Novel lyssavirus in Natterer's bat, Germany

Area of Science:

• Virology
• Mammalian viruses
• Bat-borne pathogens

Background:

• Lyssaviruses are a group of viruses known to cause rabies.
• Bats are a reservoir for various lyssavirus strains.
• Previous research has identified diverse lyssaviruses in bat populations globally.

Purpose of the Study:

• To characterize a newly isolated virus from Natterer's bat (Myotis nattererii).
• To determine the phylogenetic relationship of the novel virus to known lyssaviruses.
• To assess if the isolated virus represents a new species within the Lyssavirus genus.

Main Methods:

• Virus isolation from bat samples collected in Germany.
• Serological characterization using a panel of monoclonal antibodies.
• Phylogenetic analysis based on molecular sequencing.

Main Results:

• The isolated virus exhibited a distinct reaction pattern with monoclonal antibodies, differentiating it from known lyssaviruses.
• Phylogenetic analysis indicated that the virus clusters separately from established lyssavirus species.
• The findings support the classification of the virus as a novel lyssavirus member.

Conclusions:

• The newly identified virus, Bokeloh bat lyssavirus, is a distinct member of the Lyssavirus genus.
• This discovery highlights the genetic diversity of lyssaviruses in European bat populations.
• Further research is warranted to understand the pathogenicity and epidemiological significance of Bokeloh bat lyssavirus.