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Veterinary world2020; 13(3); 495-501; doi: 10.14202/vetworld.2020.495-501

Molecular and cellular evidence of natural Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus infection in frugivorous bats in Colombia.

Abstract: Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus (VEEV) is an alphavirus that causes encephalitis with a high impact on public health in Latin America. However, only in Guatemala, Trinidad and Tobago, and Mexico have found antibodies in VEEV in bats, using immunohistochemistry, the sensitivity and specificity are improved; thus, it is better for demonstrating natural infection in bats as potential hosts. This study aimed to determine the presence of VEEV in tissues of frugivorous bats. Methods: A prospective descriptive cross-sectional study with a non-probabilistic sampling was carried out in 12 localities of Córdoba and Sucre area of the Colombian Caribbean. Two hundred and eighty-six bats were captured using fog nets, and the specimens according to taxonomic keys were classified. According to the Ethics Committee of the University of Córdoba, the bats were treated with analgesics and anesthetics. Blood samples were taken and then euthanized to obtain tissues and organs which were preserved in liquid N2 at -196°C. A portion of each organ was fixed in 10% buffered formalin for the detection of antigens by immunohistochemistry. Several pathological anatomy analyses were performed to determine the histological characteristics of tissue lesions of frugivorous bats naturally infected with the VEEV. Results: Of the 286 bats captured, 23 species were identified. In samples of the brain, spleen, and lung of two frugivorous bats (2/286=0.70%) and , the presence of VEEV was confirmed by immunohistochemistry. Conclusions: A fragment of the nsP4 non-structural protein gene corresponding to the alphavirus was amplified. Two samples were positive (2/286=0.70%) in frugivorous bats; (code GenBank: MG820274) and (code GenBank: MG820275). The present study showed the first molecular evidence and cellular evidence (histopathology and immunohistochemistry) of natural VEEV infection in frugivorous bats in Colombia; these bats could be a host of this zoonosis.
Copyright: © Guzmán, et al.
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Publication Date: 2020-03-16 PubMed ID: 32367955PubMed Central: PMC7183472DOI: 10.14202/vetworld.2020.495-501Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

The research uncovers the first molecular and cellular evidence confirming the Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus (VEEV) in frugivorous bats in Colombia. The study aimed to identify the presence of this virus, which is known to cause public health issues in Latin America.

Methodology

  • The study was a descriptive, cross-sectional study conducted in 12 locations in the Córdoba and Sucre areas of the Colombian Caribbean.
  • A total of 286 bats were captured using fog nets and classified according to taxonomic keys.
  • In accordance with the University of Córdoba’s Ethics Committee guidelines, bats were anesthetized and given analgesics during handling.
  • Blood samples were collected from the bats which were then euthanized to obtain tissues and organs. The samples were preserved at -196°C in liquid nitrogen.
  • A portion of each organ was fixed in a 10% buffered formalin solution to detect antigens through immunohistochemistry.
  • Pathological anatomy analyses were conducted to identify the histological properties of tissue lesions in bats naturally infected with VEEV.

Results

  • 23 species were identified among the 286 captured bats.
  • Samples of brain, spleen, and lung tissues from two frugivorous bats (representing 0.70% of the captured bats) confirmed the presence of VEEV through immunohistochemistry.
  • A fragment of the nsP4 non-structural protein gene, which corresponds to the alphavirus, was amplified. This was evident in two frugivorous bat samples (again, representing 0.70% of the sample size).

Conclusions

  • The research provides the first molecular and cellular evidence of natural VEEV infection in frugivorous bats in Colombia.
  • The found species of bats could be potential hosts of this zoonosis, which is a disease that can be transmitted from animals to humans.

Cite This Article

APA
Guzmán C, Calderón A, Oviedo T, Mattar S, Castañeda J, Rodriguez V, Moraes Figueiredo LT. (2020). Molecular and cellular evidence of natural Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus infection in frugivorous bats in Colombia. Vet World, 13(3), 495-501. https://doi.org/10.14202/vetworld.2020.495-501

Publication

Veterinary world
ISSN: 0972-8988
NlmUniqueID: 101504872
Country: India
Language: English
Volume: 13
Issue: 3
Pages: 495-501

Researcher Affiliations

Guzmán, Camilo
  • Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health Sciences, Institute of Biological Research of the Tropics, University of Córdoba, Colombia.
Calderón, Alfonso
  • Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal, Institute for Biological Research in the Tropics, University of Córdoba, Colombia.
Oviedo, Teresa
  • University of Córdoba, Colombia.
Mattar, Salim
  • Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal, Institute of Biological Research of the Tropics, University of Córdoba, Colombia.
Castañeda, José
  • ICA Diagnostic Center - Córdoba, Colombia.
Rodriguez, Virginia
  • Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Córdoba, Colombia.
Moraes Figueiredo, Luiz Tadeu
  • Center for Virological Research, University of Sao Paulo, Riberao Preto, Brazil.

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This article has been cited 8 times.
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