Coronavirus antibodies in African bat species

Emerg Infect Dis. 2007 Sep;13(9):1367-70. doi: 10.3201/eid1309.070342.

Abstract

Asian bats have been identified as potential reservoir hosts of coronaviruses associated with severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS-CoV). We detected antibody reactive with SARS-CoV antigen in 47 (6.7%) of 705 bat serum specimens comprising 26 species collected in Africa; thus, African bats may harbor agents related to putative group 4 CoV.

MeSH terms

  • Africa / epidemiology
  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Viral / blood*
  • Chiroptera / blood
  • Chiroptera / immunology*
  • Coronavirus / immunology*
  • Coronavirus Infections / blood
  • Coronavirus Infections / epidemiology
  • Coronavirus Infections / immunology
  • Coronavirus Infections / veterinary*

Substances

  • Antibodies, Viral