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Publication Details
AFRICAN RESEARCH NEXUS
SHINING A SPOTLIGHT ON AFRICAN RESEARCH
Continent-wide panmixia of an African fruit bat facilitates transmission of potentially zoonotic viruses
Nature Communications, Volume 4, Article 2770, Year 2013
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Description
The straw-coloured fruit bat, Eidolon helvum, is Africa's most widely distributed and commonly hunted fruit bat, often living in close proximity to human populations. This species has been identified as a reservoir of potentially zoonotic viruses, but uncertainties remain regarding viral transmission dynamics and mechanisms of persistence. Here we combine genetic and serological analyses of populations across Africa, to determine the extent of epidemiological connectivity among E. helvum populations. Multiple markers reveal panmixia across the continental range, at a greater geographical scale than previously recorded for any other mammal, whereas populations on remote islands were genetically distinct. Multiple serological assays reveal antibodies to henipaviruses and Lagos bat virus in all locations, including small isolated island populations, indicating that factors other than population size and connectivity may be responsible for viral persistence. Our findings have potentially important public health implications, and highlight a need to avoid disturbances that may precipitate viral spillover. © 2013 Macmillan Publishers Limited. All rights reserved.
Authors & Co-Authors
Peel, Alison J.
Unknown Affiliation
Sargan, David R.
Unknown Affiliation
Baker, Kate Susan
Unknown Affiliation
Hayman, David T.S.
Unknown Affiliation
Barr, Jennifer A.
Unknown Affiliation
Crameri, Gary S.
Unknown Affiliation
Suu-Ire, Richard Dery
Unknown Affiliation
Broder, Christopher C.
Unknown Affiliation
Lembo, Tiziana
Unknown Affiliation
Wang, Linfa
Unknown Affiliation
Fooks, Anthony Richard
Unknown Affiliation
Rossiter, Stephen J.
Unknown Affiliation
WOOD, JAMES L.N.
Unknown Affiliation
Cunningham, Andrew Alexander
Unknown Affiliation
Statistics
Citations: 109
Authors: 14
Affiliations: 15
Identifiers
Doi:
10.1038/ncomms3770
e-ISSN:
20411723
Research Areas
Genetics And Genomics
Infectious Diseases
Study Design
Cross Sectional Study