Bats in ecosystems and their Wide spectrum of viral infectious potential threats: SARS-CoV-2 and other emerging viruses

Abstract

Bats have populated earth for approximately 52 million years, serving as natural reservoirs for a variety of viruses through the course of evolution. Transmission of highly pathogenic viruses from bats has been suspected or linked to a spectrum of potential emerging infectious diseases in humans and animals worldwide. Examples of such viruses include Marburg, Ebolavirus, Nipah, Hendra, Influenza A, Dengue, Equine Encephalitis viruses, Lyssaviruses, Madariaga and Coronaviruses, involving the now pandemic Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Herein, we provide a narrative review focused in selected emerging viral infectious diseases that have been reported from bats.

Keywords: Anthropocene; Bats; Cross-Species; Evolution; Transmission; Viruses.

Figure 1

Geographic distribution of bats associated with human disease.

Figure 2

Biology researcher who suffered a Desmodus rotundus bite during a field work trapping bats in Venezuela. The bat resulted positive for RABV; however, the patient received prophylaxis post exposure and did not develop clinical disease. Courtesy of Jose Antonio Suarez.

Figure 3

Male patient that suffered an intra-domiciliary bite, while he was trying to capture a bat. He sought medical attention; the bat species was identified as Desmodus rotundus. The bat was negative for RABV; however, the patient received post exposure prophylaxis. Courtesy of Jose Antonio Suarez.