Neutralizing antibodies against flaviviruses, Babanki virus, and Rift Valley fever virus in Ugandan bats
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Date
2018
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Infection Ecology & Epidemiology
Abstract
A number of arboviruses have previously been isolated from naturally-infected
East African bats, however the role of bats in arbovirus maintenance is poorly understood.
The aim of this study was to investigate the exposure history of Ugandan bats to a panel of
arboviruses.
Materials and methods: Insectivorous and fruit bats were captured from multiple locations
throughout Uganda during 2009 and 2011–2013. All serum samples were tested for neutralizing
antibodies against West Nile virus (WNV), yellow fever virus (YFV), dengue 2 virus
(DENV-2), Zika virus (ZIKV), Babanki virus (BBKV), and Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV) by plaque
reduction neutralization test (PRNT). Sera from up to 626 bats were screened for antibodies
against each virus.
Results and Discussion: Key findings include the presence of neutralizing antibodies against
RVFV in 5/52 (9.6%) of little epauletted fruit bats (Epomophorus labiatus) captured from
Kawuku and 3/54 (5.6%) Egyptian rousette bats from Kasokero cave. Antibodies reactive to
flaviviruses were widespread across bat taxa and sampling locations.
Conclusion: The data presented demonstrate the widespread exposure of bats in Uganda to
arboviruses, and highlight particular virus-bat associations that warrant further investigation.
Description
Keywords
Arbovirus, Bat, Rift Valley fever virus, Serosurvey, Biosurveillance, Reservoir
Citation
Rebekah C. Kading, Robert M. Kityo, Eric C. Mossel, Erin M. Borland, Teddie Nakayiki, Betty Nalikka, Luke Nyakarahuka, Jeremy P. Ledermann, Nicholas A. Panella, Amy T. Gilbert, Mary B. Crabtree, Julian Kerbis Peterhans, Jonathan S. Towner, Brian R. Amman, Tara K. Sealy, Stuart T. Nichol, Ann M. Powers, Julius J. Lutwama & Barry R. Miller (2018) Neutralizing antibodies against flaviviruses, Babanki virus, and Rift Valley fever virus in Ugandan bats, Infection Ecology & Epidemiology, 8:1, 1439215, DOI: 10.1080/20008686.2018.1439215