TLR5-Mediated Reactivation of Quiescent Ranavirus FV3 in <i>Xenopus</i> Peritoneal Macrophages

Abstract

provides new evidence of the critical role of macrophages in the persistence of ranaviruses in a quiescent state as well as in the reactivation of these pathogens into a virulent infection. Among the multiple microbial sensors expressed by macrophages, our data underscore the preponderant involvement of TLR5 stimulation in triggering the reactivation of quiescent FV3 in resident peritoneal macrophages, unveiling a mechanistic connection between the reactivation of persisting ranavirus infection and bacterial coinfection. This suggests a role for secondary bacterial infections or microbiome alterations (stress or pollution) in initiating sudden deadly disease outbreaks in amphibian populations with detectable persistent asymptomatic ranavirus.