Amplification of Emerging Viruses in a Bat Colony

Abstract

Concentration and prevalence of coronaviruses and astroviruses increase when bats form maternity roosts and bear young.

Persistent or long-term coronavirus infection in Australian bats

“…In agreement with other studies 15,28,29 , it appears that the site had an increased prevalence of coronavirus when used as a maternity colony (during the mark-recapture study and exactly one year prior), as opposed to other times (three months prior) when no coronavirus was detected and no pregnant females were observed.…”

“…Alternatively, migration of bats has been shown to play a role in the maintenance of viruses; immigration allows the maintenance of an infection through newly introduced susceptible individuals 30,31 .…”

“…Previous studies by Drexler et al 15 identified two peaks of amplification of coronaviruses, characterised by increased virus concentration and increased detection rates, upon the formation of a colony of Myotis myotis in Germany and following parturition.…”

“…For example, it is still unknown how these coronaviruses are maintained, amplified or controlled by their chiropteran hosts 15 .…”

“…The second peak, after parturition, was associated with the introduction of susceptible bats, newborn pups who had lost their perinatal protection but not yet mounted their own adaptive immunity 15 . In another attempt to better define the epidemiology of coronaviruses, Lau et al 16 marked 511 Chinese horseshoe bats (Rhinolophus spp) from 11 sites and recaptured 113 (22%).…”