Authors: A. B. Sudeep, Pragya D. Yadav, Mangesh D. Gokhale, R. Balasubramanian, Nivedita Gupta, Anita Shete, Rajlaxmi Jain, Savita Patil, Rima R. Sahay, Dimpal A. Nyayanit, Sanjay Gopale, Prachi G. Pardeshi, Triparna D. Majumdar, Dilip R. Patil, A. P. Sugunan, Devendra T. Mourya
Year: 2021
Journal: BMC Infectious Diseases
DOI: 10.1186/s12879-021-05865-7
Summary#
This research paper investigates the presence of Nipah virus in Pteropus medius bats in Kerala, India, following a reported outbreak in June 2019. The study used specialized techniques like real-time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (qRTPCR), Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA), and next-generation sequencing (NGS) to test bat samples.
Key Findings#
- NiV was found in one rectal swab sample and three bats’ visceral organs
- 20.68% (12/58) of Pteropus were positive for anti-NiV IgG antibodies
- Distinct NiV sequences, suggesting a new genotype (I-India) in South India
Methodology#
- Study Type: Observational
- Sample Size: 141 bats (throat and rectal swabs samples) and 92 bats’ visceral organs, 52 bats’ serum samples
- Geographic Focus: Ernakulam district, Kerala, India
- Time Period: June 2019
Topics#
Virology, Epidemiology
Relevance#
The study provides evidence of NiV circulation in Pteropus medius bats in Kerala, India, highlighting the importance of active surveillance to identify hotspots for NiV infection.