Journal Article

Novel Hendra Virus Variant Detected by Sentinel Surveillance of Horses in Australia

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

2022

Overview

We identified and isolated a novel Hendra virus (HeV) variant not detected by routine testing from a horse in Queensland, Australia, that died from acute illness with signs consistent with HeV infection. Using whole-genome sequencing and phylogenetic analysis, we determined the variant had ≈83% nt identity with prototypic HeV. In silico and in vitro comparisons of the receptor-binding protein with prototypic HeV support that the human monoclonal antibody m102.4 used for postexposure prophylaxis and current equine vaccine will be effective against this variant. An updated quantitative PCR developed for routine surveillance resulted in subsequent case detection. Genetic sequence consistency with virus detected in grey-headed flying foxes suggests the variant circulates at least among this species. Studies are needed to determine infection kinetics, pathogenicity, reservoir-species associations, viral-host coevolution, and spillover dynamics for this virus. Surveillance and biosecurity practices should be updated to acknowledge HeV spillover risk across all regions frequented by flying foxes.

• Publisher: U.S. National Center for Infectious Diseases,Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• Subject: Animals / Australia - epidemiology / Biosecurity / Causes of / Chiroptera / Diseases / Fatalities / Genetic aspects / Genomes / Health aspects / Health surveillance / Hendra henipavirus / Hendra virus / Hendra Virus - genetics / Henipavirus Infections - epidemiology / Henipavirus Infections - veterinary / Henipaviruses / Horse Diseases - epidemiology / Horses / Identification and classification / Infections / Laboratories / meningitis/encephalitis / Novel Hendra Virus Variant Detected by Sentinel Surveillance of Horses in Australia / Pathogens / Phylogeny / Prophylaxis / Proteins / Sentinel health events / Sentinel Surveillance / Vaccines / viral encephalitis / Viruses / Whole genome sequencing / Zoonoses