Characterization of Fort Morgan Virus, an Alphavirus of the Western Equine Encephalitis Virus Complex in an Unusual Ecosystem

Charles H. Calisher Vector-Borne Diseases Division, Bureau of Laboratories, Center for Disease Control (CDC), Public Health Service (PHS), U.S. Department of Health, Education, and Welfare (USDHEW), Post Office Box 2087, Pathology Division, Bureau of Laboratories, CDC, PHS, USDHEW, Fort Collins, Colorado 80522

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Thomas P. Monath Vector-Borne Diseases Division, Bureau of Laboratories, Center for Disease Control (CDC), Public Health Service (PHS), U.S. Department of Health, Education, and Welfare (USDHEW), Post Office Box 2087, Pathology Division, Bureau of Laboratories, CDC, PHS, USDHEW, Fort Collins, Colorado 80522

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David J. Muth Vector-Borne Diseases Division, Bureau of Laboratories, Center for Disease Control (CDC), Public Health Service (PHS), U.S. Department of Health, Education, and Welfare (USDHEW), Post Office Box 2087, Pathology Division, Bureau of Laboratories, CDC, PHS, USDHEW, Fort Collins, Colorado 80522

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John S. Lazuick Vector-Borne Diseases Division, Bureau of Laboratories, Center for Disease Control (CDC), Public Health Service (PHS), U.S. Department of Health, Education, and Welfare (USDHEW), Post Office Box 2087, Pathology Division, Bureau of Laboratories, CDC, PHS, USDHEW, Fort Collins, Colorado 80522

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Dennis W. Trent Vector-Borne Diseases Division, Bureau of Laboratories, Center for Disease Control (CDC), Public Health Service (PHS), U.S. Department of Health, Education, and Welfare (USDHEW), Post Office Box 2087, Pathology Division, Bureau of Laboratories, CDC, PHS, USDHEW, Fort Collins, Colorado 80522

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D. Bruce Francy Vector-Borne Diseases Division, Bureau of Laboratories, Center for Disease Control (CDC), Public Health Service (PHS), U.S. Department of Health, Education, and Welfare (USDHEW), Post Office Box 2087, Pathology Division, Bureau of Laboratories, CDC, PHS, USDHEW, Fort Collins, Colorado 80522

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Graham E. Kemp Vector-Borne Diseases Division, Bureau of Laboratories, Center for Disease Control (CDC), Public Health Service (PHS), U.S. Department of Health, Education, and Welfare (USDHEW), Post Office Box 2087, Pathology Division, Bureau of Laboratories, CDC, PHS, USDHEW, Fort Collins, Colorado 80522

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Francis W. Chandler Vector-Borne Diseases Division, Bureau of Laboratories, Center for Disease Control (CDC), Public Health Service (PHS), U.S. Department of Health, Education, and Welfare (USDHEW), Post Office Box 2087, Pathology Division, Bureau of Laboratories, CDC, PHS, USDHEW, Fort Collins, Colorado 80522

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DOI:
https://doi.org/10.4269/ajtmh.1980.29.1428
Volume/Issue:
Volume 29: Issue 6
Page(s):
1428–1440
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An alphavirus isolated from nestling Cliff Swallows (Petrochelidon pyrrhonota) and House Sparrows (Passer domesticus) and from cimicid bugs (Oeciacus vicarius) in eastern Colorado, for which we propose the name Fort Morgan (FM) virus, is sensitive to the action of sodium deoxycholate, unstable at pH 2.0–4.0, and demonstrates no characteristics of temperature-sensitive mutants. Unpassaged field strains are nonpathogenic, or of low pathogenicity, for suckling mice; however, plaque-purified FM virus is pathogenic for a variety of laboratory hosts. By hemagglutination-inhibition (HI), complement-fixation, and neutralization tests, cross-reactions were observed between FM virus and members of the western equine encephalitis (WEE) virus antigenic complex. Short-incubation HI tests indicated that the new isolate shared closer antigenic relationships with WEE complex virus strains from the eastern United States (Highlands J virus) than with other WEE complex viruses. On the basis of these serological findings, as well as characterization of the structural polypeptides and oligonucleotides, we suggest that FM is a distinct virus belonging to the WEE antigenic complex. A reconsideration of the taxonomy of the WEE complex and discussion of the epizoologic significance of FM virus are presented.

Author Notes

Copyright:
Copyright © 1980 by The American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene 1980
Accepted:
08 Mar 1980
|
Published Online:
Nov 1980
Cover The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene
The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene
Print ISSN:
0002-9637
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