Experimental infection of Artibeus intermedius with a vampire bat rabies virus.

•None of the bats inoculated showed clinical signs of rabies infection.•High titers of antibodies were detected post-inoculation, suggesting pre-exposure to RV.•Frequent contact to sub-lethal doses of RV in wild colonies of bats may result in the establishment of immunity, protecting individuals from subsequent infections.•Contact to sub-lethal doses of RV may result in the establishment of immunity, protecting individuals from subsequent infections.