Citrus leprosis disease

CiLV-N has short, rod-shaped particles, 120 to 130 nanometers (nm) long and 35 to 40 nm wide, occurring in the nucleus or cytoplasm of the infected cells, and associated with the presence of viroplasm in the nucleus.{{cite journal|last1=Kitajima|first1=E. W.|last2=Müller|first2=G. W.|last3=Costa|first3=A. S.|last4=Yuki|first4=W.|title=Short, rodlike particles associated with citrus leprosis|journal=Virology|date=1972|volume=50|issue=1|pages=254–258|doi=10.1016/0042-6822(72)90366-2|pmid=4117125}} The CiLV-N genome is a bipartite, negative-sense, single stranded RNA ((-)ssRNA). Both RNAs have 3'-terminal poly(A) tails. CiLV-N RNA1 (6,268 nucleotides (nt)) contains five Open Reading Frames (ORF) encoding the nucleocapsid protein (N), putative phosphoprotein (P), cell-to-cell movement protein (MP), matrix protein (M), and glycoprotein (G). CiLV-N RNA2 (5,847 nt) contains one ORF encoding the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) replication module. The size and structure of the CiLV-N genome closely resembles the genome organization of Orchid fleck virus (OFV){{cite journal|last1=Roy|first1=A.|last2=Stone|first2=A.|last3=Otero-Colina|first3=G.|last4=Wei|first4=G.|last5=Choudhary|first5=N.|last6=Achor|first6=D.|last7=Shao|first7=J.|last8=Levy|first8=L.|last9=Nakhla|first9=M.K|last10=Hollingsworth|first10=C.R|last11=Hartung|first11=J.S.|last12=Schneider|first12=W.L.|last13=Brlansky|first13=R.H.|title=Genome assembly of Citrus leprosis virus nuclear type reveals a close association with orchid fleck virus|journal=Genome Announcements|date=2013|volume=1|issue=4|page=e00519–e613|doi=10.1128/genomea.00519-13|pmid=23887919|pmc=3735072}} and is likely to be a member of the newly proposed genus Dichorhavirus.

CiLV-C has short, membrane-bound bacilliform particles, 120 to 130 nm long and 50 to 55 wide; it is found in the endoplasmic reticulum in the cytoplasm of infected cells, and large electron dense viroplasm is observed in the cytoplasm.{{cite journal|last1=Kitajima|first1=E.W.|last2=Chagas|first2=C.M.|last3=Rodrigues|first3=J.C.V|title=Brevipalpus transmitted plant virus and virus-like diseases: cytopathology and some recent cases|journal=Exp. Appl. Acarol.|date=2003|volume=30|issue=1–3|pages=135–160|doi=10.1023/b:appa.0000006546.55305.e3|pmid=14756414|s2cid=45072508}} CiLV-C has a bipartite, positive-sense, single stranded, RNA ((+)ssRNA) genome. Both RNAs had 3'-terminal poly(A) tails. CiLV-C RNA1 (8,729 to 8,730 nt) contains two ORFs, encoding a 286 kilodaltons (kDa) polyprotein, putatively involved in virus replication, with four conserved domains: methyltransferase, protease, helicase, and RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp); and a 29 kDa protein, of unknown function. CiLV-C RNA2 (4,969 to 4,975 nt) contains four ORFs, encoding 15, 61, 32, and 24 kDa proteins. The 32-kDa protein is apparently involved in cell-to-cell movement of the virus (MP), but none of the other proteins showed any conserved protein domain.{{cite journal|last1=Locali-Fabris|first1=E.C.|last2=Freitas-Astu|first2=J|last3=Souza|first3=A A|last4=Takita|first4=M.A.|last5=Astua-Monge|first5=G.|last6=Antonioli-Luizon|first6=R|last7=Rodrigues|first7=V.|last8=Targon|first8=M.L.P.N.|last9=Machado|first9=M.A.|title=Complete nucleotide sequence, genomic organization and phylogenetic analysis of Citrus leprosis virus cytoplasmatic type|journal=J. Gen. Virol.