Serological evidence of high pathogenicity virus infection inEidolon helvumfruit bats in Nigeria

Abstract

AbstractTheEidolon helvumfruit bat is the most widely distributed fruit bat in Africa and is known to be a reservoir for several pathogenic viruses that can cause disease in humans. To assess the risk of zoonotic spillover, we conducted a serological survey of 304 serum samples fromE. helvumbats that were captured for human consumption in Makurdi, Nigeria. Using pseudotyped viruses, we screened the samples for neutralising antibodies against viruses from theCoronaviridae, Filoviridae, OrthomyxoviridaeandParamyxoviridaefamilies. We report the presence of neutralising antibodies against henipavirus lineage GH-M74a virus (odds ratio 6.23; p<0.001), Nipah virus (odds ratio 4.04; p=0.00031), bat influenza H17N10 virus (odds ratio 7.25; p<0.001) and no significant association with Ebola virus (odds ratio 0.56; p=0.375) in the bat cohort. The data suggest a potential risk of zoonotic spillover including the possible circulation of highly pathogenic viruses inE. helvumpopulations. These findings highlight the importance of maintaining sero-surveillance ofE. helvumto monitor changes in virus prevalence and distribution over time and across different geographic locations.Article summary lineThe detection of neutralizing antibodies against henipavirus GH-M74a virus, Nipah virus, and H17N10 virus inEidolon helvumbat sera from Nigeria using pseudotyped viruses suggests a potential risk of zoonotic spillover.