Description of Guanarito Virus (Arenaviridae: Arenavirus), the Etiologic Agent of Venezuelan Hemorrhagic Fever

Robert B. Tesh Yale Arbovirus Research Unit, Yale University School of Medicine, Disease Assessment Division, U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, National Institute of Hygiene, Ministry of Health and Social Assistance, New Haven, Connecticut, Venezuela

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Peter B. Jahrling Yale Arbovirus Research Unit, Yale University School of Medicine, Disease Assessment Division, U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, National Institute of Hygiene, Ministry of Health and Social Assistance, New Haven, Connecticut, Venezuela

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Rosalba Salas Yale Arbovirus Research Unit, Yale University School of Medicine, Disease Assessment Division, U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, National Institute of Hygiene, Ministry of Health and Social Assistance, New Haven, Connecticut, Venezuela

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Robert E. Shope Yale Arbovirus Research Unit, Yale University School of Medicine, Disease Assessment Division, U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, National Institute of Hygiene, Ministry of Health and Social Assistance, New Haven, Connecticut, Venezuela

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DOI:
https://doi.org/10.4269/ajtmh.1994.50.452
Volume/Issue:
Volume 50: Issue 4
Page(s):
452–459
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This paper characterizes Guanarito virus, the etiologic agent of Venezuelan hemorrhagic fever. Based on its morphology and antigenic properties, Guanarito virus appears to be a new member of the Tacaribe complex of the genus Arenavirus, family Arenaviridae. Complement fixation and indirect fluorescent antibody tests showed that Guanarito virus and its antiserum are broadly cross-reactive with other members of the Tacaribe complex, but it can be differentiated from other members of the complex by neutralization test. Guanarito virus causes mortality in suckling mice and adult guinea pigs, but not in adult mice. Inoculated rhesus monkeys developed viremia and became ill; however, they subsequently recovered and responded with production of antibody. To date, all isolates of Guanarito virus have come from sick persons or wild rodents living within a single geographic focus in the central plains of Venezuela.

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Copyright:
Copyright © 1994 by The American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene 1994
Published Online:
Apr 1994
Cover The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene
The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene
Print ISSN:
0002-9637

Expert Committee on Hepatitis

First Report. World Health Organization Technical Report Series No. 62 (Available also in French). 26 pp. Geneva, W.H.O., Palais des Nations. March, 1953. Price 1/6, $0.20, Fr. fr. 65.-; Sw. fr. 0.80

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