Paper

Novel Hendra virus variant detected by sentinel surveillance of Australian horses

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

2021

Overview

A novel Hendra virus (HeV) variant was identified from a horse that suffered acute fatal disease consistent with HeV infection through multidisciplinary and interagency syndromic sentinel surveillance research. Novel molecular assays for HeV detection are described in the light of routine testing failure. In silico analysis of the variant receptor-binding protein in comparison with prototypic HeV supported that the monoclonal antibody m102.4 used for post-exposure prophylaxis, as well as the equine vaccine, should be effective also against this novel variant. Similarity of this virus (99%) to a partial sequence detected from a South Australian grey-headed flying fox, along with case exposure to this species in Queensland, suggests the variant circulates at least across the range of this flying fox species. Investigation into HeV diversity, comparative kinetics and pathogenicity, reservoir-species associations, viral-host co-evolution and spillover dynamics should be prioritized. Biosecurity practices should be updated to appreciate HeV spillover risk across all regions frequented by flying foxes regardless of species. Competing Interest Statement The authors have declared no competing interest.

• Publisher: Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press,Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory
• Subject: Bats / Coevolution / Molecular Biology / Monoclonal antibodies / Pathogenicity / Prophylaxis / Species / Surveillance / Viruses