Detection and Serological Evidence of European Bat Lyssavirus 1 in Belgian Bats between 2016 and 2018.
Animal health
Public Access
Published
Authors
Inne Nauwelaers [2]; Claudia Van den Eynde [3]; Sanne Terryn [4]; Bob Vandendriessche [5]; Wout Willems [6]; Daan Dekeukeleire [7]; Steven Van Gucht [8]Keywords
Abstract:
Lyssaviruses are neurotropic viruses capable of inducing fatal encephalitis. While rabies virus has been successfully eradicated in Belgium, the prevalence of other lyssaviruses remains uncertain. In this study, we conducted a survey on live animals and passive surveillance to investigate the presence of lyssaviruses in Belgium. In 2018, a total of 113 saliva samples and 87 blood samples were collected from bats. Saliva was subjected to RT-qPCR to identify lyssavirus infections. Additionally, an adapted lyssavirus neutralisation assay was set up for the detection of antibodies neutralising …