Detection and characterization of genetically diverse paramyxoviruses from African bats

Abstract

In past years, the potential of bats as reservoir for paramyxoviruses was clearly underestimated. Research of the 21st century now provides evidence that bats play an important role as reservoir and host to these viruses. The aim of this study was to detect the presence of any novel paramyxoviruses that may be circulating in bats across Africa. The specific objectives included the screening of specimen panels of insectivorous as well as frugivorous bat species collected from a number of African countries. Two broadly-reactive universal primer sets targeting the Paramyxovirinae subfamily and the Respiro-, Morbilli- and Henipavirus genera were used in two semi-nested PCR reactions. Bat kidney was selected as target organ and bats were sampled from several countries across Africa (Cameroon, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa and Swaziland). Based on amino acid analysis it was determined that approximately 31 putative viral species were detected. Viruses detected, clustered phylogenetically with known genera namely Henipavirus, Morbillivirus and the newly proposed Jeilongvirus. Several viral sequences clustered outside the known genera and might belong to yet unclassified genera in the Paramyxovirinae subfamily. Viral exchange between different bat species was also observed in several occasions where sampling from geographically distant locations was done. The ability of some bat species, e.g. Eidolon helvum, to migrate over large distances, likely contributes to the spread of specific virus lineages over significant geographical space. The propensity for many bat species to roost communally is another likely contributor to enhanced virus transmission events. Due to the vast genetic variability among paramyxoviruses in nature, insight into these viruses will be vital in understanding their pathogenic nature and the possible threat they may pose to public and veterinary health sectors. Propagation and isolation in cell-cultures as well as full-genome sequence analysis will be a foremost requirement in future research of these viruses. Clearly, there are geographical limitations in this study which emphasizes the need for a One Health approach from all African countries that will greatly contribute to future research on paramyxoviruses.