Pteropine Orthoreovirus Isolated From Fruit Bats in Indonesia

Pteropine orthoreoviruses are bat-associated viruses that have been linked to respiratory illness in humans. In this study, researchers sampled 182 fruit bats from animal markets and suppliers across Java, Indonesia, in 2020 and 2021. They cultured rectal swab samples and used next-generation sequencing to characterize virus isolates showing cytopathic effects in cell culture.

The team recovered two PRV isolates from *Rousettus amplexicaudatus* bats sold for human consumption in Cianjur, West Java. Comparative analysis found that nine of the ten genomic segments were more than 99%–100% identical between the isolates; the S2 segment was 88.9% identical. Phylogenetic analysis placed the isolates near several previously described bat-associated PRVs, including Nelson Bay, Melaka, Kampar, Pulau, and Garut-69 viruses.

The findings document PRV in this bat species in Indonesia and support continued surveillance where people and bats come into contact, including through wildlife trade. The study does not establish transmission to people or estimate infection prevalence: only two isolates were characterized, and the supplied report does not provide the number of *R. amplexicaudatus* sampled. The article is an early-release version and may be revised before final publication.