In 1954 the Hazara orthonairovirus, one of the 34 tick-borne viruses of the genus Orthonairovirus, was discovered in Pakistan in the Ixodes tick native to that region.[2][3] Today this virus is studied in mice in an attempt to develop treatments for the highly pathogenic Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever virus.[4]
Characteristics
The Hazara orthonairovirus is part of the
genusOrthonairovirus of the Bunyavirales order of viruses, which are an order of enveloped negative-stranded
RNA viruses with a
genome split into three parts—Small (S), Middle (M) and Large (L). The L RNA segment encodes an RNA-dependent
RNA polymerase (L protein), the M RNA segment encodes two surface
glycoproteins (Gc and Gn), and the S RNA segment encodes a nucleocapsid protein (N).[5][3] The three genomic RNA segments are encapsidated by copies of the N protein in the form of
ribonucleoprotein (RNP) complexes.[6][7] The N protein is the most abundant viral protein in Bunyaviridae virus particles and infected cells and, therefore, the main target in many serological and molecular diagnostics.[8][9]
This finding is particularly important because using the Hazara orthonairovirus (
biosafety level 2) as a model allows scientists to investigate this serogroup of viruses for the development of antivirals, without having to work in a
biosafety level 4 environment, which is the highest available level of biosecurity, and is mandatory when working with intact CCHFV. While CCHFV is the most important human pathogen in this serogroup, Hazara research is potentially useful in the development of
antiviral medications for all viruses in the genus Nairovirus.[7]