Chiroptera as a Potential Reservoir of Dangerous for Humans Viruses in the Territory of the Republic of Guinea. Part 2

Abstract

Among the viruses transmitted by Chiroptera, filoviruses, lissaviruses, henipaviruses, and coronaviruses pose the major threat to humans. The featured review is devoted to the analysis of the results of studies on the role of African Chiropterans in the circulation sustenance of the viruses. Chronology of investigations on the search of natural reservoir of Filoviruses and the evidence of Chiroptera participation in their circulation are described in the paper. Presented are summarized data on the involvement of chiropterans in the circulation of lissaviruses on the African continent. Given is the information concerning the role of African species of Chiroptera in the circulation of henipaviruses - dangerous for humans viruses of Paramyxoviridae family, associated with chiropterans of South-Eastern Asia. Considered is the possibility of SARS and MERS-like coronaviruses circulation in the populations of certain species of African Chiroptera. Engagement of the Chiroptera from Guinean Republic in maintenance of circulation of the mentioned above viruses in potential natural foci in the territory of the country and possibility of occurrence of dangerous human infection outbreaks is also assessed. The necessity for further investigation of the role of Chiroptera as carriers of the stated viruses to clarify the current epidemiological and epizootiological situation on the viral pathogens in the Republic of Guinea is substantiated.