Virus diversity and cross-species transmission of viruses from the strawcoloured fruit bat <em>Eidolon helvum</em>

Abstract

Bats are increasingly recognized as hosts of viruses which are significant for human and domestic health. However, the dynamics of these viruses in their natural hosts remain poorly elucidated. In this study, virus diversity and transmission was exemplified in two viral families present in the straw-coloured fruit bat (<em>E. helvum</em>). <br /> Virus diversity and dynamics were investigated on the genera <em>Henipa-</em>and<em> Rubulavirus</em> of the family <em>Paramyxoviridae</em>. Phylogenetic analysis revealed a high diversity of both taxa in African fruit bats. The viruses were shared among other fruit bats to different extent and were detected in a variety of African countries. It was shown that the majority of these viruses were co-circulating during the sampling time of three years in a single bat colony from Kumasi, Ghana. Their potential to cross-species barriers was discussed based on their phylogentic relations, but transmission has to be investigated in more detail in the future. Viruses were predominantly detected in the spleen, but area of replication and transmission ways still need to be investigated.<br /> In the frame of this study, a rhabdovirus named Kumasi rhabdovirus (KRV) was isolated and classified into the group of dimarhabdoviruses. Dimarhabdoviruses are often transmitted and maintained by arthropod vectors. KRV was detected in 5.1% of <em>E. helvum</em> from Kumasi. The virus was predominantly detected in the spleen and viral detection rates correlated with rain seasons suggesting an arthropod transmission. Serological analyse revealed 6.9% neutralizing antibodies in <em>E. helvum</em>. Cross-species transmission of KRV was shown for swine (5.4%) and humans (1.6%) and possible transmission ways were discussed.