A5029488795- Bat Biology and Ecology Studies
- Zoonotic diseases and public health
- Viral Infections and Vectors
- Viral gastroenteritis research and epidemiology
- Animal Virus Infections Studies
- SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19 Research
- Rabies epidemiology and control
- Virology and Viral Diseases
- Species Distribution and Climate Change
- Wildlife Ecology and Conservation
- COVID-19 epidemiological studies
- SARS-CoV-2 detection and testing
- Yersinia bacterium, plague, ectoparasites research
- Viral Infections and Outbreaks Research
- Identification and Quantification in Food
- Poxvirus research and outbreaks
- Animal Disease Management and Epidemiology
- Hepatitis Viruses Studies and Epidemiology
- Infection Control and Ventilation
- Virus-based gene therapy research
Processus Infectieux en Milieu Insulaire Tropical
2017-2024
Inserm
2017-2024
Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique
2017-2024
University of Antwerp
2020-2024
Peuplements végétaux et bioagresseurs en milieu tropical
2019-2023
Institut de Recherche pour le Développement
2017-2022
Abstract Bats provide key ecosystem services such as crop pest regulation, pollination, seed dispersal, and soil fertilization. are also major hosts for biological agents responsible zoonoses, coronaviruses (CoVs). The islands of the Western Indian Ocean identified a biodiversity hotspot, with more than 50 bat species. In this study, we tested 1,013 bats belonging to 36 species from Mozambique, Madagascar, Mauritius, Mayotte, Reunion Island Seychelles, based on molecular screening partial...
Two adult female hippos in Zoo Antwerp who were naturally infected with SARS-CoV-2 showed nasal discharge for a few days. Virus was detected by immunocytochemistry and PCR swab samples faeces pool water. Serology also positive. No treatment necessary.
Anticipating cross-species transmission of zoonotic diseases requires an understanding pathogen infection dynamics within natural reservoir hosts. Although bats might be a source coronaviruses (CoVs) for humans, the drivers in bat populations have received limited attention. We conducted fine-scale 2-year longitudinal study CoV largest colony Reunion free-tailed (Mormopterus francoismoutoui), tropical insectivorous species. Real-time PCR screening 1080 fresh individual faeces samples...
Although island endemic bats are a source of considerable conservation concerns, their biology remains poorly known. Here, we studied the phenology and roosting behavior tropical species: Reunion free-tailed bat (Mormopterus francoismoutoui). This widespread abundant species occupies various natural anthropogenic environments such as caves buildings. We set up fine-scale monitoring 19 roosts over 27 months in Island analyzed roost size composition, sexual age-associated segregation...
Abstract Infection dynamics in vertebrates are driven by biological and ecological processes. For bats, population structure reproductive cycles have major effects on RNA virus transmission. On Reunion Island, previous studies shown that parturition of pregnant females aggregation juvenile free-tailed bats ( Mormopterus francoismoutoui ) associated with increase the prevalence shedding viruses. The synchronicity such pulses, however, is yet to be assessed between viruses but also maternity...
The recent reclassification of the Riboviria, and introduction multiple new taxonomic categories including both subfamilies subgenera for coronaviruses (family Coronaviridae, subfamily Orthocoronavirinae), represents a major shift in how official classifications are used to designate specific viral lineages. While newly defined provide much-needed standardization commonly cited viruses public health importance, no method has been proposed assignment subgenus based on partial sequence data,...
Astroviruses (AstVs) are responsible for infection of a large diversity mammalian and avian species, including bats, aquatic birds, livestock humans. We investigated AstVs circulation in bats Mozambique Mayotte, small island the Comoros Archipelago located between east Africa Madagascar. Biological material was collected from 338 tested presence AstV RNA-dependent RNA-polymerase gene with pan-AstV semi-nested polymerase chain reaction assay. None 79 samples obtained Mayotte (Pteropus...
Astroviruses (AstVs) are RNA viruses infecting a large diversity of avian and mammalian species, including bats, livestock, humans. We investigated AstV infection in free-tailed bat Mormopterus francoismoutoui, endemic to Reunion Island. A total 380 guano samples were collected maternity colony during 38 different sampling sessions, from 21 June 2016 4 September 2018. Each sample was tested for the presence RNA-dependent RNA-polymerase (RdRp) gene using pan-AstV semi-nested polymerase chain...
