Hazara virus

Hazara virus
Virus classification
Group:	Group V ((−)ssRNA)
Order:	Unassigned
Family:	Bunyaviridae
Genus:	Nairovirus
Species:	Hazara virus

In 1954 the Hazara virus, one of the 34 tick borne viruses of the genus Nairovirus, was discovered in Pakistan in the Ixodes tick native to that region. Today this virus is studied in mice in an attempt to develop treatments for the highly pathogenic Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever virus.

The Hazara virus is part of the genus Nairovirus of the Bunyaviridae viruses, which are a family 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). The three genomic RNA segments are encapsidated by copies of the N protein in the form of ribonucleoprotein (RNP) complexes. 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.

The Hazara virus is spread by the Ixodes redikorzevi tick. The Ixodes redikorzevi tick is commonly found on an alpine vole inhabiting the Hazara District of Pakistan.

Hazara virus does not cause disease or symptoms in humans. In laboratory mice, symptoms can mirror those of Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever virus.

Diagnosis in rodents is made by detecting Hazara virus antibodies in the serum.

Hazara virus is in the same Nairovirus serogroup as Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever virus (CCHFV), and has similar disease progression to that seen in Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever (CCHF) infections in suckling mice and in the interferon receptor knockout mouse model This indicates that Hazara virus could represent a valid model for CCHFV infection.

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Wikipedia