Detection and Serological Evidence of European Bat Lyssavirus 1 in Belgian Bats between 2016 and 2018.

ABSTRACT: 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 lyssavirus

SUBMITTER: Nauwelaers I 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11281572 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature