Published in:
Open Access 01-12-2012 | Research
Molecular detection of a novel paramyxovirus in fruit bats from Indonesia
Published in: Virology Journal | Issue 1/2012
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Background
Fruit bats are known to harbor zoonotic paramyxoviruses including Nipah, Hendra, and Menangle viruses. The aim of this study was to detect the presence of paramyxovirus RNA in fruit bats from Indonesia.
Methods
RNA samples were obtained from the spleens of 110 fruit bats collected from four locations in Indonesia. All samples were screened by semi-nested broad spectrum reverse transcription PCR targeting the paramyxovirus polymerase (L) genes.
Results
Semi-nested reverse transcription PCR detected five previously unidentified paramyxoviruses from six fruit bats. Phylogenetic analysis showed that these virus sequences were related to henipavirus or rubulavirus.
Conclusions
This study indicates the presence of novel paramyxoviruses among fruit bat populations in Indonesia.