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bioRxiv · 10.1101/2025.02.05.636680

Bat things come in threes: within-host dynamics of herpesvirus triple infection in bats

Aguillon, S.·Turpin, M.·Le Minter, G.·Lebarbenchon, C.·Hoarau, A. O. G.·Mavingui, P.·Dietrich, M.
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Abstract

Understanding viral community ecology in bats is essential for elucidating shedding patterns and the drivers of co-infections. In this study, we explore the genetic diversity and within-host dynamics of herpesviruses (HSV) in Mormopterus francoismoutoui, a tropical insectivorous bat endemic to Reunion Island. Over three consecutive years, we collected saliva samples from seven roosts, including repeated samples from recaptured individuals. Illumina sequencing of HSV PCR-positive samples revealed a high diversity of strains (n = 20), belonging to alpha, beta and gamma-HSV subfamilies. Co-infection was frequent, with 44% of bats shedding strains from all three subfamilies. While most shedding patterns with different subfamilies appeared random, our results suggested a negative influence of gamma-HSV occurrence of the probability of co-shedding alpha-HSV. We also demonstrated a lower HSV diversity in juveniles as compared to adult bats, while pregnancy appeared to increase viral diversity--although this requires further confirmation. Longitudinal recaptures of bats revealed an accumulation of multiple HSV latent-infections over life, as the probability to be infected with a new subfamily increased with time interval between recaptures. Within-host strain dynamics were highly variable, with 79% of bats showing fluctuations in strain diversity over time--either gaining or losing strains--consistent with latency and reactivation mechanisms. These findings provide new insights into the ecological and evolutionary dynamics of herpesviruses in wild bat populations.

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Aguillon, S., Turpin, M., Le Minter, G., Lebarbenchon, C., Hoarau, A. O. G., Mavingui, P., Dietrich, M.. 2025-02-07. Bat things come in threes: within-host dynamics of herpesvirus triple infection in bats. https://doi.org/10.1101/2025.02.05.636680

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