Detection of Alpha- and Betacoronaviruses in Frugivorous and Insectivorous Bats in Nigeria.
Uwem George, Oluwadamilola George, Arthur Oragwa, Babatunde Motayo, Joshua Kamani, Andrew Adamu, Oluyomi Sowemimo, Richard Adeleke, Samson Abalaka, Nuhu Sani, Judith Oguzie, Philomena Eromon, Onikepe Folarin, Anise Happi, Isaac Komolafe, Christian Happi
Author Information
Uwem George: African Centre of Excellence for Genomics of Infectious Diseases, Redeemer's University, Ede 232102, Osun State, Nigeria. ORCID
Oluwadamilola George: Ibadan Diagnostic and Epidemiology Laboratory, National Veterinary Research Institute, Mokola, Ibadan 200212, Oyo State, Nigeria.
Arthur Oragwa: Department of Veterinary Microbiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Jos,Jos 930003, Plateau State, Nigeria. ORCID
Babatunde Motayo: Department of Medical Microbiology, Federal Medical Centre, Abeokuta 110222, Ogun State, Nigeria. ORCID
Joshua Kamani: Parasitology Division, National Veterinary Research Institute (NVRI), PMB 01,Vom 930103, Plateau State, Nigeria.
Andrew Adamu: Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine, Division of Tropical Health and Medicine,James Cook University, Townsville, QLD 4811, Australia. ORCID
Oluyomi Sowemimo: Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife 220005, Osun State, Nigeria. ORCID
Richard Adeleke: Immunology and Infectious Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, New York, NY 14853, USA.
Samson Abalaka: Department of Veterinary Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Abuja,Abuja 900105, Federal Capital Territory, Nigeria.
Nuhu Sani: Department of Veterinary Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Abuja,Abuja 900105, Federal Capital Territory, Nigeria. ORCID
Judith Oguzie: African Centre of Excellence for Genomics of Infectious Diseases, Redeemer's University, Ede 232102, Osun State, Nigeria.
Philomena Eromon: African Centre of Excellence for Genomics of Infectious Diseases, Redeemer's University, Ede 232102, Osun State, Nigeria.
Onikepe Folarin: African Centre of Excellence for Genomics of Infectious Diseases, Redeemer's University, Ede 232102, Osun State, Nigeria.
Anise Happi: African Centre of Excellence for Genomics of Infectious Diseases, Redeemer's University, Ede 232102, Osun State, Nigeria.
Isaac Komolafe: Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Redeemer's University, Ede 232102, Osun State, Nigeria.
Christian Happi: African Centre of Excellence for Genomics of Infectious Diseases, Redeemer's University, Ede 232102, Osun State, Nigeria. ORCID
The rise of bat-associated zoonotic viruses necessitates a close monitoring of their natural hosts. Since the detection of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV), it is evident that bats are vital reservoirs of coronaviruses (CoVs). In this study, we investigated the presence of CoVs in multiple bat species in Nigeria to identify viruses in bats at high-risk human contact interfaces. Four hundred and nine bats comprising four bat species close to human habitats were individually sampled from five states in Nigeria between 2019 and 2021. Coronavirus detection was done using broadly reactive consensus PCR primers targeting the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) gene of CoVs. Coronavirus RNA was detected in 39 samples (9.5%, CI 95%: [7.0, 12.8]), of which 29 were successfully sequenced. The identified CoVs in Nigerian bats were from the unclassified African alphacoronavirus lineage and betacoronavirus lineage D (), with one sample from coinfected with alphacoronavirus and betacoronavirus. Different bat species roosting in similar or other places had CoVs from the same genetic lineage. The phylogenetic and evolutionary dynamics data indicated a high CoV diversity in Nigeria, while host switching may have contributed to CoV evolution. Robust sentinel surveillance is recommended to enhance our knowledge of emerging and re-emerging coronaviruses.
