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Golding ME, Wu G, Wilkie R, Picard-Meyer E, Servat A, Marston DA, Aegerter JN, Horton DL, McElhinney LM. Investigating the emergence of a zoonotic virus: phylogenetic analysis of European bat lyssavirus 1 in the UK. Virus Evol 2024; 10:veae060. [PMID: 39193178 PMCID: PMC11345707 DOI: 10.1093/ve/veae060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2023] [Revised: 06/27/2024] [Accepted: 07/25/2024] [Indexed: 08/29/2024] Open
Abstract
European bat lyssavirus 1 (EBLV-1, Lyssavirus hamburg) is predominantly detected in serotine bats (Eptesicus serotinus) and is responsible for the majority of bat rabies cases in mainland Europe. A passive bat rabies surveillance scheme detected the virus in a serotine bat in the UK for the first time in October 2018. As of May 2024, 34 cases have been reported, 20 of which involved contact with an animal and 5 reported human contact. We investigated the emergence of EBLV-1 by undertaking comprehensive sequence analysis and Bayesian phylogenetics, based on complete virus genomes of 33 UK sequences and 108 sequences covering six countries in mainland Europe (1968-2023), including 21 French EBLV-1-positive RNA samples sequenced for this study. Sequence analysis revealed extreme similarity among UK EBLV-1 sequences (99.9%-100%), implying a single source of introduction rather than multiple independent introductions. Bayesian analysis revealed that the UK EBLV-1 sequences shared their most recent common ancestor with an EBLV-1 sequence from a serotine bat detected in Brittany, France, in 2001, with an estimated date of divergence of 1997. Within the UK sequences, the earliest divergence was estimated to occur in 2007. This study provides valuable insights into the molecular epidemiology of an emerging zoonotic pathogen and improved understanding of the risks posed to public and animal health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megan E Golding
- Department of Virology, Animal and Plant Health Agency, Woodham Lane, Addlestone KT15 3NB, United Kingdom
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Surrey, Guildford, Surrey GU2 7XH, United Kingdom
| | - Guanghui Wu
- Department of Virology, Animal and Plant Health Agency, Woodham Lane, Addlestone KT15 3NB, United Kingdom
| | - Rebekah Wilkie
- Department of Virology, Animal and Plant Health Agency, Woodham Lane, Addlestone KT15 3NB, United Kingdom
| | | | - Alexandre Servat
- Nancy Laboratory for Rabies and Wildlife, ANSES, Malzéville 51220, France
| | - Denise A Marston
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Surrey, Guildford, Surrey GU2 7XH, United Kingdom
- Department of Science, Strategy and Planning, Animal and Plant Health Agency, Woodham Lane, Addlestone KT15 3NB, United Kingdom
| | - James N Aegerter
- National Wildlife Management Centre, Wildlife Epidemiology and Modelling, Animal and Plant Health Agency, Sand Hutton, York YO41 1LZ, United Kingdom
| | - Daniel L Horton
- Department of Virology, Animal and Plant Health Agency, Woodham Lane, Addlestone KT15 3NB, United Kingdom
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Surrey, Guildford, Surrey GU2 7XH, United Kingdom
| | - Lorraine M McElhinney
- Department of Virology, Animal and Plant Health Agency, Woodham Lane, Addlestone KT15 3NB, United Kingdom
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Vodopija R, Lojkić I, Hamidović D, Boneta J, Primorac D. Bat Bites and Rabies PEP in the Croatian Reference Centre for Rabies 1995-2020. Viruses 2024; 16:876. [PMID: 38932168 PMCID: PMC11209127 DOI: 10.3390/v16060876] [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: 04/30/2024] [Revised: 05/27/2024] [Accepted: 05/28/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Seroprevalence of lyssaviruses in certain bat species has been proven in the Republic of Croatia, but there have been no confirmed positive bat brain isolates or human fatalities associated with bat injuries/bites. The study included a retrospective analysis of bat injuries/bites, post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) and geographic distribution of bat injuries in persons examined at the Zagreb Antirabies Clinic, the Croatian Reference Centre for Rabies. In the period 1995-2020, we examined a total of 21,910 patients due to animal injuries, of which 71 cases were bat-related (0.32%). Of the above number of patients, 4574 received rabies PEP (20.87%). However, for bat injuries, the proportion of patients receiving PEP was significantly higher: 66 out of 71 patients (92.95%). Of these, 33 received only the rabies vaccine, while the other 33 patients received the vaccine with human rabies immunoglobulin (HRIG). In five cases, PEP was not administered, as there was no indication for treatment. Thirty-five of the injured patients were biologists or biology students (49.29%). The bat species was confirmed in only one of the exposure cases. This was a serotine bat (Eptesicus serotinus), a known carrier of Lyssavirus hamburg. The results showed that the bat bites were rather sporadic compared to other human injuries caused by animal bites. All bat injuries should be treated as if they were caused by a rabid animal, and according to WHO recommendations. People who come into contact with bats should be strongly advised to be vaccinated against rabies. Entering bat habitats should be done with caution and in accordance with current recommendations, and nationwide surveillance should be carried out by competent institutions and in close collaboration between bat experts, epidemiologists and rabies experts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Radovan Vodopija
- Department of Epidemiology, Andrija Štampar Teaching Institute of Public Health, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (R.V.); (D.P.)
