Marburg virus confirmed in African bats

Atlanta -- A U.S.-led research team has demonstrated the presence of the Marburg virus RNA genome and antibodies in a common species of African fruit bat.

The scientists said their finding is the first in which reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction and serological studies have both confirmed Marburg infection in a specific bat species (Rousettus aegyptiacus).

The researchers from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; the Medical Research International Center of Franceville, Gabon; and the Institute for Research and Development, also in Franceville, said their finding provides new insight into a deadly disease that has long baffled epidemiologists, ecologists and virologists.

All the bats were trapped near caves during 2005 and 2006 in Gabon and the Republic of Congo.

Marburg virus and the related Ebola virus have caused large outbreaks with up to 90 percent mortality in humans and great apes. No vaccine or drug therapy is available presently.

"From a public health perspective, this discovery offers us new insight into the transmission of Marburg virus and potentially other filoviruses," said Dr. Jonathan Towner, senior microbiologist at the CDC and lead author of the study.

The findings are reported in the online journal PLoS One.

Copyright 2007 by United Press International.