|date=2006|volume=87|issue=9|pages=2721–2729|doi=10.1099/vir.0.82038-0|pmid=16894213|doi-access=free}}{{cite journal|last1=Pascon|first1=R.C.|last2=Kitajima|first2=J.P.|last3=Breton|first3=M.C.|last4=Assumpcao|first4=L.|last5=Greggio|first5=C.|last6=Zanca|first6=A.S.|last7=Okura|first7=V.K.|last8=Alegria|first8=M.C.|last9=Camargo|first9=M.E.|last10=Silva|first10=G.G.|last11=Cardozo|first11=J.C.|last12=Vallim|first12=M.A.|last13=Franco|first13=S.F.|last14=Silva|first14=V.H.|last15=Junior|first15=H.J.|last16=Oliveira|first16=F.|last17=Giachetto|first17=P.F.|last18=Ferrari|first18=F.|last19=Aguilar-Vildoso|first19=C.I.|last20=Franchiscini|first20=F.J.B.|last21=Silva|first21=J.M.F.|last22=Arruda|first22=P.|last23=Ferro|first23=J.A.|last24=Reinach|first24=F.|last25=Silva|first25=A.C.R.|title=The complete nucleotide sequence and genomic arganization of Citrus leprosis associated virus, cytoplasmatic type (CiLVC)|journal=Virus Genes|date=2006|volume=32|issue=3|pages=289–298|doi=10.1007/s11262-005-6913-1|pmid=16732481|s2cid=22217705}}

CiLV-C2 is associated with short bacilliform virions, 100 to 110 nm long and 40 to 50 nm wide{{cite journal|last1=Roy|first1=A.|last2=Choudhary|first2=N.|last3=Guillermo|first3=L.M.|last4=Shao|first4=J.|last5=Govindarajulo|first5=A.|last6=Anchor|first6=D.|last7=Wei|first7=G.|last8=Picton|first8=D.D.|last9=Levy|first9=L.|last10=Nakhla|first10=M.K.|last11=Hartung|first11=J.S.|last12=Brlansky|first12=R.H.|title=A novel virus of the genus Cilevirus causing symptoms similar of citrus leprosis|journal=Phytopathology|date=2006|volume=103|issue=5|pages=488–500|pmid=23268581|doi=10.1094/PHYTO-07-12-0177-R|doi-access=}} The genome of CiLV-C2 is composed of RNA1 (8,717) and RNA2 (4,989 nt). Both RNAs also had 3'-terminal poly(A) tails. The structure of the CiLV-C2 genome closely resembles the genome organization of CiLV-C. CiLV-C2 RNA1 have two ORFs encoding a large polyprotein (285 kDa), putative involve in virus replication, with five conserved domains (two methyltransferase, protease, helicase and RdRp); and a putative coat protein (CP) of 29 kDa. CiLV-C2 RNA2 contains five ORFs that potentially encoded five proteins: 15, 7, 61, 32, and 24 kDa, similar to those predicted protein masses for CiLV-C. The 32 kDa protein has a conserved cell-to-cell movement protein domain, and the small hypothetical protein (7 kDa), that is not present in CiLV-C, has a putative trans-membrane domain.

CiLV-N probably belongs to the proposed genus Dichorhavirus, related to the family Rhabdoviridae, which has Orchid fleck virus (OFV) as the type member.{{cite journal|last1=Kondo|first1=H|last2=Maeda|first2=T|last3=Shirako|first3=Y|last4=Tamada|first4=T|title=Orchid fleck virus is a rhabdovirus with an unusual bipartite genome|journal=Journal of General Virology|date=2006|volume=87|issue=Pt 8|pages=2413–2421|doi=10.1099/vir.0.81811-0|pmid=16847138|doi-access=free}} CiLV-C is the type member of the new accepted genus Cilevirus.{{cite journal|last1=Locali-Fabris|first1=E.C.|last2=Freitas-Astúa|first2=J.|last3=Machado|first3=M.A.|title=Genus Cilevirus|journal=Virus Taxonomy: Classification and Nomenclature of Viruses: Ninth Rep. Int. Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses. Elsevier, San Diego, CA.|date=2012|pages=1139–1142}} CiLV-C2 has been proposed as a new member of the genus Cilevirus.

