AI Summary
This study identifies a novel hantavirus, named Buritiense, in bats in Brazil. The virus shows similarity to Mobatvirus and may represent a new species of bat-borne hantavirus. Further research is needed to determine if bats could act as reservoirs and the potential for transmission to human populations. The study highlights the importance of understanding the role of bats in infectious disease transmission.
Bats play an essential role in maintaining ecosystems. Their unique characteristics increase the likelihood of interactions with various species, making them a potential source for the emergence and spread of infectious diseases. Hantaviruses are continuously expanding their range of hosts. This study presents the identification of a partial genome associated with Hantavirus in samples collected from neotropical bats. We conducted a metagenomic study using samples from Carollia perspicillata in Maranhão, Brazil. Tissue fragments were used for RNA extraction and subsequent sequencing. The resulting data was subjected to bioinformatic analysis. A sequence showing an identity of 72.86% with the L gene in the reference genome was obtained. The phylogenetic analysis revealed the study sequence, denoted as Buritiense, clustering within the Mobatvirus clade. The intragroup analysis showed a broader dispersion and were markedly asymmetric. This observation suggests the possibility that Buritiense could potentially represent a new species within the bat-borne hantaviruses, but further analyses are needed to provide additional insights if bats plays a role as reservoirs and the potential for transmission to human populations.
Bats play an essential role within ecosystems, such as insect population control and plant pollination. The adaptation of bats to a variety of environments and their flying capabilities afford them the opportunity to come into contact with various species, including rodents, birds, and other mammals, rendering them