A study reveals Brazilian bats harbor a new coronavirus strain related to MERS, potentially threatening human health. Researchers plan laboratory tests to investigate its human infectivity. Bats are emphasized as critical reservoirs for viruses, necessitating continuous surveillance.
Recent research indicates that Brazilian bats are hosts to a diverse range of coronaviruses, including a newly discovered strain that may present future risks to human health. Scientists are prioritizing this discovery and plan to conduct further testing in secure laboratories to assess the potential for transmission to humans. This newly identified strain has unsettling similarities to the bat-derived MERS coronavirus, known for its high fatality rate of approximately 35%.
Since it was first identified in 2012, MERS-CoV has led to 858 confirmed deaths primarily in areas such as the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia. In contrast, the coronavirus responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic, SARS-CoV-2, has a lower case fatality rate of about 2%, as per a study conducted in 2022.
This examination, undertaken by scientists in Brazil and China, assessed 16 various bat species for pathogens. An extensive collection of over 400 oral and rectal swabs yielded seven distinct coronaviruses from just two species: Molossus molossus, an insect-eating bat, and Artibeus lituratus, a fruit bat. Among these, one variant demonstrated an evolutionary connection to MERS-CoV, marking a significant find as such strains had previously only been documented in bats across Africa, Europe, and the Middle East.
The research underscores the presence of closely related viruses circulating within South American bat populations, thereby broadening their known geographic range. Historically, researchers have recognized the dangers posed by bat-associated viruses well before the COVID-19 pandemic. The SARS outbreak in 2002 was the first pandemic of the 21st century linked to unknown origins, with a fatality ratio of around 10% at its conclusion in June 2003.
Subsequent studies revealed that bats acted as natural reservoirs for SARS-like coronaviruses, culminating in the confirmation that SARS-CoV-1 originated from these animals. Similarly, MERS was identified in 2012, likely originating from bats and transmitted through camels to humans. Despite its limited human-to-human infectivity, MERS has been transported globally by travelers.
The identification of a MERS-like strain in South America highlights the critical role of bats as reservoirs for emerging viruses. “Currently, we are uncertain if this strain can infect humans; however, we identified components of the viral spike protein, which indicates potential interaction with the cellular receptors utilized by MERS-CoV,” comments researcher Bruna Stefanie Silvério. Future experiments in Hong Kong are planned to explore this possibility further.
The awareness of coronaviruses intersecting with human populations has heightened since 2020. While the finding of a potential bat-borne virus is alarming, it also presents an opportunity for ongoing monitoring. “Bats significantly contribute to the emergence of viruses and warrant continuous epidemiological surveillance,” states co-author Ricardo Durães-Carvalho at the Federal University of São Paulo. This vigilance surrounding bat populations may improve our preparedness against viral threats.
The findings of this critical study have been published in the Journal of Medical Virology.
The discovery of a new strain of coronavirus in Brazilian bats, reminiscent of the MERS virus, poses a potential health risk to humans. Researchers are taking this finding seriously, indicating the need for further examination of its capacity to infect humans. Bats remain critical reservoirs for emerging viruses, necessitating ongoing surveillance to mitigate potential threats. Overall, heightened awareness and research into these viral reservoirs are essential for public health preparedness.
Original Source: www.sciencealert.com
