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Ruiz-Muñoz JA, Rodríguez-Arellanes G, Ramírez JA, Carreto-Binaghi LE, Fusco-Almeida AM, Mendes-Giannini MJS, García-Pérez BE, Taylor ML. Molecular detection of Histoplasma capsulatum in organ samples from bats randomly captured in urban areas of Araraquara, São Paulo state, Brazil. Epidemiol Infect 2024; 152:e83. [PMID: 38705586 PMCID: PMC11131007 DOI: 10.1017/s0950268824000657] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2023] [Revised: 04/09/2024] [Accepted: 04/14/2024] [Indexed: 05/07/2024] Open
Abstract
The mycosis histoplasmosis is also considered a zoonosis that affects humans and other mammalian species worldwide. Among the wild mammals predisposed to be infected with the etiologic agent of histoplasmosis, bats are relevant because they are reservoir of Histoplasma species, and they play a fundamental role in maintaining and spreading fungal propagules in the environments since the infective mycelial phase of Histoplasma grows in their accumulated guano. In this study, we detected the fungal presence in organ samples of bats randomly captured in urban areas of Araraquara City, São Paulo, Brazil. Fungal detection was performed using a nested polymerase chain reaction to amplify a molecular marker (Hcp100) unique to H. capsulatum, which revealed the pathogen presence in organ samples from 15 out of 37 captured bats, indicating 40.5% of infection. Out of 22 Hcp100-amplicons generated, 41% corresponded to lung and trachea samples and 59% to spleen, liver, and kidney samples. Data from these last three organs suggest that bats develop disseminated infections. Considering that infected bats create environments with a high risk of infection, it is important to register the percentage of infected bats living in urban areas to avoid risks of infection to humans, domestic animals, and wildlife.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica A. Ruiz-Muñoz
- Unidad de Micología, Departamento de Microbiología-Parasitología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Gabriela Rodríguez-Arellanes
- Unidad de Micología, Departamento de Microbiología-Parasitología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Mexico City, Mexico
| | - José A. Ramírez
- Unidad de Micología, Departamento de Microbiología-Parasitología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Laura E. Carreto-Binaghi
- Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Respiratorias Ismael Cosío Villegas (INER), Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Ana M. Fusco-Almeida
- Departamento de Análises Clínicas, Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas, Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Maria J. S. Mendes-Giannini
- Departamento de Análises Clínicas, Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas, Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Blanca E. García-Pérez
- Departamento de Microbiología, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional (IPN), Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Maria L. Taylor
- Unidad de Micología, Departamento de Microbiología-Parasitología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Mexico City, Mexico
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Dhivahar J, Parthasarathy A, Krishnan K, Kovi BS, Pandian GN. Bat-associated microbes: Opportunities and perils, an overview. Heliyon 2023; 9:e22351. [PMID: 38125540 PMCID: PMC10730444 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e22351] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2022] [Revised: 09/21/2023] [Accepted: 11/09/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
The potential biotechnological uses of bat-associated bacteria are discussed briefly, indicating avenues for biotechnological applications of bat-associated microbes. The uniqueness of bats in terms of their lifestyle, genomes and molecular immunology may predispose bats to act as disease reservoirs. Molecular phylogenetic analysis has shown several instances of bats harbouring the ancestral lineages of bacterial (Bartonella), protozoal (Plasmodium, Trypanosoma cruzi) and viral (SARS-CoV2) pathogens infecting humans. Along with the transmission of viruses from bats, we also discuss the potential roles of bat-associated bacteria, fungi, and protozoan parasites in emerging diseases. Current evidence suggests that environmental changes and interactions between wildlife, livestock, and humans contribute to the spill-over of infectious agents from bats to other hosts. Domestic animals including livestock may act as intermediate amplifying hosts for bat-origin pathogens to transmit to humans. An increasing number of studies investigating bat pathogen diversity and infection dynamics have been published. However, whether or how these infectious agents are transmitted both within bat populations and to other hosts, including humans, often remains unknown. Metagenomic approaches are uncovering the dynamics and distribution of potential pathogens in bat microbiomes, which might improve the understanding of disease emergence and transmission. Here, we summarize the current knowledge on bat zoonoses of public health concern and flag the gaps in the knowledge to enable further research and allocation of resources for tackling future outbreaks.
