A newly identified bat coronavirus, HKU5-CoV-2, has been found to have the potential to infect humans, according to research published in the scientific journal Cell. The virus was discovered by a Chinese research team led by virologist Shi Zhengli, in collaboration with the Wuhan Institute of Virology, the Guangzhou Laboratory, and the Guangzhou Academy of Sciences.
Researchers found that HKU5-CoV-2 uses the ACE2 receptor to infect cells, the same mechanism used by SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for COVID-19. This characteristic makes it more likely to infect human cells compared to other coronaviruses.
HKU5-CoV-2 belongs to the merbecovirus group, which includes the MERS (Middle East Respiratory Syndrome) virus. The study states that bat merbecoviruses pose a high risk of spillover to humans, either directly or through intermediate hosts.
Using a technique called Cryo-EM, which employs high-powered microscopy, scientists examined how the virus interacts with human cells. The study confirmed that HKU5-CoV-2 successfully infected human cell cultures, including human respiratory and enteric organoids, indicating a potential zoonotic threat.
The researchers concluded that HKU5-CoV-2 demonstrates better adaptation to human ACE2 receptors compared to other HKU5 coronaviruses. However, they emphasized that further investigation is needed to determine whether this virus could cause disease in humans.
The discovery adds to ongoing research into bat-borne coronaviruses and their potential to jump to humans. While the study highlights HKU5-CoV-2’s ability to infect human cells, scientists stress that additional studies are required to assess its risk for causing outbreaks.
