Molecular Identification of a Novel Hantavirus in Malaysian Bronze Tube-Nosed Bats (Murina aenea)

Abstract

In the past ten years, several novel hantaviruses were discovered in shrews, moles, and bats, suggesting the dispersal of hantaviruses in many animal taxa other than rodents during their evolution. Interestingly, the coevolutionary analyses of most recent studies have raised the possibility that nonrodents may have served as the primordial mammalian host and harboured the ancestors of rodent-borne hantaviruses as well. The aim of our study was to investigate the presence of hantaviruses in bat lung tissue homogenates originally collected for taxonomic purposes in Malaysia in 2015. Hantavirus-specific nested RT-PCR screening of 116 samples targeting the L segment of the virus has revealed the positivity of two lung tissue homogenates originating from two individuals, a female and a male of the Murina aenea bat species collected at the same site and sampling occasion. Nanopore sequencing of hantavirus positive samples resulted in partial genomic data from S, M, and L genome segments. The obtained results indicate molecular evidence for hantaviruses in the M. aenea bat species. Sequence analysis of the PCR amplicon and partial genome segments suggests that the identified virus may represent a novel species in the Mobatvirus genus within the Hantaviridae family. Our results provide additional genomic data to help extend our knowledge about the evolution of these viruses.

Ecological surveillance of bat coronaviruses in Sarawak, Malaysian Borneo

“…Other virological surveillance in Sarawak, Malaysia mainly revolves around viruses of public health importance, but the study on bat viruses in Gunung Mulu National Park, Sarawak (4°02′60.00′′ N 114°55′58.80′′ E), has led to the identification of Sarawak mobatvirus , a novel hantavirus within the genus mobatvirus [ 7 ]. Therefore, in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, it is timely that virological surveillance should be conducted to determine the presence and diversity of bat-CoVs in bat populations in Sarawak.…”

The Serological Cross-Detection of Bat-Borne Hantaviruses: A Valid Strategy or Taking Chances?

“…Several bat-borne hantaviruses have recently been identified, but to date, it is not clear whether they are pathogenic for humans. Thus far, a total of 12 hantaviruses were identified in 16 different species of Old-World bats in Africa, Asia, Europe, and Australia [ 3 , 39 ]. The discovery of highly divergent lineages of hantaviruses in bats of different species and their vast geographic distribution provides unlimited opportunities to search for other bat-associated hantaviruses, including in the New World.…”

“…in their studies with shrew-borne hantavirus, which suggested low or no cross-reactivity among Seewis orthohantavirus , Altai orthohantavirus , Thottapalayam thottimvirus , Asama orthohantavirus , and rodent-borne hantaviruses [ 56 ]. Thereby, we believe that the knowledge about the conservation of natural epitopes is critical for serological diagnosis based on cross-reactions, especially considering the limited information about the spread of bat-borne hantaviruses around the world [ 3 , 39 , 57 ]. This suggestion is supported by Tischler’s study, that showed that ANDV NP presented different humoral key targets to humans and to rodents [ 58 ], reinforcing the critical role of conserved epitopes to higher chances of cross-reaction.…”

Zoonotic disease and virome diversity in bats

“…The Bunyavirales currently comprises 12 families including a number associated with human disease. Five of these families have been identified in bats: the Arenaviridae, Nairoviridae, Hantaviridae, Peribunyaviridae and Phenuiviridae [ 5 , 8 • , 13 , 14 ]. However, it is also important to note that rather than infecting bat themselves, many of the viruses detected in bats may be associated with aspects of the bat diet and microbiome.…”