<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><p>The existence of bats is crucial for all ecosystem units as they fulfil numerous ecological roles. However, they are also considered to be natural reservoirs of a wide range of zoonotic microorganisms, especially viruses. In this review article we briefly summarize current knowledge about various ecological factors that facilitate bat pathogen dispersal and about the current approaches to monitoring viral communities present within bat populations. On the basis of the cited papers, we suggest that the increased focus on complex viral populations in bats and their interactions with other populations and the environment is necessary to fully comprehend the relationship between emerging infectious diseases, the environment and their toll on human health.</p></abstract>

The existence of bats is crucial for all ecosystem units as they fulfil numerous ecological roles. However, they are also considered to be natural reservoirs of a wide range of zoonotic microorganisms, especially viruses. In this review article we briefly summarize current knowledge about various ecological factors that facilitate bat pathogen dispersal and about the current approaches to monitoring viral communities present within bat populations. On the basis of the cited papers, we suggest that the increased focus on complex viral populations in bats and their interactions with other populations and the environment is necessary to fully comprehend the relationship between emerging infectious diseases, the environment and their toll on human health.

Ecological Factors of Transmission, Persistence and Circulation of Pathogens In Bat Populations

Institute of Epizootology and Preventive Veterinary Medicine

University of Veterinary Medicine and Pharmacy in Košice

Folia Veterinaria

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 License.

The existence of bats is crucial for all ecosystem units as they fulfil numerous ecological roles. However, they are also considered to be natural reservoirs...

Ecological Factors of Transmission, Persistence and Circulation of Pathogens In Bat Populations

Published Online: Apr 06, 2019

Page range: 32 - 40

Received: Jan 25, 2019

Accepted: Mar 06, 2019

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/fv-2019-0005

Keywords
bats, ecology, reservoir, viruses, zoonoses

© 2019 Zemanová, S. et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 License.

Ecological Factors of Transmission, Persistence and Circulation of Pathogens In Bat Populations

Published Online: Apr 06, 2019

Page range: 32 - 40

Received: Jan 25, 2019

Accepted: Mar 06, 2019

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/fv-2019-0005

Keywordsbats, ecology, reservoir, viruses, zoonoses

© 2019 Zemanová, S. et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 License.

Keywords
bats, ecology, reservoir, viruses, zoonoses