Abstract
Rabies is a worldwide zoonosis resulting from Lyssavirus infection. In Europe, Eptesicus serotinus is the most frequently reported bat species infected with Lyssavirus, and thus considered to be the reservoir of European bat Lyssavirus type 1 (EBLV-1). To date, the role of other bat species in EBLV-1 epidemiology and persistence remains unknown. Here, we built an EBLV-1−transmission model based on local observations of a three-cave and four-bat species (Myotis capaccinii, Myotis myotis, Miniopterus schreibersii, Rhinolophus ferrumequinum) system in the Balearic Islands, for which a 1995–2011 serological dataset indicated the continuous presence of EBLV-1. Eptesicus serotinus was never observed in the system during the 16-year follow-up and therefore was not included in the model. We used the model to explore virus persistence mechanisms and to assess the importance of each bat species in the transmission dynamics. We found that EBLV-1 could not be sustained if transmission between M. schreibersii and other bat species was eliminated, suggesting that this species serves as a regional reservoir. Global sensitivity analysis using Sobol's method revealed that following the rate of autumn−winter infectious contacts, M. schreibersii's incubation- and immune-period durations, but not the infectious period length, were the most relevant factors driving virus persistence.
Highlights
Bats are a group of mammals found worldwide and exhibiting high species diversity
The serotine bat (E. serotinus) is by far the most frequently reported bat species infected with Lyssavirus in Europe [11], and it is considered the reservoir of European bat Lyssavirus type 1 (EBLV-1)
We focused here on a system of three colonies and four bat species (M. capaccinii, M. myotis, M. schreibersii, R. ferrumequinum), with refuges on Menorca and Mallorca, for which 1995–2011 serology data indicate the continuous presence of EBLV-1
Summary
Bats are a group of mammals found worldwide and exhibiting high species diversity (more than 1100 species). They are the only mammals that can fly and have been found to be a continuing source of emerging viral diseases, including rabies. Interest in identifying the factors enabling virus persistence in bat colonies is growing [3,4,5,6]. These mechanisms probably depend on bat species’ ecology and ethology (habitats, life cycles, colony sizes, species richness) [7] that vary markedly across geographical zones. Identifying key host species for virus persistence and the biological traits that make them important is challenging, but essential, for the design of control strategies, evaluating the risk of human exposure, and predicting the impact of potential ecological disturbances
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