First report of astroviruses in Tanzanian bats

Abstract

Emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases have posed significant global health threats, with many attributed to zoonotic RNA viruses. These pathogens can, under some conditions, cross species barriers, facilitating transmission from animal hosts to humans. Bats, characterised by unique physiological and ecological features, and remarkable species diversity, are recognized to host numerous viruses with cross-species transmission potential. This study aimed to investigate the presence of RNA viruses from a broad diversity of Tanzanian bats while valorising archived biological samples. RNA was extracted from 125 samples (28 faeces and 97 oral swabs) of 17 bat species, followed by PCR amplification targeting five distinct viral genera (Filovirus, Coronavirus, Hantavirus, Paramyxovirus and Astrovirus). Overall, 1.6 % (3/125) of the samples from two bat species (Scotophilus dinganii and Miniopterus fraterculus) tested positive for astrovirus, with the coinfection of one bat with two AstV strains. No samples tested positive for Filovirus, Coronavirus, Hantavirus and Paramyxovirus. Phylogenetic analysis based on RNA-dependent RNA polymerase sequences revealed these sequences are respectively clustering with astroviruses detected in other bat species from the genus Scotophilus from East Asia and with astroviruses detected in Miniopterus bats from Africa and Asia. Altogether, these results are the first report of astroviruses in Tanzanian bats.