Neglected Orthobunyaviruses put in the spotlight: new study published as part of the AFROSCREEN project

Neglected Orthobunyaviruses put in the spotlight: new study published as part of the AFROSCREEN project

A recent study conducted by the Institut Pasteur de Dakar, in collaboration with researchers from Cheikh Anta Diop University and under the AFROSCREEN project, sheds light on nine little-studied viruses from the Orthobunyavirus (OBV) family. OBVs are a large group of segmented RNA viruses transmitted by arthropods, with some already known to cause serious diseases in humans and animals. In this new study, the Senegalese team analyzed 17 historical strains from the WHO biobank housed at IPD, using high-throughput sequencing (NGS), phylogenetic analysis, and computational host/vector prediction.

The researchers achieved complete genome sequencing of these viruses. They found that certain segments had high GC (guanine-cytosine) content, while others were GC-poor. These variations could reflect adaptive mechanisms, such as evading host immunity, making these regions promising targets for future molecular studies.

Thanks to the high quality of the obtained sequences, phylogenetic analyses revealed that several of these viruses are genetically related to better-known orthobunyaviruses. For instance:

  • Ingwavuma virus is closely related to Oropouche virus, an arbovirus that causes dengue-like febrile illnesses;
  • Ilesha virus is similar to Cache Valley virus, which is associated with neurological symptoms;
  • Bwamba virus shows genetic similarities to California encephalitis virus.

These genetic proximities suggest that these neglected viruses may have similar pathogenic potential.

A second bioinformatics analysis, using the Virus Host Prediction pipeline, predicted the most likely hosts and vectors based on genomic signals. Rodents emerged as the most probable hosts, followed by primates. Among vectors, mosquitoes scored the highest, though ticks were also identified as potential vectors for some viruses.

These findings highlight the value of integrating genomic sequencing into the surveillance of neglected viruses and demonstrate how a One Health approach can help clarify transmission dynamics — for example, by guiding vector control strategies.

Read the full open-access article: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11945402/

A recent study conducted by the Institut Pasteur de Dakar, in collaboration with researchers from Cheikh Anta Diop University and under the AFROSCREEN project, sheds light on nine little-studied viruses from the Orthobunyavirus (OBV) family. OBVs are a large group of segmented RNA viruses transmitted by arthropods, with some already known to cause serious diseases in humans and animals. In this new study, the Senegalese team analyzed 17 historical strains from the WHO biobank housed at IPD, using high-throughput sequencing (NGS), phylogenetic analysis, and computational host/vector prediction.

The researchers achieved complete genome sequencing of these viruses. They found that certain segments had high GC (guanine-cytosine) content, while others were GC-poor. These variations could reflect adaptive mechanisms, such as evading host immunity, making these regions promising targets for future molecular studies.

Thanks to the high quality of the obtained sequences, phylogenetic analyses revealed that several of these viruses are genetically related to better-known orthobunyaviruses. For instance:

  • Ingwavuma virus is closely related to Oropouche virus, an arbovirus that causes dengue-like febrile illnesses;
  • Ilesha virus is similar to Cache Valley virus, which is associated with neurological symptoms;
  • Bwamba virus shows genetic similarities to California encephalitis virus.

These genetic proximities suggest that these neglected viruses may have similar pathogenic potential.

A second bioinformatics analysis, using the Virus Host Prediction pipeline, predicted the most likely hosts and vectors based on genomic signals. Rodents emerged as the most probable hosts, followed by primates. Among vectors, mosquitoes scored the highest, though ticks were also identified as potential vectors for some viruses.

These findings highlight the value of integrating genomic sequencing into the surveillance of neglected viruses and demonstrate how a One Health approach can help clarify transmission dynamics — for example, by guiding vector control strategies.

Read the full open-access article: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11945402/

Back to news