Oropouche virus cases identified in Ecuador using an optimised qRT-PCR informed by metagenomic sequencing

We report the optimisation of an qRT-PCR assay for the Ecuadorian OROV lineage, which subsequently identified a further five cases in a cohort of 196 febrile patients. We isolated OROV via cell culture and developed an algorithmically-de signed primer set for whole-genome amplification of the virus. Metagenomic sequencing of the patient samples provided OROV genome coverage ranging from 68–99%. The additional cases formed a single phylogenetic cluster together with the initial case. OROV should be considered as a differential diag nosis for Ecuadorian patients with febrile illness to avoid mis-diagnosis with other circulating pathogens.

Source: PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases - January 20, 2020 Category: Tropical Medicine Authors: Emma L. Wise Source Type: research