A novel poxvirus isolated from an Egyptian fruit bat in Israel

Abstract

An Egyptian fruit bat (Rousettus aegyptiacus) from the Zoological Gardens, at Tel Aviv, Israel, showed pox-like clinical signs including vesicular and nodular skin lesions on the wings. Cell culture isolation, histopathology, electron microscopy and molecular analysis, revealed the presence of a novel bat poxvirus. Future research is needed to determine whether this virus can affect human health.

Keywords: Rousettus aegyptiacus; Egyptian fruit bat; IsrRAPXV; Israel; Novel pox virus; Skin lesions.