Evidence for henipavirus spillover into human populations in Africa

Olivier Pernet, Bradley S. Schneider, Shannon M. Beaty, Matthew LeBreton, Tatyana E. Yun, Arnold Park, Trevor T. Zachariah, Thomas A. Bowden, Peta Hitchens, Christina M. Ramirez, Peter Daszak, Jonna Mazet, Alexander N. Freiberg, Nathan D. Wolfe and Benhur Lee ()
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Olivier Pernet: Immunology and Molecular Genetics, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA
Bradley S. Schneider: Global Viral/Metabiota Laboratory Sciences
Shannon M. Beaty: Immunology and Molecular Genetics, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA
Matthew LeBreton: Global Viral/Metabiota Laboratory Sciences
Tatyana E. Yun: University of Texas Medical Branch
Arnold Park: Immunology and Molecular Genetics, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA
Trevor T. Zachariah: Brevard Zoo Veterinary Services, Brevard Zoo
Thomas A. Bowden: Wellcome Trust Centre for Human Genetics, University of Oxford
Peta Hitchens: School of Veterinary Medicine, UC Davis
Christina M. Ramirez: School of Public Health, UCLA
Peter Daszak: EcoHealth Alliance
Jonna Mazet: School of Veterinary Medicine, UC Davis
Alexander N. Freiberg: University of Texas Medical Branch
Nathan D. Wolfe: Global Viral/Metabiota Laboratory Sciences
Benhur Lee: Immunology and Molecular Genetics, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA

Nature Communications, 2014, vol. 5, issue 1, 1-10

Abstract: Abstract Zoonotic transmission of lethal henipaviruses (HNVs) from their natural fruit bat reservoirs to humans has only been reported in Australia and South/Southeast Asia. However, a recent study discovered numerous HNV clades in African bat samples. To determine the potential for HNV spillover events among humans in Africa, here we examine well-curated sets of bat (Eidolon helvum, n=44) and human (n=497) serum samples from Cameroon for Nipah virus (NiV) cross-neutralizing antibodies (NiV-X-Nabs). Using a vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV)-based pseudoparticle seroneutralization assay, we detect NiV-X-Nabs in 48% and 3–4% of the bat and human samples, respectively. Seropositive human samples are found almost exclusively in individuals who reported butchering bats for bushmeat. Seropositive human sera also neutralize Hendra virus and Gh-M74a (an African HNV) pseudoparticles, as well as live NiV. Butchering bat meat and living in areas undergoing deforestation are the most significant risk factors associated with seropositivity. Evidence for HNV spillover events warrants increased surveillance efforts.

Date: 2014
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DOI: 10.1038/ncomms6342

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