Investigation and Characterization of Coronaviruses in Bats
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.34117/bjdv11n10-063Keywords:
Coronavirus, molecular ecoepidemiology of viruses, bats, reservoir animals, sentinel animalsAbstract
Coronaviruses are associated with a wide range of zoonotic diseases, affecting various hosts, including humans. Bats, the only flying mammals, are recognized as natural and asymptomatic reservoirs of different types of coronaviruses. This study aimed to identify and genetically characterize coronaviruses circulating in different bat species from the municipalities of Campinas and Rio Claro, in the state of São Paulo, Brazil. Between 2011 and 2015, 600 samples (300 oral swabs and 300 anal swabs) were collected and stored at –80°C. A total of 171 samples were excluded due to degradation caused by improper storage conditions. The remaining samples were grouped by species and swab type, forming 53 pools for RNA extraction. cDNA synthesis was performed via reverse transcription, followed by RT-PCR screening using pan-coronavirus primers. Positive pools underwent individual RNA extraction and further RT-PCR testing. PCR products from positive samples were purified, quantified, and sequenced for phylogenetic analysis. The results enabled the identification of viral sequences related to different coronavirus lineages, contributing to the understanding of viral diversity in bats and their zoonotic potential.
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