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Published on: October 23, 2019
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Bat origin of human coronaviruses
Ben Hu1, Xingyi Ge1, Lin-Fa Wang2
1Key Laboratory of Special Pathogens and Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China.
Virology Journal
|December 23, 2015
Summary
Bats are natural reservoirs for diverse coronaviruses, including those related to SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV. Understanding these bat viruses is crucial for preventing future pandemics.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Zoonotic Diseases
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Bats host a wide array of viruses, serving as natural reservoirs.
- Emerging human coronaviruses, SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV, are suspected to originate from bats.
- Previous research has identified SARS-like coronaviruses in Chinese horseshoe bats.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the diversity and characteristics of coronaviruses in bats.
- To understand the potential for bat coronaviruses to infect humans.
- To inform strategies for preventing future coronavirus pandemics.
Main Methods:
- Phylogenetic analysis of bat coronavirus genomes.
- In vitro studies on viral entry mechanisms.
- Surveillance of bat populations for coronavirus detection.
Main Results:
- Genetically diverse SARS-like coronaviruses found in Chinese horseshoe bats, some sharing spike protein similarity and receptor usage with SARS-CoV.
- Coronaviruses related to MERS-CoV discovered globally in various bat species, with some classified under the same species.
- Bat coronaviruses related to human strains 229E and NL63 also detected.
Conclusions:
- Bats harbor numerous coronaviruses with pandemic potential.
- Intermediate hosts likely facilitate bat-to-human transmission.
- Understanding bat coronavirus origins is key for pandemic prediction and prevention.
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