Abstract
Astroviruses (AstVs) are RNA viruses infecting a large diversity of avian and mammalian species, including bats, livestock, and humans. We investigated AstV infection in a free-tailed bat species, Mormopterus francoismoutoui, endemic to Reunion Island. A total of 380 guano samples were collected in a maternity colony during 38 different sampling sessions, from 21 June 2016 to 4 September 2018. Each sample was tested for the presence of the AstV RNA-dependent RNA-polymerase (RdRp) gene using a pan-AstV semi-nested polymerase chain reaction assay. In total, 27 guano samples (7.1%) tested positive, with high genetic diversity of the partial RdRp gene sequences among positive samples. Phylogenetic analysis further revealed that the detected viruses were genetically related to AstVs reported in rats, reptiles, dogs, and pigs, but did not cluster with AstVs commonly found in bats. Although more investigations need to be conducted to assess the prevalence of infected bats in the studied population, our findings show that Reunion free-tailed bats are exposed to AstVs, and suggest that cross-species transmission may occur with other hosts sharing the same habitat.
Highlights
AstVs are responsible for diseases in livestock, poultry, and domestic pets [1]. They have been mostly described in bats
Based on guano sampling in an Reunion free-tailed bat (RFTB) maternity colony, we investigated the temporal variation in AstV shedding for more than 2 years (28 consecutive months), with a particular emphasis on the parturition period
The study was conducted in the main RFTB colony known to date on Reunion island, within a natural cave of 30 m3 on the West coast of the island (21,111◦ S, 55,259◦ E)
Summary
Publisher’s Note: MDPI stays neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations. AstVs are responsible for diseases in livestock, poultry, and domestic pets [1] In wild animals, they have been mostly described in bats They have been mostly described in bats In addition to this large host diversity, the evolutionary history of AstVs is characterized by frequent cross-species transmission events [7], supporting limited host specificity and a risk of spillover and emergence in humans [8]. Partial sequencing of the AstV RNAdependent RNA-polymerase (RdRp) gene and phylogenetic analyses were performed to assess the diversity and the origin of the detected viruses
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