Virus Isolations from Human Cases of Hemorrhagic Fever in Bolivia

Abstract

Five serologically similar virus strains were recovered in San Joaquin, Bolivia, in 1963 from humans suffering from a newly recognized febrile disease with hemor-rhagic manifestations. Three isolates were from splenic tissue obtained at autopsy and 2 from blood specimens taken from acutely ill patients. The prototype strain (Carvallo) was pathogenic for newborn mice and hamsters, produced cytopathic effects in WI-26 cell cultures and plaques in MA-111 cell cultures, was inactivated by chloroform, and was estimated to be 180 mμ or less in size. It was nearly indistinguishable from Junin and Tacaribe viruses by complement fixation test, but completely distinct from these agents by neutralization test. It is proposed that these strains collectively be named Ma-chupo Virus. © 1965, SAGE Publications. All rights reserved.