File:Flat mite, Brevipalpus phoenicis.jpg carries the Leprosis Citrus leprosis disease, a disease currently in South America but moving North]]

CiLV-N, CiLV-C, and CiLV-C2 are transmitted by false spider mites or flat mites, belonging to the genus Brevipalpus (Acari: Tenuipalpidae). Three mites species within this genus have been reported as CiLV vectors: B. californicus Banks, B. obovatus Donnadieu, and B. phoenicis Geijskes, the latter is considered the main vector.{{cite journal|last1=Bastianel|first1=M.|last2=Noveli|first2=V.M.|last3=Kubo|first3=K.S.|last4=Kitajima|first4=E.M.|last5=Bassanezi|first5=R.|last6=Machado|first6=M.A.|last7=Freitas-Astúa|first7=J.|title=Citrus leprosis:centennial of an unusual mite-virus pathosystem|journal=Plant Disease|volume=94|issue=3|pages=284–292|doi=10.1094/pdis-94-3-0284|pmid=30754248|year=2010|doi-access=}} The three mites species have a broad host range and are widely distributed.{{cite journal|last1=Childers|first1=C.C.|last2=Rodrigues|first2=J.C.V.|last3=Welbourn|first3=W.C.|title=Host plants of Brevipalpus californicus, B. obovatus, and B. phoenisis (Acari:Tenuipalpidae) and their potential involvement in the spread of one or more viral disease vectored by these mites|journal=Experimental and Applied Acarology|date=2003|volume=30|issue=1–3|pages=29–105|doi=10.1023/b:appa.0000006544.10072.01|pmid=14756412|s2cid=29730760}} All active stages of the mite (larvae, nymph, and adult) can acquire and transmit the virus,{{cite journal|last1=Chiavegato|first1=L.|title=Aspectos biológicos e transmissao de leprose pelo acaro Brevipalpus phoenicis Geijskes em citros|journal=Laranja|date=1996|volume=17 | issue = 1 |pages=229–235}} although it has been reported that larvae transmit the virus more efficiently.{{cite journal|last1=Chagas|first1=M|last2=Rosseti|first2=V|last3=Chiavegato|first3=L|title=Influence of the biological cycle of Brevipalpus phoenicis on leprosis transmission|journal=Annals IX Conference of the International Organization of Citrus Virologists. Riverside, CA|date=1983|page=69}} It is known that there is no transovarial transmission from female to its descendants,{{cite journal|last1=Boaretto|first1=M.A.C.|last2=Chiavegato|first2=L:G|last3=Silva|first3=C:A:D|title=Transmissao da leprose através de fêmeas de Brevipalpus phoenicis (Geijskes, 1939) (Acari: Tenuipalpidae) e de seus descendentes, em condiçoes de laboratório.|journal=Científica, Sao Paulo|date=1993|volume=21|issue=2|pages=245–253}} and that after acquisition (an acquisition access period of 2 days), the mite remains viruliferous during entire life-span (persistent transmission), but it is not clear if the virus replicates inside the vector.

