Longitudinal Secretion of Paramyxovirus RNA in the Urine of Straw-Coloured Fruit Bats (Eidolon helvum)
Date
2021
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
MDPI
Abstract
The straw-coloured fruit bat (Eidolon helvum) is widespread in sub-Saharan Africa and
is widely hunted for bushmeat. It is known to harbour a range of paramyxoviruses, including
rubuloviruses and henipaviruses, but the zoonotic potential of these is unknown. We previously
found a diversity of paramyxoviruses within a small, captive colony of E. helvum after it had been
closed to contact with other bats for 5 years. In this study, we used under-roost urine collection to
further investigate the paramyxovirus diversity and ecology in this colony, which had been closed
to the outside for 10 years at the time of sampling. By sampling urine weekly throughout an entire
year, we investigated possible seasonal patterns of shedding of virus or viral RNA. Using a generic
paramyxovirus L-gene PCR, we detected eight distinct paramyxovirus RNA sequences. Six distinct
sequences were detected using a Henipavirus-specific PCR that targeted a different region of the
L-gene. Sequence detection had a bi-annual pattern, with the greatest peak in July, although different
RNA sequences appeared to have different shedding patterns. No significant associations were
detected between sequence detection and birthing season, environmental temperature or humidity,
and no signs of illness were detected in any of the bats in the colony during the period of sample
collection.
Description
Research Article
Keywords
chiroptera, Pteropodidae, Henipavirus, Paramyxoviridae, Rubulavirus, persistence
Citation
https://doi.org/10.3390/v13081654