Seroprevalence of three paramyxoviruses; Hendra virus, Tioman virus, Cedar virus and a rhabdovirus, Australian bat lyssavirus, in a range expanding fruit bat, the Grey-headed flying fox (Pteropus poliocephalus).

Wayne S J Boardman1 Michelle L Baker2 Victoria Boyd2 Gary Crameri2 Grantley R Peck3 Terry Reardon4 Ian G Smith1,5 Charles G B Caraguel1 Thomas A A Prowse6
Affiliations 6 institutions
  1. School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.
  2. CSIRO Health and Biosecurity Business Unit, Australia Animal Health Laboratory, Geelong, Victoria, Australia.
  3. CSIRO, Australian Animal Health Laboratory, Geelong, Victoria, Australia.
  4. South Australia Museum, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.
  5. Zoos South Australia, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.
  6. School of Mathematical Sciences, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.

Abstract

Habitat-mediated global change is driving shifts in species' distributions which can alter the spatial risks associated with emerging zoonotic pathogens. Many emerging infectious pathogens are transmitted by highly mobile species, including bats, which can act as spill-over hosts for pathogenic viruses. Over three years, we investigated the seroepidemiology of paramyxoviruses and Australian bat lyssavirus in a range-expanding fruit bat, the Grey-headed flying fox (Pteropus poliocephalus), in a new camp in Adelaide, South Australia. Over six, biannual, sampling sessions, we quantified median florescent intensity (MFI) antibody levels for four viruses for a total of 297 individual bats using a multiplex Luminex binding assay. Where appropriate, florescence thresholds were determined using finite mixture modelling to classify bats' serological status. Overall, apparent seroprevalence of antibodies directed at Hendra, Cedar and Tioman virus antigens was 43.2%, 26.6% and 95.7%, respectively. We used hurdle models to explore correlates of seropositivity and antibody levels when seropositive. Increased body condition was significantly associated with Hendra seropositivity (Odds ratio = 3.67; p = 0.002) and Hendra virus levels were significantly higher in pregnant females (p = 0.002). While most bats were seropositive for Tioman virus, antibody levels for this virus were significantly higher in adults (p < 0.001). Unexpectedly, all sera were negative for Australian bat lyssavirus. Temporal variation in antibody levels suggests that antibodies to Hendra virus and Tioman virus may wax and wane on a seasonal basis. These findings suggest a common exposure to Hendra virus and other paramyxoviruses in this flying fox camp in South Australia.

Supporting text Virus Host Location
Animals 1948 Chiroptera 371 Female 289 Hendra Virus 39 Lyssavirus 11 Male 224 Reproduction 2 Seroepidemiologic Studies 113

Evidence records

7 total
Zoonotic Surveillance
7 records · 2 evidence types
Evidence type
4 records
OVE3773
Key finding

Grey-headed flying foxes in Adelaide, South Australia showed 43.2% apparent seroprevalence of antibodies to Hendra virus antigens.

Virus
Host
Location
Not specified
Supporting text

Over three years, we investigated the seroepidemiology of paramyxoviruses and Australian bat lyssavirus in a range-expanding fruit bat, the Grey-headed flying fox (Pteropus poliocephalus), in a new camp in Adelaide, South Australia. Overall, apparent seroprevalence of antibodies directed at Hendra, Cedar and Tioman virus antigens was 43.2%, 26.6% and 95.7%, respectively.

Method
multiplex Luminex binding assay
Sample type
sera
OVE3774
Key finding

Grey-headed flying foxes in Adelaide, South Australia showed 26.6% apparent seroprevalence of antibodies to Cedar virus antigens.

Virus
Host
Location
Not specified
Supporting text

Over three years, we investigated the seroepidemiology of paramyxoviruses and Australian bat lyssavirus in a range-expanding fruit bat, the Grey-headed flying fox (Pteropus poliocephalus), in a new camp in Adelaide, South Australia. Overall, apparent seroprevalence of antibodies directed at Hendra, Cedar and Tioman virus antigens was 43.2%, 26.6% and 95.7%, respectively.

Method
multiplex Luminex binding assay
Sample type
sera
OVE3775
Key finding

Grey-headed flying foxes in Adelaide, South Australia showed 95.7% apparent seroprevalence of antibodies to Tioman virus antigens.

Virus
Host
Location
Not specified
Supporting text

Over three years, we investigated the seroepidemiology of paramyxoviruses and Australian bat lyssavirus in a range-expanding fruit bat, the Grey-headed flying fox (Pteropus poliocephalus), in a new camp in Adelaide, South Australia. Overall, apparent seroprevalence of antibodies directed at Hendra, Cedar and Tioman virus antigens was 43.2%, 26.6% and 95.7%, respectively.

Method
multiplex Luminex binding assay
Sample type
sera
OVE3776
Key finding

All sera from Grey-headed flying foxes in Adelaide, South Australia tested negative for Australian bat lyssavirus antibodies.

Virus
Host
Location
Not specified
Supporting text

Over three years, we investigated the seroepidemiology of paramyxoviruses and Australian bat lyssavirus in a range-expanding fruit bat, the Grey-headed flying fox (Pteropus poliocephalus), in a new camp in Adelaide, South Australia. Unexpectedly, all sera were negative for Australian bat lyssavirus.

Method
multiplex Luminex binding assay
Sample type
sera
Evidence type
3 records
OVE3777
Key finding

Serological patterns indicate circulation and common exposure to Hendra virus among Grey-headed flying foxes in a camp in South Australia.

Virus
Host
Location
Supporting text

These findings suggest a common exposure to Hendra virus and other paramyxoviruses in this flying fox camp in South Australia.

Method
multiplex Luminex binding assay | finite mixture modeling | hurdle models
Sample type
sera
Geographic raw
South Australia
OVE3778
Key finding

Serological evidence implies ongoing exposure and circulation of Tioman virus among Grey-headed flying foxes in South Australia.

Virus
Host
Location
Supporting text

These findings suggest a common exposure to Hendra virus and other paramyxoviruses in this flying fox camp in South Australia.

Method
multiplex Luminex binding assay | finite mixture modeling | hurdle models
Sample type
sera
Geographic raw
South Australia
OVE3779
Key finding

Serological findings indicate circulation and maintenance of Cedar virus in Grey-headed flying foxes in South Australia.

Virus
Host
Location
Supporting text

These findings suggest a common exposure to Hendra virus and other paramyxoviruses in this flying fox camp in South Australia.

Method
multiplex Luminex binding assay | finite mixture modeling | hurdle models
Sample type
sera
Geographic raw
South Australia