| | - Ivana Lojkić
- Laboratory for Rabies and General Virology, Croatian Veterinary Institute, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Daniela Hamidović
- Ministry of Environment and Green Transition, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia;
| | - Jelena Boneta
- Institute of Public Health of Zagreb County, 10290 Zaprešić, Croatia;
| | - Dora Primorac
- Department of Epidemiology, Andrija Štampar Teaching Institute of Public Health, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (R.V.); (D.P.)
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Arnaout Y, Picard-Meyer E, Robardet E, Cappelle J, Cliquet F, Touzalin F, Jimenez G, Djelouadji Z. Assessment of virus and Leptospira carriage in bats in France. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0292840. [PMID: 37862301 PMCID: PMC10588846 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0292840] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2022] [Accepted: 09/29/2023] [Indexed: 10/22/2023] Open
Abstract
With over 1,400 species worldwide, bats represent the second largest order of mammals after rodents, and are known to host major zoonotic pathogens. Here, we estimate the presence of pathogens in autochthonous bat populations. First, we set out to check our samples for PCR amplification efficiency by assessing the occurrence of inhibited PCR reactions from different types of bat samples with amplifying the housekeeping gene β-actin. Second, we investigated the presence of five targeted pathogens in a French bat population using PCR. We targeted viral RNA of Canine distemper virus, Alphacoronavirus, Lyssavirus, Rotavirus and bacterial Leptospira DNA. To do so, we screened for these viruses in bat faecal samples as well as in oropharyngeal swab samples. The presence of Leptospira was assessed in urine, kidney, lung and faecal samples. Results showed a frequency of inhibited reactions ranging from 5 to 60% of samples, varying according to the sample itself and also suspected to vary according to sampling method and the storage buffer solution used, demonstrating the importance of the sampling and storage on the probability of obtaining negative PCR results. For pathogen assessment, rotavirus and alphacoronavirus RNA were detected in Myotis myotis, Myotis daubentonii, Myotis emarginatus and Rhinolophus ferrumequinum bats. Rotaviruses were also detected in Barbastella barbastellus. The presence of alphacoronavirus also varied seasonally, with higher frequencies in late summer and October, suggesting that juveniles potentially play an important role in the dynamics of these viruses. Leptospira DNA was detected in M. myotis and M. daubentonii colonies. The 16S rRNA sequences obtained from Leptospira positive samples showed 100% genetic identity with L. borgpetersenii. Neither canine distemper virus nor lyssavirus RNA were detected in any of the tested samples. This study is the first to show the presence of Leptospira in autochthonous French bats in addition to coronavirus and rotavirus RNA previously reported in European autochthonous bats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Youssef Arnaout
- Lyssavirus Unit, Nancy Laboratory for Rabies and Wildlife, ANSES, Malzéville, France
- USC 1233-INRAE Rongeurs Sauvages, Risque Sanitaire et Gestion des Populations, VetAgro Sup, Marcy l’Etoile, France
| | - Evelyne Picard-Meyer
- Lyssavirus Unit, Nancy Laboratory for Rabies and Wildlife, ANSES, Malzéville, France
| | - Emmanuelle Robardet
- Lyssavirus Unit, Nancy Laboratory for Rabies and Wildlife, ANSES, Malzéville, France
| | - Julien Cappelle
- UMR ASTRE, CIRAD, INRAE, Université de Montpellier, Montpellier, France
- UMR EPIA, INRAE, VetAgro Sup, Theix, France
| | - Florence Cliquet
- Lyssavirus Unit, Nancy Laboratory for Rabies and Wildlife, ANSES, Malzéville, France
| | - Frédéric Touzalin
- School of Biology and Environmental Science, Science Centre West, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | | | - Zouheira Djelouadji
- USC 1233-INRAE Rongeurs Sauvages, Risque Sanitaire et Gestion des Populations, VetAgro Sup, Marcy l’Etoile, France
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Dascalu MA, Picard-Meyer E, Robardet E, Servat A, Arseniev S, Groza O, Starciuc N, Vuta V, Barbuceanu F, Tanase OI, Daraban Bocaneti F, Quenault H, Hirchaud E, Blanchard Y, Velescu E, Cliquet F. Whole genome sequencing and phylogenetic characterisation of rabies virus strains from Moldova and north-eastern Romania. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2023; 17:e0011446. [PMID: 37410714 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0011446] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2022] [Accepted: 06/07/2023] [Indexed: 07/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Rabies is the oldest fatal zoonotic disease recognised as a neglected tropical disease and is caused by an RNA virus belonging to the genus Lyssavirus, family Rhabdoviridae. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS A deep molecular analysis was conducted on full-length nucleoprotein (N) gene and whole genome sequences of rabies virus from 37 animal brain samples collected between 2012 and 2017 to study the circulation of rabies virus (RABV) variants. The overall aim was to better understand their distribution in Moldova and north-eastern Romania. Both Sanger and high throughput sequencing on Ion Torrent and Illumina platforms were performed. Phylogenetic analysis of the RABV sequences from both Moldova and Romania revealed that all the samples (irrespective of the year of isolation and the species) belonged to a single phylogenetic group: north-eastern Europe (NEE), clustering into three assigned lineages: RO#5, RO#6 and RO#7. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE High throughput sequencing of RABV samples from domestic and wild animals was performed for the first time for both countries, providing new insights into virus evolution and epidemiology in this less studied region, expanding our understanding of the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mihaela Anca Dascalu
