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Bats as potential transmitters of rabies: investigation on the occurrence of lyssavirus infections in bats
Project
Project code: FLI-IMVZ-02-DA_0012
Contract period: 01.01.2001
- 31.12.2020
Purpose of research: Inventory & Assessment
Keywords: bat rabies, lyssavirus, EBLV-1, EBLV-2, BBLV
Investigation on the occurrence of lyssavirus infections (bat rabies) in bats; assessment of the associated zoonotic risk for humans and the spill-over risk for animals.
Bat rabies in German bats is caused by at least three different lyssaviruses, namely EBLV-1, EBLV-2, and BBLV. Each virus is associated with a distinct reservoir host bat species and represents an independent transmission cycle. In recent years, the NRL at the Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut (FLI) in close cooperation with bat biologists has intensified bat rabies surveillance at a national level. During active bat rabies surveillance a total of 4546 oro-pharyngeal swab samples and 1226 blood samples were tested. Interestingly, viable virus was isolated from a single Serotine bat (E. serotinus). Additionally, and varying VNA titres were found in at least eight different bat species. In the frame of passive bat rabies surveillance, i.e testing of dead found bats, an additional 5000 bats collected and tested for rabies. Since 1982 a total of 362 cases in bats were identified nationwide. Notably, the enhanced surveillance could show that besides the known reservoir hosts also other bat species may be affected. While in the vast majority of cases EBLV-1 was the causative agent, 5 and 6 additional cases of EBlV-2 and BBLV infections were detected in Daubentons’ bats and Natterer’s bats, respectively. Phylogenetic analysis suggests a delineation of BBLV in two different genetic lineages.
Section overview
Subjects
- Animal health
- Special animal species
Framework programme
Funding programme
Excutive institution
FLI - Institute of Molecular Virology and Cell Biology (FLI - IMVZ)
