Nevertheless the RTPCR test developed by Lanciottiet al. disease, characterized by haemorrhages and an increase in vascular permeability which frequently leads to death. Dengue is an important health problem in most tropical and subtropical countries [1]. In Mexico during 20052006, a total of 46 853 laboratory-confirmed cases were reported, 9430 of which were DHF [2]. Primate species have been found to have clinically unapparent DV infections. Besides primates that are expensive to obtain and guarded by animal welfare organizations, suckling mice ABT333 are currently used as an experimental model for dengue infections. Nevertheless, mice susceptibility depends on age and computer virus adaptation [1]. The lack of an economical and available laboratory animal model, among other factors, may have hampered the successful development of an effective vaccine. The order Chiroptera is known as being the origin of most of the members of theLyssavirusgenus, including the classical rabies virus. Members of the order Chiroptera ABT333 have been described as natural hosts of emergent viruses affecting humans, e.g. the Hendra and Nipah paramyxoviruses, Ebola computer virus, and SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome) coronavirus [3]. Bats represent the second most abundant and diverse mammal order in Mexico, with at least 138 species [4]. In a previous study, the prevalence of antibodies against rabies and La Piedad Michoacn paramyxovirus (LPMV) in several species of non-haematophagous bats in Mexico was studied PIK3CG [5]. The susceptibility of vampire bats (Desmodus rotundus) to rabies computer virus and their immunization against this disease has been studied using animals maintained in captivity [6], demonstrating that they are effective models for the research of viral diseases. It is possible that some bat species are susceptible to DV. In 1998, Zhanget al. [7] detected DV by reverse transcriptasepolymerase chain reaction (RTPCR) in bats captured in Hainan, China. Later, Plattet al. [8] reported antibodies against DV in bats captured in Costa Rica and Ecuador. Studies around the susceptibility of bats to DV are scarce and incomplete. In populated areas, DV circulates among humans byAedesmosquito vector transmission with no other known mammal reservoir. Many species of bats cohabit with humans in populated areas; however, their role as probable reservoirs remains hypothetical. Between 2005 and 2006, 2339 human cases of DV contamination were reported in Colima and Jalisco around the ABT333 central Pacific coast of Mexico, and 7272 human cases in Veracruz around the Gulf coast of Mexico [2]. The strong DV activity in these areas led us to investigate bats for the presence of DV. The study was performed in five localities around the Pacific coast, in Colima (1819 July 2005) and Jalisco (2123 July 2005); and in seven localities around the Gulf of Mexico’s coast, in Veracruz (30 January to 3 February 2006, and 710 August 2006) (Fig. 1). == Fig. 1. == Sites of important dengue computer virus outbreaks () and bat sampling (), 20052006. (Source: Secretara de Salud, Mexico (Health Ministry) [5].) Between 2005 and 2006, municipalities close to the capture areas (in a perimeter ranging from 1 km to 80 km) reported rates of DV contamination in humans between 1097 and 253/100 000 populace in Jalisco; between 392 and 120/100 000 in Colima, and between 904 and 95/100 000 in Veracruz, showing a strong DV activity ABT333 in the study period [2] (Fig. 1). Bats were collected at night with mist nets, 26 m high and 12 m long (38-mm mesh). During the day, we searched for roosts in houses, sheds, and culverts under roads. All captured specimens were collected following the recommendations of the Animal Care and Use Committee. In total, 149 trapped animals were sacrificed, and 31 animals were released after samples were taken. We preserved voucher specimens using standard procedures. For most captured specimens, we gathered information of their natural history and reproductive condition. The skins, skulls and/or skeletons of the specimens were preserved for taxonomic studies. Blood, brain,.