<i>Hantaviridae</i>: Current Classification and Future Perspectives
Lies Laenen,
Valentijn Vergote,
Charles H. Calisher,
Boris Klempa,
Jonas Klingström,
Jens H. Kuhn,
Piet Maes
Affiliations
Lies Laenen
KU Leuven, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Rega Institute for Medical Research, Zoonotic Infectious Diseases Unit, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
Valentijn Vergote
KU Leuven, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Rega Institute for Medical Research, Zoonotic Infectious Diseases Unit, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
Charles H. Calisher
Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA
Boris Klempa
Biomedical Research Center, Slovak Academy of Sciences, 845 05 Bratislava, Slovakia
Jonas Klingström
Center for Infectious Medicine, Department of Medicine Huddinge, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital, SE-141 86 Stockholm, Sweden
Jens H. Kuhn
Integrated Research Facility at Fort Detrick, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, B-8200 Research Plaza, Frederick, MD 21702, USA
Piet Maes
KU Leuven, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Rega Institute for Medical Research, Zoonotic Infectious Diseases Unit, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
In recent years, negative-sense RNA virus classification and taxon nomenclature have undergone considerable transformation. In 2016, the new order Bunyavirales was established, elevating the previous genus Hantavirus to family rank, thereby creating Hantaviridae. Here we summarize affirmed taxonomic modifications of this family from 2016 to 2019. Changes involve the admission of >30 new hantavirid species and the establishment of subfamilies and novel genera based on DivErsity pArtitioning by hieRarchical Clustering (DEmARC) analysis of genomic sequencing data. We outline an objective framework that can be used in future classification schemes when more hantavirids sequences will be available. Finally, we summarize current taxonomic proposals and problems in hantavirid taxonomy that will have to be addressed shortly.
