Evidence for widespread infection of African bats with Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever-like viruses

• DOI: 10.1038/srep26637
• Publication Date: 2016-05-24T17:03:23Z
• Authors: Marcel A. Müller; Stéphanie Devignot; Erik Lattwein; Victor Max Corman; Gaël D. Maganga; Florian Gloza-Rausch; Tabea Binger; Peter Vallo; Petra Emmerich; Veronika M. Cotto...; Marco Tschapka; Samuel Oppong; Jan Felix Drexler; Friedemann Weber; Eric M. Leroy; Christian Drosten
• Keywords: Panama; Crimean–Congo hemorrhagic fever

Abstract Crimean Congo hemorrhagic fever virus (CCHFV) is a highly virulent tick-borne pathogen that causes in humans. The geographic range of human CCHF cases largely reflects the presence ticks. However, similar CCHFV lineages occur geographically distant regions. Tick-infested migratory birds have been suggested, but not confirmed, to contribute dispersal. Bats recently shown carry nairoviruses distinct from CCHFV. In order assess wide bat species over range, we analyzed 1,135 sera 16 different collected Congo, Gabon, Ghana, Germany, and Panama. Using glycoprotein-based indirect immunofluorescence test (IIFT), identified reactive antibodies 10.0% (114/1,135) tested bats, pertaining 12/16 species. Depending on species, 3.6%–42.9% cave-dwelling bats 0.6%–7.1% foliage-living were seropositive (two-tailed t-test, p = 0.0447 cave versus foliage). 11/30 IIFT-reactive 10 African had neutralizing activity virus-like particle assay. Neutralization full was confirmed 5 7 sera. Widespread infection may indicate role for life cycle dispersal