Andes virus: Difference between revisions

Latest revision as of 14:15, 21 February 2025

Andes virus

The Andes virus is a species of hantavirus that is endemic to South America. It is known for causing Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS), a severe respiratory disease in humans. The virus is named after the Andes mountain range, where it was first identified.

Virology[edit]

The Andes virus belongs to the Hantaviridae family, which is part of the order Bunyavirales. It is an enveloped virus with a single-stranded, negative-sense RNA genome. The genome is segmented into three parts: the small (S), medium (M), and large (L) segments, which encode the nucleocapsid protein, glycoproteins, and RNA-dependent RNA polymerase, respectively.

Transmission[edit]

The primary reservoir of the Andes virus is the long-tailed pygmy rice rat (Oligoryzomys longicaudatus), which is found in the southern regions of South America. The virus is transmitted to humans through inhalation of aerosolized particles from rodent excreta, such as urine, droppings, or saliva. Unlike other hantaviruses, the Andes virus is also capable of human-to-human transmission, which has been documented in several outbreaks.

Clinical Features[edit]

Infection with the Andes virus can lead to Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, which is characterized by flu-like symptoms that can rapidly progress to severe respiratory distress. Early symptoms include fever, muscle aches, and fatigue, followed by cough and shortness of breath. The disease can be fatal, with a mortality rate of approximately 30-40%.

Diagnosis[edit]

Diagnosis of Andes virus infection is typically confirmed through serological tests that detect specific antibodies or through molecular techniques such as RT-PCR that identify viral RNA in patient samples. Early diagnosis is crucial for effective management of the disease.

Treatment and Prevention[edit]

There is no specific antiviral treatment for Andes virus infection. Supportive care, including oxygen therapy and mechanical ventilation, is the mainstay of treatment for patients with severe respiratory symptoms. Preventive measures focus on reducing exposure to rodent reservoirs and include rodent control, proper sanitation, and public health education.

Epidemiology[edit]

The Andes virus is primarily found in Argentina and Chile, with sporadic cases reported in neighboring countries. Outbreaks are often associated with increased rodent populations, which can be influenced by environmental factors such as climate and food availability.

Related pages[edit]

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-Andes Virus
+Andes virus
-The '''Andes virus''' is a species of hantavirus, a group of viruses that are known to cause hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS) in humans. It is named after the Andes mountain range in South America, where it was first identified. The virus is primarily found in Argentina and Chile, and it is unique among hantaviruses because it can be transmitted from person to person.
+The '''Andes virus''' is a species of [[hantavirus]] that is endemic to South America. It is known for causing [[Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome]] (HPS), a severe respiratory disease in humans. The virus is named after the Andes mountain range, where it was first identified.
 == Virology ==
+The Andes virus belongs to the [[Hantaviridae]] family, which is part of the order [[Bunyavirales]]. It is an enveloped virus with a single-stranded, negative-sense RNA genome. The genome is segmented into three parts: the small (S), medium (M), and large (L) segments, which encode the nucleocapsid protein, glycoproteins, and RNA-dependent RNA polymerase, respectively.
-Andes virus is an enveloped virus with a single-stranded, negative-sense RNA genome. It belongs to the family [[Hantaviridae]] and the genus [[Orthohantavirus]]. The genome of the Andes virus is segmented into three parts: the small (S), medium (M), and large (L) segments, which encode the nucleocapsid protein, glycoproteins, and RNA-dependent RNA polymerase, respectively.
 == Transmission ==
+[[File:Raton_colilarga.jpg|thumb|right|The long-tailed pygmy rice rat (''Oligoryzomys longicaudatus'') is a primary reservoir of the Andes virus.]]
+The primary reservoir of the Andes virus is the [[long-tailed pygmy rice rat]] (''Oligoryzomys longicaudatus''), which is found in the southern regions of South America. The virus is transmitted to humans through inhalation of aerosolized particles from rodent excreta, such as urine, droppings, or saliva. Unlike other hantaviruses, the Andes virus is also capable of human-to-human transmission, which has been documented in several outbreaks.
-The primary reservoir for the Andes virus is the long-tailed pygmy rice rat (*Oligoryzomys longicaudatus*). Humans can become infected through contact with the urine, droppings, or saliva of infected rodents, or by inhaling aerosolized particles containing the virus. Unlike other hantaviruses, Andes virus can also be transmitted from person to person, particularly in close-contact settings.
+== Clinical Features ==
+Infection with the Andes virus can lead to [[Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome]], which is characterized by flu-like symptoms that can rapidly progress to severe respiratory distress. Early symptoms include fever, muscle aches, and fatigue, followed by cough and shortness of breath. The disease can be fatal, with a mortality rate of approximately 30-40%.
-== Clinical Manifestations ==
-Infection with the Andes virus can lead to hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS), a severe respiratory disease characterized by:
-* Fever
-* Muscle aches
-* Fatigue
-* Shortness of breath
-* Cough
-The disease can progress rapidly, leading to respiratory failure and, in some cases, death. The case fatality rate for HPS caused by Andes virus is approximately 30-40%.
 == Diagnosis ==
+Diagnosis of Andes virus infection is typically confirmed through serological tests that detect specific antibodies or through molecular techniques such as [[RT-PCR]] that identify viral RNA in patient samples. Early diagnosis is crucial for effective management of the disease.
-Diagnosis of Andes virus infection is typically confirmed through serological tests that detect specific antibodies or through molecular techniques such as reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) that identify viral RNA in blood or tissue samples.
 == Treatment and Prevention ==
+There is no specific antiviral treatment for Andes virus infection. Supportive care, including oxygen therapy and mechanical ventilation, is the mainstay of treatment for patients with severe respiratory symptoms. Preventive measures focus on reducing exposure to rodent reservoirs and include rodent control, proper sanitation, and public health education.
-There is no specific antiviral treatment for Andes virus infection. Supportive care, including oxygen therapy and mechanical ventilation, is the mainstay of treatment for patients with severe respiratory symptoms. Prevention strategies focus on reducing exposure to rodent reservoirs and include:
-* Sealing homes to prevent rodent entry
-* Keeping food in rodent-proof containers
-* Using traps to reduce rodent populations
 == Epidemiology ==
+The Andes virus is primarily found in Argentina and Chile, with sporadic cases reported in neighboring countries. Outbreaks are often associated with increased rodent populations, which can be influenced by environmental factors such as climate and food availability.
-Andes virus is endemic to the southern regions of South America, particularly in Argentina and Chile. Outbreaks have been associated with increased rodent populations, often linked to environmental changes such as heavy rainfall or agricultural activities.
+== Related pages ==
+* [[Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome]]
-== Also see ==
+* [[Hantavirus]]
+* [[Bunyavirales]]
-* [[Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome]]
-* [[Hantaviridae]]
-* [[Orthohantavirus]]
-* [[Zoonosis]]
-{{Virus-stub}}
 [[Category:Hantaviruses]]
-[[Category:Zoonotic viruses]]
-[[Category:Infectious diseases]]