Australian bats as retrovirus reservoirs

Eastern Australian bats may be reservoirs of koala retrovirus-related (KoRV-related) viruses, according to a study. Bats serve as reservoirs for diverse types of viruses, but little is known about retrovirus circulation in bat populations. Retroviruses can integrate into the genetic material of host cells, often leaving a footprint of exposure in host genomes. Joshua Hayward, Mary Tachedjian, and colleagues report koala retrovirus-related (KoRV-related) viruses circulating in eastern Australian bats and identified a novel retrovirus, suggesting that bats are reservoirs of the mammalian retroviruses. From 2007 to 2014, the authors collected 479 samples of feces, oral swabs, blood, and/or urine from bats along the east coast of Australia. Metagenomic analysis revealed the presence of KoRV-related viruses in samples from several bat species. Phylogenetic analysis of the bat viruses suggested that they are early ancestors of KoRV-related viruses. The authors also isolated a novel KoRV-related virus, the Hervey pteropid gammaretrovirus (HPG), from one fecal sample. Subsequent testing showed that the virus is capable of reproducing in vitro. The authors note that the identification of HPG suggests that retroviruses can actively reproduce in bats. Together with the footprints of the other KoRV-related viruses in the samples, the results suggest that bats are reservoirs of KoRV-related viruses, according to the authors.

ARTICLE #19-15400: “Infectious KoRV-related retroviruses circulating in Australian bats,” by Joshua A. Hayward, Mary Tachedjian et al.

MEDIA CONTACT: Tracy Parish, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, AUSTRALIA; e-mail: <

[email protected]

>; Angus Morgan, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, AUSTRALIA; e-mail: <

[email protected]

> ; Gilda Tachedjian, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, AUSTRALIA; e-mail:

[email protected]

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