EPIDEMIOLOGY AND EVOLUTIONARY ANALYSIS OF BAT-BORNE VIRUSES IN SOUTHEAST ASIA

Abstract

Zoonotic pathogens constitute 58% of human diseases and can transmit in rare spillover events. Diseases outbreaks from Nipah virus, Ebolavirus and the current SARS-CoV-2 pandemic have been attributed to bat-borne viruses. This PhD project explores the virus diversity and risk of spillover into humans, from a representative bat species – Eonycteris spelaea in Asia. Using a self-established Rhileki A cell line and the Nanopore sequencing platform, an E. spelaea picornavirus was cultured and sequenced in the BSL3 research facility, with the full genome showing 60% similarity to its closest relative. A multiplex microsphere immunoassay detected bat-borne viruses reactive antibodies in E. spelaea sampled from Singapore, Cambodia and Northeast India. This findings was also found in Northeast Indian bat harvesters, indicating zoonotic spillover. Genetic diversity analyses suggest panmixia between Singapore and Cambodia E. spelaea populations, which may reflect similar genetic diversity and structure in the viruses they harbour.