Dwarf bat’s <i>(Pipistrellus pipistrellus)</i> lung diploid cell strains and their permissivity to orbiviruses <i>(Reoviridae: Orbivirus)</i> – pathogens of vector-borne animal diseases

Abstract

Introduction. Bat cell cultures are a popular model both for the isolation of vector-borne disease viruses and for assessing the possible role of these mammalian species in forming the natural reservoirs of arbovirus infection vectors. The goal of the research was to obtain and characterize strains of diploid lung cells of the bat (Pipistrellus pipistrellus) and evaluate their permissivity to bluetongue, African horse sickness (AHS), and epizootic hemorrhagic disease of deer (EHD) viruses. Materials and methods. Cell cultures of the dwarf bats lung were obtained by standard enzymatic disaggregation of donor tissue and selection of cells for adhesive properties. The permissivity of cell cultures was determined to bluetongue, AHL, and EHD orbiviruses. Results. Diploid cell strains (epithelium-like and fibroblast-like types) retaining cytomorphological characteristics and karyotype stability were obtained from tissue of the bats lung. Their permissivity to viruses of the genus Orbivirus of the Reoviridae family, pathogens of transmissible animal diseases, has been established. Discussion. The permissivity of the obtained strains of bats lung cells to bluetongue, AHL, and EHD viruses is consistent with the isolation of orbiviruses in bats of the species Pteropus poliocephalus, Pteropus hypomelanus, Rousettus aegyptiacus leachii, Syconycteris crassa, Myotis macrodactylus, and Eidolon helvum. Conclusion. Strains of diploid lung cells of the dwarf bat are permissive to orbiviruses of bluetongue, AHS, and EHD, which allows us to recommend them for the isolation of these viruses, and the species Pipistrellus pipistrellus to be considered as a potential natural reservoir and carrier of pathogens of these vector-borne diseases.