Pathogen detection success and trends in lethal sampling during bacterial pathogen research in bats

Szentiványi, Tamara and Rádai, Zoltán and Dietrich, Muriel and Foster, Jeffrey T. (2026) Pathogen detection success and trends in lethal sampling during bacterial pathogen research in bats. JOURNAL OF MAMMALOGY, 107 (1). pp. 146-154. ISSN 0022-2372

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Abstract

Pathogen surveillance is crucial to understanding the current occurrence and emergence of diseases. Nevertheless, detection success can greatly depend on collection method, source of samples, and diagnostic approach. In this work, we gathered data from published literature on zoonotic bacterial pathogen sampling and detection in bats from studies conducted globally, with a focus on molecular detection methods and specific sample types (e.g., tissue, blood, guano, or urine). Additionally, we explored geographic and taxonomic patterns of lethal collection risks to bats. We found that sample type did not affect pathogen detection, with blood or urine samples from live-caught individuals being equally successful for bacterial pathogen surveillance compared to tissues from lethal sampling across several pathogenic groups. Furthermore, our data showed a strong taxonomic and geographical bias, indicating that certain bat groups and regions are most affected by lethal sampling. Overall, since non-lethal sampling appears to be as effective as invasive and lethal approaches, we recommend minimally invasive sample collection whenever possible. However, lethal sampling of bats for pathogen surveillance appears to be a common practice in published literature despite the availability of less invasive methods. An understanding of how bat collection affects populations and their conservation status is still limited. More sustainable sampling methods are a viable option of minimizing our negative impact on wild and threatened populations, while still conducting effective pathogen surveillance.

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