Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 11, 2026
07:55
Standard Operating Procedure for Lyssavirus Surveillance of the Bat Population in Taiwan
Published on: August 27, 2019
Encephalitis caused by a Lyssavirus in fruit bats in Australia
G C Fraser1, P T Hooper, R A Lunt
1NSW Department of Agriculture, Wollongbar, Australia.
Emerging Infectious Diseases
|October 1, 1996
Summary
Rabies-like disease was identified in an Australian black flying fox (Pteropus alecto). A virus related to Lyssavirus was isolated, marking the first such finding in a native Australian mammal.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Pathology
- Virology
- Wildlife Disease Surveillance
Background:
- Rabies and related lyssaviruses pose significant threats to wildlife and public health globally.
- Native Australian fauna have historically been considered free from lyssavirus infections.
Purpose of the Study:
- To report the first pathologic and immunohistochemical diagnosis of a rabies-like disease in a native Australian mammal.
- To identify and characterize the causative viral agent.
Main Methods:
- Pathologic examination of tissues from a sick black flying fox (Pteropus alecto).
- Immunohistochemical staining to detect viral antigens.
- Virus isolation in mice from tissue homogenates.
- Serologic and genetic analysis to determine viral relationships.
Main Results:
- Pathologic and immunohistochemical evidence confirmed a rabies-like encephalitis.
- A virus was successfully isolated from the affected bat.
- The isolated virus showed close serologic and genetic relationships to known Lyssavirus species.
Conclusions:
- This study confirms the presence of a Lyssavirus infection in a native Australian fruit bat population.
- The findings highlight the importance of ongoing wildlife disease surveillance in Australia.
- This discovery has implications for understanding lyssavirus ecology and potential cross-species transmission risks.
Related Concept Videos
01:18Viral Meningitis
Viral meningitis is the most common form of meningitis and is often referred to as aseptic meningitis to indicate the absence of bacterial involvement. It is generally milder than bacterial meningitis, with symptoms including fever, headache, stiff neck, drowsiness, nausea, photophobia, and vomiting. Rarely, more severe manifestations or death may occur. Common causative agents include enteroviruses, particularly coxsackie A and B viruses and echoviruses, all members of the Enterovirus genus...
01:17Poliomyelitis
Poliomyelitis is caused by poliovirus, a small, non-enveloped, positive-sense RNA virus of the Picornaviridae family and Enterovirus genus. Transmission occurs primarily via the fecal-oral route, often through ingestion of contaminated water or food. The virus initially replicates in the oropharynx and intestinal mucosa, particularly in lymphoid tissues such as the tonsils, Peyer’s patches, and regional lymph nodes. Primary viremia follows, allowing dissemination throughout the body.In most...
01:28Rabies
Rabies is a lethal zoonotic disease caused by a single-stranded, negative-sense RNA virus of the Lyssavirus genus, within the family Rhabdoviridae. Its primary mode of transmission to humans is through bites or saliva-contaminated scratches from infected mammals such as dogs, bats, raccoons, or foxes. Transmission can also occur if infectious saliva contacts abraded skin or intact mucous membranes, including the conjunctiva.Viral Entry and Early ReplicationOnce introduced at the bite or scratch...
01:25Arboviral Encephalitis
Arboviral encephalitis refers to brain inflammation caused by arthropod-borne viruses, particularly those transmitted through mosquito vectors. Among these, West Nile virus (WNV), a member of the Flaviviridae family, is a significant public health concern. WNV is an enveloped, positive-sense, single-stranded RNA virus. Human infection typically begins when an infected mosquito introduces the virus into the dermis during feeding. The primary transmission cycle involves birds as amplifying hosts...
01:19Encephalitis l: Introduction
Encephalitis is inflammation of the brain parenchyma, most often due to infections or autoimmune processes. It presents with neuropsychiatric features such as fever, altered mental status, behavioral changes, cognitive dysfunction, seizures, focal deficits, and sometimes autonomic instability. In some cases, the meninges are also involved, resulting in meningoencephalitis.Infectious CausesInfectious encephalitis is most commonly viral but can also result from bacterial, fungal, or parasitic...
01:26Encephalitis ll: Pathophysiology
Encephalitis is inflammation of the brain parenchyma caused by direct viral invasion or immune-mediated mechanisms triggered by infections or tumors. Both processes lead to neuronal injury, disrupted neurotransmission, and diverse neurological symptoms, often with overlapping clinical and pathological features.Autoimmune EncephalitisIn autoimmune encephalitis, antibodies target neuronal antigens on cell surfaces, synapses, or within neurons. A key example is anti-NMDAR encephalitis, which can...