학술논문

Advances in understanding bat infection dynamics across biological scales.
Document Type
Article
Source
Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences. 3/13/2024, Vol. 291 Issue 2018, p1-12. 12p.
Subject
*BATS
*EPIDEMIOLOGICAL research
*INFECTION
*RABIES virus
Language
ISSN
0962-8452
Abstract
Over the past two decades, research on bat-associated microbes such as viruses, bacteria and fungi has dramatically increased. Here, we synthesize themes from a conference symposium focused on advances in the research of bats and their microbes, including physiological, immunological, ecological and epidemiological research that has improved our understanding of bat infection dynamics at multiple biological scales. We first present metrics for measuring individual bat responses to infection and challenges associated with using these metrics. We next discuss infection dynamics within bat populations of the same species, before introducing complexities that arise in multi-species communities of bats, humans and/or livestock. Finally, we outline critical gaps and opportunities for future interdisciplinary work on topics involving bats and their microbes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]