Evidence Suggesting Possible Exposure to Influenza A Virus in Neotropical Bats from Mexico

With the first evidence of the association between bats and influenza A viruses, various studies have begun to emerge to understand this interesting and important association among bats conservation, animal health, and public health. This study aimed to verify the presence of anti-influenza A vipothesrus antibodies, as well as the molecular identification of these viruses in bats distributed in forest fragments located in southeastern Mexico. Blood samples were obtained from 600 bats belonging to 24 different species, using an enzyme immunoassay to detect antibodies against the nucleoprotein antigen of the avian influenza A virus. Likewise, oropharyngeal swabs, rectal swabs and organs were taken for quantitative reverse transcription PCR (qRT-PCR) of these viruses. A total of six bats (1%) tested positive either by serology or molecular methods, not both simultaneously. Although this suggests a very low prevalence of influenza A viruses in Mexican bats, it is the first study to address this association and, following the precautionary principle, we consider it necessary to establish systematic monitoring of the presence of influenza A in bats, since they are known to harbor infectious agents with zoonotic potential. Furthermore, it is possible that the association of influenza A viruses circulating in Latin American bats has an important co-evolutionary component with some bat species with exclusive distribution in the American continent.