Exploring Bat–Virus Interactions: Insights from a Study in the Gobi Desert
In May 2022, an expedition was conducted in the Gobi Desert, Mongolia, to investigate the viral diversity of bats, recognized as reservoirs of emerging zoonotic viruses. Bats were captured in six oases using mist nets and were identified morphologically and molecularly. Fecal samples were collected and screened using molecular protocol targeting viral agents of relevance to human and animal health, including coronaviruses, orthoreoviruses, herpesviruses, adenoviruses, flaviviruses, phleboviruses, paramyxoviruses, pestiviruses, and Influenza A viruses. In total, 74 bats were sampled. The most represented bat genus was <i>Plecotus</i>, followed by <i>Hypsugo</i>, <i>Vespertilio</i>, and <i>Myotis</i>. Coronavirus RNA was detected in eleven samples (14.86%), <i>Mammalian orthoreovirus</i> RNA in two samples (2.70%), and herpesvirus DNA in three samples (4.05%). No other targeted viruses were detected. These data expand our understanding of viral circulation in bats from previously unstudied regions. By expanding our understanding of the viral diversity harbored by bats, this study contributes to ongoing efforts to better characterize their role in the ecology and evolution of emerging zoonotic viruses. Continuous surveillance in remote and biodiverse areas is essential to identify potential threats to public and animal health and to improve preparedness for future viral emergence.
Authors
- Gantulga Davaakhuu (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3792-7101)
- Marco Carlomagno (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0009-7079-5797)
- Tiziana Trogu
- Battogtokh Nasanbat (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5566-5075)
- Sandro Bertolino (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1063-8281)
- Antonio Lavazza (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7646-3592)
- Sabrina Canziani (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0003-9192-7265)
- Fabrizio Gili (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1817-0193)
- Leonardo Vincenzi (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0009-9116-349X)
- Munkhtsetseg Bazarragchaa (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4051-0251)
- Francesco Riga (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2569-2413)
- Claudio Augugliaro (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1815-1777)
- Massimo Delledonne (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7100-4581)
- Renato Fani (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9114-2335)
- Marzia Rossato (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6101-1550)
- Udval Uuganbayar (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2441-3139)
- Marco Zaccaroni (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3588-6476)
- Paolo Agnelli (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0004-8325)
- Davide Lelli (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5775-6058)
- Ana Maria Moreno (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8497-9708)
Institutions
- University of Verona (IT)
- University of Parma (IT)
- Mongolian National University of Education (MN)
- Mongolian Academy of Sciences (MN)
- Mongolian National University (MN)
- Mongolian National University of Medical Sciences (MN)
- Accademia Albertina delle Belle Arti (IT)
- Istituto Superiore per la Protezione e la Ricerca Ambientale (IT)
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia Romagna "Bruno Ubertini" (IT)
- University of Florence (IT)
- University of Turin (IT)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Pathogens
- Published
- 2025-09-02
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens14090870
- Citations
- 1
- Primary Topic
- Viral Infections and Vectors
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 1.40
Funders
- European Commission
- Ministero della Salute