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Affiliation(s)
- J. Dhivahar
- Research Department of Zoology, St. Johns College, Palayamkottai, 627002, India
- Department of Plant Biology and Biotechnology, Laboratory of Microbial Ecology, Loyola College, Chennai, 600034, India
- Department of Biotechnology, Laboratory of Virology, University of Madras, Chennai, 600025, India
| | - Anutthaman Parthasarathy
- Department of Chemistry and Biosciences, Richmond Building, University of Bradford, Bradford, West Yorkshire, BD7 1DP, United Kingdom
| | - Kathiravan Krishnan
- Department of Biotechnology, Laboratory of Virology, University of Madras, Chennai, 600025, India
| | - Basavaraj S. Kovi
- Institute for Integrated Cell-Material Sciences (WPI-iCeMS), Yoshida Ushinomiyacho, 69, Sakyo Ward, 606-8501, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Ganesh N. Pandian
- Institute for Integrated Cell-Material Sciences (WPI-iCeMS), Yoshida Ushinomiyacho, 69, Sakyo Ward, 606-8501, Kyoto, Japan
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3
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Laux K, Teixeira MDM, Barker B. Love in the time of climate change: A review of sexual reproduction in the order Onygenales. Fungal Genet Biol 2023; 167:103797. [PMID: 37100376 DOI: 10.1016/j.fgb.2023.103797] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2022] [Revised: 02/02/2023] [Accepted: 04/03/2023] [Indexed: 04/28/2023]
Abstract
Life-threatening infections caused by fungi in the order Onygenales have been rising over the last few decades. Increasing global temperature due to anthropogenic climate change is one potential abiotic selection pressure that may explain the increase in infections. The generation of genetically novel offspring with novel phenotypes through the process of sexual recombination could allow fungi to adapt to changing climate conditions. The basic structures associated with sexual reproduction have been identified in Histoplasma, Blastomyces, Malbranchea, and Brunneospora. However, for Coccidioides and Paracoccidioides, the actual structural identification of these processes has yet to be identified despite having genetic evidence that suggests sexual recombination is occurring in these organisms. This review highlights the importance of assessing sexual recombination in the order Onygenales as a means of understanding the mechanisms these organisms might employ to enhance fitness in the face of a changing climate and provides details regarding the known reproductive mechanisms in the Onygenales.
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Affiliation(s)
- Klaire Laux
- The Pathogen and Microbiome Institute, Northern Arizona University, 1395 S Knoles Dr., Bldg 56 Ste 210, Flagstaff, AZ 86011, USA.
| | - Marcus de Melo Teixeira
- The Pathogen and Microbiome Institute, Northern Arizona University, 1395 S Knoles Dr., Bldg 56 Ste 210, Flagstaff, AZ 86011, USA; Nùcleo de Medicina Tropical, University of Brasilia, Universitário Darcy Ribeiro, s/n -Asa Norte, Brasília, DF 70910-900, Brazil
| | - Bridget Barker
- The Pathogen and Microbiome Institute, Northern Arizona University, 1395 S Knoles Dr., Bldg 56 Ste 210, Flagstaff, AZ 86011, USA.
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Role of Brazilian bats in the epidemiological cycle of potentially zoonotic pathogens. Microb Pathog 2023; 177:106032. [PMID: 36804526 DOI: 10.1016/j.micpath.2023.106032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2022] [Revised: 02/07/2023] [Accepted: 02/12/2023] [Indexed: 02/19/2023]
Abstract
Bats (Chiroptera) are flying mammals of great biodiversity and habits. These characteristics contribute for them being natural reservoirs and part of the epidemiological cycle of several potentially zoonotic pathogens, such as viruses, protozoa, fungi and bacteria. Brazil hosts approximately 15% of the world's bat diversity, with 181 distinct species, 68 genera and 9 families. About 60% of infectious diseases in humans are of zoonotic origin and, in the last decades, the detection of zoonotic pathogens in bats and their environment has been reported, such as Rabies virus (RABV) and Histoplasma capsulatum. Thus, the aim of this work was to review the reports of zoonotic pathogens associated with bats in Brazil in the past ten years. We reviewed the main pathogenic microorganisms described and the species of bats most frequently involved in the epidemiological cycles of these zoonotic agents. The obtained data show an upward trend in the detection of zoonotic pathogens in Brazilian bats, such as RABV, Bartonella sp., Histoplasma capsulatum and Leishmania spp., with emphasis on the bat species Artibeus lituratus, Carollia perspicillata, Desmodus rotundus and Molossus molossus. These findings highlight the importance of monitoring bat-associated microrganisms to early identify pathogens that may threaten bat populations, including potentially zoonotic microrganisms, emphasizing the importance of the One Health approach to prevent and mitigate the risks of the emergence of zoonotic diseases.
