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Emergence and molecular evolution of Tacaribe virus as a human pathogen

Award Number: R21AI203050
ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF ALLERGY & INFECTIOUS DISEASES
OPDIV: NIH
AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY
AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 09/02/2026
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 08/31/2028

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Emergence and molecular evolution of Tacaribe virus as a human pathogen - Abstract Tacaribe virus (TCRV), a Mammarenavirus, was initially identified in bats in Trinidad and Tobago in 1956. More recently, its presence in the U.S. was confirmed in 2012 with its isolation from Amblyomma americanum ticks in a Florida state park. Recent surveillance studies for febrile illnesses in Peru led to a significant finding: TCRV was isolated from the serum of two patients experiencing acute undifferentiated febrile illness (AUFI). While one patient recovered from the infection, the outcome for the second patient remains uncertain. Comprehensive genome sequencing analyses of these Peruvian human TCRV isolates revealed seven amino acid substitutions compared to the prototype TCRV isolate from Trinidad and Tobago, with three of these critical changes occurring in the glycoprotein (GP). This proposal seeks to examine experimentally the in vitro host range of TCRV and its potentially hidden prevalence in Peru. Specifically, we will determine if the virus has adapted to use the human transferrin receptor 1 (hTfR1) for cell entry, a mechanism implicated in the human disease potential of other clade B Mammarenaviruses. Furthermore, utilizing our existing collaboration with investigators at the United States Naval Medical Research SOUTH (NAMRU SOUTH) laboratory, we will assess the prevalence of TCRV in febrile patients from Peru. We hypothesize that the specific mutations in TCRV’s GP have enabled the virus to use hTfR1 as a receptor, thereby expanding its host range to humans, leading to an increase in AUFI cases in Peru over the past years. To test this, we will pursue two aims: 1) Establish the prevalence of TCRV infection among patients diagnosed with AUFI in the Peruvian Amazon, between 2020-2025, and 2) Investigate the viral host range, replication characteristics, and hTfR1 usage of historical and recent human TCRV isolates. This project is expected to generate critical insights into TCRV’s emergence. Given the presence of TCRV in the U.S., understanding the factors driving its emergence is essential for developing strategies to prevent future TCRV infections and mitigate its public health impact.


Issue Date FY	Funding FY	Legal Entity Name	Legal Entity Address	Legal Entity City	Legal Entity State	Legal Entity Zip Code	Legal Entity COUNTY	Legal Entity COUNTRY	Assistance Listing	Award Code	Budget Year	Action Date	Action Type	Action Amount

Issue Date FY: 2026 ( Subtotal = $243,704 )
2026	2026	UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS MEDICAL BRANCH AT GALVESTON	301 UNIVERSITY BLVD	GALVESTON	TX	77555	GALVESTON	USA	Allergy and Infectious Diseases Research	000	1	9/2/2026	NEW	$243,704
														Subtotal = $243,704

Grand Total All Awards = $243,704

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Emergence and molecular evolution of Tacaribe virus as a human pathogen

Award Number: R21AI203050

ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF ALLERGY & INFECTIOUS DISEASES

OPDIV: NIH

AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY

AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 09/02/2026

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 08/31/2028

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