Infection with Menangle virus in flying foxes (Pteropus spp.) in Australia

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Virology
• Wildlife Health
• Zoonotic Disease Research

Background:

• Menangle virus (MenV) is a known cause of reproductive disease in pigs.
• Flying foxes (Pteropus spp.) are widespread in Australia and can harbor various pathogens.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the prevalence of Menangle virus infection in Australian flying fox populations.
• To determine if flying foxes act as a reservoir or vector for Menangle virus.

Main Methods:

• Serological testing (virus neutralization test) of 306 flying foxes from various Australian locations.
• Virus isolation attempts from tissues and feces of 215 flying foxes.
• Transmission electron microscopy (EM) and immunogold labeling of fecal samples.

Main Results:

• Antibodies to MenV were detected in 46% of black, 41% of grey-headed, 25% of spectacled, and 1% of little red flying foxes.
• Virus-like particles were observed in feces via EM, with some reactivity to sow sera.
• Virus isolation attempts from flying fox samples were unsuccessful.

Conclusions:

• Serological evidence confirms Menangle virus infection in Australian flying foxes.
• The role of flying foxes in Menangle virus transmission remains unclear, despite the detection of virus-like particles.