The isolation of Meaban virus, a new Flavivirus from the seabird tick Ornithodoros (Alectorobius) maritimus in France

Arch Virol. 1985;83(3-4):129-40. doi: 10.1007/BF01309911.

Abstract

Seven strains of a new Flavivirus, for which the name of Meaban virus is proposed, were isolated from the seabird tick Ornithodoros (A.) maritimus collected during 1981 and 1982 in nests of herring gulls (Larus argentatus) on islands of South Brittany, France. The new virus was compared serologically with 65 other flaviviruses including Tyuleniy virus and was found to be most closely related to, but different from Saumarez Reef virus, an agent previously isolated in Australia and Tasmania. Some general properties of Meaban virus are described and its antigenic relationships with other tick-borne flaviviruses associated with seabirds are discussed.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antigens, Viral / immunology
  • Complement Fixation Tests
  • Flavivirus / classification
  • Flavivirus / immunology
  • Flavivirus / isolation & purification*
  • Flavivirus / ultrastructure
  • France
  • Hemagglutination Inhibition Tests
  • Meningoencephalitis / etiology
  • Mice
  • Microscopy, Electron
  • Neutralization Tests
  • Ticks / microbiology*
  • Togaviridae Infections / microbiology

Substances

  • Antigens, Viral