CiLV produces localized symptoms in leaves, stems, and fruits. In leaves, characteristic lesions are often circular (from {{convert|5 to 12|mm|in|frac=32}} in diameter), chlorotic or necrotic, colored light yellow to dark brown. In older lesions, a darker central point can also be observed.{{cite journal|last1=Bastianel|first1=M|last2=Freitas-Astúa|first2=J|last3=Kitajima|first3=E.W.|last4=Machado|first4=M.A|title=The citrus leprosis pathosystem|journal=Summa Phytopathologica|date=2006|volume=32|issue=3|pages=211–220|doi=10.1590/s0100-54052006000300001 |doi-access=free}} In young stems, lesions are small, chlorotic and shallow; with time they become darker brown or reddish and prominent. In old stems lesions can join together and appearing larger. In fruits, dark and depressed lesions are found in large numbers and affecting only the external part.{{cite journal|last1=Rodrigues|first1=J.C.V.|last2=Kitajima|first2=E.W.|last3=Childers|first3=C.C|last4=Chagas|first4=C.M.|title=Citrus leprosis virus vectored by Brevipalpus Phoenisis (Acari: Tenuipalpirae) on citrus in Brazil|journal=Experimental and Applied Acarology|date=2003|volume=30|issue=1–3|pages=161–179|doi=10.1023/b:appa.0000006547.76802.6e|pmid=14756415|s2cid=13542435}} Commercial losses result from undesirable appearance and fruits falling. Some differences in symptoms produced by CiLV-C and CiLV-N have been reported; in leaves and fruits, lesions caused by the nuclear type are smaller and more numerous than those caused by the cytoplasmic type. Lesions caused by CiLV-C shows additional halos, making them look larger.{{cite journal|last1=Kitajima|first1=E.W.|last2=Ferrereira|first2=P.T.O|last3=Freitas-Astúa|first3=J|last4=Machado|first4=M.A|title=Ocorrencia da leprose dos citros, tipo nuclear (CiLV-N) nos municipios paulistas de Montealegre do Sul e Amparo|journal=Summa Phythopathologica|date=2004|volume=30|page=68}}{{cite journal|last1=Marques|first1=J.P.R.|last2=Kitajima|first2=E.W.|last3=Freitas-Atúa|first3=J.|last4=Appezzato-Da-Gloria|first4=B|title=Comparative morpho-anatomical studies of the lesion caused by citrus leprosis virus on sweet orange|journal=Anais da Academia Brasileira de Ciências|date=2010|volume=82|issue=2|pages=501–511|doi=10.1590/s0001-37652010000200025|pmid=20563430|doi-access=free}}

This disease is considered an important problem in citriculture in countries where it has been established, and is considered the major viral disease in citrus in Brazil. Damage by leprosis in plants and in orange production has caused an annual cost of approximately US$90 million for miticides to control the disease, this represents about 40% of fertilizer and pesticide expenses and about 16% of the total costs of a grove.{{cite web|last1=Ayres|first1=A|title=Citrus disease control in Brazil|url=http://www.fao.org/docrep/003/X6732E/x6732e10.htm#Note1|website=www.fao.org|accessdate=29 November 2014}} Because of its widespread occurrence and potential for high damage, the disease can cause 100% yield losses, depending on the susceptibility of the citrus variety, isolate and control of the vector.{{cite book|last1=Rodrigues|first1=J.C.V|title=The relationships among the pathogen, vector and plant in the citrus leprosis system. PhD dissertation|date=2000|publisher=Sao Paulo University|location=Piracicaba, SP, Brazil}} Because CL is considered a quarantine disease, international marketing is restricted to those regions where the disease is not reported.{{cite journal|last1=Leon|first1=G|title=Current status of the Citrus leprosis virus (CiLV-C) and its vector Brevipalpus phoenicis (Geijskes)|journal=Agronomia Colombiana|date=2012|volume=30|issue=2|pages=242–250}}

