Viral diversity and phylogeny of astroviruses from eonycteris spelaea in Singapore.

Abstract

Astroviruses cause gastroenteritis in many different animals including humans. Recently, several studies conducted in China, Hong Kong and Germany detected astroviruses in bats. Bats are known reservoirs for many viruses that cause disease in humans. They harbor astroviruses but appear to be asymptomatic. In this study, we collected 128 fecal samples from Eonycteris spelaea in Singapore and tested for astrovirus using reverse transcription - polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) method. A positive rate of 39.58% for astrovirus was detected in one of the batches. This prevalence is relatively high compared to other studies. Phylogenetic analysis on partial RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) region showed these astroviruses form a monophyletic group, which is not related to other previously known bat astrovirus. This finding provides a better understanding of evolution and ecology of astroviruses in bats. It also provides more insight on cross species transmission from bats to other mammals or the contrary.