Nipah virus in Lyle's flying foxes, Cambodia.
We conducted a survey in Cambodia in 2000 on henipavirus infection among several bat species, including flying foxes, and persons exposed to these animals. Among 1,072 bat serum samples tested by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, antibodies reactive to Nipah virus (NiV) antigen were detected only in Pteropus lylei species; Cynopterus sphinx, Hipposideros larvatus, Scotophilus kuhlii, Chaerephon plicata, Taphozous melanopogon, and T. theobaldi species were negative. Seroneutralization applied on a subset of 156 serum samples confirmed these results. None of the 8 human serum samples was NiV seropositive with the seroneutralization test. One virus isolate exhibiting cytopathic effect with syncytia was obtained from 769 urine samples collected at roosts of P. lylei specimens. Partial molecular characterization of this isolate demonstrated that it was closely related to NiV. These results strengthen the hypothesis that flying foxes could be the natural host of NiV. Surveillance of human cases should be implemented.
Reynes
Jean-Marc
JM
Institut Pasteur du Cambodge, Phnom Penh, Cambodia. jmreynes@pasteur.mg
Counor
Dorian
D
Ong
Sivuth
S
Faure
Caroline
C
Seng
Vansay
V
Molia
Sophie
S
Walston
Joe
J
Georges-Courbot
Marie Claude
MC
Deubel
Vincent
V
Sarthou
Jean-Louis
JL
D000818:Animals; D002160:Cambodia / Q000453:epidemiology; D002685:Chiroptera / Q000821:virology*; D045464:Henipavirus Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000662:veterinary* / Q000821:virology; D006801:Humans; D045405:Nipah Virus / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D010802:Phylogeny