| Literature DB >> 33563978 |
Supaporn Wacharapluesadee1, Chee Wah Tan2, Patarapol Maneeorn3, Prateep Duengkae4, Feng Zhu2, Yutthana Joyjinda1, Thongchai Kaewpom1, Wan Ni Chia2, Weenassarin Ampoot1, Beng Lee Lim2, Kanthita Worachotsueptrakun1, Vivian Chih-Wei Chen2, Nutthinee Sirichan4, Chanida Ruchisrisarod1, Apaporn Rodpan1, Kirana Noradechanon3, Thanawadee Phaichana3, Niran Jantarat3, Boonchu Thongnumchaima3, Changchun Tu5,6, Gary Crameri7, Martha M Stokes8, Thiravat Hemachudha9, Lin-Fa Wang10,11.
Abstract
Among the many questions unanswered for the COVID-19 pandemic are the origin of SARS-CoV-2 and the potential role of intermediate animal host(s) in the early animal-to-human transmission. The discovery of RaTG13 bat coronavirus in China suggested a high probability of a bat origin. Here we report molecular and serological evidence of SARS-CoV-2 related coronaviruses (SC2r-CoVs) actively circulating in bats in Southeast Asia. Whole genome sequences were obtained from five independent bats (Rhinolophus acuminatus) in a Thai cave yielding a single isolate (named RacCS203) which is most related to the RmYN02 isolate found in Rhinolophus malayanus in Yunnan, China. SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibodies were also detected in bats of the same colony and in a pangolin at a wildlife checkpoint in Southern Thailand. Antisera raised against the receptor binding domain (RBD) of RmYN02 was able to cross-neutralize SARS-CoV-2 despite the fact that the RBD of RacCS203 or RmYN02 failed to bind ACE2. Although the origin of the virus remains unresolved, our study extended the geographic distribution of genetically diverse SC2r-CoVs from Japan and China to Thailand over a 4800-km range. Cross-border surveillance is urgently needed to find the immediate progenitor virus of SARS-CoV-2.Entities:
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Year: 2021 PMID: 33563978 PMCID: PMC7873279 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-21240-1
Source DB: PubMed Journal: Nat Commun ISSN: 2041-1723 Impact factor: 14.919