Evidence of henipavirus infection in West African fruit bats

PLoS One. 2008 Jul 23;3(7):e2739. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0002739.

Abstract

Henipaviruses are emerging RNA viruses of fruit bat origin that can cause fatal encephalitis in man. Ghanaian fruit bats (megachiroptera) were tested for antibodies to henipaviruses. Using a Luminex multiplexed microsphere assay, antibodies were detected in sera of Eidolon helvum to both Nipah (39%, 95% confidence interval: 27-51%) and Hendra (22%, 95% CI: 11-33%) viruses. Virus neutralization tests further confirmed seropositivity for 30% (7/23) of Luminex positive serum samples. Our results indicate that henipavirus is present within West Africa.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Viral / blood*
  • Chiroptera / virology*
  • Henipavirus / metabolism*
  • Henipavirus Infections / diagnosis*
  • Microspheres
  • Models, Theoretical
  • Neutralization Tests
  • Recombinant Proteins / chemistry
  • Species Specificity

Substances

  • Antibodies, Viral
  • Recombinant Proteins