A review of bats as carriers of organisms which are capable of infecting man or domestic animals

Abstract

A revision of the literature was made concerning the microorganisms and parasites recovered from bats which may infect man or domestic animals. The microorganisms and parasites recovered from 20,600 Colombian bats, examined by the authors, are included. References regarding experimental infections of bats which organisms pathogenic for man or domestic animals are also reported. The Arbo viruses Salmonella spp., Spirochaeta spp., Leptospira spp. reported from bats have been listed, because they are considered to be potential pathogens, or because anti-bodies against these microorganisms can be expected to occur in man or in domestic animals.