Characterization and evolutionary history of novel SARS-CoV-2-related viruses in bats from Cambodia
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: Circulating bat coronaviruses present a significant pandemic threat, yet our understanding of their genetic diversity and evolutionary dynamics remains limited. Over 3 years, we sampled 1,462 bats in Cambodia's Steung Treng province, identifying extensive and diverse coronaviruses co-circulation. Using metatranscriptomic and amplicon sequencing, we generated 33 complete sarbecovirus genomes sequences, revealing novel lineages that cluster into four distinct groups, each associated with different Rhinolophus bat species. Our analysis highlights rapid migration and recombination of sarbecovirus lineages over short distances and timescales. Of note, the receptor-binding domains of two novel viral groups exhibit high similarity to SARS-CoV-2, and pseudovirus assays confirmed the ability of this spike protein to mediate entry into cells expressing human ACE2, suggesting a potential zoonotic risk. The observed genetic diversity underscores the urgent need for continuous surveillance to identify high-risk animal-to-human interfaces and inform pandemic preparedness.
Source: Nature Communications
Authors: Tey Putita Ou, Julia Guillebaud, Artem Baidaliuk, Sothyra Tum, Dany Chheang, Deborah Delaune, Matthieu Prot, Elise Bruder, Rafael Rahal Guaragna Machado, Leakhena Pum, Vibol Hul, Thavry Hoem, Sovann Ly, Heidi Auerswald, Frederick Arnaud, Kei Sato, Gavin JD Smith, Philippe Dussart, Erik A. Karlsson, Véronique Chevalier, Julien Cappelle, Veasna Duong, Etienne Simon-Loriere
Institutions: Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Institut Pasteur, Université de Montpellier, Université Paris Cité, Institut Pasteur du Cambodge, Génomique évolutive, modélisation et santé, Pasteur Network, Ministry of Agriculture Forestry and Fisheries, Ministry of Health, Lyon 1 Université, École Pratique des Hautes Études, Université Paris Sciences et Lettres, Institut National de Recherche pour l'Agriculture, l'Alimentation et l'Environnement, Infections Virales et Pathologie Comparée, Duke-NUS Medical School, Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, The University of Tokyo, Institut Pasteur de Madagascar, Centre de Coopération Internationale en Recherche Agronomique pour le Développement, Animal, Santé, Territoires, Risques et Ecosystèmes
Language: English
Subfield: Animal Science and Zoology
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $6,990
Funders: American Society of Mammalogists, European Commission, Agence Nationale de la Recherche, Ministry of Environment, Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Centre de Coopération Internationale en Recherche Agronomique pour le Développement, VetAgro Sup, Région Occitanie Pyrénées-Méditerranée, National Institutes of Health, HORIZON EUROPE Framework Programme, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases
Awards: G1979782309, G2100353928, G282427092, Inter-regional study of transmission, adaptation and pathogenesis of viruses with pandemic potential in Southeast Asia and West/Central Africa, Biodiversity Conservation to Mitigate the risks of emerging infectious diseases, Institut Convergences pour l’étude de l’Emergence des Pathologies au Travers des Individus et des populatiONs, G5296751580, G7163014271, G7404307812, G7422929747, G7540829840, G8670608220, G95369331
OpenAlex ID: W4409723271