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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 Plecotus, followed by Hypsugo, Vespertilio, and Myotis. Coronavirus RNA was detected in eleven samples (14.86%), Mammalian orthoreovirus 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.
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; Agnelli Paolo 3
; Augugliaro Claudio 4 ; Munkhtsetseg, Bazarragchaa 5 ; Bertolino Sandro 6
; Carlomagno, Marco 7
; Gantulga, Davaakhuu 8 ; Delledonne Massimo 7
; Gili Fabrizio 6
; Fani Renato 9
; Moreno, Ana 1
; Battogtokh, Nasanbat 8
; Riga, Francesco 10
; Rossato Marzia 7
; Trogu Tiziana 1
; Vincenzi Leonardo 7
; Udval, Uuganbayar 5
; Lavazza Antonio 1
; Zaccaroni Marco 9
1 Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell’Emilia Romagna, Via Bianchi 9, 25124 Brescia, Italy; [email protected] (S.C.); [email protected] (A.M.); [email protected] (T.T.); [email protected] (A.L.)
2 Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell’Emilia Romagna, Via Bianchi 9, 25124 Brescia, Italy; [email protected] (S.C.); [email protected] (A.M.); [email protected] (T.T.); [email protected] (A.L.), Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Via Gramsci 14, 43126 Parma, Italy
3 Natural History Museum, University of Florence, Via Romana 17, 50125 Florence, Italy; [email protected]
4 Department of Biology, Mongolian National University of Education, Ulaanbaatar 14191, Mongolia; [email protected]
5 Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, School of Bio-Medicine, Mongolian National University of Medical Sciences, Ulaanbaatar 14210, Mongolia; [email protected] (M.B.); [email protected] (U.U.)
6 Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology, University of Turin, Via Accademia Albertina 13, 10123 Turin, Italy; [email protected] (S.B.); [email protected] (F.G.)
7 Department of Biotechnology, University of Verona, Strada le Grazie 15, 37134 Verona, Italy; [email protected] (M.C.); [email protected] (M.D.); [email protected] (M.R.); [email protected] (L.V.)
8 Institute of Biology, Mongolian Academy of Sciences, Peace Avenue-54B, Bayanzurkh District, Ulaanbaatar 13330, Mongolia; [email protected] (G.D.); [email protected] (B.N.)
9 Department of Biology, University of Florence, Via Madonna del Piano 6, 59100 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy; [email protected] (R.F.); [email protected] (M.Z.)
10 Italian Institute for Environmental Protection and Research (ISPRA), Via V. Brancati 48, 00144 Rome, Italy; [email protected]