Viral antibody dynamics in a chiropteran host

Baker, K.S. et al. (2014) Viral antibody dynamics in a chiropteran host. Journal of Animal Ecology, 83(2), pp. 415-428. (doi: 10.1111/1365-2656.12153) (PMID:24111634)

Abstract

1. Bats host many viruses that are significant for human and domestic animal health, but the dynamics of these infections in their natural reservoir hosts remain poorly elucidated.<p></p> 2. In these, and other, systems, there is evidence that seasonal life-cycle events drive infection dynamics, directly impacting the risk of exposure to spillover hosts. Understanding these dynamics improves our ability to predict zoonotic spillover from the reservoir hosts.<p></p> 3. To this end, we followed henipavirus antibody levels of >100 individual E. helvum in a closed, captive, breeding population over a 30-month period, using a powerful novel antibody quantitation method.<p></p> 4. We demonstrate the presence of maternal antibodies in this system and accurately determine their longevity. We also present evidence of population-level persistence of viral infection and demonstrate periods of increased horizontal virus transmission associated with the pregnancy/lactation period.<p></p> 5.The novel findings of infection persistence and the effect of pregnancy on viral transmission, as well as an accurate quantitation of chiropteran maternal antiviral antibody half-life, provide fundamental baseline data for the continued study of viral infections in these important reservoir hosts.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Murcia, Professor Pablo
• Authors: Baker, K.S., Suu-Ire, R., Barr, J., Hayman, D.T.S., Broder, C.C., Horton, D.L., Durrant, C., Murcia, P.R., Cunningham, A.A., Wood, J.L.N., and Boots, M.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Infection & Immunity; College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Infection & Immunity > Centre for Virus Research
• Journal Name: Journal of Animal Ecology
• Publisher: John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
• ISSN: 0021-8790
• ISSN (Online): 1365-2656
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2013 The Authors
• First Published: First published in Journal of Animal Ecology 82(2):415-428
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced under a Creative Commons License