European bat lyssaviruses: Distribution, prevalence and implications for conservation

Abstract

Surveillance European bat lyssavirus Rabies Zoonoses Conservation A B S T R A C T Worldwide, there are more than 1100 species of the Order Chiroptera, 45 of which are present in Europe, and 16 in the UK. Bats are reservoirs of, or can be infected by, several viral diseases, including rabies virus strains (in the Lyssavirus genus). Within this genus are bat variants that have been recorded in Europe; European bat lyssavirus 1 (EBLV-1), European bat lyssavirus 2 (EBLV-2) and, four currently unclassified isolates. Since 1977, 783 cases of EBLVs (by isolation of viral RNA) have been recorded in Europe. EBLV-1 or EBLV-2 has been identified in 12 bat species, with over 95% of EBLV-1 infections identified in Eptesicus serotinus. EBLV-2 is associated with Myotis species (Myotis daubentonii and Myotis dasycneme). A programme of passive surveillance in the United Kingdom between 1987 and 2004 tested 4871 bats for lyssaviruses. Of these, four M. daubentonii (3.57% of submitted M. daubentonii)were positive for EBLV-2. Potential bias in the passive surveillance includes possible overrepresentation of synanthropic species and regional biases caused by varying bat submission numbers from different parts of the UK. In 2003, active surveillance in the UK began, and has detected an antibody prevalence level of 1-5% of EBLV-2 in M. daubentonii (n = 350), and one bat with antibodies to EBLV-1 in E. serotinus (n = 52). No cases of live lyssavirus infection or lyssavirus viral RNA have been detected through active surveillance. Further research and monitoring regarding prevalence, transmission, pathogenesis and immunity is required to ensure that integrated bat conservation continues throughout Europe, whilst enabling informed policy decision regarding both human and wildlife health issues.

Population genetic structure of serotine bats (Eptesicus serotinus) across Europe and implications for the potential spread of bat rabies (European bat lyssavirus EBLV-1)

“…This also seems to be concordant with the relatively low genetic diversity of EBLV-1 across Europe possibly promoted by its host's movement . We also suggest that the English Channel, while apparently restricting some gene flow, does not appear to be a substantial barrier, and similar inferences have been drawn for M. daubentonii (Atterby et al, 2010), which is the host for EBLV-2, a virus found both on the continent and in the United Kingdom (Harris et al, 2006). The relative fragmentation of serotine populations in England may sufficiently alter host-virus epidemiology to explain the apparent absence of EBLV-1 in England.…”

“…This basic information on serotine biology is particularly important as this bat is the main reservoir for the most common European bat lyssavirus, EBLV-1 (Harris et al, 2006). In such a context, knowledge of the host's movement, mating patterns and social organisation is crucial to gain further understanding of viral dynamics.…”

Development of harmonised schemes for monitoring and reporting of rabies in animals in the European Union

“…EBLV-1 and EBLV-2 have been shown to have a specific association with the Serotine bat (Eptesicus serotinus and Eptesicus isabellinus) (Vazquez-Moron et al, 2008;Picard-Meyer et al, 2004b) and the species of Myotis bats (Myotis daubentonii and Myotis dascyneme), respectively (Whitby et al, 2000;Johnson et al, 2003;Harris et al, 2006), whereas rabies cases due to EBLVs in other bat species have only occasionally been reported (Müller et al, 2007). West Caucasian bat virus (WCBV), a recently ratified member of the lyssavirus genus with distinct genetic and biological properties, was isolated from a Schreiber's long-fingered bat (Miniopterus schreibersii) on the European side of the Caucasus mountain range (Kuzmin et al, 2005).…”

European Bat Lyssavirus Transmission among Cats, Europe

“…We report 2 documented cases of natural infection of domestic cats by EBLV-1 lyssaviruses presently circulating in European bats (2)(3)(4)(5). Our study demonstrates that subtypes EBLV-1a and EBLV-1b can cross the species barrier, although cat no.…”

“…2 died with neurologic signs compatible with rabies and was positive for EBLV by FAT, the reference technique. Direct transmission of EBLV-1 from bats to cats seems the most realistic explanation for these cases because cats prey on bats and have numerous contacts with them (3,12,13). Identifi cation of a highly homologous EBLV-1a isolate from a rabid bat found in the same location as cat no.…”