A Morbillivirus that Caused Fatal Fisease in Horses and Humans

1995757 citationsJournal Article

Authors

Keith E. Murray · Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness

Paul Selleck · Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness

Peter Hooper · Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness

Alex D. Hyatt · Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness

Allan R. Gould · Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness

Laurie Gleeson · Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness

H. A. Westbury

Abstract

A morbillivirus has been isolated and added to an increasing list of emerging viral diseases. This virus caused an outbreak of fatal respiratory disease in horses and humans. Genetic analyses show it to be only distantly related to the classic morbilliviruses rinderpest, measles, and canine distemper. When seen by electron microscopy, viruses had 10- and 18-nanometer surface projections that gave them a "double-fringed" appearance. The virus induced syncytia that developed in the endothelium of blood vessels, particularly the lungs.

Topics & Keywords

Viral Infections and Vectors Animal Virus Infections Studies Vector-Borne Animal Diseases

UN Sustainable Development Goals

Good health and well-being

Publication Details

Published in: Science

Volume 268, Issue 5207, pp. 94-97

DOI: 10.1126/science.7701348

Field-Weighted Citation Impact: 13.41