CiLV-C was long considered restricted to the genus Citrus, where species exhibit different grades of susceptibility, with sweet oranges (Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck) being highly susceptible, mandarins (C. reticulata Blanco) and grapefruits (C. paradisi Macfad.) moderately susceptible, and lemons (C. limon (L.) Osbeck) practically immune. Nevertheless, CiLV-C was also found naturally infecting non-Citrus species as Swinglea glutinosa Merr., used as hedgerows around citrus orchards in Villavicencio, Colombia,{{cite journal|last1=León|first1=G.A.|last2=Becerra|first2=C.H.|last3=Freitas-Astúa|first3=J.|last4=Salaroli|first4=R.B.|last5=Kitajima|first5=E.W.|title=Natural infection of Swinglea glutinosa by the Citrus leprosis virus, citoplsmatic type (CiLV-C) in Colombia|journal=Plant Disease|date=2008|volume=92|issue=9|page=1364|doi=10.1094/pdis-92-9-1364c|pmid=30769432|doi-access=}} and Commelina benghalensis L., a weed present in citrus orchards in Brazil.{{cite journal|last1=Nunes|first1=M.A.|last2=Bergamini|first2=M.P.|last3=Coerini|first3=L.F.|last4=Bastianel|first4=M.|last5=Novelli|first5=V.M.|last6=Kitajima|first6=E.W.|last7=Freitas-Astúa|first7=J.|title=Citrus leprosis virus C naturally infecting Commelina benghalensis, a prevalent monocot weed of citrus orchards in Brazil|journal=Plant Disease|date=2012|volume=96|issue=5|page=770|doi=10.1094/pdis-11-11-0925-pdn|pmid=30727543|doi-access=}} Mechanical transmission experiments have shown that CiLV-C could be transmitted to other species, causing localized lesions,{{cite journal|last1=Colariccio|first1=A.|last2=Lovisolo|first2=O.|last3=Chagas|first3=C.M.|last4=Galleti|first4=S.R.|last5=Rossetti|first5=V.|last6=Kitajima|first6=E.W.|title=Mechanical transmission and ultrastructural aspects of citrus leprosis disease|journal=Fitopatol. Bras.|date=1995|volume=20|pages=208–213}} and it also can be mite transmitted to a quite wide range of experimental plant species.{{cite journal|last1=Nunes|first1=M.A.|last2=Oliveira|first2=C.A.|last3=Oliveira|first3=M.L.|last4=Kitajima|first4=E.W.|last5=Hilf|first5=M.E.|last6=Gottwald|first6=R.T.|last7=Freitas-Astúa|first7=J.|title=Transmission of Citrus leprosis virus, cytoplamatic type by Brevipalpus phoenicis (Geijskes) to alternate host plants found in citrus orchards|journal=Plant Disease|date=2012|volume=96|issue=7|pages=968–972|doi=10.1094/pdis-06-11-0538|pmid=30727203|doi-access=}} B. phoenicis transmission to the common bean was also demonstrated{{cite journal|last1=Groot|first1=T.V.|last2=Freitas-Astúa|first2=J.|last3=Kitajima|first3=E.W.|title=Brevipalpus phoenicis transmits citrus leprosis virus, cytoplasmatic type (CiLV-C) to common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) under experimental conditions|journal=Virus Rev. Res.|date=2006|volume=11|pages=67–68}} and this species has been proposed as an experimental indicator.{{cite journal|last1=Garita|first1=L.C.|last2=Tassi|first2=A.D.|last3=Calegario|first3=R.F.|last4=Kitajima|first4=E.W.|last5=Carbonell|first5=S.A.M.|last6=Freitas-Astúa|first6=J.|title=Common bean: Experimental indicator plant for Citrus leprosis virus C and some other cytoplasmatic type Brevipalpus-trinsmitted viruses|journal=Plant Disease|date=2013|volume=97|issue=10|pages=1346–1351|doi=10.1094/pdis-12-12-1143-re|pmid=30722150|doi-access=}}