- Department of Public Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Iasi University of Life Sciences "Ion Ionescu de la Brad", Mihail Sadoveanu Alley, Romania
| | - Evelyne Picard-Meyer
- ANSES, Nancy Laboratory for Rabies and Wildlife, WHO Collaborating Centre for Research and Management in Zoonoses Control, OIE Reference Laboratory for Rabies, European Union Reference Laboratory for Rabies, European Union Reference Laboratory for Rabies Serology, Technopôle Agricole et Vétérinaire, Malzéville, France
| | - Emmanuelle Robardet
- ANSES, Nancy Laboratory for Rabies and Wildlife, WHO Collaborating Centre for Research and Management in Zoonoses Control, OIE Reference Laboratory for Rabies, European Union Reference Laboratory for Rabies, European Union Reference Laboratory for Rabies Serology, Technopôle Agricole et Vétérinaire, Malzéville, France
| | - Alexandre Servat
- ANSES, Nancy Laboratory for Rabies and Wildlife, WHO Collaborating Centre for Research and Management in Zoonoses Control, OIE Reference Laboratory for Rabies, European Union Reference Laboratory for Rabies, European Union Reference Laboratory for Rabies Serology, Technopôle Agricole et Vétérinaire, Malzéville, France
| | | | - Oxana Groza
- Republican Center of Veterinary Diagnostic, Chisinau, Moldova
| | - Nicolae Starciuc
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, State Agrarian University, Chisinau, Moldova
| | - Vlad Vuta
- Institute for Diagnosis and Animal Health, OIE Reference Laboratory for Rabies, Bucharest, Romania; University of Agronomic Study and Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Florica Barbuceanu
- Institute for Diagnosis and Animal Health, OIE Reference Laboratory for Rabies, Bucharest, Romania; University of Agronomic Study and Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Oana Irina Tanase
- Department of Public Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Iasi University of Life Sciences "Ion Ionescu de la Brad", Mihail Sadoveanu Alley, Romania
| | - Florentina Daraban Bocaneti
- Department of Public Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Iasi University of Life Sciences "Ion Ionescu de la Brad", Mihail Sadoveanu Alley, Romania
| | - Helene Quenault
- ANSES, Nancy Ploufragan-Plouzané-Niort Laboratory, Viral Genetics and Biosafety Unit, Technopôle Agricole et Vétérinaire, Malzéville, France
| | - Edouard Hirchaud
- ANSES, Nancy Ploufragan-Plouzané-Niort Laboratory, Viral Genetics and Biosafety Unit, Technopôle Agricole et Vétérinaire, Malzéville, France
| | - Yannick Blanchard
- ANSES, Nancy Ploufragan-Plouzané-Niort Laboratory, Viral Genetics and Biosafety Unit, Technopôle Agricole et Vétérinaire, Malzéville, France
| | - Elena Velescu
- Department of Public Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Iasi University of Life Sciences "Ion Ionescu de la Brad", Mihail Sadoveanu Alley, Romania
| | - Florence Cliquet
- ANSES, Nancy Laboratory for Rabies and Wildlife, WHO Collaborating Centre for Research and Management in Zoonoses Control, OIE Reference Laboratory for Rabies, European Union Reference Laboratory for Rabies, European Union Reference Laboratory for Rabies Serology, Technopôle Agricole et Vétérinaire, Malzéville, France
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Spillover of West Caucasian Bat Lyssavirus (WCBV) in a Domestic Cat and Westward Expansion in the Palearctic Region. Viruses 2021; 13:v13102064. [PMID: 34696493 PMCID: PMC8540014 DOI: 10.3390/v13102064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2021] [Revised: 10/04/2021] [Accepted: 10/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
In June 2020, a cat from Arezzo (Italy) that died from a neurological disease was diagnosed with West Caucasian Bat Lyssavirus (WCBV). The virus retained high identity across the whole-genome with the reference isolate found in 2002 from a Russian bent-winged bat. We applied control measures recommended by national regulations, investigated a possible interface between cats and bats using visual inspections, bioacoustics analyses and camera trapping and performed active and passive surveillance in bats to trace the source of infection. People that were exposed to the cat received full post-exposure prophylaxis while animals underwent six months of quarantine. One year later, they are all healthy. In a tunnel located near the cat’s house, we identified a group of bent-winged bats that showed virus-neutralizing antibodies to WCBV across four sampling occasions, but no virus in salivary swabs. Carcasses from other bat species were all negative. This description of WCBV in a non-flying mammal confirms that this virus can cause clinical rabies in the absence of preventive and therapeutic measures, and highlights the lack of international guidelines against divergent lyssaviruses. We detected bent-winged bats as the most probable source of infection, testifying the encroachment between these bats and pets/human in urban areas and confirming free-ranging cats as potential hazard for public health and conservation.
