Molecular Epidemiology of Paramyxoviruses in Frugivorous <i>Eidolon helvum</i> Bats in Zambia

Abstract

In this study, we describe the detection of novel paramyxoviruses from the Eidolon helvum species of fruit bats. We extracted RNA from 312 spleen samples from bats captured in Zambia over a period of 4 years (2008–2011). Semi-nested RT-PCR detected a total of 25 (8%) positive samples for paramyxoviruses which were then directly sequenced and analyzed using phylogenetic analysis. Among the positive samples, seven novel paramyxoviruses were detected. Five viruses were closely related to the genus Henipavirus, while two viruses were related to the unclassified Bat paramyxoviruses from Ghana and Congo Brazzaville. Our study identified novel Henipavirus-related and unrelated viruses using RT-PCR in fruit bats from Kansaka National Park and indicated the presence of similar Bat paramyxoviruses originating from wide geographic areas, suggesting the ability of bats to harbor and transmit viruses. The presence of these viruses in fruit bats might pose a public health risk.

Characterization of a Novel Bat Adenovirus Isolated from Straw-Colored Fruit Bat (Eidolon helvum)

“…Tissue and DNA samples from wild straw-colored fruit bats ( Eidolon helvum ) captured in Kasanka National Park in the Central Province and in Ndola in the Copperbelt Province of Zambia were used. These samples were collected for our previous reports and stored at −30 °C or −80 °C [ 3 , 4 , 5 ]. All experiments were performed under the research project “Molecular and serological surveillance of viral zoonoses in Zambia” authorized by the Department of National Parks and Wildlife (DNPW) (formerly Zambia Wildlife Authority) of the Ministry of Tourism and Arts, Republic of Zambia.…”

“…Therefore, extensive surveys of potential pathogens in bats are essential to forestall outbreaks of emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases. Straw-colored fruit bats ( Eidolon helvum ) in Zambia, which are known to migrate from the Democratic Republic of Congo, are suspected to be a reservoir of several zoonotic pathogens [ 3 , 4 , 5 ], and have been extensively investigated in Zambia since 2006. In the process of this investigation, we isolated a novel adenovirus ( E. helvum adenovirus 06-106: EhAdV 06-106) from this fruit bat species.…”

Molecular epidemiology of pathogenic Leptospira spp. in the straw-colored fruit bat (Eidolon helvum) migrating to Zambia from the Democratic Republic of Congo

“…A total of 529 kidney samples were collected from captured E. helvum that were roosting in trees (Muleya et al, 2014;Ogawa et al, 2015) in Kasanka National Park in Central Province and in Ndola in Copperbelt Province of Zambia (Table 1). This research was performed under the research project ''Molecular epidemiology of bacterial zoonoses in Zambia'' approved by the Zambia Wildlife Authority, in the Republic of Zambia.…”

Efficient Reverse Genetics Reveals Genetic Determinants of Budding and Fusogenic Differences between Nipah and Hendra Viruses and Enables Real-Time Monitoring of Viral Spread in Small Animal Models of Henipavirus Infection

“…In the past 2 years, examination of bats within and beyond the Pteropus genus has uncovered a multitude of previously undescribed henipaviruses of unknown virulence and implications for human health (4)(5)(6)(7). The more widespread prevalence of henipaviruses and the documented human-to-human transmission of some strains (8)(9)(10), along with recent evidence of potential henipavirus-like spillover events in Africa (11), suggest that increased global surveillance efforts directed at detecting henipavirus spillover events are warranted.…”