Lagos bat virus transmission in an Eidolon helvum bat colony, Ghana

Virus Res. 2015 Dec 2:210:42-5. doi: 10.1016/j.virusres.2015.07.009. Epub 2015 Jul 17.

Abstract

A brain sample of a straw-coloured fruit bat (Eidolon helvum) from Ghana without evident signs of disease tested positive by generic Lyssavirus RT-PCR and direct antigen staining. Sequence analysis confirmed the presence of a Lagos bat virus belonging to phylogenetic lineage A. Virus neutralization tests using the isolate with sera from the same group of bats yielded neutralizing antibodies in 74% of 567 animals. No cross-neutralization was observed against a different Lagos bat virus (lineage B).

Keywords: Bat rabies; Full genome sequencing; Lagos bat lyssavirus; Lyssaviruses; Pan-lyssa realtime PCR; Serological survey.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Neutralizing / blood
  • Antibodies, Viral / blood
  • Chiroptera / virology*
  • Disease Transmission, Infectious*
  • Ghana / epidemiology
  • Lyssavirus / classification
  • Lyssavirus / isolation & purification*
  • Rhabdoviridae Infections / transmission
  • Rhabdoviridae Infections / veterinary*
  • Seroepidemiologic Studies

Substances

  • Antibodies, Neutralizing
  • Antibodies, Viral