Tioman Virus, a Paramyxovirus of Bat Origin, Causes Mild Disease in Pigs and Has a Predilection for Lymphoid Tissues

Abstract

Disease manifestation, pathology, and tissue tropism following infection with Tioman virus (TioPV), a newly isolated, bat-derived paramyxovirus, was investigated in subcutaneously (n ‫؍‬ 12) and oronasally (n ‫؍‬ 4) inoculated pigs. Pigs were either asymptomatic or developed pyrexia, but all of the animals produced neutralizing antibodies. The virus (viral antigen and/or genome) was detected in lymphocytes of the thymus, tonsils, spleen, lymph nodes and Peyer's patches (ileum), tonsillar epithelium, and thymic epithelioreticular cells. Virus was isolated from oral swabs but not from urine. Our findings suggest that the pig could act as an intermediate or amplifying host for TioPV and that oral secretion is a possible means of viral transmission.

Viruses in bats and potential spillover to animals and humans

“…Tioman virus (TioPV) was isolated from urine of the small flying fox (Pteropus hypomelanus) collected from Tioman Island, Malaysia [58]. Due the close relationship of TioPV with the zoonotic MenPV, an experimental challenge of pigs was performed [59] and the trial suggested that pigs could act as an intermediate or amplifying host for TioPV and that oral secretion is a possible means of viral transmission.…”

Isolation of Tioman virus from Pteropus giganteus bat in North-East region of India

“…TioV's estimated prevalence of 1.8% is suggestive of its potential to cause subclinical infection in humans. Experimental studies have shown that TioV is capable of infecting and replicating in pigs and its main cellular targets are lymphocytes, thymic epithelioreticular cells and the tonsillar epithelium in these animals (Yaiw et al, 2008). Hence, pigs could act as an intermediate or amplifying host for human transmission, as has happened during Menangle Virus and NiV outbreaks (Parashar et al, 2000).…”

Henipaviruses: An Updated Review Focusing on the Pteropid Reservoir and Features of Transmission

“…Tioman virus has demonstrated potential to spillover into human hosts, with serological evidence of exposure detected in humans living in close proximity to infected bat colonies; however, no cases of clinical disease have been associated with human infection (Chua et al., 2001b; Yaiw et al., 2007). Experimental inoculation of pigs with Tioman virus induced a mild clinical disease, with recovery of live virus from oral secretions of infected animals, highlighting the potential for pigs to act as an intermediate host for human infection (Yaiw et al., 2008).…”