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Home / Equine Research Bank / Emerg Infect Dis / Novel Hendra Virus Variant Detected by Sentinel Surveillance...
Emerging infectious diseases2022; 28(3); 693-704; doi: 10.3201/eid2803.211245

Novel Hendra Virus Variant Detected by Sentinel Surveillance of Horses in Australia.

Abstract: We identified and isolated a novel Hendra virus (HeV) variant not detected by routine testing from a horse in Queensland, Australia, that died from acute illness with signs consistent with HeV infection. Using whole-genome sequencing and phylogenetic analysis, we determined the variant had ≈83% nt identity with prototypic HeV. In silico and in vitro comparisons of the receptor-binding protein with prototypic HeV support that the human monoclonal antibody m102.4 used for postexposure prophylaxis and current equine vaccine will be effective against this variant. An updated quantitative PCR developed for routine surveillance resulted in subsequent case detection. Genetic sequence consistency with virus detected in grey-headed flying foxes suggests the variant circulates at least among this species. Studies are needed to determine infection kinetics, pathogenicity, reservoir-species associations, viral-host coevolution, and spillover dynamics for this virus. Surveillance and biosecurity practices should be updated to acknowledge HeV spillover risk across all regions frequented by flying foxes.
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Publication Date: 2022-02-25 PubMed ID: 35202527PubMed Central: PMC8888208DOI: 10.3201/eid2803.211245Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article
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  • Non-U.S. Gov't

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

This research article details the identification and isolation of a new variant of the Hendra virus (HeV) from a horse in Queensland, Australia. The study found that current preventative treatments and vaccines should be effective against this variant, and further study and updated surveillance and biosecurity practices are necessary to combat this virus.

Identification of a Novel Hendra Virus Variant

  • The researchers identified a novel variant of the Hendra virus (HeV), which wasn’t detected by routine testing, from a horse in Queensland, Australia that showed signs of acute illness.
  • They were able to isolate this new variant and used whole-genome sequencing and phylogenetic analysis to determine that the variant had about 83% nucleotide (nt) identity with the original HeV.
  • The study reaffirmed the importance of continued widespread surveillance to detect emerging variants of HeV.

Receptor-Binding Protein Comparisons and Treatment Efficacy

  • In silico and in vitro comparisons of the receptor-binding protein of this HeV variant with the original HeV were conducted.
  • These comparisons strongly suggest that the human monoclonal antibody m102.4, which is used for postexposure prophylaxis (treatment given after exposure to a virus to prevent infection), and the existing equine vaccine would be effective against this new variant.

Detection and Genetic Consistency with Flying Foxes

  • An updated quantitative PCR (polymerase chain reaction) developed for routine surveillance led to this novel variant’s detection.
  • The genetic sequence of this novel HeV variant was found to be consistent with the virus detected in grey-headed flying foxes, indicating that the variant likely circulates at least among this species.

Implications and Future Research

  • This finding signifies a need for further study to understand this new variant’s infection kinetics, pathogenicity (ability to cause disease), reservoir-species associations, viral-host coevolution, and spillover dynamics
  • Given the potential for HeV to spread across all regions frequented by flying foxes, surveillance and biosecurity practices should be updated accordingly.

Cite This Article

APA
Annand EJ, Horsburgh BA, Xu K, Reid PA, Poole B, de Kantzow MC, Brown N, Tweedie A, Michie M, Grewar JD, Jackson AE, Singanallur NB, Plain KM, Kim K, Tachedjian M, van der Heide B, Crameri S, Williams DT, Secombe C, Laing ED, Sterling S, Yan L, Jackson L, Jones C, Plowright RK, Peel AJ, Breed AC, Diallo I, Dhand NK, Britton PN, Broder CC, Smith I, Eden JS. (2022). Novel Hendra Virus Variant Detected by Sentinel Surveillance of Horses in Australia. Emerg Infect Dis, 28(3), 693-704. https://doi.org/10.3201/eid2803.211245

Publication

Emerging infectious diseases
ISSN: 1080-6059
NlmUniqueID: 9508155
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 28
Issue: 3
Pages: 693-704

Researcher Affiliations

Annand, Edward J
    Horsburgh, Bethany A
      Xu, Kai
        Reid, Peter A
          Poole, Ben
            de Kantzow, Maximillian C
              Brown, Nicole
                Tweedie, Alison
                  Michie, Michelle
                    Grewar, John D
                      Jackson, Anne E
                        Singanallur, Nagendrakumar B
                          Plain, Karren M
                            Kim, Karan
                              Tachedjian, Mary
                                van der Heide, Brenda
                                  Crameri, Sandra
                                    Williams, David T
                                      Secombe, Cristy
                                        Laing, Eric D
                                          Sterling, Spencer
                                            Yan, Lianying
                                              Jackson, Louise
                                                Jones, Cheryl
                                                  Plowright, Raina K
                                                    Peel, Alison J
                                                      Breed, Andrew C
                                                        Diallo, Ibrahim
                                                          Dhand, Navneet K
                                                            Britton, Philip N
                                                              Broder, Christopher C
                                                                Smith, Ina
                                                                  Eden, John-Sebastian

                                                                    MeSH Terms

                                                                    • Animals
                                                                    • Australia / epidemiology
                                                                    • Chiroptera
                                                                    • Hendra Virus / genetics
                                                                    • Henipavirus Infections / epidemiology
                                                                    • Henipavirus Infections / veterinary
                                                                    • Horse Diseases / epidemiology
                                                                    • Horses
                                                                    • Phylogeny
                                                                    • Sentinel Surveillance

                                                                    Grant Funding

                                                                    • U19 AI142764 / NIAID NIH HHS

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