Araguari Virus

The Araguari Virus belongs to the Thogotoviruses and that makes it a direct relative of the Influenza viruses because all are part of the larger family of Orthomyxoviruses. The genus Togotoviruses has nine distinct members: Thogoto Virus, Dhori Virus, Araguari Virus, Batken Virus, Jos Virus, Upolu Virus, Aransas Bay Virus, Bourbon Virus and Sinu Virus

This virus was first isolated in 1969 from a gray four-eyed opossum (Philander opossum) in Serra do Navio in the Araguari province in Central Brasil. For a long time it was an unassigned virus but in 2005 scientists finally decided to examine it in much greater detail.

[Image: calphotos.berkeley.edu]

Analyses[1] of the virus supports the idea that Araguari Virus is related to Thogoto virus. Additionally, it was also sharing a more distant similarity with Dhori Virus and Influenza C viruses, which means that it probably had a common ancestor. Based on these results presented, it was proposed that Araguari virus was to be designated a member of the genus Thogotovirus in the family Orthomyxoviridae.

Based on the other viruses in the genus Thogotovirus, it is probable that Araguari Virus is being transmitted via ticks. This also means that Araguari Virus is possible much more widespread than one species of opossum.

[1] Da Silva et al: Araguari virus, a new member of the family Orthomyxoviridae: serologic, ultrastructural, and molecular characterization in American Journal of Tropoical Medicine and Hygiene - 2005