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At least 235 records · Page 13Linked to original sources
PubMed1991

A morphometric study of the lungs of different sized bats: correlations between structure and function of the chiropteran lung.

1. The lungs of four species of bats, Phyllostomus hastatus (PH, mean body mass, 98 g), Pteropus lylei (PL, 456 g), Pteropus alecto (PA, 667 g), and Pteropus poliocephalus (PP, 928 g) were analysed by morphometric methods. These data increase fivefold the range of body masses for which bat lung data are available, and allow more representative allometric equations to be formulated for bats. 2. Lung volume ranged from 4.9 cm3 for PH to 39 cm3 for PP. The volume density of the lung parenchyma (i.e. the volume proportion of the parenchyma in the lung) ranged from 94% in PP to 89% in PH. Of the components of the parenchyma, the alveoli composed 89% and the blood capillaries about 5%. 3. The surface area of the alveoli exceeded that of the blood-gas (tissue) barrier and that of the capillary endothelium whereas the surface area of the red blood cells as well as that of the capillary endothelium was greater than that of the tissue barrier. PH had the thinnest tissue barrier (0.1204 microns) and PP had the thickest (0.3033 microns). 4. The body mass specific volume of the lung, that of the volume of pulmonary capillary blood, the surface area of the blood-gas (tissue) barrier, the diffusing capacity of the tissue barrier, and the total morphometric pulmonary diffusing capacity in PH all substantially exceeded the corresponding values of the pteropid species (i.e. PL, PA and PP). This conforms with the smaller body mass and hence higher unit mass oxygen consumption of PH, a feature reflected in the functionally superior gas exchange performance of its lungs. 5. Morphometrically, the lungs of different species of bats exhibit remarkable differences which cannot always be correlated with body mass, mode of flight and phylogeny. Conclusive explanations of these pulmonary structural disparities in different species of bats must await additional physiological and flight biomechanical studies. 6. While the slope, the scaling factor (b), of the allometric equation fitted to bat lung volume data (b = 0.82) exceeds the value for flight VO2max (b = 0.70), those for the surface area of the blood-gas (tissue) barrier (b = 0.74), the pulmonary capillary blood volume (b = 0.74), and the total morphometric lung diffusing capacity for oxygen (b = 0.69) all correspond closely to the VO2max value. 7. Allometric comparisons of the morphometric pulmonary parameters of bats, birds and non-flying mammals reveal that superiority of the bat lung over that of the non-flying mammal.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Animals↗
PubMed2006

Coronaviruses in bent-winged bats (Miniopterus spp.).

A novel group 1 coronavirus was previously identified in bent-winged bats (Miniopterus spp.). Here, results are described from our ongoing surveillance of these bats for coronaviruses. These findings show that group 1 coronaviruses are endemic in these bat populations in Hong Kong. Genetic analysis of these viruses indicates that there are at least four different, but closely related, group 1 coronaviruses (bat-CoV 1A, 1B, HKU7 and HKU8) circulating in bent-winged bats. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that these group 1 bat coronaviruses have descended from a common ancestor and that these viruses have been established in these bats for a long period of time. These data provide a better understanding of the emergence and evolution of coronaviruses. Bat-CoV 1A and 1B were detected in apparently healthy Miniopterus magnater and Miniopterus pusillus, respectively, on repeated sampling occasions at a single habitat, suggesting that these viruses have established a persistent infection in these populations.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed2001

Auditory scene analysis by echolocation in bats.

Echolocating bats transmit ultrasonic vocalizations and use information contained in the reflected sounds to analyze the auditory scene. Auditory scene analysis, a phenomenon that applies broadly to all hearing vertebrates, involves the grouping and segregation of sounds to perceptually organize information about auditory objects. The perceptual organization of sound is influenced by the spectral and temporal characteristics of acoustic signals. In the case of the echolocating bat, its active control over the timing, duration, intensity, and bandwidth of sonar transmissions directly impacts its perception of the auditory objects that comprise the scene. Here, data are presented from perceptual experiments, laboratory insect capture studies, and field recordings of sonar behavior of different bat species, to illustrate principles of importance to auditory scene analysis by echolocation in bats. In the perceptual experiments, FM bats (Eptesicus fuscus) learned to discriminate between systematic and random delay sequences in echo playback sets. The results of these experiments demonstrate that the FM bat can assemble information about echo delay changes over time, a requirement for the analysis of a dynamic auditory scene. Laboratory insect capture experiments examined the vocal production patterns of flying E. fuscus taking tethered insects in a large room. In each trial, the bats consistently produced echolocation signal groups with a relatively stable repetition rate (within 5%). Similar temporal patterning of sonar vocalizations was also observed in the field recordings from E. fuscus, thus suggesting the importance of temporal control of vocal production for perceptually guided behavior. It is hypothesized that a stable sonar signal production rate facilitates the perceptual organization of echoes arriving from objects at different directions and distances as the bat flies through a dynamic auditory scene. Field recordings of E. fuscus, Noctilio albiventris, N. leporinus, Pippistrellus pippistrellus, and Cormura brevirostris revealed that spectral adjustments in sonar signals may also be important to permit tracking of echoes in a complex auditory scene.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Screening of active lyssavirus infection in wild bat populations by viral RNA detection on oropharyngeal swabs.