Citrus leprosis is principally detected by the observation of local lesions with characteristic symptoms. Presence of CiLV-N and CiLV-C particles in affected tissue can be confirmed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Other laboratory detection methods are also available, as double antibody sandwich-enzyme-linked-immunosorbent-assay (DAS-ELISA), indirect ELISA, dot-blot immunoassay, and immunocapture-reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction using monoclonal and polyclonal;{{cite journal|last1=Calegario|first1=R.F.|last2=Locali|first2=E.C.|last3=Stach-Machado|first3=D.R.|last4=Peroni|first4=L.A.|last5=Caserta|first5=R.|last6=Salaroli|first6=R.B.|last7=Freitas-Astúa|first7=J.|last8=Machado|first8=M.A.|last9=Kitajima|first9=E.W.|title=Polyclonal antibodies to the putative coat protein of Citrus leprosis virus C expressed in Escherichia coli: Production and use in immunodiagnosis|journal=Trop. Plant Pathol.|date=2013|volume=38|issue=3|pages=188–197|doi=10.1590/s1982-56762013005000005|doi-access=free|url=http://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/4786/3d5e23fa29ef3a24c2095a27ae6f3e6bde42.pdf}}{{cite journal|last1=Choudhary|first1=N.|last2=Roy|first2=A.|last3=León|first3=M.G.|last4=Picton|first4=D.D.|last5=Wei|first5=G.|last6=Nakhla|first6=M.K.|last7=Levy|first7=L.|last8=Brlan-Sky|first8=R.H.|title=Immunodiagnosis of Citrus leprosis virus C using a polyclonal antibody to an expressed putative coat protein|journal=J. Virol. Methods|date=2013|volume=193|issue=2|pages=548–553|doi=10.1016/j.jviromet.2013.07.035|pmid=23911294}}{{cite journal|last1=Choudhary|first1=N.|last2=Roy|first2=A.|last3=Govindarajulu|first3=A.|last4=Nakhla|first4=M.K.|last5=Levy|first5=L.|last6=Brlansky|first6=R.H.|title=Production of monoclonal antibodies for detection of Citrus leprosis virus C in ezyme-linked immuno-assays and immunocapture reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction|journal=Journal of Virological Methods|date=2014|volume=206|pages=144–149|doi=10.1016/j.jviromet.2014.06.010|pmid=24956418}} and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).{{cite journal|last1=Kubo|first1=K.S.|last2=Novelli|first2=V.M.|last3=Bastianel|first3=M.|last4=Locali-Fabris|first4=E.C.|last5=Antonioli-Luizon|first5=R.|last6=Machado|first6=M.A.|last7=Freitas-Astúa|first7=J.|title=Detection of Brevipalpus-transmitted viruses in their mite vectors by RT-PCR|journal=Exp. Appl. Acarol.|date=2011|volume=54|issue=1|pages=33–39|doi=10.1007/s10493-011-9425-9|pmid=21279538|s2cid=31600294}}{{cite journal|last1=Locali|first1=E.C.|last2=Freitas-Astúa|first2=J.|last3=Souza de|first3=A.A.|last4=Takita|first4=M.A.|last5=Astúa-Monge|first5=G.|last6=Antonioli|first6=R.|last7=Kitajima|first7=E.W.|last8=Machado|first8=M.A.|title=Development of a molecular tool for the diagnosis of leprosis, a major threat to citrus production in the Americas|journal=Plant Disease|date=2003|volume=87|issue=11|pages=1317–1321|doi=10.1094/pdis.2003.87.11.1317|pmid=30812546|doi-access=}}{{cite journal|last1=Roy|first1=A.|last2=León|first2=M.G.|last3=Stone|first3=A.L.|last4=Schneider|first4=W.L.|last5=Hartung|first5=J.S.|last6=Brlansky|first6=R.H.|title=First report of Citrus leprosis virus nuclear type in sweet orange in Colombia|journal=Plant Disease|date=2014|volume=98|issue=8|page=1162|doi=10.1094/pdis-02-14-0117-pdn|pmid=30708809|doi-access=free}}

