Circulation of group 2 coronaviruses in a bat species common to urban areas in Western Europe

Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis. 2010 Oct;10(8):785-91. doi: 10.1089/vbz.2009.0173. Epub 2010 Jan 7.

Abstract

Fecal samples of 211 bats representing 13 different bat species from 31 locations in the Netherlands were analyzed for the presence of coronaviruses (CoV) using a genus-wide reverse transcription (RT)-polymerase chain reaction. CoVs are known for their high potential for interspecies transmission, including zoonotic transmission with bats as reservoir hosts. For the first time, a group 2 CoV was found in a bat, Pipistrellus pipistrellus, in Europe. This is of particular interest for public health as the reservoir host is a species that is common to urban areas in most of Europe and notorious for its close interactions with humans. Four verspertilionid bat species were found to excrete group 1 CoVs, viz. Myotis daubentonii, M. dasycneme, P. pipistrellus, and Nyctalus noctula. The last species is a newly identified reservoir. The overall prevalence was 16.9% and positive bats were found at multiple widespread locations. The circulating group 1 CoV lineages were rather species associated than location associated.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Chiroptera*
  • Coronavirus / classification*
  • Coronavirus / isolation & purification*
  • Coronavirus Infections / epidemiology
  • Coronavirus Infections / veterinary*
  • Demography
  • Feces / virology
  • Netherlands / epidemiology
  • Prevalence
  • RNA, Viral / isolation & purification

Substances

  • RNA, Viral