ISLAMABAD (PEN) : A new strain of coronavirus, discovered in bats in Brazil, has shown significant genetic similarities to MERS-CoV, the virus responsible for the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome. The discovery has raised concerns, although the potential risk to humans remains unclear.
Virus Identified in Bats in Brazil
Researchers from São Paulo and Ceará, in collaboration with Hong Kong University (HKU), identified the novel virus through genetic analysis. The virus shares about 72% of its genetic sequence with MERS-CoV, and the spike protein, which facilitates viral entry into host cells, shows 71.74% similarity to that of MERS. These similarities suggest the virus could potentially interact with the same receptor used by MERS-CoV, though scientists stress that further studies are needed to determine if it can infect humans.
*Bruna Stefanie Silvério*, a PhD candidate involved in the study, said, “Right now we aren’t sure it can infect humans, but we detected parts of the virus’s spike protein [which binds to mammalian cells to start an infection], suggesting potential interaction with the receptor used by Mers-CoV.”
Study Methodology and Findings
The study, published in the Journal of Medical Virology, involved screening 423 oral and rectal swabs from 16 different bat species in Fortaleza, a city in northeastern Brazil. From this screening, researchers identified seven coronaviruses across five bat species. The newly discovered virus was found to have similarities to MERS-related viruses previously detected in both humans and camels.
Concerns About Virus Evolution
The study also observed signs of genetic recombination, suggesting that the virus could be evolving quickly. This highlights the genetic diversity of coronaviruses and the potential for further mutations. *Ricardo Durães-Carvalho*, another author of the study, noted, “This monitoring helps identify circulating viruses and risks of transmission to other animals, and even to humans.”
Need for Ongoing Surveillance
The findings emphasize the importance of continued surveillance, particularly as bats are known to be important viral reservoirs. Dr. Durães-Carvalho stressed the need for regular epidemiological monitoring, saying, “Bats are important viral reservoirs and should therefore be submitted to continuous epidemiological surveillance.”
While the new virus does not pose an immediate risk, the discovery serves as a reminder of the potential for cross-species transmission of coronaviruses and the need for vigilance in monitoring wildlife diseases.
