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Kiwira Virus, a Newfound Hantavirus Discovered in Free-tailed Bats (Molossidae) in East and Central Africa

Authors :
Sabrina Weiss
Lwitiho E. Sudi
Ariane Düx
Chacha D. Mangu
Nyanda Elias Ntinginya
Gabriel M. Shirima
Sophie Köndgen
Grit Schubert
Peter T. Witkowski
Jean-Jacques Muyembe
Steve Ahuka
Boris Klempa
Fabian H. Leendertz
Detlev H. Krüger
Source :
Viruses, Vol 14, Iss 11, p 2368 (2022)
Publication Year :
2022
Publisher :
MDPI AG, 2022.

Abstract

A novel hantavirus, named Kiwira virus, was molecularly detected in six Angolan free-tailed bats (Mops condylurus, family Molossidae) captured in Tanzania and in one free-tailed bat in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Hantavirus RNA was found in different organs, with the highest loads in the spleen. Nucleotide sequences of large parts of the genomic S and L segments were determined by in-solution hybridisation capture and high throughput sequencing. Phylogenetic analyses placed Kiwira virus into the genus Mobatvirus of the family Hantaviridae, with the bat-infecting Quezon virus and Robina virus as closest relatives. The detection of several infected individuals in two African countries, including animals with systemic hantavirus infection, provides evidence of active replication and a stable circulation of Kiwira virus in M. condylurus bats and points to this species as a natural host. Since the M. condylurus home range covers large regions of Sub-Saharan Africa and the species is known to roost inside and around human dwellings, a potential spillover of the Kiwira virus to humans must be considered.

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
19994915
Volume :
14
Issue :
11
Database :
Directory of Open Access Journals
Journal :
Viruses
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
edsdoj.8b1ef2f98f65408bb6d510b75f4f5f4e
Document Type :
article
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.3390/v14112368