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J Virol. Characterization of a novel betacoronavirus related to MERS-CoV in European hedgehogs.
[Source: US National Library of Medicine, full page: (LINK). Abstract, edited.]
Characterization of a novel betacoronavirus related to MERS-CoV in European hedgehogs.
J Virol. 2013 Oct 16;
Authors: Corman VM, Kallies R, Philipps H, G?pner G, M?ller MA, Eckerle I, Br?nink S, Drosten C, Drexler JF
Abstract
Bats are kown to host viruses closely related to important human Coronaviruses (CoV) such as HCoV-229E, the SARS-CoV, as well as the MERS-CoV. As RNA viruses may coevolve with their hosts, we sought to investigate the next sister taxon to bats, the Eulipotyphla, and screened European hedgehogs (Erinaceus europaeus) from Germany for CoV by nested reverse transcriptase-PCR. A novel betacoronavirus species in phylogenetic sister-relationship to MERS-CoV and clade c bat CoV was detected and characterized on a full genome level. 58.9% of hedgehog fecal specimens were positive for the novel CoV (EriCoV) at 7.9 Log10 mean RNA copies per ml. EriCoV RNA concentrations were higher in the intestine than in other solid organs, blood and urine. Detailed analyses of the full hedgehog intestine showed highest EriCoV concentrations in lower gastrointestinal tract specimens, compatible with viral replication in the lower intestine and fecal-oral transmission. 13 of 27 (48.2%) hedgehog sera contained non- neutralising antibodies against MERS-CoV. The animal origins of this betacoronavirus clade including MERS-CoV may thus include both bat and non-bat hosts.
PMID: 24131722 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
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Characterization of a novel betacoronavirus related to MERS-CoV in European hedgehogs.
J Virol. 2013 Oct 16;
Authors: Corman VM, Kallies R, Philipps H, G?pner G, M?ller MA, Eckerle I, Br?nink S, Drosten C, Drexler JF
Abstract
Bats are kown to host viruses closely related to important human Coronaviruses (CoV) such as HCoV-229E, the SARS-CoV, as well as the MERS-CoV. As RNA viruses may coevolve with their hosts, we sought to investigate the next sister taxon to bats, the Eulipotyphla, and screened European hedgehogs (Erinaceus europaeus) from Germany for CoV by nested reverse transcriptase-PCR. A novel betacoronavirus species in phylogenetic sister-relationship to MERS-CoV and clade c bat CoV was detected and characterized on a full genome level. 58.9% of hedgehog fecal specimens were positive for the novel CoV (EriCoV) at 7.9 Log10 mean RNA copies per ml. EriCoV RNA concentrations were higher in the intestine than in other solid organs, blood and urine. Detailed analyses of the full hedgehog intestine showed highest EriCoV concentrations in lower gastrointestinal tract specimens, compatible with viral replication in the lower intestine and fecal-oral transmission. 13 of 27 (48.2%) hedgehog sera contained non- neutralising antibodies against MERS-CoV. The animal origins of this betacoronavirus clade including MERS-CoV may thus include both bat and non-bat hosts.
PMID: 24131722 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
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