Screening for Viruses in Pallas's Long-Tongued Bats (Glossophaga soricina) in Brazil

Bats are considered a unique group of mammals and are recognized as natural hosts for a variety of emerging viral agents of One Health importance. In Brazil, nine bat families are described, of which the family Phyllostomidae contains the highest number of cataloged species. Within them, the Pallas's long-tongued bat (Glossophaga soricina) is one of the most widely distributed species in South America. G. soricina are specialized in the use of nectar and pollen as food and therefore are extremely important in the dynamics of ecosystems. In this way, the present study aimed to evaluate the presence of viruses from the families Coronaviridae, Paramyxoviridae, Orthomyxoviridae, Reoviridae, and Rhabdoviridae in G. soricina bats. Samples of oral and rectal swabs from 40 bats in four bat colonies were collected in Southern Brazil. Four samples tested positive for coronavirus by PCR. Following DNA sequencing and phylogenetic analyses, they were classified into the Amalacovirus subgenus, within the alphacoronavirus (α-CoV) genus. In addition, it was possible to observe two distinct strains within the same bat colony. The results obtained reinforce that phyllostomids are the main reservoirs of amalacoviruses. Eco-vigilance in bats with close access to urban environments is essential for monitoring possible future spillover events.