CL was initially described in what is now Philippe Park, Florida in 1907 by Fawett who called it "scaly bark" and "nail-head rust".{{cite journal | last1=Childers | first1=Carl C. | last2=Rodrigues | first2=José C. V. | title=An overview of Brevipalpus mites (Acari: Tenuipalpidae) and the plant viruses they transmit | journal=Zoosymposia | publisher=Magnolia Press | volume=6 | date=2011-12-20 | issn=1178-9913 | doi=10.11646/zoosymposia.6.1.28 | pages=180–192| doi-access=free }}{{cite journal | last1=Fawcett | first1=Howard Samuel | title=Scaly Bark or "Nail-Head Rust" of Citrus |journal=Bulletin of the Florida Agricultural Experiment Station | publisher=Florida Agricultural Experiment Station, University of Florida | location=Gainesville FL, USA | date=1911 | number=106 | asin=B00089SF00 | pages=41 | issn=0096-607X | oclc=18160315}} {{oclc|903637507}}. [{{Google books | dflFAQAAMAAJ | plainurl=yes}} Google Books]. AGRIS id [http://agris.fao.org/agris-search/search.do?recordID=US201300451845 US201300451845]. AGRIS id [http://agris.fao.org/agris-search/search.do?recordID=US201300067868 US201300067868]. However, the disease appears to have disappeared from Florida since the 1960s,{{cite journal|last1=Childers|first1=C.C.|last2=Rodrigues|first2=J.C.V.|last3=Derrick|first3=K.S.|last4=Achor|first4=D.S.|last5=French|first5=J.V.|last6=Welbourn|first6=W.C.|last7=Ochoa|first7=R.|last8=Kitajima|first8=E.W.|title=Citrus leprosis and its status in Florida and Texas: Past and present|journal=Experimental and Applied Acarology|date=2003|volume=30|issue=1–3|pages=181–202|doi=10.1023/b:appa.0000006548.01625.72|pmid=14756416|s2cid=19178892}} perhaps due to reduction of vector population caused by freezing weather and intensive sulfur application.{{cite journal|last1=Childers|first1=C.C.|last2=Rodriguez|first2=J.C.V.|last3=Kitajima|first3=E.W.|last4=Derrick|first4=K.S.|last5=Rivera|first5=C.|last6=Welbourn|first6=W.|title=A control strategy for breaking the virus vector cycle of Brevipalpus spp. and Rhabdovirus disease, citrus leprosis|journal=Manejo Integrado de Plagas (Costa Rica)|date=2001|volume=60|pages=76–79}} There is evidence that CL was caused by the nuclear type.{{cite journal|last1=Kitajima|first1=E.W.|last2=Chagas|first2=C.M.|last3=Harakava|first3=R.|last4=Calegario|first4=R.F.|last5=Freitas-Astúa|first5=J.|last6=Rodrigues|first6=J.C.V.|last7=Childers|first7=C.C.|title=Citrus leprosis in Florida, USA, apperars to have been caused by the Nuclear Type of Citrus Leprosis Virus (CiLV-N)|journal=Virus Rev Res|date=2011|volume=16|issue=1–2|pages=1–5|doi=10.17525/vrr.v16i1-2.51|doi-access=}} The first report of CL in South America was in 1920 in Paraguay,{{cite journal|last1=Spegazzini|first1=C|title=Sobre algunas enfermedades y hongos que afectan las plantas de ¨agrios¨ en el Paraguay|journal=Ann. Soc. Cient.|date=1920|volume=90|pages=155–188}} later it was reported in Brazil,{{cite journal|last1=Bitancourt|first1=A.A.|title=Relaçao das doenças e fungus parasitas observados na secçao de Fitopatologia durante os anos de 1931 e 1932|journal=Arq. Inst. Biol.|date=1934|volume=5|pages=39–45}} Argentina and Uruguay.{{cite journal|last1=Bitancourt|first1=A.A.|title=A leprose dos citrus|journal=O Biológico|date=1940|volume=6|pages=39–45}} CiLV-C has been detected in Bolivia, Venezuela, and Colombia, and it is spreading northward through Panama, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, and Mexico.{{cite web|last1=CABI|title=Citrus leprosis virus C. In Invasive Species Compendium|url=http://www.cabi.org/isc/datasheet/13449|website=www.cabi.org|accessdate=28 November 2014}} CiLV-N has also been reported from the states of São Paulo, Rio Grande do Sul, and Minas Gerais in Brazil, Boquete in Panama, and in the state of Querétaro, Mexico. Recently, a mixed infection of the same plant with the two viruses CiLV-N and CiLV-C2, was reported in Casanare, Colombia. The recent establishment of citrus leprosis in Central America represents a potential threat to citriculture in North America, where the vector is also present.

