WP05 - Bat Lyssaviruses

The European bat lyssaviruses (EBLV) type 1 and 2 (genotypes 5 and 6) are emerging zoonoses and have been known to infect not only their primary hosts (insectivorous bats) but on rare occasions other incidental animal hosts (including food-producing animals, such as sheep in 1998 and 2002).

Molecular typing, particularly using partial DNA sequencing of the PCR products of variable genes like the N (nucleoprotein) and G (glycoprotein) gene, provides epidemiological information regarding the geographical and host origins of the viruses involved. Additionally, genotyping viral isolates from European bats would enable further investigation ninto virus evolution and the surveillance for the emergence of new ELV strains.

The ability to derive useful information from virus sequence data is dependent upon the availablity of an extensive database for comparison. A national database containing N-gene sequences from more than 800 Lyssaviruses has been developed at the VLA but relatively few EBLV isolates are included. Genetic sequencing of bat isolates is also underway in several other partner institutes of Med-Vet-Net. It is proposed that this data is combined into a central European molecular epidemiological database.

Objectives

The overall objective is to provide accurate information on the risk of bat-associated rabies in Europe to public and animal health by forging collaborations among rabies laboratories. This will be achieved by

• Collation of sequence data and archived material from EBLV isolates detected by Med-Vet-Net partner institutes. As far as possible viruses will also be obtained from associate institutes throughout Europe and neighbouring countries.
• Setting up a database of sequence data for the EBLV isolates. Primarily the database will include partial N-gene sequence data. However, this could be enhanced with sequence data from other genomic regions
• Disseminating the information electronically via the internet. This will facilitate the interpretation and publication of sequence data to enable rapid genotyping of new viruses and provide a greater understanding of the geographical and host specific evolution of the European bat lyssaviruses.