The family Paramyxoviridae includes important human and animal viruses, causing mild respiratory to severe systemic infections. Beyond well-known human (measles virus) and veterinary (canine distemper virus) pathogens, this family includes emerging zoonotic agents such as Hendra and Nipah viruses1 . Advanced in diagnostics have recently increased the identification of novel paramyxoviruses in wild and domestic animals, highlighting the need for monitoring to support conservation and public health. In 2020, a novel paramyxovirus, named Belerina virus (species Parajeilongvirus erinaceid, genus Parajeilongvirus), was identified through metagenomic analysis of kidneys from European hedgehogs (Erinaceus europaeus) in Belgium, where it appeared with high prevalence (39%)2 . Currently, besides this first report, the geographic distribution and prevalence of this virus remain unknown. To address this gap, we screened archived intestinal and liver samples from 232 European hedgehogs, including 195 animals from Northwestern Italy and additional 37 from Switzerland, involved opportunistically based on the availability. Molecular screening combined a Belerina virus specific RT-PCR and a pan-orthoparamyxovirinae heminested RT-PCR 3 , both targeting fragments of the L gene. Viral RNA was detected in a total of 3 animals (1.3%), all from the Swiss collection (8.1%). Specifically, Belerina primers identified a single positive intestinal sample, whilst the pan-orthoparamyxovirinae assay detected viral RNA in three liver samples, including one from the intestine-positive animal. Amplicons sequence analysis showed 94.0%-95.8% nucleotide identity to the Belerina virus, strain HH114, the only sequence available on GenBank. This study provides the first molecular evidence of this novel paramyxovirus outside Belgium, demonstrating a wider circulation than expected. The geographically restricted detection may reflect ecological or geographic barriers or biases inherent to opportunistic sampling. Furthermore, detecting viral RNA in the liver and intestine reflects a broader tissue distribution, beyond kidneys. Further studies are needed to clarify Belerina virus epidemiology and the role of hedgehogs as hosts.
Molecular investigation for a novel paramyxovirus in Erinaceus europaeus
Matteo Carnevale;Federica Di Profio;Vittorio Sarchese;Fulvio Marsilio;Barbara Di Martino
2026-01-01
Abstract
The family Paramyxoviridae includes important human and animal viruses, causing mild respiratory to severe systemic infections. Beyond well-known human (measles virus) and veterinary (canine distemper virus) pathogens, this family includes emerging zoonotic agents such as Hendra and Nipah viruses1 . Advanced in diagnostics have recently increased the identification of novel paramyxoviruses in wild and domestic animals, highlighting the need for monitoring to support conservation and public health. In 2020, a novel paramyxovirus, named Belerina virus (species Parajeilongvirus erinaceid, genus Parajeilongvirus), was identified through metagenomic analysis of kidneys from European hedgehogs (Erinaceus europaeus) in Belgium, where it appeared with high prevalence (39%)2 . Currently, besides this first report, the geographic distribution and prevalence of this virus remain unknown. To address this gap, we screened archived intestinal and liver samples from 232 European hedgehogs, including 195 animals from Northwestern Italy and additional 37 from Switzerland, involved opportunistically based on the availability. Molecular screening combined a Belerina virus specific RT-PCR and a pan-orthoparamyxovirinae heminested RT-PCR 3 , both targeting fragments of the L gene. Viral RNA was detected in a total of 3 animals (1.3%), all from the Swiss collection (8.1%). Specifically, Belerina primers identified a single positive intestinal sample, whilst the pan-orthoparamyxovirinae assay detected viral RNA in three liver samples, including one from the intestine-positive animal. Amplicons sequence analysis showed 94.0%-95.8% nucleotide identity to the Belerina virus, strain HH114, the only sequence available on GenBank. This study provides the first molecular evidence of this novel paramyxovirus outside Belgium, demonstrating a wider circulation than expected. The geographically restricted detection may reflect ecological or geographic barriers or biases inherent to opportunistic sampling. Furthermore, detecting viral RNA in the liver and intestine reflects a broader tissue distribution, beyond kidneys. Further studies are needed to clarify Belerina virus epidemiology and the role of hedgehogs as hosts.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
