from those pre-existing subtypes that CDC scientists have classified them as new

subtypes, denoted as �H17� and �H18� (1,2). The other surface protein-coding gene
of bat flu viruses, neuraminidase (NA), is extraordinarily different from that of
known flu viruses, as well. It is possible this gene came from ancient bat flu
viruses that are extinct or yet to be discovered. CDC scientists have proposed new
designations for the NA subtypes found in bats: �N10� and �N11.�

Do the surface proteins found on bat flu viruses function differently than they do
in humans?
Flu scientists think the HA and NA surface proteins of bat flu viruses function
differently than these proteins do in flu viruses found in humans, other mammals
and birds. For example, in humans, HA surface proteins play a role in infection by
allowing a flu virus to attach to and gain entry into a human respiratory tract
cell. Likewise, NA surface proteins found on flu viruses that infect humans, birds,
and other mammals also play a role in infection by allowing a flu virus to escape
an infected cell to infect a different, uninfected cell. However, the HA and NA
proteins found on the bat flu viruses in Central and South America do not perform
these functions in the same way, according to an analysis of their crystal
structures. Researchers concluded that these surface proteins must have a different
mechanism of action in the bats. Therefore, the means by which these bat flu
viruses enter or exit cells to cause infection in the bats remains unknown.

For additional information on flu virus biology and pictures of flu viruses, see
Influenza (Flu) Viruses and Images of Influenza Viruses.

How was bat flu discovered?

The discovery of the bat flu virus was made possible by field work conducted by
CDC�s Global Disease Detection (GDD) Regional Center in Guatemala in collaboration
with CDC�s Pathogen Discovery Program, CDC�s Rabies program and the Universidad del
Valle in Guatemala.

A total of 316 healthy bats from 21 different species were captured from eight
locations in southern Guatemala during two consecutive years, 2009 and 2010. As
part of the study, 180 bats were collected in May 2009 and 136 bats were collected
in September 2010. With the assistance of the GDD Guatemala Regional Center and the
Universidad del Valle, the CDC Rabies program within CDC�s Office of Infectious
Diseases and GDD took the lead in swabbing the bats. Rectal swabs and tissues were
collected from each of the bats. (Videos showing how specimens are collected from
bats in Guatemala are available: �Global Disease Detectives�External and �CDC
Global Disease Detectives: Clues From a Bat Cave�External.)

Swabs that were negative for rabies were analyzed to detect other pathogenic
viruses by the Pathogen Discovery Program, which is located in CDC�s Division of
Viral Diseases. Initial viral screening conducted by the Pathogen Discovery Program
determined that three of the 316 bats tested positive for flu. All were from a
single species known as little yellow-shouldered bats.

CDC�s Pathogen Discovery Program was able to identify and sequence the complete
genome of the new virus using high-throughput sequencing instruments in the
laboratory (specifically 454 pyro sequencing and Illumina GAIIx) at CDC�s
laboratories at its Atlanta headquarters and Emory University�s sequencing core,
respectively.

Top of Page
References
Suxiang Tong et al. �A distinct lineage of influenza A virus from bats.� PNAS
2012.External
Suxiang Tong et al. �New World Bats Harbor Diverse Influenza A Viruses.� PLOS
Pathogens. 2013.External
M Juozapaitis et al. �An infectious bat-derived chimeric influenza virus harbouring
the entry machinery of an influenza A virus.� Nature Communications. 2014.
5:4448.External
Page last reviewed: September 27, 2018
Content source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , National Center for
Immunization and Respiratory Diseases (NCIRD)
Influenza in Animals
Influenza A Subtypes and Species Affected
Bat Flu
Influenza in Cats
Canine Flu
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