TY - JOUR
T1 - Detection and Serological Evidence of European Bat Lyssavirus 1 in Belgian Bats between 2016 and 2018
AU - Nauwelaers, Inne
AU - van den Eynde, Claudia
AU - Terryn, Sanne
AU - Vandendriessche, Bob
AU - Willems, Wout
AU - Dekeukeleire, Daan
AU - Van Gucht, Steven
PY - 2024/7/5
Y1 - 2024/7/5
N2 - Lyssaviruses are neurotropic viruses capable of inducing fatal encephalitis. While rabies virus has been successfully eradicated in Belgium, the prevalence of other lyssaviruses remains uncertain. In this study, we conducted a survey on live animals and passive surveillance to investigate the presence of lyssaviruses in Belgium. In 2018, a total of 113 saliva samples and 87 blood samples were collected from bats. Saliva was subjected to RT-qPCR to identify lyssavirus infections. Additionally, an adapted lyssavirus neutralisation assay was set up for the detection of antibodies neutralising EBLV-1 in blood samples. Furthermore, we examined 124 brain tissue samples obtained from deceased bats during passive surveillance between 2016 and 2018. All saliva samples tested negative for lyssaviruses. Analysis of the blood samples uncovered the presence of lyssavirus-neutralising antibodies in five bat species and 32 suggesting past exposure to a lyssavirus. Notably, EBLV-1 was detected in brain tissue samples from two Eptesicus serotinus specimens collected in 2016 near Bertrix and 2017 near Eacute;talle, confirming for the first time the presence of EBLV-1 in Belgium and raising awareness of the potential risks associated with this species of bats as reservoirs of the virus.
AB - Lyssaviruses are neurotropic viruses capable of inducing fatal encephalitis. While rabies virus has been successfully eradicated in Belgium, the prevalence of other lyssaviruses remains uncertain. In this study, we conducted a survey on live animals and passive surveillance to investigate the presence of lyssaviruses in Belgium. In 2018, a total of 113 saliva samples and 87 blood samples were collected from bats. Saliva was subjected to RT-qPCR to identify lyssavirus infections. Additionally, an adapted lyssavirus neutralisation assay was set up for the detection of antibodies neutralising EBLV-1 in blood samples. Furthermore, we examined 124 brain tissue samples obtained from deceased bats during passive surveillance between 2016 and 2018. All saliva samples tested negative for lyssaviruses. Analysis of the blood samples uncovered the presence of lyssavirus-neutralising antibodies in five bat species and 32 suggesting past exposure to a lyssavirus. Notably, EBLV-1 was detected in brain tissue samples from two Eptesicus serotinus specimens collected in 2016 near Bertrix and 2017 near Eacute;talle, confirming for the first time the presence of EBLV-1 in Belgium and raising awareness of the potential risks associated with this species of bats as reservoirs of the virus.
U2 - 10.3390/tropicalmed9070151
DO - 10.3390/tropicalmed9070151
M3 - A1: Web of Science-article
VL - 9
JO - TROPICAL MEDICINE AND INFECTIOUS DISEASE
JF - TROPICAL MEDICINE AND INFECTIOUS DISEASE
IS - 7
ER -