Viral Metagenomics Revealed Sendai Virus and Coronavirus Infection of Malayan Pangolins (Manis javanica)

Liu, Ping; Chen, Wu; Chen, Jinping

doi:10.3390/v11110979

Cited by 359 publications

(430 citation statements)

References 52 publications

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“…Such a case has been proposed for Malayan pangolins (Liu et al 2019), a meat delicacy that was most likely sold in the exotic meat market. It has been proposed, though not yet proven, that 2019_nCoV naturally propagates in bats, but the bat species in which the population mainly resides was unknown at the time of writing.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

2019_nCoV/SARS-CoV-2: rapid classification of betacoronaviruses and identification of Traditional Chinese Medicine as potential origin of zoonotic coronaviruses

Wassenaar

Zou²

2020

Letters in Applied Microbiology

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Significance and Impact of the Study: The noncoding upstream and downstream flanks of coronavirus genomes allow for rapid classification of novel Betacoronavirus species and correct identification of genetic relationships. Although bats are the likely natural host of 2019_nCoV, the exact bat species that serves as the natural host of the virus remains as yet unknown. Chinese bat species with commercial value were identified as natural reservoirs of coronaviruses and are used in Traditional Chinese Medicine. Since their trading provides a potential risk for spreading zoonoses, a change in these practices is highly recommended. AbstractThe current outbreak of a novel severe acute respiratory syndrome-like coronavirus, 2019_nCoV (now named SARS-CoV-2), illustrated difficulties in identifying a novel coronavirus and its natural host, as the coding sequences of various Betacoronavirus species can be highly diverse. By means of wholegenome sequence comparisons, we demonstrate that the noncoding flanks of the viral genome can be used to correctly separate the recognized four betacoronavirus subspecies. The conservation would be sufficient to define target sequences that could, in theory, classify novel virus species into their subspecies. Only 253 upstream noncoding sequences of Sarbecovirus are sufficient to identify genetic similarities between species of this subgenus. Furthermore, it was investigated which bat species have commercial value in China, and would thus likely be handled for trading purposes. A number of coronavirus genomes have been published that were obtained from such bat species. These bats are used in Traditional Chinese Medicine, and their handling poses a potential risk to cause zoonotic coronavirus epidemics.1

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

2019_nCoV/SARS-CoV-2: rapid classification of betacoronaviruses and identification of Traditional Chinese Medicine as potential origin of zoonotic coronaviruses

Wassenaar

Zou²

2020

Letters in Applied Microbiology

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“…At the same time, Paulo Eduardo Brandão, a virologist from the University of St. Paul, also said, "There is no evidence that snakes can be infected by this new coronavirus and act as hosts" [34]. A study on the genome sequence of diseased pangolins smuggled from Malaysia to China found that pangolins carry coronavirus, suggesting that pangolins may be intermediate hosts for SARS-COV-2 [35]. Pangolins seized in anti-smuggling operations in Guangxi and Guangdong of southern China were detected with multiple CoV linages with 85.5-92.4% genome sequence similarity to those of SARS-CoV-2 [36].…”

Section: Intermediate Hostsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Potential Factors Influencing Repeated SARS Outbreaks in China

Sun

Thilakavathy

Kumar

et al. 2020

IJERPH

163

157

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Within last 17 years two widespread epidemics of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) occurred in China, which were caused by related coronaviruses (CoVs): SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2. Although the origin(s) of these viruses are still unknown and their occurrences in nature are mysterious, some general patterns of their pathogenesis and epidemics are noticeable. Both viruses utilize the same receptor-angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2)-for invading human bodies. Both epidemics occurred in cold dry winter seasons celebrated with major holidays, and started in regions where dietary consumption of wildlife is a fashion. Thus, if bats were the natural hosts of SARS-CoVs, cold temperature and low humidity in these times might provide conducive environmental conditions for prolonged viral survival in these regions concentrated with bats. The widespread existence of these bat-carried or -released viruses might have an easier time in breaking through human defenses when harsh winter makes human bodies more vulnerable. Once succeeding in making some initial human infections, spreading of the disease was made convenient with increased social gathering and holiday travel. These natural and social factors influenced the general progression and trajectory of the SARS epidemiology. However, some unique factors might also contribute to the origination of SARS in Wuhan. These factors are discussed in different scenarios in order to promote more research for achieving final validation.

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“…Although humans and bats live in different environments, some wildlife species are susceptible to the novel coronaviruses in nature, highlighting that the need of tracing its origin of 2019 human coronavirus in wild animals. Previously, researchers had demonstrated that coronaviruses had been detected in pangolins [6]. Here, we explore the phylogenic relationship of the human SARS-CoV-2 together with pangolin-and bat-origin coronaviruses.…”

mentioning

confidence: 94%