Characterization of a MERS-related betacoronavirus in Danish brown long-eared bats (Plecotus auritus).

ABSTRACT:

Background

Bats are recognized as natural reservoir hosts for numerous viruses and are believed to be the evolutionary origin of alpha- and beta-coronaviruses (CoVs), such as SARS-CoV, SARS-CoV-2, and possibly MERS-CoV. MERS-related beta-CoVs have been identified in bat species from Africa, America, Asia, and Europe. In this study, we describe the first detection and characterization of a MERS-related beta-CoV in Danish brown long-eared bats (Plecotus auritus).

Methods

Fecal samples collected through a national surveillance program were screened using pan-CoV RT-qPCRs. Positive samples underwent ORF1b sequencing, microarray analysis and Illumina MiSeq sequencing, followed by metagenomic assembly of full-length genomes. A global phylogenetic tree was used to determine placeme

SUBMITTER: Johnston CM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12362977 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature