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Bats are the natural reservoirs for a variety of emerging and re-emerging viruses. Among them, rabies virus (genus Lyssavirus , family Rhabdoviridae ) is one of the first and most emblematic described in these animals. Since its first description, several new bat lyssaviruses have been regularly identified. In addition to lyssaviruses, other bat rhabdoviruses have also been discovered, including members of the genera Vesiculovirus , Ledantevirus and, more recently, Alphanemrhavirus and Tupavirus . However, the family Rhabdoviridae is one of the most abundant and diverse viral families, with 434 officially recognized species, divided into 5 subfamilies and 56 different genera. The number of rhabdoviruses associated with bats is therefore probably higher than that currently available. In this study, we first developed and validated a combined nested RT-qPCR technique (pan-rhabdo RT-nqPCR) dedicated to the broad detection of animal rhabdoviruses. After validation, this technique was used for a large retrospective screening of archival bat samples (n = 1962), including blood (n = 816), brain (n = 723) and oral swab (n = 423). These samples were collected from various bat species over a 12-year period (2007–2019) in 9 different countries in Europe and Africa. A total of 23 samples (1.2%) from bat species Miniopterus schreibersii , Rhinolophus euryale and Rhinolophus ferrumequinum tested positive for rhabdovirus infection, including 17 (2.1%) blood and 6 (1.4%) oral swab samples, all collected from bats originating from the Mediterranean region. Complete virus genome sequences were obtained by next-generation sequencing for most of the positive samples. Molecular and phylogenetic analysis of these sequences demonstrated that the virus isolates, named Mediterranean bat virus (MBV), were closely related and represented a new species, Mediterranean vesiculovirus , within the genus Vesiculovirus . MBV was more specifically related to other bat vesiculoviruses previously described from China and North America, together clustering into a distinct group of bat viruses within this genus. Interestingly, our results suggest that MBV is widespread, at least in the western part of the Mediterranean region, where it circulates in the blood of several bat species. These results expand the host range and viral diversity of bat vesiculoviruses, and pave the way for further studies to determine the transmission route and dissemination dynamics of these viruses in bat colonies, as well as to assess their potential threat to public health.

Bats are the natural reservoirs of a variety of emerging or re-emerging viruses. Among them, rabies virus (genus Lyssavirus, family Rhabdoviridae) is of the first and most iconic described in these animals. Since its first description, various new bat lyssaviruses have been regularly described. Apart from lyssaviruses, other bat rhabdoviruses have been also identified, including members of the Vesiculovirus, Ledantevirus and more recently Alphanemrhavirus and Tupavirus genera. However, the family Rhabdoviridae is one of the most abundant and diverse viral families, with 318 officially recognized species divided into 3 subfamilies and 46 different genera. Thus, the number of bat- associated rhabdoviruses is probably higher. In this study, we first developed and validated a combined nested RT-qPCR technique (pan-rhabdo RT-nqPCR) dedicated to the broad detection of animal rhabdovirus. After validation, this technique was used for a large retrospective screening of archival bat samples (n = 1962), including blood (n = 816), brain (n = 723) and saliva (n = 423). These samples were collected from various bat species over a period of 12 years (2007-2019) in 9 different countries in Europe and Africa. A total of 23 samples (1.2%) from Miniopterus schreibersii, Rhinolophus euryale and Rhinolophus ferrumequinum bat species was found positive for rhabdovirus infection, including 17 (2.1%) blood and 6 (1.4%) saliva samples, all collected from bats originated from the Mediterranean region. The complete virus genome sequences were obtained by next-generation sequencing for most of the positive samples. Molecular and phylogenetic analysis of these sequences demonstrated that these virus isolates, named Mediterranean bat virus (MBV), were closely related, and represented a new species Vesiculovirus mediterranean within the Vesiculovirus genus. MBV was more specifically related to the other bat vesiculoviruses previously described in China and North America, together clustering into a distinct group of bat viruses within this genus. Interestingly, our results suggest that MBV is widely distributed, at least in the West part of the Mediterranean region, where it can act as an arbovirus infecting and circulating in multiple bat species. These findings expand the host range and the viral diversity of bat vesiculoviruses and pave the way for further investigations to determine the route of transmission and the dynamic of diffusion of these viruses into bat colonies, as well as to evaluate their potential hazard for public health.

accurate and timely laboratory diagnosis of yellow fever (YF) is critical to the Eliminate Yellow Fever Epidemics (EYE) strategy. Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance recognized the need to support and build capacity in the national and regional laboratories in the Global YF Laboratory Network (GYFLN) as part of this strategy. to better understand current capacity, gaps and needs of the GYFLN laboratories in Africa, assessments were carried out in national and regional reference laboratories in the 25 African countries at high risk for YF outbreaks that were eligible for new financial support from Gavi. the assessments found that the GYFLN in Africa has high capacity but 21% of specimens were not tested due to lack of testing kits or reagents and approximately 50% of presumptive YF cases were not confirmed at the regional reference laboratory due to problems with shipping. the laboratory assessments helped to document the baseline capacities of these laboratories prior to Gavi funding to support strengthening YF laboratories.