Comparison of genomic and amino acid sequences of eight Japanese encephalitis virus isolates from bats

Abstract

We compared nucleotide and deduced amino acid sequences of eight Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) isolates derived from bats in China. We also compared the bat JEV isolates with other JEV isolates available from GenBank to determine their genetic similarity. We found a high genetic homogeneity among the bat JEVs isolated in different geographical areas from various bat species at different time periods. All eight bat JEV isolates belonged to genotype III. The mean evolutionary rate of bat JEV isolates was lower than those of isolates of other origin, but this difference was not statistically significant. Based on these results, we presume that the bat JEV isolates might be evolutionarily conserved. The eight bat JEV isolates were phylogenetically similar to mosquito BN19 and human Liyujie isolates of JEV. These results indicate that bats might be involved in natural cycle of JEV.

The Presence of Japanese Encephalitis Virus Infection in Pteropus sp. in West Kalimantan

“…Furthermore, those bat JEV isolates were also phylogenetically similar to JE isolated from mosquito and human. This results indicated that the bat JEV isolates might be evolutionarily conserved and bats might be involved in natural cycle of JEV in China (Liu et al 2013).…”

Flavivirus Infections of Bats: Potential Role in Zika Virus Ecology

“…16,25,26 These observations suggest that bats may be competent amplifying hosts for arthropod-borne flaviviruses as well. Liu and others 13 isolated JEV from five species of bats in China: the Lechenault's rousette (Rousettus leschenaultia), little tubenosed bat (Murina aurata), Rickett's big-footed bat (Myotis ricketti), common bent-winged bat (Miniopterus schreibersii), and intermediate horse-shoe bat (Rhinolophus affinis). All isolates were phylogenetically similar to isolates from mosquitoes and humans, suggesting a potential role for bats in the natural cycle of JEV.…”

“…All isolates were phylogenetically similar to isolates from mosquitoes and humans, suggesting a potential role for bats in the natural cycle of JEV. 13 In support of these field studies, the competence of bats as amplifying hosts for flaviviruses has been evaluated in the laboratory. Significant viremia of more than 6 days' duration was produced in bats infected with JEV.…”

High prevalence and diversity of viruses of the subfamily Gammaherpesvirinae, family Herpesviridae, in fecal specimens from bats of different species in southern China

“…humans, some can spill over to humans and cause deadly emerging diseases, such as severe acute respiratory syndrome and diseases caused by Ebola virus, Nipah virus, lyssaviruses, Japanese encephalitis virus, coronaviruses and Hendra virus [2][3][4][5], indicating that bats are a significant potential source of emerging zoonotic diseases. Understanding the spectrum and characteristics of viruses that bats carry may help prevent and control potential emerging bat-borne diseases.…”