Integrated molecular and metatranscriptomic evidence of Tacaribe virus and the brain virome profile of <i>Molossus molossus</i> bat sampled in Brazil

Understanding which animals carry viruses is key to predicting and preventing disease spread. Here, we report the first detection of Tacaribe virus (TCRV), previously found only in fruit-eating bats, in multiple biological compartments, including the brain, of <i>Molossus molossus</i>, an insect-eating bat common in urban areas of Brazil. This finding expands the known range of both the virus and its possible hosts. By confirming this unexpected host-virus association using original tissue samples, our study provides new insights into how TCRV may circulate in nature. While TCRV is not currently considered a major threat to humans, its detection in a new bat species raises important questions about its transmission, evolution, and potential health impacts. These results emphasize the importance of monitoring diverse bat species, including those not traditionally linked to specific viruses, to better assess emerging virus risks in changing environments.