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5
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de Souza Suguiura IM, Bracarense APFL, de Carvalho Ishiuchi GG, Sano A, Branco KS, Itano EN, Ono MA. Histopathological survey of free-ranging neotropical bats with dermatitis. Vet Pathol 2023; 60:369-373. [PMID: 36757133 DOI: 10.1177/03009858231155399] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/10/2023]
Abstract
Bats have a fundamental ecological role, and no wildlife disease has decimated more individuals than white-nose syndrome (WNS). This impactful mycosis has raised the importance of monitoring disease threats to bat populations. In this study, we aimed to investigate gross skin lesions in neotropical bats by histopathology to survey the occurrence of dermatitis that could resemble WNS cases in Brazil. Eleven species of free-ranging bats were sampled from the rabies surveillance program in 9 municipalities of Northern Paraná. Members of the Molossidae family were the most frequent ones among the 126 analyzed individuals, and 4 cases of dermatitis in 2 black mastiff bats (Molossus rufus), 1 great fruit-eating bat (Artibeus lituratus), and a big free-tailed bat (Nyctinomops macrotis) were detected. Gross lesions included alopecia, macules, discoloration, and hyperkeratosis. Among the bats with gross lesions, dermal thickening and mild inflammation were observed histologically. Two M. rufus bats had dermal fungal invasion; however, none resembled WNS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Igor M de Souza Suguiura
- Secretaria de Estado da Saúde do Paraná, Londrina, Brazil.,Universidade Estadual de Londrina, Londrina, Brazil
| | | | | | - Ayako Sano
- University of the Ryukyus, Nakagusuku-Gun, Japan
| | | | - Eiko N Itano
- Universidade Estadual de Londrina, Londrina, Brazil
| | - Mario A Ono
- Universidade Estadual de Londrina, Londrina, Brazil
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6
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Federici L, Masulli M, De Laurenzi V, Allocati N. An overview of bats microbiota and its implication in transmissible diseases. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:1012189. [PMID: 36338090 PMCID: PMC9631491 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.1012189] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2022] [Accepted: 10/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent pandemic events have raised the attention of the public on the interactions between human and environment, with particular regard to the more and more feasible transmission to humans of micro-organisms hosted by wild-type species, due to the increasing interspecies contacts originating from human’s activities. Bats, due to their being flying mammals and their increasing promiscuity with humans, have been recognized as hosts frequently capable of transmitting disease-causing microorganisms. Therefore, it is of considerable interest and importance to have a picture as clear as possible of the microorganisms that are hosted by bats. Here we focus on our current knowledge on bats microbiota. We review the most recent literature on this subject, also in view of the bat’s body compartments, their dietary preferences and their habitat. Several pathogenic bacteria, including many carrying multidrug resistance, are indeed common guests of these small mammals, underlining the importance of preserving their habitat, not only to protect them from anthropogenic activities, but also to minimize the spreading of infectious diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luca Federici
- Department of Innovative Technologies in Medicine and Dentistry, University “G. d' Annunzio”, Chieti, Italy
- Center for Advanced Studies and Technology (CAST), University “G. d' Annunzio”, Chieti, Italy
| | - Michele Masulli
- Department of Innovative Technologies in Medicine and Dentistry, University “G. d' Annunzio”, Chieti, Italy
| | - Vincenzo De Laurenzi
- Department of Innovative Technologies in Medicine and Dentistry, University “G. d' Annunzio”, Chieti, Italy
