Scientists Warn of Human Threat from Novel Hantavirus Newly Found in Urban Bats of the Czech Republic!

Medical News: A recent study conducted by a coalition of Czech institutions has unveiled the presence of a novel hantavirus, named Brno loanvirus (BRNV), in bats living in the urban areas of Brno, Czech Republic. This discovery covered in this Medical News report, has raised significant concerns among scientists about the potential for human exposure to this new virus, especially given the close proximity of these bats to human settlements.


Novel Hantavirus Newly Found in Urban Bats of the Czech Republic
 
Unveiling the Brno Loanvirus: A Collaborative Effort
The research was a collaborative effort among several prestigious institutions, including the Veterinary Research Institute in Hudcova, Masaryk University in Brno, the Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences in Branišovská, and the University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice. Their study focused on the common noctule bat (Nyctalus noctula), a species widespread throughout Europe, Asia, and North Africa, and particularly prevalent in urban areas.
 
The discovery of BRNV in these bats is alarming because of the high prevalence detected among hibernating bats in urban Brno. The study found that 8.8% of the sampled bats tested positive for the virus, with viral RNA detectable in multiple organs, most notably the liver, which exhibited the highest levels of viral RNA.
 
The Research Findings: A Detailed Analysis
The study was initiated in March 2022, targeting a population of hibernating common noctule bats in Brno. Out of 57 bats tested, five were found to carry BRNV. The positive cases included three adult females, one juvenile female, and one adult male, while none of the juvenile males tested positive. Using RT-qPCR assays, researchers detected BRNV RNA in various organs, including the kidneys, heart, spleen, brain, liver, lung, and gut, as well as in body cavity fluid. Notably, the liver had the highest viral RNA levels, with an average Ct value of 20.8 ± 7.4.
 
The results indicate a significant presence of BRNV in urban bat populations, which could pose a potential risk to humans. However, the zoonotic potential of BRNV - its ability to jump from animals to humans - remains unclear.
 
Understanding Hantaviruses: A Broader Context
Hantaviruses are a diverse group of viruses within the family Hantaviridae, order Bunyavirales. They possess a tri-segmented negative-sense RNA genome and are primarily hosted by rodents, though bats, moles, shrews, reptiles, and fish can also serve as reservoirs. Rodents excrete hantaviruses in their saliva, urine, and feces, posing a risk of human infection via inhalation or, in rare cases, rodent bites.
 
Bats, in particular, are well-known reservoirs of numerous viral agents, including filoviruses, rabies virus, and novel coronaviruses. They host over 130 viral species, with about 60 known to be zoonotic, meaning they can infect humans and cause diseases. Examples of zoonotic viruses hosted by bats in clude the SARS-like coronavirus, Ebola virus, Nipah virus, and Hendra virus.
 
The discovery of BRNV adds to the growing list of viruses hosted by bats, underlining the importance of these animals in the study of emerging infectious diseases. The novel hantavirus exhibits phylogenetic proximity to other bat-borne hantaviruses but is considerably genetically distant from other known hantaviruses.
 
Phylogenetic analyses of BRNV revealed that it forms a distinct lineage within the bat-borne hantavirus group, with its closest relatives being Longquan virus, Mouyassue virus, and Nova virus. However, these relatives are still distantly related, indicating the unique nature of BRNV.
 
Geographic and Demographic Insights
The study further investigated the distribution and host specificity of BRNV in bats across different European countries, including Germany, Austria, and Poland. The findings revealed a broad distribution of BRNV in Central Europe, with varying prevalence rates: 1.2% in Germany, 0.5% in Austria, and a notably higher 15% in Poland.
 
The study's results in Brno, with an 8.8% prevalence rate, were higher than those reported in Germany and Austria but lower than the rate in Poland.
 
The common noctule bat, an insectivorous species, is known for its extensive migratory behavior, especially during periods of high energy demand such as gestation and lactation. Female bats often travel further north to take advantage of higher insect biomass production. The congregation of these bats in large groups during hibernation, often in urban areas, likely facilitates the transmission of viruses like BRNV among individuals.
 
Implications for Public Health
The presence of BRNV in urban-dwelling bats is a cause for concern due to the potential risk of human exposure. Bats frequently roost in close proximity to human habitats, such as in tree roosts, caves, church towers, and even residential buildings. This close contact increases the likelihood of human exposure to bat-borne viruses.
 
The Road Ahead: Monitoring and Mitigation
The discovery of BRNV in urban bats underscores the need for ongoing surveillance and research to monitor the potential public health risks posed by emerging viruses. While the zoonotic potential of BRNV is yet to be determined, its presence in urban environments necessitates precautionary measures to prevent possible human infections.
 
Public health authorities should consider implementing monitoring programs for bat populations, especially in urban areas, to detect and mitigate the spread of novel pathogens. Increased awareness and education about the risks associated with bat-borne viruses can help reduce human exposure and enhance preparedness for potential outbreaks.
 
In conclusion, the identification of Brno loanvirus in bats inhabiting urban areas of Brno, Czech Republic, highlights the dynamic and complex interactions between wildlife and human health. As urbanization continues to encroach on natural habitats, the importance of understanding and managing these interactions becomes ever more critical. Through continued research and vigilance, we can better protect public health and mitigate the risks posed by emerging infectious diseases.
 
The study findings were published in the peer reviewed journal: Infection, Genetics and Evolution.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1567134824000558
 
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