Isolation and molecular characterization of Fikirini rhabdovirus, a novel virus from a Kenyan bat.

Kading RC, Gilbert AT, Mossel EC, Crabtree MB, Kuzmin IV, Niezgoda M, Agwanda B, Markotter W, Weil MR, Montgomery JM, Rupprecht CE, Miller BR.

Source

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Division of Vector-borne Diseases, Arbovirus Diseases Branch, Fort Collins, CO, USA.

Abstract

Zoonotic and vector-borne pathogens have comprised a significant component of emerging human infections in recent decades, and bats are increasingly recognized as reservoirs for many of these disease agents. To identify novel pathogens associated with bats, we screened tissues of bats collected in Kenya. Virus isolates were identified by next generation sequencing of viral nucleic acid preparations from the infected cell culture supernatant and characterized. Here we report the identification of Fikirini rhabdovirus, a novel rhabdovirus isolated from a bat, Hipposideros vittatus, captured along the Kenyan coast.