- Center for Advanced Studies and Technology (CAST), University “G. d' Annunzio”, Chieti, Italy
| | - Nerino Allocati
- Department of Innovative Technologies in Medicine and Dentistry, University “G. d' Annunzio”, Chieti, Italy
- *Correspondence: Nerino Allocati,
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7
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Considerations about the Geographic Distribution of Histoplasma Species. Appl Environ Microbiol 2022; 88:e0201021. [PMID: 35262368 DOI: 10.1128/aem.02010-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Histoplasmosis is a mycotic infection principally affecting pulmonary tissue; sometimes, histoplasmosis can progress into a systemic disease. This infection involves immunocompetent and immunosuppressed human and other mammalian hosts, depending on particular circumstances. Histoplasmosis infection has been documented worldwide. The infection is acquired by inhaling infective mycelial propagules of the dimorphic fungus Histoplasma capsulatum. New reports of clinical cases of histoplasmosis in extreme latitudes could be related to human social adaptations and climate changes in the world, which are creating new favorable environments for this fungus and for bats, its major natural reservoirs and dispersers. Histoplasma has been isolated from most continents, and it is considered a complex of cryptic species, consisting of various groups of isolates that differ genetically and correlate with a particular geographic distribution. Based on updated studies, Histoplasma taxonomy is adjusting to new genetic data. Here, we have suggested that Histoplasma has at least 14 phylogenetic species distributed worldwide and new genotypes that could be under deliberation. Histoplasma's geographic radiation began in South America millions of years ago when the continents were joined and the climate was favorable. For fungal spreading, the role of bats and some birds is crucial, although other natural factors could also participate.
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Furtado BG, Savi GD, Angioletto E, Carvalho F. Filamentous fungi occurrence on Molossus molossus (Pallas, 1766) (Chiroptera: Molossidae) present in an Atlantic Forest remnant in Southern Brazil. BRAZ J BIOL 2021; 81:1073-1080. [PMID: 33053139 DOI: 10.1590/1519-6984.235374] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2020] [Accepted: 05/26/2020] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The bats usually inhabit shelters with favorable conditions for fungal proliferation, including pathogenic and opportunistic species. The fungal diversity present on bats is little known and the studies are scarce in Brazil, which only a work has been performed in Cerrado and Pantanal biomes. Therefore, the objective of this study was evaluating the occurrence of filamentous fungi on the rostral region of Molossus molossus in an Atlantic Forest remnant of Brazil. The bats were captured with mist nets installed outside a shelter located in the municipality of Treviso, (28°29'23"S and 49°31'23"W), south region of state Santa Catarina. With a swab sterile moistened in saline solution, samples from the rostral region were obtained from all captured M. molossus individuals. The samples were taken to the laboratory for analysis and isolation in different culture media, followed of identification of fungal through the microculture technique. In total, 15 individuals were captured, which five fungal genus and 19 taxa were identified. Among the taxa registered, Aspergillioides sp.2, (47%), Penicillium sp.1 (33%), Chrysonilia sp. (33%), Cladosporium sp. (27%) were classified as little constant. In terms of abundance, Penicillium sp.1 (34%), Aspergillioides sp.2 (21%) and Aspergillus sp.2 (11%) were the most abundant in the samples. The results showed the occurrence of high diversity fungal in the rostral region of M. molossus in the Atlantic Forest, which is higher than observed in others Brazilian biomes. Some fungal genera found may harbor pathogenic and opportunistic species that need to be identified for preventing potential disease well as for bat conservation projects.
