Novel adenoviruses and herpesviruses detected in bats

Abstract

Samples from native Hungarian or captive bats were tested by PCR for the presence of adenoviruses and herpesviruses. Two novel adenoviruses from a common noctule (Nyctalus noctula) and a greater horseshoe (Rhinolophus ferrum-equinum) bat were detected. In captive Egyptian fruit bats (Rousettus aegyptiacus), DNA from two novel herpesviruses was demonstrated. Phylogenetic analysis facilitated provisional taxonomic placement of the newly detected viruses. Such analysis and the existence of unique, shared early proteins (E3 and E4) suggest that canine adenoviruses may have originated in vespertilinoid bats.