam virus genetically distinct from rodent-borne hantaviruses?
Conclusion
Thottapalayam virus is genetically unique compared to other hantaviruses, suggesting a distinct evolutionary path.
Supporting Evidence
- Thottapalayam virus was isolated from an Asian house shrew in India.
- Phylogenetic analysis shows high divergence of Thottapalayam virus from rodent-borne hantaviruses.
- Thottapalayam virus has been shown to be the most antigenically distinct of all hantaviruses.
Takeaway
Thottapalayam virus is a special kind of virus that comes from a shrew, not a rat, and is very different from other similar viruses.
Methodology
The complete genome of Thottapalayam virus was sequenced using RT-PCR and phylogenetic analysis.
Limitations
No further virus isolates have been obtained, and the primary reservoir host remains unclear.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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