Title: Absence of arenavirus RNA among animal’s samples from potential reservoirs in Gabonof

Abstract

Many pathogenic or nonpathogenic arenaviruses reservoirs are present in Gabon and LCMV RNA has been found in its natural reservoirs, suggesting that other arenaviruses should be present in the country together with new host arenaviruses. Here we report the absence of arenaviruses RNA in rodents, bats and bushmeats. This absence must be due to the fact that the distribution of some viruses doesn’t necessarily match with the geographical distribution of its reservoir but also because of the method used, the size and geographical location of samples. To go further insight the circulation of arenaviruses and their reservoirs in Gabon, it will be necessary to (i) increase number and diversity of animal species, (ii) use specific multiplex systems of PCR targeting the two segments of arenaviruses and (iii) add new technologies like serological studies and Next Generation Sequencing.