Emergence of divergent Zaire ebola virus strains in Democratic Republic of the Congo in 2007 and 2008.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Zaire ebolavirus was responsible for 2 outbreaks in Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), in 1976 and 1995. The virus reemerged in DRC 12 years later, causing 2 successive outbreaks in the Luebo region, Kasai Occidental province, in 2007 and 2008.

Methods

Viruses of each outbreak were isolated and the full-length genomes were characterized. Phylogenetic analysis was then undertaken to characterize the relationships with previously described viruses.

Results

The 2 Luebo viruses are nearly identical but are not related to lineage A viruses known in DRC or to descendants of the lineage B viruses encountered in the Gabon-Republic of the Congo area, with which they do, however, share a common ancestor.

Conclusions

Our findings strongly suggest that the

SUBMITTER: Grard G 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3218671 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature