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Forero-Muñoz NR, Muylaert RL, Seifert SN, Albery GF, Becker DJ, Carlson CJ, Poisot T. The coevolutionary mosaic of bat betacoronavirus emergence risk. Virus Evol 2023; 10:vead079. [PMID: 38361817 PMCID: PMC10868545 DOI: 10.1093/ve/vead079] [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: 02/21/2023] [Revised: 09/01/2023] [Accepted: 12/18/2023] [Indexed: 02/17/2024] Open
Abstract
Pathogen evolution is one of the least predictable components of disease emergence, particularly in nature. Here, building on principles established by the geographic mosaic theory of coevolution, we develop a quantitative, spatially explicit framework for mapping the evolutionary risk of viral emergence. Driven by interest in diseases like Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS), and Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), we examine the global biogeography of bat-origin betacoronaviruses, and find that coevolutionary principles suggest geographies of risk that are distinct from the hotspots and coldspots of host richness. Further, our framework helps explain patterns like a unique pool of merbecoviruses in the Neotropics, a recently discovered lineage of divergent nobecoviruses in Madagascar, and-most importantly-hotspots of diversification in southeast Asia, sub-Saharan Africa, and the Middle East that correspond to the site of previous zoonotic emergence events. Our framework may help identify hotspots of future risk that have also been previously overlooked, like West Africa and the Indian subcontinent, and may more broadly help researchers understand how host ecology shapes the evolution and diversity of pandemic threats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Norma R Forero-Muñoz
- Département de Sciences Biologiques, Université de Montréal, 1375 Avenue Thérèse-Lavoie-Roux, Montréal (Québec) H2V 0B3, Canada
- Québec Centre for Biodiversity Sciences
| | - Renata L Muylaert
- Molecular Epidemiology and Public Health Laboratory, School of Veterinary Science, Massey University, New Zealand
| | - Stephanie N Seifert
- Paul G. Allen School for Global Health, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, United States
| | - Gregory F Albery
- Department of Biology, Georgetown University, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Daniel J Becker
- Department of Biology, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK, USA
| | - Colin J Carlson
- Department of Biology, Georgetown University, Washington, DC, USA
- Center for Global Health Science and Security, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Timothée Poisot
- Département de Sciences Biologiques, Université de Montréal, 1375 Avenue Thérèse-Lavoie-Roux, Montréal (Québec) H2V 0B3, Canada
- Québec Centre for Biodiversity Sciences
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2
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Andrianiaina A, Andry S, Gentles A, Guth S, Héraud JM, Ranaivoson HC, Ravelomanantsoa NAF, Treuer T, Brook CE. Reproduction, seasonal morphology, and juvenile growth in three Malagasy fruit bats. J Mammal 2022; 103:1397-1408. [PMID: 36686611 PMCID: PMC9841406 DOI: 10.1093/jmammal/gyac072] [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: 10/30/2021] [Accepted: 06/29/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The island nation of Madagascar is home to three endemic species of Old World fruit bat in the family Pteropodidae: Pteropus rufus, Eidolon dupreanum, and Rousettus madagascariensis, all three of which are IUCN Red Listed under some category of threat. Delineation of seasonal limits in the reproductive calendar for threatened mammals can inform conservation efforts by clarifying parameters used in population viability models, as well as elucidate understanding of the mechanisms underpinning pathogen persistence in host populations. Here, we define the seasonal limits of a staggered annual birth pulse across the three species of endemic Madagascar fruit bat, known reservoirs for viruses of high zoonotic potential. Our field studies indicate that this annual birth pulse takes place in September/October for P. rufus, November for E. dupreanum, and December for R. madagascariensis in central-eastern Madagascar where the bulk of our research was concentrated. Juvenile development periods vary across the three Malagasy pteropodids, resulting in near-synchronous weaning of pups for all species in late January-February at the height of the fruiting season for this region. We here document the size range in morphological traits for the three Malagasy fruit bat species, with P. rufus and E. dupreanum among the larger of pteropodids globally and R. madagascariensis among the smaller. All three species demonstrate subtle sexual dimorphism with males being larger than females. We explore seasonal variation in adult body condition by comparing observed body mass with body mass predicted by forearm length, demonstrating that pregnant females add weight during staggered gestation periods and males lose weight during the nutritionally deficit Malagasy winter. Finally, we quantify forearm, tibia, and ear length growth rates in juvenile bats, demonstrating both faster growth and more protracted development times for P. rufus as compared with E. dupreanum and R. madagascariensis. The longer development period for the already-threatened P. rufus further undermines the conservation status of this species as human hunting is particularly detrimental to population viability during reproductive periods. Our work highlights the importance of longitudinal field studies in collecting critical data for mammalian conservation efforts and human public health alike.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angelo Andrianiaina
- Mention Zoologie et Biodiversité Animale, Université d’Antananarivo, Antananarivo 101, Madagascar
| | - Santino Andry
- Mention Entomologie, Université d’Antananarivo, Antananarivo 101, Madagascar
| | - Anecia Gentles
- Odum School of Ecology, University of Georgia, Athens 30609, Georgia, USA
| | - Sarah Guth
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley 94720, California, USA
| | - Jean-Michel Héraud
- Virology Unit, Institut Pasteur de Madagascar, Antananarivo 101, Madagascar
- Virology Department, Institut Pasteur de Dakar, Dakar 10200, Senegal
- Ecole Doctorale Science de la Vie et de l’Environnement, Faculté des Sciences, Université d’Antananarivo, Antananarivo 101, Madagascar
| | - Hafaliana Christian Ranaivoson
- Mention Zoologie et Biodiversité Animale, Université d’Antananarivo, Antananarivo 101, Madagascar
- Virology Unit, Institut Pasteur de Madagascar, Antananarivo 101, Madagascar
| | | | - Timothy Treuer
- Gund Institute for Environment, The University of Vermont, Burlington 05405, Vermont, USA
| | - Cara E Brook
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley 94720, California, USA
- Department of Ecology and Evolution, University of Chicago, Chicago 60637, Illinois, USA
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3
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Discovery and Genomic Characterization of a Novel Henipavirus, Angavokely Virus, from Fruit Bats in Madagascar. J Virol 2022; 96:e0092122. [PMID: 36040175 PMCID: PMC9517717 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.00921-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The genus Henipavirus (family Paramyxoviridae) currently comprises seven viruses, four of which have demonstrated prior evidence of zoonotic capacity. These include the biosafety level 4 agents Hendra (HeV) and Nipah (NiV) viruses, which circulate naturally in pteropodid fruit bats. Here, we describe and characterize Angavokely virus (AngV), a divergent henipavirus identified in urine samples from wild, Madagascar fruit bats. We report the nearly complete 16,740-nucleotide genome of AngV, which encodes the six major henipavirus structural proteins (nucleocapsid, phosphoprotein, matrix, fusion, glycoprotein, and L polymerase). Within the phosphoprotein (P) gene, we identify an alternative start codon encoding the AngV C protein and a putative mRNA editing site where the insertion of one or two guanine residues encodes, respectively, additional V and W proteins. In other paramyxovirus systems, C, V, and W are accessory proteins involved in antagonism of host immune responses during infection. Phylogenetic analysis suggests that AngV is ancestral to all four previously described bat henipaviruses-HeV, NiV, Cedar virus (CedV), and Ghanaian bat virus (GhV)-but evolved more recently than rodent- and shrew-derived henipaviruses, Mojiang (MojV), Gamak (GAKV), and Daeryong (DARV) viruses. Predictive structure-based alignments suggest that AngV is unlikely to bind ephrin receptors, which mediate cell entry for all other known bat henipaviruses. Identification of the AngV receptor is needed to clarify the virus's potential host range. The presence of V and W proteins in the AngV genome suggest that the virus could be pathogenic following zoonotic spillover. IMPORTANCE Henipaviruses include highly pathogenic emerging zoonotic viruses, derived from bat, rodent, and shrew reservoirs. Bat-borne Hendra (HeV) and Nipah (NiV) are the most well-known henipaviruses, for which no effective antivirals or vaccines for humans have been described. Here, we report the discovery and characterization of a novel henipavirus, Angavokely virus (AngV), isolated from wild fruit bats in Madagascar. Genomic characterization of AngV reveals all major features associated with pathogenicity in other henipaviruses, suggesting that AngV could be pathogenic following spillover to human hosts. Our work suggests that AngV is an ancestral bat henipavirus that likely uses viral entry pathways distinct from those previously described for HeV and NiV. In Madagascar, bats are consumed as a source of human food, presenting opportunities for cross-species transmission. Characterization of novel henipaviruses and documentation of their pathogenic and zoonotic potential are essential to predicting and preventing the emergence of future zoonoses that cause pandemics.
