In Brazil, a new type of coronavirus was discovered in bats, which is similar to the Mers virus, but its effect on humans is still unknown. About this informs The Independent.
Scientists have found that the new virus has genetic similarities to Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (Mers-CoV), which was first reported in Saudi Arabia in 2012. Since then, the virus has caused 850 deaths and has been detected in more than 20 countries.
The researchers note that the genetic sequence of the new virus is 72% identical to the genome of Mers-CoV. In addition, its spike protein, which is responsible for attachment to host cells, has 71.74% similarity to a similar Mers virus protein.
“At the moment we’re not sure it can infect humans, but we found parts of the spike protein of the virus that binds to mammalian cells to initiate infection], suggesting a potential interaction with a receptor that Mers-CoV uses,” – noted the author of the study, Candidate of Sciences Bruna Stephanie Silverio.
The study is based on the analysis of 423 swabs from the oral cavity and rectum of 16 species of bats. Scientists have identified seven coronaviruses in five samples collected in the northeastern Brazilian city of Fortaleza.
The experts also found that the new virus is highly similar to coronavirus strains previously found in humans and camels. In addition, there are indications that the virus’s genome is undergoing recombination, a process in which genetic material is mixed and changed.
