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

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.

Keywords: Hantaviridae; Mobatvirus; Mops condylurus; bat; hantavirus; phylogeny.

Figure 1

Maximum likelihood phylogenetic tree based on 142 amino acids (aa) of the L segment. Trees were inferred using the LG + G + I model with 1000 bootstraps. Bootstrap values are given in percent and only when above 50%. Viruses from this study are given in bold. Scalebar indicates aa substitutions per site.

Figure 2

Maximum likelihood (ML) phylogenetic trees of partial L and S segments: (A) ML phylogeny based on a 4826 nt alignment of the L segment, calculated using the GTR +I +G model; (B) ML phylogeny based on 308 nt alignment of the S segment, calculated using the HKY85 +I +G model. Scalebars indicate nucleotide (nt) substitutions per site. Bootstrap values are based on 1000 replicates and shown when above 50%. Viruses from this study are given in bold.

Figure 3

Finding places of bat-borne Kiwira hantavirus in Africa. Detection sites in Mbeya Region (Tanzania) and Salonga National Park (DRC) are marked by crosses. The approximate geographical range of the host species Mops condylurus is marked by a dashed line and blue shading (adapted from www.iucnredlist.org, accessed on 1 September 2022).