Characterization of Leanyer virus: resemblance to Bunyavirus.

The properties of Leanyer virus, isolated in Northern Australia in 1974, were compared with those of Bunyamwera virus. Leanyer virus replicated in BHK-21 and Vero cells. In sucrose gradients it had a density of 1.17 g/cm3 and sedimented with the same s value as Bunyamwera virus. The diameter of negatively stained virions was approximately 110 nm. Three species of RNA sedimenting at 30S (L), 26S (M) and 14S (S) and four virion proteins (L, G1, G2, N) were detected in preparations of purified virions. The results were consistent with the classification of Leanyer virus as a member of the family Bunyaviridae, possibly within the Bunyavirus genus.