Isolation of Genetically Diverse Marburg Viruses from Egyptian Fruit Bats

Abstract

In July and September 2007, miners working in Kitaka Cave, Uganda, were diagnosed with Marburg hemorrhagic fever. The likely source of infection in the cave was Egyptian fruit bats (Rousettus aegyptiacus) based on detection of Marburg virus RNA in 31/611 (5.1%) bats, virus-specific antibody in bat sera, and isolation of genetically diverse virus from bat tissues. The virus isolates were collected nine months apart, demonstrating long-term virus circulation. The bat colony was estimated to be over 100,000 animals using mark and re-capture methods, predicting the presence of over 5,000 virus-infected bats. The genetically diverse virus genome sequences from bats and miners closely matched. These data indicate common Egyptian fruit bats can represent a major natural reservoir and source of Marburg virus with potential for spillover into humans.

Neutralizing antibodies against flaviviruses, Babanki virus, and Rift Valley fever virus in Ugandan bats

“…Bats were captured using harp traps or mist nets, and upon capture, placed individually in holding bags. Blood from bats captured in Maramagambo forest was collected as described by Towner et al [12]. All other bats were anesthetized with halothane and bled by cardiac puncture, then euthanized by halothane overdose and cervical dislocation.…”

Molecular Evolution of Viruses of the Family Filoviridae Based on 97 Whole-Genome Sequences

“…During person-to-person transmission, there appears to be little molecular evolution of the virus (3,16). Initial introduction into the human population is often thought to result from contact with infected carcasses of nonhuman primates or other mammals or direct contact with an infected reservoir host (17)(18)(19)(20)(21). Despite numerous attempts to identify the natural reservoir(s) of the filoviruses over the past Ն30 years, only recently have bats been implicated as possible reservoirs for the ebolaviruses and marburgviruses (20)(21)(22)(23)(24).…”

“…Initial introduction into the human population is often thought to result from contact with infected carcasses of nonhuman primates or other mammals or direct contact with an infected reservoir host (17)(18)(19)(20)(21). Despite numerous attempts to identify the natural reservoir(s) of the filoviruses over the past Ն30 years, only recently have bats been implicated as possible reservoirs for the ebolaviruses and marburgviruses (20)(21)(22)(23)(24). Over the past 10 years, filovirus RNA and antibodies have been detected in several bat species, but it was not until 2007 that Marburg and Ravn virus isolates were recovered from Egyptian fruit bats (Rousettus aegyptiacus) associated with a small outbreak of Marburg hemorrhagic fever in southwestern Uganda (21).…”

“…Despite numerous attempts to identify the natural reservoir(s) of the filoviruses over the past Ն30 years, only recently have bats been implicated as possible reservoirs for the ebolaviruses and marburgviruses (20)(21)(22)(23)(24). Over the past 10 years, filovirus RNA and antibodies have been detected in several bat species, but it was not until 2007 that Marburg and Ravn virus isolates were recovered from Egyptian fruit bats (Rousettus aegyptiacus) associated with a small outbreak of Marburg hemorrhagic fever in southwestern Uganda (21). In contrast to the low virus genetic diversity observed with person-to-person virus transmission during human outbreaks, potential bat reservoir populations appear to harbor genetically diverse virus populations at single geographical locations (20,21).…”

Lignes directrices pour de meilleures pratiques en matière de suivi de la santé et de contrôle des maladies des populations de grands singes

“…Au sudouest de l'Ouganda, il est avéré que des chauve-souris frugivores se trouvant à quelques kilomètres de l'habitat des gorilles sont un réservoir du virus de Marburg, un virus très proche (Towner et al 2009 (Formenty et al 1999). Ebolavirus peut subsister dans les carcasses de primates jusqu'à sept jours après le décès (Prescott et al 2015).…”