Abstract
A high diversity of corona- and paramyxoviruses have been detected in different bat species at study sites worldwide, including Africa, however no biosurveillance studies from Rwanda have been reported. In this study, samples from bats collected from caves in Ruhengeri, Rwanda, were tested for the presence of corona- and paramyxoviral RNA using reverse transcription PCR assays. Positive results were further characterized by DNA sequencing and phylogenetic analysis. In addition to morphological identification of bat species, we also did molecular confirmation of species identities, contributing to the known genetic database available for African bat species. We detected a novel Betacoronavirus in two Geoffroy’s horseshoe bats (Rhinolophus clivosus) bats. We also detected several different paramyxoviral species from various insectivorous bats. One of these viral species was found to be homologous to the genomes of viruses belonging to the Jeilongvirus genus. Additionally, a Henipavirus-related sequence was detected in an Egyptian rousette fruit bat (Rousettus aegyptiacus). These results expand on the known diversity of corona- and paramyxoviruses and their geographical distribution in Africa.
Highlights
Bats (Order Chiroptera) account for 20% of all mammalian species and are distributed worldwide
Bats host a large diversity of coronaviruses and the expanding research can be largely attributed to the emergence of novel coronaviruses of public health and veterinary importance
We report the detection of a novel Betacoronavirus in Rhinolophus clivosus sampled in the Ruhengeri cave system in Rwanda
Summary
Bats (Order Chiroptera) account for 20% of all mammalian species and are distributed worldwide. The emergence of Hendra and Nipah viruses (Henipavirus genus) during the 1990s in Australia and Southeast Asia respectively, marked the first report of zoonotic paramyxoviruses of considerable public health importance [30,31]. These viruses are characterized by high morbidity and mortality rates and outbreaks have been reported on a near annual basis. We report on the detection of Jeilongvirus and related sequences in Hipposideros spp. as well as a Henipavirus-related sequence in the fruit bat species R. aegyptiacus These results expand on the known diversity of these virus groups and their geographical distribution in Africa. Sterile forecepsplawceerteheumseidn 2tomcLolmleiccrtofceecnatrlifpueglelettu(sb)esa(nSdarsptleadcte, Nthüemmbreinch2t, GmeLrmmanicyr)o. cUenritnreifuwgaes ctuolbleecste(dSarstedt, Nümbrewcihtht, aGsetermrilaensyw)a. bU(rVinWeRwCarsiticcoallleScwteadb, wAtitlahnata,stGeAri,leUsSwA)abfro(mVWinRdivCirdiutiaclabl aStws aasbw, Aastlaavnatiala, bGleA. , USA) from inIdnivinidstuaanlcebsatwshaesrewbaastsadviaeidladbuler.inIgn pinrosctaenssciensg,wnhecerroepbsiaetss wdeieredpdeurfroinrmgepdroancedssvianrgio,unseocrrgoapnssies were performabenrdadinatinasnsdudevlsya,mriinopcuhlusndooidnrgegsak,nwidsenareenycd,osltplielsecsetuende,sha,neiadnrcpt,llupacdeecidntogirnak2l immdnuLseccyrl,eysos,ptluilvbeeeesrn,(,lSuhanresgat,restdt,to,pmNeacüctmohr,babrlelacmhdtdu, eGsrc,eltreomsn,aglnuiyve)e,.r, lung, stomachA,lbl slaadmdpelers, wtoenrge ucoel,lebcrtaeidninanRdNAlyLmatpehr pnroesdeervs,atwiveerienaccotlilveacttieodn saonludtipolna(cQediaginen, HmilLdecnr,yGoeturmbeansy()S,arstedt, Nümbresctohrte,dGaetr4m◦Ca,ntyh)e.nAtrlal nssapmorptleedstwo aenrde cteosltleedctinedSoinutRhNAfAriLcaaatet rthperNesaetirovnaatlivInestiintuatcetifvoar tCioonmmsoulunitcioabnle(Qiagen, Hilden,DGiseeramseasn(yN),ICsDto)raenddaUt n4iv°Cer,sitthyeonf tPrraentosrpiao.rtPeedrmtoitsawnderteeosbtetadiniendSforoumththAefrRiwcaanadt athDeeNvealotipomnaenl tInstitute for ComBmoaurnd/iTcaobulreismDi&seCasoensse(rNvIaCtiDon) aannddaUninmivaleertshitiycsowfaPsroebtotariinae.dPferrommitshewAenreimoabltEatihniecds CfroommmtithteeR, wanda DevelopUmnievnetrsBitoyaorfdP/rTeotourriias.m & Conservation and animal ethics was obtained from the Animal Ethics Committee, University of Pretoria
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