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Renewed Public Health Threat from Emerging Lyssaviruses. Viruses 2021; 13:v13091769. [PMID: 34578350 PMCID: PMC8472001 DOI: 10.3390/v13091769] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2021] [Revised: 08/27/2021] [Accepted: 08/31/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Pathogen discovery contributes to our knowledge of bat-borne viruses and is linked to the heightened interest globally in bats as recognised reservoirs of zoonotic agents. The transmission of lyssaviruses from bats-to-humans, domestic animals, or other wildlife species is uncommon, but interest in these pathogens remains due to their ability to cause an acute, progressive, invariably fatal encephalitis in humans. Consequently, the detection and characterisation of bat lyssaviruses continues to expand our knowledge of their phylogroup definition, viral diversity, host species association, geographical distribution, evolution, mechanisms for perpetuation, and the potential routes of transmission. Although the opportunity for lyssavirus cross-species transmission seems rare, adaptation in a new host and the possibility of onward transmission to humans requires continued investigation. Considering the limited efficacy of available rabies biologicals it is important to further our understanding of protective immunity to minimize the threat from these pathogens to public health. Hence, in addition to increased surveillance, the development of a niche pan-lyssavirus vaccine or therapeutic biologics for post-exposure prophylaxis for use against genetically divergent lyssaviruses should be an international priority as these emerging lyssaviruses remain a concern for global public health.
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Update on Potentially Zoonotic Viruses of European Bats. Vaccines (Basel) 2021; 9:vaccines9070690. [PMID: 34201666 PMCID: PMC8310327 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines9070690] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2021] [Revised: 06/10/2021] [Accepted: 06/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Bats have been increasingly gaining attention as potential reservoir hosts of some of the most virulent viruses known. Numerous review articles summarize bats as potential reservoir hosts of human-pathogenic zoonotic viruses. For European bats, just one review article is available that we published in 2014. The present review provides an update on the earlier article and summarizes the most important viruses found in European bats and their possible implications for Public Health. We identify the research gaps and recommend monitoring of these viruses.
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Calvelage S, Tammiranta N, Nokireki T, Gadd T, Eggerbauer E, Zaeck LM, Potratz M, Wylezich C, Höper D, Müller T, Finke S, Freuling CM. Genetic and Antigenetic Characterization of the Novel Kotalahti Bat Lyssavirus (KBLV). Viruses 2021; 13:69. [PMID: 33419096 PMCID: PMC7825429 DOI: 10.3390/v13010069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2020] [Revised: 12/14/2020] [Accepted: 12/17/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
There is a growing diversity of bat-associated lyssaviruses in the Old World. In August 2017, a dead Brandt's bat (Myotis brandtii) tested positive for rabies and based on partial sequence analysis, the novel Kotalahti bat lyssavirus (KBLV) was identified. Because the bat was in an autolyzed state, isolation of KBLV was neither successful after three consecutive cell passages on cells nor in mice. Next generation sequencing (NGS) was applied using Ion Torrent ™ S5 technology coupled with target enrichment via hybridization-based capture (myBaits®) was used to sequence 99% of the genome, comprising of 11,878 nucleotides (nt). KBLV is most closely related to EBLV-2 (78.7% identity), followed by KHUV (79.0%) and BBLV (77.6%), supporting the assignment as phylogroup I lyssavirus. Interestingly, all of these lyssaviruses were also isolated from bat species of the genus Myotis, thus supporting that M. brandtii is likely the reservoir host. All information on antigenic and genetic divergence fulfil the species demarcation criteria by ICTV, so that we recommend KBLV as a novel species within the Lyssavirus genus. Next to sequence analyses, assignment to phylogroup I was functionally corroborated by cross-neutralization of G-deleted RABV, pseudotyped with KBLV-G by sera from RABV vaccinated humans. This suggests that conventional RABV vaccines also confer protection against the novel KBLV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sten Calvelage
- Institute of Diagnostic Virology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut (FLI), 17493 Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany; (S.C.); (C.W.); (D.H.)
| | - Niina Tammiranta
- Finnish Food Authority, Research Department, Virology Unit, Mustialankatu 3, FI-00790 Helsinki, Finland; (N.T.); (T.N.); (T.G.)
| | - Tiina Nokireki
- Finnish Food Authority, Research Department, Virology Unit, Mustialankatu 3, FI-00790 Helsinki, Finland; (N.T.); (T.N.); (T.G.)
| | - Tuija Gadd
- Finnish Food Authority, Research Department, Virology Unit, Mustialankatu 3, FI-00790 Helsinki, Finland; (N.T.); (T.N.); (T.G.)
| | - Elisa Eggerbauer
- Institute of Molecular Virology and Cell Biology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut (FLI), WHO Collaborating Centre for Rabies Surveillance and Research, OIE Reference Laboratory for Rabies, 17493 Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany; (E.E.); (L.M.Z.); (M.P.); (T.M.); (S.F.)
| | - Luca M. Zaeck
- Institute of Molecular Virology and Cell Biology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut (FLI), WHO Collaborating Centre for Rabies Surveillance and Research, OIE Reference Laboratory for Rabies, 17493 Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany; (E.E.); (L.M.Z.); (M.P.); (T.M.); (S.F.)
| | - Madlin Potratz
- Institute of Molecular Virology and Cell Biology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut (FLI), WHO Collaborating Centre for Rabies Surveillance and Research, OIE Reference Laboratory for Rabies, 17493 Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany; (E.E.); (L.M.Z.); (M.P.); (T.M.); (S.F.)
| | - Claudia Wylezich
- Institute of Diagnostic Virology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut (FLI), 17493 Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany; (S.C.); (C.W.); (D.H.)
| | - Dirk Höper
- Institute of Diagnostic Virology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut (FLI), 17493 Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany; (S.C.); (C.W.); (D.H.)
| | - Thomas Müller
- Institute of Molecular Virology and Cell Biology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut (FLI), WHO Collaborating Centre for Rabies Surveillance and Research, OIE Reference Laboratory for Rabies, 17493 Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany; (E.E.); (L.M.Z.); (M.P.); (T.M.); (S.F.)
| | - Stefan Finke
- Institute of Molecular Virology and Cell Biology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut (FLI), WHO Collaborating Centre for Rabies Surveillance and Research, OIE Reference Laboratory for Rabies, 17493 Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany; (E.E.); (L.M.Z.); (M.P.); (T.M.); (S.F.)
| | - Conrad M. Freuling
- Central Duties, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut (FLI), 17493 Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
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Flis M. Rabies in Europe in 2010-2019. BULGARIAN JOURNAL OF VETERINARY MEDICINE 2021. [DOI: 10.15547/bjvm.2020-0077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The paper presents the epizootic and epidemiological situation of rabies in European countries during the last decade. The presented results indicate that the oral immunisation of fox anti-rabies (ORV), used in many European countries, significantly reduced the number of rabies cases found in ground mammals, but did not eliminate the virus at all. Currently, the largest reservoir of the virus are Eastern European countries where there are no immunisation activities or their effectiveness is low. Due to the absence of geographical barriers, the virus reappears in countries that have been described as free from rabies. As a rule, it is dragged into these areas along with the movement of companion animals and by people travelling to countries where the prevalence of the virus is common. It should be emphasised that due to the significant elimination of the virus in wild and domestic animals, it found quite quickly found a new reservoir in a specific group of mammals, having the ability to fly, like bats. Currently there is no possibility of carrying out any preventive measures in bats, so all the virus strains found in this group of animals are dangerous to humans, raising possibilities of epidemiological threat. It should be noted that despite the significant elimination of rabies in many European countries, given the almost unlimited possibilities of virus transmission to new areas, it still poses a serious threat to public health. Thus, it is necessary to constantly monitor the occurrence of the virus and possibly take preventive actions in terms of its elimination from the environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- M. Flis
- Department of Animal Ethology and Wildlife Management, Faculty of Animal Sciences and Bioeconomy, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Lublin, Poland
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AL-Eitan LN, Tarkhan AH, Alghamdi MA, Marston DA, Wu G, McElhinney LM, Brown IH, Fooks AR. Bat-Borne Coronaviruses in Jordan and Saudi Arabia: A Threat to Public Health? Viruses 2020; 12:E1413. [PMID: 33316899 PMCID: PMC7764733 DOI: 10.3390/v12121413] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2020] [Revised: 11/30/2020] [Accepted: 12/03/2020] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Emerging infectious diseases are of great concern to public health, as highlighted by the ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Such diseases are of particular danger during mass gathering and mass influx events, as large crowds of people in close proximity to each other creates optimal opportunities for disease transmission. The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia are two countries that have witnessed mass gatherings due to the arrival of Syrian refugees and the annual Hajj season. The mass migration of people not only brings exotic diseases to these regions but also brings new diseases back to their own countries, e.g., the outbreak of MERS in South Korea. Many emerging pathogens originate in bats, and more than 30 bat species have been identified in these two countries. Some of those bat species are known to carry viruses that cause deadly diseases in other parts of the world, such as the rabies virus and coronaviruses. However, little is known about bats and the pathogens they carry in Jordan and Saudi Arabia. Here, the importance of enhanced surveillance of bat-borne infections in Jordan and Saudi Arabia is emphasized, promoting the awareness of bat-borne diseases among the general public and building up infrastructure and capability to fill the gaps in public health preparedness to prevent future pandemics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laith N. AL-Eitan
- Department of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid 22110, Jordan;
| | - Amneh H. Tarkhan
- Department of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid 22110, Jordan;
| | - Mansour A. Alghamdi
- Department of Anatomy, College of Medicine, King Khalid University, Abha 61421, Saudi Arabia;
- Genomics and Personalized Medicine Unit, College of Medicine, King Khalid University, Abha 61421, Saudi Arabia
| | - Denise A. Marston
- Department of Virology, Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA, Weybridge), Surrey KT15 3NB, UK; (D.A.M.); (G.W.); (L.M.M.); (I.H.B.); (A.R.F.)
| | - Guanghui Wu
- Department of Virology, Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA, Weybridge), Surrey KT15 3NB, UK; (D.A.M.); (G.W.); (L.M.M.); (I.H.B.); (A.R.F.)
| | - Lorraine M. McElhinney
- Department of Virology, Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA, Weybridge), Surrey KT15 3NB, UK; (D.A.M.); (G.W.); (L.M.M.); (I.H.B.); (A.R.F.)
| | - Ian H. Brown
- Department of Virology, Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA, Weybridge), Surrey KT15 3NB, UK; (D.A.M.); (G.W.); (L.M.M.); (I.H.B.); (A.R.F.)
| | - Anthony R. Fooks
- Department of Virology, Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA, Weybridge), Surrey KT15 3NB, UK; (D.A.M.); (G.W.); (L.M.M.); (I.H.B.); (A.R.F.)
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11
