Genetic Diversity and Reassortment of Hantaan Virus Tripartite RNA Genomes in Nature, the Republic of Korea.
Hantaan virus (HTNV), a negative sense tripartite RNA virus of the Family Bunyaviridae, is the most prevalent hantavirus in the Republic of Korea (ROK). It is the causative agent of Hemorrhagic Fever with Renal Syndrome (HFRS) in humans and maintained in the striped field mouse, Apodemus agrarius, the primary zoonotic host. Clinical HFRS cases have been reported commonly in HFRS-endemic areas of Gyeonggi province. Recently, the death of a member of the ROK military from Gangwon province due to HFRS prompted an investigation of the epidemiology and distribution of hantaviruses in Gangwon and Gyeonggi provinces that border the demilitarized zone separating North and South Korea.



To elucidate the geographic distribution and molecular diversity of HTNV, whole genome sequences of HTNV Large (L), Medium (M), and Small (S) segments were acquired from lung tissues of A. agrarius captured from 2003-2014. Consistent with the clinical incidence of HFRS established by the Korea Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (KCDC), the prevalence of HTNV in naturally infected mice in Gangwon province was lower than for Gyeonggi province. Whole genomic sequences of 34 HTNV strains were identified and a phylogenetic analysis showed geographic diversity of the virus in the limited areas. Reassortment analysis first suggested an occurrence of genetic exchange of HTNV genomes in nature, ROK.



This study is the first report to demonstrate the molecular prevalence of HTNV in Gangwon province. Whole genome sequencing of HTNV showed well-supported geographic lineages and the molecular diversity in the northern region of ROK due to a natural reassortment of HTNV genomes. These observations contribute to a better understanding of the genetic diversity and molecular evolution of hantaviruses. Also, the full-length of HTNV tripartite genomes will provide a database for phylogeographic analysis of spatial and temporal outbreaks of hantavirus infection.
Department of Microbiology, College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
Jeong-Ah
JA
Kim
Department of Microbiology, College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
Won-Keun
WK
Kim
Department of Microbiology, College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
Jin Sun
JS
No
Department of Microbiology, College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
Seung-Ho
SH
Lee
Department of Microbiology, College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
Sook-Young
SY
Lee
Department of Microbiology, College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
Ji Hye
JH
Kim
Department of Microbiology, College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
Jeong Hoon
JH
Kho
Agency for Defense Development, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, Republic of Korea.
Daesang
D
Lee
Agency for Defense Development, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, Republic of Korea.
Dong Hyun
DH
Song
Agency for Defense Development, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, Republic of Korea.
Se Hun
SH
Gu
Agency for Defense Development, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, Republic of Korea.
Seong Tae
ST
Jeong
Department of Microbiology, College of Medicine, Institute for Viral Diseases, Korea University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
Man-Seong
MS
Park
168th Multifunctional Medical Battalion, 65th Medical Brigade, Unit 15247, 5th Medical Detachment, Yongsan Army Garrison, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
Heung-Chul
HC
Kim
65th Medical Brigade, Unit 15281, Public Health Command District-Korea, Yongsan Army Garrison, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
Terry A
TA
Klein
Department of Microbiology, College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
Jin-Won
JW
Song
D000818:Animals; D014644:Genetic Variation; D016679:Genome, Viral; D055106:Genome-Wide Association Study; D018063:Hantaan virus / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics*; D006480:Hemorrhagic Fever with Renal Syndrome / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000821:virology; D008168:Lung / Q000821:virology; D051189:Murinae / Q000821:virology*; D010802:Phylogeny; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000235:genetics*; D016865:Reassortant Viruses / Q000235:genetics*; D056910:Republic of Korea / Q000453:epidemiology
D012367:RNA, Viral