Treeshrews as a potential reservoir: First detection of dengue virus serotype 2 in Malaysian treeshrew faeces

IF 1.6 4区医学 Q3 BIOCHEMICAL RESEARCH METHODS

Journal of virological methods Pub Date : 2025-08-31 DOI:10.1016/j.jviromet.2025.115256

Zhen Yun Siew , Chen Zhe Tang , Siti Nor Asma Musa , Isaac Seow , Nur Alia Johari , Pooi Pooi Leong , Siew Tung Wong , Kenny Voon

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Arboviruses are transmitted to humans and animals by arthropods and can be fatal. Dengue fever remains a major mosquito-borne disease in tropical regions, primarily spread by Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus. Despite vector control and vaccine efforts, dengue virus (DENV) continues to pose serious public health challenges in Malaysia. While non-human primates are known reservoirs in sylvatic cycles, the role of other mammals like treeshrews (Tupaia glis) is poorly understood. This study screened wild treeshrews in suburban Semenyih, Malaysia, for DENV and its serotype. From 2023–2024, fecal and urine samples were collected and pooled for molecular screening. Viral RNA was extracted and tested via RT-PCR targeting the Capsid-Premembrane (C-prM) region. Of 11 samples, three (27.3 %) were positive for DENV-2. Sequence analysis revealed the cosmopolitan genotype II, typically linked to human transmission, rather than sylvatic strains. Virus isolation in Vero and C6/36 cells showed cytopathic effects, though contamination hampered results. These findings suggest treeshrews may serve as incidental reservoirs or amplifying hosts of DENV-2, highlighting the need for wildlife surveillance to better understand dengue transmission and guide public health responses.

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树鼩作为潜在宿主：首次在马来西亚树鼩粪便中检测到血清2型登革热病毒

虫媒病毒通过节肢动物传播给人类和动物，可能是致命的。登革热仍然是热带地区一种主要的蚊媒疾病，主要由埃及伊蚊和白纹伊蚊传播。尽管在媒介控制和疫苗方面做出了努力，但登革热病毒（DENV）继续在马来西亚构成严重的公共卫生挑战。虽然非人类灵长类动物是已知的森林循环的储藏库，但其他哺乳动物如树鼩（图帕亚glis）的作用却知之甚少。本研究对马来西亚Semenyih郊区的野生树鼩进行了DENV及其血清型筛查。从2023年至2024年，收集粪便和尿液样本并汇总进行分子筛选。提取病毒RNA，并通过RT-PCR检测针对衣壳-膜前区（C-prM）。11份样本中，3份（27.3 %）DENV-2阳性。序列分析显示世界性基因型II，通常与人类传播有关，而不是森林菌株。病毒在Vero和C6/36细胞中的分离显示出细胞病变效应，尽管污染阻碍了结果。这些发现表明树鼩可能是DENV-2的附带宿主或扩增宿主，突出了野生动物监测的必要性，以便更好地了解登革热传播并指导公共卫生应对。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Journal of virological methods 医学-病毒学

CiteScore

5.80

自引率

0.00%

发文量

209

审稿时长

41 days

期刊介绍： The Journal of Virological Methods focuses on original, high quality research papers that describe novel and comprehensively tested methods which enhance human, animal, plant, bacterial or environmental virology and prions research and discovery. The methods may include, but not limited to, the study of: Viral components and morphology- Virus isolation, propagation and development of viral vectors- Viral pathogenesis, oncogenesis, vaccines and antivirals- Virus replication, host-pathogen interactions and responses- Virus transmission, prevention, control and treatment- Viral metagenomics and virome- Virus ecology, adaption and evolution- Applied virology such as nanotechnology- Viral diagnosis with novelty and comprehensive evaluation. We seek articles, systematic reviews, meta-analyses and laboratory protocols that include comprehensive technical details with statistical confirmations that provide validations against current best practice, international standards or quality assurance programs and which advance knowledge in virology leading to improved medical, veterinary or agricultural practices and management.