Introduction:
Viruses are small infectious organisms, much smaller than fungi or bacteria, that must enter living cells in order to multiply (replicate). A virus attaches itself to a cell (called a host cell), enters the cell, and releases DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) or RNA (ribonucleic acid) inside the cell. Viral DNA or RNA is the genetic material that contains the information needed to make copies (replication) of the virus. The viral genetic material controls the cell and forces the virus to replicate. Infected cells usually die because the virus prevents them from functioning normally. When it dies, the cell releases new viruses that infect other cells.
What Is Sabia Virus?
Sabia virus is a virus of the Arenaviridae family. Sabia virus infection is also known as Brazilian hemorrhagic fever. Viruses in the Arenaviridae family are commonly spread by rodents, and each virus is associated with one or several closely related rodent species that act as natural hosts for the virus. Rodent species that spread arenaviruses are found in many regions of the world, including Europe, Asia, Africa, and America. In some parts of the world, human arenavirus infections are relatively common and can cause serious illness.
Although only one known case of natural infection with the Sabia virus has been recorded, the virus remains of high interest as at least two laboratory-acquired infections have occurred. The first natural case of the Sabia virus occurred in 1990 in a woman staying in the village of Sabia, a suburb of São Paulo, Brazil. In this case, severe liver damage led doctors to the initial diagnosis of yellow fever. However, this was soon ruled out by a thorough blood test. After the patient's death, the pathogen was identified as a then-unknown arenavirus. However, the virologist responsible for this identification fell ill during the course of the study. Luckily the virologist survived. Four years later, researchers at Yale-New Haven hospital's tropical medicine clinic were exposed to the virus while working under Level 3 biohazard conditions. It appears to have occurred when it entered a broken, spinning centrifuge and released aerosolized virus particles into the air. New world arenaviruses, or families endemic to the Americas, are detected at a rate of approximately one every three years, indicating that Sabia and its cousins are some of the region's most important emerging viruses.
What Are the Causes of Sabia Virus Infection?
Similar to other New World arenaviruses, transmission of the Sabia virus is thought to be via aerosolized virus particles. Close contact with an infected individual or suspected animal host or vector is an important component of Sabia virus transmission and contraction. The animal's habitat is still unknown, but it is found in one rodent around the small village of Sabia. Throughout the history of viruses, laboratory infections have been the main route of transmission, so great care must be taken when working with viruses in the laboratory.
What Are the Symptoms of Sabia Virus Infection?
Due to the small number of people infected with the Sabia virus, future cases may exhibit more elaborate symptoms. The symptoms exhibited in all Sabia infections include conjunctivitis, diarrhea, upper abdominal pain, and bleeding gums. In both cases, which occurred in 1990, symptoms lasted approximately 15 days. However, in the first case, death ceased symptoms while the laboratory technician subsequently recovered. Leukopenia (low white blood cell count), thrombocytopenia (low platelet count), and proteinuria (excessive protein in the urine) were found in all cases, but these are not virus-specific. It appeared that the patient had developed a systemic hemorrhagic fever.
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Early or Mild Symptoms: Fever, headache, loss of appetite, malaise and muscle aches, back pain, nausea or vomiting, diarrhea, dizziness, sore throat, skin hyperesthesia (skin sensitive to touch), rash, and lymphadenopathy (enlarged lymph nodes).
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Heavy Presentation: Hypovolemia (low fluid levels extracellularly), multiple organ failure. Hemorrhagic features, including petechiae, bleeding gums, and bleeding from the gastrointestinal tract or vagina, are also possible.
How Is Sabia Virus Infection Diagnosed?
When discussing Sabiavirus and other New World arenaviruses, one of the most important concerns is its diagnosis. Especially in the early stages, infections by Sabia and its relatives are often indistinguishable from other common viral diseases, including the common pathogen yellow fever. Dengue hemorrhagic fever is also possible if the disease develops hemorrhagic symptoms. Therefore, virological testing is definitely necessary if an arenavirus infection is suspected. New World Arenavirus infection requires prompt diagnosis, as it can be fatal before antibodies (proteins that protect when an unwanted substance enters the body) are detected. Antigen-capture ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay), also known as the sandwich ELISA, remains the preferred diagnostic method.
What Is the Treatment of Sabia Virus Infection?
Like other arenaviruses, Sabiavirus has been shown to respond to treatment with Ribavirin. It is an anti-viral medication that is undoubtedly the most preferred treatment for confirmed cases of Sabia infection. In addition, treatment of symptoms related to dehydration and bleeding is done by doctors. Prevention of bleeding is usually the main concern. This means that fluid intake is carefully monitored to compensate for vascular leakage and edema.
What Are the Complications of Sabia Virus Infection?
Most patients improve after 1 to 2 weeks, but about one-third of untreated infections may become severe and life-threatening. If left untreated, mortality can be up to 30 percent. Reduced to one to two percent with convalescent plasma transfusion and treatment of any hemorrhage.
Conclusion:
Arenaviruses are a group of RNA viruses, some of which can cause the fatal febrile hemorrhagic syndrome. In humans, these viruses are usually transmitted by contact with the feces of infected rodents. Laboratory or nosocomial infections have occasionally been reported. Sabiavirus is an arenavirus first isolated in 1990 in São Paulo, Brazil. It is known that this arenavirus circulates in Brazil and can cause hemorrhagic fever in humans. However, little is known about the virus’ biology and ecology. So timely diagnosis, intervention, and supportive care may lead to better outcomes for this rare viral condition.
