Distinct Biological and Epidemiological Features of Old World and New World Arenaviruses

Abstract

Dear Sir,

The Arenaviridae family comprises a diverse group of enveloped, bisegmented, negative-sense RNA viruses that establish persistent infections in rodent hosts and occasionally transmit zoonotically to humans [1-2]. Arenavirus infections range from mild febrile illness to severe hemorrhagic fever with high mortality. Based on geographic distribution, genetic relationships, and antigenic properties, arenaviruses are classified into Old World (OW) and New World (NW) groups. Although recent genomic studies have refined taxonomic placement within the Bunyavirales order [1, 3–5], the OW/NW distinction remains epidemiologically and clinically relevant.