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Affiliation(s)
- B G Furtado
- Universidade do Extremo Sul Catarinense - UNESC, Programa de Pós-graduação em Ciência e Engenharia de Materiais, Laboratório de Desenvolvimento de Biomateriais e Materiais Antimicrobianos - LADEBIMA, Criciúma, SC, Brasil
| | - G D Savi
- Universidade do Extremo Sul Catarinense - UNESC, Programa de Pós-graduação em Ciência e Engenharia de Materiais, Laboratório de Desenvolvimento de Biomateriais e Materiais Antimicrobianos - LADEBIMA, Criciúma, SC, Brasil
| | - E Angioletto
- Universidade do Extremo Sul Catarinense - UNESC, Programa de Pós-graduação em Ciência e Engenharia de Materiais, Laboratório de Desenvolvimento de Biomateriais e Materiais Antimicrobianos - LADEBIMA, Criciúma, SC, Brasil
| | - F Carvalho
- Universidade do Extremo Sul Catarinense - UNESC, Programa de Pós-graduação em Ciências Ambientais, Laboratório de Zoologia e Ecologia de Vertebrados - LABZEV, Criciúma, SC, Brasil
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9
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Use of an Argentinean Wildlife Tissue Collection for Epidemiological Studies of Histoplasmosis. Mycopathologia 2020; 185:905-915. [PMID: 31993951 DOI: 10.1007/s11046-020-00430-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2019] [Accepted: 01/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Histoplasmosis is a worldwide systemic endemic mycosis caused by several cryptic species included within the Histoplasma capsulatum complex. Domestic and wild mammals are susceptible to infection by this fungus and could be used as indicators of its presence in the environment. The aim of the study was to identify the natural reservoirs of H. capsulatum in the Argentinean Humid Pampas eco-region analyzing a wildlife frozen-tissue collection and trace its distribution patterns over time and space. Tissue samples from 34 small wild mammals caught in the Humid Pampas were analyzed using two molecular markers: 100 kDa protein coding gene (Hcp100) and ITS1 rDNA. Results showed that 32.4% of them were infected with H. capsulatum and its DNA was detected in 5/17 Calomys laucha; 3/6 Calomys musculinus; 1/5 Akodon azarae, 1/3 Monodelphis dimidiata; and 1/2 Didelphis albiventris. In the single specimen studied of Cavia aperea, no H. capsulatum DNA was detected. This is the first H. capsulatum infection report in C. laucha and C. musculinus rodents and M. dimidiate opossum which proves that tissue collections are an important source of material for epidemiological studies of endemic disease over time.
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Menozzi BD, da Paz GS, Paiz LM, Garces HG, Adorno BMV, Almeida-Silva F, Zancope Oliveira RM, Richini-Pereira VB, Chechi JL, Bagagli E, Bosco SDMG, Langoni H. Rabies virus and Histoplasma suramericanum coinfection in a bat from southeastern Brazil. Zoonoses Public Health 2019; 67:138-147. [PMID: 31750629 DOI: 10.1111/zph.12663] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2019] [Revised: 10/18/2019] [Accepted: 10/21/2019] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Bats are essential to the global ecosystem, but their ability to harbour a range of pathogens has been widely discussed, as well as their role in the emergence and re-emergence of infectious diseases. This paper describes the first report of coinfection by two zoonotic agents, rabies virus (RABV) and the fungus Histoplasma suramericanum in a bat. The bat was from the Molossus molossus species, and it was found during the daytime in the hallway of a public psychiatric hospital in a municipality in São Paulo State, southeastern Brazil. RABV infection was diagnosed by the direct fluorescent antibody test and mouse inoculation test. The fungus was isolated by in vitro culture. Both diagnoses were confirmed by molecular techniques. Phylogenetic analysis showed that the fungus isolate had proximity to H. suramericanum in the Lam B clade, while the RABV isolate was characterized in the Lasiurus cinereus lineage. Since the M. molossus bat was found in a peri-urban transition area (urban/peri-urban), the possibility of cross-species transmission of this RABV lineage becomes more plausible, considering that this scenario may provide shelter for both M. molossus and L. cinereus. These are relevant findings since there has been an increase in bat populations in urban and peri-urban areas, particularly due to environmental modifications and anthropogenic impacts on their habitat. Thus, the detection of two zoonotic agents in a bat found in a public hospital should raise awareness regarding the importance of systematic surveillance actions directed towards bats in urban areas.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Giselle Souza da Paz
- São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu, Brazil
- Municipal Health Department, Botucatu, Brazil
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Helio Langoni
- São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu, Brazil
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