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4
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Kettenburg G, Kistler A, Ranaivoson HC, Ahyong V, Andrianiaina A, Andry S, DeRisi JL, Gentles A, Raharinosy V, Randriambolamanantsoa TH, Ravelomanantsoa NAF, Tato CM, Dussart P, Heraud JM, Brook CE. Full Genome Nobecovirus Sequences From Malagasy Fruit Bats Define a Unique Evolutionary History for This Coronavirus Clade. Front Public Health 2022; 10:786060. [PMID: 35223729 PMCID: PMC8873168 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2022.786060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2021] [Accepted: 01/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Bats are natural reservoirs for both Alpha- and Betacoronaviruses and the hypothesized original hosts of five of seven known zoonotic coronaviruses. To date, the vast majority of bat coronavirus research has been concentrated in Asia, though coronaviruses are globally distributed; indeed, SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2-related Betacoronaviruses in the subgenus Sarbecovirus have been identified circulating in Rhinolophid bats in both Africa and Europe, despite the relative dearth of surveillance in these regions. As part of a long-term study examining the dynamics of potentially zoonotic viruses in three species of endemic Madagascar fruit bat (Pteropus rufus, Eidolon dupreanum, Rousettus madagascariensis), we carried out metagenomic Next Generation Sequencing (mNGS) on urine, throat, and fecal samples obtained from wild-caught individuals. We report detection of RNA derived from Betacoronavirus subgenus Nobecovirus in fecal samples from all three species and describe full genome sequences of novel Nobecoviruses in P. rufus and R. madagascariensis. Phylogenetic analysis indicates the existence of five distinct Nobecovirus clades, one of which is defined by the highly divergent ancestral sequence reported here from P. rufus bats. Madagascar Nobecoviruses derived from P. rufus and R. madagascariensis demonstrate, respectively, Asian and African phylogeographic origins, mirroring those of their fruit bat hosts. Bootscan recombination analysis indicates significant selection has taken place in the spike, nucleocapsid, and NS7 accessory protein regions of the genome for viruses derived from both bat hosts. Madagascar offers a unique phylogeographic nexus of bats and viruses with both Asian and African phylogeographic origins, providing opportunities for unprecedented mixing of viral groups and, potentially, recombination. As fruit bats are handled and consumed widely across Madagascar for subsistence, understanding the landscape of potentially zoonotic coronavirus circulation is essential for mitigation of future zoonotic threats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gwenddolen Kettenburg
- Department of Ecology and Evolution, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Amy Kistler
- Chan Zuckerberg Biohub, San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Hafaliana Christian Ranaivoson
- Department of Zoology and Animal Biodiversity, University of Antananarivo, Antananarivo, Madagascar
- Virology Unit, Institut Pasteur de Madagascar, Antananarivo, Madagascar
| | - Vida Ahyong
- Chan Zuckerberg Biohub, San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Angelo Andrianiaina
- Department of Zoology and Animal Biodiversity, University of Antananarivo, Antananarivo, Madagascar
| | - Santino Andry
- Department of Entomology, University of Antananarivo, Antananarivo, Madagascar
| | | | - Anecia Gentles
- Odum School of Ecology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States
| | | | | | | | | | - Philippe Dussart
- Virology Unit, Institut Pasteur de Madagascar, Antananarivo, Madagascar
| | - Jean-Michel Heraud
- Virology Unit, Institut Pasteur de Madagascar, Antananarivo, Madagascar
- Virology Department, Institut Pasteur de Dakar, Dakar, Senegal
| | - Cara E. Brook
- Department of Ecology and Evolution, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States
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5
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O'Toole B, Simmons NB, Hekkala E. Reconstructing the Genomic Diversity of a Widespread Sub-Saharan Bat (Pteropodidae: Eidolon helvum) Using Archival Museum Collections. ACTA CHIROPTEROLOGICA 2020. [DOI: 10.3161/15081109acc2020.22.2.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Brian O'Toole
- Department of Biological Sciences, Fordham University, 441 East Fordham Road, Bronx, NY 10458, USA
| | - Nancy B. Simmons
- Department of Mammalogy, Division of Vertebrate Zoology, American Museum of Natural History, 200 Central Park West, New York, NY 10024, USA
| | - Evon Hekkala
- Department of Biological Sciences, Fordham University, 441 East Fordham Road, Bronx, NY 10458, USA
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6
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Hassanin A, Bonillo C, Tshikung D, Pongombo Shongo C, Pourrut X, Kadjo B, Nakouné E, Tu VT, Prié V, Goodman SM. Phylogeny of African fruit bats (Chiroptera, Pteropodidae) based on complete mitochondrial genomes. J ZOOL SYST EVOL RES 2020. [DOI: 10.1111/jzs.12373] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Alexandre Hassanin
- Institut Systématique Evolution Biodiversité (ISYEB) Sorbonne Université MNHN CNRS EPHE Paris France
| | - Céline Bonillo
- Muséum National d'Histoire NaturelleUMS 2700 2AD Paris France
| | - Didier Tshikung
- Faculté de Médecine Vétérinaire Université de Lubumbashi Lubumbashi Democratic Republic of the Congo
| | - Célestin Pongombo Shongo
- Faculté de Médecine Vétérinaire Université de Lubumbashi Lubumbashi Democratic Republic of the Congo
| | - Xavier Pourrut
- Institut de Recherche pour le Développement UR 224 MIVEGEC Marseille France
| | - Blaise Kadjo
- UFR Biosciences Université Félix Houphouet‐Boigny Abidjan Côte d'Ivoire
| | | | - Vuong Tan Tu
- Institute of Ecology and Biological Resources Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology Hanoi Vietnam
| | - Vincent Prié
- Institut Systématique Evolution Biodiversité (ISYEB) Sorbonne Université MNHN CNRS EPHE Paris France
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7
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Brook CE, Ranaivoson HC, Broder CC, Cunningham AA, Héraud J, Peel AJ, Gibson L, Wood JLN, Metcalf CJ, Dobson AP. Disentangling serology to elucidate henipa- and filovirus transmission in Madagascar fruit bats. J Anim Ecol 2019; 88:1001-1016. [PMID: 30908623 PMCID: PMC7122791 DOI: 10.1111/1365-2656.12985] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2018] [Accepted: 02/13/2019] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
Bats are reservoirs for emerging human pathogens, including Hendra and Nipah henipaviruses and Ebola and Marburg filoviruses. These viruses demonstrate predictable patterns in seasonality and age structure across multiple systems; previous work suggests that they may circulate in Madagascar's endemic fruit bats, which are widely consumed as human food. We aimed to (a) document the extent of henipa- and filovirus exposure among Malagasy fruit bats, (b) explore seasonality in seroprevalence and serostatus in these bat populations and (c) compare mechanistic hypotheses for possible transmission dynamics underlying these data. To this end, we amassed and analysed a unique dataset documenting longitudinal serological henipa- and filovirus dynamics in three Madagascar fruit bat species. We uncovered serological evidence of exposure to Hendra-/Nipah-related henipaviruses in Eidolon dupreanum, Pteropus rufus and Rousettus madagascariensis, to Cedar-related henipaviruses in E. dupreanum and R. madagascariensis and to Ebola-related filoviruses in P. rufus and R. madagascariensis. We demonstrated significant seasonality in population-level seroprevalence and individual serostatus for multiple viruses across these species, linked to the female reproductive calendar. An age-structured subset of the data highlighted evidence of waning maternal antibodies in neonates, increasing seroprevalence in young and decreasing seroprevalence late in life. Comparison of mechanistic epidemiological models fit to these data offered support for transmission hypotheses permitting waning antibodies but retained immunity in adult-age bats. Our findings suggest that bats may seasonally modulate mechanisms of pathogen control, with consequences for population-level transmission. Additionally, we narrow the field of candidate transmission hypotheses by which bats are presumed to host and transmit potentially zoonotic viruses globally.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cara E. Brook
- Department of Ecology & Evolutionary BiologyPrinceton UniversityPrincetonNew Jersey
- Present address:
Department of Integrative BiologyUC BerkeleyBerkeleyCalifornia.
| | - Hafaliana C. Ranaivoson
- Virology UnitInstitut Pasteur de MadagascarAntananarivoMadagascar
- Department of Animal BiologyUniversity of AntananarivoAntananarivoMadagascar
| | - Christopher C. Broder
- Department of Microbiology and ImmunologyUniformed Services UniversityBethesdaMaryland
| | | | | | - Alison J. Peel
- Environmental Futures Research InstituteGriffith UniversityNathanQueenslandAustralia
| | - Louise Gibson
- Institute of ZoologyZoological Society of LondonLondonUK
| | - James L. N. Wood
- Department of Veterinary MedicineUniversity of CambridgeCambridgeUK
| | - C. Jessica Metcalf
- Department of Ecology & Evolutionary BiologyPrinceton UniversityPrincetonNew Jersey
| | - Andrew P. Dobson
- Department of Ecology & Evolutionary BiologyPrinceton UniversityPrincetonNew Jersey
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8
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Brook CE, Ranaivoson HC, Andriafidison D, Ralisata M, Razafimanahaka J, Héraud JM, Dobson AP, Metcalf CJ. Population trends for two Malagasy fruit bats. BIOLOGICAL CONSERVATION 2019; 234:165-171. [PMID: 31937976 PMCID: PMC6959543 DOI: 10.1016/j.biocon.2019.03.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Madagascar is home to three endemic species of Old World Fruit Bat, which are important pollinators and seed dispersers. We aimed to quantitatively assess population trajectories for the two largest of these species, the IUCN-listed 'Vulnerable' Eidolon dupreanum and Pteropus rufus. To this end, we conducted a longitudinal field study, in which we live-captured E. dupreanum and P. rufus, estimated species-specific fecundity rates, and generated age-frequency data via histological analysis of cementum annuli layering in tooth samples extracted from a subset of individuals. We fit exponential models to resulting data to estimate annual survival probabilities for adult bats (s A = .794 for E. dupreanum; s A = .511 for P. rufus), then applied Lefkovitch modeling techniques to infer the minimum required juvenile survival rate needed to permit longterm population persistence. Given estimated adult survival, population persistence was only possible for E. dupreanum when field-based fecundity estimates were replaced by higher values reported in the literature for related species. For P. rufus, tooth-derived estimates of adult survival were so low that even assumptions of perfect (100%) juvenile annual survival would not permit stable population trajectories. Age-based survival analyses were further supported by longitudinal exit counts carried out from 2013-2018 at three local P. rufus roost sites, which demonstrated a statistically significant, faintly negative time trend, indicative of subtle regional population declines. These results suggest that Malagasy fruit bat species face significant threats to population viability, with P. rufus particularly imperiled. Immediate conservation interventions, including habitat restoration and cessation of legally sanctioned bat hunting, are needed to protect Madagascar's fruit bats into the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cara E. Brook
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, California, USA
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey, USA
| | - Hafaliana C. Ranaivoson