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Parize P, Travecedo Robledo IC, Cervantes‐Gonzalez M, Kergoat L, Larrous F, Serra‐Cobo J, Dacheux L, Bourhy H. Circumstances of Human–Bat interactions and risk of lyssavirus transmission in metropolitan France. Zoonoses Public Health 2020; 67:774-784. [DOI: 10.1111/zph.12747] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2019] [Revised: 05/18/2020] [Accepted: 05/19/2020] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Perrine Parize
- Unit Lyssavirus Dynamics and Host Adaptation Institut Pasteur National Reference Center for Rabies and WHO Collaborating Centre for Reference and Research on Rabies Paris France
| | - Isabel Cristina Travecedo Robledo
- Unit Lyssavirus Dynamics and Host Adaptation Institut Pasteur National Reference Center for Rabies and WHO Collaborating Centre for Reference and Research on Rabies Paris France
| | - Minerva Cervantes‐Gonzalez
- Unit Lyssavirus Dynamics and Host Adaptation Institut Pasteur National Reference Center for Rabies and WHO Collaborating Centre for Reference and Research on Rabies Paris France
| | - Lauriane Kergoat
- Unit Lyssavirus Dynamics and Host Adaptation Institut Pasteur National Reference Center for Rabies and WHO Collaborating Centre for Reference and Research on Rabies Paris France
| | - Florence Larrous
- Unit Lyssavirus Dynamics and Host Adaptation Institut Pasteur National Reference Center for Rabies and WHO Collaborating Centre for Reference and Research on Rabies Paris France
| | - Jordi Serra‐Cobo
- Department of Evolutionary Biology, Ecology and Environmental Sciences Biodiversity Research Institute (IRBIO) University of Barcelona Barcelona Spain
| | - Laurent Dacheux
- Unit Lyssavirus Dynamics and Host Adaptation Institut Pasteur National Reference Center for Rabies and WHO Collaborating Centre for Reference and Research on Rabies Paris France
| | - Hervé Bourhy
- Unit Lyssavirus Dynamics and Host Adaptation Institut Pasteur National Reference Center for Rabies and WHO Collaborating Centre for Reference and Research on Rabies Paris France
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12
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Orłowska A, Smreczak M, Freuling CM, Müller T, Trębas P, Rola J. Serological Survey of Lyssaviruses in Polish Bats in the Frame of Passive Rabies Surveillance Using an Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay. Viruses 2020; 12:v12030271. [PMID: 32121200 PMCID: PMC7150987 DOI: 10.3390/v12030271] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2019] [Revised: 02/17/2020] [Accepted: 02/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Bats are known to host a number of nonpathogenic viruses, as well as highly pathogenic viruses causing fatal diseases like rabies. Serological surveys as part of active and passive bat rabies surveillance mainly use seroneutralization assays, demonstrating the presence of lyssavirus-specific antibodies in a variety of European bats, particularly against European bat lyssaviruses type 1 (EBLV-1). Here, we present the first serological survey in European bats of this kind during which European bats from Poland collected in the frame of passive rabies surveillance between 2012 and 2018, as well as Serotine bats (Eptesicus serotinus) and North American Big Brown bats (Eptesicus fuscus) from previous experimental studies, were tested using a commercial ELISA kit for the detection of anti-lyssavirus antibodies. Results: Lyssavirus-specific antibodies were detected in 35 (30.4%) out of 115 Polish bats of both sexes, representing nine out of 13 identified bat species endemic mainly to Central Southern Europe and Western Asia, i.e., Eptesicus serotinus, Nyctalus noctula, Myotis daubentonii, Plecotus auritus, Vespertillo murinus, Pipistrellus pipistrellus, Pipistrellus pipilstrellus/Pipistrellus pygmaeus, Myotis brandtii, and Barbastella barbastellus. Seroprevalence was highest in bat species of Nyctalus noctula, Eptesicus serotinus, Plecotus auritus, and Myotis daubentonii. More than 60% of the ELISA seropositive bats originated from the voivodeships of Silesia, Lower-Silesian, Warmian-Mazurian, and Mazowian. Rabies-specific antibodies were also found in Eptesicus fuscus bats from North America. Conclusions: The study demonstrates the principal application of the BioPro Rabies ELISA Ab Kit for the detection of anti-lyssavirus specific antibodies in body fluids and serum samples of bats. However, results may only be reliable for North American bats, whereas interpretation of results for European bats per se is difficult because proper validation of the test is hampered by the protected status of these species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Orłowska
- Department of Virology, National Veterinary Research Institute, 24-100 Puławy, Poland; (P.T.); (J.R.)
- Correspondence: (A.O.); (M.S.); Tel.: +48-818-893-072 (A.O.); +48818-893-029 (M.S.)
| | - Marcin Smreczak
- Department of Virology, National Veterinary Research Institute, 24-100 Puławy, Poland; (P.T.); (J.R.)
- Correspondence: (A.O.); (M.S.); Tel.: +48-818-893-072 (A.O.); +48818-893-029 (M.S.)
| | - Conrad Martin Freuling
- Institute of Molecular Virology and Cell Biology, FLI, WHO Collaborating Centre for Rabies Surveillance and Research, OIE Reference Laboratory for Rabies, 17493 Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany; (C.M.F.); (T.M.)
| | - Thomas Müller
- Institute of Molecular Virology and Cell Biology, FLI, WHO Collaborating Centre for Rabies Surveillance and Research, OIE Reference Laboratory for Rabies, 17493 Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany; (C.M.F.); (T.M.)
| | - Paweł Trębas
- Department of Virology, National Veterinary Research Institute, 24-100 Puławy, Poland; (P.T.); (J.R.)
| | - Jerzy Rola
- Department of Virology, National Veterinary Research Institute, 24-100 Puławy, Poland; (P.T.); (J.R.)
