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Evidence for henipavirus spillover into human populations in Africa.

Abstract:
Zoonotic transmission of lethal henipaviruses (HNVs) from their natural fruit bat reservoirs to humans has only been reported in Australia and South/Southeast Asia. However, a recent study discovered numerous HNV clades in African bat samples. To determine the potential for HNV spillover events among humans in Africa, here we examine well-curated sets of bat (Eidolon helvum, n=44) and human (n=497) serum samples from Cameroon for Nipah virus (NiV) cross-neutralizing antibodies (NiV-X-Nabs). Using a vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV)-based pseudoparticle seroneutralization assay, we detect NiV-X-Nabs in 48% and 3–4% of the bat and human samples, respectively. Seropositive human samples are found almost exclusively in individuals who reported butchering bats for bushmeat. Seropositive human sera also neutralize Hendra virus and Gh-M74a (an African HNV) pseudoparticles, as well as live NiV. Butchering bat meat and living in areas undergoing deforestation are the most significant risk factors associated with seropositivity. Evidence for HNV spillover events warrants increased surveillance efforts.
Publication status:
Published
Peer review status:
Peer reviewed

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Publisher copy:
10.1038/ncomms6342

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Publisher:
Springer Nature
Journal:
Nature Communications More from this journal
Volume:
5
Article number:
5342
Publication date:
2014-11-18
Acceptance date:
2014-09-19
DOI:
EISSN:
2041-1723


Language:
English
Keywords:
Pubs id:
pubs:490690
UUID:
uuid:f686f4de-c466-4c71-abfb-be80718fe410
Local pid:
pubs:490690
Source identifiers:
490690
Deposit date:
2014-11-20
ARK identifier:

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