Brain analysis cannot be used for the investigation of active lyssavirus infection in healthy bats because most bat species are protected by conservation directives. Consequently, serology remains the only tool for performing virological studies on natural bat populations; however, the presence of antibodies merely reflects past exposure to the virus and is not a valid marker of active infection. This work describes a new nested reverse transcription (RT)-PCR technique specifically designed for the detection of the European bat virus 1 on oropharyngeal swabs obtained from bats but also able to amplify RNA from the remaining rabies-related lyssaviruses in brain samples. The technique was successfully used for surveillance of a serotine bat (Eptesicus serotinus) colony involved in a case of human exposure, in which 15 out of 71 oropharyngeal swabs were positive. Lyssavirus infection was detected on 13 oropharyngeal swabs but in only 5 brains out of the 34 animals from which simultaneous brain and oropharyngeal samples had been taken. The lyssavirus involved could be rapidly identified by automatic sequencing of the RT-PCR products obtained from 14 brains and three bat oropharyngeal swabs. In conclusion, RT-PCR using oropharyngeal swabs will permit screening of wild bat populations for active lyssavirus infection, for research or epidemiological purposes, in line not only with conservation policies but also in a more efficient manner than classical detection techniques used on the brain.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

A controlled study on batted ball speed and available pitcher reaction time in slowpitch softball.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate safety risks in slowpitch softball by conducting laboratory and experimental studies on the performance of high tech softball bats with polyurethane softballs. To compare the results with the recommended safety standards. METHODS: ASTM standard compression testing of seven softball models was conducted. Using these seven softball models, bat/ball impact testing was performed using seven adult male softball players and six high tech softball bat models to determine mean batted ball speeds. Over 500 bat/ball impact measurements were recorded and analysed. Available pitcher reaction time was calculated from the mean batted ball speed measurements. RESULTS: According to the United States Specialty Sports Association and the Amateur Softball Association, the maximum initial batted ball speed should be 137.2 km/h, which corresponds to a minimum pitcher reaction time of 0.420 second. These experiments produced mean batted ball speeds of 134.0-159.7 km/h, which correspond to available pitcher reaction times of 0.409-0.361 second. CONCLUSION: The use of high tech softball bats with polyurethane softballs can result in batted ball speeds that exceed the recommended safety limits, which correspond to decreased available pitcher reaction times.

Athletic Injuries↗
PubMed1992

Inactivation of the DSCF area of the auditory cortex with muscimol disrupts frequency discrimination in the mustached bat.

