Is Marburg virus enzootic in Gabon?

Area of Science:

• Virology
• Ecology
• Zoonotic Diseases

Background:

• Marburg virus (MARV) is a highly pathogenic virus with bats as natural reservoirs.
• Previous detection of MARV in *Rousettus aegyptiacus* bats in Gabon between 2005-2006.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the presence and phylogenetic relationship of MARV in bat populations in northern Gabon.
• To assess the enzootic status of MARV in Gabon.

Main Methods:

• Screening of 1257 bats from 3 caves in northern Gabon using MARV-specific real-time reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).
• Confirmation of positive samples using a MARV-specific nested RT-PCR assay targeting the VP35 gene.
• Phylogenetic analysis of detected MARV strains.

Main Results:

• Nine bat specimens tested positive via real-time RT-PCR, with low viral loads (Ct values 35-39).
• Only one *Rousettus aegyptiacus* specimen collected in 2009 tested positive in the nested VP35 RT-PCR assay.
• Phylogenetic analysis indicated the detected MARV strains were closely related to those found previously in Gabon.

Conclusions:

• The confirmation of MARV-positive bats in northern Gabon, 5 years after initial detections, suggests MARV is now enzootic in the region.
• Highlights the importance of continuous surveillance of bat populations and human-bat interfaces for Marburg virus prevention and control.