Fruit bats are suspected to be a natural reservoir of filoviruses, including Ebola and Marburg viruses. Using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay based on the viral glycoprotein antigens, we detected filovirus-specific immunoglobulin G antibodies in 71 of 748 serum samples collected from migratory fruit bats (Eidolon helvum) in Zambia during 2006-2013. Although antibodies to African filoviruses (eg, Zaire ebolavirus) were most prevalent, some serum samples showed distinct specificity for Reston ebolavirus, which that has thus far been found only in Asia. Interestingly, the transition of filovirus species causing outbreaks in Central and West Africa during 2005-2014 seemed to be synchronized with the change of the serologically dominant virus species in these bats. These data suggest the introduction of multiple species of filoviruses in the migratory bat population and point to the need for continued surveillance of filovirus infection of wild animals in sub-Saharan Africa, including hitherto nonendemic countries.
In this study, we describe the detection of novel paramyxoviruses from the
Eidolon helvum species of fruit bats. We extracted RNA from 312 spleen
samples from bats captured in Zambia over a period of 4 years (2008–2011). Semi-nested
RT-PCR detected a total of 25 (8%) positive samples for paramyxoviruses which were then
directly sequenced and analyzed using phylogenetic analysis. Among the positive samples,
seven novel paramyxoviruses were detected. Five viruses were closely related to the genus
Henipavirus, while two viruses were related to the unclassified Bat
paramyxoviruses from Ghana and Congo Brazzaville. Our study identified novel
Henipavirus-related and unrelated viruses using RT-PCR in fruit bats from Kansaka National
Park and indicated the presence of similar Bat paramyxoviruses originating from wide
geographic areas, suggesting the ability of bats to harbor and transmit viruses. The
presence of these viruses in fruit bats might pose a public health risk.
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