1. The Jamaican mustached bat uses a biosonar signal (pulse) with eight major components: four harmonics each consisting of a long constant frequency (CF1-4) component followed by a short frequency-modulated (FM1-4) component. While flying, the bat adjusts the frequency of its pulse so as to maintain the CF2 of the Doppler-shifted echo at a frequency to which its cochlea is very sharply tuned. This Doppler shift (DS) compensation likely is mediated or influenced by the Doppler-shifted CF (DSCF) processing area of the primary auditory cortex, which only represents frequencies in the range of echo CF2s (60.6 to 62.3 kHz when the "resting" frequency of the CF2 is 61.0 kHz). 2. We trained four bats to discriminate between different trains of paired tone bursts that mimicked a bat's pulse CF2 and the accompanying echo CF2. The frequency of these CF2s ranged between 61.0 and 64.0 kHz. A discriminated shock avoidance procedure response was employed using a leg flexion. For one stimulus, the S+, the pulse and echo CF2s were the same frequency (delta f = 0, i.e., no Doppler shift). A leg flexion during the S+ turned off both the S+ and the scheduled shock. For a second stimulus, the S-, the echo CF2 was 0.05, 0.1, 0.3, 0.5, or 2.0 kHz higher than the pulse CF2. A delta f of 0.05 kHz was a frequency difference of 0.08%. No shock followed the S-, and leg flexions had no consequences. Correct responses consisted of a leg flexion during the S+ and no flexion during the S-; these responses were added together to compute the percentage of correct responses. When a bat correctly responded at better than 75% for all the delta f s, muscimol, a potent agonist of gamma-aminobutyric acid, was bilaterally applied to inactivate the DSCF area. Performance on each delta f discrimination was then measured. 3. Initial attempts to condition the bats to flex their legs to the CF tones mimicking part of the natural pulses and echoes failed. When broad-band noise bursts were substituted, however, the conditioned response was rapidly established. The noise band-width was gradually reduced and then replaced with the CF tones. Discrimination training with the tone burst trains then commenced. Throughout this procedure, the bats maintained their responding to the stimuli. The bats typically required approximately 20-30 sessions to perform consistently (> or = 75% correct responses) a discrimination involving a 2 kHz delta f.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Acoustic Stimulation↗
PubMed1995

Comparison of the bleeding potential of vampire bat salivary plasminogen activator versus tissue plasminogen activator in an experimental rabbit model.

BACKGROUND: Vampire bat salivary plasminogen activator (Bat-PA) has significantly greater fibrin specificity than any of the fibrinolytic agents currently in clinical use. This study tests the hypothesis that avoiding fibrinogen depletion may protect against the hemorrhage induced by plasminogen activator treatment. METHODS AND RESULTS: Bat-PA was compared with tissue-type plasminogen activator (TPA) in a randomized, prospective, and blinded study using a rabbit ear puncture model of fibrinolytic bleeding. The two agents were used at equimolar dosages (42 nmol/kg) that yielded similar thrombolytic efficacies in a rabbit femoral artery thrombosis model. Both Bat-PA and TPA prolong primary bleeding to double the baseline values, from between 2.1 and 2.3 minutes to between 4.8 and 5.2 minutes. Rebleeding from hemostatically stable sites during the 3-hour observation period occurred equally often with Bat-PA and TPA, 31% from preinjection sites and 23% to 25% from postinjection sites. The lag time between the time of plasminogen activator injection and the onset of rebleeding was likewise the same for both agents, most occurring at 41 to 57 minutes. However, a greater number of prolonged primary or rebleeding occurrences continued for longer than 10 minutes (63% versus 36%) or longer than 30 minutes (30% versus 10%) after Bat-PA than TPA injection. Animals treated with TPA showed a dramatic decrease in plasma fibrinogen and factor VIII concentrations, but those in the Bat-PA treatment group showed only a slight decrease from control values. CONCLUSIONS: The results indicate that fibrinolytic bleeding after plasminogen activator infusion into rabbits did not correlate with the intensity of the plasma proteolytic state. If anything, Bat-PA usage was associated with a higher proportion of more protracted fibrinolytic bleeding episodes, despite the relatively mild lytic state in comparison with that induced by TPA.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

Foraging in a complex naturalistic environment: capacity of spatial working memory in flower bats.

Memory systems have evolved under selection pressures, such as the need to remember the locations of resources or past events within spatiotemporally dynamic natural environments. The full repertoire of complex behaviours exhibited by animals in dynamic surroundings are, however, difficult to elicit within simply structured laboratory environments. We have developed a computer-controlled naturalistic environment with 64 feeders for simulating dynamic patterns of water or food resource availability (depletion and replenishment) within the laboratory. The combination of feeder and cage remote control permits the automated transfer of animals between cage and test arena and, therefore, high experimental throughput and minimal disturbance to the animals (bats and mice). In the present study, we investigated spatial working memory in nectar-feeding bats (Glossophaga soricina, Phyllostomidae) collecting food from a 64-feeder array. Feeders gave only single rewards within trials so that efficient foraging required bats to avoid depleted locations. Initially, bats tended to revisit feeders (win-stay), but within three trials changed towards a win-shift strategy. The significant avoidance of revisits could not be explained by algorithmic search guiding movement through the array nor by scent cues left by the bats themselves and, thus, the data suggest that bats remembered spatial locations depleted of food. An examination of the recency effect on spatial working memory after bats shifted to a win-shift strategy indicated that bats held more than 40 behaviour actions (feeder visits) in working memory without indication of decay. This result surpasses previous findings for other taxa.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

Wind generated by an attacking bat: anemometric measurements and detection by the praying mantis cercal system.

