Research paperMolecular characterization of Capim and Enseada orthobunyaviruses

- This study features the complete coding sequence and the genetic and morphology characterization of Capim and Enseada orthobunyavirus.
- The current study provides better understanding of the genetic and evolutionary relationship of Capim and Enseada viruses among the orthobunyavirus genus.
- Our analysis reveals novel features among orthobunyaviruses, since Enseada virus contains two putative ORFs for the NSs protein.
- This study provides insight into the genetic diversity and evolution of Orthobunyaviruses.

Capim and Enseada viruses are members of the genus Orthobunyavirus isolated from mosquitoes and mammals in Brazil. Despite seroprevalence studies indicating human infections in Latin America, these viruses remain relatively unknown and unstudied. In order to better understand the genetic and evolutionary relationships among orthobunyaviruses, we sequenced the three genomic segments of Capim and Enseada orthobunyaviruses. Based on phylogenetic analysis, we demonstrated that these viruses depicted two new distinct clades, one represented by Enseada and another composed of Capim virus. In general, the genome organization and genetic traits of these viruses are similar to other orthobunyaviruses however, the open reading frame (ORF) of the putative nonstructural NSs protein of Enseada orthobunyavirus precedes the nucleocapsid ORF. Overall, our study provides details on the molecular characteristics of the prototype species of two groups within the Orthobunyavirus genus, revealing novel features into the genetic diversity and evolution of this genus.