According to Chinese researchers, a type of coronavirus called NeoCov, which spreads among bats in South Africa is likely to pose threat to humans if it mutates further, in future.

Highlights

• Study was posted on the preprint repository BioRxiv. However, it is yet to be reviewed.
• Study shows that, NeoCov is closely associated to Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS), which is a viral disease first identified in 2012, in Saudi Arabia.

About NeoCov

NeoCov is found in South Africa, among population of Coronaviruses. As of date, it spreads exclusively among these animals. In current form, NeoCov does not infect humans, however, further mutations may make it harmful.

Study Findings

• As per study, NeoCoV and its close relative PDF-2180-CoV were found to use some types of bat Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) and, human ACE2 for entry.
• ACE2 is a receptor protein on cells, providing entry point for coronavirus to infect and hook into a wide range of cells.
• As per study, first case of ACE2 usage in MERS-related viruses, sheds light on potential bio-safety threat of human emergence of an ACE2 using “MERS-CoV-2”.
• Study also highlights that, infection with NeoCov could not be cross-neutralised by antibodies to target SARS-CoV-2 or MERS-CoV.

Coronaviruses

Coronavirus are a group of related RNA viruses, causing diseases in birds and mammals. Among humans and birds, these viruses cause mild to lethal respiratory tract infections. Mild illnesses among humans include some cases of common cold. More lethal varieties can cause Covid-19, SARS and MERS. In pigs and cows, these viruses cause diarrhea. In mice, they cause hepatitis and encephalomyelitis.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS)

SARS is a viral respiratory disease. It is having zoonotic origin and caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV). First known case of the disease occurred in 2002.