Systematic review on Marburg virus prevalence and persistence in animals.

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Marburg Virus Disease (MVD) is a fatal zoonotic disease of humans and nonhuman primates caused by the Marburg virus (MARV) of thefamily, and presenting as hemorrhagic fever with a high fatality rate. Egyptian fruit bats,, are the principal natural reservoir, with evidence linking them to most human outbreaks. METHODS: This systematic review evaluated the prevalence of MARV in bats, domestic animals, and rodents, as well as the duration of antibodies and potential routes of viral shedding. A comprehensive search of six (6) scientific databases identified 30 studies meeting the inclusion criteria. RESULTS: In bats, seroprevalence ranged from less than 1% to about 54% while MARV genes were detected in 0.8-3% of samples. MARV antibodies persisted for up to 11months in naturally infected bats, while induced or maternal antibodies declined within 5 months. Apart from, occasional seropositivity was detected in other bat species such as,,, and, whereas MARV particles were observed inandspp. Even though viral genes were undetected in domestic animals, non-human primates (NPH) and rodents, antibodies were reported in dogs and livestock, and NPH in Ghana and Gabon and Zambia, respectively, indicating a higher probability of non-lethal MARV exposure in these species. DISCUSSION: These findings confirmas the primary reservoir but suggest that other bats and domestic animals may contribute to the natural maintenance of MARV. Expanded multispecies surveillance in high-risk regions is essential to clarify reservoirs, host distribution, and transmission dynamics. Understanding these patterns is critical for designing targeted interventions to reduce spillover risk to humans.