📄 Genomic characterizations of bat coronaviruses (1A, 1B and HKU8) and evidence for co-infections in Miniopterus bats

We previously reported the detection of bat coronaviruses (bat Co. Vs 1A, 1B. HKU7. HKU8 and bat-severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus) in Miniopterus,spp. that cohabit a cave in Hong Kong. Here, we report the full genomic s equences of bat Co. Vs 1A, 1B and HKU8. Bat Co. Vs 1A and 1B, which are commonly found in the Miniopterus, are phylogenetically closely related. Using species-specific RT-PCR assays, bat Co. Vs 1A and 1B were confirmed to have distinct host specificities to Miniopterus magnater and Miniopterus pusillus, respectively. Interestingly, co-infections of bat Co. Vs 1B and HKU8 in M. pusillus are detected in seven of 38 virus-positive specimens collected from 2004 to 2006. These findings highlight that co-infections of some coronaviruses might be common events in nature. The biological basis for the host restriction of bat coronaviruses, however, is yet to be determined. © 2008 SGM.

keywords 🔗 severe acute (1373) 🔗 syndrome coronavirus (1074) 🔗 closely related (222) 🔗 respiratory syndrome (2004) 🔗 acute respiratory (1734) 🔗 previously reported (79)

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