The wind-sensitive cercal system, well-known for mediating terrestrial escape responses, may also mediate insect aerial bat-avoidance responses triggered by wind generated by the approaching bat. One crucial question is whether enough time exists between detection and capture for the insect to perform a successful evasive maneuver. A previous study estimated this time to be 16 ms, based on cockroach behavioral latencies and a prediction for the detection time derived from a simulated predator moving toward a simulated prey. However, the detection time may be underestimated since both the simulated predator and prey lacked certain characteristics present in the natural situation. In the present study, actual detection times are measured by recording from wind-sensitive interneurons of a tethered praying mantis that serves as the target for a flying, attacking bat. Furthermore, using hot-wire anemometry, we describe and quantify the wind generated by an attacking bat. Anemometer measurements revealed that the velocity of the bat-generated wind consistently peaks early with a high acceleration component (an important parameter for triggering wind-mediated terrestrial responses). The physiological recordings determined that the mantis cercal system detected an approaching bat 74 ms before contact, which would provide the insect with 36 ms to perform a maneuver before capture. This should be sufficient time for the mantis to respond. Although it probably would not have time for a full response that completely evades the bat, even a partial response might alter the mantid's trajectory enough to cause the bat to mishandle the insect, allowing it to escape.

Air Movements↗
PubMed1999

Scaling of echolocation call parameters in bats.

I investigated the scaling of echolocation call parameters (frequency, duration and repetition rate) in bats in a functional context. Low-duty-cycle bats operate with search phase cycles of usually less than 20 %. They process echoes in the time domain and are therefore intolerant of pulse-echo overlap. High-duty-cycle (>30 %) species use Doppler shift compensation, and they separate pulse and echo in the frequency domain. Call frequency scales negatively with body mass in at least five bat families. Pulse duration scales positively with mass in low-duty-cycle quasi-constant-frequency (QCF) species because the large aerial-hawking species that emit these signals fly fast in open habitats. They therefore detect distant targets and experience pulse-echo overlap later than do smaller bats. Pulse duration also scales positively with mass in the Hipposideridae, which show at least partial Doppler shift compensation. Pulse repetition rate corresponds closely with wingbeat frequency in QCF bat species that fly relatively slowly. Larger, fast-flying species often skip pulses when detecting distant targets. There is probably a trade-off between call intensity and repetition rate because 'whispering' bats (and hipposiderids) produce several calls per predicted wingbeat and because batches of calls are emitted per wingbeat during terminal buzzes. Severe atmospheric attenuation at high frequencies limits the range of high-frequency calls. Low-duty-cycle bats that call at high frequencies must therefore use short pulses to avoid pulse-echo overlap. Rhinolophids escape this constraint by Doppler shift compensation and, importantly, can exploit advantages associated with the emission of both high-frequency and long-duration calls. Low frequencies are unsuited for the detection of small prey, and low repetition rates may limit prey detection rates. Echolocation parameters may therefore constrain maximum body size in aerial-hawking bats.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

Relationships between the parasitic mite Spinturnix andegavinus (Acari: Spinturnicidae) and its bat host, Myotis daubentonii (Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae): seasonal, sex- and age-related variation in infestation and possible impact of the parasite on the host condition and roosting behaviour.

Host-parasite relationships between the Daubenton's bat, Myotis daubentonii Kuhl, 1817 (Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae), and its haematophagous ectoparasite, the mite Spinturnix andegavinus Kolenati, 1857 (Acari: Spintumicidae), were subjected to analyses based on data gathered during a six-year study (1999-2004) within a single study area in South Bohemia, Czech Republic. Seven hundred and fifty-one Daubenton's bats were examined by screening wing membranes with an intensive light source, resulting in 4,690 recorded mites. Sex, age, weight and reproductive state were evaluated for each bat. A body condition index was calculated as a ratio of weight to forearm length. The seasonal course of mite infestation displayed distinct dynamics with the peak during the lactation and post-lactation periods coinciding with occurrence of the most numerous colonies of Daubenton's bats in the study area. Infestation rates differed between the two sexes, being higher in adult females than adult males. Juvenile bats of both sexes (with no differences between males and females) were the most infested group of all. Pregnant females had a significantly higher parasite load than non-pregnant ones, while no differences in infestation rates were found between lactating and non-lactating females. The analyses of the relationship between parasite load and body condition of bats revealed no common trends for all sex- and age-related groups. Two possible explanations are suggested and discussed: (1) There is no true relationship between the two tested variables and, thus, the significant results were attained due to a random statistical effect. (2) Different underlying causal mechanisms may exist that influence parasite load and, especially, body condition, with respect to the particular sex and age category of bats. The seasonal roosting dynamics of the Daubenton's bat are suggested to be the result not only of changing energetic demands of resident population members, but also of coevolutionary strategies within host-parasite relationships.

