Persistence of SARS-CoV in bat feces (Rhinolophus ferrumequinum) and implications for the ecology of SARS-CoV related viruses in nature

摘要

Background: Like most pathogens that infect human, the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (SARS-CoV) is highly suspected to originate from wildlife. Indeed, the connexion to bats has been extensively discussed. This diversified group, accounting for 20% of living mammals species, has been recognized to harbor a great diversity of alpha and betacoronaviruses, some of which being very close to the SARS-CoV. Unfortunately, the ways and modalities of transmission from bats to other mammals remain currently unknown and more globally, the ecology of coronaviruses in wildlife is poorly described.