A team of Chinese researchers has discovered a new bat coronavirus capable of infecting humans through the same receptor used by SARS-CoV-2. Led by Dr. Shi Zhengli, the study details the virus’s lineage and its potential transmission pathways. The findings underscore the ongoing risks of coronaviruses and zoonotic diseases.
Recent research conducted by a team from China has identified a new bat coronavirus that poses a risk of transmission to humans through the same receptor utilized by the Covid-19 virus. This study was spearheaded by Dr. Shi Zhengli, a prominent virologist known for her significant contributions to coronavirus research, particularly at a laboratory in Wuhan. Collaborators included experts from the Guangzhou Laboratory, Guangzhou Academy of Sciences, Wuhan University, and the Wuhan Institute of Virology.
The newly discovered virus is classified as a new lineage of the HKU5 coronavirus, which was first found in the Japanese pipistrelle bat species in Hong Kong. This virus falls under the merbecovirus subgenus, a category that also encompasses the pathogen responsible for Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS). The critical aspect of this virus is its ability to bind to the human angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), similar to the mechanism employed by the SARS-CoV-2 virus responsible for Covid-19 infections.
Research on the origins of coronaviruses continues to be a contentious topic, with proposals indicating that the Covid-19 virus may have originated from bats before potentially passing through an intermediate species to humans. While some theories have implicated the Wuhan Institute of Virology in the outbreak, Dr. Shi Zhengli has affirmed that the institute is not responsible for the emergence of the virus.
In summary, the latest findings from a Chinese research team reveal a new bat coronavirus that could potentially infect humans through the same means as Covid-19. Led by Dr. Shi Zhengli, this study emphasizes the importance of ongoing research regarding the origins and transmission pathways of coronaviruses. The discovery of this new lineage serves as a reminder of the ongoing risks associated with zoonotic diseases.
Original Source: www.scmp.com