Acari↗
PubMed2004

Vaccination of Egyptian fruit bats (Rousettus aegyptiacus) with monovalent inactivated rabies vaccine.

Twenty-six captive, adult Egyptian fruit bats (Rousettus aegyptiacus) were tested for the presence of rabies virus neutralizing antibodies (RVNA) using a rapid fluorescent focus inhibition test before and after vaccination. The bats were randomly assigned into three treatment groups: group A (n = 10) bats each received one 0.1-ml dose of monovalent inactivated rabies vaccine, group B (n = 10) bats each received two 0.1-ml doses of vaccine given 30 days apart, and group C (n = 6) bats remained unvaccinated. Plasma was collected from all bats before vaccination and on days 14, 30, 60, and 360. All bats were seronegative before vaccination, and all unvaccinated animals remained negative throughout the study. Rabies virus neutralization titers remained above 0.5 IU/ml from day 30 through day 360 for both vaccinated groups. Group B had significantly higher titers on day 60. This study demonstrated a measurable humoral immune response after vaccination with an inactivated rabies vaccine, with two doses producing a higher level of RVNA. This study confirms the feasibility of a rabies vaccination program for Egyptian fruit bats.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

A faunal survey of streblid flies (Diptera: Streblidae) associated with bats in Paraguay.

An extensive survey of the ectoparasites infesting bats in Paraguay provides information regarding the taxonomy and host distribution of streblid bat flies at a geographic interface between subtropical and temperate habitats. Five families of bats representing 45 species, including Molossidae (5 genera and 15 species), Natalidae (1 genus and 1 species), Phyllostomidae (11 genera and 15 species), Noctilionidae (1 genus and 2 species), and Vespertilionidae (4 genera and 12 species) were collected from 24 localities across Paraguay and sampled for ectoparasites. In total, 2,467 bat flies were collected, representing 11 genera and 31 nominal species of Streblidae, of which 6 genera and 24 species are new records for Paraguay. No streblids were collected from vespertilionid bats; 23 species infested phyllostomids, 6 species noctilionids, 1 species a natalid, and 1 species molossids. Streblid bat flies were highly specific to certain host groups and individual host species, and their geographic distributions closely followed those of their host bats. Of 31 streblid species surveyed, 27 were monoxenous (i.e., associated with a single host species), and 4 were stenoxenous (i.e., associated with a group of phylogenetically related hosts). The number of streblid species is greatly reduced in the Chaco region west of the Paraguay River, largely because of the lack of phyllostomid host bats.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Epidemiology and control of rabies in bats in The Netherlands.

The first case of bat rabies in the Netherlands was recorded in 1987. Since then, 2,540 bats have been examined. In total, 186 bats belonging to two species were found positive for rabies: 182 Eptesicus serotinus and 4 Myotis dasycneme. The virus isolates from the two species were found to be different. Approximately 20% of the E. serotinus bats sent for examination were found positive. The epidemiological findings suggest a stable situation of infection north of the Rhine and the Meuse. A total of 174 humans received post-exposure treatment after direct contact with a positive or suspected bat. The public has been warned not to touch bats and, if contact does occur, to send the bat for rabies examination. The authorities also advise post-exposure treatment for dogs and cats which have had contact with a rabies-positive bat.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

BAT-26 microsatellite instability does not correlate with the loss of hMLH1 and hMSH2 protein expression in sporadic endometrial cancers.

