Detection of Alpha- and Betacoronaviruses in Miniopterus fuliginosus and Rousettus leschenaultii, two species of Sri Lankan Bats

Abstract

Bats are known to be potential reservoirs of numerous human-pathogenic viruses. They have been identified as natural hosts for coronaviruses, causing Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) in humans. Since the emergence of SARS-CoV-2 in 2019 interest in the prevalence of coronaviruses in bats was newly raised. In this study we investigated different bat species living in a sympatric colony in the Wavul Galge cave (Koslanda, Sri Lanka). In three field sessions (in 2018 and 2019), 395 bats were captured (Miniopterus, Rousettus, Hipposideros and Rhinolophus spp.) and either rectal swabs or fecal samples were collected. From these overall 396 rectal swab and fecal samples, the screening for coronaviruses with nested PCR resulted in 33 positive samples, 31 of which originated from Miniopterus fuliginosus and two from Rousettus leschenaultii. Sanger sequencing and phylogenetic analysis of the obtained 384-nt fragment of the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase revealed that the examined M. fuliginosus bats excrete alphacoronaviruses and the examined R. leschenaultii bats excrete betacoronaviruses. Despite the sympatric roosting habitat, the coronaviruses showed host specificity and seemed to be limited to one species. Our results represent an important basis to better understand the prevalence of coronaviruses in Sri Lankan bats and may provide a basis for pursuing studies on particular bat species of interest.

Full Genome of batCoV/MinFul/2018/SriLanka, a Novel Alpha-Coronavirus Detected in Miniopterus fuliginosus, Sri Lanka

“…In this study, a population of different bat species roosting in one of the largest natural caves (Wavul Galge, Koslanda, Sri Lanka) was examined. In a previous study, we have reported the detection of novel α-CoV fragments in feces and rectal swabs from a number of M. fuliginosus bats [10]. In this study, we present the first full genome of an α-CoV detected in Sri Lankan bats.…”

“…Sampling of cave-dwelling bats roosting in the Wavul Galge cave (Sri Lanka) was performed in March and July 2018 and January 2019 as described before [10]. Adequate personal protective equipment such as gloves, safety glasses and FFP3 masks were worn during the capturing and sampling procedure.…”

Establishment of Intestinal Organoid from Rousettus leschenaultii and the Susceptibility to Bat-Associated Viruses, SARS-CoV-2 and Pteropine Orthoreovirus

“…Among the Rousettus spp., the rousette bat is thought to be a natural reservoir of Ebola and Marburg viruses (family Filoviridae ) and is a source of virus spillover into human populations; these viruses have frequently caused outbreaks in African countries [ 5 , 6 ]. These days, betacoronavirus genome [ 7 , 8 ] and CoV RNA-dependent RNA polymerase gene [ 9 ] were also detected in Rousettus spp. The susceptibility of Rousettus aegyptiacus to SARS-CoV-2 infection was tested, and it was revealed that 78% of the inoculated bats had a transient infection with detection of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in their lung, lung-associated lymphatic tissue, and trachea [ 10 ].…”

First Complete Cytochrome B Sequences and Molecular Taxonomy of Bat Species from Sri Lanka

“…Furthermore, the global interest of bats as potential reservoir hosts of zoonotic pathogens was highlighted recently as these flying mammals have been detected to be harboring coronaviruses [22]. In addition, recent studies revealed the presence of alpha-and betacoronaviruses in Miniopterus fuliginosus and Rousettus leschenaultii bats and paramyxoviruses in Miniopterus fuliginosus inhabiting the Wavulgalge cave, Sri Lanka [23][24][25]. Therefore, adequate PPE was worn during animal capturing, handling, and sample collection to reduce the potential risk of exposure to zoonotic or anthropozoonotic pathogens.…”