Project VIROPTERE

Viral transmission among bats in the Indian Ocean

This project is structured around two main scientific objectives: (i) the molecular characterization of the diversity of viruses circulating within bat colonies, and (ii) the study of the temporal dynamics of viral transmission within the colonies.

Seasonal environmental changes have major effects on the life cycle of many organisms, influencing factors such as reproduction period, migration, and various other behaviors. The regularity of these events also impacts interactions between hosts and their infectious agents. Bats inhabiting the islands of the southwest Indian Ocean exhibit a highly pronounced seasonal gregarious behavior, forming colonies that are conducive to the transmission of infectious agents. The "colonial living" behavior could represent a major ecological factor in viral transmission mechanisms, and we can hypothesize that this characteristic would have significant effects on the diversity and transmission dynamics of associated viruses.

Project duration : Sept 2019 - Dec 2022

Geographical area : Madagascar, Reunion

Funding : FEDER INTERREG V Océan Indien

Global budget : 682 k€

Amount for PIMIT : 682 k€

PIMIT coordinator : Camille LEBARBENCHON (PI)

Partners :

Association Vahatra, Madagascar.

OMEGA

Ecological and epidemiological plasticity of bats in an urban context

TRAFIC

Viral spillover : focus on the vertebrate community of Trois-Bassins

CAZIKANO

Prevention and control of the infectious risk of contemporary African strains of the Zika virus

MAESTRO

Characterizing roost networks and the demographics of Reunion Free-tailed bats using passive integrated transponders.

TRÉTZERBAJ

Biodiversity and Reunionese innovation for the treatment of infectious diseases

FERRIUS

Design and development of ferrocene derivatives active against SARS-CoV-2

ECOPI

Epidemiological consequences of the modification of the bird community in Reunion Island by invasive exotic species

LEPTOLIP

Study of the acute impact of leptospirosis on lipid metabolism and its relationship with severity

ACHROMO-MUCO

Pathogenicity of species from the Achromobacter genus in patients with cystic fibrosis: Multicentric prospective exploratory study on a Reunion Island cohort.

TICOV

Transmission of coronaviruses at the interface between bats and humans in Reunion Island

COVIPID

Impact de l'infection par le SARS-CoV-2 sur la composition chimique lipidique dans un modèle in vivo

SEXIBAT

SEX-biased transmission and Infection dynamics in BATs

MEM

Study of mosquitoes of the genus Eretmapodites in Mayotte

CYCLOPE

Development of a natural antiviral cyclopeptide.

Urban

A refuge in the city? Effects of urbanization on stress, microbiota, and infection in bats

MOBAUSTRAL

Structural and functional analysis of the NS1 protein of the dengue virus

LEPTONIC

Chronic post-leptospirosis manifestations in Reunion Island.

ESCAPE

Spatial ecology of bats: Effect of infection on the movements of Reunion Free-tailed bats

PeptCoviDax

Mapping of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in individuals vaccinated with Comirnatt (Pfizer/BioNTech) who subsequently developed moderate COVID-19 in Reunion Island

CAPRE

Characterization of the trophic preferences of the Aedes albopictus mosquito regarding plants from Reunion Island.

CASI

Influence of Aerobic Capacity on Viral Infection Susceptibility

PHYTODENGUE

The biodiversity of plants from Madagascar and Réunion as a source of active molecules against the dengue virus

Plantivir

Characterization of Malagasy medicinal plants active against SARS-CoV-2

IMMUNOLEPTO

Study of the innate immune response in the acute phase of human leptospirosis

COLEPT

Cohort of patients hospitalized for leptospirosis in Reunion Island

SEVEXDENG

Study of exosomes as biomarkers of severe forms of Dengue fever in Reunion Island

NanoPeptCoVID-19

New technology based on gold nanoparticles and B-cell epitopes of the N protein of SARS-CoV-2 to generate anti-betacoronavirus antibodies

RESISTORUN

Emergence, circulation, and persistence of bacterial antibiotic resistance

DENDIA

Impact of the dengue virus NS1 protein on the functionality of vascular endothelium in diabetic conditions

TFORCE COVIR

COVID-19 and Coronavirus Research Task Force in Reunion Island

RUNDENG

Reunion Island facing the challenge of dengue: an integrated research approach encompassing fundamental, translational, clinical, and epidemiological aspects

ARBOPATHOZE

Arbovirus-mediated neuropathology in Zebrafish

ALBODIET

Impact of plant secondary metabolites on the ability of the Aedes albopictus mosquito to transmit the dengue virus

FLAA

Impact of lactic fermentation of tropical fruits on their antiviral potency

RutacEae

Identification of active molecules from medicinal plants belonging to the Rutaceae family against the Zika virus and SARS-CoV-2

IDANTIDENGUE

Chemical and biological characterization of anti-dengue molecules derived from Reunion Island medicinal plants

EPIDENGUE

The ongoing dengue epidemic in La Réunion: Building the transition between the diverse knowledge of the population and the anti-infective properties of traditional pharmacopoeia derived from local biodiversity.

NIH Madagascar

Identifying ecological and evolutionary drivers of infectious disease transmission pathways in Madagascar

VIROPTERE

Viral transmission among bats in the Indian Ocean

MOLOSS-EAT

Agro-ecology and epidemiology: focusing on the diet of the Reunion Free-tailed bat

ZikApoNe

ZIKA Adiponectin Neurogenenesis

ZIKANET

Epidemiological, phylogenetic, and molecular studies on the emerging Zika virus in Brazil

ECOSPIR

Eco-epidemiology of endemic leptospires in the Indian Ocean: bacteria posing risks to human populations

ZIKALERT

A high-quality research program on the emergent Zika virus leveraging innovative technology

Spile

Community structure and parasite transmission in the Eparses Islands.

ZIKAMANGIF

Characterization of mangiferin as an active molecule against the Zika virus

Vectobiomes

Vectors and microbiomes: a partnership of wrongdoers threatening the health of populations in the Indian Ocean regions