First detection of Hedgehog coronavirus 1 in Poland.

Sci Rep

Department of Poultry Diseases, National Veterinary Research Institute, Al. Partyzantów 57, 24-100, Puławy, Poland.

Published: February 2022

Hedgehogs are common in the majority of European countries and are known to host various pathogens, including viruses. The recent discovery of MERS-related coronaviruses (CoVs) in hedgehogs from Germany, France, the UK, China, and Italy suggests that hedgehogs may represent a wild reservoir of betacoronaviruses. This study reports the first detection and characterization of novel betacoronovirus, subgenus Merbecovirus in wild hedgehogs in Poland. The CoV RNA was detected in 10 out of 40 hedgehogs' rectal swabs and in 1 out of 18 samples of the lung. No viral RNA was identified in the duodenum and kidney. There was no significant relationship between clinical status, gender, hedgehogs' age, and coronaviral RNA detection. Phylogenetic analysis showed that CoVs detected in our study grouped together with other representatives of Hedgehog coronavirus 1 species identified in Western Europe. Our findings provide further evidence that hedgehogs are a natural reservoir of Merbecovirus. Considering the high mutation rate of CoVs and their potential for crossing interspecies barriers, the proper management of hedgehogs admitted to wildlife rehabilitation centres is needed. It cannot be excluded that merbecovirus strains detected in hedgehogs may recombine with other CoVs leading to new viruses with potential for interspecies transmission.

Download full-text PDF

Source
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8837599PMC
http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41598-022-06432-zDOI Listing

Publication Analysis

Top Keywords

hedgehog coronavirus
8
hedgehogs
7
detection hedgehog
4
coronavirus poland
4
poland hedgehogs
4
hedgehogs common
4
common majority
4
majority european
4
european countries
4
countries host
4

Similar Publications

Want AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?

Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!