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Thottapalayam virus, a prototype shrewborne hantavirus
Jin-Won Song1, Luck Ju Baek, Connie S Schmaljohn
1Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea.
Thottapalayam virus (TPMV) may have coevolved with shrew hosts, challenging the idea that all hantaviruses originate from rodents. Further research will explore shrew-borne hantaviruses and their origins.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Molecular Biology
- Evolutionary Biology
Background:
- Thottapalayam virus (TPMV) is classified within the Hantavirus genus, family Bunyaviridae, based on morphology and genetic data.
- TPMV has been isolated from the Asian house shrew (Suncus murinus), but its natural reservoir (insectivore vs. rodent) remains unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the evolutionary origins and host range of Thottapalayam virus (TPMV).
- To determine if TPMV coevolved with insectivore hosts or represents spillover from rodent populations.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of published and unpublished data on TPMV's experimental host range.
- Examination of TPMV's genetic data and molecular phylogenetic relationships.
Main Results:
- Evidence supports the coevolution of TPMV with a nonrodent reservoir host, likely the shrew.
- The findings suggest a broader evolutionary history for hantaviruses than previously assumed.
Conclusions:
- TPMV's association with shrews indicates a potential coevolutionary relationship, expanding the known hantavirus-host dynamics.
- Future studies on shrew-borne hantaviruses are crucial for understanding hantavirus evolution and pathogenicity determinants.
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