A team of Chinese researchers has discovered a new bat coronavirus that can infect humans through the same pathway as the virus responsible for COVID-19.
The study, led by virologist Shi Zhengli—often referred to as “batwoman” for her extensive research on bat coronaviruses—was conducted by the Guangzhou Laboratory in collaboration with the Guangzhou Academy of Sciences, Wuhan University, and the Wuhan Institute of Virology.
The newly identified virus is a variant of the HKU5 coronavirus, originally found in the Japanese pipistrelle bat in Hong Kong. It belongs to the Merbecovirus subgenus, which includes the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) virus.
According to the research published in the peer-reviewed journal Cell, the virus can bind to the human angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE2), the same receptor used by SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. This means it has the potential for animal-to-human transmission.
“We report the discovery and isolation of a distinct lineage (lineage 2) of HKU5-CoV, which can utilise not only bat ACE2 but also human ACE2 and various mammalian ACE2 orthologs,” the researchers stated in the study.
Further laboratory tests showed that the virus, when isolated from bat samples, could infect human cells and artificial tissue structures that mimic human respiratory and intestinal organs.
Scientists warn that bat Merbecoviruses pose a significant risk of spilling over to humans, either through direct transmission or through an intermediate animal host.
The study also noted that HKU5-CoV-2 can bind to ACE2 receptors in multiple mammalian species, increasing the possibility of cross-species transmission.
The Merbecovirus subgenus includes four distinct species—MERS coronavirus, two bat coronaviruses, and one found in hedgehogs. Due to its potential threat, it was recently added to the World Health Organization’s list of emerging pathogens for pandemic preparedness.
Earlier this month, another study by researchers from the University of Washington in Seattle and Wuhan University found that while the HKU5 strain could bind to bat and other mammalian ACE2 receptors, it did not show strong human-to-human transmission capability.
However, experts emphasize the need for continuous monitoring to prevent future outbreaks.