The wildlife reservoir and spillover mechanisms of the Ebola virus remain elusive despite extensive research efforts in endemic areas. This study employed a One Health approach to examine circulation associated human exposure risks Tshuapa province Democratic Republic Congo. In 2021, we collected 1015 samples from 888 animals, predominantly small mammals, 380 inhabitants Inkanamongo village, site an disease outbreak 2014. These were screened for evidence current (RNA) or past (IgG...
Abstract Bats provide key ecosystem services such as crop pest regulation, pollination, seed dispersal, and soil fertilization. are also major hosts for biological agents responsible zoonoses, coronaviruses (CoVs). The islands of the Western Indian Ocean identified a biodiversity hotspot, with more than 50 bat species. In this study, we tested 1,013 bats belonging to 36 species from Mozambique, Madagascar, Mauritius, Mayotte, Reunion Island Seychelles, based on molecular screening partial...
ABSTRACT The COVID-19 pandemic has led to millions of human infections and deaths worldwide. Several other mammal species are also susceptible SARS-CoV-2, multiple instances transmission from humans pets, farmed mink, wildlife zoo animals have been recorded. We conducted a systematic surveillance SARS-CoV-2 in all two zoos Belgium between September December 2020 July 2021 four sessions, targeted selected enclosures following infection hippos 2021. A total 1523 faecal samples were tested for...
The COVID-19 pandemic has led to millions of human infections and deaths worldwide. Several other mammal species are also susceptible SARS-CoV-2, multiple instances transmission from humans pets, farmed mink, wildlife zoo animals have been recorded. We conducted a systematic surveillance SARS-CoV-2 in all two zoos Belgium between September December 2020 July 2021, four sessions, targeted selected enclosures following infection hippopotamuses 2021. A total 1523 faecal samples 103 were tested...
Abstract Emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases have posed significant global health threats, with many attributed to zoonotic RNA viruses. These pathogens can, under some conditions, cross species barriers, facilitating transmission from animal hosts humans. Bats, characterised by unique physiological ecological features, remarkable diversity, are recognized host numerous viruses cross-species potential. This study aimed investigate the presence of a broad diversity Tanzanian bats...
Island endemic bats are a considerable cause of conservation concerns, as islands vulnerable ecosystems facing natural and anthropogenic threats such growing urbanization. Here, we studied the Reunion free-tailed bat (Mormopterus francoismoutoui), an species to that has adapted urban settings. We investigated evolutionary history Mormopterus at regional scale, well on sex-specific seasonal patterns genetic structure. used extensive spatio-temporal sampling including 1,136 individuals from 18...
Abstract Understanding processes driving pathogen transmission in bats is critical to prevent spillovers and emergence events. However, it requires fine-scale ecological investigations, which are rare because of the complexity heterogeneity bat populations. Here, based on monitoring 5,949 Reunion free-tailed ( Mormopterus francoismoutoui ) 17 roosts over 24 months, we studied simultaneous excretion paramyxovirus Leptospira bacteria urine, herpesvirus saliva. We analysed influence individual...
ABSTRACT The processes involved in acquiring, trading, preparing, and consuming wild meat pose significant risks for the emergence of zoonotic infectious diseases. Several major viral outbreaks have been directly linked to supply chain, yet our knowledge virome many mammals this chain remains limited disproportionately focused on certain mammalian taxa pathogens. This report presents findings a metagenomic screening 99 specimens belonging 27 African mammal species one domesticated species,...
Abstract The recent reclassification of the Riboviria , and introduction multiple new taxonomic categories including both subfamilies subgenera for coronaviruses (family Coronaviridae subfamily Orthocoronavirinae ) represents a major shift in how official classifications are used to designate specific viral lineages. While newly defined provide much-needed standardisation commonly cited viruses public health importance, no method has been proposed assignment subgenus based on partial...
Abstract Bats are often the only mammals naturally colonizing isolated islands and thus an excellent model to study evolutionary processes of insular ecosystems. Here, we studied Reunion free-tailed bat ( Mormopterus francoismoutoui ), endemic species Island that has adapted urban settings. At regional scale, investigated history species, as well on sex-specific seasonal patterns genetic structure. We used extensive spatio-temporal sampling including 1,136 individuals from 18 roosts three...
Abstract Astroviruses (AstVs) are RNA viruses infecting of a large diversity avian and mammalian species, including bats, livestock, humans. We investigated AstV infection in free-tailed bat Mormopterus francoismoutoui , endemic to Reunion Island. A total 380 guano samples were collected maternity colony during 38 different sampling sessions, from June 21 st 2016 September 4 th 2018. Each sample was tested for the presence RNA-dependent RNA-polymerase (RdRp) gene using pan-AstV semi-nested...