Microsatellite instability (MSI) is detected in about 20-25% of endometrial cancers (ECs). Incidence of this alteration correlates with lack of expression of certain mismatch repair genes such as hMLH1 and hMSH2. Although assessment of several markers has been proposed for identification of microsatellite unstable tumours, BAT-26, a mononucleotide microsatellite repeat, has been shown to be highly efficient when used as a single marker. The aim of the study was to evaluate instability within BAT-26 and expression of hMLH1 and hMSH2 proteins in sporadic endometrial cancer as well as to correlate these findings with histopathologic and clinical characteristics of tumours. Samples of 88 (74 endometrioid and 14 non-endometrioid) ECs were investigated for instability within BAT-26 by means of PCR and expression of hMLH1 and hMSH2 proteins using immunohistochemistry. BAT-26 MIS was discovered in 23.9% of endometrial cancers. Incidence of MSI did not correlated with grade, stage or depth of invasion. BAT-26 MSI was more frequent in non-endometrioid compared to endometrioid tumours (35.7% vs. 21.6%, respectively), but the difference was not statistically significant. Lack of hMLH1 and hMSH2 protein expression was detected in 21.6 and 15.9% of ECs, respectively, and did not correlate with clinicopathologic features of tumours. Loss of both hMLH1 and hMSH2 protein expression was similar in BAT-26 stable and unstable cancers. All cases of non-endometrioid tumours with BAT-26 MSI were positive for hMLH1. We can conclude that BAT-26 used alone may not be a reliable marker for identification of sporadic ECs with microsatellite instability induced by deficient expression of hMLH1 and hMSH2.

Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing↗
PubMed2006

Bat rabies surveillance in France, from 1989 through May 2005.

In France, the passive surveillance of lyssaviruses in bats started in 1989, with the first positive case found in the East of the country. In 2000, the French bat rabies surveillance network in France was improved on the basis of the one used for the surveillance of fox rabies. The objectives of this network are to improve bat rabies surveillance by increasing the number of specimens and to provide an estimation of rabies incidence in bat populations across the country. The surveillance network is principally constituted by the network of local Veterinary Services and by the National Bat Conservationists Network (French Society for the Study and Protection of Mammals). From 1989 to through 2004, 21 autochtonous rabies cases were diagnosed out of the 934 French bat cadavers found. The laboratory techniques used for diagnosis, recommended by WHO and OIE, were fluorescent antibody test (FAT), rabies tissue culture infection test (RTCIT) on murine neuroblastoma cells, and the mouse inoculation test (MIT). All 21 cases were diagnosed in serotine bats (Eptesicus serotinus) and were due to European bat lyssavirus type 1 (EBLV-1), genotype 5, infection.

Animals↗
PubMed1969

Bat rabies in Canada 1963-1967.

Six hundred and twenty-eight insectivorous bats originating from seven provinces were submitted to this Institute for rabies diagnosis between August 1, 1963 and December 31, 1967. Brain tissue was examined by the fluorescent antibody technique and the mouse infectivity test was carried out with brain, salivary gland, interscapular adipose tissue and kidney samples. Rabies virus was detected in 44 bats, 29 of which were from Ontario, 12 from British Columbia and three from Manitoba. Most of the positive cases were diagnosed in summer months. Seven species were represented among the specimens found to be rabid; there were 32 big brown bats, three hoary bats, three silver-haired bats, two little brown bats, one eastern pipistrelle, one Keen myotis and one red bat. Another bat which was not identified also proved to be infected with rabies.

Animals↗
PubMed1993

Rabies and bats in a rabies-endemic area of southern Africa: application of two commercial test kits for antigen and antibody detection.

In southern Africa, isolates of rabies-related viruses (i.e. Duvenhage virus and Lagos bat virus) have been made from insectivorous and frugivorous bats. As no recent formal bat virus survey has been reported in southern Africa, a survey of bats in rabies-endemic areas was undertaken. Five hundred and forty-seven bats (13 species) were collected from 21 localities in the Orange Free State, Lesotho and the northern Cape Province. None of the 190 bat sera tested using the "Trousse Platelia Rage" ELISA kit (Diagnostic Pasteur), had antibodies to rabies virus glycoprotein G. Rabies virus nucleocapsid antigen was also sought for in the brains of 530 bats (13 species) by means of the "Rapid rabies enzyme immunodiagnosis" (RREID) test (Diagnostics Pasteur). No positive results were obtained. These results show that bats are unlikely to play an important role as hosts of rabies in these parts of Africa, although a low rate of infection cannot be excluded.

Africa, Southern↗