- Virology Unit, Institut Pasteur of Madagascar, Antananarivo, Madagascar
- Department of Zoology and Animal Biodiversity, University of Antananarivo, Antananarivo, Madagascar
| | | | | | | | | | - Andrew P. Dobson
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey, USA
| | - C. Jessica Metcalf
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey, USA
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9
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Peel AJ, Baker KS, Hayman DTS, Suu-Ire R, Breed AC, Gembu GC, Lembo T, Fernández-Loras A, Sargan DR, Fooks AR, Cunningham AA, Wood JLN. Bat trait, genetic and pathogen data from large-scale investigations of African fruit bats, Eidolon helvum. Sci Data 2016; 3:160049. [PMID: 27479120 PMCID: PMC4968192 DOI: 10.1038/sdata.2016.49] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2016] [Accepted: 05/19/2016] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Bats, including African straw-coloured fruit bats (Eidolon helvum), have been highlighted as reservoirs of many recently emerged zoonotic viruses. This common, widespread and ecologically important species was the focus of longitudinal and continent-wide studies of the epidemiological and ecology of Lagos bat virus, henipaviruses and Achimota viruses. Here we present a spatial, morphological, demographic, genetic and serological dataset encompassing 2827 bats from nine countries over an 8-year period. Genetic data comprises cytochrome b mitochondrial sequences (n=608) and microsatellite genotypes from 18 loci (n=544). Tooth-cementum analyses (n=316) allowed derivation of rare age-specific serologic data for a lyssavirus, a henipavirus and two rubulaviruses. This dataset contributes a substantial volume of data on the ecology of E. helvum and its viruses and will be valuable for a wide range of studies, including viral transmission dynamic modelling in age-structured populations, investigation of seasonal reproductive asynchrony in wide-ranging species, ecological niche modelling, inference of island colonisation history, exploration of relationships between island and body size, and various spatial analyses of demographic, morphometric or serological data.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alison J Peel
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB3 0ES, UK.,Institute of Zoology, Zoological Society of London, Regent's Park, London NW1 4RY, UK.,Environmental Futures Research Institute, Griffith University, Brisbane, Queensland 4111 Australia
| | - Kate S Baker
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB3 0ES, UK.,Institute of Zoology, Zoological Society of London, Regent's Park, London NW1 4RY, UK.,Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Hinxton CB10 1SA, UK.,Institute for Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L69 7ZB, UK
| | - David T S Hayman
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB3 0ES, UK.,Institute of Zoology, Zoological Society of London, Regent's Park, London NW1 4RY, UK.,Molecular Epidemiology and Public Health Laboratory, Hopkirk Research Institute, Massey University, Private Bag, 11 222, Palmerston North 4442, New Zealand
| | - Richard Suu-Ire
- Wildlife Division, Ghana Forestry Commission, Accra, Ghana.,University of Ghana, Faculty of Animal Biology and Conservation Science, Box LG 571, Legon, Accra, Ghana
| | - Andrew C Breed
- Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA), Addlestone, Surrey KT15 3NB, UK
| | - Guy-Crispin Gembu
- Faculté des Sciences, Université de Kisangani, 4, Avenue Kithima, commune Makiso, BP 2012, Kisangani, République Démocratique du Congo
| | - Tiziana Lembo
- Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Graham Kerr Building, Glasgow, G12 8QQ, Scotland
| | - Andrés Fernández-Loras
- Institute of Zoology, Zoological Society of London, Regent's Park, London NW1 4RY, UK.,Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales, CSIC, José Gutiérrez Abascal 2, Madrid 28006, Spain
| | - David R Sargan
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB3 0ES, UK
| | - Anthony R Fooks
- Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA), Addlestone, Surrey KT15 3NB, UK
| | - Andrew A Cunningham
- Institute of Zoology, Zoological Society of London, Regent's Park, London NW1 4RY, UK
| | - James L N Wood
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB3 0ES, UK
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10
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Razanajatovo NH, Nomenjanahary LA, Wilkinson DA, Razafimanahaka JH, Goodman SM, Jenkins RK, Jones JPG, Heraud JM. Detection of new genetic variants of Betacoronaviruses in Endemic Frugivorous Bats of Madagascar. Virol J 2015; 12:42. [PMID: 25888853 PMCID: PMC4404003 DOI: 10.1186/s12985-015-0271-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2014] [Accepted: 02/24/2015] [Indexed: 04/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Bats are amongst the natural reservoirs of many coronaviruses (CoVs) of which some can lead to severe infection in human. African bats are known to harbor a range of pathogens (e.g., Ebola and Marburg viruses) that can infect humans and cause disease outbreaks. A recent study in South Africa isolated a genetic variant closely related to MERS-CoV from an insectivorous bat. Though Madagascar is home to 44 bat species (41 insectivorous and 3 frugivorous) of which 34 are endemic, no data exists concerning the circulation of CoVs in the island’s chiropteran fauna. Certain Malagasy bats can be frequently found in close contact with humans and frugivorous bats feed in the same trees where people collect and consume fruits and are hunted and consumed as bush meat. The purpose of our study is to detect and identify CoVs from frugivorous bats in Madagascar to evaluate the risk of human infection from infected bats. Methods Frugivorous bats belonging to three species were captured in four different regions of Madagascar. We analyzed fecal and throat swabs to detect the presence of virus through amplification of the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) gene, which is highly conserved in all known coronaviruses. Phylogenetic analyses were performed from positive specimens. Results From 351 frugivorous bats, we detected 14 coronaviruses from two endemic bats species, of which 13 viruses were identified from Pteropus rufus and one from Eidolon dupreanum, giving an overall prevalence of 4.5%. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the Malagasy strains belong to the genus Betacoronavirus but form three distinct clusters, which seem to represent previously undescribed genetic lineages. Conclusions Our findings suggest that CoVs circulate in frugivorous bats of Madagascar, demonstrating the needs to evaluate spillover risk to human populations especially for individuals that hunt and consume infected bats. Possible dispersal mechanisms as to how coronaviruses arrived on Madagascar are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Norosoa H Razanajatovo
- Virology Unit, Institut Pasteur of Madagascar, Ambatofotsikely, BP 1274, Antananarivo, Madagascar, Dummy_Only.
| | - Lalaina A Nomenjanahary
- Virology Unit, Institut Pasteur of Madagascar, Ambatofotsikely, BP 1274, Antananarivo, Madagascar, Dummy_Only.
| | - David A Wilkinson
- Centre de Recherche et de Veille sur les Maladies Emergentes dans l'Ocean Indien (CRVOI), Plateforme de Recherche CYROI, 2 rue Maxime Riviere, 97490, Sainte Clotilde, La Reunion, France.
| | - Julie H Razafimanahaka
- Madagasikara Voakajy, BP 5181, Antananarivo, Madagascar. .,Department of Animal Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Antananarivo, BP 906, Antananarivo, Madagascar.
| | | | - Richard K Jenkins
- School of Environment, Natural Resources and Geography, Bangor University, Bangor, Gwynedd, United Kingdom.
| | - Julia P G Jones
- School of Environment, Natural Resources and Geography, Bangor University, Bangor, Gwynedd, United Kingdom.
| | - Jean-Michel Heraud
- Virology Unit, Institut Pasteur of Madagascar, Ambatofotsikely, BP 1274, Antananarivo, Madagascar, Dummy_Only.
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