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High genetic structuring of Tula hantavirus
Sabrina Schmidt1, Moritz Saxenhofer2,3, Stephan Drewes1
1Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, OIE Collaborating Centre for Zoonoses in Europe, Institute for Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Suedufer 10, 17493, Greifswald, Insel Riems, Germany.
Archives of Virology
|February 3, 2016
Summary
Tula virus (TULV) circulates widely in voles across Germany, Luxembourg, and France. Common voles are the primary host, showing higher TULV prevalence and long-term RNA presence.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Virology
- Ecology
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Tula virus (TULV) is a hantavirus primarily associated with voles.
- While generally of low pathogenicity to humans, understanding its epidemiology in rodent populations is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the geographical distribution and prevalence of Tula virus in common voles (Microtus arvalis), field voles (Microtus agrestis), and water voles (Arvicola spec.) in Germany, Luxembourg, and France.
- To analyze the genetic diversity and host-species association of TULV.
Main Methods:
- Screening of 686 common voles, 249 field voles, and 30 water voles from 79 sites using RT-PCR and TULV-IgG ELISA.
- Phylogenetic analysis of TULV sequences.
- Mitochondrial DNA sequencing for host evolutionary lineage assessment.
Main Results:
- TULV RNA and/or antibodies were detected at 43 out of 79 surveyed sites, indicating widespread distribution.
- Prevalence was highest in common voles (16.7%), followed by water voles (10.0%) and field voles (9.2%).
- Phylogenetic analysis revealed geographical structuring of TULV, with common voles as the preferential host and evidence of spillover to other vole species.
Conclusions:
- Tula virus is geographically widespread in voles across the surveyed region.
- Common voles are the primary reservoir host for TULV, with evidence of long-term viral RNA presence.
- Phylogenetic data support host-specific evolutionary lineages, though local contact areas show discrepancies.
