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Unveiling bat-borne viruses: a comprehensive classification and analysis of virome evolution
Yuyang Wang1, Panpan Xu1, Yelin Han1
1NHC Key Laboratory of Systems Biology of Pathogens, State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Health and Multimorbidity, National Institute of Pathogen Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, P. R. China.
Microbiome
|November 15, 2024
Summary
Bats harbor numerous viruses, including novel strains with potential public health and livestock implications. This research enhances understanding of bat-associated viruses and their evolutionary links to known pathogens.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Bat Ecology
- Evolutionary Biology
Background:
- Bats are significant reservoirs for emerging zoonotic viruses, posing public health risks.
- Many bat-associated viruses remain uncharacterized, necessitating further research into their classification and evolution.
Purpose of the Study:
- To comprehensively investigate the diversity of DNA and RNA viruses in bat populations.
- To identify novel viral species and evolutionary lineages.
- To contribute to virus taxonomy and inform infectious disease surveillance.
Main Methods:
- Utilized Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) on 13,105 bat swab samples from China.
- Analyzed 378 sample pools to identify vertebrate-associated viruses.
- Applied International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses (ICTV) criteria for classification and phylogenetic analysis.
Main Results:
- Detected 846 vertebrate-associated viruses, identifying 120 putative novel viral species and 294 strains.
- Phylogenetic analysis revealed diverse viral lineages, some closely related to human and livestock pathogens (e.g., poxviruses, pestiviruses).
Conclusions:
- This study significantly expands knowledge of bat-borne viruses, contributing novel evolutionary lineages to virus taxonomy.
- Identified previously unknown viruses relevant to human and livestock health, emphasizing the need for ongoing monitoring and management.
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