Orthohantaviruses in Reservoir and Atypical Hosts in the Czech Republic: Spillover Infection and Indication of Virus-Specific Tissue Tropism

• Published in: Microbiology Spectrum
• Main Authors: Hönig, Václav, Kamiš, Jan, Maršíková, Aneta, Matějková, Tereza, Stopka, Pavel, Mácová, Anna, Růžek, Daniel, Kvičerová, Jana
• Format: Text
• Language: English
• Published: American Society for Microbiology 2022
• Subjects: Research Article; Tula; Microtus arvalis
• Online Access: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9604079/; http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/36169417; https://doi.org/10.1128/spectrum.01306-22

Orthohantaviruses (genus Orthohantavirus) are a diverse group of viruses that are closely associated with their natural hosts (rodents, shrews, and moles). Several orthohantaviruses cause severe disease in humans. Central and western Europe are areas with emerging orthohantavirus occurrences. In our study, several orthohantaviruses, including the pathogenic Kurkino virus (KURV), were detected in their natural hosts trapped at several study sites in the Czech Republic. KURV was detected mainly in its typical host, the striped field mouse (Apodemus agrarius). Nevertheless, spillover infections were also detected in wood mice (Apodemus sylvaticus) and common voles (Microtus arvalis). Similarly, Tula virus (TULV) was found primarily in common voles, and events of spillover to rodents of other host species, including Apodemus spp., were recorded. In addition, unlike most previous studies, different tissues were sampled and compared to assess their suitability for orthohantavirus screening and possible tissue tropism. Our data suggest possible virus-specific tissue tropism in rodent hosts. TULV was most commonly detected in the lung tissue, whereas KURV was more common in the liver, spleen, and brain. Moreover, Seewis and Asikkala viruses were detected in randomly found common shrews (Sorex araneus). In conclusion, we have demonstrated the presence of human-pathogenic KURV and the potentially pathogenic TULV in their typical hosts as well as their spillover to atypical host species belonging to another family. Furthermore, we suggest the possibility of virus-specific tissue tropism of orthohantaviruses in their natural hosts. IMPORTANCE Orthohantaviruses (genus Orthohantavirus, family Hantaviridae) are a diverse group of globally distributed viruses that are closely associated with their natural hosts. Some orthohantaviruses are capable of infecting humans and causing severe disease. Orthohantaviruses are considered emerging pathogens due to their ever-increasing diversity and increasing numbers of disease cases. We ...