Dengue Virus Neutralizing Antibodies in Bats from the Yungas Rainforest, Argentina

Abstract

This study explores the exposure of sylvatic bats to dengue virus (DENV) by detecting neutralizing antibodies against the virus in the Argentinean Yungas. Blood samples from 143 bats were tested using PRNT, revealing DENV-1 antibodies in three individuals (Sturnira lilium, S. erythromos, Artibeus planirostris) from sylvatic habitats of Jujuy. Presence of DENV-1 antibodies in sylvatic bats suggests potential exposure to the virus in wild areas, indicating the potential endemicity of DENV in subtropical areas of Argentina. Further research is needed to understand the mechanism through which DENV has potentially established in wild areas of Argentina and the role of bats as host for DENV.