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13
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Servat A, Wasniewski M, Cliquet F. Cross-Protection of Inactivated Rabies Vaccines for Veterinary Use against Bat Lyssaviruses Occurring in Europe. Viruses 2019; 11:v11100936. [PMID: 31614675 PMCID: PMC6832384 DOI: 10.3390/v11100936] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2019] [Revised: 10/09/2019] [Accepted: 10/09/2019] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Human rabies vaccines have been shown to induce partial protection against members of phylogroup I bat lyssaviruses. Here, we investigated the capacity of a widely used rabies inactivated vaccine (Rabisin, Boehringer-Ingelheim) for veterinary use to cross-protect mice experimentally infected with European bat lyssavirus 1 (EBLV-1b), European bat lyssavirus 2 (EBLV-2), and Bokeloh bat lyssavirus (BBLV) occurring in Europe. For each lyssavirus, we investigated the efficacy of two different doses of vaccine against two viral doses administrated by either central or peripheral routes. In parallel, seroconversion following pre-exposure vaccination was investigated. In this study, we demonstrated that the three investigated bat isolates were pathogenic, even at low dose, when inoculated by the central route but were not/less pathogenic when administrated peripherally. The Rabisin vaccine was capable of significantly cross-protecting mice inoculated intramuscularly with EBLV-1b and EBLV-2 and intracerebrally with BBLV. The level of rabies neutralizing antibodies induced by the Rabisin was quite high against the bat lyssaviruses, but with no significant differences between immunization with 1 and 5 IU/dose. The study emphasizes that the quality of rabies-inactivated vaccines for veterinary use is of utmost importance to optimize the cross-protection of pets against phylogroup I bat lyssaviruses occurring in Europe.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandre Servat
- French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health & Safety (ANSES), Nancy Laboratory for Rabies and Wildlife, OIE Reference Laboratory for Rabies, European Union Reference Laboratory for Rabies, European Union Reference Laboratory for Rabies Serology, Technopôle Agricole et Vétérinaire, Domaine de Pixérécourt, CS 40009, 54220 Malzéville, France.
| | - Marine Wasniewski
- French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health & Safety (ANSES), Nancy Laboratory for Rabies and Wildlife, OIE Reference Laboratory for Rabies, European Union Reference Laboratory for Rabies, European Union Reference Laboratory for Rabies Serology, Technopôle Agricole et Vétérinaire, Domaine de Pixérécourt, CS 40009, 54220 Malzéville, France.
| | - Florence Cliquet
- French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health & Safety (ANSES), Nancy Laboratory for Rabies and Wildlife, OIE Reference Laboratory for Rabies, European Union Reference Laboratory for Rabies, European Union Reference Laboratory for Rabies Serology, Technopôle Agricole et Vétérinaire, Domaine de Pixérécourt, CS 40009, 54220 Malzéville, France.
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14
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Echevarría JE, Banyard AC, McElhinney LM, Fooks AR. Current Rabies Vaccines Do Not Confer Protective Immunity against Divergent Lyssaviruses Circulating in Europe. Viruses 2019; 11:v11100892. [PMID: 31554170 PMCID: PMC6832729 DOI: 10.3390/v11100892] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2019] [Revised: 09/16/2019] [Accepted: 09/18/2019] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The use of the rabies vaccine for post-exposure prophylaxis started as early as 1885, revealing a safe and efficient tool to prevent human rabies cases. Preventive vaccination is the basis for the control of canine-mediated rabies, which has already been eliminated from extensive parts of the world, including Europe. Plans to eliminate canine-mediated human rabies by 2030 have been agreed upon by international organisations. However, rabies vaccines are not efficacious against some divergent lyssaviruses. The presence in European indigenous bats of recently described lyssaviruses, which are not neutralised by antibody responses to existing vaccines, as well as the declaration of an imported case of an African lyssavirus, which also escapes vaccine-derived protection, leaves the European health authorities unable to provide efficacious protective vaccines to some potential situations of human exposure. All these circumstances highlight the need for a universal pan-lyssavirus rabies vaccine, able to prevent human rabies in all circumstances.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan E Echevarría
- Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28220 Madrid, Spain.
- CIBER de Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), 28029 Madrid, Spain.
| | - Ashley C Banyard
- Department of Virology, Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA), Addlestone, Surrey KT15 3NB, UK.
- Institute for Infection and Immunity, St. George's Hospital Medical School, University of London, London SW17 0RE, UK.
- School of Life Sciences, University of West Sussex, Falmer, West Sussex BN1 9QG, UK.
| | - Lorraine M McElhinney
- Department of Virology, Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA), Addlestone, Surrey KT15 3NB, UK.
| | - Anthony R Fooks
- Department of Virology, Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA), Addlestone, Surrey KT15 3NB, UK.
- Institute for Infection and Immunity, St. George's Hospital Medical School, University of London, London SW17 0RE, UK.
- Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Infection and Global Health, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L69 7BE, UK.
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