Genome sequencing of dengue virus serotype 4 in a bat brain sample (Platyrrhinus helleri) from the Brazilian Amazon

Author(s)

Franco Filho, Luciano Chaves ; Barata, Rafael Ribeiro ; Coelho, Monica Silva ; Cardoso, Jedson Ferreira ; Lemos, Poliana da Silva ; dos Reis, Herald Souza ; Ribeiro Favacho, Joana da Felicidade ; Faria, Nuno Rodrigues ; Teixeira Nunes, Marcio Roberto

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: INFECTION GENETICS AND EVOLUTION; v. 109, p. 5-pg., 2023-02-10.

Abstract

The existence of sylvatic transmission of dengue virus in communities of neotropical bats remains uncertain. In this work we present a near-complete genome of dengue virus serotype 4 obtained from the brain sample of a bat from Platyrrhinus helleri specie collected in the Brazilian Amazon region. The presence of the virus in the brain sample may indicate a possible tropism for the central nervous system in bats, which may justify negative results in previous studies that focused on analysis of other tissues, such as liver and spleen. Besides the duration of dengue virus circulation in the Americas (circa 40 years) may be too short for an implementation of a sylvatic dengue virus cycle. Our findings suggest that continued monitoring is needed to confirm with the neotropical bats could potentially act as a natural reservoir of dengue in the region. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 18/14389-0 - Brazil-UK Centre for Arbovirus Discovery, Diagnosis, Genomics and Epidemiology (CADDE)
• Grantee: Ester Cerdeira Sabino
• Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants