Ecological Factors Associated with European Bat Lyssavirus Seroprevalence in Spanish Bats

Abstract

Bats have been proposed as major reservoirs for diverse emerging infectious viral diseases, with rabies being the best known in Europe. However, studies exploring the ecological interaction between lyssaviruses and their natural hosts are scarce. This study completes our active surveillance work on Spanish bat colonies that began in 1992. Herein, we analyzed ecological factors that might affect the infection dynamics observed in those colonies. Between 2001 and 2011, we collected and tested 2,393 blood samples and 45 dead bats from 25 localities and 20 bat species. The results for dead confirmed the presence of EBLV-1 RNA in six species analyzed (for the first time in Myotis capaccinii). Samples positive for European bat lyssavirus-1 (EBLV-1)–neutralizing antibodies were detected in 68% of the localities sampled and in 13 bat species, seven of which were found for the first time (even in Myotis daubentonii, a species to date always linked to EBLV-2). EBLV-1 seroprevalence (20.7%) ranged between 11.1 and 40.2% among bat species and seasonal variation was observed, with significantly higher antibody prevalence in summer (July). EBLV-1 seroprevalence was significantly associated with colony size and species richness. Higher seroprevalence percentages were found in large multispecific colonies, suggesting that intra- and interspecific contacts are major risk factors for EBLV-1 transmission in bat colonies. Although bat-roosting behavior strongly determines EBLV-1 variability, we also found some evidence that bat phylogeny might be involved in bat-species seroprevalence. The results of this study highlight the importance of life history and roost ecology in understanding EBLV-1–prevalence patterns in bat colonies and also provide useful information for public health officials.

Bat Rabies in France: A 24-Year Retrospective Epidemiological Study

“…P. pipistrellus , which shows strong synanthropic behaviour, might be less exposed to lyssavirus [32]. Our results, in association with the philopatric behavior of this bat species could indicate, as previously suggested, that the risk of P. pistrellus infection with a Lyssavirus is almost non-existent [32] although its cohabitation with serotines is well known (Christine Harbusch, personal communication). The other bat species ( Plecotus auritus , Nyctalus noctula) occasionally found to be infected with EBLV-1 were also found negative in our study, demonstrating that these tree-dwelling bats are also rarely infected with EBLV-1.…”

“…All 1176 submitted pipistrelles were diagnosed negative for the presence of rabies, as previously reported in the Netherlands [31]. P. pipistrellus , which shows strong synanthropic behaviour, might be less exposed to lyssavirus [32]. Our results, in association with the philopatric behavior of this bat species could indicate, as previously suggested, that the risk of P. pistrellus infection with a Lyssavirus is almost non-existent [32] although its cohabitation with serotines is well known (Christine Harbusch, personal communication).…”

Inside the Redbox: Applications of haematology in wildlife monitoring and ecosystem health assessment

“…More specific enzymatic responses, such as cholinesterase inhibition in plasma/serum, are, however, unequivocally associated with exposure to some families of pesticides as shown in birds (Oropesa et al, 2013) and reptiles (Sanchez et al, 1997). Determining reproductive hormone The diet, foraging strategies and migratory pathways of many bird species (including the Cory's Shearwater Calonectris diomedea) can be determined by specific stable isotope analysis (Ramos and González-Solís, 2012); (B) the determination of pollutant concentration in endangered vertebrates, such as the Loggerhead sea turtle Caretta caretta, is used in monitoring studies for environmental risk assessment (Keller et al, 2004); (C) the presence of carcinogenic compounds in waters is evaluated by examining the blood cells of aquatic species, such as the Ebro chub Squalius laietanus ; and (D) the spread of infectious agents with zoonotic risk can be determined by screening the blood of wild animals, such as the Greater horseshoe bat Rhinolophus ferrumequinum with serological and molecular techniques (Serra-Cobo et al, 2013). levels also identifies unequivocally endocrine disruptions in vertebrates (Gerbron et al, 2014).…”

“…Serra-Cobo et al, 2013;Arnal et al, 2014). In recent decades, monitoring the health status of wildlife has acquired a major interest after a growing number of emerging health issues affecting humans originated from wild animals such as West Nile virus, avian influenza and Ebola (e.g.…”

“…sex, species) (Evans, 2008;Cabarcas-Montalvo et al, 2012). Health diagnostics in wildlife can also increase our understanding of infectious disease dynamics, including those with human interest, such as Campylobacter, rabies virus and West Nile (Colles et al, 2011;Serra-Cobo et al, 2013;Arnal et al, 2014). Thus, studies of conservation, toxicology and epidemiological sciences benefit for generating in-depth knowledge of the physiological response of wild vertebrates to biotic and abiotic factors (Wikelski and Cooke, 2006;Benskin et al, 2009;Cooke et al, 2012).…”