CL is mainly controlled through the management of mites. Most of the currently available miticides are effective,{{cite journal|last1=Prates|first1=H.S.|last2=Rodrigues|first2=J.C.V.|title=Citris leprosis|journal=Cati, SAA, Technical Bull. Campinas, SP|date=1996}} although mite resistance has already been detected.{{cite journal|last1=Omoto|first1=C.|last2=Albes|first2=E.B.|last3=Ribeiro|first3=P.C.|title=Detection and monitoring of resistance in Brevipalpus phoenicis (Geijkes) (Acari:Tenuipalpidae) to dicofol|journal=Anais da Sociedade Entomológica do Brasil|date=2000|volume=29|issue=4|pages=757–764|doi=10.1590/s0301-80592000000400016|doi-access=free}}{{cite journal|last1=Omoto|first1=C.|last2=Alves|first2=E.|title=A resistencia dos acaros a acaricidas em citros|journal=Visao Agricola|date=2004|volume=2|pages=82–86}} Biological alternatives as mite predators and entomopathogenic fungi have been reported with promising results.{{cite journal|last1=Magalhaes|first1=B.P.|last2=Rodrigues|first2=J.C.|last3=Boucias|first3=D.G.|last4=Childers|first4=D.G.|title=Pathogenicity of Metarhizium anisoplae var Acridum to the false spider mite Brevipalpus phoenicis (Acari:Tenuipalpidae)|journal=Florida Entomologist|date=2005|volume=88|issue=2|pages=195–198|doi=10.1653/0015-4040(2005)088[0195:pomava]2.0.co;2|doi-access=free}} Virus inoculum can be reduced implementing some cultural practices as remove affected branches, use of windbreaks to decrease vector wind spread, control of weeds (alternative mite hosts), use of healthy plants sources, and controlling the movement of people and material in orchard. Although resistance has been observed between different Citrus species, few studies have been conducted in this area in order to identify commercial resistant varieties. One study developed using a hybrid population suggests that inheritance of resistance to leprosis may be controlled by only a few genes.{{cite journal|last1=Bastianel|first1=M.|last2=de Oliveira|first2=A.C.|last3=Cristofani|first3=M.|last4=Filho|first4=O.G.|last5=Freitas-Astúa|first5=J.|last6=Rodrigues|first6=V.|last7=Astúa-Monge|first7=G.|last8=Machado|first8=M.A.|title=Inheritance and heridability of resistance to citrus leprosis|journal=Phytopathology|date=2006|volume=96|issue=10|pages=1092–1096|doi=10.1094/phyto-96-1092|pmid=18943497|doi-access=}}

• [http://idtools.org/id/citrus/diseases/factsheet.php?name=leprosis Citrus Diseases. Leprosis] (USDA-University of Florida)
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20150604182755/http://www.eppo.int/QUARANTINE/virus/Citrus_leprosis_virus/CILV00_ds.pdf Citrus leprosis rhabdovirus] (European and Mediterranean Plant Protection Organization)

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Category:Viral citrus diseases