Authors: R. Balasubramanian, Sreelekshmy Mohandas, Ullas P. Thankappan, Anita Shete, Dilip Patil, Kannan Sabarinath, Basavaraj Mathapati, Rima Sahay, Deepak Patil, Pragya D. Yadav
Year: 2024
Journal: Frontiers in Microbiology
DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2024.1342170
Summary#
This paper reports a cross-sectional study on the Pteropus medius bat population in Kerala, India, to determine Nipah virus (NiV) presence through testing throat swabs, rectal swabs, organ samples, and serum samples. The research found an overall seroprevalence of 20.9% in 272 bats tested, with 4 out of 44 bats testing positive for NiV in their liver/spleen samples.
Key Findings#
- An overall seroprevalence of 20.9% was observed in 272 P. medius bats tested
- 4 out of 44 P. medius bats tested positive for Nipah virus in their liver/spleen samples
Methodology#
- Study Type: Cross-sectional Study
- Sample Size: 272 Pteropus medius bats and 44 bats for organ testing
- Geographic Focus: Kerala state, India
- Time Period: February, July, and September 2023
Topics#
Epidemiology, Virology
Relevance#
The study raises concerns about Nipah virus spillover from bats to the human population in Kerala, India.